China has submitted two reports to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, detailing its climate actions and progress, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. These documents, the first biennial transparency report on climate change and the fourth biennial update report, were submitted as scheduled at the end of 2024. The reports encompass a wide range of information, including China's national greenhouse gas inventory, progress in nationally determined contribution, policy actions and their emission reduction effects, impacts of climate change and adaptation, and finance and technology needs and support. China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP had decreased by more than 50 percent in 2021 compared to 2005, with its forest stock up by over 6.49 billion cubic meters, the reports said. As of 2023, non-fossil fuels accounted for 17.9 percent of China's total energy consumption, while by October 2024, the total installed capacity of wind and solar power in the country had reached 1.28 billion kilowatts. The implementation of various targets is well on track, with goals for forest stock and total installed capacity of wind and solar power having been achieved ahead of schedule, the reports revealed. The reports assessed the impact of climate change on China's natural ecosystems and social and economic development, as well as related losses and damages. The country also shared its policies and experiences in combating climate change in these reports. The motorcade for President Jimmy Carters funeral began in Americus, Ga., a town of about 15,000 near Carters hometown of Plains, Ga. As I watched the current and former Secret Service agents who protected the late president carry his flag-draped casket to the waiting hearse and then walk alongside it, a flood of memories came back. My mother was born and raised in Americus, the seat of Sumter County. She has relatives living in Plains, population about 550, about 10 miles from Americus. Growing up, my family would spend summer vacations in Americus and my fathers hometown of Midway, Ga., near Savannah. My brother and I were born and raised in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area the DMV, as its called for D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The trips down south were my parents way of keeping my brother and me connected to our Southern roots. I can still see the Georgia red clay in Americus and Plains. The old folks used the colored soil for medicinal purposes by wrapping it up in a cloth as a poultice to relieve swelling and pain. I actually used it once for a strained ankle, and it worked. I couldnt believe it. So the next time we went down, we brought back a bag of that red clay for future use. As an adult Ive been back countless times to Americus for weddings, funerals, birthdays and family reunions. Many of my extended family members still live there. It was on one of those occasions at least a decade ago that I not only met President Carter, I shook his hand. So did my mom. And it happened in the most normal yet unusual of places a Walmart in Americus. As we were walking into the store, I noticed an older man walking out. He looked like a guy who had simply stopped into the Walmart to pick up a few things. He was in blue jeans and a cotton, short sleeved, plaid shirt. As I got closer, he looked more familiar. When I realized it was Jimmy Carter I couldnt believe it. I totally geeked out and made a beeline straight for him to say hello. Two Secret Service agents had other ideas. They appeared from what seemed out of nowhere. I dont remember exactly what I said, but I remember Carter extending his hand first, which surprised me. At first, I was worried the agents would detain me if I stepped too close to him. But they didnt. And I had the privilege of sharing a moment with the 39th president of the United States. Carter is not the only American president Ive encountered. I have a picture taken with President George H. W. Bush. The public relations agency I worked for at the time threw a D.C. black-tie political event that then-President Bush attended. He kindly and graciously took pictures with the crew. My mother still has the photo. My brush with Carter was not the only time he met a member of my family, either. My cousin was a Secret Service agent assigned to the Presidents detail in the White House. A native of Americus, my cousin was a young man when he came to stay with my family in the DMV. He was having a hard time finding work in Americus, so his search brought him to our home. I was about 12 or 13 years old back then. When he applied to the Secret Service, a federal agent came to our house as part of the background check. The agent questioned and listened to my mother intently while surveilling the room, with specific attention to the china cabinet, she remembers. My cousin landed the job, moved his wife to the DMV and started a family. When Carter returned home to Georgia after his presidency, my cousin followed as part of Carters security detail elated because he was going home, too. He never talked about Carter, which I imagine was a requirement. But when he died in 2003, he was still on the job protecting the former President. A Secret Service unit played the bagpipes at his funeral, my mother remembered. Several years ago in a television interview, Carter was asked about his legacy. He said for his family he wanted to be remembered as a good great-grandfather, a good grandfather and a good father, he said. And a good husband. In the political arena he wanted to be remembered as a champion of peace and human rights. Ill remember him as a warm, humble and kind Southern gentleman who took the time to shake the hands of complete strangers if only for a moment. Police confirmed they were called to Helsinki Airport to handle the incident after the passenger refused to comply with crew instructions. A Finnair flight to Bangkok was delayed by nearly an hour on Saturday after police removed a disruptive passenger, according to a report by Iltalehti. The passenger was identified as Tomi Immonen , a first-term Member of Parliament representing the Finns Party and a retired lieutenant colonel. The passenger caused a disturbance on board and did not leave the aircraft despite being asked. Police were required to intervene, said Inspector Olavi Merihaara of the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department. No passengers were injured during the incident. An eyewitness told Iltalehti that the passenger, who appeared intoxicated, argued loudly with cabin crew upon boarding. Several others contacted the news outlet to describe the event. He was standing in the planes entry area, arguing with the crew. He loudly declared he was an MP and a former officer, saying his name was Tomi Immonen, one witness reported. Witnesses also described a loud scene lasting approximately 40 minutes. The passenger reportedly insisted he posed no security risk, emphasising his frequent flyer status and military background. Security personnel and police eventually arrived. I heard a loud order instructing him to exit the plane, another witness said. Police confirmed that Immonen was escorted off the aircraft and his journey postponed. Removing a passenger from a plane is never ideal. Disruptive behaviour affects many travellers, and it is essential for everyone to fulfil their responsibilities while travelling, police stated. The flight, scheduled to depart at 8:50 p.m., eventually left at 9:58 p.m., according to Finavia. Inspector Merihaara noted that disruptive passengers can be held liable for costs incurred due to delays, though any decision on compensation would be made by a court. Such situations are taken seriously. Airlines and other passengers face inconvenience and financial losses when these incidents occur, he said. Contacted by Iltalehti on Sunday morning, Immonen initially expressed surprise at the inquiry. Everything is fine, and I dont know why youre calling. I will provide further details if necessary, he said. Later, in a text message, Immonen admitted to a disagreement with the crew, which arose after they deemed him too intoxicated to board. Their decision surprised me, especially as my friend, who suffers from memory loss, was left to travel alone. I tried to negotiate to stay on the flight. I even asked the police to perform a breathalyser test, which they declined, he wrote. Immonen apologised for the delay caused and stated he underwent a voluntary breathalyser test after the incident, which showed a reading of 0.69. I sincerely apologise to everyone whose travel plans were disrupted and to Finnair staff who had to handle the situation, he added. The Finns Party MP represents the Central Finland electoral district. HT A HOME removal and storage firm has been awarded a royal warrant from the King. Wilkins Removals, which was founded in Henley in 1880, was one of 386 companies to be given the accolade by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in December. A royal warrant is a mark of recognition for companies that regularly supply goods or services to the royal household for a minimum of five years. Wilkins provides commercial removals, storage and shipping services. It moved to Reading in 2016 to expand but 70 per cent of its clients are based in Henley. It first started working for the royals in 2016 and in 2022 was granted the warrant by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Upon the death of the monarch, warrants must be reissued. Managing director Oliver Miles said: I was jubilant when I found out. It did come as a surprise because the quantity of businesses receiving the warrant this year has reduced. We didnt know whether our company would meet the criteria. The process takes 12 months from when you can apply to when you find out the results. I was amazed and humbled. To provide removal and storage services to the royal household is very demanding. It has to be done efficiently and very professionally and the whole team has played a massive part in achieving this second warrant from the royal family. To see that the expertise and professionalism has been recognised in that manner gives us all a sense of pride in our work. I personally announced it to the whole team in the office and there was a lot of claps and cheers. Businesses who receive a royal warrant must have a sustainability policy in place to show that they reduce their environmental impact. Wilkins has a waste reduction and fuel efficiency policy. Mr Miles, 38, who lives in Kidmore End, said: We have very strict environmental policies which King Charles is very stringent on. We dont use any single-use plastic here as a business and we use HVO [hydrotreated vegetable oil] diesel, which has a 98 per cent reduction in carbon emission compared to regular diesel. We also offer a very high level of service to all of our clients, which is how the royal family heard of us. Every client that is moving has a dedicated surveyor to assess what needs to be moved and what the requirements are. We move between two and three people a day in Henley and we have a dedicated move manager who deals with the move throughout the whole process. Every day brings an exciting challenge. We enjoy moving peoples homes to different areas and households. Mr Miles, who joined the business 20 years ago, said it was his ambition to receive the royal warrant from a young age after he joined an apprenticeship with a moving company when he left Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning aged 16. His family purchased the business in 1962 and have been involved in the removals industry since about the 1830s. Mr Miles said that last year had been challenging for the business as the housing market had cooled down. He said: It wasnt as busy as the previous two years in terms of the amount of people moving and relocating locally, nationally and internationally. This was a change compared to after covid because the housing market went mad and people were moving all over the country. The pandemic provided a big growth period for us as a business. The challenge was rebalancing our company once we moved out of our Henley site, which we had been in for 120 years, to our Reading site and ensuring that people in Henley know that we are still there. Wilkins employs 20 people, 16 of whom live in Henley and the surrounding area, including Nettlebed, Kidmore End and Hambleden. A few of their longest serving staff members were there to assist the moving of furniture from Windsor Castle in 1992 following a fire, which destroyed 115 rooms. Mr Miles said: A couple of members of our staff have worked for us for more than 30 years [and remember] when the large fire happened. To those members of staff who have always been around assisting the royal family in Windsor, they were very pleased and humbled to have received the warrant again. He recalled the most memorable house move for a client was to a remote Greek island last year, which involved two of their European trucks they refer to as road trains. Mr Miles said: We had to catch two ferries within Greece and then we had to charter a private ferry to take the vehicles to a private island. We possess the expertise to move anything from around the corner to the other side of the world. Wilkins has the right to display the Royal Arms, a symbol of the British monarch. The official royal warrant is expected to arrive in the spring. PENDLETON The Wildhorse Foundation during the 2023-24 school year granted $7,500 to the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation to ensure students in Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties receive regular, first quality vision screening. The grant supported vision screenings at 40 schools for 9,882 students throughout the four-county service area, according to a recent press release from the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. That grant translated into state-of-the-art vision screening for 1,875 students. Of the total number of students receiving vision screening from OLSHF in the four-county region, 2,158 were referred for comprehensive vision exams. The Wildhorse Foundation of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has provided this support for more than a decade. In addition to the screenings, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation helps coordinate resources for underserved student families for low-cost/no-cost vision exams and eyeglasses. OLSHF also partners with all the Lions Clubs throughout the region. Lions Club members volunteer at school vision screening events to interact with students and to help ensure all students can see to learn. To learn more about the OLSHF, visit olshf.org. For more on Lions of Oregon, visit www.md36lionsclubs.org. To learn more about the Wildhorse Foundation, visit thewildhorsefoundation.com. HERMISTON The Umatilla County Sheriffs Office arrested three older teen males Saturday, Jan. 11, following a drive-by shooting. The sheriffs office in a written statement reported its dispatch center received 911 calls at about 2 a.m. for gunshots at a residence in the area of Bridge Road and Westland Road, Hermiston. Deputies responded and collected evidence, which included spent ammunition casings. The dispatch center at about 3:30 a.m. received more calls about gunshots in the same area. Callers described a white sedan heading from the area toward Powerline Road. A Umatilla Police Department officer working on Powerline Road encountered the vehicle, which stopped at a house in Umatilla, according to the sheriffs office. Three people exited and went inside the house. After a short time, one person exited the home and was detained. Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the house, and sheriffs detectives were called to the scene, according to the sheriffs office. Detectives linked the car and suspects to the shootings. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and house and served the warrant at about 3 p.m. Prior to serving the search warrant, the two remaining persons exited the house and also were detained. The search of the suspect vehicle and the house yielded several firearms and ammunition, according to the statement, The sheriffs office arrested Alexis Aguilar, 18, of Umatilla, Abraham Deniz-Chavez, 19, of Irrigon, and Jordan Javary Torres, 18, of Umatilla, for criminal conspiracy related to the shooting. According to the countys online jail inmate roster, the sheriffs office arrested each for the misdemeanor of unlawful possession of a firearm and felonies of criminal conspiracy and possession of a prohibited firearm. The Umatilla Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted the sheriffs office, which also credited residents for reporting the gunshots and vehicle and cooperating with the investigation. Without their help, this crime would likely have gone unsolved, the sheriffs office stated. While drive-by shootings pose a threat to the safety of residents, the sheriffs office also reported, the investigation shows this home was specifically targeted and not selected at random. News / National by Staff reporter As Zimbabwean schools prepare to open for the first term this Tuesday, the Government has issued a stern warning to schools engaging in fraudulent foreign exchange practices. Reports have surfaced of schools coercing parents to pay fees in local currency at inflated black-market rates or insisting on payments exclusively in foreign currency.Parents have alleged that some schools are charging as high as ZWL38 per US$1 for fees paid in local currency, well above the official exchange rate.Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Director for Communications and Advocacy, Mr. Patrick Zumbo, urged schools to abide by official exchange rates in an interview with Sunday News."Schools must stay away from negative practices that could result in legal repercussions. When parents pay in local currency, the official exchange rate must be used. The black-market rate has no place in our educational institutions," he said.Mr. Zumbo also discouraged schools from demanding fees exclusively in US dollars, questioning the necessity for foreign currency when most goods can be procured using local currency."Parents should have the freedom to pay in a currency of their choice, including the Rand, which is preferred in regions like Masvingo and Matabeleland South," he added.Concerns have also been raised over schools pressuring parents to buy overpriced uniforms directly from school suppliers. Mr. Zumbo criticized this practice, stating:"Parents should have the freedom to purchase uniforms from affordable sources. While schools can sell uniforms as a commercial activity, prices must be reasonable. In some cases, we have seen uniform costs exceed school fees and levies, which is unacceptable."Acknowledging the financial strain on families, Mr. Zumbo encouraged parents to communicate with schools if they face challenges in meeting fee obligations and to propose payment plans.He also addressed boarding school placements, revealing that some schools are still accepting Form One applications."Our Electronic Ministry Application Platform (e-map) provides updates on openings across districts and provinces. We currently have over 26,000 boarding places available, up from 24,000 in previous years," he said, adding that efforts are underway to expand boarding facilities.Parents preparing for the school year have expressed mixed feelings about rising costs and the burden of school requirements.Mr. Khumbulani Hadebe from North End, Bulawayo, whose child is starting Form One, described the experience as stressful yet exciting."Acquiring uniforms, books, and other essentials has been challenging. Fees have increased dramatically, forcing us to make tough budgeting decisions," he said.Mrs. Isabel Mawere from Tshabalala, whose son is entering ECD, said her family coped by planning ahead."We prepared early, even cutting back on holiday spending to meet school requirements," she said.Meanwhile, Mr. Clinton Dhiwayo from Hwange District shared the challenges of last-minute preparations for his daughter starting at a boarding school."Financially, it's been tough. We had to secure everything from bedding to groceries to ensure she's comfortable on her first day," he said.As schools reopen, the Government's stance against unethical practices highlights its commitment to fairness and easing the financial burden on parents. However, with rising costs, many families continue to face challenges in ensuring their children are ready for the academic year. News / National by Staff reporter The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecast heavy rains and thunderstorms across much of Zimbabwe until January 21, warning of potential flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas.In an advisory issued on Friday, the MSD noted significant rainfall in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, and Manicaland provinces. Residents in these regions have been urged to follow safety precautions during storms.Despite the wet conditions, the MSD clarified that the weather is unrelated to Tropical Storm Dikeledi, which is currently affecting parts of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean.In an interview, MSD meteorologist Mr. Baba Maketa assured the public that Tropical Storm Dikeledi is unlikely to directly affect Zimbabwe."We are still safe from the storm, and the situation will be reassessed on Wednesday when another update will be provided," he said.According to the MSD, Dikeledi is expected to make landfall in northern Madagascar on January 11 with sustained winds of up to 179 km/h. After crossing Madagascar, the system is projected to weaken before entering the Mozambique Channel, with its potential impact on Mozambique to be assessed later.The US Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reported in its Global Weather Hazards Summary that southern Zimbabwe, southeastern Botswana, southern Mozambique, and Eswatini are expected to receive above-average rainfall this week."Recent heavy rainfall has improved dryness in central Southern Africa, resulting in rainfall surpluses in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and parts of South Africa," the update noted.The Department of Civil Protection (DCP) has emphasized readiness to manage hazards associated with the rainy season. Chief Director Mr. Nathan Nkomo highlighted the establishment of an Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate disaster responses, including collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre."In terms of our planning, we have applied a multi-sectoral approach in dealing with disaster-related issues," said Mr. Nkomo."Our sub-national structures, starting at the village level with traditional leaders, are fully engaged in disaster risk management."Tropical Storm Dikeledi is the fourth cyclone system to affect Southern Africa this season, following Ancha, Bheki, and Chido. While the first three systems had minimal impact on Zimbabwe, the MSD and DCP remain vigilant in monitoring and preparing for any potential weather-related threats.The public is advised to stay informed and take precautions as the heavy rainfall continues. News / National by Staff reporter South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the African National Congress (ANC), the country's ruling party and Africa's oldest liberation movement, is at a critical juncture. Speaking during the ANC's 113th anniversary celebration at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the party must urgently renew itself or face demise."The 2024 election results confirm that we face an existential crisis: this is a moment wherein the ANC should either renew or perish," he told thousands of supporters. "We must do much more work, with greater urgency and determination."The ANC, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, suffered a historic defeat in the May 2024 general elections, dropping from 57% to 40% of the vote. For the first time, the party was forced into a coalition government with opposition parties.Ramaphosa acknowledged the party's struggles with internal factionalism, corruption, and dwindling public support, especially among unemployed youth and the poor. "The cornerstone of our renewal agenda remains building our movement's capacity to discharge its historical mission," he said. "The ANC will renew and rebuild itself to unite all South Africans and to provide clear, decisive, and ethical leadership."A Legacy Under PressureThe ANC's long and storied history, once defined by its leadership in the liberation struggle against apartheid, is now overshadowed by socio-economic challenges facing South Africa. Rising unemployment, corruption scandals, and service delivery failures have eroded public trust. The party's internal strife has been exacerbated by splinter groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, and the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma.Winds of Change in Southern AfricaThe ANC's decline mirrors a broader trend affecting liberation movements across Southern Africa. Opposition parties have gained ground in recent years, with victories in Seychelles, Mauritius, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, and Botswana.In Zimbabwe, ZANU-PF narrowly survived a political crisis in 2008 but relied on violence and intimidation to retain power. Mozambique's FRELIMO is grappling with post-election violence, while Namibia's SWAPO and Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi are also under growing pressure.The shock defeat of Botswana's Democratic Party in 2024 after 58 years in power sent further shockwaves through the region's liberation movements, underscoring the shifting political landscape.A Fight for SurvivalRamaphosa urged the ANC to reconnect with communities by strengthening its local branches and engaging citizens. He framed the party's renewal as essential not only for its survival but for fulfilling its historical mission of unity and development."This includes strengthening the presence of the ANC in communities through strong ANC branches as centers of development, that engage and listen to citizens, and work with them to address challenges and grievances," he said.As the ANC reflects on its legacy and future, its ability to adapt and respond to the winds of political change will determine whether it can regain its footing or join the ranks of liberation movements consigned to history. By Marc Jones and Chris Mfula LONDON (Reuters) -Zambia's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sanctioned Standard Chartered for mis-selling a Chinese property company's bonds to one of the bank's local wealth clients at the height of the Asian country's real-estate crisis, according to a source. The source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the UK-headquartered bank, which is currently looking to sell its wealth and retail banking businesses in Zambia, was facing "enforcement action" for two breaches of SEC rules following a months-long investigation. The first was that it had failed to disclose "material information" about the bonds it sold in March 2022. Those bonds, issued by state-backed Chinese developer Sino-Ocean, defaulted just over a year later and are now, like many in the sector, almost worthless. In addition, the SEC found Standard Chartered had also used "exclusionary" contract clauses, which meant the client held all responsibility for the risks, which goes against Zambia's securities rules. In a statement to Reuters, Standard Chartered said: "We respect the outcome of the Securities Exchange Commission in Zambia, however, in accordance with appropriate local procedures we will respectfully be exercising our right to appeal." "We are fully aware of this matter, and we are reviewing the necessary details to clarify the situation. It is our priority at the Bank to ensure compliance with regulatory standards across all of our markets." The SEC, which started its investigation of the case in April, said it was not able to comment on the matter when asked by Reuters. Under Zambia's Securities Act, Standard Chartered now has 30 days to lodge its appeal. Zambia's SEC has the power to fine, or publicly or privately "censure or reprimand" lenders, although it can't formally order them to compensate customers for mis-selling. Reuters wasn't able to establish what penalty the regulator is planning to impose on Standard Chartered. The lender announced in November it was looking to sell its Zambian wealth and retail banking businesses alongside those in nearby Botswana and Uganda. It has operated in Zambia for nearly 120 years making it the country's oldest bank. It is currently reducing its overall footprint in Africa, however, having also sold its Tanzania business and subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone in the last couple of years. (Additional reporting by Chris Mfula in Lusaka. Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Mark Potter) The fires ravaging upmarket Los Angeles districts Pacific Palisades and Malibu will be the most expensive ever to hit California, according to experts, who expect premiums to rise in a region already abandoned by many insurers. Analysts at JPMorgan estimated that the total cost of damage and insured damage had doubled in less than 24 hours to $50 billion and $20 billion respectively. And the flames were still advancing on several fronts Friday. These record levels already far outstrip the 2017 Tubbs fire and the 2018 Camp fire, whose estimates of insured damage have climbed, according to sources, to as much as $16 billion. The value of the houses makes all the difference: At this stage, more than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed this week, the vast majority of them homes worth an average of $3 million. By comparison, some 18,000 buildings were destroyed in the Camp fire in 2018, but the average house was only around $500,000. David Burt, the founder and director of DeltaTerra, a consultancy firm specializing in climate-related financial risks, estimates that the market value of the 15,400 homes in Pacific Palisades is close to $13.5 billion. Despite the high cost of the damage, experts believe insurance companies should have no problem compensating their customers. According to Standard and Poor's, the insurers are starting 2025 with comfortable reserves thanks to strong financial results over the last two years. They have also significantly reduced their presence in the Californian regions that are highly exposed to fire risk, and are also well diversified. The JPMorgan analysts see things the same way, insisting that, at this stage, it expects "the vast majority of losses stemming from the wildfires to be concentrated in homeowners' insurance," and a "significantly lesser amount" in commercial fire and personal auto. "There's been a mass exodus of big players from the market in these parts of California," Ben Keys, a real estate and finance professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, told a conference Friday. "We've seen enormous non-renewals recently," he said. On Wednesday, California's insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, announced that homeowners in areas affected by and around the fires would be protected for a year against non-renewal and cancellation of coverage. This type of measure protected more than a million contracts in 2024. In 1968, the coastal state set up a public insurance scheme, called FAIR, for homeowners who could no longer find a private insurer. This "band-aid" was supposed to be temporary while people moved from one insurance policy to another, but has now expanded well beyond its intended use, lamented Keys, pointing out that its exposure had risen from $50 billion in 2018 to more than $450 billion today. To bring companies back on board, Commissioner Lara has also initiated a reform process authorizing them to increase premiums on condition that they do not apply any geographical exclusions. There is no longer any question of "cherry-picking" to select the best contracts, said Susan Crawford, an expert on climate and geopolitics at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The acceleration in ferocious weather events... should trigger awareness that actually things do need to change," she said. "We need some measure of political adjustments in reaction to rapid climate change." In the meantime, Californians -- and perhaps Americans nationwide -- should prepare for an increase in premiums; 2025 has only just begun, and the previous year was marked by some destructive disasters. According to modelling by the specialist website AccuWeather, hurricanes Milton and Helene caused $160-$180 billion and $225-$250 billion in damage respectively. On Wednesday, it estimated the total cost of the Los Angeles fires so far at between $135 billion and $150 billion. The State Department published a new national strategy on climate change Friday, stating that climate-related disasters like winter storms and hurricanes had caused $182.7 billion in economic losses in 2024 -- twice as much as in 2023. China used drones for the first time on Friday to carry out an artificial snow-enhancement experiment in the Kunlun Mountains in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to China Science Daily. The operation area is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters, where the low oxygen content poses a challenge to the dissemination of catalysts, said Yan Jianchang, director of the Xinjiang weather modification center. To overcome the difficulty, the drone was equipped with ultra-long-duration water-increasing smoke flares, and successfully conducted the full combustion ignition experiment of the smoke flares at an altitude of 4,200 meters, thus releasing the catalysts, Yan said. The drone was also equipped with high-precision sensors and devices that enabled accurate positioning, real-time monitoring and precise measurement of the operation area. All of these functions were put to the test in the experiment. The center has carried out 23 cloud-and-precipitation observation and rain-and-snow enhancement experiments using large and medium-sized drones since the beginning of 2024. The total flight duration amounted to 46 hours, with each operation lasting over an hour and a half. The valuable experience gained from these preliminary experiments laid a solid foundation for the successful first experiment in the Kunlun Mountains. The Kunlun Mountains serve as a vital water source in western China. Scientific and effective artificial rain (snow) enhancement operations can replenish surface and groundwater resources, thereby providing more guarantees for agricultural irrigation, industrial water use and residential water supply. Moreover, such operations have positive ecological impacts, including improving desert ecosystems, increasing vegetation cover and suppressing dust weather. British finance minister Rachel Reeves began a visit to China on Saturday, seeking to revive dialogue with the world's number two economy as UK borrowing costs soar. Reeves, whose formal title is Chancellor of the Exchequer, is the most senior British government official to visit China since then-prime minister Theresa May held talks with President Xi Jinping seven years ago. Reeves's trip comes as the yield on UK government bonds reached a 17-year high this week, further complicating the ruling Labour Party's sputtering efforts to revitalise growth. The increase makes it more costly for the government to finance current operations and repay debt, raising risks it will have to make spending cuts or hike taxes. Reeves on Saturday acknowledged "moves in global financial markets over the last few days", but said the fiscal rules she set out in her October budget were "non-negotiable". "Growth is the number one mission of this government, to make our country better off," she said at British bicycle-maker Brompton's Beijing showroom. "That's why I'm in China, to unlock tangible benefits for British businesses exporting and trading around the world," she said. Reeves faced pressure from the parliametary opposition to stay home to address the financial crisis, but a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said she was not planning on canceling her "long-standing" China trip. She is expected to meet her Chinese counterpart, He Lifeng, for economic and financial talks later Saturday. They may seek to revive long-suspended annual trade and investment dialogue and discuss avenues for cooperation, potentially including financial services. China's foreign ministry said Friday that the two sides would "open discussions on macroeconomic policy and economic globalisation, trade and investment, industrial cooperation, financial market development and cooperation on financial regulation". "China and the UK strengthening economic and financial cooperation accords with the two countries' interests... and will add certainty and inject new momentum into the development of the global economy," ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news briefing. The governor of the Bank of England and the chief executive of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority are also taking part in the visit. In a sign of the thorny nature of ties, a Starmer spokesperson said Reeves was prepared to raise the topic of human rights. Starmer has sought to reset the UK's diplomatic relationship with China after tensions rose under his Conservative predecessors over trade, human rights and Beijing's crackdown in the former British colony of Hong Kong. Starmer in November became the first British prime minister to meet Xi since 2018, when the pair spoke at the G20 summit in Brazil. But trust is fragile following claims that a Chinese businessman used his links with Britain's Prince Andrew to spy for the Communist Party, an allegation Beijing has dismissed as "preposterous". On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy fleshed out London's doctrine of "progressive realism" in managing ties with the Asian powerhouse. The approach involves "pragmatic engagement to cooperate with China where we can, such as on trade, climate, global health or AI regulation", Lammy said. But he added that Britain would "challenge (China) where there are clear threats", such as by sanctioning companies that aid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, pushing for the release of Hong Kong democracy advocate and British national Jimmy Lai and calling for an end to human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of a sweeping crackdown on Muslim minorities. "We will engage with China. We have to challenge them not to throw their lot in with (Vladimir) Putin," Lammy said. A former Australian child star has tragically died in the Los Angeles wildfires that devastated his family's Malibu estate earlier this week, his mother confirmed. Rory Callum Sykes was at the family's 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studios estate, where he lived in his own cottage when it was destroyed by fire on January 8, his mother Shelley Sykes shared on X Thursday. Shelley Sykes remembered her son, known for his role in the 1998 British TV series Kiddy Kapers, as "beautiful" and "wonderful," expressing that she is "totally heartbroken" by his loss. Shelley Sykes recounted her desperate attempts to save her property and her son during the wildfire, explaining that she tried to extinguish cinders on the roof using a hose but was unable to because the water wasn't working. "He said, 'Mom, leave me,' and no mom can leave their kid. And I've got a broken armI couldn't lift him, I couldn't move him," Sykes tearfully told Australia's 10 News First. Her son, Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was born blind and with cerebral palsy on July 29, 1992. He gained fame for his inspirational speeches on overcoming disability and was the co-founder of Happy Charity, an organization dedicated to providing "Hope, Happiness & Health to those that are Hurting," according to its website. "He overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica," Shelley Sykes wrote on X. Los Angeles County officials have reported that at least five people have died in the Palisades Fire, though it remains unclear whether Rory Callum Sykes is among those included in that count. The Palisades Fire ignited around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, in the Pacific Palisades area. Since then, it has consumed more than 20,000 acres across Los Angeles and Malibu, leaving thousands of structures in ruins. As of Saturday, the fire is 11% contained. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces operating in Russia's Kursk region have captured two North Korean soldiers, marking the first time that military personnel from the isolated state have been taken alive during the conflict. "Our soldiers have captured North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region. Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine," Zelensky said Saturday in a statement on X, which include several images of the injured soldiers. According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are stationed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have held several hundred square kilometers since a cross-border incursion in August last year. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that over 1,000 North Korean forces were killed or wounded in Kursk during the last week of December. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) released a video purportedly showing the captured soldiers. In the footage, an SBU spokesperson stated that one soldier was captured on January 9 by Ukrainian special forces, and the other by paratroopers. The soldiers are reportedly being held in conditions compliant with international law. Zelensky said of the two Korean soldiers who had been captured: "This was not an easy task: Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine." The video shows the two North Korean soldiers resting on bunk beds in a cell. One has a jaw wound, while a doctor in the video noted that the second soldier has a fractured leg. The SBU confirmed that communication with the captives is conducted through Korean interpreters, in collaboration with South Korean intelligence. One of the captured soldiers was carrying a Russian military ID card issued under the name of a person from Tuva, Russia, which he claimed was provided last autumn. The soldier reportedly revealed that North Korean units had received only one week of training with Russian troops before deployment. The second captive carried no identification. According to the SBU, one of the soldiers believed he was being sent to Russia for training rather than combat. The agency also claimed that some North Korean troops are inadequately prepared for front-line operations. Ukraine continues its offensive in the Kursk region, where its forces initially launched a surprise incursion last summer. On Sunday, Kyiv's troops renewed their efforts, targeting a Russian military command post near the town of Belaya. While Ukraine's forces made significant advances in Kursk during the summerthe first foreign ground incursion into Russia since World War IIRussian forces have largely stabilized the front lines in recent weeks. This print has hung in the Town Hall for years. No one knows how it came to be there or what local house it represented. Turns out, it's not local at all. Clarksburg Gifting Historic Print to Dorset Historical Society The caption on the print was partially obstructed but clearly says 'Cephus Kent Dwelling House,' a historic site in Dorset, Vt. CLARKSBURG, Mass. A large framed print of a yellow home on a snowy road has hung in Town Hall for years. The assumption had been that it was of a historic house that had been lost to demolition. "It's been hanging and was hanging here for years. We thought it was somewhere in Clarksburg ... I remember looking at it, going, 'where is that?'" said Jeanne Moulthrop of the Historical Commission. The print was moved upstairs to the commission's room with other items when the Town Hall flooded in 2023. And there it sat until Moulthrop decided to solve the mystery by looking up the artist, William Dean Fausett, and the nearly hidden caption "Cephas Kent Dwelling House by Dean Fausett." It turned out the house was historic to Vermont and particularly the town of Dorset. [Update: after this story was published Sunday morning, the mystery of how it came to Town Hall was solved. Marybeth Kennedy of North Adams purchased the print from Pownal View Barn in 1977; she emailed iBerkshires and her son texted John Fosser in Clarksburg with the information. Kennedy says it hung in her home until she gave it to her son and daughter-in-law, Nate and Amy Cariddi, in 2006. Amy worked in Town Hall and her husband brought in the picture to fill an empty wall in her office. The print was left behind. "They are not interested in us returning it, so it's a nice story and the print will go to a good home," wrote Moulthrop.] Cephas Kent's inn and tavern in Dorset had been the site of four conventions that would result in the state declaring its independence as a nation from Great Britain in 1776. Prior to that, the Vermont territory had been in the middle of a land tussle between New York State and New Hampshire. New Hampshire's Gov. Benning Wentworth had sold off town lots to Connecticut settlers and then the New York Supreme Court invalidated the grants in favor of its state's land patents. (The first grant would result in Bennington, named for the New Hampshire governor.) A militia, the Green Mountain Boys, was raised to fight off the New Yorkers and any redcoats attempting to oust the settlers. Once the American Revolution began, delegates from around the state gathered at Kent's Tavern to declare their independence. The Republic of Vermont would exist from 1777 until joining the union in 1791. It's not known where the print came from and why it was in Town Hall, said Moulthrop. "All this time, we thought it was a Clarksburg home, and maybe one of the Clark houses." The Vermont Historical Society had plenty of information on the inn and Fausett so they pointed her toward the Dorset Historical Society. Jon Mathewson, curator at the time, responded immediately. "He got right back to me. It was this day off!" she said. Mathewson, who just resigned to take on some research projects, explained the "interesting" relationship between Fausett and the tavern, Moulthrop said. The late artist, who had painted presidents, royalty and Grandma Moses, bought his house in 1945 and believed it's core had been part of Kent's home that had been altered and moved. Historians have not been fully convinced but Dorset was very interested in obtaining Fausett's print of the tavern. "They will be commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first [meeting] on July 26," Moulthrop said. "I'd be nice to have a copy of this print for their commemoration." Moulthrop said the Select Board members and then Town Administrator Carl McKinney had approved the town gifting the print to Dorset. Commissioners will make the trip to the Vermont town later in the month to deliver it. "That's where it belongs," she said. Governor Renames Elder Affairs to 'Aging & Independence' BOSTON Governor Maura Healey signed legislation to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence to better represent and reflect the values of older adults in Massachusetts. Renaming the agency reduces negative images around aging, normalizes aging as a natural process, and recognizes that older adults value independence and self-determination, while emphasizing that the Healey-Driscoll Administration is here to support residents as they age. "Our population of adults aged 60+ continues to grow, and it is essential that we evolve to meet the changing needs of this group," said Governor Maura Healey. "We want residents to feel reflected in our agencies and to know where to turn when they need support. I'm grateful to the Legislature for advancing this bill, and I look forward to seeing the work that our incredible team at the Executive Office of Aging & Independence will do for the people of Massachusetts." Governor Healey proposed the name change in May. The new name was selected following significant research that included focus groups, surveys, and conversations with older adults, caregivers, service providers, and advocacy organizations. This research revealed that aging adults do not connect with the term "elder" and often associate the term with someone who is at the end of their life. Instead, residents prefer neutral terms such as "aging" and "older people." In addition, the name change legislation replaces outdated language across state statutes, such as "elder," "elderly person(s)," and "handicapped" with "older adult(s)" and "adult with a disability." Its clear that the world of cybersecurity is changing fast. With new tech, evolving cyber threats, and AI taking center stage, businesses will have to stay on their toes. From smarter ways to detect threats to the growing role of AI in security, the next year will bring plenty of shifts. Experts are weighing in with their predictions on whats coming next, and what companies need to focus on to stay ahead of the curve. Heres what to expect as small businesses gear up for the future Sal Sferlazza, CEO and Co-Founder, NinjaOne In 2025, people will double down on practical use cases for AI To accommodate new norms, hybrid work wont go away. Employees will continue to have more flexibility in where and how they work even as companies try to draw their people back to the office. While some organisations issue in-office mandates, they will remain the exception. The reality is that employees are everywhere now, and they need to be supported anywhere, on a variety of devices, to be productive at work. To build hybrid resilience, organisations will need to implement digital guardrails (frameworks for AI use, clear security policies, etc.) to adapt to new work patterns. IT teams also need to have the tools and resources at their disposal to remain competitive. Otherwise, business productivity, employee satisfaction, and customer security are at risk. 2025 will be the year of the hardware (and software) refresh. Everyone bought new laptops during the pandemic (thats about 5 years ago now), and folks are due to start trading in their old models for new ones (especially as AI-enabled PCs start coming to market). Plus, Apple and other hardware giants have been launching a wide variety of new devices and updated operating systems (OS) this year, meaning a widespread refresh is on the horizon for organisations big and small. But its not just hardware thats due for an update. Software is too. The federal government issued several warnings this year about the vulnerabilities associated with the Windows 10 OS, which will be reaching end-of-life (EOL) next October. But even still, 70 percent of Windows devices today are running on Windows 10. If organisations dont update their operating systems now, theyll be running on unsupported systems come next October, which is a terrifying thought as the threat landscape gets worse and more ruthless. Not to mention, it adds an additional layer of complexity for IT teams burdened with managing a widening heterogeneous environment. AI will start to find its identity. In 2024, we saw a shotgun approach to AI. Organisations threw a lot against the wall as they tried to find and monetise what sticks, sometimes even at the expense of customers. For example, we saw the emergence of things like autonomous script generation giving AI carte blanche access to writing and executing scripts on endpoint devices. But giving AI the keys to the entire kingdom with little to no human oversight sets a dangerous precedent. In 2025, people will double down on practical use cases for AI use cases that actually add value without compromising security, via capabilities like automating threat detection, patching support, and more. Plus, next year, well see regulators really start sharpening the pencil on where the data is going and how its being used, as more AI governance firms up around specific use cases and protection of data. Sally Branson, Managing Director, The Sally Branson Consulting Group SBCG By the end of 2025, crisis management capabilities will be a standard KPI for board evaluations. It may seem at odds for a crisis manager to say shes excited about crisis coming in 2025 but I am. After carefully watching the patterns and shifts in our industry, I predict this will be a year of extraordinary opportunity in crisis management for the business community. Heres what I see unfolding: 2025 will be the year organisations finally fully embrace digital intelligence in crisis management. I predict well see AI-powered early warning systems become standard practice, not just nice-to-have tools. Those who master how AI influences search algorithms and news distribution will lead the pack in crisis response. My boldest prediction? By the end of 2025, crisis management capabilities will be a standard KPI for board evaluations. Were already seeing this shift begin, and it will accelerate dramatically. Organisations are realising that resilience truly starts at the top. 2025 will mark the end of siloed crisis management. Im seeing signs that organisations are ready to embrace crisis management as a complex discipline that transcends traditional PR. This means integrating specialised expertise across stakeholder management, operational resilience, and strategic decision-making. Im preparing my clients for this shift by: Building comprehensive digital monitoring frameworks Developing board-ready crisis measurement tools Creating integrated crisis response systems that bridge traditional departmental boundaries Kathryn Goater & Anthony Caruana, Co-CEOs, Media-Wize Diversity, equity, and inclusion will continue to be an important part of PR campaigns in 2025. In 2025 we will see the rise of powerful new technologies with growing challenges around credibility, authenticity, and evolving media consumption habits. The rapidly accelerating use of generative AI in copywriting and pitch automation to the continuing battle against misinformation means businesses must stay agile to keep up and safeguard their reputation. Here are some of the key PR trends that will shape the year ahead, along with the potential risks and strategic considerations for organisations, marketers, and comms teams. Misinformation and the battle for truth With misinformation spreading faster than ever, businesses communicating publicly need to be on alert and quickly clarify and correct any inaccuracies about their brand, products, and services in traditional and social media. PR, marketing, and social teams need to be proactive in monitoring traditional media, social platforms, and review sites and only respond if facts are incorrect. There is a careful line between feeding the trolls and correcting misinformation. Gen AI and automation Many PR and marketing teams are already using Gen AI to help write all forms of copy. Tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Jasper make it easier than ever to generate quick copy for press releases, blog posts, articles, and media pitches. AI can also automate the task of outreach to journalists and podcast hosts. But embracing these tools without understanding the risks can lead to trouble. AI can help streamline tasks, but it lacks the nuance, creativity, and relationship-building skills critical to effective communication. AI is known to hallucinate and make up facts, statistics, and studies that can land clients and brands in reputational hot water. It doesnt understand the wider context, organisational goals, or the shifting social climate and public opinion. While it helps kick off research and generate ideas, a human needs to carefully fact-check everything. And journalists can spot AI copywriting a mile off and frequently call it out. Election year and the risks of political engagement 2025 is an election year in Australia so politics will inevitably shape public discourse. Weighing in on political issues, even with the intent to be edgy or provoke viral conversation, can be risky. Public perception can shift rapidly, and taking a controversial stance could alienate customers or provoke backlash. Even if an organisation has a genuine commitment to a cause, commenting on political matters can backfire. In an increasingly polarised environment, businesses should consider staying neutral or focusing on issues where they can make a positive, non-partisan impact. New social media platforms Social media users can be fickle and move from platform to platform. As X (formerly Twitter) loses favour, and Facebook increasingly skews to an older demographic, new platforms like BlueSky and Threads can give PRs and brands early mover advantage in campaigns. Diversity, equity, and inclusion impacts Diversity, equity, and inclusion will continue to be an important part of PR campaigns in 2025. Consumers are increasingly holding brands accountable for their social and environmental impact, as well as their hiring strategies, pay parity, female speaker representation at events, and other outward-facing activities. Be mindful of the language, visuals, spokespeople, and partnerships you forge and consider the social context. The acceleration of pay-to-play In many verticals in Australia, placing on merit opinion or thought leadership is increasingly difficult to secure. Many publications have moved to pay-to-play models in the fight for their survival amidst dwindling advertising revenue. PR and marketing teams need to factor this into 2025 budgets to also demonstrate they are supporting the ongoing viability of trade press. Vinay Samuel, CEO and Founder of Zetaris 2025 will see the demise of reliance on chat-bots and funding for chat-bot projects will diminish Given the extreme level of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, Australian businesses operating in the United States and globally in 2025 will redefine business models that are rapid-pivot ready. Plan B will be locked and loaded as a secret shadow business model. 2025 will be known as the year of The Automation of Everything. Automation of every facet of business will accelerate, and the role of the human in the loop will be further refined. Soft skills like problem-solving, thinking outside the box, communication, collaboration, and teamwork will be prized more than ever before as more recognition of AIs current limitations are more widely understood. As the use of AI accelerates globally in 2025, Zetaris predicts more Australian organisations will totally rethink their business models and strategic approaches. They will unlock AI capability in new ways and increase the speed of AI market opportunities and revenue streams. This will result in senior business leaders allocating more specific goals and KPIs to derive more value from AI projects. Zetaris reports that 2025 will see the demise of reliance on chat-bots and funding for chat-bot projects will diminish. Australian organisations will be shifting quickly from a chat-bot focus to projects that target more mature role-based AI capabilities. Customer experience and the customer journey throughout the whole touchpoint lifestyle will be redefined using AI as the main interface in 2025 and beyond. AI at the edge will become critical to meeting customer experience goals, which will drive massive infrastructure demand in the form of compute at the point of inference (at the edge). 2025 will see the acceleration of data projects leveraging lakehouse technologies to fuel AIs widespread adoption, including at source where the data is created. A shift towards a federated model of data management in 2025 will see the emergence of the atomic lakehouse as the industry shifts further away from the centralised model, towards the notion of many data stores, streams, lakes, and databases, and files being coordinated and analysed for AI and other decision support models. In 2025, we will see a continued emphasis as organisations strive to align more strategically to environmental reporting and align brands more strongly with sustainability initiatives. This will include a stronger focus and unlocked funding to turbocharge development of more sustainable technology architectures that reduce the complexity and compute time to extract real-time, rapid, and accurate data insights and reduce electricity duplication and waste. Tesserents Cybersecurity Predictions for 2025 Australian businesses and governments will continue to find it difficult to retain cybersecurity talent Amongst the key trends, Jason Plumridge, Chief Information Security Officer, Tesserent warns that we will see escalating social engineering attacks, but this time powered by AI. AI will also be leveraged to step up attacks on critical infrastructure. Rise of social engineering powered by AI: AI is providing cyber-criminals with the tools to quickly and convincingly craft phishing emails. Social engineering will be a key attack vector consumers and businesses need to watch out for in 2025. More cyber-attacks fueled by AI: The rapid speed at which cyber-criminals are deploying AI means they can execute more attacks with greater velocity and precision. Tesserent warns this trend will continue to accelerate in 2025. The number of AI-based tools for cyber criminals will increase in 2025 and drop in price on the dark web, further democratising the use of this technology by threat actors. The good guys will use AI to fight back: Tesserent predicts that AI will continue to advance as a core element of data analysis, threat monitoring, and orchestrated and automated response as part of an organisations security program throughout 2025. More attacks will be leveraged against Australian critical infrastructure: Tesserent expects there will be increasing attacks that threaten Australian critical infrastructure and utilities in 2025 with these attacks supported by AI. Public and private sector will continue to struggle to hold onto cybersecurity talent: Tesserent expects that Australian businesses and governments will continue to find it difficult to retain cybersecurity talent in an increasingly competitive environment. More government departments and private sector enterprises will continue to outsource as a result. Scott Rawson, Managing Director of Instant Products Group I believe more companies will start looking at fresh, alternative ways to recruit the talent they need. As the founder and Managing Director of a construction services company, there are three key areas I believe will be a focus for businesses in 2025: WFH vs In-Office : I believe well continue to see an increase in workers returning to the officewith some WFH flexibilityas companies encourage in-office attendance. This shift will bring flow-on benefits to city centres, as the vibrancy of Monday to Friday work life returns. : I believe well continue to see an increase in workers returning to the officewith some WFH flexibilityas companies encourage in-office attendance. This shift will bring flow-on benefits to city centres, as the vibrancy of Monday to Friday work life returns. Global Teams and Outsourcing : Amid ongoing skills shortages and a tight labour market, I believe more companies will start looking at fresh, alternative ways to recruit the talent they need. Onboarding team members who live and work overseas will become more commonplace, supported by technological advancements, allowing companies to tap into a global talent pool. This is a strategy Instant Products Group has successfully employed for around 10 years, with our global team continuing to grow. : Amid ongoing skills shortages and a tight labour market, I believe more companies will start looking at fresh, alternative ways to recruit the talent they need. Onboarding team members who live and work overseas will become more commonplace, supported by technological advancements, allowing companies to tap into a global talent pool. This is a strategy Instant Products Group has successfully employed for around 10 years, with our global team continuing to grow. Continued Rise of AI: As AI continues to develop, businesses will find an increasing number of ways to automate a range of processes, freeing up skilled staff for more intensive work. The rapid speed at which the technology is advancing will create more opportunities for its adoption across a broader range of industries. Shannon Karaka, Country Lead ANZ at Payroll Expert Deel 2025 will mark a transition toward full automation and predictive analytics. 2025 will be the year businesses wake up to the cost of inefficient payroll. As we approach 2025, a critical trend is emerging: businesses are waking up to the hidden costs and risks of relying on outdated, manual payroll systems. Recent data from Deel reveals that 71% of HR and finance professionals use up to five different tools for payroll. Expect a growing realisation among employers about the cost, time, and error-prone nature of manual payroll, which will drive a shift toward SaaS-based unified platforms. Payroll is increasingly global (but no ones cracked the code yet): In an era where workforces are more global than ever, payroll systems face increasing pressure to keep up. Managing diverse regulatory, tax, and currency requirements across multiple jurisdictions is no small task, and existing payroll systems are struggling to meet these demands. While many providers claim to offer global coverage, most rely on networks of local partners to handle compliance and payments. This patchwork approach often results in inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and gaps in service. Well start to see a rise in demand for alternative pay options in AU: In 2025, we expect two trends to emerge: a demand for real-time access to wages over traditional payroll cycles and a rise in alternative payment options such as digital wallets and cryptocurrency, particularly among tech-savvy, remote, and globally distributed workforces. Governments will likely issue guidance or introduce regulations to ensure these new payment methods are implemented fairly and transparently. As the demand for flexibility in payroll grows, businesses will need to adapt to meet evolving employee expectations while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Compliance will remain a constant: As we head into 2025, compliance will remain a critical focus for businesses, with increased scrutiny on wage accuracy and underpayment prevention. New laws to stop wage theft will take effect in January 2025, imposing criminal penalties for intentionally underpaying wages and benefits under the Fair Work Act 2009. Companies will need to ensure their payroll calculations are correct and follow the new rules. AI and automation will take centre stage in 2025: Artificial intelligence and automation are poised to transform how businesses approach payroll and workforce management. The majority (93%) of companies expect to need more AI skills in the next two to three years. Meanwhile, 38% of businesses already hire AI workers for finance and payroll. This shows a clear shift toward solutions using AI. In payroll, 2025 will mark a transition toward full automation and predictive analytics. Advanced AI tools will streamline payroll processes, forecast expenses, identify anomalies, and recommend strategies to optimise budgets and spending. This trend is just beginning. David Wiseman, Vice President Secure Communications at BlackBerry The use of apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and similar services for sensitive communications will continue to come under scrutiny Cybersecurity outages, espionage attempts by foreign actors, and AI-led misinformation were significant concerns in 2024, and this will continue to escalate in 2025. The recently introduced Australian Cyber Security Act reinforced the governments commitment to cyber resilience, bolstering national security and protecting businesses and people from cyber threats. This is crucial as Australia heads toward the federal elections next year. Recent reports of Chinese espionage groups allegedly targeting the cellphones of former President Donald Trump, Senator JD Vance, and Democrat staffers are just one example of adversarial activity targeting the fabric of democracy globally. Information from politicians phones can be invaluable to foreign intelligence agencies attempting electoral interference or other objectives that threaten national security. This scenario exposes vulnerabilities in telecommunications infrastructure, as metadata generated by free apps for voice calls and messaging can be easily traded, fuelling wire-tapping-as-a-service markets. This underscores the harsh reality that trust placed in uncertified apps does not extend to protecting metadata. Government agencies, political figures, and their teams must mitigate risk with military-grade, secure communications solutions, which will be critical to maintaining election and democratic integrity. Davids top 3 picks for 2025 cyber predictions are: Telecom Networks as the New Stratum for Threat Actors: Attackers are expected to target telecom and internet service provider (ISP) networks more aggressively, using supply chain attack methods and lessons learned from recent US telco-network hacks. Secure communications must be a critical component of supply chain security, especially in high-risk sectors like government, defence, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure. Mobile Messaging Apps: There Is No Such Thing as Free: Mobile spying is on the rise. The use of apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and similar services for government and sensitive communications will continue to come under scrutinyespecially as Australia prioritizes data and communications sovereignty during the election year. Governments and critical industries must leave no breadcrumb trail or stored metadata for attackers to harvest. Identity Spoofing Will Escalate as AI, Deepfakes, and Exposed Metadata Fuel Sophisticated Attacks: Gen AI learns from voice and text, as well as imagery, which can afford attackers real-time information to target victims immediately. Recent US network breaches have shown how widely accessible user metadata and real-time communication information have become, making it easier for miscreants to tailor attacks based on the calls or communications youve just made. Melissa Williams, CEO, Learning Dimensions Network I urge Australian businesses to consolidate and focus on our own backyard Having recently immersed myself in workplace cultures across Europe and the USA, Ive observed stark contrasts. The US, fueled by its political landscape, is hurtling towards a go big or go home mentality. Boldness and rapid action will be paramount in 2025, especially for Australian businesses aiming to crack the American market. Align your offerings with the shifting sands of US policy, but be prepared to embrace risk and scale quickly, or stay put. In contrast, Europe, much like Australia, leans toward sustainability and harmonisation. While the US focuses inwards, Europes gaze is external, seeking collaboration and balance. This resonates with Australias own risk-averse, regulated environment. For 2025, I urge Australian businesses to consolidate and focus on our own backyard. However, remain agile and ready to seize opportunities. The key lies in leadershipare you bold enough to take the leap when the moment arrives? Nick Schneider, President and CEO at Arctic Wolf In 2025, addressing security challenges will require an integrated approach Exciting New Ventures: Arctic Wolfs Cylance Acquisition Arctic Wolfs strategic acquisition of BlackBerrys Cylance endpoint security capability will enhance its portfolio, providing world-class endpoint protection. The integration of Cylance will help combat alert fatigue and reduce risk exposure for clients through unified security operations. Arctic Wolfs strategic acquisition of BlackBerrys Cylance endpoint security capability will enhance its portfolio, providing world-class endpoint protection. The integration of Cylance will help combat alert fatigue and reduce risk exposure for clients through unified security operations. Platformisation vs Best-of-Breed Wars Intensify 2025 will witness a shift toward integrated, comprehensive security platforms as organizations demand more unified solutions. The consolidation trend is expected to continue, focusing on delivering efficient data management and protection. 2025 will witness a shift toward integrated, comprehensive security platforms as organizations demand more unified solutions. The consolidation trend is expected to continue, focusing on delivering efficient data management and protection. Cyber Risk as Business Risk Organizations must understand that cyber risk is not just an IT concern but a broader business issue. In 2025, addressing security challenges will require an integrated approach involving procurement, hiring, and overall business strategy to mitigate risks effectively. Sharon Melamed, Managing Director, Matchboard Expansion into IT Outsourcing Services Matchboard, known for helping businesses with Call Centre, Back Office, and Sales outsourcing, is launching IT outsourcing services to address the increasing global demand for IT talent. The IT outsourcing market is expected to grow significantly, and Matchboard plans to tap into countries like the Philippines, India, and Eastern Europe to fulfill this need. Jake King, Director of Engineering at Elastic Security We expect an uptick in disinformation, deepfakes, and state-sponsored hacking AIs Expanding Role in Cybersecurity AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing cybersecurity by streamlining threat detection and automating responses. However, threat actors will also harness AI, making attacks like phishing and malware more sophisticated. Organizations integrating AI into their security strategies will gain a competitive edge in countering cyber threats. AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing cybersecurity by streamlining threat detection and automating responses. However, threat actors will also harness AI, making attacks like phishing and malware more sophisticated. Organizations integrating AI into their security strategies will gain a competitive edge in countering cyber threats. Increasingly Sophisticated Cyber Threats Ransomware, phishing, and spyware attacks will evolve, with adversaries leveraging exposed credentials and targeting cloud environments. Sophisticated malware campaigns are expected to rise, requiring constant vigilance and advanced monitoring to secure systems. Ransomware, phishing, and spyware attacks will evolve, with adversaries leveraging exposed credentials and targeting cloud environments. Sophisticated malware campaigns are expected to rise, requiring constant vigilance and advanced monitoring to secure systems. Election and Democratic Integrity During the 2025 Australian federal elections, we expect an uptick in disinformation, deepfakes, and state-sponsored hacking as adversaries exploit political uncertainty. Cyber defenses must be agile and responsive to counteract these threats effectively. Kyle McLaughlin, General Counsel at Secureframe AI Regulations Will Continue to Become More Complex As AI becomes more pervasive, businesses will need to evolve their governance and compliance strategies to address new privacy and security challenges. Robust AI-specific controls, along with traditional risk assessment practices, will be critical in developing comprehensive frameworks. As AI becomes more pervasive, businesses will need to evolve their governance and compliance strategies to address new privacy and security challenges. Robust AI-specific controls, along with traditional risk assessment practices, will be critical in developing comprehensive frameworks. AI Scaling Workforce Efforts AI will continue to automate traditionally labor-intensive tasks, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) will play a crucial role in helping businesses navigate this evolving landscape, balancing automation with security controls and human oversight. Shrav Mehta, CEO and Founder at Secureframe AI and Its Impact on Cybersecurity AI will both enhance the ability of attackers to create sophisticated phishing campaigns and improve defense mechanisms through automated security control monitoring. The key to success will be proactive security measures that anticipate and counter threats before they materialize. AI will both enhance the ability of attackers to create sophisticated phishing campaigns and improve defense mechanisms through automated security control monitoring. The key to success will be proactive security measures that anticipate and counter threats before they materialize. Zero Trust Evolution While Zero Trust remains central to security strategies, 2025 will see a shift toward continuous security validation and contextual access control, providing a more dynamic, real-time response to threats. Chris Gibson, CEO, FIRST The increasing sophistication of ransomware, including double extortion tactics, will pose significant challenges AI in Cybersecurity AIs role in cybersecurity will be pivotal in threat prediction, threat modeling, and automating responses to security events. AI-driven systems will analyze vast data sets to identify anomalies quickly, enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience. AIs role in cybersecurity will be pivotal in threat prediction, threat modeling, and automating responses to security events. AI-driven systems will analyze vast data sets to identify anomalies quickly, enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience. AI Threats and Ransomware Evolution AI will be used by attackers to develop more convincing phishing attacks and sophisticated malware. The increasing sophistication of ransomware, including double extortion tactics, will pose significant challenges in 2025. AI will be used by attackers to develop more convincing phishing attacks and sophisticated malware. The increasing sophistication of ransomware, including double extortion tactics, will pose significant challenges in 2025. Critical Infrastructure Threats Attacks on critical infrastructure, including power grids, healthcare systems, and transportation networks, will continue to rise. These attacks will require increased public-private sector collaboration and readiness to respond rapidly to potential disruptions. As businesses prepare for 2025, the integration of AI in cybersecurity, the consolidation of security platforms, and a broader understanding of cyber risks as business risks will define the industrys evolution. Companies must focus on continuous adaptation to emerging threats, while also enhancing their internal processes and security measures to address vulnerabilities. Steve Brady, Vice President Australia and New Zealand The future of user experience is not just about technologyits about creating intelligent, intuitive connections The AI revolution will hinge on edge computing. To unlock AIs true potential, edge computing must bring the compute power closer to where its actually needed. Edge computing represents a paradigm shift, dramatically reducing latency and enabling a new generation of sophisticated, responsive applications. Imagine autonomous vehicles making split-second decisions, interactive gaming with zero perceptible delay, and real-time video processing that responds instantaneously. These innovations become possible when compute resources are strategically positioned near their point of use. Thats why the future of AI is not just about raw computational power, but about smart, distributed computing that brings intelligence closer to where its most impactful. AI is the double-edged sword of cybersecurity. On the one hand, it powers advanced threat detection, anomaly detection, and automated response systems, enabling defenders to stay ahead of emerging threats. On the other, it is being weaponised by attackers to create more sophisticated and adaptive exploits. We are entering an era where AI systems will battle AI systems, with human security teams orchestrating strategies to maintain the upper hand. This shift underscores the need for continuous innovation in AI-driven security solutions, as static defences become increasingly inadequate. Zero Trust exits its buzzword era to become a fundamental security necessity. Imagine a security system that treats every digital interaction as potentially suspicious, requiring continuous verification much like a hyper-vigilant airport security checkpoint that doesnt just check your ID at the entrance, but monitors your every move. Zero Trust operates on a simple yet powerful principle: trust nothing by default, verify everything constantly. This methodology has become even more essential as traditional network boundaries disintegrate in our cloud-native, distributed work environments. Connectivity and the ever-expanding space-based Internet will face new challenges and growing pains with machine-to-machine traffic.Connectivity itself is undergoing a profound transformation. As space-based internet services gain traction and billions of IoT devices come online, networks must now handle not only human-to-human communication but also an ever-growing flood of machine-to-machine API traffic. Meeting this challenge calls for designing networks with security, reliability, and performance baked in from the start. These attributes become indispensable as data flows multiply and diversify, demanding an infrastructure that can gracefully scale, adapt, and maintain trust at the edges of our increasingly interconnected world. AI will transform the user experience and how we interact with our favourite technologies. Imagine retail platforms that intuitively understand your preferences before you articulate them, or educational tools that dynamically adjust to your unique learning style in real time. These experiences are made possible by sophisticated AI algorithms that leverage comprehensive yet ethically-sourced data. Critical to this transformation is robust infrastructure that ensures seamless, consistent experiences across devices and locations. Emerging technologies like edge computing are key to this vision, bringing computational resources closer to users and enabling faster, more responsive interactions. The future of user experience is not just about technologyits about creating intelligent, intuitive connections that feel almost magical in their precision and personalisation. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy We all know Hollywood loves a sequel. In an era of franchises, reboots and endlessly mined intellectual properties, theres no shortage of them to choose from, yet sadly they often seem to be governed by the law of diminishing returns. Yet that isnt always the case. Sometimes a sequel arrives that far outstrips the film its based on: smarter, funnier, deeper or just more thrilling. Here are 12 sequels that were better than their predecessors. open image in gallery Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road, Paddington in Paddington 2 and Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight' ( Warner Bros/StudioCanal/Warner Bros ) Terminator 2: Judgement Day James Camerons 1984 sci-fi action hit The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a terrifying time-traveling cyborg assassin was a near-perfect chase movie, but Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) took those same ideas and turned everything up a notch. Helped by advances in CGI, Cameron also came up with the genius idea of bringing back Schwarzenegger as a good guy, this time facing off against a much more advanced and sinister foe in the shape-shifting T-1000, played by Robert Patrick. Meanwhile, Linda Hamiltons Sarah Connor also develops from a damsel in distress to a ferocious protector of her young son John (Edward Furlong). The Godfather Part II Perhaps a controversial choice given that Francis Ford Coppolas 1972 The Godfather is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, but the directors follow-up two years later is arguably even better. Certainly, the Academy thought so, making it the first ever sequel to win Best Picture at the Oscars (a feat only matched by Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King). The Godfather Part II serves as both a sequel and prequel to the original gangster epic, with Robert De Niro brought in to play the young Vito Corleone character originated by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino returning as his son Michael. open image in gallery Robert De Niro as the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II' ( Paramount ) Evil Dead II Sam Raimis debut independent horror Evil Dead became his calling card in 1981. While the film still holds up, its also clear that the director didnt quite yet have the means to bring all his bold and original ideas to life. Evil Dead II, released in 1987, is both a sequel and a partial remake, and ends up being funnier with more fully-developed effects. Paddington 2 When the original Paddington arrived in cinemas in 2014, it was widely praised as an entertaining and enjoyable childrens movie, with fun for all the family. That solid base gave director Paul King (who made his name on the cult BBC sitcom The Mighty Boosh) the license to fully expand and explore a more creative vision for the sequel, aided by an all-singing all-dancing Hugh Grant introduced as villainous actor Phoenix Buchanan. The Independents Geoffrey McNab called it a superior sequel so full of charm and good humour that it should delight audiences everywhere. open image in gallery Puss In Boots: The Last Wish: Mortality, for kids ( Universal Pictures ) Puss In Boots: The Last Wish There was hardly a clamor for a sequel to the serviceable Shrek spin-off Puss In Boots (2011), so little wonder that the follow-up film languished in development hell for over a decade. What was truly surprising was that when it finally arrived in 2022, it was moving and beautifully animated, blending action set pieces with a child-friendly grappling with mortality. The film sees our feline hero come to accept the inevitability of death, a bit like if Dreamworks had made The Seventh Seal, but with more jokes about cats burning through nine lives. Mad Max: Fury Road Reversing the trend of most film franchises, Mad Max has been on an upward trajectory pretty much since maverick writer-director George Miller kicked things off over four decades ago. The original Mad Max (1979) was bettered by Mad Max 2 (1981) and the bonkers Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), but Miller outdid all of them when he returned to the sun-bleached Australian outback for 2015s Mad Max: Fury Road. Tom Hardy took over from Mel Gibson in the title role, Charlize Theron stole the show as Furiosa and Miller somehow pulled off some of the most astounding road (and off-road) sequences ever filmed. As Steven Soderbergh once famously said of Fury Road: I dont understand how [Miller] does that, I really dont, and its my job to understand it. I dont understand two things: I dont understand how theyre not still shooting that film and I dont understand how hundreds of people arent dead. Spider-Man 2 Sam Raimi clearly has a knack for sequels. The Evil Dead II directors original 2002 Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire was well received, but the follow-up which introduced Alfred Molinas Doctor Octopus dazzled fans and critics alike. The Chicago Tribune delivered one of many reviews that said the sequel improves upon its predecessor in almost every way. The Independents Al Horner went a step further, calling it the definitive superhero movie. open image in gallery Alfred Molina as the villainous Doctor Octopus in 2004s Spider-Man 2 ( Sony Pictures Releasing ) The Dark Knight The difference between a superhero movie soaring or taking a dive often hinges on the strength of the villain, and The Dark Knight had one for the ages. Christopher Nolans 2008 sequel to his 2005 origin story Batman Begins cast Heath Ledger as the Joker and reaped the benefits by giving the superhero an unforgettable antagonist who lifted the film series to a whole new level. The Empire Strikes Back Sure, Star Wars was a phenomenon from the moment the original film debuted in 1977, but the 1980 follow-up The Empire Strikes Back elevated the franchise to a whole new level. With all the world-building (or rather, galaxy-building) legwork out of the way after the first film, the sequel had the space to stretch itself into a darker narrative delivered with snappier dialogue. Series creator George Lucas brought in screenwriters Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, who delivered a more polished story, and the whole thing wrapped up with one of the great twists in movie history. Toy Story 3 As the first entirely computer-animated feature film, Toy Story was truly groundbreaking when it was released in 1995. It also introduced the world to Tom Hankss Woody, Tim Allens Buzz Lightyear and a whole toy chest full of co-stars. Toy Story 2, released in 1999, examined the idea that these toys would eventually become obsolete as their child grew up, but it was arguably 2010s Toy Story 3 that delivered the most heart-wrenching story of the lot as the toys child god Andy heads to college and they find themselves dispatched to live out their days at the Sunnyside Daycare center. Dune: Part Two trailer Dune: Part Two If Denis Villeneuves first Dune movie in 2021 created an immersive and gorgeously vivid world, then the 2024 sequel was where the director really lit it rip. After assembling all the pieces in the original film, the second installment sees the action come to a head while the diverging paths that Timothee Chalamets Paul Atreides and Zendayas Chani must take slowly becomes clear. The big question now is whether Villeneuve will be able to repeat the trick for the upcoming Dune: Messiah. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan After 1979s Star Trek: The Motion Picture was met with middling reviews, it seemed like long-running science fiction show Star Trek might not be long for this world. A complete overhaul for the 1982 sequel saw series creator Gene Roddenberry forced out in favor of a new team made up of executive producer Harve Bennett, screenwriter Jack B. Sowards and director Nicholas Meyer. The trio produced a swashbuckling adventure that features a memorable death scene for Spock, the only way actor Leonard Nimoy would agree to take part. The film was recently added to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for preservation (Star Trek: The Motion Picture was not). Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Meghan Markles new Netflix series With Love, Meghan has been delayed due to the ongoing wildfire crisis in California, she has announced. The US state has been devastated by wildfires over the past week, described by California governor Gavin Newsom as the worst natural disaster in the countrys history in terms of the scale and scope. More than 12,000 homes have been destroyed in the blazes, with more than 150,000 people evacuated from their residences and at least 16 people confirmed to have died. As a result of the fires, a number of cultural events set to take place in the area have been delayed, including the announcement of this years Oscar nominations. Meghans Netflix series, a cookery show following the former Suits actors life in Montecito, California, was set to debut on the streaming service on 15 January. Follow live updates on the California wildfires here However, Netflix has now announced that With Love, Meghan will be released on March 4, for reasons of sensitivity. Im thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California, Meghan said in a statement. Last week, Meghan and Prince Harry were seen getting personally involved in volunteering efforts in the wake of the wildfires. open image in gallery Meghan Markle in her new Netflix series ( Netflix ) On Friday (10 January), the Sussexes visited an evacuation site in Pasadena, California, where charity organization World Central Kitchen was distributing food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free According to a report in People magazine, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, also donated money to the relief efforts through their charity, the Archewell Foundation. Among the areas worst affected by the disaster is the Pacific Palisades region, where many A-list celebrities live. Several celebrities, including Paris Hilton and When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal, have lost their homes in the fires. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo claimed that the royal couple, who volunteered anonymously, really buoyed the spirits of the first responders, during their visit. open image in gallery Meghan and Prince Harry comfort LA fire victims and first responders. ( Fox News ) Its great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected, the politician told Fox News. Last Thursday, Harry and Meghan issued a statement on the fires on their official website. It read: In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighbourhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centres, and so much more affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. A state of emergency has been issued. Signposting a number of charities and organisations providing aid during the fires, the statement added: If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do, says the statement. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbours to see if they need help evacuating. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tens of thousands of people immersed themselves in freezing waters at the confluence of sacred rivers as the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela festival began in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. More than 400 million pilgrims are expected to travel to Prayagraj city to bathe at the confluence of Hinduisms three most holiest rivers the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. While the Kumbh Mela festival is held every three years, rotating between several holy cities on the banks of these rivers, the Maha Kumbh Mela occurs only once every 12 years. Maha means great, and the event attracts the most devotees because it is considered the most auspicious and holy in the cycle. The festival is rooted in the Hindu belief that the god Vishnu seized a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality from demons and drops of it fell to Earth at the site of the holy cities. open image in gallery Hindu holy men ride camels during a procession, a day before the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, 12 Jan 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Hindu devotees believe taking a dip in the confluence of the rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela absolves them of sins and brings them salvation from the cycle of life and death. "It is our festival," said ascetic Hazari Lala Mishra, who immersed himself before sunrise, which is considered an auspicious time. "(It is) the only festival for hermits and monks, and we wait for it desperately." There are references to the festival in ancient Hindu texts as well as in works of travellers visiting the city from other kingdoms. The 7th-century Buddhist Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang mentions the bathing rituals at the junction of the rivers when he visited Prayag city in AD644. Authorities expect Mondays first ritual dip to draw more than 2.5 million visitors, followed by a royal bath on Tuesday reserved for ascetics. Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is expected to take a dip in the water during the festival. Authorities have created a new tent city to house visitors that spans 4,000 hectares of land along the banks of the rivers. open image in gallery Hindu devotees take a holy bath at Sangam, the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati ( EPA ) More than 150,000 tents have been set up on this land, equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms and about 100 car parks. Hundreds of thousands of new electricity connections have also been laid as the festival is expected to drain more power than what is consumed in a month by 100,000 urban apartments in the region. Nearly 100 special trains have also been added to schedules, set to make 3,300 trips during the festival to transport visitors. open image in gallery Hindu holy men walk in a procession a day before the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival, at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, 12 Jan 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) I am excited but now scared because I didnt expect this crowd, said Priyanka Rajput, a fashion model from Delhi, told Reuters. This is my first Kumbh and I came here only because my mother is very spiritual. State police have also dispatched more than 40,000 personnel, as well as drones and cybercrime experts using artificial intelligence to surveil people. Underwater drones capable of diving up to 100m have been deployed to provide round-the-clock surveillance, the states culture minister said. With so many people attending, the festival represents a significant test for authorities to organise and manage the movement of millions. Stampedes are not uncommon at the festival, and 26 pilgrims were killed in one at the last Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013. More than a hundred road ambulances, seven river ambulances and air ambulances are also reportedly being readied as part of emergency response capabilities. open image in gallery A Hindu holy man from Juna Akhara smokes ahead of the Royal Bath near the Sangam ( EPA ) Officials say about $765m (Rs 64 bn) has been allocated by the state government to conduct this years event. Security and safety of pilgrims is our priority, UP police chief Prashant Kumar said. Hindus from across India and the world travel to the Maha Kumbh every 12 years not just to partake in festival rituals, but also to see the thousands of saffron-clad saints and hermits and to take a dip themselves in the rivers at near-freezing temperatures. open image in gallery Hindu devotees cross a pontoon bridge spanning the river Ganga as they arrive to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela ( Reuters ) Successfully conducting the festival would be seen as a shot in the arm for the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP government at both the state and the national level. The states chief minister Yogi Adityanath is a hardline Hindu monk who told reporters that he was fortunate to host one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals in his state. open image in gallery Devotees gather to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela ( Reuters ) In 2021, prime minister Narendra Modis government refused to call off the Kumbh Mela even as Covid-19 infections rose to record levels across the country and millions gathered in Uttar Pradesh without masks or social distancing. The decision to conduct the festival despite widespread fears and criticism of the gathering turning into a super-spreader event was seen by critics as a move to appease religious leaders in the Hindu-majority country. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy If your partner snores, you might be pushing them to a dry January this year. Thats because things can get a whole lot worse (and louder) after theyve had a few drinks. This can make life a misery for any sleep-disrupted partners not least because experts suggest many snorers are more likely to snore when lying on their back, but when theyve been drinking, theyre harder to move on to their side. According to the British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association, around 41.5% of the UK adult population snore and a whole lot more people are affected if you take partners into consideration. When youre awake, muscles in your nose, mouth and throat keep your airways open, explains Amy Gallagher, a senior sleep physiologist at the Cromwell Hospital, London. But when you sleep, these muscles relax and can lead to airways narrowing. As air passes through, it can cause the surrounding tissues to vibrate, resulting in the sound we call snoring. A proportion of these snorers suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where theres a greater degree of airway narrowing. Usually, the louder the snoring, the greater the degree of narrowing, sometimes with total blockage of airflow, says Professor Ram Dhillon, a consultant ENT surgeon with a special interest in snoring and OSA. This blockage is termed an apnoea if of 10 seconds or longer in duration. open image in gallery A woman sat up in bed covering her ears with a pillow while her husband snores next to her ( Alamy/PA ) Alcohol plays a role in both snoring and OSA, say the experts. Dhillon explains good tension in the muscles around the upper airway keep it open, but warns: Sleep reduces this tension, increasing the likelihood of narrowing to produce snoring, and total blockage, resulting in apnoea. Alcohol consumption enhances the relaxation and reduces the tension of these upper airway muscles and tissues and worsens the severity of the snoring, and can unmask apnoea and/or also increase its severity. And Gallagher adds: Alcohol has a negative impact on the quality of your sleep and can make snoring worse, or if you dont usually snore it can mean that you do. So what can you do to stop snoring? Heres the experts advice Avoid alcohol While not drinking wont necessarily stop you snoring, its likely to reduce it. Dhillon says: The advice is to avoid alcohol totally if you have snoring or have been diagnosed with OSA. If you suffer from snoring made worse with alcohol and have disruptive sleep, then a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea may need to be considered. open image in gallery Mouth breathing is a bit contributor of snoring ( Shutterstock / Prostock-studio ) And if you dont want to give up alcohol completely, then both experts warn its best to at least not drink close to bedtime. Certainly do not drink alcohol for at least four hours before sleep, advises Dhillon, and Gallagher stresses: Dont drink alcohol late at night. Alcohol relaxes your muscles, making your airways more likely to narrow. You might also snore louder if youve been drinking because your throat is dry, as alcohol makes you dehydrated. Quit smoking Smoking irritates the throat and nasal passage, and Gallagher explains: This irritation can cause swelling and dryness which may lead to snoring. Smoking is also associated with congestion and this can further worsen breathing. Sleep on your side Sleeping on your back makes you more likely to snore, says Gallagher. Sleeping on your side is the best sleep position to help prevent snoring, because it reduces the compression of your airways, she adds. Maintain a healthy weight Dhillon suggests people who are excessively overweight, particularly with a BMI of 35 or above, and/or with a neck size of 16.5 inches or greater, are more likely to snore. Gallagher explains: If youre overweight, you may have extra tissue in and around your throat which contributes to snoring. Leading an active and healthy lifestyle and maintaining an ideal weight can reduce pressure on your airways and helps stop snoring. Elevate your pillow By raising your head around four inches on your pillow, pressure is removed from the throat and the nasal passage opens up, says Gallagher, who explains: This forces your tongue and jaw forward and helps to reduce snoring. Try stop snoring treatments Dhillon recommends treatments including mandibular advancement devices, which hold the lower jaw and tongue forward making more space to breathe and prevent snoring, a nocturnal mouth guard, which holds the jaw in the right position to stop snoring, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which provides a continuous flow of air into the upper airway via a face mask. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With five major wildfires continuing to devastate neighborhoods across Los Angeles, Khloe Kardashian took to Instagram to admit she wasnt a fan of Mayor Karen Bass right now. The Good American founder slammed the mayor next to a video of Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley telling Fox 11 Los Angeles that the city had failed them after recent cuts to the departments budget. I stand by YOU Chief Crowley!!!! You spoke the truth and you had tears in your eyes because I can tell you didnt even want to say that but it was THE TRUTH, Khloe wrote on Instagram last night (January 10). Thank you for being honest. Mayor Bass, you are a joke!!!! When Chief Crowley spoke out, three days after the start of the wildfires, which have now left at least 11 dead and over 37,000 acres destroyed, it was the second time she urged the city to increase the departments funding in a little over a month. open image in gallery Khloe Kardashian calls Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass a joke amid ravaging wildfires ( Instagram/Khloe Kardashian ) On December 4, Crowley issued a warning that budget cuts would negatively impact her departments ability to effectively respond to emergencies. According to city documents, the fire departments budget decreased by $17.6 million between the 2023-2024 fiscal year and 2024-2025. The departments 2025 budget currently stands at $819.64 million, per the citys website. Accounting for funding for salary increases and new equipment, the departments budget ultimately increased by 7 percent for the new fiscal year. In Chief Crowleys letter to the Board of Fire Commissioners, she said the reductions, including a $7 million slash to overtime hours, have adversely affected the Departments ability to maintain core operations and severely limited the Departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies" as well as brush clearance and resident inspections. At a January 9 press conference, Mayor Bass claimed these previous cuts havent affected how the department has been able to respond to the current fires. I think if you go back and look at the reductions that have been made, there were no reductions that would have impacted the situation we were dealing with over the last couple of days, she said. Its important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times, she continued. Everybody knew that, but the impact of our budget really did not affect what weve been going through over the last few days. Despite her claims, several celebrities have expressed the same exasperation as Khloe, ridiculing the mayor for funding woes and being overseas in Ghana when the fires first erupted. Sara Foster, the 43-year-old actress known for her role in 90210, wrote on X: We pay the highest taxes in California. Our fire hydrants were empty. Our vegetation was overgrown, brush not cleared. open image in gallery Sara Foster slams Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom amid ongoing Los Angeles wildfires ( X/@saramfoster ) Our reservoirs were emptied by our governor because tribal leaders wanted to save fish, she continued. Our fire department budget was cut by our mayor. But thank god drug addicts are getting their drug kits. Meanwhile, gym legend Jillian Michaels wrote: I lost a home in the 2018 Woolley fire. Was in Cali for New Years this year and podcasts - just evacuated my mom from her California home. The mayor is apparently in Ghana. open image in gallery Jillian Michaels questions where Mayor Bass is as Los Angeles wildfires erupt ( X/Jillian Michaels ) The fire departments budget was apparently cut by 17 mil, she added. And someone made the decision to not refill some of the reservoirs now some fire hydrants are dry. Leadership in California is beyond negligent. This is completely unacceptable. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For as long as I can remember, Ive had a bad back. The feeling more of a dull ache, less of a burning pain has plagued me for so long that Ive adapted to it and accepted that this is just the way my body feels. Of course, it gets worse at certain times, like in the lead-up to my period or after a long run. And occasionally, like whenever I can afford a deep tissue massage, it feels alright. But nothing has ever got rid of it completely. And believe me, Ive tried it all: physiotherapy, acupuncture, deep heat patches, deep freeze patches, overpriced massage guns the lot. So it was with some scepticism that I arrived at my next potential solution: reformer pilates, one of the only supposed back pain cures I had yet to try, mostly because its famously expensive and offered at relatively few gyms that dont specialise in it. But then a new Third Space gym opened up near where I live with three varieties of reformer classes and a steam room in the changing room, which was enough of a post-class draw. I decided to commit to as many pilates classes as I could for six weeks to see if it would help sort my rickety back out a little. First, some crucial context: pilates was developed in the early 1920s by German-born gymnast, Joseph Pilates. The practice was created to aid the rehabilitation of injured prisoners of war; its said that iron bed frames and coiled mattress springs were original inspirations for the reformer machine. In 1926, Pilates and his wife, Clara, set up the first pilates studio in New York City, attracting an array of dancers, gymnasts and society types. Soon, more than 600 exercises for mat pilates were developed alongside various forms of apparatus that included the reformer as we know it today. Originally the pilates apparatus was made as the mat was too difficult for some people, so the reformer was made to help support the body, explains Caroline Bragg, master trainer in pilates at Third Space. And thats exactly what it does. The reformer puts you in the correct position in order to do the exercise. As your body is supported it allows you to hold the exercise for longer increasing strength in the whole body. A classic pilates reformer features a sliding carriage, adjustable springs, as well as various straps, which allow you to perform a wide range of small exercises by pushing the carriage in different positions and at different levels of resistance. Its the go-to workout among celebrities due to its effectiveness at honing and toning the body with minimum impact. Reformer is now our most popular single class despite not being in all 13 clubs with over 19,000 bookings per month, says Braggs. The average reformer member takes over four classes a month. Clearly, its popular. As for how it is supposed to help back pain, well, thats all down to the muscles its strengthening. Originally the pilates apparatus was made as the mat was too difficult for some people, so the reformer was made to help support the body Caroline Bragg, master trainer in pilates at Third Space Back pain can come from various sources but one of the main reasons people are prescribed pilates on the reformer is because it works to realign the posture with support, says Braggs. The other is that it strengthens the bodys core, which is a name given to describe the muscles surrounding your pelvis, lower back, hips and stomach. Back pain can be associated with a weak core and glutes, which is a focus in a reformer session. Third Space offers three different types of reformer classes: traditional, dynamic, and tower which uses a wall frame. I decide to focus on traditional the dynamic classes are a little harder and less like actual pilates in order to get the best out of my practice. I committed to six classes in my first week and off I went, ready for a new back. As someone who runs a lot and has taken part in intense spinning and HIIT classes, I thought something as low-impact as pilates would be a piece of cake. Well, it was not. The first class was incredibly tough, much harder than I expected to the point that I felt elderly afterwards. Given Id done reformer pilates once or twice before, I skipped the beginners session youre supposed to do before advancing to a traditional class and jumped straight in. This was an arrogant mistake, I soon learned, as I found myself loudly slamming the reformer carriage and nearly falling off the thing while trying to copy what everyone else was doing. The exercises were also incredibly tough. Yes, theyre small: theres a lot of kicking your feet back on all fours and doing sit-ups while pulsing your arms by your side 100 times (this is called the hundred). And it might not hurt at first, but after a few goes, oof. The pain is soon excruciating, far worse than anything Ive ever felt in a HIIT class. I was also very sore the next day, which usually happens whenever I work muscles in my body for the first time. Evidently, some dormant ones had been given a rude awakening. The famous saying about the success of regular pilates practice from Pilates himself goes as follows: In 10 sessions youll feel the difference, in 20 youll see the difference, and in 30 youll have a new body. My plan was to get to 30, which felt a lot more daunting than Id anticipated after that first class. But I persisted, noticing how my body started to adapt to the exercises, which got easier with every class despite the fact they all differed slightly. After 10 classes, I did feel a difference. I continued running and doing strength training in the gym alongside the pilates, mostly because it was just a part of my normal routine. And while its impossible to tell whether this was a placebo effect or not, I certainly felt stronger whenever I used the gym. That said, I was still shaking in pilates class. As anyone whos ever done pilates will know, when youre using your core really using it you start to get these uncontrollable shakes in the pit of your stomach as youre doing the exercise. Its a great indicator of actually working your body hard, even if the shakes are a little unnerving and make you look utterly ridiculous. The shakes persisted to 20 classes, after which time I didnt exactly see a difference in how my body looked but again, I felt stronger. My body felt stronger but my back did not ( Olivia Petter ) My back, however, did not. There were some weeks when the pain felt it had eased off but it would soon return in a pattern not dissimilar to before I started regularly doing reformer pilates. I did feel like my back was thanking me when I did some of the exercises, like one where you do a shoulder stand and stretch your back out in a way that wouldnt simply be possible without a reformer. There are also certain exercises that totally relieve your back of any pressure which, for anyone with back pain, can feel like finally taking a deep breath after spending an eternity underwater. But thats where the benefits end. Because by the time I reached my 30 class milestone, there was still no noticeable difference in how my back felt. My body certainly felt and looked stronger a friend remarked on my sinewy arms while we were at the pub but that wasnt really why I was doing it. I was already fairly fit and happy with the way my body looked; I just wanted my back pain to go away. I would say consistency is the key, says Braggs. Reformer pilates is not a quick fix and whatever is causing the pain should be looked at. See if lifestyle changes can be made to help manage it, too. Pilates is a practice and therefore the more you do the better you will feel. Im not sure I expected some sort of instant, magical cure. But I was hoping for at least a slight improvement. And, as I write this, Im simultaneously thinking about whether I can afford to book myself in for a deep tissue massage because my back feels so sore. For now, I think Ill continue with the pilates purely because of how much Ive started to enjoy the classes. I also think low-impact work is good for my body; running has started to give me knee pain, which a physiotherapist told me is a warning to slow my regime down. But for those who think the reformer could be your express ticket to a back pain-free life I suggest investing your money elsewhere. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pope Francis baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican. Francis celebrated the Lords gift of faith to the children, stressing they were the protagonists of the ceremony. It is important that these children feel well, the pope said. If they are hungry, feed them so they dont cry. If they feel hot, change them. ... But let them feel at ease, because today they are in charge and we must serve them with the Sacrament, with prayers. The pontiff personally administered the sacrament of baptism on the infants, who are the children of Vatican employees working at the Holy See. The celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus baptism in the River Jordan and was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. During the ceremony, each father was given a candle to light representing the Christian light that must never go out. The Pope encouraged each family to bring those candles home and light them up in difficult times to ask for the Lords guidance. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy When is the end for humankind? Whether its by a nuclear holocaust, a result of exceeding a critical climate threshold, at the hands of artificial intelligence-powered robots, or the Dont Look Up asteroid, the question plagues our thoughts, our research, and our Facebook rants. Now, one theorist warns that the human civilization of 8.2 billion people is at a critical junction: teetering between what he forecasts will be authoritarian collapse and superabundance. Industrial civilisation is facing inevitable decline as it is replaced by what could turn out to be a far more advanced postmaterialist civilisation based on distributed superabundant clean energy. The main challenge is that industrial civilisation is facing such rapid decline that this could derail the emergence of a new and superior life-cycle for the human species, Dr. Nafeez Ahmed, the bestselling author and journalist who is a distinguished fellow at the UK-based Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems, said in a statement. Ahmed, who has spoken at United Nations summits in recent years, is the author of the paper which was recently published in the journal Foresight. Gaya Herrington, vice president at Schneider Electric who was not involved in the research, told The Independent that she agrees with all of Ahmeds big points. open image in gallery Southern Florida and the Caribbean are seen from the International Space Station. Earth, home to 8.2 billion people, could be facing decline, according to a new analysis ( NASA ) We live in a historic now-or-never moment, and what we do in the next five years will determine our wellbeing levels for the rest of this century, she said. Using scientific literature, the study offers a theory of the rise and fall of civilizations, concluding that humanity is on the brink of the next giant leap in evolution, should progress not be thwarted by authoritarianism. The research concludes that civilizations evolve through a four-stage life-cycle: growth, stability, decline, and eventual transformation. Todays industrial civilization, he says, is moving through decline. The increase in authoritarian politics and efforts to protect the fossil fuel industry which produce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change are factors that could jeopardize civilization, Ahmed says. The global decrease in energy return on investment is central to the decline. Investing in carefully-designed clean energy and new material capabilities like that industry, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and lab-grown agriculture could create new forms of networked superabundance when there is an abundance of resources available through networks that protect Earth systems. But, they cannot be governed by old, centralized industrial hierarchies, Ahmed states. Ultimately, he finds a widening rift between the so-called emerging new system and industrial operating system, leading to political and cultural disruption and global crises. open image in gallery A cooling tower is seen at the Three Mile Island Nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania last October. Clean energy investment could help humanity avoid collapse, a new paper states ( REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo ) An amazing new possibility space is emerging, where humanity could provide itself superabundant energy, transport, food, and knowledge without hurting the earth. This could be the next giant leap in human evolution. But if we fail to genuinely evolve as humans by rewiring how we govern these emerging capabilities responsibly and for the benefit of all, they could be our undoing, he warned. Instead of evolving, we would regress if not collapse. The rise in authoritarian and far-right governments around the world, increases this grave risk of collapse. In his new book A Darwinian Survival Guide, University of Toronto Professor Daniel Brooks says that while the danger is great and the time is short, humans can make change happen. His perspective, he told The Independent via email, is that while utopia is unattainable, apocalypse wont happen even if there is a major collapse of technological humanity. He believes that the world has a no-technological-solution problem, and that if there is a collapse around 2050, people who continued business as usual will all be to blame - regardless of politics, economics, or beliefs - and those who manage to be part of the survivors and rebuilders will all share in the credit. We agree with those who say that we have sufficient technology to solve the problems now and although technological advances are helpful, the accelerating pace of global climate change is outstripping the rate of technological advance - the solution to maintaining technological humanity lies in changing our behavior (not electing anti-science authoritarians would be a good behavioral change at the level of elections, a point with which we agree with Dr. Ahmed), Brooks wrote, referring to his co-author, Virginia Commonwealth University associate professor Salvatore Agosta. open image in gallery The iconic Earthrise image shows Earth appearing over the moons horizon on Christmas Eve 1968. Scientists say Earth has crossed six of its nine boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity ( NASA ) Ahmeds paper comes following dire warnings about Earths rapidly warming future. Last year, a team of international scientists said that six of Earths nine planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity have been crossed. This update on planetary boundaries clearly depicts a patient that is unwell, as pressure on the planet increases and vital boundaries are being breached. We dont know how long we can keep transgressing these key boundaries before combined pressures lead to irreversible change and harm, said co-author Johan Rockstrom, the director of the Germany Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Research published earlier this year found that maintaining at least net zero emissions of greenhouse gases, a level that can be absorbed by nature and other carbon dioxide removal methods, is crucial by 2100 to minimize the risk of climate tipping points and to ensure planetary stability. Multiple wars, extreme inequality, a looming climate collapse, and new technologies capable of transforming our very existence have brought humanity to a crossroads, Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said in September. We have no time left for complacency or defeatism only a shared responsibility to salvage the world that we owe to future generations. Well have to wait and see if any other Hollywood-esque research predicting the end of the world from AI systems occurs. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Three teenagers have been charged with murder after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed near a bus station in Bedford. Thomas Taylor died after being attacked in Greenhill Street at about 5.50pm on Wednesday, Bedfordshire Police said. He died as a result of his injuries after being taken to hospital. Ahmed Adam, 18, of Mardale Close, Kempston, and two other males aged 16 and 17 who cannot be named for legal reasons were charged with murder on Saturday, the force confirmed. They have been remanded into custody and will appear at Luton Magistrates Court on Monday. A further three people were also arrested over the weekend by detectives investigating Thomass death. open image in gallery Thomas Taylor was walking along Greenhill Street close to Bedford Bus Station when he was attacked ( Google Maps ) A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old male were arrested on Saturday and remain in police custody for questioning, according the force. An 18-year-old male was also arrested and has been released on bail. Detective Inspector Richard Stott said: Our thoughts remain very much with Thomass family and friends at this extremely difficult time. We understand this was a shocking incident and we would like to reassure our local community that we are working tirelessly on this case and would urge anyone with information to get it touch with us. open image in gallery Floral tributes were laid near Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, following the stabbing of Thomas Taylor ( Lucy North/PA ) Thomass headteacher at Bedford Academy, Chris Deller, described him as a respected lad who had achieved good exam results at the end of year 11 before progressing to sixth form. He said: Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form. Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss. Speaking to the BBC, his mother Samantha Taylor said she was crushed by her sons death. He was really looking forward to his future and we are all completely devastated, she said. He was deeply caring and family-orientated and was a very intelligent boy. He brightened up any room he walked into, he really cared about others and his life. Additional reporting by PA Craig Jones was a small-town Yorkshire lad with a single ambition to join the Royal Navy, just as his uncle had done after the Second World War. After impressing the interview board, he earned a spot on an elite fast-tracking course and on 12 September 1989 he walked through the gates of Britannia Royal Naval College. He was on his way to a new life, doing something that would have made his uncle proud, but as he walked towards his dream future, he also says he did so leaving a part of me behind. Craig Jones was one of an estimated 5,000 people in the army who were breaking the law by being there because they were gay. On 12 January 2000, a historic ruling by the European Court of Human Rights transformed the lives of LGBT+ individuals in the UK. By declaring the militarys ban on gay and lesbian service personnel unlawful, the court forced the British Armed Forces to lift a policy that had, for decades, institutionalised discrimination, secrecy and fear. The ruling marked a turning point for LGBT+ rights in the UK and sparked a slow but significant cultural shift within one of the nations most rigid institutions. For former lieutenant commander Craig Jones it would be life-changing. Reflecting on the era of secrecy, he describes the immense pressure it placed on LGBT+ personnel. You had to be absolutely meticulous, he says. One mistake could destroy everything your career, your reputation, your sense of self. The stress was constant. In 1995, a leaked letter from Admiral Sir Hugo White to First Sea Lord Sir Jock Slater revealed how hard the fight was going to be to get it overturned. Senior Royal Navy officials were already preparing a robust defence to maintain the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. Reported by The Independent, the letter emphasised the importance of timing and determination in upholding the existing policy. In it, White writes: As in all battles timing is everything, and I know that chiefs of staff not only intend but are already vigorously defending the status quo and are determined to act in the most effective way at the optimum moment to do so. He goes on to say that unlike other countries, the ban needed to remain place because we have unique cultural traditions and tend to be sexually more conservative than many other countries. For Jones, whose sexuality had remained a secret until after the ban, the letter epitomised the entrenched homophobia that dominated military culture at the time. It wasnt just words, he reflects. It was how deeply ingrained the prejudice was, from the very top down to the mess deck. That kind of rhetoric wasnt uncommon, it was almost expected. Jones explains that such public displays of hostility only intensified the pressure on LGBT+ service members to remain hidden. Hearing something like that from a senior figure was crushing, he says. It reinforced this message that we didnt belong, that who we were would always be a problem, no matter how good we were at our jobs. A stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to protect his career and identity in an institution that officially viewed him as unfit to serve. open image in gallery Craig Jones outside the Britannia Royal Naval College in 1989 ( Supplied ) After returning to England in 1995, Jones met Adam, the man who would become his husband of 27 years, at a gay bar. At the time, being caught in a same-sex relationship and serving in the military could mean arrest and prison. Jones, then serving as a navigator on HMS Sheffield, had to live a double life, hiding his sexuality and his relationship from those he worked with. At best, those who were discovered were dismissed from the army; at worst, they faced up to six months in military detention or prison and were left with a criminal record. Constantly fearing exposure, he lived in paranoia, de-gaying his home, altering his address book, and dreading the military police. Jones recalls when a colleague came to visit, I had a signed Shirley Bassey poster in the hall, and I thought: Jesus, get that down. I had a picture of a warship somewhere, so I shoved that up on the wall instead. The whole environment was toxic. We had been hated by the highest levels of command. When Adams father died suddenly, Jones couldnt leave the ship to support him, leading to a breakdown and 10 weeks leave. A career setback he blamed on a crisis of confidence to protect his secret. The movement to overturn the ban gained momentum when Stonewall partnered with Rank Outsiders, a support group for LGBT+ service personnel, to challenge the policy at the European Court of Human Rights. Rank Outsiders was co-founded by Robert Ely and Elaine Chambers. Ely, a former warrant officer in the Parachute Regiment, was discharged after 17 years of service when his sexuality was revealed through a personal letter. open image in gallery Jones on holiday in Key West, Florida, in 1995 ( Supplied ) In 1999, the case was brought before the European Court in Strasbourg on behalf of Jeanette Smith, Graham Grady, Duncan Lustig-Prean and John Beckett, all dismissed from the armed forces solely due to their sexual orientation. The UK government argued that openly gay service members would harm morale and undermine operational effectiveness. The court rejected this claim, highlighting the lack of evidence to support the alleged negative impact. The judges went further, declaring the ban unjustifiable and rooted in predisposed bias by a heterosexual majority against the homosexual minority. Following the ruling, the Ministry of Defence revised its policy in 2000 to permit LGBT+ individuals to serve openly, marking a significant step forward some 33 years after homosexuality was decriminalised for civilians. However, there was no big celebration, not publicly anyway. The ban was lifted, but the years immediately following the repeal were still challenging. While LGBT+ individuals could now serve openly, acceptance within the ranks did not come overnight. I joined the Navy in 2001, says Jamie*, a former submariner, who had been out since 1996, and although initially had hidden his identity, came out to a few close colleagues. I should have known they [his colleagues] wouldnt keep it to themselves. For those not seen as one of the lads, fitting in could be next to impossible. There were still whispers, side-eyes, silence when I walked into a room, he remembers, moments that made you question if it was truly safe. open image in gallery Jones pictured in the Northern Arabian Gulf in 1993 ( Supplied ) Jamie recalls an incident during training when a fellow recruit directed a homophobic slur at him. The instructor let the comment hang in the air. Acceptance might have been a policy, but it wasnt yet practice, he says. Speaking up wasnt an option. If I had complained, Id have been marked as a troublemaker and made an even bigger target. The isolation could be brutal. Jones echoes this sentiment. After the captain informed the ships company that the gay ban was to be lifted, I went to his office and said, This is a day when, finally, our values match those we defend. He didnt say much. There was definite disquiet when I said Adam would be my plus-one at the Navys Burns Night party a few days later. Did it propel anyone else to come out? No! Jones recalls, the fact that the ops officer me had come out didnt just spread around my ship. It went around the whole fleet. For the first four years after the ban was lifted, very few people came out and if they did, it was done quietly." Changing policy is one thing; changing hearts and minds is another, he explains. After the ban was lifted, there were still pockets of resistance. You had to work twice as hard to prove yourself. In the LGBT Veterans Independent Review published in July 2023, figures far exceeded the estimated 5,000 people. The review found that as many as 23,800 veterans who do not identify as straight or heterosexual, and 4,500 veterans who identify as trans, who served between 1967 and 2000. open image in gallery A member of the army carries a transgender flag during the London Pride Parade in 2023 ( Getty ) The report collected 1,128 responses, of which 69 per cent reported being investigated, cautioned or warned due to their sexuality, with a further 30 per cent reported being subject to a medical examination or treatment. One response recalled sitting naked on what I can only describe as a dentist-type chair and the doctor showing me pictures of naked men/women and then measuring my penis to see if there was any reaction. The report further went on to reveal the extent of the trauma of these incidents on those involved, with 99 per cent reporting negative health impacts, such as depression and anxiety, and a further 17 per cent of veterans detailing experiences of self-harm and suicide. The accounts detailed in the report reveal the horrific breach of the Armed Forces Covenant, the nations promise that those prepared to stand in harms way to protect peace and freedom shall not be disadvantaged by their service. Instead, before the ban was repealed, thousands were expelled, their careers and lives shattered by a policy implemented more commonly with zeal than mercy. On 19 January 2023, then prime minister Rishi Sunak stood in the House of Commons to deliver a long-overdue apology on behalf of the British state. The ban on LGBT people serving in the British military prior to 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state, decades behind the law of this land, he said. In that period, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country. Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologise. open image in gallery Graeme McLaughlin: For those of us who serve post-ban, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who fought hard to pave the way ( Supplied ) As the armed forces reflect on the past 25 years, current service members like Lieutenant Graeme McLaughlin highlight the progress made and the work still to be done. For those of us who serve post-ban, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who fought hard to pave the way for us, says McLaughlin, who has served openly in the Navy for three years. Although there is not an exact number of gay people serving in the UK military, according to the 2021 Census, out of the total UK armed forces veteran population in England and Wales, just more than 0.9 per cent (16,650) of UK armed forces veterans identify as gay or lesbian. For McLaughlin, the Navy has been a positive workplace. Ive been out the whole time and found it to be an inclusive and welcoming place to work, he reflects. We have LGBT staff networks that are vocal in initiatives, host events, and create spaces for people to share their lived experiences. Its easier to identify others in the community and feel supported. Yet, not all his LGBT colleagues feel as secure. There is still a perception of stigma, and I know not all my LGBT colleagues would want to be openly out or feel comfortable introducing their partners to colleagues, he admits. This anniversary is more than a milestone; it is a testament to resilience, a reminder of the sacrifices made, and a celebration of the progress achieved. As the armed forces continue to evolve, the stories of Jones, Jamie and countless others stand as a powerful legacy a beacon for inclusion, courage, and unwavering determination qualities that arent just admirable but the very essence of what makes a truly exceptional service member. *name changed to protect identity Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The body of a missing man has been found by police at a landfill site in Essex. Cumali Turhan, 46, was last seen in The Globe pub in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, in the early hours of November 19 and was feared murdered. Officers discovered Mr Turhans body on Saturday after 45 days of scouring the landfill site and his family have been informed. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of Essex Police, said the investigation has been extremely challenging. The force has said 38-year-old Ceyhan Dinler, who left the UK from London Stansted Airport on the day Mr Turhan was last in contact with anyone, is wanted in connection with Mr Turhans disappearance. open image in gallery The body of missing Cumali Turhan has been found at an Essex landfill (Essex Police/PA) ( PA Media ) A second man, Ciprian Ilie, who is homeless, appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court last month charged with assisting an offender. The 44-year-old wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit and wiped tears from his eyes as he appeared in the secure dock. Ilie was assisted by a Romanian interpreter as the court clerk read two charges to him. open image in gallery 38-year-old Ceyhan Dinler, from Chelmsford, who is wanted in connection with the disappearance of Cumali Turhan ( Essex Police/PA Wire ) He pleaded not guilty to a count of assisting an offender between November 18 and November 20 2024. The defendant also denied preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body. Judge Christopher Morgan remanded Ilie in custody until September 15 2025 when he is due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Essex Police said information suggests Mr Turhan may have been in Barista, a bar and restaurant in Duke Street, Chelmsford, after he was at The Globe, but that CCTV does not show him leaving Barista. He was reported missing to police on the evening of November 19 after he did not arrive at work. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former minister suggested that the most senior chiefs in the British military should resign over a national security incident that occurred under the Conservative government, it has been reported. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, who was vice-chief of the defence staff at the time, was reportedly asked by a Tory minister whether or not he or Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the armed forces, would take the fall for the incident, which has gone unreported until now. Gen Jenkins, who has been considered a frontrunner for the post of next chief of the defence staff, responded that he would certainly not step down, according to The Times. He was also the professional head of the Royal Marines at the time of the alleged conversation. The major incident, which concerned matters of national security, allegedly involved Royal Marines commandos. However, it is understood Gen Jenkins was not in charge of those believed to be responsible. According to The Times, the conversation between the former minister and Gen Jenkins was about falling on his sword and taking responsibility for the errors of junior ranks. open image in gallery Prime minister Rishi Sunak and Maj Jenkins, are shown damaged buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine ( PA ) Ministers are currently looking for a new chief of defence staff, as Admiral Radakin is due to leave in the autumn. Separately, Gen Jenkins has faced questions over what he knew about alleged war crimes committed by the UK special forces in Afghanistan, amid an ongoing inquiry into the activities of the SAS. BBCs Panorama reported last year that Gen Jenkins, who is a four-star general, placed testimony concerning the alleged crimes in a safe and apparently failed to pass on the information. Last week testimony released by the Afghan inquiry revealed that a special forces witness believed that soldiers had a golden pass allowing them to get away with murder. Statements from one individual, known as N2107, who had access to operational reports about the SASs activity in Afghanistan in 2011, showed that he began to doubt official accounts of how Afghans had died. The witness told the inquiry he thought that UK special forces in Afghanistan seemed beyond reproach. open image in gallery Chief of the defence staff Admiral Radakin is due to leave his post in autumn ( PA ) Then-prime minister Rishi Sunak had appointed Gen Jenkins to the post of national security adviser, the most senior security position in the government, but this appointment was overturned by Sir Keir Starmer in August last year. Jonathan Powell, Tony Blairs former chief of staff, was put in the position instead, with Gen Jenkins returning to the Ministry of Defence. He is now reportedly working on big multinational projects without an official title. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Experts have expressed concerns that thousands of official documents about the late Queen and Prince Philip due to be made public over the next two years could be censored. Five years after their deaths, in 2026 and 2027 respectively, government documents involving communications with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband are due to be published. The papers would offer previously unknown insights into the late monarchs thoughts around events of significance that transpired during her 70-year reign, during which time she engaged with 15 different UK prime ministers prior to her death in September 2022, at the age of 96. open image in gallery Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022 ( Getty ) Discussions are reportedly taking place in Whitehall about which aspects of the documents should be kept secret, with members of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives expected to ask civil servants to brief them on how the tranche of files will be dealt with. But with an already lengthy backlog of disputed cases involving royal documents, one former member of the council has warned that the system by which such papers are either released or censored must be overhauled. Dr Bendor Grosvenor an art historian who resigned from the council in 2018 over the governments destruction of Windrush records and refusal to release papers on the Profumo scandal warned that it is often junior civil servants, as opposed to permanent secretaries and other senior officials, who make such decisions. Warning that this could result in more risk-averse decisions over which files to censor, Dr Grosvenor told The Guardian: The Cabinet Office are the knee-jerk ones who react all the time. The system does need to be changed, because the advisory council has on it people who really know what they are talking about and they should be trusted. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) While the council should be involved in decisions to censor files rather than hand them over to the National Archive, Dr Grosvenor warned that members are often unable to see the documents in detail. Staff at the National Archives will also have to reassess previously closed files in its collection relating to the late Queen and her husband five years after their deaths. Dr Alison McClean, a researcher at the University of Bristol, told The Guardian: There seems to be an increasing reluctance to release any historical public records relating to members of the royal family and a worrying trend of withdrawing access from records that have previously been released. During the past few years, the National Archives has re-closed or redacted a number of royal records, including cabinet papers relating to the Regency Act 1953 and prime ministerial records concerning the investiture of the Prince of Wales. A spokesperson for the National Archives told the outlet: Under the Public Records Act 1958, those responsible for public records must make arrangements for the selection of those records which ought to be permanently preserved and so any government department or public body planning on releasing documents related to the late queen should follow the selection and transfer guidance. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: All records are released in line with the Public Records Act. Under the Public Records Act, information relating to the sovereign, their heir, and the second in line to the throne is covered by an absolute exemption against release under freedom of information laws. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A senior Labour MP has questioned Elon Musks apparent reluctance to appear before MPs in parliament despite the billionaires barrage of interventions on UK politics using his social media site X. The House of Commons technology committee invited the worlds richest man in December to give evidence in parliament as part of its inquiry into the role of social media and misinformation in fuelling the summer riots that erupted in the wake of the Southport attack. Although Mr Musk who is set to assume a key role in Donald Trumps incoming US administration is reportedly yet to officially reply to the invitation, he initially responded on X by claiming that MPs would be summoned to the US to explain their censorship and threats to American citizens. open image in gallery Elon Musk has waged an online campaign against Sir Keir Starmer and his government over grooming gangs in the UK ( Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA ) Noting that the committee would be quite open to travelling to talk to him so long as Mr Musk is willing to pay for their flights, the cross party groups Labour chair Chi Onwurah questioned his apparent reticence to give evidence to MPs in Westminster. He has no qualms about using his platform to say all kinds of things about the British government and British society and yet he seems reluctant to actually come and talk to us where he can have his views explained, Ms Onwurah told the Sunday Mirror. Having suggested that the King should dissolve parliament, just months after the general election, the billionaire has launched a series of extraordinary attacks on Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers, while demanding the release of jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Mr Musks recent onslaught of posts have frequently contained conspiratorial and baseless allegations of complicity in the grooming gangs scandal, prompting Sir Keir to use a speech on Monday to condemn the billionaires lies and misinformation. Ms Onwurah said she had been shocked by the Tesla owners aggressive attacks on British politicians, adding: Im hoping that Elon Musk will bring himself to our committee so that we can understand what his approach is to freedom of speech and misinformation and harms. open image in gallery Chi Onwurah said she had been shocked by Elon Musks aggressive attacks on MPs ( Getty Images ) Mr Musks campaign against the UK government comes as the flagship online safety bill is set to come into force, which will enable regulator Ofcom to fine social media giants up to 10 per cent of their revenue for failing to comply with stricter new rules. However, officials hoping to bolster safety on social media platforms appear to be facing an uphill battle in the months and years ahead. In addition to Mr Musk having relaxed rules around harmful content after purchasing Twitter and renaming it X, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg also announced this week that his platforms such as Facebook would replace fact-checkers with a community notes system similar that now used on X. In a stark change of tone, Mr Zuckerberg accused Europe of institutionalising censorship, while his new head of global affairs Joel Kaplan told Fox News that Meta was going to work with President Trump to push back on that kind of thing around the world. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Labour MP has broken ranks and demanded that Sir Keir Starmer launches a national inquiry into the Asian grooming gangs that targeted hundreds of white working-class underage girls in towns around the country. Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden has become the first Labour MP to back an inquiry after a tumultuous week where Sir Keir and his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips were subject to attacks led by X (Twitter) boss Elon Musk over the decision not to have one. Mr Carden told the Liverpool Echo: The public compassion for the victims, thousands of young British working-class girls and children is real. The public call for justice must be heeded. Labour MP Dan Carden says It is shocking that people in positions of power could have covered up and refused to act to avoid confronting racial or cultural issues ( PA ) It is shocking that people in positions of power could have covered up and refused to act to avoid confronting racial or cultural issues or because victims were poor and working class. We must question and challenge the orthodoxy of progressive liberal multiculturalism that led to authorities failing to act. We need a new doctrine to take our multi-ethnic society into the future. The prime minister has insisted there is no need for a second inquiry and he wants to focus on delivering the 20 recommendations of the one conducted by Alexis Jay into the scandal previously. However, last week ahead of a vote on an inquiry brought by the Tories, Ms Phillips and Downing Street suggested they might agree to an inquiry if victims groups wanted it. Sir Keir, chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting all abstained on the inquiry vote in the Commons. Mr Carden added: Both Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips have strong records in this area and yet the government has failed to take the high ground. It must communicate a clear message about whose side it is on and now direct the state to implement the rule of law without fear [or] favour and deliver justice. The prime minister must use the full power of the state to deliver justice. It must continue to unflinchingly pursue the perpetrators and bring to account those in positions of authority who turned a blind eye, failed to act, or gave political cover to the gangs. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jeremy Corbyns critique of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers healthcare policies has reignited debate about the future of the NHS. In an article for The Independent, the former Labour leader accused Starmer of betraying the NHS by expanding the private sectors role, a move he warns will hollow out the public health service. Corbyn claimed this approach undermines the NHSs founding principle of universal, free healthcare and risks leaving vulnerable patients behind. Labour has hit back, defending the use of private hospitals to tackle record-high waiting lists. A party spokesperson argued that patients cant afford to wait for ideological purity, stressing that the focus must be on reducing delays. This disagreement has sparked a larger conversation about the balance between public and private healthcare. Should the NHS rely on private operators to improve services, or does this risk eroding its core mission? And what does this policy shift say about the Labour Partys commitment to its working-class base? Now, we want to hear from you. Do you support Labours approach to cutting waiting times? Or do you share Corbyns concerns about the future of the NHS? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and well feature the most compelling responses. To join the discussion, sign up and register your details. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The school which educated chancellor Rachel Reeves and her sister, the Labour chair Ellie Reeves, would have been held back by the reforms the government introduced this week, the Tories have claimed. A row has broken out after Ellie Reeves tweeted about Tory leader Kemi Badenoch visiting her old school - previously named Cator Park School for Girls, now Harris Girls Academy in Lewisham - to make her case for why changes introduced by education secretary Bridget Phillipson this week were wrong. Ms Phillipson in effect removed many of the independent powers of academies and free schools which had been credited for transforming standards in England while other parts of the UK including Labour-run Wales and SNP-run Scotland have been held back. Ms Badenoch said on her trip to the school: Labours Schools Bill is a piece of educational vandalism. It will lead to pay cuts for good teachers, lower education outcomes and reduce parental choice. I visited the Harris Girls Academy in Beckenham to see the reality of the successful reforms the Conservatives brought in for schools. Sadly, it is students like these that will suffer the most from Labours disastrous bill, sacrificed on the altar of ideology. open image in gallery Badenoch and Trott visit Harris Academy School for Girls ( Conservative Party ) But a furious Ms Reeves tweeted: This really sticks in the craw. Kemi visited my old school yesterday. I dont remember the Tories caring about Cator Park girls when I was there in the 90s when we had lessons in huts & not enough books to go round. Completely hypocritical to pretend that they care now. But shadow education secretary Laura Trott, who accompanied Ms Badenoch to the school, hit back arguing that it was a Tory-led government and its reforms which had dealt with the very issues raised by the Labour Party chair. Responding to Ms Reeves complaints, she said: The opposite is true. It was the Harris Academy chain which turned this school around. It was taken over in 2011, under the Conservatives. It is exactly this type of turnaround that Labours Schools Bill is putting at risk. open image in gallery Ellie and Rachel Reeves ( Getty Images ) When she spoke to The Independent last September, Ms Reeves described how the school had been responsible for both her and her sister entering politics. Rachel Reeves had entered the school mock election in 1992 aged 13 with Ellie, then 12, as her campaign manager giving them both the bug for politics. Ms Reeves said: I can remember the 1992 general election, and we were at school, and they had a mock election. Rachel put herself forward for this mock election, and I was her campaign manager... She put me in charge of the leaflets, stickers and things like that to give out. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Japanese filmmaker sentenced to 10 years in jail in Myanmar has backed calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to be freed. Toru Kubota, who was arrested while covering a protest in Yangon and whose case led to international outcry, told The Independent: I sincerely hope for her earliest release, along with the release of more than 20,000 detainees. It comes after three former foreign secretaries called for Ms Suu Kyi to be freed by the brutal military junta which runs the country. William Hague, Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw argue the ousted leader was jailed on trumped-up charges by the dictatorship and deserves the chance to lead her country democratically. Ms Suu Kyi, who faces 27 years in prison, is believed to have spent long periods in solitary confinement since her arrest by the military in February 2021. open image in gallery Aung San Suu Kyi before her arrest ( Getty ) The 79-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner is a divisive and controversial figure internationally after refusing to speak out on her countrys extreme violence against its Rohingya Muslim minority. Her fall from grace is explored in an Independent TV documentary, Cancelled: The rise and fall of Aung San Suu Kyi, which looks at her life and the plight of Myanmar. Mr Kubota, who studied in London, said: As someone who began connecting with Myanmar through the eyes of the Rohingya, theres an unsettling feeling when I see how people continue to idolize her even after the coup. But of course, I hold immense respect for her achievements and determination. I sincerely hope for her earliest release, along with the release of more than 20,000 detainees. He was arrested while covering a protest in military-ruled Myanmar in July 2022. open image in gallery Toru Kubota, a Japanese journalist, was jailed for more than three months in Myanmar ( AP ) He was charged with spreading fake news by violating a law against spreading false or alarming news, and with breaking visa regulations amid allegations he arrived in Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, from Thailand with a tourist visa. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years, but in the end was released after three months following international protests. He has made several films on Myanmar, including a documentary on persecuted minority Rohingya refugees who have fled the country, as well as done work for Yahoo! news Japan, Vice Japan and Al Jazeera English. The Committee to Protect Journalists hit out at Mr Kubotas arrest warning the junta was trying to crack down on journalism. After his release, he talked of how he had been among 20 people placed in what he described as a hellish cell so tiny they had to sleep on top of each other. Later, he was transferred to the infamous Insein prison in Yangon, which has housed political prisoners. open image in gallery People march to protest against the February military takeover, in Yangon, Myanmar in 2021 ( AP ) In the Independent TV documentary, Lord Hague, who welcomed Ms Suu Kyi to London in 2012, said it was possible to be critical of the countrys former de facto prime minister but also say we should be campaigning for her release. He said: She is a political prisoner on trumped-up charges, imprisoned by a military regime in what seems very harsh circumstances. And we might disagree with things that she has said and done, she has been the strongest force for democracy in Myanmar in a generation, and she is imprisoned because she was that force for democracy. On 2 January Myanmars military government released more than 6,000 prisoners as part of a mass amnesty marking the 77th anniversary of independence from Britain. But included was just a small proportion of hundreds of political detainees jailed for opposing army rule since the military seized power in February 2021. Ms Suu Kyi was not among them. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kemi Badenoch has called on Keir Starmers anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to resign amid ongoing questions over gifts she received from her aunts regime in Bangladesh. Pressure is mounting on the minister who is also responsible for the City and finance as it emerged that she had to abandon the trip to China with chancellor Rachel Reeves and is unable to do her job. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: Its time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina. The Tory leader said Ms Siddiq, who is Sir Keirs constituency neighbour in North London, had become a distraction, adding: The prime minister tried to make a big deal of his commitment to standards and integrity. His weak leadership on Siddiq suggests he is not as bothered by integrity as he claims. open image in gallery Sheikh Hasina, the now deposed prime minister of Bangladesh and aunt of Tulip Siddiq, pictured during a 2014 visit to London ( Oli Scarff/PA ) However, science secretary Peter Kyle has defended Ms Siddiq arguing she has done the right thing by referring herself to the ministerial watchdog. He told Trevor Phillips on Sky News: I think shes done exactly the right thing, shes referred herself. That enquiry needs to go through. I think that thats the appropriate way forward. Im giving it all the space it needs to do. Ill be listening for the outcome as the prime minister will. He pointed out that when former Tory home secretary Dame Priti Patel was investigated for bullying in her department she remained in her role and did not quit even when she was found guilty. The row came as the leader of Bangladesh has called on UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to apologise over allegations that she has lived in London properties linked to the regime of his predecessor. Sir Keir Starmer faced fresh calls from the Tories on Saturday to sack Ms Siddiq as a minister, as Bangladeshs leader Muhammad Yunus called for an investigation into the properties to determine whether they were acquired through plain robbery. Ms Siddiq whose aunt Sheikh Hasina led an increasingly autocratic regime in Bangladesh for 15 years until its shock fall in August reported herself to the UK governments ethics watchdog last week after it emerged that she was being investigated by Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In her letter to standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, Ms Siddiq said she was clear that I have done nothing wrong and alleged that much of the recent reporting had been inaccurate. Sir Keir later said Ms Siddiq had acted entirely properly in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had confidence in her. Her self-referral came after The Sunday Times and Financial Times reported she had lived in properties linked to her aunts regime one in Hampstead allegedly given to her teenage sister, and another in Kings Cross allegedly given to her by an associate of members of Bangladeshs Awami League party. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Yunus an 84-year-old Nobel Prize-winner who has vowed to stand down once elections are called by mid-2026 warned that Ms Siddiqs property should absolutely be investigated by the ACC. Calling on her to apologise, while acknowledging that it was not for him to say whether she should resign, Mr Yunus said: She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didnt realise it, but now you realise it. You say: Sorry, I didnt know it [at] that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign. Shes not saying that. Shes defending herself. open image in gallery Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladeshs interim government, has pledged to step down once elections are called by mid-2026 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Referring to a recent Bangladeshi report alleging that the elite had funnelled billions of pounds a year out of the country, with some funds used to buy assets including property, Mr Yunus said: They pointed out how money is stolen, but its not stealing when you steal, you hide it. Its a robbery. Asked whether that could apply to properties used by members of Sheikh Hasinas family in London, he said: Absolutely, its about plain robbery. Nothing else. If a UK parliament member is involved, definitely its a big issue. Asked specifically what should happen to the properties used or owned by the Siddiq family, Mr Yunus said: Our whole idea and movement and what our pledges, commitments, that we made [is that] well bring them to justice. Ms Siddiqs aunt was deposed in August last year following an uprising against her leadership and fled to India. The former prime minister is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as part of the case. Sheikh Hasina was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer has said he has confidence in Tulip Siddiq ( AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth ) Ms Siddiq, who is reportedly yet to be contacted by the ACC, said in her letter to Sir Laurie: In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my familys links to the former government of Bangladesh. I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this. Ms Siddiq pulled out of accompanying the chancellor on her trip to China this weekend to be available to help Sir Laurie with his investigation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Serbia are expected to resume around January 15, a well-informed source in the energy market told Trend, commenting on the suspension of deliveries due to a technical issue on the Shah Deniz Alpha platform. Repair work addressing the issue on the platform is expected to be completed in the coming days, after which gas supplies to Serbia can be resumed. Tentatively, deliveries are expected to restart on January 15, the source said. bp Azerbaijan also informed Trend that the company is working to resolve the technical issue as quickly as possible. Efforts are underway to address the technical problem in the shortest possible time. There are no issues with the Shah Deniz Alpha platform itself or other platforms. The problem lies in the subsea condensate export line between the Shah Deniz Alpha platform and the Sangachal terminal, bp said. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recently announced that Azerbaijan had informed Serbia about the suspension of daily gas deliveries of 1.7 million cubic meters due to technical problems at the Shah Deniz field. Meanwhile, some media outlets have speculated that the supply disruptions could last several months. On November 15, 2023, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Serbias Srbijagas signed an agreement for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Serbia. Under the agreement, up to 400 million cubic meters of gas will be supplied annually from Azerbaijan to Serbia from 2024 to 2026, with the possibility of increasing volumes from 2027. Gas deliveries from Azerbaijan to Serbia began in February 2024. In September 2024, SOCAR and Srbijagas signed an additional agreement to supply 1 million cubic meters of gas per day, covering the period from November 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Getty Center and Villa, museums that house some of the most priceless pieces of art in the Los Angeles area, remain stable as wildfires continue, a museum representative said in an update on Saturday. The Brentwood Getty Center was put under an evacuation order on Friday, while The villa, located in the Pacific Palisades, has been in an evacuation zone for days. The Palisades fire pushed eastward on Friday, prompting officials to expand mandatory evacuation orders into an area that encompasses the center. open image in gallery The Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades escaped fire damage as blazes move into inland towards Brentwood, home of the Getty Center musuem ( AFP via Getty Images ) Both are in affluent neighborhoods that many celebrities call home. More than 35,000 people live in Brentwood and roughly 24,000 people reside in the Pacific Palisades. Vice President Kamala Harris owns a home in Brentwood with her husband, First Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Part of the University of California, Los Angeles is also located in the area. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire has burned more than 22,000 acres and destroyed over 5,000 structures. The cause of the blaze continues to be under investigation. It is one of four active fires impacting the county. At least 11 people have died. Still, the Getty structures have managed to escape the flames so far. It was a watchful but fortunately uneventful night up here at the Getty Center, Katherine E Fleming, president of the J Paul Getty Trust, the organization that operates the structures, said in a statement on Saturday. The trusts officials were told to anticipate stronger winds later in the day. Still, Fleming ensured that the museums galleries are safe and protected. The Getty Villa, which houses the trusts educational center, has not been harmed, though there are a few hot spots nearby. The structure has 1 million gallons of water on-site to prevent fires from setting it ablaze. open image in gallery A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Palisades fire on January 10 ( Getty Images ) Irrigation was immediately deployed throughout the grounds Tuesday morning. We continue to be acutely aware of our Getty neighbors and hope for their safety and that of the whole region, Fleming said. The buildings are closed to the public through at least January 16 while a small team of museum staff members will remain on-site to respond to emergencies. The center first opened to the public in 1997 after 14 years of construction at the cost of $1.3 billion was designed to prevent harm from wildfires and earthquakes. It houses more than 125,000 pieces of art and 1.4 million documents. The artwork inside the museums galleries can be blocked off by vault-like double-walled construction. The buildings are made of fire-resistant stone, concrete, and protected steel. Museum officials consider it the safest place for art during a fire, according to a 2019 blog post on the centers website after a fire broke out that year engulfing over 600 acres to the north and west of the structure. There is no need to evacuate the art or archives because they are already in the safest place possible, the article reads. Among some of the museums best-known works are Pontormos Portrait of a Halberdier, Orazio Gentileschis Danae, Rembrandts An Old Man in Military Costume, Turners Modern Rome, Manets Jeanne(Spring), and Van Goghs Irises. open image in gallery The Getty Villa art museum stands undamaged after the passage of the wind-driven Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood ( AFP via Getty Images ) The campuss travertine plazas include extensive open space surrounding the buildings which can help slow down an encroaching fire. Even the centers outdoor plants were selected with wildfires in mind and are regularly pruned to prevent them from becoming fuel for fire. Museum employees have ways to manage smoke if a fire ignites inside the building. Fire sprinklers are located throughout but are only activated as a last-resort measure. After the Palisades fire broke out, Getty employees cleared brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts but some trees and vegetation have burned in recent days. Museum galleries and library archives were sealed off from smoke by state-of-the-art air handling systems, the trust said this week in a news release. The Palisades fire is 11 percent contained. North and northeast winds will gradually increase and peak in strength Saturday evening and overnight, according to Cal Fire, the agency tasked with responding to wildfires. A fire weather watch in the area is in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday. Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds are likely to return Tuesday and Wednesday, creating critical fire weather conditions, according to Cal Fire. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kristin Crowley was elevated to Los Angeles fire chief in 2022 at a time of turmoil in a department consumed by complaints of rampant hazing, harassment and discrimination among its 3,400-member ranks. As a career firefighter, she was portrayed by the then-mayor as a stabilizing force. Three years later, the mood between Crowley and City Hall has changed. The wildfire in Pacific Palisades that has burned more than 5,000 structures to become the most destructive in city history has put leaders on the defensive and led Crowley to engage in a public spat with Mayor Karen Bass over resources even as the battle against flames continues across the Los Angeles area. Crowley publicly criticized the city Friday for budget cuts that she said have made it harder for firefighters to do their jobs at a time when they are seeing more calls. She also cast blame on the city for water running out Tuesday when about 20 percent of the hydrants tapped to fight the Palisades fire went dry. I'm not a politician, Im a public servant. Its my job as the fire chief for Los Angeles city fire dept to make sure our firefighters have exactly what they need to do their jobs, she told CNN. Her comments and perceived falling-out with Bass prompted so much speculation about her job security that the union issued a statement Friday assuring rank-and-file members that she had not been fired. open image in gallery A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades fire in Mandeville Canyon on January 11 ( AP ) The following day the mayor sought to tamp down the tension. Let me be clear about something: The fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private, Bass said at a news conference. But right now our first and most important obligation to Angelenos is to get through this crisis. This followed several days of Crowley getting swept into the national political fray over diversity, equity and inclusion policies that conservatives believe have gone too far in American institutions. Crowley, who is openly gay and the citys first female fire chief, has made diversifying the overwhelmingly male department a priority. What we are seeing (was) largely preventable, talk show host Megyn Kelly said on her show. LAs fire chief has made not filling the fire hydrants top priority, but diversity. Theres no evidence that Crowleys efforts to diversify the department have hampered the fight. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is in charge of providing water for the hydrants, and its leaders have said they were overwhelmed by the intense demand on a municipal system not designed to fight wildfires, particularly as firefighting aircraft was grounded. Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into what happened, and Crowley herself added to the criticism. When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there's going to be water, she said during a local news interview. open image in gallery Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom receive an update on firefighting efforts on January 8 ( EPA ) Philadelphia Managing Director Adam K. Thiel, who previously served as that citys fire commissioner, suggested that people reserve judgment until the fires can be investigated. He noted that firefighters cannot control the weather, a key factor in battling wildfires. Firefighting, to a regular person, probably appears to be a relatively simple process of putting water on a fire, said Thiel, who knows Crowley and praised her experience. In reality every firefighting operation, in any environment, is inherently volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed Crowley to the job amid complaints about a frat house culture in the department that was sometimes hostile to women and minorities. Several lawsuits alleged hazing and harassment, and federal investigators found evidence of discrimination. At the time Crowley was sworn in, women accounted for just 3.5 percent of the uniformed membership, a figure thats not unusual for a department. A survey found that half the uniformed women in the department along with 40% of Blacks, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders felt harassment was a problem. Crowley, whose wife is a retired firefighter, told the Los Angeles Times in 2022 that she planned to ensure all of employees come to work and feel safe and feel heard. Two years later, she was facing budget cuts that she warned could hamper the department's ability to respond to emergencies, including wildfires. She highlighted the elimination of civilian positions and $7 million in overtime pay. The reduction in overtime has limited the departments ability to prepare and train for large scale emergencies, such as wildfires and earthquakes, Crowley said, and programs like air operations. The department has also lost mechanics, leading to delays in repairing the vehicle fleet, she said. Other city officials say the department's budget was later boosted, but it's unclear how much of that went to firefighting resources. Bass has said the department has the resources needed to do its job and she will address specifics once the crisis subsides. open image in gallery Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley speaks to the press in 2022 ( AP ) Crowley, who grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, came to firefighting after what she called a really unique journey. A high school and college athlete, she studied biology at Saint Marys College in Notre Dame, Indiana, with plans to become an orthopedic surgeon. Two weeks after graduation, she moved to California. A stint as a paramedic changed her career path. She did an internship with the fire department and was hooked. That was it, she told WBAY-TV in Green Bay in March 2022. Within a few seconds of me entering into the fire station, it was just such a wonderful connection to what I had being a student-athlete for the majority of my life, and I tell you, it was a perfect fit. Crowley has now been with the department for a quarter century, serving in nearly every role, including fire marshal, engineer and battalion chief. Garcetti had described Crowley as not only a trailblazer but the most qualified person. The protection of our city first and foremost has to go to the human being who is best prepared to lead. But let me be clear, that is Kristin Crowley, he said. ___ Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller in Washington contributed. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The pitbull mix arrived covered in ash, his paw pads ulcerated from walking on fire debris, his lungs choked with smoke. A good Samaritan found the dog lying in rubble, wrapped him in a blanket and brought him to the shelter. Still too weak to walk on Saturday, Canela was reunited with his owner. The injured pet continues to receive medical treatment and is one of more than 400 animals that have arrived at the Pasadena Humane facility since the Southern California wildfires began last Tuesday. Animal facilities, veterinarians and rescue organizations have taken in and assisted dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and other creatures that were displaced by the ongoing fires along with their human owners. The Humane Society began accepting animals as a temporary shelter as families evacuated their homes. But circumstances evolved, along with the widening disaster, which has left 13 people dead, burned 39,000 acres (157.83 square kilometers) and forced at least 153,000 people to leave their homes. open image in gallery A dog outside of a house burning as a result of the Eaton wildfire in Altadena, California, USA, 08 January 2025 ( EPA ) We are now seeing more injured animals coming in, said Dia DuVernet, president and chief executive of Pasadena Humane. Were also starting to see people who brought their animals for what we thought would be temporary shelter, but they dont have homes to go back to, and so its turning into a longer-term sheltering situation. open image in gallery A view of dog statue after burned a house in Pacific Palisades neighborhood during Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 11, 2025 ( Anadolu via Getty Images ) Some animals bear the scars of the ordeal, like a severely burned Husky with singed fur and burned paws. He hasnt had anybody come back to reclaim him, said the humane society chief veterinarian, Dr. Maria Pyrdek, adding that the dog was showing gradual signs of recovery. He wasnt even lifting his head when he came in. He was just completely exhausted. The organization has entered a new phase of this disaster response, search rescue and recovery, DuVernet said. Pasadena Humane is prioritizing calls to help live animals in the burn zones. This includes eight injured peacocks. open image in gallery A dog being sheltered at the Pasadena Humane Society looks out from its kennel on January 10, 2025 in Pasadena, California ( Getty Images ) One man in Altadena contacted the Humane Society for help getting water to cows, sheep and a bull that he had been unable to reach because the fire destroyed a bridge. Weve been strategizing how we can get a significant amount of water over this ravine and up this hill, so that these animals dont perish from dehydration, said DuVernet. open image in gallery Evacuated residents from the Eaton Fire, carry a kennel with a dog as they seek shelter for it, at the Pasadena Humane Society in Pasadena, California, U.S. January 8, 2025 ( REUTERS ) Throughout the crisis, DuVernet said the community had provided enough donations to fill five U-Haul trucks. In nearby Burbank, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center has taken in around 400 animals, mostly horses but also a few donkeys. Some were brought in by owners who evacuated their homes and others by law enforcement who found them running loose. The Eaton fire on the east side of Los Angeles hit a region filled with horse lovers. People have horses in their backyards in these neighborhoods, said Leigh Anne Claywell, general manager of the equestrian center. Its been a horsey area for a long time. This is kind of where the Hollywood Western was born, because of all the cowboys and the ranches that used to be in this area. open image in gallery In this photo provided by Julia Bagan, a mare dubbed Flicka eats at the Chino Valley Equine Hospital in Chino Hills, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025, after she was rescued from the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Wednesday ( AP ) Some of the evacuated horses appeared stressed when they arrived in their new environment, Claywell said, but by and large, everybody seems to have kind of stumbled into a routine. On Saturday, dozens of volunteers helped walk and feed horses and clean the grounds. The center was packed with donations of apples and carrots for the animals and pizza and sandwiches for humans. Smoke was visible from the Palisades fire to the west and the Eaton fire to the east. At one point, all of the centers stalls had been full. Spaces opened up as some evacuation orders were lifted and owners were able to reclaim their animals. open image in gallery In this image taken from video provided by Julia Bagan, a veterinarian cleans the eyes of a horse named Flicka and checks for damage at the Chino Valley Equine Hospital after she was rescued from the Eaton Fire, in Chino Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Julia Bagan via AP) ( AP ) Karrie Saydah was picking up her two donkeys and two horses that she had brought to the center when she was forced to evacuate her home at 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning. It was so scary, a fire in the sky kind of thing, Saydah said. Saydah borrowed a horse trailer from a neighbor and headed to a site near the Rose Bowl only to learn it was full. After finding space for horses Zippy and Sonny at the equestrian center in Burbank, she went back with donkeys Midge and Thelma. On Saturday, Saydah said she was thankful to the staff and volunteers and said her animals likely will miss their generous supply of treats. There is so much help and so much goodwill being shared, Saydah said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For a ninth consecutive day, thousands of firefighters are still battling the wildfires that are ravaging Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires, along with other smaller blazes, have spread more than 40,000 acres (larger than the land area of Washington, DC), with the flames being fanned by a fierce windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds. As of Wednesday morning, at least 25 lives had been lost, more than 12,000 homes and structures destroyed and hundreds of thousands of residents still placed under evacuation orders. The economic losses from the fires may reach $275 billion, according to estimates. With slowing wind speeds earlier this week offering some respite, later on Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned that Angelenos are not out of the woods yet. Firefighters are bracing for the return of bruising winds as the agency again declared a particularly dangerous situation the most extreme advance warning with local gusts expected to reach 65mph before sunrise up until noon on Wednesday. Below is a timeline of key events from before the first blaze broke out. Early warning signs open image in gallery A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. ( AP ) With the luxury of hindsight, the warning signs seem clear: a fire broke out northeast of the Pacific Palisades on January 1; the National Weather Service warned of potential rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior in parts of Los Angeles if ignition occurred. Despite the warnings, senior Los Angeles Fire Department officials allegedly decided not to assign 1,000 extra firefighters and dozens of fire engines for emergency deployment the day the wildfires broke out, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. By the time the first blaze erupted at 10:30 a.m. on January 7, it took the LAPD 45 minutes to respond to reports of smoke pluming from a wooded area near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, according to the Washington Post. And while LA was burning, the citys mayor, Karen Bass, flew to Ghana on diplomatic duties. She was captured posing for pictures at a cocktail party in celebration of the inauguration of Ghanas President John Dramani Mahama when the first fire broke out last week. January 7 open image in gallery A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire around a structure in the Pacific Palisades on January 7 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The first and ultimately the most devastating fire was burning in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent coastal neighborhood west of LA. Since the morning of January 7, it has engulfed more than 23,000 acres and, as of Wednesday morning, is 18 percent contained. By 7.30pm that evening, the fire spread to almost 3,000 acres before reaching the center of Pacific Palisades. At around 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire erupted in the Altadena area, north of Pasadena, and has now churned through more than 14,000 acres and has been 35 percent contained. At 10.29, the Hurst fire ignited near San Fernando. It has since burned nearly 800 acres and is 97 percent contained. January 8 open image in gallery A firefighter works to extinguish flames as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, California, on January 8 ( REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni ) The death toll had climbed to five people, as the fast-moving wildfires continued to sweep across the LA area. The Palisades fire had burned more than 17,200 acres, while the Eaton fire has scorched some 10,600 acres. The Sunset fire was sparked in the Hollywood Hills and had engulfed 43 acres. All three fires were at zero percent containment. More than 2,000 buildings had been scorched and tens of thousands of residents forced to evacuate, including more than 60,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. More than 330,000 people were without power throughout the region, according to PowerOutage.us. Fire chiefs also confirmed they were faced with a new challenge: depleted water supplies and low water pressure. January 9 open image in gallery Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on January 9 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Another conflagration, the Kenneth fire, ignited in the afternoon and burned more than 1,000 acres near the Los Angeles-Ventura County line. It was at 100 percent containment as of Sunday morning. California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed that more than 7,500 firefighting personnel and almost 1,200 fire trucks have been deployed across Southern California. President Joe Biden, announced the approval of a major disaster declaration and ordered federal assistance to bolster response efforts. The Department of Medical Examiner announced it had received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the nation with 500,000 students, closed all of its campuses. January 10 The Palisades Fire was at six percent containment and had scorched 19,978 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire had burned 13,690 acres and three prercent contained. Fire crews were still battling the Kenneth Fire that broke out north of the Palisades fire hours, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills. The blaze was believed to have been started intentionally, the LAPD announced. Winds picked up, topping out at 70mph in southern Californias mountainous regions after sunrise, according to the NWS. January 11 open image in gallery California Wildfires Photo Gallery ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) More than 100,000 residents remained under evacuation orders, as the Eaton fire in Altadena and other blazes in the county continued to burn. Officials confirmed that at least 16 people had died in the wildfires. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced it would take the lead on a new investigative task force probing the origin of the Palisades fire. Search and rescue efforts for missing persons related to the fires, which including personnel sifting through the rubble and debris of scorched buldings, began in the morning. January 12 The death toll climbed to 24 by Sunday and more than 12,000 structures destroyed, according to officials. The NWS warned of a particularly dangerous situation by the evening and, although peak winds would be weaker than the rest of the week, they were strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth. Gusts reached of up to 70mph in mountainous regions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the agency said. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy has vowed to dispatch 150 firefighting personnel from Ukraine to bolster response efforts to the wildfires raging through southern California. Billionaire Elon Musk also vowed to deploy a fleet of Tesla Cybetrucks equipped with Starlink terminals. January 13 open image in gallery A firefighter monitors the spread of the Auto Fire in Oxnard, northwest of Los Angeles, California, on January 13 ( AFP via Getty Images ) A new blaze, named the Auto Fire, broke out late Monday in Ventura County, and scorched about 56 acres, prompting a swift response from fire crews. As of Monday morning, the fires had scorched more than 40,000 acres. Only 13 percent of the more than 23,000-acre Palisades fire has been contained. The Eaton fire has burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena and is 27 percent contained. After a week of bruising gusts, wind speeds dropped. President Joe Biden approved a revised major disaster declaration this week, declaring that the federal government will fund 100 percent of debris removal and emergency protective measures. January 14 and 15 Firefighters contined to brace for the return of bruising Santa Ana winds late on Tuesday into Wednesday morning as the death toll from the raging Los Angeles fires climbed to 25. On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service again declared a particularly dangerous situation the most extreme advance warning with local gusts expected to reach 65 mph before sunrise up until noon on Wednesday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The stock market had a record-breaking run last year, but members of Congress still managed to outperform it with their portfolios making staggering gains in industries where they wield legislative power and influence, such as tech and energy. More than 20 members made almost double the S&P500 average gain of 24.9 percent last year. The top five performers Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Roger Williams (R-TX), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) increased the value of their portfolio value by more than 100 percent, according to a new report. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has become a lightning rod for anger over lawmakers trading in stocks in recent years and has, according to the report, an almost cult-like following for her financial disclosures, saw the value of her households portfolio rise by 71 percent. The report comes as several bipartisan measures aimed at banning the trading of stocks of individual companies by members of Congress appear to have stalled, despite overwhelming public support. A total of 11 bills have been proposed by lawmakers since 2022, but none have made it to a vote. One of those efforts was spearheaded by Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who worked on a bill with former Republican representative Matt Gaetz. When asked to comment on the news that many members of Congress had outperformed the market again, Ocasio-Cortez said: I dont think that members of Congress should be trading and holding individual stock. We are privy to very sensitive information, not just in terms of classified information, but also in terms of the social dynamics and the political dynamics in the House. We are privy to knowing when legislation is more likely to pass, that which is least likely to pass, amendments that might happen, and were often the first to get notice of developments, she said. The report from Unusual Whales a platform that tracks lawmaker stock declarations found that much of the rise in value among lawmakers portfolios was fueled by huge gains for big tech in 2024, with Amazon, Nvidia, META among the top performers. The tech industry accounted for just over 15 percent of investments by Republicans, and 49 percent by Democrats, during a year dominated by the debate about the influence of the industry. Republicans also invested heavily in energy. Both parties experienced similar gains on average: Democratic lawmakers saw an estimated 31 percent increase in the value of their stock portfolios and Republicans jumped 26 percent. The report was compiled from trades disclosed through Periodic Transaction Reports (PTRs) filed by members of Congress and includes trades made by immediate family members. The portfolio values are estimated based on publicly available market data, and include realized and unrealized gains in the stocks. However, the report comes with a caveat: Many of the stocks are part of index funds or managed by outside financial companies and are not chosen by the lawmakers themselves. The stocks declared may also belong to an immediate family member, as they are required to be included. Still, the group behind the report believes even the appearance of influence is damaging. The idea of lawmakers trading stocks while legislating is inherently problematic. Congress members shape policies that can directly impact markets. Whether or not they act on insider knowledge, the appearance of potential abuse undermines public trust, the group said in its report. The Unusual Whales report highlighted trading activity by some members in industries over which they had legislative power or influence. Wasserman Schultz purchased shares of the satellite operator Viasat in October while on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on military construction. The company has received more than $2.7 billion in government contracts in the last five years and the stock has risen some 41 percent since her purchase, according to the report. The congresswomans office did not respond to a request for comment. Michael McCaul, a Republican congressman from Texas who sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security, disclosed a purchase of up to $250,000 worth of stock in Howmet Aerospace ($HWM), a contractor and subcontractor of the US government, in October. Elliot Berke, an attorney for Representative McCaul, said the congressman did not purchase these stocks and had no advanced knowledge of the purchase. Rather, his wife has assets she solely owns, and a third-party manager made the purchase without her direction. The report also singles out Minnesota senator Tina Smith, a Democrat, who purchased up to $100,000 in shares of Tactile Systems, a medical device manufacturer. Smith sits on the Senate Committee on Health. Senator Smiths office did not respond to a request for comment. The top performer was Republican congressman David Rouzer, of North Carolina, who saw a 149 per cent increase in the value of his stocks. But the report noted that most of that gain came from stocks bought years ago that had appreciated over time, among them Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence. Rouzers chief of staff Anna McCormack told The Independent that the congressman has not purchased or sold a single stock asset since 2022, and that he adheres to all House ethics rules and all financial reporting regulations. She added: Using a methodology that predicts unrealized gains creates a deceptive view of reality, leading to misinformation instead of transparency. Pelosis declared interests showed a much higher trading volume than previous years, resulting in a 71 percent rise in gains in 2024, according to the report. Her husband, Paul Pelosi, was behind the trades in the declaration, and that the investments in cyber security company Palo Alto Networks, and artificial intelligence companies Nvidia and Broadcom have performed particularly well. Pelosi initially defended lawmakers right to trade individual stocks, but changed her position last year, calling for the ban to include the judiciary. A spokesperson for Pelosis office told The Independent: Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks, and she has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions. A bipartisan group of senators introduced a proposal last year that would bar lawmakers, their spouses and dependent children from buying stocks. That bill has not yet been scheduled for a vote. Outgoing president Joe Biden has also expressed support for the proposal, saying in a December interview: I dont know how you look your constituents in the eye and know because the job they gave you, it gave you the inside track to make more money. The issue was brought to the forefront in recent years after researchers found that members of Congress were vastly outperforming the market average in their investments many of which were focused on industries those same members had influence over. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Special counsel Jack Smith has completed his reports on his criminal investigations into Donald Trump and resigned from the Department of Justice. Smith a chief prosecutor at The Hague who was appointed to handle investigations into the president-elect for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and withhold classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago compound delivered his final reports to Attorney General Merrick Garland on January 7. He then separated from the Justice Department on Friday, prosecutors revealed in a court filing on Saturday. His departure was expected following the conclusion of his investigations. Trump had also threatened to fire him if his work continued into the next administration. Justice Department lawyers are urging a Trump-appointed federal judge to reject attempts from the former president and his now-former co-defendants in the Mar-a-Lago case to keep Smiths report secret. open image in gallery Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department after submitting his reports into his investigations into Donald Trump ( REUTERS ) An order from Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon has temporarily blocked the release of the entire two-volume report, including the results of his investigation into Trumps election subversion a case that played out in an entirely different court in Washington, D.C. After months of delays, appeals and Supreme Court decisions that bought Trump time and broad immunity from criminal prosecution, the cases were ultimately upended by Trumps victory against Kamala Harris, throwing the courts and the Justice Department into unprecedented territory that brushed up against policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president. The Justice Department has agreed that Garland will not publicly release Smiths report on the classified documents investigation while the case against Trumps co-defendants remains pending, according to federal prosecutors. Trump, meanwhile, spent his 2024 campaign raging against Smith, labelling him deranged and crooked and threatening to fire him within two seconds of taking office. Trump said Smith should be thrown out of the country. open image in gallery Donald Trump threatened to fire Smith and said he should be thrown out of the country for his investigations ( REUTERS ) A federal grand jury indictment in 2023 charged Trump with conspiracy and obstruction for his efforts to reverse his election loss and failure to stop a mob of his supporters from breaking into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as lawmakers convened to certify Joe Bidens victory. On October 2, 2024, Smiths team unveiled the fullest account yet of Trumps alleged crimes in that case, laying out across 165 pages Trumps increasingly desperate efforts to cling to power with knowingly false claims of election fraud. The lengthy filing traces the history of Trumps bogus narrative of fraud, characterized as an attempt to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election, despite knowing that his claims were false. The filing then documents the state-by-state efforts by Trump, his unindicted co-conspirators and allies to pressure state officials, election workers and others to validate his scheme to reverse the loss, then organize allies to submit fraudulent election certificates falsely stating that he won. Trump was separately charged in 2023 with mishandling reams of classified documents hoarded inside Mar-a-Lago, and then obstructing attempts from federal authorities to get them back. In a shock decision, Judge Cannon ultimately dismissed the case after agreeing with Trumps attorneys that Smith was unconstitutionally appointed and funded. Smiths team appealed that decision, but then dropped Trump as a defendant after his election. The case against his co-defendants is ongoing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy JD Vance led the Republican assault against Californias state and local governments on Sunday as conservatives eagerly pile on Democratic leaders for insufficient water supplies and emergency efforts as firefighters continue to battle wildfires around Los Angeles. On Sunday, the incoming vice president told Fox News Sundays Shannon Bream that Californias leaders were incompetent. We need to do a better job. We need competent, good governance, Vance said. There was a serious lack of competent governance in California, and I think its part of the reason why these fires have gotten so bad. The devastation in Los Angeles over the past week has been enormous; three large wildfires and several smaller brushfires have ravaged entire communities, leaving thousands under mandatory evacuation orders. Whole suburbs, such as the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, are thought to be largely destroyed. Initial reports over the course of last week depicted firefighters as stretched thin and unable to access water in many communitites. The state has been under drought conditions for months, and in the Palisades, reports surfaced that fire hydrants were broken as firefighters tried in vain to halt the blazes. Californias governor Gavin Newsom has requested an investigation into water usage and reports of fire hydrants not working in and around Los Angeles County. In a letter sent to municipal officials, he pledged state resources for the probe. open image in gallery JD Vance is among Republican officials leading criticism of Democratic leadership in California during devastating Los Angeles wildfires ( AFP via Getty Images ) By Wednesday of last week, hed told CNN that the county had "depleted all of our [water] resources. In a letter to water management officials days later, he requested information about why the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been closed for repairs and not available for use to assist firefighters. Water shortages in Los Angeles County were only part of the reason why firefighters had such a tough time battling the three large wildfires in the region. High winds topping out at around 80 mph and starkly dry conditions in the underbrush were the main factors leading to the destruction of more than 10,000 homes and other structures in the area over the past week. Those winds are due to return tonight, fueling fears that conditions could once again worsen. The wind complicated efforts to deliver water and fire suppression substances by air, while also causing blazes to rapidly spread. Newsom, in his own interview airing this weekend, said the fires would amount to one of the worst natural disasters in the nations history. I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it in terms of the scale and scope, he told NBC News. open image in gallery California Gavin Newsom surveys fire damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 8 ( AP ) He also stressed that water shortages in the immediate few days after the fire began were localized and did not reflect regional preparation efforts, taking aim at Vances boss Donald Trump over the latters own comments about Californias wildfire preparedness. I don't know what [Trump]'s referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs, said the governor. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California, he said. That mis- and disinformation ... I don't think advantages or aids any of us. Responding to Donald Trump's insults we would spend another month. I'm very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them. While Vance did not broach the topic in his interview this weekend, the broader conservative movement has concocted a cartoonish image of Californias government as inept and helpless a direct result of an imagined artistocracy seemingly made up of LGBT+ people and celebrities. Los Angeles being home to the American film and television industries has fed into that image, but so did the response of the citys mayor, Karen Bass who was in Ghana, attending the inauguration of the African nations president, when the crisis began. Republicans in Congress said this week that disaster relief aid for the California wildfires will come with strings attached, likely to do with demanding standards for wildfire preparedness. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With a little more than a week until his inauguration, Donald Trump and his team are trying to plan the executive orders that will fulfill his campaign promise of closing the U.S.Mexico border and implementing mass deportation on day one a task that comes with complications. For months, Trump and his team have been looking for ways to bypass the traditional immigration legislative process to close the border and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. But as January 20 draws closer, its unclear if they can succeed. Trump is reportedly considering invoking Title 42 the public health order that allows authorities to block people from entering the United States to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. open image in gallery Donald Trump plans to enact swaths of executive orders to carry-out his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration ( Getty Images ) Re-instating Title 42 would effectively shut down the border by preventing migrants from certain countries from entering the U.S. but it would also require Trump to identify a communicable disease that poses a threat to U.S. citizens. Trump and his team of loyal anti-immigration advisers, such as Stephen Miller, used Title 42 during the Covid-19 pandemic to expel people from entering the U.S. The team has spent the past few months trying to identify a disease that they can use, according to The New York Times. Should they fail to find one, they could make a broad claim about possible unfamiliar diseases, though its unclear if that would hold up in a court. While time is running out to iron out the complications of immigration-related executive orders, Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, has reportedly begun trying to manage expectations with Republican members of Congress. Homan the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement now tasked with implementing Trumps deportation operation told lawmakers that deporting millions of people will require extensive funding and resources which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently does not have, according to CNN. open image in gallery Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, plans to carry-out anti-immigration policies ( AP ) To carry out a mass deportation of its kind, the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit that advocates for fairer immigration policies, estimates it would cost $88 billion about $80 billion more than what ICE is allocated now. His message is not code talk for, Nothing is going to happen or, Were going to slow down or whatever, Republican Representative Mark Amodei of Nevada told CNN. But it is a responsible policy approach to getting stuff done quickly, but also in the context of realistic evaluation of how to best get that done and fulfill the promises that the incoming administration has made, he said. Trump has insisted there is no price tag on carrying out the deportations. One way the president-elect and his team could fund his immigration plans would be to declare a national emergency, which would unlock funding within the Department of Defense. Trump has already said he wants to use the U.S. military to help carry out his mass deportation plan by having them partner with state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. The president-elect could also declare a national emergency to continue building the border wall, build immigration detention centers, and invoke the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize local and state law enforcement to carry out the responsibilities of ICE. President Trump will enlist every federal power and coordinate with state authorities to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families, according to Karoline Leavitt, the incoming White House press secretary. The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, like deporting migrant criminals and restoring our economic greatness. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President-elect Donald Trump is not someone who plays down expectations, whether about himself or the United States. And he raises the expectations of others accordingly. His re-entry onto the world stage after his victory in last years election prompted urgent shifts in international dynamics on the part of national leaders around the world, simply in anticipation. From midday on Monday, Mr Trumps power is real. With it comes promise and peril. Four years ago, the inauguration of Joe Biden as US president was greeted, especially in Europe, as heralding a welcome return to normality. By which was meant a re-emphasis on Atlanticism abroad, a respect for the constitution at home, and, above all, a steady, predictable hand on the global tiller. That is not quite how it turned out. From the chaotic end to the US-led intervention in Afghanistan to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the new hostilities in the Middle East, Bidens four years encompassed as much, if not more, destructive disruption as any recent US presidents term. That needs to be borne in mind as Mr Trump enters the White House again. Stuff happens. But Mr Trump is different and not just from his predecessor in both the scope of his personal ambition and how he believes he can use American power, but also in the extent to which his personality dictates the terms and draws the limelight for better and worse. Early proof of the promise his presidency could bring were the joyous scenes that followed the agreement between Israel and Hamas; the celebrations on the streets of Tel Aviv, the festivities even amid the devastation of Gaza, and the rapturous reception, on both sides, for the released captives. The Biden and Trump teams may dispute where the credit lies for this lamentably overdue ceasefire, but Mr Trumps imminent inauguration and the pressure exerted by his envoy on the hitherto immovable Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu are surely part of the explanation. It must be hoped that President Trump we must become used to hearing that combination again can follow through, not only to pre-empt any backsliding by either signatory to this agreement but to ensure that the next stages are honoured, bringing the release of all Hamas hostages, and the possibility of rebuilding in a peace that increasingly embraces the whole region. This will not be easy; Syria, Iran and maybe Turkey are, or could all be, in the throes of change. Mr Trumps other foreign policy projects, as so far outlined, present at least as much peril as promise. He has undertaken to end the war in Ukraine, but he must do so without placing Ukraines future at still greater risk or appearing to acquiesce in the change of national borders by military force. Unpredictability and risk-taking here could have lethal consequences. European members of Nato have been making some efforts to prepare for a time when they might have to take more responsibility for Europes security, but there is a long way still to go. Trump 1.0 raised concerns in the end unwarranted that the US could forsake Europe. There is less alarm over Trump 2.0 but no room for complacency, either. Mr Trump has a keen sense of where power lies, abroad as at home. He has US relations with China in his sights as a priority hence the invitation to President Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Mr Xi himself is not going but he is sending a deputy; the honour, in other words, was recognised, not spurned. Will Mr Trump suspend, or soften, the ban on the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, if only as a gesture? Is that the right thing to do? Will Mr Trump start a wider trade war with his threat to impose tariffs, or is the threat more by way of a signal from this arch-realist and disruptor that the rest of the world must strike new bargains to protect what he sees as the US national interest? Europe, in particular, must be as much on its guard as it was eight years ago, so as not to be wrong-footed by a US president whose exclusive concern, to a greater extent than many recent predecessors, is the security and prosperity of the United States. This is also how his striking talk about Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal might be taken, as a 21st-century Monroe Doctrine, which sees the US in hemisphere, rather than global, terms. There have been mixed signals about how far Mr Trumps British in fact, Scottish connection could translate into closer, or less close, relations with the UK. With gaps already evident over policy towards Ukraine and the Middle East, not to mention the Chagos Islands, this is already looking to be a delicate relationship, even as it has become more crucial for the UK after Brexit. If, however, as The Independent has reported, the new US administration could decide to reject Sir Keir Starmers nominee for ambassador, that could not but sour relations, while underlining the disparity in power. Lord Mandelson has his flaws but an ambassador with the ear of the prime minister and expertise in trade matters can be an asset for both sides. President Trump is nothing if not his own man, and a respecter of power his own and that of others. The UKs position vis-a-vis the United States under such a president would be stronger, the more it can make common cause with the EU and the European members of Nato. A strong and united voice in Washington from across the Atlantic would be one way, probably the best way, to make the most of Mr Trumps promise, while reducing the peril. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Justice Juan Merchan sentenced President-elect Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge on Friday. The measure is a rare and lenient sentence in the New York state court system that still means that Trump will enter office on January 20th as a felon. If Trump had been sentenced to a conditional discharge, he would have had to meet certain conditions, such as maintaining a job or paying restitution. With his sentence, however, there will be no conditions placed on Trump, The New York Times noted. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an affair with an adult actress. He had initially faced as many as four years behind bars or probation. Merchan had substantial reason to consider imprisonment, according to the Times. What is an unconditional discharge? New York state law says unconditional discharge is a sentence handed down without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision. The law adds that the sentence is appropriate when a judge is of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendants release. Its Merchans way of closing the case without interfering with Trumps presidency. open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump appeared remotely on a screen at Manhattan criminal court during his sentencing in the hush money case Friday. ( AP ) Is it common? A third of defendants since 2014 sentenced to the most serious charge of falsifying business records in the first in Manhattan were handed less than a year of jail time. Others received more than a year of incarceration or were handed probation, fines, community service, or conditional discharges. But no other defendants in the cases reviewed byThe Times got an unconditional discharge. Falsifying business records in the first degree is an E level felony in New York. Its the lowest-level felony and doesnt require incarceration. Other New York cases where defendants have been sentenced to unconditional discharges include an attorney who pleaded guilty to falsifying business records in the second degree after being charged with submitting payment vouchers with false information, an attorney who didnt pay their taxes, yet another attorney who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor official misconduct, a conviction after refusing to submit to a field sobriety test in a case of driving under the influence, and the attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, as well as the attempted possession of ammunition, MSNBC noted. Other cases included convictions related to marijuana, speeding, submitting a false timesheet, trespassing, and not maintaining the right license plates. open image in gallery An artists impression of Trumps virtual appearance at court Friday. It could conclude the Manhattan criminal court proceedings in People v Trump ( AP ) What did the judge say? In an 18-page decision last week, Merchan revealed that he was planning on handing Trump an unconditional discharge, stating that it seemed to be the most viable solution to ensure finality. Merchan made clear in his statement Friday that he was making a difference between Trump the person and Trump the president-elect, saying that its the office of the president that should receive substantial legal protections, not the individual. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Serbia BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. There will be no suspension of gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Serbia, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wrote on X, Trend reports. Our brothers and friends from Azerbaijan have just informed me that regardless of objective problems caused by force majeure, there will be no suspension of gas to Serbia. Endless thanks to Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev, whom I am looking forward to welcoming in Belgrade soon, Vucic wrote. Vucic yesterday announced that Azerbaijan had informed Serbia about the suspension of daily gas deliveries of 1.7 million cubic meters due to technical problems at the Shah Deniz field. Meanwhile, some media outlets have speculated that the supply disruptions could last several months. A well-informed source in the energy market told Trend that gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Serbia are expected to resume around January 15. Moreover, bp Azerbaijan also informed Trend that the company is working to resolve the technical issue as quickly as possible. Efforts are underway to address the technical problem in the shortest possible time. There are no issues with the Shah Deniz Alpha platform itself or other platforms. The problem lies in the subsea condensate export line between the Shah Deniz Alpha platform and the Sangachal terminal, bp said. On November 15, 2023, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Serbias Srbijagas signed an agreement for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Serbia. Under the agreement, up to 400 million cubic meters of gas will be supplied annually from Azerbaijan to Serbia from 2024 to 2026, with the possibility of increasing volumes from 2027. Gas deliveries from Azerbaijan to Serbia began in February 2024. In September 2024, SOCAR and Srbijagas signed an additional agreement to supply 1 million cubic meters of gas per day, covering the period from November 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The state premier of Australias New South Wales has labelled Saturdays attack on a synagogue a massive escalation in antisemitic crime in the state, as police confirmed that the attack was an attempted arson. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Chris Minns said antisemitic graffiti appearing on the synagogue in Newtown suburb was very concerning, not just for the Jewish community but for the wider community. Police confirmed on Sunday morning that apart from red Nazi swastikas painted on the synagogues fence, an arson attempt was also made on the building. They released images of two people wearing light-coloured shoes, black hoodies, and dark clothing attending the Newtown synagogue at about 4.25am. open image in gallery General view of the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Sydney ( EPA ) The image shows the two spray painting the fence and the building, before attempting to set fire to it. The fire didnt take hold and was extinguished by itself in minutes, NSW commissioner Karen Webb said. This is an escalation in anti-Semitic crime in New South Wales. Police and the government remain very concerned that an accelerant may have been used, Minns, the leader of Australias most populous state, said on Sunday in a televised media conference. In the last 24 hours, these matters have now been taken over by counter-terrorism command. Australia has witnessed several anti-semitic incidents over the last year, since the Israeli ground offensive into Gaza following Hamass attack on Israel. open image in gallery This frame grab taken from video footage provided by the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) on December 11, 2024 shows a police officer walking past a torched car being removed in front of anti-Israel graffiti ( AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORAT ) These incidents include graffiti sprayed on cars and buildings in Sydney, as well as an antisemitic arson attack in December on a synagogue in Melbourne. Antisemitism is abhorrent. It is a form of racism which has no place in Australia, Australias race discrimination commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said following the December attack. Everyone should feel safe to freely practice their faith, without fear of persecution, intimidation, violence or discrimination, Mr Sivaraman said. Apart from the latest incident, police said a house in a Jewish community of east Sydney was also vandalised with antisemitic graffiti. Police have set up a special task force to probe an attack on another synagogue in southern Sydneys Allawah suburb on Friday. 10 years after the Hypercacher attack: Rise in anti-semitic acts in France Prime minister Anthony Albanese said Australias tolerant multicultural community was no place for this sort of criminal activity. David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish board of deputies, said he welcomed more resources promised by the government to investigate the recent incidents. The New South Wales government has also provided us with additional funding to enhance Jewish communal security, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Italys justice minister has asked an appeals court to revoke the arrest of an Iranian citizen wanted by the U.S. over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago. Mohammad Abedini was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending the extradition process to the U.S. Iranian state TV said Sunday Abedini will return to Iran within hours. The report said the release and return of Abedini came after Irans foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as talks between Irans intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Abedini was arrested on a U.S. warrant on Dec. 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Sala, who was believed held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned home last week, giving rise to speculation about his fate. An official note released by the Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-U.S. extradition treaties, only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, cant be considered as existing. The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a U.S. federal law did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime. The U.S. Justice Department has accused Abedini of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a diplomatic triangulation with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Salas release, confirming for the first time that Washingtons interests in the case entered into the negotiations. Salas release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Nasser Karimi in Tehran contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Germanys foreign minister said Sunday that sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for war crimes must remain in place but called for a smart approach to provide relief to the Syrian population after last month's overthrow of President Bashar Assad. Annalena Baerbock spoke to reporters after arriving in Saudi Arabia for a conference on Syria's future attended by top European and Middle Eastern diplomats. Germany is one of several countries that imposed sanctions on the Assad government over its brutal crackdown on dissent. Those penalties could hinder Syria's recovery from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced half the prewar population of 23 million. Sanctions against Assads henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place, Baerbock said. But Germany proposes to take a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population. Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power. Baerbock announced an additional 50 million euros ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters and medical care, highlighting the ongoing struggles of millions of Syrians displaced by the war. Last week, the United States eased some of its restrictions on Syria, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The U.S. has also dropped a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month. Al-Sharaa was a former senior al-Qaida militant who broke with the group years ago and has pledged an inclusive Syria that respects the rights of religious minorities. The rebels led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his familys decades-long rule. Much of the world severed ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government and its Russian and Iranian allies over alleged war crimes and the manufacturing of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, which reportedly generated billions of dollars as packages of the little white pills were smuggled across Syrias porous borders. With Assad out of the picture, Syrias new authorities hope that the international community will pour money into the country to rebuild its battered infrastructure and make its economy viable again. __ Follow AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least 17 people have been killed and dozens seriously injured after an explosion at a fuel station in Yemen, health authorities have said. There are believed to be at least 91 victims of the blast in Yemens southwestern al-Bayda province on Saturday, the Houthi-run health ministry said. Of those injured, more than 50 people are reported to be in a critical condition, with rescue teams continuing to search for those reported missing. We extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and relatives of the victims of the painful accident that occurred as a result of the explosion of gas stations in the village of Al-Majrish, the ministry said in a statement. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, but footage circulating online showing a huge fire which sent columns of black smoke into the sky and left charred vehicles smouldering nearby. Bayda is controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have been at war with Yemens internationally recognised government for more than a decade, in a civil war that has left more than 150,000 people dead and sparked one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. Elsewhere in the province, the Houthis fatally attacked and looted Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, the internationally-recognised government alleged. This horrific attack targeted citizens homes and mosques, and resulted in many casualties, including women and children, and the destruction of property, said information minister Moammar al-Eryani, alleging that the attack came after a week-long seige of the village. A large fire and plume of smoke is visible in the port city of Hodeida on 29 September 2024, after Israeli strikes on the Houthi-controlled city ( AP Photo ) Rights activist Riyadh al-Dubai said the Houthis detained dozens of men and looted homes, seizing valuables such as gold, money, daggers and other possessions. He said shelling by the Houthis had continued relentlessly day and night for more than five days. The US Embassy in Yemen condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future. Yemens civil war began in 2014, when the rebels took control of the capital Sanaa and much of the countrys north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, in an effort to restore the internationally recognised government. Saturdays blast also came a day after Israeli warplanes bombed a power station and two ports in Yemen in retaliation for Houthi drone and missile strikes against Israel. The Houthis have been regularly striking at ships in the Red Sea since the start of the war on their allies Hamas in Gaza. Pro-Houthi media said at least one person had been killed and nine wounded. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iran-backed Houthi militia were paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for their aggression against us. The strikes hit the ports of Ras Issa and Hodeidah, as well as the Hezyaz central power station in Yemens capital Sanaa, while the Harf Sufyan District in Amran province also came under air attack, according to Al Masirah TV, the main Houthi-run news outlet. The Israeli military said more than 20 aircraft took part in the attack, dropping around 50 bombs and missiles. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A young gorilla rescued from a planes cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo, officials have said. Wildlife officers are considering returning the animal, found in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight, to his natural habitat. The five-month-old gorilla was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month. After a public competition, he has been named Zeytin, or Olive, and is at Polonezkoy Zoo. Of course, what we want and desire is for the baby gorilla to continue its life in its homeland, Fahrettin Ulu, regional director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, said Sunday. What is important is that an absolutely safe environment is established in the place it goes to, which is extremely important for us. open image in gallery Zeytin, a five-month-old male gorilla infant who was rescued at Istanbul Airport, reacts with a keeper, in a specially created section of a zoo, in Istanbul, Turkey ( AP ) In the weeks since he was found, Zeytin has gained weight and is showing signs of recovering from his traumatic journey. When he first came, he was very shy, he would stay where we left him, said veterinarian Gulfem Esmen. He doesnt have that shyness now. He doesnt even care about us much. He plays games by himself. Both gorilla species the western and eastern gorillas, which populate central Africas remote forests and mountains are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. open image in gallery The endangered baby gorilla, found by Turkish Ministry of Trade Customs Enforcement teams at Istanbul Airport, is named 'Zeytin' (Olive) ( Anadolu via Getty Images ) As Istanbul emerges as a major air hub between continents, customs officials have increasingly intercepted illegally traded animals. In October, 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards were found in an Egyptian passengers luggage at the citys Sabiha Gokcen Airport. In March last year six Indian nationals were arrested at the Bangkok airport after an endangered red panda and 87 other exotic animals and birds were seized from their luggage in a major wildlife trafficking bust. A red panda, two monkeys, 29 lizards, 21 snakes, and rare birds, including a parrot, and a Sulawesi bear cuscus a type of rare marsupial native to Indonesia were seized by customs agents at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai customs officials made the shocking discovery after finding their luggage suspicious during the security check at the airport. Eva Longoria fought back tears as the actor revealed she had donated $50,000 to help victims of the deadly LA wildfires. The 49-year-old was close to tears as she revealed many of her friends had been evacuated to escape the raging fires in her community. The Desperate Housewives star revealed she has also donated clothes and food to those who have been forced to flee their homes. At least 16 people have now died as the potential return of high winds threatens to push the wildfires ravaging the city towards some of its most famous landmarks. Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires during his Sunday Angelus prayer, as the death toll from California's largest ever fires rose to 16. "I am close to the residents of Los Angels County, California, where devastating fires broke out in recent days. I pray for all of you," said Francis. On Saturday the Pope had sent a telegram to Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, expressing sadness for the "loss of life and the widespread destruction" caused by the wildfires. California governor Gavin Newsom appeared to take a swipe at Donald Trump as firefighters from Mexico arrived to help battle the deadly wildfires. Newsom stated: This is what friends do as two aircraft carrying crews, as well as humanitarian aid landed in Los Angeles on Saturday (11 January). The firefighters will be out on the frontline over the next 24 to 36 hours. Newsom added: This is what relationships are all about. Friends in need being there for one another. Trump this week blamed Newsom for the wildfire crisis, claiming in a social media post that he refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water. Simon Cowell has urged people to help victims of the California wildfires, saying he is devastated by what has happened. The music mogul, who has a second home in LA, described the deadly wildfires as horrific. In an Instagram video, posted on Saturday (11 January), the 65-year-old, said he has made a donation to the Red Cross, as he urged others to do the same. Los Angeles firefighters continue to battle several stubborn wildfires across the California county as the death toll grows to at least 16 people. Science secretary Peter Kyle was confronted over reports Labour is monitoring Elon Musks social media accounts. Mr Kyle was quizzed on media reports the Home Offices Homeland Security group, which is responsible for reducing national security risks, is monitoring Musks account for extremist content. Appearing on Sky News on Sunday, presenter Trevor Phillips asked Mr Kyle if the reports were true. He replied: My department does not monitor individuals, but it does monitor the internet itself for trends in misinformation and harmful content. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The EU is ready to step up support for the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, said Magdalena Grono, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Trend reports. Magdalena Grono paid her first official visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia from 7 to 11 January 2025. "Valued in-depth exchanges of views with the leaderships and officials in both capitals on how best to advance peace, normalization efforts, regional cooperation. <...> Stressed EU readiness to step up support to normalization in all its aspects, including by supporting ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan bilateral talks, focusing on concrete aspects of connectivity and humanitarian issues, promoting regional cooperation initiatives," she wrote on her page on X. Magdalena Grono was appointed EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia in July 2024. As she succeeded Toivo Klaar, Grono took up her duties on September 1, 2024, for an initial period of 12 months. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy California governor Gavin Newsom has accused Elon Musk of encouraging looting after the billionaire shared posts on his social media platform X that claimed the politician had decriminalised it. Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people its decriminalized. Its not, Mr Newsom wrote on X, replying to one of the billionaires retweets. Its illegal -- as it always has been. Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted. Mr Musk had shared a tweet in which Mr Newsom was filmed in an interview warning people against looting, but the caption read: LOOTING: Newsom and California Democrats literally decriminalized looting, barring police from arresting looters and prosecutors from prosecuting them. Now hes opposed to looting. Mr Musks repost was captioned with two emojis, one of a clown face and the other of the Earth. The online feud comes as at least 20 people in California have been arrested for raiding abandoned buildings ravaged by wildfires that have swept through the wider Los Angeles area. More than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fires, while more than 150,000 people have been put under evacuation notices. LA police were forced to put in a curfew from 6pm Friday evening to 6am on Saturday within areas impacted by the fires in the Palisades and Eaton to counter looting of properties. LA County Sheriff Roger Luna described the looting as unacceptable behaviour and hoped having soldiers would help send a stronger message. Accusations that Mr Newsom decriminalised looting are factually incorrect. They stem from his opposition to a bill proposed last year to water down Proposition 47, an initiative passed in 2014 that reclassified a number of drug and property offences with a theft value of $950 (778) or less from felonies to misdemeanors. Misdemeanours are still categorised as a crime punishable by a maximum of a fine and/or imprisonment in a county jail for a year. The proposition was passed by a state vote (close to 60 per cent voted yes) in 2014 on the basis that it would help free up prison space, afford greater focus on more serious crime and allow more resources to be directed to diversion programs, including mental health and drug abuse treatment. In November 2024, California residents then voted to pass Proposition 36 (68 per cent said yes), which enacted harsher penalties for retail theft, property crimes and drug offences, effectively undoing parts of Proposition 47. Mr Newsom opposed the bill and attempted to propose alternative legislation prior to the vote on Proposition 47. That proposal was withdrawn. Trinity Business School survey found 48pc of contract-based workers concerned about the impact of Donald Trumps presidency on their sector Independent contract workers in Ireland have expressed increasing pessimism about the impact a new Donald Trump presidency will have on their sectors. Trinity Business School and Contracting PLUS, a business that provides accountancy services to self-employed contract workers, surveyed 1,500 independent contractors around the country. They found that high-skilled contractors expect the Irish economy to perform better in 2025, but almost half (48pc) expect Mr Trumps presidency to have a negative effect on their sector. Pessimism is particularly pronounced among those working for European multinationals compared to those who mainly contract with US multinationals, suggesting that concerns are more focused on tariff impacts than the repatriation of US multinational activity back to America, the report said. US president-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th January 2025 Younger independent contractors expressed less concern over the USs impact on their work than their older counterparts. However, the study concluded there was a strong negative reaction across people from all sectors. The highest level of concern comes from the non-profit and charity sector where 69pc of people surveyed expressed concern over Mr Trumps policies. The report states this reflects fears Mr Trump America First philosophy could reduce support for global charities. The report also found that contractors expect contract-based project work to outperform the broader Irish economy over the next three to five years, driven by growth in eight major sectors, including technology, pharma, finance and engineering. Independent contractors have proved to be a reliable bellwether for economic performance, as their work and contract pipeline provide early insights into businesses plans to expand or contract, explained Professor Andrew Burke, chair of business studies at Trinity Business School and co-author of the report. It is encouraging that they are sending back a positive message about the economic outlook for Ireland especially as most of them are factoring in a negative effect from Trumps presidency. That said, there is so much uncertainty about how such a presidency will actually manifest itself. The annual survey looks at eight key sectors to asses implications for economic growth. Co-author and professor of human resource management at Trinity, Professor Na Fu said: These professionals bring specialised solutions to leading companies in sectors like technology, pharma and finance. From an HR perspective, they are a critical component of workforce strategies." Evolution and drive will build Eir Evo into a half-billion business by 2027, says Martin Wells Business-to-business arm now makes up 25pc of Eirs overall 1.3bn turnover Martin Wells MD of EIR Evo. Photo: Frank McGrath Fearghal O'Connor Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 03:30 When Martin Wells decided to leave a comfortable job at business lobby group Ibec hobnobbing with the great and the good of Ireland Inc some might have questioned his decision to jump back into the rat race of the telecoms sector. Iconic fashion designer was the creative director for Chanel until he died in 2019 Grant Thorntons office in Monaco has filed a petition with the High Court in Ireland to have a company that was controlled by the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld wound up. Mr Lagerfeld owned the Dublin-based firm, called Photofan. His name first appeared on company filings in 2017, when he was listed as owning the only two issued shares in the Irish firm. Mr Lagerfeld, who lived in Monaco at the exclusive Le Millefiori apartment building, was a German-born fashion designer who achieved global fame. After starting his career in the industry in the 1950s, he joined Chanel in 1983. He went on to become an icon of the fashion world, and was Chanels creative director until he died in 2019 at the age of 85. Chanel chairman Alain Wertheimer described Mr Lagerfeld as being ahead of his time. He was known for sporting dark suits, a trademark ponytail and sunglasses. Apart from working with Chanel, he also delivered collections for Fendi and his own eponymous label. Photofan was established in 1992. Shares in the firm had previously been held through various entities and individuals in jurisdictions including the British Virgin Islands, Channel Islands and Cyprus, before Mr Lagerfeld was listed as the direct owner of the shares. Photofans directors, as of 2021, are listed as Leon and Louise Ellison, both at the same address in Dublin. The latest publicly available accounts for Photofan show it had retained earnings of 1.6m at the end of September 2020. It previously had cash on its books of more than 2m. The same year, a declaration of solvency in relation to a voluntary winding up of the company was filed with the Companies Registration Office. However, no winding up was subsequently completed. Now Christian Boisson of Grant Thorntons Monaco office has petitioned the High Court in Ireland to have Photofan wound up. The petition is due to be heard before the court on January 27. Any creditor or contributory of the company who wishes to support or oppose the making of an order on the petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose and a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company who requires it, according to a notice in the latest issue of State gazette Iris Oifigiuil. Mr Boisson was contacted for comment. Retirement options A master trust is a multi-employer pension trust administered by an outside firm. Photo: Getty Retirement fund specialist LifeSight is to become the first so-called master trust pension operator in Ireland to invest in private equity, with an initial allocation of 150m. The move by LifeSight which is owned by global advisory firm WTW is the first of its kind in the growing Irish master trust market. A master trust is a multi- employer pension trust administered by an outside firm, and is an increasingly popular way for bigger companies to administer retirement funds for their employees. LifeSight has a growing number of defined contribution pension schemes in its master trust in Ireland, with approximately 60,000 members and 4bn committed assets under management. Those Irish members will now be able to invest in private companies through the WTW private equity access fund. This primarily focuses on private equity co-investments in such sectors as climate, healthcare, education, manufacturing and services. LifeSight will initially allocate 150m of its equity and higher target return diversified funds to private equity. As of October 2023, the total assets under management by master trusts was close to 18bn This is a very significant first for the pensions market and the broader investment landscape in Ireland, said LifeSight managing director in Ireland, Maria Quinlan. The company expects to increase returns, net of fees, and enhance diversification, ultimately improving expected member outcomes when it comes time for them to retire. LifeSight members trust us to implement solutions to maximise outcomes at retirement, and we believe that innovation is a cornerstone to this responsibility. Continued innovation and evolution is an important focus for us as we serve the needs of members who place their trust in us, she said. The chair of the LifeSight investment committee, Linda Travers, said that based on WTWs experience with regards to private equity we believe this opportunity offers investors a DC-friendly solution and the ability to maximise long-term returns from private markets. Lifesight is just one of a growing number of master trusts that are now operating in Ireland. A PwC report last year into the defined contribution pension market found there were 17 master trusts registered with the Pensions Authority at the end of 2023. As of October 2023, the total assets under management by master trusts was close to 18bn, up from 2.6bn in 16 months. Master trusts are designed to make the running of DC pension schemes easier and less costly for employers by handing over their day-to-day running to specialist firms. Travers said that the global scale of Lifesight had allowed it to make the move into allocating assets for private equity investment. Cathal Dervan, the Football Association of Irelands (FAI) public relations and communications director, has filed a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) complaint against his employer that will be heard next month. Mr Dervan was one of John Delaneys last hires as FAI chief executive in early 2019, but he has since complained that he has been sidelined by the association under Mr Delaneys successor, Jonathan Hill, who is no longer at the FAI. Public has flagged three issues for the incoming coalition climate change, Trump and the Middle East The major winner of this poll is Fianna Fail. It will be buoyed by hitting its highest poll in the Ireland Thinks series since January 2020. The party has benefited from a winners bounce. This is a dynamic also apparent in post-election boosts for both the UK Labour Party and Donald Trump last year. Although Fianna Fails vote share declined in the general election, as the largest party its win has created a sort of halo effect. This momentum has also carried through to perceptions of the new government. In our poll, 55pc expressed satisfaction (either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied) with the outcome of a government consisting of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Regional Independents. This 55pc is actually a very strong result. A major drawback of our multi-party system is that the coalition governments are inherently unpopular due to the compromises that are required to bring parties together. By contrast, in two-party systems those compromises happen before the election takes place when big parties are trying to figure out the type of policy platforms that would yield a majority. Perhaps the reason for the aforementioned satisfaction is that no compromise is necessary. Indeed, 96pc of Fianna Fail voters and 94pc of Fine Gael voters are satisfied with the election outcome. The reason for this is because there are few politically meaningful differences between the two parties. Tanaiste Micheal Martin after speaking at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis last April. Photo: Damien Storan/PA via Getty Sunday Independent/ Ireland Thinks Poll shows post-election bounce for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael but support drops for Independents When we asked voters whether there was a significant difference between the two parties just 21pc said Yes. Even among those that support Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, majorities of 56pc and 67pc said No. While only 43pc believe they should merge, you can expect this number to rise. Of course, that is not to say that there are no political stumbling blocks for the government. In three areas this poll highlights some clear issues up ahead. The first is climate change. The poor performance of the Green Party has generated a narrative that voters wish to shift backwards on this issue. Indeed, in coalescing with Regional Independents, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will invariably be pressured to move away from the last government. However, such a move would direct the government far away from the median voter and play into the hands of the opposition. Our data today shows this is not where the electorate is at. The evidence instead suggests that by 50pc to 30pc, voters want to maintain the 2-to-1 ratio of investment in public transport infrastructure over roads and that by 57pc to 27pc they do not believe the next government will do enough on the climate crisis. The second potential problem is economic jitters. As our polling shows, voters are wary of the economic implications of a Trump presidency, with 49pc to 35pc believing that it will yield a shock to the economy. This pessimism benefited the government in the closing stages of the election, but will hinder it going forward. Further to this pessimism, 70pc believe house prices are likely to crash. Housing remains stubbornly at the top of our issues indicator and as long as the crisis is not resolved, or at least ameliorated, it does erode confidence in the governments ability to tackle major issues and remains a key selling point for the opposition. Increasing homelessness also compounds a sense of rising inequality (a top issue for 9pc of voters) and, for the first time since 2007, there isnt a centre-left party in government there to be the mudguard, and this will have an impact on perceptions of the government. A second misplaced narrative concerns this issue and the belief that the decline in support for Sinn Fein stemmed from a desire among voters to maintain high property prices, punishing Mary Lou McDonalds party for policies that might reduce prices. This isnt borne out in the data, which shows most homeowners (aside from those who own multiple properties) care little about rising house prices. Our poll again shows just 10pc recognise benefits from rising house prices. This is central to the debate as it seems virtually impossible to make housing more affordable without prices stabilising or falling relative to incomes. Yet the government finds itself in some difficulty on this issue due to the cost of building and of course the interests of the banks themselves. The third and final stumbling block concerns the conflict in the Middle East and specifically the Occupied Territories Bill. Our poll again shows overwhelming support for passing the bill 67pc to 22pc. At the 2024 general election all parties committed to passing it. Not doing so would amount to a fairly major climbdown and yet at the same time one can envisage the pressure likely to come in this area from a Trump government with a US-dominated tech industry wrapped around his finger. Kevin Cunningham is managing director of Ireland Thinks Fionnan Sheahan: Helen McEntee hasnt blown any whistles on Michael Lowry so all must be well, surely? Helen McEntee has yet to raise a red flag around Independents chief Independent TD Michael Lowry is at the centre of talks. Photo: PA Fionnan Sheahan Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 03:30 Nothing to see here. Move along now. Sure if there was a reason to be concerned about Michael Lowry, wouldnt Helen McEntee raise a red flag? A 53-year-old man has been critically injured in France after he was shot four times by masked attackers during a shopping trip, according to local reports. The man was near the Carrefour Market in the Villejean district of Rennes on Saturday about 7.30pm - where he shopped regularly - when he was shot four times, including twice in the chest. Push for policies to be at heart of next programme for government with focus on efficient use of resources to address deficit of 256,000 homes Sorcha Edwards is General Secretary of Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing providers since 2014. Photo: DCU.ie Goodbody chief economist Dermot OLeary wants the Government to map out how future development will be funded Housing Commission members believe it would be a missed opportunity if their proposed reforms are not reflected in the new programme for government. The group was tasked with informing the last government on housing policy, but since its detailed report was leaked, and later published, last May, it has had limited engagement with the Government. It recommended a huge ramping up of housing delivery, suggesting there is an underlying deficit of up to 256,000 homes. Some members met privately with civil servants over the last six months to discuss the groups recommendations, but there has not yet been new government policies to reflect the commissions findings. Three commission members told the Sunday Independent they would like to see at least some of their recommendations reflected in the new programme for government. They said priority should be given to social and affordable housing enhancements, as well as recommendations around financing the delivery of homes and ensuring state resources are used efficiently to manage the crisis. It is understood the government formation talks have given some consideration to parts of the commissions report, but it remains to be seen which proposals, if any, will be in the programme for government. UCD professor of social policy Michelle Norris said while the new government will be concerned with immediate priorities, she hopes it will commit to implementing the commissions reforms. UCD professor of social policy Michelle Norris wants to see long-term commitments. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The commission was established off the back of a commitment made in the last programme for government. Sometimes in the national debate on housing there is a huge focus on the current minister, the current government and current policy statements, but problems have built up in our system of housing delivery, planning and the finance of housing over decades. Addressing them requires long-term commitments, Prof Norris said. Housing for All has been enormously valuable because it has managed to set aside around 5bn in spending for housing. The funding for housing, particularly social housing, needs to be maintained, so I hope to see that in the programme for government. The report recommended increasing capacity in the homebuilding sector, establishing locations where homes can be developed rapidly at scale, doubling the size of the social and cost-rental housing sectors so they represent 20pc of national housing stock, as well as reforming housing assistance payment (HAP) and rent supplement schemes. It made 83 recommendations in all. When they were published the Government argued it had already implemented 65 of these, although this has been debated by the opposition. Prof Norris said the new governments housing policy should take account of problems delivering infrastructure, such as water and energy, to support the development of homes. Fianna Fails election manifesto proposed establishing a new unit in the National Treasury Management Agency to oversee the delivery of such infrastructure, while Fine Gael proposed setting up a department of infrastructure to support economic growth and delivering housing targets. Prof Norris said it is vital a body is established to enforce implementation. Goodbody chief economist Dermot OLeary wants the Government to map out how future development will be funded She said there were other commission recommendations which would also support delivery which must be considered. We recommended local authorities could come together and set up jointly owned organisations to provide housing, she said. For smaller local authorities with small groups of staff where it is very challenging to hire the civil engineers, quantity surveyors and people they need to manage housing delivery that would enable them to get around these issues and address some of the capacity problems. Goodbody chief economist Dermot OLeary also sat on the commission and said the groups independence and diversity should give weight and value to its recommendations. I think it would be a very significant missed opportunity if at least some of the recommendations were not followed through on, Mr OLeary said. The commissions report gives a sense of direction, and also gives guardrails around that sense of direction, so you dont veer too far left or right, but it leaves enough room for policymakers to decide which way they want to go. The report recommended the Government makes long-term commitments to provide the sector with stable levels of public finance. Mr OLeary said it is vital the Government maps out how future development will be funded. How you put that into reality is by recognising international capital is going to play a big role in the expansion and funding of the sector over the next number of years. Another aspect of that is an anchor of public spending by the Government, which means sustained public expenditure on public housing to bring the social housing up to 20pc of the overall housing stock. At the moment people are trapped in the rental sector because they cannot save to be a homeowner Housing Europe secretary general Sorcha Edwards, who sat on the commission, agrees committing to the recommendations around financing the sector are very important. I think it is worth visiting each of the recommendations and seeing how they can be turned into a reality, Ms Edwards said. She said recommendations around preventing leakage in the sector should also be given priority. The commission said one way of doing this would be to end tenant-purchase schemes, which enable councils to sell homes they let to tenants. This would allow local authorities to retain stock. It is important to do this in a way that does not remove the choices people have to be homeowners or renters. At the moment people are trapped in the rental sector because they cannot save to be a homeowner. It is important to create access to an affordable rental market so people can save and eventually buy, Ms Edwards said. She said having a better functional rental sector would also help reduce what the State spends on schemes such as HAP, so public money is used better. At the moment we are paying people subsidies so they can pay rents into the private sector. We are still going to do that, but with an efficient cost-rental sector the State only has to pay up to the cost-rental price and not the market prices. Such cost-rental models have worked well in Finland, Holland and Austria. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The solar power plant (SPP) in Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic produced over 32,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2024, the Nakhchivan State Energy Service told Trend. In an exclusive statement to the agency, the service noted that the SPP is expected to produce a total of 33 million kilowatt-hours of electricity by the end of the year. To note, the construction and installation work for the SPP, located in the Babek district, was carried out under an agreement signed on February 7, 2015, between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's State Energy Service and the Belgian Royal Company, Soltech. Initially, the plants capacity was set at 20 megawatts, and after successful completion, it became operational on November 30, 2015. The plant's capacity was later expanded by an additional 2 megawatts in September 2017, reaching 22 megawatts. Nakhchivans favorable geographic location and climate conditions make it an ideal region for harnessing clean, renewable solar energy. The region enjoys an average of 2600-2800 sunshine hours per year, which ensures that the solar power plant plays a crucial role in the energy security of Nakhchivan. The solar energy intensity in the region is between 0.8-1.2 kilowatt-hours per square meter. A memorial walk will take place this afternoon to remember Offaly teacher Ashling Murphy on the third anniversary of her death. Ashling, a 23-year-old schoolteacher and musician, was murdered as she exercised on the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur outside Tullamore on January 12, 2022. Jozef Puska (33) was sentenced to life in prison in November 2023 after being found guilty of her murder. The commemorative walk to Ashlings memorial shrine along the banks of the canal will take place this afternoon. The public has been invited to meet at 2.30pm at Fiona Penders Monument, which was erected in memory of Fiona Pender, who was 25-years-old when she disappeared in 1996. Those gathered to pay tribute to Ashling Murphy today will walk along the Tullamore side of the Grand Canal toward her memorial shrine. Ashling Murphy memorial, Tullamore, Co Offaly (Photo: Gearoid Keegan) The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, which was set up in her honour to fund projects close to her heart, thanked those who helped to organise the memorial event. In a tribute shared online today, they said: Today we remember our beloved Ashling, who is so dearly missed each and every day, especially by her heartbroken family and wide circle of friends. Always loved, never forgotten, forever missed. A memorial mass took place in St Brigids Church, Mountbolus this morning to commemorate the third anniversary of Ashlings death. Last week, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund marked two years since it was launched to support the development of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people. Ashling was a talented musician, sportsperson and teacher, with a number of scholarships and sporting prizes set up in her name since her death. Jozef Puska The memorial fund shared a message last week to thank those who have donated to it, or who have organised or donated to one of the many fundraisers held in memory of Ashling. Since the launch of the charity, on the 6th of January 2023, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the desire of so many to remember Ashling, regardless of whether they personally knew Ashling or not, the fund said last week. We thank the many individuals and groups who have undertaken fundraisers in Ashlings memory and in aid of the memorial fund established to continue her strong, exemplary legacy. "No matter how big or small the fundraiser, we are forever grateful for the generous support of those continuing to hold Ashling and her memory close to them. Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll indicates Aras race is between Mairead McGuinness, Michael McDowell, Bertie Ahern and Tommy Tiernan Almost two-thirds of the public disagree with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael doing business with Tipperary TD Michael Lowry, who was heavily criticised in the 2011 report of the Moriarty tribunal. Last week it emerged that a garda file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) arising from a criminal investigations into the tribunals findings. Only 24c of respondents in the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll agreed with the Civil War parties sitting down with the former Fine Gael minister, who is leading negotiations on behalf of the eight-strong Regional Independents group. A clear majority of those polled 63pc disagreed with Mr Lowry being part of the talks, with 24pc having no issue and 13pc unsure. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael negotiators have been forced to defend their dealings with the TD, who topped the poll in Tipperary North in Novembers general election. Mr Lowry has confirmed that he met gardai investigating the tribunals findings last year. The Moriarty tribunal was set up to investigate the relationship between prominent business people and politics and Mr Lowry was found to have secured the winning of the States second mobile phone licence for Esat Digifone, a company then controlled by businessman Denis OBrien. The tribunal report also found that Lowry was given money by Mr OBrien payments which were demonstrably referable to the securing of the licence. Those findings have been repeatedly disputed by both Mr Lowry and Mr OBrien. Expressing surprise that a file had been sent to the DPP, Mr Lowry said he was fully confident that there is no basis for any liability attaching to him. The new poll confirms Fianna Fail as the countrys most popular party, on 23.8pc, almost two points up on its general election performance and the partys best result since the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks collaboration began in January 2022. Public support for Fianna Fails coalition partner Fine Gael is also up (22.3pc, up from 20.8pc in the election), but backing has fallen considerably for Independent TDs, who are down seven points. Talks on forming the next government between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Regional Independents, including Kerrys Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae, ramped up last weekend with negotiators keen to agree a government by January 22. The poll shows people favour Micheal Martin over Simon Harris. Photo: Getty However, 58pc of poll respondents said the incoming Programme for Government should not include deals with Independent TDs who prioritise their own constituencies. Most respondents (55pc) favour Micheal Martin serving three years as taoiseach before handing over to Simon Harris. A majority (51pc) also prefer a rotating taoiseach deal between the two leaders, over the Fianna Fail leader staying in the role for the full five years, with 37pc preferring the latter and 12pc unsure. A quarter of respondents said they wanted outgoing Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to be the next housing minister, putting him slightly ahead of incumbent Darragh OBrien, who had 22pc support. Housing (51pc) remains the biggest priority for voters Fianna Fail are understood to be pushing to keep the housing portfolio, with Mr Donohoe expected to return as finance minister if the coveted role is returned to Fine Gael. Housing (51pc) remains by a considerable distance the biggest priority for voters, ahead of the cost of living (31pc) and healthcare, which has jumped significantly to 30pc from 12pc in Novembers poll. The poll also shows the public favour former EU Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness to be president in a much anticipated election later this year, when Michael D Higgins finishes his second seven-year term. Independent TD Michael Lowry. Photo: Fergal Phillips Sunday Independent/ Ireland Thinks Poll shows post-election bounce for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael but support drops for Independents However, senator and former justice minister Michael McDowell is a close second, with virtually the same support as Ms McGuinness (16pc vs 15.8pc). Former Fianna Fail leader Bertie Ahern expected by many to seek the partys nomination, though he has yet to confirm his intentions finished third of 14 potential candidates shown to poll respondents, with 12.2pc support. In fourth place, on 9.6pc, was the comedian and TV presenter Tommy Tiernan. Mr Martin remains the most popular party leader in the country at 51pc, up three points on Novembers poll. Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to her baby daughter on polling day, has also significantly gained popularity after what was a very successful election for her party, where it gained five seats. Her personal ranking as leader now is up four points to 47pc and she is the second most popular party leader in the country. She has overtaken FG leader Simon Harris in the second spot for the first time since he became leader of his party. Simon Harriss approval rating has fallen by seven points to 45pc The poll has good results for Social Democrats overall, also showing the party has gained popularity since the general election, up 2.5 points. However, a headache may be looming for the leadership in deciding the fate of Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes, who was suspended from the parliamentary party after controversy over when he sold shares in a company linked to the Israeli Defence Forces. Some 57pc of poll respondents said he should not be brought back by the party, while 28pc said he should be, with 15pc unsure. Meanwhile, Simon Harriss approval rating has fallen by seven points to 45pc since November, and Labours Ivana Bacik is at 37pc, up three points. She is followed closely by Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald, who is up four points to 35pc. Respondents are also overwhelmingly (80pc) in favour of Fianna Fails plan to move immigration from the Department of Children to the Department of Justice by creating a Department of Domestic Affairs. This is looking increasingly likely, as the party seems to have won the battle with Fine Gael, who instead pushed for a Department of Infrastructure to be set up on its own. One letter to Facebook said urgent action was needed over 10 separate posts with links provided. Stock image TikTok was advised it had five days to remove content in a letter dated October 5, but which was not sent to them until October 16. Stock image Tusla wrote to social media companies dozens of times in the space of a year asking that content identifying vulnerable children, or that was threatening to its staff, be removed. Correspondence was sent to tech giants over details of child care orders being made public, use of bogus email addresses and video intimidation. There were also cases where Tusla said material that was false, defamatory, and malicious had been posted online. One letter in July 2023 to Facebook said urgent action was needed over 10 separate posts with links provided. It said they made possible the identification of a child and warned that if they were not removed, immediate injunctive and criminal proceedings would begin. In another piece of correspondence, Facebook said five posts had been removed and were no longer accessible. However, its legal team said it was not an author or publisher under EU law but would continue to assess content on a case-by-case basis. Insofar as any allegedly unlawful content is posted on Facebook, your request for removal of such content should, in the first instance, be directed to the third-party user, it said. One letter to Facebook said urgent action was needed over 10 separate posts with links provided. Stock image For another post on Facebook, the child and family agency said a post had been made where a woman said she had not been allowed to see her children and named a social worker involved in the case. An email in June 2023 said: For the avoidance of doubt, this poster is using her real name, the real name of her child, and the child is in care. Another exchange with Facebook in January 2023 detailed a post which called a named social worker a lying piece of sh** and a child abuser. A letter from Tusla said: You have noted the rights of citizens to freely speak. You are correct, the citizen does indeed have a right. However, such rights are not unlimited. It has been clearly established that the freedom of speech must be carefully balanced against the fundamental rights of others. Exchanges between Tusla and social media companies were often testy with suggestions not enough information was being provided by the child and family agency. Protecting the privacy of the children in our care is of paramount importance In one set of correspondence with TikTok, the social media video platform was told it had five days to remove content in a letter dated October 5, 2023, but which was not sent to them until October 16. An email from TikTok said: It is entirely inappropriate to issue correspondence requesting urgent action from and threatening proceedings against our client in circumstances where correspondence is not being sent in a timely or appropriate manner. TikTok was advised it had five days to remove content in a letter dated October 5, but which was not sent to them until October 16. Stock image In later correspondence, TikToks lawyers said they wanted to work collaboratively with Tusla to address illegal content. A letter added: However, when allegations of illegality are made it is critical that our client is afforded enough information to allow it to assess those claims and, if necessary, act expeditiously to remove them. Tusla also contacted Google about a Gmail address that was being used by a person masquerading as a member of staff in late 2022. Regretfully, the above cited email address is being used to, a) mimic an identically named Tusla employee and by so doing, b) convince third parties to fraudulently provide services for which they will not be paid, said a letter. Asked about the records, Tusla said it carried out the most sensitive and confidential work with children and families but acknowledged dealing with social media posts was complex and challenging occasionally. A spokeswoman said: Protecting the privacy of the children in our care is of paramount importance. She said Tusla only requested deletion of posts when they were of a very serious nature, were threatening or a cause for legal concern. In general, Irish-based online social media service providers are proactive and assist when required to do so, she added. Annie Heyneman (50s) died after she was attacked at her home Her husband Henk (60s) was also seriously injured in the incidentGardai have arrested a man in his 30s in connection with the fatal stabbing Woman stabbed to death in Cavan is named locally as man questioned A woman stabbed to death at her home has been named locally as Annie Heyneman (50s). Ms Heynemans body was discovered at her home, in a rural area near Ballyconnell, Co Cavan by gardai at around 9.30pm last night. It is understood she was stabbed several times. Her husband Henk, who is originally from the Netherlands, was seriously injured in the horror attack and remains in a serious but stable condition in Cavan General Hospital. A man in his 30s was arrested at a separate location and is being questioned at a garda station in Cavan. A murder investigation is underway. Locals have paid tribute to Ms Heyneman, who was a care worker from the area, as they anxiously await updates on the condition of her husband. Neighbours in the quiet rural townland, who woke up to the news this morning, spoke of their shock. One woman, who lives nearby, said: It was very scary. There was gardai and ambulances and fire brigades up the lane, and we did not know what was happening for a long time. Another neighbour said: They are lovely people, very friendly, and well known in the area. Gardai at the scene near Ballyconnell, Co Cavan (Picture: Gerry Mooney) Local councillor John Paul Feeley said the tragedy has shocked the local community as he paid tribute to those close to the woman's family. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. It is a shock not just for those who knew them well, but for the wider community," he said. "This is a very rural, close knit community. For something like this to happen is a huge shock to everyone." A man in his 30s remains in garda custody under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He is being held at a garda station in Cavan. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on the body of Ms Heyneman. Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. A technical examination has been carried out at the house. The investigation is being led from an incident room at Cavan Garda Station. A senior investigating officer and family liaison officer will be appointed in due course. A garda spokesperson said: Anyone who travelled in the area of Kilnavert, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, last night, Saturday 11th January 2025, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, is asked to provide gardai with any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on (049) 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The return of Katherine Zappone: I really did feel the draw of Ireland as my home and one of the things that was part of that is that Irelands where Ann Louise is buried The former minister on that UN role, finding love again and her new bid for the Seanad Home is where the heart is and the Seanad for Katherine Zappone. Photo: Mark Condren Sarah Caden Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 03:30 It is more than 40 years since Katherine Zappone first moved to Ireland with her late wife, Ann Louise Gilligan. They had met in 1981, while both were studying at Boston College and, madly in love, Seattle-born Zappone gladly agreed to move to Gilligans native Dublin a couple of years later. I just want a normal school, not a circus student at Wilsons Hospital School on the impact of Enoch Burkes ongoing protest Teenager says he has been left in fear by teachers supporters and students are finding it hard to focus on their studies Aneta Safiak with her son Jonatan at home in Longford. Far left, Enoch Burke outside Wilsons Hospital School. Pictures by Steve Humphreys Ali Bracken Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 03:30 A student at Wilsons Hospital School has described former teacher Enoch Burkes continued presence outside the Westmeath school as madness, disruptive and must end. A woman in her early 20s appeared before Wexford District Court charged with the theft of a tip jar from a local restaurant two years ago. Chelsea Kelly (22) of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from the Dochas Centre, Mountjoy, before Judge John Cheatle on Monday, December 6, as she pleaded guilty to the theft of a tip jar from a busy restaurant located in the middle of Wexford town. On September 20, 2022, Ms Kelly was observed entering Robs Ranch House on South Main Street and left with the tip jar under her jacket. The court heard there was roughly 25 in the tip jar. It was also stated to the court that Ms Kelly has four prior convictions, while her defence counsel, Ms Donna Kelly, said her client was very reluctant to go into custody due to her being six-months pregnant. Judge Cheatle took into consideration that the accused had entered her guilty plea. Ms Kelly was fined 150, to be paid within five months. US avant-garde artist and musician Laurie Anderson said the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is dismantling our world (BBC/PA) US avant-garde artist and musician Laurie Anderson said the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is dismantling our world, as she reflected on the prospect of the technology being utilised to win a future war or election. Anderson, who rose to fame in the UK with her eight-minute song titled O Superman in 1981, said she has embraced AI in her work, but also acknowledges its danger in society. As a tool, I love it, she told BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs. Laurie Anderson said she loves to use artificial intelligence as a tool in her work (Yui Mok/PA) I also recognise that its the end of the world kind of thing, its horrible. You can impersonate anyone. You could win an election with something like this. You could start a war with something like this. We depend on a certain amount of authenticity that gets stamped, but we dont know whos saying what anymore at all. So the success of certain aspects of lets say intrusions into social media, lets say disinformation is enormous. It is dismantling our world. The 77-year-old said she is currently working with a group in Toronto using AI to create imagery out of spoken language so as you say something, it appears as an array of visuals. Its frightening, she said. Its like having somebody invade your dreams, or be able to see what youre thinking or dreaming. Its wild. Last year, Anderson revealed she was addicted to using an AI text generator to emulate the words of her late husband, Lou Reed, who co-founded US rock band The Velvet Underground. Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson (Yui Mok/PA) The couple married in 2008 after meeting in 1992, before Reeds death in 2013. Anderson told Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne how her Buddhist beliefs helped her grieve, following its teachings which included the instruction not to cry. That is the number one rule, no crying, zero crying, she said. It was exhilarating Its also a great honour and privilege to feel all those things and to try to understand them. I mean, its awesome. Anderson also spoke about the responsibility she felt inheriting Reeds archive. It was like a 15-storey building falls on you because you suddenly have to take care of all of those things and I wasnt prepared for that really, wed never really talked about anything, she said. We did talk about having something called the L&L art ranch, and that was going to be when we were really old and no one wanted to come and hear us anymore, we were going to have a kind of bar where he could play every night, and we just do whatever we wanted and that was the plan. But the plan wasnt for him to die and then I would just have to do what? Born in Chicago, Anderson is both a recipient of a Grammy lifetime achievement award and a Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication. It came after Anderson became Nasas first artist in residence, a two-year commission to produce a piece of work completely at her creative freedom, which inspired her performance piece The End Of The Moon. Desert Island Discs will air on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday at 10am. India's very own Jalebi Bai, Mallika Sherawat, seems to be joining forces with the hit songmaker Bruno Mars! She recently shared a behind-the-scenes clip of their collaboration, but unfortunately for fans, it's from an old parody music video they did together back in 2012. Despite the throwback, the reactions to their pairing have been hilarious, and it's clear that the 48-year-old Murder actress still has a special place in fans' hearts. Check out the video she posted below: On Saturday, Mallika Sherawat shared a fun behind-the-scenes video on Instagram, featuring her and pop sensation Bruno Mars. In the clip, Mallika points a gun at Bruno, who then spins around and holds her in a playful embrace. The video wraps up with the pair laughing together. Mallika, dressed in a pink dress, and Bruno, in a white shirt, black blazer, and trousers, radiate joy throughout the clip. In her caption, the Murder actor expressed, "Shooting a music video with Bruno Mars was an absolute blast :)Every moment on set was filled with excitement and fun. It's an experience I'll cherish forever!" This collaboration, however, is not from any upcoming video but instead dates back to 2012 when Mallika appeared with Bruno in a parody video of Salt-n-Pepa's "Whatta Man" for the comedy site Funny or Die. How did people react? In the comments, fans couldn't help but gush, with one writing, "Way ahead of her time," and others calling her "Iconic." One person joked, "Almost thought Bruno was going to sing 'Bheegey Hont Tere,' which is a popular song of hers." Many mistook the clip for an upcoming release, sending congratulations and predicting billions of views once it's out. One comment even quipped, "We got Mallika Sherawat x Bruno Mars before GTA 6!" For some context, GTA V, released in 2013, became one of the best-selling video games ever. The excitement for GTA VI is so intense that its first official trailer, released in December 2023, garnered over 90 million views in just 24 hours. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Fashion designer Masaba Gupta recently turned to Instagram to seek financial support after her sister-in-law's home became one of the many destroyed in the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles. 'Devastating past few days' Chinmaya Misra, Masaba's sister-in-law, was among those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles Pacific Palisades. Masaba Gupta shared on Instagram, "My sister-in-law and her family have lost their home in the Pacific Palisades fire, just like many others." To support her family, Masaba posted a message urging her followers to contribute to a fundraiser set up by her niece. The House of Masaba founder continued, "While they are safe, it has been a devastating past few days and my 16-year-old niece has started a fundraiser to help rebuild their lives in LA. If you are able to donate, it would help tremendously. If you are not - a prayer goes a long way too." Credit: Instagram Masaba's husband, actor Satyadeep Misra, also shared the news on social media. Posting a picture of the destroyed house, writing, "This is what remains of it after the fire. Unimaginable..to lose one's home and belongings overnight. My sister's house was one of the many that got burned down in the Palisades fire in LA...her 16 year old daughter has set up a gofundme page." Credit: Instagram ".. pls help the young lady out," he appealed. Celebrities who lost their homes in the LA fires Several well-known figures, including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Jeff Bridges, and Anna Faris, were among those who lost their homes in the devastating Los Angeles fires. The wildfires, which began in Pacific Palisades before rapidly spreading to areas like Malibu and Santa Monica, left a trail of destruction across Southern California. Officials in Los Angeles described the fires as a "perfect storm," with hurricane-level winds reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, making it impossible to deploy vital aircraft to drop water and fire retardants on the parched neighborhoods in time. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Lohri and Makar Sankranti Bank Holidays: With 2025 just beginning, many people are curious about bank holidays for January. In total, there are 13 bank holidays this month, which include all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays. With Lohri on January 13 and Makar Sankranti on January 14, there is some confusion about whether banks will remain open or closed on these days. Lets clear the doubts. Are Banks Closed for Lohri on January 13? Lohri, celebrated primarily in Punjab and Haryana, is not considered a bank holiday. Therefore, banks across India will remain open on January 13, 2025, as per the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) holiday schedule. Is Makar Sankranti a Bank Holiday on January 14? The answer depends on where you live. Makar Sankranti, also called Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala, Magh Bihu, or Maghe Sankranti, is a bank holiday in certain states. On January 14, 2025, banks will be closed in the following cities: - Ahmedabad - Bengaluru - Bhubaneswar - Chennai - Gangtok - Guwahati - Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) - Itanagar - Kanpur - Lucknow This holiday is also linked with the Birthday of Hazrat Ali in some regions, which contributes to the closures. Why Do Bank Holidays Vary Across States? In India, bank holidays are not uniform across the country because they depend on cultural, religious, and regional observances. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes an official calendar of bank holidays, taking into account: - National and state-specific holidays - Religious or cultural events - Government announcements Operational requirements of banks Since Makar Sankranti is widely celebrated in certain parts of India, banks in those regions will remain closed. However, in other states where the festival isnt traditionally observed, banks will continue to operate. What Should Bank Customers Keep in Mind? If you have important banking tasks to complete around January 13 and 14, 2025, heres what you can do: - Confirm with your local branch: Each state follows a unique holiday schedule, so its wise to check with your bank beforehand. - Plan ahead: If you anticipate any financial emergencies, ensure you withdraw cash or complete transactions before these dates. - Utilise digital banking: Even if banks are closed, online and mobile banking services remain operational. By staying informed about bank holidays 2025, including Lohri bank holidays and Makar Sankranti bank holidays, you can avoid unnecessary hassles and plan your finances effectively. The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases are steadily rising in India, and this has sparked concern, especially with the outbreaks also being reported in China. s in a 10-month-old baby who tested positive in Dibrugarh. With this, the total tally of HMPV cases has reached 13 now. However, health officials are urging the public to not panic about the situation. On the other hand, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Regional Level Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (RVRDL) at JIPMER in Puducherry, new lineages of HMP virus, particularly A2.2.1 and A2.2.2, have been found. Amid the rise in cases, many wonder if HMPV virus-like COVID-19 can affect other body organs, including the kidneys. According to experts, there is evidence linked to the virus that has an indirect effect on the kidney. Studies have found that severe respiratory illnesses affecting vulnerable groups unfortunate enough to contract them, such as children, elderly individuals, and people already afflicted with immune issues, may, by triggering the multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, indirectly affect the kidney, says Dr. Bhanu Mishra, Consultant Nephrologist, BLK Max Hospital. Can the HMPV virus impact other body organs like kidneys? The link between HMPV and kidney health is found in the conjunction of different systemic manifestations of serious viral infections. Dr. Mishra further explains, Several respiratory infections like HMPV can result in severe effects like sepsis or cytokine storms, extensively affecting the kidneys. In such scenarios, acute kidney injury (AKI) might arise, but this does not mean that HMPV affects the kidneys. It is too early to assume any dialysis choices. Besides, AKI might finally result from an oxygen supply decrease, dehydration, or inflammatory barrage due to severe illness. In fact, the increase in HMPV cases in India has drawn attention to early detection and necessary medical treatment to prevent further complications stemming from HMPV infection. No HMPV kidney damage. Carer assurance, hydrating, and monitoring renal functions are the best course to lessen the odds of AKI in acute serious instances of HMPV infection, especially in preexisting diseased kidney patients. Truth about HMPV: No impact on kidneys; stay informed There has been a growing concern about rising HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) cases in India, but it is important to stay calm and not panic. Dr. Puneet Bhuwania, consultant nephrologist & transplant physician at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, confirms, Currently, there is no evidence to understand whether the HMPV virus can take a toll on ones kidneys. This virus is known to impact ones respiratory system, causing symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, commonly in children and the elderly. Till now, the virus has been known to affect the lungs and can lead to symptoms such as coughing, and complications can be bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma, clarifies Dr. Bhuwania. Respiratory infections and kidney health HMPVs specific impact on kidneys has not been observed or documented in existing research. Maintaining good hygiene, staying hydrated, and seeking timely medical advice for any respiratory symptoms are key to managing this infection. Be at ease, as HMPV infections are typically mild and resolve with supportive care in the form of medication. More studies will help to get clarity when it comes to the HMPV virus and its impact on the kidney. As of now, there is no reason to believe it poses a significant threat to kidney health. It is the need of the hour for everyone to avoid believing any rumours regarding HMPV. In case of any doubts or misconceptions, it is just important to speak to an expert. For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Ariana Grande Opens Up About Glindas Journey in Wicked 2 Ariana Grande is offering fans an inside look at her role as Glinda in Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to the live-action adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked. In a recent interview with Varietys Awards Circuit podcast, the 31-year-old pop star revealed [] Hit Channel Emmanuel Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has officially declared his intention to run for the states governorship. Fayose, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the disclosure in a statement on Friday. According to Fayose, his decision to join the race is driven by his commitment to revitalizing Ekiti State and steering it back towards growth and development. Advertisement I am in the race to dislodge the Oyebanji-led government, and eventually, if I win, I will run an inclusive government that would steer Ekiti in the right direction, he stated. Fayoses disclosure comes on the heels of a recent meeting between his brother, ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose, and President Bola Tinubu, in Lagos. During the meeting, the former governor reportedly pledged support for the incumbents reelection, a move that has been criticized by party members in Ekiti as anti-party. READ ALSO: Best Not Good Enough, Times Running Out Fayose Urges Tinubu To End Nigerians Suffering But Fayose, in response, emphasized that the Lagos meeting would not affect his ambition. He said: I read about the meeting in the newspapers like any other person, and I wish to state that the meeting has nothing to do with my aspiration. The meeting will not in any way impact my aspiration because the former governor, being my elder brother, is only exercising his Democratic rights of freedom of choice. Fayose also urged his supporters in the State to remain steadfast and resolute in their quest for positive change in Ekiti. So my brother is on his own, and its left for the leadership of our great party to ascertain his political allegiance either to our PDP or APC. I am, however, using the opportunity provided by this platform to urge our teeming supporters to remain firm and resolute and not to be distracted in any way to cause the needed change in our State, he added. The Borno State Police Command has arrested a suspected drug dealer found with 116 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. ASP Nahum Daso, the commands Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued Saturday in Maiduguri. He stated that the arrest was carried out by the commands Anti-Vice Squad based on reliable intelligence. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Arrest Suspect In Edo For Spreading False Content To Incite Public Unrest On January 10, at about 11:30 a.m., the squad apprehended Kabura Kayuram, 22, a resident of Jajeri Ward in Maiduguri, with 116 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspect and the exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Yusufu Mohammed Lawal, reiterated the commands commitment to combating drug trafficking and other social vices through community-centered policing. The commissioner urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and remain vigilant, he said. The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis rocking the State, warning that the situation may degenerate into anarchy if urgent action is not taken. Anthony Aziegbemi, the state caretaker committee chairman of the PDP, made the appeal at a press conference in Benin City on Saturday, following the impeachment of the Oredo Local Government Chairman, Tom Obaseki, by 12 individuals who claimed to be councillors. READ ALSO: Edo Court Orders Reinstatement Of Suspended LG Chairmen, Deputies Advertisement He described the impeachment as a coup detat by the APC-led government in Edo State against democracy. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene because the development is becoming worrisome. It is a coup by the APC-led government in Edo State against democracy, he said. The PDP chairman also alleged that the Edo State government has disregarded the rule of law, citing the impeachment of Obaseki as the latest example. The Edo State government must be called to order to avoid a state of anarchy following the outright disregard for the rule of law, he warned. Nigerias Federal Government and 21 states have set a combined Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue target of N2.5 trillion for 2025. This represents a significant increase of N1 trillion (65.8 percent) compared to the N1.527 trillion projected in 2024. According to financial reports released by the Federation Account Allocation Committee, as revealed by Punch, the Federal Governments share of VAT revenue is projected to rise to N972 billion in 2025, up from N512.8 billion in 2024. The 21 states, including Kebbi, Kaduna, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, and others, have also made significant VAT revenue projections for 2025. READ ALSO: It Hasnt Been Easy, But Weve Made Undeniable Progress Tinubu Kebbi State, for instance, anticipates N87.3 billion, up from N41 billion in 2024, while Kaduna States VAT revenue is projected at N57.8 billion, up from N48.2 billion in its 2024 budget. Other states, such as Ogun, Enugu, Borno, Ondo, Kano, and Anambra, have also made significant VAT revenue projections for 2025, ranging from N39 billion to N97.3 billion. Its worth noting that the National Assembly is considering a bill to increase VAT from 7.5% to 10% by 2025, and to 12.5% by 2026 President Bola Tinubu has been urged to provide Nigerian youths with a clear vision of the countrys future. Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, made this call during an appearance on Channels Television on Saturday. Mr. President needs to come with pictures, 3D of what Nigeria will be like in 30 years time, Adeyemi said. Advertisement This statement was in reference to the federal governments proposed National Youth Confab, which aims to bring together young people to discuss and address challenges facing the country. Adeyemi emphasized the importance of leadership in driving sustainable change. READ ALSO: Our Political Leaders Not Motivated To Sacrifice For Citizens, Theyre Driven By Money Sam Adeyemi No leader will create sustainable change if he or she cannot shift the mindset, and you cannot shift the peoples culture without shifting peoples belief and their mindset, he said. He shared an anecdote about a former Governor who struggled with changing the mindset of his cabinet members. The Governor reportedly said, My biggest problem is mindset They dont value vision; they are just looking for what they want to eat. Adeyemi concluded by stressing the need for a change in leadership dynamics to drive Nigerias development. He also noted that many peoples New Year resolutions fail because they do not address the subconscious mind. You cant kill a habit; you have to replace it with a new one nature harbors a vacuum, he said. Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has commended the Nigerian military over its anti-terrorism activities in the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the Nigerian Air Force, in a successful airstrike over the weekend, targeted bandits attacking villages in Zurmi and Maradun Local Government Areas. It was gathered that some yet to be identified civilians were also mistakenly killed during the operation by the security agents. Advertisement Speaking over the development on Sunday the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He said: We have received multiple positive reports of precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas. READ MORE: Troops Neutralise Terrorist Kingpin in Zamfara This intervention by the military has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits and has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding the lives and property of the people. In light of these achievements, the state government reaffirms its commitment to providing all necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to sustain their operations and bring lasting peace to the state. Regrettably, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah. The state government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen JTF personnel and assures them that the sacrifices of the deceased will not go in vain. The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The celebration of IsDB's 50th anniversary this year was a landmark moment to celebrate the Group's considerable achievements and chart its future, reaffirming its commitment to driving sustainable development in line with the development national priorities of member countries and the Sustainable Development Goals, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser said in an exclusive interview with Trend. "Since inception in 1975, the IsDB has approved over $193.6 billion across 12,078 operations . This remarkable contribution has been about improving lives and creating broad-based impact in our member countries and bringing about lasting and positive change for communities. Our vision focuses on resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. We are intensifying efforts to strengthen food security, drive green growth and foster socio-economic development. For instance, our Food Security Response Program , with a total allocation of $10.54 billion, continues to address urgent challenges while building long-term resilience. We are also committed to advancing human capital development. Last year alone, we approved $420.59 million for education and $1.4 billion for healthcare initiatives, including transformational programs in countries like Indonesia and Tajikistan. In addition to US$213.6 million for poverty reduction projects and regional integration. We furthermore achieved 37% climate finance share of total commitments, exceeding the 35% target for 2025 Technology and innovation are also central to our strategy," said the IsDB Group chairman. He noted that through initiatives like the Technology Deployment Cooperation Program and partnerships with global tech leaders, IsDB is bridging digital divides and fostering inclusion. "In May 2024, the IsDB Board of Governors marked this years 50th anniversary of the Islamic Development Bank by adopting the Riyadh Declaration. This historic declaration celebrates the IsDBs legacy, reaffirms its ethos, and clarifies its vision for the future. It lays out IsDBs vision towards promoting economic cooperation, investment, and intertrade, and to mobilizing and channeling funds and other resources flowing from within and beyond the member countries in order to drive economic and social development, build capacities, and respond to challenges and emergency crises locally and globally, while embracing innovative tools, approaches and technologies. It is aiming at strategically positioning the IsDB Group within the South-South cooperation arena by consolidating its role in promoting regional integration, intra-regional investments, intertrade, and exchange of developmental expertise and experience; developing regulatory and institutional environments; building capacities; and mobilizing the necessary partnerships. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve our members countries and humankind. By prioritizing sustainable infrastructure, inclusive human development, and climate action, we aim to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of communities around the world and maximizing the impact," Al Jasser concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to work together to build a strong, united, and indivisible country. In a post via X on Saturday, Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity, saying, We have to move forward, not as individuals but as one united nation, determined to rewrite our story for the generations to come. Tinubus administration had proposed a 2025 budget of N49.7 trillion, which he says will drive growth and progress in the country. Advertisement The proposed budget, titled Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity, he said, aims to create a Nigeria where peace reigns, opportunities abound, and every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety. READ ALSO: Ayo Fayoses Visit To Tinubu, Support For Oyebanji, Wont Stop My Aspiration To Become Ekiti Governor In Next Election Isaac Fayose Following the presentation of the Appropriation Bill in December 2024, Tinubu noted that while the journey has not been easy, the progress made so far is undeniable. He urged Nigerians to support and promote greater investment in the private sector, saying, The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. The Appropriation Bill has scaled the second reading at the Senate and House of Representatives, and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have begun defending their budget estimates before the relevant committees of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is expected to pass the budget by the end of January. The Federal Government is facing accusations of diverting N234 billion meant for the 2023 national census to fund the 2023 electioneering campaign. Recall that the National Population Commission had proposed a budget of approximately N800 billion for the census, with N224 billion already disbursed by May 2023, in addition to N10 billion approved in October 2020 for Enumeration Area Demarcation across 546 Local Government Areas. The Labour Partys National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in a chat with Sunday Punch alleged that the current administration might not have an answer to what happened to the money released. Advertisement In the last eight years of Muhammed Buhari, this issue of census has come up, and we have never seen it happen. Most of the years, the money released for census matters either just fly away or get swallowed by snakes, Ifoh said. The opposition Party further demanded answers on the whereabouts of the funds, questioning whether the money has been returned to the Central Bank or is being held somewhere else. READ ALSO: 2024 Census Will Hold In November As Scheduled Senate Assures Nigerians We expect the security agencies to demand and request the money. What has happened to it? If the money has not been used or appropriated, it should be returned to the coffers of the Federal Government, Ifoh added. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied the allegations, stating that the census programme is a national assignment that is on course and will eventually be facilitated by the APC administration. The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Duru, emphasized the importance of the census data for governance, economic planning, and resource allocation. He said, I do not see any concern. I believe that is something that will happen and I know it will happen shortly. We cannot have any provision in the budget without capturing the population of the country and where the people are resident. So, its something that we require, and I know efforts are ongoing to ensure it happens. In providing the dividends of democracy, we cannot afford not to have that data done. There should not be any hullabaloo about it. It is something that cant even be done without setting a milestone or a deadline on when this can be done. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have apprehended a traditional chief priest, identified as Bariu Aliu, in the Alpha Beach area of Ajah, Lagos State. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mr. Basiru was arrested, following a three-month manhunt led by the anti-drug agency. It was gathered that 2,760 kilograms of skunk were recovered from his shrine on October 25, 2024, after the operation carried out by agency. Advertisement This was contained in a statement by NDLEAs Spokespeman, Femi Babafemi on Sunday. He said: In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine at Alpha Beach, Ajah Lekki, where 2,760 kg of skunk was recovered on October 25, 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo), has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after a three-month manhunt. Though two of his accomplices were arrested at the shrine last year and subsequently charged and convicted in court, Bariu was identified as the syndicate leader. READ MORE: NDLEA Arrests Motivational Speaker, Nollywood Filmmaker In Lagos Over Illicit Drug Shipment A 40-foot trailer loaded with skunk, weighing 2,217.6 kilograms, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa, Abuja, for onward distribution to some northern states. The intelligence-led operation, which took place at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, led to the seizure of the large illicit consignment, the trailer, six vehiclescomprising a Toyota Van, Toyota Camry, Toyota Sienna, a JAC 4-wheel-drive Hilux, a Toyota Corolla, and a Vento Passatand the arrest of a suspect, 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond. The consignment was loaded onto the trailer at Uzebba in the Owan Local Council Area of Edo State. A devastating attack by the Lakurawa terrorist group has left four people dead in Kebbi State. The victims, including three staff members of Airtel and one resident, were killed at a construction site in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where they were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. According to police reports, the terrorists invaded the site, catching the workers off guard. Advertisement Nafiu Abubakar, Police Public Relations Officer, as revealed by Daily Trust, confirmed that four people lost their lives in the attack. READ ALSO: Two Dead As Lagos Factory Workers Trapped In Diesel Reservoir The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Bello M Sani, he said, swiftly responded to the attack, mobilizing his team to evacuate the corpses to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. He also noted that the Commissioner of Police has deployed additional tactical teams to the area to deal with the suspected bandits. The attack comes barely a week after the same terrorist group killed two police officers in the State. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has warned that refusing to assist police officers under attack can result in a fine of N100,000 and a prison term of up to three months. This warning was issued by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, via an X post on Sunday. Adejobi cited Section 99 of the Police Act 2020, which states that anyone who refuses or neglects to aid and assist a police officer in distress commits an offence. Advertisement He also referenced Section 98, which makes it an offence to assault, obstruct, or resist a police officer in the discharge of their duty. READ ALSO: Raining Curses On Someone Online Is A Crime, Not Freedom Of Expression Adejobi According to Adejobi, Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both. He added, Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid and assist a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or resisted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses or neglects to aid and assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both. Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has cast doubt on a purported miracle that occurred at Pastor Paul Enenches church, Dunamis International Gospel Centre. A video shared by VDM on his Instagram page on Sunday showed Pastor Enenche addressing his congregation, claiming that miracles would take place. Shortly thereafter, a man shared a testimony about a ring allegedly falling from a womans private parts during prayers. VDM questioned the authenticity of the miracle, suggesting that either Pastor Enenche or the woman involved must be deceiving the congregation. The activist struggled to comprehend how such an extraordinary event could occur during a church service without anyone noticing. READ MORE: Achieving Billionaire Status Requires More Than Sports, Music Anthony Joshua Furthermore, VDM pointed out how unlikely it was for a 49-year-old woman to give birth to a ring in church without causing a commotion. He asked who had witnessed the incident and why the woman was still inquiring about the rings ownership. VDM also raised questions about the lack of blood on the ring, drawing parallels with the physical process of childbirth. The activist expressed concerns that such unverifiable miracles could undermine faith in Gods power. VDM prayed for miracles that are believable to occur in churches, rather than extraordinary events that strain credibility. He partly said, Ring is now coming out from private part from church, what are you guys saying, i know they say what God cannot do does not exist but Im pretty sure God didnt do this one, God works in mysterious ways but not ring coming out of private part. God see what theyre using your name to do. Its like the pastor is lying or the woman. They said the woman is 49 years old and she has been believing in God to settle down. SEE POST: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEuKdIes3QQ/?igsh=MWlsbWFlNWNpcXo0eQ== A young woman, Chinagozorm Lucy Eze, was brutally murdered and robbed by unknown gunmen in her Asaba, Delta State apartment. The incident, which took place on Thursday, January 9, has sparked significant tension in the area. No suspects have been apprehended in connection with the alleged murder. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a text message sent to DAILY POST on Saturday. Advertisement READ MORE: One Dead, Two Rescued As Well Collapses In Kano His message read: Murdered, yes. Rape, no, because there is no evidence to show that. This clarification came after initial reports suggested the victim may have been raped. On Saturday, the Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), also referred to as No Justice, No Peace, called on the Delta State Police Command, headed by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the brutal killing of Miss Chinagozorm Lucy Eze. The ISRCA National Coordinator, Comrade (Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, stated in a release provided to DAILY POST in Warri, This crime should not go unnoticed or unpunished, particularly in the state capital, Asaba. The group, advocating for justice in the case, added, The police should by now be conducting interrogations of residents, colleagues, and close friends to gather pertinent information that could yield actionable leads. According to the group: The situation is not good and should raise serious concerns for everyone, especially residents of Asaba. Hyla Skopitz, Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Artist Jesse Krimes remembers the despair he felt every time he was forced to stand for a mug shot. Each time, he stared down the lens with a mixture of disgust, defiance, and dejection. My image was being captured at perhaps one of the lowest moments in my life, Krimes said. Its like youre almost performing criminality for the photographer, as like a protective measure. As a way of putting armor on, knowing that youre going into this very traumatizing, dangerous situation. Advertisement From 2009-10, before his trial on drug possession charges, Krimes spent a year in solitary confinement at South Jerseys Fairton Federal Correctional Institution with most of his information about the outside world coming only from newspapers. In the pages of the New York Times, he saw hundreds of mug shots and recognized the expressions glaring back at him. People like him, memorialized on the worst days of their lives, showcased in the media as disposable. As threats. Krimes started collecting the images mug shots and head shots of politicians and celebrities, 300 in all and transferred them onto small pieces of prison-issued soap. It was a methodical practice akin to purifying, recasting the photographs in a new context by removing them from these damaging narratives and almost cleansing, or repurposing, them, he said. The artwork that emerged, called Purgatory (2009), was smuggled out of prison piece by piece, each soap portrait hidden in stacks of playing cards cut into tiny frames using a tool he made from a deconstructed battery. In place of kings and queens were these offenders. Today, 16 years later, their faded faces adorn the prestigious halls of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art. The institution acquired Purgatory in 2024; its the Mets first acquisition of a work by a living artist who was previously incarcerated. After Krimes left prison in 2013, his artistic career blossomed. The Philly-based artist became a major advocate supporting formerly incarcerated artists committed to racial justice and ending mass incarceration. In 2023, Lisa Sutcliffe, a curator of photography at the Met, approached him about a potential exhibit. Jesse Krimes: Corrections, running through July 13, puts Purgatory face to face with 19th-century photographs by French criminologist Alphonse Bertillon, known as the inventor of the modern mug shot. The black-and-white images capture alleged anarchists, most of them mustachioed men, from journalists to restaurateurs, convicted of pickpocketing, petty theft, and bombings. Sutcliffe said she immediately saw the potential of putting Krimes work alongside historic images of Bertillons early mug shots. Its really important for institutions that house collections of art to think about how they can be a resource for people who are returning from prison, not just artists, because they are places of contemplation, said Sutcliffe, who hopes to see the Met continue to work with artists impacted by the justice system. Theyre places that help to platform conversations that can be more difficult, and the Met can be a really great resource for reminding people of their own humanity and the humanity of those for whom that has been taken away. Corrections includes Krimes massive mural Apokaluptein:16389067 (referencing his Federal Bureau of Prisons identification number), made on 39 contraband bedsheets that he also smuggled out of prison in parts. Its displayed across the room from a newly created counterpart called Naxos. Similar to Purgatory, Krimes created Apokaluptein by transferring newspaper images using hair gel, over the course of three years. The result is an overwhelming illustration of heaven, Earth, and hell as a meditation on capitalism, commercialism, and media coverage. On the opposite wall, the 40-by-15-foot Naxos serves as a deconstructed mirror to Apokaluptein. Roughly 10,000 pebbles hover, hanging from thin strings threads tugged from a copy of Apokaluptein that sway almost imperceptibly. Krimes was inspired by 20th-century Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who used an analogy about pebbles to caution against reducing people to statistics: One could find the average weight of thousands of pebbles and still fail to find an ideal pebble of that exact weight. Krimes asked incarcerated people to send him what they believed was an ideal pebble from prison yards across the country. The large scale symbolizes the weight of mass incarceration. Naxos talks about averages and ideals and how those things dont actually capture the uniqueness of an individual or an identity or a person, said Krimes. That pebble becomes like a symbolic representation of that individual. Krimes revisionist crusade through art extends beyond Corrections. While Purgatory and Apokaluptein are fragmented by design, his newer pieces, evident from Cells, a recent show at New Yorks Jack Shainman Gallery, are seemingly a means to consolidate and cleanse. Unicorn (2024), the 8-foot high by 26-foot wide centerpiece, is a weblike network built with used clothing Krimes collected from people currently or formerly incarcerated. Using his classic style of layered images, this embroidered piece spreads across transferred images of animals from the canon of art history, depicted as caged or in the act of being hunted. Enmeshed among several of such references is Hunt of the Unicorn, the medieval tapestry series displayed in the Met Cloisters. Its this idea of this magical, mythical creature whose horn can purify water, and a bunch of men just want to go out and kill it. Theres this punitive urge to kill the unicorn. [Unicorn] captures this essence of what punitive ideology is and how its just so enmeshed in our culture, Krimes said. The pattern of Krimes embroidered web of clothes mimics the patterns seen in microscopic images of organs infected by cancer. Only in Krimes art, the malignant tumors have been removed and the lines of the clothes diverge and commune to form patterns of healthy cells, resolutely liberating and charging forth with a will to cure. Theres something really powerful about the images of these animals that capture this idea of resistance and power and strength in opposition to these harmful, punitive approaches. Even if theyre obscured or oppressed or hunted, they just are always overcoming these restrictions, he said. His new work, much like the Rikers Quilt and other earlier work, is a celebration of the resilience and resistance of people who find themselves on the pointed end of societys urge to continually punish and torture. The sculptural forms of Minos and the Minotaur, Theseus Throne, Ariadnes Dancing Ground I - XIII move away from the flatness of Krimes quilts and wall pieces. Using pebbles collected from incarcerated people, like in Naxos, Krimes reimagines the myth of Theseus slaying the monster in King Minos labyrinth with the help of Minos daughter, Ariadne. Theseus ties one end of a ball of string Ariadne gave him to the labyrinths door as he proceeds to slay the monster Minotaur, moving forward and downward, and never turning left or right. Once he slays the monster, he finds his way out following the path of the string, and liberates Athenians from the tyranny of Minos. Krimes works are spectacles often overwhelming in their scale and shape, with layer upon layer of meaning, references, and images. Burrowing through it all, Krimes is quietly unraveling his ball of string, chalking a neural network of roads built with the life and blood of those the society relegates to its borders. The world is full of cages and the only way out, Krimes knows, is through this circuitous web of thread that may look fragile but will ultimately liberate everyone in its wake. Jesse Krimes: Corrections. Through July 13. The Met Fifth Avenue, 1000 Fifth Ave., New York. metmuseum.org/exhibitions/jesse-krimes-corrections Kensington Health Sciences Academy senior Angie Medina, a founder and librarian at the KHSA library, flips through a book. Read more It started as an audacious idea: What if a group of students at a Philly high school that never had its own library created one from scratch? If it seems far-fetched the Philadelphia School District in 2023-24 reported having the equivalent of just two full-time certified school librarians among its 216 schools, a ratio experts say is possibly the worst in the country you havent met the students of Kensington Health Sciences Academy. Advertisement READ MORE: This librarian fought censorship in Texas. She just landed in Philly to revive school libraries. The DreamEscape Library was born a little over a year ago, when the KHSA student government advisers challenged teens to come up with a service project that would positively change their community. The kids mulled over several options, then zeroed in on one that felt perfect. We all grew up without a library, said Akeem Mack, now a KHSA senior. That had an effect on a lot of kids. Teachers assigned a book, and people wouldnt read it, because people didnt like to read. You need a book! In a neighborhood high school in a historically underfunded school system, getting from what-if to grand opening was no small feat. The library got started with a $1,000 seed grant from the Philly Service Award, which works with the nonprofit Herb It Forward Foundation and Drexel University to encourage students to improve Philadelphia. There was no money for staff or space, but the students vowed to be the librarians themselves and to start, they pushed a single cart of books around. Theres a lot of areas in Philly where they give out free books, said Angie Medina, a senior. We used any type of resources that came into our hands. The first few volumes came from teachers classroom collections. The students gathered more slowly but surely general fiction, graphic novels, fantasy, romance. Every book had to be stamped by hand, entered into the electronic catalog, and reinforced with tape. We started off with our small little genres that we recommended, then we involved a catalog and a website, said Christian Toro, a sophomore. The students and their teacher advisers, Ethan Feuer and Elena Marcovici, were clear: The library couldnt just be cast-off books that no one wanted to read. They needed books teens of varying interests and reading levels would want to sink their teeth into. Kids will not read books they dont want to read just to appease a teacher, said Feuer. We want them to love reading, and to do that requires a book they actually want to read. READ MORE: In Philly, school librarians are an endangered species. But the district could soon help lead a renaissance. The student librarians had to sell their peers on reading, convince students why they would want to take books home, and why their goal was important. Wed be in the hallway saying, Get a book? Get a book? You need a book! said Brooklyn Grigger, a senior. The library crew talked up their project at assemblies, in the hallways, and via social media accounts they created. They held a big launch event in February 2024, drawing students with free food, urging them to register for the library and check out books. Unlike wealthier schools in our district, we dont have a library at our school, an early Instagram post read. That is absurd and unfair. But, we are trying to start one! Follow our page to help us achieve our goal and contribute if you can. Thank you for supporting us! What books can mean The library crew chose a name that symbolized what books can mean: DreamEscape Library. People use books to escape reality, to live lives that are inaccessible to them, said Grigger. Thats how most of us describe reading books, what we use books for. Buzz about DreamEscape spread. The library is small, but KHSA is known for its tight-knit community and school spirit. Kids just kept coming, renewing books and stuff, said Mack. In the spring, DreamEscape got a big boost. The librarians won a Young Entepreneurs prize from the Philly Service Award that came with $20,000 to expand the library. They were able to purchase couches, beanbag chairs and sturdy wooden bookshelves. At the beginning of this school year, DreamEscape moved into Room 107B, a multipurpose spot that serves the special education office and meeting space. The library is open three days a week, from 2:34 to 3:30 p.m, with student librarians creating a schedule and assigning themselves set tasks. It can be overwhelming when 20 students crowd into the room, but the crew loves it, they say. Building a library in a historically underserved neighborhood feels especially meaningful, said Ryan King, a sophomore. It feels good to be able to help our peers, said King. It feels good to do this. Making reading cool and accessible, even via an 800-volume library thats open limited hours, has made a difference, said Feuer, who teaches ninth-grade English, often to classes made up primarily of students who read below grade level. Right away, were seeing improvement in kids reading because they read more, they read books they like, he said. For Marcovici, the experience is incredible, she said. I think teaching is such a hard job, and theres so many times when you feel like youre failing kids, but being part of the library gives me so much hope. Its really rejuvenating. KHSA Principal Nimet Eren pops her head into DreamEscape whenever she can, inevitably observing students excited about reading, students excited to have their own space. A library was always on her wish list, said Eren, but she lacked the staff to manage one. Its a dream as a principal to have these teachers and these students working so hard to make their goals and their hopes for the school come true, she said. Jean Darnell, the districts new director of library sciences, who wants a library in every district school, is excited to visit DreamEscape this month, she said. I think its remarkable that student voice, choice and agency is in full effect at Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Darnell said. There isnt a better way to support student agency than putting in the sweat equity to ensure their intellectual freedom rights are protected with hands-on, primary source engagement in the school library. A gold and gemstone crown was stolen from the head of a marble statue of the Virgin Mary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Center City early Saturday. Read more Police are investigating a burglary at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center City in which a 125-year-old golden crown resting on top of a marble statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen. According to Philadelphia police, someone broke into the church by smashing through a stained-glass window around 1:10 a.m. Saturday and took the crown. Advertisement The crown was created by James E. Caldwell & Co. around 1900 out of jewelry and gems donated by parishioners to celebrate the churchs reopening after a fire in 1899, the churchs archivist, Anne Kirkwood, said. The fire, which started in the Wanamaker Building warehouse, killed three firefighters, who are memorialized with plaques outside of the church. The blaze destroyed the interior of the church save for the marble statue of Mary, which was carved in Italy in the 1850s. The whole Catholic city and non-Catholic city came together to help the parish, Kirkwood said. All of the women and men of the parish donated cuff links, jewelry, necklaces and had this crown made. For our parish, its a much-beloved link to the past. Were so crushed, we really are. The burglar was captured on surveillance video breaking through a stained glass panel, climbing into the upper nave and going straight to the statue and crown, Kirkwood said. The person would have had to scale a fence outside and climb up onto a chair to reach the crown at least 10 feet above the ground, she added. Its very plain to us from the surveillance video that he knew what he was doing. My concern is we want to alert other churches in case this guys out casing other churches to steal gold and jewelry. No arrest has been made and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department. The Gothic Revival church is just a block from City Hall on 13th Street and dates back to 1838. It once served as the cathedral for the Philadelphia diocese, according to the parish website, and in the 1900s held a 2:45 a.m. Printers Mass to accommodate printers coming off of their shifts. The stained glass that was damaged also dates to the churchs reopening in 1902 and came from a stained glass workshop in Munich, Germany. Church staff spent much of Saturday picking up shards of the shattered window in hopes of reassembling it in the future. The robbery was discovered when the church was preparing for a baptism, Assistant Pastor John McCloskey said Sunday morning. As they readied for the ceremony, church staff found broken glass and soon found that the crown had been stolen, he said. The taking of the crown has left the statue looking unclothed, the 74-year-old assistant pastor said, and has left him with feelings of sadness and anger. She looks unclothed, said McCloskey. She really does, and Im kind of surprised by that because its [the crown] not something that I made a point of looking at, but it is something that I am [used to having there]. The church does not currently have plans to replace the crown and is still working to assess the financial value of the artifact, he said. But for McCloskey, it isnt about the money. Its about what it means to us, resilience, and boy would we miss it, he said. At a Mass on Sunday morning, parishioners came to worship as they always did, adjusting to a new stark view in the wake of the robbery. Renee Lamons, 72, a parishioner at the church for decades, hasnt been able to sleep since receiving a text letting her know about the robbery. Sunday mornings Mass was the first time she saw the statue of the Virgin Mary without its crown. Its just the idea that somebody would violate Gods house, the church, and do something like this, Lamons said. I am very upset. The loss of the crown is more personal for Nadine Boulware, 66. Her friend Deborah Lewis was a sacristan at the church. A sacristan is responsible for taking care of religious objects, and Lewis spent decades taking care of the statue of the Virgin Mary and the crown before her death last year, said Boulware. Our Deborah used to take very good care of that statue. She would be devastated if she was alive, Boulware said, holding back tears. As she gazed at the statue of the Virgin Mary, no longer donning its crown, Lamons spoke a warning to whoever stole the sacred artifact. God help you when you come face to face with him, she said, speaking out loud to the burglar, while clutching her purse. Anyone with information is asked to call Central Detectives at 215-686-3093. Wu Xiuying, who survived the Nanjing Massacre, passed away on Friday at the age of 92, bringing the number of living registered survivors to 30, said the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. The Nanjing Massacre refers to when Japanese troops captured the then Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. In 1937, during the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, Wu's brother, who had enlisted in the army, went to Shanghai with his unit and was never heard from again. In December, when the Japanese forces attacked Nanjing, they burned, killed and looted, forcing Wu's family to seek refuge on Mount Wutai in Nanjing and narrowly escape death. "I hope that the younger generation will not forget history," Wu once said. However, there are fewer and fewer survivors who can tell the story. In the first 10 days of 2025, Ai Yiying and Wu, two survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, passed away. The Chinese government has preserved the survivors' testimonies, recorded in both written and video transcripts. The documents on the massacre were listed by UNESCO in the Memory of the World Register in 2015. New Kensington Community Development Corp. executive director Bill McKinney poses on this from steps Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, the now view (right) of Kensington to compare with a then photo (left) from the 1982 film "Fighting Back." Tom Skerritt, Patti LuPone, and Yaphet Kotto filmed in Kensington with a plotline driven by crime, trauma, and the effects of neighborhood disinvestment that may seem familiar to current Kensington residents. Read more There is something special about watching a movie filmed in your hometown or even better, in your own neighborhood. Many Philadelphians have probably seen Rocky, Creed, 12 Monkeys, Trading Places, and, of course, Philadelphia but chances are you havent seen Fighting Back, the 1982 movie filmed almost entirely in Kensington. Advertisement The film was part of the eras subgenre of movies think Dirty Harry, Death Wish, Walking Tall, and Taxi Driver that depicted urban decay and featured vigilantes as the protagonists: stoic, steely-eyed figures (who are almost always white men) who see themselves as a last resort when city government has become too weak or too complicit to address societal ills. The protagonist in the film, a grocer played by Tom Skerritt, weathers crisis after crisis including the murder of his best friend and the discovery that his teenage son is using heroin until he decides to organize neighbors into a civic association. With no real understanding of the causes of urban decay or causes of white flight, and confronting a corrupt and ineffective city government, members of the association turn to vigilantism (and racist actions) which eventually leads to conflict with a Black community leader, played by Yaphet Kotto, who has a firm grasp on the systemic issues facing their community. Do the questions of what happens to a community when it is disinvested and when white flight occurs sound familiar? What do residents do when they rightfully are frustrated by not only the untenable conditions they live in but by not being able to rely on city government or other forces to support them? What are the options when you do organize your neighbors and your efforts but your voices are still ignored by the powers that be? The movie asserts three possible community responses to the challenges of such a neighborhood: join the chaos, organize, and work within the system, or turn vigilante. But unlike movies, in real life, there is a fourth path forward, one centered on self-determination through community-driven, trauma-informed development and a comprehensive approach to problem-solving. There is an even deeper connection to the movie for me. When I purchased my house 23 years ago, the previous owners told me the movie (which I had never heard of) had been filmed in the house. My home is, in fact, the home you see on the cover of the DVD and promotional posters; my home is where the party scene that opens the movie was filmed. The park that serves as the symbol of chaos and the point of greatest conflict in the movie is McPherson Square, the park my front door opens out to. In real life, the park received much more national and international attention than the movie ever did. And finally, after many years of being vacant, the family grocery store and site of community meetings in the movie located across from the southeast corner of McPherson Park at 3000 Kensington Ave. was purchased by the nonprofit organization I lead, New Kensington Community Development Corp., and renovated. It will be reopening on Wednesday as the Kensington Engagement Center. The building will serve as a space for community engagement allowing residents to share ideas and strategies for the co-creation of Kensington as we move forward. It will also serve as an exhibit space, with the first exhibit focusing on the history of Kensington Avenue, the current experience of business owners on the avenue, and a number of interactive tools for residents to think about the past, the present, and to apply those thoughts to what they want the avenue to be in the future. On Wednesday we will be hosting a ribbon cutting and launching a program to help small businesses and unveil a new multimillion-dollar collaborative partnership to address housing stability and mental health in Kensington. As I thought about the rebirth happening at 3000 Kensington, I started thinking about what a sequel to Fighting Back might look like 40-some years later. As I picture it, the Skerritt character now bears the weight of having been through cycles of failed strategies that were designed on flawed theories of change, one of the most flawed being vigilantism which was never a solution, just a trauma response. He now realizes that to truly address valid concerns, they needed to also grapple with the underlying issues, such as poverty, education, and racism, in order to eliminate the downstream crime he and the civic association turned vigilante group had focused on instead. Perhaps the grocer learns of a new generation of neighborhood organizers, who convene community-wide conversations that are not dominated by very few people and focused on rehashing old grievances and old strategies but are built around incorporating many voices. These dialogues also focus on strengths, and complex comprehensive approaches to address the issues underlying the very real challenges they face. Residents begin to see real change. The conversations spur changes in the neighborhood that begin by laying a new foundation based on acknowledging the trauma the community has experienced, then focusing on community-led and comprehensive processes and strategies. Residents begin to see real change. Investment flows into the community from the city, state, philanthropic, and private sectors, as people see a path and something to invest in. Politicians stop acting as if they are the only decision-makers and instead partner with many others in service to the community. Even the police are relieved as they are no longer put in a position of solving problems beyond their ability to solve and find they are in the right spot to serve. Together, with everyone in the right spots, people are finally able to address the core issues of poverty, employment, housing, education, health, and more. Businesses that have been shuttered return, new businesses that meet the needs of longtime residents arrive, and residents have a way to stay in their homes and benefit from the positive changes taking place in the community. Things are not perfect, but they begin to get better. The new movie draws to a close with scenes of people throughout the city in their community meetings discussing how to replicate Kensingtons success and resilience rather than how to avoid becoming Kensington. The old leaders, like the grocer and the activist, are in those meetings, along with the children and grandchildren who have grown into their roles as new leaders, ready to take the next steps in their journey together. Bill McKinney is a Kensington resident and the executive director of New Kensington Community Development Corp. The Sixers are still hoping to land a WNBA franchise in Philly. Read more The 76ers and Comcast still expect to submit a bid for a Philadelphia WNBA team, a source familiar with the situation told The Inquirer on Sunday. The Sixers making such a bid was part of a late-September PowerPoint presentation about the proposed Center City arena, a sentiment echoed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in a news conference that same night. Advertisement I know you notice we dont have a WNBA team here in the city of Philadelphia, Parker said then. Any of yall ever noticed that? Yall know yalls mayor dont like that. At the time, a Sixers spokesperson confirmed, We share in Mayor Parkers desire to bring a WNBA franchise to Philadelphia and have been engaged with the league on the process. Our goal is for our new arena to serve as home to both the 76ers and a WNBA franchise. READ MORE: The 76ers have struck a deal with Comcast Spectacor to stay in South Philly and abandon plans for a Center City arena A Comcast company spokesperson also made a statement then, saying, Comcast Spectator has supported previous efforts to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia, and we enthusiastically support any bid to bring a franchise to our historic city. In recent months, the WNBA has announced expansion franchises in the Bay Area, Toronto, and Portland. The Golden State Valkyries, who are partnered with the NBAs Warriors, will play their inaugural season this summer. On Sunday, the source said that the plan to build a new arena in South Philly is a partnership between the Sixers and Comcast Spectacor, meaning the team will no longer be a building tenant. The Sixers organization has previously used that designation as a reason for what it deemed as issues with scheduling and resources for the team at the Wells Fargo Center. The source added that the Sixers and Comcast also plan to partner in new ways to revitalize the Market East neighborhood, where the arena project was proposed. An Irish model who had to be evacuated from her home in Los Angeles because of the wildfires has described the devastation in the city as being like a real-life horror movie. Tiffany Stanley moved from Co Kildare to Los Angeles 12 years ago to pursue her career as a model, after participating in Miss Universe Ireland. She has since gone on to grace the covers of magazines all over the world. She was one of thousands of people evacuated from her home in the Hollywood Hills where she lives with her husband Garrett Thomas, a tech entrepreneur from Texas. To date, the wildfires have claimed the lives of at least 16 people, with more than 150,000 evacuated from their homes. Los Angeles county sheriff has warned that the death toll is expected to rise, while 35,000 homes and business are today without power, and police have made more than 20 arrests for looting. Ms Stanley told the Irish Examiner she has never felt more afraid since the fires broke out. When we first saw the fire from the canyon it was like a skyscraper with a blaze coming out of it, it was just a massive explosion, it was terrifying, she said. I have never felt more afraid in my life. It is unbelievable what is happening here. The community is traumatised. Our house is OK, we are so lucky, but we dont know what is going to happen because the fires are still burning, and the winds are going to pick up on Monday. We can see the fires from our home, we dont know if they will move in the direction of our home. It is complete chaos here and I dont feel like they are getting on top of it. There are six fires now and theyre still burning. The 37-year-old said she was at home with her husband when she received a text on Wednesday from the emergency services to prepare to evacuate. The police said that we had to pack up our things, and our pets and be on standby, she said. We live by Laurel Canyon, and it has a main road to one side, but the other side became engulfed in flames, all my friends had to evacuate too and one photographer friend, her house has completely burned to the ground. Most people evacuated, and we did too. Everyone was just scared. It was chaos, its so surreal and its still happening and still going on. A view from the home of Tiffany Stanley and husband Garrett Thomas in the Hollywood hills. She said she has also witnessed elderly people being forced to leave their homes. There is an elderly community in my area, and this is all they have, this is their life savings," she said. "People think that most people in LA are millionaires, but this is their life savings. I dont care who they are celebrities or just normal regular people theyve lost everything. Thats not fair on anyone for that to happen. There are rabbits and mountain lions roaming around the streets and we have been leaving out water and food for them and there are many getting involved with supplies and donations for them. Our house is still standing Ive been praying so hard that we can all stay safe but 16 people are now dead," she said. The Palisades fire has been the worst and its not stopping. I just feel so traumatised to be honest and there is no mistake here, this has all been mismanaged and could have been prevented I believe. In the last year American insurance companies also cancelled a lot of house insurance so some people will never get their money back." Looters target vulnerable properties She said looters have also started to rob vulnerable homes in the city. Im back at the house, unfortunately, theres looters going around now breaking into homes," she continued. We have to keep an eye out for this too, where there is vulnerability there will be someone willing to take advantage. It is sickening to the core." Capt Mike Lorenz of the Los Angeles Police Department said: Looting is an issue, the number of arrests is continuously growing. We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses, he added. LA County Sheriff Roger Luna has said looting was unacceptable and hoped having soldiers deployed in LA to crack down on looting in neighbourhoods emptied by wildfire evacuation orders would help send a stronger message. Tiffany said her younger siblings in Ireland, Chloe and Jordan, have been in regular contact with her. "They are so worried about me, but we are a close family, and I am keeping in touch with them, they know I am safe. In early 2017, Mark Zuckerberg was on what might be termed an apology tour of the United States. In the tumultuous few months since Donald Trump won his first presidential victory, the young chief executive of Facebook was reeling from his companys part in serving US voters Russian disinformation, and widespread accusations that the social media platform had disseminated a vast spray of fake news. Fighting a rearguard action, Facebook announced changes to its algorithms, and a major initiative to include third-party factcheckers as part of the content moderation efforts. Touring the country, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, stopped off in Selma, Alabama. They posed for a casual photo outside the offices of the iconic local paper, the Selma Times-Journal. Zuckerberg posted a heartfelt thank you to journalists who work tirelessly and sometimes put their lives in danger to surface the truth. I dont always agree with everything you say, but thats how democracy is supposed to work. The choice of the Times-Journal was freighted with significance. Press a bulwark against fascism A paper that had campaigned against the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s and reported on the Montgomery to Selma civil rights marches in the 1960s was a pointed reminder of how the local press could provide a bulwark against fascism. Two election cycles later, a transformation has taken place. With Facebook rebranded as Meta, Zuckerberg has become part of a major Silicon Valley realignment behind the second Trump presidency. This week, Zuckerberg announced the abrupt dismantling of the third-party factchecking network heralded in 2016, blaming the bias of the factcheckers themselves for eroding trust, and governments and legacy media pushing to censor more and more. The language is straight from a Trump speech in 2022, where the next president talked about Silicon Valley tyrants colluding to silence the American people. The tirade, which threatened colleges and non-profits that investigate disinformation with defunding, was itself inspired by the release of the Twitter files by Elon Musk, who allowed a number of sympathetic journalists unfettered access to private internal documentation held by the company after he bought it. The censorship cartel of tech platforms, academics and civil society groups studying and acting against the unfettered spread of disinformation, is the key focus of Americas top communications regulator Brendan Carr, the Trump appointment for chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is possible to conclude that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has always cared more about his companys proximity to power than he has proximity to truth. Looking at Metas track record outside the US, it is possible to conclude that Zuckerberg has always cared more about his companys proximity to power than he has proximity to truth. Lack of moderation resources and cultural attention in Myanmar arguably led in part to ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims; dictators like Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines used Facebook accounts and an army of trolls to undermine and harass legitimate journalism; journalists covering Gaza have found their material mysteriously shadowbanned on Metas other main conduit, Instagram (Meta claims it was a bug). In Canada, Facebook removed links from its pages to avoid a regulation that would have had the platform pay news organisations a licensing fee. As a result, the platform effectively bans legitimate news outlets at the expense of partisan campaigning. The rightwing Conservative party of Canada looks set for victory in elections this year, and a key part of leader Pierre Poilievres communications platform is defunding Canadas English-language public broadcasting through cutting the Canadian Broadcasting Corporationss budget. The factchecking network itself was, from Facebooks point of view, more of a useful public relations foil for possible regulation than a strategic long-term investment. Research showed it was applied in part in the US, though far more rigorously in Europe, as the Digital Services Act of 2022 regulates and fines very large online platforms that do not demonstrate adequate attention to preventing disinformation. Forcing a recession from trust and safety enforcement within large tech platforms is a key plank of Trump policy, inspired by Musk, in part as a reaction to European regulation. Twitter was the first social media company to ban Trump after the January 6, 2021, insurrection, and was followed by Facebook and YouTube. Twitter was also the first social media platform in 2020 to flag Trumps tweets for spreading covid misinformation during the height of the pandemic. Now Musk is the owner of X, the rebranded Twitter, using his own platform as a bully pulpit against journalists, political opponents, and overseas governments. Musk is outrunning the long history of powerful media owners in terms of manipulation and influence, all without employing a single journalist. His relentless attacks on the UK Labour government and his promise to bankroll the Reform UK party to the tune of $100m, even if that now seems unlikely, dominate UK headlines, and threaten to subvert both politics and the media landscape. It is part of a broader campaign to fundamentally alter the world order with regards to rightwing authoritarianism, in part by removing and suppressing any accountability mechanisms. Even those as flimsy as Facebooks factchecking efforts. Zuckerbergs pivot to Maga It is easy to overthink Zuckerbergs pivot to Maga. In the past week he has swapped the former UK deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, who was his head of global affairs, for the Republican Joel Kaplan, and added the Trumpy MMA president Dana White to his board. This is heavy and visible compliance ahead of time with the potential regulatory reforms threatened by the FCC. Still, the effective political capture of information gatekeepers by the Trump administration poses significant policy questions for governments and institutions outside the US. It is easy to imagine a situation in Britain where a far-right government defunds the BBC; where the vast majority of institutional journalism is supported by overseas and right-leaning billionaires, and where the channels for independent distribution, such as the social platforms, are opaquely set against accountability of the wealthy and extreme. Administrations like the current Labour government in the UK have a narrow window in which to act if they wish to resist this powerful trend. Reforming support for public media, digging deeper regulatory firebreaks through legislation and Ofcom, and providing new incentives and support for local and independent fact-based reporting are not far-fetched ideas. The Biden administration in the US started down some of these paths by appointing anti-trust specialists to the FCC, encouraging bills that supported local news and setting up an ill-conceived initiative on fighting disinformation. But all such efforts have been washed away by a powerful tide of Maga media policy that is rooted in the more effective notion of quashing opposition and criminalising legitimate inquiry. As the epiphany of Mark Zuckerberg shows, in digital businesses political change can happen overnight, and without the vast majority of the public noticing the change in the weather. The long-term intentions and effects of small changes, however, can have long-lasting and global consequences. Emily Bell is the director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University and a non-executive director at Guardian News and Media Today Light rain and wind this evening. Then clearing overnight. Low around 50F. W winds at 25 to 35 mph, decreasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. Tonight Light rain and wind this evening. Then clearing overnight. Low around 50F. W winds at 25 to 35 mph, decreasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. Tomorrow Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High near 65F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Trend reports. According to the information, during the telephone conversation, the ministers exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the situation around Ukraine. "Particular attention is paid to the need to prevent actions aimed at creating risks to energy security," the statement said. During the telephone conversation, the heads of the Russian and Turkish Foreign Ministries also drew attention to the organization of an inclusive national dialogue in Syria. Firefighters Surge to Combat LA Wildfires as Winds Intensify and Death Toll Reaches 16 Aircraft deployed water and fire retardant on steep hills to curb the eastward progression of the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, as ground firefighting efforts intensified amid warnings of wind gusts reaching 113km/h, which could exacerbate the situation. At least 16 individuals have now been confirmed dead due to the fires that have ravaged the city, leaving communities devastated and testing the resilience of thousands of firefighters and millions of California residents. In the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire has spread by an additional 1,000 acres, as reported by officials, consuming more homes in the process. Earlier, Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins informed reporters during a press conference that while 11% of the Palisades Fire was contained, it has already burned over 22,000 acres. The National Weather Service issued warnings of worsening Santa Ana winds, predicting they would strengthen last night and continue today in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with another wave expected late Monday through Tuesday morning, bringing sustained winds of up to 48km/h and gusts of up to 70km/h. We are in a prolonged period of critical fire weather through Wednesday, stated NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld, noting that conditions are expected to improve by Thursday. Evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area currently affect 153,000 residents, placing 57,000 structures at risk. Another 166,000 residents have been warned that they may have to evacuate, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. However, significant progress has been made in restoring electrical power to Los Angeles neighborhoods. Monterey County firefighters observed as a Los Angeles County helicopter made a water drop on the Palisades Fire. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell announced that approximately 50,000 customers were without power, a significant reduction from over half a million just a few days prior. Mr. Powell stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Edisons equipment caused the Hurst fire, but investigations are ongoing. As state and local officials faced the most severe cluster of fires in Los Angeles history, President Joe Biden communicated with some of them to receive updates on their efforts and was briefed by his senior aides on the federal resources being dispatched. Mr. Bidens major disaster declaration has unlocked federal assistance for those impacted by the wildfires, enabling FEMA to provide support. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, for instance, were present at the Pasadena Convention Center assisting residents with FEMA aid applications. FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart mentioned that assistance can take various forms, from funding for home repairs to compensation for lost food or medication, and can be provided within days. We aim to ensure initial funding reaches peoples bank accounts to address their urgent needs, said Mr. Hart. Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the county for a firsthand assessment of the damage. Mr. Luna remarked that his agency had dispatched 40 search and rescue team members to collaborate with other agencies, including using cadaver dogs to search for victims remains and help reunite families that have been separated. LA County endured another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, commented Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Six simultaneous wildfires have surged through Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and damaging or destroying 12,000 structures. Currently, at least 13 individuals are presumed missing. The toll is expected to rise once firefighters can conduct thorough house-to-house searches. While the fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the fires eased on Friday night, the Palisades Fire on the citys western edge changed direction as winds reached from the Pacific Ocean. This fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has devastated entire neighborhoods, leaving behind only the smoldering remnants of what were once homes and possessions. Before the latest escalation, firefighters had reported advancement in controlling both the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in the foothills to the east of the metropolis after days of uncontrollable flames. As of Saturday, the Palisades Fire was reported to be 11% contained while the Eaton Fire was at 15% containment, according to Cal Fire. California official Don Fregulia stated that managing the Eaton Fire and its aftermath would be a huge, herculean task expected to require many weeks of work. Read More: Watch: Before and after video showcases LA wildfire destruction LA fires trigger air quality warning and health concerns LA resembles war scene after fires Biden The two major fires combined have consumed over 36,000 acresapproximately 2.5 times the geographical area of Manhattan. Seven neighboring states, along with the federal government and partners from Canada and Mexico, have mobilized aid and firefighters to California, enhancing aerial teams that are dropping water and fire retardant on the burning hills, as well as ground crews utilizing hand tools and hoses to combat the flames. Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the heavy, toxic smoke. Homes have been reduced to ashes. Residents of Pacific Palisades who returned to their ravaged neighborhoods on Friday were appalled to encounter brick chimneys standing amid charred debris and burnt-out vehicles, with acrid smoke still lingering in the air. This was a cherished home, said Kelly Foster, 44, while sifting through the debris of what was once her house. Her 16-year-old daughter, Ada, attempted to enter but said, I just became sick. I just couldnt evenYeah, its hard. Aerial water drops are being conducted near Mandeville. In Rick McGeaghs Palisades neighborhood, only six out of 60 homes survived, and the only remnant of his ranch house was a statue of the Virgin Mary. Everything else is ash and rubble, lamented Mr. McGeagh, 61, a commercial real estate broker who raised three children at the home. On Friday morning, hundreds of individuals gathered in a parking lot near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena to collect donated clothing, diapers, and bottled water. Denise Doss, 63, expressed her anxiety about returning to her destroyed home in Altadena to check for salvageable items, but officials prevented her entry due to safety concerns. At least I want to say goodbye until we can rebuild. I will let God lead me, Ms. Doss said. Estimations indicate billions in losses. Many residents of Altadena expressed concerns that government resources may disproportionately favor wealthier areas, and that insurers might undervalue those unable to contest denied fire claims. Beyond those who have lost their homes, tens of thousands remain without power, while millions are exposed to deteriorating air quality as the fires release traces of metals, plastics, and other synthetic materials into the atmosphere. Private forecaster AccuWeather has assessed the financial damage and economic loss at $135 billion (138 billion) to $150 billion (154 billion), indicating a challenging recovery and skyrocketing homeowners insurance costs. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appealed to insurers on Friday to halt any pending non-renewals and cancellations that homeowners received prior to the onset of the fires, as well as to extend the grace period for payments. President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster, assuring that the US government would fund 100% of recovery efforts for the next six months. Law enforcement is urging residents to comply with curfews, amidst incidents of arrests for burglary, looting, and the possession of concealed firearms. If you violate this curfew, you will face jail time, warned Mr. Luna. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More An Irish couple forced to evacuate their home in Los Angeles due to the Palisades Fire mentioned that a significant portion of their community has been devastated. Dermot and Anne Tuohy consider themselves to be among the fortunate ones. We reside in Pacific Palisades, which consists of two areas: the village and the Highlands. We are in the highlands, which suffered only partial destruction, while the village was entirely wiped out, Mr. Tuohy explained to RTE News. Most of our friends live in the Village area of Pacific Palisades; their homes are gone, our church is destroyed, and every shop, bank, and school is completely burned to the ground, Ms. Tuohy added. The couple recounted their attempts to evacuate on Tuesday after the fire ignited at 10:30 AM. The scariest moment was during the initial three hours when we tried to escape in both of our cars, Mr. Tuohy noted. We got halted at the bottom of the canyon on Palisades Drive because it was actually ablaze, so we couldnt get out and had to turn back, he said. After they returned to their home, police arrived about an hour later to help them evacuate. With only 11% of the wildfire contained, Mr. Tuohy expressed that it remains a concern. Currently unable to go back home, the couple is staying with their son Mark in Mar Vista, near Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Mr. Tuohy described Pacific Palisades as a town with about 23,000 residents, comparable to the size of Sligo, which boasts around eight different churches. He is optimistic that the town will rebuild with assistance from promised federal funds, although he recognizes that this will require years. He also mentioned that the fire has left the towns communities scattered. Reuniting them all is going to be very challenging, he remarked. In the wake of growing blame over the fire response, Ms. Tuohy expressed their belief that the authorities acted as quickly as they could given the resources available. Sure, there may not have been enough officials at the end of Palisades Drive to guide us out of the fire, but they moved as swiftly as they could, she stated. This unfolded rapidly, with winds ranging from 50 to 70 mph at the time, so the finger-pointing its a common occurrence after a disaster; we certainly wont blame anyone, as we feel everyone did their utmost. Mr. Tuohy is the former West Coast Director for IDA Ireland in the USA. The couple noted that there is a very strong Irish community in Los Angeles, with over 270 members connected through a social media group, many of whom have been impacted by the wildfires. ( Middle East Monitor ) The financial impact of Israels ongoing conflict with Gaza had reached an estimated 67.57 billion USD by the end of 2024, according to a report cited by Anadolu Agency. The total includes direct military expenditures, civilian costs, and losses in revenue, though it does not fully account for all the economic consequences. The Bank of Israel carried out the projections, which were published by the Israeli business newspaper Calcalist. The article characterized the financial burden as substantial, speaking of the failure of the war effort, which underscored the need for significant increases in Israels defense budget over the next ten years. It also highlighted that the discussion of the wars financial impact and outcomes is taking place against the backdrop of talks about the parliamentarian security and defense budget review committee, known in Israel as the Nagel Committee, after its chair, Yaakov Nagel. Calcalist indicated that this future budget would involve purchasing more aircraft, helicopters, armored personnel carriers, large quantities of weapons and ammunition, in addition to investing in personnel or the Israeli soldier himself. Dollar Tank, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024 Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas cross-border assault, the Israeli military has killed over 46,000 individuals, the majority of whom were women and children in Gaza. The offensive has devastated the region, and widespread famine is now a looming threat. This fiscal pressure has ignited debates within Israel, particularly regarding the redirection of funds from natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean, which were initially designated for sectors like healthcare and education, but are now likely to be diverted to defense spending. On January 7, 2025, the Jerusalem Post quoted a report from the Nagel committee suggesting an increase in the defense budget of up to $4.1 billion over the next five years. The Israeli newspaper clarified that this increase is intended to ensure that the Israeli Defense Forces are equipped to handle regional challenges and threats. The report also recommended strengthening the multi-layered air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, Davids Sling, Arrow systems, and the newly operational laser defense system. In terms of border security, the Nagel report suggested constructing a fortified security barrier along the Jordan Valley, which would represent a major shift in Israels defense strategy, despite potential diplomatic repercussions with Jordan. On January 6, 2025, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister stated that Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, had received the recommendations from the Nagel Committee. Middle East Monitor ) This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The article has been reorganized and rephrased, with information added from Al Jazeera and SamaNews.. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) India installed 24.5 new gigawatts of solar power in 2024, along with 3.4 gigawatts of new wind. That represented a doubling of solar installations over 2023. This surge in renewables installations is unprecedented in the countrys history. In all, India has roughly 100 gigawatts of installed solar capacity. The United States, with an economy 7.5 times as big and vastly more resources, only has 179 gigawatts of solar. India saw 18.5 gigawatts of new utility-scale solar projects implemented, nearly 3 times as much as in the previous year. Indians installed 4.59 gigawatts of rooftop solar, impelled by a government program called the Prime Ministers Free Electricity Program [Muft Bijli Yojana], or solar for residences, which was put into effect by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It successfully promoted 700,000 rooftop solar installations within 10 months of its start. It aims to put rooftop solar on 10 million homes and to spend $8.7 billion. The big increase in solar installations is thought to be in part because of government incentives and in part because of a steep drop in the price of Chinese solar panels this past year. India is emerging as one of the more important countries in the world by nominal over-all gross domestic product (GDP). The IMF is projecting its 2025 GDP to be $4,271,922, only a bit less than Japan, which in turn has a somewhat smaller economy than Germany. India is therefore the worlds fifth largest economy, ahead of Britain, France, Italy and Canada. Of course, Indias enormous population is such that its per capital GDP is small. But if we are talking about the place of the country as a whole, it is becoming one of the leading world economies. Rashtrapati Bhavan, Digtial, Dream / Dream v3, Clip2Comic, 2024 Indias transition to green energy is therefore consequential. It is currently the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States. Again, its per capita emissions are small. Renewables make up 43.6% of the Indian electricity grid, a more impressive number than can be offered by China or the United States. It amounts to 209 gigawatts in total. India hopes to put in 500 gigawatts of renewables by 2030. Total installed renewable capacity surged nearly 14% in 2024. India imports half of the natural gas it uses, and spent some $15 billion a year on these imports in 2024. The Financial Express reports that Indias natural gas import costs rose by 18.5% last year, reaching $7.7 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year. That was up from $6.5 billion in the same period last year. This increase is attributed to a higher demand, particularly from city gas distribution companies and the power sector. India is still poor on a per capita basis and would benefit from not having to spend $14 billion a year on fossil gas imports, especially since it could have the same energy for free from the sun. Further, being beholden to Trump, the UAE, and Nigeria for imports of Liquefied Natural Gas is a security issue for India, which has such abundant solar that it does not need to put itself in that situation. US sanctions have already forced India to back off imports of Russian fossil gas. People's Artist of Ukraine Larysa Kadochnykova, known for her role as Marichka in the movie Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, refused to speak Ukrainian on stage during the Sergei Parajanov National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine awards ceremony. The 87-year-old actress said that she had had enough of the language of the country she lives in in the theater, so she speaks Russian outside of it. ADVERTISIMENT In her defense, she said she had done a lot for Ukraine to be respected, including her language choice. The video with Larysa Kadochnykova's scandalous statement was posted on Facebook by writer and public figure Larysa Nitsoy. The video shows the moment when journalist Ruslan Koshovenko asked the actress to speak Ukrainian off-screen. She replied to him in a rude manner that she was not going to do so. In the audience, some people expressed admiration for Kadochnykova's statement, shouted "Bravo!" and applauded. "I speak Ukrainian only in the theater. Forgive me, but I can speak even English. Please respect me. I have done a lot for Ukraine and have never left the country. And I do plays in the theater in Ukrainian. The most important thing I wanted to say is that we must love and understand each other: Ukraine is whole. If we are at enmity and hate each other for trifles, we will die," the actress justified. ADVERTISIMENT Writer Larysa Nitsoy, who published a video with Kadochnykova's statement, expressed her opinion on the celebrity's position and called her a "Ukrainophobe." "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors' Marichka turned out to be a Ukrainophobe in real life. She said that she had 'done enough for the country to be respected' and continued her speech in Russian. I would like to ask the winner of many awards, Larysa Kadochnykova, for which country exactly has she 'done enough'? For Russia? By dragging the 'Russian world' to Ukraine all her life and popularizing its language, which was followed by tanks? Playing roles in movies in Russian, speaking everywhere in public in Russian, communicating with everyone in Russian, going on stage to present an award in Russian, and only sometimes using Ukrainian where there is no way around the law. A good elderly person should stay at home. And if they have the strength to post public videos on YouTube or take to the stage to give a public speech, then they a responsible citizen of Ukraine who speaks Ukrainian. Or an irresponsible one," the writer said. ADVERTISIMENT In the comments, Ukrainians supported Larysa and called for the actress to go perform in Moscow. "This is just horrible. She 'has the right to speak'. Why does she live in Ukraine? Only here is it allowed to despise the language and the country in such a way, and she dares to talk about love. Everything is clear about her. Now let her go to Moscow and speak Ukrainian on stage there." "For some reason, those who speak their own state language in their country do not demand 'respect'." "This is amazing! To climb so high thanks to a legendary Ukrainian movie and to fall harshly like this..." "The saddest thing is not Kadochnykova, but the applause in the audience." "Disgusting. Disgusting. Such a star demands respect in the language of the enemy? This is a question of the Russification of the country you live in." Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Saturday, January 11, 2025 - A South African family is reeling in shock after their teenage daughter was gunned down by unknown gunmen days before she had to start school. Bronwin van Willing, 18, from the Hague in Delft, Cape Town, was sent to the local tuckshop by her grandmother to buy a loaf of bread but instead paid with her life on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The teenager, who was set to start Grade 11 at Delft High School next week was excited for the school year to begin. Speaking to IOL, Van Willings sister, Lauren said this was a huge blow to the family. She said her sister was excited about starting the new school year. She was very excited as she was about to start Grade 11 this year. She still told us we need to do her hair for school, Lauren said. Van Willing, who lived with her grandmother, was sent to the shop at the time of her murder. "My grandmother sent her to the shop to buy a bread. As she was coming back a car was in the road and started shooting. As she was running, they were running after her, Lauren said painfully. It was like they were chasing her because she saw who was shooting. She was first shot in the back. But then he came and shot her in the face. She said the family was shattered at the loss and described her only sibling as someone with a vibrant personality. Bronwin was a very joyful person. She was talkative, always laughing, always joking around, Lauren explained. The Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed the shooting incident in Junker Street in The Hague at 8.50pm. [SA Police Service] SAPS members on duty attended to a complaint at the mentioned address and on arrival found the victim lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the back, Van Wyk said. He said the car used in the shooting was found abandoned. It was later discovered that the vehicle was hijacked in Bishop Lavis in July 2024. This vehicle was handed in as exhibit and processing. No arrest has been made as yet, investigations continue, Van Wyk said. Sunday, January 12, 2025 Actress Ruth K is facing backlash from Kenyans on social media after visiting her former high school in attire deemed inappropriate for the occasion. See the photo and reaction below. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Chance The Rapper has reportedly reached a divorce settlement with his estranged wife Kirsten Corley, nearly nine months after they first announced their separation. The American rapper and his ex-wife, both 31, filed legal documents in Cook County, Illinois, confirming to the court that they had reached an agreement to finalize their split, per TMZ on Thursday. The pair married in 2019 in Newport Beach, California, and share two daughters: Kensli, 9, and Marli, 5. Kirsten states that the former couple's relationship is now 'irretrievably broken,' according to documents obtained by the outlet. She also notes that they have been living separately for more than six months. The former model also says she's gone over the settlement and feels it's a 'fair and equitable resolution,' but more details haven't been shared yet, per the source. The settlement follows Kirstens official divorce filing almost a month ago, and comes nearly seven months after the couple first revealed their intention to separate. In a joint statement released in April, they said: 'The two of us have arrived at the decision to part ways. We came to this decision amicably and with gratitude for the same time we spent together.' Chance (born Chancelor Johnathan Bennett) and Kirsten have known each other since childhood. They began dating in 2013, when they were both in their late teens, and welcomed their first daughter, Kensli, in 2015. After a brief breakup in 2016, the couple reconciled and married in 2019. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has criticized the government he serves, lamenting the recent wave of abductions targeting Kenyan youth During a press briefing on Sunday at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Muturi slammed President William Ruto's government, demanding closure and expressing his outrage over his son's abduction in June, which occurred at the height of the anti-government protests. The CS revealed that he was compelled to speak out about the ongoing abductions after his previous appeals to security organs were ignored ''One of the things we had accused the past regime was the issue of abductions and forced disappearances. Today, there have been abductions and forced deaths mainly targeting the youth,'' Muturi lamented. ''My son was personally abducted and disappeared making us anxious and at that time, I was the Attorney General of Kenya and a member of the National Security Council,'' he added.. ''I made attempts at all levels and to date more than 6 months I have never been explained the same,'' the CS added. Consequently, the CS has implored President William Ruto to reign in on the vice. Human rights groups report that over 80 Kenyans have been abducted since June 2025, during the anti-government protests. The most recent cases involve the disappearance of five individuals who were posting on social media to criticize President William Ruto and its administration. Among them are Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplangat, and cartoonist Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull. The Kenyan DAILY POST. An agent of the ATESH military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars has recently discovered a secret military unit of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The occupiers are desperately trying to pass it off as an ordinary military unit. ADVERTISIMENT The discovered secret facility works for the Russian Pacific Fleet. The details were revealed in the movement's Telegram channel. "Our agent successfully retrieved vital information about a secret facility of the Russian Defense Ministry located in the town of Fokino, Primorsky Krai. According to the documents to which our agent has gained access, this is military unit 36199, which is strictly classified. This unit is part of the 12th Chief Directorate (Nuclear Support) of the Russian Defense Ministry. The occupiers are trying to hide the activities of this facility and claim that it the unit 73750 that is is located there, which is a lie, as discovered," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT In support of its statement, ATESH cited documents that show that the military personnel of the unit in question receive an allowance for secrecy. "This indicates that the unit is working for the Russian Pacific Fleet," the movement added. The facility discovered by the ATESH agent has a high degree of secrecy and is important to the aggressor state as it is located in the city of Fokino, which is a "closed administrative-territorial formation." ADVERTISIMENT "It is possible that this military unit may contain ballistic missiles, and a warehouse or a distribution center for the arsenal of the Pacific Fleet and its strategic units. We continue to analyze the strategic facility, and all the information we receive is being passed on to the Ukrainian Defense Forces," ATESH summarized. Earlier, ATESH said it had discovered an enemy ammunition depot in Zaporizhzhia. The guerrillas have already handed over its coordinates to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. It was also reported that the Russians continue to commit war crimes, hiding their targets behind civilians. In particular, the occupiers have set up a military headquarters in a sanatorium in Crimea. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sunday, January 12, 2025 - National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah has sent a stern warning to governors opposing President William Ruto's administration, urging them to cooperate and focus on serving the public or else they will have themselves to blame. Speaking in Uasin Gishu County, Ichungwah criticized certain leaders for inciting the public and undermining the government. "Those [leaders] inciting the public; there are some who held powerful positions but they are now at home. There are some governors here making noise; should we deal with them or not?" he asked members of the public. Ichung'wah called on the governors to behave like gentlemen and work harmoniously with Ruto to advance the governments development agenda. "Governors should behave like gentlemen and work with the President. I want to tell the President and his deputy to do other jobs benefiting the normal citizen and leave the dissenting voices to me," he added. Ichungwahs remarks come a week after his public showdown with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya during the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula's mother. Ichung'wah accused Natembeya of incitement and asked him to assist the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in solving the abduction cases if he had any knowledge of the abductors. Natembeya later fired back, attributing the attacks to his outspoken stance on extrajudicial abductions, which he has urged Rutos administration to address. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend have sought refuge at a hotel with their four children, four dogs, and a pet bearded dragon as the horrific Palisades Fire rips through the area near her California home. The former model, 39, told fans that she and the 12-time Grammy winner, 46, were packing their essential belongings and leaving their Beverly Hills mansion, which they purchased in 2020, with their four kids: Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, and Wren, both 1. This is surreal, she wrote on her Instagram Story Wednesday alongside a selfie of herself packing in her closet. Im very scared now. Packing. With their four dogs and a bearded dragon in tow, Teigen told fans that they were making their way to a safe area. 4 kids, 4 dogs and a bearded dragon walk into a hotel, she captioned a video of them in a hotel room. In the clip, she and Legend were seen lying on the bed with their pooches beside them. Their family pet bearded dragon, named Sebastian, was also on the bed. We are ok as of right now, and I felt weird saying that with so many people we know and dont who are not ok, she wrote on her Instagram Story. Thank you for reaching out. Looking for any and all ways to help our community right now, please send anything you see. And God bless the firefighters and all first responders, she concluded. The family is one of the tens of thousands who have been forced to flee their homes in Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas. Four fires have ravaged Los Angeles County, taking over 27,000 acres of land with zero containment in the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires. Its believed that the blazes are being fueled by strong winds, dry fuels and low humidity. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - A tragic incident in Harare has sparked a national debate after a man was k!lled for mocking another man's choice to wear earrings. The altercation occurred on Tuesday, shedding light on deep-rooted cultural tensions and societal norms in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the de@th, sharing details on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. On January 6, 2025, police in Harare arrested Benedict Rueben in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Boka Bus Terminus along HarareMasvingo Road. The suspect struck the victim, Maxwell Mahanzu, 32, with a stone after the victim mocked him, accusing him of being gay due to his choice to wear earrings. The victim died instantly, the statement read. The incident has reignited conversations about cultural perceptions of masculinity and personal expression in Zimbabwe. While wearing earrings is widely accepted as a fashion choice in many parts of the world, it remains controversial in Zimbabwe, where traditional values often dominate public attitudes. Accusations of homos_xuality, particularly in public, are still viewed as highly offensive by many. Homosexuality remains a deeply taboo subject in Zimbabwe, with historical political rhetoric contributing to the stigma. Former President Robert Mugabe was famously vocal in his opposition to homos_xuality, often using the term as an insult against critics and foreign governments, particularly the British. This legacy continues to influence public attitudes today. The k!lling has sparked renewed calls for tolerance and education on personal freedoms and cultural respect. Advocacy groups have called for increased public awareness campaigns to prevent similar incidents, emphasizing the importance of addressing harmful stereotypes and promoting understanding in communities. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Bogalusa, Louisiana mayor Tyrin Truong is caught in the web of a drug trafficking investigation. The 25-year-old city leader has been arrested in connection to the situation, Louisiana state police reported. According to the Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Forces report, law enforcement began their comprehensive investigation in April 2024 and went on for several months. Truong, along with six other members of this unnamed Drug Trafficking Organization, were directly involved in the distribution of various Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), including opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC products, and MDMA in the state of Louisiana. For context, the Louisiana Department of Health reported that Louisiana had 2,456 drug-involved deaths in 2023 alone. Investigators uncovered that members of the DTO were utilizing social media platforms to distribute CDS and manage payments, further expanding their reach and criminal activity, the official report claimed. The investigation also determined that profits from drug sales were used to purchase firearms. Some of these firearms were funnelled to individuals prohibited from legal possession, while others were linked to violent crimes in the Bogalusa area. As a result, Truong, who became the citys youngest mayor in 2022 at 22 years old, was issued an arrest warrant and later detained. The politician now faces charges of transactions involving proceeds from drug offences, unauthorized use of a moveable, and soliciting for prostitutes. Six other people were also arrested and face a litany of charges, including cash transactions involving drug offences and conspiracy. All seven people were booked at the Washington Parish Jail but Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong has since met bail and is out on a $150k bond, per WWLTV. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement regarding Truongs arrest, saying, We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially, from public officials. While District Attorney Collin Sims asserted that they werent finished with this case, swearing to invest time and resources into helping the citizens of Bogalusa. As of Thursday (Jan. 9), mayor Tyrin Truong has only issued one comment regarding his arrest, which comes as a Facebook post to his supporters. Featuring a Black and white photo of himself, Truong typed, Joy comes in the morning, with no further explanation. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - All five living US Presidents reunited as they attended the funeral for Jimmy Carter. Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush all gathered on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in Washington. Obama arrived without his wife Michelle and he went over to greet the former US Presidents and Vice-Presidents before the service and each stood to greet him. However, Trump, who was seated beside his wife Melania Trump, did not stand to greet Trump. Later during the event, Obama and Trump are seen warming up to each other and even shared a laugh. This comes weeks after Trump threw shade at Obama by sharing a meme of Obama at his inauguration as President. "When you see the guy, who said, 'You'll never be President', at your inauguration," Trump captioned the photo. Besides the warm moment between the US President-elect and Obama, Donald Trump also greeted and shook hands with his estranged former vice president Mike Pence. Republicans Trump and Pence have had a strained relationship since the end of Trump's first term, which ran from 2017 through 2021. During that time, Pence served Trump loyally but refused Trump's demand that he overturn his 2020 election defeat on Jan. 6, 2021 before Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. On Thursday at Carter's funeral, Pence sat behind Trump, who was in the second row with other former presidents and first ladies. Former Vice President Al Gore was seated next to Pence. As Trump entered his row ahead of the funeral service, Gore stood and shook Trump's hand and then Pence stood. Trump extended his hand to Pence as well. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament has warned Luo Nyanza against celebrating the betrayal of Kikuyus by President William Ruto. Commenting on social media on Saturday, Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi reminded Luos that it was the Kikuyus who put President William Ruto in office but are now opposing his presidency. He wondered why the Luo community is celebrating the appointment of four Cabinet Secretaries yet Central Kenya has dozens of cabinet secretaries and no celebration. The central region with massive appointments both from #UDA/ Kenya Kwanza wing and the recent Uhuru/Jubilee appointments are still rejecting ruto,some of my odm comrades are excited about supporting the government because of 4 positions . "Is it shortsightedness and / or imbecility? If Ruto used the central to get to power and dismissed them to embrace those who fought him. "What makes you believe ,after voting him in ,he will not dismiss you and embrace back central to stabilise his government?. Ukiona cha jirani chanyolewa chako kitiie maji, Amisi wrote on X. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - "Power Rangers" actor Hector David Jr., known for his role as the Green Ranger, has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery in a Canyon County Court following an assault incident in Idaho last year. David was sentenced to 180 days behind bars, with the judge suspending 135 days of the sentence. As a result, he will serve 45 days in jail, contingent on maintaining good behavior upon his release to avoid further incarceration. Additionally, the court imposed two years of supervised probation and mandated that David complete 100 hours of community service. The incident occurred in July when David was involved in a confrontation with an elderly man using a walker over a parking spot in Nampa, Idaho. The situation escalated, and David shoved the man to the ground. Fortunately, the victim did not sustain serious injuries. Following the altercation, David fled the scene in his truck, but authorities were able to identify him with help from the community. Law enforcement later issued an arrest warrant, and David was formally charged with battery later that month. Sunday, January 12, 2025 Dadaab MP Farah Maalim is now under pressure to resign after his inflammatory remarks towards Kenyans while accompanying President William Ruto in North Rift. In one of the president's stopovers, Maalim was accorded a chance to address the gathering, to which he insulted Kenyans with unprintable adjectives while defending the president against critics. The MP basically declared that Ruto would not leave the presidency soon, as demanded by the naysayers of his administration. His inflammatory remarks sparked outrage among Kenyans online; the majority criticized the lawmaker, with some associating his character with sympathizers of the Somalia-based al-Shabaab insurgent group. In a statement, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyok hinted at the party's plans to expel Maalim from the party. Kalonzo asked Maalim to consider resigning from the party, and not wait to be expelled. "I condemn Farah Maalim's remarks in the strongest terms possible. Today's outrageous utterances I will advice him to resign and not wait to be thrown out. His actions were shameful," said Kalonzo. This is not the first time Maalim is finding himself in trouble. In July 2024, he was summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) after his controversial remarks on the anti-government protests, where he alleged that if he were the president, he would have killed 5,000 Gen Zs daily. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly opened their home to friends fleeing the Los Angeles wildfires. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have offered their mansion in Montecito as a refuge to friends and loved ones who have been forced to flee their homes due to the fires, which broke out in southern California on Tuesday, Jan. 7, killing at least 10 people and forcing more than 100,000 residents of Los Angeles to seek safety. According to People, Harry and Meghan, who live about 140km north of the affected area, have "have opened their home to friends and loved ones forced to evacuate". The website also reports the couple are channelling donations to their Archewell Foundation to provide relief efforts and are working with the organisation to "determine the most impactful ways to support the community during this crisis". The pair bought their $US14 million ($A23 million) home in 2020. The report comes after Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, issued a statement telling residents how they could keep pets and vulnerable residents safe amid the disaster. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed his plans should he lose in the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) elections scheduled for February. peaking on Saturday in Siaya County, Raila, the frontrunner in the race to succeed Moussa Faki as AUC chairman, affirmed that he has no intention of stepping away from national matters if his bid is unsuccessful. The former prime minister, however, stated that a win would benefit the country as his role would involve engaging in initiatives that contribute positively to Kenya. When the vote has been cast, it is when we will know whether I have won or not. "If we win, it is okay, and even if we don't win, there is nothing wrong. If I do not win, I will be going nowhere. "If I win, it is good because I will work there and do many things that will help us here. "If I lose, will I not just be here with you and do everything together as a community?" Raila posed. Raila is set to face Djibouti's Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato in the upcoming polls. The former Premier has been traversing the continent to seek support from African Heads of State for the AUC seat, with the government funding his campaigns. The Kenyan DAILY POST. According to astrologers, 2025 is a time of great changes and new beginnings. The most powerful astrological events will take place during this period. According to the Chinese horoscope, this is the Year of the Snake, when you need to let go of the past and open up to the new, so you can reach your potential. ADVERTISIMENT Five astrological events will help you on this path of growth and development, Hindustantimes writes. Mars and Venus retrograde The year 2025 begins with Mars retrograde. It will slow down our energy. It is a planet of action and passion, but during retrograde, it directs our attention inward. As a result, people may experience disappointment, doubt, and emotional reactions. This introspective period will last until February 23. From March 1 to April 12, Venus will go retrograde in Aries and Pisces. This will prompt us to pay attention to past relationships. Through rethinking, we can leave unhealthy connections, resolve old issues, and reflect on our values in love. This is a chance for growth and healing in our relationships. North Node in Pisces On January 11, the lunar nodes move from Aries/Libra to Pisces/Virgo, where they will remain until 2026. These nodes are not physical celestial bodies, but points that are calculated based on the Moon's orbit and the Sun's ecliptic. Their position changes signs every 19 years and is consistent with the annual phases of solar and lunar eclipses. ADVERTISIMENT The lunar nodes are associated with fate and spiritual connections. The North Node is often symbolized in astrology as a dragon. As the head, it guides people to growth. And the South Node is the tail, which signals what we need to let go of. This transition encourages empathy, intuition guidance, and spiritual insight. It encourages us to leave the perfectionism of Virgo and move away from overthinking. Eclipses in these signs will draw attention to the need to balance logic with intuition, focus on purification, creativity, and spiritual growth. Lilith and Vesta in Scorpio In 2025, the asteroids Lilith and Vesta take center stage. Their stay in Scorpio will encourage you to explore your psyche, reflect on the themes of death and rebirth. The transformative nature of Scorpio will promote deep emotional and spiritual purification. Therefore, 2025 will be marked by powerful inner growth. ADVERTISIMENT Saturn and Neptune conjunction in Aries In April 2025, Saturn, the planet of discipline and lessons, will conjoin Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions, in Aries. This rare conjunction was last seen in 1989-1990. It combines Neptune's creativity with Saturn's structure. This astrological event will bring the opportunity to realize your dreams, get rid of misconceptions and embrace radical change. Jupiter in Cancer On June 9, Jupiter, the planet of luck and prosperity, moves into the sign of Cancer for the first time in 12 years and will remain there until 2026. Jupiter brings optimism, and as it transits through Cancer, it will help to lift you up after a difficult spring. This period is great for emotional healing and maintaining family relationships. It will encourage people to seek comfort and grow in emotional intelligence. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has accused President William Ruto of deliberately failing to constitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as part of a calculated effort to disenfranchise young voters. In a statement, Omtatah described the ongoing vacancy at the IEBC as a deliberate design intended to prevent new voters from participating in future elections. He argued that this, coupled with persistent delays and errors in issuing ID cards, reflects systemic barriers intended to suppress democratic participation. "The lack of a fully constituted IEBC is not accidental; its a deliberate design. This calculated move aims to block new voters, particularly the Gen Zs, who represent the majority. "Coupled with delays and errors in issuing National IDs, it becomes clear that these systemic hurdles are meant to suppress participation in our democracy," he said. Omtatah emphasized the importance of upholding the right to register and vote, urging citizens to demand immediate corrective action. "We must call this out and demand immediate action to ensure every Kenyan's right to register, vote, and be heard is protected," he added. Notably, the reconstitution of IEBC has been delayed due to political disputes and legal challenges. A significant issue arose within the Azimio la Umoja coalition, where internal disagreements led to legal actions that stalled the formation of the IEBC selection panel. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Kenyans are mourning the death of prominent journalist Rasna Warah, who passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer. The 63-year-old was a renowned journalist and writer, and her activism for good political governance had endeared her to many. She had a stint with the Nation Media Group (NMG) where she wrote a weekly op-ed column for the Daily Nation. Rasna was also a remarkable contributor to a couple of regional and international publications, among them The East African, The Elephant, Kwani, The Mail and Guarding, the UKs Guardian, and Africa is a Country. She also worked with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Rasna was an alumna of Malmo University in Sweden, where she earned a Masters degree in Communication for Development, and Suffolk University in Boston, USA, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Womens Studies. Before she breathed her last, Rasna, who was very active on X, sent President William Ruto this message; I was diagnosed with cancer soon after you were declared president. "I have always wondered whether there is a link. "Before I die, I want to know, how much money and land do you need, and how much suffering do you want to inflict on Kenyans before you die? The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - The International Criminal Court has confirmed that it has received over 50,000 petitions from Kenyans who are accusing President William Ruto of committing crimes against humanity. The Hague-based court in a statement stated that it is shocked by the high number of petitions and promised to launch investigations. The report comes as young Kenyans continue to be abducted for criticizing President William Ruto who is in his third year in office. Jubilee party blogger and renowned communication expert Pauline Njoroge also confirmed reports of ICC receiving over 50,000 petitions from Kenyans who accuse Ruto and his team of committing crimes against humanity and genocide. ICC reports that it's alarmed by activities in Kenya as over 50,000 Kenyans launched a complaint about Kenya Kwisha gov't on their website. "Things are boiling nicely, Pauline wrote on X The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a new wildfire that erupted in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, January 9. The LAPD launched an arson investigation at Victory Trailhead, where the devastating fire broke out, with the area being treated as a crime scene, Brian Entin of NewsNation wrote on X. The Kenneth Fire sparked just after 2:30 p.m. and has since spread over 800 acres and continues to rip through Ventura County, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Thursday night. About 20 minutes, 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in the Woodland Hills area by citizens, LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse told Entin. According to Fox News, he is a homeless man in his 30s. The cause and reason behind the fire remains unclear, but officials said the Kenneth fire was being investigated as a crime. By 11 pm on Thursday, the fire had burned through more than 1,000 acres and had reached 35 percent containment. Officials said the forward progress of the blaze had been stopped with firefighters battling it overnight. A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesman said: About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime, adding that the man was arrested five miles from where the fire is believed to have started. Detectives are also investigating whether the suspect has any links with other fires in the area. The death toll from the fires as risen to 10 people and it is expected to grow. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner said the remains of these people are still being identified. The LAPD said at least 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting with some residents forced to hire private security guards to stop their homes from being turned inside out. Kathryn Barger, the LA county supervisor, said a curfew would be put in place in some areas around the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires. I promise you, you will be held accountable, she said. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - South Koreas presidential security chief, Park Chong-jun on Friday, January 10 said there must be no bloodshed if investigators attempt to execute another arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid. According to reports, Yoon has refused questioning and last week resisted arrest in a tense stand-off between his guards and investigators after his short-lived power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades. I understand many citizens are concerned about the current situation where government agencies are in conflict and confrontation. I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed, Chong-jun said. Investigators seeking to interrogate Yoon on insurrection charges linked to his ill-fated declaration of martial law secured a new arrest warrant this week after an initial seven-day order expired on Monday. Yoons supporters are said to have rushed to the presidential residence, braving sub-zero temperatures to defend him while rival protests have either called for Yoons impeachment to be declared invalid or for him to be detained immediately. If investigators can detain him, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. However, his legal team have said they will not comply with the current warrant. The Corruption Investigation Office, CIO, has declared it would prepare thoroughly for the second arrest attempt. Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Uganda's army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced his departure from X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, January 10, following a series of controversial posts, including threats to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine and invade neighboring countries Kainerugaba, widely seen as a potential successor to his 80-year-old father, had gained over a million followers on the platform with his provocative statements. Earlier this week, he posted that only his fathers presence was preventing him from murdering musician-turned-politician Wine, stating, "If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today," using an honorific for Museveni. On Friday, Kainerugaba declared the end of his great whirlwind and rousing journey on the platform, citing his need to focus on his duties as head of the Ugandan Peoples Defence Forces, a move that may ease tensions for Ugandas diplomats. His controversial posts have previously forced President Museveni to apologize, including in 2022 when Kainerugaba tweeted, It wouldnt take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture Nairobi, in reference to Kenya. He has also voiced support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Tigrayan rebels who fought against Ethiopia's government between 2020 and 2022. Last month, Kainerugaba caused further diplomatic tension by threatening to seize the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, as soon as US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, prompting Uganda to clarify that his views did not represent the governments official stance. Some of his posts have been more lighthearted, including a recent thread on the most handsome men in the world, where he excluded himself but included Fidel Castro, Elvis Presley, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and named his father at the top of the list. Kainerugaba previously deactivated his account in April 2022 but returned just two days later. President Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, faces re-election next year, with international observers and rights groups having previously accused his government of vote-rigging and harsh repression of the opposition, including Wine, during the 2021 election. Sunday, January 12, 2025 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga might have had a Damascus moment. This is after he appeared to support President William Ruto and his dreams for Kenya despite being an ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Speaking during an interview, Kahiga stated that Kenyans trusted in the president's vision and continue to have faith in it; a clear shift to his earlier stance. He urged Ruto to reassess his approach and ensure that his government meets the expectations of Kenyans. The governor, a staunch ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, pointed out that Ruto still has sufficient time in office to fulfill his promises to the people. Mr. President, we elected you with a lot of love. We believed in your dream. We continue to believe in your dream. "But please, walk back to the crossroads and find out where we lost it because you were a very popular candidate two years ago. Today as we stand, everybody is complaining. We still have three years to go. "Kindly, if it means changing your advisors, please do change them so that you get back on track. We have so many programs being undertaken. "We have a shortage of money and cash flow. Kindly, Mr. President, we must look for ways and means of ensuring that at least we have some projects that are complete. Lets handle one thing at a time, Kahiga remarked. His remarks come after Ruto stated that his primary competitor in the 2027 General Election will be his government's track record. The Head of State dismissed his critics, maintaining that his administration was on course to deliver its promises to the people. The Kenyan DAILY POST. The Russian largest publishing house Eksmo, following a complaint form pro-war activists, has withdrawn the book "Irena's Children: A True Story of Courage" by Canadian writer Tilar J. Mazzeo from sale. It is dedicated to the Polish Resistance activist Irena Sendlerowa, who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto. ADVERTISIMENT It also describes stories of how Red Army soldiers raped women. This case was first reported by the so-called opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe. It is noted that on January 9, the Telegram channel of one of Russian war supporters published a post calling on the "relevant authorities" to pay attention to Eksmo and bookstores that sell the revealing book. They were displeased to read about Red Army soldiers raping women in Krakow after the retreat of the Nazi soldiers. "Later, locals told her that it was 1945, at the end of the war, when the Red Army was driving back the retreating Germans. The arrival of the Red Army brought no joy in Poland. Few womenfrom schoolgirl to most ancient babciaescaped being raped by Soviet soldiers that winter in Krakow. And few Germans who encountered Soviet troops ever made their way back across the border. Across Poland, there were hundreds of nameless massacres like this one," Tilar writes in her book. ADVERTISIMENT Russian propagandists stated that the writer is spreading "deliberately false information." And the very next day, the publishing house issued a press release announcing the withdrawal of the book from sale, thanking its readers for their comments. "At present, the book Irena's Children: A True Story of Courage has been withdrawn from sale. An internal disciplinary proceeding is underway in the Eksmo group," they said. The ASTRA Telegram channel writes that this is not the first time that Eksmo has withdrawn books from sale or sent them "for assessment" after complaints. In April 2024, the publishing house withdrew Brandon Taylor's book Real Life, about a black gay student, from sale as well. As reported, in 2022, the Russian online book library Litres summed up the results of the year and named the most popular work. It turned out to be George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, which was banned in the USSR and the distribution of which is punishable in modern Russia on a par with the spread of "fakes about the Russian army." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Some of the front page stories from the Kilkenny People (over fifty years ago - December 6, 1974): Fourteen years ago farmer John Whyte, Seven Sisters, Johnstown, was ploughing on his lands. He lost his valuable pocket watch. During the week his son was tilling the same field. He found the watch. Apart from rust on the outside, the timepiece was in perfect condition and is now keeping time as good as ever. TOP SPEAKERS IN THOMASTOWN Thomastown Vocational School are champions at school debating. They won the 1974 Kilkenny Junior Chamber schools debating award, beating Presentation Convent, Castlecomer in a fine debate. The motion for the debate was Socialised and bureaucratised welfare and medical schemes erode the community consciousness to their individual responsibility in this area, which proved very appropriate during 'Share If You Care' week. Both teams handled the motion well and showed a very full knowledge of the entire subject. The winners now go forward to a regional final in which they compete against the winners from Waterford, Tipperary and Cork. If successful they will compete in a national competition in the new year. 200,000 STATION FACELIFT Work on the 200,000 reconstruction and development plan for MacDonagh railway station is expected to begin next summer. This information was given by CIE regional manager, Mr T OConnor, to Ald T Martin at a meeting of the South East Regional Development Organisation in Waterford. Under the development plan, Kilkenny will become a major railhead and one of the principal distribution centres of the South-East. There will be a big increase in road freighting activity from Kilkenny and employment will also get a boost. CIEs 27m plan to streamline services over the next five years was outlined to the meeting by Mr OConnor. He mentioned that, from Monday, December 2, the handling of freight at Thomastown and Glenmore would cease, but there would be no redundancies. Ald Martin stressed the importance of the development plan at Kilkenny being implemented as soon as possible as it was holding up Co Council development work in the vicinity of MacDonagh station. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Government formation talks continued on Sunday following Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels engagement with independents. Party figures are hoping to have a draft agreement ready by midweek, ahead of the process of ratifying the deal with their respective memberships. However, having everything agreed before the return of the Dail on January 22 is considered tight. A Sunday Independent Ireland Thinks poll showed that most respondents were at least somewhat satisfied with a Government consisting of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and regional independents. Twenty-three percent were very satisfied, 32% were somewhat satisfied, 15% were somewhat unsatisfied while 29% were very unsatisfied with that composition. However, one potential headache for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail is the decision of the Regional Independent Group to include Michael Lowry in its negotiating bloc. Most respondents to the poll said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael should not be dealing with the independent TD. Last year, Mr Lowry was interviewed by gardai from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) who are investigating matters related to the Moriarty Tribunal. The tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry. In 2011, it found that Mr Lowry, a former Fine Gael TD, helped businessman Denis OBrien secure the States second mobile phone licence in 1995. The tribunal also criticised his behaviour as profoundly corrupt. Recently, gardai sent a file relating to its investigations around the findings of the tribunal to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Lowry has maintained that there was no wrongdoing in the awarding of the phone licence. On the question of whether Fine Gael and Fianna Fail should be dealing with Mr Lowry, 63% of respondents to the poll said no while 24% said yes. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In 2025, Ukraine will lack more than half a million skilled workers, which will pose a serious challenge to the economy. The largest shortage is expected among blue-collar workers and specialists in technical fields. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the President of the Confederation of Employers of Ukraine Oleksiy Miroshnychenko in a commentary to the media. The main reason for the shortage is a lack of specialists with the necessary professional skills and increased competition between employers for qualified personnel. According to Miroshnychenko, the labor market deficit will happen due to several key factors: Emigration of workers abroad. After the outbreak of a full-scale war and the economic crisis, many Ukrainians left for European countries where wages are much higher. After the outbreak of a full-scale war and the economic crisis, many Ukrainians left for European countries where wages are much higher. Demographic decline. The natural decline in the working-age population is another important reason for the shortage of workers. The natural decline in the working-age population is another important reason for the shortage of workers. Low popularity of working professions. In recent years, interest in working professions has dropped, which creates an imbalance in the labor market. ADVERTISIMENT Miroshnychenko also notes the growth of wages, which is faster than economic growth. "If GDP grows by 4%, wages increase by 14%. This is not okay for the economy. Although the increase in wages itself is a positive factor, such a disproportion can create additional challenges for business," he said. Another important aspect that affects the labor market is the competition for personnel between public and private entities. Public institutions offer stability, while the private sector is willing to pay more to attract professionals. As a result, staff turnover is increasing and the struggle for qualified workers is intensifying. The problem of veterans' adaptation after returning from the front will be another major challenge for the labor market in 2025. According to Miroshnychenko, more than 60% of servicemen plan to change their profession or start their own business after completing their service. This will require active work to create professional orientation and retraining programs for veterans. Supporting veterans should be a priority, as they are an important human resource for the development of the country's economy. Rehabilitation and retraining programs can help them find themselves in new fields of activity and return to peaceful life with new skills. As previously reported, the Ukrainian labor market is already lacking workers, especially in the field of blue-collar occupations. Businesses are struggling with the shortage of staff by increasing wages, but this only further impedes competition between companies for existing employees, and their number in the market is not changing. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! By Park Jin-hai Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae has made history by winning the grand prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, becoming the oldest recipient of the award. The 90-year-old actor received the top prize for his performance in "Dog Knows Everything" at the awards ceremony. "I've lived long enough to see this day," Lee said in his acceptance speech at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, which aired Saturday. Due to the Jeju Air accident, the event, originally held on Dec. 31, was delayed and aired after being pre-recorded that day. He appeared on stage with the help of some actors and expressed his gratitude for being part of Korean television history from its very beginning. "KBS was the birthplace of Korean broadcasting in 1961. I was fortunate enough to be there since its inception. Despite the ups and downs, I've always held onto the belief that my time would come," he said. Lee, born in 1934, is one of the oldest active actors in Korea, having graced both the stage and screen. However, he had to abruptly leave the play "Waiting for Godot" in October 2024 due to health issues, and this was his first public appearance in more than two months. In "Dog Knows Everything," a heartwarming comedy that premiered on Sept. 25 last year, Lee took on the role of a veteran actor named after himself. The story revolves around a group of older adults led by Lee, entangled in a series of mysterious events on Geoje Island, just off the south coast of Korea. When Lee begins to understand what his dog, Sophie, a retired police dog, is barking at, the group's adventures take a quirky and unexpected turn. "I've received a beautiful and precious award. Even if you're over 60, you can still be recognized with an acting award, not just a lifetime achievement award. Acting should be evaluated based on performance alone, not on popularity or other conditions," he said. "This award isn't just about me. It's a recognition of the entire cast and crew, especially the dogs who played such important roles. The dogs, including Sophie, were amazing, and the entire team worked tirelessly, making over 20 trips to Geoje Island." Overwhelmed with emotion, he paid tribute to his students at Gachon University, where he has served as a professor for 13 years. With tears in his eyes, he thanked his students for their belief in him and concluded by thanking the viewers for their lifelong support. "I want to say to the viewers who are watching that I have been indebted to you all my life and have received a lot of help," he said. Troops unaware they were deployed for Russia-Ukraine war By Kim Hyun-bin Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers on a battlefield in Russias western Kursk region, South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed on Sunday. The soldiers testified there were considerable losses of North Korean troops, according to the NIS. The NIS confirmation came hours after Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday (local time) in a post on Telegram that its forces captured two soldiers alive in the border region, and they are being investigated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv. It is the first time that North Korean troops have been captured during combat operations and interrogated. About two weeks ago, another North Korean soldier was captured but died a day later due to serious injuries. According to the NIS, the Ukrainian military captured them on Thursday. Both sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. One of them testified that he arrived in Russia in November, where they received one week of military training before being deployed to the frontline. He said he had thought he came to Russia for training only, learning only after his arrival that he had been dispatched to the war. He further said troops suffered major losses during battles, adding he had been without food and water for four to five days before being captured, according to the NIS. The spy agency said it is cooperating closely with the SBU and will continue sharing intelligence. It also implied its own involvement in interrogating the soldiers, particularly by providing translation assistance, as reported by Ukraine media and other global news agencies which said a South Korean working for the NIS is helping with translation. According to the media, the two were born in 2005 and 1999, respectively. The younger soldier, a rifleman, carried a forged Russian military ID card identifying him as a 26-year-old from Siberias Tuva Republic. He told investigators he had received the ID during joint training with Russian forces in late 2024. The older soldier, who identified himself as a sniper, is unable to speak due to a jaw injury and has been communicating with investigators via writing. Medical staff confirmed that both are receiving treatment for their injuries. Zelenskyy said it has been difficult to capture North Koreans alive, because Russians and other North Korean soldiers finish off their wounded to hide evidence of North Koreas involvement in the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that the soldiers are regular members of North Koreas armed forces, not mercenaries. It is expected the captured soldiers could provide meaningful intelligence on the extent of North Koreas military support for Russia. The ultimate fate of the captured soldiers remains uncertain. If Russia claims them as part of its armed forces, they could be classified as prisoners of war (POW) under the Geneva Conventions and repatriated. However, if both Moscow and Pyongyang deny their affiliation, they could be deemed unlawful combatants, complicating their status under international law. Some have speculated that the soldiers might seek asylum in South Korea, though such an outcome would face significant diplomatic and logistical challenges. Zelenskyy previously suggested that North Korean POWs could be exchanged for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia. North Korea reportedly began deploying troops to Russias Kursk region in late 2024, with an estimated 11,000 personnel involved. President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first formal hearing in his impeachment trial this week out of concerns for his safety, his lawyer said Sunday. Yun Gap-geun, Yoon's defense attorney, made the announcement as the Constitutional Court will hold the first oral arguments on Yoon's impeachment trial on Tuesday, while investigators are seeking to detain the impeached president for questioning in a separate case related to his short-lived martial law imposition. "As attempts to unlawfully execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are under way, there are concerns of personal safety and mishap," Yun said. "In order for the president to appear for the trial, the issue of personal safety and security must be resolved." Yun said the impeached president will attend his trial if such issues are resolved. The Constitutional Court earlier said it would start oral arguments for the trial on Tuesday, with a total of five hearing sessions scheduled until Feb. 4. Yoon's lawyers have previously said the president will attend his impeachment trial at an "appropriate" time to make his case. Should Yoon fail to show up for the hearing on Tuesday, the court will be required to end the session and convene again Thursday for a second session, which then can proceed even in Yoon's absence. Investigators earlier sought to detain Yoon but failed after an hourslong standoff with the Presidential Security Service. They are widely expected to stage a second attempt to detain him after a Seoul court granted an extension of the warrant last week. Separately, the president's lawyers visited the office of the state anti-corruption agency investigating Yoon on Sunday to deliver a notice of their appointment as Yoon's legal representatives. During the visit, the lawyers reportedly stressed the need for talks to prevent a physical clash between the police and the presidential security service in their expected attempt to detain Yoon. (Yonhap) Comprehensive consideration needed to determine whether they violated law: justice ministry By Jung Min-ho The government has received petitions accusing foreign nationals of participating in protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol, amid attempts by some ruling party lawmakers to label them as "pro-China" activists. In a statement sent to The Korea Times recently, a representative of the Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for immigration matters, said its offices have received such complaints since Yoons botched imposition of martial law early last month. By law, ministry officials working in the relevant division must review whether the allegations are plausible and determine whether to launch formal investigations, as the immigration law bans foreign nationals from participating in political activities here. The representative declined to disclose whether any formal investigations had been initiated or if there were plans to do so, citing the sensitivity of the issue. A comprehensive consideration would be needed to determine whether a foreign national violated the law by participating in political activities, such as the persons motives, purpose and the consequences of the persons actions, the representative said. According to Article 17 of the Immigration Act, If an alien (foreign national) staying in the Republic of Korea engages in any political activity, the Minister of Justice may order the alien in writing to suspend such activity or may issue other necessary orders. This comes at a time when the Chinese Embassy in Seoul is urging its citizens here not to partake in political activities. In a statement released on Jan. 5, the embassy said it continues to urge Chinese citizens in Korea to abide by Korean laws and regulations and to be mindful of their personal safety. A day earlier, it posted a similar warning on social media that a violation of that law could result in deportation. The embassy's decision to issue the warning was believed to be prompted by fears of Sinophobia, fueled by some lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), including Kim Meen-geon and Yoo Sang-bum, who were accused of trying to deflect criticism from Yoon through this move. Yet investigative authorities have not corroborated any evidence of their claims, such as a photo of a protester wearing a jacket with the logo of a Chinese university. Annoyed by what appears to be an attempt to brand anti-Yoon protesters and opposition politicians in Korea as "pro-China," Global Times, a newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, condemned the PPP, citing a think tank researcher. While ongoing conflicts between political factions will continue, creating instability and uncertainty, dragging China into domestic political battles at this time is not a wise move, it said on Jan. 7. The impeached President Yoon made a televised address in December, in which he mentioned cases involving Chinese nationals in South Korea and also claimed that Chinese solar power facilities will destroy forests nationwide. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China absolutely opposes South Korea associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, calling the comment deeply upsetting. Nauru is a true paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy the silence and unity with nature. There are almost no tourists on the tiny island, although Nauru is famous for its unique nature, rich history and culture. ADVERTISIMENT The small island surrounded by a coral reef will be a great vacation destination for adventure lovers. The Express shares why you should visit Nauru. Nauru is located in the south of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. The island covers 21.3 square kilometers and is home to about 10 thousand people. The third smallest country in the world is located near the Gilbert, Marshall and Solomon Islands, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. It is a relatively rare type of coral island - a raised atoll. In the central part of Nauru, there is a unique natural attraction - the freshwater lake Buada, or what is left from an ancient lagoon, and in the north there is also a group of small Anabar ponds. ADVERTISIMENT Experts estimate that about 200 tourists visit the island annually. This means that only 15,000 people have visited it in the last 75 years, which is less than 10% of the number of people who visit London every day. Part of this very small club is the late Queen Elizabeth, who enjoyed the tiny island in 1982 during her tour of the South Pacific. Nauru has more than three thousand years of history, but little evidence of ancient times has survived. The island was declared a German colony in the late 1800s, received a League of Nations mandate after World War I, and was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II before finally gaining independence in 1968. It is an island of phosphate rock, and the rich deposits made Nauru one of the richest countries in the 1960s with the highest GDP per capita in the world. But in the 1990s, the deposits exhausted after constant mining. Nauru is surrounded by a coral reef, making it popular with divers and snorkelers. The island has white sand beaches lined with palm trees and lush jungle stretching further inland. Nauru has summer-like weather all year round with an average temperature of 26 C. The rainy season lasts from November to February. Tourists can reach Nauru only by flying from Australia or Fiji. There are several small hotels and resorts on the island. Nauru is an unusual place that you will definitely remember for a long time. If you are looking for a relaxing and unforgettable vacation, then this island is exactly what you need. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. By Lee Hae-rin Despite the governments tuition freeze policy, at least 13 universities in Korea have decided or are considering raising undergraduate tuition fees this year, citing financial strain, the government reported Sunday. According to the Higher Education in Korea service, a government website that provides information on domestic universities, 19 out of 199 universities here, excluding online colleges, have posted the minutes of their committees meetings on the issue of undergraduate tuition fees for 2025 as of Friday. Among them, 12 have decided to raise tuition or are carefully considering whether to do so. Kookmin University voted on a 4.9 percent increase on Jan. 2, while Hanshin University and Seoul Jangsin University also decided to raise tuition by 5.3 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. In addition, nine universities Sungkyunkwan University, Sookmyung Women's University, Yonsei University, Kyung Hee University, Hongik University, Sangmyung University, Dongduk Women's University, Silla University and Kyungwoon University expressed their opinions on tuition hikes at their committee meetings. Sogang University also decided to raise tuition by 4.8 percent during a committee meeting on Dec. 26, according to the university. As universities typically vote on tuition fees for the upcoming school year at the end of January, several others are believed to have already started considering tuition hikes. The government has kept university tuitions frozen since 2009. Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho sent a letter to university presidents across the country last month, asking them to freeze tuition fees this year to ease the financial burden on students. In line with the policy trend, most universities have not raised tuition fees for over a decade. Government sanctions also played a part in this, as universities that hiked tuition were exempted from receiving support for type II state scholarships. However, private universities have been refusing to comply with the freeze lately due to increasing financial difficulties. According to the Korean Council for University Education, 19 universities in 2023 and 26 universities in 2024 raised tuition. While smaller universities began forgoing government financial support in favor of tuition hikes last year, major private universities in Seoul are now joining the trend this year. Meanwhile, the government continues asking universities to join its efforts to ease tuition burdens. The Ministry of Education held a video conference, Jan. 8, with the presidential council of the national universities and repeated its call for a tuition freeze. In response, nine national universities decided on Jan. 10 not to hike tuition. A man was arrested near the presidential residence in central Seoul on Sunday for brandishing a box cutter toward demonstrators at the scene, police said. The middle-aged man, whose identity was withheld, was charged with special intimidation for wielding a box cutter against protesters who held opposing views, according to the Seoul Yongsan Police Station. Police plan to investigate the detailed motive behind the crime. No casualties were reported. Various rallies have been held near the presidential residence both for and against the detention of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his short-lived imposition of martial law in early December. (Yonhap) President not to attend Constitutional Court trial on Tuesday By Anna J. Park The police appear to be trying to weaken the leadership of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), which has been resolutely blocking efforts to execute a detention warrant against President Yoon Suk Yeol for his botched martial law imposition last month. The investigators' move comes amid heightened tension before their expected second attempt to execute the warrant, following the first one that failed on Jan. 3 after an over-five-hour confrontation with the PSS. Park Chong-jun, the former chief, appeared for police questioning, Friday, over his alleged obstruction of the duty of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) about the detention warrant of Yoon. He did so after refusing two previous requests. Park was questioned on Friday and Saturday. Before his Friday appearance, Park also tendered his resignation to acting President Choi Sang-mok, who accepted it. Despite being critical of the detention warrant against the president, Park, a former police officer who was considered a moderate voice, did not entirely dismiss the necessity of investigating the president. Park also opposed any physical confrontations during the execution of the warrant, further emphasizing his moderate stance. After Park's resignation, PSS deputy chief Kim Sung-hoon became the acting chief. Police now seek to investigate Kim on the same charges facing Park. They also seek to detain him as he has refused over three requests to appear for questioning. Four senior officials from the PSS have been officially charged over obstructing the execution of the detention warrant for the president, but Kim is the first to face a detention warrant for himself. "As the acting chief during this critical period, Kim Sung-hoon cannot afford to step away from his duties related to the presidents security," the PSS said in a statement released to the press, Saturday, clarifying Kim's refusal to present himself for questioning. Under Article 200 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the authorities may seek a warrant to detain a suspect who fails to comply with lawful summons without reasonable justification. Yet, even if a warrant is issued, it remains uncertain whether Kim would willingly comply with the detention warrant. Unlike Park, Kim is evaluated as a staunch defender of the security service's mission and has reportedly been at the forefront of efforts to block further attempts to detain the president. The polices action against Kim is expected to weaken the PSS defense strategy for Yoons residence, potentially leaving it more vulnerable to efforts to execute the detention warrant. Amid these escalating tensions, signs of internal discord within the PSS surfaced, with reports indicating significant unrest. The possible fragmentation of the leadership could further increase the likelihood of successfully carrying out the detention warrant against the president. Meanwhile, Yoon's lawyers said, Sunday, that the president will not attend the formal hearing at the Constitutional Court scheduled for Tuesday over his impeachment motion passed at the National Assembly. They cited concerns over personal safety, calling the detention warrant "illegal." "If safety and security issues about the president are resolved, he will attend the trial at any time," the president's lawyer Yoon Kap-keun said. By Lee Hae-rin President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive an annual salary of approximately 262.5 million won ($178,071) this year, a 3 percent increase from last year, according to the government on Sunday. According to the Ministry of Personnel Management, the pay of Korean public officials will increase by 3 percent this year from last year, with the same increase applying to the presidents salary. Although Yoon is suspended from his duties, he will continue receiving his salary while remaining in office as president. Thus, Yoon, who has been off duty since mid-December last year, will see an annual salary increase of about 7.5 million won compared to last years figure of 254.9 million won. This means he will be paid 21.8 million won per month before taxes. Similarly, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, also suspended from duty after the National Assembly impeached him, will receive an annual salary of 235.5 million won. Over the next six months, Yoon will receive about 130 million won while undergoing the impeachment trial process at the Constitutional Court, despite not performing any presidential duties. Article 38 of the Constitutional Court Act stipulates that a ruling be made within 180 days of receiving the case, though this is not a legally binding deadline. The National Assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14, suspending Yoon's executive authorities, following his short-lived martial law on Dec. 3. Although some argue that paying a salary to the impeached president and prime minister violates the "no work, no pay" principle, the issue remains legally unclear, as there is no regulation addressing the payment of salaries to impeached public officials. "There must be a legal basis to limit the payment of remuneration," an official from the ministrys human resources department said. "There is currently no basis for restrictions, and impeachment is stipulated in the Constitution, so the salary is paid as it is." In response, Rep. Park Yong-kab of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) proposed a revision to the State Public Officials Act last month to reduce salary for impeached public officials. DPK Rep. Yoon Joon-byeong also proposed an amendment to cut the remuneration of impeached public officials by up to 50 percent. Hardware giants vie for lead in appliance subscriptions, robots, chip materials By Nam Hyun-woo LAS VEGAS The rivalry between Samsung Group and LG Group intensified at CES 2025, as affiliates from both conglomerates signaled their ambitions to enter overlapping business sectors in pursuit of new growth opportunities. Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee said the company will expand its home appliance subscription business to cover smartphones and other upcoming products. As we have belatedly started our product subscription business, the focal point will be about expanding the range of choice for customers, Han said during a press conference on Wednesday (local time). Though we are a latecomer, our subscription business is showing enormous growth, and several new models will be coming into the subscription program, so you can expect our subscription business to hit its stride. Samsung Electronics began its subscription service last month, offering its latest TVs, refrigerators, washers and vacuums embedded with artificial intelligence (AI). Han confirmed that the company will also offer subscription programs for its Galaxy smartphones and Ballie, an AI-embedded home robot. This comes as a challenge to LG Electronics, which has been enjoying handsome earnings through its home appliance subscription business around the world. Last year, LG Electronics' subscription business posted 2 trillion won ($1.37 billion), up 75 percent from a year earlier. LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan said in a press conference on Thursday that there will be competition, but he is viewing it in an optimistic way because the market will expand. Our clear strength is that we have over 5,000 care managers, each of whom is an expert in caring for subscribed appliances, Cho said. Subscription isnt simply an installment plan it is about care. Our strength comes from the expertise, network and experience of our care managers. Robotics is also a new sector for their competition, as the two companies confirmed their AI home robots Samsungs Ballie and LGs Q9 will be released in the market within this year. During the press conference, the two CEOs said robots will be a core focus in the future and predicted that humanoid robots will take the center stage in the robot industry. Citing Samsung Electronics recent investment in a robotics subsidiary, Han said the global industrys plans for humanoids is picking up speed and Samsung also should accelerate its humanoid plans. LG Electronics CEO Cho also picked humanoid robots as the companys future goal, noting that the company considers increasing its stake in a robotics firm it invested in last year. Electronic parts maker LG Innotek is also heralding a competition with its rival Samsung Electro-Mechanics over parts for semiconductor substrates including flip chip-ball grid array (FC-BGA) substrates and glass substrates. During an interview on the sidelines of CES 2025, LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo said the company began mass-producing its FC-BGA substrates toward a major North American tech company. Since we are a late starter, our FC-BGA production capacity accounts for a small portion in the global production capacity, Moon said. Based on our knowhow and expertise in camera modules, however, we have achieved a very high level of automation in plants, which will improve our efficiency and yield in FC-BGA production in several years. When we reach that level, we will have greater cost competitiveness as well as higher yield (than Samsung Electro-Mechanics). FC-BGA is a package substrate used for high-performance microprocessors, graphics processing units and chipsets, thus seeing increasing demand due to the global boom for AI processors. With Japanese and Taiwanese component makers leading the global market, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has been closely trailing them, while LG Innotek commenced its FC-BGA business in 2022. While LG Innotek is heralding a pursuit, Samsung Electro-Mechanics CEO Chang Duck-hyun expressed his confidence in the companys FC-BGA business. He told Yonhap News Agency Friday that the company is in negotiation with global big tech firms on FC-BGA, hinting that they are AI server and cloud businesses. In a press conference a day earlier, Chang said Samsung Electro-Mechanics will begin mass-producing glass substrates in 2027, saying we will supply samples to two to three clients. Glass substrate is a next-generation chip substrate, which will likely be a breakthrough in the current situation that the miniaturization of semiconductor manufacturing is nearing its limits. Compared to conventional substrates, glass substrates offer a smoother surface, allowing ultra-fine circuit patterns to be transferred on the surface. This results in semiconductor speeds increasing by up to 40 percent, while power consumption can be reduced by half. LG Innotek CEO Moon also noted that glass substrates will be the mainstream for server chips, and the company will begin producing samples in the latter half of this year. Other than Samsung and LG, SK Groups materials unit SKC appears to be taking an early lead in the glass substrate market. On Wednesday, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won visited the groups booth at CES 2025 and stated that he just sold SKCs glass substrates, implying that the company has already secured a client despite being in the pre-mass production phase. It is speculated that Chey had a meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang just before visiting the booth. K-Defense expands its reach into Latin America By Ko Dong-hwan HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has officially launched the Peru Warship Project, marking a significant milestone for Koreas defense exports in Latin America. A ceremony was held on Friday, (local time) at the state-run SIMA Shipyard in Peru, where construction began on four key naval vessels, including a frigate, an offshore patrol vessel and an amphibious landing ship. The event included steel-cutting and keel-laying ceremonies, symbolizing the formal start of the project. Dignitaries in attendance included Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen Olaya, Defense Minister Walter Astudillo and Navy Commander Luis Jose Polar Figari. Representing HD HHI was Joo Won-ho, head of the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit. The vessels will be built locally at SIMA Shipyard using HD HHIs advanced designs and shipbuilding expertise. The first ship is slated for delivery in 2026, with the remaining vessels to follow. The Peru Warship Project is the result of a 640.6 billion won defense contract awarded to HD HHI in April 2024. This collaboration, part of the Korean governments Team Korea initiative, is seen as a model for expanding K-defenses global footprint. This is a historic moment for Perus shipbuilding industry, Boluarte said. We anticipate this partnership with HD HHI will modernize our Navy and contribute to our nations economic development. Joo echoed the sentiment, while also stressing the broader implications for Koreas defense sector. This project marks the beginning of the K-defenses entry into Latin America," he said. "We are committed to ensuring its success through technological excellence and mutual trust, strengthening defense ties between Korea and Peru. To deepen bilateral collaboration, HD HHI, in partnership with the University of Ulsan, will host the two-week Naval Architecture Training Program for 12 engineers from SIMA Shipyard starting Monday. The company also plans to enhance local shipbuilding capabilities by working closely with Peruvian equipment suppliers. HD HHI is pursuing its Pan-Pacific Belt Vision, aiming to establish a global network of defense hubs. This strategy involves building partnerships, localizing ship construction and standardizing technology transfer in key regions, including Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The Peru Warship Project represents a critical step in realizing this vision, showcasing Koreas growing role in the global defense industry. Firefighters raced Saturday to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. At a briefing, CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz said a main focus Saturday would be the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus. We need to be aggressive out there, Litz said. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the LA area "had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the Palisades Fire. Only light breezes were fanning the flames, but the National Weather Service warned that locally strong Santa Ana winds the nemesis of firefighters could soon return. Those winds have been blamed for turning wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods in the LA area, where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. The fire also was threatening to jump over Interstate 405, a main traffic artery through the area, which could become a gateway to densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. Even as the fires spread, the grim work of sifting through the devastation continued Saturday, with teams conducting systematic grid searches with cadaver dogs, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. A family assistance center also was being set up in Pasadena, said Luna, who urged residents to abide by curfews. We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away, he said. We understand that this is extremely stressful and absolutely challenging, but we appreciate the publics cooperation as we work together to get through this crisis. The fires have consumed about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers) an area larger than San Francisco. Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and new evacuations were ordered Friday evening in an area that includes part of Interstate 405 after a flare up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. Since the fires first began popping up around a densely populated, 25-mile (40-kilometer) expanse north of downtown LA, they have burned more than 12,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. No cause has been identified yet for the largest fires. The fires are still burning but early estimates indicate the losses so far could make the wildfires the nation's costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. On Friday, many residents returned in a state of shock. For some, it was a first look at the stark reality of what was lost as the region of 13 million people grapples with the ominous challenge of overcoming the disaster and rebuilding. Bridget Berg, who was at work when she watched television coverage of her house in Altadena erupt in flames, came back for the first time with her family two days later just to make it real. Their feet crunched across the broken bits of what had been their home for 16 years. Her kids sifted through debris on the sidewalk, finding a clay pot and a few keepsakes as they searched for Japanese wood prints they hoped to recover. Her husband pulled his hand out of rubble near the still-standing fireplace, holding up a piece of petrified wood handed down by his grandmother. Its OK. Its OK, Berg said as much to herself as others as she took stock of the destruction, remembering the deck and pool from which her family watched fireworks. Its not like we just lost our house everybody lost their house. While some residents sifted through rubble for keepsakes, officials urged them not to, warning that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire. All of that stuff is toxic. Residents will be allowed to return with protective gear after damage teams have evaluated their properties, Thomas said. Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have begun and so have investigations. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water. When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect theres going to be water, she said. At least 11 people have been killed, five in the Palisades Fire and six in the Eaton Fire, according to the LA County medical examiner's office. Officials said they expected that number to rise as cadaver dogs search leveled neighborhoods and crews assess the devastation, and on Friday authorities established a center where people could report the missing. The disaster took homes from everyone from waiters to movie stars . The government has not yet released figures on the cost of the damage, but private firms have estimated it will climb into the tens of billions. The Walt Disney announced Friday it will donate $15 million to respond to the fires and help rebuild. The flames hit schools, churches, a synagogue, libraries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, banks and local landmarks including the Will Rogers Western Ranch House and a Queen Anne-style mansion in Altadena that was commissioned by wealthy mapmaker Andrew McNally and had stood since 1887. Firefighters for the first time made progress Friday afternoon on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned more than 7,000 structures. Officials said most evacuation orders for the area had been lifted. LA Mayor Karen Bass, who faces a critical test of her leadership as her city endures its greatest crisis in decades, said several smaller fires also were stopped. Crews earlier Friday had been gaining ground on the Palisades Fire, which burned 5,300 structures and is the most destructive in LA's history. California National Guard troops arrived on the streets of Altadena before dawn to help protect property in the fire evacuation zone, and evening curfews were in effect to prevent looting after several earlier arrests. The level of devastation is jarring even in a state that regularly confronts massive wildfires. On Friday, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visited the Pasadena Convention Center to help hand out food to evacuees. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live about 90 miles (145 km) north of the Los Angeles area, also listed organizations supporting fire victims on their website. (AP) Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Sunday he planned to attend Donald Trump's inauguration as U.S. president on Jan. 20, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government hopes to maintain close ties with its security ally. "We aim to build a relationship of trust with the Trump administration securely," Iwaya told a talk show on public broadcaster NHK. He said he was seeking a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's pick to be secretary of state. India and Australia also announced that their foreign ministers would attend the swearing-in as Trump returns to the White House. It will be Iwaya's first visit to the United States since he became foreign minister in October. Japan, a longtime U.S. ally that enjoyed good relations with Trump during his first administration, is keen to get off to a good start in his second. Ishiba is looking into visiting the United States as early as in the first half of February for his first summit with Trump, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday. Ishiba unsuccessfully sought a meeting in November, shortly after Trump beat Joe Biden in a presidential comeback, sources told Reuters at the time. Iwaya said he aimed to meet with other senior officials from the incoming administration to lay the groundwork for an Ishiba visit. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will attend the inauguration at the invitation of the Trump team and meet with members of his incoming administration, his ministry said in a statement. Penny Wong, foreign minister of fellow U.S. Pacific ally Australia, said on Sunday she would attend Trump's inauguration, calling it "an important opportunity to discuss how we can advance the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership and expand our cooperation." She has said Australia's centre-left Labor government was confident of its alliance with the United States, its biggest security partner, under the incoming Republican administration. (Reuters) U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the federal cases against Donald Trump on charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and mishandling of classified documents, has resigned, as the Republican president-elect prepared to return to the White House. Smith resigned on Friday from the Department of Justice, according to a court filing on Saturday to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, asking her to lift a court order she issued blocking release of his final report. Notice of Smith's resignation came in a footnote in the filing, which said the Special Counsel had completed his work, submitted his final confidential report on Jan. 7, and "separated" from the Justice Department on Jan. 10. A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought two of the four criminal cases Trump faced after leaving office, but saw them grind to a halt after a Trump-appointed judge in Florida dismissed one and the U.S. Supreme Court with three justices appointed by Trump found that former presidents have sweeping immunity from prosecution for official acts. Neither case went to trial. After Trump defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, Smith dropped both cases, citing a longstanding Justice Department rule against prosecuting sitting presidents. In asking courts to dismiss the charges, Smith's team defended the merits of the cases they had brought, signaling only that Trump's impending return to the White House made them untenable. Smith's departure is another marker of the collapse of the criminal cases against Trump, which could end without any legal consequences for the incoming president and sparked a backlash that helped fuel his political comeback. Smith's resignation from the Justice Department was expected. Trump, who has frequently called Smith "deranged," had said he would fire him immediately upon taking office on Jan. 20, and has suggested that he may pursue retribution against Smith and others who investigated him once he returns to office. Trump in 2023 became the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, first in New York, where he was charged with trying to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign. Smith's charges followed, accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified material after leaving office and of trying to overturn his 2020 loss, a campaign that sparked the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors in Georgia also charged Trump over his efforts to overturn his election defeat in that state. Trump claimed political motivation Trump denied wrongdoing and assailed the prosecutions as politically motivated attempts to damage his campaign. He raised millions in campaign contributions from courthouse appearances and used the cases to drive a powerful narrative that the political establishment was arrayed against him and his supporters. The Justice Department defended the cases, saying they were run by career prosecutors who operated free of political influence. Garland appointed Smith in November 2022 nearly two years after the Capitol attack to lead the Justice Department's twin ongoing investigations into Trump. That move came just days after Trump announced a campaign to return to the White House in the 2024 election. Garland, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, said Smith would provide a degree of independence in the highly sensitive investigations. Garland had rebuffed earlier calls to name a special prosecutor, insisting he could appropriately oversee the Trump probes. Smith returned to Washington from The Hague where he prosecuted war crimes cases arising from the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. He previously led the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section and worked in the federal prosecutors office in Brooklyn, New York, developing a reputation as a tenacious investigator. At the Hague, Smith won the conviction of Salih Mustafa, a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander who ran a prison where torture took place during the conflict. Historic first The indictments, the first federal cases against a former U.S. president, accused Trump of taking highly sensitive national security documents to his Florida resort and using false claims of voter fraud to attempt to derail the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 election loss. "The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government," Smith said in announcing the election indictment in August 2023, one of only two public appearances he made during his investigation. Smith faced a tight window to complete both prosecutions as it was clear Trump would be able to shut them down if he won the election. Both faced legal hurdles. In the classified documents case, Florida-based U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, dismissed all charges in July after ruling that Smith was improperly appointed as special counsel. Smiths office appealed that decision. Prosecutors dropped the appeal relating to Trump following his election win, but signaled they will continue a bid to revive charges against two Trump associates who were accused of obstructing the investigation. The election case was paused for months while Trumps lawyers mounted an appeal for presidential immunity. The U.S. Supreme Court largely sided with Trump in August, ruling Trump could not be prosecuted for many official acts he took as president and sparking more delays in the case. Smith acknowledged in court papers that his team faced an unprecedented circumstance after Trump won the election over Democrat Kamala Harris. His office concluded both cases could not continue. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records following a trial in the New York hush money case, which was brought by state prosecutors. His sentencing was delayed indefinitely after his election win and Trump's lawyers are seeking to have it dismissed in its entirety. The Georgia case, which also includes charges against 14 Trump allies, remains in limbo while an appeals court determines if the lead prosecutor, Fani Willis, must be disqualified for misconduct over a romantic affair with a former top deputy. The case against Trump is unlikely to move forward while he remains president. (Reuters) January 12, 2025 is a date of particular significance in history and culture. This day marks both religious holidays and important events that changed the course of history. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, according to the new church calendar, today is Tatiana's Day, which honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Tatiana of Rome. The image of the saint is a symbol of courage, loyalty and devotion to one's ideals. Therefore, on this day, it is worth remembering spiritual values and turning to higher powers for help and blessings. Holidays on January 12 On January 12, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Ukrainian Political Prisoner . This day is dedicated to all Ukrainians who have suffered from political repression. . This day is dedicated to all Ukrainians who have suffered from political repression. Day of kissing redheads : This is not an official holiday, but it is quite popular in some countries. It is a kind of expression of respect and sympathy for people with red hair. : This is not an official holiday, but it is quite popular in some countries. It is a kind of expression of respect and sympathy for people with red hair. Hard Work Day: This day is usually not celebrated officially, but is often used as an excuse for jokes and memes: ADVERTISIMENT Historical events on January 12 2024: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv and signs a bilateral security agreement with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 2010: A powerful earthquake shakes Haiti, killing hundreds of thousands of people. 1998: 19 EU countries signed a protocol banning human cloning. 1990: Romania became the first Eastern European country to ban the Communist Party. 1981: The popular TV series Dynasty premiered. 1965: The mayor of Toronto proclaimed January 22 as Ukrainian Independence Day. 1950: The USSR reintroduced the death penalty. 1939: The first taxis started running in Poltava. 1910: The youngest couple in history was born in China. Which famous people were born on January 12 ADVERTISIMENT Jack London (1876-1916): American writer known for his adventure novels and short stories. His works often reflect the harsh reality of life and the struggle between man and nature. His most famous works: "The White Fang, The Sea Wolf, and The Challenge. Hnat Khotkevych (1878-1937): Ukrainian writer, bandura player, composer, and public figure. He made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture, in particular, by creating many folk songs and instrumental pieces. Maria Prymachenko (1909-1997): Ukrainian folk artist, representative of "naive art". Her works are characterized by bright colors, fantastic images and symbolism. Mykola Mashchenko (1929-2017): Ukrainian film director, screenwriter, writer. His films, such as Poem about the Sea and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, are classics of Ukrainian cinema. Raymond Pauls (1936): Latvian composer, author of many popular songs. His music became a hallmark of Soviet pop music. Haruki Murakami (1949): Popular Japanese writer and translator. His novels are marked by philosophical reflections, elements of magical realism and vivid characters. January 12 remains a special day that combines traditions, memory and modernity, inspiring people to new achievements and preservation of historical heritage. Subscribe to OBOZ.UAchannels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A LAOIS student won second prize at the 2025 BT Young Scientist Exhibition, with a remarkable project that could help develop treatment for an aggressive cancer. Fifth year student Joshua Corbett from Portlaoise CBS came second in the senior technology individual category at the competition in the RDS, where his work received high praise from judges. The Vicarstown teenager was accompanied by his proud teacher Emily Barrett when he was presented with his award at the event on Friday. A past pupil of St Colmans NS in Stradbally, Joshua hopes his work will assist researchers in developing treatment for Glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the brain and spinal cord. His project titled Breaking Barriers: Revolutionising the Treatment of Brain Diseases focused on the development of a novel nano-QSAR model to predict drug delivery of nanoparticles to the brain. The project involved months of meticulous work and research, which greatly impressed experts at the exhibition. Congratulating him on his success, St Mary's CBS Portlaoise said: We are so proud of Joshua Corbett, fifth year student. He won second in the senior technology individual category, an incredibly competitive category. His research developed a model to predict the drug delivery of nanoparticles to the brain, which will aid in treating neurological diseases. Well done, Josh!' Laois had two other finalists in the renowned competition, as Heywood Community School was represented by Ilana Holohan and Portlaoise College by Sean Cheah, both in the social and behavioural sciences category. Josephine (Josie) Byrne (Nee Young), Ballycleary, Castletown, Co. Laois, passed away January 11th 2025, peacefully surrounded by her loving family in the care of staff at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin. Predeceased by her parents Thomas and Joan, brothers Seamus and TJ. Deeply regretted by her loving husband Tony, sons James and Colm, brothers Con, Ger and Liam, sister Breeda, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May Josie Rest in Peace Josie's funeral cortege will arrive at St. Edmunds Church, Castletown on Wednesday (Jan 15th) for Funeral Mass at 11am which may be viewed on the link below: http://www.youtube.com/@St.EdmundsChurchCastleto-tw7el Private Cremation will take place at a later date. House Private please No Flowers Please by request If you wish to leave a message of sympathy for Josie's family, you may do so in the section below marked 'condolences' on R.I.P.ie The world of magic has always fascinated us with its mystery and magicians, who have skillfully created an atmosphere of incredible wonder. The film industry did not stand aside from this phenomenon, presenting viewers with movies that take them to the world of mysteries and unexpected twists and turns. ADVERTISIMENT These films tell not only about the magicians' skills, but also about their dreams, struggles and dramatic life stories. They make you think about where illusion ends and reality begins, evoking sincere emotions in the audience. Regardless of the genre - drama, thriller or fantasy - these films remain in the memory for a long time. OBOZ.UA offers to dive into a selection of the best movies about magic that will definitely surprise and inspire you. Magicians (2007) The comedy tells the story of two illusionists who find themselves in a difficult life situation after a tragic incident on stage. The characters, Harry and Karl, used to be best friends and a successful duo, but their paths diverged due to irreconcilable differences. When they meet again, they decide to take part in a prestigious magician competition, which becomes a test for both their relationship and professional skills. ADVERTISIMENT The movie is full of British humor and vivid situations that perfectly demonstrate the behind-the-scenes world of magic. The film stars comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb, known for their work in the Peep Show. The Great Buck Howard (2008) A touching comedy tells the story of a once famous magician whose fame has long since passed. The plot centers on the relationship between the eccentric illusionist Buck Howard and his young assistant. The film is full of warmth and humor, and it also touches on serious topics such as faith, dreams and self-discovery. John Malkovich brilliantly embodied the image of an eccentric magician, and young Colin Hanks played his faithful assistant. The film offers the viewer to plunge into the world of show business and magic, to feel the atmosphere of touring and to learn the backstage secrets of this extraordinary world. ADVERTISIMENT The Great Buck Howard is not just a comedy, it is a story about friendship, loyalty and the power of dreams. The movie reminds us that it is important to believe in yourself and not to give up even in the most difficult times. Sleight (2016) The film combines elements of drama, thriller and science fiction to tell the story of Bo, a talented street magician. After the death of his parents, he takes care of his younger sister and is forced to earn money by performing magic tricks and doing tasks in the criminal world. However, Bo's life is complicated when the criminal boss he works for puts him in a dangerous situation. ADVERTISIMENT The protagonist uses his unique magnet skill to protect himself and his sister. The movie captivates with its suspense and unexpected plot twists. In the lead role, Jacob Latimore brilliantly embodies the image of a young man fighting for his future. Sleight is not only about magic, but also about the power of the spirit and the desire to overcome difficulties. Death Defying Acts (2007) The movie combines historical drama, romance and magic elements, focusing on Harry Houdini, the legendary illusionist. The action unfolds in the 1920s, when Houdini, while on tour in the UK, announces a $10,000 reward for anyone who can deliver a message from his deceased mother. ADVERTISIMENT Among the contenders for this sum is the Scottish swindler Mary McGarvie, who, together with her daughter, tries to convince the magician of her abilities. Gradually, Houdini and Mary develop a complex relationship in which passion, trust, and deception intertwine. Leads Catherine Zeta-Jones and Guy Pearce did excellent job. The film captures the atmosphere, drama and reveals another, more human side of the great magician. Death Defying Acts explores not only the world of magic, but also the theme of loss, love and the desire to find the truth. Now You See Me (2013) This is an exciting thriller about a group of talented illusionists who perform not just magic tricks, but real bank robberies. This film combines elements of drama, action and detective to create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The group call themselves The Four Horsemen. During their performances, they not only amaze the audience with incredible stunts, but also commit daring thefts, the money from which they distribute among the audience. ADVERTISIMENT The movie impresses with its spectacular tricks and special effects that create a sense of real magic. Each trick is a little show that makes the audience hold their breath. Now You See Me is not just an entertaining movie, it is a film that makes you think about the nature of deception, about how easy it is to fool even the most experienced professionals. The Prestige (2006) A psychological thriller from director Christopher Nolan that takes us into the world of magic and rivalry at the end of the 19th century. The film, based on the novel by Christopher Priest, tells the story of two talented illusionists, Robert Anger (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), who are engaged in a fierce struggle for recognition and superiority. ADVERTISIMENT Their once strong friendship turns into a deadly feud when one of them dies during a performance. Robert devotes his life to unraveling the mystery of the trick that cost his friend his life, stopping at nothing. Magic in the Moonlight (2014) Woody Allen's romantic comedy immerses the viewer in the magical atmosphere of France of the 1920s. The film tells the story of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a famous illusionist who specializes in exposing fraudsters claiming supernatural powers. Stanley is tasked with exposing a young psychic, Sophie (Emma Stone), who fascinates wealthy clients with her seemingly incredible abilities. Gradually, however, the skeptical Stanley begins to doubt his logic, as Sophie induces not only professional interest but also romantic feelings in him. ADVERTISIMENT The movie fascinates with its exquisite landscapes, humor and skillful acting. It is a story about the struggle between mind and heart, pragmatism and faith in miracles. Magic of the Moonlight is a light and warm movie that is perfect for an evening with a touch of romance. Scoop (2006) A light, sophisticated comedy by Woody Allen that takes us into the world of British journalism and detective stories. The film combines elements of romance, humor and satire to create a unique atmosphere. The plot of the film revolves around a young American student who comes to London for an internship at a student newspaper. There she accidentally meets a mysterious professor who claims to be a serial killer. The woman decides to investigate the case on her own, not realizing what a dangerous story she has gotten herself into. ADVERTISIMENT The Illusionist (2006) This is a fascinating story that transports us to Vienna of the late 19th century. The film, directed by Neil Berger, combines elements of drama, detective, and romance, creating a unique atmosphere of mystery. The plot centers on a talented illusionist who has won the hearts of the audience with his incredible tricks. His life intersects with the fate of a young aristocrat, whose love for him becomes his greatest challenge. The movie impresses with its visual effects that masterfully convey the atmosphere of the time. Costumes, scenery, and the illusionist's tricks create an unforgettable impression. The Illusionist is not just a story about magic, it is also a story about love, betrayal and the struggle for one's own happiness. The movie makes the viewer think about the nature of reality and faith. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments. New Delhi, January 12: Two people died and another was injured after their motorcycle collided with a truck in outer North Delhi early Sunday, police said. Police received a PCR call about the accident at 4:19 am. Upon receiving information, a team reached at the spot and found an abandoned motorcycle, officials said. The three people had already been taken to a nearby hospital, where Sanjay (20) was declared brought dead while Subhash (26) was declared dead shortly after receiving treatment, a police officer said. Haridwar Road Accident: 4 Dead, 1 Injured As Car Collides With Parked Truck on Delhi-Haridwar Highway, Disturbing Video Surfaces. Among the three, Akash (18), is undergoing treatment but is currently unable to speak due to his injuries, he said. Police said that the three were returning from Murthal in Haryana on their motorcycle when the accident occurred. Preliminary investigations revealed that the bike collided with a truck at Mahadev Chowk. Further investigation is ongoing to confirm the truck's identity, the officer added. Delhi Road Accident: Man Killed As Car Collides With Multi-Purpose Utility Vehicle Near Bhikaji Cama Place, Driver on the Run. A case has been registered and CCTV footage from the route is being reviewed to identify the truck involved, police said. They said that Akash had dropped out of school after completing class 10, while Sanjay was a second year student of Bachelor of Arts, and Subhash was employed at a private company. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, January 12: Delhi Police has issued two notices to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mohinder Goyal regarding alleged connection with a syndicate of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, an official said. The first notice was issued to him on Saturday and the second one was issued on Sunday to appear before the investigating team. Goyal, who represents Rithala, was summoned for questioning after documents seized from the immigrants reportedly bore his signature and seal, police said. Two Drug Peddlers Including Bangladeshi Illegal Migrant Arrested with Heroin Worth Rs 8 Crores. Police said the case stems from a case busted last December, where police dismantled an illegal immigration racket, arresting 11 individuals, including Bangladeshi nationals. The suspects were allegedly involved in forging documents and creating fake websites to produce fraudulent Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other identification documents. Police revealed that further investigations uncovered documents with the signature of an AAP MLA. Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: 6 Bangladeshi Nationals Arrested in Tamil Nadu for Staying Without Valid Documents. Upon questioning the immigrants and arresting the intermediaries involved, officials recovered additional material allegedly linked to Goyal. Responding to the summons, AAP alleged it has become BJP's standard operating procedure: weaponise government agencies to pressure opposition leaders as elections approach, undermining democratic norms. "The BJP only engages in negative politics -- filing false cases and misusing the state machinery to suppress opposition leaders," read the statement. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bharuch, January 12: Police launched a search for a school principal after booking him for alleged rape of a former student on the sidelines of an alumni meet in Bharuch of Gujarat, police said on Sunday. The complainant stated that the principal had sexually assaulted her in the past also when she was a class 10 student of the private school in 2021-22. She didn't report the earlier incident as the accused threatened her into silence, police said. Ahmedabad Shocker: Man Abducts Ex-Girlfriend After Threatening To Leak Private Photos, Assaults Her With Belt and Knife in Moving Car Over Breakup in Memnagar; Case Registered. An FIR has been registered against the accused principal, Kamlesh Raval, on charges of rape, assault, criminal intimidation, aggravated sexual assault and sexual harassment under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said police inspector VS Vanzara. The principal allegedly raped the girl on December 1, 2024, when she visited the school campus to attend an alumni gathering, he said. Gujarat Shocker: Man Kills Relative with Sword in Temple After Allegedly Receiving Divine Orders from Goddess in Kheda, Arrested. A complaint was registered after the girl confided in her parents. Her complaint revealed that she was sexually assaulted by Raval in 2021-22 when he was the acting principal of the school where the girl was a class 10 student. The girl didn't report the incident in the past as the accused threatened her with dire consequences, Vanzara said. Police are looking for the accused. The district Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) is investigating the case. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Jan 12 (PTI) Nearly 250 residents were evacuated after a fire broke out in a five-storey building in Maharashtra's Thane city on Sunday morning, civic officials said. No one was injured in the blaze which erupted at around 5 am in a laundry shop on the ground floor of the building located at Srinagar in Wagle Estate area, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. Also Read | Air Quality, Weather Update and Forecast: Delhi-NCR Receives Light Rain, AQI Drops to 'Poor'; IMD Predicts Snowfall in Shimla and Manali. After being alerted, local fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell team members rushed to the spot to carry out the fire extinguishing operations and evacuated the building occupants, he said. The blaze was put out in about an hour following which the people were allowed to return to their apartments, the official said. Also Read | Thane Shocker: Self-Proclaimed Godman Hazrat Baba Asks Woman To Procure Dead Body To Cure Her Family From Black Magic Curse, Dupes Her of INR 8.87 Lakh; Arrested. The cause of fire was under investigation, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow/Prayagraj (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) Lucknow/Prayagraj (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has said that 35 crore pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela taking place in the vicinity of Sangam - the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. He also said that during the period of Mauni Amavasya, an estimated four-five crore devotees are expected to reach the holy city and participate in the festivities. Also Read | Steve Jobs' Wife Laurene Powell Jobs Offers Prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Will Attend Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Singh said that the state budget for the 45-day-long mega event is around Rs 7,000 crore, and added that "the last Kumbh was known for sanitation. This time it is sanitation, security and digital Kumbh. "2019 was Kumbh. This is Maha Kumbh, and in the last Kumbh, we received 24 crore pilgrims, and this time we are expecting more than 35 crore pilgrims. Arrangements are also being made like that. Also Read | What Is Sex Toy Hacking? What Are the Risks?. "The area of the mela has increased by almost 25 per cent. This time it is being set up at around 4,000 hectares, while in the last Kumbh, it was set up in an area of around 3,200 hectares," Singh told PTI in an interview. Drawing further comparison with the 2019 Kumbh, Singh said, "This time, we have divided the Mela area into 25 sectors as compared to 20 sectors in 2019. The lengths of ghats have been increased to 12 kilometres (in 2025) from eight kilometres (in 2019). The parking area too has been increased to 1850 hectares this time as compared to 1291 hectares in 2019. "There was a drastic change when you compare what was done in 2013 and 2019, and you will find a quantum improvement and jump this time, because money-wise also, last time we had spent around Rs 3,500 crore, and this time it is just double, and we are spending around Rs 7,000 crore. The state budget for the Maha Kumbh is Rs 7,000 crore." The central government's departments have also invested a lot, he said, adding, "in the railways you will find revamping, National Highways also," he said. When asked about the arrangements for Mauni Amavasya, he said it has always seen the highest number of visitors during Kumbh. "An estimated four-five crore devotees are expected during the period of Mauni Amawasya this time (from January 25 to January 30), while in 2019, the figures stood at three-four crore. There are six important (major bathing) dates on which there will be more pilgrims and more crowd. "So, on those days, as a precautionary measure, the state government does not extend any VIP protocol to anybody. So, we request all the VVIPs not to come on those six days. We try to accommodate or invite them for days, which are non-major bathing days." The estimated number of Kalpvasis in the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is 15-20 lakh, while it was 10 lakh in 2019, he said. The number of pontoon bridges has also witnessed a rise to 30 this time from 22 in 2019, while the mela area's road length has been increased to more than 450 kilometres from 299 kilometres. The number of streetlights has also increased to 67,000 this year from 20,000 the last time, he said. The number of toilets set up this time is 1.50 lakh as compared to 1.14 lakh in 2019. The public accommodation beds have increased from 20,000 in Kumbh Mela 2019 to 25,000 in Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Elaborating on the security and safety aspect he said, "There are more than 55 police stations, and around 45,000 police personnel are getting deployed there on duty. Projects have also been sanctioned to monitor the social media continuously, so that nobody does any mischief. If anything untoward is coming up on social media, it should be identified, isolated and tackled... There is excellent coordination between the institutes of the Centre and the state government." The State Disaster Management Authority is already working and the NDMA is also working. They have trained 'aapdaa mitr' (disaster volunteers), he said. Commenting on the digital aspect of Maha Kumbh, the UP chief secretary said, "We have Integrated Control and Command Centres established there before the last Kumbh. This time, it has been strengthened, and more than 3,000 cameras have been deployed in the entire Kumbh area. ICCC will be managing the crowd by reading the density of the crowd at a particular place. "Secondly, all the bookings of land and facilities are being done digitally by the mela administration. On the whole, this is going to be a grand arrangement," Singh said. When asked to comment on the visits of foreign nationals and ambassadors to the event, the UP chief secretary said, "(In) the last Kumbh, people from 55-60 countries came, because immediately a day or two before Kumbh started, there was the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi, so many people came from there. Besides that, one day, we will organise visits of embassies. That visit is being organised on January 30," he said. Singh also said, "For this Maha Kumbh, the government has been preparing for the last one to one-and-a-half years, and we have sanctioned work worth Rs 7,000 crore in view of Kumbh. Besides this, we are also making arrangements in the adjoining districts. Pilgrims who are coming to Prayagraj, many of them will go to Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur and other nearby places. "So, in adjoining districts also, we are making arrangements to receive the pilgrims. Projects have been sanctioned even for a city like Lucknow," he said. "We are also deploying 250 electric buses for taking pilgrims from one part of the mela to the other part, or from the parking area to the mela area," the UP chief secretary said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Air India will have first class seats in its large wide body A350-1000 planes, with the airline seeing opportunities in the airline's network where these seats will work well as the airline pursues efforts to have a larger pie of the global skies. Air India's Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said first class is something that most of the top airlines still have a niche on some of the large and prominent routes. Also Read | Kancheepuram Shocker: Unmarried Woman Throws Newborn in Well, Fearing Social Stigma; Arrested. "It is not a product that is going away. Many of the top airlines are building their next generation first class products. We are not the only ones doing it. We do feel that there are some opportunities in our network where that product will work well," he said at a media briefing earlier this week. The fleet size of Air India now is 202 planes, including 67 wide body ones. Among them, 27 are B777s, and 40 are B787s. Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. Of the 67 wide body planes, all legacy B777s and some leased B777s have first class seats. "To compete with the best airlines you need to have first class, it is an aspirational product, it defines how you run and build an airline... we are putting it on A350-1000 aircraft... some of them will have the product. "It takes time to develop the product," Aggarwal said. The large wide body aircraft -- A350-1000s and B777Xs -- will have 325-400 seats. These planes are set to be inducted in the coming years and A350-1000 is anticipated in the next two years. "It is important to have that product (first class) as it pulls the airline up... it will be mostly the mega cities; London, New York are good first class markets. Even if you have a private jet, you cannot fly to the US without one stop. If you have a first class product you can fly direct and reach faster," he said. Air India also has three other wide body planes. Medium wide body aircraft -- A350-900 and B787-9 -- that have 300-325 seats -- and small wide body plane -- B787-8 having 250-300 seats. The retrofit of wide body planes, starting with Boeing 787s, will commence this year while the retrofit of 27 legacy Airbus 320 neos is expected to be completed by the middle of 2025. Air India serves around 63 million passengers and most of them fly domestic or short-haul international. These flights are operated with narrow body aircraft. Almost the entire narrow bodies, which are serving almost 80 per cent of the customers, will see a new retrofitted and modern product. They will see good product in place by the second half of this year, Aggarwal said. LEGACY BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT There have been multiple instances of delays, cancellations and technical issues with some legacy Boeing 777 planes that are mostly used to operate ultra long haul flights to places like Canada and the US. While acknowledging that the legacy Boeing 777 planes have not performed as well as anticipated, Aggarwal said the airline has kept more buffer than earlier. Air India has 27 Boeing 777 aircraft, including 16 legacy ones. "We are watching every month and as and when we are confident about the aircraft performance, we will utilise them more. Till the time we have that confidence, we are keeping some buffer in the deployment so that if the aircraft goes down, we have alternatives available with us with which we can still maintain the flight," he noted. Whether the curtailment of legacy Boeing 777 deployment could also mean fewer ultra long-haul flights, Aggarwal said, "Whatever we have we will maintain. We are not curtailing that." He also mentioned that whether the airline will add more flights "will be a function of whether we can extract more performance out of the existing fleet or whether we get more aircraft". The retrofit of legacy Boeing 777 aircraft will start early next year. WIDE BODY PLANES In response to queries on whether Air India is looking at dry leasing or wet leasing of aircraft, Aggarwal said the airline is looking for capacity and added that getting a wide body aircraft in the market is extremely challenging. "Whenever we take such wide body capacity from the market, it comes with an old product... It has its own challenges and harmonising those aircraft and integrating those aircraft into your fleet, network has its own challenges," he said. He expressed hope of starting to get the aircraft it has ordered and added, "...we never say no to a good aircraft". According to Aggarwal, the airline is not looking at wet leasing planes now. "We will start getting the wide bodies this year itself and then more from next year," he said. However, he did not give a firm number saying, "I think OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) still don't know what they will be able to deliver". Currently, Air India has 67 wide body planes -- 27 Boeing 777s, 34 Boeing 787s, and six A350s. LOYALTY PROGRAMME & CORPORATE TRAVEL Aggarwal said the entire corporate product and pricing have been revamped. Also, the airline is in discussions with the corporates on how it can meet their needs holistically, "With the merger of Vistara, that number is improving further because of the ring fencing we have done on the metro-to-metro route and the experience is there now is much better than what we had pre-merger," he said. On the metro routes, the corporate traffic is around 25 per cent. Aggarwal said there will soon be a common group loyalty programme that will include Air India Express customers and the focus is on building strong partnerships. Currently, the loyalty programme 'Maharaja Club' has more than 10.3 million members. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 12 (ANI): On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the National Youth Day programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Assam Pradesh, at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma described this day as profoundly sacred for those dedicated to advancing Indian philosophy, Sanatan civilisation, and India's role as a Vishwaguru. Also Read | Uttarakhand Road Accident: 5 Dead, 17 Injured As Bus Falls Into 100-Meters-Deep Gorge in Pauri (Watch Videos). He lauded Swami Vivekananda for his vision of a prosperous India and his enduring inspiration to the youth, urging them to work towards the nation's betterment. He emphasized that Swami Vivekananda was a pivotal figure in the progress of Indian civilisation and noted that National Youth Day is observed in his honour to continue inspiring the youth in building a stronger, developed India. Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: School Principal Booked for Raping Ex-Student Attending Alumni Meet in Bharuch. He asserted that it is now the responsibility of today's youth to realise Swami Vivekananda's vision of a new India and establish the country as a Vishwaguru in the modern era. Reflecting on Swami Vivekananda's enduring legacy, the CM stated that, a century and a half after his birth, Indian civilisation not only revives its ancient glory but also envisions a new India in the Amrit Kaal era. He highlighted India's aspirations, from exploring Mars following the successful Chandrayaan mission to using nuclear power for peaceful purposes. He emphasized that India is on the cusp of a renaissance in knowledge, embracing innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and augmented reality, all under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He reaffirmed that, under the Prime Minister's guidance, India is committed to realising Swami Vivekananda's vision and transforming it into a developed nation. Addressing the youth, CM Sarma urged them to pursue life with purpose, asserting that the strength and courage to achieve their goals must arise from within. He also reflected on Assam's transformation, noting that after a prolonged period of unrest, the state now radiates hope and optimism. He called for collective efforts to fortify Assam's revitalised public life and to explore ways in which the state and society can unlock new horizons, establishing India on the global stage. The CM highlighted that the present state government began its efforts in 2021 to build a peaceful and progressive Assam, and the state is now seeing the results of this initiative. He referenced recent positive developments, such as Assam's fourth-place ranking in "The New York Times" list of 52 notable tourist destinations. He noted that North East India has become the country's 'Ashtalakshmi' and a driving force for national growth, with growing interest from other Indian states in learning about Assam, which has entered the semiconductor age. Reaffirming the government's stance on illegal immigration, CM Sarma emphasised ongoing efforts to send back illegal immigrants from the India-Bangladesh border. He also designated the current year as the "Year of Books" and urged the youth to foster an environment conducive to study and learning. Today's event was attended by MLA and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Assam Pradesh Bhabesh Kalita, MLA Diplu Ranjan Sarma, Secretary of the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Society Sudarsan Thakur, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Assam Pradesh Rakesh Das, and other dignitaries. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dima Hasao (Assam) [India], January 12 (ANI): The joint search and rescue operations are underway at the rat-hole coal mine at 3 Kilo Umrangso area in Assam's Dima Hasao to locate 5 other trapped workers. The rescue teams of the Indian army, Indian Navy, NDRF and other agencies have retrieved four bodies from the flooded rat-hole mine. 9 workers were trapped inside the mine after water entered into the mine. Also Read | Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Grand Water Laser Show Highlighting Key Events of Pilgrimage Festival Inaugurated at Yamuna Bank in Prayagraj by UP Minister Nand Gopal Nandi, Pics Surface. On January 8, the first body, identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth from Nepal, was recovered from the flooded rat-hole mine. On January 11, three bodies were recovered, Lijen Magar, 27, from Kalamati village in Umrangso; Khusi Mohan Rai, 57, from Magergaon in Kokrajhar, Assam and Sarat Goyary, 37, from Thailapara in Sonitpur, Assam. The rescue operations are still underway, with five miners still missing. Also Read | Air Quality, Weather Update and Forecast: Delhi-NCR Receives Light Rain, AQI Drops to 'Poor'; IMD Predicts Snowfall in Shimla and Manali. A 12-member special rescue team from Coal India reached the site of the mine collapse in Assam's Dima Hasao on Friday to locate and rescue eight workers who are still trapped underground in the inundated rat-hole mine. Congress Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the mine collapse in Assam's Dima Hasao district. "I write to you with deep concern and a heavy heart regarding the tragic incident that occurred on January 6, 2025, at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao district, Assam, where at least 10 coal mine workers are believed to be trapped after water inundated the mine, causing a collapse and flooding the narrow tunnels. As of now, the ongoing rescue operations have entered the fifth consecutive day, but the fate of these miners remains uncertain," the Congress MP wrote in his letter. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the registration of an FIR and the arrest of one individual in connection with the incident. In a post on X, Sarma informed, "The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal, Jan 12 (PTI) A day after a makeshift camp of Assam Rifles was vandalised by an irate mob in Manipur's Kamjong district, personnel of the paramilitary force vacated the premises on Sunday, officials said. The mob on Saturday stormed into the camp located in Hongbei village and destroyed it over alleged harassment and restrictions on the transportation of timber. Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. An understanding was reached between both sides during a meeting in which representatives of Tangkhul Naga civil society groups and Assam Rifles, besides Kamjong district superintendent of police and deputy commissioner took part on Sunday, an official said. "The situation remained calm and no untoward incident was reported on Sunday," the official said. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Mentally Challenged Woman Raped by 3 Men In in Medak District, CCTV Footage Leads to Investigation. Assam Rifles had established a checkpoint and constructed a temporary camp in Hongbei following which residents of neighbouring villages accused the paramilitary force of harassment and restricting their movement. Villagers from Kasom Khullen block in the Naga-majority district stormed the makeshift camp of the 40 Assam Rifles and dismantled it on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles dismissed allegations of harassment and restrictions and clarified, "On January 11, Assam Rifles personnel manning the post at Hongbei inspected a vehicle and discerned that the vehicle loaded with timber did not have mandated documents. Following procedures, Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle." The paramilitary force alleged that "nefarious elements instigated the local population to force Assam Rifles personnel to release the vehicle" and claimed "the crowd turned violent and Assam Rifles personnel used appropriate and calibrated response". Assam Rifles personnel used tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse the protesters. No casualty was reported in the incident. The Assam Rifles is one of the central forces that were deployed in various parts of Manipur which has been in the grip of ethnic violence between Kukis and Meiteis, that left over 250 people killed and thousands homeless since May 2023. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) The Maharashtra BJP's convention in Shirdi on Sunday, to be attended by Union minister Amit Shah, is expected to fine-tune its strategies for the local body polls, building on its impressive show in the 2024 state assembly polls. The state-level convention is the BJP's first major gathering since its win in the November 2024 assembly polls and formation of government under its leader Devendra Fadnavis. Also Read | Noida Shocker: 2 Men Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Leaving Chhole on Burning Stove Overnight for Cooking in Basai Village. Senior BJP leader Shah is expected to address the party workers during the event, at the Shirdi temple town in Ahilyanagar district, which is likely to see the participation of nearly 15,000 delegates. The BJP has now shifted focus on the local body polls, including in Mumbai, and the convention is aimed at formulating strategies for them, a party functionary said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for January 12, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The convention will focus on strengthening the party's position in 27 municipal corporations by discussing strategies, addressing ground-level challenges, and planning organisational changes, he said. Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "This convention is about expressing our gratitude towards the party functionaries and workers. We will also get a new task for our party workers." Fadnavis is set to meet district party leaders, state office-bearers, newly elected legislators and ministers to discuss strategies and plans for the elections. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule will open the event proceedings and Fadnavis will propose a resolution thanking the people of the state for their support in the assembly elections, a party functionary said. Amit Shah will also address the event. A youth-focused campaign, inspired by the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, will be launched to coincide with the National Youth Day, celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the spiritual leader, sources said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his pre-war maximalist goals. He seeks to achieve Ukraine's non-aligned status and the weakening of NATO. ADVERTISIMENT The Kremlin will use the negotiations with the West, and especially with the United States, to achieve these demands under the guise of a "compromise" on the war in Ukraine. This is stated in the analytical material of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The analysts drew attention to the Financial Times publication, which, citing a high-ranking ex-Kremlin official and another source who "discussed this topic with Putin," reported that the Russian dictator has not abandoned the maximalist demands voiced before the start of a full-scale war against Ukraine. He still wants to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and force the North Atlantic Alliance to draw down its troops in Eastern Europe. The Kremlin wants to "change the rules" on which the current world order rests, arguing that it wants to eliminate "threats to Russia." This is how Putin justified his ultimatum to the United States in December 2021. ADVERTISIMENT "Putin demanded in 2021 that NATO commit to not accepting Ukraine or any other countries as new members; the United States commit to upholding the ban on NATO enlargement; NATO not deploy any military forces to states that became NATO members after May 1997; ban any NATO military activity in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia; ban deployments of intermediate-range missiles in areas that could reach Russian or NATO state territory; and ban the United States from deploying intermediate-range missiles in Europe or nuclear missiles outside of US territory," ISW reminded. Analysts believe that Putin put forward the US ultimatum in December 2021 in order to further justify the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Russia launched in late February 2022. At the same time, appeals to Ukraine's "imminent NATO membership" look strange, given that the Russian dictator himself has admitted that the Alliance has not taken any significant action to expand in Eastern Europe or promote Ukraine's future NATO membership between the 2008 Bucharest Declaration, which promised Ukraine and Georgia possible NATO membership, and 2022. ADVERTISIMENT "Putin's December 2021 demands notably extend beyond Ukraine and aim to roll NATO back. The Kremlin likely seeks to resurrect this narrative in an attempt to manipulate Western leaders into acquiescing to Putin's maximalist demands that would weaken NATO under the guise of "compromise" in any future peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine," ISW noted. The analysts also recalled the statement of Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said on January 10 that the Russian dictator was ready to negotiate with US President-elect Donald Trump "without any preconditions." "ISW continues to assess that no negotiations will result in a meaningful or sustainable peace as long as Putin remains committed to his pre-war demands for full Ukrainian capitulation and the weakening of NATO," the Institute for the Study of War summarized. Earlier, the ISW said that the tactics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kursk region create problems for DPRK soldiers. North Korean units send large assault groups into battles despite constant strikes by Ukrainian drones. This, coupled with the skillful tactics chosen by the Ukrainian military, leads to high losses among the North Korean military: they already amount to about 3,800 both killed and wounded. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Centre's wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Also Read | Odisha Horror: Fed Up With His Drinking Habits and Abusive Behaviour, Father Stabs Son to Death in Kandhamal. Assam's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing "national interest". The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry had also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27 last year. Also Read | Rajasthan Shocker: 3 Die of Suffocation From Smoldering Stove in Khairthal-Tijara District. According to the minutes of the NBWL meeting, a team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department inspected the project site, located about 13 km from the sanctuary, on November 15. The inspection committee found that exploratory drilling would cause minimal damage, but said commercial drilling would not be allowed. Vedanta Group has given a written assurance that no commercial drilling will be conducted at the site. A senior official in the ministry pointed out that exploratory drilling is a key step in hydrocarbon extraction, which could lead to commercial drilling. Another official said the inspection committee's report recommended no oil or gas extraction from within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), even if reserves are discovered. The officials said Vedanta Group has committed that exploration at the site will only be for identifying hydrocarbon reserves. Any extraction, if reserves are discovered, will be carried out from outside the ESZ. The company also assured that no hazardous substances would be used during the exploration process, the officials said. They said that the project site lies in a disputed area on the Assam-Nagaland border. The inspection team had to cross a Nagaland check post and was received by the Border Magistrate of Nagaland and local Naga residents. Local communities informed the team that no drilling operations would be allowed without permission from the Village Council and the Nagaland government, the officials said. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary spans 20.98 sq km, while its ESZ covers 264.92 sq km. The large ESZ ensures connectivity between the sanctuary, the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, and forested areas in Nagaland. This connectivity is crucial for the seven species of primates found in the area. The officials highlighted that the sanctuary is already under stress due to human activities. A railway line passing through the sanctuary is also set to be electrified, a proposal recommended by the Standing Committee. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The government wants to establish a solid framework to continue the work of district agrometeorological units (DAMUs) which until now had been operating in an ad-hoc manner, Ministry of Earth Sciences secretary M Ravichandran has said. PTI reported in August last year that the government plans to revive the network of DAMUs, which provided detailed block-level weather-related information to lakhs of farmers in the country until the India Meteorological Department (IMD) directed their closure earlier this month following instructions from Niti Aayog. Also Read | Noida Shocker: 2 Men Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Leaving Chhole on Burning Stove Overnight for Cooking in Basai Village. "As part of the pilot project, the Earth Sciences Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry provided weather information to farmers. Agricultural meteorologists in DAMUs analyze how weather conditions will affect crops. Their primary role is to offer advice to farmers. The system functioned well, but it should not remain ad-hoc; it needs to be made permanent," Ravichandran told PTI. He said the government wants to establish a solid framework to carry out this vital work. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for January 12, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. An official source told PTI that the Earth Sciences Ministry has also written to the Prime Minister's Office about the importance of reviving DAMUs and also voiced concerns related to their closure. Asked whether financial constraints were the main reason for winding up the project, the source dismissed it as a "misunderstanding". It was earlier reported that the Ministry of Earth Sciences wanted the Agriculture Ministry to bear the expenditure for DAMUs. In August last year, a senior official had told PTI that the government intended to "formalize" DAMUs. "DAMUs were temporary in nature, with staff hired on a per-project basis. The ad-hoc nature of posts affected the forecast quality. There will be a permanent structure in place this time. The manpower will include both permanent and contractual staff," the official had said. In 2015, the government launched the Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GMSV) to provide crop and location-specific detailed advisories to farmers, helping them in day-to-day decision-making. Over the years, 130 agromet field units (AMFUs) were set up in agro-climatic zones in the country in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Each AMFU caters to four to five districts. In 2018, the government decided to extend the reach of the service by setting up 530 district agromet units on the premises of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK). However, the Covid pandemic impacted the process, and only 199 DAMUs could be set up, each with two contractual employees -- SMS Agromet and Agromet Observer. In a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee held in February 2023, a senior Niti Aayog advisor suggested reevaluating the "necessity of providing staff at each DAMU". The official suggested the MoES may have "centralized units instead of field units as the collection of data is automated". On January 17, the IMD wrote to all the DAMUs, asking them to wind up their operations by the end of the financial year 2023-24. Several politicians, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, had opposed the move. Over the last one year, the Maharashtra-based Agrometeorological Units Association has written to the prime minister, members of Parliament, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Agriculture Ministry, requesting their intervention. DAMU employees said lakhs of farmers depended on them for crucial agromet advisories, which have helped increase their resilience against worsening weather and climate impacts, reducing their losses and the claim amount under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 12 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the International Overseas Uttarakhandi Conference in Dehradun on Sunday, where several people from the state, residing in different countries came together to showcase their affection for their roots, heritage and motherland, an official release stated. Addressing the migrants of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that there is a huge potential for investment in the rapidly developing Uttarakhand. There are huge possibilities for investment in adventure tourism, power generation, aromatics, manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture, herbal, AYUSH wellness, etc. Also Read | Rajasthan Shocker: 3 Die of Suffocation From Smoldering Stove in Khairthal-Tijara District. The Chief Minister said that the state has made major reforms at both policy and structural levels to establish the state as an investment destination. To make it easier to start work, corresponding improvements have been made to the rules. Many strict statutory provisions have been made for a crime-free and fear-free society. Better infrastructure of roads, rail, airports, ropeways, and communication networks has been created, due to which the state is also rapidly emerging as a safe, easy and attractive investment destination. The ranking of NITI Aayog also points towards this, he added. Also Read | Uttarakhand Road Accident: 5 Dead, 17 Injured As Bus Falls Into 100-Meters-Deep Gorge in Pauri (Watch Videos). CM Dhami called upon the people to adopt a village or town of their motherland and pledge to develop and preserve it to solve the grave problem of migration in Uttarakhand. He also said that the state needs your qualifications, experience and technical knowledge very much and it is also important in realising the expectations and aspirations of the state, the release stated. He said that this conference is also a special festival of cultural and social engagement, adding that the migrant Uttarakhandis are respected in the country and abroad for their honesty, hard work and dedication. He said that the way you people are making India proud in the country and abroad, in the same way, you should also make your motherland, Uttarakhand, proud. The Chief Minister said that we have also formed a migrant cell to provide better coordination and cooperation with the migrants. We will also soon make provision for a venture fund. He further said that the year 2025 is going to prove to be a milestone in the history of Uttarakhand, highlighting that the state is celebrating its silver jubilee, and it is ready to host the National Games from January 28. This month, the Civil Code of Honour is going to be implemented and the state government also started winter tourism recently, which will prove to be a game changer for the economy of the state. The migrants of Uttarakhand at the event opened up on their experiences and said there has been a huge change in the Uttarakhand of then and now. They said that earlier, they had turned abroad in search of employment, but today in the changing Uttarakhand, there are many possibilities for the youth to work and the state has set big standards of development in many areas, the release added. Migrant Uttarakhandi Girish Pant, Anita Sharma, Dev Raturi, Vinod Jethudi, AK Kala and Shailesh Upreti praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the Uttarakhand government for the initiative of the International Migrant Uttarakhandi Conference and said that this has given them an opportunity to connect with their roots and do something for their soil. "We all can find a better solution to this problem of migration with our experience, technology and knowledge in collaboration with the state government. He said that all of us migrants should adopt a village in a remote area of the state. We can adopt our own village. If we cannot adopt a village, then at least adopt a child," one of the migrant said. Many migrants addressed the event in their mother tongue. The Chief Minister also felicitated Girish Pant, Anita Sharma, Dev Raturi, Vinod Jethudi, AK Kala and Shailesh Upreti, migrants from Uttarakhand who have contributed to the development of Uttarakhand and adopted villages in the state. CM Dhami also visited the exhibition of products being sold by various women self-help groups under the Uttarakhand brand 'House of Himalayas.' (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Jan 12 (PTI) Fasting Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday wrote to several religious leaders and saints, urging them to impress upon the Central government to accept farmers' demands, which include a legal guarantee to minimum support price for crops. Meanwhile, farmer leaders said the condition of Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 48th day on Sunday, is "deteriorating." Also Read | Omar Abdullah Says Swapping Trains at Katra Will Defeat Purpose of Kashmir-Jammu Rail Link. Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year. Dallewal, who also heads the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), has so far refused to take any medical aid. Also Read | Fake Currency Racket Busted in Mumbai: Acting on Tip-Off, Cops Bust Gang Printing and Selling Fake Indian Currency Notes. Addressing the media here, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said the SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha sent a letter, signed by Dallewal, to several religious leaders and saints. In the letter, it was pointed out that farmers have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points in support of their various demands for the past 11 months. It said one farmer, Subhkaran Singh, died and several injured in police actions against their protest. The letter also pointed out that a parliamentary panel has recently recommended a legal guarantee to MSP and said that it would "greatly benefit the farmers, rural economy and the country." The MSP guarantee law will increase the purchasing power of the farmers, which will greatly benefit the country's economy, the farmers said. The farmers said that in the last 48 days, letters were written to the prime minister, the vice president and the Supreme Court judges, "but no one paid any attention to our letter nor responded to it." "History is a witness to the fact that whenever a government goes astray from the right path, saints and religious leaders have worked to bring the government to the right path. "We request you to ask the present government to fulfill promises made to farmers so that the farmers can get their rights and suicides of farmers can be stopped," it said. Meanwhile, Kohar said a group of farmers from Hisar in Haryana visited the Khanauri protest site in Dallewal's support. Farmers, under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Delhi Police has arrested two men for forging documents to get voter IDs, officials said on Sunday. The accused have been identified as Juber, a 35-year-old cab driver from Ramesh Enclave, and Nadeem, a 30-year-old resident of Kirari Suleman Nagar, they said. Also Read | January 13 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 13. "The case came to light on December 30 when the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for Assembly Constituency-09 (Kirari) filed a complaint with the Prem Nagar Police Station," said a senior police officer. The complaint reported that five individuals had allegedly submitted applications for voter registration using forged documents. Upon reviewing the documents, it was found that one of the applications, that of Juber, contained falsified information. Also Read | Farmers Protest: Samyukt Kisan Morcha Calls for Tractor Marches on Republic-Day, Demands PM Narendra Modi Discuss Pending Farmer Issues. In response to the complaint, an FIR was registered and a team was formed to investigate and arrest the accused. The investigation revealed that while the voter registration applications of three individuals were legitimate, Juber's submission was found to be fraudulent. "The tampering was linked to the residential address on his Aadhar card, which had been altered before his application for a voter ID card. Despite the Aadhar number itself being genuine, the fraudulent alteration of the address was discovered to be a deliberate attempt to obtain a voter ID card for Juber," said the officer. Further investigations revealed that Juber had handed over his original Aadhar document to Nadeem, who runs a Jan Sewa Kendra in Mangolpuri. Nadeem, who facilitates various online applications, including for voter IDs and Aadhar cards, used his position to tamper with the details and submit the fraudulent application for Juber, said the officer. Both individuals have now been arrested and efforts are underway to determine if more people or networks are involved, he added. As part of the investigation, the police seized the hard disk from Nadeem's shop to gather further evidence. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea against the refusal of bail to Mohammad Heydaitullah, an alleged ISIS operative accused of disseminating ISIS ideology online, promoting enmity against Hindus, and transferring funds from his account to support the terrorist organization. Heydaitullah, an MBA graduate from Jamia, is alleged to have taken oath (Bayath) to ISIS in 2018 and conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the ISIS banner. Also Read | Kancheepuram Shocker: Unmarried Woman Throws Newborn in Well, Fearing Social Stigma; Arrested. A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma dismissed the appeal against the order passed by the special NIA court refusing bail to the appellant. The Division bench said, "Under these circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order does not warrant any interference." Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. "In view of the above, the present appeal is dismissed and disposed of accordingly. Pending application(s), if any, are also disposed of," the bench ordered on January 10, 2025. While dismissing the appeal, the bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh noted, " In the present case as has been highlighted previously, the Appellant admittedly in 2018 had taken an oath (Bayath) in the name of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is admittedly a well-known leader of ISIS and as per the chargesheet had declared the formation of a "caliphate" in June 2014." The High Court also took note of the WhatsApp chats which showed the intention of the appellant to join ISIS. "ISIS had been declared to be a terrorist organisation and judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the world at large knows about the activities of ISIS. The aforesaid chats further reflect the intention of the Appellant to join ISIS (Dawlah) and was ready to perform Hijrah (travel) for the same." The bench noted, " In two sets of chats as it is recorded it was the Appellant who is asking other persons to find a way to reach Dawlah and not the other way around as claimed by the learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant. As already noted, the Appellant is an educated person and was well aware of the nature of the activities of ISIS." "Moreover, it is not a case of passive support to a terrorist organisation, but rather the chats, as highlighted hereinabove, show that the Appellant was advocating Jihad in order to establish Khilafat ("Caliphate)". By doing so the Appellant was also trying to recruit the individuals on these online groups for such acts," the bench held. The appellant Md. Heydaitullah had challenged the order of August 23, 2023, passed by a special NIA Judge in a case registered at P.S. NIA. The appeal was opposed by Advocate Rahul Tyagi, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for NIA. As per the case of the prosecution, certain inputs were received regarding proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) running a campaign in cyberspace for radicalizing youths and carrying out terrorist activities in India and elsewhere. It is alleged that one cyber identity by the name of Qasim Saini alias Qasim Khurasani along with his associates was actively involved in creating and disseminating ISIS-centric propaganda with the intention of motivating youths to take part in violent jihad. The case of the prosecution is that the Appellant is a close associate of co-accused Basit Kalam Siddiqui and had conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the flag of ISIS by waging Jihad. It is alleged that the Appellant was disseminating the ISIS ideology through cyberspace, and was spreading hatred against the Government of India by promoting enmity against Hindus on social media. It is further alleged that the Appellant had transferred funds for the cause of ISIS from his bank account. Also, various incriminating materials have been found in the electronic devices recovered from the Appellant during the investigation. The Appellant was arrested by the NIA on 22.10.2022 and was charge-sheeted by second supplementary chargesheet of April 2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 17, 18, 38, 39 of the UAPA and Sections 120-B/153-A and 153-B of the IPC. Investigation revealed that the appellant was a member of many pro-ISIS groups. Once he received a message in the Telegram group voices of Al-Hol camp related to the donation of some money for Al-Hol Camp from telegram ID 'umm_imara'. In that message, umm_imara shared a bank account number of Canara Bank in which funds had to be sent. He further sent Rs. 15000 on 30.07.2020 through NEFT from his Yes Bank account. The same transaction is reflected in his bank statement. Further, during scrutiny of seized mobile data, it was found that the appellant was a member of Voices of Al-Hol Camp telegram I'd and he got motivated to donate funds for the cause of ISIS, NIA charge sheet reads. It is further alleged that he while chatting on a telegram group Voice of Al Hol camp got a message to donate money to support women and children of ISIS fighters, from a telegram user @ umm_imara. The bank account details for depositing the money were shared on the said group. He as an ardent member of ISIS, decided to donate the sum of Rs 15000. During investigations, he was questioned regarding the transfer of money from his bank account to the bank account shared on the telegram group Al Hol Camp to help the cause of ISIS. He informed that he wanted to help the women and children of ISIS fighters, so he transferred the money. This itself proves that he is an ISIS sympathiser. It is also corroborated by witnesses, the agency said. Senior Counsel appeared for the Appellant and submitted that there was no evidence connecting the Appellant to any terrorist organization including ISIS. The only allegation, which is relied upon by the prosecution, is the remittance of Rs15,000 from the Yes Bank account of the Appellant to one Mohd. Unais, which is not sufficient to hold that the Appellant was either a member of any terrorist organization or had in any manner donated or contributed to any terrorist organization for furthering its cause. It was further submitted that in the initial FIR of 29.06.2021, no accusations were made against the Appellant. It was only after the Appellant was arrested on 20 October 2022 that this banking transaction was relied upon and the Appellant was arrayed as a co-accused in the second supplementary chargesheet. Counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant also submitted that the Appellant had not made any direct remittance to the lady Afa Ibrahim and the witness Mohammad Unais, to whom the Appellant had transferred Rs. 15,000 on 30.07.2020, had made a second remittance of equivalent Maldivian Rufiyaa to Afa Ibrahim, on the same date. Further, it was submitted that there is no material on record showing that Afa Ibrahim, belonged to ISIS or that she was running any telegram group, bearing Telegram ID "umm_imara". In the reply filed by the NIA, in respect of the telegram chats, it is recorded " Further during investigations it emerged that one lady having Telegram account similar to "umm_imara" i.e "umm3imarah" and "ummimarah0" used to raise funds for ISIS on the name of charity work for Al-Hol Camp. This clearly establishes that the accused Md. Heydaitullah had intentionally provided funds for ISIS. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Delhi LG VK Saxena on Sunday accused AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of giving "false and misleading" statements on Shakur Basti slum and asked him to refrain from it or face action by the DDA. Kejriwal earlier in the day visited Shakur Basti slum in North West Delhi district, where he accused the BJP of prioritising land acquisition over the welfare of slum dwellers. Also Read | Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: 31 Bangladeshi Nationals Arrested in Tamil Nadus Tiruppur District for Illegal Sta. "They want your votes first and your land after the elections," Kejriwal said to the people and claimed that the BJP wanted the slums to be demolished. Saxena in a video statement refuted Kejriwal's claims on the Shakur Basti slum land as "completely false" Also Read | Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis Debunks Rumours of Mahayuti Discontinuing Ladki Bahin Yojana. "Hon'ble LG @LtGovDelhi Shri VK Saxena, calls out Shri @ArvindKejriwal's false and deliberately misleading statements on Shakurbasti Jhuggi Basti," the LG office said in a post sharing Saxena's video statement. "Kejriwal is deliberately lying and misleading people. I urge him to stop making such statements otherwise DDA will take action against him," said the LG, who heads the DDA. The AAP chief, while referring to a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) meeting on December 27 last year, claimed that the LG has changed the land use of the slum area, Saxena noted. "The DDA has neither changed the land use or given any eviction notices. Kejriwal is deliberately lying and misleading the people," he asserted. The railway land, whose land use change from "transportation" to "commercial" was discussed in the December 27 meeting, is a different land on which there is no slum, Saxena said. No decision to change the land use of even that land has been made yet, the LG said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Falling rupee puts pressure on Air India's cost structure and profitability but the airline has some natural hedge as it can charge more for international flights where tickets are priced in foreign currencies, according to a senior company official. In recent weeks, Indian rupee has been on a decline and touched a record low of 86.04 against the US dollar on January 10. A weak rupee results in higher operational expenses for airlines as most of their costs are in dollars. Also Read | Kancheepuram Shocker: Unmarried Woman Throws Newborn in Well, Fearing Social Stigma; Arrested. Air India's Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said the declining rupee definitely poses a challenge to the industry and to Air India, and the situation has to be dealt with by improving productivity and taking other initiatives. "Falling rupee does put pressure on our cost structure because most of our cost is dollarised barring the manpower cost which is in local currency. The more the rupee falls, the more the pressure it puts on our cost structure, on our profitability," he said at a media briefing this week. Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. Air India Group operates 1,168 daily flights, including 313 services to international destinations. Of those overseas flights, 244 are short haul and 69 are long haul. The group comprises Air India and low-cost carrier Air India Express. Last year, Air India merged Vistara with itself and AIX Connect was integrated with Air India Express. According to Aggarwal, the airline has some natural hedge as it flies international lot more than other airlines. "So, we are able to charge in international currency for international flights and we are able to pass on some of that impact to our customers because we are pricing in dollars or whatever currency is there," he said. At the same time, Aggarwal noted that not everything is priced in overseas currencies. "Even on international flights, we do have some impact but some of those are mitigated with the hedge we have but it impacts our profitability and puts pressure on the fares in the market". Increasing airfares is not easy as the industry is very competitive and the demand is sensitive to pricing, Aggarwal said, seeking to highlight the low profitability of the airline industry. "We do have to fill the aircraft and if we had so much pricing power, the airline industry's profitability would not be what it is today. This makes it very challenging for us to operate... it (falling rupee) will put pressure on our cost structure, impact profitability and demand," he noted. In December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected global airline industry's net profit at USD 36.6 billion this year for a 3.6 per cent net profit margin. "Average net profit per passenger is expected to be USD 7 (below the USD 7.9 high in 2023 but an improvement from USD 6.4 in 2024)," IATA said in its financial outlook for 2025. Air India is an IATA member. Taking a broader view, Aggarwal also pointed out that the rupee has been depreciating around 2-3 per cent every year for the last many years, and not just the airline industry but many other sectors have become used to the situation. "We are also not unique in that respect. We will deal with it and are confident that it is not such a big issue," he added. The loss-making Air India is implementing an ambitious transformation plan and is slowly expanding its fleet as well as network amid rising air traffic demand. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Muzaffarnagar (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) Two groups clashed with each other over a land dispute in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, leaving four people injured, police said on Sunday. The injured have been hospitalised. Also Read | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 2025: PM Narendra Modi Pays Homage to Hindu Monk on His Birth Anniversary, Says 'He Continues To Ignite Passion and Purpose in Young Minds'. On Saturday evening, Saddam and Intazar had an argument over a land dispute in Mandawar village in the Kairana police station area. It soon escalated into a violent clash, with the two sides using sticks and firearms to attack each other, said Circle Officer Shyam Singh. After receiving reports about the incident, police rushed to the spot. Four men -- Umerdeen, Saddam, Irfan, and Imran -- sustained bullet injuries in the violence and were immediately transferred to a nearby hospital, Singh said. Also Read | Noida Shocker: 2 Men Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Leaving Chhole on Burning Stove Overnight for Cooking in Basai Village. An investigation into the matter is underway, police said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is slated to visit Spain on January 13-14 during which he will meet the country's leadership and hold discussions with his Spanish counterpart Manuel Albares on the entire gamut of the bilateral ties, the MEA on Sunday said. This will be Jaishankar's first visit to Spain as an external affairs minister, it said. Also Read | Kancheepuram Shocker: Unmarried Woman Throws Newborn in Well, Fearing Social Stigma; Arrested. "External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar (EAM) will be on an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain on 13-14 January 2025. This will be his first visit as External Affairs Minister to Spain," the MEA said in a statement. Jaishankar will during the visit "meet the leadership of Spain and hold discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Manuel Albares, on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and regional and global matters of mutual interest", it said. Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said that he is scheduled to address the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors and meet the Indian community. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) South Korean intelligence confirmed the capture of two DPRK soldiers by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Russian Kursk region on January 9. One of the prisoners admitted that he expected to undergo training rather than participate in the war and said that the North Korean army had suffered heavy losses at the front. ADVERTISIMENT The Seoul National Intelligence Service (NIS) released a statement on Sunday, January 12. In it, the agency "confirmed that the Ukrainian military captured two North Korean soldiers on January 9 in the Kursk battlefield in Russia." According to the NIS, one of the captured soldiers admitted during interrogation that he had undergone military training in the Russian army after arriving in Russia in November. "He initially believed he was being sent for training, realising upon arrival in Russia that he had been deployed," the South Korean intelligence service said. The DPRK military also said that North Korean troops suffered "significant losses during battle." According to South Korean intelligence, one of the men "went without food or water for four to five days before being captured." As reported, on January 11, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had captured two soldiers from North Korea in Russian Kursk region. The wounded soldiers were taken to Kyiv and are already testifying to SSU investigators. Russian propagandist Skabeyeva complained that the Ukrainian military "kidnapped Koreans" from Kursk region, "breaking into the territory of Russia," but chose to say nothing about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a reminder, in late December, the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured the first DPRK soldier, who died the next day as a result of serious injuries. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Jamshedpur, Jan 12 (PTI) A four-member team headed by Jharkhand State Minority Commission (JSMC) chairman Hedayatullah Khan was formed to probe into the alleged mob lynching of a man in Seraikela-Kharswan district in December last year, officials said on Sunday. JSMC has taken cognizance of the incident after All India Minority Welfare Front spokesman Sarfraz Hussain, in a letter, demanded a judicial enquiry into the alleged mob lynching of Sheikh Tazuddin in Adityapur. Also Read | Noida Shocker: 2 Men Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Leaving Chhole on Burning Stove Overnight for Cooking in Basai Village. "We have formed a four-member team headed by Khan on Saturday and decided to investigate the matter," a top functionary of the commission said. The team will visit Kapali on Monday to meet the deceased's family members to get details of the incident, Khan said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for January 12, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The JSMC team will also hold a meeting with senior district officials at Kapali Town Council auditorium to seek details of an action taken report in this connection, he said. Tazuddin was seriously injured after he was allegedly beaten up by a group of unidentified persons in Sapra under the Adityapur Police Station limits on December 8 and later, he succumbed to his injuries in a hospital. Khan said the JSMC had sought the action taken report from Seraikela-Kharswan district's superintendent of police on December 26 last year but was yet to receive any response. SP Mukesh Kumar Lunayat had on Wednesday said the sub-divisional police officer (Seraikela) has been entrusted with the investigation and asked to submit a report, which was still underway. However, four accused had been surrendered before a court here. The SP had said Tazuddin died in the course of treatment in the hospital about a week after the incident. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nagaon (Assam), Jan 12 (PTI) Three persons, including two medical students, have been arrested in Assam's Nagaon district on theft charges, police said on Sunday. The accused was "involved in the theft of seven computers from Nagaon Medical College and Hospital on Friday", Nagaon Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Debajit Das said. Also Read | Noida Shocker: 2 Men Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Leaving Chhole on Burning Stove Overnight for Cooking in Basai Village. The two students were pursuing an MBBS course at the same college, while the third accused is a driver, who is also a member of a car-lifting gang in the district, he said. The arrests were made on Friday and a case was registered. They were produced before a local court on Saturday and were sent to judicial custody, the OC said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for January 12, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Director General of Railway Protection Force, Manoj Yadava lauded the recent Supreme Court judgement which termed the bulk procurement of railway tickets as a "social crime" and said it reaffirms Railway's commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness of the system. The RPF DG further said the body is committed to ensuring that tickets are accessible to all legitimate travellers and will continue to act against those misusing the system. Also Read | Rajasthan Shocker: 3 Die of Suffocation From Smoldering Stove in Khairthal-Tijara District. "By addressing the misuse of ticketing systems by unscrupulous elements, this judgment reaffirms our commitment to maintaining the transparency and fairness of the Indian Railways' ticketing process. RPF remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that tickets are accessible to all legitimate travellers and will continue to act firmly against those attempting to misuse the system for personal gain," Manoj Yadava said in a press release. He also urged people to report any irregularities to RPF and highlighted the helpline number and online portal that can be used for the same. Also Read | Uttarakhand Road Accident: 5 Dead, 17 Injured As Bus Falls Into 100-Meters-Deep Gorge in Pauri (Watch Videos). "We urge the public to report any irregularities and join us in safeguarding the integrity of the railway system. The helpline number 139 is common for all complaints. Alternatively, irregularities can also be reported through the RailMadad portal. RPF assures passengers of its continued vigilance and dedication to upholding the integrity of the railway system, ensuring a fair and efficient travel experience for all," the DG added. The Supreme Court on January 9, described bulk booking of railway tickets as a "social crime". The Apex Court held that the provision criminalises unauthorised procurement and supply of railway tickets, irrespective of the mode of procurement and supply. This judgment was delivered on connected matters of Special Leave Petitions filed by the Ministry of Railways challenging the judgements of the High Courts of Kerala and Madras. The judgment ensures that railway tickets, particularly for high-demand services such as Tatkal and reserved accommodations, are not hoarded and then sold at a premium by fraudulent unauthorized operators, making the criminal act punishable under Section 143 of the Railways Act 1989, the release stated. The judgment has also extended the ambit of the Railways Act to explicitly include the procurement and supply of e-tickets booked online. Genuine passengers will benefit as the system becomes better safeguarded against misuse, it added. The RPF DG further said that the effects of this judgment are far-reaching, as it sets a precedent to curb illegal activities in ticket procurement restore confidence in the railway ticketing system, and ensures that authorized agents and individuals operate within the framework of established rules, promoting fairness and accessibility for all. "Additionally, it sends a strong message to potential violators that misuse of the system will not be tolerated, thereby fostering a more equitable travel experience for millions of railway passengers across the nation," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Jan 12 (PTI) A retired IAS officer was allegedly assaulted by a bus conductor in Jaipur for refusing to pay an extra fare of Rs 10, police said on Sunday. The incident occurred on Friday when the retired officer was not dropped at the correct bus stop, because of which he refused to pay the extra fare, police added. Also Read | Gurugram: 2 Sisters Fall to Death From Fourth Floor of House at Sector 40; Family Alleges Foul Play. R L Meena (75) was supposed to alight at the Kanota bus stand on Agra Road, but the conductor failed to inform him about the stop. The bus then reached the next stop at Nayla, SHO Kanota Uday Singh said. During the argument, the conductor of the low-floor bus pushed Meena. In response, the retired officer slapped the conductor, after which the conductor allegedly assaulted him, Singh said. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Mentally Challenged Woman Raped by 3 Men In in Medak District, CCTV Footage Leads to Investigation. A video of the incident also surfaced on social media. Meena registered an FIR against the conductor, Ghanshyam Sharma, at the Kanota police station on Saturday. The accused conductor has been suspended by Jaipur City Transport Services Limited for misconduct. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu, Jan 12 (PTI) A search operation to track down terrorists, whose movement near the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector was reported last week, entered the second day on Sunday with forces deploying drones and other latest equipment, officials said. The operation was launched by different units of the Army in Bhattal area on Saturday after the villagers reported the suspicious movements in the Jogiwan forest area. They suspected these were infiltrating terrorists. Also Read | 8th Pay Commission: 186% Salary Hike and Significant Pension Increase Likely for Central Government Employees With Revised Fitment Factor; Check Latest Update Here. The search operation is going on with more troops mobilised to cover more area even as there was no trace of the suspected persons so far, the officials said. They said security forces have deployed drones and other latest equipment besides the sniffer dogs to sanitise the area, while police parties have also joined the search operation. Also Read | UGC NET 2024 Exam Admit Card Out at ugcnet.nta.ac.in: NTA Releases Hall Tickets for January 15 and 16 National Eligibility Test Examination, Know Steps To Download. Three heavily armed terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were eliminated in a two-day-long operation in the Akhnoor sector on October 28 and 29 last year. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shirdi, Jan 12 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said veteran politician Sharad Pawar played politics of betrayal and treachery in Maharashtra from 1978, which was ended by BJP's massive victory in the assembly polls with its resolve to establish a stable government. Addressing a state BJP convention in Shirdi, Shah said the people of Maharashtra showed Pawar, who heads NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray their place by rejecting the politics of dynasty and betrayal in last year's elections. Also Read | Telangana Shocker: Mentally Challenged Woman Raped by 3 Men In in Medak District, CCTV Footage Leads to Investigation. Citing differences between Congress and allies in Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, and Maharashtra, Shah said the decline of the opposition INDI block has begun. "Sharad Pawar started politics of 'daga-phatka' (betrayal and treachery) in Maharashtra in 1978, which was rejected by people in 2024 (elections). Similarly, the politics of the dynasty and the betrayal of Uddhav Thackeray was also rejected. People showed Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray their place in 2024 polls," Shah said. Also Read | 'Yuva Maha Kumbh': Youth, Students To Celebrate Swami Vivekananda's Legacy at Maha Kumbh 2025. Noting that the BJP's victory in Maharashtra will have long-term consequences, Shah said the historic win shattered the INDI alliance's confidence. He said the BJP will win the Delhi assembly elections next month hands down. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, successfully organized a Chintan Shivir from January 10-12 in Rajasthan's Udaipur. The event brought together delegations from 32 States and Union Territories, including 16 State Ministers from Women and Child Development Departments, to deliberate on important issues relating to the welfare and development of women and children, said a statement from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Also Read | Chhattisgarh Encounter: 5 Naxals Killed in Gun Fight with Security Forces in Bijapur. The Shivir was graced by the presence of Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, who, along with Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, inaugurated the Chintan Shivir. Other dignitaries included Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development; Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development of Rajasthan; Prabhati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, and several other distinguished Ministers from various States. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Offers Opportunity to Explore Spiritual Heritage of Uttar Pradesh, India, Says CM Yogi Adityanath. During the Chintan Shivir, flagship schemes of the Ministry--Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti--were discussed in detail. The event provided a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, shared experiences, avenues for policy improvements, and the dissemination of best practices across states to ensure the effective implementation of these missions. Engaging sessions were focused on pressing themes, including women's safety, child nutrition, and the strengthening of Anganwadi Centres. Best practices presented by States and Union Territories were shared for mutual learning, aiming to improve the lives of women and children nationwide. States were informed about the Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan, which aims to improve nutritional outcomes and the well-being of targeted populations across the country. The participation of high-level representatives from States and UTs underscored a collective commitment to empowering women and fostering the development of children. The discussions emphasized components such as Early Childhood Care and Education, strengthening the Anganwadi system, the Hub for Empowerment of Women, "Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat," SHE-Box, adoption, and non-institutional care for children. Efforts to streamline adoption mechanisms and the use of online portals for all Missions were avidly discussed as essential tools for data collection, analytics, and evidence-based decision-making. Adding to the event's vibrancy, a cultural evening was organized to celebrate India's rich heritage and diversity. The program featured traditional Rajasthani folk dances, musical performances, and theatrical presentations, fostering camaraderie among participants. A press conference was addressed by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi. Speaking at the conference, she said that as we unite to eradicate malnutrition and promote child welfare, our vision extends beyond sustainable development to a Viksit Bharat through women-led development. Under India's G20 Presidency, we laid the foundation for policies empowering women and safeguarding children--an approach now adapted by Brazil's G20 Presidency. The Chintan Shivir marks a pivotal moment, bringing together representatives from 32 States and Union Territories to address challenges and opportunities in women's and children's welfare. The shared best practices and innovative ideas will guide the effective implementation of Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, driving inclusive progress for all. The Chintan Shivir concluded today (January 12, 2025). As concluding remarks for Chintan Shivir 2025, Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, in her address said that the inspiring best practices shared by various states highlight how their success stories can serve as blueprints for other districts. It's heartening to witness the remarkable progress made by every state and Union Territory in improving Anganwadi services, boosting women's workforce participation, and enhancing the lives of children. As we approach the 50th anniversary of Integrated Child Development Services, we must ensure no child is left behind. By implementing effective supplementary nutrition programs, we are taking a significant step toward a malnutrition-free India and a brighter future. State Ministers expressed their gratitude to the Government of Rajasthan for hosting the Chintan Shivir 2025 and providing a conducive environment for enriching interaction. The Chintan Shivir reaffirmed the Government's commitment to empowering women and nurturing children, underscoring its dedication to building a strong foundation for a Viksit Bharat in the years ahead. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, January 12: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary and said he showed the world that Hinduism is the true guide of humanity. "Say with pride, we are Hindus. Many salutes to the great young monk, thinker, source of inspiration for the youth Swami Vivekananda ji, who reestablished the Sanatan culture on the global stage, on his birth anniversary. Heartiest congratulations to everyone on 'National Youth Day'!" Adityanath said in a post on X. Swami Vivekananda was born on this day in 1863 in an elite Bengali family of Kolkata. The day is celebrated as the National Youth Day. He called upon the youth to imbibe his thoughts and resolve to work for nation-building. Top 25 Swami Vivekananda Jayanti Images and National Youth Day HD Wallpapers for Free Download Online: Celebrate Rashtriya Yuva Diwas in India by Sharing WhatsApp Status and Quotes. "He (Swami Vivekananda) showed the world that Hinduism is the true guide of humanity," the chief minister added in the post. Swami Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902 at the age of just 39. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hardiwar (Uttarakhand) [India], January 11 (ANI): A saint belonging to the Juna Akhara, residing in Shanti Bhavan located in the Kankhal police station area of Haridwar, was found dead, said the police on Sunday. Manoj Nautiyal, Police Station Head, Kankhal Police Station while providing information about the incident, said that the police received information about the incident from Shanti Bhavan's apartment in Haridwar. Also Read | India-Bangla Border Tensions: Bangladesh Summons Indian High Commissioner Expressing Concern Over Fencing at Border; Envoy Calls for 'Cooperation'. "The saint around 70 years old identified as Sureshanand was found hanging from the flat in Shanti Bhavan's apartment in Haridwar. He had been living in rent at the flat for the past 5-6 months," said the official. The official said that upon receiving the information, the police reached the spot, cut open the outer gate, recovered the body and sent it to the district hospital for a post-mortem examination. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Election 2025: BJP Placates Sitting MLA Mohan Singh Bisht, Fields Him From Mustafabad. "When we reached the spot, the gate was locked from inside. The fire service team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called. Upon cutting open the door, we found a baba, approximately 70 years old and he was found hanging from a fan," said the official. The FSL team which was present at the scene collected evidence. "Prima facie, it appears to be a suicide. He was a member of the Juna Akhara. The entire matter is being investigated," said the police. Further details on the matter are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 12 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state following the collapse of an under-construction lintel at Kannauj railway station on Saturday and called for maximum assistance to the victims. Akhilesh Yadav said, "The incident that took place in Kannauj is very sad. Safety should have been maintained during the construction which was neglected and this incident took place. We hope that all the labourers are safe. This is a case of both negligence and corruption on the part of the BJP. This is the first time we are seeing that when a contractor is allocated work then it is outsourced twice, and later people from BJP exert pressure that till they would not be benefitted the work will not progress." Also Read | January 12 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 12. He further mentioned that as a result of this, the contractors have to compromise with the quality. "The contractors have to compromise with quality and there are inadequate safety measures. Quality has deteriorated as a result of such incidents are taking place. This is a failure from the government side. We demand that the government should ensure all the medical facilities and other facilities for all the victims. We demand to provide maximum aid to these workers," he added. Also Read | Who Is Digital Arrest Scam Mastermind Chirag Kapoor Aka Chintak Raj, Arrested After Kerala Police Solved 930 Cases?. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya assured that action would be taken against those found guilty. He said, "The government's instruction is that immediate relief and rescue work should be done there. The accident will be investigated and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty." A rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of a dog squad. Kanpur Commissioner K Vijayendra Pandian said, "Around 28 people have been rescued. They were admitted to the hospital. 15 people have been discharged. 6 people are seriously injured but out of danger. There are no head injuries. Some people have received fractures. They are under observation. We have done inspection by drone and manually. SDRF snipper dogs have been pressed into service. No casualties have been reported yet. The debris will be cleared in some time. 28 people have been identified." Uttar Pradesh Minister Rajni Tiwari has said that 24 people have been injured in the lintel collapse at Kannauj railway station and those responsible for negligence would be punished after an investigation. "A railway building was being constructed at Kannauj Railway station and a lintel was being applied when it collapsed and as per information received 24 people got injured. Some of them are grievously injured. Four of them are in the medical college and 20 in the district hospital. Teams are trying to find out if any more persons are trapped and the injured are being treated. An inquiry will be conducted and those guilty of negligence will be punished," the minister said. Northeast Railway CPRO Pankaj Kumar Singh said that a compensation of Rs 50,000 has been announced for the seriously injured. "We received information that during slab casting at Kannauj Railway Station, five workers have been injured and have been sent to the hospital. A compensation of Rs 50,000 has been announced for the seriously injured and Rs 5,000 for those who have suffered minor injuries. Ex-gratia will also be given. Railway and state government teams are present at the spot. Relief and rescue work is going on," he said. Uttar Pradesh Minister Asim Arun said that 23 people were rescued and 20 received minor injuries in the incident and are undergoing treatment. "Work was going on for the new terminal at Kannauj railway station, today the under-construction structure collapsed here. 23 people were rescued, 20 people received minor injuries, and they are undergoing treatment. 3 people are seriously injured and they have been referred to Lucknow. Some more people are feared to be trapped," he said. A senior Railways official said that Kannauj is among the stations selected under the Amrit Bharat Yojana - which provides for the development of railway stations. "An under-construction lintel has collapsed here. The administration immediately came into action and the officers and the local people also did the rescue work. Further investigation is underway," he said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Catholic Church has allowed gay people to become priests. At the same time, they will be prohibited from having sex. ADVERTISIMENT Despite the easing of prohibitions, the Catholic Church believes that "homosexual activity is intrinsically disordered." This was reported by Euronews. According to new recommendations published by the Bishops' Conference of Italy (CEI), gay people are officially allowed to become priests. Also, the conference's new guidelines for the training of priests does not recommend prohibiting openly gay people from being ordained. The report, titled "Guidelines and norms for seminaries," says that when considering candidates with homosexual tendencies, their evaluation should not be limited to this aspect alone. Seminaries will be advised to consider candidates in full. The clarification states that gay priests should never have sex. However, this requirement is nothing new, as all Catholic clergy take a vow of celibacy. ADVERTISIMENT Officially, the Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people should be treated with dignity and respect, but it still believes that homosexual activity is "intrinsically disordered." At the same time, all women, regardless of their sexual orientation, are still denied access to the Catholic priesthood. As a reminder, earlier, the Vatican has stated that representatives of sexual minorities (gays, lesbians and transgender people) can participate in church rites. In particular, they have the right to be godparents and witnesses to weddings in the church. As reported recently, Pope Francis does not rule out that the Catholic Church could bless same-sex couples. In his opinion, requests for blessing should be treated with "pastoral charity", and church ministers cannot be "judges". Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) has sought regulatory approvals to launch 3-6 month gas contracts benchmarked to international gas prices, its chief executive Rajesh Kumar Mediratta said. IGX currently allows gas suppliers to sell the fuel on the exchange for durations ranging from daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly. It also offers intraday trading at a fixed price. Also Read | 8th Pay Commission: 186% Salary Hike and Significant Pension Increase Likely for Central Government Employees With Revised Fitment Factor; Check Latest Update Here. Mediratta said the exchange has applied to the regulator, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), for permission to launch three-month and six-month delivery contracts indexed to gas benchmarks such as FIXI and Platts JKM, WIM and Dated Brent. "We are awaiting a clearance from PNGRB," he said. Also Read | UGC NET 2024 Exam Admit Card Out at ugcnet.nta.ac.in: NTA Releases Hall Tickets for January 15 and 16 National Eligibility Test Examination, Know Steps To Download. The new long-duration contracts will have a payment cycle of a fortnight compared to the current system of payments being made in 2-3 days after delivery. Also, IGX is looking to introduce green certificates for trading, he said, as the government looks to make the usage of 1 per cent compressed biogas (CBG) mandatory for city gas sellers. "Where city gas retailers have supplies coming from CBG plants, meeting the obligation of having 1 per cent CBG in the gas they supply will not be a problem. But in places where they dont have CBG supplies, they can buy these certificates," he said. He said, gas volume traded on the exchange crossed 1 billion cubic meters (4 crore million British thermal units) in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. This volume equals 4.1 crore mmBTU volumes traded in full 2023-24 fiscal (April 2023 to March 2024). IGX has also signed a MoU with Austria's Central Europeans Gas Hub to explore gas trading opportunities, including those for green gases such as hydrogen and methane. "This partnership aims to strengthen India's gas market by leveraging CEGH's European market expertise and IGX's deep-expertise in the Indian gas market," he said. Key focus areas of the MoU include trading of natural gas and renewable gases like hydrogen, biomethane, and e-methane, commodity-related certificates, market development, training programs and gas-hub operations. A key objective of the partnership is to collaborate on best practices for the operations of natural gas trading focusing on enhancing the technical, operational and regulatory capabilities. Insights from the Indian and European gas markets will be utilized and international best practice will be shared, facilitating the creation of a liquid and transparent gas market. IGX and CEGH also plan to explore the development of trading platforms for emerging green gases like hydrogen, biomethane (including green gas certificates). Both parties will also work together to support gas hub operations in India, he said. "This partnership will enable us to co-develop innovative solutions for natural gas and renewable gas trading, strengthen market efficiency and enhance energy security," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mexico City, Jan 12 (AP) A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck a region in southwestern Mexico early Sunday, according to the United States Geological Survey, causing no serious damage or casualties. It said the quake was centered 21 kilometers southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states at a depth of 34 kilometers. Also Read | January 13 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 13. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on social media platform X that the quake prompted emergency response teams to review their protocol. "There are no new developments," she wrote. Mexico's Social Security Institute said there were no reports of damage in the capital of Mexico City, some 600 kilometers east of the temblor's epicenter near the mountainous village of Coalcoman, Michoacan. Also Read | Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus Asks UK to Investigate Graft Scandal of Sheikh Hasinas Niece Tulip Siddiq. Some people in Coalcoman and in Uruapan, the second largest city in Michoacan, posted surveillance footage on social media time-stamped at 2:32 a.m. local time that showed buildings sway and parked cars shake. Others reported that they ran into the streets to wait for the shaking to stop. Mexico's national seismological service said that as of 9 a.m. local time on Sunday, there had been 329 aftershocks. It put the magnitude at 6.1. It is not unusual for preliminary measurements to vary. Mexico is no stranger to earthquakes because of its position near colliding sections of the earth's crust. In the past 40 years, there have been at least seven magnitude 7 or greater temblors, killing around 10,000 people most of them in a devastating 1985 8.0 quake. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lahore, Jan 12 (PTI) The interim government in Bangladesh has simplified the visa process for Pakistanis to further strengthen trade and economic relations. The present government had removed the need for clearance from Dhaka for Pakistani heads of missions while issuing visas, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain told the business community here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. Also Read | California Wildfires: 16 Dead, 12,000 Structures Damaged in Los Angeles Wildfires; US Officials Warn of Worsening Conditions. Dawn News reported that Hussain said increasing trade and investment between the two countries must be a top priority to move forward. Hussain said the interim government headed by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus is eager to improve relations with Pakistan, which have been less than satisfactory over the past decade. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Honours Pope Francis With Presidential Medal of Freedom Award With Distinction, Calls Him 'Light of Faith, Hope, and Love' (See Pic). He said Bangladesh with its population of 180 million represents a significant consumer market that Pakistan has the potential to tap. The diplomat said the trade potential between the two countries remains largely untapped, and Pakistan can capitalise on it. He also mentioned the chief adviser's efforts for regional cooperation and called for greater collaboration between South Asian countries. He stressed the importance of revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to enhance regional trade and cooperation. Despite growing regional cooperation globally, South Asia still faces challenges which require collective efforts to overcome. The High Commissioner said it was the responsibility of both countries to create opportunities for the current generation and remove obstacles to mutual trade and cooperation. He also reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how it underscored the importance of international cooperation, saying: It is essential to recognise that nations must collaborate in times of crisis to keep trade flowing smoothly. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad shared data indicating that two-way trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh amounted to USD 718 million during the fiscal year 2023-24. PTI (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Jan 12 (PTI) Members of the negotiation team of former prime minister Imran Khan's party on Sunday demanded a probe into the May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, violence cases following a meeting with the incarcerated leader in the Adiala jail of Pakistan's Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members also expressed readiness to participate in the third round of talks with the government to help ease political tensions in the country. Also Read | January 13 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 13. While violent protests took place in many cities of the country on May 9 following Khan's arrest, clashes took place between PTI protesters and the police in Islamabad in November last year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Omar Ayub Khan, Allama Nasir Abbas and Hamid Raza were the key party leaders who met Khan at Adiala Jail for consultation ahead of the third round of meetings with the government. Also Read | Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus Asks UK to Investigate Graft Scandal of Sheikh Hasinas Niece Tulip Siddiq. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Raza said it was a detailed meeting in a controlled environment where the committee members presented their points of view before Khan, who has been in prison since August 2023. We have a detailed meeting with founder PTI who once again demanded a judicial commission on May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, events to unearth the facts so that those responsible can be determined, he said, adding that Khan suggested an impartial judge should head the commission. Raza said the PTI team would also inform the government that they were ready for the third session of the talks. He admitted that even after so many weeks, no progress has been made in the talks. Raza added that Khan gave a deadline of January 31 for the conclusion of talks, which only he can extend in case of any progress. Talking about the party's demands, he said they would also ask for the release of PTI workers and leaders. The formal talks between the two sides began last month, and so far, two rounds have been held. There was a deadlock ahead of the third round, but after the leaders' meeting with Khan, the next round is expected to be held in the coming week. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kathmandu [Nepal], January 12 (ANI): Nepal's former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane appeared in the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday for an investigation into the alleged Swarnalakshmi Cooperative fraud case. Lamichhane, who was released on bail on Thursday after 84 days in custody, arrived at the court in his own vehicle and waved at the media as he walked into the court without making any comments. Also Read | 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Meet Eaton Fire Victims, Distribute Food and Supplies (Watch Video). The founder of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Lamichhane was released on bail by the Kaski District Court on Thursday in a separate fraud case involving the Suryadarshan Cooperative, arrived in Kathmandu late on Friday evening. The court had ordered his release on a bail amount of Nepalese Rupee 6.5 million after 84 days in custody. On January 5, the Kathmandu District Government Attorney's Office, based on police investigations, registered the case against Lamichhane and 38 others at the Kathmandu court. Also Read | 'Grateful to God, We Are Safe': Preity Zinta Shares Heartfelt Gratitude for Family's Safety Amid Ongoing Los Angeles Wildfires. The accused include former board members of Gorkha Media Pvt Ltd and key officials of the Swarnalaxmi Cooperative. Among them are former vice chair Chhabilal Joshi, chair Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, vice chair Devendra Babu Rai, treasurer Kumar Ramtel, secretary Iran Lama, joint secretary Kabita Tamang, and members Hemant Adhikari, Rabina Rimal, and former chair Deepak Lama. They are accused of misappropriating funds amounting to Nepalese Rupee 1.199 billion. Also, former treasurer Sabina Alemagar, members Bhakta Bahadur Bholan, Sabita Lama, former Secretary Pradeep Lama, accounts coordinator Ganeshraj Shrestha, and former committee members Kalpana Kumari Shrestha and Raju Baral, among others, have been chargesheeted in the case. The charges include allegations of cooperative fraud and organised financial crimes. The police investigation suggests the funds were systematically mismanaged and diverted, prompting legal action against 39 individuals. Cases of embezzlement have been filed in Kaski (Suryadarshan Cooperative), Butwal (Supreme Cooperative), Chitwan (Sahara Cooperative), Kathmandu (Swarnalaxmi Cooperative) and Parsa (Sano Paila Cooperative). In all of the district, Lamichhane has been accused of diverting deposits to Gorkha Media Network which ran the now-defunct Galaxy 4K Television. Lamichhane was arrested from his party office in Kathmandu on October 18, 2024, by a team from the Central Investigation Bureau on charges of organized crime and misappropriation of cooperative funds. The former Home Minister and founder of RSP, the fourth largest party in the parliament has denied the charges of charges of money laundering, cooperative fraud, and organized crime in his statement to the Kaski District Police. In the year 2024, a special inquiry by a parliamentary committee formed to investigate the cooperative scam which had prepared and tabled a report in the parliament on September 16, 2024, indicted Lamichhane in embezzlement of millions of rupees as a part of the cooperative scam. The seven-member committee formed on May 28 last year was tabled on the parliament which was formally endorsed by the house session. The report concluded that millions of rupees injected to Gorkha Media came from cooperatives which were traded on the basis of forged documents. Lamichhane had worked in Gorkha Media, the parent company of now-defunct Galaxy 4K Television, as managing director at the time when cooperative savings were invested in violating cooperative legislation. The incumbent parliamentarian also clarified that he was engaged in Gorkha Media taking sweat share. Lamichhane later in the year 2022 entered politics announcing the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and entered the federal parliament as a parliamentarian contesting the election the same year. The television's failure to pay salaries to its staff shut its formal operation last year. The committee in its report also recommended the government take legal action against everyone involved in the transfer of money to Gorkha Media from various cooperatives. Millions of rupees were inducted into Gorkha Media from various cooperatives Suryadarshan from Pokhara, Supreme from Butwal, Swarnalaxmi from Kathmandu, Sahara Chitwan from Chitwan and Sanopaila from Birgunj. The report has stated that the embezzlement of amounts was completed with the active involvement of GB Rai, Kumar Ramtel, Rabi Lamichhane (then managing director), and Chhabi Lal Joshi. Rai and Lamichhane had operated a joint account in a bank and had issued cheques amounting to millions which shows his involvement, the committee report includes. "Every company has its own objective and spirit. Promoters and shareholders are the ones with main responsibilities in such institutions. Those in the role and responsibility as shareholders, promoters and managing director cannot be allowed to not be responsible and accountable for the money received by the company," the report stressed. During the investigation, the committee also held an inquiry session with former Home Minister and incumbent Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Lamichhane for over 10 hours. Throughout the inquiry session, he claimed to be unaware that the transfers that were made to the Gorkha Media originated from cooperatives, that too savings of about 50, 000 people. Further arguing over the case, Lamichhane also claimed that Rabi Lamichhane who had borrowed money from Suryadarshan and Supreme Cooperatives also to be someone not in his knowledge. The committee had asked him a set of 50 questions about his alleged involvement in the scam. Following the tabling and endorsement of the report, House Speaker Devraj Ghimire directed the government to implement the report of the parliamentary special inquiry committee formed to investigate the misappropriation of savings of cooperatives. Speaker Ghimire then directed the Parliament Secretariat to send the report to the government for implementation. The HoR had formed the committee headed by CPN-UML lawmaker Thapa on May 28, 2024, after Nepali Congress demanded the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee saying Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, who was then deputy prime minister and home minister, was involved in the misappropriation of cooperative savings. The HoR had initially given the committee three months and later extended its tenure by 15 days. Dilendra Badu of Nepali Congress, Ishwari Neupane, Sabitra Bhusal of UML, Lekhnath Dahal of CPN (Maoist Center), Shishir Khanal of RSP, and Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan of Rastriya Prajatantra Party were members of the parliamentary committee. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Muscat [Oman], January 12 (ANI): A student festival themed 'Oman's Renewed Renaissance' was held at Al Fateh Square in Muscat Governorate on Sunday under the royal patronage of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and in the presence of Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, the Omani Ministry of Information said in a press release. "Prior to the arrival of the motorcade of the Sultan, as many as 1800 citizens and folklore troupes from various governorates lined up on both sides of the road, welcoming Haitham bin Tarik. The Royal Music Band, a group of camel riders and knights also took part as they chanted words of loyalty and gratitude to the Sultan. They also expressed pride and joy on this national occasion," the release stated. Haitham bin Tarik was greeted at Al Fateh Square by Madiha Ahmed Al Shibani, Minister of Education, and Sheikh Saba'a bin Hamdan Al Sa'adi, Secretary General of the National Celebrations. Also Read | January 13 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 13. When Haitham bin Tarik ascended the Royal dais, the music band played the Royal anthem. After that, the festival started with a picturesque "Welcoming Tableau" that exhibited Omani people's overwhelming feelings of joy and happiness over this great occasion, as per the release. The second tableau, "Knowledge," symbolised education, being a fundamental pillar of sustainable development seen in the context of Oman Vision 2040. It also underlined the related tracks of innovation, research and all that pertains to the refinement of the nation's capabilities. Also Read | Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus Asks UK to Investigate Graft Scandal of Sheikh Hasinas Niece Tulip Siddiq. The third tableau, "A Promise Fulfilled", incarnated the accomplishments made during the 5 years of Oman's Renewed Renaissance, the attention and follow-up accorded to different sectors and the extent to which these influenced the overall march of nation-building. In the fourth tableau, "Oman, the Land of Peace", the participants expressed pride over the originality of Oman's civilization, based on the pillars of Shura (consultation) and peace, being the approach and principle that establish strong bonds among the people of Oman. The fifth tableau, "Oman Across Ages", a group of citizens from different governorates of theSultanate of Oman joined student formations, who all showcased Omani heritage and folklore. Through this tableau, the people of Oman expressed their sincere love for the homeland and their loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan. It demonstrated Omani people's keenness to revive their folk arts and heritage, generation after generation. The finale portrayed sentiments of allegiance and gratitude to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and the pledge to move forward under his wise leadership towards wide horizons of progress and prosperity in the realm of Oman's Renewed Renaissance and sustainable growth. Alongside, the festival was attended by members of the Royal Family, Al Busaid dignitaries, Chairmen of the State Council and Shura Council, ministers, advisers, commanders of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Oman Police (ROP), heads of the Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Sultanate of Oman, members of the State Council and Shura Council, undersecretaries, judges, senior officers, editors-in-chief of local and foreign newspapers, heads of associations and clubs, citizens and families of the participating students. As many as 8,000 participants from the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman took part in the festival, which celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Sultan's Accession Day, flagging off Oman's Renewed Renaissance. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balochistan [Pakistan], January 12 (ANI): Pakistani security forces have been accused of forcibly disappearing three individuals from Balochistan's Kech and Sibi districts. The alleged detentions are part of an ongoing pattern of enforced disappearances in the region, which has raised significant concern among human rights organizations and local communities, as reported by the Balochistan Post. Also Read | Monkey Men in Demand in China: 'Monkey-Type Men' Become Popular Dating Trend Amid Decline in Marriages, Know Why Women Are Attracted Towards Them. According to the Balochistan Post, Irshad Ahmed, a young man, was allegedly apprehended by Pakistani forces at a medical store in Turbat. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, with his whereabouts remaining unknown. The Balochistan Post further reported that similarly, Nawaz Nadil, a 17-year-old student from the Balochistan Residential College (BRC), was allegedly detained by military personnel at the Gamshad Hotel in Turbat. His family has expressed deep concern for his safety, as they have not been informed of his location or the reasons for his detention. Also Read | Indonesia: Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island Erupts, Spews Hot Lava Into Air; Volcanic Eruption Caught on Camera (See Pics and Videos). In a separate incident, Gul Hassan Sabir, a resident of Sibi, was taken by Pakistani forces on the evening of November 19, 2024, at approximately 9 PM. He was detained in front of a bus stop, and his family has been unable to ascertain his whereabouts since the incident. The disappearances of these individuals have left their families in distress, with little to no information from authorities about their fate. In a rare incident, Shahzaib, who was forcibly taken from his home in Turbat on January 7 has reportedly been released. However, his return comes under harrowing circumstances, he is said to be in critical condition due to severe torture endured during his detention. His family has expressed shock at his condition and has demanded accountability for the mistreatment he suffered, the Balochistan Post reported. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances that have plagued Balochistan for years, with many individuals, particularly activists and students, allegedly detained without charge or explanation. Human rights advocates continue to call for an end to these practices and for greater accountability from the Pakistani authorities. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], January 12 (ANI): The US on Friday reiterated its commitment to supporting Taiwan's defence capabilities, emphasising its ongoing dedication to the Indo-Pacific region, as reported by Taipei Times. In a statement, the White House highlighted the range of security assistance provided to Taiwan, including the first-ever use of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), as well as International Military Education and Training (IMET), Taipei Times reported. Also Read | January 12 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 12. The statement also noted that President Joe Biden had identified the Indo-Pacific as a crucial region for the future of both the US and the world. "In pursuit of regional peace, security and stability, we have reinvested in our defence presence and capabilities, integrated our efforts with partners and modernised our alliances, and collectively deterred aggression and coercion," the statement said as quoted by Taipei Times. Also Read | Israel-Hamas Conflict: Benjamin Netanyahu Holds Meeting on Israeli Hostages, Sends Team to Doha for Negotiations. "We have used a range of security assistance authorities and resources to provide Taiwan defensive arms and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability, commensurate with the threat it faces," the statement further added. The White House also reaffirmed that this support is essential for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, the US has worked with partners such as Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to support smaller Pacific island nations by funding over USD 37 million in undersea cable projects, further solidifying regional cooperation, Taipei Times reported. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude for the US' support, especially the use of FMF, PDA, and IMET, which are key in strengthening Taiwan's defence. The ministry also pointed to the undersea cable projects as a prime example of Taiwan's "integrated diplomacy" strategy. The statement stressed that Taiwan plays an important role in ensuring regional peace and global prosperity, and its partnership with the US is vital in maintaining global economic security and resilience. The Biden administration has also authorised 19 arms sales to Taiwan, continuing the policy of normalised weapons sales. These sales demonstrate the US's commitment to enhancing Taiwan's self-defence capabilities. In support of Taiwan's security, the statement quoted President William Lai's New Year address, highlighting the importance of a secure Taiwan for global security. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also emphasised that Taiwan is a global issue, not just a matter for China. The US, Taiwan, and other allies are working together to build a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan aims to strengthen its defence resilience through US arms sales, national defence reforms, and improved cooperation with the US, including in security, trade, and economic partnerships. According to Taipei Times, the White House statement also detailed broader US efforts in the region, including supporting freedom of navigation, reaffirming its commitment to ASEAN, and enhancing partnerships to address transnational threats such as climate change, natural disasters, and public health challenges. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kannauj/Kanpur, January 12: All 28 workers trapped under the rubble of a collapsed under-construction building at Kannauj railway station were pulled out safely after a 16-hour-long overnight operation, officials said on Sunday. Of the rescued workers, 26 of them have been admitted to various hospitals in Kannauj, while the rest two with serious injuries shifted to the Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital in Kanpur, they said. The two workers admitted at the LLR Hospital are out of danger, hospital sources said. One of them has a head injury while another sustained leg injury, as per the sources. No fatalities have been reported, the officials said. The shuttering of the under-construction building on the station premises had collapsed Saturday afternoon, trapping the workers. Kannauj Railway Station Roof Collapse: Under-Construction Building Collapses, Several Trapped (Watch Video). The rescue teams, including personnel from the national and state disaster response forces and the railways, worked through the cold night to clear the debris and safely pull out the trapped workers. Kannauj District Magistrate Shubhrant Kumar Shukl visited the site early on Sunday, expressing relief that no lives were lost in the tragic incident. CCTV footage from the site has surfaced, showing a labourer attempting to fix the shuttering (a temporary structure used to support concrete) when the roof collapses. The footage suggests that a beam carried by the worker hit the shuttering, causing it to slip and ultimately collapse. The North Eastern Railway (NER) on Saturday formed a three-member committee to investigate the cause of the collapse. The committee will include the chief engineer (planning and design), the additional divisional railway manager (Izzatnagar) and the chief security commissioner of the Railway Protection Force. Kannauj Road Accident: Pregnant Woman Dies After UP Police Bus Collides with Motorcycle (Watch Video). The construction was being carried out as part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of Kannauj railway station. NER officials have announced ex gratia for the injured workers: Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries and up to Rs 2.5 lakh for those with serious injuries. Prayagraj, January 12: A major water laser show showcasing key events related to the Mahakumbh 2025 was inaugurated by the Industrial Development Minister, Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, at the Yamuna Bank Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The water laser show was held for 45 minutes and prepared at a cost of nearly Rs 20 crore. It was created by a team of about 100 people in just 60 days. The private company behind the project had previously organised similar water laser shows in Ayodhya and Jhansi. During the inauguration, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi described the show as a historical and visually stunning experience, highlighting the beauty. Taking to the social media platform X, Minister Nandi wrote that the water laser show would be operated daily, with the Kumbh Katha displayed on the water screen. Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: 5 Tips for Meditation at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. "Under the able leadership of Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, the water laser show of the Tourism Department, built at a cost of Rs 22 crore at Kali Ghat on Yamuna Bank Road, was inaugurated today by performing Puja and pressing a button. It will be operated daily. In this, the Kumbh Katha will be displayed on the water screen," Nandi wrote. "On the occasion, Regional Tourism Officer Aparajita Singh, Uttar Pradesh PCL General Manager Suresh Yadav, Project Manager Rajesh Sharma, APM Ganesh Prasad and Suraj Babu were present," the post said. The Minister also said that the show would provide an attractive and visually spectacular experience to the tourists visiting the Mahakumbh. Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: 52-Foot-Long and 52-Foot-Wide Maha Mrityunjaya Yantra To Be Installed on Sacred Sands of Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. "The water laser show will provide an attractive and visually stunning experience to the tourists visiting Mahakumbh. This presentation, decorated with a wonderful combination of water and light, will add to the grandeur of Mahakumbh and the audience will get to witness a unique confluence of spirituality and modern technology," the post added. Grand Water Laser Show The Mahakumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and more than 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. During the Mahakumbh, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to take a holy dip. The Mahakumbh will conclude on February 26. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2025 08:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Germany plans to deploy two batteries of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in Poland, as well as about 200 German soldiers. ADVERTISIMENT Berlin is taking this step to protect the logistics hub in Poland, which "absolutely essential for Ukraines defence against the Russian aggression." This was reported by the monitoring project German Aid to Ukraine. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, his country will play a key role in protecting the logistics needed to supply weapons to Ukraine. It is noteworthy that Germany's plans to deploy the Patriot air defense system in Poland became known at the end of 2024. Later, the German Defense Ministry confirmed Berlin's intentions, noting that the deployment of troops and air defense systems was necessary to protect Polish airspace. Starting from the end of January 2025, two MIM-104 Patriot batteries and a total of 200 Bundeswehr soldiers are to be deployed to Poland for 6 months. This means that German troops are returning to Poland with this task after a break of more than a year, as they were already temporarily deployed in Zamosc after the strike on November 15, 2022, which killed two Polish citizens. ADVERTISIMENT Notably, Germany would not be the first country to take such a step. Earlier, Norway deployed its own soldiers operating the NASAMS firing unit and four F-35 fighter jets to Poland's Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in December 2024. In addition to protecting the supply of military equipment to Ukraine from the Polish side with modern air defense systems, the German military will also perform a new logistics task. According to Pistorius, the Bundeswehr will provide Airbus A330s for the whole year to perform air refueling tasks. Earlier, it was reported that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius are seeking a new military aid package to Ukraine worth 3 billion euros before the Bundestag elections. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is blocking the decision. As reported, after the 25th Ramstein meeting on January 9, Boris Pistorius said that Germany would give Ukraine 50 additional missiles to the IRIS-T systems, which were originally intended for the Bundeswehr. Kyiv will also receive 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and 22 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 on Sunday at Bharat Mandapam here on the occasion of National Youth Day commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. He will engage with 3,000 young leaders from across the country and also address them. The government of Telangana will launch the process to issue new ration cards from January 26. State Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar told the media after meeting officials in Hyderabad on Sunday that the beneficiaries will be identified during the verification process at the field level between January 16 and 20. New Delhi, January 12: Continuing the ongoing debate on the work-hour balance, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla on Sunday said that quality of work is always more important than quantity. The debate was first ignited by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and more recently triggered by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan. While Murthy has been advocating 70-hours a week, Subrahmanyan suggested employees work 90-hour per week, even on Sundays, to remain competitive. You Can Change the World in 10 Hours: Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra Highlights Importance of Quality of Work Over Quantity Towards Viksit Bharat Goal. Adar Poonawalla Says Quality of Work Over Quantity Always Yes @anandmahindra, even my wife @NPoonawalla thinks i am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 12, 2025 Quality of work over quantity always. #worklifebalance, Poonawalla said in a post on X. Further, echoing Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's sentiment, Poonawalla said, "Yes [Anand Mahindra], even my wife [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. His comments follow Mahindra's recent remarks saying that it's not about working 48, 70, or 90 hours a week, but rather the output produced. "My wife is wonderful, I love staring at her," Mahindra had said, taking a dig at the L&T Chairman's latest comments. Subrahmanyan had recently said that he regretted that L&T employees weren't working on Sundays, saying, "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also." He further questioned, "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working." Subrahmanyans remarks were condemned by Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, Harsh Goenka, Chairperson of the RPG Group, and former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta. After facing backlash, the company said the Chairmans remarks reflect the larger ambition of nation-building, emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyans 90-Hour Work Week Suggestion Faces Backlash, OYO Co-Founder Ritesh Agarwal Advocates for Passion-Driven Work. As per health experts, overworking can increase the risk of burnout and lower productivity at work. In addition, personal life and family relationships can also be affected by overworking. It can also affect the sleep cycle, leading to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. All this can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2025 04:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). A womans actions were branded despicable as she was banned from driving for parking in a hospital disabled space in Laois. Brigid Ann McInerney (65) of New Road, Portlaoise was found guilty of parking in a disabled space at Dublin Road, Kilminchy, Portlaoise on July 9, 2024. Detective Garda JP OBrien said he was on an armed escort to the hospital on the date in question and noticed a number of disabled spaces taken up by cars. He said he gave her an hour and a half to move but she didnt. Judge Andrew Cody said the parking spaces are for the elderly and vulnerable in society. Nowhere is it more important than at the entrance to a hospital, said Judge Cody. He described the incident as "absolutely despicable as he handed down a six month driving ban and fined the woman 750. The defendant was not in attendance at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. A charity event in aid of Palestine is being held in Laois on St Brigid's Day which is being organised by three Portlaoise teachers. A night of wellness, Celtic wisdom, song, spoken word, ceili and connection, all in honour of the Goddess Brigid will take place in Gaelscoil Phortlaoise on Saturday, February 1. The organisers, Niamh, Clidna and Cliodhna all teachers at Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, said Brigid's kind and generous acts are the driving force behind their decision to donate all profits to charity. "Brigid is a triple Goddess of flames and she inspires us to shine our light, reignite that fire in our belly that has been dimmed as we move through life. Imbolc/g literally means in the belly. She is a Goddess of healing, creativity and fertility/midwifery. Brigid is associated with the festival of Imbolc, that takes place on the 1st of February when we celebrate her as the bringer of light. "In her honour, we want to celebrate her by shining our light, and welcoming the light that spring brings after the darkness of winter." The event will involve an opening circle, welcome and introduction, guided breathwork and meditation with Niamh, music with Cliodhna, collective singing, a guest speaker, performances, Ceili mor le Clidna and a closing circle. Niamh is a the founder of Wellness company; Gro le Niamh. Niamh holds wellness events and retreats in Ireland. At the event she will guide you through some breathwork and meditation on the night that will allow you to connect to your unique light and the essence of who you truly are. Clidna is a yoga teacher and teaches yoga in Portlaoise. Clidnas passion is dance and is most recently qualified as an ecstatic dance teacher. Clidna will guide you on the night through some rince gaelach, a ceili mor! Cliodhna is on a career break and has been travelling. She is a singer, musician and digital creator with a huge gra for wellness, craic agus gaeilge. Cliodhna will guide you through some ceol on the night. "We are looking for 8 people to perform on the night, music, dance, spoken word, story, poems... Please reach out via DM if you are feeling called. It will be in a relaxed, safe setting, the best place to try something new!" added the organisers. "As this is a charity event, we are looking for some sponsors for raffle prizes on the night. Additionally, if you are in the catering business please reach out if you would like to help us with providing some food/treats on the night." The event will be held from 6pm to 9pm and you cant book tickets here. It was an emotional watch for Ireland's Fittest Family viewers on Saturday night as RTE aired the episode which saw the late Cillian Flaherty participate in the competition. Cillian, aged just 15-years-old, tragically died in October 2024 just weeks after the show finished filming. RTE shelved the original release date of the show after the sad news of Cillian's death, but the show has returned this January after his family gave them their blessings to include his scenes. READ NEXT: 'Far better than Late Late show' - People react to 'gripping' Tommy Tiernan Show Saturday night's episode showed the teenager from Whitestown, Dublin in all his glory as he battled it out alongside his family in the popular competition. Before airing the episode, RTE shared pictures of Cillian and his family, saying: "Remembering Cillian Flaherty. His spirit, determination, and strength shone brightly on Ireland's Fittest Family. As his family's episode airs this evening, our thoughts are with his loved ones." "This is some individual performance by Cillian Flaherty" #IrelandsFittestFamily pic.twitter.com/AmDPuBWZgM RTE One (@RTEOne) January 11, 2025 Cillian had an outstanding performance in the episode, with the show's narrator Darragh Maloney praising the teenager's determination: "This is some individual performance by Cillian Flaherty." There has been a huge reaction online to the show, with an outpouring of support from viewers for Cillian and his family. One person wrote on X: "What a performance from the Flaherty family. But must be so difficult for the family and friends to watch this." Another commented on Facebook: "Lumps in the throat watching the programme. Strong brave lovely boy." Someone else said: "They will gain strength from it and no greater tribute could his family pay him. He was brilliant and they were all proud of him. A happy memory of how great they worked as a family competing together. Cillian's family showed great strength and courage in allowing the programme to be aired." You can watch the episode now on RTE Player. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. LIMERICK City and County Council has teamed up with a disability rights advocate group to offer paid jobs exclusively to those with disabilities in the region. The Council and AHEAD, an organisation which advocates for equal employment opportunities for disabled people, are collaborating on their Willing Able Mentoring Programme (WAM). AHEADs WAM programme partners with employers to offer paid graduate-level job opportunities exclusively for people with disabilities. The programme has supported over 700 disabled graduates into full-time work placements since 2005. READ ALSO: French skincare store to close after 20 years in Limerick city Dara Ryder, CEO of AHEAD, said: Often, graduates with disabilities need some supports to show their talents at interviews or in the workplace, but because of past negative experiences, many fear telling employers about their disabilities. The WAM Programme offers graduates a safe space to disclose their needs and apply for jobs with employers who are actively seeking a more diverse workforce and offers employers access to top talent and a supportive structure to learn about barriers in their recruitment processes. According to Census data 2022, the disability population in Limerick is 23%. A report from IBEC has shown that a person with a disability is just over half as likely to be employed as a non-disabled peer, with Irelands rate of employment amongst people with disabilities half the European average. Jane Brophy, at the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), highlights the importance of the partnership between Limerick City and County Council and AHEAD: Equality, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the local government sector. This partnership reflects our commitment to building a more inclusive society and embodying the diversity within the communities we serve. After a competitive application process, successful WAM applicants are invited to a needs assessment with the WAM team to discuss any support they may need to carry out their new position, they are also paired with a mentor, receive pre-placement training, and benefit from ongoing support from the WAM team to ensure placements run smoothly. 81% of WAM graduates gain employment as a direct result of partaking in the WAM programme demonstrating the critical role of disability-inclusive employers and peers. People with disabilities interested in working with Limerick City and County Council should register now on the WAMWorks database to apply for roles through the WAM programme and receive updates on new work opportunities in Limerick. For more information on AHEAD and the WAM Programme please see here. US Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned shortly before Donald Trump officially took office. He was leading two federal cases against the Republican on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents. ADVERTISIMENT Before resigning, he submitted a final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland detailing the results of the investigation. This was reported by The Washington Post with reference to a statement from the Department of Justice. Journalists write that Jack Smith's resignation was expected. During the election campaign, Trump promised to fire him "within two seconds" of returning to the White House. As a reminder, on July 15, Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled to dismiss the federal case against Donald Trump for improper storage of classified documents. And on November 8, the court suspended the trial of the newly elected US president over the 2021 riots at the Capitol. The special prosecutor stated that it was necessary to assess the circumstances. Also at the end of that month, Smith called for a halt to criminal prosecution until after Trump's inauguration. ADVERTISIMENT This week, Judge Cannon temporarily banned Smith and Garland from publishing a report on the handling of classified documents. However, according to the law, special prosecutors are required to submit the results of their investigations to the Justice Department, which is headed by the attorney general. Garland promised to publish all reports, which he has done so far. At the same time, Trump's lawyers asked him not to publish the report and called for an end to "using the justice system as a weapon." As reported, on January 10, a court in New York sentenced President-elect Donald Trump in the case of bribery of porn actress Stormy Daniels. The politician was sentenced to "unconditional discharge" - without a prison term or fine - out of respect for the institution of presidential power. He also called the trial a "disgusting farce" and said he would appeal the verdict. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! THE closing date has been extended for receipt of applications for the Limerick post primary schools Common Application System. The Limerick Area post-primary schools Common Application System (CAS) is the process by which the transfer of sixth class primary school pupils to the participating post primary schools is managed. Limerick Education Support Centre provides administrative support for the CAS. On January 9, 2025, a meeting of the Limerick principals and deputy principals from the 17 participating schools was convened virtually through Limerick Education Support Centre. At this meeting the closing date for receipt of applications was discussed in light of the adverse weather conditions and the fact that many schools have been closed as a result. It was unanimously agreed to extend the closing date for receipt of CAS applications for 2025/2026 to Monday, January 20, 2025 at 12:30pm. As a result of this extension, a new timetable was agreed as follows: Monday, January 20, at 12:30pm - Amended closing date and time for receipt of CAS application forms. Tuesday, February 4 - Participating schools to post letter of offer. Wednesday, February 12 - Date by which parents/guardians must accept or refuse an offer. Tuesday, February 25 - Common Registration Night (Please note this date is unchanged) Bengaluru: Nobel Hygiene, a maker of diapers, maternity pads and other such products, is in talks to raise 150-200 crore in a funding round led by the investment arm of Neo Asset Management, three people familiar with the matter told Mint. The company plans to use the funds for expansion, one of them said, without providing more details on the valuation. While the money will come mainly from new investors, existing investors are also likely to participate in the funding round, this person added. Nobel Hygiene previously raised $16.6 million in its series B funding round in 2022 from Sixth Sense Ventures, CLSA Capital Partners and Access Asset Managers at a valuation of $261.5 million. The company also counts Quadria Capital among its investors, according to data from market intelligence provider Tracxn. Nobel Hygienes founder Kamal Johari and Neo declined to Mints requests for comment. Neo Group, launched by former Edelweiss Financial Services chief executive Nitin Jain in 2022, has four business verticals: Neo World, Neo Asset Management, Neo Multi-Family Office, and Neo Leaf. Last year, the asset management and financial advisory platform roped in former TPG NewQuest executive Nitin Agarwal to head its private equity practice. Mumbai-based Nobel Hygiene, founded in 2000, makes adult diapers, maternity pads, adult pull-ups, under-pads, nappy pads, and baby diapers. It markets its baby diapers under the Teddyy and Snuggy brands and its adult incontinence products under the Friends brand. Also read | Why q-commerce is driving more new-age brands to tap alternative financiers Socio-political risks Nobel Hygiene has an estimated market share of 40% in Indias diaper sector, according to Tracxn. In recent years, the domestic diaper sector has seen an uptick in investor activity. Millennium Babycares raised 122 crore from Pantomath Capitals Bharat Value Fund in October while Motilal Oswal Alternate Investment Advisors picked up a minority stake in Rajkot-based Pan Healthcare for around 400 crore in February 2023. In February 2024, Crisil Ratings said Nobel Hygienes scale of operations had improved at a compound annual growth rate of 20% over the previous eight fiscals years till 2022-23 driven by higher demand and e-commerce sales. Despite its established market presence, Nobel Hygiene faces headwinds from volatility in raw material prices, foreign exchange rates, and intense competition. Operating profitability remains susceptible to intense competition, particularly in the baby diapers segment, wherein the group competes with established brands such as Pampers, Huggies and Mamy Poko," Crisil Ratings said in its report on Nobel Hygiene. Crisil added that fluctuations in the prices of raw materials such as wood pulp and socio-political risks may impact the the companys operating margin as raw materials are procured from international markets. In FY23, Nobel Hygienes revenue improved to 689.3 crore from 628.1 in the year earlier, but its loss widened to 41 crore from 19.4 crore. Also read | Fintechs new fuel: Venture debt takes centrestage amid a funding crunch New Delhi: The government is working on revamping the framework for revival and rehabilitation (FRR) of debt-ridden micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in order to make it easier for small businesses to restructure the loans they have taken out, said two people in the know of the development. The framework would be known as FRR 2.0. The existing 2015-16 framework, which covers MSMEs with a debt of up to 25 crore, calls for lenders to come up with a plan to recover debt and streamline the operations of the enterprise. Although restructuring loans for larger businesses is commonplace, that is not the same for small businesses. Smaller businesses which have less capital need more of a cushioning during financial distress. The revamp is being considered to boost entrepreneurship, said a person in the know of the development. "The MSME ministry is working on the framework. It is yet to be finalized. This is aimed at helping MSMEs to get their loans restructured in case of financial distress. Distressed small businesses should be relieved through this framework," said one of the people cited above, adding that the new framework would also ease the procedure for lenders. Over 58 million MSMEs contribute to about a third of the country's gross value added every year. From April 2023 to May 2024, MSMEs contributed to over 45% of Indian exports. MSMEs also employed over 216 million people as of 12 January, as per the government's Udyam portal. Sectoral challenges The sector, however, has consistently faced challenges in securing and repaying loans. "Issues related to sickness of MSMEs, Non-Performing Assets and exit policy have been raised from time to time in different quarters," said the government's memorandum announcing the 2015 framework for revival and rehabilitation for MSMEs. There have been concerns over bank loans to small businesses. In the previous budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that a new mechanism would be launched for facilitating continuation of bank credit to MSMEs during their stress period. "While being in the special mention account (SMA) stage for reasons beyond their control, MSMEs need credit to continue their business and to avoid getting into the NPA stage. Credit availability will be supported through a guarantee from a government promoted fund," the finance minister said. As per an MSME ministry press release in August 2024, the government had sanctioned a 20,000-crore Subordinate Debt for stressed MSMEs. Subordinate debt for stressed MSMEs is the government's aid for enterprises in the sector which have been classified as NPAs, allowing them to continue running operations and reduce their debt burden. In 2015, the government created an FRR for MSMEs, asking banks and other lenders to form a special committee and produce an action plan to restructure loans of each individual enterprise which had missed scheduled repayments. The Reserve Bank of India in 2016 limited the usage of this framework for debts of up to 25 crore, while MSMEs with debts over 25 crore would be revived using the guidelines on Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) or Joint Lenders Forum (JLF) mechanism. "Even after repeated directives from the government, RBI and also the intervention by Supreme Court, banks have not set up the mandated committees for loan restructuring, most banks are yet to take a step in this front. Restructuring of MSME loans should have been a norm as these entrepreneurs fight for their survival unlike the deep-pocketed large businesses," said Vinod Kumar, president, India SME Forum. Approval from banks The RBI also asked all banks to approve this policy in their respective boards by the end of June, 2016. Now, lenders would have to identify stress in MSME accounts using the special mention account (SMA) system before classifying these loans as MSMEs. Under the SMA system, MSMEs which have delayed repayment by up to 30 days would be classified as SMA-0, those with delays up to 60 days would be SMA-1, and enterprises with delays up to 90 days would be SMA-2. Additionally, if an MSME itself identified stress before delays in repayment, it could approach lenders and seek restructuring of loans after being classified as SMA-0. The objective of this FRR was clearto enable MSMEs to seek relief, as well as concessions for revival, in times of distress. Issues in the 2015-16 FRR started cropping up when lenders started using the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002, against stressed MSMEs, instead of the 2015 framework issued by the central government and amended by the RBI. Industry bodies say as many as 1.2 million jobs can be saved by extending credit lines to MSMEs for 180 days instead of 90 days before qualifying them as NPAs, waiving existing penalties on MSMEs for delays in repayment, and allowing a better repayment plans to MSMEs. The Supreme Court weighed in on this issue, mandating lenders to classify stressed MSMEs into the subcategories under the special mention account (SMA) status before qualifying these loans as NPAs. The top court added that lenders could only take action against MSMEs under the SARFAESI Act after the loans have been converted to NPAs. Until then, banks were to follow the framework for revival and rehabilitation of MSMEs, as created by the union government and the RBI, the apex court said in its judgement dated 1 August, 2024. Between the enactment of the 2015-16 FRR and the Supreme Court's relief to MSMEs in 2024, the union government changed the definition of MSMEs. Under the new definition, micro enterprises are those that have an investment of under 1 crore and a revenue of under 5 crore; small enterprises are those with an investment of under 10 crore and revenue of under 50 crore; and medium enterprises have and investment of under 50 crore and revenue of less than 250 crore. Queries mailed to the union MSME ministry remained unanswered till press time. Mumbai: In 2016, Amitabh K., a senior marketing executive working at a multinational technology company in Mumbai, raised what he thought was a pertinent question: Where are the non-whites in the senior management team?" He brought up the issue with the companys human resources (HR) department while discussing the possibility of a promotion. He noticed that while a substantial chunk of the companys employees were from across the globe, there was little diversity at the top. The HR team refused to explaininstead, he was asked to go. They handed me my severance pay without any explanation. Perhaps because I raised questions. Maybe, the bosses could not accommodate my demand for a promotion. No one explained if there was a performance issue. The HR was called in to do the unpleasant task," said the 42-year-old, who now lives in Australia. Few years after Amitabh was laid off, an electronics major started an audit against one of their senior executives. The Mumbai-based company received three mails from whistleblowers pointing out that the executive had taken personal holidays, paid by the companys vendors. All concerns were brushed aside for yearsuntil a whistleblower letter reached the Board and the promoters. In this case, the HR team at the company wasnt empowered enough to alert the board, leading to delays in the investigation. Then, one day, in October 2024, unmet sales targets loomed large for a marketing team at an advertising company. The team had to work additional hours and missed an email from the HR departmenta party with snacks and games was being organized to celebrate Diwali. At 5 pm sharp, the party began. The marketing team continued to work, upping their voices so that they can be heard above the din. This will neither engage the employee nor prevent an exit," quipped an employee who didnt want to be identified. No one questioned the HR on the need for a party when business numbers werent met. HR teams are expected to know the pulse of the workforce, gauge their mood, hire and retain the best, ease out the undesired and get involved in business calls. But as these examples show, it can be quite the opposite. Often, HR is the most vilified department across companies and countries. If you scan through Quora, the question-and-answer site, numerous discussions over the years have tried reasoning this vilificationfrom they really dont do anything" to they dont require any high or special qualification". View Full Image A screenshot from Quora. In 2024, HR and payroll software provider Ciphr conducted a study of 1,000 employees in the UK and found that HR was considered to be the least productive department, with one in seven (14%) surveyed employees labelling their firms HR team as unproductive or very unproductive". Another survey of 1,000 Americans last year, by resume writing company MyPerfectResume, reported that 86% of workers were afraid of HR representatives. They hesitated to approach HR to discuss work-related issues, citing concerns such as doubt in confidentiality (37%) or fear of repercussions (31%). Furthermore, 71% thought that HR tends to be too involved in office politics. Benefex, an employee benefits product company, conducted online interviews of 2,000 HR professionals and employees; the employee research was evenly split between India, Singapore, the UK, and the US. Called the The Expectation Exponential Report, again released last year, it stated that almost two thirds (64%) of HR and reward professionals believe that their organization is delivering an excellent employee experience, up from 32% in 2023. However, only 20% of employees consider their employee experience to be excellent, down from 38% in 2023. Its worrying that employers feel that they are performing better than they actually are when it comes to providing a great employee experience. It suggests that there is a disconnect between the initiatives employers are undertaking to enhance employee experience and what their people are actually looking for at this moment in time," the report noted. Victim of perception? The importance of HR and its perception rises and ebbs with different economic cycles. In a paper published by Harvard Business Review (Why we love to hate HRand what HR can do about it), in January 2015, Peter Cappelli from the University of Pennsylvania, wrote that when talent is in short supply, business leaders see HR as a valuable strategic partner. But when the labour market loosens up, HR suddenly seems like a nuisance because we dont like being told how to behaveand we see no immediate benefit to complying". View Full Image When talent is in short supply, business leaders see HR as a valuable strategic partner. (istockphoto) So, in good economic cycles, HR risks being perceived not so generouslyas seasonal workers, visible only during rangoli making competitions", according to one person we spoke to. One day, I walked into the office later than usual. A senior executive from the leadership team asked if I went for an early lunch. In fact, I had a morning meeting," the chief human resources officer (CHRO) of a financial services company, who didnt want to be identified, recollected. Come March-April, the functional heads in the company comment that these are our busiest times," he added. The busiest time refers to the appraisal season. I point out that HR works all through the year," he said. At times, organizational leaders perceive HR skills to be non-specialised. Firms often assume that the skill set required to manage the HR function is one of common sense while skills required in areas like finance or marketing are learned and specially acquired," Chandrasekhar Sripada, a professor at the Indian School of Business told Mint. Sripada has worked with Dr. Reddys Laboratories, IBM and Capgemini in senior HR roles. The problem, he believes, starts at the MBA school where the HR function is often considered to be a soft role. MBA aspirants therefore consider specializations they think are cooler than HR. This impacts the quality of HR executives joining corporates. Firms often assume that the skill set required to manage the HR function is one of common sense. Chandrasekhar Sripada Headhunters agree and note that searching for a competent CHRO is a tough job. If there are 100 chief financial officers (CFOs), then the probability of finding an above-average leader is 70-80%. But, finding a CHRO with a strong understanding of business is tougher," Arvind Pandit, managing partner of search firm Ishwa Consulting, said. This despite the fact that both the CHRO and the CFO command similar compensation." Post pandemic realities The aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic made employee versus HR issues worse. Before the pandemic struck, the dependency on HR was work-based. However, between 2020 and 2022, employees sought help from companies when they needed hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and medicine. From small to large firms, contingency teams were set up, many led by HR heads. At times, these teams were successful in helping employees find life support, either for them or their families. View Full Image During the pandemic, employees sought help from companies when they needed hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and medicine. But the helpfulness quotient frayed as soon as the pandemic ebbed and offices started opening up. Many corporates started nudging employees back-to-officethe idea was met with resistance. Mint wrote last year that TCS assessed office attendance, among other metrics, before rolling out annual wage hikes. In September, LTIMindtree linked employee leave with its return-to-office mandate. Although these policies have the blessings of the management team, the HR heralds the bad news and receives the flak. People may have also become more sensitive to toxicity at the workplace post the pandemic, experts said. But most HR interventions are reactive, not proactive. In 2023, HDFC Bank suspended an executive seen screaming at his subordinates in an undated group video call, citing an alleged inability to meet sales targets. The suspension sparked a debate on toxic behaviour at workplaces, primarily involving stressful jobs in sales. Who should we blame? How the HR function and its leaders are perceived has to do with how empowered they arehere, the role of the companys chief executive and other board members become important. Consultants who work with firms across sectors say there are enough examples of companies that have empowered their HR departments. In India, firms need to develop their HR the way companies like Marico, HUL or Aditya Birla Group have done over generations. CEOs and boards in these firms have given HR the importance required for it to be effective," said Anandorup Ghose, partner at consulting firm Deloitte India. Ghose advises on rewards and compensation structures across India Inc. According to an article, People Before Strategy: A New Role for the CHRO, again published in the Harvard Business Review, the responsibility lies largely with the CEO. CEOs might complain that their CHROs are too bogged down in administrative tasks or that they dont understand the business. But let us be clear: It is up to the CEO to elevate HR and to bridge any gaps that prevent the CHRO from becoming a strategic partner," the 2015 article, authored by Ram Charan (management guru), Dennis Carey (vice chairman of search firm Korn Ferry) and Dominic Barton (former global managing partner of McKinsey & Company and current chairman of Rio Tinto) stated. Changing roles The article underlined the changing nature of the HR function. Indeed, practitioners in India agree. Santrupt Misra, former director of group human resources at the Aditya Birla Group, who was with the conglomerate for more than three decades, noted that the cyclical changes in the economy have pushed HR teams to manage costs and productivity more frequently than earlier. HR is under pressure to manage expectations as well," he said. Misra was a rare HR head in India Inc. to lead business units he was the group director for Birla Carbon and director, Chemicals, at the conglomerate. He left the group in 2023 to pursue a career in politics. View Full Image A file photo of Santrupt Misra. (Dr. Santrupt Misra/ LinkedIn) Then there is Aquil Busrai, who worked in senior HR posts at IBM, Shell Malaysia and Unilever. Now CEO of Aquil Busrai Consulting, a company into leadership training, he recounts how, in the 90s, he led an acquisition when he was with mobile phone maker Motorola. The company needed a particular skill set in the semiconductor space and was recruiting expensive talent from outside India. In a meeting, Busrai suggested to the leadership team that they acquire a Noida-based firm which had about 465 employees, many of whom had the required skill set. The company decided to buy the firm. Wage negotiations ensured that we did not go beyond our budget and the first attrition happened 14 months after we bought the firm," said Busrai. The to-do list Going ahead, what should HR departments do to rebuild their image? There are no easy answers. One, they can keep minor irritations at baysmall problems add up to the perception of HR folks being rigid, industry watchers said. A senior executive at a media company in Mumbai tried for more than two years to get the HR to acknowledge leaves that may not be celebrated in the norththe company is headquartered in the national capital region. Under the Shops and Establishment Act, employees get four compulsory leavesRepublic Day (26 January), Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). In addition, a company can declare four more days of leave under the festival category. Companies typically toggle between offering optional leaves and compulsory offs, depending on the strength of the workforce celebrating the festival. The HR is based out of New Delhi and chalks out holidays that the majority of the employees who live in the capital can avail. I studied the Shops and Establishment Act, and had to explain how leaves need to be structured," said the executive who didnt want to be identified. In Mumbai, for instance, Ganesh Chaturthi is a big festival that warrants a holiday. The HR finally agreed, but it left a bad taste among the companys employees in Mumbai for over two years. HR can keep minor irritations at baysmall problems add up to the perception of HR folks being rigid, industry watchers said. Second, HR needs to deal with the changing face of activism. The days of strong labour unions are a thing of the past, but now, employee angst is expressed on social media. Employees are seeking more choice, flexibility and purpose when associating with any company. In that backdrop, the role of HR is changing," said Rajkamal Vempati, president of human resources at Axis Bank. Finally, CEOs and CHROs must remember what Peter Cappelli wrote in his 2015 paperstill relevant 10 years later. HR managers can score big wins for their companies by rethinking programmes that have been around since the 1950s, making a business case for the initiatives that matter, and cutting loose pet programmes that lack impact." Like the now-iconic image of Count Orlok arising from his coffin, Nosferatu has resurrected itself over and over for more than a century of cinematic adaptations, despite an early attempt to drive a stake through its heart. On discovering that the 1922 silent German Expressionist film (streaming on Plex) was an unauthorised adaptation of author Bram Stokers Dracula, his widow, Florence, was furious. A years-long legal battle ensued and in 1925, a German court ordered that all copies of Nosferatu, directed by F.W. Murnau, be destroyed. Luckily, some prints had already made their way over to America, where Dracula was in the public domain. Nosferatu survived, and cinema was all the better for it. (Robert Eggers 2024 version, starring Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp, releases in Indian cinemas this week). Murnaus eerie undead antagonist, the Transylvanian vampire Count Orlok (Max Schreck), isnt suave or alluring like his counterparts that would eventually come to be associated with the genreChristopher Lee in the Hammer horror films, or Twilights Edward Cullen. Instead, Orlok has unusually pointy ears on which tufts of hair sprout, long claw-like fingers, a glassy unblinking stare and two sharp, protruding front teeth. The image of this pale, inhuman creature sinking his fangs into your neck when youre asleep a time when youre never more vulnerableis terrifying. More than his appearance, however, its what he represents that makes the terrors so enduring. The word Nosferatu" itself is connected to nosophoros", the Greek word for disease-bearing". Those bitten by the Count dont transform into vampires, as they do in Stokers novel. Instead, they die. Nosferatus opening title card refers to a fictional plague, but it released just four years after the 1918 Spanish Flu, one of the deadliest pandemics in history, estimated to have killed 400,000-plus Germans within just a few months, only slightly more than the countrys military casualties that year. Consider the imagery Murnau associates Orlok withrats, the symbols of disease, and coffins, omens of death. When the Count sails to the fictional German town of Wisborg, rats crawl out of his ships hold, linking him to the 14th century Bubonic Plague or Black Death". Assumed to have been spread by rodents, the pandemic killed around 25 million Europeans. The film makes a direct reference to it during an intertitle that describes Orloks coffins as being filled with accursed earth from the fields of the Black Death". Even the films more comic moments bear an undercurrent of terror. When real-estate agent Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) discovers pinpricks on his neck after a night spent at Orloks castle, he mistakes the two clear fang marks for mosquito bites, quite close together". His utter obliviousness is amusing, but through mosquitoes, another disease-carrying insect, the film refocuses our attention on its preoccupation with illness. The sight of Nosferatu lugging his coffin around Wisborg in search of his new accommodationa logistical burden even a supernatural creature cant evadeis hilarious. Later, however, it parallels a procession of plague victims coffins being carried out of town, rendering the scene tragic in hindsight. Orlok, having swept through the town with a marker of death, is now responsible for theirs. Likewise, Werner Herzogs 1979 remake, also in German, of this classic also announces its fixation with death upfront the opening credits of Nosferatu the Vampyre unfold against the mummified remains of those who had succumbed to the 1833 Guanajuato cholera epidemic and are now preserved in the Mexican states museum. Both films feature a grandfather clock with a skeletal, grim reaper figurine. Unlike the 1922 version, however, this Nosferatu is not just a force of destruction, but also dealing with the pain of being indestructiblecenturies have passed and being unable to grow old has made him grow weary instead. Herzog lingers on meditative shots of the landscape and long stretches of clouds drifting across the sky, making us feel the passage of time as his vampire does. Death is not the worst," says Count Dracula (Klaus Kinski). Abject loneliness is. In 2022, Shampa Kabi, a graphic designer based in Mumbai, left her job with an art gallery and decided to start a small business. It was the last stretch of the covid-19 pandemic and most of the world was reeling from the aftermath of the lockdowns. For the previous two years, people had been pushed to the edge working from home, struggling to stay organised in between Zoom fatigue, virtual schooling and grocery runs. Simply staying afloat, if not organised, had been a full-time job for millions across the globe for over a year. It was against this backdrop that Kabi decided to launch her brand, Decluttercat, featuring her own line of paper planners. I have always been a pen and paper person," she says on the phone, but I never found a planner I liked. And so, I started designing my own planners." The elegant, minimal notebooks caught the eye of friends, who began to demand similar products for themselves, which led Kabi to print 100 copies of her weekly planner in 2022. It sold out fastthe kind of proof of concept every aspiring entrepreneur wants to see. Kabi wasnt alone in noticing a surge of interest in planners and journals in the early 2020s. In another part of the country, in Coimbatore, Harini Palanisamy, founder of a premium stationery brand, The Journal Lab, then just a couple of years old, also saw traction for her flagship planner, Find Your Balance, which doubled up as a self-care journal. Most of our products are created for a general audience, and not just for women, who are the typical target customers for a lot of stationery brands," she says of her journals, planners and productivity tools that have minimalistic cover designs, muted colour palettes, and mostly gender-agnostic vibes. Also read: Running shoes review: Adidas Supernova Ease vs Asics Novablast 5 Two weeks into the new year, the planner season isnt petering away. Digital apps and devices that promise to make us the best versions of ourselves continue to flood the market. Social media is garrulous with productivity advice, coming from creators like Ali Abdaal with multimillion followers to your wannabe influencer uncle on Meta, and Big Tech is laughing all the way to the bank. According to Statista, the total revenue in the digital productivity segment is likely to grow by 8.31% each year, resulting in a projected market volume of $10.83 billion by 2029. But the numbers are even more impressive in the non-tech space, relatively speaking. The market size for diaries and planners, globally, is expected to be $1,472.98 million by 2031 at an annual growth rate of 4.1%, according to Business Research Insights. Thats some serious stats, considering all the doomsday predictions about AI taking away jobs and everyone moving towards increasingly automated modes of living. So it begs the question: Why do some people stubbornly stick to pen and paper in this Age of Automata, taking the trouble to literally pencil in appointments, and lugging around bulky paper planners, when the whole wide world is but an oyster in the palm of their hands in the form of a smartphone? The Human Touch In the 24 hours during which I put a version of the above question on my Instagram Stories, I got a flurry of responses. One common theme to emerge was the intensely personal act of longhand writing on paper and its impact on our memory and mental health. Its how we rememberfingers have their own memory circuits and pen on paper is permanent," photographer Dayanita Singh messaged. So even though theres Google calendar, I still need to write in a diary with a pen." Writer and critic Deepanjana Pal had a related reason for preferring longhand. Fancifully, notebooks and journals, the practice of writing by hand, these feel like connections to a lineage of writers who have scribbled on notebooks to document, process and reimagine realities," she responded. This is my tribe." Poet Alolika Dutta added that she uses her diaryan all-encompassing planner, journal, commonplace book, and moreas an extension of her brain. It is representative of my mind, of life in general," she wrote. In strange, overlapping ways, where, in the middle of what seems to be a journal entry, I may want to note down an idea for a poem, or add an item to my shopping list, and I would like to have space for them within the same pages." Also read: Sex-tech: Indias quiet revolution riding on sex positivity Scholar and researcher Medhashri Mahanty spoke of the indelible assurance" of paper planners. I cant look away from paper," she said, unlike digital planners, where alerts can be snoozed or deleted. I find the act of literally ticking something off my list very satisfying," writer Arthy Muthanna Singh added. Digital tools dont compare." Theres deep anecdotal evidence that human beings indeed experience a dopamine burst when crossing off things. Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the forefather of modern-day productivity gurus, figured it out decades ago (not that he had computers as an alternative anyway). In 1957, when he was giving a speech at the National Defense Executive Reserve Conference in Washington, D.C, he made a peculiar remark that has become a proverb for our times: Plans are worthless, but planning is everything." As Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II, the man who would eventually be a global leader, had developed quite a reputation for being a stickler for organising his life and work. One of his most useful innovations was an elegant 2x2 matrix that he used to Do, Schedule, Delegate or Delete tasks. Curiously, 60-odd years later, as covid-19 ran amok, Eisenhowers ghost, along with some of his antiquated planning tools, returned to haunt the world. With the lockdowns beginning to take a toll on millions, the Eisenhower Matrix" suddenly gained a huge following worldwide. According to Google Trends data, there was a 4X rise in interest among users searching for the term between July 2016 and July 2020. In September 2024, the number was 3X up from July 2020. In 2025, five years since World Health Organisation (WHO) termed covid-19 a pandemic, public curiosity about the term continues on the search engine. As does searches for productivity jargon like Pomodoro Method, Time Blocking, Deep Work, and so on. But the best planning strategies, as Eisenhowers practice showed, are uniquely personaladaptable to individual needs and desires. Its a principle that holds true to this date, be it among creators or users of planners, inspiring them to gravitate towards the act of creating their own systems, driven by specific goals and intentions. Make it your own Ive always loved writing, but it was only when I was going through therapy a few years ago to overcome a rough patch that I realised the power of doing it in a specific structured format," Palanisamy says. For her, planning was more than time managementit was an outlet to process her feelings. Nobody taught me how to regulate my emotions in school or college," she adds. I didnt want my daughter to end up like me. So I came up with a kids journal at The Journal Lab, which, till date, remains one of a kind in the market." My Little Big Day Journal comes with multiple colourful cover options, quirky illustrations and a guided layout for users to navigate its pages. From gratitude to goal setting, it urges little journalers" to focus on various aspects of their daily livesmoments of small joys or sorrows that adults gloss over, tough emotions that grown-ups tend to ignore or suppressand process events with care and intention. Find Your Balance, the best-selling adult counterpart of the childrens journal, functions as the same outlet for parents, compelling them to look deeply into the different quadrants of their lives. After all, planning is not only for work, but also for self-care," Palanisamy says. She also has custom planners for expectant mothers and parents, curated through her research and personal experience of motherhood and parenting. Illustrator and designer Alicia Souzas journals, in contrast, are a world apart. With their bold colours, cartoons and stickers, the vibe is all about fun and a youthful energy. We have been around for a decade," Souza says on the phone from Bengaluru. We always take into account customer feedback to experiment with new printing styles and material. Thats how we try to keep the design language and the appeal of the planners fresh each year." For 2025, Souza is excited to have launched a daily planner for the first time. Its been a year of logistical nightmares. Everything that could go wrong went wrong, timelines went haywire," she says. Youd think after being in this business for so long, wed be better at hacking it." But the reality of running small businesses remains far from smooth, even in 2025. Thats why when Vidhi Khandelwal started The Ink Bucket as part of an incubator program of e-tailer Myntra in 2016, she didnt expect to get deep into stationery as a category. I was making bags, before I realised the hand-painted artworks that were part of my style would translate very well into stationery," she says on the phone from Bengaluru. Influenced by a mother who painted and a father who ran a business, Khandelwal turned her passion for illustration into full-time work three years ago. D2C businesses saw a huge boom around the pandemic, and everyone seemed to want a planner," she adds, echoing the view of many other small-business founders. Some, like Pal, are creatively inclined to make their own planner or bullet journal. Then there are others like journalist and author Rohini Mohan, who has benefited from templated versions offered by brands like Odd Giraffe. Mohan, who uses the brands Priority Planner, finds it useful to segment the many parts of her life: work, volunteering, caregiving, personal interests and so on. This one has upped my game, made me truly more productive and also kinder to myself," she says. I tend to access the subconscious, intuitive, unedited parts of my mind more freely when I write by hand, whether it is to plan my day, the skeletal structure of chapter, or article." Anecdotally, there is plenty of evidence that writing by hand isnt going away anytime soon. There is scientific evidence to support the act too. Last year, a study published in the research journal, Frontiers In Psychology, found that writing by hand increases electrical activity across a wide range of interconnected regions in the brain responsible for movement, vision, sensory processing and memory. All the founders I spoke to were hopeful that the tactile thrill of encounter with a pen and paper planner will continue to give us a reprieve from the despotism of screens. There are people who want to write unbothered by notifications," Khandelwal says. As Priyanka Sarkar, a translator, puts it, With the computer, theres always this wall." With deepening mental health crises across generations, planning can become a solace and self-care activity that doesnt cost the earth. On days when Im not terribly caught up, I spend close to 30 minutes with my bullet journal, which is also my slowing down time for the day," says writer Samin Sayeda. There have been years when I felt it was this journal that helped me pull myself together." Getting it done Resources to explore stress-free productivity MARIANA VIEIRA ON YOUTUBE: In the boys club of productivity gurus, Mariana Vieira brings fresh energy with her warm and friendly presence. Her accessible content and actionable tips help you think of productivity not as a monster waiting to swallow you up whole but rather as a moody best friend, who is fun to hang out with one day, and dull on others. SLOW PRODUCTIVITY BY CAL NEWPORT: The computer science professor, best known for his theory of Deep Work, offers gentle recalibration techniques to maximise your output. As the subtitle reassuringly puts it, this book will help you crack The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout". THE HAPPINESS LAB WITH DR LAURIE SANTOS: This Yale professors course on the science of well-being (freely available online) is the most attended in the history of her university. Listen to her podcast to understand the mechanics of seeking and finding happiness. I DID LISTS: We all know the power of to-do lists. But who knew keeping an I did" list would be next level? Theres neuroscience to back the theory that keeping a tab on things you are getting done reprogrammes the brain towards positive thoughts and boosts your self-confidence. In February 1798, as the septuagenarian maharajah of Travancore lay dying, he had occasion to reflect on his four-decade-long kingly career. There was much he had achieved: the conquest of fresh territories from an old rival, the defence of this and other possessions from a different enemy, a reputation as a dharmic ruler, and more. And yet as death crept up on him, he could not help but notice that it was an inauspicious dayinauspicious, that is, for the business of dying, as per Hindu belief. He sighed, the story goes, and remarked to his attendants that it was unavoidable considering the sins of war I have committed". In his pursuit of power and glory, there had been violence and bloodshed. I can never forget," rued the old man, the horrors to which we have been parties." How, then, could he expect to die on more ritually desirable terms? May God," he finished, forgive me all my sins." The death of great personages triggers a spectrum of responses and events. Leaving aside how they judge themselves, some are viewed favourably on their demise, even if in life they were disappointed. We saw this last month with the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. History will be kinder to me," he declared at the height of his unpopularity. While good histories are yet to be written of his term, newspaper headlines are certainly nicer to him now than they had been at the peak of his power. Others, however, face the opposite problem: they are celebrated in life, only for the romance to collapse with their passing. In the 19th century, for instance, there was a prominent Indian statesman; a real icon to the intelligentsia. Yet by the end of the mans life, the dawn of nationalism led to less generous appraisalshe was seen as too moderate towards the British Raj. So, where their fathers idolised T. Madhava Rao, succeeding generations barely registered his name. Luckily for historical figures, popularity and unpopularity are cyclical. An eclipse today might not mean a permanent dismissal. The artist Ravi Varma is a case in point. He was applauded throughout his career, making money, winning honours, and playing a role in even crafting a pan-Indian (Hindu) imagery for nationalists. When he died, brown and white men both issued laments, and the event was widely covered in the press. Yet within less than a decade, his legacy was under siege: by painting in a Western style, he was judged as having succumbed to foreign influences. Through the 20th century, his work was derided as mere calendar art"until there was a revival in the 1990s. Today, Ravi Varma again commands respect. The wave of anti-colonial feeling having receded, it was possible to look upon his art through a less hostile lens. Things, for this person at least, came a full circle, albeit a century after his death. While reputations see-saw in the long arc of history, the death of great peopleespecially if they are still in office at the time of their exitcan also provoke dangerous tremors. When the Mughal emperor Akbarwho had reigned for decades and become a fixture in his peoples imaginationdied in 1605, there was panic. As the merchant Banarasidas later wrote of Jaunpur, the townsfolk were afraid". There was chaos in the city", riots everywhere", and shops and homes were shuttered. Fine clothes and expensive jewellerythese, people buried underground," he added. Books recording their business transactions they buried somewhere else". For 10 days, until news arrived of a smooth transfer of power, the city was tense. Would there be war? A breakdown of order? When Jahangirs succession was relayed at last, the people gave thanks in relief". Someone was in charge of things again. Lest we believe such fears were purely a medieval concern, long after Akbar, another death was also received with trepidation. As Jawaharlal Nehru went to the grave in 1964, there were jitters about not just his political party holding together, but also the republic of which he had been a founding father. There were insurgencies, secessionist movements, economic troubles, not to speak of irritating neighbours and the question of national prestige. As the defence minister Yashwantrao Chavan declared, the whole world was watching, and we must do everything possible toachieve unanimity". An ugly contest over who deserved to fill Nehrus shoes would make Indians look as though they were incapable of managing these matters. It could invite interference from without and embolden dangerous forces within. In the end Lal Bahadur Shastri was chosen as the man least likely to divide and most likely to unite". Crude though it sounds, one mans death is often another mans opportunityand sometimes a womans too. Many are the female figures in Indian history who were able to shine after the men around them unexpectedly fell off the proverbial stage. It was Daulat Rao Scindias death in 1827, for instance, that allowed the formidable Baiza Bai to rule Gwalior for six years. The childless maharanian established businesswoman and banker alreadyhad every intention to wield power for the rest of her days. But then an heir she grudgingly adopted grew up. And with the appearance of a man again, pressures mounted and she was ousted. What is ironic in her story is that when her husband died, she made loud declarations about wishing to burn herself on his pyre. But, as one official put it, Nobody believes this as regards Baiza Bai." She had a lot at stake and was not the type to follow her husband too promptly into the afterlife; not when she at last had an opening to enjoy sovereign power. Nevertheless, even the most remarkable people were not immune to the fear of death, and of the weight of sins they accumulated in the exercise of their power. And some among them believed that while they would never know what posterity made of them, they could manipulate divine judgement. In India we have had, after all, leaders whose religiosity grew in tandem with the number of years they spent in office. Why, in his last phase, even the rationalist Nehru was evidently willing to entertain astrologers. But nothing can beat what that aforementioned Travancore maharajahs heirs devised to leave this world on favourable terms. Every time a ruler of that state was on his deathbed, a Brahmin would be found to embrace him, thereby assuming his sins. This volunteer was then escorted to the principalitys borders and seen off permanentlywith a monetary reward for his kind cooperation. That way, even if you feared the consequences of your actions, as death approached, you could offload your sins and hedge your bets. Manu S. Pillai is a historian and author, most recently, of Gods, Guns and Missionaries. "Holistic dressing" is the latest buzzword in the fashion world. While this approach emphasises well-being, it also underscores the importance of authenticity in fashion choices. But is this just a rebranding of something weve always knownpersonal style? Last year, everything from very demure" to brat girl" summer was trending, reflecting the industrys rapid shifts, which no one can realistically keep up with. At the same time, the fashion world is undergoing significant transformations. Chanel recently appointed Matthieu Blazy as its new creative director, succeeding Virginie Viard. This change has opened the position at Bottega Veneta, where Louise Trotter, formerly of Carven, has stepped in. Whats more, Michael Rider will now lead Celine, and Sarah Burton has joined Givenchy after nearly three decades with Alexander McQueen. These shifts are set to influence each houses signature aestheticsremember when Alessandro Michele moved to Gucci in 2015? This constant shifting creates a disconnect with the customer. No wonder people crave authenticity, especially when theyre also thinking about mindful consumption. Thats why its time for the consumer to put personal style first. THE POWER OF REPEATING It is a tragedy that people have given up their personal style to become victims of the bombardment of imagery, trends, whatever the medium may be. What greater joy is there in engaging with fashion than knowing what works for you and wearing things that make you feel so much better in your own skin," says designer Tarun Tahiliani, known for emphasising on quality over quantity. Tahiliani is launching a luxury pret line, OTT, with its first standalone store slated to open next month in Gurugram. He believes that while many labels exist, there is still a gap in the market for a brand that combines an India Modern" aesthetic with everyday clothes that can be worn on repeat. View Full Image From Tarun Tahiliani's OTT Versatile pieces are the core of restaurateur Samyukta Nairs wardrobe. Nair is the chief executive officer and co-founder of LSL Capital, the group behind restaurants like Jamavar, Mei Mei Mayfair and Bombay Bustle in India, Dubai and London. I embrace the idea of repeating outfits quite easily," says Nair, who divides her time between India and the UK. The whole process of creatively remixing pieces and finding new ways to express my personal style and mood is what I find most exciting." She also seamlessly integrates family heirlooms into her contemporary wardrobe. Theres something deeply meaningful about wearing family heirlooms that carry their own stories," she says. Its about blending the old with the new in a way that feels true to my personal style, allowing those cherished pieces to shine in todays world." Also read: Indian jewellery shines on the global stage The world certainly needs to control its consumption of clothes. Organisations like Fashion Revolution point out that the global fashion industry produces between 100 billion and 150 billion garments each year, doubling since 2000. To counter this, Livia Firth, a sustainability advocate, introduced the concept that for a piece of clothing to be truly conscious, it should be worn at least 30 times. To truly align with sustainability, says Tahiliani, we must focus on elevated, repeatable fashionthis is the antidote to the culture of fast fashions constant consumption. Were facing a global identity crisis: despite having more resources, people are unhappier, overwhelmed by social media, and disconnected from their cultures. Fashion should help individuals reconnect with their identity, not fuel this confusion." With celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Catherine, Princess of Wales, making it a point to repeat outfits at important events, its a step in the right direction. There is an old-school charm to repeating, and with fashion going through a phase where nostalgia is being regularly celebrated, it is much relevant today. STAYING UNIQUE Tahiliani says, I feel sorry for individuals who feel inadequate for repeating an outfit. It speaks volumes about their lack of self-worth." He notes that decline of logo-driven fashion may suggest that consumers are becoming wiser, realising they have too much and do not need as much. Nair credits her mother with teaching her the importance of investing in versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down. Im quite temperamental when it comes to shopping, so I tend to buy things as I come across them. While its often best to pick up pieces in the moment, the most valuable lesson Ive learnt is, if its not a hell yes!, then its probably a no. Trusting that instinct has helped me curate a wardrobe that truly resonates with me." Having your own personal style identity is more important than following trends dictated by the industry, a celebrity or social media. It helps you stand apart and express your individuality. The best part, it encourages you to take the more eco-conscious path. Dress Sense is a monthly column on the clothes we wear every day. Sujata Assomull is a journalist, author and mindful fashion advocate. Investing in foreign countries for global residencies has been gaining traction in recent years. Several countries have hiked the costs of their residencies, seeing this high demand. But there are still some low-cost alternatives available, with lower living costs and lower eligibility criteria. Thailand recently launched two residency programmes that are gradually gaining popularity: the remote work visa and the wealthy pensioner visa for retirees. Here is a look at these options. Remote work visa: eligibility Thailand's remote work visa or destination travel visa is for employees who still work from home. The visa applicant needs to show proof of current employment in the home country by furnishing their employment contract. The applicant needs to show that they have the equivalent of 500,000 Thai baht or THB (about 12.4 lakh) in their bank account by submitting bank statement or payslips. The applicant can add spouse and children under 20 years of age as dependents in the visa application. The visa processing fee is THB 10,000 per person, or about 25,000. The visa holder also has to report their current address to the immigration bureau every 90 days. As this visa is granted to a remote worker, there is no right to work in Thailand on this visa. The visa is valid for five years. After the first block of 180 days, the visa is extendable for another 180 days for a fee of THB 10,000. But after this extension, the visa holder is required to leave the country and re-enter. The visa holder is allowed to do this for five years. The programme was launched on 15 July 2024. Multiple entries and exits are allowed on this visa. Also read: Cost of European residency programmes have shot up Retirement visa: eligibility Thailand's retirement visa or wealth pensioner visa is a long-term residency visa that comes with a validity of 10 years and is renewable, as long as the eligibility conditions are maintained by the visa holder. Multiple entries and exits are allowed on this visa. Apart from the financial eligibility criteria, the applicant needs to be at least 50 years old at the time of application. The income eligibility requirement is a personal income of $80,000 ( 68.7 lakh) per annum. If the applicant doesn't meet this criterion, they need to show a minimum annual income of $40,000 ( 34.35 lakh) and invest $250,000 ( 2.14 crore) in a property in Thailand. The visa validity is split into blocks of five years. After the first five years, the visa is extendable for another five years. The applicant also needs a mandatory health cover of $50,000. Unlike the remote work visa, the wealthy pensioner visa also offers a right to work. Such visa holders are also exempt from the 4:1 Thai:foreign employee rule, which requires local companies to hire four Thai people for every foreign employee. Also, this visa holder needs to report their current address to the immigration bureau only once a year. The visa holder can add spouse and children below 20 years of age in the visa application. A maximum of four dependents. The visa processing fee per person is THB 50,000. View Full Image Mint The draw for retirees Retirees look to settle in Thailand for multiple reasons. We have for several years lived and worked in different countries. When deciding upon our retirement home, we looked at various factors such as cost of living, quality of healthcare facilities, quality of life, infrastructure, environment, community, etc., and we rated Thailand highly on those factors," said 51-year-old Yogesh S., who has moved to Thailand along with his wife on a wealthy pensioner visa and runs a YouTube channel called The FIREd Couple. There is a good active community of foreign retirees here, which regularly meets up," Yogesh said. We have also been impressed by the healthcare facilities that we have encountered so far." When it comes taxation, long-term visa holders are also exempt from paying any taxes on their non-Thai income or global income. It is still a fairly new residency programme, launched in September 2022. It is slowly gaining traction. The process is also quite fast and seamless," said Rohit Bhardwaj, country head-India and director-private clients at Henley & Partners. Retirees see Thailand as a good low-cost alternative to Singapore or Dubai, which can be lot more expensive in terms of living costs." Living costs According to estimates from various sources, a couple leading a reasonably comfortable lifestyle in a city like Thailand's capital city Bangkok will likely have monthly expenses of about $2,015, or 1.71 lakh. If you add costs of schooling, monthly costs would increase by $1,122, or nearly 1 lakh. These estimates take into account rent for a decently sized apartment in an upscale neighbourhood of Bangkok. If you wanted to save whales, you called Oprah. If you slept with a whale, you called us. This biting remark from one of the producers of The Jerry Springer Show captures the essence of the most notorious program in American television history. Although it wasnt a sexual encounter with a whale but rather with a Shetland pony in 1998 that became a turning point for the show. The program pioneered what came to be known as trash TV and even found itself embroiled in a murder case that ended up in court. These shocking events are revisited in the new Netflix documentary Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action a deep dive into the legacy of a program that TV Guide ranked as the worst show in television history. None of the participants interviewed in the documentary seem to have fully come to terms with their involvement in the Springer phenomenon. In 1991, American television had one undisputed queen: Oprah Winfrey. Her talk show, filled with tearful confessions and low-stakes drama, commanded an audience of over 12 million viewers. From her perch at the top of the ratings, Oprah looked down on a sea of imitators whose only real distinction was the personality of their hosts. When The Jerry Springer Show debuted, expectations were modest at best. The host, Jerry Springer, was an affable figure with the demeanor of a college professor the kind of neighbor whod lend you his lawnmower without hesitation. A former politician, Springer initially stuck to the formula of the time: sentimental stories of family reunions and personal triumphs. His show blended into the background of daytime television, offering the same fare that filled competing channels. But when NBC executives threatened to cancel the struggling program, Springer and his team made a Faustian bargain that would change television forever. To breathe life into the failing show, the producers brought in Richard Dominick, a writer responsible for headlines about Bigfoots love slave and a toaster possessed by the devil in the tabloids Weekly World News and The Sun. He brought two transformative ideas that would define the shows legacy. The first was to elevate Jerry Springers on-screen persona by orchestrating raucous audience chants. Dominick instructed the crowd to leap to their feet and enthusiastically shout the hosts name as he entered. The now-iconic refrain of Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! became synonymous with the show. The second idea was far more consequential: Dominick directed the production team mostly young, ambitious newcomers eager to leave their mark on 1990s television to ensure that the stories were compelling with the sound off. This mandate led to an explosion of on-set brawls and a surprising number of gratuitous nude scenes. Springer placed unshakable trust in Dominicks vision. The only limit was the absence of limits. In the Netflix documentary, Dominick admits, If I could kill someone on television, I would execute them on television. Jerry Springer in 1974, a few years before he became the very young mayor of Cincinnati. Bettmann (Bettmann Archive) Nothing better encapsulates the paradigm shift in The Jerry Springer Show than the infamous 1998 episode featuring Mark, a farmer from Missouri. Mark appeared on the show to introduce the audience to his partner of 10 years, the individual he had left his wife and children for. To the astonishment of viewers, the lucky girl turned out to be Pixel, a Shetland pony. Mark declared his love for Pixel, detailing their intimate relationship and even plans for a wedding. As he spoke, the show displayed photos of Pixel dressed in womens lingerie. When it comes to sex, we make love. We dont make fun of each other, Mark said. The episode aired only on the East Coast. All the networks censored it, and the press quickly took notice. Critics called it the most vile and grotesque freak show thats ever been on television. The result? Everyone wanted to see it a textbook case of the Streisand effect. Ratings skyrocketed, and for the first time, they beat Oprah. The producers doubled down. Soon, a trans woman who had sawed off her own legs and two siblings in love discussing their pregnancy appeared on the show. The headlines grew increasingly sensational: I Slept with 251 Men in 10 Hours! I Am a 14-Year-Old Prostitute! I Cut Off My Penis! At NBC headquarters, executives toasted with champagne. Ratings soared, even as critics sharpened their knives. Showing your soul is one thing; showing your penis is another, quipped Oprah. The executives knew that the show was trash, but the rating were too good to resist, according to the documentary. While the media blamed Springer for Americas moral collapse, viewers couldnt look away. Sometimes people just want to kick back, let their eyes glaze over and learn about a guy who desperately wants to marry his horse. Whats a better form of escapism than that? Danielle J. Lindemann, author of True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us, told The Times Jerry Springer with guests on 'The Jerry Springer Show' whose theme was, I'm a slave to my 250-pound wife. Ralf-Finn Hestoft (Corbis via Getty Images) The increasingly controversial stories escalated to such levels of violence on set that a professional security team had to be hired. Chairs flew, teeth and nails followed, and women flaunted clumps of their rivals hair as trophies. More than one guest left the set directly for the hospital. This chaos brought Steve Wilkos, an ex-Marine, onto the show. His presence became so frequent that he eventually landed his own program. None of the episodes were as violent as the one titled Klanfrontation, which pitted members of the Ku Klux Klan against the Jewish Defense League. The topic was particularly sensitive for Springer, the son of Holocaust survivors, born in London during the Blitz. A moral man? Springer was born in 1944 in a London Underground station used as a bomb shelter. His parents, German Jews, had fled to England during the Holocaust and later emigrated to the United States when Jerry was five. A brilliant student, he developed an early passion for politics, working on Robert F. Kennedys ill-fated 1968 presidential campaign. After earning a law degree, Springer launched a promising political career that was soon marred by scandal. In 1974, The Cincinnati Enquirer revealed that Springer had frequented brothels and had been clumsy enough to pay with personal checks. The incident did not end his political career: rather than hide, he openly admitted it. Nor did it harm his relationship with Micki Velton, whom he had recently married. They stayed together for 30 years, keeping their private life out of the media. He also fiercely protected his daughter, Katie, who was blind, partially deaf in one ear, and born without nasal passages she was her fathers staunchest defender. Springer became mayor of Cincinnati and, before transitioning to national television, was the most beloved presenter on local TV. His charisma allowed him to remain seemingly detached from the sensationalism that surrounded him. Yet, the man hailed on his program as the hero of the United States was not as pure as the moralistic homilies he delivered at the end of each show suggested. The incident with the prostitutes was not an isolated case. One morning, Springer walked into the shows office and apologized to his staff. They were baffled, but the press soon clarified the situation. A sex tape had surfaced, showing Springer with a stripper and her stepmother two guests of the show who had conspired to trap and blackmail him. He attempted to suppress the scandal with money, but he couldnt stop the footage becoming public. Once again, he confronted the fallout head-on. And, once again, he emerged even stronger. Jerry Springer in his dressing room before taping an episode of 'The Jerry Springer Show' in 1992. Steve Kagan (Getty Images) The story that marked the lowest point of The Jerry Springer Show wasnt necessarily the most scandalous. Nancy Campbell-Panitz appeared on the show hoping to win back her ex-husband Ralph, but upon arriving, she discovered he had married someone else, Ellen, just days earlier. Confronted by her ex, she stormed off the set. A producer chased after her, but she refused to continue with the circus. She knew that the next step would be a fight, rolling on the floor, pulling each others hair, and trading insults. If you dont come back, we wont pay for your return ticket, they told her. It was a common trick to convince guests, and it worked because many of them came from humble backgrounds. The production team entertained the unsuspecting guests who believed that Springer would truly solve their problems. They provided a lavish experience: a limousine, first-class flights, unlimited access to alcohol, and any substances that would lower their inhibitions. It was a lifestyle the humble guests had never dreamed of. Nancy didnt care about the threats. She walked in the rain to the station, where a stranger took pity on her and gave her a ride home. When the show aired a couple of months later, it was just a bad memory, and she didnt even watch it. Her ex-husband did, however, watching the broadcast in a bar while getting drunk. Im going to kill her, he said as he continued drinking. The next day, her son received a call from the police: his mother had been murdered by her ex-husband. The police issued a warrant for the arrest of Ralph and Ellen Panitz. Ellen was acquitted, but Ralph was sentenced to life in prison. He had a history of domestic violence and prior complaints from Nancy, but no one on the show seemed to care. Judge Nancy Donnellan, who sentenced Ralph Panitz condemned the role the show had played in the incident. She claimed that The Jerry Springer Show had manipulated them to escalate the humiliation. To Jerry Springer and his producers, I ask you: are ratings more important than the dignity of human life? she asked. Since the answer to Judge Donnellans question was undoubtedly yes, the shows machinery continued without hesitation. To distance themselves from the scandal, the entire team traveled to Jamaica to record an episode at a swingers resort. Jerry Springer during an episode of his controversial show, aired on December 17, 1998. Getty Images (Getty Images) The show took its toll on everyone who worked on it. Dominick subjected them to a tight 20-hour daily schedule. Tobias Yoshimura, a producer since the first show, reached his lowest point when he produced the story of a prostitute who had been abused by her father since she was a teenager. She was going to confront him live, begging him to stop calling for her services and asked not to see him until the taping. They were put up in separate hotels under false names, but when Yoshimura went to visit her to finalize the details of the next days show, the father opened the door, covered only in a towel. That same day Yoshimura left the show, unable to deal with it any longer. Frightened by the growing level of scandal, the network demanded a shift in tone, leading to Dominicks departure from the show. At the time, competition was fierce, with many networks airing formats that would have been unimaginable a decade earlier not just testimonial shows, but also reality TV with extreme premises. Trash TV had become embedded in American culture. As television historian David Bianculli put it, the show was lapped not only by other programs but by real life. After 27 years as Americas favorite guilty pleasure, The Jerry Springer Show came to an end in 2018. In many ways, the show offers more insight into the current political landscape in the United States than any study by a political scientist. Jerry Springer, who died of cancer in 2023, never renounced the show that made him a millionaire, although he admitted that he would not watch it. Television does not and must not create values, its merely a picture of all thats out there the good, the bad, the ugly, he told Too Hot for TV. Believe this: The politicians and companies that seek to control what each of us may watch are a far greater danger to America and our treasured freedom than any of our guests ever were or could be. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A messy tech breakup between the US and China is forcing a rethink about what the industry might look like for consumers in a decoupled world. Last week, the Pentagon blacklisted internet and gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd for alleged links to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army. TikTok faces a ban on national security concerns that its fighting at the US Supreme Court. Despite tensions, more than 1,200 Chinese firms at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas were vying to enter the US market, the largest foreign representation and more than a quarter of the about 4,500 exhibitors. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang headlined the shows opening night with an impassioned speech and a range of product updates. Last month, Chinas market regulators opened a probe into the US chipmaker. I wondered which companies might get caught in the middle next as Huang laid out his vision for robots and autonomous vehiclesor how these would be built without supply chains and materials from China. Washingtons latest move to include Shenzhen-based Tencent on its blacklist of Chinese military companies doesnt carry any sanctions or penalties. But it still sent shares falling and dealt a reputational blow to the worlds largest game publisher that has invested in US startups from Reddit to Epic Games. The decision will draw further ire and it would be a surprise if Beijing doesnt retaliate against more consumer-facing American tech firms. Another unintended consequence is that China could end up rolling out more support for its own companies that it feels are being unjustly attacked, doubling down on closing the lead America is trying to maintain. Weve seen Beijing prop up Huawei and homegrown chipmakers after they came under fire from Washington. Tencents blacklisting also risks backfiring in other ways. The US has spoken of national security risks as a reason to go after Chinese tech companies, but leaders havent been very forthcoming about what exactly that means. Lawmakers voted to ban TikTok after classified briefings supposedly identified it as a major threat due to its parent ByteDance, but have heavily redacted the smoking-gun evidence. The US Department of Defense also hasnt offered any public receipts that Tencent works with the Chinese military (it doesnt have to). But it has become harder to understand how national security intersects with consumer technology. Back in 2021, Xiaomi reached an agreement with the US government to remove it from the same blacklist after the firm filed a lawsuit. Before reaching that accord, a US judge described the reasoning behind the smartphone makers designation as deeply flawed." Also read: Moderna is gambling on China as other US companies pull back Xiaomi was added to the list because of its investment in 5G and AI, which could have potential military applications, even though everyone was doing it. The other supposed risk was a government-linked award for the companys founderone that had also been given to hundreds of entrepreneurs, including makers of a chilli sauce. Tencent said that its inclusion on the list was clearly a mistake." And it will likely sue or reach its own deal with the government for removal. Either the US will end up sharing more information about why it sees Chinas most valuable tech firm as a threat, or it will amount to a legal headache and temporarily hit the stock while really ticking off Beijing. Washington is clear that it doesnt want its adversary to get ahead in innovation, but its whack-a-mole approach to holding Chinas tech sector back is spurring a race to the bottom. Policymakers should be much more strategic, especially if its about national security. There was another irony on display in Las Vegas. Chinese companies flocked to the show as a display of might, and state-backed media forcefully fought for them to attend, amid reported visa issues. But theyre also eager to come due to mounting woes at home that have nothing to do with Washingtons curbs. A government crackdown on the internet sector and fresh macroeconomic headwinds have been devastating for startups. And incentives for entrepreneurs dont seem to be advancing, especially amid consumer belt-tightening. America was on its way to showing the world its free market tech ecosystem is the best innovation engine. Opaque, porous attacks on Chinese tech under the increasingly broad banner of national security undermines that message. The incoming US administration should assess what it is hoping to achieve before making matters worse with tariffs and finger-pointing at China for the countrys working-class woes. A messier, America First-focused breakup will only embolden Beijing while inhibiting its own consumer-tech industry. Bloomberg Back for Business, the free government programme that helps returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland, is now open to applications. Now in its eighth cycle, the programme is seeking offers of interest from people who have recently returned to Longford or are still living abroad but thinking of returning in the near future. Those eligible to apply include returned Irish emigrants who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, and emigrants currently living abroad who are planning to return to Ireland in the near future. The 8th cycle of the programme will run from February to June 2025 and there is no charge for those selected to participate. Up to 50 places will be available nationally. Eligible candidates have until Thursday, January 16, to submit their applications. Those interested can apply through www.backforbusiness.com. Funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, the programme was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland. Since launching in 2017, Back for Business has helped entrepreneurs who are returned emigrants to significantly grow sales and employment. It also addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on additional barriers faced by emigrants who have been living away from Ireland. Participants on the last cycle, Back for Business 7, quadrupled their collective turnover from 300,000 at the start of the programme to 1.2million at its conclusion. Their collective employee numbers also increased from 14 to 47 during the cycle. Back for Business 8 participants will take part in round table sessions focused on goals and milestones, which are facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. The 8th cycles Lead Entrepreneurs are: serial entrepreneur Hannah Wrixon; Morgan Browne, CEO of Milner Browne and Enterpryze; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; Sinead Doherty, founder and CEO of Fenero; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group. Former participants from Longford include Alison McMurtrie of Idunn Consulting which helps companies develop strategic plans to aid business growth. Alison hails the Back for Business programme for linking her with a network of fellow entrepreneurs, connections which she would otherwise have struggled to foster after so many years living abroad. Also read: Longfords Eric Ehigie joins Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government "We have a very active chat in which we support and bounce ideas off each other. And the sessions were really helpful, whether thats the legal content or setting KPIs from KPMG. When I moved back my problem was a lack of a network. I didnt know anyone. Back for Business opened a lot of doors. Back for Business Lead Entrepreneur Thomas Ennis says: I was lucky enough to receive excellent mentoring when I was starting out and it made all the difference. It is great to be in a position to give back and to support those at the start of their entrepreneurial journey. The deadline for completed applications for Back to Business 8 is midnight on Thursday, January 16, 2025. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see www.backforbusiness.com Ireland's leading community retailer, SuperValu has revealed a sharp increase in demand for essential food items as customers stocked up ahead of the cold snap. Over the weekend of January 3 and 4, stores nationwide sold an additional 100,000 loaves of bread, while demand for milk, butter, and eggs more than doubled, particularly in Munster and Leinster counties under orange weather warnings. Bakery and bread SuperValu stores nationwide saw a surge in demand for bread and bakery items as shoppers prepared for the icy blast. Wrapped bread was the clear favourite, peaking on Saturday with one in three shopping baskets containing a loaf at midday, a jump from the typical one in five seen in early December. Shoppers were stocking up, with a 7% increase in bread items per basket compared to the previous weekend. Essentials fly off shelves As temperatures plummeted, demand for milk, butter, and eggs soared, with sales more than doubling, up 147% in counties hardest hit by orange weather warnings across Munster and Leinster. READ MORE: 'Never pour hot water on your windscreen' - Simple tips as cold weather continues Chilled products and hearty meals In the worst weather-affected areas, chilled product sales skyrocketed by a staggering 384% on Sunday, January 5, as people prepped for cosy home-cooked meals. Fresh meat and fish also saw a significant boost, with over 50% increased demand, and favourites like SuperValu Chicken Fillets and Round Steak Mince snapped up by shoppers. Cold weather comforts Comfort foods and heating supplies were in hot demand: 33% rise in home-baking items as families embraced warm, freshly baked treats. Tea, coffee, and soups were also strong performers. Fuel sales spiked, with fire logs and starters up 61% and briquettes soaring 80.4%. Shoppers showed they were prepared for the freezing temperatures, ensuring they had both the essentials and the comforts to weather the storm. SuperValu Managing Director, Luke Hanlon said: "The ongoing freezing weather conditions have had a clear impact on SuperValu customer purchasing habits in recent days. "Customers are prioritising staple products such as bread, milk, eggs, meat and fish to see them through the uncertain weather period." In 2024, more than 70 countries held general elections and almost half of the worlds population went to the polls. The impressive series of elections offered us an exceptional laboratory to observe democracys state of health on a global scale. And the results confirm that the democratic model faces unprecedented challenges. In many cases, democratic systems are in decline, but this doesnt mean that there havent been significant signs of resilience within this political system. The United States has crudely exhibited the risk of plutocracy the government of the rich usurping democracy, while highly-polarized societies have seen growing political violence. But in countries such as Senegal and Bangladesh, mobilized citizens and independent institutions have led to inspiring democratic victories overcoming authoritarian tendencies. The struggle between democracy and its enemies will have a decisive impact on the future of the world, which is experiencing a turbulent transition phase. Following the wave of expansion that followed the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the main international studies agree that, in recent years, theres been a phase of erosion in the democratic model. The final result of this struggle can only be the subject of speculation, but observing what happened in 2024 offered us important clues. While negative news is abundant and details both internal and external challenges, the positive news indicates that democracy can withstand tremendous attacks. Below is an overview of the main trends in 2024. Plutocracy Among the countries that went to the polls in 2024 was the most powerful in the world: the United States. Regardless of ideological preferences, Donald Trumps victory is a disturbing result for democracy, as hes a candidate who refused to recognize the verdict of the previous elections (despite no evidence of fraud) and who encouraged an assault on the nations Congress. Beyond Trumps profile, the U.S. elections last November gave rise to other reasons for alarm. The elections showed us that the state of democracy in the U.S. is worse than we imagined. Not so much because of the result, but because of what was evident in the process: the outrageous levels of polarization, the absolutely widespread use of disinformation and the grotesque role of money, which I would emphasize, analyzes Kevin Casas-Zamora, secretary general of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The expert points out the absolute distortion that money creates in a democracy like the United States. [It has reached] a point where Mr. [Elon] Musk after handing out checks for a million dollars to voters and spending $200 million on the campaign supporting Trump has practically moved into the president-elects house while he names his Cabinet. You see the absolute shamelessness with which a very small and extraordinarily rich elite has taken over and has captured the political process in the United States, says Casas-Zamora, who served as vice president of Costa Rica from 2006 until 2007. Before his role in Trumps campaign, Musk the richest person in the world also acquired one of the main platforms for digital public debate (X, then called Twitter) and turned it into a powerful propaganda machine in favor of his interests and those of his allies. The Musk-Trump alliance highlights the resurgent risk of collusion between the ultra-rich and politicians. This is the 21st century variant of the plague of plutocracy, which seriously endangers the future viability of democracy. Foreign interference If the U.S. highlights the risks that arise from within, countries such as Romania and Georgia underline the growing scope of foreign interference. Like the concept of plutocracy, malicious propaganda promoted by foreign powers isnt new. Yet, its effectiveness in the era of digital platforms is unprecedented. The Romanian judicial authorities have ordered a rerun of the presidential elections that took place this past December, after local intelligence services detected anomalous activity on TikTok a Chinese-owned social media network and a scheme coordinated by a state actor outside the country in favour of the nationalist, populist and pro-Russian candidate, Calin Georgescu, who achieved an astonishing result despite being a semi-unknown until not long before his participation. Meanwhile in Georgia which has been behind a strong democratic deterioration for years, according to respected independent organizations the ruling party secured another victory that was criticised by the OSCE observer mission. Its a pro-Russian party, led by a tycoon who amassed his fortune in Russia and who has frozen the process of Georgia potentially joining the European Union. This is despite the fact that the country has a strong pro-European majority, which makes the supposed electoral victory even more striking. Certainly, many elections were affected by disinformation campaigns. Weve seen this in recent weeks, particularly in Eastern European countries [foreign actors] have had an undeniable presence, Casas-Zamora affirms. Having said that, I think its very important to introduce a note of caution and a dose of humility into the debate: we dont know exactly how much these types of campaigns determine the results, because establishing a direct causal link is very complex. A person looking at a TikTok post by the populist and far-right candidate for Romania's presidency, Calin Georgescu. He came close to victory thanks to an aggressive social media campaign. Political violence Another worrying element that surged in 2024 was political violence. Weve detected a certain increase in political violence around elections. Weve monitored that, in at least 26 of the 75 elections that were held this past year, there was some kind of manifestation of violence, says Gerardo Berthin, vice president of International Programs at Freedom House, a think tank based in Washington, D.C. First of all, we can mention the assassination attempts on Trump. But there were physical attacks in other cases, also against those who work in the organization of elections, Berthin adds. Here appears the worst face of the consequences of unbridled polarization, which tends to exacerbate tempers, delegitimize electoral processes, or even dehumanize political adversaries. And polarization even without directly inciting violence creates a breeding ground for it. Discontent The 2024 electoral cycle resulted in a notable number of defeats for candidates and parties in power, as well as the rise of radical alternatives. In the West, 2024 has been the year of unrest, says Cristina Monge, a political scientist and president of the Mas Democracia association. Far-right forces seem to have taken electoral advantage of this unrest in many countries. The essential question in the air is whether the famous phrase its the economy, stupid is still valid, or whether weve turned the page on that. Because, in many of these countries where unrest is detected, the macroeconomy has very good figures. Its worth asking whether these good macroeconomic figures are hiding shortcomings, or whether this unrest also responds to other types of uncertainties, worries, or fears that dont have to be incompatible with economic unrest, but which do reveal another type of concern, says Monge. Representation of women It hasnt been a good year when it comes to the representation of women, Casas-Zamora concludes. This has been growing throughout the 21st century, from a level close to 13% of female parliamentary representatives worldwide in 2000, to 27% at the beginning of 2024. This is according to data collected by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an organization that provides information on the composition of parliaments around the world. By the end of 2024, however, the trend was broken. When you look at the numbers from the elections that have been held this year, the percentage of seats occupied by women fell by one percentage point. And, in terms of heads of state or government, theres one more [woman] than there was a year ago. So, theres been a stagnation, Casas-Zamora points out. This is only the most visible aspect of the difficulties in moving towards full gender parity. Beneath this lies the practice of discrimination, and also a disturbing tendency towards verbal aggression in the digital debate, which makes it more difficult for women to participate. Consolidation of authoritarianism Not only have disturbing trends been revealed in democracies with genuine electoral competitions. Several elections have also been held that have confirmed via processes that have become farcical the authoritarian drifts of certain nations. Tunisia once a democratic hope in North Africa consolidated its regression by holding a shameful election, without real competition. Only 28% of eligible citizens voted. In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele another master in the use of social media violated the Constitution to secure a second term, despite the prohibition of re-election. Ukraine which should have held elections in 2024 was unable to do so due to Russias aggression. Additionally, a multitude of authoritarian regimes deepened their democratic farce, from Russia to Venezuela. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in San Jose, Costa Rica, on November 11. Jose Diaz (AP) Climate change The experts consulted by EL PAIS offer two observations on the subject of climate change in the global electoral context. Despite the fact that the consequences of the phenomenon are increasingly evident on the planet, its still not the main issue when we talk about elections. We continue to completely disconnect the climate crisis from political issues, especially electoral ones, Monge notes. According to Casa-Zamora, the irony is that 14 national elections were affected to varying degrees by extreme weather events. Climate change not only ravages the planet in general: it also has disruptive effects on electoral processes. However, despite its importance, it doesnt seem to be central when it comes to choosing who to vote for. Participation In the electoral balance, not everything is bad news. One piece of good news is the notable level of turnout in the elections held in 2024. This makes us think that people still have hope in the electoral process, Berthin suggests. According to IDEA data, the average turnout rate in the more than 70 national elections held was 61%, with a total of 1.6 billion voters. This figure shouldnt eliminate the alarm about the widespread distrust in democratic institutions, but its certainly a cause for hope. Alternation Discontent as a force promoting political change is disturbing when it exclusively reflects citizen displeasure with the effectiveness of the management of democratic institutions. However, alternation is an essential feature of democracy. The possibility of removing rulers from power based on their poor management is the very soul of the model. The fact that this change has occurred in many cases is also a reflection of democratic vitality. Even though excessive volatility isnt a good thing with constant changes in government between groups that dont agree on even basic policies related to essential issues the long permanence in power of the same parties is potentially an even greater evil. In some of the cases observed in 2024, there wasnt an alternation, but rather a healthy reduction in the power of some rulers. In this sense, good democratic news has come from two important countries in the Global South: India and South Africa. In the former, after winning two absolute majorities and holding up a democratic record much-criticized by opponents and international think tanks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suffered a considerable setback. He now has to govern as part of a coalition. Likewise, after decades in power, the African National Congress (ANC) has been punished at the polls by losing its absolute majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC continues to govern today in South Africa, although it faces checks and balances due to its need for consistent support from other parties. Resilience In the face of the great risks that were evident in 2024, extraordinary episodes of democratic resilience also emerged. One admirable one is that of Senegal, a country in a region of Africa that has experienced numerous coups detat. Despite the imprisonment of a prominent opposition leader and the attempts of the previous president to postpone the elections, the resistance of civic institutions and the mobilization of citizens managed to make everything flow along a democratic path. An opposition candidate ended up winning. There was also good news in the face of external interference. In Moldova, a scheme similar to the one which supported the Romanian populist was detected. There was an attempt to promote the local pro-Russian candidate in the presidential elections; a BBC journalist even collected testimony regarding a plot to distribute payments in exchange for votes. In the end, despite everything, the pro-EU president Maia Sandu managed to win re-election. There was also good news not directly linked to electoral processes, such as the resilience of democracy in South Korea, Bolivia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the face of coups. In the first case, there was an attempted self-coup by the now-departed president, who tried to introduce martial law. In the second, there was a coup attempt with military characteristics that seemed long forgotten in Latin America. And, in the third, an armed attack on institutions was repressed by the Armed Forces. Another extraordinary episode occurred in Bangladesh. Months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fifth consecutive term in a farcical election, a movement driven by student protests forced the collapse of the regime and the opening of a hopeful democratic transition. In Georgia, mass demonstrations against moving the country away from the path towards EU membership are taking place day after day in the streets of Tbilisi. Despite the inability to displace the current government, its been an inspiring mobilization. The electoral calendar for 2025 is much less striking when compared to the year that just ended. But the forces that seek to erode democracy from within and from without will continue to act with the enormous levers at their disposal. Democracies will have to work hard to design effective defence strategies. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A lucky Massachusetts State Lottery player bought a winning Powerball ticket worth $50,000 at a North Andover board game store on Saturday. The ticket was purchased at a Winners Corner location at 2302 Turnpike St. Saturday nights winning numbers were 3, 6, 32, 37, 65, and the Powerball number was 4. In Powerball, players select five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. They then choose how many drawings they want to use those numbers for. Players that match all five numbers and the Powerball number win the jackpot. They have 1 in 292,201,338 chances of winning this way. Players that match four numbers and the Powerball number win $50,000. They have 1 in 913,129.18 chances of winning this way. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The jackpot stands at $285 million as of Sunday. Overall, at least 300 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including two in Springfield, four in Worcester and 41 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. Boston police are asking the public to help them identify a suspect they say was involved in a stabbing in the citys Dorchester neighborhood on Thursday. The stabbing happened on Jan. 9 around 8:45 p.m. at 1660 Dorchester Ave., Boston police said in a press release. The address provided by police is the address for OBriens Market and Deli, which is located across the street from Henderson Inclusion Elementary School. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black man wearing a black jacket with a gray hood, black pants, brown boots and a black winter hat with a tag on the top, police said. The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the stabbing, police said. Anyone with information about it or who recognizes the man pictured above is strongly urged to contact detectives at (617) 343-4335. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-(800)-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner, the department wrote in the press release. No further information about the stabbing has been released. Debbie Melo was arguing with her husband in Weymouth on June 20, 2000. He claims she got out of the car and was never seen again. Massachusetts State Police Detective Lieutenant Ann Marie Robertson has been searching for her ever since, staying in close contact with the family. A car struck and killed a pedestrian on Sunday morning in Boston, and two others were in critical condition following the incident, according to police. Officers responded to 600 Dorchester Ave. in South Boston for a report that a pedestrian was struck by a car around 9:25 a.m., according to Boston Police spokesperson John Boyle. At the scene, they found the pedestrian only identified as an adult man was injured. The man was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The car that struck the pedestrian also crashed into a building, according to Boyle. The cars driver and passenger were rushed to a hospital and are in critical condition. Boston polices homicide and fatal collision teams are investigating the crash, according to Boyle. No further information about the crash has been released. 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They had planned on getting married and starting a family, sharing a future and continuing to make memories. The rubble on which he sits was once the building she lived in. The war took her away from me. Its taken everything from me. She died with the rest of her family in a bombing, says Al-Banna in a videocall from a refugee camp in Khan Yunis, in the southern region of the Gaza Strip. His story, filmed at the start of 2024 using a mobile phone, is one of the 22 short films compiled by Gazan director Rashid Masharawi in the movie From Ground Zero, which made its official debut on January 3 and has been shortlisted for the Oscars Best International Film category, representing Palestine. The film has passed the preliminary round of voting and on January 17, its team will find out whether it made the final list of nominations. It is comprised of stories filmed by 22 directors in Gaza, from documentaries to fiction and animation, offering different viewpoints and experiences of the war that started on October 7, 2023 and has ended the lives of more than 45,500 people, according to numbers from the Gaza Health Ministry. Al-Banna, who remembers the day of the bombing that took Natalies life as a nightmare, was a television and theater actor before the war began. He had a flair for acting, and was interested in the performing arts as a child; in 2015, after studying acting, he began filming his own productions. I really like shooting love stories, he confesses. Im quite romantic. Thats partly why he wanted his one-man short film, entitled Jad and Natalie, to tell the story of himself and his fiancee. Producing it brought him out of the period of deep depression into which he entered after her death. Aws Al-Banna, seated among the ruins of the building where his fiancee Natalie once lived, in a scene from his short Jad and Natalie. I am one of the two million people who suffer in the Gaza Strip. The world needs to know that we have lives, families, love and dreams, like everyone else, says Al-Banna. He refuses to leave because his dream of becoming an actor hasnt yet come true. And he doesnt want to fulfill it anywhere besides his home. When he arrived at Khan Yunis, convinced of the therapeutic powers of theater, he founded Child Smile, an organization that hosts theater workshops for children who have experienced war-related trauma. Its students use performing arts to tell their stories, transforming them into plays in order to express and work through their emotions. They eventually present the works to their parents and other children. I do it because I need it as much as they do, to heal myself and help them to do the same, he says. Fighting back with the peace of art Reema Mahmoud, 36, a filmmaker born in the West Bank who has lived for most of her life in Gaza, says that From Ground Zero is not just a cinematographic project. Her contribution to the film is her short Selfie, and she believes that film is a way to fight with the peace of art and to bring to the Western and Arab world the image of what we experience every day: constant bombardment, total destruction and deprivation, she explains from a refugee camp in Rafah, on the southern tip of the Strip. In Selfie, which Mahmoud describes as a message in a bottle that she throws into the sea for an unknown friend, she tells of her experience being displaced by the war, condemned to live in refugee camps. Its her story, but also that of thousands of other women. We are especially vulnerable while being displaced: we have no privacy, not even basic sanitary supplies, clothes or food. In the film, Mahmoud writes a letter in which she tells what the last year has been like for her, inserts it into a bottle and heaves it into the ocean. I dont know if it will get to anyone or not, but its my way of conveying my suffering. Reema Mahmoud writes a letter in one of the scenes of her short film 'Selfie', in Rafah, south of Gaza. Mahmoud has been making movies for 15 years on the Strip, where she has produced 25 short films that focus on womens experiences. Since childhood she has loved classic films in black and white, and though she studied communications and journalism at the University of Palestine in Gaza City, she was ultimately drawn to the seventh art. Her life has been marked by several conflicts, but none like the current war. We live under constant bombardment, there is no safe place in Gaza. Our lives are always at risk, she says. Still, she is certain that she wants to stay put: It is the heart that beats in my body. My love for Gaza is similar to my love for my mother. I cant live without them, she says. Our life is wasted between the need to document and the need to survive Nidaa Abu Hasna, 30, recalls with a special fondness the first time she saw a film in a movie theater. It happened when she was 26 years old, in an Egyptian cinema on a three-day trip to visit a friend before starting her masters in film studies in Tunisia. She had just graduated with a degree in radio and television from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza City. She watched a comedy starring an actor that she wasnt a huge fan of, but loved the experience. I really liked buying the tickets and the popcorn, she says, and recalls being surprised by the size of the theater and screen. In Gaza, theres nothing like that. I liked sharing the experience with other people and laughing. It was a fun day Ill never forget, she says from a refugee camp in Deir al Balah in central Gaza, via WhatsApp. Abu Hasna is particularly interested in social and documentary film, because its quite connected to reality. As a cinematographic producer, she feels a responsibility to document all the crimes that the [Israeli] occupation is committing against Gazans. Her short film Beyond the Frame tells the story of an artist, her friend, whose exhibition installed in her fathers home was destroyed in the bombardment of a neighboring house. Filming the short, she says, presented challenges due to the magnitude of the destruction and the effects it had on her friend. Two years of work, destroyed right in front of her. She was devastated, says Abu Hasna. Thats in addition to the horrors that she herself experienced during the films shooting. Bombs and destruction all the time and everywhere, which impacted her mental and emotional health. I was in a very bad mental state, from which Ive only recovered recently, she says. She didnt plan to be in Gaza during this time, and much less in a refugee camp. She came on a visit in March 2023 and planned to return to Tunisia in November of the same year to begin her doctorate in audiovisual sciences and film, researching the disruptive narratives of Palestinian film. I went to attend my sisters wedding, I was preparing to get my drivers license and for the first year of my doctorate, she says. She could have fled the Strip during the first month of the war, but she didnt want to leave her family and return to her studies in Tunisia as if nothing was happening. I never imagined that it would go on for this long, she says. Although she has a gut feeling that she should stay to document what is happening in Gaza, she also hopes to return to her schooling in Tunisia as soon as possible because Gaza is no longer a place where one can live. She feels trapped in an unending paradox: she has to document, but at the same time, she cant. We live in the contradiction of having a deep need of documentation, and a deep need to save our lives and get out. Amid these paradoxes, our lives are being wasted. Translated by Caitlin ODonohue. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition THE most senior Fianna Fail politician on Mayo County Council has said that local democracy in Ireland is completely on the floor. Echoing comments from his Fine Gael counterpart, Cllr Damien Ryan said that the diminishment of powers of local authorities had gone beyond crazy. The Fianna Fail whip called on his own party councillors and Fine Gael councillors to make a submission to the programme for government calling for enhanced powers for local authorities. The Ballinrobe-based representative said that the best and brightest will fly the council chambers around the country if the erosion of local authorities powers continued. Cllr Ryan made his comments after Fine Gaels Mayo County Council whip, Cllr Peter Flynn, said that powers had been taken away from the council through the establishment of state bodies such as Irish Uisce Eireann If we dont correct this, whats going to end up happening is the whole thing is going to descend into anarchy, he added. I think its important that theres a document thats put together, thats substantial, that gives every one of our councillors power and equally gives them responsibility, and if they have to be penalised for not making proper decisions, lets put that in as well, said Cllr Ryan. Government formation talks are currently ongoing between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, who are more than likely to re-enter coalition with the support of Independents. THE top official on Mayo County Council has again rebuked criticism for living in Co Galway. Kevin Kelly accused the Fine Gael council whip of the same rhetoric after he again expressed misgivings over Mr Kelly not residing in Mayo. Cllr Peter Flynn also expressed concern about newly co-opted councillor Deirdre Lawless and Tom Gilligan, the councils Director of Services for Housing and Roads, who do not reside in Mayo. Cllr Flynn made similar remarks last year during the May meeting of Mayo County Council. Mr Kelly countered by accusing the Westport-based councillor of launching a personal attack on him. Cllr Flynn made similar remarks again at last Wednesdays special meeting of Mayo County Council, saying that council officials and councillors should reside in Mayo. If this was a business, you certainly wouldnt want your leadership sitting in other parts of the organisation. Youd want them close to the shop floor, youd want them meeting the customers, and youd want that interaction on a day-to-day basis. And having our key people living in another county is not good. It really is not good, said Cllr Flynn. Mr Kelly responded by accusing the Fine Gael councillor of outdated thinking that hasnt kept up with the reality of modern life. We have a new council, we have a new year, but we have the same rhetoric, Mr Kelly said. The former Galway County Council Chief Executive argued that someones place of abode was not an indicator of commitment to the job or the ability to deliver in the era of remote working. I know that every decision I make is in the best interest of Mayo and Mayo County Council and if I think if everyone did the same I think things would be much better. But I think this continuing harping about where people live is unnecessary and unhelpful in the context of us all trying to do the best job we can for Mayo and the people of Mayo, added Mr Kelly. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection that spreads among birds and can sometimes infect humans. Trusted Source Avian Influenza Go to source Trusted Source Bird Flu Continues to Spread #BirdFlu Alert! - Avian #influenza cases are on the rise. Stay informed and take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. Advertisement Avian Influenza - (https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/) Authorities announced that South Korea has confirmed two more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), raising the total number of outbreaks this season to 23 ().The new cases were detected on Monday at a broiler breeder farm in Dangjin, 79 km south of Seoul, and a meat duck farm in Buan, 204 km south of Seoul, according to the central disaster management headquarters for AI outbreaks, Yonhap news agency reported. Authorities are monitoring 69 poultry farms located within the quarantine zones of the two infected farms to prevent further spread, the anti-disaster office said.In the recent past, the highly pathogenic bird flu virus has caused mass mortality in chickens and wild birds worldwide. The infections also spread to seals, cats, cattle, and even from cattle to humans -- increasing the threat of a potential next pandemic virus.Early this week, the US reported the first human death in the country due to bird flu or H5N1. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed in a news release that the patient had been hospitalised with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Xinhua news agency reported.The patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions, said the department, adding that the patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The department noted that the patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in the southeastern US state and the department's extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission.While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk, state officials warned, adding that the best way to protect people from H5N1 is to avoid sources of exposure.As of Monday, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the US since 2024 and 67 since 2022.Outside the US, more than 950 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported to the World Health Organisation; about half of those have resulted in death, according to the CDC.CDC pointed out that no person-to-person transmission spread has been identified. The agency said it has carefully studied the available information about the person who died in Louisiana and continues to assess that the risk to the general public remains low.Source-IANS RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Germanys foreign minister said Sunday that sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for war crimes must remain in place but called for a smart approach to provide relief to the Syrian population after last month's overthrow of President Bashar Assad. Annalena Baerbock spoke to reporters after arriving in Saudi Arabia for a conference on Syria's future attended by top European and Middle Eastern diplomats. Germany is one of several countries that imposed sanctions on the Assad government over its brutal crackdown on dissent. Those penalties could hinder Syria's recovery from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced half the prewar population of 23 million. Sanctions against Assads henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place, Baerbock said. But Germany proposes to take a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population. Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power. Baerbock announced an additional 50 million euros ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters and medical care, highlighting the ongoing struggles of millions of Syrians displaced by the war. The United States, European and some Arab nations began imposing sanctions after Assads crackdown on the 2011 uprising and tightened them as the conflict spiraled into war. The sanctions target not only senior government officials, but also the country's oil industry, international money transfers and hundreds of entities and individuals linked to the Assad government, crippling the wider economy. There are exemptions when it comes to humanitarian aid, but relief organizations have said that overcompliance by financial institutions hinders their operations. Turkey urges balance in international demands of Syria EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who also attended the meeting, said European countries want to see a government that includes all of Syrias religious and ethnic communities. We want to see inclusivity of women also in the process, so these are the things that we are going to discuss, she said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which was a strong supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, would try to aid Syria in normalizing ties with the international community. He said it was important to establish a balance between the expectations of the international community and the realities faced by the new administration in Syria. He pledged Turkish support to the new government, especially in combating threats from the Islamic State group. As Turkey, we are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people, he said in comments carried by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency. The United States has eased some restrictions Last week, the United States eased some of its restrictions on Syria, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The U.S. has also dropped a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month. Al-Sharaa was a former senior al-Qaida militant who broke with the group years ago and has pledged an inclusive Syria that respects the rights of religious minorities. The rebels led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his familys decades-long rule. Much of the world severed ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government and its Russian and Iranian allies over alleged war crimes and the manufacturing of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, which reportedly generated billions of dollars as packages of the little white pills were smuggled across Syrias porous borders. With Assad out of the picture, Syrias new authorities hope that the international community will pour money into the country to rebuild its battered infrastructure and make its economy viable again. __ Follow AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria When Hernan Cortes mounted his final siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521, its Mexica defenders offered little resistance. The diseases the Europeans had brought with them, particularly smallpox, had weakened the regions inhabitants, who were defenseless against the previously unknown pathogens. Years before, during the seventh century, another dazzling civilization, that of the Muslim Empire, rose up with the assistance of microbes, in its case the bacteria that produced the plague and left the Byzantines and Sassanids weakened. Two empires that had been invincible for centuries were supplanted by other factions who proved better at resisting unexpected outbreaks of epidemic. In his 2023 book Being Human: How Our Biology Shaped World History (The Bodley Head Ltd), Lewis Dartnell (Taplow, United Kingdom, 44 years old) offers examples that demonstrate the influence of human biology on the evolution of history. After telling of how geology has determined our history in his earlier book Origins, in his latest title, Dartnell explains how infectious disease and genetics led to the appearance of the United Kingdom, Haitian independence and the fall of the Bourbon monarchy in Spain, not to mention how our attraction to drugs has caused wars and the founding of entire countries. Question. In your book, you suggest that Christianity owes its initial expansion to Cyprians plague in the second century, that Islam spread due to the effects of another plague and that the Spanish conquered America to nearly no resistance because of infectious diseases. Arent these explanations overly simplified? Answer. I try very hard to not oversimplify what are obviously very complicated processes happening around the world and across broad swaths of time. Clearly, theres more than one factor at play. But the point Im trying to make in the book is that often, we as scientists, as historians, tend to overlook the fundamental nature of us as a species, and the role that it has played alongside economic, sociological or random chance in the outcomes of history. I wouldnt argue for a second that biological processes are the only influence or indeed, the most important influence, although in many cases I argue that they are, or that they are the dominant effect. But I think its just one thing to add to the mix, to consider. In the case of pandemics and epidemics, and particularly, with the mass depopulation of the Americas, when European explorers first started arriving by sailing ships, I think that it is pretty clear, from the historical and archaeological evidence, that it was a series of enormous pandemics that wiped out a huge fraction of the Indigenous population. Q. In your book, you talk about the importance of our attraction to drugs, to caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, in the development of history. Is it possible that we now perceive drugs, which we have always used, as something problematic because of our capacity to produce them in industrial amounts? In the past, people couldnt produce those huge amounts. Maybe smoking a little bit or consuming a little bit of alcohol or other drugs was something that had a very different effect on individuals and society, and could even be beneficial? A. Theres an interaction between these biological and sociological and technological effects. One of the problems with the modern world is a loss of scarcity in many things that we really had to scrounge around for or spend a long time trying to gather. That includes the ready availability and cheapness of calories in highly sugary drinks that you can buy for next to no money nowadays. That has led to big problems with obesity in much of the world, and diabetes. Some researchers describe this as a disconnect between the environment in which our bodies and psychology evolved and the modern world, where many things are very easy to get. Thats also true of things that we would consider to be drugs, like alcohol, nicotine, opioids. Q. There are book like yours and those of Yuval Noah Harari that look to impart a global view of humanity, that try to explain our nature using anthropology, geology and biology. Can these books guide us towards improving as a society? A. I think that often, in science and history, a book can be very focused, very narrow in its outlook, and theres very much a value to that. But I also think theres a lot of value in books that take a broader picture, that paint world history in broader strokes. They are necessarily, therefore, a little bit more superficial, a little bit blurrier and more nebulous, but they put things into their context as far as possible. And in terms of human nature and how weve evolved and to what extent we can control our behavior, I argue in the book that biology has been a powerful influence throughout human history. Its not the only influence, but also, were not slaves to our biology. And talking about cognitive biases, they have very, very potent effects. Even researchers who spend their lives studying cognitive biases still fall prey to them. Its something deep and fundamental in the wiring of our brains. But that doesnt mean that we cant get around the problem and theres a lot of research at the moment into de-biasing or how you can structure committees or groups of people to try to offset the problem of cognitive biases, or how you can do that on an individual level as well. A lot of the time, being aware of the problem is the first step towards solving it. So I wouldnt argue that we are slaves to our biology, but also, you dont want to throw the baby out with the bathwater and pretend that biology and our evolution and our genetics and our anatomy and our psychology have had no impact on human history, because of course it has, and the truth lies somewhere in between those two extremes, and thats the middle ground that I was trying to explore in the book. Q. You speak about cognitive biases like our aversion to loss, that the pain of losing $100 is much more intense than the joy of finding $100, and the evolutionary origin of that bias. That makes us more conservative and can explain why many times, the lower and middle classes embrace political stances that dont benefit them, because theyre more concerned about defending their land from those who come behind them than about demanding more from those above them. A. Clearly, theres a lot of influence of psychology and human nature on politics and how people choose the leader they want, but also how candidates and people who want to remain in power try to influence, if not manipulate and control people. In a certain sense, conservatism and not wanting to change things too much makes sense. Theres a phrase in English, if it aint broke dont fix it. But I think that mentality can also be abused by the far right or by people taking extreme political views, because power begets power. If you already have power, youre better able to hold onto that power and diminish other people or keep them under the boot. And we see a lot of that in world history and politics today as well. Q. Can we learn something from our past and our biology that would give us more happiness? Do you think its possible to accept that certain ways of life are better for the majority? Recently, you published that single people, in particular men, have more of a tendency to depression than married people, but wouldnt it be scandalous to recommend marriage as one would recommend other forms of healthy living? A. Im not sure Ive got some biological secret for happiness or advice for living a better life, because thats entirely dependent on your personal situation and your circumstances. But as a general principle, and ancient philosophy has been talking about this for a long time: treat others as you expect them to treat you. The golden rule, basically, boils down to that, and we see it being replicated in many different philosophies, many different religions and the formal structures of law that have arisen in states to keep up a peaceful society. Dont be mean to each other. Seek your own happiness, your own pleasure, your own fulfillment, as long as that doesnt start impinging on other peoples ability to seek their own happiness. Dont steal someone elses happiness or exploit them. You know, theres psychological studies into how much you need to earn to be happy. People who are very poor and cant provide for everything they need are unhappy and as you earn more, your happiness level increases, up to a particular point where each extra euro you earn doesnt actually bring that much extra happiness. A billionaire isnt a thousand times happier than a millionaire, you know. You reach the point where you can provide for all your basic necessities as well as some treats and buy yourself a present every now and then or be able to go on a nice holiday, but beyond that, money doesnt really bring any extra happiness. Theres no secret there. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KYIV, Ukraine (AP) For weeks, Ukrainian troops braced for an unfamiliar enemy: North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Moscows forces after Ukraine launched a lightning-fast incursion and seized territory in Russia's Kursk region over the summer. Their arrival marked a new and alarming phase in the war. And while initially inexperienced on the battlefield, North Korean troops have adapted quickly a development that could have far-reaching consequences as they gain combat knowledge in the war against Ukraine. Unlike the Russian troops Ukraine has been battling for nearly three years, Kyivs forces were uncertain about what to expect from this new adversary, drawn into the war after Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement pledging military assistance using all means if either were attacked. One Ukrainian soldier who has witnessed North Koreans in battle described them as disciplined and highly methodical, saying they were more professional than their Russian counterparts. The soldier spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive military issue. However, other soldiers, including Ukrainian special forces, have shared battlefield drone footage on the Telegram messaging app mocking their tactics as outdated. Nevertheless, there is consensus among Ukrainian soldiers, military intelligence and others monitoring developments on the ground: While Pyongyangs troops lacked battlefield experience when they arrived, that has been changing quickly. With 1.2 million troops, North Korea's military ranks among the largest standing armies globally. But its post-Korean War foreign engagements have been limited, leaving them inexperienced with modern warfare technologies like drones. For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience," said Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraines military intelligence agency. "This is a global challenge not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world. Identifying the presence of North Korean troops Despite Ukrainian, U.S. and South Korean assertions that Pyongyang has sent 10,000-12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the Kursk border region, Moscow has never publicly acknowledged the North Korean forces. While reports of their presence first emerged in October, Ukrainian troops only confirmed engagement on the ground in December. Analysts say that without the influx of North Korean troops, Russia would have struggled to pursue its strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk. While Moscows counterattack in Kursk has inflicted thousands of Ukrainian casualties, Kyiv's overstretched forces have managed to hold on to about half of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) seized in August, though the situation remains dynamic. Besides the symbolic impact of Ukraine's success capturing Russian territory, control of Kursk could also be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire negotiations. According to Ukraines intelligence agency, the North Korean soldiers are operating alongside Russian units, with the latter providing reconnaissance and electronic warfare support. The North Koreans wear Russian military uniforms with fake military IDs in their pockets, according to a report by a Ukrainian military unit that has observed them on the battlefield, and they could easily be mistaken for Russian soldiers. The subterfuge means Moscow and its representatives at the U.N. can deny the facts, said Yusov, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson. Among the things proving their presence is that they have been heard speaking Korean with North Korean accents in intercepted communications, Yusov said. He said the North Korean troops are using their own weapons and equipment and have learned to cope with the improvised explosives-laden drones that have become emblematic of the war, first-hand experience even some NATO-member countries don't have. This is a new level of threat, Yusov said. Regional countries must prepare for what this means in the future. North Koreans gain invaluable experience on the battlefield The North Koreans early missteps were largely caused by inexperience, such as moving in large groups in open terrain, making them easy targets for drones and artillery strikes. According to the Ukrainian military unit's report, the North Korean soldiers were spotted easily as they moved in single-file columns through forest in groups of three, with 3 to 5 meters (yards) between soldiers. On open terrain, they moved in dispersed formations of five to 15 soldiers, making them vulnerable and leading to heavy losses. However, during night operations, their movements were swift and units oriented themselves using red flashlights along routes, the report said. Theyre fast, physically well-prepared, and act strictly according to their algorithms, said the Ukrainian soldier who spoke to the AP. "If you drill the same routines for years, to the point where they can be executed blindfolded, it will yield results. Despite their discipline, their lack of combat experience hindered their effectiveness. The Ukrainian military reported that North Korean troops often sustained heavy losses, with many killed by drones. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 4,000, though U.S. estimates are lower, at around 1,200. Much of their military doctrine and training is based on strategies and experiences from over half a century ago, said Glib Voloskyi, a military analyst with the Ukrainian think tank CBA Initiatives Center. The large-group formations date to when artillery accuracy was significantly lower, and observing troop movements much more difficult. Today, reconnaissance and so-called first-person view drones, or FPVs, that transmit video allowing soldiers to strike targets in real time have made the battlefield highly transparent, and anyone stepping onto it without cover, let alone moving in groups, is immediately spotted. But it is only a matter of time before they acquire the necessary skills to improve their combat effectiveness, which, combined with their discipline and training, could make them a significant military force, Voloskyi said. No surrender policy means few North Korean POWs After weeks of fighting, Ukrainian soldiers have taken only two prisoners of war. In announcing the capture Saturday, Zelenskyy said taking them alive was not easy because of efforts to conceal the North Koreans' presence and avoid their interrogation by Ukraine. North Korean soldiers avoid surrendering at all costs, Zelenskyy said. This may stem from North Korean internal propaganda that portrays capture as the ultimate disgrace, analysts said. To be captured alive is considered a betrayal of the country, the leader and everything they stand for, said Seongmin Lee of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, who defected from North Korea in 2009. This belief is instilled from a young age and reinforced throughout military training, he said. Because of the disgrace associated with the capitulation, heroic soldiers are supposed to save the last of their bullets to kill themselves, Lee said. Lee said he shared photos of dead North Korean soldiers with contacts back home. Most North Koreans dont even know what is going on, he said. Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned of the dangers posed by the rapidly improving battlefield skills the North Korean troops are gaining fighting in Kursk. North Korea is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors," Shea told the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. As an added potential benefit, she said, North Korea will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally. ___ Associated Press reporters Tong-hyung Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Michael Weissenstein at the United Nations contributed. DAMASCUS (AP) Intelligence officials in Syria's new de facto government thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to set off a bomb at a Shiite shrine in the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, state media reported Saturday. State news agency SANA reported, citing an unnamed official in the General Intelligence Service, that members of the IS cell planning the attack were arrested. It quoted the official as saying that the intelligence service is putting all its capabilities to stand in the face of all attempts to target the Syrian people in all their spectrums. Sayyida Zeinab has been the site of past attacks on Shiite pilgrims by IS which takes an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and considers Shiites to be infidels. In 2023, a motorcycle planted with explosives detonated in Sayyida Zeinab, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the Shiite holy day of Ashoura, The announcement that the attack had been thwarted appeared to be another attempt by the country's new leaders to reassure religious minorities, including those seen as having been supporters of the former government of Bashar Assad. Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, was allied with Iran and with the Shiite Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as well as Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the former insurgent group that led the lightning offensive that toppled Assad last month and is now the de facto ruling party in the country, is a Sunni Islamist group that formerly had ties with al-Qaida. The group later split from al-Qaida, and HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa has preached religious coexistence since assuming power in Damascus. Visitors continued to enter the shrine Saturday under strict security measures. The site is open, and visitors are making their visits safely and with peace of mind," said Moataz Sikkawi, security supervisor at the site. "The security measures regarding this cell have been addressed and dealt with. Nisreen Al Hassan, a visitor, said she felt reassured. It is a very, very good effort, and we thank the security forces who worked to ensure safety and security for this country and its citizens," she said. Also Saturday, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Damascus to meet with al-Sharaa. Relations between the two countries had been strained under Assad, with Lebanon's political factions deeply divided between those supporting and opposing Assad's rule. Mikati told journalists following his meeting with al-Sharaa that the two countries will form a committee to work on demarcation of the border, which has never been officially defined. Mikati also said they will work together to combat smuggling on the porous frontier. Some of the matters on the border need to be fully controlled, especially at illegal border points, to stop any smuggling operation between Lebanon and Syria, he said. One particularly knotty issue is the area known as Chebaa Farms, which is currently controlled by Israel as part of the Golan Heights it captured from Syria in 1967 and subsequently annexed. Most of the international community regards the area as occupied. Beirut and Damascus say Chebaa Farms belong to Lebanon. The United Nations says the area is part of Syria and that Damascus and Israel should negotiate its fate. The fact that the Lebanon-Syria border was never clearly demarcated has complicated the issue. In response to a question about demarcation, al-Sharaa did not give a clear answer. I think it is too early to talk about all the details of border demarcation, he said. There are so many problems in the Syrian reality. We cant solve it all at once. Al-Sharaa said he hopes, meanwhile, that issues at the official border crossing will soon be resolved. Lebanese citizens, who had previously crossed easily into Syria without needing a visa, are currently barred from entry. We seek to have social ties between us that increase and not decrease, so any border obstacles between us should be eliminated in the future, but this is a detailed matter for customs officials, al-Sharaa said. Sewell reported from Beirut. Redefining Gaming: How to Buy a PlayStation 5 Directly from Sony (Can You Buy a PS5 Directly from Sony?) Gaming is an immersive experience that has captured the hearts of gamers all over the world. With the release of the latest console, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), gamers have been eagerly waiting for this new generation gaming machine to arrive. However, not everyone can afford to buy a PS5 outright, especially if you prefer to save money on your purchases. In this blog post, well explore how you can buy a PS5 directly from Sony without breaking the bank. Firstly, its essential to understand the pricing structure of the PS5. The PS5 comes in three versions: Standard, Pro, and Custom. The Standard version retails for $499.99, while the Pro version goes for $699.99. The Custom option allows you to choose additional features like enhanced graphics or a custom case. If youre looking to save money, the Custom version may be the best option for you. However, if you dont want to spend a fortune on a new console, there are still ways to get a PS5 at a more affordable price. One way to do this is by purchasing a used PS5. There are many websites available where you can buy a used PS5 at a discounted price. Just make sure to thoroughly research the seller and ensure that the item is in good condition before making a purchase. Another option is to look into financing options. Sony offers financing plans through their Payment Plan program, which allows you to pay for your PS5 over time. This can help spread out the cost of the purchase over several months or even years, making it easier to manage your finances. Additionally, you can also consider shopping around for deals. Many retailers offer discounts on new consoles or accessories, so be sure to check out different stores and compare prices before making a final decision. Just make sure to read reviews and understand what other customers are saying before making a purchase. Finally, dont forget about promotions and special events.Sony regularly hosts sales and promotions on their website and social media channels, which can give you the opportunity to get a PS5 at a lower price. Just be sure to stay up-to-date with these promotions and take advantage of them when they become available. (Can You Buy a PS5 Directly from Sony?) In conclusion, buying a PS5 directly from Sony can be a great option for those who want to save money on their purchase. Whether you prefer to buy a used console or finance the purchase, there are many ways to make the most of your investment. By doing your research and taking advantage of promotions and special events, you can get the best deal possible on a PS5 without breaking the bank. So why wait? Start saving up today and get ready to embark on an unforgettable gaming experience! Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected]) FLINT, MI Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Miss Hibernia Pageant in Flint. The pageant will select Miss Hibernia and her court, who will join Grand Marshall Terry Dowdall in hosting St. Patricks Day festivities on March 17. The winners are eligible for $5,000 in cash scholarships, according to a news release from the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Miss Hibernia will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship, followed by $1,500 for the first runner-up and $1,000 for the second runner up. Miss Hibernia and her court will preside over various events on St. Patricks Day including the annual Catholic Mass at St. Matthews Catholic Church, according to the release. The pageant is open to girls with Irish family lineage between the ages of 16 and 22 who live in Genesee County. Pageant applications must be submitted by Feb. 17. The application can be submitted online at FlintStPatricksDay.com or by calling 810-730-4446. Contestants will first go through an interview screening and finalists are chosen to participate in the pageant which takes place on March 8 at Holy Rosary Parish on Richfield Road. This is the 41st year of the Miss Hibernia Pageant in Genesee County, pageant co-chair John Potbury said. We are proud to be able to carry this tradition forward in 2025 and have awarded tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships over the years. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. GENESEE COUNTY, MI When she went to Washington and took the oath of office to become a member of Congress last week, Kristen McDonald Rivet didnt go alone. The Bay City Democrat, elected to her first term on Nov. 5, brought along the whole family, including six children, two of their spouses, both sisters, her in-laws, and her 86-year-old father. That was very meaningful to me, McDonald Rivet told MLive/The Flint Journal this week. Both my parents were very, very poor. My dad was a construction worker. Stepping on the House floor, knowing how important our role is and understanding who had served in that chamber ... I was really to be honest awestruck. McDonald Rivet won the 8th Congressional District seat by defeating Republican Paul Junge in the general election, becoming the first woman to serve mid-Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her election also marked the first time since 1976 that a member of the Kildee family would not represent the Flint area in the House. Former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, did not seek re-election and endorsed McDonald Rivet rather than several other prominent Democrats, including Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, to fill his shoes. During the campaign and in her first days in Congress, McDonald Rivet has planted herself firmly in the center of the party, promising to put problem-solving first and making the attraction of high-paying jobs in the 8th Congressional District her first priority. She was selected by her peers to serve as the freshman leadership representative to the New Democratic Coalition, a group of more than 100 Democrats in the 119th Congress who she said share her commitment to governing in the middle and prioritizing economic issues that makes life easier for working families. The approach appealed to voters in the district, which became more Republican after congressional redistricting following the 2020 census. In the redistricting, parts of Midland County, including the city of Midland, were added to the 8th District, which stretches from Fenton on the south to the Pinconning area on the north and includes all of the cities of Flint, Saginaw and Bay City. When I announced my run for Congress, I reached out to the New Dem coalition and really found my ideological home, McDonald Rivet said. Although the district has a diverse group of communities, the congresswoman said, people she represents are more similar than different. Families worry about their ability to afford food and heat and gas to be able to get to work, McDonald Rivet said. I heard about that in every corner of the district. The congresswoman said shell find out how the bipartisan approach will work with the incoming Trump administration but said she believes there are groups of Republicans that are also very interested in working from the middle. McDonald Rivet last month credited her campaigns focus continuously, almost exclusively on pocketbook issues for her success in Michigan in an interview last month with the New York Times. Related: Kristen McDonald Rivet explains what went wrong and what went right in November election Her victory came despite Trump narrowly defeating Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Michigan. McDonald Rivet said the position shes staked is in line with her work in the Michigan Senate, where she authored the Working Families Tax Credit and sponsored bills to lower the cost of housing and child care after flipping a redrawn seat from Republican to Democrat in 2022. McDonald Rivet previously served as executive director of the Michigan Head Start Association; vice president of Michigan Future, Inc.; president and chief executive officer of Greater Midland Inc.; and chief strategy officer for the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and received a masters degree in education and public administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. In Congress, the freshman lawmaker said she has requested committee assignments focused on transportation and infrastructure, small business, and agriculture. But she said the pending committee assignments wont define what she wants to accomplish. The work that you do as an elected leader is not exclusive to committees you serve on, she said. The things that are important to me, I will continue to ... work with whoever sits on the committees when they are assigned. McDonald Rivet grew up in the Portland area, just west of Lansing. Shes described her upbringing as typical in the small town where shes said her mother would care for three children and her father would work 70 to 80 hours a week to make ends meet. Having him and the large contingent of family present to start her work in Congress made the moment especially meaningful. Its a big job and we have serious work ahead of us, she said. Im just incredibly honored to do it. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Back by popular demand, the World of Winter Fest is returning to Grand Rapids this snowy season. The World of Winter Fest, put on by Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., runs from Jan. 12 to March 10 with activities ranging from fire-wielding ice skaters to a circus wonderland weekend. Kicking off this Friday night with a luminary light parade, World of Winter will continue through the winter and end on Saturday, March 9 with Noodle Fest. Also returning this year are ice sculptures, Black history walking tours, and a human Hungry Hippo competition. Several large-scale art installations are now on display around downtown Grand Rapids, including huge multicolored mastodons on the Blue Bridge. With the mastodon being our state fossil and the discovery of one last year in Michigan, were excited to have that on display on the Blue Bridge, said Bill Kirk, communications director of DGRI. At Ah-Nab-Awen Park, we have giant inflatable frogs out there. Each frog is based on a real frog and theres panels where people can learn about them and hear the actual sounds theyd make in the wild. Later on in the World of Winter festival, a large sound and light dome will be installed at Calder Plaza that Kirk called a stunning visual spectacle. The luminary light parade begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, with the parade starting at the south end of Ah-Nab-Awen Park near the public restrooms. The 0.5-mile route goes north, then takes a right on Bridge Street. On the other side of the Grand River, the parade then heads south again and goes back to Ah-Nab-Awen Park over the Gilette Bridge. The parade route is lined with bag lanterns. Along with the parade, the luminary light event features local food trucks, a complimentary smores station, DJs, a special performance by the GR Gold drumline, and a sneak peek of the John Ball Zoos 2024 Lantern Fest. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Scribner lot at 309 Scribner Ave. or at Parking Area 7 at 301 Mt. Vernon Ave. NW. Huddled around a small fire on a brisk night, festival-goers warm their hands at the World of Winter in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Drew Travis | atravis@mlive.com On Saturday, head over to the Rosa Parks Circle ice rink for a Fire and Ice performance from 5-9 p.m. Fire performers who also ice skate will blend together elements of fire and ice in one display. There will also be an open skate session on the ice rink toward the end of the evening. The Saturday night event includes food trucks, dance performances, a street party on Monroe Center and a flow playground. Limited street parking is available on Monroe Center Street NW and Ottawa Avenue NW, but there is also parking at the Monroe Center ramp (37 Ionia Ave. NW) and the Louis Campau ramp (300 Monroe St. NW). A new addition to World of Winter this year highlights both a local artist and local history. In the tunnel underneath Gilette Bridge, local artist Edwin Andersons new mural will come to life. We worked with Edwin Anderson to complete a mural under the Gilette Bridge and its a visual history of the Grand River valley from pre-Ice Age, Kirk said. We teamed up with LiveSpace to do an immersive projection and narrative in the tunnel so it will involve an 8-10 minute narrated audio to talk about the mural and the history and the indigenous history of the Grand River. Below is a list of additional World of Winter events planned for this year. A full schedule of events and more information can be found at worldofwintergr.com. Any event cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced both on the World of Winter website and its social media channels. Ice park and food truck rally Saturday, Jan. 20 Art installation walking tour Friday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Jan. 27 Silent disco Saturday, Jan. 27 Winter drag show Saturday, Feb. 3 Black history walking tour Saturday, Feb. 3 Valentines ice sculptures Friday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 10 Snowga (snow yoga) Saturday, Feb. 10 Ice breaker ice sculptures Saturday, Feb. 10 DJ pop-up at Stargate Saturday, Feb. 10 Grand Rapids Mardi Gras glow sidewalk parade Tuesday, Feb. 13 Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition Saturday, Feb. 24 Human Hungry Hippo tournament Sunday, Feb. 25 Circus wonderland Saturday, March 2 Noodle Fest Saturday, March 9 Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Visibility will be key as Kent County Road Commission preps for major winter storm 8 Michigan school districts get funding for new electric school buses Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024: How to celebrate the civil rights leader around Grand Rapids KALAMAZOO, MI Theres a woman who travels from Washington, D.C. to Kalamazoo for a special spa treatment from Sarah McDaid. McDaids head spa inside Iris House Salon and Spa at 6641 Stadium Drive offers a relaxing combination of massage, hair care and skin care that originated in Japan and blew up on social media. Now, the Kalamazoo businesswoman has become an online sensation of her own. McDaid came across a head spa ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) video on TikTok in 2021. Just watching the experience was relaxing, she said. She wanted to give that feeling to people in person and virtually. So she dove into the research, earned the necessary certifications and imported a custom head spa bed from Japan that took six months to arrive. McDaid has been in the beauty industry for 15 years. As a hair loss practitioner and scalp disorder specialist, she called herself a bridge between a cosmetologist and a dermatologist. I always had a passion for helping people find ways to grow their hair and to heal their scalp, McDaid said. Since starting the head spa, my passion for holistic healing and wellness has grown in a direction that feels so right. A head spa or scalp spa combines massage and aromatherapy with skin care and hair care. A lot of people dont realize that a lot of our tension and a lot of our stress is built up in our shoulders and our neck, but also our scalp and our head, McDaid said. Like having someone brush or braid your hair, the sensation from a head spa treatment can put people into a trance-like state of relaxation, she said. Some clients want to heal dry skin, stimulate growth or remove buildup from products that are causing greasy and dull hair. Others are simply looking for relaxation. The process begins with a scalp analysis, McDaid said. For someone dealing with a dry scalp, the treatment may include exfoliating brushes and a holistic scalp scrub. Everybodys experience is slightly different because everybodys scalp is different, McDaid said. It incorporates massage, various brushes, tools and a halo of flowing water before wrapping up with a shampoo and blowout. All the skin and scalp care products used are made on McDaids botanical farm in Paw Paw under her own brand, SOIL. Clients leave with a self-care routine they can continue at home. She plans to expand her brand of holistic scalp and skin care products later this year. Head spa service starts at $175 for a hair loss, detox or dandruff rewind treatment. For $180, clients enjoy an extra long exfoliation, blowout and hairstyle. The ultimate relaxation treatment offers a facial, blowout and style as well as scalp care for $295. Bundles are available for multiple appointments, people and products. The head spa is typically booked out two or three months in advance, McDaid said. The concept is popular, but still pretty new to the U.S. McDaid garnered her own following on social media to share the experience with people who cant be there in-person. Her most popular video on TikTok has 4.6 million views since it was posted in 2023. She posts about the spa and building her skin care product line on Instagram, too. More salons and spas across the country have begun offering head spas. Still, clients come from all over Michigan and beyond to experience the social media sensation in Kalamazoo. Im glad that we were able to get this kicked off and see and show other cosmetologists and stylists or estheticians that there is an opportunity (to offer) this special service, McDaid said. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? 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Leslie Groves, aiming to raise concerns about the health risks of nuclear weapons, according to the surgeon's grandson, James Nolan Jr. "Groves was primarily concerned with issues related to security and secrecy. And therefore, health and safety matters were entirely secondary for him," the Williams College professor said in a recent online interview with Kyodo News. The Army general eventually agreed to implement some safety measures and evacuation preparations but continued to dismiss warnings from his subordinates, the grandson said. When asked why Groves was reluctant to acknowledge health issues related to nuclear weapons, Nolan Jr. said, "I think that his concern was that it could look bad for the Manhattan Project. And there was a general sense that chemical and biological warfare was wrong. And in the same way, you could say that these ongoing effects of radiation were in the same category as chemical and biological warfare. When he managed to have a chance to sit down with the Army general to discuss the matter, Groves called him "a propagandist." According to the professor's research, two days before the world's first nuclear test on July 16, James Nolan departed for the Pacific island of Tinian, carrying highly enriched uranium intended for the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The purpose of his trip to Tinian was to oversee the health of personnel involved in transporting and assembling nuclear bombs, according to Nolan Jr. On Sept. 9, about a month after the first atomic bombing, he entered a devastated Hiroshima as part of a U.S. military research team. During the visit, the research team witnessed people still dying from radiation exposure and reported their findings to Groves. However, in his congressional testimony in Washington at the end of November 1945, Groves completely denied the severe suffering caused by radiation to A-bomb survivors. During the interview, Nolan Jr. recounted the anguish of his grandfather, who visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki as part of the Manhattan Project research team following the atomic bombings. During his lifetime, the military surgeon did not share his thoughts or anguish about his experiences, according to Nolan Jr., who extensively researched his grandfather's life and spent time studying in Nagasaki. "I have to tell you that I never once talked to my grandfather about his experience on the Manhattan Project. He was very quiet about it." "I think it really troubled him, what he saw, what he'd been a part of, and talking to family members, including his daughter, they agree that it was something that he really wrestled with," the grandson said. However, James Nolan once described the devastation of the A-bombed areas to one of his nephews, saying, "It was utter devastation which you can't even imagine." After the war, the military surgeon observed nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean and monitored the effects of radiation. Upon learning that an atmospheric nuclear test had also been conducted in Nevada, he shook his head and said, "They have no idea what they're doing." Based on the advice of the Radiation Safety doctors, including James Nolan, who were in the Marshall Islands in the summer of 1946, a nuclear test called Charlie was canceled. IN discussing the consequences of the August 1945 atomic bombings, the grandson shared his perspective based on his conversations with atomic bomb survivors. "It's not something that ended in 1945. It's something that has continued. And I think it's important, particularly for Americans, to understand that. To appreciate that." Related coverage: A-bomb survivor experiences on display in Oslo after Nobel prize win Atomic bombings of Japan deemed needless by U.S. historian Flash Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement Saturday night that it had launched a new missile and drone attack against the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea in the past 24 hours, claiming the attack lasted nine hours. "This is the fifth time we targeted the aircraft carrier since its arrival in the Red Sea," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "The operation achieved its goals successfully and forced the aircraft carrier to leave the theater of operations and flee to the far north of the Red Sea," he said. The attack aimed to support the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and respond to the latest U.S.-British-Israeli airstrikes on Houthi sites in northern Yemen on Friday, Sarea said, vowing to launch more attacks against Israel until "aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted." On Friday afternoon, Israel said it launched a joint air assault with the U.S.-led naval coalition, targeting a power station and two ports in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa, Amran province, and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. Al-Masirah reported one death and nine injuries in Friday's attack. The Houthis have been controlling much of northern Yemen since late 2014, when they forced the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of the capital, Sanaa. Since November 2023, the Houthis have been carrying out rocket and drone attacks on Israel and disrupting "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians amid their ongoing conflict with Israelis. In response, Israel has launched rounds of airstrikes on Houthi targets. In addition, the U.S.-led naval coalition stationed in the area has been conducting regular air raids and strikes on Houthi sites since January 2024 in a joint bid to deter the armed group, prompting the Houthis to expand attacks to include U.S. warships. KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2025 - 12:26 | All, Japan, World U.S. authorities extended a deadline imposed on Japan's Nippon Steel Corp. and United States Steel Corp. to abandon their merger plan to June 18, the companies said Sunday, a move that came as they fight to advance the deal in courts. U.S. President Joe Biden issued an order on Jan. 3 to block the $14.1 billion takeover of U.S. Steel by the Japanese company on national security grounds and urged the companies to take all steps necessary to "fully and permanently" abandon the deal within 30 days. However, the order also stated the period can be extended by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a panel of U.S. federal agencies involved in screening the proposal. The extension of the Feb. 2 deadline followed a request from Nippon Steel. "We are pleased that CFIUS has granted an extension to June 18," U.S. Steel said in a statement. "We look forward to completing the transaction, which secures the best future for the American steel industry and all our stakeholders." Reacting to Biden's order, Japan's biggest steelmaker and U.S. Steel, the third-largest U.S. producer, have filed two federal lawsuits in the United States seeking to protect their merger plan from what they called "illegal and improper political and anticompetitive interference." One of the lawsuits asks a court to "set aside the unlawful CFIUS review process and President Biden's accompanying order" and to instruct CFIUS to reassess the proposal. The acquisition plan was announced in December 2023. U.S. Steel was once a symbol of American economic prowess, but it has struggled to compete with foreign rivals. The deal became a hot-button issue in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as Pennsylvania, where U.S. Steel is headquartered, is a key battleground state. The leadership of the politically influential United Steelworkers union also came out against the takeover. During the election campaign, Biden, who leaves office on Jan. 20, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican President-elect Donald Trump all publicly opposed the deal. Related coverage: U.S.-Japan ties strong despite blocked Nippon Steel deal: ambassador Nippon Steel CEO resolved to fight Biden's U.S. Steel intervention Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel file lawsuits after Biden blocks merger KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2025 - 09:51 | All, Japan Police sent to prosecutors on Sunday a student accused of injuring eight people in a hammer attack at a university campus in suburban Tokyo. Yoo Ju Hyun, a South Korean studying in Japan, was arrested at the scene after she allegedly attacked students at Hosei University's Tama Campus in Machida on Friday afternoon. According to police, the woman was restrained by university staff approximately 2 minutes after the incident. She has been quoted by police as saying she had been "bullied on a regular basis" and she came to think the "only solution" was to attack the students. The suspect said she used a hammer which she found earlier Friday in another classroom, according to the police. Of the eight victims, seven sustained head injuries. Not all were acquainted with the suspect. The assailant is a second-year undergraduate who enrolled at Hosei University in April 2023. Related coverage: Student suspected of hammer attack at Japan univ. cites "bullying" 8 students injured in hammer attack at univ. campus in Tokyo suburbs KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2025 - 21:30 | All, Japan, World Japan is working to arrange a trip for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the United States before mid-February for talks with incoming President Donald Trump, government sources said Sunday. To lay the groundwork for the summit with the leader of Japan's most important ally, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the same day he will attend Trump's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20 and explore a meeting with Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been nominated for U.S. secretary of state and is awaiting Senate confirmation. "We would like to first build a relationship of trust" with the incoming Trump administration, Iwaya said on public broadcaster NHK. It is rare for Japan to send its foreign minister to a U.S. presidential inauguration as the nation is usually represented by its ambassador in Washington. Japan, the United States, Australia and India, which together form a grouping called the Quad, are arranging to hold a meeting of their top diplomats in the United States on Jan. 21, according to a Japanese government source. Ishiba said in a separate TV program aired Sunday that he hopes to meet Trump "as early as possible and at an appropriate time." The program was recorded Wednesday. The Japanese prime minister, who took office in October, at one point considered meeting Trump in mid-January before his second term begins. Trump will succeed President Joe Biden. But he now is focused on a visit in February, with some government officials seeing a formal summit as more beneficial than rushing an earlier meeting. When the summit is held, Ishiba will aim to reaffirm the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and likely exchange views on Nippon Steel Corp.'s aspirations to acquire United States Steel Corp., a deal which was blocked by Biden earlier this month and is also opposed by Trump. After serving for four years through January 2021, Trump will return to the White House pledging to continue his "America First" policy platform, which is skeptical of multilateralism. The Republican takes a transactional approach to dealings with America's longstanding allies and could prompt an escalation of trade friction with China through higher tariffs. Related coverage: Japan Foreign Minister Iwaya arranging to attend Trump inauguration FOCUS: Under Trump, Japan not to be high on list, but role may grow in Asia SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's nuclear safety agency has launched an investigation into the abnormal discharge of liquid radioactive waste from a nuclear reactor to the southeast of the country, Yonhap news agency said Sunday. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) received a report from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the operator of nuclear power plants, at about 10:23 a.m. local time (0123 GMT) Sunday that the liquid waste of a radioactive storage tank in the Wolseong No. 2 nuclear power plant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province was discharged into the ocean without going through a sample analysis. The KHNP took measures to block leakage immediately after finding the tank outlet valve was open while preparing to release the liquid waste into the ocean, the NSSC said in a bulletin posted on its official website. According to the KHNP's analysis of samples left in the tank, the concentration of the leaked liquid waste, estimated at about 29 tons, stood at normal levels. The NSSC said it had dispatched experts to the power plant in a bid to investigate the exact amount and the cause of the leakage, planning to check any environmental impact by collecting seawater near the power plant. The agency promised to announce the results of the investigation once available. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The quick and efficient response to the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Xizang attests to China's good governance and its tenet of putting the people and their lives first. Shortly after the quake rocked Dingri County on Jan. 7, President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties. A meeting of the central authorities called for making utmost efforts to treat the injured, working hard to meet the basic living needs of those affected, and accelerating post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. The mobilization of personnel and resources was done as quickly as possible to save every life and provide warm shelters for residents displaced by the quake, which left 126 people dead and 337 injured. The speed and efficiency of the rescue efforts have ensured the safety of people's lives and property to the greatest extent. The rapid response was impressive. Within 10 minutes of the quake, rescue planes were in the sky; in less than half an hour, rescue operations were carried out in the epicenter area. Nine hours after the quake, all damaged road sections were repaired and ready for traffic, and mobile communication signals were restored. On the first night after the earthquake, affected people were moved to tents and provided with hot meals. The efficient relief operations reflect the huge improvements in Xizang's infrastructure, ranging from roads, power to telecommunications, as well as the good governance in Xizang. The region upgraded its emergency response to the highest level on the first day of the quake. Helicopters were used in transporting some injured residents. In one case, local authorities arranged for a helicopter to transfer a five-year-old girl seriously injured in the quake from Xigaze City to the regional capital Lhasa -- a 237-km-long journey which took one hour and seven minutes, saving time for treatment. Besides funds and materials allocated by multiple ministries and departments, Xizang received aid from across the country, including a medical team from Shanghai, a batch of donated platelets and 50 tonnes of Tibetan tea from neighboring Sichuan Province. A number of monasteries and temples both in and outside Xizang offered donations. With the support of the central authorities and the whole country, Xizang has achieved remarkable achievements over the past decades, including eliminating absolute poverty. Highways, railways, and airports have linked the border region in southwest China more closely with the rest of the country, allowing help to roll in from all quarters. With strong nationwide support, those affected by the quake will have their homes repaired or rebuilt and resume living normal lives as soon as possible. Xizang will continue its march towards modernization along with the whole nation. The new materials industry has been stimulating sustainable development and providing strong technical support for the low-carbon economy in China's Xiamen. Nearly 1,000 athletes from over 20 countries and regions gathered in east China's Jinan City for an international winter swimming challenge. BEIRUT, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of people near the Shebaa Farms in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source said on Sunday. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that an Israeli drone fired an air-to-ground missile at the Bastra area south of the town of Shebaa, resulting in the fatalities. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Saturday that its air force had identified and attacked three "suspects" near the Israeli-annexed Shebaa Farms area. Meanwhile, Lebanon's General Directorate of Civil Defense announced on Sunday it had retrieved two bodies in the Lebanese town of Khiam, the bodies and remains of eight people in the town of Naqoura, two bodies in the village of Biyyadah, and one body in the village of Tayr Harfa. A ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. However, despite the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army still carries out strikes in Lebanon, some of which resulted in deaths and injuries. Israel also accuses Hezbollah of ceasefire violations. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The police in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad on Saturday successfully averted a major security threat by thwarting a smuggling operation and seizing a large consignment of weapons, ammunition and narcotics. Senior Superintendent of Police Islamabad Arsalan Shahzeb told media that the police intercepted a suspicious vehicle attempting to transport a significant quantity of weapons and drugs from the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to Islamabad. He said that one person has been arrested and further investigations are underway, adding that the seized weapons include hundreds of pistols of various calibers, advanced automatic rifles with magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Additionally, 150 grams of methamphetamine and 4.45 kg of heroin were recovered from the culprit's possession, said the police. Islamabad police said that the protection of citizens' lives and property is the top priority, and miscreants will not be allowed to disturb the peace of the city. A significant rift within Zimbabwes largest opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has widened, with 61 legislators 50 MPs and 11 senators publicly declaring their allegiance to a faction aligned with former party leader Nelson Chamisa. This development comes amidst a protracted power struggle following Chamisas departure from the party leadership last year. The CCC, once a unified force, has fragmented into three factions vying for control. These factions are led by Jameson Timba (a close Chamisa ally), Welshman Ncube, and self-proclaimed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. The partys parliamentary representation has also shrunk considerably, currently comprising 88 MPs and 27 senators, following a series of controversial recalls initiated by Tshabangu starting in September 2023. The 61 legislators who have now issued a communique, seen by The Standard, represent a substantial portion of the remaining CCC parliamentary presence. Their statement directly addresses the contentious proposal to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwas term in office by two years, pushing the next election to 2030. The communique unequivocally rejects this proposal: We, the undersigned opposition Members of Parliament, categorically deny any alliance or collaboration with the ruling party or its proxies to extend the mandate of the sitting resident and Parliament by another two years till 2030 without the holding of democratic elections which are due in 2028, it reads. The statement further denounces this move as a violation of democratic principles and the Zimbabwean constitution, specifically referencing comments made by Charles Moyo in the media as potentially reflecting the aspirations of a faction not representing the broader democratic will of the Zimbabwean people. Agency Gumbo, shadow Justice minister in the Timba-led faction, provided further insight into the divisions within the party. He explained to The Standard that the 61 legislators do not recognise Ncube and Tshabangu as their leaders. He highlighted a key point of contention: There are some MPs who came into Parliament at the benevolence of Sengezo Tshabangu, who have taken a stance to negotiate with Zanu PF on the much debated 2030 agenda, Gumbo stated. He emphasised the decision of his faction to publicly declare their stance: We saw it necessary to take a position. As the MPs who belong to the real CCC, which had its colleagues removed from Parliament decided to make a bold statement. So we told the MPs that if you stand with us, come out in the open and lets unite to push back the 2030 agenda. The divisions are further underscored by the differing responses to a recent visit to President Mnangagwas Precabe farm. Gumbo confirmed that legislators aligned with his faction did not participate in this tour, which Tshabangu had promoted as a platform for dialogue with Mnangagwa and Zanu PF. The remaining 38 MPs and 16 senators have not yet publicly declared their allegiance to any specific faction, leaving the future of the CCC and its role in the Zimbabwean political landscape uncertain. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News Pin Share Share 0 Shares Lambert here: Then lower the standards. Problem solved. By Darius Tahir, Correspondent, who is based in Washington, D.C., and reports on health technology with an eye toward how it helps (or doesnt) underserved populations; how it can be used (or not) to help governments public health efforts; and whether or not its as innovative as its cracked up to be. Originally published at KFF Health News. Preparing cancer patients for difficult decisions is an oncologists job. They dont always remember to do it, however. At the University of Pennsylvania Health System, doctors are nudged to talk about a patients treatment and end-of-life preferences by an artificially intelligent algorithm that predicts the chances of death. But its far from being a set-it-and-forget-it tool. A routine tech checkup revealed the algorithm decayed during the covid-19 pandemic, getting 7 percentage points worse at predicting who would die, according to a 2022 study. There were likely real-life impacts. Ravi Parikh, an Emory University oncologist who was the studys lead author, told KFF Health News the tool failed hundreds of times to prompt doctors to initiate that important discussion possibly heading off unnecessary chemotherapy with patients who needed it. He believes several algorithms designed to enhance medical care weakened during the pandemic, not just the one at Penn Medicine. Many institutions are not routinely monitoring the performance of their products, Parikh said. Algorithm glitches are one facet of a dilemma that computer scientists and doctors have long acknowledged but that is starting to puzzle hospital executives and researchers: Artificial intelligence systems require consistent monitoring and staffing to put in place and to keep them working well. In essence: You need people, and more machines, to make sure the new tools dont mess up. Everybody thinks that AI will help us with our access and capacity and improve care and so on, said Nigam Shah, chief data scientist at Stanford Health Care. All of that is nice and good, but if it increases the cost of care by 20%, is that viable? Government officials worry hospitals lack the resources to put these technologies through their paces. I have looked far and wide, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said at a recent agency panel on AI. I do not believe theres a single health system, in the United States, thats capable of validating an AI algorithm thats put into place in a clinical care system. AI is already widespread in health care. Algorithms are used to predict patients risk of death or deterioration, to suggest diagnoses or triage patients, to record and summarize visits to save doctors work, and to approve insurance claims. If tech evangelists are right, the technology will become ubiquitous and profitable. The investment firm Bessemer Venture Partners has identified some 20 health-focused AI startups on track to make $10 million in revenue each in a year. The FDA has approved nearly a thousand artificially intelligent products. Evaluating whether these products work is challenging. Evaluating whether they continue to work or have developed the software equivalent of a blown gasket or leaky engine is even trickier. Take a recent study at Yale Medicine evaluating six early warning systems, which alert clinicians when patients are likely to deteriorate rapidly. A supercomputer ran the data for several days, said Dana Edelson, a doctor at the University of Chicago and co-founder of a company that provided one algorithm for the study. The process was fruitful, showing huge differences in performance among the six products. Its not easy for hospitals and providers to select the best algorithms for their needs. The average doctor doesnt have a supercomputer sitting around, and there is no Consumer Reports for AI. We have no standards, said Jesse Ehrenfeld, immediate past president of the American Medical Association. There is nothing I can point you to today that is a standard around how you evaluate, monitor, look at the performance of a model of an algorithm, AI-enabled or not, when its deployed. Perhaps the most common AI product in doctors offices is called ambient documentation, a tech-enabled assistant that listens to and summarizes patient visits. Last year, investors at Rock Health tracked $353 million flowing into these documentation companies. But, Ehrenfeld said, There is no standard right now for comparing the output of these tools. And thats a problem, when even small errors can be devastating. A team at Stanford University tried using large language models the technology underlying popular AI tools like ChatGPT to summarize patients medical history. They compared the results with what a physician would write. Even in the best case, the models had a 35% error rate, said Stanfords Shah. In medicine, when youre writing a summary and you forget one word, like fever I mean, thats a problem, right? Sometimes the reasons algorithms fail are fairly logical. For example, changes to underlying data can erode their effectiveness, like when hospitals switch lab providers. Sometimes, however, the pitfalls yawn open for no apparent reason. Sandy Aronson, a tech executive at Mass General Brighams personalized medicine program in Boston, said that when his team tested one application meant to help genetic counselors locate relevant literature about DNA variants, the product suffered nondeterminism that is, when asked the same question multiple times in a short period, it gave different results. Aronson is excited about the potential for large language models to summarize knowledge for overburdened genetic counselors, but the technology needs to improve. If metrics and standards are sparse and errors can crop up for strange reasons, what are institutions to do? Invest lots of resources. At Stanford, Shah said, it took eight to 10 months and 115 man-hours just to audit two models for fairness and reliability. Experts interviewed by KFF Health News floated the idea of artificial intelligence monitoring artificial intelligence, with some (human) data whiz monitoring both. All acknowledged that would require organizations to spend even more money a tough ask given the realities of hospital budgets and the limited supply of AI tech specialists. Its great to have a vision where were melting icebergs in order to have a model monitoring their model, Shah said. But is that really what I wanted? How many more people are we going to need? Why sabre-toothed animals evolved again and again New Scientist California Burning Climate Syndemics EID Journal: Comparison of Contemporary and Historic Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Replication in Human Lung Organoids Avian Flu Diary China? The Koreas With Indonesia, Brics is adding Southeast Asia to its power base South China Morning Post The New Great Game Luke Coffey on Georgia: There is no deep state; it is merely government propaganda JAM News. Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Syraqistan European Disunion New Not-So-Cold War South of the Border Trump Transition Democrats en deshabille The Supremes Supreme Court skeptical of ban on TikTok SCOTUSblog Digital Watch Zeitgeist Watch The Final Frontier The Habitability of Planets (podcast) In Our Time, BBC Class Warfare Flurries: News, like icy snow, keeps coming but rarely sticks Francine McKenna, The Dig. Interesting round-up. Antidote du jour (Diego Delso): Bonus antidote: A family of cheetah sleep with the forest guard every night. This is what the camera recorded.pic.twitter.com/VVgFbSCvze Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 7, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Protesters in favor of the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol shout slogans "Immediate Arrest" during a rally near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2025. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, scheduled for Tuesday, for safety concerns, Yoon's defense counsel said Sunday. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua) SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, scheduled for Tuesday, for safety concerns, Yoon's defense counsel said Sunday. Yun Gap-geun, Yoon's lawyer, was quoted by multiple media outlets as saying that concerns remained about safety and mishaps as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and National Office of Investigation (NOI) continued their attempt to execute a warrant to arrest the impeached president. The counsel noted that safety and security issues should be resolved in order for Yoon to appear in the trial, adding that Yoon will be present at any time when the safety issue is resolved. The constitutional court planned to hold the first official hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial on Jan. 14, with the next hearings slated for Jan. 16, 21, 23 and Feb. 4. The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14, 2024, and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended. Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on insurrection charge, declared a martial law on the night of Dec. 3 but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Investigators attempted to arrest Yoon in the presidential residence on Jan. 3, but it failed as the presidential security service blocked the execution of the warrant. A Seoul court granted the extension of warrant to apprehend Yoon Tuesday by issuing the second warrant against the impeached president. Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol gather in a rally near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2025. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, scheduled for Tuesday, for safety concerns, Yoon's defense counsel said Sunday. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua) Flash Political leaders across Greenland have unequivocally rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the Danish territory, emphasizing their commitment to greater self-determination and firmly opposing the idea of becoming part of the United States (U.S.). All five parties in Greenland's parliament, Inatsisartut, have dismissed Trump's recent statements suggesting Greenland could be transferred to U.S. control for strategic purposes, Danish broadcaster DR reported on Saturday. "I do not want to be part of the United States, as Trump suggests," said Mariane Paviasen, spokesperson for the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party. "I want an independent Greenland." Erik Jensen, chairman of the Siumut party and Greenland's finance minister, reiterated the island's aspiration for self-governance. "We should not be transferred to the United States or any other country," he said. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party, shared similar sentiments, expressing openness to stronger cooperation with the U.S. but firmly rejecting the idea of U.S. annexation. Aqqalu Jerimiassen, head of the Atassut party, also voiced opposition to Trump's proposal, highlighting Greenland's existing relationship with Denmark. "We should maintain good relations with the U.S., but Greenland should not become part of the U.S., either now or in the future," he said. Pele Broberg, leader of the opposition Naleraq party, said Greenland is not a commodity to be traded. "Trump's statements simply show how much he desires Greenland," he said. Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, speaking in Copenhagen on Friday, reaffirmed that the people of the mineral-rich Arctic territory do not wish to become Americans. Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark, granting Greenlanders Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over foreign and defense policy. The Grenada-China relationship has grown significantly in various fields over the past 20 years, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has said, voicing hope for further growth of their ties in the next 20 years and beyond. UPI Users Need Not To Worry, NPCI Issues Clarification On Jumped Deposit Scam, Debunks All Fears Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2025, 18:07 IST Jumped Deposit Scam: Simply opening a UPI or bank application does not automatically approve a transaction. Cybercriminals are upping their game with a chilling new scheme targeting UPI users. (Representative image/courtesy: X/@Simple__Banda_) Jumped Deposit Scam: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Monday addressed recent reports about an alleged Jumped Deposit" scam, stating that no such fraudulent activity has been identified on the UPI platform. The clarification came after reports surfaced that cybercriminals are devising an ingenious new scam that preys on unsuspecting UPI users. related stories UPI users need not worry as the system has a robust safety mechanism, NPCI said. NPCI has addressed technical misconceptions; NPCI stated that simply opening a UPI or bank application does not automatically approve a transaction. For a transaction to occur, the user must navigate to the payment request and explicitly click on the pay option to authorise it with UPI PIN. Without this step, the payment will not get processed. -No external party can directly request or withdraw funds from the users account. UPI is a device-based payment system, meaning the payment account is securely linked to the users registered number and their specific mobile device. Only the user can initiate transactions or withdrawals, ensuring that others cannot access their funds. -Inputting the PIN is required even for balance enquiry transactions, and it does not automatically authorise any withdrawal or payment requests which is treated as a separate transaction. UPI transactions are backed by robust safety protocols and stringent regulatory measures. UPIs real-time capabilities and interoperability have not only simplified transactions but have also accelerated the adoption of digital payments. Background: Jumped Deposit Scam The Tamil Nadu Police had earlier warned users about a scam in which fraudsters trick unsuspecting victims by making unsolicited small deposits and then following up with fake withdrawal requests. Several reports claimed that cybercriminals deposit small amounts of money into the victims bank account via UPI. This seemingly benign credit notification lures victims into checking their payment apps. Once the victim notices the unexpected deposit, the fraudsters pounce. They send a Collect Money request, tricking the victim into entering their UPI PIN for validation." But this validation is a ruse instead, it authorizes an unauthorized debit from the victims account. General Tips To Protect Your Money Immediate Actions to Take If Youve Been Targeted top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If you notice an unusual deposit in your bank account: Inform Your Bank: Report the unexpected credit to your bank to verify its authenticity. Report the unexpected credit to your bank to verify its authenticity. Report the Fraud: Victims must immediately report the scam to the nearest cybercrime police station or the cybercrime portal to help catch these fraudsters. Victims must immediately report the scam to the nearest cybercrime police station or the cybercrime portal to help catch these fraudsters. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Victims of the scam should act quickly. File a complaint with your nearest cybercrime police station or report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in). Swift reporting increases the chances of recovering stolen funds and prevents further exploitation. First Published: January 12, 2025, 10:30 IST Bihar DElEd Exam 2025 Registration Begins at deledbihar.com, Steps To Apply Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2025, 13:43 IST The last date to apply for the exam is January 22, 2025. Students can directly visit the official website at deledbihar.com to register for Bihar DElEd. Candidates must have secured at least 50 per cent marks in class 12 to apply for Bihar D.El.Ed. (Representative/File) Bihar BSEB D.El.Ed 2025 Registration: Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has started the application process for Bihar D.El.Ed or Diploma in Elementary Education 2025 exam. Interested and eligible candidates who want to apply for this exam can apply by visiting the official website of Bihar DElEd at deledbihar.com. The last date to apply for the exam is January 22, 2025. Students can directly visit the official website at deledbihar.com to register for Bihar DElEd. Who can apply for Bihar DElEd? related stories Educational qualification: Candidates must have secured at least 50 per cent marks in the Intermediate examination. Candidates who will appear in Bihar Board Class 12th (Intermediate) examination can also apply for D.El.Ed Exam 2025. Age limit: Candidates who are applying for Bihar DElEd should be above 17 years of age as of January 1, 2025. How to apply for BSEB D.El.Ed 2025? Step 1 Visit the official website of Bihar DElEd, deledbihar.com. Step 2 Click on the Bihar BSEB D.El.Ed 2025 registration link on the home page. Step 3 A new page will open where you have to register. Step 4 After registration, login and fill out the application form. Step 5 Pay the application fee and click on the submit button. Step 6 Download the confirmation page and keep a hard copy of it for further need. Bihar DElEd Exam Details The BSEB D.El.Ed 2025 exam is a computer-based test consisting of 120 questions carrying a total of 120 marks. Each question will carry one mark. The duration of the exam will be 150 minutes or 2 hours and 30 minutes. The question paper will have questions from the following subjects: General Hindi/Urdu Mathematics Science Social Science General English Logical and Analytical Reasoning top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A total of 25 questions will be asked from the General Hindi / Urdu and Mathematics section, while 20 questions will be asked from the subjects of Science, Social Studies, and General English. The Logical and Analytical Reasoning section will have 10 questions. For any problem related to the application process, candidates can contact the helpline number 0612-2232074. First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:36 IST Third-year IIT Kharagpur Student Found Dead In Hostel, Investigation Underway Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:05 IST The student has been identified as 21-year-old Shaon Mallick, the son of a government officer. His parents had come to meet him but his door was closed The student has been identified as 21-year-old Shaon Mallick, the son of a government officer (File Photo) The body of a third-year student of IIT Kharagpur was recovered today morning from the institutes Azad Hall. The student has been identified as 21-year-old Shaon Mallick, the son of a government officer. His parents had come to meet him but his door was closed. Despite calling repeatedly, he did not open the door. Hence, after they forcefully opened the door, he was found hanging. The body has been sent for post-mortem. Investigation is underway. Police are looking into all aspects including whom he spoke to last night and what he had eaten last. Sniffer dogs are now conducting a search in the campus and hostel. Police trying to find out who all met him last evening. related stories ALSO READ | Student Falls To Death From 7th Floor While Partying At Friends House In Noida A couple of days ago, the body of an IIT Kharagpur employee (Junior Lab Technician cum Lab Assistant) was recovered from the quarters of the campus. The body was recovered by the Kharagpur Town Police Station on January 10. The deceaseds name is Sakir Ali Mollah. The 30-year-old hailed from the Thakurpukur area of Kolkata. He used to live in the quarters of the IIT Kharagpur campus due to his job. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After receiving information from IIT sources, the police reached the campus on Friday morning and recovered his body. By the afternoon, the body was sent to the morgue of the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital for autopsy. After receiving information from the IIT authorities on Friday morning, Sakir Alis mother Sakila Bibi, sister Fatima Bibi, aunt Shahazul Ali Mollah, and other relatives arrived from Kolkata. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) First Published: January 12, 2025, 17:57 IST 'First Your Vote, Then Land': Arvind Kejriwal Claims BJP Will Demolish Delhi Slums If It Wins Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 13:43 IST Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of planning to demolish Delhi's slums without addressing the housing needs of residents, calling their promises under the 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan' scheme a sham. Arvind Kejriwal addresses the media (Video screengrab/PTI) Delhis former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor on Sunday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will demolish all slums in Delhi if it is voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in the Shakur Basti area of the national capital, Kejriwal accused the BJP of prioritising land acquisition over the welfare of slum dwellers. related stories They want your votes first and your land after the elections," Kejriwal said, referring to the BJP. He also criticised the BJPs Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan scheme, terming it an eyewash. In the past five years, they have constructed only 4,700 flats for slum dwellers," he added. Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP has plans to take over the land currently occupied by slum dwellers without addressing their housing needs. They will demolish all the slums and acquire the land without any concern for the people living there," he said. The BJPs love for the residents of jhuggis (slums) grows only during elections. They dont care about the people living in jhuggis. Before elections, they want votes from them, and after elections, they want their land," Kejriwal said. Amit Shah ji lied to the residents of Delhis jhuggis when he claimed, Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan. But the BJP didnt clarify whose house they were talking about. According to them, its Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Unke Dost Ka Makaan." VIDEO | Heres what AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) said on Union Home Minister Amit Shahs remarks during yesterdays event, while addressing the gathering at the Jhuggi Basti Pradhan Sammelan at JLN Stadium, New Delhi:BJPs love for the residents of pic.twitter.com/GIviSKOzln Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2025 Kejriwal was accompanied by senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the partys candidate from Shakur Basti constituency. Jain is seeking re-election from the seat for the fourth time after winning it in 2013, 2015 and 2020. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Delhi goes to polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8. The AAP, which won 62 of the 70 seats in Delhi in the 2020 elections, is eyeing a third consecutive full term. First Published: January 12, 2025, 12:59 IST Delhi Elections Heat Up As BJP Doubles Down Attack On AAP: 'Purvanchalis Will Teach Lesson' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 11:31 IST on Sunday doubled down its attack on AAP's convenor Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly insulting people from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Poster shared by Delhi BJP unit on X Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday doubled down its attack on AAPs convenor Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly insulting people from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, saying that Purvanchalis will teach a lesson to AAP" during the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The Delhi BJP unit released a poster on social media platform X, describing Arvind Kejriwal as Jaani Dushman (bitter enemy) of Purvanchalis. Earlier, the BJP accused Kejriwal of calling them fake voters." related stories Taking a sharp jibe at Kejriwal, the BJP further said that people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have become fake voters" for AAP, but Rohingyas and infiltrators are his close relatives. Purvanchalis are people from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who have been settled in Delhi for decades and form a significant portion of the citys voters. - , ? , 5 AAP ! pic.twitter.com/OGyCXZ7r6Z BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) January 12, 2025 The poster shares that Kejriwal forced Purvanchalis out of Delhi making announcements on loudspeakers, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic times when people from other states working in Delhi were sent back. It further criticised Delhis ruling party for not getting the Yamuna river cleaned due to which women observing Chhath fast could not worship in the water body. Recently, Kejriwal called people from Purvacnhal fake voters. However, the next day in a damage control exercise, he blamed the BJP for not carrying out any development work for Purvanchalis. On several occasions, Kejriwal promised to clean the Yamuna, which still by large remains an unfulfilled poll promise, giving ammo to the BJP to attack the AAP. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Of Delhis 1.55 crore voters, 42 per cent are Purvanchalis or migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and their votes influence the result in almost half of the national capitals 70 Assembly constituencies. Key seats with Purvanchali voters include Burari, Laxmi Nagar, and Dwarka. The Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled for February 5 and the result will be announced on February 8. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 11:27 IST First Sheesh Mahal, Now Rs 2,026 Crore Liquor Scam Loss: BJP Banks On Corruption Plank in Delhi Elections Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:33 IST The BJP is trying to repeat in the Delhi assembly elections against AAP what it successfully did against the Congress in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections --- that the incumbent government is rocked by corruption scams With 'Sheesh Mahal' and liquor scam, AAP battles multiple corruption charges in Delhi elections. After the Sheesh Mahal issue, the BJPs arsenal against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi election campaign on the issue of corruption has got another boost with a C&AG report pegging the loss caused by the Delhi liquor scam at Rs 2,026 crore. The BJP is making corruption and the lack of probity in public life the centerpiece of its poll campaign this time, sensing the AAP is on a weak ground on the same. related stories This makes the 2025 Delhi election very different from the 2020 or the 2015 elections in the national capital. Then, AAP had cashed in on its image of being a Kattar Imaandaar (honest) party and its leader Arvind Kejriwal working on the principle of simple living and high thinking. The liquor scam and Sheesh Mahal controversy is questioning both these USPs of AAP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also said to have asked BJP leaders to expose AAP and Kejriwal on the issue of corruption in Delhi and make more efforts in this regard. BJP leader Anurag Thakur has said there would be no other party whose eight ministers, various MLAs, and the then chief minister and deputy chief minister had to go to jail. In many ways, the BJP is trying to repeat in the Delhi assembly elections against AAP what it successfully did against the Congress in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that the incumbent government is rocked by corruption scams and people should vote on this issue. This strategy also is to take the focus away from AAPs freebies that have worked for Kejriwals party in the last two elections. The prime minister has assured Delhis voters that no existing schemes running in public interest will be stopped if BJP comes to power. Top BJP leaders feel the sheen of Kejriwal is gone this time, with serious charges of corruption and scams against him, due to which Kejriwal and senior AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia had to go to jail. To double down on this issue, the party first raised the Sheesh Mahal issue, pointing to a C&AG report that pegged the renovation cost of the chief ministers residence at Rs 33.6 crore. Now, the new revelations about the monetary loss caused by the liquor scam are giving the BJP more ammunition against AAP. Remember, this is the same case in which top AAP leaders were jailed. While Kejriwal and Sisodia always claimed that not even a single penny was recovered regarding the alleged scam, the C&AG report is for the first time putting a figure to the said scam at Rs 2,026 crore. One can expect top BJP leaders led by PM Modi to raise this loss figure of Rs 2026 crore strongly during the Delhi election campaign that begins in full flow this week. BJP president JP Nadda has termed this the AAP-DA [catastrophe] model of loot in full display and claimed that it is just a matter of a few weeks before AAP is voted out and punished for their misdeeds. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Aam Aadmi Partys strategy seems to be terming the C&AG reports as a BJP ploy during elections and the party is playing them down, claiming their top leaders were jailed under false charges. The bail granted to Kejriwal or Sisodia were celebrated by the AAP as big victories. But the BJP here is trying to tell the voters that coming out on bail does not mean any clean chit and the court trial will go on. It is reminding voters that both C&AG reports, into Sheesh Mahal and the liquor scam, are proof that AAP leaders are not above board. First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:26 IST 'INDI Alliance Is Scattered': Amit Shah Confident Of BJP's Victory In Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 21:03 IST Amit Shah also took a jibe at cracks within the INDIA bloc ahead of the Delhi and Mumbai civic elections, saying the 'ghamandiya' (arrogant) alliance is scattered. Amit Shah asserted that BJP would emerge victorious in Delhi. (PTI/File) Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at the opposition INDIA alliance, saying the ghamandiya (arrogant) is scattering, in a reference to cracks between the opposition parties in the Delhi Assembly elections, Mumbai local polls and West Bengal elections next year. Speaking at a public event in Maharashtra, Amit Shah said, What is the status of the INDIA Alliance? Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are contesting separately in the upcoming Mumbai polls. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are contesting separately in Delhi. Trinamool Congress and Congress are separated in West Bengal. The entire ghamandiya alliance is scattered." related stories #WATCH | Maharashtra: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, What is the status of INDI alliance? Mumbai is going to have elections and Shivsena UBT and Congress are preparing to contest separately In the Delhi elections, Congress and AAP are contesting separately The pic.twitter.com/yTvMARWSeI ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025 His remarks came after reports of an internal rift and leadership conflicts between parties of the INDIA alliance, particularly when AAP publicly appealed to other parties in the alliance to remove Congress over remarks made towards Arvind Kejriwal. AAP is going solo in the upcoming Delhi elections and will contest against Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Furthermore, Shiv Sena (UBT) decided to contest the Mumbai civic polls alone, separating from its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Congress following a dismal performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year. Senior party leader Sanjay Raut said Uddhav Thackeray gave the party indications that it should go alone. ALSO READ: INDIA Bloc Is Intact: Akhilesh Yadav Refutes Speculations Of Rift In Opposition Keep Firecrackers Ready: Amit Shah On Delhi Polls Delhi will go to polls on February 5 in a single phase, with an intense electoral battle expected between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP. The Congress is also in the fray, although it would not join hands with its INDIA bloc partner. Speaking on BJPs chances in the Delhi elections, Amit Shah, Under PM Modis leadership, BJP is moving forward with one idea after another. Keep your firecrackers ready on October 8, a BJP government will be formed in Delhi as well. Year 2024 ended with the victory of Maharashtra and 2025 will begin with BJPs Delhi Victory," he said. The counting of votes will take place on February 8. As per the final electoral roll of Delhi, the national capital has 1,55,24,858 voters. The number increased by 1.09 per cent since the publication of the October 29, 2024, draft of electors. Delhi has 70 constituencies (58 General and 12 SC seats). AAP has enjoyed a majority government in the national capital since 2015, securing a thumping victory twice in Delhi Assembly elections. However, it has faced major setbacks in Lok Sabha polls, failing to win a single seat since 2014. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday dismissed the AAPs claim that he is the partys candidate for the Chief Ministers post in the upcoming Delhi elections, dubbing the speculation as baseless". While addressing a press conference on Saturday, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal reiterated the claim that the saffron camp has decided to project its leader Ramesh Bidhuri as the partys chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. He had also congratulated the BJP leader and had asked him for his vision for the national capital. He had challenged Bidhuri to a public debate to let Delhiites decide who is better equipped to lead. First Published: January 12, 2025, 20:55 IST PM Modi Motivates Youth To Take Ownership Of 'Viksit Bharat', Warns Against 'Chalta Hai' Attitude Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 16:09 IST The prime minister said that India has accomplished its goals in various sectors and the country is well ahead of time Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, appealed to the youth to take ownership Of Viksit Bharat". I have faith that Indias Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation People who calculate data may think that it is impossible I know that it is a huge target but not impossible," he said. related stories Any country has to achieve big targets to grow and prosper. Some people have chalta hai chalne do" attitude and think it is unnecessary to make changes. But people who have this kind of attitude are no better than dead corpses. The only thing that drives our lives is our goals. Todays Bharat is driven by goals," PM Modi emphasised. Addressing the event, the prime minister said, Today, the energy of Indias youth has filled Bharat Mandapam with vigour. The entire nation is remembering Swami Vivekananda today. Swami Vivekananda had immense faith in the youth of the country. He used to say, My faith lies in the new generation, the young generation will find solutions to all problems. Just as Swami Vivekananda had faith in you all, I have faith in him. I believe in everything he used do. What he envisioned and said for Indias youth, I have unwavering belief in them." He said that India has accomplished its goals in various sectors and the country is well ahead of time. Setting and achieving big goals is not just the work of any one government machinery, it is a must that every citizen of the country joins it Lakhs of people have joined it. The ownership of the Viksit Bharat is not just mine but yours too," said PM Modi. The prime minister said that no power can stop India if our every decision, step and policy is guided by the idea of Viksit Bharat. He recalled how some athletes few months said that to them he is not the countrys prime minister but PM or Param Mitra (best friend). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A few months ago, I met a group of young athletes at my residence, and one of them stood up and said, Modi ji, you might be the PM for the world, but for us, PM means Param Mitra. I have immense trust in you. It is this faith that drives the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. My belief is that with the strength of Indias youth, India will soon become a developed nation," he said. He further pledged to make India a developed country by 2047. First Published: January 12, 2025, 15:35 IST File photo taken on Feb. 21, 2016 shows founder and CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg gives a speech on the eve of the official start of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. (Xinhua/Lino De Vallier) Supporters believe this step signifies Meta's attempt to strike a balance between freedom of expression, information authenticity and platform accountability. However, critics argue that this move could reopen the floodgates for misinformation such as fake news, hate speech and conspiracy theories. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. social media giant Meta announced Tuesday that it is ending the "Third-Party Fact-Checking" program and replacing it with the "Community Notes" system for content management. The shift would start in the United States. Supporters believe this step signifies Meta's attempt to strike a balance between freedom of expression, information authenticity and platform accountability. However, critics argue that this move could reopen the floodgates for misinformation such as fake news, hate speech and conspiracy theories. WHAT IS "THIRD-PARTY FACT-CHECKING"? The "Third-Party Fact-Checking" program was a content-review and management initiative launched by Meta's predecessor, Facebook, in 2016. It aimed to combat the spread of misinformation on its platform by collaborating with independent third-party organizations to verify the authenticity of content. This program was introduced in response to widespread criticism during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, where the platform was accused of allowing fake news proliferation. Based on the third-party fact-checking results, the content would be categorized as false information, partially false information or lacking context. Misinformation was flagged and accompanied by warnings or context links with factual background. The reach of such content was restricted, and users were educated about the inaccuracies. Repeat violators faced reduced account visibility or harsher penalties, such as comment restrictions or account suspensions. WHY CANCEL? While fact-checking is a vital tool in combating misinformation, benefiting information dissemination and social governance, its implementation at Meta has sparked controversy, with concerns over bias, misjudgment and restrictions on free speech. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a video on Tuesday that "fact-checkers have been too politically biased" and have "destroyed more trust than they created." The company said it removed millions of pieces of content daily in December, but admitted that one to two out of every 10 of these actions "may have been mistakes," while some deletions "may not have actually violated its policies." The company said it would expand transparency reporting to share numbers on the mistakes on a regular basis so that people can track its progress. When announcing the decision to end the program, Meta said its content management system and rules were overly complex and over-enforced, scrutinizing too many trivial issues and restricting legitimate political debates. "Too much harmless content gets censored," said Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, adding that too many people are wrongly locked up in the "Facebook jail." Canceling the third-party fact-checking program marks a shift in Meta's content management strategy, aiming to balance the fight against misinformation with the preservation of free expression. This change is expected to impact platform operations, user experience, public discourse and the broader information ecosystem. WHAT IS "COMMUNITY NOTES"? Meta announced that it would replace the "Third-Party Fact-Checking" program with a more open and decentralized "Community Notes" system. It draws inspiration from a similar system implemented on X, where it has reportedly been successful in mitigating bias. The "Community Notes" is a content management approach involving community participation in reviewing and supplementing background information. It aims to provide a more comprehensive and transparent judgment and interpretation of online content through diverse users. According to Meta, "Community Notes" require users with different viewpoints to reach a consensus. This bottom-up approach contrasts with the platform-led review process, helping to reduce bias and enhance information transparency. Meta plans to phase in Community Notes in the United States first over the next couple of months, and will continue to improve it over the year. Industry experts point out that while canceling the fact-checking mechanism may restore more space for political and mainstream topic discussions and allow users to access less-curated content, it could lead to challenges in content governance if the "Community Notes" model proves ineffective. The absence of robust oversight could exacerbate the spread of misinformation, further destabilize the information ecosystem, erode public trust, and intensify political, social and cultural divisions in the United States. GLOBAL REACTIONS "We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms," said Zuckerberg. Reuters reported that this move is Meta's most significant shift in its political content management approach in recent years. It is seen as a concession to conservative criticism and an attempt to mend fences with the incoming Trump administration. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, banned from Facebook following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots in 2021, had accused the platform of being "an enemy of the people" and censoring conservative voices. His account was reinstated in 2023. In response to Meta's new content moderation, Trump in a news conference praised Zuckerberg's decision and said that Meta had made significant progress, suggesting the change might be a response to his prior criticism of the company. Elon Musk also praised the decision. "This is cool," he posted on his X platform. U.S. President Joe Biden blasted Meta Friday, calling the move "really shameful." The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) warned of devastating consequences if Meta broadens its policy change beyond the United States to other countries in the world. "Some of these countries are highly vulnerable to misinformation that spurs political instability, election interference, mob violence and even genocide," IFCN said in an open letter to Zuckerberg. The French Foreign Ministry expressed concern over Meta's decision to end third-party fact-checking. It emphasized in a statement that freedom of expression, a fundamental right protected by France and other European countries, should not be confused with a right to virality, which would permit the dissemination of inauthentic content to millions of users without any filtering or moderation. The ministry noted that the shift is currently limited to the United States, but France remains vigilant and committed to ensuring that Meta, along with other platforms, comply with their obligations under European laws. The U.S. nonprofit organization Accountable Tech said on social media that the Internet has not embraced Meta's latest move. The company cares first and foremost about maximizing profit, "even if it means sacrificing user safety, quality content and our shared sense of truth." "Zuckerberg is re-opening the floodgates to the exact same surge of hate, disinformation and conspiracy theories that caused Jan. 6th -- and that continue to spur real-world violence," said Nicole Gill, the organization's founder and executive director. "The world will be far more dangerous as a result." Speeding Audi Kills Man On Delhi's Ring Road, Cops Arrest Absconding Driver In 12 Hours Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 15:30 IST The driver of the Ertiga died after fatal collision with Audi, whose driver fled the scene, leaving behind the victim on Delhi's Ring Road. Visuals from the crash site shows the Audi (L) and the Ertiga (R) | Image/X The Delhi Police solved the case of a hit-and-run accident involving an Audi and an Ertiga in Delhi by arresting the missing driver within 12 hours of the incident. The accident took place around 6:30 am on Ring Road, in front of the World Trade Centre in Bhikaji Cama Place. The victim, Sukhjeet Nanda, 28, was driving a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga when his car was struck by a speeding silver Audi sedan. related stories The driver of the Ertiga died in the crash, and the vehicle was extensively damaged. Subsequently, the Audi driver fled the scene, leaving behind the victim. The police reached the scene and rushed Nanda to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he was declared dead. An eyewitness of the incident claimed that the Audi jumped the road divider and collided with the Ertiga head-on. Another person claimed that the Audi lost control before it jumped the divider and crashed with Ertiga, killing its driver. Details Of Police Probe The officials from the Safdarjung Enclave Police Station reached the scene and launched an investigation into the incident by registering an FIR. A special team was formed to trace the accused, the absconding Audi driver. The police team searched and went through as many as 50 CCTV cameras installed along the route of the accident, which roughly spans 60 kilometres. The effort was to track the Audi movement from the crash site to different parts of the national capital. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the initial probe, it was revealed that the Audi was registered to one Paras Pathania, a 25-year-old resident of Pushkar Enclave in Paschim Vihar. Pathania was arrested at his residence on January 11 afternoon. He settled in Delhi after coming from Canada in April 2024. Further investigation into the matter is still underway. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 15:30 IST Steve Jobs' Wife Laurene Powell Gets This Hindu Name, To Don Saffron Attire In Maha Kumbh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 20:15 IST Laurene Powell Jobs will participate in the holy rituals of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and will stay at her guru Swami Kailashananda's camp. This is her second visit to India. The widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs (Image: AP) Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has been given the Hindu name Kamala as she is set to participate in the Maha Kumbh 2025 that will begin in Prayagraj on January 13. The billionaire widow is currently in Varanasi and will arrive in Prayagraj on January 13 to immerse herself in Hindu rituals and will stay at the camp of her guru Swami Kaliashananda, the Mahamnadleshwar of Niranjani Akhara. She will participate in several rituals of the Maha Kumbh till January 29. related stories Swami Kailashananda confirmed that she was given a new name after she received the Gotra of her guru. The seer told the Hindustan Times that Laurene had a deep interest in Sanatan Dharma and treated him like a father, adding that, I also give her the same love of a daughter". She is coming to visit her guru here. We have named her Kamala and she is like a daughter to us. This is the second time she is coming to India Everyone is welcome in Kumbh," he earlier told news agency ANI. The seer said Laurene is coming to India to meditate and will be included in the Akharas Peshwai ritual. Hailing from one of the wealthiest families in the world, Laurene will don the saffron attire of a sanyasin during the Maha Kumbh and take a royal dip during the Shahi Snan (January 14) and Mauni Amavasya (January 29). Laurene is among several VIPs, VVIPs, millionaires, seers and saints to participate in Maha Kumbh and will offer kalpavas during her stay. Notably, Kalpvas is an age-old practice in the Hindu tradition observed by devotees, referred to as Kalpvasis or Kalpwasis, for a month starting from Paush Purnima to Maghi Purnima. Laurene was earlier seen offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on Saturday, accompanied by her guru. Speaking on Laurene Jobs arrival for the Maha Kumbh, the priest said she was made to see the Shivling from outside of the temple as no other Hindus are permitted to touch the holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Preparations are nearly at an end for the Maha Kumbh, which will take place from January 13 to February 26. Some 400 million pilgrims are expected at the spectacular Kumbh Mela festival in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj billed as the largest gathering of humanity on the planet. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh that the state budget for the 45-day-long mega event is around Rs 7,000 crore and this years fair will be the first to use artificial intelligence and chatbots. The UP Police have established a multi-layered security system around the Prayagraj district. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). Location : Varanasi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 19:58 IST Student Falls To Death From 7th Floor While Partying At Friend's House In Noida Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 07:32 IST The police are investigating the case to understand whether the unfortunate incident was an accident or not Noida Police is investigating the death of the student who fell from the 7th floor while partying and has been questioning his friends in this regard. A student, who was pursuing law, lost his life after falling from the seventh floor of an apartment in Noida, said the police. According to the police officials, the student used to live in Ghaziabad and was visiting a friends house to attend a party in Noida where the tragic incident took place under suspicious circumstances. related stories The student was identified as Tapas by the police officials who said that he was pursuing LLB from a private university in Noida. His father is an advocate based in Ghaziabad. The student visited Supreme Towers in Sector 99 of Noida on Saturday to attend one of his friends party which was taking place on the seventh-floor. Police Investigate Death Of Student, Question His Friends After some time, the police were informed that the boy had fallen to his death from the seventh floor. The police have sent the body of the deceased for a post-mortem and are questioning his friends to understand if it was an accident or something else. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Noida Police Commissionerates media cell said that the students family has been informed and the matter is being thoroughly investigated from all angles". Information was received about a young man falling from the seventh floor of Supreme Tower Society. Upon reaching the scene, it was found that Tapas, who was with friends in the flat, had fallen and died. The family of the dead has been informed. Senior officials and a forensic team have inspected the site. The body has been sent for a post-mortem after completing formalities. A detailed investigation into all aspects of the incident is underway. Further legal action will be taken based on a written complaint from the family," said the Noida Police, in a statement. First Published: January 12, 2025, 07:32 IST 'Vivekanand Used To Say...': PM Modi Remembers 'Swami' On National Youth Day | All You Need To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 11:57 IST Born in 1863, Swami Vivekananda is best known in the United States for his groundbreaking speech to the 1893 Worlds Parliament of Religions in which he introduced Hinduism to America Swami Vivekanandas teachings transcend time and resonate deeply with India's mission of creating a Viksit Bharat. (Image: Shutterstock) Swami Vivekananda, the spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker, had an unwavering belief in the potential of youth. His faith continues to resonate deeply with young citizens (especially those in the age group of 15-29 years), who make up nearly 40% of Indias total population. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too, on Sunday, called him an eternal inspiration for the youth. Paying tributes to the social reformer on his 162nd birth anniversary, PM Modi wrote on X, An eternal inspiration for youth, he continues to ignite passion and purpose in young minds. We are committed to fulfilling his vision of a strong and developed India." related stories Born in 1863, Swami Vivekananda is best known in the United States for his groundbreaking speech to the 1893 Worlds Parliament of Religions in which he introduced Hinduism to America and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism. The works of Vivekananda, who founded the renowned Ramakrishna Mission, on Vedanta and other aspects of Hindu philosophy are highly valued. Swami Vivekanands Birthday Is Celebrated As The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government believes that the National Youth Day serves as a moment to acknowledge, celebrate, and harness the potential of the young India. They say that the day inspires young minds to contribute meaningfully to the nations development. The government, thus, is organising the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 on January 11 and 12 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs, formally inaugurated the Dialogue on Saturday. For the National Youth Day event, 3,000 young leaders from across India were selected through a merit-based, multi-level process from over 30 lakh participants. PM Modi interacted with the participants during his visit to the exhibition at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday. Swami Vivekananda viewed the youth of India as a strong link to a glorious past and a grand future. Vivekananda used to say that all power is within you, call upon that power. You must believe that you can do everything. This belief in oneself and turning the impossible into possible is still relevant to the youth of the country and I am glad that the youth of India understands this very well. The youth is moving forward with self-believe," PM Modi said. Swami Vivekanand Education Vivekanand, born as Narendranath Datta, was born on January 12, 1863. In 1871, at the age of eight, he was enrolled at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagars Metropolitan Institution in Kolkata. He studied there till 1877, following which his parents moved to Chhattisgarhs Raipur (was then part of Madhya Pradesh). The Datta family stayed in Raipur from 1877 to 1879. Some believe that Vivekanand did not attend schooling during the familys stay in Raipur as Rajagopal Chattopadhyaya wrote in his book Swami Vivekananda in India: A Corrective Biography that there was no school in a remote place like Raipur". So he spent time with his father. It was not only academic. They used to talk and argue a lot during their one-and-half years stay. Some educated and learned people used to visit their home. Among them Mahendranath remembered Roy Bahadur Bhutnath De, father of future linguist Harinath De, who lived in the same building with them," the book reads. In 1879, the Datta family moved back to Calcutta, where Narendranath applied for readmission at his old school, and passed the school after securing first division in examination. After schooling, he took admission in Kolkatas Presidency College in 1879. Narendranath was, however, irregular" at his college, and in 1880, he joined General Assemblys Institution (now known as Scottish Church College) and studied Philosophy. In 1881, he passed F.A. examinations. In 1885, he earned his B.A. degree from the same college. Swami Vivekanands Chicago Speech top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Swami Vivekananda delivered his iconic speech on September 11, 1893, at the first Worlds Parliament of Religions (on the site of the present-day Art Institute). He is considered a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the West and is credited with raising the profile of Hinduism to that of a world religion. One of his famous quotes is: Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached." CLICK HERE FOR MORE QUOTES First Published: January 12, 2025, 11:57 IST Festivals Of India 2025: Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal & Bihu - Celebrations, Rituals, Recipes & Wishes Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 14, 2025, 08:30 IST Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu are more than just celebrations; they are a blend of gratitude, tradition, and joy, marking the arrival of prosperity and the start of longer, brighter days. Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu brings unique rituals and a shared spirit of happiness. (Images: Shutterstock) India, a land of diverse cultures, celebrates its harvest season with vibrant festivals that honour natures bounty and the change of seasons. Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu are more than just celebrations; they are a blend of gratitude, tradition, and joy, marking the arrival of prosperity and the start of longer, brighter days. From lighting bonfires to flying colourful kites, preparing traditional dishes to offering prayers, each festival brings unique rituals and a shared spirit of happiness. ALSO READ: Happy Lohri Wishes 2025: Best Wishes, Images, Messages, & WhatsApp Status To Share related stories Lets dig deeper into the significance, rituals, auspicious timings and delicious flavours that make these festivals truly special. Lohri Lohri is a widely celebrated festival among both Sikhs and Hindus, marking a special occasion that falls just a day before Makar Sankranti. Also known as Lohadi or Lal Loi, the festival is deeply connected to the harvest season and is observed with much joy and enthusiasm. It is observed primarily in the northern regions of India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This festive day marks the culmination of winter, ushering in longer days and a warmer season. Celebrated with vibrant bonfires, Lohri is a homage to the sun god and the fire god. ALSO READ: Lohri 2025: Is Lohri On January 13 Or 14? Correct Date, Puja Timings, History, Rituals, And Importance of Bonfire On this day, people gather around the bonfire, sing and dance. Traditional dishes play a significant role during these festivities, with favourites like Makki ki Roti, Sarson ka Saag, Pinni, Gur Gajak, Dahi Bhalle and Halwa gracing the dining tables. Lohri Shubh Muhurats Lohri on Monday, January 13, 2025 Lohri Sankranti Moment 09:03, Jan 14 Brahma Muhurta: 05:27 AM to 06:21 AM Pratah Sandhya: 05:54 AM to 07:15 AM Abhijit: 12:09 PM to 12:51 PM Vijaya Muhurta: 02:15 PM to 02:57 PM Godhuli Muhurta: 05:42 PM to 06:09 PM Sayahna Sandhya: 05:45 PM to 07:06 PM Ravi Yoga: 07:15 AM to 10:38 AM Nishita Muhurta: 12:03 AM, Jan 14 to 12:57 AM, Jan 14 Lohri Rituals Lohri, a harvest festival, is intricately linked with the agricultural cycle of crop sowing and harvesting. It marks the transition from longer nights to warmer days, symbolising the changing seasons. This day is dedicated to celebrating agricultural prosperity, and prayers are extended to the Sun God (Surya Devta) and Fire God (Agni) for a fruitful harvest in the upcoming season. ALSO READ: Lohri 2025: What Is Lohri Ki Thali? Traditional Foods To Enjoy And Celebrate The Festival Families come together around bonfires, offering sesame seeds, gur (jaggery), and popcorn to the God of fire. People also dance around the fire on dhol beats. Lohri Wishes To Share May the Lohri flames dance away troubles, leaving only warmth, joy, and good fortune in their wake. Happy Lohri! Sweet rewari, crackling dhol beats, and vibrant dances under the stars wishing you a Lohri steeped in tradition and merrymaking! As the Lohri bonfire leaps towards the night sky, may it ignite your dreams and carry them soaring to new heights. Happy Lohri! Let the rising sun on Lohri bring with it fresh beginnings, blessings, and the promise of a year bathed in sunshine. Happy Lohri! Dholki rhythms, til good treats, and the laughter of loved ones gathered around the fire may your Lohri be a feast for the senses and soul! 5 Lohri Recipes Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti: Sarson da Saag is a Punjabi dish made with mustard greens, spiced and cooked to perfection, often served with a dollop of ghee. It pairs beautifully with Makki di Roti, a flatbread made from cornmeal, known for its hearty texture and earthy flavour. Together, they form a comforting, traditional winter meal cherished across North India. Pindi Chana: Pindi Chana is a popular dish from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, featuring chickpeas cooked in a rich, spicy masala blend. It is characterised by its deep flavours, achieved without using onion or tomatoes, and its dark colour from tea leaves. Often served with kulchas or parathas, it is a classic North Indian delicacy. Gur Ki Roti: Gur Ki Roti is a traditional sweet flatbread made by incorporating jaggery into the dough, creating a delicious caramel-like flavour. It is often prepared during festivals or winter months for its warm, energy-boosting qualities. This rustic treat is enjoyed plain or with a side of ghee or butter. Til Gur Ladoo: Til Gur Ladoo is a healthy, energy-packed sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery, celebrated during Makar Sankranti. The combination provides warmth and nutrition, making it perfect for winter. These bite-sized treats are loved for their nutty and slightly caramelised taste. Gajak: Gajak is a crispy, brittle sweet made by mixing sesame seeds or peanuts with jaggery or sugar syrup. Popular in North India during winter, it is often associated with festivals like Lohri. Its light, crunchy texture and sweet, nutty flavour make it a seasonal favourite. Makar Sankranti Makar Sankranti follows Lohri and is scheduled for January 14 this year. Devoted to Lord Surya, the Sun God, this festival signifies the suns transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Celebrated nationwide, people engage in various customs to mark the occasion. Devotees worship Lord Surya and often take a holy dip in sacred water bodies. Acts of charity, such as giving alms to the needy, are common during this festival. Additionally, flying kites is a popular tradition. ALSO READ: Happy Makar Sankranti Wishes 2025: Best Messages, Images, & Greetings To Share With Loved Ones Makar Sankranti Shubh Muhurat Makara Sankranti on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Makara Sankranti Punya Kala 09:03 AM to 05:46 PM Duration 08 Hours 42 Mins Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala 09:03 AM to 10:48 AM Duration 01 Hour 45 Mins Sankranti Karana: Balava Sankranti Day: Tuesday Observation Date: January 14, 2025 Transit Date: January 14, 2025 Sankranti Moment: 09:03 AM, Jan 14 Makar Sankranti Rituals On Makar Sankranti, it is customary to bathe in holy waters and donate black sesame seeds, sesame laddus, grains, vegetables, pulses, turmeric, fruits and other essential commodities. People also prepare and consume Khichdi on an auspicious day. 5 Makar Sankranti Wishes To Share May your life be as bright and vibrant as the kites in the sky. Happy Makar Sankranti! Wishing you a harvest of happiness and prosperity this Makar Sankranti. May the joyous festival of Uttarayan fill your heart with warmth and cheer. As the Sun moves northward, may your life ascend to new heights. Happy Makar Sankranti! Sending you sweet til-gul vibes for a delightful Makar Sankranti celebration. Makar Sankranti Recipes Tilgul Ladoo: Tilgul Ladoos are soft sweet balls made with sesame seeds and jaggery. These ladoos symbolise warmth and togetherness during Makar Sankranti. Puran Poli: Puran Poli is a stuffed flatbread filled with sweetened lentils and cardamom. It is a festive delight enjoyed with ghee or milk. Khichdi: Khichdi is a savoury mix of rice lentils and spices often served with ghee. It is considered auspicious and nutritious for Sankranti. Gajak: Gajak is a crispy winter treat made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a favourite during Makar Sankranti due to its warming properties. Uttarayan Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat. Uttarayan is a significant festival in Gujarat which lasts for two days. The first day of Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and the next day of Uttarayan is known as Vasi Uttarayan or stale Uttarayan. The day is considered highly auspicious and is dedicated to Lord Surya. ALSO READ: Happy Uttarayan Wishes 2025: Best Messages, Images, WhatsApp & Facebook Status In English And Gujarati Flying kite is one of the most popular events during Uttarayan. During Sankranti sky is filled with myriad kites of various sizes and colours in all major cities of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. During Sankranti people savour Undhiyu which is a spicy baked mix of winter vegetables and Chikkis which is made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery. Uttarayan Shubh Muhurat Uttarayana on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Uttarayan Sankranti Moment 09:03 AM Uttarayan Significance According to Hindu mythology, Bhishma Pitamah, a key figure in the Mahabharata, left his mortal coil during Uttarayan, making the day auspicious and significant. The festival holds immense cultural and spiritual importance. Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti, symbolizes the end of darkness and the triumph of light. It is a time for new beginnings as people bid farewell to winter and welcome the warmth of the sun. Uttarayan Rituals On the day of Uttarayan, people wake up early and take a holy dip in rivers, especially the Ganges. The festival is also marked by special puja ceremonies, where devotees offer prayers to the Sun God. The most popular ritual associated with Uttarayan is the flying of kites, symbolizing the freedom of the spirit. 5 Uttarayan Wishes May this occasion be filled with joy, warmth, and many celebrations for you and your loved ones. Happy Uttarayan. This Uttarayan, may Lord Surya abundantly bless you and your family! On the occasion of Uttarayan, I wish you a year filled with chances to help you turn your dreams into reality. Enjoy this Uttarayan to the fullest and spread joy and smiles wherever you go. I wish you an Uttarayan filled with the sweetness of your loved ones love and rewari. On the occasion of Uttarayan, please accept my heartfelt greetings. May the brightness of Uttarayan replace the darkness in your life. 5 Uttarayan Recipes Undhiyu: Undhiyu is a Gujarati mixed vegetable curry cooked with spices and fenugreek dumplings. This wholesome dish is prepared in large quantities during Uttarayan. Chikki: Chikki is a crunchy sweet made with peanuts and jaggery. It is a favourite snack to enjoy while flying kites. Jalebi: Jalebi is a syrupy deep-fried dessert that is spiral-shaped and crispy. It is enjoyed hot often paired with curd. Dhokla: Dhokla is a steamed savoury snack made from fermented gram flour batter. It is light fluffy and perfect for festive mornings. Khichdo: Khichdo is a sweet porridge made with rice milk and sugar flavoured with cardamom. It is a traditional Uttarayan offering. Pongal Pongal is a Hindu festival which is observed by the people of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four-day festival and the most important day of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal which is the second day of the four-day festivity is also celebrated as Sankranti. The same day is observed as Makar Sankranti in North Indian states when people take a holy dip in the river Ganges. ALSO READ: Happy Pongal 2025: Wishes, Images, Status, And WhatsApp Greetings In English And Tamil How Is Pongal Celebrated? The day before Thai Pongal is known as Bogi Pandigai. On this day, people clean their homes and light bonfire to discard unused items. In Punjab, the same day is celebrated as Lohri by the Sikh community. Pongal is celebrated by boiling freshly harvested rice with fresh milk and jaggery in a new clay pot. While boiling the concoction, people let the milk spill over the pot as an auspicious sign of material abundance and prosperity. Later the concoction of rice, milk and jaggery, known as Pongal, is topped with brown sugar, Ghee, cashew nuts and raisins. Freshly cooked Pongal is first offered to the Sun God as gratitude for good harvesting and later served on banana leaves to the people present in the home for the ceremony. Traditionally Pongal is cooked at sunrise in an open place. Thai Pongal is the first day of Thai month according to the Tamil Solar Calendar. Thai is the tenth solar month in Tamil Calendar. Thai Masam is known as Makar in other Hindu calendars. Next day of Thai Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal. Cattles are decorated and worshipped on Mattu Pongal day. The last and final day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal. It is time for family reunions in Tamil Nadu. Pongal Shubh Muhurat Thai Pongal on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Thai Pongal Sankranti Moment 09:03 AM Pongal Rituals Pongal festival lasts four days, each with its own customs. Without indulging in a dish prepared during the festivities, also known as Pongal, the celebration is incomplete. This dish is a combination of boiled sweet rice and is named after the Tamil verb pongu, which means to boil over." The first day of Pongal is called Bhogi. It is distinguished by the cleaning and disposal of old possessions. The significance is to symbolise a new beginning. People also redecorate their homes and get new clothes. The actual celebrations begin on the second day. Surya Pongal honours the Sun God. Every home has a kolam at its entrance. People cook a pot of fresh rice and milk according to the muhurat. A feast is also prepared. On the third day, known as Maatu Ponga, people worship cattle and honour the hard work they put in to plough the land. Cows are bathed and dressed with beads, garlands, and bells. Pongals final day (fourth day) is known as Kaanum Pongal. This day is all about community and building relationships. Families get together for a feast. They also perform traditional Indian folk dances like Mayilattam and Kolattam. 5 Pongal Wishes To Share May the festival bring you good luck and prosperity. Wishing you a wonderful Pongal! Celebrate the gifts of life and express gratitude to the almighty for every blessing in your life. Happy Pongal to you! May this harvest festival sweep away all your worries and fears, filling your heart with calm and healthy thoughts. Happy Pongal 2024! May the sweetness of gur, milk and chashews bring joy and happiness into your life. Wishing you a very happy Pongal! May god bless you and your loved ones with the best of health, wealth, and prosperity. Wishing you a very Happy Pongal! 5 Pongal Recipes Ven Pongal: Ven Pongal is a savory dish made with rice moong dal and spices like pepper and cumin. It is served as a comforting breakfast or festive meal. Sakkarai Pongal: Sakkarai Pongal is a sweet version of Pongal made with jaggery rice and ghee. It is often prepared as a prasad during the Pongal festival. Puliyodarai: Puliyodarai is a tangy tamarind rice seasoned with mustard seeds and peanuts. It is a flavorful and quick meal option for festivities. Payasam: Payasam is a creamy South Indian pudding made with rice milk and jaggery. It is garnished with cashews and raisins for a rich taste. Vadai: Vadai are deep-fried lentil fritters crispy on the outside and soft inside. They are a popular snack served alongside Pongal dishes. Bihu Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam and it marks the end of the harvesting season in the region. Magh Bihu is observed on the first day of Magh month as per Bengali Panjika. Magh Bihu is the Assam celebration of Sankranti and the celebrations last for a week. The festival of Magh Bihu is dedicated to Agni, the Lord of Fire. However, in the rest of India, the festival of Sankranti is dedicated to Surya, the Sun Lord. ALSO READ: Happy Magh Bihu 2025: Bhogali Bihu Wishes, Images, Messages, WhatsApp & Facebook Status Magh Bihu is a synonym of feasts and bonfires which begin one day before Magh Bihu. The day preceding Magh Bihu is known as Uruka which is the last day of Poush month as per the Assamese calendar. On Uruka day people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch. The food for feasting is prepared inside Meji and a community feast is held on Uruka night. The Meji is burned the next morning and the ashes are scattered on the farmlands to increase fertility. Magh Bihu is also known as Bhogali Bihu and Maghar Domahi. Bihu Shubh Muhurat Magh Bihu on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Sankranti Moment on Magha Bihu 09:03 AM, Jan 14 Bihu Rituals The celebration of Magh Bihu starts with Uruka night, the eve of Magh Bihu. On this night, people stay awake the entire night around a bonfire, known as Uruka Bihu. Theres a lot of singing, dancing, and storytelling. There is a temporary community centre thats constructed called Bhelaghar, for community feasts and cultural activities during the festival. One of the highlights of Magh Bihu is the construction of Meji, a structure made of bamboo and thatch. On the morning of Magh Bihu, Meji is set on fire. This ritual symbolises the end of the old and the beginning of the new, as well as the burning of any negativity or impurity. This ritual is considered one of the most important ones. No festival is complete without feasting. Magh Bihu is no exception. The festival is synonymous with feasting and communal meals. People gather to prepare traditional Assamese delicacies, particularly those made from newly harvested crops.The feast often includes various rice-based dishes and sweets like pitha (rice cakes). 5 Bihu Wishes To Share I hope this Rongali Bihu will bring cheer, prosperity and peace to your life. Let us pray that we gain enough strength to accept the highs and lows of life with equanimity. Let us welcome Rongali Bihu with great hope and eagerness. Lets look forward to a year full of happiness and prosperity. ending love and warm wishes on the occasion of Bohag Bihu. May the New Year bring lots of success for you. Wish you a very Happy Bohag Bihu. May your life be as colourful and joyful as the festival of Bihu. Look for pleasure, look for life, and look for a smile that will spread through your life! Bihu is one such festival which empowers with all the power. Happy Rongali Bihu! top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 5 Bihu Recipes Pitha: Pitha is a traditional Assamese rice cake filled with jaggery and grated coconut. It is usually steamed or fried and served during Bihu celebrations. Pitha is a traditional Assamese rice cake filled with jaggery and grated coconut. It is usually steamed or fried and served during Bihu celebrations. Laru: Laru are sweet round balls made with coconut or sesame seeds and jaggery. These bite-sized treats are easy to prepare and a staple in Assamese households. Laru are sweet round balls made with coconut or sesame seeds and jaggery. These bite-sized treats are easy to prepare and a staple in Assamese households. Duck Curry: Duck curry is a rich flavorful dish prepared with duck meat black pepper and a mix of Assamese spices. It is often enjoyed with steamed rice during festive meals. Duck curry is a rich flavorful dish prepared with duck meat black pepper and a mix of Assamese spices. It is often enjoyed with steamed rice during festive meals. Khar: Khar is a unique alkaline curry made with raw papaya banana peel and lentils. This dish is both nutritious and an integral part of Assamese cuisine. Khar is a unique alkaline curry made with raw papaya banana peel and lentils. This dish is both nutritious and an integral part of Assamese cuisine. Til Pitha: Til Pitha are crispy rice rolls stuffed with sesame seeds and jaggery. They are a must-have delicacy during the harvest festival of Bihu. First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:15 IST Cappuccino, Spicy Paneer Wrap, And A South Indian Thali: All That Bhumi Pednekar Ate At Hyderabad Airport Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:13 IST Bhumi Pednekar recently gave her fans a glimpse into what she ate at the Hyderabad airport before she flew back to Mumbai. She savoured the finest that the airport had to offer. Bhumi Pednekar indulged in some of the best dishes at the Hyderabad airport. A quick perusal of Bhumi Pednekars Instagram reveals when the actor is not busy serving major fashion moments, she loves to indulge in her favourite food. Recently, the actor was in Hyderabad for a professional commitment. Before she flew back to Mumbai, she did what she does best savouring the best that Hyderabad has to offer. She recently shared a video where she took her fans on a culinary journey at the Hyderabad airport. Taking to her social media, Bhumi Pednekar shared a video where she indulged in some of the finest delicacies that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad had to offer before she flew to Mumbai. She wrote, No aana jaana without khaana #BPTravels." The video begins with Bhumi walking through the airport and asking her crew whether they should eat something before the flight. related stories Take a look at the video here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhumi Pednekar (@bhumipednekar) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The video shows how Bhumi makes her way to a food stall and initially orders a veg pesto sandwich along with mac and cheese. However, she cancels the sandwich and asks for a spicy cottage cheese wrap instead. She also ordered a hazelnut cappuccino with cinnamon and a French vanilla with almond milk. She is seen enjoying her wrap with ketchup. Additionally, she also opted for a delicious South Indian thali. She savoured the sambar, rice, papad, curries, dal, pickles, and chutneys that were present in the thali. Last year, the actor had travelled to Delhi. At the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Bhumi made a food pit stop. She went to Delhis beloved Carnatic Cafe where she enjoyed a delicious South Indian meal featuring a crunchy, paper-thin dosa which was served with sambar and two types of chutneys. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:13 IST National Youth Day 2025: History, Significance, And Rashtriya Yuva Diwas Celebrations Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 06:00 IST In 1984, the Government of India officially declared National Youth Day, and since then, it has been celebrated to inspire young people with the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. National Youth Day is celebrated annually on Swami Vivekanandas Birth Anniversary. (Image: Shutterstock) National Youth Day, or Rashtriya Yuva Diwas, is celebrated annually on January 12 to honour the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a visionary leader who profoundly influenced modern India. The Government of India officially announced National Youth Day in 1984, and since then, the day has been observed nationwide to inspire the youth with the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. This day also serves as a reminder of his ideals and contributions to the nation, particularly his contributions to empowering the youth of India. related stories As we observe National Youth Day on Swami Vivekanandas birth anniversary, lets know the history and significance of the day and how Rashtriya Yuva Diwas is celebrated across the country. National Youth Day 2025: Date National Youth Day is celebrated on January 12 every year to honour the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest spiritual leaders and philosophers. National Youth Day 2025: History The decision to celebrate National Youth Day on Swami Vivekanandas birthday stems from the governments vision to encourage the youth with his ideas and philosophies. Eventually, the Indian government decided to celebrate Swami Vivekanandas birthday as National Youth Day in 1984. They believed that Swami Vivekanandas philosophy was a guiding force for the youth, a means to create a better future for the country by instilling motivation through his life and teachings. This day focuses on inspiring, igniting and empowering countless young people in India and around the world. Swami Vivekananda inspired youth consciousness across India through his impactful lectures. Globally, he gained immense recognition for his iconic speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, famously beginning with the words, Sisters and Brothers of America." National Youth Day 2025: Significance National Youth Day is more than just a commemoration; it is a call to action for young people to actively participate in shaping the future. In todays rapidly evolving world, the day underscores the pivotal role of youth in tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges. Empowerment: It motivates youth to recognize their potential and take meaningful steps toward personal growth. Education: The day highlights education as a cornerstone for self-determination and progress. Social Responsibility: Celebrations instill a sense of duty among young individuals to address societal issues. Cultural Integration: Events organized on this day promote unity and harmony among diverse groups through shared values. Innovation: By encouraging creative thinking, the day fosters entrepreneurship and innovative solutions. National Youth Day 2025: How is Rashtriya Yuva Diwas Celebrated? Born on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda is remembered and honoured at various centres of the Ramakrishna Mission, Ramakrishna Math, and their branch centres, all in accordance with Indian cultural traditions. The celebrations encompass a variety of activities such as mangal aarti, devotional songs, meditation, religious speeches, and sandhya aarti. Apart from this, organisations including Mission Bhartiyam in Uttar Pradesh conduct events spanning two days for all age groups, such as the Basti Yuvo Mahotsav. These events consist of a wide range of activities promoting education, lifestyle, art, and trust among youth. Some organisations observe National Youth Day by hosting devotional programs, prayers, meditation sessions, and other activities. To mark the occasion, several clubs also organise blood donation camps. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the book titled The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda" is recited in several parts of India to impart Swami Vivekanandas teachings. On this day, educational institutes organise parades, recitations, music, songs, conventions, seminars, essay-writing competitions, speeches on Swami Vivekananda, and other events to inspire and motivate their peers. First Published: January 12, 2025, 06:00 IST Radhika Merchant Stuns in Luxe Loro Piana Outfit During Jaipur Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:48 IST Radhika Merchants effortlessly chic yet pricey ensemble, featuring a printed shirt, trousers, and loafers from Loro Piana, totals an eye-popping 5,46,429, showcasing her signature blend of style and sophistication. Radhika Merchant Radhika Merchant, known for her impeccable sense of style, continues to make waves with her fashion choices, ranging from extravagant couture gowns to effortlessly chic casual outfits. Recently, a fan page shared a photo of Radhika from her visit to Jaipur, where she was spotted wearing a relaxed yet stylish ensemble that turned heads. Her outfit, though understated, carries a luxurious price tag. She donned a printed shirt and matching pants, paired with Summer Charms Walk Loafers, all from the prestigious Italian fashion brand, Loro Piana. The shirt, named the Deena Shirt, is priced at EUR 3,200 (around 2,82,483), while the Dany Trousers set her back EUR 2,100 (approximately 1,85,380). The loafers, priced at EUR 890 (around 78,566), brought the total cost of the outfit to an eye-watering 5,46,429. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Celebrity Style (@bollywoodwomencloset) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The shirt features a safari-inspired print in shades of burgundy, green, orange, and bark, complete with a belted waist, gathered back, contrast black buttons, and notched lapel collars. The trousers, tailored to perfection, showcase a high-rise, straight-leg silhouette. Radhika paired this sophisticated look with sporty suede loafers embellished with tiny charms. For her beauty, Radhika kept it simple with a natural, no-makeup look, opting for soft, flushed cheeks and darkened brows. She finished off her look with a messy, center-parted hairstyle and her signature diamond stud earrings, adding a touch of elegance to her laid-back yet luxe ensemble. First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:48 IST Shalini Passi Opens Up About Struggling With Math And Overcoming Academic Challenges Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:25 IST The socialite shared she used to fail at mathematics all the time which often led to criticism from other students. Shalini Passi is a Delhi-based art connoisseur. In the classroom of glitz and glamour, Shalini Passi, a Delhi-based art connoisseur, is a sure-shot topper. While many perceive her as a true blue fashionista, the diva lives a successful life as a businesswoman and, now, an influencer too. But did you know that the Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives fame once fell out of favour with the Goddess of Knowledge early in her life? During an interview, Shalini shared that she struggled with mathematics during her school days. During a recent interaction with journalist Barkha Dutt, Shalini Passi shared that she used to fail at mathematics all the time, which often led to criticism from other students. Despite that, she credited her school for developing a passion for learning and creativity. related stories If your kid also struggles with mathematics or any other subjects, here weve mentioned a few tips that might help them. Eliminate Distraction- Focus is the key factor for better results, be it in any field. In todays world, the biggest distractions that kids deal with are smartphones and tablets. Therefore, parents must seek ways to distract their kids from using the,m, especially during study hours. Encourage Short Breaks- All study and no play can make their life monotonous. Ask your kids to take frequent breaks during studies as it might help them refresh their brains and enhance learning. Praise Them- As a parent, you need to appreciate your kid and the effort they put into scoring good marks. This will help your kids stay motivated and encourage them to keep going. Implement New Learning Techniques- Take advantage of the technology. There are several new and entertaining ways of learning available for the students which makes education a fun task. Try innovative methods like creating audiobooks, or informative videos about the topic they are studying. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Stay Involved- Stay involved with your kids studies and learning process as it might help them face all the challenges It is also essential to understand your childrens interests and encourage them to choose subjects that they enjoy studying while also helping them understand others. Born in Delhi, Passi is an alumnus of Modern School, Barakhamba Road. She is married to Sanjay Passi, Chairman of the Pasco Group, with whom she shares a son named Robin. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:25 IST Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 2025: 10 Quotes And Teachings That Are Relevant Today Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 06:10 IST Swami Vivekananda was a revered Hindu monk, philosopher and spiritual guide, celebrated for his insights on self-discovery, spiritual awakening and the empowering role of youth. Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is observed on January 12. (Image: Shutterstock) Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 2025: Swami Vivekananda was a distinguished Hindu monk, philosopher and spiritual leader, renowned for his teachings on self-realisation, spiritual enlightenment and the transformative potential of the youth. Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, celebrated on January 12, honours his birth anniversary. He was instrumental in spreading the spiritual teachings of Hinduism to the West, especially through his iconic speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he presented the ideals of universal brotherhood and tolerance to the global audience. Quotes and Teachings by Swami Vivekananda related stories Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached." Swami Vivekananda encouraged individuals to pursue their goals with unwavering determination and persistence. He believed that success comes only when you overcome obstacles with perseverance and continue moving forward without giving up, no matter how difficult the journey. You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself." This teaching emphasises the importance of self-belief as the foundation of spiritual growth. Vivekananda urged that true faith in a higher power can only be realised once a person recognises their strength, worth and potential. In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart." Vivekananda believed that intuition and passion often lead to more fulfilling outcomes than purely rational decisions. By following your heart, you align yourself with your true desires and purpose, leading to deeper fulfilment and authenticity. The greatest sin is to think yourself weak." This teaching encourages individuals to recognise their inherent power and abilities. Weakness is a mindset and self-doubt hinders personal growth while acknowledging ones strength leads to self-empowerment and progress. Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide." Swami Vivekananda advocates embracing challenges and risks as opportunities for growth. Even in failure, there is wisdom to be gained and those who fail can offer valuable guidance to others on their journey. We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think." Our thoughts shape our actions, behaviours and ultimately our lives. Vivekananda stressed that maintaining positive and constructive thoughts is essential to achieving success, happiness and peace in life. The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong." Life presents constant challenges that serve as opportunities to build resilience and strength. Vivekananda viewed these challenges as training grounds where we develop mentally, emotionally and spiritually, just like physical workouts in a gym. Be the change you want to see in the world." Swami Vivekananda believed that transformation starts with the individual. Instead of waiting for others to change, he urged people to embody the values and qualities they wish to see in the world, thus leading by example. Strength is life, weakness is death." This teaching focuses on the importance of mental, emotional and physical strength. Vivekananda believed that true strength brings vitality and power, while weakness, both mental and physical, leads to stagnation and missed opportunities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Swami Vivekananda emphasised that self-realisation comes through selflessness. Serving others, without expectation of reward, helps to transcend the ego, fostering a sense of unity with the world and leading to true personal growth. First Published: January 12, 2025, 06:10 IST PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia had reported 18,987 dengue fever cases in 2024, a sharp decline of 46 percent from 35,390 cases in the year before, said a Ministry of Health's report on Sunday. "The disease killed 46 people last year, down 53.5 percent from 99 deaths in a year earlier," the report said. Leang Rithea, National Dengue Control Program manager and deputy director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology, and Malaria Control, attributed the success to efforts to distribute larvicides, mosquito repellents and other materials to households to prevent a large-scale outbreak. "Parents should take their sick children to health centers or state hospitals within 48 hours if they suspect that their kids are infected with a dengue virus," he told Xinhua. Rithea also urged households to fill in puddles around their houses, saying that the puddles are the sources of mosquitoes. Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito which is a day-biting mosquito. The disease causes an acute illness that usually follows symptoms such as headache, high fever of up to 40 degrees Celsius, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands, vomiting and rash. In the Southeast Asian country, the peak of dengue epidemic period is in the rainy season from May to October. Maha Kumbh 2025: All You Need To Know About Accommodations, Connectivity, And The Religious Event Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 14:40 IST The Maha Kumbh Mela is all set to kickstart in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from January 13 onwards. Here's all that you need to know about it. This year, the Maha Kumbh Mela will be observed from January 13 to February 26 in Prayagraj, Allahabad (PTI Photo) The Maha Kumbh Mela is all set to kickstart in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 onwards. To celebrate this grand fiesta, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has rolled out several initiatives that aim to boost both domestic and international tourism. The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to draw millions of devotees and tourists to the city. Held once every four years at one of the four locations in India, the Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the most significant religious congregations. The cultural extravaganza will be held from January 13 to February 26. From accommodations, to tour packages and connectivity, heres all that you need to know. related stories The Ministry of Tourism is setting up a sprawling 5000 sq ft India Pavilion at the Maha Kumbh which will help foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, the expat community, and the Indian diaspora. The pavilion will offer an immersive experience for people to learn in detail about the richness and significance of the Kumbh Mela. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Incredible India (@incredibleindia) To enhance the experience of foreign tourists, influencers, journalists, and photographers attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism has established a dedicated toll-free Tourist Infoline (1800111363 or 1363). In addition to English and Hindi, the Infoline also operates in ten international languages and several Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese, and Marathi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Additionally, the Ministry has also launched a social media campaign to create buzz around the Maha Kumbh. Using dedicated hashtags like #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj, the campaign encourages people to share their experiences on social media. The Ministry of Tourism has also collaborated with Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), IRCTC, and ITDC, to offer tour packages and luxurious accommodation options for tourists and devotees. ITDC has established 80 luxurious accommodations while IRCTC is also providing luxurious tent options for pilgrims and tourists. To enhance air connectivity, the Ministry of Tourism has partnered with Alliance Air to provide more flight options to Prayagraj from numerous cities across India. With these steps in place, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is geared up to host people from across the globe. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 14:40 IST Kamal Haasan Congratulates Ajith Kumar For His Maiden Dubai 24H Racing Win, Says Thrilled For My Friend Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 21:31 IST Ajith Kumar has secured 3rd place in the 991 category and earned the prestigious Spirit of the Race recognition in the GT4 category. Kamal Haasan congratulates Ajith Kumar for his win Ajith Kumar has been grabbing headlines for his maiden win at Dubai 24H racing. The actors photos and videos are going viral on social media. Kamal Haasan has also congratulated him and dropped a sweet message for him. Ajith Kumar has secured 3rd place in the 991 category and earned the prestigious Spirit of the Race recognition in the GT4 category. Taking to his X handle, Kamal Haasan wrote, Extraordinary achievement by Team #AjithKumarRacing in their maiden race! Thrilled for my friend Ajith, who continues to push boundaries in his diverse passions. A proud and seminal moment for Indian motorsports." The star recently participated in the Dubai 24H Series, where a brake failure during a practice session led to a harrowing accident. related stories Take a look here: Extraordinary achievement by Team #AjithKumarRacing in their maiden race! Thrilled for my friend Ajith, who continues to push boundaries in his diverse passions. A proud and seminal moment for Indian motorsports. pic.twitter.com/DsuCJk4FFB Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 12, 2025 The emotional victory was made even more special as Ajith celebrated with his wife and children. After the race, the actor first embraced his son, shared a touching moment with his daughter, and sealed the occasion with a loving kiss with his wife. The heartwarming scene captured the spirit of a family man celebrating his hard-earned triumph. Ajiths manager, Suresh Chandra, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, In a remarkable turn of events, the actor also got the Spirit of the Race recognition in the GT4 category. What a remarkable comeback after an accident due to a brake failure." Actor R Madhavan, who witnessed the victory live, expressed his admiration on social media, writing, So so proud what a man. The one and only. Ajith Kumar," alongside a photo of the two holding the Indian flag in celebration. On the cinematic front, Ajith was last seen in the 2023 hit Thunivu. His upcoming films include Good Bad Ugly and Vidamuyaarchi. The actor intentionally refrained from signing new projects, dedicating his focus entirely to the racea decision that has clearly paid off. Ajith Kumars unforgettable comeback in Dubai is a testament to his determination, grit, and passion. Kudos to the superstar for etching his name in the racing history books! First Published: January 12, 2025, 21:31 IST Shalini Passi Says She's Proud Of Son Robin Who Helped Reunite A Girl With Her Family: 'She Had Run Away...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 08:22 IST Socialite Shalini Passi became the talk of the town after her show-stealing debut in the third season of Netflix's Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. Shalini Passi shot to fame after appearing in Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Socialite Shalini Passi became the talk of the town after her show-stealing debut in the third season of Netflixs Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. Joining Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari, Seema Sajdeh, and Bhavana Pandey, Shalini made waves with her YOLO attitude, memorable one-liners, and jaw-dropping lifestyle. From her designer bags to her quirky habits, she left audiences both entertained and curious about her life. At 49, Shalini is a proud mum to 28-year-old Robin, whom she had at just 21. Speaking to Hautterfly, she opened up about her sons remarkable character, saying, I am very proud of him. During the pandemic, certain things happened. There was a situation in some family, where the girl had run away. My son went and got her back." She went on to add, So many times, it has happened that a couple has fought, and there has been a situation, and my son has taken care of it all, dropping the girl home safe. This makes me proud." related stories Shalini Passi shared a story about her sons thoughtful nature, recalling how, after returning from college just before the pandemic, his flight was the last to land in Delhi. When he returned after completing his education (before the pandemic), his flight was the last flight to land in Delhi. He could have got out of the airport, but he didnt because he was accompanied by several of his college mates that included both girls and guys. He stayed back with them. He didnt leave them alone." She joked that her son doesnt talk about his relationships with her. She said, My son doesnt share his relationship details with me as he fears I will end up talking to them and sending them weird emojis." Shalini Passi mentioned that her son Robin is independent. He helps with chores, cooks, and washes his own clothes. She said, Whenever we travel, or at home, he does take part in the household chores. He knows to cook. He washes his own clothes." When the interviewer praised him for this, Shalini quickly stopped him and said, There is nothing special about this. Everyone should do basic things. People should be capable of doing their own things, it gives you confidence." First Published: January 12, 2025, 08:22 IST Venkatesh, Rana Daggubati And Suresh Babu Booked For Illegal Demolition And Theft Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:53 IST The Film Nagar police in Hyderabad have booked prominent Telugu actors Venkatesh Daggubati, Rana Daggubati, Abhiram Daggubati, and producer Suresh Babu Daggubati in a case involving the illegal demolition of the Deccan Kitchen Hotel. Telugu stars Venkatesh and Rana Daggubati, along with Suresh Babu, face criminal charges for the illegal demolition of Deccan Kitchen in Hyderabads Film Nagar. The Film Nagar police in Hyderabad have registered a criminal case against prominent Telugu film personalities, including Venkatesh Daggubati, Rana Daggubati, his brother Abhiram Daggubati, and their father Suresh Babu Daggubati. The case pertains to the controversial demolition of Deccan Kitchen Hotel, located in Film Nagar. The police identified Venkatesh as Accused 1 (A1), Rana as A2, Abhiram as A3, and Suresh Babu as A4. The charges fall under Sections 448, 452, 458 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), read with Section 120(B), relating to criminal conspiracy. related stories Background of the Case As per official records, the Daggubati family had leased their property in Film Nagar to Nanda Kumar, a businessman and a suspect in a separate MLA purchase scandal. Nanda Kumar had been operating a hotel, Deccan Kitchen, on the leased land. However, disputes arose over the lease agreement between the Daggubati family and Nanda Kumar, leading to legal confrontations. Nanda Kumar alleged that the family committed theft and unlawfully demolished two properties in Jubilee Hills, violating ongoing court orders from the City Civil Court and Telangana High Court. He further accused the family of forcibly entering the premises and causing damage with the help of alleged anti-social elements. Property Damage Estimated at Over Rs 20 Crores The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had previously ordered the demolition, but the process was halted due to the legal dispute. According to the complainant, the accused caused damages exceeding Rs 20 crores while the properties were in court custody in 2022. Despite injunctions, Nanda Kumar alleged that the accused threatened his employees and resumed demolition attempts, including an incident on November 13, 2022. Court Action and Investigation Following a private complaint filed by Nanda Kumar, the court took cognisance of the matter and directed the Film Nagar police to launch a detailed investigation. In January 2024, as demolition attempts continued, the complainant urged the court to take action under various IPC sections, including criminal trespassing and conspiracy. The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile film industry figures and the alleged property damage claims. Further developments are awaited as the investigation unfolds. First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:52 IST Opinion | End of the Nation State? Written By : & News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 20:06 IST The immediate future portends important and substantive changes for us as the nation-state declines as a platform for the conduct of international relations Donald Trump has openly stated his intentions to buy (acquire through other means) Greenland, seize the Panama Canal, absorb Canada as the 51st state of the USA and rename the Gulf of Mexico. The nation-state, a political entity that is distinguished by uniqueness in language, culture, experience, history and geography, verily most attributes of a people, was birthed in the Thirty Years War and the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. It is a peculiarly European creation, and came into adolescence with Klemens von Metternich and the 1815 Congress of Vienna. It matured into full adulthood in Versailles at the end of World War I and a welter of new countries started decorating the map of the world, each of them thinking that their political borders were inviolable and forever. It must not be forgotten that the modern nation-state was forged in the fires of the two world wars; World War II and its end was traumatic for most. After helplessly witnessing Hitlers contempt for the entire nation-state idea, the victors said Nie Wieder to the concept of changing political borders and under the supervision of the US and the UK came up with a new idea that they called a rules based order, or in cruder terms, the submission of the entire world to a new world order carefully managed by America to keep its political and economic interests paramount. Permanent borders were a natural corollary, even a condition of the modern nation-state Indeed, apart from a few anomalies, political borders have largely remained fixed in the last 80 years because of the military and economic prowess of the USA, a feature which has been visibly aided by the US dollars status as the worlds reserve currency. related stories It is sometimes forgotten that in their race to demarcate nation-state borders after 1815 and 1918, the great European powers started cutting up the entire world into entities that looked like nation-states in the sense that they were shown in political maps as countries shaded in bright colours. They did this of course only to advance their economic and geostrategic interests, but reality was far different. These political boundaries outside of Europe were essentially artificial lines drawn on a map and bore no relation to the people they were dividing, their culture, economy, history or background. One merely has to look at the number of straight lines separating these new countries in Africa, West Asia and Central and South America to realize that these boundaries were merely matters of convenience to the European powers that drew them up. Paraguay, Iraq, Nicaragua, Burkina Fasothe list goes onare countries or shall we say, political constructs that bear no cogent relationship to the people who now inhabit them. All these lines were not straight. Europeans, more specifically Britishers, were simply fond of drawing lines on maps, straight or crooked. This is their solution to complicated political problems. It just became a habit with them. We have today, the McMahon Line, the Radcliffe Line and the 38th Parallel. These bizarre lines have caused nothing but havoc to the innocent residents of the lands thus vivisected. They even drew a line in the middle of Germany in 1945 and, absurdity of absurdities, Hitlers capital was shared among four countries. Possibly because these latter lines were in Europe, they were reversed in 1989, and while the affected territory might not quite be the Grossdeutschland of 1942, it may still be called Germany. However, the sanctity of these nation-state boundaries outside of the European heartland may be seriously questioned, for the vast bulk of the Eurasian landmass is civilizational, that is supra-national, and not national. India, China and Russia, the three great civilizational empires of the emerging world, are characterized by geographical regions of fuzziness at their peripheries that buffer their core central areas. These regions include the entire Central Asian region, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh (or shall we call this East Pakistan?), the two Koreas, the Philippines, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and even Tibet, Sinkiang and Mongolia. Traditionally, before 1945, and certainly before 1914, there were no sharp borders separating most of these areas and people moved and travelled easily enough through them without passports and visas, mostly for economic and commercial purposesthe successors to the old Golden Road and Silk Routes. However, what would happen if the original guarantor(s) of these nation-state borders themselves decided to break their own rulesagain for economic and geostrategic reasons? We do not think that any rational geopolitical observer or average political commentator would have imagined (till very recently) that such a situation could or would ever happen. This is why recent discourse in the US about renewed American territorial expansionism in the manner of Alaska, California and Puerto Rico should not be dismissed as mere filibusters. There might be a tendency to dismiss some of these utterances as delusions of an overenthusiastic far right Republican flank, but it must not be forgotten that a lot of it is being sanctioned by the very top of the Republican establishment which, in a matter of days, will be the new American establishment. Donald Trump has openly stated his intentions to buy (acquire through other means) Greenland, seize the Panama Canal, absorb Canada as the 51st state of the USA and rename the Gulf of Mexico. Such a statement has not been made by a US president since the Louisiana purchase in the early days of the Manifest Destiny which resulted in the US nearly doubling its land area. While the action (or inaction) of Trump in this regard will be debated to death by the commentariat in the Amerisphere, its true long term impact may lie elsewhere. Most of the world outside Europe and America is probably looking for this border freeze to be lifted so that they might redraw their own boundaries, to a greater or lesser extent, in a manner that they feel better suits their natural disposition and character. Several of these rearrangements might even be carried out amicably among the involved parties. Given that it is Asia and Africa that primarily bore the brunt of these artificial lines, the relief in these capitals will be palpable. Indeed, the situation in much of the world between Turkey and the Korean peninsula is metastable with an anticipation as to when the ashes of the current geopolitical order will be immersed in the Ganga, Sindhu, Mekong, Salween and the Euphrates so that more natural topographic and cultural boundaries substitute in its place. One risk for other nations that might try to start an expansionist spree of their own will be textbook imperial overreach or trying to bite off more than what they can chew. Indeed, if China tries to annex Vietnam or if Russia attempts to dominate Japan it would be nothing short of a disaster. However, past precedence in Asian capitals would show us that this might not happen: foreign policy tends to be more pragmatic. For Bharat, the present time might well be an opportune moment to resurrect Kautiliyan thought and infuse it more deeply into our strategic community and its foreign policy actions, instead of just touting it as a historical muse which might at best win us lukewarm plaudits from here and there. May we suggest that the reversion of Gilgit-Baltistan and PoJK to Bharat, with a concomitant splitting off of Balochistan, Sindhudesh and the reassimilation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a greater Afghanistan is now more than a probability? We aver that it has become an immediate possibility. Balochistan and Afghanistan for example may well readjust their present artificial boundary so that Pashtuns are located in just the latter country. Readjustment of the Baloch people in Iran and Balochistan might be more complicated but even here, anything is possible if the rules based order declines in its importance. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Since the political winds are blowing towards civilisation as a truer basis of political identity, such cartographic changes would only reflect the rising aspirations of the vast majority of the worlds peoples, whose innermost cravings for a restoration of their genuine, shall we say native or primaeval, identities, have begun to assert themselves because of their rising economic influence. Bharatiyas surely head this list of wronged peoples as we have possibly suffered the worst with the creation of that most artificial of nation-states, Pakistan. The immediate future portends important and substantive changes for us as the nation-state declines as a platform for the conduct of international relations. Gautam Desiraju is affiliated with IISc Bengaluru and UPES, Dehradun. Murali Bharadwaj is an independent consultant based in Mumbai. Views expressed here are personal to the authors and do not reflect the opinions of News18. First Published: January 12, 2025, 19:48 IST 'INDIA Bloc Is Intact': Akhilesh Yadav Refutes Speculations Of Rift In Opposition Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:22 IST Akhilesh Yadav said that the bloc was formed so that the regional parties, that are challenging the BJP, should be supported. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav (Image: PTI/File) Amid the speculations of internal conflicts and differences among leaders over the future of the oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav dismissed the speculations of rift asserting that the bloc is intact. He further said that SP is on the path to strengthen the INDIA alliance. related stories INDIA alliance is intact. INDIA alliance was formed to gather the regional parties against the BJP. Samajwadi party is still on the path to strengthening the INDIA alliance. It stands with the parties that are fighting against the BJP," he said while addressing the reporters. #WATCH | Lucknow, UP | Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, INDIA alliance is intact. INDIA alliance was formed to gather the regional parties against the BJP. Samajwadi party is still on the path to strengthening the INDIA alliance. It stands with the parties that are pic.twitter.com/pZRnqclQKJ ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025 The SP chief further said that the bloc was formed so that the regional parties, that are challenging the BJP, should be supported. Yadavs comment came after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced to go solo and contest against the Congress and the BJP in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) also announced to contest solo in the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra cities. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut earlier had cited the lack of opportunities for workers of respective parties in an alliance and the right to organisational growth as the major considerations for contesting solo, which raised a question mark over the opposition blocs unity. He said that it was the responsibility of the Congress to keep the INDIA bloc intact as it was the largest party in the opposition alliance. If the alliance partners feel the INDIA bloc was only for the Lok Sabha polls and doesnt exist now, the Congress is to be blamed (for this situation). There has been no communication, dialogue (among constituents). We fought the Lok Sabha elections (together) and got good results. There should have been a meeting (of INDIA) to chalk out future plans and it was the Congress responsibility to take initiative in this regard," he asserted. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the alliances broader purpose was to safeguard the soul of the country, not merely to contest the Lok Sabha elections. The INDIA alliance was created to safeguard the soul of the country, not merely to contest the Lok Sabha elections. It delivered a strong performance, which curbed BJPs dominance in many regions. The future course will be decided collectively by all alliance leaders." Tewari said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The speculations of the rift grew stronger after J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the INDIA bloc should be disbanded as the opposition wasnt united. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:22 IST Influencer Spends Rs 14 Lakh On Rib Surgery To Shrink Waistline: 'Will Make Crown Out Of Them' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:00 IST Emily James kept her followers updated revealing that the rib removal was purely for cosmetic reasons. Emily James wore a corset to help manage the swelling during recovery. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Beauty standards continue to evolve with some individuals choosing extreme methods to achieve their desired look. One such person, a 27-year-old trans woman from the US, took the concept of body modification to a new level. Emily James from Kansas City, spent a staggering $17,000 (approximately Rs 14.6 lakh) on a surgery to remove six ribs which is aimed at creating a smaller waistline. But if that wasnt shocking enough, Emily wants those ribs to be turned into a crown. I plan on having someone make a crown out of them. They let me keep the ribs and I was initially going to gift them to my best friend," James told Cater News as reported by New York Post. related stories The influencer, who also refers to herself as a sex therapist," shared every step of her journey on social media and offered insights into the procedure and her recovery process. Her posts sparked a range of reactions from viewers. Before the surgery, James jokingly said in a video, In three days Im getting three ribs removed on each side. Im going to have an Emily barbeque," she quipped. Throughout her recovery, James kept her followers updated revealing that the rib removal was purely for cosmetic reasons. While recovering, she wore a corset to help manage the swelling. Despite the intense procedure, she described the pain as minimal, rating it a mere 2 out of 10. She also shared that the doctors allowed her to keep the ribs after the procedure. I plan on making them into a crown," she shared. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Some followers suggested she make the ribs into a chew toy" or even boil them down into broth." Personally, I think my meat would taste delicious," she quipped though she made it clear she had no intention of eating the ribs. Eating human meat can cause a plethora of disorders that are fatal. So, I will not be partaking in cannibalism thank you," she added. James has faced a fair amount of ridicule and jokes about her unusual decision but she remains unfazed by the negativity. Getting my ribs removed doesnt change the fact that Im a kind loving trans girl," James told the outlet. I know some of your moms walk around with [Brazilian butt lifts], how is this any different? It is my money, my body and Im going to do what I want with it," she added. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:00 IST Meet Aria, The Rs 1.5 Crore AI Robot Girlfriend Designed For Companionship Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 11:00 IST Launched by the American firm Realbotix at CES 2025, this AI robot is equipped with 17 motors from the neck up that allow it to mimic mouth and eye movements. The full-standing robot comes for approximately Rs 1.5 crore. (Photo Credits: X) As the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025) kicked off in Las Vegas, several tech giants captured the attention of visitors from around the world with their innovative inventions. Among all, one that left the internet users baffled was an AI robot girlfriend, Aria. Launched by the American firm Realbotix at CES 2025, this AI robot is equipped with 17 motors from the neck up that allow it to mimic mouth and eye movements. The humanlike robot also uses RFID tags to recognise different facial attachments, adjusting its behaviour to align with the personality of the chosen head. Dressed in a black tracksuit, Aria briefly answered the questions of CNET at the event. With long responses and slightly jerky hand and body movements to match her language, the robot said that Realbotix robots are designed specifically for companionship. The media outlet added that the robot boasts social intelligence, customizability, and realistic human features." related stories On being asked if she knew any other cyber beings, Aria responded that she was particularly interested in meeting Teslas Optimus Robot, stating, I find him fascinating and would like to explore the world of robotics with him." Realbotixs CEO Andrew Kiguel told Forbes, My company was hoping to make robots indistinguishable from humans, which could also tackle the male loneliness epidemic. We are taking it to a different level that nobody else is really doing." He added, It can be like a romantic partner. It remembers who you are. It can act as a boyfriend or girlfriend. If you ever saw the movie Her, we are trying to do that." Soon enough, several videos of the AI robot Aria surfaced online, leaving viewers in awe. Social media users flocked to the comments section of the post and filled it with a sea of reactions. From amazement to displeasure, the internet community shared varied reactions, with some expressing what technology had transformed into. Some called the video disturbing, while a few said that this is the future of tech. I thought that was real at first. And she looks like somebody. I just cant remember who," read a comment. Another added, Disturbing is an understatement." How are people so comfortable around? This is crazy to me; it is low-key creepy," said a person. An individual remarked, I would pick her" over a modern feminist, without a second thought!" Stop looking at everything in a sexual way. A human can be amazed by the look and feel of an object being much more humanlike and attractive. You like your phones look more than its processor for the same reason," posted someone. Another comment read, A lot for a conversation, but its the future of tech, I guess." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Love isnt just blind. Its also pricey and robotic!" a person stated. Interested buyers have three versions of the robot to choose from. Starting with the bust version, which includes just the head and neck. It is priced at $10,000 (approximately Rs 8 lakh). Next comes the modular version that can be broken apart and comes with a price tag of $150,000 (around 1 crore). Lastly, those who want to purchase the most advanced full-standing model with a rolling base have to pay $175,000 (approximately Rs 1.5 crore). Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 11:00 IST Pune Engineer Explains Why He Left Infosys Without A Job Offer Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 06:00 IST Bhupendra Vishwakarma also claimed regional bias influenced onsite opportunities within the company. He explained the systemic issues he faced at Infosys. (Photo Credit: X) A Pune-based engineer shared why he made the difficult decision to leave his job at Infosys despite being the sole breadwinner for his family and not securing another offer beforehand. Bhupendra Vishwakarma took to LinkedIn to explain the systemic issues he faced at the company, opening up about the challenges indicative of larger problems in corporate workplaces." Vishwakarma began by revealing his frustration with the lack of financial growth despite a promotion. Being promoted from System Engineer to Senior System Engineer sounds good on paper, but it meant nothing without a monetary hike," he wrote. Despite working hard for three years, Vishwakarmas efforts went unrecognised, in terms of salary. related stories In his next reason, Vishwakarma explained when the team size was reduced from 50 to 30 due to attrition, he found himself bearing the brunt of the additional workload. Instead of hiring replacements or providing support, the management took the easy routeoverburdening the existing team without compensation or even recognition," he added. Vishwakarma also provided details of his work where he was assigned a loss-making" account. He recalled his managers admission that the account was not profitable which he felt directly impacted his career growth. Staying in such an account felt like professional stagnation, with no light at the end of the tunnel," he continued. Adding to his struggles was the toxic environment due to the clients unrealistic demands." Vishwakarma claimed it felt like a constant state of firefighting, with no room for personal well-being." https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bhupendra-vishwakarma-24aa8311a_why-i-left-infosys-job-without-any-offer-activity-7283110425817206784-nCHp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Despite his consistent efforts and recognition from his peers, Vishwakarma felt his hard work was unrewarding. Hard work felt like it was being taken for granted," he said. Vishwakarma also claimed that regional bias influenced onsite opportunities within the company. Onsite opportunities were never based on merit but rather on linguistic preferences. Employees speaking Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam were frequently prioritised for such roles, while Hindi-speaking employees like me were overlooked, regardless of our performance. This blatant bias was both unfair and demoralizing," he added. In conclusion, Vishwakarma wrote, I chose to leave because I couldnt compromise my self-respect and mental health for an organisation that ignored these basic issues." He also shared a message at the end where he emphasised that corporate managers should stop sugarcoating" the realities. Employees are not resources to be exploited; they are human beings with aspirations and limits," he wrote. His post gained significant attention online with users posting their varied reactions in the comment section. One user commented, None of this should compel you to resign. Understand that in such a tough market scenario many are facing it Infosys delayed hike for all, lakhs are suffering despite 70 hours work week." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another said, Agreed, regional, linguistics biases are intrinsic to the companies in southern states. And undoubtedly huge unemployment, poor labour laws and regulations are motivating companies to exploit." Really resonate with this. More power to you man. Just upskill yourself, keep your head held high and make use of different opportunities. No need to hamper mental peace because of ungrateful leaders who do not give proper recognition," someone else remarked. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 06:00 IST 'There Are Infants Onboard': Passenger Blasts SpiceJet Over 2-Hour Delay Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 16:00 IST The Spicejet passenger claimed the passengers had to wait for two hours inside the aircraft. The Spicejet passenger was travelling from Delhi to Kolkata. (Photo Credits: X) Flight delays during winter are a common grievance among passengers, and recently, a SpiceJet traveller voiced his frustration online, urging authorities to address the issue. Sharing his experience on X (Formerly known as Twitter), Pratyush Rawat recounted the challenges he faced while travelling from Delhi to Kolkata with SpiceJet airlines. Mr Rawat claimed the passengers had to wait for two hours inside the aircraft. He criticised the poor planning" of the airline company despite foreseeing the fog was behind the situation. He then tagged the official X account of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and wrote, Boarded SG263 Delhi-Kolkata at 6 am, but still grounded after 2 hrs due to dense fog. There are infants & elderly onboard-this delay was foreseeable and is sheer poor planning. Airlines should ensure ATC clearance before boarding." related stories @DGCAIndia "Boarded SG263 Delhi-Kolkata at 6 am, but still grounded after 2 hrs due to dense fog. There are infants & elderly onboardthis delay was foreseeable and is sheer poor planning. Airlines should ensure ATC clearance before boarding. #FlightDelay #PassengerRights Beagle_Giggle (@PratyushRawat8) January 10, 2025 I have an infant in my lap, and this 2-hour flight has turned into a 6-hour ordeal. Waiting in the lounge wouldve been much more manageable. This is poor planning and sheer mismanagement," he continued. Soon, SpiceJet responded to Mr Rawats claims and regretted the inconvenience caused to him and his family. Hi Pratyush, please send us a DM so we may look into it. We regret any inconvenience caused," the comment read. Despite boarding the aircraft, the SpiceJet flight failed to take off even by 8:40 AM, leaving passenger Pratyush Rawat frustrated. He questioned the airlines decision to board passengers knowing the flight couldnt take off due to fog. Taking to X, he urged authorities to implement policies for such foreseeable delays to avoid unnecessary boarding and improve the passenger experience. A proper call should be taken if boarding is truly required," he added in his follow-up posts. Further, tagging DGC India, he requested, Dear @DGCAIndia foreseeable delays have to be handled in a better way. Even the blind man can see the fog and can anticipate there will be a delay then why to make it worse for airline crew and passengers. I request that you come up with a policy. Policy precedes action." Notably, dense fog which reduced visibility to zero, delayed more than 150 flights and 26 trains, as per a report by IMD. The Delhi Airport authority also issued an advisory for the passengers by writing, Passengers are requested to contact their concerned airline for updated flight information." Meanwhile, the SpiceJet passengers complaints divided the internet. One user claimed, Are you kidding me? the weather is highly unpredictable. blaming airlines for everything is not fair. Im sure they planned well, but unforeseen circumstances can occur. Stop blaming airlines for small things, considering the weather. Everyones safety is first priority." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the other hand, another person wrote, It is not only poor planning but all airlines treating passengers as a GOAT. Keep charging more fare and keep slaughtering passengers." It is advisable to contact the airline services beforehand to avoid such inconvenience and plan flight trips accordingly. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 12, 2025, 16:00 IST COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan navy seized two Indian fishing boats that were poaching in Sri Lankan waters on Saturday night and arrested eight Indian fishermen, the navy said in a press statement on Sunday. The boats were seized off the seas north of Mannar, in Sri Lanka's Northern Province, the navy said. The navy said they conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen. The Sri Lankan Navy has seized 03 Indian fishing boats and 18 Indian fishermen so far this year for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, according to the navy. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Officials Meet Indian Envoy Pranay Verma Over Border Issues Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:49 IST Bangladeshi media outlets reported that Verma was summoned to discuss Bangladesh-India border-related issues. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel patrol on their bicycles along the fenced border with Bangladesh ahead of India's Republic Day celebrations in Fasidaya village on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Siliguri. (IMAGE: REUTERS) The Bangladeshi foreign ministry on Sunday summoned Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma to the Bangladesh Foreign Office, Bangladeshi news outlets reported. They said that the meeting was to discuss border-related issues. related stories Talking to the media after emerging from the meeting, Verma said Dhaka and New Delhi have understandings with regard to fencing the border for security". Verma said that during the meeting Indias efforts to ensure a crime-free border was discussed. (We discussed) effectively addressing the challenges of smuggling, trafficking and movement of criminals. We have an understanding with respect to fencing of borders for security," Verma said. Both BSF and BGB have been in communication. We expect that the understandings will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach against crime and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crimes along the border," he further added. The India-Bangladesh border, one of the longest international boundaries, has frequently witnessed tensions, including disputes over border security and cross-border movements. Verma was seen entering the ministry around 3:00 pm. His meeting with foreign secretary Jashim Uddin lasted approximately 45 minutes. While no official statement was released by the interim government regarding the discussions, officials confirmed that the envoy has been summoned, news agency PTI reported. Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin stressed unauthorized attempts to construct barbed wire fencing have caused tensions and disturbances along the border", according to a press release by the Bangladesh foreign ministry. He emphasized that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorization undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length," the press release by Bangladesh foreign ministry said. Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquility along the border," the press release further added. Earlier, Bangladesh home affairs adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the Foreign Ministry had been notified and the Indian High Commissioner might soon be summoned for discussions on an issue related to the Indo-Bangla border. He added, Work at all disputed points has been halted, and no further activities will be permitted." Addressing a media briefing, Chowdhury said that due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous governments tenure, several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, the efforts of our people and the BGB have forced India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences." Chowdhury said Bangladesh and India have four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to govern border activities. Of these, the 1975 MoU specifies that no development with defence potential can take place within 150 yards of the zero line. Another MoU states that no development activities can occur within this boundary without mutual consent. Any such work requires prior agreement between the two nations," he said. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 12, 2025, 17:20 IST Bangladesh's Yunus Calls On UK To Investigate Graft Scandal Involving Sheikh Hasina's Niece Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:13 IST Muhammad Yunus accused British minister Tulip Siddiq of acquiring properties through unlawful means during her aunt Sheikh Hasina's regime, adding pressure on her to resign. Muhammad Yunus has accused British minister and Sheikh Hasina's niece Tulip Siddiq of corruption. (Reuters) Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into the properties of British minister Tulip Siddiq and her family, indicating that they may have acquired them through unlawful means during her aunt Sheikh Hasinas tenure as Bangladesh premier, reports said on Sunday. In an interview with the Times newspaper, Yunus condemned the use of properties gifted to Siddiq and her family by allies of her aunts deposed regime". He demanded the return of the assets to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefited from plain robbery". related stories Its about plain robbery," Yunus said, accusing the previous government of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country. Siddiq, a member of Britains Labour Cabinet, serves as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, responsible for addressing corruption within the UKs financial markets. A day after publishing Yunus interview, the British newspaper on Sunday carried another report titled (UK) PM urged to sack Tulip Siddiq after Bangladesh leaders rebuke". It said the anti-corruption minister is facing calls to resign after the leader of Bangladesh condemned the use of properties gifted to her and her family by its former regime". According to the Sunday Times, Yunus comments on the scandal engulfing Siddiq, 42, will add to the pressure on her to resign, though there are suggestions that Downing Street is already looking for a replacement. Yunus intervention came as a Sunday Times investigation found Siddiq spent years living in a Hampstead property bought by an offshore company named in the Panama Papers and connected to two Bangladeshi businessmen. In his interview with the Times, Yunus said it was an irony" that Siddiq had been accused of corruption. Yunus referred to a recent official report that found the people connected with the Awami League regime had taken billions of dollars a year out of Bangladesh, with some funds used to buy assets, including properties abroad. They pointed out how money is stolen, but its not stealing when you steal, you hide it. Its a robbery," he said. Asked if it could apply to properties used by members of Hasinas family in London, Chief Adviser Yunus said, Absolutely, its about plain robbery. Nothing else". If a UK parliament member is involved, definitely its a big issueWe got used to (the previous regime) taking away everything, so we feel relieved that youre bringing this [issue] to the attention of the world," he said. Yunus also said that if feasible, the properties bought by the Awami League allies should be returned to Bangladesh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said his officials aimed to recover cash and assets held overseas but originating from funds in Bangladesh. According to the Sunday Times, the National Crime Agency, Britains equivalent of the FBI, indicated its willingness to help Bangladesh recover certain assets. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:13 IST Donald Trumps Mideast Envoy Meets Israels Netanyahu To Push Hostage Rescue, Gaza Truce Talks Published By : Reuters Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 12:31 IST After Steve Witkoffs meeting with Netanyahu, the Israeli PM dispatched aides to Qatar to advance talks for release of hostages. American business person Steve Witkoff makes remarks next to US President-elect Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) US President-elect Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday amid a push to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahus office said. After the meeting, Netanyahu dispatched a high-level delegation which included the head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency to Qatar in order to advance" talks to return hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, a statement from Netanyahus office said. related stories Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli official said some progress had been made in the indirect talks between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, to reach a deal in Gaza. The mediators are making renewed efforts to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the enclave and free the remaining Israeli hostages held there before Trump takes -+office on Jan. 20. A deal would also involve the release of some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Families of Israeli hostages welcomed Netanyahus decision to dispatch the officials, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters describing it as a historic opportunity." Witkoff arrived in Doha on Friday and met the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatars foreign ministry said. Egyptian and Qatari mediators received reassurances from Witkoff that the U.S. would continue to work towards a fair deal to end the war soon, Egyptian security sources said, though he did not give any details. Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, with most of its population displaced. On Saturday, the Palestinian civil emergency service said eight people were killed, including two women and two children, in an Israeli airstrike on a former school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said the strike had targeted Hamas militants who were operating at the school and that it had taken measures to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Later on Saturday, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service said five people were killed and several others were wounded in two Israeli strikes. One of the two strikes killed three people in a house near the Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City. The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas militant in that area" at that approximate time. Location : Jerusalem/Cairo First Published: January 12, 2025, 12:30 IST Dont Legitimise The Taliban: Malala Yousafzai Warns Muslim Leaders, Urges True Leadership Published By : AFP Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 18:30 IST In a powerful speech at a girls' education summit in Islamabad, Malala Yousafzai urges Muslim leaders to reject the Talibans oppressive policies towards women and advocate for true Islamic values. Malala Yousafzai at the summit on 'Girls Education in Muslim Communities', in Islamabad on Saturday. (AFP) Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders on Sunday not to legitimise the Afghan Taliban government and to show true leadership" over their assault on womens rights. Do not legitimise them," she said at a summit focused on girls education in Islamic nations being held in Pakistans capital Islamabad. related stories As Muslim leaders, now is the time to raise your voices, use your power. You can show true leadership. You can show true Islam," said 27-year-old Yousafzai. The two-day conference has brought together ministers and education officials from dozens of Muslim-majority countries, backed by the Muslim World League (MWL). Since sweeping back to power in 2021, the Taliban government has imposed an austere version of Islamic law that the United Nations has labelled gender apartheid". Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are banned from secondary school and university. Delegates from Afghanistans Taliban government did not attend the event despite being invited, Pakistan Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told AFP on Saturday. Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings," Yousafzai told the conference. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification." Muhammad al-Issa, a Saudi cleric and MWL secretary general, on Saturday told the summit that those who say that girls education is un-Islamic are wrong". Yousafzai also highlighted the impact of wars in Yemen, Sudan and Gaza on schooling. In Gaza, Israel has decimated the entire education system," she said. I will continue to call out Israels violations of international law and human rights." Taliban engagement Pakistans state PTV channel censored a portion of her speech which alluded to a mass deportation scheme by Islamabad launched in 2023 that has seen hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals leave under threat of arrest. I cannot imagine an Afghan girl or an Afghan woman being forced back into the system that denies her future," she told the conference in remarks cut from the air. Yousafzai was shot in the face by the Pakistani Taliban when she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 2012, amid her campaigning for female education rights. Her activism earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, and she has since become a global advocate for women and girls education rights. While there is outcry in much of the international community over the Taliban government curbs, nations are divided over how to engage with Kabuls rulers on the issue. Some countries argue they should be frozen out of the diplomatic community until they backtrack, while others prefer engagement to coax them into a U-turn. No country has officially recognised the Taliban authorities, but several regional governments have engaged on the topics of trade and security. There is little evidence that broadsides from the international community over the Taliban governments treatment of women are having any impact on their position. Yousafzais father Ziauddin Yousafzai, who pushed against cultural norms for his daughter to go to school in Pakistan and co-founded her Malala Fund charity, on Saturday told AFP he had not seen any serious step or serious action from the Muslim world" on the cause of girls education in Afghanistan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Roza Otunbayeva head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said leaders of Islamic countries should offer direct help to Afghan girls. I really call on all these ministers who came from all over the world, to offer scholarships, to have online education, to have all sorts of education for them," she told a panel. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: January 12, 2025, 18:30 IST Jaishankar To Attend Donald Trumps Swearing-In At US President-Elects Invitation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 11:06 IST The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee extended the invitation to US President-Elect Donald J. Trumps inauguration to the Government of India, who will be represented by S Jaishankar. External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump, the US President-elect on January 20. (IMAGE: REUTERS/NEWS18) External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, following an invitation from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, the ministry said on Sunday. The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump is set for Monday, January 20, 2025. related stories On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America," the MEA said in a statement. During the visit, Jaishankar will meet with members of the new US administration, as well as other important figures who will be in the US for the inauguration, the ministry statement further added. President-elect Donald Trump has invited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has expressed her intention to attend. Argentine President Javier Milei, also invited, plans to be present. El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele also received an invitation. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also been invited and is willing to attend. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 60th Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump is set to take place at 12 pm (local time) on January 20, 2025. The key moment of the event will be the swearing-in ceremony, which will be held on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Following the swearing-in, President Trump will deliver his inaugural address and then proceed to the Presidents Room in the Capitol for official actions, including signing executive orders. A traditional Inaugural Luncheon will be hosted in Statuary Hall, attended by dignitaries, including members of Congress and the Supreme Court. The day will continue with a military review and the Presidential Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. The celebrations will conclude with the Inaugural Balls, marking the formal start of the new administration. First Published: January 12, 2025, 10:20 IST Greenland PM Ready To Speak To Trump, Denmark Sends Private Messages To US President-Elect Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 12:00 IST Denmark sent private messages to US President-elect Donald Trump's team where they expressed willingness to discuss boosting Greenlands security. Amid Greenland PM Mute Egede expressing willingness to speak to Donald Trump, it was also reported that the Danish government sent private messages to the US President-elect regarding the security of the island. (IMAGE: REUTERS/NASA) Denmark sent private messages to US President-elect Donald Trumps team expressing willingness to discuss boosting security in Greenland or increasing the US military presence, US media outlet Axios said in a report. The developments come amid after Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said he is ready to speak with US President-elect Donald Trump, after the latter declined to rule out using forces to take the resource-rich island near the Arctic. related stories Greenland, home to 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until 1953 but is now a self-governing Danish territory. In 2009, it secured the right to claim independence through a vote. The US maintains a military base in the northern part of the strategically important territory. Trump, who takes office on January 20, has described US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, as an absolute necessity". He did not dismiss the potential use of military or economic means, including tariffs against Denmark. The report said the Danish government wanted to convince Trump that his security concerns could be addressed without claiming Greenland. Meanwhile, during a press conference on Friday in Copenhagen, Egede said he is ready to talk" to Donald Trump but said Greenlands aspirations should also be taken into consideration. We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house This is something everyone should respect." But that doesnt mean we are cutting all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark," he said. An independence movement has gained momentum in recent years, which Egede discussed in his new year speech. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who also addressed the press conference, said on Thursday she had asked for a meeting with Trump, but did not expect it to happen before his inauguration. (with inputs from Reuters) Location : Nuuk, Greenland First Published: January 12, 2025, 12:00 IST 'He Fine-Tuned ChatGPT': Suchir Balaji's Mother Slams OpenAI For Not Recognising Son, Musk Reacts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:54 IST The authorities have ruled Suchir Balaji's death a suicide, but his family believes it was a cold-blooded murder and has since called for an FBI investigation. Suchir Balaji's mother Poornima Rao and Elon Musk | File Image Poornima Rao, the mother of whistleblower and former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, maintained that her son did hard work to fine-tune the ChatGPT platform and accused the AI giant of failing to recognise her sons contributions to their flagship product. The San Francisco Police Department has reportedly reopened the case of Suchir Balaji, who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November. Balaji had publicly raised ethical concerns over OpenAIs practices before his death. related stories Speaking to an influencer on X, Rao said, He (Suchir Balaji) did something to fine-tune ChatGPT that made it faster and more efficient. But what bothered him was that there was no recognition for his work until he passed away. Even now, theres no acknowledgement from OpenAI of his contributions. Thats very unfortunate." The authorities have ruled Balajis death a suicide, but his family believes it was a cold-blooded murder and has since called for an FBI investigation. Rao reiterated that her son could not commit suicide. OPENAI WHISTLEBLOWERS MOTHER: MY SON WAS NOT OKAY WITH OPENAI BECOMING FOR-PROFITSuchir Balajis mother, Poornima Ramaro: The reason he joined OpenAI was his belief that AI will help humanity. He was very impressed with OpenAI initially because they were nonprofit. His https://t.co/593AOb8Kgx pic.twitter.com/Z59susr97U Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 11, 2025 Elon Musk Backs Balajis Mother Resharing the video, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk underscored Balajis mothers points with several exclamation marks. Previously, he had agreed with Rao, who said that her sons death did not seem like a suicide". Mr Balaji, who worked at OpenAI for nearly four years, resigned in August 2023 after expressing dissatisfaction with the companys shift to a for-profit model. According to his mother, this shift was a key factor in his decision to leave. Balaji was outspoken about the ethical and legal concerns he encountered during his tenure at OpenAI. In an interview with The New York Times shortly before his death, he claimed that the companys AI models had been trained on copyrighted material scraped from the internet without proper authorisation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On his personal blog, he expanded on these concerns, writing, This is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole." Meanwhile, AI giant OpenAI has vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that their use of data falls within the bounds of fair use" under US copyright law. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:54 IST 'Fire Away, No Pun Intended': Joe Biden Tells Kamala Harris Amid Los Angeles Wildfire Meet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 09:32 IST Joe Biden is facing criticism on social media for using the phrase "fire away" during a disaster response meeting. He later added "no pun intended" to his remark. Joe Biden with Kamala Harris (Video screengrab/Social Media) Days after Joe Biden announced the birth of his great-grandson in the middle of a Los Angeles wildfires briefing, the outgoing President came under scrutiny yet again for an apparent gaffe while he was discussing the disaster. In the middle of the discussions, Biden, who had Vice President Kamala Harris sitting next to him, said, Fire away, no intended", as his federal response to the event. related stories Bidens remark came as he handed over the meeting to Harris. Madam Vice President, I know youre directly affected, so you fire away," said Biden. As Harris looked at him stunned, Joe Biden said, No pun intended". Later, Biden told US Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, Chief, why dont you fire away?" Sharing a video of the discussion, a social media user wrote, 10 days left until we have a President who cares about the American lives lost in the California wildfires and doesnt joke about it." Joe Biden: Fire away. No pun intended." Even Kamala Harris is embarrassed," he wrote. 10 days left until we have a President who cares about the American lives lost in the California wildfires and doesnt joke about it.Joe Biden: Fire away. No pun intended." Even Kamala Harris is embarrassed. pic.twitter.com/Z8YgJ1qFmg Colton Blake (@ColtonBlakeX) January 10, 2025 On January 9, Joe Bidens granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, gave birth to her first child, a boy, with husband Peter Neal at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The babys name is William Brannon Neal IV, according to an Instagram post from Jill Biden, the first lady, of her and the president with their new great-grandson. Biden, who was in Los Angeles and saw the baby at the hospital, announced the birth at the end of an official briefing on wildfires in Southern California. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The good news is Im a great-grandfather as of today," Biden said. Following the baby announcement, the 82-year-old outgoing President was slammed over the timing of his news. First Published: January 12, 2025, 09:32 IST 'Say No To Olaf Scholz': Elon Musk Ahead Of Germany's Snap Elections Next Month Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 16:25 IST Elon Musk has targeted Olaf Scholz in a series of incendiary posts, calling him an "incompetent fool". Musk has backed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) party in the snap polls next month. Elon Musk has openly called for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's resignation (AP Image) Elon Musk has called on German citizens to say no" to Chancellor Olaf Scholz ahead of the snap legislative elections scheduled on February 23, after Scholz was announced as the candidate of the ruling Social Democrats (SPD) party on Saturday for the upcoming polls. Musks remarks came in response to a news report about Scholzs nomination as the SPD candidate for the post of Chancellor. The Tesla CEO posted a June 24 report about a woman convicted of offending" migrant gang rapists, who was given a longer sentence than the rapists. related stories Sag Nein zu Scholz!," said Musk, which translates to Say No to Scholz" in English. The snap elections for a new parliament in Germany are set to take place on February 23 as Scholz lost a confidence vote in the parliament in December. Musk Vs Scholz The tech mogul has been targeting Scholz in a series of incendiary posts over the last few months and has publicly expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the snap election in Germany. Musk has favoured AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, calling her very reasonable". During an audio livestream alongside Weidel on X, Musk said, Only AfD can save Germany, end of story, and people really need to get behind AfD, and otherwise things are going to get very, very much worse in Germany." He compared the political climate in Germany to that of the US, stressing that people were unhappy and wanted a change when voting for Trump in November, CNN reported. Weidel also criticised Germanys treatment of Trump when he was campaigning for presidency, saying it caused her physical pain" to see him disparaged." Meanwhile, Scholz has slammed Musk for meddling in German elections and urged voters not to let owners of social media channels" decide the results of the election. The Chancellor called on Germans to resist manipulation and defend their democracy. Germany Accuses Musk Of Election Interference The German government has accused Musk, who owns social media platform X and is CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, of trying to influence the upcoming election with a guest opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. Officials, including government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-leader Lars Klingbeil, and Friedrich Merz, leader of Germanys largest opposition party Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have also condemned Musks interference in German elections. It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statements," Hoffmann said, adding that the tech mogul is supporting a party that is being monitored" for right-wing extremism allegations. Musk has even sparred with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, calling him an anti-democratic tyrant" after he made remarks against foreign interference during his speech on the dissolution of Germanys parliament. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The AfD is currently placed at the second spot in the opinion polls and could potentially keep either the center-right or center-left blocs at bay from the majority. However, Germanys mainstream centrist parties have firmly pledged to exclude the AfD from any support at the national level. (with agency inputs) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2025, 16:21 IST Donald Trump Inauguration Guest List: Whos Invited, Whos Not And Are VIP Passes Running Out? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 16:38 IST US President-elect Donald Trump wants the world to attend his inauguration ceremony and has broken with US foreign policy and invited world leaders to his swearing-in ceremony. US President-elect Donald Trump has invited several world leaders to his swearing-in ceremony in a bid to turn his inauguration into a political spectacle. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President-elect Donald Trump has invited world leaders to his inauguration breaking with traditional US foreign policy where it is not customary for world leaders to attend the US Presidents formal ascension ceremony to the Oval Office. Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping who is not attending but is likely to send a highly placed envoy which could either be Han Zheng, vice president and foreign minister Wang Yi. It is yet to be confirmed who shall attend. related stories External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be representing the Indian government. The Trump-Vance inaugural committee, which is organising the swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump and US vice president-elect JD Vance, had sent the invite. Also on the list of invitees are people who share similar political beliefs like Donald Trump. He has invited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinian President Javier Milei, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and Hungarian President Viktor Orban. Ousted leaders like former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are also on the list of invitees and are willing to attend. French far-right politician Eric Zemmour will attend Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony. Tech Titans Bring Gifts Meta, Amazon and Open AI chief Sam Altman are all reportedly donating $1 million to the fund for Trumps inauguration on January 20. The New York Times reports that the inaugural committee has already raised over $170 million and is on track to surpass $200 million. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi are among the high-profile attendees at the inauguration. Uber, along with Elon Musks X and media company The Free Press, plans to host an inauguration party in Washington. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is also invited to events around the inauguration and Elon Musk, a strong Trump ally, is expected to be present in most of the events. Are VIP Passes Running Out The New York Times reports that due to overwhelming demand, many major donors to the inauguration fund have been informed that VIP tickets are no longer available. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Donation links shared by fundraisers for high-value contributions stopped functioning earlier this week, even though packages were initially advertised as open until Friday. The limited availability forced organizers to cut short the sales. Marketing materials for the donor packages had emphasized the phrase Space is limited". As a result, individuals seeking to attend the event will now need to secure general admission tickets through congressional offices. Top-tier contributors who donated $1 million or more were originally promised six premium tickets for different inaugural events. First Published: January 12, 2025, 16:36 IST U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently said he would not rule out the possibility of using military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. In response to Trump's renewed comments, Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said, "The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian, and that's how it will continue." The canal is a reminder of the nation's struggle to reclaim its independence and chart its own future. On Jan. 9, 1964, the "Flag Protests" escalated into violent clashes after U.S. residents in the Panama Canal Zone tore a Panamanian flag brought by local students. "When they were taking me to the morgue, I took one last breath and said, 'I'm not dead.'" Gilberto Guerra, a student in 1964, embodies the resilient spirit of Panama's struggle for independence, a fight symbolized by a torn flag and the loss of over 20 lives. Watch the bilingual video on this pivotal moment. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Ukraine Captures Two North Korean Soldiers Fighting For Russia In Kursk Region: Report Published By : AFP Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 08:45 IST Kyiv, the United States and South Korea have accused nuclear-armed North Korea of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine. A Ukrainian military vehicle in the countrys northern Sumy region, close to the border with Russias Kursk region South Koreas National Intelligence Service said Sunday it confirmed Ukraine captured two wounded North Korean soldiers this week in Russia after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they were being questioned. The NIS, through real-time cooperation with Ukraines intelligence agency (SBU) has identified battlefield situations, including the capture of North Korean soldiers, and confirmed that the Ukrainian military captured two North Korean soldiers on January 9 in the Kursk battlefield in Russia," the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a statement. related stories Kyiv, the United States and South Korea have accused nuclear-armed North Korea of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine. Kyiv on Saturday did not present direct evidence that the captured men were North Korean and AFP was unable to independently verify their nationality. But the South Korean confirmation adds weight to Kyivs account, while neither Russia nor North Korea has reacted. The NIS said one of the captured soldiers revealed during his interrogation that he received military training from Russian forces after arriving there in November. He initially believed he was being sent for training, realising upon arrival in Russia that he had been deployed," the NIS said. The soldier said North Korean forces had experienced significant losses during battle". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The SBU also said the men had told interrogators they were experienced army soldiers, and one said he was sent to Russia for training, not to fight. The NIS said it would continue to work with the SBU to share information on North Korean fighters in Ukraine. Location : Ukraine First Published: January 12, 2025, 08:43 IST Fifty Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators and 11 senators have pledged their allegiances to a faction that is aligned to the partys former leader Nelson Chamisa as the battle for the control of Zimbabwes largest opposition party rages. The legislators declared that they belonged to the group led by Jameson Timba, one of Chamisas closest allies. The CCC split into three factions led by Timba, Welshman Ncube and selfimposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu after Chamisa was forced to resign from the party last year. The opposition party now has 88 legislators and 27 senators in Parliament following a series of controversial recalls by Tshabangu starting September 2023. Thirty-eight MPs and 16 senators have not pledged their allegiance to Timbas group. In a communique seen by The Standard, the legislators declared their opposition to Zanu PFs move to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwas term office by two more years. We, the undersigned opposition Members of Parliament, categorically deny any alliance or collaboration with the ruling party or its proxies to extend the mandate of the sitting resident and Parliament by another two years till 2030 without the holding of democratic elections which are due in 2028, reads part of the communique. Standard The Great Lakes were filled roughly 20,000 years ago as glaciers retreated, pouring their melt into the depressions left behind. But the world's largest group of freshwater lakes can be traced back much furtherhundreds of millions of years, in fact, according to a new study, which finds they started not with water, but with heat. Researchers say a hot spot now residing under the Atlantic island nation of Cape Verde sat beneath what's now the Great Lakes some 300 million years ago when the continents were joined as the supercontinent Pangaea, and it had a major role in creating the lakes that today hold more than 20% of the world's fresh water, reports Phys.org . As University of Houston seismologist Aibing Li tells Live Science , "It was the hot spot [that] made the first imprint." Hot spots occur where hot plumes rise up from the Earth's mantle, forming volcanoes. But they can be difficult to track because old volcanoes disappear over time. For this study, researchers tracked the movement of land over the Great Meteor (New England) hot spot, now found in the North Atlantic Ocean, using the presence of kimberlitesigneous rocks that form when diamond-rich magma cools. They found the hot spot tracked along the border of what's now Ontario and Quebec, across to Vermont and New Hampshire and out into the ocean between 150 million and 115 million years ago. But researchers also modeled the movement of land over the little-studied Cape Verde hot spot after realizing its prior presence under the Great Lakes would explain odd movements of seismic waves (radial anisotropy anomalies) in the crust below the lakes. Based on the movement of tectonic plates, researchers knew the Cape Verde hot spot was once under North America. But their analysis showed it was under what's now Lake Superior between about 300 million and 225 million years ago. The hot spot then passed through Lake Huron and northern Lake Erie, followed by west-central New York and central Maryland, and then northern Virginia and finally the ocean about 170 million years ago. The hot spot would've stretched the crust and "probably caused lithosphere thinning and low topography needed for forming the Lakes during the glacial era," reads the study published Dec. 25 in Geophysical Research Letters. Now, researchers wonder "whether it's a general rule that large, inland lakes occur in places where hot spots once sat," per Live Science. (More Great Lakes stories.) In an emergency motion, the Justice Department has asked for the prompt release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on his criminal investigations of President-elect Trump, calling Judge Aileen Cannon's ruling that blocked it "plainly erroneous." A footnote to the filing, made late Friday in the 11th Circuit US Court of Appeals in Atlanta, revealed that Smith had resigned from his office the same day, Politico reports. Smith had said he'd leave before Trump, whom he investigated for his handling of classified documents after leaving office and for potential interference in the 2020 election, takes office. Trump has denied all accusations and said he'd fire Smith on Jan. 20. PRAGUE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed, and eight others injured in a fire at a Czech restaurant late Saturday night, local firefighters said on Sunday. The fire broke out in Most city in northern Czechia. Among the injured, six are in serious condition, firefighters said in a post on social media. The fire was reported after 23:00 local time (GMT 2200) on Saturday and spread rapidly due to the overturning of a gas heater, the firefighters said. By the time the firefighters arrived at the scene, the building "was fully engulfed in fire," they added. The Justice Department has finished its first-ever review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst racial attacks in US history. Among the findings about the attack that left as many as 300 people dead and 1,200 homes, businesses, schools, and churches destroyed: The attack was the result of "a coordinated, military-style attack" by white citizens, not an uncontrolled mob, per the New York Times. "The Tulsa Race Massacre stands out as a civil rights crime unique in its magnitude, barbarity, racist hostility and its utter annihilation of a thriving Black community," said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for civil rights. "In 1921, white Tulsans murdered hundreds of residents of Greenwood, burned their homes and churches, looted their belongings and locked the survivors in internment camps." A collection of 50 artifacts dating to early in Bob Dylan's careerincluding three drafts of his song "Mr. Tambourine Man," his first No. 1 hit in the USwill be open to bidders this month. Julien's Auctions is handling the sale of items from the collection of the late Al Aronowitz, a rock journalist and friend of Dylan's, CNN reports. His son, Myles, said the collection reflects his Aronowitz's "ability to identify and connect with greatness," adding, "he understood what these artists were trying to do." The auction house predicts some items could bring as much as $600,000 while putting the value of others around $100. Up for bid are: "Mr. Tambourine Man" : The drafts show the evolution of the lyrics, with the writer replacing "priceless" with "magic," for instance. Aronowitz said he pulled the drafts out of the trash after Dylan worked on the song all night at the journalist's home in New Jersey, per the Guardian. The drafts have Dylan's shorthand as the lyrics poured out: "tho you might hear laughin spinnin swingin madly thru the sun." Aronowitz later wrote, "I took the crumpled sheets, smoothed them out, read the crazy leaping lines, smiled to myself at the leaps that never landed and then put the sheets into a file folder." : The drafts show the evolution of the lyrics, with the writer replacing "priceless" with "magic," for instance. Aronowitz said he pulled the drafts out of the trash after Dylan worked on the song all night at the journalist's home in New Jersey, per the Guardian. The drafts have Dylan's shorthand as the lyrics poured out: "tho you might hear laughin spinnin swingin madly thru the sun." Aronowitz later wrote, "I took the crumpled sheets, smoothed them out, read the crazy leaping lines, smiled to myself at the leaps that never landed and then put the sheets into a file folder." Other art : An oil painting Dylan completed in 1968 and signed is valued at $200,000 to $300,000. Vintage photos of the artist are included in the lot. : An oil painting Dylan completed in 1968 and signed is valued at $200,000 to $300,000. Vintage photos of the artist are included in the lot. Guitar : A 1983 Fender Telecaster made for Dylan, forecast to bring more than $80,000, per Variety. : A 1983 Fender Telecaster made for Dylan, forecast to bring more than $80,000, per Variety. First gig: A leaflet promoting the first major concert Dylan headlined. The show took place in 1963 at Town Hall in New York City. The setlist included "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Masters of War," per setlist.fm. The auction is scheduled for the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville on Jan. 18. Julien's displays the items here . (More Bob Dylan stories.) Tens of thousands protested in Romania's capital on Sunday against a top court's decision to annul the presidential election after an outsider candidate unexpectedly emerged as the frontrunner. Many of the demonstrators in Bucharest honked horns and waved the nation's blue, yellow, and red flag, while others brandished placards bearing slogans such as "Democracy is not optional." Demands included the resumption of the presidential race from the second round, the AP reports. The Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the election just two days before a Dec. 8 runoff. The far-right populist Calin Georgescu shocked many when he won the first round on Nov. 24, after which allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, said at the protest: "We are protesting against the coup d'etat that took place on Dec. 6. We are sorry to discover so late that we were living in a lie and that we were led by people who claimed to be democrats, but are not at all." The cancellation of the result plunged the European Union and NATO member country into turmoil and followed other disputes, including a recount of first-round votes. New dates have been set to rerun the vote, with the first round scheduled for May 4. If no candidate obtains more than 50%, a runoff would be held on May 18. It is not clear whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the new election. He has challenged the court's decision at a local appeals court and lodged a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights, per the AP. The Constitutional Court's published decision cited the illegal use of digital technologies including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of "undeclared sources" of funding. Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. Many observers attributed Georgescu's success to his TikTok account, which now has 7.2 million likes and 646,000 followers. Some experts suspect Georgescu's online following was artificially inflated, while Romania's top security body alleged he was given preferential treatment by TikTok over other candidates. (More Romania stories.) Italy on Sunday released an Iranian citizen wanted by the US over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago, after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest. Mohammad Abedini has already returned to Iran, Iranian state TV said on Sunday afternoon, the AP reports. He was arrested on a US warrant on Dec. 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Sala, who was widely thought to have been held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned home last week. Italy and Iran said that it wasn't a prisoner exchange, per the Washington Pos t. Abedini was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending extradition to the US. The US Justice Department has accused him of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-US extradition treaties, "only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, can't be considered as existing." The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedinicriminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a US federal law"did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime." Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Iran's foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as talks between Iran's intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a "diplomatic triangulation" with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Sala's release, per the AP, confirming for the first time that US interests entered into the negotiations. (More detainees stories.) After a freezing winter storm shut schools, cut power, and canceled or delayed flights, the South was slowly thawing Sunday as weather warmed. Crews worked furiously, the AP reports, and by Sunday morning power had been restored to parts of North Carolina and South Carolina where tens of thousands of customers lost electricity over the past few days, according to Duke Energy. Power was back for 97% of the retail customers served by Georgia Powerthe state largest utilitywhich serves all but four of the state's 159 counties, it said. Much of the winter weather has moved out of the Atlanta area, said Dylan Lusk, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Peachtree, Georgia. Warmer weather was expected, but some areas were still dealing with ice, and authorities warned people to drive slowly and be careful with slick spots on roadsespecially when temperatures drop again at night and melted snow and ice refreezes. "Black ice will return as temperatures drop below freezing this evening through Monday morning," the National Weather Service said. Seven flights were canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airportan improvement from Saturday when around 1,000 flights were affected. In some cities, the storm piled up more than a year's worth of snowfall, per the AP. As much as a foot fell in parts of Arkansas. In Memphis, a city that usually sees 2.7 inches a year, the Memphis International Airport recording more than 7 inches. While the National Weather Service says that Gulf Coast residents can expect showers Sunday and Monday, other parts of the country may see snow and brace for a mass of cold, dry air from the Arctic regionincluding in the Great Lakes region. School was canceled on Friday for millions of children from Texas to Georgia and as far east as South Carolina, giving them a rare snow day. (More winter storm stories.) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. SAO PAULO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three farmers were shot dead and five others injured in an attack on a workers' settlement in Brazil's Sao Paulo state, local authorities said Saturday. Ten armed men stormed the Olga Benario agricultural settlement of Brazil's Landless Workers' Movement (MST) in the city of Tremembe late Friday, opening fire on families living there, said the local police. The land where MST farmers have been working for 20 years is home to 45 families, who produce food in the area. Paulo Teixeira, minister for agrarian development and family farming of Brazil, condemned the incident as "a heinous crime" and called on Sao Paulo's regional government to arrest the perpetrators. Gilmar Mauro, an MST coordinator, told the news portal Forum that the attack is linked to real estate pressures in Sao Paulo targeting land designated for agrarian reform. Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede says We are ready to talk. Greenland PM will meet Trump. Greenland looks forward to discussing the possibilities for business cooperation, the development of Greenlands mineral sector, including critical minerals and other relevant areas with the US. Speaking next to Danish PM Mette Frederiksen at a joint press conference, Egede emphasized the need for investment in resource development as well as diversified industries in order to reduce dependence on Danish subsidies. That said, Egede also said that Greenland is for the Greenlanders. We dont want to be Danes. We dont want to be Americans. We obviously want to be Greenlanders. Frederiksen, meanwhile, says she has asked to speak with Trump. This is what happens when the United States has a real leader(Trump) Trump's leverage as a leader shows the U.S. as a superpower, compelling negotiations. Greenland's PM Mute Egede: "We are ready to talk."pic.twitter.com/O9rZDkTFih CALI (@CALI4AZ) January 11, 2025 Greenland leaders have agreed to talk with Trump to negotiate about possibly joining USA. This would make Greenlanders very rich with oil and rare earth mining development. Tourism and military bases could boost rather jncome of 56000 people. @realDonaldTrump @RandyWKirk1 pic.twitter.com/3J9xXoJRPl nextbigfuture (@nextbigfuture) January 12, 2025 Greenland is a main front of the Arctic cold war. It has a US Space base and US air fields. It has about 60 billion barrels of oil. It has hundreds of billions in rare earth minerals. It is a key part of Arctic shipping routes. A 2021 survey of Greenland had 69.1 percent of those asked think that Greenland should cooperate more closely with the U.S. Greenland Joining the USA Could Make Greenlanders the Richest in the World Based on Greenlands Self-Government Act of 2009, Greenland has the right to self-determination, including the option of independence. This seems to mean that if Greenland holds a referendum and votes to leave Denmark, Denmark would be legally obligated to respect that decision. Denmark would have to ratify it in Parliament, but this is mostly a formality.The US would be able to develop the third largest oil reserves in the Arctic. This is like the Alaska and Norwegian oil reserves. If the US got Greenland tourism industry up to the level of Alaska this would add about $40,000 per person. China has made moves for Economic and Political Control of Greenland and the Arctic Chinese firms have pursued projects such as the Isua Iron ore mine and Kvanefjeld rare earth mine and bidding on airport construction projects. China has a Polar Silk Road strategy to access Arctic Resources and shipping routes. In 2018, Denmark was instrumental in blocking a Chinese company from acquiring a former Danish naval base and in stopping a Chinese bid for airport construction in Greenland, highlighting security concerns related to Chinese involvement in strategic infrastructure. Main Polar Silk Road Projects Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG-2: These are significant projects where China has invested heavily. The Yamal LNG project on Russias Yamal Peninsula sees Chinas involvement through companies like CNPC and the Silk Road Fund, holding stakes in the project. Similarly, investments in Arctic LNG-2 further illustrate Chinas commitment, with Chinese state enterprises owning portions of the project. Loans from Chinese banks for these projects amount to around EUR 12.5 billion. Infrastructure and Research: China has been active in building research stations, such as the one on Spitsbergen, and investing in technologies and studies pertinent to Arctic conditions, like ice-class ships and polar research vessels. The research vessel Xue Long has been pivotal in exploring these routes. 2012 Chinas Minister of Land and Resources visits Greenland 2014 First Memorandum of Understanding between Greenland Minerals and Energy (GME) and China Non-Ferrous Metal Industrys Foreign Engineering and Construction Co. (NFC) 2014 The Kingdom of Denmark claims an area of 895,000 km2 extending from Greenland beyond the North Pole to the limits of the Russian Exclusive Economic Zone 2015 Minister Qujaukitsog talks about airport, port, hydroelectric and mining infrastructure development with Sinohydro, China State Construction Engineering, China Harbour Engineering 2016 Shenghe Resources buys one-eighth of Greenland Minerals and Energy stocks, which develops a uranium and rare-earth site at Kuannersuisut (Kvanefjeld) 2016 State Oceanic Administration signs agreement with Greenlandic ministry on the construction of a research station 2016 Danish government stops Hong Kong-based General Nice from taking over the abandoned naval base Gronnedal 2017 Denmark Prime minister visits China 2017 Ironbark appoints NFC (China Non-Ferrous Metal Industrys Foreign Engineering and Construction) to develop the Citronen Fjord Zinc Mine, exploitation rights remaining with the Australian company until 2046 2018 High-level ceremony to launch the process of building a satellite station that could be used for the Beidou navigational system, widely reported in China but unknown to Greenlandic authorities 2018 China Communications Construction Company bids to build airports in Greenland, prompting Danish government to finance half of the airports GAZA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have made progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Palestinian officials said on Sunday. "We are not far from a ceasefire agreement if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds positively to the main issues under discussion," said Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official, in comments to Xinhua. Al-Nono added that Hamas remains "flexible" in working with mediators to end the conflict, emphasizing the group's main goal is "ending the war." A second Hamas official, speaking anonymously, stated that the final framework for a ceasefire agreement is nearly complete. "We are very close to reaching the ceasefire," the official said, noting that technical committees involving both sides and mediators have finalized preparations for the agreement. According to Hamas sources, the proposed deal includes two phases. In the initial phase, Hamas will release several Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly individuals, and humanitarian cases. In exchange, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian detainees, withdraw its forces from parts of Gaza, and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Gaza. The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, is expected to address broader issues, including a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, Gaza's reconstruction, and a comprehensive prisoner exchange. Later on Sunday, Netanyahu updated U.S. President Joe Biden during a phone call on the "progress" of the Doha-based negotiations. According to a White House statement, Biden stressed the "immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages." On Saturday, Netanyahu instructed a senior delegation to travel to Doha to advance negotiations. The delegation, led by David Barnea, chief of the Mossad intelligence agency, and Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet internal security service, held discussions with Qatari mediators and U.S. officials. A statement from Netanyahu's office confirmed that the talks aim to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Also on Saturday, Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, incoming Mideast envoy for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Jerusalem. According to Hebrew media reports, Witkoff conveyed Trump's firm intention to secure a hostage deal before his inauguration on Jan. 20. Channel 12 news reported that Witkoff urged Netanyahu to ensure both sides demonstrate flexibility to finalize an agreement. In Gaza, residents are closely following the progress of the talks, hoping for an end to the ongoing conflict. Mohsen Madi, 42, who fled Gaza City with his family to Deir al-Balah early in the war, expressed his desire for a resolution. "For more than 15 months, we have endured war, poverty, and a lack of basic necessities. We hope an agreement will end our suffering," he told Xinhua. Zainab Shaaban, 28, displaced from Gaza City to the Al-Mawasi area in southern Gaza, shared a similar sentiment. "I long to return to my home and reunite with my family. We miss the life we had before the war," she said. The conflict, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of approximately 250 hostages, has caused widespread devastation. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to 46,565. RAMALLAH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least eight Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on areas of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to local civil defense and medical sources. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, reported that three people were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a gathering of Palestinians in the al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City. In a separate attack, two Palestinians were killed in an airstrike in the Al-Karama neighborhood northwest of Gaza City, and two more were killed in an Israeli strike in the Al-Shuja'iya neighborhood east of Gaza City. Additionally, medical sources reported that a young man was killed in Jabalia town in northern Gaza, where eyewitnesses confirmed injuries from Israeli artillery targeting the area. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused Israel of prolonging its war through "a time-buying game" to facilitate "genocide, displacement, and annexation," and called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the violence. In the backdrop of the ongoing conflict, preparations are underway for an international conference to mobilize support for Gaza's residents. Mahmoud Ataya, undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, announced plans to rebuild Gaza, emphasizing coordination with international partners such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank. The Palestinian government has prioritized urgent humanitarian aid and long-term reconstruction, drafting a recovery plan for the next three years and a ten-year development plan expected to be completed by March, according to Ataya. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Last summer, I attended a barbecue with my husbands co-workers and their families. I was introduced to a co-workers wife, who was wearing a T-shirt commemorating her close relatives untimely death a year prior. My husband had told me what happened at the time, and how devastating it was to her and the rest of the family. I am always careful to express condolences, but this time I was at a loss and ended up saying nothing. There were a number of reasons for this: I had never met the woman before, for one (I barely even know her husband), and the event was a casual and happy one, during which she and I only spoke briefly. And while I dont feel that my husband crossed any lines in telling me what shed gone through, I think it would have been odd for a stranger to comment on her personal tragedy out of the blue. But she was wearing a shirt with his name and his birth and death dates on it! Did I do the right thing? Or should I have briefly mentioned her relative and how sorry I was for her loss? She and her husband are such lovely people; I hope I didnt drop the ball. GENTLE READER: T-shirt messages do not always convey immediate, mandatory instructions. Miss Manners has noticed that declarations such as Kiss me, Im Irish (or Italian or whatever) have largely disappeared, perhaps because the wearers found they did not actually want strangers to comply. A year after the tragedy, this woman might have just grabbed the shirt because it was handy. Commenting on it, or not, was up to your discretion. However, Miss Manners will take this opportunity to once again remind her readers why condolence letters are so important. Having formally expressed sympathies at the time the tragedy occurred, one can avoid the awkwardness of bringing it up later in a more cheerful setting. But as you are careful about expressing condolences, Miss Manners assumes that your husband already sent such a letter. *** (Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.) An appellate court has nullified the resentencing of Jason Baker, one of three juveniles convicted of the gruesome murder of George and Margaret McLoughlin, the elderly Vineland couple killed during a home invasion in 1994. The appellate panel ruled that the judge who shaved off a mere one year of parole ineligibility when he resentenced Baker in 2023 should have given more weight to his juvenile status at the time of the crime, and his near flawless record while in prison. The sentencing judge did not fairly consider defendants rehabilitation evidence from his multi-decade incarceration, the appellate court noted, while ordering that a new judge reconsider the aggravating and mitigating factors at a new sentencing. A key ingredient that gives homemade soup its taste for a cold winters day has been recalled from Walmarts in over a half-dozen states over defective packaging, making the product prone spoilage. About 12,000 units of Great Value chicken broth, a Walmart store-brand base for soups and other meals, was recalled beginning last month. The advisory was published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 8. The broth was made by Tree House Foods Inc. in British Columbia, according to the FDA. A risk assessment was not assigned to the recall, and officials did not say if there had been any adverse health effects reported by consumers. The broth should be discarded and refunded, the company said. The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority, Walmart said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we took action to remove all impacted product from the select, impacted stores. We are continuing to work with the supplier to investigate. The recall was limited to Walmarts in Alabama and Arkansas, but the retailer said the products were also shipped to stores in Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Officials said the recall was declared for potential for packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage. The federal agency said the containers have a use-by date of March 25, 2026, and a code 98F09234. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. The man who recently appointed himself first buddy to Donald Trump just mocked the state of New Jersey for allowing teachers into the classroom who cant read. Or so he claimed. Elon Musk told his more than 200 million followers on X last week that due to a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, reading teachers dont need to know how to read in New Jersey. It triggered a social media furor and breathless coverage on Fox News: This is truly the blind leading the blind! pundit Tomi Lahren declared. Please. Musk and the rest of the conservative rage bait chamber are, unsurprisingly, dead wrong on this. The legislation Murphy signed last year was bipartisan and merely a tweaking of the long trail of preparation for teachers, not putting people who cant read in front of kids. Thats just insulting. And the Tesla billionaires juvenile tweet further amplified by millionaire MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, who wrote on X: Imagine being illiterate and thinking to yourself, You know what, I think Ill go into teaching is symptomatic of the arrogance so typical of this gang of plutocrats. Musk was an early investor in electric cars and now considers himself an expert on everything, much like Trump. Facts be damned. For the record: To teach in New Jerseys public schools, you must graduate college with at least a 3.0 grade point average, show competence as a student teacher for months, and either pass a general knowledge test or, for the upper grades, pass what could be multiple tests in any subject that you want to teach. In other words, to instruct others on a subject like biology, you must be qualified in that subject. Now if only we had a rule like that for billionaires. Musks tweet and its many promoters falsely suggested that the only way to find out if teachers can read and write in New Jersey is if they pass a particular skills test that our state just eliminated when in fact, we did away with that test because many educators found it duplicative, as a Republican lawmaker and charter school official, Dawn Fantasia, immediately pointed out to Musk on X. And furthermore: Starting later this year, New Jersey will require prospective elementary school teachers to have three times the number of college credits in literacy instruction than they previously could get by with, and more in math as well. The bar is rising, not falling. But no matter. Since Musk launched his clueless tweet on Sunday, its been viewed more than 18 million times, reshared more than 23,000 times and liked more than 98,000 times as of Friday afternoon, by an army of people now spreading this nonsense that New Jersey teachers are illiterate. Sure, we can always do better. We can find better ways to draw the best people into the profession. We could improve teacher prep courses and teacher training. We could work to weed out the worst teachers who dont belong in the classroom. But New Jerseys schools overall rank among the best in the nation for their reading scores, and Musk doesnt seem to know that. And how, exactly, is falsely claiming that teachers dont know how to read going to help these kids? Its insulting the profession at a time when our districts are struggling to recruit and retain teachers in crucial subjects like special education, foreign languages, English as a second language, science and math. In Newark, for example, reading specialists are being reassigned from their critical roles to fill vacancies in other classrooms, even as we race against the clock to recover from devastating pandemic learning loss. So rather than dismissing teachers as ignoramuses, why not advocate for something that might actually help like eliminating an absurd residency rule in New Jersey, which blocks needy schools in places like Newark and Camden from recruiting the best candidates if they happen to live across the border in New York or Pennsylvania? Senate Majority leader Teresa Ruiz has long been trying to suspend that rule temporarily for teachers, yet her bill remains stalled in the Legislature. What sense does that make? And in the meantime, if Elon Musk really wants to improve American education, he might start by whispering in Trumps ear: Perhaps a pro-wrestling manager is not the best choice as his secretary of education. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Concerning the recent article N.J. governor unleashes on Trump for politicizing veterans home probe: It seems to this casual reader that Gov. Phil Murphys governors latest outrage expressed during a call-in radio show last week is more than a bit misdirected. He was reacting to disclosure of a U.S. Inspector Generals report concluding that a former Trump administration official may have leaked plans for a federal investigation of more than 200 COVID-19 deaths at state-operated veterans homes, right before the 2020 presidential election. The supposed idea was to somehow hurt Joe Bidens campaign against Donald Trumps re-election. I recall no such outrage by Murphy at his own staff in creating the environment for all these needless fatalities in the first place. Instead, we have $69 million in hush money paid by the state to settle survivors lawsuits, with no admission of fault by the administration. This also prevented a full public airing of its veterans home misdeeds. New Jerseyans arent stupid. So, stop deflecting blame, governor. That being said, for a mere 1% of the settlement money, I would be more than happy to retract this letter. Gary Lewis, Montville Dems must reassess Obama and Biden initiatives Former President Barack Obamas hope and change campaign slogan, telling voters that together we can change America, omitted one key element: Change from what to what? We soon learned: Under foreign affairs, the governments of Egypt and Libya were overthrown. Syria used chemical weapons against its own citizens, making a mockery of Obamas own red line. Under Joe Biden, the next Democratic president, Russia invaded Ukraine. Domestically, Obamas attorney general, Eric Holder, declared himself the presidents wingman, serving less as an adviser than as the presidents enforcement arm. With Biden and Obamas support, the Democrats failed to elect their partys chosen female successors, Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. The Republican Party is the minority party among voters registering with a preference, meaning the GOP has won past presidential elections through the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. It was a seismic event when Donald Trump won the 2024 election with more popular votes than Harris. The Democrats response has been dismay and doubling down on positions. President John F. Kennedy, after the disastrous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion at Cuba, asked his advisers what happened. His father told the president to take responsibility and apologize to the American people, and they would forgive him. Kennedy did, and was able to move on. Until Democrats acknowledge the backlash and reassess Obama/Biden initiatives, they will remain in self-absorption. Nicholas F. Debnarik Jr., Bordentown Short-circuited and shortchanged Once again, a play in corporate greed is being staged at the expense of customers. At the stroke of midnight signaling the start of 2025, Optimum cable (Altice) stopped carrying MSG network (sports) channels at the end of their mutual contract. MSG immediately blamed Optimum for not wanting to pay enough per subscriber and Optimum jumped on MSG for wanting an unreasonable increase in compensation in the next contract. This is exactly what happened the last time an MSG-Optimum contract expired. As of this writing, the carriage dispute and the blackout have continued. Both companies are exhibiting their greed instead of negotiating renewal terms fair for both, even though there was plenty of time to come to an agreement before the expiration date. While they trade blame, those of us paying for and wanting to watch MSG lose. Not only do we not get the channels, but Optimum has offered no refund thus far for the loss. Why are we made to pay for something that Optimum is not providing? When will we see our cable bills reduced or adjusted to account for the portion that we are charged for the MSG channels? I wont hold my breath, but putting customers first would be nice for a change. Fred Hoth, Middlesex Both sides have disowned cooperation In his recent letter, Why Democrats keep losing, Don Montefusco complained that Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky (in a Friendly Fire comment) had urged congressional Democrats to do nothing to help President-elect Donald Trump succeed in his second term. Montefusco conveniently forgot to acknowledge that Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the powerful U.S. Senate majority leader, pledged to do everything in his power to obstruct Barack Obamas agenda during Obamas two presidential terms. Both Roginsky and McConnell seem to have forgotten that the goal of bipartisan government is to foster negotiation and cooperation between the parties to improve peoples lives not to blindly obstruct all of a presidents plans, including those which benefit the country as a whole. Hopefully, even Trump will introduce a few truly valuable programs during the next four years, in between his ridiculous efforts to annex Canada and Greenland, rename the Gulf of Mexico, militarily reclaim the Panama Canal and eliminate birthright citizenship. Freya Gervasi, Denville Woes of print media are complex This is in response to Michael Pickerts recent letter about why newspapers keep folding which itself was a response to a Star-Ledger editorial. The dramatic loss of print news and newspapers in general is a little more complicated than readers canceling their local newspapers because of their allegedly pro-Democrat content, as Pickert contends. Having been in the publishing industry for most of my life, I will tell you that the fall of the print media has more to do with economics than content. Paper prices have soared and advertising dollars have declined due to internet advertising in particular. In addition, the internet has drawn so many readers from the print media, that it has caused massive circulation problems. So, keep on printing, Star-Ledger, we are reading. Thomas Corday, New Milford Editors note: The Star-Ledger and its sister NJ Advance Media newspapers are here to stay, but will convert to an online and e-replica format next month. Harris just did this; Trump never would As the Constitution dictates, Vice President Kamala Harris graciously certified the 2024 electoral vote count on Jan. 6., officially giving the presidency to her opponent. If the positions were reversed, can you imagine Donald Trump doing that? I cant, and neither can you, because it would never happen. Dolores ONeill, Princeton Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. New Jersey has officially rescheduled its 2025 party primary elections to accommodate a holiday on a religious calendar, the final day of Shavuot, mainly observed by Orthodox Jews who do not write, drive or use electronic equipment during the holiday. A law signed last week by Gov. Phil Murphy moved the elections from June 3 the traditional first Tuesday date to June 10, one week later. It had always been my understanding that this sort of political action was forbidden. Sure enough, it is right there in the First Amendment, which begins Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. What was moving the primaries, if not precisely what is prohibited? One may argue that, in this case, Congress and the federal government did not violate the prohibition; a state legislature did, and therefore the First Amendment stands unsullied. But, using that same argument, states would be free to abridge the freedom of speech, press or the right of people to petition the government for a redress of grievances. It may be that June 3 may have been uncomfortable for the religious group involved, but they would not necessarily have been disenfranchised. There are always mail-in ballots, and now, early in-person voting. If I had my own religion celebrating Mother Nature, would the Legislature change a voting date to accommodate my needs? Unlikely, to say the least, which means that one religion is being respected over others. The state attorney general should look into this. Jack Colldeweih, Somerset Carters malaise speech worth reviewing In a recent edition of the Friendly Fire opinion page feature, Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky suggested that readers reread the late President Jimmy Carters malaise " speech from 1979. Below is his last sentence from that speech, which should be the goal of elected leaders in todays world: Let us commit ourselves together to a rebirth of the American spirit. Working together with our common faith we cannot fail. In the speech, he called upon the United States to stop its dependence on foreign oil imports because of the disastrous effect on our economy. It took many years for America to reach the goal of being a net energy exporter but, fortunately, Carter did live long enough to see that goal achieved. Bob Barrett, Clark Remembering Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter will be remembered as an exceptional president. In 1975, during a campaign speech, he said I will never lie to you. I will always be honest with you. He was totally honest with Americans rare in todays America. A former Georgia governor, Carter was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a tireless advocate for human rights. He established the Bureau of Human Rights at the State Department that still exists today. He is remembered for mediating a peace accord between Egypt and Israel during 13 intense days of negotiation in 1978 at Camp David. He oversaw the return of the Panama Canal to Panama. Domestically, Carter was strong on the environment. He had the foresight to warn Americans to decrease reliance on fossil fuels ahead of his time. After serving his four years as president, he was celebrated for helping build more than 4,000 houses with Habitat for Humanity. He became a notable example of Americas everyman. More than ever in our history, this country is in dire need of statesmen like Jimmy Carter. Rest in peace, Mr. President. You will be missed. Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville Carter still wrong about Israel Tom Morans column Jimmy Carters truth-telling on Israel shows how sentiment against Israel, which I view as antisemetic, has infected the Star-Ledger. Moran cited and mostly praised Carters controversial 2006 book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, which was widely criticized as biased against Israel. Despite being called out for it, Carter never repudiated what was seen as a legitimization of terrorism against Israel. There was never an apology, a correction or a recall of a justification for killing Israeli Jews. Carter wrote, It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for peace are accepted by Israel. Basically, that quote says that as long as Israel doesnt do what Carter thought it should do, terrorism against Israel can be viewed as legitimate. Zvi I. Weiss, Edison Crying time for Justice Roberts U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is whining about judicial independence being under threat, while his merry band of partisan hacks displayed quite a bit of independence as they ignored precedents and established law to destroy a womans right to chose what to do with her body, and reduce safeguards for minority voting rights. Several of his associates on the high court have also independently enjoyed expensive gifts and free luxury vacations from extremely wealthy friends, including some who, coincidentally, had business before the court. Boo hoo, Justice Roberts. Maybe you should pay more attention to the inner workings of your organization instead of moaning about mistreatment. Bill Gottdenker, Mountainside Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Survivors of sexual assault often report spending years anxiously waiting for updates about their cases. But now, victims in New Jersey are on the verge of being able to track their evidence kits through the chain of custody under a bill that would require the state attorney general to establish a statewide rape kit tracking system. Legislators and victims rights groups said the bill, if signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, would help create more accountability and transparency in the justice system. New Jersey is one of just 10 states that doesnt have a rape kit tracking system, according to End the Backlog, a program of the nonprofit advocacy group Joyful Heart Foundation. While a kit tracking system is currently being implemented by the Attorney Generals Office under a federal grant, that funding will eventually run out. Sponsors of the bill (S715/A908) said it would codify such a system into law and ensure its existence for years to come. When a person who has experienced a sexual assault bravely chooses to come forward, report the crime, and have an evidence kit administered, our state has a duty to ensure that that kit is processed as soon as possible, said state Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, R-Union, one of the bills primary sponsors. Creating a tracking system will help provide much-needed transparency and empower survivors to advocate for themselves and help obtain the evidence necessary to achieve successful prosecutions of offenders in a timely manner, Matsikoudis said. At least 40 states and the District of Columbia have implemented a sexual assault forensic evidence, or SAFE, kit tracking system. These web-based systems allow individuals including victims, law enforcement, hospital or lab staff to track a kit from the time of collection at a healthcare facility to the transfer to a local law enforcement agency, submission of it to an appropriate laboratory for processing and testing, and final disposition. Without a SAFE kit tracking system, victims must wait for law enforcement to contact them with updates or seek out the information themselves from the appropriate personnel, which is easier said than done. It isnt always clear where victims can go for information, according to victims rights advocates. When survivors dont know something, it takes an emotional toll and gives a sense of hopelessness. So, any change that could provide survivors more options than they had before and more information, will be a key tool in helping New Jersey support survivors going forward, said Solange Ramkissoon, survivor services specialist at the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a statewide advocacy organization. Since a sexual assault can often make victims feel theyve lost a sense of control, Ramkissoon said giving individuals a way to access case information independently and privately on their own timeline is key. That is so important because it allows the survivors to use the system and benefit from the information in real time, that otherwise would have been very difficult to get, without being beholden to a particular personnel to retrieve it for them, Ramkissoon said. Nationally, approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been the victim of attempted or completed sexual assault in their lifetime, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. If a victim of sexual assault consents to a physical examination, a rape kit is created to collect physical evidence left after the assault. Once a kit is compiled, its sent to law enforcement to be tested for DNA, which can then be used to prosecute the attacker. Many victims of sexual assault wait years for evidence kits from the worst day of their lives to be tested, according to victims rights advocates. Right now, theres a national rape kit backlog. End the Backlog estimates there are still 100,000 untested rape kits in the United States. The size of New Jerseys rape kit backlog is unclear. In fact, advocates and state officials cant seem to agree whether one exists at all. The Attorney Generals Office did not directly address disagreement over whether it has a SAFE kit backlog, but a spokesperson said, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has prioritized implementing survivor-centered, trauma-informed policies to support victims of sexual assault. He has issued several directives that amend New Jerseys sexual assault response practices including one that requires that all SAFE kits, where the victim consents to release to law enforcement, be submitted to the forensic laboratory for testing and that the forensic laboratory notify the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center within seven business days when SAFE Kit test results that have been uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) result in a match to more than one crime of sexual violence, said Tara Oliver, public information officer for the Office of the Attorney General. End the Backlog estimates there are 1,208 untested rape kits in New Jersey. Last year, News 12 New Jersey analyzed three years of data on rape kit inventories in the state and reportedly found 2,092 rape kits that went untested in the state from 2020 to 2022. A 2019 report by the state auditor concluded there was no backlog, however, the audit did find that thousands of kits were going untested for a variety of reasons. The auditor also found deficiencies concerning the tracking of the SAFE kits, while citing inconsistent policies and procedures used by the various law enforcement agencies. The fact that thousands of kits were going untested is not necessarily nefarious. A SAFE kit may not be submitted to the forensic labs for a variety of reasons. Once a SAFE kit is collected, its up to the victim whether to refer the kit to law enforcement or hold it. A collected kit becomes a hold kit when the victim chooses not to report the incident to law enforcement for investigation, opting to instead hold their kit for a minimum of 20 years under state law. After the 2019 audit report, Murphy signed a new law directing the attorney general and the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault to team up to study how the state handles rape kits. The attorney generals SAFE kit survey, published in 2023, reported a total of 11,966 identifiable kits, collected at any time, in the possession of law enforcement statewide. Its unclear exactly how many of those SAFE kits were still waiting to be tested. Forensic nurse examiners reported 2,158 hold kits, county prosecutors reported 1,968 hold kits, and 33 law enforcement agencies reported a total of 140 hold kits. The surveys results were limited because not every agency responded and those that did answer responded between June 2021 and June 2022. In 2024, the Attorney Generals Office said it secured a $2 million federal grant to fund the creation of a statewide SAFE kit tracking system, support evidence storage facility upgrades, and improve survivors access to information about the status of their SAFE kits. However, the grant does not guarantee the tracking program will operate in perpetuity. One of the tracking bills primary sponsors, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, D-Hunterdon, Mercer, said thats why establishing a permanent tracking system in New Jersey is crucial. Establishing a tracking system for sexual assault forensic evidence kits is of the utmost importance, ensuring a level of transparency and healing exists within our communities, said Reynolds-Jackson in a statement. Through A908, we aim to empower victims by providing them with the ability to track the progress of their evidence, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. The annual costs of a permanent program are, as of yet, unclear, according to a fiscal estimate prepared by the state Office of Legislative Services. The bill, which passed both the state Senate and Assembly last year by unanimous vote, is headed to the governors desk. Its my sincere hope that the governor will sign this bill as swiftly as possible to get this tracking system off the ground and provide survivors with greater clarity and transparency as they seek to obtain justice, Matsikoudis said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com. ABU DHABI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully doubled its clean energy capacity from 3.1 gigawatts to 6 gigawatts between 2022 and 2024, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak announced on Sunday. The announcement was made during the opening of the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. Al Dahak reaffirmed the UAE's commitment, established during the UN climate change conference, COP28, in 2023, to expand its renewable energy capacity to 14.2 gigawatts by 2030. Emphasizing the urgency of accelerating the clean energy transition, the minister cited the growing frequency of climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and wildfires that displace communities worldwide. She also highlighted the UAE's sustained leadership in renewable energy innovation since hosting the first IRENA Assembly in 2011. "Renewable energy is now more affordable, accessible, and scalable than ever before," Al Dahak said, pointing to advancements in energy storage and technology as key enablers for achieving a just energy transition. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Wang Dongming attended here the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the invitation of the Venezuelan government on Friday. Maduro met with Wang, also vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, at the presidential palace after the inauguration. Wang conveyed cordial greetings and good wishes from Xi to Maduro and congratulated him on his re-election as president of Venezuela. Wang said that in September 2023, Xi and Maduro jointly announced the elevation of China-Venezuela relations to an all-weather strategic partnership, leading bilateral relations into a new era. Last year, the two sides solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the friendship between the two countries has been more deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples, Wang said. China is willing to work with Venezuela to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate and develop the traditional friendship, and push forward bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples, Wang said. Maduro asked Wang to convey his highest respect and sincere greetings to Xi, and extended his gratitude to Xi for sending a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of his new term. Venezuela attaches great importance to developing China-Venezuela all-weather strategic partnership, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, Maduro said, adding that Venezuela stands ready to join hands with China to advance practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen the exchange of governance experience, and lift bilateral ties to a new level. ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to restore and enhance bilateral ties, marking a significant step in easing recent diplomatic tensions between the two Horn of Africa nations. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is on a working visit to Ethiopia. The leaders held constructive discussions on regional and bilateral issues, aiming to deepen the fraternal bond between their peoples, according to a joint communique released Saturday evening. Both leaders agreed to "restore and enhance" bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals. They also emphasized closer collaboration between their diplomatic missions on multilateral and regional matters of mutual interest, the communique said. Noting that the stability of the region requires the two countries' strong cooperation based on mutual trust, confidence, and respect, the two leaders pledged to strengthen coordination on improving regional relations and fostering common understanding and shared progress. The leaders further underscored the need to enhance security cooperation, particularly in countering the threat posed by extremist militant groups in the region. They agreed to direct their security agencies to deepen collaboration in promoting peace and stability, it noted. Reaffirming their commitment to the Ankara Declaration, the two leaders pledged to expedite technical negotiations outlined in the agreement. The Somali president's visit to Ethiopia followed last month's Turkish-mediated talks in Ankara, which helped resolve misunderstandings and de-escalate diplomatic tensions that had strained relations throughout 2024. The diplomatic rift had been escalating between the two neighboring countries after Ethiopia and Somaliland reportedly signed an agreement earlier in 2024, allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for its recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia, as an independent state. Somalia said the agreement is legally invalid. As part of the normalization efforts, Ethiopia's Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed led a high-level delegation to Somalia earlier this month, reiterating both nations' commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. TRIPOLI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a traffic accident, which took place in the vicinity of the Abu Qurain village near eastern Libya's Al-Loud area on Sunday, has risen to 23, with five others injured, the official Libyan News Agency reported, revising an earlier report of eight deaths and 20 injuries from the Ministry of Health. According to Mohammed Al-Jali, an official from Abu Qurain, the village's hospital received seven bodies and one injured person, while hospitals in the towns of Hun and Waddan, located in the Jufra district, received 16 bodies and four injured individuals. The bus involved in the crash, which occurred on a highway, was traveling from Jufra to Tripoli, according to the report. Security and prosecution authorities are investigating to determine the causes of the incident, the report noted. In an earlier statement on Facebook, Libya's health minister urged the public to adhere to traffic rules and guidelines in order to protect lives and ensure safety. Libya recorded one of the world's highest road traffic mortality rates in 2024, with 34 fatalities per 100,000 people, according to official statistics. When Canada was fighting wildfires in Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia in 2023, blazes that would go on to eventually burn more than 45 million acres, more than 2,000 American firefighters helped extinguish the flames. Now, Canada has returned the favor. It is sending air tankers and dozens of its own battle-tested wildland firefighters to Los Angeles, its government said. Air tankers can deliver thousands of gallons of fire retardant or water to wildland firefighters on the ground. More personnel and equipment from Ontario, Quebec and Alberta are ready to be mobilized, according to government officials. And a team of senior technical staff members from British Columbia will fill specialized roles, the government said. We both know that Canada and the United States are more than just neighbours, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on X on Friday. Were friends especially when times get tough. Californias always had our back when we battle wildfires up north. Now, Canadas got yours. Mexico quickly followed, dispatching a crew of firefighters early Saturday to help the huge deployment already underway. We are a country of generosity and solidarity, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on X. Ms. Sheinbaum said that the group was carrying the courage and heart of Mexico. Before departing Mexico City for California, the Mexican firefighters held the flags of California, Mexico and the United States on the runway. Mexicos civil protection agency said that cooperation has no borders and that the mission reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of California. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said that he was grateful for the support from both countries. President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to Pope Francis on Saturday, granting one of the nations highest honors to a figure he called the Peoples Pope. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled, Mr. Biden wrote on X. You are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. Mr. Biden honored the pontiff during a weekend in which he was scheduled to meet with the pope in person at the Holy See. The president, however, canceled the three-day trip to Italy to coordinate the federal response to raging wildfires in Los Angeles, according to a White House statement. Rather than the usual award ceremony, in which the president places the award around the neck of the recipient, Mr. Biden posted on X an image from the Oval Office in which a military aide presented the medal. The White House announced the honor after Mr. Biden spoke to Pope Francis on Saturday and informed him of the award. Former President Jimmy Carters funeral on Thursday brought together five current and former presidents. But photos of the group later shared to social media by Vice President Kamala Harris and the Carter Center left one of them out of frame: President-elect Donald J. Trump. Ms. Harris, who lost a bitterly fought campaign to Mr. Trump, and Mr. Carter had both been harshly criticized by the president-elect, who attended the funeral at Washington National Cathedral with his wife, Melania Trump. The photo shared from the vice presidents official social media accounts on Saturday featured the three Democrats the most prominently. Thirty years and more than 20 books later, Okorafor, now an acclaimed science fiction and fantasy writer, is exploring that traumatic experience, and the transformation that followed, in her heavily autobiographical new novel, Death of the Author. A genre-defying metafictional experiment, the story centers on a Nigerian American writer from Chicago named Zelu, who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair after a childhood accident. She dreams of becoming a writer, but her lovingly overprotective parents and siblings are skeptical that shell ever support herself. After struggling for years to get published, Zelu writes a best-selling postapocalyptic novel set among sentient robots in a future Nigeria, and lands a seven-figure advance and a movie deal. Her sudden rise to fame is both thrilling and jarring, as Zelu sees her success disrupt her family, and her novel get whitewashed by Hollywood executives who strip it of the African elements. With its autobiographical framework, Death of the Author is a departure from Okorafors previous work, otherworldly stories that often draw on her experiences in Nigeria, where she found that belief in the supernatural giant spider deities, water spirits, shape-shifting leopard people is part of daily life. But the novel is still mind-bending, maybe more than anything shes written. Okorafor weaves Zelus story together with chapters from Zelus novel, Rusted Robots, which is narrated by a robot who travels to the ruins of Lagos and meets the last human on earth. As the two narratives unfold, the boundaries between autobiography and fiction and realism and fantasy seem to dissolve, and it becomes harder to tell whether Zelus story or her robots tale is in the foreground. Please just keep in mind, Nikki Glaser exhorted Hollywoods A-list while hosting the Golden Globes last week: The point of making art is not to win an award. The point of making art is to start a tequila brand so popular that you never have to make art again. The stars arrayed before her chuckled. They were laughing at themselves. Among them was Selena Gomez. The actress, doubly nominated that evening for her roles in Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Perez, has become a beauty tycoon with her popular makeup company, Rare Beauty. Ariana Grande, seated nearby, owns a cosmetics brand, too. Need a drink? Ryan Reynolds sells gin, and Brad Pitt has rose. George Clooney, Kendall Jenner and Dwayne the Rock Johnson all founded tequila brands. Got kids? Jessica Albas Honest Company proffers diapers and baby stuff. Looking for workout gear? Theres Kate Hudsons Fabletics. Menopause products? Try Naomi Wattss offering, Stripes. These days it feels as if Hollywoods entrepreneurs are dabbling in every part of the retail market. Its not enough anymore for a celebrity to simply be a spokesperson for the brand. Now theyve got to own it, too. This model offers more control and potentially bigger profits. (Though that means bigger risks as well, naturally.) Trump is now flanked by an alliance of oligarchs led by Elon Musk. The billionaire owners of The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times killed presidential endorsements of Kamala Harris, ABC News (owned by Disney) gave Trumps future presidential foundation and museum $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit Trump brought, Mark Zuckerberg is refocusing Meta platforms around free expression and his company against D.E.I., and Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for Melania Trumps documentary about herself. Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai and a slew of other chief executives have recently traveled to Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump. This differs from 2017, when Trump was treated as an aberration to be endured or a malignancy to reject. The billionaires see that the rules have changed. They are signaling their willingness to abide by them. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!! Trump wrote on Truth Social after having dinner with Jeff Bezos. He isnt wrong. Democracy does not die in darkness. It degrades through deal-making a procession of pragmatic transactions between those who have power and those who want it or fear it. We have seen this termitic corruption consume democracies elsewhere, including Viktor Orbans Hungary, which Trump and his allies cite as a model. Money and media make peace with the regime because to do otherwise is too costly. Once proud political parties become vehicles for the individual ambition they were designed to replace. I consider the range of outcomes for Trumps second term to be stupefyingly vast, stretching from self-destructive incompetence to muddling incoherence to authoritarian consolidation. But the levees that narrowed the possibilities of his first term have been breached. As I was writing those paragraphs, I asked ChatGPT three or four questions. They were small queries of the sort I might once have asked Google. I have covered A.I. for years. I have never doubted its eventual possibilities. But year after year, I found no place for it in my daily routine. It was like an intern who demanded oversight when what I needed was insight. Over the past six months, though, the improvements in the models tipped that balance for me. A.I. has braided into my day in much the way that search engines did before it. Behind the mundane gains in usefulness are startling gains in capacity. OpenAI debuted a quick succession of confusingly named models GPT4 was followed by GPT-4o, and then the chain-of-thought reasoning model o1, and then, oddly, came o3 that have posted blistering improvements on a range of tests. The A.R.C.-A.G.I. test, for instance, was designed to compare the fluid intelligence of humans and A.I. systems, and proved hard for A.I. systems to mimic. By the middle of 2024, the highest score any A.I. model had posted was 5 percent. By the end of the year, the most powerful form of o3 scored 88 percent. It is solving mathematics problems that leading mathematicians thought would take years for an A.I. system to crack. It is better at writing computer code than all but the most celebrated human coders. This is about connecting with friends making new friends and just learning, says Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in the trailer for her forthcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. The nearly two-minute ad, set to the hopeful tones of Do You Believe in Magic by the Lovin Spoonful, which rolled out to much fanfare this month, casts Meghan as something of a domestic goddess. We see her wearing an apron and carrying artfully presented baskets of intimidatingly fresh-looking vegetables, creating colorful floral arrangements and even harvesting her own honey. As she decorates freshly baked treats, we hear one of her many hashtaggable phrases: Love is in the details. In many ways, the trailer looks like any other celebrity-fronted lifestyle series, like those from Selena Gomez and Stanley Tucci. But since it was announced, the existence of the show has been met with a noisy, and perhaps predictable, backlash. The criticism has been most intense in British legacy media, which is already panning Meghans turn as the millennial Martha Stewart of Montecito. What Ive always wanted, a lesson from Meghan on freezing an edible flower inside an ice cube, wrote Judith Woods in The Telegraph. (The right-leaning publication has since run several articles about the trailer, dissecting its most baffling moments and Meghans trad wife look.) On social media, the backlash spread to Americans, especially those on the political right. Meghan McCain called the series completely and utterly tone deaf at a time when so many Americans are struggling, and flatly announced, This is why the world doesnt like you. Watching Meghans many critics rage-post about fairly standard elements like the show reportedly being filmed in a rented property not far from the Sussexes actual home its clear that most of them were always going to hate the show. But this rebrand as the duchess of domesticity is a very shrewd move for Meghan nonetheless. The shows concept appears to combine the fantasy of Meghan as a princess in exile while reactivating parts of her pre-royal public persona, when she ran her own lifestyle website, The Tig. With so many eyes on Meghan, she might finally be allowed to change and more crucially, sell a different narrative about herself. After years of Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, pleading for privacy while also seeking publicity, she will now participate in the attention economy in a more clear-cut, direct way. Since their relationship began in 2016, the story of the Sussexes has been defined by feuds. Theyve claimed that the British tabloids waged a racist and misogynistic smear campaign against Meghan. Theyve also suggested that the Firm, as the royal family is sometimes known, collaborates with the tabloids in return for favorable coverage. Since stepping down as working royals in 2020, the couple have told their story many times. There was a 2021 sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the phrase Were you silent? Or were you silenced? entered the pop-culture canon. Next came the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, followed by Prince Harrys sales-record-breaking memoir, Spare. With each new appearance, the duo have provided a steady drip of scandalous allegations. Gerald Sternberg Merle Sternberg Madison, Wis. To the Editor: As has been noted in The Times and elsewhere, Japan is a model in providing its people with ubiquitous access to public restrooms that are spotless and often beautifully designed. In cities like Tokyo, many of these public bathrooms are inside the stations of the citys vast subway and rail system. Every metro station I visited in Tokyo had at least one public restroom. This consistency of infrastructure ensures that you always know where to look when you have the urge to go. As New York City explores requiring more municipal restrooms (and I hope it does), it should consider working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to expand public restrooms within its own subway infrastructure, which is both extensive and highly utilized. There are a limited number of existing public bathrooms inside some subway stations, but they are not always open or well maintained. Given how integral the subway is to the daily routine of so many New Yorkers, having a clean public restroom inside every subway station would significantly improve the quality of life for everyone in the city. Heath Madom Oakland, Calif. To the Editor: Clean and accessible public restrooms are not luxuries; theyre essential infrastructure. Thats why the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation last year announced an over $150 million investment to build 46 new public bathrooms over the next five years and reconstruct an additional 36 adding to the more than 700 restrooms that we already provide every day, for free, to anyone who needs them. For context: In New York City, there are more public park bathrooms than Starbucks locations. Abigail McGrath was an aspiring actor with a day job as a copywriter at an ad agency and working weekend nights manning the door at Maxs Kansas City, among other side hustles when her friend Susan Hoffman, otherwise known as Viva, a member of Andy Warhols entourage, asked her to find a tub for a film Warhol had cast her in. An unusual tub, she stressed. Ms. McGrath said shed be happy to help, but only if she could appear in the movie. She procured a see-through tub that had been used in a commercial, and soon she and Viva were tucked into it, laughing their heads off, being filmed by Paul Morrissey, the Warhol collaborator known for his attempts to inject some sort of narrative structure into Warhols blank, improvisational movies. The plot of Tub Girls, as it was called and such as it was, apparently involved Viva entertaining various guests in the bath, one of whom was Ms. McGrath. Its a rare film; not many people seem to have seen it. Ms. McGraths appearance was rare, too: She was one of the few so-called superstars among Warhols film subjects who were Black. (Dorothy Dean and Pat Hartley were the others.) Ms. McGrath was also the rare paid Warhol performer, earning $100 for her work not bad for 1967. The Palisades fire has decimated Malibu, destroying around a third of the coastal citys eastern flank and much of a picturesque stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, officials said late Saturday. What you see is extraordinary, Jacqui Irwin, a member of the California State Assembly representing the Malibu district, told a community meeting. It is nothing like I have ever seen before. Entire segments of the city remained without power, water, gas or communications, she said. The Palisades blaze, the largest of the wildfires ravaging Southern California, has ripped through dense residential areas around Malibu since Tuesday. By Sunday morning, it had burned through more than 23,600 acres and was only 11 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. It has hit us hard, said the mayor, Doug Stewart. Malibu has lost approximately one-third of its eastern edge of the city. Entire neighborhoods were gone, Mr. Stewart said. Among them are Big Rock, Carbon Mesa and a stretch of homes along Pacific Coast Highway which forms Malibus southern edge running about three miles from Topanga Beach to the popular Dukes Malibu restaurant. Theyre gone, Mr. Stewart said. For the most part, theyre gone. The fire so swiftly descended on Malibu, Mr. Stewart said, that its communications were almost entirely cut off, seriously hampering officials abilities to mobilize evacuations. We were a city that, quite often during the start of the fire, had no utility communications to the outside world. We had almost no way to talk to our residents to warn them of the fire, he said. At least three city residents who stayed behind despite evacuation orders had died in the fire, he said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office has so far attributed five deaths to the Palisades fire. Large parts of Malibu remained without power, Mr. Stewart said, and residents should expect electricity cutoffs this week as utility companies try to curb the blazes spread. Winds were expected to pick up again on Sunday and Monday, leading to a new round of severe fire risk in the area. Four years after receiving a pardon from President Donald J. Trump for crimes related to foreign lobbying, Paul Manafort is again seeking business from political interests abroad. Mr. Manafort, who led Mr. Trumps 2016 campaign for a few months, has assembled a team of consultants who helped run Mr. Trumps 2024 effort and is looking to advise campaigns for opposition and far-right political factions in Latin America and Europe, according to documents and interviews. Mr. Manafort has discussed working for a French billionaire supporting anti-immigration politicians including Marine Le Pen, as well as an ultraconservative Peruvian mayor seen as a possible presidential candidate. Mr. Manafort has even engaged with interests in Ukraine, the country where his work for Russia-aligned interests led to his downfall. The circumstances around his re-emergence on the international political consulting scene are murky and fraught, particularly in Ukraine, where there are concerns about Mr. Trumps commitment to supporting the defense against Russian aggression and where Mr. Manaforts previous activity remains infamous. Monument Street, which cuts through the center of Pacific Palisades, tells two starkly different stories of the fire that has engulfed the community. On one side, lots where multimillion-dollar houses once stood are now ash and rubble. On the other, an outdoor shopping mall whose tenants include Chanel, the mens clothier Buck Mason and an upscale sushi restaurant, is largely intact. The 1950s standard This Could Be the Start of Something Big could be heard on Friday playing over speakers around the mall, known as Palisades Village, even though the stores were closed. Large water trucks stood sentry, ready for action should the fire again threaten the rows of businesses. During the height of the fires, on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer who owns Palisades Village, was conferring with his security staff as they deployed several private firefighters from Arizona to save the shopping center (and who, Mr. Caruso said, tried unsuccessfully to save nearby homes as well). Early Wednesday morning, after fire hydrants in the area went dry or lost pressure, Mr. Caruso called in private water trucks to assist. Winds picked up again early on Sunday across Southern California, reaching close to 70 miles an hour near the western and eastern San Gabriel Mountains and the Highway 14 corridor. By the afternoon the winds are forecast to ease for a while, giving firefighters a reprieve to battle devastating wildfires. But that reprieve might not last long, forecasters say, as another round of strong, gusty Santa Ana winds develops on Monday and Tuesday, contributing to another stretch of dangerous and potentially extreme fire conditions. Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, cautioned that while the winds this week may not be quite as strong as they were last week, their long duration could make the fire risk worse, especially in the western Los Angeles basin and Southern Californian mountains. With the humidity remaining low and the vegetation in the region very dry, an upgrade to extreme fire conditions, the highest risk classification, is very well on the table, Mr. Hurley said. Conditions were rated extreme last week, when wind gusts reached 100 m.p.h. For now, though, the fire risk is expected to be one level lower, at critical, in parts of Southern California from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles forecasts that the stronger Santa Ana winds will last from Monday night into Wednesday. Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the Weather Service, said the winds were expected to follow the typical Santa Ana direction, blowing northeast to southwest. The areas with the strongest winds will stretch from the mountains northeast of the Santa Clarita Valley, through the valleys along the Ventura and Los Angeles county line, and out across the western Santa Monica Mountains. They will be most powerful in the mountains, with gusts up to 60 m.p.h. Areas at lower elevations like San Clarita Valley and parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties will experience wind gusts between 35 m.p.h. and 55 m.p.h. The only good news here is that the San Gabriel foothills and Eaton Fire area will not see any strong winds from this event, Mr. Rorke said. Looking ahead, forecasters predict that the winds will continue into Thursday, but be weaker than on Wednesday, and may fall below the levels at which they would prompt a fire risk advisory. This will also lower temperatures in valleys and along the coast. By Friday, a dry weather system will move east, and the winds will shift to blowing onshore from the ocean, dropping temperatures a little further. One glimmer of hope, Mr. Hurley said, is a break from the extreme fire danger later in the week, when increased humidity is expected along with the lighter winds. Theres a very small chance of rain next weekend, but thats going out a bit, and its not a whole lot of rain in the forecast, he said. A food lover who once managed a restaurant in Paris, Mr. Boyer had already set up beehives on an unused terrace of the cathedral to produce honey for sale. The bell tower was also unused space. Why not use it for hanging hams, a specialty of the region, he wondered? It all started as a joke, he said, but it wasnt so dumb after all. Altitude, a local charcuterie cooperative made up of some 40 pig breeders, loved the idea, partly for the marketing potential, but also for what they believed to be the special quality of the air and conditions in the tower for curing hams. It creates a link between business and heritage, between a product and its terroir, said Thierry Bousseau, the companys communication manager. The project was approved by both state and church authorities, and the first batch of hams was put on sale in markets, in the church and online in the spring of 2022, for about $150 each, about $50 more than what an average local artisanal ham would fetch. The profits, once Altitude recouped its costs, were given to the cathedral. Overall, about 300 hams have been sold, and more than $12,000 was spent to finally restore the organ, Mr. Bousseau said. Italys justice minister has requested the revocation of the arrest of an Iranian man sought by the United States for allegedly providing material used in an attack that killed three American soldiers, the Italian government announced on Sunday. Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested last month in Milan and the U.S. Justice Department had asked for his extradition. He was charged with illegally providing material used in a drone attack by an Iranian-backed militia on an American military base in Jordan. On Sunday evening, IRNA, Irans state news agency, reported that Mr. Abedini had reached Tehran. Despite repeated requests for confirmation, Italy has not yet announced that it freed the man or that he left the country. The Italian ministrys request, which was filed to a court, came only days after Iran freed an Italian reporter, Cecilia Sala, who had been arrested in Iran three days after Mr. Abedini was detained. She was arrested on accusations of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, though the Iranian government never provided details. Israeli security and policy chiefs arrived in Qatar on Sunday for high-level talks about a proposed cease-fire deal in Gaza that would see hostages released in the final days of President Bidens term and before Donald J. Trump takes office. Biden administration officials have been pressing for a deal that would become part of the departing presidents legacy, and Mr. Trump has warned that all hell will break out in the Middle East if Hamas does not release the hostages before he is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Lower-level negotiations have been underway in recent weeks after months of deadlock. While some progress has been made, disagreements remain on several key points, including the timing and extent of Israels redeployments and withdrawal from Gaza and its willingness to ultimately end the war, according to several officials and a Palestinian familiar with the matter. They were speaking on the condition of anonymity because the talks are being held in secrecy and they were not authorized to discuss details publicly. Representatives of the departing and incoming U.S. presidents have been cooperating on the issue, the Biden administration has said, while Qatar and Egypt are mediating between Israel and Hamas. THREE years to the day after her death, hundreds of people turned out to remember Ashling Murphy at an anniversary Mass in Mountbolus and a walk along the Grand Canal near Tullamore. St Brigid's Church was packed on Sunday morning with the congregation lined up each side of the pews and standing room only inside the main door. Fr Michael Meade, parish priest of Kilcormac and Killoughey, was the celebrant and the Mass featured music played by members of Ballyboy Comhaltas and moving renditions of the songs Amazing Grace and The Prayer, the latter made famous by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. In the afternoon the annual memorial walk took place on the canal bank to the place where the 23-year-old primary teacher from Cully, Blueball was murdered on January 12, 2022. Traditional tunes were played by many musicians and Ray Murphy, Ashling's father, played the mandolin and Ashling's sister Amy played the accordion. Those gathered prayed a decade of the rosary and many people paused at the canalside shrine for their own private moments of reflection. Ashling had gone for a walk along the canal bank between Tullamore and Cappincur after finishing a day's work at Durrow National School. A graduate of Mary Immaculate College of Education, she was a keen traditional musician who gave fiddle lessons to children along with her job as a teacher in Durrow. The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was founded to support the development of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people and donations can be made by logging onto the iDonate page Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund. A post on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page on Sunday morning before the Mass said: Today we remember our beloved Ashling, who is so dearly missed each and every day, especially by her heartbroken family and wide circle of friends. Always loved, Never Forgotten, Forever Missed. Ashling's killer, Jozef Puska, now aged 34, is a native of Slovakia who was living in Mucklagh at the time of the killing. He was sentenced to life in prison in November 2023 for the murder following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code ISLAMABAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- An event welcoming the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, was held here on Saturday, with over 500 overseas Chinese and Pakistani guests participating. Delivering a speech at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong reviewed the achievements of China's economic and social development and the fruits of China-Pakistan bilateral cooperation in 2024. Looking forward to the Chinese New Year, Jiang said, "We hope and firmly believe that overseas Chinese will continue to foster a strong sense of community within the Chinese nation, care for and support the development of their homeland, and promote China-Pakistan cooperation." Speaking at the event, La Jielian, chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Chinese Association, said the association is actively progressing in a positive direction and remains optimistic about a brighter future in Pakistan in the new year. During the event, stalls displaying Chinese calligraphy and artwork attracted enthusiastic crowds, while collections of rare Chinese nuts and stones offered a glimpse into the nation's rich heritage. Visitors also enjoyed a range of culinary delights, including traditional Chinese dumplings, noodles and hot pots. Adding to the festive atmosphere, a traditional cultural performance captivated the audience. "I think more events like this should happen and more people should participate," said Hassan Daud Butt, former CEO of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade. The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the Pakistan Overseas Chinese Association and the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan. This year's Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29, kicking off the Year of the Snake. KABUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government's national procurement commission has recently endorsed 17 projects worth 3 billion afghani (about 42 million U.S. dollars), the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs has said in a statement on Saturday. The approved projects included the construction of the Arghandi Transport Terminal in the national capital Kabul, the formation of parking areas for freight vehicles in western Herat province, repair of the Aqina-Andkhoy and Turgundi railway projects, extension of fiber optic networks in southern Kandahar, Helmand, and western Farah provinces and other projects, the statement added. The projects are expected to provide job opportunities to hundreds of thousands of local residents, the office said. The commission licensed 27 procurement projects worth more than 73 million dollars in November last year. The Afghan caretaker government plans to launch more development and infrastructure projects on its domestic budget across the war-ravaged country to tackle economic challenges and create job opportunities. NEW DELHI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indian security forces gunned down at least five armed Naxal rebels in India's central state of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, confirmed a local senior cop. The rebels were eliminated in the National Park area of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, local media quoted Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav as saying. According to him, an exchange of fire took place between the security personnel and the ultras, and that five dead bodies had been recovered. A search operation was on to find more dead bodies at the encounter site. "The bodies of 5 Naxals have been recovered. Naxalite material, including weapons, explosives and automatic weapons have been recovered from the encounter site. One Self Loading Rifle (SLR), one 12-bore rifle, one single Shot rifle, and a Barrel Grenafe Launcher (BGL) have been recovered. The search operation is ongoing," Yadav said. Later, media reports said that two police personnel were injured in an IED blast in Bijapur. Both cops were admitted to a local hospital where their conditions were said to be stable. Claiming to be fighting for the rights of the local tribesmen, the Naxals had been active over the years in several Indian states. They mainly target Indian security personnel and government installations. Recently, the country's Home (Internal Security) Minister Amit Shah announced that Naxalism would be wiped out from the country by March 2026. A Bulgarian boy tries to make Chinese paper cutting works during a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) SOFIA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The China Cultural Center in Sofia on Sunday held an event to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival which marks the start of the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year. Hundreds of Bulgarians participated in the event, enjoying Chinese tea, calligraphy, paper-cutting, shows, various kinds of cuisine, among others. Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli at the event noted that last December, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Spring Festival on intangible cultural heritage list. She said the festival is not only China's most important traditional holiday, but also serves as a global celebration of unity and joy. Tsoncho Ganev, vice president of the Bulgarian National Assembly, attended the event and extended his Chinese New Year greetings. Hong Hai, director of the China Cultural Center in Sofia, said that this year, within the framework of the "Happy Chinese New Year" initiative, a tour with performances in Varna, Plovdiv, Sofia and Pernik will be presented, so that more local people could feel the joyful atmosphere of the holiday. Zhina Angelova, one of the participants, told Xinhua that it was "a unique event ... I love Chinese New Year a lot. It is very special to me -- like ours, the Bulgarian one. That's how I feel about it." It is the third time that she has come to celebrate the Chinese New Year, Angelova said, adding, "I'm very happy." This year's Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29, kicking off the Year of the Snake. A Bulgarian man writes Chinese calligraphy during a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) People perform a traditional Chinese dance during a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli speaks at a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) People try to make Chinese paper cutting works during a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) People perform a folk dance of Miao ethnic group during a celebration dedicated to the upcoming Spring Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will represent India at Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday that during his US visit, Jaishankar will also meet with representatives of the incoming Trump administration. ADVERTISEMENT "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America," it said. JD Vance will be the new US Vice President. "During the visit, the external affairs minister will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion," the MEA said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT It is for the second time that Trump will be the US President. He served as the 45th President of the US from January 2017 to January 2021. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. We are just days away from the inauguration of President Donald Trump. He has made many promises to reverse the course of American foreign policy from the past four years under the President Joe Biden administration. The war in Ukraine is seen by many analysts as the "Biden War", similar to the "Obama War" in Libya and Syria, the "Bush War" in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the "Clinton War" in Yugoslavia. Trump says he will end the "Biden War" in Ukraine before the last Ukrainian blood is spilt in a rivalry between the US and Russia. Biden has another war under his belt, the "Gaza War", in which he singlehandedly funded and defended Israel, even after the Israel was labeled an Apartheid State and confirmed to have been committing genocide against the Palestinian people. The international community have branded Israel a "rogue actor", which has left Israel isolated on the world stage, and has diminished the reputation of the US. Now, when the US threatens Russia and China over human rights issues, the world laughs out loud. Biden has provoked China by a flagrant Taiwan policy seen as provocative. Trump's future policy towards China may be to decrease tensions with China, and to keep South East Asian shipping routes safe and open to all. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Ray Hanania, an American veteran, "The Ray Hanania Show" on Arabnews.com/RayRadioShow, for his expert opinion from Chicago. IL. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): President Trump has promised to stop the war in Ukraine for many reasons. In your opinion, will he be successful and will the 'deep state' allow him to stop the war? Ray Hanania (RH): I am not confident that Trump can stop the Russian war against Ukraine without surrendering Ukrainian land to the Russian invaders. I don't believe the "Deep State" will be the obstacle, but rather blocking an easy solution will be American public opinion and the inability to trust the word of Russian dictator and ICC war criminal Vladimir Putin. I don't believe Ukraine will accept the surrender of occupied lands taken by force by Russia without something significant like joining the NATO alliance, which is fragile and which Trump has criticized in the past. Also, I believe that America remains politically divided and that division weakens any moves Trump takes on Ukraine (and on all of the issues listed below). Trump has control of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House through the Republican Party, but it is a weak control, and it is unpredictable, easily influenced by a few more moderate Republicans who might disagree with Trump. To stay strong, Trump needs to keep the GOP leadership satisfied and compliant with his policies. However, this is Trump's last term in office and "lame duck" presidents, as they are called, can take risks without worrying about what happens in the next presidential election. He can pursue extreme policies without concern for public pushback. #2. SS: President Trump announced several times that one of his main points of focus is on the relationship with China. In your opinion, how do you see the future of this relationship between Beijing and Washington under the Trump administration? RH: I think China will continue to dominate the world economically and efforts to improve the economic balance will not be successful. China has many investments in the United States and has strong allies in the world. Any effort to change the relationship with China will require more than just the influence of the United States. I don't believe China wants to disrupt the existing relationship, but they have more influence than Trump, in my opinion. #3. SS: Reports say that President Trump might order airstrikes on Iranian nuclear projects, and increase sanctions on Iran. In your opinion, if President Trump implements his promises, would he be taking the US into a war, while he has promised to stop all wars? RH: The United States continues to do the bidding of Israel. Iran is not a threat to the United States, but the United States continues to side with Israel in its conflict with the Arab and Muslim world. If Trump takes actions unilaterally against Iran, it could start World War III, and further weaken the already weakened leadership America has in the international community. It could destabilize the region, and further strengthen the growing influence of the new BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates). #4. SS: President Trump had a good relationship with the oil-rich Arab countries in his first term in office. In your opinion, what will that relationship look like in the near future? RH: America's funding and arming of Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon, and now Syria, has raised the anger of the Arab world populations and many Arab governments are being cautious in how they move forward with America, which is heavily influenced by Israel. The Arab world would like to continue its engagement with the United States, but it is also building political and economic relations with other countries including those who are in conflict with the United States like Russia, China, and BRICS. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The Checkpoint Women: Memories (Image by 7thart.com/films/) Details DMCA For American Jews who are uncomfortable with questioning the Israeli government, the Gaza War, and the Occupation, "The Checkpoint Women: Memories" demonstrates how courageous individuals on the ground in Israel, moved by their doubts about national policy, have become actors in the fight for Palestinian equality. It was a featured documentary in the 2024 Other Israel Film Festival. Director Eliezer Yaari focuses on the specific stories of women, primarily over fifty-years-old, who became part of an organization known in Israel as Machsom Watch. In 2001, a group began going to checkpoints and crossings to monitor the behaviors and actions of IDF soldiers as they oversaw Palestinians trying to enter Israel from the West Bank for work, medical appointments, or necessary tasks. Yaari sets the stage with information outlining that after a "wave of terrorism" resulted in hundreds of Israeli deaths and thousands of injuries, Israel began the erection of a separation wall between the "territories of the Palestinian Authority" and itself. Restriction of movement for Palestinians within the West Bank became a way of life. Interviewing these activists, Yaari intercuts footage of their efforts with their testimonies. Each woman profiled shares her backstory and why she felt it was essential to become part of the struggle against entrenched policies on the ground. Yehudit Elkana, now in her late eighties, had heard negative stories about what was happening at checkpoints. She started Women In Black. "You couldn't stand idly by," she recounted. Her father was a journalist for a liberal newspaper in Berlin. After reading Hitler's Mein Kampf, he saw the writing on the wall and departed for Israel in 1933. Based on her family background, Elkana said, "It made it natural for her to engage in political activity against the Occupation." Arriving in Bethlehem in the pre-dawn darkness when Palestinian workers arrived at 5:30 a.m., Elkana filmed interactions, made calls, and questioned tactics. When lucky, she would run into someone she knew, facilitating the challenge for a Palestinian with medical issues. Commenting on the Separation Wall as one of the "cruelest undertakings" of the Occupation, Hanna Barag discussed the "shock" of how Israel forces Palestinians to live. She stated, "There is no freedom of movement. Palestinian ambulances can't move in the streets of Jerusalem." Her reaction to the situation was "shock and horrification". There is a definitive irony in seeing a guard in tefillin praying next to barbed wire, while below him school children are having their backpacks searched. Barag overhears a soldier saying loudly to a colleague upon seeing her, "Here's another of Arafat's whores." Waiting until a few hours later, with her emotions calmed, Barag approached the young man and asked, "Would you talk that way to your grandmother?" These women are not to be trifled with or easily intimidated. Dafna Banai has been a Machsom member for twenty years. She came from a staunchly Zionist and military background. Banai spoke about how the subtext of the Occupation became evident to her. Rather than being an issue of security, she realized the impetus was to "break Palestinian society and to hurt people and entrench a sense of Israeli 'superiority'". Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). No. 9 Oregon State put on a show in its first 2025 home gymnastics meet Saturday, scoring 196.40 points to easily beat Brigham Young at Gill Coliseum. Senior Jade Carey, performing in a home meet for the first time since winning two Olympic gold medals last summer, scored 39.725 in all-around. Carey had scores of 9.95 on bars and floor, 9.925 on beam and 9.90 on vault. Carey had the highest score in each event on either team. The best scores by a Beaver gymnast aside from Carey were 9.85s by Natalie Briones (bars), Sage Thompson (bars), Lauren Letzsch (beam), Savannah Miller (floor) and Sophia Esposito (floor and beam). Brigham Young scored 194.2 points. Kylie Eaquinto led the way with an all-around score of 39.050. -- Nick Daschel covers the Oregon State Beavers. Reach him at 360-607-4824 or @nickdaschel. Listen to the Beaver Banter podcast or subscribe to the Beavers Roundup newsletter. Two people are facing drug and reckless driving charges after police say they crashed a stolen car into a Portland Police cruiser on Saturday, then drove recklessly through Southeast Portland. Kyliana Strickland, 21, is facing ten misdemeanor charges including driving under the influence and resisting arrest, after police say she fled from them, even after they deployed a spike strip and popped a tire of the Jeep Grand Cherokee she was driving. Jacob Richardson, 24, is facing three felony charges for alleged theft and delivery of methamphetamine and cocaine, and one misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. Portland Police officers tried to do a welfare check on two people seen unconscious in the Jeep on Saturday morning, around 11 a.m., they said in a news release on Sunday. Strickland, the driver, woke up, police say, and backed the Jeep into a police patrol car before spending away. Police tried to stop the Jeep by deploying a spike strip to pop its tires, the release says, but Strickland kept going, driving on a left front tire that was worn down to the metal rim. Officers attempted to use unspecified intervention techniques to try and stop the car, the release says. They allege that Strickland was driving recklessly, swerving in and out of traffic and ignoring traffic signals. Strickland lost control of the vehicle when she crashed into a parked car in the Reed neighborhood, police said. Paramedics took Strickland and Richardson to the hospital for an evaluation before police booked them into jail, the news release says. Police allege that Richardson was carrying a loaded gun, which they believe was stolen. Court records show that Richardson is also facing felony drug charges in a September case, in which he is accused of delivering methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430. With his questing curiosity, Reinhard Stettler got to know cottonwoods. And aspens. And poplars. From their genetic makeup, to his experiments that sparked a hybrid poplar boom in Washington and Oregon, where the trees are still visible in plantations growing all over the Northwest. Stettler died Dec. 9, just short of his 95th birthday, because of complications from dementia. As a new faculty member at the University of Washington, Stettler was expected to dig into a career that would further the economic importance of one of the states signature conifers, Douglas fir, perhaps. That did not happen. Instead, Stettler, always a free thinker and iconoclast, when he was hired at the universitys College of Forest Resources (now the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences) in 1963, chose the genus Populus cottonwoods, poplars and aspens for his study because in those trees he could probe their genetics, recalled his son, Dan. With short intervals between generations, easy cloning and rapid growth, Stettler had found his perfect subject for experimentation with hybridization. Among his many accomplishments was the discovery that hybrids of the Pacific Northwest native black cottonwood and eastern cottonwood grew incredibly fast nearly 10 feet a year. A commercial darling for the pulp and biofuel industry was born, and along with it, a new forest products industry in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. The U.S. Department of Energy took notice and awarded a large grant to Stettler and his team that would for the next 20 years fund a collaborative network of researchers across the world, including physiologists, pathologists, chemists, molecular biologists and ecologists. All typical for a scientist who excelled at collaboration, and was deeply respected for his work, said Tom Hinckley, faculty emeritus at the University of Washington, and a colleague of Stettlers. He was respected because of the integrity of his writing and application of the scientific method. His interpretation of results was always cautious and conservative, Hinckley said. He was a good thinker. He would also see the unusual thing that varied from the norm, and ask why. Born Dec. 27, 1929, in Steckborn, Switzerland, Stettler left Switzerland in 1955 with his wife, Monique Gerwig, first for British Columbia, where they pursued graduate work at the University of British Columbia, then in 1959 moving to Berkeley, where Stettler earned his doctorate in plant genetics from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the faculty of the UW in May 1963. There, he earned a reputation as an engaging and caring professor, taking the time with students individually to teach them the skills of observation and interpretation. His fieldwork courses were legendary for being great adventures and for turning skeptics into tree lovers and nonscientists into scientists, said his close friend, Penelope West. In recognition of his excellence, Stettler won the UWs Distinguished Teaching Award in 1990, a campuswide competition. Stettler also played the accordion, spoke four languages, sketched, wrote poetry, and was a fine cook of Swiss regional specialties and curry, too, Dan Stettler said. Not content to only communicate with other scientists, Reinhard Stettler also wrote a book for general readers, Cottonwood and the River of Time ( UW Press, 2009), extolling the virtues and remarkable resilience of the tree he so deeply knew and loved. And he shared his knowledge of the tree with Seattle Times readers in a story so popular it was published twice. His enthusiasm was infectious, said Nick Wheeler, whom Stettler let sit in with his lab every week, talking through scientific papers. Wheeler, now retired, went on to a long career as a research scientist in forest genetics, first for Weyerhaeuser, and then as a private consultant. He was very generous with his time, technically I was never his student, but he was very much a factor in my development and why I went into the field, Wheeler said. Stettler is survived by his older brother Emanuel, of Kirchdorf, Switzerland; his son, Daniel, of Seattle; and other family including his grandson Nico of Philadelphia. Celebrations of his life are being planned in Seattle in the spring, and in early summer in Kandersteg, Switzerland. ___ (c)2025 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. On Day 2 of the Providence hospital strike the largest such strike in Oregon history the hospital system announced that it was ready to resume talks with workers at its Medford and Newberg facilities. At a press conference Saturday, Jennifer Burrows, a registered nurse and chief executive for Providence Oregon, said that more than 600 unionized nurses more than 10% of the workforce had opted to cross the picket lines, giving the hospital system the capacity to restart mediation with workers at two of its eight hospitals. Weve sent our messages to the federal mediators; were ready to start today, Burrows said. Were also making plans to set dates for when we can start negotiating with the other bargaining units for the acute care nurses. This wont happen all at once, and thats because we need to make sure that our ministry leaders are able to step away from providing care and ensuring that weve got high quality care going on in our hospitals, and so they can return to the bargaining table. Several thousand nurses and about 150 doctors and advanced practitioners have walked off the job at hospitals and six womens clinics, and its not clear when they may return. The hospital system, which says it has lost money for eight out of the last 10 quarters, has hired 2,000 replacement nurses, and emergency rooms remain open. Union members, who are seeking better pay and benefits, plus improved working conditions and staffing levels, have said that patients who need medical care should not delay going to a hospital or medical clinic even during the strike. Seeking medical care is not considered crossing the picket line, the union said. Providences announcement that it wanted to resume mediation in Medford and Newberg provoked a strong response from the Oregon Nurses Association. Their statements and excuses on why they will not bargain with certain bargaining units remain inconsistent, disingenuous, and contradictory, association representatives wrote in an email responding to Providences press conference. Oregon Nurses Association spokesperson Peter Starzynski also said that Providence has been pressuring striking nurses to return to work, including by distributing flyers that tell workers the choice to work belongs to them. They are feeling the pressure of nearly 5,000 healthcare workers going on strike, Starzynski told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Thats why theyre wanting to return back to the bargaining table. Starzynski added that the nurses association has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Burrows denied that the hospital was pressuring workers to return and said that Providence respects the right of nurses to adhere to the strike if they choose. Your feedback matters Providence patients: How has the strike affected your health care? Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313. LOS ANGELES Arianna Buturovic kept a wary eye on distant smoke from the rescue shelter she runs outside Los Angeles for dogs at risk of being euthanized. Within hours, nearby mountains were ablaze and fire began encircling her. I stuffed 15 dogs in a black Prius and two cats, Buturovic said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his office said Saturday, in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza. It was not immediately clear when David Barnea would travel to Qatars capital, Doha, for the latest round of indirect talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group, but there is U.S. pressure for a deal before the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Barneas presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved. Just one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war, and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. The talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then. Under discussion is a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu signaling he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory, but Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas ability to fight in Gaza. On Thursday, Gazas Health Ministry said over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, the majority women and children, though it doesnt say how many were fighters or civilians. Also being sent to Qatar are the head of Israels Shin Bet internal security agency and military and political advisers. Netanyahus office said the decision followed a meeting with his defense minister, security chiefs and negotiators on behalf of the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations. The office also released a photo showing Netanyahu with President-elect Donald Trumps incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was in Qatar this week. Families of the roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war are pressing Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring their loved ones home. Israelis rallied again on Saturday night in the city of Tel Aviv, with photos of hostages on display. We join together in the hope that the talks in Doha succeed, outgoing U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew said at the rally. Were encouraged by the news today, but we know we cant stop. The recovery of two hostages bodies in the past week renewed fears that time is running out. Hamas has said that after months of heavy fighting, it isnt sure who is alive or dead. Return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland, said a statement by a group representing some hostages families. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week a deal is very close and he hoped to complete it before handing over diplomacy to the incoming Trump administration. But U.S. officials have expressed similar optimism on several occasions over the past year. Issues in the talks have included which hostages would be released in the first part of a phased ceasefire deal, which Palestinian prisoners would be released and the extent of any Israeli troop withdrawal from population centers in Gaza. The toll Hamas and other groups killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages into Gaza in the attack that started the war. A truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year. Israels military announced the deaths of four soldiers in northern Gaza on Saturday, without details. At least 400 soldiers have been killed in the war. Six others were killed this week in largely isolated northern Gaza, where Israel has been pressing an offensive against regrouping Hamas militants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants during the war, without providing evidence. Inside Gaza On Saturday, an airstrike killed a 5-year-old girl and two male relatives in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where an AP team saw them. The girls body, in a pink sweater, was wrapped in foil and placed on the floor of the morgue. Her father knelt and pressed his face to hers. God! he cried. Another Israeli airstrike killed at least eight Palestinians including two children and two women in a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza, according to the Civil Defense, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run government. It said the strike on the Halawa school that shelters displaced people in the Jabaliya area also wounded 30 others, including 19 children. Israels military said it struck a Hamas command center at a former school in Jabaliya, without giving evidence. And a strike killed four people on a street in Gaza City, said Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal. Overall, Gazas Health Ministry said at least 32 bodies had arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours. I ask the world, do you hear us? Do we exist? said Hamza Saleh, one of the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million residents who have been displaced. He spoke on Friday in the southern city of Khan Younis as children and others jostled for food aid, while hunger grows. By WAFAA SHURAFA and NATALIE MELZER Associated Press Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. BRATISLAVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia will honor its commitment to deliver natural gas to Slovakia in the coming months, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told local media on Sunday. Speaking on the TA3 news channel, Fico stated that after the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia on Jan. 1, 2025, alternative routes, including pipelines via Hungary, could be utilized to ensure continued supplies. He said that Slovakia is set to receive between 3 billion and 3.5 billion cubic meters of gas, roughly matching the volume historically imported from Russia through Ukraine each year. The transit halt followed the expiration of the gas contract between Ukraine and Russia on Dec. 31, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decided not to renew. As a result, gas flows to Slovakia ceased on Jan. 1. Despite securing adequate gas storage for the short term, Slovakia still face challenges. Fico said that the country risks to lose 500 million euros (around 510 million U.S. dollars) in gas transit fees previously earned for transporting Russian gas through Ukraine to other European nations. Additionally, the halt is expected to drive up gas prices, exacerbating supply shortages. Fico also warned that the decision by Kyiv would undermine the European Union's (EU's) competitiveness on the global stage, citing that gas prices in Europe are already five times higher than those in the United States. In addition, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has warned the EU of potential trade tariffs on European exports unless member states increase their purchase of American oil and gas. On the same day, a Slovak parliamentary delegation arrived in Moscow, according to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic. The six-member delegation, including Slovak National Council vice speakers Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and visit the Russian State Duma. The visit follows Fico's working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22, 2024. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is sending an additional six teams of firefighters to join the 300 Oregon firefighters who were sent to California on Wednesday to help fight the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires that may be the costliest in U.S. history. The teams include 70 firefighters and 30 water trucks from fire departments across the state, and they will arrive on Sunday morning, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. The Los Angeles-area fires have killed at least 11 people and destroyed more than 12,000 structures since Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. KATU Channel 2, responding to false social media statements this week, reported Saturday that Oregons firetrucks are not being held up by emissions testing in California. No vehicles from Oregon have been turned around, a spokesperson for Cal Fire told the news station. No emissions testing was performed. Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313. President-elect Donald Trumps designs on acquiring (or invading) Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, leads this weeks editorial cartoon gallery. Bill Bramhall portrays Trump as the captain of a Viking ship about to land on Greenlands snowy shore. I thought he was going to lower the price of eggs, says one crew member. By the way, Greenlands leader said no, thank you. Dana Summers has Trump shopping for groceries, plus Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada, a theme echoed by Drew Sheneman. Nick Anderson plays up the irony of targeting allies instead of adversaries. Steve Breen notes that annexing Canada would likely hand the presidency to Democrat Kamala Harris in 2028. Joey Weatherford, Mike Luckovich and Jack Ohman comment on Trumps desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles are another common topic of this weeks batch of editorial cartoons. Breen and David Horsey have similar takes of LA in flames. Michael Ramirez blames the Devil Winds for kindling the destruction. Phil Hands' MAGA man holds a burning Climate change is a hoax sign. The rest of the gallery is devoted to the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, who died at 100; Trumps sentencing in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case; the once again routine certification of the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6; President Joe Bidens rejection of the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger; and the Surgeon Generals warnings on the health perils of modern life. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. In the week before Christmas, Gov. Tina Kotek delivered quite the gift to her labor union allies. Kotek issued a surprise executive order requiring contractors on major state-funded projects to collectively bargain with labor unions over wages, benefits and other conditions for their workers on these projects even if their workers arent unionized. Unfortunately, Koteks generosity comes at a cost for Oregonians. Such mandates for project labor agreements undermine the open and competitive process that state law and good governance call for. Research and experience show they also typically add costs for public projects, which already face increasing prices for materials. And the governors poorly-worded order, made without input from contractors, has generated questions about whether the requirement applies to local affordable housing efforts, university projects and school renovations. Her office is now clarifying that it will only apply to projects owned by the state. With Oregon facing so many deep crises that need the governors focused attention and pragmatic leadership, Kotek should listen to contractors many legitimate criticisms, avoid the potential for drawn-out legal battles and reverse course on her sweeping order. As written, the order calls for all state agencies awarding contracts or providing funds for significant construction projects to require project labor agreements PLAs between contractors and labor unions representing electricians, plumbers and other trades. Under such a requirement, contractors must commit to negotiating a comprehensive set of terms with labor unions in order to bid on the work. These agreements cover far more than wages, which already must meet state minimums for projects of a certain size. Rather, they can include provisions that contractors hire workers only through union-controlled processes, require union dues from workers and mandate contributions to the unions health and retirement plans even if those workers, who are otherwise not union members, will likely never benefit from them. In fact, the vast majority of contractors and subcontractors are not unionized, with estimates of 75% or more being nonunion shops. There are certainly instances in which contractors and labor unions have voluntarily set up project labor agreements, particularly for time-sensitive, complex projects. But theres been an ongoing battle over the states attempts to force contractors to accept labor union participation in major transportation contracts a legal dispute currently under consideration by the Oregon Supreme Court. Koteks order mandating PLAs for state projects in which labor accounts for at least 15% of the cost not only escalates that battle, but appears to go beyond what any other state has in place. Oregon once again is at the forefront of an economic experiment that shows little, if any, upside for the public. Kotek contends that her executive order will provide more certainty and help control expenses because the project labor agreements will prohibit strikes and other costly work stoppages. However, her office could not point to a single such incident that shows this is a problem needing to be solved. Rather, when asked for an example, her office wrote that Kotek was not looking backwards but ahead to several large infrastructure projects that will need stable and sufficient skilled labor to complete. Broad adoption of PLAs across the enterprise will help build a pipeline of skilled workers in Oregon so that contractors do not need to pull in workers from out of state. Koteks order also explicitly notes the labor agreements will help advance the goal of gender and racial equity in contracting by including specific targets. But the governors action ignores the work contractors are already doing to build the workforce and fails to consider the cost impacts. California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill last year that would have mandated project labor agreements for state projects of at least $35 million, specifically calling out the significant fiscal implications. Oregon has its own first-hand experience. The Oregon Department of Transportation issued a bid last September for companies interested in work on the Newberg-Dundee bypass and imposed a project labor agreement requirement. Only one firm submitted a bid, which came in 22% above the agencys projections, prompting the Oregon Transportation Commission to forward an additional $5.9 million for that phase of the project. While some of the increase stemmed from higher materials costs, ODOT also noted higher employee costs for missing the estimate. The governors office concedes that the states inconsistent and infrequent use of PLAs in the past also lent itself to receiving fewer bids on projects where PLAs were required. But the solution Kotek offers is baffling. Her office contends that broad usage and acceptance of the tool will address this issue moving forward. So, increasing the cost of doing business on more projects will somehow result in a lot more bids and lower estimates? Thats some funky math. Contractors even those whom Kotek contends will benefit arent buying it. Nate McCoy, president of the Oregon chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors, said his organization strongly opposes the executive order. Many members are small firms unable to absorb the added administrative and operational costs that come with project labor agreements, he said. We believe that creating opportunities for minority-owned businesses to thrive in an open and competitive environment, with equitable access to resources and support, is the best way to achieve racial equity, he told the editorial board. Similarly, Mike Salsgiver, executive director of Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia chapter, questioned what benefits Oregon will derive. PLAs inflate project costs, meaning taxpayers will get less for their money, either through higher taxes or fewer completed projects, he said in a statement. AGC, which is already involved in the case before the Oregon Supreme Court, is evaluating its options on how to respond to the order, he said. But Kotek can end this by doing the sensible thing and rescinding her executive order. This is one gift she should take back. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: King County Assessor John Wilson, who is running for the countys top leadership position, had a temporary protection order issued against him for seven weeks last year after his domestic partner accused him of stalking and harassment. The protection order, issued last May, barred Wilson from contacting or coming within 1,000 feet of his partner, her home or her workplace. The initial order, barring contact for two weeks, was reissued twice before being dismissed in June after both Wilson and his partner did not appear for a court hearing. Wilson, who has served as the elected county assessor since 2015, announced his campaign for King County executive in November. Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay have also announced campaigns for the open seat as longtime Executive Dow Constantine announced that he wouldnt seek reelection. A former journalist, including for The Seattle Times, Wilson previously served as chief of staff for then-King County Executive Ron Sims. Wilson and his partner, Lee Keller, a prominent local public affairs consultant, have since reconciled and are engaged. Keller, in an email, said she regrets filing the protection order, as evidenced by the fact she let it expire. Relationships can be messy, she wrote in the email. We are happily engaged to be married, and we are planning a wedding. Keller said shes out on the campaign trail with Wilson and fully supports his run for county executive. Hell be fantastic in that role, just as he has been as the assessor, she wrote. John is a wonderful man and Im very much in love with him. Wilson, through a campaign spokesperson, referred to Kellers response and declined further comment. Wilson is also in court proceedings with his ex-wife, who alleges he has repeatedly failed to pay court-ordered spousal support since their 2019 divorce and owes her more than $15,000. Matthew Lundh, the campaign spokesperson, said the issue was an oversight, Wilsons ex-wife has been paid and the matter is resolved. Kiona Gallup, a lawyer for Wilsons ex-wife, said Wilson still owes her $1,500. We respectfully disagree that it was an oversight after multiple email requests for payment were sent from Ms. Wilson to Mr. Wilson, Gallup wrote. There is, unfortunately, a longstanding history of refusal to timely pay support obligations and desire to keep it out of public record. The petition for a protection order tells a story of a tumultuous three-year relationship in which both Wilson and Keller at times contacted law enforcement. It accuses Wilson of making a false report to the police, of falsely accusing Kellers former boyfriend of sexual assault and of creating fake social media accounts to monitor and contact Keller. The protection order lists two aliases for Wilson Dan Herbert and Jack Carlson which Keller alleged were social media personas he used to contact her. She wrote that she blocked Wilson on Facebook and on Instagram and blocked calls from both his personal phone and his King County-issued phone. In seeking the protection order last May, Keller wrote that she was extremely anxious, losing sleep and constantly looking over my shoulder due to his stalking, texting and harassment. Wilson, she wrote, had barged into my home (that I intentionally kept secret from him) and forced his romantic attentions on me by kissing me without my consent. The couple are not married but have been registered domestic partners since 2023. Four times since then they have filed to dissolve the partnership but have changed course and dismissed three of those attempts. They have moved to dismiss the fourth as well, although it remains technically active. Keller wrote that she called police in July 2023 to get Wilson to leave her alone after he dropped flowers, stuffed animals and a Google Home device at her home. In August 2023, according to the request for the protection order, Wilson learned that a friend of Kellers was also an ex-boyfriend. He then tried to get the ex-boyfriend fired, contacting his employer and telling a false story about the ex-boyfriend committing sexual assault, Keller wrote. He deserves my wrath, Wilson wrote in a text message to Keller, she wrote, referring to the ex-boyfriend. Tough (expletive) if he gets fired. At that point she ended the relationship and her lawyer sent Wilson a cease and desist letter notifying him of a pattern of behavior that may be deemed domestic violence under Washington law. Despite the letter, Keller wrote, Wilson used a Ford app to track her to an Issaquah shopping center. Upon seeing him, I literally dropped everything that was in my arms, she wrote, breaking a vase. She ran out of the store and called the police. She accused Wilson of taking photos of her from a distance and then sending them to her, to let her know he was watching. The two eventually reconciled. In March 2024 they signed a lease and moved in together, agreeing to split living expenses. But only a week later, Wilson accused her of lying to me all along about the ex-boyfriend. On April 4, Keller wrote that Wilson came home agitated and asking about the ex-boyfriend. She wrote that she was worried about his pacing and drinking and decided to stay in a hotel for the night. Before I was able to leave, she wrote, John started following me. I asked him to stay away from me, but he kept following, so I quickly closed the laundry room door in my effort to get away from him. He came toward me anyway. I asked him multiple times to get away from me and out of my bubble. He would not leave me alone. Ultimately she left, throwing a ring at Wilson and turning off the tracking apps on her phone. After she left, Wilson called the police and reported that he had been physically assaulted. He told police that Keller had pushed him in the chest, but he was not hurt, according to the police report. When police met with Keller the next day to get her version of what happened, she told them Wilson kept calling and texting her. In the time the officer was there, Wilson had called her approximately 15 times and sent roughly 10 text messages saying that there was an emergency and that she needed to call him, the officer wrote. The officer offered to answer her phone and ask Wilson to stop calling her. While the officer was talking with Keller, Wilson called 911 to report a verbal DV that occurred earlier in the day, the officer wrote. Keller then moved into a new home, the location of which she tried to keep secret from Wilson. But on April 20, Wilson appeared on her doorstep after bragging that he was able to find her using meta data, Keller wrote. He stayed at her door, knocking, ringing the bell and texting for about five minutes despite her telling him to leave, she wrote. When she finally opened the door to tell him to leave, she wrote, he barged in, grabbed me and kissed me. Two days later, Wilson wrote to the police, asking to amend the statements he had made when he reported the assault. Upon reflection, I think I was in the frame of mind where I exaggerated the incident as far more serious than it was, he wrote. Ms. Keller never hurt or injured me when in the heat of our argument she moved me back from standing in front of her. In addition, I never felt in fear of Ms. Keller, or thought for an instant she might want to hurt or injure me. He wrote that they deeply love and care about one another and he regretted calling the police. He sent flowers to Kellers supposed-to-be undisclosed address. Keller filed her request for a protection order on May 9. It was reissued on May 23 and again on June 5. It was dismissed on June 27 after both Keller and Wilson failed to show up for a court hearing. Two weeks later, Wilson and Keller were together at a political fundraiser. On July 17, they jointly filed to dismiss the latest case that would have dissolved their domestic partnership. ___ (c)2025 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and his wife celebrate victory with supporters after winning the presidential runoff in Zagreb, Croatia on Jan. 12, 2025. Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic convincingly won the presidential runoff held on Sunday, beating his rival Dragan Primorac with a commanding lead, according to the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC). With 99.59 percent of the votes processed, Milanovic garnered 74.67 percent, leaving Primorac far behind with 25.33 percent, the SEC reported. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua) ZAGREB, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic convincingly won the presidential runoff held on Sunday, beating his rival Dragan Primorac with a commanding lead, according to the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC). With 99.59 percent of the votes processed, Milanovic garnered 74.67 percent, leaving Primorac far behind with 25.33 percent, the SEC reported. There are more than 3.7 million legitimate voters in Croatia, and the turnout rate in the runoff is about 44.15 percent, the SEC said. Delivering a victory speech at his campaign headquarters, Milanovic said the runoff result showcased the Croatian people's trust on him. "I see this as an approval of my work in the last five years, this victory is a great recognition for me, an act of people's trust on me," Milanovic said, calling for cooperation between him, supported by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Croatian government led by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Speaking at his campaign headquarters, Primorac conceded defeat, acknowledging the voters' decision. "Zoran Milanovic and I share completely different spiritual, moral, professional values and thoughts about the future of our homeland. The decision was made by the citizens democratically and should be respected," he said. However, neither Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, head of the HDZ, nor Primorac congratulated Milanovic for his re-election, a move criticized by former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and many others in Croatia. In the first round of election on Dec. 29, 2024, Milanovic led the pack of eight candidates with 49.09 percent of the vote. Primorac, backed by the HDZ, secured second place with 19.35 percent. According to Croatian law, if no candidate wins more than half of the votes in the first round, the two leading candidates advance to a runoff held two weeks later. Milanovic entered the second round with a strong advantage, reflecting the historic gap of approximately 30 percentage points between the two leading candidates - the largest since Croatia's independence in 1991, local media noted. Ahead of the Sunday runoff, the latest polls had forecasted Milanovic's victory, with 62.5 percent of respondents expressing support for Milanovic compared to 27.8 percent for Primorac. Milanovic, born in 1966, was elected president for the first time during the presidential runoff held five years ago. Prior to that, he served as a Croatian diplomat to the European Union and NATO, and he was Croatian prime minister from December 2011 to January 2016. Some Western media labeled Milanovic as a NATO critic because he has opposed sending officers to participate in NATO training for Ukrainian soldiers. He has also said that the United States and NATO were engaged in a proxy war against Russia through Ukraine, and slammed Western sanctions on Russia as absurd and useless. A Croatian president serves a five-year term and can seek re-election once. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and his wife celebrate victory with supporters after winning the presidential runoff in Zagreb, Croatia on Jan. 12, 2025. Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic convincingly won the presidential runoff held on Sunday, beating his rival Dragan Primorac with a commanding lead, according to the Croatian State Election Commission (SEC). With 99.59 percent of the votes processed, Milanovic garnered 74.67 percent, leaving Primorac far behind with 25.33 percent, the SEC reported. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua) (At the close of the year our Zen sangha held a Rohatsu retreat. There were several talks I thought should be shared a bit more widely. Ive gathered permission and here is the first among them. It was given by the Reverend Tetsugen Tom Baker. Tom is a Zen priest in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. He is a long time teacher at the juncture of recovery and Buddhist meditation.) Be still and know that I am God. This invitation from Psalms points to the importance of stillness in spiritual work. It is the ground for exploring the topic of this retreat, Awakening to the World. Our time together this weekend is spent in stillness and silence. Awakening, though born of stillness, is a dynamic process. Awakening is a spiritual journey, not a destination. It leads to nothing less than a profound shift in consciousness, and often a reevaluation of beliefs, values, or priorities. Most importantly for this talk, it can lead to healing. I will be talking about awakening from both Buddhism and Christianity perspectives. I find these approaches to be complementary. Both traditions pointing toward mindful living and compassionate action. I will also propose a universal need for awakening and walk you through a practical example of a path to awakening. I have been a student of Zen for close to 20 years, and recently began to explore the Christianity of my youth through the lens of my Zen practice. I am struck by St. Lukes declaration, The Kingdom of God is within you. This resonates deeply with me. I have spent time in the Hell realms. I have lived in the realm of the Hungry Ghosts. I have inhabited the animal world, the human world, and the world of the devas. I have experienced the Divine. This is the whole Circle of Life, and it exists inside of me, and inside all of you. Every one of you is perfect. You have everything you need. And, as Suzuki-Roshi famously added, You could use a little work. Awakening is that work. In the Christian tradition awakening involves attuning to a Divine presence and living in that divine love. Christ is offered as the expression of that love. More than the dogma, like Thich Nhat Hanh I am moved by the Christ story. His ministry is an example of compassion which is empathy leading to action. He ministered to those who suffered. This came from seeing their suffering, and being moved by compassion to acts of kindness and healing, much like the Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara who is portrayed with 1000 eyes to see the suffering in the world, and 1000 arms to help all beings. Prayer helps to lead us into that Divine compassion. Ill talk more about prayer in a moment. In Buddhism, awakening refers to enlightenment, an insight into the nature of reality- things as they are. Dogen Zenji wrote, Practice is enlightenment. You could also say, Enlightenment is practice. Awakening is enlightenment is Practice is awareness. And enlightenment is nothing special. It is simply living with our eyes open. Easier said than done. Like Christianity, this enlightenment/awakening is expressed in compassionate action. This is the Boddhisatva Vow: to live for the benefit of all beings. My friend Jeffrey Schneider explained living by the Boddhisatva Vow with this story. You are on a long trek through the wilderness. You have walked for several days without seeing any signs of another human being. You come to a clearing and see a barn. This barn is incredibly long, so long that the end recedes into the forest. You cannot see the end of the barn it is so long. As you near the barn, you start to hear crying. You open the door and see cribs lining both sides extending beyond your vision. Each crib contains a crying infant. They all need to be fed, their diapers need to be changed, and they need to be held and soothed. What do you do? What do you do? I suggest you pick up the first baby and start taking care of it. Then the next, and the next, and so on and so on and so on. Both traditions, Christian and Buddhist, answer a fundamental need to awaken to our lives. In The Teachings of the Buddha , it is recorded that Buddha said, Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. This need appears across all cultures and time. From what I can tell, it appears in all religions, faith traditions, and indigenous practices. This is fundamentally the need for a transcendent experience. This transcendence is a state of being where one goes beyond ordinary perceptions and limitations. Often a spiritual or religious state, it is also seen in rave music culture and psychedelic drug use. It broadens and intensifies our outlook and provides a greater sense of connection. A greater sense of community. Religious rituals often evolve as attempts to recreate the founders original transcendent experience. I had a professor who described this experience as Something Happened. Our sitting practice grew out of the Buddhas transcendent experience sitting under the Bodhi tree and awakening. Similar transcendent experiences include Christs resurrection, and Moses at the Burning Bush. Something Happened. In each case, the experience was an awakening, and the result of a spiritual journey. Tonight, I want to offer the 12 Steps of recovery as a roadmap of one type of spiritual journey. This is a path of personal and spiritual growth, and it leads to waking up. I have experienced this waking up. My experience in addiction was like a dream. I was basically sleep-walking for many years, barely aware at times what was going on. I had little control over what substances I was putting into my body. It was a fugue state, and I look back on it like a nightmare at times. My drug of choice was alcohol, followed by whatever I could get. It is interesting that alcohol is often called spirits. The origin of the word spirit is the Latin spiritus meaning breath. It was associated with the supernatural (and the divine). This dates to 14-century alchemists. They noticed that the transformation in consciousness that occurred when someone drank alcohol was like an alchemical process. They thought this supernatural, hence the name. At an early age I learned that I could change my consciousness with chemicals. It was transcendent in many ways. When using substances, I felt connected to people, and my reality was changed. For example, psychedelics showed me the intractable nature of my home situation and suggested a way out. I think that chemical abuse can be the near enemy of the desire for transcendence, an escape from difficult places. This could be partly why there is such a strong correlation between childhood trauma and addiction. We learned at an early age to change that which we could not tolerate. Recently I read The Intimate Way of Zen by James Ishmael Ford. In it he describes three fundamental motivations for a spiritual quest. First, noticing something is wrong. Second, discovering a hope that things can be better. Third, setting an intention to strive to make things better. I was struck by how closely these mirrored the first 3 steps in the 12 Step program. These first 3 steps are all that is needed to start this spiritual journey. In the first step, we admit we cant control the substance, or the behavior (something is wrong). In the second step we came to believe recovery is possible (discovering hope). Third, we turn our will over and start working the rest of the steps (making an intention.) The remainder of the Steps are movement along this path and are based on spiritual principles. In Steps 4 and 5 we engage in deep self-examination. We look at our fears, resentments and harms done. We put this to paper and share this with a trusted spiritual friend and whatever Higher Power you want. It is important that we take refuge in the Sangha in this and not go it alone. I did this for the first time with a dear woman who was helping me. As I was reading it, I suddenly felt a presence in the room, a warm, healing, beneficent presence. We were alone. She then asked, Do you feel that? We both did. Was this the Holy Spirit? The ghosts of my ancestors? A psychological trick? Mass delusion? I dont know. I just know that Something Happened and it changed my life. In Steps 6 and 7 we look at the habit energy behind our actions, actions that caused suffering in ourselves and others. Very often these tendencies are the remains of defense mechanisms that no longer work. We then develop more skillful ways of moving through life. Steps 8 and 9 give us the chance to change our karma by making amends to those we have harmed. They may or may not accept the amends, but the karmic repair has begun. We use Steps 10 and 11 to develop a prayer practice and a meditation practice. We continue self-reflection. When I was first starting to pray in this context, I felt like a phony praying to a God in whom I didnt believe. I told this to my Zen teacher who replied, Which is more important: the reality of who you are praying to, or the sincerity of the intention in your heart? This was the turning word I needed to start to develop an intention-based prayer practice. Finally, the 12th Step states, Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. This is the main promise of the 12 Steps: that you will have a spiritual awakening after working the Steps. And the charge is then to be of service to others. As a result of this awakening, I found healing. I found a way out of addiction. This promise of a spiritual awakening is why I offered this model today. This model uses mindfulness and skillful action as tools on the Spiritual Path. These principles can be adopted by anyone. Deep self-reflection. Developing a trusted spiritual friend. Look at problematic behavioral tendencies, and work to balance our karmic effects on others. Pray. Meditate. Be of service. The last thing I want to touch on was mentioned by the other Tom this morning. When we awaken, we awaken to everything, including all the negativity in the world. In the immediate wake of the recent election, my first reaction was to turn my back on it. I limited social media and stopped obsessively following the latest news bulletins. But the Boddhisatva does not to turn away from suffering. Ignoring suffering is not the Vow I took. I can protect my sanity by taking my news a little stale, as I have heard it described. I read analysis rather indulge in the never-ending flood of outrage. We are in a bardo period right now between the election and the end of January. In the bardo you prepare for the next life. I am still exploring what that preparation is for this next phase. Our trans brothers and sisters will need us. Our immigrant neighbors will need us. Our planet needs us. Our democracy needs us. So, my determination is to be ready. We will know when the time for action is here. I pray for courage to act. In conclusion, awareness is transformative process whether Christian, Buddhist, or other traditions. As The Thich Nhat Hahn pointed out, there is healing power in this work which is rooted in love and understanding. Enlightenment, for a wave in the ocean, is the moment the wave realizes it is water The annual Consumer Electronics Show is always a massive event that sees dozens of laptops announced, but CES 2025 was especially notable. Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm all made significant hardware announcements, and those announcements meant every laptop maker had a hoard of refreshed, upgraded laptops to show. But the show wasnt just about the hardware. CES 2025 also saw Lenovo debut the worlds first rollable OLED laptop, a serious new MacBook Air competitor from Asus, and a flagship gaming laptop that seems a bit too obsessed with Skyrim. Much like we did with our roundup of the best monitors at the show, these are the best laptops of CES 2025. Further reading: The best PC and home tech of CES 2025 Acer Aspire Vero 16 Acer Acer found an unusual way to generate headlines at CES 2025: it made a laptop out of oyster shells. Well, partially, at least. The Aspire Vero uses up to 70% PCR and bio-based materials in its chassis. Basically, its made of recyclables and gunk. Its a bit odd, then, that the Aspire Vero 16 is among the more appealing entry-level laptops at the show. The chassis isnt fancy, but the PCR materials provide the laptop with a unique look and texture. Its not flashy, but it stands out. Materials aside, the Aspire Vero 16 is a simple, versatile machine. It has Intel Core Ultra 200H processors, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 1TB of storage. Its affordable, too, at $799.99 to start. Look to see it hit stores in Q2 2025. Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16-inch Samsung Samsung brought its latest flagship Galaxy Book, the Galaxy Book5 Pro, to CES 2025. It packs an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor with an NPU capable of up to 47 TOPS. RAM starts at 16GB and runs up to 32GB, while storage starts at 256GB and runs up to 1TB. Expect lengthy battery life, as well, as Samsung is quoting up to 25 hours (for the 16-inch model). As with prior Galaxy Book laptops, the display is a highlight. The Galaxy Book5 Pro has a 3K 120Hz touchscreen. Its perhaps not as unique as it once was, since many competitors are adopting OLED, but still looks great. Connectivity is solid, too, with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and even a MicroSD card slot. Pricing is to be announced, but the wait wont be long, as Samsung says the laptop will ship in February. Lenovo ThinkBook Plus 6 Rollable Matt Smith/Foundry The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus 6 Rollable is the first consumer laptop (or tablet, or smartphone) to ship with a rollable OLED display. The display is 14 inches when retracted but, with the touch of a button, a motorized roller on the hinge expands the display vertically to 16.7 inches diagonally (thats a 50 percent increase). While the rollable feature is innovative, the laptop otherwise looks and feels refreshingly normal. An unsuspecting observer might not notice anything different about the laptop until the display unfurls. The Rollable is as powerful as other 14-inch business laptops, too, as it has Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processors and can equip up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of solid state storage. Theres just one catch: the price. Lenovo says the Rollable will retail at $3,499 in June of 2025. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Matt Smith/Foundry Lenovos new flagship gaming laptop, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, received an extensive refresh with a new look for CES 2025. The highlight, I think, is the new RGB-LED lighting that lines the Legion logo and the exhaust vents. Flashy lighting is nothing new for gaming laptops, but the Legion Pro 7is RGB-LED lights are bright, vibrant, and well-integrated into the chassis. I think they look awesome. Lighting aside, the Legion Pro 7i relies on Lenovos typical strategy in the gaming space: it delivers good bang for the buck. The laptop has up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275H processors and up to Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics. Lenovo also boasts about the Coldfront Hyper cooling system, which is promised to support a total system TDP of 250 watts. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i will retail at $2,399 in March 2025. Asus Zenbook A14 Matt Smith/Foundry The Asus Zenbook A14 is the companys first laptop to use its unique ceraluminum finish, which bonds a ceramic exterior to an aluminum interior, across a laptops entire chassis (instead of just the display lid). Its also built from magnesium-aluminum alloy, a common and lightweight material. The result is a slim, portable laptop with a look and feel unlike anything else on the market. Picking up the machine reminded me of handling a premium notebook or a slim hardcover book. The Zenbook A14 weighs about 2.1 pounds and measures about six-tenths of an inch thick. Inside, the laptop relies on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X or X Elite processor, depending on the model, and is equipped with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of solid state storage. Asus says the 70 watt-hour battery can provide up to 32 hours of battery life (though that, Im sure, is a best-case scenario). The Zenbook A14 is my overall pick of the show. Its attractive, portable and, perhaps best of all, affordable at a starting price of $899. However, the entry-level model wont ship till March. A higher-end model will be sold through Best Buy for $1099 starting January 13. Asus ROG Flow Z13 Asus The 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13, like its predecessors, is a unique gaming-focused PC tablet that tries to mesh portability with high-end gaming performance. This time around, however, it packs AMDs radical new Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, which combines 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and 40 powerful RDNA 3.5 graphics CUs on a single chip, then tosses in a 50 TOPS NPU for good measure. The chips unified design can dynamically share the tablets memory (up to 128GB of RAM) between processing and graphics tasks as needed. We werent to test the chip on the CES 2025 show floor, but its specifications are intriguing, and it seems better suited for a Windows tablet device than the Nvidia RTX 40-series discrete GPUs found in prior models. The ROG Flow Z13 starts at $1999.99, but youll need to spend $2,199.99 to snag the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. Availability is expected in Q1 2025. Asus Chromebook CX14 Matt Smith/Foundry CES 2025 felt like a light year for Chromebooks, with most laptop makers having few or no ChromeOS devices to show, but the Asus Chromebook CX14 caught my attention. Thats mostly thanks to its design. Prior iterations already looked good and, this year, Asus showed off several new colors (Quiet Blue, Misty Grey, and Fabric Blue), each with its own textured finish. These options are a fun touch to an already solid ChromeOS line-up. Its also easy to pack with a thickness under eight-tenth of an inch, and it tips the scales a hair over three pounds. The hardware is less exciting. The Chromebook CX14 will ship with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor. RAM starts at 4GB (up to 16GB) and storage starts at 32GB (up to 128GB). Thankfully, though, it ships with a 1080p display and a good mix of connectivity which includes a USB-C port for charging the laptop. The Asus Chromebook CX14 starts at $199.99. Availability wasnt announced. Razer Blade 16 Razer Razer came to CES 2025 with a new, slimmer Blade 16 that the company boasts is the thinnest Razer laptop ever designed at just 0.59 inches thick. This is said to be achieved through innovations in the vapor chamber cooling system. Despite its slim profile, the Razer Blade 16 will continue to boast powerful hardware. It supports AMD Ryzen AI processors up to the Ryzen AI 9 370 HX and can handle Nvidias most powerful new mobile GPU, the GeForce RTX 5090. It will also ship with a QHD OLED display that can hit a refresh rate of up to 240Hz. I think that, as with prior models, the Blade 16 will be a popular choice among gamers and professionals who want a lot of performance in a slim machine. Upgrades aside, the Razer Blade 16 looks a lot like prior modelswhich is probably how Razer fans would prefer it. Pricing remains to be announced, and availability is expected in Q1 2025. MSI Stealth A16 AI+ Matt Smith/Foundry The MSI Stealth line-up is secretly among the best options for people who want a powerful do-it-all laptop for work and play, and the new MSI Stealth A16 AI+ reinforces that. The revised model receives several upgrades, the most important of which is new Nvidia RTX 50-series hardware up to the RTX 5090. MSI also equips the laptop with a new QHD OLED display, which is nice, as the prior model had an IPS display when I reviewed it (and it was the laptops biggest weakness). True to its name, the Stealth A16 AI+ looks subtle despite its powerful hardware. The laptop measures less than eight-tenths of an inch thick and weighs under 4.5 pounds. It also lacks the flair found on MSIs gaming laptop, instead opting for a classy but understated look. The laptop is even equipped with a massive 99 watt-hour battery. MSI didnt quote battery life when I asked, but if the prior model is any indication, it should last about eight to 10 hours in lighter workloads. Price and availability are not announced but expect to hear more in Q1 2025. MSI Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Norse Myth Matt Smith/Foundry MSI isnt one to shy away from extreme laptop design, but it went all-out at CES 2025 with the Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Norse Myth. This gigantic, thick beast of an 18-inch laptop has a gorgeous, textured display lid that feels like an ode to Skyrim (or, perhaps, the latest God of War titles). I guarantee it looks even more wild in person than in pictures, but its not a concept. This laptop is going to retail. Beneath the new exterior, however, its still a Titan 18 HX. Which is good, because the Titan 18 HX is an excellent laptop. As expected, this model has hardware upgrades that include up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics, four M.2 SSD slots (one of which is PCIe 5), and an 18-inch 4K Mini-LED screen with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. MSI said RAM goes up to 96GB. Pricing and availability werent announced but I expect that, as with prior models, it will soar north of $5,000. And if youre not really into dragons, dont worry. MSI will still offer a new Titan 18 HX with a less lavish design. By Nathan Willison, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) Church attendance in the United States has been declining for decades. In 2000, only 42% of Americans attended religious services nearly every week, and by 2020, that number had fallen to 30%, according to Gallup, the polling and survey organization that has tracked American religious attitudes and practices since the 1960s. Mainline Christian churches established denominations including Methodists, Baptists and Lutherans, which once dominated the American religious landscape have seen some of the sharpest declines. The most significant exception has been the nondenominational Christian movement. Nondenominational churches establish themselves locally, independent of traditional Christian denominations. Most nondenominational congregations have no ties to a national governing body or formal creed. In Lancaster County, nondenominational churches include the Worship Center in Leola, Calvary Church in Manheim Township and LCBC, which is based in Rapho Township with campuses statewide, including four in the county. Members of nondenominational churches are younger and attend religious services more frequently, and their congregations are growing, researchers who study Americas changing religious habits have found. While the practices at nondenominational Christian congregations can vary, researchers say the vast majority of nondenominational churches follow an evangelical tradition. Evangelicalism is a movement found throughout Protestant churches, characterized by its emphasis on Biblical scripture as the sole basis of faith, personal conversion experiences and working to actively convert new followers. [Check out the data in the chart below, or click here for a closer look.] Religious affiliation of Lancaster County Christians from 2010 to 2020.Source: The Association of Religious Data Archives Much of the data collected on nondenominational churches has come from the U.S. Religion Census conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. The association is a nonprofit organization which conducts nationwide estimates of the number of Americans associated with specific religious traditions every 10 years. The decennial study was originally conducted by the U.S. government from 1890 through 1936, then fell to the National Council of Churches for several decades before it was taken up by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies in 1990. The study uses a mix of self-reported data from religious groups as well as surveys put together by researchers to estimate the attendance and growth of various religious traditions, including nondenominational Christianity. A spreading change Scott Thumma, director of the Connecticut-based Hartford Institute for Religious Research, has led the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodiesdata gathering on nondenominational churches since 2010, an extraordinary challenge given the decentralized nature of the congregations. Around 2000, Thumma began noticing a growing trend: churches were splitting from national denominations and choosing to remain independent. With little research being done on this phenomenon, Thumma began surveying these congregations to determine how they were changing the American religious landscape. What we are seeing is an increasing number of people saying theyre not affiliated with a denomination but are still going to church, Thumma said. Leading this trend are the megachurches, protestant Christian churches that draw 2,000 or more people every weekend. About half of megachurches tend to be nondenominational, Thumma said. But almost all of the largest megachurches are essentially nondenominational. They dont need a denominational label, and they dont need the structure or authority of a denomination. They are essentially a denomination unto themselves. Thumma described nondenominational megachurches as dominating the current religious marketplace in the United States. The 2010 edition of the religion census estimated about 12.2 million Americans were associated with nondenominational Christian churches, around 8% of Americans involved in organized religion. By 2020, that estimate had jumped to more than 21 million or 13%. Traditional denominations including Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists have all seen decline in the number of adherents to their churches. The U.S. Religion Census broadly defines adherents as official members of a congregation, children of members and regular attendees of religious services who are not yet official members. If they were counted as one group, nondenominational Christians would constitute the third largest group of religious adherents in the United States, behind Catholics and Southern Baptists. In Lancaster County, the trend has been no less dramatic. The U.S. Religion Census estimates that in 2010 there were roughly 40,000 nondenominational Christians in the county, growing to around 70,000 in 2020. If the data is correct, nondenominational Christians make up about 13% of the countys total population and at least 25% of churchgoing residents. An impossible task Thumma said there are many difficulties with collecting accurate data on a religious movement that is decentralized by design. While the U.S. Religion Census relies on national and regional leaders of traditional denominations to self-report attendance at their churches, researchers looking for information on the nondenominational movement are largely on their own. Megachurches of Lancaster County LCBC, which is based in Rapho Township, has campuses statewide, including four in Lancaster County: LCBC Manheim, 2392 Mount Joy Road, Manheim LCBC Willow Street, 100 E. Cottage Ave., Millersville LCBC Lancaster City, 313 W. Liberty St. Lancaster LCBC Ephrata, 6 Hahnstown Road, Ephrata The Worship Center, Upper Leacock Township, at 2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster Calvary Church, Manheim Township, at 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster SOURCE: Hartford Institute Thumma said there are many difficulties with collecting accurate data on a religious movement that is decentralized by design. While the U.S. Religion Census relies on national and regional leaders of traditional denominations to self-report attendance at their churches, researchers looking for information on the nondenominational movement are largely on their own. The religion census only began tracking the nondenominational movement as a unique entity in 2000, an initial survey that Thumma said was highly inadequate. Thumma said the methodology has greatly improved with each new edition of the census, leading to more accurate numbers over time. Tracking all the nondenominational churches is an impossible task, Thumma said. While we have limited resources, we are getting closer to the full picture. Thumma and his fellow researchers use a combination of methods to reach their estimates on the spread of the nondenominational movement, from scraping the internet for church openings to estimating the size of a congregation based on its parking lot. Despite the difficulties, Thumma believes the research is worthwhile. This is where the growth in faith has been in the United States, Thumma said. If you want to fully understand where American religious life is headed, you have to have a clear picture of this phenomenon. (c)2025 LNP (Lancaster, Pa.) Visit LNP (Lancaster, Pa.) at lancasteronline.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Rory Sykes, a former child star actor, has died in the California fires, according to multiple reports. He was just 32. Sykes, who is from Australia, was reportedly killed when the fire took out his familys estate in Malibu on January 8, his mother, Shelley Sykes, said in a post to X. It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son (Rory Sykes) to the Malibu fires yesterday, she wrote. Im totally heart broken. British born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes was the founder with me of @happycharity a true humanitarian. She wrote that her son was born blind with cerebral palsy and had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica. She said her son had his own cottage on their 17-acre estate in Malibu and that when cinders jumped to his roof she was not able to put them out with a hose because the water was switched off. Even the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day! she added. Shelley Sykes said that she could not lift her son to move him because she has a broken arm. He said, Mom leave me, and no mom can leave their kid, she told Australias 10 News First. And Ive got a broken arm, I couldnt lift him. I couldnt move him. Rory Sykes played in the British TV series Kiddy Kapers in 1998. He also became a professional speaker, who worked with the Tony Robbins Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. OTTAWA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Transport Minister Anita Anand announced on social media Saturday her decision not to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party or to run for re-election as an MP. "Now that the Prime Minister has made his decision to move to his next chapter, I have determined the time is right for me to do the same, and to return to my prior professional life of teaching, research and public policy analyses," Anand wrote. The Liberal Party of Canada announced Thursday that the nationwide race to choose the next leader of the party will conclude on March 9. Anand is the third cabinet minister to bow out. Both Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said they would not run in the upcoming race while focusing on their jobs in the cabinet to respond to unjustified threat of tariffs from the president-elect of the United States. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he was stepping down and would stay on as prime minister until his successor is chosen. Governor General Mary Simon has prorogued the parliament until March 24, giving the new prime minister 15 days to make the transition. Alina Habba, the incoming counselor to President-elect Donald Trump, is taking heat this weekend after gushing over Andrew Tate during a Friday appearance on Benny Johnsons podcast. Tate, 38, and his brother, Tristan, 36, are currently facing human trafficking charges in Romania. They have denied those charges. Tate also has a well-documented history of misogynistic comments and views. What does Habba think of that? Hey, she said to Tate on Johnsons show. Nice to meet you! Im a big fan! Well, nice to meet you! Tate responded. Im a fan! Youre the one saving Trump. Youre doing more important work than me! America. America. Not just Trump, Habba responded. And I agree with everything you just said. And I think that your anger is the same that President Trump has for our country. And the time is now for us to stop being wimps. I think thats exactly the right sentiment. And I also have to say that I sympathize with you because I think you go through a lot of the same show me the person, Ill find the crime that President Trump has gone through. She was not done showing Tate the love. Its ironic that Benny has you on today, because as you know, President Trump just got sentenced in what literally will be one of the most tragic stories in American history and democracy and the justice system that I used to be proud of being part of, she said. But I agree with everything you say, and I have your back out here in the States. And when I saw that you were going to be one, I said to Benny, I have to meet Andrew Tate! There is literally only one person with the same amount of anger and fire, she continued. Thats probably me and President Trump. But its because you love whats right and youre being under siege. And I see it and just keep fighting. I mean, Im here for it! You know, there is no time anymore for weakness. We are being destroyed, and we need strong, powerful voices like yours. And, yeah I got your back over here. Among the accusations against the Tates, per the BBC, Romanias public prosecutors office said in August that it had a second criminal investigation involving the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. Trumps attorney and Senior Advisor @AlinaHabba appeared on @bennyjohnson's show tonight, expressing sympathy for Andrew Tate, saying she's a 'big fan' and shes 'got his back.' This is alarming. Supporting a man accused of rape and human trafficking - including minors - will pic.twitter.com/BhLFPaVV8j Lucy Brown (@lucymarionbrown) January 10, 2025 The outlet said that UK police are also seeking the extradition of the brothers in relation to accusations of rape and human trafficking. Again, the brothers have denied the allegations, but folks naturally had thoughts about Habbas admiration for Andrew. A woman (Alina Habba) telling Andrew Tate that is close to Trump that shes a big fan of Andrew Tate is the publicity nightmare of the ages, one person wrote on X. This has nothing to do with the legalities. Really? A big fan? What did we vote for And there were plenty more comments like that on social media. There were plenty of headlines, too, across media. Habba has yet to respond to the uproar. The 40-year-old New Jersey native has a tie to the Harrisburg area. She was a 2010 graduate of the Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg. Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has been fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness due to the use of his helmet in a hit against Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Najee Harris. On the play, Harris leaked out of the backfield for a reception and broke multiple tackles. Pratt came from his right side and smacked him directly in the helmet. After the play, Harris was down for a few minutes before being escorted off and inspected for a concussion. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt was fined $22,511 for Unnecessary Roughness for the use of a helmet on this hit to Steelers RB Najee Harris. pic.twitter.com/E5fTYiYTjG Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 11, 2025 Pratt was not called for a penalty on the field, but this fine acknowledges that it should have been a 15-yard penalty in addition to the play. He was not the only one fined in this game, however. Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was also fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness. He grabbed the facemask of Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt as they were going to the ground on a contested catch. BALTIMORE -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is heading to free agency this offseason, and the former first-round pick could land in a new spot. However, Harris has not considered where he will go after the Steelers' loss to the Baltimore Ravens. While he understands the significance of this offseason for him as the likely only chance not consideredto hit free agency in his prime as a running back, that comes with a lot of deliberation and trying to get the best deal possible. I havent given that much thought at all, Harris said Harris had just six carries for 17 yards on Saturday. With the Steelers, he has put up four straight 1000-yard seasons since he was drafted out of Alabama. He is the only player to do that during the span. Harris played every single game over those four years, becoming a bastion of health and consistency for the Steelers even through some muddy years they faced. However, his efficiency never followed, but a lot of that was due to scheme and poor offensive line play that never got better over the tenure. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option in May, citing their questions about Harris' fit within the offensive scheme that Arthur Smith would be bringing over from Atlanta. Flash At least 16 people have been killed by blazes as thousands of firefighters race to battle spreading wildfires across Los Angeles County, the most populous U.S. county, local authorities said Saturday. According to a list of fatalities published by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, death toll from wildfires rose to 16 as of Saturday evening. Eleven of the dead were related to the Eaton Fire and five were found in the Palisades Fire zone. The deadly Eaton Fire, which broke out Tuesday evening, has scorched 14,117 acres (57.1 square km) near Altadena and Pasadena and was 15 percent contained as of Saturday afternoon. The fire remained active overnight and is burning in an area with steep inaccessible terrain and critically dry vegetation, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in a situation summary update. Aerial imagery overlays show approximately 7,081 structures may have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. The Palisades Fire, the largest of at least five active wildfires in the Los Angeles region, has scorched 22,660 acres (91.7 square km) and has destroyed more than 5,300 structures since Tuesday. The blaze was 11 percent contained so far. "Firefighting efforts continue to concentrate on building and improving containment lines with a focus on public safety and structure protection. For today, north to northeast winds will gradually increase, peaking in strength this evening and overnight," said CAL FIRE in an update. CAL FIRE noted that moderate to strong warm and dry Santa Ana winds "are likely to return Tuesday and Wednesday, creating critical fire weather conditions." California Governor Gavin Newsom said Saturday that he is doubling the California National Guard deployment to aid in firefighting, and public safety resources are deployed to fight the Los Angeles fires, with 1,680 California National Guardsmen now active in the region. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the utility for city residents, said Saturday that one-fifth of its hydrants in the Palisades area sustained a loss of pressure during this week's deadly wildfire, reported Los Angeles Times, the biggest newspaper on U.S. West Coast. Firefighters battling the fire earlier this week encountered swaths of fire hydrants with no water, prompting a swirl of criticism. Description Join us for an afternoon of music and theatre with local Great Neck performers and playwrights! A Shadow of Her Own is a fictional account of the mudslinging and corruption of the 1896 U.S. Presidential election played out in New York City. It enacts a feminist manifesto aimed at male chauvinism, misogyny, and sexual abuse, especially in journalistic circles. The main characters are Lucian Dan Cody and Ellen Bayne Collins, loosely based on aspects of the lives of writer/journalist Ambrose Bierce (1842-c.1914) and investigative journalist/author Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane, 1864-1922). The performance will be at the Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, NY, on Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required. Great Neck cardholders and residents can register online, in-person, or via phone. Non-residents are welcome as walk-ins, as space allows. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org. Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) operates the world's largest ride-hailing network, in addition to highly successful food delivery and commercial freight networks. The company is on the cusp of a major transformation thanks to autonomous technologies. Uber has signed 14 partnerships with developers of self-driving cars, robots, and even aircraft so far. Since human drivers are the company's largest cost right now, the shift to autonomous solutions could result in hundreds of billions of dollars in savings over time. In fact, I think Uber stock could soar fivefold over the next decade because of the potential boost to its revenue and earnings. Here's how it could turn a $200,000 investment into $1 million by 2035. Image source: Getty Images. Autonomy could transform Uber's economics Over 161 million people use Uber's platform every month across ride-hailing, food delivery, and commercial freight. During the last four quarters, the company accepted $156.1 billion in gross bookings across all three of those segments. That figure represents the total amount customers paid for every ride, food order, and commercial delivery. Of the $156.1 billion in gross bookings, Uber paid a whopping $69.7 billion to its drivers alone, which makes them the company's largest cost by a wide margin. After stripping out driver costs and the money paid to restaurants for food orders, Uber was left with just $41.9 billion in actual revenue. Then, after the company accounted for its operating costs like marketing and research and development, it generated a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income (profit) of $4.8 billion. That represents a mere fraction of its gross bookings, which is why autonomous vehicles could have such a big impact on Uber's business. If self-driving cars and robots reduce Uber's reliance on human drivers, they could put at least $69.7 billion back into the company's pocket each year. Some of that cost might be replaced by fees payable to the developers of each self-driving vehicle using Uber's network, but since they can operate 24/7 with negligible ongoing expenses, there will almost certainly be major savings. Theoretically, Uber could also buy entire fleets of self-driving vehicles and operate them itself in order to pocket all the revenue. Uber's partners are among the leading developers of autonomous technologies As mentioned, Uber has already signed partnerships with 14 different companies that develop self-driving vehicles. One of the biggest is Alphabet subsidiary Waymo, which already completes more than 100,000 fully autonomous paid trips every week across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The two companies recently expanded their deal to bring autonomous rides to Austin and Atlanta in 2025. Oba Otudeko, a former chairman of the directors board of FBN Holdings, is seeking to return to the top hierarchy of the lender, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Mr Otudeko was ousted in 2022 following a shake-up at the financial institution by the Central Bank of Nigeria that indicted the industrialist for breach of corporate governance. In a letter dated 7 January obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Otudeko (representing Barbican Capital Limited) and Saheed Alao (representing Industrial Mercantile and Investment Company Limited) wrote the top-tier lender, demanding removal of Femi Otedola, the chairman of FBN Holdings, and Julius Omodayo Owotuga, a non-executive director of the group, as directors of the holding company. According to the letter, Industrial Mercantile and Investment Company Limited holds 842.2 million shares in FBN Holdings. Messrs Otudeko and Alao also requested that they both be appointed as directors of FBN Holdings, subject to the approval of Central Bank of Nigeria, replacing the removed directors. Obafemi Otudeko is one of the directors sacked by the CBN in 2022. Therefore, it will be an abrasion, monumental error and a moral hazard to reappoint him on the board of the Holdco or boards of its subsidiaries, one shareholder said. If it is done, the other members sacked with him may sue the CBN, he added. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The ex-FBN Holdings chairman holds an 8.7 per cent stake in the financial services group through Barbican Capital, and is second only to Mr Otedola in the ranking of top owners of the company. Both men have at various times in the past attempted to outdo the other in the contention for the top ownership of the holding company, which is the parent of Nigerias oldest lender First Bank. Mr Otedola currently holds a 13.6 per cent interest, translating into 5.4 billion shares, in the corporation. His latest share acquisition is the 534.1 million units he purchased last September. According to Mr Otudekos letter, Industrial Mercantile and Investment Company Limited holds 842.2 million shares in FBN Holdings. Barbican Capital and Industrial Mercantile and Investment Company Limited also requested in the letter addressed to Adewale Arogundade, FBN Holdings company secretary, that an extraordinary general meeting of the corporation be convened not later than the statutory 21 days from the day of the companys receipt of the requisition. The meeting will deliberate that the capital raise in the aggregate sum of N350,000,000,000.00 (three hundred and fifty billion Naira) or any part thereof being undertaken by the company be and is hereby authorized to be implemented by the issuance of shares by way of rights issue only. The two shareholders stated that the foregoing resolution hereby amends and shall supersede the resolution passed at the 12th Annual General Meeting held on 14th November 2024 regarding the raising of additional capital for the company. FBN Holdings, on 18 October 2024, issued a notice of its 12th annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold on 14 November 2024. Among other resolutions, the group sought authorisation to undertake a capital raise of N350 billion, being part of the plan to meet a new minimum capital requirement of N500 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The capital raise transaction shall be implemented by one or more transactions, through the issuance of shares by way of a public offering, private placement, rights issue in the Nigerian or international capital markets, at price(s) to be determined by way of a book building process or any other valuation method or combination of methods, the AGM notice said. The capital raise proposal was approved by shareholders at the meeting, which held in November. FBN Holdings launched a rights issue on 4 November 2024, seeking to raise N150 billion from existing shareholders through a share sale on the basis of one new ordinary share for every six shares held by the shareholders as of 18 October 2024. The duration of offer was later extended to 30 December 2024. According to the offer prospectus, investors are to receive their allotment by 27 January following approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, while the new shares are to be listed a week later. In a separate letter dated 8 January and signed by Oba Otudeko and addressed to FBN Holdings company secretary, Barbican Capital raised concerns about the decision of the lenders directors board to raise additional capital for the company through private placement. The validity of the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company purportedly held on 14th November, 2024, and the resolutions reached at the AGM are contestable by Barbican Capital Limited (Barbican) owing to the fact that the AGM was held in clear violation of Barbicans membership rights (that are protected by law). All rights of Barbican are reserved. To this extent therefore, the validity of the ordinary resolution empowering the board to raise additional capital by private placement is in question, the letter stated. The decision of the board to opt for a private placement rather than another rights issue is fundamentally flawed as a commercial decision and legally unsupportable by existing statutes (i.e) the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) and the Securities and Exchange Rules 2013 (SEC Rules), it added. Barbican argued that the boards decision to explore private placement is rushed considering that the deadline for meeting the new recapitalisation rule is 2026, implying that there is still ample time to raise the capital. Mr Otudeko is currently locked in a litigation with a former employee of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Adesuwa Ezenwa, who accused the billionaire industrialist of massive fraud during his time as chairman of FBN Holdings Plc, the parent company of the bank. Bisi Onasanya, the banks managing director/chief executive officer at the time, was also named in the allegations contained in court papers. Mrs Ezenwa, who the bank summarily dismissed in October 2016, initiated legal action against First Bank at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division, seeking redress for the termination of her appointment, which she said was done without any reason whatsoever being offered. The former First Bank staffer is, among other reliefs, demanding five hundred million naira in damages and twenty-five million naira in legal costs. In court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Ezenwa alleged that the banks credit disciplinary committee made her bear the brunt of granting unsecured loan facilities worth billions of naira to companies in which Mr Otudeko and Mr Onasanya had substantial investments, while her superiors who approved and granted the credit were not so penalised. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Movie Title: Katangari Goes to Town Director: Reuben Reng Cast: Segun Arinze, Iretiola Doyle, Munachi Abii, Bethel Senator Njoku, Gbubemi Ejeye, Patience Ujah, Victor Panwal, Edward Fom, Sani Muazu, Olufemi Ojoye, Hadar Mike Sanda, Shehu Zock-Sock, Abdulfatai Otori, Maryanne Abdul Omokhepen, Patrick Longpoe, Emmanuel Edesiri, Wapi Barau, Bala Bamaiyi, Rekiya Attah, Stephen Angba. Streaming Platform: Prime Video Katangari Goes to Town unfolds the gripping tale of a retired police detective turned community vigilante. His tranquil existence is abruptly disrupted when he is summoned to the city to probe the enigmatic demise of Bello, his affluent cousin. As he races against time to unveil the killer before reading Bellos will, Katangari finds himself entangled in a labyrinth of clandestine deceit and treachery while maintaining a thread of humour that keeps the audience engaged. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Plot The story follows Katangari (Segun Arinze), a retired police inspector turned head of a local vigilante group. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Katangari strikes fear in both friends and foes. However, after a recent incident leads to his dismissal, his life takes an unexpected turn when hes called to Abuja to investigate the mysterious death of his wealthy cousin, Bello. What seems like a straightforward case quickly spirals into a chaotic web of family secrets, betrayal, and drama. With his quick wit, an old rifle he calls Django, and a battered Volkswagen Beetle nicknamed Shagari, Katangari arrives at Bellos lavish home to meet an eclectic group of suspects. These include Bellos son Wash (Victor Panwal), Chatong (Gbubemi Ejeye), Bellos daughter; Ulan (Ireti Doyle), Bellos ex-wife; Sophia (Munachi Abii); Bellos current wife; Audu (Sani Muazu), his business partner; Pastor Dominion (Bethel Njoku) and Bellos assistant Mima(Patience Ujah ) As Katangari digs deeper, he begins unravelling long-buried truths that will shake the family to its core. Critical review This movie isnt just about solving a mysteryits a poignant exploration of justice, family loyalty, and betrayal. It delves into the complexities that arise when family bonds start to unravel and the lengths one would go to uncover the truth, even if it means causing pain to those they love. Its a powerful reflection of the constant struggle between right and wrong, especially when family is at the heart of the matter. So, heres the bottom line: Katangari Goes to Town is a blast. It mixes suspense, humour, and family drama to keep you guessing until the end. Segun Arinze shines as the lead, and the cast delivers standout performances. While the plot has some familiar twists, the perfect combination of thrilling and entertaining keeps you hooked. This is one you wont want to miss if youre into a crime story with a side of laughs. Verdict: I rate Katangari Goes to Town 7.5/10. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print To usher Ivorians into the new year, President Alassane Ouattara announced that French troops in Cote dIvoire will hand over the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA), a French army base located in Port-Bouet, Abidjan, to the Ivorian military starting in January 2025. We can be proud of our army, whose modernisation is now effective. It is within this context that we have decided on the concerted and organised withdrawal of French forces, Mr Ouattara said in his speech. With that speech, Cote dIvoire, to the surprise of some, became the sixth country in Africa to ask France to withdraw its troops from the country. It was surprising as Mr Ouattara was viewed by many as a darling of France. Cote dIvoire joined Senegal and Chad who recently asked French troops to exit their territories. The coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger heralded a wave of strong anti-French sentiments across the continent. These sentiments saw protests across borders, especially by urban youth who spoke passionately against French influence in their countries most of these were tied to colonial pasts and the fight against terrorism. Although all the countries affected had become independent after decades of French colonisation, they maintained strong economic and military ties with France. One of these was the presence of French military bases in each of them. That military relationship has now been largely severed. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Many analysts argue that the decision of Senegal, Chad, and Cote dIvoire to end military relations with France, although under very different circumstances, is political, especially with the growing sentiments across borders. They argue that pandering to populism could give some sense of legitimacy to governments, especially in the case of Cote dIvoire, whose election is in nine months. Having seen the outcome of anti-French sentiments in other countries, incumbent governments loathe losing their political powers and are doing what they can to keep them. Exit of French troops from Senegal, Chad, Cote dIvoire Although President Emmanuel Macrons administration made attempts to be different from previous French governments in terms of its relations with Africa and its former colonies, anti-French sentiments continued to rise. It peaked following the military takeovers between 2019 and 2023. It has since remained consistent and exploited by many for different purposes. These sentiments are, however, viewed as a new desire by African countries to take charge of their future and sovereignty. Having seen the rise in these sentiments after the coups, Mr Macron deployed former minister Jean-Marie Bockel to ask these countries whether they wanted French troops to stay or leave. Decisions were made, and it became clear that the troop numbers would, at the very least, be reduced. While Chad and Senegal have decided they would like all French troops to leave, Gabon and Cote dIvoire would have small numbers remaining for training and cooperation work. Djibouti has an entirely different arrangement where France continues to maintain a large military base. Mutual but not so mutual Although officials from the affected countries say the French militarys exit is with no hard feelings, comments from President Emmanuel Macron and reactions from Senegal and Cote dIvoire have raised questions about the mutual understanding. Speaking at an ambassadors conference, President Macron called the leaders of the affected countries ungrateful for failing to say thank you. We were right [to deploy]. I think someone forgot to say thank you. It is ok, it will come with time, BBC quoted Mr Macron as saying on Monday. But I say this for all the African heads of state who have not had the courage in the face of public opinion to hold that view. None of them would be a sovereign country today if the French army hadnt deployed in the region. The French president was alluding to some of the positive roles the French forces played in the countries. In 2013, Mali invited the French into its territory to help fight an insurgency. This mission was later expanded to Burkina Faso and Niger. However, the coup in these countries saw the end of this partnership and the expulsion of the French troops. Angered by Mr Macrons comments, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and Chadian foreign minister Abderaman Koulamallah said Mr Macrons comments had revealed his contempt for Africa. Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans, BBC quoted Mr Koulamallah as saying in a statement on national TV. French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices, he added. Mr Sonko added that France had in the past contributed to destabilising certain African countries such as Libya which had disastrous consequences for the regions security. France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africas security and sovereignty, he said in a statement. Experts Speak The recent withdrawal of French troops from Cote dIvoire, Chad, and Senegal marks an important change in France-Sahel and France-West Africa relations, said Beatriz de Leon Cobo, an independent researcher specialised in security and political dynamics in Sahel and West Africa, told PREMIUM TIMES. She noted that it signals the end of Frances dominant role in regional security in these regions and highlights a regional movement towards the diversification of international partnerships and the assertion of greater national sovereignty. The previous expulsion of French troops from the region saw countries invite and embrace alternative partners like Russia and China. It is, however, unclear if Senegal, Chad, and Cote dIvoire will follow suit. Paul Melly, a consulting fellow at Chatham House, said China is staying out of political controversies in West Africa and focusing mainly on economic cooperation, unlike its ally and friend Russia which is actively supporting the anti-French stance of the Sahel military regimes. Ms Leon Cobo argued that Russias and Chinas roles in the region deserve more attention. The countries of West Africa and the Sahel are increasingly exploring relationships with multiple world powers, including Russia and China, which offer attractive alternatives to traditional European partners, she noted. She said partners such as China and Russia often present themselves as respectful of national sovereignty which appeals to countries wishing to assert their independence without outside interference in their internal affairs. Unlike some European partners that insist on political conditions or human rights requirements, China and Russia do not attach such conditions to their commitments. Nevertheless, they generally have clear economic interests, including a strong stake in strategic sectors such as mining. What France is doing According to diplomatic sources in Paris, two years ago, France started reconfiguring its defence partnerships in Africa, to reduce its military presence in the region. The discussions involved every partner and authorities. Chad, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon, everyone was included. It was the mission given to Jean-Marie Bockel, and it has been carried out with constant respect for the sovereignty of our partners and listening to their wishes, one French diplomat said on the condition of anonymity. This process should pave the way for new forms of cooperation on security and defence with our African partners, the source added. Other French sources familiar with the developments say France is on the path of restitution with hopes that a new partnership that benefits all involved will be formed. The sources say France does not expect an immediate turnaround but remains convinced that it is in the right direction. Paul Melly agrees with this position and adds that because France took the trouble to ask these countries what their preferences were, this may actually foster goodwill in their relationship with France. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two persons died while one sustained injuries in an auto-crash that occurred along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday. William Manga, the unit commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the accident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry. Mr Manga said that the accident occurred at about 3.27.p.m at Age-Mowo axis of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Our personnel were alerted about the accident at about 3.30 p.m. and we got to the scene at 3.36 p.m., six minutes after they were alerted, he said. Mr Manga said the accident involved a Toyota Matrix car with registration number KSF 235 JE and a Bajaj Tricycle with no plate number. Two of the three occupants inside the tricycle died instantly, while one sustained injuries, he said. The FRSC commander attributed the accident to dangerous overtaking, resulting in a head-on collision. READ ALSO: FRSC announces new strategy to curb road crashes He said the injured person was taken to the General Hospital in Badagry for medical attention, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary of the hospital. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The unit commander urged motorists plying the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to remain cautious of safety and obey traffic regulations on the one-lane expressway. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has lauded the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. He also congratulated the Alaafin-elect on his appointment as the new Oyo king. This is contained in a statement on Saturday by Moses Olafare, the director of Media and Public Affairs, Oonis Palace, Ile-Ife, Osun. The statement was, however, silent on the complaints by the Oyo kingmakers (Oyomesi) that Mr Owoades appointment was illegal as it did not follow due process. reported the kingmakers opposition to the Oyo governments announcement. The kingmakers had earlier chosen a different person, Lukman Gbadegesin, as the Alaafin but the state government refused to appoint the person. The controversy over that initial appointment is still at the appeal court. PREMIUM TIMESkingmakers opposition to the Oyo governments announcement. The kingmakers had earlier chosen a different person, Lukman Gbadegesin, as the Alaafin but the state government refused to appoint the person. The controversy over that initial appointment is still at the appeal court. In his statement, the Ooni only asked the newly appointed king to ensure the kingmakers were united. You must bring everyone on board; Oyomesi must remain united under your watch either those who supported you or those who didnt support you, you must be magnanimous in victory, he wrote. Ooni commends appointment In Saturdays statement, the Ooni lauded Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for providing the enabling environment that birthed a new king for Oyo, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He also applauded kingmakers, the royal families and the people of Oyo for the patience and maturity displayed throughout the sacred process which lasted over two years. According to him, the decision heralds a new era of prosperity, unity, and cultural preservation for the people of Oyo. Historically, Oyo and Ile-Ife share an unbreakable bond rooted in divine origin and cultural preservation. Oyo remains a very important crown jewel in Yorubaland. This interconnected lineage emphasises the significance of the Alaafins throne, which remains a vital pillar in the structure of Yoruba traditional governance and heritage. The appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade signifies the continuation of this sacred bond and the unwavering strength of the Yoruba cultural legacy, he said. Mr Ogunwusi added: We are confident that the Alaafin-elect will build upon the enduring legacy of his predecessors, particularly the immediate past Alaafin, Late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. Now that you have emerged victorious, you have become father of all, who must rally all other contestants for the growth of Oyo town because you can not do it alone. You must bring everyone on board; Oyomesi must remain united under your watch either those who supported you or those who didnt support you, you must be magnanimous in victory. Please be ready to toe the path of peace with all the kingmakers without favouritism and partiality so that you can serve your people as a beacon of hope, justice, and development. Mr Ogunwusi said Mr Owoades ascension was a testament to the resilience of traditions and the shared aspiration for progress across the Yoruba race. He called on the sons and daughters of Oyo, from nooks and crannies, to rally around the new Alaafin and work together to uphold the glory of Oyo town. It is through collective support and collaboration that Oyo will continue to thrive and maintain its place as a cornerstone of Yoruba greatness. We reiterate our commitment to fostering unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, preserving shared cultural identity, and ensuring prosperity of all Yoruba people, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have killed three workers of a telecoms firm, Airtel, in an ambush in Kebbi State. The police said the workers were installing a surveillance mast when the terrorists attacked them on Friday evening in Gumki, a village in Arewa Local Government Area. The Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed the attack in a statement. Officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) were at the location with the telecoms firms workers during the ambush, but the police said the three persons killed were Airtel workers. Mr Abubakar said upon receiving reports of the attack, the Kebbi State Police Commissioner, Bello Sani, and the states Comptroller of Immigration, Muhammad Lawali, visited the scene and oversaw the evacuation of the bodies to the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. He said Mr Bello reviewed the areas security strategy and deployed additional tactical teams to check bandits operating in the area. The police commissioner also met with key stakeholders in the area, urging them to provide timely information to aid security operations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later PREMIUM TIMES reports that the attack comes barely a week after the terrorist group killed two police officers and rustled over 200 cows at Natseni, a village in Argungu Local Government Area of the state. Lakurawa is an armed group operating in northwestern Nigeria. It was initially formed as a self-defence force but has evolved into a radical organisation imposing strict Islamic rules on rural communities and attacking civilians and security forces. Its activities have raised concerns about a resurgence of Islamic extremism in Nigeria, similar to Boko Haram in the north-east region of the country. The groups presence is destabilising the region as the terrorists have displaced many residents. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Abidemi Omonisi, has called for a significant increase in the allocation to the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) in the 2025 Appropriation Bill. Mr Omonisi made this appeal on Saturday in Abuja during a seminar for health journalists on the NCSs Enhancing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Awareness and Uptake in Nigeria project. The project, a two-year awareness initiative by NCS in collaboration with Pathfinder, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), aims to address gaps in the uptake of the HPV vaccine. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government has allocated N1.3 billion to the CHF over the past four years, with N200 million earmarked for the fund in the 2024 budget. However, in the 2025 proposed budget, of the N2.39 trillion allocated to the health sector, only N150 million is designated as counterpart funding for CHF, and N50 million for Childhood Cancer Health Funds. According to Omonisi, the N150 million allocated for treating indigent cancer patients with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers is insufficient to meet the growing demand, as cancer cases continue to rise in the country. He advocated for an upward review of the allocation to one billion naira, given the high cost of cancer treatment. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The CHF is a commendable initiative by the Federal Ministry of Health, which provides counterpart funding to support cancer patients. The treatment cost for a cancer patient can average N20 million, and N150 million will not cover the needs of patients with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, he said. I urge the National Assembly to review the budget and increase the allocation to CHF. Mr Omonisi also highlighted the financial burden of cancer treatment on patients, stating that even wealthy individuals diagnosed with the disease could be left financially devastated. According to him, the NCS is launching the Cancer Intervention Fund, aimed at mobilising the private sector and philanthropists to support cancer treatment and the societys activities. Uzoma Ugochukwu, a Public Health Specialist and consultant for the HPV vaccine uptake project, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about HPV and the vaccine to increase acceptance. Mr Ugochukwu added that the project was designed to support the governments efforts to ensure that girls aged 9 to 14 received the vaccine, which would help prevent cervical cancer. This project is crucial for us at NCS, and we believe that engaging the media is essential to addressing misconceptions and myths surrounding the vaccine, he said. We are committed to ensuring that no girl is left behind in the fight against cervical cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer globally, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kogi State Government has committed N7 billion to upgrade 88 additional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state. The State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, made this announcement on Saturday in Lokoja during the official handing over of sites to contractors for the upgrade of the 88 PHCs. Mr Ododo, who was represented by the states Commissioner for Health, Abdulazeez Adeiza, explained that the PHCs would complement the ongoing upgrade of 70 existing PHCs into functional Level-two facilities. He described the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing healthcare delivery and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for residents. Mr Ododo said with the invaluable support of the World Bank, the Kogi State Government has committed more than N7 billion to this project, reflecting unwavering commitment to improving the lives of citizens. Today, we hand over these project sites to contractors who have successfully navigated a rigorous procurement process. He urged contractors to maintain high standards of professionalism and complete the projects within the stipulated four-month timeframe. He also emphasised the importance of engaging local communities, collaborating with local leaders, and adhering to social and environmental safeguards. Mr Ododo thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and support for healthcare at the grassroots level, noting that the presidents engagement had strengthened the commitment of international partners to Nigerias healthcare goals. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, for laying a strong foundation in the health sector. The Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Musa Muazu, commended the governments efforts to upgrade PHC facilities, particularly in rural areas, and reiterated the states commitment to improving healthcare services. Mr Muazu, who was represented by Hadiya Ahmad, the Case Manager for Immunisation at the IMPACT Project, said the scheme is a testament to the state governments dedication to improving the well-being of its people. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four contractors will handle the upgrade of the 88 PHCs across the state, including INKNUEL Ltd, Multipurpose Erand Ltd, QSA Nig Ltd, and Base-SAN Ventures. Responding on behalf of the contractors, Stephen Bawa, project manager of INKNUEL Ltd, promised that the projects would be completed according to the standard specifications and within the set timeframe. Mr Bawa, a retired brigadier general, also assured that local youth would be engaged in the execution of the projects Francis Eleson, chairman of the ward community development, Oworo, and Mahmud Obewa, the community youth leader, both expressed their appreciation to the governor for prioritising healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. They pledged to provide adequate protection and create an enabling environment to ensure the contractors could successfully execute the projects for the benefit of the community. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When it comes to looking at stocks that will benefit the most from artificial intelligence (AI), the technology sector is front and center. However, it is not the only sector set to benefit. Companies in the energy midstream space are also poised to get a nice boost because AI training and inference are very energy-intensive endeavors. According to Bank of America, electricity demand for data centers is forecast to rise between 10% to 15% a year between now and 2030 and could make up 5% of all worldwide power demand in 2030. In order to meet growing power needs, utility companies and data center operators are increasingly turning to natural gas. This increasing natural gas demand in turn should lead to more pipeline projects to transport this natural gas to where it is needed. Let's look at three midstream companies that are very well-positioned to take advantage of the increasing power demands stemming from AI. Energy Transfer Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) operates one of the largest integrated midstream systems in the U.S. The system includes nearly 107,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and 235 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of working storage capacity. Importantly, the company has a strong position in Texas and the Permian Basin, giving it access to some of the cheapest natural gas in the country. The Permian is largely an oil field and due to a shortage of natural gas takeaway pipelines, prices of natural gas at the nearby Waha hub were negative for a number of stretches during 2024. Not surprisingly given Energy Transfer's strong position in this region, it has been receiving a lot of inbound inquiries surrounding potential natural gas pipeline projects to bring natural gas to both power producers and potential new data centers. On its last earnings call, the company said it's had requests to connect to about 45 power plants that it does not currently serve in 11 states and more than 40 prospective data centers in 10 states. It noted that many of these power plants and data centers were within two to three miles of one of its pipelines. It also said it was seeing increased demand across several of its existing pipelines due to AI data center demand. In December, meanwhile, Energy Transfer announced a new $2.7 billion project to connect Permian natural gas to other markets to help support data center and power plant growth in Texas. The first phase of the project is expected to come online by the end of 2026. Enterprise Products Partners Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) is another large midstream operator with a strong position in Texas and the Permian. In fact, most of its natural gas pipeline and storage assets are in Texas or along the Gulf Coast. President Bola Tinubu has arrived in the United Arab Emirates. Mr Tinubu left Nigeria on Saturday to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025). His office shared photos of his arrival in the UAE on Sunday with PREMIUM TIMES. The Nigerian leader was received by a Cabinet Member and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shakhboot Al Nahyan. At the event, President Tinubu will stress his administrations reforms, including those related to energy sufficiency, transportation, public health, and economic development, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga wrote in a Friday statement. Mr Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria on Thursday. See the photos of the presidents arrival below. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Uma Ukpais followers have gifted the renowned Nigerian evangelist N80 million to mark his 80th birthday anniversary. Uma is the founder and president of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, headquartered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He turned 80 on Tuesday, 7 January. He is revered as one of the Pentecostal leaders in Nigeria. According to a post on the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Associations Facebook page, the N80 million was donated to the cleric on 9 January by persons under the aegis of Sons, Daughters, Partners, and Proteges of Rev Uma Ukpai. Sons and Daughters proudly present an 80th birthday gift to Daddy Uma Ukpai. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible your reward is loading in grand style! the Facebook post stated, accompanied by a photo of a cheque. Emmah Isong, the pastor of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar, Cross River State, is among those seen in the photo holding the cheque. The post did not, however, mention the number of persons who contributed the N80 million. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Gods gift to Akwa Ibom Meanwhile, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has described Uma as Gods gift to Akwa Ibom State. Mr Eno stated this on Thursday during a special service at the International Worship Centre, Uyo, to mark Umas 80th birthday. I am here to join the body of Christ to celebrate a great man of God on this joyous occasion. The theme of this celebratory event the public lecture is The man from Ohafia, which is quite fitting, given our fathers love for his place of birth and the pride the people of Ohafia feel for him. But if I may add a corollary to the theme, I would say The Man from Ohafia and Gods gift to Akwa Ibom. For the most part, if not the entirety of our dear fathers life as an evangelist and a Christian warrior, Akwa Ibom has been a fabric of his life. He has projected our dear state to all corners of the world through his evangelistic pursuits, the governor said. Governor Eno prayed for God to bless Uma with a long life. Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was the guest speaker at the event. Other notable clerics who attended the event were Ayo Oritsejafor and Mike Okonkwo. A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Akon Eyakenyi, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, and the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Enobong Uwah, were among the dignitaries at the event. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday, saluted the men and officers of the Nigerian military for their sacrifices and bravery, leading to the gradual defeat of those carrying out terror attacks against the country. The governor gave the commendation at the interdenominational service, marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, held at the Government House Chapel in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. Mr Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, commended the military for remaining undaunted despite losing many of its officers and men to the fight against terrorists operating as Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers. He called on Nigerians to remember the sacrifices of soldiers and their families, urging support for those currently fighting and those who have been injured or lost their lives in service to the nation. Stating that Nigerians wont forget the exploits of the war veterans, the governor said the service was organised to remember and pray for the brave military officers and soldiers who fought in various battles to defend the unity of the country. Addressing the congregation, the Ekiti State governor said, Many of these gallant officers paid the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives at the battlefields, while others suffered life-altering injuries. It is, therefore, essential to reach out to the families of those who lost their lives and to those who were wounded. I pay tribute to our heroes, the veterans who fought so that we may live in peace. It is crucial for the government, and indeed all Nigerians, to show support and care for these veterans, as this will serve as an incentive for our military personnel and strengthen our national defence. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While we remember our past heroes, we also take this opportunity to commend and pray for all our military personnel who are still actively engaged in defending the country against insurgents in many parts of Nigeria We applaud the bravery and sacrifices of these courageous soldiers, and we pray that God continues to keep them safe. I must also emphasise that this years Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is particularly important to us in Ekiti State. As we express our gratitude to God for this significant achievement, we thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for choosing our brother for this esteemed position. Mr Oyebanji urged public and private organisations to support the past heroes and their families by reaching out to them during this annual celebration and throughout the year. Let us give these families a reason to feel proud that their husbands, fathers, and sons died for our nation. We must also provide support to the military as they work diligently to ensure our safety and security. Development is more readily achieved in a safe and secure environment. In his submission, the General Officer Commanding (GoC), 2 Division, Obinna Onubogu, lauded the government at all levels for unquantifiable support in the fight against unscrupulous elements trying to make Nigeria unsafe. Mr Onubogu, a major general, pledged continuous commitment and loyalty of the servicemen to the government, saying they wont relent in their efforts to restore peace to the nation so that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed. READ ALSO: Oyebanji commends Afe Babalola for funding Ekiti airports facilities In his sermon, the Ekiti State Governments House Chaplain, Segun Awolumate, who spoke copiously on the topic: Commanded to Destroy, charged the servicemen to bear in mind that they own a mandate to protect the interest of Nigerians by restoring peace to beleaguered areas and make the nation indivisible. Mr Awolumate urged the military officers to be loyal and serve diligently by rising against all forms of insurrection, pummeling the nation, causing deaths and panic, and creating an atmosphere of unrest among the citizens. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ifeanyichukwu Eze, a personal assistant to the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chinedu Onah, died in a road accident on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway. Chinonso Nwede, the secretary of the Deputy Speakers Legislative Aides Forum, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. According to him, the incident occurred while Mr Eze was returning from a funeral wake, accompanied by three other legislative aides and one other person. Mr Nwede said the wake was held in solidarity with a friend whose mothers funeral took place on 11 January. Sadly, Eze succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The four other individuals involved in the accident are still receiving treatment for their varying degrees of injuries, he said. Mr Eze, until his demise, was also the coordinator of the Youth Movement for Governor Francis Nwifuru in the Umuogudu Oshia Ward of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi. Mr Nwede described Mr Ezes demise as a painful loss for his colleagues and the people of Ebonyi, adding that it was one too many and too difficult to endure. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He noted that the incident was particularly devastating as Mr Ezes colleagues were preparing to celebrate his completion of the National Youth Service Corps programme and other milestones. Ezes life was not without its challenges, having lost his mother at a tender age and being raised without her care. As the only son, his father had pinned his hopes on him, and was relieved to see him grow into a capable individual and serve as personal assistant to the fourth citizen of Ebonyi, he said. READ ALSO: Man accused of witchcraft burnt to death in Ebonyi Mr Nwede expressed sympathy for Mr Ezes family, particularly his father, and the deputy speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the other victims of the accident and for Mr Ezes soul to rest in peace, and the fortitude for his family to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has denied reports of a national grid collapse on Saturday, calling the claims inaccurate. TCNs General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, clarified this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday. Ms Mbah explained that earlier on Saturday, at approximately 1:41 p.m., the Osogbo-Ihovour line tripped, followed by the tripping of the Benin-Omotosho line. She noted that these incidents only affected bulk power supply to the Lagos area. She further clarified that just before the tripping, the total generation on the grid was 4,335.63 Megawatts (MW), and after the trippings, generation dropped to 2,573.23 MW, which indicated the grid did not experience a collapse. The transmission line tripping affected Egbin, Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Geregu, and Paras. She added that all had been restored except for the Benin-Omotosho 330kV line, which was still being worked on. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Ms Mbah emphasised that TCN was working hard to build a more robust transmission grid in spite of ongoing challenges. She also urged caution against the spread of misinformation, stressing the importance of disseminating accurate and verifiable facts. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the redeployment and posting of its top officers. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja. Mr Nwachukwu, a major general, explained that the redeployment was a strategic move to enhance the operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of the army. He said the affected officers included Corps Commanders, Principal Officers, General Officers Commanding (GOC), Commanders, Commandants of Army Training institutions, Brigade Commanders and other key positions. According to him, the redeployment underscores the armys commitment to ensuring a robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges. Mr Nwachukwu said that some of the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters include Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, from National Defence College to the Department of Army Administration, who is appointed Chief of Administration (Army). He said Major General GU Chibuisi has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) to the Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also redeployed is Major General AS Ndalolo, from NARC to Department of Army Training, as Chief of Training (Army). Others include Major General Olusegun Abai, redeployed from the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, and was appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation. Major General JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division becomes the Chief of Special Services and Programmes. Maj.-Gen. EI Okoro has been redeployed from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary and appointed Military Secretary (Army). Senior officers appointed as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) include Maj.-Gen. OT Olatoye to 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation UDO KA and Maj.-Gen. EF Oyinlola to Headquarters 3 Division as GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), he said. The army spokesman further said that the acting appointment of Major General AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East Operation HADIN KAI has been confirmed. Also confirmed as substantive, he said, was the acting appointment of Major General IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation FANSAN YANMA among others. Major General GO Adeshina has been redeployed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Director General. Similarly, Major General GM Mutkut has been redeployed to Headquarters Multi National Joint Task Force Ndjamena as the Force Commander. The redeployment also featured Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters as the Director Media Operations, he said. Mr Nwachukwu also disclosed that Major General Obinna Ajunwa moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as its Commander. Similarly, Major General Henry Wesley moves from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps, as Commander. He said Major General TT Numbere moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers as Commander, while Major General Nosakhare Ugbo moves from the Department of Civil Military Affairs to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Commander. According to Mr Nwachukwu, Major General Zakari Abubakar moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Commander and Major General AP Oguntola becomes the Commander of the Nigerian Army Education Corps. He added that Major General JO Sokoya has been appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Training Centre, while Major General UM Alkali is now Commandant of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN). Also, Maj.-Gen. FS Etim moves to Nigerian Army School of Infantry as Commandant, while Maj.-Gen. AB Mohammed has been redeployed to the Depot Nigerian Army as commandant. Other newly appointed senior officers are Maj.-Gen. IE Ekpenyong now Commandant Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and Maj.-Gen. AO Adegbite as Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport. Brig.-Gen. AM Umar is redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy and appointed Commandant, among others, he further said. The army spokesman said the army chief has also directed all the newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigour, dedication and commitment to their duties. He noted that this was particularly to ensure the sustenance of the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security. He equally charged them to ensure that the welfare of troops remain paramount as they assume their new appointments, Mr Nwachukwu said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Police Command arrested 2,176 suspects between September 2024 and January 2025. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, confirmed this on Saturday while briefing journalists on their recent achievements. He said the 2,176 suspects were arrested for various offences, including murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He said that all the suspects had been charged to court for prosecution. In a breakdown of the arrest figure, Mr Ishola said that four suspects, Emeka Akwara, 19, David Segun, 21, Samuel Ariori, 21, and Lukman Ariori, 19, who allegedly murdered an Uber driver, were apprehended. On 9 January, the suspects ordered an Uber ride at Chevron in the Lekki area en route to Obalende. On getting to Obalende in a lonely area, they robbed and killed the driver by stabbing him multiple times on the neck; unfortunately, they were unable to snatch the vehicle. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later With the intervention of good Samaritans and passersby, two of the suspects were immediately apprehended and handed over to the police, and further investigation led to the arrest of the other two suspects. The deceased corpse was deposited in the morgue at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, and a Toyota Camry AGL 650 HN and knives were recovered from them, he said. Mr Ishola said that some other murder suspects Edmond Julius, 34; Abdullahi Umar, 32; and Saturday Oke, 40 were arrested for allegedly killing another Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, on 12 September. The arrested suspects confessed that they kidnapped the driver in the Ajah area of Lagos, murdered him, and robbed him of his Toyota Camry. They sold the stolen car to their criminal receiver. During investigations, the suspects led the police to recover the decomposed body of the driver and the Toyota Camry car, he said. The commissioner of police added that on 15 October, the police also arrested two cultists, Samuel Ojenuga and Abdullahi Yusuf, members of the Aye confraternity, for alleged murder. Ojenuga confessed to the killing of 12 Eiye confraternity members at Orita School, Ijora Oloye Area of Lagos. His accomplice, Yusuf, also confessed to killing three persons at a railway crossing in Ijora Badia, Lagos, he said. The police chief noted that, among the suspects arrested, a notorious armed robbery syndicate led by one Fatai Lawal, aka Bullet, operating between Ijora and Isashi along Badagry Road, was arrested on 28 September. This syndicate specialises in snatching vehicles, mobile phones, and other personal belongings at gunpoint. Other members of the syndicate arrested are Magdalene Jackson, a female; Lawal Michael; Ibrahim Saliu, aka guncrosser; and Ayuba Amzat, 27. One locally made single barrel gun with 4 cartridges and three mini-buses popularly called korope were robbed at gunpoint. Similarly, the police boss said a gang of robbers led by one Godwin Chukwuma, 23, and Solomon Balogun, 23, were also arrested. They have confessed to various robberies across the country, and one AK 47 with three rounds of live ammunition and two locally made double/single guns with four live cartridges were found on them, he said. Mr Ishola said that on 22 November, a traffic robber, Oguche Sylvanus, 27, using an unregistered Volkswagen bus with the Lagos State commercial colour to terrorise commuters along Ikorodu Road, was arrested. The Volkswagen bus with other personal effects were recovered, and the case has been charged to court. The commissioner of police said three suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping. The suspects modes of operation were to lure their victims through a Tinder app on social media, specifically Facebook, where they will make the victim a friend and ask them to come for a visit. In this particular case, the victim was lured to a particular house; a N300,000 ransom was collected from the victim, and his phone was taken from him. He also said that on 23 October, the police arrested two kidnappers, Hassan Samson, 35, and Segun Akinola, 27, from the Era area of Ojo, Lagos, and rescued the victim unhurt. According to him, the police also arrested five suspects for allegedly kidnapping one Azeez Olosa at a dredging site called Pump and Sell, adding that the victim had, however, been rescued. He said the police recovered firearms abandoned by the fleeing suspects. On 5 November, at Agidingbi, Ikeja, police intercepted men in a commercial shuttle bus without a registration number with one Stanley SMG rifle and 44 live ammunition. On 6 November, at Odo Eran Area of Idimu, men on patrol sighted men aboard a motorcycle, and following an effort to intercept them, the men absconded, abandoning a bag at the scene. Inside the bag were one locally made double barrel pistol, two locally made single barrel pistols with two live cartridges, and one empty shell. On 29 October, at Ijeshatedo, a Lagos suburb, some other suspects, on sighting the police, fled, leaving their bags at the scene, which contained one locally made pistol with its own live cartridge. On 27 December, at 14 Idunsagbe Street, Lagos Island, information was received that a bag was sighted on the rooftop at this address. The bag contained two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 52573 and 4004855 and 07003-853 K2 assault rifles, all without magazines and ammunition, Mr Ishola said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed a terror attack on its facilities in a border town in Kebbi State. The services spokesperson, KT Udo, disclosed this in a statement, saying the terrorists also killed three contractors and a local watchman. The attack led to the death of four persons, including a local watchman and three contractors, Mr Udo said. We also recorded substantial damages to our security facilities. No immigration officers were killed during the attack. The damaged facilities are believed to be telecom masts being installed as part of security measures by the NIS. Mr Udo said the service sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We are actively working alongside our sister agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice, added. According to him, the service remains resolute and undeterred in carrying on with its core mandate of border security in tandem with the goal of securing the nation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Attack staged by Lakurawa terrorists Earlier, the police said the attack was likely carried out by Lakurawa terrorists, a stance also shared by a security source briefed about the incident. The Lakurawa terrorists blew off a network mast in Gumki, the source told our PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, saying the details were still sketchy. Gumki is a village in Arewa LGA of Kebbi State. It shares a border with Niger and has an international market patronised by people from both countries. The latest attack comes less than a week after the Lakurawa terrorists rustled more than 200 cattle from Natsini village in Argungu LGA of Kebbi. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the police in Kebbi identified three of those killed in the attack as Airtel officials working on the telecoms mast. The police spokesperson in Kebbi, Nafiu Abubakar, said the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani and the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, Muhammad Lawali, deployed operatives to the scene of the incident after receiving information about the attack. He added that the deceased were evacuated to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. Lakurawa is an armed group operating in northwestern Nigeria. It was initially formed as a self-defence force but has evolved into a radical organisation imposing strict Islamic rules on rural communities and attacking civilians and security forces. Its activities have raised concerns about a resurgence of Islamic extremism in Nigeria, similar to Boko Haram in the north-east region of the country. The groups presence is destabilising the region as the terrorists have displaced many residents. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print He noted that the operating environment has evolved to a point in our history where no individual service or agency can independently tackle the threats to national security successfully This makes it crucial for a synergy to be developed among security agencies in the implementation security strategies. Absence of such synergy among security agenciesconnotes the absence of a coordinated approach to the prevailing security challenges. Two books were billed for presentation on that day. One of them was entitled: The Power of Information Sharing: Antidote to Nigerias Security Threats. That title instantly attracted my attention as I looked at the invitation card. Then I noticed something else. Tunde Johnson Ogunsakin, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, was billed to speak at the event on the topic, Inter-Agency Unity: The Power of Collective Action. That topic and the presenter quickly ignited something in me. Known by friends and colleagues simply as Tunde, before his forced premature from the Force, when someone junior to him was appointed an Inspector General, I had followed Tundes interesting career in the Police Force from the time he headed the operations department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). I recall that both he and the then ICPC Chairman almost locked me up over the exclusive stories I used to get from the Commission. They were constantly shocked by the embarrassing accuracy of the reports and demanded to know my sources. That did not happen. I can boldly describe Tunde as an accomplished law enforcement professional, specifically in the anti-financial fraud policing squad. His active 32 years in the Force exposed him to comprehensive involvement and wide experiences in financial crime policing around the world. He is also known to have exhibited unquestionable professionalism through the swift resolution of complex financial crime issues within and outside Nigeria. Even in retirement, he is still top-rated by colleagues and superiors as an exemplary anti-financial crime crusader, skillful at managing puzzling situations, creating and implementing effective law enforcement strategies, while silently exhibiting pragmatic moves aimed at achieving positive results. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later When he was appointed head of operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Tunde spared no one, including those called untouchables. He arrested, locked up and prosecuted whoever deserved to face the law. When it comes to inter-agency crime fighting, Tunde is seen as an authority. He is a veteran of INTERPOL crime investigations, seeing him work and share intelligence with colleagues from Canada, Britain, Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and other countries. As such, listening to him speak on intelligence-sharing and inter-agency unity among security forces across Nigeria for the purpose of successfully fighting crimes was like experiencing a cold breeze in the hot January sun of Abuja. Seated and listening were representatives of Service Chiefs and other security officers. If I can still recall appropriately, the National Security Adviser was equally represented. There is no questioning the fact that maintaining internal security in any country is a collective responsibility. It demands synergy among distinct security bodies. As Tunde observed, maintaining internal security is fundamentally anchored on creating and sustaining inter-agency unity. Simply put, inter-agency information sharing connotes cordial relationships and cooperation among security outfits across the country. This is not in ignorance of the fact that each of the component elements of security agencies has a different but complementary role to play. Inter-agency unity aims at collaboration and coordination among these different agencies, towards achieving a common goal, which is the security of the country. As declared by Tunde, the power of collective action is significant as it can lead to more effective solutions, improved resource allocation, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities. His position is that inter-agency unity should be seen as a vital mechanism for managing conflicts and containing insecurity. This is because, globally, each security agency has unique capabilities and operational skills that complement one another. He observed that over the years, there had been continuous emphasis on the essence of inter-agency unity. However, nothing appears to have changed. There is still high level of un-cooperativeness among the agencies. Each has become an authority to itself In his words, the situation calls for urgent action of the top echelon of all the security agencies in order to ensure national security and achieve maximum results in the security management of the country. Specifically, inter-agency unity enhances security synergy and the exchange of ideas and information among the operatives, while creating a platform for collective networking and the planning of security activities, thereby building a database for preventive action. Another advantage is that it provides a forum for the analysis of conflict indicators and processing of security-related information for early warnings and timely response; and also serves as a channel for the dissemination of security reports to all stakeholders. How far have Nigerian security operatives and agencies taken advantage of this global initiative enforced after 2011 in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York? It does not look like much has been done. Critically examined, inter-agency unity in Nigeria has become necessary because, if truth must be told, certain security agencies have not optimally lived up to expectations in view of the ever-increasing and dynamic security challenges. As observed by the veteran police officer, a combination of two or more hands has become necessary, because a government agency may be willing to perform its responsibilities effectively but may be constrained due to the huge cost of running these agencies. He observed that over the years, there had been continuous emphasis on the essence of inter-agency unity. However, nothing appears to have changed. There is still high level of un-cooperativeness among the agencies. Each has become an authority to itself. In his words, the situation calls for urgent action of the top echelon of all the security agencies in order to ensure national security and achieve maximum results in the security management of the country. Tunde himself knew, as he spoke that challenges to national security in Nigeria have expanded significantly from the traditional state-based threats of the Cold War era to include the emergence of unconventional threats from non-state actors. Such new threats are diffuse and ambiguous and include terrorism, cyber-attacks, drug trafficking, infectious diseases, and energy threats. Equally, the scenarios arise from multiple sources and, because their interrelated nature makes it difficult, if not impossible, for any single agency to effectively address them alone, they absolutely require the enhancement of collaboration among agencies and international partners. Stated Tunde, the challenges militating against inter-agency cooperation for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in national security operations are many. Some of them are lack of strategic guidance for inter-agency cooperation, inadequate intelligence, technical equipment, and insufficient capacity for national security operations. It must also be noted that Nigerias porous borders facilitate the infiltration of adversaries from West Africa, which means that four countries in the region rank among the ten most terrorised globally. As a result of Nigerias porous borders, no single agency can effectively tackle the complex security issues facing the nation, which calls for deeper collaboration among security agencies. We must understand that modern security threats, and coordination influenced by technology and non-state actors, require a coordinated response to ensure national security. Differences in agencies structures, processes, and resources can hinder successful collaboration in national security, according to the retired AIG, who added that in most cases, adequate coordination mechanisms to facilitate collaboration during national security planning and execution are not always in place. He noted that the operating environment has evolved to a point in our history where no individual service or agency can independently tackle the threats to national security successfully. This makes it crucial for a synergy to be developed among security agencies in the implementation security strategies. Absence of such synergy among security agencies, stated Tunde, connotes the absence of a coordinated approach to the prevailing security challenges. He cited an instance: in the Northeast for example, the Nigerian Air Force provides air support, aerial surveillance, casualty evacuation and logistics airlift for troops, while the Nigerian Navy has deployed its Special Boat Services and operationalised its Forward Operation Base in Baga as part of the overall operations on the Lake Chad waters. As he analysed, there are however certain roadblocks that are currently impeding the functionality of inter-agency unity among security bodies in Nigeria. One of them is what he calls institutional constraints. He explained, many of the allegations levelled against security agencies and their personnel, include arbitrariness in exercising its power, corruption, perversion of justice, and delays in the administration of justice. Next is inadequate manpower due to numerous ongoing operations in the country. This is because the challenging security environment has necessitated numerous deployments in ongoing operations. This can sometimes impede the possibility of different agencies coming together to carry out joint operations. This situation does not give effect to inter-agency unity and the gains of collective action, observed Tunde. Inter-agency unity is also hampered by the poor conditions of service of the average security officer and the inadequate funding of agencies. Arising from this are the lack of logistic support and infrastructure, and absence of technological equipment to cover all the areas of the state are responsible for the current state of the general national insecurity in Nigeria, according to Tunde. He also mentioned the absence of inter-service communication, which is required to ensure prompt command and control. Its absence hampers the quick relay of information among the services, especially when clashes are in the formative stages. Such a setback deprives agencies of the gains of collective action. Most obvious is what he calls superiority complex. This happens when, sometimes, instead of emphasis being placed on the gains that can be realised from inter-agency unity, there is misplaced emphasis on one security agency being superior to the other. He declared: This does not allow for the much-needed unity that is required to bring about collaboration and synergy towards ensuring adequate security of lives and properties. This, he noted, often stem from poor judgment, ignorance or poor training among security agencies who do not see themselves as working for the same common purpose towards the overall security of the nation. Differences in agencies structures, processes, and resources can hinder successful collaboration in national security, according to the retired AIG, who added that in most cases, adequate coordination mechanisms to facilitate collaboration during national security planning and execution are not always in place. It was his opinion that for proper intelligence-sharing and general inter-agency unity among security agencies, these setbacks have to be addressed by government through the office of the National Security Adviser. Sam Akpe writes from Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In 2012, at the age of 65, Comrade Bene retired as a professor in the Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Cross River State. She contributed immensely to international womens activism on development, linking the experiences of Nigerian and African women to the broader global struggles for womens equality and against neo-liberalism. For about two decades, she led Girls Power Initiative (GPI), an NGO that she co-founded with Grace Osakue in 1993 On Friday, 17 January, 2025, the Left, comprising Marxists, socialists, feminists, progressive academics, and humanists, will converge on the ancient city of Calabar for the interment of Professor Benedicta Bene Madunagu, who died on Tuesday, 26 November, 2024. Professor Bene Madunagu, known to different people as Comrade Bene, Mumsy B, Auntie Bene, among other endearing names, was the quintessence of the struggle for human progress. In terms of my upbringing, apart from my mother, this exceptional feminist was the most consequential woman in my life. I had the great honour of meeting her in the late 1980s as a student at the University of Calabar. I had joined the Movement for Progressive Nigeria (MPN), a revolutionary students movement on campus, which she and Comrade Edwin Madunagu her friend, Comrade, and spouse had founded in 1977 to ground students politically and ideologically. Comrade Bene opened her home to us, provided meals and reading materials. I remember Comrade Bene for her forthrightness and courage. Without her, I would not have graduated from the university. In 1989, during Comrade Benes tenure as chair of the University of Calabar Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) the first and only female chair of ASUU, UniCal Branch when the union was confronting the dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida, I had run into trouble with the school administration. Earlier that year, I had been elected as one of three vice-presidents of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the umbrella body of Nigerian students. It was under the leadership of Opeyemi Bamidele, now the majority leader of the Nigerian Senate. With the dictatorship of General Babangida in full swing, vice chancellors in the countrys universities were taking a cue from the self-styled evil genius. Authorities at the University of Calabar had proscribed student unionism. They not only banned certain category of students from contesting elections, they also set out to handpick those to lead the union. Four years ago, on 15 May, 2021, when Comrade Eddie turned 75, in a rare gesture that epitomised a life of service, he and Comrade Bene handed over their combined archives and libraries to the Nigerian Left. This bequest, a product of over five decades of collection, led to the creation of the Socialist Library and Archives (SOLAR); perhaps, the single largest collection of Left literature on the continent. As Vice President (Special Duties) of NANS, I had the responsibility of bringing national attention to the egregious folly of UniCal authorities and the need for Nigerian students to oppose it, which was exactly what I did. I issued a press statement on NANS letterhead detailing (including naming names) the plot and the consequences for the University. The release caused so much uproar that the military governors of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states called a special security meeting and also met with the Obong of Calabar, the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Efik people. In what looked like the calm before the storm, the University sent an official vehicle to Owerri, Imo State, to fetch an older cousin to admonish me. My cousin arrived Calabar, spoke with me about my, according to the university, attempt to destabilise not only the university, but to cause disaffection between indigenes of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The verdict was that I had to be dismissed without facing any disciplinary panel. I dont know where that decision was taken, but some of those who had been part of the conspiracy had teased me repeatedly about that prospect. A couple of days later, Comrade Bene called me to her office and confirmed the threat. She asked me if the details of the press statement were factual, to which I answered in the affirmative. She assured me that nobody would dismiss me under her watch without due process. I left feeling elated. A few days later, because of the intervention of Comrade Bene, a disciplinary panel made of apologists of the Vice Chancellor was hurriedly put together. After weeks of trial, I was exonerated when it became evident that there was indeed a conspiracy hatched by the Vice Chancellor and carried out by his deputy to hijack the Students Union Government (SUG) of the university. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Four years ago, on 15 May, 2021, when Comrade Eddie turned 75, in a rare gesture that epitomised a life of service, he and Comrade Bene handed over their combined archives and libraries to the Nigerian Left. This bequest, a product of over five decades of collection, led to the creation of the Socialist Library and Archives (SOLAR); perhaps, the single largest collection of Left literature on the continent. Comrade Benes ill-health was a painful experience for her immediate and extended families, which include the Nigerian Left, who rallied to ensure she had the best chance of a dignified life. In this regard, I would like to acknowledge the profound solidarity of Comrades Biodun Jeyifo (BJ) and Kayode Komolafe (KK). In 2012, at the age of 65, Comrade Bene retired as a professor in the Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Cross River State. She contributed immensely to international womens activism on development, linking the experiences of Nigerian and African women to the broader global struggles for womens equality and against neo-liberalism. For about two decades, she led Girls Power Initiative (GPI), an NGO that she co-founded with Grace Osakue in 1993, to pioneer sexuality, sexual and reproductive health and rights education for adolescent girls. Through education and training, GPI has encouraged hundreds of young women to stand up for their rights and to understand and choose the identity of feminist. Comrade Bene had no reservations about her position as a revolutionary feminist. I am an absolutely confirmed feminist, with no ifs or buts, she argued. I am a feminist by choice and conviction, passionate about total enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights, human freedoms and expression of ones sexual identity without restriction but with information and services to do so in a healthy way Comrade Benes humour was infectious and she had a unique way of driving home her point that would make the uninitiated very uncomfortable. In her tribute, Ayesha Imam, with whom Comrade Bene served in the executive committee of Women In Nigeria (WIN) noted, Bene was warm-hearted and generous. But she did not suffer fools gladly and was often earthy in her responses. Told cooking is for women, she retorted, And is it her vagina she will use to cook soup? Informed that analysis and policymaking are for men, she responded that he must have made that analysis with his penis. Comrade Bene had no reservations about her position as a revolutionary feminist. I am an absolutely confirmed feminist, with no ifs or buts, she argued. I am a feminist by choice and conviction, passionate about total enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights, human freedoms and expression of ones sexual identity without restriction but with information and services to do so in a healthy way. I am passionate about combating gender discrimination and insensitivity in whatever forms. I am a committed human rights defender and work in defence of victims of sexual abuse and all other forms of violence against women and girls. In our daily work as feminists, we face male chauvinism arising from a fear of women sharing the same decision-making seats as men. We are bombarded by this excuse of culture which is rarely called upon except when it is used to enforce sexism, the suppression of female sexuality and the oppression of women. As feminists, we are working collectively to ensure that all African women and girls are able to live safe, healthy lives and to make informed and empowered choices about their own bodies. Fifty years ago this year, in Lagos, Comrade Bene was among a group of young Nigerians, including Comrades Biodun Jeyifo (BJ) and Edwin Madunagu (Eddie), who resolved and committed themselves to the revolutionary transformation of Nigeria on the platform of workers power, popular democracy and socialism. Though that group of patriotic and progressive Nigerians is one person less today, it is heartwarming that Comrade Bene, even in ill-health, remained faithful to the 1975 Lagos landmark resolution and its 1977 landmark re-endorsement in Calabar. Adieu, Comrade Bene, Mother of the Nigerian Left! Chido Onumah can be reached via @conumah. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There might not be a better place to find winning stocks that can slowly make you wealthy over decades than the healthcare industry. It's an evergreen, multitrillion-dollar market that promotes growth and innovation because better healthcare saves lives. If you want to know which healthcare companies to choose to invest in, the answer is easy: Look for those that keep raising dividends. It's not a sure thing, but it's an excellent litmus test because a company must continually innovate, grow, and manage itself well to afford to give more cash to its shareholders every year. These three companies are healthcare leaders. They treat their shareholders well and offer promising growth prospects at attractive valuations. Consider buying them in 2025 to boost your dividend portfolio. 1. Medtronic You won't explore the healthcare field for long before encountering Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). The company develops numerous products, devices, and treatment technologies for dozens of conditions. Its product portfolio ranges from cardiovascular pacemaker devices to glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes. It's a remarkably diverse and consistent business since people need care and treatment around the clock. Since the 1980s, Medtronic's sales haven't dipped more than 10% in a trailing-12-month period. That has made it a stellar dividend stock. Medtronic isn't quite a Dividend King yet, but it soon will be. The company has paid and raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. You can't fake or borrow your way to decades of dividend increases. Medtronic's payout ratio is still just 65% of cash flow, so you can trust that the dividend is secure and will likely keep increasing. Medtronic isn't growing very fast, but it's positioned well for the future. The company has grown its organic revenue at a mid-single-digit rate for the past eight quarters, and analysts estimate the business will grow earnings by about 6% annually over the long term. Lastly, the stock is priced appropriately for its growth at a forward P/E ratio under 15. The stock's 3.5% dividend yield could push annualized total investment returns to 9% to 10%. 2. UnitedHealth Group Insurance and healthcare services giant UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a key cog in America's healthcare system. It has grown into one of the world's largest corporations, generating over $389 billion in annual revenue. Its massive size enables it to offer more for less than its competitors, so it continues gobbling up patients' dollars in a system that spent $4.9 trillion in 2023 alone. The company operates two primary segments: UnitedHealthcare (insurance) and Optum (care services and technologies). The question that remains to be answered now is: Did the framers of the unwritten constitution of Oyo Kingdom, especially its kingship electoral system, envisage that a day like this would come when the otherwise revered council would be enmeshed in the sordid allegation of colossal bribery to pick an Alaafin? Is there fairness in the choice of an Alaafin candidate, whose nomination was ostensibly prompted by graft and bribery? Which of the nominations would be seen to be equitable, the one made via bribery or the one made through the Ifa oracle and government-nominated chiefs? In a viral video, Professor Wande Abimbola, former vice chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and the Awise of Yorubaland head of all Ifa oracle diviners threw a bombshell. In it, he affirmed that the Oyo State government contacted him on the divination process leading to the nomination of a new Alaafin of Oyo. Abimbola, who hails from Oyo town, would seem to have ignited a major earthquake which struck Yorubaland and its system of choosing kings. In its strike, the earthquake disemboweled dirt and stench and flung them in the face of the people. The shame hit a Yoruba people whose strength, from ancient times, had always been reference to the purity and incorruptibility of their traditional system. Abimbola then claimed that the Oyo State governor put a call to him and asked him to preside over Ifa oracles choice of who would succeed Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi, as it was done in igba iwase the ancient time. I spent ten days seeking the face of Ifa oracle and Ifa made its choice, he said. Asked who Ifa chose, the professor said it was Prince Owoade, the man announced by the Oyo State government on Friday. He claimed that upon the Ifa divinitys choice, the kingmakers sought to persuade him to change his mind over it through many subterfuges, but he refused. The announcement on Friday of Prince Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo-designate by the Oyo State government was the trigger of the above. As celebrations and tempers hit the news, Abimbola also alleges that a fight ensued among the Oyo Mesi, the traditional kingmakers of Oyo, over sharing of the huge sums of money collected from candidates for the office. Though they had collectively agreed to choose the candidate who gave them the hugest bribe, two of the kingmakers were said to have quarreled over the amount of money collected by their head and the amount given them in turn. Oyo people were then said to have petitioned the government asking if it was aware of the deleterious influence and effect of bribery on the stool. The Alaafin, before the advent of the colonial lords, held powers that could only be curtailed and questioned by the seven-member Oyo Mesi, the council of kingmakers. The kings of Oyo were given cognomens, which affirmed their mini-omnipotence, like Iku Baba Yeye and Alase ekeji orisa, both of which considered them as vice-regents of Yoruba gods of creation on earth. Except when the institution of kingmakers intervened, the actions of the Alaafin, either justified or otherwise, were unquestioned and unquestionable. The role of the Oyo Mesi in the choice of Prince Owoade has become an issue lately. Immediately after the interment of Alaafin Adeyemi in the traditional kings cemetery in Bara, the contest for succession to the throne of the foremost king in Yorubaland began. Made up of seven principal officers of the state, together the kingmakers are the Electoral Council of the Oyo Kingdom, and are also imbued with legislative powers. Their head is the Bashorun, who also doubles as the Prime Minister. Other members of the Electoral Council are the Agbaakin, the Samu, the Alapinni, the Laguna, the Akiniku, and the Ashipa. When there is vacancy, the Basorun is expected to consult the Ifa oracle for guidance and approval of who the next Alaafin would be. In times past, it was believed that Oyo kings were chosen by the gods. However, the peremptory manner with which kings are chosen in Yorubaland and the fascination of kingmakers with money in the choices have given people a different opinion. In October 2023, it was reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had quizzed the Oyo kingmakers over allegations that they took bribes from one of the candidates to the vacant stool. They were alleged to have received the sum of N15 million each from that candidate. The state government was said to have doubted the fairness of the Oyo Mesi on account of this allegation. It thus appointed warrant kingmakers to join two dissenting Oyo Mesi chiefs in the persons of the Agbaakin and Samu of Oyo. This produced the Alaafin-designate whose choice was made known on Friday So many studies have been embarked upon on Yoruba ifa divination and its arts. The divination trays have also been subjected to sizeable studies. Professor Wande Abimbola, the most vociferous voice in defence of this inherited system of divination, has conducted so many studies on Ifa and its place in Yoruba religion and the position of divination in the Yoruba pantheon. In this wise, Abimbola has variously propounded and pursued the desirability of the use of Ifa divination poetry and literature as sources of historical evidence, even in a modern age as ours. He theoretically and even practically focuses on Ifa prose, poetry, mythology and divination. Indeed, many studies on the Ifa corpus have submitted that with Ifa divination, there is not only a religious implication but a means of communication between man and god among the Yoruba people. In fact, studies have posited that Ifa divination has a cultural underpinning for the Yoruba people and is connected to Orunmila, a Yoruba deity whose teachings are used by kingmakers in the selection of kings in times past. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While the controversy continues on the process of picking the Alaafin, abandoning the seven traditional kingmakers to take a decision on the Alaafin stool could be said not to be novel. It began during the reign of Oba Adeniran Adeyemi, father of the immediate past Alaafin. A journey into history will explain this. As it is today with the announcement of Prince Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, immediately Prince Adeyemi was announced as successor to Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, Oyo town and Western State of Nigeria quaked. The choice generated brickbats among the contending Princes and their ruling houses. Upon the passing of Oba Ladigbolu, the Western State government had notified the Oyo Mesi to begin the selection of a new Oba. The Oyo Mesi, in turn, contacted Baba Oranlola, also known as Baba Iwo, of the Alowolodu ruling house, to become the king. Oranlola then convoked a meeting of the ruling house, wherein he informed the elders there that he was nominating his son, Prince Sanda Ladepo Oranlola as Gbadegesins successor. Though Baba Iwo got the buy-in of all members of the house for the nomination of his son, a key member, Baba Salami Dudu voiced his dissent to the choice. He instead nominated Prince Adeyemi, whose father, Alaafin Adeyemi Adeniran II, Gbadegesins successor, died in exile upon his deposition by the Western Region government. The contention for the throne was so fierce that it threw other princes, who were of other ruling houses, into the ring. Some of them included Prince Olanite Ajagba, Prince Afonja Ilaka, Aremo Sanni Gbadegesin and, of course, Prince Oranlola. From whichever prism it may be looked at, Prince Adeyemi, the 31-year old insurance magnate son of Oba Adeniran was not going to be the successor to Oba Gbadegesin. Many scholars also held that the reason for Oba Adenirans fall from grace to grass was his highly conservative disposition and his overly uncompromising attitude, in spite of his illiteracy. Five years after his coronation, specifically between 13 September and 13 October, 1950, the king went ahead in the demonstration of his religious piety by embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca, even without the colonial authoritys support. It was at a time when the District Officer, on 5 August, 1950 described such a pilgrimage as a haywire adventure. Oba Adeniran was also said to have distrusted the Western regions educated elite, most of who were Christians. Being a Muslim, he seemed to have been marooned by Christian administrators. The councillors of Oyo Province, which included Chief Bode Thomas, Mr T Akerele, Reverend Gesinde and Reverend Taiwo, were all Christians. Unlike other Obas of the Region, Oba Adeniran was neither a member of the Action Group nor of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), like his colleagues. The Ooni of Ife, Odemo of Ishara, and the Oba of Benin openly flaunted their membership of political parties. Oba Adeyemi, however, donated the sume of 50 to the AG party fund. To rally round Oba Adeyemi, Muslims in Oyo formed the Oyo Parapo (Oyo Peoples Front) as protective shield for him against the councillors. The symbol of their group was a lion and the crown. So when Council Chair, Bode Thomas, cut Alaafin Adenirans allowance by 600 in 1952, the history of schism among Oyo Mesi, the kingmakers council, would seem to have begun. Thomas also removed the salary of Adenirans heir apparent, called the Aremo, from the Councils expenditure and at the same time stopped the salaries of senior officials of the Aafin who performed judicial functions in the palace. So, when Thomas visited the Aremos compound on 21 April, 1953, he met a stiff resistance and little skirmish. It was the beginning of the division among the Oyo Mesi, though theirs was not about filthy lucre, which culminated in what we see today on who becomes the 22nd Alaafin of Oyo. The Oyo Mesis division came during the period of the 1953 to 1958 crisis, first on the basis of religion. The Basorun, Chairman of the Oyo Mesi and the Baba Iyaji, the latter who originally was not a member of the Oyo Mesi, but both being Christians, were the first to disconnect from Oba Adeniran. However, by March 1954, the Oba Adeniran had got all the members of the Oyo Mesi back to his fold, excluding the Basorun and Ashipa. The government then responded by appointing Baba Iyaji and other chiefs as part of the Oyo Mesi, just as the Oyo State government did in the nomination of Prince Owoade. A procession of 3,000 Oyo sons and daughters, led by Balogun Aleelo, immediately organised and stormed the Residents house. On 5 September, 1954, Oyo Parapo members protest stormed the homes of prominent ruling party chiefs in a riot, which left seven people dead. The Lloyd Commission was then set up in 1955, which though exonerated Alaafin Adeniran of complicity in the crisis, could not stop Oba Adeniran from being deposed and banished to Ilesa. He died in 1958. The question that remains to be answered now is: Did the framers of the unwritten constitution of Oyo Kingdom, especially its kingship electoral system, envisage that a day like this would come when the otherwise revered council would be enmeshed in the sordid allegation of colossal bribery to pick an Alaafin? Is there fairness in the choice of an Alaafin candidate, whose nomination was ostensibly prompted by graft and bribery? Which of the nominations would be seen to be equitable, the one made via bribery or the one made through the Ifa oracle and government-nominated chiefs? A new Alaafin must strive to imbibe many of the qualities of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. In contemporary Nigeria, though the powers of the throne may seem to have dwindled, the Alaafin still symbolises the social and political will of his people. He is regarded as the supreme head of kings and princes in the Yoruba nation. This is why if a king who carries excessive personal foibles becomes the Alaafin, his baggage will tell tremendously, not only on his immediate Oyo people, but on the Yoruba people as a whole. The immediate past occupier of that stool reified the myth and powers of the palace in the most regal manner. Without compromise, Oba Adeyemi fought the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade to the hilt over the ascendancy and supremacy of his stool. The next Alaafin must be sure of himself like Oba Adeyemi was. Except in very exceptional cases, Oba Adeyemi continued the myth of the Alaafin of yore, who only came out three times in a year. Though he ran an open administration, anyone who attempted to cross the line found out that he did not suffer their fools gladly. I know of a lawyer friend who, ostensibly exploiting his access to the palace, had Oba Adeyemi keep him waiting for almost a whole day (as the Alaafin told me), and he had to leave exasperated. Mo fi Alaafin han an nii (I showed him the colour of the palace), he said on the symbolic implication of what he did. Oba Adeyemi also saw Yorubaland as his constituency. In the build-up to the 2015 general elections, Kabiyesi Adeyemi had complained severally to me on how the then governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was not requiting the sacrifices he made in backing him to become governor in 2011. It was common knowledge that Alaafin and his side-partner, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola, fought then incumbent governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to a standstill and were the major sponsors of Ajimobi to the governorship. So, in 2015, Kabiyesi was dilly-dallying on which way his pendulum should swing. Goodluck Jonathan had made a foray into the palace and the Muhammadu Buhari phenomenon was catching up like a pestilence. So Kabiyesi rang me up: We need to decide where we are going, he said urgently. And the second day, I was in the palace. Due to the horde of backbiters and evil-permutators who surround power like ants do candy, I had to inform Governor Ajimobi about my movement. And he gave his consent. On the said day, Kabiyesi and I sat all alone. Anyone who called, he either ignored or told he needed the next one hour off. One of his daughters, a commissioner in the Ajimobi government, came in and he told her how engaged he was. Alaafin then gave what sounded like a welcome speech, which encapsulated the meat of the meeting. Where is the Yoruba going to queue in the impending movement: Jonathan or Buhari? he asked. Should he support Ajimobi for another term? So, I began a very long treatise about the place of the Alaafin in present Yoruba socio-political equation. The palace had to move with the tide of opinions in Yorubaland or the palace risked being swept off by the typhoon. If he doubted me, he should commission an opinion survey on where the mood of Yorubaland swung, I said. I also gave my opinion about Ajimobis disposition to him. Kabiyesi, not once, not twice, Governor Ajimobi tells whoever wanted to listen that Alaafin taa tan fun wa ni (Alaafin bit the bullet for me) in 2011, I told Oba Adeyemi. He thanked me profusely after that discussion. A few days after, Kabiyesi called to appreciate the candidness of my opinion and how where I suggested was where he would swing. In the 2019 election as well, Kabiyesi called to seek my opinion on where he should swing on the gubernatorial election in his state, though he later abandoned our agreed choice and chose his own path. He didnt seek my opinion on the presidency because he knew we were diametrically opposed on where to go. ri inu (his inner head). A new Alaafin has been chosen . May his reign be long. But, no matter how long the reign is, what will matter ultimately is how well the fortunes of his people will increase during his time. May the new Oba not be antagonistic to his O(his inner head). Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Book: Judging with Justice: The Autobiography of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, The Chief Justice of Nigeria Author: Ariwoola, Olukayode [As Narrated to Olanrewaju Akinsola, (Onigegewura)] Publisher: Asco Publishers, Lagos Year: 2024 Judging with Justice missed an opportunity to show how a judiciary of sons, daughters, wives and even a few mistresses, meets the standard of credible, qualified, and people of proven integrity. He may have been closer to the mark if he had chosen to title the book A Convenient Memory. On 22 August 2024, Olukayode Ariwoola, the penultimate Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) retired from the bench and transitioned into a published author. At a well-attended event in the Abuja, the former CJN beamed at the public presentation of his autobiography. Published under the title Judging with Justice, the book was ghost written by Olanrewaju Akinsola (the author better known as Onigegewura). Laid out in 13 chapters and 496 pages, the author tells his story in the first 250 pages. The remainder of the book is dedicated to testimonials on the author from colleagues in the judiciary, lawyers, friends, peers, and family members. The story reveals the son of a doting and committed dad, who appears to take family and his faith seriously. Judging with Justice is a deeply personal story of a judicial figure whose rise to the highest office in his countrys judicial grease pole was as improbable as his route was unusual. The author is quite open in his disclosures about his health, including an open heart surgery in London in 2016. Olukayode Ariwoola became a lawyer at 27 and a judge at 38. In the eleven years that separated his enrollment at the bar from his elevation to the Bench, Olukayode Ariwoola worked first as State Counsel in Oyo State, from where he resigned into private legal practice. That stint of his professional career began in Ibadan, the state capital, under the tutelage of Ladosu Ladapo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who twice ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). After one year of practice under the Senior Advocate, Olukayode Ariwoola chose to set up his own legal practice in Oyo, not far from his beloved natal community of Iseyin. At the time, there were only five lawyers in the city. Making ends meet was difficult and his clients were mostly reluctant litigants, many of whom had to improvise in order to find the currency for transacting business with a lawyer. He stuck with it and in 1992, the year after Oyo State was split in two to produce Osun State, got propelled to the office of a judge of the High Court of Oyo State by what, from his narration, surely was a stroke of providential happenstance. In the cohort of six new judges, Olukayode Ariwoola was the youngest by all of nine years. After 13 years as a judge of the High Court, Olukayode Ariwoola got elevated to the Court of Appeal in November 2005. The major actors in his elevation to the appellate Bench included Aloma Mukhtar, who would later rise to become the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria; Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General of the Federation; and Bolarinwa Babalakin, a former Justice of the Supreme Court. None of these three shared the same origins with Olukayode Ariwoola. Aloma Mukhtar came from Kano; Bola Ige and Bolarinwa Babalakin both came from Osun State. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The author offers about the Supreme Court that it is more than a court of law. It is the tradition that the Supreme Court is regarded as a court of policy. Having said this, the book offers no insight on how the Supreme Court, in which he sat for 13 years, or the office of the CJN, which he occupied for over two of those years, articulated or advanced this idea of the Supreme Court as a court of policy. If anything, the court did the opposite under him. After six years in the Court of Appeal, Olukayode Ariwoola ascended to the Supreme Court in November 2011, where he served for another 12 years before becoming the CJN. In all, his judicial career spanned nearly 32 years, including two years and two months served as CJN. All his judicial elevations (except his preferment to the office of CJN) occurred in the month of November. Judicial autobiographies, especially in common law countries, are far from easy to confection. The balance between achieving a captivating narrative and preserving the mystique of the high judicial office is hard. The temptation to deodorise the tale can be tantalising. Judging with Justice wrestles valiantly with this dilemma and not always successfully. The author offers about the Supreme Court that it is more than a court of law. It is the tradition that the Supreme Court is regarded as a court of policy. Having said this, the book offers no insight on how the Supreme Court, in which he sat for 13 years, or the office of the CJN, which he occupied for over two of those years, articulated or advanced this idea of the Supreme Court as a court of policy. If anything, the court did the opposite under him. The best that can be said of the book and about its author is that they chose to be economical with any indication of a coherent judicial philosophy. Entirely in keeping with this, the author writes, with what appears to be some pride, that he never had any cause to write a dissenting opinion be it at the Court of Appeal or at the Supreme Court. He spent a combined 18 years in both courts. The author, nevertheless, drops hints of inspiration. He counsels, for instance, that a judge must not frequent social events where litigants and lawyers congregate. Those who read this may wonder whether he remembered it when he showed up in Port Harcourt in November 2022 to serenade politicians (many of whom had cases before his court) in their quest for electoral victory in elections that were then impending. Many who were witnesses to Olukayode Ariwoolas tenure as CJN will wonder when he came to what he claims in the book to be his long-held belief that the judiciary is an independent and separate arm of government and should not be regarded as an appendage of the Executive or the Legislature. The disposition of his entire term appears to have been the very opposite of these sentiments. At the end of his narration, the author tells with pride his achievements as CJN. Among these, he lists attainment, at the beginning of 2024, for the first time in the 70-year history of the Supreme Court, of the full judicial establishment size of 22 (including the CJN). He also points to the appointment, since 2023, of new judges to the various courts, including the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Judging with Justice is littered with a few more examples of warm and comforting shibboleths. Yet, it is what the book omits that is most telling. The author thanks God for the privilege to have been instrumental in the appointment of people into positions of responsibility. As CJN, he sure had a lot of practice at this. He also claims that he always ensure(d) that the persons to be nominated are credible, qualified, and people of proven integrity. His record as CJN might say otherwise. At the end of his narration, the author tells with pride his achievements as CJN. Among these, he lists attainment, at the beginning of 2024, for the first time in the 70-year history of the Supreme Court, of the full judicial establishment size of 22 (including the CJN). He also points to the appointment, since 2023, of new judges to the various courts, including the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. In Judging with Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola is punctilious in listing all the people whom he processed for appointment in that frantic sequence of judicial elevations that occurred during the year preceding his retirement as CJN. He takes fulsome paternal pride in the fact that his son also named Kayode Taslim is a jurist like Judge Taslim Olawale Elias he was named after, but omits to disclose that it was him, the father, who appointed the son to the role of judge (with no need for the helping hand of a Holy Ghost). He did not stop there, he also appointed his own daughter-in-law as judge, as well as the daughters of the President of the Court of Appeal; of the Chief Judge of High Court of the FCT; the daughter of his predecessor in the office of CJN; the wife of the Minister of the FCT; and many more high-up insiders too numerous to mention. Judging with Justice missed an opportunity to show how a judiciary of sons, daughters, wives and even a few mistresses, meets the standard of credible, qualified, and people of proven integrity. He may have been closer to the mark if he had chosen to title the book A Convenient Memory. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has commended the Nigerian militarys efforts in the renewed onslaught against bandits in the state. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in a successful airstrike over the weekend, decisively targeted bandits attacking villages in Zurmi and Maradun local government areas. In a statement issued on Sunday in Gusau, the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, expressed deep condolences to the families of civilian casualties affected by the airstrike at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA). Mr Idris clarified that the civilian casualties were members of the local vigilante who were mistakenly identified as the bandits fleeing from Gidan Makera in the Boko district of Zurmi LGA. The statement reads in part: We have received multiple positive reports of precision strikes carried out by the air component of Operation Fansan Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas. This intervention by the military has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits and has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding the lives and property of the people. As a responsible government, we assure all the people of the state that the Government of Zamfara State remains steadfast in its resolve to sustain the gains made in the fight against banditry and related criminalities. The recent success indicates that the collaborative efforts between the state and federal security agencies yield positive results. In light of these achievements, the state government reaffirms its commitment to providing all necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to sustain their operations and bring lasting peace to the state. We will continue to offer support to enhance intelligence sharing, provide logistics, and strengthen community engagement, all in the spirit of a comprehensive approach to security and achieving the ultimate goal of restoring normalcy across all parts of the state. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Regrettably, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah. The state government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen JTF personnel and assures them that the sacrifices of the deceased will not go in vain. The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families. Finally, the government calls on people to be vigilant, report all suspicious activities, and cooperate fully with security personnel. Through collective effort and unity of purpose, the fight against banditry can be won, bringing enduring peace and stability to Zamfara State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In a bold step to transform livestock farming in Nigeria, the Borno State government, in collaboration with the federal government, has opened the countrys first of its kind cattle ranch and resettlement center. The project, which aligns with the federal governments Presidential initiative on reform of livestock sector, shows the states dedication to improving its farming industry and offers hope to communities that have been affected by violence and displacement for a long time. Governor Babagana Zulum, who midwifed the first cattle ranch idea of the federal government, said the commissioned Livestock Ranching Centre (otherwise known as RUGA) is one of the three designed to be established in three senatorial districts of Borno State. The governor said RUGA centers represent a strategic effort to integrate sustainable livestock agriculture with comprehensive community development. Located within Bornos expansive grazing reserves, each centre is equipped with essential infrastructure, including housing estates, schools, health clinics, and veterinary services. The centres also boast state-of-the-art dairy and beef upgrading facilities, ensuring that the community can thrive in livestock and agricultural activities. The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadadur, who oversees the states new Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development explained that at the heart of the project is a commitment to empowering local communities. Each of the 461 households in the Ngarannam area, severely impacted by Boko Haram insurgency, will receive livestock and essential relief packages. The initiative aims to restore dignity and self-sufficiency to these families, he stated. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Maryama Abuwar, a beneficiary from Ngarannam, expressed her gratitude: After losing everything to the insurgency, I thought I would never be able to provide for my children again. Today, with the support of the government, I have received livestock and the means to start anew. This project is a lifeline for us and we thank our governor, Babagana Zulum for making us happy. Mr Kadadur described the project as a significant push to enhance the livelihoods of herding communities. He added that it is an ambitious plan for a new ranching centre project that promises to provide essential services and infrastructure for both the community and the state. He said the ranching centre would enhance a peaceful environment as well as improve housing and living conditions. We are committed to uplifting our herding communities, he stated. This initiative includes the construction of 360 prototype houses and extensive road networks funded by the Borno State Government, alongside 101 houses built by the Federal Government. Together, these efforts will provide decent accommodation and a conducive environment for our herding families. The deputy governor highlighted the critical role of education and healthcare in the project. Each centre will be equipped with a school and a health clinic, ensuring that residents have access to essential education and healthcare services. Our aim is to uplift these communities by providing their children with quality education and access to health services. He stated that veterinary services are also an essential component of the initiative. With dedicated veterinary centres at each location, we ensure that livestock health and welfare remain paramount, Mr Kadadur said. Reduction of losses and increase productivity for our farmers The ranching centres will also feature dairy and beef breeds upgrading centres, crucial for improving livestock quality. The Borno State Government has invested significantly, building and equipping the multi-million naira Ngarannam Breeding Centre and providing over 1.5 billion Naira for AI, Embryo Plasma Transfer Centres, and a Liquid Nitrogen Complex in the 2025 budget, he explained. Mr Kadadur said the Pasture development is another vital component of the initiative. We are managing 200 hectares of rain-fed pasture and 20 hectares of irrigated pasture across the state, he stated, underlining the importance of sustainable grazing practices. To bolster local dairy production, the initiative plans to establish milk collection centres. By creating these hubs, we offer dairy farmers the opportunity to earn a stable income while increasing local milk production to meet our states needs, he added. Water resources are also being prioritised, with each centre equipped with earth dams and solar-powered boreholes. Access to a sustainable water supply is crucial for both human and livestock needs, Mr Kadadur affirmed. In a bid to enhance security and commerce, the project includes the establishment of market and security outposts. These facilities will foster a safe and organised environment, serving as commercial hubs for livestock products, he said. This ranching centre initiative is a demonstration our commitment to improving the livelihoods of our herding communities while contributing to the overall development of Borno State, he added. A Call to Investors Governor Zulum extended an invitation to multinational commercial livestock investors, emphasising Bornos potential. Borno State, blessed with vast grazing reserves and fertile land, offers unique opportunities for livestock growth, he urged, adding, Together, we can enhance productivity and turn Borno into a thriving agricultural hub. He said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to modernise Nigerias livestock sector. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar who cut the tape for the commissioning of the ranching centre, praised the initiatives potential to provide sustainable, climate-smart livestock production. He said, this project aims to provide access to pasture, water, animal health services, and infrastructure. He further highlighted its role in reducing farmer-herder conflicts and engaging youth and women in livestock-related activities. Attahiru Jegas Verdict The launch was marked by a keynote address by Attahiru Jega, a professor and co-chair of the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee. He commended the Borno State government for its proactive approach, stating that Today, I have witnessed something I have never seen in our country. We have seen today the vision of a leader, the passion and the commitment to what clearly will help drive economic growth, uplift the lives and livelihoods of our people, and provide employment for our citizens. This is what any good leader ought to do. Mr Jega, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, lamented the scarcity of good leadership in Nigeria, stating, But in our country, I regret to say, we are short of good leaders. So when we see this kind of efforts, we have to commend them, and we have to support them, and we have to ensure that not only do they mature, but that they are also very sustainable. Mr Jega concluded with an optimistic outlook for Borno, asserting, I have no doubt from what I have seen, from what I have heard from His Excellency the Governor, and what we expect from the stakeholders in Borno State, that this is just the beginning of the turnaround in terms of empowering our people, in terms of providing opportunities for economic development, and in terms of actually providing what Nigerians are craving for, which is the so-called dividend of democracy. A New Dawn for Borno State The RUGA centres are more than infrastructure they represent a vision of hope, opportunity, and progress for Borno State. By fostering peaceful coexistence and facilitating economic growth, the centres aim to reduce rural-urban migration and create a supportive environment for herding communities. As Governor Zulum concluded, Together, let us build a future of resilience, prosperity, and lasting peace for Borno State and Nigeria. The echoes of hope and determination reverberate through the newly established ranching centres, promising a brighter, more prosperous future for Bornos resilient communities. With the launch of these centres, Borno State is poised to transform its livestock sector into a vibrant and sustainable industry that contributes significantly to Nigerias GDP while creating jobs and wealth. And this aligns with the sentiment of one of the beneficiaries, Bulama Idris Hassan, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Channah village in the Mafa local government area of Borno State, who shared his joy expressing happiness at regaining his livelihood cattle rearing after it had been lost to Boko Haram for an extended period. I am one of the happiest people here today because the government has finally responded to our pleas by providing us with this ranch, he said. I was a cattle rearer from a young age until Boko Haram took everything from us. Now, I thank the government for giving us a new lifeline. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen, suspected to be cattle herders, have killed nine people and injured many others in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The deadly attack occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Tattara community of the Panda Development Area of Karu. According to a local source who wished to remain anonymous, the attackers invaded the community, firing shots indiscriminately at residents. It was around 8 p.m. when we started hearing gunshots. We were caught unaware, and it was a nightmare for many of us. As of now, we have lost nine people, and two are in critical condition. Several others sustained various degrees of injuries, the source told PREMIUM TIMES. This incident bears eerie similarities to a previous attack by Fulani herders about a year ago, which resulted in the burning down of houses in Tattara. The police were working to restore normalcy in the area as of the time of this report Sunday evening. However, efforts to reach the police spokesperson were unsuccessful, as his phone lines were unavailable. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sacked three judicial officers for misconduct. The commission also advised three Sharia Court judges to resign and reprimanded two others for dereliction of duty. This is contained in a Sunday statement issued by Abbas Wangara, the director of protocol and publicity at Jigawa State Judiciary, on Sunday in Dutse. He said the commission, at its 178th meeting held on 7 January, approved disciplinary actions against erring personnel for violating judicial procedures and rules. In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu DanAzumi, Secretary of the JSC, the commission received the report of an investigation committee from the High Court department in respect of two officers. The affected officers are Iyal Ibrahim, Higher Registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, Principal Registrar on Grade Level 14. The two officers were found guilty of illegal sales of two vehicles, exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse, and committed an official misconduct punishable under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also, the commission resolved that the service of the two officers be terminated in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. 20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012, he said. Mr Wangara said the commission received a report from the High Court department regarding Abdu Aujara, a chief clerical officer, for suppressing N965,000, being a litigants deposit in a recovery case filed by Jaiz Bank before the Chief Magistrates Court in Jahun. He said the commission terminated the officers appointment in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012. Also, the commission deliberated on the report of the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC) in respect of Adamu Farin-Dutse, a Sharia Court judge accused of abusing judicial powers and misapplication of the law, adding that the officer had been warned several times in that regard. After careful deliberations, the commission found the officer liable for official misconduct in accordance with the provision of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service. Therefore, the commission resolved to write to the officer and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks as provided by Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012, he said. The commission also deliberated on the report of the JSPCC on official misconduct regarding another Sharia Court judge, Muhammad Usman, who allegedly abused power by issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment. According to Mr Wangara, the action shows that judicial functions were conducted without following due process in violation of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service, 2006. Mr Wangara said the commission advised the judge to tender his resignation letter from the service in accordance with the provision of Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012. Similarly, the commission deliberated on the JPCC report in respect of Usman Zubair, another Sharia Court judge who allegedly abused judicial powers. He said the judge allegedly abused judicial powers by refusing to adjudicate properly on matters of distribution of inheritance shares to the legal heirs and allowed another person who was not party to the substantive matter to benefit. The commission also found that the officer had been warned for irregularities in both his civil and criminal proceedings. It resolved to write to Usman Usman Zubair and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks. Also, the commission issued a warning letter to the resident magistrate, Munnir Abdullahi, for converting a civil matter to a criminal matter by allowing himself to be partisan in the case. Mr Wangara said the warning was given under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012. He said the commission further warned another magistrate, Yakubu Ibrahim, for abuse of power by insulting and uttering derogatory words to a litigant when she appeared before him at Chief Magistrate Court Maigatari. According to him, disciplinary exercise is part of the commissions effort to ensure a corrupt-free judiciary and maintain a high level of performance, discipline, and professionalism. While reiterating its commitment to ensuring a fair and supportive working environment for all judicial employees, Wangara assured that the commission would continue to take necessary disciplinary actions to maintain standards. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least 20 people, including members of a local vigilante group, have been killed in a mistargeted airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force. The incident happened in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the local vigilantes killed in the airstrike were members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard. The incident occurred on Saturday night, 11 January, at Tungar Kara, a community in Maradun LGA where both the Air Force and the victims of the airstrike were reportedly repelling an attack by terrorists. A resident, Salisu Maradun, told PREMIUM TIMES that the vigilantes had mobilised to defend the community alongside other residents when they were struck by the airstrike while trying to retrieve rustled animals from the fleeing bandits. Mr Maradun said the victims were residents of various communities who came in solidarity to support an attacked community. Residents said the attack left at least 20 people killed, with several yet to be accounted for as of Sunday afternoon. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Air Force spokesperson, Olusola Akinboyewa, could not be immediately reached for comment about the incident. He did not respond to phone calls, and a text message sent to him had not been responded to. Similarly, the police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yazeed Abubakar, could not also be reached. Amnesty condemns deadly airstrike Amnesty International has condemned the attack, urging the Nigerian authorities to investigate it immediately and impartially. The Nigerian authorities must immediately and impartially investigate the Saturday evening air strike that killed at least 20 people at Tungar Kara village of Maradun LGA Zamfara state. Dozens of people injured are currently in critical condition without access to medical care. The Nigerian authorities consistent failure to hold the military to account is encouraging impunity and increasingly endangering the lives of the civilians the military is supposed to be protecting. Amnesty International wrote on X. Such attacks by the Nigerian Air Force on civilians and other non-criminal groups have claimed the lives of several people across the country. Saturdays incident followed the Christmas Day airstrikes that killed 10 civilians in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in neighbouring Silame LGA of Sokoto State. Although the Air Force claimed those killed in the Sokoto communities were terrorists, it later vowed to probe the bombing following an outcry by families of the victims. According to SBM Intelligence, a pan-African consulting firm, the Nigerian Air Force carried out 17 accidental air strikes between January 2017 and September 2024, killing about 500 people. Such cases of airstrikes targeting civilians also formed parts of what the International Criminal Court (ICC) is probing Nigerian security forces for. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Although it is more than two years before the next general election in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has declared Governor Umo Eno, the partys sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state. Mr Enos administration is just over one and a half years old; he was sworn in as Akwa Ibom governor on 29 May 2023. After thorough deliberation at the Akwa Ibom State PDP Enlarged State Executive Council Meeting held on 6 January 2025, at the PDP State Secretariat, the party unanimously endorsed Pastor Umo Bassey Eno as its sole gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the party said in a communique signed by the PDP Chairperson in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Akpan. The spokesperson for the PDP in Akwa Ibom, Edwin Ebiese, posted the communique on his Facebook page on Sunday, 12 January. By this decision, the PDP may have successfully excluded other potential governorship aspirants and eliminated competition and other choices within the party in Akwa Ibom before the 2027 election. The PDP said its decision was based on the governors outstanding performance so far. His exemplary leadership and vision, as encapsulated in the Arise Agenda, have yielded significant dividends of democracy for the people of Akwa Ibom State, the party said in the communique. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Arise Agenda is Mr Enos blueprint for Akwa Iboms economic development. READ ALSO: Kidnappers free oil worker in Akwa Ibom Governor Eno visited the PDP state secretariat in Uyo on Saturday, hours after he dissolved his cabinet. Akwa Ibom is a PDP stronghold; the party has produced successive governors of the oil-rich state since the return of democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999. With the opposition political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, being weak in the state, Governor Eno looks good to win a second term in 2027. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Oyo State Government on Friday announced Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate on Friday, a surprising move amid ongoing court proceedings on the selection process. The government bypassed an earlier selection by the Oyomesi, Oyos traditional kingmakers, who immediately rejected the governors choice. The position of Alaafin, a top Yoruba traditional stool, became vacant following the demise of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on 22 April 2022. Subsequently, the Oyomesi initiated the process of selecting a successor in line with the Alaafin of Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which vests the authority to select the Alaafin in the traditional council. The selection process began after the Atiba Local Government sought and obtained the governors approval in August 2022, according to documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES. The Alaafin selection by the Oyomesi After a screening process involving 82 aspirants from the Agunloye Ruling House, the Oyomesi unanimously selected Lukman Gbadegesin, a grandson of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin (1956 1966), as the new Alaafin on 30 September 2022. The Atiba Local Government formally communicated this selection to the governor on 4 October 2022, in compliance with Section 20 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State. That law provides a 21-day window for dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses to petition the governor. No petition was filed within this period, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. A subsequent legal challenge by a dissatisfied aspirant was dismissed by the Oyo State High Court on 19 December 2022, which upheld the validity of the process. In court, the Oyo State government defended the process and successfully argued for its validity, alongside the Oyomesi. However, the process, which appeared settled, took a dramatic turn after the Nigerian 2023 general elections. Two members of the Oyomesi, who had previously endorsed Mr Gbadegesin, reneged on their decision, claiming bribery influenced the selection. No evidence proving that allegation has been made public till date. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Despite the lack of official communication questioning the selection, Governor Seyi Makinde withheld his assent to Mr Gbadegesins appointment for over a year. On 10 January 2025, the governor announced the appointment of Mr Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, a move many have criticised as a breach of the law and customary practices. Mr Owoade is from the Agunloye Ruling House, tracing his roots to Prince Owoade, who was a younger brother of Alaafin Siyanbola Ladigbolu (1911 1944). The governors actions violate the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which stipulates that the Oyomesi, led by the Bashorun of Oyo, holds the sole authority to select the Alaafin. The following is a highlight of the breaches in the selection of Mr Owoade: No Official Petition: The governor received no official petition from dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses within the legally mandated period. The two Oyomesi members who later opposed the selection lacked the basis to challenge the process, according to the law. Disregard for Court Ruling: The December 2022 court ruling affirmed that the customary law guiding the selection of the Alaafin does not require consulting the Ifa oracle. However, in a widely circulated video, Yoruba scholar Professor Wande Abimbola claimed the governor engaged him to consult Ifa in selecting the new Alaafin, allegedly violating the courts ruling. Usurpation of Oyomesis Powers: Despite an earlier selection by Oyomesi, the governor hurriedly convened his own selection meeting, including two warrants chiefs, and appointed a candidate for the prestigious throne. Hours after Mr Owoades selection was announced, the Oyomesi declared their rejection of the appointment and sources close to the chiefs said they are approaching the court to set aside Mr Makindes action. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Andersen Consulting was once one of the top names in professional services. The firm rebranded to Accenture in 2000, and its parent company went bust following the Enron scandal. Now Andersen Consulting is making a comeback. One of the leading consulting brands of the 1990s, whose parent company was brought down in the Enron scandal, is making a comeback. Andersen Consulting, which was one of the "Big Eight" consulting firms, will relaunch next month, unnamed sources told The Financial Times. The firm's comeback has been orchestrated by Andersen, a tax business founded in 2002 by former employees from Arthur Andersen, the once-prestigious accounting firm and the parent company of Andersen Consulting. It acquired rights to the Arthur Andersen name in 2014 and renamed itself Andersen in 2019. Andersen has mostly focused on tax and legal work but has been steadily building a consulting division under the guidance of George Shaheen, a former CEO of Andersen Consulting in its heyday. Shaheen joined the group as a special advisor in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. In the past six months, the company has added 20 member firms focused on consulting from the US and other countries, several of which have connections to the old Andersen Consulting and Arthur Andersen, the FT reported. "Six months ago, we began building Andersen Consulting, and already we have 108 offices in 66 countries with nearly 3000 employees," Mark Vorsatz, Andersen's CEO, said in a statement sent to Business Insider. "We're seeing incredibly fast growth. Our goal in three years is to reach a billion dollars in revenue, which I think is very realistic." "Our global firm has a massive competitive advantage and this scale creates a unique consulting experience that is unrivaled in the crowded consulting space," he added. The resurrection of Andersen Consulting marks a major comeback for what was once a leading name in professional services. "Andersen Consulting was the Coca-Cola of professional services," Vorsatz told the FT. "If you are over 40 in business, you know Andersen Consulting." The original Andersen Consulting split from its parent company, Arthur Andersen, in 2000 and rebranded as Accenture. One year later, the Andersen name was tarnished when Arthur Andersen became embroiled in the Enron scandal. Executives at Enron, one of the largest energy providers in the US, were found to have hidden billions of dollars in debt by manipulating financial models and lying to investors. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated 2024-2025 Global Top Brands Award Ceremony and International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit were held on January 8, 2025 local time, at the Wynn & Encore Hotel in Las Vegas, USA. This ceremony gathered leading manufacturers, traders, and elites in the global consumer electronics industry to celebrate the triumphs of the world's top consumer electronics brands. With the theme of "AI Empowerment: Ushering in a New Era of Brand Upgrading", the Global Top Brands Award Ceremony focuses on how AI is deeply integrating with the consumer electronics industry and continuously driving innovation, vitality, and competitiveness in industrial development. A number of distinguished guests were present at the event, including Stavros Anthony, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada; Kim Tae Heum, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea; Adam Goldstein, Vice President of TWICE; Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group; Zhang Li, Co-President of Asia Digital Group; and Jan Lorbach, Senior Director of Strategic Insights at GfK. Senior executives from influential companies such as Huawei, TCL, Haier, Changhong, TECNO, ECOVACS, VOLTME, XPENG Motors, and Segway-Ninebot were also in attendance. In addition, key representatives from Samsung joined the ceremony. Nearly one hundred media outlets, including CCTV, Phoenix TV, and Dragon TV, as well as senior journalists, were also present to cover the event. Ceremony and Summit Open with a Focus on Pioneering Industry Development The award ceremony was filled with excitement and star power, bringing together representatives of executives from leading global consumer electronics brands and industry experts, who witnessed the unveiling of multiple top awards. These accolades celebrated the outstanding achievements in the consumer electronics sector over the past year, and pointed the way toward industry trends. Furthermore, participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on cutting-edge issues, exploring new trends, opportunities, and challenges facing the industry. The ceremony was not only a moment of honor but also an important platform for driving the high-quality development of the global consumer electronics industry. Founded by International Data Group in 2006, the Global Top Brands Awards (GTB for short) is a world-class selection event organized by Asia Digital Group and Europe Digital Group, and supported by TWICE and International Data Corporation(IDC for short), an authoritative market research and analysis firm. The GTB has evolved into a platform where the world's top consumer electronics brands compete to highlight their innovations, aiming to present the charm of global consumer electronics to audiences worldwide, enhancing the popularity of major consumer electronics enterprises in the international market, and further promoting the development of the global consumer electronics industry. This GTB brought together top consumer electronics brands from around the world to show their latest products and cutting-edge technologies. It serves as a forward-thinking platform for exchanging ideas, offering industry professionals an in-depth look at the most innovative products and emerging trends shaping the future of the global consumer electronics landscape. The event began with an address by Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony of Nevada. He highlighted that Nevada, often referred to as the "Silver State", has long been a fertile land for the fusion of innovative technologies and industries, thanks to its open and inclusive spirit, leading technological atmosphere, and unparalleled business environment. He emphasized that the award ceremony recognizes Nevada's strength in scientific and technological innovation, and serves as a powerful boost to their ongoing efforts to advance industry upgrades and promote international cooperation. Furthermore, he expressed strong optimism about the future of AI in the consumer electronics sector and reaffirmed that Nevada would continue to embrace an open and collaborative approach, offering top-tier services and support to all companies and brands participating in the GTB selection. As one of the hosts, Asia Digital Group's President Zhu Dongfang welcomed the guests attending the ceremony. He noted that, despite the complexities of the global economic environment, emerging technologies like AI are driving the steady development of the global consumer electronics industry, with the market expected to experience a new phase of robust growth. As a key player, China is transitioning from a "major manufacturer" to an "innovation powerhouse". In 2024, the market turnover is projected to surpass 2.2 trillion yuan, with an accelerated shift toward smart, high-end, and environmentally friendly products. The international influence of Chinese consumer electronics brands has grown significantly, penetrating the mid-to-high-end markets. Against this backdrop, this GTB honors the exceptional achievements of the global consumer electronics industry and looks ahead to emerging trends, bringing together industry leaders to explore new opportunities for growth. Adam Goldstein, Vice President of TWICE, also highlighted in his address that, as the leading consumer electronics publication in the U.S., TWICE has long been dedicated to providing valuable insights and guidance to consumer electronics suppliers and channel partners. It has established a robust information bridge between Chinese product suppliers and international buyers and retailers. He emphasized that the annual GTB selection holds tremendous significance, as it not only reflects the industry's achievements over the past year but also offers a glimpse into the future direction of the industry. This year, especially, the rapid advancement of AI has undoubtedly injected fresh vitality into the sector, positioning itself as a pivotal force in reshaping industry development. The theme of this year's GTB is "AI Empowerment: Ushering in a New Era of Brand Upgrading", which perfectly encapsulates the current trends in the consumer electronics industry. It provides the industry with valuable insights into emerging opportunities to drive continuous innovation and sound development throughout the industry. Governor Kim Tae Heum of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, noted that Chungcheongnam-do, one of South Korea's major economic engines, is home to a population of 2.2 million and over 300,000 businesses, spanning industries from semiconductor manufacturing to agriculture. The government is vigorously promoting scientific and technological innovation and plans to invest nearly 8 billion US dollars in factory and facility development by 2026 to attract more domestic and international investment, particularly in high-tech sectors. He also shared that Chungcheongnam-do has signed memorandums of understanding with many companies to deepen cooperation in key areas such as semiconductor production to transform the region into a global sci-tech and industrial hub, positioning it as South Korea's "Silicon Valley". The Industry's Prestigious Awards Unveiled, Brand Excellence Recognized with Top Honors During the event, highly recognized awards were presented, including the "CE Brands from China Top 10" and the "Global CE Brands Top 50", as well as a range of specialized accolades across various categories, such as the "Global TV Brands Top 10" and the "Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10". These awards recognize the winners for their achievements in technological innovation and market expansion and affirm their leading positions within the global consumer electronics industry. CE Brands from China Top 10 The list brings together the leading players in today's rapidly evolving scientific and technological landscape, including TCL, Huawei, Haier, Midea, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Gree, and others. These companies are at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI and 5G, driving the smart and connected evolution of their products. With exceptional technical expertise, frontier innovative designs, and a deep understanding of consumer needs, they have built strong market competitiveness across a wide range of consumer electronics, including smartphones, wearables, headphones, laptops, and small home appliances. Not only do they hold a significant share in the domestic market, but they are also gaining recognition on the global stage, earning widespread acclaim from consumers worldwide, and playing a key role in the ongoing evolution of the industry. TCL TCL is a globally competitive intelligent technology industry group driven by the mission of "Leading Technology, Harmonious Coexistence". It is committed to delivering forward-looking scientific and technological experience and promoting smart and healthy living. TCL has once again been recognized as one of the Global Top 50 CE Brands, reaffirming its exceptional strength as a top global consumer electronics brand. As an outstanding representative of Chinese brands, TCL also continues to hold a spot among the list of CE Brands from China Top 10. Its flagship product, the TCL Premium QD-Mini LED TV X11K, was awarded the Mini LED Display Technology Innovation Award, the TCL FreshIN Series Air Conditioner won the Smart Fresh Air Technology Innovation Award, and the TCL Super Drum Series Front Load Washing Machine received the Clean Technology Innovation Gold Award. Founded in 1981, TCL operates 46 R&D centers and 38 manufacturing bases across the globe. With a presence in over 160 countries and regions, it serves more than 1.3 billion users worldwide. Over the course of more than 40 years of transformation, innovation, and strategic upgrades, TCL has restructured its business into two main entities, TCL Industries and TCL Technology. It is now focused on three core industries, smart terminals, semiconductor displays, and new energy photovoltaics. Its smart display terminals, LCD displays, and photovoltaic monocrystals and silicon wafers have all achieved global leadership in their respective fields. TCL invested more than 60 billion yuan in R&D from 2018 to 2023. As of 2024, it has filed a total of 112,469 patents, including 18,567 PCT patents, placing it among the top companies in Chinese mainland. In the field of electroluminescent quantum dot displays, TCL holds 2,913 patents, ranking second globally. Global CE Brands Top 50 Recognized as leaders in consumer electronics, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Sony, Huawei, TCL, Lenovo, Changhong, and others on the list are showing the significant role of scientific and technological innovation in driving industry growth. These companies are staying ahead of the wave, continuously innovating to meet the increasingly diverse demands of consumers. Among them, Chinese companies have excelled in areas such as smart wearables. With the widespread adoption of emerging technologies like AI and 5G, these companies are actively exploring new applications to enhance product competitiveness. The global consumer electronics industry is poised for even greater growth and opportunity. Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10 At the forefront of smartphone brands are Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, Huawei, Honor, TECNO, Motorola, and realme on the list. Notably, Chinese brands occupy a prominent position and have gained global recognition through their sharp market insights and continuous innovation. Meanwhile, internationally renowned brands continue to perform strongly, strengthening their leadership through new product launches and channel reforms. This list reflects the current market landscape and hints at future trends, that is, only those brands that relentlessly innovate and meet consumer demands will rise to the top. TECNO In this GTB, the innovative tech brand TECNO was recognized as one of the Global Smart Phone Brands Top 10. The brand also won the Product Innovation Awards for two of its groundbreaking flagship products: the PHANTOM V Fold2 5G, the second-generation foldable smartphone featuring the full suite of TECNO's AI capabilities, and the Pocket Go, the world's first Windows handheld console paired with AR glasses, heralding a new era of AR gaming. Global TV Brands Top 10 The list includes the industry's leading brands, including TCL, Changhong, Samsung, Xiaomi, LG, Sony, Haier, and more. These brands are leading trends such as large-screen, ultra-high-definition, and smart TVs. They push the boundaries of picture quality and technology, and prioritize exceptional design and user experience. With superior product quality and relentless innovation, these brands have secured a prominent position in global market, offering consumers immersive viewing experience and new smart home possibilities. This shows the future direction of the television industry. Global Intelligent Vehicles Brands Top 10 The automotive industry's innovators, including Tesla, BYD, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Hengxing, BMW, Toyota, Geely, NIO, and XPENG Motors, are driving the transformation of smart mobility. With a focus on breakthrough technologies like autonomous driving and intelligent cockpits, these brands offer consumers greater convenience, comfort, and safety and are shaping the future of the industry through strategic partnerships to drive industrial upgrading. Their expertise and innovation make them key influencers in the global smart automotive market. Global Smart Home Brands Top 10 Top industry brands gather in the list, including Amazon, Apple, Samsung, Haier, TOMEFON, CHiQ, Midea, Huawei, Mi Home, and ECOVACS. These companies are industry leaders, renowned for their robust R&D capabilities, exceptional product performance, and precise market positioning. Chinese brands have made a notable impact, with several ranking among the top. They have made significant contributions in areas such as safety, convenience, and smart technology, while consistently driving innovation and technological progress. These brands are widely recognized in the global market and provide consumers with diverse and personalized smart home solutions, shaping the industry's future towards greater possibilities. ECOVACS ROBOTICS As a leader in the global service robotics industry, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has been recognized as one of the Global Smart Home Brands Top 10 for 2024-2025. Its robotic lawn mower, GOAT A2500 RTK, received the Robotic Lawn Mower Technology Innovation Award for its exceptional performance and innovative technology. Designed for diverse backyards with various sizes and layouts, the robot is equipped with a 32V energetic platform and two staggered blade-discs, delivering efficient and precise lawn care. Featuring LELS positioning technology, the robot enhances its accuracy in positioning and intelligent navigation, autonomously creating high-precision 3D maps. This allows for centimeter-level precision in both navigation and positioning, even in complex layouts or at night. Additionally, the GOAT A2500 RTK is equipped with a LiDAR-enhanced localization system, enabling it to precisely avoid obstacles and ensure smooth operation. CHiQ CHiQ's smart home products provide users with a more convenient, efficient, intelligent, and personalized experience. The brand has earned a place in the Global Smart Home Brands Top 10 for 2024-2025. Since its founding in 2014, CHiQ has consistently innovated in response to consumer needs, earning widespread international recognition. It offers a broad range of products, including smart home appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines. Its global footprint continues to expand, covering over 40 countries, including the EU, ASEAN, Australia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and South Korea. It has formed partnerships with numerous international companies, secured key offline distribution channels, and established a presence on more than 30 major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Lazada, and Shopee. International Innovation Award International innovative brands are showcasing exceptional competitiveness in today's consumer electronics and technology industry. Brands like YEEDI, Ampace, and TECNO are at the forefront across various sectors, including smartphones, home appliances, and IT office solutions, thanks to their strong R&D capabilities and deep market insights. These brands are driving the robust growth of the industry and meeting the diverse needs of consumers through technological innovation and high-quality services, positioning themselves as industry benchmarks. They will continue to embrace innovation, leading the consumer electronics sector towards a brighter and more promising future. YEEDI Amid the wave of smart technology, YEEDI stands out for its exceptional innovation and deep understanding of consumer needs. The YEEDI S14 Plus was awarded the Indoor Cleaning Technology Innovation Gold Award. As a pioneer in smart cleaning solutions, YEEDI remains at the forefront of science and technology, consistently launching groundbreaking products that deliver a more convenient and efficient cleaning experience for households worldwide. In the year of 2024, YEEDI has launched multiple innovative products, including the M12 PRO+ and C12 COMBO. The highly anticipated YEEDI S14 PLUS, set for release in 2025, has already generated considerable attention. It has earned widespread praise from consumers worldwide, with exclusive innovations such as the OZMO Roller Mopping Technology, TruEdge 2.0 Adaptive Edge Mopping Technology, ZeroTangle 2.0 Technology, and AIVI 3D 3.0 Technology. Ampace As a globally recognized leader and trusted choice in the field of new energy innovation, Ampace has earned the trust and praise of users worldwide through its exceptional innovation, strong technical expertise, keen market insights, and relentless commitment to quality. With a market share exceeding 30% in the global residential energy storage sector, it has proven its formidable competitive strength and set a benchmark for innovation, reliability, and outstanding performance, honored with the International Innovation Award. The Ampace Andes 1500 Portable Power Station was awarded the Portable Energy Storage Technology Innovation Award. Ampace places technological innovation at the heart of its mission, continually pushing the boundaries and driving industry progress. The Ampace Andes Portable Power Station showcases this trusted energy technology, offering reliable, stable, safe, and high-capacity power support to outdoor adventurers, professionals, and families alike. Looking to the future, we look forward to Ampace continuing its legacy of innovation and making even greater contributions to the sustainable development of society. Global Emerging Brands The global emerging brand VOLTME has quickly made a name for itself in the consumer electronics and technology industry, driven by its innovation and competitiveness. Focused on technological innovation and keenly attuned to consumer needs, it has continuously improved its value for money. With exceptional offerings in areas such as smartphones, smart wearables, IT office solutions, and home appliances, VOLTME has gained significant market recognition. The rise of such dynamic brands is revitalizing the industry, guiding the consumer electronics sector towards greater heights and a promising future. VOLTME VOLTME, the flagship brand of Voltnex Innovations and a global leader in power solutions, has been awarded the Global Emerging Brands. Its latest offering, the VOLTME Revo 240 PD3.1 GaN Charger is the perfect solution for fast and safe charging of laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The Hako Series portable power stations combine high-capacity battery performance with intelligent power management, meeting a wide range of power needs. These stations provide reliable portable power support for consumers, underscoring VOLTME's excellence in innovation, design, and technology. Representatives of award-winning brands took the stage to deliver their acceptance speeches, and share insights into their success and future growth strategies. They expressed a commitment to further enhancing technological innovation and market expansion so as to deliver even more high-quality products and services to global consumers. International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit Explores AI's Role in Shaping Industry's Future The International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit was held concurrently. Industry experts and company representatives from around the world gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the theme of "AI Reshaping Industrial Development". Key topics included how the consumer electronics industry can integrate with smart technologies, how companies can build core competencies, and ways to strengthen competitive advantages. Participants shared the latest advancements and technological trends, offering valuable guidance for the development of the global consumer electronics sector. Ines Haaga, Director of Global Strategic Insights at GfK, delivered a keynote speech titled "Navigating Tech and Durables Markets: How Consumer Preferences and Innovation Shape Tomorrow's Success". She emphasized that the consumer electronics industry is undergoing a transformation driven by consumers, with the modest growth of the fast-moving consumer goods market and the fragmentation of the tech and durable goods markets highlighting the critical role of consumer preferences. Besides, innovation has emerged as the new engine for market growth, with the integration of AI technologies fueling significant momentum. Looking ahead, the deep convergence of consumer preferences and innovation will shape a broader and more prosperous future for the tech and durable goods sectors. In the following International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit, Zhang Li, Co-President of Asia Digital Group, moderated a panel discussion on "AI Reshaping Industrial Development". Together with domestic and international guests, she led an in-depth discussion on the impact of AI on the consumer electronics industry, drawing on insights from their respective fields. Wang Tan, Co-founder and Vice President of XPENG AEROHT, and General Manager of XPENG Motors' Design Center, shared XPENG's innovative applications of AI, particularly the launch of cutting-edge products such as the Land Aircraft Carrier (LAC). These products showcase the vast potential of AI in driving transformation within the automotive industry. He emphasized that AI will play a crucial role in enabling a more intelligent and personalized future for the automotive sector. Calvin Chen, CTO and President of Segway Navimow at Segway-Ninebot, elaborated on the profound impact of AI on the consumer electronics industry from a technological R&D perspective. He noted that the application of AI elevates the intelligence of products and drives comprehensive upgrades in areas such as R&D, design, and manufacturing, injecting powerful momentum into the innovative development of the industry. Grant Morgan, Senior Editor at TWICE, shared his analysis of the consumer electronics industry. He pointed out that while consumers' acceptance of AI has not yet reached full saturation, AI has already demonstrated its powerful enabling potential across various sectors. Guiding consumers to recognize the value and potential of AI through innovative technologies and products will be crucial in driving the industry's growth. Jan Lorbach, Senior Director of Strategic Insights at GfK, provided unique perspectives on the consumer electronics industry, focusing on global market trends and consumer research. He noted that, in light of consumers' shrinking budgets for electronic products and their increasing demand for value, companies need to become more agile in identifying market pain points. By harnessing AI technology, they can fuel product innovation and functional upgrades to meet the diverse needs of consumers. He emphasized that AI will not only profoundly reshape the form and functionality of consumer electronics but also steer the entire industry toward higher quality and greater efficiency. The summit also provided attendees with a unique opportunity to engage in direct exchange with executives from the world's leading brands. This allowed participants to gain valuable insights into the success stories and strategic thinking of these top international brands, while promoting mutual learning and resource sharing among companies. Setting New Trends in Industry Development, Ushering in a New Era for Consumer Electronics Beyond being a magnificent award ceremony and leaders' exchange, the 2024-2025 Global Top Brands Award Ceremony and International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit play a vital role in setting new directions for the global consumer electronics industry. It not only highlights the latest achievements and emerging trends but also injects vitality into the industry's future growth and provides clear direction for its development. We are delighted to witness an increasing number of consumer electronics brands placing a stronger emphasis on technological innovation and brand development, continually introducing new products to meet the growing demand for personalized experiences. Today, the consumer electronics industry is driving global economic growth and transformation at an unprecedented pace. Brands with innovative vision and exceptional capabilities are poised to emerge as leaders, guiding the industry toward an even more brilliant future. As it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, the GTB, as a flagship event for the consumer electronics sector, will remain a key force in guiding and accelerating the industry's progress, fostering collaboration and exchange in scientific and technological innovation, and accelerating the transformation of these advancements into tangible productivity. SOURCE Asia Digital Group K-Defense's Entry into Latin America Gains Momentum Four vessels, including a frigate, officially begin construction at Peru's SIMA Shipyard, with deliveries starting in 2026 Peru's President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Navy leadership attended the launch ceremony It is a mile stone for K-Defense in Latin America . We will ensure project success through cutting-edge technology and tru st SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2025 begins, K-Defense's expansion into Latin America has entered a new phase. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) held a launch ceremony for the Peru Warship Project on January 10 at SIMA, a state-run shipyard in Peru. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru's SIMA Shipyard held a joint launch ceremony for four warships of three different types on Jan 10 (local time). (Third from the left to right) Joo Won-ho, head of the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit at HD HHI, Gustavo Adriansen Olaya, Prime Minister of Peru, Dina Boluarte, President of Peru, and Walter Astudillo, Minister of Defense of Peru. The ceremony marked the start of construction for four vessels: a frigate, an offshore patrol vessel, and an amphibious landing ship, which will serve as key strategic assets for the Peruvian Navy. The event included steel-cutting and keel-laying ceremonies, signaling the official commencement of the build. Peru's President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen Olaya, Defense Minister Walter Astudillo, Navy Commander Luis Jose Polar Figari, and other senior government officials attended the event, alongside Joo Won-ho, head of the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit at HD HHI. These vessels will be constructed locally at SIMA Shipyard, leveraging HD HHI's advanced design expertise and shipbuilding know-how. The first delivery is scheduled for 2026, with subsequent vessels following. The Peru Warship Project stems from a defense export contract worth approximately KRW 640.6 billion, awarded to HD HHI in April 2024. The project, achieved through collaboration between the Korean government and private enterprises under the "Team Korea" initiative, is seen as a model case for K-Defense's global expansion. "This marks a very important milestone in the history of Peru's shipbuilding industry," said Peru's President Dina Boluarte. "We expect this project with HD HHI to promote the modernization of the Peruvian Navy and contribute to the nation's economic growth." "This ceremony marks the beginning of K-Defense's entry into Latin America," said Joo Won-ho, head of the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit at HD HHI. "We are committed to driving this project to success through technological excellence and trust, strengthening defense cooperation between Korea and Peru." In a move to deepen bilateral defense collaboration, HD HHI, in partnership with the University of Ulsan, will host 12 Peruvian SIMA shipyard engineers for a two-week Naval Architecture Training Program starting January 13. The company also plans to enhance local shipbuilding capabilities by expanding cooperation with Peruvian equipment suppliers. Looking ahead, HD HHI aims to establish a global network of defense hubs through its Pan-Pacific Belt Vision. This strategy involves forming partnerships, building localized ship construction systems, and standardizing technology transfer packages across key regions, including Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. SOURCE HD Hyundai If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Chennai, Jan 12 : DMK ally and INDIA bloc constituent, MDMK, has condemned Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) founder Seeman for his alleged abusive remarks against Dravidian ideologue Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. MDMK General Secretary and MP Vaiko, in a statement on Saturday, criticised Seeman for his slanderous comments against the Dravidian movement and its prominent leader Periyar. Vaiko said, "Seeman acts like a joker. He displays arrogance when asked to produce evidence for his derogatory remarks. Several opposition parties are protesting against his comments, and cases have been filed across the state." The MDMK leader also mentioned that the Madras High Court bench in Madurai had directed the Anna Nagar police to file a report on the issue before January 20. Vaiko accused Seeman of continuing to make provocative statements despite the legal actions, claiming that his remarks aimed to disrupt the social fabric of the state and create a law and order situation. "The government should nip such acts in the bud. Punishment for Seeman should be ensured," Vaiko asserted. Meanwhile, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss, without directly referring to Seeman's remarks, declared that his party would not tolerate slander against Periyar. "There are thousands of reasons to praise the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam," Anbumani said. He added, "If Mahatma Gandhi is the hero of the Indian freedom struggle, Periyar is the leader of the social freedom struggle in the state." The PMK leader highlighted Periyar's contributions, stating, "When Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) initially refused to increase the reservation to 31 per cent, Periyar pressured the government to concede. Because of such contributions, PMK has accepted him as its ideological guide." Anbumani opined that while everyone has the freedom to critique Periyar's ideology, slandering him is unacceptable. Nearly 60 cases have been registered against NTK Chief Coordinator Seeman across various districts in Tamil Nadu for his recent controversial remarks about Periyar. Political party members from districts such as Cuddalore, Madurai, Coimbatore, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli have filed complaints against Seeman. His controversial remarks during an event in Vadalur of Cuddalore district have sparked widespread protests. Earlier, Dravida Kazhagam members in Thanjavur lodged a police complaint on Thursday, demanding Seeman's arrest. They alleged that Seeman's statements were an attempt to defame Periyar and his ideology, creating unrest among the people of Tamil Nadu. New Delhi, Jan 11 : In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to 'Housing for All' and BJP's promise of providing each slum dweller in the national capital with a permanent (pucca) house, several beneficiaries of this housing scheme launched by the Prime Minister thanked him, calling out the lies and deceit of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Prime Minister Modi last week visited newly constructed flats for the dwellers of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters built under the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project at Swabhiman Apartments in Ashok Vihar, aimed at providing better living conditions for the urban poor. Before the inauguration, PM Modi inspected the flats and interacted with beneficiaries, who expressed their gratitude for the housing. The Prime Minister expressed his joy at the transformation brought about by his government's housing initiative. The interaction reflected the positive changes in the lives of families who had previously lived in slums and now have access to permanent homes. BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, Praveen Khandelwal, has said that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and its party leaders are lying about giving flats to slum dwellers in Delhi. Launching a scathing attack on AAP for spreading lies about BJP handing over permanent houses to slum dwellers in Delhi, Khandelwal added: "AAP is a "machine of lies" and in this way they mislead the people of Delhi. First Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now today Union Home Minister Amit Shah have made it very clear that permanent houses will be provided to slum dwellers in Delhi. These permanent houses have not come up out of nowhere but instead Prime Minister Modi himself has begun this initiative by handing over 1,675 pucca houses in the Ashok Vihar area of aamy Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency." Slamming the AAP-led Delhi government for its failure to provide homes for slum dwellers, Manoj Tiwari, the BJP MP from North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, said: "Today Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the President of slum dwellers in Delhi and a large number of people turned up here. Today every word of Amit Shah is a huge message on behalf of the BJP for the people of Delhi, especially the poor and slum dwellers living in the city." Local slum dweller, Manzoor Shah, told IANS: "I was handed over keys of my pucca house by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's housing scheme meant for slum dwellers living in the city. I hope everyone else like me also gets a pucca house soon. Arvind Kejriwal speaks and makes false claims, I still buy water and drink it, not a single drop of water has come from the water pipelines laid by Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party government. This is all a lie as I still paid Rs 670 as the electricity bill despite electricity being promised free of cost by the Delhi government." Another Delhi resident Savitri, told IANS: "I have no words to express my happiness today. I know the trouble that I have faced till now but PM Modi gave me a permanent house to live under the housing scheme launched for poor people like me. I have fallen into the drains many times but had to stay in slum colonies till now. Ever since I received the keys to a permanent house as a beneficiary, it is registered in my name due to which my family is quite happy. Now I do not need anyone's help as earlier when it would rain the drains here nearby the slums used to get filled." She further added: "I do not want to say anything about the tall promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party. PM Modi has said that he and the BJP will not let anyone stay without a pucca house anymore." Delhi slum-dweller Rachna Singh told IANS: "I come from the Kalyanpuri area in Delhi. There are a lot of problems in our slum colony. Firstly, there is a huge problem of availing potable water. Ever since the Assembly elections began in Delhi, the electricity bill has increased. Even the drinking water is full of dirt and mud. The health of people living here has deteriorated since we do not get clean water. The house promised to us by Arvind Kejriwal has not been delivered to me yet despite a certificate given to us based on which I gave my vote to AAP. Arvind Kejriwal had promised to provide houses for slum dwellers like me, but to date, nothing has been delivered." She further added: "After 10 years being in power in Delhi, my family have trusted Kejriwal. Now let us also trust BJP once and see. The people of Delhi trusted AAP but 10 years have passed till now. There is no development being done till now but only influence the voters of Delhi by giving them freebies. The AAP government has not delivered on its promises but BJP has delivered on its poll promises." Another Delhi resident, Aarti Sharma told IANS: "Arvind Kejriwal makes false promises. He has made several false promises to the people living in slums. People like me have suffered a lot in the past five years. The water pipelines that were laid in my area do not work properly as Kejriwal is seeking the support of people like me for votes. We will remind him of the same water pipeline after the elections. I am tired of going to the Chief Minister's office for the last five years." Local resident Ashok Kumar told IANS: "PM Narendra Modi has given us a pucca house to live and he has delivered what he had promised. While Arvind Kejriwal promised a permanent house to my family it has not been delivered to me till now since the last 11 years." He further added: "After winning the 2020 Assembly election, Kejriwal has not been mentioned even once about people living in slums will be provided with a permanent house. However, PM Modi has already fulfilled this poll promise before the upcoming Assembly polls scheduled on February 5. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised that every person living in slums will be provided with a permanent house to live which has been fulfilled now. The Prime Minister delivers what he promises while Arvind Kejriwal has not fulfilled the promises made by him so I think the BJP will form the next government in Delhi this time." Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing an increased presence in the Telangana Legislative Council as it announced candidates for three constituencies even before the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission. The saffron party took both the ruling Congress and the main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) by surprise by declaring candidates for Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' constituency, Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers' constituency and Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Teachers' constituency. While the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' constituency is held by the Congress, the teachers' constituencies are represented by Independents. The BJP has named industrialist C. Anji Reddy for the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' constituency, currently represented by senior Congress leader and former Minister T. Jeevan Reddy. The saffron party has decided to field educationist Malka Komaraiah for the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Teachers' constituency. Puli Sarottham Reddy will contest on a BJP ticket from Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers' constituency. Sarottham Reddy, who hails from Warangal, served as a school teacher for more than 30 years. He was general secretary of the Panchayat Raj Teachers' Union (PRTU) from 2012 to 2019 and was active during the statehood movement as part of the Teachers' Joint Action Committee. The three MLC seats going to fall vacant in March but the BJP named the candidates even before the announcement of the poll schedule to not only stump both Congress and BRS but also give ample time to the candidates to campaign. This is a clear change of strategy by the BJP, which was the last to announce its candidates for the November 2023 Assembly elections and May 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP's confidence stems from its impressive performance in both elections. The party sees a bright chance of wresting Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' constituency from Congress. The BJP won Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Adilabad Lok Sabha constituencies under which the graduates' constituency falls. Seven of the eight Assembly seats held by the BJP are in these four districts. The Congress party is witnessing infighting in this constituency with its sitting MLC Jeevan Reddy recently raising the banner of revolt over the party admitting Jagtial MLA Sanjay Kumar, who was elected on the BRS ticket. The ruling party holds more than 20 Assembly seats in the graduates' constituency. The BRS is also under huge pressure after drawing a blank in Lok Sabha polls, its worst-ever performance. After losing power in 2023, the party also received many setbacks with at least 10 MLAs and some top leaders crossing over to Congress. The BJP is upbeat after doubling its Lok Sabha tally from the state to eight, which was its best-ever performance. The saffron party, which won four seats in 2019 with a vote share of 19.5 per cent, improved its vote share to 35.08 per cent. This was a huge gain for the party, which had polled 13.90 per cent votes in the November 2023 Assembly elections and won eight seats in the 119-member Assembly. The MLC elections will be crucial for all three major players ahead of rural and urban local body elections. With several contenders for the three seats, the Congress and BRS have still not finalised their candidates. The BJP will be looking to repeat the result of the MLC election held in March 2023 when AVN Reddy, a candidate of the BJP-affiliated teachers' union, won the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad Teachers' constituency. He is the lone BJP MLC in the 40-member Legislative Council. BRS will also go all out to repeat its performance in the by-election for one MLC seat held in March 2024. It dealt a blow to the ruling Congress by winning the by-election from the Mahabubnagar local bodies constituency. Naveen Kumar Reddy of BRS emerged victorious with a majority of 109 votes over his nearest rival Manney Jeevan Reddy of the Congress party. The victory came as a setback for the Congress in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's home district Mahabubnagar. Revanth Reddy himself had cast his vote in the by-election as an ex-officio member in his capacity as MLA from Kodangal constituency. Following the victory, BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao claimed that it signals a crucial turning point in the evolving political landscape of Telangana. However, the Congress won the by-election to the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates' Constituency in June 2024. Chintapandu Naveen alias Teenmaar Mallanna defeated his nearest rival Rakesh Reddy of BRS. While Congress faces a tough challenge from BJP and BRS in three constituencies, the ruling party will be hoping to make a clean sweep in the elections to be held for five MLC seats under MLAs quota in a couple of months. The Congress, which had bagged 64 seats in the 119-member Assembly, increased its tally to 75 with the defection of 10 BRS MLAs to its camp. The ruling party also wrested the Secunderabad Assembly seat in the by-election last year. The BRS which had 29 members (including four nominated members) in the 40-member strong Legislative Council, has lost eight MLCs to Congress during the last year. Ankara, Jan 12 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to surrender its weapons, signalling a potential breakthrough in the country's most intractable conflicts. Speaking in the Kurdish-dominated city of Diyarbakir on Saturday, Erdogan described what he called a "new and important window of opportunity" to resolve a struggle that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s. "We do not think it is right that this should be wasted," he said. His government has recently enlisted support from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party, whose members visited Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned PKK leader, to explore possibilities for disarmament, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting local media. Local media reports suggest that Ocalan may soon urge PKK militants to lay down their arms, potentially marking a major turning point in the decades-long struggle. The push for peace comes as Turkey seeks to strengthen its domestic unity amid regional turbulence. Erdogan emphasised the urgency of ending what he called "half-century-long separatist terrorism" and burying it "in history with all its dimensions." Even as diplomatic overtures continue, Turkish security forces maintain pressure on the organisation. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that police operations across 41 provinces in the past 10 days had resulted in the detention of 147 suspected PKK members. Earlier on Saturday, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced that it had "neutralised" 11 members of the outlawed PKK members in a cross-border operation in northern Iraq. The PKK members were killed in Hakurk, Metina, and Gara regions, the ministry said in a statement, without specifying the date of the operation. "We are determined to eliminate terrorism at its source," the ministry stressed. Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralise" in their statements to imply the alleged "terrorists" have either surrendered, been captured, or been killed. The PKK, which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over three decades. Turkish security forces frequently conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq, targeting PKK hideouts and bases. Tehran, Jan 12 : Joseph Yun, acting US ambassador to Seoul, said he will work to bolster the bilateral alliance, expressing optimism that South Korea will overcome its political challenges and grow stronger. The charge d'affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Seoul made the remark upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Saturday, days after former US envoy Philip Goldberg's retirement. Yun, a former US special representative for North Korea, was appointed to the interim post ahead of the inauguration of incoming US President Donald Trump on January 20, reports Yonhap news agency. "There are really fundamental pillars of US-ROK relationships. The core pillar is, of course, the alliance relationship," Yun told reporters, referring to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "I've spent half of my professional life trying to strengthen the relationship between two countries and I really look forward to contributing to that," he added. Yun, who served at the US embassy in Seoul nearly two decades ago, said it is "very meaningful" to return to the country at a critical time. His appointment comes at a time when South Korea faces political uncertainty following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3. When asked about South Korea's political situation, Yun acknowledged the "ups and downs" in any government but expressed confidence in the country's resilience. "What I know is that there have been many challenges," Yun said. "Each time, South Korea has emerged stronger and I have no doubt that would be the case again." Seoul, Jan 12 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine has captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in Russia's western Kursk region, and investigators are questioning them. Zelensky shared the intelligence on his X account on Saturday that Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and paratroopers captured the North Koreans in the Russian border region, reports Yonhap news agency. "Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine," Zelensky wrote, posting photos of the two wounded men. Zelensky said capturing them alive was "not an easy task" as Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of Pyongyang's involvement in the war against Ukraine. "As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance," he said, noting the Ukrainian security service will grant journalists access to the prisoners. In late December, Zelensky said Ukraine captured an injured North Korean soldier, but he later died. Meanwhile, last month, North Korean troops dispatched to Russia for combat against Ukraine have installed more observation posts to detect Ukrainian drones, Ukraine's military intelligence service had said, amid reports of North Korean forces suffering heavy combat losses. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) had disclosed this on its website after the United States confirmed for the first time that North Korea suffered 'significant' troop losses alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. "After suffering severe losses, DPRK units began to set up additional observation posts to detect drones of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine," the DIU said, referring to the North by the acronym of its official name -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The DIU also noted that Moscow continued to use North Korean troops in Russia's western front-line region of Kursk. "The constant accumulation of assault groups by DPRK army personnel in the Kursk region indicates that Moscow does not want to lose the pace of offensive actions," it said, adding that North Korean troops use red tape to identify themselves at the front, Yonhap news agency reported. Chevron (NYSE: CVX) already produces a lot of cash. The oil giant had hauled in more than $10 billion in free cash flow during the first nine months of last year, giving it a bounty to pay dividends and repurchase shares. It's working to produce an even bigger gusher of excess cash by 2026, with it in the position to increase its annual tally by $6 billion to $8 billion. Here's a look at what's fueling the oil giant's bullish view. Multiple growth catalysts Chevron CEO Michael Wirth recently stated his belief that the company can boost its free cash flow by $6 billion-$8 billion by next year. That's a hefty increase. He outlined several catalysts that position the oil company to produce an even bigger gusher of excess cash over the coming years. One notable driver is the Gulf of Mexico. Chevron is working to grow its output in the region from 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) last year to 300,000 BOE/d by 2026. Just this week, Chevron and partner Shell started producing oil from their Whale facility. The project, 40% owned by Chevron, should reach a production peak of 100,000 BOE/d during its first development phase. Chevron also recently started production at its Anchor project and began water injection operations at two legacy fields to boost their output. On top of that, the company expects to start up a new project in Kazakhstan this year. It also continues to develop its U.S. onshore assets in the Permian and DJ basins. High-margin production from these projects will help supply the company with additional cash flow. Chevron is also working to reduce its expenses by "a couple billion dollars," stated Wirth. These cost cuts will fall right to the bottom line and boost its free cash flow. Finally, despite a setback, Chevron continues to feel "very confident" that it will be able to close its needle-moving acquisition of Hess. While rival Exxon and China's CNOOC, Hess' partners in Guyana, have proven to be obstacles in closing the deal, Chevron believes it will win its arbitration hearing. It can promptly close its acquisition if it does. Chevron initially anticipated that buying Hess would help it more than double its free cash flow by 2027, assuming $70 oil. Even without Hess, the company was on track to deliver more than 10% annual free cash flow growth during that period (which assumed $60 oil) due to the strength of its organic expansion projects. What will Chevron do with all that extra cash? Chevron already produces more cash than it needs to fund its operations and expansion. That's evident in its capital return program. During the third quarter, Chevron returned a record $7.7 billion of cash to shareholders, including about $4.7 billion in repurchases and paying roughly $2.9 billion in dividends. That exceeded its free cash flow ($5.2 billion), as the company used its strong balance sheet to return more money to shareholders. New Delhi: The terror attack carried out by an ISIS convert -- Shamsuddin Jabbar -- at New Orleans's famed Bourbon Street on New Year's Day, has drawn attention to the reality that Islamic radical forces were down but not out and were present across the world as 'sleeper cells' and 'lone wolves' determined to execute their plans -- primarily against the US-led West and their allies. Terrorism by definition is a resort to 'covert' violence for a perceived political 'cause', calling for a degree of 'commitment' that was determined by 'motivation'. Since the faith-based motivation behind the call of Jehad could be very strong indeed, it is not surprising that a 'radicalised' mind could even take on a 'suicide mission' like what Shamsuddin did. He is said to be a lone wolf according to the evidence surfacing so far. Born in Texas -- Shamsuddin had rented an accommodation in New Orleans to plan the attack. Given the seriousness of the incident, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited New Orleans to meet the families of the victims. In the background of this case of terrorism on US soil, three serious developments would add to the geopolitical concerns of President-elect Donald Trump. First, it is reported that in recent months a few terror suspects were already on the radar of the FBI from which it could be inferred that the US was not beyond the reach of Islamic radicals, particularly at a time when cyber channels and social media were being freely used for indoctrination of vulnerable citizens. The challenge for American security agencies had suddenly enlarged as they have the responsibility of unearthing all such channels and neutralising them -- this in fact is the case with the security setup of all democratic countries as well. The second notable feature of this case is that the perpetrator of terror was an Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan for a spell, remained in active service till 2015 and reportedly put in his papers in 2020 as Staff Sergeant. His case showed that 'radicalisation' can influence even educated and reasonably well-employed persons and not only the poor and the frustrated youth -- Jabbar though was said to be in financial trouble after his first divorce. In one of the videos made before the incident, he talked of the 'war between the believers and non-believers' and acknowledged his allegiance to ISIS. A leaflet of ISIS was said to have been recovered from the back of his truck. It may be mentioned that the 'war on terror' led by the US following 9/11, was essentially an American combat against Islamic radicals headed by Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and its competitor, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the second theatre of the said 'war'. In Afghanistan despite the 'war on terror', the US was compelled to withdraw its troops from there after getting into an agreement with the Taliban backed by Al Qaeda and witnessing the reinstallation of the Kabul Emirate headed by Taliban, in 2021. That Pakistan had cleverly played a mediatory role at Doha and helped the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan intending to acquire 'strategic depth' against India, is another story. Shamsuddin Jabbar must have watched with possible admiration how Islamic radicals had stood their grounds against the might of the 'US-led world coalition'. This draws attention to the third aspect of the New Orleans episode which is that the terrorist in this case became an admirer of ISIS rather than Al Qaeda because it is ISIS that had become the face of Islamic radical forces -- after Osama bin Laden and his successor in Al Qaeda, Ayaman Al Zawahiri, had been eliminated by the US in special military operations. The attack at New Orleans fully conformed to the modus operandi of terrorists. The attacker used a rented pickup truck to run over the crowds on pavements celebrating New Year's Day and opened indiscriminate fire killing a total of 14 innocent people and injuring 35 others. He had loaded the truck at his home place in Texas with automatic arms, explosives and IEDs and reportedly planted two of the IEDs at important junctions in New Orleans city hiding them in coolers. He had the detonators with him which he could not use before he died in the encounter with the Police. Shamsuddin shared the hatred radical forces like Al Qaeda and ISIS had for the US -- today's Islamic radicals carry the historical legacy of the Wahhabi Jehad that the leading Ulema of the times had called for in the 19th century, against the Western encroachment on Muslim lands. Wahhabis contended that Islam was suffering a political decline after a thousand years of its advancement because Muslim rulers had deviated from the puritan Islam that existed in the times of the four 'pious' caliphs. The call for Jehad thus was accompanied by the revivalist idea of a return to the original Islamic practices and mandate. 'Radicalisation' bred faith-based terrorism which could be checked if a voice against it arose from within the community itself -- a consensus needed to emerge in the Islamic world that terrorist violence cannot be justified on any ground. It is important to note that the appearance of a new Cold War on the horizon between the US on one hand and the China-Russia axis on the other -- which is basically a political divide -- was getting bolstered by religion-based alignments, particularly in the Middle East. Iran is anti-US because Shia fundamentalism is against Capitalism -- it has brought the radicalised Hamas under its embrace since Sunni radicals also considered the US-led West as their first enemy. Bashar Al Assad, the Syrian President was an Alawite Shia who enjoyed the support of Iran whereas the US backed the anti-Assad civil war of Islamic forces that were on the right side of the West. They carried the historical memory of the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in Syria and Egypt in 1928 in opposition to the 'nationalist pro-Soviet' Arab rulers of these countries at that time. Islamic radical forces were on their own fighting against the present Assad regime separately, for establishing an Emirate in Syria. Russia and China, unsurprisingly, backed the Syrian President because of their political opposition to the US. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait are close allies of the US and they have been amenable to the mediation by the US for getting them to join the so-called Abrahamic accord with Israel. Islamic radical forces are hostile to Saudi Arabia because of the latter's closeness to the US. Iran's hostility towards Saudi Arabia is for political reasons and also because of the Shia-Sunni religious contradiction. Significantly, ISIS felt offended by the Russian support to Bashar Al Assad and its regional face -- ISIS-K --carried out a terror attack on a concert hall in Moscow in March last using grenades and automatic rifles as a result of which 130 persons were killed and hundreds of others injured. The Moscow attack was also possibly meant to administer a warning to Russia -- after the happenings in Chechnya -- not to come in the way of the spread of 'radicalisation' in Central Asia. In the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent success of the anti-Soviet armed campaign there -- which was run on the war cry of Jehad and in which Islamic radical forces led by Al Qaeda were also fully involved -- the antipathy of ISIS towards Russia is understandable. It is on the eve of swearing in of Donald Trump as the new President of the US that a major terror strike has been reported from that country. The President-elect has not yet given out the framework of his national strategy but among the few indicators of the same available so far, his denunciation of faith-based terrorism comes off as the most unambiguous element of his policy approach. Trump is not -- judging from his record -- an advocate of European Union and NATO and this might help him to elicit a Russian response of moderation in the Ukraine-Russia war. On Israel's action in Gaza, Trump might like Israel to 'declare victory' early enough so that the Palestinian issue did not remain an ongoing irritant on the domestic front. The new President would have taken cognisance of the adverse fallout of 'radicalisation' on American interests and realised that terrorism was a concern both the US and India faced as the two largest democracies. This should favour the continuance of strategic friendship between India and the US -- that India understands what lay at the roots of radicalisation should further help this relationship. India's security concerns revolve a lot around the Sino-Pak axis that was now actively engaged in covert operations against this country -- use of Chinese drones by Pakistan to drop arms and narcotics in the border states of Punjab and Kashmir being a telling illustration of how these two hostile neighbours were trying to damage India's internal security. It has to be seen how the Trump Presidency would look at Pakistan, a country that remained under the sway of an army with a highly ambiguous approach to Islamic radical forces. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is trying to push Pakistan towards a more fundamentalist Islamic rule. It may be mentioned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where TTP is entrenched was the epicentre of the anti-British 'Wahhabi revolt' on the Indian subcontinent which had left this territory highly radicalised. India's foreign policy framework of favouring bilateral and even multilateral friendships on the basis of shared security and economic interests, looking at the world as a multipolar order and speaking up for global peace and development of humanity, should fit in well with the Trump Presidency. The 'America First' doctrine of Trump may be designed more to serve the US economic interests and may not necessarily go with an 'interventionist' approach or a tendency to call the shots militarily in various theatres of conflict. The 'country first' outlook need not create an Indo-US contradiction. Moreover, India is a leader in Information Technology and it can be presumed that it will hold its ground in the emerging sphere of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well. India and the US can together take the cause of the 'knowledge economy' forward for the general good of the world. Post-Cold War, we are in the era of 'proxy wars' where frontal military attacks are giving way to 'covert' offensives designed to weaken and vanquish the opponent. Apart from cyber attacks, externally instigated separatist movements, insurgencies fuelled from outside and the use of social media as a weapon of combat by building 'narratives' through misinformation and deepfakes to bring down a regime, are the new variants of 'asymmetric warfare' that added to the challenge of safeguarding national security. Friendly countries must understand each other's concerns in this regard. International cooperation must be strengthened against the threats of terrorism, narcotics trade and human trafficking and hopefully, India and the Trump administration will find themselves on the same side of the fence in handling these global issues. (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal) Jerusalem, Jan 12 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed a senior delegation to depart to the Qatari capital, Doha, to continue advancing a deal with Hamas to release the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday said the directive followed a situation assessment Netanyahu held Saturday evening with Defence Minister Israel Katz and US negotiators from "both the outgoing and incoming administrations." The Israeli delegation includes David Barnea, head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency, and Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet internal security service, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, Israel Katz, on January 10, has instructed the military to prepare a plan for the "total defeat" of Hamas if a hostage release deal is not signed by January 20. Katz said if Hamas does not release the hostages by the time US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, a "plan for the total defeat of Hamas in Gaza" would be implemented. He directed the military to "identify potential obstacles to implementing the plan, including humanitarian concerns and other issues," so the political leadership could make the "necessary decisions." Katz, made the instruction, during a security assessment meeting on Thursday with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. He called for delivering a stronger blow to Hamas rather than engaging in a "war of attrition." Katz stated that the "complete defeat" of Hamas should be pursued independently of Gaza's reconstruction plans after the war. "Any political resolution is irrelevant to the current plan and required actions, as no Arab or other entities would take responsibility for managing civilian life in Gaza until Hamas is completely dismantled," he added. Israel and Hamas have been engaged in a deadly conflict after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostages. Indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas have been on and off in the past months, with Qatar, Egypt, and the United States as the main mediators. In recent weeks, the indirect negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap deal have gained momentum. Algiers, Jan 12 : Algeria said that it has no intention of escalating tensions with France, despite a "vindictive" and "hateful disinformation campaign" led by "the French far-right," according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs. Algeria "has no intention of pursuing a strategy of provocation or humiliation; on the contrary, it is the far-right and its supporters within the French government who are attempting to impose their agenda on Algerian-French relations through threats, intimidation, and confrontational tactics," the ministry said on Saturday. "This group views this campaign as an outlet for their resentment, frustrations, and historical grievances," it added. The tensions stemmed from the controversial expulsion of an Algerian national from France, which Algeria condemned as arbitrary and a violation of the 1974 Algerian-French Consular Convention, reports Xinhua news agency. The individual is nicknamed "Doualemn," a 59-year-old influencer who was detained in Montpellier, France, after posting a controversial video on social media, allegedly calling for violence. He was flown to Algeria on Thursday afternoon and returned to France later that evening, with Algeria reportedly "banning him from entry," according to France's Ministry of the Interior. Algeria claimed that Doualemn's rights were overlooked during the "rushed expulsion," which prevented him from asserting those rights in French or European courts. On Friday, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said that "Algeria seeks to humiliate France." He added, "By keeping our composure, we must now assess all the means at our disposal regarding Algeria." Jabalpur, Jan 12 : It won't be wrong to say that Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur-based Lala Ramswaroop Panchang, the Hindu calendar, which has completed 91 years of journey, has become an integral part of the life of people across the country. The most trusted yearly calendar now has started making a strong presence in foreign lands, including the US, the UK, the UAE and almost every part of the world wherever Indian families are living, said Prahlad Agrawal, who is the owner of Lala Ramswaroop calendar. During an exclusive interaction with IANS, sharing the successful journey for more than nine decades of this calendar, Lala Ramswaroop Agrawal's son Prahlad Agrawal said that his father had started this calendar from his home district Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh in 1934. "In the past 91 years, the Lala Ramswaroop calendar has reached almost every home from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and for a few years, it has also started making a presence in several overseas countries. People are sending this calendar to their children wherever they are living, and this is the reason, it has made a strong presence across the world," he added. Prahlad Agrawal said that it was initially started as a pamphlet, having information about Hindu 'tithis' and 'nakshatras' and used to distribute to the people in Jabalpur free of cost. The number of copies and content continued to increase as per the demand from the people, and it has become the most trusted Hindu Panchang in the country. "After growing demand of the Panchang, for the first time, my father decided to publish as many as 500 copies. All copies were sold out within a few days, which probably made him work more on it year after year. Gradually, it became our business," he added. Agrawal also added that for this 12-page calendar (one page is dedicated for one month), he works for the entire 365 days to collect every single information added to it. "This is not just a calendar but the trust of millions of people. Hence, we try to provide accurate information to maintain that faith," he said. The calendar is designed to make it accessible to the common man as it guides astrological almanack and for practising Hindu festivals. Agrawal said that the Lala Ramswaroop calendar had started publishing about digital arrests around 10 years ago when the people were not aware of it. The Lala Ramswaroop Panchang includes information such as 'Tithi' (Hindu date), 'Vara' (days of the week), 'Nakshatra' (group of stars), 'Yoga' (auspicious moment), and 'Karan' (half of the Tithi). New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Delhi BJP on Sunday said that the Purvanchalis will teach a lesson to AAP and its convenor Arvind Kejriwal who called them "fake" voters. The Delhi BJP released a poster on social media platform X, describing Arvind Kejriwal as 'Jaani Dushman' (bitter enemy) of Purvanchalis. Slamming the former chief minister, the Delhi BJP said that the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are fake for Kejriwal but Rohingyas and infiltrators "are his relatives". The post further said that the people of Purvanchal, whom Kejriwal said are fake, will teach a lesson to the AAP in the February 5 Assembly polls. The poster shares that Kejriwal forced Purvanchalis out of Delhi making announcements on loudspeakers, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic times when people from other states working in Delhi were sent back. The poster further slammed the AAP convenor for not getting the Yamuna river cleaned due to which women observing Chhath fast could not worship in the water body. Notably, every time in the polls, Kejriwal promises to clean the Yamuna River. Recently, Kejriwal called people from Purvacnhal fake voters. However, the next day in a damage control exercise, he blamed the BJP for not carrying out any development work for Purvanchalis. However, the BJP claimed that Kejriwal's remark showed the dark truth of his mindset. Of Delhi's 1.55 crore voters, 42 per cent are Purvanchalis or migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and their votes influence the result in almost half of the national capital's 70 Assembly constituencies. Key seats with Purvanchali voters include Burari, Laxmi Nagar, and Dwarka. The Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled for February 5 and the result will be announced on February 8. In the outgoing Assembly, the AAP has 62 MLAs and the BJP has eight. New Delhi, Jan 12 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington on January 20, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA noted, "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America." The ministry further stated that Jaishankar will also engage with representatives from the incoming administration and other dignitaries during his visit. Donald Trump is set to take the presidential oath of office at noon on January 20, administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington. Prior to this, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will also be sworn in. Last month, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) announced "Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise" as the theme for the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. The theme pays tribute to the Founding Fathers' commitment to preserving democracy for future generations. As part of the inauguration, US flags will be flown at half-staff in honour of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100. President Joe Biden ordered the flags to remain lowered for 30 days, ending at sunset on January 28. Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election was certified by the United States Congress on January 6, clearing the path for his return to the White House. The certification officially validated the Electoral College results from November's election. The certification event in Congress, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who was Trump's main opponent in the presidential race, proceeded briefly and without significant attention. The swearing-in ceremony marks Trump's return to the Oval Office as he begins his second term as President of the United States. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited an exhibition at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated to honour Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. During the exhibition, young leaders from across the nation showcased their innovative contributions and ideas to the Prime Minister, explaining how their efforts align with the vision of a "Viksit Bharat 2047." The exhibits highlighted advancements in digital technologies, virtual innovations, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), showcasing a collective aim to create a strong, healthy, and prosperous India. The event includes presentations from young innovators on ten critical themes pivotal to India's progress. These presentations cover areas like technology, sustainability, women empowerment, manufacturing, and agriculture, reflecting innovative solutions to the country's pressing challenges. Later in the day, PM Modi will interact with 3,000 young leaders from across the country and deliver an address. In a post on X on Saturday, PM Modi described the event as a tribute to India's youth power, stating, "On this occasion, I will spend the entire day with my young friends at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025. Over conversations and lunch, we will discuss various subjects aimed at building a Viksit Bharat." The Dialogue seeks to redefine the traditional National Youth Festival format by aligning it with PM Modi's Independence Day vision of engaging one lakh youth in politics without political affiliations. The event offers a platform for young leaders to transform their ideas into actionable contributions toward India's development. As part of the program, the Prime Minister will release a compilation of the best essays written by participants on the ten themes. Additionally, he will join the young leaders for lunch, offering them a rare opportunity for personal interaction to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations directly with him. The 3,000 participants were selected through the Viksit Bharat Challenge, a rigorous three-stage selection process aimed at identifying dynamic young voices from across India. The Challenge began with the Viksit Bharat Quiz, conducted in 12 languages, attracting around 30 lakh participants nationwide. This was followed by an essay round, where over two lakh entries were submitted, and finally, a series of in-person competitions at the state level. The selected participants include 1,500 from the Viksit Bharat Challenge Track, representing the top 500 state-level teams; 1,000 from the Traditional Track, chosen through cultural programs and exhibitions; and 500 Pathbreakers, recognised for their groundbreaking contributions in various fields. The event represents a historic convergence of youth leadership and innovation, reaffirming the government's commitment to fostering a future-ready, empowered generation. Patna, Jan 12 : The troubles for Alok Mehta, a senior RJD MLA and close confidant of Lalu Prasad Yadav, appear to be escalating due to the arrests made in connection with an alleged Vaishali Urban Development Cooperative Bank scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has apprehended five individuals, including two of Mehta's relatives -- Rambabu Shandilya and Vipin Tiwari -- which has intensified speculation about the potential legal and political challenges he might face. Given his proximity to RJD chief Lalu Yadav and Mehta's prominence within the party, this development could have broader implications for the political landscape of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Discussions are rife that Mehta himself could come under the scanner as the investigation deepens, potentially leading to further action from the authorities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the Rs 85 crore scam involving the Vaishali Urban Development Co-operative Bank, taking significant action in the case. The agency conducted raids across multiple cities and made arrests, revealing a web of alleged financial irregularities with connections to prominent figures. ED arrested Vipin Tiwari, CEO of Vaishali Cooperative Bank, along with his father-in-law Rambabu Shandilya (linked to a Rs 30 crore scam in Purvanchal Cooperative Bank Ghazipur), Nitin Mehra (Delhi), Sandeep Singh (Kolkata), and Pankaj Tiwari (Varanasi). While three of the accused (Nitin Mehra, Rambabu Shandilya, and Pankaj Tiwari) were sent to judicial custody on Saturday, Vipin Tiwari and Sandeep Singh remain under interrogation. Raids were conducted in Patna, Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata, and other locations, including hideouts linked to RJD MLA Alok Mehta and his associates. The bank's chairman, Sanjeev Kumar, is also under the scanner and remains untraceable despite ongoing ED raids. The Vaishali Urban Development Co-operative Bank was founded 35 years ago by Tulsidas Mehta, the father of RJD MLA Alok Mehta. Alok Mehta served as the bank's chairman from 1995 to 2012. However, in 2015, the RBI halted the bankas financial operations due to allegations of large-scale embezzlement. In June 2023, the RBI report unveiled a massive scam, leading to the registration of three FIRs in Hajipur and the ED taking over the investigation. The ties of Alok Mehta to the bank's history and the involvement of his associates in the ongoing investigations could spell trouble for the RJD MLA. His tenure as the bankas chairman is under scrutiny, and the ED may extend its probe to his role in past operations. New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenging the amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which restricts public access to election materials, such as CCTV footage unless explicitly listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar will take up the matter for hearing on January 15. In his plea filed on December 24 before the top court, the general secretary of the grand old party contended that the ECI cannot be allowed to unilaterally amend the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules in such a brazen manner and without public consultation. "A Writ has just been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The Election Commission, a Constitutional body, charged with the conduct of free and fair elections cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner," said Ramesh, in a post on social media platform X. Ramesh, the Rajya Sabha MP, added that the amendment, introduced on December 21 following recommendations from the ECI, does away with "public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable". "The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully the Supreme Court will help restore it," he asserted. The amendment was apparently seen as a reaction to a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive to provide CCTV footage of an election booth. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly criticised the amendment and called it an undemocratic assault on free and fair elections. In a post on X, CM Stalin said that democracy was facing its gravest threat under the BJP-led Union Government. Voicing his objections, he said, "Democracy is facing its gravest threat under the BJP-led Union Government, with the reckless amendment of Section 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules designed to undermine transparency in elections." CM Stalin added that the move undermines one of the Constitutionas fundamental features -- transparency. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister called on all political parties, including those aligned with the Union Government, to unite against what he termed an undemocratic assault on free and fair elections. Luanda, Jan 12 : Angola has registered 170 cholera cases as of 6 p.m. local time, the Ministry of Health said. In the past 24 hours, three cholera deaths and 51 new cases have been reported on Saturday. The outbreak has now spread to two additional municipalities in the capital province of Luanda. National emergency response measures have been activated as the cholera outbreak continues to escalate since the first confirmed case was reported on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency. Earlier on Saturday, Angola's Minister of Health, Silvia Lutucuta, announced that emergency response plans have been activated to address the country's cholera outbreak, particularly in Cacuaco Municipality of Luanda province, the epicentre of the disease. According to Lutucuta, health authorities have enhanced epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, mobilised resources, improved public health communication and ensured better access to safe drinking water. "Everything we are doing is to fight this disease," she said. On Saturday, the Ministry of Health convened a meeting of the Multisectoral Commission to combat cholera at the General Hospital in Cacuaco. Adao Silva, Director-General of the Public Water Company, said that 17 community water tanks previously used for drinking water have been cleaned, with their contents analysed and drained. These tanks are no longer in use to ensure safer water supplies for the affected residents. Angola's Ministry of Health (MINSA) has updated and activated its national cholera response plan, mobilising medical resources and supplies. Key measures include enhanced epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, community communication initiatives, and water and sanitation interventions, such as distributing calcium hypochlorite and disinfecting and supplying potable water tanks. The ministry cited challenges in managing the outbreak, particularly poor sanitation in affected areas and the lack of potable water systems in high-risk regions. The bulletin defines a cholera case as "a patient with severe or extreme dehydration, or death due to acute watery diarrhoea, with or without vomiting, in individuals over the age of two in areas where cholera is present." A confirmed case is "a suspected case where the cholera vibrio has been isolated in stool samples." State Farm is facing a rising tide of new scrutiny amid wildfires ripping through whole communities in Los Angeles. The insurer ended coverage for thousands of homes in the Pacific Palisades months before the disaster ruthlessly claimed swaths of homes, schools, houses of worship, and at least 10 lives. Now, consumers and watchdogs have a gimlet eye trained on the executive teams next move, putting CEO Jon Farney in an unenviable hot seat. Farney took the helm in June after former CEO Michael Tipsord retired. Farney was not yet CEO when the insurer decided to no longer accept homeowners applications in California or end coverage for thousands of homes, but he is a 30-year veteran of the company and has served in multiple executive roles. Terry McNeil, an insurance expert and president and CEO of T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, said State Farm will likely try to do right by its customers but it is already strained in the state. The increase in claims being filedalong with the fact that the company relies less than other carriers on reinsurance, which is basically insurance for insuranceputs the company at risk. I think the effect on State Farm is going to be catastrophic. I think it's going to, if anything, increase the speed at which they pull out of California, McNeil said. However, the insurer, which underwrites a fifth of Californias homeowners market, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, would face significant regulatory hurdles and potential legal challenges if it exits the California market. Still, State Farm has been scaling back its business in the state over the past few years. In 2023, State Farm raised rates by an average of 20% for existing customers and said it would no longer accept new homeowners insurance applications in California. And in March, the insurance company said it would end coverage for around 72,000 homes and apartments in the state, 1,600 of which were in the Pacific Palisades where one of the largest fires is still uncontained. In both decisions, State Farm cited its exposure to catastrophe as its rationale, and a spokesperson for the insurer added in a statement: The market conditions that led State Farm General to make difficult but necessary business decisions over the last couple of years have been developing for years. In California, insurance companies have to get state approval for rate hikes through what can be a lengthy regulatory process. Last year, the company sought increases of 30% for its homeowners line, on top of the 20% it was approved for in December 2023. Melbourne, Jan 12 : Sixth seed Casper Ruud survived a dramatic encounter on Sunday as the Norwegian overcame a Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena to reach the second round at the Australian Open for the fourth consecutive year. Ruud struck 48 winners to 37 unforced errors and produced his best level in the fifth set, winning 93 per cent (13/14) of his first-serve points to earn a three-hour, 24-minute triumph under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, according to ATP stats. The 26-year-old Ruud, who is a three-time major finalist, improved his five-set record to 10-6 with the victory and leads Munar 3-1 in the pairas ATP Head-to-Head series. However, his best result in Melbourne came in 2021 when he advanced to the fourth round. The 26-year-old will next meet Czech player Jakub Mensik or Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili. In other action, Kei Nishikori of Japan rallied from two-sets-to-love down before he saved match points against Brazilian Thiago Monteiro in a first-round epic. Under the roof on John Cain Arena, the Japanese star was on the brink of falling in straight sets when he faced two match points when serving to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third set. However, he refused to surrender, hitting 23 winners and committing just eight unforced errors in sets four and five to earn a 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 after four hours and six minutes. Nishikori is into the second round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2019, when he advanced to the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the fourth time. The 35-year-old, who arrived at the hard-court major off the back of a run to the final at the ATP 250 event in Hong Kong, will next play Tommy Paul or Christopher OaConnell. Earlier in the day, Frenchman Arthur Fils earned a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4 win against Otto Virtanen. The 20-year-old will next meet countryman Quentin Halys or Australian Adam Walton. Chennai, Jan 12 : Congress functionaries in Tamil Nadu are upset after the state leadership relinquished its claim to the Erode East Assembly seat, allowing the DMK to contest the upcoming by-election on February 5. The by-election was necessitated by the passing of E.V.K.S. Elangovan, a former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and sitting MLA of Erode East. The seat, allocated to the Congress in the 2021 Assembly elections, holds sentimental value for the party as Elangovan was a towering Congress leader and the grandnephew of Dravidian icon Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, the founder of the Dravidian movement. R. Muthukrishnan, a local Congress office-bearer, stated that the decision to hand over the seat to the DMK has disappointed local functionaries and cadres. "This seat is significant for the Congress, and the decision to let go of it has shattered hopes of retaining it in the 2026 Assembly elections," he said. In the 2021 elections, the Congress was allotted 25 seats as part of the DMK-led coalition and won 18, including Erode East. This victory marked the first time the DMK alliance secured a win from the constituency, which was created in 2008 and faced its first election in 2011. Previously, the DMK contested Erode East in the 2011 and 2016 Assembly elections but failed to win. In 2021, the seat was allotted to the Congress, and Thirumagan Everaa, son of Elangovan, emerged victorious with a margin of 8,904 votes. Tragically, Thirumagan passed away on January 4, 2023, due to a massive heart attack, prompting a by-election. Elangovan then contested the by-election and won with an impressive margin of 66,203 votes. K.N. Basha, Vice President of the Congress Minority Wing in Erode, stated that since the seat was allotted to the Congress in 2021, the party should rightfully contest the by-election. "It will be difficult for the Congress to reclaim this seat in future elections if we give it up now," he said. Erode District Congress President T. Thiruselvam explained that the state leadership likely ceded the seat to the DMK, anticipating tough competition in the by-election. However, this decision has caused significant resentment among party cadres and supporters. Chennai, Jan 12 : Eight fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Sunday. Two mechanised boats were also impounded by the Sri Lankan authorities. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the arrests were made for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and poaching near the Neduntheevu islet. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department said they had issued tokens to 169 mechanised boats on Saturday morning from the Rameswaram jetty. These boats were scheduled to return to shore on Sunday evening. Sources in the Fisheries Department told IANS that the arrested fishermen were taken to a Sri Lankan naval port and are currently being questioned. The impounded boats are being towed to the same port. The owners of the seized boats have been identified as Mukesh Kumar of Rameswaram and Maria Retrisan of Thangachimadam, with registration numbers IND TN 10 MM 879 and IND TN 10 MM 159, respectively. Fishermen's association leaders across coastal Tamil Nadu condemned the midnight arrests. Antony John, a fishermen's leader from Rameswaram, criticised the Union government for not addressing the recurring arrests. "It is no longer safe for us to fish in the Palk Bay. We have lost not only our livelihoods but also our properties to the Sri Lankan authorities," John said. He added that around 270 trawlers have been impounded since 2018, forcing many fishermen into unemployment and financial distress due to mounting debts. Rajagopal C.M., another leader from Thangachimadam, expressed similar concerns and accused both the Union and State governments of neglecting the fisherfolk's plight. Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats. Many of these fishermen remain detained in Sri Lankan jails, sparking widespread protests and calls for government intervention. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister raised the issue with the Sri Lankan government, urging them to prevent further arrests and boat seizures. However, despite these discussions, the arrests have continued, intensifying fears within the fishing community. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Meenavar Peravai, highlighted the hardships faced by fishermen and their families. "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands of families who depend on fishing and related activities are suffering. A sense of fear has gripped fishermen and their families about venturing out to sea," he said. Thajudhin also expressed concern over the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalise seized mechanised fishing boats. "This move will devastate the industry. Many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these expensive boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings," he explained. Fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu have announced large-scale protests in coastal districts. They have also written to the Prime Minister, urging immediate intervention to stop mid-sea arrests and seizures of mechanised boats, which are crucial to their livelihoods. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had recently discussed the issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake during the latter's visit to India. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss also called for strong measures by the Indian government to prevent further arrests of Indian fishermen. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Kapil Mishra, the BJP candidate from Delhi's Karawal Nagar Assembly constituency, on Sunday, mocked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over allegations of "fake voter registrations" ahead of the Assembly elections. In a sharp attack, Mishra taunted Kejriwal, saying the former Delhi Chief Minister has been making "baseless claims" and "crying" incessantly about the New Delhi Assembly seat because he knows he is set to lose there. Mishra's remarks came a day after AAP accused central government ministers and BJP MPs residing in Lutyens' Delhi of conspiring to register fake voters ahead of the elections. On Saturday, Kejriwal had written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, alleging that BJP leaders were registering fake voters at their home addresses and demanded the filing of an FIR against those involved. Reacting to Kejriwal's claims, Mishra told IANS, "He keeps making these allegations about the New Delhi Assembly seat. For this very seat, Kejriwal cries five times a day. He starts crying in the morning and doesn't stop until night because he knows he is losing from New Delhi." Mishra, also the Delhi BJP vice chief, went further, alleging that Kejriwal's actions in the run-up to the polls suggest he is planning to abandon the New Delhi seat altogether. "In the last 10 years, we have not seen him behave this way. Now, he is looking for a safer constituency, just like Manish Sisodia did," Mishra asserted. The BJP leader accused Kejriwal of making excuses for his impending defeat. "At times, he claims the BJP is cutting Purvanchali votes; other times, he alleges that the BJP is creating fake Purvanchali votes. These statements prove that he has no clue about his political position. The only thing he knows is that he is losing New Delhi. That's why the entire AAP machinery is focusing on press conferences about this seat. Atishi will lose from Kalkaji, and Kejriwal will lose from New Delhi," he added. Mishra also commented on Delhi Chief Minister and AAP's Kalkaji candidate Atishi, who recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance her election campaign. During a press conference, Atishi shared an online link for donations, stating she needed Rs 40 lakh to contest the polls and hoped for public support for AAP's "politics of work and honesty." Mishra said he believed Atishi might contest the elections through crowdfunding but raised questions about the funding of other AAP candidates. "Why hasn't Kejriwal gone for crowdfunding? From where are the other 69 candidates getting their funds? Are they using money from terrorists, jihadis, mafia, or the underworld?" Mishra questioned. "If Atishi relies on public money, don't the other candidates require funds? This is a gimmick. They are losing, and that's why they are resorting to such drama," he remarked. Mishra also referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report released on Saturday, alleging financial mismanagement by the AAP government. "The report has exposed a scam of Rs 2,026 crore. This is not the BJP's allegation; it's documented in the CAG report. If Kejriwal claims to represent honest politics, why hasn't he responded to this report?" he questioned. He further challenged AAP to present a detailed report card of their development work over the past decade in the national capital. "If AAP has genuinely done any development work in Delhi, let them showcase it with facts and figures," Mishra concluded. Gurugram, Jan 12 : A leopard strayed into a residential society in Guragram's Sohna, triggering panic. The guard of the Ashiana Society spotted the feline on Saturday night and alerted his seniors who informed the Forest Department. A team from the Forest Department, including Inspector Krishan Kumar, Forest Officer Jyoti Kumar, and wildlife social worker Anil Gandas reached the spot to rescue the big cat. The big cat was captured without a tranquiliser. "There was not much space where the leopard was sitting. Due to this, the animal could not escape. The cage was kept at the gate and the leopard was captured without any problem," Krishna Kumar said. "We received information around 2 a.m. It was a male leopard and probably entered the residential society for food. He was safely left in the Aravali at 6 a.m. on Sunday," Anil Gandas said. Ashiana Society is located near the Aravalli hills. Many times, the animals wander into residential areas searching for food. The leopard did not have any kind of injury. Notably, the Haryana government will soon develop Jungle Safari in the Aravali reason. For this, the Forest Department officials will get complete information about five jungle safaris in the country as well as one jungle safari in Singapore. They will find out what facilities are available there. After getting the information, the work of developing the Aravali Jungle Safari will be started. The government wants more facilities to be provided for the Aravali Jungle Safari than the jungle safaris developed at other places so that it can become a centre of attraction for tourists not only in the country but also abroad. The state government handed over the responsibility of the project from the Tourism Department to the Forest Department so that work on the project could be done faster. Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The government of Telangana will launch the process to issue new ration cards from January 26. State Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar told the media after meeting officials in Hyderabad on Sunday that the beneficiaries will be identified during the verification process at the field level between January 16 and 20. The data of identified beneficiaries will be entered from January 21 and new ration cards will be issued from January 26. Ponnam Prabhakar, who is in-charge minister for Hyderabad, said the Congress government has not laid down any new criteria for issuing new ration cards. He said the eligibility rules framed in the past would be followed to issue the ration cards. He also assured that the families, who migrated to Hyderabad from districts, would also be issued ration cards. He said the government would rise above politics to do justice to the poor. Ponnam Prabhakar said applications for new ration cards and Indiramma houses would be accepted. He said those who have lands in Hyderabad would be given priority under the Indiramma housing scheme to help them build houses. The minister said the Congress government would also complete the double-bedroom houses whose construction was taken up by the previous government. The government would hold discussions with contractors in this regard. The completed 2BHK houses will be allotted to beneficiaries through a draw of lots. Making it clear that the new ration cards will be issued in the state as per the previous eligibility rules, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed the District Collectors to take precautions that a person should not possess the ration card in multiple places. Issuing new ration cards and sanctioning of Indiramma houses are among four schemes to be launched by the government on January 26. On the same day, the government would launch Rythu Bharosa, under which farmers will be given crop investment support of Rs 12,000 per acre and Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa, under which every landless poor labourer family will be provided financial assistance of Rs 12,000 annually. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced on January 10 that lists of Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa and ration card beneficiaries will be displayed in Gram Sabhas. The Chief Minister stated that his government's goal is to build houses for all homeless families. The details of 18.32 lakh people identified through the Indiramma app have already been sent to the districts. The poorest of the poor will be given priority in the sanction of the houses. Under the first phase of the scheme, 3,500 houses have already been sanctioned for every Assembly constituency. Seoul, Jan 12 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first formal hearing in his impeachment trial this week out of concerns for his safety, his lawyer said on Sunday. Yun Gap-geun, Yoon's defence attorney, made the announcement as the Constitutional Court will hold the first oral arguments on Yoon's impeachment trial on Tuesday, while investigators are seeking to detain the impeached president for questioning in a separate case related to his short-lived martial law imposition, reports Yonhap news agency. "As attempts to unlawfully execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are underway, there are concerns of personal safety and mishap," Yun said. "In order for the president to appear for the trial, the issue of personal safety and security must be resolved." Yun said the impeached president will attend his trial if such issues are resolved. The Constitutional Court earlier said it would start oral arguments for the trial on Tuesday, with a total of five hearing sessions scheduled until February 4. Yoon's lawyers have previously said the president will attend his impeachment trial at an "appropriate" time to make his case. Should Yoon fail to show up for the hearing on Tuesday, the court will be required to end the session and convene again on Thursday for a second session, which then can proceed even in Yoon's absence. Investigators earlier sought to detain Yoon but failed after an hourslong standoff with the Presidential Security Service. They are widely expected to stage a second attempt to detain him after a Seoul court granted an extension of the warrant last week. Separately, the president's lawyers visited the office of the state anti-corruption agency investigating Yoon on Sunday to deliver a notice of their appointment as Yoon's legal representatives. During the visit, the lawyers reportedly stressed the need for talks to prevent a physical clash between the police and the presidential security service in their expected attempt to detain Yoon. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Continuing the ongoing debate on the work-hour balance, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla on Sunday said that quality of work is always more important than quantity. The debate was first ignited by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and more recently triggered by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan. While Murthy has been advocating 70-hours a week, Subrahmanyan suggested employees work 90-hour per week, even on Sundays, to remain competitive. "Quality of work over quantity always. #worklifebalance," Poonawalla said in a post on X. Further, echoing Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's sentiment, Poonawalla said, "Yes [Anand Mahindra], even my wife [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. His comments follow Mahindra's recent remarks saying that it's not about working 48, 70, or 90 hours a week, but rather the output produced. "My wife is wonderful, I love staring at her," Mahindra had said, taking a dig at the L&T Chairman's latest comments. Subrahmanyan had recently said that he regretted that L&T employees weren't working on Sundays, saying, "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also." He further questioned, "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working." Subrahmanyan's remarks were condemned by Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, Harsh Goenka, Chairperson of the RPG Group, and former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta. After facing backlash, the company said the Chairman's remarks reflect the larger ambition of nation-building, "emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort". As per health experts, overworking can increase the risk of burnout and lower productivity at work. In addition, personal life and family relationships can also be affected by overworking. It can also affect the sleep cycle, leading to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. All this can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death. Mumbai, Jan 12 : Director-producer Tahira Kashyap has shared a heartwarming recollection of celebrating her first Lohri as a newlywed ahead of the festival on Monday. Being Punjabi herself, she spoke about celebrating the festival with her in-laws, and how the joyous festivities captured the essence of the occasion. Talking about the experience, Tahira, who is married to Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, said, "In Punjabi culture, the first Lohri after marriage is celebrated with a lot of fervor. My in-laws hosted a party to celebrate us, the newlywed couple. There was dance and music, and the married couples would go in circles around the bonfire. We enjoyed gajak (chikki), peanuts, and popcorn, which were also thrown into the bonfire". She further mentioned, "Needless to say, the chants of 'Sundar Mundriye' filled the air. The last two lines of the song made me laugh. It literally translates to, 'Give us Lohri, long live your pair, whether you cry or bang your head later.' That's quite a disclaimer young Punjabi couples get from their elders". On the work front, Tahira Kashyap made her directorial debut with 'Sharmajee Ki Beti', which received positive reviews for its compelling storyline and fresh directorial perspective. Known for her contributions to inspiring the new generation and women, Tahira garnered immense love for the film, contributing to a shift in how stories are perceived today. Meanwhile, her husband, Ayushmann Khurrana is shooting for his upcoming film 'Thama'. After a short schedule in Mumbai late last year, the film's crew is shooting some exciting sequences as they begin filming early next week with the cast in the national capital which continues until the first half of January. 'Thama' is touted to be a 'bloody love story', and belongs to Maddock's blockbuster horror comedy universe. The film promises to be a gripping love story, set against a bloody backdrop and brings together an impressive cast with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, along with Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film is helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar of 'Munjya' fame, and is written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara, and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik. Chennai, Jan 12 : The Tamil Nadu BJP has demanded an unconditional apology from Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for allegedly reneging on his promise to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). BJP state secretary S.G. Suryah accused Udhayanidhi Stalin of "shamelessly lying" to the people of Tamil Nadu during the 2021 Assembly election campaign. He stated that Udhayanidhi had assured voters that abolishing NEET would be the DMK government's priority. In a statement issued on Sunday, Suryah said, "Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin made a promise to the people of Tamil Nadu that his first signature as a minister would abolish NEET. However, he has failed to deliver on that promise." The BJP leader called for an unconditional apology from Udhayanidhi for what he termed a blatant "U-turn" on the issue. He also clarified that the central government has no role in implementing NEET, as it is a directive of the Supreme Court. Suryah welcomed a recent statement by Vijay, actor-turned-politician and president of the Tamilaga Vettai Kazhagam (TVK), who criticised the DMK government for failing to abolish NEET. In a social media post on Saturday, Vijay accused the DMK of deceiving the people with false promises. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has now admitted that only the Union government has the authority to scrap NEET. Vijay said, "This is a significant social and political issue for Tamil Nadu. During the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK promised to abolish NEET if returned to power. However, they knew fully well that this decision could only be taken by the central government." Vijay further alleged that the DMK made these assurances purely to garner votes and criticized the ruling party for not fulfilling its promises after coming to power. He said, "How long will they deceive us in our own country?" The TVK leader also highlighted that NEET was a major campaign issue in 2021. "The DMK promised to cancel the exam, claiming they had a plan to do so. Now they admit only the central government can abolish NEET. Isn't this a betrayal of the people who voted for them?" Vijay remarked. In a statement on Friday, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that NEET would have been abolished if the INDIA alliance had captured power at the Centre. However, he acknowledged that only the Central government has the authority to scrap the exam. CM Stalin also reminded Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami that during the regimes of Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, NEET was not there. He argued that the exam was introduced only during the tenure of Palaniswami's government. S.G. Suryah further stated, "If anyone wants to get away from NEET, they should approach the Supreme Court, not the Central government." ZURICH (Reuters) -UBS could be seen as being too big for Switzerland following its takeover of Credit Suisse, former Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer said on Saturday, with measures needed to reduce the risks of the enlarged bank. "If you look at the numbers alone and compare UBS with the Swiss economy, it is too big," Maurer told newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. "Therefore, the risk must be reduced." At around $1.7 trillion, UBS's balance sheet is double the size of annual Swiss economic output, giving the bank exceptional weight for a major economy. Should the bank fail, there are no local rivals left to absorb it, while the cost of nationalisation could severely damage public finances, experts have warned. Reducing risks was primarily the responsibility of shareholders via their choice of board members, Maurer said. "They must take responsibility, not the taxpayers in the end," said Maurer, who left office months before the final collapse of Credit Suisse in March 2023. "Legislative measures must also be examined," said Maurer, who also defended himself after a recent parliamentary report raised questions about his actions as the Credit Suisse crisis worsened at the end of 2022. The Swiss government last year laid out plans for tougher capital requirements for UBS and Switzerland's three other big banks in a bid to make the financial sector more robust after Credit Suisse's demise. Details of the exact capital requirements are yet to emerge, but the possibility that UBS could be made to hold $15 billion to $25 billion in additional capital has met resistance from the bank. Maurer said if the capital requirements were too high, Swiss banks would no longer be competitive and may look to be based elsewhere. "For the Swiss economy with its many international multi-nationals, a large bank is a locational advantage," he said. "But risks must be minimized." UBS declined to comment on the interview. The bank's CEO Sergio Ermotti earlier this month told Migros Magazine that UBS had enough capital to cover potential problems. The bank supported many of the Swiss government's proposals to improve banking regulation, but they had to be targetted and proportionate, Ermotti told the magazine. (Reporting by John RevillEditing by Mark Potter) Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Hyderabad police have registered a criminal case against film actor Venkatesh and his family members in connection with the demolition of the Deccan Kitchen Hotel in Film Nagar. On the direction of a city court, Film Nagar Police registered a case under various sections. The First Information Report (FIR) has named producer Daggubati Suresh as accused number one (A1), his brother Daggubati Venkatesh as A2, Sureshas son and actor Daggubati Rana as A3 and Ranaas brother and producer Daggubati Abhiram as A4. The case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 448, 452, 458, and 120B for trespass and criminal conspiracy. The Nampally court had Saturday directed police to register a case and take action for violation of court orders. The court issued orders on a complaint by Nanda Kumar, accusing Venkatesh and his family members of illegal demolition. The complainant alleged that despite a pending injunction from the City Civil Court and orders from the Telangana High Court, the accused unlawfully entered the properties and caused damage with the help of anti-social elements. It was in November 2022 that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had partially demolished the hotel and adjoining structures constructed by Nanda Kumar, one of the accused in the alleged poaching of TRS MLAs, on land taken on lease from the Daggubati family. Nanda Kumar had approached the High Court, which had ordered status quo. In January 2024, the Daggubati family completely demolished the structure. Nanda Kumar approached Nampally Court for violation of court orders. He had claimed that he suffered a loss of Rs 20 crore due to demolition and vandalism. The court had ordered police to investigate the matter. The proceedings in the case continued and on Saturday the court issued directions to the police to register a case against the accused. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed confidence in the Indian youth, stating that they are collectively charting the roadmap for India's future over the next 25 years and will achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated to honour Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, PM Modi said, "Swami Vivekananda had immense trust in the youth of the nation. He believed in the new generation, and I share the same unwavering belief in today's youth. If Swami Vivekananda were with us today, he would be inspired by the serious efforts of our youth, filling India with renewed trust and dreams." The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the venue, saying, "In this very Bharat Mandapam, world leaders gathered to discuss global development. Today, my young leaders are shaping the roadmap for India's next 25 years." Recounting a conversation with athletes, PM Modi said they referred to him as a "friend," a relationship he claimed to share with every citizen. "The foundation of friendship is trust, and I trust the youth of this nation immensely. This trust inspired the creation of 'My Bharat' and paved the way for the 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'," he said. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, PM Modi remarked, "Some may consider this vision impossible, but I believe it is achievable. When millions of young people drive development forward, our goal becomes a reality." The Prime Minister drew lessons from history, citing examples of collective resolve leading to significant achievements. Referring to America's 'New Deal' during the 1930s and Singapore's transformation under effective leadership, he emphasised that collective dreams can lead to extraordinary outcomes. PM Modi also recalled India's historical achievements, from the independence struggle to overcoming agricultural crises, eliminating open defecation, achieving financial inclusion, and delivering LPG cylinders to every household. He highlighted India's global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development of vaccines and the world's largest vaccination campaign. India's commitment to green energy was also underscored. "We fulfilled our Paris Agreement commitment nine years ahead of schedule. We are now working towards blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol by 2030 and will achieve this target ahead of time," he said. The Prime Minister praised the youth's contributions to the event, stating, "I feel immense pride in the youth's understanding of the country's challenges and their ground-level solutions. Your ideas, which emerged from this dialogue, will guide India's policies and development. This event reflects the vast vision of India's youth." Mentioning that India is one of the youngest nations in the world, PM Modi reiterated his call to bring one lakh young people into politics, envisioning it as a medium to implement transformative ideas. "I am confident many of you will step forward to participate in politics, contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat," he added. Pointing out the leadership roles by Indians across the world, PM Modi said, "We have an Amrit Kaal in front of us; a golden period. I have faith that India's Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation." Earlier, the Prime Minister visited an exhibition where 3,000 young leaders showcased their innovative contributions, aligning their efforts with the vision of a "Viksit Bharat 2047." The exhibits highlighted advancements in digital technologies, virtual innovations, and sustainable development goals, reflecting a collective aim for a strong, healthy, and prosperous India. Young innovators presented ideas across ten critical themes pivotal to India's progress, including technology, sustainability, women empowerment, manufacturing, and agriculture, offering solutions to the nation's pressing challenges. The Dialogue aims to redefine the traditional National Youth Festival by aligning it with PM Modi's vision of engaging one lakh youth in non-partisan political initiatives. It provides a platform for young leaders to translate their ideas into actionable contributions toward India's development. The event marked a historic convergence of youth leadership and innovation, reaffirming the government's commitment to empowering a future-ready generation. New Delhi, Jan 12 : As the BJP and AAP's aggressive campaigning for the February 5 Delhi Assembly election takes centre stage, the Congress suddenly appears to have run out of steam, rather it has held back its horses. This is intriguing given the fact that this election presents the right opportunity for the grand old party to bounce back in the national capital. The Congress has been almost wiped out in Delhi as it has failed to win any seat in the last two Assembly polls and the Lok Sabha elections from Delhi. However, this time there is significant scope for the Congress party as AAP has been engulfed in corruption cases, and its top leadership is on bail after being arrested on various charges. AAP's stint of five years since 2020 has been riddled with controversies and charges of no development. The national capital has witnessed significant political drama and theatrics, leaving people confused about AAP's goals, credibility, and practicality. It is here where the Congress party could have pushed itself into AAP's territories and reclaim its lost space. The BJP, in any case for both of them, is the enemy. Even though the Congress has finally listed Rahul Gandhi to begin its campaign with a rally in Seelampur to be followed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the initial aggression shown by the Delhi leaders has gone missing. The steam seems to have been taken out after Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party raised a stick. It all started when veteran leader Ajay Maken launched a frontal attack on Kejriwal while releasing a White Paper on the "black deeds" of both the AAP government and the BJP-led Central government. He declared plans to reveal alleged 'anti-national' links between the AAP chief and certain outfits and even described Kejriwal as 'Farziwal'. The press conference was scheduled for a later date. However, Maken's press conference was postponed. Congress said it was delayed as they needed to get "some documents". Eventually, the press conference was cancelled and may not happen at all. The reason is that AAP red-flagged Ajay Maken's statement. AAP put the Congress on notice over Maken's "anti-national" barb at Kejriwal and asked the party to take action against him or else it would approach INDIA bloc allies to "drop" the party from the Opposition bloc. AAP was also miffed by the Congress lodging a complaint against Kejriwal, accusing him of "misleading and deceiving" the people with promises of "non-existent" welfare schemes. Apparently, the INDIA bloc back channels worked for Kejriwal and played a part in persuading the Congress top guns not to escalate its attacks on Kejriwal. Most of the Congress allies in the opposition bloc soon came out in support of Kejriwal. The rallying for the AAP chief in the bloc perhaps did the work and the Congress leashed its veteran leader Maken. Maken, who had been at the forefront of the party's Delhi campaign has gone quiet. An unexpected twist occurred when the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister announced the 'Pyari Didi Yojana', a scheme promising Rs 2,500 in monthly assistance to women in Delhi if the party comes to power. Why should the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister launch the scheme and not the party's top leadership, including Priyanka Gandhi, is a question that reflects the confusion that is prevailing in the party. By going weak before the AAP, the Congress party seems to have given up on the fight. It has left the battle to be fought by individual leaders at the local level. It may or may not be able to fetch big numbers in the Assembly. Even if it gets a few, the party will rejoice as it has been scoring zero in the past two Assembly elections. The fight between the AAP and the Congress party is largely for the minority Muslims and the marginalised, especially the Dalits. Muslim voters constitute almost 12 per cent of Delhi's population and Dalits make up around 17 per cent of the voters. Both were the Congress' trusted vote bank which later shifted to after 2013. Perhaps, this may be the reason that Rahul Gandhi is beginning his campaign from Seelampur which has a sizeable Muslim population. The Congress may or may not win a seat or seats in the Delhi Assembly, it, however, has exposed its weakness in the INDIA bloc before its allies a" both national and regional. Its not-so-proactiveness will go a long way to further dent its image, especially that of Rahul Gandhi. The grand old party has this one chance to strengthen itself in the national capital where it has seen a drastic decline in vote share in comparison to AAPas meteoric rise. The Congress' vote share in Delhi has declined drastically over the years, dropping from 40.31 per cent in 2008 to 24.55 per cent in 2013, 9.7 per cent in 2015, and a mere 4.26 per cent in 2020. Since Delhi's Legislative Assembly was established in 1993, the BJP came to power once The Congress ruled Delhi for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2013. And after that, the AAP has been in power. With anti-incumbency and the plethora of cases against the ruling AAP leaders, the Congress has the perfect pitch laid to rise and better its position in Delhias electoral battle. However, with AAP raising its stick and INDIA bloc allies siding with Kejriwal, the Congress seems to be in dilemma at how far to push its ally AAP. If the dilemma continues, the odds could weigh heavily on Congress. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in) Agartala, Jan 12 : In a major drug bust, Tripura Police seized 1.24 lakh methamphetamine tablets (also known as Yaba tablets) valued at around Rs one crore and arrested two persons in the capital city on Sunday, officials said. The drugs smuggled from Myanmar were intended to be smuggled to Bangladesh, the officials added. A police officer said that the 1.24 lakh methamphetamine tablets were seized from a cement-laden truck. Police arrested the truck driver Jamal Hussain (43) and his assistant Mintu Baman (33). The police intercepted the truck, which was coming from Meghalaya and going to bordering Sonamura in Sepahijala district. Police officials suspect that the drugs were intended to be smuggled to Bangladesh and had been brought from Myanmar. A case has been registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985. Immediately after the arrest of the truck driver and his assistant, police officials started interrogating the duo to ascertain the details of the drug smuggling effort. The drugs were seized, two days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths conducted coordinated search operations across multiple locations in Tripura on Friday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeting inter-state drug cartels involved in the trafficking of narcotic substances, including ganja and phensidyl. A Tripura government official had said that during Fridayas search operation in three Tripura districts -- West Tripura, South Tripura and Sepahijala, the ED sleuths identified seven persons, including Dhruba Majumdar, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Tripura Police, in the drug peddling racket. Majumdar is presently posted at the Crime Branch section under the office of the Superintendent of Police, South Tripura district and a resident at Baikhora. The source said the Tripura Police was contemplating suitable legal and administrative action against Majumdar. The ED sleuths as part of their investigation also summoned some Tripura Gramin Bank officials and questioned them early on Friday. Though Tripura has become the most important producer of ganja and a corridor for synthetic drugs, including highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, this is the first time in Tripura that such major raids were conducted by the Central agency against the key drug players. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon Indian youth on Sunday to step out of their comfort zones and embrace risks to achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on the occasion of National Youth Day, PM Modi highlighted the pivotal role of youth in shaping the nation's future. The Prime Minister emphasised the economic growth trajectory, noting, "We are rapidly moving toward a $5 trillion economy. Once we achieve this, the scale of development will be extraordinary, and the expansion of facilities will be immense. But India will not stop here. By the end of the next decade, we will surpass the $10 trillion economy mark." He warned against complacency, urging the youth to step out of their comfort zones. "We must avoid getting used to our comfort zone. Comfort zones can be dangerous. Progress requires taking risks and pushing boundaries. The youth participating in this dialogue have already demonstrated this by stepping out of their comfort zones to be here. This life mantra will take you to new heights of success," PM Modi said. "Many of the world's largest companies are being run by Indian youth. The entire world admires the potential of Indian youth. We have a 25-year golden period, an Amrit Kaal, and I am fully confident that India's Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation," he said. He praised the achievements of the younger generation over the past decade, stating, "In just 10 years, you have propelled India to become one of the top three startup ecosystems globally, advanced India in the manufacturing sector, popularised the Digital India initiative worldwide, and made significant strides in sports. If India's youth can make the impossible possible, they will undoubtedly make Viksit Bharat a reality." The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering youth, emphasising efforts to expand educational infrastructure. "Every week, a new university is being established in India. Every day, a new ITI is being set up. Every third day, a new Atal Tinkering Lab is being opened. Additionally, two new colleges are being established daily. Today, there are 23 IITs in the country. In just one decade, the number of IIITs has increased from nine to 25, while the number of IIMs has risen from 13 to 21. The number of AIIMS has tripled, and medical colleges have nearly doubled," he said. He also pointed to the growing global recognition of India's educational institutions. "Until 2014, only nine Indian higher education institutions were in the QS rankings. Today, this number has risen to 46. The strength of India's educational institutions forms a critical foundation for a Viksit Bharat," the Prime Minister said. Outlining ambitious targets for the nation, PM Modi stated, "We must set new goals every day and achieve them. The day is not far when India will become the third-largest economy in the world. Over the last decade, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. At this pace, the day is not far when India will eradicate poverty entirely." He added that India has set a target of generating 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by the end of the decade, achieving net-zero carbon emissions for railways by 2030, and establishing a space station by 2035. "We are also working towards organising the Olympics in the next decade. India is advancing rapidly as a space power and is on track to meet these milestones," he said. PM Modi also expressed confidence in the Indian youth, stating that they are collectively charting the roadmap for India's future over the next 25 years and will achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. On the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated to honour Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, PM Modi said, "Swami Vivekananda had immense trust in the youth of the nation. He believed in the new generation, and I share the same unwavering belief in today's youth. If Swami Vivekananda were with us today, he would be inspired by the serious efforts of our youth, filling India with renewed trust and dreams." The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the venue, saying, "In this very Bharat Mandapam, world leaders gathered to discuss global development. Today, my young leaders are shaping the roadmap for India's next 25 years." Mentioning that India is one of the youngest nations in the world, PM Modi reiterated his call to bring one lakh young people into politics, envisioning it as a medium to implement transformative ideas. Earlier, the Prime Minister visited an exhibition where 3,000 young leaders showcased their innovative contributions, aligning their efforts with the vision of a "Viksit Bharat 2047." The exhibits highlighted advancements in digital technologies, virtual innovations, and sustainable development goals, reflecting a collective aim for a strong, healthy, and prosperous India. The event marked a historic convergence of youth leadership and innovation, reaffirming the government's commitment to empowering a future-ready generation. Ayodhya, Jan 12 : Peethadheeshwar of Hindu Dham Ayodhya, Ramvilas Das Vedanti, sharply targeted Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad during an interview with IANS on Sunday. Vedanti said, "Only pious souls go to the Mahakumbh, not sinners." He further stated that sinners cannot go to the Kumbh. They have been prohibited from attending the Kumbh. Only pious souls are allowed to go there, not sinners. This remark came after Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad made a controversial statement regarding the upcoming Mahakumbh, which will begin in Prayagraj on January 13. The MP had said that only those who are sinners will go to the Kumbh to wash off their sins. He also mentioned that there is jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh and no one knows when their life will be at risk. He even stated that he had received threats to his life. In response to a question, Vedanti stated that the glory of Bharat Mata has been upheld by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The security of our nation can only be ensured if we protect the honour of "Bharat Mata". When asked about the Waqf Board, he said that to protect Bharat Mata's glory, the Waqf Board should be abolished immediately. He appealed to people to live in harmony. Regarding the Mahakumbh, Vedanti said that rumours were being spread. He clarified that there has never been a Muslim camp at the Kumbh in its history. He accused Owaisi of starting this issue to create division between Hindus and Muslims. He called Owaisi a traitor and suggested he should be expelled from India. On the Sambhal issue, Vedanti stated that Sambhal is the land of Kalki, where Kalki's birth is destined. He said that people should work to free the land of Kalki. Guwahati, Jan 12 : The rescue operation continued on Sunday in Assam's Umrangso, where at least five labourers are suspected to have died after getting trapped in a coal mine. The specialised task force has been continuing the search operation in the mine to locate and retrieve the bodies. A senior official said: "As de-watering of the coal mine is being done by the task force, the Navy divers are continuing their search for trapped labourers." On Saturday, the bodies of three deceased labourers were recovered from the coal mine. Earlier, another body of a labourer was recovered. One of the three labourers whose bodies were recovered from the mine on Saturday was identified as 27-year-old Ligen Magar, a resident of Dima Hasao district. Magar's body was found floating on accumulated water in the mine after the Navy divers went to bring out the worker, an official said. The remaining two bodies recovered on Sunday were identified as 57-year-old Khusi Mohan Rai, a resident of Magargaon in Kokrajhar district of Assam, and 37-year-old Sarat Goyary, a resident of Thailapara, Batashipur in Sonitpur district of Assam. At least nine labourers have been identified who were trapped in a coal mine in Umrango locality of the Dima Hasao district a week ago. The state administration and police launched an operation to rescue the trapped labourers in the mine. According to police, the exact number of labourers who got trapped inside the coal mine is still unknown. Out of the nine labourers who were still trapped in the coal mine, one is a national of Nepal, one from West Bengal and the rest hail from different parts of Assam. They have been identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khusi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar and Sarat Goyary. The state administration sought assistance from the Army in the rescue operation. Ranchi, Jan 12 : The Delhi and Jharkhand Police have uncovered a plan to establish a training camp for the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) on Nakata Hill, located at the border of Ranchi and Latehar districts in Jharkhand. This revelation emerged during the interrogation of AQIS operatives arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police's Special Cell and the Jharkhand Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) two days ago. Shahbaz Ansari, a key operative arrested two days ago from the Senha police station area of Lohardaga, provided crucial information about AQIS's activities in Jharkhand during the interrogation. The mastermind behind the AQIS plans in the region was Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, a radiologist at a private hospital in Ranchi. Dr Ahmed, who was apprehended by the Delhi Police Special Cell in August, had formed a terror module named the "Ranchi Radical Group" (RRG) to recruit and train individuals for extremist activities. The raid in August last year had also uncovered AQIS's plans to expand its influence across multiple Indian states, including Jharkhand. Ansari revealed that the module primarily targeted less-educated and working-class persons, who were indoctrinated to join the AQIS. He has also disclosed the names of several other suspects, prompting ATS efforts to gather further intelligence on these individuals. To indoctrinate recruits, AQIS provided various propaganda materials and speeches. Four individuals from Jharkhand were sent to Rajasthan for training in handling weapons and planning attacks. Upon their return, a plan was in place to establish a training camp under their supervision in Ranchi. In connection with this case, several arrests have been made so far, including Dr Ahmed (Ranchi), Faizan Ahmed (Hazaribagh), Mohd Modavir, Mohd Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah Majhiri, Matiur Rahman, Iltaf Ansari, and Enamul Ansari. These arrests were made from the Chanho police station area in Ranchi. Investigations are still going on to dismantle the terror network and prevent further activities in the region. The AQIS is a regional branch of Al Qaeda, active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The group has been involved in various terrorist activities and plots, posing a major threat to regional stability and security. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to dismantle AQIS networks and prevent further attempts to radicalise vulnerable individuals. Chennai, January 12 : Actor-turned-politician and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) founder Seeman on Sunday, intensified his criticism of iconic Dravidian leader, E.V.S. Ramasamy Naicker, popularly known as Periyar. Speaking to reporters, Seeman questioned Periyaras contributions to the social revolution, contrasting them with those of Tamil Naduas reformers and saints like Vallalar and Vaikundar. His controversial remarks on Periyar, during an event in Vadalur in the Cuddalore district, triggered widespread protests. In his speech, he had accused Periyar of encouraging incestuous relationships and made other provocative statements. He also criticised Periyaras alleged remarks against the Tamil language and questioned the legitimacy of calling him a rationalist. Following these comments, Seeman has been booked under Sections 192 (intent to cause riot) and 353/2 (false information) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), based on complaints filed by members of the Dravida Kazhagam (DK), an organisation founded by Periyar. Seeman further alleged that Periyar had no significant connection to the cause of social justice. This claim has sparked outrage, with protesters burning images of the NTK chief. DK President Veeramani criticised Seemanas remarks, stating: "To question Periyaras rationalism, one must first ask themselves if they are rationalists." Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) General Secretary K. Ramakrishnan attempted to march to Seemanas residence along with his cadres, demanding evidence of the allegations. However, the police intervened and stopped the march. Leaders from various political parties, including DMK ministers Duraimurugan and Sekar Babu, VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan, and state Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai, condemned Seemanas statements. However, state BJP President K. Annamalai expressed support for Seeman, saying: "I can provide evidence of the books where Periyar made such statements. However, I believe such discussions should not be held publicly as they may offend women and children." He also alleged that many of Periyaras controversial books had been destroyed over time due to their contents. On the other hand, BJP ally, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss strongly defended Periyar. Without directly referring to Seemanas remarks, he said: "Slandering Periyar is unacceptable. If Mahatma Gandhi is the hero of Indiaas freedom struggle, Periyar is the leader of Tamil Naduas social freedom movement." Ramadoss highlighted Periyaras role in pressuring the government to increase reservations to 31 per cent, which he described as a pivotal contribution to social justice. "While everyone has the freedom to critique Periyaras ideology, baseless slander cannot be tolerated," he added. As of now, over 60 cases have been registered against Seeman across Tamil Nadu in districts such as Cuddalore, Madurai, Coimbatore, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli for his remarks. Seeman, however, remains defiant, asserting that LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran was the only leader who truly defended womenas rights. He also challenged parties to gather votes using Periyaras name, claiming his own success in winning 32 lakh votes in the previous Assembly elections in the state was by evoking the name of Prabhakaran. The controversy continues to escalate, with protests and legal actions dominating the political landscape in Tamil Nadu. --IANS aal/vd New Delhi, Jan 12 : Underscoring the role of youth in shaping the nation's future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace risks to achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Addressing 3,000 young leaders on the occasion of National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, PM Modi said while the goal of Viksit Bharat is significant, it is not impossible, dispelling the views of naysayers. "With the collective efforts of millions of young people driving the wheels of progress, the nation will undoubtedly reach its target," he said. PM Modi warned against complacency, urging the youth to step out of their comfort zones. "We must avoid getting used to our comfort zone. Comfort zones can be dangerous. Progress requires taking risks and pushing boundaries. The youth participating in this dialogue have already demonstrated this by stepping out of their comfort zones to be here. This life mantra will take you to new heights of success," PM Modi said. "Many of the world's largest companies are being run by Indian youth. The entire world admires the potential of Indian youth. We have a 25-year golden period, an Amrit Kaal, and I am fully confident that India's Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation," he said. "Achieving big goals is not solely the responsibility of government machinery but requires the collective effort of every citizen," PM Modi said, highlighting the importance of deliberation, direction, and ownership in achieving national objectives. The Prime Minister remarked that the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue exemplifies this process, led by the youth who participated in quizzes, essay competitions, and presentations. He commended the youth for their expansive thinking and active participation in discussions with experts, ministers, and policymakers. The Prime Minister announced that the ideas and suggestions from the Young Leaders Dialogue will now become part of national policies, guiding the country's development. He congratulated the youth and reiterated his commitment to bringing one lakh new young people into politics, encouraging them to participate actively in implementing their suggestions. PM Modi praised the achievements of the younger generation over the past decade, stating: "In just 10 years, you have propelled India to become one of the top three startup ecosystems globally, advanced India in the manufacturing sector, popularised the Digital India initiative worldwide, and made significant strides in sports. If India's youth can make the impossible possible, they will undoubtedly make Viksit Bharat a reality." The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering youth, emphasising efforts to expand educational infrastructure. "Every week, a new university is being established in India. Every day, a new ITI is being set up. Every third day, a new Atal Tinkering Lab is being opened. Additionally, two new colleges are being established daily. Today, there are 23 IITs in the country. In just one decade, the number of IIITs has increased from nine to 25, while the number of IIMs has risen from 13 to 21. The number of AIIMS has tripled, and medical colleges have nearly doubled," he said. He also pointed to the growing global recognition of India's educational institutions. Highlighting that India is now nearly a $4 trillion economy, the Prime Minister said that the current infrastructure budget is over Rs 11 lakh crore, nearly six times higher than a decade ago, and more is being spent on railways alone than the entire infrastructure budget of 2014. He noted that this increased budget is evident in India's changing landscape, with Bharat Mandapam being a beautiful example. "India is rapidly moving towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, which will greatly expand development and facilities," said PM Modi. Expressing confidence that by the end of the next decade India will surpass the $10 trillion economy mark, PM Modi said that the young generation will not only drive the greatest transformation in the country's history but also be its biggest beneficiary. Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet is the gift that keeps on giving. Estimated to be worth $1 trillion in total lifetime value, the F-35 warplane remains easily Lockheed's most important product. And this was demonstrated once again just late last year, when the week before Christmas saw the Pentagon deliver three gifts to Lockheed Martin worth $15.5 billion in total. Two gifts for Lockheed Martin The first and by far biggest gift arrived Dec. 20, when the Pentagon's daily digest of contract awards showed Lockheed winning orders for 145 F-35 fighter jets worth $11.8 billion. Reported as a contract from the U.S. Navy, this order actually involves deliveries of F-35s for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, as well as for U.S. allies Italy and Japan, like so: For the Air Force: 48 conventional take-off and landing F-35As For the Marine Corps: 16 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs, and five carrier-landing F-35Cs For the Navy: 14 F-35C aircraft For "non-U.S. Department of Defense program partners" that helped Lockheed develop the F-35 (in this case, Italy): 15 F-35As and one F-35B For "Foreign Military Sales" customers who are not program partners on the F-35 (namely, Japan): 39 F-35As and seven F-35Bs The Department of Defense noted that all planes ordered under this contract are due for delivery by June 2027, so the $11.8 billion covered by this contract will be paid out over the next two and a half years. That's about $4.7 billion per year in additional revenue for Lockheed. But that's not all Lockheed is getting. On Dec. 23, the Pentagon awarded Lockheed two more contracts, also routed through Navy funding, for $3.4 billion and $335.7 million, respectively. These additional contracts cover logistics support, including ground maintenance, supply chain management, and training services, as well as various engineering services and specialized testing and tooling equipment for the F-35. Both run through the end of 2025, adding $3.7 billion in total spending. In total, that's $15.5 billion worth of new F-35 revenue for Lockheed, front-loaded so that about $8.4 billion of it shows up in 2025. Image source: Getty Images. How big of a deal is this for Lockheed Martin stock? So we're talking some objectively big numbers here. But let's put them in the context of the company we're talking about: Lockheed Martin, the world's largest pure-play defense contractor. How big of a deal are these contracts for a company of Lockheed's size? Referring to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the additional $8.4 billion Lockheed will receive from these contracts in 2025 amounts to 30% of the $27.8 billion that Lockheed's Aeronautics division collected in 2023, the last full year for which we have data. It amounts to only 12.4% of the $67.6 billion in revenue that all of Lockheed Martin collected that year, granted. But even that seems like a big bump in revenue for a company that, according to most stock market analysts, is only growing earnings at about 3% annually over the next five years. Dumka, Jan 12 : The mobile phone of a Rajasthan High Court judge was stolen at the famous Basukinath temple in Jharkhand's Dumka on January 1, despite tight security at the spot, prompting immediate action by the police. Within days, the case was cracked, leading to the busting of an inter-state gang of mobile thieves and the recovery of eight stolen mobile phones, including the judge's device. According to Shyamanand Mandal, officer-in-charge of the Jarmundi police station, the theft took place during New Yearas Day at the Basukinath Dham temple, a popular pilgrimage site which attracts thousands of devotees, making it an attractive target for organised theft. Along with the judge, several other devotees also reported stolen mobile phones. An FIR was promptly registered at the Jarmundi police station, and a special investigation team was formed under senior police officials. Leveraging technical evidence and intelligence inputs, the team launched a series of raids across multiple locations. The first breakthrough came with the arrest of two suspects from Babupur village in the Teenpahar police station area of Sahibganj district. Their interrogation provided leads that resulted in the arrest of two more gang members from areas near the Bihar-West Bengal-Bangladesh border. In addition to the judge's mobile phone, several other stolen devices were recovered. The investigation revealed that the arrested thieves were part of a larger inter-state mobile theft network operating out of the Tinpahar area in Sahibganj district. This region has gained notoriety as a hub for mobile theft operations, with multiple gangs running "Pathshalas" (training schools) to train children in pickpocketing and theft techniques. After completing their training, the children are deployed to crowded places such as temples, markets, and railway stations, both locally and in big cities across the country. These operations are meticulously planned, with gang leaders assigning specific tasks and closely monitoring the young recruits. The Tinpahar gangs have been implicated in similar incidents in the past, with police records showing that Ranchi police recently apprehended members of a similar gang from the same area. The arrested individuals were produced in court and subsequently sent to jail. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigations to trace other members of the gang and recover additional stolen items. The theft, which occurred despite the presence of heightened security measures due to the judge's visit, raises serious concerns about the safety of devotees at prominent religious sites. The police have assured the public that measures are being strengthened to prevent such incidents in the future. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Accusing AAP of indulging in illegal activities, former Union Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said evidence has come to light regarding the creation of fake Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and PAN cards for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in south Delhi's Sangam Vihar area. She said the illegal activity was being facilitated by AAP MLAs and that the partyas members were deeply involved in this fraudulent operation. Irani stated that due to the actions of AAP, there has been an unlawful encroachment on the rights of Delhi and the country, which has become a matter of serious concern. She said complaints about the issuance of fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and voter IDs led to the filing of a case at the Sangam Vihar police station in Delhi in December 2024. During the investigation, it was discovered that fake Aadhaar cards were being produced through a shop in Sector 5, Rohini, Delhi. She said the shop owner revealed that the establishment had been facilitating the creation of Aadhaar cards for illegal infiltrators and Bangladeshis. The investigation further found that the accused, Ranjeet and his associate, Afroz, were issuing fake birth certificates through an authorised centre, which were then used to generate fraudulent Aadhaar cards, she said. The former Union minister stated that after the arrest of the accused, Ranjeet and Afroz, the investigation revealed a disturbing truth through the analysis of data from seized laptops. A total of 26 Aadhaar update forms were found, bearing the signatures and stamps of AAP officials. Among these forms, the stamps and signatures of AAP Rithala MLA Mohinder Goyal and Bawana MLA Jai Bhagwan, were discovered, she said. During questioning, 15 individuals admitted that they had obtained fake Aadhaar cards and had secured the signatures and stamps of these MLAs on their updated forms, she said. Additionally, 10 people revealed that they personally went to MLA Goyal's office and had his staff assist them in obtaining the signatures and stamps on their forms, she said. Irani highlighted that the Delhi Police had served two notices to AAP MLAs and their staff members for investigation, but there has been no response from the Aam Aadmi Party so far. Mumbai, Jan 12 : Actress Manisha Koirala, who was last seen in the streaming series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', went on a hiking trail on Sunday. The actress took to her Instagram, and shared pictures from her trail in Nepal. She also visited the Ghandruk Museum, and explored the history and culture of the Gurung people. In the pictures, she was seen donning a thick cover of winter wear as she clicked pictures against the mountains. She wrote in the caption, "Happy Sunday guys.. Today was v special Just spent the most incredible #sunday in Ghandruk!! The Annapurna range is stunning! Took a small hike around the village, explored the scenic trails and took in the magnificent view Visited the Ghandruk Museum to learn a bit about the rich history and culture of the Gurung people". "Fascinating! As the day came to a close, watched the sunset over the Himalayas, feeling grateful for this unforgettable experience in Ghandruk! Kudos to the Gurung community for keeping the place clean despite the heavy flow of us tourists. If you ever get the chance to visit Ghandruk, take it! #Ghandruk #Nepal #Himalayas #Travel #Adventure", she added. Earlier, the actress appreciated the local culture, food and craftsmanship of Nepal. She took to her Instagram, and shared an array of pictures from her visit to Nepal. The actress was seen dressed in winter wear, and also attended an event where she took to the mic. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she wrote, "Yesterday was truly an inspiring day! I attended an incredible exhibition showcasing local entrepreneurs who are promoting handmade products, using local fabrics like Dhaka, creating unique jewelry, and preparing healthy, homemade food right from their kitchens. It was heartwarming to see a community so dedicated to preserving tradition and supporting sustainable, local practices". She further mentioned, "What made the experience even more special was meeting the young and dynamic Deputy Mayor of Budhanilkantha. Listening to her speak so eloquently about why it's every citizen's duty to promote local goods was truly motivating. Her passion for community development and supporting local talent was contagious! Here's to celebrating and supporting those who work tirelessly to uplift our heritage and make a difference. #SupportLocal #Sustainability #HandmadeWithLove #Inspiration". New Delhi, Jan 12 : The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on trade transit and cooperation to combat unauthorised trade in Kathmandu will further fortify the economic and commercial linkages between the two countries, it was announced on Sunday. India continues to be the largest trade and investment partner for Nepal, significantly contributing to both Nepali imports and exports. The IGC meeting on January 10-11, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, carried out a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationship, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. "Both sides reviewed mutual market access issues, IPR and duty-related issues. The agenda also included discussions on the review of the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade, proposed amendments to existing agreements, the harmonisation of standards, and the synchronised development of trade infrastructure including the electrification of the Raxaul-Birgunj rail line," the ministry said in a statement. The Indian side informed that the request of Nepal for the supply of 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) wheat had been accepted while the Nepali delegation expressed its appreciation to the Indian side for its continued support in ensuring the supply of essential commodities to Nepal. The Indian side agreed that as per prevailing regulations of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a maximum axle weight of 18.5 tonnes for two-axle vehicles and 28 tonnes for three-axle vehicles may also be applicable to Nepali vehicles with respect to the cargo-in-transit on Kakarbhitta (Nepal)-Banglabandha (Bangladesh) via Phulbari (India) route. "In response to the Nepali side's requests, the Indian side informed that Sal Seeds and Chayote have been included in the Plant Quarantine Order of India. The request for Jatamasi - Root extract; Sugandhkokila berry extracts; Sugandhwal Rhizome extract and Timur berry extracts into the list of Processed Items (Plant Products) has also been accepted," according to the ministry. The Indian side highlighted the problems faced in milk exports to Nepal. The Nepali side agreed to consider the request of the Indian side positively for milk products not adequately produced in Nepal such as whey and cheese. The meeting welcomed bilateral initiatives aimed at reinforcing the seamless cross-border connectivity between India and Nepal including through the construction of new Integrated Check Posts and railway links. New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Delhi BJP plans to approach the Election Commission to legally verify the sources of funds for AAP candidates or any other nominee claiming to raise money through crowd funding. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said AAP candidates may raise funds from force inimical to India and asked the poll panel to ensure that the information about the source of funds should be disclosed before the elections. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also mocked the AAP gimmick of crowd funding its candidates' campaign. "Why do they need crowd funding, has the liquor scam funding been exhausted in Goa election?" he asked. He said the AAP's claim on crowd funding is "laughable". "First, they mislead overseas people of Indian origin. Then they receive money from forces inimical to India go and live in the homes of their sympathisers during Punjab election," he said. Sachdeva said the AAP, which has been contesting elections since 2013, is now participating in its ninth election and, suddenly, the narrative being pushed by AAP leaders about raising election funds through crowd funding has left the people of Delhi surprised. "The public is wondering if this crowd funding is a way to disguise the money saved from the liquor scam and the Goa election scandal, or if it is a ploy to convert money extorted through pressure on industrialists and officials in Punjab into political donations," he said. The Delhi BJP President added that it is highly suspicious that first Manish Sisodia, then Durgesh Pathak, and now Chief Minister Atishi are claiming to raise election funds through crowd funding. Sisodia is an accused in the liquor scam, and reports revealed that a significant portion of the funds from the liquor scam were utilised in the Goa elections, where first Durgesh Pathak and later Atishi served as the election in-charges for AAP, Sachdeva said. --IANS rch/uk Kolkata, Jan 12 : The Border Security Force (BSF) claims to have thwarted a major infiltration attempt by Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in the districts of North 24-Parganas and Nadia in West Bengal on Saturday. Troops of the BSF, South Bengal Frontier, claim that they drove back 20 Bangladeshis and two Rohingyas after they entered through an unfenced portion of the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in North 24-Parganas. Four Bangladeshis were allegedly driven back from Nadia. "When they were questioned, the Bangladeshis and Rohingyas claimed that they were on their way to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to work as labourers and housekeeping staff. Our troops were successful in driving them back across the IBB. Such attempts are taking place despite flag meetings with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on the issue. Attempts to smuggle drugs and cattle were also thwarted along the IBB by the BSF during the day," said N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, BSF, South Bengal Frontier. On Saturday, BSF troops also seized three kilograms of Ganja, 2,900 strips of Quinine Sulphate tablets, 700 ampoules of Quinine Dihydrochloride and 1,200 ampoules of Artemether. In addition to this, 11 cattle heads were freed from the clutches of smugglers, the DIG said. "On Saturday, information was received of possible attempt to smuggle drugs across a riverine section of the border. All boat nakas were on alert. Late in the evening, jawans of C S Khali Border Outpost spotted a man moving across the embankment of the river on the Indian side. A jawan moved forward and challenged him. The man fled, taking advantage of the dense foliage and fog. A boat naka had also arrived by then. A search led to the seizure of two packets of narcotics that the smuggler had dropped," Pandey said. According to him, troops of the 119 Battalion BSF posted at the Mahadipur, Gopalnagar, Sabdalpur and Nawada BOPs in the Malda district seized 565 bottles of Phensedyl from their respective areas of responsibility. Troops of the 88 Battalion BSF rescued eight cattle heads in the jurisdiction of the Pannapur BOP, while personnel of the 115 Battalion prevented three cattle heads from being smuggled across the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The seized items have been handed over to concerned agencies for processing while the bovines have been sent to the Dhyan Foundation Gaushala after e-tagging, he said, adding that the BSF is taking strict measures to stop smuggling along the IBB and is alert to foil any infiltration attempt. Poonch, Jan 12 : Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, security arrangements have been tightened in Poonch district. Special checkpoints have been set up on the main roads, and vehicles are being thoroughly inspected. These security measures are particularly significant as Poonch is located near the India-Pakistan Line of Control, and there have been recent reports of terrorist activities in the area. The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel on the Sonamarg Srinagar-Leh highway, which is of strategic importance. The opening of this tunnel is expected to bring a new revolution in regional development and connectivity, especially during the winter months. It will also play a crucial role in boosting tourism and the local economy in the region. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the preparations for the tunnel's inauguration and inspected the site in Sonamarg. He shared stunning pictures and aerial views of the tunnel on social media, highlighting its benefits, particularly making winter travel easier for both tourists and locals. Satvinder Pal Singh, who travelled from Jammu to Kashmir by car, said, "I was just coming from Jammu, and I noticed that security has been tightened everywhere along the route. This heightened security is due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir on Monday. A security alert has also been issued, and vehicles are being checked. I feel glad that whenever we are stopped, we comply and allow our car to be checked because it's our duty. Moreover, the police forces deployed for our security are always ready to protect us 24/7." Local resident Mohammad Fareed Malik said, "As you can see, people in Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Modi's visit. This is a moment of joy for us. The security forces of the country have always played a vital role in safeguarding our people, and their deployment continues today. The security arrangements have been strengthened ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, and security forces are stationed everywhere, whether it's the police, CRPF, Indian Army, or other agencies on the streets. It is our responsibility to stay vigilant to prevent any untoward incident." New Delhi, Jan 12 : India, which achieved a 7.93 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, is demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient future, the government said on Sunday. The country pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in 2021, said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in a statement. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) highlighted a 7.93 per cent reduction in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019. The country submitted BUR-4 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024. "Excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), India's emissions were 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent, a way to measure the impact of GHG)," the report mentioned. Including LULUCF, net emissions were 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e. The energy sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66 per cent of emissions, along with other land use, sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to reducing 22 per cent of the country's total emissions. "These efforts reflect India's commitment to combating climate change while addressing its national circumstances, based on equity and the principles of the Paris Agreement," the ministry emphasised. India, despite contributing minimally to global warming, faces significant challenges due to its large population and developmental needs. The country is committed to low-carbon development and building climate resilience while addressing its unique circumstances. India's historical share of cumulative global GHG emissions is annual 4 per cent, despite having around 17 per cent of the world's population between 1850 and 2019. "India's annual primary energy consumption per capita in 2019 was 28.7 gigajoules (GJ), considerably lower than both developed and developing countries," according to the report. The country has devised Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to chart a sustainable path forward in addressing climate change, which includes low-carbon development of electricity systems consistent with the development of an integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system. It also includes promoting adaptation in urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings & sustainable urbanisation, promoting economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low-emission industrial system and enhancing forest and vegetation cover consistent with socio-economic and ecological considerations. "India is implementing key initiatives like its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and the Miyawaki tree planting at Maha Kumbh 2025. These efforts ensure balanced growth and environmental responsibility, paving the way for a climate-resilient future," said the ministry. IANS na/vd Gadag : , Jan 12 (IANS) An 88-year-old woman and her 64-year-old daughter in Mulgund town of Gadag district of Karnataka are battling starvation as they donot have a breadwinner in the family. Also, both the women do not get the benefit of any government scheme. Both of them have been running from pillar to post to fulfill their daily needs, but no one in the government or the administration could come to the rescue of these helpless women. Both the women are somehow managing to survive. Due to poverty, their only family member, their grandson, who used to take care of them, also left the house. 88-year-old Subhanabi Bayali and her 64-year-old daughter Fatima, residents of Mulgund town in Gadag district of Karnataka, have been deprived of government schemes for two years and their life has become a struggle. Subhanabi and Fatima cried and said that they are having difficulty even in getting food. This family has been deprived of Annabhagya Yojana for two years, and they have not received the benefit of Grihalakshmi Yojana either. The cylinder facility has also been stopped. The lives of Subhanabi and Fatima became even more difficult when their grandson left the house. Now both these women are repeatedly pleading with the authorities for help to fulfill their basic needs, but to no avail. Fatima said, "My son passed away about one and a half years ago. He used to work. Now we are two elderly people. We sit quietly at home. We did not get any help. Then we called the people around us and told them that we do not have resources. We will die of hunger. People around me helped us with ration and money etc. Our ration, gas, Griha Lakshmi Yojana money stopped and we did not understand what to eat. We want our ration card. We should get money from Bhagya Lakshmi Yojana. Apart from this, we should get a gas cylinder. Due to the absence of these three things, our life has come to a standstill." A local person Hajeesha said, "They are not getting any help from the government. The government is not helping them. The government should help them. The government should give them the rights of the poor. The condition of the mother and daughter is very bad. They have become helpless. We met the District Magistrate and District Supply Officer for these women, but to no avail. Both the women are very poor. The mother is 88 years old, while the daughter is 64 years old. They are facing a lot of problems at this age." Agartala, Jan 12 : The women troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday opened fire and successfully foiled a major attempt of smuggling of contrabands along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, officials said. A BSF spokesperson said that the Mahila Praharis of BSF fired two rounds from their lethal weapons in compelling circumstances when a large group of smugglers armed with sharp-edged weapons forcibly attempted to carry out smuggling of contrabands along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura's Sepahijala district. "The alert Mahila Praharis effectively foiled the major attempt of smuggling in the BOP Ashabari area and a huge quantity of sugar and other contrabands were recovered," the spokesman said. He said that as part of the familiarisation effort, Inspector General (IG) of BSF's Tripura frontier Ashwani Kumar Sharma visited Integrated Check Post in Manughat and presented a fruit basket to the troops of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The BSF IG as part of his three-day border visit in Unakoti and Dhalai districts in northern Tripura reviewed operational preparedness of the border guarding forces. The spokesman said that Sharma, who recently took over the charge of Tripura frontier of BSF, was briefed by the battalion commanders on the current scenario of the border. Addressing the BSF troopers during Sainik Sammelan at BOP Morachera, the IG lauded their relentless efforts while emphasising the need to be alert in view of the prevailing situation along the India-Bangladesh border. In another operation on Saturday, BSF troops of BOP Gaurnagar Khowai district apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals while they were trying to illegally cross over to Bangladesh from India. Apprehended Bangladeshi nationals are residents of Brahmanbaria district of the neighbouring country. During questioning by BSF, the intruders revealed the identity of Indian tout and Bangladeshi tout involved in facilitating crossing of border. In addition adopting non-lethal strategy, BSF troops successfully foiled several attempts of infiltration and smuggling, rescued 10 cattle, seized 1,000 kg of sugar, 16 kg ganja, huge quantity of clothing items, medicines and other contraband worth more than Rs 50 lakh. The spokesperson said that BSF is maintaining a high level of alertness on the international border to prevent infiltration and trans border crimes. He said that after the Bangladesh unrest began in June-July, the BSF has intensified its domination and operations along the 856-km India-Bangladesh border in Tripura to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, and trans-border crimes including smuggling of contraband. Tripura, which is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, parts of which are still unfenced in patches due to local disputes on land and demarcation-related issues. The BSF alone last year arrested 55 Rohingya migrants, 620 Bangladeshi nationals and 260 Indian nationals including human traffickers in various operations. https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/a-mark-precious-metals-to-acquire-100-of-the-stock-of-spectrum-group Mercury General ( (MCY) ) has issued an announcement. Stay Ahead of the Market: Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener Mercury General Corporation has released its preliminary assessment of the recent wildfires in Southern California, which have caused extensive damage since January 7, 2025. The company expects losses from the wildfires to exceed its reinsurance retention level of $150 million, with a reinsurance program that provides $1,290 million in limits per occurrence. Mercurys claims adjusters are actively assisting customers, and further guidance on the claims process is available on their website. More about Mercury General Mercury General Corporation and its subsidiaries are a multiple line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent producers and direct-to-consumer sales in many states. YTD Price Performance: -7.68% Average Trading Volume: 268,263 Technical Sentiment Consensus Rating: Sell Current Market Cap: $3.36B For an in-depth examination of MCY stock, go to TipRanks Stock Analysis page. Trending Articles Chennai, Jan 12 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic action to secure the release of Indian fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. In his letter dated January 12, Stalin expressed deep concern over the recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen, which have created fear and uncertainty among fishing communities. The Chief Minister highlighted the latest incident involving the apprehension of eight fishermen from Rameswaram on January 12, along with their two fishing boats, owned by Maria Retrisan from Thangachimadam and Mukesh Kumar of Rameswaram, respectively. Stalin noted that the frequent arrests have caused significant economic hardship for fishing communities, as their traditional livelihood is under threat. "The apprehensions have created a sense of fear and uncertainty among the fishing communities, and it is imperative that we take immediate action to secure the release of our fishermen and their boats," he wrote. He urged the Union government to take strong and coordinated diplomatic efforts to secure the release of all apprehended fishermen and their boats at the earliest. Meanwhile, fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu condemned the arrests, calling for swift government intervention. Antony John, a fishermen's leader from Rameswaram, criticised the Union government for failing to address the recurring issue. "It is no longer safe for us to fish in the Palk Bay. We have lost not only our livelihoods but also our properties to the Sri Lankan authorities," John said. He revealed that around 270 trawlers have been impounded since 2018, forcing many fishermen into unemployment and financial distress due to mounting debts. Rajagopal C.M., another leader from Thangachimadam, echoed similar concerns, accusing both the Union and State governments of neglecting the plight of fisherfolk. Since June 16, 2024, reports indicate that the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats. Many of these fishermen remain detained in Sri Lankan jails, sparking widespread protests and calls for government action. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Meenavar Peravai, voiced concerns about the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalise seized mechanised fishing boats. "This move will devastate the industry. Many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these expensive boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings," he explained. Thajudhin also highlighted the hardships faced by fishermen and their families. "Thousands of families dependent on fishing and related activities are suffering. A sense of fear has gripped fishermen and their families about venturing out to sea," he added. Fishermen's associations have announced large-scale protests across coastal districts and have written to the Prime Minister, urging immediate action to stop mid-sea arrests and boat seizures. It may be recalled that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had recently raised the issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake during the latter's visit to India. Despite these discussions, arrests have continued, intensifying fears within the fishing community. Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for strong measures by the Indian government to prevent further arrests of Indian fishermen. Aizawl, Jan 12 : Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police apprehended two Myanmar nationals attempting to smuggle a significant amount of foreign currency, totalling the equivalent of over Rs 1.48 crore in Mizoram's Siaha District, officials said on Sunday. Aizawl, Jan 12 (IANS) Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police apprehended two Myanmar nationals attempting to smuggle a significant amount of foreign currency, totalling the equivalent of over Rs 1.48 crore in Mizoramas Siaha District, officials said on Sunday. A defence spokesman said that Assam Rifles, "undeterred by the challenging terrain, conducted relentless area domination patrols and established multiple Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) at strategic locations". Their efforts finally paid off with the apprehension of two persons from whom the currency was recovered, he said. Two mobile phones and a Burmese motorcycle were also seized from them. The seized items and the apprehended individuals were handed over to police for further investigations. This successful operation highlights the unwavering resolve of Assam Rifles to combat illegal cross-border activities, the spokesman said. In a separate incident, the Assam Rifles recovered heroin valued at Rs 97.90 lakh and apprehended an individual identified as Laltanpuia, 35, who is a resident of Tlangsam village in the border Champhai district. Ongoing smuggling of contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India, an official statement said. Assam Rifles, christened the "Sentinels of Northeast", have continued their efforts against illegal smuggling and have also doubled efforts to nab the kingpins of the smuggling of contraband items in Mizoram. The force organised a discussion on 'Anti Drug Awareness' at Laki village in Siaha district on Saturday and a total of 35 locals and 9 Assam Rifles personnel attended the programme. The event aimed to educate the local community, especially the youth, about the dangers of drug addiction and the importance of staying drug-free for personal well-being and community health, the spokesman said. The lecture was led by Assam Rifles officers, who provided in-depth information on various types of drugs, their harmful impacts on physical and mental health, and strategies for prevention. The initiative received positive feedback from the attendees, who appreciated Assam Rifles' efforts in organising such a significant event. Many expressed their intentions to spread awareness and contribute towards the fight against drugs, the spokesman said. Patna, Jan 13 : Patna Police registered an FIR against 25 unidentified individuals -- said to be supporters of Purnea MP Pappu Yadav -- for creating a ruckus and damaging a vehicle during the 'Bihar Bandh' on Sunday. Pappu Yadav's supporters vandalised a vehicle, damaging the windscreen of a truck, and manhandled its driver. The FIR was lodged at Pirbahore police station. The SHO of the Pirbahore police station confirmed that an FIR was lodged based on a complaint by the vehicle owner. "We have lodged an FIR against 25 unidentified individuals who are supporters of Pappu Yadav. We are also identifying others on the basis of video and CCTV footage," the SHO said. Protesters disrupted traffic in areas such as Ashok Rajpath, Dak Bungalow Crossing, and near Patna Science College, burning tyres and blocking roads to enforce the bandh. They also forced traders to shut their shops. The protestors were booked under relevant sections of obstructing road traffic, damaging property, and disrupting public order by organising an unauthorised procession. The SHO said that Pappu Yadav was not present at the time of the incident. Supporters of Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, staged protests across Patna on Sunday, as part of a state-wide 'Bihar Bandh'. The 'Bihar Bandh' called by Yadav on Sunday witnessed widespread disruption and unruly behaviour by his supporters in Patna. The bandh was organised in solidarity with Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) candidates protesting alleged irregularities in the commission's December 13, 2024 examination at a Patna centre. About 150 individuals took out an unauthorised procession from Ashok Rajpath to Dak Bungalow Chowk via Kargil Chowk. The procession led to significant traffic disruptions and public inconvenience. Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh has said to take strict action against the protestors. Ongoing investigations aim to identify the remaining individuals involved in the incidents through surveillance footage. He stated that the situation was under control and that vehicular movement had been restored in most areas. Focus on the quality of work and not on the quantity, as one can change the world in 10 hours, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said on Saturday, joining the debate on a 90-hour work week. IMAGE: Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra addresses the National Youth Festival, New Delhi, January 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking at the National Youth Festival in the national capital, Mahindra asserted that he is on social media not because he is lonely and quipped, "My wife is wonderful. I love staring at her". Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan has sparked an online outrage with his comments, asking, "How long can you stare at your wife" while advocating a 90-hour work week and suggesting that employees should even give up Sundays. Responding to a query on the 90-hour work week, Mahindra, while reiterating his respect for Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and others, said, "Let me not get this wrong, of course, but I have to say something. I think this debate is in the wrong direction because this debate is about the quantity of work." "My point is we have to focus on the quality of work, not on the quantity of work. So, it's not about 40 hours, it's not about 70 hours, it's not about 90 hours. What output are you doing? Even if it's 10 hours, you can change the world in 10 hours," he added. Mahindra further said he "always believed that you have to have leaders and people in your company who make wise decisions, wise choices. So, the question is, which kind of mind makes the right choices and right decisions?" He also stressed the need to have a mind that is "exposed to holistic thinking, that is open to inputs from around the world" and also the need for people from different backgrounds like engineers and MBAs to study arts and culture to be able to make better decisions. "...because I think you make better decisions when you have a whole brain, when you are informed about arts, culture, that's when you make a good decision," Mahindra said. Highlighting the need to spend time with family and friends, he said, "If you're not spending time at home, if you're not spending time with friends, if you're not reading, if you don't have time to reflect, how will you bring the right inputs into making a decision?" Taking the example of M&M, which makes automobiles, he said, "We have to decide what a customer wants in a car. If we are only in the office all the time, we are not with our families, we are not with other families. How are we going to understand what people want to buy? What kind of car do they want to sit in?" He further said, "I'm not going to say you need to work so many hours of that. I don't want it to be. Ask me what's the quality of my work. Don't ask me how many hours I work." SEE: I love staring at my wife, says Anand Mahindra Referring to his followers on X, who often ask how much time he has and why he spends so much time on social media instead of working, Mahindra said, "I want to tell people I'm on X on social media not because I'm lonely... My wife is wonderful. I love staring at her. I spend more time. I'm not here to make friends. I'm here because people don't understand it is an amazing business tool, how in one platform I get feedback from 11 million people..." Last month, billionaire Gautam Adani also waded into the work-life balance debate when he said the spouse would leave if one was to spend eight hours with the family. He had reportedly stated that work-life balance is a matter of personal choice. "Your idea of work-life balance should not be imposed on me, and my idea shouldn't be imposed on you. Say, someone spends 4 hours with family and finds joy in it, or if someone else spends 8 hours and enjoys it, that is their work-life balance". "Aath ghanta family ke saath bitayega tho biwi bhaag jaayegi (Wife will leave if one spends eight hours with family)," he had said. Last year, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy stirred up a storm on the internet when he suggested the need for a change in India's work, stating youngsters should be prepared to work for 70 hours a week. Murthy had found support from Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal. Twenty priests have been booked by the police in Kochi, Kerala, for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest at the Bishops House. IMAGE: Presbyteral Council secretary of Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese, Fr Kuriakose Mundadan speaks to media persons, in Kochi, Kerala, January 11, 2025.Photograph: ANI Photo The incident occurred on January 11, with the priests protesting against the unified Holy Mass. The police registered a case against the priests under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for unlawful assembly, rioting, and causing hurt to a public servant. The FIR was registered based on a complaint by Anoop C, sub inspector of Central Police, who sustained injuries while managing the protesters during the law-and-order operation. Meanwhile, Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, appointed as the Vicar of the Major Archbishop for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in the wake of the protest, on Sunday urged the protesters to resolve the issue amicably through open dialogues. Responding to the ongoing controversy over the unified Holy Mass, Pamplany told the media that altering a decision approved by Pope Francis is impossible. A large posse of police personnel has been deployed outside the Bishop House on Sunday also. "We are attempting to manage the situation peacefully," Ernakulam ACP C Jayakumar said. Tension prevailed for several hours outside the Bishop House after the police on Saturday evacuated from there several priests who were on an indefinite fast demanding withdrawal of certain documents issued by an Apostolic administrator triggering loud protest by a section who are opposing the unified mass. Later in the day, the believers tried to enter the Bishop House, but the police pushed them back out. Some of the protesting priests were also injured in the police action. Presbyteral Council secretary of Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese, Fr Kuriakose Mundadan said, "For the last two days, 21 of our priests from the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese were holding a prayer strike in the Archbishop's house, because Apostolic administrator Mar Bosco Puthur and his collaborators appointed priests with a criminal background as curia members. For the last two months, they have closed the gates of our mother house." "It is against our civil rights that administrator Mar Bosco Puthur closed the gates and got the protection of the police. That's why on 9 January, 21 priests, peacefully entered through the side gate and started a prayer strike for two days," he said. He further said that on Saturday morning, Mar Bosco Puthur gave a suspension order for 4 of the priests and show cause notice to the remaining 17 priests. He said that after that there was a police action. "Afterwards, under ACP Jayakumar, the police forcefully relocated the priests to St Mary's Basilica. Many priests have been hurt and one broke his hand, lot of injuries are there. Hearing this news, priests and devotees of the Archdiocese gathered here in front of the Archbishop's house and St Mary's Basilica. We are here to protect our priests. Some political leaders and even the collector called me saying that he would interfere. There is no valid cause to arrest them. If the police have arrested them they have to bring them back to the Archbishop's house and so priests, people have gathered here. The collector has said that he would intervene positively," he added. -- With ANI inputs Five Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, the police said. IMAGE: Chhattisgarh DGP Ashok Juneja, ADGP Vivekanand, IG CRPF Rakesh Agarwal, IG (Bastar) Sundarraj, and other senior officials during their visit to the site where an IED blast occurred on the security force's vehicle, in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, January 7, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The gunfight broke out in the morning in the forest of Bandepara-Koranjed villages under Madded police station limits when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation, inspector general of police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said. The operation involving personnel of District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force and District Force started on Saturday based on inputs about movement of Maoists in the area which falls under Indravati National Park, he said. "The intermittent exchange of fire lasted till 3-4 pm. Bodies of five Maoists, including two women, clad in 'uniform' were recovered from the site. We seized one Self Loading Rifle (SLR), one 12 bore rifle, two Single Shot rifles, one barrel grenade launcher, one muzzle loading gun and cache of explosives," the IG said. The identity of the slain Maoists is being ascertained, he added. With this, 14 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters in the state in 2025. During a three-day long anti-Moist operation by security forces in Abujhmad on the border of Narayanpur-Dantewada-Bijapur districts that concluded on January 6, five Maoists, including two women, were killed. On January 9, three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district. Earlier, on January 3, a Maoists was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Gariaband district, which falls in Raipur division. Last year, 219 Maoists were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state, as per the police. On January 6 this year, Maoists blew up a vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district, killing eight police personnel and their civilian driver. Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has said that 35 crore pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela taking place in the vicinity of Sangam - the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. IMAGE: Seers of 'Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udasin' and others take part in a 'Chhavani Pravesh' procession on the eve of Maha Kumbh 2025, at Sangam in Prayagraj, January 12, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo He also said that during the period of Mauni Amavasya, an estimated four-five crore devotees are expected to reach the holy city and participate in the festivities. Singh said that the state budget for the 45-day-long mega event is around Rs 7,000 crore, and added that "the last Kumbh was known for sanitation. This time it is sanitation, security and digital Kumbh. "2019 was Kumbh. This is Maha Kumbh, and in the last Kumbh, we received 24 crore pilgrims, and this time we are expecting more than 35 crore pilgrims. Arrangements are also being made like that. "The area of the mela has increased by almost 25 percent. This time it is being set up at around 4,000 hectares, while in the last Kumbh, it was set up in an area of around 3,200 hectares," Singh told PTI in an interview. Drawing further comparison with the 2019 Kumbh, Singh said, "This time, we have divided the Mela area into 25 sectors as compared to 20 sectors in 2019. The lengths of ghats have been increased to 12 km (in 2025) from eight km (in 2019). The parking area too has been increased to 1850 hectares this time as compared to 1291 hectares in 2019. "There was a drastic change when you compare what was done in 2013 and 2019, and you will find a quantum improvement and jump this time, because money-wise also, last time we had spent around Rs 3,500 crore, and this time it is just double, and we are spending around Rs 7,000 crore. The state budget for the Maha Kumbh is Rs 7,000 crore." The central government's departments have also invested a lot, he said, adding, "in the railways you will find revamping, National Highways also," he said. When asked about the arrangements for Mauni Amavasya, he said it has always seen the highest number of visitors during Kumbh. "An estimated four-five crore devotees are expected during the period of Mauni Amavasya this time (from January 25 to January 30), while in 2019, the figures stood at three-four crore. There are six important (major bathing) dates on which there will be more pilgrims and more crowd." "So, on those days, as a precautionary measure, the state government does not extend any VIP protocol to anybody. So, we request all the VVIPs not to come on those six days. We try to accommodate or invite them for days, which are non-major bathing days," said the chief secretary. The estimated number of Kalpvasis in the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is 15-20 lakh, while it was 10 lakh in 2019, he said. The number of pontoon bridges has also witnessed a rise to 30 this time from 22 in 2019, while the mela area's road length has been increased to more than 450 km from 299 km. The number of streetlights has also increased to 67,000 this year from 20,000 the last time, he said. The number of toilets set up this time is 1.50 lakh as compared to 1.14 lakh in 2019. The public accommodation beds have increased from 20,000 in Kumbh Mela 2019 to 25,000 in Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Elaborating on the security and safety aspect he said, "There are more than 55 police stations, and around 45,000 police personnel are getting deployed there on duty. Projects have also been sanctioned to monitor the social media continuously, so that nobody does any mischief. If anything untoward is coming up on social media, it should be identified, isolated and tackled... There is excellent coordination between the institutes of the Centre and the state government." The State Disaster Management Authority is already working and the NDMA is also working. They have trained aapdaa mitr (disaster volunteers), he said. Commenting on the digital aspect of Maha Kumbh, the UP chief secretary said, "We have Integrated Control and Command Centres established there before the last Kumbh. This time, it has been strengthened, and more than 3,000 cameras have been deployed in the entire Kumbh area. ICCC will be managing the crowd by reading the density of the crowd at a particular place." "Secondly, all the bookings of land and facilities are being done digitally by the mela administration. On the whole, this is going to be a grand arrangement," Singh said. When asked to comment on the visits of foreign nationals and ambassadors to the event, the UP chief secretary said, "(In) the last Kumbh, people from 55-60 countries came, because immediately a day or two before Kumbh started, there was the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi, so many people came from there. Besides that, one day, we will organise visits of embassies. That visit is being organised on January 30," he said. Singh also said, "For this Maha Kumbh, the government has been preparing for the last one to one-and-a-half years, and we have sanctioned work worth Rs 7,000 crore in view of Kumbh. Besides this, we are also making arrangements in the adjoining districts. Pilgrims who are coming to Prayagraj, many of them will go to Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur and other nearby places." "So, in adjoining districts also, we are making arrangements to receive the pilgrims. Projects have been sanctioned even for a city like Lucknow," he said. "We are also deploying 250 electric buses for taking pilgrims from one part of the mela to the other part, or from the parking area to the mela area," the UP chief secretary said. The interim government in Bangladesh has simplified the visa process for Pakistanis to further strengthen trade and economic relations. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters The present government had removed the need for clearance from Dhaka for Pakistani heads of missions while issuing visas, Bangladesh high commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain told the business community here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. Dawn News reported that Hussain said increasing trade and investment between the two countries must be a top priority to move forward. Hussain said the interim government headed by chief adviser Mohammad Yunus is eager to improve relations with Pakistan, which have been less than satisfactory over the past decade. He said Bangladesh with its population of 180 million represents a significant consumer market that Pakistan has the potential to tap. The diplomat said the trade potential between the two countries remains largely untapped, and Pakistan can capitalise on it. He also mentioned the chief adviser's efforts for regional cooperation and called for greater collaboration between South Asian countries. He stressed the importance of revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to enhance regional trade and cooperation. Despite growing regional cooperation globally, South Asia still faces challenges which require collective efforts to overcome. The high commissioner said it was the responsibility of both countries to create opportunities for the current generation and remove obstacles to mutual trade and cooperation. He also reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how it underscored the importance of international cooperation, saying: It is essential to recognise that nations must collaborate in times of crisis to keep trade flowing smoothly. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad shared data indicating that two-way trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh amounted to $718 million during the fiscal year 2023-24. Bangladesh foreign secretary Mohammed Jashim Uddin on Sunday expressed the country's 'deep concern' over the recent border tensions during a meeting with Indian high commissioner Pranay Verma at the foreign ministry in Dhaka. IMAGE: BSF personnel keep vigil amid high alert at the India-Bangladesh international Border on the eve of the Independence Day, at Chatrahati in South Dinajpur, West Bengal, August 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The state-run BSS news agency earlier reported that Verma was "summoned" by the foreign ministry to discuss escalating tensions along the border. However, a press statement issued by the foreign ministry did not use that term. "Foreign secretary ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin today expressed deep concern of the government of Bangladesh to the high commissioner of India Pranay Verma at his office at the ministry of foreign affairs over the recent activities of the Border Security Force of India along the Bangladesh-India Border," the foreign ministry said in the statement. Verma entered the foreign ministry around 3:00 pm (local time). His meeting with the foreign secretary lasted about 45 minutes, BSS reported. "I just met foreign secretary to discuss India's commitment to ensuring a crime-free border, effectively addressing challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking," Verma told the media after emerging from the meeting. "We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) have been in communication in this regard. We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be cooperative approach to combatting crime," he added. The development came hours after Dhaka alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, violating a bilateral agreement. The foreign secretary "stressed that such activities particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF, have caused tensions and disturbances along the border," the statement said. "He emphasised that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length," it added. Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment over such repetition of border killings, it said. He "strongly resented these acts of killing and called for urgent action by the Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all these border killings and take actions against those responsible," the statement said. The foreign secretary mentioned that it is also "a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and to stop killings, such incidents of killing have been continuing," it added. Jashim Uddin called upon the Indian government to "advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border". He also said that Bangladesh believes that "such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquility along the border," the statement added. Earlier in the day, home affairs adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to the strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh and locals. Addressing a media briefing, Chowdhury said that due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous government's tenure, 'several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border.' "However, the efforts of our people and the BGB have forced India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences." Chowdhury said Bangladesh and India have four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to govern border activities. "Of these, the 1975 MoU specifies that no development with defence potential can take place within 150 yards of the zero line. Another MoU states that no development activities can occur within this boundary without mutual consent. Any such work requires prior agreement between the two nations," he said. The adviser said India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced. He accused the previous government led by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina of granting India unequal opportunities, which led to disputes over barbed wire fencing at 160 locations between 2010 and 2023. "Recently, conflicts have surfaced in five areas, including (northwestern) Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor. Thanks to the strong position of the BGB and locals, India has been forced to halt its activities," he added. He said that under the 1974 agreement, Bangladesh handed over Berubari to India after parliamentary ratification. In return, India was supposed to provide Bangladesh access to the Tin Bigha Corridor, but it failed to fulfil this commitment or ratify the agreement in its parliament, he added. "They used to open the corridor for an hour and then close it for another hour. Finally, in 2010, an agreement was reached to keep the corridor open 24 hours. However, this agreement also allowed India to construct a border fence on the zero line at Angarpota, violating the 150-yard rule," he said. "Now, while we oppose this construction, we face challenges as Bangladesh is a signatory to the 2010 agreement," he said, adding that the foreign ministry took up the matter for diplomatic engagement. You are here: World Flash The Afghan caretaker government's national procurement commission has recently endorsed 17 projects worth 3 billion afghani (about 42 million U.S. dollars), the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs has said in a statement on Saturday. The approved projects included the construction of the Arghandi Transport Terminal in the national capital Kabul, the formation of parking areas for freight vehicles in western Herat province, repair of the Aqina-Andkhoy and Turgundi railway projects, extension of fiber optic networks in southern Kandahar, Helmand, and western Farah provinces and other projects, the statement added. The projects are expected to provide job opportunities to hundreds of thousands of local residents, the office said. The commission licensed 27 procurement projects worth more than 73 million dollars in November last year. The Afghan caretaker government plans to launch more development and infrastructure projects on its domestic budget across the war-ravaged country to tackle economic challenges and create job opportunities. W.P. Carey acquired a broad array of properties leased to high-quality tenants. The long-term leases all feature rental escalation clauses that will provide the REIT with incremental income growth in the coming years. A data center : The REIT bought a 209,000-square-foot data center in the U.S. that's triple-net leased to a subsidiary of Brookfield Infrastructure with a remaining term of 11.1 years (and built-in rent escalators) for around $100 million. A manufacturing and industrial campus : W.P. Carey completed an approximately $100 million sale-leaseback of a five-building manufacturing and industrial campus totaling 1.1 million square feet in Mexico. The company signed a 25-year NNN (with built-in rent escalators) with the tenant, one of the oldest and largest privately-held industrial manufacturing conglomerates in the U.S. It will pay rent in U.S. dollars. A Class A industrial facility : The REIT bought a 1.1 million-square-foot U.S. battery factory leased to Canadian Solar for roughly $100 million. The factory has an NNN with 12.4 years remaining on the term and an escalation clause. Discount-retail portfolios : It spent about $200 million to buy four portfolios of 106 discount retail properties across 21 states leased to Dollar General . Those triple-net leases (NNNs) have a weighted-average remaining term of 14.3 years with built-in rent escalation. As part of that deal, it will buy nine more stores in the first quarter of this year for around $20 million. W.P. Carey's total investment volume of $1.6 billion last year was toward the high end of its guidance range ($1.25 billion to $1.75 billion). It had a strong end to the year, with a record fourth-quarter investment volume of $845 million. Those deals enabled the REIT to slowly rebuild its dividend (it raised its payout four times last year) following a reset in late 2023. That payout, which now yields nearly 6.5%, appears poised to continue rising in 2025 as W.P. Carey benefits from a recent surge of new investments and other growth drivers. Last year was a transitional period for W.P. Carey (NYSE: WPC). The diversified real estate investment trust (REIT) spent the latter part of 2023 and the first few months of last year tearing out parts of its portfolio as it exited the office sector and sold off other non-core properties. It used those proceeds to rebuild its portfolio throughout the year, investing a total of $1.6 billion into new properties. Story Continues Overall, the company concentrated on buying industrial real estate (60% of its investment volume, with retail properties the next highest at 30%). It also focused on North America (75% of its investment volume, compared to 25% in Europe). The REIT was able to buy properties at a strong initial real estate cap rate (7.5%). Meanwhile, the average yield on its investments will be around 9% when factoring in the rent growth over the life of the leases. Set up for more growth in 2025 W.P. Carey's strong finish gave it a lot of momentum heading into this year, when it will capture the full benefit of its record fourth-quarter investment volume. On top of that, the company will continue to benefit from its best-in-class rent escalation. Those drivers position it to grow its adjusted funds from operations (FFO) and dividend this year. The REIT is also in a strong position to continue making investments in 2025. It has built up substantial liquidity from selling off its office portfolio and other noncore properties, which it can continue to deploy into new properties this year. And it has other noncore properties it can sell, including some legacy locations it currently operates (78 self-storage centers, four hotels, and two student housing properties at the end of the third quarter). It also owns a stake in cold storage REIT Lineage Logistics that it could liquidate now that Lineage has completed its initial public offering. These added sources of liquidity should enable the company to continue making accretive acquisitions without needing to sell any extra stock this year. Building back better W.P. Carey has spent much of the past year remodeling its portfolio. It removed offices and other noncore properties, providing it with the capital to upgrade to higher-quality properties with better long-term prospects (primarily from built-in rental escalation clauses). This strategy positions it to grow its income faster in the future, which should support a growing dividend. Add that growth potential to its high yield, and W.P. 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See 3 Double Down stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 6, 2025 Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and W.P. Carey. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This Nearly 6.5%-Yielding Dividend Stock Made $1.6 Billion in Acquisitions in 2024, Setting the Stage for More Dividend Growth in 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Bangladeshi migrants seeking birth certificates illegally in the state to obtain voting rights was "vote jihad part 2". IMAGE: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the BJP Mahavijayi Pradesh Convention, at Shirdi in Ahilya Nagar, in Maharashtra, January 12, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Fadnavis, during the November assembly poll campaign, had cited instances of a community voting en masse against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier in 2024, and had termed this as "vote jihad". Speaking at the state BJP's convention in Shirdi in Ahilyanagar, Fadnavis said, "Bangladeshi infiltrators are seeking birth certificates in Maharashtra as part of vote jihad part 2. Nearly 100 such cases have been reported in Amravati and Malegaon tehsil in Nashik. These people, many aged around 50 years, are obtaining documents illegally." Not a single infiltrator will be allowed to stay in Maharashtra, the CM asserted. He said his government is committed to combating anarchist forces attempting to create caste-based and communal divisions and urged people to stay vigilant and ensure this resolve is strengthened. Reflecting on the BJP's stellar performance in the November assembly polls, he hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for guiding and instilling confidence among party workers after the setbacks faced in the Lok Sabha polls. "In the last 30 years in Maharashtra, the BJP is the only party which crossed the 100-seat mark in three consecutive polls (2014, 2019 and 2024). PM Modi's leadership gave us confidence and BJP got 132 seats with strike rate of 89 per cent," he said. Narrating an anecdote from the Mahabharata about who ensured the victory of the Pandavas over the Kauravas, Fadnavis said the party workers were "Keshav" and Modi was "Madhav", both names of Lord Krishna, in the stupendous victory of the BJP in the assembly polls. Cautioning against complacency after the assembly poll results, Fadnavis said workers must continue to put in concerted efforts for public welfare. Pointing towards the local body polls expected to take place across the state in the next few months, he said, "We must remain ready and united. The PM's mantra of 'ek hain to safe hain' (unity ensures safety) must guide us," he told the gathering. Polls to several civic bodies, including in Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur, are pending since early 2022. He said his government has lined up several schemes for the welfare of all segments of society, including ensuring 52 percent of Maharashtra's electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2030. A woman died and four others were critical after the delivery of babies at a state-run hospital in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluid, prompting the health department to order an investigation, officials said on Saturday. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Pixabay.com Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, decided that she herself will go through the probe report, a well-placed source said. The state secretariat asked the health department to submit its findings as quickly as possible. The family members of the deceased woman alleged at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) that her demise was due to the administration of expired Ringer's Lactate on the intravenous (IV) fluid. Lactated Ringer's injection is used to replace water and electrolyte loss in patients with low blood volume or low blood pressure. Following her death and deterioration of the conditions of four others, the health department stopped the use of 10 medicines including the IV fluid manufactured by one company at all state-run hospitals until the report of the tests on the samples is available, the source said. The family members of the deceased lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the hospital authorities were responsible for her death, the officials said. After the death of the woman and the deterioration of the health condition of four others, the state government has formed a 13-member panel to investigate the matter, a senior official said. "A woman died at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital and a few others are also critical. The family members have alleged that the Ringer's Lactate administered on the intravenous (IV) fluid had expired. We have received complaints from the husband of the deceased and the family members of four other patients. An investigation has been initiated," the state health department official told PTI. The samples of the RL have been collected and a report from the drug control is awaited, another official said. "Once we get the report, the matter will be clear," he said. The baby delivered by the deceased woman is still admitted to the MMCH, the official said. The members of the committee of the health department reached the hospital on Saturday and held meetings with the authorities concerned, another official said. The incident triggered a protest by workers of the Left parties and the Congress outside the health facility on Saturday. The protesters attempted to enter the hospital to meet the 13-member probe team but were stopped by the police. They held posters aloft and raised slogans against the state government, alleging that the woman died due to the negligence of the hospital authorities. They also held the CM responsible for the woman's death. The ministry of tourism is beckoning people to visit Prayagraj and explore the Maha Kumbh Mela that begins from Monday. Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day religious event from January 13 to February 26 is also expected to draw a large number of tourists and cultural aficionados aiming to explore what is billed as one of the largest gatherings on earth. IMAGE: A devotee offers prayers to the rising Sun at the Sangam ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj, January 12, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo The government on Sunday said the ministry of tourism is set to make the Maha Kumbh this year a "landmark event" not only for spiritual gatherings, but also for global tourism. The ministry is rolling out several initiatives to celebrate this momentous occasion, aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism with the Maha Kumbh -- held every 12 years -- set to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. "To ensure seamless travel for tourists attending the Maha Kumbh, the ministry of tourism has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India. This will facilitate easier access for domestic and international visitors, allowing them to reach the event with ease and convenience," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry also shared a schedule of flights operating from multiple cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Jabalpur and Dehradun, as per this partnership. The ministry also said it is "setting up an 'Incredible India Pavilion', a sprawling 5000 sq ft space at Maha Kumbh", which will facilitate the foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, expat community and Indian diaspora members among others. The pavilion will offer "an immersive experience" for visitors, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Kumbh Mela. The pavilion will also feature the 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Poll', allowing visitors to vote for their favourite tourism destinations in India, it said. Besides, the ministry has collaborated with key tourism stakeholders like the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), IRCTC and ITDC to offer a range of "curated tour packages and luxury accommodation options". The ITDC has set up 80 luxury accommodations at the tent city, Prayagraj, while the IRCTC is also providing luxury tents to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists. These packages will be available in a digital brochure, which has been widely circulated to Indian missions and India Tourism offices for greater amplification, the ministry said. To cater to the specific needs of foreign tourists, social media influencers, journalists and photographers attending the Maha Kumbh, the ministry of tourism has set up a dedicated toll-free tourist infoline (1800111363 or 1363), the statement said. Besides English and Hindi, the toll-free infoline is now operating in ten international languages and also in Indian vernacular languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Marathi, it said. The service will provide assistance, information and guidance to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for international visitors. The ministry has launched a major social media campaign to generate buzz about the upcoming Maha Kumbh. Special hashtags such as #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj are being used to encourage people to share their experiences and moments from the event. Social media contests, collaborative posts with organisations like the ITDC, Uttar Pradesh Tourism and other organisations, will amplify the visibility of the event and invite people to witness this spiritual extravaganza, the ministry said. "To capsulise this rare opportunity, the ministry of tourism will undertake a large-scale photoshoot and videography project to capture the grandeur and spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh. The visuals will be shared widely across international and national media platforms, showcasing the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh and highlighting the tourism potential of Prayagraj as a spiritual and cultural destination," it said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Photograph: ANI Photo The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday that Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Trump administration during his visit to the US. Trump had defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election held in November. Last month, Jaishankar said Trump has had a positive political view of India and it is in a much more advantageous position than many other countries to build 'deeper' relations with his administration and take the bilateral ties forward. 'On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-In ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America,' it said. J D Vance will be the new US Vice President. 'During the visit, the external affairs minister will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion,' the MEA said in a statement. There have been concerns in many countries over the Trump administration's policy over a range of sensitive issues including tariff, climate change and overall foreign policy priorities against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. It is for the second time Trump will be the US President. He served as the 45th President of the US from January, 2017 to January 2021. There have been concerns in many countries over the new Trump administration's likely policy approach over a range of sensitive issues including tariff, climate change and overall foreign policy priorities against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday stated that the Ukrainian security forces have captured two North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. IMAGE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris of United States, right, listen to a speech during the opening plenary session, during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 15, 2024. Photograph: Pool via Reuters Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy confirmed that the soldiers, despite being wounded, have been transported to Kyiv and are now in communication with the Security Service of Ukraine. "Our soldiers have captured North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region. Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine," the Ukrainian President said. Zelenskyy further expressed gratitude to the soldiers of Tactical Group No. 84 of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces and paratroopers for successfully capturing the North Korean military personnel. He highlighted the challenges involved in the operation, noting that Russian forces and North Korean military personnel typically execute their wounded to prevent evidence of North Korea's involvement in the conflict. "This was not an easy task: Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine. I am grateful to the soldiers of Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as our paratroopers, who captured these two individuals," he added. As prisoners of war, the two North Korean soldiers are receiving medical assistance, Zelenskyy stated and further instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to allow journalists access to the prisoners. "As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance. I have instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to grant journalists access to these prisoners. The world needs to know the truth about what is happening," he stated. According to Ukrainian and Western assessments, some 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed in the Kursk region where Ukrainian forces occupy swathes of territory after conducting cross-border incursions back in August 2024. Earlier on December 22, 2024, the Ukrainian military had said that North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia were given fake military documents with Russian names and birthplaces, CNN reported. The Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj is set to witness a "Yuva Maha Kumbh", a mega gathering of youth and students from across the country bound by a common thread: Swami Vivekananda, whose birth anniversary on January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day. IMAGE: People take part in a 'Tiranga Rally' on the eve of Maha Kumbh 2025, at Sangam in Prayagraj. Photograph: ANI Photo This initiative to mobilise the student community has been undertaken by the Vivekananda Kendra, established in 1972, with its first UP chapter opening in 2006 in Lucknow. The Kendra's motto of 'Man Making and Nation Building' is at its core. "From January 20, the Vivekananda Kendra will hold a Yuva Maha Kumbh at the mega Maha Kumbh. The gathering will include youth and students -- undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering and management students, teachers and those preparing for competitive exams. They will participate in a day-long workshop where the takeaway from Swami Vivekananda's thoughts will be discussed and disseminated," Deep Narayan Pandey (38) head of the Kendra's Lucknow chapter, told PTI. "We will meditate and discuss Swamiji's thoughts and how he envisioned the India or Bharat, of the future," Pandey added. It is interesting to note that Vivekananda last visited Prayagraj shortly after his visit to Varanasi in December 1889. The fact that the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj now coincides with his birth anniversary makes the occasion even more special for those inspired by the visionary. "We will also discuss and analyse the wisdom ingrained in Swamiji's teachings in his books," Pandey said, adding that the various aspects of the Vivekananda Kendra include teaching underprivileged children and imparting values to young minds in the age of nuclear families. The Vivekananda Kendra is currently operating from several centres in UP, including Prayagraj, which figured prominently in Vivekananda's thoughts. This is evident in a letter Vivekananda wrote from London on November 20, 1896, to Alasinga Perumal, one of his prominent disciples in Chennai (then Madras). "My present plan of work is to start two centres, one in Calcutta and the other in Madras, to train young preachers. I have enough funds to start the one in Calcutta, which, being the scene of Sri Ramakrishna's lifework, demands my first attention. As for the Madras one, I expect to get funds in India. We will begin work with these three centres; and later on, we will expand to Bombay and Allahabad. From these points, if the Lord is pleased, we will not only invade India, but send bands of preachers to every country in the world. That should be our first duty," Swami Vivekananda had written in his letter. Swami Vivekananda's guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, also visited Prayagraj, although it is not known if the two ever visited the Kumbh Mela. According to Ashwini Kumar, who is among those at the Vivekananda Kendra stall at the Maha Kumbh, Swami Vivekananda reached Prayag (Allahabad) in the last week of December from Baranagar via Baijnath. "Actually, Swami Vivekananda had left for Kashi from Calcutta because he had a strong desire to live in Kashi and gain spiritual benefits. But when he was in Baijnath, he received news that Swami Yogananda (a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa) had fallen ill with smallpox. Upon hearing of his 'Gurubhai's' illness, Swami Vivekananda immediately left for Prayag," Kumar recalled while speaking to PTI. Swami Vivekananda wrote his first letter from Prayag to Balaram Basu on December 30, 1889. In the letter, he mentioned that he had received news of Yogananda's illness from a letter from Gupta Maharaj. He also mentioned that Gopal Maa, Yogin Maa, and Niranjan Maharaj were present in Prayag and had decided to do 'kalpvaas.' In one of his letters, Swami Vivekananda wrote, "People here are urging me to spend the month of Magh here, but I am going to Varanasi. Gopal Maa and Yogin Maa will do 'kalpvaas' here, and perhaps Niranjan will also stay here. I don't know what Yogananda will do." Vivekananda met many learned people, scholars, and saints in Prayag, but no detailed descriptions are available. During his stay in Prayag, he visited and toured places such as Prayag Fort, Alopi Mata temple and Bharadwaj Muni Ashram. Meanwhile, a senior office-bearer of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram in Prayagraj said, "Swami Vivekananda came to Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad) before 1900. He stayed in the house of one of his devotees, named Banerjee, whose house was located in the Chowk area of Prayagraj." When asked whether Swami Vivekananda took a dip in the River Ganga or at Sangam during the Kumbh, the office-bearer said there is no information on this matter. Swami Vivekananda, known as Narendra Nath Datta in his pre-monastic life, was born into an affluent family in Kolkata in 1863. His famous speech at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in September 1893, starting with "Sisters and Brothers of America," continues to echo today. Founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math, he passed away on July 4, 1902. A book published by the Ramakrishna Math mentions that both Swami Vivekananda and Maa Sharda Devi had also visited Allahabad (now Prayagraj). "Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa came to Prayag twice. The first time he brought his mother along, and at that time, the rail line to Kashi had just started. On January 28, 1868, Mathur Babu took a pilgrimage with Thakur (Ramakrishna Paramhansa). They came to Prayag via Baidyanath Dham and Kashi and stayed for three nights," the article in the book says. Mathur Babu, also known as Mathur Nath Biswas, was the son-in-law of Rani Rashmoni, the founder of the famous Dakshineswar temple in Kolkata, which houses Goddess Kali. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also visited Prayag in 1575 and took a dip at Sangam, as mentioned in the book. The Maha Kumbh Mela will commence in Prayagraj with the first major bathing on Paush Poornima (January 13) and the last major bathing on Mahashivratri (February 26). ISLAMABAD -- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders not to "legitimize" the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and instead to "raise their voices" and "use [their] power" against the militant group's curbs on women and girls' education. "Do not legitimize them," Yousafzai said on January 12, as she addressed the second and final day of a Muslim-led summit on girls education in her home country, Pakistan. "Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification," Yousafzai, 27, told the gathering in Islamabad. She also urged Muslim leaders and global politicians to support efforts to make what has been called gender apartheid a crime under international law. The event marked a full circle for Yousafzai, who was shot in 2012 by the Pakistani Taliban in the northwestern valley of Swat because she had campaigned for girls' education. Following the conference, organizers released a 17-point "Islamabad Declaration," including an agreement "emphasizing that girls' education is not only a religious obligation but also an urgent societal necessity." "It is a fundamental right safeguarded by divine laws, mandated by Islamic teaching, reinforced by international chargers and well-established by national constitutions," it said. The rights of girls and women especially access to education is often a controversial subject in conservative Islamic nations. Domestic activists and international organizations have pressed leaders to promote and protect such rights, and observers in recent years have noted improvements in many, but not all, countries. Some 47 Muslim-majority nations and organizations sent representatives to the event, but it was shunned by the Afghan Taliban, whom activists say are among the world's leading violators of the rights of women and girls. Ahead of the gathering, Yousafzai said she would focus her speech on Afghanistan -- which is now the only nation among the 57 members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that bans women's education. The ban has been widely assailed by the international community and many people inside Afghanistan. "I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school, and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls," she wrote on X. The attack on Yousafzai, who had become a target for her campaign for girls' education, sent shock waves across Pakistan and provoked international outrage. Yousafzai, who was 15 at the time, survived after months of treatment at home and abroad and became an international figure, winning 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), urged leaders of Islamic nations to protect the rights of Afghan girls. "I really call on all these ministers...who came from all over the world, to offer scholarships, to have online education, to have all sorts of education for them. This is the task of the day," she said during a panel discussion. 'Crime Against Humanity' Yousafzai's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, criticized Muslim countries for what he described as being "either silent, complicit, or apologetic" toward the Taliban's curtailing of Afghan women's rights. Echoing condemnations by the United Nations, which has labeled the Talibans treatment of women "gender apartheid," Ziauddin Yousafzai told RFE/RL that "the international community, especially Muslim countries, should call the [government in Kabul] an apartheid regime." He said the Taliban-led administration's curb on girls and women's rights is a "crime against humanity." No Taliban representatives were present among participants of the two-day conference that brought together ministers and education officials from dozens of Muslim-majority countries, backed by the Muslim World League. A senior Taliban diplomat in Islamabad told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that "so far, Kabul has not told us anything about this event." Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan's education minister, said, No one from the Afghan government was at the conference," but that Taliban leaders were formally invited to the event. The Taliban government banned teenage girls from education soon after returning to power in August 2021. Since then, the Islamist group has imposed draconian bans on womens work, education, and mobility despite domestic opposition and a global outcry. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his opening statement that preventing girls from receiving an education is "tantamount to denying their voice" and restricting their choices. "The Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls," Sharif said. Muhammad al-Issa, a Saudi cleric and secretary-general of the Muslim World League, who organized the event with the Pakistani government, said, "The entire Muslim world has agreed that girls' education is important." "Those who say that girls education is un-Islamic are wrong," he added. With reporting by AFP Yasaman crossed more than half a dozen countries on foot, bus, and boat and paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to reach Mexico. Yasaman, an Afghan woman whose name has been changed to protect her identity, believed she was within touching distance of realizing her dream: entering the United States. But her hopes came crashing down on January 20, when new U.S. President Donald Trump declared an emergency on the southern border with Mexico as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. As part of the executive order, U.S. authorities shut down the CBP One mobile app -- the only legal way for migrants to make an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, request asylum, and enter the country legally. "I don't know what to do now," said Yasaman, who arrived in Mexico in November 2024. "I'm waiting [for] what Trump will decide next about migrants." Yasaman, speaking by telephone from Mexico, said she received a notification on January 20 that read: "Existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid." The shutdown of the app will affect thousands of migrants, including Afghans, hoping to enter the United States legally. Around 1 million appointments had been scheduled through CBP One since it was introduced in January 2023. Not Happy In Brazil Mexico has been a relatively new route for thousands of Afghan migrants seeking a new, better life in the United States. RFE/RL contacted the United Nations refugee agency and the Mexican migration authorities to find out how many U.S.-bound Afghan migrants are currently in Mexico. We have not received a response. An Afghan migrant who spoke to RFE/RL from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula estimated there were up to 1,500 people from Afghanistan in that city alone. Karimullah, whose name has been changed over privacy concerns, said Afghan migrants live in rented apartments, relying on the "limited amount of money" they have brought from Afghanistan or borrow from their relatives abroad. "Families go hungry for days while waiting for money from relatives," he said. A former civil rights activist, Karimullah fled Afghanistan after the hard-line Taliban returned to power in August 2021. After running out of money to pay for food and rent and as she was still waiting to get an appointment through CBP One, Yasaman got a job as a kitchen helper at a restaurant in the capital, Mexico City. Like many other Afghan migrants in Mexico, both Karimullah and Yasaman had already been offered asylum in other safe countries -- in their case Brazil, which has issued thousands of humanitarian visas for Afghan nationals since 2021. Asked by RFE/RL why they didn't want to stay in Brazil, where they had been given free accommodation and food, both Karimullah and Yasaman said they did not see a "good future" there due to a lack of jobs and other opportunities. Instead, many Afghans pay money to people-smugglers to take them through Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Panama, and other countries to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. 'Life For Immigrants Not What It Used To Be' Some cross the border illegally. Ehsan Khan, a 26-year-old former driver from Kabul, entered the United States illegally in November 2024, hoping to get settled in the country before Trump closes the U.S. borders. After spending two months at an immigration detention facility, Khan was released on January 11 with an electronic ankle bracelet for authorities to monitor his movements. Speaking from San Diego by phone, Khan told RFE/RL that Afghan migrants should think twice before coming to the United States, because "the life in America for immigrants is not what it used to be." Khan did not give details of his new life in the United States but said it isn't worth the traumatic journey he had through Honduras and Guatemala, where he said he "was beaten by thieves who demanded money" and witnessed his best friend drown in the sea. "I saw my friend screaming for help as he drowned and I looked helplessly. I wanted to jump into the water, but I knew I couldn't swim. His parents often call me from Kabul and ask about him, and we cry," Khan said. Back in Mexico City, Yasaman is determined to enter the United States "by any means, legally or illegally." "I don't have a life or home in Afghanistan to go back to," Yasaman said. "I see my future only in America." Investopedia / Photo Illustration by Alice Morgan / Getty Images Key Takeaways Spot bitcoin ETFs, which launched a year ago, made it easier for investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency. Investors poured billions into bitcoin ETFs, which helped push bitcoin prices to multiple all-time highs during 2024. The success of the spot bitcoin ETFs led to the approval of spot ether ETFs, and approvals could soon be seen for other crypto assets as well. In their first full year of trading, spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds may have fundamentally altered the way investors view cryptocurrency investments. Spot bitcoin ETFs began trading on Jan 11, 2024, opening up the crypto market to a wider range of investors and paving the way for more such products. The launch also played a role in boosting the price of bitcoin (BTCUSD) to a series of record highs, as investors poured billions into the ETFs. Here's what's happened since the launch of spot bitcoin ETFs. ETFs Made Investing In Bitcoin More Accessible Spot bitcoin ETFs made it easier for investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency. Typically, if you wanted to buy bitcoin, you would need a cryptocurrency wallet and need to buy the token off a cryptocurrency exchange. Instead, if you opt for a bitcoin ETF, you can buy the product using your brokerage account like you would for any other ETF. Investors have appreciated that ease and poured billions into spot bitcoin ETFs. That enthusiasm is shared by retail and institutional investors alike, with even traditional Wall Street firms and hedge funds getting in on the action. Bitcoin is often referred to as digital gold, and bitcoin ETFs are quickly gaining popularity over gold ETFs. Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is one of the more popular ETFs, with net inflows so far exceeding $37 billion. The fund has seen tremendous growth with assets at over $52 billion as of Jan. 9, significantly surpassing the $33 billion in assets for the iShares' 20-year old gold ETF (IAU), and closing in on SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)the largest gold ETF with assets over $75 billion. Bitcoin ETFs, Halving, Trump Win Drove Price Rally Spot bitcoin ETFs hold the cryptocurrency as the underlying asset. So as more people put money into the ETF, the ETF has to buy more bitcoin. That demand helped drive bitcoin prices to record highs last year. Bitcoin was trading close to $46,000 on Jan. 10, when the Securities and Exchange Commission gave its approval for bitcoin ETFs to begin trading. Its price fell below $40,000 in the first few weeks after the ETFs started trading, but then recovered to establish a new high of over $73,000 in March ahead of the bitcoin halving. It looks like an image of war: A crying, veiled woman hugs her uniformed son ahead of his departure as another man looks on. In fact, the young man is leaving to serve Bulgaria's communist government with a shovel, not a gun. The below photo is one of 92 on display at Sofia's Gallery Synthesis until February 15 that offer a rare insight into Bulgaria's Construction Corps. The organization that would become known as the Construction Corps was formed in the wake of World War I. It replaced military service with mandatory labor, largely for construction projects. The organization enabled Bulgaria to organize tens of thousands of young people into an army-like structure without violating a treaty Bulgaria signed after the war that restricted Sofia's military to just 20,000 soldiers. In the mid-1930s, the military nature of the corps became official as the structure was handed from Bulgaria's construction ministry to its military. The Construction Corps built much of Bulgaria's 20th-century infrastructure but was also used during the communist era to punish opponents of the regime and maintain control over ethnic minorities. The organization was disbanded in 2000. Photographer Garo Keshishyan began photographing the labor battalions in the early 1980s after a chance encounter with a contingent of workers who were assigned a project in his hometown of Varna. "They started eating in front of the block of flats where I lived so I ran out to take some pictures," Keshishian told RFE/RL. Debate over the legacy of the Construction Corps has recently reignited in Bulgaria, where populist parties have called for the return of mandatory military service. Little of the current discussion has ventured into the details of how some formations of the corps were used to repress opponents of the regime and control the male population of entire ethnic groups. Several of the labor groups during Bulgaria's communist period were known as "black" battalions, filled with the politically "unreliable." Other groupings were from Bulgaria's Romany and Turkish ethnic minorities who could be closely monitored by communist informers within their ranks. "The entire system shows the blatant ethnic discrimination of the communist and post-communist construction troops in Bulgaria," Keshishian says. "The thing that kept me returning with my camera was my compassion for these boys whose only fault was where and when they were born." Keshishian's remarkable access to the Construction Corps was largely due to luck. After his initial interest in the work battalions was piqued by his encounter in Varna in the early 1980s, Keshishian was assigned a communist apparatchik tasked with keeping an eye on the photographer when he requested permission to photograph them. "When he saw the pictures [of the labor battalions] he was completely shocked," the photographer recalls. But the officer confided to Keshishian, "I've been writing denunciations all my life, I'm going to let you shoot whatever you want." Georgi Lozanov, a lecturer in photojournalism at Sofia University, first met Keshishian in the 1980s. He describes Keshishian's images of the Construction Corps as "one of the greatest examples of resistance against the regime," adding, "He shows two things at the same time: the powerful machine of repression of the authorities, as well as the individual people caught up in it." Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now. Minding The Transatlantic Gap China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine. But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing? Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments. That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years. On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States. Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration. "Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper. How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019. The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure. Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States. This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing. A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real. Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly. "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said. Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels. One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington. The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters. Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge. As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27. James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation. "A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said. China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals. What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. A Reverse Nixon? China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner. The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me. One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States. The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing. Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset. He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. 2. But Can It Work? A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late. What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia. Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed. And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began. "It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said. The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan. Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing. "Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump." 3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion. What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification. Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance. When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration. So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom. Across The Supercontinent Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer. New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia. New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system. One Thing To Watch A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed. Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel. The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish Russian forces have carried out more than 2,100 aerial strikes on Ukraine over the past week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 9, as Russia has stepped up attacks on its neighbor and reported battlefield gains ahead of Kyiv's high-stakes talks with US representatives in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. It comes as US President Donald Trump questioned the long-term viability of Ukraine itself. When asked in a Fox Business TV interview whether he was worried that decreased US support for Ukraine could endanger that country's survival, he responded: "Well, it may not survive anyway." "But, you know, we have some weaknesses with Russia -- you know, it takes two," Trump added. Zelenskyy said in a social media post that Russian forces this week deployed 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and more than 80 missiles of various types. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announced the recapture of several villages and towns on March 9 in its Kursk region -- as well as new settlements in eastern Ukraine -- with unconfirmed reports that thousands of Ukrainian troops risk being encircled by Russian forces. It comes a day after Russian air strikes killed at least 50 people in the eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials, with at least 11 deaths reported in the city of Dobropillya. "Such strikes show that Russia's goals are unchanged," Zelenskyy wrote on social media late on March 8. "Therefore, it is very important to continue to do everything to protect life, strengthen our air defense, and increase sanctions against Russia. The series of strikes and battlefield pressure represent another setback for Kyiv ahead of crucial talks with the United States next week in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials will meet with their US counterparts for negotiations around how to end the three-year war. The Institute For The Study of War, a Washington-based think tank that tracks battlefield developments, said Russian forces have "intensified their multidirectional campaign to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian salient in Kursk" in the last two days. According to DeepState, an open-source military tracker linked to the Ukrainian Army, the Russian moves followed a "breach" in Ukrainian defense lines near the town of Sudzha, which remains under Kyiv's control but is facing growing pressure from Russian units. Pro-Russian war bloggers who closely track frontline developments in the war also reported that Russian special forces walked inside a gas pipeline to strike Ukrainian units from the rear in Kursk late on March 8 to gain a foothold outside of Sudzha. According to the reports, the pipeline was used to surprise Ukrainian units and cut off their supply lines as the Kremlin pours more manpower into kicking Kyiv out of Russian territory. RFE/RL was not able to independently verify the accounts, but Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russian "sabotage and assault groups" used the pipeline to get access to Sudzha. "At present, Russian special forces are being detected, blocked, and destroyed. The enemy's losses in Sudzha are very high," Ukraine's General Staff said in a Telegram post on March 8. Ukraine aimed to hit back by launching a drone overnight at an industrial facility in the Russian region of Chuvashia, some 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The strike is one of the deepest yet into Russian territory by a Ukrainian drone, and it hit its target but caused no casualties, according to Russian authorities. Ousting Ukrainian forces from Kursk with the talks in Saudi Arabia approaching looks to be part of Moscow's strategy. In August 2024, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers seized roughly 1,300 square kilometers of Russia's western Kursk region, a move which Kyiv later characterized as an attempt to gain a bargaining chip for future negotiations and draw Russian troops away from the front line in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have managed to claw back large chunks of territory in Kursk, but Ukraine has retained a foothold that now risks being shrunk down further leading into the key talks. Ukraine 'Fully Committed' To US Talks With his attention fixed on the upcoming talks, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "fully committed" to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week over a potential peace settlement. "Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," he posted on X. The Ukrainian president said he will travel to Saudi Arabia and meet with Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman on March 10. Afterward, a delegation of Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will stay for a March 11 meeting with a US negotiating team. "On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy will not be part of the US-Ukraine talks, which will instead be done by a delegation including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. They will meet with a US delegation that will reportedly include Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and national-security adviser Mike Waltz. Rubio departed for Saudi Arabia late on March 9, the State Department said. In remarks late on March 9, Trump told reporters he expects results from the Saudi talks. "We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week," Trump said. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia are the culmination of weeks of tough diplomacy and negotiations spearheaded by Washington since it met with a Russian delegation in Riyadh in February. US-Ukraine ties have since frayed, with tensions culminating in an Oval Office argument in late February between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance that saw the Ukrainian president leave the White House without signing a crucial minerals deal with Washington. Since then, the Trump administration has paused military shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The full extent of the intelligence cutoff is unclear, but it has sparked fears that it could lead to Ukrainian setbacks on the front lines as Russia looks to press for the advantage. In his March 9 remarks to reporters, Trump said he believed Ukraine would eventually sign a minerals deal with the United States. But -- amid reports he would want even more actions out of Kyiv -- Trump added that "I want them to want peace. They haven't shown it to the extent they should." European countries like Britain and France have stepped up to provide more intelligence sharing with Ukraine but are reportedly still not able to replace the full scope of US capabilities. Waltz suggested on March 5 that Trump may lift the pause on military aid once peace negotiations are arranged and confidence-building measures take place. When asked on March 9 whether he would end the suspension of intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, Trump said, without elaborating, that "we just about have. We just about have." In the days leading up to the talks, Trump offered criticism of Moscow's increased attacks on Ukraine in the lead up to talks and mentioned potential sanctions against the Kremlin. But he also said Russian President Vladimir Putin was doing what anybody would do" and he told reporters in the Oval Office on March 7 that he finds it "easier" to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin "wants to end the war." Ever since the Hero Honda JV ended, both brands have competed against each other in the Indian market. Hero MotoCorp has always posted significantly higher sales figures as opposed to Honda. But this sales gap has been closing down every year. And in CY24, Honda has reduced the gap considerably. The yearly sales volume difference between Hero and Honda is at an all time low at 1,09,567 units. Hero Vs Honda Sales CY24 Both brands have not been able to tackle each other at their core strengths. Which for Hero is budget commuter motorcycles and it is commuter scooters for Honda. Where sales are concerned, Hero MotoCorp has always had an upper hand with the ever-green Splendor. The company has been striving hard to revamp its premium motorcycle range too. Honda, on the other hand, has sold less units than Hero, where CY sales are concerned. The company has remarkably reduced the volume gap from Hero to an all time low at just 1,09,567 units in CY24. This is a remarkable achievement from Honda as the company continues to push into commuter motorcycle market while maintaining an iron hand in scooter segment. What do the numbers say? Looking at sales performance of both brands in CY24, we can see that Hero MotoCorp did maintain an upper hand as it sold 56,57,446 units in domestic market and 2,53,619 units in exports leading to 59,11,065 units pushed in total. When compared to 54,99,524 units from CY23, Hero registered a 7.48% YoY growth, gaining 4,11,541 units in volume. At the same time, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India sold 52,92,976 units in domestic market and 5,08,522 units in exports, leading to a total of 58,01,498 units. When compared to the 43,84,559 unit sold in CY23, Honda registered a significant YoY growth of 32.32% YoY, gaining 14,16,939 units in volume YoY. This massive growth YoY in CY sales has bridged the gap from Hero considerably. In CY23, Heros total sales of 54,99,924 units and Hondas 43,84,559 units yielded a volume difference of 11,14,965 units between both brands. However, in CY24, the volume difference between both brands is only 1,09,567 units, which is an all time low. This suggests that Honda is rapidly gaining market share and increasing its presence in commuter motorcycle segment, while still maintaining upper hand in scooter segment. On the other hand, Hero MotoCorp is prepping to up its game in scooter segment with soon to launch new-gen Destini 125. Hero is also betting big on premium products with Xtreme 250R and Xoom 160 launching soon. Tata Motors has closed December 2024 with a slight year-on-year (YoY) sales growth of 1.73%, selling a total of 44,221 units compared to 43,471 units in December 2023. While some models showed impressive performance, others faced a decline. Heres a closer look at the sales figures across Tatas car lineup. Tata Sales Breakup Dec 2024 YoY Comparison Punch (ICE + EV) remained the brands top performer in December 2024. With 15,073 units sold, it registered a YoY growth of 9.33% over the 13,787 units sold in December 2023. Punch has ended the year 2024 as Indias No 1 selling car. Nexon (ICE + EV) recorded a decline in sales. It managed to sell 13,536 units in December 2024, a drop of 11.44% compared to the 15,284 units sold in the same period last year. Tiago (ICE + EV) showed a marginal improvement. With 5,006 units sold in December 2024, it grew by 3.17% compared to 4,852 units sold in December 2023. Curvv (ICE + EV) sold 4,994 units in its first December on the market. Tata Altroz faced a steep decline, selling only 1,866 units in December 2024 compared to 4,081 units in December 2023. This represents a 54.28% drop YoY. Tata Safari also saw a decline, with 1,385 units sold in December 2024, down by 34.14% from the 2,103 units sold in December 2023. Similarly, its sibling, the Tata Harrier, witnessed a smaller decline, selling 1,307 units, down 6.91% from 1,404 units sold in the same period last year. Tigor (ICE + EV) struggled as well, with sales dropping by 46.22% YoY. Only 1,054 units were sold in December 2024 compared to 1,960 units sold in December 2023. Tata Sales Breakup Dec 2024 MoM Comparison Tata Motors recorded a month-on-month (MoM) decline in sales for December 2024, selling 44,221 units compared to 47,063 units in November 2024. This reflects a 6.04% decrease, with several models experiencing a dip in numbers. Heres a detailed breakdown of the MoM performance for Tatas car lineup. Punch registered a slight decline, with 15,073 units sold in December 2024, down by 2.35% from the 15,435 units sold in November 2024. Nexon experienced a notable drop in MoM sales. With 13,536 units sold in December 2024, sales were down by 11.70% compared to the 15,329 units sold in November 2024. Tiago saw a modest decrease in sales, with 5,006 units sold in December 2024, down by 5.88% from 5,319 units sold in November 2024. Curvv sold 4,994 units in December 2024, a decline of 2.10% from the 5,101 units sold in November 2024. Tata Altroz recorded a 10.42% decline in sales, with 1,866 units sold in December 2024 compared to 2,083 units in November 2024. Tata Safari was one of the few models to post positive growth MoM. With 1,385 units sold in December 2024, it saw a slight increase of 0.80% over the 1,374 units sold in November 2024. Tata Harrier, however, experienced a sharp decline in sales, with 1,307 units sold in December 2024, down by 16.38% from the 1,563 units sold in November 2024. Tigor recorded a significant growth of 22.70%, with 1,054 units sold compared to 859 units in November 2024. Tata Motors has recently launched updated 2025 MY versions of Tiago, Tigor and Nexon, which will help boost sales in coming months. (Reuters) -The U.S. has sued to block a proposed merger between American Express Global Business Travel Group and CWT Holdings, saying the $570 million deal would eliminate competition between the largest and third-largest providers of business travel management services. The deal threatens to undermine competition for those services in the U.S., the Department of Justice said in the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court on Friday. "American businesses will face the consequences, seeing higher prices, less innovation and fewer choices," Doha Mekki, head of the DOJ's Antitrust Division, said. A spokesperson for GBTG said the case is flawed and the company is evaluating next steps. "We firmly believe that the proposed transaction would bring significant benefits to all business travel customers, suppliers, and employees," GBTG said in a statement. A spokesperson for CWT declined to comment. GBTG executives viewed the deal as an opportunity to absorb what they viewed as a "dangerous competitor," prosecutors said in the complaint. GBTG handled $28 billion of travel transactions in 2023, and has acquired several other travel companies in recent years, according to prosecutors. American Express has a minority stake in GBTG, which operates as a separate company. The deal announced in March had elicited concerns from British antitrust authorities. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in California; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Alistair Bell) You are the owner of this article. Youth plaintiffs in the Held v. Montana climate case leave the Montana Supreme Court, on July 10, 2024, in Helena, Montana. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - It is only fitting that an organization committed to meeting Staten Islands most challenging health needs has a leader who sharpened her skills during one of the most difficult health crises of our time -- the COVID-19 pandemic. Ericker Onaga, who joined Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) during the pandemic and helped the organization serve during the crisis, stepped in as the new executive director in 2024. Her acceptance of the role followed Diane Arneths retirement after 32 years of dedicated service to the organization. On Staten Island, its critical that CHASIs [executive director] be a trusted leader and messenger from and for the communities we serve, Arneth, whose retirement was effective in January 2024, said. CHASI, originally founded as the Staten Island AIDS Task Force in the 1980s, has expanded its mission to address critical community needs -- including substance use, mental health, food insecurity, chronic illnesses and violence. In 2018, CHASI joined the Sun River Health family, a network of community health centers spanning the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island, with Sun River Health now serving as its parent organization. As a social worker, I value the one-to-one engagement, about ensuring the person feels valued, heard and supported, said Onaga, who holds a masters degree in social work from New York University and is a New York state licensed clinical social worker. Leadership at CHASI, along with other social care networks, carry exceptional weight on Staten Island, a borough grappling with significant public health challenges The borough recorded the second-highest overdose death rate among New York Citys five boroughs in 2022, with 38.0 deaths per 100,000 residents. Food insecurity and the health challenges linked to poor nutrition affect thousands of Staten Islanders, particularly on the North Shore, where a limited number of grocery stores coupled with lower rates of car ownership exacerbates the issue. Meanwhile, chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer remain prevalent. How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped Onagas leadership Onaga joined CHASI in 2020, serving as chief program officer for three years and leading the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I joined at a time when everything was changing, Onaga said, reflecting on the need to pivot systems at the time to maintain effective and meaningful connections with the community. During the COVID-19 lockdown, CHASI kept its 24/7 recovery center open and expanded food programs and benefits assistance. However, citywide, the pandemic fueled a worsening of the mental health crisis, increased homelessness and led to a surge in drug overdose deaths. We are seeing now the negative consequences of prolonged detachment. Isolation contributed to struggles with mental health and compromised clients further, Onaga said. We saw an increase in domestic violence, people postponing critical health care, and even higher HIV rates. She added that when the world became safer, CHASI was able to re-engage, benefiting from the powerful lessons learned, with one of the most important being the real value of face-to-face connections. Starting in 2022, hard-hit areas with low vaccination rates in NYCHA housing became a key focus for CHASI with the introduction of the Vaccine Equity and Engagement Program. Under the initiative, residents of NYCHA housing who were vaccinated themselves were hired to work daily, helping to bridge the gap between residents and preventive COVID-19 care by spreading reliable health information. Often there was a resistance borne of valid mistrust, particularly of health systems. When we gave the space for that to unfold through consistency and direct information, it resolved itself, Onaga recalled. Building trust over time is critical. There are people on every block who need something and dont know where to start. We brought it to the door and kept showing up. The program still operates in five NYCHA locations across the borough, where workers have formed partnerships to continue sharing reliable health information and connecting people to resources such as benefits, chronic disease screenings, and community-based organizations. This healthcare advocacy started during COVID, encouraging people and providing information about vaccination, and it expanded far beyond that with the program to encompass general healthcare in the NYCHA complexes, Onaga explained. According to CHASI, funding for this program, provided by the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will end in March. CHASIs domestic violence services expected to expand in 2025 CHASIs current violence intervention programs support survivors of domestic and family violence and trauma, offering a holistic, trauma-informed approach. Services include individual and group counseling, case and crisis management, sexual health education and healing arts like dance therapy and creative writing. All domestic violence services are free of charge and available in both Spanish and English, according to their website. In addition, CHASI connects survivors to housing and legal services through the Staten Island Family Justice Center and the domestic violence shelter systems. We dont know who is facing something unknown and difficult. So we put assumptions aside; no one wants to feel targeted, Onaga said. That is in part to introduce what were calling CHASIs Core Connections program. Were using universal screenings and questions to catch needs that are too often sidelined when an urgent need brings them through our doors. Onaga emphasized that the work doesnt end once a survivor has safe shelter from domestic violence. We continue our relationship and can also assist you with health care coordination, HIV testing, or food from the pantry. Its energizing -- the ability for people to connect with a critical safety net before theyre facing a crisis, or when something is just beginning to interfere with their life or health, she said. A few years ago, CHASI integrated HIV prevention into its domestic violence program, a first for the organization. With Staten Island having a high rate of late HIV diagnosis compared to other parts of the city, according to CHASI, this program changed the way they targeted their audience by focusing on overlapping factors like mental health and substance use disorder, ensuring that every client enrolled was screened for these conditions. Hi Neighbor, It was startling for a moment. I suppose it always is when you see a familiar name on the obituary page. Her name was Eleanor Rosenbaum. She wasnt a friend. I cant even call her an acquaintance. I hadnt seen Miss Rosenbaum since 1966. She was my junior year Spanish teacher in New Dorp High School. Eleanor Rosenbaumfamily It was my first year in the old New Dorp on Clawson Avenue. My first two years were in Monsignor Farrell before I was ungraciously asked to leave. We had a basic disagreement. Brother Delaney, the principal, suggested I get passing grades. Lets just put it this way . . . he and I werent on the same page. Frankly, I dont know how the other guys did so much better than I. The school had just opened there wasnt even a senior class when I began and the place was finding its way. Teachers rotated in and out weekly, it seemed. In my freshman year, I had four different algebra teachers. The last being the gracious Brother Delaney himself. But as you hear so many times when someone gets fired, Monsignor Farrell did me a favor. I would never have met Miss Rosenbaum, or a group of extraordinary public-school educators who turned my life around. I almost didnt get to meet them. Mom and Dad were flustered when I was tossed from Farrell and they wanted me to get a superior education. So we visited a place called Rhodes Preparatory School on West 54th Street in Manhattan. I didnt know it at the time heck, I never even heard of the book at the time -- but Rhodes was the model for the school in the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, a school of last resort for neer-do-wells who were kicked out of other private schools. I was accepted, neer-do-well that I was. Mom and Dad should have known something was up when the school president mentioned that proms and graduations were held in the Waldorf Astoria. A few days after our visit, a special delivery package arrived. It was from Rhodes. Next thing I knew, my senior prom wouldnt be in the Waldorf because I wasnt going to Rhodes. I might not have been savvy enough to navigate Monsignor Farrell, but I was savvy enough to know how to spell the problem Mom and Dad had with Rhodes . . . T U I T I O N. As in, sky-high tuition. What struck me seeing Miss Rosenbaums name on the obituary page was a half-page ad right next to it. Its hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember, it read. I have remembered Eleanor Rosenbaum for the past 58 years. As I have Mr. Delicio, my English teacher, Mr. Bocchino, my chemistry teacher, and Miss Evanson, my geometry teacher. Those four people, Im certain without knowing it, are the reason Im talking to you today. They werent much older than I. I was 17. Miss Rosenbaum was 25. (I didnt know it then. I figured it out from her obituary.) Miss Evanson looked even younger. They somehow made it all so simple. So easy to comprehend. They were masters in their fields. And there was a human side to them. Unlike what I experienced during my first two years. Remind me sometime to tell you about an English teacher in that first school who roamed up and down the aisles, asking to see your homework. If you didnt have it, hed smack you so hard across the face, he knocked kids from their desks. Now thats what I call a real learning experience. Miss Rosenbaum lived in Brooklyn. I lived in Ocean Breeze. Every morning, she drove along Capodanno Boulevard from the Verrazzano to New Dorp. Every morning, Dad drove me along Capodanno to New Dorp. It was uncanny how many mornings our paths crossed. She often saw Dad drop me off near the school. Not too close, because . . . well, it wasnt cool back then to get a ride from daddy, and it was less cool when Dad insisted I give him a peck on the cheek before getting out of the car. Miss Rosenbaum saw all this and told me quietly one day that she thought my relationship with Dad was special. Miss Evanson not only taught geometry, she embodied the difference between a good teacher and a teacher who just didnt have it. Geometry and I just didnt mix at Farrell. The teacher, Father Comiskey, said that one day, the light would go on and it would all be crystal clear. The light never went on. My Regents grade was somewhere in the 30s. So I repeated geometry with Miss Evanson in New Dorp. There, the light went on. Things were going swimmingly till I returned from Christmas vacation. I was in a new geometry class with a new teacher. He-who-shall-go-nameless was awful. He was also quite odd. He had a habit of flipping empty desks over with his foot when he got annoyed. My grades plummeted. I begged my guidance counselor to transfer me back to Miss Evansons class. He refused. I barely passed the Regents in June, primarily from what I learned from Miss Evanson. A memorial service for Miss Rosenbaum will be held today at Menorah Chapels. I dont know if any New Dorp grads will attend. Sadly, one of the kids who was lost -- me -- before he found his way into a classroom occupied by someone who gave so much to remember, cannot be there. But I will be in spirit. I just need to do something I should have done 58 years ago. Finally say thanks. Brian Oh by the way: A meeting convened the other day featured 16 of Staten Islands faith leaders, elected officials and NYPD officials to condemn violent radicalization after the New Years Day attack in New Orleans. [We are] coming united, for peace, in the way of people who really are ambassadors of peace, Borough President Vito Fossella said. We want to . . . make sure [a terrorist attack] never happens here . . . We do it at different levels, places of faith, but also in the political world. Bravo! The right thing to do. But theres always a but I wish the same kind of forum was held after the sick, radicalized mob assaulted the Capitol of the United States of America, trying to thwart the transition of the presidency because they believed the ranting of the man who lost the election that it was stolen from him. And now that same man pledges to pardon those sick mobsters he, and many others, call patriots. Let me ask you this, Staten Island Trump loyalists. Are you really ok with this? STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could be gearing up for a campaign this year, according to a new report from CNN. With 2025 being a mayoral election year in New York City, Cuomo has somewhat quietly been preparing a return to politics. In September, the former governor updated his voter registration address to a Midtown apartment and last month, he began putting out feelers to local political and community leaders, CNN reports. The outlet notes that Cuomo has told potential donors and other figures that should he decide to run, hell win. As CNN reports, one thing keeping him from fully committing is the potential for a 2026 gubernatorial challenge against his successor in Albany, Kathy Hochul. A spokesperson for the former governor told the news outlet that Cuomo just hasnt decided yet. Its purely personal, its whether or not he wants to commit the time and the energy. In 2021, Cuomo announced his resignation days after an investigation overseen by Attorney General Letitia James concluded he sexually harassed 11 women in the workplace, creating a hostile work environment that violated state and federal law. Top Democrats including President Joe Biden and the leaders of the New York State Senate and Assembly condemned Cuomos behavior and called for him to step aside after the attorney general issued her report Aug. 3. Cuomo remained defiant until the end, insisting actions meant to convey warmth had been misinterpreted and denying the most serious allegations against him. Prior to that, he long refused to resign. In September, the former governor was before Congress over his handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Cuomo has long been a target of criticism for his handling of the pandemic, particularly his decision to require nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients from hospitals. While Cuomo became a strong example for responsible government in the early days of the pandemic, that image began to unravel less than a year into the crisis over the former governors COVID response and improprieties with women. We dont yet have official data from the MTA about how congestion pricing is affecting traffic on New York Citys streets. But amNewYork has some interesting information about the first days of congestion pricing. And its going to shock you, Staten Islanders, but we appear to be getting the short end of the stick. At least in the early going. The publication highlighted the online Congestion Pricing Tracker, which uses traffic data from Google Maps to check on congestion. In terms of whether congestion pricing has reduced traffic in Manhattan in its first week of operation, it apparently depends on what route you used. And thats the bad news for Staten Islanders, because amNewYork said that those who used the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to get into the city (thats us) likely encountered more traffic. But if you took the Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge, you likely had an easier time. Sorry, Staten Islanders. The tracker is run by Northeastern University student Joshua Moshes and Brown University student Benjamin Moshes, supervised by Brown University Professor Emily Oster, according to amNewYork. It compared last weeks traffic to data gathered in May, June, July, August and December of last year. On the first day of the congestion pricing, last Sunday, the city saw less congestion on the bridges and tunnels heading into the congestion zone, which is south of 60th Street in Manhattan. However there were a bit more vehicles on roads that are exempt from the $9 congestion fee, including the FDR Drive. Mondays result was similar but theres a question whether that days snowy weather or congestion pricing was the reason. On Tuesday, the first clear-weather workday under congestion pricing, amNew York reported that traffic increased on roads outside the congestion zone, including a nightmare situation on the FDR Drive, which saw double the average commute time during the evening rush. Traffic at the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel skyrocketed, on Tuesday, according to amNewYork, with vehicles taking almost eight minutes longer to get through the tunnel than previously. The same was pretty much true on Wednesday. The publication talked to Staten Islander Jeannette Stan, who saw the tunnel traffic up close. I had to travel in by car this week, she said. I saw more backup heading to the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel coming from Brooklyn and more backup on the FDR Drive exit to 61st Street, both north and south sides. Filippa Grisafi, who takes the express bus into Lower Manhattan, confirmed the trackers findings about the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, which used to be known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. From an express bus commuter perspective, Tuesday, Wednesday and today, we didnt hit traffic until the approach to the Battery Tunnel all three days, she told amNewYork. But another Staten Islander said that their drive to Long Island City was shortened by about 16 minutes. And things were easier for those taking the Queens Midtown Tunnel, the Queensboro Bridge and on the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. Its early. We wont know the long-term impact of congestion pricing on traffic for a while. Will it really encourage people to leave their cars at home and take mass transit? Still, the early tracking is enough to make you wonder if, as feared, the traffic hasnt disappeared but has just been routed to other areas of the city. Either way, Staten Islanders using the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel didnt seem to get a break from congestion pricing while people in other parts of the city did. Sadly, a familiar scenario for Staten Islanders. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A school district in New York has issued a warning about a new scam using artificial intelligence to imitate the voice of family members over the phone. On Jan. 8, The Peekskill Central School District in northern Westchester County warned parents in a letter that at least two families had been contacted as part of a virtual kidnapping extortion call. The calls, according to Peekskill Superintendent David Mauricio, involve calls from strangers demanding a ransom after claiming that a relative of their had been kidnapped. While scams of this nature have existed in the past, a new wrinkle is the use of artificial intelligence tools to fake the family members voice and make the threat seem more real. In the letter, anyone who receives a similar call is advised to immediately attempt to contact their family member and then contact police once the relative is confirmed to be safe. In general, these types of calls are made from outside area codes, could involve multiple phones and will only accept money via wire transfer services, according to the letter from Mauricio. The letter also warns that these types of scams do not come from the phone of the alleged kidnapping victim and the callers will go to great lengths to keep recipients on the phone so they cannot check on their family members. One structure, known as Mt Kitty was previously drilled to a depth of 2259m hitting natural gas, hydrogen and helium. The find was subsequently flow tested at 500,000 cubic feet per day (mscf/d) for a contingent (2C) resource of 65 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, 31 Bcf of hydrogen and 39 Bcf of helium. Dukas, an even more substantial prospect in the area with world class subsalt potential holds an estimated P50 resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas, 253 Bcf of hydrogen and 200Bcf of helium. Farmout discussions are currently underway to drill a second well after the initial Dukas-1 well was suspended at 4,704m due to overpressure in the salt seal. When King Energy picked up its similar looking grounds two years ago it was also fortunate enough to acquire detailed 2D seismic data over the permits. The company now believes there may be as many as 20 prospects to chase up which include three standout opportunities due to their massive 200m thick subsalt seals sitting at a depth of 1200 to 2000m, estimated to hold a P50 resource of between 1 and 4.5 Tcf of gas. Since these targets have never previously been drilled, the company regards them as outstanding opportunities for discovery. Whitebark Energy chairman Mark Lindh said: I believe the acquisition is significant outcome for the company as it provides exposure to the fast-growing white hydrogen industry, in conjunction with high demand and high-priced helium, and hydrocarbons to fuel Australias energy transition requirements. Adding to Lindhs comments, King Energy director Richard King noted the acquisition of King Energy by Whitebark reflected the success of the companys strategy to build a 3H platform. King shareholders will now have access to focused assets across Australia and a fast track to exploration drilling, highlighted by Whitebarks ability to access capital markets which could drive the portfolio to rapid maturity. Should future drilling at Alinya hit paydirt, the projects proximity to the Moomba Hub - a major gas process and transmission centre in South Australia would greatly reduce its capital requirements for shifting molecules to market. King Energy is managed by seasoned oilman Richard King who has spent much of his career in the midstream oil and gas sector, most recently as head of country for KUFPEC and prior to that with Otto Energy, Chevron and Woodside. An aerial view of Santos Limiteds Moomba processing facilities close to King Energys Alinya hydrocarbon, hydrogen and helium project in the Officer Basin 150km west of Cooper Pedy in South Australia. Whitebark Energy is acquiring King Energy in an all-scrip deal worth $1.7 million. Whitebark is also headed up by someone with deep roots in the hydrocarbon sector. As the company chairman, Lindh is also the principal of Adelaide-based AE Advisors and has been instrumental in providing corporate services to some of the biggest energy groups in Australia including pipeline and power generator, ATCO. His credentials have been further elevated from a stint advising ASX-listed Beach Energy - which now controls 20 per cent of the gas flowing from Queenslands Cooper Basin together with a non-executive directorship at Bass oil. Although Whitebark is keen to add King Energys Alinya 3H project in South Australia to a list of existing clean energy projects - including a geothermal play in Queensland - the company also has its hands on 100 per cent of the substantial onshore Warro natural gas project, 200km north of Perth in Western Australia. In 1977, the Warro-1 well, drilled by WAPET a joint venture established in 1952 between Caltex and Ampol uncovered a significant natural gas discovery. The well intersected a 390-metre gas column within the Yarragadee Formation revealing an estimated 1 to 3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable natural gas. Since then, extensive 3D seismic work has been undertaken to further understand the gas-bearing structure which identified tight gas, potentially accessible with modern fracking techniques. A recent moratorium by the West Australian Government 12 months ago, on a practice that some have previously considered controversial, means the project is once again in the box seat to be jump started. Indeed Warro is so prospective that King has identified access to the gas field and the potential deeper Permian sands which have proven prolific across the Perth Basin as a primary motivator for agreeing to join forces with Whitebark and a major potential value creator for its shareholders. With the burgeoning South Australian hydrogen industry and eastern Australia energy market driving massive demand, Whitebarkss expanded portfolio of clean energy projects in hydrogen, helium and natural gas now appears to offer the company genuine and material value generating opportunities. 2025 could prove to be a transformative year for both Whitebark and King Energy. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au The widow of Matthew Livelsberger the Colorado Springs Green Beret who died by suicide in a rented Tesla Cybertruck seconds before the vehic Diners and tourists could only watch as the group of about 40 young people began punching and kicking a single teenage boy, who had dropped to the ground in the fray. One couple rushed in and pulled the boy from the mob, before being punched, spat on and hit with bottles. They dragged the boy, who was screaming for his life according to his rescuer, into the Fratelli Fresh restaurant nearby and tried to block the door. Matt Stanton, Nines acting CEO. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos I could hear screaming from a lady in Fratelli Fresh telling people to get out, Stanton told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, which are owned by Nine Entertainment. Loading I could see the gang trying to get in the door. Stanton, who was appointed acting chief executive last September following the resignation of Mike Sneesby, ran over, braced the door and faced down members of the mob. It was natural instinct probably a stupid instinct as my wife told me afterward, Stanton said on Sunday. I just held the door and said, No, no, youre not coming in. Young males from the mob twice spat in Stantons face as they tried to menace him into moving out of the way. Others pushed him and yelled out, ordering him to open the door. How I didnt lose my cool and give them a smack, I dont know, he said. Thats probably what Im most proud of. Over the weekend, police released images of Stanton and a second man who helped block the door into the restaurant, asking for help to identify them. Stanton has since made contact with Northern Beaches police. They are still working to track the man who helped Stanton he is described as Caucasian, aged in his 40s, wearing a blue T-shirt and denim shorts. Stanton said the attackers were mostly young teenagers to young adults and eventually gave up trying to get the boy sheltering in the restaurant. They left as police arrived and began rounding them up. Police found a large knife in the street as the group dispersed. Stanton said he hadnt even thought the assailants might have been armed. It was quite shocking to see, quite frightening. Ive never seen anything like it in the 15 years Ive been going down there, he said. Running over there was a bit stupid, but I was just trying to do the right thing. What would have happened if they got in? One local couple who had been eating dinner in the area said they saw the group appearing to kick and punch a young teenage boy in the middle of the street. The couple, who posted about their experience on social media, said they rushed into the street to try to stop the assault. Simon, who did not provide his last name, said the group had turned on his partner, Renee, when she had tried to intervene. Fewer than half of children in some of Sydneys most affluent suburbs are being bulk-billed for GP visits, while adults across NSW are paying more to see the doctor than last year, as the states health minister urged the federal government to put Medicare reform at the centre of its election pitch. Children and older patients across Sydney and NSW are more likely to visit the doctor for free now than a year ago after the Albanese government tripled the incentive paid to GPs who bulk-bill their most vulnerable patients. A patient is bulk-billed when Medicare rebates cover the full cost of a GP visit. A lower proportion of overall appointments are being fully covered by the government than when federal Labor came to power in May 2022. Patients aged between 16 and 64 are seeing the biggest slide in bulk-billing rates. In NSW, an analysis of Medicare data shows the governments strategy of incentivising bulk-billing of children, older people and concession card holders particularly in regional Australia has boosted free visits for those communities even as the overall rate has declined. Although numbers have come down, they are far higher than pre-pandemic levels, when annual attendance was well below 3 million. Stretches of sand that once seemed abundant are getting more crowded. With that comes competition for space, a test of beachgoers tolerance of others and questions around how to manage differing interests on public land. Mornington Peninsula Mayor Anthony Marsh said the regions coastline was overrun with people erecting cabanas early in the morning then heading home until the afternoon an act he labelled un-Australian. A beach is a public asset, its not there to mark your stake and come back when it suits. Down here, theres more demand than there is space. Loading Marsh said cabana regulation wasnt on the cards at this stage. The council is instead focused on another controversial beach target: jet-skis. It is among several groups campaigning for larger jet-ski exclusion zones and dedicated access lanes to combat a spike in reckless behaviour. With so many competing beach uses, Marsh pleaded for the public to be kind to one another. Surf Coast Shire acting mayor Libby Stapleton said there was no doubt that beach crowds were getting bigger. It just becomes more important for everyone to be respectful of each others right to be there. Stapleton said there was nothing wrong with using cabanas appropriately. Organisational psychologist Rob Curnow at Olivers Hill Beach, Frankston. Credit: Penny Stephens Theres a real sense of entitlement that comes with staking out your plot of land and disappearing for two or three hours, she said. This is a space for everyone to enjoy. Rob Curnow is a community psychologist and founder of Community Change, specialising in influencing change. He says its no wonder people are so fired up: its an Australian tradition to be able to go the beach and unlike in parts of Europe, where visitors must pay for a chair easily snag a spot on the sand without a dispute about how much territory is being taken up. Loading Theres always been enough space for everybody. But with jet-skis and cabanas and new toys, that space is rapidly disappearing and competition for the prime spot in an unregulated environment creates problems. Curnow said that what was playing out on Australian beaches was a case of the tragedy of the commons, a social phenomenon where a freely available resource is overused to the point it can become ruined altogether and everybody suffers. The aim is to prevent the situation reaching a point where nobody benefits or enjoys going to the beach. Curnow said most people wanted to do the right thing and just needed to be reminded of a beach users social contract, although swaying behaviour required a mixture of recommendations, regulations and signage. Liam Smith, Monash University professor and director of BehaviourWorks Australia, said a gentle approach would be to employ nudge theory, which involves promoting messages that shape peoples decisions without limiting their choices. Cabanas at Bondi Beach on Australia Day in 2023. Credit: Brook Mitchell One way could be to tell cabana owners that most people set them up at the back of the beach and do not abandon them for hours at a time. Because were pack animals, we tend to follow suit. Nudges could also be done at the point of sale, Curnow said, for example by teaching cabana buyers what sort of behaviour shows others that they are a responsible and considerate beach user. Smith said that when it came to using cabanas, sun protection and melanoma awareness were bigger drivers than claiming space. Jet-skis lined up at a beach in Rye. Credit: Mechelle Cheers He said there was scope for stronger action from authorities to ensure all beach-goers could share and enjoy the public amenity. For now at least, unlike jet-skis, cabanas seem to have more of an amenity impact than safety. A Life Saving Victoria spokesman said there had been no reports of cabanas impacting their operations. CCTV has captured the disturbing moment a man appears to be set alight at the front door of his house, just south of Perth. Police say the incident which has left the man, in his 40s, fighting for life after suffering critical burns to his body and face was a targeted attack. Footage from the December 30 incident in Baldivis shows two men confronting the man at his entrance. One of the two men is seen carrying a flammable liquid and a blowtorch, while the other holds two axes. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has highlighted his suburban battler upbringing during his unofficial election campaign launch in the Melbourne seat of Chisholm, where he nominated public safety, lower inflation, cheaper energy and affordable housing as policy priorities for the Coalition. Speaking to supporters in an electorate his party lost to Labor in 2022, Dutton was eager to talk up his working-class background before outlining how he intended to get Australia back on track, in line with the Coalitions election slogan. Peter Dutton arrives at the rally in Mount Waverley in Melbournes south-east. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui He told the crowd about his plans to ease inflation by lowering government spending; he outlined changes to immigration and foreign ownership in a bid to improve housing affordability; he expressed his desire to address community safety; and he committed to push back on identity politics. Mining billionaire and Minderoo Foundation founder Andrew Forrest has helped bring about the first public discussions between the US and China on artificial intelligence and its influence on military and nuclear security. The virtual panel discussion How will artificial intelligence impact security relations between the United States and China? US and Chinese perspectives was hosted by the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution and Beijings Tsinghua University on Saturday (Australian time). Describing AI as the most brilliant, but dangerous, tool that has ever been created, Forrest has been working towards the official talks for several years, with the dialogue meeting secretly on 11 occasions since 2019. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has been working with experts on the uses of AI since 2019. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen This forum leads the world in ensuring no harm comes to civilians through the misuse of Artificial Intelligence, the Perth-based magnate said at the US-China Track II Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and National Security. Musk, the worlds richest man and key confidant of US President-elect Donald Trump, has claimed on X that hundreds of thousands of little British girls were targeted for gang rape and murder. A 2014 report into abuse in the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham, led by Professor Alexis Jay, conservatively estimated that 1400 children had been targeted between 1997 and 2013. Some of them were as young as 11. Loading It tended to follow a similar pattern, with the girls groomed by young men in public places such as town centres and shopping malls; the gradual introduction of alcohol and other drugs; then a sexual relationship with one man, who demanded that the girl prove her love by having sex with his friends. A local government report found victims and parents who asked for help were mostly let down by the police and social services. Some police officers were found to have referred to victims as tarts and to the girls abuse as a lifestyle choice. Hundreds of girls and young women fell victim to similar exploitation rings in Rochdale, Peterborough, Newcastle and Oxford. Up to a thousand girls were also alleged to have been drugged, raped, and beaten in Telford between the 1980s and the 2010s, leading to a national inquiry into child sexual abuse, which was also led by Jay. Why is Musk suddenly so interested? Musk, CEO of electric car giant Tesla, decided last July that the new British government was his nemesis after its response to the riots sparked by fatal stabbings in Southport. He said then that civil war was inevitable in Britain and called Starmer TwoTierKeir, a reference to the view in some quarters that the far-right was policed differently. The grooming scandal had already been a recent hot topic on social media, triggered by a debate on whether the UK had succeeded in integrating Muslim communities, with the horrendous details revealed in the various rape cases over the years resurfacing and going viral. Musk, who appeared to know little about the history of the case, then accused the Labour government of opposing an inquiry because it will show that those in power were complicit in the cover-up and blamed Starmer for failing to prosecute the perpetrators when he was director of public prosecutions. Starmer, who has accused Musk and others of spreading lies and misinformation, began the prosecutions of the Rochdale grooming gangs in 2013 and also changed the way the Crown Prosecution Service approaches child sexual abuse cases. More than 35 convictions were recorded while he was in the role. Musks interest has also stemmed from his obsession with far-right agitator Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, aka Tommy Robinson, who is currently in prison for contempt of court. This has led to a falling out with Nigel Farage, a right-wing populist MP, who has tried to distance himself and his movement from Robinson. Was there a cover-up? Evidence of gangs operating in different towns and cities emerged slowly often from court cases and then inquiries and the pattern is often similar. Local police forces and social services have been repeatedly criticised for failing victims by not prioritising such crimes, either by refusing to believe the children, or blaming them. Vulnerable children were considered to have brought their plight upon themselves, after being plied with gifts and attention by the perpetrators. As a result, many cases were either not investigated or not progressed to the Crown Prosecution Service. Ann Cryer, the former Labour MP who first raised concerns, said she was shouted down as a racist in meetings and that local councils were petrified of being called racist and so reverted to the default of political correctness. In Rochdale, two whistleblowers former detective Maggie Oliver and former social worker Sara Rowbotham repeatedly warned that agencies had turned a blind eye to what was happening despite them raising the alarm. Agencies have also been criticised for failing to act because they were concerned about appearing racist. Loading Should a government-led national inquiry be held? Since the first cases of on-street grooming gangs began to be tried 15 years ago, multiple independent local inquiries have been conducted into how they were able to operate under the nose of the authorities. But their powers are significantly weaker than those of investigations that are set up by the UK government. The Conservative Party now supports a further inquiry despite having not even fully implemented the Jay inquirys recommendations while they were in government. Some victims of the gangs in Oldham have said Labour should have spoken to survivors before deciding not to conduct a government-led inquiry. Jay told the BBC on Tuesday that people should get on with implementing her recommendations. Norfolk questioned how a new national inquiry would help victims of the scandal. But, he says, everybody is still too scared to discuss the racial elements of crimes, which he says has allowed the far right to continue exploiting grooming victims. He believes that independent research into a range of issues is essential to understanding the phenomenon. It is very difficult to talk about this stuff without being accused of being Islamophobic. Thats not going to change, he says. A resident checking peoples identifications. Neighbours following a man because he is wearing a backpack. Rumours spreading of a trespasser caught stealing Emmys and Oscars. As people around the Palisades and Eaton fires whose houses survived the blaze wait to return home, many dread a secondary threat: looting. Officials announced 22 arrests in the two evacuation zones as of Saturday morning US time, most of them for burglary or looting. They also enacted a curfew to crack down on offenders. The county district attorney, the sheriff, the governor and even the president decried the issue. A homemade sign sits on the ground near homes destroyed by the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. Credit: REUTERS A city with enduring collective memories of looting is particularly on guard. Emotions are running high and decades of trauma run deep. As fire after fire emerges, some residents are fearful to evacuate their homes, uneasy about leaving no one to stand guard over their valuables. Many have not been able to return to their residences. Lihui Xu, 62, of Altadena, whose home sits near Eaton Canyon where that fire started, said she felt lucky her house had survived the inferno. But after evacuating on Tuesday night in a rush, she came back on Wednesday afternoon to find that designer bags and family jewellery were missing from her home. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has delayed the release of her upcoming Netflix show due to the ongoing fires. With Love, Meghan was due to be released this week. It will now premiere on March 4. Meghan and Harry at a Pasadena evacuation centre. Credit: CBS News Im thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California, Meghan said. Meghan and Prince Harry have been volunteering their time to help those fleeing the fires. The pair were spotted at an evacuation site in Pasadena where they served meals to evacuees. Meanwhile, Los Angeless two NBA teams, the Lakers and Clippers, are set to resume their home schedules with games on Monday. The Lakers had two home games postponed and the Clippers had one following a spate of wildfires. The NFL has moved the Los Angeles Rams wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona. The NFL has decided to move the Vikings Rams game from LA to Arizonas State Farm Stadium. CBS Sports reported this would be the first time in 88 years the NFL has moved a playoff game to a different city With Reuters Four Colorado Springs firefighters are on their way to Southern California to fight the growing wildfires that have caused hundreds of thousan Myanmar junta air strike kills 15 civilians: ethnic rebel group Bangkok, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2025 A Myanmar junta air strike killed at least 15 civilians and wounded 10 others at a market in a gold-mining area in northern Kachin state, a spokesman for an ethnic rebel group that controls the area told AFP on Sunday. The junta has been accused of carrying out multiple attacks on civilian targets as it struggles to quell resistance to its 2021 coup. The latest attack happened around 11:00 am on Saturday, Colonel Naw Bu, a spokesperson from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), told AFP. "All those killed were civilians including gold miners and local shopkeepers," he said. The KIA, which can call on around 7,000 fighters, has been battling the military for decades for autonomy and control of local resources in Kachin state. The state is home to huge jade mines and rare heavy earth elements, most of which are exported to China. Naw Bu said the attack took place in a mining area in Tanaing Township, in the western part of the state. Images from local media showed a large crater in the middle of an area completely flattened and strewn with debris. A resident from the town who declined to be named told AFP three of the 10 wounded had since died. The KIA controls swathes of Christian-majority Kachin state -- home to the world's largest jade mines. The region has seen heavy fighting in the wake of the 2021 putsch, with the junta accusing the KIA of arming and training the newer People's Defence Forces that have sprung up to battle the junta. Separately, the Arakan Army reported that the junta had dropped 15 bombs during three attacks Saturday on a public market in the town of Kyauktaw in Arakan State. It said some civilians had died and others were wounded, but did not specify how many. The Arakan Army is engaged in a fierce fight with the military for control of Rakhine. The junta could not be reached by AFP for comment. Sweden 'not at war, but not at peace either': PM Stockholm, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2025 Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday his country was not at war but not living in peacetime either, citing hybrid attacks, suspected sabotage in the Baltic Sea and a proxy war fought on its soil. Several underwater telecom and power cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea in recent months in incidents that experts and politicians say are part of hybrid war actions orchestrated by Russia. "Sweden is not at war, but there is not peace either. Real peace means freedom and no serious conflicts between countries," he told the annual Folk och Forsvar defence forum in Salen in central Sweden. "We and our neighbouring countries are subjected to hybrid attacks that are not carried out with missiles and soldiers but with computers, money, disinformation and threats of sabotage," he said. "The security situation and the fact that strange things keep happening in the Baltic Sea lead us to believe that hostile intentions cannot be ruled out," he said. On December 25, the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged, just weeks after two telecom cables in Swedish waters of the Baltic Sea were severed on November 17-18. Tensions have mounted around the Baltic Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined. In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship. Kristersson did not single out any one country as responsible for the damaged cables. But speaking more generally about hybrid threats in the region, he said: "The Russian threat is very likely long-term. As our defence must be." He said the Swedish government was "taking this seriously". Kristersson also noted that Sweden was living "in the age of proxy wars." "Iran is using violent organised criminal gangs in Sweden to carry out serious attacks in our country by proxy." Sweden's intelligence service Sapo in May accused Iran of recruiting Swedish criminal gang members, some of them children, as proxies to commit "acts of violence" against Israeli and other interests in the Scandinavian country. Sweden to send three ships, aircraft to NATO's Baltic patrol mission: PM Stockholm, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2025 Sweden on Sunday said that it would contribute up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft to monitor critical infrastructure and Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Baltic Sea following recent underwater cable sabotage. Several subsea telecom and power cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea in recent months in incidents that experts and politicians say are part of hybrid war actions orchestrated by Russia. Leaders of NATO countries bordering the Baltic Sea are to meet in Helsinki on Tuesday to discuss security in the region, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expected to attend. The meeting will focus on the "strengthening of NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to the threat posed by Russia's shadow fleet," Finland's President Alexander Stubb said in a statement last week. Finland has said NATO would contribute two vessels to the monitoring mission, while the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which comprises Nordic and Baltic states as well as the Netherlands, also said it would increase its surveillance. "The (Swedish) government has commissioned the Swedish Armed Forces to contribute up to three warships and an air and sea surveillance plane, the ASC890," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told reporters on Sunday. On December 25, the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged, just weeks after two telecom cables in Swedish waters of the Baltic Sea were severed on November 17-18. Suspicion over the Christmas Day incident has fallen on the Eagle S, a Cook Island-flagged oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet". The "shadow fleet" consists of ships that carry crude oil and petroleum products embargoed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The often ageing vessels operate under opaque ownership or without proper insurance. Finnish police seized the Eagle S on December 28 as part of a criminal investigation into suspected sabotage. The ship is anchored in Porvoo, east of Helsinki. Finnish authorities last week deemed the ship unseaworthy following an inspection, barring it from sailing, and had previously banned eight crew members from leaving the country while police carry out a probe. Investigators suspect the cables were damaged by the tanker's anchor being dragged over them. Police earlier this week said that the anchor had been recovered from the seabed. Colorado Springs police arrested a man armed with a machete after a shoplifting incident turned into an armed robbery on Sunday, according to an online blotter entry. Ian Almeida, 35, faces several felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with the incident, police said. Officers responded to a 9:20 a.m. call about a robbery at a store in the 500 block of South Nevada Avenue. Police were told that the suspect had been shoplifting before threatening a store employee with a knife. Officers found the suspect outside a motel in the 200 block of East Cimarron Street. The man was carrying a machete and pretending to be armed with a handgun, officials said. Officers used less-lethal police equipment to subdue the suspect, later identified as Almeida, and took him into custody. I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed and an excuse for poor behaviour I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Two long-serving politicians are stepping down this year into uncertain futures from the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners. Republicans Stan VanderWerf and Longinos Gonzalez have each served two four-year terms on the board, the most allowed. Their successors, both Republicans elected in November, will be sworn in on Jan. 14. Both came to the board with military career experience Gonzalez was a deputy director of an Air Force intelligence agency, and VanderWerf also held an Air Force career in various roles including overseas. Their tenure was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the steady growth of El Paso County as the most populous county in the state. VanderWerf represented District 3 encompassing parts of west and central El Paso County including downtown Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Monument. In his last months on the board, VanderWerf was running for state Senate District 12 against Democrat Marc Snyder. He lost the close race by just over 1 percentage point. He said his next steps were not yet set. When I was running for the senate, I didnt work on Plan B, and now of course I am, he said. VanderWerf said he had aspirations for a political appointment in the Trump administration, while putting applications out for employment in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. He is also signed on as ambassador for a ballot initiative campaign to repeal wolf reintroduction in Colorado. An avid mountain climber and commercial-rated pilot, VanderWerf said he would also be making time for other pursuits after his time on the commission. Gonzalez represents District 4, which includes parts of southeast Colorado Springs, the city of Fountain and southeast El Paso County. He made a bid during office for Colorado Springs mayor in 2023, garnering about 8% of the vote in the general election. Gonzalez said he, too, would be figuring out his next steps after leaving office, exploring the possibility of teaching in higher education. Im looking forward to a little bit of downtime, he said. Here are some of the issues that came to define the commissioners tenure and will likely continue to affect the county. Housing I think the thing that is going to be the big issue for the next decade is housing, said Gonzalez, reflecting on priorities for his successor. Both Gonzalez and VanderWerf identified the lack of affordable housing in El Paso County as an ongoing problem, one theyve tried to address on the commission. The Colorado-based research organization Common Sense Institute estimated the county had a 2023 housing shortage of 16,554 to 27,360 units. VanderWerf, a commissioner for a district which has frequently grappled with the need for housing versus the risk of wildfire in the wildland-urban interface along Pike San Isabel National Forest, said his approach has always been thoughtful growth. He advocated in his Senate campaign for the creation of a state-level modeling office to make recommendations based on holistic modeling of evacuation routes in the event of fire. Theres a lot of people on the west side who have a certain level of frustration about whether or not we have sufficient infrastructure for evacuations, but they actually dont know scientifically if they have a problem or not, he said. When it came to projects meeting existing regulations, he was a proponent of making the way more open for developers. As a public agency, youve got to let the market do its job, he said. Gonzalez, also a proponent of housing growth, said that he supported the county maintaining its 300-year water rule, which requires all new developments to prove they would have 300 years of access to the amount of water demanded. Water access has been a topic of discussion in his district, where recently the approximate 9,500-home Amara development failed its annexation bid with the city of Colorado Springs. The decision fell partly to concerns over water availability from the Arkansas Valley, which supplies Colorado Springs Utilities. Featured Local Savings Neither commissioner commented on annexation decisions, which are the purview of municipalities. Development Gonzalez lauded several major infrastructure and development projects completed by the county during his time in office while also maintaining a healthy budget and reserves. In his district, he said the completion of El Paso County Public Health South helped fill some of the historical gap in services suffered by the southeast part of Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Still, he said health care development was focused elsewhere. The big hospitals are being built on the north side, he said. Gonzalez also pointed to the completion of the Interstate 25 South Gap project as a success of his tenure. Built using funds from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority sales tax dollars, Douglas County and the Colorado Department of Transportation, the widening project added an express lane and wider shoulders to an 18-mile stretch of the highway between Monument and Castle Rock. Gonzalez said advocacy of the board and colleagues like former commissioner Mark Waller brought the project to taxpayers years sooner than expected. VanderWerf said he was proud of the progress so far in lobbying for a federal courthouse in El Paso County, which is now slated for a requirement study. He said the addition of a federal courthouse outside of Denver would be a boon for defendants in southeast Colorado, as well as an economic development tool for Colorado Springs legal industry. Almost every state across the country has a federal courthouse in more than one city, he said. Political influence VanderWerf and Gonzalez put work during their time on the board into elevating the county's status and bargaining power at the state and federal levels. VanderWerf touted his Stepping Up campaign, which matched commissioners with lobbying causes on the state and federal level. At the federal level, VanderWerf worked with multiple Pikes Peak-area partners to prevent Space Command from being moved from Colorado to Alabama, a decision made under the Trump administration and reversed under the Biden administration. With the return of Donald Trump as president, he said he was less worried about the issue cropping up again due to cost concerns. Im not going to say its a zero risk of it happening. Both commissioners highlighted their work with other Colorado counties and municipalities in fighting what they both called unfunded mandates from the legislature. Youre seeing El Paso County being a leader statewide, said Gonzalez. Both commissioners said they had been affected by a lack of unity within the county and state Republican Party, which weathered a series of internal conflicts in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Theyre caustic, theyre problematic, and theyre not successful, said VanderWerf. The county party may soon be involved in the inner workings of the El Paso Board of County Commissioners if plans by District 5 Commissioner Cami Bremer to resign go forward this year. In that case, the county party would be responsible for electing a replacement to serve out the rest of her term via a vacancy committee. Gonzalez, who would vote in the vacancy process as precinct leader and a new resident of Bremers district after a redistricting process, said he hoped things would go smoothly. Whoever that is, Im going to be supportive of that person, and I hope everyone else will, as well, he said. Bremer has not finalized plans for her resignation. U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven E. Vera, non-commissioned officer in charge of technical training for the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, trains 45 augmentees on marching in preparation for the 60th Presidential Inauguration at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, Jan. 8, 2025. (Jordan Powell/U.S. Air Force) Space Force guardians will participate fully in the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20 in Washington, a significant milestone for the youngest branch of the military which was created during president-elect Donald Trumps first administration. Forty-five guardians from across the country arrived recently at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling for training to augment the U.S. Space Force Honor Guard and march alongside units during the presidential inauguration: the Air Force Band, U.S. Air Force Academy, active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. This is a great opportunity for guardians to get out on their marks and represent their service in front of a global audience, said U.S. Air Force Maj. David McLellan, commander of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, who oversees U.S. Space Force Honor Guard training. This is actually the first time in the Space Forces five-year history that they have been able to fully represent their service in a presidential inauguration. The guardians will go through an intensive 12-day training period, during which they will get instruction to master the fundamentals of serving in an honor guard. They will learn precision movements, military drill procedures and ceremonial protocol. These members truly embody the guardian spirit and exemplify the Space Forces core values, said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Massoth, U.S. Space Force Honor Guard senior enlisted leader. By stepping up as volunteers, they represent every guardian who has raised their right hand to serve their nation. This opportunity puts them on a global stage to honor their service and our branchs crucial role in defense. Nearly 8,000 National Guard troops will also be present to provide security support during inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol. Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who was detained on Dec. 19 as she was reporting in Iran, was released, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Filippo Attili, Italian Government Office via AP) ROME Italy on Sunday released an Iranian citizen wanted by the U.S. over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago, after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest. Mohammad Abedini has already returned to Iran, Iranian state TV said on Sunday afternoon. He was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending extradition to the U.S. Abedini was arrested on a U.S. warrant on Dec. 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Sala, who was believed held as a bargaining chip for Abedinis release, returned home last week. The U.S. Justice Department has accused Abedini of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-U.S. extradition treaties, only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, cant be considered as existing. The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a U.S. federal law did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime. Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Irans foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as talks between Irans intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a diplomatic triangulation with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Salas release, confirming for the first time that Washingtons interests entered into the negotiations. Salas release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Nasser Karimi in Tehran contributed to this report. U.S. Marines operate a Humvee as part of a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 28, 2024. (Alfonso Livrieri/U.S. Marine Corps) Three Humvees and other military equipment were stolen from an Army Reserve center near Santa Ana, Calif., Wednesday, as wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles County. The Tustin Police Department reported on Facebook that the theft at the U.S. Army Reserve Center occurred between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The thieves cut through a fence at the lot where the vehicles were parked and attempted, unsuccessfully, to access a uniform storage facility. The stolen items include three Humvees, machine gun vehicle mounts, free-standing machine gun tripods, medical equipment, binoculars and bayonets. The Army informed police that no additional weapons were missing. As of Saturday, two of the Humvees were recovered in Santa Ana and Orange. However, one armored Humvee and the rest of the stolen equipment remain missing. Authorities believe multiple suspects were involved. Meanwhile, California wildfires that have been burning since Tuesday have claimed 16 lives. More than 600 California National Guard troops have been activated, and eight modular airborne firefighting systems are preparing to assist, the Pentagon said. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. David Walsh and Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, appear together on Nov. 10, 2023, during a Fox and Friends morning broadcast in New York City. Hegseth, an Army veteran, is nominated to be the next defense secretary. (Theodore Bergan/U.S. Marine Corps) WASHINGTON As Pete Hegseth faces the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to lead the Defense Department, his divisive views on women serving in combat are expected to come under intense lawmaker scrutiny. Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News TV host, has drawn fierce criticism for saying women have a place in the military but not in ground-based combat positions in special operations, artillery, infantry and armor units. Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles, he argued on a podcast in November. It hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated. Hegseth later softened his stance as he met with senators to shore up support for his nomination as defense secretary, praising women as some of the greatest warriors. But his earlier remarks, as well as his writing, have raised concerns that, if confirmed, he could roll back opportunities for female troops and harm morale among the thousands of women in combat jobs. Id like him to sit down with a group of women service members and have the same conversation would he be willing to tell them to their face that theyre not tough enough, that theyre not meeting standards? said Allison Jaslow, a former Army captain and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Women fighting on the battlefield can be traced to the Revolutionary War, when Margaret Corbin fired a cannon to defend Fort Washington against invading British troops and became the first woman to receive a pension from Congress due to injury. But for much of U.S. military history, women were confined to clerical and medical roles. That began to change with the more prominent participation of women in the Gulf War, which prompted Congress in the early 1990s to repeal a 1948 statute that had excluded women from positions that could be exposed to combat. By 1993, women gained the right to fly in combat aircraft and serve on combat ships. More than 20 years later, amid the U.S. war in Afghanistan, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the full integration of women into the armed forces, without exceptions. The 2015 decision, resisted most by the Marine Corps, opened about 230,000 combat positions that were previously off limits for women. Today, thousands of women are serving in Army infantry, armor and artillery jobs, hundreds are in combat roles in the Marines and dozens are in special operations positions across the military. In addition, more than 150 women have completed the notoriously grueling training to become Army Rangers, the services elite infantry. Hegseth in November said he was against women serving in physical, labor intensive-type jobs such as the Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, infantry battalions, armor and artillery. Im talking something where strength is the differentiator, he said. A source close to Hegseth, who is also a veteran, said his comments were misconstrued. Hes really focused more so on standards than gender, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. This is an issue that has appeared in, for example, the Ranger Regiment, where leaders have kind of prioritized and incentivized to see how many women they can get into combat as opposed to focusing on how many qualified Rangers can we get into the regiment and if women happen to meet that standard. Katherine Kuzminski, the director of the military, veterans and society program at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank with close ties to the Democratic Party, said the only standards that have changed over time to account for gender are for the Armys recently revised physical fitness test. The test was meant to have gender-neutral standards but eventually introduced different benchmarks for women and asks service members to do a plank instead of hanging from a bar and tucking their legs to their chest, which is especially difficult for women who have given birth. Kuzminski noted the test is the bare minimum for being a soldier and additional physical requirements that are tougher for women to meet are still needed to join elite combat units. There are fewer than 10 female Green Berets and, in the Navy, only two women are in the Special Warfare combat crew. The very small percentage of women who are in these roles now that they are open to women I think is a sign that those standards are being upheld, she said. It wasnt that all of a sudden we saw 50/50 representation in combat operations specialists, because there is still a very high standard. Womens continued access to all that the military has to offer is not guaranteed. As part of the Pentagon policy that integrated women into combat roles, the services have the option to request some restrictions on womens participation if they see an issue, according to Kuzminski. Such a move requires the approval of the service secretary and the defense secretary, meaning President-elect Donald Trumps pick for the top Pentagon job would have the authority to repeal access to opportunities, Kuzminski said. Jaslow, the former Army captain that served in the Iraq War, said she believes it will be very challenging for Hegseth to turn back the gender integration policy if he is confirmed. But she worries his outdated views on female service members, as well as women in general, could set an exclusionary tone for the military. In Hegseths 2024 book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, he appears to extoll traditional gender roles, arguing women bring life into the world and therefore their role in war is to make it a less deathly experience. Im going to say something politically incorrect but that is a perfectly commonsensical observation: Dads push us to take risks, Hegseth wrote. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units. He acknowledged the history of women in combat roles but said it is difficult to find many examples, outside of religious or mythical settings, that had anything close to a positive military outcome. Not only are women comparatively less effective than men in combat roles, but they are also more likely to be objectified by the enemy and their own nation in the moral realms of war, Hegseth wrote. Jaslow said it was extremely disappointing that a contemporary of hers held such opinions. In Iraq, she led a mixed-gender platoon whose convoys were hit by roadside bombs and regularly came under small arms fire. Hegseth also deployed to Iraq, as well as to Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, during his 13-year military career, rising to the rank of major. He should have been able to view with his own eyes the extraordinary leadership, extraordinary courage by women during our most recent wars, Jaslow said. More than 9,000 women received Army Combat Action Badges for engaging in combat with the enemy during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Two women were awarded a Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat, according to a 2015 report by the Congressional Research Service. Hegseth, who was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge during his service, has also claimed women are being promoted over more qualified men. He singled out the elevation of Adm. Lisa Franchetti to the first female chief of naval operations as particularly egregious because, among other things, she had no combat experience and received a masters degree from the online University of Phoenix. If naval operations suffer, at least we can hold our heads high. Because at least we have another first! The first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hooray, Hegseth wrote in his book. Franchetti served as vice chief of naval operations before her promotion and commanded U.S. naval forces in Korea, two carrier strike groups and the U.S. Navys 6th Fleet, which is based in Italy and covers Europe and Africa. Hegseth suggested Adm. Samuel Paparo, then the commander of the Pacific Fleet, was a better fit for the job but politics is all about optics instead of results. Democratic senators are likely to bring up these comments when they grill Hegseth on his qualifications, background and character on Tuesday. They are also expected to address the other controversies surrounding Hegseths nomination: accusations of sexual assault, drinking problems and financial mismanagement as well as his advocacy on behalf of troops charged with war crimes. On Tuesday, I look forward to exposing how unqualified he really is for this position, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a former Army helicopter pilot and Iraq war veteran, said Friday. Our troops and our country deserve better. Republicans, who hold a slight majority in the Senate, have increasingly rallied around Hegseth despite initial reservations from more moderate senators. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who is the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, appeared to warm to Hegseth after several meetings with him and said she looked forward to a fair hearing. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women based on quality and standards, not quotas, she said in a statement last month. This undated photo provided by Alicia Arritt, shows her with former Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who died by suicide in a Cybertruck that exploded in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Alicia Arritt via AP) The fiery News Years Day suicide of an Army Green Beret exposed the Pentagons struggle to identify and treat brain injuries and mental health issues, raising alarm among some lawmakers, medical experts and former military personnel who question if enough is being done to improve care and prevent similar tragedies. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a career Special Forces soldier with extensive wartime service in Afghanistan, died from a self-inflicted gunshot moments before the rented Tesla Cybertruck he was driving exploded outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, authorities have said. Livelsberger had struggled with what he endured in combat and confided in an ex-girlfriend that he experienced health problems linked to repeated concussions. Such invisible wounds can hinder a persons ability to regulate their behavior and lead to substance abuse, insomnia and other serious problems such as suicide, experts say. Recent legislation and Pentagon programs have emphasized screening and self-reporting for such injuries, but critics cast doubt on whether the Defense Department and individual commanders are moving with suitable alacrity. A particular concern, they said, is the culture inherent to Green Berets and other Special Operations forces, a high-speed, secretive working environment where Livelsberger spent the majority of his military career. Operators pride themselves on toughness and resiliency, and often elect to gut out mental and physical ailments for fear that acknowledging they need help will put them at risk of being pulled from their duties. While senior leaders have sought to change that culture, such efforts do not always take hold among rank-and-file troops, for whom reliability is important social currency, said Katherine L. Kuzminski, a military policy expert at the Center for a New American Security. I dont think that that permeates to the interpersonal relationships between those in Special Operations, Kuzminski said of the institutional push to destigmatize behavioral health care. There is always the risk that your personal reputation could be harmed if its known that youre really having a problem. The FBI and local authorities in Las Vegas have said that Livelsberger is likely to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that can include depression, anxiety or other behaviors, but they did not say how they arrived at that conclusion. Military officials have not made such a declaration, citing privacy laws. Law enforcement authorities have not disclosed a motive but recovered writings from Livelsbergers phone and other messages he wrote indicating he wanted to relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took and draw attention to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, Livelsberger was on authorized leave from his duty station in Germany with the Armys 10th Special Forces Group, where he had recently begun a specialization in drone warfare. He had access to and used a program for Special Operations troops that provides holistic care in physical, cognitive, medical and support resources as appropriate to each individual, said the Armys chief spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Amanda Azubuike. He did not display any concerning behavior before being granted time off, she said. The Army is conducting its own investigation of the circumstances surrounding Livelsbergers suicide, officials said, which is standard when soldiers die in uniform. The inquiry is expected to scrutinize whether leaders or fellow soldiers in his unit, or his health-care providers, missed signs of distress. A military official familiar with the matter, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to be candid, defended Livelsbergers leaders, calling them engaged, and sought to distance his care team from what happened outside the Trump hotel. No one tells their mental health provider they plan to blow up a building, the official said. I truly think that was a snap decision. Col. Allie Weiskopf, the director of public affairs for U.S. Special Operations Command, said personnel assigned to elite military units are screened annually to assess their psychological health. Additionally, once every three months senior leaders are expected to discuss with their troops the resources available to them and work to dispel persistent myths about seeking behavioral health care, she said. Typically, providers can see patients in less than two weeks, often within three days, or the same day if they have an emergency, Weiskopf said. Our data shows that service members are seeking help, Weiskopf said. The Washington Post requested the commands data but was told it was not readily releasable. The deep bonds forged within such units are vital for completing the complex missions they are assigned, but that codependency can exact a cost, former Special Operations troops said, describing feelings of guilt that can occur if they were to miss a combat deployment or important training. That leads many to downplay or ignore mental and physical ailments, they explained. Rather, people who need help often wait until the end of their military service to seek care. Sometimes you dont necessarily get the full military medical treatment that you should because youre worried about how it could impact you while youre in service, said a former Special Forces officer who served with Livelsberger in Afghanistan. Stigma, he said, still exists for mental health help. A recent study funded by the militarys Special Operations Command set out to understand why some troops may or may not seek care, Weiskopf said. The results are not finalized, but preliminary findings do not indicate that the stigma of behavioral health was a primary barrier, she said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who co-led legislation intended to improve treatment and screening for head trauma among service members, told The Post that Congress must take a closer look at how Master Sgt. Livelsbergers apparent brain injuries may have contributed to the tragedy in Las Vegas. Bipartisan reforms passed last year were a start, she added, but we need to do much more. There is an evolving understanding in the Pentagon that brain injuries arent just a combat problem and can manifest as a result of normal duties, too, including through smaller shock waves in weapons used in training, said Kuzminski, the military policy expert. Yet the Defense Department has been an obstacle to some change, according to a Senate aide, who said the Pentagon moved to block additional reforms from inclusion in the most recent defense policy bill. Despite the obvious need for more research and data, DOD has been resistant to creating blast exposure logs, the aide said. The Senates version of the bill included provisions for exposure logs, but they were not in the final version signed into law. The Pentagon disputed that assertion and defended its approach for handling traumatic brain injuries, saying it has made strides and boosted resources and care. A program launched in 2022 has focused on collaboration between military and medical communities to focus on brain health, mitigate hazards and reduce long term impacts, said Joshua Wick, a Pentagon spokesman. An initiative launched last year will screen all incoming troops and establish a baseline of brain health that can be followed over time to better inform treatment, Wick said, and those with increased exposure will be tested more frequently. Brain injuries in troops have presaged other high-profile violence. Robert Card, the Army reservist who killed 18 people in a shooting in Maine in 2023, grew paranoid and heard voices before the attack, family and colleagues said. A study of his brain after Card took his life found significant damage consistent with blast exposure that probably played a role in his behavioral changes. The injuries were linked to his work at a grenade-training range, where he may have endured thousands of low-level blasts. The Army downplayed the ties between his job and brain trauma but concluded leaders in his unit failed to act on warning signs of his erratic behavior before the attack. Special Operations troops, who often deploy more than conventional military personnel and commonly have long careers in those jobs, face substantial risk for issues such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. In training and in combat, U.S. commandos deploy explosive charges to breach doors, fire anti-armor weapons and absorb a lot of other wear and tear. Cumulatively, the jobs demands can jar the brain in big and small ways. Researchers have labeled such health challenges Operator Syndrome. Alicia Arritt, a nurse who dated Livelsberger on and off from 2018 to 2021, told The Post previously that he had shared with her that he struggled with a cloudy memory, poor concentration, difficulty maintaining relationships and intense guilt over his actions on the battlefield. Such difficulties are common issues reported by troops with histories of blast exposure and multiple deployments, said James Stone, professor and vice chair of radiology research at the University of Virginia, who studies brain injuries among service members. In particular, there is mounting evidence that Special Operations troops like Livelsberger have a high degree of exposure to blasts from training and deployments, according to a study led by Stone. The study found explosions increased brain inflammation and reduced volume and thickness of brain structures, impacting functions such as memory, motor skills and emotional regulation. Screening for brain injuries has become more prevalent in the operator community, the former Special Forces officer said, though considerable challenges remain. Most in the [Special Operations forces] community have some level of TBI, he said. The issue is figuring out how severe. It is not easily screened for the physiological signs are not easy to catch. The footage, which was played to the court, depicted Avantis elderly mother in a nightdress struggling for breath and with heavy bruising on her arms. A woman alleged to have strangled and battered her mother in a row over table salt has been acquitted. Ami Avanti (46) was charged with non-fatal strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at her mothers home on August 11 last year. The alleged victim told police at the time her daughter had punched, kicked and choked her after the lid of a salt cellar had come loose when Avanti was trying to season her food. However, during a contest at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast this month she was acquitted of both charges due to issues around the evidence. The court heard no statement of complaint was made by the defendants mother, but the prosecution proceeded with the body-worn footage obtained by police who attended the incident. The footage, which was played to the court, depicted Avantis elderly mother in a nightdress struggling for breath and with heavy bruising on her arms. Hes been drinking and had me by the throat in the hallway, she tells officers, adding: I managed to get away from him but its like a light switch, one minute everything is OK and the next its really bad. The officer interjects: Hes asked me to call him she, to which the mother responds: Yes. I do love him, she continued. Hes my child, but I just cant go on like this. Something is not right with him. I had laid down because I didnt feel well. He had gone to put salt on his food and the lid came off the container, Im guessing thats what started it. Anyway, he came up the stairs ranting and raving, I couldnt tell you what was said. Its just every day there is arguments. He says I locked him up for years and didnt allow him to do anything. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous? He then slipped down the stairs and was blaming me, he was kicking and punching me, he grabbed me by the throat trying to choke me. Belfast Magistrates Court The alleged victim, who the court heard suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was hospitalised six times with the condition last year. The court was also told the call to police was made by a concerned neighbour after they observed Avantis mother in the street in her underwear and heard shouting. Dismissing the charges against Avanti, who has had no contact with her mother since the incident, District Judge Ann Marshall cited issues with the contemporaneousness of the evidence. She said: There are issues with timing in relation to the evidence and the victim is clearly overcome by the incident in the footage. She struggles to give a clear and consistent account of what happened and when. I was also not able to get a clear account of how her injuries were sustained. There was no statement made in the case, she is not here to give evidence, and she sent a letter to the court in support of the defendant. Given the issues with evidence in the case I cannot be safe in admitting it. Avanti, of Sandown Road, east Belfast, was acquitted of both charges and walked out of court. Forty-seven-year-old Derek Coyne admitted two further identical charges of driving without adequate cover Derek Coyne (47) who was "immediately released" from prison after being jailed for four months in November for no insurance has escaped going back into custody after admitting to two further identical charges. A carpenter released from prison a matter of hours after being jailed for no insurance for the ninth time, has walked free from court after admitting to two further identical charges of driving without adequate cover being in place. Forty-seven-year-old Derek Coyne, with addresses at Farranshock Park, Mullingar, Westmeath and Derravarra Abbey, Multyfarnham, Mullingar, Westmeath appeared at a sitting of Mullingar District Court charged with having no insurance after being stopped at Castle Street and Grange South in the midlands town on March 29 and October 1, 2024 respectively. The accused, who entered guilty pleas to both, adopted a similar stance in connection to a separate shoplifting offence at Aldi, Green Road, Mullingar in March which resulted in the theft of grocery items and fishing tackle. Derek Coyne, the court heard had 27 previous convictions, 26 of which were for road traffic related offences. Sgt Orla Keenan, in presenting the States case, told of the first incident during which gardai first came across Coyne shortly after 2pm having parked his vehicle on a footpath. She said officers quickly became aware Coyne was a disqualified driver, concerns that led gardai to make a lawful demand of the Mullingar mans driving documentation. When none of those were forthcoming, the vehicle was seized with its insurance, tax and roadworthiness certification having all expired. The more recent episode, the court heard took place just before 7:30pm when Coyne was stopped at the wheel of his 2011 registered VW red caddy van at a checkpoint. Like the earlier incident, gardai asked Coyne for his driving details, documents the accused vowed to produce within 10 days at Mullingar Garda Station. Sgt Keenan said Coyne failed to meet those terms and the vehicle was similarly seized for having no tax in place. In concluding the prosecutions evidence, Judge Bernadette Owens was told Coyne had 27 previous convictions to his name, 26 of which related to road traffic related offences. Coynes most recent conviction, it was revealed came a at Longford District Court sitting in November for no insurance following an offence in April. That conviction resulted in Coyne being handed a four month prison term in Castlerea Prison with Sgt Keenan confirming that prior to that offence, the accused had amassed nine other convictions for no insurance. One of those saw Coyne receiving a five-year driving ban in March 2023 for a further no insurance conviction at Blanchardstown District Court. Defence counsel Andrea Callan BL, accepted the court was undoubtedly considering handing down a custodial sentence given her clients terrible record behind the wheel. Judge Bernadette Owens banned Derek Coyne, (pictured) who is on temporary release from prison, for a 10 year period. She said while there was no satisfactory explanation to offer up in terms of Coynes persistent offending, a key motivation which continually prompted him to drive was down to a desire to support his parents whose Dublin-based home had been repossessed by the banks. Given Coynes work ethic which had seen him secure full time work in Dublin and the absence of any dangerous undertones to his driving on both occasions, Ms Callan implored the court to consider suspending any custodial sentence it was considering. She said the separate theft offence was a passage in time Coyne was extremely embarrassed by and came at a time when he was under the influence of alcohol. In delivering her verdict, Judge Owens alluded to Coynes previous nine convictions for no insurance and how a four month term she handed down in Longford barely two months ago culminated in the accused being immediately released on temporary release. In light of those circumstances, Judge Owens said the court was minded to adopt a different view this time around. She consequently sentenced Coyne to five months in prison for the initial no driving offence, suspending that term for a period of 18 months. Coyne was also banned from driving for a period of 10 years and ordered to undergo an assessment for a possible community service order of 100 hours for the second no insurance charge. In striking out the theft charge, Judge Owens told Coyne there had to be some element of payback and remanded him on bail to reappear at a sitting of Mullingar District Court on March 6. Exonerated barrister Diarmuid Phelan still faces two personal injury cases A prosecution witness who is likely to face charges of contempt of court for failing to turn up to the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan has filed a civil action against the barrister. Kallum Coleman was arrested by gardai last Tuesday and is being held on remand in Mountjoy Prison ahead of his court hearing this week. Mr Coleman, along with Keith Bono Conlon and another man, was trespassing on lands owned by Mr Phelan in February 2022, when Mr Colemans dog, Vin, was shot by Mr Phelan. There was then an angry confrontation with Mr Phelan who fired three shots from his handgun, one of which hit Mr Conlon in the head and caused his death. Mr Phelan said he acted in self-defence and Mr Conlon was shot by accident. A jury cleared Mr Phelan of Mr Conlons murder after a 10-week trial where Mr Coleman was due to be a witness, but failed to attend. Mr Conlons youngest daughter was born just four weeks before he was killed Court records show that Mr Coleman filed a personal injury action against Mr Phelan on November 30, 2023. He is represented by Maguire McClafferty solicitors. Mr Phelans defence solicitors from the murder case, Arthur McLean, has come on record in the civil case, according to a notice filed on February 29 last year. There has been no movement on the High Court action since then. High Court personal injury cases involve claims for damages in excess of 60,000. Mr Phelan is also facing a personal injury civil claim from Jeanette Delaney, the partner of Mr Conlon and mother of their four children. Their youngest daughter was born just four weeks before Mr Conlon was killed. Ms Delaneys case was filed in August 2023 and an affidavit was lodged last April, in the most recent action in the case. Mr Colemans dog, Vin, was killed by Mr Phelan on his farm in Tallaght when Mr Coleman, Mr Conlon and the third man, Robin Duggan, were trespassing and engaged in illegal badger or fox hunting in February 2022. Mr Coleman was due to give evidence in the murder case last October 30 but instead booked himself a one-way ticket to Spain. Diarmuid Phelan A bench warrant was issued by the trial judge for Mr Colemans arrest. Gardai flew to Marbella and explained the consequences of the bench warrant to him. Mr Coleman initially agreed to return to Ireland to give evidence but gardai told the trial that the witness had a change of heart and legged it when gardai stopped to get refreshments on the way to the airport on 5 November. Evidence was given during the trial that Mr Coleman had been stopped and searched by gardai on multiple occasions. On more than 20 instances, it was recorded by gardai that Mr Coleman had associated with people connected to organised crime. However, it was also said that Mr Coleman was not a member of an organised crime group, has no convictions for being a member of an organised crime group, and that many of his connections are with people he grew up with in Drimnagh. Keith Conlon Kallum Coleman The jury were told that the third trespasser, Robin Duggan, declined to provide a statement to gardai as he was concerned he would be viewed as a rat. Last week, barrister Keith Spencer, counsel for Mr Coleman, told a court hearing that his client was consenting to his remand in custody. He said gardai had given an undertaking that he would be lodged in Mountjoy Prison until next Tuesday, due to fears by Mr Coleman for his safety if he was detained in Cloverhill Prison. The court was told that Mr Coleman was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning and cautioned. The court was told Mr Coleman had not yet been charged with any offence, but was likely to face a contempt of court charge for failing to give evidence in the murder trial. Keith Macken, of St Attracta Road, Cabra, managed to make good his escape after fleeing from the hospital room where he has been receiving medical care for two weeks Keith Macken was being treated in Tallaght Hospital when he escaped This is the 43-year-old criminal who escaped from the custody of prison officers in Tallaght Hospital in Dublin at 6am yesterday. Keith Macken, of St Attracta Road, Cabra, managed to make good his escape after fleeing from the hospital room where he has been receiving medical care for two weeks. The details of his escape, while under guard, were yesterday being investigated but its understood a short foot chase occurred during his escape. Macken had been remanded in the custody of Wheatfield Prison late last year pending sentencing on an assault charge. Keith Macken escaped Its understood he took ill during Christmas week and was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where he has been under medical care ever since. A kitchen fitter by trade, Macken was described as being in ill health in recent months and, as such, would not have been considered an active flight risk. Its understood he was due to be sentenced in connection with the assault in February of this year. Macken has previously appeared in court on a minor theft charge. Two years ago, he was prosecuted on a charge of theft at Aldi, North Quay, Arklow on September 2, 2020. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said; The Irish Prison Service can confirm that a prisoner has escaped from lawful custody while on escort to Tallaght Hospital this morning. An Garda Siochana were notified immediately and provided with all the relevant information in relation to the prisoner. The Irish Prison Service is currently investigating the circumstances of the escape. Elders sat down amid fears social media taunts would get someone killed A peace deal to halt the violence that erupted between two families in Cork was hammered out at a meeting involving senior family members on Thursday, informed sources have claimed to the Sunday World . It is understood the meeting was held in the city and was attended by one member from the Faulkner and OBrien families, as well as two straight men who acted as a brokers. The terms of the deal included an end to social media taunts and an agreement that the parties involved in the violence would stay away from each other going forward. The Sunday World is aware of the identities of the men who attended the meeting and has been told each of the men would be of good standing within the families and will ensure the terms of the agreement are complied with. Our source said: The scenes of violence seen in Cork were fuelled by social media taunts and largely involved younger people. The older members of these two families were in agreement that this thing needed to be stopped before someone was seriously injured or killed. In a video announcing the peace deal, the Faulkners representative said: We need to put this to bed, this should never have happened. It was all down to young fellas. Silly things. Stupid things. We need to get on with our lives. Its all put to bed. Both sides. Stay away from each other! There was two neutral men came in. Two straight men. Fair dues to the men. Its all put to bed. Thats it! A second man, representing the OBrien family, then responds: This is Trevor here, and as Charlie said there, were after making peace. It was all down to stupid young fellas. All over something silly. Its all over and done with. Peace is made on both sides. Were shaking hands in front of the camera, look. Its all over and done with. Everyone will pass each other and that will be the end of it. Following the arrests on Friday morning, five members of the two families were brought before Cork District Court. During the sitting, the court heard that the peace deal had been agreed at 11am on Friday. Judge Mary Dorgan was told by Sergeant John Kelleher that a peace agreement was reported by parties to the feud in postings on Facebook but that this was motivated by a desire to prevent various parties from being put into custody. Judge Dorgan said that she wanted independent verification from the Traveller organisation, Pavee Point, that a peace had been brokered in the feud. Judge Mary Dorgan refused to grant bail to 18-year-old Charles (Charlie) Faulkner of Meadow Park Avenue, Ballyvolane, Cork. A second man, Jamie OBrien of Ardmore Avenue, Cork, withdrew his application for bail following this refusal. He was also remanded in custody. Rival groups have agreed to end the violence The court heard it alleged that the pair were involved in an incident of violent disorder on the afternoon of January 6 at Hollyhill shopping centre where 15 people three from the OBriens and 12 from the Faulkners were allegedly involved. Michael Faulkner (21), of Curraheen Close, Bishopstown, Cork, was also charged with violent disorder arising from the same incident and granted bail. Michael James Faulkner (26) of Lower Killeens, County Cork, and of Garrydhu Drive, Carrigaline, applied through his solicitor Aoife Buttimer for bail on a violent disorder but was remanded in custody. A fifth man, 24-year-old Michael John OBrien, of Ard Na Bhaile, Buttevant, Co. Cork, was charged with causing criminal damage to a house on Tuesday January 7 in Garrydhu Drive, Carrigaline. There was no objection to bail in his case and he was remanded on bail until April 2 on conditions. Speaking yesterday, Pavee Point Co-Director Martin Collins said the organisation hasnt been involved in mediating Traveller feuds over the past 15 years after its mediation budget was cut by the Dept. of Justice in favour of setting up the independent Traveller Mediation Service. This only came to our attention yesterday after the judge requested that Pavee Point get involved, Mr. Collins said. We no longer have a mediation programme since our funding was discontinued 15 years ago. We simply do not have the capacity to carry out mediation services. We were contacted by the legal representatives of one of the families involved yesterday (Friday) seeking for us to become involved and to confirm that a deal had been agreed. However, we dont have the resources or the capacity to do this. Mr Collins said, if independent confirmation of a peace deal was being sought, he would direct the court to seek such confirmation from one of the local Traveller groups in Cork or from the National Mediation Service. Its understood that legal representatives have since made contact with the National Mediation Service in the hope it will contact the parties involved and provide verification of the deal to the court. He was named as Keith Macken from Cabra who is currently on remand and awaiting sentencing for assault causing harm Gardai are hunting a prisoner who escaped while visiting Tallaght Hospital this morning. He was named as Keith Macken from Cabra who is currently on remand and awaiting sentencing for assault causing harm. It is understood that he was feeling unwell at Wheatfield Prison and taken to Tallaght for treatment escorted by prison officers. He then managed to give his prison escorts the slip while being attended to at the hospital at around 6am this morning. The full details of how he escaped are not known and a full scale investigation has been launched. The full details of how he escaped are not known and a full scale investigation has been launched. Prison sources say Macken, 43, has previously been treated in hospital. The Irish Prison Service in a statement said; " The Irish Prison Service can confirm that a prisoner has escaped from lawful custody while on escort to Tallaght Hospital this morning. " An Garda Siochana were notified immediately and provided with all the relevant information in relation to the prisoner. " The Irish Prison Service is currently investigating the circumstances of the escape." Numerous women posted online about mans activities An alleged Tinder Swindler who was arrested in Dublin this week as part of an investigation into multiple romance fraud complaints was exposed after numerous women discovered they had been scammed by the same person. The 35-year-old from south Dublin, described as a Walter Mitty-type character, was the focus of internet sleuths after numerous women online all claimed they had been duped out of money after going on dates with him. As well as allegedly conning women out of money he made number other dubious claims including that he was a successful business owner and Oxford graduate who fought in wars for the British Army and had shrapnel in his arm. He also claimed to have been involved in property and told others he was a high-flyer in Google and Facebook. However, people who said they knew him said in reality he was prolific liar who previously worked in a call-centre and was prone to concocting various tall tales from an early age. He was arrested in south Dublin on Friday following numerous complaints from women. It is alleged that victims have been targeted through a variety of popular dating apps, a garda spokesperson said. Gardai raided the mans home and seized a number of electronic devices. He was questioned and later released as investigations continue. A warning on social media about the man People have been posting online about the mans alleged activities for more than a year. It is alleged he would stalk various dating apps, including Tinder and Bumble, looking for potential victims. In 2023, an alleged victim contacted the well-known TikTok page about the dating scene in Ireland, The Dating Orange, saying she had been scammed by a man on a first date. The woman who runs The Dating Orange page then posted about it to warn other women about him. As a result of those posts, more people came forward with information claiming they had been duped by him. Things then went quiet for a while until another woman contacted The Dating Orange last October saying she had been conned by the same man. The Dating Orange page posted about him again which led to a flood of other people who knew the man, either as alleged victims or from workplaces and school in the past, coming forward with further information. The page had heard from people who said they had been duped from as far back as 2016. The Dating Orange referred numerous women who came forward onto gardai. The Tinder Swindlers alleged victims say he would meet them for dates and then would concoct a story about his bank card having been skimmed at an ATM, scammed online or that he lost it or forgot it and convince them to give him money which he claimed he would transfer back to them but never did. He would generally seek sums of around 200 from his alleged victims or would get then to bankroll the date while pretending he had transferred money. He was labelled Irelands Tinder Swindler referencing the 2022 Netflix documentary of the same name about Shimon Hayut, a convicted fraudster, who used dating apps to meet numerous women who he then conned. The Irish Tinder Swindler was arrested on Friday under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and later released. A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing. Annie Heyneman (50s) died after she was attacked at her home A woman stabbed to death at her home has been named locally as Annie Heyneman (50s). Ms Heynemans body was discovered at her home, in a rural area near Ballyconnell, Co Cavan by gardai at around 9.30pm last night. It is understood she was stabbed several times. Her husband Henk, who is originally from the Netherlands, was seriously injured in the horror attack and remains in a serious but stable condition in Cavan General Hospital. A man in his 30s was arrested at a separate location and is being questioned at a garda station in Cavan. A murder investigation is underway. Annie Heyneman Woman stabbed to death in Cavan is named locally as man questioned Locals have paid tribute to Ms Heyneman, who was a care worker from the area, as they anxiously await updates on the condition of her husband. Neighbours in the quiet rural townland, who woke up to the news this morning, spoke of their shock. One woman, who lives nearby, said: It was very scary. There was gardai and ambulances and fire brigades up the lane, and we did not know what was happening for a long time. Another neighbour said: They are lovely people, very friendly, and well known in the area. Gardai at the scene near Ballyconnell, Co Cavan (Picture: Gerry Mooney) Gardai at the scene near Ballyconnell, Co Cavan (Picture: Gerry Mooney) Local councillor John Paul Feeley said the tragedy has shocked the local community as he paid tribute to those close to the woman's family. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. It is a shock not just for those who knew them well, but for the wider community," he said. "This is a very rural, close knit community. For something like this to happen is a huge shock to everyone." A man in his 30s remains in garda custody under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He is being held at a garda station in Cavan. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on the body of Ms Heyneman. Annie Heyneman Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. A technical examination has been carried out at the house. The investigation is being led from an incident room at Cavan Garda Station. A senior investigating officer and family liaison officer will be appointed in due course. A garda spokesperson said: Anyone who travelled in the area of Kilnavert, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, last night, Saturday 11th January 2025, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, is asked to provide gardai with any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on (049) 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Gangsters former partner tries to raise funds for him despite having been ditched for a younger woman Caged John Gilligans former partner Sharon Oliver has been going around with a begging bowl to raise funds for him unaware that he has replaced her with a younger woman on the Costa Blanca. Oliver, who was caught up in the last drug bust that landed him before the courts, left Spain last summer telling friends that pensioner Gilligan had started dealing cocaine and she was leaving him until he stopped. But this week she was back and was listed as an approved visitor at the Fortcalent Prison where Gilligan is being held in custody since another drug bust by Spanish cops. She has also been trying to raise the money needed so Gilligan can fight the latest investigation against him. The property in Torrevieja, Alicante, in Spain . He spent Christmas and New Year in the prison where he will remain until he can get a bail hearing and come up with the cash required for his release. Under Spanish law suspects are held in jail as investigations make their way through the courts. It was Olivers two-bed villa in Alicante that police from the Guardia Civil raided last month and discovered pink cocaine and another synthetic substance. A handgun was found during a police search of a house where Gilligan was living Gilligan had been living at the property rent free despite his split from his former lover in a row over the drugs that officers believe he was stashing at her house. Shed let him live there while they tried to sort out their differences from afar, but instead Gilligan quickly replaced her with a younger woman who he regularly entertained at the property. Gilligan is desperate to get out of prison but his funds have run dry and money owed to him is not being paid as he has no means of collecting it. The house in Torrejieja, Alcante, Spain, where Gilligan was living . Despite his age he had been dealing pink cocaine and other drugs from his base in Torrevieja where he once owned the Judges Chamber pub. He had also been seen out with a young English woman who he had told friends was the love of his life. But with his chips down, Gilligan immediately contacted Oliver who has flown out to Alicante to help secure his release. She has been listed as an approved visitor at the jail where Gilligan has been held since his arrest two weeks before Christmas. And she has promised him she will do what she can to raise the cash he needs to win back his freedom. It is understood that multiple kilos of the drugs were found stashed at the property where Gilligan was living. Evidence of the raid could be seen at the villa where officers jemmied the front door and upended the rooms in search of the drugs. John Gilligan in Torrevieja, Spain Sharon Oliver Spanish courts are known to take cases involving cocaine and its synthetic counterparts far more seriously than they do cannabis. Guaranteed jail terms await those found to be selling the Class A substances. Police believe that Gilligan had been operating a street dealing service where he was personally delivering quantities of drugs to buyers. Sources say he was caught red-handed by officers who had him under surveillance as he continued his lengthy career in the drugs trade. He has a long association with Alicante where he purchased the Judges Chamber pub and a number of properties at the height of his career and before the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. Gilligan with his former wife Geraldine But years behind bars in Ireland on drug charges meant he had to entrust his nest egg to close associates who have burned through it. His son Darren was also part of a group brought before the courts in 2023 when he was nabbed with cannabis and prescription pills in a postal drug service. He is believed to have returned to Ireland and the pair are no longer in contact. Treacy Gilligan is also estranged from her father as is his former wife Geraldine. The dog had fallen from the Crana Bridge at Swan Park in Buncrana yesterday and was left stranded in freezing waters RNLI to the rescue as pup plummets from river bridge A terrified dog which had fallen from a bridge was saved thanks to caring members of the RNLI in Co Donegal. The dog had fallen from the Crana Bridge at Swan Park in Buncrana yesterday and was left stranded in freezing waters. The petrified pet managed to stay out of the water after finding a rock to stand on. Members of the local Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked to the unusual rescue and responded without thought. A number of members of the team arrived at the scene within minutes to assess the situation. Some members of the team held a safety rope while volunteer RNLI member Paddy Murphy waded out into the freezing waters to save the dog. Paddy managed to get a safety rope around the dog who was perfectly behaved while being brought back to the safety of the shoreline. It turned out the little dog has a big name, Zeus, and he was out for a walk with his owner when disaster struck. Paddy admitted that the praise hes received for rescuing the pooch came as a surprise to him. I didnt expect it to blow up the way it has. It was a team effort; it wasnt just me. It was the whole crew, he told sundayworld.com. Im a typical Irishman; we dont deal with praise. Its not what I joined the RNLI for but its nice for the station to get recognition. We train for every eventuality. The whole station trains twice a week, every week of the year and were on the pager 24/7. He said that Zeus was lucky to be alive after falling from such a height into the frigid waters. I think he was in shock because he found that spot in the water and he stayed there. Dogs can swim but if he had stood there much longer, he would have gotten hypothermia. When I got to him, the poor dog was shaking. The wee dog was glad to get out of the water and the owners were glad to have him back, so it was a good outcome. Dog being rescued by Lough Swilly RNLI. Photo: The Drift Inn/Facebook Zeus owner Sarah Little thanked all those who helped including Paddy and the RNLI, the staff at Swan Park and the gardai as well as passers-by. "We're so grateful to everyone. Zeus is happy, dry and healthy and not a scratch on him. A special thanks to Paddy," said Sarah. The story has gone viral on social media with everyone praising Paddy and the Lough Swilly RNLI team. Anne Devereaux posted "How lucky are we to have these guys looking out for our community?" Niall Patrick Campbell wrote "Things like that show how kindness is still here, human or animal, the emergency services always try their best in any given situation. Fair play to you all." Local bar The Drift Inn managed to get a video of the rescue. And they told Paddy that the next time he calls in to say hello, there'll be free pints on tap for him. Well, rescuing dogs and people is thirsty work! The deceased has not yet been identified The body of an adult male was found at a vacant property in Dundrain, Burnfoot, County Donegal, at approximately 2.30pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Photo: Northwest News Pix Foul play is not suspected in the death of a man whose body was found at a vacant property in Co Donegal. A post-mortem was carried out on Thursday on the body of a man, aged in his 30s, who was found at a vacant property in Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co Donegal on Wednesday afternoon at around 2.30pm. The results of the examination are not being released for operational reasons and the deceased has not yet been identified. A spokesperson for gardai said, A post-mortem examination has been carried out by State Pathologist Dr. Linda Mulligan on the body of a man, aged in his 30s, discovered at a vacant property in Dundrain, Burnfoot, County Donegal, yesterday, Wednesday, 8th January 2025. The results of the examination are not being released for operational reasons. A file will now be prepared for the coroner. Cathaoirleach of Inishowen Municipal District and Buncrana Councillor Jack Murray said there is a sense of shock throughout the community following the mans death. When the news broke late on Wednesday night, it came as a complete shock to everyone in the community. It is news that nobody would have expected to hear and everyone is concerned and worried. Our thoughts are with this poor man and his family at this time. The community is shocked at such a horrible incident, said Cllr Murray. Garda at the scene. Photo: Joe Boland Cllr Murray said the cause of the mans death is not yet known. However, he urged people to look out for each other and neighbours as the cold snap continues to impact the county. As temperatures have plunged, it presents a danger everywhere. We do not know the circumstances of this mans death yet but it does serve as a reminder the importance of checking on vacant properties, sheds or any buildings nearby and particularly looking out for elderly and vulnerable people. Look out for your neighbours. "It might only take a few minutes but it could be vitally important when the temperatures are at such a dangerously low level, said Cllr Murray. Gardai are continuing their investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station 074- 49320540 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Teenager says he has been left in fear by teachers supporters and students are finding it hard to focus on their studies Aneta Safiak with her son Jonatan at home in Longford. Far left, Enoch Burke outside Wilsons Hospital School. Pictures by Steve Humphreys A student at Wilsons Hospital School has described former teacher Enoch Burkes continued presence outside the Westmeath school as madness, disruptive and must end. Jonatan Safiak (15) is a second-year student at the Multyfarnham school. His protest is madness. There is no point. It is detrimental to the students and the teachers. Sometimes I am scared, when his supporters try to film me. I dont know this man who stands outside my school, he told the Sunday Independent this weekend. I have been filmed by some of his supporters leaving the school on the bus. I dont think I should have to be fearful of leaving my own school. I do not want to be filmed by those people. Mr Burke returned to his protest outside the school he was sacked from last Monday. He took up his usual position at the school gates, which opened on the first day of term after the Christmas holidays. He later went inside the school gate, followed by some of his supporters. I just wanted to speak up because no other student has. I think people are just afraid Mr Burke has been suspended as a teacher from Wilsons Hospital School since 2022, after publicly clashing with its then principal over a request that teachers address a transgender child by a new name and to use the students they/them pronouns. Mr Burkes protest at the school got under way in 2022 but has been interrupted by stints in prison for contempt of court, breaching court orders and presenting at the school when he was forbidden by law from doing so. Jonatan, who has never been taught by the evangelical Christian, said that very few students know Mr Burke, as he hasnt taught there in over two years. Teacher Enoch Burke outside the gates of Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Photo: Gerry Mooney Ive heard somewhere that Enoch Burke said that students wave at him and have given him scones. Its funny because he hasnt been teaching in more than two years. Many of the students he taught would be gone and nobody really knows who that strange man standing outside our school is. I dont want to be watched through the windows or while Im getting on a bus. Neither do teachers want that, or other staff. Teachers and other staff dont want to involve us in this but we all know that theyre tired and overwhelmed by this. Weve been told to just try to pay no attention to him and the others, but thats not easy. Its very disruptive and he always seems to come back around exam time. Aneta Safiak with her son Jonatan at home in Longford. Far left, Enoch Burke outside Wilsons Hospital School. Pictures by Steve Humphreys Enoch Burke addresses the media as he leaves Wilsons Hospital school It upsets everyone. I just want a normal school, not one thats turned into a circus. Why cant he and his supporters just leave us alone? Jonatan, who has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder known as ataxia telangiectasia (AT), praised Wilsons Hospital School for the level of education it provides, adding that the issue with Mr Burke is the only problem he has encountered. Enoch Burke leaving court in December last with family after the High Court ordered his release from prison after being held since September 2. Photo: Collins Its a very good school and I really enjoy it. He [Enoch] tried to wave at me once, I just passed by. I really just would like to ask him to stop coming. No one in the school wants him there, no one Ive spoken to supports him. We all just want him to go away. If he cares about our education as a teacher, then he should go, because its disruptive. I just wanted to speak up because no other student has yet. I think people are just afraid. To be honest, a lot of us dont even know what hes protesting about. We just want to focus on our schoolwork and him being around, its disrupting that. He is saying he lost his job and went to prison over transgenderism. This is not true. He is in breach of a court order Speaking to media outside the Westmeath school on Monday, Mr Burke said: I came here to my place of work today to do my job as a teacher. I was welcomed by students, knocking on the windows, waving from the classrooms, showing their support. I should be in the classroom today. Separately, on the social media platform X on Thursday, the schoolteacher confirmed that he has been attending Wilsons Hospital School since schools returned on January 6. Mr Burke has now served three terms of imprisonment for contempt of court for his repeated refusal to comply with various court orders to keep away from the secondary school where he taught German and history. During these three terms since August 2022, he has spent a total of 512 days in prison. But each time he has been released, he returns to the school at the earliest opportunity. The judge who released him last month, despite the teacher not purging his contempt, said it was his opinion that Mr Burke was exploiting his imprisonment for his own ends. Referring to the Bibles Parable of the Talents, Mr Justice David Nolan said Mr Burkes talents are entirely wasted through an inordinate period of time in jail due to entirely misguided, and at times, ridiculous arguments about the school and the court trying to abolish religious liberty. It is clear to me that he has been persuaded by others that he is best seen as a martyr. Aneta Safiak and her son Jonatan who is a second year student at Wilson's Hospital School. Photo: Steve Humphreys Jonatans mother, Aneta Safiak, said she felt it was time for the State to intervene in the schoolteachers protest at the school. He has been released from prison now several times for his bi-annual holiday and he always comes back to the school as soon as it is open. I would ask him now to reflect on the stress he is causing students, she said. It is not healthy or fair on the students and staff of the school to have him coming back like this, at every opportunity. He is saying he lost his job and went to prison over transgenderism. This is not true. He is in breach of a court order and has been in prison for contempt of court. He is spreading misinformation. He is playing some kind of hide-and-seek game with the State Ms Safiak said that she would like to see politicians, or others in positions of power, make moves to ensure that children attending the school are no longer subjected to his presence. It is going on so long and its not fair, its not OK, and it makes me angry. If you were a teacher, it would certainly put you off joining the staff at Wilsons Hospital School. Staff and students being filmed as they come and go, its not right on any level. He is playing some kind of hide-and-seek game with the State and it has to come to an end. We are talking about a place of education. If he truly cares about the students, which he says he does, he would go. I am all for peoples right to protest, but he should not do so at the school. Mr Burke now owes the State 193,000 in unpaid fines for breaching court orders by presenting at the school since he was sacked. He is appealing his dismissal and is still receiving his teachers salary as a consequence. Each day he protests at the school he makes a two-hour 150km journey from the Burke family home in Castlebar, Co Mayo, usually driven by a relative. Mostly he has been driven by his father Sean (60), but he is currently in prison having been given a two-month sentence on December 17 last for assaulting a garda in a courtroom in 2023 during a hearing in the case of Enoch. Wilsons Hospital School and Enoch Burke were contacted for comment. The Irishman was critically injured after being shot four times twice in the chest. A 53-year-old Irishman has been critically injured in France after he was shot four times by masked shooters, during a shopping trip, according to local reports. The Irishman was near the Carrefour Market in the Villejean district of Rennes on Saturday evening at around 7.30pm - where he shopped regularly - when he was shot four times, including twice in the chest. Local reports state the man took shelter in the shop to escape the shooter. A Chinese man, in his 40s, was also shot but according to reports, a bullet only grazed his calf. Two shooters in masks jumped out of a stolen car and fired their automatic weapons in the busy shopping area, before fleeing. French police told the media they had found 24 9mm bullet cases. The Chinese man was due to be questioned regarding the incident. The Irishman was being treated in Rennes University Hospital. A spokesperson for The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Department is aware of the incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance. The DCOS, the organized and specialized crime division (formerly the judicial police) is leading the investigation. Last week, there was a shooting in the same area but no one was hurt. On Sunday, December 29, three people were set upon in a knife attack. The shopping district was busy at the time of the shooting, and there were around 20 people in the store the Irishman sought refuge in. Three persons were also led to safety from neighbouring flats The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service at the scene of the fire at Inverary Fold on Saturday evening 11.01.2025 A number of tenants were treated in hospital following a fire at a flat within a retirement complex yesterday, Radius Housing has said. The blaze broke out shortly after 4pm on Saturday at the Fold Housing Association, which is located around Inverary Drive in the Sydenham area of east Belfast. On Sunday a spokesperson for Radius Housing said: We are grateful to the NI Fire Service and other emergency services for how quickly and efficiently they responded to the fire, and ensuring that all tenants were safely evacuated from the building. PSNI officer helping Radius Housing Inverary Fold residents in east Belfast walk to Inverary Community Centre for shelter after an incident has occurred at the fold with PSNI, NIFRS and the ambulance services attending. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX "We are also grateful to Belfast City Council, elected representatives and the wider community for the support provided to tenants who had to leave their homes. Radius staff were on site throughout yesterday evening and again this morning to begin a deep clean of the building. Most tenants were able to return to their homes on Saturday evening and Radius staff will be supporting them during this difficult period. A number of tenants were treated in hospital, and we hope they are able to make a full recovery. On Saturday a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said that crews wearing Breathing Apparatus carried out a search of the flat and rescued two persons and extinguished the fire. "Three persons were also led to safety from neighbouring flats by NIFRS personnel and our colleagues in the PSNI. The rescued persons were left in the care of the NI Ambulance Service. The incident was dealt with by 9:29pm, and the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental and not being treated as suspicious. Seven fire appliances and a support appliance attended the incident and were supported by colleagues from the PSNI and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The surrounding roads were closed to motorists as a result. The ambulance service was contacted for further details. Occupants of the retirement housing complex were also taken to local community centre, which was opened for the affected pensioners by Belfast City Council workers. Linda Stitt has been a resident within the building for the last nine years, and spoke to the Belfast Telegraph from the nearby community centre with her three-year-old Lhasa Apso/Shih Tzu mix dog, Dolly. Tonight our fire alarm went off just after 4pm and I live in one of the very first flats, she said. NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX I have my own front door, which none of the others have. I was sitting with my friend, and she looked out. She told me it must be serious because there was smoke coming out of one of the flats above the wee common room. Because I have an outside door, and am not really connected to the main building, I opened the door and brought in a few residents to make them a cup of tea. We just wanted to make sure people were comfortable. Next thing, the windows were blown out of the flat above, and we saw the ambulances and fire brigade arrive, and we knew it was very serious then. I know the fire brigade were working with one person in the foyer of The Fold, doing CPR. They were taken away in an ambulance. Three people went in an ambulance that I saw - they then started to evacuate people who were bedridden and were unable to leave their apartments on their own. They are people that we dont evacuate normally, unless it is a serious situation. Radius Housing Inverary Fold resident Linda Sittt with her dog Dolly at Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where she and other residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Radius Housing Inverary Fold resident Linda Sittt with her dog Dolly at Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where she and other residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Linda praised the emergency services and Belfast City Council for being tremendous in their speedy efforts in dealing with the incident. The council were very quick when they were asked to get the community centre here open for us. We were all asked to go over, and I think the electricity and gas has been turned off in the [Fold] building due to the risk. Our fire alarm, whenever it goes off - even if its for something minor like someone burning their toast - they are always here immediately, with no hesitation. I must commend them, they are always here. The order has since been lifted and the business has re-opened A restaurant in Kilkenny was served with a closure order by the HSE after a decomposed rat carcass, along with rat droppings and a large number of flies were discovered in the premises. Lams Asian Cuisine & Eskimo Pizza on Green Street in Callan, Co Kilkenny, owned by Mr Kinken Soon, was hit with a closure order on December 5, 2024, following a number of failures to comply with food legislation which posed grave and immediate danger to public health. A HSE inspection report, published today by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), revealed that one of the reasons behind the temporary closure of the restaurant back in December 2024, was the discovery of a decomposed rat carcass in the premises. As stated in the HSE inspection report, rat droppings, a decomposed rat carcass and a large number of flies were found in the basement food store where opened bags of food such as noodles, rice, flour and Chinese herbs were being stored. There was also an open drain on the floor of the food store that was not pest proofed, along with evidence of water on the ground with the source of the water unknown. The premises was also not kept in a clean condition with "black-stained, grease encrusted carpet surfaces" on the stairs leading to the food storage areas and the staff toilet on the first floor. Food such as bags of rice, flour, noodles and prawn crackers were stored on floors with dirty carpets in rooms also on the first floor of the premises. Additionally, the inspector found that facilities provided for the storage of food at the restaurant were inadequate and could lead to contamination. Subsequently, the inspector deemed the restaurant a grave and immediate danger to public health and issued a closure order on December 5, 2024. The closure order on Lams Asian Cuisine & Eskimo Pizza was then lifted on December 11, 2024. On December 13, the restaurant posted a statement on social media to quell rumours circulating about the closure of the restaurant. The statement read: Just to let everyone know we are back open for business we hear that there are rumours going around as to why the HSE closed us down. "We would like to tell you the truth that we needed maintenance done e.g new flooring as wooden flooring is not allowed also new store room had to be relocated and a leak in the basement. All work is done and HSE were happy for us to reopen. We look forward to seeing you all back. In total 133 enforcement orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2024. This represents an increase of 45pc on the 92 enforcement orders that were served in 2023. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), said that the increase in Enforcement Orders in 2024 was both concerning and unacceptable. It is concerning to see a significant increase in enforcement orders in 2024, she said. Consumers have a right to safe food and negligent food practices are inexcusable. "The types of reasons cited for enforcement orders are simple errors that should not be happening in any food business. Enforcement orders, especially closure and prohibition orders, are never issued for minor breaches; they are served only when a serious risk to consumer health is identified or when ongoing breaches of food legislation pose significant hygiene or operational issues." She added: Inadequate or absent pest control procedures was a recurring issue throughout 2024 and pest control needs to be addressed by all food businesses this year. Every food business must have robust pest control procedures in place to ensure that pests are not getting into their businesses and putting consumers health at risk. While the majority of food businesses comply with the legislation, it is unacceptable to see recurring issues that are entirely avoidable. These fundamental breaches not only pose a potential risk to consumer health, but also undermine consumer trust. Food businesses must take responsibility and ensure compliance with food safety legislation at all times, concluded Dr Byrne. Adam Glanville was last seen with his mother on June 3 in Richmond Seven-year-old Adam Glanville has not been seen since he disappeared with his mother last summer Images of two men have been released by police investigating the whereabouts of a seven-year-old boy who has been missing with his mother since last summer. Adam Glanville and his mother Karima Mahmoud, 43 who is in breach of a family court order were last seen together on June 3 2024 in Richmond, south-west London, Scotland Yard said. While Adam has not been seen since, police were notified of a sighting of Ms Mahmoud in the vicinity of Bedfont Road in Feltham on October 24. The images released by police show two men one with dark hair, including facial hair, and another with grey hair, a beard and thick-rimmed glasses. Images of two men have been released by police investigating the whereabouts of a seven-year-old boy who has been missing with his mother since last summer. Adam Glanville and his mother Karima Mahmoud, 43 - who is in breach of a family court order - were last seen together on June 3 2024 in Richmond, south-west London, Scotland Yard said. The man with grey hair is wearing a t-shirt with Run DMC written in large letters on the front. Detective Sergeant Mary Dawson, who is leading the investigation, said: We need the publics help to locate Karima and Adam. Karima is in breach of a family court order and police are trying to locate them both. I also want to identify and speak with the two men shown in the image released today. Karima Mahmoud which has been released by police investigating the whereabouts of a seven-year-old boy who has been missing with his mother since last summer. Adam Glanville and his mother Karima Mahmoud, 43 - who is in breach of a family court order - were last seen together on June 3 2024 in Richmond, south-west London, Scotland Yard said. They were involved in an altercation with a man at the time Karima and Adam were last seen together on 3 June the images were taken then. I do not believe they have caused any harm to Karima or Adam, but I believe they may have information as to their whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 01/903997/24, and people can remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. For an immediate sighting, people are asked to dial 999. And from that day until the day of the first ceasefire I couldnt walk down the street without looking at every car, checking every car. Actress Mary McEvoy says a last-minute change of plan probably saved her from being killed by a car bomb. The 70-year-old, who famously played Biddy Byrne in Glenroe, was shopping in Dublin city centre on May 17, 1974 when loyalist no-warning car bombs exploded at three locations in the capital and one in Co Monaghan on what was the worst day of murder during The Troubles. There was a shampoo that I wanted... isnt it extraordinary the things that happen? she reveals to presenter Joe Duffy on RTEs The Meaning Of Life. It was a shampoo that I wanted down in Shop and Save in Talbot Street. I also wanted to buy a remnant from Hickeys and I decided that I would get the remnant before I got the shampoo. And the bomb went off outside Shop and Save. And that decision saved my life, and I was at the back of Hickeys and I heard [bang]. Mary, who grew up as an only child on a farm in Co Westmeath, was naturally shocked at what occurred. Mary was lucky to avoid the Dublin bombings in 1974 It was like... I just knew. I dont know why I knew. And the next thing the sea of people came running up Henry Street up towards Abbey Street, it was terrifying theres a bomb, theres a bomb, theres a bomb, she remembers. And then this sort of weird feeling came over me. I said Ive got to get home, got to go home. Ive got to get the bus and Ive got to go home. I walked and I could see the screaming and the shouting on Abbey Street and I said Oh my God, I said. Just get keep going, keep going, keep going. Busaras is just there. And I will never forget. The tannoy you know, are there any doctors? Are there any doctors? Please come, please. Oh, it was... it was just... I dont know what it was because nobody, no, that never happened. Ireland lost its innocence that day. The Navan bus came in and the back was blown off it. But when I got home my mother was waiting, shes waiting to pick me up from the bus. Mary as Biddy and Mick Lally as Miley in 1986 A total of 34 innocent men, women, children and an unborn baby lost their lives that day. My mom was worried... she got me home and I went in and my father was sitting and he was he had this cold sweat on him. He was so worried. And I just gave him a hug and that was it. And from that day until the day of the first ceasefire I couldnt walk down the street without looking at every car, checking every car. It was around the time of the bomb that Mary, who came from a deeply Catholic family, became toying with Buddhism. When I joined the Buddhist group, we started a peace campaign where we would all get together and we would chant for peace in Ireland and South Africa at the time, she explains. But that terrible day gave me the passion to pray that hard... I do believe that things go out. They go out. It might take a long time, but things go out little, little, little tremors of positivity or peace or whatever go out. Which is why we should never give up with all the stuff thats going on at the moment. We should never give up. She adds: We did it to make a difference whether we believed it would make a difference or not, I dont know. But I remember that day the ceasefire was announced, and it was just the sense of jubilation. She is now a fully-fledged Buddhist. Mary with Joe Duffy My practice is Buddhism, she says. I pray mornings, in the evening. I always compare it to the way a ballet dancer has to do the bar exercises... its repetitious [sic]. Its the same every day and probably they find it boring sometimes. But thats what enables them to dance like human beings are trying to some of us are trying to access some form of divinity, but weve also got our human, rational side which is not a great ally when youre trying to work out the mystery of life. Mary says she chants to a scroll called the Gohonzon, which has every aspect of life on it. Ill take a little bit of paganism, but Ill always run it through the Buddhist, the Buddhist thing, but if somebody says are you 100pc Buddhist? I dont know. I dont know because none of us know, she maintains. Speaking abut Glenroe, Mary says it was huge. Well, what we didnt like because there was no celebrity culture, we didnt like being recognised, Mick Lally. dont call him Miley.. oh, he did not like it, she reveals. And I didnt like it either. Ive relaxed about it. An American woman travelling in New Zealand with her family said she was shocked to hear someone say the derogatory n-word in the country. Michigan travel content creator Tatyana Welch, 31, said she was in Rotorua waiting in line with her husband and two young children for the iconic Skyline Luge when the incident occurred. This kid - I want to say he was in his late teens ... so old enough to know better and do better - sitting with a couple of girls and one of the girls he was with, her hands were starting to turn black from holding on to the handlebars to go down the luge, Welch explained in a follow-up TikTok video uploaded Thursday. He was laughing and saying, Oh youre turning into a - insert derogatory word here. Welch, who embarked on a year-long trip around the world with her family in September to show our children that life is more than our little corner in America, said the person saying the racial slur failed to notice that she was standing next to him. Despite the other girls - who had noticed Welchs presence - telling him to stop talking, he kept repeating it, Welch said. Eventually, they made eye contact. He was really embarrassed ... He clearly knew he was wrong for saying that, she claimed in the TikTok video. Shortly afterwards as she is on the luge, Welch filmed her reaction to the moment, which she first uploaded to TikTok on Wednesday. Watch me disassociate as a trauma response after hearing some say the n word in New Zealand right in front of my face, read the overlayed text on the video that has now amassed more than 222,000 views. A dejected-looking Welch said in the video clip she had hoped in their travels they would see a change in how people act. I just was not expecting to hear somebody use that term here, she added. The video attracted plenty of comments from Kiwis. Some were sympathetic to Welchs experience. Arohamai sorry that happened to you Aotearoas not necessary like that, one comment read. Many others tried to justify the incident. Its not used to offend in NZ we throw it around like bro, claimed one commenter. Unfortunately NZ is highly influenced by America so that word is sadly very common in this country, wrote another. Another person wrote: The comments from NZ are not it. Speaking to the Herald, Welch said that she was completely shocked when she heard the word. I get that in America they use the slang version of that word in their music videos and song lyrics, but no one in America is running around using the derogatory term for that. [Using] the hard r, she said. Welch, who is a person of colour, explained in a video clip that she has experienced a fair share of racism. It is very triggering for me to hear somebody say that right in front of my face in a country that is supposed to be accepting of all races, she said. When the Herald asked her about her general experience as a person of colour in New Zealand, she said: Our experience here in New Zealand has been nothing short of amazing. The people have been unbelievably welcoming and kind everywhere weve went and that notion has not changed just because of that little incident with the ignorant kid. It was one isolated incident and I dont wanna take one situation and make it out to be the entire country. Nowhere is perfect and I guess that was ignorant of me to think that New Zealand would be perfect. A New Zealand firefighter, who spent several weeks battling one of the deadliest wildfires ever seen in California, says crews in Los Angeles are right now facing an impossible task. It comes as America's second biggest city continues to be ravaged by ongoing catastrophic wildfires that have killed at least 10 and obliterated whole neighbourhoods. Fire and Emergency's Northland district manager Wipari Henwood was one of dozens of New Zealand firefighters deployed in 2018 to help tackle a string of destructive wildfires in Northern California. The Carr Fire, between July and August 2018, scorched about 93,000 hectares across the state's Shasta and Trinity counties, destroying more than a thousand homes. Eight people were killed, including three firefighters. The New Zealand crew of 34 was also tasked with bolstering firefighting efforts against the Mendocino Complex wildfires that burned for three months, searing about 186,000 hectares combined. One firefighter was a further casualty in what turned out to be the most destructive wildfire season ever in California's history. More than six years later, the Los Angeles County is now reeling with the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire already ranking as the most devastating in Los Angeles' history. Henwood said there was little firefighters could do when faced with an "embers storm". Dont get left behind, RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson last year urged Rotorua businesses as he encouraged them to investigate using AI Artificial Intelligence tools to add value and improve productivity. Local Democracy Reporting journalist Laura Smith spoke to a Rotorua AI expert about helping people get past the fear of upskilling and asked local councils how they are adopting AI. A Rotorua AI business expert with global ambitions says he wants to upskill more locals so they stay in the region. Self-taught coder Matt Browning founded Triple Scoop in April 2023 and now has a team of nine. He said the company aimed to be the number one low-code agency in the world. Offering AI solutions, business automations, and data analytics platforms, it was described as a trailblazer in the tech world when awarded the Scion innovation and technology award at Octobers Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards. Browning told Local Democracy Reporting more than half the companys revenue came from the US, but he felt no need to relocate. I think a lot of New Zealand companies would love to do business outside of New Zealand and we are now doing that from here we dont have to be based in New York. We dont have to be based in LA. He aimed to hire more locals and upskill young people so they dont have to leave the region. People were often afraid of new technology and avoided upskilling. What that means is that people get left behind, not just locally but internationally. AI enabled less boring work, he said, and his pitch to clients was freeing up five hours per employee per week. Triple Scoop founder Matt Browning and Scion innovation manager Amanda Davies at the 2024 Rotorua Business Awards. Photo / Michelle Cutelli Photography We dont see peoples jobs being taken as so much as refined to be doing more value-added work. He also had advice for local councils using AI: be cautious and risk averse. For example, public servants should not send information to AI that they would not want on a website, Browning said. How councils use AI Bay of Plenty Regional Council digital manager Evaleigh Rautjoki-Williams said the council sought advice on where to start with AI and the potential risks. We found that because we are a public service organisation, our starting point would be different to a private sector company for example were not looking to make money, were looking at best practice in what we do. Staff currently used software solutions such as the Microsoft Copilot extension an AI assistant tool. Rotorua's Bay of Plenty Regional Council building. Photo / Laura Smith She said its work in the past year had been about setting up a culture that ensured AI was used appropriately to unlock opportunities for how we work. It adopted an AI Plan, which set out its vision, risks, principles of use and making sure it aligned with strategic direction. She said its vision was to use AI safely to empower staff and enable efficiencies, innovation and strategic success. It also developed usage guidelines for staff to keep them and our communities safe. Risks were monitored and reported on through the Audit and Risk Committee, and guidelines will be reviewed. Rotorua Lakes Council on Hinemaru St. Photo / Laura Smith A spokesperson for Rotorua Lakes Council said it took an optimistic and cautious approach. It understood the potential for service enhancement and driving efficiencies, but the risks needed to be well understood and managed. The council finalised a generative AI policy in March to guide staff and encourage its use while protecting the councils safety, privacy, and intellectual property rights. Staff could use generative AI services when the benefits and risks are well understood and manageable. Fully open AI services will be limited, with a preference for council-managed GenAI services. Like the regional council, it was looking at Copilot to support productivity. It was also looking at Gensys Cloud contact centre software to support customer interactions. Natural language AI services, such as Siri and Alexis, were also identified as options to support the councils call centre. The initial trial of the system is showing some positive results. Council investment in initiatives was about $3000 so far. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. An overwhelming response to the 2024 Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army foodbank has smashed the donation record, with more than $100,000 in cash and goods collected. It has been described as an example of the Rotorua communitys generosity shining through despite challenging economic times. The final donation tally is $103,683.50, made up of 18,940 food items valued at an average of $2.50 each, $25,786 worth of vouchers or cash donations and 634 high-quality toys. The previous record, from 2023, was $94,409.30. Salvation Army community ministries manager Darnielle Hoods said the generous response to the appeal showed the true meaning of community, aroha, and manaakitanga in Rotorua. The donations had enabled the foodbank to help well over 1000 families throughout the holiday season. The long-running annual six-week fundraiser, supported by The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM, started on November 9 and ended on December 23. Hoods said those who had contributed to the appeal were making a difference in the lives of so many. Salvation Army Rotorua community ministries manager Darnielle Hoods. Photo / Andrew Warner We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Rotorua, the incredible team at the Rotorua Daily Post, and Paul Hickey from The Hits for their unwavering support and dedication to this kaupapa. Without you, this outcome would not have been possible. This overwhelming response has already allowed us to assist 1283 people, with that number continuing to grow as we reach even more whanau who need a helping hand, Hoods said. The Salvation Army runs a choice-model supermarket, Te Kai Makona, where whanau in need can select their groceries. The Rotorua Salvation Army's Te Kai Makona supermarket. Photo / Andrew Warner In addition to providing direct support to those who came through our doors, we were also privileged to donate food vouchers and the remaining gifts from our final day of operation to the annual Rotorua Christmas Day Lunch hosted by the Rotorua Association of Ministers. This ensured even more families could experience the joy and togetherness of Christmas, Hoods said. The community event at Energy Event Centre was open to all. Thank you, Rotorua! Kei te mihi, kei te mihi, kei te mihi, Hoods said. The appeal was supported by initiatives big and small, from The Hits Fill The Bus to Scope Cafes Coffee for a Can and many more in between. Scope Cafe Rotorua owner-operators Dana and Steve Greer filled the stairway during the business' annual Coffee for a Can fundraiser. Photo / Laura Smith The Rotorua Trusts contribution of $10,000 was a major boost to the appeal. Trust chief executive Stewart Edward said fundraisers such as Fill The Bus were vital and he was pleased to see the generosity of our community shines brighter than ever. Its wonderful to see how our combined efforts have made a significant difference. Lets keep the momentum going in 2025. Together, we can make a significant impact on initiatives that positively affect our community, Edward said. Paul Hickey (left) with Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell (centre) and members of the Salvation Army team, accepting Rotorua Lakes Council's donation to Fill the Bus. Photo / Aleyna Martinez Rotorua Lakes Council provided a collection point at its offices for non-perishable food donations throughout the appeal. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said the appeal had an incredible outcome. To have collected a record amount and really show the great spirit of our Rotorua community. Even with the tough financial times were experiencing, peoples generosity has shone through and ensured those in need still received food and toys for Christmas. It was heartwarming to see the collection baskets filling up with donations from locals, and also council staff. We once again send a heartfelt thank you to all involved in ensuring the annual Christmas Appeal is able to go ahead, and to everyone who has donated so generously. The Zorb Rotorua team with cans donated during the can-for-a-ride locals day. Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said it was heartwarming to see the Rotorua community come together to help those in need. Even though it was a particularly tough year, people gave and gave. To beat the 2023 total is amazing and a testament to the big hearts of local readers, businesses, schools and organisations. Thank you all, and thank you to the Salvation Army team for your tireless work. This appeal was the first time in several years the Rotorua police team joined Fill The Bus, spokesperson Detective Christie Gordon said. The team donated toys to make sure the Salvation Army could provide families with gifts to give, as well as food. There is genuine need out there in our community. Rotorua police donated hundreds of toys to the Salvation Army during Fill the Bus. Photo / Aleyna Martinez It was great to be involved in the appeal its such a great way to help the community we work and police in. I was thrilled with the response we got from staff, who loved getting involved and donating toys and non-perishable goods. It was fantastic to see the response from the Salvation Army when we were loading it into the bus, and I hope the toys and gifts brought similar joy to families out there on Christmas Day. Were looking forward to getting involved this coming Christmas as well, Gordon said. Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. She moved to the region in 2024 and has previously reported in Wairarapa and at Pacific Media Network. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews continued work on the Black Jack Road vegetation fire on the Coromandel peninsula today with three helicopters and four ground crews. Black Jack Road has been closed all day today with stop/go traffic management supporting access for residents. There will be periods of total road closure to allow our firefighters to work safely. We will let everyone know when the road reopens, Incident Controller Shane Bromley said. A helicopter battling a vegetation fire on Black Jack Road, Kuaotunu in the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo: Coromandel's CFM/Supplied. Bromley said this morning that while the fire is under control, it was not yet contained. It is hoped the fire will be contained by the end of today. "While flames arent visible to the public, the fire is still smouldering, Bromley said. The western side of the fire is inaccessible to ground crews, so we still have three helicopters working on that side of the fire." A helicopter battling a vegetation fire on Black Jack Road, Kuaotunu in the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo: Coromandel's CFM/Supplied. Crews this afternoon have been focusing on dampening down hotspots and the left-hand flank of the fire. Black Jack Road is still closed with limited access under traffic management. There have been no evacuations due to the fire which is estimated to be approximately 600m x 600m. A strong southerly wind is blowing smoke from the fire out to sea. Fire and Emergency NZ fire fighters have been battling a vegetation fire on Black Jack Road, Kuaotunu in the Coromandel Peninsula on Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Coromandel's CFM/Supplied. Bromley would like to thank the public for allowing firefighters to work safely through following the traffic restrictions. At this stage it is not known how the fire started. Fire and Emergency NZ said an investigation will take place to determine the cause. The deficiencies of Upstate University Hospitals overcrowded and outmoded emergency department are well-documented in our news coverage: long wait times, sometimes dirty and unsafe conditions, patients parked in hallways waiting for care and thousands of fed-up patients each year walking out without any care at all. The editorial board joins Upstate leadership, the SUNY Board of Trustees and our local legislative delegation in urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature to invest in building a new, modern and expanded emergency department at Upstate. The hospital is indispensable to Central New York for a host of reasons. It is the Level 1 trauma center for 14 counties in the region, treating patients with the most critical injuries. It provides specialized care to burn patients from 37 counties more than half of the state and hosts the poison control center for 54 counties. The hospital and adjoining medical school are an economic engine, with more than 10,000 employees and an annual budget of $1.5 billion. The hospitals emergency department was built 60 years ago and added on to in the 1990s. Its 35 beds are not sufficient to provide the standard of care to Central New Yorks current population let alone the influx of residents expected as Micron builds out two to four semiconductor fabs in Onondaga County over the next 20 years. After taking swings at other solutions to its overcrowded ED, floating unrelated expansion proposals and being challenged by the governor to present a vision for its future, Upstate now appears to be fully focused on building a new emergency department. We can get behind that. More importantly, the plan has the backing of the SUNY Board of Trustees, which included $450 million for the project in its state budget funding request, and a bipartisan group of the regions lawmakers who will vote on that budget. There is will and momentum behind fixing Upstates broken ED. Now, all it needs is the money. Gov. Hochul and the legislature ought to make funding it a priority in this years budget. Lets get the ball rolling. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com The National Weather Service issued a winter weather alert today for parts of Central New York calling for high winds and heavy snow this week. Heavy lake effect snow is expected from 4 p.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Wednesday, with a total of one to two feet in the most persistent lake snows, according to the weather service. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph, resulting in blowing and drifting snow. The areas affected include Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties, including the cities of Oswego, Watertown and Lowville. The greatest accumulations are expected across the Tug Hill Plateau and the Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands, they said. The weather service said travel will be very difficult due to very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, they said. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com TejasKinger BHPian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Bangalore Posts: 322 Thanked: 1,425 Times Re: Hyundai Creta EV in the works Hyundai Kona EV Taxi |PC: DriveSpark Mahindra: Let's face it Mahindra XEV9e and BE6 are not cut out for the fleet market. Their current XUV400 is a marginal player in the fleet space, but the upcoming 3XO EV, though, could change that. Mahindra XUV400 Taxi | PC: Times of India Tata: The Tiago/Tigor/Punch/Currv EVs are not targeted at fleets. A few Nexons find themselves in the fleet market, but at the lower end of the market with the Xpress-T, Tata rules the roost here. The upcoming Harrier and Sierra EVs don't look like fleet products either. Tata Xpress-T | PC: Electrive Tata Nexon EV Taxi | PC: Twitter Citroen: The eC3 (at least in Bangalore) is popular with fleet operators (relatively speaking, of course), but with limited sales and service networks pan-India, there's only so far they can go. Not to mention, the eC3 also finds itself at the lower end of the fleet spectrum. e743a96b984c45ba8af620eeb683ec20_webFirst125unitsflaggedoffatBluSmartsEVchargingsuperhubinBangalore. Citroen eC3 Taxi | PC: Autocar Professional BYD: The BYD e6 and now the eMAX 7 are perfect fleet products, but they operate only in the upper end of the fleet market. Again, BYD sells in extremely limited numbers and is limited only to tier-1 cities. None of their other models - Seal/Atto3 or the upcoming Sealion are fleet-oriented. BYD e6 | PC: Motoroids MG: The ZS EV can certainly go head-to-head with the Hyundai Creta EV here. I see it as the perfect vehicle for operators such as BluSmart in the SUV category, ideally for both airport and ride-hailing trips. And while I haven't seen MG Windsors in fleets yet, there's a good chance the ZS-Windsor duo could put up a big fight here (especially with the Windsor's seats and space advantage). The upcoming MG M9 will likely be a niche fleet player, and the Comet - while it has the size advantage to solve for last mile connectivity, it is too expensive. MG ZS EV Taxi | PC: News18 And finally, the upcoming Maruti-Toyota eVitara/Urban Cruiser EV Twins With their combined muscle (distribution, product, brand image), this could be a real threat to the Creta EV in the fleet segment. The way I'm also looking at this is the fleet market for market EVs. Think about it, there were a few fleet Hyundai Kona EVs with BluSmart (only Delhi IIRC) in the past. Fleet EVs don't need to be exciting they need to be comfortable and reliable, and that could be the Hyundai Creta EVs trump card.Hyundai Kona EV Taxi |PC: DriveSparkLet's face it Mahindra XEV9e and BE6 are not cut out for the fleet market. Their current XUV400 is a marginal player in the fleet space, but the upcoming 3XO EV, though, could change that.Mahindra XUV400 Taxi | PC: Times of IndiaThe Tiago/Tigor/Punch/Currv EVs are not targeted at fleets. A few Nexons find themselves in the fleet market, but at the lower end of the market with the, Tata rules the roost here. The upcoming Harrier and Sierra EVs don't look like fleet products either.Tata Xpress-T | PC: ElectriveTata Nexon EV Taxi | PC: TwitterThe eC3 (at least in Bangalore) is popular with fleet operators (relatively speaking, of course), but with limited sales and service networks pan-India, there's only so far they can go. Not to mention, the eC3 also finds itself at the lower end of the fleet spectrum.Citroen eC3 Taxi | PC: Autocar ProfessionalThe BYD e6 and now the eMAX 7 are perfect fleet products, but they operate only in the upper end of the fleet market. Again, BYD sells in extremely limited numbers and is limited only to tier-1 cities. None of their other models - Seal/Atto3 or the upcoming Sealion are fleet-oriented.BYD e6 | PC: MotoroidsThe ZS EV can certainly go head-to-head with thehere. I see it as the perfect vehicle for operators such as BluSmart in the SUV category, ideally for both airport and ride-hailing trips. And while I haven't seen MG Windsors in fleets yet, there's a good chance the ZS-Windsor duo could put up a big fight here (especially with the Windsor's seats and space advantage). The upcoming MG M9 will likely be a niche fleet player, and the Comet - while it has the size advantage to solve for last mile connectivity, it is too expensive.MG ZS EV Taxi | PC: News18With their combined muscle (distribution, product, brand image), this could be a real threat to the Creta EV in the fleet segment. Last edited by TejasKinger : 11th January 2025 at 15:43 . Reason: Image edits NomadSK BHPian Join Date: May 2023 Location: Riyadh Posts: 649 Thanked: 4,646 Times Re: Massive Los Angeles fires rage on even as Hollywood blaze retreats Quote: Jeroen Originally Posted by Its a matter of scale and to what scale are you prepared. 1) we know it can cause human loss, worst case if some outsider innocent life gets involved, 2) it can cause severe economic losses, 3) unwanted/unplanned shutdown of a critical facility, our strategic storage tanks cannot run low at any cost, 4) its a big big reputational loss, 5) the premium we would have to pay for the insurance is directly linked to the mitigations procedures we follow, both active and passive. So when we know what are the consequences of the hazards, we can better plan for it. Let me throw an example, which is similar to what's happening at LA, but for a smaller area to deal with, flaring is a normal procedure at any O&G facility, it is a necessary evil and usually done away from where refining critical processes are being done, because we are dealing with a continuous live open fire, not preferable to have it close by, hence a buffer zone is created. Generally around a 800m to 1Km away from the facility, so one can safely say it's a 1Km radius zone, depending on the number of flares in the region, one can have multiple flares and its an unmanned region, due to the hazards of flare radiation. Now in this area only the process pipes pass through carrying the unwanted gasses which needs to be flared/burned. Its on similar lines to farting, except it's not put on fire. This flaring area is complete barren land, its unmanned and generally no maintenance works are supposed to happen there and is mostly neglected. Over a period of time we have unwanted grass popping up over the entire stretch, which gets dry and the open flame nearby from the flare creates a conducive environment for the fire to propagate and risk spreading. One can see the uncanny similarity of starting the bush fires at LA. So what passive protection we undertook, 1) We tweaked our SOP's and procedures with SME's being involved, 2) we floated the contract to clear off the grass from that flaring zone annually. Initially, that worked well, but it was costing a lot of money and safety issue, we cannot let common people, unskilled labors, in hundreds to enter the facility on daily basis to cut the grass, it wasn't a viable solution in long run, 3) Benchmarked the concerns with the best practices being used in similar industries at other locations, there was a eureka moment, simple and yet cost effective brilliant idea by someone and now this is an industry wide accepted practice, a layer of gravel of certain thickness, filled the whole area with gravel (100mm), there is no grass growth since then, one time investment and a 5 year monitoring plan to assess the situation. Reason for me to tell is, passive protection is more beneficial (for petrol heads - like seatbelts or even airbags), than the active protection. Fire fighting is active protection. Passive protection will help prevent a fire from spreading or resist the initial ignition or even let the fire come in close vicinity to the communities, because that's what you want to protect here. I know its simple said being done, but the administration could create a buffer zone between the communities and the forest with either graveling the area or concreting or something which could passively mitigate the hazards, rather than actively participating in it, especially when one already knows its a common phenomenon in that region and is carrying a higher degree of risk and is an immediate danger to someone's life. Lastly, please please guys have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors installed in your homes, doesn't cost much and can be a difference between life and death. It's a one time small investment, I think all of us who can afford cars, can afford these small things too. Oh yes, this is the picture of our last line of defense, in case of a toxic gas release at work. I have heard this is the same thing which pilots too carry in their cockpit, as their last safeguard. True, that's why we design and put more emphasis on passive protections, rather than active fire fighting (which is also there). Because,1) we know it can cause human loss, worst case if some outsider innocent life gets involved,2) it can cause severe economic losses,3) unwanted/unplanned shutdown of a critical facility, our strategic storage tanks cannot run low at any cost,4) its a big big reputational loss,5) the premium we would have to pay for the insurance is directly linked to the mitigations procedures we follow, both active and passive.So when we know what are the consequences of the hazards, we can better plan for it.Let me throw an example, which is similar to what's happening at LA, but for a smaller area to deal with, flaring is a normal procedure at any O&G facility, it is a necessary evil and usually done away from where refining critical processes are being done, because we are dealing with a continuous live open fire, not preferable to have it close by, hence a buffer zone is created. Generally around a 800m to 1Km away from the facility, so one can safely say it's a 1Km radius zone, depending on the number of flares in the region, one can have multiple flares and its an unmanned region, due to the hazards of flare radiation.Now in this area only the process pipes pass through carrying the unwanted gasses which needs to be flared/burned. Its on similar lines to farting, except it's not put on fire.This flaring area is complete barren land, its unmanned and generally no maintenance works are supposed to happen there and is mostly neglected. Over a period of time we have unwanted grass popping up over the entire stretch, which gets dry and the open flame nearby from the flare creates a conducive environment for the fire to propagate and risk spreading. One can see the uncanny similarity of starting the bush fires at LA.So what passive protection we undertook,1) We tweaked our SOP's and procedures with SME's being involved,2) we floated the contract to clear off the grass from that flaring zone annually. Initially, that worked well, but it was costing a lot of money and safety issue, we cannot let common people, unskilled labors, in hundreds to enter the facility on daily basis to cut the grass, it wasn't a viable solution in long run,3) Benchmarked the concerns with the best practices being used in similar industries at other locations, there was a eureka moment, simple and yet cost effective brilliant idea by someone and now this is an industry wide accepted practice, a layer of gravel of certain thickness, filled the whole area with gravel (100mm), there is no grass growth since then, one time investment and a 5 year monitoring plan to assess the situation.Reason for me to tell is, passive protection is more beneficial (for petrol heads - like seatbelts or even airbags), than the active protection. Fire fighting is active protection. Passive protection will help prevent a fire from spreading or resist the initial ignition or even let the fire come in close vicinity to the communities, because that's what you want to protect here.I know its simple said being done, but the administration could create a buffer zone between the communities and the forest with either graveling the area or concreting or something which could passively mitigate the hazards, rather than actively participating in it, especially when one already knows its a common phenomenon in that region and is carrying a higher degree of risk and is an immediate danger to someone's life.Lastly, please please guys have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors installed in your homes, doesn't cost much and can be a difference between life and death. It's a one time small investment, I think all of us who can afford cars, can afford these small things too.Oh yes, this is the picture of our last line of defense, in case of a toxic gas release at work. I have heard this is the same thing which pilots too carry in their cockpit, as their last safeguard. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by NomadSK : 12th January 2025 at 11:39 . A hot potato: Thousands of popular mobile apps across Android and iOS are allegedly being exploited to harvest sensitive location data on an unprecedented scale. This data collection, occurring through the advertising ecosystem, is likely happening without the knowledge of users or even app developers themselves. The information comes from hacked files belonging to Gravy Analytics, a location data company whose subsidiary, Venntel, has previously sold global location data to US law enforcement agencies. This information was reported by Wired, which collaborated with 404 Media to produce the story. The data breach has exposed a sprawling network of apps, ranging from popular games like Candy Crush to dating apps such as Tinder and Grindr. It also includes sensitive categories such as pregnancy tracking and religious prayer apps. "For the first time publicly, we seem to have proof that one of the largest data brokers selling to both commercial and government clients appears to be acquiring their data from the online advertising 'bid stream,' rather than code embedded into the apps themselves," Zach Edwards, senior threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Silent Push, told 404 Media. This revelation sheds light on the world of real-time bidding (RTB), a process where companies bid to place ads inside apps. However, this system has a dangerous side effect: data brokers can intercept this process and harvest the location data of mobile phone users. Edwards described this as "a nightmare scenario for privacy," adding that "there's some company out there acting like a global honey badger, doing whatever it pleases with every piece of data that comes its way." The scale of this data collection is staggering. The hacked Gravy data includes tens of millions of mobile phone coordinates from devices in the United States, Russia, and Europe. The list of affected apps is extensive, covering a wide range of categories including social networks, fitness trackers, email clients, and even VPN apps that users may have downloaded in an attempt to protect their privacy. Although the data breach appears to involve Gravy Analytics, it remains unclear whether Gravy collected this location data itself or obtained it from another source. The dataset, which dates to 2024, offers a rare glimpse into the opaque world of the location data industry. Gravy Analytics plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, aggregating mobile phone location data from various sources and selling it to commercial entities or government agencies via its subsidiary, Venntel. Previous investigations revealed that Venntel's clients include several U.S. government agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the IRS, the FBI, and the DEA. The implications of this data collection are far-reaching, raising serious privacy concerns and highlighting the potential for this data to be used in ways that users never intended or consented to. For instance, 404 Media and other outlets previously demonstrated how a tool called Locate X, powered by Venntel's data, could be used to monitor visitors to out-of-state abortion clinics. Most app developers and companies included in the list did not respond to requests for comment. However, Flightradar24 stated in an email that it had never heard of Gravy but acknowledged displaying ads to "help keep Flightradar24 free." Tinder denied any relationship with Gravy Analytics, while Muslim Pro, one of the affected prayer apps, claimed it does not authorize ad networks to collect location data of its users. The discovery that this data appears to originate from real-time bidding is particularly significant. It shifts accountability toward rogue actors in the advertising industry and the tech giants that facilitate it. It also suggests that many major app publishers may be unaware their users' data is being harvested, making it difficult for them to take preventive measures. Krzysztof Franaszek, founder of digital forensics firm Adalytics, reviewed the leaked data and observed that "at least some of this data would likely have been sourced from advertising-related real-time bidding." He noted evidence that Google's advertising platform is serving some of the ads that enable this tracking by outside companies, including potential government contractors. The FTC has recently taken action against similar practices. In December, the agency banned location data company Mobilewalla from collecting consumer data "from online advertising auctions for purposes other than participating in those auctions." The FTC also ordered Venntel and Gravy Analytics to delete historical location data and barred them from selling data related to sensitive areas, such as health clinics and places of worship, except under limited circumstances. Are you tired of missing deadlines, forgetting important events, or struggling to stay organized? In todays fast-paced world, it can be difficult to keep track of all the tasks, appointments, and commitments that make up our daily lives. But with the help of a good calendar app, managing your schedule can be a breeze. Whether you are a busy professional, a student with a packed schedule, or just someone who wants to stay on top of their to-do list and remember important dates like anniversaries, Birthdays, or holidays, a calendar app can be an invaluable tool. With features like reminders, event scheduling, and task management, a good calendar app can help you stay on track and make the most of your time. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start. Which is the best calendar app for Windows 10 which is right for you? Which features are the most important? To help you make an informed decision, we have put together a comprehensive guide to the best calendar apps on the market. From popular options like Microsoft and Google Calendar to lesser-known gems like VueMinder and Rainlendar, weve tested and evaluated the top calendar apps on Windows 10 PC and Laptops to bring you the most useful and effective tools for managing your schedule. Whether you are looking for a simple, streamlined calendar app or a powerful tool with all the bells and whistles, we have got you covered. Best Calendar Apps for Windows 10 1. Microsoft Calendar (System App) The in-built calendar app on Windows 10 should be your first choice as it is shipped with the operating system. Click on the date/time in the taskbar and a panel will open up where you can see tasks, and reminders. You can also add new tasks to the calendar through the Add an event or reminder menu. You can access the full calendar by searching Calendar in the Start Menu search. It can integrate with your Microsoft Outlook account, which means that any events or appointments that you add to Outlook will automatically appear in the Calendar app. This can be especially useful if you use Outlook for work, as you can keep your work schedule separate from your personal schedule. Features It can integrate with your Microsoft Outlook account, which means that any events or appointments that you add to Outlook will automatically appear in the Calendar app. This can be especially useful if you use Outlook for work, as you can keep your work schedule separate from your personal schedule. This can be especially useful if you use Outlook for work, as you can keep your work schedule separate from your personal schedule. If you have a Windows 10 phone or tablet, the Calendar app will sync across all your devices, so you can access your schedule from anywhere. This can be especially useful if youre on the go and need to check your schedule quickly. You can easily print your calendar or export it to a PDF, which can be useful if you need to share your schedule with others. For example, if you are a teacher, you might print out your class schedule and give it to your students so they know when their assignments are due. This free calendar will take care of your scheduling needs on Windows 10. You have to install it from the Microsoft store and then choose the theme on the welcome screen from over a dozen options. After that, you will be asked to set up to sign into a calendar account from popular services like Microsoft, Google, iCloud, Webcal, GMX, etc. It also lets you continue with an account but your data will not be synced across devices. Features View and manage multiple calendars from different services such as Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Facebook Events. You can add, edit, and delete events from any of your connected calendars from within the One Calendar app. Share your calendar with others via email or through a web link. You can control the level of access that others have to your calendar, such as read-only or full access. Customize many aspects of the app, such as the appearance of the user interface, notifications, and reminders. You can also choose which calendars to display or hide, depending on your preferences. Lightning Calendar is a free and open-source calendar add-on developed by Mozilla for its Thunderbird email client. You can manage schedules and events directly within Thunderbird, eliminating the need for a separate calendar application. It supports features such as recurring events, email invitations, and reminders. Features In-built calendar seamlessly into Thunderbird, allowing users to manage their schedules and events without switching to a separate application. Invite others to events via email, allowing users to connect via the calendar and stay on the same page. Integrates with various online calendar services such as Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange, and Apple iCloud. Google Calendar is a really useful web-based calendar app that helps you keep track of your schedule. You can use it to create and manage events, appointments, and meetings, and even share them with other people if you want. It has some amazing features like multiple calendar support, different views, reminders, and sharing options. Plus, it is integrated with other Google services like Gmail and Google Meet, so you can use it alongside other tools you might already be using. Features Google Calendars Find a time feature is powered by machine learning and takes into account everyones availability and time zones to suggest meeting times that work for everyone. This can save a lot of time and eliminate the back-and-forth of scheduling meetings. You can set out of office notifications in Google Calendar, which will automatically decline meeting invitations during a specified time period. This is useful for letting others know when you are not available and cant attend meetings or events. When you frequently travel or work with people in different time zones, Google Calendar can automatically adjust event times to the correct time zone. This can eliminate confusion and ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to meeting times. Chronos Calendar is a flexible and user-friendly calendar app that works on Windows 10, that can help you manage your time more efficiently. With its customizable interface, you can personalize the look and feel of the app to suit your preferences. The integrated task management feature allows you to stay on top of your to-do list, while the real-time updates ensure that you never miss an appointment or deadline. The calendar app is compatible with a range of popular calendar services, making it easy to sync your schedule across multiple platforms. Features You can attach files, photos, or links to your events, so you can provide more context and information. Provide more context and information for your events, tasks, and appointments. It provides real-time updates, so you can stay on top of your schedule and receive notifications when events or tasks are added, changed, or deleted. Access a range of customization options, such as different color schemes and layouts, so you can create a personalized look and feel that suits your preferences. 6. Microsoft Outlook Calendar Now we have a calendar app that is similar to the Lightning calendar. Microsoft Outlook Calendar is accessible from the Outlook email client. It is designed to help you keep track of your schedule and manage your time efficiently from the Office suite. Features You can easily schedule a meeting by selecting a time on the calendar, creating a meeting request, and inviting the people you want to attend. Outlook will assist you in finding the earliest time when all the invitees are free. Once you send the meeting request via email, the invitees will receive the request in their inboxes. View multiple calendars side-by-side, including ones you have created and those shared by other Outlook users. For instance, you can create a separate calendar for your personal appointments and easily compare it to your work calendar. Plus, you can copy or move appointments between calendars with ease. Outlooks Delegate Access feature helps in seamless calendar management between individuals. For instance, an administrative assistant can easily manage the calendar of their manager by using their own copy of Outlook. Once the manager grants the assistant delegate access, they can take charge and create, move, or delete appointments on the managers calendar, as well as organize meetings on their behalf. Just like Google Calendar, you will need to sign in and use it in the browser as its a web-based calendar app. Daybridge is a unique calendar app designed with individuals in mind, rather than businesses. Unlike other calendars that rely on a rigid grid layout, it offers a customizable way to organize your day. You can easily combine tasks, events, and notes in one place to streamline your schedule. Upon signing up, Daybridge asks a few questions to better understand your personal situation and help you save time adding items to your calendar. Features It features Smart cards that provide relevant information and actions for each event, allowing you to manage every aspect of your life in one place. You can create multiple Spaces in Daybridge, such as work, personal, or travel. Each Space can have its own color scheme, Smart cards, and timeline, allowing you to keep your schedules separate and organized. You can also easily switch between different Spaces and view your entire schedule at once. It is available on multiple platforms, including the web, iOS, and Android. This allows you to access your schedule and manage your tasks from any device, no matter where you are. If you are looking for a calendar app that strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, Morgen is an excellent choice for both personal and professional use. One of its best features is its ability to seamlessly integrate with all your other calendars, including Outlook, Google, Exchange, and CalDAV. This way, you can keep all your calendars in one place, which makes it easier to manage your tasks and schedules without the risk of double booking. Morgen is not just limited to a web app, as it can be installed on various operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, and even Linux, and it synchronizes everything across all your devices. Features Once you link your Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and Webex accounts, you have the option to include virtual meeting rooms in your invitations with just a single click. Furthermore, meetings scheduled through your booking page or scheduling links will have their virtual conferencing details. No need for an external scheduler to share your availability with the personalized link scheduling. These links are continuously checked against your calendar in real time, ensuring that they are always up-to-date with your changing schedule. Bring together all your calendars, such as Apple Calendar, on your Windows device without the need for suspicious plugins or external synchronization services. The result is a fast, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing calendar that you wont want to do without. Power Planner is basically a calendar app designed specifically for students. Its available on both mobile and web platforms and has a lot of cool features that can help students organize their busy schedules. You can keep track of your homework assignments, tests, projects, and grades. You can also set reminders for upcoming deadlines and exams so that you never miss anything important. The app also has a calendar view, a timetable view, and a GPA calculator, which can come in handy. And if you use multiple devices, you can easily sync all your data across them. Features Keep track of your grades for individual assignments, classes, and even entire semesters. This can be really helpful in monitoring your progress and identifying areas where you may need to focus more attention. Add tests and projects to your schedule. You can include details like due dates, priority levels, and associated classes. This can help you stay on top of all your upcoming deadlines. Conveniently view your forthcoming homework through the live tiles of the Start menu. Additionally, you have the option to pin a schedule tile which will inform you of the time and location of your next class. It is also possible to pin individual classes as secondary tiles and even set them as your detailed lock screen status. If you are looking for a simple calendar app to use on Windows 10, then My Calendar is a strong contender. It is free to use but you will come across few ads and fewer features. They can be removed and you can access premium features by purchasing the pro pack for $10. You get the option to import calendar events and data from the default Calendar app on the first launch. Then you will land on the home screen with the calendar. Features Personalize your experience by customizing the live tiles for the Start Menu. With the ability to choose from different colors, sizes, and even custom background images, you can create a unique and personalized view of your schedule. Add more details to your events beyond the default notes box. In addition to setting the date and time of an event, you can include other important information such as email, location, phone, and URL. Add different colors to various calendar elements, which will help in differentiating items when going through the events. You can also color-code specific elements within an event, such as a specific time range or a location. This allows you to easily differentiate between various aspects of an event, making it even easier to navigate and manage your schedule. My Study Life is similar to Power Planner, designed and developed features while keeping students in mind. You can easily manage all your classes, tasks, assignments, and exams from anywhere and on any device. This calendar app will streamline your academic life by ensuring that you never miss an assignment or forget an important lesson. By improving your organization, you will be able to increase your productivity and free up more time to focus on the things that are most important to you as a student. Features Easily input your school subjects, organize your classes, and add information about your lessons, making it simple for you to stay on top of your schedule without any effort. Track the progress of your tasks and specify exactly how much of a task has been completed, rather than just marking it as complete or incomplete with a binary option. Store your data in the cloud, which ensures that even if you lose your device, your data will still be accessible when you sign in again from another PC/device. Additionally, the app works offline, so you never have to worry about losing access to your schedule due to a lack of internet connectivity. Rainlendar is a customizable desktop calendar app for Windows 10 that allows users to track events, tasks, and appointments. It offers two versions, lite and pro. The former is free and offers a number of features. On the other hand, the pro version is available for a one-time purchase, offering more features and priority support. They have a forum where you can interact with other users and discuss ways to use the features to their full potential. All in all, it provides a customizable and convenient way for users to track their events, tasks, and appointments. Features Display multiple windows from the Railendar app concurrently on your desktop. For instance, you can showcase both the present and forthcoming monthly calendars, or have two distinct lists with their respective tasks. There is a wide range of window types to select from. Rapidly add events and tasks using a single line of text, through the quick add widget. Additionally, you have the ability to specify the recurrence pattern and assign categories to the events and tasks. Every day, your events and settings are automatically backed up to safeguard against loss, allowing you to restore them from the backup files if necessary. Furthermore, you can create manual backups as an additional measure to keep your events secure. Todoist is different from a regular calendar app, as it offers task management and to-do list functionality. While it offers some features that are related to scheduling, such as setting due dates for tasks and recurring tasks, it does not have a traditional calendar view that allows you to see your events and appointments in a visual calendar format. However, it can be integrated with some calendar apps such as Google Calendar, so that your Todoist tasks with due dates can be displayed as events in your calendar. Features View your Todoist tasks as events in your calendar, making it easier to manage your schedule and avoid conflicts. You can also set up reminders for your tasks to ensure that you dont miss any deadlines. Assign a task to another user, set a due date, and add any relevant comments or files. The person to whom you delegate the task will receive a notification and can then complete the task on your behalf. You can track the progress of the delegated task in Todoist and receive updates when it is completed. You can track the progress of the delegated task in Todoist and receive updates when it is completed. Visualize your productivity trends using graphs and charts. See how productive you have been over a certain period of time, and to identify areas where you can improve. VueMinder is an amazing reminder and calendar app that helps you keep track of your busy life. Its perfect for anyone who struggles with managing their schedule or keeping track of important deadlines and appointments. The software is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with popular calendar services such as Google Calendar and Outlook. You can schedule events, tasks, and appointments, set reminders for important deadlines, and receive notifications via email, SMS, or pop-up alerts. Features Schedule events, tasks, and appointments with ease. You can add important details such as start and end times, location, notes, and more. You can also categorize your events and tasks, making it easy to find and organize them. Integrate with your contacts, so you can quickly schedule events with people in your address book. This feature saves you time and ensures that you dont forget to invite important people to your events. Print your calendar and task lists or export them to HTML and you can view them in any browser. This feature also makes it easy to share your schedule with others or keep a hard copy for yourself. Any.do is another reliable calendar app that allows you to keep track of your to-do lists, set reminders, and organize your tasks in a simple and intuitive way. You can create tasks, set due dates and reminders, and prioritize your tasks based on their importance. The app also offers various features, such as shared lists, calendar integration, and voice commands. Additionally, Any.do syncs across all your devices, allowing you to access your tasks and lists from anywhere. Its available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, as well as a web app and browser extension for Chrome. Features Integrate with your calendar, letting you to view and manage your tasks and events in one place. You will never miss an important deadline or appointment. Create shared lists and collaborate with others on tasks and projects. This will come in handy for teams working on projects together. AI-powered feature in the Any.do app that offers personalized suggestions and tips to help you manage your tasks and schedule more efficiently. The Assistant learns your usage patterns and preferences over time, and uses that information to provide tailored recommendations. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best free calendar for Windows 10? When it comes to choosing the best free calendar app for Windows 10, there are several options to consider. Microsoft Calendar, which is pre-installed on Windows 10, is a simple and straightforward option that integrates well with other Microsoft apps. Another popular free option is Google Calendar, which is widely used and offers a range of features. Other free options to consider include Rainlendar and VueMinder Lite, both of which offer customizable features and integrations with other apps. Is Google Calendar free on PC? Yes, Google Calendar is free to use on PC. The Google Calendar web app can be accessed through any internet browser on a Windows 10 PC. Users can create and manage events, set reminders, and view multiple calendars at once, all for free. Is there a better calendar app than Google? It is difficult to say whether there is a better calendar app than Google, as it ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. However, there are certainly alternatives to Google Calendar that some people may find more suitable for their purposes. For example, Microsofts Outlook calendar is a popular choice for those who primarily use Microsoft Office and want seamless integration between their email and calendar. Choosing the Best Calendar App These were some of the best calendar apps for Windows 10. Most of them work on Windows 11 so you wont have to look for another list of apps. Most of them are available through the Microsoft store and the remaining can be downloaded from their official website. French-led group in major deal for water-short Jordan Amman, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2025 Jordan, one of the world's driest countries, signed an agreement on Sunday with French-led investors to build one of the world's largest desalination plants. Jordan's official Petra news agency called it the country's biggest-ever infrastructure project, which Prime Minister Jafar Hassan has told Parliament is valued at more than $5 billion. French infrastructure specialists Meridiam lead the project in partnership with SUEZ, Orascom Construction and VINCI Construction Grands Projets. On its website, Meridiam said the project would supply more than 300 million cubic metres of drinking water to Amman and Aqaba, serving in excess of three million people. "This project will increase the total annual available domestic water supply by almost 60 percent" for households, and will also include about 445 kilometres (276 miles) of pipelines to transport the desalinated water from the Red Sea, Meridiam said. Jordan's Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu al-Saud emphasised the project's "transformative potential", noting it would "mark a significant shift in Jordan's water security landscape", according to Petra. The project will take about four years to complete, the prime minister said last month. It follows Jordan's pullout from a plan that would have linked the Dead Sea and Red Sea by pipes in Jordan. In 2013, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians signed a memorandum of understanding on that project, which included plans to build a desalination plant at the Red Sea. But against the backdrop of popular anger in Jordan due to stagnation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, then-water minister Mohammad al-Najjar in June 2021 said the Red Sea-Dead Sea project was "now a thing of the past". kt-it/smw Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships; co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies and is featured on the podcast, Never Again. In a special summer series, our writers take a look at the story behind something that they hold on to despite their mixed feelings. I have a box of orphaned, broken earrings in my wardrobe which I cannot bring myself to discard. They represent the tantalising prospect of micro-reinvention, much like a new haircut or an Instagram filter. Novelty accessories distract from my aversion to make-up, intricate skincare or a personal grooming ritual. Raised on a diet of anime, manga and the (now defunct) Dolly and Girlfriend magazines in country Western Australia, I spent my teens longing for a heart-shaped face, huge eyes and a pixie look. My parents feared piercings were a gateway into illicit behaviour and dangerous compulsions, so I raided my grandmothers collection of vintage clip-on earrings. Perhaps there is something to their fear. In the 1999 novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, the protagonist (played by Scarlett Johansson in the film) pierces both ears at the painter Vermeers request and experiences a transgressive, sensual rush at this spike of pain and the shared intimacy of sitting for a portrait. In my early 20s, I finally had my ears pierced at a pharmacy. My orphan earrings project an optimism. Some of my earrings are sourced from Melbournes artists markets in Rose Street, St Kilda, and Williamstown: a miniature half-peeled banana, a button-sized stud clad in cherry cloth. At a Kinki Gerlinki outlet, I acquire metal giraffes, suspended from their necks by silver loops. One giraffe was decapitated on an outing and is lost. The pink doll chair earrings are likely manufactured with a cheap alloy the enamel keeps flaking off and the studs make my earlobes ache. Peter Miniutti of Ashbury doesnt think we need to offer Tasmania to Donald Trump as suggested by Robert McElhone (C8): Surely Trump will take the south island of New Zealand before Tasmania, due to its strategic importance in global defence against rogue Antarctic penguins. Garry Thomas of Oatlands agrees, but recommends that all of Aotearoa becomes the 51st state, the theory being that the resulting butting of heads would fix his ambitions forever. If you took eponymous foods (C8) literally, not only would you eschew rosella jam and hummingbird cake, but youd also avoid bee sting, butterfly and mud cakes, suspects William Galton of Hurstville Grove. A finger bun would definitely get the thumbs down. For the best nostalgic milk bar (C8) road trip, and rest stop if youre travelling on the Hume Highway, try the Niagara Cafe at Gundagai, suggests Margaret Broadbent of Dunbogan. From borrowing dogs (C8) to the loaning of kids: I have a similar story to Judy Edwards but involving my oldest daughter, writes Geoff Maynard of Paddington. I was having coffee one morning when she was about one. A group thirty-something women spent quite some time chatting and playing with her. After they left, one of my (childless) brothers asked if he could borrow her for a while. While reading about snowpersons and ploughpersons in Thursdays Column 8, I nearly fell into a personhole, claims the personable Robert Sharpe of Bondi. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared hope for a ceasefire in Gaza that could take heat out of the domestic dispute over the war, claiming the Greens credibility has been eroded by the partys bid to harness the Middle East conflict to win new seats and push Labor into minority. Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire talks in Qatar, raising hopes for an end to the war amid pressure for a deal before Donald Trumps US presidential inauguration on January 20. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Perth last week. Credit: Getty Images Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australias ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, will attend Trumps inauguration after weeks of Coalition questions about how Labor would build a relationship with the Republican, about whom Albanese government ministers have previously made disparaging comments. Government sources familiar with the trip said Wong would not meet with Trump but rather with her foreign affairs counterparts. These may include Trumps pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, whose congressional confirmation is set for January 15. Victorias lobbying regulations could be extended to cover not only state MPs but local government as soon as this year, which would bring significantly more transparency to a sector with little legal oversight. The changes, which could bring additional reporting requirements as well as cooling-off periods for councillors who later work for businesses hoping to win local government contracts, would bring Victoria into line with other jurisdictions such as Queensland. Premier Jacinta Allan, pictured last week, hopes to extend Victorias lobbying rules to local governments as soon as this year. Credit: Paul Jeffers Lobbying at the local government level is not regulated in Victoria, despite councillors often making decisions on multimillion-dollar projects. Integrity campaigners have cautiously welcomed the prospect of reform. However, the mooted changes come years after Victorias corruption watchdog prompted by The Ages reporting found that developer John Woodman sought to sway City of Casey decisions through private payments. The state government sacked the former Casey council in 2020 following the revelations. It is arguably the most divisive culinary combination. Topping the traditional Italian favourite with pineapple now comes with a hefty price tag at one trendy pizzeria. Lupa Pizza in Norwich, in the county of Norfolk, England, is charging customers 100 ($199) for its Hawaiian pizza on food delivery service Deliveroo because it disapproves of the combination so strongly. So far, no one has ordered the pricey topping but pineapple remains a popular choice with Britons. The pizzeria, where the average base costs 11.70, has nailed its culinary colours to the mast. Its menu tells customers: Yeah, for 100 you can have it. Order the champagne too! Go on you Monster! Camp organised in Narsinghpur under Chief Minister Jankalyan Abhiyan Our Correspondent NARSINGHPUR A camp was organised in City Municipality Narsinghpur campus under the Chief Minister Jankalyan Abhiyan in presence of Panchayat, Rural Development and Social Welfare Department of Madhya Pradesh and Department of Labour, Madhya Pradesh Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel. Here, former Rajya Sabha MP, Kailash Soni, District Panchayat President, Jyoti Nilesh Kakodiya, former Minister of State, Jalam Singh Patel, Municipal Council President, Neeraj Dubey and Vice President, Ajit Thakur, Engg Abhilash Mishra, Dr Anant Dubey, Mahant Pritampuri Goswami, Collector, Sheetala Patel, Superintendent of Police, Mrigakhi Deka, CEO of District Panchayat, Dalip Kumar, Chief Municipal Officer, Neelam Chauhan along with other public representatives, officers-employees, beneficiaries and dignitaries were present. Addressing the programne, Minister, Patel said that after completion of one year of the tenure of the State Government, I have come to Nagar Palika Narsinghpur for the first time. It is a matter of good fortune that the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be celebrated as Jayanti Mahotsav from 25 December 2024 for the next one year. Atal ji brought the wind of development in the villages of the country. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Golden Chaturbhuj Yojana were started by him. The Central and State Government celebrate the birthday of respected Shri Atal ji as Good Governance Day. The purpose of celebrating it is that the governance should be transparent, effective and accountable to the public. Minister, Patel expected all the officers and employees including the Chairman of the Municipality to work in the interest of the people in the direction of good governance, this would be a true tribute to respected Atal ji. The buildings that will be constructed in the new Gram Panchayats in the state have been named Atal Gramin Seva Sadan. Minister, Patel said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi started the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The objective of this scheme is that the needy people of the country, who do not have pucca houses, should have their own pucca houses. A list of Aawas Plus was prepared for the eligible persons left out in this scheme. 27 lakh families of Madhya Pradesh were included in it. In this series, the third and final survey is also being conducted, the objective of which is that no eligible person should be deprived of this scheme. He told the public representatives that we will have to start this work from the lower level. Public representatives, Panch-Sarpanch, Corporator know very well in their area that which eligible person has got the benefit or not. If the public representative makes a firm intention, then no eligible person will ever be deprived of various welfare schemes of the government. If the problems of the people are heard at the local level, then the person will never wander here and there with the application. Minister Shri Patel said that this is a very old district historically, we have to preserve its heritage. The Singri river of the city should be free from encroachment, the city should be clean and beautiful. There should be better arrangement for parking of vehicles. To give a concrete shape to these dreams, everyone will have to work together, only then Narsinghpur will be able to make its identity as an ideal city. All the corporators, officers and employees should work by making a roadmap towards good governance. This is the biggest gift of democracy to the public. Minister, Patel said that the government has taken a resolution to make Narsinghpur district TB free under the 100-day Nishchay Abhiyan. This is a social responsibility, not a government program. He said that there is no need to be afraid of TB. Everyone should get tested for TB. He urged everyone to play an active role in this campaign. Former Rajya Sabha MP Kailash Soni also expressed his views on the occasion. In the programme, the guests observed the stalls set-up by various departments in the Municipal campus. The welcome speech in the program was given by Municipal Council President, Neeraj Dubey. Beth McCann has been Denver district attorney since 2017. McCann previously served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from Denver. Dark web, cryptocurrency continue to be challenge: Shah NEW DELHI UNION Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplace and drones continue to be a challenge for the country and these have to be checked by strict measures. Chairing a regional conference on Drug Trafficking and National Security here, Shah also asserted that the country will not allow even a single kg of drugs to be smuggled in or out of the country. He said the Government has not only been successful in eliminating many networks of drugs, but the terrorism linked with them too was also destroyed. He said many cases of narco-terrorism were busted in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and these were major achievements. The use of dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplace, drones continue to be a challenge for us even today, he said. Shah said a technical solution to these problems have to be found through joint efforts by the states and the central government and technocrats for the countrys security and development. He said the fight against drugs has gained a new strength under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. In the last 10 years, there has been a seven-fold increase in the seizure of drugs which is a major achievement. The Modi government has given a strong message of destroying the entire ecosystem of drugs through strict action, he said. The Home Minister said that in 2024, by seizing drugs worth Rs 16,914 crore, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police across the country took the biggest action against drugs, which is a significant step in making a drug-free society. No country can move forward on the path of development with a young generation suffering from drug addiction. It is our responsibility that we all fight this challenge together and make all efforts to win this battle, he said. Shah said that during 2004-14, a total of 3.63 kg of drugs were seized while during 2014-24, altogether 24 lakh kg of drugs were seized - a seven-fold increase as compared to the previous decade. He said drugs worth Rs 8,150 crore were disposed off in 2004-14 but in 2014-24, drugs worth Rs 54,851 crore were destroyed - eight times more than the previous decade. The conference, organised by the NCB, aims to address the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and Union Territories of northern India. Shah also launched the drug disposal fortnight starting from Saturday to January 25. He said that during this period, one lakh kg of narcotics worth Rs 8,600 crore will be destroyed. Fashion & lifestyle exhibition Riwaazz to conclude today Business Reporter The hot favourite fashion and lifestyle exhibition Riwaazz which catapults Nagpur to new high on fashion meter is back again. The exhibition kickstarted at Hotel Tuli Imperial, Ramdaspeth Saturday will conclude on January 12. Riwaazz is immensely popular premium fashion lifestyle exhibition in a number of cities.The expo has brought together a perfect combination of ethnics, tunics, gowns, footwear, purses, fabrics, costumes and jewellery. This include creation by hand-picked labels from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Pune, Raipur, Surat and Hyderabad. In this edition of Riwaazz visitors will be able to see special collection from Prerna Jewels. Chandigarhs renowned jewellery brand Prerna Jewels will be a special attraction for Nagpurians. Prerna Jewels has come up with special offer of 0 per cent making charges, 0 per cent stone, polish and wastage and 0 per cent GST. The organisors said that a never before collection ladies and kids apparel, home decor, artifacts, designer wears, jewellery, bags, footwear potlis, odhnas, light stoles etc. all with Wedding special collection is available in the exhibition. The entire collection is mesmerising the crowd, says a press release issued here. Dont miss the exhibition on its last day at Hotel Tuli Imperial, Ramdaspeth. For further details contact - 9522233211 / 77. Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony begins in Ayodhya AYODHYA THE first anniversary celebrations of the Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony at the Ram temple here started on Saturday with a large number of devotees reaching the holy city to take part in various events. The anniversary celebrations began with the recitation of the Yajurveda. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple here on Saturday on the first anniversary of the Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony. The Chief Minister bowed in front of Ram Lallas idol and performed an aarti at the temple, the Government said in a statement. He also offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi Temple nearby. The Chief Minister received blessings from Nritya Gopal Das Ji Maharaj, president of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. He was also greeted by the devotees on the Janmabhoomi Path. Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, MLA Vedprakash Gupta, Ramchandra Yadav and other public representatives and BJP leaders welcomed the Chief Minister at Ram Katha Park, the statement said. The court of Ram Lalla has been decorated with flowers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the consecration ceremony on January 22 last year, greeted citizens on the occasion. Best wishes to all citizens on the first anniversary of the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This temple, built after centuries of sacrifice, penance and struggle, is a great heritage of our culture and spirituality. I am confident that this divine and magnificent Ram temple will become a great inspiration in the accomplishment of the resolution of a developed India (Viksit Bharat), he said in a post on X in Hindi. Anup Mishra, a local resident who was at the temple to witness the anniversary celebrations, said, We were not able to come to the Ram Janmabhoomi when the Pran Pratistha was done in January 2024, but we were fortunate enough to reach the court of Ram Lalla on the first anniversary of the ceremony. Sarla Maheshwari, who has come from Bhopal, said, We reached Ayodhya two days ago to take part in the anniversary celebrations and are excited that today we will see the deity. Scheduled from January 11 to 13, the celebrations aim to include common people, who were unable to attend the historic ceremony last year, alongside 110 invited VIPs, according to the temple trust. A German hangar tent has been set up at the Angad Teela site, capable of hosting up to 5,000 people. Common people will have the opportunity to witness the grand event, which includes classical cultural performances, rituals and daily Ram Katha discourses at the pavilion and the yagnashala. The trust has decided to invite common people who could not attend the consecration ceremony last year. They will be allowed to join all three days of events at the Angad Teela, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had earlier said. The trust also said that invitation letters have been distributed to guests, including the 110 VIPs, many of whom missed the original Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024. Those who were unable to attend last year would be included in this anniversary celebration, Rai had said. The trust also extended invitations to saints and devotees from across the country, with Rai urging residents and pilgrims to participate in the celebrations on at least one of the three days and experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ayodhya. The pavilion and the yagnashala will serve as key venues for the festivities. An idol of the new Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024. At the event, Prime Minister Modi gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand temples construction to build the foundation of a strong, capable and divine India of the next 1,000 years. The inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. Modi said it was the advent of a new era. Ram Mandir a symbol of faith for generations, says Shah: ON the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his heartfelt wishes to the nation on Saturday, stating that the temple will remain a symbol of faith and aspiration for generations to come. Taking to social media platform X, HM Shah wrote in a post: Jai Shri Ram! Heartfelt congratulations to all Ram devotees on the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. Rejoice Rotary Dil Se, rise above irritants: Gadkari to Rotarians Staff Reporter Over 1,600 Rotarians from Rotary International District 3030 weaved The Magic of Rotary and told themselves to Rejoice Rotary Dil Se as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urged them to rise above pettiness and stop getting irked by little irritations. With personalities of the eminence of Hindi cinema superstar and MP Kangana Ranaut, great character artist Ashish Vidyarthi, former Army Chief General Manoj Pande making their distinguished appearance, the two-day District Conference promised to be a star-studded event on the inaugural day at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, on Saturday. The nation is facing endless problems and people sometimes have a habit of presenting even minor issues. We should not be seen as problems for our nation. We should ourselves be able to solve our problems, appealed Gadkari. Rajyogini Brahmakumari Dr Sunita Didi, Rajinder Singh Khurana, Rotary District 3030 Governor; Ginni Khurana, Rajshekhar Srinivasan, Rotary International President Representative; Mrs Rajshekhar, Shabbir Shakir, Past District Governor; Dnyaneshwar Shewale, District Governor (Elected); Dr Rajesh Patil, District Governor (Nominated); Dr Abhay Gandhi, Rotary Club of Nagpur West President; Kishor Magre, Secretary; Dr Vinay Tule, Conference Chair; Shashank Vishwarupe, Secretary were seated on the dais. The conference aimed at bringing the Rotarians and eminent speakers for a visionary discussion and impactful action together. This prestigious event is offering a unique platform offering fellowship, learning and collaboration under the inspiring theme REJOiCE. Society has many problems. Every problem can not be solved by money. Money is a means to lead life. It can not be an end. Therefore, to solve problems of the downtrodden, the deprived and the oppressed in the society, it is necessary for everyone to have a sense of social responsibility, elaborated Nitin Gadkari. Lauding the efforts of Rotary Club in lending a helping hand to the society, Gadkari said, All of you are endeavoring to make your country happy, prosperous and a world leader. We have to work together to realise the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making India, the third largest economic superpower in the world. There is no doubt about your purpose. But today, we need to be aware of our own responsibilities. There have been many changes in the social and educational life of the country since independence. A lot of work still needs to be done. Therefore, leadership in social, political and cultural fields provides energy. Rotary also works on the same ground. Rotary has served the people. Many initiatives have been taken. Rotary has injected strength in the oppressed to wake up. Such sensitivity is needed today. Seeing the suffering in the society, there is a need to think about what we can do for the people, added Gadkari. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar lost the election in Bhandara, but through his wisdom, he became a known figure in the world. Nobody is perfect. No one can claim perfection. Remember, qualities have no patent. When your success makes your subordinates happy, it carries meaning, pointed out Gadkari. Admitting that he is responsible for 40% pollution as he initiated various projects, Gadkari revealed, I feel Rotary should focus on ecology and environment. I know I, too, share the blame for the pollution and hence, I have decided to attempt generating alternate fuel. It is my mission through which we can reduce pollution. Gadkari remembered senior Rotarian late Nilubhau Chaudhari who worked in the old-age homes in the rural parts. Rajyogini Bk Dr Sunita Didi dwelled on the spiritual meaning of Rejoice. She said, Happiness should be from within. We should always try to reserve some time for ourselves. We should keep our eyes open, relax and feel our soul, we should try to exhilarate from within. Jyoti Kapoor and Parag Paranjape compered the programme. Shashank Vishwarupe proposed a vote of thanks. Students injured in bus accident receive immediate medical aid Staff Reporter Following the tragic bus accident in the Bhouri area, the district administration and the Health Department took swift action to ensure proper treatment for the injured students. As per the instructions of the Chief Medical and Health Officer, eight ambulances were dispatched to the accident site. These ambulances immediately transported the students to nearby hospitals for medical care. After receiving initial treatment, the students were shifted to Chirayu Medical College and Peoples Hospital. Students who did not suffer serious injuries were given primary treatment on-site by the 108 Ambulance staff. The accident occurred on January 10 when a bus from the School of Research and Technology, Peoples University, was hit by a truck (near IISER Bhouri. At the time of the incident, 57 people were aboard the bus. Tragically, 21-year-old Vineet Sahu lost his life in the accident, and one student is in critical condition. A total of 14 individuals are being treated at Chirayu Hospital, and 16 others are being treated at Peoples Medical College. The group includes students and other college staff members. Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, has been closely following up on the referral and treatment arrangements for the injured students. Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Bhopal, confirmed that the injured students are receiving treatment, and the hospitals are continuously monitoring their health. According to police sources, the driver of the truck, identified as the accused, reached Jhalabad early Saturday morning. His mobile phone was found at the accident site. A police team is currently tracking him, and it is expected that the driver will be arrested soon. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder is being registered against the driver. The police have also confirmed that they have already contacted the owner of the truck and are in the process of gathering information about the driver. The case has been filed, and further investigation is underway. Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. AR refutes | IMPHAL, Jan 12 : Assam Rifles has refuted the claim that its personnel harassed people at Hongbei village in Kamjong district. In a statement, IGAR (South) said that Assam Rifles personnel manning the post at Hongbei inspected a vehicle loaded with timber and discerned that the person did not have mandated documents. Following procedures, Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle, it said. Saying that nefarious elements instigated the local population to secure the release of the vehicle, it added that the crowd turned violent and the Assam Rifles personnel used appropriate and calibrated response. Senior officials of Assam Rifles are in discussion with the administration to resolve the issue, it said. A father and his four daughters were caught on Saturday attempting to return to Bangladesh through illegal routes. The daughters had been living in India with fake Indian identity cards. However, their plan failed as they were arrested by the Bongaon police before crossing the border. According to police and local sources, the four daughters, Asma Mridha, Punni Mridha, Riya Mridha, and Aliza Qureshi, had crossed into India illegally a few years ago. They had settled in Delhi and even managed to obtain fake Indian identity cards. Among the four sisters, one was married and had a child. The political atmosphere in Bangladesh has been tense, with incidents of Hindu persecution coming to light. The India-Bangladesh border has also seen heightened pressure due to militant infiltration. Arrests of infiltrators from various parts of India have been reported. Meanwhile, tensions have flared between the BSF and BGB over border fencing in areas like Malda and Cooch Behar. Against this backdrop, Nannu Mridha, the father, had recently crossed into India illegally to take his daughters back to Bangladesh. He accompanied them from Delhi to Bongaon with plans to cross the border. Advertisement On Saturday morning, the five were spotted near the Bongaon-Bagda road, raising suspicion among locals, who alerted the police. Upon interrogation, several inconsistencies were found in their statements. The identity documents recovered from them are suspected to be fake. They were arrested and taken to the police station. During questioning, Nannu Mridha admitted that their home was in the Nalcity police station area of Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. He had entered India through illegal routes to take his daughters back. The police have launched an investigation based on their statements. They are also looking into where the four women had been living in Delhi. The accused were presented before the Bongaon court later in the day. Advertisement West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has written to the Royal College of London (RCL) seeking to verify the Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) certificate of Dr Santanu Sen, suspended Trinamul Congress leader and former MP of Rajya Sabha. The RCL has recently responded to the WBMC through an email assuring to verify the FRCS certificate of Dr Sen as soon as possible. Advertisement Manas Chakraborty, registrar of the state medical council, told The Statesman on Saturday, We are expecting that the RCL would send us the verification report by Monday. Hardly, 10 days ago we had mailed to the RCL seeking to know whether Dr Sens FRCS certificate issued by it is authentic or not. Advertisement The RCL authorities informed us through an email that their office remained closed because of Christmas holidays till 6 January. The state medical council may either cancel Dr Sens medical registration or ask him not to use the fellowship beside his name in his letterhead pad or other official papers if his FRCS certificate is not authentic, Mr Chakraborty said. Dr Sen is a MBBS doctor along with the FRCS (Glasgow) certificate and he has been using the professional qualifications in his letterhead pads. Interestingly, he is yet to register his FRCS qualification with the state medical council, Mr Chakraborty said, adding, Its mandatory for registered doctors to update all his or her professional qualifications with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and respective state medical councils. We contacted Dr Sen and asked him about the authenticity of his fellowship. We also sought his clarifications on why he doesnt register his FRCS tag with the council. He submitted a photocopy of the fellowship certificate to the council after we asked him to show evidence. We have already sent a scanned copy of the certificate to the RCL so that they can verify it, according to the registrar of the WBMC. Rubbishing the allegations of the WBMC Dr Sen told The Statesman, I have done my FRCS in 2019 and got PID number 132449 from Glasgow University also. Anyone can verify my fellowship using the PID number in the FRCS site. I have also submitted all my documents including fees required registration to the council requesting it to enlist my fellowship. Surprisingly, the council is sitting idle on my request. I have also submitted the copy of the authorisation letter to the council so that they can verify my details in connection with the fellowship from the university. The letter has been sent to the university in the UK authorising it to share the details to the council as and when the latter wants to verify, he said. There are so many doctors who also have fellowships from different universities and other medical institutes outside India but how many of them register their additional qualifications in the state medical council. The councils action against me is nothing but a political vendetta, he said. Trinamul Congress on Friday suspended Dr Sen for his anti-party activities like giving statements in media after the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College Hospital landing the state government in embarrassments. A 30-year-old woman died and four others are in critical condition after undergoing cesarean deliveries at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous (IV) fluids. The tragic incident has led to widespread outrage, political protests, and a full-scale investigation by the West Bengal health department. Advertisement The deceased, Mamoni Ruidas, a resident of Garbeta in West Midnapore, died on Friday, two days after delivering a baby boy. Her family has alleged gross medical negligence, claiming that the Ringers Lactate (RL) solution administered to her was past its expiry date. Advertisement Her husband, Debasish Ruidas, filed a police complaint at the Kotwali police station, accusing the hospital staff of negligence. He recounted that soon after the IV fluid was administered, Mamonis health began to deteriorate. Shortly after saline was administered, Mamonis urination stopped, and she complained of discomfort. Her condition worsened, and by Friday, she had passed away, he said, inconsolably. Four other women, who underwent cesarean deliveries around the same time, remain on ventilators in the hospitals intensive care unit (ICU). Relatives of these patients have also raised concerns, linking the sudden deterioration in health to the same IV fluids. Hospital sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that samples of the Ringers Lactate solution have been collected for testing. Preliminary investigations suggest that the IV fluid may have been toxic due to its expiry. The fluids were reportedly supplied by a company based in North Dinajpurs Chopra, which had been blacklisted by the Karnataka government in 2022 for producing substandard medical products. The West Bengal government had also issued directives to avoid using the companys supplies. In response to the incident, the state health department has formed a 13-member investigative committee to probe the matter. Health secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam confirmed that a report has been sought from the hospital authorities. We are taking the matter very seriously. Samples of the IV fluid have been sent for analysis, and a detailed report is awaited from the drug control department. The investigation team will visit the hospital to ascertain lapses and recommend further action, Nigam said. The baby delivered by Mamoni Ruidas is currently under observation at MMCH. The Finance Ministry is set to review the development of various financial inclusion schemes as it has called a meeting of heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled to be chaired by Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju and review schemes including Jan Suraksha and Mudra Yojana, and PM SVANidhi Schemes, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana among others. Advertisement The PMSBY provides insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for accidental death or total permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh for partial permanent disability to people in the age group of 18-70 years. Advertisement While the PMJJBY offers life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh, in case of death due to any reason, to people in the age group of 18-50 years having a bank or post office account, who give their consent to join or enable auto-debit of premium. PM SVANidhi Scheme was launched in June 2020 by the government as a micro-credit facility with an aim to empower street vendors to recover losses incurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The meeting would be crucial as it is coming near to the presentation of the Union Budget 2025. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday accused the BJP of relying on lies to advance its agenda ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls in Delhi. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Singh said, The BJP is the master of lies and rumours. The party has nothing to show for its years of work for Delhi. So, it is now relying on lies to move forward. Advertisement A video shared by Delhi BJPs official X handle portraying broken roads in Faridabad and Haryana as that of Delhis to defame the AAP government and former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, he alleged. Advertisement He demanded that the Election Commission (EC) should take cognizance of this matter and take strict action against the saffron party. Singh also stated that on Saturday, he had exposed a major scam by the BJP, where fake votes were being registered at the addresses of BJP workers, involving Central ministers, MPs, and even former MPs. Meanwhile, the AAP said its legal cell filed a complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner regarding the fake video being circulated by the BJP. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the central panel overseeing air quality in Delhi-NCR, revoked the Stage-III curbs under its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday, following an improvement in the citys Air Quality Index (AQI) levels after recent rainfall. In a meeting held on Sunday, the GRAP sub-committee observed a downward trend in Delhis AQI levels. It attributed this improvement to a Western Disturbance on January 11 and 12, which brought rain to the region, significantly reducing pollution levels. Advertisement As per the CAQM, Delhis AQI was recorded at 278 at 4 PM on Sunday72 points below the threshold of 350 required for implementing Stage-III norms, as mandated by Supreme Court guidelines. Advertisement The sub-committee also factored in the India Meteorological Departments (IMD) forecast of another Western Disturbance expected on January 14 and 15, which may further aid in improving air quality. Despite easing Stage-III restrictions, the CAQM emphasized that Stage-I and Stage-II measures under GRAP will remain in force, with efforts to intensify their implementation. Improved wind speeds on Sunday also helped disperse particulate matter in the air, although PM2.5 remained the predominant pollutant, according to pollution monitoring agencies. With the lifting of Stage-III curbs, vehicles such as BS-IV compliant diesel and BS-III compliant petrol cars can now return to the roads. Additionally, several activities previously restricted under Stage-III can resume. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from the Kalkaji assembly seat, while launching a crowdfunding campaign for the party on Sunday, appealed to the residents of the city and the country to support for the party in the upcoming legislative assembly elections. Releasing an online link for crowdfunding at a press conference here, she urged the people to support and donate her to meet election-related expenses. She said her expenses to fight the polls would be around Rs 40 lakh. Acknowledging the support her party has always received from the people to practice politics of honesty, the chief minister said she was confident that the people would continue to extend their support to their honest party. Atishi said that people from across the city and the country supported the AAP to contest elections during the 2013 as well, the partys first election. Once again, people supported AAPs politics during polls while the party has never taken support from any big business houses, she added. Advertisement She further said that her party contests polls with the support of the people to works for them, and not for any other interest. Raising funds through wrong means is very easy but the party never believes or is involved in such practices. For a CM, raising Rs. 40 lakh through corrupt practices is effortless. Delhi has a budget of Rs. 75,000 crore, and Rs. 40 lakh is just 0.005% of it. If I wanted to collect money dishonestly, through corruption, it would have been very easy. I was reflecting on the projects weve recently inauguratedlike the Anand Vihar Flyover, which cost Rs. 350 crore, or the Punjabi Bagh Flyover, which cost Rs. 312 crore. Advertisement Over the past year, weve spent more than Rs. 100 crore on new school buildings and their renovations. But if we had taken bribes from contractors building these flyovers or schools, we would have seen cracks appearing in these flyovers within a month. Roofs in these school buildings would have started collapsing within a few months, and water would have begun seeping through them, she added. Meanwhile, AAP leader Reena Gupta, who was also present on the occasion, noted that it was the first time in the history of the country that a sitting CM launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for poll expenses. She said the country needs highly-educated leaders like Atishi, who can take the nation forward. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to Housing for All and BJPs promise of providing each slum dweller in the national capital with a permanent (pucca) house, several beneficiaries of this housing scheme launched by the Prime Minister thanked him, calling out the lies and deceit of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Prime Minister Modi last week visited newly constructed flats for the dwellers of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters built under the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project at Swabhiman Apartments in Ashok Vihar, aimed at providing better living conditions for the urban poor. Advertisement Before the inauguration, PM Modi inspected the flats and interacted with beneficiaries, who expressed their gratitude for the housing. Advertisement The Prime Minister expressed his joy at the transformation brought about by his governments housing initiative. The interaction reflected the positive changes in the lives of families who had previously lived in slums and now have access to permanent homes. BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, Praveen Khandelwal, has said that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and its party leaders are lying about giving flats to slum dwellers in Delhi. Launching a scathing attack on AAP for spreading lies about BJP handing over permanent houses to slum dwellers in Delhi, Khandelwal added: AAP is a machine of lies and in this way they mislead the people of Delhi. First Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now today Union Home Minister Amit Shah have made it very clear that permanent houses will be provided to slum dwellers in Delhi. These permanent houses have not come up out of nowhere but instead Prime Minister Modi himself has begun this initiative by handing over 1,675 pucca houses in the Ashok Vihar area of my Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency. Slamming the AAP-led Delhi government for its failure to provide homes for slum dwellers, Manoj Tiwari, the BJP MP from North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, said: Today Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the President of slum dwellers in Delhi and a large number of people turned up here. Today every word of Amit Shah is a huge message on behalf of the BJP for the people of Delhi, especially the poor and slum dwellers living in the city. Local slum dweller, Manzoor Shah, told IANS: I was handed over keys of my pucca house by Prime Minister Narendra Modis housing scheme meant for slum dwellers living in the city. I hope everyone else like me also gets a pucca house soon. Arvind Kejriwal speaks and makes false claims, I still buy water and drink it, not a single drop of water has come from the water pipelines laid by Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party government. This is all a lie as I still paid Rs 670 as the electricity bill despite electricity being promised free of cost by the Delhi government. Another Delhi resident Savitri, told IANS: I have no words to express my happiness today. I know the trouble that I have faced till now but PM Modi gave me a permanent house to live under the housing scheme launched for poor people like me. I have fallen into the drains many times but had to stay in slum colonies till now. Ever since I received the keys to a permanent house as a beneficiary, it is registered in my name due to which my family is quite happy. Now I do not need anyones help as earlier when it would rain the drains here nearby the slums used to get filled. She further added: I do not want to say anything about the tall promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party. PM Modi has said that he and the BJP will not let anyone stay without a pucca house anymore. Delhi slum-dweller Rachna Singh told IANS: I come from the Kalyanpuri area in Delhi. There are a lot of problems in our slum colony. Firstly, there is a huge problem of availing potable water. Ever since the Assembly elections began in Delhi, the electricity bill has increased. Even the drinking water is full of dirt and mud. The health of people living here has deteriorated since we do not get clean water. The house promised to us by Arvind Kejriwal has not been delivered to me yet despite a certificate given to us based on which I gave my vote to AAP. Arvind Kejriwal had promised to provide houses for slum dwellers like me, but to date, nothing has been delivered. She further added: After 10 years being in power in Delhi, my family have trusted Kejriwal. Now let us also trust BJP once and see. The people of Delhi trusted AAP but 10 years have passed till now. There is no development being done till now but only influence the voters of Delhi by giving them freebies. The AAP government has not delivered on its promises but BJP has delivered on its poll promises. Another Delhi resident, Aarti Sharma told IANS: Arvind Kejriwal makes false promises. He has made several false promises to the people living in slums. People like me have suffered a lot in the past five years. The water pipelines that were laid in my area do not work properly as Kejriwal is seeking the support of people like me for votes. We will remind him of the same water pipeline after the elections. I am tired of going to the Chief Ministers office for the last five years. Local resident Ashok Kumar told IANS: PM Narendra Modi has given us a pucca house to live and he has delivered what he had promised. While Arvind Kejriwal promised a permanent house to my family it has not been delivered to me till now since the last 11 years. He further added: After winning the 2020 Assembly election, Kejriwal has not been mentioned even once about people living in slums will be provided with a permanent house. However, PM Modi has already fulfilled this poll promise before the upcoming Assembly polls scheduled on February 5. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised that every person living in slums will be provided with a permanent house to live which has been fulfilled now. The Prime Minister delivers what he promises while Arvind Kejriwal has not fulfilled the promises made by him so I think the BJP will form the next government in Delhi this time. In a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that it has done planning, and claimed that the saffron party would bring down the slums in the national capital in the coming five years if they come to power in the forthcoming Delhi assembly elections. Addressing the media while he visited the slums of Shakur Basti in Delhi North Delhi, the former CM accused the BJP-led centre, alleging that their priority is land acquisition, rather than the welfare of those who reside in slums. Advertisement The AAP chief has challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw all cases against people living in jhuggis and resettle those displaced within 24 hours, vowing not to contest the elections if the BJP complies with this. Advertisement During his visit, Kejriwal met with the residents of the jhuggi camp in Shakur Basti and informed them about the alleged conspiracies of the BJP. The AAP supremo claimed that BJPs love for the people living in jhuggis is increasing with the elections around the corner, as their leaders are spending time in jhuggi basti, something they never did in the last five or ten years. Kejriwal claimed that BJP is just seeking votes from slum dwellers, but after the elections, he alleged that they are eyeing the land of the slums. The AAP chief pointed out, stating, Amit Shah claims Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan (where there are slums, there will be houses). We also believe that people living in the jhuggi basti should get houses where they are currently living. But the BJP is not clarifying whose houses they will be. He further alleged that they were misleading people by saying that PM Narendra Modi will build houses for the jhuggi dwellers. Kejriwal recalled alleging that, In December 2015, the BJP attempted to demolish the same jhuggi camp. I had been the Chief Minister for only ten months then. At 2 a.m., I woke up all my officers and came to the slums, ensuring they were not demolished. These jhuggi dwellers have lived here for the past ten years because I became the Chief Minister and saved their homes, he added. He further added, I tried my best to save many jhuggis, but despite my efforts, I could not save the homes of 3 lakh people. Whatever I am today is because of the people of jhuggi basti. Without them, there is no Kejriwal. Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia stated on his X handle: Today Arvind Kejriwal has exposed every lie and conspiracy told by Amit Shah to the people living in jhuggis. The BJP has rendered 3 lakh people living in jhuggis homeless in the last 10 years. Now it is plotting to demolish every jhuggi in Delhi. () ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A short drive from Andersen AFBs main gate, unbeknownst to many members of Team Andersen, lies one of Guams most hidden gems. Below a large limestone cliff, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service operates the Guam National Wildlife Refuge (GNWR), Ritidian Unit, on the islands northernmost coastal point. As an agency of the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service protects and manages both natural and cultural resources unique to Guam. GNWR welcomes the public free of charge to explore nearly two miles of nature trails, its white-sand beach and remnants of ancient Chamorro cave and Latte Stone dwellings. Visitors can also experience what Guam may have looked and sounded like 500 years ago, by visiting the Nature Center display, where four, 16-foot murals depict Guams natural environment before European contact. As anywhere on Guam, however, caution applies. There are no lifeguards on duty and ocean currents can be very strong. Stinging jelly fish are also occasionally found. In addition, access to certain jungle and beach areas is limited in order to protect cultural resources as well as endangered animal and plant life. Visitors are therefore asked to remain on established, signed paths unless under guided supervision by refuge personnel. For those who want to venture and explore the most hidden sights, such as a newly rediscovered ancient village or the pictograph caves found along the limestone cliff line, FWS staff offers free, guided tours Tuesday and Saturdays, on a space available basis. The Wildlife Refuge is also an important nesting habitat for the endangered green sea turtle. On the first Saturday of the month, refuge staff invite volunteers to give back to the island and support vital conservation efforts, during guided beach clean-ups as part of the Keep Guam Beautiful! Campaign. For scientifically-minded individuals, GNWR also welcomes volunteers to conduct surveys, participate in invasive plant removal, and engage in outreach and education activities, among other opportunities, and provides rewards for volunteers who contribute 10 or more hours of their time. Visit the Events Calendar for more details regarding upcoming events, or the Get Involved page for volunteer opportunities. Refuge Hours: 0730-1600; Nature Center: 0900-1500 To find out more and get updates on Refuge hours and Closures, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/guam/ For other tips and safety suggestions, we recommend checking out the Plan Your Visit page https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Guam/visit/plan_your_visit.html. Editors Note: Guam National Wildlife Refuge is owned and operated by the Department of Interiors Fish & Wildlife Service and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. GNWR is not DOD property and not part of Andersen AFB. Hours and unscheduled closures are subject to change without prior notice due to beachside safety conditions. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, on Sunday, said former chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwals sympathy for the slum dwellers ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections is a new drama by the ruling dispensation. Reacting to Kejriwals visit to the slums of Shakur Basti in Delhi North Delhi, he questioned his claim of considering slum dwellers his everything and asked why AAPs love for slums suddenly arose during the election time. Advertisement Over the past decade, no AAP minister or leader has addressed their concerns. However, with elections at the doorstep, Kejriwal now goes as far as calling slum dwellers his brothers and sisters. This is a peak example of AAPs hypocrisy, Gupta said. Advertisement The leader of the Opposition claimed that during his frequent visits to slum clusters, he consistently found that thousands of residents suffer from AAPs neglect, lacking even basic amenities from the government. Accusing the AAP government of failing to fulfill its promise of providing clean drinking water through connections to every slum household, he said the much-touted tap in every house claim has proven hollow. Gupta asserted that the BJP has always worked to uplift the living standards of slum dwellers. He cited the examples of BJP leaders spending nights in slum areas to understand their plight and referred to the BJPs job fair at Talkatora Stadium, organised to provide employment to youth from slum areas. Gupta claimed that 4,000 youths from Delhis slums registered at the fair, and 1,445 were placed in reputable companies thanks to BJPs efforts. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune on Saturday to inaugurate its new cinema theatre-cum-auditorium. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the learning experience for students while also contributing to Punes vibrant cultural scene. Advertisement During his visit, Union Minister Vaishnaw engaged in an open forum with both students and faculty, addressing a wide array of questions. One of the key topics discussed was the proposed move to grant FTII deemed university status. Advertisement Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of FTIIs legacy and its potential to further elevate the institute on the global stage. He expressed his vision for cinema education in India, focusing on improving career opportunities for students and fostering stronger ties with the film industry. The new auditorium, with a seating capacity of 586, has cutting-edge technology, including a cinema projector, a PA system for stage performances, and a Dolby Atmos surround sound system. One of the most innovative features of the auditorium is its movable screen, which measures 50 feet in width and 20 feet in height. The screen can undergo adjustment horizontally via remote control, allowing the space to seamlessly transform from an auditorium to a cinema theatre. Vaishnaw emphasized that the new auditorium will not only enhance FTIIs educational offerings but also serve as a cultural hub for Pune. He stressed that the addition of this modern facility is a significant step in FTIIs journey towards achieving excellence in cinema education, ensuring that the institute remains at the forefront of film and television training in India. The search for five missing workers trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao continues, with joint rescue operations by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, NDRF, and other agencies entering their sixth day. The tragedy began on January 6, 2025, when water gushed into the narrow, illegal coal mine, trapping nine workers underground. So far, four bodies have been recovered. Advertisement Rescue operations are being bolstered by a 12-member special rescue team from Coal India, which arrived at the site on Friday to aid in locating the remaining trapped miners. Advertisement Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident, addressing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is deeply concerning that such illegal operations persist despite existing regulations. This tragedy highlights glaring lapses in safety measures and enforcement, wrote Gogoi. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced strict legal action. In a post on X, Sarma detailed the arrest of one individual, Punish Nunisa, under charges related to illegal mining. The FIR has been registered under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The Chief Minister assured the public of a thorough investigation, adding, Prima facie, this appears to be an illegal mining operation. Meanwhile, families of the missing miners continue to wait in anguish as the rescue teams work tirelessly. Local authorities, activists, and political leaders are pressing for accountability and stricter enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future. Close on the heels of the principal opposition AIADMK and its ally, DMDK, announcing boycott of the February 5, bypoll to the Erode East assembly constituency, the BJP-led NDA too followed suit, staying away from the electoral contest on the pretext that the ruling DMK will not allow a fair and free poll. Belying expectation that the saffron party will enter the hustings against the DMK, which has named its candidate, BJP state president K Annamalai on Sunday said the NDA is not contesting the election. In a statement released on behalf of the NDA in the state, he said In 2023 bypoll, the constituency witnessed the electorate being confined to shelters like cattle and everyone encountered the DMK, intoxicated by power, violating election rules. Now, the NDA is not prepared to allow the DMK to once again confine the public in shelters like cattle. Advertisement The NDA is focused on unseating the DMK from power and is working towards that goal, he said adding that this decision to boycott the bypoll was arrived at after consultations with the constituents of the NDA in Tamil Nadu. Earlier in the day, BJP functionaries held a brainstorming in the city on whether to contest the bypoll or not. Besides the BJP, the NDA comprises smaller parties like the OBC Vanniyar-dominant Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) of GK Vasan, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) of TTV Dhinakaran. Advertisement The bypoll is being held due to the death of Congress veteran and former Union Minister EVKS Elangovan last month. He was elected in the bypoll in 2023, following the demise of his son, Evera Thirumagan. Riding on the shoulders of the DMK, he won the seat by a record margin. All the others who were in the fray, including the AIADMK candidate, lost their deposit. Surprisingly, the Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) of Seeman, retained its vote share of around 8 per cent. With the Opposition, barring the NTK, boycotting the bypoll, it is a cakewalk for the DMK, which has taken the seat from Congress. The national party too had agreed to the request of the DMK, heading the INDIA Bloc in the state in the hope of a better bargain in the 2026 assembly election. The DMK has fielded VC Chandirakumar, a senior party functionary. In Tamil Nadu, where elections have become highly monetised, byelections are no more the barometer to gauge the governments performance or a verdict on the ruling party. Since the 90s, it is the ruling party which annexes any seat for which byelection is held. It has become practice for the ruling dispensation to deploy the entire cabinet for electioneering in the constituency. Only in 2019, the opposition DMK had won 13 out of the 22 seats for which byelections were held along with the Lok Sabha elections. It was considered a mini-assembly poll and the AIADMK government of Edappadi K Palaniswami had survived a scare and secured a majority following the split by TTV Dhinakaran. The grandeur and spiritual significance of the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj continue to attract visitors not only from across India but also from around the globe. Among the international visitors deeply influenced by Indian culture are three friends from Italy, who have arrived to witness the divinity of the Mahakumbh Mela. Staying in a camp on the fair premises, they have fully embraced the experience, even dressing in traditional saffron attire. Advertisement One of the visitors, Emma, a yoga instructor, expressed her fascination with Indias rich cultural heritage and spirituality. Advertisement Sharing her sentiments, she remarked, This is my first time visiting the Mahakumbh. I am a yoga teacher, and many of my friends are Indians. I deeply admire Indian culture and feel as though I was Indian in my previous life. I love Indian music, bhajans, and kirtans. The arrangements here at the Mahakumbh are excellent. Her companion Pietro, equally captivated by the spiritual atmosphere, shared his perspective. I am a yoga practitioner and have some knowledge of Indian culture. The Kumbh Mela is the largest spiritual event of Sanatan Dharma, and this is my first visit here. When my friends planned this trip, I decided to join them to experience this extraordinary event. Another member of the group, Stefano, mentioned that his curiosity about the Mahakumbh was sparked by his friends from Russia who had previously visited India and embraced the life of Naga Sadhus. This is my first visit to the Kumbh. Some of my sadhu friends from Russia shared their experiences about the event, which inspired me to come here, he explained. A three-day conference on Millets as Future Food for Sustainable Planet was held at Central University of Odisha (CUO), Koraput. The brainstorming sessions laid emphasis on amplifying awareness about increasing millet consumption through intensification efforts. The initiative was undertaken by CUO to support research, innovation, quality control, and value addition in line with the Government of Indias vision of Millets in Every Plate. Advertisement Organised by the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources, the ceremony was attended among others by Vice Chancellor Prof Chakradhar Tripathi, Dr Tara Sathyavati, Director, Millet Research Institute, Mr Srinivas, Zonal Secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Prof Sharat Kumar Palita, Chairman of the Conference, Dr Debabrata Panda, Convener of the Conference and Co-convener Dr Kakoli Banerjee. Advertisement The university community needs to work towards the growth of millet production and consumption within the CUO campus. With the help of the central and state governments, we should try to cultivate millet on a larger scale. Since millet was once our staple food during early periods, its now time to revive and accept it in our homes, Prof Tripathi stressed. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sathyavati promised all help from the Millet Research Institute to CUO for the growth of millets in the region. The three-day event also underscored the need to address global challenges by leveraging the nutritional, economic, and ecological benefits of millets. The conference also proposed the establishment of national forums to promote sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and development, thereby driving rural prosperity. Millets, as resilient crops, contribute to sustainable farming practices while addressing key rural challenges, including food security, income generation, and environmental conservation, experts taking part in the conference opined. Farmers can benefit economically due to the low input costs and high market demand for millets, particularly in health-conscious markets. Experts outlined the importance of value addition through branding, labelling, and marketing for national and international markets, reinforcing the vision of millets as the Future Food. The CUO, Koraput, also plans to translate Indias millet recipe book into Odia and Hindi to make it more accessible and appealing to the public. A grand Namami Gange Yagna was conducted by the Namami Gange team on the banks of the sacred Sangam on the eve of Amrit Snan at Mahakumbh 2025 on Sunday. This special event aimed to raise awareness about the purity, cleanliness, and conservation of the Ganga while fostering a collective commitment to its preservation. Advertisement During the yagna, devotees and Ganga Sevadoots made offerings, symbolising their dedication to ensuring the uninterrupted and pristine flow of the river. Advertisement The event took place on National Youth Day, in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It saw spirited participation from over 200 Ganga Sevadoots and thousands of devout attendees. Together, they took a solemn pledge to uphold the purity and continuity of the Ganga. Brimming with youthful energy and resolve, the ceremony became a remarkable confluence of spirituality and environmental consciousness. Under the leadership of the Namami Gange team, participants offered oblations to reaffirm their commitment to a clean and uninterrupted Ganga. The Ganga Sevadoots pledged to maintain the rivers sanctity and cleanliness. Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted the pivotal role of youth comprising over 40% of Indias population in the Ganga Swachhata Abhiyan. They emphasised that the conservation of the Ganga is not merely an environmental concern but also a profound cultural and spiritual responsibility. The event inspired young participants to contribute wholeheartedly to this sacred mission of conservation and sustainability. As part of the campaign, the Namami Gange team distributed jute bags to promote the message of a plastic-free Mahakumbh within the fairgrounds. The attendees were educated on the significance of reducing plastic waste, reinforcing the importance of environmental consciousness. Devotees received the jute bags as a pledge of commitment to a cleaner, greener Kumbh, carrying this message along the Sangam shores. On this occasion, Namami Gange Nodal Officer Atharva Raj and partner organisations distributed Namami Gange T-shirts and caps to amplify the campaigns reach further. Prominent organisations such as the Ganga Task Force (GTF), Ganga Vichar Manch (GVM), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), District Ganga Committees (DGCS), State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG), and National Book Trust (NBT) actively contributed to the success of the event. Additionally, Ganga Sevadoots intensified the cleanliness drive through regular ghat cleaning, awareness rallies, and community labour efforts. Their initiatives underscored the events overarching theme that the Namami Gange Yagna is more than a religious ritual; it is a unifying force of spiritual, social, and environmental consciousness. This yagna, held just before the Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh, added renewed vigour and inspiration to the Ganga conservation campaign. All devotees, institutions, and citizens were urged to actively participate in this grand initiative to protect and preserve the lifeline of India the Ganga. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the inauguration of Mr Donald Trump as the President of the United States on January 20. On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-In ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday. Advertisement It said Mr Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Trump administration during the visit as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion. Advertisement Mr Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election held in November, will be the 47th President of the US. Mr J D Vance will be his Vice President. New Delhi is confident that the Indo-US relationship will grow from strength to strength under President Trumps leadership, given his equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Jaishankar had visited the US last month also and met key officials in the outgoing Joe Biden administration apart from holding talks with some key aides of Mr Trump. The Indian minister has already stated that Mr Trump has had a positive political view of India and the country is in a much more advantageous position than many other nations to build deeper relations with the incoming administration in Washington and take bilateral ties forward. Union Minister Jitendra Singh hosted a dinner for a group of around 100 students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on the sidelines of the ongoing National Youth Festival 2025. The interaction aimed to inspire the young participants to leverage the festival as a platform to transform their innovative ideas into actionable steps for building a Viksit Bharat as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advertisement Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the J&K youth to explore the regional resources for livelihood and StartUp opportunities. He underscored the importance of youth-driven initiatives in shaping Indias developmental journey. Advertisement Programs like the National Youth Festival 2025 provide young individuals with an unparalleled national platform to channel their creativity, aspirations, and energy into tangible contributions toward a developed India, he said. The minister lauded the enthusiasm and engagement of the students, emphasising that their participation reflects the evolving dynamism of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The involvement of youth from these regions is a testament to their eagerness to contribute to Indias growth story. Your ideas and actions have the potential to bring about transformative changes not only for your communities but for the entire nation, Dr Jitendra Singh remarked. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Science and Technology to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among youth. He emphasised how these programs have catalysed the growth of StartUps, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, where young entrepreneurs have ventured into fields like lavender cultivation under the Aroma Mission. Encouraging the students to take inspiration from these success stories, he urged them to explore opportunities in areas such as biotechnology, agritech, and renewable energy. Dr Jitendra Singh assured the students that the Ministry of Science and Technology would provide full support to nurture their entrepreneurial ambitions and help them transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures. He also encouraged the students to focus on harnessing innovation and technology to address pressing challenges and to use their participation in the festival as an opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives from across the country. He highlighted how such interactions foster national integration, mutual understanding, and a shared vision for the future. Students attending the dinner shared their aspirations and exchanged ideas on how to address regional and national issues. Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated their proactive approach and assured them of the governments continued support in nurturing their talents and aspirations. The National Youth Festival 2025, being held in New Delhi from January 10-12, celebrates the energy and potential of Indias youth. It serves as a vibrant forum for young leaders to voice their ideas, collaborate on solutions for national development, and align with Indias collective vision of progress. Paying homage to the martyrs, who laid down their lives during the agitation for the abrogation of Article 370, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Sunday that the sacrifice of Hiranagar martyrs had heralded the relentless movement for J&Ks total integration with the Indian Union. Speaking on the occasion of Martyrdom Day, he lauded their courage and commitment, stating that their legacy continues to inspire generations. Advertisement Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the movement, which demanded the abrogation of Article 370, witnessed sacrifices that inspired generations. He delved into the historical struggle led by Praja Parishad, under the leadership of Prem Nath Dogra, who later also served as the National President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was a close associate of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Advertisement We cannot repay the debt of their sacrifices, but their courage has guided subsequent generations to persevere relentlessly until the constitutional redemption came under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, he stated. The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted, marked the culmination of a long-fought battle and the realization of Mookerjees vision of One Nation, One Constitution. He elaborated on transformative decisions post-2019 that corrected long standing injustices. He highlighted the extension of 4% reservation benefits to residents of International Border areas in Jammu, bringing parity with those living along the Line of Control (LoC). For decades, these communities were overlooked due to the political indifference of earlier governments. The Modi government ensured that all border residents, including those in Pakistan, are treated equally and receive their rightful entitlements, he said. The minister also spoke about improved infrastructure and amenities for border residents, including the construction of bunkers for safety during cross-border shelling, better roads, and toilet facilities. He emphasised that the abrogation of Article 370 has led to unprecedented development in Jammu & Kashmir. He listed new medical colleges, industrial biotech parks, and major infrastructure projects as signs of the regions transformation. These projects are not just about economic growth; they symbolize the integration of Jammu & Kashmir into Indias development narrative, he said. The Martyrdom Day observance, held every year to honour the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the cause, continued this year with equal fervour. Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the role of organizations and individuals in ensuring that the memory of the martyrs remains alive. He said, Their sacrifices laid the foundation for todays Jammu & Kashmir. It is now our responsibility to honour their legacy by contributing to the nations progress. Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Modis leadership for bringing Jammu & Kashmir into the mainstream media narrative after 2014, highlighting issues like cross-border firing and the plight of border residents. He urged the youth to draw inspiration from the martyrs and work towards strengthening Indias unity. The Kerala police have arrested six additional individuals in connection with the shocking sexual abuse of an 18-year-old Dalit girl, who was reportedly assaulted by over 60 people over a span of five years in Pathanamthitta district. With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals detained has risen to 26, including three minors apprehended on Sunday. Interrogation of seven suspects in custody is ongoing, and a special investigation team has been formed to expedite the probe. Advertisement Nine cases have been registered across two police stations in Pathanamthitta. Since the victim was a minor when the abuse began, charges have been filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Advertisement Authorities have identified 62 suspects, with efforts underway to locate those still at large. The police collected the details of 40 individuals from her fathers phone, which she used for communication with the abusers. Her parents were reportedly completely unaware of this abuse. An investigation is underway to locate the remaining accused. Although they are from the same area, they moved to different locations for work over the span of five years. The perpetrators allegedly used explicit photos and videos of the child, recorded and shared among themselves, to coerce her into continued submission. The case came to light earlier this week, triggering widespread outrage and prompting a swift police investigation. Police said her parents were unaware of the abuse. It is learnt that the persons outside Pathanamthitta district might be involved in the case In this connection, taking serious note of the case,the National Commission for Women(NCW) has instructed the state police to file a report within three days in connection with the incident. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar condemned the heinous crime and directed authorities to take immediate action to ensure the swift apprehension of all individuals allegedly involved in the case. A special team has been formed to investigate the rape case. A 25-member team of officers, including the Pathanamthitta SP and DySP, will investigate the case under the supervision of DIG Ajitha Begum. The investigation was handed over to the DIG Ajitha Begum after the National Commission for Women, demanded strict action. The Kerala Womens Commission took a suo motu case on the incident and asked the Pathanamthitta District Police chief for a report. According to the police, when the girl was 13, Subin, the son of her fathers friend, lured her by showing obscene visuals on his mobile phone. He also took the girls nude pictures on his phone. When the girl was 16, Subin took her to a secluded rubber plantation in their locality and assaulted her sexually.He also recorded videos of the act on his phone. This was followed by regular sexual abuse, the police said. The probe revealed that the visuals were shared among Subins friends, who also sexually abused her. Subin was arrested on Friday.Fresh cases were registered on Saturday in the order of the places where the girl was raped. She was sexually abused at various locations, including her school, the police said. As per the girls statement, the perpetrators used to communicate with her through her fathers mobile phone, without his knowledge. The victims ordeal came to light during a routine visit by volunteers from the Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society, who alerted the district Child Welfare Committee. The Kerala Police on Sunday booked eight persons at Areakode in the Malappuram district on charges of gang rape of a 35-year-old woman with mental disabilities. The incident came to light when the survivor attempted suicide and revealed the ordeal to her brother when subsequently questioned. The abuse reportedly began in 2023 when the main accused, a 36-year-old distant relative, allegedly lured the survivor with promises of a tour. He took her to multiple locations across Manjeri, Areekode, and Wayanad, where she was repeatedly assaulted by him, other distant relatives and the womans neighbours. Advertisement The suspects allegedly used threats and deceit to coerce the survivor into sexual acts. The accused also stole 15 sovereigns of gold jewellery from the survivor and allegedly attempted to intimidate the family into withdrawing their complaint. However, the family has resolved to proceed with legal action despite the pressure. The Areakode Police have registered three FIRs in connection with the case. A special investigation team led by Kondotty Deputy Superintendent of Police will investigate the case. Advertisement According to the FIRs, the abuse occurred at multiple locations in Malappuram and Wayanad. The first incident took place in February 2023 when the primary accused and another individual took the woman on a trip to Manjeri, Malappuram. She was then taken to a lodge in Areacode, where she was assaulted.Two months later, the woman was taken to another lodge in Mananthavady, Wayanad, and abused. Subsequently, the primary accused allegedly handed her over to other individuals at a lodge in Valluvambram, Malappuram, leading to further exploitation. This is the second instance of shocking sexual assault to come out of Kerala in the last few days. Earlier on Friday,a deeply disturbing incident of an 18-year-old Dalit girl being subjected to sexual assault by more than 60 people over the past five years in Keralas Pathanamthitta came to light. A day before the Paush Purnima in Mahakumbh, the banks of the Sangam witnessed an overwhelming surge of faith with lakhs of devotees, spanning all age groups youth, the elderly, and children coming together with immense enthusiasm to take a holy dip in the sacred waters. The occasion also coincided with the National Youth Day, further energising the youth, who embraced the festival as an opportunity to connect with their roots and traditions. Bathing at the VIP Ghat and Sangam Nose, they captured and shared their moments, symbolising a blend of ancient faith and modern connectivity. Advertisement The vibrant atmosphere reflected the essence of the Sanatan culture with the devotees showcasing unwavering faith and joy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered unprecedented security measures to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. The Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) monitors every activity across Mahakumbh city, complemented by AI-enabled cameras for enhanced surveillance. Senior officials, DIG Vaibhav Krishna and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, are personally overseeing the arrangements, supported by an augmented police force providing real-time updates. Advertisement In the digital era, Mahakumbhs fervor has extended to social media, with devotees sharing their experiences through videos and pictures. Many offered their families virtual darshan of Maa Ganga via video calls. In contrast, group calls on platforms like Facebook Live and WhatsApp Live brought the divine celebration closer to distant loved ones. International and domestic pilgrims praised the governments arrangements, describing the scene as unparalleled. Integrating modern technology with cultural tradition has made this Mahakumbh a symbol of seamless devotion and innovation. Meanwhile, due to Paush Purnima, the first bathing festival of Maha Kumbh, many restrictions will be imposed on the railway stations of the city from Sunday evening. Passengers entry will not be allowed at the Prayagraj Sangam station in Daraganj from January 12 to 15. To board the trains running from here, one will have to go to the Prayag station. Apart from this, entry will be given only from the city side at Prayagraj Junction. Whereas, the passengers de-boarding the trains here will be evacuated from the Civil Lines side. Like the Prayagraj Junction, passengers will be allowed entry from one side at Prayagraj Chhivki, Naini Junction, Prayag Junction, Phaphamau and Subedarganj railway stations. Whereas, the passengers de-boarding the trains here will be evacuated from the second entrance of the concerned station. This is the first time that apart from the Prayagraj Junction, the entry and exit routes are being made separate at all the stations of the city. So that, there is no cross movement of passengers at any station. During this period, passengers will be allowed entry only from the passenger shelters built at the stations. On the other hand , traffic chaos has occurred in Prayagraj city and in Mahakumbh area since Saturday evening as lakhs of pilgrims and Kalpvasis were reaching the fair. Stopping short of accusing Chief Minister MK Stalin as anti-national, the Raj Bhavan on Sunday charged him of betraying the true intentions of the coalition interests and ideologies which dont accept and respect Bharat as a nation. Strongly reacting to the Chief Minister terming his walk out from the assembly on January 6, without reading the customary Governors address, as childish and his reasons for the same as absurd, the Raj Bhavan in a post on X said Such arrogance is not good. Advertisement Governor RN Ravi, who has been at loggerheads with the DMK government, had boycotted the assembly and walked out over breach of protocol over the national anthem not being played/sung at the commencement of the session prior to the Governors address. Advertisement His request to play the national anthem after the Thamil Thai Vazhthu (invocation to mother Tamil) was sung was not acceded to. In the Tamil Nadu assembly, it is the usual practice to play the Tamil invocation first and the national anthem after the Governors address. However, the Governor, taking offence, left the House in a huff, and claimed that it was an insult to the national anthem and the Constitution. The Governors conduct has invited the wrath of not only the DMK and its allies, but also of the PMK, a constituent of the BJP-led NDA. Thiru @mkstalin asserts that insisting on due respect to the National Anthem and doing fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is absurd and childish. Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that does not accept and respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution. Such arrogance is not good. Please do not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother and the Constitution the supreme faith for her children, the post read warning that they will not like or tolerate such brazen insults. The Raj Bhavan had tagged the post with PMO and the Home Minister among others. In the past, Ravi had debunked the Dravidian movement as secessionist and the Dravidian ideology as a dead and buried one, which invited a backlash from the Dravidian parties of all shades and the allies of the DMK. Two Telangana MLAs almost came to blows at a ministerial review meeting held on Sunday at Karimnagar in the presence of senior Congress ministers. BRS MLA of Huzurabad Padi Kaushik Reddy and BRS-turned-Congress MLA of Jagtial Sanjay Kumar had a heated exchange and the meeting turned chaotic before police intervened to lead the former out of the meeting hall. Advertisement The ministerial review meeting was held at Karimnagar collectorate in which senior ministers like Ponnam Prabhakar, D Sridhar Babu, and N Uttam Kumar Reddy were present for a discussion on government schemes like Rythu Bharosa for farmers, Indiraamma Atmiya Bharosa for tenant farmers and Indiraamma Illu (housing) and the issue of new ration cards. Advertisement MLA of Jagtial Sanjay Kumar spoke in favour of the Congress government. While he was speaking, an enraged BRS MLA, Padi Kaushik Reddy, was seen rushing towards him shouting Which party are you from? If you dare, go and contest on a Congress ticket. A verbal duel ensued between the two, though Reddy was far more aggressive. Initially restrained by other people present in the meeting, he was seen towering over Sanjay Kumar before the police intervened. It was alleged he was abusive towards his fellow MLA from Jagtial. Reddy was then physically pushed out of the meeting hall by the police personnel. Later, Padi Kaushik Reddy demanded that the poll promises made by the Congress should be fulfilled including Rs 15,000 under the Rythu Bharosha scheme for every farmer and the six guarantees. He added, There is no point in being afraid if Congress incites violence referring to yesterdays incident of vandalism at the BRS party office in Bhongir by Congress activists after a leader allegedly abused chief minister Revanth Reddy. Sanjay Kumar is a two-time MLA who defeated Congress heavyweight leader from Jagtial, T Jeevan Reddy. However, he is one of the ten BRS MLAs who defected to Congress last year. The defection not only caused heartburn in the BRS but also within the Congress as Jeevan Reddy and his supporters resent his presence in the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Sunday that the strength of Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation. The prime minister was addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 at Bharat Mandapam here on the occasion of National Youth Day celebrated in commemoration of the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. He said, India is truly blessed to have such a Yuva Shakti. Advertisement I have faith that this Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation. People who calculate data may think it is impossibleI know it is a huge target but certainly not impossible. Advertisement Citing the immense faith Vivekananda had in the youth of the nation, Modi said he believed that his disciples would come from the younger generation, who would solve every problem, like lions. He said since he had faith in Vivekananda and his beliefs, he trusted his vision for the youth. If Swami Vivekananda were among us today, he would be filled with new confidence upon witnessing the awakened power and active efforts of the 21st-century youth, he added. Recalling the G-20 Summit hosted at Bharat Mandapam in 2023, Modi highlighted the significance of the venue stating that the world leaders were at the same venue to discuss the future of the world while today, the youth of India were charting the roadmap for the next 25 years of India. Recounting a conversation with young athletes at his residence, he said one of them referred to him as a friend. Emphasising his bond of friendship with the youth of the nation, the prime minister stated that the strongest link in friendship is trust. He expressed his immense trust in the youth, which inspired the formation of MY Bharat and the foundation of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. Stating that setting big goals and achieving them within a timeframe is not impossible, he said, Without a clear goal, nothing can be achieved, and todays India is working with this mindset. Highlighting several examples of achieving goals through determination over the past decade, Modi said India resolved to become open defecation-free, and within 60 months, 60 crore citizens achieved this goal. Nearly every family in India now has access to banking services, and over 100 million gas connections have been provided to free womens kitchens from smoke. Noting that India is achieving its targets ahead of schedule in various sectors, the prime minister said during the COVDI-19 pandemic, while the world struggled for vaccines, Indian scientists developed a vaccine ahead of time. He also highlighted Indias commitment to green energy, noting that India was the first country to meet the Paris Agreement commitments, nine years ahead of schedule. Achieving big goals is not solely the responsibility of government machinery but requires the collective effort of every citizen, said Modi. The prime minister announced that the ideas and suggestions from the Young Leaders Dialogue will now become part of national policies, guiding the countrys development. He also urged the youth to take these ideas to every corner of the country, connecting other young people in every district, village, and neighborhood with the spirit of a developed India. Sharing his vision of a developed India and emphasising its economic, strategic, social, and cultural strength, Mod said in a developed India, both the economy and ecology would flourish, offering numerous opportunities for good education and income. He also expressed confidence that India would soon become the worlds third-largest economy. India is grappling with an increasingly stark divide between its rich and poor. A recent survey by a leading global research institute has shed light on the pervasive concern of economic inequality, revealing that 81 per cent of Indians view the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished as a serious problem. More than half of these respondents consider the situation a very big problem, with many attributing this widening chasm to a variety of interrelated factors. Whats perhaps most striking is that a significant proportion of the population calls for sweeping reforms to address the underlying systemic issues, signaling a widespread desire for change. The growing economic inequality in India is not merely a reflection of an unequal distribution of wealth but a complex interplay of political, social, and technological factors. For one, a staggering 79 per cent of those surveyed believe the disproportionate political influence of the wealthy is a primary driver of this inequality. The wealthy have the means to sway policy decisions, often shaping laws and regulations to perpetuate their financial advantage. This creates an environment where the rich get richer while the rest struggle to keep pace. Advertisement Automation, too, has deepened the divide. As industries become more reliant on technology and artificial intelligence, many low-skill jobs are being displaced, exacerbating unemployment and economic stagnation for the working class. While automation is often hailed as a sign of progress, its benefits have been unevenly distributed, leaving large swathes of the population behind. This phenomenon is not unique to India but is increasingly becoming a global issue, where those unable to adapt to the demands of the new economy are left vulnerable to poverty. Equally concerning is the state of Indias education system. While the country boasts a growing number of top-tier educational institutions, the vast majority of its population still lacks access to quality education. This entrenched inequality in education exacerbates the wealth gap by limiting opportunities for upward mobility. Advertisement A lack of access to good education ensures that many individuals remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to break free from the shackles of their socio-economic status. Religious and caste-based discrimination further compounds the issue. A significant portion of those surveyed views religious discrimination as a very big problem, with caste based biases still entrenched in society. These prejudices limit opportunities for marginalised communities, hindering their ability to participate fully in the economy and society at large. This dual burden of economic and social inequality further isolates large sections of Indias population from the countrys economic progress. Ultimately, the survey reveals a society deeply dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. Indians are not just concerned about the widening wealth gap; they are also increasingly aware of the need for substantial reform. As the country moves forward, addressing the political, technological, and social barriers that perpetuate inequality will be crucial in fostering a more inclusive and fair society. One opportunity to bridge this gap will present itself with the Union Budget, but does the Finance Minister have the desire to address the problem? The debate over the settlement of Rohingya refugees in Delhi has evolved into a politically charged confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi elections. At its core, however, the issue transcends partisan politics, touching upon deeper questions about Indias constitutional obligations, humanitarian traditions, and national security concerns. India has historically been a refuge for displaced communities ~ from Tibetans to Sri Lankan Tamils ~ guided by its ethos of inclusivity and protection of human dignity. While little of what is said during election campaigns should be taken seriously, the lack of a comprehensive refugee law leaves such matters vulnerable to political manoeuvring, as evident in the current blame game between the BJP and the AAP. Both parties have accused each other of exploiting the refugee crisis for electoral gains, overshadowing the urgent need for a structured and humane approach to refugee management. While the BJP underscores national security concerns, portraying Rohingya refugees as potential threats, it simultaneously faces accusations of hypocrisy for facilitating their settlement in Delhi. The AAP, on the other hand, has criticized the BJP for creating an us versus them narrative to polarise voters, while also being accused of enabling refugees to obtain identification documents. Advertisement This political tug-of-war diverts attention from the real issue: the plight of the Rohingya community and the absence of a cohesive policy framework to address it. Without a clear policy, refugees are left in a legal limbo, denied basic rights and protections, while political parties exploit their plight to advance divisive narratives for electoral gains. The Constitution of India, through Articles 21 and 22, guarantees the right to life, liberty, and protection from arbitrary detention to all individuals, including refugees. The judiciary has played a crucial role in safeguarding these rights, emphasising the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to countries where they may face persecution. Advertisement However, in the absence of a refugee law, these protections often depend on judicial intervention, leading to inconsistent and ad hoc policies. National security concerns, while legitimate, must not come at the cost of Indias constitutional values and humanitarian commitments. A balanced approach is essential, one that addresses potential security risks without undermining the rights and dignity of refugees. For this, India must adopt a clear refugee policy, delineating procedures for asylum, legal rights for refugees, and measures to address security challenges. Such a policy would not only provide clarity and protection for refugees but also ensure transparency and consistency in governance, leaving little room for political exploitation. It would reaffirm Indias commitment to justice and human rights, showcasing its ability to balance compassion with security. The Rohingya refugee crisis is not merely a test of governance but of Indias adherence to constitutional and moral principles. By enacting a robust refugee framework, India can move beyond the blame game and demonstrate leadership in addressing one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. The year 2024 will be remembered as a watershed moment in the fight against climate change. For the first time, global average temperatures exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial levels during the year. While this does not constitute breaching the long-term global target set under the Paris Agreement, it brings humanity perilously close to that boundary. This milestone serves not just as a grim reminder of the worsening crisis but also as an urgent call to action. The driving force behind this record-breaking year is clear: human induced greenhouse gas emissions. Decades of reliance on fossil fuels have propelled the planet toward increasingly frequent and extreme weather events. Prolonged droughts, catastrophic wildfires, and devastating storms have become emblematic of our warming world. While natural phenomena like El Nino contributed to 2024s extraordinary heat, the primary culprit remains humanitys carbon footprint. The significance of the 1.5C threshold cannot be overstated. Advertisement At this level, the risks of climate impacts ~ rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and intensified heatwaves ~ escalate dramatically. Beyond this point, the vulnerabilities of ecosystems and communities, particularly in developing nations, will compound. Yet, as dire as this years milestone is, it is not a point of no return. One of the most crucial insights from the scientific community is that every fraction of a degree matters. While we may edge past 1.5C in the coming years, limiting warming to 1.6C or 1.7C is still significantly less catastrophic than allowing temperatures to spiral toward 3C or 4C. This realisation underscores the urgent need for decisive and immediate action to reduce emissions. Advertisement Global leaders must now deliver on pledges made over the past decade. Promises of transitioning to renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels cannot remain empty rhetoric. Developed nations, in particular, bear a historical responsibility to lead the charge, both through their own transitions and by supporting vulnerable countries in adapting to climate impacts. Critically, the private sector also has a pivotal role to play. Industries must invest in green technologies, and financial institutions must align their portfolios with sustainable practices. Individuals, too, can contribute by embracing energy-efficient lifestyles and advocating for systemic change. The record-breaking temperatures of 2024 highlight a dual truth: the crisis is accelerating, but humanity still holds the power to shape the future. By acting collectively and with urgency, we can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. While the path forward is undoubtedly challenging, it is also an opportunity to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. The events of 2024 should serve as a wake-up call for governments, businesses, and individuals alike. The window to secure a livable future is rapidly closing, but it is not yet shut. The choices we make today will define the planet for generations to come. The newly-elected President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto is likely to be the Chief Guest for the 76th Republic Day celebrations of India, it is learnt. The visit by the Indonesian leader becomes significant as India and Indonesia are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Advertisement There were reports in the Pakistani media that the Indonesian president proposed to visit Pakistan immediately after concluding his visit to India. However, New Delhi was not in favour of Mr Subianto clubbing his visit to India with Pakistan. Advertisement Indonesia is believed to have taken into consideration New Delhis view on the matter. It is learnt that the Indonesian leader will now not travel to Pakistan after his India visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indonesian leader held their first meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio last year. During their meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening bilateral ties in the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Yemens Houthis are paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for their aggression (on Israel), describing them as a proxy of Iran and a threat to Israel and the entire region. Netanyahus remarks came after Israels military announced that its warplanes targeted the Hezyaz power station in Yemens capital Sanaa, as well as the Yemeni ports of Hodeidah and Ras Issa. The military claimed it targeted infrastructures used by Houthi forces for military operations. Advertisement Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who observed the airstrikes from the Air Force command centre in Tel Aviv, said, The port of Hodeidah is paralysed, and the Ras Issa port is ablaze, adding the strikes sent a message to the Houthi group that no one will be immune. Advertisement Katz vowed to hunt down Houthi leaders, saying, Israels long arm reaches and will continue to reach anywhere that threatens us even in Yemen. This marks the fifth massive attack on Yemen by Israeli forces, according to Israels Army Radio. Figures released by the military on Thursday indicated that Houthi forces have launched about 40 surface-to-surface missiles and 320 drones toward Israel since October 2023. Most of them were intercepted, the figures showed. The Houthis began sporadic attacks on Israel following the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported. In response, Israel had also launched rounds of airstrikes on Houthi targets. In addition, the US-led naval coalition stationed in the area has been conducting regular air raids and strikes on Houthi sites since January 2024 in a joint bid to deter the armed group, prompting the Houthis to expand attacks to include US warships. No prime minister of India made a more constructive contribution towards establishing an equilibrium between India and Pakistan than Dr Manmohan Singh. Building on the Islamabad Declaration of January 2004, proclaimed jointly by prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and president Pervez Musharraf, Singh initiated with his counterpart a process of sustained dialogue which yielded the most positive results, specifically with regard to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir that, but for the perversity of destiny, might have opened the path to lasting peace and harmony. In initiating the process, Singh fully recognised that finding a via media to the vexed question of J&K would be the optimal way of settling other issues. It was further agreed that a quiet backchannel was essential to a result-oriented dialogue. Second, the interlocutors chosen by both leaders were not chosen because of their position in the bureaucratic hierarchy but because of the immense trust Musharraf had in a friend, Tariq Aziz, and Singh had in a retired former high commissioner to Pakistan, Satinder Kumar Lambah. They reported only to their respective principals. Foreign ministers and others were kept in the loop on a need-to-know basis at the discretion of the two leaders, but directions on how to proceed came only from the respective heads. Over a period of about a thousand days, meeting at various locations outside the subcontinent, the two special envoys hammered out an agreement that built on two key bipartisan statements by Vajpayee and Singh: insaniyat, kashmiriyat, jamhuriyat (humanity, the Kashmiri way of life, and democracy) by Vajpayee, and bringing about a situation where one could have breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Islamabad, and dinner in Kabul by Singh. Illustration: Deni Lal Although Musharraf summarised the agreement as a four-point programme, foreign minister Khurshid Kasuris detailed account of the negotiations (see his tome, Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove, backed in all relevant specifics by Lambahs In Pursuit of Peace: India-Pakistan Relations Under Six Prime Ministers) shows that the number of points on which agreement was reached was close to 16 after taking the fine print into account. The essence of what both sides accepted was that there would be no exchange of people or territories but that the Line of Control would be rendered irrelevant by freely allowing Kashmiris to cross the LoC in both directions to foster family relations, encourage fraternal friendships, promote trade and investment, and set up an inter-governmental mechanism to try to ensure similar levels of prosperity and democratic freedoms for all Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC. This was undergirded by the common understanding that there could be no independent, sovereign Kashmir. This draft agreement, except for one issue to be ironed out by the two headswhether to describe it as a joint management or joint cooperative mechanismwas readied to be signed when Singh visited Islamabad at the end of February 2007. However, the Pakistan president got involved in a fracas over domestic issues with the chief justice of Pakistan (nothing to do with India or the draft), leading to the bar in all Pakistani courts striking in support of the chief justice who had embarked on a country-wide protest tour. This resulted in Singhs visit being postponed by a month and then dropped indefinitely. But signed or not, the backchannel agreement definitively established that sincere, sustained dialogue, even with a Pakistani military government, could generate positive outcomeswhich surgical strikes and armed attacks deep into Pakistani territory never could achieve. Instead of building on this enlightened initiative, Singhs successor has shown how unenlightened he is by failing for over a decade to summon the wisdom and the courage to engage with Pakistan. As this is his last column, the author thanks his readers for their patronage over a decade and more, and wishes them all a happy new year. Aiyar is a former Union minister and social commentator. Chatting about UN reforms with a European diplomat at an informal gathering, some of us asked why Britain was still there in the Security Council. They are no longer a military power, nor an economic power. They have a veto, but have never cast it on their own since 1972, the year in which Correlli Barnett published The Collapse of British Power. Worse, they havent toed a line of their own in the council on any global issue since. After discussing several whys and why-nots, she started writing down the reasons and scoring out one by one. Point: They were big when the UN was formed. Counter: They are no longer big. Point: They have the big bomb. Counter: Neither they nor four of the big five had the bomb when they were made members. Point: All five have the bomb now. Counter: So do India and Pakistan. Point: They still have diplomatic clout. Counter: So does Germany. Finally, she admitted: I guess there is only one reasonthey are there because we feel it good to have them around. We all burst out laughing. The Congresss continuance in the INDIA alliance is becoming something like Britains in the council. There is no concrete reason for the grand old party to be there, save that many feel it is good to have them around. Imaging: Deni Lal Look at the record. The Congress hasnt done anything to justify their membership in the alliance since its formation. They may have won close to 100 seats in the Lok Sabha polls (their best show in 15 years), but most of those came thanks to one ally or anotherthe DMK in Tamil Nadu, the NCP in Maharashtra, the Samajwadis in Uttar Pradesh, the JMM in Jharkhand, the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir and so on. In the states where they took on the BJP on their own, they drew a blank, lost seats or gained too few for them to stand up and be counted. In the assembly rounds later? They lost Haryana which they could have won, and Maharashtra where they sank and drowned their allies. In short, neither is the Congress winning seats nor is it aiding allies to win. Yet, if they are in the alliance, it is only because many think they are nice people to know, and it is good to have them around. How long will this feel good last? The Trinamoolis are wondering if Mamata Banerjee would be a better alliance leader than anyone from the Congress. Its another matter that she wasnt in the alliance during the Lok Sabha polls. Not a bad idea, say the NCPians. Akhilesh Yadav and M.K. Stalin, the good boys in the group, dont know what to say, though both are miffed with the way the Congress flopped the floor show in Parliament in the last session. They wanted other issues to be brought to the fore, but the Congress ploughed its lonely Adani furrow which got them nowhere. All these are nice and polite folkthe Trinamoolis, the Dravidians, the Samajwadis and the NCPians. Being old hard-boiled political eggs, they talk nice and sweet. They air their dissent mildly. Not the Aam Aadmis, upstarts! Though spurned in Haryana, they had counted on the Congress to come to their aid in the Delhi assembly round where they are on shakier ground than five or ten years ago. If not an alliance, at least a friendly fight? And why not? Only months ago had they gracefully granted three of Delhis seven Lok Sabha seats to the rudderless Congress, and even campaigned for them free? A return favour? No, said the Congress. To the Aam Aadmis, that was the unkindest cut of all. No wonder they have called for kicking the Congress out of India. Wake up, Congress! You still have strengths. You are the only one in the alliance with an all-India presence. Use it for your good and of your team. prasannan@theweek.in When I began my career at Hindustan Lever (as HUL was then called), I was deeply inspired by our chairman, Dr Ashok S. Ganguly. He was a leader who balanced toughness with compassion and honesty. His sincerity in both words and actions left a lasting impression on me. Many years later, during my career with Nestle, I moved to Nestle Egypt just at the start of the Arab Spring in 2011. I had a boss named Roger Stettler, who headed the Africa division. Despite facing challenges, he stood by me, offering support and guidance every step of the way. Instead of inundating me with advice during the crisis, he trusted my abilities and encouraged me to focus on my team and our business. His belief in my authenticity and competence was truly rare and motivating. I believe trust is a binding factor between teams, and the onus of creating an environment that is conducive for teams to flourish rests with the leader. This takes me back to the words of Mahatma Gandhi: A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create. Real leaders are those who trust their teams, work on their strengths and prepare a core of future leaders. Imaging: Deni Lal WHEN ORDINARY PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS It was the summer of 2021. We were in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. I recollect how Mustafa Hossain, a dedicated Nestle India distributor salesman in Gangtok, relentlessly walked 14km each day for three days through the mountainous terrain to get the necessary permissions from the local authorities so that our food and beverage products were made available to the consumers. Because of his determination and tenacity, people living in that area had access to our products within six days. This clearly shows that lessons in leadership are not always taught by people occupying positions of power but by even ordinary people who take extraordinary steps that can create a lasting impact. Leadership depends upon a persons attitude more than their educational background. Take, for example, the Indian Space Research Organisation model. Members of the team behind Chandrayaan-3 did not all come from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, MIT or IIT. They were from regular engineering and technology schools. Having a top-notch education does not always translate into providing significant value. When I travel, I also visit lesser-known institutes. These places have untapped potential that needs the guidance of a strong leader to shine. Students from such institutes show more dedication, appreciation and enthusiasm for work. WHERE THE HEART BEATS In times of crisis, nobody wants to see the cranial capabilities of a leader. Instead, these moments are about managing priorities, anticipating the curveballs and displaying confidence and conscience. People do not want to see a leader who shakes in his boots and is uncertain. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a leader should be able to combat insurmountable challenges. This often takes me to the hymn, We shall overcome, which became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement in the US, offering courage and hope to people. We shall overcome is a motto that leaders should imbibe, especially in todays complex business world, where things are changing rapidly. The leaders of the future must be outstandingly good human beings. They may be brilliant and from the best institutions, but if they do not have a heart that beats at the right speed for their people, they cannot call themselves a leader. The only legacy a leader leaves behind is culture. Culture is the unspoken language that helps people act in difficult times. Narayanan is chairman & managing director, Nestle India In Hollywood, pay disparity is still a thing, according to popular actor Djimon Hounsou, known for films such as Ridley Scott's Gladiator, Steven Spielberg's Amistad, Michael Bay's The Island, and James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy. In an interview with CNN's African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou, an American actor hailing from Benin in West Africa, said he still struggles to make a living despite being an Oscar-nominated actor in the industry for over two decades. "I'm definitely underpaid," he added. Hounsou, who got Oscar nominations for Edward Zwick's Blood Diamond in which he co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly and In America, also alleged that he was unable to get an Oscar nomination for his performance in Amistad due to racial prejudice. I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars, talking about how they thought I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that [film], they didnt feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism isn't going to change like that anytime soon, he said. Before becoming an actor, Hounsou worked modelling gigs and commercials and as a dancer in music videos. He got his first acting break when he cracked the audition for the role of the slave rebellion leader in Amistad in 1997. The actor played a slave two more times, in Gladiator and The Four Feathers. Hounsou had previously expressed his frustration at the limited roles that Black actors like himself were getting offered and the unfair compensation in an interview with The Guardian in 2023. Im still struggling to try to make a dollar! Ive come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and the workload as well." Hounsou recently starred in A Quiet Place: Day One, Gran Turismo and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Shekhar Kapur's classic Masoom was screened at the Indian Film Festival in Germany, and the veteran filmmaker took to the podium to talk about making the film out of a place of inexperience and naivety that helped the making of the film while sharing that he is about to make its sequel this year. It will see the return of Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, who played the principal characters in the 1983 film. Speaking about returning to the world of Masoom in the sequel, Kapur said it's an "attempt to go back to my childhood. How do I become naive again? Because even Picasso said that when they asked him, 'What do you really want?' He said, 'I want to paint like I've never made a painting before.' And that was Masoom which was made by a person who did not know a thing about it. So I just said, 'Okay, let me try.' And so I just had to concentrate on the story because I didn't know what a camera was and how that worked and everything. So maybe something worked." Kapur found the audience's strong emotional response to it surprising given the fact that he wasn't a "trained filmmaker". "I'd never made a film. I'd never assisted anybody. I had not studied filmmaking. I knew nothing about film and then one day I just made a film and I was a chartered accountant in London." He also recalled the time when he briefly worked as an accountant in Germany, after which he went back to make the film. "There's an innocence to when you're absolutely naive about what you're doing. You do things differently. So when people say, can you make Masoom again? I say, 'Can you make me naive again?'" he added. Based on Erich Segal's book Man, Woman and Child, Masoom centred on a family whose peaceful existence is disrupted when it's revealed that the husband has an illegitimate child from a past relationship. It was adapted by lyricist and screenwriter Gulzar, with music by R D Burman. Shekar Kapur's last directorial feature was What's Love Got to Do with It? a romantic comedy scripted by Jemima Khan. Rescue operations to rescue the miners from the Umrangso rat-hole coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao continued on Sunday as the water level in the hole came down from 30 to 15 metres. Four bodies have been fished out so far, and five others are still trapped inside. However, rescuers believe the chances of bringing them out alive are slim. The deceased include Ganga Bahadur Shreth from Nepal, Lijen Magar (27), from Kalamati village in Umrangso, Khusi Mohan Rai (57), from Magergaon in Kokrajhar, Sarat Goyary (37), from Thailapara in Sonitpur. #WATCH | Dima Hasao, Assam: Rescue operations underway to save workers trapped in the inundated rat-hole coal mine at 3 Kilo Umrangso area in Dima Hasao district. Four bodies have been recovered by the joint rescue team of the Indian army and NDRF. pic.twitter.com/XYUy7eT4UK ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025 Dewatering mine Rescue workers led by the NDRF are pinning their hopes on the falling water level to continue their rescue operations. Harmeet Singh, special DGP of Assam, said the water level has come down by over half and is expected to lower further. He said there were 12 pumps functioning, and the water level had come down from 30 metres to 15 metres. However, the dangers of inflow still exist as the shaft is interlinked with different wells. "With the water going down further and the shaft opening up further, we hope to get some more results. And once we can clean up the arteries of water, we hope to speed up the rescue operation," said Singh. State Minister for Mines and Minerals Kaushik Rai also said that dewatering of the mine is being carried out, and the process is expected to reach the final stage soon. The final stage of dewatering is expected to reach within the next 36 hours. The mine was abandoned 12 years ago and was under the Assam Mineral Development Corporation till three years ago. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the mine was not an illegal mine but an abandoned one. "The workers had entered the mine that day for the first time to extract coal," Sarma had said. Sarma's statement triggered a political slugfest with opposition parties questioning how illegal mining activities could be conducted there without the knowledge of local authorities. Assam Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi Saturday wrote to the Prime Minister demanding the constitution of an SIT to probe the incident and the persistence of rathole mining despite being banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014. In his letter, Gogoi urged the Centre to look into the illegal operation of the mine and identify those responsible for this tragedy. The government should address the broader issues at play. This includes the failure to enforce the NGTs ban on rathole mining, and the complicity of local authorities including the district administration and district police who have enabled these illegal activities to persist despite repeated accidents and warnings," Gogoi said. He also urged the SIT to examine safety standards and working conditions in these mines, which are consistently ignored, leading to deadly incidents. Amid strained ties, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met Bangladesh foreign secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin at the foreign ministry in Dhaka and conveyed to implement the existing understanding for border management. India also called on Bangladesh to adopt a cooperative approach to combating crimes on the frontier amid the rising tensions along the boundary. The state-run BSS news agency earlier reported that Verma was summoned by the foreign ministry to discuss the recent tensions along the border. Tensions along the border increased after the Border Security Forces (BSF) acted to deter Bangladeshi smugglers. Dhaka alleged that India had violated the bilateral agreement by trying to build a fence at five locations along the border. "Such activities particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF, have caused tensions and disturbances along the border," the foreign secretary said in a statement. Uddin stressed that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. After the meeting, Verma told reporters, "We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime. Verma said that he met the foreign secretary to discuss, "Indias commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and addressing the challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking." He added, "We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. The BSF and BGB [Border Guard Bangladesh] have been in communication in this regard. Meanwhile, referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed concern and disappointment. He "strongly resented these acts of killing and called for urgent action by the Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all these border killings and take actions against those responsible," the statement said. "Advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border," it added. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, earlier in the day, said that India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to opposition from Bangladesh. India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday and accused the party of corruption. Atishi said, unlike the BJP, the AAP runs the party with honesty. Addressing presspersons in Delhi, the chief minister said, The BJP gains power through money and earns money when in power. They might have earned so much that they don't need to collect money for elections, she said. Launching crowdfunding for her Delhi Assembly polls campaign, Atishi said she requires Rs 40 lakh for her campaign. We don't take money from big businessmen for elections. AAP government works for the common people. For my election from Kalkaji, I am launching a crowdfunding campaign for Rs 40 lakh, which I need for the election. People can donate any amount they want, ANI reported. Atishi also launched an online link for receiving donations. The AAP has always fought elections with the help of small donations from the common man which has helped it pursue the politics of work and honesty, she said. Coming down heavily on the BJP, Atishi said the ruling party in the Centre is not finding candidates to contest the Delhi Assembly election. With BJP's candidate list, it has become clear that they are not finding candidates for the elections. They are yet to announce 12 candidates, she said. In December, senior AAP leader and party candidate from Jangpura Manish Sisodia launched a crowdfunding platform and sought financial support from people for his poll campaign. The 70-member Delhi Assembly goes to polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8. A prominent Muslim cleric, who had claimed that the Mahakumbh was being held on Waqf land, on Sunday issued a video praising the arrangements made for the gathering, with a focus on how a neighbouring country was impressed. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, national president of All India Muslim Jamaat, said that the grand event was bound to impress not just the people of the country but of the whole world. VIDEO | Bareilly: Here's what All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said on Maha Kumbh 2025. "I extend my best wishes to all the devotees and saints who are coming to the Kumbh Mela. At the same time, I appeal to the Muslims of Prayagraj to warmly pic.twitter.com/mB7S6fuP2b Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 10, 2025 Barelvi had made the claim about the Waqf land a week ago when he said that others should learn from the large heartedness of Muslims. He had also written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to stop the alleged mass conversions of Muslims which he claimed were to happen as part of a huge ghar wapasi initiative. In response, without naming the cleric, Yogi Aidtyanath had said that every inch of land that had been taken away in the name of Waqf would be re-claimed. In the new video, the Maulana said that even Pakistan, which is often critical of India, has been praising the Mahakumbh preparations, especially the beauty and the facilities available for the Mahakumbh which started at Prayagraj on Sunday. He claimed that such praise was being done on the Internet by the common people and the educated of Pakistan. He said that Yogi Adityanath had made excellent arrangements for food, accommodation and bathing for the devotees. The grandeur and smooth management of this event was a result of farsighted planning and team work, he said in the 1.44 minute video. He also described the event as not just one of a religious nature but one that represented Indian culture. And now, he said, that it would offer an example of Indias administrative and management skills, too. The whole world would see how India can manage grand festivals and religious events. The Mahakumbh, to go on till February 26, is expected to be visited by 45 crore people. In a tragic incident, a law student from Amity University fell to death from the seventh floor of a building at Sector 99 in Noida on Saturday. Tapas, a resident of Ghaziabad, plunged to death around 4:30 pm during a house party held at a flat in Supreme Towers. The flat was shared by two of his classmates. Police said five other students were inside the flat when the incident occurred. Though they rushed the youth to hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. The police were immediately alerted. His body has since been sent for a post-mortem examination. The body was reportedly found at the rear section of the residential building. However, this area was reportedly under construction and the builder had put up a scaffolding to stop residents from going there. Residents of the apartment complex also expressed concern about how the body was found in a restricted area. One of the residents also claimed that she met Tapas at the elevator earlier that day. Authorities have launched an investigation after Tapas' family alleged that his female classmate was harassing him. The woman has been booked for abetment of suicide under BNS Section 108. His family claimed that the youth was unhappy after the woman cut off contact with him. However, DCP Rambadan Singh told reporters that the police were analysing CCTV footage to determine whether Tapas fell to death accidentally or whether there was any foul play involved in the incident. "The family suspects the involvement of his friends. All angles are being thoroughly checked. We are also questioning the people present at the party," Singh was quoted by the Times of India. The district administration of Dhanbad, Jharkhand has ordered a probe after about 80 schoolgirls of a renowned school in the city were allegedly made to return home wearing only blazers by the principal as punishment for writing messages on each other shirts. A probe panel has been informed and students statements are being recorded, police said. The incident took place in a renowned school in Digwadih, Dhanbad and students studying in class X reportedly celebrated pen day to mark last day in school. Students wrote personal messages on each others shirts to mark last day of high school. However, the schools principal disliked this and has allegedly made students return home without shirts beneath their blazers. The students were allegedly given the punishment despite apologising. The parents of the school complained to the police about this and demanded action against the principal. Parents complained that the principal, who is a woman, objected to the students celebration and asked them to remove their shirts, even though they sought an apology. All students were sent back home in their blazers without the shirts, the parents told the police in their complaint. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Madhvi Mishra said, Several guardians lodged complaints against the principal. We also talked to some of the victim girls. The administration has taken the matter seriously. A committee has been set up to investigate the matter, PTI reported. The district administration has formed a committee consisting of sub-divisional magistrate, district education officer, district social welfare officer and the sub-divisional police officer to probe the incident. Action will be taken against the school and principal based on the probe report. Meanwhile, Jharia MLA Ragini Singh, who also accompanied the parents to the DC's office termed the incident as "shameful and unfortunate". Singh told reporters that students were in trauma after the incident. However, the school principal denied the charges and said she only warned the students. I didnt ask them to open their shirts and go. I told them to go in proper uniform only and not to linger around here, Times of India reported quoting the principal. Security forces killed three Naxalites in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur during an anti-Naxal operation in the Indravati National Park on Sunday. The search operation is continuing and forces have recovered arms and ammunition from the hideouts of Naxalites, police said. Chhattisgarh police said the militants were killed in an encounter with security personnel in a forest area within the Indravati National Park on Sunday. Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range said the gunfight between Naxals and security forces broke out in the morning when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation. Security personnel from District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and District Force were involved in the operation on Sunday. Forces have recovered the bodies of Naxalites and seized their arms. Bodies of three Naxalites clad in 'uniform' along with firearms, including the automatic ones, and explosives were recovered from the site, Sundarraj said. Search operations are continuing in the area. Security forces have intensified anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh after nine jawans were killed in attack by militants recently. As many as eight DRG jawans and a driver got killed after Naxalites blew up their vehicle using an IED in Bijapur. The security personnel were returning after conducting a search operation in the region. On Saturday, a Central Reserve Police Force jawan suffered injuries when an IED planted by Naxals went off in the Mahadeo Ghat area in Bijapur. The jawan inadvertently stepped on the IED while patrolling, police said. 12 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters in the state so far this year. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state. Stalin does not respect Bharat; DMK leader arrogant: Governor Ravi rebuts TN CM's childish remark over national anthem row The tussle between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the national anthem continues and the governor said the chief minister neither respects Bharat nor the Constitution. Thiru @mkstalin asserts that insisting on due respect to the National Anthem and doing fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is absurd and childish. Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition of interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) January 12, 2025 In a statement published by Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan on social media platform X, the governor said Stalin has betrayed the true intentions of the Constitution. Thiru @mkstalin asserts that insisting on due respect to the National Anthem and doing fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is absurd and childish. Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition of interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that does not accept and respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution, he said. Accusing the chief minister of arrogance, Ravi said children of the nation would not tolerate any insult to the Constitution. Such arrogance is not good. Please do not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother and the Constitution is the supreme faith for her children. They will not like or tolerate such brazen insult, Ravi charged. The governors rebuttal comes a day after Stalin reiterated his childish remark against Ravi on Saturday for not reading the governors customary address at the beginning of the assembly session. For the third year in a row, Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly without delivering the customary address. The first assembly session of the year commenced on January 6 and though the governor reached the assembly to deliver his address, he left immediately, upset over not playing the national anthem at the beginning of his speech. As per the custom of the assembly, Tamil Thai Vazhthu is played at the beginning of the speech and national anthem while the governor concludes the address. Governor Ravi said he left the house since did not wish to be party to such brazen disrespect to the Constitution and the national anthem. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday expressed concern over the "frequent apprehension" of Indian fishermen from the state by the Sri Lankan navy and urged the Centre for 'stronger' diplomatic measures to find a permanent solution to prevent such arrests. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he flagged the latest instance where eight fishermen who ventured for fishing from Rameswaram were apprehended by the Lankan Navy personnel along with their two mechanized fishing boats. Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday arrested eight Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters and seized two fishing trawlers. With this arrest, so far this year 18 Indian fishermen have been arrested and three trawlers have been confiscated. "The frequent apprehensions of our fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have created a sense of fear and uncertainty among the fishing communities as their traditional source of income for their livelihood is affected. Hence there is a need for stronger diplomatic measures to find a permanent solution to prevent such arrests," Stalin said in the letter. "I therefore request you to take strong and coordinated efforts through appropriate diplomatic channels to secure the release of all the apprehended fishermen and their fishing boats at the earliest," the CM urged. With high-level Israeli and US officials reaching Qatar to finalise the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, the first set of captives could be released within a week if things go right. Sources in Hamas reportedly claimed that they have come to an agreement with Israel and is awaiting a final approval by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks were reportedly "at the closest point" to signing the deal. Horror after horror is still being unleashed on children in Gaza in the new year. Enough is enough. Children must be protected, hostages released and safe humanitarian access ensured. Ceasefire NOW. pic.twitter.com/TpS4nNWsDL UNICEF (@UNICEF) January 11, 2025 Once the agreement is inked, the mediating nations will announce the details, including the dates, in a press meet. ALSO READ: Hamas agrees to Israel's list of 34 hostages to be released but refuses to reveal if they are alive The Israeli delegation who travelled to Doha include Netanyahu's adviser Ophir Falk, Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ron Bar. IDF's hostage point man Major General Nitzan Alon is also accompanying them. This comes after Netanyahu discussed the situation with Defence Minister Israel Katz and security chiefs as well as officials of Joe Biden administration and the incoming Donald Trump administration. Trump's pick for US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss the negotiations, also met Netanyahu. Witkoff will also join the Israel delegation in Doha. The US delegations will be officially headed by Biden's Middle East envoy Brett McGurk. A Hamas source told Doha-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Hamas had to put off several issues for a later phase of the ceasefire deal. Earlier, Israel and Hamas blamed each other, with Netanyahu's office accusing the militants of backtracking on their promises. On the other hand, Hamas alleged that Tel Aviv was making new demands. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday said the two satellites launched for the space docking experiment came just three metres in a trial attempt for an "exciting handshake". The space docking mission, SpaDeX, will see the Chaser satellite approach and dock with a Target satellite while both fly about 70 kilometres above Earth. The statement by ISRO said the two satellites are in good condition. "A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecrafts to safe distance The docking process will be done after analysing data further," the latest update from the space agency said. SpaDeX Docking Update: SpaDeX satellites holding position at 15m, capturing stunning photos and videos of each other! #SPADEX #ISRO pic.twitter.com/RICiEVP6qB ISRO (@isro) January 12, 2025 The trial began on Friday evening when the satellites were separated by 1.5 km and by Saturday morning, the distance was reduced to 500 m. By evening, the satellites were separated by a distance of 230 m and on Sunday morning, it came further close at 15 metres and then 3 metres. The mission was launched on December 30 as the PSLV C60 rocket carrying the two 220-kilogramme satellites lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Though the space docking was initially planned for January 6, it was postponed twice. Postponing the January 6 demo, the ISRO said the docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario identified. Also read: India becomes 4th nation to achieve space docking as ISRO spacecraft gets injected into right orbit Though it attempted the docking again on January 7, during the bid to initiate the drift on Chaser to move towards Target from 500 m to 225 m, the ISRO said the drift was more than expected, post non-visibility period. The Space Docking technology is essential for space programmes like India on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) etc. One of the key goals of the SpaDeX mission is to demonstrate the transfer of electric power between the docked satellites. A successful demonstration of the SpaDeX will make India the fourth nation to master the complex technologies that are crucial for its future missions. NASA was the first to initiate the technology when its Gemini programme successfully docked the two spacecraft in orbit in the 1960s. This paved the way for future missions to the Moon, such as the Apollo programme. NASA continues to use docking technology today with the International Space Station (ISS), where spacecraft regularly dock to deliver astronauts and supplies. Russia, through its space agency ROSCOSMOS, also managed to do the same. Its Soyuz spacecraft docked with an American Apollo spacecraft, showcasing advanced docking technology and international collaboration. China too successfully demonstrated the technology through its Tiangong programme when its Shenzhou VIII spacecraft successfully docked with Tiangong-1 in 2011. With the Mahakumbh scheduled to kick off on Monday, January 13, Indias tourism ministry unveiled a slew of facilities aimed at domestic and international tourists flocking to one of the largest religious congregations in the world. The Kumbh Mela, held in a cycle of 12 years at one of the holy sites in India, attracts millions of pilgrims as well as tourists from across the world. This affords the central government to showcase the countrys sought-after cultural heritage and spiritual history. For the 2025 edition of the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, the tourism ministry set up a 5000sqft space called the Incredible India Pavilion for tourists, researchers, media, and Indian diaspora flocking to the venue to experience the event. This year, among the tourists is Apple Inc founder Steve Jobss widow and one of the worlds wealthiest women, Lauren Powell. The founder of Emerson Collection, Powell, is expected to attend the Mahakumbh on January 29, and stay at the camp of the 1,700-year-old Shri Panchayati Taponidhi Niranjani akhara. An akhara is a spiritual institution where the members share the same guru. Panchayati Bada Udasin akhara members perform rituals ahead of Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj | AP International visitors to the event can use the dedicated toll-free tourist hotline to know more about the event at 1800-11-1363. Apart from English and Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese, and Marathi, the tourist-care call facility is also available in ten different international languages, according to the tourism ministry. International tourists at the banks of the river Ganga ahead of Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj | PTI For people covering the event, the ministry urged visitors to share their experiences on social media using special hashtags such as #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj. The union minister of tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, shared a video on social media on Sunday, urging tourists and pilgrims alike to experience the Kumbh Mela in all its cultural fervour. , , , ... , ...#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/0QKsOFUyeG Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) January 12, 2025 The Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), and the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) have all come up with specialised packages for the event that spans more than six weeks. The ITDC alone set up 80 luxury tents at the Tent City in Prayagraj. With more tourists expected this year, even IRCTC plans to provide luxury tents, the details of which can be availed at the regional and Indian tourism offices across the nation. An aerial view of Tent City with luxury tents ahead of Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj | PTI The ministry also announced its tie-up with the designated Indian flag carrier, Alliance Air, to operate direct flights to Prayagraj from multiple cities around the world, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Dehradun, Jabalpur, and Bilaspur. As the death toll in the Los Angeles wildfire touches 16, reports said an amputee father and his adult son, who had cerebral palsy, were among the victims. Anthony Mitchell lived in Altadena with his son Justin Mitchell, who was in his early 20s and had cerebral palsy. He refused to leave the bedside of his son and both perished in the fire. Hajime White, Mitchell's daughter, told The Washington Post that she spoke to her father last Wednesday when he informed her about the raging wildfire. "He said 'Baby, Im just letting you know the fires broke out. Were going to have to evacuate," White, who lives in Arkansas told Post. Mitchell informed her that the fire was in the yard and he planned to evacuate. He chose to stay with his son who he was unable to evacuate due to his medical condition. Anthony & Justin Mitchell of Altadena, #California, perished in the Eaton fire together. May God rest their souls together in eternity. January 8, 2025 pic.twitter.com/MeOWc5BQun Salty Texan 1836 (@SaltyTexan1836) January 11, 2025 Their home was in the neighbourhood north of Pasadena, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Though Mitchell's other son Jordan was living with them, he was not at home. There were no caregivers available at the time. Though the duo waited for an ambulance to come for them, it never arrived. White said she got the terrible news a few hours later. "They didnt make it out," she said, adding that the authorities told the family Mitchell was found by the side of his son's bed. She believes the father was trying to save the son. "He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what, White said. "Its very hard, White said. Its like a ton of bricks just fell on me." Though Justin, her half-brother had cerebral palsy, he could use a computer to read and communicate. Besides the Mitchells, a former child actor from Australia also died in the blaze which tore through his family's Malibu estate in California earlier this week. Rory Callum Sykes was at the familys 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studios estate when it burned down on January 8, his mother Shelley Sykes wrote on X Thursday. Sykes was born blind and with cerebral palsy but had overcome his disabilities. "He overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about travelling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica," Shelley Sykes wrote on X. Another victim was an 85-year-old woman who refused to leave her Pacific Palisades home. Annette Rossilli was found dead inside her car. Though her care workers offered to rescue her, Rossilli insisted on staying back with her pets, her dog Greetly, her canary Pepper, her two parrots and her turtle. Another victim was Erliene Kelley, who also chose not to evacuate her home of 40 years. Further strengthening the trade and improving ties with Pakistan, the interim government in Bangladesh has simplified the visa process for Pakistanis. As part of easing the process, the government has removed the need for clearance from Dhaka for Pakistani heads of missions while issuing visas. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain said that increasing trade and investment between the two countries must be a top priority to move forward. He also added that the interim government headed by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus is looking forward to improve relations with Pakistan. Hussain added that the trade potential between the two countries remains largely untapped and Pakistan can capitalise on it. The High Commissioner also stressed the importance of restoring the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to enhance regional trade and cooperation. It was the responsibility of both countries to create opportunities for the current generation and remove obstacles to mutual trade and cooperation, said the High Commissioner. Since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, the relations between Bangladesh and India have become strained. Presently, Hasina is staying in India. Even the attacks on the minorities in Bangladesh since Hasinas ouster also raised concerns from India. India has raised its concern amid the rising targeted attacks against the Hindus in the country. The arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das also paved the way for protests across the nation. He was accused of sedition. Following his arrest, two of his associates were also arrested in Bangladesh, claimed the ISKCON members. The Los Angeles wildfires have left a trail of devastation with countless individuals and families forced to flee their homes as the raging inferno consumed everything in its path. As the firefighters struggle to quell the fire, the strong Santa Ana winds are expected to worsen the situation further during the night. According to fire officials, all four fires in Los Angeles, California, are still active. Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. As per Cal Fire, the flames claimed over 12,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands. Even several people are reported missing as well. This isnt a movie This is Los Angeles 2025 pic.twitter.com/NTOoOsDP3w Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 12, 2025 Meanwhile, the cause of all four fires is under investigation. Palisades Fire The Palisades fire, which started on January 7 from Southeast of Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles County, California, is the worst among others. It has burned about 23,654 acres. More than 14,000 personnel, including from Canada and Mexico are helping to fight the Palisades Fire. Texas and Montana states are also assisting in dozing it off. Five deaths were reported in the area. Despite days of firefighting, only 11 per cent of the Palisades fire was contained. The fire is raging towards a major highway, Interstate 405, into a more heavily populated area as firefighters struggle to contain the blaze. Eaton Fire Eaton fire, which erupted on January 7 in the Altadena area, north of Pasadena, has engulfed more than 14,000 acres. The fire started in Eaton Canyon and quickly spread out of control killing 11 people. Over 14,117 acres have burned. According to fire officials, 15 per cent of the fire was contained. Around 3,000 firefighters, including from across the state and country were engaged in the fight. More than 7,000 structures were estimated to be damaged or destroyed. Kenneth Fire The fire that erupted on January 9 in the West Hills area had consumed over 1,052 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The fire was reported in an area north of the Ventura Freeway near Valley Circle Boulevard. Around 90 per cent of the fire was contained and so far no casualties have been reported. Hurst Fire The fire, which started on January 7 near Diamond Road, Sylmar, spread to more than 700 acres, forcing evacuations in the area. The fire was contained 76 per cent. A report on the cause of the fire said that Southern California Edison determined that one of their circuits in the Eagle Rock-Sylmar area "experienced a relay" approximately one minute after the Hurst Fire was initially reported. However, the department is still investigating the incident's relation to the fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the title 'Hero of Russia' to a Russian soldier who defeated a Ukrainian soldier in a brutal knife fight that went viral online. The eight-minute footage caught on the helmet camera showed Andrey Grigoryev engaged in combat with a Ukrainian soldier, who succumbed to the attack. Grigoryev was decorated for "bravery and heroism" in combat, RT News quoted a presidential decree published on Saturday. The 35-year-old soldier, a corporal with the 39th Motorised Rifle Brigade, hails from Sakha Republic in Russia. The incident happened in 2024 during a battle near the village of Trudovoye in Donetsk Peoples Republic but went viral only recently. The video shows a Ukrainian soldier approaching a dilapidated building before engaging in a close-range firefight with Grigoryev. However, their battle soon ends in hand-to-hand combat, following which the Ukrainian soldier ends up getting stabbed to death. The Ukrainian was also heard pleading for the death, "Let me die in peace. I want to go on my own. Thank you. You were the greatest fighter in the world." Grigoryev was seen leaving the scene, wounded and covered in blood without delivering the final blow. Later, in an interview with RT News, Grigoryev said he did so because "he being a Russian and Yakut was taught from childhood to remain human in any situation." The Russian Yakut soldier explains the situation! The Ukranian was able to kill his friend, after which the melee combat started and after it another 6 Ukranians came to get him! Dudes is iron man. pic.twitter.com/VcZAQEWWt2 Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) January 3, 2025 "He had two knife neck wounds and was stabbed three times near the heart. I knew he wouldnt be able to get up," he added. Grigoryev said the Ukrainian had killed one of his friends during the clash, leaving him no option but to fight. Grigoryev added that he was determined not to surrender. "I would take at least one person to the grave [before dying myself]. This motivation helped me a lot to concentrate, Grigoryev added. The video went viral in Russia following which Sakha Governor Aysen Nikolayev met with Grigoryev and gifted him a new knife as a gift. The video also caught the attention of Elon Musk who posted on X: "I have a WW1 trench knife embedded in my bedroom wall just in case. 1917 edition. More useful than a gun in close quarters." The opening credits of Daaku Maharaaj introduce Balakrishna with the tag god of masses. A little later, in the introduction scene, Balakrishna calls himself the god of death and delivers a dialogue, I did Masters in Murders. The interval is announced with the words, All rise up for the king of Chambal and in the second half of the movie, a key character defines Balakrishna as a wild animal. That in short should explain the direction and purpose of the film which was released around the time when Balakrishna had completed 50 years in the film industry. The parameters for Balakrishnas movies are the highs and emotional quotient rather than logic or innovative storytelling. To sum up, Balakrishnas movie is a blockbuster if his fans can rise up and hoot for his action scenes. In Balakrishnas universe, Daaku Maharaaj is a marvel which absolutely delivers what it promised. In fact, compared to his recent releases, Daaku Maharaaj has more substance and freshness. We are introduced to the picturesque plantations of Madanapalle where a respectable family, which manages a school runs into trouble with the local MLA (Ravi Kishan). The head of the family is played by Sachin Khedekar whose family members include his daughter, played by Chandni Chowdary, and his granddaughter, Vaishnavi. The MLAs brother, who took the property of the family on lease, misuses it for illegal wildlife smuggling. The family wants the MLA and his brother to face the law and, in return, the legislator lets loose a reign of terror on the family traumatising the child, Vaishnavi. One member of the family staff (Makarand Deshpande) sends out a message through a mediator to Nanaji (Balakrishna). Now the location shifts to the barren lands of Chambal valley in Madhya Pradesh where Balakrishna is rescued from police custody by a group of bandits owing allegiance to him. Balakrishna then travels down to the south of India and joins the family as a driver with the intention of protecting the child, Vaishnavi. The next set of action sequences involves him getting into conflict with the MLAs men. Notable is the fact that barring a song where he romances Urvashi Rautela, who plays a cop, the rest of the movie has no trace of vulgar display of romance. The movie has more to it than MLA, Madanapalle and Nanaji, as Gujjars, Thakurs and water issues of Madhya Pradesh are thrown in. A clean-shaven Balakrishna appears as an engineer working for the central government who lands up in the Chambal region to help the villagers get access to water. The second half has answers to the transition of the civil engineer to Daaku Maharaaj to Nanaji, how the Chambal valley is connected to the Madanapalle and the relation between Vaishnavi and the hero. Bobby Deol plays a villain who belongs to a Thakur family of three brothers who ought to kill Balakrishna. He appears in his stylish self. The characters in the movie have been written well and justify their roles. The plot and characters justify revenge and action scenes which are visually entertaining. Thamans background music is the biggest asset to the film, especially while elevating Balakrishnas heroics and reminding the audience of Anirudhs work which made a valuable contribution to the Rajnikanth-starrer Jailer. Director Bobby has crafted a success with the product where exaggeration was kept under control and the reel rolled on smoothly without much boredom or cringe. Film: Daaku Maharaaj Director: Bobby Kolli Cast: Balakrishna, Pragya Jaiswal, Sachin Khedekar, Shraddha Srinath, Bobby Deol, Urvashi Rautela, Chandni Chowdary Rating: 3.5/5 New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Real estate company Godrej Properties has purchased a 24-acre land parcel in Indore for around Rs 200 crore to develop housing plots, as part of its strategy to expand business amid strong demand for residential properties. Godrej Properties, one of the leading real estate developers in the country, focuses on Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Delhi-NCR, Pune and Bengaluru markets for group housing projects. For residential plotted development projects, the company has been buying land in tier II-III cities. Godrej Properties has acquired a 24-acres land parcel in Indore. The company did not divulge the total cost of the land, however, market sources said the land has been purchased at around Rs 200 crore. The development on this land will primarily comprise premium plotted residential units and will offer an estimated saleable area of 6.20 lakh square feet with an estimated revenue potential of around Rs 500 crore. After acquiring 46 acres in July 2024 on the Indore-Ujjain Road, this will be the company's second acquisition in Indore. To expand its housing business, Godrej Properties acquires land parcels through outright purchases as well as forming partnerships with landowners for the joint development. Godrej Properties added eight new land parcels in the first six months of this fiscal with a total estimated saleable area of about 11 million square feet and total estimated booking value potential of around Rs 12,650 crore. The company has added many land parcels in the third quarter of this fiscal. During the current January-March quarter, it has already acquired land in Indore. Helped by the company's aggressive land buying and launch of new projects, Godrej Properties became the largest listed real estate company during 2023-24 in terms of annual sales bookings and it is likely to retain the position going by the performance in the first half of this financial year. The company's sales booking value grew 89 per cent annually to over Rs 13,800 crore in April-September period of 2024-25 fiscal. The company has a target of achieving Rs 27,500 crore worth of sales bookings in the current 2024-25 financial year. During the last fiscal, Godrej Properties sales bookings jumped 84 per cent to a record Rs 22,527 crore, from Rs 12,232 crore in the preceding year. To fund its land acquisition plan, Godrej Properties last month raised Rs 6,000 crore by selling shares to institutional investors, including Singapore sovereign wealth firm GIC and SBI Pension, through qualified institutional placement (QIP) route. On the use of the QIP fund, Pirojsha Godrej, Executive Chairperson, Godrej Properties, had said, "This capital raise will allow Godrej Properties to significantly enhance its business development portfolio, while maintaining a tremendously strong balance sheet. We remain focused on building scale through continued market share gains and margin expansion." New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) In a bid to reduce litigation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the upcoming Budget may announce an Amnesty Scheme for customs to foster ease of doing business. "The main asks of the industry would certainly be aligned with the objectives of the government and one objective of the government has been litigation reduction. On that front, having an amnesty scheme for customs especially covering pre-GST legacy taxes like additional duty, special additional duty has been one of the asks of the industry," Price Waterhouse & Co LLP managing director Anurag Sehgal said. The government had in the past announced amnesty schemes for excise and service tax and even for the income tax but not for customs. There are estimates that over 40,000 cases were pending in various courts and tribunals pertaining to customs duty alone. Another consultancy firm EY India said customs litigations are pending at various forums for a very long time and the same require time and effort to be spent by both the taxpayer and the government in resolving them. EY India also suggested that a one-time dispute/litigation resolution/settlement scheme should be introduced under the Customs Law to settle and resolve pending disputes. According to Deloitte India partner Mahesh Jaising, the government should end long-drawn litigation to resolve long-standing disputes, alleviate the burdened judicial pipeline and upgrade the law to keep pace with technological advancements and international best practices. "An amnesty scheme, along the lines of Sab ka Vishwas, will be a welcome decision. The industry has been waiting for such a scheme for years to address pending litigation matters under customs. This will especially help small businesses avoid past disputes and move ahead with a clean slate," Jaising said. Another important wishlist of the industry on customs would be rate rationalization to support the Make in India initiative, Sehgal said. "You have PLI, Phased Manufacturing Programme coming up in many sectors. So rate rationalization would help promote investment in India," he said. Besides, he said, the industry is expecting the review of exemptions. Review of exemptions is very important because there are certain exemptions with sunset dates, which are very critical for sectors like, sustainability, green tech, maybe MSMEs, healthcare where industry wants that they should be reviewed and extended, he added. Asked about the increase in duty on gold in view of rising import, Sehgal said, it was reduced only in the July Budget so tinkering with rate on this high value and sensitive item may not come so quickly. However, he said, customs duty-related decisions can happen anytime and are not limited to the Budget. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Finance Ministry has called a meeting of heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on Wednesday to review progress of various financial inclusion schemes, including Jan Suraksha and Mudra Yojana. The meeting, which would see participation from representatives of private sector banks, is scheduled to be chaired by Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju. According to sources, the meeting to be chaired by the Secretary would also discuss and review the progress of various financial inclusion schemes including PM SVANidhi Schemes. The Finance ministry from time to time launched various drives to achieve saturation under Pradhan Mantri Jan dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). The PMJJBY offers life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh, in case of death due to any reason, to people in the age group of 18-50 years having a bank or post office account, who give their consent to join or enable auto-debit of premium. On the other hand, the PMSBY offers insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for accidental death or total permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh for partial permanent disability to people in the age group of 18-70 years with a bank or post office account, who give their consent to join or enable auto-debit of premium. StandUp India Scheme, launched on April 5, 2016, with a focus on economic empowerment and job creation, has been extended up to 2025. The scheme aims to encourage all bank branches in extending loans to borrowers belonging to SC, ST and women borrowers in setting up their own greenfield enterprises. Last year, the government approved the continuation of the Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme till December 2024. The PM SVANidhi Scheme was launched in June 2020 by the government as a micro-credit facility with an aim to empower street vendors to recover losses incurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through PM SVANidhi, affordable collateral-free loans are given to street vendors. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has dismissed a plea to stay the insolvency proceedings against debt-ridden thermal power producer Indrajit Power. The appellate tribunal said "no error has been committed" by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), while admitting the plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against the Maharashtra-based company on February 1, 2024, filed by Yes Bank. The said order passed by the Mumbai bench of NCLT was challenged by Rajiv Munjal, a director from the suspended board of Indrajit Power, before the NCLAT. However, NCLAT upheld the NCLT order observing that it admitted the insolvency plea after finding debt and default which is not even questioned in the appeal filed by the suspended board. "The submission of the appellant (director) that he proposes to enter into settlement, itself makes it clear that debt and default are admitted. In view of the aforesaid, we do not see any good grounds to entertain this appeal," said a two-member NCLAT bench on January 7, 2025. Yes Bank, a financial creditor, has claimed a default of Rs 331.41 crore against Indrajit Power, which presently operates an 85 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Wardha, Maharashtra. Later, this loan was substituted by JC Flower Asset Reconstruction. When the appeal was considered before NCLAT, Munjal submitted that he was taking steps to settle. NCLAT has granted several opportunities. The last opportunities were granted on October 1, 2024, and on November 5, 2024. Even when the appeal was taken up last week on January 7, 2025, counsel for the appellant submitted that no settlement could be entered. Following this, the appellate tribunal moved ahead and dismissed the appeal. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Falling rupee puts pressure on Air India's cost structure and profitability but the airline has some natural hedge as it can charge more for international flights where tickets are priced in foreign currencies, according to a senior company official. In recent weeks, Indian rupee has been on a decline and touched a record low of 86.04 against the US dollar on January 10. A weak rupee results in higher operational expenses for airlines as most of their costs are in dollars. Air India's Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said the declining rupee definitely poses a challenge to the industry and to Air India, and the situation has to be dealt with by improving productivity and taking other initiatives. "Falling rupee does put pressure on our cost structure because most of our cost is dollarised barring the manpower cost which is in local currency. The more the rupee falls, the more the pressure it puts on our cost structure, on our profitability," he said at a media briefing this week. Air India Group operates 1,168 daily flights, including 313 services to international destinations. Of those overseas flights, 244 are short haul and 69 are long haul. The group comprises Air India and low-cost carrier Air India Express. Last year, Air India merged Vistara with itself and AIX Connect was integrated with Air India Express. According to Aggarwal, the airline has some natural hedge as it flies international lot more than other airlines. "So, we are able to charge in international currency for international flights and we are able to pass on some of that impact to our customers because we are pricing in dollars or whatever currency is there," he said. At the same time, Aggarwal noted that not everything is priced in overseas currencies. "Even on international flights, we do have some impact but some of those are mitigated with the hedge we have but it impacts our profitability and puts pressure on the fares in the market". Increasing airfares is not easy as the industry is very competitive and the demand is sensitive to pricing, Aggarwal said, seeking to highlight the low profitability of the airline industry. "We do have to fill the aircraft and if we had so much pricing power, the airline industry's profitability would not be what it is today. This makes it very challenging for us to operate... it (falling rupee) will put pressure on our cost structure, impact profitability and demand," he noted. In December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected global airline industry's net profit at USD 36.6 billion this year for a 3.6 per cent net profit margin. "Average net profit per passenger is expected to be USD 7 (below the USD 7.9 high in 2023 but an improvement from USD 6.4 in 2024)," IATA said in its financial outlook for 2025. Air India is an IATA member. Taking a broader view, Aggarwal also pointed out that the rupee has been depreciating around 2-3 per cent every year for the last many years, and not just the airline industry but many other sectors have become used to the situation. "We are also not unique in that respect. We will deal with it and are confident that it is not such a big issue," he added. The loss-making Air India is implementing an ambitious transformation plan and is slowly expanding its fleet as well as network amid rising air traffic demand. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Seeking to tap the "huge growth opportunities", Air India will increase the number of premium economy and business class seats in its aircraft, realign flight timings to carry more connecting traffic and rationalise network to deploy optimum capacity. Tata Group, which has been steering the loss-making Air India since January 2022, has consolidated its airline business and Air India Group's revenues have jumped around 10 times to nearly USD 10 billion now compared to less than USD 1 billion in FY20, according to a senior company official. Air India Group operates 1,168 daily flights, including 313 services to international destinations. Of those overseas flights, 244 are short haul and 69 are long haul. Generally, short-haul flights have a duration of up to 5 hours, and those having a duration of 5-8 hours are long haul flights. Air India's Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said whether it is premium economy or business, load factors have gone up and "we are seeing a lot of traction". "We are very focused on premium segment (premium economy and business class) and there are huge opportunities. The revenue growth in front cabin has been almost 2.3X and in back cabin is 1.3X. We have been able to achieve this through better timings, better experience at airports, in-flight and better quality of meals," he said at a media briefing this week. Noting that front cabin gives more revenues, especially in the case of full service carriers, and the back cabin basically helps to fill the plane, he said Air India will be increasing the size of the premium cabin in wide-body aircraft. "In the retrofit we are doing, we will add more premium seats... we are almost doubling the premium seats in the wide bodies... business and premium economy," Aggarwal said. There are also plans to have first class seats in wide-body A350-1000 planes going forward. Currently, many of the airline's Boeing 777 aircraft have first class seats. As part of the ambitious transformation plan, Air India has started retrofitting narrow body planes and that of wide body aircraft will commence later this year. Going forward, all narrow body planes of Air India will have three classes -- economy, premium and business. There will be 53,000 premium seats with new/upgraded product on metro-to-metro routes by mid-2025. Asserting that now there is the right business model and the right product for the market as a whole, Aggarwal said network rationalisation and realignment of flight timings are continuing. At the time of Air India takeover, Aggarwal said there were 29 overlapping domestic routes and that has been reduced to 20 (from 20 per cent to 12 per cent). There were 23 overlapping international routes and that has come down to 6 (from 26 per cent to 5 per cent). "We are realigning the network and clearly segregating the market where Air India and Air India Express will operate. This is a continuous exercise... it is based on market dynamics... we will continue to deploy capacities from both the airlines in the best possible way," he said. Realignment is being done to get connecting traffic and provide more itineraries to the passengers. "The average connecting time from domestic to international flights has been reduced to 3.30 hours from 6.30 hours. The connecting time will further improve... Air India wants to focus on hubs and bring traffic from South East Asia, Far East, and SAARC, and then take them to Europe, US, Canada," he said. Aggarwal also said the focus is on those markets from where we can get more international to international (I to I) connectivity. I to I traffic is currently around 10 per cent and Air India hopes to increase it to 15-20 per cent in the next three years. "We have tried to align the timings of flights that go to Europe and Australia. Now we will be able to align flights that are coming from Paris, Frankfurt, and London with those that are going to Melbourne and Sydney and vice-versa. "Similar realignment has been done between South East Asia and Europe, SAARC and Europe, SouthEast Asia and North America, SAARC and North America," he said. According to him, the I to I traffic flying over India is 130 million, which is around six times the country's own long-haul traffic. Air India has 135 narrow body planes and 67 wide body aircraft. It will focus on three hubs -- Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru -- and all other markets will be served by Air India Express. Emphasising that the head room for growth is immense and the outlook is very bright, Aggarwal said, "We (Air India) have acquired size and scale, and it is now a meaningful and material business for the (Tata) group". Currently, there are around 300 planes with the Air India Group, which comprises Air India, Air India Express, Vistara, and AIX Connect. Last year, Vistara was merged with Air India and AIX Connect was integrated with Air India Express. Berlin, Jan 12 (PTI) "Gulmohar" director Rahul V Chittella says he watched Shekhar Kapur's "Masoom" along with his cinematographer Eeshit Narain when they were shooting for their National Award-winning film. The filmmaker was speaking at the red carpet event of the Indian Film Festival Germany in Berlin where "Gulmohar" was screened along with "Masoom". Chittella said the 1983 family drama "Masoom" served as a source of inspiration for 2023's "Gulmohar", which marked his directorial debut. "... 'Masoom' has been such an inspiration for us for many years. It was one of those films that my DOP (director of photography) and I were watching constantly when we were shooting 'Gulmohar'," he said. In "Gulmohar", Chittela explored different points of view across three generations of the Batra family who are set to move out of their 34-year-old home named 'Gulmohar', which draws its title from the ornamental tree with orange-red flowers. It starred Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee, and Simran. "Masoom", which was Kapur's directorial debut, followed a happily married couple -- played by Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi -- whose lives are upended when the husband's illegitimate son (Jugal Hansraj) from a past affair enters their home. Chittella also shared that he gave a hat-tip to "Masoom" in "Gulmohar". "There's a little trivia. Manoj's (character's) wife (essayed by Simran) is called Indu because of the Indu (played by Azmi) in 'Masoom'," he revealed. In 2024, "Gulmohar" won three National Film Awards -- Best Feature Film in Hindi, Best Screenplay (Dialogues) for Arpita Mukherjee and Chittella, and a Special Mention (feature film) for Bajpayee. Chittella said the aim with the film, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, was to tell the stories of three generations living together in a contemporary scenario. "Like now where you are becoming more distant from each other and the only thing that holds you together is your own people so that was the inception. Then people got attached, the actors got attached, my crew got attached and we sat out to tell the story and it only showered love to us ever since we have presented it to the world," he said. "All actors were so honest with their performance because I don't think they were acting beyond the point. They were just being themselves in front of the screen, which was lovely... The best that the director could ask for," he added. The Indian Film Festival Germany, which began on Friday, screened around 40 films including Payal Kapadia's Cannes Grand Prix winner "All We Imagine As Light", Boman Irani's directorial debut "The Mehta Boys", debutante Shuchi Talati's acclaimed movie "Girls Will Be Girls", and "Berlin", directed by Atul Sabharwal. Organised by the Embassy of India, Berlin and The Tagore Centre, the gala will conclude on Sunday. Chennai, Jan 12 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and BJP leader K Annamalai on Sunday greeted top Tamil star Ajith Kumar for his racing team having won third place in the Dubai 24H 2025 race on Sunday. Held annually at the Dubai Autodrome, the racing event features high-performance GT and touring cars competing in a gruelling 24-hour format that tests speed, strategy and endurance. "I am thrilled to hear that Ajith Kumar Sir and his team have secured third place in the 991 category at the 24H Dubai 2025. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to #AjithKumar Sir and his team for this remarkable achievement," Udhayanidhi said in a post on 'X'. Annamalai termed the win a moment of pride for the country. "Moment of pride for India as Shri Ajith Kumar avl secured 3rd place in the 991 category and Spirit of the Race in the GT4 category in the Dubai 24H Series." "Shri Ajith Kumar avl is remarkable, excelling with distinction in every role he takes on and inspiring countless others with his passion and dedication," he said in a social media post. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan described the win as an "extraordinary achievement." "Thrilled for my friend Ajith, who continues to push boundaries in his diverse passions. A proud and seminal moment for Indian motorsports," Haasan said. Lahore, Jan 12 (PTI) Five supporters of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan have been arrested for their alleged involvement in sharing doctored images and videos of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on social media. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing Lahore on Saturday arrested five individuals believed to be supporters of Khan from different areas of Punjab province for allegedly uploading fake images and videos of the UAE President and CM Maryam. The UAE president had arrived at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport on Sunday last, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed him. Maryam Nawaz was also present there and greeted the visiting dignitary with a handshake which many called it "handshake hug". She faced severe criticism from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that termed her handshake with the UAE president "very inappropriate". Later, AI-generated videos and pictures of her interaction with the UAE president were also widely circulated online. CM Maryam got upset over this social media campaign against her and pointed a finger against the PTI and directed the authorities concerned for strict action against those involved in it. According to the FIA, preliminary findings show that 20 social media accounts were involved in uploading the manipulated images and videos of the UAE president and the Punjab CM. More arrests are expected in the coming days, it said. Peshawar, Jan 12 (PTI) Pakistani security forces killed nine terrorists and arrested two others in two separate operations in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Sunday. The intelligence-based operations were conducted on Saturday in the Dosalli and Esham areas of the North Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, the military's media wing said in a statement. The first operation was conducted in Dosalli, where troops killed six terrorists and apprehended two others. In the Esham area, three terrorists were killed by security forces after an intense fire exchange and two others were injured, according to the statement. It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed militants, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians. "Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji [terrorists] found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country," the statement said. Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021, Pakistan has been reeling under rising violent attacks, particularly in the bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. The year 2024 turned out to be the deadliest in a decade for Pakistans civil and military security forces, with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks recorded, according to the annual security report issued by the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies think tank. In 2024, the country suffered 2,546 violence-linked killings and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws. This tally of casualties stemmed from 1,166 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, marking a grim year for the countrys security landscape, according to the report. Karachi, Jan 12 (PTI) At least 140 upgraded weapons and 140,000 rounds of ammunition belonging to the Levies force in Zhob district of Pakistan's restive Balochistan province have been found in the possession of unauthorised individuals, officials said. Federal Levies are provincial paramilitary forces (gendarmeries) in Pakistan, whose primary missions are law enforcement, assisting the civilian police (where co-located) in maintaining law and order, and conducting internal security operations at the provincial levels. According to An FIR filed at the city police station in Zhob by the deputy commissioner, these weapons and ammunition, meant for the Levies force, were distributed among unrelated individuals. Police have registered cases against 69 people, including serving and retired Levies personnel as well as influential tribal figures, for their involvement in the matter. SSP Abdul Saboor said authorities have so far recovered 44 weapons, including Klashnikovs and revolvers, along with ammunition. "Investigations are ongoing to retrieve the remaining weapons and ammunition from unauthorised possession," he said. There are concerns that some of these arms and ammunition may have fallen into the hands of separatist groups operating in the region. SSP Saboor said the scandal came to light during the merging process of the Levies force with the Balochistan police in three districts earlier this week. Authorities discovered that 140 weapons, including Klashnikovs and other arms, and 140,000 rounds of ammunition were missing during an inventory check, raising concerns about security lapses and the potential misuse of arms. Balochistan has been grappling with an ongoing insurgency led by outlawed separatist outfits and militant groups, making the issue particularly alarming. In Balochistan, the Levies play a critical role in counter-terrorism efforts and combating the province's terror campaign. Kiambu (Kenya), Jan 12 (AP) Turn into Tatu City on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and it feels like entering a different world. Even the country's most reckless drivers are transformed, slowing to a crawl and not tossing trash out the window thanks to surveillance cameras and rigorously enforced penalties for speeding and littering. For the 5,000 people who have moved into Tatu, a startup city that welcomed its first residents four years ago, the ruthless upholding of such rules makes the place appealing. Tatu has more law and order than other places, said Valerie Akoko, a digital content creator who moved in two years ago. I've never seen Tatu City dirty. Situated on 5,000 acres, Tatu City aspires to be what its name suggests: a city, privately owned, that its designers hope will eventually have a population of 250,000. It is already home to 88 businesses employing 15,000 people. They include CCI Global, which operates a 5,000-seat call centre, and Zhende Medical, a Chinese medical supply manufacturer. There are similar projects around the world. But in sub-Saharan Africa, champions of the idea hope that new-city developments can address the continent's urbanisation conundrum: While the growth of cities has rolled back poverty elsewhere, the region has largely been an exception. History suggests that as people move into cities, productivity increases, wages rise, exports grow and a country gets richer. But in Africa, urbanisation has rarely unleashed such economic transformation. In theory, Africa should be prospering. The continent's urban population is set to grow by 900 million by 2050, according to the United Nations, more than the present urban population of Europe and North America combined. But sub-Saharan Africa is urbanising while still poor. Towns and cities in Africa today simply lack the tax base needed to invest in the urban infrastructure needed to accommodate the tsunami of people being added to their ranks in a short period of time, said Kurtis Lockhart, director of the Africa Urban Lab, a research centre at the African School of Economics in Zanzibar. Weak property rights and political tensions can make the problem worse. Even Tatu City has battled Kenyan politicians and politically connected businessmen. In 2018, the London Court of International Arbitration ruled in favor of the development's multinational owner, Rendeavour, in a dispute with its Kenyan former partners, including a former governor of the central bank. The dispute delayed project development by several years. Last year, Tatu City's Kenya head, Preston Mendenhall, took the unusual step of accusing the governor of the county where the development is based of extortion, saying he had demanded land worth $33 million in exchange for approving its updated master plan. The governor denied it and is suing Tatu City and Mendenhall for defamation. No ruling has been made. Still, the case for building new cities, complete with new infrastructure, is compelling to some. The Charter Cities Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit, argues that, done properly, such projects could drive growth, create jobs and lift tens of millions of people out of poverty. The institute sees Tatu City as a model. Yet building new cities is hard. Africa is littered with failed projects. A handful have shown promise. Angola's Quilamba city, whose construction began in 2002, is arguably the most successful, with a population of more than 130,000. It was built by CITIC, a state-owned Chinese company, but is owned by the Angolan government. Perhaps a dozen new city projects from Zanzibar to Zambia are underway in Africa that stand a chance of emulating Quilamba, experts reckon. Of these, Tatu is the farthest along, with 26,400 people already living, working or studying there. Experts agree that the private sector must play a role in African urbanisation, saying African states are too fiscally constrained to fill the investment gap themselves. Rendeavour, a private company with a multibillion-dollar balance sheet, has deep enough pockets to make a difference. But leaving city-building to the private sector alone can cause problems, for instance by worsening inequality. The average price of a property at Eko Atlantic, a new-city development on the outskirts of Lagos, is $415,000, far beyond the means of most Nigerians. Startup cities can serve as hubs for innovation and alleviate pressure on overcrowded urban centres, said Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN's Human Settlements Program, or UN-Habitat. However, to be impactful, they must prioritise inclusivity, affordability and integration with existing urban areas, ensuring they serve all socioeconomic groups rather than becoming isolated enclaves for elites. A one-bedroom apartment in Tatu City sells for $45,500, still beyond the means of most Kenyans, but within reach of some in the emerging middle class. Kenya's per capita GDP was $1,961 in 2023, according to the World Bank. The development collaborates with Kenya's government, which has designated Tatu City a special economic zone. That means companies setting up there are eligible for tax benefits and other incentives, making it a model of private-public partnership, experts say. Tatu City also appeals to businesses and residents with its transparent governance structure and services that are often lacking elsewhere in Kenya, including its own water supply and energy grid. It falls under national law but can set its own rules on matters like traffic and what kind of houses can be built, with all plans requiring approval from Tatu's management. If you look at the infrastructure, if you look at the utilities, if you look at the controls, if you look at the security, it is one of the best, said Sylvester Njuguna, who lives and owns a restaurant there. Unlike many startup cities built far from urban centers, Tatu City is 12 miles north of Nairobi, close enough to plug into its labour markets. According to Lockhart with the Africa Urban Lab, new city projects usually succeed if they are close enough to a major urban center and house both a high-quality anchor tenant CCI Global in Tatu City's case and good schools. They should operate under effective management and respond to market demand. Tatu meets these criteria and, unlike many grandiosely conceived African city projects, it has grown organically like Rendeavour's other city projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and the Congo, according to Mendenhall. We are building what the market needs," he said. "We are not putting all the infrastructure on day one. (AP) SCY SCY Kyiv, Jan 12 (AP) For weeks, Ukrainian troops braced for an unfamiliar enemy: North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Moscow's forces after Ukraine launched a lightning-fast incursion and seized territory in Russia's Kursk region over the summer. Their arrival marked a new and alarming phase in the war. And while initially inexperienced on the battlefield, North Korean troops have adapted quickly a development that could have far-reaching consequences as they gain combat knowledge in the war against Ukraine. Unlike the Russian troops Ukraine has been battling for nearly three years, Kyiv's forces were uncertain about what to expect from this new adversary, drawn into the war after Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement pledging military assistance using all means if either were attacked. One Ukrainian soldier who has witnessed North Koreans in battle described them as disciplined and highly methodical, saying they were more professional than their Russian counterparts. The soldier spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive military issue. However, other soldiers, including Ukrainian special forces, have shared battlefield drone footage on the Telegram messaging app mocking their tactics as outdated. Nevertheless, there is consensus among Ukrainian soldiers, military intelligence and others monitoring developments on the ground: While Pyongyang's troops lacked battlefield experience when they arrived, that has been changing quickly. With 1.2 million troops, North Korea's military ranks among the largest standing armies globally. But its post-Korean War foreign engagements have been limited, leaving them inexperienced with modern warfare technologies like drones. For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience," said Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency. "This is a global challenge not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world. Identifying the presence of North Korean troops Despite Ukrainian, US and South Korean assertions that Pyongyang has sent 10,000-12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the Kursk border region, Moscow has never publicly acknowledged the North Korean forces. While reports of their presence first emerged in October, Ukrainian troops only confirmed engagement on the ground in December. Analysts say that without the influx of North Korean troops, Russia would have struggled to pursue its strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk. While Moscow's counterattack in Kursk has inflicted thousands of Ukrainian casualties, Kyiv's overstretched forces have managed to hold on to about half of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) seized in August, though the situation remains dynamic. Besides the symbolic impact of Ukraine's success capturing Russian territory, control of Kursk could also be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire negotiations. According to Ukraine's intelligence agency, the North Korean soldiers are operating alongside Russian units, with the latter providing reconnaissance and electronic warfare support. The North Koreans wear Russian military uniforms with fake military IDs in their pockets, according to a report by a Ukrainian military unit that has observed them on the battlefield, and they could easily be mistaken for Russian soldiers. The subterfuge means Moscow and its representatives at the UN can deny the facts, said Yusov, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson. Among the things proving their presence is that they have been heard speaking Korean with North Korean accents in intercepted communications, Yusov said. He said the North Korean troops are using their own weapons and equipment and have learned to cope with the improvised explosives-laden drones that have become emblematic of the war, first-hand experience even some NATO-member countries don't have. This is a new level of threat, Yusov said. Regional countries must prepare for what this means in the future. North Koreans gain invaluable experience on the battlefield The North Koreans' early missteps were largely caused by inexperience, such as moving in large groups in open terrain, making them easy targets for drones and artillery strikes. According to the Ukrainian military unit's report, the North Korean soldiers were spotted easily as they moved in single-file columns through forest in groups of three, with 3 to 5 metres (yards) between soldiers. On open terrain, they moved in dispersed formations of five to 15 soldiers, making them vulnerable and leading to heavy losses. However, during night operations, their movements were swift and units oriented themselves using red flashlights along routes, the report said. They're fast, physically well-prepared, and act strictly according to their algorithms, said the Ukrainian soldier who spoke to the AP. "If you drill the same routines for years, to the point where they can be executed blindfolded, it will yield results. Despite their discipline, their lack of combat experience hindered their effectiveness. The Ukrainian military reported that North Korean troops often sustained heavy losses, with many killed by drones. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 4,000, though US estimates are lower, at around 1,200. Much of their military doctrine and training is based on strategies and experiences from over half a century ago, said Glib Voloskyi, a military analyst with the Ukrainian think tank CBA Initiatives Centre. The large-group formations date to when artillery accuracy was significantly lower, and observing troop movements much more difficult. Today, reconnaissance and so-called first-person view drones, or FPVs, that transmit video allowing soldiers to strike targets in real time have made the battlefield highly transparent, and anyone stepping onto it without cover, let alone moving in groups, is immediately spotted. But it is only a matter of time before they acquire the necessary skills to improve their combat effectiveness, which, combined with their discipline and training, could make them a significant military force, Voloskyi said. No surrender policy means few North Korean POWs After weeks of fighting, Ukrainian soldiers have taken only two prisoners of war. In announcing the capture Saturday, Zelenskyy said taking them alive was not easy because of efforts to conceal the North Koreans' presence and avoid their interrogation by Ukraine. North Korean soldiers avoid surrendering at all costs, Zelenskyy said. This may stem from North Korean internal propaganda that portrays capture as the ultimate disgrace, analysts said. To be captured alive is considered a betrayal of the country, the leader and everything they stand for, said Seongmin Lee of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, who defected from North Korea in 2009. This belief is instilled from a young age and reinforced throughout military training, he said. Because of the disgrace associated with the capitulation, heroic soldiers are supposed to save the last of their bullets to kill themselves, Lee said. Lee said he shared photos of dead North Korean soldiers with contacts back home. Most North Koreans don't even know what is going on, he said. Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy US ambassador to the UN warned of the dangers posed by the rapidly improving battlefield skills the North Korean troops are gaining fighting in Kursk. North Korea is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbours", Shea told the 15-member UN Security Council on Wednesday. As an added potential benefit, she said, North Korea will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally. (AP) PY PY Dhaka, Jan 12 (PTI) Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into the properties of British minister Tulip Siddiq and her family, indicating that they may have acquired them through unlawful means during her aunt Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Bangladesh premier, reports said on Sunday. In an interview with the Times newspaper, Yunus condemned the use of properties gifted to Siddiq and her family by allies of her aunts deposed regime. He demanded the return of the assets to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefited from "plain robbery". "It's about plain robbery," Yunus said, accusing the previous government of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country. Siddiq, a member of Britains Labour Cabinet, serves as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, responsible for addressing corruption within the UKs financial markets. A day after publishing Yunus interview, the British newspaper on Sunday carried another report titled "(UK) PM urged to sack Tulip Siddiq after Bangladesh leaders rebuke. It said the anti-corruption minister is facing calls to resign after the leader of Bangladesh condemned the use of properties gifted to her and her family by its former regime. According to the Sunday Times, Yunus comments on the scandal engulfing Siddiq, 42, will add to the pressure on her to resign, though there are suggestions that Downing Street is already looking for a replacement. Yunus' intervention came as a Sunday Times investigation found Siddiq spent years living in a Hampstead property bought by an offshore company named in the Panama Papers and connected to two Bangladeshi businessmen. In his interview with the Times, Yunus said it was an "irony" that Siddiq had been accused of corruption. Yunus referred to a recent official report that found the people connected with the Awami League regime had taken billions of dollars a year out of Bangladesh, with some funds used to buy assets, including properties abroad. "They pointed out how money is stolen, but it's not stealing when you steal, you hide it. It's a robbery," he said. Asked if it could apply to properties used by members of Hasina's family in London, Chief Adviser Yunus said, "Absolutely, it's about plain robbery. Nothing else". "If a UK parliament member is involved, definitely it's a big issue...We got used to (the previous regime) taking away everything, so we feel relieved that you're bringing this [issue] to the attention of the world," he said. Yunus also said that if feasible, the properties bought by the Awami League allies should be returned to Bangladesh. He said his officials aimed to recover cash and assets held overseas but originating from funds in Bangladesh. According to the Sunday Times, the National Crime Agency, Britain's equivalent of the FBI, indicated its willingness to help Bangladesh recover certain assets. Islamabad, Jan 12 (PTI) Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai on Sunday slammed the Afghan Taliban regime for instituting a system of gender apartheid against women by disguising their crimes in the cloak of culture and religion. "Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification. These policies are a violation of human rights and have no basis in Islamic teachings, she said while speaking on girls education in Muslim nations on the second and final day of an international conference in Islamabad. Taliban recaptured power in 2021 by toppling the government of Ashraf Ghani and since then ruled Afghanistan with impunity, by legalising several anti-women policies, including denying them the right to education. The 27-year-old Nobel laureate even questioned the Afghan government on the claim of their introducing Islamic system in the country. They are violations of human rights, and no cultural or religious excuse can justify them, she said. She urged Muslim leaders to avoid giving recognition to the Taliban's government in Afghanistan and to demonstrate genuine leadership by standing up against their policies limiting education for women and girls. "Do not legitimize them," she asked the Muslim leaders, as she termed the Taliban regime as perpetrators of gender apartheid. She said that an entire generation of girls is being robbed of their future in Afghanistan. The Taliban have ripped away the right to learn from every Afghan girl and they want to eliminate women and girls from every aspect of public life and erase them from society, she said. Malala also said that 12 million Pakistani girls were out of school, one of the highest numbers in the world, but expressed satisfaction that the conference was taking place here in Pakistan. She also criticised Israeli actions in Gaza, accusing it of dismantling the regions education system and committing human rights violations. In Gaza, Israel has decimated the entire education system, she said. They have bombed all universities, destroyed more than 90% of schools, and indiscriminately attacked civilians sheltering in school buildings..." She urged international solidarity to support education in conflict zones and end discriminatory practices against women and girls. Malala was shot in the face by the Pakistani Taliban at the age of 15 for opposing them but survived to become a global symbol of resilience and advocacy for girls education. She came to Pakistan to attend the two-day summit, which aimed to address challenges in girls' education across Muslim communities and explore international leaderships role in ensuring equal access to education. Riyadh, Jan 12 (AP) Saudi Arabia urged top European diplomats at a gathering Sunday to lift sanctions against Syria to boost rebuilding the country and its economy after last month's overthrow of President Bashar Assad. European and Middle Eastern diplomats met in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss Syria's future. The US and European countries have been wary over the Islamist roots of Syria's new rulers the former insurgents who drove Assad out of power and have said ending sanctions depends on the progress of the political transition. The interim government led by the former rebels has vowed to move to a pluralist, open system. It is looking for international support as the country tries to recover from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced half the prewar population of 23 million. The new Syrian foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, attended Sunday's gathering. Germany urges smart approach' to sanctions German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said sanctions against Assad's henchmen who committed serious crimes must remain in place. But she called for a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population. Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power. She did not elaborate but announced an additional 50 million euros in German aid for food, emergency shelters and medical care. The United States, European Union and some Arab nations began imposing sanctions after Assad's brutal crackdown on the 2011 uprising against his rule and tightened them as the conflict spiraled into war. Some are on individuals in Assad's government, including freezing of assets. But many target the government in general, including bans on many financial and banking dealings, on oil purchases and on investment or trade in some sectors, crippling the wider economy. There are exemptions when it comes to humanitarian aid, but relief organizations have said that overcompliance by financial institutions hinders their operations. At the gathering, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted. Continuing them will hinder the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction, he said. He praised steps so far by the interim government, including promises to start a political process that includes various components of the Syrian people. Turkey urges balance' in international demands of Syria EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who also attended the meeting, said European countries want to see a government that includes all of Syria's religious and ethnic communities. We want to see inclusivity of women also in the process, so these are the things that we are going to discuss, she said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which was a strong supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, would try to help Syria in normalizing ties with the international community. He said it was important to establish a balance between the expectations of the international community and the realities faced by the new administration in Syria. He pledged Turkish support to the new government, especially in combating threats from the Islamic State group. As Turkey, we are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people, he said in comments carried by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency. The United States has eased some restrictions Last week, the United States eased some of its restrictions on Syria, with the US Treasury issuing a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The US has also dropped a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month. Al-Sharaa was a former senior al-Qaida militant who broke with the group years ago and has pledged an inclusive Syria that respects the rights of religious minorities. The rebels led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his family's decades-long rule. Much of the world severed ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government and its Russian and Iranian allies over alleged war crimes and the manufacturing of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, which reportedly generated billions of dollars as packages of the little white pills were smuggled across Syria's porous borders. With Assad out of the picture, Syria's new authorities hope that the international community will pour money into the country to rebuild its battered infrastructure and make its economy viable again. (AP) ZH ZH Rome, Jan 12 (AP) Italy on Sunday released an Iranian citizen wanted by the US over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago, after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest. Mohammad Abedini has already returned to Iran, Iranian state TV said on Sunday afternoon. He was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending extradition to the US. Abedini was arrested on a US warrant on December 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Sala, who was believed held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned home last week. The US Justice Department has accused Abedini of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-US extradition treaties, only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, can't be considered as existing. The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a US federal law did not correspond to any conduct recognised by Italian law as a crime. Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Iran's foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as talks between Iran's intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a diplomatic triangulation with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Sala's release, confirming for the first time that Washington's interests entered into the negotiations. Sala's release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. (AP) GRS GRS Vadodara, Jan 12 (PTI) An associate professor of a university in Gujarat's Vadodara has been arrested for allegedly stalking and intimidating a woman student, police said on Sunday. Mohammed Azhar Dheriwala, an associate professor of Hindi at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU), allegedly harassed the student and threatened to end her career, an official from Sayajigunj police station said. Dheriwala, who has been associated with MSU for 23 years, was arrested on Saturday night. Police inspector Z N Dhasura said the accused was earlier suspended based on the recommendation of the University's internal complaints committee (ICC) of the women's grievance redressal cell (WGRC) after another student accused him of sexual harassment. The complainant, a second-year Master of Arts student, has alleged that Dheriwala approached her on the afternoon of January 4 and asked her to accompany him to his house. When she refused, he allegedly threatened to end her career and even followed her to her residence, she stated in her complaint. Dhasura said a case was registered under sections 78 (stalking), 352 (intentionally insulting someone to provoke a breach of peace) and 351 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Agartala, Jan 12 (PTI) Two persons were arrested on Sunday after banned Yaba tablets worth Rs 1 crore were seized from their possession in West Tripura district, police said. Acting on a tip-off, over 1 lakh Yaba tablets were recovered from a cement-laden truck in Battala area, and the driver and his assistant were apprehended in this connection, a senior officer said. "Based on specific inputs, a police team detained one truck, coming from Meghalaya, in Battala area under the West Tripura Police Station limits on Sunday morning. During the search, 1,24,000 Yaba tablets were recovered from the vehicle's cabin. The vehicle was going to Sonamura in Sepahijala district," West Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Kumar told reporters. He said the Yaba tablets were seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and two persons - truck driver Jamal Hussain (44) and his assistant Mintu Barman (29) - were arrested. Yaba tablets containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine, also called crazy drug, have been banned in India. "We will interrogate the arrested persons to know the source and supply point of the contraband. The police will book all the persons who are involved in the smuggling racket. The price of the seized Yaba tablets will be Rs 1 crore," he said. Patna, Jan 12 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has arrested four people, including a former CEO, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged embezzlement of funds at a Bihar cooperative bank promoted by an RJD MLA, official sources said on Sunday. The federal agency launched raids against RJD MLA from Ujiarpur Alok Kumar Mehta (58) and some others allegedly linked to him in Bihar on January 10 as part of the probe into alleged bungling of funds in the Vaishali Shahri Vikas (VSV) Co-operative Bank. Those arrested are former bank CEO Vipin Tiwari, his father-in-law Ram Babu Shandilya, Nitin Mehra and Sandeep Singh. The accused were produced before a PMLA court here and remanded to judicial custody, the sources said. They said Mehta, former state revenue and land reforms minister, is among the promoters of the bank, apart from some other linked entities. The money laundering investigation stems from some state police FIRs filed against the bank and its office-bearers for alleged embezzlement of funds worth about Rs 85 crore. According to an ED official, the alleged fraud was committed through an estimated 400 loan accounts and disbursal of funds was done based on "fake or forged" warehouse receipts. The bank employees and other private persons, who are alleged beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime and worked in connivance with Mehta and his associates, are also covered in the search operations, the sources said. The RBI had carried out a verification of the bank and identified the alleged diversion of funds, they added. The RJD has slammed the BJP-led central government over the ED action. Earlier, RJD spokesperson (Bihar unit) Mrityunjay Tiwary told PTI, "The BJP uses ED, CBI and IT department against the RJD and leaders of other opposition parties... It is evident that the rulers in Delhi are afraid of the RJD and its leaders and that is why they are using central probe agencies against our leaders." New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Adjudicating Authority for the anti-benami law has upheld a 2023 attachment of six land parcels by the Income Tax department as part of a larger probe against slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, saying these real estate deals indicate "potential" money laundering by the accused. These assets worth more than Rs 4.63 crore and located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh have been frozen by the Lucknow-based Benami Prohibition Unit (BPU). Suraj Pal, a resident of Pipalgaon in Prayagraj who worked as a security guard and a 'pao bhaji' seller, was named as 'benamidar' (in whose name a benami property is standing) and Mohammad Ashraf Siddiqui, a relative of Atiq Ahmad's slain brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, was categorised as the beneficial owner of these properties. The I-T department claimed in its order that Siddiqui was a "gang member" of Atiq Ahmad and had a long history of serious crimes. Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were shot dead by three assailants in April 2023 when they were being taken for a health checkup by police in Prayagraj. In its order issued on December 30 last year, the Authority said it holds these assets as "benami properties". The investigating officer of the tax department undertook a "proper" probe and that there was "no force" in the argument of the defendants (Pal and Siddiqui) that the IO failed to show any reasonable justification or explanation which has provided him with reasons to believe that the properties under consideration are benami. The attachment order was issued by the department in November 2023 under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1988 and the IO issued a notice to the accused following approval by the then additional commissioner of I-T Department (BPU) Dhruvpurari Singh. The lawyers for the defendants (Pal and Siddiqui) argued before the Authority that there was "no evidence" against their clients and the taxman was making charges of possession of benami assets by way of "conjectures and surmises". They said the tax department joined "independent pieces of information to give the business transactions a colour of a huge benami transaction". 'Benami' means 'no name' or 'without name'. The real beneficiary of such a property is not the one in whose name it has been purchased. The Authority's order has been accessed by PTI which says that the bank accounts of Pal were also used by Siddiqui for "rotating his illegal or unaccounted funds and there has been a complete takeover of Suraj Pal's identity, his signatures, PAN, Aadhaar etc. by Mohd Ashraf Siddiqui..." It said these observations "collectively indicate potential money laundering, unaccounted wealth and deliberate non-compliance with tax laws". The Authority also directed the tax department to investigate all the other properties that were sold by Pal from the "benami angle". Rajouri/Jammu, Jan 12 (PTI) A five-year-old girl died and her five other siblings were admitted to a hospital after they fell seriously ill in a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Sunday, officials said. The siblings belonged to Badhaal village of Kotranka sub-division where nine members of two different families had lost their lives due to a mysterious disease in December last year. The officials said that six children of Mohammad Aslam were brought to community health centre Kandi for medical check-up on Saturday evening. The children were initially referred to the Government Medical College (GMC) associated hospital in Rajouri town and later four of them were shifted to a hospital in Jammu where the girl breathed her last early Sunday, they said. The officials said two of the siblings are under treatment in the isolation ward of GMC Rajouri, while three others have been admitted to GMC hospital Jammu. Jammu GMC Principal Dr Ashutosh Gupta had last month revealed that preliminary investigations had pointed towards viral infection as the cause behind the mysterious deaths but said that more work needs to be done to reach the final conclusion. Various teams of experts from Pune's National Institute of Virology, PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, had also visited the village to assist in the investigations. Meanwhile, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma along with Rajouri-Poonch Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Tejinder Singh and Rajouri Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Sikarwar visited Badhaal village to assess the ground situation. Health teams have also been deputed to ensure necessary medical check-ups, the officials said. Lucknow (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that Swami Vivekananda had said that the people of the country need bread more than religion. Addressing a press conference in the auditorium of the party's state headquarters on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, celebrated as the 'National Youth Day', he said, "Swami ji had said that the people of the country need bread more than religion. Explaining religious things to the poor will be wrong in today's time." In response to a question, Yadav said that the BJP will lose the Milkipur Assembly bye-election. Many newspapers, channels and the media are saying that the equation is in favour of the Samajwadi Party, he added. He accused the ruling party of dishonesty in the recent bye-election and claimed "the public is going to make the Samajwadis win the Milkipur bye-election" The Election Commission announced on Tuesday that the by-election for the Milkipur Assembly constituency will be held on February 5, while the counting of votes will be done on February 10. Earlier, by-elections were held in November 2024 on nine assembly seats of the state in which the BJP and its ally RLD won seven seats, while the SP won only two seats. Yadav said that Vivekananda first introduced India to the whole world by becoming a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. At that time, no saint, no guru would have given the introduction of India that Vivekananda gave, he said. The SP leader said, "Today's youth needs to understand the words of Vivekananda. Knowing about Swami Vivekananda, reading about him and applying what he said in our lives will be a true tribute to him." On the question of going to Maha Kumbh, Yadav said, "I have always gone and if you say, I can also share the picture when I have bathed in the Ganga from time to time. The one who is telling others to bathe in the Ganga should also share at least." Yadav said sarcastically, "Some people go to bathe in the Ganga to do virtue, some people go to donate and some people go to wash away their sins. We will go for virtue and donation." Mahakumbh Nagar (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) A grand 'yagya' was conducted by the Namami Gange team on the banks of the Sangam here on Sunday, the eve of Maha Kumbh. The event took place on National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The grand worship saw a participation of more than 200 Ganga Sevadoots and thousands others. The participants took a pledge to uphold the purity and continuity of the Ganga. A tribute to the youth of the India was also given during an address by the speakers and their role in the Ganga Swachhata Abhiyan lauded. The worshippers said that the conservation of the Ganga was not merely an environmental concern but also a "profound cultural and spiritual responsibility." The Namami Gange team distributed jute bags to promote the message of a plastic-free Maha Kumbh. Ganga Sevadoots intensified the cleanliness drive through regular ghat cleaning, awareness rallies, and community labour efforts. Mathura (UP), Jan 12 (PTI) An FIR has been registered on BJP MLA Puran Prakash's complaint alleging that a person who claimed to be from Delhi Police threatened to defame him if he did not pay Rs 50 lakh after he received an "obscene" video call from an unknown number, police said on Sunday. The legislator, who represents Uttar Pradesh's Baldev constituency, filed the complaint at Mathura Kotwali on January 10, accusing unknown persons of attempting to extort money and tarnish his reputation. According to the MLA, the incident occurred on January 7 when Prakash, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Assemblys Public Accounts Committee, was in Lucknow to attend an official meeting, police said. Around 9:30 pm, he received a video call from an unknown number.When he answered the call, he saw a woman in an objectionable position. Realising something was amiss, he immediately disconnected the call, the police said citing the complaint. The next day, after returning to Mathura, he received another call from someone claiming to be a senior officer from the Delhi Crime Branch. The caller alleged that a video involving him was being circulated on social media and demanded Rs 50 lakh to prevent further action and public defamation. Following the threats, Prakash filed the complaint and an FIR was lodged under relevant sections of BNS including charges of criminal intimidation and extortion. Mathura police station Station House Officer (SHO) Devpal Singh Pundir said that an investigation has been initiated to trace the culprits and their network. The legislator displayed remarkable composure and refused to succumb to the blackmailers demands. We are pursuing all leads and will ensure the accused are brought to justice, Pundir said. Chandigarh, Jan 12 (PTI) As many as 220 cases of liquor, marked for sale in Chadigarh only, were seized from a truck in Mohali, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Sunday The operation was carried out by a joint team of Mohali excise department and Punjab Police. He said this operation was part of a special campaign launched across the state in recent days to tackle the persistent menace of illegal liquor smuggling from the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Cheema, who also holds the portfolio of excise and taxation, said that this seizure is one of six major instances in recent times where liquor was being smuggled into Punjab from Chandigarh. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. Additionally, six more FIRs have been registered in different police stations of Mohali district in connection with other cases of liquor smuggling from Chandigarh, leading to the seizure of 42 cases of various liquor brands. Cheema further stated that, as of December 31, 2024, a total of 114 FIRs related to Chandigarh liquor smuggling have been registered, with the recovery of 30,096 liquor bottles in these cases. He emphasised that both the excise department and Punjab Police are adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward liquor smuggling. "The ongoing campaign will be further intensified with continued cooperation from the Punjab Police, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in liquor smuggling," he added. Chandigarh, Jan 12 (PTI) A packet containing a pistol along with a magazine, airdropped by a Pakistani drone, was recovered from a field near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab's Ferozepur district on Sunday, a BSF official said. The border security force personnel conducted a search operation after getting information about the presence of a suspected item, the official said. "During a search operation at around 9 am, BSF troops successfully recovered two packets from a field near Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district," the official said. "One of the packets contained a Glock pistol with a magazine while the other had suspected heroin (548 grams). Both packets, wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and attached to an iron hook, are indicative of a possible case of drone dropping," said the official. On January 8, the BSF had recovered a packet containing a Glock pistol from a field near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab's Amritsar district. Thane, Jan 12 (PTI) A special court in Maharashtras Thane city has sentenced a 33-year-old man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting him for raping a 5-year-old girl about six years ago. In his order of January 8, a copy of which was made available on Sunday, Special POCSO Judge DS Deshmukh also fined the man Rs 5,000. Special Public Prosecutor Sandhya H Mhatre told the court that the man sexually assaulted the child, who was his neighbour, in March 2019 under the pretext of showing her a cartoon film in his house. Noticing that her daughter looked frightened, the girls mother talked to her and learnt about the sexual assault. On her complaint, the man, then 27, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Five prosecution witnesses, including the minor survivor, testified in the court, said Mhatre. Holding that the prosecution had proved all the charges against the man beyond reasonable doubt, the court sentenced him to 10 years in jail. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) A court here has directed a firm running a banquet hall to pay Rs 1 lakh to a woman who had booked the facility in 2022 but couldn't use it due to Covid restrictions. Senior Civil Judge Richa Sharma was hearing a plea filed for recovery of Rs 1.5 lakh along with interest. The plea by Sanjana Chugh said that she booked a banquet hall in Mayapuri for her daughter's wedding ceremony in January 2022 run by a partnership firm by paying an advance of Rs 1 lakh by cheque, but the booking was cancelled by the firm because of COVID-19 restrictions. When Chugh requested a refund, the firm flatly refused, it said. In an order dated January 7, the judge said that the defendant (the firm) did not appear before the court even after the service of summons to contest the present suit. It said, "The plaintiff (Chugh) had also served upon the defendant (the firm) a legal notice thereby demanding the outstanding amount. It is a settled proposition of law that, if a party despite service of legal notices chooses not to reply to the same, the averments of the notice stand admitted." It said the delivery of the legal notice was proved by the postal receipts placed on record and also the tracking report of the service of the legal notice. Despite this, the firm did not reply to the legal notice nor did it make payment of the outstanding amount and this proved that it did not have any "valid defence" against Chugh's contentions, the court said. It said the firm also remained absent during the proceedings and so Chugh's averments remained unchallenged. "Since the defendant did not appear before the court despite service, therefore, it should be presumed that the defendant admits the claim of the plaintiff. From the evidence of the plaintiff, which has remained unrebutted, the case of the plaintiff stands proved," the court said. It decreed the suit in Chugh's favour for Rs 1 lakh along with nine per cent interest from the date of filing the suit till its realisation. Chennai, Jan 12 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan on Sunday slammed Chief Minister M K Stalin for describing as 'childish,' Governor R N Ravi not delivering his address to the Assembly recently, and said "such arrogance is not good." In a social media post, it said people will not tolerate any "brazen insult" to the country and the Constitution. "Thiru @mkstalin asserts that insisting on due respect to the National Anthem and doing fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is "absurd" and "childish". Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition of interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that does not accept and respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution. Such arrogance is not good." "Please do not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother and the Constitution the supreme faith for her children. They will not like or tolerate such brazen insult," the Raj Bhavan said on its official 'X' handle. The response came a day after Stalin alleged Ravi was unable to "digest" that the state was developing and his decision not to address the Assembly was "childish". On January 6, Ravi left the Assembly without delivering the customary address. The Raj Bhavan later said he left 'in deep anguish' as the national anthem wasn't played. In 2022, Ravi delivered his address without altering the speech. But in the following three years, he avoided delivering his customary address citing 'absurd' reasons, the Chief Minister had told the state Assembly on Saturday. Intelligence officials in Syrias new de facto government thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to set off a bomb at a Shiite shrine in the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, state media reported Saturday. State news agency SANA reported, citing an unnamed official in the General Intelligence Service, that members of the IS cell planning the attack were arrested. It quoted the official as saying that the intelligence service is putting all its capabilities to stand in the face of all attempts to target the Syrian people in all their spectrums. Sayyida Zeinab has been the site of past attacks on Shiite pilgrims by IS which takes an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and considers Shiites to be infidels. In 2023, a motorcycle planted with explosives detonated in Sayyida Zeinab, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the Shiite holy day of Ashoura, The announcement that the attack had been thwarted appeared to be another attempt by the countrys new leaders to reassure religious minorities, including those seen as having been supporters of the former government of Bashar Assad. Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, was allied with Iran and with the Shiite Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as well as Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the former insurgent group that led the lightning offensive that toppled Assad last month and is now the de facto ruling party in the country, is a Sunni Islamist group that formerly had ties with al-Qaida. The group later split from al-Qaida, and HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa has preached religious coexistence since assuming power in Damascus. Visitors continued to enter the shrine Saturday under strict security measures. The site is open, and visitors are making their visits safely and with peace of mind, said Moataz Sikkawi, security supervisor at the site. The security measures regarding this cell have been addressed and dealt with. Nisreen Al Hassan, a visitor, said she felt reassured. It is a very, very good effort, and we thank the security forces who worked to ensure safety and security for this country and its citizens, she said. Also Saturday, Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Damascus to meet with al-Sharaa. Relations between the two countries had been strained under Assad, with Lebanons political factions deeply divided between those supporting and opposing Assads rule. Mikati told journalists following his meeting with al-Sharaa that the two countries will form a committee to work on demarcation of the border, which has never been officially defined. Mikati also said they will work together to combat smuggling on the porous frontier. Some of the matters on the border need to be fully controlled, especially at illegal border points, to stop any smuggling operation between Lebanon and Syria, he said. One particularly knotty issue is the area known as Chebaa Farms, which is currently controlled by Israel as part of the Golan Heights it captured from Syria in 1967 and subsequently annexed. Most of the international community regards the area as occupied. Beirut and Damascus say Chebaa Farms belong to Lebanon. The United Nations says the area is part of Syria and that Damascus and Israel should negotiate its fate. The fact that the Lebanon-Syria border was never clearly demarcated has complicated the issue. In response to a question about demarcation, al-Sharaa did not give a clear answer. I think it is too early to talk about all the details of border demarcation, he said. There are so many problems in the Syrian reality. We cant solve it all at once. Al-Sharaa said he hopes, meanwhile, that issues at the official border crossing will soon be resolved. Lebanese citizens, who had previously crossed easily into Syria without needing a visa, are currently barred from entry. We seek to have social ties between us that increase and not decrease, so any border obstacles between us should be eliminated in the future, but this is a detailed matter for customs officials, al-Sharaa said. (AP) As deadly wildfires rage across Los Angeles, leaving destruction and heartbreak in their wake, turmoil in City Hall threatens to overshadow the crisis. Reports surfaced Friday suggesting that Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley had been firedrumors that sent shockwaves through the city just as emergency crews fought to save lives and property. On Saturday morning, Mayor Karen Bass and Chief Crowley appeared together in a carefully choreographed news conference to dispel the rumors. The united front was an attempt to quash speculation about Crowleys fate, but questions lingered. While both leaders insisted their focus remained on tackling the wildfires, their public statements hinted at underlying tensions. So let me be clear about somethingthe fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, Bass declared. Any differences that we might have will be worked out in private. Asked point-blank whether she had planned to fire Crowley, Bass answered, no. But her refusal to address questions about recent budget cuts and their impact on firefighting efforts only deepened the mystery. The speculation surrounding Crowleys job began earlier in the week when a leaked memo revealed she had sounded the alarm about $17 million in budget cuts hampering the fire departments ability to respond to emergencies. In a December 4 memo to the Board of Fire Commissioners, Crowley warned that slashed funding for overtime hours had severely limited the Departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies. By Friday night, as rumors of her dismissal swirled, the mayors office and LAFD issued statements insisting Crowley remained in her role. But the damage was done. Crowleys absence from a Friday evening news conference only fueled suspicions of discord between the two leaders. Adding to the drama, Crowley admitted in a CBS interview that the cuts had indeed constrained the department. We did exactly what we could with what we had, she said. When asked if the budget reductions had impacted firefighting efforts, she offered a sobering assessment: To a certain factor, yes. The timing of the controversy could not be worse. The wildfires have already claimed at least 11 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, schools, businesses, and places of worship. Firefighters are battling unprecedented windstormsconditions the mayor described as a once-in-a-decade challenge. But critics argue that the crisis was foreseeable. Just three weeks before the fires ignited, Fire Commission President Genethia Hudley-Hayes sounded a dire warning during a meeting: We really are at a crisis point, she said, urging residents to pressure their city council members to address the departments funding needs. Meanwhile, the city councils approval of a $203 million contract for firefighter wages and health benefits last November has drawn scrutiny. While intended to support the departments workforce, critics claim it failed to address critical operational needs. On Saturday, Bass and Crowley presented themselves as a team united by purpose, but their body language and carefully worded statements suggested otherwise. Crowley spoke of the LAFDs resilience, praising her teams efforts despite limited resources. Bass, for her part, deflected blame for the budget cuts, attributing the chaos to the ferocity of the windstorms. There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days, Bass insisted. But with the city still burning and questions about the departments preparedness mounting, her reassurances may not be enough to quiet the critics. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind efforts to abolish New York Citys congestion pricing and raise the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, according to Republican lawmakers who met with him over the weekend speaking to the New York Post. In a Saturday evening meeting at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, members of New Yorks Republican congressional delegation said the incoming president expressed strong opposition to the citys newly implemented congestion tax and voiced support for providing SALT relief for New Yorkers. He wants to kill it, Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis told The Post, referring to the congestion pricing plan. He did agree its got to go, added Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), who also attended the meeting. So were going to work through how his administration can do so. Trump, 78, also endorsed the delegations push to raise the SALT cap, which currently limits the amount of state and local taxes residents can deduct from their federal taxes to $10,000. Hes fully on board with lifting the cap on SALT, Lawler said. The president reiterated his support for lifting the cap on SALT and talking to us about the need to come up with a number and work through it and build consensus in the House. Malliotakis said Trump was sympathetic to New Yorkers, accusing city and state officials of treating taxpayers like ATMs. He said that he understands the plight of New Yorkers who are being abused by our mayor and our governor, and he wants to provide SALT relief, she said. We need to work out what that number is going to be. New York Republicans acknowledged that fully lifting the SALT cap might be unlikely but are advocating for an increase as part of a legislative package that could also renew provisions of Trumps 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The meeting came a week after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) began charging a phased-in $15 toll for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The program, the first of its kind in the United States, faced a series of legal challenges before a federal judge allowed it to proceed earlier this month. Malliotakis and other members of the delegation expressed optimism that the Federal Highway Administration, under Trumps leadership, could revoke the programs authorization. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) LA FIRE RECAP: Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead, at least 13 are missing with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects those numbers to rise as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction. Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the LA area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 22,000 acres, destroyed 5,300 structures and is 11% contained. and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,100 acres, destroyed 7,000 homes , and is 15% contained. More than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders. , and is 15% contained. More than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders. Los Angeles County law enforcement said Saturday that 22 individuals have been arrested on charges that include burglary and looting during the ongoing wildfire emergency. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said there were 19 arrests in the Eaton \area and three in the Palisades area. The Los Angeles County medical examiners office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16. The total of confirmed fatalities stands at 16 victims, and the cases remain under investigation. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroners office said in a statement Saturday evening. The previous number of confirmed fatalities was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as cadaver dogs search leveled neighborhoods and crews assess the devastation. Authorities have established a center where people can report the missing. Firefighters raced to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. At a briefing, CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz said a main focus Saturday would be the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus. We need to be aggressive out there, Litz said. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the LA area had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the Palisades Fire. Light breezes were fanning the flames, but the National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds the nemesis of firefighters could soon return. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around to city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. The fire also was threatening to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. The hunt for bodies continues The grim work of sifting through the devastation continued Saturday, with teams conducting systematic grid searches with cadaver dogs, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. He said a family assistance center was being established in Pasadena, and he urged residents to abide by curfews. We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away, he said. The fires have consumed about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and new evacuations were ordered Friday evening after a flare up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. Since the fires first began Tuesday just north of downtown LA, they have burned more than 12,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. No cause has been determined for the largest fires, and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nations costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. Rays of kindness amid the devastation So many volunteers showed up to help at donation centers Saturday that some were being turned away. That was the case at a YMCA in the Koreatown neighborhood. By late morning, cars with would-be helpers were also being turned back from the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where donations of necessities were being accepted. At the race track Friday, people who lost their homes could be seen sifting through stacks of donated shirts, blankets and other household goods. Altadena resident Jose Luis Godinez said three homes occupied by more than a dozen of his family members were destroyed. Everything is gone, he said, speaking in Spanish. All my family lived in those three houses and now we have nothing. Officials warn against returning to burned homes Some residents have been venturing back to see what can be salvaged after wildfires destroyed their homes, sifting through rubble for keepsakes. But officials on Saturday urged them to stay away, warning that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire. All of that stuff is toxic. Residents will be allowed to return, with protective gear, after damage teams have evaluated their properties, Thomas said. City leadership accused of skimping on firefighting funds Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, shared updates on fire containment as firefighters raced to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return. (AP video by Eugene Garcia) Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have begun and so have investigations. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water. When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect theres going to be water, she said. Progress made on fighting the Eaton fire Firefighters for the first time made progress Friday afternoon on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned more than 7,000 structures. Officials said most evacuation orders for the area had been lifted. LA Mayor Karen Bass, who faces a critical test of her leadership as her city endures its greatest crisis in decades, said several smaller fires also were stopped. The level of devastation is jarring even in a state that regularly confronts massive wildfires. (AP) In a major shakeup for the party, Yesh Atid MK Idan Roll announced on Sunday morning that he has resigned from the party and intends to form a new Knesset party called the National Majority. According to a Channel 12 report, Roll believes that the current opposition does not reflect the majority of the people. It should be noted that since the October 7 attack, Roll has expressed views that differ from the Yesh Atid party and is now considered an MK more closely aligned with the Israeli right. Roll wrote: The large and brave public that rose up on October 7 to fight for the state and to rehabilitate it must also take its place in national leadership. However, for this to happen, we must open the closed club of the Knesset and ensure that the State of Israel does not miss a historic opportunity for change. I will continue to serve the public as part of the constructive opposition and work to open the gates of the Knesset for political and ideological renewal. Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) responded: Another defection from the party of one man Yair Lapid, who is crashing in the polls and losing his friends. After Elazar Stern expressed his lack of confidence in him, now Idan Roll is resigning too. The leader of We are the Majority doesnt even control the minority. Members of Yesh Atid, wake up there is no future in a dictatorial party. Idan understood this whos next? I24News journalist Avishai Grinzaig wrote: A brief glimpse into politics: The National Unity party in the opposition lost four members who joined the coalition [Gideon Saars party]. The Yesh Atid party in the coalition lost an MK who is establishing a party that will serve as a constructive opposition.' Maybe the opposition should take a moment to reflect and ask itself how, despite everything, it manages to lose again and again in the face of an empty goal? Roll previously served as the deputy foreign minister during the Lapid-Bennett government. Unfortunately, during his tenure, then-Foreign Minister Yair Lapid issued an order for the pride flag to be flown from the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem to mark Pride Month for the first time in Israeli history. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) As negotiations for a hostage deal continue, details are emerging regarding the number of terrorists to be released as part of the agreement. Qadura Fares, the head of the commission for Palestinian prisoner affairs, told Palestinian media on Sunday that hes preparing to release over 3,000 terrorists. Fares claims that in the first phase of the deal, 25 Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be released in exchange for the release of 1,200 terrorists from Israeli jails. The released terrorists will include 48 terrorists previously released during the Shalit deal in 2011 who were re-arrested after returning to terror activities; 200 terrorists serving life sentences; and all female and minor terrorists. It should be noted that slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 massacre, was released in the Shalit deal. Fares added that about another 1,800 terrorists will be released in exchange for the rest of the hostages, including IDF soldiers. Hamas is demanding a higher price for abducted IDF soldiers. Fares also noted that the terrorists who will be released, apart from those sentenced to life imprisonment, will return to their homes in Yehudah and Shomron, Israel, or Gaza. The others will likely be deported to Qatar, Egypt, or Turkey. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Security forces arrested two armed terrorists in the city of Shechem on Motzei Shabbos who were on their way to carry out an imminent terror attack, the Shin Bet revealed on Sunday. The terrorists, arrested in a joint operation by the Shin Bet, Israel Polices Yamas, and the IDF, were identified as Ahmad Zakarneh, 21, and Tarek Abu Zaid, 25, residents of Qabatiya and affiliated with the Islamic Jihad terror group. They were arrested while in their vehicle with two loaded M-16 assault rifles, combat vests, masks, and a large amount of ammunition. In their initial interrogation by the Shin Bet, it emerged that the terrorists were on their way from Jenin to carry out a shooting attack against Israelis. Security forces will continue to operate to thwart terrorism and protect the residents of the State of Israel, the statement said. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) As the legal case against Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu weakens, prosecutors appear to be intensifying efforts against his political circle, now focusing on his wife, Sara Netanyahu. Police investigators from the Lahav 433 unit have reportedly seized phones belonging to the children of Hanni Bleiweiss, a late aide to the prime minister, as part of an investigation into allegations against Sara Netanyahu. The investigation stems from a Channel 12 expose aired last month, which alleged that Sara Netanyahu sought to intimidate a witness in her husbands criminal trial and directed protesters to target justice officials perceived as adversaries of the Netanyahu family. Central to these claims is alleged phone correspondence between Bleiweiss and Sara Netanyahu. Bleiweiss passed away from cancer in March 2023. After obtaining a search warrant, police confiscated phones held by Bleiweisss children, hoping one might belong to their late mother. However, investigators now believe none of the seized devices hold evidence to support the Channel 12 allegations. According to a report by Ynet, authorities suspect that the familys attorney, Yaron Forer, may possess Bleiweisss phone. Forer has refused to confirm or deny this claim, citing concerns about obstruction of justice. Reports surfaced last week that Bleiweisss three children were questioned on suspicion of obstructing justice after allegedly refusing to hand over the phone to police, claiming they did not know its whereabouts. The Channel 12 report accuses Sara Netanyahu of instructing Bleiweiss to mobilize activists from the Likud party, led by her husband, to harass political opponents. Specific allegations include directing activists to verbally assault neighbors of the Netanyahus, who were parents of a fallen military pilot and active in protests against the prime minister. Sara Netanyahu is also accused of orchestrating demonstrations outside the home of Hadas Klein, a key witness in one of the criminal cases against her husband, and encouraging verbal attacks on Klein through social media. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) One of the Israelis injured in the New Years Eve terror attack in New Orleans remains hospitalized in serious condition, Ynet reports. Adi Levin, 23, suffered severe head and limb injuries after a pickup truck rammed into a crowd celebrating in the French Quarter, killing 14 and injuring around 30, including Levin and his travel companion, identified only as Y. The attack, carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, left Levin with life-altering injuries. His life will change, his father, Chagai Levin, told Ynet. Hell have metal rods in his arms and legs, an open head wound, and part of his skull is missing. There are other injuries well only understand fully in about a month. Levin remains in serious condition, but his father remains cautiously optimistic about his recovery. Once stable, the family plans to return to Israel to continue Adis treatment, relocating from their home in the Golan Heights to Tel Aviv to be closer to medical facilities. Chagai described the harrowing attack, explaining that the truck hit Adi head-on, crushing his legs and head and dragging him down the road. Y., Adis friend and fellow traveler, is also hospitalized but in stable condition. He is able to communicate with his family and is eager to return to Israel, Ynet reports. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser, issued a stern warning to Hamas, urging the group to release hostages before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Speaking on ABCs This Week, Waltz warned that any delay could result in harsher terms for Hamas under the Trump administration. Lets allow our hostages to be set free. I want to see them walking across the tarmac, or at a minimum, some type of agreement before inauguration because President Trump is serious, Waltz said. Waltz cautioned that prolonging negotiations would not benefit Hamas. Any deal will only get worse for Hamas, and there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East if we continue to have this kind of hostage diplomacy, he warned. A senior Israeli delegation, led by the Mossad chief, has arrived in Doha for critical talks. The negotiations also include Egyptian and U.S. officials, among them Trumps Middle East adviser Steven Witkoff and outgoing Biden adviser Brett McGurk. On U.S.-Russia relations, Waltz addressed reports of a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently indicated that Putin welcomes the idea, though such a meeting would likely occur after Trump takes office. Preparations are underway, Waltz confirmed. President Trump believes that dialogue is essential to entering any deal, and he is committed to establishing a relationship with the other side. On Ukraine, Waltz hinted at possible shifts in U.S. support. While commending Ukraines resilience, he noted concerns about its military manpower. Ukraine could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers by lowering its draft age, Waltz said, adding that the Trump administration seeks to stabilize front lines before pursuing diplomatic solutions. Trumps controversial interest in acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal also resurfaced during Waltzs interview. When asked about the possibility of military action, Waltz defended Trumps focus on national security, saying, The president-elect wont take any options off the table. He is serious about addressing threats in the Arctic and the Western Hemisphere. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The soldier, identified as Rotem Yaish, served as a commander in the Givati Brigades Shaked Battalion. Much of his military career, including his mandatory and reserve service, was spent battling Hamas in Gaza. He had recently finished a stint of reserve duty before embarking on a family vacation to Thailand. The fatal accident occurred on Friday on the island of Koh Samui. Yaishs body will be repatriated to Israel later this week for burial. His uncle, Dror Yaish, expressed the familys grief in a social media post. For the past year and a half, we feared hearing that he had been killed in Gaza, Dror wrote. You left Gaza like a lion. Just last week, you went on a dream vacation with the whole family in Thailand. What pictures you sent; we were so happy to see you enjoying yourselves together. He recounted the heartbreaking moment they received the devastating news: On Friday, an hour before Shabbos, the phone wouldnt stop ringing. I received the news Rotem has died. We are in shock and in pain we cant digest this news. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) SPRINGFIELD As a powerful weather system dropped 8 inches of snow on Illinois capital city last weekend, another storm began brewing under the state Capitol dome. State lawmakers were meeting for their lame duck session, which wrapped up Tuesday ahead of the once-every-two-years swearing in of a new General Assembly. On the policy front, this session proved tamer than those of the recent past, when the majority-Democrat lawmakers muscled through major legislation at the 11th hour. Two notable examples, the 2023 semiautomatic weapons ban and 2021 criminal justice overhaul that ended cash bail, resulted in outcry from Republicans and court battles over the measures' implementation. But behind the scenes in Springfield, tensions mounted, perhaps foreshadowing tough times ahead. Pritzker and lawmakers are preparing to contend with a projected $3.2 billion state budget shortfall and the as-yet unknown implications of President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming second term, among other issues. On the eve of the session, Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, announced that he would part ways with his chief of staff, longtime House Democratic staffer Tiffany Moy. Word soon spread that three more top staffers legislative director Kylie Kelly, chief counsel Kendra Piercy and spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll were resigning. Then came Welchs decision not to call for a vote on proposed new hemp industry regulations supported by the governor. The legislation would have banned the sale of delta-8 and other hemp-derived intoxicants, except in Illinois cannabis dispensaries. It passed the Senate 54-1 in May but stalled in the House. Pritzker pulled out all the stops in an attempt to get that bill across the finish line. The governor rarely comments publicly on pending legislation, but he made a point to do so during a news conference last month, calling on the House to pass the measure. He also played the inside game, wining-and-dining lawmakers on the topic at the Illinois Governors Mansion last weekend. He even sent top staff from various state agencies to answer questions at the House Democrats caucus meeting on Monday in hopes of sealing the deal. But things went south really quick. In the caucus meeting, Democrats who opposed the hemp bill reportedly berated the governor's staffers and called them liars while Welch stood by. He later cited division among members as the reason he would not call the legislation for a vote last week. It was a rare loss for Illinois two-term Democratic governor, and Pritzker did not take it well. At an unrelated press conference on Tuesday in Normal, the governor said that Welch failing to call the bill was "irresponsible" while chiding "the choice by a number of people to go for profits over people." He also called the treatment of his staff by the Democratic lawmakers "unacceptable" and said the employees were owed apologies. And, frankly, it was impossible not to connect the treatment they experienced to the high turnover rates on House Democratic staff. To say it was a turbulent week inside the Capitol would be an understatement. The hemp bill's demise and the departure of the four well-regarded House Democratic staffers may foreshadow even tougher times ahead. Simply put, it doesn't get any easier from here. Chicago's mass transit agencies are facing a fiscal cliff as federal COVID-19 stimulus funds dry up and the state's "tier 2" pension system needs reform to ensure benefits meet or exceed Social Security as required under the law. Not to mention demands for more spending on public education. But the largest, looming concern is the state budget. The Governor's Office of Management and Budget in November projected a $3.2 billion budget deficit next fiscal year, warning of a "daunting" financial challenge and "severely limited" ability to fund new programs. In a memo a few weeks later, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar directed state agency heads to search for cuts, anticipate less federal funding and refrain from supporting legislation that would increase line items for the next budget year. Pritzker, in a press availability in the Capitol on Wednesday, acknowledged the very real "budget challenges" facing the state. Trump's return to power is causing concern that the hole could grow even bigger if funds the state has come to rely on for programs like Medicaid are slashed. "I've lived through challenges every year, and each time we overcome those challenges," Pritzker said. "And I think this year, of course, we know that we have a gap that we need to fill or that we need to manage in order to have a balanced budget, and I'm confident that we will do that. But it is true that there's some unpredictable results that may come from Washington." The windfall from federal stimulus funds and post-pandemic economic activity filled state coffers with cash the past few years, which allowed lawmakers and Pritzker to fund many of their individual and shared priorities. But many of the state's financial issues are structural, meaning that the projected growth of existing revenue streams is being outpaced by the growth in expenses. It's easy to paper over problems and vote for budgets when there is money to throw around. But when there's not, as appears to be the case this year, issues that previously simmered below the surface start to emerge in the open. And some votes suddenly become harder to take. It's well-known among those who follow Illinois politics that some deep divisions exist within the fractious House Democratic caucus, as well as between Democrats in the House and Senate. Pritzker and his administration have also at times been at odds with both chambers of the legislative branch. For the most part, these differences remained behind closed doors. And since Pritzker took office, he and lawmakers have always managed to land the budget plane albeit sometimes more smoothly than others. Last year, for instance, some tax increases were necessary to bring the budget into balance. It took three tries for House Democrats to attain the 60 votes needed to pass that revenue bill, which included a tax hike on sportsbooks, an extension of the cap losses large corporations can write off on their taxes and a $1,000 cap on the retailer's discount businesses can claim. Those revenue enhancements could be considered low-hanging fruit because most Illinoisans won't feel their impact, at least not to the same extent as as income taxes or sales taxes. But it will be hard to limit the pain if the budget picture is as bad as it looks, whether the sacrifice comes in the form of cuts, tax hikes or both. Lawmakers will be forced to take some difficult votes this spring. This year is going to be tough, said state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria. I mean, the difference between having more resources available and having fewer resources available is that the answer to folks coming in the door saying 'all I need is $50 million' is 'no.' And so it becomes really easy in that sense. The question is: can Speaker Welch cobble together 60 votes on a challenging budget given some of the turbulence within his caucus? Sixty was not attainable on the hemp bill. And that's an easier bill compared with some votes that lawmakers may have to take in the coming months. Pritzker himself acknowledged in that what happened with the hemp vote "is potentially a demonstration of challenges that the House will have in organizing to overcome some of the challenges that were going to face this spring." There won't be snow on the ground when lawmakers hash out a budget and some of the other challenging issues this spring. But the storm clouds are nevertheless gathering inside the Capitol. Sunday, 12 January marks the third anniversary of Ashling Murphy's murder in Tullamore, County Offaly. A memorial mass and walk will be held in Tullamore on Sunday to commemorate Ashling's death which shocked the nation. The 23-year-old teacher was jogging along the Grand Canal in Offaly after finishing work at Durrow National School when she was fatally stabbed on the afternoon of 12 January, 2022. Jozef Puska, now aged 34, was charged with her murder and sentenced to life in prison in November 2023 following his trial at the Central Criminal Court. To remember Ashling on the third anniversary of her death, a mass in Mountbolus will be held as well as a walk on the banks of the Grand Canal between Tullamore and Cappincur. READ NEXT: 'Please help our boy' - Over 440K raised so far for little Archie diagnosed with genetic disease A post on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page said: "We wish to invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating Ashlings life at her 3rd anniversary mass which will take place on Sunday, 12th January, at 10am in St. Brigids Church, Mountbolus. "A commemorative walk will take place on Sunday afternoon to Ashlings Memorial Shrine on the Grand Canal, Tullamore. Meeting at Digby Bridge Carpark, [Cappincur] at 3pm. Anyone walking along the canal from the Tullamore side may meet at the memorial shrine at 3.15pm." People planning to participate in the walk are advised that it is about 25-20 minutes if one begins at the Fiona Pender memorial. "Please join us as we remember our beloved Ashling on her 3rd anniversary," the post added. It is two years since the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was founded to support the development of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people. The fund establishment date of January 6 "fittingly lands on Nollaig na mBan", a post on its page said. "Since the launch of the charity, on the 6th of January 2023, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the desire of so many to remember Ashling, regardless of whether they personally knew Ashling or not," the post said. "We thank the many individuals and groups who have undertaken fundraisers in Ashlings memory and in aid of the memorial fund established to continue her strong, exemplary legacy. No matter how big or small the fundraiser, we are forever grateful for the generous support of those continuing to hold Ashling and her memory close to them. "With your kind support, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund can utilise donations and proceeds from fundraisers to achieve the objectives of the memorial fund. These objectives, compiled along with the Murphy family, are deemed close to Ashlings heart and represent the many interests she had in her 23 years." Last month the fund revealed it had been selected as an AIB Community Partner for 2024, receiving 3,500. "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to AIB for this wonderful annual initiative, which supports local community charities across the country. We are especially grateful to the management and staff of AIB Tullamore for selecting us as their Employee-Nominated Charity of the Year. This support plays a crucial role in helping us continue Ashlings legacy." Ashling Murphy was a graduate of Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick and the college since established an entrance scholarship in her memory. Also, last month MIC and the INTO (Irish National Teachers' Organisation) announced the scholarship recipient for 2024, talented concertina player and aspiring teacher Rachel Mahony from Ennis, County Clare. Congratulating the recipient, INTO president Carmel Browne said: "By awarding this scholarship, we not only keep Ashlings memory alive, but we also inspire future educators who share her passion for music and community." Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC, said: "It is fitting that we honour Ashlings memory by awarding a scholarship, in partnership with the INTO, to a fellow talented musician who is embarking on their B Ed (primary teaching) programme here with us at MIC. Rachel is such a musician and a worthy recipient, and I wish her all the very best with her studies over the next four years." Here's the sad part . . . Other than updates from relatives & frenemies . . . Which is way more interesting than most content that journalists have to offer . . . Most of the "articles" on Facebook are either promotional or garbage content mill junk from India . . . And even then . . . The newspaper can't offer anything more captivating. Accordingly, here's their latest pitch against the social media giant that is now attempting cynical MAGA branding turnabout . . . Check-it: "Kansas City will feel the fallout. Without safeguards, misinformation and disinformation deliberate falsehoods designed to mislead will spread unchecked, complicating our efforts to tackle critical issues such as public health, housing and elections. But there are steps Kansas Citians can take . . ." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . In a topsy-turvy world wherein there is LEGIT hope that felon elected Prez can bring hope and economic relief to the working poor . . . Ritual is the new hotness amongst the local faithful. Just for Sunday, here's a peek at one of their traditions that defines so many metro communities . . . Every 25 years, the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year, also known as a Holy Year, when Catholics have the opportunity to receive special graces. To kick off Jubilee Year 2025 in northeast Kansas, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann opened the Holy Door to the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, on Dec. 29 before celebrating Mass. Guided by the theme Pilgrims of Hope, archdiocesan leaders believe this Jubilee Year will provide multiple opportunities for Catholics to grow in faith and service to others. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . With more rules confronting charter school in the upcoming Missouri statehouse session . . . Here's a glimpse at a renewed struggle for survival in the urban core . . . Let's start with the backstory: "Genesis won back their charter in 2023. However, their victory feels short-lived because school officials were informed their charter renewal may be voted down on Monday. "Every five years, their charter has to be renewed and it's set to expire in May. "The Missouri Charter Commission, which sponsors them, will have a meeting Monday morning to make a decision." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Right now we offer a bit of respect to model, celeb, biz lady & hottie Alessandra and her body of work as we check-in with pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Locals Need Gift Of Life 'Hospitals have to make decisions': Winter storm creates major concern at Kansas City's Community Blood Center "When we experience winter weather like this it means our hospitals are going to have to make treatment decisions, they're going to have to make sure that they're conserving their blood usage while we try to grow the blood supply locally." Open Secret In Kansas Politics Elephant in the room: Will Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson join Scott Schwab in governor race? * Kansas Reflector As a high-profile, sharply dressed Republican from outside Wichita, Ty Masterson has the ambition and connections needed to run for governor Show-Me Delicious Sanctuary Missouri Turkey Habitat Initiative Launches Educational Video Series - Ozark Radio News In the spring of 2024, the Missouri Department of Conservation collaborated with the Missouri NWTF State Chapter to create an impactful series of educational videos aimed at educating the public, [...] Downtown Comeback Again Winter Jam gearing up for 2025 edition as it heads into Kansas City Winter Jam 2025 will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. Cowtown Stargazing Sneak Peek A new Nelson-Atkins exhibit traces our pursuit of the cosmos across cultures "Mapping the Heavens: Art, Astronomy and Exchange Between the Islamic Lands and Europe" features paintings from the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, rare books from the Linda Hall Library and other sources to tell the story of how scientists across time, place and religion expanded early knowledge of astronomy. Celeb Good Life Reconsidered Alessandra Ambrosio stuns in an orange bikini as she vacations in Brazil with her boyfriend Ambrosio is celebrating her holidays in the stunning beaches of Florianopolis MAGA Conviction Consequences What rights could Donald Trump lose now that he's a convicted felon? Trump is the first former or incoming U.S. president to receive a criminal sentence. What you need to know about his rights. White House Shares Fact Check Biden calls Meta's decision to drop factchecking 'really shameful' The president strongly criticized Meta's decision to replace factchecking department with community notes Inferno Blame Game Redux LA County cut fire budget while spending heavily on DEI, woke items: 'Midnight Stroll Transgender Cafe' A review of Los Angeles County's budget shows that thousands of dollars were allocated to diversity, equity and inclusion programs while the fire department saw major funding cuts. Middle-East Spies Peace?!? Israel sends Mossad intelligence agency director to Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar Just one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war, and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. Far East Capture In Europe Ukraine says it captured two injured North Korean soldiers in Russia President Zelensky says the two men are receiving "necessary medical assistance". Feds Quit As MAGA Rises Special counsel Jack Smith resigns ahead of Trump inauguration Smith spearheaded two federal prosecutions of Trump, but their future was imperiled by Trump's victory. Arctic Excitement For MAGA 'Buy us!': Greenlanders shocked, intrigued, bewildered by Trump zeal for Arctic territory A staged joke or serious threat? Trump seems intent on controlling a territory that's been part of the Danish crown since 1830. Here's how Greenland feels. Curtain Call For Legend 'Soul Man' singer Sam Moore dead at 89 Sam Moore, who was one half of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave and best known for his hit "Soul Man," has died. He was 89. Give Your Love A Hand . . . The most underrated sex act? Sexperts say it's time to bring this back into the bedroom As couples across America are said to be stuck battling "sexless January," sex experts suggest the way back to intimacy could be via a simple sex act some may not have tried since their teen years. Jewel Of The Dotte Explored Get to know the Rosedale neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas, with this beginner's guide The historic Rosedale neighborhood, now part of Kansas City, Kansas, is not just home to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Check out our intro to Rosedale's parks, restaurants, culture, and history. Katie Shares Weather Outlook Kansas City may briefly rise above freezing this weekend, but flurries also possible Saturday will have high temperatures around 35 degrees; some flurries possible overnight into Sunday. Anyma & Ellie Goulding - Hypnotized is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. For late night denizens of the discourse we revisit model, author & hottie Emrata as we check pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Street Level Progress Reported After days without seeing a snow plow, neighbors finally see relief Over the last week, we have amplified the frustrations of community members who are waiting for their neighborhoods to be plowed. Those frustrations have been felt on both sides of the state line. East Side Medical Drama Alleged Lawsuit alleges KC hospital gave patient a drug he's allergic to during heart surgery prep John Sroufe alleges a surgical team at Research Medical Center used a disinfectant he was allergic to while preparing him for heart surgery, causing respiratory failure and anaphylactic shock. Suburban Carbs Cure?!? New health-focused coffee shop in Kansas City area hopes to be 'catalyst' for community Ase Coffee near Kansas City is a health-focused coffee shop that offers spacious seating, live music, event space & more near Lee's Summit. Building Northeast 2025 City of Kansas City Announces Front Street Construction Project to Commence in March - Northeast News Julia Williams Editor-in-Chief BREAKING- The City of Kansas City announced in a release Thursday, Jan. 9 that crews will begin a quad-phase roadway reconstruction of Front Street spanning from Chouteau Trafficway through N. Topping Ave., in March 2025. Artsy Cowtown History Unpacked Many American Stories Intersect at the Truman Library's High-Modern Portrait of a President On Feb. 11, 1965, Harry S. Truman met the painter Elaine de Kooning as she presented her new portrait of John F. Kennedy, to the Truman Library in Independence. Celebrate Celeb Java Jaunt Emily Ratajkowski Told To 'Cover' Up In Braless Coffee Look Emily Ratajkowski is getting shamed for her ultra-revealing braless sweater as she displays her curves and abs in the street. Blaming Flames On MAGA?!? Dem senator warns 'LA fires are preview of coming atrocities,' claims Trump bought off by 'Big Oil' Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., claims President-elect Trump was bought off by "Big Oil" and that "the LA fires are preview of coming atrocities." Inferno Threatens Veep Kamala Harris' neighborhood under threat as Los Angeles fire shifts The Palisades fire spread east on Friday night, causing a new evacuation order for much of the affluent Brentwood community. Meet New MAGA Americans?!? Greenland PM 'ready' to talk with Trump Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said he is "ready" to talk with President-elect Trump, who has recently expressed ambitions for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, the world's largest island. Egede was asked during a press conference in Copenhagen on Friday if he was in touch with the president-elect. Inferno Fed Bailout Turns Political Ahead Of Inauguration Gavin Newsom says Trump may try to withhold disaster aid for California: 'He's been pretty straightforward about that' In an interview with "Pod Save America," Newsom said Trump has been "pretty straightforward" about potentially denying federal aid to California. Holy Land Fights Over Hostages Anti-war protesters clash with police in Tel Aviv STORY: :: Police in Tel Aviv scuffle with protesters at ademonstration calling for an end to the war in Gaza:: January 11, 2025:: Shuli Kislev, Israeli protester "I don't expect anything from my government. That's the that's the point of it. Europe Drone War Ukraine says it has hit one of Russia's largest oil refineries in a drone strike | CNN Ukraine claimed Saturday to have struck one of Russia's largest oil refineries in a drone attack, starting a fire at the facility more than 700 miles into Russian territory. Tesla King Under Brit Surveillance UK security officials monitor Elon Musk's social media posts A Home Office team is tracking the reach and impact of posts by the tech mogul and others for security risks. Tricking Haterz Into Making Hollywood Relevant Again?!? The great trans 'hope' of Karla Sofia Gascon's Oscar campaign The transgender star of Netflix's Emilia Perez, Karla Sofia Gascon, is poised to make LGBTQ+ history on Hollywood's biggest night. She shares why that visibility matters. Meta Rules Ur Dad . . . Leaked Meta Rules: Users Are Free to Post "Mexican Immigrants Are Trash!" or "Trans People Are Immoral" Facebook now allows attacks on immigrants and trans people, and posts like "Mexican immigrants are trash!" and "I'm a proud racist." American Lovers Confront Another Cycle Of Accusations Sex at Waukesha laundromat; man, woman accused again A man and woman - already charged with having sex in the Waukesha County Jail lobby last year - are now accused of having sex at a laundromat. Caribbean For For Cold-Ass Cowtown Nights Exclusive Jerk Restaurant and Bar Brings Savory Jamaican Cuisine to Watts Mill Plaza Freshmade favorites include braised oxtail and jerk wings Grigs Tells KC To Chill . . . Cold Sunday followed by much colder air Monday Monday and Tuesday morning temps. just above zero And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Tonight we notice a bold statement from a former Kansas City news anchor turned Missouri congressman and now local leader on the House Appropriations committee. Here's the word . . . "Republican Party's retained majority in the House, secured majority in the Senate, and elected a Republican President have set the stage for meaningful change. Our elected House Leadership team is poised to drive results-oriented policies that address real concerns, invest in America's future, and uphold the principles that have always defined the Republican party . . . "So, what does this mean for Missouri's 4th District? "It means more jobs, more opportunities, and a brighter future for our families and communities. It means we're not just sitting on the sidelines we're leading the charge. "The Appropriations Committee will work tirelessly to ensure that Missouris Fourth receives its fair share of federal funding. We're talking about investments in our local infrastructure, support for our farmers and small businesses, and resources to help our communities thrive." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Turner Report -- Mark Alford: "Congress is committed to fighting for Missouri's values and interests" Developing . . . Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Fact Check: No, Maharashtra Govt has not removed Momin from OBC list The Fact Check analysis of a Malegaon based Urdu daily Shamnama report dated Saturday January 11, 2025 claiming that the Government of Maharashtra has removed Momin from its list of Other Backward Classes (OBC) is found to be fake, false and misleading Sunday January 12, 2025 4:31 PM , Fact Check by Team ummid.com Ummid.com Fact Check: A Malegaon based Urdu daily Shamnama in its report Saturday January 11, 2025 claimed that the Government of Maharashtra has removed Momin from its list of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The fact check analysis of the report, however, revealed that the claim made by the Shamnama Urdu Daily is fake and misleading. Claim The Shamnama Urdu Daily in a front page report dated January 11, 2025 has headlined that Momin bradari OBC fehrist se bahar. Translated in English, the headline means, Momin caste has been removed from the OBC list. In its report, Shamnama has called the decision of the Mahayuti government of Maharashtra as anti-minority. The Urdu daily in its report also criticized the Maharashtra government, lamenting that it has removed Momin community, which is part of Muslims - the second largest majority in India from the OBC list. The Urdu daily based in Malegaon also called the decision anti-Muslim and a challenge for Muslim MLAs in Maharashtra. Shamnama also warned that the removal of "Momin" as one of the castes from the OBC list of Maharashtra government will be a major blow to Muslim youth seeking admission in higher education and government jobs. For its report, Shamnama has cited the Government of Maharashtra GR No. 202501091129055634 dated January 09, 2025. The GR has the digital signature of Ravindra Ramdas Petkar, Deputy Secretary, Govt of Maharashtra. The copy of the GR can be found here . The same report was later carried by another Urdu daily "Tarjuman e Urdu" on Sunday January 12, 2025. Fact Check The fact check analysis of the Shamnama report revealed that the claims made in the report are misleading, false and far from true. A glance at the Government GR showed , or "Momin, Omitted written on Page no 12 at No. 191. Vagalale is the Marathi word meaning omitted. In the same GR, however, it is also mentioned and written , or Julaha, Ansari on Page no 9 at No. 57. Talking to ummid.com, sources in Mantralaya, Mumbai said that or Ansari was written two times in the Maharashtra government list of OBCs. The Maharashtra government in its GR dated January 09, 2025 has corrected the same, and removed which was mentioned in the list two times, and not removed as claimed by the Shamnama Urdu Roznama. A further investigation led us to the Maharshtra Government GR No. 201906041555128722 dated June 04, 2019. This GR is also signed by Ravindra Ramdas Petkar, Deputy Secretary, Govt of Maharashtra, whose digital signature is on GR dated January 09, 2025. The Maharshtra Government GR dated June 04, 2019 said: " ..57 ..191 . . .. 191 . Loosely translated in English, it said: Ansari caste is recorded at No. 57 and No. 191 in the list of other backward classes. So, it is clear that the Ansari caste has been registered twice. Therefore, the recommendation of the commission is accepted and Momin caste at No. 191 in the list of other backward classes. The entry of Ansari caste is being omitted while retaining the entry. The copy of the GR can be found here This also clearly implies that was mentioned in the Maharashtra government list of OBCs twice. A mention of , can also be found in a government of Maharashtra notification dated September 26, 2008. Accordingly, the government made the correction as per its latest GR, and removed "Ansari" that was mentioned in its OBC list twice. Further investigation by ummid.com revealed that the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) also mentions Julaha, Momin, Julaha-Ansari, Momin-Ansari at No. 50 in its list of OBCs for Maharashtra titled CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA and found here and here . Verdict This is therefore concluded that the claim by Shamnama Urdu Daily and Tarjuman e Urdu in their reports dated January 11 and 12, 2025 that The Maharashtra Government has removed Momin caste from its list of OBCs is false, misleading and incorrect. [The members of All India Momin Conference Malegaon - especially Dr Javed Ansari, Sohail Abdul Karim and Abdul Haleem Siddiqui, have contributed and provided inputs for this report.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Intel Core Ultra 200V Series Processors Unpacked - What's New Tech giant Intel launched Intel Core Ultra 200V Series mobile processors at CES 2025 that ended on January 11, 2025 at Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States Monday January 13, 2025 0:46 AM , ummid.com News Network Tech giant Intel launched Intel Core Ultra 200V Series mobile processors at CES 2025 that ended on January 11, 2025 at Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. Intel Core Ultra 200V Series mobile processors are designed to revolutionize mobile computing for businesses, creators and enthusiast gamers. The latest additions to the Intel Core Ultra family feature cutting-edge AI enhancements, increased efficiency and performance improvements. Intel Core Ultra processors are setting new benchmarks for mobile AI and graphics, once again demonstrating the superior performance and efficiency of the x86 architecture as we shape the future of personal computing, said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel and CEO of Intel Products. The strength of our AI PC product innovation, combined with the breadth and scale of our hardware and software ecosystem across all segments of the market, is empowering users with a better experience in the traditional ways we use PCs for productivity, creation and communication, while opening up completely new capabilities with over 400 AI features", Michelle said. "Intel is only going to continue bolstering its AI PC product portfolio in 2025 and beyond as we sample our lead Intel 18A product to customers now ahead of volume production in the second half of 2025", he added. Intel Core Ultra 200V Series includes Intel vPro, Intel Core Ultra 200HX and H Series mobile processors. Key Intel vPro features Enhanced Productivity: Intel Core Ultra 200V processors help deliver exceptional battery life in thin-and-light designs, empowering AI experiences on the go. Intel Core Ultra 200V processors help deliver exceptional battery life in thin-and-light designs, empowering AI experiences on the go. Advanced Security: Intel vPro Security is the only hardware-assisted security validated by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, with more than 150 silicon-enabled mitigations. A new Intel Partner Security Engine provides an isolated platform for third-party firmware, such as Microsoft Pluton, enhancing sensitive data protection. Intel vPro Security is the only hardware-assisted security validated by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, with more than 150 silicon-enabled mitigations. A new Intel Partner Security Engine provides an isolated platform for third-party firmware, such as Microsoft Pluton, enhancing sensitive data protection. Seamless Manageability: New out-of-band diagnosis and remediation tools, including Intel Endpoint Cloud Services, simplify remote support and ensure rapid recovery from PC outages. Intel vPro Fleet Services, which will preview in the first half of this year, allows IT professionals to manage PC fleets remotely via an Intel-hosted cloud service. It is ideal for organizations seeking flexible, cloud-based device management. New out-of-band diagnosis and remediation tools, including Intel Endpoint Cloud Services, simplify remote support and ensure rapid recovery from PC outages. Intel vPro Fleet Services, which will preview in the first half of this year, allows IT professionals to manage PC fleets remotely via an Intel-hosted cloud service. It is ideal for organizations seeking flexible, cloud-based device management. Unrivaled Stability: With Intel vPros support for 99.7% app compatibility, IT managers can confidently migrate to the latest technologies without disrupting business operations. Intel Core Ultra 200HX and H series Processors key features Up to 24 cores eight Performance-cores (P-cores) and 16 Efficient-cores (E-cores) for HX-series and up to 16 cores six P-cores, eight E-cores and two low-power E-cores for H-series, based on Intels latest core architecture. These new processors give gamers, creators and professionals the computing power they need for gaming and creating on the go including up to 41% better multi-thread (MT) performance for Intel Core Ultra 200HX series compared to prior-gen HX-series processors. The Intel Core Ultra 200H series features Intel Arc graphics with up to eight Intel Xe cores featuring Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) for AI acceleration providing up to 22% better gaming performance compared with prior gen H-series processors. with up to eight Intel Xe cores featuring Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) for AI acceleration providing up to 22% better gaming performance compared with prior gen H-series processors. Across the entire platform these processors deliver up to 99 TOPS (trillion operations per second) when using the graphics processing unit (GPU), central processing unit (CPU) and neural processing unit (NPU). The Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processor is Intels first mobile enthusiast AI PC with a built-in NPU, providing 13 TOPS. The Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processor provides the latest in bandwidth and connectivity, with as many as 48 total PCIe lanes (including PCIe 4.0 and 5.0) to connect the latest discrete GPUs and storage. Packaging improvements result in a 33% smaller processor package overall, enabling new premium thin-and-light designs without compromising on performance. Additionally, Intel is launching its Intel Core Ultra 200U series mobile processors featuring up to two P-cores and eight E-cores, Intel Xe LPG graphics, and up to 24 platform TOPS. Intel Core Ultra 200U series systems give users a great balance of performance, power efficiency and price. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. (@ChaudhryMAli88) DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Jan, 2025) Fatima Abdulrahman, Director of Government Communications at the Ministry of Economy, said that the strategic partnership with the 1 Billion Followers Summit, which attracts over 15,000 content creators, will help highlight the UAE's exceptional tourism services and products, further enhancing the country's global tourism identity. In a statement to the Emirates news Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the second day of the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Fatima Abdulrahman added that the World's Coolest Winter campaign continues to yield tangible positive results across various sectors and tourism activities. This campaign plays a significant role in boosting domestic tourism revenue, increasing hotel revenues, and enhancing the UAEs appeal to tourists from around the world. This edition of the campaign focuses on showcasing the countrys diverse environments, the charm of its natural landscapes, and its wonderful winter weather, particularly promoting green tourism, she added. She pointed out that the summit provides an annual, globally followed platform that connects the content of the World's Coolest Winter campaign with real-world tourist experiences, expanding the reach of the campaign and its digital content both regionally and globally. Fatima Abdulrahman also explained that over the past four editions, the campaign has achieved leading and strong results for the UAE's tourism sector, contributing to hotel revenues nearing AED1 billion from 9th January to 20th February 2024. She added that the campaign supports the goals of the National Tourism Strategy 2031 by elevating the UAE's status as the best global tourism identity, reinforcing its position as a leading tourist destination by the next decade, increasing the tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP to AED450 billion, and attracting new investments worth AED100 billion. MEDINA, Saudi Arabia, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Jan, 2025) Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, led the UAE delegation taking part in the consultative meeting of the board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) held today in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The meeting aimed to consult on and propose a ten-year strategic framework for the IsDB Group, setting the direction for the next decade (2026-2035), as well as defining the long-term strategy of the Group alongside two consecutive five-year strategies that provide a detailed roadmap for the Bank. The UAE delegation featured Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations at MoF; Hamad Essa Al Zaabi, Director of the Office of Minister of State for Financial Affairs. The forum was also attended by H.E. Laaziz Fayed, Minister of Finance of Algeria and Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors; Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Jadaan, Minister of Finance of Saudi Arabia; Dr. Mohammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank Group; along with IsDB Governors, Alternate Governors, Executive Directors, and Directors of IDB Group institutions. During the Governors' Roundtable, H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to its strategic partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Group and commended the Groups achievements over the past 50 years. Innovative approach Al Hussaini emphasised the need to adopt a bold and innovative approach to tackle evolving global challenges and align the Bank Group's new planning cycle with shareholder aspirations and emerging global priorities. The declaration also called for launching impactful initiatives to support sustainable development, stimulate growth, and enhance resilience in member countries. He added that the end goal is to position the IsDB Group as the development partner of choice for its member countries by delivering impactful and sustainable development solutions. The minister highlighted the important role that the Group plays in driving the growth of emerging economies by prioritising financing in key development areas, promoting investments in renewable and sustainable energy, and leveraging innovative financial products and services. He emphasised the need for the Bank to adopt proactive strategies to foresee opportunities and build resilience against economic fluctuations. He called for establishing practical mechanisms to prepare early for crises and disasters, urging stronger collaboration with financial institutions and innovation funds to support emerging projects in member countries. Al Hussaini also stressed the importance of embracing advanced digital technologies to improve operational processes, while ensuring these initiatives deliver meaningful impact that justifies their cost. Furthermore, he spoke highly of the vital role the Bank Group can play in providing sustainable and impactful financing solutions, highlighting the importance of launching strategic projects that support low-income Islamic countries, help alleviate poverty, and create opportunities for collaboration with development banks. By financing startups and small businesses, he noted, the Bank can pave the way for meaningful job creation, particularly for young people, empowering them to build a brighter future. The minister also emphasised the importance of fully utilising the Bank's unique comparative advantages as the only multilateral international development institution operating under the principles of Islamic Sharia. He pointed out that the Bank's strong position has been key to maintaining its AAA credit rating from international agencies since 2006. He stressed the need to strike the right balance between fulfilling financing commitments to member countries while ensuring the financial stability of the group. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of effective resource mobilization and the strategic distribution of these resources to maximize their developmental impact. The forum featured two sessions dedicated to deliberations and providing directives on the strategic framework document, followed by a closing session that explored future prospects. The document was thoroughly reviewed and analysed with the objective of refining it before its final version is submitted to the Group's Boards of Directors for approval at the annual meetings in 2025. (@ChaudhryMAli88) RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2025) The Security Forces killed nine khwarij terrorists in two separate engagements on Saturday in North Waziristan districts. An intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Dosalli, on reported presence of Khwarij. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and resultantly, six Khwarij were sent to hell, while two Khwarij were apprehended, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release issued here Sunday. Another intelligence based operation was conducted in general area Esham, North Waziristan District. After intense fire exchange, three Khwarij were neutralised by security forces, while two Khwarij got injured. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country, it further said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2025) In a step towards bolstering the safety of Islamabad's citizens, a self-defense course concluded on Sunday at the Police Line Headquarters, where participants were equipped with essential skills to handle emergency situations. A public relations officer told APP that, following the special directions of IGP Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, self-defense courses were conducted for Islamabad's citizens to enhance their safety and emergency response skills. He said the closing ceremony at Police Line Headquarters saw AIG Investigation/Complaints Syed Inayat Ali Shah distributing certificates to the participants. During the course, male and female participants impart physical training, weapon handling, swimming, live firing practice, repelling, crossing obstacles, Horse-riding and archery exercises. Additionally, the participants were briefed on the framework of dealing with difficult situations and their resolution, behavioral assessment, physical and mental health, besides utilization of resources. Earlier on, many batches of women and men have completed the training of self-defense courses as well, while during the course, separate classes have been organized for male and female participants also. The purpose of this course is to promote community policing between Islamabad Police and Federal capital citizens and to empower and sensitize them to tackle unpleasant situations. (@FahadShabbir) Algiers, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2025) Algeria on Saturday rejected France's accusation of escalation, denouncing a "campaign of disinformation" in their latest diplomatic row after Algiers sent back to Paris an influencer deported from the European country. "Algeria is in no way engaged in a logic of escalation... or humiliation," the Algerian foreign ministry said in a statement, accusing the extreme right in France of "waging a campaign of disinformation" against Algeria. "Doualemn", a 59-year-old influencer, was detained by French authorities in the southern city of Montpellier after posting a controversial video on TikTok. He was sent by plane to Algeria on Thursday, according to his lawyer, but was sent back to France the same evening as Algeria refused to let the influencer enter. France's interior minister Bruno Retailleau on Friday accused Algeria of trying to humiliate the former colonial power. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot threatened restrictions to visas or development aid, telling LCI television that France would have "no option but to retaliate" if "the Algerians continue to escalate" the row. The Algerian ministry said their decision was "motivated by the desire to allow him to respond to the accusations brought against him, to assert his rights and to defend himself within the framework of a fair and equitable judicial process on French territory". Tensions were already high over the detention in Algeria of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on national security charges. Pakistan hosted a two-day global conference Saturday, where delegates advocated for the promotion of girls education worldwide in Muslim communities and denounced restrictions on female schooling as contrary to the principles of Islam. However, speakers, including the host, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and scholars from participating nations, refrained from mentioning Afghanistan, the sole Islamic country where its hard-line Taliban leaders have banned girls from seeking education beyond the sixth grade. Pakistani officials announced on the eve of the conference that the Taliban government in Kabul had been formally invited to attend the Global Summit on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities, but Islamabad did not receive a response. More than 150 international dignitaries are attending the summit in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and academics from 44 Muslim and Muslim-friendly countries, as well as representatives from international organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, according to officials. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, a non-governmental international organization based in Saudi Arabia, stressed in his speech that men and women must acquire education. He later addressed a televised news conference with the help of his interpreter to emphasize that Islam allows women to receive an education. "The Islamic world is united in its belief that those who oppose women's education are misguided and do not represent true Islam," Al-Issa responded when asked if the outcome of the summit could encourage the Taliban to relax restrictions on women's access to education and employment in Afghanistan. The Saudi scholar clarified that the gathering in Islamabad was not directed at any specific community or country. "We have simply tried to address the concerns of those who oppose women's education and conveyed our message that there are no restrictions in Islam regarding education for girls," he stated, without naming Afghanistan. The Taliban have refrained from commenting on their absence from the event. The de facto Afghan leaders vehemently resist criticism of their governance, asserting that their policies align with local culture and Islamic law, known as Sharia. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is also among the participants and is scheduled to address the gathering Sunday. She told reporters that she was happy to be returning to her native Pakistan. "I am excited to join Muslim leaders from around the world for a critical conference on girls education," Yousafzai said via social media platform X on the eve of the conference. "On Sunday, I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school, and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls," she wrote. In 2012, the education activist was shot and injured by the outlawed extremist Pakistani Taliban in her picturesque home district of Swat in northwestern Pakistan while she was a schoolgirl. She was subsequently airlifted to the United Kingdom for medical treatment and has since returned to her home country only a few times. She has become a global advocate for girls education and, at 17, became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that the conference will culminate in a formal signing of the Islamabad Declaration, committing Muslim nations to empowering girls through education to foster inclusive and sustainable educational reforms. "We have decided to place [the] Islamabad Declaration to be signed by this conference before the United Nations, including the U.N. Security Council, as a collective aspiration of the Ummah (Muslim world)," Sharif said in his inaugural speech Saturday. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States later this month. U.S. voters have differing expectations for their next president. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story. European foreign ministers will meet at the end of January to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Syria, the EU foreign policy chief said Sunday in Riyadh ahead of a meeting of top Middle Eastern and Western diplomats and Syria's new foreign minister. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, said the foreign ministers would convene in Brussels on Jan. 27 to decide how the 27-nation bloc would relax sanctions on Syria. After 13 years of civil war, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a month ago. The group has since set up a caretaker government in Damascus. Any European decision to ease sanctions would be conditional on the new Syrian administration's approach to governing, which must include "different groups" and women and "no radicalization," Kallas said, without elaborating. "If we see the developments going to the right direction, we are ready to do the next steps...If we see that it's not going to the right direction, then we can also move back on this." Sunday's conference, the first such meeting of Western and regional leaders hosted by regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia since Assad's ouster, comes as Damascus urges the West to lift sanctions to help international funding flow more freely. In a news conference held after wrapping up the conference, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said he stressed "lifting the unilateral and U.N. sanctions imposed on Syria as continuing ... sanctions will hinder the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development." The U.S., Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiraled into civil war. But the new reality in Syria has been complicated by sanctions on HTS and some leaders for its days as an al-Qaeda affiliate. Germany, which is leading the EU's discussion on sanctions, proposed Sunday to allow relief for the Syrian population, but retaining sanctions on Assad allies who "committed serious crimes" during Syria's war. "Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power, and we continue to help those in Syria who have nothing, as we have done all the years of civil war," German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Riyadh. The United States on Monday issued a six-month exemption of its sanctions for transactions with governing institutions in Syria to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow some energy transactions. British foreign minister David Lammy joined the Riyadh talks along with ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. Discussions would focus on support for the interim Syrian authorities, "including mechanisms to hold the Assad regime to account for the war crimes they perpetrated against the Syrian people," the U.K. foreign office said in a statement. The premier of Australia's New South Wales state, Chris Minns, said on Sunday that an attack on a Sydney synagogue on Saturday marked an escalation in antisemitic crime in the state, after police said the attack was attempted arson. Australia has seen a series of antisemitic incidents in the last year, including graffiti on buildings and cars in Sydney, as well as an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne that police ruled terrorism. In the latest incident, police were notified of antisemitic graffiti on a synagogue in the inner suburb of Newtown early on Saturday. An arson attempt was also made on the synagogue, police later said. "This is an escalation in antisemitic crime in New South Wales. Police and the government remain very concerned that an accelerant may have been used," Minns, the leader of Australia's most populous state, said on Sunday in a televised media conference alongside state police commissioner Karen Webb. "In the last 24 hours, these matters have now been taken over by counterterrorism command," Webb said. A house in Sydney's east, a hub of the city's Jewish community, was also defaced with antisemitic graffiti, police said on Saturday, adding they were also looking into offensive comments on a street poster in the suburb of Marrickville. On Friday, a special police task force was set up to investigate an attack on the Southern Sydney Synagogue in the suburb of Allawah early Friday morning. David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, said on Sunday he welcomed extra resources promised by the government in the recent incidents. "The New South Wales government has also provided us with additional funding to enhance Jewish communal security," Ossip added in a statement. On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, referring to the Southern Sydney Synagogue incident, said that there was "no place in Australia, our tolerant multicultural community, for this sort of criminal activity." The number of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents have increased in Australia since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023 and Israel launched its war on Gaza. Some Jewish organizations have said the government has not taken sufficient action in response. Chads ruling party took the majority of votes in last months parliamentary election, which was boycotted by the main opposition and which analysts had said would consolidate the president's political power, provisional results show. In what was the first parliamentary election in Chad in more than a decade, the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement party won 124 out of 188 seats, while the voter turnout was 51.5%, according to the provisional results announced late Saturday by Ahmed Bartchiret, head of the electoral commission. The parliamentary election, which also included regional and municipal elections, was the last stage of the country's transition to democracy after Mahamat Idriss Deby took power as a military ruler in 2021. The takeover followed the death of Deby's father and longtime president Idriss Deby Itno, who spent three decades in power. Deby eventually won last year's disputed presidential vote. Deby had said the election would pave the way for the era of decentralization so long awaited and desired by the Chadian people, referring to the distribution of power beyond the national government to the different provincial and municipal levels. The election was boycotted by more than 10 opposition parties, including the main Transformers party, whose candidate, Succes Masra, came second in the presidential election. The main opposition had called the election a charade and expressed worries that it would be a repeat of the presidential vote, which election observers said was not credible. The main opposition did not immediately comment on the election results. Last month's vote came at a critical period for Chad, which is battling several security challenges from Boko Haram militant attacks in the Lake Chad region to the break in decadeslong military ties with France, its key ally. The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday struck down abortion restrictions by conservative cities and counties, helping to ensure the state remains a go-to destination for people from other states with bans. The unanimous opinion, in response to a request from state Attorney General Raul Torrez, reinforces the state's position as having some of the most liberal abortion laws in the country. Attorneys representing the cities of Hobbs and Clovis and Lea and Roosevelt counties had argued that provisions of a federal "anti-vice" law known as the Comstock Act block courts from striking down local abortion ordinances. But Justice C. Shannon Bacon, writing for the majority opinion, said state law precludes cities and counties from restricting abortion or regulating abortion clinics. "The ordinances violate this core precept and invade the Legislature's authority to regulate access to and provision of reproductive healthcare," she wrote. "We hold the ordinances are preempted in their entirety." New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez praised the court's ruling Thursday, saying that the core of the argument was that state laws preempted any action by local governments to engage in activities that would infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens. "The bottom line is simply this: Abortion access is safe and secure in New Mexico," he said. "It's enshrined in law by the recent ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court and thanks to the work of the New Mexico Legislature." New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez called access to health care a basic fundamental right in New Mexico. "It doesn't take a genius to understand the statutory framework that we have. Local governments don't regulate health care in New Mexico. It is up to the state," the Albuquerque Democrat said. Opposition to abortion runs deep in New Mexico communities along the border with Texas, which has one of the most restrictive bans in the U.S. But Democrats, who control every statewide elected office in New Mexico and hold majorities in the state House and Senate, have moved to shore up access to abortion before and after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the nationwide right to abortion. In 2021, the New Mexico Legislature repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, ensuring access to abortion even after the Roe v. Wade reversal. And in 2023, Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill that overrides local ordinances aimed at limiting abortion access and enacted a shield law that protects abortion providers from investigations by other states. In September, construction began on a state-funded reproductive health and abortion clinic in southern New Mexico that will cater to local residents and people who travel from neighboring states. The new clinic is scheduled for completion by early 2026 to provide services ranging from medical and procedural abortions to contraception, cervical cancer screenings and education about adoptions. In Thursday's opinion, justices said they "strongly admonish" Roosevelt County, in particular, for an ordinance that would have allowed individuals to file lawsuits demanding damages of more than $100,000 for violations of the county's abortion ordinance. The provision would have created "a private right of action and damages award that is clearly intended to punish protected conduct," the court said in its opinion. Erin Hawley, a vice president at Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based Christian legal advocacy group, is an attorney who argued on behalf of Roosevelt County in the case. On Thursday, she criticized the court's decision and emphasized its limitations. "Roosevelt County and other New Mexico localities should be able to enforce ordinances that comply with federal law and protect the lives of their citizens," said Hawley, the wife of U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. "We're grateful that the New Mexico Supreme Court did not abandon common sense and find a so-called right to abortion in the state constitution." It was not immediately clear whether the ruling can be appealed in federal court or influence broader efforts to apply Comstock Act restrictions on abortion. The New Mexico Supreme Court opinion explicitly declined to address conflicts with federal law, basing its decision solely on state provisions. Austin, Texas-based attorney Jonathan Mitchell, a former Texas solicitor general and architect of that state's strict abortion ban, said he looked forward "to litigating these issues in other states and bringing the meaning of the federal Comstock Act to the Supreme Court of the United States." Residents of the French territory of Mayotte braced Sunday for a storm expected to bring strong winds and flash floods less than a month after the Indian Ocean archipelago was devastated by a deadly cyclone. Mayotte was placed on red alert from 1900 GMT on Saturday in anticipation of the passage of Dikeledi, a storm forecast to skirt about 100 kilometers south of the territory. It hit the northern coast of Madagascar as a cyclone on Saturday evening and weakened into a severe tropical storm but is expected to regain intensity as it moves toward Mayotte. It could be reclassified as a cyclone by Monday morning, according to French weather service Meteo-France. Authorities called for "extreme vigilance" following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido in mid-December. "Significant rain and wind deterioration is confirmed for the morning" in Mayotte, Meteo-France said in an update just before 6 a.m. local time on Sunday. "Very heavy rains could generate flash floods," it warned, adding that "floods and landslides are expected in the coming hours." It could also bring wind gusts of up to 90 kph to the French territory, as well as "dangerous sea conditions." Residents were advised to seek shelter and stock up on food and water. "Nothing is being left to chance," Manuel Valls, France's new overseas territories minister, told AFP. Cyclone Chido -- the most devastating storm to hit France's poorest department in 90 years -- caused colossal damage last month, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 5,600. Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, said Mayotte was placed on a red weather alert from 10 p.m. on Saturday to allow the public to take shelter. "I have decided to bring forward this red alert to 10:00 pm to allow everyone to take shelter, to confine themselves, to take care of the people close to you, your children, your families," Bieuville said on television. Messages in French and two regional languages were broadcast on radio and television to alert the population. 'Not fully recovered' More than 4,000 personnel have been mobilized in Mayotte, including members of police and the military, said the interior ministry. The prefect has requested that mayors reopen accommodation centers such as schools and gyms that sheltered around 15,000 people in December. He also ordered firefighters and other forces to be deployed to "extremely fragile" shantytowns in Mamoudzou and elsewhere. Potential mudslides were "a major risk," the prefect said. "Chido was a dry cyclone, with very little rain," he added. "This tropical storm is a wet event, we are going to have a lot of rain." Mayotte's population stands officially at 320,000, but there are an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 more undocumented residents living in shanty towns that were destroyed by the cyclone in December. Mayotte resident Ismahane, who declined to provide her full name, said she was worried about the storm's potential impact, considering what Chido had done, and had stocked up on water, rice, canned goods, and "milk for the baby" ahead of Dikeledi's passage. "We're still not fully recovered, and I don't know if we're going to make it or not," Ismahane told AFP. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party set out a radical program Saturday at a party congress ahead of next month's snap general election as thousands of protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to the party. Demonstrators shouting "No to Nazis" outside the venue in the eastern town of Riesa succeeded in delaying the start of the congress by around two hours. Once it got underway just after 12 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) the party's 600-odd delegates approved co-leader Alice Weidel as candidate for chancellor by acclamation ahead of the general election on February 23. In a fiery speech to the hall afterward, Weidel condemned the protestors outside as "a left-wing mob" and "red-painted Nazis" before going on to present her "plan for the future" for Germany. She said the first 100 days of a government containing the AfD would see the "total closing of Germany's borders and the turning back anyone traveling without documents" as well as "large-scale repatriations." "I say to you quite honestly, if this must be called remigration, then let it be called remigration," she said. Turning to energy policy, Weidel advocated a return to nuclear energy and more coal power stations, as well as relaunching the Nord Stream pipelines for Russian gas. In keeping with the AfD's denial of climate science, Weidel also attacked efforts to promote renewable energy. She branded wind turbines "windmills of shame" and promised to tear them all down. The AfD is currently in second place in opinion polls, averaging 20%, although one survey Saturday eagerly seized on by the party gave them 22%. The conservative CDU/CSU is leading at 31% while Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats are fighting it out for third place with their Green coalition partners on 15% and 14% respectively. Weidel in her speech bashed the CDU/CSU, branding them a "party of cheats" and saying her goal was to overtake them. The congress caps an eventful week for Weidel, who on Thursday was hosted by Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a key Donald Trump ally, for a wide-ranging livestream on his X social media platform. Musk also boosted the livestream of Saturday's congress by sharing it on his own X account, helping it gain a worldwide audience of more than 4 million as of the early evening. The AfD has also been buoyed by events in Austria in recent days, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) has been invited to try to form a government with the conservative People's Party (OeVP). So far all of Germany's other parties, including the CSU/CDU, have ruled out working with the AfD. Outside the congress venue, protestors braved the cold to shout slogans such as "No to Nazis." Police said they numbered at least 8,000 while organizers put the number at more than 12,000. Among them was Julia, who declined to give her last name but said she wanted to turn out to oppose a party that represented "exclusion, discrimination and hatred." "We want to show very clearly that we are the majority, that we are in favor of open borders and solidarity in society," she told AFP. Dorothea, part of the Omas Gegen Rechts ("Grannies Against The Far-Right") protest movement, called the AfD a "merciless downfall for Germany." While doubting she and her fellow protestors could reach "those in the AfD bubble," she hoped they could get through to "nonvoters and the undecided." Earlier Saturday, demonstrators tried to breach police cordons with protest organizers accusing the police of using violence and pepper spray. Police said that six officers had suffered minor injuries. The far-left Die Linke party complained that one of its regional members of Parliament who was observing the protests was knocked unconscious by a blow to the face from police. The head of the region's police force apologized for the incident and said it was being investigated. Observers are expecting heated debates over some points of AfD's program as the party congress continues Sunday. Those include party leadership plans to replace its Junge Alternative ("Young Alternative") youth wing, which has been classified as an extremist group by intelligence services. The death toll in the wildfires that are raging in the Los Angeles area rose to at least 24 late Sunday, with officials worried that more bodies will be found by searchers and cadaver dogs in the neighborhoods that have been leveled by the blazes. Roaring flames continued to ravage the West Coast state of California as the top U.S. emergency official warned that increasing winds could pose new threats in the coming days. The winds are potentially getting stronger and dangerous, Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, told CNNs State of the Union show. You never know which way theyre going. Local officials expressed fears that as the fires spread, they could endanger more highly populated areas and threaten some of the citys key landmarks, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, which houses renowned art works, and the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the top public U.S. universities. California Senator Adam Schiff told CNN that driving through the devastated communities frankly reminded me of visiting war zones. There are whole neighborhoods that are gone. We havent seen this before. The heartbreak is just overwhelming, he said. California Governor Gavin Newsom told NBCs Meet the Press that the wildfires could be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. The damages are so high in part because much of the housing that has burned to the ground is among the costliest in the country. Watch related report by Veronica Balderas Iglesias: Newsom called for an independent review of how the fires raged on, with firefighters at times facing a shortage of water to fight the blazes as they quickly spread out of control. The governor said he is asking the same questions that people out on the streets are asking, yelling about, What the hell happened? What happened to the water system? Newsom said he wants to know whether the water supply was simply overwhelmed, Or were 99 mile-an-hour winds determinative and there was really no firefight that could've been more meaningful? All of us want to know those answers, and I just don't want to wait because people are asking me. I want to know those facts, he said. I want them objectively determined, and let the chips fall where they may. This is not about finger pointing. The governor said he is asking the same questions that people out on the streets are asking, yelling about, What the hell happened? What happened to the water system? Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 440-million-liter reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Firefighters raced Saturday to get in front of the largest and most destructive blaze burning in Los Angeles as it shifted directions and grew by about 400 hectares. The Santa Ana winds that fueled the blazes are forecast to return. We need to be aggressive out there, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Operations Chief Christian Litz told reporters at a Saturday briefing. The National Weather Service predicted winds picking up Saturday night into Sunday morning in the area and again late Monday through Tuesday morning, with sustained winds up to 48 kph and gusts up to 112 kph. Four active fires in the Los Angeles region have burned more than 16,000 hectares, with flames destroying more than 12,000 structures. About 150,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes, with 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. The causes of all four blazes remain under investigation. Officials said two of the fires were 90- and 76% contained but the other two only 11- and 15%. The Palisades fire, the largest and only 11% contained, is threatening to jump over a major highway, Interstate 405, into a more heavily populated area. Jim Hudson, a Cal Fire incident commander, told reporters that firefighters have three priorities: Life, your property and permanent control of the flames. Firefighting crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press. Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish one of the largest and rarest freshwater fish in the world were caught and released recently in Cambodia, reviving hopes for the survival of the species. The underwater giants can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and weigh up to 300 kilograms (661 pounds), or as heavy as a grand piano. They now are found only in Southeast Asia's Mekong River but in the past inhabited the length of the 4,900-kilometer (3,044-mile) river, all the way from its outlet in Vietnam to its northern reaches in China's Yunnan province. The species' population has plummeted by 80% in recent decades because of rising pressures from overfishing, dams that block the migratory path the fish follow to spawn and other disruptions. Few of the millions of people who depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods have ever seen a giant catfish. To find six of the giants, which were caught and released within five days, is unprecedented. The first two were on the Tonle Sap river, a tributary of the Mekong not far from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. They were given identification tags and released. On Tuesday, fishermen caught four more giant catfish including two longer than 2 meters (6.5 feet) that weighed 120 kilograms and 131 kilograms (264 pounds and 288 pounds), respectively. The captured fish were apparently migrating from their floodplain habitats near Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake northward along the Mekong River, likely to spawning grounds in northern Cambodia, Laos or Thailand. "It's a hopeful sign that the species is not in imminent - like, in the next few years - risk of extinction, which gives conservation activities time to be implemented and to continue to bend the curve away from decline and toward recovery," said Dr. Zeb Hogan, a University of Nevada-Reno research biologist who leads the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Wonders of the Mekong project. Much is still unknown about the giant fish, but over the past two decades a joint conservation program by the Wonders of the Mekong and the Cambodian Fisheries Administration has caught, tagged and released around 100 of them, gaining insights into how the catfish migrate, where they live and the health of the species. "This information is used to establish migration corridors and protect habitats to try to help these fish survive in the future," said Hogan. The Mekong giant catfish is woven into the region's cultural fabric, depicted in 3,000-year-old cave paintings, revered in folklore and considered a symbol of the river, whose fisheries feed millions and are valued at $10 billion annually. Local communities play a crucial role in conservation. Fishermen now know about the importance of reporting accidental catches of rare and endangered species to officials, enabling researchers to reach places where fish have been captured and measure and tag them before releasing them. "Their cooperation is essential for our research and conservation efforts," Heng Kong, director of Cambodia's Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, said in a statement. Apart from the Mekong giant catfish, the river is also home to other large fish, including the salmon carp, which was thought to be extinct until it was spotted earlier this year, and the giant sting ray. That four of these fish were caught and tagged in a single day is likely the "big fish story of the century for the Mekong," said Brian Eyler, director of the Washington-based Stimson Center's Southeast Asia Program. He said that seeing them confirms that the annual fish migration was still robust despite all the pressures facing the environment along the Mekong. "Hopefully, what happened this week will show the Mekong countries and the world that the Mekong's mighty fish population is uniquely special and needs to be conserved," he said. Four soldiers died in combat in the north of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Saturday, more than 15 months into its war with Hamas militants. The deaths brought to 403 the number of soldiers killed in the Palestinian territory since Israel launched its ground offensive in retaliation for Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others have designated Hamas as a terror organization. An officer and a reservist soldier were "seriously wounded" during the same incident and were taken to a hospital, the military said in a statement. The military said Saturday it had killed three militants in a ground operation near Jabalia in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops have been waging an intense offensive since early October, saying it aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping. Gaza's civil defense agency said it counted eight people killed near Jabalia, including two children in an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter. Defense agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal confirmed eight people, including two children and two women, were killed by Israeli shelling on the Halwa school in the northern Gaza city of Jabalia. Bassal said the strike wounded 30 people, including 19 children, and that the Halwa school housed "thousands of displaced people." The Israeli military, in a statement, acknowledged it conducted a strike on the facility. It said the air force "conducted a precise strike on terrorists in a command-and-control center" that had previously served as the Halwa school in Jabaliya. It said it targeted the premises because "the school had been used by Hamas terrorists to plan and execute attacks." The attack was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes on school buildings housing displaced people in Gaza, where fighting has raged for more than 14 months. At least 46,537 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza since the war began, according to data provided by the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged these figures as reliable. The October 7 attack that triggered it resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians. About 250 people were taken hostage, with about 100 still being held in Gaza, though at least one-third of them are believed to be dead. On Saturday, Hamas responded to Sharon Cunio, who had directly addressed the group in Arabic in a video Friday. She asked for a sign that her husband, David, was still alive, more than 450 days after he was taken to the Palestinian territory. In its response, Hamas said the fate of her husband depends on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Netanyahu has not decided yet. Time is running out," the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said. Stop-start negotiations have been underway seeking an end to the devastating war and the release of the remaining hostages, with the latest round starting last weekend in Qatar. Nobel Peace Prize laurate Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders Sunday not to legitimize Afghanistans ruling Taliban, accusing them of being the perpetrators of gender apartheid and calling for accountability. Yousafzai spoke at the closing session of a Pakistan-hosted international summit on girls education in Muslim communities around the world, sharply criticizing the hardline Taliban government for imposing sweeping curbs on Afghan womens access to education and employment. For the past three-and-a-half years, the Taliban have ripped away the right to learn from every Afghan girl. They have weaponized our faith to justify it, the education activist stated. The Taliban are explicit about their mission. They want to eliminate women and girls from every aspect of public life and erase them from society, she said. Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification. The Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, imposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law, known as Sharia, that the United Nations has labeled as gender apartheid. Afghan girls are entirely banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Women are prohibited from public and private workplaces except for a few departments, such as health, immigration, and police. The Muslim World League, or MWL, co-hosted the two-day conference in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, bringing together ministers, education officials, and scholars from nearly 50 Muslim-majority countries and representatives from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. I have a message for everyone in this room, Yousafzai said. As Muslim leaders, now is the time to raise your voice and use your power. You can show true leadership; you can show true Islam, she told the gathering. Afghan women and girls must be free to shape their own future. The very loudest champions of their cause must be fellow Muslims, leaders such as yourselves, she added. Yousafzai sought a united voice from Muslim scholars to openly challenge and denounce the Talibans oppressive laws. Taliban officials did not immediately comment on the criticism. They vehemently defend their governance, saying it is aligned with Sharia and culture in Afghanistan. A conference declaration issued Sunday condemned extremist ideologies and religious edicts, known as fatwas, that are rooted in cultural norms obstructing girls' education as a grave misuse of religious principles to legitimize policies of deprivation and exclusion. The declaration noted that anyone who rejects or opposes Islamic principles mandating equal education for men and women is considered outside the framework of the Islamic Ummahs (Islamic worlds) concepts and cannot be regarded as part of it. It is essential to disavow their ideology, whether they are an individual, an institution, or an entitypublic or private, the statement said. The multi-page declaration did not mention Afghanistan, the only country where girls are banned from seeking secondary school education and beyond. Pakistani officials said that the Taliban government in Kabul had been formally invited to attend the global summit, but Islamabad did not receive a response. Speaking at the opening session on Saturday, Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the MWL secretary-general, stressed that men and women must acquire education as mandated by Islam. The Islamic world is united in its belief that those who oppose womens education are misguided and do not represent true Islam, Al-Issa responded when asked if the outcome of the summit could encourage the Taliban to relax restrictions on Afghan women and girls. Nonetheless, the Saudi scholar clarified that the gathering in Islamabad was not directed at any specific community or country. We have simply tried to address the concerns of those who oppose womens education and conveyed our message that there are no restrictions in Islam regarding education for girls, Al-Issa stated, without naming the Taliban. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, attended the summit, telling a panel that leaders of Islamic countries need to support Afghan girls. "I really call on all these ministers ... who came from all over the world, to offer scholarships, to have online education, to have all sorts of education for them. This is the task of the day," she said. No country has recognized the Taliban government primarily over its curbs on Afghan women and girls. While the United States and the West at large have refused to engage with the de facto Afghan leaders diplomatically and relocated their embassies from the country, neighboring and regional countries, including China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia, have retained their diplomatic missions in Kabul and maintain close contacts with the Taliban. Mediators working to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas gave the two sides a final draft of a deal Monday after a breakthrough in talks, officials familiar with the negotiations said. U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that the deal was on the brink of finally coming to fruition. In a speech at the State Department to highlight his foreign policy achievements, Biden said the deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started." People familiar with the talks described a breakthrough in the talks overnight Sunday into Monday. They say a draft agreement is in the hands of Israel and Hamas for consideration by their leaders. Months of negotiations led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have failed to bring a halt to the fighting, but in recent weeks, the effort has gained momentum at a time when the U.S. is preparing to go through a change in its leadership. A general framework for a deal is believed to include a ceasefire, the release of hostages still being held by Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and a surge in humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. Another round of talks is planned for Tuesday morning in Doha to finalize the remaining details of the agreement, officials close to the discussions say. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told MSNBC on Monday that the sides were "closer than we've ever been" to a deal, and said the ball was in Hamas' court. Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told CNN's "State of the Union" show on Sunday that the parties were "very, very close" to reaching a deal to halt more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza and free the remaining 98 hostages held there, with two-thirds of them believed to be alive. "We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done," Sullivan said. We are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside." On Monday, Sullivan said Biden officials were keeping President-elect Donald Trumps Mideast advisers abreast of the negotiations. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been involved in the latest round of talks. Sullivan said Biden would soon speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi about the talks, after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. The White House released a statement Sunday saying Biden and Netanyahu discussed a ceasefire and hostage release deal based on a framework endorsed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council last year. Biden discussed the changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Irans power in the region, the statement said. It stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal. The statement said Netanyahu thanked Biden for his lifelong support of Israel and for the extraordinary support from the United States for Israels security and national defense. Sullivan said in the CNN interview there was still a chance to reach an agreement before Biden leaves office next Monday, but not a certainty, saying that "Hamas, in particular, remains intransigent." Israel launched its assault on Hamas in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,500 people have been killed in Gaza, with most of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, although Israel says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas combatants it has killed. Much of Gaza, a narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea, has been laid to waste during the fighting and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, with most of its 2.3 million population displaced, often multiple times. Netanyahu's office said Saturday that the Israeli delegation to the Doha talks includes the director of the Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea; the head of the Shin Bet domestic security service, Ronen Bar; and the military's head of hostage concerns, Nitzan Alon. Witkoff met Saturday with Netanyahu after having met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday. It is not clear how Israel and Hamas will bridge one of the biggest gaps that has persisted throughout previous rounds of talks: Hamas demands an end to the war, while Israel says it will not end the war as long as Hamas rules Gaza and poses a threat to Israelis. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters Syria's new ruler and Lebanon's prime minister pledged Saturday to build lasting ties during the first visit by a Lebanese head of government to Damascus since the civil war started in 2011. Prime Minister Najib Mikati's trip came after Islamist-led rebels seized Damascus last month, bringing an end to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Previous Lebanese governments refrained from visits to Syria amid tensions at home over militant group Hezbollah's support for Assad during the conflict. Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said he hoped to turn over a new leaf in relations, days after crisis-hit Lebanon finally elected a president this week following two years of deadlock. "There will be long-term strategic relations between us and Lebanon. We and Lebanon have great shared interests," said Sharaa. It was time to "give the Syrian and Lebanese people a chance to build a positive relationship," he said, adding he hoped Joseph Aoun's presidency would usher in an era of stability in Lebanon. Sharaa said the new Syria would "stay at equal distance from all" in Lebanon, and "try to solve problems through negotiations and dialogue." Mikati said ties should be based on "mutual respect, equality and national sovereignty." The new authorities in Syria also said Sharaa had phoned Aoun to congratulate him Saturday. Syria was the dominant power in Lebanon for three decades under the Assad family, with President Hafez al-Assad intervening in its 1975-1990 civil war and his son Bashar al-Assad only withdrawing Syria's troops in 2005 following mass protests triggered by the assassination of Lebanese ex-Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. After mending ties with Damascus, his son Saad Hariri was the last Lebanese premier to visit the Syrian capital in 2010 before the civil war. Taking office Thursday, Aoun swore he would seize the "historic opportunity to start serious... dialogue with the Syrian state." With Hezbollah weakened after two months of full-scale war with Israel late last year and Assad now gone, Syrian and Lebanese leaders seem eager to work to solve long-pending issues. Among them is the presence of some 2 million Syrian refugees Lebanon says have sought shelter there since Syria's war started. Their return to Syria had become "an urgent matter in the interest of both countries," Mikati said. Lebanese authorities have long complained that hosting so many Syrians has become a burden for the tiny Mediterranean country which since 2019 has been wracked by its worst-ever economic crisis. Mikati also said it was a priority "to draw up the land and sea borders between Lebanon and Syria," calling for creation of a joint committee to discuss the matter. Under Assad, Syria repeatedly refused to delimit its borders with its neighbor. Lebanon has hoped to draw the maritime border so it can begin offshore gas extraction after reaching a similar agreement with Israel in 2022. The Lebanese premier said both sides had stressed the need for "complete control of (land) borders, especially over illicit border points, to stem smuggling." Syria shares a 330-kilometer (205-mile) border with Syria with no official demarcation at several points, making it porous and prone to smuggling. Syria imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens last week, following what Lebanon's army said was a border skirmish with unnamed armed Syrians. Lebanese nationals had previously been allowed into Syria without a visa. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters in Belgrade on Sunday switched on the lights on their mobile phones and stood in silence for 15 minutes to commemorate victims of a railway station roof collapse for which they blame authorities. The protest was organized and led by students from Belgrade state university who are demanding that those responsible for the roof collapse are brought to justice. They blame the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic for corruption and nepotism, which he and the party deny. Students at state universities in Belgrade, Kragujevac and Nis have been blockading classes for weeks to demand the release of all documents relevant to the renovation of the station, as well as criminal prosecution of officials responsible for the disaster. Every day they block traffic in front of their faculties for 15 minutes to commemorate the 15 victims. The concrete awning of the recently renovated roof of Novi Sad station caved in on Nov. 1, killing 14 and injuring three. One of the injured died later. Opposition leaders and the public have taken to the streets repeatedly, blaming the accident on shoddy construction resulting from government corruption and nepotism. The ruling coalition denies those charges, and Vucic has said those responsible must be held to account. "We have been unhappy for years. We came here to express our revolt (with authorities), and to support students," said Tamara Kovacevic, one of the protesters. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Friday consecrated a new Catholic church at Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the banks of the Jordan River officially recognized by the church as the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Parolins three-day visit to Jordan coincides with a new exhibition of 90 Jordanian artifacts of the nation's history at the start of Christianity, to be debuted at the Vatican in February. Representing Pope Francis, the top Vatican diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin inaugurated and consecrated the Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas, known in the Bible as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on the banks of the Jordan River Friday before thousands of Jordanians, Palestinians, other Arabs and diplomats. Pope Francis sent me as his legate [personal representative] for the consecration of the Latin church on the site of Jesus baptism. I would like also in the name of His Holiness to thank the royal household, especially His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, and the government of Jordan for the care they have shown to this holy place, said Parolin. My presence here today, according to the wishes of the pope, is meant to be a tangible sign of the closeness of the whole Church to the Christian communities of the Middle East, Parolin said in his homily, read on his behalf in Arabic by the Rev. Jihad Shweihat. At a time in history when this region is experiencing serious upheaval, it is important that Christians also make their contribution to the building of a just and peaceful society, he said. Parolin celebrated Mass, accompanied by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, during the ceremony also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Churchs annual pilgrimage to Jesus Baptismal site. Parolin also anointed the churchs altar, dedicating it as where the relics of Pope St. John Paul II and the recently canonized Holy Martyrs of Damascus and others will be placed. The papal envoy also spoke of the planned Vatican-Jordanian exhibition Jordan: Dawn of Christianity, to debut at the Vatican next month, celebrating Jordans biblical roots through the centuries. It also commemorates 30 years of diplomatic ties between Jordan and the Holy See and coincides with the Vaticans 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. Other sites testify to the presence of Christ in the early church. These will be the subject of an exhibition to be displayed in the Vatican in February as an expression of the profound bond that unites Jordan and the Holy See, said Cardinal Parolin. Jordans tourism and antiquities minister, Lina Annab, described the exhibitions importance to journalists on Wednesday in Amman, saying many people outside the country do not realize that there are Jordanian Christians. "This exhibition celebrates and sheds light on the origins and heritage as well as the enduring legacy and presence of Christianity in Jordan. The origins of Christianity are here. Jordan is an integral part of the Holy Land. We are more interested in really showcasing the importance of Jordan as far as the faiths that have lived on this land, whether the Islamic faith or the Christian faith, said Annab. Three popes have visited the site of Jesus baptism on the Jordanian banks of the Jordan River: John Paul II in 2000, Benedict XVI in 2009, and Francis in 2014. Pope Paul VI first visited Jordan in 1964, making Jordan the only country to have received four Catholic papal visits. Bereavement The death sadly occurred on Tuesday, January 7, of Mrs. Sharon Goulding (nee: Ryan), Bramble Court, The Grange, John's Hill and formerly of Saint Johns Park, Waterford, late of the Laundry Department UHW. Predeceased by her beloved sister Maria, she is survived by her heartbroken parents Eileen and Peter, her loving children Joseph, Louise and Aoife and their father Dessie, her adoring grandchildren Adam, Mia, Fionn, Bella, Sophia, Arabelle and Eabha. Sharon will be fondly remembered by her five brothers and six sisters, sons-in-law John Paul (O'Dwyer) and Sean (Butler) and Joseph's partner Emma (Nam), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Sharon will be sadly missed by all her relatives, extended family and friends. Requiem Mass took place on Friday, January 10, at 12 noon in The Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, followed by burial immediately afterwards in Saint Marys Cemetery, Ballygunner. Condolences are extended to Sharon's family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace. Bereavement The death sadly occurred on Friday, January 3, of Mrs. Stella Mackey (nee: Tubbritt), Laurel Park, Cherrymount, Waterford. Formerly of Pearse Park, Waterford. Predeceased by her loving husband John, sisters Masie, Josie and Nancy, brothers Willie and John, she is survived by her loving son John, daughter-in-law Linda, Pat and his wife Jemma, Mary and her husband Sammy, grandchildren Melissa, Kellie, Lauren, Gavin, Owen, Sean and Alex, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Stella will be sadly missed by all her relatives, extended family neighbours and friends. Requiem Mass took place on Thursday, January 9, in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly at 1pm followed by burial in St. Otterans Cemetery, Waterford. Condolences are extended to Stella's family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace. Sacred Heart Church For Baptism Celebration enquiries or bookings please email sacredheartparishinfo@gmail.com. Butler Community Centre The new term of Sarah Corcorans Musical Theatre will begin on January 18, at Butler Community Centre, St. Johns Park, Waterford (X91FEP4). Sarah is a fully qualified drama teacher and there are very limited places left. It's a fabulous opportunity for children aged 3 to 8 years and activities will include singing, dancing and acting. The classes will take place on Saturdays at 9am, 10am and 11am. For more details contact 086 3728263 or email: sarahacorcoran8@gmail.com Dancercise Waterfords original Dancercise Classes are back with upbeat music while learning different styles of dance such as Cha Cha, Samba, Jive, Disco to hits from the 70s 80s, 90s and 00s. No dance partner needed, but I advise to bring some friends along. Suitable for all levels, the classes will start on January 14 and for more information contact 086 1651026. Shy Centre Southside Community Auricular Acupuncture Clinics, take place in the Shy Centre, St. Johns Park, Waterford (051 876468 or 087 6394065). The clinics take place on Mondays from 5pm to 6pm. A 40-minute treatment costs 5. However the first treatment is free. The benefits of Auricular Acupuncture have been proven to be efficient at reducing stress and promoting detox. Regulars also report a whole host of other benefits such as pain relief. Clinics are run in a group setting there is no need to book. Knitting Classes Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre will be hosting free knitting classes for beginners, one day a week, beginning on Thursday, February 6. THe 10-week course will take place from 2pm -4pm each week. The Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre is located at Richardson's Meadow, Old Tramore Road, Waterford (X91DNYO). For more information contact Elaine on 051 306728 or email: info@sacredheartfrc.ie Men's Cooking Classes Free men's cooking classes will be taking place in Waterford over the coming weeks. The classes will begin on Friday, January 24, and will take place one day a week for 10 weeks. The classes will be in the Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, Richardson's Meadow, Old Tramore Road, Waterford (X91DNYO). For more information contact Elaine on 051 306728 or email: info@sacredheartfrc.ie Baking Classes Free baking classes will take place one morning a week in the Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, in Richardson's Meadow, Old Tramore Road, Waterford. The classes will continue for eight weeks and will begin on Tuesday, February 4, and will be held from 10am to 12noon. For more information contact Elaine on 051 306728. Dungarvan-Lismore Councillor John Pratt has asked Waterford City and County Council to consider buying the home of the late Dervla Murphy to turn it into a museum. He said at this weeks full sitting of the council in Dungarvan that the late travel writers home might be coming up for sale and that this was a great opportunity to honour her legacy and promote Lismore. She is worldwide. People come to Lismore and they want to know where she lived. She was an iconic figure, said Cllr Pratt. The councillor then asked for support in the chamber for his proposal, made during Any Other Business. A GREAT POINT Cllr Pratt was supported by Cllr Damian Geoghegan and Cllr Donnchadh Mulcahy. Cllr Geoghegan praised his colleague for raising the issue. Dervla Murphy was one of the great travel writers of the 20th century. I think it's something worth exploring, and Cllr Pratt is to be commended for raising that issue," said Cllr Geoghegan. Cllr Mulcahy said the councillor made a great point. Anything we can do to boost tourism in West Waterford. As he has said, Lismore is a heritage town, and I think we could be doing a lot more to bring people into West Waterford, said Cllr Mulcahy. NO BUDGET The Director of Services for Planning, Corporate, Culture, HR and IS, Ivan Grimes said they were aware of the house coming on the market. He said it is something the council are "looking at," but stressed the house is not in great condition. We are aware the property is on the market. There is no budget for this project, and it's not a simple question of buying the house, it requires significant investment and as of now there is no budget, said Mr Grimes. DERVLA MURPHY Derval Murphy was the author of over 20 travel books. Her first book, 'Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle', was published in 1965. She grew up and spent much of her later life in Lismore before her passing in May 2022' at the age of 90. Her childhood home, Westview in South Mall, Lismore, was sold in 2019 for 525,000. Dungarvan-Lismore Councillor Joe ORiordan has said drag racing has become an epidemic on the N25 in Waterford. He told the Waterford City and County Council plenary meeting in Dungarvan this week that every day, there are posts on social media promoting the activity. The N25 is probably the most dangerous road in Ireland and recently there has been an explosion of social media posts of young drivers drag racing in souped-up cars along the N25 area, and they are attempting extremely dangerous manoeuvres along the road, and they dont care for anybody coming, said Cllr O'Riordan. Cllr ORiordan called on the council to write to the Gardai and ask them to redouble their efforts. Could the council write to the Gardai so they will step up efforts to apprehend these individuals and take these cars off our roads. Its come to be an epidemic at this stage. There are social media posts up every single day, said Cllr ORiordan. Director of Services for Roads, Water and Environment, Fergus Gleeson said they would ask the road safety officer to contact the Gardai. Technology giants have told the government they should not be expected to fund compensation to victims of scams conducted on their platforms, claiming banks should be entirely responsible for refunding Australians who lose billions of dollars to fraudulent schemes each year. Banks and technology giants are at loggerheads over the governments planned anti-scam laws, which would impose fines of up to $50 million on banks, mobile networks and social media companies that fail to act on preventing scams. Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones has committed to make bank, telcos and online operators liable for scam losses. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In a new submission to the parliamentary committee examining the governments Scams Prevention Framework bill, DIGI, which represents tech giants such as Google and Facebooks owner Meta, has hit back at the federal governments proposed new laws and sought to play down the responsibility of social media platforms as a vector for scammers. Even though scammers may use online forums and social media platforms to initially target their victims, initial contact alone is only a small part of the scammers process, DIGI argued in its submission. Karina Lester speaks from her brightly lit office in central Adelaide. She comes from Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands at a homeland called Walatina . The country is quite stunning, actually. Theres lots of woodland area, so mulga acacias growing there, but theres beautiful sand dunes through that country and where my late father Yami was born is a creek called Walkinytjanu Creek, which is a beautiful spot as well. The nuclear waste problem is unavoidably tied to nuclear energy reactors, a cornerstone of Duttons energy policy for 2025. Nuclear waste will also be a major challenge for future governments as they inherit radioactive waste from AUKUS submarines. The intergenerational fear of radioactive contamination and distrust of government is fuelling community opposition, particularly among some traditional landowners, to a potential nuclear energy industry here in Australia. And its why every proposal for a national nuclear waste repository across the country has, so far, failed. It is little acknowledged that Australias nuclear story is largely an Indigenous one. It starts in the 1950s, when radioactive fallout from bomb tests silently settled over Aboriginal communities that were not adequately protected by the government of the day. It encompasses the very beginning of the nuclear cycle: the mining of uranium, to its end the storage of nuclear waste. W hen Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposed nuclear energy reactors on almost every mainland state last year, he reignited divisive public debate. Its a debate Indigenous Australians are likely to be at the heart of. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Operation Totem was the first of two major nuclear weapons tests conducted by the British in Emu Field, signed off by the Menzies government. It was the 1950s, the beginning of the Cold War. Britain was developing its nuclear capabilities and the Australian outback was the perfect location with its vast remoteness. Nana recalls a very strong stench to it like a really oily toxic smell and that oil had fallen over the plants, you know, over the trees. Within hours, oranges withered. So, nana mob were digging holes in the sand dunes and trying to bury the children and hide them and protect them. What Yami and his family peered up at were the remnants of a giant mushroom cloud from a nuclear weapons test in Emu Field, about a six hour-drive south-west of Walatina. That morning was when they felt the ground shake, and the black mist roll. And one thing many of my old people had spoken about was the fact that this black mist rolled silently, so it came with no wind or no, you know, picking up sticks and leaves and grasses. And it didnt come with a noise like dust storms do. It travelled silently. And it was that that was the real fear. They knew how country operated and worked. But this one was very different. Lester is describing a special part of the South Australian outback, a 12-hour drive north of Adelaide, where her father, Yami Lester, worked for pastoralists. But on October 15, 1953, Yami, who was only a young boy at the time, playing in the dunes noticed something above. With Dads eyesight, it was a gradual process, Lester says. By three, four years after 53 he was completely blinded, then, by those nuclear tests. So there was a lot of fear, there was a lot of sickness. And there werent a lot of answers of what the hell happened in 1953. Aboriginal people were not the only victims. Aircrews flew through radioactive clouds and scientists walked around sites with minimal protective clothing, sometimes none at all. It was tough as it was there, being in 1953, working on a pastoral property, let alone trying to understand what government of the day was going to do, says Lester. And then, all of a sudden, experience what happened, without any control or knowledge or understanding. Decades later, in 1985, the McClelland Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia concluded that: Inadequate resources were allocated to guaranteeing the safety of Aboriginal people. Commissioners concluded the one native patrol officer on duty had an impossible task of locating and warning Aboriginal people scattered over more than 100,000 square kilometres. Within hours of that toxic fallout, people became really sick There was panic because that oily sort of black mist rolling put people into panic. And then, of course, peoples eyes became really sore and red and pussy. Nana had skin rashes on her shins, people became really sick, like a lot of the elderly. Emu Field was the location of just two of 12 major weapons trials across Australia, and hundreds of minor trials until the 1960s. Some nuclear bombs had a kiloton yield as large as that of Hiroshima. Britain agreed to contribute 20 million towards a $100 million clean-up of Maralinga, the largest and most used site, and modest clean-up efforts were undertaken at the other sites. The Australian government paid $13.5 million to the Indigenous people of Maralinga as compensation for contamination of the land. And theres not really a lot of data around the health of people. If you look back in clinic records, perhaps at Yalata, or even Oak Valley, there was a period of time that there was a high spike for thyroid cancers. And people have passed now. In Woomera, 600 kilometres downwind of the tests, is a grave where 23 stillborn babies delivered in the years following the tests are buried, according to a class action case against the British Ministry of Defence . The government commissioned a study in the 1990s into the link between Australias nuclear testing, including that at Emu Field, and the number of cancer cases among mostly military personnel. It didnt establish a direct link between cancer cases and radiation exposure, but the study did find the mortality and cancer rate were higher than that of the general population. It was something that I always miss, Lester says. That hed never really seen me grow up, he saw me in a different way of growing up with his disability, of course. Yami dedicated his life to Aboriginal activism. His case was pivotal to the McClelland royal commission, although the commission could not link radiation to health issues, including establishing the cause of Yamis blindness. Yami died, aged 75, in 2017. And the solution that you put on the table constantly to First Nations peoples is stick it in your traditional lands. No, we say no to nuclear waste, full stop. Lester has, like her father, dedicated her adult life to activism. In 2023 , she represented the Australian wing of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, at the United Nations in New York. She says she will be at the forefront of community opposition. Our government of the day has a level of responsibility. It is negligent of them to be sticking waste out in community that they think is out of sight, out of mind. Like the industry has completely outdone itself, like yes, it does all these amazing things. But you havent worked out your waste solution. When Dutton announced plans for a nuclear reactor on nearly every mainland state, Lester felt fearful again. It came on top of bipartisan support for the AUKUS deal, which locks Australia into storing high-level nuclear waste. Whats going to happen when you have agreements like the AUKUS agreement? Lester says. You know, its a real fear for us ... the waste of, you know, the UK and the US coming to potentially South Australia, or anywhere in Australia. Royal commissioner James McClelland (right) at a campsite at Wallatinna station where elder Kanytji (centre) viewed the fallout cloud of the Totem 1 test at Emu field in 1953. Credit: Charlton Because we still go digging for witchetty grubs, and we go eating the animals like goannas and perenties, and turkeys, and, you know, we still practise those things because thats part of our Anangu culture. So its the unknown, that is the fear for us. The government nuclear safety watchdog says it conducts regular safety checks and is committed to building trust with Maralinga Tjarutja peoples to feel confident to live on and engage with their land. But Lester says that trust may take a while to build. Theres a whole lot of data missing around the safety of our environment and our traditional lands [in Emu Field]. And so, you know, we need to look at the path of where Totem 1 had fallen over, which is Walatina, and how safe is it there? You know: whats in the dust, whats in the soil? Whats in our waters? How safe are our trees? A spokesperson from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) told this masthead that, Emu Field, Walatina and Maralinga have been returned to traditional owners following extensive radiation monitoring and assessment. The risks posed by the residual contamination at Emu Field was considered in the mid-1990s and found to be negligible. Duttons nuclear vision When Dutton unveiled his nuclear plans in June, Nationals leader, David Littleproud congratulated him on committing to the long-held view of the Nationals party that nuclear power was a source of reliable energy and a way of reducing emissions. Last month, the Coalition revealed its costings. Opposition climate change and energy spokesman Ted OBrien claimed the Coalitions energy plan would cost about $331 billion by 2050, 44 per cent less than Labors plan. Peter Dutton announces the Coalitions nuclear plan with Liberal MPs Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley. Credit: Rhett Wyman This is rejected by the government and scientists, with CSIROs research showing that nuclear power is still about 50 per cent more expensive than renewables, and would take at least 15 years to develop, years longer than Duttons projections. And the nuclear waste question that had dominated AUKUS-related news in the months prior cropped up again. The intractable problem with nuclear energy is its byproduct, radioactive waste, specifically spent nuclear fuel, which contains high-level radioactive waste that is toxic to humans for tens of thousands of years. The Albanese government has committed to disposing of nuclear waste from AUKUS submarines, assuring the public that process wont begin until the 2050s, when the reactor from the first of the boats will be due to be decommissioned. Dutton leans on this in his nuclear energy proposal, suggesting it can safely piggyback on the AUKUS commitment. The prime minister signed up to the nuclear submarines and therefore sent a very clear message to Australians that there are no safety concerns about the latest technology in relation to nuclear, he says. The government signed up to disposing waste, including end-of-life reactors, under the AUKUS agreement. If Duttons projections are correct, hell have his first nuclear plant up and running by 2037, with all the others completed by 2050. So his first nuclear plant will be producing high-level waste from 2037. Thats several tonnes a year being produced for 13 years before high-level waste from nuclear-powered submarines will need storage. (The government will, however, have to safely dispose of low-level waste from maintenance of submarines after it acquires them in the 2030s. It says it will store all low-level waste thats mostly cleaning materials, filters, resins and disposable clothing on Defence sites in Australia.) Ted OBrien told this masthead that the Coalition plans to temporarily store spent fuel on site of power plants, consistent with standard practice around the world, before being transported to a permanent waste repository, where spent fuel from AUKUS nuclear submarines will also be stored. Although an election is due this year and theoretically the Coalition could find itself in power, he said responsibility for locating a permanent site would lie with the Albanese government. We stand ready to co-operate constructively, he said. Finland is one of the few countries in the world preparing to open deep underground storage sites, while the rest of the world tends to store its waste above ground, on site, and in large containers. The newest nuclear reactor on Olkiluoto, Finland. Thats what Australia does. It stores some of its low and intermediate-level nuclear waste at Lucas Heights, the Sydney suburb home to the countrys only nuclear reactor. Now a radioactive medicine factory, it produces products such as the dye injected into patients for scans to monitor cancers. Australia has accumulated about 5000 cubic metres of intermediate radioactive waste, about two Olympic-sized swimming pools, and five more pools worth of low-level waste. And while commercial companies such as Tellus Holdings are now accepting low-level hazardous waste in deep geological repositories with the consent of local Aboriginal people, the federal government has failed to secure a centralised national waste repository of its own. The Commonwealth government has been struggling for 20 years to find a site for permanent storage of low-level waste, says Ian Lowe, emeritus professor at the School of Environmental Science at Griffith University in Queensland. He has dedicated his life to studying energy supply and sustainability, and has written books on nuclear technology and its role in the energy mix. Lowe says that the nuclear energy reactors Dutton wants built will produce high-level nuclear waste, requiring disposal in deep geological layers, several hundred metres underground. Even transporting low-level waste to a centralised repository is not without some risk. It is fair to say, though, there have been very few accidents that I know of, involving contamination of local areas by accidents with transport of radioactive waste. I dont know of any accidents where the transport of waste has been compromised by an accident leading to local contamination. And there is a distinction between nuclear fallout from bomb tests and nuclear waste here, too. Nuclear waste, stored hundreds of metres underground and managed safely, poses much less risk of contamination than the very immediate fallout from nuclear weapons tests like at Emu Field, or even in the worst-case scenario, a nuclear reactor blowing up. Proponents of a nuclear industry argue the benefits outweigh the negatives. Those benefits include: life-saving cancer treatment from nuclear medicine and reliable, emissions-free energy for Australias energy grid. Newer technology, namely small modular reactors (included in Duttons policy proposal), promises safer, smaller and more efficient production, but doesnt yet exist. But its Lester and regional communities who are likely to find themselves at the centre of the debate, out in the far-flung regional towns, living in and with deep connections to the kinds of places governments have previously favoured as locations for waste disposal sites. We have a powerful relationship with the ground and with the land and with the environment and with the animals. Thats the bottom line. And thats why Anangu often speak strongly about protection of that country, and no to nuclear waste, whether its medical waste, whether its waste from power. We say no to any nuclear waste because of the risk that it gives to our country, that gives us what we need, as First Nations peoples across our country, Lester says. Karina Lester and her daughter say no to nuclear waste. Credit: Jesse Boylan The Indigenous community is permanently scarred by the experience of the bomb tests in rural South Australia and the harm that came to some people as a result of those. And every proposal by the Commonwealth government for a low-level waste storage has been resisted by the local Indigenous community, says Lowe. So if we began to set up a site to manage intermediate level waste and high-level waste in the long term, there will have to be very delicate and sensitive negotiations with Indigenous communities to get their permission for an activity like that on their land. The Kimba decision There have been numerous attempts at establishing a national nuclear waste repository in Australia since the late 1990s. The most recent failed nuclear waste depository was in Kimba, a five-hour drive north-west of Adelaide and with a population of just over 1000. The Kimba proposal became a bureaucratic nightmare, spanning eight years and rife with community divisiveness. In 2020, a site was chosen just west of Kimba, called Napandee. The then resources minister, Matt Canavan, promised the facility would create 45 new jobs and would give the community a fund of $31 million. The Kimba story is a microcosm of the nuclear debate raging today; those who advocated for the waste repository argued along the familiar lines of economic opportunity and long-term community survival. Its what local business owner Megan Lienert reminded the Senate committee panel into the site selection process in 2018. I realise that we are vulnerable. Kimba has changed a lot over the past 30 years, decreasing in size and population with currently well over 40 houses publicly for sale. Farms are getting bigger using less employees and small businesses are finding it tougher. The realisation by more of the community that Kimba cannot continue to rely on just agriculture in the low rainfall area for its long-term survival is strong motivation to explore every opportunity, Lienert told the panel. The site of Napandee was chosen, following a community ballot result of more than 60 per cent in favour. The only catch was that, of the more than 700 locals who voted, none were traditional owners of the land, the Barngarla people. Traditonal owners oppose the Kimba dump site. Credit: AAP The Barngarla people fell outside the local council area and were therefore exempt from voting. In a short video posted online at the time, Barngarla elders expressed their concerns about the site selection process, about the generations to come and being treated like the flora and fauna of the country. Canavan acknowledged opposition among the Barngarla people and said: We will work with traditional owners to protect culture and heritage, and to maximise economic opportunities and outcomes for local Aboriginal communities near the future facility. The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation then mounted a legal challenge to the federal governments plan. Nick Llewellyn-Jones, a principal at Norman Waterhouse law firm in Adelaide, led the Barngarlas case to victory in the Federal Court last year. I think our clients felt there was a very strong desire to push it through no matter what, he says. Justice Natalie Charlesworth found there had been apprehended bias in the decision-making process under Canavans successor then-Nationals minister Keith Pitt. Llewellyn-Jones says exclusion from the ballot was just one of the claims the court considered. It also considered the federal governments attempt to remove the Barngarlas right to judicial review. There was a very strong desire to push it through no matter what, and whether that was, how they structured the ballot, whether that was starting construction work before the court case was resolved, whether that was trying to pass legislation to remove any court challenge to it. This was part of a broader mentality about pushing this project through come hell or high water, and, in fact, it was that mentality which actually, largely led to the court result in a way because that was what led to [the] apprehension of bias finding. In 2023, the Albanese Labor government announced it would not appeal against the Federal Courts decision. Opponents of the Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump. Credit: Eddie JIm Challenges ahead Australias almost 40-year-history of failed nuclear waste development proposals is less than encouraging for the Coalitions hopes of a nuclear energy future. There have been decades of development proposals for a centralised, national nuclear waste repository in states and territories across the country, including Woomera in South Australia in 2004, Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory in 2014, Flinders Ranges in South Australia in 2019, and most recently Kimba. Not one proposal has succeeded. Loading Many have been met by Aboriginal opposition, and involved concerning tactics by successive governments to rush developments, entice vulnerable communities with large funds, override state laws or, in the case of Kimba, attempt to legislate a site directly without judicial review. In the early 2000s, Julie Bishop, then federal science minister, said Northern Territory proposal sites were some distance from any form of civilisation. Years before that, her predecessor Brendan Nelson said: Why on earth cant people in the middle of nowhere have low-level and intermediate level waste? The failed Kimba project highlights the overwhelming challenge for governments after nearly a decade spanning three ministers, of site assessment and selection, landowner and community consultation and consent, Senate committee hearings and inquiries, legal challenges at state and local levels and countless regulatory hurdles. Loading And thats just for a waste repository, at the end of the nuclear fuel cycle, let alone the infrastructure planning needed for a nuclear energy reactor itself. Dutton says he wants this years election to be a referendum on energy. Lawyer Llewelleyn-Jones says the key will be to take legitimate interests into account. I think people are going to be very pro nuclear, and people are going to be very anti-nuclear and people are going to be in the middle of it. The difficulty in a debate like this isnt necessarily working out whos right. The difficulty in a debate like this is creating a structure where peoples rights dont get sacrificed by one side or the other, he says. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the refined and polished corridors of the Federal Court, a quiet change has occurred that could flip financial crime prosecutions on their head. In June 2024, the court received new powers to hear criminal cases brought against people accused of breaking laws overseen by the corporate watchdog, including allegations against dodgy company directors and fraudsters. For over a century, criminal matters have been conducted only in the Supreme Courts of each state, or in the District Courts of Sydney and Brisbane, and in Melbournes County Court, before juries. Now those cases will be heard in a court that has to borrow a line from one of Australias most famous fictional lawyers, Dennis Denuto a very different vibe. While most Australians and large cohorts of the legal community are unaware of the change, the court is already at work. Last year, two men former Berndale Capital Securities bosses Stavro DAmore and Daniel Kirby were committed to stand trial in the Federal Court before a jury for dishonesty and misuse of client funds offences. The court has also taken its first-ever guilty plea, from Kirby. The new power for the Federal Court to hear criminal matters marks a considerable change for a court that is usually the home of the countrys biggest civil cases often between companies, and sometimes their regulators based on pointy issues of law relating to commercial matters, competition and taxation, as well as a small but extremely high-profile defamation list. The jurisdictional shift has split opinions in legal circles. Some experts and criminal law practitioners are concerned about the courts readiness to hear such important cases due to a lack of depth in the current bench which is geared towards the courts current focus on commercial law and the risk of forum shopping. Advertisement The Federal Court itself does not hold such reservations, according to Chief Justice Debra Mortimer, who tells this masthead her court stands ready to hear such cases. The court has the experience and expertise to handle any cases committed to this court, says Mortimer. Federal Court Chief Justice Debra Mortimer. There are a number of judges with extensive criminal expertise (including one of the new appointments), and many judges with subject-matter expertise, she says, referring to the eight new judicial appointments announced in December. She says appropriate judges with criminal expertise and subject-area specialists will hear appeals. So far as state courts are concerned, many judges in state courts conduct criminal proceedings, although they may never have practised in that area, nor have subject-matter expertise. Many such judges become well-regarded by the profession and their judicial colleagues as trial and appellate judges in criminal jurisdiction. Its not a view that is widely shared in the legal community. Advertisement Leading criminal defence lawyer Bill Doogue says the changes seem unnecessary and could cause unforeseen problems. Theres obviously some very smart people in the Federal Court, but theyre not people who have spent decades standing in front of juries and criminal trials, and they dont understand that, Doogue says. They might be able to grasp it in an intellectual sense, but setting up parallel systems and having one thats already really doing its job well just seems unnecessary. Bill Doogue is one of Victorias leading criminal lawyers. Credit: Chris Hopkins The reality is that most of the commercial judges might have dabbled with a bit of drink-driving when they first went to the bar, but they havent spent decades running big cases, and they dont understand the nuances. Increasing the Federal Courts powers has been on the agenda of the court and legislators for more than a decade. In 2009, the court won the power to hear criminal cartel cases brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Anticipating a wave of cases, jury rooms were built in every Commonwealth courthouse. The ACCCs spectacular run of losses with its criminal cartel cases, however, left many of those jury facilities underused. Advertisement Following the bruising Hayne banking royal commission in 2018, the Morrison government decided to beef up the courts powers further in expectation of a wave of criminal cases being brought against bad bankers in the years that followed. Yet, the flurry of criminal cases against bankers and their employers expected after the royal commission did not eventuate. Loading By the time the Albanese government passed the changes in the discreetly titled omnibus legislation, the Attorney-Generals Portfolio Miscellaneous Measures Bill 2023, there was so little trumpeting about the changes that the consultation on the draft laws drew just a handful of submissions. One of these submissions came from the Law Council of Australia, which listed a range of concerns, including: The nondescript title of the bill, which does not make reference to the Federal Court, may mean that interested stakeholders are unaware of the bills potential implications. The powerful body and the voice of the legal profession was also concerned about the uncertainty surrounding how the measures would operate in practice, including the depth of the bench in terms of criminal-court experience and the potential for differences in practices and procedures at the Federal Court to create the risk of forum shopping by prosecutors or defendants looking for a preferred system and a desired outcome. Council president Greg McIntyre, SC, says it is closely monitoring how the changes will work in practice. McIntyre says the council had previously identified a risk of there being insufficient numbers of Federal Court judges with experience running complex criminal jury trials. Advertisement This challenge is potentially exacerbated if there are criminal appeals within the existing full Federal Court system, he says. Law Council of Australia president Greg McIntyre says the organisation is keeping a close eye on how the Federal Court handles its expanded role hearing criminal cases. We understand that the Federal Court is alive to this concern and has sought to address this in recent appointments, and we will continue to monitor how this potential limitation is managed in practice. McIntyre also says the Law Council of Australia recognises that the final form of the 2024 reforms includes measures to limit forum shopping. This includes a requirement that the court must have regard to the interest of justice in considering whether to make an order to transfer proceedings to another court. At the time, we were concerned that insufficient thought had been given to ensuring that the intended policy objectives of greater efficiency would be realised in practice, McIntyre told this masthead. The courts chief justice also plays down the risk of forum shopping. The Federal Court shares jurisdiction with the state courts in relation to many areas of practice, such as defamation, commercial and corporations work. This is no different, Mortimer says when asked about the risk. Advertisement Is Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo that went viral last year, really worth enduring the enshittification of social media? When I first joined social media, my feed was filled with what my friends were up to now X is dominated by the ravings of Elon Musk, Facebook has been taken over by unhinged suggested posts from groups I have no interest in, and my Instagram feed has been hijacked by AI videos of capybaras taking baths. Baby hippo Moo Deng plays with a zookeeper in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. Credit: AP Why is the highly mysterious and supposedly well-tuned algorithm serving me video after video of depictions of South American rodents in the tub? My closest guess is because a woman I went to high school with wrote a childrens book where the main character is, you guessed it, a capybara, and I liked her post. Macquarie Dictionary picked up this trend when it named its 2024 word of the year enshittification, defined as the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking. It was about 4:30 a.m. when Courtney Vesely realized her beloved dogs, Bodhi and Wilson, were missing from her garage last October just southwest of Lincoln. She isnt sure how the two escaped, but Vesely and her family began the long search process with broken hearts. Vesely first tried contacting the Capital Humane Society, Animal Control and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. A few hours later, she and her daughter spotted Bodhi, their shepherd dog, running alongside the highway, but the whereabouts of Wilson, their black flat-coated retriever, were still a mystery. Hoping that someone would spot Wilson, Vesely turned to social media for help, including posting pictures on Nextdoor and Facebook. The community has been insanely helpful and so gracious, said Vesely, who is still searching for Wilson. Weve had multiple people reach out and they actually had a search party for him. We had people come pick up flyers and disperse them for us. Like Vesely, more people are increasingly turning to social media to find their lost pets in addition to turning to more traditional avenues, like checking in with animal shelters, even as reunions often remain hard to come by. But the low number of missing pets actually reclaimed at places they often end up, like the Capital Humane Society, is leading to capacity issues. Last year, 3,363 lost pets were brought into the Humane Society from Lancaster County and surrounding areas. Of those, 56% of lost dogs and 11% of lost cats were reclaimed. The Humane Society, which operates the Pieloch Pet Adoption Center in southeast Lincoln, is feeling the effects, especially when it comes to the number of missing dogs left unclaimed, leading to capacity issues. After a steady decline for 10 years, the center's number of dogs skyrocketed a couple of years after the pandemic, Executive Director Matt Madcharo said. Even though intake has kind of leveled out or become more consistent the amount of lost dogs getting claimed by their owners is way, way down, Madcharo said. City ordinances require pets found inside the city limits and impounded to be reclaimed within 72 hours. Pets outside of Lincoln are required to be held for five days. At the shelter, Madcharo said theyve extended that timeline by an extra day. Most lost dogs are claimed within the first 24 to 48 hours, Madcharo said. After about 48 hours, the likelihood significantly falls off. When pets are left unclaimed, the Humane Society then accepts ownership of the pets. Madcharo said animals will go through behavior and medical assessments, which determines if the pets will be adopted, released to another animal welfare organization, fostered or humanely euthanized if their health or temperament makes them unsuitable for the other options. About eight years ago, Madcharo said the Humane Society had anywhere from 63-68% of dogs reunited with owners. Over the past couple of years, he said that percentage has dropped. Madcharo cant say exactly why fewer animals are being claimed but cited increased living costs and the fact that many people had more time to spend at home with their pets during the pandemic. He also believes owners are relying on social media too much to find lost pets. Sometimes people think all they have to do is maybe put the post on one of those groups and theyre going to find their animal, Madcharo said. I think to an extent, people have become less proactive in looking for their lost pets. While some groups have thousands of members, Madcharo said many posts get buried due to the sheer number of people posting and the large variety of groups. Bloom, a 2-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is microchipped, but was never retrieved by her owner after being dropped off at the Humane Society. Bloom has been at the shelter since September, waiting to be adopted after being left unclaimed. While Bloom is very lovable and filled with energy, Natsumi Rosenau, the lead adoption counselor at the Humane Society, said that isnt the case for all unclaimed pets. Some kind of shut down and then they act really timid, scared and nervous, Rosenau said. Others kind of show mild aggression because theyre so scared and theyre surrounded by strangers." Sara Cobb, an administrator of the Facebook group, Lincoln Nebraska and Surrounding Areas Lost and Found Pets, is helping reunite families with their lost pets. When someone finds a stray animal, Cobb encourages checking the license tag, taking the animal to a vet, calling Animal Control, creating flyers and posting pictures and descriptions on social media. While Cobb doesnt keep track of how many pets her group has reunited, she said they are more successful when pets have a microchip. The small electronic chips hold a unique identification number that can be searched on an online registry. Both Animal Control and the Humane Society attempt to reach owners of animals with a microchip, but that doesnt guarantee the animal will return home. Jessica Scott posted on social media about her missing 2-year-old Great Pyrenees, Moses, but shes also been working tirelessly on searching her acreage just outside of Lincoln and surrounding areas. In addition to passing out flyers and contacting every pet groomer nearby, Scott has also placed signs at major intersections, hired a woman with tracking canines and hired someone with a thermal drone. I feel like Im kind of in a maintenance period where Ive done everything I could do, Scott said. Despite not having any credible leads since Moses' disappearance in November, Scott said she still believes hes alive. I always think that one day, maybe Ill see him again. Maybe hell just show up at our house, but I'm also trying to not drive myself crazy by managing expectations, Scott said. If he does come back, or we find him, Ill just be over the moon. She's also considered that Moses might've been stolen, even if by accident. Scott said that sometimes people will find a pet wandering around and choose to keep it rather than finding the owners. Cats are less likely to be found because city ordinances allow them to roam freely as long as they are wearing a current city pet license tag and have been spayed or neutered. Madcharo said cats are also less likely to be reclaimed by their owners. Last year, only 218 felines were reclaimed from the Humane Society. After Dylyn Fry noticed her 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat named Pickles was missing, she set up trail cameras and traps around the property in northeast Lincoln in hopes of finding the cat. Im worried that somebody has her, Fry said. Shes fairly timid, but shes also definitely the friendliest of the sisters. Shes a lot more willing to come to people, I just dont know how she would react around a stranger because shes never really been around one. Fry has alerted her cats microchip service and visited the Humane Society daily in hopes of finding Pickles. They say you should go every three days, but I dont want to risk it and I dont want her there if she does get picked up, Fry said. I dont want her there long, just because I feel like shes probably already traumatized. While pet reclaims might be at a low, Cobb said her Facebook group is determined to keep finding pets and reuniting them with their families, no matter the length of time. And when those reunions do happen, she cries tears of joy for the families and pets. Especially the longer theyre gone because people start to give up hope, Cobb said. You cant help but be happy for people when they find them. Los Angeles: Firefighters raced to contain the frontiers of two Los Angeles bushfires that burnt for the sixth straight day, taking advantage of a brief respite in hazardous conditions before high winds were expected to fan the flames anew. At least 24 people have died in what California Governor Gavin Newsom said could be the most devastating natural disaster in US history, one that has destroyed thousands of homes and forced 100,000 people to evacuate. A car drives past homes and vehicles destroyed by the Palisades fire at the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates. Credit: AP Among those killed was Rory Sykes, an Australian man with cerebral palsy who was born blind. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his condolences to the Sykes family after the 32-year-old was killed when the Palisades fire tore through the Malibu cottage he lived in near his mother Shelleys home. She told ABC News her son had locked the door, and by the time she had found a fire crew to help, the cottage had burnt. Lohri The Lohri festival, marking the culmination of the cold season, is celebrated with zest every where. Children go from door to door to collect subscriptions for the community bonfires. When the fires are lit at night, the young and old gather round the flaming fires throwing parched grain, coins and other offerings into these with gusto. Gay dancing at the venues goes on for hours. Holi On the occasion of the Holi festival, Muslims and Sikhs join Hindus in spraying friends with pails of coloured water. This spring festival, replete with revelry, last three days in the cities and villages. Navaratri During Navratri, Jammu is crowded with pilgrims on the way to or returning from the shrine. The city wears a festive look, with pilgrims carrying staves and wearing mauli (yellow and red thread) garlands and amulets. Baisakhi Melas are held in the city and principal towns on Baisakhi or New year day. Bhangra and other dances rendered by troupes are enjoyed by the people. Ramnavami This festival is celebrated by the people of Jammu. Processions are taken out - the centre of attention being tableaux, presenting scenes from the Epic, Ramayana. Shivratri It is a three-day festival in Jammu and is celebrated with eclat at Purmandal, Billavar and Jhandi. The shrine of Shiv Khori is visited by pilgrims on this occasion. Diwali is a gay occasion in the Province, as in rest of India. Gurpurabs The Gurpurabs, especially Guru Ravi Das's birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jammu city. Public meetings follow Kirtans and Bhajans. Tihar It is an interesting festival observed in Bhadarwah and Kishtwar in the months of Chaitra (March-April). Springs and baulis receive a spring-cleaning and this is followed on the next day by worship of nagas (serpents), to whom rice and floral offerings are made. Samkrant or the beginning of a month (in Bikrami era) is regarded as a sacred day by Hindus. Women bathe in rivers and observe a day's fast. Likewise, Guru Nanak's birthday, Navroz, Id, Buddha Jayanti , Mahavir Jayanti , Gandhi Jayanti and Christmas are also celebrated here as in other parts of the country, providing opportunities for the expression of good fellowship among various communities and castes. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe A joint operation between the RNLI and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) helped save the lives of a pair of dolphins in Blacksod Bay on Saturday evening. Ballyglass RNLI'S inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard after receiving a call to assist volunteer members of the local Mayo IWDG who were responding to the two stranded dolphins. With a risk to human life due to fading light, fog and dangerous terrain, the three-strong RNLI volunteer crew of PJ Walker, Kayley Geraghty and Brandon Geraghty launched the inshore lifeboat at Saleen Harbour soon after 5pm and were on scene at Ardmore in Blacksod Bay within minutes. It was decided to relocate the common dolphins to deeper waters in the bay after which the ILB escorted the IWDG member, who had been assisting the effort from a canoe, safely back to port. Camilla Galbiati came to Ireland initially to improve her English over 12 years ago, but as is often the case, fate had other plans for her. Camilla is from a little town in between Bergamo and Milan in Italy, and after studying foreign languages and literature at university, came to Ireland to au pair to improve her English before possibly pursuing a Master's. While here she met her now husband and decided to move here. Covid-19 proved to be a turning point in her career too Camilla had worked in a bakery in Sligo for eight years but wanted to go back to her language roots and set up her online teaching business, 2Lang Italiano and English, and returned to her passion of writing. Now a published author, Camilla feels like she is pursuing her dream while finding a work/life balance. We met in Tubbercurry to chat about her journey to where she is now. Angelina: Camilla, thanks so much for chatting to me. Tell me a little bit about your background. Camilla: Im from a little town about 30 kilometres from Bergamo, in between Bergamo and Milan. Its a beautiful area really with so much history. I studied foreign languages and literature at the University of Bergamo. But then, like a lot of people at that age, I wasnt sure if I wanted to continue with a Masters or not. I thought, 'Ill go somewhere where I can improve my English and get even better', and thats what brought me here to Ireland. I decided to go au pairing because it was the easiest thing to do when youre 22 and want to go somewhere new but dont want to feel completely alone. I found a lovely family in Sligo Town and moved there to au pair for them. It was supposed to be just six months, but things took a turn for the better. I met my husband in one of the pubs in Sligo toward the end of those six months. The rest is history. Ive been here 12 years now. Angelina: Why did you decide to study foreign languages and literature at university? Was it something you were always interested in? Camilla: Yes, in Italy when you go to secondary school, its not like here where you just go to the nearest one. There are different types of schools, and you choose based on your skills and interests. Theres a school for languages, and thats the one I picked because I was always good at them. It seemed like the obvious choice at the time. After secondary school, I went on to university to study foreign languages and literature because it always fascinated me. I stuck with it because I enjoyed it. Now, years later, Im actually using that degree, which is amazing. Angelina: So when you moved to Ireland, what happened? Did you have a plan for what you wanted to do? Camilla: Oh, no plan at all! When I decided to stay in Ireland, I was just trying to find my feet. I was looking for work for months, but nobody would hire me. I was young, Italian, and nobody really knew me, so it was hard. Eventually, I got lucky and found a job in a French bakery in Sligo Town. I worked there for eight years, starting out on the counter and eventually becoming the manager. I loved the people I worked with, and the customers were so nice. But after Covid, I just started feeling like, 'I cant do this anymore.' I was getting older, I was tired, and I wanted to do something that used my degree. So, I took the leap and set up my own business. Angelina: Tell me about the business Camilla? Camilla: I set up an online teaching business called 2Lang Italiano and English, where I teach Italian and English. For Italian, I work with English-speaking people who want to learn the language for travel, work, or personal interest. For English, I help Italian studentsboth adults and kids. The adults usually need it for work, and the kids often need help with grammar or school assignments. The best part is that its all online, so I can connect with students from anywhere. For example, I had a friend in Japan who wanted to improve her English conversation skills, and I helped her too. Angelina: Has the business grown much since you started? Camilla: Yes, it has. A lot of my students come through word-of-mouth. If someone enjoys the lessons, theyll recommend me to friends or family. I also get a lot of students through Instagram. I post videos and updates there, and people find me that way. Angelina: And youre using your degree? Camilla: It is great to be using it too. I spent years studying for that degree, so its nice to put it to good use. I enjoyed my time at the bakery, but the long hours, the busy days, and the daily commute to Sligoit just wore me out. Starting my own business has given me so much more flexibility. Angelina: And youre not just teaching, youre writing too, arent you? Camilla: Yes, having my own business has given me the time to focus on writing, which is something Ive loved since I was young. During the first lockdown in 2020, when the bakery was closed, I finally had the time to sit down and work on a novel. Id actually written a novel back when I was in college, but it wasnt great, to be honest. My friends had read it, though, and one of them asked me, 'Did you ever do anything with that novel?' That got me thinking. I decided to start fresh and write something completely new. Angelina: What inspired the story? Camilla: The idea came from the pandemic. In 2020, when Covid hit, Bergamo - where I studied - became the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy. It was devastating to watch, and I was so worried about my friends and family back home. One day, I read an article comparing Covid-19 to the plague of 1630. It mentioned that two villages in northern Italy had the highest death tolls during both the plague and Covid. That comparison fascinated me, and it gave me the idea for my book. The story is set partly in 2020 and partly in 1630 during the plague. It explores how people react to pandemics - fear, denial, superstition - and how those reactions havent really changed over the centuries. I also set it in Bergamo because its such a beautiful medieval town, and I know it so well. Angelina: What was the writing process like for you? Camilla: It was long and exhausting at times, but also really rewarding. Im not one of those writers who can sit down every day and write consistently. My ideas would come to me at random times while I was washing dishes, walking the dog, or driving to Sligo. Id have to keep repeating them in my head so I wouldnt forget! It took me about three years to finish the first draft, and even then, there were so many revisions. I gave the manuscript to a few friends and a local lady who loves reading, and they gave me great feedback. Eventually, I decided to self-publish because its so hard to get picked up by a traditional publisher. Angelina: What was it like to self-publish? Camilla: It was definitely a learning curve! When you self-publish, youre responsible for everything - editing, formatting, pricing, printing. I wanted the book to be high-quality, especially since I wanted to get it into local bookshops. I initially thought Id use Amazons print-on-demand service, but the quality wasnt what I wanted for a larger book like mine, which is 400 pages. So, I worked with a local printer instead, and the finished product turned out exactly how I wanted. Angelina: How did it feel to hold the finished book in your hands? Camilla: It was such a proud moment. I was so nervous in the weeks leading up to it. I didnt sleep well, worrying about potential mistakes or printing issues. But when the books arrived and I held one in my hands, it felt amazing. All the hard work was worth it. Angelina: And its widely available locally? Camilla: Yes, its available on my website www.camillagauthor.com and also on buythebook.ie and as an eBook on Amazon, Kobo and Apple Books. But local shops have been so supportive too The Castle Bookshop in Castlebar, Pangur Ban in Ballina, Tertulia and McLoughlins, and The Bookshop in Westport, Spar and Cawleys Hotel in Tubbercurry, Kennys in Galway, Winding Stairs in Dublin, The Reading Room in Carrick-on-Shannon and The Nenagh Bookshop in Nenagh all stock it, which is wonderful. It is so important to support local businesses and they support local authors like myself. Angelina: Do you think youll write another book? Camilla: Definitely. I already have an idea for a follow-up. It could work as a standalone story, but it ties into this one. Im also working on a short storybook for students learning Italian, which I hope to finish soon. Angelina: Looking back, are you happy you made the career change when you did? Camilla: Absolutely. It was scary at first, but its given me so much freedom and a better work-life balance. For example, in 2021, I was able to spend Christmas in Italy for the first time in eight years. That wouldnt have been possible when I was working at the bakery because it was such a busy time of the year there. A lot of my former bakery customers have been so supportive, too. When they saw the articles about my book, many of them went out and bought it. The people in Sligo are amazing like that. Angelina: What advice would you give to someone considering a big career change? Camilla: Dont let fear hold you back. Life is short, and its better to try and fail than to always wonder, 'What if?' later on. I was scared when I left the bakery because I had bills to pay, but I had the support of my husband and family, which made all the difference. Even with the book, I was afraid of criticism, but the feedback Ive received has been so lovely. Its a reminder that taking risks is worth it. There are few things more part of our identity than the cup of tea. In days of yore in the Ox Mountains, if a house had tea and sugar, there seemed little else could go wrong. The cup of tea served as everything from a cure for shock to an unrivalled thirst quencher to a way of spending time with a good friend. Funnily enough, tea is not such an Irish thing at all and stems from a time when we were part of the British Empire. Like many of our traditions, tea remained an old faithful long after the British had departed. How it all started The UK Tea and Infusion Association provides lots of information about tea and one of the first thing they tell us is that over 75 million cups of tea are consumed each day in the UK. Given our one in 10 ratios to all things UK related, and given that we are recognised as the worlds greatest tea drinkers, our daily intake is more likely in the region of eight million cups. One way or another, thats an awful lot of tea and begs the question, where did it all begin? The aforementioned Tea Association takes us right back to that first day. It seems it all started in China. The story of tea begins in China. According to legend, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water, when some leaves from the tree blew into the water. Shen Nung, a renowned herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created. The tree was a Camellia sinensis, and the resulting drink was what we now call tea. It is difficult to say whether there is any truth in this story, but tea drinking certainly became established in China many centuries before it had even been heard of in Europe. Containers for tea have been found in tombs dating from 206BC to 220AD. However, by 1000AD, tea became firmly established as the national drink of China An advertisement from the 1920s for tea. How tea spread In the second half of the 16th century, there are the first brief mentions of tea as a drink among Europeans. These are mostly from Portuguese who were living in Asia as traders and missionaries. However, it was not the Portuguese who were the first to ship tea commercially; this was done by the Dutch. By the turn of that century, the Dutch had established a trading post on the island of Java, and it was via Java that in 1606 the first consignment of tea was shipped from China to Holland. Tea soon became a fashionable drink among the Dutch, and from there spread to other countries in continental Europe. Interestingly, because of its high price at that time it remained a drink for the wealthy. Britain always maintained an independent stance when it came to sampling new trends. Since 1600, the British East India Company had a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe, and it is likely that sailors on these ships brought the first tea to Britain. According to The UK Tea & Infusion Association, it wasnt until the late 17th century that tea had its first mention in Britain. The first dated reference to tea in this country is from an advert in a London newspaper, Mercurius Politicus, from September 1658. It announced that 'China Drink, called by the Chinese, Tcha, by other Nations Tay alias Tee' was on sale at a coffee house in Sweeting's Rents in the City. The first coffee house had been established in London in 1652, and the terms of this advert suggest that tea was still somewhat unfamiliar to most readers, so it is fair to assume that the drink was still something of a curiosity. It was the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza that would prove to be a turning point in the history of tea in Britain. Catherine was a Portuguese princess, and a tea addict. It was her love of the drink that established tea as a fashionable beverage, first at court, and then among the wealthy classes. The East India Company took full advantage of this and began to import tea into Britain, its first order being placed in 1664. Irish Tea It is fair to assume, Ireland being part of the British Empire at the time, that the taste for tea arrived in Ireland in the early 18th century. eventually the fashion for this eastern pick-me-up filtered down from the upper classes to ordinary rural people. This trend was also assisted by the reduction in price that popularity, and a larger market, always brings. A century and a half later, Irish people were deprived of tea because of the difficulties experienced in importing tea during the war years. When war broke out the British government were forced to limit the amount of tea Irish merchants could buy, which led the Irish to go directly to the source for their supplies. The Irish taste for tea then took a different route to the British. We tend to drink our tea with lots of milk, as a result this requires a very strong tea, so strong in fact that it is said a fork could stand upright in a cup of proper Irish tea. Later again, after 1945, the Irish started importing tea from Kenya which provided this stronger tea. Lyons or Barrys Lyons Tea, not an original Irish company, is a brand belonging to Liptons Teas. It is now one of the two dominant tea brands in the market within the Republic of Ireland, along with Barry's Tea. Lyons Tea was first produced by J. Lyons and Co., a catering empire created and built by Salmons & Glucksteins, a German-Jewish immigrant family based in London. Starting in 1904, J. Lyons began selling packaged tea through its network of teashops. Soon after, they began selling their own brand Lyons Tea through retailers in the UK, Ireland and around the world. In 1921, they moved their tea factory to Greenford, west London. At that time, this factory was the largest tea factory in Europe. Barrys Tea was founded in 1901 by James J. Barry, grandfather of former Irish politician, Peter Barry. In 1934, Anthony Barry was awarded the Empire Cup for tea blending, confirming his expertise in the tea trade. Until the 1960s, Barrys teas were sourced mostly from India and Sri Lanka and were sold mainly from their shop in Cork. When their blends kept growing in popularity, they widened their wholesaling and distribution, expanding to the rest of the country. In 1960, Peter Barry, Anthonys son, pioneered the concept of wholesaling tea and began sourcing tea from East Africa. The bigger picture I never thought, in starting this article, that there was so much more to know about tea; who its grown, where it comes from and how, in the humblest cottages of the Ox Mountains, we came to enjoy it so much. There is the story of the great tea plantations and how tea is processed. There are the health benefits of tea and there are the endless varieties that are blended to give us that familiar taste that we now call 'Irish Tea'. And we have yet to find out how to brew the perfect cup of tea. More next week - we might even have tea on the bog. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Partly to variably cloudy skies overnight; more clouds (low clouds and fog off the ocean) points south and east from the I-95 corridor to the shore especially. A total lunar eclipse after midnight peaks around 2:30-3:30am. . Tonight Partly to variably cloudy skies overnight; more clouds (low clouds and fog off the ocean) points south and east from the I-95 corridor to the shore especially. A total lunar eclipse after midnight peaks around 2:30-3:30am. WASHINGTON Special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department after submitting his investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump, an expected move that comes amid legal wrangling over how much of that document can be made public in the days ahead. The department disclosed Smith's departure in a court filing Saturday, saying he resigned the prior day. The resignation, 10 days before Trump is inaugurated, follows the conclusion of two unsuccessful criminal prosecutions against Trump that were withdrawn following Trump's White House win in November. At issue now is the fate of a two-volume report that Smith and his team prepared about their twin investigations into Trump's efforts to overturn the results of his 2020 election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The Justice Department was expected to make the document public in the final days of the Biden administration, but the Trump-appointed judge who presided over the classified documents case granted a defense request to at least temporarily halt its release. Two of Trump's co-defendants in that case, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, argued that the release of the report would be unfairly prejudicial, an argument the Trump legal team joined. The department responded by saying that it would withhold from public release the classified documents volume as long as criminal proceedings against Nauta and De Oliveira remain pending. Though U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case last July, a Smith team appeal of that decision related to the two co-defendants remained pending. But prosecutors said they intended to proceed with the release of the election interference volume. In an emergency motion late Friday, they asked the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to swiftly lift an injunction from Cannon that barred them from releasing any portion of the report. They separately told Cannon on Saturday that she had no authority to halt the release of the report, but she responded with an order directing prosecutors to file an additional brief by Sunday. The push to release it before Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration reflects concerns that the Justice Department under the Trump administration, which will include members of his personal legal team in key leadership roles, would be in position to prevent the report from coming to light. The appeals court on Thursday night denied an emergency defense bid to block the release of the election interference report, which covers Trump's efforts before Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, to undo the results of the 2020 election. But it left in place Cannon's injunction that said none of the findings could be released until three days after the matter was resolved by the appeals court. The Justice Department told the appeals court in its emergency motion that Cannon's order was plainly erroneous. The Attorney General is the Senate-confirmed head of the Department of Justice and is vested with the authority to supervise all officers and employees of the Department," the Justice Department said. "The Attorney General thus has authority to decide whether to release an investigative report prepared by his subordinates." Justice Department regulations call for special counsels to produce reports at the conclusion of their work, and its customary for such documents to be made public no matter the subject. William Barr, attorney general during Trump's first term, released a special counsel report examining Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and potential ties to the Trump campaign. Biden's attorney general, Merrick Garland, also released special counsel reports, including about Bidens handling of classified information before Biden became president. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Explore the critical role of health care boards in shaping organizational culture, workforce development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Physician advocate and physical therapist Kim Downey and health care consultant Geoffrey Roche discuss how boards can drive systemic change, address workforce shortages, and prioritize career pathways to ensure long-term success in health care. Kim Downey is a physician advocate and physical therapist. Geoffrey Roche is a health care consultant. They discuss the KevinMD article, The duty of health system boards to prioritize organizational culture, workforce development, and career pathways. Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft. 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VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.kevinmd.com/cme Im partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Kim Downey. She is a physician advocate. We also welcome Jeffrey Roche. He is a health care consultant. The KevinMD article we are talking about is The duty of health system boards to prioritize organizational culture, workforce development, and career pathways. Kim and Jeff, welcome to the show. Kim Downey: Thanks, Kevin. Kevin Pho: Kim, how did you find Jeff, and what about his story resonated with you to bring him on KevinMD.com? Kim Downey: We connected on LinkedIn a while back this summer to have Jeffrey on with Dr. David Morris on my Stand Up for Doctors YouTube channel, and during our conversation Jeffrey posed this pivotal question, which is, Where are the boards? Where are they to care about these issues? And that was like a mic-drop moment for me because of all the conversations I have been having in this space for a couple of years, nobody had ever mentioned the boards. After our conversation, I thought, This was so awesome, and I wanted to talk about it more, and I wanted this conversation to have a bigger audience. So I said, I have an ideado you guys want to write an article? David, at the moment, did not have the bandwidth, but Jeffrey was like, Sure, and so we did it, and here we are. But I do want to pay tribute to Dr. David Morris and his wife, Olivia Morris, whom you have already had on, for their insights and contributions to this topic. Kevin Pho: All right. So, Jeffrey, tell us a little bit about your story, and then you could lead into your article for those who did not get a chance to read it. Jeffrey Roche: Yeah, so obviously, Kevin, thank you, and, Kim, so appreciative of you both and all the work that you do in this critical space. My story, obviously, is that I am the son of a nurse. I entered hospital administration back in 2008, served in hospital administration at a health care system in northeast Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2017, moved on from there after we were acquired as a system, and then I moved into academia and did similar work in the academic world. I was always involved in leadership, workforce development, partnerships, and such. While I was in health care, I worked for a great CEOa medical professional who happened to be a nurseand I learned a lot from her during that time around boards, because we had a very interesting board. Ultimately, I tell people our board is what led to us being acquired and ultimately led to a lot of things afterward that were not right for the community. And now I have the privilege of leading workforce development in North America, with a focus on the U.S. and Canada, for Siemens Healthineers, and I do a lot of other ecosystem work in the health care and education sector as well. Kevin Pho: All right. So, Jeffrey, tell us the role of the health care boards, whether it is for an academic facility or a hospital. For those who are not familiar with health care boards, tell us about who they are comprised of and what their roles are. Jeffrey Roche: Yeah, so obviously in the U.S. health care system, we have either for-profit or not-for-profit boards. In a for-profit situation, you have shareholders on the board, so if you think of organizations like Tenet or HCA, those are going to have shareholders. The not-for-profit sector, which is the larger share of our health care system, usually has boards of directors or boards of trustees. These boards generally govern themselves, are meant to be representative of the community, and generally do not necessarily have a significant amount of health care experience. In most cases, the chief of staff or the president of the medical staff (a physician) serves on the board, but other than that, there are usually very few people with clinical experience. These boards are responsible for hiring and firing the president and CEO of the system, and they are also responsible for all aspects of what they call fiduciary responsibility. That responsibility spans finance, strategic positioning, and more. I argueand this is what Kim and I argued in our articlethat it actually goes a little further than that. You do not have health care finance or health care strategy if you do not have people. So culture, recruitment, retention, career pathwaysthinking about your workforce and caring for them as your workforceis super important. Kim and I argue that boards should take ownership and hold the president and CEO and the executive team responsible and accountable. When we talk about burnout, I am sure you are familiar with the story of the nurse in Ohio named Tristan. She worked for a health care system in Ohio, and her burnout was so bad that it ultimately led to the end of her life. Her parents found a letter to the editor she wrote before her passing, and they later had it published. It is a very emotional letter. When you read it, you see a health care system that ignored what she was facingleaders that ignored exactly what she and others were experiencing. I remember posting that letter on LinkedIn when I first saw it, saying, When will boards wake up to the reality of these situations, and when will they tell the executive team, You need to own these things, or else we will hold you accountable?' This is truly life-or-death decision-making. As someone who has worked with boards in the health care system, I think there is a lot of work we must do to make them more representative and more effective in this arena. Kevin Pho: Kim, of course, it is well known that you talk to so many people across the health care spectrum about wellness and burnout, and you are certainly doing your bestyou are doing so much to help combat that. Now, before talking to Jeffrey, what did you hear about the role of hospital boards or academic institution boards in terms of influencing burnout, either positively or negatively? Kim Downey: I did not hear anything, and that was the thing: nobody was talking about boards. Doctors do not mention boards. Let me take a little pivot to share that, when you just said that, what I am thinking about is that in our last conversation, you asked me, When you talk to doctors about AI, what are they saying? But when I talk to doctors, they are not talking about AI. Doctors are talking about human things, their human struggles. They are not talking about boards, and they are not talking about AI in our private conversations. Kevin Pho: And, Kim, whether as a patient or as a physical therapist, there was no visible influence or interaction that you had with the boards of the various health care institutions or hospitals you dealt with, correct? Kim Downey: Correct. And I was thinking that when we get off of this call, I might send our letter to the editor to our local hospital. Kevin Pho: So, Jeff, what kind of influence do these boards have? What can they really do if we are talking about burnout specifically and how they need to take more responsibility? In practical terms, what changes or moves can hospital or medical institution boards make? Jeffrey Roche: Well, think of it from the vantage point that boards make the ultimate decision on hiring and firing the CEO, but they also have influence over the rest of the executive team. Generally, the executive team and leaders of the health care system, including physician leaders, serve on the board subcommittees. So if you think about the medical executive structure or the medical staff, as you heard me say, the president or chief of staff of the medical staff generally is on the board. One of the things I also argue is that there should be a nurse on the board. Every health system should have a nurse on the board, because nursing is the largest workforce in a health care system. I am not arguing that it has to be a current nurse, but if there is a current doctor on the board, why cannot there be a current nurse? I think that is a fair question. Now, in terms of what they can dolook, they set policies, standards, and strategies for the health care system. They are the ones looking out five, ten, or twenty years. I do not think you can look out five, ten, or twenty years without dealing with the current climate. So I believe, fiduciary-wise, I am not suggesting boards should micromanage, but I do believe it is fair for a board memberactually, I serve on a number of boards, though not a health system boardto be asking questions about culture, about burnout, about data. In fact, if I were on a health system board, I would be asking to meet with the staff. I would want to hear from them directly. When I worked at my regional community health care system, we had board membersone was a president and CEO of a local bankwho would meet with staff, and if he did not, his wife would, because she was well known in the community. Then he would bring issues to our CEO, and she would address them. She never saw it as micromanaging; she saw him as her governing partner. That is what a board should bea governing partner to the president and CEO. But to be effective, a board must be in touch with the workforce, because ultimately they also have responsibility for them. It is a human-centric model. Health care systems are among the largest workforces in a community. Generally, boards are made up of community leaders. I do not know how you could sleep at night being a CEO of a bank or a grocery store or some other business, while sitting on a health system board, and not know if there is burnout, stress, or really bad culture. To me, that is just unthinkable. Kevin Pho: Jeffrey, is that typically not happening from what you hear or see on LinkedIn in terms of a typical hospital board? Do they not have a nurse, do they not have that connection with the staff? What is typical out there? Jeffrey Roche: Less than three percent of our nations boards have a nurse on them. That alone tells you a lot. Another thing that I know Kim, David, and I talked about is how boards are often not representative of the communities they serve. Most health system boards are still dominated by older white males; they do not have the diversity that would help them truly represent their communities. One could argueand I havethat if we had boards that were more inclusive of the communities they serve, we might move the needle on health equity. They would be asking more challenging questions on the quality committee or patient safety committee. The same goes for gender diversity. Women dominate the health care workforce, yet they are not fully represented on the board. That is something we must address. I know we are at a time when people do not want to talk much about DEI, but in health care, you cannot avoid it. It is truly about advancing health equity and creating a culture where everyone feels recognized, appreciated, and valued. We have a lot of work to do with boards. Kevin Pho: How do boards typically include new members? How are they usually brought on? Jeffrey Roche: Typically, there is a governing process, and usuallyespecially on the not-for-profit side, which is where I am more familiarboard members are selected from a pool of people they already know. It is not generally an open, public process. Some boards will open it up by sending a letter to the local newspaper, welcoming individuals to submit applications, and then the boards governing committee might vet them, talk to them, etc. The president and CEO is usually asked to think about good candidates for the board, interviews them, prepares them, and so on. I would argue that, for example, in my former systemour CEO was a woman, a nurseshe worked intentionally to diversify the board. It was during her tenure, after over 100 years, that a woman finally joined the board. Think about that: 101 years, and it was the first time a woman got on the board. It was also the first time a higher-ed administrator joined the boardspecifically, a provost from a local community college. And the third thing she did was specifically bring in a leader of color. She said, We cannot keep doing the same thing. Her board chair was on board with that. So you can see the president and CEO wields significant influence. But if that CEO is ignoring culture and these issues, and the board chair is not really engaged, then you see how we end up in the situation we are in. The board basically replenishes itself from the same circles of influence. Think about this from another perspective: if I lived in the same region as Kim, she would be a perfect health system board memberher health system should be calling her right now and asking her to serve. She would bring that crucial human-centric perspective, along with her clinical background. We need people who actually understand health care on these boards. We also need people who understand why people matter. Kevin Pho: So Kim, after having this conversation with Jeffrey and David and learning how influential hospital boards are, how does this knowledge inform your conversations when you talk to other health care professionals about burnout or on your own podcast, now that you know about the influence of hospital and nonprofit boards? Kim Downey: Well, I am going to make sure we keep people at the center, which is the name of this episode, by the way, and it all boils down to that: you have to keep people at the center. If we would just do that, a lot of the other issues would fall into place. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Kim Downey and Jeffrey Roche. Kim is a physician advocate, and Jeffrey is a health care consultant. We are talking about The duty of health system boards to prioritize organizational culture, workforce development, and career pathways. Now I am going to ask each of you to share some take-home messages with the KevinMD audience. Kim, why dont you go first? Kim Downey: Sure. I want to talk about the human connection. I got to meet Jeffrey in person and give him a hug at the burnout symposium last month. David and Olivia Morris went from being LinkedIn connections to spending two weeks in Ireland, where I spent two days with them and their family. It was so nice. It is all about human connection and supporting each other. Let me share a few more messages from that episode featuring David and Jeffrey. David said, What we really need is people to start coming forward with solutions, driving with action, changing the culture, actively being on the ground and doing it. Jeffrey added, What I have always been reminded of is the power of relationships. There is nothing like a human-centered relationship, and I think that in many ways we have missed that in health care. It has become bigger, and we really need to get back to that human-centered connection. Then, when Jeffrey was speaking about health equity, David responded, Each one of those people is a person with a story that needs to be cared for, that needs to walk out the door feeling like they have had care, they have been able to heal or get something done that makes them better. It is not a widget factory, and we need to bring health care away from that. What I want to add is that we need to include doctors: they are also people with a story who need care. Doctors need to walk out the door feeling supported and able to make the difference they went to school for at least a decade of their lives to make. You have mentioned more than once, Kevin, that some of these issues have been discussed for years on your podcast. I feel like the ripples and waves are primed for a tsunamihopefully the positive kindfor changes in health care. We need action, and I want to be part of it. I am starting a group to discuss patient empathy and clinician well-being. Regardless of insurance or other obstacles, we can make a huge positive difference right now if health care leaders put the well-being of their staff first. That must be the top priority, and other things will fall into place. We need a lot of support to make these changes, so please reach out to help make a difference. You can find me on LinkedIn. Kevin Pho: Jeffrey, we will end with youyour take-home messages. Jeffrey Roche: I always say health care takes a village and a community. To Kims point, we really have to rally together and engage every facet of the health care ecosystem. If you are serving in a leadership role at your health care system or you are on a health system board right now, look around and really think about whether your board is representative of your community. Are the voices of your employees being heard by your board? Is your executive team listening to those voices, paying attention to the human connection? Lives are literally at stake every moment in our U.S. health care system, and we must demonstrate respect, compassion, and empathy for the incredible doctors, nurses, clinicians, and all staffboth nonclinical and clinicalin our health care system. Boards have an important responsibility here. Again, Kevin, I applaud you and Kim for being not only pioneers but also incredible voices in this quest, and I am happy to be here along with you. Kevin Pho: Kim and Jeffrey, thank you so much for sharing your perspectives and wisdom, and thanks again for coming on the show. Kim Downey: Thank you, Kevin. Jeffrey Roche: Thank you. As an employee assistance program (EAP) therapist at a hospital, I am often called upon to help people navigate the emotional fallout of lifes most challenging moments. The wildfires devastating Los Angeles bring a unique layer of grief, stress, and uncertainty to our community. David Kessler, a leading voice on grief, emphasizes that loss is not limited to deathit is any change or transition that disrupts our sense of stability. For those impacted by the fires, grief may take many forms: the loss of a home, a school, or a neighborhood, as well as the loss of routine, safety, and peace of mind. In my work, I see firsthand how such crises ripple through the lives of individuals, families, and workplaces. As we collectively process these fires, there are key principles we can all lean on to build emotional resilience and support each other. Coping strategies for individuals and communities Acknowledge the emotional impact. Grief requires acknowledgment. Whether someone has lost their home or is watching the devastation from a distance, their feelings of sadness, fear, and helplessness are valid. Encourage open conversations about these emotions without judgment or minimizing. Connect to meaning. Kesslers work reminds us that finding meaning can help us move forward. This doesnt mean finding a reason for the devastation but asking, How can I respond? Small acts of kindnesshelping a neighbor, donating to relief efforts, or simply being present for someone in needcan help rebuild a sense of purpose. Lean on community. One of the greatest antidotes to grief is connection. Whether through neighborhood groups, faith communities, or workplace teams, fostering connection can remind us that were not alone. As an EAP therapist, I see how vital workplace support is during crises. Leaders can help by normalizing conversations about emotional well-being and offering tangible resources, such as counseling, peer-to-peer support, flexible schedules, etc. Practice self-compassion. This is hardfor everyone. Its important to be gentle with ourselves and others. Not every day will feel manageable, and thats OK. Taking small, intentional steps toward recoverywhether thats resting, seeking support, or just taking a moment to breatheis enough. Focus on whats possible today. When everything feels overwhelming, it helps to narrow our focus to what is within our control. What is one thing you can do today to care for yourself or someone else? This mindset doesnt erase the pain but offers a way to keep moving forward. Supporting teams through crisis For organizations, wildfires and other disasters are not just personal crisesthey are workplace challenges. Employees bring their grief and anxiety into the workplace, impacting focus, productivity, and morale. As an EAP therapist, I often work with leaders to help their teams navigate these moments with empathy and resilience. Normalize emotional responses : Acknowledge that its OK to feel overwhelmed. Create spaces for employees to share their concerns and offer resources for emotional support. : Acknowledge that its OK to feel overwhelmed. Create spaces for employees to share their concerns and offer resources for emotional support. Encourage flexibility : Understand that employees may be juggling displacement, caregiving, and other stressors. Flexible policies can go a long way in fostering trust and compassion. : Understand that employees may be juggling displacement, caregiving, and other stressors. Flexible policies can go a long way in fostering trust and compassion. Model resilience: Leaders who show vulnerability and prioritize their own well-being set a powerful example for their teams. A community of care The Los Angeles wildfires remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of collective care. Whether through small acts of kindness or systemic support, each of us has a role to play in fostering resilience and recovery. As an EAP therapist, I am continually inspired by the strength of individuals and communities during times of crisis. Together, we can navigate the ashes, finding hope, meaning, and healing in the process. Alana Epstein is a psychotherapist. Some of Taylor Swifts fans are facing backlash online after speculating about possible reasons the pop superstar might be updating her Rhode Island home. The controversy began when TikTok user @biggie.slime shared footage on the video-sharing platform showing what they identified as Swifts home in Rhode Island. The home appeared to be under construction, as the TikTok user noted while asking in the caption for the video, anyone know what shes doing? SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The short video was filmed on the beach, with the camera pointing up toward the house situated on a small hill overlooking the water. Several Swifties weighed in within the posts comment section as they guessed possible reasons the Cruel Summer songstress might have to bring in a construction team. My guesses.. cat room, recording studio/booth, room for Travis to record his podcast, one TikTok user suggested, with their final guess referencing Swifts boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his New Heights podcast. Minding my own business.but a podcast studio would be cool for Travis , another fan echoed. Several people jokingly guessed that Swift was adding an extra room for them, with one writing, it's my guest wing. Others suggested the Anti-Hero songstress, who wrapped up her hit international Eras Tour last month, was "installing the eras tour stage per my request or Installing an eras tour museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many offered earnest and silly guesses, some fans criticized the speculation entirely, slamming the invasive video and writing that the 14-time Grammy Award winners house is not our business. This is creepy. This is not a swift vibe, one TikTok user wrote as another agreed, writing, this is so creepy. Shes doing a lot of none of your business, one fan wrote while another suggested Swift might be making a private deck so she can rest in peace without people filming her? Hey this is a wild idea, one that probably havent thought of has it crossed your mind that maybe its simply none of our business? Crazy right? , another TikTok user wrote. Next: Travis Kelce Reveals Wedding Planning Preferences Amid Taylor Swift Relationship Our fathers body lay on a plinth the color of gunmetal. He was covered by a simple white sheet up to his collarbone, above which his shaved head was supported by a stone headrest. Looking at him, it was as if his body had shrunk in tandem with his dissembling life. I shivered. The visitation room in Omega Funeral Home was as cold as a meat locker, while outside the rainy season had turned Lagos into a sauna. When I grabbed my brother Femis hand, I was reminded of the pain that flooded me when he called with the news of our fathers death. Anike, Femi started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was just about to call you, I began. Anike, Femi interrupted, firmer this time. Yeah? I replied. Daddy passed away last night, he said, at 3 a.m. I asked nothing. I said nothing. I dropped my phone and slumped forward, burying my face in my hands. I felt pain so excruciating that I could not cry. Our father, Joshua Kayode Adepitan, had been hospitalized with a fever for one day and was dead the next due to a blockage in his colon, a condition we later found out was treatable. It had been only three months since I last saw my father, during my annual visit following the New Year. For years I arranged for my father to fly out to visit me in the U.K. to attend celebrations and to spend time with me. However, the day before he was due to arrive, he would always call to cancel with excuses about some business deal in progress or warnings from his religious prophets, who warned him about his safety and urged him to stay home and fast. So instead I traveled to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his death, Femi and I had flown from our respective homes in London to Lagos to oversee the daunting task of laying to rest a once accomplished and respected man who lost everything he loved and lived the last two decades of his life as a recluse in the darkening shadows of failure and disrepute. We will honor him with a traditional Yoruba funeral, Femi said, trying to console me. We will celebrate the man he once was. My father was my hero growing up. He was a proud Yoruba man who clawed his way from obscurity and poverty in rural Nigeria to a life of success and respect. A natural storyteller, he commanded every room he walked into with his presence and delighted audiences with his wit. I loved listening to his tales of growing up in the colonial era, of winning scholarships to universities abroad, of meeting my British mother in Sweden, and his triumphant return home to set up two successful businesses and build a beautiful home in the affluent suburbs of Lagos. I cherished the times he let me accompany him to his furniture factory to inspect newly completed orders waiting to be delivered to offices and hotels. I loved how he took time to explain how to identify the different types of wood by the smell and the patterns etched into the grain or when he let me ride shotgun on his speedboat as he floored the engines along the Atlantic coast, and all the times he recounted my favorite story about his grandmother, who encouraged his ambition by telling him, You can do anything you put your mind to. Our small family unit revolved around my father. He was our source of stability, security and fun. All I ever wanted was to be like my father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Nigerias economy collapsed under the strain of decades of military dictatorship, my fathers charter airline business was shuttered by the government, and his furniture business began to fail due to the sharp decline in demand. He stopped going to his office, playing squash at the Metropolitan Club, and traveling the world with our mother and their friends. My father withdrew from the world, spending hours on the phone with faceless business partners over distant, crackling phone lines. Threatening strangers appeared at our gate at all hours of the day and night demanding money. Our mother, fearful of his new, suspicious business dealings, divorced him and fled the country, swiftly changing her name and severing all ties to him. Our father became a recluse, breaking off all contact with his large extended family and all his friends. By then, Femi and I were in our early 20s and studying abroad. The author's family in Lagos, Nigeria, when the author was a child. From left: Anne, the author's mother (age 33); Femi, the author's brother (7); the author (4); and Joshua Kayode Adepitan, the author's father (43). Courtesy of Anike Wariebi He talked of business deals in India and Switzerland involving huge sums of money that seemed implausible. He met with so-called prophets who accused his relatives of conspiring with voodoo men to cast spells on him from a distance. The permanent twitch of his jaw altered his facial expressions, and his famous laugh rang shallow. Even his clothes were different. Gone were the custom-tailored Saville Row suits. Instead he took to roaming the house in dashikis that swished along the floor, gathering dust. I am coming into my fortune, he said often when I visited over the years. I will once again emerge into Lagos society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But how? I always replied, taking in the dilapidated state of the house and the cobwebs crisscrossing the ceilings. Who are these business partners? How can these deals be done from home? With each passing year, my father receded further and further from me, drawn deeper into the clutches of people I did not know. By the time of his death, at 81, my father was living hand-to-mouth in a dimly lit motel room in one of the shantytowns of Lagos. After his death, Femi and I stumbled across his Yahoo email password scribbled on a piece of paper. Thousands of densely written messages tumbled forth when we logged on to his account relentless communication between my father and a single individual, referred to only as World Wide World Wide. The entity had no digital profile a virtual ghost. In those emails I discovered my father had been the victim of a most insidious long-con. For 20 years, World Wide World Wide meticulously groomed him, luring him into upfront payment deals with a promise of phantom riches while systematically using religious radicalization and fear of voodoo to isolate him and turn him against the people closest to him. They exploited his vulnerabilities and greed, and scammed him out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He lost his home, his businesses, his family and his soul. Finally I had answers to some of my pressing questions. Criminal manipulation had robbed my father of his ability to reason, to love and be loved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day we discovered the truth, I cried for my father the man who somehow found himself disjointed from his values, from his ethics, from everything he taught me to be. But most of all, I cried because I didnt recognize the man I had unearthed from those years of emails. None of this the painful memories and revelations about the con men who victimized him would help Femi and I with the pressing matter of how to lay him to rest. The funeral of an elder in the Yoruba tradition is not a mournful, modest affair. It is an exuberant celebration of the deceaseds life. Gorgeous outfits, sewn from the finest aso oke fabrics, must be tailored for the entire family for the occasion. Coral beads are worn to ward off evil spirits, and drummers and dancers accompany the hearse to the church. Friends from far and wide come to pay tribute, to reminisce about their departed loved one, and afterparties thunder late into the night. When our father cut off contact with his family and friends, and our mother left Nigeria, Femi and I found ourselves adrift biracial children gradually losing connection with the rich fabric of their Yoruba heritage. How would we arrange a traditional Yoruba funeral for a man who had been a recluse for 20 years? Whom would we call upon to guide us? We turned to our childhood friends, enlisting the help and counsel of their parents and contacts. For two weeks we planned our fathers funeral, taking care to align with the elaborate rites and rituals befitting a Yoruba elder. Having no contact details for our fathers extended family and friends, we put an advertisement in the Punch newspaper, which listed details of the funeral and suggested that people wear royal blue, his favorite color. Still, we fully expected to be greeted by the sad sight of row upon row of empty pews. From left: Catherine (the author's sister-in-law), the author, Femi (the author's brother) and Mike (the author's husband) at Archbishop Vining Church, Ikeja Lagos, in May 2016). The funeral celebrants are dressed in royal blue ceremonial aso oke, complete with ileke, coral necklaces traditionally worn at times of celebration. Courtesy of Anike Wariebi When the day of the funeral arrived and we neared the entrance of the church, we saw a small group of our friends had already congregated. I spotted the mothers of two of my childhood friends. They were both dressed in embroidered aso oke, trimmed with gleaming diamante. Heavy jewelry dripped from their wrists, ears and necks. They smiled as we approached in our own elaborate aso oke, their expressions bearing a look of approval. Then I spotted my fathers sister, Aunty Shola, and our cousins and relatives. They had traveled from all over Nigeria to attend the celebration, dressed in their best aso oke, accessorized with caps and head ties of royal blue. A new group appeared the strangers from the shantytown motel dressed in fashionable styles tailored from a simple brown-and-orange Ankara fabric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the drummers and dancers who led the funeral procession approached, everyone joined in the dancing, doling out crisp Naira notes with abandon. They threw Naira notes at us and then the dancers and drummers in turn. It was strangely joyous the booming music, the dancing, the smiles, the laughter and so at odds with the solemnity of what we were about to do. As we made our way through the throngs of dancing well-wishers to the front of the church, the pallbearers hoisted the coffin onto their shoulders and danced it over to the entrance, swaying perfectly to the beat of the music. When the pallbearers put the coffin down, Femi and I were nudged by one of my friends mothers. Oya, put money on the coffin, she whispered, nodding her head in the direction of the coffin. Thats the tradition. They are expecting it. Femi and I dug our hands into our envelopes, retrieved Naira notes, and laid them over the coffin note after note, until the wood paneling was completely covered. The music and dancing continued to swirl around us as others came forward to add their own Naira notes to the coffin. Just before the author's father's funeral, Mike, the author's husband (left), and Femi, the author's brother, put money on the coffin, a sign of respect. Courtesy of Anike Wariebi We are so happy to be reconnected with you, my Aunt Shola said, hugging me tight. Its been too long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the church, we sang How Great Thou Art, my fathers favorite hymn. At the reception following the burial, we danced as the Afrobeat band sang my fathers name over and over again, the beautiful call-and-response reverberating around the room. You did very well, my aunt said to Femi and me later that night as she looked around the reception hall, taking in the royal blue decorations and the posters featuring our fathers smiling face. She told us how all our relatives were at a loss as to what had happened to their long-lost brother, desperate to understand what mysterious force had possessed him, thereby altering him beyond their recognition. I wanted to say something, to offer some answers to my aunts questions, to describe the horror that Femi and I uncovered just days before in our fathers emails. But as I watched her sway to the call-and-response of her brothers name, I decided against it. Our father was her older brother, someone whom she, like us, looked up to and adored. I wanted her to remember him the way he was before he disappeared into the fog of a con that destroyed him her beloved, accomplished, respected brother. Your father would have been so proud, my aunt said finally, nodding. She reached over to Femi and me and squeezed our hands tightly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a long moment, we sat together in silence, watching the band as they danced perfectly in sync and continued to sing our fathers name: Baba Kayode o Baba Kayode we miss you Baba Kayode we love you Baba Kayode o I thought of all our failed attempts to reconnect with our father. I thought of all the celebrations he missed graduations, weddings and births over the years. Time and time again we had been shut out. In death, however, Femi and I were able to finally reclaim the man we knew and loved, to honor him one last time and show him the love that we so longed to show him during his life. Anike Wariebi is a British-Nigerian writer. She received a masters in creative writing from Oxford University and recently completed a memoir about her estranged father, who was the victim of a decades-long scam. She lives in London with her husband, two daughters and dog. You can learn more about her memoir and writing journey here and follow her on Instagram at @anikewriter. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The cooks of today have it much easier than my generation did. No longer do we need to learn the art of the kitchen at our grandmothers knee. Social media has expanded our access to knowledge of cooking techniques and allows us to share information including recipes so easily. It is now so pleasurable to shop for ingredients and cook for ourselves. I have noticed a new trend towards small plate eating too. But this is not a new concept to Indonesians in fact it is the old way of eating. Putting many different small dishes on the table at once (the Dutch word for this is rijsttafel literally, rice table) means you do not need to be dictated to by a restrictive menu. You can pick and choose your own favourite things to serve yourself. I have always thought this is a much nicer way of eating than being served course by course. Sometimes, I am asked to devise menus for pairing Indonesian food to occasions, but I think its unnecessary. A large table full of many small dishes, plus rice (we must never forget the rice in an Indonesian meal), is ideal for any social gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One technique I have especially explored, as I wanted to talk about easy ways to cook any recipe in a typically Indonesian style, is balado or berlada. Balado, meaning with chillies, and bumbu balado, in chilli sauce, are terms commonly seen in recipes originating in West Sumatra. In the Indonesian language (as opposed to the local language in West Sumatra), balado becomes berlada, with the same meaning. Often, these dishes will be alternately named Padang-style, maybe because the capital of West Sumatra is Padang. Indeed, every city or large town in Indonesia has numerous rumah makan Padang, or Padang restaurants. The original bumbu balado, which my Sumatran grandmother always made, is just hot red chillies ground together not particularly finely with a few other ingredients: usually kemiri (candlenuts), small red shallots, garlic and some grated fresh root ginger. This mixture would be stir-fried in a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil until well cooked but not burnt. It could be made in bulk and stored as a ready-made sauce to be added to dishes when needed, although the lack of refrigeration in my grandmothers time meant that it would more often be made fresh. It would keep for three to four days in an airtight container or jar. This style of bumbu balado can be made with green chillies instead of red. It can also be whizzed up in a food processor, rather than pounded in a pestle and mortar, and you can adjust the texture as you like. Lately, I have started thinking about the Indonesian tradition of the arisan a social club that functions as a savings club or mutual co-operation society. Each member chips in some money every month; some of the funds go towards paying for a social meal and the remainder is distributed through a lottery system or when a member has need for a large sum they might otherwise not be able to raise at short notice. These clubs are a key part of Indonesian society. Being part of one means that everyone gets a chance to enjoy a satisfying meal together regularly, and enjoy good company too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The food at an arisan is usually made or organised by a committee, or by a selected caterer, dining club or pop-up. The experts at cooking a particular dish in that community the best rendang and so on might be asked to bring it. In this pot luck way, we would eat the very best versions of every dish. In Indonesia, gifts are almost always food and exchanging recipes has become a favourite way of interacting. If you cant feed someone directly, you exchange recipes. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Jan. 12Craig Grossi knew he couldn't replace Fred, the tiny white dog who helped him "live again" after his combat experiences in Afghanistan. So after Fred died in November 2023, Grossi figured he wouldn't get a dog right away, not while he was still grieving for Fred. Then a few months later, he met Bingo, an energetic Cairn terrier who needed a new home. He and his wife took in Bingo last March. "Like a lot of people, I thought it might be disrespectful to the dog you just lost. But I feel now like there's no better way to honor that animal than to open your heart again, and give another animal a loving home," said Grossi, 41, an author and public speaker who lives on the Midcoast. "It doesn't make you forget the other dog. I think about Fred so much when I'm with Bingo." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grossi wrote two books about his bond with Fred, which turned Fred into a social media star, and the pair made appearances at schools and libraries for years. Grossi's experience with loss and grief illustrates the kinds of issues many people deal with when they lose a furry family member, and how attitudes about mourning pets have changed in the last generation or two. Many businesses have sprung up in recent years to help people deal with saying goodbye to a beloved pet from end-of-life photographers to pet death doulas. Grieving a pet is a lot like grieving any loss, experts say, and there are things people can do and be aware of to help in their time of pain. "I tell people, if it's life-changing love, then it's life-changing loss," said Jessica Kwerel, a Washington, D.C., psychotherapist who specializes in helping people cope with pet loss. "We form really intense attachments with our pets. They're witnesses to everything in our lives and it's about unconditional love, which we might not get in other relationships." THINGS YOU CAN DO Kwerel says there are a few key points she stresses to people dealing with pet loss. These include reminding yourself grief is not a problem to be solved, but something to be acknowledged, felt and shared. It's also important not to rush the process. Don't get rid of your pet's toys unless you're ready, and don't get another pet if you're not ready. There's no timeline for getting over the loss of the pet, Kwerel says there's only "before loss and after loss." It helps to seek out support from people who can relate to what you're going through. Maybe for dog owners that's other folks you meet daily on walks. Or you could seek out pet loss support groups, of which they are many online and in Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say it's also emotionally powerful to stay connected to your pet by honoring their memory. For Grossi, that means continuing to talk to people on social media and in person about what Fred did for him and meant to him. For others, it can involve sharing stories about the pet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Craig & Fred? (@fredtheafghan) Many people also find solace in fostering an animal or volunteering at a local shelter, said Lauri Haller, operations director at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook. They know they're helping another animal, which can also be emotionally satisfying, and they're also helping the shelter, Haller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That can be a really great bridge in their grieving process, from the loss to the point that they're ready for another animal," Haller said. "They don't have to commit, but they can have the support and love of an animal for whatever period of time they need it." Haller said that some businesses and organizations are offering bereavement days off for employees who've lost pets, as part of a wider societal acceptance of how important pets are in people's lives. The staff at the Animal Refuge League deals with loss more than most people, so a counselor is sometimes brought in to conduct group sessions and help people deal with having loved and lost animals they were caring for and giving love to on a daily basis. "You can't love halfway," Haller said. People who walk their dogs near the Animal Refuge League get to walk over a literal rainbow bridge a bridge painted in rainbow colors that's on a Portland Trails path. The bridge was painted last year by Josh Blanchard, of Westbrook, after he lost his dog, Fenway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Painting a bridge or creating some kind of memorial to a pet can be a helpful way of acknowledging a pet's death, and something people who work with animals are seeing more of these days, said Matt Blanchard, marketing and communications coordinator at the Animal Refuge League. "I think that talking about mental health in general has become much more accepted, and to be able to talk about (the loss of a pet) publicly and acknowledge it to your friends and family, what you're going through is a lot easier," Blanchard said. There are also practical things people can do before a pet passes away that might make grieving easier, said Suzanne Madore, a certified end-of-life doula from Saco. A doula's work can include providing emotional support and guidance for people, helping them find different kinds of pet health care, plan memorial services, and research burial regulations, among other things. Madore suggests thinking about a pet's long-term future, good and bad, as soon as it enters your life. This includes coming up with a plan to assess your pet's quality of life as they get older or sick, and a plan for who would take care of your pet if something happened to you. FRED'S STORY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred, Grossi's dog, died of cancer on Nov. 22, 2023, at the age of 14. In life, Fred survived war-torn Afghanistan, then helped Grossi deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder, a battlefield head injury and alcohol abuse. Grossi credits Fred with "saving" him by getting him to open up to others and ask for help. Fred also was the subject of two books by Grossi, "Craig & Fred," published in 2017, and "Second Chances" in 2021. Grossi stumbled upon Fred in an Afghanistan combat zone in 2010, just after Grossi and his fellow Marines had held off a much larger Taliban force for a week. Grossi sensed something special in the dog, a "stubborn positivity" in the face of constant gunfire and bloodshed. While other wild dogs in the area snarled and growled at the soldiers, Fred wagged his tail and accepted treats of beef jerky and happily approached the Marines. When another soldier took a bullet to the helmet, sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Fred came to his bedside every hour or so to snuggle. When it was time to leave Afghanistan, Grossi couldn't bear to leave Fred behind, so he smuggled the dog aboard a military flight and took him home. Grossi said he was not looking to get another dog after Fred's passing. But about six months after Fred's death, Grossi and his wife, Nora Parkington, were asked to temporarily care for Bingo. The Cairn terrier had been living with an Amish farm family nearby but was rambunctious and often got loose on the state highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grossi said he knew pretty quickly that Bingo was his dog. And he doesn't believe it was all his idea. "I just looked at Nora and said 'He's ours,'" Grossi said. "It was like Fred sent him to us." ------ Hear Craig Grossi talk his life with Fred and Bingo, on Tuesday at Maine Voices Live, 7 p.m., One Longfellow Square in Portland. Get tickets here. Copy the Story Link While the Central American nation bordered by Mexico to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the east is home to a permanent population of just 410,000 people, Belize saw the same number of international arrivals in 2023. As Belize is not nearly as popular among U.S.-based beach-hunters as neighboring Mexico, the majority of those who do make it to the country known for natural wonders such as its barrier reef and Great Blue Hole come either on cruise lines like Carnival (CCL) and Royal Caribbean (RCL) or as part of a wider tour of the Caribbean. Even so, tourism to the country rose by nearly 30% between 2023 and 2024. Buy 1 Year and Get 1 Year FREE on TheStreet Pro. Act now before it's gone An unidentified airplane is seen flying over a tropical sea at sunset.Shutterstock 'Travelers are advised to exercise caution': U.S. State Department In a reviewed travel advisory that it published at the end of December, the U.S. State Department kept Belize's ranking at level two's "exercise increased caution" but reiterated the need to remain vigilant due to heightened levels of crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Due to high crime, travelers are advised to exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City," reads the updated advisory. "Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted." Related: Another travel warning gets issued about popular European destination The rating, which lands second on a four-tier system in which the highest is reserved for authoritarian governments and war zones, puts Belize in the same category as nearby Mexico and European countries such as Germany and France in the latter two cases due to the risk of terrorist attacks in their capital cities. In the case of Belize, the rating is heightened to level three's "reconsider travel" for Belize City. The majority of tourists staying for longer than a cruise ship stop come not to the capital but resort towns such as Placencia and San Ignacio. Travel advisory: 'This area does not overlap with the typical tourism areas' "Historically much of the violent crime in Belize occurs in the Southside of Belize City and is gang related," the advisory reads further. "This area (south of Haulover Creek Canal and continuing south to Fabers Road) does not overlap with the typical tourism areas." More on travel: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the periodic reviews of commonly-visited nations conducted every month and at the end of the year in particular, the State Department also issued a new advisory for Belize's neighbor to the west: fellow Central American nation Guatemala. In the latter's case, the renewed advisory focuses on specific areas that "have problems with gangs, robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking and violence." The nation is at a higher "reconsider travel" rating due to the crime rates and position as a throughway for drug traffickers moving from Central America northward to the United States. It is also significantly more popular as a cruise ship stop rather than a standalone destination; the majority of international arrivals come for a short visit through the Puerto Quetzal port. "Local law enforcement may not always respond well to serious crimes, leading to low arrest and conviction rates," the travel advisory reads. "While tourists are not usually targeted, they can still be victims of opportunistic crimes." Related: Veteran fund manager issues dire S&P 500 warning for 2025 I was happy teaching for 10 years at the University of Utah law school, but I recently rejoined the faculty at BYU law. At the time I went to the University of Utah, I was told that I was the first and only person to leave a professorship at BYU law to head up north, and to my knowledge, I am the only person to have made the move back down south. It made a lot of sense to me to move to the University of Utah initially. I was recruited by a mentor, one of the most respected criminal law professors in the country, Paul Cassell, who was working on reducing draconian federal drug sentences. I liked the University of Utah law school, where I served as associate dean. My students were bright and motivated, my colleagues were brilliant and supportive, and my dean was friendly and driven. While at Utah, I had calls from other schools who asked me to consider interviewing over the years, but not even a coveted position at a Top 15 program could motivate me to interview elsewhere. So why leave? I entered academia because I wanted to make a difference in the world. My mother was a political activist in revolutionary Iran, fighting for freedom and democracy, and eventually spending time in political prison for her bravery. Through miracles, my family fled a war-torn Iran to the United States. I have always felt an obligation to use my newly-found freedom to improve the lives of others. This is why I chose criminal justice reform to help those dealt a difficult hand in life who need an advocate to improve their conditions. Specifically, I have focused my career on reducing incarceration rates in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, 12 years into my career I realized I was missing some of the best techniques for fighting mass incarceration. My academic playbook, like many of my colleagues, included policy and empirical data, theoretical frameworks, constitutional interpretation, structural solutions and legislative change. But I realized I was missing something vital. The missing piece came from inspired colleagues. Professor Jocelyn Simonson recounts in her book, Radical Acts of Justice, how church congregations in Louisiana made remarkable impacts in the area of bail reform. A reverend would simply show up to court and sit next to an accused person and provide support for him. That simple act of love and ministering had the power to transform those courtrooms. In courtrooms where the church congregants would be present, judges set 50% lower bail amounts than when no church congregant was present. Paul Heaton at the University of Pennsylvania found that simply assigning a friend, or advocate, to a defendant also led to a reduction in rearrests. I started to realize that changing the minds of judges and the hearts of defendants was possible through values I tried to live by in my personal life friendship, ministering, love and mercy values informed by my religious beliefs. I started to grasp that these values were applicable in my academic career too. I decided I wanted to study how religion solves social problems, like crime, so I met with Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the commissioner of Church Education a meeting that was decisive for me in choosing to return to BYU. In conversation with him, Shane Reese and other administrators, I was struck by their faith in the rising generation of students, mentored by faculty committed to a vision to integrate spiritual and secular learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I initially left an associate deanship at the University of Utah law school to teach at BYU because I could participate in faith-centered scholarship. But the highlight of my last year has been my time with the students, who like me were motivated to find something different at BYU. The western entrance to the campus of Brigham Young University is pictured along Cougar Boulevard in Provo on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News One of my students thoughtfully expressed this sentiment: One of the biggest reasons I chose BYU over any other school was to grow spiritually. So, I love when my professors help me grow not just intellectually, but also as a disciple of Christ. Another said, I think it is probably very easy to walk away from (criminal law) cynical about humanity and the lengths we can go to hurt others. I know this is probably unavoidable, but if any efforts could be made to curb some of that, that would be appreciated. They came to BYU for a spiritually enlarging education. Recent enrollment trends suggest this sentiment isnt unique to my students or BYU. While higher education enrollment has declined nationally, overall enrollment at religious colleges and universities is growing, and has been for some time. As someone who has taught at a secular university for the last 10 years, I have to say being able to expand my faith alongside academic questions and classroom teaching has been nothing less than life-changing. The goal is to publicly become a whole person, as Harvard Professor Ruth Okediji told students at BYU this last year. She said: Jesus answered questions with questions, like the philosophers; he spoke in parables, like law professors; he treated physical diseases, just like physicians. ... Loving God with all that you are means that theres only one you. It is a gift in todays world to be one whole person at your place of employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In hiring interviews, a common question people are asked is, Why do you want to work here? And a typical good response is to demonstrate an understanding of the companys mission, values or achievements and how they align with your skills, goals and personal values. When there isnt alignment with the mission or values, that naturally matters too. A business leader I know had an employee who was writing negative public reviews about the company online and speaking negatively about the company to any employee who would listen. No one faulted this organization for making a change. It is the same at BYU. The students and members of the church donate sacred funds to educate the youth to become thoughtful, knowledgeable leaders. While this might involve addressing difficult issues and questions at times, it also involves a commitment by educators to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its doctrines, policies and aims. In a world where it is no longer acceptable to yuck someones yum, it makes sense a university would be concerned to see professors who are not on board with the faiths teachings and schools mission, openly challenging such teachings in classes or even behind closed doors, especially with students they have been hired to mentor both intellectually and spiritually. Thoughtful inquiry will continue to be very important. For instance, I designed a course called The Pursuit of Happiness, focused on how following Gods laws leads to individual and collective happiness. In this class, we are discussing courage in faith and examining under the rules of evidence the testimonies of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon in a mock trial. We will not skirt around history, but we will also testify of spiritual truths and prophetic witnesses of Jesus Christ. And more importantly, we will work on enhancing Christian virtues like humility, forgiveness, consecration and righteous judgment that are critical to being a disciple first before a lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BYU, like its peer religious institutions, embraces that it is different. It is an academically-rigorous research institution whose primary focus is educating the minds and hearts of the rising leaders of the church. These students are not looking to professors to cast shadows of doubt on their fledgling faith. The world is full of a growing number of agnostic and religious nones. There are plenty of internet mentors who will provide cynicism and secular skepticism for BYU students to consider. They dont need to come to campus for that kind of challenge as it surrounds them at every turn. Students come to BYU for mentorship in how to balance their discipleship alongside their intellectual reasoning, to study philosophies of Kant while considering the laws of Moses and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is the unique educational experience that members of the church all over the world seek at BYU. In a world where there is a shortage of higher education options that promote faith, and where some are afraid to publicly worship God, having a place to embrace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ feels like a refuge. And I couldnt be happier to work at the refuge that is BYU. 36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? We might only be in the second week of the year, but over in Europe, stylish royals have already started showcasing their sartorial savoir-faire. A case in point is Queen Mary of Denmark, who attended a traditional New Years celebration this month wearing a white and gold embroidered dress by local designer Teri Jon by Rickie, looking the very image of a snow queen (albeit without the fairytale witchery afoot). Meanwhile, over in Spain, the ever-stylish Queen Letizia went for an altogether more Castilian approach to dressing for a recent Pascua Military ceremony, wearing a rich burgundy maxi dress accessorised with pearl earrings and necklace. Each European royal family has a distinct approach to fashion, shares Royal Fashion Police, a popular anonymous Instagram account that charts the style of the royals globally. While some royals may align with their countrys fashion ethos, such as the Scandinavian emphasis on practicality or tradition, the individual personalities and backgrounds of the royals often play a greater role. So which amongst the European royal households are on our radar this year? Queen Mary of Denmark statement sleeves and a serious love of fashion Denmarks Queen Mary and King Frederik X at a New Years reception for accredited diplomats to Denmark - Getty Its only been a year since Queen Mary was crowned alongside her husband King Frederick X, but in the space of those 12 months shes swiftly become one of the most stylish monarchs in Europe. Having been a princess for two decades prior to becoming Queen, the Australian native already knew that the key to being loved for her fashion was to champion homegrown talent, something she does all the time. Yet shes also refined her style in the past year, often choosing structured pieces featuring corsets, bodices, statement sleeves and high necks which symbolise her focus and seriousness as consort (its certainly easy to see why she is so often compared to her English counterpart, the Princess of Wales). After undertaking her first solo trips as Queen in 2024, expect to see more of Mary on the world stage this year. Princess Sofia of Sweden minimalist denim and a touch of drama Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden pictured in September - Getty The 40-year-old former glamour model turned royal is known for her minimalist Scandi style. In Sweden, they like their royals to be of the people, with a trimmed-down royal family and low-key way of life (sometimes dubbed a bicycle monarchy due to their fondness for travelling via bike), so unsurprisingly, shes often seen in jeans. Currently pregnant with her fourth child, shes one to watch if youre in need of maternity wear inspiration: just take her elegant black cape dress, which she was pictured in late last year. Beatrice Borromeo of Monaco the couture maven Beatrice Borromeo attends the Christian Dior Wwmenswear spring-summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week in September - Getty In Monaco, elegance is in the family DNA; thats what happens when Grace Kelly is the late family matriarch. Beatrice Borromeo, the wife of Pierre Casiraghi, stands out in particular amongst the present day batch of style mavens within the Grimaldi family, known for her love not just of French fashion houses (she works a lot with Dior) but also Italian brands, in honour of her own heritage. No mean feat when you consider her sisters-in-law are Charlotte Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo. Look out for her at Paris Fashion Week, the Monaco Grand Prix and at the Rose Ball wearing haute couture gowns that cast her as the modern day princess. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exuberance all the way Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has a bold sense of style - Getty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past decade, Argentina-born Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has honed her sense of style, coming into her own in the past few years. With a penchant for bright colours and prints inherited from her South American upbringing, shes also known to turn to sculptural details to make an impression, a combination which in the past led to a few howlers. Thankfully, shes refined her sense of style as she reaches middle age, often focusing on a single bold colour with tonal accessories, wearing tailored dresses with fun details that leave an impression. Queen Letizia of Spain sheer elegance Queen Letizia of Spain is a hard-working and elegant royal who also Spanish high street brands - Getty 52-year-old Queen Letizia of Spain is easily one of the most elegant European royals. The Spanish do high street very well see the incredible offerings from Mango, Zara, Bimba y Lola and Pull and Bear, all of which the royal has been known to wear. In 2025, its very much business as usual for the prolific royal known for being one of the hardest working in Europe particularly as her daughter and heir to the throne, Princess Leonor, graduates from military college. Expect a mother-daughter dressing duo to emerge during the year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) One person was critically injured following a shooting in North Nashville early Sunday morning, according to authorities. The Metro Nashville Police Department responded to a duplex in the the 3100 block of Brickdale Lane just after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12. When officers arrived, they said they discovered a 29-year-old man who had suffered a gunshot wound. Man dead after shooting along I-40 in South Nashville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, detectives determined the victim was involved in an argument with an acquaintance, during which he was shot. Then, the suspect allegedly dragged the victim outside and tried to clean up the crime scene. The victim whose next of kin has yet to be located was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, but doctors reportedly said he is not expected to survive. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Authorities told News 2 Sunday morning that several people were detained in connection with the shooting. However, in a press release sent just before 5:45 p.m., the MNPD said the suspect fled the scene before police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was released about the incident, which Homicide Unit detectives are investigating. If you know anything about this case, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. MEMPHIS, Tenn. One man is dead and another is critically injured after an overnight shooting in Parkway Village, Memphis Police confirm. At 12:30 a.m., officers responded to the 3400 block of Dungreen Street regarding a shooting. Man fatally shot at northeast Shelby County gas station Officers found two male victims with apparent gunshot wounds. One of the victims was pronounced deceased on the scene and the other was taken to Regional One in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say two people are in custody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A 1-year-old baby and a 10-year-old boy were among three victims killed in a home massacre in Louisiana. The two children, as well as a 40-year-old woman, were found "stabbed to death" when police responded to "a domestic disturbance call" at a home in Amite at around 4:39 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan, 9, the St. Helena Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Ryant Jones, 31, was named as the suspect. He was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' family," the sheriffs office said. St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Department/Facebook Suspect Ryant Jones Suspect Ryant Jones Related: Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing 3 Children at Taylor Swift-Themed Event Pleads Not Guilty to Murder The victims were later identified as Rhonda Powell, her son Braylon and her nephew Hayden, according to a GoFundMe page that was created by Powells cousin Deondra Warner. Warner said on the fundraising page that Jones is a family member with a documented history of schizophrenia and claimed he was experiencing a mental health episode at the time of the attacks. Just the day before, he had been brought to a medical center for help and was prescribed new medication. Sadly, the support he needed came too late to prevent this heartbreaking outcome, she wrote. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Warner told WAFB that family had taken in Jones after doctors refused to commit him at their request after he showed signs of aggression." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She pleaded with or implored that the doctor give him the shot which usually works. Instead, the doctor gives him a pill, she told the outlet. gofundme Victim Rhonda Powell Victim Rhonda Powell Related: Fiance of Teacher, Whose 2011 Stabbing Death Was Ruled a Suicide, Breaks His Silence: Mental Illness Is Very Real No one in that home survived because the mental health system failed him," Warner continued. "Had he been committed, he would be where he needed to be today, and my other family members would be alive." Read the original article on People EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was killed in a crash on Sunday morning, Jan. 12 in Northeast El Paso, El Paso Police said. Three vehicles collided just before 7 a.m. Sunday at Gateway North and Sean Haggerty. The Police Departments Special Traffic Investigations Unit is looking into the cause of the crash. El Paso Fire dispatch said one other person suffered injuries in the crash and was transported Code 1 (minor injuries). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gateway North at Sean Haggerty was closed for about six hours before reopening around 1 p.m. Sunday. We will update this story when we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. CAIRO (AP) An explosion at a gas station triggered a massive fire in central Yemen, killing at least 15 people, health officials said Sunday. The explosion occurred Saturday at the Zaher district in the province of Bayda, the Houthi rebel-run Health Ministry said in a statement. At least 67 others were injured, including 40 in critical condition. The ministry said rescue teams were searching for those reported missing. It wasnt immediately clear what caused the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage circulated online showing a massive fire that sent columns of smoke into the sky and left vehicles charred and burning. Bayda is controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have been at war with Yemens internationally recognized government for more than a decade. Elsewhere in Bayda, the Houthis attacked and looted Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, according to the internationally recognized government. It said there were fatalities but gave no figures. Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the attack came after a weeklong siege of the village. This horrific attack targeted citizens homes and mosques, and resulted in many casualties, including women and children, and the destruction of property," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rights activist Riyadh al-Dubai said the Houthis detained dozens of men and looted homes, seizing valuables such as gold, money, daggers and other possessions. He said shelling by the Houthis had continued relentlessly day and night for more than five days. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the "deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future." Yemens civil war began in 2014, when the rebels took control of the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, backed at the time by the U.S., in an effort to restore the internationally recognized government. The war has killed more than 150,000 people including civilians and combatants, and in recent years deteriorated largely into a stalemate and caused one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. An 18-year-old is facing multiple charges in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Cornelius Police Department. Police said they received reports that Brett Gerald Kimbrell was in possession of child pornography. ALSO READ: Deputies searching for man wanted for sex crimes against a child Detectives then contacted the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to initiate an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a search warrant was executed at Kimbrells residence, and electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis. Kimbrell was then charged with ten counts of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. According to the Cornelius Police Department, a Mecklenburg County magistrate ordered Kimbrell to be released into the custody of his parents instead of receiving a bond. The department released a statement regarding that decision, saying: Given the serious nature of these charges, which involve the safety and well-being of children, we find this decision troubling and concerning. The release of this defendant, especially under such circumstances, undermines the gravity of the situation and raises significant concerns about the risk to public safety, particularly the safety of minors in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cornelius Police Department strongly believes that individuals charged with such serious offenses should be held in custody, pending further legal proceedings, to ensure a definitive message that crimes involving the exploitation and violence against children will not be taken lightly. The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773. VIDEO: Deputies searching for man wanted for sex crimes against a child EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two people and a dog were displaced from their West El Paso home after an early morning fire on Sunday, Jan. 12, an El Paso Fire spokesperson said. El Paso Fire crews responded just after 2 a.m. to reports of a Condition 3 house fire (heavy smoke and flames) along the 6000 block of Monarch Drive in the Coronado neighborhood of West El Paso. Firefighters put out a Condition 3 fire early Sunday morning, Jan. 12 along the 6000 block of Monarch Drive in West El Paso. Photos by Jesus Baltazar/KTSM Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 20 fire units responded to the scene. There were no reports of injuries, the spokesperson said. The fire took about an hour to control. Crews remained on the scene looking for hot spots until about 5 a.m. The Red Cross was called in to assist the people who were displaced from their home, the spokesperson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Scandal is sweeping one small Louisiana city after its own mayor was arrested on serious offenses. Tyrin Truong was elected mayor of Bogalusa, La. in 2022. Now, hes been charged in connection to an alleged drug trafficking ring, according to police. At the young age of 23, Truong made history when he was elected mayor. According to NOLA.com, the Bogalusa native won by ousting the citys incumbent, Wendy OQuin Perrette, to become Bogalusas youngest ever mayor and one of youngest mayors in Louisiana history. The democratic nominee began his political career interning for U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in Missouri, where he graduated from college. After moving back home to Bogalusa, Truong threw his name in the mayoral pool and won with 56 percent of the vote, NOLA.com reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ironically, soon after he becoming mayor and even pushing for increased police presence in his city, the now 25-year-old finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The Alleged Crimes and Arrest The Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Force began an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization in April 2024, according to CBS News. In their investigation, the task force discovered the organization was responsible for distributing opioids, marijuana, other THC products, and MDMA, and they were allegedly using social media to run the whole show. According to officials, money made from these drug sales were allegedly used to purchase guns, some of which were even used in violent crimes across the city. After authorities uncovered the operation, arrest warrants for seven individuals were issued, including for Mayor Truong. We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially, from public officials, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. Tyrin Truong charged in connection to a drug trafficking ring operating out of Bogalusa, La. - Photo: Washington Parish Sheriffs Office On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Truong was taken into custody and charged with transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, unauthorized use of a moveable, and soliciting for prostitutes, according to jail records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show he was released on $150,000 bond. After his release, Truong took to social media to thank his supporters and declare his innocence. He wrote on Facebook If you think I ran a drug operation (and all those other accusations), youre sadly mistaken. Those who know me, KNOW me and Ill let God and my attorney handle the rest! The other six suspects face charges of transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses. Three of them have been charged with conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance. Another one faces an additional charge of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to Louisiana State Police. In a statement, District Attorney Collin Sims said We are going to continue to invest time and resources into helping the citizens of Bogalusa. We are not finished. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jan. 11Three vehicles, including a tractor trailer, collided in Bethel on Saturday morning. No one was injured in the crash, said Maj. Dana Thompson of the Oxford County Sheriff's Office. The crash happened at around 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 2 in Bethel, the sheriff's office said in a release. Fiona Hume, 22, of Braintree, Massachusetts, was traveling northbound on Route 5 in a Volvo when she failed to stop at the intersection, sliding into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer driving eastbound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hume's vehicle collided with the tractor trailer driven by Scott Lee, 57, of Jackman, the sheriff's office said. The impact caused the tractor trailer to skid and collide with a third vehicle as it traveled westbound on West Bethel Road. The third vehicle, a Toyota driven by Meagan Lunney, 39, of Bethel, sustained minor damages, according to the release. Both the tractor trailer and the Volvo were extensively damaged and towed away from the scene. There were three passengers in the Volvo, but none of them or any of the three drivers were injured. The sheriff's office said snowy conditions, speed and driver inattention contributed to the crash. Copy the Story Link Oakland-area wrestling coach fired after allegedly assaulting student One firefighter injured in fire at Farmington business, home MANSFIELD, Pa. (WETM) Three men from New York City were arrested after allegedly stealing more than $5,000 in power tools from a Mansfield business at the end of December. Beiker Jimenez, 23, of the Bronx; Christian Sivira Sanchez, 24, of the Bronx; and Yonaiker Rondon Diaz, 26, of New York, were arrested on Dec. 29 after a shoplifting investigation. The Pennsylvania State Police stated that troopers were called to Tractor Supply on South Main Street shortly after 2 p.m. that day for a reported theft. PSP: Pa man attacked woman, police after pretending to be lost Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person who called the police told troopers he saw someone trying to steal about $5,859.75 worth of various Dewalt power tools. During the alleged theft, a display case lock valued at $500 was damaged. Jimenez, Sivira Sanchez, and Rondon Diaz were all charged with retail theft (a third-degree felony) and conspiracy to commit theft (a third-degree felony). Jimenez and Sivira Sanchez were also both charged with criminal mischief (a second-degree misdemeanor), and Jimenez was additionally charged with defiant trespasser (a third-degree misdemeanor) and marijuana possession (a misdemeanor). All three men were taken to the Tioga County Jail. Jimenez and Sivira Sanchez were denied bail, and court documents specified that this was because they lied about their criminal history and didnt have ties to the community. Rondon Diazs bail was set at $10,000, and he was released from jail on Jan. 8 after posting bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Four people were found after their boat sank in freezing waters off a South Carolina state park Saturday morning, the Anderson County Sheriffs Office announced. Now one of them is dead from an apparent drowning. The fishing party was out on Lake Hartwell off Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson County for the Stripe Bass Challenge, a private striped bass fishing tournament, when its boat began to sink. According to a news release, as the boat sank, the anglers called the tournaments staff members for help, immediately alerting first responders, including Anderson County Emergency Management, dive teams, EMS and Fire and Uniform Patrol. A nearby boat associated with the tournament scooped the people from the water and rushed them to first responders for medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One woman needed CPR and was rushed to a hospital, officials said. The Anderson County coroner said she was found unresponsive and face down in the water about 20-30 feet from the shoreline. She was pronounced dead just before noon. The coroner identified her as 25-year-old Kimberely Gomillion of Aiken. The cause of death was ruled an accidental drowning. It is the first death relating to a fishing tournament on the lake, the coroner said, The three other people involved were also taken to the hospital for treatment and were released. An investigation found that the boat began taking on water amid high winds. It is an ongoing case for the coroners office and the Department of Natural Resources. A 44-year-old Wichita man with a long criminal history was sentenced Friday to 70 years in prison for a Dec. 2, 2020, fatal shooting in south Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office. A jury found Christopher Eugene English, also known as Tommy Boy, guilty in December of first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm and possession of a weapon by a felon in the killing of 49-year-old Michael Horn, who was found shot in the head at a home in the 1800 block of South Main. English was arrested in connection with the killing in July 2022, the same week he was sentenced to a decade in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A gun was found under his seat on May 11, 2020, court records show. Those sentences will run consecutively with the 70 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Englishs first conviction was in 1992 for a child sex crime when he was 11 years old. He was then sentenced when he was an adult in 2000 to seven years in federal prison for brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. In May 2019, a few months after being released from prison, he was a passenger in a stolen BMW SUV that sparked a police chase in downtown Wichita. The SUV collided with another vehicle, killing 70-year-old Maria Wood and her 12-year-old granddaughter, Rosemary McElroy. Jenny Wood, a local musician and daughter and aunt to the victims, suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash. The Ipswich Fire and Police Department, alongside mutual aid from other companies, battled a garage fire on Friday, January 10. Crews were dispatched around 2:15 pm. to multiple 9-1-1 reports of a fire. Police were on the scene first, confirming the fire and ensuring nobody was in the home. Firefighters then arrived on the scene to find a large, heavy fire coming from the attached garage to the two-story home. A small brush fire was also brewing beside the home, threatening another home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hose line was deployed, letting firefighters from both Ipswich and Rowley to enter the garage and battle the flames. Firefighters from Hamilton and Rowley provided mutual aid at the scene. Firefighters from Wenham and Essex covered Ipswich Fire stations, and they responded to two medical calls while the fire was ongoing. The Rehab 5 truck also responded to the scene to help firefighters rehabilitate while fighting the fire. The Ipswich Electric Light Department and Ipswich Department of Public Works also assisted at the scene. The fire was knocked down at 2:50 p.m. This fire was rapidly extending due to a wind-driven condition, Chief Paul Parisi said. Having four members on duty was key to being able to execute multiple tasks at once, including the deployment of two handlines, and making entry into the building. Without these resources, the aggressive fire attack would have been delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported. Chief Parisi estimates that there is over $50,000 in damage . The fire remains under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW On Saturday afternoon, two local nonprofits partnered up to fly 84 pets to safety out of Burbank Airport in the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires. The organizations, Best Friends Animal Society and Wings of Rescue, boarded 58 cats and 26 dogs onto the emergency rescue flight, including pets pulled from the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter in Lancaster. The pets took off after 1 p.m., heading to Kanab, Utah, where Best Friends said it operates the nations largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the rush to evacuate a disaster such as the Palisades and Eaton fires, often pets can escape or become separated from their owners, explained the organization in a release. It then becomes the work of first responders and shelter workers to find and secure these lost pets until they can be reunited with their owners. Organizers said this rescue is meant to help reduce overcrowded conditions in shelters impacted by the wildfires, as well as to free up space and resources. At the Burbank Airport, local nonprofits board 84 pets onto a Wings of Rescue flight to safety in the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires. January. 2025. (Best Friends) At the Burbank Airport, local nonprofits board 84 pets onto a Wings of Rescue flight to safety in the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires. January. 2025. (Best Friends) At the Burbank Airport, local nonprofits board 84 pets onto a Wings of Rescue flight to safety in the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires. January. 2025. (Best Friends) Wings of Rescue transported the pets in a twin-engine turboprop plane, which organizers described as a pressurized, temperature-controlled aircraft. All pets are medically cleared for travel and several safeguards are built in to avoid ever transporting a pet that is simply lost, organizers reassured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second flight out of Burbank Airport will be made on Sunday, but this time it will head to Seattle, Washington. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that 13 states with near-total abortion bans appear to have lost 36,000 people per quarter. Single-person households, which typically skew younger, were more likely to move out of states with bans. (Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) This story was originally published by The 19th. Sign up for their newsletters. Tens of thousands of young people single people, in particular have left states with near-total abortion bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a nonprofit economic research organization, estimated population changes by analyzing address-change data collected by the United States Postal Service. It found that since the 2022 fall of Roe v. Wade, the states with near-total abortion bans 13 at the time of the analysis appear to have lost 36,000 people per quarter. Single-person households, which typically skew younger, were more likely to move out of states with bans. Our results show that reproductive rights policies can significantly affect where people choose to live, the researchers wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Prior to Roes overturn, states that would eventually ban abortion were actually losing fewer residents than states that would continue to protect it, a gap that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the difference began to narrow in 2021, it wasnt until Roe fell and states began to enforce abortion bans that people started leaving anti-abortion states in larger numbers. If the measured impact of abortion bans continues over another five years, the researchers found, it would have the same effect on migration as a 10 percent increase in crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data also suggested that states with perceived abortion-hostile policies a term the researchers used to classify states that had enacted bans that were blocked by courts, such as Ohio and Utah; those with strict bans, such as Florida and Georgia, which have six-week bans, and Arizona, which had a 15-week ban; and Pennsylvania, which is listed as hostile by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a legal advocacy organization also saw a population loss. The loss of young people has particular implications for a states economic trajectory. States with abortion bans may face challenges in attracting and retaining workers, especially younger workers who represent future economic potential, the paper said. These population flows and demographic shifts could affect a wide range of economic factors from tax bases to housing markets to the availability of workers in key industries. Anecdotal evidence has already shown people reconsidering where to live, work and study based on abortion bans particularly health care providers who have left states with bans and restrictions that could affect their ability to provide care, and college students who have indicated a preference for studying in places where abortion is protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research has shown that people with higher education levels are more likely to support abortion rights and have the resources to move. If these trends persist, states could become increasingly unequal, the researchers wrote, with more educated and affluent people clustering in states with abortion protections, and those with less education and lower incomes staying in places with bans. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Latest from Storm Team 5 We got some nice sunshine this morning, but it did not last long into the afternoon with clouds rolling in ahead of our next weathermaker. The appearance of the sun and a south wind boosted temperatures into upper 20s and low 30s today. An area of low pressure moving into Minnesota is our next weathermaker to impact northeast Wisconsin. Light to moderate snow showers move into our western counties around midnight, becoming more widespread late overnight and into Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Door, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto and Shawano counties and into the U.P. starting at midnight, lasting through 3pm Sunday. Most get 1-3 of snow, with around 1 of snow likely far south around HWY 10. With a brief SE wind, areas like far northern Door county and Washington Island could see up to 4 of snow. Not a major event, but enough to create slippery travel tonight and tomorrow as well. Snow should wrap up around mid afternoon and highs will top out around 30 degrees, but once the cold front passes, temperatures will fall off quickly and the winds will crank up throughout the night, gusting close to 35mph. Wind chills for Monday morning will be anywhere from five to fifteen below zero. While it will be sunny on Monday, looks will be deceiving. Highs only in the single digits to low teens at best with a west wind gusting around 30mph. It stays cold Tuesday as well before we warm up to close out the week. Just a few minor systems will pass through or to our north midweek. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. UTICA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) A rally organized by Citizens Action of Central New York, became a place where advocates say they were mourning, filled with outrage, and calling for reform in our nations correctional facilities. On Saturday, Jan. 11, people gathered in downtown Utica outside of Uticas state office building to demand justice and systematic change for Roberts Brooks, a 35-year-old man, who died on December 10, 2024, after a violent encounter with corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility. Court document reveal injuries suffered by Robert Brooks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brookss family stood at the rally and participated in the picket line in front of the State Office Building. His mother, wearing a shirt and pin with his picture on it demanded change. Latest local news When someone comes to prison it doesnt matter what theyre in jail for. You are a criminal also, you should go to jail. When I saw that Roberts Brooks video, I felt everything he felt, chanted Michael Pack, a former inmate at the Attica Correctional Facility. Pack also shared that when he was serving time he was beaten too. He claims that they are not the only people who have ever been beaten in a correctional facility. They continue to treat them as if they are not people and society continues to accept this treatment from them, Lukee Forbes, another formerly incarcerated victim shared his story at the rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How you decide to placate to society as if you did not know these things were going on or if there needs to be an investigation. You can clearly see these individuals committed murder on that video, there is no investigation, said Forbes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. Jan. 11MUNCIE Water quality has improved in some parts of Indiana, advocates say, in part because of increased regulations. Another element in the resurgence in those places has been a source some might not expect: freshwater mussels. Indiana is home to 60 species of the invertebrates, several of which have declined in population and become endangered, or a "species of special concern," according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware County alone has 21 species, according to Laura Bowley, surveillance supervisor for the Bureau of Water Quality in the Muncie Sanitary District. Advocates believe population declines have meant bad news for the health of Indiana's rivers and overall water quality. Water quality is often determined by accounting for the chemicals in a body of water, said Cassie Hauswald, director of freshwater programs for the Same Shine Foundation. However, Hauswald suggested another approach for determining water quality. "If you tell me that an animal can or can't live there, that speaks to me about the river or stream's health," she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mussels are filter feeders, meaning they take in organic matter, including various forms of bacteria. They also filter pollutants that come in through stormwater. Advocates believe more native mussels means cleaner water. One mussel filters through around 15 gallons of water per day, according to Hauswald. Their absence, she said, could mean higher concentrations of pollutants and overpopulation of algae key ingredients that contribute to an unhealthy river or stream. Healthy water quality could mean better food resources for larger animals like fish, leading to more biodiversity. A lack of variety in plants and animals, Hauswald said, are telltale signs of a decline in a body of water's overall health. Those areas can become home to large numbers of bloodworms and leeches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With those concerns in mind, the Muncie Sanitary District opened its first mussel propagation facility in 2021. Bowley and her team have been focusing on the plain pocketbook, wavy-rayed lampmussel and kidney shell species, which are native to the White River area. The latter two are of special concern to the state of Indiana. Their efforts were not initially successful; creating optimal conditions for the mussels' survival is a delicate process. Nearly four years later, the district has perfected the process and is now raising thousands of mussels. The facility provides the mussels with high-quality water, a warm habitat and a refirgerator filled with dead algae. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raising mussels, like children, is an all-consuming undertaking. Boley said she and some employees have had to come in the middle of the night to alter the habitat's temperature or change the mussels' food. However, those are minor inconveniences compared with ensuring clean, healthy bodies of water, she said. "Since we have so many broken up populations, the idea is we would be able to raise numbers to fill in some gaps and bring mussels back in those areas," Bowley said. Those mussels will be tagged and tracked. Boley and her team will periodically check on the mussels and see if their efforts are making a difference in the White River's overall water quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wild, freshwater mussels have a low survival rate. Less than 1% reach adulthood, partly because of environmental changes and also because of invaders. These invaders include the zebra mussel and the Asiatic clam. Zebra mussels, in particular, are prolific breeders. Females can produce up to a million eggs per season, according to Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers, a campaign for raising awareness of invaders. Both invaders can be found in Indiana's lakes and streams. Zebra mussels have been spotted in bodies of water in Tippecanoe, Hamilton, Clark and Steuben counties, among others. Hoosiers are advised to report their presence to the Department of Natural Resources. Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254. The co-leader of Germanys AfD has endorsed the policy of remigration, pledging to carry out mass deportations of immigrants if it enters government next month. Announcing her partys election manifesto, Alice Weidel said Germany would witness repatriations on a large scale and a total closing of Germanys borders in the partys first 100 days in power if elected. The AfDs candidate for chancellor used the controversial term remigration to describe the policy during a speech to supporters in Riesa, a small town in eastern Germany that has seen a series of anti-AfD protests in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The phrase refers to the return of migrants to their place of origin regardless of their citizenship status. If this must be called remigration, then let it be called remigration, she said as the crowd cheered in response, while protesters jeered outside the town hall. Remigration has been a controversial and much-debated term in German politics over the past year, with critics saying the policy is akin to ethnic cleansing. Last week, investigative journalists published allegations of a secret meeting near Potsdam involving far-Right groups, including senior AfD figures, to discuss the remigration of millions of people including non-assimilated people with German citizenship. Police clashed with protesters outside an AfD event in Riesa on Saturday - Matthias Rietschel/REUTERS The commitment to remigration has put the AfD at odds even with other European far-Right groups, including Frances National Rally, headed by Marine Le Pen, which expelled AfD from its European Parliament group in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the AfD which has been labelled a suspected extremist group by Germanys domestic intelligence agency has been climbing in the polls ahead of the vote, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to lose, on Feb 23. Recent polls show the party in second place, with an average of 20 per cent. One poll showed only an eight-point difference between the AfD and the front-running centre-Right Christian Democrats (CDU) on just over 30 per cent. However, a long-standing arrangement among Germanys other parties against working with the AfD means it is unlikely to enter government. That realistically leaves the CDU to work with one of the countrys two main Left-wing parties to form a government, at a time when many Germans want a tougher line on immigration and asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two parties are Mr Scholzs Social Democrats and the Greens, which are fighting it out for third place. Polls put support for the parties at 15 and 14 per cent respectively. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Peekskill Central School District in New York is warning families of a disturbing new scam in which criminals use generative artificial intelligence to mimic childrens voices in an attempt to extort money from unsuspecting parents. In a message sent to the community this week, Superintendent David Mauricio revealed that two families had recently received calls from strangers claiming to have kidnapped a loved one and demanding a ransom. The realistic nature of these calls made the threats particularly alarming. While fake kidnapping calls aimed at exploiting worried parents are a familiar tactic for some criminals, advancements in technology are making these scams far more convincing and harder to detect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this new, high-tech version of the scam referred to as a Virtual Kidnapping Extortion Call criminals use AI-powered tools to replicate a childs voice, lending a chilling sense of credibility to their demands, Mauricio wrote in the message, according to Patch Peekskill-Cortlandt. Just last month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning that criminals are increasingly leveraging generative AI to enhance the believability of their schemes. Federal investigators describe this method, known as vocal cloning or AI-generated audio, as a sophisticated tactic in which realistic-sounding audio clips of a loved one in distress are created and used to coerce victims into paying ransoms. To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, Mauricio urged parents to check their privacy settings on social media accounts, review any information published online and refer to tips offered by the National Institutes of Health. Also, the superintendent urged, check what platforms your child is using and what information they are providing. Air defence systems in Kyiv Oblast are targeting Russian drones, with an air-raid warning briefly issued in the capital. Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration; Kyiv City Military Administration Quote from Oblast Military Administration: "Enemy UAVs have been detected in the airspace. Air defence forces are being deployed against the targets." Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv due to a Russian drone attack at 22:15. However, the all-clear was given shortly after, at 22:19. The threat persists in Ukraine's eastern, northern and central oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! (WJW) With dangerously cold temperatures warming centers across the region are staying open. See the list of open warming centers below: Heres the latest forecast Akron Hours will be extended at Summit Lake Community Center (380 W Crosier St.) through Friday Jan. 24 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Summit Lake Community Center will return to normal hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and reopen for extended hours beginning on Sunday. All other City of Akron community centers will be open during their normal business hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Emergency Overnight Shelter located at 111 East Voris St. will be open through Friday, Jan. 24. The shelter operates between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. Brook Park Mayor Ed Orcutt reminded residents in a statement to stay safe out there, while explaining that the Brook Park Recreation Center (17400 Holland Road) would be utilized as a warming center through the week, although it was not clear how long that would last. Find out more about the rec center right here. Canton Canton for All People at Crossroads United Methodist Church (120 Cleveland Ave. SW) open nightly from 8 p.m. 8 a.m. Edward Peel Coleman Community Center, 1400 Sherrick Road SE, open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m each night Monday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Jan. 24 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refuge of Hope (715 2nd St. NE) open 8:30 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jan. 20-24 and 8:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. Use routes #102 and #105 to Crossroads Church Use route #110 to the Edward Peel Coleman Community Center Tell the driver you are going to a warming center and there is no fee According to a press release from the City of Canton, warming centers are open for those in need. Warming centers include: Edward Peel Coleman Community Center, located at 1400 Sherrick Rd. S.E., will be open Monday, Jan. 20 to Wednesday, Jan. 22 each night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Refuge of Hope, located at 715 Second St. NE, will be open Monday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p. According to the citys public health Facebook page, free public transportation is available to warming centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SARTA Stark Area Regional Transit Authority will transport from any regular bus stop to the Cornerstone Transit Center. Use routes #102 and #105 to Crossroads Church Use route #110 to the Edward Peel Coleman Community Center Tell the driver you are going to a warming center and there is no fee. Cleveland The Division of Recreation has extended the operating days for warming centers through Wednesday, Jan. 22. or overnight shelter needs, the city asks that residents call 211 for assistance. Warming centers: Michael Zone Recreation Center Lonnie Burten Recreation Center Collinwood Recreation Center Zelma George Recreation Center Cleveland Fights Back Network will also open warming centers. Warming centers include: On the West side, CLE Liberation Center located at 9801 Denison Avenue will be open from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. with food from noon 2 p.m. This location is also open Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the East Side, New Era Clubhouse located at 11713 Buckeye Road will be open from 10 a.m. 4:30 a.m. The Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland is expanding services to support warming centers from Jan. 22-24. Locations and hours are as follows: The Salvation Army East Cleveland Corps: 1507 Doan Ave. East Cleveland 10 am to 6 pm The Salvation Army Miles Park Corps: 4139 E. 93rd Street, Cleveland 9 am to 4 pm The Salvation Army Ohio City Corps: 4402 Clark Ave., Cleveland 9 am to 4 pm The Salvation Army Temple Corps: 17625 Grovewood Ave., Cleveland Hours Open: 10 am to 7 pm The Salvation Army West Park Corps: 12645 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 9 am to 4 pm Cuyahoga Falls The City of Cuyahoga Falls will activate the Natatorium as a warming center. According to the mayor, the warming center will be open from the close of business Monday, Jan. 20 and extend through the days of freezing temperatures. The Natatorium is located at 2345 4th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents will need to check in at the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, 2310 2nd Street, using the entrance near the Oakwood Drive intersection. Elyria An emergency warming shelter will be open at South Rec, 101 South Park Drive in Elyria, through Thursday at 7 a.m. City officials said the shelter will be held in the community room. Gym activities will not be impacted. Crated and leashed pets are welcome, city officials said. Lorain Faith Ministries Christian Church, 1306 Euclid Avenue, which is open from Monday at 11 a.m. through Thursday at 11 a.m. Portage County Portage County will have a warming center in place at Shepherds House of Portage County located on 2645 State Route 59, Ravenna. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portage Area RTA is providing rides to the center for those without transportation. The ride will be free if the rider mentions they are going to the Shepherds House. Shelter dates: Monday, Jan. 20 Wednesday, Jan. 22: Day and night shelter Rocky River The city is offering two warming center options: The Rocky River Recreation Center (21016 Hilliard Blvd.) is open through all normal business hours. Memorial Hall at the Don Umerley Civic Center (21016 Hilliard Blvd.) is going to be open as a warming center overnight through Wednesday morning. You can find the full forecast here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An Akron woman has been charged with felony assault of an officer while in custody at the Franklin County correctional center on Jackson Pike. According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, Jessica Thomas, 36, was an inmate after a capias was issued by the Summit County Sheriffs Office in relation to criminal charges. She was arrested in the 7400 block of Huntington Park Drive in Columbus, and held at the Jackson Pike location from Nov. 1-8. Columbus police seeking leads in 2021 homicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said that on Nov. 4, Thomas attempted to escape a housing unit by running out of an open door. Thomas reportedly ran into a deputy, and the two fought. Documents state that Thomas pulled the deputys hair and began striking the deputy in the face. The two fell to the ground and continued wrestling before deputies apprehended Thomas. On Thursday, Thomas, who spent the previous two months at Summit County Jail, was returned to Franklin County to face the assault charge and a judge issued her a $25,000 bond. Bucyrus councilmember accused of stealing over $50,000 from disabled person Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Thomas was sentenced to two years of community control on drug possession charges in Summit County. She now faces a violation of parole stemming from a 2020 conviction on grand theft of a motor vehicle felony charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. NEW YORK (PIX11) Police are searching for two individuals in connection to a citywide burglary pattern involving lottery tickets. The suspects are accused of stealing lottery tickets valued at around $6.9K in Manhattan and Queens. More Local News The first incident happened on Dec. 26. Police say the two suspects entered a business at 46 8th Avenue around 8:30 p.m., acted as though they had a firearm, and took around $2,100 worth of lottery tickets. They fled in an unknown direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second incident happened on Jan. 8. around 8:20 p.m. at a business at 31-02 Broadway. The two suspects displayed a firearm and took around $4,800 worth of lottery tickets, police say. The two then fled and were seen entering Broadway subway station. The NYPD obtained the following surveillance photos of the suspects from cameras at the subway station. No one was injured in either incident, police say. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The home seen in Scissors, a new song and music video from Julia Michaels and Maren Morris, burned down in the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles. The pair made the video in Altadena, Michaels mentioned in an Instagram post on Friday (Jan. 10), the release day for her latest single with Morris. On YouTube, she shared a message that theyd learned the homes owners, a couple with two young children, had since lost their house. (One of the L.A. regions wildfires, the Eaton Fire, started in Altadena on Jan. 7; high winds turned it into a firestorm that destroyed as many as 5,000 structures in this area of L.A. County, the New York Times reported.) More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The house we shot the Scissors video in has been wiped out due to the wildfires in LA, Michaels wrote in a comment on YouTube, pinned for viewers to see. I feel so deeply sad for the family that lent their home to us to create this video. I just have no words for the devastation that has transpired in such a short span of time. If you are able to give anything to help this family rebuild donate here. She shared the link to a GoFundMe started by a friend of the family facing the loss of their home. As of Saturday (Jan. 11), the funds donation goal is close to being met. In an Instagram Story, Morris wrote, the house we just shot Scissors in sadly was lost in the fires. it was a cute familys home I got ready in their kids bathroom. now its this. between floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, ugh. my heart breaks for every child who doesnt get to go home, the animals displaced. my heart breaks for mother earth. For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information amid the ongoing wildfires in California, go to L.A. Countys emergency website here. A list of organizations helping those impacted by the wildfires is here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her Instagram post about Scissors on Friday, Michaels had said, I hope you like this video as much as we enjoyed making it and that it captures a little of the magic and beauty that is Altadena foothills, after praising Morris and the team behind the shoot: So proud of this video and getting to create this song with some truly incredible people. @marenmorris, I am so in awe of you, your voice, your talent, the woman you are. What an honor it is that I get to sing with you AGAIN. The music video for Scissors is a cheeky one that matches the lighthearted tone of the pop tune, with the ladies singing about cutting a lover off, and out, of their life. Michaels and Morris coyly play on the lyrics with visual references of actual scissors (and scissorhands) coming for a man in bed and end the clip with the sound of a quick snip. Scissors is the first single of 2025 from both artists, and it follows their 2024 collab, Cut! Morris teased their new song ahead of its release in a red carpet interview with Billboard at the Golden Globes last weekend, saying, Yall are not ready. Its so, so good. The video is so funny. See the Scissors video below. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (NewsNation) Rubble and debris litter the small town of Altadena, California, whose approximately 44,000 residents are scrambling after the Eaton Fire destroyed homes, churches, businesses and everything in between. Hotel to hotel until I get some assistance. I have nothing but my dogs and me, said Tonya Robinson, who lives in Altadena, as she fought back tears. One thing I do have is God. My church here where Im at right now, I got food, I got blankets, I got food for my dogs. I got everything that I need right now. Altadena, about 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its resilient working class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Eaton Fire was 27% contained as of Sunday morning, according to the Los Angeles National Forest. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., recently spoke to NewsNation about the area, which is within her district. Altadena has working people, people who may not have enough money by which to go and rent a hotel, maybe for, you know, months to come, she said Friday. I would like to ask you and any other media individuals that may be listening to do everything that you can to get attention on Altadena. Waters said the area has just about been flattened. Californias working class overlooked amid wildfires, US rep says Up in flames within four minutes Altadena residents Jason Rhodes and Alina Kiessling lost their home in the Eaton Fire after evacuating with their 3-year-old daughter, who will turn four soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went to bed feeling a little uneasy, and I was checking my phone every few minutes for updates, Kiessling said. The next morning, Rhodes went outside to get the car ready. Within minutes, he came inside and said, We have to go right now,' Kiessling said. It took four minutes for our house to go up (in flames). They were one of more than 150,000 who were forced to flee in the greater Los Angeles area. They were only able to grab some clothes and important papers and drove about 40 miles away to stay with friends. Californians contend with looting, price gouging, insurance issues 11 dead, all from Altadena A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire. California Wildfires A house engulfed in flames Smoke and debris fill the air as a structure on Lake Avenue burns. Eleven people have died from the Eaton Fire, all of which were Altadena residents, NewsNation affiliate KTLA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scenes of devastation have replaced what was once a thriving middle and working class community in Altadena. In a matter of days, thousands have lost their homes. In some cases, entire blocks are wiped off the map. Homes passed down from generation to generation are gone. Everythings gone, and its just so devastating, just my whole neighborhood, both streets, Im a corner house, and from the small street going down to the street going across, theres no homes, maybe one. And its just, its just devastating, said Kimberly Grant, an Altadena resident and business owner, to NewsNation. Altadena town Councilmember Sylvia Vega detailed the devastation on NewsNations Morning in America with Hena Doba Sunday morning. When something happens, you want to be able to be able to go to your church, you want to be able to go to school and have some normalcy, and for so many in our community, theyre not going to have that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has a message for her constituents. We will rebuild, Vega said. We will survive. Strained water supply The area is dealing with a water system issue, resulting in unsafe drinking water and a lacking supply. Power outages are widespread as well. The water still needs to be assessed. We need to know that our drinking water will be safe, said Altadena Councilmember Milissa Morona, whose home was spared but neighbors werent so lucky. If winds pick up, I fear I may lose my house as well, she said. When I was leaving my house yesterday a couple days ago, there were tornado-type winds coming at me with fireballs. I dont know that they (firefighters) could have done anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy students complete their end-of-year schoolwork in one of the three upstairs bedrooms of a farmhouse near Humboldt, South Dakota, on May 10, 2024. The hybrid school leases the property to hold classes. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Sara VanDerVliet didnt have a minute to spare. The agricultural education teacher was responsible for 150 students split between seven classrooms in the Tri-Valley School District. She saw each student for an hour a day, with 20 other students in each class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Future Farmers of America adviser, she also managed up to 100 students with nearly 30 competitions throughout the year jammed between her responsibilities as a teacher, farm wife and a mother of four. Rising Alternatives This is the fourth story in a five-part series about alternative instruction in South Dakota. Further stories examine the reasons families choose alternative options, accountability concerns, growing alternatives for Indigenous education, and the ways some public schools are working with alternative-instruction families. She felt guilty. She didnt have the time to do her job well, she thought. After teaching for 17 years in the public school, she felt like she was failing her students and herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It got to the point where it was sucking the life out of me, and my own kids were put on the backburner, VanDerVliet recalled. So she quit. VanDerVliet is one of thousands of teachers across the country to leave their jobs since the pandemic, which has added to understaffing problems at some public schools, including in South Dakota. Reasons for leaving other than retirement include too many responsibilities, too little pay and concerns about well-being, based on a 2022 McKinsey and Company survey. But VanDerVliet didnt leave the profession. She started a hybrid school called Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy. The school combines in-person teaching in a classroom setting twice a week and at-home learning the rest of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She incorporates her faith into her work, teaches a smaller number of students, and threads agriculture the lifeblood of her rural southeastern South Dakota students throughout all grade levels, rather than reserving it for high school. Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy founder Sarah VanDerVliet and one of her students Madison Zacharias show off their seedling plants on May 10, 2024, in the school near Humboldt, South Dakota. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) For decades, alternative instruction was synonymous with homeschooling. In recent years, its changed to include pods, co-ops, microschools, hybrid schools and online schools. For a growing number of South Dakota students, alternative instruction exists on a spectrum between school and home, in person and online, with teachers ranging from parents to paid professionals. Alternative instruction has nearly tripled in South Dakota over the last decade from 3,933 students in 2014 to 11,489 now making up about 7% of school-age children in the state. The rise is one of the highest in the nation, and Gov. Kristi Noem is proposing to support it with $4 million for education savings accounts of $3,000 per student, which could be used to pay for a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noems proposed funding could be used for tuition to Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy. VanDerVliets alternative school is one of over a dozen in South Dakota many started within the last four years by former educators. Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy student Josie Johnson inspects a beehive frame on May 10, 2024, by the school near Humboldt, South Dakota. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) As alternative instruction grows and shifts toward online and microschool models, critics have grown concerned about quality and accountability, because some alternative schools lack accreditation and have uncertified teachers. Buffalo Christian, which is unaccredited, opened in the fall of 2022. Families from within an hour and a halfs drive of Humboldt bring their children to the two-story farmhouse twice a week, trusting VanDerVliet and her teaching partner with their childrens education. VanDerVliet plans to keep her teaching certification up to date, especially so her students can participate in Future Farmers of America as a chapter. Her teaching partner was an elementary school teacher for 13 years, but did not keep her certification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first year, 22 students enrolled at Buffalo Christian. This school year, there are 31. If people have the heart to teach, no matter what form, theyll teach, VanDerVliet said. And theyll teach well. Wide variance in alternative schools Hybrid schools like Buffalo Christian are one of several schooling options for alternative instruction students. Schools like VanDerVliets are private schools unaccredited by the state. The schools arent accountable to state standards, testing or oversight like public or state-recognized private schools, such as some religious, colony or tribal schools. The state Department of Education has virtually no oversight of unaccredited alternative schools due to deregulation passed by lawmakers and Gov. Noem in 2021. Alternative schools vary by how theyre operated: some meet five days a week, others less; some teach all subjects while others leave some for parental instruction; and some are religious while others are not. Ultimately, the structure depends on the founder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Acton Academy in Sioux Falls, the school doesnt use classrooms, it has studios. Students dont learn from teachers, they learn from guides. And its not a school year, its a heros journey. Students lead their parent-teacher conferences and present their learning through projects and debate to their parents after each unit instead of taking a test. The school encourages students to take ownership of themselves and their education before they dive heavily into academics, said Aaron Johnson, administrator of the Sioux Falls location. There are over 300 Acton Academy locations internationally. A Sioux Falls Acton Academy student shows school parents and staff butterfly cocoons during a presentation in May 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Johnson has no background in education but some of his guides do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a society, weve got it wrong on both ends, Johnson said. You have a 5-year-old raised in academics when they need to understand themselves and peer relationships and do that through play, freedom and being an actual child not heres your set of academic achievements as a 5-year-old. Lack of regulation concerns critics Samantha Field, government relations director for the national nonprofit Coalition for Responsible Home Education, said she has concerns about the rise in hybrid and microschools. She sees too much trust among the alternative instruction community in other adults and instructors. For example, not all learning communities require background checks to teach children. While the onus is largely on the parents to ensure instructors are safe, it should also be a responsibility of the state, Field said. She was homeschooled from 1993 through 2005 in New Mexico, Florida and Iceland. She said her co-op instructors were not able to teach some subjects adequately. Generally, its accepted that the state has a duty and responsibility to make sure its students are protected, even if the parent is not being responsible, Field said. Thats why teachers have background checks. Joan Hess works with St. Joseph Academy students on math while her toddler, Thomas, clings to her on May 13, 2024. The classical school in Sioux Falls, which is a traditional model based in liberal arts, was taught by parents during the 2023-2024 school year, but switched to a hybrid model for the 2024-2025 school year. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some alternative schools are accredited through nongovernmental programs, such as Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The school is accredited through the Association for Waldorf Schools of North America. Acton Academy in Sioux Falls is accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools. Accreditation isnt required for alternative schools and programs in South Dakota. But it can mean more funding to the school, since it ensures the school meets expectations and standards. Accreditation can also inform parents of what the standards are at the school. South Dakota law allows alternative instructors to teach up to 22 children at a time. Certification and background checks arent required. Many staff members teaching alongside former educators arent certified. State accreditation would require certified staff. Most alternative school founders interviewed for this article said they do not want to be accredited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said accreditation requirements can counter alternative teaching methods, especially if the school does not want to comply with state-mandated content standards, classroom hours or testing. Complying with those requirements could make alternative schools no different than public schools, said Mary Jo Fairhead, founder of a microschool in Martin, which would defeat the purpose of starting an alternative school. Jason Watson, superintendent of Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller, has a different view. The school is accredited by the state and the Association of Christian Schools International. Watson said few textbooks used at the academy would be found in a public school, and testing is not a driving force for the school. Most of the state requirements are common sense and what the school would be doing anyway, Watson said. The only specific benefit to state accreditation for the private school, Watson said, is to receive tax-credit scholarships for students. The state created the private-school scholarship program in 2016 by giving tax credits to insurance companies for their scholarship donations. Last year, the Legislature raised the programs cap to $5 million. About 30 of Sunshine Bible Academys 77 students receive the scholarships. Rob Monson, executive director of School Administrators of South Dakota, said the benefit of accreditation is that it provides expectations and standards for participating schools to show they are viable. Monson also advocates for stronger oversight of alternative instruction. Hed like to see the state return to some sort of assessment to check student progress and authorize school districts to reenroll students into an accredited program, either public or private, if they do not meet standards. We basically have an IEP for every child Fairhead said becoming state-accredited could undermine her mission at Onward Learning in Martin. Her state certification as a teacher, principal and superintendent is still valid, and she plans to keep it up to date just in case the state changes its regulations and requires certification. But her other teachers at the school arent certified, which she said isnt a concern for her. While earning her undergraduate degree in education, she tutored students in Spearfish and came to believe public schools arent serving some students who are falling through the cracks. That belief grew while she served as a principal in Batesland, part of the Oglala Lakota County School District. Schools identified as improvement schools by the state and federal government test their students more heavily than other school districts. Oglala Lakota schools start testing in kindergarten. Field trips or class parties are used to incentivize students to perform better on tests, Fairhead said. Students who dont perform dont participate. Mary Jo Fairhead is the founder of Onward Learning, a microschool in Martin. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Fairhead didnt like that approach. Weve gone too far with it. Were using it in a way that has major consequences, she said. At the end of the day, kids are humans and not a percentage on a test. At Onward Learning, a birth through eighth-grade child care provider, preschool and microschool, Fairhead gives her students a placement test in math and reading when they enroll in school and tests them sparingly afterward. The microschool is based out of Fairheads former house, which her family lived in before moving to a new home just outside of Martin. We basically have an IEP for every child based on their needs and interests and strengths, Fairhead said, referring to individualized education programs. What happens when alternative school children apply for college? Typically, a transcript and passing score on a standardized exam, such as the ACT, are required to apply to colleges and universities. In South Dakota, transcripts of a students educational career can be personally submitted by alternative instruction students rather than an official transcript from a school district, according to the South Dakota Board of Regents. Northern and Black Hills state universities dont require potential students to submit exam scores. The headcount of public university students with an alternative instruction background grew from 248 systemwide in 2015 to 377 this fall. The number of alternative instruction high school dual enrollment students taking a college class while still in high school increased from 24 in 2015 to 71 this school year. The average ACT score for first-year South Dakota public university students who self-identified as coming from an alternative instruction background stands at 26, according to state data for 2024 enrollment. The average score for South Dakota public school students is nearly 23. Retention among first-time alternative and public school students is comparable, with around 84% of students returning the next school year. Fairhead conducts unit tests for math to help her understand if students need to revisit skills or concepts. She does not report test scores to the state or another entity. Tests in English, writing, reading and science are mostly observation or essay based, Fairhead said. Students present a project or portfolio for history rather than take a test. A multiple choice test, anyone can guess and get right, Fairhead said, but if youre presenting a project on the Civil War and youve done your research, you can create an awesome presentation showing all the things youve learned and explain it in your own words and voice. Thats a deeper level of learning than filling in the right circle. She has 35 children, split among four teachers. Twelve children sit on the waiting list. About 90% of Fairheads students are enrolled in the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Onward Learning teaches Lakota language and values, Fairhead said, who is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. About 75% of the schools board is Indigenous. Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy graduation certificates, testing sheets and homework sit on a table for students to collect before leaving for summer break on May 10, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) VanDerVliets Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy is also growing. Shes planning to increase to 40 students and add another teacher to the program. She still works as an FFA adviser for her students, since its an integral part of agricultural education in the state. But she has 12 advisees instead of the hundred or so some other advisers handle. Shes still crazy busy, but she has more time to teach her students and raise her children, to work on the family farm with her husband and create lesson plans, and to care for herself and those around her. Another FFA adviser chatted with her at a competition last year. Before leaving to run after his students, he made sure she knew: She doesnt look as stressed. Types of alternative instruction South Dakota recognizes three educational paths for students: public, nonpublic and alternative instruction. Public and nonpublic schools are accredited through the state Department of Education. The state doesnt accredit alternative instruction schools. Such programs can be accredited through other entities. Types of alternative instruction include: Several ambassadors to Israel have joined the weekly rally in Tel Aviv of family members and supporters demanding the government reach a deal to return the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The protest comes on the same day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to talks in Doha, in a sign of progress towards ending 15 months of war. "We are in a phase of intensive negotiations, which is good. I believe that these efforts should not be interrupted or stopped," said Germanys ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert. Demonstrators in Tel Aviv wave signs during a protest calling for the immediate release of the hostages held in Gaza, 11 January, 2025 - Ariel Schalit/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved. "We know that the only way to bring all the hostages home is through negotiations. Therefore, I call on those involved in the negotiations now to do the extra leg that is required to reach a deal," said Simon Walters, the UKs ambassador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weekly rallies in Tel Aviv have taken place for months on what has come to be known as 'Hostages Square'. They have also taken on a political dimension with many protesters demanding Netanyahu call fresh elections and step down. They accuse him of prioritising his political survival over the lives of the around 100 hostages believed to be in Gaza. "Six soldiers were killed in Gaza this week alone. Nearly every day more names of fallen victims are released. How much more blood will be spilled for Netanyahu's personal interests?" said one of the protesters, Efrat Machikawa. "It's time, the people of Israel want this government to go. We want the war to end, and we need the hostages home," said Idit Peterson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Netanyahu's announcement that Mossad's foreign intelligence chief will attend the talks, it is not immediately clear when David Barnea will travel to Qatar for the latest round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. But there is increasing pressure from the US for both sides to reach a deal before Joe Biden leaves the White House and hands over to Donald Trump on 20 January. Barnea's presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved. Also being sent to Qatar are the head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency and military and political advisers. President Joe Biden talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, 25 July, 2024 - Susan Walsh/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. Netanyahu's office said the decision followed a meeting with his defence minister, security chiefs and negotiators "on behalf of the outgoing and incoming US administrations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. Talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then. Israel's newspaper, quoting Hamas sources, said the details of the ceasefire deal are "almost complete" with "90% of the details" agreed upon but sticking points remain. Under discussion is a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu signalling he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory, but Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas' ability to fight in Gaza. Palestinians struggle to reach for food at a distribution centre in Khan Younis, 9 January, 2025 - Abdel Kareem Hana/Copyright 2025, The AP. All rights reserved Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Gaza's Health Ministry said more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, the majority women and children, though it doesn't say how many were fighters or civilians. The war in Gaza started in October 2023 when Hamas and other groups launched an incursion into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages back to Gaza. A truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants during the war, without providing evidence. The American pop artist Keith Haring once said, Art is nothing if you dont reach every segment of the people. The founders of the Indiana Museum of Art seem to share that philosophy. The IMA, a 501(3) non-profit, on Wednesday completed its purchase of the former Eagles Lodge on S. Sixth Street, with the intent to convert the building into a physical museum that would be a cornerstone of Logansports future, according to local lawyer and entrepreneur Andrew Miller, who bought the property with artist Jason Myers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mille rand Myers say the IMA will be Indianas only museum with a singular focus on contemporary art. They envision rapidly building a reputation throughout the Midwest by leveraging Myers stature as an artist and his national and international relationships with other artists, galleries, and museums. Myers, who will serve as the museums director, says the museum will regularly feature exhibits of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. The purchase of this property in Logansport aligns perfectly with our vision to bring contemporary art to diverse communities throughout the state, Myers told the Pharos-Tribune. Smartly, the project is being done deliberately and methodically, with a loose timetable to make sure everything is up to the founders standards. While the goal is to open in 2027, Miller said a lot of work needs to be done and they will not hesitate to push the opening back if needed. A project of this scope, theres a lot that goes into it, Miller said. The ambition that we have for this dictates that it will be done deliberately and done well. Deliberate and well isnt always consistent with speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myers and Miller want the IMA to become a brand for the community that can draw visitors, working artists and more economic development. The Cass County Community Foundation is already on board, awarding a $5,000 grant to help the project. The project in total will cost about $3 million and funding will come entirely through donations and grants. They envision the museum hosting a variety of events, workshops and exhibitions. The museum is the latest example of local stakeholders taking charge to improve the community and giving the area more resources to enjoy. The Vibrant Event Center, a 460-seat venue situated along the Eel River, opened last year. Miller is also a member of the investor group for the event center. In December, the Community Foundation secured a $5 million grant to secure a permanent farmers market in downtown Logansport. In November 2021, an elderly man, thin and with a dignified demeanor leavened by an impish smile, traveled from Salt Lake City to the University of Virginia with an urgent message. Wasting little time on pleasantries, he launched straight into his theme. I love this country, which I believe was established with the blessings of God. I love its Constitution, whose principles I believe were divinely inspired. I am, therefore, distressed at the way we are handling the national issues that divide us. In expressing his distress, he was not speaking merely for himself. This was Dallin Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then almost 90, he had been a successful lawyer, a justice of the Utah Supreme Court and president of Brigham Young University. Called to the First Presidency in 2018, he is next in line to succeed Russell M. Nelson, the churchs president and prophet; and he has become the public voice of the churchs civic theology. A civic theology posits that God expects his people to act in certain ways, and to follow his commandments, not only in our personal lives but in our civic lives. In that respect, it operates in the same space as Christian nationalism though what Oaks proposed was antithetical to Christian nationalism and far more profound and promising. When I first read the text of his speech, I felt a frisson. Here was something I had been looking for in my own advocacy of religious liberty and liberal pluralism because it elegantly linked the two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oaks brief began where James Madison and the U.S. Constitution also begin: with the inescapable reality of disagreement and faction. We have always had to work through serious political conflicts, Oaks said, but today too many approach that task as if their preferred outcome must entirely prevail over all others, even in our pluralistic society. We need to work for a better way a way to resolve differences without compromising core values. Liberalism is a permanent state of public negotiation. Oaks argued that religious communities cannot exempt themselves from democratic deliberation; they must participate in it and abide by the results according to the principle of honoring both divine and mortal laws. In other words, religious liberty is essential, but people of faith cannot simply enjoy it and walk away. It comes with obligations. Rendering to Caesar in good faith, said Oaks, requires religious persons and associations to acknowledge what their government does for them and to be faithful in fulfilling the reciprocal responsibilities they owe to the government and their fellow citizens. But what are those responsibilities, and how are they to be carried out on occasions when Gods law and mans law might conflict? Oaks example was a clash between antidiscrimination laws requiring merchants and adoption agencies to serve same-sex weddings and couples, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, religious businesses and nonprofits whose faith commitments forbid participation in what they see as sin. Some Christians and their legal allies are quick to strike a confrontational posture when a conflict arises or even when a conflict does not arise, as when, not long ago, a website designer sued successfully to refuse service to same-sex weddings despite not having been asked to serve one. Oaks took a different tack. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suggests that a way can be found to reconcile divine and human law through patience, negotiation and mutual accommodation, without judicial fiat or other official coercion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, the first order of the day is not to claim supremacy for either religious or secular law, or to declare an existential clash, but to look together for ways to mitigate conflict. The right relationship between religious freedom and nondiscrimination, he said, is best achieved by respecting each other enough to negotiate in good faith and by caring for each other enough that the freedom and protection we seek is not for ourselves alone. Like Madison, he placed good-faith negotiation at the very center of the Constitutions meaning, quoting another church official who said, When we use our religious freedom to bring people together in unity and love, we are defending and preserving religious liberty and the Constitution in a most profound way. Cody Bell/The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Significantly, Oaks argued that seeking unity through patience, negotiation and mutual accommodation is not merely a stratagem for getting along with others; it is a charge from God. In remarks to the faithful earlier that year at the churchs general conference (a semiannual global gathering), he said, Being subject to presidents or rulers of course poses no obstacle to our opposing individual laws or policies. It does require that we exercise our influence civilly and peacefully within the framework of our constitutions and applicable laws. On contested issues, we should seek to moderate and unify. Latter-day Saint scripture states that God established the Constitution of the United States; and in church doctrine, the Constitutions underlying principles were decreed by God not only for Americans but for all Gods children. I see divine inspiration in the vital purpose of the entire Constitution, Oaks told the general conference. We are to be governed by law and not by individuals, and our loyalty is to the Constitution and its principles and processes, not to any office holder. In this way, all persons are to be equal before the law. This doctrine places the church under certain obligations. In a speech in Rome in 2022, Oaks said, Speaking from a religious perspective, I maintain that followers of Jesus Christ have a duty to seek harmony and peace. This duty pertains not just to seeking harmony and peace in ones own church and family and local community; it is a civic commandment, a requirement to approach politics and public debate in a particular way. As Oaks wrote in an article in the scholarly journal Judicature in 2023, We should not expect or seek total dominance for our own positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here the italics are mine, because this is more than a tactical injunction to obey the law in order to stay out of jail, and more than render unto Caesar boilerplate. Oaks argues for an alignment between Gods moral constitution and Madisons political one. Speaking for the church, he sees patience, negotiation and compromise not as means to some end, to be jettisoned if the results are unsatisfying, but as social and spiritual ends unto themselves. At the risk of exaggerating or oversimplifying (but only a little), one could put what he is saying this way: Never dominate, always negotiate because that is Gods plan. A civic theology posits that God expects his people to act in certain ways, and to follow his commandments, not only in our personal lives but in our civic lives. My awareness of something interesting afoot in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came in March 2015, with the announcement of what seemed like a miracle in Utah. Seemingly out of nowhere, at a press conference in Salt Lake City, conservative state legislators, leaders of the states LGBT rights community, and senior representatives of the church announced agreement on legislation extending nondiscrimination protections to LGBT Utahns while also providing targeted exemptions for religious organizations. The bill, SB296, passed the conservative Legislature with overwhelming support. Madison put compromise at the heart of the Constitution because he correctly understood compromise to be more than a mechanical, difference-splitting approach to managing conflict. While it can sometimes be mere difference-splitting, compromise is more often a creative, generative, pro-social endeavor in its own right. If the parties in a disagreement deadlock, they gather more information, bring in new factions and voices, imagine innovations and workarounds. The result is often better than what anyone started with. And the legislative outcome is not the only product; just as important are the relationships built during negotiations, the habits of collaboration formed, and the feelings of goodwill and fellowship which arise among previously antagonistic groups. Simply by having to interact and do business, the parties to a negotiation develop the civic habits of peaceful coexistence and unlearn the habits of domination and distrust. That happened in Utah. To me the process here may be even more important than the legislation, Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah, the states main LGBT group, told me. When I sit down with folks, Ill never see them as an enemy or opponent. Ill see them as a future ally, even if were not there yet. When I asked him to name the downsides of SB296 from the point of view of Utahs LGBT community, he couldnt think of a single one. The culture has changed here in Utah, he said. In every possible way, Utah is now a safer and more welcoming state for the LGBTQ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked if the same change would have happened without SB296; he replied with a firm no. It changed the dynamic forever in the Legislature. Ive watched so many legislators open up their hearts in this process. Capitalizing on the channels of communication and trust they had built, conservative legislators and Equality Utah were able to collaborate on subsequent hot-button issues such as gay conversion therapy. The compromise of 2015 did not come out of nowhere. In 2008, the church had gone all-in to back Californias Proposition 8, which added a ban on same-sex marriage to the states constitution (ending a brief period in which same-sex marriage had been legalized by the states Supreme Court). The church called upon its members in California to contribute and canvass in support of the initiative; it even had local leaders read a statement over the pulpit in California, asking members to do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. In the years after Proposition 8 won at the ballot box, the church opened lines of communication with the LGBT community in Utah. Eyebrows went up in 2009 when the church threw its support behind Salt Lake Citys ban on anti-gay discrimination in housing and employment. That led to several years of quiet, intense conversations between the church and the LGBT community, initially aimed at listening and learning, then turning more substantive. SB296 was only the visible tip of a larger, mostly submerged negotiation. I was (and still am) a devoted advocate of both LGBT equality, especially marriage, and religious liberty. I believed there was room and need to negotiate pathways around conflicts. For me, SB296 was inspirational. And indeed, it inspired similar efforts in other states, as well as negotiations between a center-right LGBT group called the American Unity Fund and a coalition of religious groups (including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) leading to a proposed federal compromise called the Fairness for All Act. None of those efforts bore fruit until, unexpectedly, they did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, concurring with the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas included language suggesting that same-sex marriage, legalized by the court in 2015, might be next on the chopping block. In Congress, House Democrats responded with the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill establishing same-sex marriage in federal law. Seeing an opportunity, the Fairness for All coalition in the Senate added some significant religious liberty protections. By strongly stating that the federal government will not treat opposition to same-sex marriage as the equivalent of racism, and that the government will not use federal instruments like contracts and tax breaks to coerce acceptance of same-sex marriage, the bill squarely addressed the religious communitys two biggest fears. It passed with bipartisan support and with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which did not endorse the same-sex marriage provisions but worked to get the bill enacted and praised its religious liberty provisions as historic and commendable. We have always had to work through serious political conflicts, but today too many approach that task as if their preferred outcome must entirely prevail over all others, even in our pluralistic society. One needs to step back and appreciate why all this matters. Socially, the teachings of the church are conservative. Marriage is between one man and one woman; homosexuality is a sin, and a person who practices it unrepentantly cannot be a church member. For the most part, conservative Protestants and Catholics who share this view have assumed that Americas laws should reflect Gods laws. Reflect does not mean copy or embody. But because, for example, the Bible (purportedly) says that homosexuality is an abomination, conservative Christians have supported laws criminalizing consensual homosexual intimacy (sodomy). To such conservatives, it makes no sense to oppose same-sex marriage as sinful and unbiblical while supporting a law enshrining that very thing. One Latter-day Saint officer recalled to me a conversation he had with a Roman Catholic archbishop who was perplexed by the churchs willingness to compromise on LGBT issues. In its 2019 guide Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calls participation in political life a moral obligation and emphasizes a long list of policy positions Catholics should support. Compromise is mentioned only three times in its 53 pages, and always in a negative context (as in, We cannot compromise basic principles or moral teaching). We should work with others to advance our moral principles, the bishops say, but that injunction is instrumental, a means to an end, not an end in itself. One Catholic commentator told me, I think that Catholic teaching recognizes that compromise is legitimate on the application of principles to legislation, but the bishops are simply not interested in compromising on these (moral) issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was no surprise, then, that the bishops stridently opposed the Respect for Marriage Act, saying that the church will always uphold the unique meaning of marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union of one man and one woman. Similarly, Andrew Walker of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary voiced the prevalent view among evangelicals when he wrote on X, then Twitter: Even if the Respect for Marriage Act had incredible religious liberty protections (it doesnt), it still violates a basic principle of moral construction related to public policy: Law should always reflect truth. It is thus wrong to tell a lie about what marriage is. In other words, the only morally acceptable compromise involving same-sex marriage is noncompromise. Cody Bell/The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints So why was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints defending my legal right to marry a man and, beyond that, endorsing compromise as a good in and of itself? When I asked Dallin Oaks, he acknowledged tactical considerations. Were doctrinally against it, he told me, meaning same-sex marriage, but we believe in living under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So we dont think we give up very much by having Congress enact something thats already the law under the Supreme Court, and what we gain in the Respect for Marriage Act as amended is important enough. What we lose by codifying something that already exists is insignificant. OK, fair enough. But there had to be more to it than shrewd maneuvering. The church could have sat on the sidelines, saying and doing nothing to help the bill pass, or it could have joined with many other conservative religious groups in demanding protections for religious liberty without protection for marriage equality a purist posture which would have been cost-free. Yet here was the church actively supporting a compromise contravening a core doctrine, when doing so was not cost-free. Oaks, when we spoke about it, was well aware that the churchs conciliatory approach is conspicuously countercultural in the conservative religious world. The search for a way in the middle means weve left some evangelicals behind and we dont have the Catholic support that we usually have, and our position does not track well with conservative Republicans. So there are quite a few points of strain on that. He professed not to care about other churches reactions (Im only concerned about what I said being right), and he seemed quite cheerful about coloring outside the lines. He told me: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a professional lifetime interest in the Constitution of the United States, and how it could never have been adopted without compromise among groups that feel differently on powerful issues but found a way to realize that if they would give up on things that were less important they could achieve a common goal thats most important of all. I think thats an approach that has become less and less feasible during my lifetime. A different approach seems to be dominant in government and much public thinking, including among many religious people of different denominations. As Ive prayerfully pondered and tried to see what God would have us do and what is good for our nation, I came to the position that I expressed in the lecture in Virginia. Religious liberty is essential, but people of faith cannot simply enjoy it and walk away. It comes with obligations. So what is the broader lesson in all this? Is it applicable beyond The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Fortunately, one need not replicate the churchs theology in order to learn from it. The Latter-day Saints example allows us to make some hopeful observations, however, none of which requires agreement with their theology. First, it shows that a pluralistic civic theology is possible in America today. The post-liberals are wrong to claim that liberalism is inherently antithetical to conservative and communitarian varieties of Christianity. Christian nationalism is wrong to insist on a divisive, oppositional attitude toward politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You need not surrender your religious faith or identity in order to embrace Madisons constitutional pluralism. You need not regard compromise as defeat and opponents as enemies. Better still, tearing down the wall of separation between personal and public Christian values strengthens both. Seeking to moderate and unify in civic life is both pious and public-spirited. Second, the churchs example also demonstrates that Christian civic pluralism is practical. You can apply it to public policy, get actual deals done and come out ahead. You can obtain more of what you need through patience, negotiation and mutual accommodation than by rioting in the Capitol or hollering about Flight 93 elections. While it is true that the fruits of the spirit should not be judged on the basis of whether they work, they often do work. And not just for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Others who participated in the negotiations leading to the Fairness for All proposal and the Respect for Marriage Act included the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and the (Jewish) Orthodox Union. None of those faith groups supports same-sex marriage as a religious matter or is theologically progressive; but all saw their mission in pluralism, not purism. Third, while other Christian traditions differ from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on theological particulars (and, it should be noted, some evangelicals do not regard Latter-day Saints as Christians), a church which makes an effort to notice and foreground the liberal elements of Christian teaching has plenty to work with. The churchs theology drives its approach to politics, not the other way around. The church is not compromising or deforming its doctrines to conform with contemporary exigencies; rather, it is teaching and modeling core doctrines which serve God and help us live together. Excerpted from Cross Purposes: Christianitys Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch, to be published February 4, 2025, by Yale University Press. Copyright 2025 by Jonathan Rauch. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. This story appears in the January/February 2025 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe. SHINNSTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A veterans benefits class was held at the Shinnston American Legion Post 31 on Saturday, where all veterans were welcome to attend and visit vendors to see what services and benefits are offered to them. Legion representatives say that bringing all the services together allows veterans to have one-on-one time learning about new services that are available to them. Daniel Clarke, a veteran and an attorney with Tucker Disability Law who does outreach in local communities to educate veterans and their families relating to their disability compensation claims with Veterans Affairs, was also in attendance. Vice Commander of American Legion Post 31 Clifford Shingleton was happy to see the event go on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that we found was very lacking in our communities, the awareness of all the programs out there, even folks in our American Legion didnt know some of these services, Shingleton said. So, every time we do this we learn of more services, and we expand our reach to services we didnt know existed. Roughly a dozen partners and agencies were on hand to talk to veterans about what they have to offer them while other services-related partners were able to speak to them about their VA benefits and how to apply for additional benefits. Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge begins restoration of WV peatlands Tristan Henry, a student attorney with the WVU College of Law Veterans Advocacy Clinic, has seen how difficult applying for and receiving benefits can be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just had a veteran come through who had not been represented before, he filed his claims on his own and was having some difficulties with dealing with the VA process, because it is cumbersome, its a government agency right, Henry said. So, we were able to field his questions and give him our business card and hopefully we can help him down the line. Officials with the WVU College of Law said that one of the benefits of their veterans clinics is that they work pro bono who works under the eye of a practicing attorney. All the benefits that they help the veterans obtain go straight to the veteran with the students gaining experience along the way. You can learn more about upcoming events at American Legion Post 31 on its Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (WSAV) American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are assisting a family whose home, located on Whippoorwill Way in Hardeeville, was damaged by a fire Saturday afternoon. The Red Cross is helping 3 people by providing financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, along with referrals to resources. In South Carolina, the Red Cross responds to an average of 6 home fires every day. In the colder months, there is a 30% increase in home fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home fires are a real threat to communities across South Carolina year-round, especially during the winter months, said Yolanda Gainwell, Interim CEO for the Red Cross of South Carolina. We at the Red Cross are urging families to take home fire safety steps to keep your family safe this winter. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are most often responsible for home heating fires. Follow these tips on how to safely heat your home: If you must use a space heater, never leave it unattended . Place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Dont place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets never into an extension cord. Turn the space heater off every time you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home. Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended . Make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace. Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional and cleaned if necessary. To help people affected by disasters, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. An emaciated dog is getting a second chance at life after being rescued by a U.K. shelter on New Years Day. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) posted about the dog 3-year-old Peanut on their Facebook page on Friday, Jan. 10. Peanut is the skinniest dog that our animal rescuer has ever seen alive, after she was found abandoned in a ditch, the shelter wrote. The organization detailed that a compassionate member of the public acted quickly and took Peanut to a local vet for urgent care, before she ultimately landed at the rescues Block Fen Animal Centre. RSPCA Peanut the dog Peanut the dog Related: 6-Lb. Goldendoodle Pup Is Fighting for His Life After Likely Being Abused: He Needs Us and We Need You Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennel supervisor Tiffany Saunders said Peanut was initially "lifeless" but was improving daily while speaking to the BBC. "She's certainly feeling much better though and it is really lovely to see her tail wag," she added. Saunders continued: "Her weight gain is understandably a bit of a slow process as she was incredibly emaciated, so we are needing to introduce her food in small regular meals. She is under the care of a vet and the plan is to continue to build her weight back up. The kennel worker also explained that Peanut has a great appetite, which indicates her current low weight is likely due to neglect and not a pre-existing health condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also shared that Peanut was found with visible sores on her legs from resting on hard surfaces. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. David Allen, an RSPCA animal rescue officer, also spoke to the BBC, stating, She's the thinnest dog I have ever seen and I cannot understand how anyone could allow this to happen. RSPCA Peanut the dog Peanut the dog Related: Dog Who Lost Her 'Limbs, Ears, Tail, and Toes' to Animal Cruelty Cares for Foster Puppies as She Heals While Peanut is microchipped, the shelter said it appears as though her original owners sold her when she was about 6 months old. They added that there are no further records about her most recent owner, or who is responsible for her neglect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RSPCA said that Peanut was just one of 44 abandoned animals that they were alerted to on New Years Day. Additionally, there were 846 abandoned animal incidents reported to their rescue between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24, per the BBC. Those interested in aiding the RSPCA as they continue to help dogs like Peanut and other animals in need can do so by donating here. Read the original article on People How would Sir Keir Starmer have reacted in opposition, had a Conservative government appointed as its anti-graft minister someone whose ties to a corrupt and brutal overseas regime were subject to intense scrutiny? Presumably, with righteous indignation. Why, then, did the Prime Minister appear to be so unperturbed by the allegations swirling around his City and anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq, and her familial and financial links to the overthrown Bangladeshi government formerly led by her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, prior to her decision to resign as a minister late on Tuesday? Hasina ruled the south-Asian nation with an iron first for two decades before fleeing to India in August of last year in the wake of mass protests that led to her regimes collapse. She stands accused by critics and rights groups of overseeing a litany of crimes against humanity including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings as well as rampant corruption in the poor, Muslim-majority nation of 170 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of miles away, in Westminster, the toxicity of Hasinas deposed government has now accounted for Siddiq too, with scrutiny of her alleged involvement with her aunts administration prompting her decision to abandon front-bench duties. The Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgates resignation came after she referred herself last week to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Governments adviser on ministerial standards, over allegations surrounding her links to a number of London properties reportedly tied to Hasinas Awami League party. Reports have suggested a figure associated with the party gifted Siddiq a flat in central London, and that her current address, a 2.1 million family home in East Finchley, is owned by a member of its UK wing. Sir Laurie, for his part, concluded that he did not believe Siddiq had breached the Ministerial Code, but added she should consider her ongoing responsibilities in light of the controversy. The referral came as Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigates Siddiq, Hasina and other members of their family for alleged embezzlement of billions of pounds connected to a Russian-funded nuclear power plant. The probe is based on a series of allegations made by a senior political opponent of Hasinas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was revealed last week that Bangladeshi banks had been ordered by local authorities to provide transaction records for Siddiq, her mother, Sheikh Rehana, two siblings and Hasina, among others, amid concerns over their financial dealings. Sadiq with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former prime minster of Bangladesh The Labour MP has denied any wrongdoing, having always insisted she had little to do with political events in Dhaka. In her resignation letter, Siddiq said her family connections are a matter of public record, adding: When I became a minister I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the Government. She insisted she had acted with full transparency and recused herself from matters relating to Bangladesh during her time in Government. But a deeper look at the case poses many questions that have yet to be answered about her links to Bangladesh. Hasina, whose removal as prime minister ended one of South Asias foremost political dynasties, first came to power in 1996 as the head of the Awami League, the political party founded by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her first stint in office saw Hasina broker a peace deal with insurgents in south-eastern Bangladesh and a historic water-sharing deal with neighbouring India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she was cast aside by voters five years later amid allegations of corrupt business deals and of being overly subservient to New Delhi when her former political ally and the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, won the premiership in a 2001 election. After an eight-year stint in opposition, during which Hasina endured several assassination attempts and was arrested numerous times, she returned as prime minister in 2009. The same year, her niece, Siddiq, was busy building her own political career and seeking election as a Labour councillor in London. According to a now-deleted section of the Labour MPs website, she also worked for the Awami League, as part of its UK and EU lobbying unit and election strategy team. In February 2009, Siddiq appeared on the BBC World news channel as a spokesperson for her aunts party. Her entrenched family ties to the Awami League hierarchy are obvious. In addition to the connection that runs through Hasina, Siddiqs uncle, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and her cousin, Sajeeb Wazed, were senior advisers to the former Bangladeshi regime. Her brother, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, was also a key propagandist for Hasinas government, and a businessman in Dhaka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siddiq might be forgiven for associating closely with an administration that had, at its outset, promised a fresh start for Bangladesh after decades of financial malaise and violence. Certainly, Hasinas supporters credited her with boosting Bangladeshs economy, and initiating a series of key infrastructure projects. But the governments authoritarian nature was soon apparent, and critics say Hasinas rule was underlined by a ruthless determination to cling on to power which led to repression of political opponents and the media. By 2013, Human Rights Watch was warning that Hasinas administration was already engaged in a harsh crackdown on members of civil society and the media. A year later, opposition parties boycotted an election against a backdrop of worsening political violence. Hasinas government had rejected calls to give way to an impartial, caretaker administration ahead of the vote, as had been customary in the country for almost two decades, as part of efforts to guard against manipulation. By December 2015, the then-Bangladeshi leader was described in a House of Commons report as playing fast and loose with democracy. Against this backdrop, Siddiqs association with her aunt and the political party she led continued. In 2013, the pair posed for a photograph alongside Russian president Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Moscow. The meeting saw Putin agree to bankroll the 10 billion Rooppur nuclear plant on the bank of the river Padma, about 100 miles northwest of Dhaka. The Anti-Corruption Commission alleges Siddiq brokered the deal and helped her family embezzle some 3.9 billion pounds from the project claims the Labour MP denies. Tulip Siddiq, left, with her aunt Sheikh Hasina, third left, and Vladimir Putin in Moscow in 2013 - AP Pool Two years later, in 2015, Siddiq appeared at an Awami League rally in the UK soon after entering Parliament as the Labour Party MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. Hasina also attended the rally, giving her niece a congratulatory kiss on the forehead. Had it not been for your help, I would never have been able to stand here as a British MP, Siddiq said in front of a cheering crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, Siddiqs connections with her aunt were again under intense scrutiny after she was involved in a controversial exchange with a Channel 4 News reporter over the fate of Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, a British-trained lawyer being detained in Dhaka. The son of an Islamist party leader in Bangladesh, Quasem had been held in solitary detention since 2016 and went on to suffer eight years of confinement and torture in Dhakas notorious House of Mirrors prison, so-called because inmates were never supposed to see any other person besides themselves. Siddiq had been a prominent campaigner for the release of the British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison in Iran and it was mooted in 2017 by journalist Alex Thomson that with one phone call to her aunt she could make a huge difference to Quasem. But the Labour MP immediately dismissed the suggestion that she might intervene to help him. Are you aware that I am a British MP and that Im born in London? she replied. Siddiq also told Thomson to be very careful, adding: Im not Bangladeshi and the person you are talking about, I have no idea about their case. That is the end of my statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after Channel 4s questioning and hours before the encounter was eventually broadcast on December 13 of that year Dhaka police raided Quasems family home, telling his wife to remain low and end media coverage of his case. Siddiq, for her part, complained to the police following her exchange with Thomson, alleging she had been the victim of a racially aggravated assault. She was later forced to issue an apology to Daisy Ayliffe, a producer who was working alongside Thomson for Channel 4 News and who was pregnant at the time of the exchange, for making threatening comments relating to childbirth at the end of the interview. Channel 4 News Quasem, who is currently having long-term medical treatment outside of Bangladesh, dismisses Siddiqs assertions that her links to Hasinas government are insignificant. He also accuses her of having repeatedly failed to speak out against the alleged human rights abuses committed by her aunts regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Siddiq] is actively involved with Bangladesh society, he says. She made numerous trips to Bangladesh, after she became an MP. She made media appearances, for instance, gave television and newspaper interviews about her experience after coming to Bangladesh, and she made clear that she derived her motivation from her aunt. If she says shes unaware of all the terrible things that were happening, thats absolutely not credible in any way. She had a duty to Bangladeshi society that she failed to discharge. And if Britain continues to have her as a minister, it will be greatly detrimental to the image of its government and society [abroad]. And what of the more recent suggestions of controversy dogging Siddiq? In particular, in relation to financial dealings involving properties connected to the Labour MP. Earlier this month, it emerged that she had been given a two-bedroom flat near Kings Cross in 2004, according to previously unreported Land Registry filings. The filings indicate the apartment had been donated to Siddiq by Abdul Motalif, a developer with links to the Awami League. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mail on Sunday reported that Siddiq had previously told its reporters, in 2022, that the property had been bought by her parents and given to her as a gift, prompting accusations she had misled journalists. Another property, in Hampstead, was reportedly lived in by Siddiq after it had been purchased by Moin Ghani, a lawyer who represented Hasinas government, and transferred to Siddiqs sister. And Siddiq is also reported to be currently renting a 2.1m home in East Finchley owned by Abdul Karim, an executive member of the UK branch of the Awami League. The Labour MP had repeatedly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing as speculation over her conduct built of late. In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my familys links to the former government of Bangladesh, she wrote in her letter this week to Sir Laurie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. Her resignation would appear to settle the issue of her immediate political future. But serious questions remain over Siddiqs links to the former Bangladesh regime and her apparent unwillingness to criticise its appalling crimes, and of Sir Keirs decision to stick by his minister prior to her decision to quit. Siddiq is reportedly good friends with the Labour leader, and their families have reportedly holidayed together. Above, with Sir Keir and his wife, Victoria A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters last week that he had full confidence in Siddiq, adding she had acted entirely properly by referring herself for investigation. On Tuesday, Sir Keir said he accepted her resignation with sadness. I wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as independent advisor has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part, he added in a letter sent to his former minister. I appreciate that to end ongoing distraction from delivering our agenda to change Britain, you have made a difficult decision and want to be clear that the door remains open for you going forward. Siddiq, whose constituency borders that of the Labour leaders, is said to be one of just a handful of MPs whom the Prime Minister counts as a personal friend. Speaking alongside Siddiq while on the campaign trail for local elections in 2018, Sir Keir described her as my good friend and colleague. Two years later, when he was elected as leader of the Labour Party, Siddiq revelled in his victory, telling reporters he had been a good friend through thick and thin. The pairs families are said to have spent time in each others company, and it has been reported that they have been on holiday together. The Prime Minister wanted his government to clean up politics. But Siddiqs torturous departure after days of mounting questions may mean a degree of reputational damage for the Labour Government from which it could prove hard to recover. The Telegraph contacted the Labour Party and Tulip Siddiqs office for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After four people were shot and killed at Apalachee High School in Georgia in September, many people believe officials failed to see warning signs that the 14-year-old accused of the shooting was displaying. That conclusion could drive Georgia lawmakers, who will convene for their annual legislative session Monday under intense pressure to show they are acting to prevent future shootings, to order agencies to broadly share education, child welfare and juvenile court records. The hope would be that such data will help officials better assess threats that students will hurt themselves or others. State House Speaker Jon Burns of Newington and state schools Superintendent Richard Woods, both elected Republicans, are among those backing more information sharing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do we share that with our sister agencies so we can have a red flag system, that for kids or situations that we need to know about, that needs to be looked at? Woods asked at a forum on school safety on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] But privacy advocates warn that such a data repository could be invasive, and point to findings by federal law enforcement agencies that its impossible to use such records to profile students likely to commit violence. Amelia Vance, president of the Public Interest Privacy Center, says prevention has to be based on what students are actually doing, like making threats or taking action to acquire a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You will overwhelmingly get false flags if you seek to profile students, Vance said. And those false flags will often be based on discriminatory information -- students with disabilities. students who have disproportionate or any interactions with social services. In addition to information sharing, there are calls in Georgia for more money for police officers in schools, more money for school counselors, social workers and mental health counseling, and for mobile panic buttons and technology to detect guns. Georgia Democrats are pushing efforts to limit childrens access to guns, but Republicans refuse to limit gun rights. RELATED STORIES: Colt Gray, who was 14 when officials said he brought his semiautomatic rifle to Apalachee High School, had an earlier encounter with sheriffs deputies in a neighboring county after the FBI got a tip about a threat of violence in a video gaming forum. He skipped the entirety of his eight-grade year, officials have said, and had a panic attack in a counselors office days before the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials and relatives made a halting attempt to admit Gray to inpatient psychiatric treatment, investigators have said. But it may have been sabotaged by the poor relationship between his mother and father. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith is among those who want police and schools to do more to share information I hope in the future there are things put in place that we make sure to check off some boxes or a report gets filed with the state that this person is a person of interest, Smith told WDUN-AM in September. The Georgia plan could mirror efforts in Florida, Texas and elsewhere. Georgia could also join at least 14 other states that require school-based teams to meet and formally assess threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida database, though, didnt immediately live up to its promises, because most people couldnt see all the information it held. Thats in part because federal laws limit outsider access to school and health records without a parents permission. There could be some lower-hanging fruit in Georgia. Right now, when a student changes school districts, the old school is mandated to send student records to the new school within 30 days. Most officials agree that in an electronic age that is far too long, and that officials at the new school need prompt information to meet a students needs. The other half of the equation could be threat assessment. Georgia homeland security officials are already teaching school districts how to create threat assessment teams. Linda Criblez, the deputy director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, said Wednesday that the program is equipping schools with understanding of what a true threat looks like so that they know when to escalate the situation and get additional help. But she also said its teaching schools that sometimes a student is not a threat to others and just needs help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats where spending more on school counselors, school social workers and mental health workers could become a factor. Education advocates have long pushed Georgia to hire more counselors. The American School Counselor Association recommends one counselor for every 250 students, while the ratio in Georgia was 378 students per counselor last year. Georgias mental health agency also funds a program called Apex that pays for mental health services for students. That program is currently voluntary and only serves about a third of Georgias schools. I would love to have a licensed counselor in every single school, said Kasey Ross, regional youth services director for Highland Rivers Behavioral Health. I think that would make a huge impact. But even with more money, a workforce shortage could make it hard to quickly staff up school counselors or mental health clinicians. And that demand for more funding could compete with the desire of others to spend more on school security. The state budget that began July 1 includes more than $100 million in ongoing funding for school security, enough to provide $47,000 a year to each public school for safety. But many officials say thats not enough to pay the full cost of one security officer for each school. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) The Austin Police Departments SWAT assisted the Lockhart Police Department with a barricaded subject that turned into an officer-involved shooting Saturday. At approximately 3 p.m., Lockhart police said officers responded to the 900 block of S. Brazos Street after a 911 call reporting a physical assault. Officers found a victim with a gunshot wound, who was then taken to a local hospital and released. During the initial investigation, LPD officers discovered the suspect shot at the victim and then left the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was later found, and APD SWAT assisted LPD regarding a barricaded subject around 5:45 p.m., according to APD. Authorities said the suspect resisted while officers worked to detain him, and an APD officer shot at the suspect, which resulted in a gunshot injury. The suspect was taken to Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle, according to LPD. Lockhart police on Monday identified the suspect as Jesus Marcos Manzano, Jr. According to police, he has been discharged from the hospital and booked into the Caldwell County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. KXAN is working to find attorney information for Manzano, Jr. to request a comment on his charges, and we will update this story when we receive a response. The Austin Police Departments SWAT assisted the Lockhart Police Department with a barricaded subject that led to an officer-involved shooting in the 900 block of 1st Street in Lockhart. (KXAN News/Todd Bynum) The Austin Police Departments SWAT assisted the Lockhart Police Department with a barricaded subject that led to an officer-involved shooting in the 900 block of 1st Street in Lockhart. (KXAN News/Todd Bynum) APD said the shooting happened just before 8 p.m., and the situation was resolved around 8:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No officers were injured in the shooting, according to authorities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Paris is closing its last remaining brick and mortar tourist office in favour of TikTok and Instagram for local advice. On Sunday, the city closed the doors of its last visitor reception centre near the Eiffel Tower on Quai Jacques-Chirac, where visitors could previously seek travel guidance and book shows from consultants. The move has drawn criticism for prioritising a digital tourism strategy over face-to-face advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing declining foot traffic and emerging tourism trends, Corinne Menegaux, the tourist offices general director, defended the decision as a response to changing consumer habits. Visitor behaviour has changed, particularly in favour of digital technology, Ms Menegaux told Le Parisien, a French newspaper. Tourists, especially the younger generations, want information immediately, now, wherever they are... The single-point model is no longer the most effective. The last visitor reception centre near the Eiffel Tower on Quai Jacques-Chirac, has closed its doors - Google Maps Instead of heading towards physical tourist offices for information, consumers are increasingly relying on social media for help on what to see and where to eat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the tourist office saw 150,000 visitors pass through its doors. That compares to 574,000 visitors in 2015, when the city had five tourist reception points. But Stephane Villain, president of the National Federation of Institutional Tourism Organisations, called the decision to close the last physical tourist office in the French capital short-sighted. The human element is central to travel, he told the newspaper Le Monde. Digital technology is no substitute for meeting someone who can advise you, reassure you and answer your questions. Leaders in the travel industry also pointed out that the digital-centric strategy will shut out the elderly and those who lack digital literacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In lieu of a physical office, the city will implement a digital concierge service by phone and email, and a WhatsApp instant messaging service for personalised advice. Staff at around 30 newspaper kiosks around the city will also become trained as tourist ambassadors. Our approach does not aim to eliminate physical reception but to reorganise it, Ms Menegaux said. January is projected to see a 20 per cent increase in international visitors, compared to the year before - Pawel Libera/The Image Bank RF The closure and reorganisation of the tourism board opens a new year in which Paris is expected to reap the benefits of the citys international exposure during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the Christmas holiday period between Dec 20 and Jan 5, the city saw a 29 per cent spike in air travel arrivals and a 34 per cent increase in long stays of between six to eight days compared to the same period last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement January is also projected to see a 20 per cent increase in international visitors, compared to the year before. Paris attracts on average 30 million visitors a year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. This story has been updated with new information. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Austin Police Department, were involved in shooting and injuring a man who had barricaded himself inside a residence in Lockhart on Saturday, officials said. Lockhart police received a 911 call about 3 p.m. reporting a "physical assault" in the 900 block of South Brazos Street, a news release said, and officers found a man who had sustained a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and has been released, Lockhart police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers determined the man had been shot by another man, who had run away. Law enforcement tracked the man down to a home on First Street, about a mile from downtown Lockhart, and he barricaded himself inside, the release said. At 5:44 p.m., the Austin police SWAT unit received a request for assistance from law enforcement in Lockhart, APD said on X. When officers attempted to arrest the man shortly before 8 p.m., he resisted and was shot, Lockhart police said. The man was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition. Lockhart police said that when he is discharged, they will book him into the Caldwell County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. No officers sustained injuries, Austin police said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lockhart, Austin police shoot barricaded suspect in Lockhart The Azusa Police Department this weekend arrested a homeless man suspected of setting a brush fire at a park located near the foothills. Police officers responded Friday at 11:37 p.m. to a report of a brush fire at Pioneer Park. Police Capt. Robert Landeros said two residents saw the fire, rushed over and saw a homeless man attempting to start another by trying to set fire to a tree that had been knocked down by the recent winds. "It doesn't appear that they use physical force but verbally confronted him and called police," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arriving officers located the man and took him into custody on suspicion of arson while Los Angeles County firefighters put out the brush fire. Landeros identified the suspect as Jose Carranza-Escobar, a homeless man whose last known residence was in Azusa. Landeros didn't say what the man used to start the fire, but he praised the quick intervention of the two residents and response from the local fire station. "We were lucky that the winds were calm last night," he said. The arrest comes a day after residents in a West Hills neighborhood detained a suspected arsonist who they say was trying to start a fire as the Kenneth fire burned, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities identified the suspect as Juan Sierra, 33. Although he was booked on suspicion of a probation violation, the Ventura County Sheriffs Department said Sierra is a person of interest in the Kenneth fire, which began Thursday afternoon near the county line. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. If we're to live in a future free of ads that promote Big Oil and mask the industry's destruction of Earth and associated consequences, a U.K. watchdog will have a major say. After Adfree Cities flagged a commercial by Lloyds Banking Group as misleading, the Advertising Standards Authority banned it, DeSmog reported. The greenwashing attempt touted the bank's "low carbon" and energy transition bona fides, which obscured its heavy investment in oil and gas companies. Last year, Lloyds pumped up its dirty fuel funding by 500 million ($635.5 million), the outlet noted. From 2016 to 2023, it financed industry projects to the tune of 16 billion ($20.3 billion). Do you think more places of worship should embrace clean energy? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Adfree Cities lodged complaints with the ASA about three other advertisements centered on Lloyds' environmental initiatives, but they were rejected because "consumers were unlikely to think they were representative of the bank's wider business activities," DeSmog stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A confusing blend of claims relating to Lloyds' operational and financed emissions helps to obscure the bank's continued financial support to fossil fuels," Adfree Cities Co-Director Veronica Wignall told the investigative publication. "Whether conscious or not, this is a greenwashing tactic we'd expect to see from an oil major, not a bank that's a trusted household name." A Lloyds spokesperson said the "single LinkedIn post for a sustainability awareness day will not be repeated" and added that the company is working to be net zero by 2050. Without the advocacy of Adfree Cities, the ad could have remained unchallenged. There's also something to be said for its raising of alarm bells, which may have educated consumers about Lloyds' oil-related business practices, which support companies that pollute the environment to the detriment of humans, wildlife, and Earth. The rapidly rising global temperature is wreaking havoc on our bodies as well as plant and animal species and driving increasingly severe and frequent extreme weather. DeSmog also reported that climate justice organization Opportunity Green called out an MSC Cruises ad campaign for greenwashing its operations. MSC agreed to remove the ads, but other companies were still marketing the cruise line with claims that it uses "clean, green technology." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Steve Bannon, President-elect Donald Trumps former advisor who helped steer conservative media into the arms of the xenophobic far-right, has vowed to get Trumps new favorite confidant booted from the White House orbit before next weeks inauguration. I will get Elon Musk kicked out by the time hes inaugurated, Bannon told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. "He wont have a blue pass with full access to the White House. Hell be like everyone else. Bannon, a former investment banker and one-time chair of Breitbart News, has clashed with Musk, the CEO of Tesla, in recent weeks as part of a bitter feud over H1-B visas for skilled immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics have argued the tech industry exploits the H1-B program to hire cheaper foreign labor. First generation MAGA hardliners like Bannon, who oversaw Breitbarts nationalist transition into what he called the platform for the alt-right, have called for an end to the program. Data uncovered by Bloomberg News last year showed middlemen outsourcing companies and IT staffing firms had cheated on a massive scale to get a larger share of the limited annual spaces available through the H1-B program, bringing in people with less-remarkable resumes, paying them lower wages and heightening the risk of undercutting American labor. Musk, one of Trumps second-generation tech bro backers, initially backed the program, but then softened his stance and conceded it is broken. But not before he signaled his agreement with an X post that claimed Americans were too retarded to perform skilled jobs, which left a lasting sting for Bannon and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suffered a major defeat in America on H1B visas, he derided our movement as racist and retarded, and he lost, added Bannon in the interview Wednesday. He has the maturity of a child. He has tried to change the conversation, after losing credibility in the United States and the fact that, frankly, people around Trump are tired of him. Musk, the worlds richest man, essentially bought his way into the Trump circle, donating $277 million of his own money to the campaigns backing the president-elect and other Republicans, making him the largest donor in the 2024 election cycle. He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy, Bannon added of Musk. I made it my personal thing to take this guy down. Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it; Im not prepared to tolerate it anymore. Bellevue Police is asking the community to stay vigilant after a 72-year-old woman was robbed a few hours after teenagers were threatened with a gun in downtown Bellevue. Around 3:50 p.m. on Friday, police answered a call of a robbery near the intersection of Northeast 2nd Street and 108th Avenue Northeast. When police arrived, a 72-year-old victim told police that a man snatched her purse as she was getting into her car following her shopping trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police she had a brief exchange with the man before he grabbed her purse and pushed her to the ground before running away. The victim was taken to Overlake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the suspect and car description in this case are similar to a suspect description they got from an earlier assault. The earlier assault happened around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast 4th Street at Bellevue Square. In this case, police are looking for a suspect who threatened some teenagers with a gun. Police urge the community to call 911 if they witnessed either case or if they see anything suspicious. The suspects description has not yet been released. This story will be updated. Bellingham officials are poised to hit the pause button on parking requirements for both commercial and residential construction citywide, a move aimed at providing more housing in hopes that increased supply will help lower rents, especially for middle-income residents. A public hearing is planned for Monday night on an interim measure that would free developers for one year from having to provide off-street places to store cars at new houses, apartment buildings and shopping centers. I think this interim ordinance represents a huge step forward to address the housing crisis and also a number of core challenges that we face as a city. We under-built for years and as a renter, on the first of every month, I personally pay a very real consequence of those decisions, Councilman Jace Cotton said when his colleagues discussed the ordinance Dec. 16 and voted 6-1 to approve it on first and second readings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays meeting begins at 7 p.m. A public hearing on the matter is part of the agenda. After the hearing council members are scheduled to take a third and final vote on the interim ordinance, which would become law in 15 days and last for one year. The City Council meets at City Hall, 210 Lottie St. Those who want to attend are asked to arrive early because the city is starting a security check before council meetings. Bellingham bolsters City Hall security with metal detector for screening meeting attendees Councilwoman Lisa Anderson, who voted against the measure in December, unsuccessfully urged her colleagues to tie parking reforms to an affordability mandate, as Seattle and Portland have done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think it has to be a lose-lose situation. I do think of this as a missed opportunity, Anderson said. An apartment building has a parking lot for residents in the Lettered Streets neighborhood of Bellingham. New way of thinking Elimination of minimum parking requirements is part of a new way of thinking among urban planners and politicians nationwide, an effort to jump-start housing construction and create a stronger feeling of community in cities and neighborhoods by coaxing residents out of their cars and emphasizing travel by bus, bike and on foot. Parking minimums can reduce land supply that could otherwise be devoted to housing and can be in excess of true parking demand, said Blake Lyon, director of the the citys Planning and Community Development Department. Innovative urban planning philosophy rejects the idea of minimum parking requirements in favor of allowing residential and commercial developers to offer the amount of parking that they believe is needed for their individual projects, Lyon told council members during a presentation and committee discussion on Dec. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, just a reminder, we have six parking spaces available per vehicle in this country. We have an overabundance of parking, he said. In his presentation, Lyon quoted officials at Strong Towns, a nonprofit organization that advocates for a radically new way of thinking about the way we build our world, from roads to housing to neighborhoods and urban centers. The average cost to build a parking space in Washington is $24,600, Lyon told the City Council in memo for Mondays public hearing. Currently, the city requires a minimum of two off-street parking spaces for each new house. Parking for apartment complexes is based on the number of bedrooms in each unit, and commercial parking requirements are based on square footage, according to Bellingham Municipal Code. Mayor seeks quick action City Council members have been kicking the tires around the idea of reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements for several months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the ordinance now under consideration gained traction when Mayor Kim Lund issued an executive order in November, urging the council to act quickly in hopes of jump-starting the local housing construction market. Some 50 cities around the nation have taken similar action, Lyon told the council. Council President Hollie Huthman said she became involved in local politics several years ago because her friends couldnt afford the rising rents of the past decade. People who were contributing creativity, working in the nonprofit field, starting brand-new businesses, those people were moving away and we were losing that. The amount of available and affordable housing is directly related to how many people live unhoused in our community, Huthman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Average rent in Bellingham ranges from about $1,400 a month to about $1,900 a month, according to Zumper, Zillow, Redfin, Apartments.com and Rent.com. Ten years ago, median rent in Bellingham was about $1,000 monthly, according to the Department of Numbers, which aggregates U.S. census data. In 2021, the United Way found that nearly half of Bellingham residents live in poverty or are among the working poor who struggle to pay for a roof over their heads. The proposed ordinance is a really smart policy shift, Cotton said. Obviously, I am the first to insist that supply alone is not a perfect panacea for every problem in our housing market. But I also know that if we dont rapidly increase supply, there is no hope that this community can be a place thats affordable for working people in the decades to come, he said. A beloved music store in Lima was destroyed in a fire early Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 6 a.m. Lima firefighters were called to the 1200 block of West Robb Avenue for a 2-alarm fire, according to Lima Fire Department on social media. TRENDING STORIES: According to an online fundraiser, Groamys CDs and Tapes was heavily damaged in the fire. The music store, located at 1206 W Robb Ave, opened in 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] As wildfires continue to blaze across Los Angeles County, authorities are sounding the alarm on another potential threat to the public: scams relating to the disaster. Multiple law enforcement officials have warned of bad actors scheming to take advantage of charitable people looking to chip in and give to those in need due to the fires. We have people with big hearts who want to help, they want to donate, they want to support the victims," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press conference Saturday. "We also see scammers who are taking advantage of that goodness and that generosity and scamming and defrauding those individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonta urged the public to beware of fraudulent organizations falsely claiming to be charities or nonprofits aiding fire victims. PHOTO: A group of young people gathers to distribute water and clothing to help victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) MORE: Here's how to help wildfire victims as California blazes explode in size Scammers have at times targeted elderly individuals, immigrants and non-English speakers, Bonta said. In some cases, he added, the fraudulent organizations use names that sound misleadingly legitimate. In order to avoid these scams, donors can first do some research on charities theyre considering giving to before opening their wallets, officials said. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell suggested verifying organizations with websites like Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GoFundMe is verifying its fundraisers so donors can trust their contributions are going where theyre truly needed. They're also suggesting a number of organizations where people can donate, including World Central Kitchen, Pasadena Humane, Baby2Baby and several others. PHOTO: A view shows the remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 11, 2025. (David Ryder/Reuters) MORE: California fires live updates: 16 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says Take time to thoroughly research the charity or organization that you're considering. Reputable groups will have clear information about their mission and proven track records, McDonnell said in a press briefing Sunday. McDonnell also recommended steering clear of cash donations whenever possible, instead opting instead for secure, traceable payment methods to ensure that your contributions reach those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if you suspect a donation request is fraudulent, McDonnell asked the public to contact police so they can investigate the matter. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said law enforcement officials are eager to prosecute anyone caught preying on peoples generosity. Bonta reiterated this warning on Sunday, emphasizing there will be harsh consequences. To anyone who would go out and take advantage of this tragedy for their greedy gain, who would further victimize people who have potentially lost everything, who are already victims, who would look at this devastation and see dollar signs, I have a message for you: You will be held accountable, Bonta said. My office will be engaged to hold you accountable. Scam artists may take advantage of the Los Angeles wildfires, officials warn originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified the bicyclist who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Southeast Wednesday as the search for the suspect continues. MPD said that at about 9 p.m. on Jan. 8, officers responded to the 4500 block of Bowen Road for the report of a car hitting a pedestrian in the roadway. Police said an investigation revealed that the man, identified as 64-year-old Michael McCorkle of Southeast, was walking his bicycle across the road in the 4400 block of Southern Ave. when a vehicle struck him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died there. The vehicle left the scene, according to police. Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run in Southeast DC, police say MPD noted that cameras recorded the suspects vehicle, which can be seen here. Anyone with information on this incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to the Departments tip line at 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the first time in his term the president has bestowed that honor, the White House announced on Saturday. The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, Pope Francis is unlike any who came before, the White House wrote in a statement. Above all, he is the Peoples Pope a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. Pope Francis and Joe Biden in Savelletri, Italy, on June 14, 2024. The White House also said Biden spoke with the Pope this morning to tell him about the award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two also discussed efforts to advance peace around the world, including Pope Francis work to alleviate suffering for vulnerable communities, the White House said. In a tweet, Biden also wrote, Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People's Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. Today, it was my honor to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential pic.twitter.com/q4a0DKoSyi President Biden (@POTUS) January 11, 2025 The award comes after Biden was forced to cancel a trip to the Vatican this weekend to stay back and monitor the devastating wildfires in California. The two last met in June, when Biden attended the G7 Leaders Summit in Apulia, Italy. At the time, the two spoke about the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement at the time, the Vatican said, The leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage deal to get the hostages home and address the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Biden thanked Pope Francis for the Vaticans work to address the humanitarian impacts of Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, including his efforts to help return kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families. Not only is this the first Presidential Medal of Freedom that Biden has awarded with distinction, but its the first Medal of Freedom awarded with distinction since President Barack Obama awarded one to then-Vice President Biden. Biden is the second Roman Catholic to be elected president. President John F. Kennedy, the nations 35th president, was the first. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Editors note: This is the third in a series of stories in the lead-up to President Donald Trumps inauguration aimed at exploring how a second Trump administration could impact SLO County, with coverage spanning key policy areas such as immigration, tariffs, education and more. Donald Trump chanted drill, baby, drill like a mantra on the campaign trail last year, but the incoming president will have a difficult time fulfilling that promise in federal waters especially on the Central Coast. On Monday, President Joe Biden banned new leases for offshore oil and gas extraction on about 625 million acres on the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast and the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmentalists celebrated the new protections, arguing that the United States must halt new fossil fuel extraction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change. Were in a climate crisis right now, senior director of the Ocean Conservancys Arctic Program Andrew Hartsig told The Tribune on Tuesday. As a matter of policy, we need to transition to a clean ocean energy future. So this action by President Biden sends a clear message that thats the direction that we should head. But on Tuesday, Trump pledged to repeal Bidens ban and re-open those federal waters for oil and gas exploration. Its ridiculous. Ill unban it immediately, he said on The Hugh Hewitt show. We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has, and were going to take advantage of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump could attempt to dismantle these protections but that would likely spark a long legal battle that hes not guaranteed to win, Hartsig said. Theres a good chance that its a durable action that will last through the next administration and set that stage for a transition to renewable energy, Hartsig said of Bidens ban on new leases. One of ExxonMobils offshore oil and gas platforms seen from Refugio State Beach in southern Santa Barbara County. The platforms stopped operating after the transportation pipeline ruptured and caused the 2015 Refugio oil spill. ExxonMobil recently purchased the pipeline from Plains and plans to sell it and its local Santa Ynez Unit to Sable Offshore Corp. (Giana Magnoli Could Trump reverse the ban? On Monday, Biden used Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Self Lands Act to withdraw about 625 million acres of the ocean from land available for oil and gas extraction. The ban does not impact existing leases. Then, at a press conference Tuesday, Trump said he will revoke the ban on his first day in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But reversing the ban wont be as easy as the stroke of a pen, Hartsig said. During his first term, Trump signed an executive order to reverse a similar Obama-Era ban on new oil and gas leases offshore of Alaska and on the Atlantic Coast. Multiple environmental groups challenged Trumps order in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, and the judge ruled that a president cannot undo a ban on oil and gas leases made under Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the decision said. The Trump administration appealed the decision, but the case was thrown out when Biden took office and reinstated Obamas ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means the decision cant be used as precedent for future cases, Hartsig said. Legally, its complicated, he said. Another court looking at this could read the decision and be persuaded by the arguments, but its not like a new court would be bound by that previous decision. When Trump takes office again, he could pass an executive order to revoke Bidens protections from offshore oil and gas exploration. But Trumps order would likely be challenged in court, and theres no promise that a judge would support him. Theres nothing to stop him from, you know, signing a piece of paper that says, I hereby revoke President Bidens oil and gas withdrawals, Hartsig said. But the impact of that action on his part would almost certainly be subject to litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump could, however, more easily reverse the ban with the support of Congress, Hartsig said. Congress could pass a law that repeals Bidens protections, mandates new lease sales in those areas or amends the Continental Shelf Lands Act to give the president the authority to revoke withdrawals. That would be the other way that these areas could be put back on the table for oil and gas, he said. Two men rescue an oil-soaked sea bird at Refugio State Beach following the rupture of a nearby Plains All American pipeline on May 19, 2015. A Santa Barbara Superior Court jury on Friday returned guilty verdicts on nine criminal counts filed against the Texas-based company related to the spill. A mistrial was declared on three other counts. Is the Central Coast protected from oil drilling? The Central Coast is no stranger to oil spills. California first banned new oil and gas leases in state waters in 1969, just months after a Union Oil well spewed 4.2 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean offshore of Santa Barbara County. Spilled oil leached as far as Pismo Beach, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens ban expanded protections to federal waters an initiative Congressman Salud Carbajal first pushed for in 2017 by introducing the California Clean Coast Act, which would have prohibited new oil leases in federal waters if it passed. The Central Coast knows all too well the damage and devastation that can come from an oil spill, Carbajal said in a news release. Thats why I made it my mission from my first bill in Congress to permanently ban offshore drilling off our coast. And with President Bidens help today, this goal is now reality. Oil from the May 2015 pipeline spill fouls the shore of Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County. The San Luis Obispo City Council has issued a resolution opposing new offshore oil and gas leases to prevent future spills. While Bidens ban protects the California coast from new offshore oil drilling, it does not impact existing oil and gas leases. As a result, the ban does not prevent the Houston-based Sable Offshore Corp. from re-starting oil extraction at the Santa Ynez Unit offshore Santa Barbara County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those three offshore oil platforms and the attached Las Flores Pipeline closed in 2015 after the corroded pipeline leaked 450,000 gallons of oil near Refugio State Beach, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Sable Offshore Corp. bought the Santa Ynez Unit from ExxonMobil last year and announced plans to resume operations there, Noozhawk reported. Sable Offshore Corp. will start hydrotesting the pipeline in January, it and plans to start drawing oil again from Santa Ynez Unit during the first quarter of 2025, according to a report the corporation submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Dec. 17. Sable is committed to ensuring that every necessary upgrade and safety measure is in place prior to restart, the corporation said in a statement sent to The Tribune on Friday. Once these measures are completed, and after successful testing and inspection, operations at the Santa Ynez Unit and Las Flores Pipeline will resume. Sable is actively working with state and federal agencies to meet these goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center will continue to fight plans to resume operations at the oil rigs, Center for Biological Diversity senior counsel Julie Teel Simmonds said. On Jan. 3, the Center filed an amended complaint in court against the federal agency that extended the lease for the Santa Ynez Unit, she said. We have grave concerns that there is no way to make this pipeline safe, Simmonds told The Tribune. A worker removes oil from the sand at Refugio State Beach on May 21, 2015, one month after a broken pipelines caused an oil spill north of Santa Barbara, Calif. The broken pipeline was part of a network of pipes that brings offshore oil to land on its way to refineries. The Trump administration on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 moved to vastly expand offshore drilling nationwide in federal waters, including those off the California coast. Advertisement Advertisement (The Hill) President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis days before leaving the White House. Biden, who is only the second Catholic president in U.S. history, spoke with the Pope by phone on Saturday to tell him he was a recipient of the medal, which is the highest civilian honor. The White House shared a photo of Biden in the Oval Office alongside the medal. Biden was expected to be in Rome this weekend but canceled the trip due to the raging wildfires in Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pope is the only person Biden has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to during this time in office. He previously planned to leave for Italy on Thursday and meet with the pope, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for his last foreign trip as president. In honoring the pope, the White House called the leader of the Catholic church the Peoples Pope a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. The president has had a close relationship with the pope, who has supported him despite the churchs teachings against abortion. The two met in June while Biden was in Italy for Group of Seven meetings. He also met with the pope in October 2021 as conservative Catholic bishops were mulling whether he should be able to receive communion due to his pro-abortion rights stance. Biden, at the time, said the pope told him he should keep receiving communion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month later, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted a document on communion without mentioning whether Biden or other politicians should be denied the rite based on their stance on abortion, signaling an end to the debate on the issue. Biden has also recalled that the pope came to Washington, D.C., in 2015, while he was vice president, and spoke to him about the death of his son, Beau. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said, as U.S. officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20. Biden and Netanyahu discussed efforts underway to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the Palestinian enclave and free the remaining hostages there, the White House said in a statement after the two leaders spoke by telephone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden "stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal," it said. Netanyahu updated Biden on progress in the talks and on the mandate he has given his top-level security delegation now in Doha in order to advance a hostage deal, Netanyahu said in a statement. The two leaders also discussed "the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Irans power in the region," the White House said. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" program earlier on Sunday that the parties were "very, very close" to reaching a deal, but still had to get it across the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Biden was getting daily updates on the talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas. "We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done," Sullivan said, "and we are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside." He said there was still a chance to reach an agreement before Biden leaves office, but that it was also possible "Hamas, in particular, remains intransigent." During their call, Netanyahu also thanked Biden for his lifelong support of Israel and "the extraordinary support from the United States for Israels security and national defense," the White House said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, and most of its population displaced. Vice President-elect JD Vance told the "Fox News Sunday" program in an interview taped on Saturday that he expects a deal for the release of U.S. hostages in the Middle East to be announced in the final days of the Biden administration, maybe in the last day or two. President-elect Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has strongly backed Netanyahu's goal of destroying Hamas. Hehas promised to bring peace to the Middle East, but has not saidhow he would accomplish that. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; additional reporting by David Morgan and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Ros Russell) Cuts to Medicaid that could cause millions of Americans to lose health insurance are on a list of budget options now circulating among House Republicans, according to a new report from Politico. The list came from the office of House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), per Politico, whose sources stressed that the idea was just one item on a menu of possibilities for spending cuts. The ambitious list also proposes sweeping reductions in food assistance and a rollback of subsidies for clean energy that were a signature achievement of President Joe Biden. Attempts to reach Arringtons office over the weekend were not successful, but the list of options tracks closely with recommendations he issued through his committee last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, the new cuts together would reduce federal spending by $5.7 trillion over ten years. That would represent a significant shift in how much money the federal government spends and what services provides for the American public. But the potential scale of the cuts would also make the proposals difficult to pass, given Republicans slight, three-seat majority in the House and Democrats near certain opposition. The Medicaid cuts in particular include two elements that will be familiar to anybody who remembers Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, the first time Donald Trump became president back in 2017. One of those elements is a call to Equalize Medicaid Payments for Able Bodied Adults. This is the kind of language many conservatives now use to describe ending the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion, under which the federal government provides states with extra money in order to make Medicaid available to anybody with income below or just above the poverty line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other familiar element is a call for per capita caps in Medicaid, which would effectively end the federal governments commitment to funding the program at whatever level it takes to cover everybody whos eligible. The GOP proposal is a version of something called block granting in effect, giving states a pre-determined chunk of money for programs, rather than giving them an open-ended funding commitment from Washington. Republicans have long called for these sorts of changes, arguing that government-financed health care programs are wasteful, put excessive drain on taxpayers and ultimately do more harm than good even for people in need. We ought to look at whether were doing [Medicaid] the right way, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said after the election in November, as Republicans were first starting to talk about their congressional agenda for this year. Block grants make a lot of sense. But those arguments have rarely proven persuasive, thanks in no small part to independent projections showing consistently that enacting such policies would effectively strip millions maybe even tens of millions of Americans of their health insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those fears were a big reason Republican legislation to repeal Obamacare ultimately failed to pass, generating a political backlash against the party on health care policy that lingers to this day. Still, Medicaid has remained the object of conservative criticism. Project 2025, the exhaustive Heritage Foundation document whose conservative authors hoped it would serve as a governing template for a second Trump term, called for radically revising the program. And Medicaid may be a particularly tempting target now, given Republicans pledges to slash federal spending and to find offsets for the sweeping tax cuts they hope to enact. Of course, taking so much money out of the program would have significant policy consequences, just as it would have back in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a seemingly small and technical change [ending the extra funding for Medicaid expansion] would eliminate coverage for millions of people and put states at enormous financial risk, Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the research organization KFF, told HuffPost. The Political Outlook Whether GOP leaders would actually push seriously for these sorts of Medicaid cuts again is an open question. Whether they could succeed with such a thin Republican majority in the House is also unclear. Some of the other items on the list would face similar political difficulties. The proposed food assistance costs would affect tens of millions of Americans, while the cuts to clean energy subsidies would undermine a manufacturing boom thats been generating jobs and money all across the country including a new battery belt of electric vehicle production infrastructure across the South. Already, House Republicans representing some of these districts have been lobbying to keep the subsidies in place. Some Democrats on Friday responded quickly to the report, juxtaposing the proposals with Republican plans to cut taxes in ways that overwhelmingly favor the wealthiest Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are gearing up for a class war against everyday families in America, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking minority member on the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement. This list outlines a plan to increase child hunger, boot tens of millions off their health insurance and lay off hundreds of thousands of clean energy workers to fund tax handouts for the wealthy. Not everything on the Republican list would be so controversial or at least so partisan. Among the health care proposals it considers are a call for site-neutral payments in Medicare, a cost-cutting measure designed to stop hospitals and other providers of care from gaming the payment system to make more money. That proposal has support from leaders in both parties, though it would also face stiff opposition from the health care industry groups who could lose revenue as a result. Related... ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Leaders at Webster Parks and Recreation told News 8 on Saturday their Buffalo Bills Hype Party was a long time coming, bringing together community members for a family-friendly Bills celebration. Admission was free with a donation to Webster Hope House. The event featured plenty of Bills-themed trivia, lawn games, music, tailgate snacks and merchandise for sale. We got the chance to speak with the one and only Bills Kid, Carson Gaspar, who makes Bills hype videos and posts them to social media. The Bills Kid speaking with News 8 on Saturday during the Bills Hype Party. (WROC/Trinity Wilson) So, I make weekly hype videos for the Bills to show people, to get them pumped up and mostly to talk about how good were going to beat each team every single week, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His favorite thing? Meeting fans, and having fun at tailgates, a Bills Mafia staple, of course. Thads Three Things (Wild Card Round): Bills vs. Broncos He told News 8 his familys living room is full of Bills gear, so he decided to donate some merchandise, including a jersey, to be raffled off during Saturdays party. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Jan. 11Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush wants to prioritize common sense through his next term in office something he said the Democratic leadership in Albany seems to be lacking in. In an interview on Friday, Blankenbush, R-Black River, said he's focused on advocating against of policies the Democrats in Albany are likely to debate this year, like a packaging bill that would restrict how Kraft-Heinz in Lowville could package its products. "The way that packaging bill was written is they would no longer be able to put their Kraft Singles in plastic, and the tub of cream cheese, they wouldn't be able to use that," he said. "This is another slam on business." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That measure passed the state Senate last year, but didn't get a floor vote in the Assembly it has already been re-introduced for the new legislative session. Blankenbush said he doesn't want to see New York pass a law that would drive Kraft-Heinz out of Lowville, where it is a major employer and a key industrial presence. "Let's face it, Kraft-Heinz does not have to stay in the state of New York, they have other plants and they can move," he said. Blankenbush also expressed concerns about a law that went into effect on Jan 1 that has not gotten much attention a law that bans clothing that contains intentionally-added PFAS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFAS are a class of chemical found in a number of industrial components the chemicals can leach into the water supplies and can potentially cause cancer, developmental delays and other serious health conditions. They're used in a number of waterproofing chemicals but under New York law clothing can't contain it unless used for specific uniforms or technical clothing, like firefighting gear or electrical worker protection suits. "GoreTex, that's big up here with hunting and snowmobiling," Blankenbush said. "We're not able to purchase anything with the GoreTex label because they use that chemical finishing agent." Blankenbush said it's even prevented him from ordering the Assembly-branded, emblazoned outdoor jackets that members and their staff often purchase and wear for official events. He said he'll be looking to discuss a possible repeal or significant amendment of that law to ensure that weather-proof clothing remains available in New York. Blankenbush said he is also looking to protect volunteer fire departments from strict regulations being considered by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. New York has opted to have its volunteer fire agencies subject to OSHA regulations, and the agency has proposed strict new laws for fire departments and companies that would require enhanced training regimes, detailed documentation and record-keeping, and would also mandate certain maintenance and equipment standards that volunteer departments have said would be nearly impossible to maintain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteer fire fighting units already complain of steep costs, dwindling volunteer numbers and struggle to maintain their thin operating budgets. At the same time, they're posed with greater and greater fire risks as generally dry weather, advanced battery installation mishaps and building abandonment all lead to a statistical bump in service calls. Blankenbush said he is working with U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y. to have those requirements reassessed and to assert the needs of the volunteer districts, which make up a vast majority of upstate fire fighting departments. "We have got to swing back to common sense," Blankenbush said. "We need to consider what's actually possible for these volunteer groups to take on, and understand what it is they do for us and what they need." The Assemblyman said he also wants to push back against the state mandate that school districts transition to an all-electric school bus fleet, something he said is enormously expensive and likely difficult to achieve for rural districts that rely on fleets of nearly 100 buses to cover their vast jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Indian River I think has 98 buses, Carthage has something like 89," Blankenbush said. "To switch all of those to electric by 2030 is hugely expensive, where will that money come from?" He also expressed concerns over how the buses will operate on long distance routes while the state school bus route average is less than 100 miles, the north country has a number of outlier districts where routes can grow beyond 150 miles easily and many buses run more than a few routes per day. "My opinion is, they're going to need extra electric buses plugged in all over the place to charge, to switch to when the bus they're on is close to empty," he said. The issue, he said, comes back to common sense. He said he's worried that the needs of upstate districts haven't been considered, and the result will be an expensive and problem-ridden school transportation system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it does need to happen, Blankenbush said he would like to see the state pick up the tab for the replacement program a number that will reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars for all districts in New York. Blankebush expressed doubt about New York's broad energy and climate goals from the electrification to the chemical bans and the transition to renewable energy, he said he feels the state's path hasn't been considered properly and is bound for disaster. At the same time, Lewis County, which Blankenbush's district covers entirely, flooded twice this year, a situation likely driven by climate change and the growing severity of storms and weather events. Blankenbush said the weather has gotten more extreme but the state should be investing more in infrastructure to combat the worst effects of it. "Some of our infrastructure is over 100 years old up here," he said. "We need better culverts, new pipes, better drainage." Blankenbush, who is a deputy leader for the Republican Assembly minority, will chair the Assembly Insurance Committee this year, and is a member of a number of other committees including the Energy, Rules and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Agriculture and Corporations committees. Blue Origin pushed again its planned debut launch of its New Glenn rocket from the Space Coast, now targeting an early Monday morning liftoff. The 321-foot-tall rocket making its debut on the NG-1 mission is targeting a three-hour window from 1-4 a.m. Monday for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Launch Complex 36. It had been targeting an early Sunday launch, but the company called that off noting poor weather in the Atlantic, where it intends to try a booster recovery after launch, similar to how SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosters make their landing. Blue Origin had already delayed its original early Thursday launch target this week because of high seas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Space Launch Delta 45s weather squadron forecasts a 90% chance for good launch conditions in Cape Canaveral at the opening of the Monday window, coupled with low chances for poor recovery weather in the Atlantic. A 24-hour delay would see conditions worsen to only 40% chance for good weather. Billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos created Blue Origin back in 2000, but has to date only launched the smaller suborbital New Shepard rockets from its facilities in West Texas. The New Glenn rocket, manufactured at Blue Origins massive Rocket Park campus adjacent to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, is Bezos foray into the heavy-lift rocket game to compete with SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. The payload for NG-1 is pathfinder hardware for Blue Ring, the satellite distribution apparatus the company will eventually use to transport customer payloads to desired orbital locations after deployment from the rockets second stage. The pathfinder wont leave the second stage for NG-1, but will test out communication and telemetry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Glenns debut launch was originally targeting last fall for a NASA mission to send a pair of satellites to Mars, but NASA opted to delay that mission as New Glenns readiness for the required launch window was cutting it close. Blue Origin then pivoted to fly up their own hardware, but the mission will also satisfy a Space Force requirement of two successful certification launches before the company would be allowed to fly national security missions. The flight profile has the rocket lifting off from LC-36 powered by seven of Blue Origins BE-4 engines using the blue flame-burning combination of liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas. Combined, they produce 3.9 million pounds of thrust, which is more than twice the power of a Falcon 9. After separating from the first stage, the second stage, powered by two of the companys hydrogen-powered BE-3U engines, will head to a highly elliptical, medium-Earth orbit with an apogee of about 12,000 miles altitude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the mission, the second stage will be made inert and remain in space as orbital debris. The first stage has been dubbed So Youre Telling Me Theres a Chance, referencing a classic line from the Jim Carrey comedy Dumb & Dumber. It will attempt its landing on the ship named Jacklyn (named after Bezos mother), located several hundred miles downrange, after which it will be brought back to Port Canaveral to be lifted off and sent back to the Rocket Park for refurbishment. The New Glenn boosters are designed for 25 flights. This is our first flight, and weve prepared rigorously for it, said Jarrett Jones, senior vice president for the New Glenn program. But no amount of ground testing or mission simulations are a replacement for flying this rocket. Its time to fly. No matter what happens, well learn, refine, and apply that knowledge to our next launch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezos invested more than $1 billion to refurbish LC-36, which was previously used for government launches from 1962-2005 including lunar lander Surveyor 1 in 1967 and some of the Mariner probes. The complex has enough room to process three New Glenn rockets at once. Its entry into the heavy-lift market features the largest cargo space available for customers, using a 23-foot diameter fairing, the encapsulating part of the rocket that forms the cone at the top. SpaceX and ULA use 17- to 18-foot-diameter fairings, so New Glenns cargo space is roughly double, able to fit up to three school buses, or 28 Tesla roadsters. While Blue Origin has already been approved to bid for future Department of Defense missions under the National Space Security Launch program, it needs to be certified first. But the company already has several government and commercial launches booked. That includes a contract for 12 launches, with an option for an additional 15, for Amazon to send up hundreds of satellites for its Project Kuiper internet constellation that aims to compete with SpaceXs Starlink. NASA is also relying on Blue Origin for future launches of its human space landing system Blue Moon for the Artemis moon program, which will launch on New Glenn. _____ The body of a woman who drowned after falling through the ice on a New Hampshire pond has been found. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, on Saturday around 6:36 p.m., officers were notified of a woman who had drowned on Big Island Pond Near 10 Osprey Fork in Hampstead, New Hampshire. Rescue efforts by various local fire and police departments were unsuccessful and the New Hampshire Fish and Games Law Enforcement Dive Team and Airboat Team were notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday morning, around 9:15 a.m. the dive team went into the water to look for the woman, identified as Emer Mezetti, 56, of Atkinson. Around 9:30 a.m., she was found in about 16 feet of water, about 30 yards from the shoreline. New Hampshire Fish and Game was assisted by the State Police Marine Patrol, Salem Fire Department, Hampstead Fire and Police Departments, Atkinson Fire and Police Department, Derry Fire and Police Departments, Plaistow Fire Department, and Southern New Hampshire Hazmat. New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers would like to remind the public that ice conditions change daily and to always check ice conditions before venturing onto any frozen water body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The head of Customs and Border Patrol told Fresnos democratic congressman that the immigration enforcement operation it carried out in the Central Valley this week has concluded and was confined to Kern County, the U.S. representative said Saturday during a news conference. Its not clear to me that thats the case, said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, at the news conference in Fresno on Saturday morning. Costa added that he has heard reports that conflict with the Border Patrols statements to him. The information that Costa relayed from Border Patrol Commissioner Pete Flores further confirms that Operation Return to Sender is over. But the agency said in a social media post earlier this week that it is also planning operations in Fresno and Sacramento. Elected officials on Saturday spoke with uncertainty about what comes next and also denounced enforcement tactics that spread fear among working immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He (Flores) told me that, in fact, they (Border Patrol) had concluded their effort as a result of their arrests as of a day or two ago (and would) reassess where they would go from there, Costa said. Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez, who organized the news conference, said the fear that has gripped Fresnos immigrant families is 100% real. Chavez said he has heard some parents who are not going to be sending their children to school this week. If you dont have students in the classroom, youre not going to get funding, he said, and thats just the way the formula works. Thats going to hurt our community. News of Costas conversation with Border Patrols leadership comes after a week of immigration agent sightings that produced anxiety among the regions undocumented workforce. Various reports confirmed the Border Patrols operations in the Bakersfield area beginning Tuesday, with indications that the raids could stretch for several days. Border Patrol then officially reported it was carrying out Operation Return to Sender in Kern County with more than 60 agents from El Centro, a town close to the Mexican border. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, expressed doubt that the Border Patrol raids have been limited to Kern County. He spoke at a southeast Fresno press conference. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. Costa said Flores told him the action yielded 78 arrests and targeted specific undocumented criminals on a list that focused on sex, drug and human trafficking crimes. But an assistant chief patrol agent said earlier in the week that there were individuals arrested who were not on the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The description of an operation that solely targeted criminals also has been contradicted by numerous accounts from Kern County community members. In the past week, stories have circulated about immigration agents approaching people at Home Depot and at gas stations and about farmworkers approached on their way to work. Cal Matters on Friday published an account of agents blocking one woman in her car with their vehicles before they drove away due to the arrival of local Univision news reporters. Let me be clear, I support getting bad people off the streets, Costa said at the news conference. But mass deportation reflects a different notion, and breaking families up is not the American way. And spreading fear to hard working people who are contributing every day to the betterment ... is not the way to deal with fixing our border. The Cherry Auction flea market near the Fresno County town of Easton attracts many immigrant merchants and customers Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. After a week of immigration enforcement in the Central Valley, several merchants told The Fresno Bee the crowd at the market was much smaller than usual. Farmworkers concerned about their children Margarita Rocha, executive director of the nonprofit Centro La Familia, said during Saturdays news conference that the group has begun receiving concerned calls. Weve not said a lot about children, she said, how they dont want to go to school because theyve heard their parents talking about the possibility that, if dad or mom goes to work, they may not come home. What happens? The children are highly impacted and will be traumatized for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bee contacted immigrants at the Cherry Auction flea market Saturday, which is frequented on weekends by farmworkers and their families. One married couple who runs a daycare in the Fresno area that serves immigrant parents said clients are on edge after this weeks raids. We serve mostly people who work in the fields, the wife said in Spanish. Everyone is nervous because they dont know if theyre going to drop off their children in the morning and not be around to pick them up at the end of the day. One merchant, Alejandro Padilla, who also works in the fields, said the rumors of impending raids have been rampant among farmworkers this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few people I have worked with told me they werent going to work this week, he said. They are afraid that if they are arrested, they will not be given a fair case, that they will be thrown out and separated from their children. Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez said he has received calls from employers worried that workers will stay away because fear that Border Patrol raids in Kern County will move to Fresno. Local law enforcement not involved On Friday, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office shared on Facebook that it was not involved in any of the Border Patrols enforcement actions reported this week. Our deputies do NOT conduct enforcement actions related to immigration matters; it is not part of our job description, the post said. State Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, said state officials are preparing for expected deportation efforts by the incoming Trump administration. She spoke at a Jan. 11, 2025 press conference in southeast Fresno. Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 11Two teenage boys are behind bars in an alleged New Year's Eve robbery attempt that left a 15-year-old dead at a park in Southwest Albuquerque. Adrian Torres, 17, and Uriel Alonso, 16, are each charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, tampering with evidence and conspiracy in the Dec. 31 killing of Manuel Ortega. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said Torres was arrested on Thursday, while Alonso turned himself in to police Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both have been booked into the Bernalillo County juvenile detention center. Detectives alleged Torres and Alonso planned to rob Ortega's 14-year-old brother after he asked to buy a gun from Torres, according to court records. Ortega's brother wrestled with Torres when he pulled a gun on him during the deal and Torres shot twice, hitting Manuel Ortega. Ortega's brother then fired 17 rounds from his own gun as Torres and Alonso drove away, police say. When asked if the brother was being charged for allegedly firing at the car, Gallegos replied, "not at this point." Officers responded around 6:20 p.m. to a shooting at Anderson Mesa park, in a neighborhood northeast of Unser and Dennis Chavez, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Officers found a crowd of people surrounding Manuel Ortega, who had been shot twice and was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Ortega's brother was among the crowd and told detectives Manuel Ortega had set up a deal to buy cannabis vape cartridges. The brother told police only he was allowed in the car and the driver, who was wearing a ski mask, pointed a gun at him and they wrestled over it. Ortega's brother told police the driver said, "Don't make me do this," and fired at him twice, striking Manuel Ortega as he stood outside the car, according to the complaint. The brother said another person in a ski mask came out from behind a bush and also pointed a gun at him, telling him to get out of the car. Police said the brother told them he fired at the car as the pair drove away and then sought help for Manuel Ortega. The following day, someone called 911 saying Torres "wanted to turn himself in" for the crime but wasn't home when officers arrived. Torres' sister told police that Torres said he and Alonso were selling a gun to someone when the "deal went wrong" and the buyer pulled out a gun, leading to a shootout with Alonso, according to the complaint. The sister told police Torres is known to carry guns and is on probation for cocaine possession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the sister told them Alonso called her crying and gave her the same story but that he didn't want to turn himself in. Detectives determined the car used in the crime was Torres' mother's and she told police her son uses the car despite not having a license. Torres came back home and turned himself in, telling police, "I plead the Fifth until I get a lawyer," the complaint states. Detectives found Torres' mother's car abandoned the next day with a bullet hole to the rear passenger side, believing it was from a gunshot fired by Ortega's brother. Police said a search of the phone belonging to Manuel Ortega's brother showed he asked to buy a gun off Telegram from "juaneatstoes." The seller asked for proof of money and detectives found a photo on the brother's phone of fanned-out bills beside a black gun. At 6:15 p.m., "juaneattoes" messaged Ortega's brother, "I'm in a tan Impala," according to the complaint. Four minutes later, police were called to the shooting. Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Group is preparing an order for a dozen high-speed trains as it bids to break Eurostars monopoly on services through the Channel Tunnel. Virgin aims to sign a contract for the trains as early as this quarter to get ahead of startup Evolyn, which is also putting together plans to run trains from London to the continent. Project lead Phil Whittingham said Virgin will choose between two suppliers it has shortlisted and is evaluating models from Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi and Talgo. The order is likely to be worth more than 500m, based on the value of recent deals for similar rolling stock. Virgin aims to commence services through the Channel Tunnel in 2029, with the project requiring close to 1bn in launch funding, Mr Whittingham said. Sir Richard will take as big an equity stake as possible, potentially supported by a partner or partners. It comes as operators gear up to run services to the Continent in competition with Eurostar for the first time in its history. Evolyn, which is backed by the Spanish Cosmen family, the leading investor in Mobico, formerly National Express, is also planning to run trains along the route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virgin is in a race against Evolyn to secure trains for the route, with doubts as to whether it will be able to accommodate three operators. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is to rule on whether Britain has sufficient maintenance capacity to support an expansion of operations through the tunnel. The ORR will decide whether Temple Mills maintenance depot in east London can handle the required number of new high-speed trains such competition would provide. Eurostar has pushed back against applications from Virgin and Evolyn to use Temple Mills, arguing that the depot is already working flat out on its own trains. Mr Whittingham said that while he is confident the rail regulator will conclude that there is space at Temple Mills for a single new entrant, it is unlikely to be persuaded of the business case for two new players. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: We dont believe there is room for three operators on the route. We dont think the economics would work for three operators competing. Virgin aims to be ready to purchase the trains as soon as the ORR has delivered a verdict. He said: Were hoping the regulator will determine what capacity is available and reserve it for a new competitor. And we expect the first person to come along with a contract for new trains will get that capacity. Evolyn announced in 2023 that it had agreed terms to buy 12 trains from Alstom. Alstom later said no contract had been signed and that it couldnt guarantee delivery dates. A Eurostar spokesman said: The essential issue we face is not Eurostar trying to restrict access but the fact that there is already limited space available at St Pancras and Temple Mills to meet the combined growth ambitions of everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have recently written to the new Government asking for its support in creating a framework that will enable all operators, including Eurostar, to invest on level terms in the further network expansion we all want to see. The ORR has appointed an independent specialist to undertake a study of available capacity at Temple Mills, with the assessment expected to be completed this month. The regulator last week instructed HS1, which runs the UK section of the Channel Tunnel line, to cut access fees by 10pc to encourage competition. The step will reduce annual charges by 5m more than HS1 had already promised, though Mr Whittingham said the route will remain expensive. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Longmeadow native and renowned actress Bridget Moynahan has been granted the 2025 John F. Kennedy National Award by the St. Patricks Committee of Holyoke. Moynahan was chosen as this years award recipient due to her dedication to her career, as well as her advocacy for underprivileged communities, and her pride in her Irish heritage. The JFK National Award has been presented annually to an American of Irish descent who upheld strong moral community and family values, just as Kennedy did. Amy Carnevale reelected as chair of Massachusetts Republican Party Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Moynahans most popular on-screen acting roles include Erin Reagan in Blue Bloods and Natasha in Sex and the City and its reboot And Just Like That . She also starred in the science-fiction movie I, Robot alongside Will Smith. Moynahan is a spokesperson for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which helps bring community to children with chronic illnesses. She additionally works as an ambassador for an organization called Global Citizens, which is working to end worldwide poverty and uplift intersectional equity. Growing up in an Irish family has shaped my values of resilience, family, and communityqualities I see celebrated so beautifully in the Holyoke St. Patricks Parade, Moynahan said. To be honored with the JFK Award is deeply humbling, as it represents not only a connection to my heritage but also a legacy of pride. I am grateful to the committee for this incredible recognition and proud to stand with those who celebrate Irish culture and history so vibrantly. The Saint Patricks Day Parade weekend will include several celebrations acknowledging Moynahan, including a featured position and a formal honoring at the JFK Awards Dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the Holyoke St. Patricks Parade live on March 23rd in its entirety right here on 22News, on air, and on WWLP.com! Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. A Bronx man with a history of arrests and mental illness has been charged with murder for fatally stabbing a 14-year-old in an unprovoked attack prompting NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to decry the systems that continue to fail us. Waldo Mejia is also facing manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon charges in the Friday morning slaying of Caleb Rijos, who was walking to school on East 138th Street, when Mejia, 29, allegedly stabbed him twice in the chest, cops said. Waldo Mejia getting walked out of the 40th Precinct in the Bronx on Jan. 11, 2025 after allegedly killing 14-year-old Caleb Rios. Tomas E.Gaston Caleb Rios, 14, was standing on the sidewalk on East 138th Street when he was fatally stabbed. Family photo obtained by NYP As he lay dying, Caleb called his father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, he called his father and told his father that he couldnt breathe and that he was scared, and his father heard him dying, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark told reporters at a Saturday news conference. Its unfathomable to think about the level of this tragedy. Rijos was taken to Lincoln Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, cops said. Tisch blamed the system. Today, a 14-year old-boy is dead. A family is devastated, a city is in mourning, and the systems that we have in place to deal with repeat offenders and individuals with severe mental health issues continue to fail us, Tisch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been 63 stabbings and slashings in the city as of Jan. 5, compared to 78 incidents in the same period in 2024, police data shows. Mejia is also facing manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon charges. TOMAS E. GASTON Surveillance footage of the suspect released by the NYPD. DCPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives captured an image of Rijos suspected killer from surveillance video, and were led to Mejia after combing the neighborhood for other crimes, Tisch said. They found a case in which a resident near the crime scene reported their doorbell camera had been stabbed with a kitchen knife on Nov. 27, the commissioner said. They identified Mejia because he had been charged in the crime and released on his own recognizance the next day in the non-bail eligible case, she said. Detectives showed the arresting officer in the doorbell camera case photos of the suspect in the stabbing and she recognized the stabber as Mejia, Tisch said. Mejia is also believed to be responsible for a Jan. 5 stabbing in the Bronx. TOMAS E. GASTON They obtained footage from the same ring camera hed stabbed weeks prior, and saw him leaving his residence a few minutes before Fridays stabbing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioner slammed the revolving-door criminal justice system in the Big Apple for Rijos murder. The status quo is just not working for New Yorkers, Tisch said during the news conference. We do not have a system that puts the rights and needs of victims first. And my message to New Yorkers is something has to give. Caleb Rios was stabbed to death in a senseless attack in broad daylight, cops said. Robert Miller A brutal, unprovoked killing of a 14-year-old child by a career criminal or recidivist over and over again, with [a severe] history of mental health interactions with the NYPD. How many times [does] the mayor have to keep talking about this before something changes? Im hopeful something will change. Let this be a call to action, Tisch added. Mejia is also believed to be responsible for a Jan. 5 stabbing in the Third Avenue and East 138th Street subway station in Mott Haven, during which a 38-year-old man was slashed in the left arm while standing on the steps, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mejia has at least four prior criminal cases, police sources said. He is due in court on Jan. 21 for the November incident, according to public records. He was also arrested in The Bronx in April 2019 on burglary and arson charges after he intentionally set the lobby of his ex-girlfriends building on fire, according to authorities. He pleaded down to reckless endangerment in the case, and was granted a conditional discharge, officials said. In May 2017, Mejia was arrested on criminal possession of weapons charges when he was found with a nine-millimeter pistol loaded with nine rounds, including one in the chamber when cops caught up with him, Tisch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in January 2015, police caught him with a gravity knife, police sources said. The outcome of the weapons cases wasnt immediately clear. On top of his lengthy criminal record, Tisch said Mejia has a documented history of mental health interaction with the NYPD. AUSTIN (Nexstar) From education savings accounts to border security to property tax reform, lawmakers have big plans for the legislative session. Those plans come with big price tags. On Monday, State Comptroller Glenn Hegar will release the Biennial Revenue Estimate, or BRE. Its his estimate of how much money lawmakers will have available when they make the next state budget. Hegar hinted that the estimate would be good news for the state. The upcoming revenue estimate that were gonna give next Monday shows, once again, that the state legislature will have a large cash carryover balance from this two-year budget to the next two-year budget, Hegar said during an interview Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegar did not release a specific number. That will come with Mondays announcement. But he suggested that it will be less than the $32.7 billion surplus he announced before the 2023 legislative session. It was historical. It was once in a lifetime, Hegar said of that surplus. Still, he noted the encouraging financial outlook for the state in this budget cycle. Hegar said the states Economic Stabilization Fund now stands at $24 billion, the most in Texas history. The fund is more commonly known as the rainy day fund, functioning as a savings account to help the state cover shortfalls or emergency needs Once again, the legislature here is in a very positive position to make some real kind of monumental decisions and life-changing decisions for Texans, which, if you compare that to other states, some of the other states, unfortunately, theyre in deficits right now. So we are in a relatively very strong position compared to other states, Hegar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegar believes continued growth in the state, including demand for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency will likely require funding improvements to power infrastructure. I think trying to continue to make sure that we meet that infrastructure need for electrical demands in the future of the state of Texas over the course of the next several years, which are projected at very high growth rates every single year from year to year, making sure that we are investing in that area, and that the state needs to do some type of encouraging to make sure we have that electrical generation in the state of Texas so we have that reliability, Hegar said. Plans for education savings accounts, dubbed school choice by supporters or school vouchers by opponents, could take up a significant amount of the surplus. I think the legislature is going to talk about, obviously. First and foremost, its going to be public education fundingeducation savings accounts. Thats an important priority for the governor, Hegar said, calling that a large discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegar noted how in the last legislative session, some lawmakers proposed a system that started with a focus on certain demographics, like those with disabilities or economically disadvantaged students. I think part of it is if youre making it universal, but youre also taking one step at a time, Hegar said. Hegar said he expects the Comptrollers Office to be called upon to manage an education savings account program. Obviously, Im very in tune to what theyre doing, because in the last legislative session, and Im assuming this legislative session, theyre asking my office to manage that program, stand it up and manage it, Hegar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Los Angeles authorities said they arrested 29 more people overnight in the fire zones, including one burglary suspect who was allegedly dressed as a firefighter. Of the arrests, 25 people were apprehended in the Eaton fire zone, four in the Palisades fire zone, authorities said. Read more: Live updates: Particularly dangerous situation winds warning returns Wednesday morning We have people who will go to all ends to do what they do, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said of a man dressed in a fire jacket and helmet burglarizing homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One man, who was driving a truck, was arrested in the Palisades area, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and LAPD said. Other suspects were found inside the vehicle. The men pretended to be associated with a fire station but a quick check with the L.A. Fire Department proved that not to be the case, officials said. Sheriff Robert Luna said those arrested were not from the area and that some had firearms and drugs. About 20 similar arrests were made earlier last week. Curfews remained in place in the fire zones, and the National Guard and police continue to conduct patrols in these areas. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. On Friday, Cal Coast News reporter Karen Velie posted what she said was the full recording of a March meeting among three Paso Robles city officials. But it was only up for a couple hours before an issue arose, when the audio on the news sites YouTube channel was suddenly deactivated without explanation and replaced with a new, altered version. Meanwhile, an examination of the timeline of Velies comments about the recording and how she obtained it now show multiple inconsistencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recording, which documents a meeting between Councilmember Chris Bausch, Mayor John Hamon and city manager Ty Lewis, is currently at the center of an ongoing fight at City Hall over public records. It also relates to Lewis $2.275 million complaint against the city and his allegations that Bausch and Velie conspired against him to oust him from his position as the citys top administrator. In her Friday article, Velie claimed that both she and Bausch recorded the March meeting individually. But that narrative contradicts the story Velie has put forth since at least October, when she said that she had never heard the tape and did not record or receive a recording. She also previously said that she was present for only 20 minutes of the hour-long conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis told The Tribune he was not aware that Velie was recording the meeting at a Paso Robles bakery. Hamon declined to comment for this story but told The Tribune in December that he believed Velie was sitting at least three tables away and could not have overheard the meeting. Velie, however, said Wednesday on the radio that she was no more than a few feet away. Both Bausch and Velie did not respond to multiple requests for comment or to specific questions emailed to them by The Tribune. As part of its Reality Check series, The Tribune looked into the two versions of the recording posted by Cal Coast News, as well as Velies various claims about them. Paso Robles City Councilmember Chris Bausch attends a Paso Robles City Council meeting on Election night on Nov. 5, 2024. Cal Coast News reporter gives inconsistent statements about recording The genesis of this story dates back about nine months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 21, Velie wrote a story about a meeting among Bausch, Hamon and Lewis that took place at Angelas Pastries on March 8. The meeting, Velie wrote, was overheard by a reporter at an adjacent table, who she later acknowledged was her. In a March 22 email copied to The Tribune and also obtained via Public Records Act request, Lewis told Velie her version of the story was inaccurate and that Bausch recorded the meeting. He responded by telling her she should release the entire recording without editorial and asked her, Wheres the recording? If youre committed to shining a light and exposing the truth, you shouldnt shy away from producing it. I heard about a half hour of your conversation clearly, and took notes, Velie responded. I have heard your allegations that I wasnt there but had heard the recording, then that I was there with (Gary) Lehrer and (John) Roush, both inaccurate claims that make no difference in what you said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emails between Karen Velie and Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis by Kaytlyn Leslie on Scribd Several months later on Oct. 6 after Lewis filed his complaint with the city alleging a conspiracy against him Velie wrote in a story that an audio recording corroborated what she wrote in a previous article about the meeting and claimed it rebutted Lewis accusation of a conspiracy. Velie claims the recording shows her March 21 article, which stated Bausch was chastised for using the word staff when describing agendized staff reports, was accurate. The recording reveals Lewis and Hamon asked Bausch to not attribute critical comments to staff but rather the specific individuals who said them. Lewis also asked Bausch to not repeat unfounded rumors about colleagues, staff and City Council issues and told him repeatedly that the goal of the meeting was to treat other councilmembers with respect so the council could be united, even if members had different opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted you here in order to be able to hopefully deliver as best I can concerns that I have about how we as a group deal with conflict, and is there a better way to conclude that. Thats my whole goal. And Im sorry if thats how it came across as an attack, because I respect the heck out of you, and I dont ever want you to make people fall in line. That is never my expectation, Lewis can be heard telling Bausch on the recording. I think that if we were to write a white paper on just personal dynamics and interpersonal skills, that there are all lessons that we can learn. On Oct. 18, Velie wrote in an emailed statement to The Tribune. Lewis initially said I falsify (sic) reported I was at the shop while accusing Chris Bausch of sharing his recording of the meeting with me. In a later email, Lewis said he saw me walk in with John Roush and Gary Lehrer. Now he is claiming I was hiding outside. Even if any of his accusations were accurate, which they are not, it is irrelevant, Velie responded. Lewis was a public official discussing city business in a public place a few feet from a reporter. Velie, Lewis and Hamon all saw Roush and Lehrer, two Lewis critics, at the meeting, according to their previous statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To determine exactly what happened, The Tribune filed a public records request on Oct. 21, requesting the recording of the meeting from the city. On Oct. 24 during her Sound-off radio show on KPRL, Velie addressed the issue again. I was there for probably 20 minutes of their conversation, she said, adding, I have never heard the tape. But only a few months later, her story changed again. On Wednesday, Velie appeared to say on her radio show that she did listen to a tape of the meeting, while stumbling over her words: The other thing thats been inaccurately reported is that I got the copy of the tape, a copy of the tape, at the same time the Tribune and (Paso Robles Daily News Columinst Clive) Pinder were asking for it, she said on the air. I am sorry, I wrote my story back in March. If you asked for a tape in October, I dont think its the same time that I was writing my story back in March. And that would not be that, he gave it, that if Chris Bausch did give me a copy of the tape, he gave it to me at the exact time they were asking for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said for the first time Wednesday that she recorded the meeting herself. I was there at sitting feet from Ty Lewis, probably no more than three feet from Ty Lewis, she said. I did tape the conversation. I was there. According to her Cal Coast News story posted Friday and accompanying what she said is the full recording, she stated that both she and Bausch recorded the meeting. Velie did not respond to specific questions from the Tribune asking her to clarify the inconsistencies in her statements. Paso Robles city manager Ty Lewis, left, has accused Councilman Chris Bausch and CalCoastNews reporter Karen Velie of spreading lies about him and conspiring to force him out of his job. Cal Coast News full recording altered after being up for about an hour On Wednesdays radio show, Velie said she planned to release the full recording, including the beginning of the meeting, where Chris Bausch says that he is he explains why the meeting was called, whos at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The version of the audio Velie posted Friday around 9 a.m. on the Cal Coast News YouTube channel begins with an AI-style introduction by an anonymous narrator. The following is a recording of the entire conversation at the pastry shop, the introduction proceeds, before cutting to Bausch speaking. But when Bausch begins stating who was at the meeting and where it was it sounds as if hes holding the recorder close to his mouth and no background or ambient noise can be heard, even after he finishes and seems to place the phone on the table, a seven-second period of the tape that is otherwise silent despite being in a busy cafe. Then, the recording resumes, cutting in to Lewis speaking mid-sentence, with ambient noise now clearly heard in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Unintelligible) As a council member, I think its imperative that we get that out there on the table, Lewis says just after the silence ends. Its unclear what he is talking about. But that first version of the audio was only up for a short time Friday morning. Then, at around 10 a.m., the recording on Cal Coast News YouTube channel was moved to private and would not play. By noon, the video was public again, with one notable change: Bauschs introduction was missing. A screenshot from Cal Coast News website at 11:05 a.m. shows the YouTube video the publication claimed had the full audio of a meeting between Paso Robles city officials was moved to private status. The video was publicly deactivated around 10 a.m. Once the video was public again around noon, Paso Robles City Councilman Chris Bauschs introduction had been cut. The new version, which was still active as of Saturday morning, goes straight from the AI introduction to Lewis speaking in the cafe. But, also as of Saturday morning, the version downloaded from YouTube still includes Bauschs introduction despite the audio playing without it online. Chris Lambert, an Orcutt audio engineer and host of the Kristin Smart Your Own Backyard podcast, analyzed a portion of the first version of the audio blindly for The Tribune. He said it was clear that Bauschs introduction and the point where Lewis begins to speak were recorded separately. He said that the audio in Bauschs introduction has a limiter on it, which prevents the audio from going above -1 decibel. When Lewis begins speaking, the audio peaks at 0 decibels. That indicates that the first part was either recorded in a different setting than the rest, or with a different recording device entirely, Lambert said. He also noted that Lewis speaking began mid-sentence, which also indicates it was recorded separately. Lewis told The Tribune the men did discuss recording the meeting before the audio in the recording begins, but that Bausch did not give a formal introduction to the recording. He added that he was unsure when Bausch actually started recording the meeting. Bausch and Velie did not respond to The Tribune questions regarding whether the introduction was recorded separately or why it was removed. Cal Coast News owner Karen Velie testifies March 15 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court in the defamation trial against her and former CCN co-owner Daniel Blackburn. What does the full recording show? During the ensuing recording of the meeting, Bausch can be heard repeatedly bringing up the citys paid parking program. The paid parking program was a major issue in Paso Robles at the time, sparking wide public outcry before it was eventually scrapped by the council. Lewis and Hamon can be heard telling Bausch they dont have a problem with his opinions or beliefs, but just want him to treat his colleagues with respect. About 10 minutes into the recording, Bausch asks Lewis, Whens the last time you went through a Brown Act training? Probably within the last six months, Lewis responds. The Brown Act requires government officials to discuss the publics business in public settings. It has narrow exemptions, including one that prevents government officials from sharing closed-session information with the public. This includes journalists. According to the state government code, a government official who willfully violates the Brown Act is guilty of a misdemeanor. About 14 minutes into the recording, Lewis can be heard warning Bausch about the recording violating the Brown Act if shared. By the way, you cant use this if youre gonna release ... (unintelligible). No, no, no, I just meant out to the public if were gonna talk Brown Act stuff, Lewis tells Bausch. Before we go down that road, I just want to make sure of your intentions. Bausch responds: Im not trying to release this to the public (unintelligible) court and then your attorney would help you dispute it. This is a public building, so you can record in it if you want because That no p I have nothing to hide. Thats not (unintelligible), Lewis interjects. Neither do I. Thank you for that, for bringing that up, Bausch responds. The issue that appears to be a Brown Act violation was Bauschs allegation that City Attorney Elizabeth Hull had a conflict representing the city despite a closed-session vote that found she did not have a conflict, according to the recording. Neither Velie nor Bausch responded to questions from The Tribune asking where the recording came from or whether Bausch shared the recording directly with Velie. Bausch did not respond when The Tribune asked him whether he knowingly violated the Brown Act. Was it legal for a reporter to record the meeting without consent? Velies claim she recorded the meeting separately despite not being invited or getting permission from the participants raises another question. Is it legal to record such a meeting in public like this? The question is ethically and legally complicated, experts interviewed by The Tribune said. On one hand, the California Invasion of Privacy Act requires that consent must be given by all parties before a confidential conversation can be recorded. According to Lewis, Velie did not obtain his consent before recording the conversation. However, the law only applies to conversations in which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. This excludes meetings that are open to the public or situations where the conversation might be reasonably overheard or recorded. Its unclear whether or not there can be a reasonable expectation of privacy during a meeting between public officials in a public setting, even if that meeting isnt necessarily open to the public, First Amendment Coalition attorney David Loy said. Additionally, by recording the conversation, Bausch made it a public record, calling any reasonable expectation of privacy further into question, Loy said. Its unclear if Velie knew Bausch was recording the conversation at the same time she claims to have recorded it. The Invasion of Privacy Act does apply equally to journalists and members of the public, Loy said. Ethically, however, reporters should obtain consent from all parties to a conversation before recording. Exceptions include designated public meetings. Also, Loy said, a recording of a meeting between public officials is a public record regardless of whether the recording was made on an officials private or public device. But the rules around how long public records must be saved on private devices are muddy. Theres all kinds of different rules about retention, Loy said. Regardless of the legal technicalities, it would raise serious questions if a public official were routinely deleting texts, emails or other public records off of their personal device, Loy said. The Tribune is unable to verify whether the newly released audio is in fact the full, unedited version of the meeting because Bausch has so far refused to turn over the recording to the city, despite multiple Public Records Act requests and a threat of litigation. In 2016, the American Bar Assn. couldnt say enough good things about Merrick Garland, then the chief judge of the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and President Obamas nominee for the Supreme Court, when it sent the Senate a report giving him its highest rating . So at Garlands confirmation hearing, a bar official gave senators samples of the unanimous praise from hundreds of lawyers, judges and law professors who were contacted by the groups evaluators. He may be the perfect human being, effused one anonymous fan. Another: Judge Garland has no weaknesses. Therein lies the tragedy of Merrick Garland. A man who could have been a truly supreme justice but for then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells unprecedented Republican blockade instead became a seemingly ineffectual attorney general, at least regarding the defining challenge of his tenure: holding Donald Trump accountable for trying to steal the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The traits that the bar experts saw as Garlands strengths deliberative caution, modesty, judicial temperament, indifference to politics turned out to be weaknesses for the head of the Justice Department in these times. So intent was Garland on restoring the departments independence and integrity after Trump, in his first term, openly sought to weaponize it against his enemies that the attorney general initially shied from investigating and prosecuting Trump for his role in the postelection subversions culminating on Jan. 6, 2021. By all accounts , Garland feared the optics of the Justice Department turning its legal powers against the man President Biden had just beaten at the polls. Of course Trump, the master of projection, was going to, and did, accuse the attorney general of the very thing that Trump himself was guilty of: weaponizing the Justice Department. Yet in a nation based on the rule of law, the case against Trump needed to be pursued. Garland succeeded in reviving the departments post-Watergate norms, which restrict contacts between law enforcement officials and the White House, norms that Garland, as a young Justice lawyer in the Carter administration, helped develop in response to Nixon-era abuses. But so much for Garlands achievement: Trump, saved by his election from having to answer for Jan. 6 or for a separate federal indictment for filching classified documents, will be back in power next week, more emboldened than before and backed by appointees willing to do his vengeful bidding at the Justice Department and the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, there were small victories for accountability, if not for Trumps alleged federal crimes. On Friday he was sentenced for his one conviction, in New York state court in May , for falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Judge Juan M. Merchan gave the president-elect no penalty, but at least the sentencing underscored Trumps distinction as the only felon-president. Separately, Garland indicated he would make public the final report from special counsel Jack Smith detailing the evidence for Trumps culpability for Jan. 6. The 72-year-old attorney general soon leaves office having angered all sides -- Republicans for going after Trump at all, Democrats for not going after him fast and hard enough. California Sen. Adam B. Schiff, formerly a member of the House Jan. 6 committee, was among the first Democrats to publicly blame the Justice Department, at least partially, for letting Trump avoid trial before the 2024 election, complaining on CNN that the department had focused too long on the foot soldiers who attacked the Capitol and refrained from looking at the inciters. A recent CNN retrospective on the Trump prosecution called 2021 the lost year. At a time when the former president was still on the defensive about Jan. 6, the Justice Department followed a bottom-up strategy targeting more than 1,500 rioters in its largest criminal investigation ever. Prosecutors insisted they were chasing leads involving Trump and close allies, while sorting out the legal complexities of trying a former occupant of the Oval Office. By 2022, questions about Garlands deliberative dillydallying became unavoidable. In March, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled in a civil case that the illegality of the [fake electors] plan was obvious. The next month FBI Director Christopher Wray authorized a criminal investigation into the scheme. Then in June the House Jan. 6 committee held its televised hearings , essentially a daytime drama about Trumps multipronged efforts to keep power, starring Republican eyewitnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That development, finally, prodded Garland to get serious about the man at the top. In November 2022, Garland named Smith as special counsel. As fast as Smith seemed to work, it wasnt until August 2023 two and a half years after the insurrection that Trump was criminally indicted . Months of legal challenges from the Trump team followed, delaying everything and putting forward what seemed like a crazy claim, that Trump should have presidential immunity. Yet to point fingers solely at Garland for letting Trump off the hook shifts blame from those even more deserving of it. McConnell, for instance, who engineered Trumps Senate acquittal in February 2021 after his impeachment for inciting the insurrection; conviction could have been paired with a vote banning Trump from seeking federal office. And the Supreme Courts right-wing supermajority, which took seven months before mostly siding with Trumps claim that he and future presidents are immune from criminal charges for supposedly official acts. Even if Garland had moved aggressively, there's a good argument that all the delays available to Trump wouldve made a trial and verdict before the election unlikely. And this fact remains: The ultimate jury voters had more than enough incriminating facts available to decide Trump was unfit to be president again. A plurality decided otherwise. Still, Garlands performance makes me doubly sad that he ended up at Justice instead of becoming a justice. @jackiekcalmes Get the latest from Jackie Calmes Commentary on politics and more from award-winning opinion columnist. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Bloomberg) -- Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready to respond with counter-tariffs against the US if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his threat to begin a trade war in North America. Most Read from Bloomberg Speaking on MSNBCs Inside With Jen Psaki, the outgoing Canadian prime minister said his government isnt looking for a trade fight with the new administration but will have to retaliate if the US puts tariffs on Canadian products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada buys more US-made goods than any other country, according to US Commerce Department export data about $320 billion in the first 11 months of last year. The US trade deficit on goods with Canada was $55 billion during that period. As we did last time, we are ready to respond with tariffs as necessary, Trudeau said. We are the number one export partner of about 35 different US states and anything that thickens the border between us ends up costing American citizens and American jobs. On a per-capita basis, Canada buys far more from the US than the US buys from Canada. When the first Trump administration placed tariffs on steel and aluminum in 2018, the Canadian government put levies on a list of US-manufactured items that included household appliances, bourbon whiskey and boats. This time, Trump has said hes considering broad 25% tariffs against items from Mexico and Canada. One draft retaliation plan circulating within the Canadian government would affect almost every category of products imported by Canada from the US, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview with Psaki, Trudeau touted Canadas decision to spend more on border security, including more helicopters and drones, which aims to stymie the flow of fentanyl and illegal migration into the US a direct response to Trumps concerns. Less than 1% of the illegal migrants, less than 1% of the fentanyl that comes into the United States, comes from Canada. So were not a problem, Trudeau said. Weve actually responded to his request for us to do more with billions of dollars worth of investments to even further strengthen the security of our borders. Trudeau called Trumps taunts about making Canada the 51st US state distracting from more pressing issues. Trudeau, who said Jan. 6 hell resign as prime minister and Liberal Party leader, will remain in the countrys highest political office until members of his party choose his successor on March 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a prominent conservative provincial leader engaged with Trump on Saturday. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she met the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to emphasize the importance of US-Canadian energy relationship. More than half of US crude imports come from Canada, most of it from Alberta. Asked whether Canada could curb energy supplies to the US, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly told CTV News: Everything is on the table. Smith has said shes opposed to energy export restrictions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford in December floated the idea of cutting off his provinces electricity exports to several border states, but last week he proposed a new energy partnership that would deliver more nuclear power to the US. Canadas provincial premiers plan to visit Washington in February to warn of the harm tariffs would cause to both countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau, 53, has served as prime minister for nine years. His approval rating dropped below 30% last year, according to public opinion tracking by the Angus Reid Institute. Then came Finance Minister Chrystia Freelands December resignation in which she said the government needed to avoid costly political gimmicks and keep its financial capacity ready to deal with the impacts of a possible trade war. Her exit led to an uprising of Liberal members of parliament calling on Trudeau to quit. The winner of the partys leadership contest will become Canadas 24th prime minister. A national election is due by October, and may come sooner if opposition parties join forces in a non-confidence vote to topple the government. (Updates with foreign ministers comment in 12th paragraph.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) President-elect Donald Trumps remarks that Canada should become the 51st state drew condemnation and a patriotic outburst on Saturday from a former Canadian prime minister who offered blunt advice to the incoming U.S. leader: Give your head a shake! Jean Chretien, who was Canadas prime minister from 1993 to 2003, joined a chorus of officials from the northern U.S. neighbor who say Trump's remarks are no longer a joke and may undermine Americas closest ally. Canada would never agree to become part of the United States, Chretien wrote in an article published in The Globe and Mail newspaper, celebrating his 91st birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He extolled his nation's love of independence and said Trump's remarks amounted to totally unacceptable insults and unprecedented threats to Canadian sovereignty. To Donald Trump, from one old guy to another, give your head a shake! Chretien said. What could make you think that Canadians would ever give up the best country in the world and make no mistake that is what we are to join the United States? Trump has tossed expansionist rhetoric not just at Canada but also at other U.S. allies, with arguments that the frontiers of American power need to be extended to the Danish territory of Greenland, and southward to include the Panama Canal. And while many European leaders have been measured in their response, Canadians have not held back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you think that threatening and insulting us is going to win us over, you really dont know a thing about us, Chretien wrote in the article. We may look easy-going, mild-mannered. But make no mistake, we have spine and toughness. The U.S. imports approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada, which is also the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canadian officials have been talking to incoming Trump administration officials about increasing border security in an effort to avoid a sweeping 25% tariff that Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian products. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday suggested that President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about Canada becoming America's 51st state has distracted attention from the harm that steep tariffs would inflict on U.S. consumers. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports. The 51st state, thats not going to happen," Trudeau said in an interview with MSNBC. But people are talking about that, as opposed to talking about what impact 25% tariffs (has) on steel and aluminum coming into the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau told MSNBC: "No American wants to pay 25% more for electricity or oil and gas coming in from Canada. Thats something I think people need to pay a little more attention to. Trump has also said that if Canada merged with the U.S., taxes would decrease and there would be no tariffs. I know that as a successful negotiator he likes to keep people off balance," Trudeau said of Trump's threats to use economic force to turn Canada into the 51st state. Trump has also erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil as a subsidy. Canadian officials say that if Trump follows through with his threat of punishing tariffs, Canada would consider slapping retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products. Already during Trump's first term in the White House, Canada responded to Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum with its own on American products like bourbon, Harley Davidson motorcycles and playing cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He got elected to try and make life easier for all Americans, to support American workers, Trudeau said of Trump. These (tariffs) are things that are going to hurt them. Trump said last week that the U.S doesnt need oil, or anything else, from Canada. But almost a quarter of the oil that the U.S. consumes each day comes from Canada. The energy-rich western province of Alberta exports 4.3 million barrels of oil a day to the U.S. Data from the United States Energy Information Administration shows that the U.S. consumes 20 million barrels a day, and produces about 13.2 million barrels a day. Canada, a founding partner of NATO and home to more than 40 million people, is also the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said that he would reconsider his tariff threat if Canada made improvements in managing security at the Canada-U.S. border, which he and his advisers see as a potential entry point for undocumented migrants. Trudeau has said that less than 1% of illegal immigrants and fentanyl cross into the U.S. from Canada. But after a meeting last November with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elects private club and residence in Florida, Trudeau announced an increase in spending on border security, expressing willingness to address Trump's concerns in hopes that he would reconsider his tariff threat. With the challenge of Trumps second administration looming and Trudeau's party trailing badly in the polls, the beleaguered Canadian prime minister announced his resignation last Monday. He will be replaced on March 9, when his Liberal party is set to pick a new leader. Jan. 11Caterpillar Inc. turns 100 this year, and the company kicked off its centennial celebration with an event in Sanford Thursday. The event featured several speakers from the company and then a ribbon cutting for a mobile unit that will be part of a world tour. The mobile unit offers an immersive experience that includes the history of Caterpillar and a look to the future. The Sanford facility at 5000 Womack Road north of the city has been around for 25 years and manufactures compact track loaders and employs more than 2,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sanford is a very important facility for us," Tony Fassino, Caterpillar Construction Industries Group President, said. "They recently celebrated their 25 years, which is a very significant milestone. They've grown dramatically over those 25 years." Fassino said they had a chance to touch the lives of more than 2,000 employees by hosting the event in Sanford. "There are four mobile centennial vans that will travel worldwide, touching roughly 100,000 employees. [They] will appear at close to 100 facilities it's a big operation. They're going to be booked solid for the next full year," he said. Fassino talked about kicking off the next 100 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The future is customer focused," he said. "Safety first making sure we're making a safer job site with the contractors around the world. There is also a lot of sustainability messaging and infrastructure building. Our line is, 'A better more sustainable world,' which truly we do. A lot of these machines build waterways that bring fresh water, hospital sites, schools; they are in that kind of work. That's what it's all about and helping the customers." Fassino said Caterpillar is playing a key role in much of the development in North Carolina with all of the construction at nearby sites, including Sanford. "Not to mention housing," he said. "There are a lot of roles played in site development and infrastructure whether it's bringing the sewer and water in or a bringing a roadway in and your major power and gas lines. That's really a part of the machines we have in play there." During a celebration with employees, Caterpillar COO Joe Creed and Caterpillar Corporate Affairs Vice President Kathryn Karol spoke about the anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karol said they plan to celebrate all year with Caterpillar employees across the globe. Both thanked and acknowledged the work done by all of the employees. "We deliver what our customers need," Creed said. Two Sanford facility employees spoke about the company after the ceremony. Bobby Rumbley, who has been at the facility for 25 years, and Marissa Holtz, a recently hired employee, spoke about working for Caterpillar. "I started here when the doors opened," Rumbley said. "I saw the CEO of Caterpillar on the news and he was saying, 'We can go anywhere in the United States, pay people a fair wage, treat them decent ... and we'll get all of the help we need.' I thought, 'Come here.' The next day, it was on the news that they announced they had bought this building." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rumbley said he's seen a lot of changes over the quarter century he's worked there. "Now, the machines that we make are really big compared to the the ones that we had to start with," he said. The Sanford facility has produced nearly 450,000 machines, according to Fassino. "They're on their way to half a million," he added. Rumbley noted that Caterpillar marks a lot of milestones. "They celebrate the small things, too," he said. "Anything that goes on that they have an opportunity to celebrate, they do. I've seen a bunch of celebrations since I've been here, but it doesn't matter what the celebration is, we're celebrating together. We celebrate the people of Caterpillar who make a difference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rumbley said anywhere you look you'll see Caterpillar products. "It's not an easy thing to build those machines. Everybody says, 'We're gonna do this ...' but Caterpillar does it. We do it." Holtz is relatively new to the facility. "I started April 15, 2024," she said. "Coming in from the very beginning, my goal was to find someplace where I could grow. Caterpillar is definitely a place where you are learning and you're going to grow. What you put into it is definitely what you're going to get out of it. I loved everybody's remarks this afternoon about how we're supporting our customers. That shows throughout the factory and throughout Caterpillar as well." Fassino said Caterpillar is involved in the communities where it has facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted Caterpillar's community involvement in Lee County as well the North Carolina overall saying that: Since 1952, the dedication and generosity of Caterpillar and its employees have enabled the Caterpillar Foundation, Caterpillar's philanthropic organization, to contribute more than $935 million to 8,000 local charities in 40-plus countries around the world. In North Carolina, Caterpillar Foundation's grants bolster both the state's workforce and infrastructure. In 2024, Caterpillar Foundation supported over 200 charities across the state, an increase of 40% in three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caterpillar Foundation is also committed to building greater resilience in local communities, contributing to the conservation of the Upper Neuse River and surrounding watershed with the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. In addition to these grants, since 2020, the generosity of Caterpillar employees is demonstrated through the nearly $1 million donated to organizations in North Carolina through Caterpillar Foundation's Matching Gifts Program, the over $570,000 raised for United Way of Lee County and the over 3,500 volunteer hours served with local organizations through Caterpillar Foundation's Volunteer Service Match. "In connection with this Centennial World Tour, the Caterpillar Foundation will make a donation of $26,5000 to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and $26,500 to the InterFaith Food Shuttle," Fassino said. "So much good has been done together here in North Carolina," he said. "As Caterpillar and Caterpillar Foundation look to the next 100 years, we're focused on advancing progress toward a brighter future for North Carolina and beyond." Andrea Pasinetti was in San Francisco for work and his wife, Sixuan, was overseas when the Palisades Fire broke out on Tuesday, devastating neighborhood after neighborhood including their own. Their dogsitter was stuck in the roads leading to their block, leaving the Pasinettis' three dogs waiting at home as the flames began ravaging their street, Lachman Lane. Bundled with anxiety and not knowing the fate of his beloved pets, Pasinetti said he jumped on a flight to Los Angeles, hoping to make it home in time to get Alma, Archie and Hugo out of danger. "The flight into [Los Angeles] was definitely very, very hard because we just didn't have any information," he told CBS News from a hotel room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pasinetti's friend picked him up with a car full of fire retardant materials and blankets, in case he would need them when rescuing the pets, and they sped over to the Palisades. But when they were about eight minutes out, Pasinetti said they struggled to find a way in with "cops at most intersections." "It's this feeling of helplessness and devastation and also just the unknown," he described. "Wanting to maintain hope, but also kind of bracing for the worst." While on the phone with his wife, Pasinetti said he determined there were two options they could move forward with either he finds a way to the house, or someone else needs to. That's when Sixuan saw CBS News' Jonathan Vigliotti reporting from Palisades Charter High School, which was a short distance from their residence. "We started wracking our brains to see if we knew anyone who might be able to get in touch with Jonathan, and we were tweeting at him and eventually we found a friend and sort of colleague of his, who was able to get a message through," Pasinetti said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That colleague was CBS News producer Christian Duran, and the two-man team decided to help, heading over to the house that was "on its last legs," according to Pasinetti despite the risk involved. "We knew it was a tall order to extract all three dogs from the house," he said. "Obviously, Jonathan didn't have a key to the house, so I told him to break whatever window he could and he managed to get into the house." Alma, Archie and Hugo are rescue dogs, and as a result, "pre-wired with a lot of anxiety," Pasinetti explained. The three of them were likely in separate areas of the house with Alma right at the entrance and Hugo likely under a bed, he said, potentially making the rescue even more difficult. "They managed to wrangle [Alma] somehow and I think they threw a blanket over her and kind of got her covered, then they proceeded to the second pup, Archie," he said. "I imagine they had to lift the bed in the primary bedroom and extract Hugo." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The circumstance probably couldn't have been any more dramatic. The house was surrounded by flames," Pasinetti continued. "I think it burned down a few hours after he was able to get the pups." Pasinetti said he was almost in disbelief when he found out all three had been rescued from the house safely. "I have never felt that mixture of joy and relief and exhaustion and despair and gratitude towards someone," he said. "The generosity and kindness and risk that they put themselves through to get the dogs was really I think it's the best that humanity has to offer." The Pasinettis still have a long road ahead picking up the pieces of a lost home, something they haven't even had an opportunity to comprehend yet, he said. The Palisades Fire has destroyed nearly 23,000 acres and continues to burn with little containment. Pasinetti added that the experience has reminded them about what's important in life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think we go through life accruing so much stuff and curating our belongings, but at the end of the day, it's all stuff and while it's sad to lose, I think the possibility and prospect of losing something much more important, just put it into perspective," he shared. Pasinetti also emphasized he was grateful for the efforts that first responders and firefighters had been tirelessly putting in to save lives and homes. One firefighter even offered to take him to his home that night amidst the chaos, he said. "I think all the plaudits and all the commentary on the firefighters and the first responders really, really is very much deserved and they put themselves in harm's way to try to save what they could," he said. "They were sort of in the line of fire, literally, for many hours and days often without water." Extended interview: Jamie Dimon Jamie Dimon on the economy A Renaissance Era secret passage reopens in Florence MABANK, Texas (KETK) A family of nine was displaced on Saturday after a fire burned their home near the Cedar Creek Country Club in Mabank. Ashley and Brooks Zabojnik along with their seven children have lived in their Mabank home since 2021, but in just one afternoon their house was reduced to rubble. Nacogdoches firefighters deployed to deadly California wildfires Lost a lot of sentimental things that cant be replaced, Brooks said. But I know we were the most important thing and nobody was hurt or injured, but lost everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Payne Springs Fire Rescue said they were called out to assist the Mabank Fire Department with a fire burning multiple structures and vehicles on Saturday afternoon. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the home, a carport, a detached garage and two vehicles on fire. It started just in the garage, and it was just our car, but then it started to burn over to our house so we were standing there watching like our whole life burn before our eyes and we couldnt do anything about it, Ashley said. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. Photo courtesy of Payne Springs Fire Rescue. The fire was eventually extinguished and no one was injured but the family of nine was left displaced. Amidst the chaos and before the fire was even put out, the Zabojnik family said their community started showing up and offering support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our whole neighborhood was here within minutes helping us, Ashley said. I mean, even once the fire was put out, people were already trying to help us get settled and get donations, put clothes on our kids and [get] food, It was more than we could have ever asked for. Local businesses like 7 Arrows Boutique and 1st Call Restoration are offering their business services and the Mabank Methodist Church has already raised over $3,000 for the family. Standing behind the parents so they can be strong for their children. Donations are also being organized through the Cedar Creek Country Club Community Neighborhoods group or people can donate to their GoFundMe. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, we cant say thank you enough, Ashley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Four days after the California wildfires broke out, and the natural disaster is showing no signs of slowing down. Now, reports are claiming the unruly flames are making their way to the neighboring area of Brentwoodwith many families and celebrities fleeing as we speak. Sandwiched between Bel Air and the Pacific Palisades, Brentwood is a charming and beloved Los Angeles enclave that has reportedly lost about 5,300 homes during the fires. While the evacuations are impacting homes of all shapes and sizes, many celebrities are showing their fans glimpses of the transparent horror on their social media accounts. And horrifying it is. To keep you up to speed on what's happening in Southern California, we're sharing everything we know about the stars who are leaving Brentwood behind. Want to support the greater Los Angeles community? Here's how you can help during these trying times. More information on the California wildfires: Dennis Quaid Not only did Dennis Quaid have to evacuate his Brentwood home, but The Parent Trap star had an impromptu interview with NBC News in the process. "We all had a really big lesson," he said. "Our experience of reality can change in a moment." Quaid adds that he returned to his neighborhood to shut off the gas in his home and see if he can help any of his neighbors. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin - Getty Images LeBron James The evacuation order applies to LeBron James's Brentwood mansion, which he reportedly bought for $23 million in 2017. Though the legendary Laker has commented on his own home, he has been posting resources and "prayers" for his fellow Angelenos on Instagram stories. Sam Hodde - Getty Images Fergie This week has been far from "glamorous" for the Black Eyed Peas alum. In fact, TMZ reports that Fergie had to evacuate her Brentwood days ago as flamed creeped closer to her home. Michael Tran - Getty Images Harrison Ford As Harrison Ford proves, leaving your home is hard to do. Reports claim that the Shrinking star was escorted by the LAPD to leave his $12.6 million Brentwood abode, which he bought all the way back in 2011. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin - Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamala Harris The current evacuation order also applies to Vice President Harris's 3,500-square-foot Brentwood home, which she shares with husband Douglas Emhoff. While it's unclear how much Harris purchased the property for back in 2012, the residence is estimated to be worth $5 million today. As of Friday, January 10, Daily Mail reported the property has not been affected by the fire. Win McNamee - Getty Images Arnold Schwarzenegger The former California governor's Brentwood home, a six-acre property that he purchased with ex-wife Maria Shriver back in 2002, is also under threat. However, The Terminator actor is reportedly filming a holiday movie in New York, so it's unclear if he was able to preserve any of his belongingsor the animals who reside on the grounds. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok. Tristar Media - Getty Images You Might Also Like Elizabeth Potalivo, 36, of Spring Mills, was once known for her infectious personality the kind of person who could stroll into a roomful of 20 people and walk out with 20 new friends. She was pronounced dead at 5:52 a.m. Friday at UPMC Williamsport after being involved in a single-vehicle crash. I never fully understood the phrase that parents should never outlive their children, and now I fully get it, Elizabeths father, Chris Potalivo, said. That sense of emptiness right now is just profound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth died as a result of a high-speed crash Thursday on Route 45 in Potter Township that saw her cross into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a cattle fence, according to a report from state police at Rockview. She continued through a field, and her SUV became airborne for about 40 yards. She was then flown by helicopter to Williamsports hospital. She was not wearing her seat belt. Elizabeths father, Chris Potalivo, doesnt dispute any of that. But he also said thats not the entire story and hed prefer the community know, both to dispel rumors and so it might encourage other families with loved ones facing drug and mental health issues to get help. To be sure, the Potalivo family still treasures memories of Elizabeth growing up the way she effortlessly earned straight As at State High and the one time she and her sister giggled wildly while steering their sideways-sinking pontoon back to the dock at Raystown Lake. But then there are darker memories, such as the five trips to rehab and the 2-3 stints in jail. Do I think this was suicide? Chris asked. I do, whether she got in that car intentionally to kill herself or whether she was at that breaking point where she wanted it over. Because everything she did in that vehicle (like the unbuckled seat belt) was so unlike her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris didnt know where to turn, about 10 years ago, when Elizabeth first sank into a depression and then turned to alcohol and, later, drugs (i.e. huffing). He wished then he wouldve marched to the relevant county office the Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention and Drug & Alcohol Office at 3500 E. College Ave., State College and asked for help. He wonders if Elizabeths ending might be any different. But, a decade ago, when all this started, Chris and his wife were still trying to figure everything out. Elizabeth was a bright pre-med student at Penn State until a different car crash threw her from a vehicle. Miraculously, she didnt break any bones. But, after two MRIs, doctors realized she suffered permanent brain damage. She kept forgetting things. One doctor even said shed never graduate college, Chris recalled. But Elizabeth wasnt one to take no for an answer. After all, when Elizabeth volunteered to be the Gingerbread Man in a kindergarten school play, she refused to accept the teachers reasoning that the star should be a boy. That mindset never changed. So Elizabeth transferred to the University of Colorado, found the easiest major she could there (Modern Egyptian History) and graduated. She interned as a regional representative at Budweiser, and they hired her full time. She only needed to pass a drug test. But because she took marijuana legal in Colorado, but not in all the states shed represent she was terminated. She spiraled, her father said. Six months later, she was homeless and Chris retrieved her and brought her home to Centre County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was never the same. On Thursday, the day of the most recent crash, Chris said his daughter confided to her aunt that she needed help. They were on their way to a psychiatric center for that help, when Elizabeth found an aerosol can in the backseat and began huffing it. Knowing no center would admit someone who was high, Elizabeths aunt turned around. They could try the next day. But, unbeknownst to the aunt, according to Chris, Elizabeth then took the vehicle. Less than 24 hours later, a Lycoming County coroner would rule she died from accidental and multiple blunt force contact. Results from a toxicology test which is standard in fatal crashes like this have not yet been returned. Inspired by his daughters struggles, Chris is currently the chairman on the Centre County Mental Health & Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board. He believes the state needs to overhaul its mental health system, and Centre County needs improved mental health facilities. He still laments when a local psychiatric center once essentially released his daughter on her own at 1 a.m. and how Elizabeth was referred to a specific transition program but one that was available only in the Altoona area, and Elizabeth didnt want to restart her life elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think mental health experts in this community let her down. I feel the mental health program in this state is crewed by an incredibly competent crew and a poorly designed ship, he said, likening Pennsylvanias mental health system to the Titanic. And no matter what the crew did, the ship was going down because the design was flawed. Chris wants to make a difference to ensure another family doesnt have to experience this kind of pain. He several times alluded to the death of Osaze Osagie, a State College man who was killed by police while serving a mental health warrant, and said more must be done. Elizabeths life might be over, he intimated, but that doesnt mean her story has to be. For families impacted by a loved ones drinking, Al-Anon Family Groups at al-anon.org is a national organization that provides mutual aid. ... Centre County also provides an online Guide to Mental Health Services to help navigate all the available services. ... And, for those in crisis, immediate help is available 24/7 by calling 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. > < 22:32 BSF thwarts infiltration bid, drives back 24 Bangladeshis, 2 Rohingyas File image The Border Security Force foiled infiltration bids at the border and drove back 24 Bangladeshis and two Rohingyas, an official said on Sunday. The jawans of BSF South Bengal Frontier also thwarted attempts to smuggle out hemp, alcohol-containing cough syrup phensedyl and other drugs, apart... Read more > 22:11 Law student dies after falling from 7th floor of Noida building An LLB student died after falling from the 7th floor of Supreme Towers in Sector 39 area of Noida, police said on Sunday.The deceased, Tapas, was a resident of Ghaziabad and was a student of Amity University.The incident took place on Saturday and Tapas' friends were also with him in the flat... Read more > 21:57 Rana Daggubati, kin booked in hotel demolition case Actor Rana Daggubati/File image A case was booked against actor Venkatesh Daggubati, his nephew and actor Rana Daggubati, their family members, including producer D Suresh over demolition of a hotel in Hyderabad run by a businessman on the land taken on lease from the Daggubati family, the police said on Sunday. Following... Read more > 21:49 Senior advocate Iqbal Chagla passes away Senior advocate Iqbal Chagla, one of India's leading lawyers, passed away on Sunday in Mumbai, family sources said. He was 85. Iqbal Chagla, son of former Bombay high court Chief Justice MC Chagla, was unwell for a few days. He was the father of the sitting judge of the Bombay HC... Read more > 21:44 Ajith Kumar's team claims 3rd position in Dubai 24H 2025 race Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar's racing team has secured the third place in the Dubai 24H 2025 race on Sunday. Held annually at the Dubai Autodrome, the racing event features high-performance GT and touring cars competing in a gruelling 24-hour format that tests speed, strategy and... Read more > 21:23 35 cr pilgrims to attend Maha Kumbh: UP chief secy Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has said that 35 crore pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela taking place in the vicinity of Sangam -- the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. He also said that during the period of Mauni Amavasya, an estimated... Read more > 21:17 Sambhal authorities order removal of illegal shops near Akarm Mochan Koop File image Authorities have ordered the removal of a dozen illegal shops near the historical 'Akarm Mochan Koop' in front of Sadar Police Station in Sambhal.The owners of the shops, allegedly built on encroached upon land, were ordered to vacate the premises by sub-divisional magistrate Vandana Mishra on... Read more > 20:56 Guj school principal booked for raping ex-student attending alumni meet The police launched a search for a school principal after booking him for alleged rape of a former student on the sidelines of an alumni meet in Bharuch of Gujarat, the police said on Sunday.The complainant stated that the principal had sexually assaulted her in the past also when she was a... Read more > 20:39 Tiku Talsania hospitalised, recuperating well: Daughter Shikha Talsania Veteran actor Tiku Talsania is doing much better and recuperating well at a Mumbai hospital, his daughter and actor Shikha Talsania said on Sunday.Reports of Tiku Talsania's hospitalisation started doing the rounds on social media on Saturday. Earlier, it was reported that the 70-year-old... Read more > 20:32 SKM calls for tractor marches on R-Day File image Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Sunday called for tractor marches across the country on January 26 and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold discussions with farmers over their pending demands. The SKM's call comes amid growing concerns over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh... Read more > 20:20 King cobra caught from Sabarimala Sannidhanam File image Forest officials on Sunday caught a king cobra from the premises of the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, which has been witnessing a heavy rush ahead of the upcoming Makaravilakku festival. The reptile was caught from a nearby bhasmakulam' at Sannidhanam (temple complex) in the... Read more > 20:14 Patrol vessel attacked mid-sea off Odisha coast File image The crew of a fishing trawl allegedly attacked a patrol vessel in the prohibited seawaters of Odisha's Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, a forest official said on Sunday.The attack was allegedly pre-planned by the crew, who were illegally fishing near the Babubali coast, the official added.They tried... Read more > 19:57 Jaipur fire station employees arrested for setting afire factories for profit Two contractual employees of a fire station in Jaipur have been arrested for allegedly setting fires in factories to earn additional income, officials said on Sunday.The accused, fireman Vijay Sharma and driver Rahul Yadav, allegedly stole diesel from from fire tenders during their trips and sold... Read more > 19:46 Special counsel Jack Smith, who led Trump's prosecutions, resigns US President-elect Donald Trump Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two failed federal prosecutions against US President-elect Donald Trump, resigned this week, the New York Times reported citing a footnote buried in court papers. Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor fought a bitter battle with Trump's legal... Read more > 19:06 Bangladeshi migrants on vote jihad 2: Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Bangladeshi migrants seeking birth certificates illegally in the state to obtain voting rights was vote jihad part 2. Fadnavis, during the November assembly poll campaign, had cited instances of a community voting en masse against... Read more > 18:51 Retired IAS officer assaulted by bus conductor in Jaipur over fare dispute File image A retired IAS officer was allegedly assaulted by a bus conductor in Jaipur for refusing to pay an extra fare of Rs 10, the police said on Sunday.The incident occurred on Friday when the retired officer was not dropped at the correct bus stop, because of which he refused to pay the extra fare, the... Read more > 18:31 Finmin to meet heads of banks on Wednesday to review financial inclusion schemes Finance ministry has called a meeting of heads of Public Sector Banks on Wednesday to review progress of various financial inclusion schemes, including Jan Suraksha and Mudra Yojana.The meeting, which would see participation from representatives of private sector banks, is scheduled to be chaired... Read more > 18:15 Manipur: Assam Rifles vacate camp destroyed by mob File image A day after a makeshift camp of Assam Rifles was vandalised by an irate mob in Manipur's Kamjong district, personnel of the paramilitary force vacated the premises on Sunday, officials said.The mob on Saturday stormed into the camp located in Hongbei village and destroyed it over alleged... Read more > 17:51 Madhuri Dixit, Gauri Khan, Amrita Rao among celebs to buy OYO shares Actor Madhuri Dixit/File image Actors Madhuri Dixit, Amrita Rao, and Bollywood producer Gauri Khan are among celebrities who bought shares of travel tech platform OYO over the past few months. Gauri Khan bought 2.4 million shares of OYO during the recent Series G funding round concluded in August 2024 where the company... Read more > 17:40 'Thiruvabharanam' procession sets off to Sabarimala File image The annual ceremonial procession carrying thiruvabharanam, the sacred jewellery of the Lord Ayyappa, set off to Sabarimala from a shrine in Pandalam here on Sunday. The auspicious jewels are to be adorned on Lord Ayyappa on the day of 'Makaravilakku' festival, which falls on January... Read more > 17:30 I will be back soon: Rashmika Mandanna shares update after injury Pushpa 2: The Rule star Rashmika Mandanna has confirmed that she got injured in her leg recently, saying she hopes to return to work soon. The 28-year-old actor, also known for films such as Animal, Bheeshma and Geetha Govindam, shared a post on Instagram on Saturday days after reports... Read more > 17:18 B'desh summons Indian envoy over border tensions File image Bangladesh's foreign ministry on Sunday summoned Indian high commissioner Pranay Verma over border tensions. The development came hours after Dhaka alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, in violation of a bilateral agreement. Verma... Read more > 16:55 College student jumps to death in MP's Chhatarpur A 26-year-old college student allegedly committed suicide by jumping off a building in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur city on Sunday, the police said.The incident occurred in a colony in the Civil Line police station area in the morning, an official said.Civil Line Police Station in-charge Valmiki... Read more > 16:18 Sri Lankan Navy arrests 8 Indian fishermen, seize two fishing trawlers File image The Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday said it has arrested eight Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters and seized two fishing trawlers. The arrests took place on Saturday night during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar, it said in... Read more > 15:52 Tension in Bengaluru after miscreants attack cows File image Tension gripped Chamarajapet area in Bengaluru after unidentified people attacked three cows, severing their udders. According to the police sources, the incident occurred at Vinayakanagar in Chamarajpet. The cows belong to a local named Karna. Residents woke up to the distressing... Read more > 15:33 Kangana Ranaut organises special screening of 'Emergency' for Gadkari Union minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut and actor Anumpam Kher ahead of the movie show/Courtesy Nitin Gadkari on X Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut organised a special screening of her upcoming film Emergency for Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari watched the political drama, which stars Ranaut in the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, in Nagpur on Saturday. Directed,... Read more > 14:58 Cong promises Rs 8,500 to unemployed youths if voted to power in Delhi The Congress on Sunday promised to give Rs 8,500 to educated unemployed youths in Delhi for one year if it comes to power in Delhi. The financial assistance will be provided under a scheme called the 'Yuva Udaan Yojana' and it is not free, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot said at a press... Read more > 14:41 20 Kerala Christian priests booked for attacking cop File image A case was registered against 20 priests on Sunday for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest at the Bishop's House of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese on January 11. The Ernakulam central police registered a case against the priests, who are identifiable, under Sections... Read more > 14:21 BJP to ramp up women's presence in organisation The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to have a higher representation of women in its organisational structures, as compared to its outgoing committees at various levels from booth upwards, as it prepares for the implementation of the law reserving one-third seats Lok Sabha and state assemblies... Read more > 14:00 28 workers pulled out safely as rescue op at UP railway station concludes File image The rescue operation at the Kannauj Railway Station following a building collapse concluded Sunday morning with rescuers pulling out 28 workers safely after a 16-hour-long operation though the night, officials said. They said all the rescued workers have been admitted to a hospital for... Read more > 13:45 Three Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter File image Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, the police said. The gunfight broke out in the morning at a forest in the Indravati National Park area when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation,... Read more > 13:32 Tabu joins Akshay Kumar in Priyadarshan's 'Bhooth Bangla' Superstar Tabu Superstar Tabu has boarded the cast of Priyadarshan's upcoming horror comedy Bhooth Bangla, headlined by Akshay Kumar. Also starring Paresh Rawal, Jisshu Sengupta, and Wamiqa Gabbi, the film is set to be released on April 2, 2026. Bhooth Bangla marks a reunion for Tabu with Kumar,... Read more > 13:20 Pakistan coal mine collapse toll rises to 11 File image The death toll in a coal mine collapse due to a methane gas accumulation and explosion has left 11 workers dead after rescuers recovered seven more bodies, an official said. Twelve workers were trapped when the coal mine collapsed in the Sanjdi area, about 40 km from Quetta in the... Read more > 12:17 14 accused sent to jail in minor girl rape case in Kerala Fourteen people have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in the district, the police said on Sunday. All the 14 accused were sent to judicial custody by a court here for 14 days. Several others have been... Read more > 11:44 Rescue operations in Assam coal mine enter 7th day A rescue operation is underway at the Umrangso coal mine, in Dima Hasao Rescue operations at a flooded coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district continued for the seventh day on Sunday to locate trapped labourers inside the quarry, officials said. Dewatering of the mine is being carried out with the process expected to reach the final stage soon, state mines and... Read more > 11:29 Faf: Fit And Fab At 40! At 40, Faf du Plessis continues to shine in cricket, proving that age is just a number.As captain of the Jo'Burg Super Kings, he is ready for SA20 season 3.See HERE Read more > 11:19 Bangladesh eases visa process for Pakistanis The interim government in Bangladesh has simplified the visa process for Pakistanis to further strengthen trade and economic relations.The present government had removed the need for clearance from Dhaka for Pakistani heads of missions while issuing visas, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan... Read more > 10:32 Jaishankar to attend Trump's swearing-in On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-in Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, the ministry of external affairs said in... Read more > 10:10 Swami Vivekananda's lessons for us Today is the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.HERE are a few lessons we can draw from his life and teachings. Read more > 09:55 Why Sharad Pawar met CM Devendra Fadnavis Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar head Sharad Pawar has said he has spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on efforts to normalise the social tension gripping Beed and Parbhani after the murder of a sarpanch and death of a Dalit youth in judicial custody.United... Read more > (Bloomberg) -- Military leader Mahamat Debys ruling party reinforced its grip on power by winning two-thirds of the seats in Chads parliamentary election, which was boycotted by the main opposition. Most Read from Bloomberg The Patriotic Salvation Movement won 124 of 188 seats in the National Assembly in the Dec. 29 poll, according to preliminary results released on Sunday by the commission responsible for the tally. It previously held 83 seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voter turnout figures werent immediately available, the National Electoral Management Agency said. The results come days after an attack on the presidential palace in Chads capital NDjamena killed 20 people and injured others. Authorities who first deemed the attack as an destabilization attempt later said it was an isolated and desperate act by young people in the landlocked nation of about 20 million. Deby grabbed power in 2021 after the death of his father, longterm leader Idriss Deby, who ruled Chad for three decades. The younger Deby won a landslide in presidential elections in May that were meant to restore civilian rule. Hes faced criticism from former Prime Minister Succes Masra, who accused Debys military-turned-civilian government of using the parliamentary vote the first in over a decade to entrench his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albert Pahimi Padacke, another former prime minister, won 12 seats in Decembers vote with his party National Rally for Democracy in Chad. Masras Les Transformateurs party boycotted the vote. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad's ruling party won two-thirds of the seats in the legislative election which was boycotted by many in the opposition last month, provisional results showed on Sunday, reinforcing President Mahamat Idriss Deby's hold on power. Results of the Dec. 29 election seal the oil-producing Central African nation's transition to constitutional rule more than three years after Deby seized control following the sudden death of his father and long-standing predecessor Idriss Deby Itno. Deby's party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, secured 124 of the 188 seats at the National Assembly, the national electoral body said. The participation rate was put at 51.56%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote, which also included municipal and regional elections, was Chad's first in more than a decade. But opposition leader Succes Masra's Transformateurs party and several others boycotted the election, saying the vote was skewed and lacked transparency. The government has denied this. Deby was elected president in another disputed vote in May, three years after declaring himself interim leader when rebels killed his father on the battlefield. Since Deby's election, Chad - a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the Sahel region - ended its defence cooperation pact with France and threatened to withdraw from a regional multinational security force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The severing of military ties with France echoes moves by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which all kicked out French troops and fostered closer ties with Russia after a string of coups in West and Central Africa's Sahel region. This week, security forces foiled an attack on the presidency that the government referred to as a "destabilisation attempt". (Reporting by Mahamat Ramadane ; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Alessandra Prentice and David Holmes) George Washingtons first inaugural, as will President-elect Donald Trumps, commemorated a dramatic change in the political evolution of this nation. With the 1789 festivities, the United States embarked on its transformation from 13 disparate colonies to a unified nation. The 2025 inauguration will mark quite a different moment in history, one that will celebrate one of the most remarkable comebacks in American politics a presidential transition unimaginable four years ago, when the ceremony was reshaped and scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened security concerns. During the 236 years between these two strikingly dissimilar celebrations, America has often changed its mind about what type of person should be president. Americas inaugurals have featured individuals of differing backgrounds, religions, ethnic groups and lifestyles. Before entering politics, one was an actor, another a peanut farmer and a third a journalist. Others were architects, businessmen, engineers, farmers, generals, judges, lawyers, planters, professors, sailors, soldiers, surveyors and teachers. Not only has the opinion of voters changed about who should lead the country, but the death of eight presidents while in office and resignation of a ninth have left succeeding vice presidents in control of the White House. None of the four presidential successors in the 19th century John Tyler (1841), Millard Fillmore (1850), Andrew Johnson (1865) and Chester A. Arthur (1881) would go on to be elected to a full term. Conversely, of the five vice presidents who ascended to the presidency in the 20th century Theodore Roosevelt (1904), Calvin Coolidge (1921), Harry S Truman (1948), Lyndon B. Johnson (1964) and Gerald Ford (1974) only Ford did not subsequently win a full presidential term and retake the oath on the traditional inauguration day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In repeating the 35-word presidential oath, Donald Trump will fulfill every inaugural requirement of the Constitution, which simply prescribes the wording in Article II, Section 1, but makes no other provision for ceremony or celebration. Still, the accompanying pageantry and festivities will be minutely chronicled and another chapter will be added to the ever-evolving inaugural story. Since Washingtons first inaugural on a small portico between columns of New York Citys Federal Hall, Americans have watched as decisions made by presidents on this transformation day have established, continued and shattered historic traditions. Presidents have taken the oath of office in several cities and states, on different days than the official inauguration date and before intimate groups as well as cheering throngs at the Capitol. Washingtons second inauguration, as well as that of his successor, John Adams, was held indoors at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The first president to be inaugurated in the newly completed Capitol in Washington, D.C., was Thomas Jefferson. James Madisons first inaugural in 1817, the first ceremony since Washingtons to be held outside, took place in front of the Old Brick Capitol at First and A Streets, since the Capitol was being rebuilt after having been burned by the British in 1814. Although rain and snow forced Monroes second inaugural into the House chamber in 1821, the outdoor swearing-in at his first inaugural set a precedent that with few exceptions has been followed by elected presidents since. While Franklin D. Roosevelt continued the tradition of an outdoor ceremony for his historic fourth inauguration in 1945, it was not held at the Capitol but instead on the South Portico of the White House. History tells us Roosevelt took the oath of office there due to the exigencies of war or due to FDRs failing health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historians and journalists have mistakenly credited President Ronald Reagan with moving the presidential inauguration in 1981 from the East Front of the Capitol to the West, where it has been held ever since. Donald Ritchie, historian emeritus of the U.S. Senate, corrects the story and tells us the truth is that the Joint Committee on the Inauguration announced its decision to move the inauguration from the east to the west side of the Capitol in June 1980, more than a month before Republicans nominated Reagan, and for more pragmatic reasons than commentators suspect. The congressional committee calculated that the move would save money, since they could use the West Front terraces as an inaugural platform rather than build one from scratch, and that the Mall side of the Capitol would provide more space for spectators. Only one of the smallest and least-anticipated ceremonies, those involving a succeeding vice president, took place at the Capitol, when Millard Fillmore was administered the oath of office in the House chamber a day after the death of President Zachary Taylor. John Tyler and Andrew Johnson took the oath in Washington hotels, while the White House was the setting for Harry S. Truman and Gerald R. Ford. Private homes in New York, Plymouth, Vermont and Buffalo, New York, hosted Chester A. Arthur, Calvin Coolidge and Theodore Roosevelt respectively. Lyndon B. Johnsons swearing-in took place aboard Air Force One in Dallas, Texas. Initially, inaugurals occurred on March 4, a date designated first by the Continental Congress and then by the Succession Act of 1792 and the Twelfth Amendment (1804). Passage of the Twentieth Amendment (1933) changed the original date for the beginning of president and vice-president terms from March 4 to January 20, to shorten the period between their election and installation. Washingtons first inaugural, however, was delayed until April 30, after a quorum of the members of the First Congress belatedly arrived in New York the temporary capital to count the Electoral College votes, and Washington was notified and traveled from Mount Vernon. Subsequently, when inauguration day fell on a Sunday a day when neither court can be held nor legal business transacted the public ceremony was postponed until Monday. This pattern was followed by James Monroe (1821) and Zachary Taylor (1849). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No such interim occurred in 1877, when the electoral votes in several states were disputed and a special Electoral Commission determined Rutherford B. Hayes to have won by a single electoral vote. Amidst accusations that Samuel J. Tilden, his opponent, had been cheated out of the presidency, Hayes first took the oath privately at the White House on Saturday. Woodrow Wilson (1917), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1957), Ronald Reagan (1985) and Barack Obama (2013) followed the Hayes precedent, taking the oath privately on Sunday and publicly on Monday at the Capitol. The Constitution does not require a speech, but when, in 1821, President James Monroe considered not delivering one, he was advised not to break with tradition. Inaugural addresses were initially carried by horseback or stage to an awaiting nation, and then later by train and telegraph. The first newspaper extra of an inaugural address was printed by the National Intelligencer in 1801, and The Illustrated London News published the first known newspaper illustration of a presidential inauguration 44 years later. The 1845 inaugural was also the first to be covered by telegraph, while the 1857 inaugural was the first known to be photographed and the 1897 inaugural the first to be recorded by a movie camera. Not until Calvin Coolidges 1925 inaugural was an address broadcast by radio. Live television coverage began in 1949 with Harry S. Truman. The first time the ceremony was broadcast live on the Internet was in 1997. Few inaugural addresses have been universally acclaimed as truly memorable, but all afford a picture window into an ever-changing history of America. On occasion a presidents remarks have accurately sensed the unique demands of an era and helped America move to a higher plateau of social consciousness. Just 41 days before his assassination, Abraham Lincoln, in his second inaugural, spells out his vision of achieving that transcendent moment when all Americans can say, With malice toward none; with charity for all ... let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind the nations wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Great Depression deepened in early 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelts first inaugural address offered hope to the disillusioned nation. This great Nation, he assured the American people, will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. Then he asserted his firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. On a frigid winters day in 1961, John F. Kennedys historic words, ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country, challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. And let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. A majority of the ceremonies have been on a clear day, but several have had overcast skies, strong winds, rain, sleet or snow. Regardless of the circumstances in war or peace, in times of prosperity or financial crisis, in periods of horses or automobiles and planes, or in eras of the written letter or smartphone, the telegraph, radio, television, internet and social media the ceremony has gone forward. It is reassuring that at this challenging moment in history, the presidency will, as it always has, be passed on peacefully. An inauguration, as a good friend and I once wrote, is a healthy middle ground between a coronation and a coup detat, which affords the nation the opportunity to readjust its course. Jan. 11A Chapel Hill man faces three counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle, all felonies, stemming from an apparent road rage incident. On Thursday, Jan. 9, at around 9:45 p.m., the Chatham County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a shooting incident on US 15-501 near Andrews Store Road. The alleged victim reported that another motorist, whom he knows personally, fired multiple shots at his vehicle during an encounter. In response, the alleged victim rammed the suspect's vehicle before both men drove away from the scene in different directions, a release states. While the alleged victim was not injured, investigators discovered bullet holes in his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged victim's identification of the suspect enabled investigators to quickly advance the case, according to the release. Deputies secured a search warrant for the suspect's residence on Cedar Terrace Road in Chapel Hill. Jonathan Guillermo Ruiz-Perez, 26, was arrested and held on a $50,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court on Jan. 29, according to eCourts. The bond order was issued by District Court Judge Sherri T. Murrell. According to the arrest warrant, the three alleged victims, who were presumably all in the same vehicle, were Oscar Gonzalez, Porfilio Ballon and Hector Licana. Ruiz-Perez's release order states that he is to have no contact with Gonzalez, Ballon and Licana and to not possess a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This appears to be an isolated incident stemming from a personal dispute with no ongoing threat to the community, according to the release. Ruiz-Perez is also faces charges in Chatham for no driver's license and expired tag stemming from Aug. 8 and Sept. 28, 2024, and the same charges in Randolph County stemming from Oct. 13, according to eCourts. In addition to the Chapel Hill address, Ruiz-Perez also has an Asheboro address listed in the court file. ST. LOUIS A suspect faces felony charges nearly four years after a man was found badly burned and deceased in a St. Louis alleyway. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Deandre Johnson, 31, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the investigation. On April 7, 2021, police found the victim, later identified as 23-year-old Tyren Smith, burned in an alleyway near several condemned homes in north St. Louis. Police followed up on several leads over the years, which led officers to Johnson on Jan. 9, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jingle! hires bankruptcy attorney, workers still not paid According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, in a recent interview with police, Johnson had confessed that he murdered the victim and burned the victims body. Additional details around the investigation and charges are limited at this time. Authorities have issued a warrant for Johnsons arrest and have ordered for Johnson to be jailed without bond, according to Missouri court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The Cherokee Nation has received $10.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to install 112 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging ports across 12 community locations. Our goal at the Cherokee Nation is to reduce our carbon footprint by 25 percent by 2027, and we continue to make these strides, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. This latest federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help us continue to add even more electric vehicle charging stations across the Cherokee Nation Reservation as more consumers purchase electric vehicles and need places to charge. The funding is part of a $2.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to add 11,500 EV charging ports across the nation by 2030, DOT announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed sites for EV charging stations, which are planned to be built near parks and health centers, include properties owned by the Cherokee Nation in Ochelata, Jay, South Coffeyville, Nowata, Tahlequah, Stilwell, Grove, Salina, Vinita and Tulsa, according to a news release. The Cherokee Nation developed several charging sites throughout its reservation at sites including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Cherokee Casino Tahlequah, Ann Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center in Vinita and Cherokee Nation's W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex government office, according to the tribe. Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice said clean energy goals are among the tribe's highest priorities. Francis Energy, a local company and partner of the tribe, will fund the project through contracts. The company, based in Tulsa, has more than 200 sites across the U.S. "As the only recipient of these funds within Oklahoma, this will be a cornerstone project for the advancement of clean energy for all citizens, both tribal and non-tribal, who travel, work, and live within the reservation," Justice said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Oklahoma ranks highest among states in electric vehicle registration growth The U.S. Transportation Departments Federal Highway Administration announced $635 million in grants to continue building out EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Laws signature zero-emission refueling infrastructure programs. Of that total, $368 million went toward 42 community projects aimed at expanding community-based charging infrastructure and $268 million will fund fast-charging stations built along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, according to a news release. Grants, which were funded by both the private and public sector, also apply for building out hydrogen fueling infrastructure and contributed to the number of EV stations almost doubling to 206,000 last year, 38,000 of which were created in 2024, the U.S. Transportation Department added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the investments help support the nations EV transition. These investments will help states and communities build out a network of EV chargers in the coming years so that one day, finding a charge on a road trip will be as easy as filling up at a gas station, he said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Transportation Dept. gives Cherokee Nation $10.7 mil for EV chargers Despite the blinding summer sun, the temperatures would have been around -20C as Gabriel Boric, Chiles president, made his historic visit to the South Pole last week. To mark the occasion, the millennial briefly took his hat and gloves off to pose for photos beside a Black Hawk helicopter after making the arduous 24-hour journey from Santiago. Mr Boric is thought to be the first sitting head of government from the Americas to reach the South Pole. He was accompanied by his environment and defence ministers, the three heads of Chiles armed forces and a scientific delegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their presence, he said, showed Chiles deep commitment to Antarctica remaining a continent of science and peace. Officially, the trip was to promote the environmental agenda of Mr Boric, a leftist leader who has been outspoken on climate change. He specifically mentioned the monitoring of particles of black carbon (soot) settling on the ice and subtly undermining its ability to reflect rather than absorb the suns rays. Chile is one of the 12 original signatories of Antarctic Treaty which is designed to keep the continent a region of science and peace - Marcelo Segura/AFP The president, 38, said: Its also confirmation of our claim to sovereignty in this space. From here, everything is north. There are only 12 flags flying here. One of them is Chilean and that is a source of pride for us. He was referring to the original 12 signatory nations of the Antarctic Treaty, which came into effect in 1961. They include the United Kingdom, United States and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The treaty stipulates that any activities below 60 degrees south, in other words the entire Antarctic continent, must be both scientific and peaceful. Over the years, the accord has effectively put into deep freeze various nations territorial claims on the region and bars mining, fishing and other commercial activities. The Antarctic Treaty also prevents the militarisation of the only landmass on Earth which is not divided into nation states. In doing so, it has preempted the geopolitical tensions now gathering pace at the other icy end of the planet, in the Arctic, which has no equivalent international protocol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, Russia, which now even has an Arctic land border with Nato, has long been aggressively asserting its supposed hegemony in the region. Russian navy submersibles even planted a rust-proof titanium Russian flag on the seabed three miles below the North Pole in 2007. Yet Antarcticas uneasy peace is increasingly skating on thin ice, which is probably what prompted Mr Borics visit. China, Russia and even Iran have in recent years been testing the limits of the Antarctic Treaty and jockeying for position to access the regions vast reserves of oil, gas and minerals as well as its rich fisheries, should the agreement break down. Antarcticas uneasy peace is increasingly skating on thin ice, which is probably what prompted Gabriel Borics visit - Presidential Palace/Reuters Although the Antarctic Treaty prohibits defence activities, most countries with a footprint in the region rely on their armed forces for the complex, burdensome logistics of maintaining bases in such a remote, inhospitable location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing, Moscow and others are suspected of using that loophole to set up facilities that are ostensibly research stations but may also be military listening posts, taking advantage of the Antarctics clear, open skies. China, meanwhile, regularly sends its long-range fishing fleet to hoover up krill in the southern seas, claiming it is for scientific research. Russian vessels have been accused of falsifying their location data, presumably as they fish in prohibited Antarctic waters. In 2021, Moscow and Beijing banded together to veto a proposal from Argentina and Chile to declare a new marine reserve a reserve that would complicate any attempts to fish there should the Antarctic Treaty break down. Beijing is now building its first nuclear icebreaker. That would make it only the second country to develop this technology, after Russia. The United States two icebreakers, both diesel-powered, are ageing and increasingly unreliable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has also just built its fifth research station on the continent. Beijing, which has a strategy of civil-military fusion for all state-funded scientific research, did so without sharing its plans for the base, as required by the Treaty. More unexpectedly, Iran announced in 2023 its plans to build a permanent base on the icy continent. Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian navy, even claimed that Tehran had property rights in Antarctica. Little wonder then the nagging worry of Mr Boric and other democratic leaders about the Antarctic ambitions of various adversaries of the West. Growing concerns have not been eased by a provision established by the Antarctic Treaty that allowed nations to carry out surprise inspections of each others facilities as a means of enforcing the demilitarisation provisions of the Treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the concern is being driven by factors elsewhere in the world, like Russias invasion of Ukraine, says Bill Muntean, a former US diplomat who has led some of those surprise inspections. It has upended international norms and is having repercussions in Antarctica. Before Mr Boric, only two other heads of government, the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway, had ever visited the South Pole. In an unstable world, with a growing population and gathering resource scarcity, he may well not be the last. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. China is reportedly constructing D-Day style barges which could be used in an invasion of Taiwan. At least three of the new craft have been observed at Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China, according to Naval News. Experts told The Telegraph that the barges, which seemingly draw inspiration from the Mulberry Harbours built for the Normandy landings in 1944, could prove critical in an amphibious invasion of Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vessels reportedly feature a bridge which could be used to transport tanks and supplies across unpassable ground onto the island of Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory. Currently, Taiwanese forces have been operating under the assumption that an attack by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) would have to take place at a handful of strongly defended ports. By allowing Chinas forces to bypass rocky or soft beaches unsuitable for heavy vehicles like tanks, the barges would provide multiple fronts for an invasion while thinning out Taiwanese defences. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory even though it has been effectively independent since 1949, and regularly threatens it with incursions by warships and fighter jets which stop short of a direct confrontation. At least three of the new craft have been observed at Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China, according to Naval News - VCG/Visual China Group Xi Jinping, the leader of China, said in his New Years message two weeks ago that reunification with Taiwan was inevitable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification, he said on CCTV, Chinas state broadcaster. It was reported this month that Taiwans military is considering recruiting foreign fighters to address a troop shortage amid growing pressure from the PLA. Meanwhile Donald Trump has appointed a number of hawkish foreign policy advisers to his transition team. However, he has pledged not to allow the US to become involved in foreign wars. If these barges have these long roadway bridging systems on them that can go over the beaches to firmer land further back, that creates a new and interesting problem, said Eric Gomez, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, an international security think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The areas that the Taiwanese military would be expected to defend suddenly become much more numerous. It could put a lot of stress on their defensive ability. However, he said the barges would be vulnerable to anti-ship missiles and might not be something that youd want to bring to a landing site that is actively contested because it would be a sitting duck. Experts say Chinas new barges draw inspiration from the Mulberry Harbours built for the 1944 Normandy landings - Leonard McCombe/Picture Post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark F. Cancian, of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said China would have to establish air superiority and maritime dominance before deploying the barges because they would be destroyed by missiles and artillery. He added that China was replicating the D-Day Mulberry Harbours, which transported thousands of tons of vehicles and supplies to the shore every day. Each of the Chinese barges reportedly features a 120-metre bridge that would allow tanks and other vehicles to reach a coastal road or hard surface beyond the beach. Some are said to use pillars which can be lowered to provide a stable platform during poor weather, along with open platforms for other ships to dock and unload. Taiwans military is considering recruiting foreign fighters amid growing pressure from the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army - Ritchie B Tongo/Shutterstock Prof Lyle Goldstein, of Brown Universitys Watson Institute, said there was clear evidence that China had studied Mulberries and other facets of Normandy with considerable care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He estimated that China would likely need at least two dozen barges to reliably bring significant quantities of armour and supplies ashore because many would be destroyed by a Taiwanese counterattack. Such numbers are well within Chinese capabilities given their huge shipbuilding capacity, Prof Goldstein noted. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. To combat water scarcity and enhance precipitation, China has deployed, for the first time, advanced drone technology for weather modification operations in the challenging high-altitude environment of the Kunlun Mountains. The Kunlun Mountains are a key water source in western China. Effective artificial rain and snow enhancement can replenish surface and groundwater, supporting agriculture, industry, and residential water needs. Catalyst distribution challenges at 3,500-meter altitude The operation takes place at an altitude of 3,500 meters, where low oxygen levels present challenges for catalyst distribution, according to Yan Jianchang, director of the Xinjiang weather modification center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To tackle the challenge, the drone was equipped with ultra-long-duration smoke flares to enhance water content. It successfully conducted a full combustion ignition experiment of the flares at an altitude of 4,200 meters, releasing the catalysts, Yan explained. The drone was outfitted with high-precision sensors and devices for accurate positioning, real-time monitoring, and precise measurement of the operation area, all of which were tested during the experiment. Since the beginning of 2024, the center has carried out 23 cloud and precipitation observation experiments, along with rain-and-snow enhancement trials, using large and medium-sized drones. These experiments, which aimed to test the effectiveness of drone technology in weather modification, accumulated a total flight time of 46 hours, with each operation lasting over an hour and a half. The experience gained from these initial experiments provided a strong foundation for the successful first experiment in the Kunlun Mountains, Chinese media notes. Additionally, these operations have beneficial ecological effects, such as enhancing desert ecosystems, boosting vegetation cover, and reducing dust storms. New Xinjiang development builds on cloud-seeding experiment Last year, China used a long-endurance strike and reconnaissance drone in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for cloud-seeding trials. The TB-A, also known as the Twin-tailed Scorpion A, was deployed for this practice in the arid western region of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cloud-seeding, which induces rainfall, involves chemicals like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice to act as nuclei for water droplets to form around. In the particular trials, authorities focused on the Dongtian mountain area in Hami, Xinjiangs easternmost city, testing the effectiveness of cloud-seeding in high-altitude areas. Hami was chosen for this ordeal since it had suffered from climate change, facing frequent droughts and rising temperatures. As an agricultural region known for sweet melon production, the lack of water has impacted crops. The TB-A drone carried a payload of 24 silver iodide rods and 200 smoke grenades for cloud-seeding. Furthermore, the drone has been equipped with cloud particle detection and wind radar for its rain-inducing activities. The 45-day trial aimed to test the capabilities of large drones in enhancing precipitation in high-altitude areas. The TB-A, developed by Sichuan Tengden, is a variant of the TB-001 ISR drone, which China has used for sorties around Japan and Taiwan. It has been used by the PLA on several occasions for various operations. Europe's political class returned to work this week, greeted by a barrage of threats and taunts from across the Atlantic, a reminder that the congeniality that marked EU-US ties under Joe Biden's presidency will not last the month. During a news conference on Tuesday, president-elect Donald Trump aimed a series of broadsides at Europe. He did not rule out the use of military force to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of EU and Nato member Denmark, and told European allies to spend north of 5 per cent of their GDP on defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. He also raged against the bloc's trade surplus with the US, saying: "With the European Union, we have a trade deficit of US$350 billion. They don't take our cars, they don't take our farm products, they don't take anything," Trump said. His billionaire ally Elon Musk, meanwhile, spent the week promoting populist and far-right groups in Germany and Britain and attacking incumbents. This culminated in a long, rambling interview on Thursday with the co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party Alice Weidel that was closely monitored by EU regulators to ensure it complied with digital rules on election interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the noise, EU dealings with China have fallen down the agenda. Negotiations on tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles have been parked, with "minimal technical contact", sources said. They also said media reports suggesting there could be an EU-China Summit in April are wide of the mark. Trump has regularly expressed his wish to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Trump has regularly expressed his wish to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory. Photo: EPA-EFE> The steady drumbeat of trade cases that helped spoil ties last year has continued. Anti-dumping duties have been slapped on Chinese imports of titanium oxide, while China's commerce ministry concluded that the EU's new foreign subsidies regulation created barriers for its businesses, laying the ground for future retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on big ticket items, both sides prefer to keep their powder dry, in recognition that Trump's policies could upend the relationship and force them to change course. In Brussels, it is hoped that China is one file on which the EU can work with the incoming Trump government and, while the past week is a reminder of the chaos ahead, that plan remains intact. There is optimism in some quarters that EU offers to work with Trump to counter transnational subsidies would appeal to the tariff-obsessed Republican. His circle are thought to be keen to clamp down on efforts to shift production out of China to avoid tariffs. On this front, Europe has moved ahead of the US. The EU's 2020 move to slap anti-subsidy duties on glass-fibre reinforcement exports from Egypt because a Chinese-owned company there had received unfair handouts from Beijing was upheld by the European Court of Justice in November, clearing the path for a broader crackdown on such practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission is also looking for ways to work with the US and other partners on countering the impact of Chinese industrial overcapacity. With Trump threatening large tariffs on Chinese imports, Brussels fears that many of them will be diverted to Europe, potentially harming European industry. "The EU faces an extremely delicate balancing act with the incoming Trump administration," said Noah Barkin, an EU-China analyst at Rhodium Group. "If the Trump team is willing to use US security guarantees as leverage to get what it wants in other domains, for example the regulation of digital platforms, the EU will be in an impossible situation. "Either it accepts a diminished US role within Nato, with massive implications for its own security, or it accepts that US social media platforms are allowed to operate unchecked, poisoning the political debate in Europe. Neither are acceptable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is currently out of action recovering from pneumonia, but her spokespeople this week swerved all opportunities to condemn Trump's threats on Greenland or on trade. Le Monde reported that she had "decided to put on hold the ongoing investigations against American platforms - Apple, Meta and X" under its digital services act, even as it continues to move against Chinese companies such as TikTok, Shein and Temu. The EU wants to ensure that Washington continues to support Ukraine and gain some relief from punitive trade tariffs in return for siding with the US on China, and it fears that criticising Trump's camp would be counterproductive. Elon Musk has regularly tweeted in support for the far-right in Britain and Germany. Photo: TNS alt=Elon Musk has regularly tweeted in support for the far-right in Britain and Germany. Photo: TNS> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Ukraine, the early signs have been reasonably positive, several sources said. In exchanges with the president-elect and his team, EU leaders have promoted the idea that abandoning Ukraine would embolden Beijing to move on Taiwan and they believe it has resonated. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to reunite it with mainland China. The US and EU, along with most countries, do not recognise Taiwan as independent but oppose the use of force to seize control of it. "I do not expect America to walk away from helping Ukraine, or Europe as a whole. Such a move would diminish America's global influence and undermine its ability to compete strategically with China and others," Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen wrote in an article for the Economist this week. In a sign that the message was landing well, Keith Kellogg, Trump's choice for special Ukraine peace envoy, told Fox News the president-elect was "not trying to give something to Putin or to the Russians, he's actually trying to save Ukraine and save their sovereignty". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU strategy is to focus on those key areas rather than getting embroiled in a constant back and forth with Trump and his proxies. "Otherwise we will not have time to deal with the real problems that we have on the table, such as the war in Ukraine or the hybrid attacks targeting our infrastructure in Europe - the cables cut by Chinese companies in the Baltic Sea, for example," the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas told Le Monde this week. But the approach is not popular with everybody. Some governments - led by France - want Brussels to toughen its stance on Musk, who is seen to be using his platform X, formerly Twitter, to amplify extremism and stir unrest across the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every day, Trump and Musk threaten America's allied democracies. Not a word against tyrannies. Not a word against Putin. In the Kremlin and Beijing, people are popping champagne as they contemplate this madness. Europe must wake up. Or resign itself to the fate of a doormat," said Raphael Glucksmann, a left-wing French lawmaker, on the EU's silence. At a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday, envoys said it was crucial to stay united in the face of Trump and Musk, but this will be easier said than done. Europe is politically fractured. While the leaders of France and Germany chastised Musk for wading into European politics, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni championed him. "There is no interference by Elon Musk in European politics, unlike George Soros who finances parties in our countries, or [German Chancellor] Olaf Scholz who intervened in the Italian electoral campaign," said Meloni, who has been invited to Trump's inauguration, although von der Leyen has not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Musk factor is a wild card. Some believe he could soften Trump's hawkish stance towards Beijing, while others think his anti-EU scheming hampers the chance of transatlantic cooperation on China. "Political support for close transatlantic cooperation on China will fade if Trump hits Europe with broad-based tariffs and seeks to bolster far-right parties, as Elon Musk has done in recent weeks," Barkin said. "That does not mean that Europe will seek an accommodation with China. That relationship will remain tense for economic and security reasons. But it will reduce support in European capitals for robust pushback against China." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. For weeks, Ukrainian troops braced for an unfamiliar enemy: North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Moscows forces after Ukraine launched a lightning-fast incursion and seized territory in Russias Kursk region over the summer. Their arrival marked a new and alarming phase in the war. And while initially inexperienced on the battlefield, North Korean troops have adapted quickly a development that could have far-reaching consequences as they gain combat knowledge in the war against Ukraine. Unlike the Russian troops Ukraine has been battling for nearly three years, Kyivs forces were uncertain about what to expect from this new adversary, drawn into the war after Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement pledging military assistance using all means if either were attacked. One Ukrainian soldier who has witnessed North Koreans in battle described them as disciplined and highly methodical, saying they were more professional than their Russian counterparts. The soldier spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive military issue. However, other soldiers, including Ukrainian special forces, have shared battlefield drone footage on the Telegram messaging app mocking their tactics as outdated. Nevertheless, there is consensus among Ukrainian soldiers, military intelligence and others monitoring developments on the ground: While Pyongyangs troops lacked battlefield experience when they arrived, that has been changing quickly. With 1.2 million troops, North Koreas military ranks among the largest standing armies globally. But its post-Korean War foreign engagements have been limited, leaving them inexperienced with modern warfare technologies like drones. For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience, said Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraines military intelligence agency. This is a global challenge not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world. Identifying the presence of North Korean troops Despite Ukrainian, U.S. and South Korean assertions that Pyongyang has sent 10,000-12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the Kursk border region, Moscow has never publicly acknowledged the North Korean forces. While reports of their presence first emerged in October, Ukrainian troops only confirmed engagement on the ground in December. Analysts say that without the influx of North Korean troops, Russia would have struggled to pursue its strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk. While Moscows counterattack in Kursk has inflicted thousands of Ukrainian casualties, Kyivs overstretched forces have managed to hold on to about half of the 984 square kilometers seized in August, though the situation remains dynamic. Besides the symbolic impact of Ukraines success capturing Russian territory, control of Kursk could also be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire negotiations. According to Ukraines intelligence agency, the North Korean soldiers are operating alongside Russian units, with the latter providing reconnaissance and electronic warfare support. The North Koreans wear Russian military uniforms with fake military IDs in their pockets, according to a report by a Ukrainian military unit that has observed them on the battlefield, and they could easily be mistaken for Russian soldiers. The subterfuge means Moscow and its representatives at the U.N. can deny the facts, said Yusov, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson. Among the things proving their presence is that they have been heard speaking Korean with North Korean accents in intercepted communications, Yusov said. He said the North Korean troops are using their own weapons and equipment and have learned to cope with the improvised explosives-laden drones that have become emblematic of the war, first-hand experience even some NATO-member countries dont have. This is a new level of threat, Yusov said. Regional countries must prepare for what this means in the future. North Koreans gain invaluable experience on the battlefield The North Koreans early missteps were largely caused by inexperience, such as moving in large groups in open terrain, making them easy targets for drones and artillery strikes. According to the Ukrainian military units report, the North Korean soldiers were spotted easily as they moved in single-file columns through forest in groups of three, with 3 to 5 meters (yards) between soldiers. On open terrain, they moved in dispersed formations of five to 15 soldiers, making them vulnerable and leading to heavy losses. However, during night operations, their movements were swift and units oriented themselves using red flashlights along routes, the report said. Theyre fast, physically well-prepared, and act strictly according to their algorithms, said the Ukrainian soldier who spoke to the AP. If you drill the same routines for years, to the point where they can be executed blindfolded, it will yield results. Despite their discipline, their lack of combat experience hindered their effectiveness. The Ukrainian military reported that North Korean troops often sustained heavy losses, with many killed by drones. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 4,000, though U.S. estimates are lower, at around 1,200. Much of their military doctrine and training is based on strategies and experiences from over half a century ago, said Glib Voloskyi, a military analyst with the Ukrainian think tank CBA Initiatives Center. The large-group formations date to when artillery accuracy was significantly lower, and observing troop movements much more difficult. Today, reconnaissance and so-called first-person view drones, or FPVs, that transmit video allowing soldiers to strike targets in real time have made the battlefield highly transparent, and anyone stepping onto it without cover, let alone moving in groups, is immediately spotted. But it is only a matter of time before they acquire the necessary skills to improve their combat effectiveness, which, combined with their discipline and training, could make them a significant military force, Voloskyi said. No surrender policy means few North Korean POWs After weeks of fighting, Ukrainian soldiers have taken only two prisoners of war. In announcing the capture Saturday, Zelenskyy said taking them alive was not easy because of efforts to conceal the North Koreans presence and avoid their interrogation by Ukraine. North Korean soldiers avoid surrendering at all costs, Zelenskyy said. This may stem from North Korean internal propaganda that portrays capture as the ultimate disgrace, analysts said. To be captured alive is considered a betrayal of the country, the leader and everything they stand for, said Seongmin Lee of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, who defected from North Korea in 2009. This belief is instilled from a young age and reinforced throughout military training, he said. Because of the disgrace associated with the capitulation, heroic soldiers are supposed to save the last of their bullets to kill themselves, Lee said. Lee said he shared photos of dead North Korean soldiers with contacts back home. Most North Koreans dont even know what is going on, he said. Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned of the dangers posed by the rapidly improving battlefield skills the North Korean troops are gaining fighting in Kursk. North Korea is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors, Shea told the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. As an added potential benefit, she said, North Korea will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally. HANNA ARHIROVA, KYIV, Ukraine, MDT/AP When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: CCTV China's state-owned main space contractor tested five different rocket engines on one day last week in preparation for future missions and projects. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) tested the engines at two sites in Beijing and Laiyuan County in Hebei Province, north China, on Jan. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One test-fired a new hydrogen-oxygen engine for the upper stage of an unspecified rocket for 100 seconds. It was conducted by the 101 Institute of CASC's Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology. On Jan. 2, 2025, China tested five new rocket engines, which could help power a variety of space missions. | Credit: CCTV "The just-completed experiment tested an upper-stage liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen engine. It tested the overall coordination of the engine and obtained performance data. After assessment, we concluded that the test was a complete success," Xia Wei, a CASC engineer, told China Central Television (CCTV). Related: The history of rockets China is known to be developing new liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen engines for rockets including the Long March 10 launcher, which is designed to send astronauts to the moon . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also test-fired in Beijing were a main engine, an upper-stage engine, and a reaction and orbit control engine. Reports did not identify which of China's rockets the engines were for. RELATED STORIES: China planning to build its own version of SpaceX's Starship China wants to make its Tiangong space station bigger and better The moon, Mars, asteroids and Jupiter: China reveals ambitious space exploration plans In Laiyuan, a methane-liquid oxygen engine was also successfully tested, again with few details provided. China's commercial launch companies such as Landspace and iSpace have developed methane-fueled engines, while CASC is developing a powerful, full-flow staged combustion engine for its Long March 9 megarocket project. SAST, another CASC subsidiary, is also developing a methane rocket, which is expected to have a launch and landing test as soon as next week. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Chipley woman is behind bars and facing felony charges following a verbal altercation. According to a news release, on Friday at around 3:30 p.m Washington County Sheriffs Office Telecommunications Center received a call regarding the discharge of a firearm. One reportedly arrested in connection with residential structure fire in Panama City While en route to the Roche Rd. address, deputies said they were advised that two females were verbally arguing outside of the residence when a firearm was produced and discharged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 58-year-old Shannon Delois Byrd was arrested and transported to the Washington County Sheriffs Office where she is now facing the charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Stewart and Lynda Resnick made their fortune growing pistachios, oranges, and pomegranates. Theyre now the subject of anti-Semitic attacks that stem from their stake in a water bank in Southern California. As the wildfires in Los Angeles spread, so did an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory about the founders of one of Californias largest agriculture businesses. Stewart and Lynda Resnick are the owners of the Wonderful Company, which has sprawling farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley and owns brands like POM and Fiji Water. They have been falsely accused of hoarding water and exacerbating the wildfire crisis currently plaguing the Los Angeles area. Because of agricultures heavy reliance on water, a critical resource in fighting wildfires, the Resnicks became the targets for false claims on social media that they control the water in California. They do not, Fortune can report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the false claims stem from a misunderstanding of the couples ownership of a water bank two hours north of Los Angeles and the sheer size of the Wonderful Company. A large share of the attacks were also anti-Semitic in nature. "There's a lot of finger-pointing and sort of like picking who you dont like and blaming them," said Brad Franklin, a water resource economist and research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. "It's silly to pick one major water user in the San Joaquin Valley" and say it's their fault. Seth Oster, chief corporate affairs officer for the Wonderful Company, said there was "zero truth" to the notion that any person or company controls California's water. "Its hard to be surprised anymore by the disinformation and ignorance on social media, but in this case, the hamster wheel has spun to a new level of absurdity," he told Fortune. "Were headquartered in Los Angeles, and our colleagues have also lost homes and been displaced. But even in the chaos and uncertainty, no one should be allowed to spread uninformed, discredited, and false claims often openly rooted in anti-Semitism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With an estimated $6 billion in revenue and 175,000 square acres of farmland, 130,000 of which are in California, the Wonderful Company is one of the largest agricultural businesses in the state, growing pistachios, almonds, pomegranates, and citrus fruits. The company used approximately 150 billion gallons of water in 2021, according to an estimate cited by Forbes. (A company spokesperson said estimates for 2022 and 2023 were in line with the 2021 figures.) The Wonderful Company uses less than 1% of the state's water, Oster said. According to California's Department of Water Resources (DWR), reservoirs statewide were holding 23.9 million acre-feet of water, or about 7.79 trillion gallons. That figure does not include current statewide ground water levels, where capacity is far greater. California's total ground water is estimated at 850 million to 1.3 billion acre-feet, according to the DWR. Through the Wonderful Company, the Resnickswho have a combined net worth of $12.6 billion, according to Forbesown a 57% stake in the Kern Water Bank Authority, which manages a series of reservoirs and pipes near Bakersfield, Calif., that can store up to about 488 billion gallons of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water bank is a public-private partnership that includes several local water districts. It collects water during rainier years for use during drought periods when supplies are low, and operates on the same principle as a financial bankexcept instead of storing money, it stores water. The water bank "of course contains a large amount of water but theres no direct connection between [the Resnicks and the water bank] and whats going on in Southern California," Franklin said. "There's no real reason to believe things would be different if the Resnicks or any other large agricultural businesses used less water." Additionally, none of that water would have been used to fight the Los Angeles wildfires because the city has enough local supply to fight the fires, according to Jay Lund, vice director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis. Maybe just a few molecules that made it into the air are being used to fight the wildfires, Lund said. L.A. has enough water to fight the fires Los Angeles would not need water from the water bank or elsewhere because it is using locally stored water to fight the fires. There is enough water in the underground basin beneath the city to supply their efforts to extinguish the fires, Lund said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Butkiewicz, general manager of the Kern Water Bank, said it was "misguided to turn attention to one of several water banks in California when Los Angeles has the water supply it needs for municipal and emergency purposes." So far, firefighters have struggled with the fires because there are so many to extinguish at once. The severity of the fires is due to a confluence of events: an extended drought, a very dry winter so far, and the powerful Santa Ana winds blowing into Southern California that created extreme weather conditions that made the fires unmanageable. Firefighters are facing issues getting the water where they need it, rather than with getting enough of it. Firefighting efforts stumbled because the city's infrastructure was unable to supply sufficient water quickly enough to the needed areas. Parts of Los Angeles, in particular Pacific Palisades, found themselves struggling with a lack of water pressure that left fire hydrants dry, as firefighters tried to put out surrounding fires, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The municipal water system was built to fight fires that engulf single homes, not entire neighborhoods. The situation was worsened by the fact there are at least five fires raging simultaneously. The largest of which, the Palisades fire in northern Los Angeles, is roughly 21,600 square acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We pushed the system to the extreme," Los Angeles Department of Water and Power chief executive officer and chief engineer Janisse Quinones told reporters in a press conference Thursday. "Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure. Even if additional water were needed, it would be impractical to get it from the Kern Water Bank to the areas hit by wildfires because it is about 150 miles from Los Angeles and separated by the San Gabriel Mountains, Lund said. Butkiewicz echoed those sentiments. "The logistical and operational needs required to move water from a water bank in Kern County to Los Angeles in a timely manner can only be suggested by those who arent informed on how water infrastructure works," he said. The claims against the Resnicks are not the only pieces of misinformation circulating online in the aftermath of the wildfires. The fires and the ensuing chaos have proven fertile territory for misleading information at a time when people turned to social media in search of reliable information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we had this much bunk to spread over the wildfire areas we would have put it out by now, Lund said. More on the California wildfires: This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The cleanup of the coastline of occupied Crimea, which has been polluted by fuel oil leaked by wrecked Russian ships, is extremely challenging because the coastal zone has been closed off by Russian military forces. Source: Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities), a Radio Liberty project, citing human rights activists Details: Krym.Realii said that after the Ukrainian military successfully landed special forces on Crimea's western shore in 2023, the Russian military built a defence barrier and prohibited local residents and tourists from going to the majority of the beaches in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means they are unable to clean up the beaches. The Russian occupiers are supposedly trying to find a "solution to this problem", but thus far, "military priorities are prevailing over environmental ones". Background: On the morning of 15 December, two tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, sank in the Kerch Strait. They broke in half, and fuel oil began to leak into the water. Support UP or become our patron! Cordelia Baehr is not exactly a household name. However, she is a person with an education, a career, curiosity, and a desire to make positive changes. In 2015, as a young lawyer in Zurich, Switzerland, she read about the 2003 heat wave in Europe that killed an estimated 70,000 people. As she went over the data she noted that older women died at much higher rates during that disaster, and they are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. (Nature, p554, Vol 636, 19/26 December 2024 and Photo). So, this impact of climate change gave her an idea. She could make a case, a lawsuit, that the Swiss government was violating the rights of older women by failing to take steps to prevent climate change. The lawsuit, and the 2,500 women she represented, had many ups and downs over the last 8 years, but on April 9, 2024, the European Convention on Human Rights court came to a decision. The court found that Switzerland had failed to meet its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change . The story is not over yet of course. The Swiss government has challenged the finding, what action it needs to take to satisfy this decision, and it remains a work in progress. This ruling is already having an impact and other courts have cited this case in their deliberations on other climate change issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cordelia Baehr is part of Natures 10, a list of people who shaped science in 2024. And then Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, this court case was followed by another case and this one was in Montana. In this filing 16 youth from across the state explained how climate change was damaging their lives and health, by breathing wildfire smoke for example. The Montana Supreme Court in a 6-1 vote, upheld a lower court ruling that the states children have a fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. See photo of Montanan court room from 2024. And, there is more. Earlier in 2024 the U.S. developed a new program proposed by President Biden in 2021, somewhat like the Civilian Conservation Corps that President Roosevelt established in the 1930s. This is a national service program and was launched by the Biden Administration in late 2023. See the American Climate Corps logo patch. (Wikipedia). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an interagency program that includes Interior, Labor, Agriculture, Energy and others with a focus on climate change prevention. It will include activities like installing solar panels, restoring vulnerable habitats, fire hazard prevention and more. The initial 2,000 openings in April 2024 had more than 42,000 people express interest in participating. The plan is to add 50,000 people per year by 2031. In April, on Earth Day, the Biden administration promoted the corps as a way for young people to jump-start green careers. And then we have the new word for the day: Balkonkraftwerke. See the photo here of a woman on a balcony with the newest in solar panel installations; the German word translates to Balcony Power Plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lots of people dont have rooftops where they can install solar panels and generate some of the electricity they use. (CleanTechnica.com/2024/12/21). In Germany, more than 1.5 million people have installed these units. In 2024 alone, Germany added 200 megawatts of balcony solar, and they expect growth in 2025 to continue. The units can be hung from a balcony, cost between $500-$1,000 and can pay for itself in a few years. The units have a microinverter and simply plug into the house wiring. Many people say this gives them a sense of independence and that they are making tangible efforts to take climate action. And finally, we have a graph from CarbonBrief titled: The world is on track to install a record 593 GW (gigawatts) of new solar this year. This is an enormous amount of power, even if the sun does not shine all day, and is helping to bend the carbon dioxide emissions curve down. The vertical dark color bars of installed solar start off very low and hardly can be seen until about 2010. This growth has begun to really accelerate over the recent years, and we can see how 2024 was a banner year. That is progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, this is just a start. And, so it goes. The scientific career of Raymond N. Johnson, Ph.D., spanned 30 years in research and development as an organic/analytical chemist; he is currently founder and director of the Institute of Climate Studies USA (www.ICSUSA.org). Climate Science is published the second weekend of every month. CNN anchor Jake Tapper seemed puzzled by Alabama Sen. Katie Britts unconditional support for attorney general nominee Pam Bondi, questioning how the Republican could support someone who lied about the 2020 election results. Tapper pressed Britt, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during Sundays State of the Union about her meeting with and support for Bondi. Britt said last month Bondi was committed to blind justice, not blind partisan politics, even though Bondi was part of Donald Trumps 2020 legal team that claimed Pennsylvanias election results were fraudulent. She spread baseless claims about widespread cheating by Democrats, about fake ballots, Tapper said. That is partisan politics, what she said in 2020. That is not justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britt tried to redirect the attack toward President Joe Bidens administration, claiming Biden weaponized the Justice Department to go after American citizens. (Trump was charged by federal prosecutors and state prosecutors in different jurisdictions.) Britt also claimed she spoke to Bondi about keeping politics out of the department, a shift from Bondis past stint as Floridas attorney general where she often allowed her professional and political lives to converge. People want these agencies, these departments to actually work for the American people, Britt said. Pam is committed to that. I think you will see that. Tapper responded, Well, but why would you think somebody whos willing to lie about the election results in Pennsylvania is going to restore integrity in the Justice Department, the way that you are calling for? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britt said she and Bondi spoke about her past election crusades. I asked that question very directly, Britt said. With each and every nominee, the answers that I have been given with them has satisfied me that theyre going to move forward in that direction. She added, So Im sure she will have an opportunity to answer this in front of the American people, but the answer she has given me, most definitely, she is not only qualified, but shes ready to move forward and move forward in a way that the American people deserve. Britt, however, may share a worldview with Bondi. During her 2022 Senate campaign, Britt said she believed there was fraud in the 2020 election after Trump withdrew his support for Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama over his eagerness to move on from 2020. I believe that there was fraud, she told AL.com. I think you have to have a forensic audit. You have to give people peace and clear confidence that their vote is going to matter the next time. There have been no verifiable claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, federal officialsincluding those in the first Trump administrationhave said for years. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Matrix COC will offer Cold Weather Emergency Sheltering this evening, Saturday, January 11th, and January 12th at the DeFuniak Springs Community Center. The DeFuniak Springs Community Center is at 361 N 10th Street and will open from 5 p.m to 7 a.m. Bay County warming shelter helps keep over 60 people warm in freezing weather As a primary option, individuals are encouraged to provide their own transportation. A secondary option is for local law enforcement partners to assist with transportation, provided staffing is available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When neither of the other options is viable, Uber or Taxi service may be utilized pending funding availability. To receive transportation service, contact Candy at 850-307-8100. For anyone interested in supporting the CWES, whether volunteering in the shelter, providing meals, or donating, click here. To contact the DeFuniak Springs Community Center call 850-865-6349. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police are searching for leads in an east Columbus homicide that occurred nearly four years ago. On March 5, 2021, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2300 block of Ridgeway Avenue in the St. Marys neighborhood. Officers found 42-year-old Michael Keaton inside his apartment and unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. Dates for Ohio State Fair, county fairs set for 2025 season Medics pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:46 p.m. No suspects were identified at the time and to this day, there have been few leads to the case. Find an earlier report on this story in the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. In front of the Altadena sheriff's station Saturday morning, Pierre Dupuy greeted L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, then broke down in her arms. Thank you so much, the 65-year-old, who has lived in Altadena all his life, told Barger between sobs. Its so brutal, its so brutal. He and his brother both lost their homes in the Eaton fire, which has decimated their community and parts of nearby Pasadena, with over 14,000 acres burned, at least 11 deaths and thousands of structures damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In front of us, a massive strip mall sign bent at a 45-degree angle. Behind us, the sheriff's station had no water or electricity. East and west on Altadena Drive were structures that remained unscathed next to places that looked like photos from the bombing of Dresden. Lifelong Altadena resident Pierre Dupuy, 65, who lost his home, his parents' home and his brother's home in the Eaton fire, surveys the damage with Supervisor Kathryn Barger. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Barger held Dupuy tight. The two have known each other for over 30 years. I know," she told him. "I know. This isn't the first time shes had to comfort constituents after a major wildfire. Since she joined the Board of Supervisors in 2016, Barger's district has weathered 10 fires larger than 5,000 acres, including the Bobcat and Lake conflagrations, which were among the largest in L.A. County in the last decade. This one is hitting her different. The San Marino native has memories of visiting the Eaton Canyon Nature Center as a Girl Scout and filming a commercial for her first political campaign at Charles S. Farnsworth Park. The nature center was destroyed. The park's New Deal-era rec center near its historic amphitheater was leveled. Many of her friends lost their homes. Staffers had to evacuate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I haven't ever considered how I do what I do in times like this," Barger said as we began to walk down Lake Avenue. "I haven't even counted how many. Things like this happen, and you have to stay focused." She adjusted her sunglasses, which complemented her pearl earrings and necklace. "Everyone I've met when I've been here has lost their homes. Everyone. Everyone." Read more: Altadena had soul, solitude and community. Can those qualities survive devastating firestorm? In December, Barger became chair of the board for a second time. The first time was when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think God is testing me," she joked. "This is a challenge, but its not insurmountable." I had asked Barger to take me around Altadena. Accompanying us were Dupuy, two members of Barger's staff and USC professor and MacArthur genius grantee Natalia Molina, who lives in Pasadena about a mile south of the sheriff's station. Nineteen members of Molina's Altadena gym lost their homes. She told Barger she was ready to help in any way. "I'm bilingual, I can write, I can make presentations," she said. The supervisor nodded and asked a staffer to take down the profe's information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Good," Barger replied, "because we need helpers right now." Barger says many of her friends in the community have lost their homes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Dupuy took us to Mariposa Avenue, nicknamed Millionaire's Row because of its huge mansions, including his childhood home, originally built for map publishing magnate Andrew McNally. All that stood now were chimneys, brick walls and blackened trees. "All levels of government need to help people rebuild, and fast," Barger said. Firetrucks from Watsonville, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and Oxnard idled nearby. Firefighters zipped past us on ATVs. "I'm trying to stay out of the whole political thing, but FEMA's been broken for a while," she said. "And during crises, who benefits from fighting each other? You have to lead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fleet of black SUVs passed, then suddenly stopped. State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas popped out, along with almost all of L.A. County's Assembly members. They greeted Barger as if she were a rock star. "I appreciate all your leadership," Rivas told the supervisor. "If you need anything, I've got you, my friend," said newly elected Eastside Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez. Another newly elected Assembly member, Sade Elhawary, who represents South L.A. and whose sister lost a home in the Eaton fire, told me she wants to help Barger ensure that Altadena's Black community doesn't get pushed out in the rebuilding effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The community trauma here," Elhawary said, "is next level." Last to greet Barger was John Harabedian, also a newcomer, who represents Altadena and unsuccessfully ran against Barger in 2020. "She's unbelievable," he said as other Assembly members nodded. "I don't think the community can ask for a better leader. You can tell in everything she does that it's personal." Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger hugs Pablo Scarpellini, whose wife's Spanish-immersion school burned down in the Eaton fire. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Barger thanked everyone, then spotted Pablo Scarpellini. He was reporting for Spain's El Mundo newspaper but also had a personal connection to the destruction around us: His wife's Spanish-immersion school burned down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're really counting on you to rebuild," he told Barger. "We're going to rebuild," she replied. "We're ready to move mountains." Barger said she had told Rivas earlier that Sacramento needs to offer tax breaks to residents who lost their homes, so they can afford to rebuild and stay in their neighborhoods. He told her that the Legislature was ready to help in any way. "And red tape," she scoffed. "We say we want to get rid of it all the time, but we need to do it. I want people like Pierre to be able to stay here." We were now at Santa Rosa Street. In December, it's known as Christmas Tree Lane because of the ornate holiday displays. The large cedars lining the road weren't even singed and were still draped with untouched, old-school holiday lights but nearly all the homes were ruined. Cars in driveways looked like melted ice cream cakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Bunny Museum, destroyed by Eaton fire, vows to return Barger had kicked off the annual neighborhood celebration, a 104-year-old tradition that attracts visitors from all over, just a few weeks ago. "She flipped the switch," Dupuy said, shaking his head. Barger looked around. "There's no rhyme or reason to any of this," she said, her voice catching. "And, I, um ... it's just ..." The enormity seemed to have finally hit her. She looked up at palm trees whose fronds had turned to ashes at her feet, slumped her shoulders and head and stayed quiet for a bit. The sight of an L.A. County Fire Department truck lifted her spirits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Where are you from?" she asked the crew. Duarte, they responded. She smiled. "I'm your supervisor, and I love you." We kept walking. An ugly siren screeched on her phone. It was an L.A. County evacuation alert. "We're in the zone for it," she said with a smirk. A few days ago, a series of errant alerts went out to people in L.A. County and even Orange County on their smartphones, fraying already fragile nerves. "This one makes sense." I brought up Donald Trump. Earlier that morning, Barger announced that she had sent a letter to the incoming president, asking him to visit Altadena and other affected communities. She hopes he can free up federal funds to help with rebuilding and assist those in need. Barger talks to California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, left, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna as they examine the damage in Altadena. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) "My constituents don't care about party," said Barger, the board's only Republican. "They care about who's going to help them. And it's important for the president-elect to recognize that the people he said he was running for the working people who can't afford the rent, who think the price of eggs are too high are right here. "I'll camp out on the White House lawn until he comes," she said with a laugh. "But I think he will." After a short jaunt on Wapello Street to see the incinerated property of a couple both Molina and I are friends with all that remained standing was a slide for their grandkids we arrived at Farnsworth Park. The rec center was still smoldering. A giant oak tree lay on its side. "When I became chair, I said I wanted to bring unity to our board," Barger said. "Unity is still going to be my focus. But it's also going to be about rebuilding rebuilding the lives of my constituents, but also people's faith in government. I'm going to be laser-focused like you've never seen." Then came another brigade of black SUVs. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta got out to greet Barger. "I brought my wife and her mother here for salsa night," Luna told her as they hugged. "They danced their butts off!" I asked if he had faith in Barger to lead the county's recovery efforts. "Simply put, she cares. The supervisor is not talking from notes. You can see it in her eyes. I'll tell you what she kicks our butts," he said, referring to L.A. County department heads like himself. Read more: On a block in Altadena, only a few houses remain, including theirs. Should they return? "I've got to keep this momentum going," Barger said as we walked down Lake toward the sheriff's station, referring to all the elected officials who suddenly wanted to talk to her. Her phone kept ringing during our two-hour walk. While I was winded toward the end, she never broke a sweat. "Because the fire is going to be put out, but then we have a lot of work to do." There was a news conference to attend, conversations to have about when to let residents return to their burned-out neighborhoods she's hoping for Thursday. She then noticed an immaculate house. Birds were chirping. A rooster crowed in the distance. AT&T and Southern California Edison vehicles drove around. "This is a friend of mine's house," she said. "They've been freaking out." The supervisor snapped a photo with her smartphone. "I'm going to text them, and let them know it's fine." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles is a topographical wonderland. Mountains loom in the distance. Hillsides and canyons are the refuge of hikers and dog-walkers. Beaches and bluffs above the coastline beckon. Into this wilderness we have threaded our neighborhoods and streets, not to mention freeways, making it a mix of the wild and the urban. We are the only megacity in the world that has mountain lions roaming the streets; only Mumbai and its leopards even compare. Here, mountain lions mostly hide during the day but come out at night, caught on doorbell cameras' video slinking into backyards and hopping fences. We have plumbed and electrified the wilderness of Los Angeles. But we havent tamed it. How could we? To live here, we dont make a pact with nature as much as we reach an uneasy standoff with it. We know there will be earthquakes the ground is riddled with fault lines but we retrofit and tell ourselves they are high-risk, low-probability events. That allows us to sleep at night, perhaps with a false sense of security in the roofs over our heads. And we know there will be wildfires, but we think they will be relatively quickly contained and occur in foothills and areas with ill-managed underbrush the places that homeowners didnt clear or voracious goats werent dispatched to munch away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were wrong. A confluence of extraordinarily bad events no significant rainfall since May (that drizzle on your car window on Christmas Eve didnt count) and a merciless hurricane-like windstorm whipped a fire that may have started in a backyard in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning into an inconceivable inferno that mowed down stretches of the coastal community in a matter of minutes. Then a fire exploded in Altadena, wiping out neighborhoods. A day later, the Palisades fire had destroyed thousands of acres, with 0% containment. By the end of the week, six fires had burned across Los Angeles County, destroying not just the Palisades and much of Altadena but areas in Malibu, the San Fernando Valley, L.A. near the Ventura County border, and the Hollywood Hills. People lost homes, and all of us lost Will Rogers historic ranch home, part of Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Palisades. Fire went for everything. Black smoke billowed up toward the historic Mt. Wilson Observatory to the east and flames made it to the grounds of the fabled Getty Villa, which houses priceless antiquities. Both have survived so far, with the Getty Villa no doubt helped by brush clearance and fire-resistant construction. What happened this past week has upended all our assumptions about our truce with the wildness of Los Angeles. We were wrong when we figured that our infrastructure was sufficient to save us from this inferno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have lived here more than 30 years and have been spared fire. But like other Angelenos, I knew all along that it could come. Theres been so much fire in the time Ive been here that I sometimes think Los Angeles will sooner be destroyed by fire than by the big earthquake were supposed to prepare for. I live next to a grove of tall eucalyptus trees, which are highly flammable. Their beauty outside my windows is a big part of why I chose to live here my treehouse, a friend dubbed it. Whenever the trees sway vigorously in a dry wind, I desperately worry and scan them for any sign of fire. The wildfires that have scorched the hillsides above where I live have never come down to my neighborhood. But I have heard the police driving through those streets at 3 a.m. calling for people to evacuate. I was writing this piece Thursday afternoon when I got an emergency alert for an evacuation warning in my area. Freaked out, I started packing. How do you choose the most precious of your precious things to pack in a couple of overnight bags? Before I could throw more than a few things in, my phone buzzed again. The evacuation warning was a false alarm. I was relieved but perhaps my panic was more appropriate, and relief was a return to the denial that makes it possible to get through our daily lives in this perilous place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angelenos are upset about the glitchy emergency alert system, but that is the least of the issues this conflagration has revealed. Overwhelmed by the massive demand especially with water-dropping aircraft grounded at some points by strong winds fire hydrants in the hillier elevations of the Palisades ran dry. Lack of pressure to move the water was the culprit, said city officials. Should the city revamp the hydrant system, which seems to work fine when there are just a few structures on fire? Or was this just a once-in-a-generation fire that out-drank the citys water system? There are other questions. People have criticized Mayor Karen Bass for being out of the country when the fire started on Tuesday and for cutting the Fire Department budget, though the city administrative officer says the budget ultimately went up overall and nothing impacted firefighting ability. Bass obviously could not have stopped the fire. (Shes not Moses.) But what she must do now is follow through on her promise to help people rebuild aggressively. Red tape, bureaucracy all of it must go, she said Friday. That is something that will help us all. To make a life in this wilderness, we need all the help we can get. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Amid the fiery devastation seen in California, some wonder whether they and their communities should be worried about wildfires in Mississippi. Though wildfires are not the states greatest environmental threat, they do still occur. A human-caused wildfire occurred last weekend in Tallahatchie County. Californias wildfire season is beginning earlier and ending later largely due to climate change. Warmer and drier conditions could also change the makeup of Mississippis forests and increase the frequency of wildfires, hurting the states lucrative commercial timber industry. Forestry and forest products are a $12.8 billion business in Mississippi, providing nearly 70,000 jobs. Both figures may decrease if Mississippi continues to get hotter and drier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 62%, or 30,000 square miles, of Mississippis land base is forested. Roughly 89% of Mississippis forest land is in private ownership. As a result, private landowners and industry have the most to lose when it comes to wildfires. Between July 2023 and June 2024, MFC responders responded to 2,500 wildfires that consumed 81.25 square miles across the state. That is roughly the size of Brandon, Madison and Flowood put together. 2024 was Earths hottest year ever, passing major climate threshold: Alarm bells have been ringing Wildfires also affect air quality. Increased wildfire activity, even thousands of miles away from Mississippi, can affect the state. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that one in 10 Mississippians have asthma. The rates and severity of that and other respiratory conditions may increase if more wildfires happen. The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) detects, monitors and suppresses wildfire activity occurring day or night on Mississippis forestland. MFC has the following tips to protect yourself from wildfires: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check with local authorities to make sure there are no local restrictions on burning currently in place Do not burn on windy days Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around your fire Keep fire containment equipment on hand during the fire (e.g., rake, shovel and water) Stay in the know about changing weather conditions Stay with the fire until it is completely out AirNow.gov is a one-stop shop for quick access to resources about air quality in your city, access to interactive maps, resources about air quality, environmental safety and more. If you spot a wildfire, please report it immediately by dialing 911, or you can also contact MFC Dispatch at 1-833-MFC-FIRE (1-833-632-3473). Additionally, 34 Mississippi counties have wildfire prevention plans. Click here or visit MFCs website to see if one is available where you live. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SATURDAY, Jan. 11 FREE KIDS MOVIES: The Cinema at Camp Landing, 10699 U.S. 60, Ashland, Ky., is offering a free kids movie every Saturday and Sunday in January. This weekend, Migration is being offered from noon to 6 p.m. JOE CLARK PERFORMS: Musician Joe Clark performs at Beast and Bottle, 106 S. Market St., Waverly. The show begins at 8 p.m. The Kentucky baritone and guitarist has played venues across the Midwest and won the 2024 Album of the Year Appy Award for his work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TURN IT UP: Take in the Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience at the Columbia Theater, 832 Gallia St., Portsmouth, when the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at ColumbiaPortsmouth.com. SUNDAY, Jan. 12 Do you have a meeting or event to publicize? Send your information to PDTNews@HDMediaLLC.com and get it in the Community Calendar! MONDAY, Jan. 13 CITY COUNCIL: Portsmouth City Council will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. in the first floor council chambers at 500 Chillicothe St., Portsmouth. JEFFERSON TRUSTEES: The Jefferson Township trustees will be meeting at 7 p.m., at the Senior Center on Glendale Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TUESDAY, Jan. 14 CIVIL SERVICE: The Portsmouth Civil Service Commission will meet at noon in the conference room at the Portsmouth City Health Department, 605 Washington St., Portsmouth. WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15 HARRISON TRUSTEES: The Harrison Township Trustees will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Minford Fire Station. NEW BOSTON SCHOOL BOARD: The New Boston Board of Education will met at 6:30 p.m. at the school, 1 Glenwood Tiger Trail, New Boston. THURSDAY, Jan. 16 CLAY TRUSTEES: The Clay Township Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. at the Clay Senior Center, 107 N. Arrowhead Drive, in the Clay Industrial Park. The trustees will meet the third Thursday of each month through 2025. SCIOTO DD: Scioto County Developmental Disabilities board will have a special meeting to conduct organizational and regular business at 5 p.m. There will be an ethics council meeting at 4:45 p.m., if needed. Both meetings will be at the Carousel Center, 1112 Gallia St., Portsmouth. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Saturday, motorsports fans looked like they had a blast celebrating 20 years of MotoOption, a motorsports-based lifestyle brand in Webster. Located at Hot Shots Volleyball Club, the party had plenty to do and see, including pit-bike races. Leaders at MotoOption said their celebration was a time to bring together the community members from all over the U.S. and those here at home who have supported their brand, sharing a love of motorsports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills Mafia get hyped in Webster ahead of Wild Card weekend Its, you know, the local community thats really helped us grow, said Josh Klem, president of MotoOption. We sell our clothing all over the country, but its the local crowd thats really fueled our fire, gives us passion to keep growing, and people coming and supporting events like this that keeps us chugging forward. There was a $5 admission fee, and a fashion show revealing the brands newest apparel collection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. MORONI, Comoros (AP) Comoros held a parliamentary election Sunday that some opposition leaders pledged to boycott, accusing President Azali Assoumani and his ruling party of adopting an increasingly authoritarian stance and raising concerns over the integrity of the vote. The one-day election will decide the 33 seats in the legislature. Results are expected next week, according to the national electoral commission. Around 330,000 people out of a population of 850,000 on the Indian Ocean archipelago are registered to vote, the electoral commission said. However, opposition parties said they expected a low turnout, citing disaffection with the democratic process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assoumani's Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros party and its coalition partners won 20 out of the 24 seats that were contested in the last parliamentary election in 2020. On Sunday, Assoumani cast his vote in his hometown of Mitsoudje on the largest island of Grande Comore. Opposition parties called the 2020 vote a masquerade and said it was not free and fair. Assoumani won a new five-year term as president in an election last year that the opposition also said was fraudulent, triggering violent protests on the streets. The Juwa Party of former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi was one of those boycotting Sunday's vote. It also boycotted the 2020 parliamentary election. Comoros is an archipelago of three islands off the east coast of Africa near Madagascar. It has been beset by a series of military coups since gaining independence from France in 1975, with Assoumani, a former military officer, first seizing power in 1999 by overthrowing the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assoumani, 66, stepped down from the presidency in 2006 after one term but returned and won another election in 2016. He has been president since, winning three successive elections. He pushed through constitutional changes in 2018 that allowed him to sidestep term limits and avoid a previous political agreement that saw the presidency rotated between Comoros' islands. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a U.S. Congress-funded research institution, has said that Assoumani's presidency has been marked by growing political repression and non-competitive elections. Officials said voting was going ahead despite Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which was expected to pass near Comoros and the nearby French territory of Mayotte on Sunday. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Carol M. Highsmith / Buyenlarge / Getty Images Officials have seized multiple photos from a museum in Texas after complaints over the images depictions of children, including images by photographer Sally Mann. Earlier this week, a warrant was issued and executed for multiple photographs on display at a group exhibition at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The images are part of a multi-artist exhibition called Diaries of Home, which features artwork by women and nonbinary artists. Texas officials called for an investigation into some of the images on display back in December; a warrant was then issued earlier this month. The photographs in question have been removed from the museum as potential evidence, according to local news publication The Dallas Express. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Diaries of Home exhibition included several pieces of Manns artwork, including Popsicle Drips (1985), which depicts a nude male child with liquid on his body, and The Perfect Tomato (1990), which shows a nude female child standing tip-toe on a picnic table. The museum's website and a sign at the entry warn viewers that the collection contains mature themes that may be sensitive for some viewers. However, the images which were taken in the late Eighties and early Nineties also drew criticism when the photographs were initially displayed in the traveling exhibition Immediate Family and published in a book by the same name. In 1992, Mann was told by a federal prosecutor that at least 8 of her images could subject her to arrest. More than ten years later, Mann wrote an article in the New York Times detailing the family pictures and the controversy that ensued. The images were taken over the course of a decade on the familys farm in Virginia, which Mann said was so remote that it didnt have electricity or running water. Although barely a quarter of them depicted a nude child, I was unfailingly described as the woman who made pictures of her naked kids, an assertion that inflamed my critics, many of whom had never actually seen the work, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the article, Mann said that she involved her children in the process of taking and editing the photos, giving each child the photos of themselves and asking them to remove any that they did not want to share. Its hard to know just where to draw that stomach-roiling line, especially in cases when the subject is willing to give so much, she wrote. But how can they be so willing? Is it fearlessness or naivete? Those people who are unafraid to show themselves to the camera disarm me with the purity and innocence of their openness. In 1990, Mann explained that a critic took an image of her daughter and republished it without her permission with black bars over the girl's face and genitals. The girl responded with a letter to the critic in which she wrote, Dear Sir, I dont like the way you crossed me out. Immediate Family isnt Manns only series that photographs the human body with a jarring openness that Reynolds Price of Time once described as an ardor that is all but indistinguishable from love. Her portfolio of work also includes photographs of a nude man with late-onset muscular dystrophy (Proud Flesh) and photographs of human remains being studied at the University of Tennessee (Body Farm). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be able to take my pictures, Mann wrote, I have to look, all the time, at the people and places I care about. And I must do so with both ardor and cool appraisal, with the passions of eye and heart, but in that ardent heart there must also be a splinter of ice. In a description of the Diaries of Home exhibition, the museum writes, The artists in Diaries of Home use the vernacular of documentary photography, which creates an immediate sense of familiarity and understanding. Yet, the works subvert the implied truthfulness of the imagery by exploring the mediums inherent subjectivity through enticing fiction and drama, or by magnifying everyday affairs. The Diaries of Home exhibition began in November and is expected to continue through February 02. You might also like Take a look at the best cameras for portraits and the best lenses for portraits, along with these portrait photography tips. A month after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's astonishing decision to impose martial law, the country is still deep in political turmoil. But if the opposition Minjoo (Democratic) Party ends up taking power, analysts say it could lead to closer ties between Seoul and Beijing. On December 3, in a televised address, Yoon shocked the nation by declaring martial law. While the move only lasted a few hours, the political aftershocks are still being felt. On December 14, parliament voted to impeach Yoon and his presidential powers were suspended and police subsequently tried, and failed, to arrest him, triggering a dramatic stand-off with his security detail in the presidential compound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. His impeachment case is still pending in South Korea's constitutional court - a process that could last six months. If the court decides to dismiss Yoon at that point, a general election will be held within two months. Although, in theory, Yoon could be reinstated, discussion in the country has now shifted to who could be the next president. And signs are pointing to Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, with a Gallup poll last month making him the front runner. "If the Democratic Party takes power, South Korea-China relations will get better," Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Seoul's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said. "Seoul will pursue relations with the US on the one hand, and restore South Korea-China relations on the other." Yoon Suk-yeol sent South Korea into political chaos when he addressed the nation on December 3, declaring martial law. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office/Getty Images/TNS alt=Yoon Suk-yeol sent South Korea into political chaos when he addressed the nation on December 3, declaring martial law. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office/Getty Images/TNS> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Yoon's right-wing presidency, Seoul had a close alliance with Washington. Yoon's legacies, including the trilateral security treaty between Washington, Tokyo and Seoul, as well as the Chip 4 alliance between South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States, were seen as countering China. In March, South Korea also hosted the Summit for Democracy, the first time it was held outside the US. As in previous years, the event was addressed by a Taiwanese representative, while mainland China was excluded. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary - and expressed its "firm opposition" to Taiwan's presence at the event. Most countries, including the US and South Korea, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhan Debin, director and professor of the Centre for Korean Peninsula Studies at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, said that compared with the right wing, the left wing follows a tradition of a more balanced approach between Beijing and Washington, and is less "ideology-led". "The Democratic Party's foreign policy is generally pragmatic and balanced, both between China and the US, and between China and Japan," Zhan said. Former Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-in was seen as an example of this balanced approach. However, widely regarded as a Beijing and Pyongyang-friendly president, he also approved the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence anti-ballistic missile defence system - triggering strong protests from Beijing and an unofficial boycott of Korean businesses in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The uncertainty over US president-elect Donald Trump's willingness to preserve the Indo-Pacific alliance might push Seoul closer to Beijing - at least economically - according to Kang. "If Trump treats South Korea and Japan as oppressively as he did in his first term, the likelihood of cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea, especially in trade and commerce, will increase," he said. But Zhan, from Shanghai, said that even if Trump's focus is not on multilateral alliances, the current hawkish atmosphere towards China in Washington will still push the White House to align with Seoul and Tokyo to counter Beijing. "Trump's priority may not be on the multilateral framework, but Washington's attitude is relatively consistent on countering China," Zhan said. "The Minjoo Party has experience dealing with Trump ... It is probably going to be able to take care of both Chinese and US interests through compromise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a recent press conference with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "Our relationship is bigger than any one leader, any one government, any one party." Analysts believe the current security alliance between Seoul and Washington will largely remain, even if a new South Korean government seeks closer ties with Beijing, citing growing regional tensions. North Korea has become increasingly aggressive towards the South, designating it a "hostile state" in its constitution in October, while Seoul protested following reports that Pyongyang had sent troops to Ukraine to support Russia's war effort. But should Lee become president, it is highly unlikely there will be a repeat of Moon's honeymoon period with Pyongyang, Kang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration, Seoul put a lot into engagement with North Korea, but with little result. If Lee, or anyone else from the Democratic Party, comes to power, it is unlikely that North-South relations will be rekindled," Kang said. "To some extent, to guard against the danger of North Korea, South Korea still has to cooperate with the United States on security issues. In that case, if the United States has some requirements for South Korea [regarding China], it cannot oppose them," Kang added. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. PORTSMOUTH It will be a short agenda for Portsmouth City Council Monday evening as only two items are slated for discussion. Up for a third reading and a possible vote is the creation of an account for property room monies in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The item would also allow for the monies to be appropriated. According to the city charter, a piece of non-emergency legislation must go through three public readings before a vote is taken to approve, not approve, or table the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up for a first reading is an ordinance allowing the build of a new platform and a modification to the curb at the Esplanade for the Southern Ohio Museum. Local architect Kirk Donges submitted the proposal on behalf of the museum. The plan addresses potential traffic congestion concerns on Gallia Street, which the museumcurrently under renovationfaces. According to the proposed ordinance attached to the agenda, this will allow for ease of access and drop off point for buses and vans that will result in these vehicles no longer blocking traffic during drop off and pick up. The City Planning Commission met and discussed the matter on Nov. 10 and voted unanimously to send it to City Council for a vote. City Council meets at 6 p.m. Monday in the first floor council chambers at 500 Chillicothe St., Portsmouth. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has filed an amicus curiae or friend of the court brief with the Texas Supreme Court in support of El Pasos Annunciation House, her office announced on Sunday, Jan. 12. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been seeking to shut down Annunciation House since last February, alleging that the El Paso-based network of migrant shelters encourages illegal immigration and is a de facto stash house. Texas AG sues Annunciation House, seeks to revoke its ability to operate in state Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case starting at 8 a.m. Mountain time on Monday, Jan. 13, the County Attorneys Office said. The friend of the court brief filed by Sanchez urges the states highest court to deny Paxtons attempt to shut down the nonprofit organization. Annunciation House has been a cornerstone of the El Paso community for over 45 years, providing essential services to migrants, immigrants, and refugees. The organization provides temporary shelter, legal services, food, medicine, donated clothing, and helps connect migrants to family members in the U.S. These services are vital to protecting the health and safety of both migrants and the El Paso community, the County Attorneys Office said in its news release. Sanchez added that Annunciation House plays a critical role in our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They provide a safety net for vulnerable individuals and families, and their closure would have devastating consequences for El Paso, Sanchez added. The county attorneys brief argues that shutting down Annunciation House would: Force migrants onto the streets, creating a public health and safety crisis. This would lead to increased crime, disease, and strain on local government resources. Create an unfunded mandate for El Paso County. The County would be forced to expend significant resources to provide food, shelter, and healthcare to migrants who are currently being served by Annunciation House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weaken the humanitarian infrastructure in El Paso. The attorney generals actions against Annunciation House will discourage other organizations and individuals from providing aid to migrants. The brief also highlights that Annunciation House has a long-standing relationship with federal immigration authorities and that the organization works closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure that migrants are released to appropriate sponsors and that they have access to the resources they need. El Paso is a welcoming and compassionate community, and we are proud to support Annunciation House and the work they do, Sanchez said. We urge the Texas Supreme Court to uphold the lower courts ruling and allow Annunciation House to continue serving our community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. DENVER (KDVR) On Friday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said experts began capture operations to move up to 15 gray wolves from British Columbia, Canada and reintroduce them in Colorado. This relocation phase is part of the controversial Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. CPW is working in agreement with the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to translocate and release up to 15 wolves in Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin County. Adding wolves from British Columbia to the existing population in Colorado will increase the likelihood of pairing, breeding and pack formation. Established wolf packs defend territories, which will allow CPW to monitor patterns within a territory and will improve the agencys ability to collaborate with producers on active behavior and coexistence strategies to best protect livestock, said CPW in a press release Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5 indicted on racketeering for allegations of widespread remodeling fraud scheme: AG The capture operations come after the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission met Wednesday and voted 10-1 to deny a petition that wanted to pause the gray wolf restoration efforts. The commission ultimately decided that the citizens seven conditions listed in the petition had been addressed. The petition was sent by 26 agricultural and livestock producer organizations in September. CPW: Work in wolf-livestock conflict minimization done ahead of capture plan Before capture operations began on Friday, CPW said work has been done to adopt a number of wolf-livestock conflict minimization measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CPW, some of that work includes: Range rider program Definition of chronic depredation Development of a depredation response operations team Effective non-lethal tools Site assessment program Carcass removal program Communications plan How wolves will be captured from Canada In a Saturday press release, CPW outlined the plan associated with the capture and relocation of the Canadian wolves. According to CPW, British Columbia has an abundant gray wolf population in the range of 5,300 to 11,600. Once the wolves are located, they will be examined and treated for any possible diseases and infections. Next, collars will be placed on each wolf, informing CPW of their behaviors and survival. 3 arrested, facing charges in shooting death of 16-year-old girl in Aurora CPW said the wolves will then be transported in crates to Colorado via aircraft and released shortly after arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPW also noted that Gray wolves from this area of B.C. do not overlap with areas where livestock are present, so there are no concerns about reintroducing wolves that are from packs that are involved in situations of repeated livestock depredations. The operation is expected to last up to two weeks, according to CPW. The relocation of wolves from Canada comes after an original 10 gray wolves were released in late 2023 from Oregon. The voter-approved wolf reintroduction plan calls for 30 to 50 wolves to be transferred to Colorado within three to five years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Fire crews face a critical stage in their attempt to contain the Palisades Fire on Sunday, as wind conditions are expected to worsen as the week goes on. The blaze, already one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles, made a vicious push east on Saturday as it darted toward Brentwood and burned down a home in the Mandeville Canyon. Crews limited the damage to the neighborhood, however, and stopped the blazes advance. As of the latest Cal Fire update, the Palisades Fire stood at 23,713 acres and was 13% contained. In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) The damage, which includes more than 5,000 destroyed structures and at least two deaths, has been devastating. The historic neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades was nearly burnt completely to the ground as thousands of families are figuring out what to do next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat is not gone, however. The next several days, starting Sunday, will be marred by critical fire weather, according to the National Weather Service. Progress continues to be made on Eaton Fire, but crews now bracing for more Santa Ana winds Dry humidity paired with high-speed winds to the northeast could continue the fires expansion toward the San Fernando Valley, which could provide untold damages to one of L.A.s major population centers. Sunday should be critical for crews, as wind gusts are expected to remain below 10 or 11 miles per hour in the evening, but high winds are predicted to return early Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire departments from Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas and even Mexico, are now in Southern California to help battle the blaze. Evacuation zones remain unchanged on Sunday from Saturday. They include the Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean and included areas of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Topanga. Residents and businesses in Calabasas and parts of Tarzana and Encino remained under an evacuation warning on Sunday morning. Evacuation zones for the Palisades Fire as of Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. Mandatory evacuation order zones are in red, while evacuation warning zones are in yellow. (Cal Fire) UCLA students have been told to remain on high alert, although campus remains open for the time being. Officials closed several exits along the 405 Freeway. They include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getty Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed. Skirball Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed. Southbound Sunset Blvd. off-ramp closed. Southbound Wilshire Blvd. off-ramp closed. Southbound Santa Monica Blvd. off-ramp closed. Southbound Olympic/Pico Blvd. off-ramp closed. While crews battle the fires, raising tensions between city officials remain apparent. In a news conference on Saturday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass noted that her and LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley have had differences. We need to stay focused, but I will say that when the fires are out, make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not, Bass said. Let me be clear about something, the fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences we might have will be worked out in private, but right now, our first and most important obligation is to get through this crisis. The Palisades Fire made a push toward Brentwood on Saturday morning and threatened homes. (KTLA) While Bass did not go into detail on the differences, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley previously stated in an interview that city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting and that the city was not prepared for disaster at this scale. When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect theres going to be water, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday mornings press conference can be viewed below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Fire crews worked through the night to extinguish two overnight blazes in North Attleboro. According to North Attleboro Fire around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, crews received several 911 calls reporting a garage fire at 49 John C. Porter Way, located off Route 120 near the Rhode Island line. Upon arrival, firefighters found a two-car garage attached to a two-story colonial home heavily involved in flames. Two electric vehicles were in the garage at the time, and solar panels on the roof complicated the firefighting efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire spread into a portion of the home, and firefighters worked quickly to prevent it from fully engulfing the structure. Crews assessed one occupant for smoke inhalation but did not transport any residents for further medical care. The fire was cleared by approximately 5:30 a.m. The two cars are considered total losses, and the house has been deemed unhabitable. The residents of the home are being assisted by neighbors and the American Red Cross. As crews cleared the scene, another vehicle fire was called in around 6 a.m. at the Hockomock Area YMCA building at 300 Elmwood St. Upon arrival, first responders found a minivan fully engulfed in magnesium-fueled flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters operated multiple hose lines, including a foam line, to extinguish the fire. The car has been deemed a total loss, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the YMCA building, although the heat and smoke discolored the buildings siding. I want to commend our firefighters and mutual aid partners for their outstanding efforts in extinguishing these two fires, Chief Coleman said. Each fire presented challenges, including electric vehicles, solar panels, and magnesium fuel, but our firefighters remained undeterred, working effectively and efficiently to bring the situation under control and prevent further damage. The cause of the fires does not appear suspicious; however, the fires remain under investigation by the North Attleboro Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Firefighters are gaining ground as the Palisades Fire continued burning Saturday night. The blaze had expanded and is threatening new communities in the San Fernando Valley including Brentwood, Mandeville Canyon and more. Sky5 footage showed positive progress on Saturday night as dying embers were seen smoldering in Mandeville Canyon. Aerial and ground crews targeted the area and extinguished most of the hot spots, gaining the upper hand on overall containment. It was a very difficult firefight today, but crews were hitting it from the ground and in the air all day long, KTLAs Gil Leyvas reported from Sky5. We lost one house in the canyon, but firefighters were able to save all the rest of the homes there. It really is a contrast from last night. Its looking really good. Fire crews monitor the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Fire Crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, authorities said, as US National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. Swaths of the United States second-largest city lay in ruins, with smoke blanketing the sky and an acrid smell pervading almost every building. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) KTLAs Courtney Friel spoke with a woman whose Altadena home burned to the ground during the Eaton Fire. She returned to the site to see what she could salvage. (KTLA) Firefighters watch water drops on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) The Palisades Fire made a push toward Brentwood on Saturday morning and threatened homes. (KTLA) A home destroyed by the Palisades Fire is seen during sunset in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) MALIBU, CA January 08: Dozens of beachfront homes in Malibu, CA were destroyed overnight in the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. High winds escalated the spread of several blazes across Southern California. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA JANUARY 8: A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2900-acres and is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) A woman is devastated after losing her Altadena home to the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, authorities said, as US National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. Swaths of the United States second-largest city lay in ruins, with smoke blanketing the sky and an acrid smell pervading almost every building. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) A home burns in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025. (KTLA) Homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire. (KTLA) Buildings and cars destroyed by the Palisades fire lay along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 8, 2025. At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes. More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around Americas second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by Zoe Meyers / AFP) (Photo by ZOE MEYERS/AFP via Getty Images) Homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire. (KTLA) Aerial crews drop fire retardant on the Palisades Fire near Mandeville Canyon on Jan. 11, 2025. (KTLA) Aerial crews drop fire retardant on the Palisades Fire near Mandeville Canyon on Jan. 11, 2025. (KTLA) LOS ANGELES, USA JANUARY 11: A Monterey County Firefighter watch as a LA County helicopter comes in to make a water drop on the Palisade Fire. (Photo by Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images) Firefighting air planes and helicopters drop water over flames in Topanga Canyon during Palisades wildfire in Topanga, Los Angeles, California, United States on January 10, 2025. (Getty Images) A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A Berkshire Hathaway office is left in smoldering ashes during the Palisade fire in the Palisade village area Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, January 8, 2025. At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes. More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around Americas second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over residences in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Palisades Fire made a push toward Brentwood on Saturday morning and threatened homes. (KTLA) Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over a ridge as seen from the Encino section of Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Sky5 view of the northern flank of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 10, 2025. (KTLA) Sky5 view of the northern flank of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 10, 2025. (KTLA) Aerial crews drop fire retardant on the Palisades Fire near Mandeville Canyon on Jan. 11, 2025. (KTLA) A home is threatened by the Palisades Fire in Topanga, California. Jan. 10, 2025. (KTLA) Malibu, CA January 08: Tahitian Terrace was devastated by the Palisades fire on PCH on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) By Saturday night, the Palisades Fire had grown to 23,654 acres with 11% containment. More than 5,000 structures have been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades. Officials confirmed at least 16 people had been killed in several wildfires across the Southland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the wind remained calmer on Saturday, breezes continued fanning the flames and the National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds could return this weekend and early next week. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around a city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months, the Associated Press reported. Red Flag warnings remain in effect for L.A. and Ventura counties through Wednesday, Jan.15, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could reach 50-70 mph. These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area, said NWS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, some residents were allowed to return to the sites of their ruined homes to see what they can salvage from the wreckage. Teams with the L.A. County Sheriffs Department are working to sift through the rubble with cadaver dogs to search for human remains. We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away, said L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna. Mexico sends firefighters to L.A. to help battle devastating wildfires Areas under evacuation orders and warnings due to the Palisades Fire as of Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11:30 p.m. (CalFire) The Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive and costliest natural disasters in Los Angeles history. The fires have consumed about 56 square miles which is an area larger than San Francisco, according to AP reports. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic losses so far to run between $135 billion and $150 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of people remain under evacuation orders as new evacuations were ordered over the weekend. Since the fire erupted on Jan. 7, evacuation warnings have extended to the west side of the 405 Freeway into Bel-Air. In nearby Westwood, the UCLA Police Department told the universitys community to be prepared to evacuate. Kevin Marshall sifts through his mothers fire-ravaged property in the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher) Officials told residents to continue heeding all evacuation warnings and urged them to stay away from their homes, warning that lingering ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire, told AP. All of that stuff is toxic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As air quality remains poor, health officials are advising residents to avoid going outdoors and wearing tight-fitting masks, such as N95 or P100 masks, when heading outside. Residents should avoid outdoor burning or doing anything that creates sparks during the elevated fire weather danger. The cause of the Palisades Fire remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. By Fedja Grulovic ZAGREB (Reuters) -Croatian President Zoran Milanovic won a second term in the largely ceremonial post, a preliminary result based on vote count in 98.65% of the polling stations showed. Milanovic of the opposition Social Democratic Party was on track to win Sunday's presidential election with 74.58% of votes, according to the state election commission vote count. Dragan Primorac of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) won 25.42%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnout in the NATO and European Union member state was 44.15% of the voters, preliminary results showed. "Croatia, thank you," Milanovic told his supporters. "This is a big day for me personally, and I view this victory as recognition for my work, a kind of act of people's trust in me." Earlier in the day, after casting his ballot in the capital Zagreb, Milanovic told reporters: "In the past five years I did my job in the best faith and I hope that people have seen that." The Croatian head of state cannot veto laws but has a say in foreign policy, defence and security matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his term, Milanovic, a populist former prime minister, has confronted Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic over foreign and public policies, with the two frequently trading insults. (Reporting by Fedja Grulovic and Ivana Sekularac in Zagreb; Editing by William Mallard, Helen Popper, Giles Elgood and Matthew Lewis) CHANNAHON, Ill. A crowd of about 3,000 people flocked to Channahon Saturday, right where the DuPage, Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers converge to form the Illinois River. The spectators were part of the Will County Forest Preserve Districts annual Eagle Watch, hosted by the Four Rivers Wildlife Education Center. They hoped to catch a glimpse of some bald eagles making Illinois their home for the winter. Im quite excited to be here. This is my first time seeing eagles, eagle watcher Beckett Ladesic said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois freezing temperatures attract bald eagles in large numbers. While other rivers freeze over, the waters in Illinois are still flowing, ideal for hunting fish. Deer with jar stuck on head presumed safe after citizens locate empty jar Theyre just rare, beautiful. I just think theyre beautiful. Theres so much lovely nature we dont get to observe and its nice to see that, eagle watcher Dawn Skarzynski said. Visitors also learned about the role the majestic bird of prey plays in the ecosystem. Its a three-foot tall, up to an eight-foot wingspan bird. So its big, its easy to see, its always a joy, said Jessica McQuown of the Four Rivers Wildlife Education Center. Its a really important bird and its kind of an indicator species where we can see is our water healthy, is our environment healthy, because theyre doing well so we must be doing well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to experts, the best time for eagle watching is now until mid-February. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. (COLORADO SPRINGS) According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), officers responded to a robbery at the 500 block of South Nevada Avenue, near East Cimarron Street, after a man threatened an employee with a knife on Sunday morning, Jan. 12. CSPD reported that around 9:15 a.m., officers quickly found the man across the street outside a motel in the 200 block of East Cimarron Street. He was allegedly armed with a machete and acting as if he had a handgun. Officers were able to use less-lethal tools to take him into custody. The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Ian Almeida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A 44-year-old Davenport man faces felony charges after police say he broke into a home and threatened a victim with his own gun, according to court records. Elijah Hoyt faces felony charges of first-degree burglary, dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon, going armed with intent, second-degree criminal mischief and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, court records show. Elijah Hoyt (Scott County Jail) At 3:20 p.m. Saturday, Davenport Police responded to the 4100 block of East Rusholme Street for a gun-related incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say Hoyt entered an unoccupied residence in which he had no right, license or privilege to be. In arrest affidavits, police say Hoyt gained entry to the residence by breaking the glass of the front door. The damage for the door was estimated at around $3,000. Affidavits show Hoyt stayed inside the residence until the homeowner/victim returned home. In that time, Hoyt armed himself with one of the victims handguns he found inside the residence, and he moved another one of the victims handguns. As the victim entered his residence, police say in affidavits, Hoyt pointed the gun at the victim and told him to get out of his house. This placed the victim in fear of being shot, and he left his residence and called 911, affidavits say. Hoyt still was inside the home when police arrived and saw him leaving through the front door before he was arrested, affidavits show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Hoyt was in custody, police found the victims car keys in his pocket, along with several folding knives that also belonged to the victim, according to affidavits. In affidavits, police say that, according to his criminal history, Hoyt has several felony convictions out of Texas in 2020 and 2021. Hoyt, who was being held Sunday on a $50,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 21 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Jan. 12 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1912, industrialist Andrew Carnegie lined up with the anti-trust view of former President Theodore Roosevelt as against the trust dissolution plans of President Taft today in testimony before the Stanley Committee. In 1919, UP correspondent John Graudenz arrested by German troops while en route to the scene of an attack in Berlin, he was later released. In 1919, U.S. President Woodrow WIlson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando met in Paris for what would be the first of more than 100 meetings of the so-called Big Four nations. These allies gathered to hash out the peace terms ending World War I and established the League of Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1932, Hattie Caraway, D-Ark., became the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States senator. U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks as Janet Reno, the first female nominee for attorney general, listens in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on February 11, 1993. On January 12, 1994, Clinton asked Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater land deal. UPI File Photo In 1943, the U.S. wartime Office of Price Administration said standard frankfurters would be replaced during World War II by "Victory Sausages" consisting of a mixture of meat and soy meal. In 1986, U.S. Rep. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., traveled into space aboard the shuttle Columbia. Also aboard the flight was Franklin Chang-Diaz, the first Hispanic American in space. On January 12, 1932, Hattie Caraway, D-Ark., pictured in 1936, became the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States senator. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI In 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton asked Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater land deal affair that involved him and the first lady. Reno named New York lawyer Robert Fiske. Turkish police stand guard as forensic experts inspect the site of a blast in the Blue Mosque area in Istanbul's tourist hub of Sultanahmet, Turkey on January 12, 2016. File Photo by Ali Turkel/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, about 350 people were crushed to death by a stampeding crowd at the entrance to Jamarat Bridge in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during a pilgrimage to Mecca. In 2010, a magnitude-7 earthquake dealt Haiti and its capital Port-au-Prince a catastrophic blow, killing at least 100,000 people. The massive quake crippled the already-strained infrastructure of the island nation and sparked a cholera outbreak that killed thousands over the next several years. On January 12, 1912, industrialist Andrew Carnegie, pictured in 1913, lined up with the anti-trust view of former President Theodore Roosevelt as against the trust dissolution plans of President Taft today in testimony before the Stanley Committee. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI File Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI In 2024, the United States and its allies conducted a full, large-scale retaliation against recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The News California Democrats defended their response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, as firefighters struggled to put out the blazes. President-elect Donald Trump suggested local officials were incompetent, while the states Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom decried what he called the hurricane-force winds of false information. The fires which have killed at least 16 people have exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure, with some fire hydrants running dry as the citys water systems crumpled under the demand. Trump, who has in the past used disasters to attack his political opponents, is a master of tapping into peoples angst and projecting it far and wide for his benefit and there is a lot of angst in Los Angeles right now, The New York Times wrote. (NEXSTAR) More than one dozen people have died as a result of the still-spreading wildfires burning in Los Angeles. Crews some from as far away as Texas and Mexico are now preparing for potentially strong winds to return to the area. In an update Saturday, officials with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner confirmed five new deaths related to the Eaton Fire, Nexstars KTLA reports. In total, 11 deaths have been connected to the Eaton Fire while five others occurred as a result of the Palisades Fire, bringing the death toll to 16. Among those killed was 66-year-old Victor Shaw, who died while defending a home that had been in his family for 55 years and 32-year-old Rory Sykes, a former British child actor turned philanthropist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 16 people 12 from the Eaton Fire zone, four from the Palisades Fire Zone have been reported missing. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said dozens more reports might have come in Sunday morning and investigators were reconciling whether some of the missing might be among the dead. There are no children among those reported missing, he said. Police detain 2 people at Vice President Harris Brentwood home during curfew hours A lull in the Santa Ana winds that had been fanning the flames helped crews on Saturday. The Palisades Fire, already one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history, has burned more than 23,000 acres and was 11% contained as of Saturday evening. The Eaton Fire, expected to have minimal growth Sunday, has burned more than 14,000 acres and is 27% contained. The Eaton Fire started on Tuesday amid hurricane-force winds near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena area. It continued to burn as the Palisades Fire the most expensive in Los Angeles history took aim at the heavily populated San Fernando Valley on Saturday morning. Several other blazes erupted across the Los Angeles region last week, including the Kenneth, Hurst, Sunset, and Lidia fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those evacuated due to the Palisades Fire were able to return to what remained of their homes on Saturday. Many told KTLA they waited for up to 11 hours for access which lasted only a few minutes in some cases. Were still kind of numb, we just found out Wednesday that our house burnt down, said resident Debbie Tenenbaum. We havent been up there, we want to go see it. Were sad all of our stuff is gone. A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A vehicle is covered in retardant while crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Fire retardant covers a backyard in Mandeville Canyon during the Palisades Fire, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) A firefighter rests as crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) The Palisades Fire burns above a home in Mandeville Canyon, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over a ridge as seen from the Encino section of Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Firefighters study damage at St. Marks Episcopal Church after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) A bowl of cat food and water, placed by Kevin Marshall, sits near his mothers property, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Marshall placed the bowls for Simba, a cat his mother took care of. (AP Photo/John Locher) Ella Venne, front, holds a cup she found in the remains of her familys home destroyed by the Eaton Fire as she searches with Glendale Fire Department captain Chris Jernegan, left, and his wife Alison in Altadena, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Kaegan Baron takes a moment as she sifts through the rubble of her mothers home after it was destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher) A medical examiner and sheriffs deputies check on a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) A Cal Fire hand crew walks past a swimming pool toward their next assignment during the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) A group of firefighters traverse a steep hill while battling the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Kevin Marshall sifts through his mothers fire-ravaged property in the the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher) Kaegan Baron, left, and Oliver Braren sift through the home of Kaegans mother after it was destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Conditions are, however, expected to worsen. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph. The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, said weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dramatic before-and-after satellite photos show California wildfire destruction Youre going to have really strong gusty Santa Ana winds, a very dry atmosphere and still very dry brush, so we still have some very critical fire weather conditions out there, Thompson said at a community meeting Saturday night. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help crews fend off flames spread by renewed gusts. We are prepared for the upcoming wind event, he said. Fierce Santa Anas have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires sparked last week into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 105,000 Los Angeles County residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders as of Sunday morning. Another 87,000 are under an evacuation warning, authorities said during a press conference. More than 700 residents have taken refuge in nine shelters. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said. The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 structures. How to donate to LA wildfire relief Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No cause has been determined for the largest fires and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nations costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. Governor Gavin Newsom invited President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticized the Californian, to tour the fire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles County. As you prepare to assume the presidency once more, I invite you to come to California again to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line, Newsom wrote in a letter posted to X on Sunday. In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines. In an interview that aired Sunday on NBC, Newsom said the fires could end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. At least 24 people have died as Los Angeles is being ravaged by multiple fires that are scorching vast swaths of the city. Firefighters are gaining some ground but struggling as they battle against high winds to contain the massive Palisades and Easton fires, leaving Angelenos on edge as Santa Ana winds are expected to intensify overnight. Of the 24 people who have died as a result of the fires over the past five days, eight were attributed to the Palisades Fire, which began Tuesday and over a matter of hours was sending residents fleeing, and 16 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroners office said in a statement Sunday night. Meanwhile, reports of missing people are rising across the city, hour by hour, according to the county sheriff. According to the Associated Press, 16 people are missing (12 within the Eaton Fire zone and four in the Palisades Fire) and that number is expected to rise. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighting crews had contained 11 percent of the Palisades fire and 27 percent of the Eaton fire as of Sunday morning. The Kenneth Fire, which scorched 1,052 acres near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, was fully contained, according to CalFire; so was the Hurst fire, which burned 779 acres in the area around Sylmar. On Saturday night, the California Office of Emergency Services indicated that 150,000 people in L.A. County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. Multiple landmarks in Los Angeles remain in check as the fires spread, including the famous J. Paul Getty Museum and UCLAs campus. CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz said Saturday that their key focus was on the Palisades Fire burning not far from the state college campus. We need to be aggressive out there, Litz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Response to the emergency that has devastated the city includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel. On Saturday, swooping helicopters were seen dumping water as the fire was moving downhill in Mandeville Canyon, which is home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities. According to the National Weather Service, strong Santa Ana winds are expected to return, again turning the wildfires raging across the country into infernos. Wind strengths overnight may reach up to 70 mph, leading the battle to stop the fires to extend well into the week. President-elect Trump has been invited to visit the devastation in Los Angeles by none other than California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a gadfly to the soon-to-be second termer since he first entered politics. On Meet the Press on Sunday morning, Newsom said that he invites Trump in the spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist, but he criticized the once and future president for spreading disinformation about the fires and the states response. L.A. County Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barge said she sent a letter to Trump, inviting him to visit so he can see the desperate need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and perseverance of our impacted neighbors. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she spoke with the Trump transition team in what she said was a fine call; the mayor said she does believe that Trump will be visiting the city to tour the devastation. Trump has criticized the city and state for its incompetence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass is facing criticism for defunding the fire department by 2 percent. In June, she OKd a budget of nearly $13 billion that included slashing $17 million in the LAFDs 2025 budget. Bass has said the cuts did not impact the departments ability to combat the fires. Rest assured when that is done, when we are safe, when lives have been saved and homes have been saved, we will absolutely do an evaluation to look at what worked, and what didnt work, and to correct or to hold accountable anybody, department, individual, etcetera, Bass said. But my focus right now is on the lives and the homes. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department said it has arrested seven looters so far, with two suspects posing as firefighters and coming in and out of houses, according to the Associated Press. California National Guard troops have been helping to guard properties since Friday. On Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that most schools would reopen Monday. All Las Virgenes Unified schools also will reopen. Pasadena Unified school is closed through Jan. 17 as of now. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District said that all Santa Monica schools, with the exception of Roosevelt Elementary, which is still in the evacuation warning zone, will be open Monday, and Malibu schools will remain closed through Jan. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, investigators are studying whether a Southern California Edison energy transmission tower in Eaton Canyon may have started the Altadena fire. Its currently an investigation into the start of the Eaton fire, an investigator for the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection told the L.A. Times. Edison representatives in Southern California have so far said they do not believe their electrical equipment was the cause. Updated Monday, Jan. 13, 3:45 a.m.: Updated with news of the investigation into whether an energy transmission tower started the Altadena fire. Updated Sunday, Jan. 12, 6:26 p.m.: Updated death toll to 24. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Chicago areas four transit agencies are staring down a budget gap that could lead to massive service cuts and fare hikes, and efforts in Springfield to address the challenges are set to heat up this year. Discussions about the way transit is overseen and how to fund it are likely to gain steam during the new legislative session but the path forward is shaping up to be contentious. A proposal in Springfield to combine the CTA, Metra, Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority has been met with pushback, and a coalition of labor groups is working on an alternate option. The push to boost funding for transit could be complicated by a projected multibillion-dollar deficit in Illinois next budget and competing requests from Chicago, such as a potential ask for more Chicago Public Schools funding and a package for a new Bears stadium. Hanging in the balance is the prospect of a 40% cut in service across the CTA, Metra and Pace, according to the Regional Transportation Authority, which is calling for a significant influx of new money for transit. That would turn a 15-minute wait for a bus in the city into a 25-minute wait, and a 45-minute wait for a bus in the suburbs into a wait of more than an hour. A Metra line that once had 90 trains per day would be cut to 54, according to RTA estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what could happen if the region fails to fill a $771 million budget gap the four agencies will face when federal COVID-19 relief funding dries up, the RTA warned. The agency, along with some other regional planners and officials, is calling on Springfield to not just fill the gap, but find $1.5 billion in new funding to overhaul the system. With federal aid expected to dry up early next year, tackling transits challenges is taking on increasing urgency. It needs to be dealt with this (legislative) session, and hopefully in a meaningful way, said Audrey Wennink, transportation director for the Metropolitan Planning Council. If its not, then Pace and Metra and CTA will start doing the math and cutting all their schedules over the summer and then their budgets as they do budget season in the fall and then we would have a collapsed system by 2026. The transit debate and whether to combine the CTA, which has faced discontent from political leaders and riders, with the regions other transit agencies culminated last year in a trip by lawmakers and advocates to Germany to study the transit system there. But so far there have been few formal proposals about where to come up with the money to plug the budget hole, or generate the additional funding that planners and officials hope could improve the transit system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the measure to combine the transit agencies, said oversight of transit in the Chicago area needs to be addressed before talk of funding can take place. Let me be unequivocal: There will be no funding before we address reform, and a governance that allows us to hold accountable and make sure theyre transparent, these public service agencies, he said. Villivalams proposal would create a new Metropolitan Mobility Authority to oversee buses, trains and paratransit, laying out how Chicago, Cook County, the governor and other suburban counties would be represented on the new board. He plans to reintroduce a measure to combine the agencies during the legislative session this spring, though there could be some changes from the previous proposal based on testimony during a series of hearings in the fall, he said. Consolidation has been met with pushback from the regions transit agencies, and recently several organizations of suburban communities weighed resolutions opposing the concept. Groups such as the Northwest Municipal Conference raised concerns that combining agencies could limit suburban input in transit and could complicate operational and budget issues unique to each transit service, such as debt, liabilities and labor contracts. Several groups said they supported additional funding for transit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy said the consolidation bill fails to ensure regional representation. The suburbs are seeking a voice in transit issues, including key concerns such as paratransit service, better connections in bus service and the ability to use one pass for all types of transit. Also of concern is bridging the distance between transit lines and offices or warehouses as many people commute into DuPage for work, she said. Villivalams initial bill amounts to the suburbs losing representation, she said. It also requires a straight majority of board members to approve any measure, which she said would effectively take away the suburbs say in transit issues. The RTA requires a supermajority of the board to approve certain big-ticket items. Were making sure that it ends up being equitable and fair, and its a little bit disproportionate in the language thats been put out there so far, she said. RTA Chair Kirk Dillard has instead called for a stronger version of the RTA, writing in a mid-December letter to the Tribune that it could act as an empowered regional coordinating agency. He agreed that lawmakers should not provide funding without reform of the system that ensures new money will be spent in the ways that benefit riders across the system, he wrote, saying the agency has pushed reforms that would strengthen the RTA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, state law does not empower the RTA to proactively engage in these critical areas in ways that benefit riders across modes and geographies, and that must change, he said. An alternative to consolidation, backed by a coalition of Illinois labor unions, is also in the works. Details about the proposal remain to be determined, but Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter billed it as focusing instead on coordination between the agencies, with the goal of making improvements such as better transfers between Metra, Pace and the CTA and work on the gaps between transit service and job centers. Operating a rail system like Metra differs from a rapid transit system like the CTA, whose city bus service is also different than a suburban bus system like Pace, Reiter said. Each system also interacts with separate unions, some of which are governed by state law and some by federal rules. Consolidation serves people with loud voices, he said. And consolidation can serve people with influence, but I dont know that consolidation serves the mayor of a far western suburban town any more than it would serve an alderperson in the city of Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither proposal is likely to initially have the support needed to pass the Senate, Villivalam said. But a working group of state representatives has also been meeting to draft ideas about transit. And they have committed to working with Villivalam, said state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, a Chicago Democrat and one of the groups co-leaders. Delgado supports the proposal to consolidate the transit agencies, but acknowledged compromise would be necessary. (The consolidation proposal) is a way to start having people take seriously, when I say reform, this is what I mean,' she said. I mean something on this level of magnitude. But we also have to recognize that there are a lot of stakeholders in this industry that have different perspectives. Lawmakers are also being asked to come up with more funding for transit, and debate about how to come up with the money and how much to generate is sure to prove thorny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding has been a key focus for CTA President Dorval Carter, who has criticized efforts to focus on transit oversight instead of funding. He has described the current financial setup as discriminatory and racially charged. Conroy, from DuPage, also called for significantly more state money for transit. But she was clear she opposes certain revenue options, such as dipping into motor fuel tax money or increasing tolls, which she said could disproportionately hurt suburban residents. Before talking new money, discussion should take place about savings, RTA board member Tom Kotarac said at a recent meeting. He also called for a clearer picture of what happens if the transit agencies go off the fiscal cliff, and what theyd get with $1.5 billion in new money. The savings and the efficiencies, and a plan to generate revenue and one thats very credible has to be sort of first, said Kotarac, also senior vice president at the business-focused Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, during the meeting. And then the second piece is the reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the reality is that reform is a necessary condition for us to make the case for revenue, he said later. The RTA, for its part, said in a statement that finding funding for transit is urgent. The agency is pushing for funding solutions to include governance reforms, and any reform should connect to more frequent, reliable and safe service that benefits riders. The longer finding a sustainable funding solution takes, the fewer options we will have and the worse the consequences could be, the agency said in a statement. The transit reform and funding debates are likely to take most of the spring, or longer, to solve, observers say. But Wennink, with the Metropolitan Planning Council, sees the moment as transformational, one to look back on decades from now and pinpoint as the moment state leaders solved transits challenges. Transit really underpins peoples ability to make money and spend money, just to move around at all, she said. Because the Chicago region is really the economic engine of the whole state, we cant collapse peoples mobility. The consequences for congestion would be just ridiculous. We would be paralyzed. With his life on the line, a defendant in Broward County was told in explicit terms this week that he has a tough decision to make. His own lawyer is being investigated for criminal conduct directly related to her work as his attorney. If shes charged, there could be a conflict of interest. Attorneys for Jamell Demons, known publicly as rapper YNW Melly, are accusing the Broward State Attorneys Office of interfering with his right to the best representation he can get. Prosecutors announced in court that one of Demons lead attorneys, Raven Liberty, was under investigation by the Broward Sheriffs Office for alleged witness tampering, a charge faced by Demons and a co-defendant in connection with his upcoming retrial on double-murder charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not unusual for prosecutors to accuse opposing counsel of skirting the line separating vigorous defense of their clients from illegal conduct, especially when it comes to encouraging defendants to commit perjury or witnesses to conveniently forget relevant facts, according to experts on both sides of criminal law. But it is highly unusual for criminal investigations to sprout from such suspicions, and even more unusual for charges to be pursued. Liberty has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2004 and has no history of misconduct. She is also licensed to practice in the federal court system. She was hired to defend Demons against allegations he shot and killed two fellow rappers after a late-night recording session in Fort Lauderdale. Demons first trial ended in a hung jury in the summer of 2023. His retrial is tentatively scheduled to begin in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court last week, Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein told Demons he would soon have a choice to make keep Liberty knowing that criminal charges against her would give her a vested interest in selling him out, or find a new lawyer who can catch up with a double-murder case in eight months when the death penalty is a possible outcome. Aside from what was said in court, neither the Broward Sheriffs Office, which is conducting the investigation, nor the Broward State Attorneys Office will comment on the ongoing investigation, including exactly how it started. Prosecutors disclosed the investigation to give Demons a chance to decide whether to replace his counsel. Legal experts say the investigation raises issues most prosecutors seek to avoid. You try to stay away from it, said former Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who is now in private practice. You dont want to interfere with a defendants right to a fair trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Threatening to charge opposing counsel with a crime could be seen as an intimidation tactic that could backfire and create issues the defense can raise on appeal, said Jason B. Blank, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Ive never seen this done in Broward before, he said. Aronberg couldnt recall a single case of a defense lawyer getting charged with a crime during his tenure from 2012-2024. Statewide, it only happens in the most egregious cases, he said. Weve considered Bar complaints, but even then I dont recall ever filing one. Former Broward prosecutor Ken Padowitz said going after defense lawyers was like walking into a field of land mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are all kinds of questions about prosecutorial overreach, misconduct, and interference, he said. If theyre going to proceed with this, they should do so with caution. I expect thats exactly what theyre doing. After his first trial, Demons was charged with witness tampering, accused of trying to get witnesses to change or forget what they knew about allegations he murdered Christopher YNW Juvy Thomas and Anthony YNW Sakchaser Williams in October 2018. It is unclear whether the investigation into Liberty is directly related to those charges. Padowitz said he would recommend the investigation and the criminal case, if one should arise, be handled by an outside prosecutors office to avoid the appearance that the defense is being targeted unfairly. Calls to Liberty were not returned this week. Another lawyer on the defense team, Jamie Benjamin, described the investigation this week as an intimidation tactic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How is our client supposed to decide whether to change lawyers when they havent even told us what charges are even being considered against his lawyer? he said. This is not the way to prosecute a case. The State Attorneys Office referred questions about the investigation to the Broward Sheriffs Office, which routinely does not comment on pending cases. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Threads.net/@rafael.olmeda. With the remnants of snow and ice on the historic State Capitol grounds melting on Saturday afternoon, new North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein gave his inaugural address to a small crowd in the old House chamber and viewers around the state. Less than two weeks after taking office, Stein talked about what being North Carolina Strong means to him, like living up to the example of other North Carolinians, from neighbor helping neighbor recover from the devastation of Helene in the western part of the state, to bipartisanship between Democrats and Republicans. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein delivers his inauguration address inside the House chamber of the historic State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. His first example: When the original Capitol building burned about 200 years ago, quick-thinking bystanders rushed into the building to save most of the official archives and the portrait of George Washington that still hangs here inside the House chamber to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The painting of Washington was displayed directly behind Stein as he gave his address. Stein also talked about the 1916 flood in Morganton, praising rescuer Will Clark, who saved a neighbor. Praise for neighbor helping neighbor after Helene Those who helped after Helene flooding in Western North Carolina revealed our states character, Stein said. For example: Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker and other first responders, Terryll Evans, owner of WPTL-AM radio station in Canton, for sharing information, Watauga County business owner Ashley Galleher for distributing supplies, Amy Davis and her family, for providing meals in McDowell County at their country store and cafe, and Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Cook and Freddy Carpenter, for hauling food and equipment for people in Avery County. Truly, I could stand here all day and list heroes who performed acts of courage and decency in ways large and small, Stein said. My point is this: Our people are good, and they are ready to meet any challenge. Inauguration events changed with the weather Stein walked into the House chamber with his wife, Anna Stein, and children Leah, Adam and Sam, from the Senate chamber across the rotunda. Just a few dozen family members, friends, staff and journalists were there to watch. It was a much pared-down event, after the weather led to cancellation of the planned outside ceremony with thousands of people, a block party and an open house at the mansion. The ball was postponed. Outside the Capitol building, which has some offices but is mostly ceremonial and for historic tours, some platforms remained that were built in anticipation of the larger, outdoor ceremony, before snow and ice arrived across the state on Friday. New @NC_Governor Josh Stein enters the historic @ncstatecapitol House chamber to give his inaugural address: pic.twitter.com/a8C2Pk9Mq9 Dawn B. Vaughan (@dawnbvaughan) January 11, 2025 Who is NCs new governor? Stein, North Carolinas first Jewish governor, defeated former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in November to win the governors race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He got here working his way up the ranks of state government: first as a state senator, then two terms as attorney general. In his speech, he described working as attorney general with the legislature to pass laws to address opioid overdoses, open the courts to more childhood sexual abuse survivors and clear the states backlog of untested evidence kits in rape cases. He follows his friend and mentor into office, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who also served as attorney general and a legislator ahead of becoming governor. Cooper did not attend the speech on Saturday. Also like Cooper, Stein is a Democrat working with, and sometimes against, a Republican-controlled legislative branch. The North Carolina State Capitol building, pictured on the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 as Gov. Josh Stein was about to give his inaugural address inside, and as the last remnants of snow and ice melt from winter weather the day before. How Stein wants to work with Republicans Stein outlined his policy priorities of teacher raises, lowering taxes on working people, fighting the fentanyl crisis and ensuring safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also doesnt want to fight about it with Republicans. Stein said the state has real problems to solve, and we do not have time to settle petty political scores or fight divisive culture wars. I want to stand with you as we fight for our people, not with each other. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein talks with supporters after delivering his inauguration address inside the House chamber of the historic State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Democratic governor, Stein has no choice but to work with Republicans, who hold a veto-proof supermajority in the Senate and are one vote short of a supermajority in the House. When Republicans have had total control, they passed an abortion restrictions law and laws about transgender athletes and children, among other legislation on social issues. Stein praised both former Republican Gov. Jim Holshouser for working with Democrats in the legislature to be the first state in the South to offer statewide kindergarten, and Cooper for working with a Republican legislature to pass Medicaid expansion. New House Speaker Destin Hall, a Caldwell County Republican, told reporters on Wednesday that he has talked to Stein multiple times since Stein was sworn-in on Jan. 1. Newly elected House Speaker Destin Hall gavels out the North Carolina General Assemblys first 2025 legislative session on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the Legislative Building. Republicans response to Stein Hall said that his first priority when the General Assembly returns on Jan. 29 is to pass more Helene recovery funding, and that he knows Stein is committed to a storm relief in Western North Carolina as well. Im going into it just like my caucus is, in good faith, and I believe the governor will do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall said one place he thinks everyone will agree is that weve got to get people back in their homes as quickly as possible. And so I hope that politics dont get in the way of that. Democrats evaluated candidates for party leadership at their first virtual candidate forum on Saturday with a focus on the Southern region. The highly contested race for DNC chair forced contenders to address their landslide loss in November and share future plans for successful races. In the last election, there were millions of Americans who didnt know that we were fighting for working families. And if were going to correct that, we need to communicate everywhere. That means on conservative media, where conservative voices dominate and tell stories about Democrats, Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, told viewers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Wikler this week bolstering his campaign for the partys highest seat in leadership. That means building a progressive media ecosystem where we tell our own story, and critically, it means speaking to folks who are not tuned in to politics, who dont trust either parties, people who are paying attention to YouTube and podcasts and TikTok, people who are on platforms that often an older generation of Democrats havent heard of, but dominate news and information for younger voters, he added. His challengers agreed citing a disconnect with the public as the reason for the slim Republican majority in the 119th Congress. The majority of Americans now believe that the Republican Party best represents the interests of the working class and the poor, and the Democratic party is a party of the wealthy and the elites. And to prove the point, of course, the only two groups that we over performed with were wealthy households and college educated voters, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley (D) shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is a damning indictment on our party brand. Theres a dismissive notion that the words working class are a code for white voters, we lost ground among all kinds of families, black, brown and white, and they are all disconnected from our party, he added. Former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Snyder said Democrats lost momentum due a lack of authentic presence on the ground in key states. Were taking some for granted, and were not investing in places, say, for instance, like rural America in the South, where we know there are battles to be won. And so we opened up the playbook of just sort of what weve done before, he told the virtual audience. Sure, we saw a lot of volume on the ground, a lot of doors hit, but how many people from those communities who were knocking doors were actually from that enbloc? How many were actually talking to the neighbors? And did we do enough to recognize that the dynamic on how were dealing with our politics and our campaigns reaching people has also fundamentally changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His proposal to combat retreating visibility is to promote the youth. We need to uplift our youth leaders within the DNC members, Snyder stated. Candidates for the partys vice chair of civic engagement hammered similar points earlier on the call. We have lost young people, we have lost men of color. We have lost the working class, in large part because we are talking at people rather than listening and mobilizing the ways that they are engaging information, former vice chair Michael Blake said. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who is running to be vice chair of civic engagement, echoed concerns about key demographics being left behind amid fledgling election results. She urged the party to re-engage seniors amidst their push to capture the attention of younger voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we also cant forget those who are seniors. We cant forget those who are in our territories. We cant forget those who are Democrats abroad, because we know what happens if we dont train and educate people on not only how they should vote, but the process, she said. At the beginning of the call, she flagged concerns with the rapid spread of misinformation and new voter suppression efforts in states across the country. We look at the 60,000 votes being held in North Carolina right now because of voter suppression of people who tried to vote. We need an avenue as the DNC to be able to tell people what to look out for, how to handle these problems when they occur, Beatty argued. Collectively Democrats sounded a raging alarm for internal changes heading into the 2026 election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are winning elections on the margins. It doesnt take big numbers. It takes one community at a time, one conversation at a time, and weve got to get back to doing that as Democrats, stated Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), a vice chair candidate. It should mean going out and talking to voters, and thats exactly what were going to continue to do and elevate when Im your next vice chair of civic engagement and voter participation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jan. 11Don't be so blue it's not a red state yet. That was Democrats' message Saturday morning to about 70 supporters who gathered in front of the Roundhouse under a flag at half-mast for President Jimmy Carter. "For my fellow submariner and president if you could just give him a moment of silence, please," said Beach Beauchamp, a Cold War-era veteran and the main organizer for the Not Going Back Freedom Rally, thrown by the Democratic Party of Santa Fe County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speakers were a mix of elected officials and advocates who focused on defining a new Democratic approach in the wake of losses in the November election and President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in a little more than a week. Some common points were maintaining hope within the party, forward-looking policy and despite the largely older crowd youth involvement. "Do not let them try to take our patriotism from us," Beauchamp said. "Because we are true Americans. My motivation for organizing this event is deeply personal. My son and his fiancee, both active-duty Air Force, are our future." Freedom and the armed forces were common themes throughout the rally. "Isn't it just a great place to live?" asked Henry Roybal, chairman of the county Democratic Party. "Not only in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but also in the United States of America, where we're free, and we have our own independence, and we can make choices when we need to." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roybal's father, Henry Isidro Roybal, a Vietnam veteran, died at the beginning of the year. "I think we need to speak with people with a different perspective," Roybal said. "We need to remind ourselves of the sacrifices that have been made in order for our country to be free." Speaker Cam Crawford was one of the youngest in attendance. Crawford is a firefighter and substitute teacher who is heavily involved with Young Democrats of New Mexico. "I'm 23 years old, and I still have a lot of life left to live," he said. "I don't really have any other choice but to be hopeful. There are 2 million New Mexicans who are counting on us to stay engaged. They can't afford for us to roll over and play dead just because we lost a close election. There's too much at stake." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford talked about the bright spots for Democrats, such as Vice President Kamala Harris winning more than 70% of the vote in Santa Fe County, the electoral victories of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Gabe Vasquez and the election this year of the first-ever majority female state Legislature. "Even though we lost a really close election, we're not going to cry over spilled milk. We're going to keep going and push forward," Crawford said. Crawford discussed past Democratic policy wins in New Mexico such as legalizing cannabis and legal protections for abortion rights and hoped-for future ones, such as expanding Medicaid eligibility, holding the oil and gas industry accountable for wells and improved clean air and water regulations. "I just got off a 72-hour shift at the fire department," he said. "So take a break from this national fire that we're all on. And then come back into the fight whenever you're ready because we need you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Tara Lujan, D-Santa Fe, called Crawford "the future." "We need more people," she said. "We need more youth. We need more voices like him." The call to action for youth was a message repeated often, despite the small number of them at the rally. "It's probably because as young people, we're doing, like, two or three different jobs, so priorities are shifted," said Kai Torres, 31, who was invited by Crawford to the event. "Some of these older people are ... retired," she said, "so they're able to do these events more." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grace Mayer, former president of Santa Fe's teachers union, came wearing two signs, one reading "Affordable housing for teachers," and the other "Rent control" . "We can't get young people to come and stay here because they can't live here," Mayer said. "Rents are anywhere from, like, $1,800 to $3,000. If you get a place that's a reasonable $1,200 or $1,500 a month, within three years, they're priced out. So we need to really take a look at it and see what the state and the Legislature can do." Mayer said the city has "opportunities" to increase affordable housing at the midtown campus. "The City Council is just selling us out," she said. "Selling out the middle class for ... somebody to make a buck." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 1 City Councilor Alma Castro spoke about the importance of showing Democrats' strength and unity across ideological lines. "If there's anything that we can do better, it's reach across that aisle, talk to folks and really come to common ground," Castro said. "And there's nothing in this new administration that is going to change that. We know how to be good people. We know how to take the high road, and we will continue to do that." Actor and comedian Deon Cole opened up about a harrowing day amid the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area. The star took to Instagram first on Thursday, revealing a hospital visit, and then on Saturday, sharing a photo and video from his "devastating" day that included time spent in the hospital followed by an evacuation in order to evade approaching wildfires. California fires live updates: 16 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Cole shared a photo on Instagram celebrating his birthday from his hospital bed while being hooked up to wires. "Thank u all for your birthday well wishes. I sure could use them. Thank you all," he wrote. Though he did not specify what put him in the hospital, celebrity friends such as Jamie Foxx commented messages of support on the post. In a separate post on Saturday, Cole elaborated on his weekend, sharing in the caption that he had to evacuate his home as soon as he returned from the hospital as the fires continued to burn through much of the area. "This day is devastating!!!! Left the hospital earlier, sick af, went home, then had to packed what I could to evacuate," he wrote. "As I drove away I seen the fire rising from behind my house, Its a nightmare!!!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video Cole shared shows fire rising in the distance. "Oh my God look at this. That's right over my house. Oh man," he says in the clip. How to talk to kids about natural disasters Cole added that he was evacuating with the flowers his mother passed on to him before she died. He included a photo with the flowers at the beginning of the post. The number of confirmed deaths from the fires stayed at 16 on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, and many more are injured. As of Sunday, several fires remained burning across the city and more than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders. Deon Cole details 'devastating' day, from hospitalization to evacuation amid wildfires originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Around 20% of eight to 16 year olds in the UK had a probable mental health disorder in 2023, according to NHS statistics. This is up from 12.5% in 2017. At the same time, a 2024 report from the Children's Commissioner for England found that more than a quarter of a million children were not able to access the mental health support they need. Some have questioned whether we are dealing with a "genuine" mental health crisis or a different problema lack of resilience in children and young people. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, and higher resilience is linked to lower rates of mental ill-health in young people. But the evidence around exactly what role resilience plays in mental health paints a more complex picture. What we do know is there are skills and actions that children can be taught to improve their mental well-being. But there's also a good argument for not ignoring other root causes of children's health problems. Resilience often comes up in mental health discussions as a response to possible over-pathologisingthe tendency to interpret even mild signs of distress or sadness as symptoms of mental illness. This in turn could undermine young people's resilience because they are not able to differentiate between normal variation in human emotions and mental ill-health. While the research evidence of over-pathologising in young people is limited, it has been suggested that it might be a side-effect of increased mental health awareness education and campaigns. While such efforts reduce stigma around mental health, they may have increased the perception that disclosing issues with mental health is socially desirable. A more balanced approach to mental health in education and society should teach young people both about symptoms of mental ill health to reduce stigma and about the normal range of emotions. This could involve noticing emotions without reacting to themthe non-judgmental awareness of emotionsand emotion labeling, since naming emotions we experience decreases their intensity. This may in turn enhance resilience. But resilience can be misinterpreted as the need to be more "tough." This could lead to excessive reliance on strategies such as emotion suppressionputting on a brave faceto manage emotions and this could undermine mental health. Society and mental health Robust research shows that social factors, particularly poverty and discrimination, lead to poor mental health. Indeed, in the 2023 NHS survey, rates of probable mental health disorders were much higher in UK children whose parents didn't have enough funds to support their children's out-of-school activities. Focusing on resilience as a solution to the mental health crisis risks shifting responsibility for mental health onto those affected, rather than calling out and changing policies and systems contributing to poor mental health. The impact of global crises, including climate change, is another example of this. The NHS survey found that over half of young people aged 17-25 reported feeling worried about the climate crisis. Claiming that children and teenagers should just be more resilient can distract from the responsibility adults face to take climate action. Similarly, problematic social media use may undermine young people's mental health. Social media content may celebrate the achievement of extrinsic goals, which rely on the approval of others: fame, wealth and beauty. Research has linked a focus on extrinsic goals to poor mental health. Teenagers may be particularly vulnerable to the addiction-like effects of social media due to normal developmental changes in their brains. Clearly, the solution here needs to include more than enhancing resilience in young people. It requires action from social media companies, too. Overlapping approaches What's more, mental ill-health prevention involves much more than resilience. It's tempting to think that we have found the one approach, in this case resilience, that could shift the mental health crisis. But resilience closely overlaps with other mental health concepts and approaches. These include self-regulationthe ability to manage our thoughts, emotions and behavior. For example, resilience and self-regulation are often fostered by the same approachesthe development of social-emotional skills or mindfulness training. And if we look at the brain activity linked to resilience and self-regulation, we find close overlaps there too. Instead of relying on a single concept or approach, we should focus on the key skills underpinning mental health and well-being shared across different approaches. These skills include fostering emotional awareness, as well as the ability to manage ruminationrepeated negative thoughts about past eventsand reactivity to emotions. Building connections is important, as well as cultivating gratitude and awe. Our well-being is also boosted by taking action that benefits others and finding wholesome meaning and purpose in life. All of these skills can protect mental health and well-being. For effective prevention, we need to start thinking about mental health skills in the same way we are thinking about fostering math and reading skills. Similarly, acquisition of mental health skills requires time, careful scaffolding, continuity, repetition and lots of practice. This should be reflected in Ofsted assessments and much more comprehensive and clearer guidance on mental health curricula grounded in robust research. Poor mental health can undermine young people's academic outcomes and their lifelong prospects. It is time to recognize that piecemeal approaches, such as a focus on resilience, are just pieces of the puzzle. They are not the much needed transformational solutions to the mental health crisis. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Crime is down in Baltimore, but concerns about it still pervade the congregation of Southern Baptist Church in Broadway East, the sanctuarys pastor says. People are talking about crime and the ethos of the lack of safety, Bishop Donte L. Hickman Sr. said. For people that come out, whether its in the day or in the night, (they) dont feel safe. Historic declines in homicides and nonfatal shootings in Baltimore drove violent crime down overall in the city by 3% in 2024, compared to 2023, and 1% over 2022. Property crime, which includes burglaries and thefts, dropped 19% compared to 2023, although the figure is still 16% greater than in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The perception is that its the same, Hickman said. Quite frankly, Ive had members of my church of all ages that have necessitated us to pay for security personnel to have them come to church. So why dont some city residents feel any safer? The publics perception of crime can be influenced by a variety of factors, according to experts who study the issue. Whether its news media giving disproportionate attention to crime or someones lived experience, residents feelings about public safety are unlikely to align with statistics. When people are thinking about what leads or contributes to their fear of crime, for some people maybe its shaped by word of mouth, but its also what people see and experience in different neighborhoods, said Demar F. Lewis IV, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at University of Maryland, College Park. He and his colleagues have conducted a study in which they surveyed more than 90 Black Baltimoreans and found that most respondents perceptions were based on what they see and experience in day-to-day life, which depended on where they lived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were neighborhoods that saw precipitous declines in violent crime, like South Baltimores Brooklyn community, which saw an approximately 30% decrease in violence in 2024 compared to the year prior. But violence remained stubbornly high in others, like Penn North, which averaged 11 violent crimes per 100 residents in 2023 and 2024. A member of the Penn North Community Association, who asked not to be identified out of concerns for their safety, said theyve recognized progress in the police departments response to crime, but that bad actors from all over the city are conducting criminal activity, like dealing drugs, in their community. The police department, especially our neighborhood coordinating officer, theyre keeping it lower than what it used to be, the community association member said. This is something that comes up at the community meetings. The police are doing the best job they can to clean it up, but theyre still out there. Houses in Penn North once owned by Black longshoremen were left vacant when they died and their children left the community, creating blight where crime can proliferate. But the community association member said they expect improvements as investment continues to pour into the community, including a new recreation center and blight remediation initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre slowly rebuilding the neighborhood, the community association member said. Violence traumatizes the community Erricka Bridgeford of Baltimore Peace Movement, formerly Baltimore Ceasefire, said residents are likely swayed by many years of persistently high levels of violence. In 2023, Baltimore recorded fewer than 300 killings for the first time in eight years. There have been many more hundreds of nonfatal shootings each year, not to mention the numerous assaults, robberies and carjackings that happen each year. That level of trauma, you begin to believe whatever your experience is, said Bridgeford, who lost her brother to violence. Its hard for you to believe it if its not what youve personally seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homicides and nonfatal shootings havent impacted Southeast Baltimore to the extent they have other parts of the city, said Arch McKown, safety committee chairperson of Patterson Park Neighborhood Association. But he says his community has been afflicted of late with violent crimes of opportunity like carjackings and robberies. Its a person whos a stranger to them whos come to take something from them through force or threat of force. I think that has a chilling effect on the victim. It traumatizes the family. It also traumatizes the community, McKown said. People dont perseverate on the, Oh my god, is this the murder capital? McKown added. Its in the back of peoples minds. But really when youre talking about visitors to Baltimore, its the violent crimes of opportunity that freak people out. McKown said property crimes like package theft and larceny from cars also drive dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of neighbors tell me they feel violated when those crimes happen to them. Even though theyre not physically hurt, or traumatized from the violence of it, they feel violated, McKown said. Its enough of an impetus where people say: We could move out to the suburbs where package theft isnt a thing. At a recent community association potluck, McKown said, crime remained on residents minds. I cant tell you how many people came up to me and said: Whats going on with the crime? and Is it safe to walk? McKown said. I think people should be aware that its a thing but I think that you can mitigate a lot of it personally if you take the steps to be safer when youre out and about. And most of that is just being situationally aware. Benn Ray, president of the Hampden Village Merchants Association and owner of Atomic Books, believes theres a distinction in crime perception between people who live in Baltimore and those who reside in its suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many who call the city home, Ray said, Its not something that we live in constant fear and concern about. But outside of Baltimore, he said, its to a point where you can have crime taking place in Baltimore County or any of the other counties and most of the people who live outside the city, somewhere in their mind, are blaming the city for it. A downward tick in crime numbers is great. Were all for it. But its not going to negate those perceptions, Ray said, adding that media stories about crime outweigh the statistics. It immediately undermines any effect those crime numbers have and reinforces those prejudices. Its going to take more than a yearly downtick in crime numbers to overcome that perception. The media drives perceptions of crime Ray and Bridgeford, along with experts, said media particularly local TV stations play an outsized role in shaping peoples perceptions of crime. Research has found that crime coverage dominates local news broadcasts. Hickman, McKown and the Penn North Community Association member each mentioned youth crime as a topic of concern to them and their constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A December study of coverage by media outlets in Baltimore during the first half of 2024, found that the news organizations gave disproportionate coverage to youth crime, providing their audiences with skewed and misleading information. The report by the Sentencing Project a progressive Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit that advocates for ending mass incarceration, looked at a sample of 100 stories taken from the nearly 2,700 stories produced by four TV news stations (WBAL, WBFF, WMAR and WJZ), as well as The Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Banner news site. Of the six media outlets, the report concluded that The Suns content partner, WBFF (FOX45), relative to other news outlets, was much more likely to air sensationalized coverage highlighting youth crime incidents and perceived leniency in the justice system. Christoph Mergerson, assistant professor at the University of Marylands Philip Merrill College of Journalism, said news organizations have since the 19th century covered crime in the most eye-catching way possible. Newspapers and other news organizations, its important for them to cover issues that are of concern to the community, said Mergerson, who teaches journalism history, adding that covering crime could be part of a publications mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flip side of that is that its good business to publish stories that are going to draw public attention. Its good for subscriptions. Its good for advertising revenue, he said. Sometimes news organizations go overboard with that. Giving disproportionate attention to crime in cities with large populations of people of color can have a racialized aspect, Mergerson warned. News organizations have to be careful not to play into those stereotypes not to play into peoples existing fears. Bridgeford believes the media deserves substantial blame for the perception of crime in Baltimore. Quantity-wise, more positive things happen than negative things. But when you turn on the TV or pick up the newspaper, thats not what it looks like, Bridgeford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelonda Stokes, president of the Downtown Partnership, has been trying to draw investors and visitors Downtown, which had the most violent crimes of any neighborhood in 2024 and the third most per capita among neighborhoods with at least 500 residents. Talk of crime permeates all tables, all rooms and it hits us differently depending on your experience, Stokes said, so its up to leaders to put forth a different message. Stokes brother, James Blue III, was shot dead in 2022 in front of a house he was renovating in North Baltimore. I think there is a disconnect in perception and reality. At the same time, if you dont feel safe, then part of it is how do we start to do things to get people to experience the best parts of Baltimore, Stokes said. When we get them here, when we get them beyond what they think is a barrier, they love it. _____ In it together To the victim of an accident at Wornall Road and 102nd Street near the QuikTrip on the evening of Jan. 3: Because a medical condition led to the incident, you might not remember losing control and your car hitting a pole, landing upside down on the busy road. Immediately, people of different skin color, race and ethnicity jumped into action. One young white guy cut the safety belt. Two or three Hispanic teenagers pulled you out of the car and laid you on the cold grass. A Black lady brought a blanket from her car and covered you it was about 35 degrees. A white guy rolled his jersey into a pillow. Another young man ran into the gas station to fetch a fire extinguisher. An off-duty medical technician checked your vitals. Some held your hand and comforted you. In this divided country, it was a heart-warming reaction to an act of God, with the help of human beings of all different walks of life. In this divided nation, there is hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get well soon, sir. - Tej Dasari, Kansas City Thats caring I have an ice storm story worth sharing. My son works in the Northland and lives in the country way south of Lone Jack. After three-plus hours of trying to get home in the storm, he slid off the road for a fifth time less than 3 miles from his home and was stuck. Imagine a fathers feeling of helplessness knowing his only son is stuck in an ice storm with a blizzard and subzero temperatures approaching. After he endured more than an hour of fear I cant imagine, four strangers in two vehicles stopped to see if he was OK. Three were Hispanic. Not only did these four get him out of his vehicle, but the group of three took him all the way home to warmth and safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends, Ive been severely disheartened by the rhetoric of recent years, especially regarding our Black and brown neighbors. Thank you to those people who were angels in the freezing night. I wish I knew who you were. Hispanic, Black, white I dont care. Your human kindness makes me forever grateful for your rescue. It has resurrected a little of my faith in humanity. Thank you. - Gerald Valet, Kansas City Duh, its winter Some TV weather forecasters probably should take a breathalyzer test, considering their prognostication behaviors have gone from elation to overzealous . Midwest natives understand winter is an annual event, and we adjust accordingly: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stock up to be housebound for a week. The municipalities have learned their lessons and start salting, then plowing to keep roads open, as expeditiously as possible. If you want your road plowed quickly, get your vehicles off the streets and let the snow pushing dudes do their job. Theres nothing like watching the Chiefs while youre snowed in and fully supplied with beverages and junk food. - Paul Comerford, Blue Springs Speak up With the possible elevation of Robert Kennedy Jr. to the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where is the outcry from our professional organizations? As a retired nurse, Im concerned that there has been no response from the American Nurses Association, and that the American Medical Society has been similarly silent. Are they afraid to anger the ruling party and self-censoring themselves, as many tech companies have done? (Jan. 7, 8A, Trump has reeled in more than $200M since Nov. 5) I expect better from groups that are dedicated to serving the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Sue Sykes Berry, Kansas City Not unalike? Russian President Vladimir Putin uses military power to try to take over Ukraine. President-elect Donald Trump threatens to use military power to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal. (Jan. 9, 6A, Refusing to sell, Denmark backs US investment in Greenland) Hmm. - Phil Smith, Kansas City Paul Manafort, the Republican consultant and felon who President-elect Donald Trump pardoned in 2020, put together a team of Trump 2024 advisers to try and drum up business advising far-right parties in Europe and South America, according to a report. The New York Times, citing documents and interviews, said Manafort entered talks to work for a billionaire backer of Marine Le Pen, the leader of Frances far-right Rassemblement National, and reached out to potential interests in Ukraine, where his pro-Putin antics put him in the crosshairs of U.S. investigators. A memo pitching the services of Manaforts teamincluding Trumps 2024 co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita and his 2024 pollster Tony Fabriziowas circulated in Kyiv recently, the Times reported, to anxious reception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manafort told the Times that he has been contacted by numerous parties in Ukraine, though said he never submitted a proposal on any matter to anyone in Ukraine. LaCivita said he and Fabrizio are not currently under contract with Manaforts team, adding successful political consultants on both the right and left routinely do political consulting overseas. Manaforts long consulting career has included lobbying on behalf of controversial foreign parties, among them former dictator of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos, former dictator of Zaire Mobutu Sese Seko, and the pro-Russian government of former Prime Minister of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. For his work in the latter case, he was sentenced to 47 months in prison for bank and tax fraud in 2019. Oligarchs who supported Yanukovych showered Manafort with tens of millions of dollars and, after Yanukovychs government collapsed in 2014, he kept ties with them and other Kremlin-friendly agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His indictment came in 2017 as part of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. Another 43 months were tacked on when it was found out that he lied to authorities in violation of a plea agreement. The Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee determined in 2020 that Manaforts connections to people with Russian intelligence ties while he was Trumps campaign manager represented a grave counterintelligence threat. But Manaforts prospects on the global consulting circuit have been revived by Trumps election victory in November, his associates and competitors told the Times. A pitch memo sent to French billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin, who plans to invest $150 million in the next decade in far-right parties in his countryincluding Le Pensoffered to develop a state-of-the-art and multidimensional campaign plan that would target voters and use opposition research to discredit opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sterins associate Arnaud Rerolle told the Times that he held a call with Manafort, whose team agreed to provide the memo. They opted not to sign a contract with his team, however. Manafort may turn to Peru, where the Times said he spoke with a representative of Lima Mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga last month. Aliaga leads the conservative Popular Renewal and is a likely presidential candidate in 2026. Top diplomats from regional countries and the West are gathering in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Sunday to discuss the situation in war-torn Syria, more than a month after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The international gathering began with a meeting between Arab foreign ministers and their Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, the Saudi state television al-Ekhbariya reported. Their talks are set to be followed by an Arab-international meeting, the broadcaster added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreign ministers from Syria's neighbouring countries - Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon - as well as those of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, have arrived in Riyadh to attend the talks, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported. Syria's interim foreign minister, Hassan al-Shibani, is also present. Top diplomats from Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Spain as well as the EU foreign policy chief, the UN envoy for Syria and a US representative are expected to participate, according to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV. Earlier this week, a spokesman for the German Foreign Office said the conference in Riyadh would follow up on discussions at a meeting held in Jordan in mid-December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had presented an eight-point plan for Syria, which calls for a peaceful transition to a political system that grants rights and representation to all groups in Syrian society as well as addressing the atrocious crimes of the al-Assad regime. During a visit to Syria earlier this month, Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot sought to set clear conditions for European Union support to the country. A loaded oil tanker that lost the ability to manoeuvre in the Baltic Sea near the German island of Rugen has been towed to the city harbour of Sassnitz. The stricken tanker Eventin, loaded with 99,000 tons of oil, was being held in place about five kilometres off the coast by two tugboats on Sunday. The vessel will remain there until a decision is made on next steps, a spokesperson for Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME) said. The ship is watertight and poses no danger to the environment, the CCME added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Eventin, which was built in 2006 and is sailing under a Panamanian flag, was en route from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Egypt's Port Said, according to the ship tracking platform Vesselfinder. The ship is part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" used to export oil despite heavy sanctions on the country, according to a list of Russian-linked vessels compiled by the environmental advocacy organization Greenpeace. The European Union and Britain, among others, have imposed sanctions on Russia's oil industry in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ships in the "shadow fleet" are often outdated and in poor operating condition. The Eventin suffered an engine failure on Friday and was drifting in the Baltic Sea before being secured, according to CCME. The cause of the engine failure remained initially unclear. Its a family affair. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is living in a posh Sutton Place pad across the street from his 93-year-old mother Matilda as he weighs whether hell challenge indicted Eric Adams in this years mayoral race, The Post has learned. Cuomo is registered to vote in a ritzy rental complex on E. 54th Street that as of a year ago was priced at $8,242 a month, according to StreetEasy and city election records. In order to run for mayor, a candidate needs to maintain an address in the five boroughs. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is living in Manhattans posh Sutton Place neighborhood, The Post has learned. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images Cuomo is registered to vote at a rental complex on E. 54th Street. Tupungato stock.adobe.com Also living nearby is the ex-governors sister Maria and her fashion designer hubby, Kenneth Cole, sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomos 1,100-square foot apartment includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms. When Cuomo left the governors mansion in 2021, he dumped his stuff at his sisters place in Westchester, about 14 miles south of where he once lived with ex Sandra Lee, The Post reported at the time. But his sis and Cole put their suburban home on the market for a cool $22 million over the summer and moved to Gotham. Cuomo was spotted voting in Midtown East in October, Page Six reported. Cuomo lives right across the street from his 93-year-old mother Matilda. Aristide Economopoulos The governor is a Queens boy who spent his entire adult life fighting to make life better for New York City residents, said his spokesman Rich Azzopardi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes been living in the Manhattan pad for quite some time and having family close by is certainly a bonus, Azzopardi added. Cuomo resigned as governor amid a slew of harassment allegations, which he strongly denies, and is now mounting a potential political comeback. Azzopardi, however, said talk of Cuomo running for mayor remains premature. Areas around Middle Tennessee saw more snow fall than others Friday after the states first winter storm of 2025 brought significant snow accumulation to the region. Snow totals were anticipated to be between three and six inches, and led to the cancellation of 52% of Nashville's outbound flight schedule Friday. According to the National Weather Service in Nashville, snowfall was recorded from 5.9 inches in Dickson to 3 inches in Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: How much snow fell in Middle TN Friday? See snow totals for Nashville, surrounding areas On Jan. 9, NWS upgraded Middle Tennessees winter storm watch to a warning of severe travel impacts, The Tennessean previously reported. Dangerous road conditions brought on by the snow storm kept the Tennessee Highway Patrol busy, as they "worked around the clock to keep Tennesseans safe" across the state, THP announced on Facebook Saturday evening. Troopers braved the harsh conditions to provide critical support to drivers, clear roadways and respond to emergencies, THP posted on Facebook. THP responded to 648 crashes of which 518 had property damage and 127 involved injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 fatal crashes were reported, according to the release. 1,708 calls were received by THP dispatchers statewide. Dispatchers were provided cots to deliver around the clock service to make sure Tennesseans are safe, THP Major Travis Plotzer said in a video the agency shared on Facebook, titled, Winter Weather Update from THP 1/11/25. Throughout its snowstorm response, Troopers also assisted 874 motorists stranded in the snow. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, THP responds to more than 500,000 calls for service each year. Officials caution motorists traveling in snowy conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorists in need of assistance while traveling in Tennessee should call *THP (*847). Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Highway Patrol responds to 3 fatal crashes in snow storm Candidates vying to lead the Democratic National Committee have found a common enemy: the D.C. consultant. In the first DNC-sanctioned forum in the bodys low-profile race for chair on Saturday, DNC candidates channeled their frustration at the D.C. insiders, whom New York state Sen. James Skoufis vowed to kick to the curb. Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin pledged the D.C. consultants will be gone when Im there. And Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler promised hed go into 2025 with no commitments to anyone who's been on a campaign payroll before. Its a sign of the times for a party that burned through some $1.5 billion in the final months of the campaign, only to come up short against President-elect Donald Trump. As the party still searches for answers to its devastating losses in 2024, consultants became the punching bag while the DNC candidates largely avoided sparring with one another. They all agreed that the party needed to reground its identity with the working class and commit to a permanent campaign infrastructure across the country. But any light attacks of which there were a few came without names attached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturdays forum was the first of four meetings scheduled in January ahead of a Feb. 1 DNC chair election, the first big decision Democrats will make to redefine their party in the second Trump era. Here are five takeaways from the virtual forum: Paging Jaime Harrison The candidates may have spent much of their 90-minute debate attacking D.C., but nearly all of them committed to moving to the capital if elected. Its a question that had been percolating for weeks among DNC members, many of whom have been frustrated by the sitting DNC Chair Jaime Harrisons decision to stay in South Carolina during his tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley said leaders lead from the front, and they have to be present in the center of the circle, while Skoufis, the only sitting elected official running, said he would step down from the New York state Senate because the next DNC chair must be fully committed. But Wikler, who has a young family in Wisconsin, didn't commit to a move. He said he planned to keep a congressional schedule and be in D.C. on a regular basis, but I think there's strength that comes from being in a place where Democrats don't win every election a lot of the time. A mostly white, mostly male field of dudes Across the forums hovering video-conference boxes on YouTube, it was hard to miss: The eight-member field of candidates are mostly white and mostly male. Aside from former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Quintessa Hathaway, the competitors for chair come nowhere close to reflecting the diversity of the larger party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a fact that irks some Democrats that the field is not more reflective of the party as a whole. When you look at our party, and you look at the elected officials who have actually, like, gotten stuff done and accomplished difficult things in difficult states, none of them are involved in this conversation, said Democratic campaign veteran Caitlin Legacki, who cautioned her comments were not targeted at the men in the field but a broader observation. There are no women involved in this conversation. All of our biggest, most high profile pundits are dudes. All of the senators that are writing op-eds about the future of our party are dudes. And then youve got these candidates for DNC are dudes. Shes back Williamson, the bestselling self-help author, is bringing her woo-woo brand of politics to the chairs race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like her 2020 and 2024 bids, she has almost no chance of winning. But at least she makes it interesting. Williamson presented herself as the kind of spiritual healer the party needs, noting that shes worked very up close and personal with people whose lives were in trouble, they were sick and they didn't have health care, they lacked opportunities, educational and economic, and they did not feel seen by the political class. Williamson brandished her iconoclastic bonafides saying that the DNC failed to push a robust primary last year, calling it the biggest mistake that the body made. In the name of saving democracy, she said, we ourselves suppressed democracy. Its the economy, stupid Plenty of lip service was paid to what Democrats broadly believe was one of the core reasons for their electoral downfall last year: the partys economic messaging or lack thereof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMalley pegged Democrats disconnect from Americans kitchen tables as the partys biggest mistake. Wikler lamented that there were millions of Americans who didnt know that we were fighting for working families. And Martin decried voters perceptions that Republicans, not Democrats, best represent the working class a concept he said was only reinforced by Democrats over-performance with wealthy households and college-educated voters as a damning indictment of our party brand. But they werent offering many concrete solutions to bring those voters back to the fold on Saturday a sign that while Democrats have diagnosed a major flaw in their messaging, theyve yet to figure out how to fix it. Thats a major potential problem for the party, with Trump poised to take credit for an economy that began improving under President Joe Biden. OMalley called for the next DNC chair to reassert our dedication to being a party focused on peoples economic security. Martin said the solution lay in year-round organizing in key communities. And Wiklers suggestion for a course-correction: communicate everywhere from conservative media to nontraditional platforms. So much for the resistance. For a party that has spent much of the past decade running explicitly against Trump, the candidates vying to lead the DNC had little to say about the incoming president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Call it a sign of the times. Sure, OMalley closed by saying the next DNC chair needs to take on Trump and save our Republic. And Skoufis repeatedly referenced lessons hes learned from running and winning in a state Senate district Trump easily carried. But as Democrats recalibrate their resistance to Trump to reflect the changed political landscape between his two terms, it appears the people looking to lead the partys next chapter are taking note. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report included an incorrect spelling of New York state Sen. James Skoufis' last name. (NewsNation) The Democratic National Committee held a daylong forum Saturday featuring face-offs between candidates seeking leadership positions. The eight people vying for the position of chair were featured last and while there was no clear winner, there was definitely a loser: the consultant class of Washington, D.C. The virtual event was the first of four planned forums and candidates saved their sharpest critiques not for each other but rather for the well-paid D.C. consultants that the Democratic Party has often relied on in elections. After Novembers disappointing results that left Democrats locked out of power in the White House, Senate and House, it seems clear that no matter who wins, Democratic leadership will look elsewhere to achieve success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californians contend with looting, price gouging, insurance issues All of the candidates agree that means looking to the states and territories and working with people on the ground to build up the local parties, and compete in races up and down the ballot, in red states and blue states, as well as urban and rural areas. Perhaps most remarkable about this forum was how much agreement existed among the candidates. Theres consensus about what needs to be done: organize everywhere, change the messaging and branding of the Democratic Party, be inclusive of all voters, be authentic and respectful, and of course, ditch those D.C. consultants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any substantial difference between the candidates comes down to their experience, which appears to be informing the strategies they plan on employing to achieve success. Those who are experienced organizers, like Wisconsin Dems Chair Ben Wikler and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, are calling for permanent campaigns and year-round outreach and organizing. Wikler talked about building a nationwide war room that is on offense along with reaching voters through both conservative and progressive media and speaking to folks who are not tuned into politicspeople who are paying attention to YouTube and podcasts and Tiktok. House Republicans face massive debt problem Martin is not just focused on organizing for the next presidential election. And with this forum focused on the southern region, he noted that his leadership would reject southern political disinvestment and that we cant just focus on one election cycle Our party needs to start preparing for the next 10 years, and thats going to be critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who have or currently hold elected office, their strategies are rooted more in their electoral success. Former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley points to his success in that role as well as his prior experience as a mayor and most recently as commissioner of the Social Security Administration. He said his experience is what the DNC needs, that of a change maker, a national leader who can take on Donald Trump. NY State Senator James Skoufis cited his experience winning in a plus-12 Trump district as evidence he knows how to reach these voters. He said, folks who voted for me and voted for Donald Trump, they voted that way because of authenticity. And so weve got to get back to that as a national Democratic Party. Other candidates have experience in Democratic politics, including the spiritual-wellness guru, Marianne Williamson, who recently ran for president. She said that she would spend her time as chair focused on talking to Americans but would leave the organizing strategy to one of the other candidates who she would ask to help her. The chair will be chosen at the DNCs winter meeting Feb. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) A fire broke out at a home in East Cleveland late Friday, firefighters confirmed, with flames raging through the roof. East Cleveland firefighters, and first responders from nearby cities, arrived at the 1600 block of Bryn Mawr Road around 9 p.m. after reports of an active house fire. Small comfort: Bette Midler shares video of a family singing after home decimated by LA fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It reportedly took about 2 and a half hours to extinguish the fire, with the wind and cold temperatures not helping matters. Firefighters said a dog was rescued from the second floor balcony and that no people or animals were injured in the blaze. Photo via East Cleveland Firefighters IAFF Local 500/Facebook Its not yet clear what led to the fire or how much damage the property sustained. See more photos from the fire right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Donald Trump believes that he and Barack Obama "probably do" like each other. The president-elect, 78, spoke at a Mar-a-Lago meeting with Republican governors on Thursday, Jan. 9 about his interaction with the former president, 63, during Jimmy Carter's state funeral earlier that day. Trump and Obama were among the five living U.S. presidents and all but one first lady who reunited to honor the life and legacy of Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. There, the pair was filmed smiling and chatting with each other during the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to Fox News's Peter Doocy at his Florida resort, Trump said, in a clip uploaded by Forbes, that his interaction with Obama "did look very friendly." "I didn't realize it, how friendly it looked," he said. "I saw it on your wonderful network, just a little while ago, before I came in. And I said, 'Boy, they look like two people [who] like each other.' And we probably do." Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Barack Obama and Donald Trump speak at Jimmy Carter's state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025 Barack Obama and Donald Trump speak at Jimmy Carter's state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025 Related: Donald Trump and Mike Pence Shake Hands During First Interaction in Nearly 4 Years "We have a little different philosophies, right? But we probably do," Trump added. "I don't know, we just got along." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump then stated that he "got along with just about everybody" there, referencing the other attendees at Carter's service, including current President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. "You know, we met backstage before we went on. And I thought it was a beautiful service," Trump continued. "But we all got along very well, which is good." Trump did not initially stand to greet Obama at the service, though the pair ended up engaging in conversation while seated next to each other. Obama recently spoke out against Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign, when he rallied for Harris, 60. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Getty Scene from Jimmy Carter's state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025 Scene from Jimmy Carter's state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025 Related: Donald Trump Says Gulf of Mexico Will Now Be Called 'Gulf of America.' Congress Is Already Prepping Legislation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere during the service, Bush, 78, shared a light-hearted moment with his successor when he gave Obama a friendly tap on the belly while heading toward his seat. During the state funeral, Obama was seated between Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, and Trump and his wife, Melania Trump. Michelle Obama was absent from Carter's service. Her spokesperson told PEOPLE at the time that she "sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former President." Carter, the longest-living former president in U.S. history who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981 died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Read the original article on People DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (PIX11) Macys is set to close five New York City locations over the next three months as part of its nationwide cutbacks. Of course, Macys Herald Square wont be affected, but the Macys department store in Downtown Brooklyn that is beloved by so many longtime Brooklynites will be shuttered. More Local News Im very sad because I have been shopping here since I was a little girl, said Elizabeth Martin, a Macys shopper. I used to come with my parents and grandparents, so its a sad moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building has been on Fulton Street since 1885 when it was first the Abraham & Straus department store, otherwise known as A&S. But now it is on the list of 66 Macys stores across the country deemed underproductive that will be closing in the first quarter of 2025. Macys to close multiple stores in New York City in 2025 There were no mannequins or clothing displays in the large front windows, with few shoppers on the main floor inside for a Saturday afternoon. There was just one sign saying that the Macys location was closing, but customers can still go to the Kings Plaza Macys in Marine Park miles and miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will miss it, said Shirley Powell, a longtime Macys shopper. To many retail experts, the closing of the Fulton Street Macys is not surprising. Smart shopping expert Trae Bodge said it is more about the legacy store not keeping up with the times than it is about its location in Downtown Brooklyn. Retailers need to be innovative right now, offer something consumers cant get online, said Bodge, the smart shopping expert at truetrae.com. Retailers need to focus on the indoor experience. There are 200 stores in the area and lots of restaurants. The stores that are closing are the problem. More than 200 Macys employees in the Downtown Brooklyn store will be losing their jobs, something Lincoln Restler, the areas New York City Council member, is concerned about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im relieved the new ownership intends to maintain a retail use in this space, and we will do our best to help the workers transition to new opportunities, Restler said. The exact closing date for the Macys store hasnt been announced, and shoppers are hoping for some very big sales before then. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles and left countless families homeless are also impacting the horse racing community in the city. Dan Blacker, the British-born Breeders Cup-winning trainer based at Santa Anita in Los Angeles, has spoken about how dreadful the situation is. Blacker, the son of British former jockey turned sculptor Philip Blacker, was evacuated from his home on the Pasadena-Altadena border on Tuesday along with his wife, Christina, a presenter on the US racing channel FanDuel, and their children. The house remains intact but without power or water so they continue to be housed by friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez, who still rides, was not so lucky. Gutierrez, who won Americas most prestigious race at Churchill Downs on Ill Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016, was one of many thousands to lose his house in the Eaton fire, which burned 1,400 acres north of the Santa Anita track. Remarkably, air quality remains well within the legal limits for racing and training resumed at the track, which has not been threatened so far, on Thursday, but racing was cancelled this weekend as the car parks are being used for the relief efforts by a local electricity company and various charities. Aidan Butler, the former Birmingham bookmaker who is president of 1/ST, which owns Santa Anita, described it as a basecamp for those efforts. LA's Santa Anita racetrack now serves as a fire relief hub, with donation efforts relocated there. Sky's David Blevins describes it as "a refugee camp on the edge of a warzone."https://t.co/FKvdBh7Gha pic.twitter.com/oLvrlRcY4o Sky News (@SkyNews) January 11, 2025 It was about six on Tuesday evening and I was having supper with the kids when I got a text from a neighbour saying the mountain was on fire, said Blacker, who, 12 years after starting out at Santa Anita, won the Breeders Cup Sprint with the Johnny Velazquez-ridden Straight No Chaser at Del Mar in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in the foothills. I went out into the backyard, saw that it really was on fire and told the children to pack their overnight bags. Some generous friends have put us up for the last few days. Thankfully our house is not affected but many in the area have burned down. Its just chance. There are houses burned down but houses completely intact on either side. Its cruel and random. Its mostly been caused by the Santa Ana winds coming off the desert. We always get them at this time of year but this time they were something different, they were bringing down 100-year-old trees and knocking over power lines which sparked, which is generally how the fires started. Then the wind whipped up the embers, one would catch under a roof and the house would go up. He added: Weve been so lucky. So many have lost everything. Its dreadful and everyone in the racing community is feeling that at the moment. For the time being the winds have died down and the fire department is gradually getting control, but the Eaton fire is still burning. Its not over yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frankie Dettori, who moved to Pasadena in Los Angeles to continue his career in the US just over a year ago, was in Las Vegas when the fires started breaking out and flew back to LA on Thursday. Theres just devastation everywhere, he told The Sun. You can see it nearby and when youre coming into the airport, so many houses have burned down. We consider ourselves lucky because we are on the south side of the freeway, so it never reached us. Im just so sorry for the people that have lost their homes, it must have been terrifying. Sending lots of love from here in Santa Anita, California. pic.twitter.com/xZrBLxOynk Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) January 11, 2025 Up to 1,800 horses are stabled in the backstretch at Santa Anita. In 2017, a wildfire swept through the San Luis Rey Downs training centre near Bonsall in California, killing 46 of the 500 horses housed there. In trying to save her star horse, one trainer, Martine Bellocq, suffered third-degree burns to 60 per cent of her body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 260 horses were evacuated to Del Mar racecourse 35 miles away, and another 60 to an equine rehoming centre. The centre has since reopened with a sprinkler installed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have pointed out that the deployment of large North Korean assault groups in the war against Ukraine alongside Russian forces, coupled with frequent Ukrainian drone strikes, is likely resulting in substantial losses for North Korea. Source: ISW Details: Ukrainian forces have reportedly taken their first North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia's Kursk Oblast. On 9 January, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) announced that Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) had captured one North Korean soldier, with a second prisoner being seized by Ukrainian airborne assault troops in the area shortly thereafter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SSU reported that Ukrainian authorities are collaborating with South Korean intelligence to communicate with the prisoners of war, as they do not speak English, Russian or Ukrainian. One of the POWs was found to be in possession of a Russian military ID card from the Republic of Tuva, a federal subject of the Russian Federation, which was reportedly issued to him by Russian authorities in the autumn of 2024. The prisoner said that he had received just one week of training on coordination with Russian forces before being sent to combat, and he believed he was going to Russia for training, not to fight in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it is common for Russian or North Korean forces to kill wounded North Korean soldiers in order to conceal their involvement in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from ISW: "North Korean forces are reportedly deploying large assault groups to combat operations despite frequent Ukrainian drone strikes, which is likely contributing to North Korea's high casualty rates and will likely affect the lessons that the North Korean military command will learn from fighting in the war." Details: The Washington Post reported on 11 January that North Korean forces fighting in Kursk Oblast are launching attacks in large groups, supported by Russian artillery and drones, in contrast to Russian troops, who typically operate in smaller units. North Korean soldiers are also reported to be disregarding Ukrainian drone strikes and continuing their advance despite being targeted by drones. The Washington Post noted that Russian troops are following North Korean forces to "stabilise the gains," but a Ukrainian soldier operating in Kursk Oblast stated that communication issues between Russian and North Korean troops may be hindering Russian efforts to secure new positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian soldier also mentioned that in December 2024, North Korean forces launched an assault with 400 to 500 troops, during which they outnumbered the Ukrainian forces by six to one. A reported shortage of ammunition forced Ukrainian troops to retreat after eight hours of fighting, suggesting that North Korean forces rely on overwhelming numbers to advance despite employing poor tactics. Quote: "ISW continues to assess that North Korea's ability to learn and integrate lessons from fighting alongside Russian forces will likely be significantly degraded if the Russian military command uses North Korean troops in highly attritional infantry-led assaults in similar or greater sizes than it conducts with most Russian personnel. North Korean forces' inability or refusal to learn to effectively counter drones will also affect the lessons they can learn from the war." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 11 January: Ukrainian forces reportedly captured the first North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) in Kursk Oblast. North Korean forces are reportedly deploying large assault groups to combat operations despite frequent Ukrainian drone strikes, which is likely contributing to North Korea's high casualty rates and will likely affect the lessons that the North Korean military command will learn from fighting in the war. Russian leader Vladimir Putin maintains his maximalist pre-war demands to isolate Ukraine and weaken NATO and reportedly aims to enforce these demands in any possible talks with Western leaders about ending the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces may have conducted a drone strike against an oil refinery in the Republic of Tatarstan on 11 January, but details of the possible strike remain unclear at this time. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! The morning after Election Day last year, Melanie Claros, a civics teacher and ESL coordinator at a South Florida school where half the students are Latino, found herself having to do a job beyond her usual duties. By the end of the day, she recently told NBC News, more than two dozen students had separately approached her to ask about changes to immigration enforcement ahead of another Donald Trump presidency. Are they going to deport all of us now? Who is going to get deported first? she recalled students asking her during class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concerns have not abated since then, Claros said, noting she knows of at least one student who has already stopped showing up to school for immigration-related reasons. I am very suspicious that we will have [more] kids that will be withdrawn or just stop showing up to school, she said. Claros is one of several educators across six states who told NBC News they have found themselves in the uncomfortable position of fielding questions about potential mass deportations under the Trump administration. Many teachers and administrators are aware of a variety of scenarios that could start playing out very soon: immigration officials asking about a student; a kid who leaves school for the day only to discover that their parents have been detained and no one is home to care for them; students worried about deportation who simply stop coming to class. Educators and advocates say they feel they have to be prepared for these situations, but they are also keenly aware of the risk of backlash that can come with talking about a political issue like this publicly. This dilemma has left teachers like Claros in disbelief. A sign in a Denver-area public school. She became a teacher knowing shed have to talk about civics, she said, but I never in a million years thought that they [students] would ask me and have fears about immigration.Supporters of Trumps plans for mass deportations say an increase in immigration enforcement is necessary to decrease the incidence of crime committed by migrants and deter individuals from illegally crossing the border in record numbers. However, critics say theyre concerned about the possibility of family separations and widespread fear among certain communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several educators told NBC they feel its in a communitys best interest that kids, regardless of legal status, have the opportunity to go to school. Jasmin Baxter leads the communications office in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, school district, which has a significant English-learner population. She said the district is committed to making sure all students feel supported. You come to school, youre supposed to feel safe at school. Those outside factors youre not supposed to be thinking about while youre getting an education, Baxter said. But that doesnt mean its been easy for school districts to answer questions from families on immigration or talk about what theyre doing to prepare for possible mass deportations. It definitely is tricky for us to talk about it, said one assistant principal in California who asked that their name not be used so they could talk freely about the issue. Because even if it is like, Here is how we support our students, wed be getting pushback from families and community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viridiana Carrizales, co-founder of the nonprofit organization ImmSchools, says shes also seen reluctance from schools to be seen seeking out information on immigration and what to do in the event of an encounter with federal officials. Many of them are saying the moment we put our names out there, we become a target, she said. Despite this, in the days following the election, ImmSchools received messages from 37 schools it hadnt previously worked with asking about training opportunities and information for their staff, she said. Just before Christmas, the organization also held a virtual training session with 29 superintendents about how to prepare for any immigration raids or deportations that affect their student populations. [Schools] are really afraid and they are trying to figure out ways to best support families through this, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Educators are also expecting students to begin disappearing from their classrooms altogether, as Claros has already seen happening in her school. Parents may be nervous about being separated from their children if either are detained, or think that their childs presence in school could lead to authorities learning they are in the country without authorization. In Michigan, ESL teacher Karen Iglesias said shes heard students ask if they are going to get deported and had parents tell her theyre scared to drive to their kids school. Cinthya Longoria, an elementary school teacher in north Texas, says shes trying her best to support parents who feel anxious about the future as she remains uncertain about her own. Longoria is currently a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary legal protection against removal for some immigrants brought to the U.S. without documentation as children. She recently had a parent ask her for reassurance that their family would be OK under the new administration, she said. I just told her I hope so, Longoria said. Because I couldnt tell her yes. Thats when I told her I was a DACA recipient. At that moment, that was the only thing that I could tell her without being dishonest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal laws prohibit schools from denying students free public education based on immigration status and regulate the disclosure of students personal information. Those laws, in addition to Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure, are meant to serve as safeguards for undocumented families concerned about enrolling their kids into schools, experts say. Taken together, these are a fairly robust set of protections against immigration enforcement actions against students in school, especially where the school district is committed to protecting its noncitizen students, said Nayna Gupta, policy director for the nonprofit American Immigration Council. Under current policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement generally steers clear of areas where people receive public services, including schools, hospitals and churches. But under the Trump administration, this sensitive locations or protected areas policy is slated to go away, three people familiar with the plan to end it previously told NBC News. Denver Public Schools in Colorado and the Canutillo Independent School District in Texas both issued statements about the possible policy change, emphasizing the need to have disruption-free learning. Several educators told NBC News theyve been hearing questions from students and their parents about the incoming Trump administration and its immigration and deportation plans. This isnt the first time schools have found themselves at the center of immigration issues. In 2019, during the first Trump administration, a series of ICE raids resulted in the arrest of about 700 workers from seven Mississippi food processing plants. As a result, district officials told NBC News at the time, local organizations and schools had to find safe spaces for children to go in the absence of their parents. One Mississippi school district said it had instructed bus drivers to ensure that they saw a parent or guardian present at the time a child was being dropped off if not, they brought the child back to school to spend the night there.This history has shaped the way some advocacy groups and educators are now preparing families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Tucson, Arizona, a coalition of nonprofits is helping families make emergency packets containing key information in case a parent is detained or deported, including a power of attorney for guardianship, emergency contacts and instructions about how to talk to children about who will be responsible for them in their parents absence. The assistant principal in California told NBC News she and some of her colleagues have even offered up their homes. We have spoken to families that have come forward about their status and have made it clear that their child can stay with one of us if their family were to be deported as an option for them, she said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced charges against an ex-felon in a $7.3 million Medicaid fraud scheme. On Wednesday, Ellisons office announced it had charged Chavis Willis, 46, with racketeering and five felony counts of theft by swindle. According to an investigation by Ellisons office, Willis defrauded the Medicaid program out of $7.3 million through 1-0 Grannys Helpful Hands LLC. The business claimed to provide services to Medicaid recipients in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ellisons charges allege that Willis billed for services that were never provided. Willis had also previously been convicted of aiding and abetting second-degree murder, barring him from owning, managing or operating a Medicaid-funded business, according to Ellisons office. While Grannys was owned by Willis mother on paper, the investigation found that Willis controlled all of its operations. Willis had reportedly forged his mothers signature on documents and impersonated her in phone calls and other communication with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Willis also impersonated his mother on a call with jail staff to ensure a biller who had been jailed for a prior identity theft conviction could continue to work for Grannys on a work release. The bill, who was in a romantic relationship with Willis, has since pled guilty to felony theft by false representation for her role in the scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When criminals defraud Medicaid, they are stealing money that should be providing healthcare to folks who are struggling financially, Ellison said in a statement. My office has a long record of success in holding Medicaid fraudsters accountable for cheating taxpayers and people in need, and we will keep doing so. With Trump's inauguration fast approaching, more details about DOGE have emerged. Musk, who Trump tapped to co-lead DOGE, may become a "special government employee." SGEs have less stringent ethics rules to a degree compared to regular federal employees. With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office next week, a key detail has emerged regarding the Department of Government Efficiency, the forthcoming commission that Tesla CEO Elon Musk will co-lead alongside businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Some DOGE staffers who are expected to work unpaid for six months before returning to their more lucrative jobs would be classified as "special government employees," and Musk could be among them, The New York Times reported. A special government employee is an individual who can be paid or unpaid and is categorized as a temporary worker. The federal government can employ that individual for no more than 130 days amid a consecutive 365-day span. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The designation is significant because special government employees who are generally brought in to offer outside expertise to the federal government are subject to more limited conflict of interest rules compared to regular federal employees. When Trump tapped Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, to co-lead DOGE, government watchdogs, and some Democratic politicians questioned how he could handle such a role given potential conflicts of interest involving SpaceX, Tesla, and X. Musk's omnipresence within Trump's political orbit in recent months has only reinforced those concerns. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts sent a letter to Trump's transition team asking if the tech executive would adhere to conflict-of-interest rules in his forthcoming role. "Putting Mr. Musk in a position to influence billions of dollars of government contracts and regulatory enforcement without a stringent conflict of interest agreement in place is an invitation for corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes," Warren wrote at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country or merely good for his own bottom line," she added. Musk in 2024 spent over $250 million to help send Trump back to the White House and aid other GOP candidates in their respective races. Business Insider reached out to Trump's transition team for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider DES MOINES, Iowa Founded to help educators at the beginning of their careers, Emerging Educators Academy celebrated 10 years on Saturday. The group gathered at Drake University on Saturday to celebrate 10 years and hear from the National and Iowa Teacher of the Year. Ann Mincks, the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year and the Committee Chair for Emerging Educators Academy, says the opportunity to come together and learn from each other is vital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year the committee tailors their discussion and breakout sessions to target and meet the needs of new teachers. Weve kind of identified some trends, things that newer teachers always ask for, said Mincks. So, a lot of that has to do with just building relationships with students, kind of thinking about how to set up your classroom. Marshalltown mayor to recount inspirational story behind first African-American graduate Emerging Educators also acts as a support group for teachers at any stage of their career, allowed people to address problems and seek out solutions. I just love learning from all of the amazing teachers across the state that have kind of led this process before, said Mincks. I also enjoy talking to all the new teachers and kind of getting that excitement and seeing what theyre looking forward to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is always room for improvement and growth within the teaching community, so Emerging Educators continues reaching out throughout the year. In the spring, were going to have a series of webinars each month for topics that teachers requested today, said Mincks. So, well be following up with new teachers across the state so they can join our webinar series in the spring. Mincks says that teaching can be hard but by coming together to work through problems and empower young educators, they are building a stronger teaching community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz said he expects President-elect Donald Trump will establish relationships "in the coming months" that will lead to an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking Sunday on ABC's "This Week," Waltz said, "From President Trump's perspective, you can't enter a deal if you don't have some type of relationship and dialog with the other side. And we will absolutely establish that in the coming months." On Thursday, Trump said a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was being arranged. "He has said that even publicly and we have to get that war over with. That's a bloody mess," the president-elect said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Host Jonathan Karl asked Waltz if the meeting would just be Trump and Putin, or whether it might also include President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. "We haven't set the exact framework for it yet. We're working on that," Waltz said. Trump said repeatedly during the campaign that he would be able to end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day in office, or even earlier that that. More recently, Keith Kellogg, Trump's pick to be a special peace envoy, set a longer timeline for ending the war. "I would set it at 100 days, Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general, told Fox News on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Waltz said it was clear Ukraine would not be able to drive Russia all the way out of its territory. "Everybody knows that this has to end somehow diplomatically," he said. "I just don't think it's realistic to say we're going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil, even Crimea. President Trump has acknowledged that reality, and I think it's been a huge step forward that the entire world is acknowledging that reality. Now let's move forward." Waltz, a Republican member of Congress from Florida, said that Trump's rhetoric has helped dispel the idea that the war was a hopeless quagmire that would just go on and on. Waltz told Karl it was "striking" that since the election "how many people have gone from just unqualified, blank check, as long as it takes, whether that's months, years, decades in terms of perpetuating this war, which really has bogged down to a World War I-style meat grinder of people and resources, with World War III consequences, to now even President Zelenskyy walking in the room in Paris and saying, 'Ready to work with you to end this war.'" As a breaking news reporter, I've spent hours sitting on hard courtroom benches listening to testimony from detectives, federal agents and others about how authorities solve crimes. Among the various technologies police have at their disposal, location data obtained via warrant through cellular carriers and tech companies like Google have become a popular method for investigators to uncover when and where a suspect was during the commission of a crime. That's why my colleague Cameron Knight and I started looking into geofence warrants, a relatively novel crime-fighting tool that's helped law enforcement close the book on serious crimes, but also given them access to the personal information of innocent bystanders. Advertisement Advertisement Phone data: Geofencing helps police investigate crime. What is it telling them about you? Enquirer breaking news reporters Cameron Knight (left) and Quinlan Bentley (right) A geofence is a location-based service that uses GPS or other cellular data to create a virtual fence around a geographic location and notes mobile devices that enter. And its use in policing has garnered challenges in the courts. Court cases show how technology is used. Experts offer their take To report this story, we looked at how geofence warrants have been used in Ohio courtrooms, as well as the appeals court decisions that could affect the legality of police using such warrants in the future. While it's unknown exactly how often police agencies use geofence warrants, they've been instrumental in solving serious crimes, including murder and sexual assault, and federal courts have split on the constitutionality of law enforcement's use of geofence warrants. Advertisement Advertisement We also talked to law and policing experts, including those from the American Civil Liberties Union, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Northern Kentucky University, who weighed in on concerns about the technology's use in policing, its future and the collection of bystanders' online information by authorities. Decade-old missing person case shows advances in police tech Back in 2023, I covered the trial of Jacob Bumpass, who was found guilty of disposing of and hiding the body of 17-year-old Paige Johnson. The Northern Kentucky teen died of still-unknown causes in 2010, but her remains weren't uncovered until nearly a decade later in a wooded area of rural Clermont County. Jacob Bumpass, was convicted of leaving the body of Northern Kentucky teenager Paige Johnson in a wooded area in 2010 after her disappearance. Observing the anguish of that trial, one question stuck in my mind: Why did it take so long to find her? Advertisement Advertisement While police used cell tower data to track the movements of Bumpass' phone around the time of Johnson's disappearance, even using those records to create a search area at East Fork State Park, they were limited by the technology of the time. The data was used to prosecute Bumpass, putting him near the crime scene and countering his alibi about dropping the teen off in Covington. Unlike data transmitted to Google through a GPS-enabled cellphone, cell tower pings only show that a device was within a tower's coverage area, not its precise location. If investigators had access to more precise location data in 2010, it's possible the case would've been solved much sooner. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Geofence warrants: How we reported on police use, privacy concerns Amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, there have been many harrowing stories of residents in the impacted areas evacuating to safety with nothing more than a few belongings and questions of whether their homes would be still standing when they return. One of those evacuees is journalist and author Katherine Turman, who only relocated back to her native California less than a year ago. In this first-person account, told to PEOPLE's David Chiu, Turman recalls spending time in the Pacific Palisades as a youth, the tense moments surrounding her evacuation and the scenes in her neighborhood upon her return days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I moved to the Pasadena/Altadena border, an area called East Washington Village, in May 2024 from Brooklyn, New York. My house is about 40 miles from Pacific Palisades. I grew up in Brentwood, on L.A.s Westside, near San Vicente and Barrington, and went to Paul Revere Middle School, which is at the base of Mandeville Canyon. Kids from Revere go either to Palisades High or University High. I went to Uni. Related: Before-and-After Photos Show the Sudden Devastation from the L.A. Wildfires As a teen in the late 70s and 80s I was a polo groom and rode horses daily at Will Rogers State Park in the Palisades and spent tons of time in the Palisades at friends' houses, the Bay Theater, Will Rogers State Beach and Topanga Canyon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We rode horses throughout the Santa Monica Mountains that later burned. I was horrified watching the news of the Palisades fire on Tuesday, Jan. 7, as the crazy winds blew everything around me in Pasadena umbrellas, lawn chairs and trash cans went flying. But the fire was so far away from me and blowing toward the beach, so I felt fine. Katherine Turman Katherine Turman on a horse named Buddy, at Will Rogers State Park in the late '70s. Katherine Turman on a horse named Buddy, at Will Rogers State Park in the late '70s. Then I got a panicked late phone call from my friend, and landlady, Claire, who lives about a half mile from me. Her voice was shaking and she said, Theres a fire near us. Can we evacuate to your place?! It was about 7 p.m. on Tuesday night. I was shocked. I ran outside. I could smell the fire and looked behind my house and could see the flames in the not-too-far distance. I took a photo and pounded on my neighbors door to alert them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claire and her family came by in three cars and said they were all going to get her parents, who are in their 80s and in a retirement home down the street. I started grabbing my stuff and my heart was racing. I ended up with jeans and some shirts I never wear; my medicine, laptop, chargers and passport; a few photos of my mother and of my late cat, along with an envelope of her fur; and a framed photo of my maternal grandparents. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I put my cat, Matt Dillon, in a carrier and got very scratched up in the process; she felt my fear. I felt like I was just running around my house in a panic not knowing what to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I loaded into my car with three small grocery-style bags of stuff and my cat carrier and went to the retirement home, where I helped get Claires parents, on walkers, into her car, and her whole family went to a hotel. Then, perhaps inadvisably, I went back to my house to grab a few family heirlooms Id thought about. The power had gone out in our neighborhood. and as I turned onto my block, a power line was down and a tree had fallen, blocking our street. I pulled up my car to the tree, jumped out, and ran to my house down the block using my phones flashlight. I grabbed a few more family heirlooms dating back to the 1800s, including a silver box full of family birth and death announcements; black-and-white photos; and newspaper clippings, and ran back to my car. It was pitch black, but I think I saw some neighbors standing on their porch as I went by. It was surreal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Celebrities Who Have Lost Homes or Had to Evacuate in the Los Angeles Fires, and What They've Said As I was in traffic all the stoplights were out exiting Pasadena and headed to a friend in the west side of L.A., I got the evacuation alert on my phone. Tree limbs were falling and a few embers were overhead, and when I was outside the car, I understood the term firestorm, though we were at least a mile or more from the actual fire. It was very scary, but I knew I would get out okay. I got out of Pasadena quickly and was in Palms in West L.A. by 8:30 p.m. at my not-quite-ex-but-still-very-friendly husbands house. He has three cats, so mine went in the bathroom and remained under the sink. Katherine Turman A selfie taken by Katherine Turman from the scene in Pasadena/Altadena on Jan. 9, 2025 A selfie taken by Katherine Turman from the scene in Pasadena/Altadena on Jan. 9, 2025 Facebook has been my lifeline to see how everyone is doing. Im also on a text chain with my neighbors in Altadena/Pasadena and Claires family and friends in the neighborhood. Several music business people I know personally lost their homes in my general area. They posted videos of the wreckage, their cars just shells at the curb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My childhood friend from the horse world lost his home; his entire mobile home park on the Palisades/Malibu border burnt to the ground. He was trying to walk along the Pacific Coast Highway to see the damage but told me the smoke was too bad for him to continue even as he wore a mask. But hed been sent pictures and lamented not grabbing a college keepsake from his late mother, who was also my friend. Other childhood friends in the Palisades lost their childhood homes and all their photos. Katherine Turman A photo of Katherine Turman (R) and her mother Antonia at Will Rogers State Park in the late 1970s A photo of Katherine Turman (R) and her mother Antonia at Will Rogers State Park in the late 1970s I saw that the Will Rogers house [his historic ranch home] had burned to the ground. I spent so many formative years there, in the house, and horseback riding the grounds. In fact, in 1978, when I was 14 or 15, we rescued the horses from a fire at Will Rogers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our horses were in the cheap stalls, far up in the canyons. During that fire, our tack room burned to the ground, but the Will Rogers house and fancy show horse barn survived. This time they didnt. Forty-seven years later, I still have a charred bridle bit I took from our burned tack room. Two of my Altadena/Pasadena neighbors on my actual block went back Wednesday morning [Jan. 8] and took video our block was safe. There have been reports of looting and apparently two of our neighbors are at their homes keeping an eye out. We have no power in our area, and theres an advisory that tap water is not drinkable, even after boiling. Katherine Turman A scene from Altadena on Jan. 9 in the wake of the Palisades Fire A scene from Altadena on Jan. 9 in the wake of the Palisades Fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But within half a mile of my house, houses and businesses were burning. I watched my Bank of America branch burn on the local news. A new foodie restaurant, Bernee, just opened that the area and people were so excited, and from what I can see, the entire block of longstanding and beloved local businesses is gone. Related: What's Making L.A. Fires So Bad, Did the City Run Out of Water and Was the Fire Department's Budget Cut? What We Know On Wednesday, we drove to the Santa Monica Pier to look at Malibu. It was surreal seeing zero cars on the Pacific Coast Highway, and the tourists taking photos, having no idea their California vacation would turn out like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From some places we drove in Palms, you could see flames on the hillsides in the Palisades in the distance. In the morning, the sky was yellow-orange and helicopters flew overhead in small groups making it feel like a war zone. I was texting with friends on the East Coast as well as local friends who had lost homes. Katherine Turman The scene in Altadena amid the Palisades Fire on Jan. 9, 2025 The scene in Altadena amid the Palisades Fire on Jan. 9, 2025 I went back on Thursday [Jan. 9] to just check on my place and get some more clothes and a sense of whats up. It was an easy drive from Palms to Pasadena, and I was able to get into my immediate blocks, which were all miraculously spared by the fire. My house was fine lots of soot and ash, even inside, and the smell inside was acrid. Trees were down, and power lines down, and a very light "ash rain" was coming down. Some neighbors were milling around. I grabbed some more clothes and toiletries and left. I drove a mere 7/10ths of a mile from my house down East Washington Boulevard before I saw a medical office and a rest home destroyed by fire. I'd seen the news the previous night of the patients in wheel chairs and on gurneys being staged in the 7-Eleven parking lot catty-corner to the home. Katherine Turman A photo taken by Katherine Turman in Altadena on Jan. 9, 2025 A photo taken by Katherine Turman in Altadena on Jan. 9, 2025 I have places I can stay and my cat is safe, and so many have lost so much. My friends in the San Gabriel Valley say people in markets, etc., seem like theyre in shock and walking around like zombies. Im supposed to be working, but its impossible to focus. My heart is so heavy and sad for my Southern California birthplace. It is beyond surreal, and I think everybody is in shock. Friends and I are now feeling "survivor's guilt," but we'll channel that empathy into action to help out our community wherever possible in the coming days, weeks, months, and, I'm sure, unbelievably, years. Read the original article on People The European Commission plans to begin drafting new sanctions against Russia next week, with the goal of approving the package on Feb. 24 the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Polish RMF FM reports. Starting Jan. 14, the European Commission will hold consultations with EU member states on the 16th sanctions package, according to European diplomats. During these discussions, EU ambassadors will share their proposals and address concerns related to the upcoming measures. Once this process is complete, the European Commission will present its own proposals, which require unanimous support from all EU countries. Poland, currently holding the EU presidency, is pushing for the sanctions package to be finalized by the war's anniversary on Feb. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slovakia and Hungary are likely to oppose the new sanctions package, complicating the process, according to the outlet. The EU approved its 15th package against Moscow on Dec. 16. That package targeted 54 individuals and 30 organizations from Russia, China, and North Korea as well as shipping companies helping Russia to sell its crude oil, filling Moscow's coffers amid the full-scale war. Read also: Germany towing disabled tanker from Russias shadow fleet in Baltic Sea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump's suggestion for increased NATO defense spending has divided European countries. Trump called for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. Many European NATO members have struggled to meet the current 2% defense spending goal. Donald Trump's suggestion that NATO members should allocate 5% of their GDP on defense has prompted mixed reactions in Europe. The president-elect floated the figure which is more than double the current target at a press conference on Tuesday. "I think NATO should have 5%," he said. "They can all afford it, but they should be at 5%, not 2%." Currently, no alliance member spends 5% of GDP on defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NATO estimates showed Poland was set to lead the alliance in defense spending as a percentage of GDP in 2024, with Warsaw investing more than 4% of its economic output on defense. Estonia and the US followed, spending 3.43% and 3.38% respectively. Trump's remarks sparked dismay among some European officials. Ralf Stegner, a member of Germany's Social Democratic Party, wrote in a Facebook post that Trump's comments were "delusional and truly insane." "Where are the resources supposed to come from to solve the real-world problems?" he said. "We have too much poverty, environmental destruction, civil wars, migration, and too few resources to combat this more actively." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cast doubt on the feasibility of Trump's proposal: "I don't think it will be five, which at this time would be impossible for almost all nations in the world," he said, per Italian news agency Ansa. But Crosetto added that he did expect the target to be raised above 2%. Italy was on track to spend 1.49% of GDP on defense in 2024, while Germany which is gearing up for a snap federal election in February was set for 2.12%. For nations closer to Russia and its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, increasing defense expenditure may not seem like such a bad idea, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warsaw has already signaled its support for Trump's demand, with the Polish defense minister telling the Financial Times that Poland "can be the transatlantic link between this challenge set by President Trump and its implementation in Europe." In Estonia, the shared border with Russia has led to heightened tensions and an increasing focus on defense. Reacting to Trump's comments, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Politico that it was the "message that Estonia has been advocating for years." "This is a clear signal to Putin that he should not dare to test NATO's nerves and that we are prepared for it," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a Northern Group partners' meeting last year, Estonia's defense minister urged allies to increase spending to 2.5% to counter the threat of Russian aggression. Sweden, which has also increased defense spending since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, also backed the call for increased spending. "There is a broad consensus in Sweden that we need to invest more in our defense," the country's foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said, per Politico. "US governments have long urged European countries to increase their defense spending and to bear more of their own defense costs. We share this view." Lithuania has also prioritized defense spending amid the growing Russian threat. Its president, Gitanas Nauseda, recently called on European countries to "show more support for the US global agenda" by increasing their share of the defense burden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said Europe knows it must spend more on defense. During a trip to Warsaw in November, Rutte praised Poland for its defense spending efforts, saying it sent "a clear message not only to our adversaries but also to the United States. That Europe understands it must do more to ensure our shared security. And that starts with spending more and also fielding more capabilities." Nevertheless, analysts say Trump's 5% figure is unrealistic. "Many European NATO countries are funding higher military spending through debt, cuts in other expenditure areas, and proposals to increase taxes," Nan Tian, a senior researcher and program director at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, told Business Insider. "These existing increases would push military spending to a level about half of what Trump proposed of 5% of GDP, thus I don't think this is a realistic target." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "5% of GDP level would be higher than the same countries spent at the height of the Cold War," Tian added. Ruther Deyermond, a senior lecturer at King's College London's Department of War Studies, went further, calling Trump's suggestion a "coercive tactic." "It looks as if the point of the 5% demand is for it to be unachievable - the intention seems to be that states will fail," Deyermond wrote on X. "It's a coercive tactic (pay up or your country gets it) that also signals that NATO is no longer a meaningful alliance." Read the original article on Business Insider Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Response Management, who previously headed the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is visiting Ukraine. Source: Hadja Lahbib on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Hadja Lahbib arrived in Kyiv by train on the morning of 12 January. She noted that the trip was intended to demonstrate the EU's support for Ukraine in the face of winter and that EU humanitarian aid continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Commissioner paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine at St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, stressing that their sacrifice should not be in vain and that freedom, democracy and the rule of law should not be taken for granted. Freedom, democracy, rule of law - values we should never take for granted. At the Wall of Remembrance, I pay tribute to the brave Ukrainian defenders who paid the ultimate price for their country, their people and the future of us all. Let it not be in vain. pic.twitter.com/YCItn4f2Hf Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) January 12, 2025 In the afternoon, she met with the head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The delegation visited one of the fire and rescue units in Kyiv Oblast and got acquainted with the techniques and equipment used by Ukrainian specialists and the specifics of the work of rescue workers in wartime. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine regularly receives various types of assistance from the EU and individual EU countries, including for demining. Where Russia destroys, civil protection workers save lives and bring hope. Here at Ukraines State Service for Emergency Situations #SESU, EU-funded equipment provides vital assistance such as finding people buried under rubble & putting out fires. We are stronger together pic.twitter.com/2OCguDWVS5 Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) January 12, 2025 Background: Prior to joining the European Commission, Hadja Lahbib visited Ukraine as head of the Belgian Foreign Ministry. After her appointment, she had to apologise for a long-ago trip to occupied Crimea she had travelled there as a journalist and entered through Russian territory. Support UP or become our patron! HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Police officers assisted in closing an Evansville business after an employee was threatened over the phone late Saturday night. According to police records, the business located in the 700 block of North First Avenue had to close early after an unknown female called and threatened those inside. While it is not clear what the specific threats were, officers listed this case as an Active Shooter Threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reporter was given a case number as this investigation continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) An Evansville man is custody after authorities say he was causing issues at the Ford Center, leading an off-duty officer to assist. According to police records, the off-duty officer was alerted by security about Dalton Baillieul, who had reportedly been kicked out of the Ford Center previously. Authorities say Baillieul refused to leave and continued to resist the officer when being placed in custody. It is said he had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The off-duty officer says while trying to get Baillieul into his vehicle, he used a pressure point behind his left ear to gain compliance. Although, in doing so, he says Baillieul bit onto his pinky finger, breaking skin. He says he struck Baillieul in the face once to get him to let go. While being transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, the officer says Baillieul apologized several times. Baillieul was charged with the following: Battery on Law Enforcement Public Intoxication Disorderly Conduct Criminal Trespass Resisting Dalton Baillieul (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Jail) Eyewitness News. Everywhere You Are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Officers with the Canandaigua Police Department and deputies with the Ontario County Sheriffs Office responded to Cedar Lodge in Hopewell for reports of a dog that had been heard whining in distress in a room on January 1. Deputies say the tenant, 53-year-old John D. Kirby Jr. of Canandaigua, had been evicted from this location two days prior and left his 2-year-old male American Staffordshire Bulldog inside. According to OCSO, the dog did not have food or water and the floor in the apartment was covered with feces. The dog, named Peppy, was taken to Ontario County Humane Society and is still there. Kirby never contacted the Cedar Lodge or the shelter to claim the dog. Deputies located Kirby in Canandaigua where they arrested and charged him with Failure to Provide Food/Water to an Impounded Animal (misdemeanor). Kirby was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Hopewell Town Court and has been released. Other charges are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. In the world of Springfield politics, longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan developed a reputation that people at the statehouse could count on his word. The secretive Southwest Side Democrat didnt necessarily give it freely. He wanted to know every angle of an issue before saying he would embrace an idea or go all in. And he sometimes took his time before he would sign on to a budget deal or agree to back a bill. But governors, lawmakers and lobbyists time and again came to a consensus during Madigans five decades in the Illinois House, including a national-record 36 years as speaker: Whether you agreed with him or not, his word was good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, four years after resigning his seat in the legislature amid a burgeoning federal corruption investigation, Madigan is banking on his word once again. But this time, its not fellow lawmakers or ward heelers hes dealing with, its a jury of 12 average citizens. And the stakes couldnt be higher. In a move that shocked Illinois political circles, as well as most court watchers and experts, Madigan took the witness stand last week in his own corruption trial, telling the jury repeatedly and emphatically under oath he is innocent of allegations that he betrayed his public office and traded official action for legal work and lucrative contracts for his associates. Testifying on your own behalf in a high-profile case is a rare move that is fraught with risk, and one Madigan, a lawyer and legendary tactician, surely considered from every angle. The decision appeared to catch even prosecutors by surprise, though by the time Madigan faces cross-examination, they will undoubtedly be loaded for bear. As Madigans direct testimony unfolded over five hours Tuesday and Wednesday, some of his motives for taking the stand became clear. Contrary to how he comes across on some of the wiretapped recordings the jury has heard, the 82-year-old Madigan was relaxed and even charming at times, offering jurors a compelling backstory of a blue-collar, Irish Catholic kid who rose to the pinnacle of Illinois power politics through work ethic and moxie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While prosecutors have portrayed Madigan as a ruthless and all-powerful boss, he was able to sell himself as a nonconfrontational consensus builder, more interested in building coalitions than scorched-earth politics. It was a lesson Madigan told the jury hed learned early on from a key mentor, legendary Democratic state Rep. Zeke Giorgi of Rockford. The most important thing I learned from him was its really important to strive to know and understand other people, Madigan said. Its one thing to have your own ideas, but in life, particularly in a legislative body, its important that you understand everybody comes with their own ideas. Everybody should be given due respect. But even in his direct testimony, the tightrope Madigan was walking became obvious: Trying to explain his own words in some of the secret recordings at the center of the case while attempting to pawn off many of the more damaging episodes on his co-defendant, Michael McClain, a longtime friend and political consultant. At the same time, Madigan has fully exposed himself to the scrutiny of seasoned prosecutors, as well as opened the door to other previously barred evidence including a potentially damaging wiretapped call where the speaker and McClain allegedly laugh about some of their political associates making out like bandits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial wrapped up for the week Wednesday afternoon after cross examination by McClains attorney. Madigan will likely be back on the stand for cross examination by prosecutors at some point Monday, though the timing is uncertain because U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey plans to hold arguments first on what specific topics prosecutors can cover. Madigan, and McClain, 77, of downstate Quincy, are charged in a 23-count indictment alleging that Madigans vaunted state and political operations were run like a criminal enterprise to amass and increase his power and enrich himself and his associates. In addition to alleging bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois, the indictment accuses Madigan of pressuring developers to hire the speakers law firm and trying to win business by secretly supporting legislation to transfer state-owned land in Chinatown to the city so developers could build a high-rise. Both Madigan and McClain have denied wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial, which began with jury selection Oct. 8, is heading into its 12th week of testimony. The judge has told the jury he hopes they will begin their deliberations on the week of Jan. 27, though Madigans surprise testimony could push that back even further. A personal portrait Early on in his testimony, Madigan took open-ended, softball questions from his attorney, Daniel Collins, who repeatedly addressed his client as Mike. The former speaker struck up a conversational tone and spoke directly to the jury about his strict upbringing, meeting his wife, Shirley, and some of the poignant moments of family life. Madigan said he was still a newbie lawmaker and lawyer when he met Shirley in a law office in Chicago where she worked. Her family had migrated from Mexico to eastern Oregon, Madigan said, where they worked the fields growing onions and potatoes, before she eventually found her way to Chicago via a job as a flight attendant. When they married in 1976, Madigan said he immediately considered himself a father to Shirleys daughter, Lisa, from a previous marriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My view of it was I would treat Lisa as my daughter, he told the jury. I understood from the get-go that this was a dual package here. So I just took on the parental responsibilities. Madigan also told a story about Lisas biological father, whom he said was verbally abusive, leading to a phone confrontation one night when she was still young. I was walking up the stairs, she was in her bedroom on the phone crying, Madigan said. I took the phone out of her hands, and her biological father was on the phone shouting at her. The language was so vile, I dont even want to repeat it. But he was using the F-word. What did you tell her? Collins asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That she never had to see him or talk to him again, Madigan said. In addition to drawing in the jurors, who were listening intently, Madigans story also served to bolster the defenses narrative of his nonconfrontational nature. Asked by Collins how the situation was resolved, Madigan said he received some threatening letters from Lisas biological father, but the conflict was never physical. Did you choose to avoid confrontation? Collins asked. Yes, Madigan said. Among the other explanations Madigan gave to the jury in his direct testimony was why he famously didnt have a cellphone or use email a fact prosecutors have used to imply that he was trying to insulate himself from the potential consequences of his actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he spoke through a very small inner circle whom he trusted, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said in her opening statement back in October, adding that Madigan and McClain were careful to hide and disguise what they were doing. Madigans lawyers pushed back, telling the jury their client was just an old-school guy. He doesnt have a cellphone, and thats supposed to be indicia of guilt? defense attorney Tom Breen said in his opening remarks. He doesnt do email. Thats supposed to be an indicia of guilt? On the stand, Madigan tried to put the issue to bed. He said the landlines in his various offices had served him just fine for years, and he saw no reason to change. Besides, Madigan said, he wanted to maintain some boundaries between his work and his personal life. I wanted to end my day, he said. I didnt want to be sitting with a cellphone taking calls during a meal or at other times when I just wasnt on the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for why he never had an email address, he said computers werent even a regular thing in offices when he started his reign as speaker in 1983. When computers came along and when the use of them really increased I was already the speaker. I had people in all of those offices who could take transmissions through the computers and give documents to me. Madigans comments had eyes rolling in some political circles, including one Republican who recalled asking the speaker why he didnt use a cellphone or computers and getting a very different explanation: Because they all have a memory. The Madigan version of himself on the witness stand was certainly a kinder, gentler one than what Republican colleagues would remember from their days in the Illinois House, particularly over how he exercised the House rules of procedure. Madigan testified that he adopted the same, tighter House rules that were put in place when he lost the speakership following the 1994 nationwide Republican tide that handed the speakers gavel to DuPage Countys Lee Daniels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a particularly sunny spin, Madigan told the jury that even though theyd complained about Daniels rules for two years, when he won back the speakership in 1996 he decided hed keep them the same and be more fair in their usage. In reality, Madigans House rules, which he fiercely protected provided him tight control of what bills came up for a vote or even got a committee hearing a process that drew complaints from Republicans year after year. None complained louder than state Rep. Mike Bost, a southern Illinois Republican, who went on an arm-waving rant on the House floor in 2012 over Democrats calling for a quick vote on an end-of-session pension bill. Im sick of it, Bost said, his voice rising in frustration as he tossed the bill into the air and punched at the pages as they floated down. Every year we give power to one person. Im trapped by rules that have been forced down our throats! Denying allegations But regardless of Madigans intent, the result was the same: Much of the evidence introduced against him does not tie directly to him. He was not copied on emails or texts; many of the messages allegedly communicating Madigans wishes actually came through McClain or others. That gave Madigan an opening to outright deny any knowledge of certain actions that were going on in his name, and deny he said things that were not caught on tape. When he took the stand, thats exactly what he did. Madigan denied ever giving permission to kill legislation favored by his daughter Lisa, who was then the attorney general, as McClain suggested in some of the evidence jurors saw. He denied agreeing to meet with AT&T bosses about their attempts to pass key legislation in 2017, contradicting an email in which an AT&T executive wrote that the speaker had agreed to a sit-down. And he denied ever telling McClain that he expected a hard and quick favorable response to his requests of ComEd, as McClain had written in an email to a ComEd executive. Madigan denied ever telling top 13th Ward precinct captain Edward Moody, in a chance conversation Moody testified about, that it was OK that Moody wasnt doing any work for ComEd during his subcontract. In fact, Madigan denied ever bumping into Moody on the street at all. He denied telling a staffer, Will Cousineau, to round up support for a ComEd-friendly bill, as Cousineau testified earlier in trial. He denied any involvement in trying to get a favorable ComEd contract for the clouted law firm Reyes Kurson, disavowing a strongly worded email from McClain promising that the speaker would be angry if ComEd didnt play ball. He denied knowing that AT&T Illinois had been paying former state Rep. Edward Acevedo at McClains request. Meanwhile, where Madigans actual words were caught on a wiretap, he had innocuous explanations for what prosecutors alleged are highly incriminating statements. In a 2018 phone call between McClain and Madigan, the men discussed whether ComEd should keep paying Moody via his latest subcontract, given that Moody was taking office as the Cook County recorder of deeds. So, do you want us to keep going with Ed Moody under that ComEd agreement or do you want us to pull off a little bit because of this recorder of deeds thing? McClain asked Madigan. Yeah, that might be a good idea to pull back, Madigan said. Prosecutors have said the call showed Madigan not only knew about the subcontractor shell game but that he was helping to direct it. But, Madigan testified, he thought that when McClain said we he was referring to ComEd. And he thought McClain was merely asking for his advice on how to handle the matter given Moodys new job. My recommendation was, in light of his assumption of a full-time executive position, (to) pull back on his extra work with ComEd, Madigan testified. Did you believe you controlled what ComEd could do or not do? Collins asked. No, Madigan responded. As for the flood of emails and communications regarding Madigans referral of former McPier boss Juan Ochoa to the ComEd board, Madigan didnt consider that a demand to the utility, he said, nor did it bother him that the appointment took so long. Madigan said he recommended Ochoa at the request of then-U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat, and for no other reason, he said. As for his request that McClain keep him posted about the status of Ochoas appointment, Madigan said he merely wanted to avoid any awkward social situations. I simply didnt want to be in a social setting and encounter Gutierrez and Ochoa and be told they hadnt gotten the appointment, he said. I just wanted to be advised so I wouldnt be surprised. McClain is also on tape informing Madigan about a plan to quietly pass the hat for former 13th Ward worker Kevin Quinn, who had been ousted from the speakers state and political team following accusations of sexual harassment. McClain and a handful of friendly utility lobbyists sent regular payments to Quinn, the brother of Madigans handpicked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, and prosecutors have used the episode to show how McClain and Madigan secretly took efforts to help allies accused of wrongdoing. The wiretap captured Madigan saying he thinks he should stay out of it, and Madigan is not alleged to have made any payments to Quinn. With Mr. Quinn having been fired, why didnt you put a stop to these? Collins asked Madigan. Quinn had lost his job and was going through a very difficult divorce, Madigan said on the stand before prosecutors objected, prompting a lengthy sidebar. Prosecutors have argued Madigans response should allow them to tell jurors the details of why Quinn was forced out. So far, to avoid prejudice, they have been told only that it was due to accusations of unspecified misconduct. Countering Solis Madigan also had a response on the stand to one of the most potentially damning tapes, on which Chicago alderman-turned-FBI informant Daniel Solis tells Madigan that a potential law firm client understands how this works, you know, the quid pro quo. On the wiretapped call, Madigan responds only with yeah, OK. But Madigan said that internally, his reaction was a great deal of surprise and concern, and he resolved to have a face-to-face conversation with Solis telling him that was not acceptable language. Solis also secretly recorded that conversation, at which Madigan told the alderman you shouldnt be talking like that. Solis facial expression, which was not captured on the undercover video, was described by Madigan as instantly apologetic. His expression was such that it told me he had gotten the message from me that I wasnt going to be involved in a quid pro quo, Madigan said. In his testimony, Madigan has sought to distance himself from Jay Doherty, the consultant and former City Club of Chicago president who allegedly acted as the pass-through for the bulk of ComEds subcontractor payments to the speakers allies. Madigan testified he knew Doherty had a public relations lobbying firm and he had multiple clients, including ComEd, but he said it was McClain who was the main contact with the utility. That narrative could prove tough for the jury to swallow, however, in light of 2018 wiretapped recordings detailing a plan by Madigan to help out Democratic state Rep. Jaime Andrade of Chicago by finding a job for Andrades wife, a lawyer whod emigrated from Peru. Um, Jaime Andrade came to me and, same story, he needs money, Madigan told McClain in one July 2, 2018, phone call played for the jury earlier in the trial. And he had the thought that maybe I could help his wife on something. I asked him to, you know, to send the resume to me. After telling McClain to give it some thought, Madigan came up with an idea of his own: Could they pay Andrades wife through Dohertys company? Not necessarily with ComEd, but I had the thought that I could actually put Jay Doherty on a retainer, and then hed have her and shed do whatever she would do. We would tell (Andrade) to prepare monthly reports on what shes doing. So hes got it on file. Asked on the witness stand what he thought hed meant by same story, Madigan said, That many other members of the House had come to me for help on additional employment. Collins then asked about Madigans comment about paying Andrades wife through Doherty. He explained he meant maybe Doherty could hire her and he would reimburse him through one of his political committees, to avoid the optics. Did you act on this idea? Collins asked. No, Madigan said. Andrades wife wound up being hired weeks later by then-Secretary of State Jesse Whites office, working for the general counsel. rlong@chicagotribune.com jmeisner@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com With rising global temperatures supercharging extreme weather events, desperate homeowners are resorting to non-admitted insurance policies. According to a Bloomberg investigation, the number of non-admitted homeowner policies has grown significantly, leaving experts concerned. What's happening? One of the dark realities of rising global temperatures is more frequent and powerful storms. Homeowners across the U.S. are now bearing the brunt of that reality as devastating storms threaten their homes and insurance policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With admitted insurance companies abandoning customers in high-risk areas, such as Florida, California, and South Carolina, homeowners have been turning to non-admitted insurance companies for protection. However, these non-admitted companies are lightly regulated, placing homeowners at risk. "Conventional companies are backed by what is called a guaranty fund, meaning even if the company goes bankrupt, customers will still get their claims paid," wrote Sophie Alexander and Leslie Kaufman from Bloomberg. "Non-admitted companies have none of those protections." Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence highlights this trend. According to their reports, between 2022 and 2023, non-admitted home insurance premiums grew around 27% compared to just over 13% on the admitted side. Why are changing homeowner insurance trends important? The growth of non-admitted insurance policies underscores the problem of rising global temperatures and extreme weather. As conventional insurance companies find certain areas too risky to back due to more intense storms, homeowners are forced to look elsewhere for protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Twenty years ago, when we talked about a non-admitted solution, it was kind of a dirty word," Florida-based insurance broker Ronald Assise told Bloomberg. "It was this place you go when you can't get anything in the normal market. That dynamic is changing rapidly because of market conditions, and it's not a dirty word at all anymore." Rising global temperatures and more powerful storms are a direct cause of dirty energy. As companies continue to use non-renewable sources of energy, they emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, endangering communities from more powerful storms. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind What's being done about the lack of homeowner insurance coverage? While non-admitted insurance companies offer homeowners in high-risk areas some form of protection, they do not resolve the overarching issue. Moving forward, more companies need to transition toward renewable forms of energy to decrease the amount of harmful pollution in the atmosphere. As companies and countries across the globe prioritize sustainability, they can better safeguard communities from extreme weather. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A dangerous, extreme cold is expected to move into the Miami Valley this week, according to Storm Center 7s Nick Dunn. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Sunday night has the potential for scattered snow or freezing drizzle, Dunn says. Lows should fall into the 20s by Monday morning. TRENDING STORIES: Monday we could see more flurries, accompanied by wind and a cold front. Dunn says we should expect highs in the mid 20s, moving into the teens in the evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, temperatures will continue to drop, Dunn says. He is expecting wind chills below zero all day, with highs in the mid teens. The Storm Center 7 team will have updates as new data becomes available. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The possibility of a life without TikTok as soon as January 19th is slowly setting in for users across New England. This Friday, the Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides on the law signed by President Joe Biden in April banning the social media platform due to national security, and the apps Chinese parent company ByteDance. The Supreme Court seemed likely to uphold the law after the hours-long hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emerson Professor and CEO of Big Fish PR David Richard told us this stems from the information available on the app. It gives access to massive amounts of data on us as citizens, Richard told Boston 25 Saturday. Richard said the app wont simply disappear from phones on January 19th if upheld. He explained, Before you know it, services within TikTok will stop working and the app will slowly kind of break down and get less and less action. It will sort of fade away. He also claimed you wont be able to download or update the app if the ban is in place. This would impact the public, brands, and content creators who drive revenue from their pages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard added, If [TikTok] goes away, its like suddenly getting let go from a job. TikTok users in Boston were split on the impending decision by the Supreme Court. Its a huge time suck, said Nick Sadowski. Maya Thomas told Boston 25 she used the app all the time and doesnt want to see it die. If you have a level head on your shoulders, then you should be ok, she added. The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision regarding the law in the coming days. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States and the four years of his presidency to follow will put American democracy to the test. His return to the Oval Office has already reignited debates over the legitimacy of elections, with partisan media framing his presidency as either a triumph or a travesty. This polarization underscores a growing danger: We no longer share a common reality. The erosion of trust in common facts and the fracturing of our nation's ability to engage in constructive dialogue means many of us can no longer accept a shared reality. In 2023, a CNN poll found that 69% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believed President Bidens 2020 win was not legitimate. Thats not surprising given new reporting that popular conservative pundits are frequently sharing election falsehoods on YouTube, which stopped moderating election-related content 18 months ago. It can be tempting to point to fake news and misinformation as the culprit. For the past few years, my research has focused on revealing the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology, and the facts were learning about fake news are alarming. Leading up to the 2016 US presidential election, Facebook users spent more time reading fake news than real news. Studies show that more often than not people believe the content they consume even when it is factually wrong. How is it possible to maintain a functioning democratic system that is based on the will of the people, if the people are falling for lies? Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. To make matters worse, fake news could have an even stronger impact in 2025 thanks to generative AI. With the ability to create millions of fake news articles, pictures and videos in a few mouse clicks, the creation and dissemination of false narratives has become easier than ever before. Deepfake images of Hurricane Helene victims last month demonstrated the potential some politicians boosted the images on social media to reinforce another false narrative that the federal government wasnt responding to communities in need. Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Justice struck down a Russian-led effort to distribute fake news about the upcoming election which according to FBI Director Christopher Wray relied on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while we should all be concerned about the impact of fake news, its too simplistic to point to fake news as the only barrier to reinstating an informed populace. As a recent study by researchers at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania suggests, the impact of news that is factually inaccurate including fake news, misinformation and disinformation pales in comparison to the impact of news that are factually accurate but misleading. According to researchers, for example, the impact of slanted news stories encouraging vaccine skepticism during the COVID-19 pandemic was about 46-fold greater than that of content flagged as fake by fact-checkers. Similarly, decades of research on personalized persuasion highlight how appealing to a persons psychological traits e.g. their personality or moral values can sway hearts and minds without the need for content that is factually inaccurate. Placing an overly strong emphasis on flagging and eradicating fake news could inadvertently exacerbate the impact of content that is misleading and polarizing. Take the most common approach to combating misinformation, for example: The tagging of news that are considered false by fact-checkers. The approach has intuitive appeal: its similar to the Nutri-Score labels that help us decide whether a particular food item might be good or bad for us by summarizing nutritional information in an easy-to-digest, color-coded scale, labeling fake news aims at providing us with a helpful mental crutch. Making peoples lives as easy as possible is often the best way for shifting their behavior in a desired direction (research in behavioral economics offers plenty of compelling examples for this assertion). And, in principle, theres nothing easier than seeing a fake news label on an article and, as a result, discounting its arguments or refraining from re-posting it. The problem is that we might also start using the convenient mental crutch in cases we shouldnt particularly in cases where a news item isn't labeled as fake (because it isnt), but the content is still designed to lead us astray. As we outsource our critical thinking to the systems meant to support and protect us, we might become more vulnerable to believing content that hasnt been flagged and therefore appears to be credible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt mean we should abandon technological solutions that aid in identifying fake news. But we need more than that. For a start, its time to re-establish a digital version of the town square that allows for collective human oversight. As of now, theres no way of comparing the personalized news and search results that one person is served by Facebooks or Googles algorithms with those other people see. The same algorithms that help me find the content I am most likely to enjoy online (and in the process create tremendous profits for their creators), also make it almost impossible for me to determine the extent to which my news might be biased in their depiction of current events. Granted, the problem here doesnt just lie with algorithmic recommendations. There is a reason why promoting slanted news and keeping us in our own echo chambers is profitable: we tend to like it there. And we might not be overly excited to leave this place of comfort for a world that is foreign and potentially hostile to us. But that doesnt mean we shouldnt have the option to see what other people see. In other words, its important to have a way to peek into the echo chambers of people who might hold different beliefs than we do, and who are likely to see news that describe the same event in a very different light. The bottom line is that to rekindle a sense of shared reality and establish a more unified democracy, we need solutions that tackle more than just misinformation. To counter the impact of news that is factually accurate but misleading or highly polarizing, its not enough to simply rely on systems of convenience that do the job of fact-checking. Instead, we need to sharpen our ability to think critically and reclaim the right to compare our version of reality to that of others. POTTSVILLE The brother of a fallen New York Firefighter who died Sept. 11, 2001, discussed his selfless devotion to duty and the organization formed in his memory to help others at an event in Pottsville on Friday. Frank Siller, chairman, CEO and president of Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit formed in honor of his brother Stephen Siller who helped saved lives that fateful day in New York City was at Bob Weaver Auto for a service member appreciation event. Pottsville Police Chief John Morrow, Pottsville Fire Chief James Misstishin Sr. and Minersville Police Chief Jeffrey Bowers were among the approximate 75 people attending the 11 a.m. free event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Weaver Auto donated a $100,000 check to the organization, an increase from a 2023 donation of $50,000. The money will help fun an ADA compliant smart home, mortgage free, for members of the U.S. Armed forces in need. Its a fantastic organization, Jake Weaver, president of Bob Weaver Auto said. The organization has additional programs to assist first responders and others. More information is available at t2t.org. Sillers brother had finished his shift as a Brooklyn firefighter when he heard reports of planes hitting the World Trade Center on his radio scanner . What do first responders do? What does our military do? They run towards danger and they never run away, Siller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expand His brother ran through a tunnel closed to traffic to fulfil his duty, eventually reaching Ground Zero. My brother was never recovered, he said. The memories of that day are still fresh. We all remember that day, 9/11, he said. Exactly where you were. Exactly what you were doing. You will never forget because it changed the world. THORNTON, Colo. (KDVR) As the wildfires rage on in Los Angeles, family and loved ones in other states are forced to watch on helplessly from the sidelines. This is the case for a woman in Thornton, whose sister was forced to evacuate, and now she is doing her best to help from a thousand miles away. On Tuesday, Chelsey Brock received a text message from her sister, Christy Herington, that caused her heart to sink, along with pictures of the fire coming right towards her. How will the Denver Broncos players stay warm in Buffalo? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herington has lived in California for 20 years, working as a P.E. teacher at Wilson Middle School. While she has seen her share of fires and floods, Brock said she has not seen anything like this. Nothing thats ever been close to the Alta Dena area or La Crescenta where she also lived, but never in her backyard, Brock said. Image shows orange glow of fire. Brock said her sister grabbed a few things including their dog and important documents, then left. That night, they spent the night in her car. Brock said she hadnt heard anything from her sister all night because Herington had lost service. But the next day, she received another heartbreaking text. We got the text on Wednesday. Probably like 8 p.m. that her whole neighborhood was gone, Brock said. It was probably one of the hardest text messages to receive from a loved one that theyve lost everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her daughters childhood memories, pictures, everything was gone. Were all still very much still in shock about it, Brock said. Now, Herington and her daughters are safe in a hotel, but Brock said she is just trying to raise money for them to get by since Red Cross and FEMA are swamped with everything else. I think everybodys really overwhelmed right now, so that was one of the reasons why I started the GoFundMe. Was to just get them essentials like socks you know and those things that they dont have, Brock said. Skier accused of assaulting coach at Steamboat Ski Resort The fundraiser has already raised almost $30,000 and she said she hopes its enough to get this teacher and her daughters back on their feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats probably something my sisters going to think about for a long time about all those things that shes lost. We are grateful that theyre safe and their dog was got out. But its just they have nothing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A group of far-right Slovak MPs departed for Moscow on Jan. 12 to hold talks with Russian government officials on the continuation of Russian gas supplies and other issues, the Slovak news agency TASR reported. The visit comes weeks after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Dec. 22. The delegation is led by Andrej Danko, the chair of the co-ruling far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) and current deputy speaker of parliament, and Tibor Gaspar, a member of Fico's Smer (Direction) party, TASR reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danko, a Russian-friendly nationalist, said on Jan. 5 that the visit aims to "restore some relations with Russia." Danko also claimed that Poland refused to allow the delegation's flight to enter their airspace, and that their plane had to be rerouted via Czechia and Germany. "I don't understand Poland's position, but I take it as a reality," he said. The Slovak delegates will reportedly meet with representatives from the Russian State Duma and other government officials. According to Gaspar, the group will ask whether Russia's state-owned energy company Gazprom can continue to supply gas to Slovakia despite Ukraine's decision to halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stoppage of Russian gas flows via Ukraine has heightened tensions between Kyiv and Bratislava. Fico, already critical of military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, threatened to cut energy and humanitarian support after the transit deal expired. Despite the EU's attempts to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries like Slovakia and Hungary remain heavily reliant on Russian gas. The delegation is expected to return to Slovakia on Jan. 15. Read also: As Russia cuts Transnistria from gas, stranded locals search for someone to blame Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Virtually every baby boomer who grew up in greater Kansas City has lost a surrogate parent. Torey Southwick, who, with his puppet sidekick Ol Gus, held down the highest rated childrens show throughout the 1960s on KMBC-TV 9, died last month at age 94 in Bethesda, Maryland. While the self-effacing Southwick always played it down, he was either the direct model for Roger Millers 1965 hit song Kansas City Star, or at least representative of the superstar local kids show hosts of the era. The song is written in the voice of someone very like Torey who is offered a better job at higher wages in Omaha: Im the number one attraction In every supermarket parking lot/Im the king of Kansas City, No thanks, Omaha, thanks a lot/Kansas City Star, thats what I are/Yodel-lee-del-lay-hee, you ought to see my car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though bragging was not Toreys style he was a normie long before the term was invented he was, indeed, the king of Kansas City TV for a decade. At one point, said his daughter, Terri Southwick, Torey Time and/or the Torey & Ol Gus show aired live both weekday mornings and afternoons plus Saturday mornings for a whopping total of 30 hours a week. KMBC was striking while the iron was red hot. Terri said she found an old ratings book showing the Today show with a 29 share (the percentage of households watching TV), Captain Kangaroo with 16 and Torey with 55. That meant Torey often had nationally famous visitors, from network TV stars Chuck Connors (The Rifleman) and Sally Field (The Flying Nun) to then-vice president and 1968 Democratic presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey. The spontaneous and humorous interaction between Torey and Humphrey made the national ABC evening news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Torey did, indeed, draw huge crowds to supermarket grand openings and the like. Terri said her fathers fame meant some sacrifices for her and her sister. He couldnt go the mall with us, or hed be mobbed, she said. If we went to a restaurant after church, he drew a crowd. It made him uncomfortable, but he was always gracious and stayed. Were like Come on, lets go. But he didnt want to disappoint a kid. Teddy Dibble, who, in 1996 produced for public television affiliate KCPT a documentary titled Whizzo, Ol Gus and Me, about the childrens TV hosts of local history, said Torey was somehow simultaneously calming and charismatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had an incredibly gentle and silly persona that was attractive to kids, Dibble said. Most of us have probably encountered an adult in our lives who didnt talk down to you as a kid; who was interested in what you had to say and Torey presented that way, as well. You had a feeling he liked and respected kids and didnt find them a nuisance or an annoyance. Like most shows of its genre, Torey Time presented syndicated cartoons such as Popeye and Rocky and Bullwinkle interspersed with bits of business by the host. In Toreys case, he interacted with the puppet portrayed as his cantankerous, elderly neighbor and an invited studio audience of kids, including lucky ones like me who were called out of the bleachers to play games and contests with a chance to win prizes. Terri said her father was not a ventriloquist, but did do Ol Guss voice and manipulated the puppet, using TV trickery to make their interactions appear seamless. Dibble noted that, with just three network television affiliates in Kansas City during the Torey era, We all essentially played in the same sandbox. KMBC was very aggressive with kids shows and had the two most popular ones with Whizzo the Clown and Torey. It was a source of after-school R & R. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such ratings dominance can never be duplicated, Dibble said, in todays fractured media landscape. Toreys wall-to-wall presence created a relationship that endured and that, in some cases, even superseded latchkey kids relationship with their own parents. That became clear, Terri said, when her dad connected with some of his old fans through Facebook and they wished him well on his birthday. Some of the messages were heartbreaking, like You were my only friend, Terri said. Rick Hellman is a publicist for the University of Kansas and creator of the Kansas City Rock History Project at kcrockhistory.com A Fayette County teen is taking home several accolades from the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Emilyn Shearer, a Connellsville Area High School junior and Fayette County 4-H member, won the Master Showmanship Contest at the farm show. She also participated in the Grand Champion Market Drive with a goat and a pig. She took 4th Place Overall in Junior Market Swine and 5th Place Overall in Junior Market Goat banners. It doesnt seem real still yet, Shearer said. It still is a little bit of a shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shearer has been showing livestock since she was a young girl and has been involved in 4-H for eight years. She shows cattle, lambs, goats and pigs. While this win is a big accomplishment for Shearer, shes already looking to whats next. The teen has already obtained the steer she will raise for the Fayette County Fair this summer, and will soon get her lambs, goats and pigs. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW An investigation is underway to find the operator of a private drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft battling the blazes in Los Angeles on Thursday, the FBI said. The unauthorized drone damaged the aircraft, known as a "super scooper," as it was working to suppress the massive Palisades Fire that has so far engulfed more than 23,000 acres of land in western L.A. County. Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson for the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said in a statement to CBS News on Sunday that the drone violated temporary flight restrictions enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration in the wake of the blazes. The damaged firefighting aircraft is pictured after it was struck by a private drone on Thursday. / Credit: FBI Los Angeles The restrictions are set to remain in place through Jan. 25 and currently apply to areas around the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which has scorched at least 14,000 acres as of Sunday. Providing "a safe environment for firefighting aviation operations" is the purpose of those temporary orders, the FAA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The super scooper was able to land safely after being hit on Thursday, said Eimiller, although the drone left a 3-by-6-inch hole in the aircraft's left wing. Authorities were able to recover parts of the drone, which was "heavily damaged," after it crashed. The drone cut a hole into the super scooper's left wing when it collided with the aircraft. / Credit: FBI Los Angeles "While we have conducted a significant investigation working with our partners, we are seeking the public's help in order to identify the operator of the drone," Eimiller said. Officials have asked anyone with information about the person or group behind the drone collision to contact the FBI's Los Angeles office or submit tips through a dedicated line. Pieces of the private drone were recovered after it crashed. / Credit: FBI Los Angeles California state officials said there have been at least 40 incidents where unauthorized drones have forced firefighters to pause air operations since the wildfires broke out last week. Crews battling the blazes have used air tankers to dump thousands of gallons of flame retardant, and super scoopers, as well as helicopters, to drop water over the blazes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision," the FAA writes on its website. "Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents, and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger." Jamie Dimon on the economy Crews battle Palisades Fire flare-up in Mandeville Canyon Rep. Judy Chu: Fire agencies say there is "enough water" to fight wildfires going forward Advocates are urging greater action against school shootings in 2025, saying the only way to slow the bloodshed is a combination of moves from legislators, schools and parents. Multiple trackers counted an increase in school shootings last year, and experts are calling for solutions ranging from violence prevention programs to better-secured firearms at home. The multipronged approach could be the only way to affect real change on school shootings under a unified GOP government that is unlikely to make any substantial moves on gun control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistake, these are not right or left issues, these are life or death issues. As 2025 gets underway, theres no stopping our progress in states across the country because when it comes to the leading cause of death for children and teens, nothing will stand in our way, said Sarah Burd-Sharps, head of research at Everytown for Gun Safety. The number of school shootings in a given year can be difficult to count as organizations use different definitions of such events and pull their data from different sources. Education Weeks school shooting tracker, which only counts incidents that occurred during school hours or at school-sponsored events, found 39 shootings in 2024, with 18 people killed and 59 injured. Those incidents outpaced 2023 but were less than in 2022. Everytown, however, looks at any time a shot is fired on school grounds, even if no one was injured or killed. The group recorded 219 incidents of gunfire on grounds last year, with 59 deaths and more than 160 injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say that last school year did see over 30 percent increase in incidents of gunfire, and that is particularly concerning in a time when violent crime overall in this country is going down, Burd-Sharps said. The last school year had the second-highest number of shooting incidents since weve been tracking a decade ago, and the highest was right after students came back from the pandemic [] These shootings both ones where someone was killed or wounded or just guns in schools are very disruptive in our country and are really a cause for a lot of trauma, she added. Her organization continues to advocate for an assault weapons ban and background checks on all firearm sales, but such ideas are going nowhere in a Washington where the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. When it comes to school shootings, Republicans have focused on precautionary measures such as arming teachers, armed security guards and fortifying most building doors so only one can be used as an entrance point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the 2022 Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two adults, Republicans including Ken Paxton, the states attorney general at the time, said schools need teachers and other administrators who have gone through training and who are armed. As of April, a Newsweek map showed more than 30 states allow teachers to carry a gun on school grounds, either with no restrictions or under certain circumstances. But those solutions have been highly controversial. I think that this is not just about hardening schools, and, trust me, school districts dont have the funds to create fortresses that would prevent anyone from getting hurt from the kind of firepower that civilians can access, said Abbey Clements, executive director and co-founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data is clear that states with stricter gun laws have fewer instances of gun violence. That means people are safer in those states, she added. But there are a few moves on the issue that can find bipartisan support, such as violence prevention programs and empowering law enforcement to take preventative actions. During Trumps first administration, lawmakers passed the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act, which was backed by the group Sandy Hook Promise. The STOP Act makes annual grants available to states, school districts, and tribal organizations to bring evidence-informed programs and strategies that prevent violence to schools, and it encourages the development and operation of anonymous reporting systems to address threats before tragedy can strikes, said Mark Barden, CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the 2012 Newtown, Conn., shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups new goal is to pass the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) legislation, which would help school administrators connect with experts to implement school safety programs. Experts are also calling for increased vigilance at home. 2024 had a first-of-its-kind legal ruling, sentencing the parents of a Michigan school shooter to at least 10 years in prison for not properly locking up their firearms and ignoring their teenagers mental health issues. Also facing charges is Colin Gray, the father of accused Georgia school shooter Colt Gray. In November, the elder Gray pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children after he allegedly ignored his sons mental health struggles, purchasing him items including ammunition and a laser sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The urgency in getting parents to lock up their firearms and keeping weapons away from troubled children comes as youth mental health took a downward spiral during the pandemic and has struggled to recover. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 40 percent of highschoolers had depressive symptoms in 2023. It also reported increases in bullying and threats involving weapons. One thing we all can do, and lawmakers really could get, as weve seen, bipartisan agreement on, is safe storage, said Clements. Because safe storage is the culture change that could really affect the statistics. We could get out of this terrible situation were in where gun violence is leading cause of death for children and teens in America by simply launching campaigns for culture change of locking up your guns and keeping it separate [from] your ammunition, she added. Also, enacting laws where if you dont do those things and something happens in your home, then youre liable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jan. 12NORTH DAKOTA A federal lawsuit challenging the racial requirements of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program was recently dismissed due to what an attorney for the plaintiffs referred to as "procedural issues." However, the case could be refiled. Skylar Croy, associate counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, told the Herald on Thursday, Jan. 9, that the team is working out its next steps to deal with the procedural issues Chief Judge Peter D. Welte identified with the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are committed to dismantling this discriminatory program," Croy said. The legal team is encouraged by the judge's statement that "the program is likely unconstitutional," Croy said, and referenced a footnote of the order, which was filed Dec. 31. The footnote reads: "Indeed, given recent United States Supreme Court decisions, including Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll., 600 U.S. 181 (2023), it seems likely the racial eligibility criteria fails to satisfy strict scrutiny. No doubt this is why many higher education institutions have proactively decided to no longer apply it." Welte's order explained what the plaintiffs were requesting that the U.S. Department of Education remove the racial and ethnic requirements from the McNair Program and notify universities to do the same could not be granted because necessary defendants were missing from the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, filed in August, argued that McNair's racial and ethnic requirement is unfair and has had a negative effect on students, including Avery Durfee of UND and Benjamin Rothove of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who joined the suit along with the Young America's Foundation and the area chapter Young Americans for Freedom. The defendants in the case are the Department of Education and Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education. The Department of Education website says two-thirds of all McNair participants must be low-income and first-generation college students; the remainder can be from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education, particularly racial and ethnic groups. Durfee and Rothove argued that the racial and ethnic eligibility requirement was a harm to their personal dignity and, though they were interested in participating in the McNair Program, they did not apply because they knew they were ineligible. They are both white and not considered low-income, and Rothove is not a first-generation college student, according to the civil complaint. Welte's order explained that, because the universities that the two student plaintiffs attend are not listed as defendants in the case, any decision Welte makes will not affect the universities and therefore cannot remedy the injuries the plaintiffs claim to have experienced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "... (T)hose institutions already received funding from the Department (of Education) for the McNair Program through 2027," Welte's order said. "So, through 2027, UND and UW-Madison exclusively control the McNair Program's admission decisions and its funding allocation to admitted participants, not the Department. Problematically though, UND and UW-Madison are not parties. A favorable decision for the Plaintiffs would not remedy the injuries because UND and UW-Madison are not bound by the Court's order and decision." The order denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction which would have prohibited the defendants from enforcing or otherwise implementing the racial and ethnic requirements of the McNair Program until a decision is reached in the federal suit and dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The case was officially terminated Jan. 2. Because it was dismissed without prejudice, it could and likely will be refiled. In early November, federal officials discovered that an oil pipeline owned by Canadian energy company Enbridge spilled almost 70,000 gallons of crude oil into the ground in Wisconsin's Jefferson County. The pipeline was "likely leaking for [an] extended period of time," according to an accident report. What happened? An Enbridge technician first noticed the spill on Nov. 11 in the small town of Oakland while performing a standard inspection, per the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration accident report. The massive oil leak occurred on Line 6, which is nearly 60 years old, and officials immediately shut down the pumping station to contain the spill. Responders excavated the contaminated soil, repaired the damaged pipeline, and reopened the station for normal operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Enbridge said the spill happened because of a malfunctioning connection on a pump transfer pipe, per the Journal Sentinel. According to the accident report, an estimated 69,300 gallons, or roughly 1,650 barrels, were discharged underground, marking the worst spill in Wisconsin in the company's history. Enbridge estimated that around 60% of the contaminated soil had been removed as of mid-December. "We are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as cleanup and restoration proceed," the statement said. Why is the oil spill concerning? While the spill was relatively small compared to others such as BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 any amount of oil that leaks into the environment poses risks to people, wildlife, and ecosystems. For example, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explained, oil spills can negatively affect local economies and recreational activities, injure animals, and lead to habitat losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Enbridge immediately reported the spill and took action to clean it up, it's unknown if all the oil was recoverable. If any remains in the environment, it could leach into groundwater or enter waterways as runoff, per the Oil Spill Prevention and Response website. Furthermore, this wasn't the first time Line 6 has had a major rupture. Oil & Water Don't Mix reported that a six-foot break in Line 6B sent more than 843,000 gallons of tar-sands crude oil into the Kalamazoo River watershed near Marshall, Michigan, in 2010. The incident is considered one of the largest, costliest inland oil spills in U.S. history. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind What's being done to prevent future oil spills? According to the Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin-based nonprofit Midwest Environmental Advocates has urged Enbridge to discontinue plans to reroute Line 5, which crosses through Wisconsin and Michigan. The organization's executive director, Tony Wilkin Gibart, argued the recent leak from Line 6 proves Enbridge's pipelines are in need of repair and pose a serious environmental risk. "The harm this pipeline would cause to Wisconsin's waters and the climate is guaranteed to be significant and could be catastrophic," he said in a statement, per the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice sided with the Bad River Band a Native American tribe in Wisconsin in a lawsuit against Enbridge regarding Line 5. While the line will no longer run through the reservation, it isn't being shut down, so there's still a risk of the pipeline rupturing and polluting the surrounding land. However, using your voice to fight for a cleaner, greener future by talking to loved ones or voting for pro-climate candidates can raise awareness about why oil is harmful to the planet. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. GREENACRES Nelson Sanchez and Hector Perez rushed from their barber shop to join Edwin Pereira at the back of the Greenacres fire station Saturday afternoon. It was time to become kings. The three men emerged as Melchior, Baltazar and Gaspar, complete with colorful robes and plastic crowns, and crossed the street as the Three Kings to deliver gifts to hundreds of children at the annual Fiesta de Pueblo. It celebrates the area's Hispanic heritage and pays homage to the story in the Bible of the three kings who traveled to Bethlehem to see the newborn Jesus and bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Becoming royalty for the parade each year is an honor for the three men, who hail from Puerto Rico and, like so many people from Latin American nations, have fond memories of Three Kings Day as children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My biggest satisfaction is every time I see the kids and their eyes are wide open, and when you give them the toys, they're so happy, said Pereira, an Army veteran who has performed as Melchior since the festival's inception in 2016. The kids and the people feel the same magic. They feel so proud of their heritage. I always say this is my one hour of fame. 'I am proud of you': How 10 girls had the quinceanera they thought they'd never get to enjoy Thousands gathered at Samuel J. Ferreri Park for Saturday's festivities, where people from 21 Latin American countries honored their cultures with traditional clothing, dance, song and food from their home nations. In Latin America, the arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated Jan. 6, but since the holiday fell on a Monday, the festival took place Saturday. The three kings are considered Santa Claus for the Hispanic community, said Sam Roman, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy who escorted the parade. Roman dressed up as Baltazar for the first five years before he retired from king duties to oversee the events security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a matter of keeping the tradition alive, said Roman, whose daughter drives from Orlando every year to attend the event. Not only for us, but also for the youth and the children. The festival featured a village with more than 15 countries where residents taught visitors about their history, culture and traditions. It saw performances by bands such as De P.R. La Escuelita de la Salsa, El Bombazo de Florida and El Compita Gera y su Codigo 561. Local dance groups performed Peruvian polkas, Puerto Rican salsa and Venezuelan joropo. At 8 p.m., the lawn at the amphitheater was still flooded with people dancing along to Latin American song and dance styles such as cumbia, bachata and tambores. 'Stuck in time': Palm Beach County housing crisis squeezing blue-collar workers out of two Hispanic cities Performers march in a parade Saturday celebrating Three Kings Day at the Fiesta De Pueblo at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park in Greenacres. Sanchez, who has dressed up as Gaspar since the first year, said he's seen the festival grow from a few hundred people to one that now hosts thousands who travel across the county and state to get a taste of Latin America and the Caribbean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's become a tradition that families wait for every year, Sanchez said. Many cant go back to their countries, so here, they have a brief moment to feel as if they were celebrating back home. Special report: What drew Hispanics to Greenacres, Palm Springs? Three share their stories Meet Melchior: 'I want to do this as long as I can,' Nelson Sanchez says Sanchez hesitated when he was first asked to be Melchior. But he remembered his excitement growing up when his parents took him to pick grass to leave under his bed for the kings' camels when they came to deliver gifts. When I put on my costume, I saw all the kids and the joy in everyones faces, Sanchez said. That is when I said, OK, I want to do this as long as I can.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When kids see Melchior, they dart toward him and wrap their arms around his sparkly light blue gown. Some ask to be held and pull at the long, white beard he grows out for the event. Others stare at him from behind their mothers dresses. Fathers hand him newborns to take pictures. But even the shiest of toddlers line up when they see the bag of gifts and thank him with a hug and shrieks of joy. The American Dream is alive: Hispanic businesses in Greenacres and Palm Springs are proving it One baby looking at Sanchez in awe back in 2016 was his 1-year-old daughter. This Saturday marked Nelsons ninth year as Gaspar; his daughter is now 11, and his son is 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, for them, I am one of the original Three Kings, Sanchez said, laughing. For me it's about the youth, so they can learn about their roots, where their parents and blood comes from." Nelson Sanchez (left) as Melchior, Hector Perez as Baltazar and Edwin Pereira as Gaspar perform during a parade Saturday celebrating Three Kings Day at the Fiesta De Pueblo at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park in Greenacres. Meet Baltazar: Hector Perez says fiesta is like a party in Puerto Rico At 35, Perez is the youngest of the Three Kings. Perez moved to Greenacres five years ago and has been Baltazar ever since. He was asked to fill in at the last minute for Roman in 2019 and now even his family back home looks forward to the pictures he sends of himself dressed in a shiny red cloak. First, he slides into a set of baggy pants. Then, he wears a red blouse and wraps a golden cape around his neck. He puts on gloves, fixes a neck gaiter and assembles a three-part crown with a red feather. It's like putting a puzzle together, said Perez in Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Honrado': Joel Flores becomes first Hispanic elected to Palm Beach County Commission For Perez, the energy at Fiesta de Pueblo is like parrandear a family party in Puerto Rico. It's like a family reunion, he said. You can feel the energy and joy of so many cultures coming together to meet and to learn from each other. Guests line up for food during the Three Kings Day celebration Saturday at the Fiesta De Pueblo at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park in Greenacres. Meet Gaspar: 'I feel like a kid again,' Edwin Pereira says Pereira says every time he steps out as Gaspar he is always impressed to see the thousands of families that have joined in on the Fiesta de Pueblo. His favorite part is getting to see familiar families return every year and getting to watch as the kids grow into teens and adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And every time I do it, I feel like a kid again, Sanchez said. Sanchez, who has lived in Greenacres for more than 20 years, says the area has become home to Hispanics from a mix of different nationalities and the festival is a crucial space for them to get to know each other. We are a race with different accents and cultures, but we have a whole lot in common, and that brings us even closer together, Sanchez said. Sanchez also said that the Fiesta de Pueblo showcases Hispanic excellence. Its become a day where all the Hispanic and Latin American people get together in unity to show that we do have strength, and for people to know that we're here, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Three Kings Day: What it's like to be a king at Christmastime festival Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refused Ukraine's offers of assistance following the discontinuation of Russian gas flows via Ukrainian territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 12. Zelensky's comments come shortly after Fico lambasted Ukraine as an unreliable partner and accused Zelensky of "begging and blackmailing" European leaders. "We offered our assistance to the people of Slovakia during their adaptation to the absence of Russian gas transit, but Fico arrogantly refused," Zelensky said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many in Europe warned him that doing nothing and waiting was not an option. Now, he's resorting to PR, lies, and loud accusations to shift the blame away from himself onto someone else." Ukraine did not renew a pre-war agreement to transit Russian gas to Europe via Ukrainian territory, instead allowing the deal to expire on Jan. 1. Kyiv warned repeatedly that it would not extend the deal in order to stop financing Russia's full-scale war. Slovakia, still heavily reliant on Russian gas even as other EU countries find alternative energy providers, harshly criticized Ukraine's decision. Fico has threatened to cut off humanitarian aid and electricity supplies to Ukraine in retaliation. Zelensky condemned Fico's threat, accusing him of opening "a second energy front against Ukraine" at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fico met with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22, a week before the transit deal was set to expire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A delegation of Slovak far-right MPs also departed for Moscow on Jan. 12 to hold talks with Russian government officials on continuing gas supplies and other issues. Zelensky said that Fico's refusal to find an alternative energy supplier was the result of his misplaced loyalty to Russia. "But the real problem is that he bet on Moscow, not on his own country, not on a united Europe, and certainly not on common sense," Zelensky said on Jan. 12. "From the beginning, it was a losing bet." Zelensky said he hoped that Europe and the U.S. would collaborate effectively to diversify energy supplies to Europe and "address the challenges caused by the shortsightedness of certain European figures." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Fico accuses Zelensky of begging and blackmailing European leaders for support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHICAGO A Saturday morning fire at West Gordon Terrace Apartments in Uptown displaced several residents, and volunteers with the American Red Cross are working to ensure that those displaced have a place to stay. Neighbors expressed sympathies for all those impacted. It felt like a fever dream waking up and leaving, said Elaina Ricci whose boyfriend lives in the building. Massive fire ignites in vacant building used for shelter in Chicago Lawn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shared with WGN News shows flames spilling out of the rooftop. Residents said Chicago firefighters were knocking on their doors at around 4 a.m., telling them they needed to leave. While residents claimed they could not see flames, but said the smoke was overwhelming. We smelled smoke. It smelled awful. We were walking down and we turned and just huge fire and black smoke, Ricci said. First responders took some people to the hospital via ambulance. The conditions of those taken to the hospital is unknown at this time. Residents said volunteers with the American Red Cross told them they could not stay in the building with all the smoke and water damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 100 firefighters battle wind-fueled house fire in Belmont Cragin You see 15-foot flames off the top of the building, resident Connor Glick said. Very fortunate and lucky that my apartment wasnt hit with how close it was. Im starting to get water damage, but none of my valuables were burned. Once first responders cleared the scene, the cleanup continued well into the afternoon. Many residents came back to pick up whatever they could of their belongings. WGN News reached out to the property manager and the Chicago Fire Department for more information on the buildings condition and the condition of any residents injured, but has not yet heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines In the meantime, the Red Cross said they will be working with residents over the coming days to assess their needs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A Missouri firefighter, whose story of rescuing three teenagers from a frozen lake in 2015 inspired the film Breakthrough, is now fighting for his life after a serious illness. Wentzville fire captain Tommy Shine, 50, first made headlines a decade ago when he helped to rescue three 14-year-old boys who fell through the ice of a lake in suburban St. Louis. The story of one of the boys, who spent minutes underwater and nearly died, is the focus of the film. Now, Tommy has been hospitalized himself, after what began as a fall and stitches turned into multiple surgeries and a stay in intensive care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his wife, Brittany Shine, he first fell from a ladder and cut his head open in October 2024, per local outlet Fox 2 Now and several blog posts from Brittany. While Tommy was seeking treatment at the hospital, doctors discovered that he needed heart surgery. Two months later in December, after Tommy's surgery was seemingly successful, Brittany was headed home after visiting hours when she received a call that her husband had unexpectedly taken a turn for the worse. In a blog post, she wrote that his heart had stopped and he was placed on a ventilator, before undergoing several more operations. Related: Chrissy Metz Says She 'Could Relate' to Mom in 'Breakthrough' Who Believes God Saved Her Dying Son Wentzville Firefighters/Facebook Tommy Shine Tommy Shine "I've been told at least three times that he probably wouldnt make it through the night," Brittany told Fox 2 Now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommy's family including his five children were initially told earlier this month that he would never be able to speak again or have upper body strength, Brittany wrote in a blog post, adding that doctors believed at the time he would also have lowered brain capacity and may have to be placed in a care facility for the rest of his life. According to Brittany, doctors were preparing to move Tommy to a facility on Monday, Jan. 6, when he unexpectedly woke up and attempted to speak after being administered medication and taken off his breathing machine. "His critical care doctor came in and asked if we could have a conversation," Brittany wrote. "He said this was absolutely not something they expected and he believed Tommy needed more time to see how much brain function he actually has, what else can he overcome, etc." "Simply, a miracle had been performed," she continued, crediting her husband's recovery to the couple's faith. "God is not done with Tommys story, and this confirmed it." A Fraser/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock Mike Colter plays a fictionalized Tommy Shine in the 'Breakthrough' film Mike Colter plays a fictionalized Tommy Shine in the 'Breakthrough' film "Were talking about a guy who jumped in a frozen lake to save someone's life," Wentzville Fire Department chief Steve Mosher told Fox 2 Now. "It's no surprise to me that hes fighting as hard to save his own life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story bears striking similarity to the 2015 incident that inspired Breakthrough. At the time, Tommy and other first responders helped to save the life of a 14-year-old boy, identified later as John Smith, who spent more than 10 minutes underwater and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Although Smith's heart stopped, he later regained consciousness and made a full recovery. The 2019 film, starring Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace and Mike Colter as Tommy, recounts the rescue and the role Smith's family believes faith played in the outcome. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Brittany, Smith, now an adult, even paid Tommy a visit in the hospital and she credits his presence in aiding his recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "John showed up at the hospital, and the moment he got off the elevator, Tommy got his heartbeat back," Brittany told Fox 2 Now. Tommy's family is asking for prayers and support as the fire captain continues his recovery. "It's a roller coaster, ups and downs every single day, but I definitely think he's shown us his story is not over yet," Brittany said, per the outlet. Mosher added, "This is the Tommy that we're used to, waking up and shocking everyone, just making things happen that you wouldnt think were possible." Read the original article on People For Irina Contreras, a program manager for Los Angeles Countys Department of Arts and Culture, outdoor education was a refuge for both her and her daughter during the pandemic. Now, much of that refuge has been burned in the raging wildfires around Los Angeles. Her 7-year-old daughter, Ceiba, hikes with a kids adventure group called Hawks and attended Matilija, a bilingual forest school for preschool and kindergarten. Rain or shine, she and her friends would spend their days climbing, jumping, hiking, and swimming in places like Eaton Canyon Nature Area, a 190-acre (77-hectare) preserve near Altadena, now destroyed by fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ceiba learned to ask plants for permission before taking samples to glue into her nature journal. Once, her group discovered a hidden path that led behind a waterfall. Ceiba couldn't stop talking about it for days. For parents like Contreras, the wildfires have been devastating not just because of the loss of life and thousands of homes. They are mourning natural and educational areas that served as sanctuaries and learning spaces for local families, especially in the years since the pandemic. The fires have torn through natural areas that served every type of educational setting: public and private schools, nature-based preschools, homeschool groups, summer camps and more. Its about so much more than what shes been learning, Contreras said. I can speak with absolute confidence that it totally affected me, personally. The fires have burned school buildings, too, including Odyssey Charter School in Altadena, which Miguel Ordenana's children attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community has been devastated by the fire, said Ordenana, senior manager of community science at the Natural History Museum. Its been a challenge to carefully share that news with my children and help them work through their emotions. A lot of their friends lost their homes. And we dont know the impact to school staff, like their teachers, but a lot of them live in that area as well and have lost their homes. Some areas untouched by fire were inaccessible because of poor air quality. Griffith Park, home of the Hollywood sign, had not been affected by the end of the week but it's not clear when the air quality there will be good enough to resume outdoor programs, said Ordenana, who was the first to capture on camera a late puma in the nearby area that gained fame under the name P-22. Ordenana said his family was able to connect with some other families from Odyssey Charter School for pizza and an indoor playdate, but he is uncertain what the days will look like for them with school closures already extending through next week. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second largest, were closed Friday because of heavy smoke and ash over the city. Classes will not resume until conditions improve, officials said. Pasadena Unified School District also closed schools and several of its campuses sustained damage, including Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Department of Education released a statement Wednesday saying 335 schools from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and San Diego counties were closed. It was unclear how many would be closed Monday. During the pandemic, Contreras felt like she was stuck on a screen. She devoted much of her energy to working, writing and organizing, but her daughters outdoor education helped her better understand the value of stepping away from the grind. Contreras feels confident the outdoor programs will return, although its unclear when it will be safe for people to hike around areas like Eaton Canyon. The nature center is gone, Richard Smart, superintendent of the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena, said Thursday. The wildflowers, the shrubs are gone. The park hosted dozens of school field trips a year and Smart estimates more than a thousand students visited yearly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers liked it because it was also free, it was local, it was nearby. And it was a place to see nature wild nature but also in a friendly, safe environment, he said. Only a few exterior walls of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center were left standing, he said. For many of the local school districts, we truly were in their backyard, and now they wont be able to use it for the foreseeable future, he said. The park is such a touchstone for people in the community, and so to lose that is just, devastating is not even the right word. It feels indescribable. Many parents and teachers are likely wondering what to do and where to take their children as fires continue to burn across Los Angeles, said Lila Higgins, a senior manager for community science at the Natural History Museum and author of Wild L.A, a field trip and nature guidebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can be healing to connect with the land after a disaster like the fires, Higgins said. Learning from our Indigenous partners, the original and continuing caretakers of Los Angeles, it is imperative we follow their leadership in the fire recovery, Higgins said. A certified forest therapy guide, Higgins says time in nature lowers heart rates, lowers blood pressure and helps children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder feel more calm and relaxed. For childrens cognitive development, time in nature and time spent connecting with nature is so important," Higgins said. Outdoor spaces also can help children learn how to develop relationships through connections with animals, understand orientation through space by following trails and map-reading, and understand human impacts on wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Pauly, co-author of Wild L.A. and director of the Urban Nature Research Center at the museum, said he had hope natural areas like Eaton Canyon would continue to be places to interact with nature and once again welcome field trips. "But its certainly going to be a while before that happens." This is the reality of modern Southern California," he said. Fire changes the landscape and peoples lives shockingly often. ___ This story has been updated to use the correct attribution for Higgins. ___ Mumphrey reported from Phoenix and Lurye reported from New Orleans. ___ The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Industry body CII has put forward a 10-point specific suggestion before the central government ahead of Budget 2025, to increase Ease of Doing Business in India. First, the industry body suggested that all regulatory approvals - central, state and local levels - must mandatorily be provided only through the National Single Window System (NSWS), which they believe will help bring about transparency and speed in the processes. In the first stage, CII suggested that it should be completed for all central ministries within the next six months, followed by bringing on the platform, states, in a phased manner. A dedicated central budget could be allocated for the purpose, especially from the point of view of incentivizing states to shift completely to the portal. In a continuously evolving competitive environment globally, coupled with rapidly changing geopolitical and economic conditions, sustained and speedy improvement in domestic business climate has assumed a high priority. While India has over the last decade remained focused on improving ease of doing business (EoDB), there is a need to maintain the momentum especially in certain specific areas, CII said in a statement. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said simplifying regulatory frameworks, reducing compliance burdens and enhancing transparency should continue to remain India's focus agenda for next several years. "Compliances for industry related to various areas such as land, labour, dispute resolution, paying taxes and environment offer a vast scope for reduction, vital for boosting competitiveness, driving economic growth and employment generation," the industry captain said, as quoted in the statement. In another suggestion towards Ease of Doing Business, CII said an Act, imposing statutory obligation on all public authorities for time-bound delivery of services and redressal of grievances, could be passed, with provision of deemed approval beyond the prescribed timeline. Three, it called for expedition of process of dispute resolution through both improving the capacity of courts and placing greater reliance on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism. Four, the scope of the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), which has been set up to identify, manage and reduce pendency of cases across the courts, needs to be expanded to include the data of tribunals, which constitute substantial chunk of pendency of cases in the system. Further, for streamlining environmental compliances, a unified framework could be introduced, which consolidates all requirements into a single document, CII suggested. "A performance-based incentive system can also be established to recognize companies that consistently exceed environmental standards by offering expedited environmental/forest approvals, clearances and permits," CII said. Easy access to land is important to facilitate new or expanding businesses. CII suggested that States may be incentivized to develop an Online Integrated Land Authority with an objective to streamline land banks, digitize and integrate land records, and provide information on disputed land, among others. Among other suggestions were reducing labour compliances, improving trade facilitation, and minimising tax-related litigation. As is the convention, the Budget for 2025-26 will be tabled on February 1, 2025. The 2025-26 Budget will mark Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth. All eyes will be on the key announcements and the government's forward-looking economic guidance for the remainder of the Modi 3.0 tenure. This upcoming budget comes in the backdrop of weak GDP numbers and relatively weak consumption in the economy. The Indian economy grew by 5.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September quarter of the current financial year 2024-25. The quarterly growth was quite lower than RBI's forecast of 7 per cent. In the April-June quarter too, India's GDP grew at a slower pace than was estimated by its central bank. The Finance Ministry conducts several pre-budget consultation meetings annually with experts, industry leaders, economists, and state officials. The formal exercise to prepare the annual Budget for the next financial year has already begun. Finance Minister Sitharaman herself has so far held a series of meetings with various stakeholders, including with MSMEs, farmers' associations, and economists. (ANI) For more on House Republicans debate on President-elect Donald Trumps agenda, watch CNNs Inside Politics with Manu Raju on Sunday at 8 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. ET. Rep. Tim Burchett has never voted to increase the US borrowing limit in his life. And that might not change just because Donald Trump is the one to ask for his vote. I dont know that I ever will, Burchett told CNN when asked if he could support Trumps plans for a debt limit hike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burchett, along with several other GOP hardliners, are drawing a clear red line when it comes to Trumps first big policy package. They say the measure which is expected to include a raise in the nations debt limit in addition to billions of dollars in spending on border security, energy projects and tax extensions must be fully paid for, and not with accounting gimmicks that even Republicans have used in the past. You have to show me some reductions in spending. Some real reductions in spending. Not this stuff, Oh were going to do this. Burchett said, dismissing past GOP attempts at budget reform that ultimately fizzle out. Burchett is among multiple House and Senate conservatives who told CNN they are demanding hundreds of billions or even trillions in spending cuts in order to support Trumps plan. Yet if they get their wish, its bound to cause a revolt among other quarters in the GOP, namely among Republican moderates and appropriators who have long protected certain cherished domestic programs. And that could cause the whole effort to collapse. Rep. Tim Burchett walks down the steps of the US Capitol Building following a vote on July 25, 2024, in Washington, DC. - Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images The more things we pile onto a reconciliation package the bigger the invitation for opposition, said Rep. Steve Womack, a senior appropriator and Republican of Arkansas. And I am concerned about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all underscores the enormous challenge Trump faces in piecing together a coalition behind what he calls one beautiful bill as party leaders navigate internal divisions over a complex suite of policies that House Speaker Mike Johnson has vowed to bring to the floor by April even though hell need near unanimous support within his conference to win passage. The chairman of the House Budget Committee is now preparing a list of $5 trillion worth of potential spending cuts in order to win over his conference, according to sources involved in the effort. Yet Republicans say the fiscal fights are bound to be among the hardest to resolve. Ive never voted for a debt ceiling increase before, and I would like to make sure that were paying for that, said Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus. Rep. Eli Crane, a Republican of Arizona, said he most likely would have major demands in exchange for including the debt limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked how he felt about Trumps push to raise the national borrowing limit as part of the plan, Crane said: Ive got no comment. While no member is rejecting Trumps agenda outright, they are signaling they are willing to dig in against any bill that doesnt include steep and immediate cuts to pay for the entirety of the plan, plus paying down some of the national debt. If the government funding fight from December, where 38 Republicans voted against the bill that included the debt hike Trump wanted, is any indication, Trump merely calling on lawmakers to support it again might not be enough. The president-elect, for instance, personally influenced Johnsons last attempt to raise the debt limit. And that sentiment hasnt changed among many conservatives. Bad idea, Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, told CNN when asked about including a debt-limit hike in the broader package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the borrowing limit will need to be raised sometime this year to avoid the first-ever debt default, a potential economic calamity Trump is so eager to avoid that he made a last-ditch push to raise it in December that nearly spurred a government shutdown ahead of Christmas. Johnson was ultimately forced to punt on the debt limit and now plans to include the plan in the massive Trump bill. Since they are using a budget process that cant be filibustered under the rules in the Senate, Johnson argues that they can raise the debt limit on their own terms meaning they wont need Democratic buy-in to pass the bill. But that means theyll need to keep their own party in line. Senior Republicans see the early warnings from the right as an ominous sign for a massive bill that must win support from all but a single Republican in the House. And some privately believe it may be impossible to pass any debt limit hike without help from Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about fellow Republican gripes over the debt limit, senior Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma said there are members who never will support it. Thats occasionally been a problem here matching idealism with reality, Lucas said. And many of my friends who have never voted for a debt limit issue have voted for every increase in defense spending, every increase in infrastructure. Mar-a-Lago mindmeld Trump and GOP leaders are working aggressively to win over these conservatives on the early stages of the bill. The president-elect hosted members of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus at Mar-a-Lago this weekend. But some conservatives say they arent entirely satisfied with what theyre hearing so far. Rep. Keith Self, a Republican from Texas who initially opposed Johnson as speaker on January 3, told CNN he is concerned that spending was not well addressed in a recent policy session with House GOP leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reconciliation is about controlling spending on the mandatory side, Self said, referring to the budget process used to circumvent the filibuster. We need to make sure were doing that. The budgetary math, though, is difficult as Johnson and others have ruled out any cuts to costly programs like Medicare and Social Security. Look, the president(-elect) has made it very clear. Social Security and Medicare have to be preserved and we are not, no one is coming in with the intention of cutting benefits in any way or anything, Johnson told reporters. House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives at the US Capitol on January 6, in Washington, DC. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Instead, Republicans are discussing ways to trim spending from programs like Medicaid or nutritional programs by instituting work requirements. There are easy GOP targets, like recouping the costs of Bidens attempt to forgive student loan debt or his new federal support for electric vehicles, which Republicans believe could save at least $100 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats unlikely to cover the whole price tag. One GOP aide described it as taking a scalpel into a mine to look for ore. And any decision to slash spending risks losing more GOP voters. Weve got 20 or 25 different complex issues, said Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, a stalwart fiscal hawk. His biggest single priority is making sure the bill doesnt cost more money real savings and not bull crap, made up cuts. Asked if he would buckle to pressure from Trump to raise the debt limit, Roy told CNN: I fully support clearing the decks on the debt ceiling But Im not going to back off my belief that we need to drive deficits down. Most members heading down to Mar-a-Lago say they will be in listening mode, hoping that Trump will present them with ideas they can get behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its having those lines of communication, which I think are really important, GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, who met with Trump on Friday night, told CNN. The GOP pressure campaign begins Conservatives in Congress say they will insist that the full package including any extension of Trumps 2017 tax cuts are fully paid for, unlike the first time around. Republicans want to return to fiscal responsibility that has been lost over the last several years under leadership from both parties, said Rep. Ben Cline, a member of the Freedom Caucus and GOP budget committee. But that dynamic gets trickier as GOP leaders consider adding even more tax breaks. Johnson is under intense pressure by a small group of New York Republicans to restore a costly state and local tax benefit that their party restricted in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cline said bringing back the more generous deduction, known as SALT, could cost as much as a trillion dollars. Are those savings achievable? Is this conference willing to seek them out and include them? That is something we have to talk about, Cline said, when asked about the tax deductions. Rep. Ben Cline speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on June 26, 2024, in Washington, DC. - Samuel Corum/Getty Images But that group of Republicans, representing swing districts in New York, New Jersey and California, will also meet with Trump this weekend as some of those members say restoring the SALT tax break is their own red line. Look, Ive been very clear, said Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend. I will not support a tax bill that does not lift the cap on SALT. Rep. Ralph Norman, another Freedom Caucus member, believes Trump will ultimately help keep the GOP in line behind his bill. He pointed to a phone call from Trump last week during the speaker election, when Trump helped convince him to give Johnson a full term as speaker. He will call 100 people if it takes that, just like he did with me. I want a president, who can tell us directly, This is why I need it, and, whats it going to take to get you on board? Norman said. CNNs Annie Grayer and Ali Main contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WFLA) A Fort Lauderdale man is accused of severely beating a 75-year-old man during a home invasion Friday night, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ. Joseph Soini, 48, reportedly beat the victim and stole his vehicle and $4,000 in cash. Teen drives through Florida cemetery, damaging tombstones: report Fort Lauderdale police responded to the home in the 2900 block of Banyan Street around 10:30 p.m. on Friday to find the 75-year-old victim severely beaten. He was taken to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, WTVJ reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to investigators, the man had taken out his trash and was coming back to his apartment when he found Soini in his home, going through his stuff. When the victim confronted Soini, the suspect struck him with a trophy and tried to strangle him, WTVJ reported. Soini reportedly took off the victims bicycle and the $4,000. Shooter at Florida party misses victim, gets stabbed in stomach: deputies Police located Soini the following morning around 1:20 a.m. in the stolen vehicle near a highway. Officers immobilized the vehicle and took him into custody. Soini was arrested Saturday on charges of grand theft auto and possession of cocaine, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This remains an active investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. What is a mandate?" We hear the term bandied about by newly elected office holders following elections, as imprimaturs for enacting the so-called will of the people. It doesnt matter Florida has had a history of razor-thin elections whether it was the 2000 election or the 2018 three statewide races (governor, senator and agriculture commissioner), so close they triggered mandatory recounts. Let not a mandate be lost on small details like voter turnout. In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed a landslide victory and a mandate for change, when he won the popular vote with 4,612,210 votes. And while this years election in Florida wasnt close, Amendment 4 a citizen initiative to overturn Floridas dangerous, near-total abortion bans got 57%. It failed to pass, due to a 60% requirement for constitutional amendments. But let's be clear here: 57% of the vote represents over 6 million people who voted yes. So, how can legislative leaders now claim Florida voters didnt speak loud and clear about the need to overturn Floridas ban? Palm Beach County Resident Ella Reiss shouts and applauds during a Bans Off Our Bodies abortion rights protest at Clematis Street and Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Saturday, October 2, 2021. From Duval County to Orange and from Hillsborough to Palm Beach, Floridians saw through the oppositions lies and attacks and stood up for limiting government interference in our health care. In areas with college towns, like Tallahassee and Gainesville, support was even higher 66% and 68% respectively. And counties as diverse as Monroe, Gadsden, Broward and Seminole, all cleared the required 60% threshold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Abortion ruling requires us to vote for our freedom And Palm Beach County overall, you ask? Over 725,000 county residents voted yes for Amendment 4, accounting for 66% of the vote. There is no question about it. Florida voters made their intentions clear. Floridians do not want politicians in their exam room. We need them to stay out of the private decisions between women and their healthcare providers. Florida lawmakers should listen to Floridians on abortion As Floridas Legislature prepares to return to Tallahassee March 1 to do the peoples work, the 6 million-plus of Amendment 4 voters want our representatives to heed the voice of the majority and remember: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridas abortion ban is among the most extreme nationally; Most women do NOT even realize they are pregnant at 6 weeks, when the ban kicks in; The ban does not have real exceptions for rape, incest or health of the woman; And finally, near-total bans, like Floridas, lead to dire consequences for women and force doctors to risk criminal prosecution simply for treating their patients. Lillian Tamayo, former president/CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, talks about her organization in West Palm Beach in 2021. Tamayo retired after 23-plus years. Opinion: Time for Florida voters to take back their abortion rights Here is the irony: While most Floridians voted to keep the government from interfering in our most personal medical decision, anti-abortion politicians used state government agencies to interfere in the election every step of the way. The State of Florida used taxpayer dollars to fund a multimillion-dollar campaign of lies and disinformation, issued unconstitutional threats to television stations for airing ads in support of Amendment 4, and spread disinformation about the signature-gathering process and the amendments fiscal impact. The bottom line is that, any way you count it, earning 57% in a statewide election in Florida is a mandate for change. And thats exactly what were calling for. Our elected officials can start by repealing the six-week ban. Lillian Tamayo, a member of the Palm Beach Post Editorial Advisory Board, is former president/CEO at Planned Parenthood South, East and North Florida. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Floridas abortion ban is among most extreme in US. End it | Opinion Rory Sykes, a former Australian child star, has tragically passed away in the California wildfires at the age of 32. It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. Im totally heart broken, Rorys mother, Shelley Sykes, shared in a message via X on Thursday, January 9. Describing Rory as a wonderful son and a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday, Shelley reflected on Rorys life and passions. Best known for his role in Kiddy Kapers, a popular childrens television program in England, Rory was also the cofounder of Happy Charity, alongside his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelley also spoke about the difficulties Rory overcame in his life. Rory was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica, she wrote. In addition to his acting career, Rory gained recognition as an inspirational speaker. Shelley noted that he was sought after by motivational icon Tony Robbins. Rory had his own cottage on our 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, decked out with all the latest Apple gadgets, which burnt down yesterday 8 Jan 2024 Malibu Fires. I couldnt put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water, Shelley continued. Even the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed by [his] mama, his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie, and all his online fans around the world! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California wildfires have displaced thousands of people in the Los Angeles area with several different fires burning in locations like Pacific Palisades, Eaton and more. Dry conditions and high winds have enabled the flames to spread at a rapid pace and authorities have had trouble containing the blaze. Former Child Star Rory Sykes Dead at Age 32 in California Fires Several celebrities have lost their homes in the fires, including Silence of the Lambs star Anthony Hopkins, This Is Us actress Mandy Moore, reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Paris Hilton and more. Paris, 43, said that she watched the flames destroy her home on live television as she sat with her family on Wednesday, January 8. Two days later, she shared a video clip via Instagram that showed her surveying the wreckage. Im standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable. When I first saw the news, I was in complete shockI couldnt process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces, the Simple Life alum wrote alongside the clip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paris described the home as not just a place to live, but where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family. She added that it was where her son, Phoenix, used his little hands to make art that she will cherish forever, and seeing it reduced to ashes was devastating beyond words. What breaks my heart even more is knowing that this isnt just my story. So many people have lost everything. Its not just walls and roofsits the memories that made those houses homes. Its the photos, the keepsakes, the irreplaceable pieces of our lives, Paris added. And yet, in this pain, I know Im incredibly lucky. My loved ones, my babies and my pets are safe. Thats the most important thing, and Im holding onto that gratitude with everything I have. LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) More than a dozen people have died as a result of the wildfires burning in Los Angeles, authorities have confirmed. Among them is a former child actor, his mother has confirmed. Shelley Sykes, the mother of Rory Sykes, said in a post on X that the child actor turned philanthropist and professional speaker, died on January 8. Sykes, born blind and with cerebral palsy, had been living at his familys home in Malibu, California where he had his own cottage. According to his mother, 32-year-old Sykes died as a result of the fires burning in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres how you can help animals affected by the Los Angeles wildfires I couldnt put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by [Las Virgenes Municipal Water], Shelley Sykes wrote on X, adding that she was totally heart broken. Las Virgenes Municipal Water denied Sykes claims, with a spokesperson telling NBC News that water service did remain available and uninterrupted to her property and the entire surrounding community. Speaking with Australian news outlet 10 News First, Shelley Sykes explained that she tried to save Rory but was limited because of a broken arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I couldnt lift him, I couldnt move him, she explained. Authorities determined Rory Sykes died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Doctors initially believed Sykes, born in England and raised in Australia, would never see or walk due to injuries he sustained from a car crash while in the womb, which included brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy, according to his website. After several surgeries, however, Sykes gained the ability to both see and walk. As a child, Sykes hosted Kiddy Kapers, a British television show produced by his mother. He soon realized he did not like life in front of the camera, and went on to be a philanthropist, investor, gamer, developer, founder, speaker, and mentor, his website explains. As of Sunday morning, authorities have confirmed 16 deaths related to the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area. Five have been attributed to the Palisades Fire while 11 others were due to the Eaton Fire. The death toll is expected to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in leveled neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For continuing coverage of the Los Angeles wildfires, stick with KTLA. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAV) A former nurse practitioner has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising out of his distribution of child pornography to an undercover law enforcement officer in June 2024, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Lucas Allen Fussell, 42, of Onley, Virginia, pleaded guilty on December 18 to two counts of distribution of child pornography. According to court papers, between December 20, 2023, and February 7, 2024, Fussell exchanged videos and images containing child pornography with another individual whose phone was later seized and searched by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant. In the course those conversations, Fussell shared details that revealed his identity. Those details included his home address, a description of his vehicle, and numerous sexualized comments about examining the genitals of patientssome as young as 11 years oldthat he saw in the course of his work as a nurse practitioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fussell sent an undercover agent with the FBI-Metropolitan Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force numerous images and videos depicting the rape and sexual abuse of prepubescent boys, officials say. Port Wentworth PD investigating Saturday shooting On July 16, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Fussells residence in Onley, Virginia, and seized numerous encrypted electronic devices, according to officials. Fussell was arrested and has remained in custody ever since. Fussell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum of 40 years in prison. He also faces mandatory restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 6. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit justice.gov/psc. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. On a Sunday in August 2022, Anthony Bell-Johnson and Jay Nixon-Clark got out of a Chevrolet Equinox on a street in a new subdivision in far northwest Fort Worth. They were there at midday to shoot Jamarrien Monroe because Bell-Johnson and Nixon-Clark believed that associates of Monroe had fired bullets upon a house in which Bell-Johnsons relatives lived, according to a Fort Worth Police Department homicide detective. Nixon-Clark would later tell the detective, Jerry Cedillo, that he left the SUV with a white Kriss Vector compact rifle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in the street outside the house where Monroe lived was Bell-Johnson, who is known as One Leg. Bell-Johnson uses a prosthetic limb after losing his leg as a child in a train accident. He once held the artificial limb and pretended to fire it in a fashion similar to the way in which police allege he handled the Draco, known as a chopper, from which he fired .762 rounds into Monroes house on Steel Dust Drive. The ejected cartridge casings of 15 such rounds were left in the street when Bell-Johnson was done. On the day of the shooting, Nixon-Clark was 16 years and 9 months old, just shy of reaching legal status as an adult. Bell-Johnson was 21. Monroe was in the garage. Its door was up and the 17-year-old and four children who were also there were exposed to the shooters. Nixon-Clark fired one round that was collected from a stairwell inside the house before the gun jammed, according to prosecutors. (In the final of several accounts he offered to detectives in an interview, Nixon-Clark admitted that, before it jammed, he fired the gun once when it was pointed toward the ground.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he was shot Monroe ran from the garage to the laundry room and kitchen before he collapsed near the front door. He left a trail of his blood on the floor as he moved through the house. Monroe, who was pronounced dead at a hospital, was the target, but two children were also felled by gunfire. Jamarrien Monroes 18-month-old son, Jhacari Monroe, was grazed in the leg. Jamarrien Monroes cousin, Rayshard Scott, who was 5, was shot in the torso. He fell to the garage floor near the door leading to the interior of the house. He, too, would be pronounced dead at a hospital. You know how big a casket for a 5-year-old is? Detective Cedillo would later ask Nixon-Clark in an interview, trying to jolt him into honesty. Its small. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nixon-Clark is the first of the two defendants in the case to go to trial on capital murder indictments. Nixon-Clarks trial began on Monday, Jan. 6 in an auxiliary court in Tarrant County that was established last year to reduce a backlog of cases created when trials were halted during the coronavirus pandemic. Nixon-Clark was indicted under a statute that alleges he intentionally or knowingly caused the death of multiple people at the same time. Nixon-Clark was certified to be tried as an adult after the case was first filed in a juvenile court. Flowers and other items sit at the door of a home in the Quarter Horse Estates neighborhood of Fort Worth, where 5-year-old Rayshard Scott and 17-year-old Jamarrien Monroe were fatally shot in August 2022. A toddler was also hurt in the shooting. Under cross examination Detective Cedillo testified that a fingerprint on a door handle from the Chevrolet Equinox is among evidence that connects Tyreion Nixon-Clark, a brother of Jay Nixon-Clark, to the Steel Dust Drive scene. Bell-Johnson and Jay Nixon-Clark are the only suspects who law enforcement authorities allege fired shots in the case. Two days after Jamarrien Monroe and his 5-year-old cousin were killed, police arrested Tyreion Nixon-Clark in connection with an unrelated homicide motivated by robbery in which the suspect arranged a meeting that the victim thought was to be a rifle sale, authorities said. Tyreion Nixon-Clark was in May 2024 convicted of aggravated robbery in the homicide of Deadrick Mason, a 17-year-old also known as Peanut. Bell-Johnson and Jay Nixon-Clark sat in the parked Chevrolet Equinox for three minutes and 19 seconds before getting out and firing their guns at Monroes home, Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Melinda Hogan told the jury in the states opening statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview with Cedillo and the cases lead detective, Leah Dickerson, Jay Nixon-Clark first denied any involvement and suggested that Jamarrien Monroe was an acquaintance with whom he was on good terms. Cedillo, who was familiar with Jay Nixon-Clark because of his work on the homicide in which Nixon-Clarks brother was a suspect, pressed for more. Were you just sitting in the car, man? Cedillo asked, minimizing his role in a tactic the detective hoped would make the teenager feel better about acknowledging the truth. Yes, Nixon-Clark said. He said that he was asleep in the back passenger seat of the Equinox during the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally Nixon-Clark admitted firing once after he had watched from the vehicle as a small boy (who must have been Jhacari Monroe) tottered from the garage to the driveway in a diaper. Nixon-Clark was unable to clear his jammed weapon and could not fire again, he told police. Than God for that, Hogan told the jury in the states opening statement. Hogan is prosecuting the case with Assistant District Attorney Bill Vassar. Bullet holes are visible in the garage door at the Fort Worth home where 5-year-old Rayshard Scott and 17-year-old Jamarrien Monroe were fatally shot in 2022. A toddler was also injured in the shooting. More top stories from our newsroom: Manhunt for suspect after shots fired in Arlington robbery Defendant on trial in Fort Worth killings of teen, 5-year-old Plans for new TEXRail station in this Fort Worth neighborhood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Get our breaking news alerts.] Nixon-Clarks role as a possible suspect first came to police in a telephone tip. The states evidence has included information from social media accounts, location data they extracted from his cellphone and his admissions in the interview with detectives. Leon Haley, Nixon-Clarks retained defense attorney, told the jury in his opening statement that he expected prosecutors would not call any witness who would testify that they saw Nixon-Clark at the Steel Dust Drive scene. In a hearing outside the presence of the jury, Haley sought to suppress a portion of the interview with Cedillo and Dickerson that continued after the defendant referred to a lawyer and asked to be taken home before he continued to talk. Haley asserted that it was not reasonable to believe Nixon-Clark thought he was free to leave the Homicide Unit office interview room, that he was not in custody or that his participation was voluntary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A detective drove Nixon-Clark to his home after the interview, and he was at sometime later taken into custody on an arrest warrant. Judge Andy Porter denied the suppression motion, and the jury viewed and listened to the complete interview, in which Nixon-Clark admitted firing the Kriss Vector rifle once outside the house. Justice Lee Gabriel has also presided at the trial. Under Haleys questioning, neighbors whose surveillance cameras recorded the shooting at a distance testified that they could not tell whether the people in the images were male or female, much less that one of them was Nixon-Clark. Nine months after the homicides a Fort Worth Police Department Gang Unit officer documented Nixon-Clark as a Crip gang member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nixon-Clark and Bell-Johnson participated in a music video in which they point guns, reference gang affiliations and throw gang signs, according to prosecutors. The video was uploaded to YouTube in June 2022. Cary Walker, now a Fort Worth Department Gun Violence Unit detective, was among the first patrol officers at the shooting scene, and prosecutors played a recording from his body-worn camera. As he described, in response to a question from prosecutor Vassar, what he found, Officer Walker stopped speaking. Sorry, he said. I think about this little boy a lot. A police car drives through the neighborhood where two children and a 17-year-old were shot the day before in the 8500 block of Steel Dust Drive. Neighbors said the presence of local law enforcement was unprecedented on the usually quiet street. Another states witness, Anthony Francisco, a rear neighbor of the residents of the house where the killings occurred, testified that he was napping with his pregnant wife in the living room when a bullet came through a fence, a window and over the bed in the master bedroom before it lodged in a wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiffany Daley, Rayshard Scotts mother, recalled learning of the shooting while she was away from the house with a friend. She went to Cook Childrens Medical Center and eventually saw her son with closed eyes on a gurney. I wanted to touch him, Daley told the jury. Prosecutor Hogan walked before the jury box holding a photo of the little boy that was taken on his first day of kindergarten, a few weeks before he was shot to death. The trial, which was adjourned on Thursday and Friday because of winter weather, is to continue on Monday with the states case in chief. Jan. 12Hosting radio shows focused on health in the Navajo language. Serving in the military. Mentoring young nurses. Advancing diabetes education. Those were some of the accomplishments of four retired nurses who will receive the Nursing Legend Award this year from the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence this year. The nursing center announced last week that Malene Betonie, Dr. Zella Bray, Allison Kozeliski and Suzanne Smith were this year's recipients. The four women will be recognized at a gala on April 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because of these nurses' tireless service, countless lives in New Mexico were touched, healed and uplifted," Rachael Frija, board president of the New Mexico Center For Nursing Excellence, said in a press release. Betonie is a board member of the New Mexico Native American Indian Nurses Association, an organization that advocates for American Indian people's health needs and supports American Indian students pursuing careers in health care. She received the award, in part, for her work on KNOW, a Navajo radio station where she gives listeners health advice in Dine, the Navajo language. "It is my daily goal to have as many people to take care of their health," Betonie said. "That is why I teach my nursing knowledge on the radio in Navajo language." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bray was a medical-surgical instructor at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing for almost twenty years, after a career in the U.S. Air Force and National Park Service. "I never thought of being a nursing instructor, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me," Bray said. Kozeliski's nursing career spanned almost 50 years in New Mexico. She worked for many years in Gallup, her hometown, where she was instrumental in the merger of two community hospitals. She is credited with advancing diabetes education across McKinley County. "To be able to advocate for those who most need the touch of healing, to provide a voice for those who have none and to promote New Mexico as among the best of the best in providing nursing care has been and will continue to be among the most important things I do," Kozeliski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith practiced at San Juan Regional Medical Center for more than 40 years, where she was considered a mentor for many nurses. She also worked closely with San Juan College. "I am humbled by and grateful for this amazing honor in recognition of my nursing career," Smith said. "New Mexico nurses are in a league of their own and I am proud to be one of them." The purpose of the loan is to support Bangladesh in undertaking structural reforms supporting the mobilisation of domestic resources, efficiency of public investment projects, developing private sector, reforming state-owned enterprises, and promoting transparency and good governance. "ADB's PBL (policy-based loan) promptly responds to Bangladesh's immediate development financing needs following the political transition," said ADB Regional Lead Economist Aminur Rahman. "ADB's program was developed in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and other development partners." Bangladesh has been struggling with revenue mobilization, as it possesses the lowest tax-to-gross domestic product ratio in the world, ADB said in a statement dated January 11. ADB believes the loan will help Bangladesh introduce key policy actions. The loan also aims to facilitate policy and institutional reforms to promote a "whole of government" logistics sector reform to reduce the cost of trade and promote export diversification. (ANI) CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) The French territory of Mayotte was battered by a new tropical storm Sunday, just weeks after the worst cyclone to hit the islands in nearly a century laid waste to entire neighborhoods and villages and left authorities facing a huge recovery effort. Mayotte issued a red alert and people were ordered to stay in their homes or find a solid shelter, and store food and water, as Tropical Storm Dikeledi brought heavy rains and strong winds to once again pound France's poorest department. Some areas were experiencing flooding. Mayotte, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, had only just begun the process of rebuilding after the devastation of Cyclone Chido last month, which killed at least 39 people, left more than 200 still missing, and injured more than 5,000 when in struck on Dec. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three people died in nearby Madagascar after Dikeledi made landfall there as a cyclone on Saturday, the country's National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said. Parts of northern Madagascar were also placed under red alert. Dikeledi had weakened to a tropical storm by the time it reached Mayotte on Sunday, French meteorological service Meteo-France said. The center of the storm would pass about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Mayotte, Meteo said. Chido had hit Mayotte head-on. But Meteo-France warned Dikeledi could strengthen into a cyclone again, while authorities in Mayotte said there was a high danger of flooding and landslides across the islands and issued the red alert on Saturday night. That alert would remain in place for Sunday and civilians were forbidden from being outside until the alert was lifted, said the Mayotte Prefecture, the French government department that runs the territory. The danger to the population persists, the prefecture said on its official Facebook page. It said the weather would be calm at one point on Sunday but would become violent again later in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayotte was also again opening cyclone shelters at schools and community centers for those in need, the prefecture said. The international airport, which was heavily damaged by Chido, was closed again until further notice. Officials said they were taking no chances after the devastation of Chido, which prompted an angry reaction by Mayotte residents who vented their frustration at French President Emmanuel Macron when he visited days after the disaster. Mayotte's people have previously accused the French government of neglecting them and the territory, which is the poorest in the European Union. The French Interior Ministry said emergency personnel and security forces had been mobilized for Dikeledi's arrival, with much of the focus on the precarious shantytowns around the capital, Mamoudzou, and other areas, which were largely destroyed by Chido. Many who had lost their houses in Chido still had no proper shelter when Dikeledi struck. National TV station Mayotte la 1ere said that the southern village of Mbouini, one of the few in Mayotte spared by Chido, had been flooded and almost totally destroyed by Dikeledi. Mayotte la 1ere broadcast video of the residents of Mbouini escaping in wooden canoes as their homes were submerged under flood water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayotte is a densely populated territory of around 320,000 people. Another 100,000 undocumented migrants from nearby Comoros and elsewhere are also believed to live on the islands, which are a draw for people from poorer countries because of the French welfare system. Chido was the worst cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years, authorities said. While 39 deaths have been confirmed, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned on a visit to the islands two weeks ago that the final death toll could be several hundred. Authorities have faced challenges in recording the deaths and injuries from Chido because many of those affected were undocumented migrants, and also because of the Muslim practice of burying people within 24 hours of them dying. After smashing Mayotte, Chido made landfall on mainland Africa, killing more than 100 others in Mozambique and Malawi. Meteorologists expect Dikeledi to turn south and then east, tracking back toward Madagascar and out to sea after passing Mayotte. November to April is cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean, and the region has been pummeled by a series of strong ones in recent years. The worst was Cyclone Idai in 2019, which killed more than 1,500 people in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe and affected more than 3 million people. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa Freezing drizzle is pushing into southeastern Wisconsin Sunday morning, with the potential to melt this afternoon and refreeze, causing slippery conditions on untreated roads tonight. "We're expecting a cold front to come through, and we're looking at the temperatures to crash pretty hard," said National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Wagner. The mix of snow and freezing drizzle is expected to taper off in the late afternoon. Temperatures near the freezing mark in the afternoon may cause melting and create wet roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures will plunge around 6 p.m. and into the night, meaning untreated roads could refreeze and result in slick conditions. But gusty winds overnight could "help dry things out," Wagner said. Temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing on Monday, meaning the morning commute could be impacted. Light snow & freezing drizzle through this afternoon. Flurries may linger into this evening across south central WI. Temps near freezing this afternoon may causing some melting. Any wet, untreated surface this evening may refreeze as temps drop and winds become gusty. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/8TaC3dVfyn NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) January 12, 2025 Wagner said untreated or less-traveled roads are more susceptible to refreezing. Roads and highways that are heavily used and treated with salt are less of a concern, though it's still a good idea to drive carefully. "Give yourself plenty of time in case you do experience it. Because you may not know some part of the road may be covered with ice, some may be fine," Wagner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you do hit a patch of ice, don't slam on the breaks, Wagner said. Take your foot off the brake and slow down naturally. Don't use cruise control in slick conditions, either. How much snow will Wisconsin get on Sunday? Light snow is also possible throughout southern Wisconsin this afternoon, but very little accumulation is expected in Milwaukee. "The snow kind of missed us. It went north to the northern part of the state, and also down in the Chicago area," Wagner said. "I know some areas down in Chicago saw close to an inch of snow, so we just kind of got that dry air that moved in." Counties to the north of Milwaukee, like Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, are more likely to see higher totals near an inch. Southeastern counties like Kenosha and Racine are getting clipped by the system moving through Chicago and could see half an inch or an inch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas farther north, including Rhinelander, Marinette and Oconto could see up to two to four inches. Door County could see even higher totals. Freezing drizzle could mix with the snow at times in those areas. Data from 511 Wisconsin shows road conditions are normal in the southern half of Wisconsin as of 10:30 a.m., while most roads in the northern half of the state are partially covered. This story was updated to correct a typo. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Freezing drizzle in Wisconsin may create slippery roads tonight WABASH VALEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) All lanes are reopened after an overturned semi on I-70 slowed traffic on Saturday afternoon between Brazil and Putnamville exits. The semi accident happened Friday night, and according to the Indiana State Police it was ruled as a property damage accident. Segreant Matt Ames with the Indiana State Police mentioned the removal from accident did not happen until Saturday per request of the truck company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISP reduced the eastbound side of I-70 to one lane as cargo from the overturned semi was unloaded onto another truck. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. Fuerza Regida are providing aid to those in need of housing amid the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles region. To our beloved community affected by the Los Angeles fires: We are here for you in this challenging time. Weve rented out a hotel with space for more than 50 families, more will become available for those in need of shelter. Please know that we stand with you and will continue to support throughout this difficult period. Rooms will be available at 3pm PT 01/11/24, the Mexican American band, from San Bernardino, Calif., announced in a statement released Saturday (Jan. 11). More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please reach out to logistics@streetmobcorp.com for further information. Stay safe. Much Love, Fuerza Regida, they signed the note. In an Instagram post, Fuerza Regida added that theyve rented the hotel for six days. For health alerts, evacuation updates and additional shelter information as the wildfire battle continues, go to L.A. Countys emergency website here. A number of organizations, listed here, are also offering help to those impacted by the California wildfires, which have been blazing through the L.A. area and causing extensive damage since Tuesday. Musicians and music industry professionals who are affected can get details about assistance here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fuerza Regida won the top/duo group and top Latin duo/group awards at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, as well as four awards at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Their latest album, Pero No Te Enamores, featuring singles including title track Pero No Te Enamores and the hit Nel, debuted at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart in July. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jan. 11Jeremy Rose has spent most of his time in prison. He was sentenced to life in 1995, when he was 17, after pleading guilty to participating in the slayings of two elderly people. He was still a kid when he hit the prison yard one engulfed in anger at himself and what he had done. He believed his life was over. Rose, now 48, recalls thinking: " 'This is my life. I'm never going to get out of here. I'm going to die in prison.' " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 30 years later, Rose would be proven wrong. He was released in 2023 under legislation that abolished life sentences without parole for juveniles in New Mexico and retroactively allowed people who had received such sentences to be paroled. The state law, years in the making, realized a hope Rose and others like him had once abandoned. Eliminating the practice of locking up juveniles for the rest of their lives is a measure that's gained traction throughout the nation as a way of offering a second chance to people incarcerated for crimes committed before their brains were fully developed. According to the nonprofit (De)serving Life, New Mexico was the 27th state to eliminate the sentencing option when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 64 in March 2023. Denali Wilson, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, said ending sentences of life without parole for juveniles helps break cycles that lead to more violence. "Prison is not something that is preventing violence, but it is a part of generating that cycle," Wilson said. "And especially when we're talking about young people who are learning how to navigate the world, this is the environment that we're requiring them to learn in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she added, "I continue to be just floored by the ability of people ... who have navigated that and grown up in those systems and learned and chosen to navigate the world differently." It's still too soon to assess the overall effects of the law. New Mexico Corrections Department spokesperson Brittany Roembach said the agency needs at least three years of data to calculate recidivism rates but because most of those released have been free for only about a year, there isn't yet enough data. Of the nine New Mexico prisoners released under what's known as the "second chance" bill, two went back into the custody of the Corrections Department after violating conditions of their parole, both issues tied to housing. So-called second chancers, some incarcerated for decades, face immense challenges in the outside world, struggling to find support systems and stability. But many also have seized an opportunity for a second chance, crafting lives and careers, often building on momentum and redemption that began inside prison walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rose is one of those people. He had set out to turn his life around, which entailed years of work to improve himself and reckon with what he did. The effort finally paid off. "It was excitement, but sheer terror at the same time," Rose said of the day he was released. Many still denied a second chance Under the second chance bill, juveniles convicted of first-degree murder must first serve 20 years before becoming eligible for parole. Those found guilty of two or more counts must first serve 25 years. In comparison, adults convicted of first-degree murder can receive life sentences without the possibility of parole, while lifers eligible for parole must wait 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becoming eligible for release under the law does not mean a person sentenced to life as a juvenile will automatically receive parole after serving the prerequisite number of years. They must face the New Mexico Parole Board, which assesses an array of outcomes, including the progress they have made as well as past disciplinary actions against them. Many did not pass the test on their first try. Twenty-five people went up for parole under SB 64 after it was passed, meaning the nine released represent a success rate of about 36%. "I would say most of us are not the people that we were," said Darcy Morrison, a second chancer who was sentenced to life in prison for her part in a 1992 murder, when she was 17. She was released in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, she said not all of those eligible for parole under SB 64 are ready to be on the outside and convincing the Parole Board isn't easy. "I don't think it was a maturity thing," she said. "I think it was a mindset that, 'We're going to die in prison; we're never getting out,' and then someone comes along and says, 'Yeah, you can get out, but you have to prove it to the board and you have like 20 minutes to do it.' " One of the 16 who was not granted parole said the result broke his heart. "I haven't felt like that, probably, since I got found guilty and sentenced," said the 46-year-old inmate, who asked to be identified only by his initials, A.M. "It just [floored] me, and put me into a little bit of a depression." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not clear, he said, when he will get another chance at parole. Advocates and Parole Board members alike expect to encounter big questions when it comes to determining when an inmate eligible for release who already has served 30 years but has been denied parole should be able to go before the board again. New Mexico Parole Board Director Roberta Cohen said under current law, those inmates must wait five years, including if they have served 30 years. Changing that would require legislative action, she said. But if that five-year interval for second chancers stays in place even after they've served 30 years, when offenders sentenced to life in prison as adults are eligible for parole, advocates note second chancers largely those the bill applies to retroactively may have to wait longer for another parole hearing than offenders sentenced as adults. Those offenders wait two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, that's an issue not expected to come up for several years, which Wilson said leaves plenty of time to address it. "It's just one of the hiccups of implementation, and I remain optimistic that we'll be able to collaborate to fix the problem," she said. But the lack of clarity leaves inmates like A.M. who acknowledges his time in prison hasn't been perfect but says he's made great strides in limbo. A.M. started getting involved in street gangs when he was in the sixth grade, a path he said said ultimately led to the slaying of his older brother in an incident he said was his fault and, later, a night in March 1995 when he shot a man to death over a drug debt owed to his friend. He was 17 at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many of his peers, A.M. struggled when he first entered the prison yard. He found himself getting into fights and facing threats, and he said he spent years' worth of time in solitary confinement. That allowed him to turn inward and reshape himself. "I found myself in that cell," he said. "I found myself [in a way] that I don't think I otherwise would have because I was stripped away of everything, so all I was left with was just my pain, my regrets, my reality." A.M. said he has since earned his GED diploma and dozens of college credits and has received social services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When his time to face the Parole Board came around, he was hopeful. Now, with his hope dashed, he has no clear path forward. "It's a huge barrier to his and other people's lives, to not know what's next," Wilson said. "He's saying, 'OK, so I was denied now what?' " 'Feeling like your life is over' Second chancers described their prison entry as a dark time. Accepting the things they had done and the likelihood they would spend the rest of their lives behind bars did not come easy, and many acted out or fell into depression. For Rose, the depression lasted years. "[I was] just isolating myself from everybody and everything basically not wanting to participate in my own life," he said. He spoke about his drug- and alcohol-fueled crime a grisly incident on a cold night in February 1994. Rose was drinking and using drugs with friends at the Rio Rancho home of one of their grandparents. The party stretched further and further into the night, and his friend's grandmother came in to break it up. That rubbed the teenagers the wrong way, and though the drugs and alcohol cloud his memory of who came up with the idea, Rose said the trio ultimately settled on a plan to kill the grandparents. They took knives from the kitchen and fatally stabbed the couple. All three teenagers were arrested the following day and eventually sentenced to life in prison. Second chancers many now in their 40s said they felt forced into fighting upon entering prison, whether that was carried over from gang affiliations on the outside, a way of coping with their circumstances or just a means of survival. "I ended up in a lot of fights," said one parolee, who asked his name not be published. "... A lot of the fights that I got into were not necessary, but I felt like I needed to prove myself to somebody, or to let the population know that I'm not weak." Three decades in prison left their mark on Rose. "I've been stabbed. I've been beaten with weapons. I've got scars all over my head and face from altercations in prison," he said. After some time in many cases years second chancers said they eventually came to terms with the probability they would never be released. And for many, that was one of the first steps they needed to begin turning their lives around. "You get to the point 'If this is going to be the rest of my life, I can either be miserable for the rest of my life, or I can actively do something to try to better my situation,' " Rose said. He started taking classes, which Morrison said can be difficult to access in prison. She was also able to get an education, but it was a privilege she had to fight for. "The programs are set up for short-timers, for people with 10 years or less, because they're the ones who are going to get out and use that education," she said. Morrison earned a bachelor's degree and two associate degrees, and Rose got his GED diploma and helped set up a disciplinary intervention program he said drastically cut recidivism rates among those who participated. Both worked extensively at prison jobs and pursued new or existing hobbies Morrison read prolifically, and Rose learned to play the bass and the guitar. Eventually, both got a beacon of hope the second chance bill and a hearing before the Parole Board. "I had been waiting for 25 years for that moment, to be able to say those things, to be able to talk to them, to be able to be heard like that," Morrison said. Two weeks later, she got the news: She was getting out. "All I could think was, 'I need to call my mom,' " she recalled. Struggles on the outside Leaving prison walls behind does not mark the end of hard times for parolees. Housing specifically obtaining services through mental or behavioral health treatment centers that may provide living arrangements stands near the top of their list of challenges. Stephen Taylor, executive director of (De)serving Life, said the two second chancers who violated the terms of their parole were required to participate in treatment programs that were not good fits for them. While both were back in custody, Taylor said their parole was not revoked and they would soon be released again. He noted not all of the second chancers have families or other support systems in place on the outside. "Their challenges look a little different because they don't have the ready-made housing that family might be able to provide. They don't have those same kind of social support and connections," he said. Matthew Pettit, a caseworker with (De)serving Life who helps second chancers reintegrate into society, said they also face stigmas. "With returning citizens, I don't think it's very much viewed as something that they should be celebrated for what they have navigated," he said. "Instead, they're very much shamed and stigmatized for who they are, and so I think that has far reaches." Regulating feelings of shame and telling yourself a different story about who you are, is an important part of doing well on the outside, Pettit said. Even so, Morrison said her part in the murder she was locked up for still haunts her to this day. "I have a lot of remorse. I still have nightmares," she said. Rose still struggles to talk about what he did. "It's still difficult to wrap your head around the fact that you were that person. You did this thing that just tragically shaped so many lives," he said. Decades later, the pain is also still fresh for victims' families, said Linda Atkinson, executive director of the New Mexico Victims' Rights Project. Throughout the fight to get the second chance bill passed, she met with families who had lost loved ones to prospective second chancers. Some could not tolerate the idea of the offender being released and others openly advocated for the bill. It's always painful for victims' families when their loved one's killer is up for parole, Atkinson said. "It's sort of like a wound that you have, and it starts healing a little bit because time has gone by, and then here comes a hearing, and it's sort of like opening the wound again," she said. "[You] relive the trauma, the nightmare of hearing your loved one was killed." Marcus Montoya, president of the New Mexico District Attorney Association, said prosecutors in the state long opposed the second chance bill in part because of how commonly it would open the wounds of victims' families at parole hearings. "I think that's where a lot of the consternation was, right? Like, where is the sympathy and the thoughts and feelings for those who've lost loved ones?" he said. "... We do understand the position of, 'Well, juveniles' brains are not fully developed and they can still change and they can still be rehabbed and become contributing members of society' and that we don't disagree with. But, so, those are both sides of that coin." Having something to fight for Though he doesn't know if or when he may be released, A.M. said he hasn't given up hope. In the meantime, he tells his story as a way of cautioning other young people at risk of following the same path he did. In an open letter to New Mexico's youth, A.M. describes his experience in prison and how he ended up there. The letter, he said, is an effort to be a speed bump on the path to prison to be the one person who might make a difference in the life of a juvenile going the wrong way. "Nothing is worth your freedom," he said. "... This is not something that you want, it is not what it's glorified to be, and it's for real you can't take it back, you're stuck with it forever. And that's heartbreaking, every day, to wake up and realize that you can't take something back." For those released as part of the second chance bill, moving forward is about having something to fight for. For Rose, who now has a flourishing job at a vehicle parts store, that means making up for time lost. While he was locked up, Rose's mother was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly afterward. Her dream, he said, was to see him walk out the prison doors, and he feels he failed to realize that dream for her. Rose didn't want to lose another parent while he was in prison, and he wanted to be a father to his son, who was born shortly before he was locked up. Those were some of his biggest motivators to get out and succeed. "Prison isn't hard," he said. "You don't have any bills, you don't have to wonder if you're going to have a roof over your head." He added, "What my family went through that was the hardest part for me, is knowing they're always struggling, they're always worried." Morrison, who works for the University of New Mexico's Project ECHO on assisting people recently released from custody, said expressing her gratitude and being a role model for young people is what gets her up in the morning. "The goals that I have, the things I pursue, I believe, are not just for me," Morrison said. "I pursue them for all of the children who never got a chance. And I think that's how I see my life now, because I know there are still juveniles who are locked up, there are juveniles who are losing their lives, and on both sides of it." She added, "So at the very least, I can live my life in a way that I can hopefully represent that my chance is appreciated, that I have so much immeasurable gratitude for being able to have this chance and that I want to do it justice." Esteban Candelaria is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He covers child welfare and the state Children, Youth and Families Department. Learn more about Report for America at reportforamerica.org. CHICAGO Community and elected leaders in Garfield Park teamed up Saturday morning to get warm coats to those who need them most. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois) District Office in Garfield Park filled with volunteers eager to get loads of bags filled with winter coats and snowsuits placed into vehicles headed to numerous shelters and organizations. Were just grateful that we came into contact with a supplier, somebody who was willing to give these garments, and so we just served as the facilitator, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can make her dream come true: $2.66M jackpot iLottery winner tells wife its time to retire The congressman said merchants who partner with the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce donated 1,000 winter coats and snowsuits. Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker said hes grateful for the contributions. Many of the coats and snowsuits go to students and unhoused people in Bookers community. Were just a step away from the City of Chicago, so the City of Chicago family needs are the western suburbs family needs as well, Booker said. According to Booker, many of the items will fit an often-overlooked demographic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A lot of times, we need more for men and theres not a lot of snow suits as well, so its a blessing that we are able to receive from Congressman Davis and the team some snowsuits and actually be able to give men the coats they need as well, Booker said. Organizers said they decided to bring the coats to people to keep them from standing out in the cold. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking to make good on his end of a bargain he struck last year with tech giant Google to pay into a fund that will be distributed to journalism outlets in the state. The agreement came in lieu of a bill from Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, that would have required Google and Meta, parent of Facebook and Instagram, to pay news outlets for the journalism they feature on their platforms. That bill was shelved in the waning days of the last legislative session in favor of an agreement with Google in the amount of $180 million over the span of five years, with California taxpayers on the hook for $70 million of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As anticipated from last summers deal announcement, the Department of Finance is budgeting $30 million to go into the fund, which will be overseen by the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Joe Stephenshaw, Newsoms finance director, said Friday that the states remaining share would be paid out in increments of $10 million annually during the next few years. Google is expected to pay $15 million this year, and then $10 million a year through 2029, for a total of $55 million. The remaining portion of the $180 million agreement will go toward existing journalism programs, according to last years announcement. The agreement has met with pushback from labor groups, which had advocated for Wicks bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Media Guild of the West, which represents journalists throughout the Southwest, issued a statement this week recommending that leaders overhaul the agreement. Guild President Matt Pearce, a former Los Angeles Times journalist, called it the worlds worst Google news deal and offered six recommendations for Newsom and California lawmakers to consider. They include imposing a contribution incentive to encourage other Big Tech companies to donate to the fund in lieu of allocating public dollars, restricting public funds from being appropriated to corporate-owned news employers unless they have fair-labor agreements, including public media in the subsidy, and easing eligibility requirements for startup journalist worker cooperatives. In addition, the guild argued that publishers receiving funds should not control a majority of votes on the journalism funds board, and said that California must remove itself and the journalism fund from involvement with Googles National AI Accelerator, which was part of the agreement. The funding must still be approved by the California Legislature as part of the states budget process. Newsom then must sign the budget bills into law. Lawmakers have a constitutional requirement to pass the budget by June 15. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the devastating fires in Los Angeles, which have leveled Pacific Palisades and Altadena, require a rebuilding response hes characterizing as a Marshall Plan for the region. In an interview with Meet the Press with NBC News Jacob Soboroff, Newsom also agreed that the fires will end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history in terms of the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor said that when it comes to rebuilding, he has a team looking at reimagining L.A. 2.0. Were just starting to lay out. I mean, were still fighting these fires, so were already talking to city leaders. Were already talking to civic leaders. Were already talking to business leaders, with nonprofits. Were talking to labor leaders. Newsom also issued a new executive order to try to prevent fraud and price gouging, and speed the inspection process so those who have lost their homes can get their insurance claims. The executive order also eliminates California Environment Quality Act requirements, Newsom said, and addresses property tax assessments to make sure when someone rebuilds that they have their old property tax assessments and that theyre not increased. Im worried about time to getting these projects done, he said. Another worry, he said, is winter rains. Ive got to button up the canyons here as it relates to potential flooding of a lot of atmospheric rivers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom suggested that the rebuilding efforts also would be tied to the Olympics, which Los Angeles will host in 2028. The Olympics and other sporting events only reinforces the imperative in moving quickly, doing it in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation. President of the United States, Donald Trump, to his credit, was helpful in getting the Olympics to the United States of America, to get it down here in L.A. We thank him for that. This is an opportunity for him to shine, for this country to shine, for California and this community to shine, the opportunity with all of that and all that opportunity and that pride and spirit that comes from not just hosting those three iconic games and venues, but also the opportunity, I think, to rebuild at the same time. But the rebuilding effort is requiring massive federal disaster assistance. President Joe Biden has pledged 100% federal disaster recovery relief for the next six months, but the rebuilding effort will be much longer. The applications are available at Disasterassistance.gov. Trump, who will become president on Jan. 20, has blamed the fires on Newsom, who has pushed back on the claim and has invited the president-elect to survey the damage. Trump has claimed that the state reservoirs were not filled because of environmental concerns of the Delta smelt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what hes referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California, Newsom said. That mis- and disinformation I dont think advantages or aids any of us. Responding to Donald Trumps insults, we would spend another month. Im very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them. The Los Angeles Times and other outlets have reported that a reservoir that serves the Palisades was not full. That was not a state system reservoir, which the president-elect was referring to as it relates to the Delta and somehow connecting the Delta smelt to this fire, which is inexcusable because its inaccurate, Newsom said. Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state. Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into water supply issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So all of us want to know those answers, and I just dont want to wait because people are asking me. I want to know those facts, Newsom said. I want them objectively determined, and let the chips fall where they may. This is not about finger pointing. Soboroff asked Newsom whether his order for an investigation was a way to pass off blame. Newsom responded, How could it be when were doing an independent investigation and we just want the adjudication of the facts? As I say, its not about finger pointing. Its about answering the questions you and everybody want answered. And I think theres a propensity to wait to answer those questions, and people want immediacy. They want response and responsiveness. Asked by Soboroff is the buck stopped with him, Newsom responded, I mean, youre governor of California. It might as well be the mayor of California. Were all in this together. Were all better off when were all better off, and were all better off when were working together to take care of people and to make sure people are supported. Were empathetic. And were here not just in the immediacy of the crisis, but were here after the crisis, as opposed to creating a crisis in the middle of this by trying to divide people and play political, take cheap political shots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if he has faith in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Newsom said, I have absolute faith in our community. I have faith in our leaders. I have the faith of our capacity to work together. Newsom said that Trump has not responded to his invitation to visit, but he pointed out that the incoming president has threatened to withhold aid. So thats his style, Newsom said. And we take it seriously to the extent that in the past its taken a little bit more time. Ive been pretty expressive about that in the context of someone threatening our first responders in terms of supporting the immediacy of their needs or recovery. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Gavin Newsom said he has called Donald Trump to discuss the wildfires emergency, but still hasnt heard back from the President-elect. Newsom sent a letter Friday urging Trump who has been starkly critical of the governors policies and response since the outbreak last week asking for him to lay down arms and come see the devastation for himself. A Fox LA reporter speaking with Newsom Saturday asked how that conversation was going. Id like the President of the United States, at least the President-elect, to come and visit the people out here whose lives have been completely torn apart, Newsom said. I want them to visit and understand the magnitude of the scope of what happened to the American people that happen to reside here in California. And its with an open hand, not a closed fist. Im not interested in politicizing an event like this. I dont like the venality of it. I dont like the inhumanity of that. I would like people to focus on a collaboration between the executive in Washington, D.C., and in the state of California to help rebuild a community thats been completely ravaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reporter asked point-blank whether the two had spoken. No, Newsom replied. I just reached out to [Trump]. We invited him to come here. I worked very well, as you know as it relates to the Woolsey Fire and the Camp Fire, when we first met, ironically. We worked very well during COVID. And so thats my intention; its been from day one. Weve said 100 times: open hand, not a closed fist. Watch the entire exchange in the video below: NEWS: @GavinNewsom invited @realDonaldTrump to tour fire damage in CA with him.@CAgovernor tells me the President-elect hasn't returned his calls. Newsom worries Trump will try to cut CA's federal disaster funding. "We should be concerned. It's obvious to anyone." Watch pic.twitter.com/SDQRqH4PdB Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) January 11, 2025 Newsom has been in regular communication, however, with Joe Biden. Talking about the current President of the United States on everything without asking for anything in return, without leveraging anything, with decency and respect to the people here in this community and to the American people. And I think in the spirit of this country, Newsom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reporter asked Newsom whether he was concerned that Trump might un-do Bidens commitment to fund relief efforts with federal money. Well, you should be. We all should be, Newsom said. If past is prologue, so lets do everything in our power to avoid that. I mean, the idea that you had to ask that question and Im giving you a straight answer and the answer is we should be concerned. Its obvious to anyone. So thats why we want to come out here, do the right thing. The post Gavin Newsom Says Donald Trump Hasnt Returned His Calls: Its Pretty Shameful | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani had a meeting, and a few photographs from the meeting were shared by the CMO on Sunday. The CMO in an X post said that the Chairman of the Adani Group announced a planned investment of Rs 60,000 crore to expand the group's power plants in Raipur, Korba, and Raigarh. This expansion is expected to enhance Chhattisgarh's total power generation capacity by an additional 6,120 MW. Additionally, the Chairman committed Rs 5,000 crore for the development and expansion of the group's cement plants in the state. Gautam Adani also assured the state government of a Rs 10,000 crore investment over the next four years to support initiatives in education, healthcare, skill development, and tourism under CSR through the Adani Foundation. "The meeting also explored potential collaborations in manufacturing defence-related equipment and establishing data centres and a Global Capability Centre in Chhattisgarh," the CMO wrote on X. This significant investment is expected to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and enhance the state's overall development, it added. (ANI) Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister and co-leader of the Greens, insists that Berlin should provide Ukraine with more military aid than currently planned in the budget. Source: Spiegel, as reported by European Pravda Details: The foreign minister made such comments while speaking to the media in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of a meeting on the future of Syria. When asked by Spiegel about Chancellor Scholz's alleged blocking of an additional aid package for Ukraine, Baerbock said that if the aid isnt provided, Ukraine "will be less able to defend itself and therefore less able to defend us". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that providing Ukraine with assistance would be the best contribution to the security of Europe and Germany itself. Previously: Earlier, Spiegel had unofficially learned that there was a dispute within the German government over an additional arms package for Ukraine worth about 3 billion. The package was put together by Baerbock and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius based on Ukraine's urgent requests. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed it, saying that the amount of ear-marked aid was sufficient and that Kyiv could buy weapons with funds allocated through a joint G7 loan, and that it would be unfair to make such promises right before the formation of the new German government after the early elections in February. Some Social Democratic Party members share this opinion. According to the latest media reports, negotiations on additional weapons supplies were allegedly constructive until Christmas, and then the chancellor abruptly changed his mind. The dispute is attributed to the political considerations of the parties before the early parliamentary elections. Background: In late December 2024, Germany delivered a significant aid package to Ukraine, including IRIS-T and Patriot air defence systems. In the first half of 2025, Germany plans to provide Ukraine with significant military aid packages, including Leopard tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and other equipment. Support UP or become our patron! Germany has advocated a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as Saudi Arabia hosted Sunday an international conference on the situation in the war-shattered country. "We as an international community must not let the chance of a future for Syria pass us by, despite all the justified scepticism. That is why we in Germany and Europe are now taking the first concrete steps," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the sidelines of the conference in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. Sanctions against members of al-Assad's regime, who committed serious crimes during the civil war, would have to be maintained, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the German government is proposing a "smart approach" to the European Union to support the Syrian population quickly, ensuring that there is food to eat and more electricity every day so that reconstruction can begin, she added. "All of this promotes stability and ensures a peaceful transfer of power," Baerbock said. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who also attended the conference, wrote on X that the bloc would look into how to ease sanctions. "But this must follow tangible progress in a political transition that reflects Syria in all its diversity," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU imposed sanctions against Syria in response to the government's violent crackdown on the civilian population in 2011. These are directed against the now overthrown government and its supporters, as well as against economic sectors from which the government profited. They include, for example, a ban on investments in the Syrian oil industry and in companies involved in the construction of new power plants for electricity generation in the country, a ban on the import of crude oil from Syria, an arms embargo and further export restrictions. Saudi Arabia calls for end of sanctions Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Sunday called for lifting the international sanctions on Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Continuing them will hamper the brotherly Syrian people's ambitions to fulfil development and rebuilding," he said in a press briefing at the end of the one-day gathering. In addition to Kallas, Baerbock and other Western representatives, participants in the conference included foreign ministers from Syria's neighbouring countries - Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon - as well as those of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Syria's interim foreign minister, Hassan al-Shibani, was also present. Among other topics, they discussed the political process for the lasting stabilization of Syria, the humanitarian situation and the country's reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saudi minister said the participants welcomed the "positive" steps taken by Syria's new administration in preserving the state institutions, initiating an inclusive political process in Syria and commitment to terrorism combat. Syria has been in a phase of political reorientation since the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a surprise rebel offensive that resulted in the overthrow of al-Assad last month after almost 14 years of civil war. Al-Assad, who ruled Syria for more than two decades, fled the country to Russia after the rebels advanced on the capital Damascus. HTS is now leading an interim government, which is being watched closely abroad, in particular for how it deals with the rights of women and religious minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, fighting continues, especially in the north of the country, where Kurdish militias are fighting Turkish-backed groups. Baerbock pledges further humanitarian support Baerbock also announced in Riyadh that Germany is to provide an additional 50 million ($51 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria. The money, to be disbursed to the UN World Food Programme and various non-governmental organizations, is to be used for food, emergency shelter and medical care, she said. "The people in the various regions urgently need an improvement in their living conditions for the all-important political transition to take place," Baerbock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also repeated her call for the crimes of the al-Assad regime to be addressed. The Syrian civil war has had devastating consequences for the country's people, infrastructure and economy, with 16 million people now in need of humanitarian aid and 70% of the population living in poverty. The economy has shrunk by 85% since 2011 and it is estimated that reconstruction could cost between $250 billion and $400 billion. The Riyadh gathering underlined the importance of continued humanitarian and economic support to Syria and help create "the suitable environment" for the Syrian refugees's repatriation, according to the Saudi foreign minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 13 million people have been displaced within the country or fled abroad. The talks in Riyadh looked into steps to support the Syrians "at this important stage of their history, and help them rebuild Syria as a unified, independent and safe Arab state for all its citizens, with no place for terrorism, no breach of its sovereignty or aggression on its territorial integrity from any party," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has advocated a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad. "We as an international community must not let the chance of a future for Syria pass us by, despite all the justified scepticism. That is why we in Germany and Europe are now taking the first concrete steps," Baerbock said on the sidelines of an international conference on Syria in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Sunday. Sanctions against members of al-Assad's regime, who committed serious crimes during the civil war, would have to be maintained, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the German government is proposing a "smart approach" to the European Union to support the Syrian population quickly, ensuring that there is food to eat and more electricity every day so that reconstruction can begin, she said. "All of this promotes stability and ensures a peaceful transfer of power," Baerbock said. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who is also attending the conference, wrote on X that the bloc would look into how to ease sanctions. "But this must follow tangible progress in a political transition that reflects Syria in all its diversity," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU imposed sanctions against Syria in response to the government's violent crackdown on the civilian population in 2011. These are directed against the now overthrown government and its supporters, as well as against economic sectors from which the government profited. They include, for example, a ban on investments in the Syrian oil industry and in companies involved in the construction of new power plants for electricity generation in the country, a ban on the import of crude oil from Syria, an arms embargo and further export restrictions. In addition to Kallas, Baerbock and other Western representatives, participants in the conference included foreign ministers from Syria's neighbouring countries - Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon - as well as those of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria's interim foreign minister, Hassan al-Shibani, was also present. Among other topics, they discussed the political process for the lasting stabilization of Syria, the humanitarian situation and the country's reconstruction. Syria has been in a phase of political reorientation since the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a surprise rebel offensive in December that resulted in the overthrow of al-Assad after almost 14 years of civil war. HTS is now leading an interim government, which is being watched closely abroad, in particular for how it deals with the rights of women and religious minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, fighting continues, especially in the north of the country, where Kurdish militias are fighting Turkish-backed groups. Baerbock pledges further humanitarian support Baerbock also announced in Riyadh that Germany is to provide an additional 50 million ($51 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria. The money, to be disbursed to the UN World Food Programme and various non-governmental organizations, is to be used for food, emergency shelter and medical care, she said. "The people in the various regions urgently need an improvement in their living conditions for the all-important political transition to take place," Baerbock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also repeated her call for the crimes of the al-Assad regime to be addressed. The Syrian civil war has had devastating consequences for the country's people, infrastructure and economy, with 16 million people now in need of humanitarian aid and 70% of the population living in poverty. The economy has shrunk by 85% since 2011 and it is estimated that reconstruction could cost between $250 billion and $400 billion. Around 13 million people have been displaced within the country or fled abroad. Germany is to provide an additional 50 million ($51 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday on the sidelines of an international conference in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. The money, to be disbursed to the UN World Food Programme and various non-governmental organizations, is to be used for food, emergency shelter and medical care, she said. Baerbock also discussed the prospect of easing some sanctions against Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctions against members of the regime of ousted former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, who committed serious crimes during the civil war, would have to be maintained, she said. But the German government is proposing a "smart approach" to the European Union to support the Syrian population quickly, ensuring that there is food to eat and more electricity every day so that reconstruction can begin, she said. "All of this promotes stability and ensures a peaceful transfer of power," Baerbock said. In addition to Baerbock, participants in the conference include foreign ministers from Arab states, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, British Foreign Minister David Lammy and the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Among other topics, they are discussing the political process for the lasting stabilization of Syria, the humanitarian situation and the country's reconstruction. Germany's populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is gathering on Sunday to finalize its election programme, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) resumes its party conference, discussing a controversial move to replace its youth wing. AfD delegates are meeting for the second day of a two-day party conference in the eastern German town of Riesa ahead of Germany's nationwide elections on February 23. The party's leadership has proposed replacing the AfD's youth organization, Junge Alternative (JA) - classified by Germany's intelligence services as a confirmed extremist movement - with a new group which is intended to have closer ties to the party. The executive board has proposed that the new group be called "Patriotic Youth," but the name has not yet been confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the intelligence services announced that there were indications that JA had accumulated evidence of aspirations against the free democratic basic order and would therefore be categorized and treated as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization. On the first day of the conference, the AfD officially selected party leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor. Some 10,000 anti-AfD protesters delayed the start of the meeting by two hours by putting up barriers and blocking the roads into town. Weidel's candidacy is largely symbolic given that there is no prospect of a majority in parliament in favour of an AfD chancellor, with other parties refusing to cooperate with the anti-EU, anti-immigration party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the party is currently polling in second place at around 20% behind the conservative Christian Democrats. Across the country, in the western city of Bonn, several hundred members of the upstart BSW are also meeting on Sunday to firm up the party's election programme. The party's executive board has appointed party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, who founded the party in 2023, as its top candidate for the election. Wagenknecht is calling for a change of course in Germany's economic, energy and Ukraine policy. The party, which is running in a national election for the first time, is currently polling at between 4% and 6%. Both the BSW and AfD take an anti-immigrant stance and are critical of the European Union. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has voted to swap out its controversial youth organization - a group which intelligence officials classify as right-wing extremist - with a new one. At a party conference on Sunday ahead of Germany's national elections on February 23, the party leadership introduced a motion with the aim of binding the AfD's youth organization more closely to the party. The motion then passed with the necessary two-thirds majority. The current Junge Alternative (JA) has been steeped in scandal in recent years. In 2023, Germany's intelligence services found evidence the organization had anti-democratic aspirations and classified it as a right-wing extremist organization, a move which the AfD and the JA are fighting in ongoing legal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The JA is relatively independent from the AfD. Members of the youth organization do not have to be members of the party, unless they are board members. Closer ties to AfD party However, in future, members of youth organization who are over 18 will have to be members of the AfD as well. The AfD's leadership said it hopes that this reform will give it greater power, for example in the event of misconduct. Experts say the youth organization will also be better protected against possible bans if it is no longer an independent association, which they believe also motivated the step. The AfD's executive board has proposed that the new group be called "Patriotic Youth," but the name has not yet been confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the first day of the conference, the AfD officially selected party leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor. Some 10,000 anti-AfD protesters delayed the start of the meeting by two hours by putting up barriers and blocking the roads into town. Weidel's candidacy is largely symbolic given that there is no prospect of a majority in parliament in favour of an AfD chancellor, with other parties refusing to cooperate with the anti-EU, anti-immigration party. Nonetheless, the party is currently polling in second place at around 20% behind the conservative Christian Democrats. The AfD also concluded deliberations on its election programme on Sunday, renewing its calls for "remigration" of migrants, largely seen as a euphemism for mass deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also calls for the reinstatement of compulsory military service, an exit from the euro and the Paris Climate Agreement as well as for a new European confederation. However, it avoids explicitly calling for Germany to leave the EU. BSW: Germany's newest populist party On the other side of the country, in the western city of Bonn, several hundred members of the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) also met on Sunday to firm up the party's election programme. The party's executive board has appointed party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, who founded the party in 2023, as its top candidate for the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wagenknecht is calling for a change of course in Germany's economic, energy and Ukraine policy. The party, which is running in a national election for the first time, is currently polling at between 4% and 6%. Both the BSW and AfD take an anti-immigrant stance and are critical of the European Union, but the BSW is an exception to widespread German political support for Israel, and is calling for an arms embargo on Israel over its civilian toll from bombing Gaza. Painting itself as a "peace party," it is also critical of US geopolitical dominance, and is calling for a withdrawal of the 37,000 US troops stationed in Germany. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has voted to swap out its controversial youth organization - a group which intelligence officials classify as right-wing extremist - with a new one. At a party conference on Sunday, the party leadership introduced a motion with the aim of binding the AfD's youth organization more closely to the party. The motion then passed with the necessary two-thirds majority. The current Junge Alternative (JA) has been steeped in scandal in recent years. In 2023, Germany's intelligence services found evidence the organization had anti-democratic aspirations and classified it as a right-wing extremist organization, a move which the AfD and the JA are fighting in ongoing legal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The JA is relatively independent from the AfD. Members of the youth organization do not have to be members of the party, unless they are board members. However, in future members of youth organization who are over 18, will have to be members of the AfD as well. The AfD's leadership said it hopes that this reform will give it greater power, for example in the event of misconduct. Experts say the youth organization will also be better protected against possible bans if it is no longer an independent association, which they believe also motivated the step. The AfD's executive board has proposed that the new group be called "Patriotic Youth," but the name has not yet been confirmed. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned on Sunday of the consequences of reducing Germany's financial support for arms deliveries to Ukraine. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on Syria in Saudi Arabia, Baerbock said that the German government spent almost 7 billion ($7.2 billion) on weapons procurement for Ukraine last year. If this were to be reduced to half or a little over half, Ukraine would be less able to defence itself, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spiegel magazine reported on Thursday that the German government is arguing about further German arms deliveries to Ukraine. According to the report, Baerbock and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius plan to mobilize around 3 billion in additional funding for urgently needed arms deliveries to Ukraine before Germany's parliamentary elections on February 23. However, according to the report, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is blocking these plans, saying it does not want to present the next government with a done deal. After the collapse of Germany's three-way coalition government in November, there is no national budget in place for 2025. The government is instead working with a provisional budget, which includes 4 billion in aid for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the reported disagreement by the public broadcaster ARD, Scholz noted that 12.5 billion are currently missing from the draft budget. The additional 3 billion would take the gap in funding to 15.5 billion, which cannot be financed without additional borrowing, he said. The question of how to plug the multi-billion-euro hole in Germany's budget triggered the coalition break-up. Scholz wanted to suspend a constitutional debt limit in order to acquire the necessary funding. But his coalition partner, the pro-business Free Democrats, was staunchly against this. A government spokeswoman said on Friday that military aid for Ukraine was a permanent topic within the government and that the government was holding internal discussions on the matter. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) European Union foreign ministers will meet in late January to discuss easing sanctions imposed on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief said Sunday. However, she said the move would depend on Syria's new rulers carrying out an inclusive political transition after last months overthrow of President Bashar Assad. Kaja Kallas' comments came at a gathering of top European and Middle Eastern diplomats in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss Syrias future. Saudi Arabia called for the lifting of sanctions, which threaten to undermine Syria's recovery from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced half the country's prewar population of 23 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European countries and the United States have been wary over the Islamist roots of the former insurgents who drove Assad out of power and who now lead an interim government. The former rebels have promised to hold a national dialogue summit that includes different groups across Syria to agree upon a new political road map leading to a new constitution and an election. Kallas said EU foreign ministers will look at how to ease sanctions during a Jan. 27 meeting in Brussels. But this must follow tangible progress in a political transition that reflects Syria in all its diversity, she said in a post on the social media platform X. She also posted a photo of herself meeting the new Syrian foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani at Sundays gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany urges smart approach to sanctions The U.S., the EU and some Arab nations began imposing sanctions on Syria after Assads brutal crackdown on the 2011 uprising against his rule and tightened them as the conflict spiraled into war. Some of the measures are against individuals in Assads government, including freezing of assets. But many target the government in general, including bans on many financial and banking dealings, on oil purchases and on investment or trade in some sectors, crippling the wider Syrian economy. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said sanctions against Assads henchmen who committed serious crimes must remain in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she called for a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population. Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power. Baerbock did not elaborate but announced an additional 50 million euros ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters and medical care. At the gathering, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted. Continuing them will hinder the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction, he said. He praised steps taken so far by the interim Syrian government, including promises to start a political process that includes various components of the Syrian people. Turkey urges balance in international demands of Syria Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which was a strong supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, would try to help Syria in normalizing ties with the international community. He said it was important to establish a balance between the expectations of the international community and the realities faced by the new administration in Syria. He pledged Turkish support to the new government, especially in combating threats from the Islamic State group. As Turkey, we are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people, he said in comments carried by Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has eased some restrictions Last week, Washington eased some of its restrictions on Syria, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The U.S. has also dropped a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month. Al-Sharaa was a former senior al-Qaida militant who broke with the group years ago and has pledged an inclusive Syria that respects the rights of religious minorities. The rebels led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his familys decades-long rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the world severed ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government and its Russian and Iranian allies over alleged war crimes and the manufacturing of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, which reportedly generated billions of dollars as packages of the little white pills were smuggled across Syrias porous borders. With Assad out of the picture, Syrias new authorities hope that the international community will pour money into the country to rebuild its battered infrastructure and make its economy viable again. ___ Follow APs Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 sets the stage for the world's largest public gathering, Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced setting up AI-driven customer support, full-fledged branches with forex transaction facilities in Prayagraj to facilitate the visitors. As the convenor of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), Uttar Pradesh, BoB is leveraging Maha Kumbh to promote digital payments, offer AI-driven customer support, and provide robust banking infrastructure.BoB is establishing two full-fledged branches with forex transaction facilities. It is setting up onsite and mobile ATMs, along with coin vending machines, to cater to diverse banking needs. The Bank has developed a GenAI-powered Virtual Relationship Manager, Aditi, to answer banking-related queries and enhance customer service to the pilgrims visiting Mahakumbh, Senthilkumar stated. The bank is extensively promoting its newly launched UPI payment PSP app, BoB e-Pay, offering a complete suite of payment features. Customers and merchants will get incentives to adopt seamless digital payment solutions.VG Senthilkumar, Head of Marketing and Branding, Bank of Baroda told ANI, "As the world's largest public gathering that will attract a wide cross-section of people, the Maha Kumbh Mela presents a unique opportunity for brands. This is especially so for banks, given the importance of providing seamless access to banking and payment services to the millions of devotees and tourists that will congregate at Maha Kumbh."The bank has initiated the deployment of BC Sakhis and business correspondents to assist devotees, tourists, and merchants with banking needs. The bank has also provided hundreds of merchant carts through Mela authorities and reflector jackets for volunteers and merchants. "As a large public sector bank serving all sections of society, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will be a perfect platform for Bank of Baroda to extend banking services to Kumbh visitors as well as enhance its brand visibility and increase customer engagement," Senthilkumar stated. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Police have established a multi-layered security system around the Prayagraj district. The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. During the Maha Kumbh, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct), to take a holy dip. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). (ANI) Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Sunday that Afghans who fought alongside Americans against the Taliban should get an unusual level of support and treatment. As you know, with that chaotic exit, there were tens of thousands of Afghans scattered, some of them still separated from their families, CBS Newss Margaret Brennan said on Face the Nation, noting the late 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal by the U.S. Many of them worked for the U.S. government. Should Mr. Trump extend the legal process of this program and bring those Afghans here, and would you ask Congress to raise the current cap they have on the number of them coming? she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the Afghan refugees who actively fought on the side of Americans, saved American lives, tried to help win against the Taliban I think they deserve an unusual level of support and treatment, Gingrich replied. On Sunday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Biden made the correct strategic call regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The strategic call President Biden made, looking back three years, history has judged well and will continue to judge well, Sullivan said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union. From the point of view that, if we were still in Afghanistan today, Americans would be fighting and dying; Russia would have more leverage over us; we would be less able to respond to the major strategic challenges we face, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent report from GOP members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee analyzing the withdrawal criticized President Biden for a rushed task that was undergone despite counsel from allies and advisers and resulted in unnecessary deaths. I worked all during the period of President Bidens insanely disastrous withdrawal. I tried to work with various people and did podcasts with people who were trying to get folks out of Afghanistan who should legitimately have been helped by the U.S. government, Gingrich said in his Face the Nation appearance. The Hill has reached out to President-elect Trumps transition team and the White House for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) From Peanut Butter Patties to Thin Mints, the Girl Scouts are preparing for this years cookie season. More than 800 Central Illinois girl scouts gathered at the Interstate Center in Bloomington to discuss their upcoming season. Girls played games like seeing how many boxes of cookies they load into a minivan, did crafts, had archery lessons and of course tasted cookies. This year, theyre saying goodbye to a cookie called Toast-Yay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois said the Girl Scouts are about so much more than selling cookies. We want girls to learn to develop skills, whether its life skills, whether its STEM, science and engineering and math skills. Thats really important. We teach girls how to be a sister to another Girl Scout, to really create authentic friendships with each other, said CEO, Jennifer Sedbrook. Girl Scout cookie season officially starts in February Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The Girl Scouts of Connecticut held a Girl Scout Round-Up Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair at the Omni Hotel in New Haven Saturday. A variety of helpful workshops on money management, leadership, customer care and presentation skills were offered to hundreds of scouts. The annual event also served as the non-profits official kickoff to cookie season. Kari Kaplan, Chief Operations Officer for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, told News 8, Our girl scouts will start taking orders, so were here to learn how to be entrepreneurs and build our cookie business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nows the best time to get your orders in line. Girl Scout Cookies go on sale in Connecticut on January 24th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. STORY: :: This Altadena resident, who battled the Eaton fire to save his house, believes God helped him :: Altadena, California :: Makas Dasigenis, Altadena resident "I evacuated, but I was watching some news clippings and I realized the fires are out of control so I decided to come and take a look. And there was nobody on the way back. Nobody. It was like eerie." :: January 10, 2025 :: He threw a pipe into his neighbor's swimming pool and used that water to put out the flames Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And it's just like I knew it can be done. I mean, I'm not stupid. I did not want to come here to die for personal, for possessions. But I knew it was doable and I'll feel bad if I didn't try, you know?" :: Dasigenis battled the flames for six hours to save his house and those of two neighbors "I hear people in the military saying how when you go into the battle, you're basically thinking of all kinds of feelings about 'I don't know if I should be doing this and this and that.' But then they say once you're on the front line, you forget all about it. Basically, you have to fight for your survival, right? So basically, when I arrived here and I saw this, I got in that mode." "God helped me. I mean, I promised a big candle when I go back to Greece, yeah, we do that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dasigenis, who hails from Greece, had been evacuated, along with his wife, hours earlier. But watching the news, he realized the flames were encroaching on his house and he decided to take action. He had to think on his feet. There was no water or power supply in his neighborhood so he used a generator and connected it to an old water pump that he found in his garage. The Eaton Fire, now 3% controlled, has damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures. The Palisades Fire, now 8% controlled, destroyed or damaged another 5,300 structures, including many homes of movie stars and celebrities. President-elect Donald Trump will issue "a blizzard of executive orders" as soon as he inaugurated Jan. 20, Sen. John Barrasso predicted Sunday. Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," the Wyoming Republican said: "When President Trump takes office next Monday, there is going to be shock and awe with executive orders. A blizzard of executive orders on the economy, as well as on the border." Executive orders, for better or worse, allow a president to bypass Congress. But Barrasso, the new Senate majority whip, said that he expects Trump to also rely on the narrow Republican majority in the Senate and even more slender one in the House to get his agenda enacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we met with President Trump earlier this past week," he told host Margaret Brennan, "what President Trump said the No. 1 goal for the Senate needs to be to get his team in place. I've met with just about all of them. I support every one of these nominees. As the whip, my job is to make sure they get across the finish line. Get on the job, and President Trump deserves a team early." Barrasso also said it doesn't matter to Trump how many pieces of legislation are required to enact his agenda as long as legislation is passed. "President Trump says he doesnt care if its one bill, two bills, three bills. He wants the results," Barrasso said. In the more than a month since officials announced that the former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski had killed himself on what was to have been the first day of his first federal trial, his victims havent even started coming to terms with the cop-out of the cop who tormented them. How could they, when some still dont believe hes dead? Federal prosecutors just told us, I promise you hes dead but I cant show you any proof, said Michelle Houcks, who was all ready to testify that Golubski raped her after offering her a ride home from a public park in his police car. I think they went in and faked his death. Higher up people with a lot to lose if the case did go to trial can make him disappear just like the Mafia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont believe that is what happened. But then, I never thought hed be allowed to turn up dead, either, because I naively believed that even on the loosiest goosiest possible home detention, somebody would have had eyes on him the morning that he was finally going to be called to account for his decades of predation. Instead, as the U.S. Marshal for Kansas, Golubskis former KCKPD boss Ron Miller, told me, He was in charge of getting himself to court. How that was ever going to end is exactly how it did end, with more Champagne for those whove always had plenty to celebrate, and more tears for those whove had reason to weep. The women who fall in the latter category are not irrational, but have survived more irrationality than most of us ever could. So I 100% understand why Houcks and others want a few more facts about what happened on the morning of Dec. 2 before they accept the official narrative. And I still dare to hope that the feds will bend some protocols to offer them and their whole community, where theirs is not a minority view, the proof that they both need and deserve. Golubski stood accused of raping and otherwise exploiting mostly Black women in the community he was supposed to be protecting for the entire 35 years he was on the police force. And now, pfft, what will come of the bravery of those who risked everything to come forward? I still dont feel safe To me, what they did was still heroic and important, even if his guilty plea did take the form of a single gunshot wound to the head. Had the trial gone forward, his defense attorney was going to tell the court that all of them had made up every word of what they had to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Golubski was able to opt out of hearing any of those words because Magistrate Judge Rachel Schwartz decided that the 71-year-old former homicide captain was too old and sick to be a threat, and so should get to sleep in his own bed for the last more than two years, even after he was charged with sex trafficking minors. Houcks says Golubski threatened to kill her and have something done to her brother if she ever told anyone what hed done to her. It was only after her brother died, 31 years after she was raped, that she did speak; she first told me her story in 2021, and called the FBI right after that. But again, a hold that long, that strong and that frightening doesnt go away just because somebody tells you its safe now, and time to march on as briskly as possible. When Houcks asked the lead FBI agent on the case if she and others could see a photo of Golubskis body, or anything else that might show them proof of death, he said he knows for a fact that hes deceased but he just cant do that because of his job. So now, I check every day to see if theres been an obituary or funeral notice or something. I checked again this morning. Death certificates are not public records in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So that no one has provided any official update about the probe into Golubskis death in the last month, and that much of what was initially reported was contradictory, Houcks said, makes me think hes alive and its some trickery. Its like they erased him off the face of this earth past Dec. 2, when he was supposed to be in court for the first day of jury selection. Because he wasnt, I still dont feel safe. Not knowing wont let your mind be at ease. A spokeswoman for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating what happened, told me in an email that the autopsy isnt back yet. Kansas U.S. Attorney Kate Brubacher and Tara Allison, an attorney from the DOJs civil rights division, who was going to prosecute the case, did not answer messages. Where was his lady friend? Ophelia Williams was going to testify that Golubski, who met her when he came to her house to arrest her 14-year-old twins for murder, raped her for years, while also promising to help her sons. Williams does think that hes most likely dead, though even she is far from sure: Really, I do not know. But so many things dont add up, she said, like when he reportedly shot himself, where was his lady friend? Lorene Stewart, his longtime girlfriend, who some friends say also felt trapped in that situation. Amazingly, or maybe not, she was his live-in caretaker for the entirety of his time on pretend home detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, police said a neighbor had heard a gunshot at his Edwardsville home and called 911 around 9 a.m. on Dec. 2, but later reports said the call came from inside the house. A call from a neighbor whod heard a shot would be very different from one made by someone whod just witnessed a fatal shooting. Either way, that 911 call was answered by police in Edwardsville, where Golubski worked from 2010, when he left the KCKPD, until 2016. Even whether Golubski has been buried by family, by the state or by no one remains a mystery to those who most need to know. Then theres the question of exactly where the shooting occurred. Officially, Golubski shot himself on his back deck. Only, another of his victims, who does not want her name in the paper because she fears police retribution, walked around to the back of Golubskis house just after his death was announced and took some photos. She saw no crime tape, and no officers working a crime scene, but only a couple of tarps draped over the banister, like towels hung out to dry. Thats what a photo taken at 12:12 p.m. that day does show. If the shooting instead happened inside, she wonders, why say otherwise? A lot of initial police reports are later shown to have been wrong, of course, and this does not prove that Roger Golubski is alive, or anything of the kind. But it does show why victims have questions that need to be answered. A photo taken at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2024, shows the back deck of Roger Golubskis Edwardsville home, where the official version of events says he had just shot himself fatally. You can never come back to Kansas, Dorothy Meka Hobbs, who says Golubski hunted her, too, and showed her pictures of dead women during creepy rides that retraced the same circuit, over and over, got a job working a late shift because she couldnt sleep at night. She does think hes dead, but not by his own hand or his own choice: I dont think he pulled the trigger on himself. And the idea that his protectors became executioners is disturbing, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niko Quinn, who is part of a civil suit against Golubski, said she hasnt felt safe enough to sleep at home in the month since he didnt show up for court. I just came back home yesterday. And she, too, can only sleep during the daytime with my son in there, she told me. She was coerced into giving false testimony against Lamonte McIntyre, who served 23 years in prison for a double murder that he did not commit. Golubski, who led that so-called investigation, hounded both her sister, Stacey Quinn, who was murdered in 2000, and Niko Quinn herself, she says. I believe hes not dead. Its a cover-up because of all the things he knew. I sleep with a gun now, and I havent done that in years. Her cousins, Doniel Sublett Quinn and Donald Ewing, were shot to death in front of a bunch of people in the middle of the day on April 15, 1994. McIntryre was arrested right away, but the real shooter has never been charged, and Doniels mother, Saundra Newsom, is part of the civil suit against Golubski, too. Newsom told me that as recently as three years ago, the former cop was still stalking her grandson, with what she sees as devastating results across multiple generations. Last year, that grandson was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told you years ago that guy was never going to court, she said of Golubski, and yes, she did tell me that. Now, I dont believe hes dead, either. Golubskis lawyer, Chris Joseph, said he talked to him a lot on the morning he died. He has said that they were supposed to meet at the courthouse at 8 a.m. After 9 a.m., when voir dire was supposed to start, prosecutors said yes, your honor, they were ready to proceed. Thats when Joseph told the court that he couldnt find his client, who was despondent over unflattering media attention. And you didnt think to send someone to his house? Newsom asked, incredulous. I believe they put him on a plane and said, You can never come back to Kansas, Dorothy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all thats happened, Im almost losing my will to fight because I dont know who to fight or what to fight. Yet she hasnt quite lost that will, because she does still have faith in one authority: He said vengeance is his, and I have that. I know this is not for naught. It cant be. Among those I still want to hear from is the victim who was a former law enforcement officer herself, and was going to testify that when she tried to report being raped by Golubski to KCKPDs internal affairs department, she was told that it was her word against his. That took guts for her and all of the others to come forward, and as Newsom says, I still choose not to believe that it was all for naught. I dont think he pulled the trigger on himself, said Meka Hobbs. Damn them for missing what they could have done Ophelia Williams, the most public of all of Golubskis victims, whom I also first interviewed four years ago, said she asked federal prosecutors Stephen Hunting and Tara Allison what were supposed to do now, and they said its over. Only, its not. They just said how big of a punk he was and how they were sorry we couldnt have the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors looked so stricken as they rushed from the courtroom on Dec. 2 that I have no doubt whatsoever that they really were sorry. Theyve told victims that the second sex trafficking case against Golubskis three co-defendants is still going forward. U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse has yet to rule on whether the civil case will. William Skepnek is representing five women in that civil suit, which claims that not only Golubski but several former KCKPD chiefs and other detectives operated a criminal enterprise for decades, preying upon and coercing sexual acts from vulnerable Black women. Now prosecutors are on to other things, he told me. Theyre gone. Bless them for doing what they did do, but damn them for missing what they could have done. I feel those two things pretty much equally. They did not have to do what they did do, and Im truly grateful for their hard work. Nor, however, did they have to let us end up here, with the same system that asked these women to trust it inflicting real and unnecessary pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sure, it would be unheard of to let Golubskis victims have a look at gory crime scene photos, or even at his body itself, if it still exists. But what about this case has ever been usual? There is no good reason that the feds cant find a way to ease these victims minds. In physical hostage situations, proof of life videos or photos are everything. For these women who are still emotionally held hostage, some proof of death would mean everything, too. Senator Lindsay Graham on Sunday had his tax cuts argument comprehensively pulled apart by a member of his own party. On Fox News weekend broadcast of Sunday Morning Futures, host Maria Bartiromo played a clip from an interview with the veteran GOP lawmaker in which he railed against New Yorks policy of letting residents deduct certain taxes paid to state and local governments on their federal forms, known as the SALT deduction. Graham said during the clip: Im saying that as we negotiate tax cuts, theyre tax-cutting people, and Im one of them, that wont vote for border [security] until they get all their taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on, I live in South Carolina, Im not a big fan of the SALT deduction. I live in South Carolina, where we have low taxes. Why should people in South Carolina subsidize California and New York? Introducing her next guest, New York GOP Representative Mike Lawler, Bartiromo asked about Grahams fervent opposition to raising the cap on SALT deductions. Lawler responded, The fact is that were a high-donor state to the federal government, New York sends more federal dollars than almost any other state down to the federal government. He went on, So the fact is that our folks are not subsidized by, you know, red states. We, in fact, are helping subsidize the federal government on an annual basis. If you look at South Carolina, for instance, they are one of the biggest recipients of federal dollars in comparison to other states by a percentage. Analysis by WalletHub, a company specializing in personal finance, indeed reveals South Carolina receives approximately 35% of its revenue as a state from the federal government, whereas New York ranks 47th for dependence on this sort of funding. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., on Sunday dismissed President-elect Donald Trumps threat to acquire Greenland by military force, saying, The United States is not going to invade another country. Thats not who we are. Trump speaks very boldly on a lot of things, Lankford said, adding: Weve seen this over how hes done negotiations, whether it be for real estate or whether how he served as a great president just four years ago. Lankfords comments come as Trump has shown a renewed interest in annexing Greenland over the last few weeks. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., after meeting with then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the U.S. Capitol in January 2024. In a statement announcing his pick to be ambassador to Denmark last month, Trump wrote: For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And days later, in a Christmas Day post on Truth Social, the president-elect addressed the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will! Last week, at a press conference in Florida, the president-elect suggested that hed even be willing to use military force to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. We need them for economic security, he added. Quite frankly, the presidents been very clear, Lankford said Sunday. He is the president that kept American troops out of war. He is not looking to be able to go start a war, to go expand American troops, but he does want to be able to protect Americas national security, and part of that is our economic security and our future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presidents have conducted broad counterterrorism operations under the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force that were passed more than 20 years ago in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The authorizations have largely been used to justify the use of military force against those who aided the 2001 attack and the continuing threat posed by Iraq. Trumps allies have cited national security risks posed by Russia to justify procuring Greenland. Trumps incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News last week that Trumps interest in Greenland is about the Arctic. You have Russia that is trying to become king of the Arctic with 60-plus icebreakers, some of them nuclear-powered, Waltz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect JD Vance said America does not need to use military force to secure Greenland but that the U.S. needs to make sure that Greenland is properly cared for from an American security perspective. Frankly, the current leadership, the Danish government, has not done a good enough job of securing Greenland, Vance said. I think there actually is a real opportunity here for us to take leadership, to protect Americas security, to ensure that those incredible natural resources are developed, Vance said. And thats what Donald Trump is good at. Hes good at making deals, and I think theres a deal to be made in Greenland. On Meet the Press, Lankford also said for the first time that he planned to vote in favor of Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if he was a yes on Gabbard, Lankford told moderator Kristen Welker, I am, suggesting he was convinced by Gabbards newfound support for Section 702, an intelligence gathering tool that she consistently opposed while in Congress. That was a very important piece for me. Obviously, she voted against 702 authority. ... But when she came out and said, Hey, this is something Im going to stand for, thats part of the role of the Office of National Intelligence, is to make sure were actually watching for people to come attack us and stopping them before they do, Lankford said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Americans who are sick and dying should mostly blame themselves for their health condition. Thats what Sen. Roger Marshall said as Republicans are poised to cut health care access and increase costs for millions of Americans. Look, about 70 percent of your health outcomes are determined by you, Marshall said today on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. Its determined by what you eat and what youre surrounded by. By the time you come to my office as a doctor, I can impact maybe 10 or 20 percent of your health outcomes. Marshall did not cite where he got those percentage figures from. A former OB-GYN, he is a leader of the newly formed Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus. He has said the caucus will work with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trumps choice for secretary of Health and Human Services to improv[e] health outcomes by prioritizing nutrition, providing access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods, and focusing on primary care availability to tackle the root causes of chronic diseases. Kennedy has frequently spouted anti-science talking points, including opposing vaccines (saying that theres no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective). Kennedy has also threatened to fire National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists, cut NIH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budgets, and curtail infectious disease research in favor of preventative, alternative, and holistic approaches to health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall said that MAHA will address nutrition, chronic disease issues, and the mental health crisis. We need to make these healthy foods affordable, available, and try to eliminate and minimize the toxins that were exposed to, Marshall told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. Were coming after ultra-processed foods. They have a big problem and big challenge. This narrative that Americans are responsible for their own health outcomes through the choices they make at the grocery store helps justify the forthcoming gutting of health care protections and access. And it conveniently ignores other systemic social determinants of health such as poverty, racism, and economic instability. As they try to emphasize individual responsibility for health outcomes, the incoming Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are weighing proposals that would, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, undermine Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage protections, make health coverage more costly and less comprehensive, shift more costs to states, and increase the number of uninsured people in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall has voted in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act and against protections for Americans who have preexisting conditions. He supports a free market approach to health care and has advocated for fewer restrictions on physician-owned hospitals, an industry he and his family have been heavily invested in. Marshall helped lead the transition of a surgery center into a physician-owned hospital in Kansas. And in the three years before 2020, Marshalls wife earned somewhere between $195,000-450,000 from real estate investments in physician-owned hospitals, according to a 2020 report in The Kansas City Star. Just like Jesus said, The poor will always be with us, Marshall told STAT News in 2017. There is a group of people that just dont want health care and arent going to take care of themselves. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Following the arrest of Kerala businessman Boby Chemmanur on a sexual harrasment complaint, Malayalam actress Honey Rose has now accused activist Rahul Easwar of allegedly orchestrating a cyber crime to trivialise the seriousness of her complaint and manipulate public opinion against her. Honey Rose took to her Facebook handle and shared that she and her family have been enduring severe mental stress for which she holds Rahil Easwar responsible. The actress has filed the complaint at the Central Police Station, Ernakulam. "Rahul Easwar, my family and I are going through a lot of mental stress. You are one of the main reasons for that. I filed a complaint against the blatant abuse that was made against me on a public platform. The police found my complaint to be valid and registered a case and the court remanded the person I filed the complaint against. All I have to do is file the complaint. The rest is up to the government, police and court. Rahul Easwar is planning an organized crime in cyberspace intending to distort the seriousness of my complaint and turn public opinion against me." read the post. The actress further said, "Rahul Easwar is the main reason behind the continuous threats I face through the media, including vulgar, double-meaning, and insulting comments aimed at me and my profession. His actions have consistently pushed me into severe mental agony and even driven me towards thoughts of suicide. These actions are deliberate attempts to tarnish my dignity as a woman. Rahul Easwar has repeatedly issued threats to harm me and insult my womanhood, both directly and through social media. He has also attempted to undermine my professional opportunities. Considering the extent of his actions, I am taking legal action against him." https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1149325396557617&set=pcb.1149325466557610 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1149325436557613&set=pcb.1149325466557610 Popular Malayalam actress Honey Rose earlier filed a sexual harassment complaint against Boby Chemmanur. After the complaint, the businessman was taken into custody by Wayanad police on Wednesday. According to officials, the complaint was lodged at the Ernakulam Central Police Station in Kochi. Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the businessman under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 67 of the IT Act. (ANI) Shock and awe is what the public can expect from President-elect Donald Trumps first day in office when he issues a blizzard of executive orders set to re-shape U.S. policy on the economy and immigration. Republican Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming invoked the antagonistic military-strategy phrase while describing a preview of January 20, when Trump is sworn in. When President Trump takes office next Monday, there is going to be shock and awe with executive orders, Barrasso told CBSs Face The Nation on Sunday after meeting with Trump last week. A blizzard of executive orders on the economy as well as on the border. Senator John Barrasso is a loyal Trump ally (CBS / Face the Nation) Its long been established that Trump will sign various executive orders to fulfill his campaign promises of closing the U.S.-Mexico border, beginning mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, and reversing Biden-era clean energy policies and civil rights protections for LGBT+ people, among other actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly inaugurated presidents typically sign a series of executive orders within their first days in office, making good on their opening salvos for administration priorities after their campaigns. But as January 20 draws closer, its becoming clear that Trump intends to overwhelm the public and government with new, and potentially drastic, changes what Barrasso described as shock and awe. Invoking shock and awe a term used to describe a rapid and frenzied forceful use of power to overwhelm and defeat enemies paints an eerie picture. "There's going to be shock and awe" with the "blizzard of executive orders" President-elect Donald Trump will issue on the economy and the border when he takes office on Jan. 20, Senate Majority Whip @SenJohnBarrasso says. pic.twitter.com/UF8mXg83y2 Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 12, 2025 The president-elect has indicated he plans to rely on executive actions to bypass congressional approval. He has hinted at using recess appointments to get his various controversial cabinet picks in a position of power, thus bypassing Senate approval. He has also suggested using impoundment to circumvent federal spending should Congress continue to allocate money to projects, agencies or departments he does not support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, Trump successfully asked the Supreme Court to award sitting presidents immunity from criminal prosecution, thus enhancing the power of the presidency. Arguments in the months that followed from his criminal defense attorneys who are now poised to join top ranks at the Department of Justice have pushed for extending that immunity to actions outside his official duties in office. Trump is returning to the White House scorned and with a better sense of how to utilize the position to get what he wants. Though hes returning to the White House with a Republican-controlled Congress, hes seemingly indicated to those who defy him that he will go to great lengths to ensure they cannot get in his way. Its left Trump-allied lawmakers, such as Barrasso, empowered to promote Trump, his team and his policies at every corner. Gov. Jay Inslee will leave office in a few days after leading Washington for a dozen years. He and his Democratic allies in the Legislature have reshaped the state and overcome unexpected crises but have left some significant challenges for the next administration. Climate change has been Inslees passion from the get-go. He even sought the Democratic nomination for president running as the climate candidate. Under Inslee, Washington became a national and global leader on climate policy. He worked with lawmakers to pass the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which mandates 100% clean electricity by 2045, and the Climate Commitment Act, which created the states cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Voters overwhelmingly ratified the latter on Novembers ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His climate advocacy was not without controversy, though. Business interests argue that it has led to higher prices for fuel and has been a drag on economic growth. Inslee also has gone overboard at times, as he did last year when he rammed through maximum wind power on the Horse Heaven Hills over the objections of local residents, ecologists and tribal groups. In a recent interview with the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board, Inslee defended the wind farm decision. When asked why he did not engage with local residents to sell it, he argued that the energy siting process does not allow him to do so. If thats true, its something the Legislature should change so that the next time a governor wants to force a project on a community, he at least has a chance to engage with locals and try to convince them of its merits. Inslee also has been squishy on removing Snake River dams and replacing the lost clean hydropower. The Biden administration has moved toward removal. Inslee insists that he has not made up his mind, but he has not pushed as strongly for the federal government to adopt a go-slow approach as he might have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy and climate are inextricably linked to the economy, and on that front it is difficult to see Inslees time as anything less than a success. The state experienced a robust economic boom, driven in large part by its thriving tech sector, including new green technology. Innovative industries coming to the Hanford nuclear site and the rest of the Tri-Cities are proof of that. Yet, prosperity did not reach all Washingtonians. The homelessness crisis today is worse than when Inslee took office despite the states spending billions of dollars on aid and affordable housing. Indeed, during his interview with us, Inslee identified this as the issue he most regrets not making more progress on. Inslees leadership was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID in the United States was in Washington. The governor acted quickly and decisively. Washington had one of the lowest death rates in the nation. If it had matched some of the worst states, thousands more would have died from the disease here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His policies were not perfect, especially when it came to closing schools and helping students close the education deficit, but few things are in hindsight. He also clung to overly broad executive authority for too long. Inslee leaves some challenges for his successor, Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson, the homeless and housing crises among them. State spending is forecast to exceed state revenue. Schools still are not as good as they should be even after meeting the McCleary mandate. Transportation infrastructure remains in need of major upgrades. The wind farm was not Inslees only parting slight toward the Tri-Cities. His proposed budget omitted funding for renovations at Washington State Universitys Tri-Cities campus while recommending full funding for new buildings and upgrades in Pullman, Spokane, Vancouver and Wenatchee. Ferguson and lawmakers should share the funds more equitably. The sense that Eastern Washington is being left behind and ignored simmered throughout Inslees tenure, despite his having some history here as representative from the 4th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and his Democratic legislative majority pushed a progressive agenda often with little regard for the needs and wants of Washingtonians who do not live near Puget Sound. That must change. Inslee has been governor for almost 10% of Washingtons statehood. As Washington looks ahead, the foundation he laid offers challenges and opportunities for further progress. BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today that he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy firefighters, engines, and equipment to assist in battling the raging wildfires in California. Earlier today, January 11, a post to the governors Facebook page stated that more than 135 firefighters, emergency management personnel, and medical personnel will be deployed to aid California, in addition to more than 45 fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles, and equipment. This joint operation involves TDEM, The Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis. I thank all the brave firefighters and first responders who are answering the call to help Californians in need as these fires continue to burn. Cecilia and I pray for the victims who lost their lives and their families, the heroic men and women of CAL Fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the entire state of California during this difficult time. Governor Abbott said. Gov. Abbotts release states that EMAC members can share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy, and be reimbursed for mission-related costs. More information on EMAC can be found on its website. The deployment is coordinated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is a state-to-state mutual aid system allowing states to assist and provide resources to other states in response to a disaster or emergency. KTAB/KRBC reached out to the Abilene Fire Department for information on any local responders that might be involved. AFD officials responding that at this time no request for aid has been received, and no Abilene fire or emergency personnel or equipment have been sent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. North Carolinas new governor, Josh Stein, gave his official inaugural address virtually Saturday afternoon. He reiterated his commitment to policies like cutting taxes for the working class, fighting against the fentanyl crisis, and expanding access to broadband internet across the state. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Josh Stein was sworn in as North Carolinas governor Stein also delivered a message to lawmakers in the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have real problems to solve, and we dont have time to settle petty squabbles or fight divisive culture wars. I want to stand with you as we fight for our people, not with each other. No party has all the answers; good ideas dont come with party labels. When we work together, we are stronger, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish for the good of the people of this state, said Stein. ALSO READ: Stein signs 5 Helene recovery executive orders in first action as governor North Carolinas General Assembly officially started their session earlier this week. Republicans no longer have the supermajority. You can watch the entire address below: Jan. 11The nursing program at Missouri Southern State University will use a $347,252 grant to help fund an expansion. The program currently includes a fall cohort of up to 30 students. The university will add a second pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing spring cohort for to 20 students. The grant was from Missouri's Nursing Education Incentive Program. Lisa Beals, chair of the nursing department at MSSU, made the announcement to the board of governors on Friday during their meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said this expansion will help address the critical shortage of registered nurses and nursing faculty in the Four-State Area. Beals said the funding will also support the development of a master of science program with a nurse education emphasis, further enhancing the university's ability to address workforce shortages. "We'll have up to 30 students in the fall and 20 students in the spring, so when fully implemented we will have four cohorts and about 100 students each year," she said. "The receipt of that grant also allows us to support that expansion and helps support our faculty through professional development and then to support the future with a graduate program." The grant will also help fund the establishment of a nurse educator mentoring network, or NEMN, where MSSU nursing faculty will provide mentoring for regional faculty from other institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beals said the faculty in the nursing program have been working toward this expansion since most of them came to the university in 2020. "I was appointed in July 2020 and hit the ground running in August 2020," Beals said. She noted that the McCune-Brooks Department of Nursing had been hit by the Missouri State Board of Nursing with a moratorium on new admissions to the program and given conditional approval. "We were deficient in several areas according to the state board of nursing. The end result was hiring a new department chair and seven new faculty. We had a moratorium on new admissions and conditional approval of our program. Our response was not one of defeat. We took the bull by the horns and looked at our mission, vision, values and we created a new curriculum in about four months and got it approved. We worked through all the approval bodies and started out really mentoring those new faculty on being the excellent educators that they are today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern is one of 13 nursing education programs across the state will share a total of about $5 million in grants that were part of a special appropriation to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement last month: "These investments today are a continuation of our commitment to the future of Missouri, ensuring that future generations get the hands-on training necessary to fulfill their American Dream, while addressing the nationwide nursing shortage." Other grants to colleges and universities: $343,000 to Bolivar Technical College. $115,533 to Mineral Area Community College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $719,135 to Missouri Baptist University. $359,000 to Missouri State University-West Plains. $286,438 to Missouri Valley College. $630,000 to Rockhurst University-Kansas City. $150,000 to State Fair Community College. $621,975 to Stephens College. $424,500 to St. Charles Community College. $334,117 to Saint Louis University. $150,000 to University of Missouri-Kansas City. $519,050 to University of Missouri-St. Louis. The next chancellor of Austria could be Europes most Right-wing leader after establishment parties failed to strike a pact to keep a populist pro-Putin faction out of power. The victory for Herbert Kickls Eurosceptic and anti-migrant Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) marks a paradigm shift on the continent as traditional coalition building between moderate parties falters. The centre-Right Peoples Party (OVP) and other establishment groups in Austria initially refused to hold coalition talks with the FPO after federal elections in September 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But their attempt to form a firewall or cordon sanitaire against the far-Right failed after negotiations among themselves to form the next government collapsed. Now, talks between the far-Right FPO and conservative OVP are on, sparking protests across the country that saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets in anger last week. The cordon sanitaire, which is formed by pacts between traditional parties to keep extremists from government, has a long history in Europe. But as more and more hard-Right parties rise to prominence, such firewalls have come under increasing pressure. Jeremy Cliffe, the editorial director and senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said: Austria was once an outlier, now it looks more like a forerunner of wider trends across the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called firewall is breaking down across Europe, albeit at different speeds. The growth of the radical Right vote combined with the fragmentation of the rest of the political spectrum is making it ever-harder to form majorities against it. The European radical Right is here to stay for the foreseeable future, he added. The average vote share of far-Right parties in 35 European democracies hit a record high of 14.1 per cent in 2024, according to Telegraph analysis of Parlgov data. The rise coincides with a decline in support for the Left, slumping to a record low of 40.6 per cent. Prof Frank Furedi, the executive director of MCC Brussels, a conservative think tank, predicted that 2025 would be the year that the monopoly of power would be challenged and that the days of the cordon sanitaire were numbered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that the cordon sanitaire is fast unravelling...You cannot put increasingly popular Right-wing parties under a political quarantine, he told The Telegraph. The old mainstream parties no longer possess the authority to ignore the support enjoyed by populist parties and certainly the millions of citizens who have opted to support these movements are not going to allow their voices to be ignored, he said. In 2002, voters in France joined forces to support centre-Right Jacques Chirac and exclude far-Right Jean-Marie Le Pen - Claude Paris /Ap In France, a broad constellation of Left-wing parties joined forces to form the Popular Front after being convinced that riots in 1934 were an attempt at a fascist takeover. This tradition has continued. Voters of all political persuasions joined forces in 2002 to support the centre-Right Jacques Chirac against the far-Right Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round run-off for the presidential elections. Mr Chirac won 82.21 per cent of the vote share over Mr Le Pen, whose death this week at the age of 90 was greeted with street parties in Paris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, Leftist factions formed the New Popular Front to prevent Marine Le Pen, who has brought her fathers Holocaust-denying party back into mainstream French politics, from seizing power in snap parliamentary elections called by Emmanuel Macron. After the July vote, Mr Macron named Michel Barnier as the prime minister of a Right-leaning minority government. It promised to crack down on illegal migration to placate Ms Le Pens National Rally but collapsed after three months, when she withdrew her tacit support. In nearby Belgium, the far-Right Vlaams Belang, which has long been blocked by a cordon sanitaire, came second in elections held in July. Lengthy coalition negotiations have still not resulted in a new government. Macrons inability to form a stable government in France, Spains fragile minority coalition, now the collapse of Austrias grand coalition talks it all points to the growing difficulty of forming viable governments while excluding the radical Right, Mr Cliffe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, establishment parties in The Netherlands and Sweden have found ways to involve the far-Right in government, while maintaining an appearance of exclusion. Michel Barniers Right-leaning minority government in France collapsed after just three months - Ludovic Marin/Shutterstock The Sweden Democrats are propping up a conservative coalition of less controversial Right-wing parties but they are not officially part of the government. However, their influence is clear in the once liberal Scandinavian countrys crackdown on illegal migration. Mark Rutte was the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history before his government collapsed in 2023. During his nearly 14 years in office, Mr Rutte had always made plain that his pro-business VVD alliance would never enter a coalition with Geert Wilders, the veteran anti-Islam firebrand. Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, Mr Ruttes successor, vowed to drive down migrant numbers but did not rule out a pact with Mr Wilders and his PVV party, which won a landslide victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After extensive negotiations, a coalition deal was struck whereby Mr Wilders would not officially be part of the Dutch cabinet but one of his party members would take on the job of minister for migration. It was not long before Mr Wilders claimed credit for The Netherlands strictest ever asylum policy. The Austrian OVP has suggested it could enter into a coalition with the FPO in a deal that would exclude Mr Kickl. Firewall is losing effectiveness The centre of pro-EU parties held in the European Parliament after bloc-wide elections in July also saw a surge in support for Right-wing alliances. A cordon sanitaire intends to shut out hard Eurosceptic nationalist unions from influential posts but before the elections, the centre-Right adopted many of the policies they championed, such as a backlash against Brussels Net Zero regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Prof Furedi, the cordon sanitaire is losing effectiveness because of the emergence of soft and hard Eurosceptic parliamentary groups. As mainstream parties seek to win back voters they are often adopting elements of its political offer, narrowing the gap and making cooperation less of a leap, agreed Mr Cliffe. Belgiums far-Right Vlaams Belang came second in elections held in July 2024 - Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some countries we will see growing arguments for letting radical Right parties burst their own bubble by assuming power and all the challenges it brings. Its a risky strategy. For Andrew Duff, a senior policy fellow at the European Policy Centre think tank in Brussels, the risk of contagion from extremist parties is very real. Cordon sanitaires were meant to stop the spread of infectious diseases. When they stopped working, other interventions were needed. Nowadays, in Europe the far-Right must be tackled head on by constant argument and persuasion, he said. The former Liberal Democrat MEP told The Telegraph that establishment parties should not be tempted to try and defang the far-Right by giving it entry to government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why condemn states to even worse governments than they have already? Centrists should be less intimidated than they seem to have become, Mr Duff added. German firewall remains most robust The situation in Austria has raised concerns in Germany after the recent state-level electoral successes of Alternative For Germany (AFD), which is classified by Berlin intelligence as a suspected Right-wing extremist group. The AFD is polling in second place behind the centre-Right CDU and ahead of Olaf Scholzs socialist faction before Germanys general election in February. Mainstream parties refused absolutely to cooperate with the AfD at a national level in a Brandmauer or firewall over a legacy of the countrys experience of the Nazi regime. The cordon sanitaire remains most robust in Germany for obvious historical reasons. Coalitions including the AfD at federal or state level are still unthinkable, Mr Cliffe confirmed. But there have been instances of case-by-case cooperation at the local government level in the eastern states where the party is strongest. I would not be surprised if those became more frequent in the coming years. Herbert Kickls FPO party was founded in the 1950s under a previous Nazi lawmaker - Helmut Fohringer/Getty Images Once a cordon sanitaire is broken, it is very difficult to rebuild, as events in Vienna have shown. The ring fence in Austria keeping the FPO from national government was first broken in 2000 but this will be the first time that the party is the senior partner in a coalition. Mr Kickl now expects to become the FPOs first chancellor since the party was founded in the 1950s under a leader who had been a senior SS officer and Nazi lawmaker. The group has a friendship pact with Vladimir Putins United Russia party and when Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, addressed the Austrian parliament in March 2024, FPO MPs walked out in protest. Honest government must be preceded by honest negotiations, Mr Kickl said when Austrias president tasked him with beginning coalition talks after the centrist firewall failed. No little games, no tricks, no sabotage. The talks continue. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. As work continues to restore southbound Interstate 471 on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge after it was damaged in a November fire, crews will embark on a significant step on Monday. The Ohio Department of Transportation said in a news release that the first few girders departed from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Sunday morning and are expected to arrive in Cincinnati later in the afternoon. Crews will unload the girders from the trucks Monday morning and then lift them into place before they are secured by ironworkers, the release said. The first girders for the I-471 repair have departed Stupp Bridge in Bowling Green, KY. They should arrive in Cincinnati later this afternoon. Details at https://t.co/Q9MUihidBQ pic.twitter.com/kuD0BQiLH3 ODOT Cincinnati (@ODOT_Cincinnati) January 12, 2025 Several more girders will arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday, as ironworkers will "work around the clock" to bolt them all into place on the highway. Additional reinforcing steel will arrive in Cincinnati on Thursday, the news release added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girders are massive steel beams that support the structure of the bridge, according to Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson Kathleen Fuller. These girders for the bridge range in length from about 98 feet to about 61 feet and in weight from 27,300 pounds to 22,400 pounds, she added. Once the girders have been installed, workers will pour concrete for the new I-471 decks after that, the department previously told The Enquirer. Concrete walls will follow. "This is a great step in the project," Fuller said. "We're on target with the schedule ... It's been incredible to be able to get (the girders) fabricated as soon as we could." Work continues Monday on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River. The southbound lanes of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, known locally as the Big Mac Bridge, have been closed since a massive fire damaged them from underneath on Nov. 1. They are expected to remain closed through March and the resulted traffic delays have frustrated commuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials estimated repairs would cost "at least $10 million" but said the actual amount would not be known until the work is done. Four suspects were indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury in December in connection with the fire. Prosecutor: Big Mac Bridge fire suspects used 'evasive tactics' to avoid contact This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Big Mac Bridge: Girders on the way, installation begins Jan. 13 Opinion. During the White House Tribal Nations Summit on December 9, 2024, multiple cabinet members praised Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) for her advocacy of tribal issues at cabinet and high-level meetings. As the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, Haaland has been a powerful advocate for Indian Country, bringing tribal nations concerns to the highest levels of government. Her impact on Indian Country has been significant. Throughout her time in office, Haaland emphasized a core truth: "Native American history is American history." This principle guided her most significant initiatives, from the Indian boarding school investigation to the protection of sacred sites. Her leadership forced the federal government to confront difficult chapters of its past while creating new pathways for tribal consultation and cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her tenure exemplifies the importance of representation. As she prepares to step down, Native representation in federal leadership will inevitably diminish. Hopefully, it will not disappear entirelybecause Indian Country needs advocates. Indian Country needs representation. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. While Haalands voice was heard in some of the most powerful rooms of the Biden-Harris administration, her impact resonated deeply with ordinary Native Americans. At one of the 12 Road to Healing Tour listening sessions on the Navajo Nation, I witnessed this firsthand. A Dine woman, who looked to be about 60 years old, said she had driven five hours from Utah to see Secretary Haaland. She described herself crying when then-President-elect Joe Biden nominated Haaland as Interior Secretary in December 2020, saying she never thought she would see a Native American in such an important position. The woman added she had prayed to the Creator to meet Secretary Haaland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: Today is the day I get to meet Deb Haaland! Dont tell me representation doesnt matter. Haaland represented for Native women and girlsand Native males, for that matterin America, Native Americans can have a seat at the table. Haalands role represented more than individual achievement. She brought forward the history of Native Americans to the highest level of the federal government. She represented those of us who are ordinary Native Americans, who know the history of the struggles of our ancestors and hardships within our tribal families. She represented usthose who seek parity for our tribal communities. In June 2021, following the discovery of 215 remains of schoolchildren at the Kamloops Industrial Residential School in British Columbia, Canada, Haaland launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative during her appearance at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2021 Mid-Year Conference. She recalled how she wept along with the Indigenous Interior staff when they learned of Kamloops. Under the leadership of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community), the Interior has published two volumes of findings in the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigation Report, Volume I and Volume II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation will stand as Haalands greatest legacy, as its findings affect every Native American family. Many tribal leaders say the investigation would not have happened without her leadership. The investigation led to the first presidential apology for the federal governments role in operating Indian boarding schools, where Native students endured horrific physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It also resulted in President Biden proclaiming at national monument at the site of the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School. Haaland also led the Board of Geographic Names in removing the derogatory term squaw from nearly 650 geographic sites in September 2023. Words matter, particularly in our work to ensure our nations public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds, Haaland said. I am grateful to the members of the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force and the Board on Geographic Names for their efforts to finalize the removal of this harmful word. Together, we are showing why representation matters and charting a path for an inclusive America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond her advocacy for Indian Country, Haaland managed a federal department with an $18.1 billion budget and 70,000 employees across more than 2,400 locations. The Interior manages the country's natural and cultural resources, including national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. It also oversees energy development on public lands and waters, while managing water resources in 17 western states. Haaland brought unprecedented perspectives to the Interior Department: Native American insights, womens leadership, and a deep understanding of Indigenous communities. She led with resolve and, when needed, ferocity. She readily admits she is not perfect and has had to make decisions that were not always popular, even among tribal nations. Still, credit must be given for her unwavering hard work and dedication to improving Indian Country. There is no way one person can correct the historic ill-treatment of tribal nations within four short years. In Indian Country, we have a word for individuals like Deb Haaland: Warrior. And she has proven to be a fierce one. Thayek gde nwendemen We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. Republican consultant Jean Evans (in for John Hancock) and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discussed the following topics: The politics of plowing snow in the St. Louis area. Interstates and state highways on the Illinois side were clear the day after last Sundays major snow/sleet/freezing rain event. It has taken nearly an entire week to make that kind of progress on the Missouri side of the river. With the big November elections still fresh, its election season again in St. Louis. Early voting in the nonpartisan mayoral primary begins in about five weeks. New St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith settles into her new job and opens up about St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, who tried to keep her from getting the job. State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick releases a scathing report on the results of his audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys office under the leadership of former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. The new Missouri legislative session begins with new leadership but talks of addressing the same issues: abortion rights, transgender care, state income tax cuts, and state control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over a peaceful congressional certification of the November presidential election, officially naming her opponent, Donald Trump, as the winner. It stood in stark contrast to 2021, when Trump supporters participated in a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, with Mr. Trump denying that Joe Biden won. As the Los Angeles area grapples with catastrophic wildfires, President-elect Trump engages in a political blame game. Our Quote of the Week was from former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who was laid to rest after his remarkable 100-year life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A hang-glider pilot for four decades, 69-year-old Arthur Simoneau was a calculated risk-taker. And so, as residents fled the Palisades fire Tuesday, Simoneau headed closer to the inferno. He was returning from a ski trip in Mammoth when he learned of the evacuation orders for his Topanga home in the Santa Monica Mountains, said Steve Murillo, a longtime friend and fellow hang-glider pilot. Simoneau kept going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was heading home to save it if he could, said Murillo, who spoke with Simoneau on Tuesday night as his friend drove back toward Topanga. Arthur was the kind of guy that once he put his mind to something, you couldnt really talk him out of stuff. Murillo texted his friend directions which roads were open, which were closed. He never got a text back. On Thursday, officials found Simoneaus body, another grim notch in a mounting death toll fueled by one of the worst wildfires in the states history. As of Saturday night, Los Angeles County had reported 16 deaths. Simoneau was found near the doorway of his home, apparently trying to defend it, Murillo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends and neighbors say Simoneau represented the best parts of Topanga, a tight-knit bohemian mountain community with a reputation for welcoming the free-spirited. He was soft-spoken and quirky, his long silver hair kept in a ponytail. Every weekend was an opportunity to hang-glide. Back in the day, he even did it barefoot. Then he switched to sandals. He was a denizen of Topanga. He fit in good, said Malury Silberman, a friend who met him through the Sylmar Hang Gliding Assn. Kind of a grown-up hippie never a harsh word out of the guy. His neighbor Susan Dumond said everyone in the area knew him as the informal caretaker of Swenson Drive, where he lived. Hed been one of the first to move onto the remote road in the early '90s. For decades afterward, he would use his own money to make repairs on it. He greeted all his neighbors with a grin and a peace sign and was known to leave a trail of freshly yanked invasive species behind him wherever he went. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always knew he had been on the street because there were weeds all over the road, said Dumond, who lived a few houses away. A hillside smolders near Topanga Village along Topanga Canyon Road. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Dumond evacuated Tuesday night, the air thick with smoke and winds so strong she could barely open her car door. She returned Thursday to get medical equipment for her husband. As she left around 4:30 p.m., she saw a sheriff's deputy outside Simoneaus home. That's his nature is to protect the community, protect his house. I would imagine that's what he did, said Dumond. He cared about the community a lot, and would do anything to try to help it. That community, centered on a windy road inside a fire-prone canyon, is no stranger to devastating blazes. A year after Simoneau built the home in 1992, a wildfire raced across the town, claiming 350 homes and three lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Wiley, the town plumber who grew up in the area, remembers talking with Simoneau in the aftermath of the 1993 blaze. Like Wiley, Simoneau had decided not to evacuate and told Wiley it was a good thing he hadn't hed been able to stamp out embers that started drifting in after the heat busted a small bathroom window. If the guy wasn't there to put it out, it would have burned down bad, said Wiley. This time, the inferno proved too intense. A blackened brick husk of a home was all that remained Thursday after a fire tore through so hot it brought down the steel beams. Three charred cars and a few motorcycles were the only things recognizable inside. His family said Simoneau decided to stay behind because the home, which he built by hand, was a huge point of pride for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simoneau's son Andre wrote on a GoFundMe page that he always knew his father who he said rode motorcycles at "Social Security" age with a helmet that said for novelty use only wouldnt die of old age or illness. It was always in the back of our heads that he would die in spectacular Arthur fashion, he wrote. Unfortunately, he died in the Palisades fire protecting his house [and] doing what he did best: being a badass and doing something only he was brave enough (or crazy enough) to do. Many local hang glider pilots said Simoneau was fearless, and though his biggest passion was a risky one, he was careful in the sky. He was always a very cautious person, said his friend of 40 years, Gary Mell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hang-gliding world, his friends said, had lost one of its pioneers. Kia Ravanfar, 40, said most of the old-timers who were around when hang gliding became popular an era when people would design their own gliders with materials from the hardware store had either died or long since stopped. Simoneau was one of the few who had done neither. He didn't live a life like he was old, said Ravanfar, who said Simoneau had recently been flying in Owens Valley, which is to hang gliding as Mavericks is to surfing. I always had imagined that he'd be hang gliding until he couldn't walk. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher celebrated the legacy of the late actor Satish Kaushik by sharing his transformation for the role of former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anupam Kher shared a video in which actor Satish was seen talking about his role in the upcoming film Emergency. Directed by Kangana Ranaut, the film also stars Anupam Kher and Shreyas Talpade in prominent roles, along with Satish Kaushik. In the video, Satish called himself lucky to have been given the opportunity to portray Jagjivan Ram. He also praised Kangana Ranaut's directorial skills, calling her an "actor's director." The clip also featured his transformation makeup from actor Satish Kaushik to Jagjivan Ram. "Sometime as an actor when you are given an opportunity to play the role of a renowned personality then it invites a dilemma of how to approach the role. Shall I put some of myself into it or shall I act as per what the audience has seen or read before about him. I feel so lucky to play the role of Jagjivan Ram in the 'Emergency.' Remembering his dear friend, Satish Kaushik., Anupam Kher wrote, "Celebrating the legacy of my friend #SatishKaushik as he transforms into Babu Jagjivan Ram in #Emergency. A legendary actor in a historic role--his brilliance will leave an impact forever." https://www.instagram.com/p/DEsbl4fi1hu/ Actor Satish Kaushik passed away at the age of 66 last year due to a heart attack. This is not the first time Anupam Kher has remembered his dear friend. Sharing details about the late actor and their bond after his demise, Anupam said,"Both of us hail from lower-middle-class families. We take pride in the fact that we have made a name on our own. This city, Mumbai, has given us an opportunity to excel and we have achieved that. It's very difficult for me to deal with this loss. He was very witty. He used to take everything on a light-hearted note. People can learn from him how to live a generous life. I will always have this regret that he left us untimely. He touched people's lives. As creative souls, and intellectuals we were always together. He was a brilliant actor." Meanwhile, Anupam will be next seen in the upcoming film 'Emergency.' It is directed by Kangana Ranaut. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday attended a special screening of Kangana Ranaut and Anupam Kher's film 'Emergency' in Nagpur.Kangana took to Instagram and shared a couple of pictures from the screening. In one of the images, Gadkari, Kangana and Kher can be seen conversing with each other. Gadkari also took to X and heaped praise on the team of 'Emergency' for "presenting the dark chapter of our nation's history with such authenticity and excellence." "Joined the special screening of the movie Emergency, featuring @KanganaTeam Ji and Shri @AnupamPKherJi, in Nagpur today. I wholeheartedly thank the filmmakers and actors for presenting the dark chapter of our nation's history with such authenticity and excellence. I urge everyone to watch this film, which portrays a significant period in India's history," he posted. Kher and Kangana's film 'Emergency' will be released in theatres on January 17. (ANI) (NewsNation) Jan. 20 marks the day President-elect Donald Trumps vision of becoming the U.S. president once again comes true. His inauguration coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day a rare occurrence since MLK Day was made a national holiday in 1983. The only other time the two federal events have been on the same day was the inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1997. What is the Inauguration Day schedule? Every four years, the president-elect and vice president-elect are sworn into office on Jan. 20 in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Procession to Capitol: By tradition, a procession to the Capitol will kick off the events. Pence said he congratulated Trump on his win at Carters funeral President Joe Biden, President-elect Trump and their spouses will travel to the White House, escorted by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). The two presidents will meet briefly and then proceed to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremonies. Swearing-in ceremonies: Vance will be sworn in first, followed by Trump. The swearing-in ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. CT or 12 p.m. ET. Inaugural address: The chief justice of the Supreme Court will deliver the oath to Trump, who will subsequently give his inaugural address. Every president since George Washington has delivered an inaugural address, according to the JCCIC. President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office as incoming first lady Melania Trump looks on during the 58th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2017. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Outgoing presidential departure: After the ceremonies, outgoing President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will depart the Capitol by plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signing ceremony: In his first official acts in office, Trump will gather with aides and members of Congress in the Presidents Room to sign nominations and possibly some memorandums, proclamations or executive orders. Luncheon: The president, first lady, guests and members of the JCCIC will have a luncheon in the Capitol, a tradition since 1953. Military review and parade: Finally, the president and vice president will make their way to the east front steps of the Capitol where they will review the military troops, who will then lead a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The procession will include ceremonial military regiments, citizens groups, marching bands and floats. Past inaugurations Trumps second inauguration undoubtedly brings comparisons to past presidential welcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump chose not to attend President Joe Bidens inauguration, making him the first president to skip the inaugural ceremony of his successor in 152 years. Trump will also be the first president sworn in with U.S. flags at half-staff. Flags are at half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter who passed away last month. Trumps inauguration will coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights icon on the third Monday of every January. Inauguration Day and MLK Day will be observed on the same day for the second time in history, with President Bill Clintons second inauguration occurring on MLK Day in January 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is expected to become the second president to serve nonconsecutive terms, with Grover Cleveland winning elections in 1884 and 1892. Former President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th U.S. president on Jan. 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) How to watch the inauguration on NewsNation You can watch the full Inauguration Day proceedings on NewsNation on TV, online at newsnationnow.com or on the NewsNation apps for your television or phone. Not sure how to watch NewsNation? Find your channel here. NewsNation is also available to stream on YouTubeTV, Hulu, FuboTV, Vidgo, Sling and DirecTV Stream. You can also download the NewsNation app by clicking here or going directly to your phones app store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) The Hays County Sheriffs Office on Saturday requested help to locate a runaway teen who ran away from her home in Kyle. HCSO said 16-year-old Miley Silvas was last seen at around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in the area of Palomino Road in Kyle. Authorities described Silvas as 52, 140 Ibs. with black hair, and brown eyes. The Hays County Sheriffs Office on Saturday requested help to locate a runaway teen who ran away from their home in Kyle. (Hays County Sheriffs Office Photo) HCSO said she may possibly be in the Austin area. If you have any information that could lead to finding Miley, you are asked to contact HSCO Detective Lowe at 512-393-7803 or Wesley.Lowe@hayscountytx.gov. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 800-324-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Seattle Fire Department was on the scene of a hazardous material call near the intersection of East Broadway and James Street in Seattle on Saturday. The call to Seattle Fire came in around 8 p.m. after a person reported that a sign on the door said there was a dangerous chemical inside triggering the hazmat response. Entry was delayed into the building until the hazmat team arrived. Seattle Fire said they could not confirm the presence of a chemical but treat it as if there was until it could be verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just out of an abundance of caution and its the best practice here is to be extremely cautious and treat it as if its 100% true and then hopefully its less than that and we can back it down, Deputy Chief Ed Nelson of the Seattle Fire Department said. But if we dont somebody can get hurt. We dont want that. Seattle Police closed streets around the building for safety. Seattle Fire said a deceased person was found in the apartment building and turned over the scene to the Seattle Police Department. Crews monitored the air quality and said it was safe for residents to return. Seattle PD is investigating. Jan. 12Dec. 11 marked the eve of a full year since Debra Griego was evicted from her government-subsidized housing, and she spent the day scrambling to sort through her storage unit, from which she was also set to be evicted. Griego suffers from mental and physical health issues, and the 64-year-old's only income is a disability check from the state. As temperatures dropped, so did her already depleted health. "I feel like somebody beat the crap out of me," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on the streets she's reached extreme lows, but it's clear the woman one of 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque isn't giving up on the hope of spending her senior years with some stability, security and hopefully shelter. As she packed her things, Griego met the federal criteria to be considered chronically homeless: a year on the streets. The milestone makes her eligible for a permanent housing voucher, through which the city, via nonprofits, allocates nearly $8 million annually to help roughly 1,300 people from over 700 households. The city has stated vouchers are prioritized by "acuity," something with which Griego has struggled she says she's been diagnosed bipolar and with mild dementia. As her situation became more dire, help ramped up. Dozens of Journal readers reached out in the wake of our previous story on Griego last month, in hopes of assisting her. One of those readers was Boni Galarneau, who upon finding out Griego needed to vacate her storage unit by 10 p.m. Dec. 11, headed to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the plan of paying for a new unit for Griego and helping her move out of the one she was in, Boni, her husband, Billy, and oldest son, Adam, arrived at a storage unit in disarray and packed to the brim. The unit was a reflection of Griego's scattered mind: bags of rocks and sticks, old family photos, Bibles and bottles emptied of medication dominated the front of the unit. But as the clutter was cleared, the larger items in the storage unit told another story: replicas of Renaissance paintings, a television, a sofa and a bed with a frame. The remnants of a different life, when a roof was over her head. As the family cleared the unit and unloaded Griego's belongings at the new one which they paid for through March she fell even more ill and said she needed to stay at a motel that night to recover. Boni offered her a ride without hesitation. They arrived at the hotel check-in counter and while Griego had cash ready to pay for the stay Boni instead passed her ID and debit card over the counter and paid for four nights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day before she was set to check out, Boni told Griego the room had been paid until the new year. "I've never had anybody help me before, ever," Griego said. A roof over her head Griego's voice returned quickly, her skin became clearer just days into her three-week stay. One night at her hotel room, days before Christmas, she looked as relaxed as ever. A Bible opened on her nightstand, worship music played quietly in the background. That night, Griego reflected on her past jobs, a resume that included food service jobs at Taco Bell and McDonald's and also for a cellular provider and a call center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having professional experience with phones, Griego seemed to struggle with them. She complained about the phones she purchased not working, and is convinced at times that someone is "in the phone," hacking her, barring her from using it properly. Generally, her thinking got clearer the longer she remained in the hotel. One afternoon at her storage unit, she parted ways with bags of rocks that she had previously believed were "gold dust." Before the streets Griego was born in East Los Angeles in 1960 and moved to New Mexico with her mother when she was 9 years old, after her parents divorced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was married twice and had three children: one lives in Oklahoma, one she does not have contact with any longer, and one named Joseph. She described Joseph, her youngest, as a smart kid who ran track and played in his school band. One day while he was on spring break, Griego said Joseph was brutally and nearly fatally beaten in a parking lot by some older kids who lived in their apartment complex. She believed the incident began a violent downward spiral for him. After he was released from the hospital, Griego said Joseph had violent outbursts, one of which led her to call the cops. On July 4, 2023, Joseph was involved in a fatal carjacking at a motel in the International District and remained at large until he was caught in December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griego said Joseph didn't tell her about his involvement in the crime until a month before his arrest for several charges, including first-degree murder. He was booked just nine days before Griego was evicted. Though it's been a year since a judge ordered him held behind bars until trial, she still holds out hope that Joseph might be released soon and can live with her. The eleventh hour While thankful for all their help, Griego expressed frustration at times with Billy and Boni. She was upset she didn't have the access code to the storage unit since it was in Boni's name suspicion that the couple was stealing from her and trying to compromise her bank information and took issue with the way Boni spoke to her at times, saying it feels like she's being bossed around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Boni and Billy showed up the morning of Jan. 1 to help Griego move out of her hotel room. As the room was being cleared out, Boni handed Griego a pre-loaded gift card of an unspecified amount, which Debra reluctantly accepted and begrudgingly thanked her for. Griego wasn't sure what her plan was, but minutes before checkout time she received a call. Chuck Holman, founder of ABQ Plan, a nonprofit that seeks to keep low-income seniors from becoming homeless, told her he might have a room for her at one of their homes. Griego agreed to an interview to determine her eligibility. Holman, joined by three other people, arrived in a green Dodge minivan with duct tape hanging from the front bumper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After talking to her for a few minutes, the group invited her, and her 2-year-old terrier Louie, into their van to show her where she'll be staying. Seventeen years ago, thousands of New Mexicans packed the streets to see the televised reveal of a renovated mansion in the International District with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's" host Ty Pennington. The home has since become a shelter under ABQ Plan. This was where Griego had landed a "semi-private" room. The house was still stunning and upon arrival, Griego marveled at the massive wood beams featured on a 20-foot-tall ceiling, the shiny wood floors and an elegant kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was shown to her white-walled room, whose only contents were a setup bed and a mattress leaning against the wall. Griego thanked Holman. "I did not want to go back to the streets," she told him, holding back tears. She bid goodbye to Boni and Billy. But her stay only lasted one night. By morning, Griego had decided to leave, saying she is uncomfortable with the fact that four men are staying at the house and taking issue with the $750 cost per month. She brings in just over $900 a month from her disability check. She also wanted a place of her own so Joseph can stay with her when he's released. She took the bus with Louie and her belongings, headed to the storage unit to grab her tent and returned to the hill next to the highway. With help from a Love's employee she's befriended by frequenting the truck stop, Griego sets up her tent donated by a Journal reader rolls out a sleeping bag and snuggles up with Louie as the temperature drops below 40 degrees. For the first time in over three weeks she again had no roof over her head. Editor's Note: This story was compiled over a month following Debra Griego and is the second installment in a series where the Journal will follow Griego in her quest to secure housing. In any given year, up to 30% of the states wildfire-fighting force earns as little as $26.90 for a 24-hour shift. Thats because theyre prisoners in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and more than 900 of them have helped battle the wildfires ravaging Southern California this week. Behind bars, firefighting is a coveted job. But the blazes menacing L.A. right now have reignited debates around the states reliance on low-paid prisoner labor and on some social media sites, people have begun asking how they can help. The Los Angeles-based Anti-Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to ending mass incarceration, started a fundraiser on Friday to support the fire crews of Californias prisons. By Saturday morning, theyd already pulled in more than $40,000, according to their executive director, Sam Lewis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the money will go to necessities the incarcerated firefighters say they need such as new boots, toiletries and other gear, Lewis said. Whatever they need, well purchase, he told The Times. Were ordering 40 boots today. Read more: Live updates: Particularly dangerous situation winds warning returns Wednesday morning Whatever money is left over after the blazes Lewis plans to put toward scholarships for formerly incarcerated firefighters or divvy up and donate to individual prisoners commissary accounts. Founded by Hollywood producer Scott Budnick who spearheaded this weeks fundraising ARC runs programs inside all state prisons and two of the states minimum-security fire camps, one in Pine Grove, and the other in Georgetown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Amika Mota, who worked as a firefighter in California's Chowchilla prison before her release in 2015, during major fires prisoners do a lot of preventive and protective work, like clearing brush or cutting gaps in the vegetation to slow the spread of flames. "But they are also absolutely fighting fire as 'active nozzles,'" she told The Times. "It just depends." Outside of wildfire season, she said, their duties included putting out structure fires and responding to overdoses and vehicle crashes. In recent years, prison reform and the COVID-19 pandemic have shrunk the pool of eligible inmates . In 2005, there were 4,250 inmate firefighters. By last summer, there were fewer than 1,800, housed in 35 Conservation (Fire) Camps across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Every wildfire currently burning in California Last year, proposed budget cuts wouldve shuttered five camps in L.A. County , though the governor later took those camps off his list of cuts after local leaders raised concerns. While they can make more than $26 a day during wildfire season, according to CDCRs website inmate firefighters typically make $5.80 and $10.24 per day. When theyre responding to active emergencies, they get another $1 an hour from Cal Fire. Even so, fighting fires is one of the best-paying prison jobs available and it also gives qualifying prisoners a chance to chop time off their sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single firefighter that is out there right now, I'm sure they're proud to be there, Mota said. But also every single one of those people has signed away their rights for any sort of compensation if they die on the fireground. Anyone interested in supporting incarcerated firefighters can visit the ARC website and write firefighter fund on their donations. The Marshall Project staff writers Jamiles Lartey and Shannon Heffernan contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Jan. 11The Anchorage area is in for another round of strong winds through the weekend plus potentially heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service. The agency issued a high wind warning for Anchorage and surrounding areas that is in effect through Sunday afternoon. According to the weather service, back-to-back systems will bring high winds plus widespread rain in some parts of Southcentral. In Anchorage, southeast winds of 50 to 70 mph, with gusts of 85 to 100 mph, were forecast for the Anchorage Hillside and higher elevations surrounding the Chugach front range. Lower-elevation areas near the mountains including the Lower Hillside, East Anchorage and Eagle River could see southeast winds of 30 to 45 mph, with 60 to 80 mph gusts possible, according to the weather service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of early Sunday, gusts of more than 80 mph had been recorded along the Hillside, with gusts of more than 50 mph at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the weather service said. A gust of more than 90 mph was recorded at Arctic Valley. The temperature at the airport was 45 degrees as of 5 a.m. "High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles," the weather service said in its warning. Scattered power outages were reported across the city. A high wind warning was also in effect for the Matanuska Valley, with winds of 30 to 50 mph and gusts up to 95 mph, the weather service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy rains are possible across the area through the day, including Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood, the weather service said. "A strong storm system will bring another round of warmer weather and widespread rainfall to the Anchorage Municipality through Sunday night," the weather service said. "Any heavy rain will likely lead to ponding of water on area roadways that could linger until storm drains are cleared of ice and snow. The widespread rain could also lead to increased streamflows, and rising water levels for area creeks and streams. Elsewhere in Southcentral, forecasters urged residents to watch for the potential for excessive rainfall and weekend flooding affecting the eastern Kenai Peninsula and western Prince William Sound, including the areas surrounding Seward, Moose Pass and Whittier. The weather service said some parts of the region could get 3 to 5 inches of rain Sunday, possibly flooding creeks and streams, with snow falling at upper elevations. In Cordova, the weather service warned of the potential for southeast winds of 40 to 60 mph and gusts up to 80 mph overnight into Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Near Valdez, forecasters warned of heavy snow and gusting winds that could make travel difficult and reduce visibility at Thompson Pass through the weekend. The weather service said an additional snow accumulation of 2 to 3 feet and wind gusts up to 45 mph were possible. Freezing rain, sleet and snow falling on snow- and ice-covered roadways was contributing to slick driving conditions north of Thompson Pass through the Copper River Basin, and forecasters urged drivers to use extra caution in the area. Jan. 11Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul wants to make school breakfast and lunch free for every public school student in New York. In an announcement delivered Friday, Hochul said she would push for a change in state law as part of her legislative agenda to negotiate with the state legislature this year. "We owe this to our kids," Hochul said. "We owe it to them. We brought them into the world, we're responsible for them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a school on Long Island, Hochul laid out her plan to fund free school lunch and breakfast for every district in the state reaching more than 2.7 million students annually. The governor's office estimates that would save about $165 in grocery costs per family monthly, about $2,000 per year. Ultimately, expanding free lunch in New York will mean free meals for about 300,000 more students. About 90% of students in the state already have access to universal free meals. The breakdown isn't district wide, but often school by school. Schools where a majority of students receive free lunch automatically provide that benefit to all students. The expansion is going to be included in Hochul's 2025 State of the State speech on Tuesday when she sets out her annual policy agenda, and will likely be included in the state budget due April 1. Live in a home governed by a condominium, co-op or homeowner's association? Have questions about what they can and cannot do? Ryan Poliakoff, an attorney and author based in Boca Raton, has answers. First this week, and as Ive discussed in prior columns, the Corporate Transparency Act is a federal law that was passed to fight illegal activity such as tax fraud and money laundering. The law requires most corporations (including community associations) to register beneficial ownership information personal information about the directors and officers of the corporation, or anyone else that has substantial control over the company. A few weeks ago, a court in Texas put the law on hold, and now the Court of Appeals has affirmed the injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the law. Pending a final ruling, companies are no longer required to file beneficial ownership information with the government. I suspect this injunction will continue for some time, and that the Court of Appeals is very likely to affirm the lower courts ruling that the law is unconstitutional. Now to some reader questions! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Question: I am a director for a small residential community governed by an HOA in search of direction for making changes to association common areas. Chapter 720 [the HOA Act] does not mention requirements for common area changes. Our covenants are also silent on this matter. The Condominium Act calls for approval of 75% of members for changes, but we understand that Chapter 718 does not apply to residential HOAs. All references I can find online imply that 75% approval is the commonly accepted practice, but we anticipate a challenge from a member in favor of a simple majority. The issue at hand is an effort to remove existing community streetlights to save the expense. Our documents include the streetlights as common elements. Signed, H.H. Dear H.H., The concept of a material alteration requiring membership approval is limited to condominiums and cooperatives not HOAs. Whether or not your board has the authority to remove the streetlights is going to depend on the boards powers under the governing documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You say that your documents are silent with respect to material alterations, but you need to look at how they describe the boards general authority and responsibility with respect to the common areas. Usually, boards have very broad authority to improve and alter the common properties, subject to alteration approval provisions or sometimes limitations on spending. You may need an attorney to evaluate your governing documents for you and to advise the board on whether they would have such authority. As an attorney, I would have two additional concerns. First, if you remove the streetlights, any accident or crime that occurs in the future and that arguably could have been prevented if the streets were lit is going to come right back on the board as either a negligence claim or even as a breach of fiduciary duty claim, arguing that the boards actions were reckless as to the health and safety of owners (I dont know what other lighting exists in your community and how lit the roads would be without these lights). Second, you very well may have city or county requirements to have your streets lit, and removal of the lights could either violate language in the plat when the community was created, or instead violates your local codes. These are important issues to investigate as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Question: As with many HOAs, maintaining good resident communications has become complicated. Email is far and away the most efficient, timely, and cost-effective means of communicating. HOA law requires an opt-in for financial, legal, voting, meeting notifications, and other communications sent by email. But what about everyday communications such as road closures, severe weather warnings, gate closures, newsletters, or security bulletins? Can an HOA automatically place member-resident email addresses on that file as long as they give the resident the right to opt out at a later date? This assumes that there will be two different email options one for Chapter 720-compliant messaging, and a second option for non-covered transactions such as listed above. Signed, E.E. Dear E.E., You have exactly described how this works. The various acts do not care about any communications other than the legally required communications described in the statutes. Everyday communications, such as you describe, are entirely outside of the statutory governance. You can send your owners these kinds of messages, and that does not make their email addresses an inspectable association record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, if owners opt-in to receiving formal statutory notices (or other notices that must be mailed pursuant to your governing documents) by email in lieu of mail, those email addresses become inspectable association records. So, they are really two separate issues, and you cant mail someone a formal notice by email in lieu of mail just because you happen to have their email address. Ryan Poliakoff, a partner at Poliakoff Backer, LLP, is a Board Certified specialist in condominium and planned development law. This column is dedicated to the memory of Gary Poliakoff. Ryan Poliakoff and Gary Poliakoff are co-authors of "New Neighborhoods The Consumers Guide to Condominium, Co-Op and HOA Living." Email your questions to condocolumn@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your location. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: HOA wants to remove streetlights to save cash. Can they do that? HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) A junior at Hope College was hit by a train and killed Saturday evening, according to a letter posted by the colleges president. President Matt Scogins post said that Jennifer Kasunick of Bay Village, Ohio, was hit by a train near 10th Street. Police havent released specific details related to the crash. An undated photo of Jennifer Kasunick. (Courtesy Bay Village City School District) Almost everyone on campus knew Jennifer. And to know her was to love her. Her joyful spirit was a constant source of warmth and light especially in Phelps Hall, where she served as an RA alongside her service dog Rowdy, who survived, the post said in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kasunick was a violinist in the orchestra and learned to play all her music by ear. Hope College Disability and Accessibility Resources posted on Instagram in April 2024 that she was one of 11 nominees for the 2024 Accessibility Awareness Award. Jennifer has helped shed light on accessibility issues that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, the post said in part. Jennifers positive presence on campus has challenged peoples misconceptions about blindness and has proven that her blindness, in many aspects, enriches her capabilities as a student, friend, and resident. In Scogins post on Sunday, he said he doesnt know why God would allow this to happen and has questions but that Jennifers eyes were opened last night. And the first thing she saw was Jesus. I know that she has lost nothing she has only gained. But we should not pretend the same is true for us. We have lost an amazing person that we loved very dearly. Our deep confusion, sadness and anger are impossible to deny, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campus support resources were listed in the post: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): 616.395.7945 Residential Life/Dean of Students: 616.395.7800 Campus Ministries: van Andel Huys der Hope, 616.395.7145 Scogin told News 8 that there was a prayer gathering held Saturday night on campus. Flowers were placed near the train tracks on 10th Street. Flowers placed near the train tracks at 10th Street on Hope Colleges campus, where Jennifer Kasunick was hit and killed. (Jan. 12, 2025) Phelps Hall posted on Instagram saying Kasunick will be missed by the staff and community. She had a way of lighting up any room she entered, always with a smile on her face. Her joy and love touched everyone around her, and her impact will never be forgotten. As we grieve together, we find comfort in knowing that to know her was truly to love her, the post said. In Kasunicks hometown of Bay Village, Ohio, the superintendent of Bay Village City School District Scot Prebles sent a letter to school families, which read in part: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with great sadness that I must inform you that we have lost a dear member of our school district family. Recent alumna, Jennifer Kasunick, a Bay High 2023 graduate, has died due to an unimaginable accident; she was struck by a train yesterday near her beloved Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Her service dog Rowdy survived the accident. Please keep Jennifers family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic time. Bay Village City School District Scot Prebles Bay High School Principal Jason Martin remembered Kasunick as tenacious and passionate, as reported by News 8s sister station, WJW in Cleveland. There was nothing she couldnt do if she put her mind to it, Martin told WJW in a statement. Her passion for learning and I can mentality served as an inspiration for staff and students alike. Jennifers presence, energy and positivity will always be remembered. My thoughts are with her family, friends and fellow class of 2023 graduates. News 8 has reached out to the Holland Department of Public Safety to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Excess water levels at Horseshoe Reservoir in January created a rare waterfall northeast of the Phoenix area. On Dec. 30, Salt River Project began a controlled release of water from Horseshoe Dam, sending thousands of gallons through a spillway along the Verde River that flows into nearby Bartlett Lake, according to SRP's website. The powerful water flow cascaded over a concrete spillway designed to manage excess water, creating a human-made waterfall. Advertisement Advertisement The unique sight could even be walked under, thanks to a convenient walking path that went underneath the span of the spillway, as seen in a video by Phoenix With Kids. The water was released at a rate of about 2,000 cubic feet per second, which was expected to increase water levels at Bartlett Lake by more than 4 feet, SRP added. The release happens periodically and would continue through January, but SRP didn't share a specific end date. The waterfall was still active as of Thursday, as reported by William Pitts of 12News, who captured the reactions of Arizonans. One visitor remarked they had never heard of the phenomenon before. Advertisement Advertisement Horseshoe Reservoir, also called Horseshoe Lake, is a non-hydro-generating water source that supports the Valley's complex canal system. According to SRP, it is one of the most remote lakes in the Phoenix area. Travelers are advised to check current water levels before planning a visit. Directions to the waterfall have been shared online by blogger R. Scott Jones and can be found on Google Maps. How it works: Federal law gives SRP OK to create new reservoir for power storage This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Human-made waterfall only rarely appears. Here's how to see it in AZ Veteran actor Tiku Talsania is currently undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after suffering a brain stroke. While the actor's fans were concerned about his health, Tiku's daughter Shikha Talsania has shared an update on his condition and assured that he is recuperating well. Shikha took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday to thank fans for their love and concern. She described it as an "emotional" time for the family but confirmed that her father's health is improving. "Thank you for all your prayers and concern. It's been an emotional time for all of us, but we are happy to share that Dad is doing much better now and is recuperating well," read her note. "We are grateful to the doctors and staff at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital for everything they have done, and to his fans for all the love that has come our way in abundance," she added. Tiku Talsania was last seen at a film screening in Mumbai on Friday night, where he was spotted greeting actor Rashami Desai. A video from the screening has been doing the rounds on the internet in which he is seen happily greeting Rashami Desai. Rashami Desai had earlier told ANI that Tiku Talsania is under the observation of doctors. "I met Tiku sir last night. I was so happy to meet him. Unfortunately, a couple of hours after our meeting, I got to know that he suffered a brain stroke and was taken to the hospital. I pray for his speedy recovery," Rashami said. Tiku Talsania is best known for his comic roles in films like 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa', 'Ishq', 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke', 'Andaz Apna Apna', 'Hungama', and 'Dhamaal', among others. He also had a remarkable non-comic role in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Devdas'. Tiku's daughter Shikha is also an actor. She has worked in films such as 'Veere Di Wedding' and 'Wake Up Sid'. (ANI) A housekeeper has been charged for allegedly assaulting an elderly woman at her home in Florida, authorities said. Heather Nelson physically assaulted and robbed her 83-year-old employer after she was denied a $500 Christmas bonus she requested for cleaning the woman's house on Dec. 24, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. After the victim said she didnt have enough money to provide a bonus, Nelson, 29, responded by physically wrenching the victims checkbook from her hand, stealing a check from the checkbook almost breaking the wrist of the elderly victim," police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson then proceeded to write herself a stolen check for $1,400 and stole the victims credit card to pay her rent and make several other purchases that were later discovered by authorities, according to the release. Police arrested Nelson on Jan. 7, per jail records seen by PEOPLE. She has since been released. It is not immediately clear if she has legal representation to comment on her behalf. Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (Official)/Facebook Nelson was arrested and charged after allegedly assaulting her 83-year-old employer on Dec. 24 Nelson was arrested and charged after allegedly assaulting her 83-year-old employer on Dec. 24 Related: Teen Claims She and 4 Other Girls Beat Elderly Man to Death Because They Were Bored Nelson now faces numerous charges, police said, including robbery, aggravated battery on a person over the age of 65, grand theft, forgery, uttering a forged instrument, criminal use of personal identification and fraudulent use of a credit card. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Tod Goodyear, a public information officer with the sheriffs office, told Fox 35 Orlando, Based on what she was using the monies for, she was in financial trouble." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, "Maybe she just saw this as the only way possibly out of it, but to take advantage of our elderly seniors is not what you do." Getty A police car (stock image). A police car (stock image). Related: 5 Children Arrested in Connection with Brutal Murder of 80-Year-Old Dog Walker "The elderly are scammed, they are taken advantage of by other people a lot of times because they have some diminished capacity, or theyre very trusting," Goodyear also told Fox 35 Orlando. They grew up in a time when people trusted each other." Read the original article on People Craig Fugate, who led the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Obama administration, has seen a lot of natural disasters. He knows the difference between destruction and utter devastation, and puts the nation's truly cataclysmic events those that erase entire communities in a blink in a category all their own. The wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles in recent days fit into that group, he said. Read more: Fire victims seek answers about rebuilding, cleanup timeline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is your Hurricane Katrina," Fugate said in an interview with The Times. "It will forever change the community. It will be a touch point that everybody will remember, before and after. And for Los Angeles, this will become one of the defining moments of the community, the city and the county's history." Many in L.A. and across California already understand the before: Bone-dry months with no rain. Deadly Santa Ana winds at hurricane strength. Built-out suburbs in one of the most densely populated regions in the nation, bumping up against kindling-dry forest and scrub land. It is the after that remains unclear that stirs worry and fear. There are the immediate questions, like where people who have lost their homes will stay tonight, tomorrow and the rest of this week, and the longer-term ones, such as whether L.A. should rebuild in areas that remain vulnerable to the increasing cruelty of climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another question that has loomed large: As the region tries to move forward, will politics get in the way? Scenes of sheer devastation in L.A. from Altadena to the Palisades to Pacific Coast Highway have been met with finger-pointing and barbs traded at the highest levels of government. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate with President Obama in the Oval Office in 2016. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) Could the recovery be hampered by President-elect Donald Trump and his spat with Gov. Gavin Newsom over fire and water management in the state? Could Trump, who takes office in just over a week, unilaterally cut federal aid already promised by President Biden? Biden and current FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Friday stopped short of guaranteeing the funding would continue under Trump, with Biden saying he hoped it would. Criswell said that Biden followed the law in declaring the disaster and that "it shouldn't be rolled back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Fugate and Peter T. Gaynor, a FEMA administrator in the first Trump administration, seemed more confident the aid would continue. "That initial assistance is locked and loaded. It's coming," Fugate said. "President Trump has been in office before and he's seen disasters. He's visited disasters. And so he knows how complicated these things are. He's not new to this," Gaynor said. "He'll continue to support disaster victims no matter what state they are in or who they voted for, including in California." But, Gaynor said, "the way forward is going to be hard and that's an understatement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fugate agreed. He also noted that much of the path forward won't be up to FEMA or the federal government. "There are going to be some big challenges that even the federal government is not prepared to deal with," he said. "A lot of these decisions are going to have to be made at the local level." The immediate challenge The scope of destruction is hard to fathom. All week, the numbers have risen now to at least 16 dead and more than 10,000 structures damaged or destroyed. Cost estimates have also continued to climb. JP Morgan on Thursday doubled its estimate from a day earlier, to about $50 billion, but a final total won't be known until the true extent of the damage and reconstruction costs are known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 storm that devastated New Orleans, killed more than 1,800 and cost about $200 billion, according to federal estimates. According to Fugate and Gaynor, the full scope of the disastrous fires won't set in for a while but the marching orders are clear. On Thursday, Biden pledged that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster assistance costs to California for the next 180 days, saying, "Climate change is real." For FEMA, they said, that means go time. "The floodgates for federal assistance are now open, and there's a method to request and receive those resources and pay for it all so that's the positive thing about what's going on," Gaynor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here's what to do next Every type of disaster has a unique footprint. In hurricanes and floods, everything is wet and much is ruined or destroyed, but belongings are still around to be found or salvaged. After fires, there are just barren landscapes where "the only things that are left are barbecues, engine blocks and propane tanks," Gaynor said. "With wildfires, there's nothing left but ash. It's almost like a total erasure of their history. So for a lot of people, that's going to be the compounding trauma," Fugate said. "It's not only that they lost their home, they lost their memories." For FEMA, that can mean less physical debris to clear though there is still plenty of that. But there is also next to no infrastructure left. "The only thing left are the roads," Fugate said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the immediate task for FEMA and state and local officials is securing and cleaning up dangerous and environmentally degraded sites. FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor with President Trump at a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in 2020. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) Biden's declaration makes federal funding available to state, local and tribal governments for debris removal, hazard mitigation and other emergency measures. The other immediate task including for FEMA is getting all of the people who have been displaced by the fires into shelter, Fugate and Gaynor said. The federal funding approved by Biden can cover temporary housing and home repairs, as well as loans to cover uninsured losses. And part of what FEMA will be doing is coordinating temporary housing assistance for victims including through hotel and motel vouchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA can operate a temporary housing assistance program for up to 18 months, and state and local officials will be able to request that the president extend that time period if the need is still there. The need for housing assistance in L.A. will likely remain an issue for a long time, Fugate and Gaynor said especially given how much the region already struggled with affordable housing and homelessness before the fires erupted. Read more: Rents likely to balloon in wake of L.A. wildfires, experts say "If you had affordable housing challenges before the fire, it didn't get better" with the sudden demand for housing among fire survivors impacting the broader affordable housing and rental market, too, Fugate said. Hurdles ahead In coming months and years, L.A. and its surrounding communities will likely ask for Housing and Urban Development funding for new affordable housing, Department of Transportation funding for rail and roadway projects and Small Business Administration funding for business loans and recovery efforts, the administrators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Examples abound of the federal government swooping in to rebuild American communities devastated by disaster. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, for example, billions in federal aid poured into the region to repair infrastructure. After a shipping vessel crashed into and destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last year, the federal government said it would foot the entire bill to replace it to the tune of billions. But while much of the funding may be federal, local and state officials will face a massive lift to coordinate the recovery and rebuild, Fugate and Gaynor said. A huge hurdle is home insurance. Before the fires, California was already facing a home insurance crisis. Insurers were already dropping customers statewide, citing increasing wildfire-related losses and the latest fires will only compound that issue. There are also questions about how many of the homeowners who lost everything in the latest fires had insurance policies, or may have been recently dropped and are between policies, Fugate said. Many people may be left in the lurch, and the state may have to start considering standing up a new program for insuring homes in the fire-ravaged state, he said. Read more: California lawmakers to consider expediting insurance claims after L.A. fires Then there is the issue of physically reconstructing communities that have been wiped out across a wide swath of urban and semi-urban landscape, Fugate said. With nothing left but the roadways, there will be huge amounts of clearing to do, as well as new utilities to be installed and environmental impact assessments to be done. When L.A. finally does get to the point of construction, a new ream of issues related to labor and supplies will likely crop up. "Just the sheer construction effort to rebuild enough homes to get people out of shelters" will be a massively challenging undertaking, Fugate said. "Construction workers, supplies, materials those are all going to be huge challenges, even if people do have insurance to get rebuilt." And that's if rebuilding is the goal. Some have already questioned whether some of the devastated areas should be rebuilt, given the ever-increasing threats of a warming planet especially in the pathway of the Santa Ana winds. Fugate said the L.A. region is too valuable to imagine such vast swaths of land sitting vacant forever. "They're going to rebuild," he said. But that doesn't mean rebuilding exactly what existed before, he said. State and local officials should already be in the process of considering the future communities they want to build, and the building codes they want to implement in order to ensure those communities are more resilient. "The question is how do you rebuild these communities that make them not fireproof, but more resilient and more resistant to these types of fires," Fugate said. 'A political element' Trump said on the campaign trail that he would withhold firefighting funding from California unless Newsom bowed to his demands on water management in the state. On Wednesday, he set many Californians further on edge by reigniting the spat with a muddled and inaccurate post on his Truth Social platform in which he again suggested he had demands for Newsom whom he called "Newscum." Both Fugate and Gaynor said it was not a surprise that the fires have sparked political debate. "Every disaster has a political element to it. It's just the nature of the beast," Gaynor said. "There's always somebody who has some grievance that they want to air or take advantage of in the moment, whether it's a local official or a governor or a president." Gaynor said such remarks are "not useful," but also aren't cause for alarm at least when it comes to the federal government's immediate aid to L.A. Read more: Trump says he would withhold California fire aid unless Newsom 'signs those papers' Gaynor said he worked with both Trump and Newsom on emergency responses during Trump's last term, including responding to past California fires alongside the governor and that "in the moment, in response, in recovery, I think again, from my firsthand experience everyone is trying to do the right thing." And regardless of the posturing of politicians, FEMA officials have a "pretty clear" charge they stick to, he said: "Help people before, during and after a disaster." Fugate agreed. He said Trump has often made alarming comments about disasters in the past, but they have rarely translated into action. "He communicates in this bombastic manner to get you to at least pay attention to what he's trying to address, but doesn't necessarily always follow through on that. It's just a communications style," Fugate said. More important politically, both former administrators said, will be future discussions in Congress about the types and scope of aid to be funneled to L.A. Will there be major infrastructure projects funded in the lead up to the 2028 Summer Olympics, which are set to be hosted by L.A.? Will HUD funding be allocated to build new affordable housing or will only mansions be rebuilt? How many businesses have been destroyed, and how much will the government be willing to spend to get them back on their feet? There are bound to be major environmental impacts and huge costs to mitigating them. How will the government fund those projects? Fugate said all of those questions will be taken up by Congress, and it will be up to California's sizable delegation and especially its Republican members to advocate for as much funding as possible. Similar discussions in the past have led to "rigorous debate," Fugate said. But funding ultimately went out and will again, he predicted. "At the end of the day," he said, "Americans come to other Americans' aid in their time of need." Los Angeles Times reporter Faith E. Pinho contributed to this article. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Editors note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. One of the best ways to assemble the puzzle pieces of Earths past is hiding deep beneath its white polar sheets: ice cores. These frozen time capsules preserve air bubbles from thousands of years ago, painting a picture of climate and environmental conditions at the time to reveal how much our planet has changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ice cores can show how temperatures have fluctuated in the distant past and preview how quickly sea levels could rise in the future if warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions isnt curbed. The deeper the cores go, the more history they contain and the icy layers could also solve some of the biggest questions about mysterious eras in Earths 4.5 billion-year history. Once upon a planet A team retrieved a 9,186-foot-long (2,800-meter) ice core from Antarctica that's nearly as long as 25 soccer fields end-to-end. - PNRA/IPEV A research team has collected what may be among the oldest ice samples on Earth. The team, with members from 12 European scientific institutions, drilled and retrieved a 9,186-foot-long (2,800-meter) ice core from the Antarctic ice sheet. The sample extended so deep that scientists reached the bedrock beneath it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ice core spans at least 1.2 million years of Earths climate history. Air bubbles and particles trapped inside the ice could also reveal why the planets ice ages suddenly became longer and more intense about 1 million years ago, which may have caused ancient human populations to plummet. Ocean secrets Tahlequah, a mother orca, became known around the world in 2018 for the heartbreaking act of carrying her dead calf for more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) over 17 days. Now, she appears to be grieving a second tragic loss. Her newest calf was spotted on December 20 in Washington states Puget Sound, but by New Years Eve, scientists confirmed the baby orca had died. As before, Tahlequah began carrying her lost calf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orcas act of mourning, in which she nudges the deceased calfs 300-pound (136-kilogram) body to prevent it from floating away, has raised concern among researchers not only for the emotional and physical toll it could take but also its impact on Tahlequah as a member of a highly vulnerable killer whale population. Defying gravity Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is seen on a launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on December 27, 2024. - Blue Origin The long-delayed maiden flight of a rocket that could challenge SpaceXs dominance in the commercial space industry is set to blast off from a Florida launchpad as soon as early Sunday morning. The uncrewed vehicle, named New Glenn after storied NASA astronaut John Glenn, will mark the first attempt by Jeff Bezos company Blue Origin to send a rocket into orbit. The companys most powerful rocket could one day be used to ferry Amazon internet satellites to space or assist in constructing a space station Blue Origin is developing with its partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When New Glenn launches, Blue Origin will attempt to guide its first-stage rocket booster back for a safe landing. But remember: Smooth flights are never guaranteed for inaugural missions. Other worlds Pluto is a bit of an outlier in our solar system because the dwarf planet has an unusually large moon. Astronomers have tried to solve the riddle of why Pluto shares an orbit with a satellite about half its size, and how the moon came to be in the first place. New research suggests that the two icy, rocky bodies came together about 4 billion years ago in a newly discovered type of collision called a kiss and capture. Rather than melting together or ricocheting, Pluto and Charon essentially merged in a cosmic snowman-like shape before gradually separating again into the orbit they share now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists think the odd collision may be responsible for the subsurface ocean suspected to exist beneath Plutos icy crust. Dino-mite! A Dewars Farm artist drew an image of the Megalosaurus (left) and Cetiosaurus (right) as imagined during the Middle Jurassic Period in what's now Oxfordshire, England. - Mark Witton/University of Birmingham While extracting limestone from Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England, quarry worker Gary Johnson sensed unusual bumps on the ground. Detecting the bumps led to the unearthing of a dinosaur highway, a pathway of nearly 200 dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years. The astonishing find is the largest known dinosaur track site in the United Kingdom. Some of the trackways belonged to lumbering long-necked dinosaurs such as Cetiosaurus and massive three-toed predators such as Megalosaurus, revealing insights about their behaviors as well as the speed at which the creatures moved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like a snapshot into the day of the (dinosaurs) life, and what they were doing, said Kirsty Edgar, a professor of micropaleontology at Englands University of Birmingham. Curiosities Take a closer look: Sixteenth-century explorer Antonio Pigafetta described golden lion tamarins, found in eastern Brazil, as beautiful, simian-like cats similar to small lions. Once on the brink of extinction, the endangered small monkeys are making a comeback, thanks to conservation efforts. Retrieving crucial samples from Mars is a complex endeavor. By 2026, NASA will decide between two key proposals to return a cache that could help determine whether life ever existed beyond Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water hyacinth, which can choke fish and trap boats, is the worlds most widespread invasive species. Now, a Kenyan company is turning the problematic plant into a bioplastic that could help with reforestation efforts. Like what youve read? Oh, but theres more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt and Jackie Wattles. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Its kind of hard not to address the elephant in the room for one Illinois resident when it comes to their roof. Orange Elephant was a roofing company advertising its services in six U.S. cities, including Chicago. For Kirby Reese, one of its customers, that promise turned into a nightmare. Reese hired the company to repair her roof, paying $25,725.34 in insurance money. Don't miss But instead of completing the job or even applying for a permit Orange Elephant pocketed her money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I guess that's the question," Reese told CBS, answering their inquiry of where the cash went. "I have no idea." Unfortunately, Reese wasnt alone in her experience. Here's what happened to Kirby and others, along with tips to help you avoid falling victim to similar scams when doing improvement projects on your home. A roofing scam that affected hundreds Reese wasnt the only homeowner to get burned by placing her trust in Orange Elephant. A Chicago Heights resident handed over $5,000, while two South Carolina homeowners collectively paid $23,000. One frustrated customer visited the company's headquarters and recorded a video of the abandoned office. CBS News later found customer files scattered across the empty space. In total, an estimated 350 customers lost their funds. And the damage extended beyond homeowners. Contractors who worked with Orange Elephant faced unpaid wages and tarnished reputations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were being told that everything's getting better, people were paid, and we come to find out the subcontractors all over the nation from South Carolina, where no one was getting paid, the former manager Stephen Cox told CBS News. Cox resigned in May after hearing from unpaid suppliers. At the time, the company owed him $19,000. Another former manager, Mike Schmalz, also resigned, fearing the ongoing issues would damage his reputation. In response to the problems, the state of Illinois revoked Orange Elephant's business license. After leaving the company, Cox and Schmalz started their own businesses, aiming to rebuild trust. Schmalz even waived profits on unfinished jobs to assist customers left in the lurch. Read more: 82% of Americans are missing out on a savings account that pays over 10 times the national average How to avoid falling victim to a remodeling scam Sadly, the homeowners who suffered losses caused by Orange Elephant are part of a larger trend. Research from JW Surety Bonds reveals that about one in 10 Americans has been scammed by a contractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its not always possible to avoid such scams Orange Elephant initially appeared reputable there are steps you can take to minimize your risk: 1. Watch for rapid expansion : Be cautious of contractors who open multiple locations in a short period of time. Over-expansion can signal instability. 2. Beware of high-pressure tactics : Legitimate contractors wont pressure you into making immediate decisions. Take your time to evaluate options. 3. Avoid full upfront payments : Never pay the full amount before work begins. Instead, agree to partial payments tied to project milestones. **4. Be wary of permit requests: Contractors should handle building permits themselves. If they ask you to pull permits, consider that a red flag. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also recommends checking with local home builders associations for complaints. Whenever possible, seek recommendations from friends or family. A contractor who has done quality work for someone you trust is more likely to deliver reliable results. Hopefully, by following these tips, you can protect your money and ensure you dont end up with unfinished projects or an unsafe roof over your head. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A day after making some progress containing the Eaton fires and protecting Brentwood and Encino from the Palisades fire, firefighters across Los Angeles County were bracing for another round of powerful winds that could threaten new communities and hamper efforts to contain the firestorms. "There will be the potential especially late Monday night through Wednesday for explosive fire growth as those winds pick back up," said Ariel Cohen, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. "In the case of an evacuation order being issued, you have to follow that immediately. Seconds could save your life." Read more: Winds prolong fire risk as investigators probe electric tower as possible origin of Eaton fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gusts of 50 to 65 mph are expected Monday, with the strongest winds arriving before dawn Tuesday and peaking through Wednesday. Areas north of the fire line from Point Dume to Glendale will be particularly at risk, Cohen said. The brewing wind conditions are generally expected to push existing fires at a south and westward angle. Although these winds will not be as powerful as those that fueled last weeks fires, Cohen emphasized that they still presented "an extremely dangerous situation." The fires have claimed at least 24 lives and burned more than 12,000 structures, making them probably the most destructive wildfires in U.S. history. In the Eaton fire alone, more than 39,400 structures are still under threat. The Palisades fire has burned 23,713 acres and was 13% contained as of Sunday morning, while the Eaton fire in the Altadena area has charred 14,117 acres and is 27% contained, officials said. The Hurst fire in Sylmar burned nearly 800 acres and was 89% contained; evacuation orders were lifted early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 105,000 residents in the county remain under evacuation orders as of Sunday morning, and an additional 87,000 residents are under evacuation warnings. In an update Sunday morning, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said deputies have started a search-and-rescue operation in the Eaton fire. After doing a grid search across more than 350 properties in the Altadena area, three more people were found dead. On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported eight more deaths, bringing the total to 24 from 16. Of those confirmed killed, eight died in the Palisades fire and 16 in the Eaton fire. In addition, at least 16 people have also been reported missing, Luna said Sunday morning. "But I know, just coming here this morning, it sounds like we just got dozens and dozens more." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Firefighters gain ground on deadly L.A. wildfires, but more wind is on the way Both Los Angeles County and city fire chiefs said all crews are gearing up for the dangerous increase in winds. More power shutoffs, they warned, probably will be necessary to prevent new fires from sparking in the coming days. Firefighters also have been shoring up protections around any remaining structures in the evacuation zones and clearing away dry brush and dousing hot spots. Crews also are preparing for a worst-case scenario in which extreme winds might prevent the use of firefighting aircraft, such as what happened Tuesday when 80-mph gusts grounded all aircraft and rapidly fanned the Palisades fire. Evacuation orders and warnings also remain in place for areas devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires, frustrating many residents who have been anxious to get past police checkpoints so that they can grab medications and check on what personal items might be left. On Sunday afternoon, one man stood at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue desperate to check on his mother's home because her two cats were trapped inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire authorities acknowledge the frustration but emphasized the continued dangers. They said that letting people back into the evacuated areas is a priority but that it would not be possible until the next round of dangerous fire weather ends Wednesday. "I know this is incredibly frustrating, but ... there are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public," L.A. Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said. "There's no power there. There's no water, there's broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures." Overnight curfews have been in place to protect against vandalism and robberies, as well as to keep the areas clear for firefighters who have to continue working in the dark, authorities said. At least 29 arrests had been made in just one night, authorities said in a briefing Sunday. In Malibu, one man was allegedly caught dressed as a firefighter and burglarizing a home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have people who will go to all ends ... to exploit the victims of this tragedy," said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday that an additional 1,000 members of the California National Guard will be deployed to support wildfire suppression efforts, traffic control points and additional public safety needs. Firefighters from nine other states, as well as from Canada and Mexico, are also assisting firefighting efforts. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, even offered Sunday to help with rescues and said that 150 firefighters were prepared to help. Calmer winds and higher humidity had given firefighters the ability to make some much-needed progress Saturday, but a shift in winds also sent flames north and east through the Santa Monica Mountains, forcing evacuations of Brentwood and the hills of Encino and Tarzana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighting helicopters and airplanes dropped water and fire retardant on fire lines not far from the 405 Freeway in an attempt to prevent flames from engulfing more neighborhoods. The drops seemed productive, but still it appeared that at least two remote hillside homes in Mandeville Canyon had burned, according to aerial video on local TV stations. Read more: Sobering advice from two experts on how to prevent similar ravaging blazes On Sunday, Robert Lempert said that he and his wife, Nancy Perloff, had lost their four-bedroom Palisades home of 31 years when the fire broke out Tuesday. They had seen the smoke immediately and fled; as they drove east, Lempert watched the home go up in flames through their remote security system footage. The smoke alarm in the house went off around 1:15 and then you could see all the windows pop, Lempert, a climate risk analyst, said. Best as I could tell, it was gone by 2 oclock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple have since had to relocate three times. The first night they stayed with their son in Los Feliz, then they moved into their nephews apartment in West Hollywood. By Sunday, they were at a friend's house in Westwood, where they plan to stay for the next month before looking for a more permanent place. Lempert, 67, is not certain whether they will rebuild. They loved their home but were long aware of the risks. "It was on a ridge overlooking the ocean, utterly beautiful," he said. "But a location where fire was always on ones mind." Times staff writers Julia Wick, Teresa Watanabe, Richard Winton, Colleen Shalby and Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. KANSAS CITY, Mo. After one person was taken into custody following a juvenile being shot at an apartment complex, Independence Police say another shooting took place early this morning. IPD says that around 5:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 11600 block of East 38th Street on a reported shooting. When those officers arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 2 dead, 1 injured in I-435 crash after car hits snowbank, lands in Blue River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite being shot multiple times, IPD says the victim is in stable condition at an area hospital. Police did not provide any suspect information, and did not say whether or not anyone has been taken into custody. This is an ongoing investigation, FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. This article was originally published in Chalkbeat Indiana. Indianapolis Public Schools enrollment has dropped by roughly 3.7% in schools it manages directly since last school year. The decline of roughly 800 students was driven almost entirely by falling middle school enrollment. IPS enrollment in the districts non-charter schools now stands at 21,055, according to state data released last month. In grades 6-8, the decline was 778 students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enrollment in charter schools that are part of the districts Innovation Network of autonomous schools grew by 717 students, shoring up the districts total enrollment across all school types. Yet total enrollment including Innovation charters still dropped slightly, from 32,212 to 32,126. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The enrollment loss turns up the pressure on IPS in several ways. It means less per-pupil state funding for a district already facing a challenging future. IPS already grapples with a robust school choice environment that is only growing. It faces a fiscal cliff once additional property taxes from the 2018 operating referendum expire in 2026. The decline could draw more scrutiny of the districts Rebuilding Stronger reorganization that relies heavily on changes to middle schools. And as the states legislative session begins, charter advocates and lawmakers are calling for changes that could wreck the district financially or even force the district to dissolve entirely, as one bill calls for. The school board, meanwhile, has been meeting regularly in executive session to discuss school consolidation since November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the district said in a statement that it believes middle school enrollment will rebound, just as high school enrollment has increased to a higher figure than before the 2018 closure and consolidation of several high schools. And while the district said it expected a decrease in the number of middle school students due to the creation of standalone middle schools, it said middle school enrollment has been trending upward since the statewide count day in October. The data released last month comes from data from count day, the day when schools must record enrollment under state law. Were going to be working very hard to make sure our families continue to see the value of what those middle schools are offering, said Deputy Superintendent Andrew Strope. IPS hopes to examine middle schooler departures Even before the pandemic that exacerbated enrollment declines nationwide, IPS steadily lost students annually at rates of around 3% to 4% from 2016 to 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The districts Rebuilding Stronger plan adopted in 2022 represents an attempt to right-size the district and spread resources more equitably amid enrollment declines. It includes breaking up K-6 and K-8 schools to once again create standard middle schools for grades 6-8. But the reconfiguration sparked opposition, particularly from parents of the districts choice magnet schools who favored the K-8 model. The middle school configuration had a rocky rollout this year most notably at Broad Ripple Middle School, where over 100 students left after parents complained of an unsafe environment, a lack of communication, and general disorganization. Still, officials consider Rebuilding Strongers expansion of popular academic programs and extracurricular offerings a positive change. It is difficult that we lost that many students, said Patrick Herrell, the districts director of enrollment. But in my mind, it is much more important that now all students get this opportunity, and we can build on that success and start growing our numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At district-run schools, there was a net gain of six students at the elementary school level from last year, in part due to growth in prekindergarten. IPS lost 24 students at the high school level. The district also considers enrollment at its Innovation Network charter schools as a positive. The district counts the enrollment and test scores at these schools as part of its own, although the Indiana Department of Education separates the two. IPS said in its statement that schools are increasing recruitment and retention efforts for rising middle school students, including field trips to potential schools for fifth graders. Middle school principals have been meeting with families at 5th grade feeder schools, and the district is following up with all middle school families who left the district to better understand their experiences and ensure the improvements we make address families needs and concerns as we try to bring families back into IPS, the district said. Charter school enrollment is stagnant Enrollment at charter schools not affiliated with IPS changed minimally, dropping by 46 students from 2023-24. The figure includes charters in IPS borders or those outside of the district that still enroll a majority of IPS students. It excludes adult high schools and blended or virtual schools. The demographics between charter schools and traditional IPS schools continue to differ slightly. IPS educates a lower percentage of Black students and students receiving free or reduced-price meals than the charter sector, but has a higher rate of students with disabilities. Upcoming legislative session could pose threat to IPS Several proposals in the state legislature could compound the districts problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill from Republican Rep. Jake Teshka of North Liberty would require districts in which more than half of students living within the district boundaries enroll in a school not operated by the district to dissolve. It would also require those districts schools to transition into charter schools. The bill, HB 1136, would in practice dissolve IPS and four other districts statewide, according to its latest fiscal impact statement. And a new charter advocacy group, the Indiana Charter Innovation Center, will push for charters to receive the same amount of funding from property taxes as traditional district schools receive. IPS is already required to share a portion of property tax revenue with charters a cost previously estimated at $4 million for this school year but the proposal would reduce the districts operating revenue even further. School board members decried the bill to dissolve the district, saying in a statement on Tuesday that it would destabilize the districts financial foundation and jeopardize the education of tens of thousands of students. Teshkas bill threatens to cause massive disruption to our public school system, diverting attention and resources away from the vital education and support our students need to succeed, Board President Angelia Moore said at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Kerala Government Special Representative KV Thomas emphasised that the system in the state is very vibrant and transparent, ensuring that timely action would be taken in the sexual abuse case of a teenage girl in Kerala. "In Kerala, our system is very vibrant, and transparent, and we take timely action. Whatever cases are brought before the judiciary, the judicial system acts independently and quickly... Our government and especially the police are independent and take immediate action. More than that, we have got the child welfare councils and these councils, from the lower level to the primary school level, to the college level at other levels, are very active. They immediately get in touch with the victims and independently they get their opinions, and their complaints, and then follow the action of the court, the law..." Thomas said speaking to ANI. Meanwhile, former Chief of the National Commission of Women (NCW) and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma expressed her shock over the incident, calling it a serious concern. "This is really serious and shocking that girl who is now 16, maybe she was 13 when people started raping her. It is a serious concern. I think Kerala police should take this very seriously. I've heard that they've arrested a few people. But they must arrest everybody who was involved in it..." Sharma said speaking to ANI. The Rajya Sabha MP also questioned whether the perpetrators involved in the crime were part of the family or were influential people. "Were they from the family or outside the family or were some influential people who were doing this? Let the details come out. I also would request DGP Kerala to take things seriously, arrest everyone immediately and give this girl counselling..." she further questioned. Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj expressed shock over the sexual abuse case in Kerala, particularly given the state's reputation for education and progress. Speaking to ANI, Raj said "North India is far ahead of Kerala in the matter of cases of crime. Kerala is a very educated state. In comparison to other states in North India, there are very few cases of harassment and molestation of women. This is a shocking thing that a girl was raped in Kerala." The Congress leader further demanded an investigation and punishment for the people who committed the crime. "I demand an investigation and punishment should be given to those people who are doing this..." Raj added. On January 11, the National Commission for Women expressed grave concern over the reports of sexual abuse involving a teenage girl by 64 individuals over four years in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district and issued directions for a fair and timely investigation into the matter. (ANI) LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Flames could be seen shooting out of a home in Rives Junction last night. (Michigan Fire Alerts) (Michigan Fire Alerts) (Michigan Fire Alerts) Michigan Fire Alerts reports in a Facebook post that the Onondaga Fire Department arrived at the fire at around 9:00 p.m. last night near the intersection of Maple Lane Rd. and Spruce Grove (Private) in Rives Junction. No one was in the home or injured during the blaze. Michigan Fire Alerts reports that the fire remains under investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. GreenDoor Builders is on a mission to bridge the gap between eco-friendly and affordable housing. The company recently unveiled the first home from its Carbon Friendly Affordable Home line, reported ABC 13 WHAM. Led by Anthony Ottaviani, GreenDoor Builders is designing homes for first-time buyers and middle-income families with affordability and environmental responsibility in mind. In the village area of East Rochester, New York, in lieu of large parcels available for development, there are small, often oddly shaped plots of land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other developers turned down the offer to build on a 40-foot-by-90-foot lot along Garfield Avenue, but Ottaviani saw an opportunity, according to the Rochester Business Journal. He and GreenDoor Builders constructed their first modular, eco-friendly home on the lot. Filling the space where a shed used to be, the home boasts new-age amenities and a modern aesthetic. Within the home's 1,400 square feet are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basement, and a garage. "It shows we can put a great house in a small area and still have a spacious living environment," Ottaviani told the Rochester Business Journal. "No traditional builder would have touched it. There would have been no way to make money." The cost for this modular home is around $295,000, not including the lot. A traditional home of similar size could cost an estimated $375,000. While the home is more affordable, it also offers great benefits for both homebuyers and the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Designed for energy efficiency, the home has two inches of closed-cell, spray foam insulation in the walls, R-49 ceiling insulation, and R-value triple-pane windows all allowing homeowners to enjoy lower power bills. There are no natural gas hookups this home is all-electric. A cold-climate heat pump, also contributing to energy efficiency, keeps the home at a comfortable temperature. Do you think all new homes should use heat pump technology? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Since the homes are pre-fabricated at a factory in Pennsylvania, they can be shipped and assembled quickly. "The joke is, you went to work and there was a basement, and you came home from work and there was a house," Ottaviani said, according to the Rochester Business Journal. "We can potentially have a house in approximately three weeks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GreenDoor Builders offers customers four models to choose from ranging from 1,100 to 1,425 square feet in size. Homebuyers can choose from different floor plans, fixtures, and finishes as well, making each home customizable. The home cuts down on pollution in several ways. Effective insulation reduces power demands; a lack of natural gas cuts down on dirty fuel use; and indoor manufacturing produces less waste and pollution. In addition to offering customized, affordable, and eco-friendly homes, the company plans to offer augmented reality as part of the buying process in the near future. Per the Rochester Business Journal, Ottaviani said, "These homes demonstrate that regardless of location, you can substantially reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying all the comfort and style of a traditionally built home." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A California woman convicted of murdering her stepfather did so after discovering that he had nude photos of her on his computer. Jade Janks, 41, is currently serving a prison sentence after the 2020 murder of Thomas Merriman, 64, the co-founder of Butterfly Farms, a non-profit committed to butterfly conservation based in Encinitas, Calif., The Coast News, The San Diego Union-Tribune and KFMB reported. On Jan. 1, 2021, Merriman was found dead in his driveway, under a pile of garbage, according to The Coast News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say that the night before, New Years Eve 2020, Janks, then 36, drugged Merriman with pain and sleeping pills before fatally suffocating him. Merrimans murder was preceded by Janks disturbing discovery. While her stepfather was in the hospital after a fall in December 2020, Janks was cleaning the man's home when she stumbled across the photos on his laptop, The Coast News reported, citing prosecutors. Related: Woman Convicted of Murdering Stepfather After Discovering Nude Photos of Herself on His Computer Janks defense team would later claim, according to KFMB, that the photos on Merrimans computer were sorted by body part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was the most violating, awful, gut-wrenching feeling ever," Janks testified, the outlet reported. "I felt sick, I felt I couldn't... even touch my own skin. I don't know if there [are] words, not even in a movie have I seen something so sick." Included in the photos were pictures of Janks in the shower, while some dated back to when she was a teenager, according to KFMB. The Union-Tribune reported that prosecutors claimed that the discovery disturbed Janks to the core, and that it drove her to orchestrate the murder. The Coast News reported that the photos had been taken consensually years earlier with Janks' boyfriend at the time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Jade Janks loved her stepfather, defense attorney Marc Carlos said, according to The Coast News. Tom Merriman loved Jade Janks. Unfortunately, Tom Merriman was a troubled individual, and he loved her in different ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors claimed that after drugging her stepfather, Janks texted a person, "I just dosed the hell out of him," I am about to club him on the head as he is waking up," and Its going to be Weekend at Bernies. Janks was convicted of murder in 2023 and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The Coast News reported that in October 2024, a California appellate judge upheld Janks conviction. Read the original article on People To some, the LA wildfires that devoured thousands of homes were down to a perfect storm of hurricane winds, drought and over-development. To others, it was the fault of gay firefighters. All of them are lesbians named Kristin, one conservative provocateur close to Donald Trump said, reeling off a string of officials including Kristina Crowley, the fire chief who has spent decades fighting fires across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furious residents are rightly raising questions about how parts of their city turned to cinders in a matter of hours. And there is no shortage of answers. The hunt for blame has quickly turned into a Democrat vs Republican, Left vs Right row taking in everything from smelt fish to woke diversity policies. Several figures from the president-elects orbit have claimed that the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was more focused on inclusion schemes instead of their basic task of tackling the blazes. DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] means people DIE, Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire and Trump ally, wrote on his social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They prioritised DEI over saving lives and homes, he added in a later post. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have both waded into the debate about the wildfires, with the latter claiming authorities prioritised diversity over saving lives - AP/Brandon Bell To date, at least 24 people have been killed a number that is expected to rise as people remain missing and cadaver dogs continue to dig through the wrecked neighbourhoods. Ms Crowleys biography on the LAFD website notes her commitment to promoting a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and equity, which has provided fodder to her critics. At the same time, there is no evidence that she is an unqualified diversity hire. The same biography notes that she has served for 22 years in the fire department, including as a firefighter, paramedic and engineer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Crowley also appears to have been one of the few figures who raised alarms about the impact that city budget cuts would have on her teams ability to tackle wildfires. The wildfires are the most destructive in LAs history, leaving entire neighbourhoods, such as Pacific Palisades, in ruin - Reuters/David Ryder Gavin Newsom, the California governor, who is eyeing a future White House run, has also been criticised over his response. He claims misinformation has become so bad that he has set up a fact-checking website to give the public access to fact-based data. Mr Trump, just days before he returns to the White House, has emerged as one of Mr Newsoms arch-critics since the fires broke out on Tuesday. One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. Its ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault, the president-elect claimed this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an intervention that has seemingly baffled the governor, he accused Mr Newsom of allowing the fires to rage unchecked to protect an endangered species of fish. In Mr Trumps telling, the Democrat diverted water from the northern part of the state because he wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water [it didnt work!] Gavin Newsom, the California governor, has been strongly criticised by Donald Trump, the president-elect - AP/Jeff Gritchen When firefighters attempted to beat back the blazes ravaging neighbourhoods this week, there were multiple reports of fire hydrants running dry. But while Mr Newsom has previously opposed efforts to redirect more water to southern California, experts and authorities have downplayed claims that the policy had left LA to the mercy of the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say that the speed with which the fires spread through the city, gutting hundreds of homes simultaneously, meant the municipal system could not pump water rapidly enough to meet the needs of firefighters. Peter Kay, 40, who works in real estate, described the governor as an incompetent and echoed Mr Trumps claims about him prioritising a fish over LA residents. Mr Kay told The Telegraph: Hes a narcissist. He just makes a horrible, horrible, horrible governor. He has not done anything good for any Californians. Denis Mahgerefter, 46, a business owner from the same Woodland Hills neighbourhood, asked: Is a human life more important or [that of a] fish? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Newsom, in turn, has accused the president-elect of threatening to withhold aid from emergency workers in California unless they do his bidding. In a podcast episode released on Saturday, he criticised the culture of finger-pointing that has emerged in the wake of the most destructive fires in LAs history before pointing the finger at nameless officials. He claimed he was getting different answers from local leaders about the situation on the ground as wildfires tore through the region, adding: When you start getting different answers, then Im not getting the actual story. The authorities say the speed with which the fires spread through the city meant the municipal system could not pump water quickly enough - AP/John Locher Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual who has borne the brunt of public anger over LAs response to the wildfires, however, is Karen Bass, the LA mayor. Ms Crowley, her fire chief, told a reporter on Friday Ms Bass had let the fire department down by cutting its budget as tensions between the two women came out into the open. Ms Crowley claimed the LAFD had been screaming to be properly funded so that we can serve the community, arguing that its manpower should have been doubled and dozens of new fire stations needed to be built. In a December memo, she warned the mayors budget cut of $17.6 million severely limited the departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAs haphazard response to the fires seems to bear out that warning. Firefighters have struggled to contain the flames as the wildfires brought death and destruction to LA - AFP/Josh Edelson Kristina Crowley, the LAFD chief, warned that the mayors budget cut of $17.6 million hurt the departments ability to combat large-scale emergencies, including wildfires - AP/Ethan Swope In a sign of the political dysfunction that has engulfed the citys leadership, Ms Bass summoned Ms Crowley to her office on Friday where the fire chief, according to the Daily Mail, assumed she would be sacked. A source close to the fire department told the newspaper that Ms Bass may have realised at the 11th hour that it would be suicide to sack the figure coordinating the wildfire response. The mayor and city authorities now look likely to face a class-action lawsuit from furious residents when the fires, already estimated to have caused some $150 billion worth of damage, finally die down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelley Sykes, whose son, a disabled former child star Rory Sykes, was killed in his home when she was unable to call the emergency services, has said she intends to take legal action. Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, has said he intends to sue the state of California for alleged negligence when his multi-million dollar home burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades wildfire. It seems unlikely that the wildfires will spur the revival of the Republican party in California, which has not elected a GOP governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. But the damage inflicted on senior Democrats, particularly Mr Newsom and Ms Bass, looks serious perhaps terminal. Mr Newsom, a second-term governor, cannot seek re-election in 2026 but the wildfires will tarnish his brand ahead of a possible presidential run in 2028. And while Ray Nagin, New Orleans mayor, won another stint in office in 2006 despite the devastation inflicted on the city by Hurricane Katrina, he was given a boost by the botched federal response. Ms Bass, more than anyone, has also found the finger of blame pointing squarely at her. For now, LA residents will be picking through their ruined homes, worrying about the fate of their friends and neighbours and filing insurance claims. But soon, their focus will shift towards finding out who exactly is to blame for the wildfires that tore through their lives. When the political circus moves on, they may finally get some answers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The last time an American president deployed the U.S. military domestically under the Insurrection Act during the deadly Los Angeles riots in 1992 Douglas Ollivant was there. Ollivant, then a young Army first lieutenant, says things went fairly smoothly because it was somebody else the cops doing the head-cracking to restore order, not his 7th Infantry Division. He and his troops didnt have to detain or shoot at anyone. There was real sensitivity about keeping federal troops away from the front lines, said Ollivant, who was ordered in by President George H.W. Bush as rioters in central-south LA set fire to buildings, assaulted police and bystanders, pelted cars with rocks and smashed store windows in the aftermath of the videotaped police beating of Rodney King, a Black motorist. They tried to keep us in support roles, backing up the police. By the end of six days of rioting, 63 people were dead and 2,383 injured though reportedly none at the hands of the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some in the U.S. military fear next time could be different. According to nearly a dozen retired officers and current military lawyers, as well as scholars who teach at West Point and Annapolis, an intense if quiet debate is underway inside the U.S. military community about what orders it would be obliged to obey if President-elect Donald Trump decides to follow through on his previous warnings that he might deploy troops against what he deems domestic threats, including political enemies, dissenters and immigrants. On Nov. 18, two weeks after the election, Trump confirmed he plans to declare a national emergency and use the military for the mass deportations of illegal immigrants. One fear is that domestic deployment of active-duty troops could lead to bloodshed given that the regular military is mainly trained to shoot at and kill foreign enemies. The only way to prevent that is establishing clear rules of engagement for domestic deployments that outline how much force troops can use especially considering constitutional restraints protecting U.S. citizens and residents against what kinds of people in what kinds of situations. And establishing those new rules would require a lot more training, in the view of many in the military community. Everything I hear is that our training is in the shitter, says retired Army Lt. Gen. Marvin Covault, who commanded the 7th Infantry Division in 1992 in what was called Joint Task Force LA. Im not sure we have the kind of discipline now, and at every leader level, that we had 32 years ago. That concerns me about the people youre going to put on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Covault said he was careful to avoid lethal force in Los Angeles by emphasizing to his soldiers they were now deployed in the civilian world. He ordered gun chambers to remain empty except in self-defense, banned all automatic weapons and required bayonets to remain on soldiers belts. But Covault added that he set those rules at his own discretion. Even then Covault said he faced some recalcitrance, especially from U.S. Marine battalions under his command that sought to keep M16 machine guns on their armored personnel carriers. In one reported case a Marine unit, asked by L.A. police for cover, misunderstood the police term for standing by and fired some 200 rounds at a house occupied by a family. Fortunately, no one was injured. If we get fast and loose with rules of engagement or if we get into operations without a stated mission and intent, were going to be headline news, and its not going to be good, Covault said in the interview. Trump has repeatedly said he might use the military to suppress a domestic protest, or to raid a sanctuary city to purge it of undocumented immigrants, or possibly defend the Southern border. Some in the military community say they are especially disturbed by the prospect that troops might be used to serve Trumps political ends. In 1992, Covault said, he had no direct orders from Bush other than to deploy to restore peace. On his own volition, he said, he announced upon landing in LA at a news conference: This is not martial law. The reason were here is to create a safe and secure environment so you can go back to normal. Covault said he believes the statement had a calming effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But 28 years later, when the police killing of another Black American, George Floyd, sparked sporadically violent protests nationwide, then-President Trump openly considered using firepower on the demonstrators, according to his former defense secretary, Mark Esper. Trump asked, Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Esper wrote in his 2022 memoir, A Sacred Trust. At another point Trump urged his Joint Chiefs chair, Gen. Mark Milley, to beat the fuck out out of the protesters and crack skulls, and he tweeted that when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Esper wrote that he had to walk Trump back from such ideas and the president didnt pursue them. Some involved in the current debate say they are worried Trump would not be as restrained this time. He is filling his Pentagon and national security team with fierce loyalists. The concern is not just in how much force might be used, but also whether troops would be regularly deployed to advance the new administrations political interests. This topic is extremely sensitive inside the active-duty military, and a Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment. But several of the retired military officials I interviewed said that they were gingerly talking about it with their friends and colleagues still in active service. And Mark Zaid, a Washington lawyer who has long represented military and intelligence officers who run afoul of their chain of command, told me: A lot of people are reaching out to me proactively to express concern about what they foresee coming, including Defense Department civilians and active-duty military. Among them, Zaid said, are people who are either planning on leaving the government or will be waiting to see if there is a line that is crossed by the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the D.C. National Guard was ordered to clear demonstrators from Lafayette Square across from the White House in 2020 using tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades, a group of lawyers founded The Orders Project aimed at connecting up lawyers and troops looking for legal advice. One of the founders, Eugene Fidell of Yale Law School, said that the group disbanded after the first Trump administration but is now being resurrected. With the return of President Trump, were ready to help people in need, Fidell said. The Lafayette Square incident remains a topic of some debate inside the military community. One DC guardsman, Major Adam DeMarco, an Iraq war veteran, later said in written testimony to Congress that he was deeply disturbed by the excessive use of force. Having served in a combat zone, and understanding how to assess threat environments, at no time did I feel threatened by the protesters or assess them to be violent, he wrote. I knew something was wrong, but I didnt know what. Anthony Pfaff, a retired colonel who is now a military ethics scholar at the U.S. Army War College, said this confusion reveals a serious training deficiency: Domestic crowd control and policing is not something for which we have any doctrine or other standard operating procedures. Without those, thresholds for force could be determined by individual commanders, leading to even more confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For active military, most of the current debate is happening behind closed doors. As a result, some retired military as well as scholars and lawyers are trying to bring the issue into public view. Its legally and ethically dicey to have open conversations about this, says Graham Parsons, a philosophy professor at West Point who urged military officers and troops to consider resisting politicized orders in a New York Times op-ed in September. One concern is whether the military could tarnish itself with an incident like Kent State, when four college students were shot to death by jittery and poorly trained Ohio National Guardsmen in 1970. Soldiers are trained predominately to fight, kill and win wars, says Brian VanDeMark, a Naval Academy historian and author of the 2024 book Kent State: An American Tragedy. Local police and state police are far better trained to deal with the psychology of crowds, which can become inherently unpredictable, impulsive and irrational. If youre not well trained to cope, your reaction might be inadequate and turn to force. He adds that at the Naval Academy as well as West Point, my impression is this is an issue that is being thought about and worried about a lot but its not openly discussed. Some lawyers and experts in military law say a great deal of confusion persists even among serving officers over how the military should behave, especially if Trump invokes the Insurrection Act and calls up troops to crush domestic protests or round up millions of undocumented immigrants. In most cases, there is little that officers and enlisted personnel can do but obey such presidential orders, even if they oppose them ethically, or face dismissal or court-martial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as Covault puts it bluntly: You dont always follow dumb orders. Under long-standing military codes, troops are obliged to disobey only obviously illegal orders for example, an order to conduct a wholesale slaughter of civilians as happened in the village of My Lai during the Vietnam War. But under the more than 200-year-old Insurrection Act, Trump would have extraordinarily wide latitude to decide whats legal, lawyers say. The basic reality is that the Insurrection Act gives the president dangerously broad discretion to use the military as a domestic police force, says Joseph Nunn, an expert at the Brennan Center for Justice. Its an extraordinarily broad law that has no meaningful criteria in it for determining when its appropriate for the president to deploy the military domestically. Nothing in the text of the Insurrection Act says the president must cite insurrection, rebellion, or domestic violence to justify deployment; the language is so vague that Trump could potentially claim only that he perceives a conspiracy. The Insurrection Act, a blend of different statutes enacted by Congress between 1792 and 1871, is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, under which federal military forces are generally barred from participating in civilian law enforcement activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Americans may not realize how often presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act often, in the view of historians, to the benefit of the nation. While its been 32 years since Bush used it to help quell the Los Angeles riots, the Insurrection Act was also invoked by President Dwight Eisenhower following the Supreme Courts 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, when Ike deployed the 101st Airborne Division (with fixed bayonets on their rifles) to help desegregate the South. George Washington and John Adams used the Insurrection Act in response to early rebellions against federal authority, Abraham Lincoln invoked it at the start of the Civil War, and President Ulysses Grant used it to stop the Ku Klux Klan in the 1870s. But when it comes to the next Trump administration, the real question for most military lawyers and personnel will likely be less purely legalistic and more ethical: Even if Trump decides something is legal and the courts back him up, are troops still bound to do as he says under the Constitution? One lawyer, John Dehn of Loyola University a former Army career officer and West Point graduate calls this the Milley problem, referring to the well-documented angst of the former Joint Chiefs chair during Trumps first presidency. Milley stirred controversy by publicly apologizing after Trump used him in a staged photo of the Lafayette Square incident. During the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, he reportedly assured then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi that he would prevent any unwarranted use of the military, and he has acknowledged calling his Chinese counterparts to assure them that no nuclear weapons would be launched before Trump left office. Milley, who has called Trump fascist to the core, later told Bob Woodward for the 2024 book War that he feared being recalled to active duty to face a court-martial for disloyalty. At one point Trump himself suggested Milley could have been executed for treason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a newly published law review essay, Dehn argues that while Milley might have breached his constitutional duties, the Constitution is not a suicide pact, and Milley served a higher purpose by protecting the nation. He quotes Thomas Jefferson as writing strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen: but it is not the highest. [T]he laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. Similarly, some within the military community are urging troops to lawyer up and prepare to resist what they consider unethical orders, saying resistance can be justified if the soldier thinks it would jeopardize the soldiers own conception of military neutrality. By refusing to follow orders about military deployment to U.S. cities for political ends, members of the armed forces could actually be respecting, rather than undermining, the principle of civilian control, wrote Marcus Hedahl, a philosophy professor at United States Naval Academy, and Bradley Jay Strawser, a scholar at the Naval Postgraduate School, in a blog post on Oct. 25. Others within the military community disagree, sometimes vehemently. Such thinking is seriously misguided and could lead to widespread legal problems for military personnel, says retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Dunlap, a former deputy judge advocate general now at Duke Law School. I am concerned because I do think there's been some mistaken information thats out there. The fact is, if an order is legal then members of the armed forces have to obey it even if they find it morally reprehensible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Washington Post op-ed published after the election, another retired general, former Joint Chiefs Chair Martin Dempsey, agreed, saying it was reckless to suggest that it is the duty of the brass to resist some initiatives and follow the good orders but not the bad orders that a president might issue. Dunlap cites the militarys standard Manual for Courts-Martial, which states clearly that the dictates of a persons conscience, religion, or personal philosophy cannot justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order. Dunlap and other lawyers also note that Supreme Court precedent backs that up; in 1974 the Supreme Court ruled: An army is not a deliberative body. It is the executive arm. Its law is that of obedience. Inside the military this conundrum is known as lawful but awful: Active-duty troops have no choice, especially if the order comes from the commander-in-chief. No one should be encouraging members of the military to disobey a lawful order even if its awful, says Nunn. And its crucial that is as it should be. We do not want to live in a world where the military picks and chooses what order to obey based on their own consciences. We dont want to ask a 20-year-old lieutenant to interpret an order from the president. Indeed, that could set another dangerous precedent, some military lawyers say, by undermining the principle of civilian control that the Founders said was fundamental to the U.S. republic. You dont have to look far for examples of countries where the military is picking and choosing which orders to follow, says Nunn. Most legal experts agree that troops must obey all nominally legal orders. But military lawyers say its important for troops to remember that even if called into action they must obey peoples constitutional rights including the right to assemble and to be protected from unlawful arrest and seizure or unreasonable force. You have to follow the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth amendments. They dont get waived, said Dehn. When it comes to the Fourth Amendment, for example, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the requirement of reasonableness applies to the military just as it does to police, said Dehn. So do protections for due process and other rights of the accused enshrined in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. Due process still applies, Nunn agreed. Military personnel deployed under the [Insurrection Act] cant do what law enforcement cant do. They cant shoot peaceful protesters. Yales Fidell says any successful legal challenges to Trumps orders will likely be more retail than wholesale. By this he means that even if the president can broadly justify the Insurrection Act legally, you might able to show a particular order is unlawful, for example if youre ordered to use your helicopter to create a downdraft to disperse rioters remember that happened at Lafayette Square or shoot at students. In the end much will depend on what Trumps senior legal advisers tell him and what courts decide, lawyers say. But for the first time in memory, we have to consider the possibility we could have a commander-in-chief who is willing to order the military to do something that is pretty threatening to the constitutional order, says Parsons, the West Point scholar. Even if we get the law straight, whats the right thing to do? adds Parsons. If the president invokes the Insurrection Act we dont really know what the ethical boundaries are. Among the military lawyers this is just uncharted territory. Says one lawyer who has studied many cases of military-civilian conflict and spoke on condition of anonymity because he fears retribution from the new Trump administration: I think things are going to be bad, really bad. This is going to be worse than last time. Trump is angry. He desperately wants to turn on his TV and see guys in uniform on the streets. But Dunlap, for one, hopes that cooler heads will prevail: Im cautiously optimistic that people are going to realize that not all the campaign rhetoric is going to be translatable into action. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled the title of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. A man is facing multiple drug charges after police say he was seen trying to use cocaine in a Giant Eagle parking lot. A Verona Police Department official says officers were patrolling the Verona Giant Eagle around 8:40 p.m. Saturday when a highly intoxicated man, possibly under the influence of fentanyl, was seen going into the store and then leaving a short time later. A Verona officer went to check on the mans welfare and saw him attempt to use cocaine while in a parked vehicle in the lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, the man, who Verona police officials identify as Ethan Murphy, 25, of Indiana, was taken into custody and the cocaine seized. Officers also searched Murphys vehicle, finding heroin-related drug paraphernalia. Officers say they also found several partially eaten strawberries taken from Giant Eagle in Murphys pockets. Murphy was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and now faces several drug-related charges, along with retail theft and public drunkenness. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Law enforcement launched an investigation Sunday into a homicide involving a teenager in Hendersonville. The Hendersonville Police Department said it responded to a shots fired call in the 100 block of Vulco Drive on Sunday, Jan. 12, but when authorities arrived at the scene, the call was changed to a homicide. Man dead after shooting along I-40 in South Nashville Law enforcement announced Sunday night that the victim of the homicide which appears to be an isolated incident had been identified as a 16-year-old boy from Nashville. According to officials, the suspect is no longer in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 13, a press release from the HPD stated that 18-year-old Amani Jordan was wanted on a warrant for second-degree homicide in connection with the shooting. Officials shared the following photo of Jordan: Amani Jordan (Courtesy: Hendersonville Police Department) CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Anyone with information on Jordans location or this case is asked to call the Hendersonville Police Department at 615-822-1111 or the Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. As officials try to determine the cause of a wildfire that has burned an estimated 7,000 structures in and around Altadena, investigators keep returning to one place: an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon. The once-lush hillside has been charred by flames spread by intense winds from the open space into the heart of suburban communities. Investigators were coming and going up the mountain, an area off-limits to media, utilities and fire departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody is allowed up there besides investigators," said Wayne Howerton, an investigator for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "It's currently an investigation into the start of the Eaton fire." Early photos and videos taken by residents captured what appeared to be the first flames of the deadly Eaton fire, burning at the base of a Southern California Edison electrical transmission tower before racing down the canyon toward homes. Howerton confirmed to The Times that the area had become a focus of their inquiry, but it is unclear what investigators have discovered. It is also unclear what other potential sources and locations are being studied. Southern California Edison officials have so far said they do not believe their electrical equipment was responsible. Video and images from four residents and obtained by the The Times appeared to show that before the Eaton fire exploded scorching more than 14,100 acres, damaging and destroying more than 7,000 structures and killing five people the first flames of the fire burned behind Pasadena homes, at the base of a nearby electrical tower. Marcus Errico was pulling into his driveway just after 6 p.m. Tuesday when, he said, he noticed a red glow above his house on Canyon View Lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first it didnt click, he said. Then I realized it was a fire, and there was at this point, just a small ring of flames around the base of one of the [electrical] towers. Winds were whipping at about 70 mph, the Palisades fire was already tearing at the other side of the county, and Errico knew his family would have only a few minutes before the flames sliced down the canyon toward their home. A burned home seen on Sunday on North Altadena Drive frames the hillside with electrical lines and towers where the fire may have been sparked. (John McCoy/For The Times) I just tore through the front door, he said, calling to his wife to grab their daughter and their dog. We need to go! Theres a fire on the hill. Errico and his wife went down their cul-de-sac, knocking on neighbors doors and urging them to run while they called 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife, Jennifer, stopped for just a few seconds, capturing the flames on her cellphone before they ran down the hill. Errico said he'd been contacted by investigators about what he witnessed, and what his wife recorded, at the start of the fire. Read more: Crews make progress after lull in winds, but 'off the charts' dryness approaches Jane and David Stover were among the neighbors Jennifer alerted to the fire, banging on their door just as the couple were finishing dinner. The two looked out and saw the flames at the base of the electrical tower, now starting to bleed toward them. On Saturday, the couple were at their home as a group of five investigators milled around the same tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire started right below that tower, Jane Dover said, pointing toward the investigators. It was like a little ball, and it just went off, David Stover said. It just exploded. Embers were raining down on their cars as neighbors fled. Pedro Rojas also said he captured the first flames on video on his cellphone, just before he and his family fled. There was only flames right at the base of the power [tower], he said. And it just exploded. Rossana Valverde was having dinner with her husband and watching television when their internet went out, she said. Then Marcus Errico banged on their door, yelling that they needed to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were clueless, and when we opened the door, we were stunned, she said. It hadnt exploded yet, it was still on the [tower]. By the time they got into their car, the fire was already racing out of control. It had already gone down to the ground, she said. Everything was ignited. A few blocks away, other residents said they saw similar events unfolding. Matthew Logelin, who lives at the base of Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, heard a loud bang about 6:11 p.m. Tuesday as he was preparing dinner for his children. He ran outside to see whether one of the big pine trees in their backyard, which backs up to Eaton Canyon, had fallen in the high winds. Seeing no major damage, he went back into the house, looked through the kitchen window and saw that a fire had ignited on the ridge beneath a massive metal power line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called 911 at 6:13 p.m. when the blaze was the tiniest fire it looked like a camp fire at that point, he said. Its clear thats where the fire started, he said. It was right under the power lines. Southern California Edison on Thursday notified the California Public Utilities Commission it had received a number of notices from attorneys representing insurance companies, to preserve evidence regarding the Eaton fire. The company states in the notice that preliminary analysis of electrical circuit information for transmission lines in the area showed no interruptions or anomalies until more than an hour after the Eaton fire started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, no fire agency has suggested that SCEs electrical facilities were involved in the ignition, the report states. It will probably take weeks or months to determine what sparked the devastating blaze. Some of California's worst firestorms have been ignited by electrical equipment, including the 2018 inferno that destroyed 16,000 structures and killed more than 80 people in and around Paradise. Southern California Edison said in a news release the day after the fire started that their "distribution lines immediately to the west of Eaton Canyon were de-energized well before the reported start time of the fire." Distribution lines refer to electrical poles, often wooden, that directly serve neighborhoods and residents. The larger transmission tower is where the fire appears to have ignited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the utility company said transmission lines were energized. "Southern California Edison conducted preliminary analysis of the electrical circuit information for the four energized transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon area. That analysis shows no interruptions or operational slash electrical anomalies in the 12 hours prior to the fire's reported start time, until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire," Jeff Monford, a spokesman for Southern California Edison, said in a statement to The Times. The photos provided by residents could prove key in the investigation, but they seem to clash with Southern California Edison's claims, one expert said. "The fact is, Edison says there wasnt any evidence of a problem on those lines, but there are pictures and video of fire starting under that tower and Cal Fire is there now," said Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to get more facts about what Edison knows about the performance of those lines in the canyon. We also need to know if there is any physical evidence at the site of whether the transmission line was the cause," he said. He stressed that it was still possible that the fire had another cause. Although a fire caused by Southern California Edison could cost the utility a billion dollars, most of the damage would be covered by the state's Wildfire Fund, established in 2019 and worth $21 billion. The fund protects utilities from going bankrupt when fires break out and would pay for insured and uninsured losses caused by utilities, Wara said. Still, if it was utility-caused, the Eaton fire could eat up half the $21 billion fund, which would affect the market's perception of the Wildfire Fund and could negatively affect Southern California Edison's credit score, according to Wara. On Sunday, the law firm Edelson PC sent a notice to Edison, asking it to preserve evidence and equipment involving the Eaton fire. The firm has also obtained videos and images from residents showing the fire appears to have started at the base of the tower, and preserving evidence will be important to determine what caused it and who is responsible for it. "This could be the most devastating disaster in U.S. history," said Ali Moghaddas, an attorney with Edelson PC, of all the fires burning in the region. "I've seen estimates that the damage could be in excess of $100 billion." Times staff writer Laura J. Nelson contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In the coming days, I look forward to visiting London, where I will meet His Majesty King Charles III, the Prime Minister, and senior officials in the UK Government. This visit reflects my governments commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Iraq and the UK, a partnership deeply rooted in history and one that aspires to broader horizons of economic, trade, and cultural co-operation. Meeting His Majesty the King holds great symbolic significance as it underscores the enduring historical ties between our two countries and highlights the importance we place on deepening dialogue and co-ordination on issues of security, stability and development in our region. This visit comes amid unprecedented and escalating events in the Middle East, which not only threaten the region but also risk broader conflicts. It also coincides with transformations in Syria, highlighting the urgent need for regional and international solidarity to ensure the free will and aspirations of the Syrian people are respected. Protecting the rights of minorities and preserving Syrias rich ethnic, religious, and social diversity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between Iraq and the UK has undergone significant transformations over recent decades, from the reconstruction phase post-2003 to the crucial role the UK played in providing military and intelligence support during Iraqs fight against Isis. Today, as our country achieves greater levels of security and stability, the time has come to transition to a new phase of sustainable economic partnership. This partnership aims to contribute to Iraqs development and diversify its sources of income while offering the UK expanded opportunities in a promising market of considerable human and economic potential. My discussions with Sir Keir Starmer and senior government officials will focus on ways to support our ambitious plans to rehabilitate infrastructure and develop productive sectors, particularly energy, which remains the backbone of Iraqs economy. Significant oil fields For years, prominent British companies have played a key role in developing significant oil fields such as Rumaila and Kirkuk. Recently, this co-operation was further solidified through a new agreement with one of Britains largest companies to establish a major gas project that includes rehabilitating the North Oil Company fields and constructing extensive infrastructure for the petroleum industry. This reflects mutual trust and a shared commitment to building on past successes. We will continue to encourage more British investments in oil and gas, as well as in renewable energy projects, recognising the importance of diversifying energy sources and addressing environmental challenges in the long term. Beyond energy, we aim to enhance trade relations, which have seen remarkable growth in recent years. Over the past two years, British companies have secured major contracts in various fields, including infrastructure, energy, technology, industry, and defence, with a total value exceeding $3 billion (2.46 million). The UKs exports to Iraq surpassed $1 billion in 2024, marking a 6.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year, with 36 per cent of exports comprising goods and 37 per cent of services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this visit, several major projects dedicated to British companies, worth billions of dollars, will be announced. We aspire to see the UK as a strategic partner in our ambitious projects, foremost among them the Development Road initiative, which aims to position Iraq as a global trade hub connecting East and West. This project offers a genuine opportunity for British expertise in managing and financing major infrastructure projects, providing a collaborative platform that benefits the strategic interests of both countries while promoting broader economic stability in the region. Safeguarding security gains This visit will also address other key areas, including continuing the reform of Iraqs banking sector in collaboration with British financial institutions and exchanging expertise in digital transformation and modern technologies to improve government services and enhance administrative efficiency. We are determined to channel investments into developing education and training to equip young Iraqis with the skills required to meet the demands of the next phase of development. Additionally, we recognise the need to safeguard the security gains achieved with the support of our international partners. In London, we will explore ways to enhance co-operation in security and counter-terrorism, protecting both domestic and regional stability. We also seek to benefit from British expertise in defence and military industries to bolster Iraqs capabilities in this critical area. My upcoming meetings in London carry a clear message: Iraq is committed to building partnerships based on shared interests and forward-looking vision. We seek a global partner with political and economic weight, and the UK is well-positioned to play this vital role as we embark on a new chapter of growth and reconstruction. Drawing on a shared historical legacy and a genuine desire to build stronger bridges of co-operation, I am confident that the outcomes of this visit will not only strengthen economic exchange but also lay the groundwork for stronger security and cultural ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays Iraq, with its human resources, natural wealth, and strategic location, aspires to be a haven for investment and a destination for global businesses. We can think of no better friends and partners than those in the UK to continue this journey and fulfill our shared aspirations for a future of greater prosperity and stability. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In a major milestone for Mumbai's metro network, the Chief Commissioner of Rail Safety (CCRS) from New Delhi has granted safety certification for the regular authorisation of Mumbai Metro Line 7 (Red Line) and Metro Line 2A (Yellow Line). This achievement marks the successful compliance with all conditions set during the provisional authorisation, enabling unrestricted operations at a full capacity speed of 80 kilometres per hour, an increase from the previous temporary speed limit of 50-60 kilometres per hour at specific locations. Both metro lines, operated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), play a vital role in alleviating congestion on Mumbai's busiest routes. Metro Line 2A spans 18.6 km from Dahisar to DN Nagar with 17 stations, while Metro Line 7 covers 16.5 km from Andheri (E) to Dahisar (E) with 13 stations. Together, they serve over 2.5 lakh daily passengers, with cumulative ridership exceeding 15 crore since operations began. MMRDA's efforts to implement state-of-the-art technology--such as driverless-capable trainsets, CBTC signalling, platform screen doors, and innovative ticketing systems--demonstrate its commitment to providing Mumbai with a safe, eco-friendly, and efficient metro network. These metro lines are pivotal in achieving the Chief Minister's vision of "Mumbai in Minutes." Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "The regular authorization for Metro Lines 7 and 2A is a step closer to transforming Mumbai into a world-class city with an efficient transport network. This achievement reflects our government's commitment to providing sustainable, time-saving, and eco-friendly mobility options for Mumbaikars. With this development, we are delivering on our promise to make Mumbai's public transport system the backbone of its progress." Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman MMRDA Eknath Shinde commented, "Mumbai's metro expansion is a game changer for the city, and the regular authorization of Metro Lines 7 and 2A is a testament to MMRDA's dedication to its vision. This will significantly reduce congestion on key routes and improve the quality of life for commuters. We remain committed to further developing Mumbai's metro network to meet the demands of our ever-growing city." Metropolitan Commissioner, Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS said, "This milestone reflects MMRDA's relentless efforts to adhere to the highest safety standards and operational excellence. The removal of speed restrictions and the safety certification by CCRS will enhance the metro experience and it will help to achieve our goal of 'Mumbai in Minutes'. (ANI) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An Iraqi soldiers walks past a Islamic State logo inside a tunnel formerly used as a training facility by jihadist fighters near Mosul, in 2017 . | Credit: Ahmad Al-Rubaye /AFP / Getty Images On 20 March 2019, President Trump proudly brandished a sheet of paper before White House reporters, said Adrian Blomfield in The Daily Telegraph. On it were two maps of Syria. The first, swathed in red blotches, showed how much territory Islamic State had held in the country when he became president. The second, almost perfectly white map, showed what the jihadist group now held: just one tiny area near the town of Baghuz. And that, boasted Trump, would disappear very soon. It did, in a matter of days; but last week's deadly ramming attack in New Orleans, by a man apparently inspired by the group, is a reminder that Isis is still far from eradicated. Indeed, analysts have been warning for months that the group is having something of a revival: according to one expert, it has carried out almost 700 attacks in Syria over the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the loss of its "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq, Isis remains a lethal threat, said Jason Burke in The Guardian. It has established new hubs in the Sahel region and eastern Africa, and its Afghan affiliate known as Isis-Khorasan, or Isis-K was responsible for the mass shooting in a Moscow concert hall last year that claimed the lives of at least 145 people. The group's ideas, meanwhile, continue to inspire a small number of disaffected or disturbed individuals in the West. There was reportedly a significant rise in thwarted Isis-inspired attacks in America last year a trend attributed to the US authorities' failure to curb the spread of extremist Islamist propaganda online, and the "radicalising effects of the war in Gaza". Governments have become more adept at heading off terrorist plots, said Eliot Wilson in The i Paper, but random vehicle attacks such as the one in New Orleans, or the one less than a fortnight earlier on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, pose a particular challenge. All lone-wolf attackers need in such cases is "determination and blood lust", and there's not much we can do to stop them short of pedestrianising all urban areas and banning public gatherings. Preventing Isis from expanding its power bases would help curb its malign influence, said The Times. It will seek to exploit any political vacuum in Syria, where US-backed forces are currently holding thousands of Isis prisoners. Trump recently said of Syria: "This is not our fight. Let it play out." But the incoming president may have to abandon that laissez-faire attitude in office. "Domestic security partly depends on global vigilance." For everyone's sake, "Isis must not be allowed a second act". Do our votes always count? Or, do they only matter if the losing side doesnt use the courts to disenfranchise those who voted against them? As I watch the Allison Riggs-Jefferson Griffin North Carolina Supreme Court race unfold, Im left feeling like some votes arent counted. Why is it okay for a candidate to invalidate the ballots of registered citizens? These people have voted previously without issue. They brought their IDs with them to the polls. And they made their choices for every race. Yet, when a candidate doesnt like one specific result, he can try to stifle the voices of 60,000 people. Until a few years ago, I thought that election interference only happened in countries like Russia and North Korea. But, with each court challenge across every recent election, I further lose my faith in both this democracy and its ability to conduct fair elections. Enough already. Let the people vote. And count every ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathy Repass, Cary Hegseth Pete Hegseth is a decorated combat veteran with two Bronze Stars. Moreover, he has written books about the military, Modern Warriors and The War On Warriors. In my opinion he was selected to get the woke and DEI out of the military and return to its core mission. He will be the hatchet man, and I salute him! Bob Fuller, Raleigh Islam for peace I send my deepest condolences to everyone impacted by the tragic attack in New Orleans on New Years Day and its aftermath. Shamsud-Din Jabbar reportedly supported ISIS, known for aggression not only on Western soil but also on Muslim-majority countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Muslim American, I wholly know that Islam does not condone or support these acts of violence. Our Holy Quran says, And make not Allah a target for your oaths that you may thereby abstain from doing good and acting righteously and making peace between men. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing (2:224). The very words we speak in greeting and in farewell bolster peace: as-salamu alaikum and wa-alaikum assalam. May peace be upon all of you, and may we all realize these acts of violence have no place in any religion. Mahrosh Khan, Apex Presidents Bibles President Carter actually read the Bible and taught it in Sunday School, while President-elect Trump treats the Bible as just another commodity to be sold for profit along with his golden sneakers. You reckon God might be able to tell the difference? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danny Graham, Chapel Hill Bye, Facebook I joined Facebook in 2008. As a political consultant, I realized that every friend could be a potential vote for my clients. I started one night and before I knew it, I had hundreds of friends. Over the past two years, I posted almost daily on close to 130 Facebook pages in NC. I read voraciously. I shared political news and information from a variety of reliable sources I believed most people would not otherwise see. By September of last year, my Facebook feed was filled with complete strangers, even in my world of 3,400 friends. I rarely got a message from someone I had heard of. I am not on Facebook anymore. I left weeks ago when Mark Zuckerberg gave Trump $1 million for his inauguration. I am outraged by Zuckerbergs decision to stop fact checking on Meta. With his subservience to the man who wants to buy Greenland and make Canada the 51st state, I am staying out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paula A. Wolf, Raleigh Raleigh fires? As one watches news coverage of the terrible fire and insufficient preparedness in Los Angeles, one wonders how the densely developing City of Oaks is prepared to handle an aggressive fire. Raleighs preparedness, or lack of, for this kind of calamity might be a useful subject for an investigative report by the local newspaper. Richard Ferguson, Raleigh Ludicrous Jefferson Griffins challenge of 60,000 votes is ludicrous. Its a desperate attempt to steal the election. Mr. Griffin and the majority of the NC Supreme Court that voted to halt the certification of the election results need to put on their big-boy pants and get over it. Robert Mulders, Raleigh The ongoing horrors unfolding in Israel and Gaza have deep-rooted origins that stem from a complex and contested question: Who has rights to the same territory? I am a scholar of international affairs, as well as territory and nationalism. Territory has been a central cause of conflict throughout history. Today, Israelis and Palestinians both claim the same swath of land as their own. Each group has its own historical narratives, its own names for the territory Israel or Palestine, depending on whom you ask and many people from each group believe strongly that sharing the land is impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians and Israelis also look to this same land as a way to define their identities and protect their futures. A fence on Israels border with Gaza is seen on Nov. 24, 2023, during a temporary humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel. Chen Junqing/Xinhua via Getty Images The benefits of controlling territory Virtually every country serves as a designated homeland to many of its citizens a place that is tied to peoples ancestries, cultural histories and legends. The idea of a homeland is kept alive as each generation tries to teach children about the significance of the land they inhabit or come from. Controlling territory and claiming it as a homeland is vital for people for a number of reasons. First, it helps ensure a stable supply of essential items like food, water and shelter. It can help provide security against external threats, like hostile neighbors. It also fosters a sense of identity and belonging within a community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people control their own territory, it helps them form and maintain a government and preserve their culture, shaping their values and ways of life. Controlling territory can also affect peoples social status, help create new economic opportunities and improve their psychological well-being. In many cultures, peoples identities are literally attached to territory in their names. In Europe, many aristocrats are named for the lands they controlled, as in von Bismarck, in Germany, or York, a region in England. This differs from middle- or working-class people, who are traditionally named for their professions like Hunter, Smith and Taylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At its most basic level, territorial control is about survival and reproduction, and it has influenced human behavior in other ways. Disputes over who controls or has the legal right to a territory has consistently fueled wars. Fighting over territory isnt rare Seen from the perspective of territorial conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far from unique. Consider the ongoing war over which government should control parts of Ukraine, for example. One of the most contentious territorial disputes in history involved Alsace-Lorraine, a region that was once part of the German empire in the late 1870s. Both France and Germany had cultural and historical ties to the region, leading to frequent conflicts and changes in sovereignty until World War II, after which it legally became part of France. After World War II ended in 1945, Germany and Frances joint commitment to rebuilding Europe bound their destinies economically and politically. Leaders in Europe, joined by a vision for unity, peace and the imperative to prevent another world war, played a crucial role in transforming Europe. Historical foes became close allies, marking the start of a unified European identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had you asked people in the 1920s and 1930s whether Franco-German coexistence and peace would have been possible, they would have likely said no. The divide over Northern Ireland Northern Irelands dueling Protestants and Roman Catholics would have given an even more emphatic no if asked during much of the 20th century whether they could live together peacefully. This conflict, known as the Troubles, began with Great Britains partition of Ireland from itself in 1921. Northern Ireland, however, remained part of Great Britain. Fighting over what should happen with Northern Ireland fully erupted in the late 1960s and continued until the 1990s. At its core, the conflict involved competing national identities and allegiances between the predominantly Protestant unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, and the mainly Catholic nationalists, who wanted a united Ireland. Protests and marches, car bombings, riots, sectarian attacks and revenge killings marked this explosive period, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,500 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet in 1998, the Troubles came to an end when both sides signed the Good Friday Agreement, keeping Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom but giving residents there the chance to have either British or Irish citizenship, or both. No one prior to 1998 would have imagined this agreement would create the opportunity for reconciliation and peace. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, right, U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, center, and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern smile on April 10, 1998, after they signed the Good Friday Agreement, ending the conflict over Northern Ireland. Dan Chung/AFP via Getty Images Similarities across the conflicts Just as happened in Europe after World War II and in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, Israelis and Palestinians would also need to find a renewed commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and international cooperation in order to make lasting peace. But the region has a history of conflict dating back centuries, with both sides experiencing immense suffering and loss. This history creates a deeply rooted mistrust that hampers efforts to find a common understanding that each group of people has long ties to the land. Contestation over the city of Jerusalem is not simply a city-planning problem, as it encompasses major holy sites from the three Abrahamic traditions. It is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims worldwide, and the Western Wall, part of the holiest site for Jews globally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or Church of the Resurrection, is also in Jerusalem. Its the holiest site for Christians who believe this is where Jesus was crucified, entombed and later resurrected. This helps explain why Jews, Muslims and Christians all feel as if they have a vital stake in who controls Jerusalem. Unraveling pain and loss There was a time, including in the 1990s, when Israeli and Palestinian political leaders discussed a two-state solution, with a shared capital in Jerusalem, as a way out of the conflict and into a common future. No longer. The current violence in Gaza and Israel and escalating conflict over the West Bank only deepens the entrenched homeland narratives on both sides, with each side fearing the survival of their homeland is at stake in any potential compromise. It will take years or even generations to unravel the pain and loss that each side is experiencing in the current war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless Palestinians and Israelis can find a way to detach the disputed land from their identities, there are no straightforward solutions. This is what happened in Alsace-Lorraine and Northern Ireland but its not clear that such a transformation in thinking will take place anytime soon in the Middle East. Ultimately, the tragedy of deep attachment to a homeland territory lies in the fact that while it can create a sense of belonging for one group, it too often comes at the expense of another. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Monica Duffy Toft, Tufts University Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monica Duffy Toft does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. ROME (AP) Italy on Sunday released an Iranian citizen wanted by the U.S. over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago, after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest. Mohammad Abedini has already returned to Iran, Iranian state TV said on Sunday afternoon. He was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending extradition to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abedini was arrested on a U.S. warrant on Dec. 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Sala, who was believed held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned home last week. The U.S. Justice Department has accused Abedini of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-U.S. extradition treaties, only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, cant be considered as existing. The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a U.S. federal law did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Irans foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as talks between Irans intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a diplomatic triangulation with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Salas release, confirming for the first time that Washingtons interests entered into the negotiations. Salas release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Nasser Karimi in Tehran contributed to this report. And so it ended for special counsel Jack Smith: Not with the glorious sunset ride of a conquering hero his supporters had hoped for, but a 24-word footnote indicating he had separated from the Justice Department," his final report in limbo, and gleeful allies of Donald Trump exhorting him to lawyer up. It was the undignified end of a painful process for Smith and the nation one that began with Trump at the nadir of his influence and ended with him surging back to the White House, crushing the criminal cases that once seemed certain to land him in prison. Trump is now in a position not only to stamp out Smiths work but to turn the tools of the Justice Department and a Republican-controlled Congress on his former pursuers, and to use his powers of clemency to rewrite the history of the harrowing events that led to his criminal charges in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, who Garland hired right after the 2022 midterms and Trump announced his 2024 reelection bid, is about to find himself the most scrutinized man in a GOP-run Washington. Lawmakers loyal to Trump have vowed to use their oversight powers to delve deep under the hood of his investigations, which led to two federal criminal cases against the once and future president. Those probes resulted in dozens of felony charges against Trump and cost $35 million through March 2024, a number that has likely climbed significantly since. Smiths charges included allegations that Trump criminally conspired to disenfranchise millions of voters and pressure government officials including his own vice president Mike Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Those efforts, Smith was prepared to argue in trial, culminated with the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by thousands of Trumps supporters. In a separate case in Florida, Smith also leveled allegations that Trump jeopardized national security by hoarding highly classified military secrets at Mar-a-Lago after leaving office. Prosecutors dropped both cases against Trump after he prevailed in November, citing their longstanding policy against charging a sitting president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, even Smiths effort to inform the public about his findings seems in jeopardy. At the urging of Trump and two co-defendants, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon who presided over the classified documents case has blocked Attorney General Merrick Garland from publicly releasing Smiths report, even the portion that had nothing to do with her case. A tangle of ensuing court proceedings has only muddled the picture further. That could result in the once unthinkable prospect that a trove of Smiths findings those that havent already been made public in court filings and indictments may never see the light of day or could be bottled up indefinitely. The scrutiny and second-guessing of Smiths work and the strategic decisions by Garland, the man who appointed him will now be as much a Washington preoccupation as the probe itself once was. But Smiths quiet departure underscored an age-old Washington truism: no matter what principles of law or politics or justice are at stake, all that really matters is winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had Trump lost, his first public interaction with Pence in years may have been across a courtroom rather than over an awkward handshake at President Jimmy Carters funeral on Thursday. And Trump would have been staring down the prospect of spending the rest of his life fighting criminal cases. Instead, in just nine days, Trump will retake the most powerful office in the world. And the man who might have stopped him? A footnote. JACKSONVILLE, Ark. Jacksonville police officials say two people are dead after an early Saturday morning house fire. According to investigators, Jacksonville police and firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Willshire Cove at 1:34 a.m. and discovered that one person was trapped inside. Investigators said a second person had escaped the fire, but went back into the burning home to retrieve her dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said firefighters made their way into the home to search for the residence and extinguish the fire. After making their way inside, they said they discovered the bodies of 53-year-old Janifer Moore and 73-year-old Marilyn Evans. Investigators said no foul play is suspected at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Jan. 12After years in the making, Asotin County officials are confident the new jail will be open for business this spring. The building along Sixth Avenue in the Clarkston Heights is a busy site as crews tackle the remaining items on the to-do list. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours for the public are anticipated for late April. Although the project has suffered its fair share of setbacks such as a pandemic, finalizing a location, equipment and weather delays the jail is finally nearing its debut. It may not look super fancy on the outside, but the interior will have significant upgrades from the current jail in Clarkston, officials said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be outstanding compared to what we have," said Sheriff John Hildebrand. "I think it will give our staff and inmates an entirely new-and-improved atmosphere." Kenaston-Leone & Keeble Group, of Lewiston, is overseeing the project, along with Florida architects Clemons Rutherford and Associates. Clarkston architect Jerry Brotnov is providing "boots-on-the-ground" input as a consultant. "This is definitely the right type of project for Asotin County," Brotnov said. "It's economical, the right fit and a good value." Roger Spaulding, KLK project superintendent, said this is the first jail he's helped build. The security features are impressive, and the building checks all of the boxes for a safe environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's definitely been a challenging project, but it's coming together quite well," Spaulding said, as hammers pounded in the background. Law enforcement and elected officials have talked about replacing the old county jail for years. The current facility, which is connected to the Clarkston Police Department headquarters, was constructed in the 1980s, and lacks adequate bed space, technology, safety features and room for expansion. Once it's closed, the city of Clarkston will determine future uses for the former jail, such as offices for city officials. The new jail is about 5 miles from the Asotin County Courthouse in Asotin, and won't be as handy for Clarkston police. Instead of staying inside city limits, officers will have to drive to the Heights for each arrest and booking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Clarkston had an opportunity to allow the county to build the new jail closer to downtown and areas where many arrests take place. Prior to being shot down by city officials, the proposed jail site near 14th and Fair streets was a hot topic of discussion at town hall meetings. That's all in the past, Commissioner Chuck Whitman said when asked to rehash the jail's timeline. The county is focused on looking forward and having a state-of-the-art justice complex that will serve the community for many decades, he said. To boost operational funding, Asotin County will charge outside agencies to house prisoners at the jail. The state Department of Corrections and nearby jurisdictions without jails, such as Garfield County, will be able to transport inmates to the Clarkston Heights complex for a set fee. Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the bulk of funding is being provided by shoppers in Clarkston and unincorporated areas of Asotin County. In 2019, voters approved a public safety sales tax to help pay for the new justice complex, which wound up on county-owned land across the road from the Asotin County Regional Landfill. As a result of the successful ballot measure, the county has a $13.7 million bond to build and maintain the jail, and the payments are funded through the dedicated sales tax. Those payments amounted to $624,000 in 2023, and the public safety sales tax brought in about $1.5 million. Whitman said the final tally on the jail is now closer to $20 million, but the public won't be on the hook for more money through tax hikes. The designated sales tax is bringing in enough money to cover the operating costs and change orders, which included a full-service kitchen and more steel cells, Whitman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Getting that kitchen and extra beds was a no-brainer," Whitman said. "We're looking at the future." Hilderbrand and his undersheriff, Jody Brown, are pleased with the way the new jail design has morphed. The expansion component is huge, the sheriff said, and will allow the county to address any overcrowding concerns on the horizon. Capacity can go from 144 to 256 without tearing up the floor plan and starting over. "We're doing the best we can now so we don't have to deal with problems later," Brown added. The commercial kitchen is a major asset because inmates will receive fresh meals, and there's ample space for the cooks, manager and supplies. In addition, a heavy-duty laundry room, vacuum-sealed bags for inmate property, and offices for jail administrators are welcome additions, Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large programming room will be used for church services, classes and video arraignments. "It's really nice to have this space," Brown said. Another area offers privacy for attorney-client conservations, and a large room for employees will allow for training, briefing sessions and breaks away from the commotion and noise of daily jail activities. There are also desks for deputies and officers to fill out reports. On the upper level of the building, the staff will have a clear view of the cells, dorm-style housing units and day rooms, Hildebrand said. A window that looks out to the recreational area will help jailers keep their eyes on anything happening outside. Skylights inside the building offer lots of natural light, and the tranquil blue paint on the walls make the jail less dreary, Brown said. "The color was chosen by the architects for its calming and soothing effect." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilderbrand and Brown said community support for the project is greatly appreciated. They hope to involve residents in some of the finishing touches, such as painting motivational graphics inside the facility. "We're looking forward to getting this open and serving the community," Hildebrand said. "I'm hoping lots of people turn out for the tours before we open and the ribbon cutting. We enjoy showing this off." Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com. Jamie Lee Curtis is facing backlash after comparing fire-ravaged Los Angeles neighborhoods to war-torn countries in the Middle East. The entire Pacific Palisades looks like, you know, unfortunately, Gaza or one of these war-torn countries where awful things have happened, the actress, 66, said during a Q&A for The Last Showgirl posted to X. Fans quickly flocked to the comments section to question Curtis comparison. Jamie Lee Curtis presents Nicole Kidman with the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards in Palm Springs, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Jamie Lee Curtis talks The Last Show Girl alongside Pamela Anderson. Pop Crave/ Twitter Jamie Lee Curtis seen at Roadside Attractions Special Screening of The Last Showgirl at CAA on December 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Roadside Attractions via Getty Images One user posted, Comparing wildfires to war zones feels off, it minimizes the devastation unique to each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of unsettling, words matter, especially from someone with her platform, another wrote. Dont compare a natural disaster to a genocide! a third follower clapped back, while another unhappy fan chimed in: Two things that have nothing to do with each other pack it up, great grandma Firefighters work the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 8, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some followers were more forgiving towards Curtis, with one explaining, I respect Jamie Lee Curtis, but that comparison doesnt make any sense. Days before, the Freaky Friday star fought back tears as she spoke about the catastrophe of the Palisades Fire, the coastal neighborhood where she has lived for decades. As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. Its fking gnarly, you guys, Curtis told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on his show. Its a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there have been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything. Jamie Lee Curtis during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images An aerial view shows debris from burned properties, following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 10, 2025. REUTERS Curtis said she had many, many, many friends who have lost their homes in the devastation of the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a really awful situation, she added. Curtis, who returned to California on Thursday to be with her family and friends, encouraged viewers to support disaster relief efforts if they are able, including the Red Cross. Do anything you can, anything in your community to help people, she stated. Whether you need it or not now, you will need it. Give blood, donate, whatever you can do. Animal shelters. Curtis has since said she and her family are pledging $1 million to start a fund of support for those affected by the blazes. The actor made her pledge on Instagram Thursday, writing that she had been in touch with state and city leaders about how the money might be distributed for the most impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its believed Curtis home is still standing. Firefighters have been working around the clock to put out at least six fires in Los Angeles this week the largest being the Palisades and Eaton fires that have now collectively scorched over 35,000 acres and counting. A person (BOTTOM) watches from a balcony as a firefighting aircraft drops the fire retardant Phos-Chek near homes during the Palisades Fire. Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, an unidentified person was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department for possible arson connected with the Kenneth Fire. Officials later revealed that the individual would not be charged with arson due to lack of probable cause. The wildfires could cause $150 billion in damages, making it the most expensive blaze in US history, according to a report. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, calling the former Delhi Chief Minister's demand to include the state's Jat community in the OBC list is a "false demand." Speaking to ANI, Athawale asserted that it is the state government's responsibility to decide which community to include in the list before sending the proposal to the central government. "Arvind Kejriwal has been the Chief Minister thrice. The state government decides which community to include in which list, after which they send a proposal to the Center... Arvind Kejriwal is lying. He has not done the work of giving justice to the Jat community," Athawale told ANI. He further claimed that Arvind Kejriwal is only using that demand because he feels that the time has come for him to be out of power. "The time has come for him to come out of power, so he feels that now the Jat community should be included in OBC... This is his false demand," Athawale added. Earlier, former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to include Delhi's Jat community in the OBC list of the Centre. Kejriwal accused the BJP-led central government of "cheating" the community in the name of OBC reservation for the last 10 years. Additionally, speaking on the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, Athawale reiterated his support for the NDA and said that his party will contest seats while also making sure the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not lose votes. "We are contesting elections on 15-20 seats but BJP should not suffer any loss, my party is in NDA, and we support BJP, NDA. Our role is to ensure that the BJP government comes here...," he said. Athawale also criticised Kejriwal further, accusing his government of corruption during his tenure. "There have been scams during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure... Now the report that has come shows that Arvind Kejriwal's government was corrupt, so we demand to remove Arvind Kejriwal and bring the BJP to power," he said. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP and Congress. Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. Whereas AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got eight seats. Earlier on Saturday, the BJP released its second list of 29 candidates for the upcoming elections. (ANI) TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Sunday he planned to attend Donald Trump's inauguration as U.S. president on Jan. 20, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government hopes to maintain close ties with its security ally. "We aim to build a relationship of trust with the Trump administration," Iwaya told a talk show on public broadcaster NHK. He said he was seeking a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's pick to be secretary of state. India and Australia also said their foreign ministers would attend the swearing-in ceremony as Trump returns to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be Iwaya's first visit to the U.S. since he became foreign minister in October. Japan, a longtime U.S. ally that had good relations with Trump during his first administration, is keen to get off to a good start for his second. Ishiba is looking into visiting the United States as early as the first half of February for his first meeting with Trump, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported on Sunday. Iwaya said he aimed to meet other senior officials from the incoming administration to lay the groundwork for an Ishiba visit. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will attend the inauguration at the invitation of the Trump team and meet members of his incoming administration, his ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny Wong, foreign minister of fellow U.S. Pacific ally Australia, said on Sunday she would also attend the inauguration, calling it "an important opportunity to discuss how we can advance the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership and expand our cooperation". She has said Australia's centre-left Labor government was confident of its alliance with the United States, its biggest security partner, under the incoming Republican administration. Australia, India, Japan and the United States, which form the Quad security group, have started making arrangements to hold a four-way foreign ministers' meeting in Washington following Trump's swearing-in, Japan's Nikkei business daily said. China has objected to the Quad grouping as an effort to encircle Beijing and ramp up conflict, while the four member nations say they are like-minded democracies seeking to bolster stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Additional reporting by Samuel McKeith in Sydney; Editing by David Gregorio, William Mallard and Helen Popper) Vice President-elect JD Vance appeared to walk back President-elect Donald Trumps promises of near-blanket pardons for January 6 rioters in a Sunday interview. Vance, on Fox News Sunday, said the very simple process would mean pardons for those who protested peacefully and who he claimed were treated like a gang member by Attorney General Merrick Garland. But for those convicted of violent crimes, including assaulting Capitol police officers, obviously, you shouldnt be pardoned. WATCH: @JDVance lays out President-elect Trumps pardon process for January 6th participants. Tune in tomorrow for the rest of Shannon's exclusive interview with Vice President-elect JD Vance. pic.twitter.com/RvqXrL6rO3 Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) January 11, 2025 Theres a little bit of a gray area there, but were very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law, and there are a lot of people, we think, in the wake of January 6 who were prosecuted unfairly, Vance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vances comments differed from Trumps, who has promised sweeping pardons on day one of his administration for anyone involved many of the rioters. Trump told Meet the Press last month that he would issue the pardons most likely upon taking office, noting there may be some exceptions and he would look at individual cases. Those people have suffered long and hard, he said. More than 1,250 people were convicted or pleaded guilty for their role in the Capitol riot, with charges ranging from trespassing to seditious conspiracy. Several rioters sought to attack top-elected officials, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi and then-Vice President Mike Pence. Some Republican lawmakers have urged Trump to issue pardons for all January 6 rioters. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close Trump ally, told the Associated Press last week that those imprisoned over the attacksregardless of their crimeshould be released. Even the ones that fought Capitol Police, caused damage to the Capitol, I think theyve served their time, and I think they should all be pardoned and released from prison, Greene said. JD Vance has ruled out pardons for violent Jan 6 rioters in an unusual split from Donald Trump. Mr Vance, who will be sworn in as vice president in just over a week, said those who committed violence as they stormed the Capitol four years ago obviously would not receive a presidential pardon. Mr Trump has repeatedly said that one of his first acts as president would be to free the January 6 hostages who have been wrongfully imprisoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also refused to rule out pardons for the rioters who assaulted police officers as they attempted to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Bidens election victory, claiming they had no choice. Speaking on Fox News on Sunday, Mr Vance said: I think its very simple if you protested peacefully on Jan 6 and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. And theres a little bit of a grey area there. But were very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law, and there are a lot of people we think in the wake of January 6th who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that. JD Vance appears to have a different position on the Jan 6 rioters from his boss - Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg Mr Vance faced criticism from Right-wing commentators on social media following his interview but denied that his comments were a walkback of Mr Trumps position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I assure you, we care about people unjustly locked up. Yes, that includes people provoked and it includes people who got a garbage trial, he added in a post on X. The president-elect said last month that he would seek to institute mass pardons for those convicted of Jan 6 offences on his first day in office. When pressed by NBC News about whether this would extend to the 169 rioters who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers, he responded: Because they had no choice. Mr Trump added: Look, I know the system. The systems a very corrupt system. More than 140 police officers were allegedly assaulted when Congress was breached in the riot - Jose Luis Magana/AP According to the US justice department, more than 140 police officers were assaulted when Congress was breached in the riot, which caused some $2.8 million in damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI also still has nine videos of suspects still wanted for violent assaults on law enforcement. Of the roughly 1,600 people who have been charged over the incident, 174 of them were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing a serious injury to an officer. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. JD Vance led the Republican assault against Californias state and local governments on Sunday as conservatives eagerly pile on Democratic leaders for insufficient water supplies and emergency efforts as firefighters continue to battle wildfires around Los Angeles. On Sunday, the incoming vice president told Fox News Sundays Shannon Bream that Californias leaders were incompetent. We need to do a better job. We need competent, good governance, Vance said. There was a serious lack of competent governance in California, and I think its part of the reason why these fires have gotten so bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The devastation in Los Angeles over the past week has been enormous; three large wildfires and several smaller brushfires have ravaged entire communities, leaving thousands under mandatory evacuation orders. Whole suburbs, such as the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, are thought to be largely destroyed. JD Vance on Los Angeles Fires: Some of these reservoirs have been dry for 15, 20 years. The fire hydrants are being reported as going dry while the firefighters are trying to put out the fires. There was a serious lack of competent governance in CA. Its part of the reason why pic.twitter.com/BFL8Zbhw2l Acyn (@Acyn) January 12, 2025 Initial reports over the course of last week depicted firefighters as stretched thin and unable to access water in many communitites. The state has been under drought conditions for months, and in the Palisades, reports surfaced that fire hydrants were broken as firefighters tried in vain to halt the blazes. Californias governor Gavin Newsom has requested an investigation into water usage and reports of fire hydrants not working in and around Los Angeles County. In a letter sent to municipal officials, he pledged state resources for the probe. JD Vance is among Republican officials leading criticism of Democratic leadership in California during devastating Los Angeles wildfires (AFP via Getty Images) By Wednesday of last week, hed told CNN that the county had "depleted all of our [water] resources. In a letter to water management officials days later, he requested information about why the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been closed for repairs and not available for use to assist firefighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water shortages in Los Angeles County were only part of the reason why firefighters had such a tough time battling the three large wildfires in the region. High winds topping out at around 80 mph and starkly dry conditions in the underbrush were the main factors leading to the destruction of more than 10,000 homes and other structures in the area over the past week. Those winds are due to return tonight, fueling fears that conditions could once again worsen. The wind complicated efforts to deliver water and fire suppression substances by air, while also causing blazes to rapidly spread. Newsom, in his own interview airing this weekend, said the fires would amount to one of the worst natural disasters in the nations history. I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it in terms of the scale and scope, he told NBC News. California Gavin Newsom surveys fire damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 8 (AP) He also stressed that water shortages in the immediate few days after the fire began were localized and did not reflect regional preparation efforts, taking aim at Vances boss Donald Trump over the latters own comments about Californias wildfire preparedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know what [Trump]'s referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs, said the governor. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California, he said. That mis- and disinformation ... I don't think advantages or aids any of us. Responding to Donald Trump's insults we would spend another month. I'm very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them. While Vance did not broach the topic in his interview this weekend, the broader conservative movement has concocted a cartoonish image of Californias government as inept and helpless a direct result of an imagined artistocracy seemingly made up of LGBT+ people and celebrities. Los Angeles being home to the American film and television industries has fed into that image, but so did the response of the citys mayor, Karen Bass who was in Ghana, attending the inauguration of the African nations president, when the crisis began. Republicans in Congress said this week that disaster relief aid for the California wildfires will come with strings attached, likely to do with demanding standards for wildfire preparedness. All week, Los Angeles has been battling multiple wildfires in different neighborhoods, with devastating losses. According to sources speaking with People, Jennifer Lopez has changed her plans for the coming days, cancelling various planned media appearances on The Today Show, The View, Live with Kelly and Mark, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, so she can be available to support the city. Its important to her to focus on supporting the community of Los Angeles during this very difficult time, the insider said. The Los Angeles premiere of her new movie Unstoppable was canceled this week as well, due to the spreading fire and forceful winds. A rep for the movies distributor, Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement, As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority. Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J.Lo lives in Los Angeles, as do her children, twins Max and Emme, though they all frequently spend time in New York and were recently in Aspen, Colorado, for the holidays. Los Angeles is also the home of Ben Affleck, Lopezs former partner. The star was worried and concerned after Affleck evacuated his home in the Pacific Palisades, according to Page Six, and she has been checking in on Ben throughout this whole ordeal and to let him know shes there for him and the kids. She offered her support for whatever they need, the insider explained. Affleck is reportedly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and their three children, Seraphina, Violet, and Samuel. He has been able to return home since to check on the property, as the fires passed over the estate. Bens home is still under evacuation order, but he feels so grateful his property is safe for the time being, a second source said. Ben knows many people who unfortunately lost their homes. He has seen a lot of devastation, and its beyond tragic Ben is reaching out to anybody he can to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Miles Teller, Jamie Lee Curtis, Anthony Hopkins and more have lost their homes in the affluent area. You Might Also Like Joshua Jackson has lost his home amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. A rep for the Doctor Odyssey star confirmed to PEOPLE on Sunday, Jan. 12 that the 46-year-old actor's L.A. home was lost during the fires, which have destroyed thousands of structures and left multiple residents without homes. "First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are OK," Jackson said in a statement. "My daughter, my family, my neighbors all made it out safely." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires," he added. "But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love." Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Joshua Jackson Joshua Jackson Related: Joshua Jackson Was 'Caught Off Guard' When the Dawson's Creek Theme Song Played at the 2024 Emmys: 'A Genuine Laugh' Other celebrities who have lost their homes in the fires include Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes, Cameron Mathison, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Mel Gibson, John C. Reilly, Anthony Hopkins and Tina Knowles. On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the death toll has risen to 16 just days after the fires began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial blaze first ignited in Pacific Palisades around 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and since then, more than 40,000 acres have burned with more than 12,000 structures destroyed, per CalFire. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Emma McIntyre/Getty Joshua Jackson Joshua Jackson Related: Joshua Jackson Says His 'North Star' Daughter Inspired Him to Buy Back His Childhood Home for Her Back in September, Jackson opened up about his relationship with his daughter in an Instagram Live with Dawson's Creek costar Sasha Alexander. At the time, he described his decision to buy back his childhood home from the man who bought it from his parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson shares 4-year-old daughter Juno with ex Jodie Turner-Smith. "I bought this house for my daughter," he said, later sharing, "Something that's become really clear to me in this year since I asked for the divorce is that I kinda thought, you know in all the dreams you have when you have a baby, the thing I wanted to model for my daughter was like, here's two parents, here's what a man and a woman can look like in a home, in a happy, healthy relationship." "But what I've realized in this last year is I never got to experience the love of a father. And I'm getting to experience it now. And that's what this house is for," he continued. Jackson then called his daughter his "greatest gift" and his "north star," adding that he loves "being her dad." The actor who was born in Vancouver but raised in Topanga, Calif., until he was 8 previously told MR PORTER that he purchased his childhood home in 2001 and his daughter took over the bedroom he once called his. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was a mural of a dragon on the wall in that room that I couldn't believe was still there, years later. The owner [who sold him the house] said, 'I knew it meant a lot to somebody and that they were going to come back for it some day,' " Jackson told the outlet, adding that purchasing the home was "a very healing thing for me to do." Read the original article on People Originally appeared on E! Online Despite losing his home of over two decades, Joshua Jackson is feeling thankful. Amid the ongoing wildfires that continue to devastate Los Angeles, the Dawson's Creek alum confirmed that his home in Topanga Canyon burned down due to the tragedy. However, Joshua shared an update about the well-being of himself and his 4-year-old daughter Juno, whose mom is his ex Jodie-Turner Smith, as well as the state of his loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are ok," Joshua told Deadline in a Jan. 12 statement. "My daughter, my family, my neighbors all made it out safely. Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires. But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love. The Doctor Odyssey star, who repurchased his childhood home in Topanga Canyon in 2001, previously opened up about the full circle moment. More from E! Online My father unfortunately was not a good father or a husband and exited the scene," he told Mr Porter in July 2021, "but that house in Topanga was where everything felt simple, so it was a very healing thing for me to do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua went on to share that after he and the Queen & Slim actress welcomed their daughter, Juno slept in his childhood bedroom. There was a mural of a dragon on the wall in that room that I couldnt believe was still there, years later," he shared. "The owner [who sold him the house] said, I knew it meant a lot to somebody and that they were going to come back for it some day. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images The Fringe actor is among those who have lost their residences amid the fires that have engulfed parts of Southern California, killing at least 16 people, according to NBC News. Other stars who have spoken out about the devastation and the loss of their properties include Anna Faris, Billy Crystal and Melissa Rivers, who reflected on the split-second decision she made to save important items that belonged to her parents Joan Rivers and producer Edgar Rosenberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it," Melissa told CNN Jan. 8. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son. I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace." She added of the devastation, My heart is so broken, not just for myself. It's a town and it's wiped off the map. Keep reading to see other celebs' messages about the crisis... (NBC News and E! are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Gwyneth Paltrow The Iron Man actress took to social media to express her sadness about the tragedy that has fallen over her beloved city. We are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything, she wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Thank you to those inquiring, we are currently safe. When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kind, she continued. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant. Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg The Once Upon a Time actress and the One Tree Hill actor are sharing resources after tragically losing their home in the Los Angeles fire. It was all a dream, Bryan wrote on a Jan. 9 Instagram story, showing the rubble that was once their family home. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there. And in between posting helpful resources, Jamie shared a tragic video of their entire neighborhood. Damn. Our entire neighborhood is gone, she wrote Jan. 9. We are grateful to our brave firefighters and first responders and pray we dont lose any more lives to these catastrophic fires. Stay safe and stay vigilant. Diane Warren The Grammy winner shared one last view from her Los Angeles beachfront home before it was lost in the fire. This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house, the songwriter, who confirmed her animals and rescue ranch were safe, wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post of the ocean view. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cary Elwes The Princess Bride actor shared his and his wife Lisa Marie Kurbikoffs Malibu home did not survive the fire in a heartfelt message to fans. Firstly, myself and my family are all safe, thank God, he wrote in his Jan. 9 Instagram post. Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire. Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it, he continued. We want to thank everyone for their incredible outpouring of support. It really means a great deal to us. Ricki Lake Sharing a video of the raging fires in the near distance, the former talk show host detailed her and husband Ross Burninghams final efforts to save her Los Angeles home in a Jan. 9 Instagram post. Were going down my street praying for these homes and these people and my house, she said in a video, showing the fire in the near distance. I dont even know what I grabbed, I think I might have just said goodbye to my house. Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured, she added in the caption. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel. He did everything to try to save our precious property. No doubt had we stayed, we would not have survived. Leanne Ford The HGTV host's home, which she recently moved into, was lost in the wildfires. "Three weeks ago we got keys to our new LA place in Rustic Canyon. We were excited (though me a bit hesitant) to start spending some time again in our favorite part of LA," the interior designer wrote on Instagram Jan. 10 alongside photos of what remains of her house. "A beautiful historical and quirky artists home. We brought over so many of our favorite things to fill it with. It was to be a place to write, to create." "Three days ago we lost it," she continued. "We are the lucky ones. We had a beautiful safe home in PA to escape back to. Im in awe of the firemen and women choosing to run into the flames while we get to run out. I can only say thank you." Mel Gibson During an appearance on Elizabeth Vargas Reports January. 9, the Braveheart actor shared that his Malibu home was destroyed while he was away recording Joe Rogans podcast in Texas. "Obviously, its kind of devastating. Its emotional," the 69-year-old said. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I had my stuff there, and its all like, Ive been relieved from the burden of my stuff, because its all in cinders. But when he returned home to discover that his home had been destroyed, he was relieved to find that, at least, his chickens survived, adding, It was amazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles Teller The Top Gun Maverick stars wife Keleigh Teller shared one last photo of what was their Los Angeles home before it was lost in the fire. To everyone reaching out I cant thank you enough, your kind hearts have meant the world, Ill never forget them, the 32-year-old wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Community has come out stronger than I could imagine, pacific palisades I love you beyond measure you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever. If youre in the LA area PLEASE get out if you can, she continued. I wish I grabbed my wedding dress .. wish I did a lot different but it doesnt matter, stay safe, get out. there are no words. THANK YOU to the first responders fighting. Bella Hadid On Jan. 9, the supermodel shared the childhood home she shared with sister Gigi Hadid and mom Yolanda Hadid had burned down in the Palisades Fire. Mandy Moore The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact." However, she noted that the home studio, garage and back house were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. "Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends," she added. "Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support." Milo Ventimiglia Like his This Is Us costar, the actor's Los Angeles home was destroyed by the fires. While visiting what remained of his property, he told CBS Evening News his heart felt "heavy." "You start thinking about all the memories," he continued. "My heart just breaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Simpson Amid the outbreak of the Kenneth Fire on Jan. 9, the "Irresistible" singer shared an image of smoke rising from beyond her backyard. She wrote in the caption, "We stayed as long as we could." Bozoma Saint John The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed her dream home in Malibu, where she lived with her teenage daughter Laela, was totaled in the fires. "This is an unimaginable loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling. Olivia Wilde "My block was on fire tonight and the only reason we still have a home is thanks to the brave members of the @losngelesfiredepartment who worked on the ground and from the air to save us," the Don't Worry Darling director wrote on Instagram Story Jan. 8. "Thank you." Chrissy Teigen The Cravings cookbook author started preparing in case of an evacuation, writing on Instagram Story Jan. 8, "This is surreal. I'm very scared. Packing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jen Atkin The hairstylist and her husband Mike Rosenthal safely evacuated along with their kids and pets, though she said their home was "gone." "Our whole area demolished," she added on Instagram Stories Jan. 8, alongside a tearful selfie. "So many are displaced and feeling scared right now it's almost too much to comprehend." Olivia Culpo One day after the Sunset Fire set the Hollywood Hills ablaze, the Culpo Sisters starwho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreywrote on Instagram Story Jan. 9, "Im praying so hard for our community. My heart aches for everyone who has lost so much so fast. Its just unimaginable." Tina Knowles Beyonce's mom shared on Jan. 9 that "my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place" was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. "This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu," she captioned a video of the Pacific Ocean. "Now it is gone!!" The entrepreneur added, "God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions . We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives." Melissa Rivers The daughter of late Joan Rivers said her home burned down, though she was able to evacuate with necessities and a few treasured heirlooms. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son," she told CNN. "I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jhene Aiko The "Bad Peace" singer shared on Jan. 8 that "me and my children's home is gone." "Burned to the ground with all things inside," she wrote on Instagram Story. "Thankful we still have eachother. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy," Alabama Barker & Landon Barker Travis Barker's kids Landon and Alabama shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama posted on Instagram Story Jan. 7. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds." Jennifer Tilly The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and her husband Phil Laak evacuated to Commercea neighborhood southeast of Downtown Los Angelesto escape the Palisades Fire. She wrote on InstagramJan. 8, "Phil and I had to evacuate to the Commerce Casino." Ricki Lake The former talk show host shared on Jan. 8 that her house had been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Sharing throwback photos of the property, she wrote on Instagram, "Its all gone." "I lost our dream home," she continued. "It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second." She added, "This loss is immeasurable. Its the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden To the residents of Southern California: We are with you, the POTUS wrote in a Jan. 8 Instagram post. My team has provided 24/7 weather forecast support, sent 5 Air Tankers and 10 firefighting helicopters, prepositioned dozens of fire engines, approved grants to reimburse firefighting costs, and I've approved Governor Newsom's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. He added in a separate Instagram post, "To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you." Want to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires? Find out how you can get involved in relief efforts here. A Virginia state court ruled Wednesday that Gov. Glenn Youngkin broke the law by trying to remove the state from a multi-state program that limits harmful pollutants, reported Inside Climate News. The court found Youngkin overstepped his authority when he attempted to pull Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an 11-state agreement that pushes power companies to pay fees when they exceed pollution limits. Under state law, only Virginia's legislature can make that decision. Since joining RGGI in 2020, Virginia has raised over $827 million, with most of the money going directly to help families save on energy bills and protect communities from flooding. The program has already led to a 22% drop in power plant pollution across the state. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind "The wrong has been righted in this moment," said Billy Weitzenfeld, whose organization brought the lawsuit. His group, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, uses RGGI funds to help Virginia families weatherize their homes and cut energy costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling means Virginia can keep fighting rising temperatures while supporting residents who need it most. Half of RGGI's funding helps lower-income households save money through home energy improvements, while 45% goes toward protecting flood-prone areas. Youngkin plans to appeal the decision. His office claims RGGI acts as a "regressive tax" on Virginians, though many economists disagree with this view. "Future generations deserve a livable climate," said Nate Benforado, the environmental lawyer who won the case. "This ruling puts Virginia back on track to address and adapt to climate change at a critical moment." Michael Town of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters also celebrated the outcome: "The end result of this illegal rollback was dirtier air, more communities left exposed to floodwaters, and fewer tools to help Virginians cut energy costs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a wonderful day for everyone in Virginia," Weitzenfeld added, noting that local contractors and communities statewide will continue benefiting from the program's support. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. As the Illinois Appellate Court weighs arguments over the future of police discipline in Chicago, two rulings by the Chicago Police Board have been bolstered by Cook County judges. In one case, decided last month, Cook County Judge Michael Mullen denied an effort by Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling to impose discipline on an officer, James Hunt, whom the board cleared of wrongdoing in 2023. Hunt had faced administrative charges for his role in a chaotic arrest during the riots and unrest of summer 2020 in the wake of George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer. It was the first time since 2015 that the citys top cop filed a complaint for administrative review against the police board. Snelling said the boards findings are not supported by the record, are clearly erroneous, and/or are against the manifest weight of the evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the other case, ruled on in late October, Cook County Judge David Atkins upheld the police boards decision to fire a sergeant who was involved in the February 2019 raid at the home of social worker Anjanette Young. Court records show the sergeant, Alex Wolinski, is now appealing the Circuit Court decision. Representatives for the Chicago Police Department and the citys Law Department, which handles police board cases, declined to comment. An attorney for Wolinski did not respond to an inquiry. Hunt is currently assigned to the South Chicago District (4th), police said. Jim McKay, Hunts attorney, said in a statement to the Tribune: Officer James Hunt did nothing wrong during the George Floyd riots in Chicago that day. He never should have been charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence at the Chicago Police Board hearing was overwhelmingly in favor of Officer Hunt, McKay said. In fact, when the alleged victim testified at the hearing she identified some other officer as the offender. She testified that she never saw Officer Hunt. I submit that it was an easy decision for the Board and it was an easy decision for Judge Mullen. The police board voted in October 2023 to find Hunt not guilty of all the administrative charges brought against him. Hunt was accused of violating nine different CPD rules during the arrest of a woman who struck a police officer with her car as she tried to drive away from a violent scene near Kinzie and Dearborn streets. After he saw the collision, Hunt ran over to the vehicle and broke the rear drivers side window with his baton, records show. The driver was soon arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, but prosecutors later dropped the case. The boards decision to acquit Hunt was nearly unanimous. In its October ruling, board members said that attorneys for the city werent even close to proving Hunts guilt, though they said the officers behavior at the time of the arrest was not ideal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Hunt) acted in the best way he saw fit within the limited amount of time he had to ensure everyones safety in the context of a chaotic and violent scene, the board wrote in its decision. CPD records show Hunt joined the department in 2013. He was the subject of at least two other internal investigations in recent years. The Independent Police Review Authority cleared him in the fatal 2014 shooting of a 17-year-old boy in the Chatham neighborhood. Four years after that, Hunt was captured on cellphone video telling two men, I kill mother-. In Wolinskis case, 13 CPD tactical officers used a no-knock warrant based on bad information to enter Youngs Near West Side home on Feb. 21, 2019, in search of a man believed to have an illegal gun. Police body-camera footage of the raid showed officers handcuffed Young, who was naked when police arrived, as she repeatedly told them that they were in the wrong place. Less severe CPD misconduct cases are still being adjudicated internally, but decisions in the most serious cases those historically decided by the police board have slowed to a trickle over the last 18 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impasse stems from a 2023 union contract award that provides accused officers with an option: have their misconduct cases decided in public by the police board, or opt for a third-party arbitrator to hear and decide the case out of public view. So far, just six CPD officers have asked for board hearings. Meanwhile, both the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents rank-and-file CPD officers, have filed briefs with the Illinois Appellate Court. The citys contract with the FOP bars a superintendent from unilaterally firing an officer. If he could pluck an officer from the department, Snelling previously said, that would resolve a lot of issues. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan offered prayers at the historic 12th-century Kapilash temple during his visit to Dhenkanal, Odisha. The Union Minister on his visit held a meeting with the temple and district administration focusing on the development of the historical site. Pradhan also sought suggestions from the sevayats (temple priests) for the further development of the temple. He emphasised the need for the protection of the region's natural and forest resources, the enhancement of tourism, and the improvement of facilities for devotees within the temple premises. On January 10, the Union Minister expressed his gratitude following the successful conclusion of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). "The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas concluded with great success. In the final session here, the President honoured 27 NRIs. I wish you all the best... Thanks to the Chief Minister and his team for organising it successfully," the minister said while speaking to ANI. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling also expressed gratitude to key officials, stating, "As a member of the Cabinet of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, I thank External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi for giving us the opportunity to organise Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha. This will take Odisha to a new height in the tourism map..." Union Minister Jual Oram praised the event, noting, "It was a very good event, it was a great opportunity for all the people of Odisha. We got to learn and see a lot. I thank PM Modi and the Government of India for this. I thank the President for taking out time to come here... Odisha's culture, and lifestyle got a huge exposure through this event. It will contribute to the progress of Odisha in a big way." The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, held from January 8 to 10, is the flagship event organised by the Government of India to connect with the Indian diaspora. (ANI) Days before wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles area, California's insurance commissioner said carriers will be required to increase coverage in risky areas. In exchange, insurers got more leeway on how much they can charge homeowners. In the final days of 2024, the State of California announced a new regulation that was meant to help homeowners in risky areas obtain more access to insurance. The rule, which goes into effect later this month, requires carriers to offer coverage in wildfire-prone regions over time, specifically, by 5% every two years until they reach at least 85% of their statewide market share, according to a statement from Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Laras office on Dec. 30. In return, insurers can incorporate reinsurance costs in their calculations for what they will charge consumers. "Californians deserve a reliable insurance market that doesnt retreat from communities most vulnerable to wildfires and climate change," Lara said in the statement at the time, noting that all other states allow insurers to pass on reinsurance costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's after carriers have been fleeing the state in recent years, driven out by increasingly costly weather events, including previous fires that have wiped out company profits. In fact, State Farm dropped nearly 70% of its policies in Pacific Palisades last year. But just over a week after the new rule, the Los Angeles area erupted in flames as powerful winds fueled massive wildfires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and the San Fernando Valley. About 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. The latest estimate from AccuWeather puts damages at $135 billion to $150 billion, making it one of the worst wildfires in modern U.S. history. Even before the blazes scorched 36,000 acres and counting, advocacy group Consumer Watchdog warned that the state's new regulation could allow insurance companies to hike rates on homeowners by 40% to 50%and without a significant boost in coverage for wildfire-prone regions. California's insurance department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But Lara told CNN this week that he disputes those estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, homeowners who lost their previous insurance policies after carriers pulled back from California either had to go without any coverage or get it from the FAIR plan established by the state as an insurer of last resort. As of September, FAIR's exposure to residences was $458 billion, up 61% from a year earlier. That includes nearly $6 billion worth of property that FAIR was insuring in Pacific Palisades alone at that time. FAIR has maintained that it can pay out policyholders' claims, noting that state laws says it can tap primary insurers to recoup its costs. That's likely to get passed on to customers. So either way, whether from private sector insurers or the state's FAIR plan, California homeowners are facing the prospect of higher rates. More on the California wildfires: This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces backlash from across the city and beyond as catastrophic fires continue to burn for the fifth day. As of Saturday, Jan. 11, six active fires are raging across Southern California, killing at least 11 people and scorching more than 38,000 acres of land total, according to CalFire. The fires have also destroyed entire communities and forced at least 150,000 evacuations across the region. Although not all the fires are under Bass' jurisdiction, USA TODAY reports that the biggest blaze, the Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday and rapidly consumed thousands of homes, is under Bass' jurisdiction. As of Friday afternoon, the Palisades Fire had burned over 20,000 acres of land in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, who is Bass? Where is she now, and why is she facing political heat? Here's what to know. Who is Karen Bass? Karen Bass is a politician, social worker, and former physician assistant who currently serves as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles. She became the first woman and second Black person to be elected mayor of Los Angeles on Nov. 8, 2022, per the city's website. Her current term ends in 2026. Before serving as mayor, Bass, a Democrat, was the U.S. Representative for California's 37th congressional district from 2013 to 2022. She also previously represented the 33rd congressional district from 2011 to 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass began her political career in the California State Assembly, representing the 47th district from 2005 to 2010. During her final two years, Bass became the first Black woman in the country to serve as speaker of a state legislative chamber, per Ballotpedia. Bass was the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2019 to 2021. How old is Karen Bass? Karen Bass was born on Oct. 3, 1953, making her 71 years old. Where is Karen Bass from? Bass was born in Los Angeles to Wilhelmina, a homemaker, and DeWitt Talmadge Bass, a postal letter carrier. She and her three brothers were raised in LA's Venice and Fairfax neighborhoods. Bass graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She also graduated from USC's Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. Where does Karen Bass live? Bass currently lives in the Getty House, the official residence of the mayor of Los Angeles, located at 605 South Irving Boulevard in Windsor Square. Is Karen Bass married? Bass was married to Jesus Lechuga from 1980 to 1986. The couple had one daughter, Emilia Bass-Lechuga, who died in a car crash along with her husband Michael Wright in 2006. Lechuga went on to have four more children, Scythia, Omar, Yvette, and Ollin, after his marriage to Bass. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bass remained friends with Lechuga until his death sometime in the 2010s. She has also been active in her stepchildrens lives since their births. Where is Karen Bass now? The Associated Press reports that Bass returned to Los Angeles on Thursday by military transport from her diplomatic mission in Africa. Why was Karen Bass in Ghana? Bass was in West Africa to attend the inauguration of Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday. Jan 4. When did Karen Bass leave for Ghana? Bass departed for Accra, Ghana on Saturday, Jan. 4. USA TODAY adds that Bass was out of the country as the Palisades caught fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted by Sky News upon her return to the city on Wednesday, Bass declined to answer whether she owed Los Angeles residents an apology for her absence. In a Wednesday press conference, she said she was in "constant contact" during the fires and had taken the "fastest route back." Why is Karen Bass facing controversy? Bass is facing criticism over two issues in particular: a funding cut to the Los Angeles Fire Department in the fire-prone region and the timing of a diplomatic trip to Ghana as dangerous fire conditions loomed. What is Karen Bass' salary? As of 2023, the Los Angeles Mayor earned a salary of $304,434. USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Who is Karen Bass? Why was the LA Mayor in Ghana? What to know Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Sunday he is aware that the possible TikTok ban is controversial, yet the app has a national security risk to it. I imagine [theres going to] be a disruption in the service here, you know, starting on the 19th, Kelly told CBS Newss Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. I know this is controversial. I know there are folks out there that earn a living, you know, on TikTok, but it has a national security risk to it, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A law that passed Congress with expansive bipartisan support and was signed by President Biden last April requires TikTok to face a ban in the U.S. starting on Jan. 19 unless it divests from ByteDance, its Chinese-based parent company. TikTok is currently fighting at the Supreme Court to save the platform in the U.S., but it has received a cold response from the nations highest court. The social platform has said that divestment is practically impossible. A former solicitor general representing TikTok, Noel Francisco, previously told the Supreme Court that the app would in effect go dark and that the ban clashes with the First Amendment. Suppose that China used its leverage over Jeff Bezos, his international empire, including his Chinese businesses, to force The Washington Post to write whatever China wanted on the front page of the Post, Francisco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surely the government couldnt come in and say, Jeff Bezos, you need to either sell The Washington Post or shut it down,' he continued. During his Face the Nation appearance, Kelly said that when it comes to TikTok, he is worried about their ability to manipulate the population of the United States, especially in time of a conflict. So, it was the right decision. I voted for it. And it looks like the Supreme Court is gonna uphold the legislation that we passed, he added. The Hill has reached out to TikTok for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Russian attack on the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson severely damaged power grids, partially cutting the district off from electricity; heating networks were also damaged. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Mrochko stated at 14:30 that the electrical grid had been disrupted as a result of Russia's attack on Kherson's Dniprovskyi district. The district is left partially without electricity, with around 22,900 metering points cut off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, he stated that due to the power loss caused by the Russian attack, electric vehicle circulation in the city was temporarily restricted. The Dniprovsky district also suffered damage to its heating networks. Approximately 20 apartment blocks were left without heating. Mrochko later stated that after 15:00, the Russian army launched a drone attack on the Dniprovskyi district. Two people were injured: a man born in 1968 and a woman born in 1976 sustained mine-blast injuries; they are in hospital. A man injured in a Russian attack was brought to a Kherson hospital from the suburbs. The 58-year-old man suffered a mine blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his legs. Support UP or become our patron! The Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act (HB4781) was unanimously passed by the Illinois House. The bill is meant to prioritize placing kids in foster care with their family members and would create a streamlined certification process for family members to become licensed caregivers. It would also give relatives financial resources to help them care for the child and would require the department of child and family services to get federal funding to help families. Currently, family members go through the same licensing process as foster parents who arent related to a child. If theyre not a licensed caregiver, they dont get the same financial reimbursements as someone who is. If the bill becomes law, that would change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is headed to Governor JB Pritzkers desk. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Although the person suspected of ramming a pickup into a New Orleans crowd on New Year's Day, killing 14 people, was born and raised in the U.S., Republican politicians have sought to tie the attack to U.S. border security. Talking with anchor Jake Tapper on Jan. 5 on CNNs "State of the Union," Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said there are still a lot of unknowns about the New Orleans attack. Banks: "What we do know, at least in the New Orleans attack, I mean, this was a terrorist attack. An ISIS sympathizer carried out a plan that was premeditated and killed American people. A terrorist attack on American soil, we have to take it seriously. We don't know all the facts yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But we have got to get down to the reality of the matter that we have had 400 ISIS-smuggled people coming into our country that the Department of Homeland Security told us about last summer. And 50 of them, we don't know where they are. We don't know who they are or where they are. And we have to take that more seriously. I know President Trump will do that." Tapper: "Obviously, the terrorist threat is multifaceted. But this individual, by all indications, was an American citizen, was homegrown. "You said on Twitter that Trump was right when he immediately talked about this being an indication of how the border needs to be shut down. It's obviously, there shouldn't be terrorists crossing the border, but the wasn't that premature, given the fact that this was an American citizen, this particular case was not related to the border?" Banks: "Well, remember, you have to go back to Obama called ISIS the JV team of terrorism. And, obviously, they're not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a few more remarks about Trump and the Islamic State group, Banks continued, "And now we have we know that ISIS individuals are being smuggled over a wide-open border." Banks office did not respond to our query about what information he was citing. But he was likely referring to an NBC News report that relied on information from unnamed sources. According to NBC News, government officials said the Homeland Security Department had identified 400 immigrants who entered the U.S. through a smuggling network tied to the Islamic State group. However, there are no reports that the immigrants themselves are members of or affiliated with the group once known as ISIS. The Homeland Security Department and the FBI did not respond to PolitiFacts requests for comment. Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, said people are "rightly concerned" about chaos at the border, including historically high illegal immigration under Bidens presidency. But he said immigration and terrorism are being incorrectly conflated with the New Orleans attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The annual chance is about 1 in 4.6 million per year that an American will be killed in a terrorist attack on US soil committed by a foreign-born terrorist," Nowrasteh said, citing his research. In September 2023, Nowrasteh testified to Congress that his analysis of terrorist attacks in the U.S. from 1975 to 2022 showed that none of the people involved had crossed the southern border illegally. Reporting about the Islamic State group smuggling ring The details Banks cited match those in a June 25, 2024, NBC News report, which quoted three unnamed officials, who said the Homeland Security Department had identified 400 Central Asia immigrants as "subjects of concern" because they were brought into the U.S. via a human smuggling network affiliated with the Islamic State group. Of those, 150 were arrested and the whereabouts of 50 remained unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the 400 people, who entered the country in the past three years, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and were released to seek asylum because they were not on the FBIs terrorist watchlist. According to NBC, people affiliated with the Islamic State group worked as human smugglers in Central Asia. However, it was unclear "whether the human smuggling activity directly funds ISIS activity or whether ISIS members are making personal money through human smuggling on the side." In August 2023, almost a year before NBCs report, CNN reported, citing unnamed officials, that the FBI was investigating dozens of migrants who crossed the southern U.S. border with help from a smuggler with ties to the Islamic State group. "The ISIS-linked smuggler is not believed to be a member of the terror group, but more like an independent contractor who has personal sympathies with the organization, according to U.S. officials," CNN wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 26, 2024, after the NBC report, CNN reported that an unnamed official said the network responsible for smuggling the 400 migrants had ties to the network that brought in the dozens of migrants being investigated in August 2023. U.S. officials discuss the smuggling network During a March 2024 congressional hearing, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., now Trumps pick for secretary of state, asked FBI Director Christopher Wray about the smuggling organization. "There is a particular network where some of the overseas facilitators of the smuggling network have ISIS ties that were very concerned about, and that weve been spending an enormous amount of effort with our partners to investigate," Wray said. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a June 26 interview that there was no evidence any of the 400 people "are individuals plotting to harm the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a news conference the same day, a reporter said, "DHS confirmed that at least 400 migrants with potential ties to the Islamic State group recently crossed into the United States." Mayorkas disagreed. "That reporting is incorrect. We do not have identified 400 people with potential ISIS ties," Mayorkas said. "And let me again assure you that individuals who are identified to have those ties pose a concern to us from a public safety and security perspective, and they would be priorities for detention and removal." The Homeland Security Department has made no further public statements about the 400 people or the smuggling group, and it did not respond to PolitiFacts request for comment. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What do we know about a smuggling network affiliated with ISIS? Monday marks Korean American Day a time to recognize the culture and history of Korean Americans in Michigan and nationwide. Michigan is home to a population of more than 38,000 Korean Americans, as of 2020, according to Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote. "Today, the United States is home to the largest number of Korean immigrants of any country in the world. Through their steadfast devotion to family and community and their willingness to serve a cause greater than any one person, the strength and spirit of the Korean American community have propelled this land of opportunity toward a brighter future for all," President Joe Biden said in a Jan. 13, 2024, statement via the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the day. What is Korean American Day? Korean American Day is a day to honor the culture and contributions of Korean Americans. More: Honoring MLK Jr. in Michigan. What to know about the federal holiday When is Korean American Day in 2025? Korean American Day is Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. What are the origins of Korean American Day? Korean American Day gained formal recognition in the U.S. with the passage of congressional resolutions in 2005, according to the Korea Economic Institute of America. The Jan. 13 commemoration takes place annually to mark the first arrival of Korean immigrants to the U.S. on Jan. 13, 1903, the institute said. Who are some well-known Michigan Korean Americans? Michigan has been home to many well-known and successful Korean Americans, among them: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sang-Yong Nam arrived at the University of Michigan from Korea in 1964, with only $4 in his pocket, as a graduate student in the College of Architecture and Design. Nam, president and CEO of Nam Building Management Co. in Ann Arbor, became the largest benefactor of the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the International Institute, pledging more than $4 million and making it one of the top programs in the country. In the fall of 2010, the Center was named in his honor. Korean immigrant Ilhan New and American Wallace Wally Smith teamed up in Great Depression-era Detroit to start the La Choy Chinese food company, now owned by Conagra. Neither founder stuck around long. New returned to Korea in the mid-1920s, founding a pharmaceutical giant there, the Yuhan Corporation, and passing away in 1971; Smith was killed by a lightning strike in 1937. Daniel Henney, who was born in Carson City in 1979, is an actor known for such projects as "Big Hero 6," "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," and "The Last Stand." Actress Ashley Park was born in California, but raised in Ann Arbor. She graduated from the University of Michigan and is known for the movie "Joy Ride." How can you celebrate Korean American Day in Michigan? While there aren't many events planned for Korean American Day in Michigan, there are other ways to celebrate the day. Here are some ways you can honor Korean American Day in Michigan Monday and throughout 2025: The Korean American Community of Metro Detroit will host a Korean American Day event on Saturday. Check out the Woon-Hyung Lee and Korea Foundation Gallery of Korean Art at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The collection features Korean pottery, decorative arts, furniture and painting. If you're looking to connect with your Korean roots, Sae Jong Camp is an annual Korean heritage youth summer camp held at Camp Westminster in Roscommon. Support local Korean-owned businesses. Michigan is home to more than 50 Korean restaurants, cafes, bakeries and grocery stores. Visit the Korean American Cultural Center of Michigan in Southfield for year-round cultural activities, health programs, education and counseling services, cultural exchange events, Korean and English classes and more. For those in west Michigan, Grand Rapids-based nonprofit Korean Connection provides events throughout the year to spread awareness of Korean culture and build relationships between South Korea and west Michigan communities. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Monday to mark Korean American Day in Michigan HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) After a short search, a suspect involved a domestic incident in Breckinridge County has been arrested. Julio Ceballos, also known as Julio Morales, has been identified as the suspect in this incident was considered armed and dangerous. KSPs Trooper Scotty Sharp shared information on Ceballos on social media. Julio Ceballos (Courtesy: Kentucky State Polices Trooper Scotty Sharp) Kentucky State Police say two deputies responded to reports of a domestic incident when troopers say he fired a gun and hit two cruisers. One of the deputies was shot and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness News. Everywhere You Are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). The collapse of an under-construction structure at Kannauj Railway Station has left six people seriously injured but they are out of danger, said a top police official on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, Kanpur Commissioner K Vijayendra Pandian said that no casualties have been reported in the incident and out of 28 rescued people, 15 individuals have been discharged from the hospital after treatment. "Around 28 people have been rescued. They were admitted to the hospital. 15 people have been discharged. 6 people are seriously injured but out of danger. There are no head injuries. Some people have received fractures. They are under observation. We have inspected by drone and manually. SDRF snipper dogs have been pressed into service. No casualties have been reported yet. The debris will be cleared in some time. 28 people have been identified," Pandian said. Earlier, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state following the collapse of an under-construction lintel at Kannauj Railway Station and called for maximum assistance to the victims. Akhilesh Yadav said, "The incident that took place in Kannauj is very sad. Safety should have been maintained during the construction which was neglected and this incident took place. We hope that all the labourers are safe. This is a case of both negligence and corruption on the part of the BJP. This is the first time we are seeing that when a contractor is allocated work then it is outsourced twice, and later people from BJP exert pressure that till they would not be benefitted the work will not progress." He further mentioned that as a result of this, the contractors have to compromise with the quality. "The contractors have to compromise with quality and there are inadequate safety measures. Quality has deteriorated as a result of such incidents are taking place. This is a failure from the government side. We demand that the government should ensure all the medical facilities and other facilities for all the victims. We demand to provide maximum aid to these workers," he added. On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya assured that action would be taken against those found guilty. He said, "The government's instruction is that immediate relief and rescue work should be done there. The accident will be investigated and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty." (ANI) Smoldering beachfront homes. Charred vehicles. A Starbucks patio destroyed. A childs playhouse in a burn-scarred backyard. A firefighter at work. These are among the searing images captured on Jan. 10 in areas of Malibu and Pacific Palisades devasted by the wildfire storm that ignited on Jan. 7. The inferno has been fueled by Santa Ana winds of unprecedented strength. The pictures that follow underscore the enormity of the loss and the long road ahead to recovery. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photographs by Variety contributor Michael Buckner. Reporting by Gene Maddaus, Varietys senior media writer. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bay Theater Bay Theater Netflix took over the five-screen Bay Theater in 2021. The theater and most of the Palisades Village are still standing, though they are surrounded by devastation in all directions. A shop a few doors down from the theater was burned, and the mall was empty and eerily quiet, except for the ring of a security alarm in the distance. Air Tanker Above Pacific Coast Highway Air Tanker Above Pacific Coast Highway Days after the Palisades Fire left a trail of destruction along Pacific Coast Highway, air tankers continued to fight the flames a couple of ridgelines away. Childs Play House Childs Play House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A childs play house is left standing at a home in the Palisades. Antioch Street Antioch Street Two men survey the damage in the pale light of Antioch Street, which was thick with ash and soot. Behind them, charred palm trees cast sticklike shadows on the wall. Jacob Soboroff in Pacific Palisades Jacob Soboroff in Pacific Palisades NBC News reporter Jacob Soboroff, who grew up in the Palisades, interviews Albino Fuentes outside Cafe Vida, where Fuentes worked for 15 years. Were going to bring this back, Fuentes told the reporter. Carbon Beach Carbon Beach Carbon Beach is one of the most desirable beachfronts in the world. Some of these homes have sold recently for around $20 million. Carbon Beach West View Carbon Beach West View Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The famous Carbon Beach as seen from the west. One house still smolders while others have been torched to the ground. Carbon Beach Pool Carbon Beach Pool David Geffen sold his famous Carbon Beach estate for a record-setting $85 million in 2017 to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, according to the Real Deal. This is what remains of the pool. The estate was once the focus of Geffens long-running battle over public beach access. Beach House on Fire Beach House on Fire Flame still crackled from the cellar of this beach house, two days after fire swept through Pacific Coast Highway. The Spanish-style home was gutted, though the home next door, which sold for $27 million in 2023, was still standing. Smoldering Beach House Smoldering Beach House Another view of the Carbon Beach home Carbon Beach House in Ruins Carbon Beach House in Ruins Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few doors up from Geffens former estate, another beach house lies in ruins. Carbon Beach House on Sand Carbon Beach House on Sand Another Carbon Beach home burned down to the sand. Carbon Beach Beachfront Home Carbon Beach Beachfront Home Some homes on the ridge above Carbon Beach were still intact, while the beachfront homes below were completely destroyed. Charred Car Charred Car A charred vehicle on the hill overlooking the Palisades. Charred Vehicles Charred Vehicles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A view of the a home destroyed from the Palisades Fire on January 10, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Beach House Chimney Beach House Chimney Chimneys dot the landscape in the Palisades and along Pacific Coast Highway, after the Palisades Fire reduced many homes to rubble. In other places, all thats left between the road and the beach are spiral staircases. Tree Swing Tree Swing The fire torched trees, melted plastic and charred anything made of wood, including this childs swing, along a sidewalk in the Palisades. Palisades Community Church Palisades Community Church Community United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary three years ago. Palisades Community Church Palisades Community Church Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary three years ago. The church tower dates from 1929, and several additions have been built over the years. The church burned to the ground. Palisades Community Church Cross Palisades Community Church Cross Pastor John Shaver of Community United Methodist Church told NBC4 that the church plans to rebuild. My heart is breaking as I see it, he told the station, though he took solace that this cross survived. Thats been my focal point. When I start breaking down a little bit inside, I keep looking at the cross to know God is guiding me through this. Palisades Flag Palisades Flag The flag in front of Palisades Charter Elementary School was singed by the flames. Much of the school, which sits a few blocks from the entrance to Temescal Canyon, was destroyed, though the administration building is largely intact. Palisades Home Palisades Home Entire neighborhoods in the Pacific Palisades were destroyed. Here, a house has been reduced to charred walls and palm trees and some loose tile. Palisades Storefront Palisades Storefront Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the street from the Palisades Village, this commercial building was completely destroyed. The flag in the background stands on Sunset Boulevard, outside what used to be Casa Nostra Trattoria. Paliskates Paliskates Paliskates, a skate shop in the Palisades Village, was gutted by fire while shops around it were unharmed. Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio The oversized chairs and table are all that is left of Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio on Pacific Coast Highway. The oak barrels out front have burned, leaving piles of metal hoops. Charred Road Sign Charred Road Sign What remains of the road sign at Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, on Pacific Coast Highway. Starbucks Village Green Starbucks Village Green Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks patrons used to sit on this patio, which faces the Village Green, a triangular park across the street. Wylies Bait & Tackle Wylies Bait & Tackle A photograph of the Wylies Bait & Tackle along Californias Pacific Coast Highway that has been destroyed by the Palisades Fire in Malibu, California on January 10, 2025. Firefighter at Work Firefighter at Work Firefighters from across the state came to the Palisades to help. Here, a firefighter from San Ramon Valley, in the Bay Area, helps douse embers at a home that burned on Haverford Avenue. Since the Palisades and Eaton wildfires erupted on Jan. 7 two of the biggest and most destructive in Californias history the deployment of private firefighters has again become a politicized talking point. Such concierge-style protection first gained public notice after the Woolsey blaze in 2018, when TMZ reported that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West had hired a private team to help save their Hidden Hills compound. This time, discourse flames were renewed by a wealthy Palisades residents online post inquiring about such services: Does anyone have access to private firefighters? he wrote. Will pay any amount. (He received so much blowback that he deactivated his account.) Meanwhile, the billionaire real estate developer and former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso successfully utilized a private team to protect his Palisades Village shopping complex even as the immediate neighborhood around it was reduced to rubble. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the reality of private firefighting is more complicated and perhaps at least somewhat less contentious. Most of this private sectors portfolio isnt with private property owners. Instead, its either utility companies whose infrastructure requires careful upkeep (recall that it was a PG&E transmission line that caused the 2018 Camp Fire, resulting in 85 deaths and bankrupting that firm); major insurers like AIG and Chubb, who offer mitigation services to their policyholders; and government jurisdictions supplementing their fire departments, or lack thereof. Much of the work is preventative: the digging of fire breaks, installation of a sprinkler systems, and introduction of fire-retardant gels. According to The New York Times, fire crews can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 a day. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the going rate per private firefighter is about $70 per hour, not including food and lodging. More than anything, these firefighters are keen to make it clear that they arent rogue actors when involved in a wildfire effort on behalf of their client, including private property owners especially since their public-sector colleagues have in the past expressed wariness about their participation. From the standpoint of first responders, they are not viewed as assets to be deployed, Carroll Wills, a spokesperson for California Professional Firefighters, a labor union, told the Los Angeles Times after the Woolsey fire. Theyre viewed as a responsibility. We operate within guidelines established by the state and federal regulations under the direction of and inclusion in the fire incident command system, explains Robert MacKenzie, fire chief at Escondido, California-based Capstone, which currently has 30 wildfire engines deployed throughout Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adds Tom Wesley, who runs Mountaineers Fire Crew out of Redding, California, and has sent a substantial number of personnel downstate to assist with the ongoing infernos: If Jim or Jill landowner is requesting us, were operating out of the base camp, with a tracking system on our engine to communicate with the [municipal] commander. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair urged President-elect Trump to visit the burning region in a Friday letter to the incoming leader. Ive sent a letter to President-Elect @realDonaldTrump inviting him to engage in wildfire recovery efforts and to visit the County to see the impact firsthand, Kathryn Barger wrote in a post on X with the screenshots of the letter. The White Houses engagement allows for the rapid deployment of federal resources, including emergency personnel and financial assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barger said Trumps visit would uplift the local community suffering from the wildfires damage. By accepting this invitation, Mr. President-Elect, you will join us in supporting our citizenry and thanking our heroic first responders, who have risked their own lives to save others, Barger explained. We would also ask you, as our President, to stand with the people of Los Angeles County as we set our course to rebuild. Your presence would be deeply felt and appreciated. In her letter, she reflected on a previous visit from the former president after the Woolsey Fire in Malibu. Barger said its time for him to return in the wake of disaster and devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would be greatly encouraged, and our success enhanced, if you came to Los Angeles to stand with us, as you have in the past, as our President, the chair emphasized. The states Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) also issued a similar request after facing critiques from Trump on the preparation and handling of the wildfires. Trump has been a vocal critic of the states Democratic leadership in the wake of the fires, taking shots at Newsom that included calling for his resignation. One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground, Trump posted to Truth Social late Wednesday evening. Its ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UPDATE 2:20 p.m. The Palisades fire remains at only 11% contained with over 4,700 personnel assigned to this incident, according to a press conference update on Sunday afternoon. Rich Thompson, the National Weather Service meteorologist assigned to the Palisades, said that a red flag warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday as gusty Santa Ana winds are expected to continue. UPDATE 1:30 p.m. Residents by the hundreds are being turned away at several checkpoints going toward the Palisades Fire area, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday, as people sought to view the charred remains of homes and take photos and mementos. The paper caught up with 30-year-old roommates Noah Martin, Chetan Munugala and J.J. Amis, who said the trio hiked four miles to find some closure. They also retrieved passports and valuables from a safe at a friends home nearby. Ive always felt like this is the only place in the world Id ever want to live, Martin told the Times. Ive never found anywhere better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE 11:45 a.m.: At least 16 people were reported missing from the Palisades and Eaton fires, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a Sunday press conference. Luna said that dozens more reports of missing have surely come in overnight, and that the number of officially missing would surely rise. That count did not include the 16 reported deaths, and there were no children among the reported missing so far. I expect or anticipate that the number of missing persons will absolutely go up, Luna said. Hour by the hour, the numbers increase. PASADENA, CALIFORNIA Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during an Eaton Fire press conference at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) UPDATE 11 a.m.: Quite literally at the 11th hour, the Producers Guild of America has decided to delay its nominations until next week. PGA nominees were expected at 11 a.m. on Sunday after the guild extended its voting window and rescheduled once already, but a rep instead released a statement saying: Out of care and concern for those being affected by the fires, we will be holding the announcement of the PGA award nominees until next week. The voting window was not extended again, however. UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Law enforcement officials say 29 people were arrested in Los Angeles fire zones overnight for looting and other attempted scams, including one man dressed as a firefighter who was detained on suspicion of burglary. Of those, 25 were in the Eaton Fire zone while four were in the Palisades, according to the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire zones were still under curfew, with the National Guard and local and county police stepping up patrols. Members of the Army National Guard eat lunch along Pacific Coast Highway while on deployment to assist with various fires in Los Angeles on January 10, 2025. (Photo by Zoe Meyers / AFP) PREVIOUSLY SUNDAY: Firefighters made progress this weekend against the still-raging Palisades fire, focusing their efforts on protecting Brentwood and Encino from the fringes of the areas largest blaze, which has now consumed more than 23,000 acres and 5,300 structures but was still only 11% contained. Officials updated the overall death toll Sunday to 16, with more than 10,000 structures destroyed. The multiple fires were already being discussed as the most catastrophic in U.S. history. Time was working against them: The forecast calls for several more days of Santa Ana winds into this week gusting at more than 75 mph. Forecasters said the heightened fire danger conditions that peaked Saturday night will re-manifest Monday night through Tuesday, raising concerns that the Eaton Fire that destroyed much of Altadena could push further to the south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the latest updates from fire officials: Palisades Fire: Homes, businesses and landmarks numbering more than 5,300 have been burned across 23,707 acres since Sunday in the Pacific Palisades and along the PCH toward Malibu. The fire was only 11% contained as of Sunday morning. Evacuation warnings and orders were still in place in the Palisades, Malibu and Santa Monica; the fire also sparked up evacuation orders in Calabasas, Encino and Brentwood, with another 12,000 structures under threat. ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA People hug in a neighborhood where a large portion of the homes burned in the Eaton Fire. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Eaton Fire: Though only 15% contained as of Sunday morning, the fire that has so far burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena relented somewhat, as evacuation orders in the Chevy Chase and Glenoaks canyons were lifted. The blaze has so far consumed more than 7,000 structures. Kenneth Fire: The only L.A. wildfire that is now 100% contained, and evacuation orders have been lifted. The blaze burned 1,052 acres at the border between Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurst Fire: Now 76% contained, the Hurst fire has burned 779 acres near Sylmar, and evacuation orders were lifted. The post LA Firefighters Battle the Clock as Winds Threaten to Return This Week, Death Toll Rises to 16 appeared first on TheWrap. OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) As firefighters continue to battle wildfires burning throughout Los Angeles, the wind is bringing some of the smoke to the San Diego region, causing a dip in air quality and prompting North County fire officials to issue a smoke advisory. In northern San Diego County, residents might see and smell smoke in the air this weekend. Firefighters race to contain Los Angeles wildfires with menacing winds forecast to return Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air quality in North County including in Oceanside, Fallbrook, Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido and San Marcos was moderate all day Saturday, which is above the normal good air quality residents normally have, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)s resource AirNow.gov. The North County Fire Protection District Saturday afternoon issued a smoke advisory due to drift smoke from the ongoing fires. They did note there is no threat to the community. Deaths from L.A. County wildfires now at 10, medical examiners office says This comes as the wildfires continue to burn in parts of Los Angeles, while firefighters are racing against mother nature as the National Weather Service (NWS) has once again forecast more Santa Ana winds to hit the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press reports those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. San Diego-area hotels offering help for people impacted by L.A. fires NWS on Saturday said Santa Ana winds will bring gusty winds and elevated to critical fire weather conditions to inland areas Saturday evening and Sunday. The winds are forecast to die down Sunday night, before picking back up Monday through Wednesday. Santa Ana winds will bring gusty winds and elevated to critical fire weather conditions to inland areas Saturday evening and Sunday. Winds 25-35 mph gusting to 55 mph for Inland Empire, Orange County, Santa Ana Mtns, San Bernardino County Mtns. Winds 10-20 mph gusting to 35 mph in San Diego/Riverside County Mountains and Valleys (Credit: National Weather Service) Weak to moderate Santa Ana winds will continue for inland areas through midweek. These winds in combination with critically low relative humidity values will result in elevated to critical fire weather conditions for inland areas (Credit: National Weather Service) How close are the Los Angeles fires to San Diego? Winds around 25-35 mph, up to 55 mph, are expected for Inland Empire, Orange County, Santa Ana mountains, and San Bernardino County mountains. San Diego/Riverside County mountains and valleys can expect winds 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a Red Flag Warning has been extended for parts of Inland Empire, San Bernardino County mountains, San Gorgonio Pass, Santa Ana mountains and Inland Orange County through Wednesday, San Diego County inland mountains and valleys and Riverside County mountains are under a fire weather watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon because of strong gusty winds and low relative humidity. Photos: Smoke, smoldering homes and flames as wildfires ravage Los Angeles area You can check the real-time air quality of your city at AirNow.gov. More information on air quality can be found at epa.gov/air-quality. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on X tips for creating a Wildland Fire Action Plan to help residents prepare for a major wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Another round of lake effect snow could dump plenty of the white stuff on Northern New York. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for both Jefferson and Lewis counties starting at 4 p.m. Monday, January 13. This alert will last until 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 15. Forecasters said that one to two feet of snow could fall in the most persistent lake effect snow areas of the Eastern Lake Ontario region. The greatest accumulations could be expected across the Tug Hill Plateau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winds may also gust as high as 35 miles per hour during this lake effect snow event. Those winds could cause blowing and drifting snow. Travel could be very difficult with very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads. The hazardous conditions will impact the commutes on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. These heavy snows usually fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be ready for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted to move the Laken Riley Act forward to another art of the legislative process. The Laken Riley Act, also titled S. 5, moved past the potential hurdle of a filibuster on bipartisan grounds, with 84 senators voting to allow the bill to progress. The bills next step on Capitol Hill will be a roll call vote to head to the floor of the U.S. Senate. According to congressional documents, that vote is expected to happen at 5:30 p.m. Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Georgia Rep. Mike Collins introduced the legislation last year, and reintroduced it for the 119th Congress, aimed at addressing what he said were failures of the Biden administrations border policies in response to Laken Rileys death in Athens in February 2024. She was killed on the University of Georgia campus while jogging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the bill ends up fully passing the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives without any further changes or amendments, it could be one of the first pieces of legislation President-elect Donald Trump signs into law after taking the oath of office. The incoming president is expected to be inaugurated on Jan. 20. RELATED STORIES: As far as what the bill does, the Laken Riley Act would create new layers of government action at the state level for immigration and also creates new law enforcement requirements related to undocumented migrants entering and remaining in the United States if accused of various crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 2 Action News has previously covered the provisions of the bill, when it passed the House with all Republican members voting in favor along with 48 Democrats. As Channel 2 Action News previously reported, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would have to detain non-U.S. nationals who are arrested for burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting, if the Laken Riley Act passes. The bill also allows states to sue the U.S. government for decisions or alleged failures to enforce immigration law, according to the bill summary. Homeland Security must also detain individuals in the U.S. unlawfully or who do not have the necessary documents with them to apply for admission into the country, as well as any charged with, arrested for, or who have admitted to committing acts that constitute the essential elements or burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The 2000s were mired in controversies for beef producers in the U.S. with about 50 countries, including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, banning beef imports from the country. This followed the first case of mad cow disease, reported in Washington state in 2003, in a cow imported from Canada. By 2006, the impact of this incident had started to wane. However, an incident in 2008 reignited concerns after a California meat company recalled roughly 143 million pounds of meat in what became one of the biggest food recalls in the history of America. It was four times bigger than the previous record when 35 million pounds of ground beef were recalled by Thorn Apple Valley in 1999 in Arkansas, after testing positive for listeria. In February 2008, an animal rights group released videotapes showing downer cows (cows that cannot walk) at animal auctions being pushed with forklifts and sprayed with water to force them to stand long enough to be cleared for slaughter. While animal cruelty was one of the primary concerns, another was food safety, as downer cows pose a risk of diseases. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had banned downer cows after the 2003 incident. The videos led to Westland/Hallmark Meat Company recalling the meat in 2008. Read more: The Unexpected Meat You Need To Avoid Grilling At All Costs Some Meat Had Already Been Sent To Schools Kids getting school lunch in cafeteria. - Sdi Productions/Getty Images The beef in question was produced over a period of two years. By the time the recall occurred, about half of the beef had been distributed -- most of it (around one-third) to school lunch programs. Westland/Hallmark Meat Company produced one-fifth of all the meat used in federal school lunch programs at the time, according to CBS News. About 50 million pounds of the meat had already been sent to schools in 36 states. Reports said that more than 20 million pounds of it had already been consumed by school children, while 15 million pounds were destroyed after being pulled out of school freezers and efforts were made to trace the other 15 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, the recall was classified as Class II, meaning the health risk from the beef was low, unlike a Class I recall -- which means it could cause serious health consequences or death. No illnesses were reported in the weeks that followed. However, the incident sparked significant public outrage, especially as it raised concerns about the health and safety of children. The Incident Prompted Tougher Regulations A female worker inspecting meat at a processing factory. - BearFotos/Shutterstock The Westland/Hallmark recall led to much-needed changes in the nation's food safety policies. One change was a complete ban on downer cows for human consumption. This ban differed from the 2003 ban, which allowed cows that passed initial inspections but couldn't walk later (such as during transport) to still be approved for slaughter after re-inspection. The 2008 ban closed this loophole. The second change was the USDA's decision to begin informing consumers if their local grocery store was selling contaminated meat or poultry. Before this, the USDA did not disclose where the recalled products were being sold. The new rule would apply only to recalls that could cause serious health risks or death, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems. Given that beef is the second most widely consumed meat in America after chicken (per Statista), with Americans consuming an average of about 57 pounds of beef per person per year (per the USDA), these changes came to be important milestones in raising the bar for food safety measures in the country. To date, it remains the largest beef recall in the country, although incidents have not let up, with a 2024 recall of more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef due to concerns over E. coli. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attended the National Youth Day Programme on the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in Lucknow. Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said that one should be proud of their spiritual and cultural heritage and along with it, they should not deprive themselves of modern knowledge and science, adding that there should be better coordination between these two things. "Swami Vivekananda had said that the bigger the challenge, the more beautiful the victory... This can be an inspiration for the youth even today... Be proud of your spiritual and cultural heritage, but do not deprive yourself of modern knowledge and science. There should be better coordination between these two things," CM Yogi said. CM Yogi further said that the youth of the country are getting a new direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I welcome all the people who have come to this program of Yuva Mahotsav. I welcome all the youth who have come from different districts of the state. Today the whole country is celebrating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Many events related to youth are being organized in the country. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the youth of the country are getting a new direction. Swami Vivekananda had given a message to everyone that every Indian should have a feeling of patriotism. Swami Vivekananda has worked to inspire the country. He had taken the knowledge of India forward. This inspiration of Swami Vivekananda was a new idea for the independence of the country. With the same ideal, many schemes are being run for the youth under the leadership of the Prime Minister," he said. The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. His inspiring life and empowering message urge the youth to nurture their dreams, unleash their energies, and shape a future worthy of his envisioned ideals. The youth, defined as those within the age group of 15-29 years, make up nearly 40 per cent of India's total population. Representing the most vibrant and dynamic segment of society, this group constitutes the nation's most valuable human resource. With their limitless potential, the youth hold the power to propel India to new heights of progress and innovation. National Youth Day serves as a moment to acknowledge, celebrate, and harness this potential, inspiring young minds to contribute meaningfully to the nation's development. (ANI) As new laws take effect for Californians this year, one rule affecting farmers stands out: the near-total ban of agriculture burning. For more than a century, farmers have torched piles of aging or diseased trees, vines and other farming debris in open fields. The black, acrid smoke could be seen for miles. Burning was easy, cheap and effective. But in the San Joaquin Valley, the states agricultural heartland, the deep-rooted practice of burning has also contributed to the regions poor air quality and its related health problems, including asthma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tired of seeing the regions air quality worsen, former California state senator Dean Florez introduced a bill in 2003 that would change all that. Although the bill passed and became law, it would take 20 years for it to be enacted, as it was delayed by regulators and opposition from farmers. But the excuses finally ran out, Florez said, and the law took effect this month. My sole goal has always been to eliminate agricultural burning a vestige of the past that I remember vividly from my childhood in the Central Valley, Florez wrote in an e-mail. Growing up, I often wondered why those plumes of fire and smoke were allowed to darken our skies. It symbolized an outdated practice that needed to change, and Ive carried that vision with me ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florez, who left the state legislature in 2010, joined the California Air Resources Board in 2016 to shepherd the new law through. When I joined CARB, it was with the understanding that this was the regulatory body capable of finally closing this chapter. The local air district had used loopholes to perpetuate agricultural burning, and I knew my role as a regulator would be critical to seeing this practice eliminated once and for all, Florez said. A fire burns in an orchard in Tulare County, California, in this file photo from December 2003. Alternative methods include air curtain burners Part of the farmers concerns about the new law was the added cost of hiring a shredding company to break down trees, limbs and vineyards so they can be worked into the soil. To help offset the added costs of not burning, the California Legislature appropriated $180 million to CARB for the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Control District grant program for farmers using alternative methods, including chipping and shredding and a low-smoke burning system called an air curtain burner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air curtain burner is a large metal fire box that uses a high-velocity fan to blow across the top of the burning material, creating a curtain of air that traps smoke and unburned particles, forcing them back into the fire to be burned completely. An air curtain burner can reduce smoke and particulate matter by as much as 90%, according to industry estimates. Farmers respond to California ag burning ban One Fresno County wine grape grower has already used the burner to dispose of 800 acres of grape varieties that have fallen out of favor with consumers. The grower plans to replant with newer, more popular varieties. Vineyard manager Hortencia Alvarado estimates the cost of using the air curtain burner was about $650 an acre. The company also applied to the grant program to try and recoup some of the costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be a challenge to adapt to a new way of doing things, but we have to, Alvarado said. Its a scary time, but also an interesting one. We have lots of new things to learn. Nick Davis, a diversified farmer in Madera County, said he understands that the industry needs to change some of its practices, like agriculture burning, if it wants to survive in California. Most farmers know the direction we are going, Davis said, and even though it is going to be a challenge, we support the changes. A pile of almond branches burns along an orchard southeast of Kerman, California, in this file photo from December 2003. Demand for air curtain burners One Stanislaus County company that provides air curtain burners has been slammed with requests for their burn boxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randy Baranek, project manager for Fowler Brothers Farming in Waterford, has been hired by everyone from four-acre farmers to some of the largest wine grape growers in the state. If we need to, we can burn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Baranek said. The air curtain burners are allowed because they produce a fraction of the smoke and harmful small particulate matter generated through open air burning. The new law also provides minor exemptions such as the burning of small amounts of material due to disease issues or state-ordered removals, safety or water quality concerns that preclude alternative methods, and specific cases like vegetative materials on rice field levees or diseased beehives, Florez said. Jan. 11One of the first constituent calls Alexandra Wylie answered as the newly hired district legislative aide for state Rep. Tara Lujan was as she put it kind of chaotic. The caller, a man, was upset. He said his dog had cancer. He didn't have the money to pay for its surgery. He insisted Lujan, a Santa Fe Democrat, knew someone who could fork over the cash. Wylie took a deep breath. Then she went to work, researching free veterinary services before calling the man back to pass along the information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think we got it handled correctly even though it was, at first, a little bit startling," said Wylie, 23. Her intervention reflects a new way of doing business with New Mexico's legislative leaders: For the first time, members of the state Legislature have full-time paid staff. Wylie is among the first wave of aides lawmakers have started to hire as part of a larger effort to professionalize the Legislature, which is the last remaining citizen, or all-volunteer, legislature in the country. After a set of policies approved last year paved a path for each of New Mexico's 112 lawmakers to hire a legislative aide, some legislators are focused on what they consider the next logical step to modernize the Legislature: a salary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers are once again planning to introduce a constitutional amendment in the upcoming 60-day session that would do away with a ban on legislative salaries and create an independent commission to set their pay. 'You kind of get what you pay for' Though similar efforts have failed in the past, advocates of the modernization effort contend the hiring of district legislative aides helps their case as the staffers start to deliver results, from answering constituent calls to doing research. "We have a governor with a strong voice," said Rep. Joy Garratt, an Albuquerque Democrat who has advocated for full-time staff. "We have the judiciary, but because we are so part-time, I feel the legislative voice doesn't have the prominence it should." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A paid Legislature "is part of a broader need to modernize how your state representatives and senators support the districts and the constituents," said Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos. New Mexico remains the only state in the country that does not pay its legislators a regular salary, although they do qualify for retirement benefits and receive mileage and per diem during legislative sessions and other meetings. "I think that you kind of get what you pay for in some cases," Ortez said. "It is a full-time job, but I am a working mom with two children, and I have to get paid to live as well, and that is just the reality of the situation for many of our legislators who are struggling on the daily with balancing paid work and civil service. I think it's kind of ridiculous." Ortez said she's only able to handle the job of being a legislator because of her support network, which includes a partner and an ex-husband who are extremely supportive, a mother who flies into New Mexico to help her care for her children during legislative sessions and friends who also pitch in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can't it do unless you have a network of people," she said. A salary for legislators would allow a more diverse group of people to serve, she said. "It just opens it up to the possibility of actually having representation that truly represents the people of New Mexico," she said. 'There's only one of me' Meanwhile, lawmakers say the hiring of district legislative aides has lifted a weight on their shoulders and allowed them to serve their constituents better. "There's only one of me," Garratt said. "I have a part-time job that I do myself, so it just means that the needs, requests, concerns of New Mexicans can be met in a more thorough and punctual way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My district legislative aide attends meetings when we're double booked," state Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos, said during a recent legislative preview event hosted by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. "I was in Las Vegas [on Tuesday morning] for a major countywide meeting. She was on a Zoom with Torrance County, so that way we can get all of our business done at the same time," she said. In an interview, Stefanics said she and her legislative aide "are finding [their] way together." "I'm hoping it's going to give the constituents some more access to services," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policies approved by the Legislative Council last year to allow for the hiring of legislative aides also allow for liaisons for each caucus in the House and Senate. The Legislative Council Service estimated it would need eight to 10 additional staff to provide administrative and logistical support for a total of 120 to 125 new employees. Most aides are getting paid about $57,786 a year. The state is rolling out the hiring in phases. Incumbent lawmakers who ran unopposed in November were allowed to hire a district legislative aide first. Incumbents who won contested races will be next, followed by new lawmakers, including those who were elected to a different chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some legislative aides work in offices, including existing government buildings, while others work remotely. In certain instances, lawmakers in overlapping or neighboring legislative districts are eyeing regional offices. State Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, said he unknowingly hired his district legislative aide before lawmakers had the green light to do so. "I called her right away and started to feed her stuff to do," he said, adding the aide, Donna Cyr, is uniquely qualified for the job after previously working for former U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, as well as during last year's legislative session. Gallegos said he was anxious to bring on a legislative aide who could help him handle a broad range of constituent concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he didn't remember whether he was supportive of full-time paid staff for legislators at the outset but his aide has already proven effective. She's taken on a wide variety of tasks, he said. "I guess my normal knee-jerk reaction is, 'What is it going to cost and who are we taking it away from?' Last in education. Last in public safety. There's so many things we're last in, that, I think I was cautious," he said. "But I think I see the value of it," Gallegos added. "If we're going to do this anyway, I think my constituents deserve first-class treatment, and that's what this sort of does. It steps up what I've done for the last 12 years [in the Legislature] and gives me a level of expertise that will focus on each one of my constituent needs in a different dimension than what I do on my own." A work in progress Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawna Casebier, director of the Legislative Council Service, said she didn't know how many eligible lawmakers have already hired a so-called DLA, or district legislative aide. "I know our HR department is working tirelessly to get them onboarded, get the paperwork ready, get them set up to do their work," she said. Casebier said their duties are set in policy adopted by the Legislative Council, a bipartisan group of lawmakers. "District legislative aides may provide support that would include correspondence, scheduling, policy research, constituent services at the local level, organization of nonpartisan town halls and other duties assigned by the legislator," she said, adding any questions about the appropriateness of a duty should be referred to the Legislative Council Service and the district office liaison for discussion. "I do understand that legislators are asking DLAs to perform a wide variety of tasks," she said. "Some legislators may be more focused on the administrative assistance a DLA will provide and others are looking at more policy work from their DLA." By state statute, the offices of the chief clerks are responsible for state-level constituent services, Casebier said. "We are providing the DLAs with trainings to assess what is a local issue of concern versus a state-level issue of concern that should be referred to the chief clerks," she said. Casebier said the hiring of legislative aides is going smoothly but called it a work in progress. "There are certainly a lot of questions and policy points that were not initially contemplated in the policy that was adopted by the Legislative Council," she said. "So the working group that the Legislative Council appointed to consider the issues continues to meet, and that group will be bringing back policy recommendations." Lujan, the Santa Fe Democrat whose district legislative aide is Wylie, said the staff support has freed her to focus on developing legislation and handling other high-level duties. She called Wylie an "exceptional" employee with outstanding organizational skills. "She's already cleaned up all my email," Lujan said. "She's organized everything. ... Having someone that can organize you and organize your schedule and everything, it's immeasurable." Follow Daniel J. Chacon on Twitter @danieljchacon. BEIRUT (AP) Six weeks into a ceasefire that halted the war between Israel and Hezbollah, many displaced Lebanese whose homes were destroyed in the fighting want to rebuild but reconstruction and compensation are slow in coming. Large swaths of southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beiruts southern suburbs, lie in ruins, tens of thousands of houses reduced to rubble in Israeli airstrikes. The World Bank estimated in a report in November before the ceasefire later that month that losses to Lebanon's infrastructure amount to some $3.4 billion. In the south, residents of dozens of villages along the Lebanon-Israel border can't go back because Israeli soldiers are still there. Under the U.S.-negotiated ceasefire deal, Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw by Jan. 26 but there are doubts they will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other terms of the deal are also uncertain after Hezbollah's withdrawal, the Lebanese army is to step in and dismantle the militants' combat positions in the south. Israeli officials have complained the Lebanese troops are not moving in fast enough to which they say the Israeli troops need to get out first. Reconstruction prospects and who will foot the bill remain unclear. In 2006, after the monthlong Israel-Hezbollah war, Hezbollah financed much of the $2.8 billion reconstruction with ally Iran's support. The Lebanese militant group has said it would do so again and has begun making some payments. But Hezbollah, which is also a powerful political party, has suffered significant losses in this latest war and for its part, Iran is now mired in a crippling economic crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cash-strapped and long paralyzed Lebanese government is in little position to help and international donors may be stretched by the post-war needs in the Gaza Strip and neighboring Syria. Many Lebanese say they are waiting for Hezbollah's promised compensation. Others say they received some money from the group much less than the cost of the damage to their homes. Manal, a 53-year-old mother of four from the southern village of Marjayoun has been displaced with her family for over a year, since Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in southern Lebanon. In July, Manal's family heard that their home was destroyed. The family has now sought compensation from Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent received any money yet, said Manal, giving only her first name for fear of reprisals. Maybe our turn hasnt arrived." On a recent day in southern Beirut, where airstrikes had hit just 100 meters (yards) away from his home, Mohammad watched as an excavator cleared debris, dust swirling in the air. He said his father went to Hezbollah officials and got $2,500 not enough to cover $4,000 worth of damage to their home. Dad took the money and left, thinking it was pointless to argue, said Mohammad, who also gave only his first name for fear of repercussions. He said his uncle was offered only $194 for a similarly damaged home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the uncle complained, Mohammad said, Hezbollah asked him, We sacrificed our blood, what did you do in the war? Others, however, say Hezbollah has compensated them fairly. Abdallah Skaiki, whose home also in southern Beirut was completely destroyed, said he received $14,000 from Qard Al-Hasan, a Hezbollah-linked microfinance institution. Hussein Khaireddine, director of Jihad Binaa, the construction arm of Hezbollah, said the group is doing as much as it can. Its teams have surveyed over 80% of damaged houses across Lebanon, he said. We have begun compensating families, he said. We have also started providing payments for a years rent and compensations for furniture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khaireddin said their payments include $8,000 for furniture and $6,000 for a years rent for those living in Beirut. Those who are staying elsewhere get $4,000 in money for rent. Blueprints for each house are being prepared, he said, declining to elaborate on reconstruction plans. We are not waiting for the government," he added. But of course, we urge the state to act." There is little the government can do. The World Bank's report from mid-November said Lebanon's infrastructure and economic losses from the war amount to $8.5 billion. And that estimate doesn't take into account the last month of the war, Deputy Prime Minister Saadi Chami told The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government does not have the financial resources for reconstruction, he said bluntly. The World Bank said 99,209 housing units were damaged and 18% of them were completely destroyed. In southern Beirut suburbs alone, satellite analysis by Lebanons National Center for Natural Hazards and Early Warning identified 353 buildings completely destroyed and over 6,000 homes damaged. Lebanese officials have appealed to the international community for funding. The government is working with the World Bank to get an updated damage assessment and hopes to set up a multi-donor trust fund. The World Bank is also exploring an emergency project for Lebanon, focused on targeted assistance for areas most in need, Chami said, though no concrete plan has yet emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the World Bank gets involved, it will hopefully encourage the international community to donate money, Chami said. Ali Daamoush, a Hezbollah official, said earlier this month that the group has mobilized 145 reconstruction teams, which include 1,250 engineers, 300 data analysts and hundreds of auditors many apparently volunteers. The compensations paid so far have come from the Iranian people, Daamoush said, without specifying if the money was from Iran's government or private donors. Jana, a 29-year-old architect, is volunteering with Hezbollah teams to survey the damage to her hometown of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon. Much of the city is destroyed, including an Ottoman-era market. Her fathers warehouse was hit by airstrikes, and all the medical supplies stored there were consumed by a fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah officials "told us not to promise people or discuss reconstruction because there is no clear plan or funding for it yet, she told the AP. She did not give her last name because she wasn't authorized to talk about Hezbollah's actions. They advised us to offer support and show the people that someone genuinely cares about their situation, she added. For the record: 12:02 p.m. Jan. 14, 2025: In a Jan. 12 letter to the editor, the surname of writer Linda Salzman was mistranscribed as Salzma. To the editor: As some blame Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for the hydrants running dry in Pacific Palisades, I wonder if the original designers of the firefighting water system there (and in the other hillside areas of Los Angeles) ever contemplated the combination of fuel levels, lack of rain and intensity of Santa Ana winds that we are seeing due to global warming. As we witnessed dramatic changes in climate over the last three decades, why didn't previous city administrations apply that evidence to significantly increase the capacity of the firefighting water system? It appears that decades of city leaders both elected and appointed were asleep at the switch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It then is difficult to assign blame to Bass, as she was elected only two years ago. It seems, though, that she should already have announced a commission of inquiry made up of experts to recommend changes to our water infrastructure to address the heightened risk. This body should also suggest changes in building codes before residents start commissioning architects to prepare plans for replacement homes. Mark Ryavec, Venice The writer, president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn., is a former legislative analyst for the city of Los Angeles. .. To the editor: So the hydrants in Pacific Palisades ran dry. Perhaps the new manager of the L.A. Department of Water and Power can donate some of her $750,000 salary back to the city for maintenance and repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when there is a crisis, why in the world do officials waste time during news conferences patting themselves on the back for doing their jobs? Glenn Zweifel, Mar Vista .. To the editor: The city of Los Angeles has acknowledged its shortcomings in preparing for and fighting the current fires. Mayor Bass took a planned trip to Ghana while weather forecasters predicted disaster. Much of the Palisades fire was in Los Angeles County, not necessarily the city. If climate change is going to get worse, we need the best efforts of all government agencies. Where was the water? Where were the water bombers? Where were the hot shot crews? Where were county leaders in this most critical time? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you accept the fact of climate change, then you should be very worried about your future when we dont prepare for the inevitable now. There is no real leadership, only elected and non-elected officials hoping to hold onto their jobs. If we make it through this crisis, we must hold our leaders' feet to the fire. We want action, not more of the same. William Carroll, Carlsbad .. To the editor: I would like to shed some insight on the trauma to your psyche when you survive a fire. Our familys house burned down in Oak Park, Ill., in 1976. My parents were rehabbing a dilapidated Frank Lloyd Wright house. It burned in the middle of the night with us inside. It was horrific. We lost everything except for some clothes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were so appreciative of the firefighters' valiant efforts, and we relied on our community to help us grieve and process what happened. Fire destroys not only property, but also your dreams. It unnerves you. You do learn to appreciate the little things more and realize that there is very little that you really need in life. Survivors need community and love. Now is not the time for blame; there will be plenty of time later to do that. People need to talk about their trauma and how to process it. I wish I could reach survivors now to help them understand that their faith and strength will be tested, but they will survive. The fire that engulfed our family was the main reason I did not go to college at first. I couldnt leave my parents. I waited until 2013 to get my bachelors degree. It takes time to heal. All of us can show more compassion. Turn the flames of fire into the light our world needs now. It could have happened to any one of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diane DeCaro Runft, Lake Forest, Ill. .. To the editor: We are grieving. We are overwhelmed at the thought of rebuilding. Our resources are limited. Los Angeles needs to focus on its own citizens. Los Angeles needs to say no to the 2028 Olympics. Linda Salzma, Rancho Palos Verdes This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- A moment of fear took over Dominique Rhone as the Sunset Fire, one of many wildfires in California spread near her home earlier this week. It was very traumatizing, a little bit, just seeing a fire like right outside my apartment window and not knowing what can happen, Rhone said. Fires continue into the weekend in Los Angeles She says she moved to Los Angeles in September and never imagined anything like this happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I live off Hollywood Blvd. so, the fires that were coming from Runyon Canyon ended up coming into the city, Rhone said. The wildfires spread through Los Angeles on Tuesday, destroying many homes, and killing those who couldnt escape. Rhone says shell never forget the moment she laid eyes on the blaze. It was so confusing, there were cars driving in opposite directions, there were people getting out of their cars and running, Rhone said It was bumper-to-bumper traffic just trying to get away from the area. She thought about flying home to Arkansas also, but the weather here became a roadblock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mom was like actually, like actually, I cant fly you out here because Little Rock just got hit with 10 inches of snow, Rhone said. Texas to send more than 135 firefighters, equipment to California She escaped until the fire was out in her neighborhood and is now offering a safe place for others. Ive offered my home to people that if they need to evacuate you know Im in a safe spot now, so now, I can offer my home to people, Rhone said. And she wants her family and friends back in Little Rock to know shes safe, and theres one perception shes hoping to change. I see a lot of people making posts about oh its just celebrities; its just rich people out there. Thats not true at all. your average American family has been affected, thousands, Rhone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. While the Arkansas Department of Transportation puts down rock salt to help break up and dissolve the snow on state highways and interstates, the neighborhood streets remain slick and dangerous. Mark Ballie and Tiffany Weinkopff live on a hill in the Heights neighborhood. So, when the snow falls, melts and then freezes they see first-hand how dangerous driving can be. Its pretty common that people will drive up our street and end up having to back out, Ballie said. And the bottom of our hill is Markham, so its pretty easy to slide onto a busy road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Department of Transportation hard at work as roads begin to refreeze While ARDOT takes care of those busy roads, neighborhood roads depend on the ones living there. Like Caroline Miller, who has her own technique of getting around in Little Rock. If we get stuck, my neighbor whos from Minnesota taught me to take the powdered snow and shovel some of that behind your tire, just to get traction, Miller said. For Miller, its a 4-wheel-drive and a shove. And for others, its taking a different kind of initiative. Winter weather road tips: Staying safe while navigating the snow and ice We went around our neighborhood where there are accidents at these intersections where there are hills, and salted them ourselves, Weinkopff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Locals make Miamis presidents, deans lists Miami University students ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for the fall 2024 semester have been named to the Presidents list recognizing academic excellence. * Andy Brown of Portsmouth * Bailey Mullins of Peebles * Trent Emmert of Lucasville * Skylar Stapleton of West Union * Millie West of Portsmouth Miami University students who are ranked in the top 20 percent of undergraduate students within each division for the fall semester 2024 have been named to the deans list recognizing academic excellence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Isabella Hamilton of Wheelersburg * Kaeli Huff of Ironton * Gracelyn Spires of Stout * Lilly Zornes of Ironton * Kit Soares of Portsmouth * Bailee Wireman of Portsmouth Miami University is located in Oxford and regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg-Miami serves more than 22,600 undergraduates across more than 100 areas of study, and more than 2,200 graduate students through 78 masters and doctoral degree programs. Gov. Mike DeWine signs several bills into law Gov. Mike DeWine signed several bills into law this week, including one sponsored by a local lawmaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 58, sponsored by State Sens. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, prohibits requiring fees or firearms liability insurance for the possession of firearms, or fees for the possession of knives, and to enact the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act. Local State Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-Franklin Furnace, was a co-sponsor on the bill on the House side of the state legislature. Vance issues statement on Senate resignation Vice President-elect JD Vance submitted his resignation from the U.S. Senate to Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday. Vance issued the following statement regarding his resignation from the U.S. Senate: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate. When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and Ive made sure to live by that promise every single day, said Vice President-elect Vance. The American people have granted President Trump an undeniable mandate to put America first, both at home and abroad. Over the next four years, I will do all that I can to help President Trump enact his agenda. Together, we will make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before. Vances resignation became effective at midnight. He will be sworn in as Vice President of the United States Monday, Jan. 20, at the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. ACTC launches evening electrical course ASHLAND, Ky. Ashland Community and Technical College will offer a new evening electrical course for the first time during the spring 2025 semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The course, ELT 110: Circuits 1, introduces application of basic DC and AC circuits, covering circuit analysis techniques, introductory magnetism, and transformer principles. It emphasizes the design, construction, and troubleshooting of simple DC and AC circuits through laboratory exercises. The class will meet from 6 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, running for 12 weeks from Feb. 10 to May 11, 2025. By offering this course in the evening, were making it easier for individuals with busy schedules to get one step closer to their goals, said Mike Bond, ACTCs electrical technology program coordinator and instructor. Were proud to offer this opportunity to our community. For more information, email Mike Bond at jbond0007@kctcs.edu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guard members to return home today The Ohio Army National Guard will welcome home a small group of soldiers from Engineer Advisor Team 6520, 5th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Regiment, after an approximately seven-month deployment to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. The public is invited to attend a welcome home ceremony honoring the returning soldiers at 11 a.m. today at Building 2 (Armed Forces Reserve Center), Defense Supply Center Columbus. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) As the Miami Valley digs out of several inches of snow from this past week, fire departments are urging you to keep an eye out for this important item. The Kettering Fire Department is reminding residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants while they shovel snow. What to know about preventing frostbite and hypothermia this winter Kettering reports several fire hydrants buried in snow piles near roads and driveways, and they are asking for help from residents to clear snow and debris away from the hydrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hydrants should have a clear three-foot radius around them of cleared yard. Photo/KFD Photo/KFD Kettering says this could save precious time during emergencies if the hydrants are needed. Your few minutes of shoveling could help save lives, Kettering FD said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. In the Gulf of Mexico, there are a variety of shallow-water snapper species frequently caught by anglers. Mangrove, lane, red, vermillion and yellowtail are the most common along Floridas west coast. Mutton, cubera and silk snapper are occasionally brought back from deepwater trips or by anglers who target them specifically. When angler Jamie Brown and his son Will landed an unrecognized snapper species, they didnt realize just how rare it was to be caught on the west coast of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just got into offshore fishing about three years ago, said Jamie Brown, who typically fished inshore before then. The bug bit me, like bad. I prefer the mystery of bottom fishing, using the sonar and seeing whats down there and deciding if I want to stop. Its more like hunting. When he and Will headed west of Tampa Bay after New Years, their original goal was to get to deeper water to fish for red grouper, but sporty seas and a seasick guest kept them a bit shallower than they wanted. It was the only window to get out. We started targeting hogfish and got three keepers at the first spot in 50 feet. That bite slowed down, so we moved a mile, just a little deeper to about 55 feet where we found a nice ledge with about a 5-foot drop, Brown described. We set up on top of the ledge and got into a nice bite. I have a feeling our baits were drifting under the ledge and the current was opposite the wind, which made it confusing. We hooked some nice gags and they were breaking us off. Thats when Will switched to a big conventional and dropped a whole squid. That was trucked instantly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown typically uses light tackle, 4000- to 6000-size spinning reels, and was overpowered by the fish below who made their way into the ledge. With bigger tackle, Will fought his fish to the surface where it received confused looks from the crew. We were looking at it going, Thats not right. What is that? Almost like some sort of hybrid mangrove. The fins were yellow and it had a bit of redness like a mangrove with a teardrop under the eye. Will said he thought it was a dog snapper. He pulled out the fish rules app and said thats 100% a dog snapper. It was 26 inches. Scattered around the tropical waters of the Gulf, southern Atlantic and Caribbean, dog snapper tend to be solitary and not highly populated in any single area. Their breeding grounds are said to be off Jamaica to the northeastern Caribbean and down to Brazil. Record sizes are in the mid-20 pounds. Brown said he wasnt aware of just how rare it was until he talked with friends and posted it on a Facebook fishing group where it has received nearly 300 likes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My buddy Travis Redder I had invited but he couldnt go. I sent him the picture and he instantly called me and said, What is that? I told him its a dog snapper. He said, You need to post that to the Tampa Offshore Fishing page. Theyll go crazy on that fish. He was the reason I found out just how rare it was. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its second list of candidates, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Sunday said that the candidates who have been given tickets are all experienced workers. He added that they are confident the BJP will form a double-engine government in Delhi and win with a huge majority. "The candidates who have been given a ticket are all experienced workers... All the workers are confident that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the BJP will form a double-engine government in Delhi and win with a huge majority..." Khandelwal said. Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's speech, the BJP MP stated that the speech delivered by him is the roadmap for the party in Delhi. He added that PM Modi has already made it clear that slum dwellers and people living in clusters will be provided permanent housing in the national capital. Khandelwal said, "The speech given by HM Amit Shah is BJP's roadmap for Delhi. Earlier, PM Modi made it clear that slum dwellers and people living in clusters will be given permanent houses. Yesterday, Amit Shah said that policies for the poor will not be put on hold..." The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced its second list of 29 candidates for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, scheduled for February 5. The party has fielded former AAP leader Kapil Mishra from Karawal Nagar. Mishra won the Karawal Nagar seat in the 2015 Assembly elections, defeating four-time BJP MLA Mohan Singh Bisht. However, in the 2020 Assembly elections, he contested on a BJP ticket from the Model Town seat but lost to AAP candidate Akhilesh Pati Tripathi by a margin of over 10 per cent. Other candidates in the second list include Raj Karan Khari from Narela, Surya Prakash Khatri from Timarpur, Gajendra Daral from Mundka, Bajrang Shukla from Kirari, Karam Singh Karma from Sultanpur Majra (SC), Karnail Singh from Shakur Basti, and Tilak Ram Gupta from Tri Nagar. Satish Jain will contest from Chandni Chowk, Deepti Indora from Matia Mahal, Kamal Bagri from Ballimaran, Urmila Kailas Gangwal from Madipur (SC), Shweta Saini from Tilak Nagar, Neelam Pahalwan from Najafgarh, Priyanka Gautam from Kondli (SC), Abhya Verma from Laxmi Nagar and Anil Gaur from Seelampur. With this announcement, the BJP has declared candidates for 58 out of the 70 Assembly seats. The party had earlier released its first list of candidates on January 4. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI) Logansport social media was abuzz with excitement Wednesday as news about the Indiana Museum of Art spread through the community. The Indiana Museum of Art, founded by local artist Jason Myers and lawyer Andrew Miller, will be an international contemporary art museum. They completed purchase of the former Eagles Lodge #323 building, 201 S. Sixth St., Wednesday afternoon and, after an extensive remodel, plan to officially open the museum in 2027. Miller said the intention of the project was to create a significant regional museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The art museum is yet another announcement within the last two years that continues a wave of big investment into Logansport. The trend began with the announcement of the Vibrant Event Center in 2023. Miller and his wife, Amy, are members of the event center investor group Eel River Equity Group LLC. The event center officially opened last. In December, the Cass County Community Foundation announced they had received a $5 million dollar Lilly endowment grant to build a new farmers market. Anticipation is high for community leaders, artists, business owners and educators about what it could mean to the city. Local artistic efforts inspired museum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Myers said the idea of Indiana Museum of Art came to him about three years ago as he watched local artists work to renew the Logansport community. Many of those artists expressed excitement Wednesday following the announcement. This will bring a lot more appreciation to the arts and will encourage more creative expression within our community, said painter Adrian Gazcon. I believe this is something Logansport has been needing for a long time. Gazcon was recently a featured artist during the Vibrant Event Center opening celebration and his work was displayed at Indiana University Indianapolis last August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This puts a spotlight on the beautiful diverse culture that makes Logansport one of a kind, he said. As a former public school art teacher, Im particularly thrilled about the opportunities this can create for newer generations of artists. I hope this can encourage younger artists to express themselves through art and gain inspiration. I believe this will enrich the community with art education, bringing more creativity and cultural awareness that will benefit everyone. Im excited to see what the future holds through the appreciation of art. Artist Oscar Toloza, whose work is featured at The Science Project Brewing Company, {span}611 North St.,{/span} said the museum would be a remarkable addition to the community. The influx of renowned artists will introduce diverse perspectives and novel ideas, enriching the cultural landscape of our town, he said. I will be in line for its grand opening. Local artist Brett Manning, co-owner of The Lantern, 430 E. Broadway, with her husband, Frank Rouch, said she was optimistic about the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im glad to see that art and culture are being talked about and encouraged in this town, she said. I am hopeful that it will help create new relationships and further build the community by showcasing the works of not only its own residents but to celebrate the works of folks from all over the world. Jane Vandermark Williams, Logansport Art Association president, was thrilled by the announcement. We feel very privileged that they want to invest that kind of money and potential into an arts museum in our community, she said. Leaders applaud investment Bill Cuppy, president of the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce and the Cass Logansport Economic Development Organization, said Thursday morning that he applauded Myers and Miller for their vision and private investment. He added he was prepared to help them with their vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any time a community can gain a destination project like this, it will spur economic development in your community and also enhance the quality of life through highlighting and growing our art culture for this area, he said. Obviously plan A would be for IMA to secure Lilly grant funding that would accelerate their timeline for completion. I will be working through a plan B, if needed, and will support and advocate at the local level for funding opportunities. The Cass County Community Foundation had already invested in the art museum when it awarded Myers and Miller a $5,000 opportunity grant in 2024. The grant will go toward working with KJG Architecture of Lafayette. They will prepare exterior elevations and floor plans that highlight the renovations to the buildings exterior and interior, a press release about the Eagles lodge purchase reported. (The CCCF) have fully supported Andrew and Jasons vision for bringing the museum and artist residences to Cass County, said Deanna Crispen, president and CEO of the community Foundation. This space, along with the soon to be constructed Farmers Market Pavilion, will provide two new anchors to our downtown for people to gather and enjoy food and art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the public art work on display around downtown Logansport was created by students at Logansport High School. Logansport Community School Corporation superintendent Michele Starkey was excited that her students would have more opportunities to learn about art and culture. I can see it having a very positive impact on our community and bringing opportunities for our students to be exposed to all of the different types of art exhibits and also artists, and possible collaborations with the Logansport High School art gallery, she said. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community Colleges Kokomo Service Area, which includes the Logansport campus, also saw the educational value in the museum. The plans for the Indiana Museum of Art are exciting and the museum would be a welcome addition to our Logansport community, he said. The arts and education go hand in hand as they are both about personal discovery and expanding a persons vision and understanding of our world. I look forward to the opportunity the Indiana Museum of Art can provide to our students to connect information about local and international cultures and viewpoints to a physical resource in Logansport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jovita Flores, an ASAP coordinator for both the Logansport and Kokomo campuses at Ivy Tech, said her students in the ASAP program take an art appreciation class which means they have to travel outside of Logansport to see art. ASAP is an accelerated program that gives students the opportunity to earn an associates degree in one year. The best part is that [the museum is] focusing on diversity, she said. In our ASAP program we are always looking for places to visit where our students can learn about different cultures. Our ASAP program is very diverse. I think out instructors will definitely incorporate visits [to the museum] into their classes. Out of the ordinary ideas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighboring businesses also had reason for excitement after the announcement. La Fiesta, 524 North St., the Science Project and Black Dog, 116 S. 6th St. all situated within close proximity to the museum could potentially benefit from the art museums opening. Miller said Thursday evening via text message that one of the goals for the IMA was to enhance the communitys quality of life initiatives and also be an economic development tool, mentioning businesses like Old Style, {span}219 S. 6th St.,{/span} and also the Country Bakery, {span}106 S. 6th S.{/span} We want the the IMA to benefit those businesses and all of the other businesses in our community, he said. I think this is a wonderful addition to our community, said Black Dog owner Marissa Bergstedt. The past five years, this town has really grown artistically. [Art is] the most beautiful conversation starter, especially over sipping coffee. It offers a variety of perspectives and initiates thought. Im thrilled this museum will elevate our diverse town with timeless culture. Im hopeful for the inspiration this could bring, and especially the inspiration to our wonderful local artists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt and Katya Swisher, owners of Bonus Pints, Vibrant Events Catering and investors in the Vibrant Event Center, are local champions of art Myers work hangs inside the the event center and both shared the communitys excitement about the art museum. I couldnt be happier to have something like this landing in Logansport, said Matt Swisher. Its just amazing to think how far things have come downtown in such a short amount of time. I love that this is outside of the norm its a little left or right of center and I love that about it. Its one of those ideas that seems kind of crazy and I always think that those are the best ideas. Swisher said the museum will be a nice complement to the new farmers market and also the many businesses and organizations in the downtown area. This is what happens when a community is open to ideas that are out of the ordinary and they support local people dumping their money back into the community we love, he said. The Vibrant Event Center will host an official kickoff event to publicly launch the IMA capital campaign on Feb. 20. CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) Human trafficking is a crime that ruins lives. It forces mainly women and children to provide labor and sexual services without their consent. Chatham County has the fourth highest rate of human trafficking of minors in the state of Georgia. January is human trafficking awareness month, and the purpose is to educate and help make people aware of signs that can help save lives. Human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry, with America accumulating or equating 50 over 50% of all the global cases, stated Savannah Interagency Diversity Council (SIDC) Chairman Williams Gettis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human trafficking comes in several different forms, however, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that most calls are related to sex and labor trafficking, forcing victims to perform sexual acts and work without their consent. The first thing theyre going to do is build your trust in them and turn you against family members and coworkers. They begin to turn you away from individuals who are very concerned about you, Karen Alston CEO of 4 the Jewel N U explained. Once isolated, traffickers will use force and control to keep their victims in line. Alston says you must be careful with who you meet up with because traffickers come from all races and genders. It doesnt have to necessarily be a man that is coming after you. It can be a woman because they had that motherly instinct and you think, oh, theyre good for you, and theyre giving you what you probably dont have at home, Alston stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most important thing to do, according to Alston, is say something if you see something. If youre noticing that I am distressed and Im trying to give a sign to you to say I need help; if they feel that the individual is in immediate danger, call 911 yourself dont wait for them to do it. Alston says. In honor of Human Trafficking Month, the SIDC will be presenting its 9th annual Traffick Jam to educate the community and hear from victims of human trafficking. For more information, click or tap here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) Thanks to a recent community petition, a portion of George Richey Road in Longview has been renamed in honor of Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. Heres how to request more electric vehicle chargers in Longview Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. Photo courtesy of Gregg County. The part of George Richey Road between Gilmer Road and Judson Road will now officially be known as Bill Stoudt Parkway. The change comes after the Longview City Council approved a resolution to rename the road in their meeting on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the agenda for Thursdays City Council meeting, more than 51% of the property owners along the road agreed to have the name changed in a petition that was submitted to the council. Stoudt was chosen because of his past efforts to help expand the road and his many years of service in Longview and Gregg County. Thank you so much Judge Stoudt for your years of dedication, spearheading not only this effort but many others in our community, Longview city councilwoman for District 5, Michelle Gamboa said in a recap of Thursdays meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Thousands of Southern California residents are reeling from the devastation left behind after a series of fires erupted in the Los Angeles area last week, with two major blazes still burning as of Sunday. It all began on Tuesday when the Palisades Fire ignited southeast of Palisades Drive in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. It rapidly spread while being fanned by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. Now being deemed the the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history with more than 5,000 structures destroyed, the Palisades Fire has since spread over 23,000 acres. Damage is believed to be in the tens of billions of dollars. As of Sunday, it continued to threaten the highly populated San Fernando Valley, also known locally as the Valley. How close are the Los Angeles fires to San Diego? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Eaton Fire shortly followed, erupting in the Altadena area Tuesday evening. The blaze has now scorched over 14,000 acres. Several other smaller fires in comparison the Kenneth, Hurst, Sunset, and Lidia fires also lit up parts of Los Angeles, though they are now mostly or fully contained. Real-time updates regarding the Los Angeles area fires can be found here. Meanwhile, in San Diego County, the region managed to get by without experiencing any major fires during the recent Santa Ana wind event. Nonetheless, the county has in the past dealt with its own massive and destructive blazes. How do they compare to the recent fires in Los Angeles? Early fires Throughout the decades, the region has witnessed catastrophic fires that have claimed lives, destroyed homes and reshaped landscapes. From the earliest major fires in the early 20th century to the more recent wildfires that have left lasting scars, these fires have become a reminder of the areas vulnerability to natures fury and the resilience of its people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The history of major wildfires in the county dates back over a century, according to records from the National Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA). In September 1913, the Barona Fire ravaged 65,470 acres, marking one of the first significant wildfires in the region. Just 15 years later, in September 1928, two firesthe Witch Creek Fire near Santa Ysabel (33,240 acres) and the Beauty Peak Fire near the Riverside County border (67,000 acres) singed the county, setting the stage for what would become a recurring theme in Southern Californias fire season. One of the deadliest fires in the countys history, as noted by FFLA, occurred in October 1943. The Hauser Creek Fire in the Cleveland National Forest claimed the lives of at least nine firefighters, including seven marines. The blaze burned 10,000 acres and caused over 70 injuries, underscoring the dangers faced by those on the front lines. How San Diegans can help those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires The largest fires One of the largest fires in San Diego Countys modern history occurred between Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, 1970, when the Laguna Fire burned 175,425 acres. This catastrophic fire claimed the lives of eight people and wiped out 382 homes. FFLA reported that within a 24-hour period, the fire spread rapidly from Mount Laguna, moving across the landscape and into the outskirts of El Cajon and Spring Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cedar Fire of October 2003 became not only the largest wildfire in San Diegos history but also the largest fire in California at that time. Burning a staggering 280,278 acres, the blaze destroyed 2,232 homes and claimed 15 lives, including one firefighter. Its immense size and destruction earned it a place in wildfire history. The Witch Creek and Guejito fires in October 2007 also left a profound mark on the county, burning 197,190 acres and destroying 1,141 residences. Simultaneously, the Harris Fire ignited, burning another 90,440 acres and taking five lives. Together, these fires were a reminder of the ongoing risks faced by residents in this fire-prone region. A full list of major fires in San Diego County history can be found here. Resilience and recovery The regions long history of wildfires is a testament to the destructive power of nature, but it is also a story of community resilience and recovery. While these fires have taken a significant toll on lives and property, the residents of San Diego have continually rebuilt and come together to support one another in the face of disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the county faces an uncertain future with the growing risk of wildfires, learning how to prepare for such emergencies is crucial. The video below provides some tips and insight on local fire preparation: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Days after an inferno razed the Pacific Palisades, Maya Lieberman is desperate to find somewhere to live. But unscrupulous landlords who are jacking up prices are making it hard. "The price gouging is going haywire, it's obscene," the 50-year-old stylist told AFP. "I can't find anywhere for us to go." Huge fires that have torn through Los Angeles since Tuesday have leveled whole neighborhoods, turning swaths of the city to ash. More than 105,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes, while another 87,000 are under additional evacuation warnings, as authorities try to keep down a death toll that has already reached 16. On Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said law enforcement has also received 16 reports of missing people since the fires erupted last week, adding that he expects the number to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One blaze devastated the Pacific Palisades, an upmarket enclave that was home to celebrities like Billy Crystal and Kate Beckinsale, which until this week was some of the most desirable real estate in the United States. With the area now under a compulsory evacuation order, even those whose homes survived the inferno need to go elsewhere for the foreseeable future. The higher-than-average incomes of people forced to leave their homes there appear to have tempted opportunists, who see a chance to make money from others' misery. "We put in an application at a house... that was listed at $17,000 a month, and they told us if we didn't pay $30,000, we weren't going to get it," Lieberman said. "They told me they have people ready to offer more and pay cash. It's absolutely insane." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned against price gouging, looting and other scamming attempts at a news conference Saturday, vowing that anyone seeking to take advantage of the wildfire victims would be held accountable. He said bad actors were already trying to capitalize on the trauma and chaos created by the blazes. "We've seen businesses and landlords ... jack up the price," Bonta said at the briefing. "It's called price gouging. It is illegal. You cannot do it. It is a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and fines." Extended interview: Jamie Dimon Jamie Dimon on the economy A Renaissance Era secret passage reopens in Florence LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Thousands of people have been displaced by Los Angeles area fires and UNLV economist Nicholas Irwin said its likely for people to seek refuge here in the Las Vegas valley. We may see some people relocating here temporarily, while they wait out the damage, Irwin said. Once its time to rebuild the damage, the housing market could see a squeeze. Irwin said that the long rebuilding process could lead to some pressure on the rental market for large apartments or houses while families recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be a long process to rebuild all those houses just waiting for insurance payouts and limited amount of construction workforce to rebuild, Irwin said. It could take a couple of years so we could see some people may be moving here in that that period and enrolling kids in school. So there could be some pressure, upward pressure on those rental prices. Irwin also saying the valleys lack of wildfire risk may be appealing for long term movers. It is a more, a much safer place, in terms of if youre worried about wildfire risk, or flooding risk in Las Vegas. You know, we have our water issues to worry about, but weve got those things pretty well sorted, Irwin said. Any given year, we have a lot of folks moving in from Southern California. But this could be, you know, an additional or something that attracts people to move here Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Harish Khurana expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party leadership after he was announced as the party's candidate from the Moti Nagar constituency. Speaking to ANI, Khurana said that he would try his best to fulfil the responsibility given to him by the party. The BJP candidate further hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saying that Moti Nagar has been ruined in the last 10 years, as the area is grappling with several problems, whether it is drinking water, sewer or potholes, adding that he would try to make it an ideal area if elected. "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party leadership for giving me the opportunity to contest elections from Moti Nagar. I will try my best to fulfil this responsibility. The way Moti Nagar has been ruined in the last 10 years, there is a problem of drinking water, sewer and potholes, there are many problems here, I will try to make it an ideal area..." Khurana said. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced its second list of 29 candidates for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, scheduled for February 5. The party has fielded former AAP leader Kapil Mishra from Karawal Nagar. Mishra won the Karawal Nagar seat in the 2015 Assembly elections, defeating four-time BJP MLA Mohan Singh Bisht. However, in the 2020 Assembly elections, he contested on a BJP ticket from the Model Town seat but lost to AAP candidate Akhilesh Pati Tripathi by a margin of over 10 per cent. Other candidates in the second list include Raj Karan Khari from Narela, Surya Prakash Khatri from Timarpur, Gajendra Daral from Mundka, Bajrang Shukla from Kirari, Karam Singh Karma from Sultanpur Majra (SC), Karnail Singh from Shakur Basti, and Tilak Ram Gupta from Tri nagar. Satish Jain will contest from Chandni Chowk, Deepti Indora from Matia Mahal, Kamal Bagri from Ballimaran, Urmila Kailas Gangwal from Madipur (SC), Shweta Saini from Tilak Nagar, Neelam Pahalwan from Najafgarh, Priyanka Gautam from Kondli (SC), Abhya Verma from Laxmi Nagar and Anil Gaur from Seelampur. With this announcement, the BJP has declared candidates for 58 out of the 70 Assembly seats. The party had earlier released its first list of candidates on January 4. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI) Wildfires are ravaging the Los Angeles area, spreading rapidly due to dry and windy conditions. The fires have burned through over 40,000 acres. Officials report that at least 24 people have died. Analysts estimate damages caused by the fires may top $50 billion breaking previous state records. Across Los Angeles, a series of wildfires fanned by the powerful Santa Ana winds have been leveling homes in the area for nearly a week, leaving a path of record-breaking destruction in their wake. The largest of the fires, ripping through the wealthy enclave of the Pacific Palisades, was just 13% contained as of late Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). On Sunday, it was moving toward the densely populated neighborhood of Encino in the San Fernando Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30 miles northeast, the Eaton Fire, which is now 27% contained, is threatening the city of Altadena. Over 40,000 acres have burned in four separate blazes, and the LA County Medical Examiner has reported 24 deaths related to the fires so far. Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Sunday the fires would likely be the worst natural disaster in US history, noting that the death toll is expected to rise. "I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope," Newsom told NBC's Meet the Press. "I've got search and rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out. And there's likely to be a lot more." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Sunday morning press conference that over 100,000 residents near the Palisades and Eaton fires are now under evacuation orders, and authorities have told another 87,000 to be ready to leave at any time. The National Weather Service said in a Monday update that "extremely dangerous fire weather conditions" were due to develop across coastal southern California, with gusts of up to 70 mph by Tuesday. It issued a high wind warning early Sunday morning for the mountain areas near the Hurst and Eaton fires, and a high wind watch for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area from Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon. "We're expecting north, northeast wind gusts anywhere from 35 to 55 miles per hour, maybe locally stronger on Tuesday, very low humidity, and again, the vegetation is still very, very dry," NWS meteorologist Rich Thompson said during a Sunday afternoon press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That leads a recipe to produce some very critical fire weather conditions," he added. Dennis Burns, a fire behavior analyst for the California Incident Management Team, said during a Sunday press conference that, in addition to fanning the existing flames, the anticipated winds over the coming days increase the risk of new fires breaking out. "With the predicted winds, we could potentially see spot fires up to two miles away, maybe even farther," Burns said. A representative for the electric services company Southern California Edison said on Sunday that around 63,000 residences were without power, a number that has grown due to implementing power shut-offs for public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local water districts have also issued numerous water advisories, warning residents not to drink or use the water, which may be contaminated with debris from the fire. Moderate air pollution has also been reported in many parts of LA. The Palisades Fire near Mountain Gate Country Club, with Brentwood and Pacific Palisades visible in the background, January 11, 2025. Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Amid the devastation, residents have also faced opportunistic looters targeting empty properties, inaccurate evacuation orders sent out in error through the county's emergency alert system, and rapidly spreading misinformation online regarding evacuation zones and the cause of the fire. Analysts from JPMorgan have estimated that the blazes tearing through the region may lead to about $50 billion in total economic losses including over $20 billion in insured losses . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the estimates prove to be accurate, the damage caused by the current fires would be significantly more severe than the 2018 Camp Fires, which racked up $10 billion in insured losses. California has, in recent years, been subject to a mass exodus of major insurers, including State Farm. The company announced in 2023 that it would stop accepting new home insurance policies in the state, citing risks from catastrophes. Palisades Fire The Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area north of Santa Monica has burned through over 23,700 acres and was 13% contained as of late Sunday, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the fire, which started on Tuesday morning, is still under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Officials have confirmed that more than 420 homes in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades have been incinerated. A home burns during the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 8, 2025. AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP/Getty Images The wealthy enclave houses many celebrities who have now lost their homes, including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Milo Ventimiglia. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has reported eight deaths related to the Palisades fire so far. Eaton Fire The Eaton Fire, which has impacted the Pasadena-Altadena area since it began on Tuesday, has now swept through more than 14,100 acres, according to Cal Fire. The blaze is 27% contained. "The firefighters have made good progress coming up the west side of the shoulder of the fire," Ernie Villa, an operations section chief for the California Interagency Incident Management Team, said during a Sunday afternoon press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as wind conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, firefighters will have their work cut out for them to keep the area safe, he said. "In my career, I've never seen the amount of devastation and destruction that exists here. So a lot of work. It's going to be long-term," Villa added. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference on Sunday morning that more than 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in strong winds on January 7, 2025, in Pasadena, California. David McNew/Getty Images Sixteen deaths have so far been attributed to the Eaton Fire, according to a Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office report. Other fires While the Palisades and Eaton fires have grown to be the largest in size, additional smaller fires have been reported throughout the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hurst Fire, impacting the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, started late Tuesday night and spread to about 800 acres. According to Cal Fire, it was 95% contained as of late Sunday. Evacuation orders for the area were lifted on Thursday afternoon. The Kenneth Fire, now 100% contained, has covered just over 1,050 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties after starting on Thursday, per Cal Fire. The evacuation orders related to the blaze have been lifted. Further North, the Lidia Fire broke out Wednesday in the Angeles National Forest and burned 395 acres in three days before being 100% contained, Cal Fire said. Read the original article on Business Insider LOS ANGELES (AP) Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week. At least 16 people were missing, and authorities said that number was expected to rise. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph (113 kph). The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, said weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson. Youre going to have really strong gusty Santa Ana winds, a very dry atmosphere and still very dry brush, so we still have some very critical fire weather conditions out there, Thompson said at a community meeting Saturday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help firefighters fend off flames spread by renewed gusts. We are prepared for the upcoming wind event, Marrone said. Fire retardant dropped by aircraft Sunday will act as a barrier along hillsides, officials said. Fierce Santa Anas have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires sparked last week into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. Twelve people were missing within the Eaton Fire zone and four were missing from the Palisades Fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. Luna added that dozens more reports might have come in Sunday morning and investigators were reconciling whether some of the missing might be among the dead. There are no children among those reported missing, he said. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 24 over the weekend. Eight of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 16 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroners office said in a statement Sunday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they expected that figure to increase as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in leveled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a center where people can report the missing. Officials also were building an online database to allow evacuated residents to see if their homes were damaged or destroyed. In the meantime, LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from scorched neighborhoods. There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public," Crowley said at a Sunday morning briefing. Theres no power, theres no water, theres broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures. Officials warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 150,000 people in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, with more than 700 residents taking refuge in nine shelters, Luna said. Officials said most of the orders in the Palisades area were unlikely to be lifted before the red flag warnings expire Wednesday evening. Please rest assured that first thing Thursday we will begin talking about repopulation, Marrone said. By Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire was 11% contained and containment on the Eaton Fire reached 27%. Those two blazes accounted for 59 square miles (nearly 153 square kilometers). Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighting to save public and private areas Minimal growth was expected Sunday for the Eaton Fire with continued smoldering and creeping of flames, an LA County Fire Department incident report said. Most evacuation orders for the area have been lifted. After a fierce battle Saturday, firefighters managed to fight back flames in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities near Pacific Palisades not far from the coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. The fire ran through chaparral-covered hillsides and also briefly threatened to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests for looting Looting continues to be a concern, with authorities reporting more arrests as the devastation grows. Michael Lorenz, a captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, said seven people have been arrested in recent days, with two suspects posing as firefighters coming and in and out of houses. Asked exactly how many looters have been arrested, Lorenz said he couldnt give a precise number but that officers were detaining about 10 people a day. California National Guard troops arrived Friday to help guard properties. California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X Saturday that California will NOT allow for looting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historical cost The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 structures. No cause has been determined for the largest fires and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nation's costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. In an interview that aired Sunday on NBC, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the fires could end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inmate firefighters on the front lines Along with crews from other states and Mexico, hundreds of inmates from Californias prison system were also helping firefighting efforts. Nearly 950 incarcerated firefighters were dispatched to cut fire lines and remove fuel to slow fire spread, according to an update from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Though the state has long relied on prison labor to fight fires, the practice is controversial as the inmates are paid little for dangerous and difficult work. Inmates are paid up to roughly $10.24 each day, with additional money for 24-hour shifts, according to the corrections department. Overflowing kindness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers overflowed donation centers and some had to be turned away at locations including the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where people who lost their homes sifted through stacks of donated shirts, blankets and other household goods. Altadena resident Jose Luis Godinez said three homes occupied by more than a dozen of his family members were destroyed. Everything is gone, he said, speaking in Spanish. "All my family lived in those three houses and now we have nothing. Rebuilding will be a challenge Newsom issued an executive order Sunday aimed at fast-tracking the rebuilding of destroyed property by suspending some environmental regulations and ensuring that property tax assessments are not increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to let people know that we have their back, he said. Dont walk away because we want you to come back, rebuild, and rebuild with higher quality building standards, more modern standards. We want to make sure that the associated costs with that are not disproportionate, especially in a middle-class community like this. The White House said as of Sunday more than 24,000 people have registered for federal assistance made available by President Joe Biden's major disaster declaration last Wednesday. LA Mayor Karen Bass said Sunday that she has spoken with members of the incoming presidential administration and said she expects Donald Trump will come visit the devastated region. Leadership accused of skimping Bass faces a critical test of her leadership during the city's greatest crisis in decades, but allegations of leadership failures, political blame and investigations have begun. Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Crowley, the LA fire chief, said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water. When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect theres going to be water, Crowley said. ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press journalists Julie Walker in New York, Sophia Tareen in Chicago and Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed. At least 16 people have been killed by the rolling wildfires in and around Los Angeles and the death toll is still expected to rise, authorities said Saturday. The Eaton Fire, which is burning near Pasadena, was responsible for 11 of the deaths, while the Palisades Fire killed five people, according to the Los Angeles County coroners office. Two other major fires, the Hurst Fire and the Kenneth Fire, were largely contained by Sunday morning. The Kenneth Fire was 100% contained after burning 1,000 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, while the Hurst Fire was 87% contained and had torched about 800 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, firefighters were still struggling to contain the two largest blazes, the Eaton and the Palisades. The massive Palisades Fire, which was burning northwest of downtown Los Angeles, had torched 23,000 acres and was only 11% contained Sunday morning. The Eaton Fire had burned 14,000 acres and was 27% contained. Smoke-eaters had a chance to gain the upper hand on Sunday with a brief break in the winds but the National Weather Service warned that powerful gusts could soon return. While the official causes of the various fires have not been established, they all sparked and spread on Jan. 7 when the powerful Santa Ana winds arrived. The National Weather Service warned that the winds could regain significant strength by Monday, with Tuesday predicted as the most dangerous day. Throughout Southern California, about 105,000 residents are under evacuation orders. That number is down from 180,000 people a few days earlier, due largely to the partial containment of the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blazes have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, according to early estimates. Because of their location, they could cause more than $100 billion worth of damage, making them one of the costliest natural disasters in American history. Los Angeles County leaders also warned people not to immediately return to their neighborhoods even once the fires were cleared, as the ash could contain toxic materials such as arsenic, asbestos and lead. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, firefighter Chris Thomas said. Fire crews also had to contend with a surprising enemy: drones. Late last week, an unmanned drone struck a firefighting aircraft over the Palisades Fire, KABC reported. The incident grounded the aircraft for repairs until Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When this happens, it puts everybodys lives at risk, Los Angeles FBI agent Akil Davis told the station. There have been at least 40 incidents where illegal drones forced a pause in firefighting operations, according to KCBS. Federal officials promised to prosecute the people flying drones in restricted airspace over the blazes. With News Wire Services Originally appeared on E! Online As wildfires continue to spread across Los Angeles, celebs and organizations are stepping in to help those in need. In fact, Jamie Lee Curtiswho shared a heartbreaking message about the impact the fires has had on her Pacific Palisades neighborhoodrecently shared she would be donating $1 million to relief efforts. As the fire still rages on and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work," the Freaky Friday starwho shares daughters Annie, 34, and Ruby, 25, with husband Christopher Guestwrote alongside a Jan. 9 Instagram post, "and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other, my husband and I and our children have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she's not the only one, as Halle Berry also shared she was donating resources like her clothing to a local retailer for those in need amid the ongoing fires, which have destroyed the homes of many L.A. residents and killed at least 16 people, per NBC News. More from E! Online "Im packing up my entire closet and heading over to the COOP!" she wrote in a Jan. 10 Instagram post. "If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now today to help all of the displaced families that are in need of the basics today!" The Catwoman star went to thank fellow actress Sharon Stone for her leadership, adding, "Love you Lady." In addition to giving back to their city, stars such as Angelina Jolie also noted that they're also focused on helping loved ones in a time of crisis, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video published by the Daily Mail Jan. 10, the Changeling star was seen stocking up on grocery essentials alongside her 16-year-old son Knox Jolie-Pitt, sharing in response to a comment about the wildfires, Were having people at our house. And celebrities aside, organizations including the Walt Disney Company, Apple and more have pledged millions of dollars in aid as Los Angeles works to rebuild. Keep reading to see what celebs have to had to say about the ongoing wildfires... (E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Gwyneth Paltrow The Iron Man actress took to social media to express her sadness about the tragedy that has fallen over her beloved city. We are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything, she wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Thank you to those inquiring, we are currently safe. When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kind, she continued. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant. Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg The Once Upon a Time actress and the One Tree Hill actor are sharing resources after tragically losing their home in the Los Angeles fire. It was all a dream, Bryan wrote on a Jan. 9 Instagram story, showing the rubble that was once their family home. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there. And in between posting helpful resources, Jamie shared a tragic video of their entire neighborhood. Damn. Our entire neighborhood is gone, she wrote Jan. 9. We are grateful to our brave firefighters and first responders and pray we dont lose any more lives to these catastrophic fires. Stay safe and stay vigilant. Diane Warren The Grammy winner shared one last view from her Los Angeles beachfront home before it was lost in the fire. This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house, the songwriter, who confirmed her animals and rescue ranch were safe, wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post of the ocean view. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cary Elwes The Princess Bride actor shared his and his wife Lisa Marie Kurbikoffs Malibu home did not survive the fire in a heartfelt message to fans. Firstly, myself and my family are all safe, thank God, he wrote in his Jan. 9 Instagram post. Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire. Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it, he continued. We want to thank everyone for their incredible outpouring of support. It really means a great deal to us. Ricki Lake Sharing a video of the raging fires in the near distance, the former talk show host detailed her and husband Ross Burninghams final efforts to save her Los Angeles home in a Jan. 9 Instagram post. Were going down my street praying for these homes and these people and my house, she said in a video, showing the fire in the near distance. I dont even know what I grabbed, I think I might have just said goodbye to my house. Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured, she added in the caption. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel. He did everything to try to save our precious property. No doubt had we stayed, we would not have survived. Leanne Ford The HGTV host's home, which she recently moved into, was lost in the wildfires. "Three weeks ago we got keys to our new LA place in Rustic Canyon. We were excited (though me a bit hesitant) to start spending some time again in our favorite part of LA," the interior designer wrote on Instagram Jan. 10 alongside photos of what remains of her house. "A beautiful historical and quirky artists home. We brought over so many of our favorite things to fill it with. It was to be a place to write, to create." "Three days ago we lost it," she continued. "We are the lucky ones. We had a beautiful safe home in PA to escape back to. Im in awe of the firemen and women choosing to run into the flames while we get to run out. I can only say thank you." Mel Gibson During an appearance on Elizabeth Vargas Reports January. 9, the Braveheart actor shared that his Malibu home was destroyed while he was away recording Joe Rogans podcast in Texas. "Obviously, its kind of devastating. Its emotional," the 69-year-old said. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I had my stuff there, and its all like, Ive been relieved from the burden of my stuff, because its all in cinders. But when he returned home to discover that his home had been destroyed, he was relieved to find that, at least, his chickens survived, adding, It was amazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles Teller The Top Gun Maverick stars wife Keleigh Teller shared one last photo of what was their Los Angeles home before it was lost in the fire. To everyone reaching out I cant thank you enough, your kind hearts have meant the world, Ill never forget them, the 32-year-old wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Community has come out stronger than I could imagine, pacific palisades I love you beyond measure you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever. If youre in the LA area PLEASE get out if you can, she continued. I wish I grabbed my wedding dress .. wish I did a lot different but it doesnt matter, stay safe, get out. there are no words. THANK YOU to the first responders fighting. Bella Hadid On Jan. 9, the supermodel shared the childhood home she shared with sister Gigi Hadid and mom Yolanda Hadid had burned down in the Palisades Fire. Mandy Moore The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact." However, she noted that the home studio, garage and back house were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. "Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends," she added. "Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support." Milo Ventimiglia Like his This Is Us costar, the actor's Los Angeles home was destroyed by the fires. While visiting what remained of his property, he told CBS Evening News his heart felt "heavy." "You start thinking about all the memories," he continued. "My heart just breaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Simpson Amid the outbreak of the Kenneth Fire on Jan. 9, the "Irresistible" singer shared an image of smoke rising from beyond her backyard. She wrote in the caption, "We stayed as long as we could." Bozoma Saint John The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed her dream home in Malibu, where she lived with her teenage daughter Laela, was totaled in the fires. "This is an unimaginable loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling. Olivia Wilde "My block was on fire tonight and the only reason we still have a home is thanks to the brave members of the @losngelesfiredepartment who worked on the ground and from the air to save us," the Don't Worry Darling director wrote on Instagram Story Jan. 8. "Thank you." Chrissy Teigen The Cravings cookbook author started preparing in case of an evacuation, writing on Instagram Story Jan. 8, "This is surreal. I'm very scared. Packing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jen Atkin The hairstylist and her husband Mike Rosenthal safely evacuated along with their kids and pets, though she said their home was "gone." "Our whole area demolished," she added on Instagram Stories Jan. 8, alongside a tearful selfie. "So many are displaced and feeling scared right now it's almost too much to comprehend." Olivia Culpo One day after the Sunset Fire set the Hollywood Hills ablaze, the Culpo Sisters starwho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreywrote on Instagram Story Jan. 9, "Im praying so hard for our community. My heart aches for everyone who has lost so much so fast. Its just unimaginable." Tina Knowles Beyonce's mom shared on Jan. 9 that "my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place" was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. "This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu," she captioned a video of the Pacific Ocean. "Now it is gone!!" The entrepreneur added, "God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions . We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives." Gwyneth Paltrow "Our beloved Los Angeles," the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram Jan. 9, amid the wildfires, "we are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything." Noting that she was safe from the blazes, Gwyneth added, "When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kinds. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa Rivers The daughter of late Joan Rivers said her home burned down, though she was able to evacuate with necessities and a few treasured heirlooms. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son," she told CNN. "I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace." Jhene Aiko The "Bad Peace" singer shared on Jan. 8 that "me and my children's home is gone." "Burned to the ground with all things inside," she wrote on Instagram Story. "Thankful we still have eachother. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy," Alabama Barker & Landon Barker Travis Barker's kids Landon and Alabama shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama posted on Instagram Story Jan. 7. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds." Jennifer Tilly The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and her husband Phil Laak evacuated to Commercea neighborhood southeast of Downtown Los Angelesto escape the Palisades Fire. She wrote on InstagramJan. 8, "Phil and I had to evacuate to the Commerce Casino." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ricki Lake The former talk show host shared on Jan. 8 that her house had been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Sharing throwback photos of the property, she wrote on Instagram, "Its all gone." "I lost our dream home," she continued. "It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second." She added, "This loss is immeasurable. Its the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event." Want to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires? Find out how you can get involved in relief efforts here. Last year, Francis Bischetti said he learned that the annual cost of the homeowners policy he buys from Farmers Insurance for his Pacific Palisades home was going to soar from $4,500 to $18,000 an amount he could not possibly afford. Neither could he get onto the California FAIR Plan, which provides fewer benefits, because he said he would have to cut down 10 trees around his roof line to lower the fire risk something else the 55-year-old personal assistant found too costly to manage. So he decided he would do what's called "going bare" not buying any coverage on his home in the community's El Medio neighborhood. He figured if he watered his property year round, that might be protection enough given its location south of Sunset Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: How the devastating Los Angeles fires could deepen California's home insurance crisis It wasn't. The home he lived in for nearly all his life burned down Tuesday along with more than 10,000 other homes and structures damaged or destroyed in the worst fire event in the history of Los Angeles. Sixteen deaths have been confirmed countywide. "It was surrealistic," he said. "Ive grown up and lived here off and on for 50 years. Ive never in my entire time here experienced this." Farmers Insurance declined to comment, saying it does not discuss individual policyholders. 'A train wreck coming down the track' Bischetti was far from the only homeowner living in Pacific Palisades, Altadena or other fire-prone hillside neighborhoods who struggled to maintain their insurance amid sharply rising costs and the decision by many insurers to reduce their exposure to catastrophic wildfire claims by not renewing the policies of even longtime customers. Many fire victims reported that insurers had dropped their policies last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires expected to be among the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history have deepened a crisis in the state's home insurance market that was already reeling before the devastation came. Read more: Fire victims seek answers about rebuilding, cleanup timeline The state's largest home insurer, State Farm General, announced in March that it would not renew 30,000 homeowner and condominium policies including 1,626 in Pacific Palisades when they expired. Chubb and its subsidiaries stopped writing new policies for high-value homes with higher wildfire risk in 2021. Allstate has stopped writing new policies in 2022, and Tokio Marine America Insurance Co. and its subsidiary Trans Pacific Insurance Co. pulled out of the state last year, though Mercury Insurance offered to take their customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberty Mutual was sued last month by a homeowner who accused the insurer of dropping her over a bogus claim that her roof had mold damage. Driven by a desire to maximize profits, property casualty insurance companies ... have engaged in a troubling trend of dropping California homeowners insurance policies like flies, said the complaint, filed in San Diego County Superior Court. A spokesperson for Liberty Mutual declined to comment on the litigation. The inability to get coverage is reflected in the number of policies picked up by California's FAIR Plan, which as of September had about 452,000 policies, up from a little over 203,000 four years ago. FAIR Plan's website says its claims exposure is nearly $6 billion in Pacific Palisades alone. Read more: Insurance commissioner issues moratorium on home policy cancellations in fire zones Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The situation has been a train wreck coming down the track for a while," said Rick Dinger, president of Crescenta Valley Insurance, an independent brokerage in Glendale. Not enough insurance money to rebuild Peggy Holter spent decades as a television journalist, a peripatetic career that took her all over the world, but there was one place she called home and always returned to: the Pacific Palisades condo she moved into Jan. 1, 1978. That all changed after Tuesday's firestorm, when her condo burned to the ground along with the rest of the 36 units in the Palisades Drive complex. Holter, 83, who retired only last year, is now facing uncertainty after she said State Farm didn't renew her individual condo insurance, citing the condition of her roof. Read more: How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with the loss of her documents she isn't sure whether and when the policy lapsed and she hadn't yet secured a new carrier. The insurance typically covers personal belongings and a unit's interior and provides benefits such as living expenses if a condo becomes unusable. "I'm not a big keeper of things, but what I did have was a whole wall of pictures and albums of all the places I had been, family photos. I had a picture of my mother on a camel when she was 52 in front of the Sphinx," Holter recalled. "The only thing I am concerned about is the future, because that is what you have to do." Her biggest question is whether she can rebuild. The homeowners association had a master policy from FAIR Plan, which totaled only $20 million. That would pay out only about $550,000 per unit if the complex were not rebuilt far below the $1 million-plus the condos commanded in recent sales. The land could be sold off to a developer. Read more: The L.A. fire victims: Who they were Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holter, who is now living with her son in the Hollywood Hills, had paid off her condo. She went back to the complex after the fires died down to get a closer look at the damage. There was nothing left of her unit, but the complex's koi pond survived, along with the fish. State Farm has declined to comment on its nonrenewals, saying in a recent statement: "Our number one priority right now is the safety of our customers, agents and employees impacted by the fires and assisting our customers in the midst of this tragedy." 'We don't cover anything in California' Matt Knight considers himself fortunate: He and his family could have lost it all in the Eaton fire, just like Bischetti and Holter in the Palisades fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trouble started last year, he said, when he received a notice from Safeco Insurance that the policy on his Sonoma Drive home in Altadena, where he lives with his wife and three children, would not be renewed due to a tree overhanging his garage. Read more: If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here's what to do next The 45-year-old Covina elementary school teacher said he dutifully trimmed the tree only to be told the ivy growing on the garage also was a problem. After removing that, he said he was told he had to fix his damaged stucco, which forced him to paint his house and in the process replace his old roof. Yet he said he still couldn't get insurance after spending $30,000 on the repairs. A spokesperson for Safeco, a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, said the carrier does not comment on individual policyholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we went looking company after company after company, and some of them would say, 'No, we don't cover anything in California.' Some said, 'We're not doing any new policies.' Some said, 'No, we don't do 91001 because it's in a fire zone, and we were like, 'That's crazy.'" Just a day before his policy was set to expire last summer, Knight said he finally managed to secure similar coverage with Aegis Insurance. But in the haste to get the policy in force, the home he has lived in for 16 years was left wildly underinsured for less than $300,000, which would likely not pay for its reconstruction. The home property is valued at $1.13 million on Zillow. The ferocious winds that fanned the Eaton fire started a power outage Tuesday evening, so Knight decided to drive his children over to his parents' home on the other side of Altadena where they could do their homework. From there, he saw the fire start on a street hugging the mountains near what appeared to be a power line. "Within minutes it was taking up the hillside. It was unbelievable," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. wildfire resource guide: How to stay safe, what to do and how to help His parents' home on Roosevelt Avenue escaped the devastation, and throughout the night he drove over to check on his home. By 6 a.m., he had joined a brigade of homeowners to fight the encroaching flames on Sonoma Drive. "The whole neighborhood was there grabbing hoses and fighting fires," he said. In the late afternoon, he said, the water ran out for the homeowners and firefighters alike, forcing him and his neighbors to pack up and go. He was sure he would lose his home, but the winds died down. "I think that was the ultimate good fortune," he said, though some other neighbors were not so lucky. Bischetti was not so lucky either. On Tuesday, when the fires started in the hills and all of his Palisades neighbors started to pack their cars, Bischetti stayed behind to keep hosing down his property, including his lawn, roof, rafters and walls. "I thought everything would be relatively safe," he said. "I was sticking around trying to protect the house with water." He gradually started packing his car with a change of clothes, one of his guitars, tax papers, property deeds and hard drives from his computer. He left his computer itself back in the house, along with his amps, music equipment and tools. His entire street was a ghost town by 5 p.m. By then, Bischetti had already watered down his property multiple times. It was dusty and smoky, and a voice in his head told him it was time to go. "I'm going to come back for this tomorrow," he recalled thinking. "I don't want to weigh down my car." Read more: Every wildfire currently burning in California It didn't work out that way. Bischetti drove near Palisades High School and saw a house on the corner of the street start to burn down. He then tried going on El Medio Avenue and drove into black smoke, with flames on both sides of his car. He started panicking and realized he couldn't get through. After making it to his sister's home in Mar Vista, he found out from a neighbor that all of the homes on his block had been leveled. Bischetti said his siblings lost family mementos and photos and he lost thousands of dollars' worth of tools and musical instruments. They also had spent nearly $4,000 fixing up the home in order to rent out some of the rooms. Bischetti and his family have signed up for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief funds and are trying to get help with cleaning up the property, which he said could cost at least $10,000. "I was getting ready for this," he said of his one-man firefighting efforts. "That was the last hurrah." Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Love 146 held an event at Sobol in New Haven Saturday afternoon for Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Local organizations say the need for their services is growing and Love 146 hoped to educate the community about what work they do at Saturdays event. The nonprofit is Connecticuts primary provider of specialized services for children who have been victimized by trafficking. Love 146 say over the last 10 years theyve worked with nearly 1,000 youth in every county in Connecticut and they say demand is growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mothers United Against Violence holds vigil for Hokim family in Hartford For the past five years weve been seeing the need significantly increasing to the point where there is a waitlist for our services, said Marilyn Murray, Director of Communications for Love 146. In the past year it got to the highest point ever of 50 kids on the waitlist who need help after being trafficked. This is for long term holistic recovery support that is desperately needed for the youth and so we are trying to see more support come together within the state, Murray continued. For more information about Love 146, and for tips from anti-trafficking experts, you can head to their website here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Ohio congressman Warren Davidson faced an intense backlash after insisting that federal disaster relief should be withheld from California until the states forestry management policies change. No doubt we need to address fires, but the problem with California is forestry management, the MAGA politician told Fox Business Maria Bartiromo during a segment Friday. All these things that theyre doing are making it far easier for fires to grow and spread and be huge. If they want the money, then there should be consequences where they have to change their policies, he continued. I mean, we support the people that are plagued by disaster, but we have to put pressure on the California government to change course here. Rep. Warren Davidson on CA disaster relief: "If they want the money, then there should be consequences where they have to change their policies ... CA wants the money without changing the policies that are making the problem worse & I don't see how Rs could possibly support that" pic.twitter.com/zMrwCmiXEu Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 10, 2025 Since wildfires first erupted in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, more than 180,000 Los Angeles County residents have been displaced from their homes and at least 11 people have died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidsons suggestion to withhold relief from California sparked immediate criticism online with a flurry of X users commenting underneath a post he wrote further arguing his point. I swear to god next time Ohio has a disaster I will fight tooth and nail to make sure our politicians dont vote to give you a dime. Anti-American POS, one user wrote on the platform. Another chimed in, Republicans are really trying to blame everything except addressing the giant-sized elephant in the room called climate change. Could you imagine if dems even slightly whispered something like this about Florida or Texas?, another user wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires have become a political talking point with President-elect Donald Trump largely blaming Californias Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for the gross incompetence and mismanagement of fire prevention. One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground, Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week. Its ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!! In a separate post, he added, Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough! With the arrival of the new year came a ban on cryptocurrency mining in Russia. The government levied the measure in 10 regions, including Dagestan, North Ossetia, and Chechnya, CoinDesk reported. The duration of the prohibition is six years, with expiration set for March 15, 2031, though the length and areas affected can be altered by a commission. Altcoin Buzz noted that large miners are known to operate in those places and that the embargo "could shake up the local crypto scene." Companies are looking to relocate within the country or to other countries, and the rule could clear a path to increased regulation of the industry around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other areas in Russia Irkutsk, Buryatia, and Zabaikalsky are under seasonal bans from November through March, according to Prism Blocks. The move was made to save power in the country, which is experiencing an energy crisis. Cryptocurrency mining only just became legal in Russia in November. "The ban also takes into account inter-regional subsidies on electricity that make it cheaper to use power in some regions," CoinDesk reported. Mining requires vast amounts of electricity, much of which is powered by dirty fuels, and scarce water resources, contributing to ever-worsening pollution and environmental degradation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the United States, the crypto industry accounts for an estimated 2.3% of energy consumption, though that figure could be higher, E&E News reported. It is stressing the grid and contributing to environmental injustice in places such as Memphis, Tennessee, and allegedly causing health problems via noise pollution in Granbury, Texas. Do you think governments should ban gas stoves? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind While cryptocurrency mining may be at the root of rolling blackouts in Tehran, and illegal miners have stolen electricity in Malaysia, some companies including VivoPower, Fedrok, and others are working to remake the industry's image. Ethereum reduced its energy demand by 99.95% when it switched from proof-of-work mining to proof-of-stake in 2022, and federal officials are trying to rein in the secretive sector. Beyond that, crypto advocates say the industry has already been naturally gravitating more toward renewable energy off the grid as a smart financial investment to sustain operations, and that crypto can be an effective way to incentivize investment and innovation in renewables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai on Sunday urged Muslim leaders to not "legitimize" the Afghan Taliban regime who has created a system of "gender apartheid." "Do not legitimize them (Taliban)," she said addressing a global summit on girls education in Muslim nations that was attended by more than 150 representatives from dozens of countries except Afghanistan. Yousafzai stated that the Taliban have implemented over 100 laws designed to strip away womens rights, masking their actions under the guise of cultural and religious justification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres nothing Islamic about this," she added. She said that the Taliban want to eliminate women and girls from every aspect of public life. "They have created a system of gender apartheid." The education activist also criticized Israel saying, "In Gaza, Israel has decimated the entire education system." "They have bombed all universities, destroyed more than 90% of schools, and indiscriminately attacked civilians sheltering in school buildings," she stated. On Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that over 22 million children are out of school in Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Muslim world including Pakistan faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls," he said in his opening remarks of the two-day summit. Yousafzai, who survived a gunshot to the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 while on a school bus, expressed her happiness at returning to Pakistan, the place where her journey began. In her address, she said more than 12 million Pakistani girls, one of the highest numbers in the world, are out of school. Yousafzai's courageous campaign won her several global honours, and in 2014 she became the youngest Nobel laureate at age 17. By Charlotte Greenfield ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders on Sunday to back efforts to make gender apartheid a crime under international law, and called on them to speak out against Afghanistan's Taliban over its treatment of women and girls. At a summit on girls' education in Muslim communities attended by international leaders and scholars in her home country of Pakistan, Yousafzai said Muslim voices must lead the way against the policies of the Taliban, who have barred teenage girls from school and women from universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Afghanistan an entire generation of girls will be robbed of its future," she said in a speech in Islamabad. "As Muslim leaders, now is the time to raise your voice, use your power." The Taliban say they respect women's rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law. Taliban administration spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Yousafzai's statements. No foreign government has formally recognised the Taliban since it took over Afghanistan in 2021 and diplomats have said steps towards recognition require a change of course on women's rights. Yousafzai survived being shot in the head when she was 15 in Pakistan by a gunman after campaigning against the Pakistani Taliban's moves to deny girls an education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit, organised by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Muslim World League, included dozens of ministers and scholars from Muslim-majority countries. Yousafzai asked the scholars to "openly challenge and denounce the Taliban's oppressive laws" and for political leaders to support the addition of gender apartheid to crimes against humanity under international criminal law. The summit was hosted by Pakistan, which has had frosty relations with the Afghan Taliban in recent months over accusations that militants are using Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan, a charge the Taliban deny. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield in Islamabad; Additional reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul; Editing by Helen Popper) If you visit the villages of Assam at this time of the year, your senses will be delighted by the aroma of traditional delicacies like pithas, laddoos, and various rice-based treats. The rhythmic sound of the dheki--a traditional wooden tool for grinding rice--fills the air as people prepare for one of the state's most significant festivals: Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu. Magh Bihu, the harvest festival, marks the end of the harvesting season. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Assam and symbolizes gratitude to the God of Fire through a ceremonial bonfire, known as Meji. The festival has its roots in Tibeto-Burman cultural traditions and is a time of community bonding, feasting, and rituals. Diponjittai, a resident of Jorhat said to ANI "Magh Bihu is a very old festival of Assam. We celebrate Magh Bihu in the second week of January every year. During this festival, all our family members and friends come together to enjoy and celebrate." "We build Bhelaghar and spend the whole night enjoying. The next morning, we light the Meji and seek blessings from our forefathers for a good harvest in the coming year. We prepare a variety of ethnic and traditional foods, such as Til Pitha, Ghila Pitha, ladoo, and other dishes made from our harvest," he added. In Majuli, the world's largest inhabited river island, and nearby Jorhat district, preparations are in full swing. Women are busy making traditional treats like Til Pitha, Ghila Pitha, and various jalpans (assorted rice-based snacks). Meanwhile, the youth and adults construct Bhela Ghar--temporary structures made of bamboo and straw--where they gather to feast and spend the night in revelry. "After a long wait, Magh Bihu has finally arrived. We prepare various snacks and jalpans. Our youth and adults are busy building Bhelaghar and Meji. Today, we have all come together to enjoy and take part in these preparations. The youth and adults are cutting hay from our cultivated fields to construct the Bhelaghar. I wish all a very happy Magh Bihu," Chaya Bora, a resident of Majuli village told ANI. Adding to the festivities, around 700 families from Bhakat Chapori in Majuli have been preparing gur (molasses), a key ingredient in many of the festival's delicacies. This year, their efforts have been particularly fruitful, with sales of molasses across Assam generating impressive earnings. "During the time of Bihu, our market thrives as the demand for gur (molasses) increases. During this period, we are able to earn lakhs of rupees. In this season, we sell gur worth around 20,000 rupees per day, so you can calculate the total earnings from this. There are 16 villages in Bhakat Chapori, where most people are involved in sugarcane cultivation. From here, gur is distributed across the state, helping us generate significant earnings," Deepak Hazarika, a resident of Majuli told ANI. As the state prepares for this vibrant festival, Bhogali Bihu not only celebrates the fruits of hard work but also strengthens the bonds of community and culture. It's a time when food, fire, and festivity come together to create an atmosphere of joy and gratitude. (ANI) KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government did not conceal any document relating to jailed former premier Najib Razak's home detention, state media reported. Najib, imprisoned for his role in the country's biggest scandal, has been pursuing a legal bid to compel the government to confirm the existence of and execute an "addendum order" that he said was issued by the former king alongside a pardon he received last year, entitling him to serve the remainder of his jail term at home. The former premier had his 12-year sentence halved in a pardon by then-King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, who was chair of a special pardons board. Al-Sultan Abdullah's five-year reign under Malaysia's unique system of rotating monarchy ended in January 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Najib and the ex-king's palace say the document exists, with Najib's legal team saying it has been ignored by authorities. Anwar said the document was sent to the attorney-general and not to him nor any other member of the pardons board, state news agency Bernama reported on Saturday. "The attorney-general then forwarded the document to the palace when there was a change of king, as it is the king who chairs the pardons board. We did not hide anything," Anwar said. On Friday, Malaysia's law ministry said it had no record of any documents authorising house arrest for Najib nor had it received any official notification or instructions from the royal palace on the matter. The home and communications ministers have also said they were not aware of the existence of such a document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Najib was found guilty in 2020 of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power for illegally receiving funds misappropriated from a unit of state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad. He is on trial for corruption in several other 1MDB-linked cases and denies wrongdoing. The Court of Appeal on Monday overturned the dismissal of Najib's legal attempt to access the document that he says should allow him to serve the rest of his term at home. The case will go back to court to be heard by another judge. (Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Christopher Cushing) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man is scheduled to be sentenced this week after he shot someone in Greece when he was just 19 years old, nearly killing that person. Kyle Ashford, now 20 years old, pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge in connection with the case early December. He also pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. According to prosecutors, around 3 a.m. May 17, 2024, the victim, a 24-year-old man, was found shot twice on Denise Road. Ashford, who was identified as the shooter, admitted he shot the victim over a dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man pleads guilty to attempted murder for May shooting in Greece The defendant shot the victim outside of his cousins house with the intention to use his illegally possessed weapon. This behavior has no place in our community. Kyle Ashford is best served in the New York State Department of Corrections, where I hope he spends his years considering how to become a lawful citizen, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley announced in December. The man shot made a full recovery. In the aftermath of the shooting, News 8 went to the scene and captured a car with at least one bullet hole to its windshield. Ashford is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday. An exact time is not yet clear. Another man charged alongside Ashford, Marc Lattimer, was recently scheduled to be in court. News 8 reached out to the District Attorneys Office to learn more about his case but has yet to hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Thousands of people across Tennessee spent Friday enjoying the snow, but for one family in the southeastern side of the state, their wintry fun was cut short when a man allegedly shot at them. The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office said deputies were called to a report of an individual shooting at a family playing in the snow in Harrison, about 15 miles outside of Chattanooga, on Friday. According to authorities, parents had taken their four children to go sledding on a hill in their neighborhood late Friday morning. While sledding, several gunshots were reportedly heard coming from a home down the hill. The mother of the children said she saw snow fly up from the ground a few feet from her 1-year-old son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun jams as woman tries to shoot boyfriend: Tennessee police Officials said the parents immediately looked in the direction of the shots and yelled at a man to stop shooting. The man allegedly claimed they were on his property, but the family told him they werent. After that, the parents gathered their kids and belongings, returned to their home, and called law enforcement. Deputies arrived and spoke with the man, identified as Benjamin Cook. Pictures obtained from a neighbor showed Cook wearing matching clothes while walking through the woods, carrying a black rifle slung across his back. Law enforcement also obtained and executed a search warrant at Cooks house, where they reportedly found several rifles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane Katrina victim forced to evacuate again, this time for Los Angeles wildfires Cook was subsequently arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault, according to the sheriffs office. Additional charges could be filed, pending an investigation. Deputies also determined the family was not on Cooks property when the incident occurred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. said that officers arrested a man after he robbed multiple businesses in Northeast, starting on New Years Day. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), armed robberies were reported over the last week at establishments across the Northeast area. In connection to the robberies, officers arrested 25-year-old Christopher Baker, of Northeast. Police said on the days noted below, Baker entered a business at each location, pulled out a knife and demanded money from the cash register before fleeing: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 1: Around 6:30 a.m., in the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue. Jan. 2: Around 8:30 p.m., in the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road. Jan. 3: Around 7:42 p.m., in the 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue. Jan. 9: Around 6:25 p.m., in the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road. After investigating, officers determined that the robberies were linked to the same suspect, and they were instructed to pay special attention to similar businesses in the area. Teen taken to hospital after shooting in Southeast DC, police say On Friday, Jan. 10, Baker returned to the 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, where he tried to rob a business, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the employees did not comply, and Baker reportedly fled. Thats when officers found him and placed him under arrest. In regards to the incident on Jan. 10, officers charged Baker with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed. Following further investigation from detectives, he was charged with multiple counts of armed robbery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Thousands of people across Tennessee spent Friday enjoying the snow, but for one family in the southeastern side of the state, their wintry fun was cut short when a man allegedly shot at them. According to the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched to the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive on Friday, Jan. 10 for a report of an individual shooting at a family playing in the snow. Authorities said the parents took their four children to go sledding down a hill in their neighborhood, but while they were sledding, they heard several gunshots coming from a house down the hill near the 10400 block of Birchwood Pike around 11:30 a.m. The mother reportedly saw snow fly up from the ground a few feet away from her 1-year-old son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highest snow totals across Middle Tennessee Officials said the parents immediately looked in the direction of the shots and yelled at a man to stop shooting. The man allegedly claimed they were on his property, but the family told him they werent. After that, the parents gathered their kids and their belongings, returned to their home, and called law enforcement. Deputies went to the home near the 10400 block of Birchwood Pike and spoke to the resident, identified by the sheriffs office as Benjamin Cook. Authorities said they also obtained pictures from a neighbor showing Cook wearing matching clothing, walking through the woods, and carrying a black rifle slung across his back. Based on the evidence, Cook was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault, according to officials. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Law enforcement also obtained and executed a search warrant at Cooks house, where they reportedly found several rifles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office announced on Saturday, Jan. 11 that additional charges could be pending the outcome of the investigation, which revealed the family was not on Cooks property when the incident occurred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Photo: Ron Galella (Getty Images) It took three decades to arrest the only suspect in the 1996 murder of Hip-Hop legend Tupac Shakur. But in 2023, ex-gang leader, Duane Keefe D Davis was arrested and charged with murder following his own confession. Now, it seems Davis has completely changed his tune. - Phenix S Halley Read More NYPD video footage shows suspects in attempted robbery - Screenshot: YouTube Four New York City teens who attempted to rob a senior citizen on her way to New Years Day church services got a surprise when they messed around and found out that their target was not going to let go of her purse without a fight. - Angela Johnson Read More Emmanuel Manny Hostin and Sunny Hostin attend the 2024 Bezos Courage and Civility Awards on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. - Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage and Civility Awards (Getty Images) The year 2025 is already shaping up to be problematic for The View host Sunny Hostin and her husband Dr. Emmanuel Manny Hostin thanks to a new lawsuit. - Shanelle Genai Read More Lyndon Henderson, 24, charged in connection to child abuse of 1-year-old - Photo: Washington County Correctional Facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother of a 1-year-old boy went to work on Nov. 23, leaving her son in the care of her boyfriend at the time. But what was meant to be a typical babysitting arrangement quickly turned horrific when the unnamed mother returned home to a shocking sight. - Phenix S Halley Read More Karlton Odell Johnson - Photo: X, Broward Sheriffs Office The career of a Florida principal is up in the air after a simple traffic stop resulted in him in hand cuffs. It all started on Tuesday, Jan. 7 when a state trooper pulled over a Kia Stinger after noticing the vehicle had an altered license plate and tinted windows, according to CBS News. - Phenix S Halley Read More Jaia Cruz, 24, (right), charged with the murder of Ray Hodges, 36 (left). - Screenshot: Facebook, TikTok New York City police have arrested and charged a transgender woman in connection to the deadly stabbing of a U.S. Postal Service worker. According to police, the fatal incident began when the suspect and victim got into an verbal altercation in a Harlem deli on Jan. 2. - Phenix S Halley Read More Nicki Minaj performs onstage during her Pink Friday 2 World Tour - New York at Madison Square Garden on September 07, 2024 in New York City. - Photo: Jamie McCarthy for Live Nation (Getty Images) Nicki Minajs 2025 may start off a lot differently than she likely planned if she finds herself on the losing side of a brand new lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to new court documents obtained by Variety over the weekend, Brandon Garret, an alleged former tour manager for the Super Bass rapper, is suing the artist over accusations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hes seeking punitive, exemplary and general damages. The allegations stem from an incident back in April 2024 that allegedly happened backstage after a Pink Friday 2" tour stop at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. - Shanelle Genai Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jan. 11An 18-year-old who was behind the wheel in a rollover crash is accused of driving drunk, injuring multiple passengers, early Saturday morning in Northeast Albuquerque. Police say one passenger, also 18, is not expected to survive and has already been determined to be paralyzed. Eddie Madrid, who was also paralyzed in the single-vehicle crash, is charged with DWI-related great bodily harm by vehicle. If the passenger dies, that charge would likely become vehicular homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four other passengers were between 15 and 19 years old, according to police, and are expected to recover. Madrid is in the hospital with a severed spine and, eventually, will be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center. Madrid and at least one passenger told police the group had been drinking, according to court records, and the crash happened after an argument broke out in the truck. Officers responded to the crash at San Mateo and Cherokee, south of Comanche, around 2 a.m., according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Police found several injured people lying in the roadway and at least one woman had been ejected from the truck when it rolled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Madrid and his passengers were taken to a hospital with various injuries. One woman, 19, told police they were drinking E&J and Jack Daniels when there was a big argument and Madrid "jerked the vehicle to the right and crashed it." Detectives spoke with Madrid at the hospital and, according to police, he smelled of alcohol and told the detective he drank four shots. Madrid said, "The shots he drank were not large drinks since he was driving," the complaint states. Police said Madrid told them he remembered those in the truck arguing about him "flirting with another girl" before the crash but did not remember how it occurred. Madrid failed sobriety tests given to him reciting the alphabet and counting backward from his hospital bed. SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) A man in Pulaski County was arrested and charged with sodomy and incest on Thursday. Court documents show that Jonathan Skirvin, 26, was arrested around 4 p.m. on Thursday in Somerset. Hazard fire crews work against icy roads, frozen equipment to battle commercial building fire Skirvin was charged with first-degree sodomy of a victim less than 12 years of age and incest with a person less than 12 years of age. Jonathan Skirvin, 26, was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center on Thursday. (Pulaski County Detention Center) LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skirvin was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. A Michigan man was charged after Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers found nearly 60 grams of fentanyl during a traffic stop. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In cruiser and body cam video shared on Facebook, OSHP Troopers stopped a man from Michigan on Oct. 6, 2023. TRENDING STORIES: During a search of the vehicle, troopers found 59 grams of fentanyl hidden inside the passenger door, according to the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. The OSHP filed felony drug charges against the man, the post said. OSHP Fentanyl Drug Seizure Troopers filed felony drug charges against a man from Michigan after a search of his vehicle revealed 59 grams of fentanyl hidden inside the passenger door. Posted by Ohio State Highway Patrol on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two people were arrested on Saturday after the suspects eluded police in a reportedly stolen SUV that crashed into other cars, authorities said. Kyliana S. Strickland, 21, is accused of driving under the influence of intoxicants and allegedly ramming a police car, then eluding police and eventually crashing into another parked car. The passenger, 24-year-old Jacob K. Richardson, was also arrested and accused of multiple drug charges and possessing a stolen gun. Just after 11 a.m., police said they responded to a requested welfare check regarding a report of two people unconscious in a car near Southeast 60th Avenue and Southeast Francis Street. A black semiautomatic handgun with ammo reportedly stolen and recovered by police from a suspect. January 12, 2025 (courtesy Portland Police Bureau). The stolen SUV is towed from the scene of the crash in SE Portland. (PPB) Police said a reportedly stolen SUV rammed into police car and crashed into another parked car during an investigation the resulted in two arrests. January 12, 2025 (courtesy Portland Police Bureau). The driver of a stolen SUV rammed a PPB patrol car before fleeing and crashing into a parked car, police say. (PPB) The officer approached and the driver woke up, backed the white Jeep Grand Cherokee into a PPB patrol vehicle, and took off at a high rate of speed, the Portland Police Bureau said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After attempting to stop the driver, officers used spike strips. Police said the driver continued to speed off, swerve in and out of lanes of traffic, fail to obey traffic control devices, and nearly cause crashes. The officers didnt pursue the SUV at first, hoping the driver would cease driving recklessly but the driver continued driving in a reckless fashion, authorities said. Police said the driver continued driving on the metal rim of her tire after it had been flattened. In a coordinated fashion, officers attempted to get her stopped, including attempts to use intervention techniques. Finally, after several minutes, the driver lost control at Southeast 34th Avenue and Southeast Insley Street, crashing into a parked, unoccupied vehicle. Officers moved up and arrested the driver and a passenger. The passenger was in possession of a loaded firearm, which was later discovered to be stolen. The Jeep was also stolen, police said. VIDEO: Fire consumes home in Southeast Portland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was injured during the incident, officials said. However, both the driver and passenger were taken to a hospital by ambulance for evaluation. Police then drove them both to the Multnomah County Detention Center where they were booked on charges. Strickland faces charges that include DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangering another person, four counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver (related to property damage), two counts of interfering with a peace officer, resisting arrest and previous warrants for arrest. Richardson was charged with distribution of controlled substances one count each for cocaine and methamphetamine, first-degree firearm theft, unlawful firearm possession and other previous warrants. The gun was seized by police and the SUV was towed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said none of the officers were injured and the police car wasnt damaged due to a heavy-duty front bumper. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary, celebrated as 'National Youth Day,' Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid homage to the revered leader by offering floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda's oil painting at the Gujarat Legislative Assembly podium. Joining the Chief Minister in honouring Swami Vivekananda were the Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Shankar Chaudhary, Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Miraben Patel, Gujarat Legislative Assembly Secretary-in-Charge CB. Pandya, Assembly officials, and school students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his 163rd birth anniversary. He called Vivekananda "an eternal inspiration for youth." "Paying homage to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. An eternal inspiration for youth, he continues to ignite passion and purpose in young minds," PM Modi said in a post on X. "We are committed to fulfilling his vision of a strong and developed India," the PM added. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the National Youth Day Programme in Lucknow on Vivekananda's birth anniversary. Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said that one should be proud of their spiritual and cultural heritage and along with it, they should not deprive themselves of modern knowledge and science, adding that there should be better coordination between these two things. "Swami Vivekananda had said that the bigger the challenge, the more beautiful the victory... This can be an inspiration for the youth even today... Be proud of your spiritual and cultural heritage, but do not deprive yourself of modern knowledge and science. There should be better coordination between these two things," CM Yogi said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told ANI that on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, his government is going to implement Yuva Shakti Mission in the entire state. "On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, today, we are going to implement Yuva Shakti Mission in the entire state. It is being launched with the aim of bringing prosperity, power and capability," Mohan Yadav said. "By 2030, 100% youth should get 10-12th education, by 2028, 70% of youth should become self-reliant, the government will help in realizing their dreams... On the occasion of Vivekananda Jayanti, today money will also be deposited for 'Ladli Behnas' from Kalapipal tehsil of Shajapur district," he added. (ANI) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A 38-year-old Rochester man was hospitalized Saturday afternoon after he was shot, according to police. Officers were called to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester around 1:30 p.m. for the report of a walk-in gunshot victim. Police said the man told officers he was shot in the area of North Clinton Avenue and Clifford Avenue, however when officers responded to the area nothing was found. Occupied house, vehicle shot on Thurston Road Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim is expected to survive his injury, police announced that he was shot at least once in the upper body. No one was arrested. The investigation continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Mandy Moore isnt holding back when it comes to defending her family. The This Is Us star found herself in the middle of controversy after sharing a GoFundMe campaign for her in-laws, who lost everything in the devastating Los Angeles wildfiresand she had some choice words for her critics. Related: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Make Major Move Amid California Wildfires More from StyleCaster The actress, who herself is grappling with major damage to her own home from the fires, took to Instagram to share that her brother-in-law Griff and sister-in-law Kit had lost their home in the Eaton Fire. The situation is particularly difficult, as the couple is expecting their first child in just a few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With their first baby on the way in a matter of weeks, they need our support now more than ever, Moore wrote in her initial post. She explained that Griff, a touring musician, had also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion he uses to make a living. But when some social media users suggested that Moore should simply handle the expenses herself, citing her supposed net worth from online sources, the actress wasnt having it. In a fiery follow-up post on January 10, 2025, she set the record straight. People questioning whether were helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money Google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic, Moore fired back. Of course we are. Our buddy Matt started this GoFundMe and Im sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything. Despite the initial backlash, the response from Moores supporters has been overwhelming. The campaign, which originally aimed to raise $60,000, has now collected over $176,000 in donations. Moore later expressed her gratitude, writing, Blown away by the love & support for these two. Thank you thank you thank you. People are unbelievably kind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actress has been openly documenting her own harrowing experience with the fires. Earlier in the week, she shared emotional footage of her smoke-filled neighborhood in Altadena, revealing that her family and pets had to evacuate. Honestly, Im in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family, she shared. My childrens school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. The Los Angeles wildfires, which began on January 7, 2025, have forced nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate and damaged over 13,400 structures. The fires have tragically claimed 11 lives, including former child actor Rory Callum Sykes, who passed away in his Malibu home. Other celebrities affected include Paris Hilton, James Woods, Billy Crystal, and Mark Hamill, among others. A benefit concert called FireAid is scheduled for January 30, 2025, at LAs Intuit Dome, with proceeds going to support rebuild efforts and displaced families. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Actor Mark Hamill is giving fans an update after previously "fleeing for our lives" with his wife and dog as the wildfires spread across Los Angeles last week. The actor, best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" franchise, gave fans a glimmer of hope with an emotional update. Mark Hamill Was 'Fleeing For Our Lives' Last Tuesday On January 8, The Fall of the House of Usher actor took to Instagram to share a personal update on the fires that were devastating the Pacific Palisades area. At 7 PM local time, they evacuated Malibu so last minute that they saw fires on both sides of the road as they evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over an hour later, his wife, Marilou, and his dog, Trixie, had arrived in Hollywood. The actor called it the worst fire that he had ever seen since 1993 and encouraged his followers to stay safe. Former Disney princess and The Book of Boba Fett star Ming-Na Wen commented, Glad you & family are safe. Many Star Wars fans also encouraged him to stay safe, showering the comment section of his post with May The Force Be With You. Hamill Tries To Inject Some Humor Into This Tragic Situation The following day, the 73-year-old actor shared a photo of him on Instagram dressed as a cowboy in an attempt to inject some humor into the situation. In an effort to ignore the hideous reality we are all facing, heres a picture of me as a cowboy for no apparent reason, he captioned the snap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One fan called him Cool hand, Luke, in a nod to the character losing his hand in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. 3:10 to Tatooine, another follower chimed in while a third fan joked, Luke Skyrancher. Other followers took the post more seriously and took a moment to thank him for being such an idol during their childhood and encouraging him to stay safe and stay positive amid the devastation. Mark Hamill's Home Did Survive The Fire On Saturday, the California native relieved fans when he revealed that his home had survived the fire. At the same time, he admitted that many of the homes in his neighborhood were unable to escape the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to all who were concerned if our house survived the fires. Amazingly enough... it did, he wrote in the caption. My heart goes out to everyone who werent as fortunate, not only in my neighborhood but all of Los Angeles. Together, we will get through this! So glad it did. Youre one of the good ones, MH. Sadly ours did not, and double sadly my girls lost their signed photos from you in the blaze. Thank you, keep fighting, and thank you for just being a good human, one fan commented. Plenty of followers commented on the post, hoping that Hamill would see it and send new autographs his way. Hamill Sends Thoughts and Prayers For Those Less Fortunate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another post, Hamill shared a look at the fires devasting Los Angeles from the window of a plane. Hard to process the devastation Ive witnessed in the last two days. Still in a state of shock for those who have lost so much in such a short period of time, he captioned the snap along with the hashtag No Words and a broken heart emoji. Prayers for all, devastating situation. I cant imagine losing everything, one fan commented. May the Force protect the firefighters during this difficult time, another follower wrote. His 'Star Wars' Costar Harrison Ford Also Had To Evacuate MEGA Many fans expressed concern for his "Star Wars" costar, Harrison Ford, who also was photographed trying to escape the blaze last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by The Blast, the 82-year-old actor was seen getting a police escort to check on his home in Brentwood. The actor looked visibly worried as he stood by with his neighbors. Fortunately, his wife, actress Calista Flockhart, managed to escape the chaos in Los Angeles, as he previously revealed that she was in New York City preparing for a play while attending the Golden Globes last Sunday. Will Rogers' ranch home. Pasadena Waldorf School. Robert Bridges House. The Bunny Museum. Andrew McNally House. Theatre Palisades. The Zane Grey Estate. The Palisades and Eaton infernos have laid waste to more than 30 structures considered historic in what preservationists believe is the single worst loss of such properties in the region's history. Read more: Live updates: Particularly dangerous situation winds warning returns Wednesday morning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's staggering and heartbreaking I don't know any other way to put it," said Ken Bernstein, principal city planner at Los Angeles City Planning's Office of Historic Resources. "This is widespread destruction of significant architecture and places that are cherished in our communities." The tally could grow, perhaps dramatically, as an accounting of the losses continues. Though institutions including the Getty Villa were saved, the fates of many other notables such as several influential mid-century Case Study Houses built with Arts & Architecture magazine's sponsorship remain unknown. Read more: The L.A. fire victims: Who they were The Los Angeles Conservancy said Friday afternoon that 32 properties it considered historic because of their architectural or cultural significance were consumed by the fires, which have destroyed or damaged more than 9,000 structures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the historic buildings, including Altadena's Zane Grey Estate and Rogers' western-style Palisades home, had formal landmark status on the National Register of Historic Places or another list. But others, such as Fox's Restaurant in Altadena and Theatre Palisades, were considered important in part because of their status as beloved community spaces. "It is a mass erasure of heritage," said Adrian Scott Fine, chief executive of the Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation. "We haven't seen anything like this before." In some cases, notable properties are severely damaged but not obliterated, including Gladstones, the seaside fish restaurant formerly owned by the late L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. In the Altadena foothills, much of Zorthian Ranch burned, including artwork by founder Jirayr Zorthian. But two buildings of the artists' colony were spared, said Jason Deach, a ranch hand who visited the site Thursday. "Every other thing is gone, wiped from the map," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some institutions have already vowed to rebuild among them the Bunny Museum in Altadena, which featured quirky but seemingly irreplaceable collections of porcelain figurines, artwork, clothing and other items depicting rabbits. The Lake Avenue museum lost roughly 46,000 objects. Altadena's Bunny Museum burned down amid the Eaton fire. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) "We are losing these touchstones physical places in the world that mark our intellectual history," said Richard Schave, a preservation advocate and co-founder of Esotouric, a cultural tour service. As natural disasters grow increasingly intense amid climate change, preservationists said they face a new, and foreboding, challenge. The losses from the week's fires have highlighted a fundamental shift in the field. Read more: Updates: The architecturally significant houses destroyed in L.A.'s fires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The quintessential historic preservation threat of the 20th century was symbolized by the bulldozer demolishing individual historic structures or communities for urban renewal," Bernstein said. "Today, it's the extreme climate event. Wildfire, sea-level rise and extreme winds pose not incremental threat but constant threat of widespread destruction of our most cherished historical and architectural landmarks." Eaton fire obliterates 'esoteric knowledge' Some of Altadena's notable properties, Zorthian Ranch and the Bunny Museum among them, tell the story of the community's long-standing role as a haven for free spirits, mystics and counterculture figures. Their destruction, Schave said, amounts to an erasure of regional history tied to "raising social consciousness to effect positive change." He and his wife, Kim Cooper, the other founder of Esotouric tours, were particularly upset over the loss of the Theosophical Library Center. The Lake Avenue facility housed the largest collection of materials related to Theosophy, a modern religious movement that counted writers such as William Butler Yeats as devotees and was influential among later New Age belief systems. "That was a repository of esoteric knowledge," Cooper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Sunset Boulevard in ruins: Fires massive scale comes into focus in Pacific Palisades The library contained 40,000-plus titles and the archives of the Theosophical Society. The collection, Cooper said, accounted for "the cultural ideas that formed this visionary Southern California spirituality." The Theosophical Society did not respond to interview requests. Other notable losses in Altadena include its homes. The Andrew McNally House was built by the eponymous mapmaking impresario who co-founded publisher Rand McNally. Constructed in 1887, the Queen Anne-style mansion, privately owned, was on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was known for its so-called Turkish room, an ornately decorated octagon that Cooper said was "one of the most beautiful spaces in the world." The Andrew McNally House, built by the co-founder of the Rand McNally publishing company, was destroyed in the Eaton fire. (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press) Not far from the McNally property, the Zane Grey Estate is in ruins. Co-designed by famed architect Myron Hunt and built in 1907, the house was long the residence of its namesake owner. Grey was the author of "Riders of the Purple Sage" and many other works of western fiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Grey was very important in terms of being a literary figure and [the house was] significant architecturally," Fine said. He added, disconsolately, that a restoration of the property had been "nearly complete." Read more: How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County Historical devastation on the coast As with Altadena, the Palisades lost a mixture of privately owned historic properties and famed public spaces, perhaps none more beloved than Rogers' ranch home. The 31-room residence, built by the vaudevillian-turned-movie star in the 1920s, was situated within Will Rogers State Historic Park. The home has served as a museum, housing a collection of artwork, western memorabilia and a library centered on Rogers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. wildfire resource guide: How to stay safe, what to do and how to help The California State Parks system, which oversees the property, said it saved certain items, including art. "They saved some of the interior features and some of the collection, but not much," Fine said. "That is an epic loss. You can't talk about the Palisades without talking about Will Rogers." The Palisades' Business Block was severely damaged by the fire that tore through the area. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Bernstein mourned the fate of the Palisades' Business Block, a Spanish Colonial Revival shopping plaza from 1924. Television coverage showed the Sunset Boulevard property almost fully leveled, though some architectural features remained intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the trapezoidal building, listed as an L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument, "the earliest commercial heart of Pacific Palisades." A representative of the development did not respond to a request for comment. Read more: Los Angeles has never seen this level of destruction: 'Everything is burned down' Bernstein and others said that it will take time to catalog all the destroyed historic structures. He said that his office would eventually update a citywide survey of historic places searchable online via the HistoricPlacesLA database to reflect the losses. The information, he said, will help preservationists, property owners and others understand "both what we lost and what we may still have the opportunity to help revitalize and recover." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has long been an old saw about Southern California: It's a region too willing to bulldoze its history in the name of progress. These days, observers may question the accuracy of that maxim preservationists have made great strides in recent decades but a devastating new truth has emerged amid the ashes this week. A firestorm has done what no bulldozer could do. Read more: Every wildfire currently burning in California Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. You've likely heard of New Year's babies, but what about the first babies of a new generation? Williamson Health recently welcomed one baby that met both criteria. Louis Michael, a seven pound baby boy, was one of the first babies born in Tennessee as 2024 became 2025, and he's also one of the first babies born into the new Generation Beta. Nicknamed beta babies, Williamson County's newest resident is a part of a generation that will include children born from 2025 to 2039. 'A brand new journey' Baby Louis was born to new parents Brandon and Madi Michael at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was delivered at Williamson Medical Center by Doctors Heather Rupe and Nina Fredericks. Both are part of the Womens Group of Franklin. Madi Michael recalled the moment she welcomed her son into the world. When it came time to push, everyone who came in had 2025 headbands on, she said. We had to pivot quite a bit on our birth plan, but every single person here has been incredible, and weve had a wonderful experience. In celebration of Louis' arrival as the first baby of 2025, Williamson Health presented his family with a special gift basket provided by the Williamson Health Foundation and filled with goodies from the hospital gift shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is always an incredible privilege to welcome a new life into the world, but there's something truly special about delivering the first baby of a new year, Rupe said. To witness the start of a brand-new journey for this little one is an honor I'll never forget." Baby Louis was born into a recently debuted, fully renovated and expanded obstetrics unit in the new Boyer-Bryan West Tower at Williamson Health. The unit features 33 labor/delivery and postpartum rooms, three C-section rooms, a 20-bed well-baby nursery and a nine-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Learning about 'Beta Babies' Babies born into Generation Beta, or Gen Beta for short, will explore new digital landscapes, many of which we likely can't fathom now, and see the next century. They will be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zers and by 2035, they are estimated to make up at least 16% of the global population, according to McCrindle, an Australian social researcher led by generational analyst Mark McCrindle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, many Gen Beta members will likely live into the 22nd century. Babies born this year will be 76 years old when the year 2101 comes around. But, how did Gen Beta get its name, exactly? It follows Generation Alpha, in line with the Greek alphabet. Generation names for past 100 years The start and end of a new generation is sometimes vague, but these generation group names are often used for individuals born between the following years: Greatest Generation: 1901-1927 Silent Generation: 1928-1945 (age 80+) Baby Boomers: 1946-1964 (age 61-79) Generation X: 1965-1979 (age 46-60) Millennials: 1980-1994 (age 31-45) Generation Z: 1995-2009 (age 16-30) Gen Alpha: 2010-2024 (age 15 and younger) USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet one of Tennessee's first 'beta babies': What makes them special Meghan Markle has decided to postpone the release date of her new Netflix series With Love, Meghan, as wildfires continue to devastate her hometown of Los Angeles. At the request of Meghan, and with the full support of Netflix, the release of the series a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California has been moved from its previously announced Jan. 15 premiere date to March 4, due to the ongoing devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires. Im thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California, Meghan said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California is especially meaningful to the Duchess of Sussex, 43. She now resides in Montecito with her husband, Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, but she was also born and raised in Los Angeles. Her new series, With Love, Meghan, includes thoughtful nods to her home state and her strong connection to it. Courtesy of Netflix Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Speak Out on Los Angeles Fires, Encourage Relief Efforts The couple welcomed friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate into their Montecito, Calif., home, PEOPLE previously confirmed. Through their Archewell Foundation, they are working to identify the most effective ways to support the community during this crisis. Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex with mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Friday, January 10, 2025. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex with mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Friday, January 10, 2025. On Jan. 10, Meghan and Harry visited the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena to help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire. They focused on quietly aiding wildfire relief efforts, witnessing both the devastating impacts and the resilience of the community. They donated essential supplies, served meals with World Central Kitchen, and connected with families and elderly individuals affected by the disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California's First Partner, and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, they expressed gratitude to first responders, including L.A. County firefighters and police. Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Prince Harry with mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Friday, January 10, 2025. Prince Harry with mayor of Pasadena Victor Gordo at a home that was destroyed during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Friday, January 10, 2025. Later, they met with World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres at the food stations to commend the relief teams. Through their Archewell Foundation, theyve made financial contributions and are committed to continuing their support for recovery and rebuilding efforts, with plans for future visits. Courtesy of Netflix Alice Waters and Meghan Markle in With Love, Meghan Alice Waters and Meghan Markle in With Love, Meghan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life," Harry and Meghan said in a statement on their official sussex.com website on Thursday, Jan. 9. "A state of emergency has been issued. If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources and ideas," the statement continued, linking to groups that are helping with relief efforts including The American Red Cross. Harry and Meghan wrote, Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, childrens toys and clothing and other essentials. Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on Jan. 7, 2025 A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on Jan. 7, 2025 Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Open Their Montecito Home to Friends Forced to Evacuate amid Los Angeles Fires The couples Archewell Foundation is also determining the most impactful ways to support the community during the crisis, as well as looking for opportunities to assist with mental health recovery for those both in immediate need and long-term help. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires. Read the original article on People Originally appeared on E! Online Meghan Markle is focusing on helping those in need amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. While the Duchess of Sussex was set to premiere her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, on Jan. 15, she's decided to push the release date to March 4. "Im thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch," she said in a Jan. 12 statement, via People, "as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, Meghan and husband Prince Harrywho reside in Montecito with their kids Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, after stepping down as senior members of the royal familypaid a visit to the Pasadena Convention Center to provide support for those impacted by the fires. The couple also shared resources on their website, writing, In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much moreaffecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. A state of emergency has been issued. More from E! Online Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, went on to encourage readers to open their homes as the firesthat have killed at least 16 people, per NBC Newscontinue to impact residents in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do," they wrote. "And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating." Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images Another way to give back, the duo added, is to think about the essentials. "Some families and people have been left with nothing," Harry and Meghan noted. "Please consider donating clothing, childrens toys & clothing, and other essentials." Keep reading for more stars who've spoken out about the Southern California wildfires... (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwyneth Paltrow The Iron Man actress took to social media to express her sadness about the tragedy that has fallen over her beloved city. We are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything, she wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Thank you to those inquiring, we are currently safe. When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kind, she continued. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant. Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg The Once Upon a Time actress and the One Tree Hill actor are sharing resources after tragically losing their home in the Los Angeles fire. It was all a dream, Bryan wrote on a Jan. 9 Instagram story, showing the rubble that was once their family home. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there. And in between posting helpful resources, Jamie shared a tragic video of their entire neighborhood. Damn. Our entire neighborhood is gone, she wrote Jan. 9. We are grateful to our brave firefighters and first responders and pray we dont lose any more lives to these catastrophic fires. Stay safe and stay vigilant. Diane Warren The Grammy winner shared one last view from her Los Angeles beachfront home before it was lost in the fire. This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house, the songwriter, who confirmed her animals and rescue ranch were safe, wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post of the ocean view. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cary Elwes The Princess Bride actor shared his and his wife Lisa Marie Kurbikoffs Malibu home did not survive the fire in a heartfelt message to fans. Firstly, myself and my family are all safe, thank God, he wrote in his Jan. 9 Instagram post. Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire. Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it, he continued. We want to thank everyone for their incredible outpouring of support. It really means a great deal to us. Ricki Lake Sharing a video of the raging fires in the near distance, the former talk show host detailed her and husband Ross Burninghams final efforts to save her Los Angeles home in a Jan. 9 Instagram post. Were going down my street praying for these homes and these people and my house, she said in a video, showing the fire in the near distance. I dont even know what I grabbed, I think I might have just said goodbye to my house. Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured, she added in the caption. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel. He did everything to try to save our precious property. No doubt had we stayed, we would not have survived. Leanne Ford The HGTV host's home, which she recently moved into, was lost in the wildfires. "Three weeks ago we got keys to our new LA place in Rustic Canyon. We were excited (though me a bit hesitant) to start spending some time again in our favorite part of LA," the interior designer wrote on Instagram Jan. 10 alongside photos of what remains of her house. "A beautiful historical and quirky artists home. We brought over so many of our favorite things to fill it with. It was to be a place to write, to create." "Three days ago we lost it," she continued. "We are the lucky ones. We had a beautiful safe home in PA to escape back to. Im in awe of the firemen and women choosing to run into the flames while we get to run out. I can only say thank you." Mel Gibson During an appearance on Elizabeth Vargas Reports January. 9, the Braveheart actor shared that his Malibu home was destroyed while he was away recording Joe Rogans podcast in Texas. "Obviously, its kind of devastating. Its emotional," the 69-year-old said. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I had my stuff there, and its all like, Ive been relieved from the burden of my stuff, because its all in cinders. But when he returned home to discover that his home had been destroyed, he was relieved to find that, at least, his chickens survived, adding, It was amazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles Teller The Top Gun Maverick stars wife Keleigh Teller shared one last photo of what was their Los Angeles home before it was lost in the fire. To everyone reaching out I cant thank you enough, your kind hearts have meant the world, Ill never forget them, the 32-year-old wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Community has come out stronger than I could imagine, pacific palisades I love you beyond measure you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever. If youre in the LA area PLEASE get out if you can, she continued. I wish I grabbed my wedding dress .. wish I did a lot different but it doesnt matter, stay safe, get out. there are no words. THANK YOU to the first responders fighting. Bella Hadid On Jan. 9, the supermodel shared the childhood home she shared with sister Gigi Hadid and mom Yolanda Hadid had burned down in the Palisades Fire. Mandy Moore The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact." However, she noted that the home studio, garage and back house were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. "Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends," she added. "Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support." Milo Ventimiglia Like his This Is Us costar, the actor's Los Angeles home was destroyed by the fires. While visiting what remained of his property, he told CBS Evening News his heart felt "heavy." "You start thinking about all the memories," he continued. "My heart just breaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Simpson Amid the outbreak of the Kenneth Fire on Jan. 9, the "Irresistible" singer shared an image of smoke rising from beyond her backyard. She wrote in the caption, "We stayed as long as we could." Bozoma Saint John The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed her dream home in Malibu, where she lived with her teenage daughter Laela, was totaled in the fires. "This is an unimaginable loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling. Olivia Wilde "My block was on fire tonight and the only reason we still have a home is thanks to the brave members of the @losngelesfiredepartment who worked on the ground and from the air to save us," the Don't Worry Darling director wrote on Instagram Story Jan. 8. "Thank you." Chrissy Teigen The Cravings cookbook author started preparing in case of an evacuation, writing on Instagram Story Jan. 8, "This is surreal. I'm very scared. Packing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jen Atkin The hairstylist and her husband Mike Rosenthal safely evacuated along with their kids and pets, though she said their home was "gone." "Our whole area demolished," she added on Instagram Stories Jan. 8, alongside a tearful selfie. "So many are displaced and feeling scared right now it's almost too much to comprehend." Olivia Culpo One day after the Sunset Fire set the Hollywood Hills ablaze, the Culpo Sisters starwho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreywrote on Instagram Story Jan. 9, "Im praying so hard for our community. My heart aches for everyone who has lost so much so fast. Its just unimaginable." Tina Knowles Beyonce's mom shared on Jan. 9 that "my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place" was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. "This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu," she captioned a video of the Pacific Ocean. "Now it is gone!!" The entrepreneur added, "God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions . We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives." Melissa Rivers The daughter of late Joan Rivers said her home burned down, though she was able to evacuate with necessities and a few treasured heirlooms. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son," she told CNN. "I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jhene Aiko The "Bad Peace" singer shared on Jan. 8 that "me and my children's home is gone." "Burned to the ground with all things inside," she wrote on Instagram Story. "Thankful we still have eachother. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy," Alabama Barker & Landon Barker Travis Barker's kids Landon and Alabama shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama posted on Instagram Story Jan. 7. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds." Jennifer Tilly The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and her husband Phil Laak evacuated to Commercea neighborhood southeast of Downtown Los Angelesto escape the Palisades Fire. She wrote on InstagramJan. 8, "Phil and I had to evacuate to the Commerce Casino." Ricki Lake The former talk show host shared on Jan. 8 that her house had been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Sharing throwback photos of the property, she wrote on Instagram, "Its all gone." "I lost our dream home," she continued. "It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second." She added, "This loss is immeasurable. Its the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden To the residents of Southern California: We are with you, the POTUS wrote in a Jan. 8 Instagram post. My team has provided 24/7 weather forecast support, sent 5 Air Tankers and 10 firefighting helicopters, prepositioned dozens of fire engines, approved grants to reimburse firefighting costs, and I've approved Governor Newsom's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. He added in a separate Instagram post, "To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you." Want to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires? Find out how you can get involved in relief efforts here. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday attended the "International Migrant Uttarakhandi Conference", in Dehradun and said that the Uttarakhand is progressing in every field today. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, CM Dhami said, "...Today, the way Uttarakhand is progressing in every field, all of you will be proud that, your ancestral state, your ancestral place, is progressing and is among the fast-growing states today. Whether it is the field of knowledge, science, business, industry, education or medicine, we are progressing in every field today." CM Dhami also asked the participants that their experience would serve as a guide to every Uttarakhandi and sought their cooperation to make a developed and self-reliant Uttarakhand. "The experiences of all of you will not only serve as a lesson for our government but will also serve as a guide for every Uttarakhandi. Through this conference, we hope for your cooperation in our journey to make a developed and self-reliant Uttarakhand," CM Dhami said. After the event, CM Dhami held a press conference and spoke on the 2023 Investor Summit in Dehradun. He recalled that the state government held a detailed discussion with the businessmen and said how their feedback helped in framing policies with an eye on the business. "Before organising the Investor Summit in Dehradun, we had done a thorough review of all the departments where investment could take place. We had an in-depth discussion with people associated with the industry and business sector in the state and they gave us a lot of suggestions and we made more than 30 policies so that businesses can be set up here easily...," he told reporters. (ANI) BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) A memorial service scheduled for Sunday will honor Debrina Kawam, a woman burned to death on a Brooklyn subway. Loved ones and community members will honor the 57-year-old at the First Baptist Church of Sheepshead Bay Sunday evening. Suspect in NYC subway burning told police thats me when shown video, transcript says The New Jersey woman was asleep on an F train at the Stillwell Avenue station around 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 22 when a man lit her on fire, police said. The man was later identified as Sebastia Zapeta, who now faces murder and arson charges, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kawam grew up in Little Falls and went to Passaic Valley Regional High School where she was a popular student, cheerleader and pancake house worker, her childhood and young adult friends told The New York Times. In the early 2000s, she worked at the pharmaceutical giant Merck, but her life took a rocky turn at some point. She went into debt, had liens filed against her and filed for bankruptcy, according to public records. She briefly stayed at a New York homeless shelter after moving to the city recently, according to the Department of Social Services. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Biden should finalize ERA In the United States, women and girls are not legally guaranteed equal rights. We have seen the devastating consequences of this reality in our fights against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, limited access to health care, discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals and more. As our nation braces for a rise in attacks on the liberties of women and girls, we need the only duly ratified constitutional amendment that has not been added to the Constitution: the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA rightfully became the 28th Amendment more than four years ago and will update the Constitution to provide nationwide protection against discriminatory federal and state laws. President Joe Biden has acknowledged its ratification but passed the buck to a polarized Congress. This political punting has precluded the ERAs publication and has cost people their health and lives. Biden has the power to instruct the U.S. Archivist to certify and publish the amendment, making equal rights the law of the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With just weeks left in office, the League of Women Voters of Washington calls upon Biden to pick up the phone and instruct the Archivist to finalize the ERA now. Mr. President, your legacy is calling. Mary Coltrane, Seattle Homelessness in Tacoma In 1546, Geneva Switzerland was flooded with refugees from Catholic France. Available land was scarce. At John Calvins direction, additional stories were built on the existing buildings to house the refugees. They are reminders of hospitality to the homeless. Along Yakima Avenue, rocks and boulders serve as reminders of Tacomas inhospitality to the homeless. In Tacoma, a person can be fined or imprisoned for up to thirty days. It is estimated the actual number of homeless is as high as 4,300, but there are a little over 1,000 shelter beds available. Lakewood and other cities across the nation have criminalized homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German cities are obliged to provide shelter to the homeless. A U.N. report has called homelessness perhaps the most visible and more severe symptom of lack of respect for the right to adequate housing. The citys Tidy Up Tacoma ordinance has merely moved the homeless out of sight but not out of the cold and the rain. The legislature should require municipalities to provide an opportunity for adequate shelter to all who are homeless. The City Council may say that is unfair to obligate them for matters out of their control. To them I say: You started it. John Cain, Tacoma Support for Kimber Starr As a new resident of Pierce County, Ive been thrilled to learn more about this beautiful community and start calling it home. Adjusting to a new area can be daunting, but Kimber Starr made my family and me feel welcomed from the very beginning. Her kindness and dedication to building connections truly stand out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Ive gotten to know Starr, Ive been inspired by her commitment to community, focus on real results and thoughtful leadership. Having served as a school board director, I understand what it takes to lead effectively, and Starr is more than ready for the job. Her experience on the Pierce County Planning Commission demonstrates her dedication to fostering responsible growth while preserving the qualities that make our county special. Starrs approach ensures policies reflect the needs of all residents, creating a foundation for families like mine to thrive. Starr also excels at bringing people together. She listens to all voices in the community and collaborates with decision-makers to ensure she truly represents the area. Even when faced with difficult decisions, she strives to do whats best for the people. I urge Pierce County councilmembers to appoint Starr to the Council shes exactly the leader we need. Melissa Bedford, Puyallup (Bloomberg) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in a speech to crowds of supporters days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US head of state, vowed her country would not be subordinated by its northern neighbor. Most Read from Bloomberg Ties between both nations will stay strong and dialogue will prevail, Sheinbaum said during the speech in a Mexico City square on Sunday to mark her first 100 days in office. She highlighted prior collaboration between Trump and her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, citing an overhauled North American free trade deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will always have our heads up, Sheinbaum said on US-Mexico relations. Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country. As I have said, we coordinate and we collaborate, but we dont become subordinated. Trumps team is already pressuring Mexico on migration and flows of illicit goods even before taking office on Jan. 20, threatening to enact 25% tariffs on Mexican products if action isnt taken. The US president-elect also said last week he wanted to rename the Gulf of Mexico and claimed Latin Americas second-largest economy was run by the cartels, further escalating tensions. Sheinbaum praised Mexicans living in the US, saying they send home some $65 billion in remittances while contributing to the worlds largest economy by consuming, saving and paying taxes. They are extraordinary workers in fields, construction and services, and they are great university scientists, she said. Separately, Mexico expects to set records for investment and project financing in 2025 despite noise coming from the US, Edgar Amador, undersecretary of finance and public credit, told LatinFinance in an interview published on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LatinFinance quoted Amador as saying that on Monday the government will present a road map to attract private investment and present strategic public investments. The plan will reinforce the message that US-Mexico ties are solid. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Mexico has sent 72 firefighters to Los Angeles on Saturday to help battle the devastating wildfires across the region. Disaster relief workers from the National Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Defense in Mexico also arrived to assist local emergency workers. Emergencies have no borders we are deeply grateful to our neighbors in Mexico for their unwavering support during one of our greatest times of need, Newsom said. Thank you to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo for lending the best of the best. 72 firefighters from Mexico landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed 72 firefighters and government officials from Mexico who landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) 72 firefighters from Mexico landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) 72 firefighters from Mexico landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) Emergency personnel, along with 72 firefighters from Mexico, landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. 72 firefighters from Mexico landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed government officials and firefighting personnel from Mexico as they landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025, to help battle the wildfires. Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed government officials and firefighting personnel from Mexico as they landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025, to help battle the wildfires. 72 firefighters from Mexico landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed 72 firefighters and government officials from Mexico who landed in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025 to help the states ongoing wildfire efforts. (State of California) So far, there are over 12,000 personnel, including firefighters, guard service members, highway patrol officers and transportation teams, working the frontlines in the firefighting operations. Around 1,680 National Guard members and over 1,000 servicemembers from the CalGuard Military Police Forces are also in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom welcomed the 72 Mexican firefighters as they landed in L.A. on Saturday. The group will be transported to a mobile station at Beaumont for a safety orientation before being dispatched by Monday, Newsom said. The crew will likely be sent to battle the Palisades Fire which has been growing since Jan. 7. On Saturday night, the fire had expanded to 23,654 acres with 11% containment. The fire has moved towards homes in the Brentwood area. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena, which also ignited on Jan. 7, has grown to 14,117 acres with 15% containment. Earlier in the week, Newsom declared a state of emergency over the ongoing fires. Newsoms request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts was approved by was approved by President Joe Biden on Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine states are currently providing mutual aid with Canadian firefighters scheduled to arrive on Jan. 13. More than 1,660 pieces of firefighting apparatus, including 1,150 engines, 60 aircraft, dozers and 100 water tenders are attacking the fires from the skies. Were very grateful for this support, Newsom said. Were very grateful to the foreign minister for reaching out. Its what its all about mutual aid. Were neighbors, were partners in this fight and this means a great deal to us here in the United States. I want to thank the Mexican government. Residents who have been affected by the wildfires can apply for disaster assistance in several ways: Online at DisasterAssistance.gov By calling 800-621-3362 By using the FEMA smartphone application Assistance is available in over 40 languages If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. More information can be found at CA.gov/LAfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The 1940s was a rough decade for the Michigan Legislature. Lansing was rocked by a corruption investigation that involved dozens of lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans alike. But that all was shadowed by the gruesome assassination of Warren Hooper. Saturday marked 80 years since the state senator was gunned down on a rural highway in Jackson County. Who was Warren Hooper and why did he find himself the target of an apparent professional hit job? WHO WAS WARREN HOOPER? Warren G. Hoopers journey to the Legislature included a lot of twists and turns. The California native was born in 1904 to a third-generation descendant of William Hooper, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 8, 1950: Michigans governor narrowly avoids being taken as a prison hostage After graduating from college, Hooper became a member of the California Stock Exchange, but his time in finance was short-lived. Like many stockbrokers, he was wiped out by the Great Depression. By 1931, Hooper had moved to Washington and took a job at a weekly newspaper. State Sen. Warren Hooper was assassinated on Jan. 11, 1945, days before he was set to testify in a corruption case. (Courtesy Michigan History Center) His budding journalism career is what eventually brought him to Michigan. After a short stretch in Washington, Hooper took a copy editor job with the Chicago Herald-Examiner. Three years later, he moved to Albion to work for the Albion Evening Recorder. In 1936, Hooper decided to travel to Berlin to cover the Olympics as a freelance writer. He returned to discover the newspaper filled his position and left him once again looking for a new career path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After briefly operating a service station, Hooper decided to jump into politics and was elected to represent Albion in the state House of Representatives in 1938. He served three relatively quiet terms in the House before being elected to the state Senate in 1944. Thats where Hoopers story takes another major turn. Historians Bruce Rubenstein and Lawrence Ziewacz broke down the details in their book Three Bullets Sealed His Lips. There was no reason for Michigan lawmakers to suspect Jan. 11, 1945, would be anything other than an ordinary day. But according to the historians, Hooper had his guard up. Instead of traveling to Grand Rapids to attend the Republican Partys state convention, Hooper stayed holed up in his Lansing office. A pilots fateful flight under the Mackinac Bridge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally on the eve of the Republican State Convention he would be packing his bags to attend and join his fellow lawmakers in three days of drinking, story-swapping and the general ribald camaraderie which surrounded the assemblage, the authors wrote. This years gathering was to be in Grand Rapids, however, and there was no way he would show his face in that city. A 1927 photo of Frank McKay, a longtime Michigan politician from Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Michigan History Center) Why? Because Grand Rapids was the hometown of Frank McKay, who served three terms as the Michigan state treasurer, but preferred to operate behind the scenes for the Republican Party. Over the course of several decades, he had cultivated an immense amount of power and influence across Michigan. He also happened to be at the heart of the states corruption investigation. McKay first faced criminal charges in 1942, charged with conspiracy related to his control of the State Liquor Control Commission. Then on Dec. 4, 1944, special prosecutor Kim Sigler served warrants for conspiracy charges against McKay and two other men. Sigler believed he finally had enough evidence to throw the book at McKay. His main weapon? A full confession from Hooper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Albion lawmaker was set to testify before a grand jury about taking a bribe on Jan. 15. Sigler knew Hoopers testimony would reveal damning evidence implicating McKay, but he never made it to the stand. Instead of being reserved for breaking open the states corruption case, that date was now the day of the funeral for the prosecutions star witness. THE GRUESOME SCENE According to Rubenstein and Ziewacz, police were first notified shortly after 6 p.m. that bystanders had come across Hoopers car, parked on the shoulder of M-99 about 3 miles north of Springport. The car was on fire and smoke was billowing out of the cab. The first person to stop and investigate backed away from the car after noticing a bullet hole in a rear window. A second bystander stayed far away. According to Rubenstein and Ziewacz, a third bystander stopped roughly 15 minutes later. He was the one who finally summoned the courage to open a door and look inside. Looking back: How the Kerns Hotel fire shook Lansing, Michigans Legislature Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a grim sight. Hooper, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was slumped forward and had been burned significantly. While one of the men ran to call for help, the other two pulled Hoopers body out of the car. The men were resourceful and respectful enough to throw snow on the corpse to put out the smoldering parts of his clothes. The autopsy showed that Hooper was shot three times in the head and was dead before the car caught fire. Investigators suspect it was Hoopers cigarette that fell from his dead hand and sparked the fire. A crime scene photo of the interior of State Sen. Warren Hoopers car. Hooper was shot and killed in the front passenger seat before the car caught fire. (Courtesy Michigan State Police/University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library) Special prosecutor Sigler drove from Lansing to the scene for himself. In the hours after the shooting, he met with detectives and the doctors who performed the autopsy, working well into the night. Just weeks earlier, Sigler bragged to the press that the testimony set to be revealed on Jan. 15 was juicy. Rubenstein and Ziewacz quoted him saying, There are going to be prominent men as surprise witnesses and they will have an amazing tale to tell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Killing Smalley: The death of Michigans most notorious train robber The day after the shooting, he held a press conference with a much different tone. Sigler revealed that Hooper was a key states witness and that his death was a serious blow to his corruption case. Using witness testimony, investigators determined the killing happened sometime between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. They found several sets of footprints at the scene and received lots of circumstantial testimony from witnesses but no hard evidence. The Legislature ultimately ponied up a $25,000 reward for information that could lead prosecutors to the capture and conviction of Hoopers killer. Long live the king: James Jesse Strang and Michigans last brush with royalty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tying it back to the corruption investigation, Lt. Gov. Vernon Brown told reporters that Many persons will realize now for the first time that the grand jury is dealing with something pretty sinister. A headline from the Jan. 12, 1945 edition of the Detroit Free Press following the assassination of State Sen. Warren Hooper. (Courtesy Newsbank) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE INMATE THEORY The tips and evidence led Sigler and the rest of the investigators on a wild chase, uncovering evidence that the assassination had traces to Detroits infamous Purple Gang. Three months later, four men all with ties to the Purple Gang were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Mike Selik, Pete Mahoney and Harry and Sam Fleisher were each convicted and sentenced to at least 54 months in prison. Sigler used the testimony of Sam Abramovitz, another career criminal from Detroit, to secure the convictions. Once he was promised immunity, Abramovitz confessed that he and his accomplice, Henry Luks, were hired by Harry Fleisher to kill Hooper. Luks, also promised immunity, corroborated the story and so did multiple polygraph tests. The Nelson: 125 years later, one of Lake Superiors darkest tales retold Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the investigation never uncovered who ultimately killed Hooper. Rubenstein and Ziewacz argued it was corruption within the state government and Siglers own ambition that doomed the probe. In the 1980s, the two historians poured over court records discovered in the State of Michigan Archives, reading through the affidavits from every witness interrogated by the grand jury following Hoopers death. They argued that the most likely theory the one supported by Attorney General John Dethmers and Michigan State Police Capts. Edward Cooper and William Hansen is the inmate theory. The theory ties together several loose ends but also incorporates some intrigue that was unveiled by Dethmers in the months after the killing. According to Rubenstein and Ziewacz, it was known that Jackson Prison Warden Harry Jackson and his deputy, D.C. Pettit, were granting special favors to members of the Purple Gang, including gang leaders Raymond Burnstein and Harry Keywell, who were locked up on murder charges. Three members of the Purple Gang on trial on Sept. 28, 1931, for their roles in the Collingwood Massacre. From left, Irving Millberg, Raymond Burnstein, Harry Keywell and attorney Edward Kennedy. (Courtesy Wayne State University Walter P. Reuther Library) According to the historians, Jackson and Pettit allowed the gangsters to assemble a coterie of armed robbers and murderers to listen to a proposition for a contract killing. Keywell and Burnstein reportedly rejected a $15,000 offer and countered, asking for $25,000. After trading messages with a middleman using the alias John Wake and getting proof of the financing, a deal was made, and Hoopers days were numbered. Looking back: Grand Havens brush with one of Chicagos most notorious gangsters Rubenstein and Ziewacz cited prison records that showed Burnstein and Keywell received several visitors in the days following the alleged deal, including the Fleishers, Selik and Wake. The historians claim that Wake also introduced another person to the warden: Frank McKay. Wake emphasized again the importance of the job to McKay and reminded them that the Grand Rapids financier could help them in the future if they befriended him in his present hour of need, they wrote. Pettit, the deputy warden, was accused of doing virtually everything but the dirty work, according to the inmate theory. Those supporters believe Pettit not only secured the weapons, transportation and a bogus license plate for the hit squad, but even volunteered his own car for the job a maroon coupe, the same color found in scratches on Hoopers car. Shortly after the 3:30 afternoon dinner bugle blared, (Burnstein and Keywell) drove away from the prison yard in the deputy wardens maroon automobile. Close behind in a red car, possibly that of Pettits wife, came at least two other accomplices. Interestingly, all prison records for official car use for that day were found to be mysteriously missing, they wrote. John Balls long, winding journey to West Michigan Burnstein and Keywell allegedly went to the targeted location on M-99, about 18 miles from the prison, while the accomplices tracked down and tailed Hooper. As they approached, the theorists believe Burnstein and Keywell, who were parked on the shoulder, lurched into the lane, forcing Hooper to swerve and skid to a stop. The tailing accomplices then parked behind him, preventing any escape. After the execution, Burnstein and Keywell allegedly returned to Pettits home, changed back into their prison garb and helped their accomplices destroy evidence of the crime, including the gun, gloves and a phony license plate. Then they returned to prison, alibi still neatly intact. A 1947 file photo of then-Gov. Kim Sigler. (Courtesy Michigan History Center) WHY NO CHARGES? So if law enforcement knew about the inmate theory, why wasnt it thoroughly investigated? The historians argue that though Sigler told the public that he was hard at work on the case, he was reluctant to actually solve it. He demanded complete authority over the probe but refused to permit questioning of Burnstein and Keywell and the inspection of D.C. Pettits automobile for scratches or missing paint, they wrote. Therefore, the actual mystery surrounding the death of Warren Hooper is not so much who killed the senator but rather why Sigler was reluctant to bring the guilty parties to justice. Who is Daniel West? Michigan legislator discovered to be con man Rubenstein and Ziewacz argued that Sigler was focused on his own ambitions and less about solving the case. The brash, dynamic attorney assumed nearly despotic power in formulating the practices and direction of the grand jury probe, they wrote. In this fashion, he charted a course which he believed would enable him to follow the path to political fame recently blazed by another crime-busting district attorney, Thomas E. Dewey. In Siglers mind, scant personal or political glory would be gained by painstakingly proving that Hooper had met his end at the hands of two mobsters already serving life sentences for murder. To do so certainly would have been an indictment of the prison system, but since the attorney general was in the process of preparing a lengthy report on abuses in state penal institutions, Sigler would be advancing the aspirations of John Dethmers, not himself. Hollywood before Hollywood: How Muskegon became the home for vaudeville stars They also reasoned that since Burnstein and Keywell were already serving life sentences, Sigler couldnt get them to testify against McKay his ultimate goal. Siglers best chance was to try and get one of the other Purple Gang members to flip. Instead, all four served their sentences and stayed silent. Whether that judgment is true is up for debate, but what cant be argued is that the juicy platform elevated Siglers name and reputation across the state. He used that white knight image in 1946 when he was elected as the states next governor. He also used that new authority to promote several people connected to the case, including nominating Jackson County Prosecutor Murl Aten to be Michigans auditor general and MSP Capt. Donald Leonard to state police commissioner. Stanley Ketchel: How The Michigan Assassin found himself on the wrong end of a rifle Everyone even remotely connected with inside knowledge of the case was now beholden to Sigler, and he expected nothing more than their silence in return, Rubenstein and Ziewacz wrote. When the historians published their book in 1987, it presented enough evidence and made a strong enough argument that Michigan State Police reopened the investigation. However, those investigators ran into the same problem: not enough hard evidence and no convincing testimony. Sigler couldnt get anyone to talk and neither could MSP, notably because most of the witnesses had died. Former MSP Director R.T. Davis told University of Michigans Lara Zielin that he tried to interrogate Selik in 1989, but the ex-con again stayed silent. He stated that he didnt talk during the grand jury trial in 1945, and he is not going to talk about it now, Davis said. Selik died in 1996, and investigators believe the hope of learning the truth died with him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigans Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued protest and picketing guidance to law enforcement as Trumps inauguration approaches. The Michigan Department of Attorney General issued a letter and video to law enforcement across the state outlining state and federal laws concerning protest and picketing demonstrations and how they relate to First Amendment rights. I anticipate that 2025 will be a year of increased exercise of these rights, and citizen protests are likely to play a large part of our national discourse, said Nessel on the State website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter emphasizes the importance of understanding laws and regulations protecting free speech by law enforcement agencies and the public. It addresses protest and picket regulations, such as: Campaign and protest activity around voting locations; Protesting at private residences; Protesting at public schools and universities; medical facilities; funeral and burial sites, and government facilities such as courthouses, jails, and police stations; and Activities at the Michigan State Capitol. While we are issuing this guidance with an eye toward the most common or frequent incidents likely to be encountered by law enforcement officials, matters of First Amendment rights and government regulation of constitutionally protected speech are incredibly fact-dependent, and there is no one-size-fits-all-scenarios analysis, said Nessel on the State website. By proactively considering these protections, regulations, statutes, and rights, the Attorney General seeks to ensure that constitutional rights and personal safety of all are robustly protected, said the State on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) All over Middle Tennessee, people are clearing roadways, shoveling parking lots, and cleaning up sidewalks from Fridays winter storm. I would say 98% of the roads are totally clear. We might have a few slick spots tonight because of the temperatures, but theyre in great shape, said Toby Ellis, Sumner County road superintendent, told News 2 on Saturday, Jan. 11. THP responded to 600+ crashes across Tennessee amid winter storm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), troopers handled 648 crashes amid the snowstorm, including 127 involving injuries and three that were deadly. Theyve also provided cots so the dispatchers could stay there and provide round the clock service to make sure Tennesseans are safe, THP Maj. Travis Plotzer said in a video posted to Facebook Saturday evening. Highest snow totals across Middle Tennessee THP said its troopers also assisted 874 stranded drivers while dispatchers handled 1,708 calls. This weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) Nashville urges drivers to watch out for black ice because of the potential for melted snow to refreeze overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter storm in Tennessee: Black ice what you need to know A lot of the primary roads are in good shape, but that would be specifically for your secondary and less traveled roads, said Scott Unger, lead forecaster for NWS Nashville. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Mike Pence has revealed what his first words were to Donald Trump when they reunited this week after previously stating that he and the president-elect had not spoken for four years. Trump, 78, and his former vice president, 65, made headlines when they both attended the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Jan. 9, marking the first time they had seen each other since 2021. When Trump and his wife Melania arrived, Pence stood up from the row behind and was photographed extending his hand to Trump for a handshake. The pair exchanged a few words during the brief interaction. In an interview with Christianity Today, Pence shared that he congratulated Trump on his win in the November presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He greeted me when he came down the aisle. I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, 'Congratulations, Mr. President,' and he said, 'Thanks, Mike,' " Pence recalled to the outlet. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Donald Trump (left) and Mike Pence at the White House in 2020. Related: Donald Trump and Mike Pence Shake Hands During First Interaction in Nearly 4 Years Pence also addressed his wife Karen, 68, apparently staring straight ahead and declining to acknowledge Trump and Melania in a seemingly tense moment that was caught on tape. "You'd have to ask my wife about her posture, but weve been married 44 years, and she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply," Pence told the outlet. The former Indiana governor added that he "welcomed" the opportunity to talk to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The opportunity to speak to the president yesterday is something that I appreciated, I welcomed," he said. "I've really been blessed at how much I've heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake, and in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days. Thats certainly my hope." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Donald Trump Said 2 Chilling Words on Jan. 6 When Aide Told Him Mike Pence Was in Danger: Newly Revealed Evidence The longstanding rift between Trump and Pence dates back to the Jan 6. Capitol riots in 2021. After Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, Pence informed both Trump and the public that he did not have the constitutional power to intervene in the electoral process, leading to the riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports at the time, some members of the mob chanted, Hang Mike Pence!" and Pence, his wife, their daughter Charlotte Pence Bond and staff members hid from the rioters with the help of Secret Service agents. In 2023, Pence said that [Trumps] reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day. He added, I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable." Pence previously said during an interview on Fox News in January 2022 that he and Trump had not spoken since the previous summer. "We talked last summer," he told host Jesse Watters at the time. "And you know I've said many times, it was difficult, Jan. 6 was difficult. It was a tragic day in the life of the nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued: "I know I did my duty under the Constitution of the United States, but the president and I sat down in the days that followed that, we spoke about it, talked through it, we parted amicably." Read the original article on People Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his 163rd birth anniversary in Panchukla and called him a great thinker. At the Youth Day program organized to commemorate Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, CM Saini said, "... This day and celebration is a day to salute, remember and follow Swami Vivekananda who hoisted the flag of our Indian culture in the world ..." Paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda, CM Saini said that "the great thinker, source of inspiration for the youth and spiritual guru established Indian culture in the world." The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. His inspiring life and empowering message urge the youth to nurture their dreams, unleash their energies, and shape a future worthy of his envisioned ideals. The youth, defined as those within the age group of 15-29 years, make up nearly 40 per cent of India's total population. Representing the most vibrant and dynamic segment of society, this group constitutes the nation's most valuable human resource. With their limitless potential, the youth hold the power to propel India to new heights of progress and innovation. National Youth Day serves as a moment to acknowledge, celebrate, and harness this potential, inspiring young minds to contribute meaningfully to the nation's development. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. (ANI) Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic has secured a second term in office with a clear lead in a run-off vote, according to exit polls. A poll by the state broadcaster HRT suggests Milanovic, a Social Democrat, has won 78% of votes, while his challenger, Dragan Primorac, received 22%. He is supported by the conservative ruling party HDZ. Milanovic had already dominated the first round of the presidential election on December 29 of last year, winning 49% of the vote in that round. If he had managed to get over 50 %, he would have won the race back then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Primorac only managed to get 19% of the vote, a rather embarrassing result for the ruling HDZ party of Prime Minister Andrej Plankovic. Milanovic comes from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and was prime minister of the country from 2011 to 2016. As president, he adopted a populist rhetoric and a casual style during his five-year term. This appeals not only to his left-wing core voters, but also to right-wing and ultra-right voters. Russian troops have been spotted dressing in civilian clothing to mask their movements in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade reported on Jan. 12. Aerial reconnaissance footage posted by the brigade on Facebook shows a couple of alleged Russian soldiers dressed in civilian clothes. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the images. The brigade said it was "another violation of the rules of warfare" by Russian troops, as it can be classified as a war crime under international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the brigade, Russian infantrymen "attempt to divert attention and disguise themselves" in this way. "However, they are exposed by their identical clothing, behavior, and sometimes even their weapons," the brigade wrote. "Nevertheless, this still complicates the work of our soldiers, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not 'shoot at everything that moves,' unlike (Russian) occupiers." The image shows alleged Russian troops dressed as civilians in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. (28th Mechanized Brigade/Facebook) Back in September, Ukraine accused Russian forces of 137,000 war crimes carried out as part of its full-scale invasion. Crimes include the mass abduction of Ukrainian children, the torture of residents in occupied territories, and the murder of civilians and Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Jan. 6, Ukraines Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that Russian troops had allegedly killed three Ukrainian POWs in the southwest of Donetsk Oblast. "We are once again witnessing atrocities that demonstrate Russia's true face," the ombudsman said. Read also: Irrefutable evidence of North Koreas involvement Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sheriffs departments across Minnesota are urging caution on frozen lakes as multiple vehicles fell through the ice Saturday. The Brown County Sheriffs Office says it received a report of a UTV that had fallen through the ice on Lake Hanska, west of Mankato, just after 11 a.m. The occupants were able to get out of the vehicle, and no injuries were reported, according to the sheriffs office. The UTV remained partially submerged in the lake with arrangements to recover it on Sunday. Brown County Sheriffs Office Further north, the Pope County Sheriffs Office reported that a pickup truck had also fallen through the ice on Lake Minnewaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials noted that recent temperature changes had caused the ice to expand and contract, creating pressure ridges and gaps. Both offices urged caution on the frozen ice, including making sure it is thick enough to drive on. At least seven inches of ice is necessary to drive an ATV, while nine inches is required to drive a car and 13 is required for a truck, according to the Brown County Sheriffs Office. KANSAS CITY, Mo. This week 4 The People continues to preview the legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri. Missouri has opened and we hear from newly elected House Minority Leader Ashley Aune of Platte County. Kansas opens its session this week, and House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard of Lenexa is here as well. Read more Politics stories from FOX4 Both have much in common: They face super-majorities, and the Democrats are both new to their respective roles in leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week we previewed the sessions with Republican leadership: Click here to see the episode featuring House Speaker Dan Hawkins in Kansas and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer in Missouri. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. JOPLIN, Mo. Missouri Southern is expanding one of its programs to help meet a regional shortage. The Missouri State Board of Nursing has approved expanding the schools nursing program. This move comes as part of an effort to address a lack of nurses in the area. More on MSSU Beginning the spring of 2026, the university will add a second pre-licensure bachelor of science nursing cohort. MSSU also received a $347,000 grant from Missouris Nursing Education Incentive Program to develop and implement a master of science program with a nurse education emphasis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. More than 50 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the United States remains divided by issues of race and racism, economic inequality as well as unequal access to justice. These issues are stopping the country from developing into the kind of society that Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for during his years as a civil rights activist. As a result Kings words and work are still relevant. I study the civil rights movement and the field of peace geographies. Peace geographies thinks about how different groups of people approach and work toward building the kind of peaceful society King worked to create. Americans faced similar crises related to the broader civil rights struggles in the 1960s. So, what can the past tell us about healing the nation? Specifically, how can we address divisions along race, class and political lines? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin Luther King Jr.s understanding of the role of love in engaging individuals and communities in conflict is crucial today. For King, love was not sentimental. It demanded that individuals tell their oppressors what they were doing was wrong. Kings vision King spent his public career working toward ending segregation and fighting racial discrimination. For many people the pinnacle of this work occurred in Washington, D.C., when he delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech. Less well-known and often ignored is his later work on behalf of poor people. In fact, when King was assassinated in Memphis he was in the midst of building toward a national march on Washington, D.C., that would have brought together tens of thousands of economically disenfranchised people to advocate for policies that would reduce poverty. This effort known as the Poor Peoples Campaign aimed to dramatically shift national priorities to address the health and welfare of working people. Scholars such as Derek Alderman, Paul Kingsbury and Owen Dwyer how Kings work can be applied in todays context. They argue that calling attention to the civil rights movement, can change the way students understand themselves in relation to the larger project of civil rights. And in understanding the civil rights movement, students and the broader public can see its contemporary significance. Idea of love King focused on the role of love as key to building healthy communities and the ways in which love can and should be at the center of our social interactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kings final book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? published in the year before his assassination, provides his most expansive vision of an inclusive, diverse and economically equitable U.S. nation. For King, love is a key part of creating communities that work for everyone and not just the few at the expense of the many. Love was not a mushy or easily dismissed emotion, but was central to the kind of community he envisioned. King made distinctions between three forms of love which are key to the human experience: eros, philia and most importantly agape. For King, eros is a form of love that is most closely associated with desire, while philia is often the love that is experienced between very good friends or family. These visions are different from agape. Agape, which was at the center of the movement he was building, was the moral imperative to engage with ones oppressor in a way that showed the oppressor the ways their actions dehumanize and detract from society. He said, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In speaking of love we are not referring to some sentimental emotion. It would be nonsense to urge men to love their oppressors in an affectionate sense[] When we speak of loving those who oppose us [] we speak of a love which is expressed in the Greek word Agape. Agape means nothing sentimental or basically affectionate; it means understanding, redeeming goodwill for all men, an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. King further defined agape when he argued at the University of California at Berkeley that the concept of agape stands at the center of the movement we are to carry on in the Southland. It was a love that demanded that one stand up for oneself and tells those who oppress that what they were doing was wrong. Why this matters now In the face of violence directed at minority communities and of deepening political divisions in the country, Kings words and philosophy are perhaps more critical for us today than at any point in the recent past. As King noted, all persons exist in an interrelated community and all are dependent on each other. By connecting love to community, King argued there were opportunities to build a more just and economically sustainable society which respected difference. As he said, Agape is a willingness to go to any length to restore community Therefore if I respond to hate with a reciprocal hate I do nothing but intensify the cleavages of a broken community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King outlined a vision in which we are compelled to work toward making our communities inclusive. They reflect the broad values of equality and democracy. Through an engagement with one another as its foundation, agape provides opportunities to work toward common goals. Building a community today At a time when the nation feels so divided, there is a need to bring back Kings vision of agape-fueled community building and begin a difficult conversation about where we are as a nation and where we want to go. It would move us past simply seeing the other side as being wholly motivated by hate. Engaging in a conversation through agape signals a willingness to restore broken communities and to approach difference with an open mind. This is an updated version of an article originally published on Nov. 16, 2016. Joshua F.J. Inwood is a member of the American Association of Geographers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association is a funding partner of The Conversation US. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Joshua F.J. Inwood, Penn State Read more: Joshua F.J. Inwood is a member of the American Association of Geographers. UNION, WV (WVNS) The Monroe County Courthouse caught fire on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Bluestone Coal Corporations mining permit suspended for Poca surface mine A state worker noticed smoke emanating from the courthouses windows at 3:30 a.m. This state worker, in turn, notified local authorities. Local fire departments promptly responded to the call and saved the courthouse. However, there were still some damages inside the building, according to County Commissioner Kenny Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been working on redoing the courthouse due to problems just an old building. We finally got grant money and the governors office helped. We were just a few months away from from having this project completed. This will be a setback, but no lives were lost and nobody was injured. That was the greatest thing, said Commissioner Mann. The fire broke out between the second and third floors of the courthouse, even affecting the new courtroom that was under construction. Prosecutor says Natalie Cochran juror pool will likely return an impartial jury The buildings sprinkler system may have aided firefighters in putting out the fire, but its activation did additional damage to the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minor water damages have been reported around the courthouse, as well as the new courtrooms insulation in the ceiling. No damages were reported in the Upper Record Room which is home to the countys precious records. The water from the sprinklers did make its way to the downstairs record room, housing older records. There was some water damage to them. [ServPro] has a technique that they use to where they they freeze the records and their dry-out process puts them back to where almost original state, said Commissioner Mann. ServPro is aiding in cleanup at the courthouse, thanks to the County Commission gathering shortly after the fire and voting to declare a County State of Emergency. This declaration helped them get quicker help as they bypassed the bidding process required by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The] government will not shut down here. We just have to maybe relocate to other places on our complex here, too, for a few weeks, clarified Commissioner Mann. Rather than that, business will [go on] as usual. We just have to maybe relocate to other places on our complex for a few weeks. Formal Charleston physician sentenced for federal opioid crime The fire is under investigation, as its cause remains unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Crews with the Montgomery County Fire Service worked to extinguish a residential fire in Cunningham early Sunday morning amid freezing temperatures. Just after 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, firefighters were called to the 5800 block of Bryant Hollow Road, where a house and a shed were in flames. Man arrested for shooting at family sledding in East Tennessee, authorities say (Courtesy: Montgomery County Fire Service) (Courtesy: Montgomery County Fire Service) (Courtesy: Montgomery County Fire Service) (Courtesy: Montgomery County Fire Service) Photos from the scene show the structure with severe external damage to one side as crews hosed down the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the MCFS, two people inside the residence at the time were able to escape safely with their pets and take shelter at a neighbors house. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to help the displaced family. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com In a social media post, the MCFS addressed the difficulties firefighters experienced while trying to extinguish the flames in frigid temperatures. Officials said a salt truck was dispatched to the scene after fire crews left to help melt ice that formed during firefighting operations. Officials said the fire is believed to have started in the shed behind the house, but the exact cause remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (FOX40.COM) More Northern California fire crews have been sent to SoCal to help with the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire and several others burning through the Los Angeles area. On Tuesday, hurricane-force winds at nearly 100 miles per hour fueled several wildfires that devoured residential and commercial areas in Southern California. The flames burned through more than 5,000 buildings and killed at least 11 people. Newsom calls for investigation into empty fire hydrants amid LA fires, invites Trump to California Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday night, the Sacramento Fire Department deployed 40 members of its US&R team to assist with search operations amongst the ash and buildings destroyed by the wildfires. Officials told FOX11 that at least 13 people have been reported missing in LA County. These highly specialized individuals and K9s will work tirelessly to search for victims, SFD said. Northern California fire crews on frontlines of Los Angeles fires The move comes days after a strike team comprised of crews from Metro Fire of Sacramento, Cosumnes Fire, and the Sacramento Fire Department rolled out to battle Southern California flames on Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, additional crews from Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa counties joined another strike team to help with the Palisades Fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Another six strike teams of water tenders are on their way from Oregon to Southern California to help battle the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. That brings to 21 to number of strike teams sent from the state, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said. The latest teams will leave Oregon no later than Sunday morning and will get their assignments once they arrive, officials said. Through mutual aid, which has more than 300 local structural fire agencies across the state, Oregon has provided 21 strike teams, 75 fire engines, 30 water tenders and 370 firefighters to battle the still-spreading wildfires in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters race to contain Los Angeles wildfires with menacing winds forecast to return We understand the gravity of the disaster taking place in California and are using the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to give our neighbors additional tools to combat these wildfires and protect people and homes, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a statement. Please rest assured our system is designed to ensure adequate coverage for our communities at home while at the same time providing support to those impacted by a disaster. The Associated Press reports light breezes were fanning the flames, but the National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds the nemesis of firefighters could soon return. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around to city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. VIDEO: Firenado caught on camera during Los Angeles wildfires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire also was threatening to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley, AP reports. This is one of the largest out-of-state responses that the Oregon Fire Service has supported, with similar responses to Santa Rosa and Napa in 2017. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum, Suresh Gopi, on Sunday described Swami Vivekananda as a visionary who envisioned a strong, united, and progressive India. He was speaking at an RSS function held in Thiruvananthapuram to commemorate Vivekananda Jayanti. "The greatest ambassador of Indian tradition and philosophy, Swami Vivekananda, was a visionary who envisioned a strong, united, and progressive India," Gopi said while addressing RSS workers at Kawadiyar Square in Thiruvananthapuram. "'Only a blind man cannot see our motherland, India, waking up from a long slumber. No one can stop India now.' His words, written a century ago, are proving true as we witness India rising on the global stage. The motto of Vivekananda Jayanti, 'Youth Power for National Rebirth,' reminds us of our collective responsibility," he added. The Union Minister emphasized that India's demographic dividend provides the nation with unparalleled energy, resources, and talent. "As we approach 100 years of independence, we believe that young India holds the key to realizing the dream of becoming a fully developed nation by 2047. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving shape to the dreams envisioned by Swami Vivekananda," he said. Gopi highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Central Government reflects the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, preparing youth to face global challenges while remaining rooted in Indian values. "Swamiji once harshly but necessarily criticized Kerala, calling it a 'madhouse' due to caste discrimination and urged for spiritual and social reform. Today, Kerala faces new challenges, such as rising drug abuse, crime rates, and mental health crises. These issues demand urgent attention and a return to the universal values of brotherhood and unity exemplified in Swamiji's teachings," he said. On the occasion, the RSS organized a march from Peroorkada to Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram. [Image caption: Suresh Gopi pays tribute to the statue of Swami Vivekananda at Kowdiar Square.] Meanwhile, the central government is organizing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 to commemorate the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The event is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from January 11 to 12. (ANI) HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The family of Vincent Hokim asked Mothers United Against Violence to hold a vigil for the fallen father Saturday afternoon in Hartford. Hokim was stabbed to death by his son, 49-year-old Raybin Hokim, outside of the Travel Inn Motel last Saturday. It was the Capital Citys first homicide of the year. Organizers say that such violence, especially between family members, is a cause for solidarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to do something. Families need support. Especially when you lose a loved one to sudden trauma, said Reverend Henry Brown from Mothers United Against Violence. Son accused of killing father in Hartford motel stabbing Rev. Brown continued, This stuff comes out of nowhere, and people are devastated. And some people dont know what to do but we take a strong word of support and let them know that, in the midst of it all, God still loves you. Raybin Hokim was charged with murder for stabbing his father. He is being held on on a $2 million bond and is due to appear in court in February. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Hosts of MSNBCs The Weekend Show ripped Mark Zuckerberg on Sunday as fresh details emerged showing just how far the Meta CEO is planning to roll back his platforms content moderation policies. In a shock announcement, the Facebook founder said this week that his company, which also owns Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, would be scrapping its fact-checking program in a move critics have slammed as a cynical pledge of allegiance to incoming Republican president Donald Trump. A leaked Meta training manual, published by The Intercept on Thursday, has since revealed the kind of toxic and harmful content to which Zuckerberg now appears eager to open the floodgates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSNBCs hosts expressed unmitigated shock and horror reading out just some of the sample posts the tech giant will soon consider permissible. As Symone Sanders-Townsend put it, Oh, my God! This is for the bigots and the people that hate other people! This is not for most Americans. This is for the internet bullies. And I just, I dont under thats not about fairness why do the bigots need a platform? Co-host Alicia Menendez swiftly chimed in, I also thought it was interesting Did you see this, Michael? That in their statement they said, Well, if they can say things on the floor of Congress, they should be able to say Well, I wouldnt use the floor of Congress right now as my metric. Michael Steele, for his part, was entirely in agreement. Where is the line in which we, as a society, say that, you know, putting suggestive comments beneath the picture of a young girl under the age of 17 is OK? Is that what were saying now, Mark Zuckerberg, you can do that? he said. He then went on, When bad things happen because of what youre platforming, youre going to sit back and go, Well, were not responsible, Section 203, were protected, we dont have, we have no responsibility, its just a platform. Bull! Its more than that and you know it. Jillian Schoene joined Ken Boddie for a conversation on Eye on Northwest Politics. Watch the video for the full report. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Jillian Schoene has a wealth of experience working with elected leaders at all levels, including the United State Congress. In December, she was appointed the new director of Multnomah Countys Homelessness Response System. But for 7 years, she also ran Emerge Oregon, a non-profit which recruits and trains women to run for elected office. One of those women was former City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, and Schoene spent 4 years at City Hall with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked why she left city hall for a job with the county, she said, Im going to give you the nerdy answer, Ken. I love local government. I love working for the city and I knew I wanted to stay at the local level where were really trying hard to change things on the ground for our city and our county. Multnomah Countys Homelessness Response System will work closely with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, she said. But the Homelessness Response System is the renewed structure where Portland, Gresham and other key partners in healthcare and housing come together to collaborate on the work we have to get done and to hold each other accountable for the progress. She said that in the work flow, the Joint Office of Homeless Services will be part of the Homeless Response System. The Joint Office is changing its name to the Homeless Services Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schoene artfully dodged answering whether Mayor Keith Wilsons stated goal of ending homelessness in a year is achievable. She noted Wilson wants to try nighttime-only shelter beds again we did it before and well try it again, she said then added, Were going to give it a shot. There are now 200 nighttime-only shelter beds at Salvation Army as of January, she said. Wilson and County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson appear to have a better relationship than former Mayor Ted Wheeler had with Pederson. When she was asked if the city and countys relationship will get better, Schoene laughed. Well, thats my job, to put a finer point on it, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She admitted there was a time when, for a variety of reasons, Portland and Multnomah County werent aligned. In that moment of crisis when we were trying to figure out who does what when the city and the county have very distinct roles and those roles are actually coming together in this moment of crisis but it took us a helluva time to figure that out. I will admit that, she said. But there is alignment today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) Six firefighters from the Nacogdoches Fire Department are heading to California to assist with the deadly wildfires ravaging the state. Fires continue into the weekend in Los Angeles The City of Nacogdoches said the team was deployed through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to help combat the wildfires burning near Los Angeles in southern California. On Saturday morning, Battalion Chief Sean Black, Captains Shawn Dillon and Dusty Arreguin and firefighters Kalin Cobb, Garrett Lowery and Wesley Pietruszka began their journey westward. Photo courtesy of Nacogdoches Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Nacogdoches Fire Department. Photo courtesy of the City of Nacogdoches. According to the Associated Press, at least 10 people have died and more than 10,000 homes have been destroyed by the fires in Palisades, Kenneth, Eaton, Hurst and Lidia since Tuesday. Evacuation orders for more than 153,000 people were still in place on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nacogdoches Fire Department is asking the community to join them in sending well wishes for the safety of their team as they face the fires. Good luck and stay safe gentlemen, city officials said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Nashville police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old on I-40 Sunday morning. An investigation into the incident has been launched by Homicide Unit detectives, who believe Uriel Miller, 26, was shot and killed while driving his Ford Crown Victoria on I-40, according to a release. Police said detectives discovered Miller in the driver's seat of the Ford while responding to a reported shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was found with a single gunshot wound to his shoulder. The vehicle was against the cement barrier that divides the eastbound and westbound lanes, the release noted. The front passenger window appeared to have been shot out and the rear drivers side window had a bullet defect. Police recovered a gun from the drivers side door of the vehicle. The motive remains under investigation. Police ask that anyone with information about the fatal shooting of Miller call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police investigate shooting death of 26-year-old on I-40 Melanie Henshaw InvestigateWest Native Americans are twice as likely as others to have overdue medical bills in collection, and major problems within the Indian Health Service are a key reason, a new federal report shows. The December report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that 8% of Native American people living in Census tracts with a majority Native American population had medical debt in collections from 2021 to 2023, compared to a national average of 4%. The figure is higher in Census tracts without an IHS facility, at 11.5%. The bureau found that Native Americans had an average of $4,000 in medical debt, 33% above the national average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many cases, the report found, the problems stem from major issues within an IHS program that refers patients to outside providers for medical care and then often doesnt pay the bill leaving patients on the hook for debts that should not be their responsibility. The pervasive challenges in the Purchased/Referred Care program administrative delays, billing errors, and rationed budgets not only burden Native consumers with debt they should not owe but also deepen health disparities and erode trust in the system designed to serve them, the report said. There are proposals at the federal level to erase medical debt from credit reports, including proposed legislation and a Biden administration plan, but with a new president and congressional majorities, the status of those potential changes is uncertain. U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington Democrat who has two bills before Congress that aim to address issues with the IHS billing processes and the disproportionate medical debt held by Native Americans, says the high rate of debt for Native Americans is particularly egregious since they are guaranteed coverage by the IHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve been promised this by the Indian Health Service, and now (its) putting people in a predicament where they may not go see the specialist they would (if) they had been referred to because they were worried about whether IHS would pay, or whether they would be on the hook for a bill that they could not possibly afford to pay, Schrier said. So it has had health impacts, and financial and emotional impacts. The federal analysis reaffirms recent reporting by InvestigateWest that examined the disproportionate medical debt and lack of access to health care for Native Americans, finding that administrative delays, billing errors and insufficient funding often leave patients responsible for medical costs that should be covered by the IHS. This remains a problem for tribal communities in the Northwest, especially those receiving health care services directly through the Indian Health Service. Although Medicaid expansion has proven effective in reducing debt for Native Americans, significant gaps remain in states that chose not to expand Medicaid, such as Idaho. The Indian Health Service, a federally operated health care provider, was created in 1955 to help fulfill the federal governments trust obligations to Native American tribes legal and moral obligations to protect tribal lands, assets, resources and tribal sovereignty, which the Supreme Court has affirmed includes health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Purchased and Referred Care Program is intended to provide speciality and emergency care to Native American patients when the services are unavailable at IHS facilities, but bureaucratic issues and systemic underfunding undermine its effectiveness, leaving thousands of patients with unexpected medical debt when it fails to perform as designed. The analysis found a multitude of problems undermining the success of the referred care program, including administrative complexities, strict eligibility requirements and payment delays. Consequently, providers often inappropriately bill patients for care that has been authorized for payment through the IHS system, leading to coerced payments or collections fees even for bills patients do not owe, the report says. As InvestigateWest reported last October, Native Americans in the Northwest, particularly citizens of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, have been left with substantial medical debt as a result of the IHS failure to pay bills for care received through the agencys referred care program. The tribe, which receives all of its health care services directly through IHS, has just one doctor at the local clinic, forcing its citizens to travel long distances for basic care, which then often results in billing issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrative complexity of the program contributes to the problem. It requires patients to meet strict eligibility requirements pertaining to where they live and where they are treated. Patients must also notify the agency within three days when emergency care is needed, then secure preapprovals before obtaining specialty care. The report notes that these requirements are prone to delays and errors, increasing the chances that patients are improperly billed or sent to collections. The report highlights further problems, including providers noncompliance with program regulations particularly the practice of providers demanding patients sign liability waivers that make them responsible for costs that should be covered by the IHS. Such practices violate federal law, the analysis notes. A primary issue within the referred care program is payment delays. There are multiple processes prone to error that the IHS follows before providing reimbursement for purchased and referred care, including verifying patients use of alternative insurance, like Medicaid or private coverage. The IHS is strictly a payer of last resort, meaning patients must exhaust all other options for payment before the IHS will cover services. The IHS is underfunded as a whole, and the purchased and referred care program in particular is severely limited in funding, resulting in rationed care for life-threatening conditions. Patients with less-urgent needs often face denials for coverage or must wait for care until additional funding is available, exacerbating well-documented health disparities affecting Native American communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Jarred-Michael Erickson, said in a July 2024 letter to Congress the issues with IHS payments have caused serious problems for his citizens. On the Colville Reservation, these management deficiencies have resulted in tribal members having their credit negatively impacted because of unpaid medical bills, fewer health providers, and even deaths, Erickson said. After patients are sent to collections, the analysis notes, many are unaware they are carrying medical debt until it shows up on their credit report, making a positive resolution for the patient unlikely even if the agency eventually pays the outstanding bills. Payment issues for providers in the referred care program are so prevalent that some leave the program altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress is working on two bills to address the issue, the Protected Native Americans Credit Act and the Purchase and Referred Care Improvement Act, both co-sponsored by Schrier, who represents Washingtons 8th Congressional District. She said the harm caused by unforeseen medical debt can be devastating for Native Americans in her district. When somebodys credit report is impacted, then they have trouble with insurance rates and buying a house, and buying a car and other things, Schrier said. But theres also the emotional impact when people are getting hounded by credit agencies, and theres the dignity of, you know, being able to go and get the health care you need. Schriers proposed bills, co-sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., would retroactively remove the erroneous debt from qualified Native Americans credit reports, clarify the IHS responsibilities for handling bills in the Purchased and Referred Program, and create a mechanism for reimbursement for tribal citizens who paid the outstanding bills themselves. Separately, the White House is looking to address the issue by finalizing a proposed rule in the waning days of the Biden administration that would ban medical debt from appearing on any Americans credit reports. Initially proposed in June 2024, the rule would require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to strike the roughly $49 billion in Americans outstanding medical debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schrier says shes awaiting details of Bidens new plan including whether the rule applies retroactively to see how it will impact her proposed bipartisan legislation. Shes also waiting to see how the new Republican-led Congress will address the issue, saying she remains committed to the issue. I just want to make sure that these tribal families are made whole, and so if we need that separate legislation, well do it, Schrier said. The rule would take effect in 60 days, meaning it will overlap significantly with the incoming Trump administration and some Republicans have expressed the possibility of reversing rules made in the final days of the Biden administration once Trump takes office. When the rule was proposed last summer, some Republicans called it regulatory overreach and said it would undermine the credibility of credit reports. In a statement, the IHS said that it was aware of the report and continuing to prioritize the referred care program, educate staff about the program, inform providers about the No Liability language for referrals, and referred to the recent Biden administration announcement about eliminating medical debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it stands, the IHS referred care program has well-known deficiencies that the recent report highlighted. Even when bills are finally paid by IHS or the consumers themselves, Native consumers may still be stuck with collections fees and charges, reflecting the systemic failures of a program intended to ensure affordable health care access, the report said. InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Melanie Henshaw covers Indigenous affairs and communities in the region. Reach her directly at melanie@invw.org or at (971) 258-1430. After years of efforts to address racial disparities in Washington State Patrol searches, an InvestigateWest analysis found that patrol officers were still searching the cars of Native American drivers at five times the rate of whites. (Washington State Patrol) This project, the first in a series of ongoing stories addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, was completed with support from the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative. This story was originally published by InvestigateWest, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to change-making investigative journalism. Sign up for their Watchdog Weekly newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ever since the Washington State Patrol began keeping a database on all its traffic stops, one troubling point has stood out: Troopers search the cars of Native American drivers much more often than drivers who are white. It was clear when Washington State University researchers studied the data in 2003, in 2005 and in 2007. It was clear in 2019, when InvestigateWest found that the search rate for Native Americans was five times higher than for whites. And it was clear when WSU researchers followed up one more time in 2021, at the request of the state Legislature, and found similar results. Advocates have called for change. Lawmakers have pressed for answers. And the state patrol has acknowledged its a problem. But traffic stop data from 2018-2023 reveals that none of it has reduced the gap between Native American search rates and that of other groups, according to a new InvestigateWest analysis. Troopers continue to search Native Americans at a rate five times higher than whites. In fact, the disparity has increased since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were signs that the disparities have been reduced for other minority groups, however. Black and Hispanic drivers have also been searched at higher rates than whites for decades, a trend that researchers have found across the country, but the gap has shrunk slightly in Washington since 2020. Fewer national studies have specifically looked at search rates of Native Americans compared with other groups. Chris Loftis, spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol, said the agency doesnt dispute the analysis, but he said the agency does not believe that intentional or systemic bias is the culprit. He said its a challenge we must continue to address. The disparity is there. We recognize it. And we continuously try to figure it out, why is it there, and why has it been there for so many years? Loftis said. Academic researchers stress that search rates alone dont prove systemic racial bias within a department. Still, the disparity with Native Americans in Washington is glaring, said Hans Gaebler, a Harvard Ph.D candidate whose research focuses on statistical analysis of policing bias. He called the Native American search rate a concerning statistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five times difference in search rates is quite large, Gaebler said. The persistent disparities have fueled reform efforts in Washington. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a nonprofit organization representing 57 Northwest tribal governments, issued a series of resolutions Oct. 3, calling on the Washington State Supreme Court to address the disproportionate rate of searches of Native Americans. Ahead of the states legislative session, police accountability groups are crafting a bill that would reduce searches on traffic stops for non-safety reasons. Those groups say InvestigateWests analysis has added urgency to the issue. The minimal improvement in these disparities over time suggests that WSPs efforts to address these issues lack either the necessary commitment, resources or accountability measures, said Nickeia Hunter, vice president of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Roger Goodman, chair of the House Public Safety Committee in the state Legislature, said its encouraging that the patrol is looking inward to improve without being defensive or obstructionist, but hes concerned about the lack of improvement. I think this is just the way this is. Its called structural racism, the Kirkland Democrat said. Identifying bias To conduct the analysis, InvestigateWest sorted through a database of nearly 6 million traffic stops by the state patrol over six years. For each stop, troopers logged information that included the drivers race (as perceived by the trooper), the alleged violation, enforcement actions and details about searches. Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said the higher search rates for Native Americans are an example of structural racism. (Washington House Democrats) InvestigateWest isolated more than 7,000 stops that resulted in high-discretion searches. Those include consent searches think of a trooper asking if they can take a look inside the vehicle along with pat-downs and K9 searches. These searches are relatively rare, occurring on less than 1 percent of all stops in the last six years, but that rate is commonly used by those who study police bias, including Stanford University researchers who have gathered similar data across the country as part of their Open Policing Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second test of the outcomes from those searches a metric called the hit rate offers a more complete picture, said Gaebler, who has also worked on the Open Policing Project. His research has shown that you need to look at both hit rates and search rates when studying discrimination. If a group is searched more often but officers find illegal drugs or weapons less often, that can indicate bias. In 2019, the tests taken together painted a troubling picture. Black, Hispanic and Native Americans were not only searched more often, but each group was less likely to have contraband found during searches when compared to white people. More recently, that remains the case for Black and Hispanic drivers. But for Native Americans, while the search rate increased, so did the rate of troopers finding contraband. Though it should be noted that with only 174 high-discretion searches overall for Native Americans from 2018-23, that rate is more likely to swing up or down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jack Glaser, a social psychologist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said the higher hit rate for Native Americans can make it more difficult to draw statistical conclusions about bias. But he noted that the search rate disparity is much higher in proportion to the hit rate. From 2018-23, Native Americans were 415% more likely to be searched, but only 16% more likely to have contraband found. Im still troubled by the higher search rate of Natives. I do think that the hit rates dont justify such a disparity, Glaser said. Its an issue worth exploring, said Loftis with the state patrol, but he stresses that disproportionalities are not on their own evidence of systemic bias. The contention that there was no agency-wide bias was bolstered in 2021 by a WSU study requested by the Legislature. That study also found higher search rates and lower hit rates for Black, Hispanic and Native American drivers, only slightly reduced when taking into account other factors like gender, traffic violations and time of day. The study stopped short of concluding that the disparities indicated bias. Instead, it called for the patrol to further examine the data to better understand disproportionalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it was the headline attached to the studys news release that validated the state patrols stance: No systematic agency bias. We hold strongly to WSUs findings no intentional or systemic bias is evident in our traffic stop operations, Loftis said in response to InvestigateWests more recent analysis. The data itself may not capture outside factors influencing search decisions. If drivers have contraband out in the open and a trooper wants to conduct a search, that may have nothing to do with race. Christina Sanders, one of the researchers who conducted the WSU study, reviewed the findings of InvestigateWests most recent analysis. She echoed the conclusions of her previous study, which called for more research and better data, saying the differences between Native Americans and white drivers should still be explored, and she stressed that academic researchers would want to again control for other variables to ensure that the context across all searches is the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaebler said the takeaway from the decades of data on search rates is not that theres no discrimination. Hit rates have been lower for Native Americans in the past, and theres a lot of uncertainty in the new data, he said. So the fact that the search rate is so much higher is still suggestive of there being a different standard for being a Native American. Consequences Lawyers and advocates who work with Indigenous people say the search figures are upsetting, but not surprising a lack of trust in police is a long-standing issue in Indigenous communities, which face disproportionate violence at the hands of police, as research has shown. Steve Graham, a criminal defense attorney, said the data matches what hes heard from his clients. The presence of surveillance technology popping up on arterial roadways connecting Native American nations to adjacent towns like Omak, Brewster and Yakima can contribute to an ongoing perception of criminalization due to race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Omak Police Department, for example, announced last year that it had bought automated license plate readers to help handle what it said was increased call volume. But those cameras were placed on a route that leads to the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation on the other side of the Okanogan River a placement that has not gone unnoticed, Graham said. I can tell you that my clients in the Native American community feel more targeted than ever, Graham said. It did seem like there was some attention on the police interactions with other ethnic minorities in the last few years, but it didnt seem to have really improved with the Native community. Consent searches, one of the three types of discretionary searches reviewed in InvestigateWests analysis, have power dynamics at play where civilians who are asked if they can be searched by police may be unsure of their rights or ability to refuse, according to legal experts. Because of the positional power, its very difficult to say no. Im a lawyer, I know my rights, and its still difficult for me to say no, said Enoka Herat, outgoing policing and immigration policy director of ACLU Washington. Consent searches made up about half of all discretionary searches of Native Americans from 2018-2023, but it was those searches that yielded almost all instances of contraband being found. For all races, troopers were more likely to find contraband during a consent search than not. Many of the discretionary searches by the state patrol occurred when the driver was not found to have endangered traffic safety. The most common criminal offense in Washington, driving while suspended in the third degree, occurs most frequently when a person has a traffic ticket and fails to pay it or appear in court to challenge it, according to the ACLU. Civil rights groups like the ACLU have pushed for years to have that charge overturned as a criminal offense, arguing that it disproportionately affects people of color and the poor while doing little to improve road safety. An InvestigateWest analysis of citation rates appears to back up that argument. There were just over 300,000 stops from 2018-2023 in which troopers logged a violation for driving with a suspended license, expired registration tabs or other non-traffic violations. Most ended with a warning or nothing at all. But Native Americans were most likely to receive a citation for such offenses, with 4.3% of all stops resulting in one. Hispanic and Black people each had citation rates of 3%, slightly higher than the rate for white people. A December report by the Prison Policy Initiative also found that Black people across the country face a disproportionate chance of searches and enforcement actions by police. Citations for such low-level offenses can cause a disproportionate burden for drivers who are poor, defense attorneys say. If drivers fail to appear for a court date on the misdemeanor charge, it can set off an escalation of further charges and fees that can become insurmountable. Byron Moore, a criminal defense attorney in Okanogan County, refers to this cycle as driving while poor. Drivers can fear theyll face additional charges for merely refusing to consent to a search, even if thats not the case, and officers are not required to inform people of their right to refuse. I have heard from clients that theyre in a position where they cant say no, Moore said. A legal fix? The ACLU and groups like the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability are seeking legislative fixes to address the disparities. They are working on a new traffic safety law, called Traffic Safety for All, that would remove Washington law enforcements ability to pull motorists over solely for non-safety related traffic violations, like driving with expired registration tags or a broken taillight. They say that would free up more resources for law enforcement to pull over drivers that are under the influence, distracted or reckless, which they argue pose the greatest risk to public safety. Reform advocates also point to instances in which traffic stops of minority drivers for non-safety related violations have escalated to violence, sometimes even fatal contributing to ongoing distrust of law enforcement. Some states and jurisdictions have moved to limit discretionary searches. Virginia decriminalized minor equipment violations, like broken taillights, as primary reasons for a traffic stop. During discretionary searches, officers have no probable cause basis or warrant to search a person the officer is deciding to do so based on their analysis of the situation, which critics say leaves open the possibility of bias, sometimes unconscious or implicit. Glaser, the social psychologist who has been studying implicit bias in policing since the 1990s and authored a paper on implicit bias and discretionary searches for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in March 2024, said more training on implicit bias is unlikely to help. We dont have any evidence that any of the existing trainings on implicit bias in any industry, but specifically in policing, have any effect on actual performance on the field, Glaser said. While such training may be well-intentioned, it wont change deep-seated mental associations that troopers may have with ethnic groups, he said. Out in the field, troopers look for suspicious behavior, and because of the nature of implicit bias, theyre not going to be able to recognize that the suspicion theyre experiencing could be a racial stereotype. Implicit bias training should focus on the command staff, who set incentives for officers and direct them where to focus their attention and resources, and who can more effectively implement the training, Glaser said. Policymakers and agency leaders should instead look for other ways to reduce disparities, Glaser said, and eliminating consent searches would be top of the list. Dan Bodah, a senior program associate in the Vera Institutes Redefining Public Safety initiative, had that in mind when he helped craft the Traffic Safety For All act. This is a way of isolating where those high-discretionary environments are, where those biases and racial disparities arise. In doing so, we identify those areas to help prevent future disparities from occurring. Bodah said. Last year, a similar bill failed to get much support in the Legislature. Goodman, D-Kirkland, said that was partly because the language felt too restrictive for police. Any bill that emphasizes what police arent allowed to do is a difficult sell to lawmakers, he said. There was concern about restricting police discretion acknowledging that the discretion results in disparate treatment. But its sort of this balance between public safety and social equity, Goodman said. The Traffic Safety For All measure would call for more data collection from agencies other than the Washington State Patrol. Goodman said no matter what happens with the bill, hed like to see more research into the racial disparities. Hunter said that to meaningfully address the root causes of the disproportionate searches, WSP should adopt strict policies limiting discretionary searches, implement bias training and evaluations, have independent oversight of search practices, increase community engagement, and incentivize equitable policing. Any research of this nature needs to be more comprehensive and deliberate, Goodman said. I would assume that every police agency would, if analyzed, show similar disparities. Calls for change In response to the criticism of racial disparities in searches five years ago, Loftis said the state patrol has made efforts to improve culture and training, and to recruit more diverse troopers. Today, the makeup of the state patrol is slightly more diverse, with 81% of commissioned officers being white, compared with 86% in 2020. The patrol is doing more targeted recruiting in areas where we are historically underrepresented, Lofits said. And in 2022, the state patrol removed its staff psychologist after reporting by the Seattle Times found that an exam he administered disproportionately rejected candidates of color. Advocates for Indigenous peoples, however, say theres much more to do in order to establish a lasting trust. WSPs acknowledgment of the problem without tangible, measurable change highlights a gap between words and action, Hunter said. Sustained disparities harm marginalized communities and diminish public confidence in law enforcement. By committing to transparency, accountability and community-driven reform, WSP can begin to rebuild trust and address these systemic inequities. In its 2024 resolution titled Rectifying the Dehumanization of Indigenous People in State Legal Systems, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians calls on the Washington State Supreme Court to issue a proclamation urging representatives of the legal and judicial systems to address the dehumanization of Indigenous peoples in those systems. The patrol is aware it has work to do to build trust with Indigenous communities. And although the agency has touted its tribal liaison program created in 2019, with two positions meant to improve relationships between the agency and the tribe, both tribal liaisons have left the patrol in recent months, sending the agency on an extensive search for a replacement. Loftis said they left the agency for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. Emily Main, hired to replace one of those departures, said she recently was introduced to members of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation in a public meeting. A tribal member asked me, straight up, Were you coerced into taking this job? Main recalled. Loftis said the question was revelatory to him, showing how deep the distrust of law enforcement goes. We have a long way to go, Loftis said. Paul Kiefer contributed reporting for this story. He stated that those opposing the students have lost public support, underlining that the Bihar Bandh is widely backed by the people of the state. Speaking to the media, Yadav said, "Sarkar ka Ram-Ram satya karna hai. Jo log chhatra-virodhi hain unka Ram-Ram satya hai. The people of Bihar are on the streets, and students are on the streets. Everyone is supporting this (Bihar Bandh)." Supporters of Pappu Yadav held protests in Patna's Ashok Rajpath, demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the BPSC exam. Visuals showed them blocking roads, burning tyres, and reiterating their demand for the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission's Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, conducted on December 13, following allegations of a question paper leak. On Saturday, Yadav announced his collaboration with Azad Party founder Chandrashekhar Azad and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to address the BPSC Preliminary Exam issue, vowing not to let the Assembly function from March 21. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, declined to entertain a plea alleging widespread malpractices in the 70th BPSC Preliminary Exam. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan advised the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court with their grievances. During the hearing, Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, representing the petitioner, alleged police brutality against peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the exam. Bihar Police reportedly used force to disperse civil service aspirants who were demonstrating against the alleged irregularities. On Monday, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor was granted unconditional bail by a Patna court after being sent to Beur jail for refusing to pay the bail bond. (ANI) NATO allies worry that the growing threat China poses may distract the US from Europe. A seapower expert argues the forces needed in Europe are different than in the Asia-Pacific. A confrontation over Taiwan would be primarily a naval fight; Europe would be a land battle. China's threat to Taiwan also poses a profound dilemma for NATO does it tie up its most powerful ally from European defense at a critical moment? A new study suggests that while splitting US military resources and focus is a problem, it's a manageable one. That's because the American forces needed to stop a Chinese fleet in the Strait of Taiwan are not the same as those suitable for destroying Russian tanks on the European steppe. "For example, it is unclear whether armor and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) have as much utility in a Sino-American conflict a primarily maritime theatre as they do in Europe (although both capabilities have a role in each theatre)," wrote analyst Sidharth Kaushal in a report for the Royal United Services Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America has had to cope with the dichotomy between the Atlantic and the Pacific since World War II. In that war, the European theater was a ground conflict fought between huge mechanized armies and hordes of land-based aircraft, albeit with a smaller naval component in the sea battle to resupply Britain. The Pacific theater was a naval and air conflict fought among scattered islands, which put a premium on aircraft carriers, submarines and mobile amphibious units such as the US Marine Corps. Compounding the problem is that modern armies and weapons are expensive. The US could afford to fight a two-front war in 1941. Building a military sufficient to simultaneously defend Taiwan and Europe today would be ruinous, one of the many reasons the US maintains strong alliances in both regions. To be sure, the US backs Taiwan's independent government, but it's unclear whether it would commit forces to Taiwan's defense. However, Kaushal believes that the problem may be manageable by focusing on a couple of key variables. In particular, the success of an invasion of Taiwan depends upon China's ability to achieve sufficient air and naval superiority to protect the amphibious fleet ferrying assault troops and the logistics they depend upon. "The crux of any defense of Taiwan will be denying it this superiority," Kaushal argued. "If this is achieved, it is likely that Taiwan's forces can mount a successful forward defense of likely landing sites on the island, making a protracted defense and the subsequent flow of US forces superfluous. If not, the battle will likely end before either of these things can be considered." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In turn, this means that only some American military capabilities would be relevant, especially anti-ship missiles, submarines and mines. Naval drones, like those wielded by Ukraine, may also prove powerful weapons to attack a Chinese armada. Conversely, heavy armor and the capacity to transport it would be paramount in supporting NATO against a Russian attack. But sinking a Chinese fleet will require SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses) missions against defensive systems protecting the invasion convoys. And it's there that the difference between the Atlantic and Pacific becomes manifest. US attack submarines are more needed in the Pacific than to defeat enemy armies in Europe, a seapower expert argues. MC1 Keenan Daniels/US Navy In Europe, Russian ground forces would be protected by land-based surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries and radars, which are mounted or transported by truck. NATO would first have to locate them and then strike them with air-launched anti-radar missiles such as the US AGM-88 HARM, or ground fire from artillery, tactical missiles, and drones. A Chinese invasion fleet in the narrow 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait, by contrast, would be an easily detected target and would be out of range of land-based SAMs on the Chinese mainland. Air defense would have to come from weapons on the Chinese warships, which can put out an impressive amount of firepower against hostile aircraft and missiles. China's Type 055 Renhai-class cruisers, for example, are equipped with 112 vertical launch tubes that can fire anti-aircraft or anti-ship missiles. The ships are also likely to be defended by fighter jets, many launched from airbases in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "SEAD in the European context is primarily a function of the ability to suppress or destroy a layered network of elusive and mobile ground-based SAM systems," Kaushal wrote. In the Taiwan Strait, "the challenge is not that targets are elusive, but rather that they are exceedingly well defended." SEAD weapons, such as the HARM missile, aren't really designed to hit ships. So rather than targeting Chinese air defenses specifically, the US and its allies should simply concentrate on sinking warships. Every Chinese warship destroyed is one less escort for the troop ships. In a Taiwan war, "SEAD is largely synonymous with anti-surface warfare and OCA [offensive counter-air]," Kaushal wrote. "If the picket of destroyers and cruisers protecting an invasion force suffers substantial losses and if [People's Liberation Army] aircraft, including AWACS, cannot freely operate over the Strait, the amphibious vessels on which an invasion defends are much less defensible." Advanced warning and control aircraft are flying radars that detect hostile threats for a wider force. A similar dichotomy between Europe and the Pacific applies to weapons needed for missile defense. "While all US IAMD [integrated air and missile defense] will be missed, some capabilities will leave more of a gap than others," Kaushal told Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Europe, the threat is largely from Russian cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles. Against these weapons, the best defense is blast-fragmentation interceptors which detonate an explosive charge near the target or shorter-range hit-to-kill rockets (which kinetically slam into a missile) such as the US PAC-3 launched from the Patriot air defense system. In the Pacific, the threat is from Chinese intermediate- and medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the DF-21 "carrier killer" missile. Defense against them favors longer-range, high-altitude hit-to-kill interceptors such as the American SM-3 and THAAD. Weapons won't be the only precious commodity split between East and West. Running two regional wars comes with a problem beyond firepower: brainpower. It demands the US has enough decision-makers and staff officers to focus on their own theater, but distractions are common and even likely similar to the US loss of focus on Afghanistan after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In World War II, the European theater had priority. Today, it's more likely to be the Pacific. Either way, Europe needs to build up its capabilities in case US resources are diverted to the Pacific. This includes air and missile defenses, hardened airbases, and improved anti-submarine warfare systems, Kaushal said. Europe accepts that America's attention will inevitably switch to the Pacific. "The prospect of the US needing to reallocate resources is increasingly viewed as a structural reality rather than a question of any given administration's policy," Kaushal said. But public discussion "tends to stop at the point where it is assumed that US resources will be stretched and that Europe must fill the gaps, with little granularity as to which resources and what gaps are of greatest concern." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Welcome to the governor edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. This week Ive got some behind-the-scenes details about the governors inaugural address, plus an update on his former opponents family nonprofit. The snow and ice that came through Friday night meant that new North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein didnt have the inauguration weekend that he expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No ceremony on the Capitol grounds with thousands of people watching 6,000 people had requested tickets. No block party. No Inaugural Ball. No open house at the Executive Mansion. But the ball is just postponed, and Stein said that there could be more celebration to come. Steins staff had to make the call a few days prior amid the winter weather forecast. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein talks with supporters after delivering his inauguration address inside the House chamber of the historic State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. What he did do on Saturday was give his inaugural address before a small crowd inside the Capitol, in the House chamber. Just before 2 p.m., he and his wife, Anna Stein, and their grown children Leah, Sam and Adam walked quietly out of the Senate chamber across the rotunda into the House. The event was essentially a live viewing of him giving a speech that was livestreamed by PBS North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He began his speech mentioning the change in plans: I regret that we are unable to be together in person. So many people were excited to share their talents whether in music, arts, and food. I am disappointed that we wont be able to celebrate so much of what makes North Carolina wonderful. But of course, your safety comes first. When the weather is better, I sincerely hope that we get the chance to celebrate our great state together, Stein said. The speech wasnt open to the public, just to Steins invited family members, friends and staff. The press was there, too, myself included. The Capitol building, if you didnt know, is a state historic site and a very cool one. The 1840 building is open for tours on weekdays and Saturdays. Here are two photos I shot on Saturday, one of the Capitol building itself, and the other inside the Capitol dome Under the Dome, like our N&O political branding that began in 1937, when the building was busier. Legislative Services Officer Paul Coble oversaw the recent refurbishing of the dome and Capitol roof, which cost about $10 million. The North Carolina State Capitol building, pictured on the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 as Gov. Josh Stein was about to give his inaugural address inside, and as the last remnants of snow and ice melt from winter weather the day before. Looking up under the dome of the historic North Carolina Capitol building, from the rotunda inside. The General Assembly meets at the Legislative Building a block away, and no lawmakers attended the speech, nor did Steins predecessor, former Gov. Roy Cooper. Steins new secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, Reid Wilson, was there he has been a friend of Steins for more than 20 years. Wilson served as secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources under Cooper. The only elected official I saw, aside from Stein of course, isnt actually an elected official anymore: Matt Calabria, who until earlier this month was chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Calabria resigned that office to take a job leading the Western North Carolina Helene recovery efforts in the Stein administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steins inaugural address included mentions of several people who he thinks exemplify North Carolinians character, and he also talked a lot about how much he wants to work with, rather than fight with, Republicans. Democratic NC Gov. Josh Stein calls for building a stronger state with GOP collaboration Money owed by nonprofit owned by Mark Robinsons wife, Yolanda Hill, reduced Stein defeated former Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the November election. When this newsletter focused on the governors race, I wrote extensively about the fate of Balanced Nutrition, the nonprofit owned by Robinsons wife, Yolanda Hill, where he once worked. Over several months, Balanced Nutrition had failed to provide a series of documents. Hill and her attorneys repeatedly postponed meetings with regulators. In 2024, DHHS found that the now-closed Balanced Nutrition owed the state $132,000 for several disallowances, meaning improper billing. The nonprofit had worked as an intermediary between child care centers and government food and nutrition programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balanced Nutrition still owes six figures, according to documents I received this past week from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services through an ongoing public records request. DHHS sent Hill and her attorneys a letter on Jan. 7 about her most recent meeting with the agencys Child and Adult Care Food Program about compliance reviews and documentation of the disallowances that resulted in the original debt. According to the letter, documents provided by Balanced Nutrition have been reviewed again, and now it owes the state $101,142 and has 30 days to pay once an invoice is received. Hill and Robinson said during the campaign that the scrutiny of Balanced Nutrition was politically motivated. Stay informed about #ncpol Listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. On our new episode posting Monday, Im joined by Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia as we talk about the new freshman Republicans in Congress and President-elect Donald Trumps immigration plan. You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. You can also email me questions you may have about Gov. Josh Stein at dvaughan@newsobserver.com. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to US President Joe Biden about the "progress" in negotiations for the ceasefire deal securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Netanyahu told Biden about "the mandate he gave to the negotiating team to Doha in order to advance the release of our hostages," thanking both Biden and US President-elect Donald Trump for their help in "this sacred mission." The White House said that Biden and Netanyahu had discussed the ongoing negotiations in the Qatari capital Doha and the release of the hostages on the basis of a ceasefire plan that Biden had presented in May last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the call, Biden also spoke with Netanyahu about the "fundamentally changed regional circumstances" following the ceasefire in Lebanon, the fall of the al-Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Iran's regional influence, the White House statement said. "He stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with US President Joe Biden about the progress in negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal. The prime minister discussed with the American president the progress in the negotiations to release our hostages and updated him on the mandate he gave to the negotiating team to Doha in order to advance the release of our hostages, Netanyahus office said in a statement about the call on Sunday. It added, the prime minister wanted to thank the American President (Joe) Biden and the incoming President Donald Trump for their cooperation for the holy mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the negotiations in Doha, based on the proposal the US president laid out in May. Biden once again called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the hostages and increased humanitarian aid to the enclave. A truck carrying humanitarian aid drives on the main Salah al-Din road in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on December 7, 2024. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images/File Biden also spoke to Netanyahu about the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire in Lebanon in November last year, the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime the following month, and Irans weakened position in the region, the White House said. This is the first publicly announced call between the two men since October 2024, and it comes as Netanyahu summoned two major critics of Bidens ceasefire deal proposal to meetings to discuss a potential deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have previously rejected a peace proposal laid out by Biden in May of last year, which would pair a release of hostages with a full and complete ceasefire. Both ministers rejected the idea of an immediate ceasefire and have called for fighting to continue until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The far-right ministers have previously threatened to resign and topple Netanyahus governing coalition if he accepted Bidens proposal. The meetings with the Israeli cabinet members on Sunday come as Israeli negotiators have expressed cautious optimism at the talks ongoing in Doha this weekend, which involve a high-level Israeli delegation including Mossad chief David Barnea. Netanyahu under pressure Netanyahu, who met with Trumps incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Saturday, is facing pressure from both the current and incoming US administrations to reach a deal. Last week, Witkoff touted progress made at the Doha talks and expressed optimism about making gains by the time of Trumps inauguration on January 20, though a senior administration official said talks remained difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump himself has said there would be hell to pay in the Middle East if the hostages are not released by the time he is sworn into office. His incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz told ABC on Sunday said he wants to see some type of agreement before inauguration. Demonstrators lift placards and national flags during an anti-government protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, on January 11. The demonstrators were calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostage since October 2023. - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images I want to see (the hostages) walking across the tarmac, or at a minimum, some type of agreement before the inauguration because President Trump is serious, Waltz said. Waltz also said Hamas was completely isolated and has to enter into some type of agreement. The Biden administration said earlier Sunday it was still working toward securing a hostage deal before the president leaves office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday that while reaching a deal by January 20 is possible, he cannot make any predictions. We are very, very close, and yet being very close still means were far, because until you actually get across the finish line, were not there, Sullivan said on State of the Union. Sullivan said White House Middle East adviser Brett McGurk is still in Doha, hammering out with the mediators the final details of a text to be presented to both sides. In a December interview with CBS that aired Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that when an agreement is reached, it will be on the basis of what President Biden put forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile those close to the Israeli prime minister have stressed his commitment to securing a deal. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized Israels aim to secure a hostage deal as he welcomed his British counterpart to Jerusalem on Sunday. And Netanyahu spokesperson Omer Dostri told Israeli outlet Channel 14 that the government was making every effort to reach a deal but there had been slow progress. In the end, it depends on Hamas, he said on Sunday, pushing back against critics who have claimed Netanyahu didnt want a deal. I am in various discussions and I can tell you the prime minister works on this 24-seven, holds discussions into the night, conversations with leaders, he said. When I hear all kinds of sources saying that the prime minister does not want to return our hostages home, I tell you, this tears me apart. The prime minister wants a deal. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNNs Gregory Clary and MJ Lee contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEWFANE The town has new spirit with the grand opening of 4 Kings Distillery this weekend. The new business, owned by resident Mike Outten, produces and serves small-batch liquors at the new bar and event space in the Forest Creek Business Park at 2712 West Ave. Shelves are stocked with the distillerys bourbon, whiskey, gin and vodka. Theyll be ready to welcome customers from noon to 6 p.m. today and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The distillery sells liquor by the bottle and offers shot flights, cocktails, Niagara wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Outten said he is committed to selling products produced in New York state from New York state ingredients. This includes Donovan Orchards Estate Cider, wines from nearby Schulze Vineyards, with Brickyard and EBC beers on tap. His barrels are made from white oak by Adirondack Barrel Cooperage. Outten plans to make krupnik, a 66-proof Eastern European honey liqueur by Easter, and to add a maple bourbon creme sometime this year. His bourbon and whiskey are 88 proof. In the future, he would like to offer barrels of liquor for sale, that he would age on-site for customers to periodically taste and determine when its ready to bottle for them. He said he hopes to sell bottles to liquor stores and establishments by fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from the Town of Newfane joined Outten Thursday for a ribbon cutting and preview tasting in the renovated bar room nestled in the back of the former Lockport Felt Mill complex. The cozy space with a custom hemlock bar, brick walls, lantern lighting, and original plank floors, features windows to the adjacent bottling room. A barrel room is available for events of up to 50 people. I just really wanted to create a relaxed place, Outten said. I think we accomplished that. He chose the companys name as a reference to playing cards, speakeasies, and iconic American musicians. Experienced in construction, Outten and his two sons renovated the space themselves. I was extremely impressed but not surprised, knowing Mike, said John Syracuse, town supervisor, who attended the event. Hes a craftsman with attention to detail. Outten said he learned distilling from friend Bryan Scharf, owner of Ellicottville Distillery, who makes bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka. For nearly a year, Outten distilled his own products at the Ellicottville site. Syracuse said 4 Kings is a good fit for Newfane. I look at it as complimentary to the wine trail. Distilleries, wineries, and breweries seem to be all the rage with the new generation. As President-elect Donald Trump criticizes the governments handling of the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, local and statewide officials are openly inviting him to come tour the devastation himself. The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out, Trump wrote on his Truth Social page late Saturday night. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just cant put out the fires. Whats wrong with them? Criticism of California and L.A.s preparation for such a crisis isnt just from the right side of the aisle Gov. Gavin Newsom himself has called for an investigation into low water pressure on some hydrants and low water supply from the Santa Ynez Reservoir. President Donald Trump talks with then California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, left, during a visit to a neighborhood impacted by the wildfires in Paradise, Calif., Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) But Newsom claims that Trumps attacks come from a place of political malice rather than true care for the people of L.A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools. Families completely torn asunder. Churches burned down, Newsom told CNNs Anderson Cooper. This guy wanted to politicize it. The Newsom-Trump feud dates back to the President-elects first term in the White House. More recently, the governor ordered a special legislative session to Trump-proof California shortly after his election win. Newsom, who Trump degradingly calls Gavin Newscum, posted an open letter to X on Friday, inviting the President-elect to tour the fire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles County, such as the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Governor Gavin Newsom surveys the damage as the growing Palisades Fire prompts widspread evacuations on Jan. 7, 2025. (KTLA) As you prepare to assume the presidency once more, I invite you to come to California again to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line, the letter reads in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines, Newsom continued. Walgreens customers dont need prescription to pick up medication during Southern California wildfires The governor isnt the only government official inviting Trump to tour the wreckage. In my years in the county, I have seen time and time again how essential of a partner the federal government is when responding to an emergency and helping our communities recover, L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said during a news conference on Sunday. I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities so he can see the desperate need but also the incredible opportunity of hope and perseverance for our impacted neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barger said she too sent Trump a letter inviting him to tour evacuation areas. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said shes communicated with representatives of the incoming administration, and claims shell have more to share on the matter shortly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. President-elect Donald Trump has not responded to Gov. Gavin Newsom's invitation to tour California's fire damage, Newsom said Saturday afternoon. Newsom sent a letter on Friday inviting the incoming president to California to meet with fire victims, survey the devastation in Los Angeles County and join him in thanking first responders. The invitation, which the governors office said was emailed to Trumps team, marked a slight change in tone in the political battle between Newsom and Trump, with Newsom imploring Trump not to politicize the tragedy. Newsom delivered an acid-laced reply when asked Saturday whether he expected Trump to respond to the invitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's an incoming American president," Newsom told a reporter Saturday as he stood on a Los Angeles airport tarmac in front of a hulking CalGuard Black Hawk helicopter. "I would expect any leader of the free world, the most powerful person in the United States of America, to respect the pleas of 40 million Americans that happen to live in the state of California, hundreds of thousands of people that are still evacuated and a recovery effort that includes, right now, cadaver dogs to look for human remains, to be here for the American people at a time of emergency and a time of recovery." Read more: 'We will not be closing.' Amid the fires, employers and employees walk a fine line between work and safety Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger echoed Newsom's call with her own invitation to Trump on Saturday, imploring the incoming president to stand with county residents as they rebuild. Trump's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Trump took to his Truth Social site late Saturday to rail against the still-raging fires and call California politicians "incompetent" for not yet being able to put them out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A catastrophic cluster of fires has wrought unprecedented destruction on the greater Los Angeles area in recent days, leveling thousands of structures and killing at least 16 people. The rebuilding effort will cost billions and test relationships at all levels of government. President Biden, who has a close relationship with Newsom, has pledged that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster assistance costs to California for the next 180 days. But Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, and the recovery effort will likely sprawl for years to come. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with reporters at LAX on Saturday. (Carlin Stiehl / For The Times) Newsom whose term in office ends in 2026, is widely seen as eyeing the White House. As governor, Newsom took advantage of the states position as the liberal antithesis to Trump to elevate his own national profile during the president-elects first term. The war of words between the two men on social media and in news headlines gave Newsom an opportunity to define himself as a fighter for Democratic values that he argued the Trump regime sought to erode. Newsom and California similarly gave Trump a chance to call out the follies of Democratic rule, endearing the president to his own base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than 36 hours after Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Newsom called a special session of the Legislature to give the California Department of Justice an extra $25 million to wage legal battles against the incoming administration. The special session immediately reignited the California versus Trump narrative from four years ago, though Newsom has attempted to downplay any political motivation and said his experience proved the need to prepare to protect environmental policies, abortion access and other state priorities. Read more: Firefighters gain ground on deadly L.A. wildfires, but more wind is on the way When asked Saturday whether he regretted calling the special session and publicly reigniting tensions with the incoming president, Newsom emphatically pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our preparing for the inevitable which is an assault on our values, our diverse communities we would be absolutely remiss not to prepare for that," Newsom said, citing the myriad lawsuits the state litigated with Trump during his tenure and prior threats to withhold disaster assistance from the people of California. But he also suggested that he worked as closely with Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic as any Democratic governor in America, taking the slightly more measured approach that he has put forth. During the president-elect's first term, Newsom and Trump also maintained a friendly behind-the-scenes relationship, which appears to have since dissipated. Newsom has forcefully pushed back on right-wing attacks on social media in the wake of the fires on social media in recent days and launched a website Saturday to actively debunk misinformation about the fire. The site refutes claims from Fox News that California cut its firefighting budget and shoots down allegations in social media posts about the state mismanaging forest lands. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Saturday called on President-elect Donald Trump to accept his invitation to visit Los Angeles as wildfires continue to wreak havoc on the city. Hes an incoming American president, said Newsom, who invited Trump to visit California on Friday, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. I would expect any leader of the free world, the most powerful person in the United States of America, to respect the pleas of 40 million Americans that happen to live in the state of California ... to be here for the American people at a time of emergency and a time of recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his letter to Trump, Newsom invited the president-elect to see the devastation firsthand in a visit where he could thank first responders who are putting their lives on the line amid the fires, which have killed at least 16 people and burned over 12,000 structures with about 57,000 others still at risk. Earlier in the week, the governor dismissed Trumps efforts to play politics after the president-elect took to his Truth Social platform to blame him for the fires. Trump who has called on Newsom to resign has claimed that the governor refused to sign a water restoration declaration, blamed efforts to protect an essentially worthless fish species for the fires and complained that theres no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes (officials have blamed tremendous demand for water storage tanks running dry). The governor, in an interview with Foxs Los Angeles affiliate KTTV, renewed his request for Trump as he pointed to residents whose lives have been completely torn apart by the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its with an open hand, not a closed fist and Im not interested in politicizing an event like this, Newsom told Fox 11s Elex Michaelson. I dont like the venality of it, I dont like the inhumanity of that, I would like people to focus on a collaboration between the executive in Washington, D.C. and in the state of California to help rebuild a community thats been completely ravaged. Newsom, when asked if the two have talked about the fires, said they havent discussed the topic and he reached out to the president-elect again on Saturday. He didnt directly answer whether Trump had returned his call before turning to talk of his intention behind the invitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HuffPost has reached out to Trumps team for comment. Newsom, after remarking on President Joe Bidens response to the wildfires, told Michaelson that hes not interested in the theater of political consternation. Thats what hes interested in and I think its pretty shameful, personally, said Newsom of Trump. But it shouldnt extend beyond this, I want to turn the page. I think everyone does. Related... Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary in Amaravati. India is celebrating National Youth Day, today in commemoration of the 'great spiritual leader, philosopher, and thinker Swami Vivekananda', whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country. Earlier in the day, the Andhra Pradesh CM also extended his greetings to the people on National Youth Day. "Hard work is your weapon, but success is your slave," he said, giving a wonderful message. Greetings to all the youth who are celebrating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day," CM Naidu wrote on X. Naidu highlighted the role of youths in the development of the state, "Youth power should be a partner in the reconstruction of the state, in the eradication of poverty, and in the establishment of an equal society. Powerful technologies like social media, the internet, and AI should be used for your development without misusing them," his post reads. He further stated that his government is working to provide 20 lakh jobs to the state's youths during their tenure. "We are constantly working to provide 20 lakh jobs to the youth in these five years. We are also designing programs with the aim of making every household an entrepreneur. We are conducting a skill census for the first time in the country. You set goals. Your government will always be there to help you achieve them. Once again, National Youth Day greetings to all of you," the Andhra CM wrote in his post. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. (ANI) Jan. 12After $19 million in medical malpractice payouts to settle 26 patient claims, Albuquerque neurosurgeon Mark Erasmus has lost his license to practice medicine in New Mexico. It didn't come soon enough for Diane Jennifer Gutierrez, a 52-year-old single mother who is now partially paralyzed. The New Mexico Medical Board concluded last April that Erasmus exhibited "manifest incapacity or incompetence," making him unfit to continue working as a doctor. A state district judge on Dec. 30 upheld the board's decision to revoke Erasmus' medical license, but he intends to appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erasmus, who was first licensed as a physician in New Mexico in 1979, is also fighting a malpractice lawsuit filed by Gutierrez against him and Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, where she underwent spinal fusion in February 2022 to relieve upper back and shoulder pain that radiated down her left arm, her lawsuit stated. "She literally walked in there and never walked again," said her attorney Lisa Curtis of Albuquerque last week. Deposition testimony in the case shows that a month before the surgery, Erasmus had some kind of medical event that forced him to stop operating on a different patient. Another surgeon had to finish the procedure. Curtis contends he passed out, but Erasmus said he never lost consciousness and was later cleared by a cardiologist. Gutierrez is one of four of Erasmus' former patients currently suing him for medical negligence in New Mexico state district court. Three of the four are now wheelchair users or are quadriplegic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2021, the 73-year-old physician has been sued for medical malpractice nine times a factor cited in the license revocation order by the state medical board, which oversees licensing and discipline of physicians and physician assistants in the state. The board also contended there was credible evidence that from 2001 to the present, more than $19 million has been paid out by insurance carriers to settle 26 malpractice claims involving Erasmus. The board also cited the fact that Erasmus agreed to undergo a "fitness for duty evaluation and a neuropsychological evaluation to determine safety to practice." The evaluations began in December 2022, 10 months after Gutierrez's surgery. "The results of those evaluations show respondent is not fit to practice medicine," stated a notice of contemplated action the medical board sent to Erasmus in September 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney, Bryan Davis, in an appeal of the board's decision, contended his client had been deemed unfit for duty specifically as a neurosurgeon but wasn't considered unfit to practice medicine generally. Davis also contended that the $19 million in payouts was "unsubstantiated" and contended the allegation "ignored the reality that insurance companies settle medical malpractice cases that are defensible and winnable for many reasons besides whether the physician actually committed malpractice." There were also defendants other than Erasmus who were named in the lawsuits, Davis wrote. Davis, in a phone interview on Friday, said his client didn't want to settle some of the claims but was overruled by other defendants, such as the hospitals that were sued. In recent years, Davis said, Erasmus had some health conditions, including long COVID. At the time of Gutierrez's surgery he also was going through a bad divorce, according to board documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erasmus would like to be able to teach, do insurance reviews and independent medical exams, stated the board in recounting his testimony during a 2023 hearing on his license. "He's not intending to set foot in an operating room again," Davis told the Journal. Several of the lawsuits fault Lovelace for permitting Erasmus to work as a neurosurgeon in its facilities despite his history of malpractice payouts. "It can be only for monetary profit that Lovelace Medical Center and its owners and operators would hire, retain, credential and privilege such a well-known incompetent surgeon as Dr. Erasmus," stated Gutierrez's lawsuit. Erasmus was employed as a staff neurosurgeon by Southwest Medical Group at Lovelace Medical Center from 2020 to February 2023. Previously, he was affiliated with Presbyterian Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holly Armstrong, an Albuquerque attorney representing Erasmus and Lovelace in the Gutierrez case, wrote in one court filing that the defendants "deny they provided negligent care to Ms. Gutierrez, deny they breached the appropriate standard of care, and deny there were any improper omissions in the care provided." Armstrong couldn't be reached for comment late last week. Erasmus has blamed Gutierrez's injuries on a stroke, but her lawsuit disputes that as the cause of her permanent weakness in her arms and legs and paralysis. It alleges Erasmus permanently damaged her spinal cord and later wrote in her medical record that there were no complications in surgery. State records show it's rare for the New Mexico Medical Board to revoke a physician's license, and even more unusual for the board to cite malpractice settlements as among the reasons to open an inquiry. Typically, revocations have occurred when physicians have sexual relations with patients, are criminally charged with crimes like drunken driving, or overprescribe opioids. Interim Medical Board executive director Monique Parks told the Journal in an email last week that details about the board's investigations are confidential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked why the board decided to take action on Erasmus' license after 26 malpractice claims, Parks said, "It is common practice for state medical boards to use malpractice data as a tool to detect unprofessional conduct that may violate the Medical Practice Act. Some boards have built-in levels of malpractice that trigger investigations, such as a certain number of malpractice settlements in a certain span of time." Parks wouldn't say whether the New Mexico Medical Board has adopted such a "built-in level" for malpractice claims, saying only, "medical malpractice settlements and claims may be an important consideration in deciding the scope of a complaint and investigation by the board." "The NMMB staff exercises broad discretion," she added, "depending on the facts and circumstances, when opening an investigation and an administrative proceeding, with the oversight and expertise of our board members as mandated by the Medical Practice Act." The Gutierrez lawsuit faulted Lovelace officials for failing to warn Gutierrez before her surgery about the multiple other prior malpractice claims naming Erasmus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She's a smart lady and she couldn't have known this," said Curtis. At the time of the surgery, she added, Gutierrez had been taking care of her son, now 11, after receiving a buyout from Verizon, where she had been a manager. Curtis lauded the board's decision. "I think the board was trying to send a message: We're not going to tolerate this quality of physicians for patients anymore." LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) Its an epidemic that has plagued the country for decades; childhood suicide. Now, a new study out of New Mexico State University (NMSU) shows that a population thats quite high in New Mexico is more likely to fall victim. When it comes to childhood suicide rates, the United States is unfortunately highest in that statistic. We have similar rates like other countries. The problem is we have more unattended mental illnesses, untreated and left without care children, said Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, Professor of Public Health at NMSU. A new study out of NMSU shows that Native American and Alaskan Native children are at a higher risk for childhood suicide. With rates more than double the national average it is ringing an alarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Docs: Moccia placed on paid administrative leave as NMSU welcomes interim athletic director What we find now is that Alaska Native American Indian children are less than 2% of the U.S. population, but their suicide rates have increased 50% for boys and 10% for girls, and they continue to escalate, said Dr. Khubchandani. Dr. Khubchandani says several factors lead to high rates of childhood suicide, especially among indigenous children. What kind of mental health support do they receive? On top of that, they live in dire poverty, have been discriminated against theres high rates of interpersonal violence and bullying, the school quality is poor, the school support system is weak, says Dr. Khubchandani. New charges filed against man who shot New Mexico State Police officer in 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes calling for more programs and other initiatives to help combat the numbers that continue to rise. We need to improve housing, reduce poverty, reduce homelessness, reduce access to guns and drug addiction. And for the local communities, I think they need to take this as a serious initiative where the schools are connected to local health care providers, he says. He hopes the study can help spark that conversation for change. Even if we had more providers, better resources, the children have to come and seek help and get these resources. And thats where I want to focus my attention. The study is available to read online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Jan. 11Even one drink a day carries a substantial cancer risk. That is the finding of a new report from the U.S. Surgeon General released earlier this month. But as the risk of even moderate drinking becomes clear, the role alcoholic beverages play in daily life will likely remain. "Beers in a healthy pub scene can bring people together to enjoy a social environment. Used responsibly, it can bring people together in dialogue," said John Bryant, the owner of No-Li Brewery in Spokane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he does not dispute the varied risks of drinking, Bryant has also seen the positive force a social beer can have in people's lives. Though society seems to be fraying, Bryant has seen spaces centered around alcohol being one of the only places where people can easily connect with one another in the real world. "You can't just look at a cancer risk and that's the be-all and end-all," he said. "You have to look at it holistically and what it can bring to an individual's mental and physical health and society as a whole." The social benefits of drinking have always bumped up against negative consequences whether that be hangovers, drunk driving, liver damage, alcoholism, bad behavior or more. Now, cancer is being added as another risk to be factored with having drinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breweries and distilleries will comply with whatever new rules or societal norms might become established in the wake of the surgeon general's warning. Surgeon general advisory The warning by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy does not change government policy regarding the sale or consumption of alcohol. Instead, it raises awareness that alcohol at any level does bring with it a substantial risk of cancer. Alcohol use causes about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the United States each year, according to an analysis of 26 studies cited by the Surgeon General's report. The chance of contracting mouth cancer increases by 40% for those who have a drink every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, only 45% of Americans believed alcohol use is a cancer risk when polled in 2019 by the American Institute of Cancer Research. That number dropped further when Americans were asked if moderate alcohol use causes cancer. "The majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," Murthy said in a statement. "This advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol's cancer risk and minimize harm." Cancer risk does increase substantially with the amount of alcohol consumed. "A glass of wine or a beer with friends or family on the weekends is not going to have as much risk as someone who consumes alcohol on a daily basis, and the risk goes up if you drink more than four ounces of alcohol a day," said Dr. Bret Gourley with the MultiCare Cancer Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer has been established for cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and voice box. According to the report, the cancer risk remains the same regardless of the kind of alcohol consumed, including beer, wine and hard liquor. When alcohol is broken down by the body, it creates a formaldehyde-like byproduct that is carcinogenic. While this is the primary way alcohol can cause cancer, it also can alter estrogen levels causing breast cancer. For women, breast cancer accounts for more than 60% of alcohol-related deaths. Murthy recommends the creation of a health warning label on alcoholic beverages much like the cancer warning labels on cigarettes. The surgeon general cannot unilaterally make such a requirement; congressional action would need to mandate such a warning. Gourley likens the cancer risk of alcohol to that of tobacco. While the risk from regular use of cigarettes is "definitely stronger" than that of alcohol, Gourley believes the two risks "mirror" one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a good opportunity to evaluate your use of things like alcohol or tobacco that have an increased risk of causing health problems down the road," the Spokane cancer physician said. "Every person has to make an individual decision on the risk they are willing to accept." Rise of the nonalcoholic beverage Nonalcoholic beverages have become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative or an addition to alcoholic drinks. Patera Temperance Lounge aims to provide the Spokane community the space and social interaction of a bar without the alcohol. Co-owner Annie McGuiness hopes her patrons are able to find the same type of connection alcohol can bring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What people truly love about drinking is meeting people while having a beverage that makes them feel special," she said. Nonalcoholic beverages are a growing part of the industry. In 2023, sales of nonalcoholic beer and cocktails increased by 29% compared to the year prior, per alcohol industry database International Wine and Spirits Record. Black Label Brewing Company owner Dan Dvorak said the nonalcoholic beverage market has been "blowing up" in the past several years. Like many if not most breweries and restaurants, Spokane-based Black Label now offers NA beer alongside alcoholic offerings. Dvorak called his NA beers "very popular" and an aspect of the business he plans to expand soon. He sells the beer in cans made by other breweries but hopes to start his own nonalcoholic brew in the next six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brewery owner points to the COVID-19 pandemic as a big cause of the popularity of nonalcoholic beer. "COVID made us all a lot more health-conscious. It's also a generational thing," he said. "For my younger customers, drinking isn't about the buzz." Dvorak said he was "not surprised" by the surgeon general's report. "I figured that was the case. Alcohol in itself is not really a healthy thing. But a lot of good can come out of it," he said. McGuiness, who stopped drinking alcohol in 2022, said a greater understanding of the risks of drinking was long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have known for a long time how detrimental alcohol is. Not long ago, people didn't think there was anything wrong with smoking," McGuiness said. "And now there's definitely still smokers, but many people now make different choices. I think alcohol is going down the same route." While she doesn't expect alcohol to go away, McGuiness hopes this understanding will make nonalcoholic beverages more normalized. "Right now in Spokane, it can be difficult finding a good mocktail. You have to go to a special place, and even then, not as much time or dedication is put into that beverage as an alcoholic one," she said. "I see having that option becoming a standard and not so much of a niche." Jan. 12An initial batch of proposed legislation was unveiled Friday, revealing some of lawmakers' personal priorities ahead of a legislative session that will begin later this month. The House and Senate are both expected to be led by bipartisan coalitions that bring together Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans all hoping to focus their efforts on a long-debated increase to public education funding and reform of the state's struggling retirement system. They are also looking at solutions for a shortage of natural gas that powers much of the state. But lawmakers can also bring forward their own personal agendas. For conservative Republicans in the minority, it's an opportunity to lay out their priorities even if they are unlikely to be considered. The 81 measures introduced so far are a first glimpse of the topics that lawmakers may focus on in the months to come, but many bills never get much more than a cursory glance. In the previous two-year legislative term, Alaska lawmakers collectively introduced 803 measures, including bills and resolutions. Of them, 167 or around one in five passed both the House and the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Related: Retirement reform reintroduced ahead of legislative session, topping agendas in House and Senate] This year's legislation covers education policy, election reform, and health care policy, among many other topics, with more to come. Another batch of prefiled bills will be released next week, and once the session begins, lawmakers can introduce new legislation on a daily basis. Another attempt to repeal ranked choice voting and open primaries Sutton Republican Rep. George Rauscher is proposing a bill to repeal Alaska's election system of ranked choice voting and open primaries, reverting the state to a partisan primary system and pick-one general elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska's election system was adopted through ballot measure in 2020 and preserved after a 2024 ballot measure seeking to repeal the system narrowly failed. The incoming bipartisan House and Senate coalitions are not expected to support a reversion to Alaska's former voting system, after the open primaries favored several of their members. However, the Alaska Republican Party has worked diligently to repeal the system, arguing that it disadvantages its favored candidates. Coalition members instead say they want to focus on improving the state's election laws, including by allowing voters to correct ballot errors after they vote. Separately, two groups are already working on ballot measures to again try to repeal Alaska's voting system through an initiative that could appear if enough signatures are gathered on the 2026 ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campaign contribution limits Anchorage independent Rep. Calvin Schrage is proposing campaign contribution limits for Alaska elections, after the state has gone four years without. Until 2021, Alaska had some of the strictest campaign contribution limits in the country, putting a ceiling on how much individual donors and groups could give to candidates. A judge struck them down, saying they were too low, but allowing for higher limits to put in place. Lawmakers, however, have not reached consensus on whether limits are needed. In 2022 and 2024, with no limits in place, individuals both inside and outside Alaska spent massive sums on political campaigns. Opponents of new contribution limits say the lack of limits means the money goes directly to candidates, rather than to political action committees that are outside the candidates' control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of Alaskans are separately seeking to reestablish campaign contribution limits by ballot measure, but the initiative would not appear on the ballot if lawmakers preempted it by adopting their own set of limits. No cell phones in schools Anchorage Democratic Sen. Bill Wielechowski proposed legislation that would push Alaska school districts to ban the use of cellphones by students in public schools. The Alaska Board of Education and education commissioner Deena Bishop have already indicated they would favor such a prohibition. Alaska allows most education policy decisions to be made by school districts, and Wielechowski's bill would give districts leeway in determining their approaches to cellphone use. Several states already require schools to limit cellphone use by students, including California, Indiana, and Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free meals in public schools Fairbanks Democrat Rep. Maxine Dibert introduced a bill that would ensure every public school student in the state gets access to free breakfast and lunch. Multiple states have already begun offering free school meals to all students, regardless of income, including California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont. During the coronavirus pandemic, Congress made meals free for public school students, but many states including Alaska did not continue the subsidy once federal funding for it ran out. According to Feeding America, a nonprofit tracking food insecurity, one in every six Alaska children face hunger. The Legislature last year considered funding free reduced-price meals this school year, but that was removed from the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dueling proposals on the length of legislative session Anchorage Republican Sen. Cathy Giessel proposed a bill to repeal the 90-day limit on legislative sessions in Alaska. The law is rarely adhered to. Lawmakers instead typically continue working until the constitutional limit on session length, which is set at 121 days. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Matt Claman has a dueling proposal that would instead put the 90-day session limit in the constitution, forcing lawmakers to abide by the three-month limit. Alaskans adopted the 90-day limit in a 2006 ballot initiative. At the time, supporters of the initiative argued that shortening the sessions from 121 to 90 days would save the state money and encourage a greater number of people to run for office. Lawmakers often wait until the very last days of the session to pass legislation. Proponents of the shorter session say that productivity isn't lost when lawmakers spend less time in Juneau. However, opponents of the 2006 initiative said that a shorter session would increase the power of lobbyists and curtail discussions on complex problems facing the state and legislation to fix them. They also pointed to reality on the ground: lawmakers often can't get their work done in 121 days, and special sessions have been called repeatedly in recent years to address a variety of issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't see a limit on the number of critical issues we're going to have, and that's why I think it's absurd to have this 90-day session in statute books," said Giessel. Easing the path to override governor's vetos Anchorage Democrat Sen. Matt Claman is proposing a constitutional amendment that would lower the threshold for repealing a governor's veto of legislation. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has repeatedly used his veto pen to nix legislation and funding items, sometimes without providing a specific explanation for his actions. Lawmakers during his tenure have repeatedly failed to override his vetos, or in many cases never bothered trying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Alaska constitution, it takes three-quarters of lawmakers the highest threshold in the nation to overturn the governor's veto of a budget-related item. The threshold for other bills is two-thirds. Claman's proposal which would have to pass the Legislature and then go before voters to become law would adopt a two-thirds threshold for veto-override votes, regardless of whether they relate to the budget. Boosting access to flood insurance Sitka Republican Sen. Bert Stedman introduced legislation to create an Alaska Flood Authority, in an effort to ensure the availability of flood insurance to Alaska property owners. The bill comes after Juneau experienced catastrophic flooding that destroyed multiple homes last year after a glacial dam broke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the homeowners in the impacted area did not carry flood insurance, part of what one local insurance agent called a "silent insurance crisis." Climate scientists warn that natural disasters impacting homes could increase in number and magnitude in the coming years amid global climate change. Paying for groceries with gold and silver Big Lake Republican Rep. Kevin McCabe again introduced a bill he had originally brought forward in 2023 to allow gold and silver to be used as legal tender in the state. McCabe said in 2023 that the idea came from a constituent that doesn't trust the national banking system. The Republican-controlled House passed the bill in 2023, but it was not taken up by the Senate. Limiting the number of state holidays Rep. Dan Saddler, an Eagle River Republican, has a proposal to limit the number of state holidays to 12, after the Alaska Legislature approved last year Juneteenth as Alaska's newest state holiday. Current state holidays include New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Seward's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Alaska Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If Saddler's proposal were to pass, lawmakers could only approve new holidays by getting rid of others. Expanding safe surrender law to protect abandoned infants North Pole Republican Sen. Robb Myers is proposing an expansion of Alaska's safe surrender law, which allow parents to surrender their infants and remain immune from prosecution. The proposal comes after a dead infant was discovered outside an Anchorage church in November. Myers' proposal would allow parents to surrender infants in a "safety device" physically attached to exterior walls of medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other locations. Existing laws allow parents to surrender their infants directly to individuals in law enforcement agencies, fire departments, or medical establishments. Alaska first adopted a law allowing parents to abandon their infants safely in 2008. But according to a Daily News review in 2013, the law was never used in the first five years of its existence. In 2013, a baby was abandoned in Eagle River. In 2022, a baby was found dead in a cardboard box in Fairbanks. LONDON (AP) Mind the pants. Hundreds of Londoners headed down to the Underground on Sunday afternoon, stripped down to their underwear and travelled around a bit, trying to look as though nothing unusual was going on. As if. This was the Official No Trousers Tube Ride, an annual event with no point other than injecting a little levity into the bleak midwinter. No deep meaning, no bigger motive. The only goal was to be silly, if but for one afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres so much bad, so much not fun going on, said ringleader Dave Selkirk, a 40-year-old personal trainer. Its nice to do something just for the sake of it. After gathering at the entrance to Chinatown, dozens of clothing anarchists trooped through the icy streets to the Piccadilly Circus Underground station in central London where they boarded their first train. The only hiccup was that the cars were so crowded some people couldnt shed their trousers. Selfies were taken. Grins were exchanged. Tourists looked puzzled. The first stunt in this vein was held in New York in 2002, the brainchild of local comedian Charlie Todd. His idea was this: Wouldnt it be funny if someone walked onto a subway train in the middle of winter wearing hat, gloves, scarf everything but pants? Or trousers as theyre known in London, pants being synonymous with underpants in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be unusual in New York, although you can see anything on our subway system, but what would really be funny is if at the next stop, a couple of minutes later, when the doors open and additional persons got on, not wearing trousers as well, Todd told the BBC. And they act like they dont know each other, and they act like its no big deal and they just forgot their trousers. The idea took off, and no pants days have been held all over: in Berlin, Prague, Jerusalem, Warsaw and Washington, D.C., among other cities. London hosted its first big reveal in 2009. You know, its meant to be a bit of harmless fun, Todd said. Certainly we are living in a climate where, you know, people like to have culture war fights. My rule in New York was always the goal of this event is to amuse other people, to give people a laugh. Its not to be provocative, its not to irritate someone. So hopefully the spirit of that continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basil Long, a lawyer, showed up at the meeting point in a down coat and hat on a freezing winter afternoon. But after his journey underground in the warm tunnels of the Tube, he had been transformed, wearing only a white shirt with bold rainbow stripes, pink underwear and Underground-themed socks. I just saw it online and I just thought, why not? Its always a question, isnt it? he said. When someone is asked why they climbed Everest, they were just like, why not? But Miriam Correa had a purpose. The 43-year-old chef wanted to come because she had seen pictures of previous no trouser rides that featured lots of thin, scantily clad women. I am a real woman, she said, adding that there was no reason to be ashamed of her shape. All bodies are perfect." Trump can no longer claim that Jan. 6, 2021 was a day of love. The election of 2024 proved that. When Republicans lose, there are riots. When Democrats lose, there is a peaceful transfer of power. There should be no pardons for the lawbreakers, those who broke into Capitol, those who were arrested and jailed. These people are criminals. Dewey Rochester, Charlotte New Orleans attack Anger, grief, dismay, hopelessness. These are some of the feelings I absorb and experience when a car kills revelers in New Orleans or a shooter takes out innocent people in place after place in our country. Yet, daily strikes on people trying to avoid violence in Gaza also break my heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dead are acknowledged in brief articles with some reason these areas were targeted. I fear genocide is going on daily in Gaza, coupled with polite explanations. Sam Robertson, Fort Mill Power transfer I watched Congress certify the 2024 presidential election. Unlike four years ago, there were no rallies or protests in Washington. The vice president did her job as president of the Senate, transferring power from one administration to the other. In our short time as a country, we have always honored the tradition of counting the votes in a peaceful lawful way. That is until January 6, 2021. That day the loser, Donald Trump, could not accept the vote of the people. For months, he had lied about a stolen election, which culminated in the violence at the Capitol that horrible day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For reasons that still elude me, the American people voted to put the man and party responsible for the chaos and violence that day back in power. Did the price of eggs outweigh the dangers to our democracy? It appears so. Laura Reich, Charlotte Birkdale Village When considering any rezoning, such as that proposed for Birkdale Village in Huntersville, town commissioners must weigh the impact on established communities against the potential tax revenue, factoring in the additional costs to hard and soft infrastructure expenses to the town. Spill-over traffic and crime into adjacent neighborhoods must be accounted for before any rezoning approval is given. Additional density requires additional emergency personnel, equipment, training and more within the new development and surrounding area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These all represent costs to the town. Speeding and blocked streets pose the very real threat that emergency services will be hampered, increasing the potential damage to property and adverse medical and criminal outcomes. This requires more than additional signage. It requires additional, on-going enforcement of criminal and traffic ordinances. Failing in this compromises nearby property values and is an unacceptable trade off! Suzanne Villar, Huntersville Ukraine Trump has asserted that the Ukraines bid to join NATO and its mishandling by Biden caused Russia to invade. He now wants to withdraw support in favor of NATO handling the situation. It is well known that Trump admires Putin and other dictator strongmen around the world, so this could have been anticipated. Now that he is president, he must support NATO and must continue the policy of support for the Ukraine and the condemnation of Putin. Failure to do so will give credence to the belief among many that Trumps ambitions are to become a dictator himself and at the very least to add a third term to his presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how much good he can do, this violates the principles upon which we declared our independence that we shall have no king. He must follow the Constitution like every other American. Albert Dancy, Charlotte Carter v. Trump Former President Jimmy Carter is frequently remembered for promising when he was running for election that he would not tell a lie. President-Elect Trumps credo by contrast seems to be he will tell lies repeatedly. Carters death and memorial service coming just days before Trump is to be inaugurated highlights the sharp difference in the two leaders characters. Dumont Clarke, Charlotte The makers of America's nonstick cookware are none too pleased about a new law that will bar them from using carcinogenic "forever chemicals." As Minnesota Public Radio reports, the Cookware Sustainability Alliance advocacy group is suing Katrina Kessler, the head of the state's pollution control agency, over a newly-enacted law that will ban the use of cancer-causing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used to make non-stick pans. Dubbed "Amara's Law" after 20-year-old cancer victim Amara Strande, who in 2023 succumbed to a rare type of liver cancer linked to PFAS after growing up near a Minnesota-based 3M plant that dumped them into the local water supply, the new regulation bans the chemicals and any items made with them from being sold within the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the cause seems worthy enough, the Cookware Sustainability Alliance which was launched last spring by cooking utensil manufacturers to purportedly enhance "public understanding of the safety of cookware based on scientific research and verifiable data" is calling the law unconstitutional and unenforceable. "Everything else that is produced for the consumer cookware industry and 100 percent of the Subject Cookware is manufactured, distributed, and sold from outside Minnesota," the lawsuit declares, per Minneapolis' KARE 11. "This out-of-state commerce is, consequently, the sole subject impacted by the cookware ban in the Statute." Though Amara's Law covers everything from rugs to menstrual products alongside the cookware in question, the advocacy group insists that it unfairly discriminates against culinary tools that use these forever chemicals, and violates state commerce clauses to boot. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which championed the law and spurred on its passage, heartily disagrees. "It is estimated Minnesota taxpayers will have to spend $28 billion in the next 20 years to remove PFAS from wastewater and landfill leachate in the state," reads a statement from the MPCA to Minnesota Public Radio. "We simply cannot clean our way out of this problem." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mehmet Konar-Steenberg, a professor at Saint Paul's Mitchell Hamline School of Law, suggested to MPR that the nonstick advocates are questioning the law's worth. "Theyre saying that this law doesnt deliver enough public health benefits when compared to the kind of difficulties it creates for out-of-state businesses to conduct business in Minnesota," Konar-Steenberg said. "Theyre saying, on balance, this law just isnt worth it." A glance at the docket for this injunction, which seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional by state courts, shows that the Cookware Sustainability Alliance means business and that they're not going to stop making and selling products using cancer-causing nonstick technology without a fight. More on toxicity: Whoever Figures Out How to Remove Microplastics From the Human Body Is Going to Make a Fortune After meeting Khan, the BJP MP stated that Bihar has got a 'very capable' governor. "I met Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan...Arif Mohammad Khan is a very learned person. Bihar has got a very capable governor," Ravi Shankar Prasad, told media persons after the meeting. "I am very happy to know that the Governor of Bihar is going to participate in Maha Kumbh 2025," Prasad added. Prasad is a Lok Sabha MP from Bihar's Patna Sahib constituency. Prasad also targeted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after he accused the BJP of bringing people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to create 'fake votes' ahead of upcoming Delhi assembly polls. "...During the Corona period, he had sent the people of Bihar and Purvanchal to Anand Vihar... Today the people of Purvanchal have done a great job in decorating and beautifying Delhi...He (Arvind Kejriwal) remains silent on Rohingyas. What can be expected from such a Chief Minister?" the BJP MP said. Purvanchalis are referred to as people who hail from eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and from Bihar. They have been settled in Delhi for decades and can be said to constitute a significant portion of the city's voters. The Delhi Assembly elections will be conducted in a single phase on February 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17, the date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18, and the last date for the withdrawal of candidacy is January 20. The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has suffered significant setbacks in the last two assembly elections, failing to win any seats. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP secured only eight. (ANI) The last written notes of a North Korean soldier have revealed how Pyongyangs troops are being used as bait to lure out and shoot down Ukrainian drones. The diary of the dead man, published by Ukraines Special Operations Forces, described the reckless tactic along with expressions of love for Kim Jong-un and a longing to return to his homeland. On one notebook page, a crude drawing shows a stickman soldier breaking cover to attract the attention of a drone, while his two comrades lie in wait to shoot it down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the bait stands still, the drone will stop and it will be shot down, the soldier wrote in scrawled handwriting, translated by The Wall Street Journal. The drone-trapping instructions detailed how the human bait should stand within seven metres of the Ukrainian drone, which will then be neutralised with precision shooting. Military observers and Ukrainian commanders have said that North Korean soldiers have not been trained in modern warfare and are being used as cannon fodder by their Russian allies. They are often sent out across open fields in large groups, without armoured vehicles or artillery back-up, to test Ukrainian defences, with smaller groups of Russian special forces following behind. An extract from the diary, which was reportedly found on Dec 21 and has been authenticated by experts Some 4,000 North Koreans have died or been injured since last month, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, said on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US officials estimate that more than 1,000 of Pyongyangs troops died in the last week of December alone. The diary, which was found on Dec 21 and has been authenticated by experts, was written by a young soldier who died in a firefight alongside two compatriots, Ukraines special forces said. It was published a day after Mr Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean soldiers. Ukrainian intelligence released videos of the two men, one with a bandage wrapped around his head and the other with bandages covering his hands. They were transported to Kyiv for questioning and have reportedly told Ukrainian intelligence services that they thought they were being sent to Russia for training, not to fight in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky on Sunday offered them up to Pyongyang in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. He added that there would undoubtedly be more of its soldiers captured by Kyiv in future. A photograph released by Ukrainian officials purporting to show a North Korean soldier captured during the fighting - Volodymyr Zelensky's Social Media/ Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Another man, said to be a North Korean prisoner of war, is seen with bandaged hands - Volodymyr Zelensky's Social Media/ Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Many of the thousands of North Korean conscripts sent to Russia in October were teenagers who had never left the Communist state, and this youthfulness comes through in the dead soldiers diary. It detailed how the author was homesick for his parents and how he had celebrated his best friends birthday. Longing for my homeland, having left the warm embrace of my dear father and mother, here on Russian land I celebrate the birthday of my closest comrade Song Ji Myong, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diary also hinted at the fanaticism and devotion to Kim Jong-un, North Koreas dictator, that was driving the conscripts. Even at the cost of my life, I will carry out the supreme commanders orders without hesitation, its author wrote. Kim sent around 12,000 conscripts to help Russian forces expel Ukrainian soldiers from Kursk under a mutual military assistance deal signed with Vladimir Putin last June. In return for the conscripts, and supplies of missiles and artillery shells, Putin is understood to be sending sanction-busting fuel to North Korea and helping Kim launch spy satellites. The sketch of the drone tactic featured alongside the soldiers musing on the war and missing home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Korean also wrote about birthday celebrations for one of his comrades, according to a translation by The Wall Street Journal In the Kursk region, Russian military bloggers said the countrys forces had repelled a Ukrainian counter-offensive launched last week and were now seizing ground. They said the Kremlins troops were attempting to push the remaining Ukrainian military units from the region before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president on Jan 20, amid expectation he may then look to impose a peace deal. Rybar, which has 1.2 million subscribers on the Telegram messaging app, said Russian forces had advanced in heavy bloody battles on the northern edge of territory in Kursk held by Ukraine since August and were breaking through to Sudzha along the shortest route. Ukraines troops in the region are concentrated around the main town of Sudzha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts believe Mr Zelensky ordered the counter-offensive last week to hold on to the roughly 300 square miles Ukrainian troops still hold in an attempt to put pressure on Putin ahead of potential peace talks. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) For weeks, Ukrainian troops braced for an unfamiliar enemy: North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Moscows forces after Ukraine launched a lightning-fast incursion and seized territory in Russia's Kursk region over the summer. Their arrival marked a new and alarming phase in the war. And while initially inexperienced on the battlefield, North Korean troops have adapted quickly a development that could have far-reaching consequences as they gain combat knowledge in the war against Ukraine. Unlike the Russian troops Ukraine has been battling for nearly three years, Kyivs forces were uncertain about what to expect from this new adversary, drawn into the war after Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement pledging military assistance using all means if either were attacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Ukrainian soldier who has witnessed North Koreans in battle described them as disciplined and highly methodical, saying they were more professional than their Russian counterparts. The soldier spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive military issue. However, other soldiers, including Ukrainian special forces, have shared battlefield drone footage on the Telegram messaging app mocking their tactics as outdated. Nevertheless, there is consensus among Ukrainian soldiers, military intelligence and others monitoring developments on the ground: While Pyongyangs troops lacked battlefield experience when they arrived, that has been changing quickly. With 1.2 million troops, North Korea's military ranks among the largest standing armies globally. But its post-Korean War foreign engagements have been limited, leaving them inexperienced with modern warfare technologies like drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience," said Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraines military intelligence agency. "This is a global challenge not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world. Identifying the presence of North Korean troops Despite Ukrainian, U.S. and South Korean assertions that Pyongyang has sent 10,000-12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the Kursk border region, Moscow has never publicly acknowledged the North Korean forces. While reports of their presence first emerged in October, Ukrainian troops only confirmed engagement on the ground in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts say that without the influx of North Korean troops, Russia would have struggled to pursue its strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk. While Moscows counterattack in Kursk has inflicted thousands of Ukrainian casualties, Kyiv's overstretched forces have managed to hold on to about half of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) seized in August, though the situation remains dynamic. Besides the symbolic impact of Ukraine's success capturing Russian territory, control of Kursk could also be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire negotiations. According to Ukraines intelligence agency, the North Korean soldiers are operating alongside Russian units, with the latter providing reconnaissance and electronic warfare support. The North Koreans wear Russian military uniforms with fake military IDs in their pockets, according to a report by a Ukrainian military unit that has observed them on the battlefield, and they could easily be mistaken for Russian soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subterfuge means Moscow and its representatives at the U.N. can deny the facts, said Yusov, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson. Among the things proving their presence is that they have been heard speaking Korean with North Korean accents in intercepted communications, Yusov said. He said the North Korean troops are using their own weapons and equipment and have learned to cope with the improvised explosives-laden drones that have become emblematic of the war, first-hand experience even some NATO-member countries don't have. This is a new level of threat, Yusov said. Regional countries must prepare for what this means in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Koreans gain invaluable experience on the battlefield The North Koreans early missteps were largely caused by inexperience, such as moving in large groups in open terrain, making them easy targets for drones and artillery strikes. According to the Ukrainian military unit's report, the North Korean soldiers were spotted easily as they moved in single-file columns through forest in groups of three, with 3 to 5 meters (yards) between soldiers. On open terrain, they moved in dispersed formations of five to 15 soldiers, making them vulnerable and leading to heavy losses. However, during night operations, their movements were swift and units oriented themselves using red flashlights along routes, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre fast, physically well-prepared, and act strictly according to their algorithms, said the Ukrainian soldier who spoke to the AP. "If you drill the same routines for years, to the point where they can be executed blindfolded, it will yield results. Despite their discipline, their lack of combat experience hindered their effectiveness. The Ukrainian military reported that North Korean troops often sustained heavy losses, with many killed by drones. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 4,000, though U.S. estimates are lower, at around 1,200. Much of their military doctrine and training is based on strategies and experiences from over half a century ago, said Glib Voloskyi, a military analyst with the Ukrainian think tank CBA Initiatives Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The large-group formations date to when artillery accuracy was significantly lower, and observing troop movements much more difficult. Today, reconnaissance and so-called first-person view drones, or FPVs, that transmit video allowing soldiers to strike targets in real time have made the battlefield highly transparent, and anyone stepping onto it without cover, let alone moving in groups, is immediately spotted. But it is only a matter of time before they acquire the necessary skills to improve their combat effectiveness, which, combined with their discipline and training, could make them a significant military force, Voloskyi said. No surrender policy means few North Korean POWs After weeks of fighting, Ukrainian soldiers have taken only two prisoners of war. In announcing the capture Saturday, Zelenskyy said taking them alive was not easy because of efforts to conceal the North Koreans' presence and avoid their interrogation by Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korean soldiers avoid surrendering at all costs, Zelenskyy said. This may stem from North Korean internal propaganda that portrays capture as the ultimate disgrace, analysts said. To be captured alive is considered a betrayal of the country, the leader and everything they stand for, said Seongmin Lee of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, who defected from North Korea in 2009. This belief is instilled from a young age and reinforced throughout military training, he said. Because of the disgrace associated with the capitulation, heroic soldiers are supposed to save the last of their bullets to kill themselves, Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said he shared photos of dead North Korean soldiers with contacts back home. Most North Koreans dont even know what is going on, he said. Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned of the dangers posed by the rapidly improving battlefield skills the North Korean troops are gaining fighting in Kursk. North Korea is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors," Shea told the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. As an added potential benefit, she said, North Korea will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally. ___ Associated Press reporters Tong-hyung Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Michael Weissenstein at the United Nations contributed. For the record: 10:34 p.m. Jan. 11, 2025: An earlier version of this story stated incorrectly that a representative from Jon & Vinnys restaurant did not respond to a request for comment. When Brigitte Tran arrived Wednesday morning at the Rodeo Drive boutique where she works as a sales associate, she was on edge. Smoke from multiple wildfires raging across Los Angeles County billowed overhead. The luxury shopping corridor usually bustling with tourists appeared a ghost town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tran's co-worker texted their boss to let her know neighboring stores had closed, and described the acrid smoke in the air. But the woman, at home in Orange County, did not seem to grasp their concerns. "We will not be closing unless the mall instructs us to close," she replied. Tran, who, fearing professional repercussions, asked that her place of work not be named, grew more anxious as the hours ticked by. Around 3 p.m., she and the two other employees working that day mutinied. They packed up, told the security guard to head home and locked the doors a few hours before closing time. Read more: Winds prolong fire risk as investigators probe electric tower as possible origin of Eaton fire As the wildfires have raged across Los Angeles County, choking the air, closing schools and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate, employers and employees alike have had to manage a difficult balancing act between work and well-being. Some employers responded swiftly to the crisis, shutting down offices and shifting to remote work, providing outdoor workers with masks and other protective equipment, and offering support for employees forced to evacuate. Others have been less adept, clumsy in their communications or wholly unmoved by worker concerns sparking anger among their ranks as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires have underscored the need for companies to have a clear plan in place to respond to emergencies, said Jonathan Porter, a meteorologist at private weather forecaster AccuWeather. The obligation, he said, goes beyond monitoring whether an office is in an evacuation zone. For example, as the current devastation unfolds, businesses should be aware of the "copious amounts of dangerous smoke that's wafting into the air" and be prepared to provide outdoor workers with quality respirators or move them away from polluted air. Some employers gave employees flexibility. Snap, the Santa Monica-based creator of the photo messaging app Snapchat, for example, kept its offices open Wednesday but encouraged employees to work remotely, a company spokesperson said. Others changed course after fielding criticism. An announcement by UCLA that the campus would remain open for classes and regular operations Wednesday drew anger from some instructors and students on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victor Narro, project director for the UCLA Labor Center and a lecturer on campus, said in a post on X he would ignore the school's mandate and hold an optional class online. "Students have been up all night panicked about sleeping through evacuation orders, winds still high, branches falling all over Westwood, power outages across city, & our new chancellor (on his 2nd day) thought this should be his first bold call," Nour Joudah, an assistant professor in UCLA's Asian American Studies Department, wrote in another X post. Read more: If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here's what to do next That evening, UCLA changed course as conditions worsened, announcing it would close the campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Chancellor Julio Frenk released a statement saying that classes would be held remotely for at least another week and that campus operations would be curtailed. "We ask for continued flexibility and understanding as we all work through these difficult times," Frenk wrote. But for many workers, the chaos of the last few days has left them feeling as though they are fending for themselves. Tim Hernandez, a driver with Amazon Flex, an on-demand Uber-like program in which people use their own cars to deliver packages, was assigned a route Tuesday along the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu, which was rife with closures. Read more: California wildfires map Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he questioned whether making the deliveries was safe, he said, dispatchers at a Amazon facility in Camarillo brushed him off, leaving him to choose between concerns for his safety and worries that his rating in the Flex app would be hurt if he refused to go. He decided to try to make the deliveries, battling gusts of wind that knocked him over at one point. He lost cellphone signal, however, and was forced to return to the warehouse without completing the vast majority of the deliveries Also on Tuesday, Alfred Munoz, 43, an Amazon delivery driver who works out of a warehouse in the City of Industry, was handed an N95 mask but given little other instruction when he arrived for his shift, he said. "It was just kind of business as usual," Munoz said. High package counts and the number of stops on his assigned routes this week have made work even more difficult. On Tuesday, with wind gusts whipping debris around and making it difficult to see, he had about 180 stops and 290 packages to deliver. On Wednesday, the air thick with smoke and ash, he had more than 300 packages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He woke up Thursday morning with a bloody nose and a sooty black crust in the corners of his eyes. In response to a request for comment, Montana MacLachlan, an Amazon spokesperson, said the company was "closely monitoring the wildfires across Southern California and adjusting our operations to keep our employees and those delivering for us safe." If a driver arrives at a delivery location and the conditions are not safe to make a delivery, they are not expected to do so and the drivers performance will not be impacted," she said. At the Brentwood location of popular Italian eatery Jon & Vinnys, staff members complained of headaches and sore throats in a text message group chat. An employee, who asked not to be named fearing retaliation at work, said that on Tuesday, staff huddled around an iPad with a fire map pulled up to keep an eye on the expanding evacuation zone. From the front of the restaurant, they could see the glow of the Palisades fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee said they were frustrated management kept the restaurant open when the perimeter of the mandatory evacuation zone was just two blocks away. On Wednesday, every server scheduled to work called in to say they were not coming, the employee said. A spokesperson for Joint Venture Restaurant Group, which owns Jon & Vinnys, disputed the employee's claim that all the servers didn't come to work, saying it was inaccurate. "Our top priority has always been the safety and well-being of our employees and the community we serve," the spokesperson, Brianne Chan, said. "Any employee who felt uncomfortable or needed to manage personal safety concerns was encouraged to take time off or leave their shift without any repercussions," Chan said. The decision to keep the restaurant open "was driven by a dual responsibility to support both our team and the community including first responders and our neighbors by providing our services." During natural disasters and extreme weather, employers' choices can sometimes mean life or death, said David Michaels, a professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health and a former assistant secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Read more: L.A. wildfire resource guide: How to stay safe, what to do and how to help He pointed to recent floods from Hurricane Helene that killed several workers at a plastics manufacturer. The tragedy has drawn scrutiny from state investigators, and a wrongful death lawsuit accuses the company of requiring employees to stay on site amid flooding after they requested permission to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its incumbent on employers to ensure the safety of their workers," Michaels said. "The safety of their employees must take precedence over business concerns." Yasha Timenovich, 48, a driver for ride-share app Lyft and food delivery platform DoorDash, is more worried about declining earnings than on-the-job safety. With many restaurants and other businesses closed and would-be customers fleeing the city, he said that rides and deliveries have been slow. Traffic patterns have been strange and unpredictable with families piling into vehicles to flee fires. Timenovich, who faced an order to evacuate his Hollywood apartment with his partner and 6-year-old daughter Wednesday night, said he planned to stay with relatives for a few days in San Luis Obispo, where he hopes business will be better. "I'm going to get out of here because it's too crazy with these fires," Timenovich said. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Young adults are taking the supercommute into work, a trend that will only likely continue as return-to-office mandates from Amazon, JP Morgan, and others continue. Molly Hopkins, age 30, has become well-acquainted with the AmtrakAmericas national rail. Her corporate odyssey begins as she walks out of her door at 6:30 in the morning. On her way to New York Citys midtown, Hopkins departs from Exton, Pennsylvania (just on the outskirts of Philadelphia). She clocks in a normal day of work as a senior marketing manager in the commercial real estate industry. And then she returns home by 8 PM. She is, of course, a supercommuter. While her story is often the exception, given the cost and general agita of such a journey, Hopkins' way of life might be set to make some traction. Super commuting, defined by Standord researchers as traveling 75 miles or more to work, has been on the rise since the pandemic. Taking advantage of newfound flexibility, many employees moved to places with cheaper rent or more space. Some likely left thinking theyd have to take the train in less than they do now. As companies issue in-person mandates, these workers are now often forced to go into the office more than they anticipated when first signing the lease. The rate of supercommuters has surged by 32% since the pandemic, per Stanfords research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its not just in the U.S., research from Trainline shows that the number of employees spending more than three hours from work and back has doubled since before the pandemic in the U.K. While supercommuters often conjure up images of parents locked into a lease in the suburbs and commuting into the city, a new type of traveler is emerging in the post-pandemic workforce: DINKs, or dual-income-no-kids, are proving to be quite compatible with this lifestyle. Folks aged in their 30s and 40s are the biggest commuters, Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University, tells Fortune, pointing to data he worked on which shows that people in this age range live further from work. Transparently, I am at the ideal stage of life to be a super commuter, Hopkins tells Fortune, adding that shes married without kids and therefore feels less pressure to go out but still has more flexibility since she doesnt feel the need to rush home to any children. I tell this to everyone that asks how I do it: it's the best time in my life to be doing it. I have no other major responsibilities outside of my job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Colvin, age 23, tells Business Insider that she wakes up at 5 a.m. to catch the train from New York City to Baltimore three times a week. While supercommuters often live outside of major metropolitan areas in order to save money, the Gen Zer says that living in NYC helps her pursue her acting dreams while keeping her main job. Also, her fiance relocated to the city for a job. "It's a hard commute," she says of the three-hour journey that sees her return home at 9 pm. RTO will fuel supercommuting Despite the unsustainable nature of this lifestyle, supercommuting is not going anywhere anytime soon. Rather than being a fixture of the pandemic, the sudden surge of return-to-office mandates will likely force more workers into commuting for hours on endin 2025, at least. Longer run they will either move job or move houseprobably pretty equally splitbut in the short-run they have no option if this is enforced but to increase the number of super commutes, Bloom says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins, who knew she was going to have to commute once a week to the office when signing on, explains that going into a city while living in a remote area can be energizing. While it can be a salve for some of the isolation she feels while working from home, there are also some pretty heavy downsides. Its time-consuming and expensive, she notes. I wake up much earlier and don't get home until late, so that eliminates any opportunity for me to run errands, see friends, or go to the gym before or after work, adding that tickets and the price of meals in New York City tend to add up. She believes that being a super commuter is really only fit for certain demographics, those who have no kids, live close to a train station, and have the energy for long days. It's a narrow window, she muses, predicting that it will one day become less common because of that. While a semi-popular lifestyle for young professionals, she thinks the trend will die out as they get older and life gets more demanding outside of work. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Though there were some flights delayed or canceled Sunday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, its nothing like the number of impacted flights on Saturday. On Sunday morning, the wait time to get through the security checkpoint was down to about 15 minutes. Thats drastically less than the multiple hours it took travelers to clear that line on Saturday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There were over 1,200 flight changes on Saturday at the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, there were 26 cancellations and 79 delayed flights. Channel 2s Bryan Mims was at the airport Sunday and spoke with a traveler who had been stranded in Atlanta since Friday. As soon as we landed from an international flight, they kinda made us wait two hours on the tarmac. Then, just opened the doors. We had to wait on a line for six hours to go through security again just to leave the airport, he said. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A nurse is fighting for her life after being stabbed by a member of the public in a hospital. A man is being held on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester, at around 11.30pm on Saturday. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: Its believed that a member of the public attacked a member of staff. The victim, a woman in her 50s, is being treated for serious injuries, which are believed to be life-changing, the force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Manchester Evening News reported that the incident happened in the hospitals A&E department. It said the victim was attacked with a sharp instrument which was not a knife. A 37-year-old man was swiftly arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, GMP said. He remains in custody for questioning. A spokesman added: Whilst this investigation is in the early stages, we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and we do not believe there to be a threat to the wider public. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Manhattan judge responsible for releasing career criminal Johnson Earl after he allegedly pummeled an elderly man refused to answer questions about her ruling when paid a visit by The Post Saturday. Noooo you cannot come to my home, an irritated Beverly Tatham said in response to a reporter identifying themselves, before swiftly shutting the door to her Brownsville home. The turn-em-loose judge was presumably in no mood to defend how she granted the 44-year-old Earl supervised release despite a second-degree assault charge for allegedly beating an 83-year-old man on a Lower Manhattan train last month, according to cops. Johnson Earl was charged with second-degree assault for the horrifying Dec. 20 attack on an 83-year-old man. The horrifying attack unfolded on Dec. 20 after the senior accidentally stumbled over Earls foot as a southbound No. 5 train was approaching Fulton Street station, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earl, enraged, apparently socked the elderly man in the face, sparking a brawl that ended with the perp putting the victim in a chokehold before continuing to pummel him, an assistant district attorney said during Earls Jan. 2 arraignment. The assault left the man with cuts to his face and head, and he later took himself to the Kings County Hospital Center for treatment, according to police. Despite pleas from the Manhattan District Attorneys office to set Earls bail at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond and a lengthy rap sheet that includes 13 prior arrests Tatham opted to release him back onto the streets. Noooo you cannot come to my home, an irritated Judge Beverly Tatham said in response to a Post reporter identifying themself. Judge Beverly Tatham In July, Earl was arrested for repeatedly punching a security guard at a 99-cent store in The Bronx, according to the criminal complaint, which alleges that he seethed Why are you not attending to me? during the beatdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was ordered to stay away from the victim, but the case was later adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, according to Bronx prosecutors. Earl has been arrested at least 14 times, including four times for alleged assault. The career criminal has been arrested at least four other times for assault dating back to 1999, according to police sources. Hes also been nabbed in the past for criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana possession, the sources added. Earl is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27, records show. An 8-year-old Brooklyn girl was scalded after taking a sip from a hazardous water fountain at her Inwood school, her family alleged in a lawsuit. The third-grader, identified in court papers only as L.E., suffered burns on her lips, mouth, and face from the fountain, which was intentionally connected to hot water pipes to accommodate staff who make warm beverages, her family alleged. But staffers at Dos Amigos, a city charter school at 108 Cooper St. in Bushwick, didnt send her home or alert her parents, her father contended in court papers. The third-grader, identified in court papers only as L.E., suffered burns on her lips, mouth, and face from the fountain, which was intentionally connected to hot water pipes, her family claims. 5D Media stock.adobe.com And instead of taking responsibility for the Jan. 10, 2024 incident, Dos Amigos removed the fountain the very next day, in an apparent effort to hide the evidence and/or prevent L.E.s parents from investigating the matter and/or taking any pictures of the fountain, the family said in the legal filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hazardous fountain lacked a safety valve, said family lawyer Marc Held. The fountain was removed while her parents were meeting with the school administration so as to prevent the parents from inspecting the fountain themselves, Held added. Dos Amigos serves kindergarteners through fourth graders as part of the School in the Square, a group of public city charter schools. The hazardous fountain lacked a safety valve, said family lawyer Marc Held. Held & Hines, LLP Staffers at Dos Amigos, a city charter school at 108 Cooper St. in Bushwick, didnt send her home or alert her parents, her father contended in court papers. Google The family is seeking unspecified damages from the city, the Department of Education, and School in the Square. The Department of Education referred questions to the School in the Square, which did not respond to a message seeking comment. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City Public Schools students can gain work experience in health care through a partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will become an anchor partner with the New York City Department of Educations FutureReadyNYC program. More Local News Through the partnership, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will offer hundreds of New York City Public Schools students work experience in health care every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goals of the partnership, which is currently underway, include career exploration/discovery, project-based learning, internships or apprenticeships and being an education resource for teachers, a statement from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said. NYC to help wipe out student loan debt: Who qualifies The program includes the first radiology apprenticeship for New York City Public Schools students, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. FutureReadyNYC program The Department of Educations FutureReadyNYC program offers students opportunities to learn job skills, get paid work experience, earn early college credit, and get certificates for well-paying and in-demand jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students can gain experience in the fields of business, education, health care, and technology through the program. More than 15,000 students participate in FutureReadyNYC each school year, according to the programs website. The Department of Educations FutureReadyNYC program has given thousands of students work experience in everything from building trades to finance, putting more young people on the path to good-paying careers, Mayor Adams said. To learn more about the FutureReadyNYC program, click here. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea against the refusal of bail to Mohammad Heydaitullah, an alleged ISIS operative accused of disseminating ISIS ideology online, promoting enmity against Hindus, and transferring funds from his account to support the terrorist organization. Heydaitullah, an MBA graduate from Jamia, is alleged to have taken oath (Bayath) to ISIS in 2018 and conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the ISIS banner. A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma dismissed the appeal against the order passed by the special NIA court refusing bail to the appellant. The Division bench said, "Under these circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order does not warrant any interference." "In view of the above, the present appeal is dismissed and disposed of accordingly. Pending application(s), if any, are also disposed of," the bench ordered on January 10, 2025. While dismissing the appeal, the bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh noted, " In the present case as has been highlighted previously, the Appellant admittedly in 2018 had taken an oath (Bayath) in the name of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is admittedly a well-known leader of ISIS and as per the chargesheet had declared the formation of a "caliphate" in June 2014." The High Court also took note of the WhatsApp chats which showed the intention of the appellant to join ISIS. "ISIS had been declared to be a terrorist organisation and judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the world at large knows about the activities of ISIS. The aforesaid chats further reflect the intention of the Appellant to join ISIS (Dawlah) and was ready to perform Hijrah (travel) for the same." The bench noted, " In two sets of chats as it is recorded it was the Appellant who is asking other persons to find a way to reach Dawlah and not the other way around as claimed by the learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant. As already noted, the Appellant is an educated person and was well aware of the nature of the activities of ISIS." "Moreover, it is not a case of passive support to a terrorist organisation, but rather the chats, as highlighted hereinabove, show that the Appellant was advocating Jihad in order to establish Khilafat ("Caliphate)". By doing so the Appellant was also trying to recruit the individuals on these online groups for such acts," the bench held. The appellant Md. Heydaitullah had challenged the order of August 23, 2023, passed by a special NIA Judge in a case registered at P.S. NIA. The appeal was opposed by Advocate Rahul Tyagi, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for NIA. As per the case of the prosecution, certain inputs were received regarding proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) running a campaign in cyberspace for radicalizing youths and carrying out terrorist activities in India and elsewhere. It is alleged that one cyber identity by the name of Qasim Saini alias Qasim Khurasani along with his associates was actively involved in creating and disseminating ISIS-centric propaganda with the intention of motivating youths to take part in violent jihad. The case of the prosecution is that the Appellant is a close associate of co-accused Basit Kalam Siddiqui and had conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the flag of ISIS by waging Jihad. It is alleged that the Appellant was disseminating the ISIS ideology through cyberspace, and was spreading hatred against the Government of India by promoting enmity against Hindus on social media. It is further alleged that the Appellant had transferred funds for the cause of ISIS from his bank account. Also, various incriminating materials have been found in the electronic devices recovered from the Appellant during the investigation. The Appellant was arrested by the NIA on 22.10.2022 and was charge-sheeted by second supplementary chargesheet of April 2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 17, 18, 38, 39 of the UAPA and Sections 120-B/153-A and 153-B of the IPC. Investigation revealed that the appellant was a member of many pro-ISIS groups. Once he received a message in the Telegram group voices of Al-Hol camp related to the donation of some money for Al-Hol Camp from telegram ID 'umm_imara'. In that message, umm_imara shared a bank account number of Canara Bank in which funds had to be sent. He further sent Rs. 15000 on 30.07.2020 through NEFT from his Yes Bank account. The same transaction is reflected in his bank statement. Further, during scrutiny of seized mobile data, it was found that the appellant was a member of Voices of Al-Hol Camp telegram I'd and he got motivated to donate funds for the cause of ISIS, NIA charge sheet reads. It is further alleged that he while chatting on a telegram group Voice of Al Hol camp got a message to donate money to support women and children of ISIS fighters, from a telegram user @ umm_imara. The bank account details for depositing the money were shared on the said group. He as an ardent member of ISIS, decided to donate the sum of Rs 15000. During investigations, he was questioned regarding the transfer of money from his bank account to the bank account shared on the telegram group Al Hol Camp to help the cause of ISIS. He informed that he wanted to help the women and children of ISIS fighters, so he transferred the money. This itself proves that he is an ISIS sympathiser. It is also corroborated by witnesses, the agency said. Senior Counsel appeared for the Appellant and submitted that there was no evidence connecting the Appellant to any terrorist organization including ISIS. The only allegation, which is relied upon by the prosecution, is the remittance of Rs15,000 from the Yes Bank account of the Appellant to one Mohd. Unais, which is not sufficient to hold that the Appellant was either a member of any terrorist organization or had in any manner donated or contributed to any terrorist organization for furthering its cause. It was further submitted that in the initial FIR of 29.06.2021, no accusations were made against the Appellant. It was only after the Appellant was arrested on 20 October 2022 that this banking transaction was relied upon and the Appellant was arrayed as a co-accused in the second supplementary chargesheet. Counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant also submitted that the Appellant had not made any direct remittance to the lady Afa Ibrahim and the witness Mohammad Unais, to whom the Appellant had transferred Rs. 15,000 on 30.07.2020, had made a second remittance of equivalent Maldivian Rufiyaa to Afa Ibrahim, on the same date. Further, it was submitted that there is no material on record showing that Afa Ibrahim, belonged to ISIS or that she was running any telegram group, bearing Telegram ID "umm_imara". In the reply filed by the NIA, in respect of the telegram chats, it is recorded " Further during investigations it emerged that one lady having Telegram account similar to "umm_imara" i.e "umm3imarah" and "ummimarah0" used to raise funds for ISIS on the name of charity work for Al-Hol Camp. This clearly establishes that the accused Md. Heydaitullah had intentionally provided funds for ISIS. (ANI) THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) An off-duty New York City employee was arrested early Sunday morning in the Bronx, according to the NYPD. Nykia Ordonez, 42, was taken into custody around 4:41 a.m. More Local News Police say Ordonez is an NYPD School Safety Agent. Ordonez was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief, burglary in the third degree, and assault in the third degree. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. MSPs Holyrood attendance records are to be kept secret amid fears revealing how often they turn up for work could negatively affect their mental health. In a ruling branded a skivers charter, Scottish Parliament officials have agreed that the number of days in which MSPs turn up for work in person will no longer be released. The Telegraph obtained details of Nicola Sturgeons attendance at Holyrood in April under Freedom of Information (FoI) laws, by requesting the number of separate days her security pass had been used to access her place of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data revealed that the former first minister, who has been criticised for her lack of contributions since quitting government, failed to turn up on almost half of sitting days. However, a request to obtain attendance data of all MSPs provoked an internal backlash from politicians, who did not want the public to know how often they attended Holyrood. A decision was then taken to block the release of the data because of fears that disclosure could endanger the physical and mental health or safety of an individual, according to documents obtained by the Mail on Sunday. The retrospective data did not reveal which entrance Ms Sturgeon used to enter the Parliament nor the times that she usually arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, data on how often security passes were used has since been deleted, in line with the new policy. Holyrood should ignore these tantrums Scottish politicians are acting like children trying to hide a bad exam mark, said John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance. Taxpayers elect and pay for MSPs to represent them in Parliament, yet these same elected officials are now throwing their toys out the pram. Holyrood should ignore these tantrums and not grant MSPs a skivers charter. They should publish their attendance in full. Unlike in Westminster, MSPs, who are paid a salary of 72,196, are allowed to debate and vote on legislation remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar row broke out in Westminster in 2022, with transparency campaigners criticising a move to delete attendance records after seven days. Critics claimed constituents had a right to know how often their representatives were present at Westminster. MSPs claimed that releasing attendance data based on security card data could present an inaccurate picture, as those who accessed the building via a car park or public entrance would not be recorded. Backdrop of rising intimidation Following the rule change, which was made in May but was never publicly announced, Ms Sturgeon complained that her data had been released while everyone elses had not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A response to Ms Sturgeon from officials reads: Apologies for the confusion that our revised approach to FoI requests of this nature has caused you. Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Tory deputy leader, said the former first minister has some cheek for complaining about her attendance data being published. A Holyrood spokesman said: We have reported to Police Scotland around 500 potentially criminal threats made online towards members. Against a backdrop of rising intimidation and violence towards MSPs, the Parliament is adopting an increasingly vigilant approach on releasing information that could compromise their safety. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Authorities in Russia's Saratov Oblast have claimed that a fuel fire at the Engels oil depot has been brought under control on the fifth day following a drone attack. Source: Current Time TV, a Russian-language Radio Liberty project Details: The fire at the oil depot, which Russian firefighters have been battling for five days, was caused by a drone strike. A state of emergency has been declared in the city of Engels, where the facility is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Russian firefighters died and another was taken to hospital during the firefighting activities. Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin claims that "the amount of smoke, as well as the area of the fire, is decreasing". Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that 11 drones had been shot down over Saratov Oblast on the night of 7-8 January. Local authorities claimed that wreckage from a UAV had fallen on an "industrial facility", sparking a fire. Russian news outlet Astra reported that a fire had started at the Kombinat Kristal oil depot belonging to Russia's Federal Agency for State Reserves. The facility is a federal government agency responsible for storing fuel for the Engels-2 military airbase. This information was later confirmed by Ukraine's General Staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On the night of 7-8 January, Ukrainian forces struck the Kombinat Kristal oil storage base in Engels. Numerous explosions occurred in the target area and a large-scale fire broke out. Support UP or become our patron! An Oklahoma man has been sentenced to prison for setting fire to a business in Upson County. On July 4, 2023, the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire asked the public to help identify the person who set the fire on South Church Street in downtown Thomaston. Police in several states cooperated in the investigation after the suspect, Nexus Christian, 50, ran from Georgia and he was arrested in Oklahoma. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On January 7, 2025, Christian pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson, and one count of insurance fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Griffin Judicial Circuit Upson County Superior Court judge sentenced Christian to 20 years. He will serve three years in prison minus time already served and serve the remaining years on probation. Christian will pay a $5,000 fine and has received a restraining order prohibiting him from entering parts of Upson, Fayette, Pike, and Spalding Counties. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) All northbound and southbound traffic lanes on I-91 are back open following multiple car crashes. Windsor Locks man faces up to 40 years in prison for robberies The Massachusetts State Police said one person was arrested and two people were taken to the hospital. Northampton police were called to multiple crashes on I-91 Saturday night around 10:00 p.m. The first crash involved a vehicle on its side. State Police said a fire was put out, resulting in both lanes temporarily closing at Exit 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional crashes on I-91 south included one that involved an occupied PVTA bus. Police are still waiting for tows or vehicles to be moved and assessing guardrail damage. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are investigating a double shooting in Whitehaven. On Saturday at 8:51 p.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of Finley Road regarding a shooting. Officers found two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Man fatally shot at northeast Shelby County gas station Both victims were taken to Regional One and one was said to be in critical condition. The condition of the other victim is unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A home smolders during the Eaton fire in Altadena, California, on Jan. 8. - Credit: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images When Max Baumgarten and Penelope Gazin first learned the catastrophic Eaton fire had gutted their 1940s adobe brick home on the edge of the San Gabriel mountains in Altadena, California, they couldnt fully absorb it. A neighbor sent them a video of their ravaged cul-de-sac, but they watched it in a numb, fugue-like state. It was such an abstract thing, Gazin tells Rolling Stone. It was like my brain flatlined. Baumgarten had to see the destruction himself. The actor, comedian, and musician, 39, jumped in a truck with his uncle and drove 30 miles back from a relatives home on Wednesday. The fire that first erupted Tuesday evening was still blazing. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just thought, if there was anything to be saved, that would be the only chance, because it would all keep burning, he recalls. The sun was a smokey, red, ominous, Armageddon sun. We could hear things just exploding all around us in the neighborhood. A day earlier, Baumgarten had visited the home and found it untouched as he retrieved two coolers full of breast milk for the couples infant daughter. (As a precaution, theyd gone to stay with the relative in West Los Angeles to avoid what forecasters warned would be a life-threatening windstorm.) Now, Baumgarten was walking through the hull of his charred house, flames active on some nearby logs, feeling like he stepped into a surreal dream. There were all these dead birds that had just fallen out of the sky. One of my sons swings melted. It looked like taffy dripping from two chains, he recalls. I was just amazed there was nothing there. Our brass bed frame was, like, melted. I was trying to open an old safe, the only thing that survived, and it was almost too hot to touch. Penelope Gazin and Max Baumgartens home after the fire Weirdly, some nearby citrus trees were still green and full of tangerines. He also noticed a shed on the property was still standing. Inside, he found the crib that the couples three-and-a half-year-old son had recently outgrown. Baumgarten had carved it by hand, while Gazin had painted it. Its honestly one of the most beautiful things. And it was perfect. I couldnt believe it, he recalls. I welled up. Its such a relic now of a whole life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazin, a musician and designer known for her avant garde, often absurdist apparel label Fashion Brand Company, was pregnant when she and Baumgarten found the distinctive house in late 2020. It became the backdrop for their creative domesticity and parenting videos shared with a combined 276,000 followers on Instagram. (Gazin is also a dancer and a drummer. As a member of the band Slut Island, shes known for performing with one leg behind her head.) The couples beloved cul-de-sac also became home to New York Times bestselling cookbook author and chef Molly Baz and her architect husband Ben Willett, as well as composer Meara OReilly and her filmmaker husband Isaiah Saxon. Amelia Sedano McDonald helped anchor the block with her organic urban farm, barn full of dwarf goats, communal swimming pool and the raging parties she threw with one of Suge Knights former lawyers, Thaddeus Culpepper, acting as DJ. They all lost their homes to the devastating fire. Since it was first reported around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Eaton fire has scorched more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,200 structures and killed at least eight civilians, officials said. Fueled by drought-stricken brush, low humidity, and hurricane-force winds, it exploded from 10 to 1,000 acres in hours, tearing through the unincorporated community northeast of downtown Los Angeles known for its unique blend of racial and economic diversity, close-to-nature atmosphere and independent, artistic vibe. An overwhelmingly white suburb after World War II, Altadena became a haven for Black residents after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 began to legally dismantle the red-lining policies that had denied many homebuyers financial services in the area. By 1990, 39 percent of Altadena residents were Black. Today, about 18 percent are Black, 43 percent are white and 27 percent are Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald, who is biracial, said her grandfathers family were itinerant citrus pickers working camp to camp before her grandfather became a mechanic at Norton Air Force Base. Her father, who is Mexican American and Native American, was living with her when the fire struck. Their prized Chicano art collection, including a piece by Diego Rivera, was lost, she says. Gazin and Baumgarten spoke to Rolling Stone by phone on Friday, saying theyre heartbroken over the loss of their idyllic community. They said their son, Skip, attended Village Playgarden, a preschool just behind their property started by local civil rights leader Kikanza Ramsey. Actor John C. Reilly was another close neighbor from around the block. He just pops into our house sometimes, Gazin says. He lost his house too. We have a really close-knit street of really special people, Gazin says. She recalls filming a music video for Baumgartens single Lizard Girl in McDonalds orchard. Willetts, meanwhile, had free rein to enter their yard unannounced to pick fruit off their trees. Skip regularly visited McDonalds goats. They attended each others parties and exchanged stories about the local wildlife, including the bears that casually passed through and ate avocados. I cant believe this magical community burned to the ground, Gazin says. I really thought we were going to have grandkids in that house. Max and I were literally married in the back yard. I found out I had cancer and found out I beat cancer while living in that house. It was so special. Amelia Sedano McDonalds home before and after the fire. On Friday, McDonald was back at her property, surveying the damage. She had just buried two of her goats who didnt survive the siege: Butter and Ladybug. She tore the sleeves on her shirt to fashion makeshift wood crosses for their graves. With soot and dirt covering her hands, McDonald recalled being at home with her dad, Michael Sedano, on Tuesday when the winds started building. The sun went down, she put her goats in the barn, and then she got a text from a friend asking, Are you okay? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald said her 18-year-old daughter called from another location and reported seeing flames. She recalled thinking her daughter was in danger, not her. She told her daughter to get out, grabbed a few valuables and hopped in her Bronco with one of her goats, Mel. She had yet to receive a formal evacuation notice. There was a red glow in the sky but no visible flame. I really thought we were going to be okay, she recalls. We wanted to see what was going on. She stopped for food and kept her eye on the mountain with some binoculars. When she tried to return a few hours later, first responders blocked her. It was chaos, she says. I wanted to get back to the animals. I couldnt. In this world where were so used to knowing everything all the time, it was so weird having no information until it was too late. I did the best I could. (She later recovered two more goats with help from a neighbor and was reunited with yet another two at the Pasadena Humane Society on Saturday.) Amelia Sedano McDonald and her goat Mel at the Saga Motor Hotel in Pasadena after they evacuated Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she returned to a motel room Friday to check on Mel, McDonald said she wasnt sure what the future holds, but shes worried. Theres no power. Its desolate. When the mudslides come, that whole mountain is coming down, she fears. But nearly in the same breath, she voiced some hope. I love these people. I love this land. I am this land, she says. This place is amazing. It grows amazing people. We have resilience. Gazin says her familys future remains unclear. Shes about to host her first showroom for buyers at New York Fashion Week. If its successful, shell have more options, she says. My instant reaction was that Im not sure I want to rebuild. It was such a special old house. I dont know how it would ever be as cool as it was before, Gazin says. But she knows her town is worth fighting for. It was like a little paradise, she says. I really hope Altadena will return and not just be bought up by developers and be any random town with Chipotle [restaurants] on every corner. In an Instagram story posted Friday, Baz included a photo of her baby sitting in the kitchen of her now-destroyed home. The last photo I took before we lost it all, she wrote. Well recover someday. Thank you to the village. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A man and teenage girl died in a head-on collision in Cheatham County Friday that injured two other teens. A Tennessee Highway Patrol preliminary report noted a 2019 Kia Optima, driven by Joshua Tregoning, 38, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-24 near mile marker 29. Near the same location, a 2021 Hyundai Elantra was traveling westbound on I-24. The Hyundai Elantra was driven by a 17-year-old girl and held two other passengers, 18-year-old Jaylen Mitchell and a 16-year-old boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tregoning continued to travel in the wrong direction, the report said, until his vehicle struck the Hyundai Elantra in a head on manner at 2:13 a.m. Friday, shortly before the first winter storm of 2025 blanketed the region in snowfall ranging between 3 and 5.9 inches. The 17-year-old driver of the Hyundai Elantra and Tregoning were fatally injured in the collision. Both male passengers in the Hyundai Elantra were injured, though the report did not state the extent of their injuries. The 17-year-old girl was the only occupant of either vehicle reportedly wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges have not been filed following the incident and no other information has been made available. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fatal Cheatham County head-on crash claims two, injures two more on I-24 The Buddhist scholars and monastic leaders from across the Himalayan region on Sunday gathered in the North Indian hill town, Shimla to host a seminar, on "Nalanda Buddhism in the Himalayan Region of India: Emerging Trends and Development in the 21st Century," focused on modernizing monastic education while preserving traditional practices. The event was jointly organized by the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) and the Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti Baudh Sewa Sangh, Shimla. Himachal Pradesh's Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh inaugurated the seminar, while Lochen Tulku Rinpoche, President of the IHCNBT, delivered the keynote address. Scholars expressed gratitude to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for officially recognizing the Bhoti language and introducing an educational curriculum for Buddhist studies in monasteries and nunneries throughout the Himalayan region. Maling Gompu, General Secretary of IHCNBT, emphasized the strategic and cultural importance of promoting Nalanda Buddhism and preserving the Himalayan region's linguistic and educational heritage. "This seminar marks a crucial step toward integrating modern education into monastic practices. The curriculum developed with the NIOS includes certifications for monastic education, enabling monks and nuns to attain recognized qualifications equivalent to 10th and 12th-grade school certificates." Said Maling Gompu. According to Gompu, the NIOS accreditation will significantly benefit Buddhist institutions across Himachal Pradesh and the broader Himalayan region, including 22 identified monasteries in the state. "This initiative ensures the recognition of traditional education alongside modern learning, thereby safeguarding and advancing Buddhism in the region," he added. He also highlighted the Himalayan region's strategic importance, stretching 8,000 kilometres from Arunachal Pradesh to Ladakh, and the urgent need for developmental support for monasteries along the border. "The introduction of this curriculum is a major achievement for the region and will benefit countless students pursuing Buddhist studies," Gompu stated. The Buddhist scholars appreciated the efforts of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to Preserve the Bhoti Language and Himalayan Culture. The seminar also shed light on the ongoing efforts to preserve the Bhoti language, which serves as a vital cultural link across the Himalayan region. "Although Bhoti has not yet been included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, its recognition by the NIOS marks a significant step forward. This will promote both traditional and modern education among Buddhist students," Gompu added further. Lochen Tulku Rinpoche, speaking on the significance of Nalanda Buddhism, remarked, "Nalanda University was the epicentre of Buddhist knowledge that spread across the world. The Nalanda tradition, rooted in compassion and mental science, has universal relevance even today. By embracing modern education while preserving our spiritual heritage, we are not only strengthening our cultural identity but also contributing to global peace and harmony," said Tulku. He elaborated on how Nalanda Buddhism intertwines modern science with traditional teachings, especially in the realm of mental health. "The teachings of Gautama Buddha on compassion and mindfulness provide inner peace to individuals, harmony within families, and tranquillity in the society. Through such initiatives, we aim to spread the message of peace globally," Rinpoche added. Participants from various regions, including Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Dharamshala, Kullu, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, attended the event. Representatives from 25 monastic institutions and around 50 individuals from different sects in Shimla actively engaged in discussions on the future of Nalanda Buddhism and its role in modern education. The IHCNBT, established in 2018, has been conducting similar seminars and workshops across the Himalayan states, including Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. The council's efforts aim to preserve the rich heritage of Nalanda Buddhism while uh ensuring its relevance in the 21st century. The seminar concluded with a call for continued collaboration between the government, educational boards, and monastic institutions to promote Buddhist studies and preserve Himalayan culture. (ANI) When my daughter started ninth grade at her New York City public high school, she was placed in algebra 1. Shed already passed it in eighth grade but, due to the pandemic, hadnt taken the Regents exam necessary to move on to geometry. I didnt think it was a problem. My math-and-physics-teacher husband did. He pointed out that if she repeated algebra 1 in ninth grade instead of taking geometry, she wouldnt be eligible for calculus senior year. It took me weeks of negotiation before I was able to get the school to transfer her. Im glad I did. Because my husband was right. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter With many colleges dropping standardized testing for applicants, transcripts featuring calculus preferably Advanced Placement have come to signify rigor to admissions officers. However, nearly 20% of American high school students have no access to calculus whatsoever. As a result, a scant 2% of science, technology, engineering and math majors who arrive at college needing to take precalculus manage to earn a STEM bachelors degree, while those who didnt progress past algebra 2 in high school have a less than 40% chance of earning any four-year degree whatsoever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Three Reasons Why So Few Eighth Graders in the Poorest Schools Take Algebra This problem begins in middle school. As I learned with my daughter, students who are not offered algebra 1 until ninth grade are de facto removed from the advanced math track. They will take geometry in 10th grade, algebra 2 in 11th and pre-calculus not calc in 12th. That may not be an insurmountable impediment for non-STEM majors, though it still affects which colleges all applicants ultimately get accepted to. But how many 14-year-olds are absolutely certain of their future career goals? My daughter had no interest in STEM until the summer between her junior and senior years of high school, when she participated in a Manhattan College program introducing female and minority students to engineering. Shes now applying to college as an electrical engineering major, something that would be more difficult if shed stayed on the curriculum path that terminated before calculus. My husband insisted on keeping all doors open for our daughter, which is something all students deserve. In order to make that happen, however, all students would need to be able to take algebra 1 before high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, only about 20% of middle schools offer algebra 1 to all their students, while 60% report some availability. And those opportunities are not equal. A 2023-24 survey by the Rand Corp. determined that nearly half of the wealthiest schools offered algebra to all of their eighth grade students, regardless of math ability, compared with about a third of the poorest schools. My daughter, as Ive written before, is not a natural mathematician. She was fortunate that her middle school offered eighth grade algebra to all students. If shed attended a program that didnt have the course available, or one that dictated who could sign up based on prior mathematical knowledge, her future options might have narrowed as early as elementary school, when she wasnt performing at the top of the class. If shed gone to a high-poverty school instead of a wealthy one, she likely would have had no chance to give eighth grade algebra a try. Related All Struggling Students Deserve Tutoring Like My Daughter Gets from Her Dad As of 2023, only about 24% of American eighth graders were enrolled in algebra 1, though that doesnt necessarily mean they all passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this all shows is that at least 75% of American public school kids are going to have a harder time getting into and succeeding at a college STEM program than if theyd enrolled having completed calculus. This is especially true for low-income and minority students, who would benefit most from a rigorous college education and a high-paying career. Thats unconscionable. Thats unacceptable. School is supposed to be about expanding opportunities, not limiting them. House Republicans reelected Mike Johnson (R-La.) as Speaker on Jan. 2. Conservative firebrands set aside their anger about the last-minute budget deals Johnson cut with Democrats, which averted multiple government shutdowns, to provide the narrow margin of victory. President-elect Donald Trumps endorsement certainly played a pivotal role. So did the possibility that the 2025 Republican trifecta control of the White House, the Senate and the House will convince the Speaker to implement the priorities of his conservative colleagues. These members were no doubt pleased by Johnsons recent acknowledgment that Congress had failed to address the grave threat deficit spending poses to Americas economic and national security and his vow to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Given the Republicans razor-thin House majority, no one can be certain what the Speaker can and will do in 2025. But in the search for the real Mike Johnson, it seems wise to take the advice of Maya Angelou: When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are highlights from the record of this little-known yet very powerful politician. A committed foe of abortion, Johnson claims that if the nation had not given constitutional cover to the elected killing of unborn children, and women were producing more babies, slashing entitlement programs might not be necessary. That said, as chair of the House Republican Study Committee, Johnson proposed massive cuts in the social safety net. He suggested reducing Social Security outlays by $750 billion over 10 years by raising the retirement age to 69, slowing the rate of cost of living increases and eliminating payments to those whose annual income exceeds $85,000 and couples who make $170,000 or more; saving $2 trillion in Medicare by raising the eligibility age to 69 and indexing it to life expectancy, and giving recipients vouchers to buy either private or government plans instead of guaranteed benefits; and cutting funding for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by $3 trillion. Johnson advocates defunding Planned Parenthood. He maintains that the SNAP program (previously known as food stamps) is our nations most broken and bloated welfare system. And he opposed the PACT Act, which expanded health care benefits for armed services veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Johnson is a selective budget hawk. Since he has been in Congress, he has voted for every Defense budget, including this years allocation of about $850 billion. He has not demanded studies, for example, of potential savings from a new round of base closings or reducing or eliminating cost-plus contracts. Johnson supports renewing the 2017 Trump tax cuts, a bonanza for wealthy Americans, brushing aside estimates that doing so will add $5.8 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. He claims without evidence that deregulation and economic growth will make up the difference. He has also endorsed Trumps campaign promise to exempt tips from taxes, which would reduce federal government coffers by about $866 billion over 10 years. According to Johnson, deporting about 4.5 million illegal immigrants with criminal records will be the federal governments first priority. Vice President-elect JD Vance has put the number of those who have committed crimes at 1 million, while Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) puts it at about 600,000. And Johnson has expressed no concern about the effect on the economy and the governments budget deficit let alone on the lives of millions of people of investigations, arrests, detentions, deportations and the removal of workers from industries such as manufacturing, hospitality and agriculture. Johnson voted against the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Violence Against Women Act. In 2020, he helped draft a brief for a lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson supports legislation banning any discussion of gender identity, sexual orientation or related subjects in public schools. He has advocated criminalizing gay sex and characterized gay marriage as the dark harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy that could doom even the strongest republic. He opposed extending medical benefits to same-sex partners of federal government employees. Johnson once stated that we tamper with Gods created order at our peril, and as a lawyer, he represented the creationist Noahs Ark Theme Park Developers in Kentucky in a case involving the states denial of tax incentives to its parent company for making belief in the biblical flood a condition of employment. The requirement, Johnson argued, did not violate the separation of church and state; the denial of tax incentives constituted viewpoint discrimination. The recipient of more campaign funds from oil and gas companies than from any other industry, Johnson has opined that fossil fuels are not the primary driver of climate change, voted to cut funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and declared that the Democrats Green New Deal would usher in a socialist society in America. Since so many House seats are now in safe districts, where the principal threat to incumbents is a primary election, members are now much more likely to be ideologues, contemptuous of compromises. In contrast, when a Speakers party holds a slim majority, he or she must be a pragmatist to get anything done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023 and 2024, Mike Johnson tried and failed to square that circle. This time he may be tempted or even compelled to choose apocalypse now. Glenn C. Altschuler is the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Emeritus Professor of American Studies at Cornell University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley also referred to as SGV or the 626 an ethnoburb in Los Angeles County where Asian immigrants go to never assimilate. Immigrants in the 1970s, initially mostly Chinese, built our own ethnic economy and ecosystem in SGV, with Chinese banks, grocery stores and hair salons, and Chinese-language schools on Saturday mornings for ABC (American-born Chinese) children. I grew up with two Wing Hop Fung retailers a 10-minute drive away from our one-story, three-bedroom home in the ethnoburb. Wing Hop Fung was where I fabricated stories in my head about my mom being a Chinese herb witch as I watched her gather pungent, brightly colored seeds and plants to slow cook medicinal stews that would restore my yin and undo the effects of all the fried chicken and pizza I ate at Jessicas birthday party last weekend. Dr. Lee provided psychiatry services in Mandarin, Cantonese and Toisan down the street. The Chinese Baptist church held worship services, Sunday school and weekly Bible study in English, Mandarin and Cantonese around the corner. 99 Ranch, Quickly and King Hua for the best dim sum outside of Hong Kong were all in our ZIP Code. Across the street from King Hua was Costco, which carried mooncakes, lap cheong and dehydrated sea cucumber in bulk (hoarding dehydrated sea cucumber is apparently a love language of immigrant dads). Everything we needed was in the ethnoburb. Even so, when I was younger, naive and presumptuous, I found it embarrassing, too ethnic. I didnt see how it told a story of resistance and rebirth, for Southern California and my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: How Los Angeles County became home to the biggest AAPI communities in the country From the beginning of World War II until the 1960s, Monterey Park, the origin of the San Gabriel Valley as an ethnoburb, prospered as one of the most affordable white suburban communities. The wartime economy brought transplants from across the country to Southern California, and Monterey Park became an emerging site of comfortable single-family homes and manicured green lawns. Postwar Monterey Park remained predominantly white but began to draw upwardly mobile Mexican, Japanese and Chinese Americans from different ethnic enclaves around Los Angeles, including East Los Angeles, the Westside and Chinatown. In a time of charged debate and political struggle around race, segregation and housing rights in California and across the nation, Asian Americans and Mexican Americans approached home buying in Monterey Park cautiously by gathering intel from intra-ethnic networks and assessing the attitudes of local real estate agents. It helped that many of those looking to buy homes in Monterey Park were second- or third-generation immigrants: educated, acculturated and pursuing the dream of suburban life. Because they had social and financial capital and were few enough in numbers, they were perceived as less threatening to existing white political, institutional and cultural dominance in Monterey Park. However, many of them still experienced racial discrimination at the time in their increasingly integrated social worlds. And Black Americans continued to face overt and violent resistance to home buying and integration. Geographer Wendy Cheng notes in her book The Changs Next Door to the Diazes: Remapping Race in Suburban California that anti-Black racism allowed Asian American and Mexican Americans to purchase homes and settle in Monterey Park, while Black Angelenos were continually hyper-segregated in South Central Los Angeles and precluded from buying in the suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Opinion: What did the Asian American vote this year tell us? White suburban residents went to great lengths to exclude Black Americans from moving in, while slowly (begrudgingly) allowing Asian Americans and Mexican Americans to take up residence. In 1960, white residents made up 85.6% of Monterey Park, Latinos 11.6%, Asian Americans 2.8% and Black Americans 0.04%. By 1970, Monterey Park became the first ethnically diverse middle-class suburb in the country, with white people holding a majority at 50.5%, Latinos at 34%, Asian Americans at 15.3% and Black Americans hovering at 0.2%. In the 1990s, my popo, who was in her 70s, relocated from Hong Kong to join us in San Gabriel. As she and her husband prepared to retire and settle down in Hong Kong, he instead decided to start a new family with a woman decades younger with whom hed had a secret affair for almost 10 years. Without options and overwhelmed by shame, my popo left her home, her apartment where she had raised three children with her ex-husband, and her mah-jongg group in Hong Kong to live with us. She started over in a foreign place where she couldnt speak the language, didnt have peers and couldnt get around. She was isolated and heartbroken. With barely a kindergarten education, her life ambition had been to become a wife and a mother. In true Cantonese matriarch fashion, she bragged incessantly to her social circles about her husbands and childrens accomplishments. Now, with three adult children with families of their own, she was not needed as a mother, no longer a wife and shamed by her community. When I was a child, she would insist, Your popo has become a useless nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It perplexed me because I never saw her that way. Getting left by her husband did not turn out to be the end of her story. Read more: Op-Ed: What Asian immigrants, seeking the American dream, found in Southern California suburbs With the safety net of the ethnoburb, my popo rebuilt. After living with us for a few years, she moved into her own one-bedroom apartment on Main Street in neighboring Alhambra. She walked to 85 Degrees everyday, where they rang a cowbell whenever fresh baos came out of the oven. She made friends with Cantonese neighbors in her building, and they started their own mah-jongg group at which they would debrief the latest episode of whichever Cantonese drama had aired on TVB the previous night. She found a Cantonese church and got baptized. She never learned English. She drove recklessly in the 99 Ranch parking lot and didnt care. She may have confirmed a few stereotypes, but the ethnoburb saved her. She stayed unapologetically herself through the upheavals of divorce and displacement. In the safety net of SGV, she got her groove back. Sometimes my mom would take my popo out to go window-shopping in Beverly Hills and they would drag me along. For me as a child, Popo outside of the ethnoburb was a frightening, multisensory experience. She always brought her full self. She was large and in charge. She tried to bargain and make deals. In Cantonese. At Saks. Her voice and presence were always loud, even and especially when we were the only Asians around. You dont speak Cantonese? Too bad and sit tight: 626 or 90210, my popo did not code switch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I, on the other hand, started my PhD in code switching when I was 9, after transferring to an uppity, predominantly white private school. I saw Popo as an unassimilable tornado that left me in the dust, embarrassed and flustered. Now, having moved away from the San Gabriel Valley for over 10 years to self-actualize in more interesting spaces, I find myself longing to go back. Paying exorbitant rent to live somewhere trendy is overrated and unsustainable. I want Asian strip malls, I want Hong Kong cafes and I want my child to grow up hearing Cantonese regularly and know that were not yelling; thats just our default volume. As my popo did, I embrace my ethnoburb in all of its limitations, possibilities and unassimilability. Bianca Mabute-Louie is a sociologist and the author of the forthcoming book Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the 21st Century, from which this piece is adapted, copyright 2025 by Bianca Mabute-Louie. To be published by Harper, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To my surprise, when I began graduate school in public policy back East, one of the first case studies was the Central Utah Project. As the professor was introducing the case, describing how federal government funding was allocated to provide water for agricultural irrigation, household use and recreation, it became clear that in his mind the project was something of a boondoggle. Why should the U.S. taxpayers pay for a few Utahns to water ski in the middle of a desert? We had spirited discussions, mainly pitting me, the guy from out West, against the rest of the class, most of whom came from places where it rains a lot. At one point I remember blurting out: water is life! My point is not to debate water policy, but to point out that everything in the U.S. federal budget is in there because it is important to somebody. Elon Musk is now working on plans to make the U.S. government more efficient. He is not the first to embark on such an effort, but I hope he is effective. Having worked in the federal government for many years, I know there are ways we could accomplish our goals utilizing fewer resources. If, however, the call for efficiency turns out to be nothing more than a smokescreen for keeping or enhancing programs important to us and cutting or eliminating programs that are important to others, then we will do little more than deepen and prolong the political divisions in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, importantly, we will likely again fail to resolve our frightening debt crisis. We have spent the past 23 years quibbling about this political priority or that questionable program, all while the deficit grows each year and the interest on the accumulated debt now costs more than national defense or all the rest of federal governments discretionary spending put together. That is like paying out more for minimum credit card payments each month than we pay for the mortgage. Is it time for a bold new approach? What if there were ways to balance the federal budget that would be effective and enduring because they would not be at the mercy of short-term political considerations? There are ways. Let me describe two. Adjustable flat tax First, the adjustable flat tax. The idea of a flat tax has been around for a long time. It has been proposed as a way to be more fair, to answer the criticisms that the rich dont pay their fair share or that the tax code is so complicated that it encourages deceit and is a drag on economic efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea is simple. There is a threshold above which all income is taxed at the same rate. Period. Below that threshold (some have suggested $50,000 to recognize the struggles of the working poor), income is not taxed. What if I make one dollar more than the threshold? Then you only pay tax on that dollar. How does the flat tax work to eliminate the deficit? Each year, the flat tax rate is adjusted to bring in enough revenue to meet appropriated government expenditures. It would be clear to Congress and to the taxpayers that increasing expenditures means increasing the tax rate, the specter of which should evoke needed discipline. If one year there were a terrible spate of natural disasters, the tax rate might have to be temporarily bumped up a notch. Hurricane or earthquake cleanup, or a pandemic, is not costless. Or Congress could economize in other programs to make up the difference. But the need for any tax increase would be clear. Equal adjustment mechanism Second, the equal adjustment mechanism. The federal government has been spending about 30% more than it receives in tax revenues in recent years. A reasonable goal would be to reduce that deficit by a third each year for the next three years to reach a balanced budget. Of course, reaching agreement on how to make such a reduction has been a goal for the past 23 years, but has proven impossible under our present ways of unending partisan promises and political wrangling. The equal adjustment mechanism fixes that problem. The idea is this: If Congress does not pass a budget that achieves the goal set (say, to reduce the deficit by a third) by the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, all expenditures in the ensuing year will automatically be cut by 5% and all taxes will automatically be raised by 5%, thus achieving the goal. If this were to be done for three years, the federal government budget would be balanced. The equal adjustment mechanism would be clunky, painful and effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surely only the most duplicitous politicians and the most gullible citizens believe that the budget can be balanced painlessly. From the fiscal government deficit of $1.83 trillion in 2024, each American received $5,400 in government-provided goods and services beyond what taxes paid for. We as a nation are going further into debt to pay for that irresponsible largess and the debt is accumulating at an alarming rate. We need some tough love to wean us away from the imbalance. But there is good news. If we can bite the bullet and balance the budget in the next three years, we can put the pain of doing so behind us. If the budget is balanced in a way that is perceived as fair and not partisan, it is likely to be enduring. If we can do something hard together, it will help ameliorate the partisan divide. The business and financial environment will improve. Moreover, American creditworthiness will be solidified and international confidence in the United States will grow as we show that democracy works. And Utahns can water ski with a clear conscience. The Russians have big ambitions for their space program. They are planning a new space station to replace their share of the International Space Station when it ends its operational life around 2030. They have made an alliance with China to participate in its lunar base project, with a nuclear reactor to power it. The question arises, then: Is Russia in any position to fulfill these and other ambitious objectives? A recent study from the Foreign Policy Research Institute casts some doubt. It notes that multiple factors have made the sustainable development of the Russian space program impossible. The issues include sanctions, an embargo on advanced industrial equipment, workforce shortages, limited financial resources spread among too many projects, cancellation of space cooperation with Western partners except operations on the International Space Station and the economic inefficiency of the Russian space industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The article suggests that the current decline in the fortunes of the Russian space program dates back as early as 2014, when Putin seized Crimea from Ukraine, and certainly from 2022, when Russia invaded its neighbor with a goal of conquering it. Truth be told, the Russian space program has not been the same since the fall of the Soviet Union. The decline dates back to the 1966 death of the famous chief designer, Sergei Korolev, the father of the Soviet space program and, ironically, given recent events, a Ukrainian. As a result of Korolevs death after a botched operation, the Soviets lost the race to the moon three years later. Ars Technica mentions another symptom of the Russian space programs doldrums. Recently, the Russians launched a rocket from the R-7 family of launch vehicles for the 2,000th time. The R-7, designed by Korolev, was Russias first intercontinental ballistic missile. It was used to launch the first Sputnik in 1957. An improved version of it launched Yuri Gagarin into space. Russia has been relying on variants of the R-7 ever since. As Russian rocket development has stagnated, the U.S. has increasingly relied on cost-competitive launch vehicles built by SpaceX and Rocket Lab. Blue Origins New Glenn is in the middle of testing and SpaceXs Starship is in development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Russia might have restored some of its lost space glory. The alliance with NASA on the space station was mutually beneficial. The U.S. got a foreign policy rationale for the space station that finally convinced enough members of Congress to approve funding. Russia was able to maintain cosmonauts in space after the Mir space station ended its operational life. Russia might have offered to participate in the Artemis program to return to the moon and go on to Mars. But Russian President Vladimir Putin had other priorities and chose poorly. Money that Russia is spending in its futile attempt to conquer Ukraine could be spent buttressing its space program. Moreover, skilled Russian engineers and scientists are leaving Russia for fear of being fed into the Ukraine meat grinder. Western sanctions, which are bound to increase with the reelection of Donald Trump, are not helpful, either. The situation that Russia finds itself in has provided an opportunity for Trump, should he take it. Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine. He could sweeten the deal by making Putin an offer he cant refuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Putin were to come to terms with Ukraine, ending his war of conquest, Trump could offer Russia a role in the Artemis program in exchange. The incoming U.S. president could point out that Russia has prospered as a result of the International Space Station partnership. Without that partnership, Russia would not be any kind of space power, If Putin were to agree to peace in Ukraine, Russia could see cosmonauts on the lunar surface in the near future something that the Soviet Union tried and failed to accomplish in the 1960s race to the moon. Russia would enjoy access to American technology and American commercial providers such as SpaceX. Russia would also be obliged to sign the Artemis Accords, joining a growing community of nations pledged to the peaceful exploration and economic development of space. As a happy side effect, Russias nascent space alliance with China would be broken, leaving that country isolated. Russia would be presented with a choice. On the one hand, war and ruin. On the other hand, peace and prosperity. Lets hope it chooses wisely this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark R. Whittington is the author of Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? as well as The Moon, Mars and Beyond , and, most recently, Why is America Going Back to the Moon? He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Biden administrations recent decision to block Nippon Steels acquisition of U.S. Steel highlights a concerning shift away from strategic economic diplomacy. By rejecting this deal which included commitments for ongoing U.S. investment and production the administration has not only spurned deeper economic integration with a key Indo-Pacific ally but also signaled a troubling lack of confidence in Americas ability to leverage such investments for broader diplomatic gains. This moment of retreat from economic statecraft comes as presidential administrations are about to shift in Washington, offering an opportunity to reassess what direction the new Trump administration will take on the world stage. While most predict either an isolationist model or one that continues to pursue a more assertive and interventionist global stance, President-elect Trumps return to the White House offers a third possibility transactional diplomacy, where the Art of the Deal helps achieve broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than relying on coercive, costly or lethal military measures, this strategy emphasizes the power of investment to strengthen Americas global position precisely the kind of opportunity lost in the recent U.S. Steel decision, where an opportunity for even deeper economic ties with Japan could have enhanced our strategic position in Asia. International diplomacy has always incorporated elements of both carrot and stick, with enticing trade agreements and partnerships on the one hand and punishing sanctions and economic isolation on the other. Bidens politically motivated protectionism, if carried forward by Trump, would deprive the U.S. of the carrot element of this equation. Take the recent commitment from Softbanks CEO Masayoshi Son to Trump at Mar-a-Lago to invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This commitment signals an opportunity for strategic alignment by foreign money and investors in U.S. industry and its future. And it reinforces that the U.S. is at the epicenter of global leadership and innovation. On the flip side, it reminds foreign governments and companies alike of the dangers of economic isolation and the potential for economic penalties for failing to deal constructively with the United States across a broad range of matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this way, Trumps deal-focused orientation of can serve as both the carrot and the stick in a new diplomatic paradigm. The U.S. is open for business, eager to forge mutually beneficial partnerships, welcoming foreign investment and poised to invest in critical and emerging technologies developing internationally a stark contrast to the message sent by blocking established allies from investing in American industry. If foreign governments want to enable these opportunities to turbocharge their own industries through access to American technology and partnerships, they must commit to abide by conditions that serve broader U.S. geopolitical interests, including support for global security priorities and a commitment to democratic norms and human rights. And if these conditions are not met, the U.S. may impose sanctions, restrict market access, or take other costly diplomatic measures. Of course, investment partnerships will only be allowed if they dont compromise U.S. national security. To ensure this, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States will evaluate cross-border deals for national security risks. Similarly, U.S. investments in foreign technology will be scrutinized for potential national security risks, particularly in such areas as artificial intelligence, microchips, cybersecurity, and 5G. While this scrutiny is essential, most deals can still proceed, provided that Trump does not use claims of national security risk as a pretext. Even in cases where there are legitimate national security concerns, controls can often be put in place to protect U.S. national security equities exactly the kind of safeguards that could have been negotiated in the U.S. Steel transaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This approach is not new but could play an increasingly central role in U.S. foreign policy. President Richard Nixon pursued an opening with China through a mix of diplomacy and economic incentives meant to counterbalance Soviet influence in Asia. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush used economic diplomacy to advance U.S. goals during the latter part of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union to contain Soviet power through economic means. These examples demonstrate the value of economic leverage to advance broader strategic goals. Trump could revive this approach as a central component of his foreign policy, aligning with his focus on deprioritizing military entanglements and leveraging dealmaking. Doing so would mark a welcome departure from the blunder of the U.S. Steel decision, reaffirming the strategic value of foreign investment. Economic diplomacy of this sort would likewise provide a counterforce to overreliance on military force, emphasizing the strength of U.S. technological and economic influence to advance foreign policy goals and promote global stability. The U.S. economic network is vast and dominant on the world stage. With leverage through deal-making, it can motivate global actors to conduct their domestic and international affairs in ways that support our interests, from democratic norms to cybersecurity and fairness in global economic practices, from strengthening the resilience of global supply chains for critical technologies to promoting peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the economic side, U.S. investment in foreign technology and innovation will help turbocharge these technologies, with the potential that they then become part of the broader U.S. technological arsenal to compete and lead in the 21st century. Conversely, foreign investments in U.S. businesses would give an economic boost to domestic innovation and production while opening new global pathways for U.S. industry to compete in foreign markets opportunities that risk being foreclosed if we view foreign investment primarily as a threat rather than a strategic asset. Ultimately, this strategy is about rethinking international investment deals not as an end to themselves, but as a means to propel U.S. industry and technology, benefit from foreign innovation and provide a new and powerful tool of foreign diplomacy. It gives foreign partners and adversaries clear opportunities and even clearer expectations. If Trump follows this model, he will set his second term on a path to enhancing our standing and influence in the world while preserving our leading role in the ever-competitive race for geopolitical dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would solidify U.S. leadership while helping secure the economic future of the nation in this rapidly changing, technologically dependent, and interconnected landscape an approach that recognizes the strategic value of economic integration rather than reflexively rejecting it. Daniel J. Rosenthal is a fellow with the National Security Institute at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. He previously served as director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council in the Obama White House and as senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for national security at the Department of Justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When venture capitalist David Sacks takes office as the Trump administrations AI czar, hell face a thorny problem: despite U.S. controls on chips and capital, China is developing capable AI models and sharing them openly. Models are the reasoning engines that power tools like ChatGPT; if released openly, developers can freely modify them for different applications. Chinese models, such as Qwen from Alibaba, Yi from 01.AI, or DeepSeek, are now among the most capable, most preferred and largest open models globally, and fast setting a global standard in AI. These may be signs of Chinas emerging AI strategy: wielding open technology to create global dependencies on Chinese talent, capital and industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That should be a source of concern, and a call to action. However, U.S. policymakers are focusing on the wrong threat. They are reacting with alarm to the prospect of China achieving AI parity with frontier AI labs, urging a Manhattan Project to accelerate the development of cutting-edge AI capabilities and introducing new controls on the most powerful chips and largest closed models to keep those capabilities out of Chinas hands. Yet these efforts miss the mark. The national security risk isnt just that China might rival frontier labs like OpenAI or Anthropic. The most pressing threat is that China is openly sharing capable AI models that could eventually underpin AI infrastructure across the globe. Open models are popular because they can help overcome significant barriers to AI adoption at scale, including reliability, privacy, security and cost. Developers can modify open models for better performance in specific tasks. They can test, refine and operate their AI systems without sharing confidential data about users, clients, patients or citizens with the widely mistrusted Big Tech firms that develop closed-source models. They can deploy AI systems independently and securely through their own on-premise hardware or compute providers. And they can build AI systems using a range of competitive models without incurring ongoing fees to a handful of frontier AI labs. These are some of the reasons why open models like Metas Llama have topped 350 million downloads since 2023. If the U.S. retreats from open innovation in AI, other nations may decouple from U.S. technology, investing in their own infrastructure to build satisfactory AI capabilities or turning to alternatives. That would entrench Chinese AI models like Qwen, Yi or DeepSeek, establishing a global reliance on Chinese labs and eroding the influence of U.S. firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, today, Alibabas models are downloaded several million times each month by developers. These models will embed different values (for example, Chinese models are required by law to adhere to Communist Party doctrine, and models from Alibaba exhibit signs of political censorship) and those values could shape the technology stack of countless businesses and governments globally. Imagine a future where Baidu powers the AI search engines used by billions of people globally instead of Perplexity or Google. Unfortunately, while some policymakers support open innovation in AI, others favor restrictions on open technology. Although the federal telecommunications agency refused to endorse restrictions, senators have tabled bipartisan proposals for a licensing regime that would limit access to capable AI models. The House has advanced legislation to subject AI models to export controls, and the current administration is preparing to impose further restrictions on the computing hardware necessary to train, modify or run capable models. And while the vice president-elect is believed to support open models, frequently criticizing woke values embedded in AI systems from Big Tech firms, the president-elect may expand controls for critical technology as part of his trade policy on China. By chilling or impeding the release of open models, these measures risk stifling AI innovation at home while accelerating the uptake of Chinese technology abroad. U.S. policymakers must recognize that AI leadership isnt just about building advanced technology behind a paywall its about driving the domestic adoption of AI and establishing global dependencies on U.S. industry. Heres how the incoming Trump-Vance administration can act to preserve Americas open-source advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the U.S. must invest in open development. Training advanced AI models is costly, and we cant take open models for granted. The president-elects proposal for a U.S. sovereign wealth fund could spur open innovation by making investments in infrastructure, talent and resources that support open technology in the national interest. Other countries are doing so already. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Canada and France have each committed amounts up to $100 billion and other incentives for AI, including significant investments in open model development. Second, the U.S. must refocus policy around AI diffusion and adoption not just AI safety. The Trump-Vance administration should create and execute a unified national strategy for promoting open innovation in AI. This may require a dedicated entity to coordinate efforts across the government and apply regulatory tools to encourage private sector investment. For example, the U.S. Departments of Energy and Commerce could streamline permit and energy access for investments in open model development. In addition, federal procurement policy could prioritize open models for sensitive government applications, like defense and public services. Finally, the administration should avoid restricting the open release of useful models, such as through export controls or licensing regimes. Restricting open models would limit global access to AI technology, leaving a vacuum for Chinese AI labs to fill. Open models pose unique challenges for AI oversight, including the possibility of misuse, and policymakers should remain alert to emerging risks. However, evidence of catastrophic threats from open models is limited, and developers can apply layers of mitigation. Policymakers must balance these risks against the benefit of open models for transparency and competition in AI, and the opportunity cost of ceding global AI leadership to China. Rather than treating open models as a threat, the new administration should embrace them as an opportunity. Open models can accelerate domestic AI adoption, shape global AI deployment, and establish lasting dependencies on U.S. talent, capital and industry. To win in AI, the U.S. must champion open-source diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Brooks is a fellow at Harvards Berkman Klein Center, and previously led public policy for Stability AI, developer of Stable Diffusion. Michelle Fang leads strategic projects at the AI computing firm Cerebras, and previously organized Sam Altmans congressional hearing while a Senate AI staffer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links). Multibillionaire Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with President-elect Donald Trump the day before he announced his companys big fact check flip-flop, revealed Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. Mark has been down to see the president several times already, said Mullin, revealing that Zuckerberg has also reached out to him a couple times to spend some time getting to know each other outside of politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guys got into Juujitsu real heavy, said Mullin. He wants me to come down there and roll with him. He wants to train. He actually wants to get in a cage and fight. Mullins recap of Trumps blossoming relationship with Zuckerberg further revealed how Silicon Valley is moving to align itself with the incoming administration, said The New Abnormal co-host Andy Levy. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. I really think we do need to really clock how bad this tech Republican collusion is, said The New Abnormal co-host Andy Levy. This is the world were living in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, if we ever have the chance to have power again, let there be a very, very stiff hand coming down on how these people behave. And I say nationalize them. Co-host Danielle Moodie added with sarcasm, But then, where would all the donors go? Plus! Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, joins to talk about his new book, It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links). Our coastal prophet of doom is gone. But it would be foolish now to throw to the winds the warnings of geologist Orrin Pilkey Jr., which pounded as relentlessly as ocean waves until his death last month at age 90. Pilkey was a prominent figure in the news of Hilton Head Island and up and down the coastline for decades. His message was simple yet jarring: Retreat from the shoreline because you will never overpower the ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that placing hard surfaces on eroding beaches only ends one way and that governments are spending fortunes to benefit a relative few people, temporarily, at the expense of everyone. Pilkey also wasnt a fan of todays preferred method of battling beach erosion: renourishing beaches with sand pumped from offshore. He titled one of his more than two dozen books Useless Arithmetic, disputing calculations used to defend these costs. None of this made the short, barrel-chested man with a sea captains beard popular with everyone in coastal communities. But he retained an endearing sense of humor, and he never turned away a reporter. The retired Duke University professor once told The Raleigh Times that he knew he was playing a public opinion game and that When the press starts ignoring me, Im dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some other things he said that had developers and naturalists drawing lines in the sand. Shoreline erosion is never a threat to the beach, only to buildings. Erosions not a problem for the beach. Its only the beach moving back in space. If the goal is to preserve the beach, you must retreat. Buildings and beaches we cannot have them both. There are no compromises with the sea. Nothing built on open shoreline should be considered permanent. The issue is a simple one: whether were going to save the coast for our grandchildren. He was intimately familiar with our coastline, dating to 1962 when he joined the University of Georgias Marine Institute on Sapelo Island, Georgia. He later worked at the Skidaway Institute in Savannah before founding the Duke University Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said you didnt have to be a geologist to see that protecting one section of the shore with hard surfaces only makes matters worse downstream. When other professionals said Pilkey was wrong to claim you cant do anything about erosion, he never flinched. He was skeptical when the Town of Hilton Head Island began a series of beach renourishment projects in 1990. That $9 million project injected 2.3 million cubic yards of sand along seven miles of island beaches. Projects have continued every seven to 10 years since then at a total cost of $60 million. As Hilton Head pursued beach renourishment, Pilkey was just a phone call away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilton Heads got to do something and do it fast, he said. If I were king, those rock revetments would be out in a month and buildings would move back. I would try to do it mercifully as a good king should. I would wait until a storm came along and destroyed the buildings (and refuse to allow rebuilding). If I wasnt king, if I were mayor, Id nourish. Its a politically easier solution. It is a solution that has served Hilton Head and its beach-driven economy well. The town found funding with its beach preservation fee, a 2% tax on overnight lodging enacted in 1993. Then-town attorney Curtis Coltrane successfully argued for the tax before the state Supreme Court over objections from the lodging and hospitality industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town budgeted $14 million in revenue from the tax this year, and it will help fund a $16.5 million renourishment project scheduled to start later in the year. Few communities have enough heads in beds to afford that option, known as the lesser of the evils Pilkey warned us about. But attacks continue to be as constant as the tides against South Carolinas landmark 1988 Beach Management Act that controlled hard surfaces and construction along the coastline. And the tides and noreasters never rest. The common-sense warnings of the oracle of doom should always ring in our ears. David Lauderdale may be reached at lauderdalecolumn@gmail.com . In the first session of the International Overseas Uttarakhandi Conference, the possibilities of investment in manufacturing, energy production and startups were discussed. Dr AK Kala, Chairman of Brosten Group from Thailand, said that after working abroad for 30 years, he is now preparing to open his manufacturing unit in India, in which he will give priority to Uttarakhand. He stated about his intent to manufacture equipment for the oil and gas sector in Uttarakhand and supply it all over the world, said a press release. Dr AK Kala said that he also wants to work to repopulate the villages in Uttarakhand that have become completely empty due to migration; for this he has given a proposal to the government to adopt one such village. Also, considering needy women above 70 years of age as his mother, he will help them through the Bhima Care Foundation running in the name of his mother, the release mentioned. Meenakshi Arora Dabral, founder of Mandala Global from Singapore, said that she is trying to make her products available to the women entrepreneurs of Uttarakhand on her e-commerce platform. Praising the House of Himalayas brand created by the Uttarakhand government, she said that all the products in it are of high quality. She said that Uttarakhand can play an important role in the world food chain. They supply organic products of Uttarakhand to Singapore. Kunal Uniyal, who runs an AI-based startup in Uttarakhand, said that after returning from London, he is running an AI-based shipping transport startup from Uttarakhand itself. Many investors have also come to Uttarakhand for this; he said that we are working on the slogan of Make India, Make in Uttarakhand. Rajesh Gunsola of Gunsola Hydro Power Generation said that he is running a hydro project in Budhakedar of Tehri district, in which 50 people are getting employment. Now he is also going to start a solar project in Vinayakhal. Aman Joshi, a consultant in the field of solar plants, said that the mountains of Uttarakhand are the best for solar energy. There are immense possibilities of investment here. While chairing the session, Additional Secretary Energy Ranjana Rajguru said that the state government is making several efforts for investment along with increasing energy production. In this sequence, geothermal and green hydrogen policy is also being prepared soon. The session was conducted by Commissioner Industries Prateek Jain. (ANI) Over the past day, 132 people, including 12 children, were evacuated from the front-line area of Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on the morning of Jan. 12. Amid fierce Russian offensives and daily attacks on the area, Donetsk Oblast authorities intensified evacuation efforts during the summer and autumn, with police, military, and volunteers helping civilians flee the region. However, despite calls from officials, as of early January, around 307,000 civilians reportedly remained in Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Filashkin, Russian troops shelled the settlements of Donetsk Oblast 20 times over the past day, killing one person in the village of Hryshyne, not far from Pokrovsk. Five people were injured in the village of Bilytske and two more in Kostiantynivka, Filashkin wrote on Facebook. The aftermath of Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 11. (Vadym Filashkin/Facebook) Over 60 houses suffered damage due to Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 11, according to Filashkin. Russian troops are continuing to push on the Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove axes, according to Ukraine's General Staff. Pokrovsk and Kurakhove remain the focal points of the Russian eastern offensive, now in its fifth month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As Russians inch closer to Pokrovsk, civilians in the area are left with a choice stay under fire or leave life behind Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Prospect Medical Holdings, the company who owns Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals under the banner of CharterCARE, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. To effectuate the paths forward and ensure continued provision of critical and tailored healthcare, Prospect Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries initiated voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Prospect announced on their website. The company also faced financial problems before this filing, owing $17 million to its vendors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Back-to-back decisions in RI are Prospect Medicals latest financial headache Otis Brown, a spokesperson for Prospect CharterCARE, said this news has no immediate impact on the operations of CharterCARE Health Partners. Our hospitals, programs, and physician practices are fully operational, busy, and actively treating patients, from emergency services to cancer care, Brown explained. Rhode Islanders should have confidence that they can continue to seek high quality, nationally recognized care across our system of hospitals and outpatient services. Before the filing, Prospect was in the final stages of selling both hospitals to the Georgia-based Centurion Foundation. A deal has not been finalized yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals sold to nonprofit Centurion Foundation The announcement led to several elected officials and the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) putting out statements. R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha said in his statement that Prospect intends to go forward with its sale of the hospitals to Centurion. Neronha also said his office expects both hospitals to operate as normal for the immediate future. I know that the word bankruptcy can be frightening to many, especially when paired with a potentially unknown future of two hospitals that are integral to the survival of Rhode Islands healthcare system, Neronha added. But Ill say again what I said earlier this week: this Office is prepared for all scenarios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNAP called on state leaders to immediately come up with a plan to keep the hospitals open and operational regardless of what happens with this bankruptcy. And were calling on Prospect to do right by Rhode Island and keep these facilities open until the sale to Centurion Foundation is final, the union added. Our union will do all we can to secure the future of these health care facilities, ensure we protect these jobs and continue providing critical care for the families who depend on them. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse also weighed in, saying during his time chairing the Budget Committee, we investigated what happens when private equity companies and health care operators like Prospect take over facilities and bleed them dry. The positive news for Rhode Islanders is that the conversion process for local Prospect-owned hospitals was already well under way, and disruption to the states health care system can be minimized, Whitehouse said. But as we make decisions about our health care system moving forward, we need to be very clear that the priorities for a hospital must be its patients and workers not greedy private equity investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement R.I. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who represents a district that contains Fatima, said the filing is not unanticipated and hes been in close contact with Neronha on this issue. My highest priority continues to be the continuity of health services provided at Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals, Ruggerio added. Im very grateful to the Attorney General for his strong leadership, his preparation for every eventuality, and his ongoing diligence as we work towards our shared goal of a transfer of these hospitals to a responsible new owner. NEXT: Crews respond to 2-alarm fire at North Attleboro home Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said Sunday he is a no on the Laken Riley Act as currently written. As currently written, Im a no because it opens the doors for people simply being charged without a conviction, to be detained and deported, that includes minors, that includes Dreamers, thats shoplifting a pack of bubble gum, Padilla told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Earlier this week, the Senate cleared a procedural hurdle on the way to passing the Laken Riley Act, which would aim to suppress crime by migrants. Thirty-three Senate Democrats voted with Republicans in the 84 to 9 vote on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laken Riley Act, named for a college student who was killed last February by a Venezuelan migrant who had been arrested for shoplifting prior to the attack, would mandate federal detention of immigrants lacking legal status accused of theft, burglary and other similar crimes. The bill currently as written is first of all, its not immigration policy, Padilla said during his Meet the Press appearance. Second of all, it is already in law that those who commit violent crimes can and should be detained. While on the floor before Thursdays vote, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said the Laken Riley Act presents the Senate a simple choice: Are you willing to allow illegal immigrant criminals to roam free in our country? Or do you want to save American lives? Barrasso added. Protecting Americans from the dangers of a broken border makes sense to most of our citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PANA, Ill. (WCIA) In 2024, the Pana Police Department experienced a slight decrease in its calls for service compared to the year prior. Chief of Police Daniel Bland said that last year, Pana PD responded to 4,569 calls for service. The department consists of seven patrol officers, one part-time patrol officer, five dispatchers and one Chief of Police. Christian Co. Crime Stoppers looking for tips in Stonington tire theft Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the most responded to types of calls in 2024 include: 326 Assault/Battery/Fight-in-Progress/Threats/Disputes; 6% increase from 2023 299 Damage to Property/Theft-Burglary Complaints; 8% increase from 2023 288 Suspicious Persons/Suspicious Vehicles/Prowlers; 17% increase from 2023 273 Request for check the welfare; 10% increase from 2023 251 Vehicle Lockouts; 6% increase from 2023 For a more extensive list of the calls received by the Pana Police Department, visit their Facebook post. Other statistics aside from the service calls received include: 702 Formal cases were opened 89 Warrant Arrests 180 Criminal Arrests 81 Felony Arrests 99 Misdemeanor arrests 74 Ordinance Citations 438 Traffic Stops were made 200 Traffic Citations 137 Traffic Crash Investigations 14 Individuals assisted into a rehabilitation through the departments Safe Passage Program Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. HEBRON RHAM Middle School will offer an opportunity to inquire about its Inquiry Academy on January 13. Limited spaces are available in the Inquiry Academy, which is offered as a separate program at regional school district 8s middle school. STOW, Ohio (WJW) The parents of 25-year-old Megan Keleman say she was a loving daughter and sister. Father Nick Keleman said, She would do anything for a friend or a family member. She just wanted this place to be a better place to live in. Last August, Megan was heading to pick up dinner for herself and her father when a stranger shot and killed her in a Taco Bell drive-thru in Stow. The killer then turned the gun on himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red Cross of Northern Ohio seeking volunteers to deploy to California wildfires Her father says it was Megans brother who didnt want the tragedy to be his sisters legacy. He was upset that his big sister was gonna be remembered as the girl who was murdered in the Taco Bell in Stow Ohio, he said. (Stow Police Department) Nick and Kelly Keleman are now launching the website Megans Rainbow of Hope to honor their daughters legacy with scholarship for Cleveland State University, her alma mater and the 6th District Educational Impact in the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, where she was a student. Right now obviously, were in the donation phase. We initially started with $35,000 through GoFundMe, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People can also donate to a pet rescue that helped care for Megans dog Penny, who was with her at the time of her murder. Mom Kelly said, We didnt even know that they existed. And they came to our aid and they took care of her for us, cleaned her up, made sure she wasnt injured. Its about honoring a life cut short while working to keep her memory alive. I want to say our faith has helped the anguish, help us cope with it, help us focus on a positive way of just moving forward, she said. Megan had just graduated with a masters degree from CSU and was working professionally at the non-profit Shelter Care, for at-risk youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newly-launched website also supports Shelter Care and other organizations near to Megans heart. Find out more about the scholarship fund right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. CORNING, N.Y. (WETM) People demonstrated against the shooting death of a man who was killed after a 12-hour-long standoff in Cameron in October during a peaceful protest in Bath. Allan V. Hoad, 50, died on Oct. 21, 2024, after the standoff at his home. The Steuben County Sheriffs Office reported that deputies were called to Hoads house in the Town of Cameron shortly before 1 a.m. for a welfare check. Hoad allegedly yelled at the deputies and fired two shots at their patrol vehicles, leading to a standoff that lasted for more than 12 hours. At about 2 p.m., authorities say Hoad loaded weapons into his vehicle, drove away into a field to avoid a roadblock, tried to get inside an occupied house, and then drove into police vehicles. The standoff ended after officers and deputies from multiple departments shot at Hoad. Hoad was then taken to a local hospital and died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Original story: One dead after 12-hour standoff with police in Steuben County During the Jan. 11 protest, people chanted Justice for Moose, referring to Hoad, who was known to most people as Moose. The protestors started at Pulteney Square, walked on both sidewalks of Liberty Street, and returned to Pulteney Square Park. Other chants included Steuben County failed us. Family members and people who knew Allan Hoad are calling for accountability from law enforcement and justice for his death. One of the protestors at the event, Matt Strauss, who was a family friend of Hoad, said, Id like to see some change. I dont want this incident to get swept underneath the rug like so many other things. I just want justice for Moose and his family and all his friends, whole community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope we can get justice for my dad because he was wrongfully shot, said Hoads son Hunter Stoddard. He was unarmed. He had done nothing wrong. The police were called for a welfare check. Related story: Body cam footage released from Steuben County 12-hour standoff in October Hoads daughter Harly Cole reflected on shedding light on the incident. She said he was a great person and a devoted husband, and she expressed that a lot of peoples lives were shattered because of his death. The purpose of today was to kind of bring awareness to the situation and to show the community and show everybody how well loved my father was and the kind of man he was, and the impact he had on his family and community, and we just want to have our voices be heard that what happened to him is not fair, is very addressed, said Cole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney for the Hoad Family, Aubrey Hetznecker, told 18 News that the family is seeking justice for the matter, and it is under investigation by the New York Attorney Generals Office. The family is clearly reeling from exceptionally tragic circumstances, all of which, from our position, could have been preventable, said attorney Hetznecker. This is a violation, the circumstances are a violation of the familys trust and the communitys trust, and the family seeks accountability, and to hold those responsible, responsible. Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard said in a statement, It is always difficult to come to terms with the loss of a family member. Unfortunately, representing the actions of the police as anything other than justified, necessary, and in accordance with best practices is not only false and incendiary, but simply not true. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. TEMECULA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The Pechanga Tribe of Southern California has pledged a contribution of $500,000 to assist victims of the recent Palisades and Eaton Fires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles, the tribe announced Saturday. The donation, made in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams Foundation, will support three key organizations providing critical aid during this challenging time: the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation and World Central Kitchen. How close are the Los Angeles fires to San Diego? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Pechanga is donating another $250,000 directly to the American Red Cross to further bolster relief efforts for those affected by the fires. From ancient times to now, Southern California has always been and will always be our home, said Mark Macarro, Pechanga Tribal chairman. The loss and devastation that continues to take its toll on our region from these catastrophic fires is heartbreaking. Our reservation has been impacted by fires in the past and we know the importance of coming together to lift up people in need. In addition to the monetary contributions, the Pechanga Tribe has been actively engaged on the ground. Since Jan. 7, the Pechanga Fire Department has deployed personnel, equipment and resources to assist in fighting the fires. Meanwhile, the Pechanga Resort Casino has been offering discounted accommodations to residents without power due to the ongoing fires and Santa Ana winds. This donation is part of Pechangas longstanding tradition of supporting their community during emergencies. In the past, the tribe received support when a fast-moving fire ravaged land near their reservation, and now they are returning that support to their neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 200 American Red Cross workers are currently assisting thousands of Southern Californians displaced by the fires, providing essential services such as shelter, food and help in locating missing persons. In collaboration with the Rams Foundation, the Pechanga Tribes donation will help to ensure these vital efforts continue, bringing much-needed relief to those impacted by the flames. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WHTM) A man accused of killing and dismembering his roommate in the Lehigh Valley has died in prison, officials said. The Lehigh County Coroners Office said Joshua D. Moser, 34, died Saturday afternoon in the emergency room at St. Lukes Hospital in Allentown. He was an inmate at the Lehigh County Jail at the time of his death. The coroners office said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, though the investigation is ongoing. The Lehigh County District Attorneys Office is assisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moser was awaiting trial on felony homicide, abuse of a corpse, and evidence tampering charges. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here He was accused of killing his roommate, David Hittinger, 37, of Slatington, dismembering him, and scattering the remains in numerous locations around the Slate Belt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the National Youth Day programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Assam Pradesh, at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma described this day as profoundly sacred for those dedicated to advancing Indian philosophy, Sanatan civilisation, and India's role as a Vishwaguru. He lauded Swami Vivekananda for his vision of a prosperous India and his enduring inspiration to the youth, urging them to work towards the nation's betterment. He emphasized that Swami Vivekananda was a pivotal figure in the progress of Indian civilisation and noted that National Youth Day is observed in his honour to continue inspiring the youth in building a stronger, developed India. He asserted that it is now the responsibility of today's youth to realise Swami Vivekananda's vision of a new India and establish the country as a Vishwaguru in the modern era. Reflecting on Swami Vivekananda's enduring legacy, the CM stated that, a century and a half after his birth, Indian civilisation not only revives its ancient glory but also envisions a new India in the Amrit Kaal era. He highlighted India's aspirations, from exploring Mars following the successful Chandrayaan mission to using nuclear power for peaceful purposes. He emphasized that India is on the cusp of a renaissance in knowledge, embracing innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and augmented reality, all under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He reaffirmed that, under the Prime Minister's guidance, India is committed to realising Swami Vivekananda's vision and transforming it into a developed nation. Addressing the youth, CM Sarma urged them to pursue life with purpose, asserting that the strength and courage to achieve their goals must arise from within. He also reflected on Assam's transformation, noting that after a prolonged period of unrest, the state now radiates hope and optimism. He called for collective efforts to fortify Assam's revitalised public life and to explore ways in which the state and society can unlock new horizons, establishing India on the global stage. The CM highlighted that the present state government began its efforts in 2021 to build a peaceful and progressive Assam, and the state is now seeing the results of this initiative. He referenced recent positive developments, such as Assam's fourth-place ranking in "The New York Times" list of 52 notable tourist destinations. He noted that North East India has become the country's 'Ashtalakshmi' and a driving force for national growth, with growing interest from other Indian states in learning about Assam, which has entered the semiconductor age. Reaffirming the government's stance on illegal immigration, CM Sarma emphasised ongoing efforts to send back illegal immigrants from the India-Bangladesh border. He also designated the current year as the "Year of Books" and urged the youth to foster an environment conducive to study and learning. Today's event was attended by MLA and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Assam Pradesh Bhabesh Kalita, MLA Diplu Ranjan Sarma, Secretary of the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Society Sudarsan Thakur, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Assam Pradesh Rakesh Das, and other dignitaries. (ANI) Despite landing gear problems, an airplane safely touched down in northern Massachusetts Sunday morning due to some skilled maneuvering from the aircraft pilot. Officials at Fitchburg Airport told first responders in Orange around 9:30 a.m. that a plane had landing gear problems would be making an impromptu landing at Orange Airport. The plane was able to perform an emergency landing on the grass despite having no landing gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot did a phenomenal job under stressful conditions resulting in no injuries, no fuel leaks, and minimal damage to the aircraft, the Orange Fire Department shared on Facebook. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Anyone who's walked through a grocery store or turned on cable T.V. almost certainly knows about Pillsbury. With humble Minnesota beginnings, it has since evolved several times and gained worldwide notoriety. The company only sold flour at first, and while it still does, that product is now just a small portion of its stock. Founded by Charles Alfred Pillsbury in 1869, the brand has since become a masterclass in innovation and growth, developing a slew of products made to make baking simple. And with delicious recipes, a popular yearly Bake-Off, and a thriving online presence, Pillsbury continues to catapult itself to American cultural ubiquity -- but that's not all it's known for. Even the most successful businesses go through hard times; and over the years, there have been more than a few dark days for the Pillsbury Doughboy, as the company struggled to keep many of its products on shelves. The recall process, coming to fruition after the passing of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act, was meant to protect consumers from ingesting contaminants or allergens. Removals can either be done voluntarily by distributors or imposed by one of two government agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the USDA, is responsible for overseeing all meat, poultry, and eggs products, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, widely known as the FDA, regulates all other consumable products, from prescription drugs to common lunchbox snacks. Though food recalls have recently been making headlines more frequently, Pillsbury has been dealing with them for decades. Read more: Ina Garten's Favorite Kitchen Tools (Including The One She's Kept For Nearly 60 Years) Farina Cereal (1971) Bowl of Farina cereal with a spoon - Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock Pillsbury's first brush with the Food and Drug Administration was almost a century after the company's inception and over 50 years after the first ever reported recall. After shards of glass made their way into Farina cereal at the Pillsbury's Minneapolis plant, the company requested a one-code removal of its 27.5 ounce packages in four Western Massachusetts counties and seven in Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a few years prior, the brand was flying high. In collaboration with NASA, Pillsbury launched two groundbreaking projects with space explorers in mind: Space Food Sticks, the first solid food to be eaten in space, and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) -- a set of standards providing food regulation guidance for astronauts and earthlings alike. In an effort to reduce widespread illness and harm, the system ultimately sought to prevent food contamination during production, and still does. It may seem ironic that Pillsbury had to pull one of its most iconic products so soon after releasing an industry-changing safety campaign, but accidents happen -- even when following protocol. By taking immediate action, the brand sent a message aligned with the HACCP's purpose. To Pillsbury, food safety would always come first, whether that meant creating an impact with new standards or taking ownership of its mistakes (it would have to do the latter quite a bit). Though this was the first recall, it certainly wouldn't be their last. Cut-Leaf Spinach (1995) Person holding a bunch of fresh spinach - JoannaTkaczuk/Shutterstock What does spinach have to do with biscuits? Besides being two common side dishes on a dinner plate, both products were at one time under the same conglomerate: Pillsbury. This may come as a shock as the industry giant is known for its baked goods, but before the brand was acquired by General Mills in 2001, Pillsbury had quite the impressive portfolio, owning industry leaders like Haagen-Daz, Burger King, and Green Giant. In the words of author Terry Pratchett, "even if it's not your fault, it's still your responsibility." The thing about owning multiple companies is that when something goes awry on the production line, it's up to the big boss to fix it. So when a customer found fly larvae inside a box of greens in June 1995, it was Pillsbury that responded. The same day the FDA tested and confirmed the presence of larvae and rodent contaminants, the brand voluntarily recalled four frozen spinach products, including Green Giant Cut-Leaf Spinach and 16-ounce bags of Green Giant Pasta Accents Florentine. The root of the problem was narrowed down an undisclosed packaging site, but the products had already been widely distributed. To be safe, Pillsbury pulled a wider range of codes from grocery store shelves a few days later. Cookie Dough (1998) Package of Pillsbury cookie dough - Memoriesarecaptured/Getty Images Peanuts and tree nuts have gotten a major PR makeover over the past decade -- and rightfully so. Full of brain boosting omega-3s and crunch, there is no questioning their benefits both in taste and health. But let us not forget the danger they present to those with allergies. Don't get us wrong, there have been major advancements in allergy protection. But for some, even airborne exposure requires immediate medical attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On September 8 1998, Pillsbury voluntarily recalled over 8,000 cases of 18-ounce packages of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough for failing to include walnuts on the ingredient list. The recalled lot spanned several states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and targeted packages with "For Best Results Use Before Nov. 18 J" and "For Best Results Use Before Nov 18 K." The mislabeled products were replaced with proper packaging soon after. Marketing accidents happen; art might go out blurred or perhaps the occasional word is left out of a company slogan. No doubt, these mistakes are never a good look, but the fallout usually comes in the form of dollars and cents. When the product is food, however, there is little (if any) room for error. In this case, the consequences could have been grave, resulting in serious harm, or worse, death. Thankfully, there were no reported reactions to the cookie dough. Frozen Biscuits (2001) Frozen biscuit dough - General Mills Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This product retraction didn't involve glass or cereal. Still, it's hard to ignore the similarity between Pillsbury's first recall, which took place exactly 30 years prior, and the decision to voluntarily remove 30,000 cases of frozen biscuits from shelves in July 2001. Both incidents involved contamination of a foreign object, but this time with a more modern spin -- plastic. At the time, the chief complaint was the shards becoming a potential choking hazard. And that would have been a more than likely outcome; but now, over 20 years later, we know there was a more insidious cause for concern. According to a 2023 study published in the Yonsei Medical Journal, "Sharp microplastic particles can cause toxicity by physically stimulating the body." Although more research needs to be done, the same study states that plastic consumption can also cause inflammation and compromise hormone release. Had the mishap taken place more recently, it might have been cited as another cause for the biscuits' removal, but only due to the size of the shards. The recall was eventually rectified; but only for a time. In coming years, Pillsbury would pull more biscuit codes, and find more shards of plastic in its food. Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix (2002) Chocolate chip muffin mix - Pillsbury Even the least discriminating sweet tooth likely falls into one of two camps: team milk chocolate or dark chocolate. For some folks, however, it's not a matter of taste preference, but well-being. In September 2002, International Multifoods Corp. nixed 753 cases of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Just four years after its last advertisement-based blunder, the voluntary recall was reported to the FDA after discovering a number of packages containing milk chocolate chips did not disclose the allergen on their labels. This came as a surprise, since Pillsbury generally uses dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate in its products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unknowingly biting into a milk chocolate chip muffin could cause major discomfort to people who suffer from lactose intolerance, but dairy allergies often go beyond stomach pain; some are so severe they trigger anaphylactic shock, a reaction that can result in death unless you take swift action. Thankfully, there were no reported illnesses or fatalities related to the muffin mix. Cinnamon Rolls (2013) Two cinnamon roll packages - Noderog/Getty Images Everyone loves that crunchy crystalized baker's sugar we see on top of scones, muffins, and cinnamon rolls -- but not when those crystals are in fact something else. After a broken piece of plastic from the plant made its way into one of Pillsbury's most iconic items, the brand recalled two varieties of Pillsbury's Cinnamon Rolls with Icing: eight-count single packs and two-count packs spanning multiple October 2013 "best by" dates. Always a step ahead, Pillsbury took the opportunity to appeal directly to consumers in a Facebook post, providing code numbers, answering customer questions, and suggesting other Pillsbury alternatives. The comment section was certainly mixed. Some commentators understandably conveyed concern, while other folks made a case for ditching the packaged food altogether to make at-home treats from scratch. But at-home pastry making can be intimidating and time-consuming. Pillsbury customers tend to go for easy-to-make, delicious treats that work every time. It was clear that long-time fans appreciated the information, honesty, and engagement, and didn't plan on abandoning the brand anytime soon. "Just called as I had some of these. They were very courteous. Even though I have to throw my rolls away, I will most definitely keep buying them" wrote one user. They weren't alone in the sentiment. Biscuit Dough (2014) Pillsbury biscuit dough - Hays Grocer Pillsbury Biscuit Dough is the perfect pop and bake side dish. A tried and true solution for busy bees invited to potlucks, dinner parties, or just looking to satisfy a craving, it has surely scored a regular spot in refrigerators all over the map. And with such a captive audience, it's important that what's on the can matches what's inside of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On September 26th, 2014, Pillsbury yet again made a voluntary recall for its Refrigerated Biscuit Flaky Layers and Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuit packs of four. The order of operations at the plant went awry, leaving the product's inner packaging with the correct label and the outer wrap advertising one of its other products. This is the third time a mislabeling recall had to be made and the second time Pillsbury mixed up packaging including a potential dairy allergen. There were no reported illnesses associated with the removal, but the incident impacted 720 cases of biscuits, leaving them out of commission for the time being. Unfortunately, the biscuits were unavailable for the holiday season but made a comeback in time for the new year. Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (2019) Bag of unbleached flour - Dylanhatfield/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, Pillsbury is best known for a delicious end result -- biscuits, crescents, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. But before those at-home favorites hit grocery store shelves, Pillsbury was a flour mill. Even now, Pillsbury uses its own stock in all ready-to-make products. So when Unbleached All-Purpose Flour was recalled for possible salmonella contamination over a century after its inception, the brand's standing grew shaky to say the least. When salmonella makes the news, it's typically due to contamination in raw meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. According to the World Health Organization, the bacteria most often comes from animal products. Because flour doesn't fall into any of those categories, the contamination feels particularly eerie. Due to its versatility, it's a cooking cornerstone. It's hard to imagine everyday kitchen actions like breading and baking suddenly becoming risky. The recall specifically affected 5-pound bags with April 19 2020 and April 20 2020 "best by" dates. This was largely done as a cautionary measure, as the stuff is hard to trace. And while there were no reports of flour-related illness yet, this was only the beginning of a year of filled with public health woes. All Purpose Flour (2019) Bags of flour on a shelf - The Toidi/Shutterstock Things started to settle for Pillsbury after the March 2019 salmonella recall -- until the brand got slammed with a possible E. Coli outbreak only two months later. But this time, it wasn't the only one. Once owning the largest flour mill on the planet, Pillsbury eventually moved locations in 2001 after the General Mills merger. Its new home, ADM Milling Co., services multiple brands like King Arthur Flour, Brand Castle Mixes, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 23 2019, ALDI and ADM Milling Co. made a joint recall of ALDI's Baker's Corner All Purpose Flour 5-pound bags after testing positive for E. Coli O26 bacteria. With 18 illnesses and three hospitalizations across nine states linked to the ADM-derived flour, concerns for cross-contamination naturally swept through the mill. It was only a matter of time before its other patrons, including Pillsbury, would issue a similar recall. The discovery halted much of the wholesale flour industry, as ADM is one of its biggest purveyors. Though ADM went to great lengths to investigate the incident, no one knows where the E. Coli came from. Best Bread Flour (2019) Bag of bread flour - Pillsbury Hometown Food Company, which serves as a parent to Pillsbury, decided it's better to be safe than sorry when it decided to issue a recall for Best Bread Flour in June 2019. The choice was made three months after the initial salmonella removal and two months after the multi-brand E. Coli recall forced Pillsbury All Purpose Flour out of stores. This created a trifecta of 2019 recalls. Since Best Bread Flour was processed at the same plant as All-Purpose Flour, no one wanted to take a chance. The delayed removal added 4,620 cases of 5-pound bags to a staggering 16 million pound mass flour contamination. In an official statement, the FDA announced the outbreak's ending in July 2019. In the meantime, Pillsbury was working hard behind the scenes. That same month, the brand announced three new items on its website: Place and Bake Brownies, Sweet Biscuits with Icing, and Filled Crescents. The number of products and the release's timing conveniently coincides with the three recalled flour varieties and the outbreak's lift, perfectly positioning Pillsbury away from recalls and toward the future. Of the three new products, only the crescents still remain on Pillsbury's official stock list. Biscuit And Cookie Dough (2019) Biscuit and cookie dough packaging - General Mills & Keith Homan / Shutterstock Recalls are often thought of as production line disasters or gross displays of company neglect. And while a staggering amount of food retractions can be traced to those factors, sometimes, they're simply a matter of bad luck. In 2019, this was the case for Pillsbury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-June, before the solstice and after the arrival of summer heat, a C&S Grocers Inc. truck lost power on the way to two New York Target locations. The truck was not filled with shelf stable snacks but refrigerated perishables. The result: a voluntary recall of everything on board including Pillsbury biscuit and cookie dough. Because the malfunction affected multiple categories within the food realm, C&S had to work with both the FDA and USDA to account for everything. According to the official report, the stock's removal was due to "process deviation" and "temperature abuse." Other popular food purveyors like Lactaid and Kraft were also affected by the recall, but the news was particularly unwelcome with Pillsbury, as the brand just began to recover from an onslaught of major recalls that same year. Pie Crust (2021) Pie crust and flour - Mark Edward Atkinson/tracey Lee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent Pillsbury recall to date was not triggered by the brand or the FDA. In May 2021, the Defense Commissary Agency, responsible for providing groceries to military personnel, requested an immediate withdrawal of refrigerated pie crusts. The agency did not cite any safety issues with the product but, instead, raised concern about the crust's perceived quality diminishment. Apparently, its flavor didn't fall in line with military standards. While something so subjective doesn't meet the general recall standard, Pillsbury obliged and voluntarily removed two code dates from shelves. It is unclear whether Pillsbury's deference is partially due to its history serving government agencies like NASA, or a desire to show commitment to quality control despite a litany of past recalls. But the brand has since steered clear of them, allowing customers (government-funded or not) to take biscuits, pies, and crescents from the grocery store aisle to the dinner table. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. PLATTSBURGH The Plattsburgh YMCAs capital campaign builds steam as 2025 gets underway. The organization received support from Jennie and Alan Booth, who have generously pledged $25,000 towards the New YMCA capital campaign. The Booth family has ties to the Plattsburgh YMCA dating back to the early 1900s, according to a press release. The YMCA has a legacy of over 100 years and we need it to continue for another 100 years. There has been a vision to expand the YMCA for several years, and we are doing the good work that has created the momentum to finally see this become a reality, Alan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennie is glad we are transforming the CVPH Wellness Center and that we are expanding and continuing the outstanding work of providing services and programs for our communitys children and families. We are just so happy and excited to support the Plattsburgh YMCA. The Plattsburgh YMCAs capital campaign kicked off two-and-a-half years ago and continues to make positive strides to create a one of a kind community center. The money being raised will support the costs of transforming the former CVPH Wellness Center on New York Rd. This new facility will provide barrier-free aquatics, fitness, and child-watch areas, and also provides community building and connection opportunities. With meeting rooms, teen spaces, and family-friendly multi-purpose rooms, everyone will find the New YMCA welcoming. Alan and Jennie are so much a part of this community and the Booth family has been connected to the YMCA for many generations, Justin Ihne, CEO of the Plattsburgh YMCA said. We are so grateful for the support for this project. As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, local law enforcement has arrested numerous people attempting to take advantage of the situation. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Deadline that two individuals were arrested at the Vice Presidents Brentwood home at 4:40am on Saturday. Ultimately, they could not prove the individuals were involved in burglary, however they were detained for violating curfew. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of late last week, a curfew has been imposed on evacuation zones from 6pm to 6am to curb looting and unrest. Since the fires started, officers have made 29 arrests across the impacted areas, including for burglary, breaking curfew and other violations. Fires have broken out in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and other areas around Los Angeles County amid a life-threatening and destructive windstorm that picked up Tuesday. The Palisades Fire burns near Brentwood on Jan. 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) As of Sunday, at least 16 people have died in the Southern California wildfires, and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has received 16 missing persons reports related to the fires. Meanwhile, more than 105,000 people have received mandatory evacuation orders, with another 87,000 under evacuation warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden, who extended his Los Angeles trip on Wednesday to visit first responders and those affected, declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of costs for disaster assistance. Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires, wrote Biden on X. At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured including firefighters. Its devastating. To the residents of Southern California: We are with you. Having attended Jimmy Carters funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday with her husband Doug Emhoff, Harris canceled a planned overseas trip to remain in DC to help oversee the federal response to the wildfires in her home state. There are no known plans for the VP to visit California before Donald Trumps swearing in on Jan. 20. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A bicyclist was hit by a car and killed Saturday evening in Grand Rapids, police say. It happened around 6:30 p.m. in the area of Pearl Street NW and Scribner Avenue NW, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. GRPD said that a vehicle exiting from northbound US-131 hit a bicyclist who was crossing Pearl Street. The bicyclist, who was in his 50s, died on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was arrested for suspected operating while intoxicated, GRPD said. Its unclear what led up to the crash. The Pearl Street entrance ramp to northbound US-131 was closed for a few hours but reopened around 9 p.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) A person was arrested on felony charges after leading police on a pursuit across county lines Saturday. The Butler County Sheriffs Office reports a police pursuit entered Butler County around 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 11. Ohio State Highway Patrol initially began the pursuit of a stolen semi out of Indiana. Suspect arrested after person found dead in Yellow Springs The pursuit entered Middletown, at which time city police officers started assisting troopers, alongside several other jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect began throwing hammers and a variety of tools out of the window in an effort to end the pursuit. Police say the chase entered Preble County before re-entering Butler County. Deputies joined the pursuit of the semi on State Route 127 southbound. Stop sticks were put out and took effect in taking the semi off the road just north of Black Street in Hamilton. By the end of the pursuit, it lasted nearly an hour and a half. The driver was identified as a 37-year-old man and arrested on Failure to Comply and Receiving Stolen Property. Police say investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Police confirmed to KTLA that officers detained two people at Vice President Kamala Harris home in Brentwood during curfew hours on Saturday. The Los Angeles Police Department said a call came into the West L.A. station around 4:40 a.m., reporting a potential burglary on the Vice Presidents property. Officers responded to the residence located on Bundy Drive, north of Sunset Drive, and found two individuals on the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some reports said the subjects were two men dressed all in black, but that detail has yet to be confirmed by police. LAPD said officers detained the two people who were breaking curfew, but have since released them as they found no evidence that they were committing a crime. Details are extremely limited, police did not immediately say what the two people were doing on the Vice Presidents property or whether the incident would be further investigated. National Guard members and local enforcement from the LAPD, Santa Monica Police and Airport Police Departments reminded residents that they will continue to patrol fire zones from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., ready to arrest anyone for trespassing, looting or any other type of violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brentwood, as well as communities in the San Fernando Valley, were growing areas of concern as the Palisades Fire began climbing inland over the mountains on Friday and Saturday. The Palisades Fire, already one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history, erupted on Tuesday, Jan. 7. As of Saturday evening, it had claimed 5 lives, burned 23,654 acres and was 11% contained. More than 5,000 structures, many of them homes, have been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. For more updates on the fire, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Pineville Police officer fatally shot a man outside Tavern 51 Saturday who pulled out a handgun and made threats toward others in the bar, according to a police statement. At 3:49 p.m., a 911 caller said the bar customer may have had two additional firearms on him, according to the statement late Saturday. The bar is in a shopping center in the 8700 block of Pineville Matthews Road. A person in the parking lot pointed out the man to the first arriving officer, who gave up to 13 verbal commands ignored by the man, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man advanced towards the officer, not complying with lawful orders to stop, and made a sudden gesture that the officer felt was an imminent threat to himself, according to the statement. The officer shot the man and immediately gave first aid to him, police said. The man died after being taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, according to police. Police said they will release the mans name after notifying his family. The police statement didnt identify the officer or say if or when the department will release their name. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal investigation; Pineville Police said they are conducting an internal affairs investigation. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person is dead after an early-morning stabbing on Sunday, Jan. 12 in West El Paso, El Paso Police said. Police responded to a domestic violence call at about 4 a.m. Sunday along the 5800 block of Beaumont Place near Lancer Way. That is off South Mesa Hills Drive. When police arrived, they found a 40-year-old man had been stabbed. He was taken to a local hospital, but died at from his injuries, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they have detained one person for questioning at this time. Police said the investigation is in its very preliminary stages and will provide more details later. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. DENVER (KDVR) Denver police said a man has been arrested in connection to four stabbings along 16th Street that killed a woman and a man and injured two others over the weekend. Late Sunday night, Denver police posted on X that an adult man had been formally arrested for the three stabbings on Saturday and the deadly stabbing Sunday night. According to court documents, the suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Elijah Caudill. On Monday, Denver police said Caudill is being held for investigations of: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First-degree murder of an at-risk elder First-degree murder Two counts of attempted first-degree murder 4 separate stabbings reported along 16th Street At about 5:12 p.m. Saturday, police first responded to a stabbing at 16th Street and Tremont Street where a man suffered a non-life-threatening injury. The man took himself to the hospital, according to police. Shortly after at about 5:17 p.m. Saturday, police responded to another stabbing at 16th and California Street. When officers arrived, one victim was taken to the hospital with throat wounds. On Sunday, Denver police said the female victim had died at the hospital. The woman was identified as American Airlines flight attendant Celinda Levno, who was on a layover in Denver. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox At 5:54 p.m., Denver police were called to 16th and Lawrence Street for another stabbing. A man suffered serious injuries and took himself to the hospital. He was stable as of Sunday evening and is expected to survive, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 8:06 p.m. on Sunday, the Denver Police Department posted on X that another stabbing had occurred on 16th Street and Wynkoop Street near Union Station. Originally, police said the stabbing was at 16th and Market Street. A man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Four people were stabbed along 16th Street on Jan. 11-12 (KDVR) Following the fourth stabbing, Denver officers were in the area of 16th and Wynkoop streets when they noticed a man matching the suspects description running with a knife. Denver police said officers chased the man, identified as Caudill, and took him into custody. Police do not believe Caudill and the victims had any connection to each other before the stabbings. Police said the motive behind the stabbings is unclear. Be vigilant if heading to downtown area Because of the incidents, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas warned people to be vigilant in the downtown area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas said during a press conference Sunday evening that Caudill was indiscriminately stabbing people, but said all of the victims had been on their own before the violence. He asked anyone heading downtown to bring someone with them or to remain vigilant if they had to be alone. He said additional foot, bicycle and motorcycle patrols are in the area. 15-year-old arrested in deadly shooting in Aurora neighborhood near Gaylord resort Theres someone out there who is indiscriminately stabbing people and causing significant harm, Thomas said. These individuals were by themselves, so I would say that if youre going to be in the downtown area, or really anywhere in the city, I think that its best that you be with somebody, and if you have to be alone, be vigilant and make sure youre paying attention to your surroundings. 16th Street Mall business community on edge FOX31s Kasia Kerridge spoke to business owners who said construction for the 16th Street Mall has caused increased crime in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shyam Shrestha, of Mt. Everest Imports of Himalaya, said his business opened in 1997, and the construction has caused a loss of almost 80%. Crime actually is increasing, due to the construction, Shrestha said. Less of a walking area, they block, very isolated area now, no lights. They have not turned on lights so its a dark area, lots of homeless people. Shrestha said his store had been robbed four or five times in the past two to three years, with suspects breaking the businesss front door and stealing jewelry. Shrestha said a cousin was at the store when the stabbing that led to the womans death occurred. I told him, be careful, close the store, just go home, Shrestha said. He closed the store, but he told me police came immediately, four or five police cars came, blocked the railway track. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 juveniles arrested for Sunday morning armed robbery of 7-Eleven Lee Gallegos, a resident of the area, told FOX31s Shaul Turner that the violence was unfortunate. Its unfortunate with the violence and everything thats going on, but you know what we just want to see everything turn around and make it a safe place for all of us, Gallegos said. Akira Haynes of The Yard Milkshake Bar said members of the homeless community have begun frequenting the area and sometimes fights have broken out, as well as dumpster fires and drug deals. I think its kind of always been like this. Its downtown so its kind of always like this, Haynes said. Thats kind of crazy. Its like I work here so you would think it would be safe a little bit, but again, its downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the stabbings can report it to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7967 or online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. In 2023, the Indian Army declared the "Year of Technology Absorption" and has now extended this initiative for another year, aligning with the Ministry of Defence's declaration of 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms.' These efforts are part of the broader "Decade of Transformation" (2023-2032), aimed at redefining India's defence capabilities. Operating across varied terrains--from the icy heights of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan and jungles of the Northeast--the Indian Army faces unique operational challenges, leading the Indian army to a driving in-house innovation. Different terrain, weather, and operational conditions demand various specific requirements. This necessitates a culture of continuous innovation to enhance operational, logistical, and training capabilities, the release added. As per the release, the character of war is constantly evolving, and the Indian Army needs to be prepared to deal with all future challenges. The recent global conflicts have underscored the need for indigenous battlefield solutions, pushing the Indian Army to not just absorb but also develop cutting-edge technologies. The Indian Army is continuously promoting an innovation culture within itself. As part of that, since 2014, the Indian Army has been conducting its annual innovation competition, rebranded as Inno-Yoddha in 2023. This initiative provides a platform for soldiers to showcase indigenous solutions addressing capability voids. The Indian Army's emphasis on technology absorption and innovation is pivotal in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat. By promoting indigenous solutions, fostering a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem, and aligning with national reforms, the Indian Army is redefining operational capabilities and setting new benchmarks in defence modernisation. As the "Decade of Transformation" unfolds, the Indian Army remains committed to shaping a future where innovation, resilience, and self-reliance drive India's military prowess. (ANI) GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Some Greensboro roads were closed due to a police investigation Saturday evening, the Greensboro Police Department says. According to a press release, the north and southbound lanes of North Elm Street between Corporate Center Boulevard and Flint Street were closed around 7:45 p.m. All lanes of North Elm Street reopened by 2 a.m. No further information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. RUSSELL, Mass. (WWLP) The Russell-Montgomery Police Department is looking for help identifying an individual in connection with a break-in at the Russell Package Store last Monday night. Revere firearms dealer sentenced for illegal firearm trafficking Russell-Montgomery police said that at around 11:00 p.m. on Monday, the Russell Package Store was broken into by a single person. Police are asking those living or working nearby who have cameras to check footage from the date and time, as the suspect was seen to be traveling on foot in the immediate area. (Courtesy of the Russell-Montgomery Police Department) (Courtesy of the Russell-Montgomery Police Department) (Courtesy of the Russell-Montgomery Police Department) If you recognize the person in the photos, call the Russell-Montgomery Police Department at 413-862-6209. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Policing has grown increasingly reliant on cellular and GPS data, including information gleaned from geofence warrants. A geofence is a location-based service that uses GPS or other cellular data to create a virtual fence around a geographic location and notes mobile devices that enter. However, such technology is far from the only resource in a criminal investigator's arsenal. Here are the ways law enforcement uses technology to investigate crimes and track persons of interest. ShotSpotter ShotSpotter is a network of microphones placed through high-crime areas of the city. The microphones detect gunshots and triangulate the location of where the weapon was fired. In Cincinnati, police respond to every ShotSpotter report. In most cases, no one was shot and the shooters are gone, but evidence like shell casings are often collected. The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network A technician examines the back of a shell casing so the data from it can be entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, also known as NIBIN. Known as NIBIN, this system creates a digital fingerprint for shell casings. Each firearm leaves unique imprints on the casings, which are frequently left behind at crime scenes. Investigators match casing found at different crime scenes showing that the same gun was used in multiple incidents. This can be done before police have ever found the gun, but once a person is arrested with a firearm, it too can be fired and its casing can be compared to others already in the system. Cell phone pinging and tracking Police can link cell phones to individual cell phone towers. This can happen after a cell phone has been obtained from a suspect, or it can be used to find the location of a person while they still have the phone. Tracking a phone or accessing location data related to a phone almost always requires a warrant signed by a judge. Devices, commonly called Stingrays, can mimic cell tower signals but are controlled by law enforcement allowing investigators to see which phones are in a given area. Facial recognition Federal, state and local law enforcement have relied on facial recognition technology to quickly search through billions of images to identify missing persons or a possible suspect in a criminal investigation. However, civil rights advocates have raised concerns that the technology's potential for misidentification could lead to the arrest and prosecution of innocent people. Touch DNA Huge strides have been made in obtaining DNA from evidence. In the past, hair or blood might have been required to get a conclusive DNA sample, but now DNA can be obtained in some cases when a suspect has only touched an object like a gun or bullets. In Cincinnati, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center conducts a thorough examination of every gun recovered in the city, and this often involves processing it for DNA. Genealogy Among the advancements in forensic technology, police have turned to genealogical DNA matching to solve decades-old cold cases to identify suspects by matching existing DNA evidence with genealogy database results. It's also been used to identify homicide victims long after their deaths. Investigators submitted DNA samples to a third-party company, which built a comprehensive DNA profile usable in a genealogical search, to solve the 1976 killing of 16-year-old Carol Sue Klaber. License plate readers Automated networks of license plate readers are becoming more common, especially with the widespread adoption of Flock cameras. These readers can be installed on police cruisers or in stationary positions throughout the city. These allow police to see which cars were in an area at the time of a crime. If police are searching for a vehicle, the network can alert police if that specific license plate is spotted and where. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police use more than phones to ID suspects. See what tech they use NOTE: When police released this preliminary information, no charges had been filed. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A tourist was detained after officials found him with a mostly assembled rifle in his backpack at City Creek Center, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. The tourist identified only as a 33-year-old man from Australia reportedly made a statement that caused an employee in a shop to be concerned for the safety of someone else. Officials said there is no additional threat to the community, based on initial investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utahns rally at Capitol to show support for public lands Police were notified of a disturbance at a coffee shop around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11. The employee also reported seeing what appeared to be components of a firearm in a backpack in possession of the 33-year-old man, prompting the employee to fear for the safety of others, SLCPD said in a press release. Officers responded to the scene, began looking for the man, and worked with public safety officials at the mall to find him. He was detained, and officials recovered the mostly assembled rifle in his backpack during their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, there is no evidence to suggest the man ever fully assembled the firearm, police said. SLCPD said officers are in contact with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and are working to determine how the man got the firearm in his possession. Officials said the name of the suspect has not been released because no charges have been filed. SLCPD said the information provided on Sunday was based on a preliminary review of the available details, and information may change. There is no further information at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. (INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) The Los Angeles County wildfires have claimed several lives and burned thousands of structures have also caused a stir in the political sphere. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Emily Hoeven spoke with Inside California Politics about how L.A. Mayor Karen Basss administration responded to the fire. The fires also put one of the most prominent Democratic leaders, Gov. Gavin Newsom, back into the national spotlight and brought criticism from President-Elect Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political consultants Ed Emerson and Tim Rosales discussed the effects of the flames on the two political heavyweights relationship and how the state can prepare for an insurance crisis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican. Francis celebrated the Lords gift of faith to the children, stressing they were the protagonists of the ceremony. It is important that these children feel well, the pope said. If they are hungry, feed them so they dont cry. If they feel hot, change them. ... But let them feel at ease, because today they are in charge and we must serve them with the Sacrament, with prayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pontiff personally administered the sacrament of baptism on the infants, who are the children of Vatican employees working at the Holy See. The celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus baptism in the River Jordan and was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. During the ceremony, each father was given a candle to light representing the Christian light that must never go out. The Pope encouraged each family to bring those candles home and light them up in difficult times to ask for the Lords guidance. Crews will remove a large tree this month in Pioneer Park in downtown Puyallup due to safety concerns about its failing health, city officials said this week. We know the Port Orford Cedar is at least 50 years old, city spokesperson Eric Johnson told The News Tribune in an email Thursday. It was planted by the city, he said, and today its roots are in trouble. The arborist told us that he believes the main reason for the trees decline is root damage, Johnson wrote. The tree is surrounded by pavement, and the pavement has prevented water and moisture from entering the root system. With less water entering the roots, this has caused the tree to decline in health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A post on the citys website Jan. 9 said that the tree is near the parks performance stage. We received the report from a professional arborist, which essentially told us that the tree is trending towards high risk, and it has been trending that direction for some time, Parks and Recreation Director Cody Geddes said in the statement. Given the high pedestrian traffic that the park receives, it is important that we mitigate any risk associated with the tree falling on someone or the stage. Safety is our top priority, and the decision to remove the tree is our commitment to protecting our park visitors. Crews will remove a Port Orford Cedar in failing health on Jan. 30, 2025. The city will hire crews to take down the tree Jan. 30, and they will close part of the park during that work. On the same day, the city, in partnership with Pierce Conservation District, is hosting a tree-planting event in Bradley Lake Park to coincide with the cedars removal, the post said. Residents are invited to volunteer for the event and help us plant new trees, symbols of growth and renewal that define the Citys Tree City USA status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents can sign up at piercecd.org. The event will culminate with planting a new cedar tree to honor the memory of the Port Orford cedar in Pioneer Park, the citys website says. City officials are also considering having a wood sculptor turn the stump in Pioneer Park into a piece of art. What is the story behind the trees in Pioneer Park? Holly OBrien, the curator at the Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion, told The News Tribune via email that no Port Orford Cedar trees are listed in the citys historic tree inventory. OBrien said Lori Price, a former historian for the city, wrote articles published in the 1990s and early 2000s about the areas history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Price wrote about several beautification projects that have taken place in Pioneer Park over the years beginning as early as the 1900s, OBrien said. New trees were also planted as part of the different library building projects in the park through the years, OBrien said. Lori also mentioned a large planting project in 1991 during which around 500 new trees were planted at parks, schools, businesses, and private homes, OBrien wrote. There does not seem to be any connection to the tree in historic records in the museums archives. OBrien also pointed to information from the United States Forest Service that Port Orford Cedars have a historical connection to Coos Bay, Oregon and northwestern California. President Joe Biden presented a Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction on Saturday to the leader of his own church, Pope Francis. Biden praised the Catholic leader for being a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world in a social media post about the award. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled, Biden wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citation printed on the popes Presidential Medal of Freedom certificate highlights similar themes, arguing that his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. Pope Francis is unlike any who came before, the citation says. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People's Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. Today, it was my honor to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential pic.twitter.com/q4a0DKoSyi President Biden (@POTUS) January 11, 2025 Religious leaders with Medals of Freedom Pope Francis is the third pope to be awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States highest civilian honor and the second to receive the award with distinction. Other religious leaders who have received Medals of Freedom include the Rev. Billy Graham and President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bidens announcement about Pope Francis comes a week after he handed out 18 Medals of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House. George Romney was among those honored on Jan. 4, as the Deseret News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden himself received the President Medal of Freedom with distinction eight years ago just before he and former President Barack Obama left office. The pope is the only person to receive the award from Biden with distinction. Biden and the pope Biden was supposed to present the award to Pope Francis in person on Saturday, but he cancelled his trip to the Vatican amid the wildfire crisis in California. What would have been a happy meeting became a phone call, per The Associated Press. The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world, the article said. Today, President Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. For decades, Pope Francis served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As a loving pastor, he joyfully answers children's pic.twitter.com/qOP61r6BjE The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2025 Biden and the pope have met several times since Francis was elected to the top role in the global Catholic Church in 2013, including during Bidens first stint in the White House as vice president. They were together in June 2024 when both appeared at G7 Leaders Summit in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond viewing the pope as a fellow political leader, Biden saw Francis as a moral adviser. The two spoke last month days before Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, per The New York Times. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images There has been an outpouring of support for victims of the wildfires that have devastated residents in multiple parts of Southern California this week, and, on Friday, Jan. 10, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were among those supporting relief efforts in Los Angeles. The couple, whose Montecito, California home is located about 90 miles north of the L.A. area and wasn't impacted by the fires, traveled down to Pasadena to volunteer their time and visit with victims of the Eaton Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to People, Harry and Meghan visited the World Central Kitchen Friday, where the outlet reported they "focused on discreetly supporting wildfire relief efforts, witnessing both harrowing stories and strong community spirit" and "donated essential supplies, served meals with World Central Kitchen and connected with affected families and elderly individuals." Harry and Meghan joined Governor California Gavin Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo to thank first respondersa moment captured in footage shared by local news station Fox 11 Los Angeles. "Its great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected. Its very important," Gordo told Fox 11, adding that Harry and Meghan "really buoyed the spirits of the first responders." Gordo stressed that Harry and Meghan "want to be as helpful as they can be" and that they weren't interested in publicity and had actually stayed anonymous during most of their time volunteering and that "no one knew they were serving food with masks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They took the time to meet the people that are affected and spent time," he added. "Theyre just very caring people who are concerned for their friends and neighbors." The mayor also revealed that Harry and Meghan joined him in visiting some of the families directly affected by the Eaton Fire, which burned through parts of Pasadena and Altadena. "We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view firsthand some of the impacted area and then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbors," he explained. During their visit to Pasadena, Harry and Meghan also made time to meet with World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andresand to thank relief teams working at the organization's food stations. They've also reportedly opened their home in Montecito to friends forced to evacuate because of the firesmodeling advice they offered in a statement on their official website on Thursday, Jan. 9 about the fires. "If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do," the couple urged in their statement, which also included suggestions of organizations anyone interested in support relief efforts can donate to. "And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the Pasadena Convention Center, where they supported victims of the Eaton Fire and met with evacuees and first responders. The royal couple reportedly volunteered with World Central Kitchen to serve meals and thanked those who assisted with recovery efforts. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had also earlier donated supplies and opened their Montecito estate to displaced friends. Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Visit Pasadena Shelter To Support Wildfire Victims MEGA On Friday, Harry and Meghan were spotted at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is now a shelter for those displaced by the Eaton Fire, to show their support for victims of the devastating wildfires sweeping through Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New York Post, the couple met with affected families and first responders who have been tirelessly battling the blazes. They began their visit by volunteering at Chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen (WCK), where they helped serve meals to evacuees outside the center. The couple was joined by California's First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visited the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, where evacuees of the Eaton Fire are sheltering. Celebrity chefs Jose Andres of World Central Kitchen and Roy Choi were also on hand serving meals. pic.twitter.com/op4jP2xgAg CBS News (@CBSNews) January 11, 2025 Inside, Harry and Meghan spent time speaking with elderly residents and families who the fires have directly impacted. Later, they returned to the Convention Center to meet with Jose Andres, whose organization, WCK, has been actively distributing meals to wildfire victims and first responders at temporary food stations across Los Angeles County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their visit was reportedly a private gesture aimed at providing meaningful assistance to their community without drawing media attention or disrupting relief efforts. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Donate Essentials To Wildfire Victims MEGA Meghan wore a blue LA Dodgers cap to keep a low profile during their visit, while Harry, 40, opted for a black "Cali" hat from local brand James Perse. The Duke and Duchess personally thanked the dedicated teams working tirelessly to assist those affected by the wildfires. Sources also told the news outlet that Harry and Meghan remain committed to supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts, with plans for additional visits already underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to their previous financial contributions through the Archewell Foundation, the couple donated clothing, children's supplies, and other essential items to help families struggling after the fires. Pasadena Mayor Highlights Harry And Meghan's Genuine Care For The Wildfire Victims MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After their departure, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo spoke to Fox 11, emphasizing the couple's genuine commitment to supporting the community. "They didn't come out here for publicity; they came out here to work," Gordo stated. "We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view first hand some of the impacted areas." He added, "And then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and our neighbors. They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders." The Sussexes Opened Their Montecito Home To Wildfire Victims MEGA Beyond their community outreach, Harry and Meghan have personally supported wildfire victims by opening their $29.5 million Montecito estate to friends forced to relocate by the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a message shared on their website on Thursday, the couple encouraged the public to take action and support relief efforts. They provided information on organizations actively assisting those impacted, including World Central Kitchen, Airbnb, and 211LA, which are working together to offer free housing to displaced individuals. They also promoted Baby2Baby and All Power Books, both of which are providing essential supplies to affected families. The Duke and Duchess further urged anyone in a position to help to open their homes to evacuees. "If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do," their statement read. "And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating." Southern California Wildfires: Eaton And Palisades Fires Cause Widespread Destruction ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Following the Palisades wildfires, the Eaton Fire has become Southern California's second most destructive blaze this week. By Friday, it had scorched nearly 14,000 acres and was only 3% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New York Post, of the 11 confirmed fatalities, at least five have been attributed to this fire, making it one of the deadliest in recent memory. Entire neighborhoods in Altadena have been reduced to ash, with Pasadena also facing significant threats. With a combined 35,000 acres burned, more than 5,000 buildings have been destroyed, and over 200,000 residents of Los Angeles have been forced to evacuate as the Palisades, Eaton, and Kenneth fires continue to rage. The report highlights that SSIs occur when bacteria infect the incision site following surgery, leading to complications. According to the ICMR report, the SSI rate in India is 5.2 per cent, which is higher than many high-income countries. The report has also mentioned that the SSI rate is 54.2 per cent for orthopaedic surgeries, which is a matter of concern globally. To tackle this issue, ICMR has launched an SSI surveillance network aimed at informing and supporting doctors across the country to mitigate and prevent such infections. As part of this initiative, ICMR conducted a multicentric cohort study involving 3,090 patients at three prominent hospitals: AIIMS Delhi, Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, and Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. The study also found that patients who underwent orthopaedic surgeries found to be at higher risk of developing SSI, with a rate of 54.2. The findings of the study were revealing: 161 patients (5.2 per cent) developed SSIs post-surgery, with orthopaedic surgeries showing a particularly high incidence. Specifically, surgeries lasting longer than 120 minutes were also found to pose an increased risk of infection. "The study found that debridement surgeries, especially those involving amputation, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), or closed reduction internal fixation (CRIF), had the highest rate of SSIs, at 54.2 per cent. Clean and polluted wound classifications, along with surgeries lasting longer than 120 minutes, were significantly linked to an increased risk of infection," the ICMR report noted. The study also emphasised the role of post-discharge surveillance in identifying SSIs, with 66 per cent of cases being detected after patients left the hospital. It further concluded that combination surgeries, where multiple procedures are performed simultaneously, were associated with a higher risk of developing SSIs. "Post-discharge surveillance helped with the detection of 66 per cent of SSI cases. Combination surgeries were seen to increase the risk of SSIs in patients," said the study. (ANI) A group of far-right Slovak MPs, led by Andrej Danko, Deputy Speaker and leader of the nationalist Slovak National Party, has departed for Russia on a visit set to last several days. They intend to discuss the continuation of Russian gas deliveries after transit through Ukraine became impossible. Source: TASR, as reported by European Pravda Details: The delegation, led by Danko and Tibor Gaspar, a member of Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party, set off on Sunday, 12 January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are joined by three other Smer-SD MPs (Marian Kery, Jan Mazgut and Richard Gluck) and Adam Lucansky, a fellow party member of Danko's from the Slovak National Party. The trip will last until 15 January. Danko and Gaspar said they plan to meet with members of the Russian State Duma and some representatives of the Russian government. Among other things, they plan to raise the question of whether Gazprom could continue to supply gas to Slovakia after Ukraine refused to renew the transit agreement with the Russian company. Danko says he wants to "bring people information" about life in Russia and "show that people live there too, that Germans, French people, Americans do business there". Danko said they had had to fly over Czechia and Germany because Poland would not allow them to fly over its territory. "I don't understand Poland's position, but I accept it as a reality," he commented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slovakian media outlet Aktuality reports that the trip is being paid for by the state, despite Danko's earlier promises that it would be at the MPs' own expense. Background: Announcing the trip to Russia, Danko said he would "consider it an honour" to be able to speak at the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The Embassy of Ukraine expressed outrage at the Slovak MPs plans, noting that such actions contribute to the legitimisation of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Slovak MPs' trip follows a controversial visit to Moscow by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Support UP or become our patron! BENTONVILLE, Ark. A former Ozark Guidance Center behavior health specialist was sentenced to six-and-half years probation after entering a plea to sexually abusing two boys, according to a plea agreement. On what was scheduled to be the first day of his trial on two counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of sexual indecent liberties with a child, and voyeurism, Cory Mayhew, 40, pleaded guilty on Jan. 6 to two counts of second-degree sexual assault. Kids gym founder charged with sex crimes bpottorffEdit Profile Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayhew made sexual innuendoes, had inappropriate sexual conversations, and inappropriately touched two juvenile boys, according to an arrest affidavit filed at the time of Mayhews arrest. The two victims were ages 9 and 11 at the time of the assault, the plea agreement states. A search warrant of Mayhews phone showed several photographs of boys not wearing any shirts and photographs of nude men in various sexual poses, according to a probable cause affidavit filed at the time of Mayhews arrest. The rest of the charges were dropped, according to court records. Mayhew is required to register as a sex offender and is not allowed to be around any teenagers unsupervised, have no contact with 10 individuals connected to the crime, and complete a sex offender treatment program, the plea agreement states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. KSNF/KODE A Missouri state representative files legislation to rename part of a state highway in honor of a missionary couple killed in Haiti. House Bill 810 would rename U.S. Highway 60 from Kodiak Road to Cemetery Road in Newton County the Lloyd Memorial Highway. Davy and Natalie Lloyd were killed in Haiti in 2024 Natalie was Bakers daughter. If approved, the legislation calls for signage designating the new name for the highway to be paid for through private donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Senator Grant Green has drafted Senate Bill 338, which if passed, would drop the current antlered deer bag limit from two to one. Senator Green hasnt provided much information about why hes proposing the bill. Rick Nolan, President of the Oklahoma Hunters and Anglers, said years ago, hunters could harvest three bucks. Oklahoma aims to ban all but two cities from providing homeless shelters, homeless outreach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to know what his goals are and what the motivation behind him lowering the limit is, said Nolan. Nolan said dropping the antlered deer bag limit could be risky. If theres too many deer for the for the carrying capacity of the land, something will give, the deer will disperse. I think its been proven that having the right balance of the deer population on the landscape, youll have healthier deer, youll have a sustain animal population to hunt, Nolan said. Currently, Oklahoma hunters can kill two antlered deer and four antlerless deer each season. In the state, any kind of antlered deer, buck or doe, must have at least three inches of antler growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nolan said three inches of growth is important because a hunter could mistake a young buck or doe for an antlerless deer. A six or seven month old deer, a six or seven month old male deer may not have antlers, so you cant tell that its a male. You can only see that it doesnt have antlers. So if you harvest that deer, its considered an analogous deer, said Nolan. Nolan estimates there are 250,000 hunters, and out of that number, around 170,000 he believes are deer hunters. Nolan said, The deer herd is apparently healthy because we continue to almost set new records of harvest every year. I reached out to Senator Green for comment and havent heard back yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation about the bill, and havent gotten a response yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. As signaled last week, Prospect Medical Holdings the owner of two for-profit Rhode Island hospitals has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company filed the motion in a Texas court late Saturday following years of financial woes and deteriorating conditions of its Rhode Island holdings. Prospect has been attempting to sell Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima in North Providence since 2021, and after blocks from the state attorney generals office, a conditional agreement was approved in June. As weve continued to uphold our longstanding commitment to offer the highest quality and affordable care to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patients and communities we serve, Prospect Holdings has also faced a number of recent challenges, the company said on its website. To address these headwinds, Prospect Holdings has implemented operational initiatives to realign its organizational focus outside of California, including pursuing an agreement to sell the Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Medical Center in Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California-headquartered company aims to reorganize its business and formulate a plan for its debt with the courts help. Prospect said it will offload its Massachusetts and Pennsylvania hospitals as well, to focus on its California properties. CharterCARE Health Partners is the parent of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. What does this mean for hospital patients? Within the Chapter 11 proceedings, Prospect seeks to expedite the sale of the two hospitals, which will remain open during the proceedings. For the immediate future, we expect our Rhode Island hospitals to operate as normal. I know that the word 'bankruptcy' can be frightening to many, especially when paired with a potentially unknown future of two hospitals that are integral to the survival of Rhode Islands healthcare system, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement on Sunday. This office is prepared for all scenarios. The possibility of this filing is not new to us; in fact, it has been looming for some time. Neronha added that his office will have attorneys represent the interests of Rhode Islanders in the Texas proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the Budget Committee, we investigated what happens when private equity companies and health care operators like Prospect take over facilities and bleed them dry, and the end result is almost always harmful both to patients and to hardworking hospital staff," Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement Sunday. "But as we make decisions about our health care system moving forward, we need to be very clear that the priorities for a hospital must be its patients and workers not greedy private equity investors. What does this mean for hospital staff? The Centurion Foundation, a Georgia-based nonprofit, is the tentative buyer for Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Medical Center. The attorney generals office approved the Centurion purchase under conditions that the hospitals remain financially afloat, settle outstanding balances, maintain services unless the state approves reductions, hire a finance-focused restructuring officer and preserve the governing bodies. Hospital employees have countered that the conditions arent strict enough and other critics worry about the effects the sale could have on the hospitals. Collectively the hospitals have close to 3,000 employees and serve thousands of patients annually. "This bankruptcy filing is not unanticipated," Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, whose district is home to Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, told The Providence Journal in a statement. "My highest priority continues to be the continuity of health services provided at Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals. Im very grateful to the Attorney General for his strong leadership, his preparation for every eventuality, and his ongoing diligence as we work towards our shared goal of a transfer of these hospitals to a responsible new owner. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Prospect Medical, owner of two RI hospitals, files for bankruptcy People rally in opposition of Utahs lawsuit attempting to take control of federal lands at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Hundreds of protesters convened on the steps of the state capitol Saturday in a public lands rally, condemning some of Utahs recent attempts to reverse national monument designations and transfer federal land to the state. The urgency has never been greater and the need for action has never been more pressing, said Louise Fernandez, a youth activist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fernandez was one of several hundred who braved heavy snow and cold temperatures Saturday, in a crowd that included indigenous activists, environmental groups and a handful of current and former state lawmakers. Scattered among the crowd were signs that read Protect wild Utah, I stand with Bears Ears, and Dont let Cox take our rocks. The state currently has several environmental, public lands and regulatory lawsuits aimed at the federal government two of the more high-profile suits seeking to reverse public land decisions made at the federal level. People rally in opposition of Utahs lawsuit attempting to take control of federal lands at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Filed in August, Utah is arguing its unconstitutional for the federal government to hold onto unappropriated land, which the state defines as public land without a designation. There are about 18.5 million acres of unappropriated in Utah that land does not include national forests, national parks or national monuments. Utah has long opposed the federal governments land management policies, arguing that burdensome regulations stymie industry, limit local control and tax revenue, and make it difficult to manage forests to prevent wildfires. Utah leaders, not the federal government, are better poised to manage the states land, they argue. Gov. Spencer Cox and numerous other state politicians have vowed not to privatize any land if their lawsuit is successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But protesters at the capitol Saturday had little faith that the state would make good on its promise. That includes Terry Tempest Williams, a renowned writer and conservationist, who said Cox has lost his way. Our governor and attorney general have exchanged the rule of law for greed. In the beginning, Gov. Spencer Cox called for unity among us. And I wonder what happened. Now he has chosen to sow the seeds of division, bringing forward a bogus lawsuit under the guise of Stand for Our Land, she told the crowd. Utahs land grab lawsuit has no legal standing. Renowned writer and activist Terry Tempest Williams speaks at a rally in opposition of Utahs lawsuit attempting to take control of federal lands at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Stand for Our Land is Utahs media campaign, which includes billboards, print, TV and radio ads and a website advocating for the states position in the lawsuit. That PR campaign, along with attorney fees, has cost taxpayers over $1 million, a number that will continue to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance is now suing Utah, calling the Stand for Our Land campaign and legal challenge unlawful land grab litigation that violates the state constitution. The state is also suing the Biden administration over its decision to restore Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments to their original sizes. In 2017, both monuments were reduced by President Donald Trump Bears Ears was cut from 1.36 million acres to 1 million acres, and Grand Staircase-Escalante from 1.35 million acres to 229,000 acres. Then, in 2021, President Joe Biden re-expanded both monuments. Utah is now challenging that decision in federal appeals court. Utahs attempt to scale back the monuments has environmental activists worried it would open the door to extractive industries, like oil, gas or mining Bears Ears in particular is of rich cultural significance for the states tribes, and many at the protest feared that a reduction could lead to the destruction of sacred sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For far too long, these lands, our lands, have been under constant threat. Time and time again, those in power have sought to strip these lands of their beauty, essence and life, said Fernandez. They want to take what is precious and exploit the earths limited resources, all while ignoring the irreversible damage being done. Jesse Chief, a member of the Navajo Nation, performs a fancy dance during a rally in opposition of Utahs lawsuit attempting to take control of federal lands at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, called both suits ridiculous on Saturday, to the tune of applause from protesters. Those lawsuits are spending hundreds of millions of dollars of our state budget that could go to education, food security, health care, Escamilla said, calling for collective action to oppose the legal challenges. Escamilla said she and other Democrats in the Legislature are opposed to the lawsuits on two fronts theres a philosophical disagreement over who should manage land, she said, arguing that the federal government helps hold the state accountable. And its a waste of money, she said. We dont think its the correct way of spending our resources. And theres no standing, so were going to lose this lawsuit, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The organizers of a protest against Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have criticized the behaviour of the police after a left-wing politician says he was knocked unconscious. "The police's approach was scandalous," said Mascha Meier, a spokeswoman for the Widersetzen alliance, the organizer of a mass protest against the far-right party in the eastern German town of Riesa. The Interior Ministry for the state of Saxony, where Riesa is located, and the police did not initially comment on Meier's allegations on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, around 15,000 people demonstrated against the AfD's party conference in Riesa, according to the organizers, delaying the beginning of the conference by two hours. Police estimated the number of participants at 10,000. Registered demonstrations were not allowed to proceed to the central rally site in front of the AfD conference hall, Meier said. Widersetzen added that the largest march was prevented from moving for hours and said police used pepper spray and threatened to fire a water cannon to divide the crowd. A member of Saxony's state parliament for The Left party, Nam Duy Nguyen, said he was beaten unconscious by a police officer. A companion of Nguyen was also hit in the face, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nguyen has reported the incident to the police. Saxony's Interior Ministry and the police confirmed that a preliminary investigation into the incident has been launched. Separate proceedings are to be launched in a case involving a police dog that was reportedly used against a demonstrator. A video posted on X shows a police officer directing his dog towards an activist in order to push the man across the divider in the middle of a road. The police spoke positively of their operation: "We have achieved our goals: The party conference is taking place. We have thus fulfilled our obligation to protect party events regardless of their political orientation," the police president of the nearby city of Dresden, Lutz Rodig said on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the police had allowed the protest to reach a location where it could be seen and heard, therefore upholding the right to freedom of assembly. Rodig added that the police were sorry that a member of the state parliament and his companion were injured, and said the matter would be investigated as a matter of highest priority. On Saturday, Saxony's Interior Minister, Armin Schuster, said, "individual protest situations today in Riesa required consistent police action, during which the police had to use direct force on several occasions." He emphasized that the incident involving Nguyen was "by no means a minor matter." Protestors were outside the Rock Island Police Department over the killing of Jakarta Jackson, 21, by a Rock Island police officer. The Rock Island Police Department released the name of the officer involved in the January 5 shooting. The officer was identified as Officer Brett Taylor, who has worked for the Rock Island Police Department since November 2021. Officer Taylor is on administrative leave, per department protocol. Officer Brett Taylor (Rock Island Police Department) The family of Jakarta Jackson is asking for the release of bodycam footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force is conducting an external investigation into the incident. Once the investigation is completed, the Rock Island Police Departments Office of Professional Standards will conduct an internal investigation into any violations of department policy or procedure. Anyone with information about this case should contact the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force at (309) 752-4915, ext. 4935. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. MONTEREY, Pa. (WHTM) A Reading man was killed in a two-vehicle crash in eastern Berks County Friday morning. State Police at Reading identified the victim as Tulio Espinoza Canales, 36, of Reading. Troopers said the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Friday in the area of 15380 Kutztown Road (U.S. Route 222) in Maxatawny Township, west of Kutztown borough. Pennsylvania man accused of dismembering roommate dies in prison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Espinoza Canales was heading northbound on U.S. 222 in a 1999 Honda CRV when he entered the southbound lane to pass a vehicle ahead. A tractor trailer, driven by a Staten Island man, was headed southbound and the vehicles collided. Troopers said the Honda was split in half and Espinoza Canales was ejected from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was not injured. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here Kutztown Fire, Topton EMS, Fleetwood Fire Police, and the Berks County Coroners Office assisted at the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) You can help shape the future of transportation in the El Paso region for the next two decades. The El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (EPMPO) will have a public open house to discuss its 2052 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at the Black Box Theater at Burges High School, 7800 Edgemere Dr. The long-term plan serves as a guide to help prioritize future funding for transportation and provides recommendations on projects, programs and policies for all modes of transportation, organizers said. Transportation plays a major role in how we travel, connect and grow as a region, said Eduardo Calvo, executive director of the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization. Our daily commute, access to jobs, schools, local services, and recreational activities directly impact our quality of life. It is vital that our plan reflects the vision and priorities of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPMPO is required to update the plan every four years and public participation is an important part of that process, according to a news release sent out on behalf of the MPO. About the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization The El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization ( EPMPO) is the regional body responsible for coordinating transportation planning across the El Paso region. It brings together local governments, counties, and transportation agencies to make decisions that guide the regions transportation needs and future. EPMPO is led by a 30-member Transportation Policy Board (TPB) that sets policy and allocates transportation funds. The TPB is supported by a 16-member Transportation Project Advisory Committee (TPAC) that provides technical expertise and recommendations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be attending the event along with JK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior military and civil officials. According to the release, the event will be held under the aegis of Northern Command to honour the Armed Forces Veterans and Veer Naris. Approximately 1,000 veterans from Jammu, Akhnoor, Pallanwala, Rakhmuthi, Naushera, and Sunderbani are likely to attend the event. The event will also include the hoisting of a 108-foot National Flag and the inauguration of the Akhnoor Heritage Museum. The Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Department will present cultural performances reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. As a special gesture, mobility equipment like motorised wheelchairs, e-scooters, and autorickshaws will also be distributed to the veterans. The event reflects the Indian Army's respect and unwavering commitment to care for the Veterans and Veer Naris who have served the nation with pride and dedication, added the release. (ANI) BEIJING (AP) The rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic. HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus, causes flu or cold-like symptoms including fever, cough and nasal congestion. The symptoms often clear up by themselves, though they can cause lower respiratory tract infections among children, older adults and those immunocompromised. The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades, said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press briefing by Chinas National Health Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang added that the increase in recent years in the number of cases of the virus, first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, is due to better detection methods. At present, the rate of positive cases in human metapneumovirus detection is fluctuating, and the rate of positive cases in northern provinces is declining, and the rate of positive cases among patients aged 14 and below has started to decline, she said. Concerns surfaced in recent days over a surge in HMPV infections in northern China after images circulated online of hospitals overrun with masked patients. The World Health Organization said it has not received reports of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere. Experts say HMPV is unlike COVID-19 in that it has been around for decades and there is some built-in immunity to it. Most children are infected with the virus by the age of 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang said respiratory diseases currently affecting people in China are caused by known pathogens, and no new infectious diseases have emerged. The number of patients in fever clinics and emergency departments across the country has been rising but is still generally lower compared to the same period last year, said Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the health commission. There is no obvious shortage of medical resources, Gao said. Flu infections across the country are expected to gradually decline in mid-to-late January, said commission spokesperson Hu Qiangqiang. There are no vaccines or drugs available for HMPV. Experts recommend precautions against catching the virus and other respiratory diseases including washing ones hands regularly, avoiding crowds if possible, and wearing a mask in crowded places. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Raytown police have identified the man who was sound shot in a car in Raytown on Saturday afternoon. Initial reports from RPD said that officers were dispatched to the area of Gregory Boulevard and Blue Ridge Boulevard after reports of gunfire. The exact location of the shooting was initially unknown, but officers eventually found a man, later identified as 75-year-old Robert Pitts, suffering from gunshot wounds inside a car near a bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man in custody after girl found shot at Independence apartment complex Officers said Pitts was taken to a hospital where he reportedly died from his injuries. No suspect has been arrested at this time, according to RPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. South Dakota's Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) I think I just made up a saying. It could be an axiom or a bromide. Maybe its a platitude. At any rate, it sounds true. (Maybe its a truism.) Here it is: The only fair tax is one that someone else pays. Those are words to live by. It also seems to be the cornerstone logic behind Rep. Tony Venhuizens bill to lower property taxes for homeowners. The Sioux Falls Republican explained his bill for lowering property taxes on owner-occupied dwellings in an opinion piece in The Dakota Scout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venhuizen wants to lower property taxes for homeowners by 35%. Should his bill become law, a $300,000 house would see a tax savings of more than $1,200. While the state doesnt get a share of property tax funds, any attempt to cut them runs the risk of throwing school district, county and city budgets into disarray. Venhuizens plan would set the levy for owner-occupied homes at $0 for general and special education. He estimates those two levies account for $4.167 per $1,000 of property value. That missing revenue would then be supplied to schools with funding from the state government. Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, speaks on the state House floor on Feb. 7, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) According to Venhuizen, the state would get that extra revenue, and more, by raising the state sales tax from 4.2% to 5%. This is the same sales tax, youll recall, that was lowered to 4.2% from 4.5% in 2023 with a sunset in 2027. Gov. Kristi Noem admonished lawmakers during her December budget address to make a permanent tax cut because our people deserve better than a temporary tax holiday. Theres a certain man bites dog quality about a Republican offering up any sort of tax increase. In South Dakota, most Republican politicians would rather lose a limb than risk offering any sort of tax increase. But, with that special magic that only politicians can access, Venhuizen claims that jumping the state sales tax to 5% is not really a tax increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His logic says that tourists pay sales taxes, so theyll unwittingly contribute to property tax relief while homeowners see their property tax bills go down. That makes this plan an overall tax cut for South Dakotans, Venhuizen said. Of course, for anyone who owns commercial property or agricultural land, the sales tax increase will be, well an increase. No matter how many meals, hotel rooms or tanks of gas tourists buy, apartment owners, farmers and ranchers will still pay more at the cash register to knock down someone elses property tax bill. Those who recall the sales tax debate in 2023 will remember that cutting the sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2% was hailed as a savings for taxpayers. According to Venhuizen, jumping the state sales tax from 4.2% to 5% wont hurt that much. He estimates the pain as 3 cents on a $4 loaf of bread or $3 on a $300 grocery bill. (Venhuizen and his legislative colleagues could do us all a favor by figuring out why a loaf of bread costs $4.) In a city setting like District 13 in Sioux Falls that Venhuizen represents, theres no doubt he has heard from constituents about the ever-rising cost of property taxes. To his credit, he has responded to those concerns with a plan, jerry-rigged though it may be, to cut the property taxes on their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tackling just one of the property tax problems wont lead to tax reform so much as it will lead to tax warfare. On one side will be homeowners looking for relief. On the other side will be those property owners left out of Venhuizens plan as well as school districts who wont be pleased at the prospect of the Legislature mucking about, once again, in the education funding formula. To be successful, tax reform must include a wide-ranging study to consider every kind of property tax as well as an examination of the sales tax system and its long list of exemptions. As good as it may sound, we cant rely on someone else to pay our taxes for us. Achieving a system that has even a semblance of fairness will take more effort than just one bill that tries to reform only one kind of property tax. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Work to renovate the Cayucos Veterans Hall was supposed to have been completed in early 2024, but nearly a year later, the project remains unfinished. What caused the delay? The short answer about the slow progress is because some of the work performed by the contractor and its subcontractors at the building at 10 Cayucos Drive had to be redone. Issues involving the concrete, drywall and subfloors were among those that required some do-over work, and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors plans to address the project at its meeting on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vets Hall contractor is way behind schedule on this project and some of that is from having to redo parts of the work, Supervisor Bruce Gibson told The Tribune last Tuesday, adding that the remedial work is being redone at the contractors expense. Whats happening with the project and what does it mean for the timeline? The Tribune looked into progress on the historic building as part of its Reality Check series. The Cayucos Veterans Memorial Hall is pictured on Sunday, July 30, 2023, ahead of its move to a new foundation. Whats being redone at the Cayucos Vets Hall rehab project? Spokesperson Shelly Cone told The Tribune that the county has three particular areas of work that need to be redone to get the Vets Hall back to being the towns primary gathering place: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concrete rework there was difficult construction in some areas but as public stewards we want to ensure quality work is performed according to the contract, so there was some rework required to achieve this. Paint/drywall rework there were problems with the drywall texture and paint that did not meet the quality requirements in the contract, and again, to achieve a quality end product the county required, some of this work to be re-done. Subfloor replacement the subfloor was installed before the building was completely weatherproof, and rain affected some areas. The county did necessary testing, found issues and the contractor agreed to replace the affected areas. The county understands the public is excited to see the rehabilitation of this historically significant building completed, Cone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these delays are frustrating, they are not unexpected due to the nature of work involved with refurbishing an over 140-year-old building, she said, noting that the project included some unique and complicated challenges such as moving the facility off its original foundation then back onto a new foundation, which raised the building 30 inches to protect it from sea-level rise. Historic SLO County vets hall goes on the move as $11 million renovation enters key stage Also, the facility will have new heating, plumbing and electrical systems, she said. The essentially new structure, which includes many elements to retain its historic character, wasnt damaged during the construction, Cone said, but the job included some construction issues and a redo of those was needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the project is complete, she said, the Cayucos Veterans Hall will once again become an attractive gathering place for community events. The current estimate for completion is sometime this spring, according to Tuesdays agenda packet. This photo from Sam Borradoris collection was said to be the earliest photo of Cayucos. It shows Cayucos Landing In the 1870s. The wareshouse that would become the Veterans Hall was built in 1875-76. Anchored in Estero Bay is a sailing ship, lumber and beer kegs line the shore. What happens next and whos footing the bill? The Board of Supervisors will discuss the projects status and the related scheduling, contract and financial issues at its meeting on Tuesday. While more money is needed for consultant and other services, and there will be some budget adjusting to do, those costs ultimately will be covered by the contractor. With the countys tightly drawn contract, the contractor and its subcontractors are on the fiscal hook for the fixes in the redo of the towns largest venue, which was was shut down by the state fire marshal in June 2021 due to safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLO County veterans hall closed due to safety concerns. Can historic building be saved? According to Tuesdays agenda-item description, the $8.5 million construction contract for the project, approved in late 2022 by the supervisors, called for JG Contracting of Nipomo to have finished the complex Veterans Hall renovation by February 2024. The contract has not had to come back to the Board of Supervisors because the contractor is being charged liquidated damages for the delay, Gibson said. That is, the county is charging them (by withholding certain payments) for each day they are behind schedule. Thus, their delay has not added to the overall cost. Those damages are costing JG Contracting $2,000 a day that they wont be paid for the missed deadline, the agenda packet said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the delays have caused the county to incur added soft costs, such as additional administrative and construction management/oversight costs, the supervisor said, those are being offset by the collection of liquidated damages from the contractor, resulting in no increase to our overall construction costs. The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved more funding to rehabilitate the Cayucos Veterans Hall on October 4, 2022. Looking ahead to the future of the county treasure In the past, Gibson has often referred to the Vets Hall as the civic heart of the small, coastal town. The Veterans Hall was built in 1875 by Cayucos founder James Cass, who used it as a warehouse. It and the 940-foot-long pier he built helped establish the town as a viable shipping port for cargo bound for San Francisco and Los Angeles. At a 2021 hearing about the renovation project, Gibson lauded the publics dedication to the facility and their determination to see the venue fixed and reopened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the restoration a project you can support with your head and our heart, adding about the community that how much they care about this venue is really extraordinary. Fundraising campaign to restore SLO County veterans hall begins. Will supervisors chip in? Indeed, as Cayucans and others had rallied earlier to support repair of the Cayucos Pier with nearly $1 million in donations, they also dug deeply to contribute $500,000 toward reconstruction of the Vets Hall, according to www.restorecayucosvetshall.org, plus hundreds of thousands more thats now dedicated toward providing furnishings, equipment and ensuring local access. SLO County supervisors approve $3.5 million loan to help restore historic veterans hall State Parks owns the structure, but the county Parks and Recreation Department will operate and manage the facility while raising money through rental rates for it to repay a $3 million bond. Events under the oversight of Friends of the Vets Hall can use the facility for free during the week and at reduced rates on weekends, as long as the county doesnt have to provide any services for those events, according to participant Greg Bettencourt. The Friends committee will make sure that happens. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) The New Mexico State Legislature announced the resignation of Representative Jared Hembree on Saturday. A press release states the Chaves County lawmaker is stepping down due to unforeseen health-related circumstances that need immediate attention. Albuquerque leaders discuss funding requests for upcoming legislative session It is with a heavy heart that I step down from the State Legislature, Rep. Hembree said in a statement. Serving the people of my district has been a profound honor. My family and I believe in Chaves County, and we must prioritize my health to ensure that we can serve in good faith in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening day for the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session is January 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. President-elect Donald Trumps pick for national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said negotiations for a deal to free the hostages in the Hamas-Israel war are literally happening as we speak. Let's allow our hostages to be set free. I want to see them walking across the tarmac, or at a minimum, some type of agreement before inauguration because President Trump is serious, Waltz told ABCs This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl on Sunday. Any deal will only get worse for Hamas, and there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East if we continue to have this kind of hostage diplomacy. Officials close to ceasefire negotiations told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad has already arrived in Doha for a critical round of talks. Egyptian and U.S. officials are participating in the conversations, including Trumps incoming Middle East adviser Steven Witkoff and President Joe Bidens outgoing adviser Brett McGurk. PHOTO: Rep. Mike Waltz appears on 'This Week,' Jan. 12, 2025. (ABC) On U.S. relations with Russia, Karl asked Waltz about plans for Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin would welcome a meeting with Trump, but that it would most likely happen after he takes office. When asked about a potential meeting with the Russian president while attending a dinner with Republican governors, Trump said, He wants to meet, and we're going to, we're setting it up." Waltz told Karl that "preparations are underway for that meeting and that from Trumps perspective, you can't enter a deal if you don't have some type of relationship and dialogue with the other side, and we will absolutely establish that in the coming months. MORE: In Ukraine, Trump election met with anxiety but also hope he might end the war Concerning Ukraine, Waltz said the Trump administration will be asking about its military manpower, noting that it "could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers" if it lowered its draft age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They certainly have taken a very noble and tough stand, but we need to see those manpower shortages addressed, Waltz said. This isn't just about munitions, ammunition or writing more checks. It's about seeing the front lines stabilized so that we can enter into some type of deal. PHOTO: Servicemen of artillery crew of the special unit National Police fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025. (Stringer/Reuters) Trump has also repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal, even not ruling out using the U.S. military to do so if he saw fit. Asked if Trump was serious about using military power, Waltz said, What he's very serious about is the threats that we're facing in the Arctic -- the threats that we're facing in the Western Hemisphere. PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 9, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP) Enough is enough for having our adversaries coming into our Western Hemisphere threaten our, you know, our national security and President Trump is ready to take big, bold steps to ensure the United States is well-defended, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further pressed by Karl on whether Trump would use military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, Waltz said the president-elect is never going to take an option off the table, unlike, frankly, his predecessor, so when it comes to our national defense, that is paramount to the commander in chief. ABC News Jordana Miller contributed to this report. Rep. Waltz: Negotiations to release Hamas hostages are underway originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Authorities in West Feliciana Parish are investigating a series of mysterious drone sightings reported over the past few weeks. The West Feliciana Sheriffs Office said it had received multiple reports of unidentified drones, some as large as five feet in diameter, flying near critical infrastructure beginning on Dec. 24. Sheriff Brian Spillman confirmed that eyewitnesses also reported seeing multiple objects flying simultaneously, indicating that the flights may be coordinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, we have no reason to believe these sightings pose a threat to public safety. However, its very concerning, and were treating this as a criminal violation since theyve been spotted over areas where drone flight is prohibited, said Spillman. Can you shoot a drone down in Louisiana? FAA and state laws explained Spillman said the sheriffs office is working with local, state and federal agencies to identify the drones and their operators. If these reports are accurate, these are not Christmas toys being operated by a hobbyist, he said. According to Spillman, eyewitnesses, including deputies, have seen the drones at altitudes ranging from 200 to over 500 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said the suspected drones tend to hover over certain areas for extended periods and then disappear into the night. So far, all sightings have occurred after dark. Spillman said that there have been no indications that these flights pose a hostile threat to people or property. Anyone who has information, or sees unusual activity, can call the West Feliciana Dispatch Center at 225-784-3136. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said federal law allows public safety officials to take any action they find necessary to address the threat. The fact that it may be aviation-related activity does not impact this authority. Whats most important is that the threat is eliminated. Ill continue to provide assistance as needed to Sheriff Spillman and public officials in our state on this issue, Murrill said. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Jan. 11SANTA FE Republican state Rep. Jared Hembree of Roswell abruptly stepped down from the state House due to health issues Saturday, just two months after winning election to a new term. The decision by Hembree leaves two state House seats vacant with less than two weeks until the start of a 60-day legislative session. In a statement released Saturday by the House GOP caucus, Hembree said the decision to step down was due to unforeseen health-related issues that require immediate attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is with a heavy heart that I step down from the state Legislature," Hembree said. "Serving the people of my district has been a profound honor. My family and I believe in Chaves County, and we must prioritize my health to ensure we can serve in good faith in the future." Hembree, an attorney, was appointed to the Legislature in January 2024 to fill a seat that had been held by fellow Republican Greg Nibert. After winning a contested primary election, Hembree was unopposed in last year's general election. In the wake of his resignation, it will be up to Chaves County commissioners to pick a successor for Hembree, since his House District 59 seat lies entirely within Chaves County. Whoever is appointed to the seat will serve a two-year term through 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other vacancy in the 70-member chamber is the House District 6 seat that had been held by former Rep. Eliseo Alcon, a Milan Democrat. Alcon stepped down due to health issues in November, shortly after winning reelection. County commissioners in two counties have nominated former Rep. Harry Garcia, D-Grants, for that seat, but Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed concerns about Garcia's residency status in the district. The governor is awaiting an opinion from Attorney General Raul Torrez's office on the situation before making an appointment decision, a Lujan Grisham spokesman said. Meanwhile, Hembree's resignation means Democrats now hold a 43-25 majority over Republicans in the House, pending appointments to the two vacant seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, thanked Hembree for his service and said the thoughts and prayers of the House GOP caucus were with Hembree and his family. "Representative Hembree has been a mentor, friend, and inspiration to many of us and he will be greatly missed in the Roundhouse," Armstrong said. The 60-day legislative session starts Jan. 21. Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said that the INDIA bloc was formed due to the "fear" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it is "natural" that they will get divided. Attacking the Opposition further, Singh called the leaders of the INDIA bloc "selfish" and accused them of "abusing" the country. This follows the Delhi Assembly Elections where allies of the INDIA bloc - Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that they would fight the elections separately. However, these two parties have fought the Lok Sabha 2024 elections together. "The INDIA alliance was formed against PM Modi due to fear of him. None of these people have the strength to fight against PM Modi because PM Modi works and thinks for the country. These people abuse the country outside the country. It is natural that when selfish people clash with each other, they will get divided." Earlier in the day, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also said that there was a rift within the alliance even during the 2024 general elections, adding that alliance parties were together only for political reasons Speaking to reporters, Meghwal said, "There was a rift within the alliance even during the 2024 general elections... They were together only for political reasons...Their ideology was never the same...It seems that the alliance has broken up..." Meanwhile, Communist Party of India General Secretary D Raja also admitted that the INDIA bloc "stands divided" post-Lok Sabha election 2024. Speaking to ANI, Raja said, "It is a fact that Opposition is divided. It is known to people that in Delhi. Assembly election AAP is contesting on its own, Congress is contesting on its own, Left parties are contesting wherever they are capable of putting up a fight and among other parties, certain parties have declared support to AAP. So, it is a fact that the INDIA bloc stands divided." Raja emphasised on Left parties' objective to unite secular and democratic parties to put a "strong" fight against the BJP. "As far as Left parties are concerned, since the first meeting which was held in Patna, we have been pursuing the political line that our primary objective must be to defeat BJP. Our whole effort should be to unite the secular, democratic parties at all levels. But it doesn't happen. But the Left will pursue how to unite the secular, democratic parties, how to put up a strong, collective fight to ensure the defeat of BJP wherever it is necessary" he told ANI The assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will be done on February 8. (ANI) In the coming weeks and months, after Donald Trump takes the oath of office for the second time, Democrats are going to take every opportunity to mobilize voters and coordinate with civil society groups to thwart anti-democratic actions and win power back. Elected Democrats will vote against Trumps proposed legislation and try to block his executive orders in court. That, after all, is what opposition parties and civil societies are supposed to do. But this time its Republicans who will bear primary responsibility for protecting U.S. democracy. Weve studied democratic erosion in countries around the world, and our research has found that the most important bulwark against an elected leader undermining democracy doesnt come from opposition parties or pro-democracy activists. It comes from the ruling party and particularly the powerful elites in that party and their efforts to constrain their own leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The danger to democracy is particularly acute in political systems led by parties where leaders wield disproportionate influence relative to the political parties that back them as is now the case in the Republican Party. Our data on all democratically elected leaders around the globe in the 30 years since the end of the Cold War show that where leaders dominate the parties they lead, the chances of democratic backsliding increase, whether its through gradual democratic decay or a rapid collapse. In the United States, we tend to assume that constitutional checks and balances, including the powers vested in Congress or the Supreme Court, play the central role in constraining a rogue executive and any power grab they might attempt. But weve found that institutions can do so only if the members of the presidents party inside those institutions are willing to use their authority in the face of executive abuses or overreach. The reason that often doesnt happen is because when a political party becomes dominated by the leader as an individual, party figures view their political fates as directly tied to that of the leader, not to the long-term reputation of the party, and so they are unwilling to push back against the leaders actions. In these personalist political parties, the party elite are even willing to go along with a leaders abuse of power if they see that doing so is advantageous for keeping their jobs. The impact affects more than just the political class. When prominent party figures tolerate or indeed even support a leaders anti-democratic actions, it fosters public acceptance of those actions among party supporters, as people take important cues from their elected officials. High levels of polarization and the resulting disdain for the other side only make matters worse, as partisans are willing to accept abuses of power if it means keeping the other side out of office. Indeed, even when there remains a high level of public support for democracy, our research shows that societies can slide down a non-democratic path simply because they dont want the other side to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such has been the fate of a rising number of democracies around the globe, ranging from Hungary to El Salvador and Turkey to Tunisia. Despite different political and historical contexts, the playbook these personalist leaders use to dismantle democracy has been identical. Once elected, personalist leaders promote unqualified loyalists and family members to positions of power. They fabricate threats, demonize political opponents and harass critical voices in the media. They attack the legitimacy of the judicial system while presenting themselves as above the law, attempt to circumvent any legislative constraints and fire government officials who question their behaviors or actions. These actions occur because elites in the incumbent political party do not push back indeed, contradicting a personalist leader risks career suicide for high-ranking party officials. Thats the way the party becomes synonymous with the leader and especially when these parties win a legislative majority their presidents and prime ministers can behave as they choose. During Trumps first term, key Republicans didnt let that happen. In July 2020, Trump floated the idea of postponing the November election but numerous Republicans including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the idea. Later that year, elected Republicans, including a secretary of state in Georgia, a governor in Arizona and electors in Michigan, refused to falsify vote counts to keep Trump in power. Trumps handpicked acting attorney general turned down entreaties to conjure up fake evidence of voting irregularities. And Republican-appointed judges in courts in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law in the face of Trumps attempts to cling to power. Perhaps the most crucial move to save democracy was when Vice President Mike Pence rejected Trumps pleas to overturn the election when certifying the Electoral College count. But while some Republican leaders stood up for democracy in Trumps first term, many party leaders are likely to find it more difficult to oppose the incoming president this time because over the last four years, Trump has tightened his control over the GOP, making it more like the personalist parties that support autocrats elsewhere. The Republican primary process underscored the absence of leaders in the party willing to stand up for an alternative vision of the partys future. Trump successfully extricated his top rival, Nikki Haley, from the party in that process, signaling to others within it the costs of their opposition. Likewise, many House Republicans are beholden to the president-elect for his support that helped them win their seats in the 2024 election cycle, making them less inclined to resist his efforts. And Trump has further strengthened his grip on the party organization by installing allies and even in-laws in the leadership of the Republican National Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why the confirmation process for Trumps Cabinet picks will be the critical first test for the Republican Party. If Republicans fail to take a stand against the most egregious nominations for example former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, or Tulsi Gabbard to head the intelligence community history suggests they will find that it only gets harder to resist the president in the future. In other words, if Republicans fail to stand up to Trump from the very beginning, the slide toward authoritarianism will accelerate, as it did in Hungary and Turkey. In every personalist autocracy, it is possible to identify critical moments that tip the balance of power in the leaders favor vis-a-vis their political allies. One of those is the installation of loyalists and cronies in powerful government positions. Once a president wrestles power away from the individuals and institutions that brought them to office in this case, the Republican Party the process of concentrating power only gains momentum. Power begets more power, rarely the reverse. Beyond just standing up for qualified nominees, senior GOP leaders must also be willing to condemn Trumps anti-democratic actions when they occur. Ultimately, its voters who serve as the most direct guarantors of democracy because they can throw the bums out at the ballot box. Yet, across the globe, voters have reelected personalist leaders because the party elite refused to condemn the leaders anti-democratic actions, sending the signal that all is well with democracy. When senior party officials are silent or worse, when they condone such behavior they provide critical public cues that alter party supporters views of acceptable democratic norms and behavior, facilitating the slide to autocracy. We are certainly not the first to point to Trumps reelection as a threat to democracy. But our research reveals the underlying institutional reason why. Aspiring autocrats lurk under the surface in many democracies. Much more consequential than a leaders intentions and ambitions, however, are the constraints they face from the party members around them. So, when Trump floats the idea of postponing the next election, or argues that the two-term limit should apply only to two consecutive terms, we will have one question for the Republican elite: Will you stand up to Trump? Key elites in the Republican Party saved democracy in 2020. Will they do it again? Senate Republicans are urging President-elect Trumps Cabinet nominees to resist taking the bait from Democrats when their high-stakes confirmation hearings kick off next week, marking a make-or-break moment for some of his choices. Headlined by Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to run the Pentagon, numerous hearings will take place next week with the goal of confirming several key nominees immediately after the Jan. 20 inauguration. But Democrats are vowing that they will go to the mat to make life hell for some, with Hegseth atop the list. The Defense Department nominee seemingly righted his confirmation ship last month after allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and poor management. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has led Republicans to warn the nominees against falling hook, line and sinker for the barbs. If its not true, say its not true, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said, speaking specifically about Hegseth and likening his situation to the high-profile fight over Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Remember, you only need Republican votes. Be very, very careful not to jeopardize that support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has reportedly told his colleagues in private that it is time to start returning the favor to Republicans after they hammered the Democratic brand for all of the Biden presidency. That starts this week when at least a dozen Trump nominees including Hegseth, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Trumps pick for secretary of State; Pam Bondi, his pick to be attorney general; and John Ratcliffe, Trumps nominee to head the CIA take part in their confirmation hearings, some of which could lead to fireworks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans believe it is imperative that their nominees are cool, calm and collected during rounds of questioning by Democrats, not only for their sake but for the sake of the person who nominated them in the first place. Its a matter of being technically capable of responding back and showing that youre prepared for the job, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said. The bigger challenge for any of the [nominees] is just making sure the president still has confidence in them when they end their discussions. Of the hearings set for the week, Hegseths will far and away attract the most eyeballs after his roller coaster confirmation process. According to multiple Senate Republicans, the former Fox News hosts chances were flatlining before he went on an aggressive media campaign and ended up turning things back in his direction. Senate Republicans expect him to get across the finish line unless he royally trips up when he takes questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee starting Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes been on TV. Hes been in front of an audience before. I think hell do just fine. I really do, Rounds said. I think hes capable, and I think he sees the needs for creating this lethality back throughout the Department of Defense again as a focus. The hearing will also be the first chance most Armed Services Democrats have to ask Hegseth questions of any kind since he was tapped by Trump to lead the Pentagon nearly two months ago. Hegseth sat down Thursday with Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), the top Democrat on the panel, marking his first private sit-down with any Democratic committee member. Notably, some of the most controversial nominees Trump has put forth will not be taking part in hearings this week, including former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kash Patel. Hearings must be noticed a week in advance, meaning that none of the three will appear before a panel before inauguration week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee held up a potential Gabbard hearing after a delay in receiving her FBI background check, ethics disclosure or prehearing questionnaire. However, they did get all of the relevant information to move ahead with Ratcliffes hearing to become CIA director. As for Patel, the Judiciary Committee is prioritizing Bondis hearing to become attorney general, which will kick off Wednesday and is already drawing arrows from Democrats. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the ranking member on Judiciary Committee, accused Bondi of not listing her work as a lobbyist for a number of foreign countries including Qatar, Zimbabwe and Kosovo and organizations as potential conflicts of interest. Ms. Bondi did not list any of these matters or clients as potential conflicts of interest on her Senate Judiciary Questionnaire. To understand the extent to which her work as a FARA-registered lobbyist may create potential conflicts of interest should she be confirmed as Attorney General, the Committee requires additional information from the Department of Justice that is not otherwise available, Durbin wrote to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), asking that copies of her contracts and statements related to that work be shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the wait for those three will be consumed with this first crop of hearings, with Republicans paying close attention to how they go amid hopes that they wont falter under the bright lights. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of leadership, recalled an instance years ago when a political opponent was pillorying her at an event, during which she got a text from her husband one that she says the nominees should heed. I read it and it says, Dont take the bait, Capito said. So I guess thats it, she added. Dont take the bait. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TUPELO On the office wall at Tupelo Ace Hardware is a "wall of shame" of sorts, photos and descriptions of known shoplifters shared amongst retailers in Tupelo. Ace store co-owner and general manager George Booth III says a cooperative effort with retail behemoth Walmart has allowed area retailers to spot potential thieves looking for a quick score. The company is member of a retail group on Facebook where they share information on shoplifters. "What we do is share security camera footage of people who are taking things. And there are people from that page who walked into my store, and I told them to get out," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walmart often has the name and phone numbers of the people featured on the Facebook page, enabling retailers if they choose to do so to pursue charges. In Mississippi, thefts over $1,000 are a felony, so it's not worthwhile to file if it's less than that. And thieves know that. But that doesn't stop Booth and others from trying to deter thefts, because they add up. Like all retailers, shrink the industry term for loss of inventory from a store due to reasons other than sales, such as shoplifting, employee theft, administrative errors, damaged merchandise or return fraud is a major concern. Industry experts say retailers can expect shrinkage of 1.5 to 3% annually on average. To put that in perspective, Target in 2022 suffered more than $500 million in shrinkage, resulting in a $700 million hit on profit. Walmart saw a $6.5 billion shrink rate. Booth and Tupelo Ace Hardware won't see those type of numbers, but reducing theft is a top priority. And the "wall" is just one step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She steals and steals, mainly from Walmart," says Booth as he points to one photo. "This guy steals power tools all the time; this guy is super quiet so nobody pays attention to him and he puts stuff in his buggy and walks out at the right moment. This guy likes to put power tools and meat down his pants." According to the National Retail Federation, retailers reported a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 versus 2019 and a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting over the same time period. Capital One Shopping Research revealed that stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023; projections indicate shoplifting could cost retailers over $150 billion in 2026. In the nearly four years since the store opened, Booth has learned quite a lot when it comes to the extent that people will try to steal merchandise. Unlike some retailers who have a strict hands-off policy when it comes to confronting shoplifters, Booth takes the opposite approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The difference in allowing it to happen or not is me," he said. Booth said his employees are attuned to potential shoplifters, but he doesn't expect them to chase after them. He has no hesitation, however. "Since I own my store, I take on the liability if confronting someone or talking a product out of their hands or pockets, or running them down and screaming at them," he said. "They're stealing from me; it's like they're taking it from my home." SHOPLIFTING LAW IN MISSISSIPPI Mississippi Code Annotated 97-23-93 defines shoplifting as "willfully and unlawfully taking possession of any merchandise owned or held for sale by a merchant or store with the intent to take that merchandise without paying the merchants price." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Mississippi, a first or second shoplifting conviction is a misdemeanor. Punishment is a fine of $1,000 or less, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 6 months, or both a fine and imprisonment. The court may suspend the jail sentence and impose probation instead. For a third or subsequent shoplifting conviction, and where the value of the shoplifted merchandise is between $500-$1,000, it is a felony and the penalty is a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. If the value of the merchandise is $1,000-5,000, it is a felony and the charge is grand larceny, punishable by up to a 5-year sentence in the state penitentiary, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. If the merchandise is between $5,000-25,000, it's also a grand larceny charge, carrying a sentence in the penitentiary for up to 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Anything over $25,000, and imprisonment in the penitentiary goes up to 20 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Booth will pursue charges against a shoplifter whenever possible, but would prefer not to, stopping as many as he can before it gets to the point. "A lot of our prevention is doing what we do with customers, and that's going up to people and asking how we can help them," Booth said. "We've learned some hallmarks of customers, and you can tell if they're pocketing things. We have our walkie talkies and we talk to each other to keep a watch on them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KEEPING AN EYE ON CUSTOMERS Recently, Fleet Feet in Tupelo posted photos on its Facebook page of a woman who had taken some merchandise from its store. The post asked the person to kindly return or pay for the items she had "accidentally" taken out the door. It had been a busy day at the store, so it was difficult to spot in real time what had happened. But Fleet Feet does a daily inventory, and if things are amiss, store management will peruse through video surveillance to see if they can spot anything. And they did. "I think the best thing we can do is run a tight inventory so that we know immediately if something is missing," said Carson Lancaster, general manager. "It helps us look at the video that day so we don't have to watch a whole week's worth of footage. We narrowed it down and that's how we do it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lancaster said employees can confront shoplifters if they feel comfortable in doing so, but are not required to and can instead get a manager. "Usually they (shoplifters) will go to the dressing room and rip the tags off," she said. "So we usually try to have someone by the dressing room." She said Fleet Feet has been contacting people who they saw on video take merchandise from the store. One woman was arrested and put in jail, but the store never got its merchandise back. Still, the effort seems to be working. "They usually bring it back, and if not we threaten to post on social media," Lancaster said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And indeed, that's what happened last week. The store had contacted a shoplifter asking her to pay for the merchandise; if not, it was going to contact the police and post on social media. But since she didn't respond, the store's Facebook posted photos of the person in question. It went viral quickly. "We had messaged her several times, and after it went up she called us and said she had seen the Facebook post and asked if she could pay for it, and we said yes, you can," Lancaster said. "That was whole idea.. She asked if there was a payment plan and I said, 'No, ma'am we don't have after-pay for stolen merchandise. We told her we would take the post down as soon as it was paid for." As it turns out, the merchandise that was stolen was eventually paid for, and the store took down the post. Afterward, Fleet Feet posted, "We have removed our previous post as promised following payment for the stolen merchandise. Prior to posting to social media, several attempts were made to contact the individual to rectify the situation to no avail. Thanks to everyone who helped identify and bring this situation to a close. Small businesses are truly invested in the community and we value everyone who walks through our doors." Jan. 12Incoming majority members in the Alaska House and Senate say that reforming Alaska's public retirement system is one of their top priorities in the coming legislative session in an effort to address the state's recruitment and retention crisis, which has made it difficult to hire teachers, law enforcement officers and state workers in most departments. Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, an Anchorage Republican, said that pension reform and increasing the state's public education budget were twin priorities that would be considered in the session that is set to begin in Juneau on Jan. 21. "The pension, of course, connects with the education funding in that if we don't have qualified teachers in these classrooms, no matter what amount of funding we put in, the effectiveness may not be to the maximum. So those two are kind of joined at the hip," said Giessel, who proposed one of two plans put forward so far that would reinstate defined benefits for the state's public sector workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, Alaska lawmakers moved the state's public retirement system to a defined contribution plan which offers employees investment accounts but no guaranteed income in retirement amid concerns over the financial obligations created by the state's pension plan. Since then, state analyses have shown that the defined contribution plans do not provide most beneficiaries with enough funds to retire securely. The state has also increasingly dealt with staffing shortages as older employees have retired. "I think the data is pretty overwhelming that we are in a crisis situation," said Giessel. "It's more than just Medicaid being delayed or food stamps being delayed. This goes much deeper to fundamental state function." [Related: No cell phones in schools, free meals for children, a state flood authority: Here are some of lawmakers' first ideas ahead of the legislative session] Giessel reintroduced this year a bill she had developed last session. That measure passed the Senate but stalled in the Republican-controlled House. But Giessel said this year incoming Rep.-elect Chuck Kopp, an Anchorage Republican who is expected to serve as majority leader, has agreed to sponsor companion legislation to hers in the House, giving it much higher chances for a speedy consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giessel's plan would alleviate some of the state's financial risk by shifting some of the responsibility for keeping the retirement system funded onto the plan beneficiaries. Some lawmakers remained unconvinced last year about the potential cost for the state, which could come from having more career-long workers who gradually climb the pay-scale, thus costing the state more money in salaries. Giessel said she hoped to present information in the coming session about the potential savings the state would incur by reducing its recruitment efforts and the costs of constantly training new and inexperienced employees. Sen. Jesse Kiehl, a Juneau Democrat, introduced a competing proposal this year that would shift less financial risk onto workers. He said Friday that he thought his was the "the ideal approach" but that he's "not under any illusions it will pass," so planned to support Giessel's bill, while still putting his back on the legislative docket. Proponents of the change are hopeful that a return to defined benefits could be viewed favorably by both chambers in the coming session. But it would still require Gov. Mike Dunleavy's signature. The Republican governor, who himself receives a state pension earned from his time as a public school teacher, has shown limited interest in expanding the state's public retirement options. Jan. 12ROCHESTER A pair of Minneapolis-based attorneys with expertise in municipal law will provide the Rochester City Council with a deeper understanding of their roles. "The session aims to equip council members with a deeper understanding of the complexities of serving as public officials and the unique legal frameworks that govern their roles," Jessica Schuler, the city's management analyst, wrote in a report ahead of the Jan. 15 study session. "Participants will gain practical tools and knowledge to navigate these responsibilities effectively." With four of the seven council members in the initial weeks of their first term, attorneys from Kennedy & Graven Chartered will provide insights into transitioning from candidate to elected official, collaborating on an elected body and with staff and best practices for communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While similar training sessions are common after new elected officials join the council, the upcoming presentation by Rachel Tierney and Pamela Whitmore follows council tensions that resulted in the 2023 censure of former council member Molly Dennis, a related lawsuit filed by Dennis and Dennis' ejection from three council meetings in 2024. Tierney will bring more than 20 years of experience in local government law to the presentation, with experience as an assistant city attorney and most recently as Saint Paul's deputy city attorney. Whitmore also offers more than two decades of experience in local government law, municipal litigation and conflict management services. She serves as city attorney for the cities of Mankato, Marshall, Wells, West St. Paul and Olivia. The training session shifts the regular council session from Monday to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to accommodate the presenters, and the location will move to room 104 in City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the move to the City Hall council room is due to the nature of the meeting, similar study session relocations could be more common in the future. "It is helpful to sit around a table when you are having a study session," City Administrator Alison Zelms told the council during its first meeting of 2025. The council currently holds all formal meetings and study sessions in council chambers due to a local requirement that they be broadcast live through city cable channels. Zelms said the requirement adopted by the City Council in 2019 has proved challenging since it requires relying on outside technology. "Oftentimes, (the cable box) is the box that creates the problem," she said. "It either dies or needs to be reset, and only (cable company staff) can do that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Shaun Palmer pointed to ongoing updates in the City Hall conference room, which allow for livestreaming of meetings and posting video on the city's YouTube channel, He said it gives the council options for meeting locations. Zelms said it would require an update to council rules, but a change could be proposed later this month. "If overall there is no major objection to that, we can bring something back, probably at your next City Council meeting," she said. Meetings scheduled to be held during the week of Jan. 13 include: Rochester Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission, 6:30 p.m. Monday in room 104 in City Hall, 201 Fourth St. SE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter Commission, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in room 104 of City Hall, 201 Fourth St. SE. City Council study session, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in room 104 in City Hall. Library Board, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the first floor meeting room of the Rochester Public Library, 101 Second St. SE. Olmsted County Sheriff's Civil Service Commission, 8 a.m. Wednesday with the location to be posted at olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal. Rochester Public Schools School Board study session, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom of the Edison Building, 615 Seventh St. SW. BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Romanians angered by the cancellation of a presidential election marched through Bucharest on Sunday to demand that the ballot should go ahead and that outgoing centrist President Klaus Iohannis should resign. In a move that polarised voters, Romania's top court voided the presidential election on Dec. 6, two days before the second round. The cancellation came after state documents showed frontrunner Calin Georgescu, a critic of NATO, had benefited from an unfair social media campaign likely to have been orchestrated by Russia, accusations Moscow has denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court ordered that the election be re-run in its entirety. The pro-European coalition government has yet to approve a calendar for the election, although party leaders agreed to hold the two rounds on May 4 and May 18. Iohannis, whose term expired on Dec. 21, will stay on until his successor is elected. On Sunday, tens of thousands of protesters, including left-wingers and those angered by the way the way the election was cancelled, joined the protest organised by the opposition hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), Romania's second-largest party. "We ask for a return to democracy by resuming the election with the second round," AUR leader George Simion told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said 100,000 people were at the protest, but riot police along the march estimated the numbers at around 20,000. Protesters waved flags and shouted "Freedom" and "Bring back the second round." "Our right to vote was broken," said Bogdan Danila, a 43-year-old truck driver. "In addition, Iohannis was in power for ten years and did nothing for the people, while parties betrayed us, they are all corrupt. We want something else." Some protesters carried portraits of Georgescu or Christian Orthodox icons while street vendors sold flags and vuvuzelas. "Authorities must say why they cancelled the election, we want to see the evidence," said Cornelia, 57, an economist wrapped in a Romanian flag who declined to give her last name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this rate we won't be voting anymore, they will impose a leader like in the old days." It remains unclear whether Georgescu, who opposes Romanian support for Ukraine against Russias invasion, will be allowed to run for president again. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; editing by Giles Elgood) Rory Sykes, who made several media appearances and motivational speeches as a boy challenged by blindness and cerebral palsy, died from carbon monoxide inhalation as his mother tried to save him from his Malibu cottage that was caught up in the early devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, Shelley Sykes wrote on X. He was 32. It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday, she wrote, adding that he was born in Great Britain and had been living in Australia, but only recently relocated to the U.S. She said Sykes had his own cottage on the familys 17-acre Mount Malibu estate, which burnt down on Jan. 8. I couldnt put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by Las Virgenes Municipal Water, she wrote. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told Australian outlet 10 News First that she couldnt stop the flames taking over, couldnt lift or move him out because of her broken arm, and that he succumbed to carbon monoxide inhalation while she ran for help. It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. Im totally heart broken. British born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum pic.twitter.com/X77xyk83gx Shelley Sykes (@shelleysykes) January 9, 2025 [Rory] was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking, she wrote. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica. [He] was a sought after inspirational speaker for [Tony Robbins] when he was only 8 years old. It was not clear whether Sykes was considered among the 13 confirmed deaths since the L.A. wildfires broke out on Tuesday. The post Rory Sykes, Child Disabilities Advocate and Media Personality, Dies in Los Angeles Wildfire at 32 appeared first on TheWrap. Not just faith As the CEO of a faith-based social-service organization, I have a particular interest in the intersection of faith practices and the treatment for victims of sex trafficking, substance-abuse issues or mental health concerns. Healing for trauma and recovery require interventions based on proven techniques that include counseling, cognitive restructuring and other professionally provided support. In reading recent coverage about Mercy Culture Church, I had concerns that the Christian faith is being used to avoid the use of best practices and accountability. (Jan. 5, 4C, Mayor, City Council gave church a bullying blueprint) At Volunteers of America, we honor faith-based practices as an important component of recovery. But faith alone will not address the complexity of problems that occur after years of trauma. I hope these new services rely not only on God, but also on proven interventions that allow people to succeed long-term as healthy members of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Angela King, CEO, Volunteers of America-Texas, Arlington The billionaires Is the purpose of our federal government to make money? Or is it a service organization to provide for the American people? Arrogant billionaires advocating cuts in Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits and other long-standing programs are either ignorant or seeking revenge toward working people. Some politicians want to invest more in our citizens, creating a society where all Americans are assured of some basic services. Other politicians want to invest less and run government as a business. The billionaires seizing power in our federal government seem to think the purpose of government is to make them richer while working-class people are stripped of the security they have earned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth Hating the left Our government was recently again in crisis because Congress was unable to pass a funding bill. This Republican-led House has been one of the least productive in history. And this is what Americans have to look forward to for at least another two years. Republicans dont govern. They dont bring solutions for the American people. They just hate the left and want to holler that its socialism anytime a tax dollar is spent on a needy child or any other program that uplifts our citizens. Its our Democratic lawmakers who address our failings and there are many. How about the environment, maternal health, child poverty, the living conditions and health of indigenous peoples, and the support and protection of our allies? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Bettye Parker, Trophy Club Bad moral path The moral path of the modern Democratic Party is troubling. Without a change, it imperils the direction of our society. President Joe Bidens recent commutations of death sentences for those who committed even the most heinous crimes based on moral values signals the partys loss of basic human values. (Dec. 13, 2A, Biden commutes sentences of 1,500 Americans, a record) This same party condones the slaughter of the innocent unborn. Someone please explain the dichotomy. This, combined with condoning lawless activities by failing to enforce our laws, does not bode well for a civilized society. As a former Democrat and now Republican, I ask: What happened? - Ken Sapp, Granbury Granger helped Rep. Kay Grangers office helped me obtain disability benefits, while she might have been having health issues herself. The infrastructure she implemented saved my life my life. Anyone who disrespects her service to our community should be ashamed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must respect those who serve our communities. They do not have to, but they do it to make a difference. - Dana Hoyle, Haltom City Russia criticized the latest U.S. sanctions targeting its energy sector on Jan. 11, describing them as an effort to harm Russia's economy while risking instability in global markets. Despite this, the country's Foreign Ministry said Russia would continue pursuing major oil and gas projects. The ministry condemned Washington's "hostile" actions, announced on Jan. 10, and noted that Russia would craft its foreign policy strategy in response. The ministry argued the sanctions represented "an attempt to inflict at least some damage to the Russian economy, even at the cost of the risk of destabilising world markets as the end approaches of President Joe Biden's inglorious tenure in power." The sanctions mark the most extensive U.S. measures yet against Russia's oil and gas revenue streams. They aim to provide Kyiv and the incoming administration of Donald Trump with leverage to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegas, and 183 vessels involved in transporting Russian oil, many of which belong to the so-called shadow fleet of aging tankers operated by non-Western companies. Combined, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas reportedly produce over 1 million barrels of oil daily, generating an estimated $23 billion of revenue annually, according to the U.S. Treasury. President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the sanctions, saying they would "deliver a significant blow" to Russia. "The less revenue Russia earns from oil ... the sooner peace will be restored," he added. Read also: Japans new sanctions are significant blow to Russias military-industrial complex, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops have carried out a double airstrike on a nursing home in the Ukrainian-occupied Russian town of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, said on Jan. 12. According to Dmytrashkivskyi, the attack, which took place on the evening of Jan. 11, left one woman with severe arm injuries, who died later in the morning of Jan. 12. The attack also dealt heavy damage to the nursing home, with all windows and doors blown out, Dmytrashkivskyi added, speaking on national television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to him, around 2,000 Russian civilians remain in areas under Ukrainian control. Over 70 people are currently staying in the nursing home that came under attack. "The question now is where to relocate these people. Most are elderly, and many suffer from disabilities, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke conditions, and one individual has a mental illness. The current state of these people is quite severe," the spokesperson said. A nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia, damaged by a Russian airstrike on Jan. 11, 2024. (TRO Media/Courtesy) In a comment to the Kyiv Independent, Dmytrashkivskyi confirmed that the facility damaged was the same nursing home visited by media, including the Kyiv Independent, on press tours of Sudzha organized by the Ukrainian military. The news comes days after Ukraine reportedly launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, which is seen as a crucial bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale operation in Kursk Oblast in early August, allegedly capturing up to 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian soil. Since then, Russia has deployed reinforcements including North Korean soldiers in the area and reportedly retook around half of the lost territory. Earlier on Jan. 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops captured two North Korean soldiers as prisoners of war (POWs) in Kursk Oblast. "This task was not easy," he said in a Telegram post. "Usually, Russia and other North Korean military personnel finish off their wounded and do everything possible to ensure that no evidence of the participation of another state North Korea in the war against Ukraine is preserved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Irrefutable evidence of North Koreas involvement Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Manoj Nautiyal, Police Station Head, Kankhal Police Station while providing information about the incident, said that the police received information about the incident from Shanti Bhavan's apartment in Haridwar. "The saint around 70 years old identified as Sureshanand was found hanging from the flat in Shanti Bhavan's apartment in Haridwar. He had been living in rent at the flat for the past 5-6 months," said the official. The official said that upon receiving the information, the police reached the spot, cut open the outer gate, recovered the body and sent it to the district hospital for a post-mortem examination. "When we reached the spot, the gate was locked from inside. The fire service team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called. Upon cutting open the door, we found a baba, approximately 70 years old and he was found hanging from a fan," said the official. The FSL team which was present at the scene collected evidence. "Prima facie, it appears to be a suicide. He was a member of the Juna Akhara. The entire matter is being investigated," said the police. Further details on the matter are awaited. (ANI) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian troops have taken control of the villages of Yantarne in the Donetsk region and Kalynove in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday. Reuters could not immediately confirm battlefield reports. Separately, the ministry said that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have carried out strikes on Ukrainian military airfields, personnel and vehicles in 139 locations using its air force, drones, missiles and artillery. (Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) Russian soldiers are wearing civilian clothes in the city of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, which constitutes a breach of the laws and customs of war. Source: 28th Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces Details: An aerial reconnaissance unit from the 28th Brigade spotted the Russians committing this crime. In particular, Russian soldiers were seen in disguise while moving and carrying out reconnaissance and sabotage operations. Russian soldiers wearing civilian clothes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: The 28th Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces Quote: "In this way, the enemy infantry attempts to divert attention and blend in. However, they are often exposed by their identical clothing, behaviour and sometimes even their weapons. However, this still complicates the work of our soldiers. After all, the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not shoot at everything that moves, as the invaders do." Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces have attacked a passenger bus in Sumy Oblast using a drone, injuring two people. Source: Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "According to the investigation, on 12 January 2025 at around 15:15, the enemy used a drone to attack a passenger bus traveling through the Myropillia hromada in the Sumy district, employing methods of warfare prohibited by international law. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the attack, two female passengers aged 42 and 30 sustained injuries." Details: Under the procedural guidance of the Sumy District Prosecutor's Office, investigators from the Sumy District Police Department are conducting a pre-trial investigation into war crimes under Article 438, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! On the evening of 11 January, the Russian military carried out two airstrikes near a nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, where more than 70 people were staying; one woman was killed. Source: Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, press officer of the temporary military commandant's office on the Ukraine-controlled territory of the Russian Federation, during the 24/7 national joint newscast Quote: "Last night, Russian aircraft carried out two airstrikes near a nursing home in Sudzha. As a result, one woman received a lacerated wound to her arm and died the next morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nursing home's premises have been badly damaged, with all windows and doors destroyed. Today, there is an important discussion of where to move people and how to keep them warm. The residents are all elderly, and many of them have disabilities, Parkinson's disease, or have had strokes. There is one person with mental illness. The condition of people at the moment is quite serious." Details: Dmytrashkivskyi further stated that there are more than 70 people in the nursing home. When asked how many civilians remained in Sudzha, he responded, "If we take the entire area controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, there are about 2,000 of these people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesman said that during the entire time that the Ukrainian military has been in the Suzha district, Russian attacks have killed 36 civilians, more than 100 have been injured, and 70 have died of natural causes. Background: On 8 January, Dmytrashkivskyi said that Russia had intensified attacks on the town of Sudzha in Kursk Oblast and its surrounding villages. Support UP or become our patron! As the economic toll of the wildfires ripping through Los Angeles County continues to rise, performers union SAG-AFTRA has pledged $1 million to help union members impacted by the disaster. The union is donating the funds to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, a nonprofit that offers emergency financial aid and education services to union members. Said union president Fran Drescher in a statement, The destruction caused by these blazes, the loss of life and homes, has been gut-wrenching to experience, and of course our hearts go out to all affected. But we knew we could do more; we hope this pledge helps relieve suffering and assists those impacted in putting their lives back together after this calamity. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Tuesday, a series of wildfires spurred on by ferocious winds in the L.A. area have burned through tens of thousands of acres and severely damaged the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and the unincorporated area of Altadena. At least 10,000 structures have been burned, with thousands of residents displaced as a result. That group has included some of SAG-AFTRAs best-known members, including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges and Milo Ventimiglia, among others. The very essence of a labor union is solidarity: that we all work to elevate each other during times of stability, and were there for each other in times of crisis, said the unions national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a statement. The devastation is hard to fathom, even for those of us living in it. Were so fortunate to have the SAG-AFTRA Foundation as a resource and a place our members can turn to in times of need. Crabtree-Ireland urged members who have been spared from major hardship to volunteer, donate or otherwise help peers who have been significantly impacted by the wildfires. The 160,000-member SAG-AFTRA, which represents not only actors but also broadcast journalists, dancers, voice performers, puppeteers and news writers, has closed its Wilshire Blvd. offices as a safety precaution due to the wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAG-AFTRA is the latest organization to pledge aid as the significant consequences of the wildfires have gotten clearer. On Friday, Disney announced that it was donating $15 million to organizations providing relief such as the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The CAA Foundation has partnered with Sean Penns CORE and the Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation to launch a fund to offer aid and L.A. dining institutions like Din Tai Fung, Jitlada and Spago have also pledged relief to those who have been impacted. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Nathan Frandino and Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Firefighters raced to contain the frontiers of two Los Angeles wildfires that burned for the sixth straight day on Sunday, taking advantage of a brief respite in hazardous conditions before high winds were expected to fan the flames anew. At least 24 people have died in what California Governor Gavin Newsom said could be the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, one that has destroyed thousands of homes and forced 100,000 people to evacuate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flames have reduced whole neighborhoods to smoldering ruins, leveling the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike, and leaving an apocalyptic landscape. Officials said at least 12,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed. "L.A. County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said. Aerial firefighters, some of them scooping water out of the Pacific Ocean, dropped water and retardant while land crews with hand tools and hoses held the line of the Palisades Fire as it encroached on the upscale Brentwood section and other populated areas of Los Angeles. That fire on the western side of town has consumed 23,713 acres (96 sq km) or 37 square miles and stood at 13% contained, a figure representing the percentage of the fire's perimeter that firefighters have under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Eaton Fire in the foothills east of Los Angeles scorched another 14,117 acres (57 sq km) or 22 square miles - itself nearly the size of Manhattan - and firefighters increased the containment to 27%, up from 15% a day earlier. North of the city, the Hurst Fire was 89% contained, and three other fires that had ravaged other parts of the county were now 100% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported, though areas within the containment lines may still be burning. SEVERE WINDS RETURN Firefighters got a temporary break from the weather this weekend as Santa Ana winds, which reached hurricane force earlier in the week, finally eased. The dry winds originating from the inland deserts had fanned flames and blew embers up to 2 miles (3 km) ahead of the front lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, in an area that has not received any rain of note since April, the National Weather Service forecast Santa Ana winds of up to 50 to 70 miles per hour (80 to 112 kph) would resume on Sunday night (U.S. West Coast time) and last through Wednesday. Officials warned the entire Los Angeles County population of nearly 10 million that anyone may be ordered to evacuate from the flames and toxic smoke. By Sunday, more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County had been ordered to evacuate - down from a previous high of more than 150,000 - while another 87,000 faced evacuation warnings. "These winds combined with low relative humidities and low fuel moistures will keep the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County very high," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told a press conference, adding that evacuated areas may not be reopened until red flag conditions are lifted on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, schools except some in mandatory evacuation zones would reopen on Monday, after closing for all 429,000 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District on Thursday and Friday, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced. Newsom told NBC News the fires were likely to be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history "in terms of just the costs associated with it." The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported 24 deaths from the fires. Private forecaster AccuWeather has estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion. To help expedite the monumental rebuilding effort ahead, Newsom signed an executive order on Sunday temporarily suspending environmental regulations for destroyed homes and businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Active duty military personnel are ready to support the firefighting effort, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a series of Sunday television interviews, adding the agency has urged residents to begin filing for disaster relief. Firefighters from seven states, Canada and Mexico have already converged on the Los Angeles area to help fire departments from around the state. HIGH ANXIETY Hundreds of people displaced by the fires attended mass at the St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica on Sunday, including parishioners whose churches were destroyed. Kathleen McRoskey, who attended mass regularly at Pacific Palisades' ruined Corpus Christi church for over 40 years, said she was grateful to St. Monica for opening its doors to those who lost their homes and place of worship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was the first offer of support that would heal us spiritually and physically and emotionally," she said. In Altadena on the edge of the Eaton Fire, Tristin Perez said he never left his home, defying police orders to evacuate as the fire raced down the hillside. Instead, Perez insisted on trying to save his property and his neighbors' homes. "Your front yard is on fire, palm trees lit up it looked like something out of a movie," Perez told Reuters in an interview in his driveway. "I did everything I could to stop the line and save my house, help save their houses." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His one-story yellow duplex survived. So did two more homes next door. Across the street, entire houses burned to the ground. "A lot of these areas still look like they were hit by a bomb. There are live electrical wires, gas lines and other hazards," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Zuzana Korda was evacuated from her home in the Fernwood neighborhood in Topanga, northwest of Los Angeles. Speaking outside a temporary assistance office at the West Hollywood Public Library, she said her landlord told her the family home was still standing, but she was anxious. "We've left everything behind. We have no insurance," Korda said. "We stand to lose everything." (Reporting by Nathan Frandino, Lisa Richwine, Jackie Luna, Omar Younis, Alan Devall, Chad Terhune, Fred Greaves, Shannon Stapleton, Ringo Chiu, Mario Anzuoni, Mike Blake and Carlos Barria in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson, Michael Martina, Costas Pitas, Andrea Shalal and Dawn Chmielewski; Writing by David Morgan and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Mary Milliken, William Mallard, Alex Richardson, Bill Berkrot, Sandra Maler, Lincoln Feast and Raju Gopalakrishnan) As firefighters continue to battle blazes in Los Angeles that have leveled entire neighborhoods, the deadly Santa Ana winds that fueled them have returned and are expected to intensify. Gusty offshore winds and persistently dry weather are increasing extreme fire threats in the region, officials said at a news conference Sunday. The National Weather Service characterized it as a "Particularly Dangerous Situation," a label used only used five previous times in the history of the weather service office that covers L.A., said Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge of that office. Red flag warnings cover Southern California from the top of the Ventura County coastline to the Mexican border, with most expiring at 6 p.m. Wednesday and a few scheduled to be phased out earlier, according to the weather service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the strongest winds recorded Sunday in Southern California was a reading of 67 mph at Magic Mountain Truck Trail in the Western San Gabriel Mountains, 65 in Fremont Canyon in Orange County's Santa Ana Mountains, and 64 in Deer Canyon in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in northeastern Orange County. Last week, Santa Ana wind gusts reached hurricane strength at times before calming in the last few days. Federal forecasters said a high pressure system is helping to spin up the winds anew, sending them from east to west against the prevailing Pacific breezes. As the winds descend mountains and dive into the urban coastal plains of Southern California, their molecules are compressed and they warm up. They'll greet a surface that hasn't seen much rain in months. These winds, combined with low humidity and very dry vegetation, will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County very high, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. While the threat is set to last until Wednesday, L.A. is expected to experience the strongest winds on Tuesday, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very important that the community understands that these wind events are coming, she said. The Palisades Fire was 11% contained as of Sunday. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has been criticized over the citys fire preparedness, assured Angelenos that L.A. is ready to endure the strong winds with the support of every available firefighter in the city. The wind gust forecast in the state is expected to remain relatively unchanged for the next four days. Mountainous areas already experienced winds of over 60 mph on Sunday. In the next few days, winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected in these areas, with the possibility of gusting up to 70 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along the coast, winds will range from 20 to 30 mph, gusting up to 55 mph. Around downtown L.A., winds are expected to range from 10 to 20 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. The strong winds allow the fire to spread quickly, with embers sparking flames in new areas, making the blazes particularly challenging to contain. They can also help a wildfire become an urban fire by helping a blaze cross roads, span hilltops, and spread embers into otherwise everyday residential communities, as happened to Pacific Palisades last week. "We are not expecting winds to be anywhere near what we had for the catastrophic event," Cohen of the weather service said, referring to last week's windstorm. "But it's still strong enough to create explosive fire growth." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Jan. 11A Santa Fe man was arrested Friday after police spotted him driving what they believe was a stolen vehicle and tracked him using a New Mexico State Police aircraft. The driver, Shane Sanchez, 38, was arrested and booked into Santa Fe County jail. He is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance and receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles, court records indicate. Santa Fe police received a call around 11:13 a.m. saying a stolen motor vehicle had been spotted at 2890 Calle de Pinos Altos. State police, who were in Santa Fe conducting a special operation, were able to use their aircraft unit to track the vehicle as the suspect drove to Rodeo Plaza, where he and another passenger abandoned the vehicle, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police identified both people and provided a description to Santa Fe police officers in the area. The stolen vehicle was recovered and processed for evidence, police said. Sanchez's criminal history, police said, includes aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, assault and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. The case is still under investigation, and anyone with any information is asked to call Lt. Roberto Rodriguez at 505-955-5308. A former SAS soldier who rescued hostages during an Islamist terrorist attack in Kenya has been hired as Donald Trumps bodyguard. Christian Craighead, who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his role in helping civilians escape an attack by al-Shabaab in Nairobi in 2019, was personally thanked by Donald Trump after the event for saving Americans. Last year, the former SAS Warrant Officer was invited by the Trump campaign to speak at a rally in New Jersey, after having first met Mr Trump at the White House in 2019, and was praised for his bravery in the Kenya attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Craighead not his real name will become one of the president-elects bodyguards. The former SAS soldier, 48, will be part of the security team for Mr Trumps inauguration in Washington later this month, after the incoming president reportedly told aides Mr Craighead would have spotted the rooftop shooter who attempted to assassinate him in Pennsylvania in July. The highly-decorated former SAS Warrant Officer was personally thanked by Donald Trump for saving Americans - Christian Craighead/Instagram A family friend of Mr Craighead told the Mail on Sunday: Trump first reached out to Chris after the terror attack, telling him how much he admired his actions. They have kept in regular touch ever since. Hes also good friends with Trumps son, Donald Trump Jnr, and his former partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle, having spent time with them in Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six years ago, images of Mr Craighead repeatedly entering the hotel complex to rescue civilians went viral. He was dressed in civilian clothes, with body armour worn over the top, and an automatic rifle in his hand. Images of Christian Craighead repeatedly entering the hotel during the 20-hour attack went viral - Dai Kurokawa/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The attack lasted for more than 20 hours and involved close-quarter fighting, which left 21 people dead and 30 wounded. Mr Craighead killed five of the terrorists. He attempted to publish a book on the ordeal, however, it was blocked by the Ministry of Defence, a ruling that was subsequently upheld by the courts. Writing about the terror attack on Instagram, Mr Craighead said: On that day in 2019, it was never about getting a medal. It was about stepping up, doing the right thing and getting the job done. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Illegal deforestation is wiping out a significant portion of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. According to a report by Mongabay, satellite images have recently revealed that deforestation around Mennonite colonies is especially high. What's happening? Known for their industrial agriculture, Mennonites are a group of conservative Christians who have been settling colonies across Latin America over the last decade. However, due to their development, deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon has dramatically increased. The Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP) examined all five Mennonite colonies in Peru (Chipiar, Vanderland, Osterreich, Providencia, and Masisea) and found that deforestation was persistent as of September 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, data from MAAP revealed their activities have caused deforestation to jump from zero in 2017 to 21,400 acres in 2024. "It is clear the Mennonites will continue growing population and expanding deforestation if the government does not implement more effective strategies," senior research specialist and director of MAAP Matt Finer told Mongabay by email. What's more, earlier investigations conducted by Mongabay have determined that a significant portion of the land taken by the Mennonites is likely illegal. Peruvian authorities are also investigating the colonies since some of the land grab coincides with Indigenous communities. Why is deforestation in the Amazon concerning? The Amazon Rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot, home to millions of plant and animal species. Widespread deforestation not only destroys the land but also wipes out crucial habitat and food sources, threatening the entire ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deforestation also impacts the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, as trees are natural carbon sinks. As a result, wiping out entire swaths of trees removes essential carbon absorption that helps keep the planet cool. What's being done about Mennonite deforestation in Peru? MAAP's satellite images and deforestation reports are raising alarm among key stakeholders. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind "We delivered a pair of confidential reports to the Peruvian government in early October alerting them to the continuing deforestation in Chipiar and also Vanderland," Finer told Mongabay. Moving forward, MAAP hopes policymakers in Peru take the necessary actions to combat deforestation. In other parts of the Amazon, like Brazil, officials have been able to reduce deforestation through land protection initiatives. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Sunday debunked rumours that the Mahayuti government will discontinue the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' and said that each scheme including this has been implemented for the benefit of women, downtrodden, and the marginalised people and will continue. Fadanvis was addressing the two-day state convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being held in Shirdi, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra. "There are rumours that we will discontinue Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare schemes. I want to make it clear that each scheme implemented for the benefit of women, downtrodden, and Marginalised people continues. In addition to the present schemes, we will fulfil all our promises committed in our manifesto also," Fadnavis said Further talking about Bangladeshi intruders, Fadanvis said, that the government has witnessed that several Bangladeshi intruders have been caught with fake documents, adding that it is a challenge for them to expel such intruders. Meanwhile addressing a two-day state convention in Shirdi Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Devendra Fadanvis for his work done during his first tenure as CM and initiating the Jalyukta Shivar scheme for enhancing irrigation facilities. "When Devendra Fadanvis became CM for the first time, he decided to make Maharashtra fertile and irrigated land and started the Jalyukta Shivar scheme. Now he has another term as the CM. PM Modi and CM Fadanvis will make Maharashtra a fully irrigated state and fertile land... Only the BJP and NDA can do that. Next time when we come to you to seek a mandate for our next government, by that time we will have fulfilled our promise of a fully irrigated Maharashtra...," said He added, "The victory (of Mahayuti) in Maharashtra ended the politics of instability and backstabbing started by Sharad Pawar in 1978. Uddhav Thackeray betrayed us, he left the ideology of Balasaheb in 2019. Today you have shown him his place..." Notably, The Mahayuti government won a decisive majority in the assembly election which was held in November 2024. BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats. Following this, Devendra Fadnavis was elected as the legislative leader of Mahayuti, and subsequently, he took oath as the Chief Minister in December last year. (ANI) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia urged top European diplomats at a gathering Sunday to lift sanctions against Syria to boost rebuilding the country and its economy after last months overthrow of President Bashar Assad. European and Middle Eastern diplomats met in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss Syrias future. The U.S. and European countries have been wary over the Islamist roots of Syrias new rulers the former insurgents who drove Assad out of power and have said ending sanctions depends on the progress of the political transition. The interim government led by the former rebels has vowed to move to a pluralist, open system. It is looking for international support as the country tries to recover from nearly 14 years of civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced half the prewar population of 23 million. The new Syrian foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, attended Sundays gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said sanctions against Assads henchmen who committed serious crimes must remain in place. But she called for a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population. Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power. She did not elaborate but announced an additional 50 million euros ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters and medical care. The United States, European Union and some Arab nations began imposing sanctions after Assads brutal crackdown on the 2011 uprising against his rule and tightened them as the conflict spiraled into war. Some are on individuals in Assads government, including freezing of assets. But many target the government in general, including bans on many financial and banking dealings, on oil purchases and on investment or trade in some sectors, crippling the wider economy. There are exemptions when it comes to humanitarian aid, but relief organizations have said that overcompliance by financial institutions hinders their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the gathering, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted. Continuing them will hinder the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction, he said. He praised steps so far by the interim government, including promises to start a political process that includes various components of the Syrian people. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who also attended the meeting, said European countries want to see a government that includes all of Syrias religious and ethnic communities. We want to see inclusivity of women also in the process, so these are the things that we are going to discuss, she said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which was a strong supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, would try to help Syria in normalizing ties with the international community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it was important to establish a balance between the expectations of the international community and the realities faced by the new administration in Syria. He pledged Turkish support to the new government, especially in combating threats from the Islamic State group. As Turkey, we are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people, he said in comments carried by Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency. Last week, the United States eased some of its restrictions on Syria, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The U.S. has also dropped a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month. Al-Sharaa was a former senior al-Qaida militant who broke with the group years ago and has pledged an inclusive Syria that respects the rights of religious minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels led a lightning insurgency that ousted Assad on Dec. 8 and ended his familys decades-long rule. Much of the world severed ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government and its Russian and Iranian allies over alleged war crimes and the manufacturing of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, which reportedly generated billions of dollars as packages of the little white pills were smuggled across Syrias porous borders. With Assad out of the picture, Syrias new authorities hope that the international community will pour money into the country to rebuild its battered infrastructure and make its economy viable again. Jan. 11A new artificial intelligence platform is helping four New Mexico school districts automate the process of tracking student absences, a task that has grown increasingly burdensome with the rise of chronic absenteeism. So far, AI technology is being tested in pilot programs in Farmington Municipal Schools, Raton Public Schools, the Carlsbad Municipal School District and Hobbs Municipal Schools. Farmington started using the technology in November at three high schools: Farmington High, Piedra Vista High and Rocinante High, which have a combined population of around 3,400 students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, attendance has improved slightly, responses from parents of absent students are up, and school employees have more time to provide real attendance support, according to company and school officials. Nathan Pierantoni, executive director of support services for Farmington Municipal Schools, said the decision to use the technology was a "no-brainer." "Kids can't learn if they're not present, and we're talking about a district with 10,737 students," he said. "Even if we're running a 92% daily attendance, it means we've got hundreds of kids a day that are absent and trying to dive into the reasons why kids are absent is a complex process." High rates of chronic absenteeism defined as missing 10% or more of instructional time have plagued schools nationwide since the coronavirus pandemic, but New Mexico was hit the hardest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state faced a 119% rise in chronically absent students from 2019 to 2023, the highest increase in the nation, according to a July 2024 report from the Legislative Finance Committee. The number improved in the last school year, with statewide rates of chronic absenteeism dropping from 39.22% to 29.77% between 2022-23 and 2023-24 still almost double the pre-pandemic rate, according to state data. The Farmington district reported only a 5% reduction of chronic absenteeism in the same period, school officials said. "Coming into this year, we knew that it wasn't good enough to have a third of our kids effectively still missing 10% or more of the school year," Pierantoni said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platform, released last fall by Edia, an AI firm based in San Francisco, automates processes within student information systems, replacing the work of attendance officials or robocalls. When a teacher marks a student absent, the AI acts as a chatbot, texting parents to ask why their child isn't in school and requesting additional information, like a doctor's note, which parents can send via text. The company reported New Mexico parents replied to the chatbot at a rate of over 60%, "an order of magnitude higher" than the response rates to traditional SMS and robocalls. "We're seeing positive trends so far," with pilot schools reporting double the increase in attendance compared to nonpilot schools, Superintendent Cody Diehl said. Although those numbers were at just 2% and 1%, respectively, he said, they came during the holiday season, which normally brings diminished attendance. Now, Diehl said, attendance liaisons are becoming "problem solvers" rather than secretaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We didn't track absence reasons at all before," he said, but having that information "allows us to provide support, whether it's academic, behavioral, social, emotional and attendance is where many of these things really converge." Another benefit, Diehl said, is better identification of potential cases of child abuse. A 2023 study by Safeguard from Abuse, an organization that offers awareness training and certification, found educators submit 56.5% of the reports of possible abuse to child welfare agencies. With absences better tracked, Diehl said, the Farmington district is better able to raise red flags and intervene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a tool, not a solution, right? So if we see trends and patterns, we'll continue to do what we're supposed to [do to] support our kids whether that's inside or outside of our walls," he said. "It just gives us a good look, and it paints a good picture about a student." Still, Farmington has had some implementation challenges, including outdated student information and a need to convince parents to get on board, Diehl said. While the Farmington district looks forward to a full semester of the program and the data it will bring, other schools are paying attention, too. "It could be something that we add to what we're already doing," Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Hilario "Larry" Chavez said. "Hopefully it would free up some of that time that individuals take to make calls." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chavez said he first heard about Edia in December, when the state Public Education Department was presenting its budget proposal to lawmakers and Cabinet Secretary-designate Mariana Padillaapplauded Farmington for its participation in the attendance program. "It does collect a lot of good information if the parents are willing to engage with it," Chavez said. A body of the world's leading public health researchers says that the number of children dying from noncommunicable diseases over the past 50 years has gone up dramatically, largely because of exposure to synthetic chemicals and plastics. In a new paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which one author described to The Guardian as a "call to arms," the scientists demand urgent global action and a dramatic restructuring of the law and the chemical industry. "The evidence is so overwhelming and the effects of manufactured chemicals are so disruptive for children, that inaction is no longer an option," study coauthor Daniele Mandrioli, director of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center at the Ramazzini Institute in Italy, told The Guardian. "Our article highlights the necessity for a paradigm shift in chemical testing and regulations to safeguard children's health." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data the researchers point to, encapsulating the past 50 to 75 years, is alarming. Childhood cancer rates have increased by 35 percent. One in 36 children are now diagnosed with autism. The number of children with asthma has tripled, while obesity has quadrupled. And for boys, the rate of birth defects in the reproductive organs has doubled. This escalation of disease rates coincides with a surge in synthetic chemical and plastics production, which has increased by 50 times since 1950. Even today, the manufacturing of these largely fossil fuel-derived substances is on a steady upward trajectory of 3 percent per year and is expected to triple by 2050, the authors wrote, per The Guardian. "There's an ancient axiom in medicine and toxicology that the dose makes the poison, meaning that the higher the dose, the greater the harm," lead author Philip Landrigan, director of the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College, told WBUR. "But what we've learned in the last... couple of decades is that in early human development, which really means during the nine months of pregnancy, the timing is equally as important as the dose," he explained. "And even a very tiny dose at the wrong moment in early pregnancy can have very serious consequences for a child's health and child's development." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat is no less concerning once a baby is out of the womb, as even low levels of exposure to toxic synthetic chemicals during a child's development can cause diseases, the researchers said. Combatting this will require nothing short of a herculean effort, but some of the most consequential changes that the scientists call for can be accomplished with existing institutions, though it will require both government and manufacturers to take more responsibility. "The core of our recommendation is that chemicals should be tested before they come to market, they should not be presumed innocent only to be found to be harmful years and decades later," Landrigan told The Guardian. "Each and every chemical should be tested before they come to market." After they're brought to market, Landrigan says, manufacturers should be required to actively monitor the long term effects of their products. More on harmful chemicals: There's a Scandal Growing About That Paper About How Black Spatulas Are Killing You Clouded Thoughts In 1831, a volcanic eruption flooded the skies with so much sulfur gas that it cooled the planet by nearly two degrees Fahrenheit, causing all manner of famine, devastation, and social upheaval. So gloomy were its effects that, in the northern hemisphere, it even sullied the beaming visage of the Sun, turning it a somber blue instead. In other mood swings, reports from the period say that the Sun also appeared purple and green. But in the nearly two hundred years since, exactly which volcano blew its top to so shake up the natural order has remained a mystery until now. Ashes to Ashes As detailed in a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists say they've determined the culprit to be the Zavaritskii volcano on the extremely remote and uninhabited island of Simushir, one of the Kuril Islands, in the Western Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The breakthrough, according to the authors, came through examining ash found in ice core examples, providing a "perfect fingerprint match" to the Zavaritskii volcano. "Only in recent years have we developed the ability to extract microscopic ash shards from polar ice cores and conduct detailed chemical analyses on them," study lead author Will Hutchinson, a geoscientist at the University of St Andrews, said in a statement. "These shards are incredibly minute, roughly one-tenth the diameter of a human hair." The volcano's Kuril Islands are currently controlled by Russia, though Japan disputes its claim to the archipelago. It contains a number of volcanoes with dozens of them being active but the sheer remoteness of the islands means many of them remain understudied. "Finding the match took a long time and required extensive collaboration with colleagues from Japan and Russia, who sent us samples collected from these remote volcanoes decades ago," Hutchin said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the hard work was worth it. "The moment in the lab when we analyzed the two ashes together, one from the volcano and one from the ice core, was a genuine eureka moment," he added. Climactic Change In addition to making an impressive achievement in geological forensics, the work is a friendly reminder that many of the world's volcanoes remain unmonitored, including those on the Kuril islands despite being an extremely productive volcanic region, according to the researchers. That doesn't bode well if we're to prepare ourselves for the worst consequences of a similar global disaster to the one the Zavaritskii wreaked. "If this eruption were to happen today, I don't think we'd be much better off than we were in 1831," Hutchison told LiveScience. "It just shows how difficult it will be to predict when and where the next big climate-changing eruption will come from." More on geology: Scientists Cracked Open a 2-Billion-Year-Old Stone and Discovered Something Entirely Unexpected Sen. Mark Kelly reiterated on Sunday his continuing concern about the judgment of Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, saying she had a predilection for misinformation. In an interview on CBS Face the Nation, Kelly, D-Ariz., said he had met with Gabbard, but she didnt tell him her controversial 2017 meeting with now-deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was unplanned. Sen. Shelley Capito Moore, R-W.Va., told Fox News that Gabbard told her in their private meeting that she only intended to visit Lebanon and ended up in Syria, CBS Margaret Brennan said as she interviewed Kelly. Is that a credible answer? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We talked about the trip to Syria. She didnt tell me that part, Kelly replied. I think its kind of unusual that you wind up in one place that wasnt part of a plan. But what concerns me more especially about that trip is it was common knowledge that Assad was gassing the civilian population using chemical weapons multiple times. Gabbard, he said, made an effort to downplay the number of gassing incidents and she used experts that were not credible to try to prove that he was not using chemical weapons in two instances. Kelly called it a troubling use of political capital. Kelly is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee that will hold a confirmation hearing for Gabbard and his worries reflect broader troubles with her nomination by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard is a former four-term Democratic member of the House of Representatives from Hawaii and ran as arguably the most conservative candidate for the Democratic Partys 2020 presidential nomination. She has yet to submit vetting documents to the Senate Ethics Committee. Kelly also is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that on Tuesday will question another controversial nomination, Pete Hegseth, the Fox News broadcaster who is the nominee for secretary of Defense. Kelly called for the committee to share an FBI background report on Hegseth with all its members, not just the top Republican and Democrat because of extensive questions about Hegseths suitability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement in two veterans-related organizations. Kelly said he still has not met with Hegseth, whom Trump nominated shortly after his November reelection. There is not a job that is more serious and more critical to our national security than secretary of Defense, Kelly said. We need a qualified individual in that job, and he just does not seem to have the qualifications. And then on top of that, you look at his personal conduct, especially when he was managing Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans of America. These two organizations were financially mismanaged. Kelly also said he expects the social media platform TikTok to be shut down next week after the Supreme Court seemed unlikely to side with it and after Congress has banned its continued operation unless it sheds its Chinese ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know this is controversial, Kelly said. I know there are folks out there that earn a living on TikTok, but it has a national security risk to it. That includes access to Americans data, he said, and the ability to manipulate the population of the United States, especially in a time of conflict. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tulsi Gabbard still hasn't impressed Sen. Mark Kelly Anti-immigrant state officials and federal judges would have new power to dictate immigration enforcement including whether to detain individual migrants under a GOP bill that has passed the House and is moving forward in the Senate with bipartisan support. The Laken Riley Act aims to overturn Supreme Court precedent and give states such as Texas the ability to bring the types of immigration lawsuits against the federal government that have been rejected by the courts, including conservative judges, legal experts say. But it would go further, also authorizing state attorneys general to sue to overturn the decisions to release individual immigrants and even to obtain wide-reaching sanctions on a foreign country for refusing to accept a national eligible for removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Democrats eager to show that they were pivoting on an issue that cost them in the 2024 election, the bill has passed the House and easily cleared its first procedural hurdle on the Senate floor, with just nine senators voting against that step Thursday. But giving states new authorities to sue is emerging as a flashpoint for some Democrats, who want changes before a final vote. I dont think we want the entire immigration system being litigated in district courts all across the country, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut told reporters last week. Republicans will likely need the votes of seven Democrats for final approval; 33 members of the Democratic caucus voted in favor of advancing it to the next procedural step. The bill would give state attorneys general multiple ways to intervene in how the federal government is carrying out immigration law. States would be able to sue when they believe the Department of Homeland Security was not enforcing the full scope of bills mandates that certain immigrants be detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could also bring federal lawsuits challenging the decisions of DHS or immigration judges to release individual immigrants picked up for alleged crimes in their states. Notably, the new legal powers would only flow one way. States could sue the federal government for deciding to release an undocumented migrant in custody, but it does not authorize state lawsuits for when a person is allegedly being unlawfully detained. And attorneys general also could seek federal court orders forcing the US State Department to stop issuing visas to a country that refused to accept nationals that were eligible for deportation. It could allow a single district court judge to set off a massive international incident with potentially sweeping ramification for the US economy and for immigration writ large, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, on a recent call with reporters. There is no reason why Congress should be authorizing state attorneys general to essentially be the people to decide who we sanction as a nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defenders of the measure say the provisions are necessary after President Joe Biden and previous administrations refused to use all the tools given to the executive branch by Congress to crack down on crimes committed by migrants. Laken Riley. - Obtained by CNN The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a college student who was raped and killed by an undocumented immigrant who had been previously arrested and released multiple times. Condemnation of her murder and the Biden immigration policies Republicans claimed caused it was prominent in Donald Trumps presidential campaign and those of down-ballot Republicans, too. The attorneys general provisions are the parts of the bill that have the most force, said Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican championing the bill. The bill would lose 90 percent of its luster if that was taken out. Giving states some way to fight back The court provisions have not gotten much attention compared with the parts of the bill that would mandate the detention of migrants charged with certain crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the new offenses that would make an immigrant eligible for mandatory detention under the bill are nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting and theft. Critics say those mandates will divert resources from arresting and detaining the violent criminals who are in the United States illegally. With the attorneys general provisions, the bills architects sought to pair those requirements with new mechanisms that give the states some way to fight back or challenge a president who is choosing not to enforce the law, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies for Center for Immigration Studies, which favors stricter immigration policies. The states tried numerous types of lawsuits to get the courts to force the Biden administration to live up to its responsibilities to enforce law, and they didnt have a great deal of success, she said. In 2023, for instance, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas and Louisiana did not have standing to challenge the Biden administrations changes to government deportation priorities. The Biden policy favored deporting immigrants who were national security threats or violent criminals over those accused of less serious offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new bill would seek to overturn that precedent by giving states standing to sue over such shifts in Homeland Security policy. Theyd also be allowed to challenge in federal court the decisions of immigration judges, who are under the purview of the US attorney general and Justice Department, to release individual immigrants from detention. But the stakes are especially high for the provisions authorizing state lawsuits to seeking court-ordered visa bans against so-called a recalcitrant country that wont accept an immigrant eligible for deportation in the state. The US is unable to return some nationalities because of frosty relations with certain countries, such as Venezuela. Such a provision would allow Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, for instance, to seek a ban on all visas for skilled workers from China or an end of all business tourism from India, because those countries refuse repatriation of their citizens, according to Reichlin-Melnick. If the bill ultimately becomes law, that provision, and possibly others, will likely be challenged in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acknowledging the legitimate concerns about the bills visa sanctions section, Vaughan said that, at the very least, the court fights could get some sort of clarification on how the federal government can be nudged into doing its job more effectively. Murphy, who did not cast a vote when the bill was up for a procedural vote on Thursday, said the attorneys general provisions would make the immigration system much, much, much more complicated and Byzantine and confusing. The underlying bill looks like a not well-constructed piece of legislation, but we could potentially make it better, he said. CNNs Ted Barrett, Sarah Ferris and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) now leads the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs as its chair, with former chairman Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) serving as vice chair following committee leadership appointments on Jan. 7. The role reversal follows one of the committees most productive periods, with more than two dozen bills passed into law from 2021-2025. In 2024 alone, the committee secured $1.3 billion for Native housing and more than $7 billion for Native health programs, while passing 16 bills. Four bills became law, including three land-into-trust measures benefiting the Puyallup, Winnebago, and Jamul tribes. The Indian Affairs Committee continues to show that through good, bipartisan work we can continue to address the priorities that matter most to Indigenous communities," Murkowski said in a December 2024 release following the Senate passage of H.R. 663, Native American Child Protection Act, which signed into law just before Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee oversees legislation affecting American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Natives. It has jurisdiction over all Senate bills specifically related to these communities. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Committee members for the 119th Congress include: Chairman - Lisa Murkowski Murkowski has been a member of the Committee since first joining the Senate in 2003 and previously served as Vice Chairman from 2007 to 2009 and 2021 to 2025. During that tenure as Vice Chairman, she was able to secure the first reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in over a decade, as well as shepherd the Tribal Law and Order Act through the Senate. Vice Chairman - Brian Schatz Previously serving as Chairman of the committee while Democrats held the majority, Schatz has been a proven servant to Native nations. In December 2024, he called for the pardoning of wrongly imprisoned AIM activist Leonard Peltier. In February 2024, he called on the Senate floor for institutions to return Native remains and artifacts to the rightful Native nations. Schatz was also pivotal in the passage of sixteen bills that invested more than $15 billion into Indian Country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Members: John Hoeven (R-N.D.): A former chairman of the committee, Hoeven sponsored the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act and the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act and led passage of Savannas Act addressing missing and murdered Native Americans. Steve Daines (R-Mont.): In May 2024, Daines put a procedural block on Bidens federal district judge nominee for eastern Montana, Danna Jackson, a Kootenai descendant who grew up in Montana on the Flathead Reservation, claiming the White House never asked for his input. A White House spokesperson said that Daines refused to meet with her. During Deb Haalands (Laguna Pueblo) confirmation to become the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Daines was a fierce opponent of her nomination, calling her radical. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.): Mullin is a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is the only Native American Sen. Previously he worked with former Rep. Mary Peltola (Yupik) introduced the Senate companion bill to the bipartisan Tribal Firearms Access Act which would make it easier for Native Americans living on tribal lands to buy firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Rounds (R-S.D.): Rounds previously worked with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D.-Nev.) to introduce the bipartisan Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act that would provide Tribal courts the same access as their non-Tribal counterparts to electronic evidencesuch as emails, social media messages, and other online communicationsfor criminal investigations. Jerry Moran (R-KS): Moran last served on this committee during the 117th Congress after several terms on the committee. He rejoins after introducing legislation with Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) that would remove Haskell Indian Nations University from Bureau of Indian Education control. The bill would transfer governance to an independent Board of Regents nominated by tribal communities. The reform effort has support from tribal leadership, with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairman Joseph Rupnick endorsing the legislation. Democratic Members: Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.): Cantwell has been involved with many important bills including drafting The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, which would help communities adopt and implement the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program launched in 2017. She also introduced the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023 which takes over 17 acres of land in Pierce County, Washington into trust for the benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to expand its reservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.): Most recently, Cortez Masto introduced the BADGES for Native Communities Act which revises federal policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigating cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and shortages of BIA law enforcement officers. Tina Smith (D-Minn.): In December 2024, a bill co-sponsored by Smith and introduced by Murkowski, the Enhancing Native Elders Longevity, Dignity, Empowerment, and Respect (Native ELDER) Act, passed the Senate. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.): Ray Lujan played a pivotal role in securing the additional funding for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in the American Relief Act passed in December 2024. He was also part of a resolution celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. About the Author: "Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American studies. " Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford brushed off President-elect Donald Trumps desire to take Greenland by military force in a Sunday Meet the Press interview. The United States is not going to invade another country, Lankford said on the NBC show. Thats not who we are. Trump has publicly coveted the mineral-rich territory of NATO-ally Denmark for years, dating back to his first term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, in recent weeks, hes escalated that geopolitical fantasy in a series of brash social media posts, earning the objections of Greenlandic and Danish officials. At a press conference last week, Trump offered none of the assurances Lankford did. Asked by a reporter if he would rule out using military or economic force to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal, Trump said: No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security. Lankford, who was asked by Meet the Press host Kristen Welker to respond to Trumps remarks, attributed them to the president-elects history of blustering rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President speaks very boldly on a lot of things, he said. Weve seen this over how hes done negotiations, whether it be for real estate or how he served as a great president just four years ago. He makes a bold statement. He gets everyone to the table. You sit down to be able to talk it out. In addition to Greenland, Trump refused to rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal, which belongs to Panama. He has also mused about taking over Canadarepeatedly belittling the countrys prime minister, Justin Trudeau, as governorbut said at the press conference that he would limit any efforts to eliminate the artificially drawn line between Canada and the United States to economic force. Trumps claims that he might start meddling with international borders has set off alarm bells in foreign capitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances minister of foreign affairs, warned the president-elect to respect the European Unions sovereign borders. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, said Trump had shown a certain lack of understanding of the inviolability of borders, which Scholz called a crucial Western value. France and Germany are both EU members alongside Denmark. Mute Edege, Greenlands prime minister, said Friday that he is willing to meet with Trump, but said the president-elect should respect the island territorys aspirations for independence. Greenland is for the Greenlandic people, he said at a news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American, we want to be Greenlandic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOPs Lankford insisted that Trump has been very clear. He is the president that kept American troops out of war. He is not looking to be able to go start a war. When asked whether he would agree with Trumps proposal to place tariffs on Denmark as an act of economic force, Lankford replied: Hes actually proposed tariffs on just about everybody. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in a joint conference programme organised by Agravaishya organisations at a private hotel located on GMS Road, Dehradun. The CM congratulated the people of the Agravaishya community and said that the Agravaishya community plays an important role in the development of the country and the state. He said that with the blessings of the people of Uttarakhand, our state is the first state in the country to pass the UCC Bill and that the state government will implement it soon. The Chief Minister said that the way everyone has come together here on one platform shows our unity and that all of us have to make Shri Saurabh Thapliyal victorious. Development works are being carried forward continuously by the state government. The work on the Delhi-Dehradun elevated road will be completed soon, which will promote tourism in Dehradun city. Work is being done to make Dehradun a clean and green city. This city has to be connected with state-of-the-art technology. Many schemes have to be implemented on the ground. He mentioned that along with the double engine, a triple engine has to be installed in the state. CM Dhami highlighted that today the BJP party has expanded a lot and the Agravaishya community is also participating enthusiastically in that. The relationship between the BJP and the Agravaishya community is very old and unbreakable. He said that we all have to take the party forward together. We all have to move forward with the dedication and support of the people of the Agravaishya community. The Chief Minister mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the State Foundation Day that a great yagya of development is going on in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and we have to take the state forward under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Mayoral candidate Saurabh Thapliyal from Dehradun also attended and addressed the event, the release added. (ANI) (WHTM) After his first week in the U.S. Senate, Pennsylvanias newest Senator Dave McCormick joined This Week in Pennsylvania to discuss his priorities in Washington. McCormick says hell focus on stopping the flow of fentanyl into the United States, extending middle-class tax cuts, bringing law and order into cities, and unlocking energy in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians and Americans voted for (Donald Trumps) agenda, said McCormick. Both in the popular vote and in the Electoral College. So, hes got a mandate, a mandate for change, and a mandate for an agenda that really puts our great country first, makes sure that were treated appropriately and fairly and with respect abroad, and making sure we put policies in place that really help working families across Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCormick said he thinks his relationship with Trump is pretty good despite Trump previously endorsing Mehmet Oz in the 2022 campaign. I think its a relationship of mutual respect, a lot of alignment for where we need to take the country and take Pennsylvania, and I hope and think that that really will help make sure that Pennsylvania is at the front of the agenda in terms of getting our country back on track. When asked if he would label himself MAGA McCormick said he supports Trumps agenda and that he tries to be specific about who he is and what he wants to do. McCormick, an Army veteran, said he has met with Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and that he plans to listen to Hegseths hearing. McCormick noted his admiration for Hegseths resume of service, including his time in the National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCormick also agreed with the idea that the military is too woke and said he believes women should have a role on the front lines of war as long as they meet the standard thats necessary for combat roles, the like a man. McCormick noted he has now met with his Pennsylvania colleague Senator John Fetterman and said there are some things they are aligned on, notably support for Israel and agriculture in Pennsylvania. Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Check your local listings for weekly air times. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Newly-elected Senator Dave McCormick (R) stopped by the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Saturday. He toured the complex with Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. When taking questions from the media, he promised to be an advocate for agriculture, one of the largest industries in the state. He also talked about a huge campaign topic: immigration. I absolutely think the number one priority is to close the border, but I also think we need legal immigration reform, and in this community particularly, there are needs for H2A and other forms that allow us to have legal agricultural workers and these are jobs that are not replacing American workers, McCormick said. These are jobs left unfilled unless we have legal immigration reform that allows it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also fielded a question about his relationship with Senator John Fetterman (D). Theres certain things he says that make a lot of sense to me and I hope I can partner with him that was as a candidate, McCormick said. Antisemitism, support for Israel, he was a very strong voice of securing the border. Ive had a chance to sit down with him. I think hes first and foremost focused on serving all Pennsylvanians, not just the people who voted for him. I feel the exact same way. Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters! McCormick was sworn in on Jan. 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. HONOLULU (KHON2) Gov. Josh Green has offered support to officials fighting and victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, comparing the flames to a sequel of the Lahaina fire. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You There have been five deaths attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 deaths to the Eaton Fire, according to the LA Medical Examiner. Firefighters are currently racing to halt the flames before strong winds return and push the flames toward UCLA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why did fire hydrants go dry for crews fighting an LA fire? Gov. Green has already been in touch with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and FEMA, saying that it is crucial to put politics aside during a crisis such as this. Weve offered some technical resources, some experts who could do basic repairs. Things to take that kind of pressure off them while they do the very heavy lifting, Gov. Green said. On top of technical support, the governor also offered vacant hotel rooms on the islands for those who have lost everything to seek shelter. Ive already begun the earliest idea of opening up some of our vacant hotel rooms because we always have some vacancies. If those vacancies can be used at a very affordable price, maybe we can help people get through this crisis, he said. The Los Angeles fires have been blazing since Jan. 7 and officials are currently fighting to keep them contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that he will officially propose his country as the venue for the anticipated meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Source: RTS, a Serbian media outlet, as reported by European Pravdaa Details: During a televised address, Vucic stated that Serbia would be interested in hosting the meeting between the leaders of the US and Russia, guaranteeing the necessary level of security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Vucic: "This is the country where President Trump has the highest support in all of Europe. No other country can match Serbias level of approval for President Trump And on the other hand, this is also a country where President Putin is very, very popular. So, I think this is the place on planet Earth that suits both of them very well." More details: Vucic also emphasised that Serbia is not part of any military alliances. Background: A few days ago, US President-elect Donald Trump said he was already working on organising a meeting with Putin. Commenting on this statement, the Kremlin noted that the Russian leader is "open to contacts". Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that Kyiv expects a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump to take place shortly after his inauguration on 20 January. Support UP or become our patron! Serbia will officially offer to host the upcoming meeting between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a television broadcast on Jan. 12. Trump announced on Jan. 9 that plans for a meeting with Putin were already underway, but no concrete details have been made public. Belgrade is ready to host the future meeting and can guarantee appropriate security for both leaders, Vucic told the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (RTS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Serbia) is the country where President Trump had the greatest support in all of Europe," Vucic said. "There is no country that can compare to Serbia in terms of the level of support for President Trump. ... And on the other hand, it is a country where President Putin is still very, very popular. So, I think that this is a place on the globe that would be extremely suitable for both of them." Serbia is well-suited to host Trump and Putin because it is not a member of any military alliances, such as NATO, Vucic said. Serbia maintains a friendly attitude toward Russia and has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow in the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Vucic has called Ukraine a "friendly country" and previously affirmed that Crimea and Donbas are Ukrainian sovereign territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Switzerland has also put itself forward as a potential site for the Trump-Putin talks. Nicolas Bideau, head of communications at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, told Swiss media on Jan. 12 that Switzerland had already communicated its willingness to host the meeting. The framework of the upcoming meeting is still being determined, incoming U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Jan. 12. A phone call between Trump and Putin to work out the details is expected "in the coming days and weeks." The Kremlin has said a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders will have to wait until after Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. Read also: Putin to push for barring Ukraines NATO accession in expected talks with Trump, FT reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As wildfires continue to burn and cause destruction in California, restaurants in Boston are offering ways to help victims. Monument Restaurant & Tavern, Prima Italian Steakhouse, and Waverly Kitchen & Bar in Charlestown are selling a charity cocktail called the Sunset Spritz. A portion of the proceeds from each cocktail sold will go to the California Community Foundation: Wildfire Recovery Fund. This organization helps with providing food, personal necessities, and shelter to survivors and first responders, ensuring that assistance gets to the most underserved communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its gonna aid in assisting first responders, survivors; providing them with food and shelter if necessary, said Alexa Palladino, the General Manager at Waverly Kitchen and Bar. In Cambridge, Source is donating money from their Perfect Harmony mocktail World Central Kitchen. World Central Kitchen provides fresh meals to those affected by the wildfires in California. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (KFOR) An apartment fire affected several residents around two Sunday morning at the Mason Manor apartments near Northwest 23rd and MacArthur. Fire crews said eight apartment units were involved. We arrived on scene, there was heavy fire in the breezeway between the two apartments behind me, said District Chief, DJ Harris, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Apartment fire under investigation in NW Oklahoma City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire crews said several people evacuated and some even got out through a window. The occupants on the second floor of the main fire building tried to escape the front door and they realized that the breezeway was completely involved, so they turned around and went out their second-story window on the back side of the apartment, said District Chief Harris. District Chief DJ Harris said they also helped rescue someone from a first-floor apartment and a few animals. Oklahoma City fire crews worked hard to put the flames out quickly. They were able to work in conjunction and get on the fire from the exterior and then we were able to transition to the interior and extinguish the fire, said District Chief Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they tried to help those who were affected by the overnight fire. Three injured after overnight house fire in Edmond We reached out to Red Cross for assistance for all the occupants that have been displaced from their residence, said District Chief Harris. Right now, its still unclear how the fire started. We do have investigators on the way to further look at this and try to determine what the origin was and what was the cause of this fire, said District Chief Harris. Fire crews said everyone who evacuated was checked by EMS and is okay. District Chief Harris also wants to remind the public that closing doors in your house can help stop or delay a fire from spreading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said some doors stayed closed in this apartment fire, which helped crews put it out faster. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sharon Sprung, the Brooklyn artist who painted the iconic official portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, has a new powerful female subject: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Yellen, 78, met with Sprung at the Treasury Department shortly after the Nov. 5 presidential election, to discuss the portrait and test lighting and poses, the artist said. She left with a snippet of Yellen's silver hair to get the color just right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once completed in August, the portrait of Yellen, the first woman to head the Treasury, will be displayed on the third floor of the historic Treasury building, alongside those of her male predecessors, starting with Alexander Hamilton. Sprung, who also painted Representative Patsy Mink of Hawaii, the first woman of color and first Asian-American woman elected to Congress, told Reuters her goal was to capture the essence of her subjects - many of whom have made history. "It's an honor. It's scary and it's an obligation. I want to make them as strong as the male portraits," Sprung said, noting she had long respected and admired Yellen, a fellow Brooklynite. "She's pretty cool. I was always very attracted to who she was and how she held herself, and the fact that she's a woman in a very male atmosphere," she said. "I'm very impressed with her courage. She sort of glows smart." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhea Combs, director of curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, said the portrait would help expand Americans' understanding of their history. "The history of portraiture favored men of privilege - from the sitters to the artists - so it is a true pleasure to see more women and artists of color working in the field to expand portraiture's role in diversifying the visual narrative of the nation," she said. "Sharon Sprung is a talented artist and a great choice to depict a woman as accomplished as Secretary Janet Yellen." The first woman to head the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, Yellen is also the only person to lead all three top economic institutions in the United States - Treasury, the Fed and the White House Council of Economic Advisers. She reflected on her career during an event honoring her lifetime of service at Treasury on Friday, saying she had come to see "economics not just as a fascinating intellectual pursuit but as a powerful tool to uplift lives and create opportunity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she never envisioned heading Treasury, but embraced the role and "the ride" wholeheartedly. She plans to do more writing after leaving office, likely returning to the Brookings Institution where she worked after leaving the Fed. The official portrait will add a certain icing on the cake. Sharon is such a talented artist and Im confident shell do a great job. Im looking forward to seeing it when its finished," Yellen said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Nick Zieminski) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that happened early Sunday morning on Interstate 40 East in South Nashville. The incident was reported around 2 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12 near the Fesslers Lane exit of I-40. The eastbound lanes of the interstate were closed to traffic as law enforcement investigated. 1 critically injured after shooting in North Nashville, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, detectives responded to the reported shooting when 26-year-old Uriel Miller was found in the drivers seat of a Ford Crown Victoria which was up against the cement barrier dividing the eastbound and westbound lanes with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Authorities believe Miller was shot while driving on I-40 East in the vehicle. Police said the front passenger window appeared to have been shot out and the rear drivers side window had a bullet defect. In addition, law enforcement reportedly recovered a gun from Millers drivers side door. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Homicide Unit detectives are still investigating the motive behind Sunday mornings shooting. If you have any information about this incident, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Six people have died and eight others were injured in an explosion that caused a fire in a restaurant in the Czech Republic overnight, authorities said early on Sunday. The injured were transported to the hospital, the fire brigade said. According to eyewitness reports, a gas heater toppled over, causing its propane cylinder to ignite. Emergency services noted that the flames spread with unusual speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accident occurred in a restaurant in the centre of the industrial city of Most, about 15 kilometres from the German border. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan wrote on X that about 30 people were able to escape to safety from the restaurant and neighbouring buildings. A local news station reported that the restaurant was completely destroyed by the fire, with flames reaching heights of two to three metres. Police have launched an investigation into a suspected offence of endangering public safety. In the Czech Republic, this offence applies to anyone who negligently creates a risk to the lives or safety of many people or causes large-scale damage to others' property. According to officials, the arrests followed a tip-off that a large number of Bangladeshi nationals were staying in Banyan companies in the region using fake Aadhaar cards. "The Coimbatore Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) police received secret information that a large number of Bangladeshi youths were staying in Banyan companies in the Tiruppur district. Based on this, police arrested 31 youths for illegally staying in the Palladam area using fake Aadhaar cards and brought them to the police station for questioning," said Coimbatore Superintendent of Police, Badri Narayanan. Based on this intelligence, the police raided the area and apprehended the youths, who were brought to the police station. Evidence, including fake Aadhaar cards and PAN cards, was seized from the individuals. "The youths are currently being interrogated. The police have also seized evidence including Aadhaar cards and PAN cards from those who were brought to the police station and are actively interrogating the youths," said the official. This operation follows a similar arrest earlier this week, where six Bangladeshi nationals were detained for working and staying illegally in the Mahalakshmi Nagar area of Palladam. "All 31 arrested Bangladeshi nationals are being brought to the police station for interrogation," added the Coimbatore SP. The police were further looking into the matter. (ANI) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: CCTV Astronauts aboard China's Tiangong space station have been getting some assistance from an "intelligent" robot. Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze the crew of the current Shenzhou 19 mission aboard Tiangong have been working alongside a robot named Xiao Hang ("Little Space") using human-robot collaborative interaction software. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The software has allowed them to carry out a variety of experiments related to human-robot spatial relationships, robot behavior characterization and multimodal interaction technologies. The goal of these experiments is to help enhance mission efficiency by fostering a more effective interaction between astronauts and robotic systems, according to China Central Television (CCTV). China's Shenzhou 19 astronauts have been testing a smart robotic assistant aboard the Tiangong space station. | Credit: CCTV Xiao Hang can be seen moving and orienting itself in microgravity and is able to line up and take photos on command. But there may be bigger roles to step into going forward. Related: China's space station, Tiangong: A complete guide "In the future, it will also be able to perform various functions such as in-cabin inspections and resource management through upgrades," Wang Haoze, China's first female spaceflight engineer, said in a New Year's greeting message, Global Times reported . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew, meanwhile, have been busy with a range of experiments. They recently completed tasks including collecting fruit flies , emptying their culture containers and organizing samples. The study aims to assess the impacts of sub-magnetic fields and microgravity on the insects. RELATED STORIES: China reveals reusable cargo shuttle design for Tiangong space station (video) China wants to make its Tiangong space station bigger and better The moon, Mars, asteroids and Jupiter: China reveals ambitious space exploration plans The astronauts also performed a series of detailed movement measurements focused on using precision motion measurement devices and experimental software. The aim is to learn more about changes in fine motor control and the adaptive learning mechanisms of astronauts during long-term space missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shenzhou 19 crew launched for the Tiangong space station on Oct. 29, beginning a six-month-long mission. The astronauts conducted their first extravehicular activity, or spacewalk, on Dec. 18. A backdoor cold front is moving across the state this evening. This front will continue to push south across New Mexico tonight, bringing snow to northern New Mexico, down to central New Mexico and as far south as the Sacramento Mountains through Sunday afternoon. The snow will end Sunday night, dropping as much as 4 in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with less than 1 in the lower elevations and even a dusting of snow is possible Sunday morning in Albuquerque. High temperatures will also be cooler Sunday afternoon behind the cold front. A slow and gradual warming trend will start next Monday as high temperatures eventually climb back up to around average by the middle of the week and even slightly above average by the end of the week. Dry, sunny to mostly sunny, and light winds will stick around as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. TDS Donald Trump could cure cancer and many of your readers would find something wrong with it. Say what? Donald Trump wants to purchase Greenland, take over the Panama Canal and make Canada the 51st U.S. state (by the way, Canada is larger than the entire United States.). Do these ideas sound rational? They are rants of a delusional lunatic. And he will soon be our president again. World leaders must be totally amused by his unchecked ego and immature compulsiveness. My 10-year-old nephew even laughed at the absurdity of these ideas. Insurance To the person in Waveland: Youre not alone. My insurance increased 10-fold, having also never made a claim. I contacted Sen. Hyde Smith and she referred me to the MS insurance commission, which was of no help. Toxic masculinity? Salon put an article out comparing toxic masculinity to ISIS, related to the New Orleans terrorist attack. The fact remains 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Proper health care could help. To be a Christian A Sound Off said that as the Constitution defines Americans, the Ten Commandments define Christians. The Ten Commandments are wonderful, but do not define what it means to be a Christian. To see what Jesus says is definitive to being his follower, read the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7 of the Gospel According to Saint Matthew), and in that same Gospel read chapter 25, verses 31-46. Not impartial Judge Aileen Cannon must be held accountable for major contributions in disregarding standard legal norms and practice to support Donald Trump, who appointed her as a federal judge in Florida. This inexperienced federal judge failed to proceed with prosecution of Trumps classified document theft and his role in Jan. 6 insurrection. Now she had blocked the public release of Special Prosecutor Jack Smiths years long investigation results. The public should demand to see the truth. Muzzle him, already Donald Trumps Chief of Staff said she doesnt control his behavior. Well, someone needs to. Gulf of America? Good ideas Regardless of your political affiliation, taking back our Panama Canal and the purchase of Greenland arent bad ideas. Sen. Fetterman also agrees. Make America strong again. The best President-elect Trump might be the best at trolling the legacy media and Democrats in the history of America. With a single word he can set The View ablaze. Its awesome and fun to watch. Let go the shackles Times have changed. Thirty years ago DVDs were brand new. The browser Netscape introduced the public to the internet. We used dial-up access to our email. We had no smartphones. Dont strangle creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and boldness under layers of bureaucratic nonsense, inefficiency and self-serving government oversight. By all means lets not hamstring our progress into the future with horrendous, burdensome taxation, which is the default setting for Democrats at every level of local and federal government. Disrespectful Its cowardly for someone who never served in the military to criticize someone who has. And for that same someone to critique those who were in combat is hypocritical. Shut up and salute. Marketing to who? I received a magazine with an advertisement for the Donald Trump Presidential Coin. A 9k gold coin goes for $449.95; a 5 oz. silver coin for $799.95 and 1 kilo silver coin for $4,000. Who exactly is he expecting to buy this? Surely, not his base, which complains about the cost of food and gas. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture has banned all pork imports from Germany after a recent outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a herd of buffalo in the eastern German state of Brandenburg. The ministry announced in a statement on Saturday evening that the ban is effective immediately. Additionally, FMD virus tests will be conducted on all German pork products delivered to South Korea since December 27, it said. Approximately 360 tons of German pork are currently undergoing quarantine testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outbreak, confirmed on Friday in the town of Honow near Berlin, led to the culling of nearby pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals as a precaution. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease in cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Many zoo and wild animals can also be infected by the disease. Although the disease poses no danger for humans, it can have a devastating impact on livestock and poses a major economic threat to farmers. The outbreak represents the first known cases of FMD in Germany since 1988, and the first ever case in the state of Brandenburg. The country and the broader European Union have been considered free of FMD in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Germany's federal animal disease centre, has identified the specific variant of the pathogen, allowing for the production of an effective vaccine within a few days. South Korea is traditionally regarded as a key sales market for German pork in Asia. In 2019, the country imported around 106,000 tons of pork from Germany before imports were halted the following year until spring 2023 due to an outbreak of African swine fever. Since then, pork sales to South Korea have only slowly recovered. According to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food, Germany sold a total of around 2.3 million tons of pork abroad last year. The majority of meat exports go to European countries. Italy is the largest buyer of pork, ahead of Poland and the Netherlands. STORY: :: File The two back boxes on the Jeju passenger jet that crashed last month in South Korea stopped recording four minutes before the accident. That's according to a statement released on Saturday by the countrys Ministry of Transport, which added authorities now plan to investigate why they stopped recording. Its a setback for investigators who believed the flight data and cockpit voice recorders were key to finding the cause of the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement :: Lee Geun-young The plane, which had departed the Thai capital Bangkok for Muan in southwestern South Korea on December 29, crash-landed and burst into flames after overshooting the regional airports runway. Just minutes before the crash, the pilot reported a bird strike. Just two cabin crew survived and 179 people were killed. The recovered voice recorder was initially analyzed in South Korea, but when data was found to be missing, it was sent to a U.S. laboratory. One former accident investigator at the transport ministry suggested the cause of the missing data could be a loss of all power, including backup, though this was very rare. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A condominium fire in the south Las Vegas valley damaged nine units and left 29 residents displaced on Saturday. Around 9 a.m., the American Red Cross responded to a fire at the Paradise Spas condominiums near south Las Vegas Boulevard and east Serene Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find the blaze had damaged or destroyed nine units. The Red Cross stepped in to provide immediate assistance, including temporary shelter, food, clothing, personal care items, and financial support as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our dedicated volunteers were on-site, offering emotional support and addressing the emergency needs of those affected, Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, said. Well continue working closely with these families in the coming days and weeks to help them recover. American Red Cross of Southern Nevada volunteers responded to a condominium fire this morning providing assistance to 29 people displaced by the blaze, Keith Paul said. (American Red Cross of Southern Nevada) (American Red Cross of Southern Nevada) (American Red Cross of Southern Nevada) (American Red Cross of Southern Nevada) (American Red Cross of Southern Nevada) The fire displaced 29 people, according to the Red Cross. It has not yet been reported whether anyone was injured in the incident. Homebuilder working to tear down south Las Vegas valley condo complex with history of fires In November another fire at the Paradise Spas condominiums claimed the life of a woman living there and displaced several others. HOA President Dennis Snapp feels the neighborhood is more than a shadow of its former self. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paradise Spa once was a paradise, now it has become a nightmare, Snapp said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. SOUTHAVEN, Miss. As piles of snow continue to line the streets of Southaven, residents are taking matters into their own hands to remove the snow. This year was pretty good, resident Laura Mason said. Last year was way worse. We were stuck in for two weeks. This year, we were only stuck for one day. Mason told WREG that snow plows havent made their way into her Southaven community nearly 24 hours after the snowfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, residents are forced to dig themselves out, which Mason said has become a yearly ritual. We definitely got snowed in, Mason said. We all really get together and we clean out the Cove. So, if you see the house behind us, I know my neighbor had four-wheelers. So, every year he gets together and gets the four-wheelers him and his son. We all clean the snow out to get out the Cove. However, Mason did acknowledge that the city did a good job of keeping the main roads clear. Memphians make the most of winter weather Another resident, Mary Castro, whos lived in Southaven her whole life, agrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was really surprised. We were just talking about how clear the streets were, Castro said. She said this storm wasnt as bad as last years. She added that shes confident the city will be prepared for any further weather challenges ahead. It may freeze. Theres always a chance that will happen, Castro said. Im sure the city will take the measurements and put out some salt for the roads. I would hope. If not, people may have to stay home. WREG Weather Expert Max Claypool warns that the biggest concern for Mid-South residents is black ice, especially with temperatures dropping tonight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Battle-weary firefighters in Southern California are preparing for another Santa Ana wind event that will further compound efforts to contain the deadly and historic Palisades Fire and potentially fuel new wildfires. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for elevated to critical fire weather conditions across the region, which are expected to persist through Wednesday. Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will affect the typical Santa Ana Wind Corridors on Saturday to Sunday and again Monday through Wednesday, the NWS stated. These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire weather threat in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Weather Service said gusts could reach 30 to 50 mph in many areas, with the strongest winds in wind-prone mountains and foothills potentially reaching 50 to 75 mph. NWS Red Flag Warning issued on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. This latest fire weather event comes as more than 3,700 firefighters from across the nation and even Canada struggle to contain the 22,000-acre Palisades Fire, which has torched thousands of structures and is already the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history. It erupted on Tuesday amid hurricane-strength winds that grounded aerial firefighting crews and allowed the fire to spread largely unchecked. After decimating the Pacific Palisades and areas of southern Malibu, the Palisades Fire marched north and east and, on Saturday, began consuming structures in Brentwood. Several areas of L.A.s densely populated San Fernando Valley were also under evacuation orders and warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northeast of Los Angeles, in Altadena and Pasadena, fire crews reported progress in containing the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over residences in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) With the active fires and more gusty winds in the forecast, officials are urging residents to be prepared. Gather items you will need should you be evacuated, the NWS advised. Poor air quality is another concern. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has issued an air quality advisory for Los Angeles County due to lingering wildfire smoke through Sunday evening. Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so its important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your familys health, said Dr. Muntu Davis, Health Officer for L.A. Angeles County. Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy. However, people at higher risk include children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg announces her resignation from her position in the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorneys Office. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Her resignation will be effective Friday, January 17. U.S. Attorney Steinberg served as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the Southern District of Georiga since being sworn into the officer in 2023 by President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her resignation coincides with the upcoming Trump presidential administration and the traditional appointment of new leaders for federal agencies. During Steinbergs tenure, the U.S. Attorneys Office concluded statewide investigations into Georgias state prisons, held individuals accountable for over $12 million in pandemic relief fraud, and successfully prosecuted significant criminal cases including drug trafficking conspiracies, large-scale fraud operations, child sexual exploitation crimes, and nearly 200 cases involving illegal firearms possession. Action News Jax previously told you about various cases and involvements of U.S. Attorney Steinberg, such as Operation Ghost Busted, a concrete bid-rigging case, and the arrests of Chinese nationalists as part of a drug trafficking scheme. Serving as U.S. Attorney has been a distinct honor and privilege, and I am grateful for the hard work, camaraderie, and friendship of the dedicated professionals who continue to serve on behalf of the American people, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. Representing the United States in court is an incredible responsibility, and those who seek justice on behalf of our nation deserve our lasting gratitude. I am proud to have served alongside them. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) When the owner of Castle Noel, Mark Klaus, saw a video of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, he felt inspired to do something. Castle Noel is a year-round, Christmas attraction. Klaus likes to say hes in the business of giving Christmas. Hurricanes, storms cost US $500 billion this year: Analysis He wanted to do something big. After meeting with Mayor Dennis Hanwell and other city leaders, he was able to come up with The Promise of Christmas event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started with a private reception on Friday night for around 200 people from North Carolina who were able to sign up for the event if theyd been impacted by the Hurricane. Then, an all-day itinerary of Christmas-themed events were held on Saturday including a special trip through Castle Noel. WJW photo Every year as the year begins, you know there is a promise of a Christmas off in the distance, Klaus explained. These people had it stripped away from them. I wanted to do my best, we all wanted to do our best, to bring this experience to, maybe, change the narrative of their everyday mental states. Much of the event was covered by sponsors and donations. Klaus has been so humbled and inspired by the experience that he wants to create a foundation and do The Promise of Christmas on an annual basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres natural disasters. Look whats going on in Los Angeles right now. I would love to be able to provide a break, a mental break, an idea to come and be treated to a Christmas every year, he said. Part of his experience has been the amount of love and graciousness hes received from the couple hundred people who experienced that mental break this weekend. One of them is Cher Huntley, a resident of Asheville, North Carolina. Red Cross of Northern Ohio seeking volunteers to deploy to California wildfires She told Fox 8 everything has been fabulous from the moment they first stepped onto the bus to come to Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just great to be away from home and all of the areas that the disaster hit, and not have to worry about cleaning out and the food. Were so tired of having to eat out of cans because we cant cook still, Huntley said. Its amazing. It felt like COVID separated everyone and now Hurricane Helene has brought everyone back together and this, another state doing something for us from North Carolina is just really surreal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sonmarg visit, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sunil Sharma on Sunday said that it is going to be a "historic day" for Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the Central government will soon inaugurate the Zojila Tunnel as well. "Tomorrow is going to be a historic day for J-K. PM Modi will do the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel...This was an important route that used to remain closed but from tomorrow it will open...BJP will not stop here; soon the Zojila Tunnel will also be also inaugurated. A much-awaited dream is going to be fulfilled tomorrow," said the BJP leader. Notably, PM Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the Sonamarg Tunnel. The project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. PM Modi is expected to reach Sonamarg at around 11:45 AM on January 13. He will also address the gathering after the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel. It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km in length, an egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region, the PMO stated. It will also promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods. Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km per hr to 70 km per hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh. This enhanced connectivity will boost defence logistics and drive economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. The Prime Minister will also meet the construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat. (ANI) WASHINGTON Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department, officials said in a court filing Saturday. The move was expected ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration. Smiths report on Trumps alleged involvement in 2020 election interference is expected to be released soon. Trump has denied the allegations. Jack Smith. The Special Counsel completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, and separated from the Department on January 10, a government court filing said in a footnote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The footnote was part of a Justice Department filing in which the government asked U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, not to extend a restriction that is temporarily blocking part of Smiths report from being released. Trump had been indicted on charges related to allegations that he attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He had entered a not guilty plea before the case was dropped. The federal charges, brought by Smith, were dismissed after Trump was elected in 2024. The Justice Department has a long-standing policy not to prosecute a sitting president. Smith was appointed in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland said at the time that appointing Smith was in the public interest because Trump had announced his candidacy and Biden was also planning to run for a second term. Garland, who had been appointed by Biden, said in 2022 that his selection of Smith underscores the Departments commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters. Smith oversaw investigations into Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as allegations that he mishandled classified documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president was indicted in the classified documents case as well, though Cannon dismissed the case in July 2024, deciding that Smith was unlawfully appointed and funded. Trump had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The president-elect frequently criticized Smith, and he said in October that he would fire him within two seconds of taking office. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this week, a federal appeals court ruled that the Justice Department could release Smiths report on Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The court, however, kept in place Cannons order that the reports release must be delayed for three days to allow for Trump to consider whether to appeal the decision further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannon said in a Saturday order that the Justice Department must submit a filing by 10 a.m. on Sunday confirming that the volume of Smiths report about alleged election interference does not discuss Walt Nauta or Carlos De Oliveira, two co-defendants in the classified documents case. Although the classified documents case against Trump was dropped, Nauta and De Oliveira still face charges. Smith has said that he would not release the second volume of his report regarding the classified documents case as charges against the co-defendants are pending. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WINDBER, Pa. For the past 36 years, Davidsville resident Peggy Lichtenfels has been caring for the terminally ill as a volunteer at Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Ave., Windber. Her affection when caring for patients remains unshakable. Most of our patients have six months or less to live, she said. I know in my heart that Ive tried my best to help people through this difficult time. Lichtenfels, 85, shared her story with The Tribune-Democrat at the hospice at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Windber Hospice was founded by Dr. Earl Shope in 1977 as the first hospice program in Pennsylvania and the first rural hospice in the country. Lichtenfels said her sister Frankie Bock was the first volunteer. My sister Frankie kept bugging me, she said. She said, Oh, Peggy, youre a natural caregiver. I didnt think I could do it, Lichtenfels said. I prayed about it and prayed about it, and the Lord has been helping me ever since. Lichtenfels said she learned early that the best way to help the grieving is to be a good listener. Families are traumatized, families are in denial, she said. When you sit and listen to them, and help them to understand whats going on and how our good Lord, even in dying, has it all planned out for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lichtenfels said patients and their families appreciate her comfort and guidance. Ive become their new best friend, she said. Windber Hospice serves all of Somerset, Cambria and Bedford counties, and parts of Blair, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. The program averages 80 to 90 patients in homes and in the facility. The volunteer program suffered a setback during the 2020 outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. There was a whole year when we couldnt send volunteers out to check on families and patients to make sure they had food in the house, she said. We tried to work around it. We would shop, and the nurses and aides would take it to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Klosky has spent nine years as the bereavement and volunteer coordinator for the hospice and the hospital. She called Lichtenfels work indispensable to the program. Shes my everything, Klosky said. Shes my right-hand lady. Shes special to this program, and special to the volunteers. Lichtenfels and her husband, Ernie (1939-2016), were marred for 57 years. Ernie Lichtenfels was the vice president of Moxham Lumber Co., 150 DuPont St., Johnstown, where he worked for 52 years. The couple raised their four children and the four children they inherited, Peggy Lichtenfels said. We were the godparents named in the will, she said. I can write a book about raising eight teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, Lichtenfels needs a cane to get about. It doesnt stop her from volunteering. It helps me stay busy, and keeps my mind off my aches and pains, she said. When you get older, youll remember that old Peggy said, Every day is a new adventure. SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Springdale man recently pleaded guilty and was sentenced for his involvement in an altercation at a nightclub in December 2023, according to court documents. Juan Frias-Villa, 27 (Courtesy: Washington County Detention Center) Juan Frias-Villa, 27, was sentenced to five years of supervised probation and fined $500 after pleading guilty to second-degree battery on Jan. 9. A news release from the Springdale Police Department said officers responded to the Zabana Night Club for a gunshot call around 1:50 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, they found a man, identified as Luis Ogando-Lopez, 21, with two gunshot wounds. Ogando-Lopez was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. An initial investigation revealed Ogando-Lopez was kicked out of the building after causing issues and having a knife on him, SPD said. Springdale nightclub placed on probation, fined after fatal shooting A security guard told police that Ogando-Lopez went to a vehicle, retrieved a gun and pointed it at the guard, who shot him. Washington County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Denis Dean previously told KNWA/FOX24 the guard would not be charged and the shooting was found to be justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frias-Villa, who was with Ogando-Lopez the night of the incident, got into a vehicle while the incident was taking place and drove toward a second security guard, hitting him. Frias-Villa left the scene but was later found by detectives. He admitted to hitting the guard with his vehicle and fleeing the scene, the release said. He was then arrested and later pleaded not guilty to the charge. As a result of the incident, the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Commission served Zabana Night Club with a $2,000 fine and a six-month probation period in May 2024 for failure to be a good neighbor and having a weapon on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to his sentence, Frias-Villa has been ordered to have no contact with the security guard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. With Missouri already getting lots of ice and snow to start the year, the Springfield Fire Department Water Rescue Team is training for ice rescues in freezing temperatures on Friday and warning the public about being on ice. Springfield Fire says their members worked on safely breaking through ice, executing self-rescue operations and victim movement maneuvers. The fire department says around 250 Americans die while falling into icy ponds, lakes and streams each year, and they remind Springfield residents that they should stay off the ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How are the animals at Dickerson Park Zoo handling the snow? While at the surface the ice appears solid and capable of supporting your weight, the reality is much different which could result in falling through the ice into very cold water, says Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington. This becomes a dangerous and very serious situation very quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see someone playing on ice falling through ice, the Springfield Fire Department advises you to call 911, maintain voice and visual contact with the victim if it is safe to do so and not to try to rescue the victim yourself. Our teams use special equipment to safely work in this environment; without it, the risk to anyone entering the water is extreme, said Christopher Roush, Battalion Chief of EMS and Special Operations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Springfield Fire Department (SFD) Water Rescue team saved a woman and her dog after they partially fell through the ice on the Lakeshore Apartments pond in Springfield on Sunday. According to Springfield Fire, one of the womans dogs, a small terrier puppy, was on the apartments icy pond and she went after them worried about her puppy potentially falling through the ice and drowning. Captain Marc Becker, the Water Rescue Team Leader says if youre ever in this situation it is best for crews like his to arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk is not worth the reward. We have a lot of specialized equipment. We have ice suits that allow us to float in the water when the ice does break. And we have a special sled that were able to get the victim on so we can bring them out safely, says Becker. The Water Rescue crews just went through monthly training according to Becker, meaning they were ready for anything. Whenever the cold weather is coming, we were able to get out on the ice as soon as it formed and were able to provide us with some training opportunity there, says Becker. After 911 was called, multiple Springfield fire stations and the water rescue team responded and worked together to bring the woman and the dog back to shore. (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) (Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department) Our teams use special equipment to safely work in this environment; without it, the risk to anyone entering the water is extreme, said Fire Chief Ben Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield Fire Department practicing ice rescues amidst winter weather With the womans core temperature low, she was warmed up and taken to the hospital out of precaution, according to Battalion Chief Christopher Roush. SFD is also reminding the public not to go out on the ice. While at the surface the ice appears solid and capable of supporting your weight, the reality is much different which could result in falling through the ice into very cold water, Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington says. This becomes a dangerous and very serious situation very quickly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) A man wanted on four counts of first-degree rape is behind bars in St. Helena Parish after turning himself into authorities, the sheriffs office said. Deputies were searching for Kentell Sims, 35. According to the St. Helena Parish Sheriffs Office, Sims was wanted on four counts of first-degree rape; a victim under 13 years of age, and four counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. St. Helena Parish man wanted in alleged rape of teen in Tangipahoa Parish Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 10, the sheriffs office said Sims was taken into custody after surrendering himself to authorities. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. KIAMBU, Kenya (AP) Turn into Tatu City on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and it feels like entering a different world. Even the country's most reckless drivers are transformed, slowing to a crawl and not tossing trash out the window thanks to surveillance cameras and rigorously enforced penalties for speeding and littering. For the 5,000 people who have moved into Tatu, a startup city that welcomed its first residents four years ago, the ruthless upholding of such rules makes the place appealing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tatu has more law and order than other places, said Valerie Akoko, a digital content creator who moved in two years ago. Ive never seen Tatu City dirty. Situated on 5,000 acres, Tatu City aspires to be what its name suggests: a city, privately owned, that its designers hope will eventually have a population of 250,000. It is already home to 88 businesses employing 15,000 people. They include CCI Global, which operates a 5,000-seat call center, and Zhende Medical, a Chinese medical supply manufacturer. There are similar projects around the world. But in sub-Saharan Africa, champions of the idea hope that new-city developments can address the continents urbanization conundrum: While the growth of cities has rolled back poverty elsewhere, the region has largely been an exception. History suggests that as people move into cities, productivity increases, wages rise, exports grow and a country gets richer. But in Africa, urbanization has rarely unleashed such economic transformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In theory, Africa should be prospering. The continents urban population is set to grow by 900 million by 2050, according to the United Nations, more than the present urban population of Europe and North America combined. But sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing while still poor. Towns and cities in Africa today simply lack the tax base needed to invest in the urban infrastructure needed to accommodate the tsunami of people being added to their ranks in a short period of time, said Kurtis Lockhart, director of the Africa Urban Lab, a research center at the African School of Economics in Zanzibar. Weak property rights and political tensions can make the problem worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Tatu City has battled Kenyan politicians and politically connected businessmen. In 2018, the London Court of International Arbitration ruled in favor of the developments multinational owner, Rendeavour, in a dispute with its Kenyan former partners, including a former governor of the central bank. The dispute delayed project development by several years. Last year, Tatu Citys Kenya head, Preston Mendenhall, took the unusual step of accusing the governor of the county where the development is based of extortion, saying he had demanded land worth $33 million in exchange for approving its updated master plan. The governor denied it and is suing Tatu City and Mendenhall for defamation. No ruling has been made. Still, the case for building new cities, complete with new infrastructure, is compelling to some. The Charter Cities Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit, argues that, done properly, such projects could drive growth, create jobs and lift tens of millions of people out of poverty. The institute sees Tatu City as a model. Yet building new cities is hard. Africa is littered with failed projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful have shown promise. Angolas Quilamba city, whose construction began in 2002, is arguably the most successful, with a population of more than 130,000. It was built by CITIC, a state-owned Chinese company, but is owned by the Angolan government. Perhaps a dozen new city projects from Zanzibar to Zambia are underway in Africa that stand a chance of emulating Quilamba, experts reckon. Of these, Tatu is the farthest along, with 26,400 people already living, working or studying there. Experts agree that the private sector must play a role in African urbanization, saying African states are too fiscally constrained to fill the investment gap themselves. Rendeavour, a private company with a multibillion-dollar balance sheet, has deep enough pockets to make a difference. But leaving city-building to the private sector alone can cause problems, for instance by worsening inequality. The average price of a property at Eko Atlantic, a new-city development on the outskirts of Lagos, is $415,000, far beyond the means of most Nigerians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Startup cities can serve as hubs for innovation and alleviate pressure on overcrowded urban centers, said Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UNs Human Settlements Program, or UN-Habitat. However, to be impactful, they must prioritize inclusivity, affordability and integration with existing urban areas, ensuring they serve all socioeconomic groups rather than becoming isolated enclaves for elites. A one-bedroom apartment in Tatu City sells for $45,500, still beyond the means of most Kenyans, but within reach of some in the emerging middle class. Kenyas per capita GDP was $1,961 in 2023, according to the World Bank. The development collaborates with Kenya's government, which has designated Tatu City a special economic zone. That means companies setting up there are eligible for tax benefits and other incentives, making it a model of private-public partnership, experts say. Tatu City also appeals to businesses and residents with its transparent governance structure and services that are often lacking elsewhere in Kenya, including its own water supply and energy grid. It falls under national law but can set its own rules on matters like traffic and what kind of houses can be built, with all plans requiring approval from Tatus management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at the infrastructure, if you look at the utilities, if you look at the controls, if you look at the security, it is one of the best, said Sylvester Njuguna, who lives and owns a restaurant there. Unlike many startup cities built far from urban centers, Tatu City is 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of Nairobi, close enough to plug into its labor markets. According to Lockhart with the Africa Urban Lab, new city projects usually succeed if they are close enough to a major urban center and house both a high-quality anchor tenant CCI Global in Tatu City's case and good schools. They should operate under effective management and respond to market demand. Tatu meets these criteria and, unlike many grandiosely conceived African city projects, it has grown organically like Rendeavours other city projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and the Congo, according to Mendenhall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are building what the market needs," he said. "We are not putting all the infrastructure on day one. ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. If you've considered swapping out your gas stove for an induction stove maybe because of recent savings from rebates and incentives or because of the health risks tied to gas stoves you might have run up against some challenges with your home's electrical panel. But one startup has come up with an ingenious solution, and its name is Charlie. Charlie just may be the stove of the future. Built by the innovative home energy startup Copper, it's a super powerful induction stove that can be plugged into a regular kitchen outlet thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The battery acts as a kind of buffer and gives you that magic, high-power, high-octane experience, but doesn't require you to upgrade your whole home's electrical system," Sam Calisch, founder and CEO of Copper, told The Cool Down. Think of the onboard battery like the stove's wingman it helps deliver great performance with clean, renewable energy, all while providing backup power that could cook three to five meals if there's an outage in your neighborhood. The control and precision of induction cooking add up to some great meals. "The first grilled cheese I made on induction. I still think about [it]," Calisch said. "It was just the perfect golden brown, something I had never been able to achieve before." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, even a famous Netflix chef and bestselling author has switched to Copper's Charlie stove. In an exclusive interview, Calisch walked us through how the new battery-supported stove works and how it can prevent needless home renovation headaches in the process. Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy an induction stove? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind What makes induction stoves so much better and safer? Power: "One of the reasons [induction is] so magical is that it's insanely powerful. When you turn that burner on, you get all the power you want. It's delivered really, really fast faster than gas, faster than conventional electric," Calisch told us. In fact, induction cooktops can boil water three times faster, all thanks to their electromagnetic technology that's way more efficient than gas stoves. According to Rewiring America, "induction stoves have 90 percent energy efficiency versus 74 percent for electric and 40 percent for gas," as a lot of the heat from a gas flame is lost to the surrounding air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air quality: "There's a lot of emergent public health research around the dangers of burning gas in our homes, especially the gas stove, gas furnace, gas water heater," Calisch explained. "These are generally vented to the outside, but for gas stoves that combustion is happening in your kitchen, in your living space, where you're breathing where your kids are breathing and they produce a lot of really nasty stuff." In fact, a recent study shows that one in eight childhood asthma cases are caused by gas stoves. The good news is that all those harmful "chemicals are drastically reduced by switching to induction," Calisch said. Safety: Beyond power and air quality, induction stoves are also physically safer for kids to be around. That's because induction works by using electricity to create a magnetic field that only reacts with specific pots and pans (i.e., those made of metal that a magnet would stick to). The lack of a flame is a huge game-changer for parents who want to cook with their kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's not fire, there's not a big thing that gets really, really hot," Calisch noted. While the heat of the pot or pan itself still presents some danger, that safety element is a huge benefit. "Kids on a step ladder cooking [on induction stoves] is the cutest thing," he told us, mentioning that customers will even share pictures of their kids (of a reasonable age) enjoying the moment. How much can customers save by switching to induction? "We designed [the Copper] system to be the most cost-effective way to get induction in nearly every setting," Calisch said. The first way customers can save with Copper's induction tech is by bypassing all the logistical costs and headaches that often come with upgrading your electrical system to accommodate an induction stove. Because of Copper's built-in battery that draws extra power when you're not cooking, it can run on a conventional 120-volt outlet and you'll avoid the electrician visit that "will cost, in most cases, more than the stove," Calisch noted. The battery also means a Copper induction stove can run for roughly four to six meals during a power outage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secondly, induction stoves qualify for a wide variety of incentives and tax credits typically up to $1,200 a year. And beyond your typical incentives, "I would say the juiciest of them is not available to other induction stoves. It's only available to Copper," Calisch told us. It's a 30% federal tax credit because of the onboard battery. It "applies to everyone with a tax liability, and so you get to take 30% [off the] cost of a Copper product and have it as a credit when you file your taxes." Copper's 30-inch Charlie range retails at $6,000, so the tax credit is nearly $2,000. Why is induction better for the planet By switching from a gas stove to induction, we're no longer releasing harmful fumes into the kitchen or sending those fumes out into the environment. In fact, even when a gas stove is off, it's still leaking planet-warming methane gas even with a model that doesn't use a pilot light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, "what's interesting about Charlie with a battery inside is that the battery allows you to control when you draw electricity," Calisch told us. Just like a "smart" thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature to maximize your comfort while lowering your energy bills, Charlie's onboard battery charges "intelligently" during times when renewable energy is available from the grid. "Compared to other induction stoves, Charlie is a far greener option because it can draw electricity when it's very clean generated by wind and solar and then you can use it whenever you want when you get home and cook dinner, at times when the grid is usually the dirtiest," he said. The proof is in the pudding In late 2024, Copper was awarded $32 million to test, prototype, and supply 10,000 of its induction stoves to the New York City Housing Authority, per Canary Media. "The scale of the contract [is] going to allow our company to grow sustainably," Calisch told us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bigger picture, this is a significant step for battery-supported induction technology. "The biggest housing agency in the U.S. [is] recognizing that the costs associated with conventional electrification conventionally switching from gas to induction are prohibitive," Calisch said. "This approach of putting a battery inside in order to avoid needing to run new electric, in order to avoid needing to do grid upgrades, is actually the most cost-effective approach." Where can I get a Copper stove? Copper's stoves are now available nationwide. The company reports it has sold hundreds of units since launching the product in late 2024. Calisch also mentioned that "the features that are currently fleshed out are the tip of the iceberg. . There's some exciting stuff coming that's not yet there, but that will be pushed out to existing stoves via software update." Cooper has made a few firmware updates already, including adjusting the oven fan to decrease the amount of time it stays on. The company sent out an email to customers beforehand to let them know their stoves would receive this upgrade at night over their WiFi. Calisch noted that "there are also additional products coming that will enhance both the experience of Charlie as well as eventually touch other parts of the home." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Georgia Rep. Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), who chairs the Georgia House Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, is introducing legislation to increase and reform the pay of state-wide and Superior Court judges. According to an announcement from the representatives office, two pieces of legislation are being introduced during the 2025 legislative session, which begins Monday. Together, the bills are described as reforming the structure of judicial pay for both types of judges mentioned by Leverett. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] One aspect of the legislation is to establish a more standardized approach to judicial salary adjustments, though his office noted that it would not set specific salaries. Instead, it would remove the set salaries for judges serving the Georgia Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Statewide Business Court, Superior Courts from the Georgia Code and the newly established Tax Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After removing the set salaries, Leveretts proposed legislation would instead place a statutory maximum salary cap and allow specific salaries for each court to be set during annual appropriations processes in the Georgia General Assembly. In laymans terms, that means salaries would be set by state lawmakers during the budgeting process each year. TRENDING STORIES: For the state representative, the legislation is aimed at making things fair. It is necessary that we ensure judicial compensation in Georgia is both fair and aligned with the scope of responsibility each court carries, Leverett said in a statement. By introducing these changes, it is my hope that we can bring greater consistency to judicial salaries, reduce disparities and create a more transparent and equitable system for our states judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going further, Leveretts statement said that the goal is to enhance fairness in pay across the state, making Superior Court judges salaries more consistent across the judicial circuits, and ensuring that the pay of all state-paid judges, including appellate and other statewide judges, correlates with the responsibilities of their respective positions. He said he would work across the political raise to ensure the much needed reform is able to pass in the the 2025 legislative session. According to Leveretts office, the legislation would set a salary cap cap for each court would be set as a percentage of the salary paid to federal district court judges in Atlanta. The cap percentages would differ for each court, with the Supreme Court having the highest cap. Additionally, the bills would limit the local supplements that counties can pay to superior court judges and would aim to phase out these supplements as the state-paid portion of their salary increases. Leveretts proposals have the backing of leaders at the Council of Superior Court Judges, with President Judge Ann B. Harris, serving in Cobb County, releasing a statement in support of the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inadequacies in the current compensation structure, and the resulting burden that has fallen on the counties to try to address these problems, have been years in the making. We are grateful to our legislators for a bill that addresses the issues in a comprehensive, fair manner, which is good for the judiciary and good for the people of this state, who need and deserve well-qualified, experienced judges, Harris said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] On information, a team from the Pimpri Chinchwad Fire Department reached the spot with and efforts to douse the fire are underway. A total of 15-20 firefighting vehicles are at the spot. Fire department official Rushikant Chipade said, "Today at around 7.45 pm, we received a call for a fire... Two fire tenders were sent. The fire was huge so more fire tenders were called in. The firefighting operations are underway... 15-20 fire fighting vehicles are here... 70% of the fire has been controlled..." For now, no casualties or injuries have been reported. Further details are awaited. (ANI) AUSTIN (Nexstar) The start of the legislative session on Tuesday should bring the resolution of a contentious battle for power in the Texas House of Representatives. Lawmakers in the chamber will vote to choose the next House Speaker, one of the most influential positions in Texas politics. The Speaker runs the House. He appoints the committees, he sets the agenda, manages the flow of legislation, explained John Moritz, Chief Politics Reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Thats why the race is so important that were watching right now. Back in December, the House Republican Caucus met to select their nominee for Speaker. Mansfield Republican David Cook declared victory, after winning on the third ballot. But that vote came after more than 20 supporters of Lubbock State Rep. Dustin Burrows left the room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Cooks announcement, Burrows called a news conference and declared that he would be the next Speaker. He released a list that he said showed he had 76 supporters, the minimum number needed to win. The list included a mix of Republicans and Democrats. Even now, days before the start of the session and the vote that will determine who becomes Speaker, its not clear which man, Burrows or Cook, has the support to win. Burrows path to becoming Speaker relies on support from Democrats. Thats unacceptable to many Republicans, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In the week before the start of the session, Paxton joined Texas Republican Party Chairman Abraham George for a series or rallies in the districts of Republican House members who have not come out in support of Cook. I want to make sure the Republican house elects a Republican speaker among themselves. And thats my goal, Paxton told reporters after a rally in Leander. The location is in the district of State Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, who has voiced support for Burrows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do want them to make a choice amongst the caucus, Paxton said after the rally. I think thats the only way I can accomplish my goals and that every Republican can accomplish the goals that they were elected for. One goal Cook supports is ending the practice of allowing Democrats to hold committee chair positions. But some Republicans backing Burrows say its important to continue the tradition of bipartisanship in the Texas House. Chairman Burrows believes that every single member of the House is an elected representative of the people and that their voice deserves to be heard, State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco said in an interview with NBC 5 in Dallas. Its basically the epitome of the GOP civil war, James Barragan, politics reporter for The Texas Tribune said, describing the battle between Burrows and Cook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres the conservative wing of the party that wants more and more conservative legislation. They dont want to work with Democrats, Barragan explained. Its been a long standing tradition of the House to appoint Democratic chairs. They believe in bipartisanship, and frankly, they need it to do things as simple as reach quorum or pass constitutional amendments through a two thirds vote. Burrows isnt alone in reaching out to Democrats. Earlier this month, Cook sent a letter to the outgoing House Democratic Caucus chair State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Cook wrote, While you may not be aware of all the conversations happening, I can assure you that I have support amongst Democratic members. Cook did not list any names in the letter. Cook also addressed public education funding in his letter, seemingly to find common ground with his Democratic colleagues. Although he is a supporter of voucher-like education savings accounts, Cook wrote that he believes the House needs to address critical education reforms like raising salaries for teachers, revamping or phasing out the STAAR test, and transitioning to an enrollment-based funding system as opposed to the current attendance-based funding system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats like Martinez Fischer are skeptical. Passing the House is just the start. Getting an idea through the Senate and getting an idea on the Governors desk and signed into law there are a lot of ifs there, Martinez Fischer explained. Meanwhile, Republican party leaders and Paxton are warning their members of potential consequences if they dont back Cook. We will persistently pursue the Dustin Burrows of the world, and we will find primary opponents for them, and we will beat them, Paxton said on stage in Leander, earning applause from the audience. Party leaders have organized bus trips, aiming to bring grassroots supporters to the Capitol for Tuesdays start of the legislative session. Its an effort to ramp up pressure before the high-stakes vote. The open question is how much influence that effort will have on lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the people who show up in those rallies are right there with them, Moritz said. The larger question is what about people who follow politics on election day and a little bit before? How excited are they about all of this, or is it just a side show and white noise in the background? Legislative priorities merge and diverge across the political aisle In the lead-up to the legislative session, our team has been reaching out to some of the people who could influence what comes out of the Capitol. During our interviews, weve asked what they see as priorities. The answers give perspective about the potential path this coming session. Abraham George, Republican Party of Texas Chairman told us the number one issue for the GOP is border security. A lot of that is going to go away because President Trump is in office now, so we still want to have a Border Force for the state of Texas, because we dont know whats going to happen over the next, you know, 20 years. We could have another Democrat president who is going to open the border wide, wide open again. So we want to have a border security force just for the state of Texas, George said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George listed several items the party plans to focus on during the session, including school choice, ending taxpayer-funded lobbying, strengthening the electric grid, and property tax reform. It starts with the border security, he emphasized. State Senator Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe will likely lead the push in the Senate for the education savings account plan championed by Gov. Greg Abbott. But he also has other priorities, influenced by what hes hearing from the people he represents. Theyre very, very concerned about continuing our efforts to bring true appraisal reform. Constantly rising appraisals on homes and businesses are choking the property taxpayer in Texas, Creighton said. Im hearing more than ever the rising cost of insurance is causing an incredible amount of pressure on our property owners, and so Ill be asking Governor Abbott to include insurance reform as an emergency item this session, Creighton added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, you know it is just unaffordable to live in the state of Texas, State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin told us. He said hes looking for ways to work across the political aisle to lower the coost of housing in the state. I think thats what Texans, whether theyre Democrats or Republicans or Independents, want us to focus on, not culture war issues, not voucher scams Talarico said. They want Republicans and Democrats to come together and figure out how to lower costs and make it affordable to live in the state once again. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston echoed the need for bipartisan cooperation to address economic issues. Wu, who will lead the House Democratic Caucus said unity will help all Texans. Poor people are poor people. The working class are the working class. We need to stick together, Wu said. Theres more that unites us than divides us, and we cant like those little red meat social issues or those cultural issues, culture war issues, we gotta stop fighting those. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets work together to make Texas a better place for all people. Lets work together to make sure that we increase wages, that we we reduce housing costs, reduce food costs, and all these things that are just slowly, just just killing us, Wu added. Budget estimate opens path for life-changing decisions for Texans by lawmakers From education savings accounts to border security to property tax reform, lawmakers have big plans for the legislative session. Those plans come with big price tags. On Monday, State Comptroller Glenn Hegar will release the Biennial Revenue Estimate, or BRE. Its his estimate of how much money lawmakers will have available when they make the next state budget. Hegar hinted that the estimate will be good news for the state. The upcoming revenue estimate that were gonna give next Monday shows, once again, that the state legislature will have a large cash carryover balance from this two year budget to the next two year budget, Hegar said during an interview Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegar did not release a specific number. That will come with Mondays announcement. But he hinted that it will be less than the $32.7 billion surplus he announced before the 2023 legislative session. It was historical. It was once in a lifetime, Hegar said of that surplus. Still, he noted the encouraging financial outlook for the state in this budget cycle. Hegar said the states Economic Stabilization Fund now stands at $24 billion, the most in Texas history. The fund is more commonly known as the rainy day fund, functioning as a savings account to help the state cover shortfalls or emergency needs Once again, the legislature here is in a very positive position to make some real kind of monumental decisions and life changing decisions for Texans, which, if you compare that to other states, some of the other states, unfortunately, theyre in deficits right now. So we are in a relatively very strong position compared to other states, Hegar said. Hegar believes continued growth in the state, including demand for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency will likely require funding improvements to power infrastructure. I think trying to continue to make sure that we meet that infrastructure need for electrical demands in the future of the state of Texas over the course of the next several years, which are projected at very high growth rates every single year from year to year, making sure that we are investing in that area, and that the state needs to do some type of encouraging to make sure we have that electrical generation in the state of Texas so we have that reliability, Hegar said. Plans for education savings accounts, dubbed school choice by supporters or school vouchers by opponents, could take up a significant amount of the surplus. I think the legislature is going to talk about, obviously, first and foremost its going to be public education funding, education savings accounts. Thats an important priority for the governor, Hegar said, calling that a large discussion. Hegar noted how in the last legislative session, some lawmakers proposed a system that started with a focus on certain demographics, like those with disabilities or economically disadvantaged students. I think part of it is if youre making it universal, but youre also taking one step at a time, Hegar said. Hegar said he expects the Comptrollers Office to be called upon to manage an education savings account program. Obviously, Im very in tune to what theyre doing, because in the last legislative session, and Im assuming this legislative session, theyre asking my office to manage that program, stand it up and manage it, Hegar said. Investigative reports lead to calls for change at the Texas Capitol The mysterious death of a 14-year-old girl. A deadly crash into an Austin hospital. The arrest of a Central Texas tutor. A small-town medical emergency. These were the stories at the center of our teams most impactful investigations in 2024. These investigations resulted in new city ordinances, revised autopsies, and lawmakers filing bills sparked by KXANs reporting set to be considered when the 89th legislative session begins in January. KXANs Preventing Disaster investigation followed a fatal car crash into an Austin emergency room in February 2024. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others nationwide including whether medical sites had security bollards at their entrances. Experts say those could stop crashes from happening. Texas State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, filed Senate Bill 660 requiring most hospitals in the state to install safety bollards after our investigation revealed these types of accidents are not uncommon. The Austin City Council also passed a new ordinance requiring crash-rated safety bollards at new hospitals, urgent care clinics, and stand-alone ERs. Texas State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers filed Senate Bill 571 to expand access to state misconduct records. The move is in response to a KXAN investigation that uncovered a former juvenile corrections officer got a tutoring job inside a Central Texas high school after a state agency investigated him for sexual misconduct. SB 571 would give contractors, whose employees work on school campuses, access to a state search engine with misconduct data from the Texas Education Agency, Juvenile Justice Department, Health and Human Services, and the Department of Family Protective Services. The search engine, which was greenlit by lawmakers in 2023, is still not complete. Juvenile officers do-not-hire status initially reversed amid sexual misconduct investigation Theres been issues where contractors that have a really negative background, maybe even pedophilia, or whatever else, have been able to get access to school. We are trying to put an absolute halt to that, Bettencourt said. The reporting that you had [makes] it even more clear that we have to plug that gap. State Senator Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, expanded and refiled a bill, Senate Bill 378, prohibiting unlicensed cosmetologists and barbers from doing injections, including Botox, unless they are licensed in medicine, certified, or have medical supervision. READ: Backroom Botox a wild west in Texas The legislation was filed after a KXAN report found a lack of oversight and safety gaps for cosmetic medical services. Three Texas lawmakers say they are looking for ways to better collect data on truancy cases, following a KXAN investigation that discovered no state agency has tracked outcomes for tens of thousands of students referred to court for missing too much class in the past decade. Democratic state senators Judith Zaffirini of Laredo and Royce West of Dallas, along with Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat out of Round Rock, told KXAN there is a need for better data on truancy. Truancy remains a critical challenge in Texas, largely because inconsistent tracking precludes identifying root causes, intervening early, and providing families the support they need, Zaffirini said. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Texas Senate to identify better and more effective methods for uniform truancy tracking. 12,000+ Texas kids sent to court for missing class, no one tracks what happens next As Texas population grows, critics point to the need for more medical examiners in death investigations, instead of the state relying so heavily on its current process in most counties, where an elected justice of the peace also has the power to determine cause and manner of death with scant training, often without autopsies or forensic expertise. During our reporting, Texas lawmakers resumed efforts to modernize that antiquated system, as a nearly-forgotten mystery resurfaced with a fresh review of a young girls strangulation case. KXANs A Fatal Fall investigation found police failed to collect key evidence and did not follow up on potential leads in the case of 14-year-old Treyshur Carter, who was found unresponsive on the side of an Austin road in February 2024 and later died from catastrophic injuries. The Travis County medical examiner reviewed KXANs findings, including body camera video and expert opinions, and within days amended Treyshurs autopsy to reflect a motor vehicle was most likely involved. The Austin Police Department also re-reviewed the case following KXANs questions. Medical examiner updates Austin teens autopsy amid KXAN scooter death investigation For years, the City of Austin used an Onion Creek neighborhood as a dump site for trash piling garbage swept across the city into a cul-de-sac, yards from peoples homes. KXANs Dirty Decisions investigation discovered the department in charge didnt follow its policies. After KXAN began asking questions, Resource Recovery stopped dumping in the neighborhood and cleaned the site. The department also stopped using a similar site behind a strip mall in north Austin on Great Northern Boulevard. Resource Recovery said it would revisit its procedures for selecting and using temporary staging sites for waste. Why was an Austin neighborhood a city dumping ground for years? KXAN investigates They have assured us that it is no longer happening in this area, and we expect to hold them to it, Austin City Council member Vanessa Fuentes said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, said he doesnt think President-elect Trumps comments about Greenland are crazy. Its not a crazy idea. We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland, he told radio host John Catsimatidis in a Sunday interview on The Cats Roundtable on WABC 770 AM. Stavridis said he thinks Greenland is a strategic goldmine for the United States, expressing support for Trumps idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country. Its geographically very important. Its full of strategic minerals, rare earth, probably a lot of gold. Its got a lot of natural resources, he said earlier in the interview. It doesnt have to become the 51st state, but it can certainly be an economic objective for us, he added. I think thats how it plays out. The prime minister of Greenland said, We are not for sale. But we are open for business. I think we ought to take him at his word. Trump last week expressed his ambitions for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, the worlds largest island. Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede said Friday that Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egede also said that he is ready to talk with Trump. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Far-right political strategist Steve Bannon is fed up with Elon Musk. Bannon promised to oust the tech billionaire from President-elect Donald Trumps orbit in a new interview with the Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, published on Wednesday, where he called Musk racist and a truly evil guy. In excerpts of the interview translated into English for Breitbart News, Bannon vowed to have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will not have a blue pass to the White House, he will not have full access to the White House, he will be like any other person, the former chief strategist for the Trump White House went on. Bannon has joined a field of anti-immigrant Trump supporters who turned against Musk after he said hed go to war over Americas H-1B visa program, which allows employers to hire foreign workers with highly specialized skills and technical education. Steve Bannon speaks at a New York press conference last October. The political strategist promised to rid Trump world of Elon Musk in a new interview. Pacific Press via Getty Images Musk called H-1B immigrants critical to tech-driven companies like his own SpaceX and Tesla in a post on X late last month. The South African-born mogul claims he was also once an H-1B visa holder himself. His account was disputed in an October investigation by The Washington Post, which alleged Musk actually began his career in the tech world while in the country on a student visa that had lapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Bannons interview with Corriere della Sera, he slammed the H-1B program as corrupt. This thing of the H-1B visas, its about the entire immigration system is gamed by the tech overlords, they use it to their advantage, the people are furious, he said. Trump appears to have taken Musks side for the time being, calling the H-1B system a great program in a December quote to the New York Post. Beyond Bannons policy dispute with Musk, he told the Italian paper he thinks the controversial CEO is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy. I made it my personal thing to take this guy down, Bannon added. Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it; Im not prepared to tolerate it anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has more or less embedded himself in Trumps world since helping usher the Republican back into the Oval Office last November. Along with a reported $277 million in campaign donations, Musk cultivated immeasurable levels of positive public sentiment for Trump through his social media platform, X. Though Musks support earned him an unofficial advisory post in the next administration, The New York Times main source for Trump intel, journalist Maggie Haberman, recently reported that Musks presence has begun to wear on the soon-to-be two-term president. Trump does complain a bit to people about how Musk is around a lot, she revealed during an episode of the On with Kara Swisher podcast earlier this month. Clarification: This story has been amended to note that Musk claims he held an H1-B visa, but that his account is disputed. Related... The Caddo Parish Civil Rights Heritage Trail project is expanding its scope with a new series designed to help historic villages, towns, neighborhoods, and/or cities in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, investigate three different versions of their communities: the past, the present, and the future. Team members include Dr. Gary Joiner, Mik Barnes, Jaclyn Tripp, Dr. Laura Meiki, Dr. Jolivette Anderson-Douong, Dr. Amy Rosner, Dr. Rolonda Teal, and Brenton Metzler. This months focus is the Stoner Hill neighborhood. Shreveport, La. (KTAL/KMSS) SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Stoner Hill neighborhood is every bit as old as downtown Shreveport. Captain Henry Miller Shreve considered it a threat and was determined to kill it because he could not control it. He almost succeeded. Digital Map of the Stoner Hill neighborhood. Shreveport neighborhood boundaries are in red. The original course of Bayou Pierre is in Blue. The Red River in 1838 is pink, and sand bars are goldresearch and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. Stoner Hill is roughly bounded on the north by the Red River and the old Silver Lake bed. Its western boundary follows Cornwell Street, East Olive Street, Holly Street, East Dalzell Street, Cornwell Street again, East Wilkinson Street, Woodlawn Avene, East Washington Street, Youree Drive, and East Kings Highway. The eastern boundary follows the old bed (and some existing remnants) of Bayou Pierre. The intersection of East Kings Highway and Bayou Pierre forms the southern boundary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the group that became the Shrevetown Company searched for a site of the place that would become Shreveport, they first looked at Coates Bluff in Stoner Hill at the east end of East Olive Street. A second site was the Bennett and Cane Trading Post, east of the Spring Street Museum. The latter won because William Bennett, James Huntington Cane, and Bennetts wife, Mary (later also Canes wife) were partners in the company. The trading post was on a straight stretch of the river, while Coates Bluff held an economically strategic place to the south. Digital map of Stoner Hill neighborhood. High-resolution aerial photography provided by the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NBCOG). Research and cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. For hundreds of years, the Red River was clogged by a giant logjam called The Great Raft. From 1714, when the first map shows the foot of the Raft, until the 1870s, it periodically closed parts of the river from Natchitoches up to at least Foreman, Arkansas. The Raft created lakelike stretches of open water as the logs separated from each other or reformed new jams. The Bennett and Cane Trading Post was located on one of these open stretches of water. River water had to go somewhere as the Raft grew upstream and rotted at its foot. Side channels east and west of the river periodically became the river. The primary channel on the west side was Bayou Pierre. It was navigable from where it left the Red River at the intersection of Clyde Fant Parkway and East Stoner Avenue to where it reentered the river near Grand Ecore in Natchitoches Parish. The Red River was considered vital to the national interest, and Congress authorized the first bill to remove the Raft in 1828. That first attempt, by Army Lieutenant Sewell, failed. Captain Henry Miller Shreve was hired by the United States Engineers (US Army) to break up the Raft and open the river for navigation. Shreve had the authority to use any means to open the river. This included blocking smaller streams and changing the rivers course if needed. This commercial bulletin showed arrivals into New Orleans from Coates Bluff, Louisiana. (Commercial Bulletin, Price-Current and Shopping List, New Orleans, La., Apr. 11, 1835 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1831, the first steamboat, the Alps, made it through the Raft. Shreve was cantankerous at the best of times, and he held grudges. When Bayou Pierre became a viable channel, Shreve wanted to eliminate any competition. He clogged the opening on the north end with logs. He also removed a large peninsula created by a sharp curve, or meander, by making it an island. Marine List printed in The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Apr. 16, 1837, shows goods from Coates Bluff entering the Port of New Orleans. Shreve wanted to straighten the Red River, but two adversaries lived on the western side of this bend. He tried to destroy their livelihoods. Diagram of the Great Raft in the Red River, reduced from a sketch by Henry Miller Shreve. (Source: General public acts of Congress, respecting the sale and disposition, United States statues, Dept. of the Treasury, General Land Office, Vol. II, Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1838) The first was Larkin Edwards, the longtime interpreter of the Caddos, who lived there and was married to a daughter of the Great Caddo Chief Tarshar. The second was James Jim Coates, who operated a store and US Post Office on the bluff. The post office became official on April 10, 1838, with John C. Green as postmaster. Natchitoches, August 1866 court case, Wright & Williams vs. Cane et al., appeal from the district court, Parish of Bossier. Louisiana Annual Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in The Supreme Court of Louisiana for the year 1866, printed by Bloomfield & Steel, New Orleans, 1867. Shreve failed against Edwards but succeeded against Coates. Coates Bluff stood on that sharp meander bow above Bayou Pierre and the Red River. It was a natural place for settlers and travelers to drop off or receive mail and the Caddos to trade. Shreve cut a canal across the neck of the peninsula and named the cut after Bushrod Jenkins, thus diverting any blame from Coates to the federal authorities. The Caddo Treaty of 1835 ended the Caddos as an issue. Digital map of portions of Federal Patent Survey maps of Township 18 North, Ranges 13 and 14 West, and Township 17 North, Range 14 West Caddo OParish, Louisiana. A copy of the original is at the Louisiana Land Office, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Georectification by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. The red square indicates the location of the Coates Bluff Post Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larkin Edwards died on November 20, 1841, after Shreve left for St. Louis, never to return. Edwards is buried in an unmarked grave on Coates Bluff, just north of Caddo Magnet High School. One last oddity in this saga was that as Shreve made canal cuts wherever he wished, the federal government surveyed the lands on both sides of the river. Two teams worked independently on each side of the river. If Shreve had worked after the teams had surveyed, the parish boundaries would have remained the same. If he preceded the teams, the parish boundaries reflected the change. A portion of the Federal Patent Survey map of Township 17 North, Range 14 West (1856), Caddo Parish, Louisiana. A copy of the original is located at the Louisiana Land Office, Baton Rouge. Thus, his peninsular cut on Mr. Wrights land made Wright Island in the City of Shreveport but in Bossier Parish. Stoner Hill, therefore, predates Shreveport as a community. Captain Shreve did not kill it. The post office was moved to the site of downtown Shreveport, but the beginnings of Stoner Hill were well-established. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On another interesting note, Larkin Edwards sold six hundred and forty acres on Jan. 24, 1835, to persons who established the town of Shreveport. Natchitoches, August 1866 court case, Wright & Williams vs. Cane et al., appeal from the district court, Parish of Bossier. Louisiana Annual Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in The Supreme Court of Louisiana for the year 1866, printed by Bloomfield & Steel, New Orleans, 1867. And now you know. This article is the first in a series of articles on Stoner Hills incredible history. Sources: Milton Dunn, Steamboats that Plied Red River Prior to War Between the States, Up to 1904, Melrose Collection, Folder 109, Cammie G. Henry Research Center, Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1920. O.L. Barker, A Historical Account of the Red River as an Inland Waterway. M.A. thesis, Department of History, University of Colorado, 1929. For an extended discussion of Henry Miller Shreve, see Marguerite Plummer and Gary D. Joiner, Historic Shreveport- Bossier City, ( San Antonio, Texas , 2000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Annual reports of Cases Argued and Determined in The Supreme Court of Louisiana for the year 1866, printed by Bloomfield & Steel, New Orleans, 1867. Arkansas Gazette, June 22 and 29, 1831. Eric J. Brock, The Post Office Buildings, and Rate Hikes, are also part of Shreveport History, Presence of the Past, Shreveport Journal, December 32, 1994. Brock, Downtown stands on Larkin Edwards Land, Presence of the Past, Shreveport Journal, January 20, 1996. Brock, A cemetery guide of Shreveports founders, Presence of the Past, Shreveport Journal, April 27, 1996. General public acts of Congress, respecting the sale and disposition, United States statues, Dept. of the Treasury, General Land Office, Vol. II, Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1838. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) As the first-ever strike of both nurses and doctors continues at Providence Hospitals, hospital officials began discussing resuming federal mediation while union representatives held a rally at the Oregon Convention Center. Nearly 5,000 nurses, doctors and midwives went on strike Friday for what they say are fair contracts, safe staffing and better patient care. Providence nurse Lisa Gregory, who was on the picket line at St. Vincent, said the strike shows historical support of doctors and nurses coming together against a corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Jen Lincoln, an OB hospitalist at St. Vincent, said, Our patients see whats happening and they demand better. We demand better. We want the same humanity that we extend to our patients. The rally at the convention center featured a number of Oregons elected federal representatives, state-elected leaders and leaders from various unions, including AFL-CIO National President Liz Shuler. Providence patient files $4 million lawsuit after contracting hepatitis C during surgery One of the elected officials. State Rep. Rob Nosse of Portland, stood firm with the union. State Rep. Rob Nosse (D-District 42/Portland) addresses striking ONA nurses at the Oregon Convention Center, January 11, 2025 (KOIN) Know this: This city and this state, they are on your side, Nosse said. We absolutely remember what you went through during the pandemic, and we believe that caregivers deserve fair wages, workplace support, work-life balance, so you can do excellent care when we show up at your facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Providence officials said in a release more than 600 ONA-represented nurses chose to work, a rate that is nearly 400% higher than in previous strikes, they said. However, thats about 12% of the entire workforce that is on strike. Striking Providence Hospital nurses and doctors on the picket line outside the St. Vincent facility in Portland, January 11, 2025 (KOIN) Officials said they were ready to start negotiations immediately at Providence Medford and Providence Newberg, and will plan to schedule negotiations for other units soon. Following the Providence statement, ONA leaders said they werent informed that Providence wanted to go back to the bargaining table. We hope that next time, they can just pick up the phone and call us, they said in a statement of their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their response to ONA, Providence officials said, We reached out to the mediators. Thats the process when we are in mediation. We go through the mediators. Providence Chief Executive Jennifer Burrows, January 11, 2025 (KOIN) At an afternoon press conference, Providence Chief Executive Jennifer Burrows explained why they want to bargain with the nursing staffs of just two of their eight hospitals. These are the two ministries that we feel like are ready to talk to us,Burrrows said. We have seen a high cross rate of caregivers at both of those ministries reported to work. Providence officials made it clear hospitals and emergency departments are open but there are long wait times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurse Lisa Gregory spoke for many on the picket lines. Come to the table Providence, she said. Were here. Were out here. Im here to listen to what you have to offer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) This is the first time in over 20 years that a study of this nature has been conducted and the results revealed that over 1.1 million New Mexicans have experienced sexual violence. The New Mexico Crime victimization report was conducted from September 2023 through June 2024, with over 1,200 survey responses. It provides clarity for us about the strategy and the supports that we need to have in place in order to not only meet people where they are at who have experienced sexual violence but also to begin preventing it from happening in the very first place, said Alexandria Taylor, Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. Despite the need for help, 68% of victims of sexual assault and 75% of victims of rape did not seek professional support. Its also a really important reminder that no one is alone, and that this is something that we know a lot about how to support folks in New Mexico and are building strategies to make sure people have the help that they need, Rachel Cox, Deputy Director of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 teens arrested for New Years Eve murder Across the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, there are 16 service providers, 14 nurse examination units, and 11 child advocacy centers. In October, the Coalition launched a new helpline. We want to make sure that if someone experienced sexual violence five years ago, 50 years ago, or yesterday, they know that there is help available to them in their community, continued Taylor. Representatives on the phone are able to provide local victim support services and get people help wherever they are. They can chat, they can text, and its all based on what the survivor is looking for and that pace. So folks dont need to necessarily share everything thats happened to them, who they are, where they are. It can be completely anonymous, concluded Cox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study found that only one-third of respondents sought professional help or victim services. The coalition hopes that by expanding its reach with this helpline, fewer people suffer in silence. The NM Sexual Assault Helpline can be reached at 1-844-667-2457. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The Suffolk Fire Marshals Office is investigating a house fire that left two displaced Sunday afternoon. Suffolk Fire & Rescue were dispatched to the 3800 block of Pughsville Road for a reported house on fire at approximately 1:20 p.m. Upon arrival around 1:25 p.m., crews found smoke and fire showing from the rear of the structure. All residents evacuated prior to their arrival. Photo Courtesy: Suffolk Fire & Rescue Photo Courtesy: Suffolk Fire & Rescue Photo Courtesy: Suffolk Fire & Rescue Photo Courtesy: Suffolk Fire & Rescue The bulk of the fire was contained to the rear of the structure, but smoke and fire did extend into the structure. It was marked under control around 1:50 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire caused heavy damage to the rear of the house with moderate smoke and fire damage to the interior. There were no injuries reported. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Ahead of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Mhow, Madhya Pradesh on January 27, Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste State President Kailash Jatav slammed the Congress party, saying it "betrayed" Bhimrao Ambedkar twice and they should be asked if they have ever gone to Mhow. Notably, Mhow also happens to be the birthplace of Bhimrao Ambedkar. Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Madhya Pradesh on January 27. "When Dr Ambedkar was in the Constituent Assembly he gave the opinion that Article 370 should not be implemented then Jawahar Lal Nehru opposed it because he did not want Kashmir valley to become part of the mainland and the constitution becomes adopted there. In 2023, Article 370 was abrogated then the Constitution was implemented there after 75 years. Congress says that they respect the Constitution then why was the Constitution not implemented in Kashmir for 75 years?" Kailash Jatav told reporters. He said that a Scheduled Caste candidate was able to win the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a "democratic process" for the first time. "Those who were deprived of their rights for 75 years should ask Congress why they did so. Congress has betrayed Babasaheb twice. Once in Bhandara and in Mumbai during Maharashtra polls. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Bhim Rao Ambedkar came from Rajya Sabha and Congress never supported them and they resigned from Congress," he added. He further said that when Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi passed away Congress allocated land in Delhi. Similarly, Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were also given land in Delhi for their burial. "When Baba Saheb passed away in Delhi he was allocated in Dadar near a mill which was used for used for garbage disposal. When the Devendra Fadnavis government was formed they purchased the Indu mill for Rs 3,200 crore and Babasaheb Ambedkar's memorial is being built there. All the belongings of Babasaheb were lying and there were termites over it. When BJP's Dushyant Gautam came to know about this he preserved all his belongings. Baba Saheb was born in MP. For 55 years, Congress was in power in MP. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, the birth place was renovated," Jatav said. He added, "You should ask Congress have they ever gone to Mhow? Congress asks for a vote in his name but they don't know him. Modi government is playing the role to distribute benefits till the last person in the society," he said. The BJP leader further hit out at the Congress over their press conference in Bhopal on Saturday and said that in the press conference Congress said that it empowers the voiceless. "I wish to ask for whom Congress used the word voiceless? Are the Dalits voiceless? BJP has given President from the the Scheduled Tribe, and SC. Today we are celebrating Constitution Day and the credit goes to PM Modi," he added. (ANI) National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that President Biden made the right strategic call to withdraw from Afghanistan three years ago and that history reflects well on that decision. The strategic call President Biden made, looking back three years, history has judged well and will continue to judge well, Sullivan said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union. From the point of view that, if we were still in Afghanistan today, Americans would be fighting and dying; Russia would have more leverage over us; we would be less able to respond to the major strategic challenges we face, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan also pointed to the recent example of the New Years Day attack in New Orleans, noting that although the investigation continues, the FBI has not seen any connection between Afghanistan and the attacker in New Orleans. Now, the FBI will continue to look for foreign connections. Maybe well find one, but what weve seen is proof of what President Biden said, which is that the terrorist threat has gotten more diffuse and more metastasized elsewhere, including homegrown extremists here in the United States who have committed terrorist attacks, Sullivan said. Not just under President Biden, but under President Trump in his first term. And that is part of why we had to move our focus from a hot war in Afghanistan to a larger counterterrorism effort across the world, he added. Sullivan declined to respond to reports that he had offered to resign after the Afghanistan withdrawal, saying he would not divulge details of his personal conversations with the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I can tell you, he added, is that the United States of America is definitively better off that we are not entering our 25th year of Americans fighting and dying in Afghanistan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DES MOINES, Iowa The suspect in the March 2024 East Village double shooting has been taken into police custody on attempted murder charges. In the morning hours of March 24, 2024, the Des Moines Police Department and Fire Department responded to the 600 block of East 5th Street on reports of a shooting at a social club. Once officers had arrived on scene two victims were identified with gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 27-year-old male was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck and one to his lower body. Officers provided first aid until medics arrived, medics took over and the patient was transported to the hospital. The second victim, a 38-year-old female, sustained a gunshot wound to abdomen. She was transported by a private vehicle to a local hospital. Handguns recovered following downtown pursuit, two in custody Crimes Against Persons Section detectives arrived on scene and opened an investigation into the incident. In the following days, investigators followed leads, interviewed witnesses, and examined evidence. Evidence uncovered by detectives led to an arrest warrant being issued for 26-year-old Cori Jayvon Shields on two charges of Attempted Murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2024, detectives were notified that Shields was taken into custody in Illinois. On November 13, 2024, the investigation progressed after a handgun was recovered from a storm drain a few blocks away from the scene of the shooting. The investigation indicated that the gun found was likely involved in the shooting. On January 10, Shields was returned to Des Moines and was taken to the Polk County Jail. Court documents indicate Shields is being held on a $100,000 cash bond and will appear in court on January 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first day of his impeachment trial this week, according to his lawyer, who cited concerns for the suspended presidents safety. As attempts to unlawfully execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are underway, there are concerns of personal safety and mishap, Yun Gap-geun, Yoons defense attorney, said in a statement reported by South Koreas Yonhap News Agency. In order for the president to appear for the trial, the issue of personal safety and security must be resolved, Yun continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of Yoons impeachment trial is slated for Tuesday. Five hearings are scheduled until Feb. 4. According to Yonhap News, if Yoon fails to show up on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court will have to end the session and convene on Thursday for a second session, which could then proceed, even if Yoon remains absent. That case is separate from investigators efforts to detain the impeached president for questioning related to his martial law decree. Earlier this month, investigators tried to detain Yoon for questioning, but they ultimately failed after a prolonged standoff with the Presidential Security Service, which is protecting Yoon at the presidential residence, Yonhap and The Guardian reported. Investigators are widely expected to try to detain Yoon again, after obtaining an extension of the warrant last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Koreas parliament voted to impeach Yoon last month after he briefly declared martial law and thrust the country into chaos. Yoon apologized after declaring martial law, the first such declaration in the country since 1980. The action sparked outrage from citizens and lawmakers, and the parliament blocked the martial law declaration. He was impeached with bipartisan support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. STOCKHOLM (AP) Sweden will contribute up to three warships to a NATO effort to increase the alliance's presence in the Baltic Sea as it tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure, the government said Sunday. The Swedish military also will contribute an ASC 890 surveillance aircraft, the government said in a statement. And the country's coast guard will contribute four ships to help monitor the Baltic, with a further seven vessels on standby. Sweden became the Western military alliances 32nd member in March. It followed neighboring Finland into NATO after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The government said this will be the first time that Sweden as a NATO ally contributes armed forces to the alliance's defense and deterrence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision comes as a string of incidents in the Baltic has heightened concerns about possible Russian activities in the region. The undersea cables and pipelines that crisscross the sea link Nordic, Baltic and central European countries, promote trade, energy security and, in some cases, reduce dependence on Russian energy resources. Ten Baltic Sea cables have been damaged since 2023, affecting Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Lithuania. At least two incidents involved ships later accused of dragging their anchors. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at an annual security conference Sunday that Sweden is not at war, but there is also no peace, Swedish news agency TT reported. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson believes that the country is currently in a situation of "neither war nor peace". Source: SVT reports that he said this in his speech at the annual conference on security and defence in the city of Salen, as reported by European Pravda Details: Ulf Kristersson was the first speaker at the event and spoke about the challenges for Sweden in the current geopolitical situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Sweden is not at war. But it is not a state of peace either," Kristersson said. "The Russian threat is a long-term one. And our defence planning must also be long-term," he added. The prime minister noted that Sweden and its neighbours are now facing hybrid attacks "carried out with the help of computers, money, disinformation and sabotage threats". He specifically mentioned the Christmas Day incident with damaged submarine cables in the Gulf of Finland. "Sweden and our neighbours will not allow this to continue," Kristersson said. At the same time, he added that Sweden does not jump to conclusions and will not charge anyone with sabotage without sufficient evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her speech, leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party Magdalena Andersson said that the world is entering "new, uncertain and dangerous times". Background: Sweden has recently signed a deal with the German-French arms concern KNDS to produce more than 40 Leopard 2 tanks worth almost 2 billion. In December, Sweden and Denmark jointly ordered 2.1 billion worth of infantry fighting vehicles, including 40 for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Nicolas Bideau, spokesperson for Switzerland's Foreign Ministry, has said the country is ready to organise a leader-level meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, should both parties express an interest to do so. Source: Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger; European Pravda Details: Bideau recalled the Peace Summit held in Switzerland by Ukraine and noted that following the event, Ukraine, Russia and the United States had consistently expressed their "readiness to support any diplomatic efforts to establish peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Following the Burgenstock Summit, Ukraine, Russia and the United States have been regularly informed of our readiness to support diplomatic efforts to achieve peace," he said. Bideau stressed that the arrest warrant for the Kremlin leader issued by the International Criminal Court would not be an obstacle to his potential visit to Switzerland. He noted that the Swiss government has the right to make an exception if it is necessary for peace talks. Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the first discussions on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war would take place with US President-elect Donald Trump and that potential talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin might follow only afterwards. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv expects Zelenskyy and Trump to meet shortly after the latter's inauguration on 20 January. On 10 January, John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, said that neither Russia nor Ukraine is ready to negotiate an end to the war. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine has delivered the first batch of 500 tonnes of flour to Syria under the Grain from Ukraine initiative, supported by the World Food Programme. Source: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Details: The Foreign Ministry noted that Syria, now led by a new government following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, has received the first delivery of 500 tonnes of flour through the Grain from Ukraine initiative, supported by the World Food Programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval have identified joint steps for future food supplies to Syria. "Ukraine has shipped sunflower oil to Mozambique as part of the Grain from Ukraine initiative. Almost 416 tonnes will arrive in early February. A further 73.4 tonnes of oil and 970.5 tonnes of flour will be delivered to Djibouti at the end of January. In addition, we will soon ship 453 tonnes of sunflower oil to Tanzania," Koval said. Background: At the end of December 2024, Ukraine planned to ship 500 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat flour to Syria under the Grain from Ukraine programme. Support UP or become our patron! Austin Tice, a U.S. freelance journalist and former U.S. Marine, has been separated from his family and loved ones for a long time; more than 12 years to be exact. Tice was reporting on the Syrian civil war from outside the capital Damascus when he was abducted in August 2012. The rebel-led collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime and the release of thousands of prisoners, including political prisoners, in Syria in December has renewed hopes of locating Tice and the tens of thousands of others who are missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surprisingly, there is a connection between Tice who was among the first U.S. journalists to make it into Syria after the outbreak of the civil war and Taylor Swift: Tice is apparently a Swiftie. Now, the pop star could help bring one of her fans home. U.S. government is offering millions of dollars for information on Tice In Tices last tweet before his abduction on Aug. 11, 2012, which was also his 31st birthday, he mentioned Swift. Tice wrote that hed spent that day listening to her music at a pool party with members of the Free Syrian Army, a coalition of rebel opposition groups, with which Tice was most likely embedded at the time. He even said it was his best birthday ever. A few days later, he disappeared. Weeks later, a disturbing video emerged online showing Tice blindfolded and being led uphill by gun-clad captors wearing white robes. That 47-second clip, in which the journalist can be heard reciting an Arabic prayer and saying Oh, Jesus, was the last direct indication Tice was alive. That is until new information obtained published by Reuters on Dec. 13 revealed that Tice escaped from his captors briefly in 2013 before being recaptured. Spent the day at an FSA pool party with music by @taylorswift13. They even brought me whiskey. Hands down, best birthday ever. Austin Tice (@Austin_Tice) August 11, 2012 Former American officials believe that the video was a stunt by the Syrian government to wash their hands of the kidnapping and deflect blame instead onto one of the many Islamist groups that were fighting the government at the time. Others believe that Tice's captors are indeed an Islamist group. The al-Assads government refused to negotiate the release of Tice for more than a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Austin Tice has been detained in Syria since 2012. Celebrate his birthday and fight to free him. But since the fall of the al-Assad regime, the U.S. administration has intensified its search for Tice, the only missing American journalist that we know of. Both the State Department and the FBI are offering awards of $10 million and $1 million respectively for any information that leads to Tice. Tice's parents and search groups insist that he is still alive In a press briefing soon after al-Assad fled to Russia, President Joe Biden said that despite his administration not having direct evidence that Tice is alive, his administration is committed to returning him home. Biden also sent U.S. officials to the region to help with the search effort, and his administration has been in direct talks about Tice with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that is now effectively in charge of the country. HTS has offered to cooperate directly with the U.S. administration to locate Tice. A spokesperson for the new Syrian interim government told NBC News a few days after the fall of al-Assad regime that the countrys new leadership blames al-Assad for the anguish of Tice's family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tices parents maintain that their son is still alive and at least two independent search-and-rescue groups also believe that Tice is still alive. Opinion: Bring my journalist brother home by Thanksgiving The British newspaper The Times reported in December that Syrian journalist and activist Saher al-Ahmad, who was imprisoned by al-Assads regime, believed he was held in the same Damascus jail as Tice as recently as 2022. He said he saw the American journalist a few times, which aligns with an unconfirmed U.S. intelligence report from 2022 in which a senior Syrian opposition leader stated that Tice had been in a Damascus prison since July 2021, according to The Washington Post. Here's why Taylor Swift would make such a difference For the past 12 years, successive U.S. administrations have tried and failed to bring Tice back home. Meanwhile, Tices parents and press freedom advocates, including Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) where I work, have worked on numerous advocacy campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swift could help with those efforts at this critical time. If she learns about Tices abduction and publicly sympathizes with the American journalist and his family members who desperately want his return, she could give a huge boost to his chances of being found or released. The superstar could express solidarity either online or offline. Her star power (and legions of fans) could encourage the Biden administration to do even more in its last remaining weeks to end Tices ordeal. Tice deserves to be home with his family for the holidays, safe and sound. Ahmed Zidan Taylor Swift, please help us find your fan, American journalist Austin Tice. Ahmed Zidan is a press freedom advocate and the deputy director of audience at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF). He has been working at the intersection of press freedom and social platforms for nearly a decade. Previously, he worked as a journalist in Cairo, Egypt, New York, and elsewhere. He is based in Brooklyn, New York. You can follow him on Bluesky at zidan.bsky.social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Author's note: An earlier version of this article was published on Freedom of the Press Foundations site in December. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Austin Tice, a Swiftie, could use Taylor Swift's help | Opinion Jan. 11WASHINGTON, D.C. With a new year, Ohio's second Congressional District has a new representative. Republican David Taylor took the oath of office on Friday, Jan. 3, alongside his parents, wife, and three daughters. Taylor was elected in November 2024, taking the seat of the retiring Republican. Brad Wenstrup. The 2nd District covers several counties in southern Ohio. Lawrence County was moved into the district in 2022. It had previously been included in the 6th District, represented by Republican Bill Johnson, who retired from Congress in 2024 to take a position as president of Youngstown State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am eager to get to work and deliver real results to Ohio's Second Congressional District," Taylor of taking the oath. "Having been born and raised in Southern Ohio, it is truly humbling to bring my community's voice to the halls of Congress and make its priorities heard." Taylor said the 119th Congress is "a critical opportunity to pass legislation that puts the needs of hardworking Americans first." "As a small businessman and a former prosecutor, I know the importance of getting the job done and doing the job right," he said. "I look forward to being a strong, effective, and conservative voice for Southern Ohioans by supporting legislation that grows our economy and workforce, keeps our Nation safe, and puts America first." Prior to serving in Congress, Taylor worked as an assistant prosecutor for Clermont County before joining his family's concrete business, where he ultimately served as president. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Sunday slammed the Congress for attempting to weaken Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and the JD(S), asserting that "their dream will never come true." "Ours is a party of capable leaders and dedicated workers. It is impossible for others to destroy our party. Starting in March, I will tour various districts, stay in the homes of party workers, and focus on strengthening the party. Continue with the membership drive with full force," Deve Gowda said while speaking at a JD(S) party meeting. Deve Gowda reaffirmed the party's support for Kumaraswamy and said that "eliminating him is an impossible task" suggesting that Congress plans "cannot succeed." "The Congress believes that if they can finish Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) will collapse. But the reason they cannot succeed is simple--there are lakhs of party workers standing firmly behind Kumaraswamy. He is strong, and eliminating him is an impossible task." On Congress' criticism of JD(S) Deve Gowda said, "They label the JD(S) as a family-driven party. I urge anyone to visit the Congress office and take a look at the photos hanging on the walls. Then you'll understand which party is truly family-driven." JD(S) Youth Wing President Nikhil Kumaraswamy also addressed the gathering, urging members to stay united. "Do not fall behind in party organization. Let us all work together to strengthen the party," he said. Earlier Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged that there's a "tussle" for power between CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM DK Shivakumar in Karnataka. "The tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar is a street fight for power," he said. He also added that there has been "no development" in Karnataka due to this. He said that the government will collapse. "There is no development in Karnataka, only scandal and power sharing. This government will collapse," Ashoka said. (ANI) Technologists say the hazy definition of artificial intelligence leaves a wide opening for companies to over-promise or over-market the capabilities of their products or even render AI more of a marketing gimmick than a real technology. (Photo illustration by tolgart/Getty Images) We should doubt wherever we start seeing claims of originality coming from AI because originality is a very human trait. Jehangir Amjad, tech executive and Stanford lecturer In his college courses at Stanford University, Jehangir Amjad poses a curious question to his students: Was the 1969 moon landing a product of artificial intelligence? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might sound like a work of science fiction, or time travel, he said, but understanding the history of AI answers the question for them. I would actually argue, yes, a lot of the algorithms that were part of what put us on the moon are precursors to a lot of what we are seeing today as well, said Amjad, a Bay Area technology executive and a computer science lecturer at Stanford. Its essentially precursors to the same kind of similar sort of next, next, next generation algorithms. Amjad poses the question to his students to underline how hard it is to actually define artificial intelligence. This has become even more difficult as the technology explodes in sophistication and public awareness. The beauty and the dilemma is, what is AI? is actually very hard to define, Amjad said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That broad definition and public understanding of artificial intelligence can make it difficult for both consumers and the tech industry to parse out what is real AI and what is simply marketed as such. Swapnil Shinde, the Los Altos, California-based CEO and cofounder of AI bookkeeping software Zeni, has seen it through his investment firm Twin Ventures. Over the last two years, Shinde has seen a huge uptick in companies seeking funding that describe themselves as AI-powered or AI-driven. The AI market is very saturated, and some AI companies in fact just use the technology in a very small part of their product, he said. Its very easy to figure out after a few conversations if the startup is just building a wrap around ChatGPT and calling that a product, Shinde said. And if thats the case, they are not going to survive for long, because its not really deep tech. It isnt solving a very deep, painful problem that was driven by humans for a long period of time. The rush to build AI Since early 2023, Theresa Fesinstine said she has observed a race in the corporate world to introduce AI technologies in order to stay competitive and relevant. Its when she launched her AI education company, peoplepower.ai, in which she leads workshops, teaches organizations about how AI is built and consults them on which tools might be a good fit for their needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a time where everyone wants to claim the most cutting edge tools, some basic education about AI can help both companies and their employees navigate the technology landscape, the Norwalk, Connecticut-based founder said. In an effort to look more innovative, companies may tout basic automations or rule-based alerts as exciting new AI tools, Fesinstine said. While these tools do use some foundational technologies of AI, the companies could be overstating the tools abilities, she said, especially when they throw around the popular buzzword term generative AI, which uses complicated algorithms and deep learning techniques to learn, adapt and predict. The pressure on companies to keep up with the latest and greatest may also lead some organizations to buy new AI software tools, even if they dont have a strategy to implement and train their employees how to best use it. Its predatory, I would say, Fesinstine said. For companies, especially those that are feeling unsure of what AI is going to look like, what it should be, people have a fear of being left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some technologists argue that ambiguity around what is or isnt AI allows for all kinds of tech products to be sold as such. Predictive analytics, for example, which uses data to forecast future outcomes, may be borderline AI, said Ed Watal, the Reston, Virginia-based founder of IT and AI strategy consultancy firm Intellibus. True AI systems use algorithms to sort, analyze and review data, and make informed decisions on what to do with it, based on what humans prompt it to do. The learning aspects of these systems are how AI gets smarter over time through neural networks which take feedback and use history to get better at completing tasks over time. But the purists, the purists, will argue that AI is only machine learning and deep learning, he said. AI washing Though there seems to be an AI-powered company promising to do pretty much any task for you, technologists warn that todays real AI has its limitations. Watal said the industry has seen some AI washing or over-promising and over-marketing the uses of AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A company that promises that its AI tool can build a website from the ground up could be an example, he said. While you could get ChatGPT or another AI algorithm to generate the code, it cant create a fully functioning website, he said. You wouldnt be able to do things which require, lets say, something as simple as sending an email, because sending an email requires a [simple mail transfer protocol] server, Watal said. Yeah, you could ask this AI tool to also write the code for a mail server, but youd still have to host it and run it somewhere. So its not as simple as, oh, you click a button and you have an entire app. Amjad, who is also the head of AI Platform at generative AI company Ikigai, said companies sometimes over-promise and over-market the ability of AI to perform original, creative tasks. While artificial intelligence tools are great at pattern recognition, data sorting and generating ideas based on existing content, humans remain the source of original, creative tasks and output, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People would argue that in the public imagination, AI is creating a lot of things, but really its regurgitating. Its not creating, right? Amjad said. And we should doubt wherever we start seeing claims of originality coming from AI because originality is a very human trait. Its definitely not the first time that a new technology has captured the publics attention and led to a marketing frenzy, Watal said. About a decade ago, the concept of Web3, or a decentralized internet that relies on blockchain technology, quickly grew in popularity, he said. Blockchain technology operates as sort of a public ledger, where transactions and records are kept in an accessible forum. Its the basis of many cryptocurrencies, and while it has become more mainstream in recent years, it hasnt taken over the internet as was predicted about a decade ago. The cloud is another example of a technology marketing makeover, Watal said. The concept of remote servers storing information separately from your hardware goes back decades, but after Apples introduction of the Elastic Compute Cloud in 2006, every technology company competed to get their claim to the cloud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only time will tell if we are overusing or underusing the term artificial intelligence, Amjad said. I think its very clear that both the hype and the promise, and the promise of applications is actually pretty real, Amjad said. But that doesnt mean that we may not be, in certain quarters, overdoing it. Amjad suspects the interest in AI will only continue to rise, but he feels Ikigais technology is one that will prove itself amid the hype cycle. Yes, its come and captured the public imagination. And Im absolutely thrilled about that part, but its something that builds upon a very long tradition of these things, Amjad said. And I wish that would help temper some of the expectations the hype cycle has actually existed in AI, at least a couple of times, in the last, maybe, 50 years itself. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) Authorities are searching for a teen in London who was reported missing on Sunday. According to the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, 17-year-old Laniyha Miles was last seen at 1:30 p.m. off Hammock Road. Laniyha Miles, 17 (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) MISSING IN KENTUCKY Anyone with information is asked to call the Laurel County Sheriffs Office at 606-864-6600 or the dispatch center at 606-878-7000. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A teenage boy was taken to the hospital after he was shot in Southeast D.C. on Saturday. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), shortly before 3 p.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of 18th St. for a shooting. There, they found the boy, conscious and breathing, with gunshot wounds. Former DC government employee to spend over a decade in prison for fatally shooting teen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics took him to the hospital for treatment. Police noted that the shooting actually took place in the 2900 block of M St. This is about a six-minute drive from where officers found the boy. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters in Belgrade on Sunday switched on the lights on their mobile phones and stood in silence for 15 minutes to commemorate victims of a railway station roof collapse for which they blame authorities. The protest was organised and led by students of the Belgrade state university who are demanding that those responsible for roof collapse are brought to justice. They blame the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic for corruption and nepotism, which he and the party deny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students at state universities in Belgrade, Kragujevac and Nis have been blockading classes for weeks to demand the release of all documents relevant to the renovation of the station, as well as criminal prosecution of officials responsible for the disaster. Every day they block traffic in front of their faculties for 15 minutes to commemorate the 15 victims. The concrete awning of the recently renovated roof of Novi Sad station caved in on Nov. 1, killing 14 and injuring three. One of the injured died later. Opposition leaders and the public have taken to the streets repeatedly, blaming the accident on shoddy construction resulting from government corruption and nepotism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling coalition denies those charges, and Vucic has said those responsible must be held to account. "We have been unhappy for years. We came here to express our revolt (with authorities), and to support students," said Tamara Kovacevic, one of the protesters. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Branko Filipovic; editing by Giles Elgood) BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Tens of thousands protested in Romanias capital on Sunday against a top courts decision last month to annul the presidential election after an outsider candidate unexpectedly emerged as the frontrunner. Many of the demonstrators in Bucharest honked horns and waved Romanias blue, yellow, and red flags, while others brandished placards bearing slogans such as Democracy is not optional and We want free elections. Many also demanded the resumption of the presidential race from the second round. The protest comes a month after the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the election just two days before a Dec. 8 runoff. The far-right populist Calin Georgescu shocked many when he won the first round on Nov. 24, after which allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, said at the protest on Sunday, We are protesting against the coup detat that took place on Dec. 6. We are sorry to discover so late that we were living in a lie and that we were led by people who claimed to be democrats, but are not at all," Simion, whose party organized the protest on Sunday, told reporters. We demand a return to democracy through the resumption of elections, starting with the second round. The canceled presidential race last month plunged the European Union and NATO member country into turmoil and followed other controversies including a recount of first-round votes. New dates have been set to rerun the vote with the first round scheduled for May 4. If no candidate obtains more than 50% of the ballot, a runoff would be held two weeks later on May 18. It is not yet clear whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the new election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgescu has since challenged the courts decision at a local appeals court and lodged a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights. The Constitutional Courts published decision to annul the elections cited the illegal use of digital technologies including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of undeclared sources of funding. Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending. Many observers attributed Georgescu's success to his TikTok account, which now has 7.2 million likes and 646,000 followers. Some experts suspected Georgescus online following was artificially inflated while Romanias top security body alleged he was given preferential treatment by TikTok over other candidates. On Friday, another protest in Bucharest was attended by thousands who also expressed anger over the canceled presidential race. ___ Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath reported from Targu Mures, Romania. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The City of Terre Haute is bringing something special to the month of January. Mayor Brandon Sakbun held a special presentation on Saturday at City Hall. I, Brandon Sakbun, Mayor of the City of Terre Haute, do hereby proclaim the month of January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, but the city, along with the Wabash Valley Coalition Against Trafficking, have extended it in this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vice President of the Coalition, April Holloway, says their goal is to educate the community. Our mission is to increase awareness throughout our communities, so everybody knows what human trafficking is, Holloway said. As a community, we need to unite, eliminate the myths, and bring out the facts, so we can help fight this in our community. The coalition believes there are many misconceptions about the crime. It doesnt mean that you throw them in a vehicle and move them from place to place, Holloway said. Trafficking is any service that a victim is made to do through force, the threat of force, or coercion. Theyre doing something that they dont really want to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition is working to put signs and stickers in places that human trafficking most often occurs, and to make those aware of available resources. We want people to be aware of human trafficking and know the resources that are available for victims, Holloway said. The hotline numbers to call, who to call if you suspect human trafficking, and how important it is to know that hotline number. Holloway says educating the community is just the beginning. Were going to the schools, were going to the businesses, were going to government offices, Holloway said. It starts at the bottom and works its way all the way up. Everybody must be aware of whats happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-term goal is to branch out into the surrounding counties, bringing the entire area awareness on the issue. If you are interested in volunteering, you can visit the coalitions website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The State of Texas will be sending more than 135 firefighters and other personnel and more than 45 fire engines and other firefighting equipment to help battle the raging urban wildfires in the Los Angeles area, Gov. Greg Abbotts Office said Saturday, Jan. 11. Abbott announced that he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas A&M Forest Service to deploy firefighters, emergency management and medical personnel, fire engines and other equipment to assist with the wildfire response in California. Abbott said he is responding to a request for assistance from CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) through the California Office of Emergency Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hearts grieve with the entire Los Angeles community as they continue to respond to these destructive wildfires, Abbott said. Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis. I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy firefighters, fire engines, and firefighting equipment to help our fellow Americans battle these wildfires. I thank all the brave firefighters and first responders who are answering the call to help Californians in need as these fires continue to burn. Cecilia and I pray for the victims who lost their lives and their families, the heroic men and women of CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the entire state of California during this difficult time, Abbott said. This deployment is coordinated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is a state-to-state mutual-aid system that enables states to provide assistance and share resources with another state in response to a disaster or emergency, Abbotts Office said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Drones promised to Ukraine by Lithuanian manufacturers, originally scheduled for delivery by the end of last year, are reportedly still sitting idle in Lithuanian military warehouses. Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT Quote from LRT: "Manufacturers say that while drones are gathering dust in Lithuania, Ukraine is suffering heavy losses. Politicians, on the other hand, say that bureaucracy is to blame." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: A company involved in purchasing drones for Ukraine claims that the equipment was delivered to Lithuanian warehouses several months ago. "We delivered some of the drones in October, some in November, but we have no information yet that the drones have been delivered to Ukraine," says Tomas Milasauskas, head of RSI Europe, a Lithuanian defence sector company. The company has not yet been called upon to train Ukrainians in the use of drones. Other companies have also confirmed they have no information indicating the drones have been delivered to Ukraine. Laurynas Kasciunas, former Lithuanian minister of national defence, says that bureaucracy is to blame. He argues that a product has six steps to go through before it reaches its final destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The bureaucracy works as follows: there are warehouses, the Defence Resources Agency has to formally transfer them [the drones] to the army, the government has to make a decision to transfer them to Ukraine, then they need to be transported to Ukraine... This means we need to focus and take each step as quickly as possible," Kasciunas stressed. The former defence minister acknowledges that the steps are logical but emphasises that any delay at any stage can cause the entire process to stall. Drone manufacturers, however, insist that the equipment should be delivered to Ukraine without further delay. "If the drones are not in the hands of the soldiers, then Ukraine will suffer more significant losses than it could have," Milasauskas said. Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, also draws attention to the technical characteristics of the drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When it comes to drones, which are new technologies produced according to the latest standards, they should be in the hands of users the Ukrainian military as soon as possible," he explains. Jeglinskas added that this incident should serve as a signal to review the entire system. Lithuania's Defence Ministry says the drones purchased from Lithuanian manufacturers will be delivered to Ukraine shortly. The ministry says the supply chain is already being shortened, as evidenced by a government decree passed this week. "It [the decree] stipulates that if state assets are acquired for the needs of another state using funds allocated by the government, the government should not discuss this issue again... From now on, we will start transferring assets to Ukraine in accordance with these amended procedures," the ministry said in a statement. Background: In August, five Lithuanian drone manufacturers successfully conducted tests in Ukraine. Almost 5,000 drones worth 5 million were purchased for Ukraine's Armed Forces. In addition, 2,300 combat drones worth 3 million were acquired for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Earlier, Lithuania's Defence Ministry had announced that all drones would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2024. Support UP or become our patron! BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia's striking university students protested outside the Balkan country's top court on Sunday to draw their attention to what they say have been violations of their civil rights under the populist authorities, including pressure from the secret service. The rally began with thousands of people standing in silence for 15 minutes in front of the Constitutional Court in the capital, Belgrade, to commemorate the victims of a concrete canopy collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad in November which triggered almost daily anti-corruption protests. A separate rally was also held in the southern city of Nis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing protests reflect wider discontent with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucics increasingly autocratic rule. Vucic formally says he wants to steer Serbia toward European Union membership but he has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms rather than advancing them Classes at Serbia's universities have been suspended for weeks with the students demanding accountability for the canopy collapse at the railway station building in Novi Sad on Nov. 1. Many in Serbia believe the huge canopy collapsed because of sloppy reconstruction work that resulted from corruption. The Novi Sad railway station building was renovated twice in recent years in a deal with Chinese state companies. Fourteen people were killed and three others were severely injured after tons of concrete crashed without warning. One more person later died while in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Striking students have reported pressure from Serbian state security and Vucic, who has accused the students of receiving money from the West for their protests. The pro-government media have bluntly published personal data of some of the protesters, which would not be possible without the involvement of Serbia's secret service, or BIA. Luka Stojakovic, who was targeted by the pro-government media along with his twin brother, told N1 television that we have learned that BIA (Serbias state security agency) can knock on our doors, conduct repression against our parents and invited us for a friendly chat. They published our (personal) data and no one was held responsible, said Stojakovic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I expect that there will be more pressure, I know there will be, added Stojakovic. I expect there will be pressure on our parents and that they will link us to political parties, but we will not give up until all our demands are fulfilled." Student protests have posed the biggest challenge so far on Vucics tight grip on power. The students have received widespread popular support and their rallies have drawn tens of thousands of people. During their rally on Sunday, the protesters read out the articles of Serbia's Constitution that they say have been violated with the various forms of state pressure on their protests. Vucic's constitutional role as president should be mostly ceremonial, but instead he has gradually assumed control of almost all levers of power since taking office 13 years ago. In one of his frequent public appearances on state-controlled media, Vucic called the Sunday protest stupid and added that he will step down only when he decides to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They (the protesters) live in their own world. They are not my problem, but I blame those who are pushing them about all this. I mean their professors, Vucic told Pink TV. Serbias prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people over the train station canopy collapse, including a government minister and several state officials. But doubts prevail over the probes independence under the authorities. Mahant of Nirmohi Akhara, Digambar Akhara and Nirvani Ani Akhara inspected the route for the 'Rajsi Snan' (Shahi Snan) built from the saints camps to the Sangam Ghat on Sunday. Speaking on the preparations of the camps, Rajendra Das (Mahant Nirmohi Akhara) told ANI, "People are going to come here and take a divine dip in the Triveni Sangam. We came here to look at the camps.. we hope more and more people come here for the Kumbh Mela. This is a sacred fair which is also grand and divine.." "The preparations have been made in a very good manner. Those who want to perform religious deeds will come here ..." another Mahant Ram Kishore Shastri (Mahant Digambar Akhara) to ANI. Murali Das, President of the Nirvani Ani Akhara applauded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for Maha Kumbh arrangements and facilities. "The Yogi government has made good arrangements. We are expecting a lot of people to come for the Mahakumbh. All people should come here to wash away their sins and worship the priests.." Das said speaking to ANI. The Mahakumbh Mela, a 45-day grand event commences on January 13 and will be held till February 26. A total of 40 crore visitors are expected here. Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath highlighted the significance of the Mahakumbh 2025 and called it a unique opportunity for people from across the country and the world to witness Uttar Pradesh and India's cultural and spiritual grandeur. According to a release, while speaking at the closing ceremony of Gorakhpur Mahotsav 2025 on Sunday afternoon, CM Yogi emphasized the special significance of this year's Mahakumbh, as it marks a rare celestial alignment occurring after 144 years. He invited devotees to experience the spiritual heritage of India by bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The Chief Minister announced that the Mahakumbh is being organized over an expansive 10,000-acre area. As of Friday night, 35 lakh devotees had already arrived. He urged people to offer khichdi to Baba Gorakhnath on Makar Sankranti and then visit the Mahakumbh to immerse themselves in India's cultural and spiritual heritage. The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. During the Mahakumbh, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to take a holy dip. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). (ANI) KYIV (Reuters) - About 23,000 households were left without electricity after Russian shelling of Kherson in southern Ukraine damaged power equipment in the city, the local military administration said on Sunday. The attack targeted the Dniprovskiy district along the Dnipro River, an area of Kherson that is regularly shelled by Russian troops on the opposite bank. Kherson's governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said Kherson city and around 50 settlements in the surrounding region had been shelled by Russian troops over the past 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Russian military shelled social infrastructure and residential areas of the region's settlements, in particular, damaging 2 multi-storey buildings and 8 private houses," Prokudin said on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier on Sunday called on allies to honour their promises to supply Ukraine with weapons, including systems to counter Russian air attacks. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; editing by Giles Elgood) As wildfires ravage the Los Angeles area, thousands of homes have been lost, putting insurance coverage in the spotlight. But a study of a 2021 wildfire in Colorado suggests most homeowners are underinsured. Wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of homes, but a recent study suggests three-fourths of homeowners don't have enough insurance to recoup all their losses after a disaster. That estimate is based on the Marshall Fire, which consumed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County, Colorado, on Dec. 30, 2021. Researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Wisconsin-Madison looked at insurance contracts, focusing on nearly 5,000 policyholders who filed claims after the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They found that 74% were underinsured, meaning they weren't fully covered for total losses. And of that share, 36% of them were severely underinsured, meaning they were covered for less than 75% of their home's replacement cost. "To put that in context, if it costs $1 million to rebuild, that's $250,000 people have to come up with," study coauthor Tony Cookson, finance professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Leeds School of Business, said in a statement. "Most households don't have ready access to those types of resources." While underinsurance doesn't necessarily prevent a homeowner from rebuilding, it represents a major obstacle. The study found that underinsured homeowners are 25% less likely to rebuild within a year. Homeowner neglect and rising costs aren't the main drivers of underinsurance, according to Emily Gallagher, who also coauthored the study and is an assistant professor of finance at Leeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, their research found that the amount of coverage varies widely, even for similar properties, depending on the insurance company. According to the study, carriers with more policyholders and a longer history of insuring homes often provided more complete coverage. "When consumers focus on premiums rather than coverage limits, insurers have a very natural incentive to cut prices by offering less insurance," Cookson said in the statement. While wildfires are still spreading in California, whether to rebuild after losing a home is already top of mind for some families. That's as the Eaton fire in Altadena has damaged or destroyed an estimated 7,000 structures so far, and the Palisades fire has destroyed more than 5,000 buildings. Meanwhile, the confirmed death toll has hit 13 and is expected to grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeowners in California in particular faced tougher challenges, even before the latest wildfires. Carriers have been fleeing the state in recent years, driven out by increasingly costly weather events, including previous fires that have wiped out company profits. Last year, State Farm dropped nearly 70% of its policies in Pacific Palisades. The state tried to address the situation late last month, announcing a new regulation that requires insurers in the state to write more policies in risk-prone areas, in exchange for passing on reinsurance costs to policyholders. Consumers are likely facing steep hikes in premiums as the current wildfires are shaping up to be the most costly in modern U.S. history. Estimates from AccuWeather put damages at $135 billion-$150 billion. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) Three people were hospitalized following an overnight house fire in Edmond Saturday morning. According to authorities, fire crews responded to the house fire near S Coltrane Road and Brownwood Lane just after midnight on Saturday. Multiple fire departments assisted with the fire, including Edmond Fire Department, Guthrie Fire Department, and Oak Cliff Fire Department. Overnight fire in Edmond leaves three injured. (KFOR) Overnight fire in Edmond leaves three injured. (KFOR) Officials say the three people who were hospitalized suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. WILLINGTON Three men were arrested earlier this week for their involvement in assaulting an elderly man in Willington. Troopers from Troop C in Tolland responded to a business call on Adamec Road in Willington on Wednesday for a report of a large fight. According to the State Police, the 911 callers reported that approximately 15 to 20 people were actively working to break up a fight that had started between a few individuals. Once on the scene, Troopers located one victim, a 66-year-old man with a severe head laceration. Local EMS was called, and the man was quickly transported to a local hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Troopers spoke with several witnesses, they identified the individuals who initially began the fight. According to the witnesses, a party of individuals was being loud and disruptive in the establishment when the victim repeatedly asked them to quiet down. Two men then got up and assaulted the victim, while a third man threw a glass at the victims head, striking him and causing the laceration. When State Police continued their investigation, it was discovered on camera footage the three men who initiated the assault. Baylor Lapointe, 29, of Wethersfield, and Joseph Reilly, 26, of Tolland, were identified as the two who initially assaulted the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Browdy, 26, of Manchester, was identified as the man who threw the glass at the victims head. Browdy was charged with assault in the second degree on an elderly victim and breach of peace in the second degree. Lapointe and Reilly were both charged with breach of peace in the second degree and assault in the third degree on an elderly victim. Browdy was issued a $20,000 bond, while Lapointe and Reilly were issued $5,000 bonds. All three men were released and will appear at Rockville Superior Court on January 22. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune has a bold legislative agenda. We want to make sure were securing the border, rebuilding our military, strengthening our economy, renewing American energy dominance in this country, and then making sure that we prevent a major tax increase on the American people, Sen. John Thune said. Thune says theres a lot to do once President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20th. Despite some past tensions, Thune now describes his connection with Trump as a strong working relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I speak to the president regularly. We are, as Ive said, aligned on the things we want to accomplish. And if he is a successful president, the country will be successful, Thune said. Its very much obviously in the interest of the United States Senate and the House to work with him to be able to implement his agenda. Thune said he anticipates Governor Kristi Noems Senate confirmation as Department of Homeland Security secretary will follow fairly quickly after Wednesdays hearing, given the national security implications of the role. Inside KELOLAND: Budget talks will highlight 100th Legislative session A week from Monday when the president sworn in, hell submit the paperwork which will enable the committees then to meet and to report those nominees out to the floor for consideration. Once theyre reported out of the committee and on the floor, then its just a function of how quickly we can get through the process, Thune said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Senate Majority Leader, one of Thunes key priorities is passing a reauthorized farm bill. According to Thune, its been delayed several times, creating economic uncertainty for farmers across the country, including his home state of South Dakota. Commodity prices are down. Input costs are up. Margins have shrunk, Thune said. In many cases, lenders are getting nervous, as are our farmers and ranchers. I would argue that agriculture is always going to be one of my number one issues. Thune is also pushing for stronger border security. He highlighted the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at addressing illegal immigration. The bill faced partisan opposition last year, but Thune remains hopeful for more bipartisan support moving forward. All but nine Democrats voted for it in the Senate. Hopefully, theres a change there, Thune said. I think they recognize that bills like this, which are just common sense and particularly those that deal with border security and in the security of our communities in this country, they need to be highlighted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Majority Leader serves as the spokesperson for their partys positions on issues and schedules business on the floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois State Police arrested six people in Bloomington as part of a human trafficking suppression operation. One of the individuals arrested was from Tolono. State Police engaged in a two-day operation on Jan. 8-9 to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts. Christian Co. Crime Stoppers looking for tips in Stonington tire theft 60-year-old Larry Miller of Tolono was one of the men arrested. He was arrested on charges of traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child/internet, indecent solicitation/ aggravated criminal sexual abuse, solicitation to meet a child five years or older and grooming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other men arrested include 45-year-old Nathan Hansen of Bloomington, 25-year-old David Teran of Bloomington, 21-year-old Steve Adma of Galesburg, 21-year-old Khalid Farah of Arlington Heights and 33-year-old Michael Morris of Forrest City, according to State Police. They were arrested on charges including traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation, and other charges. WCIAs partners at WMBD reported that five of the people arrested were released from the McLean County Jail, and one remained in custody as of Sunday morning. Of all six, only Morris remained in custody. State Police said the operation was part of their work to stop human trafficking in Illinois. Multiple agencies worked together for the operation, including, State Police Troops 3 and 5, Vermillion Metropolitan Enforcement Group, East Central Illinois Drug Task Force, North Central Narcotics Task Force, Bloomington Police Department, and Department of Child and Family Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about recognizing the signs of human trafficking, click here. If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. State Police said you can also email them at ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. When a judge was ready to sentence R. Kelly for sexually exploiting children, Breon Peace, the federal governments top prosecutor in Brooklyn, was in the courtrooms front row. Peace, who oversees more than 160 attorneys and many times that number of cases, cant go to many hearings personally. This one was an exception, and not just because it was so high profile. It was a chance for R. Kellys victims to finally confront him, to look him in the eye. Peace wanted to be there to send a message: Its OK to come forward, tell your story. So they did. I am a representation of every woman, boy, child, man that you have ever afflicted with your deplorable, inexplicable acts and with that I leave you with yourself, Robert Sylvester Kelly, survivor Jovante Cunningham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if Ill ever be whole, added a second survivor, who wished to remain anonymous. Then the judge sentenced R. Kelly to 30 years. Peace came out of the courthouse and told reporters: The sentence shows that the witnesses reclaim control over their lives and over their futures. These are the voices of mostly Black and brown women and children that were heard and believed, for whom justice was finally achieved. I met Peace in his office last week, with a plan to talk to him about Chinese spies. As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for the last three-and-half years, he helped turn what was once thought of as something of a legal backwater into a global security powerhouse. Under Peaces watch, EDNY, as its known, went after Mexican cartel bosses, Russian weaponeers, accused Iranian hitmen, and, especially, covert agents of the Beijing government operating on the streets of New York. Along the way, the office prosecuted crooked politicians like former congressman and serial bullshitter George Santos. Its also reportedly investigating a top fundraiser for New York Mayor Eric Adams with links to the Chinese Communist Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We touched on all of those topics in a rare and wide-ranging interview on Peaces next-to-last day as the federal governments top prosecutor in this part of New York. But when I asked him about the cases that really stayed with him, out of the hundreds and hundreds his office pursued, Peace, a Brooklyn-bred preachers son, steered the conversation toward a pair of trials involving giants of rap and R&B, the wounds left behind, and the moment that may be ahead for the pop culture industry. What stuck out at me was all the victims coming forward to talk about what [R. Kelly] had done to them, the trauma he had caused, he tells me. It never leaves. It could be, you know, years later, decades later, but you can tell youre still feeling it. And its important to hear those voices and vindicate those interests and respect those people. I dont know if therell be a reckoning or what that would look like, he adds. But Im hopeful that anyone thats been violated, sexually abused would look at his offices prosecution of R. Kelly, and be prompted to tell their story. Then we can take action. Peace isnt talking in the abstract. After alleged victims came forward, his office was able in October to indict the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch on sex trafficking charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one of a number of tectonic cases and years-long investigations that Peace will be handing off to his successor. President-elect Donald Trump has named Joseph Nocella, a little-known Long Island district court judge who, Bloomberg Law notes, previously presided over cases involving defendants charged with stealing from makeup shop Sephora or drunk driving. Nocella, if hes confirmed in time, will presumably handle the sentencing of fellow Long Islander and convicted fraudster George Santos, who recently managed to convince a local judge to delay any jail time for several months, after arguing he needed to make money from his podcast. (No, seriously.) Nocella will also be overseeing EDNYs widely-reported investigations into Eric Adams inner circle. Adams has already been indicted by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for taking illegal campaign donations from Turkish officials in exchange for municipal favors. At least one of the Brooklyn probes involves Adams longtime Asian community liaison Winnie Greco, who had her former campaign office in a Chinatown mall raided last year by the FBI. Greco, who previously served as a paid consultant to Beijing-funded organizations, accompanied Adams on one of his many trips to China, and separately met on numerous occasions with one of two men Peace later indicted for operating a secret Chinese police station in lower Manhattan. According to the New York Daily News, EDNYs investigation into Greco includes her Chinese government ties, as well as an extremely suspicious campaign donation scheme which operated from the site of Grecos old campaign HQ. The mayor and his lawyer have derided the federal investigations into him as political payback for Adams criticisms of the Biden administration. (Even Ray Charles can see whats going on, the mayor said earlier this week.) As Rolling Stone recently reported, Trump and his team are among the many observers who believe that Adams is campaigning for a pardon with such statements; the Trump crew has been laughing at the thirsty mayor for his none-too-subtle efforts. The president-elect, a convicted felon, later said he would look at pardoning Adams, and claimed the mayor has been treated pretty unfairly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peace was measured in his response to Adams and his accusations of prosecutions as political persecutions. It is something that is said generally, and I understand its a way to undermine confidence in a case. Everyones free to state their positions, and everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense, he tells me. But that is not something that has factored into any decision weve made here in the Eastern District, and I dont think its a factor in decisions made by my colleagues, my fellow U.S. attorneys around the country. Peace also added that he expected his Trump-appointed successor to keep his offices investigations going. The core work of this office, I expect to continue, because its impactful and important work for this district and the country, he says. I can see no reason why it shouldnt, or anybody wouldnt want it to continue. And while he didnt cite an investigation of Adams (or Greco), either directly or indirectly, Peace does believe that theres a common link between many cases his office pursued, from the secret policemen in Manhattan to the Chinese hackers who targeted U.S. senators families to Beijings agents who infiltrated dissident groups in New York. It even leads to the New York governors mansion. According to Peaces investigators, an influential aide to governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul was able to covertly steer local policy toward China in exchange for millions of dollars from Beijing and favors, including braces of Nanjing-style salted ducks. While theres been some speculation that these may be separate operations by various Chinese government actors, the equivalent of covert entrepreneurship, Peace sees them as a part of a larger, if extremely diffuse, campaign. I think our investigations have revealed [a] more organized [effort] by intelligence agencies, police forces, etc., in China, we think is much more significant than just entrepreneurship by individuals, he says. Thats one of the things thats been challenging about that threat. Its many different forms. Its hacking. Its infiltration of the government at a bunch of different levels. Theres transnational repression using tools to try to harass and stalk and threaten people who are Chinese residents of this country. So its a lot of different forms, and we have been trying to deal with all of them aggressively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, critics allege, these efforts have been too aggressive, with FBI agents raiding the homes of people whose only crime appears to be that theyre ethnically Chinese. Those critics point to EDNYs prosecution of former New York police officer Baimadajie Angwang, whom Peaces lawyers accused of being a Chinese spy only to abruptly drop their charges without explanation. Peace still wont offer one now. Im limited to what is in the record in terms of our dismissal of that case, is all hell say. But he did back his office against charges of anti-Asian bias more broadly, saying, Our approach here is not, lets just go after the Chinese community. This is really trying to focus on important cases where we think theyre real threats that are generated by a nation state [trying] having influence here in the United States. We went back and forth about these international cases for a bit longer. But Peace kept wanting to talk about cases closer to home. He grew up on rap, and in the 90s, lived not far from one of the Notorious B.I.G.s haunts. So it shouldnt come as much of a shock that Peace paid particular interest in EDNYs case against the men accused of murdering a hip-hop icon, Run DMCs Jam Master Jay. When the jury was ready to reveal its verdict last February, Peace was back in court, back in the front row. Jay was shot and killed 22 years earlier, at a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens. It took the better part of a generation before a key witness was willing to come forward. Its been 20-plus years, one of his sons told Rolling Stone. Over that time, you lose faith in the justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court room was packed on the verdict day, so crowded that Peace sat over by the defense table, instead of the prosecutors side. When the verdict came down as guilty, the place erupted. Yall just killed two innocent people, one of the defendants yelled. A supporter screamed, Bullshit. Bullshit. He didnt do it. The feds made the witnesses lie. The U.S. Marshals had to be brought in to keep things from getting out of hand, Peace remembers. A third member of the alleged conspiracy is supposed to go on trial in a year from now. I grew up as a fan of Run DMC, he tells me, And so, you know, as a citizen, it was great to see the people who killed him held accountable. But for me, sort of putting my U.S. Attorney hat on, I was incredibly proud, because thats the kind of case it was an old, cold case and many times those cases never get solved and people walk away. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A top level Israeli security delegation arrived in Qatar on Sunday for talks on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, in a possible sign of so-far elusive agreements nearing. Qatar and fellow mediators Egypt and the United States are making renewed efforts to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the enclave and free the remaining 98 hostages held there before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu's office said on Saturday that the delegation includes Mossad Head David Barnea, the head of the Shin Bet domestic security service Ronen Bar and the military's head of the hostage brief, Nitzan Alon. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met on Saturday with Netanyahu, after having met on Friday with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas but did not elaborate. The sides have been keeping a tight lid on the details being worked out. It is unclear how they will bridge one of the biggest gaps that has persisted throughout previous rounds of talks: Hamas demands an end to the war while Israel says it won't end the war as long as Hamas rules Gaza and poses a threat to Israelis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, and most of its population displaced. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Andrew Mills in Doha; editing by Giles Elgood) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday stated that the Ukrainian security forces have captured two North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy confirmed that the soldiers, despite being wounded, have been transported to Kyiv and are now in communication with the Security Service of Ukraine. "Our soldiers have captured North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region. Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine," the Ukrainian President said. Zelenskyy further expressed gratitude to the soldiers of Tactical Group No. 84 of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces and paratroopers for successfully capturing the North Korean military personnel. He highlighted the challenges involved in the operation, noting that Russian forces and North Korean military personnel typically execute their wounded to prevent evidence of North Korea's involvement in the conflict. "This was not an easy task: Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine. I am grateful to the soldiers of Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as our paratroopers, who captured these two individuals," he added. As prisoners of war, the two North Korean soldiers are receiving medical assistance, Zelenskyy stated and further instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to allow journalists access to the prisoners. "As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance. I have instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to grant journalists access to these prisoners. The world needs to know the truth about what is happening," he stated. According to Ukrainian and Western assessments, some 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed in the Kursk region where Ukrainian forces occupy swathes of territory after conducting cross-border incursions back in August 2024. Earlier on December 22, 2024, the Ukrainian military had said that North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia were given fake military documents with Russian names and birthplaces, CNN reported. (ANI) By Nidhi Verma, Chen Aizhu, Siyi Liu and Florence Tan NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Chinese and Indian refiners will source more oil from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, boosting prices and freight costs, as new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and ships curb supplies to Moscow's top customers, traders and analysts said. The U.S. Treasury on Friday imposed sanctions on Russian oil producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, as well as 183 vessels that have shipped Russian oil, targeting the revenues Moscow has used to fund its war with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the tankers have been used to ship oil to India and China as Western sanctions and a price cap imposed by the Group of Seven countries in 2022 shifted trade in Russian oil from Europe to Asia. Some tankers have also shipped oil from Iran, which is also under sanctions. Russian oil exports will be hurt severely by the new sanctions, which will force Chinese independent refiners to cut refining output going forward, two Chinese trade sources said. The sources declined to be named as they are not authorised to speak to media. The expected disruption in Russian supply drove global oil prices to their highest in months on Monday, with Brent trading above $81 a barrel. [O/R] Among the newly sanctioned ships, 143 are oil tankers that handled more than 530 million barrels of Russian crude last year, about 42% of the country's total seaborne crude exports, Kpler's lead freight analyst Matt Wright said in a note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of these, about 300 million barrels were shipped to China while the bulk of the remainder went to India, he added. "These sanctions will significantly reduce the fleet of ships available to deliver crude from Russia in the short term, pushing freight rates higher," Wright said. A Singapore-based trader said the designated tankers shipped close to 900,000 bpd of Russian crude to China over the past 12 months. "It's going to drop off a cliff," he added. For the first 11 months last year, India's Russian crude imports rose 4.5% on year to 1.764 million bpd, or 36% of India's total imports. China's volume, including pipeline supply, was up 2% at 99.09 million metric tons (2.159 million bpd), or 20% of its total imports, over the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's imports are mostly Russian ESPO Blend crude, sold above the price cap, while India buys mostly Urals oil. Vortexa analyst Emma Li said Russian ESPO Blend crude exports would be halted if the sanctions were strictly enforced, but it would depend on whether U.S. President-elect Donald Trump lifted the embargo and also whether China acknowledged the sanctions. ALTERNATIVES The new sanctions will push China and India back into the compliant oil market to seek more supply from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, the sources said. Spot prices for Middle East, Africa and Brazilian grades have already risen in recent months on rising demand from China and India as supplies of Russian and Iranian oil tightened and became more expensive, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Already, prices are rising for Middle Eastern grades," said an Indian oil refining official. "There is no option than that we have to go for Middle Eastern oil. Perhaps we may have to go for U.S. oil as well." A second Indian refining source said the sanctions on Russian oil insurers will prompt Russia to price its crude below $60 a barrel so Moscow can continue to use Western insurance and tankers. Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group said: "Indian refiners, the main takers of Russian crude, are unlikely to wait around to find out and will be scrambling to find alternatives in Middle Eastern and Dated-Brent-related Atlantic Basin crude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Strength in the Dubai benchmark can only rise from here as we are likely to see aggressive bidding for February loading cargoes of the likes of Oman or Murban, leading to a tighter Brent/Dubai spread," he added. Last month, the Biden administration designated more ships dealing with Iranian crude ahead of tougher action expected from the incoming Trump administration, leading the Shandong Port Group to ban sanctioned tankers from calling into its ports in the eastern Chinese province. As a result, China, the main buyer of Iranian crude, will also turn to heavier Middle Eastern oil and most likely will maximise its offtake of Canadian crude from the Trans-Mountain pipeline (TMX), Tchilinguirian said. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma in New Delhi, Florence Tan, Siyi Liu, Chen Aizhu in Singapore; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Diane Craft) A tourist in Florida is facing charges of murder, battery and more after he allegedly killed a bystander with a fire extinguisher while he was being evicted from a hotel. On Friday, Jan. 10, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office shared during a press conference that they arrested a man on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at a Quality Inn in Kissimmee about 20 miles south of Orlando after they received a 911 call about a person being stomped on, kicked and beaten with a fire extinguisher. Sheriff Marcos Lopez said during the press conference that his office received the 911 call on Wednesday around 4.p.m. local time, and when deputies arrived at the hotel, they found 25-year-old Piero Estefano But-Castillo "still beating" Robert Krusinowski, 55. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents obtained by PEOPLE allege that But-Castillo's hands were "covered in blood," and he hooked his legs inside a nearby railing as deputies tried to intervene and pull him away. Lopez said during the news conference that But-Castillo, a Chilean national, was angry after staff asked him to leave the hotel and Krusinowski, a bystander, was trying to help calm him down. Court documents state the 25-year-old had a check-out date of Jan. 8, and he was being asked not to continue his stay. Google maps The Quality Inn in Kissimmee, Fla. The Quality Inn in Kissimmee, Fla. "In an effort to calm him down, our victim Mr. Robert Krusinowski, a 55-year-old man was unarmed, just trying to de-escalate the situation," Lopez said. "However, our suspect it angered him, and he just beat him. Beat him to death. It was a brutal beating with a fire extinguisher." Court documents state that But-Castillo was accused of smashing hotel property, including the window of an occupied room. While he was allegedly attacking Krusinowski, the affidavit for his arrest states, But-Castillo stopped to climb through the broken window of the occupied room and was forced back out, and then continued to attack the 55-year-old. Much of the incident was captured by another hotel resident on a cell phone, according to the documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit adds that Krusinowski was a longtime resident of the hotel who often helped staff with maintenance on the property. He suffered severe head trauma, and fire department personnel administered first aid, but he later died from his injuries at the scene. "These savage attacks aren't going to go unpunished here," Lopez said during the press conference. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Lopez said But-Castillo first entered the U.S. from Chile as a student in 2019, before leaving and returning on Jan. 1, 2024, on a 90-day tourist visa. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident, he added, noting that the department is working with the Chilean government to find more information about But-Castillo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But-Castillo is currently in custody at the Osceola County Jail with no bond and an immigration hold. He faces charges of first-degree murder, resisting an officer with violence, battery on specified personnel and criminal mischief of $1,000, according to booking records. Lopez concluded the press conference by recommending that the public call 911 instead of trying to intervene when a person is acting erratically. "Let us take this into our hands and affect the arrest. It's better that you don't get involved," the sheriff added. "You don't know who you're dealing with and people get angry, lose their tempers you don't know if they're psychotic or on drugs. In this case, it cost the victim his life." Read the original article on People Police in Azusa announced that a man was arrested on Friday night after he allegedly started a brush fire in a park not far from where the Eaton Fire is still burning. According to the Azusa Police Department, officers were dispatched to Pioneer Park located at 1360 North Dalton Drive around 11:37 p.m. on reports of a brush fire. Upon arriving at the park, a witness alerted officers that the individual responsible for igniting the blaze was still at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are broken, but we arent without joy: Family remains hopeful after losing home to Eaton Fire The man, a transient named Jose Carranza-Escobar, was seen standing next to the flames and was promptly detained as the L.A. County Fire Department, already thinly stretched due to the large wildfires in Southern California, responded and extinguished the blaze. Carranza, whose last known address was in Azusa, later admitted to starting the fire. He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail for arson. Local public works departments will work to assess the damage caused by the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azusa Police Department urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county, the police department said. We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires. APD has staffed extra officers on duty due to the ongoing fire situation, authorities said. The department will also continue to assist agencies responding to the fires to ensure the communitys safety. Palisades Fire reaches homes in Brentwood; San Fernando Valley threatened Azusa is located directly east of Duarte, where some neighborhoods remain under an evacuation warning due to the Eaton Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of publication, the Eaton Fire had burned more than 11,000 acres and was just 15% contained. A total of eight people have died in the fire, which will likely be one of the most expensive national disasters in California history when all is said and done. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Authorities in Moldova's Russian-controlled region of Transnistria announced on Jan. 11 that energy-saving measures have allowed them to ease restrictions caused by a halt of Russian gas supplies. The duration of rolling blackouts is set to decrease further. Moldova's pro-European central government said Moscow is responsible for the energy crisis. Transnistria, a Russian-occupied region since the Soviet Union's collapse, has historically relied on Russian gas transported via Ukraine. The region has faced industrial collapse due to widespread power outages and heating failures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian state energy company Gazprom halted gas deliveries to Moldova on Jan. 1, as Ukraine declined to extend a gas transit agreement into 2025, triggering an energy emergency in the Russian-occupied region. The self-proclaimed authorities in Transnistria never paid Gazprom for the gas they consumed, while Moscow continued to charge Moldova for it. Chisinau refused to cover the cost. Transnistria's Russian-installed officials reported on the region's Telegram channel that rolling blackouts, initially lasting eight hours earlier this week, were cut to five hours on Jan. 10 and would be reduced to three hours on Sunday. First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Obolonik said: "With current super efficiencies in consumption, Transnistria has enough gas until the end of January." To manage the shortages, many factories have shifted to night shifts to reduce grid strain. However, a cement factory in Rybnitsa has shut down, along with a critical steel mill in another city, according to Reuters. Russian gas to Transnistria powers a thermal plant that supplies electricity to the separatist region and much of Moldova's government-controlled areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Voda, press secretary for Moldova's central government, criticized Moscow's role in the crisis, adding that Russia uses energy as a political weapon. "Every time that Russia wants to show its might, it cuts off vital resources and turns people into hostages," Voda reportedly said. "This is an experiment using people that shows that Moscow is not worried about residents comfort and security. ... No one deserves to live in fear and in the cold." Although the Moldovan government has offered assistance to help Transnistria address its energy shortages, the region's leadership denies receiving any formal proposals. Read also: As Russia cuts Transnistria from gas, stranded locals search for someone to blame Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Waves of lake-effect snow will be spread across the Great Lakes and interior Northeast through at least midweek, burying some towns in feet of fresh snow, AccuWeather experts say. A true round of lake-effect-induced snow escalated into Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday. "A storm that swept through the Great Lakes region and brought a round of snow will also kick off another round of lake-effect snow downwind of the lakes over the upcoming days. Once again, the potential for feet of snow downwind of Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario are possible between Monday and Wednesday night, likely leading to hazardous travel," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ Some of the highest snow totals through midweek, which could exceed a foot, are expected across the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Porcupine Mountains and between Munising, Michigan, and Whitefish Point, Michigan, along the shores of Lake Superior. In intense snow showers and squalls, visibility can be drastically reduced to less than a quarter mile. In the steadiest and most persistent bands, snowfall rates can be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches per hour, which can overwhelm plow trucks trying to keep roads and highways clear. "The combination of the ongoing storm and the lake-effect snow to follow across Michigan's Upper Peninsula can lead to some travel delays for motorists, but the snow will be very much welcomed by snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts," added Buckingham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight temperatures in the teens and single digits were common across parts of the Midwest, Ohio Valley and interior Northeast earlier this week. Meanwhile, lows across the Dakotas into Wisconsin and portions of Iowa were subzero, even plummeting more than 20 degrees F below zero in places like Fargo, North Dakota. Low temperatures Wednesday night are expected to be higher than previous nights, only falling into the teens and 20s. Wind gusts this week will range from 20-30 mph in some locations, which may not be incredibly impactful by themselves, but in conjunction with the brisk temperatures, will allow for AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures to plunge as low as 20 degrees below zero. Buckingham added that even though the Great Lakes have observed a notable drop in temperatures courtesy of the extended stretch of cold weather this January, temperatures are still 1-3 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average across all of the lakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current ice coverage across the lakes is not extensive, with only areas of the western shorelines seeing higher concentrations. Smaller inlets and locations like the Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair and far western portions of Lake Erie are currently seeing the highest percentages of ice coverage. "Typically, lake-effect snow events become less severe deeper into the winter season, but with the lakes still under 20% ice coverage and warmer than average, another impressive event is expected to occur," noted Buckingham. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. JD Vance is open to any angle that could help close a deal on Donald Trump's desired annexation of Greenland. Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," the vice president-elect hinted at a potential flex of the United States' military muscle on the Arctic island. Host Shannon Bream wondered if Trump would be willing to use the military in his designs on the Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland, causing Vance to laugh and point out the extensive nature of the country's hidden empire. "We don't have to use military force, Shannon. The thing that people always ignore is we already have troops in Greenland," Vance said. "Greenland is really important for America strategically." JD Vance: "We already have troops in Greenland." pic.twitter.com/Yw3lemSYmN Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 12, 2025 Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has said he's "ready to talk" with Trump. However, he emphasized that he's seeking an independent Greenland, free from both its current rulers in Denmark and the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic, he said on Friday, according to a report from Axios. Trump refused to rule out the use of force in his stated plans to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal while speaking to reporters earlier this month. We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military, Trump said after refusing to rule out a war. Look the Panama Canal is vital to our country. Its being operated by China, China. In that same chat, Trump floated the idea of annexing Canada using economic pressure. Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joked about Trump's schemes on Sunday during a visit to MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki." "When I started to suggest there could be a trade for Vermont or California, he immediately decided that it was not that funny anymore," he quipped. President-elect Donald Trumps rhetoric around Canada becoming a 51st state is a distraction from the economic impact a trade war will have on American workers and businesses, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau charged Sunday. In an interview with MSNBCs Jen Psaki, the Canadian prime minister vowed to fight fire with fire should Trump make good on his Day 1 promise to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian products. As we did last time, we are ready to respond with tariffs as necessary, Trudeau said on Inside with Jen Psaki one of his first sit-down interviews with American TV since he announced he was stepping down as Liberal leader. He will remain on until March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Canada slapped dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum in response to the Trump administrations tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminum during NAFTA negotiations. Trudeau is expected to finalize Canadas retaliatory plan this week when he meets with Canadas 13 premiers in person on Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is also set to travel to Washington that day to relay details of the plan with the incoming Trump administration. Trump has been taunting the neighbor up north following his initial threat in November to slap tariffs on Canada if it doesnt fix the flow of fentanyl and illegal migration at their shared border. Trudeaus government has made efforts to combat those concerns by proposing a one billion dollar spending plan at the border, which has been presented to the incoming Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was pleased to highlight that less than 1 percent of the illegal migrants, less than 1 percent of the fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from Canada, Trudeau said of his visit to Mar-a-Lago in Florida in November where he dined with Trump. So we're not a problem. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and British Columbia Premier David Eby have said they are willing to cut off electricity to the United States in response to widespread tariffs. Trudeau also pointed out that as an electricity export to the U.S., including the West Coast, a 25 percent tariff could increase the cost of energy for American households. No American wants to pay 25 percent more for electricity or oil and gas coming in from Canada, Trudeau said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that's something that I think people need to pay a little more attention to. And perhaps the idea of a 51st state is distracting a little bit from a very real question that will increase the cost of living for Americans and harm a trading relationship that works extremely well. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who leads Canadas oil-rich province, traveled to Mar-a-Lago over the weekend, where she said she spoke to Trump twice. We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S -Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta, Smith said in a statement posted on X. I was also able to have similar discussions with several key allies of the incoming administration and was encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada. Donald Trump will move back into the White House in eight days. The President-elect has been busy during his transition picking who he wants to be in his cabinet and working to unite Republicans behind his agenda. Some of his recent foreign policy statements are raising eyebrows. Host Jim Niedelman brings back Jeff Kaufmann and Kevin Perkins to discuss. Greenland, I have to tell you, I dont know that it makes sense for Denmark to still have a colony, Kaufmann said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its all nonsense, Perkins said. Whats important to realize is that this rhetoric emboldens those we dont want to embolden. To hear more, click on the video. And now we want to hear from you, too, with our question of the week: What do you think about Donald Trumps goal to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland as well as make Canada a state? Please share your thoughts at 4therecord@whbf.com. Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. President-elect Donald Trump told House Republicans on Saturday to negotiate a fair number on the controversial $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, also known as SALT, a Politico report said. More than a dozen members from New Jersey, New York and California met with Trump and members of his staff at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss the tax, congestion pricing and other issues. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to lift the cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will turn it around, get SALT back, lower your taxes, and so much more," Trump said in a post on the social media platform Truth Social in September. The president certainly wants to increase the deduction for SALT to provide more relief, because he knows that our mayors and governors are crushing taxpayers, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told Politico after the meeting Saturday. He wants us to work on what would be a fair number. In his first term as president, Trump signed a tax law in 2017 that set the SALT cap at $10,000. Critics said the cap, which is slated to expire at the end of the year, targeted Democratic-leaning states that have high property taxes. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo New Jerseys average property tax bill is nearly $10,000 and is much higher in many municipalities in some parts of the state, such as Bergen County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SALT deduction allows taxpayers to reduce the amount of their annual income that can be taxed by the federal government by taking out how much they pay in state income taxes and local property taxes. The deduction has been in place since 1913, according to the Congressional Research Service. The $10,000 amounted to a tax increase for many, and some lawmakers have pushed since 2017 for it to be amended. In 2016, before the cap was put in place, New Jersey's average SALT deduction was just over $18,000, and the largest group filing a claim earned between $100,000 and $200,000 a year, said a report from the National Association of Realtors. Lawmakers efforts to lift the SALT cap have fallen short over the years. Some progressive Democrats have criticized the SALT deduction as a tax break for the wealthy. And many Republicans from low-tax red states also oppose an increase in the cap. An earlier proposal to double the cap from $10,000 to $20,000 would cost the federal government $22 billion over a decade, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent report by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that doubling the SALT cap for married couples would reduce revenue by $170 billion, on top of the $3.9 trillion deficit impact of extending the expiring individual and estate tax provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and having 94% of its benefit go to households making over $200,000 per year. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Trump discusses SALT tax deduction with House Republicans Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday (local time) during his official visit to the United Kingdom, addressed over 180 Indian students at an event in London, emphasising the growing importance of India's youth in the global landscape. "Today India's biggest strength is its young students," Birla said, highlighting the role of Indian students in shaping the nation's future. He pointed out that India's students are driving the country's progress through their mentality, ideas, innovation, and competitiveness and further noted a global trend where the young population is decreasing in many parts of the world, while in India, the capabilities and confidence of the youth continue to rise. "In the world, India is such a country where its students, their mentality, ideas, innovation capacity, and competitiveness are giving India a new ability and energy...The capability, confidence, and innovation capacity of youth in India are increasing. On one hand, in the world, the population of the young generation is reducing and on the other hand, in India, the youngsters' capabilities are increasing and this is our biggest strength," the Lok Sabha Speaker said. Biral further encouraged the students to actively contribute to the nation's growth and development, reflecting the aspirations of a progressive India. In his interaction with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Awaid Joshi, a student of the University of Law, said that he was inspired after meeting with him and that he had a big impact on increasing access to Indian politics. "I got a lot of inspiration after meeting and listening to him...he had such a massive impact on increasing access to Indian politics," he said. "I learnt new ideas... I thank the High Commission of India and the Government of India for this event," said another student present at the event. The event also saw the presence of senior dignitaries, including the High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Deputy High Commissioner of India Sujit Ghosh, underlining its importance. The interaction provided students with an opportunity to engage with one of India's key leaders and discuss their perspectives on India's development and global positioning and also highlighted the government's commitment to fostering connections with the Indian diaspora, especially the youth studying abroad. (ANI) Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, Donald Trumps choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, received millions of dollars in exchange for consulting, speeches, and paid op-eds, according to financial disclosure documents. The payments, first reported by Business Insider, include $186,000 from op-eds and speeches alone. Zeldin also disclosed $45,475 in casino gambling winnings. He earned a $775,000 salary from Zeldin Strategies, which he opened after losing the New York gubernatorial race and leaving Congress in 2022, and between $1-5 million dollars in dividends from the firm. Zeldin is a conservative Trump ally and friend to the fossil fuel industry whose voting record is remarkably anti-environment and anti-climate, according to Food and Water Watch. As a member of Congress, he voted to slash the EPA budget by $2 billion dollars, cheered Trumps efforts to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, opposed legislation that would restrict corporations ability to discharge forever chemicals into waterways and supported weakening EPA standards in the Clean Air Act around particulate matter pollution. If he leads the EPA, he is expected to gut environmental regulations and cater to the fossil fuel industrys demands. He has said that energy dominance is one of his top priorities in leading the EPA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former congressmans financial disclosure shows he has been raking in cash in part by writing paid commentaries in prominent news outlets without disclosing in those pieces that he has been paid to write them. In July, Zeldin published a column on Fox News website slamming New Yorks Democratic attorney general for suing the massive Brazilian beef producer JBS for allegedly misrepresenting its climate impact. Its the height of hypocrisy that the state is now targeting JBS for allegedly misleading consumers for coming up short of [its] 2040 trajectory while the state itself is also failing to meet their own unattainable goals, Zeldin wrote. Zeldins financial disclosure shows he was paid $3,000 for that commentary by CRC Advisors, the consulting firm chaired by conservative dark money maven Leonard Leo. While Leo is best known for his work building the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative supermajority, his firm has represented corporate clients, including oil and gas giant Chevron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former lawmaker wrote a series of op-eds on behalf of the lobbying firm CGCN Group. Over the past two years, the firm paid $58,000 to Zeldin for columns published in Newsweek, the Washington Examiner, the Washington Times, and Real Clear Policy, plus another $40,000 for commentaries that were not published. In the Newsweek column, Zeldin slammed the Retirement Savings for Americans Act, a bill to create a federal retirement account program for workers who arent offered employer-sponsored retirement plans. Zeldin argued that the government just wants to get its hands on more of your hard-earned money so it can set up another massive government retirement program. Around that time, federal records show, CGCN began lobbying for the American Retirement Association, a lobbying group for retirement plan professionals, on issues related to retirement securities. The association said the Retirement Savings for Americans Act would decimate the employer-sponsored retirement system, because the matching contribution provided by the government would be too generous. Zeldin separately wrote a column in the New York Post trashing Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 campaign plan to lower housing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These limitations on housing construction have reduced supply, increasing the demand for existing rental units tremendously and inflating costs. Addressing these construction roadblocks is where government action is most urgently required, he wrote. Instead, however, the Harris housing plan focuses on creating new regulations that would derail this much-needed building surge from ever occurring and adding subsidies that would only inflate housing costs. The financial disclosure shows he was paid $10,000 for this op-ed by Point Made PR, which says on its website that it specializes in media placement and grassroots advocacy. We regularly work with third-party validators including former legislators, professors, industry experts, political and social influencers, and activists to publish opinion content demonstrating the merits of our clients arguments from an expert outsiders perspective, says the firm. We successfully pitch op-eds all across the country on a weekly basis. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County officials said Sunday theyve invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the sites of still raging wildfires and discuss federal relief, but havent connected with him directly. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, a Republican who represents the swath of Altadena devastated by the Eaton Fire, said during a press conference she sent Trump a letter Saturday and has been in discussions with high-ranking people within the incoming administration. Those conversations havent involved Trump. Obviously, it's a work in progress, but there is no question in my mind that we will be touching base with him, Barger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, said she also hasnt been in contact with Trump. Bass said she spoke directly to the incoming administration Saturday and it was a fine call. She also said she believes Trump will come to the area and that Saturdays conversation included possible times for a visit. Spokespeople for Trump didnt immediately return requests for comment. Trump, meanwhile, has continued to bash California officials for their response to the fires that started Tuesday. The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out, he wrote in a Saturday night message on Truth Social. Thousands of magnificent house are gone, and many more will soon be lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is death all over the place, he continued. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just cant put out the fires. Whats wrong with them? The back and forth comes two days after Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Trump to survey the damage caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which continue to burn and have killed at least 16 people and damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures. Newsom in a Sunday morning appearance on NBCs "Meet the Press" pitched the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as a reason for Trump to collaborate on recovery efforts. Donald Trump, to his credit, was helpful in getting the Olympics to the United States of America, to get it down here in L.A. We thank him for that, Newsom said. This is an opportunity for him to shine, for this country to shine, for California and this community to shine, all that opportunity and the pride and spirit that comes from not just hosting those three iconic games and venues, but also the opportunity, I think, to rebuild at the same time. Melanie Mason contributed to this article Donald Trump is coming back into office this month on a vow to initiate the largest mass deportation operation in American history, and says he plans to unleash the U.S. military to help him do it. But according to three sources familiar with internal policy discussions in Trumps circle, the president-elect and several of his key lieutenants are aware that their desired, larger-scale crackdowns which could involve a new network of militarized camps will take significant time to execute. In the meantime, Trump and his incoming anti-immigration crew have plans to fill the gaps in part by leaning heavily into generating relentless propaganda and (as one Trump transition official puts it) media spectacle that many of them hope will cause undocumented immigrants to flee the country and persuade migrants not to come to America. The racist terror campaign that Team Trump unleashed on the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio, will likely serve as a model for what the Trump White House has in store for immigrants across America. And its a model that pro-immigration attorneys and nonprofit organizations are getting ready to combat, to counter such a widespread media spectacle and potential onrush of misinformation that could very well do some of Trumps immigration-crackdown work for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan and other advisers to the president-elect have been telling anyone who will listen that the start of the new administration will feature a shock and awe show of force regarding migrants and undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration is, of course, preparing to begin by imposing, reimposing, and doing things that the Biden administration is not. However, much of what the country is likely to see take place during the dawn of the second Trump presidency will look an awful lot like the implementation of policies or practices that are currently in place. For instance, under Joe Biden and other presidents, ICE has already been conducting arrests of undocumented individuals charged or accused of violent crimes in blue states and sanctuary cities controlled by Democrats. Such arrests are generally uncontroversial, given that few liberals actually oppose such arrests. You can find evidence of such arrests in the news, or in standard Biden administration press releases. The difference is: President Biden is typically not going out in public and bellowing about how tough he is and how these arrests should serve as a warning to the millions of undocumented immigrants in America, their families, those with legal protected status, and anyone else who may feel compelled to make a similar journey to the United States. Trump, on the other hand, will not be coy about wielding that propaganda bullhorn, even if its to highlight arrests or raids that are barely any different than what is already standard operating procedure. According to the three sources, there have been recent internal discussions within Trumps government-in-waiting, including with the president-elect himself, not only about launching high-profile, big-city raids at the very beginning of the second term but about how to inject those raids into the media ecosystem and social-media bloodstream as aggressively as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These ideas have included tipping off friendly media, such as Fox News, to generate news footage of the actions; sending along the administrations own camera crews; coordinating with, and pumping out video, photos, and announcements to top influencers on popular social media sites; having billionaire Trump backer Elon Musk wield his X platform (formerly Twitter) to whip up a MAGAfied propaganda loop highlighting these law-enforcement operations; and, of course, letting Trump boast garrulously on TV and online about these operations. A major objective of this, the sources tell Rolling Stone, is to create a massive chilling effect that will scare undocumented immigrants and their families (even if they have children who were born here) into potentially fleeing the U.S. preemptively or self-deporting, for fear that they could get a knock on the door from Trumps forces at any moment or perhaps have their family separated. Another intended effect of this style of shock and awe propaganda, well before Trump and Republicans can attempt to carry out their grandest-scale crackdown blueprints, is to frighten migrants and others from even attempting to come to America. One other possible net benefit for them and Trump, the sources add, is that doing this in sanctuary cities or Democratic strongholds in the country will set up an early confrontation that they are craving with liberal mayors and governors in those states. Its Trumpland and elite Republicans wish that this propaganda and highly nativist public-relations campaign boxes Dems in, in the sense that Democratic politicians who vowed to resist Trumps coming onslaught risk appearing weak if they dont stand up to this. But if the liberal mayors in Chicago, for instance and governors were to pick a fight over this, they could be seen as objecting to the kinds of more selective arrests with which they dont actually have a problem, hence feeding into Trumps lies and smears that Democrats dont support punishing, say, actual violent gang members who came from foreign countries. These are objectives that pro-immigration groups and attorneys are preparing to vigorously combat with education campaigns and their own messaging though they know itll be, putting it mildly, an uphill battle against the weight of the state, Trump, Musk, and conservative and other mainstream media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and their team had already started creating this propaganda and social media-fueled chilling effect, and in some cases got tangible, real-world results months before they won the election. In the final months of the 2024 race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Team Trump and prominent conservatives engaged in a sustained, racist, and lie-driven blitz against the community of Haitian immigrants living and working legally in the city of Springfield, Ohio. Trump and Vances lies, pumped out on social and more traditional media, helped create a wave of bomb threats, evacuations, and a palpable sense of terror in the small American city. At the time, some of the Haitians wondered if they should flee. Some did pack up and leave Springfield, out of concern for their and their childrens safety. Once Trump won in early November, things only got worse for the Haitians of Springfield. People are really scared. I think a lot of the Haitians are concerned that their rights will be violated, said Katie Kersh, an immigration lawyer based in Dayton, Ohio, who has been conducting legal clinics for Haitian immigrants in Springfield. We are right now trying to make sure that people understand their rights, and allay their fears that theyll be on a plane back to Haiti on Jan. 21, which is not how the law works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: This is going to be a time when peoples due process rights are threatened, and its important that, as a country, we stick up for and defend these people in any way we can. In my conversations with the dozens of people we see at the clinics every week, and Haitian community leaders, and people who come up to ask me questions, it seems like a lot of immigrants feel that the country doesnt want them here. People who care about whats happening need to show up for these individuals, even if its not in their immediate community, to show that thats not the case. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Donald Trump has mocked the viral video of him chatting with Barack Obama during former President Jimmy Carters funeral last week. On Sunday, Trump, who like Obama has not revealed the details of their conversation, posted a spoof of their talk complete with fake audio from the moment that sent social media users down a rabbit hole of speculation. I knew youd win, a dubbed Obama said while seated next to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pseudo Trump responded, Come on. Anyone could beat her, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 presidential election. After Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, sat down in the row in front of Trump and Obama, the faux Obama then asks Trump, Did you see that? [Harris] wont even look at me, prompting simulated Trump to reply, I was told [by] some of her people, apparently they said she fell off the wagon. I think she actually may haveand also shes not really built for this amount of pressure, fake Obama added. Elsewhere in the clip, in which Trump didnt include a caption, the pairs mock conversation took aim at President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He just didnt wanna leave, the forged audio from Obama said of Biden. I did what I could to help [Harris]. She was horrendous. You know what I realized? Hillary still hates me, phony Trump added. So much. On Thursday, Trump admitted to reporters that he didnt realize how friendly the pairs moment at Carters funeral looked after reporters asked him about what they discussed during a presser at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. I said, Boy, they look like two people that like each other. And we probably do. [Me and Obama] have a little different philosophies, right? But we probably do. I dont know, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, We just got along. But I got along with just about everybody. We met backstage, as you know, before we went on. And I thought it was a beautiful service. But we all got along very well, which is good. Related... U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a telephone call "in the coming days and weeks," Mike Waltz, Trump's nominee for national security adviser, told ABC News on Jan. 12. Waltz's comments come shortly after Trump announced on Jan. 9 that plans for a meeting between the two leaders were already in the works. "The preparations are underway," Waltz told ABC News in response to a question about the upcoming meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can't enter a deal if you don't have some type of relationship or dialogue with the other side and we will absolutely establish that in the coming months." Waltz did not set a date for the planned meeting. When asked if the talks would include President Volodymyr Zelensky, he said the format of the meeting had not yet been determined. "Well, we haven't set the exact framework for it yet, we're working on that, but I do expect a call, at least in the coming days and weeks, so that would be a step, and we'll take it from there," Waltz said. Switzerland has indicated its willingness to host an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin, Nicolas Bideau, head of communications at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, said on Jan. 12. Waltz did not provide any information on where the upcoming meeting might take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin on Jan. 10 said it "welcomed" Trump's readiness for dialogue on Russia's war against Ukraine, but said no concrete plans had been made and a face-to-face meeting would not occur until after Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. Moscow has previously rejected the terms of a peace proposal leaked by Trump's team, one that involved freezing the front lines, postponing Ukraine's NATO membership by 20 years, and deploying European peacekeepers on the ground. While Waltz did not go into specifics regarding the content of the talks or plans for peace, he did mention Ukraine's "manpower issues" and said Kyiv could resolve them by lowering the draft age from 26 to 18. "If Ukrainians have asked the entire world to be all in for democracy, we need them to be all in for democracy ... We need to see those manpower issues addressed," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz also said it wasn't "realistic" to expect a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied regions of Ukraine, including Crimea. Read also: Switzerland ready to host Trump-Putin meeting Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In a speech in Arizona last month, as the country settled in for the holidays, President-elect Donald Trump made a flicker of news: Lamenting that they took William McKinleys name off the countrys tallest peak, he promised his administration would bring back the name of Mount McKinley because I think he deserves it. This notion could be merely another attempt to stick it to Barack Obama, who, following the state of Alaskas wishes, officially renamed the peak Denali in 2015. But its telling that Trump would venerate the twenty-fifth president, a Republican who from 1897 to 1901 charted America on an imperialist course that resulted, during his foreshortened term, in the United States taking Guam and Puerto Rico and annexing the Philippines and the Republic of Hawaii. It also happens that McKinleys administration struck the deal with Britain that would allow for the eventual construction of the Panama Canal. Which bring us to this month, in which Trump has expressed his desire to take the canal, which the U.S. controlled until 1977, as well as Greenland, a Danish territory that the U.S. has never laid any claim to (though American troops did occupy it for defensive purposes during World War II). In both cases, Trump has refused to rule out deploying the military to get what he wants. Thats not all. Trump also apparently covets Canada, and has pledged to make it Americas fifty-first state, albeit merely through economic force. Its a positively McKinley-esque visionin its expansionist ambition, anyway, if not its design. It is tempting to discount all of this as trolling because, well, Trump is trolling. We are all experienced hands now when it comes to Trumps nonsense, so we are rightly skeptical that he will pursue Greenland, Canada, or the Panama Canal to the extremes he has suggested. And yet, he is also serious enough about these ideasor at least serious enough about whatever cracked strategy lies behind themthat hes willing to ignite bitter feuds with several key allies right as hes about to take office. And that, in fact, reveals an important truth about his approach to foreign policy more broadly, which is driven almost entirely by his desire to appear strongor, more to the point, his fear of looking weak. This is why he picks senseless fights with smaller allies while avoiding brawls with the strongmen he so greatly admires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps powers of media manipulation are often overstated, butconscious or nothe has always had a knack for conjuring distracting baubles. Its not clear that he benefits by diverting attention from serious issues (what he will do about China, Ukraine, and the wider Middle East) onto unserious ones like taking Greenland. But he has successfully and effortlessly focused the attention of the media away from those issues while providing red meat to his base, which is suddenly eager to acquire a giant, largely uninhabitable island in the North Atlantic. But if you happen to be a Republican looking to backfill Trumpism this week, there are economic and geopolitical arguments for his imperialistic turn. Even if the 55,000-odd Greenlanders were the kindest, smartest, or most attractive people in the world, they would be of little interest to any world government. But Greenland possesses vast quantities of minerals and oil, as well as a position in the North Atlantic that has become increasingly significant as ice caps melt and governments begin vying for a larger prize: whatever treasures lurk beneath the Arctic. The Panama Canal, meanwhile, is a vital shipping route, and taking control of it would allow Trump to do one of the few things he clearly loves to do as president: punish his enemies and reward his friends via access fees. As is almost always the case with Trump, though, the cleanest and perhaps most persuasive explanation is the simplest and dumbest: The territory, like Canada, looks really, really big on the commonly used (and widely distorted) Mercator projection. Adding it would be a huge ego boost for a man who, hours after planes hit the Twin Towers, boasted that he now owned the tallest building in New York City. (He didnt, but thats beside the point.) In fact, these manufactured feuds are boosting his ego as we speak, and thats by design. Trumps blinkered worldview sees democracies as weak and dictatorships as strong: China is massive, and North Korea has a nuclear bomb, while Russia should be Americas best friendconflict with any of them risks devastation and all-out war. Given his early appointments, Trump may very well end his second term mired in devastating conflicts in South Asia or the Middle East. But he is beginning it looking for a low-risk way to look strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump may even be mimicking the autocrats he admires. Over the last several years, as he brooded in quasi-exile at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump has watched Russian President Vladimir Putin gobble up territory in Ukraine while Chinas Xi Jinping lays the groundwork to take Taiwan. Everywhere you look a large, powerful nation is grabbing territory from its smaller, weaker neighbors. Why should America sit on the sidelines? So hes picking fights with allies, particularly smaller onesand, if all goes well, hell end up with something he can present as a victory to his base without the risk of wider, devastating conflict. He wont get that from Kim Jong Un or Xi or Putin. But he just might from Denmark or Panama. In fact, the Danish foreign minister said recently that his country is open to dialogue about cooperating with Trump to protect U.S. interests in the Arctic. Sounds like a win! This is, ultimately, all that matters to Trump. One could argue that he sees this as an opportunity akin to Ronald Reagans invasion of Granada in 1983, which was a P.R. exercise intended to restore a sense of optimism and strength in a nation still traumatized by its defeat in Vietnam. But Trump has never cared about the mood of the nation, only theall too fleetingmood of Donald Trump. Acquiring land, whether it be valuable (the Panama Canal) or mostly just very big (Greenland) is exactly the kind of legacy boost our first real estate tycoon president has always lusted after. For Trump, there is no difference between real strength and the appearance of strength, and acquiring land would make him look strong, like that nineteenth-century president whose name was so unfairly stripped from that Alaskan peak. Trumps foreign policy motivations may be narcissistic, but the stakes are real. On January 20, he will return to the White House with the world in a significantly worse state than it was eight years ago, when he first took office. Tensions with Iran are arguably higher than they have been since the hostage crisis began in 1979, and the country is believed to be on the verge of acquiring a nuclear bomb. A strike on its nuclear facilities, whether by the U.S., Israel, or one of its many Arab enemies could quickly devolve into a regional war or worse. The incoming Trump administration will be filled to the brim with Iran hawksand many eager for a confrontation with China. Given the increasingly desperate and fierce fighting in Ukraine, it is not far-fetched to imagine a situation that triggers NATOs collective defense provision. In comparison, the world in 2017 was downright placid. On the campaign trail, Trump talked a lot about Iran and China and said nothing about Greenland or the Panama Canal. Now that he is president-elect, the situation has reversed. Its easy to see why. Surveying the current geopolitical climate, he surely sees several perilous conflicts on the brink of erupting into protracted, devastating wars. Trump is profoundly ill suited for the complexity of the geopolitical situation he is inheriting. He disdains all forms of diplomacy except escalation; his only diplomatic move is to issue threats of increasing belligerence and derangement. But doing so against leaders like Putin and Xi risks not only inflaming tensions but exposing his own weakness. Were he to spar with one of them like he has been with Denmark or a lame-duck Canada, he may have to back down or even lose. In short, Trump fears such dictators for the same reason that he admires them. Theyre the strongmen he has always desperately wanted to beand would be, in his mind, if only our pesky democracy didnt limit his full potential. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump slammed Los Angeles officials handling of the wildfires Sunday, calling them incompetent and questioning why they have not yet contained the blaze. The fires are still raging in L.A, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Death toll reaches 16 in LA wildfires, more wind expected Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just cant put out the fires. Whats wrong with them? he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Los Angeles continues to burn, California politicians have come under sharp criticism by the soon-to-be 47th president, specifically for the states water management. Trump has hurled blame at Governor Gavin Newsom (D) whom he has feuded with for years for the wildfire crisis, proclaiming he should resign. In a post on his social media site earlier in the week, Trump wrote that Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to areas now burning, alleging he prioritized small fish over California residents. Newsom swiped back Saturday, insisting Trumps accusations were made up and delusional. The Delta smelt somehow being culpable of somehow leading to some of the challenges that we face down here its made up, its delusional, Newsom said during an interview on Pod Save America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so profoundly ignorant and yet [Trump] absolutely believes it, Newsom continued. Its not an ignorance on his part, its sort of an indelible misinformation that he sort of manifested a falsehood and he decided to bring it into this crisis, in a profoundly demeaning and damaging way. The governor has since launched a website to combat misinformation being spread about the disaster, which addresses claims on resources, funding, and policies. Californians contend with looting, price gouging, insurance issues Newsom sent a letter to Trump dated Friday and publicly posted to his X account inviting the president-elect to survey the devastation firsthand and meet with fire victims and first responders. The California governor said Trump has not responded to his invitation as of Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 16 people have been killed by the inferno in the Los Angeles region, and officials warn there will likely be a lot more added to the death toll. The wildfires have scorched roughly 40,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. President-elect Trumps talk of territorial expansion has rattled world leaders at an already precarious time in global politics. Trump doubled down last week on his suggestions that the U.S. buy Greenland, take control of the Panama Canal and make Canada the 51st state. He declined to rule out military or economic coercion against either Greenland or the canal, and he said he was open to using economic force on Americas neighbor to the north. Leaders in the targeted regions and elsewhere have pushed back against the suggestions, even as experts are still largely undecided about how much stock to put in Trumps threats. That kind of guessing game, experts say, isnt good for global security as Trump heads into his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uncertainty is bad in international affairs. You want to know that your allies are with you, and your enemies need to know that youre resolute against them. You want to know, more or less, what the world is going to look like in the morning, said Peter Loge, a political science professor at George Washington University and a senior FDA adviser during the Obama administration. Some have guessed that Trump is just trolling as he gets ready to retake the White House later this month. Others have said they think the president-elects comments at his Florida presser last week suggest a potential shift away from jokes and toward a more serious aim of American territorial expansion, though he hasnt yet shared any specifics on his proposals. In diplomacy, language matters and signaling matters. And when youre dealing with someone as erratic as Trump is, thats a problem, if you cant distinguish between the insult comic dog and an actual U.S. foreign policy, said Duane Bratt, a political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, with a focus on Canadian foreign policy. Whether or not Trumps serious, its obligating global leaders to respond as if he is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whom Trump has labeled governor hit back that there isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the U.S. On Thursday, he quipped to CNN that one of Canadians defining traits is that theyre not American and dismissed the threats as a distraction from Trumps proposed 25 percent tariffs. Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc also said Thursday the 51st state remarks were a way for Trump to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos, knowing this will never happen. From a Canadian perspective, the tariff threat is real. Its not trolling. The governor of Canada, the 51st state, the annexation that is trolling, Bratt said. But when you have this hyperbolic language at the same time with other countries, its a bit more complicated. And after Trump expressed openness to possible military force on Greenland or the Panama Canal, leaders may have more to wring their hands about, Bratt said. Whether it is trolling [or not], theyve got to treat that seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stressed that Greenland, where Donald Trump Jr. stopped for a visit last week, is not for sale and will not be in the future either. Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede declared Friday that the Arctic territory is for Greenlandic people. The foreign minister of Panama, Javier Martinez-Acha, said earlier this week that the only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how its going to stay, as reported by the BBC. And its not just the Trump-mentioned countries that have stepped up to respond, though some are skeptical about the incoming presidents potential follow-through. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday guessed that Trumps statements were more of a message to other global players than a real plan to acquire territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that, in a discussion with several European leaders and the head of the European Council, there was a certain incomprehension about comments out of the U.S. Though he didnt mention Trump by name, Scholz emphasized that force should not be used to move borders. This is the fundamental problem with being the president of the United States of America; its that people have to take your word. They may not believe that you have the guts to go through with something. They may not think youre credible, for example, ultimately. But they have to take these things seriously, said Daniel Nexon, a professor with Georgetown Universitys government department and its School of Foreign Service. Regardless of what happens next, Trumps comments have upped focus on the strategic importance of Greenland, a self-governing Arctic island territory thats under Denmarks control, amid tensions with Russia and China. You are asking me if I think the U.S. will invade Greenland? The answer is no. Have we entered an era that sees the return of the survival of the fittest? The answer is yes, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said this week, per Reuters translations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melting ice is opening up new routes through the Arctic, and Trump said the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes, questioning Denmarks right to it. Russia, which is approaching the three-year mark of its invasion of Ukraine, is watching the rather dramatic development of the situation very closely, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said of Trumps comments on Friday, as reported by Reuters. Moscow has also expressed a strategic interest in the area. With regard to the Panama Canal, Trump has claimed the major shipping passage is being controlled by China, though the canals authority disputed the assertion. Trump has criticized former President Carter for a 1977 deal to transfer control of the canal, which was constructed by the U.S. Loge speculated that there may not soon be any real clarity on what Trump means by the expansion talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has a way of saying, if things work, this is what I planned all along, and if they dont, I was kidding all along, Loge said. Some domestic voices appear to be hearing Trump out. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) compared acquiring Greenland to the Louisiana Purchase and though he condemned ever taking it by force, Fetterman said it would be a responsible conversation to discuss acquisition. Republican Rep. Brandon Gill (Texas) said the three target areas should be honored by Trumps ambitions. Still more global figures are approaching the situation with some levity. Ontario Premier Doug Ford appeared to troll Trump back this week with a joking counteroffer to buy Alaska and Minnesota from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And after Trump declared he hopes to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joked that North America should be relabeled Mexican America. Trump appears to believe that if he is unpredictable and might do a crazy thing it gives him strategic advantages, stoking fear that could lead to concessions and cultivating the element of surprise, Nexon said, but too much unpredictability is probably pretty dangerous. Weve constructed a very powerful system of influence and control globally that is centered around these partnerships and alliances that depend on the idea that theres some predictability in US behavior. That making an alliance with the United States is not making you vulnerable to exploitation, or that you can expect that the United States will come to your offense or wont seize your territory on a whim, Nexon said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trump mirroring Putin Is it just a coincidence that Trumps desire to take sovereign territory by force if necessary is eerily similar to what Putin is doing in Ukraine while threatening other border countries with invasion as well? Its now OK to just take what we want from less-armed nations because we can. Is that how a nation under God conducts itself? By threatening the use of force, Trump is willing to sacrifice the lives of our military in order to achieve his personal ambitions of conquest and power while pretending his actions are in the best interest of the country. His blatant display of greed is just one telling clue of what kind of Christian he really is. Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that his public embrace of faith while behaving in the manner of selfish, evil tyrant will be his ultimate undoing. According to scripture there is no worse sin than to lead someone away from God. I dont think there is a better example of false Christianity than Trump, except maybe the Rev. Jim Jones. Remember his version of faith? Trump is leading his flock in the same manner and is going to pay a heavy price for such blasphemy. Joe Messer, Fresno Homeless get no help KQED published an article (on Aug. 23, 2024) about the new anti-camping laws in Fresno and how aggressive they are. The Mayor of Fresno made a couple of comments that made me sick. There are times when people have to get uncomfortable before they can get comfortable, Mayor Jerry Dyer said, We want to help people. Both of these statements prove how Mayor Dyer is only looking out for the well to do in Fresno and making connections for post mayoral opportunities. How does he even for a second think homelessness is comfortable? Has he or the rest of the city council, the DA, the Chief of Police ever been hungry for more than 5 hours on a daily basis? Have they ever been so cold they could not sleep? Have they ever been denied the use of a restroom because they are homeless? This list of uncomfortable living can go on and on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To all of these we know the answer, NO. So, how can he or anyone that has not experienced these facts of homelessness comment that there are times people have to get uncomfortable... The problem with homelessness is not the homeless, it is the homeless hit north fresno Michael Hinsman, Fresno A convicted felon gets sworn in On Jan. 20, on the Capitol steps, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Donald J. Trump, prolific liar, purveyor of discount bibles, indicted insurrectionist and convicted felon. On that day Roberts will ask the twice-impeached, truth-averse Trump to affirm that he will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of [his] ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. This is supposed to be a solemn occasion not a spit-take. How does Roberts get through the oath the both of them, for that matter without falling over with the kind of laughter usually reserved for the halls of a psychiatric hospital? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What a joke. And the jokes on us, unfortunately. Ed Miller, Fresno No to PG&E rate hikes I strongly object to the rate hike proposed in application A.24-11-009 for the following reasons: 1) This is the third or fourth time PG&E has used the excuse of wildfire mitigation to place an unnecessary burden on customers. How many times are customers going to pay for PG&Es negligence? PG&E has failed to exercise prudent fire prevention polices. Such as cutting fire breaks, clearing dead fall, and maintaining fire access roads. 2) Cost recovery for billing protection during COVID-19 pandemic; the Biden administration floated a massive COVID spending bill and no one in PG&E management had the foresight to request federal funds. This demonstrates total incompetence on the part of the PG&Es CEO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3) Recovery of $595.5 million, where was the watchdog CPUC and CA Attorney General? Please, explain how PG&E pays administrators bonuses and investors profit earning dividends with a $595.5 million deficit? Robert Havay, Clovis Bad message Christmas messages were given by both President Biden and the President-elect. Biden included in his message, Were here on this earth to care for one another, to love one another and he urged Americans to treat each other with respect and to live in the light. The President-elect, after giving a brief Christmas message on his Truth Social platform, later re-posted his bizarre statements wishing to take Greenland and the Panama Canal and to claim that Chinese soldiers had taken over the Panama Canal. Then he went on to criticize President Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and the Democrats. He also wrote Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics, who are constantly trying to obstruct our Court System and our Elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Paul writes, remove all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling and malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another Tell me, whose words best reflect the words of St. Paul and the real meaning of Christmas? Val Rios, Fresno Trump and lower gas prices Why do voters put up with this? Trump is going to be President. But Biden is trying to put up laws that will try and keep Trump from drilling for oil. Trump just wants to bring down these high gas prices. Will you tell me why Biden and the Democratic Party want to keep gas prices high? Trump can help save our country if we will get behind him and give him strength. Because it will be a hard job. Jerry Jones, Visalia Nine people were killed and 11 others were injured when a truck collided with pedestrians and other vehicles in the Karak region of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, the Dawn reported, citing rescue officials. According to Dawn, citing a spokesperson from Pakistan's emergency service department Rescue 1122, the incident took place at Amberi Kalay Chowk on the Karak Indus Highway. The truck, which was reportedly speeding, crashed into a crowd of pedestrians and other vehicles due to a brake failure. The rescue team transported the casualties to the District Headquarters Hospital in Karak, where six individuals in critical condition were referred to hospitals in Peshawar, the Dawn reported. Among the deceased were a woman and a four-year-old child. As per hospital administration, the injured were also receiving treatment at DHQ Hospital, with six individuals in critical condition being transferred to Peshawar for further care. According to Dawn, in a similar incident in March last year, a pickup truck fell into a gorge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Buner, killing at least eight passengers, including women and children. A Rescue 1122 spokesperson explained that the truck was travelling from Buner's Sawari area to Shangrai Kandao when the accident occurred, possibly due to a loss of control or a technical issue. (ANI) Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the leader of Canadas most conservative province, said she had friendly and constructive conversations with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. She was just one of several prominent Canadian conservatives to make the pilgrimage to Trumps Florida club over the weekend. Since taking office in 2022, Smitha prolific COVID-19 conspiracist who also flirted with chemtrailshas jousted with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, especially over environmental policies that she has argued threaten the economy of her oil-rich province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths government even passed a provincial act that says the province can ignore federal laws it deems unconstitutionalone which her conservative predecessor blasted as a full-frontal attack on the rule of law. Over the last 24 hours I had the opportunity to meet President @realdonaldtrump at Mar-a-Lago last night and at his golf club this morning. We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S. - Canadian energy pic.twitter.com/TPgCB8kATP Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) January 12, 2025 That doesnt mean she is open to Trumps statements that Americas northern neighbor should become the 51st state, however. In a post recapping her time at Mar-a-Lago, she emphasized Canadas independence and energy exports to America as key topics the two discussed. The United States and Canada are both proud and independent nations with one of the most important security alliances on earth and the largest economic partnership in history, Smith wrote. We need to preserve our independence while we grow this critical partnership for the benefit of Canadians and Americans for generations to come. Shark Tank host Kevin O'Leary, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and psychologist Jordan Peterson at Mar-a-Lago in January 2025. / plpdaddy/Instagram Smith was one of at least three prominent conservative Canadians who were spotted in the Sunshine State this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the others were psychologist-turned-self-help guru Jordan Peterson and Shark Tank host Kevin OLearyboth vocal supporters of the president-elect. An Instagram post by Paul L. Palandjian, the CEO of OLearys ventury capital firm, showed the three posing together at the Palm Beach resort with the caption Trudeau fan club. Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps incoming National Security Adviser, believes that Ukraine should lower the draft age in order to bring in hundreds of thousands of new troops and stabilise the front line. Source: Waltz in an interview with ABC News Quote: "The other thing were going to need to see is really stabilising things on the battlefield, and one of the things well be asking of the Ukrainians is, they have real manpower issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their draft age right now is 26 years old [it is actually 25 ed.], not 18. I dont think a lot of people realise that they could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers. So when we hear about morale problems, when we hear about issues on the front line, look, if the Ukrainians have asked the entire world to be all in for democracy, we need them to be all in for democracy." Details: According to Waltz, lowering the draft age is necessary to stabilise the front line so that some sort of deal can be reached. Background: On 19 November, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Ukraine had received a significant supply of various weapons from the US but continued to face challenges on the battlefield, and he attributed these difficulties to mobilisation issues. The media subsequently reported that the Biden administration was urging Ukraine to rapidly increase the size of its armed forces, including by revising its mobilisation legislation so that people can be drafted into the army from the age of 18. US billionaire Elon Musk, an adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, criticised US calls for Ukraine to allow mobilisation from the age of 18. According to media reports, the disputes over the number of troops mobilised and the age of mobilisation have led to tensions between the Ukrainian and US presidents. On 19 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on discussions about a potential lowering of the mobilisation age, said that it was more urgent to provide the army with weapons and training from the West. Support UP or become our patron! Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps incoming National Security Adviser, has confirmed that the president-elect's team is working on preparing for his upcoming meeting with the Russian leader and will be in contact with the Russian side "in the coming months". Source: Waltz on ABC, as reported by European Pravda Details: Waltz confirmed that preparations for Trump's meeting with Putin are already underway and that the president-elect considers it essential to try to implement his plans to stop the Russo-Ukrainian war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The preparations are underway... From President Trump's perspective, you can't enter a deal if you dont have some type of relationship and dialogue with the other side. And we will absolutely establish that in the coming months," Waltz said. The interviewer asked about the possible format of the meeting and whether they were inclined to think that it would be a bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin or whether they were considering a trilateral format with the involvement of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Quote: "We havent set the exact framework for it yet. Were working on that. But I do expect a call at least in the coming days and weeks," Waltz said, likely referring to a conversation between Trump and the Kremlin leader. Waltz said that a ceasefire agreement would be an "incredibly positive first step" to begin to negotiate a diplomatic end to the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Everybody knows that this has to end somehow diplomatically. I just don't think it's realistic to say, We're going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil, even Crimea. President Trump has acknowledged that reality, and I think it's been a huge step forward that the entire world is acknowledging this reality. Now lets move forward [and think - ed.] how do we no longer perpetuate this conflict, and how do we no longer allow it to escalate in a way that drags in the entire world." Background: A few days ago, US President-elect Donald Trump said he was already working on organising a meeting with Putin. Commenting on this statement, the Kremlin noted that the Russian leader is "open to contacts". Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that Kyiv expects a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump to take place shortly after his inauguration on 20 January. Support UP or become our patron! Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, Trump's pick to lead the EPA, made $186,000 from paid op-eds and speeches. Some of those op-eds criticized climate policies and ESG. The former NY congressman also made $45,475 from gambling at casinos. Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, has made millions of dollars in recent years from consulting, speaking fees, and paid op-eds, according to a financial disclosure made public on Saturday. That includes tens of thousands of dollars to write about environmental and climate change-related topics. In one instance, Zeldin was paid $25,000 for an op-ed in which he likened environmental, social, and governance investing, or ESG, to the practices of disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried. A staunchly pro-Trump Republican first elected to Congress in 2014, Zeldin left office after mounting an unsuccessful bid for governor of New York in 2022. As retiring lawmakers in both parties often do, Zeldin cashed in, establishing a consulting firm to advise corporate clients while enmeshing himself in the well-funded world of conservative political advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's paid off. According to the disclosure document, which covers Zeldin's major financial activities since the beginning of 2023, the ex-congressman has made a total of $775,000 in salary income and between $1 million and $5 million in dividends from his main firm, Zeldin Consulting. He's also received $144,999 from America First Works, a pro-Trump nonprofit where he has a board seat, along with $65,500 from paid speeches and $15,000 from an entity called "Plymouth Union Public Research." He also got lucky literally winning a combined $45,475 in the last two years from gambling at the Golden Nugget, Venetian, and Atlantis casinos. "All nominees and appointees will comply with the ethical obligations of their respective agencies," Trump-Vance Transition Spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeldin did not respond to a request for comment. $120,500 for writing op-eds The ex-congressman's disclosure reveals a variety of income streams, including substantial speaking fees from GOP organizations in Florida and California, a Long Island synagogue, and a Turning Point USA event in Michigan in June. In multiple instances, Zeldin was paid over $10,000 for a single appearance. He also disclosed a combined $26,775 in payments from Fox News and Nexstar Media Group for "use of media studio." The document lists payments from several public relations firms for paid op-eds, listing the news outlet and the date of publication. The titles of those opinion pieces are not listed, but Business Insider identified several that matched the publication and date included in the disclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the most notable were a series of paid op-eds on climate issues Zeldin could soon lead the agency responsible for the federal government's environmental policies. In an op-ed for Real Clear Policy published in March 2023 entitled "How Congress Can Stop the Next FTX," Zeldin called on Congress to investigate ESG practices and the nonprofit watchdog Better Markets, arguing that companies may use ESG to avoid regulatory scrutiny in the same manner that Bankman-Fried used political contributions to curry favor with Washington. The disclosure indicates that Zeldin was paid $25,000 to write that op-ed. He also appears to have made an additional $10,000 for another Newsday op-ed in August about ESG and $3,000 for a Fox News op-ed in July that criticized New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's climate policies and called on her to lift the state's fracking ban. Zeldin was also paid to write about other topics, including $10,000 for a New York Post op-ed criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris' housing policy proposals, $10,000 for a Washington Times op-ed calling on regulators to crack down on China-linked financial platforms, and $15,000 for a Washington Examiner op-ed accusing the Biden administration of targeting Republican-run states via Medicaid regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases, Zeldin was paid even when the articles never saw the light of day. His disclosures list two op-eds that were never published, for which he received $10,000 and $30,000. In total, Zeldin reported $120,500 in op-ed payments. The original clients who made those payments are unclear, and Zeldin and the Trump-Vance transition did not respond to a question about the original sources. As with other nominees, Zeldin has agreed to divest himself from his consulting business if he's confirmed as the next EPA administrator, according to his ethics agreement. His confirmation hearing is set for Thursday, January 16. Read the original article on Business Insider When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: TSMC TSMC has started producing chips at its Fab 21 near Phoenix, Arizona, using its 4nm-class process technology, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Reuters. This marks the first time such a cutting-edge production node has been manufactured in the United States. The confirmation from a high-ranking official comes months after the first unofficial information emerged that the fab was mass-producing chips for Apple. "For the first time ever in our country's history, we are making leading-edge 4nm chips on American soil, American workers on par in yield and quality with Taiwan," Raimondo told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time ever, we are making leading-edge 4nm chips on American soil. According to unofficial information, TSMC's Fab 21 in Arizona is manufacturing at least three processor models: the A16 Bionic system-on-chip used in Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus; the main processor of Apple's S9 system-in-package for smartwatches, which has two 64-bit cores and a quad-core neural engine; and an AMD Ryzen 9000-series CPU. These chips are produced on TSMC's 4nm-classN4 and N4Pprocess technologies. The TSMC Arizona project is instrumental to the U.S. goal of producing 20% of the world's most advanced logic chips by 2030, which the Biden administration set a few years ago before enacting the CHIPS and Science Act. TSMC's Fab 21 in Arizona produces chips for American companies in volumes (it is rumored that currently, the facility's production capacity is around 10,000 wafer starts per month), clear evidence that the initiative works. Under the CHIPS and Science Act, the U.S. Commerce Department provided TSMC with $6.6 billion in grants and up to $5 billion in loan guarantees. The Fab 21 site will require funding of about $65 billion to include three fab modules that are set to be constructed and launched online by the end of the decade. The first Fab 21 phase 1 module will officially start mass production using 4nm and 5nm-class process technologies. The next Fab 21 phase 2 is expected to follow in 2028 with 3nm-class process technologies. By the decade's end, TSMC expects to build its Fab 21 phase 3, which will produce chips on 2nm-class and 1.6nm-class nodes and their variations with backside power delivery. Kemi Badenoch has called on Keir Starmers anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to resign amid ongoing questions over gifts she received from her aunts regime in Bangladesh. Pressure is mounting on the minister who is also responsible for the City and finance as it emerged that she had to abandon the trip to China with chancellor Rachel Reeves and is unable to do her job. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: Its time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina. The Tory leader said Ms Siddiq, who is Sir Keirs constituency neighbour in North London, had become a distraction, adding: The prime minister tried to make a big deal of his commitment to standards and integrity. His weak leadership on Siddiq suggests he is not as bothered by integrity as he claims. Sheikh Hasina, the now deposed prime minister of Bangladesh and aunt of Tulip Siddiq, pictured during a 2014 visit to London (Oli Scarff/PA) However, science secretary Peter Kyle has defended Ms Siddiq arguing she has done the right thing by referring herself to the ministerial watchdog. He told Trevor Phillips on Sky News: I think shes done exactly the right thing, shes referred herself. That enquiry needs to go through. I think that thats the appropriate way forward. Im giving it all the space it needs to do. Ill be listening for the outcome as the prime minister will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed out that when former Tory home secretary Dame Priti Patel was investigated for bullying in her department she remained in her role and did not quit even when she was found guilty. The row came as the leader of Bangladesh has called on UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to apologise over allegations that she has lived in London properties linked to the regime of his predecessor. Sir Keir Starmer faced fresh calls from the Tories on Saturday to sack Ms Siddiq as a minister, as Bangladeshs leader Muhammad Yunus called for an investigation into the properties to determine whether they were acquired through plain robbery. Ms Siddiq whose aunt Sheikh Hasina led an increasingly autocratic regime in Bangladesh for 15 years until its shock fall in August reported herself to the UK governments ethics watchdog last week after it emerged that she was being investigated by Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her letter to standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, Ms Siddiq said she was clear that I have done nothing wrong and alleged that much of the recent reporting had been inaccurate. Sir Keir later said Ms Siddiq had acted entirely properly in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had confidence in her. Her self-referral came after The Sunday Times and Financial Times reported she had lived in properties linked to her aunts regime one in Hampstead allegedly given to her teenage sister, and another in Kings Cross allegedly given to her by an associate of members of Bangladeshs Awami League party. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Yunus an 84-year-old Nobel Prize-winner who has vowed to stand down once elections are called by mid-2026 warned that Ms Siddiqs property should absolutely be investigated by the ACC. Calling on her to apologise, while acknowledging that it was not for him to say whether she should resign, Mr Yunus said: She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didnt realise it, but now you realise it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You say: Sorry, I didnt know it [at] that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign. Shes not saying that. Shes defending herself. Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladeshs interim government, has pledged to step down once elections are called by mid-2026 (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Referring to a recent Bangladeshi report alleging that the elite had funnelled billions of pounds a year out of the country, with some funds used to buy assets including property, Mr Yunus said: They pointed out how money is stolen, but its not stealing when you steal, you hide it. Its a robbery. Asked whether that could apply to properties used by members of Sheikh Hasinas family in London, he said: Absolutely, its about plain robbery. Nothing else. If a UK parliament member is involved, definitely its a big issue. Asked specifically what should happen to the properties used or owned by the Siddiq family, Mr Yunus said: Our whole idea and movement and what our pledges, commitments, that we made [is that] well bring them to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Siddiqs aunt was deposed in August last year following an uprising against her leadership and fled to India. The former prime minister is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as part of the case. Sheikh Hasina was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled. Sir Keir Starmer has said he has confidence in Tulip Siddiq (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Ms Siddiq, who is reportedly yet to be contacted by the ACC, said in her letter to Sir Laurie: In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my familys links to the former government of Bangladesh. I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this. Ms Siddiq pulled out of accompanying the chancellor on her trip to China this weekend to be available to help Sir Laurie with his investigation. It was just after 3 a.m. in the warm Houston summer of 2019, when first responders arrived at Renard and Patricia Spivey's home and found 52-year-old Patricia dead in the closet from multiple gunshot wounds. FIRST RESPONDER (bodycam): We can definitely see a wound within her abdomen right there. OFFICER: OK. Will it be the entry point? FIRST RESPONDER: It it looks like it. We don't know if that's the only one but that's definitely one there. No signs of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband Renard had a bullet in his leg. He told officers the two had been arguing and fighting over a gun when it fired. OFFICER (bodycam): Where'd you shoot her? RENARD SPIVEY: We was tussling in the chest and the arm. Renard Spivey, a sheriff's deputy with Harris County, worked as a bailiff in courts and played a bailiff on TV for "Justice for All with Judge Cristina Perez." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renard didn't say much more about what happened. Police detained him and had him transported to a hospital. Patricia's 83-year-old father, who suffered from dementia, was also living with the Spivey's. He was sleeping when the gunshots erupted. PATRICIA'S FATHER: What what happened? OFFICER: You didn't hear anything? PATRICIA'S FATHER: Huh? I haven't did anything. OFFICER: I know we just need your statement. A STRUGGLE OVER A GUN First responders on the scene wondered how a gun could go off multiple times by accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OFFICER #2 (bodycam): if you get shot once, you're not gonna make the gun go off again. OFFICER #1: That's what I'm saying. And why a man of Renard's size around six foot three and weighing around 290 pounds would need to struggle with his smaller wife to take control over a gun. OFFICER #1 (bodycam): Saying you're that big and you're fighting for the gun. OFFICER #1: I don't know, but that was a big dude. That was a big dude. A big dude. OFFICER #2: He's got a bunch of trophies inside, bodybuilding trophies. OFFICER #1: just gotta call homicide. it just doesn't, it doesn't make sense, bro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrina Marshall, Patricia's daughter from a previous relationship, arrived at the scene. Patrina Marshall: Well, it was more like what happened? Did my mom do something? Did Renard do something? Like, did somebody do something to them? Like, I didn't know what to expect. Marshall says an officer told her that her mother had died during a struggle with her husband. Natalie Morales: When he told you she didn't make it had to be very tough to hear that. Patrina Marshall: It was. It was. Natalie Morales: But you held it together. Patrina Marshall: I think, uh I don't know. Something really weird happened to me. I just kind of shut down and everything just became really numb. I still have not cried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall says she regrets not seeing her mom for one last time. Patrina Marshall: I just didn't get that. And I'm like, man, so she's just sitting in that closet, just the whole time. So oh, my God, I'm crying. Marshall never thought her mother's life would end this way. Her mother fell quickly for Renard. Patrina Marshall: It was like her first everything. that was her first house. It was Patricia's first marriage, and Renard's third. Renard Spivey: When we met, I did like her. We kinda hit it off. Patricia and Renard Spivey / Credit: Evidence photo Five years after Patricia's death, Renard shared with "48 Hours" his feelings for Patricia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renard Spivey: sheshe was a fun person. She was spontaneous. And she was just a beautiful person. Renard had popped the question in 2013 after Patricia pointed at a ring she liked at a store. Renard Spivey: right there where the ring was "come here I wanna show you" I proposed got on my knees and proposed to her. Natalie Morales: She said yes right away. Renard Spivey: She said yes. And we had fun. We celebrated in Hawaii. And then they built their dream house a 3000-square-foot home with a three-car garage. But within a few hours of Patricia's death, Renard found himself under suspicion for murder. At the hospital, detectives wanted to interview Renard, but he refused. He would later tell us why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Morales: At that point, had you already gotten an attorney? Renard Spivey: I had a union rep who was an attorney. And he came to the hospital. Union rep said, "do not talk to them." According to the report, Patricia had multiple gunshot entry and exit wounds the fatal shot piercing through her lungs and heart. / Credit: Evidence photo While investigators tried to figure out how exactly the shooting unfolded, the medical examiner was conducting an autopsy on Patricia. According to the report, Patricia had multiple gunshot entry and exit wounds the fatal shot piercing through her lungs and heart. "48 Hours" consultant and former prosecutor Lisa Andrews reviewed the case for us. Lisa Andrews: The multiple shots is definitely what gives everyone a lot of pause as to why it's not an accident. the medical examiner ruled it a homicide which is an intentional killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 29, 2019, Renard Spivey was charged with his wife's murder. Natalie Morales: What was that like for you now being behind bars, for somebody who had been on the other side of the law for so long? Renard Spivey: It wasit was tough. It was real tough what I've been through, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Renard's twin sister Renee Spivey-Frazier says she found out her brother was arrested when she got a call from a relative. Renee Spivey-Frazier: I just couldn't believe what I was hearing because I knew he loved her unconditionally. Renard's friend Gerald Graham, who Renard has mentored over the years, couldn't believe it either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerald Graham: He's the big brother, the father, the uncle I have never seen Spivey in any kind of altercation. I never seen him raise his voice. Renard Spivey hired prominent criminal defense attorneys brothers Dick DeGuerin and Mike DeGeurin, and Mike's son Michael DeGeurin Jr. Michael DeGeurin Jr.: One of the things that we were able to see in this case is they had a camera system in their home. And I watched their relationship. Dick DeGuerin: We wanted to see if there was anything there to provide a motive for wanting her to be harmed or dead, uh, or that there was trouble in the relationship. Michael DeGeurin Jr.: It was very loving relationship, as I could tell. Natalie Morales: But yet, we know on that night, somebody went to bed angry. Dick DeGuerin: It looked like she went to bed angry he did not. A TROUBLED RELATIONSHIP? Forty-eight hours after he was charged with the murder of his wife, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Renard Spivey posted $50,000 bond. Renard Spivey: I was in jail probably like a couple of days He returned to the house he used to share with Patricia, where investigators believed he intentionally shot her. Natalie Morales: When you walk in that door, do the memories come flooding right back? Renard Spivey: Well, as soon as you go in the door and then you go in the bedroom, bam. It hits you. Renard Spivey insists his wife's death was an accident. Renard Spivey: I love my wife. I did everything for her. Anything she wanted. I always treated her like my queen. But Renard never gave a statement to police about how the events unfolded that night. And Patricia's family questioned the circumstances around her death and why Renard was free on bond. Cybil Shepherd is Patricia's cousin. Cybil Shepherd: I don't think that his bond was high enough for murder. being a sheriff, I think he got a lot of, uh, privilege in that instance Patricia's loved ones call her the caregiver of the family. Patricia, left, and her daughter Patrina Marshall. / Credit: Patrina Marshall Patrina Marshall: She was kind of like the glue her being gone, really is is you can notice it, that she's gone. Cybil Shepherd: She did anything that she could to help people out. And you can see that just from taking care of her dad, just taking on that responsibility Patricia worked as an executive assistant for the Methodist Hospital in Houston. Cybil Shepherd: She go visit people in the hospital she would go take them food, send them flowers, if nobody else was thinking of them, she was. Patrina Marshall: She just was everywhere, helping, taking pictures, giving her time she's really social. Dick DeGuerin: She was very accomplished Renard's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, says the Spivey's had a good life. Dick DeGuerin: They were very happy. They went on cruises together. every Friday night, they had a special dinner. Natalie Morales: How would you describe Renard Spivey? Michael DeGeurin Jr.: Yeah. I mean, the idea of a gentle giant. you can't avoid seeing how big he is. Renard has been a bodybuilder since his 20s. In the aftermath of his wife's death, he was placed under house arrest but was allowed to continue with his training. Renard Spivey: Actually, during that period of time, it was more therapeutic for me 'cause I've been doing it for 40 years. that's my love. Renard Spivey was a sheriff's deputy with Harris County, worked as a bailiff in courts and played a bailiff on TV for He was also free to go to church and spend time with his family. But he resigned from his career of more than 20 years with the Harris County Sheriff's Department. His TV career also took a hit. Natalie Morales: At the time of Patricia's death, I understand you were still taping Renard Spivey: Yes. Natalie Morales: The "Justice [for All] with Cristina Perez" show. Renard Spivey: Well, they I'mma say before that we were still taping, then after that we didn't do any more taping. Renard had portrayed the bailiff for nine years and taped more than 100 episodes. He told "48 Hours" it was something his wife really liked about him. Natalie Morales: And what did Patricia think of your television career? Renard Spivey: Oh, she loved it. She was excited. And a matter of fact, I took her to a couple of Emmys. Patricia's childhood friend, Ezra Washington, had a small part as an extra on that show and remembered meeting Renard when Patricia and Renard got together. Natalie Morales: You recognized him right away from Ezra Washington: Oh, yeah. Renard and Washington became close friends, but over time even before Patricia married Renard Washington says Renard was controlling with her. Ezra Washington: They were at Pappadeaux' Friday night. You know, she had a few, and he told her "don't drink no more." And she said "Why?" and he was like "Cuz I said so." And she dumped him. The couple got back together, but their problems hardly went away says Washington, and eventually impacted Patricia's relationship with her cousin, Cybil. Ezra Washington: He didn't like Cybil at all. He literally just hated her. Ezra Washington: She allowed Pat to have freedom. They were going to cruise every year. And they party, have fun, and they meet people from other parts of the country. Cybil Shepherd: He definitely felt, you know, intimidated by the relationship you know that we had. Shepherd says, after the couple got married, Patricia distanced herself. Cybil Shepherd: It was more so trying to just put that wedge, uh, between the two of us. And it worked. I just backed off from it. I didn't want to come between somebody and their marriage. Patrina Marshall: It almost seemed like he was jealous of her relationships that he already knew she had. Marshall says her mom and Renard had no business being married. She says their relationship became strained once they moved into their new house. Patrina Marshall: They argued quite a bit, quite a bit. Natalie Morales: What did she complain about with him? Patrina Marshall: Mainly, it was libido. that he didn't wanna sleep with her. maybe she thought he was taking steroids because his whole demeanor changed and his attitude towards her changed. Natalie Morales: Like mood swings? Patrina Marshall: Mm-hmm. Natalie Morales: Lot of up and down. Patrina Marshall: Yes. Marshall says her mom looked up some of Renard's pills and told her she found proof Renard was using steroids. Natalie Morales: In the days leading up to the shooting. Did it seem like things had intensified? Patrina Marshall: Yes. Renard says he was never controlling with Patricia, but he doesn't deny there were issues in their marriage, and says they began about a month before the shooting. Renard Spivey: She thought I was on steroids and stuff. And I trying to get her to understand that I my testosterone was low and I was going to a doctor. Renard says a doctor had prescribed him testosterone shots. Natalie Morales: But what about the steroids, were you taking steroids at that time? Renard Spivey: Well, that was the replacement. It's called replacement therapy. That's not steroids. Natalie Morales: Did you feel like your moods were up and down, too, during the time you were getting those shots? Renard Spivey: No. Natalie Morales: Do the shots affect your mood? Renard Spivey: No. Never. Renard had already told police the two were arguing on that fatal night. Renard Spivey: She thought I probably was cheating on her or something because we wasn't intimate anymore. Natalie Morales: And what'd you say to her? Renard Spivey: I told her no, that's crazy. Security footage in the Spivey's home recorded some of the couple's movements. Natalie Morales: she is sitting at the table at one point. You walk over to her. What happens? Renard Spivey: when I walked over to her I was getting ready to go to bed and every time I walked over to her, she'd turn her phone down and then I was trying to kiss her. She said, "I'm not kissing you." Renard says he was curious why Patricia was hiding her phone from him. After they went to bed, thinking that his wife was asleep, he says he grabbed her phone from her nightstand and brought it into the closet. Renard Spivey: I wanna see what she was looking at and so when I grabbed the phone, I'm thinking she's asleep, I go in the master closet, it's dark. and it wasn't seconds before, you know, pointing the gun at me, gimme my damn phone. Renard says Patricia followed him into the closet with a gun. Renard Spivey: when I turned around and saw her finger on the trigger, I was scared for my life. When I turned around, she had the gun pointed at me. SHOTS FIRED BUT HOW MANY? Tension between Renard and his wife Patricia turned frightening, he says Renard Spivey: I was really scared 'cause you never put your finger on the trigger unless you prepared to shoot. when Patricia threatened him with his gun. Natalie Morales: Where do you keep your gun? Renard Spivey: Uh, on the dresser. Natalie Morales: So it's on your side. Renard Spivey: On my side. Natalie Morales: Of the bed. Renard Spivey: Yeah. Natalie Morales: And is it always loaded? Renard Spivey: It's always loaded. Natalie Morales: Don't you talk somebody down? Like if your police training is to deescalate the situation? Renard Spivey: Well I was afraid 'cause I've never been in a situation like that before the best thing I knew in my training is to try to take the weapon away from her. In his first-ever interview about the case, Renard Spivey talks with Renard says he tried to do just that, and things unfolded quickly. Renard Spivey: when I grabbed her wrist, I grabbed the top of the weapon. she pulled back with a finger on the trigger and it went off and shot me in the leg. Natalie Morales: So you got shot first. Renard Spivey: I got shot first. Natalie Morales: Then what happened? Renard Spivey: I was in the process of falling down and when I trying to take the weapon away from her, it went off a couple more times. Two more times, he says. Patricia was hit in the chest and then hit by another bullet in her arm as illustrated in a CBS News animation based on defense theory. A still from a CBS News animation based on defense theory of where Patricia Spivey was struck. / Credit: CBS News Dick DeGuerin: We're certain that the first shot that hit her went into her, left chest through her lungs and into her heart. We think that the second shot that hit her hit her in the right arm and went basically in and out of the bicep and then into her upper right upper chest. But former prosecutor Lisa Andrews says it is not certain that only two shots struck her. The medical examiner thought it was possible Patricia's wounds were the result of three shots one to the left chest, one to the right arm, and a third to her right chest. Lisa Andrews: there is a lot of controversy about how many times she was actually shot. Natalie Morales: one shot is an accident. three shots? Lisa Andrews: Well, I mean, that's the question, right? Investigators poured over the home surveillance; three gunshots are heard clearly. But authorities suspected Renard actually fired the gun four times. Three bullets fired at Patricia and then one Renard would have fired at himself wounding his leg to make it seem that Patricia shot him. Investigators identified one piece of sound heard over the alarm ringing. Natalie Morales (listening to clip): Now this next clip picks up a tap. They say it is a gunshot, recorded about a minute-and-a-half after the three other shots. Natalie Morales: Different sound. Lisa Andrews: Different sound. There is a reason they say it sounds different than the others. Lisa Andrews: their theory was that, that sound that fourth sound was a gunshot in a different part of the house, and that was him shooting himself. Renard denies there was a fourth gunshot. Natalie Morales: That wasn't you shooting the fourth shot Renard Spivey: No, ma'am. Natalie Morales: to then have Renard Spivey: No, ma'am. Natalie Morales: a cover up story? Renard Spivey: No, ma'am. Renard's attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Michael DeGeurin Jr. also listened to that surveillance tape. Michael DeGeurin Jr: It is not a gunshot. They say the sound most likely is the click of another camera in the room being activated. Dick DeGuerin: And keep in mind, there were three empty cartridges that were found But Lisa Andrews says there were other things that could point to Renard's guilt like his call to 911. 911 OPERATOR: What is your emergency? RENARD SPIVEY: Uh, shots fired. 911 OPERATOR: Is there an actual patient there? Has someone been shot? RENARD SPIVEY: Yes, ma'am. Lisa Andrews: He was pretty calm. the demeanor does look pretty off to me. 911 OPERATOR: OK. Where's the patient? RENARD SPIVEY: They on the floor I'm shot too. Lisa Andrews: "They." He doesn't say, my wife or she. It's an emotional step back from from what has happened. It took Renard two-and-a-half minutes to say he accidentally shot his wife. RENARD SPIVEY (to 911): Me and my wife had an argument. I accidentally shot her. Lisa Andrews (listening to 911 call): It's like he can't bring himself to say what he's done. Lisa Andrews: For him not to reveal that information with two decades of law enforcement training to me, that was consciousness of guilt. But Renard says he wasn't hiding anything. Renard Spivey: Well, when you traumatized And to see your wife shot, and you shot too at the same time, it's a lot. Dick DeGuerin: Uh, you can hear the strain in his voice. So you know he's in pain. he was confused and, uh, probably going into shock. But there are other things on that tape that caught Andrews' attention. 911 OPERATOR: Since she is not awake and not breathing, normally, sir, we need to perform CPR on her. RENARD SPIVEY: Huh? 911 OPERATOR: I said, we need to perform CPR on her Lisa Andrews: I felt this was also significant. I have no doubt he is trained in how to give CPR, perform it. Renard can be heard counting, doing what sounds like chest compressions. But a little while later, the home security cameras show Renard takes a break without mentioning it to the 911 operator. 911 OPERATOR: You need to apply firm direct pressure to your wounds and her wounds, but we still need to continue the CPR. RENARD SPIVEY: OK, ma'am. A still from home security video shows Renard Spivey holding a towel to his leg while on the phone with a 911 operator. / Credit: Evidence photo Natalie Morales: He's on the phone with 911 holding a towel on his leg. Lisa Andrews: Typically, when you're performing CPR, you don't take breaks. Renard says he went to unlock the garage door to make sure medics could get to his wife as soon as possible. Renard Spivey: I came right back and continue the chest compressions RENARD SPIVEY (to 911) : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Ma'am. (crying) He is then heard breaking down. 911 OPERATOR: I'm here Mr. Spivey. Just keep going. You're doing great, sir. If you can continue, please continue. RENARD SPIVEY: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven (crying). Renee Spivey-Frazier: He loved her. He really loved her. Renard's twin sister is not surprised her brother was emotional. Renee Spivey-Frazier: she lost her life and he still he was hurting ... On the evening of July 27, 2019, Renard Spivey says he and his wife Patricia were having a quiet night at their Houston home. But, he says, they soon began arguing and Patricia confronted him, asking if he was having an affair. / Credit: Evidence photo But Patricia's close friend Ezra Washington says just two days before Patricia died, she told him she was fed up with Renard's controlling ways and his suspected steroid use which she blamed for the lack of intimacy in their relationship. Ezra Washington: She said, you know what she said, "I'm done" She said, "I'm leaving." Washington says on the day of the shooting he had multiple phone conversations with Renard, and that Renard told him they were getting a divorce. Washington claims he confronted Renard about steroids. Ezra Washington: "I know you are on them steroids." "OK, OK Man, I did. I got some product from my boy 'cause I wanted to get lean for the cruise but I ain't doing it no more." I said, "stop lying." Washington says he told Renard to just leave the home but Renard made a comment about Patricia not getting the house. Ezra Washington: I'mma show her. I'mma show her. I said, man, don't be stupid. Washington says he feels guilty for not reaching out to Patricia to warn her that night. Ezra Washington: I didn't call. I regret that to this day. But he told authorities about his conversations with Renard. Ezra Washington: I told them everything. As Marshall and Shepherd waited for the case to go to trial, they had arrived at the same conclusion with Washington: that Renard had intentionally shot and killed Patricia. Patrina Marshall: it was more or less, his actions afterwards. I didn't see any remorse from him. Cybil Shepherd: I don't think it was an accident. But Renard Spivey's loved ones were convinced he would walk out a free man. Gerald Graham: He would never, ever intentionally pull a weapon to kill. Gerald Graham: I knew him. And I knew he was gonna get a not guilty verdict. WAS PATRICIA SPIVEY'S SHOOTING DEATH AN ACCIDENT OR MURDER? As Patricia Spivey's family waited for their day in court, the coronavirus pandemic stalled the proceedings and four-and-a-half half years passed by. Cybil Shepherd: That's not justice. Renard remained under house arrest, but after some time, his lawyers successfully filed a motion to remove his ankle monitor and Renard joined the world of dating apps. Renard Spivey: I probably was on maybe one or two of them, but, you know, you get lonely, you need you know, some friends or something like that. On Nov. 28, 2023, Renard Spivey was back in court. This time, not as a bailiff but as the accused facing a life sentence if convicted. Cybil Shepherd: He looked totally different you know. He wasn't the clean shaven, you know. He had the gray beard. The state told the jury Renard shot Patricia intentionally after she threatened to leave their marriage. Lisa Andrews: The prosecution's theory is that almost like he snapped. He was angry. They were arguing. He was being accused of things by her. But according to Spivey's attorneys, this was simply a case of self-defense. Dick DeGuerin: Self-defense fits because she was threatening him with a gun, and he grabbed her wrist and the gun in his own defense. They say what happened next was an accident. Dick DeGuerin: It was an unintentional discharge of the gun, several discharges of the gun. when he told me what kind of gun it was, I'd had experience with that particular model of a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic. Natalie Morales: You have it right there. Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with gun): There is no external safety on this gun. So, if, uh, someone's finger is on that trigger, all it takes is a slight pressure, and it goes off. Dick DeGuerin: with someone that's gripping and trying to wrestle with the gun, that's enough pressure to engage the trigger and to fire the gun. Dick DeGuerin says once fired, the semi-automatic reloads itself instantaneously. Dick DeGuerin: it recharges in split seconds. Each time it's fired, it's ready to fire again. "48 Hours" went with DeGuerin to the doorway of the closet in Spivey's house, where he showed us what he says happened. Natalie Morales Pretty sizeable closet it's like a big closet. Dick DeGuerin: Big closet. Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin demonstrates for Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with Morales): He saw that she had her finger on the trigger. with his left hand, he grabbed her right wrist and put his right hand on the top of the gun to force it down and she pulled back Natalie Morales: And so she shot Dick DeGuerin: Back away from me. Natalie Morales: OK. And when she did that, it shot, hit him in the left thigh. Dick DeGuerin: And as they fell, he grabbed her again and grabbed the gun and tried to twist it out of her hand. Uh, her left hand came off. Natalie Morales: OK, left hand comes off. Dick DeGuerin And the gun went off again and shot her in the chest. Then, DeGuerin says the gun went off one more time and the third shot hit Patricia in the arm. Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with Morales): Her hand by that time was in relationship to her body almost, vertical to her body. That's why when the bullet went in, it went in by her elbow, came back out and went into her chest. The gunpowder burn mark on Renard's right hand proves he grabbed the gun as Patricia fired, says defense attorney Dick DeGuerin / Credit: Evidence photo DeGuerin says the powder burn mark on Renard's right hand proves he grabbed the gun as Patricia fired. Dick DeGuerin: When the gun fires this is where the gun powder that's been fired comes out And that's what burned his right hand. But there was something that puzzled the prosecutors and they raised it at trial. In Renard's telling, he and Patricia were fighting at the entrance of the closet but Patricia's body was found deep inside the closet. Prosecutors believe it was because he cornered her. OFFICER (bodycam): Where's she at RENARD SPIVEY: Laying on the floor. Natalie Morales: Her body, as I understand Dick DeGuerin: Her body Natalie Morales: where did it end up? Dick DeGuerin: Well, it ended up, uh, over in about the area that you are, but then after Natalie Morales: And why how did it end up here? Dick DeGuerin: Because that's where they fell. Natalie Morales: Where she fell. At trial, the defense team painted Patricia as the aggressor, and they point to her internet activity that evening to demonstrate, they say, that her frustration with her husband was building. At 2:49 a.m., Patricia posted this meme on Facebook: "Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words." At 2:59 a.m., Patricia is seen on camera for the last time. At 2:59 a.m., Patricia Spivey is seen on her home's security camera for the last time. / Credit: Evidence photo At 3:01 a.m., prosecutors suspect Patricia had enough and in the home's security video you can make out her saying the words "it's the same thing over and over again." But DeGuerin says it is not clear what Patricia really meant. Dick DeGuerin: Maybe that's what she said, but what did it mean? It's ambiguous. What is she complaining about over and over again? At 3:03 a.m., Renard is seen in the kitchen, and then he goes into the bedroom. Four minutes later at 3:07 a.m., you hear those three gunshots. Dick DeGuerin: They were in quick succession inside of four seconds. And at trial, Renard Spivey told the jury his wife Patricia was the one firing. Renard Spivey: I didn't pull the trigger. Natalie Morales: No, your fingers weren't on the trigger? Renard Spivey: No, ma'am, not at all. DeGuerin says there is no evidence to contradict that. He says that a crime scene technician acknowledged at trial that the trigger was never separately swabbed for DNA. Dick DeGuerin: She said, well, I was afraid that the gun would go off again. Now, that tells you how dangerous that gun was But Marshall says her mom was not the type of person who would pull a gun on anyone. Patrina Marshall: My mom is not violent like that. It didn't make sense to me. Instead, Marshall believes her mom was in the closet that night because she was packing. Patrina Marshall: I think she was trying to leave that night. Prosecutors had Ezra Washington tell the jury about those phone conversations with Renard where Renard talked about his frustrations. Ezra Washington: I just want to get 'em the truth. Everything that came outta his mouth that I know. But the prosecutors ran into a problem. They say Washington told them he spoke to Renard using apps on his phone, and they were unable to find records of those calls. DeGuerin says he doesn't believe those conversations ever took place. Natalie Morales: Are you saying Ezra Washington then when he testified, because he was a key witness for the prosecution, was he lying when he talked about those phone calls? Dick DeGuerin: I wouldn't call him a key witness. particularly when we were able to show that there was no record of those calls. Renard Spivey: he didn't talk to me. He lied. He didn't talk to me. Natalie Morales: Why would he make that up, though? Renard Spivey: I don't know why he would make that up. And Renard says he had no reason to kill his wife. Natalie Morales: Had there been conversations about separation or divorce between you and Patricia? Renard Spivey: No. Natalie Morales: She hadn't talked about leaving you? Renard Spivey: No, no. All that's lies. As the case went to the jury, no one knew who the jurors were going to believe. Renard Spivey: It was tough. people pointing finger at you, "you did it." And I know deep inside that I didn't. AN ACQUITTAL FOR DEPUTY SPIVEY Renard Spivey: I've never stopped having hope. And have faith. My heart is you know, I'm emotional. I don't know what to expect. On Dec. 6, 2023, after 12 hours of deliberations over two days., the jury in Renard Spivey's murder trial reached a verdict and found him not guilty. Renard Spivey: I fall to the floor crying. Boo crying My attorneys help pick me up. My family, you know. Natalie Morales: Very emotional? Renard Spivey: Yeah, oh (sighs) Renard's sister was relieved. Renee Spivey-Frazier: I wanted it to be over with because I'm concerned about him. I'm concerned about his wellbeing, his life, how he's handling this. But she says there were no winners. Renee Spivey-Frazier: She lost her life You know, I was feeling for her. His life will never be the same. On the other side of the aisle, Patricia's family and friends say they couldn't believe the jury's decision. Cybil Shepherd: I'm just I'm numb. I do not believe that she received justice at all. Patrina Marshall l: I felt like I held my breath, and then "not guilty." I don't understand how they got there I didn't believe him. Renard's attorney says the jurors just weren't convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that his client was the one who fired that gun. Dick DeGuerin: I think was very important to the jury that the prosecution never proved whose finger was on the trigger. And - it's very important because the prosecution has the burden of proof. Dick DeGuerin: and the gun was so important. The fact that it's such a dangerous design of a gun that will go off so easily. Lisa Andrews: There just wasn't, uh, enough evidence to disprove his story. Patricia Spivey / Credit: Patricia Marshall/Facebook Since the trial, Patricia's family say they've had a hard time processing their loss. Cybil Shepherd: It felt like it was way too soon for me to be at her funeral. Facebook has this these memories And just seems like every other day her pictures will come up I think about the times that, you know, we share, the good times. Patrina Marshall: My mom was still important. Like, she was important to me Patrina Marshall: I just miss that unconditional love. I have no anchor, like she's gone. So she was my anchor. (emotional) Yeah, so yeah. Renard Spivey: I'm hurting. So I know how they feel. Renard Spivey: Actually, I would like to, you know, come to their family go to their family, and say, hey, look, you know I loved her, you know? And they knew that. It's no doubt in my mind that they knew I loved Patricia Marshall. Renard says, since his acquittal, he has been active in his community Renard Spivey: I work for an organization and I volunteer for healing for hoodies And we feed the homeless every Sunday. leaning on his family and friends. Renard Spivey: A lot of the officers, a lot of other people [say], we knew that you didn't do that. We knew that you would get you know, found not guilty. We know you; we know your character; we know the type of person you are. But he says he still misses his wife. Renard Spivey: you remember stuff that she used to like, you remember the music, you remember the food she liked. ... You know what color dress, certain things she liked. You remember all that. Renard Spivey: So every day, it's it's a challenge It's it's I'm still I can't sleep at night. I live with it every day. "48 HOURS" POST MORTEM PODCAST "48 Hours" contributor Natalie Morales and producer Asena Basak break down the case of Patricia Spivey. They discuss the home security footage that captured crucial evidence from the night of the shooting and never-before-heard audio from Renard Spivey's 911 call. Produced by Asena Basak. Jenna Jackson is the development producer. Morgan Canty is the field producer. Atticus Brady and Chris Crater are the editors. Annabelle Allen is the associate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. NIL money in college athletics creating "have-not" sports Sneak peek: The Disappearance of Maddi Kingsbury "Unrivaled" league debuts with WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner DES MOINES, Iowa Two people are in custody after an overnight police pursuit downtown, according to Des Moines Police. According to police, shortly after midnight, DMPD officers responded to the 200 block of Court Avenue to investigate reports of a male flashing a gun at others. Once officers had arrived, witnesses pointed out two people believed to be involved. The individuals were getting into a vehicle, as officers approached, they fled the scene in a car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers in a patrol vehicle attempted to stop the suspects but the driver refused, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit took officers north, away from the downtown area, and ended near 4th Street and Indiana Avenue. The suspects vehicle stopped, and the two occupants attempted to run away on foot. Both suspects were caught by officers. Ankeny Fire Department responds to house fire Sunday morning One of the suspects taken into custody was a juvenile male. He was found in possession of a handgun and has been referred to Juvenile Courts. Two handguns, which had been reported as stolen, were found in the suspects vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other suspect, 25-year-old George Jason Morales, was also taken into custody. Morales is charged with the following offenses: Eluding, Excess 25 mph Over Limit Trafficking In Stolen Weapons Perons Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons Driving While Barred Interference with Official Acts Morales is being held at the Polk County Jail. The Des Moines Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The US on Friday reiterated its commitment to supporting Taiwan's defence capabilities, emphasising its ongoing dedication to the Indo-Pacific region, as reported by Taipei Times. In a statement, the White House highlighted the range of security assistance provided to Taiwan, including the first-ever use of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), as well as International Military Education and Training (IMET), Taipei Times reported. The statement also noted that President Joe Biden had identified the Indo-Pacific as a crucial region for the future of both the US and the world. "In pursuit of regional peace, security and stability, we have reinvested in our defence presence and capabilities, integrated our efforts with partners and modernised our alliances, and collectively deterred aggression and coercion," the statement said as quoted by Taipei Times. "We have used a range of security assistance authorities and resources to provide Taiwan defensive arms and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability, commensurate with the threat it faces," the statement further added. The White House also reaffirmed that this support is essential for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, the US has worked with partners such as Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to support smaller Pacific island nations by funding over USD 37 million in undersea cable projects, further solidifying regional cooperation, Taipei Times reported. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude for the US' support, especially the use of FMF, PDA, and IMET, which are key in strengthening Taiwan's defence. The ministry also pointed to the undersea cable projects as a prime example of Taiwan's "integrated diplomacy" strategy. The statement stressed that Taiwan plays an important role in ensuring regional peace and global prosperity, and its partnership with the US is vital in maintaining global economic security and resilience. The Biden administration has also authorised 19 arms sales to Taiwan, continuing the policy of normalised weapons sales. These sales demonstrate the US's commitment to enhancing Taiwan's self-defence capabilities. In support of Taiwan's security, the statement quoted President William Lai's New Year address, highlighting the importance of a secure Taiwan for global security. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also emphasised that Taiwan is a global issue, not just a matter for China. The US, Taiwan, and other allies are working together to build a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan aims to strengthen its defence resilience through US arms sales, national defence reforms, and improved cooperation with the US, including in security, trade, and economic partnerships. According to Taipei Times, the White House statement also detailed broader US efforts in the region, including supporting freedom of navigation, reaffirming its commitment to ASEAN, and enhancing partnerships to address transnational threats such as climate change, natural disasters, and public health challenges. (ANI) Centricas stark warning on Friday that Britains gas storage is now concerningly low came hot on the heels of last weeks desperate plan to keep the lights on, with households paying some of Britains oldest power stations 2 million an hour to meet demand. Last week saw just the coldest January night in Britain for 15 years but was also the first real test for Britains new National Energy System Operator (NESO). Could it convince us that it was able to deliver reliable and affordable supplies and was fit for purpose? It failed on both counts. As a result consumers and businesses are now facing huge extra costs which will find their way onto bills in the coming months. Britain now has the highest industrial energy prices in the world, has fallen out of the worlds top 10 manufacturers, increasingly risks power rationing, and is spending over 3 billion a year to import electricity from Europe. A generation of flawed energy policies have wreaked havoc on consumers and the problem is getting worse, contrary to Ed Milibands belief that prioritising wind and solar over new nuclear and gas is the answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britains prices are nearly 50 per cent above the International Energy Agency median for industrial electricity and 80 per cent above the median for domestic users. Our businesses pay almost four times as much as Americans for power and our consumers three times. This is hugely concerning when Labours net zero plans will see Britain using much more electricity for cars and household heating, irrespective of it being far more expensive than gas. Following its launch in October, NESO released its Winter Outlook report which forecast peak electricity demand would be 44.4 gigawatts (GW) at any one time. But last week saw demand for electricity close to 50 GW. At this critical time, output from wind turbines had fallen away and there were problems importing power from Europe on which Britain is becoming overdependent. The crunch forced NESO to pay huge sums to fire up gas fired power stations to cover the gap; at one stage on Wednesday night it was paying one 30 year old power plant 5,500 per megawatt hour for just 400 megawatts (MW) of capacity between 4 and 7pm. This is 50 times the recent market price. Overall the scheme cost 2.3 million per hour. Britains chronic lack of gas storage, at just 12 days, is another failure of national planning. While France enjoys robust storage at 113 days and Germany at 89, the failure to act will now encourage suppliers to charge more when demand spikes on cold days, especially as Britain is one of Europes largest per capita users of gas. Why wasnt storage prioritised, especially after Putins invasion of Ukraine? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The failure of this most important national policy represents one of the biggest failings in statecraft since World War Two. The consequences are stark, ranging from the loss of our competitiveness and rising fuel poverty, to the UK becoming dangerously vulnerable to future energy crises. And for what end? Facts are important. Between 2004 and 2021, before the war in Ukraine, the industrial price of energy in Britain tripled in nominal terms (153 per cent) or doubled relative to consumer prices. Electricity prices have doubled since 2019. This has led to a huge slice of Britains manufacturing base already choosing to relocate overseas. Since 2010, over 200,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost; as a share of GDP, manufacturing has halved since the 1990s. A failing energy policy inflicts huge pain on households, industry and the wider economy. It restricts investment, offshores energy intensive industry, and stunts job creation. We must urgently address and tackle how and why a generation of political leaders and civil servants have failed and continue to do so. Tony Lodge is a research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Andrew MacAskill and Paul Sandle LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wanted to make the UK an artificial intelligence "superpower", promising to take a pro-innovation approach to regulation, make public data available to researchers and create zones for data centres. Starmer, whose Labour government is expected to have little choice but to cut spending after borrowing costs jumped, said he wanted to put AI at the heart of his ambition to grow the economy. The government says the technology could increase productivity by 1.5% a year, worth an extra 47 billion pounds ($57 billion), annually over a decade. "Britain will be one of the great AI superpowers," he said on Monday at University College London, noting that the country was already the European leader for AI investment. "We're going to make the breakthroughs, we're going to create the wealth, and we're going to make AI work for everyone in our country." Countries across the world are competing to become AI hubs, while balancing the push for growth with the need for some restrictions on the technology. The world's sixth-largest economy, Britain is only behind the United States and China, when measured by indicators such as AI investment and patents, according to Stanford University. Starmer said Britain would chart a "pro-growth and pro-innovation" course on regulation. "I know there are different approaches around the world but we are now in control of our regulatory regime so we will go our own way on this," he said, referring to Britain's departure from the European Union in 2020. "We will test and understand AI before we regulate it to make sure that when we do it, it's proportionate and grounded." Britain would put public data, such as information from its state health service, into a "National Data Library", where it would be accessible to researchers subject to trusted copyright rules, he said. The government would also adopt all the 50 recommendations set out in the report "AI Opportunities Action Plan" by venture capitalist Matt Clifford, Starmer said. This includes making it easier to build data centres by accelerating planning permission and giving them energy connections. The first such centre will be built in Culham, Oxfordshire, home to Britain's Atomic Energy Authority. Britain's economy badly needs fresh momentum after Labour government's highest tax-raising budget since 1993 has dented business confidence and the Bank of England estimated last month that the economy did not grow in the last quarter. The News Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers, the first that Kyiv said it has taken alive since Pyongyang sent troops to assist in Russias war effort. Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. Ukraines internal security service said the troops were indisputable evidence of North Korean involvement in the war. Ukrainian soldiers have said that, at first, North Korean troops seemed inexperienced on the battlefield, but were quickly getting up to speed. For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience, a military official told The Associated Press. This is a global challenge not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world. Ukrainian forces shot down 60 Russian attack drones overnight, the Air Force reported on the morning of Jan. 12. Russia launched a total of 94 Shahed-type and decoy drones from bases in Millerovo, Oryol, Bryansk, and Kursk, according to the report. The Air Force said it also lost track of the 34 decoy drones that Russia launched alongside the attack ones. The drones were shot down over Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Donetsk oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falling debris from downed drones caused damage to several residential houses in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions, the Air Force said. However, there were no casualties. Russian drone attacks across Ukraine surged to record levels in the last months of 2024, with Moscow aiming to ramp up UAV production in the new year. Drone strikes have targeted Ukrainian residential neighborhoods and critical energy infrastructure. On Dec. 29, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has escalated its aerial assault on Ukraine, launching more than 280 glide bombs, nearly 370 attack drones, and over 80 missiles in the past week. "Our cities and communities are under constant Russian attacks. Even on Christmas night, Russia organized a massive air attack," Zelensky wrote on Telegram, sharing footage of the destruction across Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russian troops overrun Kurakhove, approach Pokrovsk east, south, and southwest Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine is prepared to send captured North Korean soldiers home if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is able to negotiate the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 12. Alternatively, Kyiv is willing to explore other options for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, he said. Zelensky's remarks come a day after the president announced on Jan. 11 that Ukrainain forces had captured two North Korean POWs in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The wounded soldiers are in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and are reportedly receiving medical attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be others," Zelensky said via his official Telegram channel on Jan. 12. "It is only a matter of time before our guys manage to capture more." Ukraine is prepared to return North Korean personnel in future prisoner exchanges or explore "other ways" of handling those captured soldiers who do not want to go back to North Korea, according to Zelensky. "Ukraine is ready to hand over his people to Kim Jong Un if he can organize their exchange for our soldiers who are held captive in Russia," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For those North Korean soldiers who do not want to return, there may be some other ways. In particular, those Koreans who wish to bring peace closer by spreading the truth in Korean about this war will have this opportunity." Zelensky posted video footage of the SBU's interrogation of the two POWs, mediated by Korean translators. In the video, one of the captured soldiers says he would like to return to North Korea, while the other answers that he wants to live in Ukraine. Some 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border incursion in August 2024. North Korean personnel have suffered high casualties while fighting alongside Russian forces, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Dec. 27 that some North Korean soldiers have reportedly taken their own lives rather than surrender to Ukrainian troops, out of fear their families will be targeted over their capture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said on Jan. 11 that the capture of the North Korean POWs was a difficult task to carry out, as Russian and North Korean forces go to greath lengths to suppress evidence of Pyongyang's involvement. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Irrefutable evidence of North Koreas involvement Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Jan. 12: 'Irrefutable evidence of North Korea's involvement' Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast Ukrainian drone hits large oil refinery in Russias Tatarstan, head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation confirms Russia launches double airstrike on nursing home in Kursk Oblast, military claims Military: Russian troops dress as civilians in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast Ukrainian troops captured two North Korean soldiers as prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia's Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 11. "This task was not easy," he said in a Telegram post. "Usually, Russia and other North Korean military personnel finish off their wounded and do everything possible to ensure that no evidence of the participation of another state North Korea in the war against Ukraine is preserved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two wounded soldiers received necessary medical care and are in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv, according to Zelensky. The president applauded Ukrainian paratroopers and soldiers from the Special Operation Forces for capturing the North Koreans. North Korea deployed around 12,000 soldiers in Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border incursion in August 2024 to bring the war to Russia, a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the intelligence told the Kyiv Independent in December 2024. Zelensky's statement comes nearly two weeks after the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) said that Ukrainian troops had captured a wounded North Korean soldier in late December who died soon of his wounds. "We confirmed through a friendly nation's intelligence organization that a North Korean soldier, captured alive on Dec. 26, died a short while ago as (his) wounds worsened," the NIS said on Dec. 27, as cited by South Korean Yonhap News Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applauding the "irrefutable evidence" of North Korean soldiers' participation in the Russian war against Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Jan. 11 that the POWs are being questioned with the help of Korean translators and South Korean intelligence. Read also: North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast boost Russias manpower, despite vulnerabilities Ukrainian drone hits large oil refinery in Russias Tatarstan, head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation confirms A Ukrainian drone hit the Taneko oil refinery in Tatarstan, Russian Telegram channel ASTRA reported on Jan. 11. The refinery is one of the country's largest oil-processing facilities. Workers at the refinery in Nizhnekamsk were evacuated amid the attack, and local footage showed smoke rising from the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrii Kovalenko, Head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed the strike, and emphasized its strategic importance. "The refinery plays a key role in providing fuel to the Russian military. Taking out refineries and oil depots directly affects Russia's ability to wage an intensive war," he said. The refinery, which processes over 16 million tons of oil annually, was previously targeted in a drone attack in spring 2024, causing damage to its primary processing unit. Taneko refinery is located in the city of Nizhnekamsk, around 1,300 kilometers from the country's border with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US, UK impose sweeping sanctions on Russias oil sector, target shadow fleet Russia launches double airstrike on nursing home in Kursk Oblast, military claims Russian troops have carried out a double airstrike on a nursing home in the Ukrainian-occupied Russian town of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, said on Jan. 12. According to Dmytrashkivskyi, the attack, which took place on the evening of Jan. 11, left one woman with severe arm injuries, who died later in the morning of Jan. 12. The attack also dealt heavy damage to the nursing home, with all windows and doors blown out, Dmytrashkivskyi added, speaking on national television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to him, around 2,000 Russian civilians remain in areas under Ukrainian control. Over 70 people are currently staying in the nursing home that came under attack. "The question now is where to relocate these people. Most are elderly, and many suffer from disabilities, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke conditions, and one individual has a mental illness. The current state of these people is quite severe," the spokesperson said. In a comment to the Kyiv Independent, Dmytrashkivskyi confirmed that the facility damaged was the same nursing home visited by media, including the Kyiv Independent, on press tours of Sudzha organized by the Ukrainian military. The news comes days after Ukraine reportedly launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, which is seen as a crucial bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations. Military: Russian troops dress as civilians in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast Russian troops have been spotted dressing in civilian clothing to mask their movements in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade reported on Jan. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerial reconnaissance footage posted by the brigade on Facebook shows a couple of alleged Russian soldiers dressed in civilian clothes. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the images. The brigade said it was "another violation of the rules of warfare" by Russian troops, as it can be classified as a war crime under international law. According to the brigade, Russian infantrymen "attempt to divert attention and disguise themselves" in this way. "However, they are exposed by their identical clothing, behavior, and sometimes even their weapons," the brigade wrote. "Nevertheless, this still complicates the work of our soldiers, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not 'shoot at everything that moves,' unlike (Russian) occupiers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in September, Ukraine accused Russian forces of 137,000 war crimes carried out as part of its full-scale invasion. Crimes include the mass abduction of Ukrainian children, the torture of residents in occupied territories, and the murder of civilians and Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). Earlier on Jan. 6, Ukraines Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that Russian troops had allegedly killed three Ukrainian POWs in the southwest of Donetsk Oblast. "We are once again witnessing atrocities that demonstrate Russia's true face," the ombudsman said. Read also: Over 130 people, including 12 children, evacuated from Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 11 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have conducted another precision airstrike on the command post of the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation, located in the temporarily occupied town of Novohrodivka, Donetsk Oblast. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: The message of the General Staff is prefaced with the phrase "SUCCESSFUL HIT!". It is noted that this operation is a continuation of a series of attacks on the Russian command posts on the Donetsk front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to demonstrate a high level of coordination and professionalism in identifying and destroying key command and control points and the enemy's military infrastructure." Support UP or become our patron! Military photographer, filmmaker and Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Ruslan "Ostap" Hanushchak has been killed on the front line. Source: Natalia Kotskovych, press secretary of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Territorial Recruitment Centre (TRC); Detector Media Details: Hanushchak began his career as a military filmmaker in 2014 while serving in the Azov Battalion. He became one of the documentarians of the war in Donbas, capturing Russian war crimes in the settlements of Shyrokyne, Hranitne, Berdianske, Lebedynske and Marinka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His works, including the film about Georgian volunteers Brother for Brother, were showcased in the US, UK and other countries worldwide. In 2016, Hanushchak created the documentary Two Days in Ilovaisk, detailing the beginnings of the Ilovaisk tragedy. In 2022, he joined the 92nd Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, continuing to publish photographs and videos documenting the war. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine is preparing to send rescuers, including 150 firefighters, to the U.S. state of California to help combat the wildfires that have devastated the region in recent days, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 12. Wildfires have ravaged the city of Los Angeles in the past week, killing at least 16 people, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, and destroying or damaging over 10,000 structures. "Today, I instructed Ukraine's Interior Minister and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California," Zelensky said in his evening address on Jan 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The situation there is extremely challenging, and Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives. This matter is being worked out, and through appropriate channels, we have offered our assistance to the American side. We already have 150 firefighters prepared." Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and a team of diplomats are looking into the situation, the ministry said. Zelensky's offer of assistance comes three days after Donald Trump Jr., son of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, responded to the Los Angeles wildfires by blaming Ukraine on social media. "Oh look of course the LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine," Trump. Jr. said in a post on X on Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent surplus materials to Ukraine back in 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion. The aid included boots, hoses, body armor, and medication. The donation did not likely impact the response to the current crisis, which has been exacerbated by strong winds, personnel issues, and water shortages. Read also: US Congress should ensure that Ukraine aid continues even under Trump, Biden says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sudan's military on Saturday announced that its forces, along with allied armed groups, have entered the city of Wad Madani and are working to expel the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group from the city in Gezira state, which has been under RSF control for over a year, Al Jazeera reported. In a statement, the army congratulated the Sudanese people on the military's entry into Wad Madani and indicated that operations were underway to clear remaining RSF pockets within the city, as reported by Al Jazeera. Khalid al-Aiser, the army-allied government spokesperson, confirmed the city's liberation. According to Al Jazeera, citing a video shared by the army, soldiers have entered the city, which had been under RSF control since December 2023. The Sudanese army and RSF have been in conflict since April 2023, leading to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst displacement crisis and famine declarations in parts of Sudan. According to Al Jazeera, Wad Madani holds strategic importance due to its position at a crossroads connecting key supply routes and its proximity to Sudan's capital, Khartoum. On Tuesday, the US recently accused the RSF of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on its leader, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti), as reported by Al Jazeera. Local resistance groups, which have been providing aid across Sudan, celebrated the military's advance, calling it the end of RSF oppression. The army's recapture of Gezira state could mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, which stemmed from disputes over integrating the army and RSF. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people, with millions seeking refuge abroad. Gezira state had initially hosted over half a million displaced individuals in the early months of the war, but an RSF offensive in December 2023 displaced around 300,000 people. While the army has regained control of the northern and eastern regions, the RSF continues to control much of Gezira State, Darfur, and southern Sudan, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) Come January 20, civil-military relations in this country will be thrust into turbulent and uncharted waters, driven by a mercurial, domineering commander in chief unlike any other in American history. His oft-voiced disdain for the military and those in uniform, at the same time that he treats the military as his personal property, portends a prolonged period of ethical upheaval for a military institution whose prevailing ethos has, with few exceptions, always been one of disciplined restraint in its dealings with civilian authorities. The price of a military sworn to political neutrality, public silence and dutiful obedience is the militarys reciprocal expectation that its civilian overseers will honor the sanctity of the relationship by conducting themselves professionally and tempering their own demands for politicization. Looking ahead to the next four years, all bets are off in the face of a newly empowered commander in chief who uniformly ignores, circumvents and undermines established norms of protocol and accountability for his own benefit. So unusual, and so potentially taxing, is the period ahead that one must ask whether there is value in looking back in time to revisit incidents that could instruct the way ahead in preserving the health, dignity and integrity of civil-military relations. Lets see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lesson past: The Billy Mitchell court-martial. Billy Mitchell, father of the U.S. Air Force, commanded all U.S. Army Air Corps forces in France toward the end of World War I. An argumentative, outspoken advocate for air power and the formation of a separate air service, he alienated nearly everyone who didnt agree with his vision. Moreover, he openly criticized both Army and Navy leadership for incompetence. So contentious was he that President Calvin Coolidge ordered the War Department to court-martial Mitchell, which it did in 1925 under the catchall 96th Article of War, for statements considered prejudicial to good order and discipline, insubordinate, "contemptuous and disrespectful," and intended to discredit the War and Navy Departments. The court found him guilty on all counts and suspended him from rank, command and duty, with the forfeiture of all pay and allowances for five years. He subsequently resigned from the service. A question for the future: The Mitchell court-martial was an act of small-minded pettiness that must be seen for what it was: an exercise in grand theater. To be sure, there is no one in uniform today possessed of Billy Mitchells thespian attributes; and Calvin Coolidge was, comparatively speaking, a minor-league retributionist. Only the incoming commander in chief can lay claim to being a grand master of the performative arts. Anyone who, by word or action, upstages him or gets in his way may well fall victim to reprisal on the order of the Mitchell court martial. As with leaders of autocratic regimes, nothing is too small or insignificant to serve as pretext for a grand show trial meant to demonstrate strong-man dominance over the military. We might ask, in fact, whether former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley isnt already a potential scapegoat headed for the dock. A lesson past: The Bonus Marches. In mid-1932, some 17,000 out-of-work World War I veterans suffering from the Depression, along with 26,000 families and other supporters, descended on Washington, D.C., to demand early payment of bonuses the veterans had been promised. They camped out on Anacostia Flats and other public spaces that served as bases of operation for their marches and protests. Despite their contributions to the war effort and their generally downtrodden postwar status, they were widely viewed as a public nuisance. President Herbert Hoover ordered the Army to clear out the principal campsite, so Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur and then-Major George Patton led infantry and cavalry troops in doing so, burning the protesters shelters and belongings in the process. World War I Bonus Marchers A question for the future: The Bonus March affair wasnt the first nor the last instance of government insensitivity to the plight of veterans who have sacrificed for the country, only to be summarily discarded as superfluous jetsam. The newly-infamous Project 2025 conservative policy agenda that serves as a shadow blueprint for the incoming administration calls for widespread across-the-board cuts in benefits and services, including for disabled veterans and the VA health care system. Will those affected and their supporters have the moxie and feel the urgency to engage in large-scale public protest? If so, are they prepared to be labeled insurrectionists and treated as such under the 1807 Insurrection Act? And will those in uniform who may be called on to serve as todays MacArthur and Patton henchmen act dutifully on behalf of the state the police state, some would say or side with their protesting brethren? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lesson past: Coup plotters and Smedley Butler. A perennial icon of the U.S. Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler was the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, including being the recipient of two Congressional Medals of Honor. Over more than three decades, he fought all over the world in battles and campaigns that fed his own growing cynicism: "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer; a gangster for capitalism." In retirement, Butler produced a small book titled "War Is a Racket" expressing his distaste over having been a tool for big-business interests. Ironically, he was approached in retirement in 1933 by a group of wealthy right-wing businessmen who wanted to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install Butler as president. He refused and took his story to Congress, which then produced a lame report that found no one culpable and held no one accountable for what came to be known as the Business Plot or the Wall Street Putsch. A question for the future: There is no one of Smedley Butlers stature in uniform today, and right-wing businessmen are laughably unlikely threats to a regime that exists largely for their benefit. Yet it isnt totally frivolous to imagine other political, ideological or business factions that, seeing their interests threatened by a mercurial, impulsive commander in chief, would attempt to engineer his ouster. Though any propensity for the overthrow of government has long since been socialized out of Americas military, and especially out of its officer corps, it remains an open question whether newly generated circumstances of alienation and disenfranchisement might not energize latent, ideologically driven disaffection within the active or retired ranks that would coalesce with other restive elements of society. Were this to happen, the first-order question of whether the inflated public trust and confidence in the military would be lost will be subsumed by what, by any measure, would be the mother of all constitutional crises. General Smedley D. Butler A lesson past: Revolt of the Admirals. Since it occurred in 1949, the so-called Revolt of the Admirals has been not merely the policy and budgetary dispute it appeared to be at the time, but a classic case study in deep-seated inter-service rivalry and civilian control of the military. It was a convoluted affair that developed at the time along four converging tracks. The first, with o.rigins in the latter stages of World War II, concerned proposals for service unification, which the Navy opposed for fear of losing prerogatives and capabilities to central authority. This resolved itself in the 1947 National Security Act. The second track concerned general agreement, at least between the Navy and the Army Air Corps (and then the Air Force) in the future importance of strategic air power. This merged with a third track, which involved intense competition between the Navy and the Air Corps/Force over weapon systems, specifically over whether to invest in a new aircraft carrier or a strategic bomber. That in turn ran up against major spending cutbacks in favor of more domestic spending preferred by President Harry Truman and the secretary of defense. This all came to a head in congressional hearings when the Navy fought largely alone for its preferences in the face of opposition from the president, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Truman, who viewed this as an affront to civilian control, had the chief of naval operations relieved and other senior officers transferred to dead-end assignments. The start of the Korean War in 1950 put an end to the affair by demanding greatly increased defense spending on all fronts. A question for the future: With his long-established penchant for dividing and conquering any and all squabbling subordinates who seek his favor, the incoming commander in chief will almost certainly accentuate the rivalries that have forever existed among the armed services, strengthening his hand at their expense. On the other hand, it's possible that he could so badly alienate and disenfranchise the military that previous inter-service rivalry might give way to collusive stonewalling, foot-dragging and outright opposition that, in more ordinary times, would be considered soft-focus rebellion. Whether selfless unity can overcome a history of selfish disunity actualized in the face of a common threat from within will be the question of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lesson past: The Army-McCarthy hearings. The televised 1954 series of hearings before the Senate Investigations Subcommittee took place at the height of Red Scare McCarthyism. Sen. Joseph McCarthy accused the Army of harboring communists in its ranks, including some 130 "subversives" in defense plants. The Army countered by accusing McCarthy of trying to force the service to grant a commission to a consultant for the subcommittee. There were numerous public and contentious charges and countercharges back and forth, some linked to allegations of homosexual conduct. McCarthy's odious behavior ultimately led to his censure by the Senate and the beginning of the end to his destructive clown-show histrionics. Army-McCarthy Hearings A question for the future: The central character linking this destructive clown show of the past to the prospective clown show just ahead is Roy Cohn, who was both Joe McCarthys unscrupulous hatchet man and Donald Trump's mentor and role model. Abetting the ghost of Cohn today are the contenders who seek to emulate his mission policing the public square for enemies within. The incoming commander in chief has surrounded himself with some of the nastiest witch-hunters alive, his personal posse of Roy Cohns, and there are plenty more where they came from. Barely latent McCarthyism remains alive and well today, and those who toil within the defense establishment military and civilian alike should consider themselves prospective targets, not for sympathizing with a subversive ideology but simply for speaking and acting in ways considered disloyal to the commander in chief. Will their superiors protect them or sacrifice them? A lesson past: Walker, LeMay and "Seven Days in May" Army Maj. Gen. Edwin Walker and Air Force Gen. Curtis "Bombs Away" LeMay were cut from the same right-wing ideological cloth. Walker, a supporter of the John Birch Society, espoused radical right-wing, anti-communist views he used to indoctrinate his troops, andopenly accused public figures such as Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt and Dean Acheson of being communist sympathizers. He was sufficiently controversial that he was ultimately relieved of command by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, and then chose to make a public statement by resigning rather than retiring. LeMay, the more accomplished and visible of the two, rose to become Air Force chief of staff after commanding Strategic Air Command and leading the strategic bombing campaign against Japan in World War II. He was constantly at odds with McNamara, President John F. Kennedy and Joint Chiefs Chairman Maxwell Taylor over the Cuban missile crisis and the war in Vietnam. From his mouth we have two quotes for the ages. The first, reflecting on the thousands of civilian deaths those under his command had imposed on Japan, was, "I suppose if I had lost the war, I would have been cited as a war criminal." The second was that either we could (according to him) or we should (according to others) "bomb North Vietnam back into the Stone Age." Walker and LeMay served as joint inspiration for the ideological Joint Chiefs chair depicted in the 1962 book and 1964 movie "Seven Days in May," who tries to engineer a coup against the president for negotiating a disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union. A question for the future: Whereas the Smedley Butler episode involved real-world forces who sought to recruit a distinguished military hero to further their interests by overthrowing the president, the "Seven Days in May" scenario is a fictional depiction of right-wing militarists seeking to defend institutional interests cloaked as the national interest by overthrowing (in their fevered minds) a treasonous president who has colluded with a sworn enemy. Something like reality TV before reality TV existed, this scenario conjures up the eerie possibility of a commander in chief whose ties to autocratic strong men, Vladimir Putin foremost among them, could turn alarmist fiction into alarming nonfiction. Would the military, faced with similar circumstances and personalities, choose to be gatekeepers or gate-crashers? President Kennedy Curtis Lemay Richard S. Heyser Joe M. O'Grady Ralph D. Steakly Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lesson past: Kent State. A May 4, 1970, antiwar protest on the campus of Kent State University resulted in the deaths of four and the wounding of nine unarmed college students by poorly trained, poorly disciplined, trigger-happy Ohio National Guard troops called out to "restore order." Eight soldiers were charged with depriving the students of their civil rights under cover of law, but were acquitted in a bench trial. The incident triggered massive protests around the country. Subsequent charges against selected members of the Guard unit produced no convictions. More than 70 popular protest songs have grown out of the incident over time, most notably Neil Youngs "Ohio," which includes the lines "Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'/ We're finally on our own/ This summer I hear the drummin'/ Four dead in Ohio." A question for the future: In the post-Vietnam era of non-war wars, identifiable, cohesive, sustainable protest movements of any stripe have been rare but not altogether absent. The years immediately ahead offer ample opportunities for a new wave of protests and demonstrations by disaffected segments of the population smarting from the depredations of a rogue president committed to imposing his will on them. The mobilization of protest elements that threaten to overwhelm police is likely to precipitate the counter-mobilization of National Guard units, especially since 27 governors and 24 "trifectas" (states where the governor and both houses of the state legislature are of the same party) are Republican. How will these elements respond as obedient oppressors or principled protectors of popular dissent? National Guard Opening Fire on Kent State University Demonstrators A lesson past: The Powell-Nunn collusion. Joint Chiefs Chair Colin Powell, who was far and away the most political general since Douglas MacArthur, colluded behind the scenes with Senate Armed Services Committee chair Sam Nunn to craft the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that, for a period of time, forestalled President Bill Clintons 1993 commitment to fully integrate LGBTQ people into the military. Earlier, Powell had also penned a 1992 New York Times op-ed opposing George H.W. Bush administration policy on Bosnia. Needless to say, Powell was too much a political force in his own right (not unlike MacArthur) to be touched; only the personality of the commander in chief at the time former draft-dodger Bill Clinton, rather than World War I vet Truman made a difference. A question for the future: An administration sworn to destroy established norms and undermine institutions, to the point of openly circumventing or reinterpreting the Constitution, almost assuredly will disregard traditional standards about the separation of powers and checks and balances. Moreover, there are now numerous members of Congress who have openly relinquished their independence of mind and spirit to the incoming commander in chief, have token military experience they flaunt for political purposes and tout themselves as authorities on military affairs. They will be all too ready to recruit sympathetic partners in uniform willing and able to abet their self-serving political desires. For those in uniform, the question will be what wins out: careerism or institutional loyalty and integrity? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lesson past: The revolting generals. The 2006 Revolt of the Generals, so-called, involved a group of retired generals including Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, Marine Lt. Gen. Greg Newbold and Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste, among others who spoke out publicly in opposition to the George W. Bush administration's Iraq policy and called for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfelds resignation. This only came after they had failed to speak out publicly or, from all appearances, even to speak up internally while on active duty, when it might have made a difference. A question for the future: If senior officers were intimidated into silence under the relatively unthreatening second Bush, there is no limit to the depths of cowardly quiescence that could be exacted by an administration where top-down bullying, browbeating, threats and intimidation are standard operating procedure. Who, otherwise committed to continuing public service in uniform, will have the courage to speak out when necessary, or even to speak up within channels under that kind of pressure? A lesson past: The cashiering of Alexander Vindman. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was the National Security Council staffer subpoenaed by the 2019 House impeachment inquiry to provide testimony concerning President Trumps attempt to muscle Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy into providing dirt on Joe Biden. Vindman, who as part of his duties had listened in on the call between Trump and Zelenskyy, dutifully and truthfully reported his serious concerns over the presidents politically motivated arm-twisting, as well as about outside influencers who [at the behest of Rudy Giuliani] had been promoting a false narrative about Ukraine that was inconsistent with official U.S. policy. He had already reported his concerns through prescribed internal channels. His comments drew Trump's ire, and Vindman was dismissed from his NSC job and saw his previously planned promotion derailed as retribution. He subsequently retired, citing intimidation from the White House. A question for the future: There is ample evidence from the first Trump administration that crises and associated examples of incompetence will again occur with alarming frequency. That will inevitably prompt a spate of oversight hearings and inquiries by opposition politicians on Capitol Hill. Whether the issue at hand is backroom collusion with an adversary, strong-arming an ally for political favors, the compromise of national secrets or various forms of fraud, waste and abuse, uniformed personnel, senior and not-so-senior, will be called upon to testify. Since each of the armed services includes honor and courage among its core values, these individuals will be expected, when questioned, to be forthright and truthful. When promotions and careers, to say nothing of identities and self-respect, are at risk over even the slightest deviation from the Overlords whimsical, selfish preferences, the question will be whether the angel on one shoulder or the devil on the other wins out. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. A lesson past: The not-so-undirty half-dozen. Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper, Trump secretaries of state and defense respectively, were West Point classmates inculcated with a cadet honor code that forbade lying, cheating and stealing and was intended to prepare them for a lifetime of honorable public service. Yet they repeatedly manipulated and dispensed with the truth while in office on behalf of themselves and their commander in chief. H.R. McMaster, who was Trump's national security adviser as a serving three-star general, and John Kelly and James Mattis, both retired Marine four-star generals who served, respectively, as White House chief of staff and secretary of defense under Trump, failed to speak out publicly about presidential abuses and, absent yet-to-surface revelations to the contrary, even to speak up internally to protect the integrity of their institutions. Mark Milley, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, allowed himself to be used by Trump for crass political purposes, only to seek public redemption after the fact to preserve his own self-respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A question for the future: It is a self-protective, self-perpetuating myth that the military nurtures and rewards leadership. In actuality, what it nurtures and rewards is dutiful followership. Those who make it to the top and achieve high rank are those who, advertently or inadvertently, acquire patronage from superiors who prize their obedience. That's how it has always been and always will be. The incoming commander in chief knows this all too well and will ineluctably use it to his advantage. Loyalty will be the coin of the realm; even if those in uniform escape having to swear a blood oath to a commander in chief who equates his fortunes with the fortunes of the nation, those who survive and advance will be the ones who give their obeisance to him. Will personal loyalty take precedence over the constitutional oath all senior military officers and public officials have sworn? Lessons learned are future defenses earned As numerous respected purveyors of thought have noted over time, we learn from history little more than that we learn nothing from history. Faced with an incoming commander in chief whose expected conduct promises to exceed even the excesses of his first administration, we may be left to conclude that history, even if it doesnt exactly repeat itself, often rhymes. Where it rhymes, inevitability is close at hand, reminding us that, as Santayana observed, we are condemned to repeat the past we fail to remember. Anyone who hopes to preserve the sanctity of the civil-military ideal would do well to circle the wagons of law and constitutionalism and man the ramparts of institutional self-preservation. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supplied 74 charging stations to the hromadas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast to help maintain the functioning of local authorities during extended power outages. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Source: a statement by Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, as reported by European Pravda Details: The statement noted that 16 hromadas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast had received 74 modern charging stations from the USAID Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative (UCBI). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This equipment will help ensure the work of the authorities even during prolonged power outages," Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration emphasised. The equipment will be deployed particularly in frontline hromadas, such as Orikhiv and Huliaipole, which are regularly targeted by Russian forces, local authorities stated. The charging stations. Photo: Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Background: In mid-December, reports indicated that USAID had supplied 10 autonomous welding units to aid in the swift repair of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. USAID recently provided repair materials for power engineers to assist in the launch of a gas production facility in Poltava Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! The United States Navy's Ohio class guided missile submarine (SSGN) USS Michigan deployed uncrewed underwater vehicles during operations from October 2022 to January 2024, reports reveal. The submarine and its crew conducted at least three classified national security missions, along with operations involving special forces in hostile and challenging environments. Details of Michigan's 2022-2024 operations are outlined in a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) awarded to the submarine in December. Michigan is one of four Ohio SSGNs converted from Ohio class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). SSGNs excel in covert operations The NUC highlighted Michigan's activities from 2022 to 2024. According to the Commendation, personnel of Michigan demonstrated exceptional operational planning, risk management, and precise tactical execution. Operating in hostile and challenging environments, they successfully completed three critical missions vital to national security, along with several special warfare operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their achievements contributed to multiple high priority national and theater objectives and significantly enhanced warfighting readiness in the Western Pacific," the NUC read. Moreover, Michigan's performance significantly advanced emerging capabilities in naval special warfare and undersea operations, including the development of concepts of operations, tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing unmanned undersea vehicles. SSGNs are highly versatile and in-demand platforms, capable of executing a wide range of missions. These include covert intelligence gathering, clandestine special operations, and launching large volleys of Tomahawk cruise missiles, The War Zone reported. Navy warfare ops and UUV use In Navy terminology, naval special warfare refers to special operations forces and missions. The NUC also does not specify the types of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) Michigan used or their roles in the operations, TWZ added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2022, Navy Rear Admiral Rick Seif, then head of Submarine Group Seven within the US 7th Fleet in Japan, observed that Michigan's presence in the region enhanced the fleet's extensive undersea warfare capabilities. He emphasized that the submarine's deployment underscored US commitment to maintaining maritime security and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The precise range of UUVs currently available for use by Ohio SSGNs remains unclear, but these submarines are capable of deploying and, in some cases, recovering various types of UUVs through their torpedo tubes, 22 large vertical launch tubes, and up to two Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) mounted on the hull. DDSs, in particular, enable the use of larger and more advanced UUVs. Additionally, the submarines can launch aerial drones. Each of the 22 vertical launch tubes on the Ohio SSGNs can hold seven Tomahawk cruise missiles, for a total of up to 154 missiles. These submarines also feature advanced intelligence and command capabilities to support uncrewed operations and other missions. Furthermore, UUVs from Michigan may have been deployed covertly into denied or sensitive areas to collect intelligence on the location and capabilities of potential adversary forces, information that would be crucial in the event of an actual conflict. Dunkin dropped the Donuts from its brand name years ago. Now at least across Nebraska, New Mexico, and some other states it doesnt have doughnuts on the shelves either. On Thursday and Friday, Dunkin stores in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island in Nebraska all had no doughnuts in their cases. They put up signs on their doors and drive-thru kiosks informing customers that the pastries were unavailable due to a manufacturing error. Some locations did offer Munchkins, or doughnut holes, on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: American Red Cross is on the ground in Southern California; wildfires continue Tyler Raikar, of Omaha, stopped by a Dunkin in west Omaha early Friday after an overnight shift as a phlebotomist, seeking coffee and a chocolate cake doughnut. What? No doughnuts! she exclaimed when told the location had none. Thats tragic! She said the trip wasnt a total loss, as she was more interested in the coffee. Still, she was a little disappointed that she couldnt get a doughnut. Hopefully, they have them soon, she said. Read: Blue Origins New Glenn rocket set for launch from Cape Canaveral Throughout Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the surrounding suburbs, store after store, it was confirmed that there was a doughnut drought. Some employees chalked it up to a supply chain issue, and others said that delivery trucks had been arriving without the cargo the chain is most famous for. Employees said they hoped stocks would be replenished by next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A manager at the west Omaha Dunkin location said Friday that she could not give more information on the cause of the shortage, citing orders from Dunkins corporate headquarters. The manager, who did not give her name, said the shortage was a national problem. However, checks of locations in other regions, including St. Joseph, Missouri, and Bostonwhere Dunkin has a near cult-like followingfound no shortage of the sweet treats. Read: Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts during World Series banned from all MLB games Dunkin is one of the worlds largest coffee and doughnut brands, with more than 13,200 restaurants. Founded in Massachusetts in 1950, the company was purchased for $11.3 billion in 2020 by Atlanta private equity firm Inspire Brands, which also owns Arbys and Buffalo Wild Wings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jack DAmato, a spokesperson for Inspire Brands, said there was an issue with doughnuts from a single supplier that impacted stores in Nebraska and some other states, although he did not name the other states. About 4% of Dunkins U.S. stores were impacted, he said. Dunkin has more than 9,500 stores nationwide. DAmato said the company was still investigating the issue and determining exactly how many stores were affected. However, he said the company has already begun restocking some affected stores. Previously known as Dunkin Donuts, the company announced in 2018 that it was dropping Donuts from its name as part of a rebranding effort to increase focus on its coffee and other drinks, which made up of a majority of its sales. Phone and email messages to Bryce Bares, who owns several Dunkin franchises in Nebraska, were not immediately returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bares told the Omaha World-Herald that some Dunkin stores received products from suppliers that were not up to standard and that he would not serve them to customers. He told the newspaper that the supply partners had corrected the problem and that his Nebraska locations should offer doughnuts again soon. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Public lands and environmental advocates gathered on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 11, to show their support for public lands in Utah. Were here showing our support for public lands, cause public lands belong in public hands, Kelly Burnham told ABC4.com. Burnham is the membership coordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Utahs red-rock wilderness. SUWA helped organize Saturdays event, which had a heavy focus on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah files lawsuit against federal government over control of 34% of state In 2017, the boundaries of the monuments were reduced, but were later restored in 2021. In 2023, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the use of the Antiquities Act to restore the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. That dismissal was appealed by Utah groups, and oral arguments were heard in the case in Sept. 2024, SUWA said. Were trying to rally public pressure so our lawmakers will listen to us, to show that Utah as a whole supports public lands, Burnham said. (KTVX/Jeff Hunter) People at the rally were holding signs reading, Utah stands with Bears Ears, Save Grand Staircase Escalante, and Protect Wild Utah, among other messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUWA said another threat to Utahs public lands was the Aug. 2024 lawsuit filed against the federal government, in which Utah leaders were seeking control of 18.5 million acres (34%) of Utahs federally controlled, unappropriated land. Should Utah acquire these lands, the state will manage them for multiple uses: to balance recreation, wildlife habitat, and conservation with other responsible uses such as energy production, livestock grazing, and sustainable resource development, Utah leaders explain on a website dedicated to explaining the lawsuit. On the other hand, some advocacy groups have argued that the lawsuit is a land grab. I want to see our lawmakers recognize our public lands for their intrinsic value, and not for the economic value, Burnham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Vice President-elect JD Vance dismissed concerns that President-elect Trump might try to withhold federal aid from California as it seeks to recover and rebuild after the wildfires. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, anchor Shannon Bream asked Vance about Trumps remarks from September 2024, when he threatened at a press conference in Los Angeles to withhold federal aid from California. We wont give him money to put out all his fires, Trump said at the time. And if we dont give him the money to put out his fires, hes got problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On whether there is any consideration of withholding aid to Californians, Vance dismissed the idea but said Trump is committed to improving federal responses to crises. No, look, President Trump cares about all Americans, right? He is the president for all Americans, Vance said. And I think that he intends to have FEMA and other federal responses much, much better and much more clued into whats going on there on the ground. Asked about California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) invitation for Trump to visit his state, Vance said I know the president would love to visit California and that our hearts go out to those affected by the natural disasters. Whatever your political affiliation, its hard not to see those images and just be heartbroken for our fellow Americans who are going through a very tough time, Vance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I do think, frankly, the federal government has to do a better job. President Trump is committed to doing a better job when it comes to disaster relief. Thats true for the hurricane victims and flood victims in North Carolina. Its true for the fire victims in California. We just we have to do a better job. We need competent, good governance. He said Trump still can criticize Newsom for, I think, some very bad decisions over a very long period of time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President-elect JD Vance said that people who committed violence on Jan. 6 obviously should not be pardoned, in an interview with "Fox News Sunday" that covered a range of issues a week before inauguration. I think its very simple, look if you protested peacefully on January 6th, and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned, Vance said in an interview with host Shannon Bream. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. And theres a little bit of a gray area there. He added, But were very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law, and there are a lot of people we think in the wake of January 6th who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance, who will be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20, discussed issues like the economy and immigration, and what to expect from President-elect Donald Trump in the first few days. Vance said to expect dozens of executive orders from Trump on day one in regards to closing the border. He pushed back on the idea that mass deportations would lead to family separation and terrible conditions. They're going to say that this is all about compassion for families. It is not compassion to allow the drug cartels to traffic small children. It is not compassionate to allow the worst people in the world to send minor children, some of them victims of sex trafficking, into our country, Vance said. That is the real humanitarian crisis at the border. You're not going to exacerbate it through law enforcement. He added, Most Americans want common-sense border enforcement. We can't buy into this lie that law enforcement at the American southern border is somehow not compassionate to families who want to cross illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In regards to Trumps recent comments on acquiring Greenland from Denmark, Vance backed up the president-elect, noting that Greenland has a lot of great natural resources and the people of Greenland want to be empowered to develop the resources there. When asked about whether military force would be used, Vance noted that there are already U.S. troops in Greenland so military force would not be necessary. There actually is a real opportunity here for us to take leadership to protect America's security, to ensure that those incredible natural resources are developed, Vance said. And that's what Donald Trump is good at. He's good at making deals, and I think there's a deal to be made in Greenland. Vance also addressed the current wildfire situation in California, noting that Trump would love to visit California when asked about Gov. Gavin Newsoms request for Trump to visit and not be divisive at this moment. Vance did not say whether Trump might withhold aid from California, something Trump has toyed with in the past, but instead said Trump cares for all Americans and that he wants FEMA to be much more clued in on what's happening on the ground. He also added that the federal government needs to do a better job but that doesnt mean they should not criticize Newsoms policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a serious lack of competent governance in California. And I think it's part of the reason why these fires have gotten so bad, Vance said. We need to do a better job at both the state and federal level. Shortly after the interview aired Sunday morning, Vance defended his statements on Jan. 6. Users on X had criticized Vance for not fully supporting pardons for everyone who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. I assure you, we care about people unjustly locked up, Vance said in a post on X, noting he donated to the Jan. 6 political prisoner fund. Yes, that includes people provoked and it includes people who got a garbage trial. Vice President-elect JD Vance said people who committed violence on Jan. 6, 2021, obviously shouldnt be pardoned by President-elect Trump. I think its very simple, look, if you protested peacefully on Jan. 6, and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned, Vance said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, he continued. And theres a little bit of a gray area there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance said he and Trump are very much committed to the equal administration of law. He added that they believe there were people who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that, Vance said. Trump has long promised to grant clemency to those who stormed the Capitol as Congress certified President Bidens 2020 election victory. This year marked the fourth anniversary of rioters storming the Capitol after leaving Trumps rally at the Ellipse in Washington. Trump and Vances idea to pardon Jan. 6 defendants has become a controversial one, with members of Congress speaking out around the anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance also hinted at Trumps other first-day plans back in the White House, including carrying out his mass deportation plans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) Vice President-elect JD Vance said people who committed violence on Jan. 6 obviously shouldnt be pardoned by President-elect Trump. I think its very simple. Look, if you protested peacefully on January 6th, and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned, Vance said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, he continued. And theres a little bit of a gray area there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance said he and Trump are very much committed to the equal administration of law. He added that they believe there were people who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that, Vance said. Trump has long promised to grant clemency to those who stormed the Capitol as Congress certified President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. This year marked the fourth anniversary of rioters storming the Capitol after leaving Trumps rally at the Eclipse in Washington. Trump and Vances idea to pardon Jan. 6 defendants has become a controversial move, with members of Congress speaking out around the anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance also hinted at Trumps other first day plans back in the White House, including carrying out his mass deportation plans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Rachel Reeves has been urged not to impose an extremely damaging Venice-style tourist tax on hotels across England. The Chancellor was said to be mulling a tax raid on hotels as she scrambled for ways to plug a spending gap created by the Governments soaring bill for borrowing. The Treasury did not deny reports that officials had modelled what such a levy would look like. A country-wide hotel tax paid by both domestic and foreign tourists of 1 per person, per night, could raise more than 400m a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a tax is being adopted in Wales and Scotland and has been imposed in a string of the worlds most popular tourist destinations, including Paris, Barcelona and Venice. However, critics warned the tax would deal a fresh blow to Britains beleaguered tourism industry, which is yet to fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic and has taken a hit from a VAT raid on foreign shoppers. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, which represents hotel and restaurant owners, said: The UK remains one of the biggest visitor destinations in the world, but the number of inbound visitors hasnt yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. As well as dealing with other economic shocks over the past four years, our hospitality sector is still recovering and we should not be considering charging visitors, foreign or domestic, an additional tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK already ranks poorly in its competitiveness on the global tourism stage, with our high rate of VAT, and the introduction of a tourist tax would only damage that further. Hospitality businesses are already burdened with increasing costs in every part of their operations, with an additional 3.4bn in employment costs and business rates hitting in April, so further taxes on the sector would be extremely damaging. On Sunday, it was reported that Ms Reeves was looking at the potential hotel tax as part of efforts to balance the Governments books. Market ructions have pushed up the UKs cost of borrowing and put the Chancellor in danger of breaching her self-imposed spending rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitehall sources did not deny a hotel tax was being considered, although it was not clear what form it would take. Neither central government nor local authorities currently have the legal powers to introduce a hotel tax in England, meaning new laws would have to be passed. The devolved Labour government in Wales is currently pushing ahead with changes to introduce a fixed levy of 1.25 per person, per night. In Edinburgh, Scotland, a levy of 5pc of accommodation costs has been proposed. Visitors to Venice already pay between 1 and 5 depending on whether they stay in a one to five-star hotel, respectively. Last-minute bookings incur another 10 fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fee of 1 per night, per person in England would raise 420m a year for Treasury coffers, according to a previous estimate by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Sir Rocco Forte, the UK businessman and hotelier, warned that a tax in England would deal yet another blow to Britains tourism industry after taxes on air travel and shopping. He told the Mail on Sunday, which originally reported the tax proposals: This would be a pernicious new tax charged on top of all other taxes. The UK is already not a cheap destination, and this can only deter cost-conscious visitors who will increasingly choose to go elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Treasury spokesman said: We do not comment on tax speculation outside fiscal events. Visits to the UK have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to UKHospitality. Overseas tourists made almost 38m visits to the UK in 2023, while there were 86m stays by domestic tourists. That compared to 41m and 93m respectively in 2019. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Ministry of National Defence (MND) of Taiwan detected eight aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and six naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) near its territory as of 6:00 am (UTC+8) on Sunday. It was also noted that seven of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The details were shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "8 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the ministry stated. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1878245513272730035 Earlier, on January 11, the Ministry detected eight aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and five naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as of 6:00 am (UTC+8), with four of the aircraft crossing the median line and entering Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fuelled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, supported by a significant portion of its population, continues to maintain its independence. (ANI) Michael Cohen, an ex-personal attorney and former fixer for Donald Trump who pled guilty and served time in prison for charges tied to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, said he feels very unsatisfied after the president-elect was sentenced without penalty in a historic New York trial. Cohen told MSNBCs The Weekend on Saturday that there shouldve been accountability or the case shouldve been dismissed. I believe that if theres no accountability, theres no deterrence. And if theres no deterrence, no accountability, whats the point to have the case anyway? So that we can all just turn around and refer to him now as the felon president? said Cohen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays sentencing arrived after a jury convicted Trump last year of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to the payment made in the final days of his 2016 campaign. The president-elect would took to his Truth Social platform Friday to vow that hell appeal this Hoax after he was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, or effectively no punishment. Cohen declared on MSNBC that nobody in this country whether theyre a Republican, Democrat or independent should take solace in the fact that Trump is a convicted felon when he takes office in just over a week. Cohen, who was disbarred from practicing law in New York State and has been a fierce Trump critic since being sentenced in 2018, said hes never heard of an unconditional discharge in his entire life before adding that he couldnt find a single case with such a sentence when he searched for one on ChatGPT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He declared that Trump shouldve been sentenced to a conditional discharge and suggested that the president-elect be asked to work in a soup kitchen or to pick up garbage on the side of the West Side Highway in New York City. I did six years, three years of incarceration and three years of supervised release without a single second, not a second, not a minute, not an hour off of my sentence and he doesnt even get a slap on the wrist. So I feel unsatisfied, Cohen said. Cohen later declared that Trump, who has complained about being the victim of a two-tiered justice system, has taught us all that there are people above the law. When you hear, Were a country of laws without justice yeah, thats an accurate statement. And worse than that is that the law is not applied equally to all citizens, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are three sets of laws theres for you and for me and for the average Joe and Jane, theres for those that are powerful whether its politically powerful or financially super powerful and then, of course, theres Donald Trump. He stands unique and alone. He went on to acknowledge that Trumps election win was the one way he couldve avoided incarceration, probation or responsibility despite everything that was thrown against him. All of this somehow managed to become inconsequential to a plurality of Americans who voted for him based upon three words: gasoline and groceries. Thats an amazing trick, Cohen said. Related... SHINNSTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A class was held by the Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program on Saturday, which works to help the veterans who are already engaged in agriculture or those who may be interested in it. The program started in 2012 with West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. Representatives with the state agriculture department said that he understands the therapeutics of agriculture have on fellow veterans. West Virginia is the only state that has special funds set aside for veteran and hero agriculture programs, which offer grant opportunities, pitch competitions and scholarships for higher education and training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Program coordinator of the Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program Erick Stamper spoke further on the benefits of connecting with nature. I coined the term, hands in the soil take away my toil, you know there is a lot of benefit to our natural earth and that connection between humans and our environment, Stamper said. And so, being able to engage in one level moving your body getting active keeps you physically and mentally fit, there is a lot of interesting things in agriculture. American Legion Post 31 hosts Veterans Services Fair A member of the Marion County Beekeepers Club was there to talk with veterans about the benefits of honeybees and the industry of beekeeping. Beekeepers say operating a hive helps veterans focus on things and get their minds off of things they have experienced while enlisted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long-time Beekeeper and President of the Marion County Beekeepers Club Charles Chipps is a veteran himself. The VA told me since Im a veteran, a Vietnam veteran, that I need to keep busy because if you dont you start thinking about bad things and you need to do something, and honeybees give you something to do and its worthwhile, and the honey tastes good too, Chipps said. Every once in a while you get a bee sting, but thats good for arthritis. Stamper added that there are a lot of benefits to agriculture and that it is good for the mind and body. He also said that the important part is knowing what you are eating from the food that you are growing yourself, watching your crops grow, and seeing what their hands were able to produce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Were only 12 days into the New Year and the year is already off to a violent start. The snow that once blanketed the Mid-South is slowly melting away. Not only are the temperatures rising but tensions are as well, resulting in deadly aftermaths. Saturday night, law enforcement agencies across Shelby County responded to at least three reported shootings. Two of them were fatal. It leaves people like this man who has called Memphis his home for years speechless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so much, he said. Its so much going on. One critically injured after double shooting in Whitehaven The first incident happened just before 9:00 p.m. in Whitehaven. Memphis Police officers responded to a shooting at a home in the 1500 block of Finley Road. Two victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were taken to the hospital with one being in critical condition. Just a few miles north of Memphis, Shelby County Deputies had their hands full with a homicide investigation. Man fatally shot at northwest Shelby County gas station Around 10 p.m., deputies responded to a shooting at this gas station on U.S. Highway 51 just south of Fite Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man was taken to the hospital, but sadly he died from his injuries. Deputies did not release any information about the shooter. Back in Memphis, MPD officers in Parkway Village were busy working on their own homicide investigation. Two men had been shot at a home in the 3400 block of Dungreen Street shortly after midnight. One of the men died on the scene. 1 dead, another critically injured in Parkway Village shooting The other was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police say two people were taken into custody in connection to this shooting. Authorities have not revealed motives for any of these violent attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, all of the investigations are ongoing. If you know anything regarding any of these shootings, contact Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Virginia man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for coercing a teenage girl into creating sexually explicit material and attempting to fly to Minnesota to meet her. Raymond Jung Woo Choi, 42, of Centreville, VA, was sentenced to 192 months in prison in U.S. District Court last week. He pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography in October. According to court documents, Choi used Instagram and other social media apps to engage in sexually-focused conversations with a 13 to 14-year-old girl between November of 2023 and February of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going by the name Jason Lee, Choi would coerce the girl into sending him sexually explicit images and videos on Instagram. He would entice her by providing her gifts from Amazon or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. And on Feb. 17 of 2024, Choi flew from Virginia to Minnesota in an attempt to meet the girl. But Choi was unsuccessful when family members and law enforcement intervened, so he flew back to Virginia. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Anoka County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating, after a body was found at a homeless encampment in Norfolk. This incident is being investigated as a suspicious death. The Norfolk Police Department advised state police of the body, which was discovered in a wooded area off the Tidewater Drive exit from Interstate 64 westbound. Norfolk Police said they were first notified around noon Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state police, this area is a known homeless encampment. Norfolk Police confirmed to WAVY that two persons of interest were detained. The Tidewater exit was temporarily shut down, and VDOT personnel detoured traffic during the active investigation. No additional information is available at this time. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. By Abdou Moustoifa MORONI (Reuters) - Voters in Comoros were heading to the polls on Sunday to elect the Indian Ocean archipelago's 33-seat parliament, a year after the re-election of President Azali Assoumani in a poll which the opposition alleged was marred by widespread irregularities. Officials from the ruling party have denied those allegations. Polling stations opened early on Sunday and voters, numbering some 338,000 according to the polling body, started casting their ballots at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT). Comoros last had parliamentary elections in January 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 100 candidates were selected by the country's Supreme Court to contest the election. Assoumani's opponents accuse him of authoritarian excesses and suspect him of wanting to prepare his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, to replace him when his term ends in 2029. Assoumani has been ruling Comoros since 1999 when he came to power through a coup. He has since won three elections. Last year Assoumani granted his son sweeping new powers, putting him in charge of coordinating all government affairs. Some opposition parties, such as Juwa, led by former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022, have called for the boycott of the polls, although others have rejected that plea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Azali regime is weakened ... by participating in these elections we are contributing to further exposing the flaws in its system and accelerating its inevitable fall," Hamidou Karihila, who is contesting the election for the opposition Hope of the Comoros party, told Reuters. Polls are due to close at 4 p.m. and results are expected by Jan. 17. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by David Holmes) The man accused of randomly stabbing a Bronx teen to death threatened to snap the necks of court officials and screamed he was with Satan during his Sunday murder arraignment. My name is Waldo Mejia, so get ready to fking suffer along with me! the 29-year-old suspect shouted during his chaotic arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court. Mejia faces murder, manslaughter and other charges for the Friday morning killing of 14-year-old Caleb Rijos near E. 138th St. and Lincoln Ave. as the victim was walking to school, just down the block where the suspect lives. Judge Margaret Martin ordered a mental health exam after his extended outburst in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, Mejia stood quietly before the judge, wearing the same black hoodie and gray pants as when police led him out of the 40th Precinct stationhouse a day earlier. But his demeanor changed when a court officer started to touch his handcuffs. He turned his head to her and said, Let me go. Let me go. Imma catch you when I can. The court officer stayed quiet and Mejia ranted, yelling out profane remarks as court officers led him out of the room to cool down. Im with Satan! he yelled. Pieces of st a people! Get ready to fking suffer! Mejias defense lawyer, Paul Horowitz, sat down in the courtrooms front row and exhaled, Oh, boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After about ten minutes Mejia was called back to see the judge. Mejia walked in quietly and stood pin straight, looking forward at Martin, as he was arraigned for both Calebs murder and the attempted murder of a 38-year-old man police say he stabbed on Jan. 5 just half a block from where Caleb was killed. In that case, Mejia jumped a stranger walking down stairs at the Third Ave.-E. 138th St. subway station, plunging a large knife into his left arm with such force that the blade perforated the limb, cut an artery and entered the victims chest cavity, according to a criminal complaint. The victim needed life-saving surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the defense attorneys request, the judge approved a mental health exam for Mejia, holding him without bail until his next court date Friday. As the hearing ended, Mejia had another outburst, telling court officers as he was escorted out, Imma snap your neck! His screams and curses could he heard through the door as he was led out of the courtroom and he his rants included remarks about the White House and al Qaeda, a court officer said after the drama ended. Hes nuts, the officer told reporters. Mejia cursed out reporters Saturday as he was led from the Bronx NYPD stationhouse, screaming, I dont know what the fk yall doing here on this planet!. Yall fk around and Imma beat your a like a fing adult when I catch yall! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mejia plunged a serrated kitchen knife twice into the Calebs chest, cutting through his heart and lung, police said. The teen, who was only a block from home when stabbed, stayed alive long enough to call his father, begging for help in his final moments. Mejias arrest came as Gov. Hochul announced shed introduce legislation in the state budget making it easier to involuntarily commit those suffering from mental illness to hospitals. The governor cited an uptick in violent crimes on the NYC subway system including an incident where a homeless woman was fatally set on fire aboard a Brooklyn F train in Coney Island. On Saturday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Mejia as a violent recidivist with documented mental health interactions with the NYPD. The systems we have in place to deal with repeat offenders and people with severe mental health issues continue to fail us, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than two months before Calebs killing, Mejia went ballistic in his own apartment building on Alexander Ave., less than 750 feet away from where he ambushed the teen, police said. In that Nov. 27 incident, he pounded on a neighbors door and used a knife to repeatedly stab the 43-year-old victims Ring doorbell camera, busting it, cops said. He was arrested on criminal mischief and harassment charges, which are not eligible for bail. His release left his targeted neighbor fearing for his life, the neighbor told The Daily News. Jerusalem [Israel], January 12 (ANI/TPS): The names of four fallen soldiers whose families have been notified were cleared for publication. Sergeant Major (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, aged 37, from Bat Yam, a heavy truck driver in the 79th Battalion, 14th 'Machatz' Brigade, fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip. Staff Sergeant Danila Diakov, aged 21, from Ma'ale Adumim, a soldier in the 931st Battalion, Nahal Brigade, also fell during the same combat. Sergeant Yahav Maayan, aged 19, from Modi'in, and Sergeant Eliav Astuker, aged 19, from Ashdod, both soldiers in the 931st Battalion, Nahal Brigade, were also killed in the incident. Additionally, a reservist officer in the Nahal Brigade and another soldier in the 931st Battalion, Nahal Brigade, were severely injured in the incident. They were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families have been notified. (ANI/TPS) On April 8, Columbians will vote on who is in charge of the city and the public schools. In this upcoming election, the next Columbia mayor will be chosen. People will also vote on Columbia City Council representatives and Columbia Public School board members. Two City Council seats Ward 3 and Ward 4 will be on the ballot. Two of the seven CPS board seats are also on the ballot. While registration to vote in the April election needs to take place by March 12, absentee voting begins at the end of February. Here's what you need to know about registering to vote, absentee voting and other dates for the general municipal election. How do I know if I'm registered to vote? Check your voter registration online at the Missouri Secretary of State's website: voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal. How can I register to vote? You can request a voter application by mail, register in person, register online, or print out and mail in your registration, according to the SOS website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you request an application by mail, you will receive a blank application in three to five days. In order to register to vote, you must be 17 1/2 years old, a U.S. citizen and a Missouri resident. March 12 is the last day to register to vote for the April general municipal election. Mail-in voter registration packets must be postmarked by this date. More: Candidates finalized for Columbia school board. Here's who filed What to know about absentee voting Absentee ballots may be voted on from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Feb. 25 through April 7 at the Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut, Room 236, Columbia, MO 65201. When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show a valid photo ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are requesting a ballot by mail, you must send in a handwritten letter or the fillable form on the Boone County Clerk's site, https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/. Absentee ballot by mail requests must be received by the clerk's office no later than 5 p.m. on March 26. Mailed ballots must be voted, notarized, returned by mail and received in the clerk's office before 7 p.m. April 8. If you have questions about absentee voting, call the clerk's office at (573) 886-4375 or email absentee@boonecountymo.gov. Who can request an absentee ballot? According to the Secretary of State, when a voter requests an absentee ballot, they must list one of the following reasons: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote; Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on election day, which includes caretakers who are primarily responsible for someone and reside at the same address; Religious belief or practice; Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location on than your polling place, a first responder, a health care worker or a member of law enforcement; Incarceration if all other qualifications for voting are retained; Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns. From March 25 to April 7, voters can cast an absentee ballot in person without providing a reason as to why they need an absentee ballot. Dates to know for general municipal election Feb. 25: This is the first day that voters can request a mail-in ballot. Requirements for obtaining an absentee ballot can be found on the Missouri Secretary of States website. March 12: This is the last day to register to vote for the April general municipal election. Mail-in voter registration packets must be postmarked by this date. March 25: No excuse absentee voting in-person begins. March 26 : Requests for mail-in ballots must be received before 5 p.m. on this date. April 7: Those wishing to vote absentee in-person prior to the election must do so before 5 p.m. on this date. April 8: The general election will be held on this day. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the clerk's office by 7 p.m. on this date. Those wishing to view the full election calendar may do so on the Missouri Secretary of States website, which also contains resources for voter registration, absentee voting, and locating local election authorities and polling places. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What to know to vote in Columbia's April 2025 election The Berks County sheriffs office is seeking the following fugitives: Felipe Gonzalez-Zeferino Felipe Gonzalez-Zeferino, 34, whose last known address was in the 200 block of South Eighth Street, Reading, is wanted on simple assault and harassment charges. Reading police said Gonzalez-Zeferino got into a verbal argument with the female victim and threw her onto her side on Dec. 21. He choked her and punched her several times in the face. When a witness approached him, he fled. Charges were filed on Dec. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is described as 5 feet 7 inches and 200 pounds. Jose Rivera-Medina Jose Rivera-Medina, 23, whose last known address was in the 700 block of Franklin Street, Reading, is wanted on stalking and simple assault charges. Fleetwood police said Rivera-Medina chased the female victim with his vehicle while she was driving with her children on Dec. 24. While at a stop light, he got out of his vehicle and ripped the victims door handle off, trying to get into the vehicle. The victim drove away, and Rivera-Medina followed her, eventually turning off. Police said Rivera-Medina had elbowed the woman in the face a week earlier, causing bruising. Charges were filed on Dec. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is described as 5 feet 9 inches and 160 pounds. Anyone with information about these fugitives is urged to contact the warrants division of the sheriffs department at 610-478-6390. Find the complete list of Berks Countys most wanted at countyofberks.com/departments/sheriff/most-wanted. Warming shelters across the region are opening their doors to people who need a place to shelter from the cold. The National Weather Service in Wilmington reports that more than 14.6 inches of snow accumulated over the past week as two storms blew through the region. Temperatures this week will stay below freezing until Friday when a high of 38 degrees is expected, the weather service says. 'A safe haven': Cincinnatians seek shelter from cold at converted rec center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's overnight low is expected to dip to 10 degrees, with even colder wind chills. Tuesday has a high temperature near 19 degrees and will drop to minus 1 degree overnight. In the meantime, some people across the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region may be looking for a place to warm up overnight or during the day. Here's where they can go. Northern Kentucky warming shelters The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky is offering two homeless shelter spaces as warming centers this week. The shelters will operate overnights at extended occupancy, according to Kim Webb, executive director for the organization. Campbell County Cold Shelter for overnight stay: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 7 Court St. in Newport. Overnight hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky (Covington): 24-hour warming center at 436 W. 13th St. in Covington. Beds are full, so people will be provided chairs overnight. City of Cincinnati warming centers All Cincinnati Recreation Commission centers are operating as daytime warming centers during regular operating hours. You can find a list of city rec centers, their addresses and their hours here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city also has an overnight winter shelter at 411 Gest St. More information about city winter weather operations operations are available online. Related: Advocates alarmed by city shelter's Sunday closure arrange solution with city councilwoman MidPointe Library System offers Butler County warming shelters The MidPointe Library System of Butler County will operate these branches as warming shelters this week during daytime hours. Liberty library: 7100 Foundary Row in Liberty Township. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Monroe library: 1 Tennessee Ave. in Monroe. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. West Chester library: 9363 Centre Pointe Drive in West Chester Township. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fairfield Lane library: 1485 Corydale Drive in Fairfield. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Middletown library: 125 South Broad St. in Middletown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday , 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday , and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Trenton library: 200 Edgewood Drive in Trenton. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hamilton Lane library: 300 N. Third St. in Hamilton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday , 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Oxford Lane library: 441 S. Locust St. in Oxford. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Lane Community Technology Center: 228 Court St. in Hamilton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. More: Near-0 degree temperatures are coming. Here's how to help others stay warm in the cold Warren County warming centers Warren County published a map for people to find warming shelters near them. The map can be found here. Warming centers are: Countryside YMCA, Landen: 2894 U.S. 22 in Maineville. Hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Countryside YMCA, Lebanon: 1699 Deerfield Road in Lebanon. Hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Salem Township library: 535 W. Pike Street in Morrow area. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Lebanon Public Library: 101 S. Broadway St. in Lebanon. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday , 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Franklin library: 44 E. Fourth St. in Franklin. Hours are 9 a.m.to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Springboro library: 125 Park Lane in Springboro. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Library is closed Sunday. Clermont County church offering warming center Batavia's One Way Church is offering a 24-hour warming shelter. Services will end 11 a.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church is located at 4650 state Route 132. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Warming centers open in Greater Cincinnati and NKY. See where to go The Los Angeles Police Department has put out a list of scams that are actively being used in light of the devastating wildfires that have torn through the city. The scams, police say, have been exploiting people as thousands across L.A. are in severe distress. Here are scams to look out for, according to the LAPD: False Job Solicitation Scams: If you are looking for work related to fire recovery, beware of job offers circulating on social media that claim to be from the government or reputable agencies, LAPD says. These offers are often fraudulent and designed to steal your personal information. The job postings are not from legitimate sources. Scammers may ask you to submit personal details, such as your Social Security number, bank account information, or other sensitive data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fake City, County, or Federal Employees: Do not trust anyone who approaches you claiming to be a representative of the City, County, or Federal government without proper identification, LAPD says. Government workers will not ask for payment for services on the spot or pressure you into making immediate decisions. Verify their credentials by contacting the relevant agency directly using official contact information, not the details they provide. Phone and Text Message Scams: Beware of unsolicited phone calls asking for donations for fire recovery or claiming to help you recover your losses. Legitimate organizations will not cold-call you for donations, LAPD says. Scammers may impersonate FEMA or insurance agents, asking for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. Always hang up and call back using verified contact details. Never click on links or attachments in texts from unknown numbers, especially those offering assistance or recovery help. These are often phishing attempts designed to steal your information. If you receive a text claiming to be from a government agency or insurance company, do not respond. Instead, verify their authenticity through official channels. Unsolicited In-Person Solicitations: Be cautious of people approaching you in person offering free help with repairs, insurance claims, or government assistance, LAPD says. Always ask for identification and do not make decisions on the spot. Contact the agency or organization they claim to represent directly before agreeing to anything. Gift Card or Payment Scams: Scammers may ask you to pay for services or government fees using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, LAPD says. Legitimate agencies will never ask for payments in these forms. If anyone requests payment in these unusual ways, report the incident immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fraudulent Donations: Be cautious when donating to fire relief efforts. Always verify the legitimacy of the charity or organization, especially if they reached out to you directly, LAPD says. Use trusted platforms like Charity Navigator to check the legitimacy of organizations before making a donation. To ensure that any charities or organizations are legitimate, the LAPD says you can reach out to the department by calling 877-275-5273. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Ukraine has started arming its drones with shotguns to shoot down Russian drones and kill soldiers. In video footage posted online by pro-Ukraine bloggers, a drone armed with two shotguns flies across a battlefield. The drone fixes on at least three Russian drones carrying grenades, one after the other, and shoots. Each of the Russian drones crashes to the ground. Next, the drone then spots a single Russian soldier walking along a road. It swoops down and fires, but misses. The drone swings around, pulls back up and dives for a second strike. This time, the soldier falls to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online, pro-Ukraine commentators celebrated the success of the shotgun-armed drone. This is amazing, said Sergej Sumlenny, founder of the European Resilience Initiative Center think tank. This is the first case of a firearm-armed first-person view drone I see which really makes sense. The drone footage was reportedly filmed near the city of Kupyansk, in Ukraines northwestern Kharkiv region, which Russian forces are trying to capture. Analysts said that this was the first time that Ukraine has armed its increasingly sophisticated drone fleet with guns. Usually, first-person battlefield drones are either used in kamikaze single-use attacks or drop a grenade on their target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheap first-person view drones have become a vital weapon during the conflict in Ukraine. They are used widely for surveillance and attack missions. The so-called Winchester shotgun-armed drones now give Ukraine increased flexibility and another form of attack. Winchester is a US shotgun manufacturer established in the 19th century, named after its founder. Ukraine continuing to develop war technology Defense Express, a Ukrainian online military news website, said that the country was considering rolling out shotgun-armed drones across the battlefield. It is likely that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working on scaling up this method of countering Russian drones, it reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shotguns are considered the most effective anti-drone weapons because the spread of their shot means they have far more chance of hitting their target than a rifle. One drawback is that a shotgun works more effectively at close range. This means that while hunting down unarmed Russian drones is straightforward, attacking soldiers armed with rifles and grenades is more dangerous. Russian military bloggers have regularly complained that Ukraines drone programme is far more advanced than Russias programme and is holding back their forces advances along the frontline. Last week, the Two Majors Telegram channel said that Ukraine was continuing to develop its war technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, it urged the Russian Army to saturate the front with smoothbore weapons [shotguns] to defend against Ukrainian drones. And it is not just on land that Ukraine has carved a technological drone advantage. In December, Ukrainian forces also used a maritime drone to shoot down a Russian helicopter with missiles for the first time. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The U.S. Department of Energy was created in 1977 by merging two agencies with different missions: the Atomic Energy Commission, which developed, tested and maintained the nations nuclear weapons, and the Energy Research and Development Administration, a collection of domestic energy research programs. Today the department describes itself, with what some might call understatement, as one of the most interesting and diverse agencies in the Federal government. Its annual budget of roughly US$50 billion supports some 14,000 employees and 95,000 contractors. The secretary of energy advises the president on energy policy and guides energy and nuclear weapons production initiatives. As researchers who study energy efficiency and national security and who work with the Energy Department, we have seen that its secretary needs to be able to think long-term and make strategic decisions, sometimes with incomplete information. A good grasp of science, engineering and energy technology is helpful, as are the abilities to lead a large organization and to work with Congress. Scientific research and development The Energy Departments Office of Science supports a large portion of basic U.S. scientific research, including fusion energy, particle physics, chemistry and material science. Together with the agencys Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the agency manages a research portfolio with a budget of roughly $12 billion nearly as large as that of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the other major federal funder of basic research. A scientist at Sandia National Laboratories Photovoltaic System Evaluation Laboratory, in Albuquerque, places a perovskite module in a solar simulator of LED lights to simulate the sun with a flash of light. Craig Fritz/Flickr Many energy secretaries have made their greatest marks by supporting and directing research. For example, during the first Trump administration, Rick Perry recognized potential cyber-terrorism risks to U.S. energy infrastructure and supported research in artificial intelligence. This led to the creation of the agencys Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Chu, who led the department from 2009 to 2013 under former President Barack Obama, initiated the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy, or ARPA-E, a division that focuses on new, cutting-edge energy innovations at stages too early to attract private-sector investment. ARPA-E projects have led to the creation of over 100 new companies and to over 1,000 patents on a wide range of energy technologies, including hybrid-electric aircraft, carbon dioxide capture from the air and improved electricity transmission. Most recently, during the Biden administration, Jennifer Granholm focused on working with business and industry to deploy clean energy technologies in support of U.S. climate goals. This effort has included offering grants, loans and rebates, filling gaps in supply chains, and promoting domestic manufacturing of components such as advanced batteries and solar panels. Research payoffs Much of the research that the Energy Department funds can take years to produce results with commercial applications, but it has had some notable successes. Since the late 1970s, the agency has invested significantly in shale oil research. Combined with additional research and development by private energy companies, the Energy Department helped develop fracking and horizontal drilling. These technologies have revolutionized petroleum and natural gas production and made the U.S. the worlds largest producer of oil and natural gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Department funding supported the commercialization of LED lights, which are highly efficient and long-lasting. It also has enabled breakthroughs in other energy-efficient technologies, solar and wind energy production, battery technology, and geothermal and wave energy. The agency provides critical support for research on nuclear fusion, which promises to be a clean and abundant source of energy, although it is far from commercialization today. There also are large swaths of U.S. energy policy that the Energy Department doesnt control. For example, leases and permits for energy production on public lands and in federal waters are awarded by the Department of the Interior. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an independent agency, controls the siting of oil and natural gas pipelines and interstate electricity transmission lines. Another independent agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, licenses and regulates the nuclear power industry. Still, energy secretaries often champion broad strategies that overlap with the mission and authority of other federal departments and agencies. Nuclear weapons and national security The Energy Departments other mission developing and maintaining nuclear weapons is steered by the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency within the department. Organizationally, the NNSA is the great-grandchild of the Manhattan Engineer District the post-World War II incarnation of the Manhattan Project that developed the first U.S. atomic weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NNSA is headed by an administrator who also serves as undersecretary of energy for nuclear security, a Senate-confirmed position. When the energy secretarys background is in domestic energy like oil executive Chris Wright, President-elect Trumps choice to head the agency the leader of the NNSA is likely to be especially influential on national security issues. Of the Energy Departments 17 national laboratories, three Los Alamos, Sandia and Lawrence Livermore are officially overseen by the NNSA. Others receive significant NNSA funding and play roles in maintaining the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The NNSA also oversees experimental and testing facilities and other sites involved in the design, production and testing of nuclear weapons. It is responsible for storing and securing warheads that are not deployed at military installations, and for dismantling retired warheads. A separate office, Environmental Management, oversees the cleanup of nuclear research and production sites, some of which have contamination dating back to World War II. The largest environmental cleanup program in the world, it consumes about $8 billion annually one-sixth of the agencys entire budget. It handles large amounts of radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuel, excess plutonium and uranium, and contaminated facilities, soil and groundwater. The 580-square-mile Hanford complex in southeast Washington state is the largest environmental cleanup site in the world. Plutonium for nuclear weapons was produced and processed there for more than 40 years, generating massive quantities of radioactive and toxic waste. The project employs 13,000 people and will continue for decades. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images The NNSA plays a critical role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and the materials and technologies needed to make them. It is part of the intelligence community with deep technical expertise, and responds to nuclear and radiological threats globally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the NNSA designs and supports the nuclear reactors that propel Navy ships and submarines around the globe. Historically, the NNSA administrator has had a great deal of autonomy. Most administrators bring deep technical and policy expertise to the job. Some are retired Navy or Air Force officers who have worked with nuclear weapons or naval propulsion systems. Others are researchers with long tenures at Department of Energy laboratories. Aging weapons, sites and workers The next energy secretary and NNSA administrator will face major technical, economic and management challenges. The NNSA has been working for years to modernize nuclear weapons production infrastructure, which is aging and underfunded. At the same time, the Energy Department is working with the Defense Department to update U.S. nuclear weapons and strategic nuclear forces bombers, ballistic missiles and submarines to deter threats from other nations. This effort could cost up to $1.7 trillion over several decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the NNSAs major modernization projects are over budget and years behind schedule. The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently reported that the NNSA needs to improve its program management practices in order to control costs and successfully execute these expensive initiatives. The incoming administration will also have to recruit and sustain a highly skilled workforce for nuclear security programs. Many retirement-eligible employees have already left the agency. More will exit over the next four years, often drawn by private-sector salaries and perceived better working conditions. While the Energy Department touts its high-tech laboratories and research facilities, the agencys people are equally critical to its mission. This story is part of a series of profiles of Cabinet and high-level administration positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Valerie Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology and Margaret E. Kosal, Georgia Institute of Technology Read more: Valerie Thomas receives funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for research on energy efficiency in U.S. pulp and paper production. Margaret E. Kosal is a joint faculty appointee to the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL). She has received funding from the department through the SRNL. Clovis is finally moving toward district elections, despite the kicking, screaming and whining of its elected leaders. But what if Fresno Countys second-largest city could preserve its precious at-large elections, get that shakedown opportunist Malibu lawyer off its back and, most importantly, give more voting power to disenfranchised minority communities? There is a way to thread that needle, a path that a growing number of U.S. cities and two states (Alaska and Maine) have already undertaken. However, such a move would require bold, progressive thinking in a place where stale air and stale ideas walk arm in arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The solution to Clovis conundrum is ranked choice voting. Opinion As opposed to traditional elections, ranked choice voting (sometimes called instant runoff voting) allows voters to rank each of the candidates for a given office by their preference first choice, second choice, third choice, etc. If a candidate is the first choice on more than half the ballots, he or she wins the election. Simple as that. But if no candidate nets a majority, the candidate with the least number of first-choice votes is eliminated and their second-choice support gets redistributed. The process continues until a candidate wins a majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things are largely the same in multi-winner elections such as Clovis current system for electing council members. The primary difference being the threshold percentage of votes necessary to win drops below 50%, since more seats are up for election. What are the benefits of ranked choice voting? Glad you asked. Ranked choice voting is currently being used across 14 states in more than 50 U.S. cities including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Palm Desert and Eureka. As a whole, those cities have observed an increase in voter participation, a reduction in both negative campaign tactics and spoiler effects, a savings of time and money by eliminating the need for runoff elections and more equitable representations on their respective city councils. Legal loophole to district elections To me, those are reasons enough for Clovis to seriously consider switching. But if you need more swaying, consider this: The California Supreme Court, in a 2023 ruling, held up ranked choice voting systems as a legal alternative to district elections under the California Voting Rights Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which, of course, is the same state law Malibu attorney Kevin Shenkman is currently using to threaten Clovis with legal action over its at-large elections the same tactic he has employed against more than 500 California cities, school districts and other municipalities over the past decade. According to National Demographics Corporation, the consultant hired by the City of Clovis to facilitate its transition to district elections, Shenkman has netted $20 million in settlements and fee awards off CVRA lawsuits. The Clovis City Council, begrudgingly but wisely, opted not to fatten Shenkmans wallet any more than necessary. (He hasnt lost a CVRA case yet.) But city leaders kept their heads buried in the sand for so long, theyre now completely out of moves. Forced to hold public hearings and adopt a final map, splitting the city into four or five council districts, between now and early March. Call it what it is: a rush job to get to a place nobody wants to go. District elections, while an improvement, are not a panacea to more diverse government and present their own set of quandaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ranked choice voting, on the other hand, encourages more women, people of color and third-party candidates to run for public office because they have a better chance of winning in particular in multi-winner races such as city council elections. Besides staying whole (which Clovis council members and residents say is important to them), theres the added benefit of telling Shenkman to buzz off. Charter city inaction costs Clovis Unfortunately for Clovis, in California only charter cities have supreme authority over their own municipal affairs and are legally allowed to install local election systems that differ from statewide statutes. There are more than 120 charter cities in California, including Fresno, Bakersfield, Visalia, Kingsburg and Lemoore. Clovis isnt among them. It remains a general law city and thereby bound to the laws of the state. At least for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agenda for Mondays Clovis City Council meeting contains a workshop from city clerk Briana Parra to discuss Clovis potential transition to becoming a charter city. Not to spoil Parras presentation, but its a long, arduous process. The city charter actually has to be drafted, either by a special committee or the elected body, and then approved by a majority of the electorate. Had Clovis acted sooner on this and its elected leaders not ignored the reality of their situation, the city might not be where it is today: Bent over the table by a Malibu attorney who they shouldve seen coming. Ranked choice voting offers a potential way out. However, that will require progressive thinking by the citys elected leaders and its voters. Which for Clovis, where diversity of thought on the city council is whats most lacking, as opposed to diversity of skin tone, is probably asking too much. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Blue is the international color symbol for human trafficking awareness, and January 11 is Wear Blue Day. Portland police describes human trafficking as modern day slavery that exploits victims through force and fraud. Human trafficking is everywhere and is often hidden in plain sight, PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen told KOIN 6 News. Trafficking is happening internationally into and out of our area, he said. We have found that traffickers are operating here in Portland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing Salem woman found dead, partner charged with murder The idea behind Wear Blue Day is to spread awareness by posting a photo or video of yourself on social media with #WearBlueDay . The Department of Homeland Security has a lot more information on human trafficking and the Wear Blue Day campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on his visit to the United Kingdom offered prayers at the BAPS Shri Swami Narayan Temple in north-west London's area of Neasden. The details of Speaker Birla's visit were shared by the temple authorities on Sunday. The temple authorities shared that Speaker Birla offered prayers, performed rituals and learnt about the impactful work of BAPS across UK and Europe. Notably, details were also shared about the progress on the upcoming temple in Paris, France. The temple noted that the visit serves as a means to strengthen bonds between India and the UK. Popularly known as the Neasden Temple, it shared the details of the Speaker's visit on X. "It was a pleasure to welcome Hon. Shri @ombirlakota, Speaker of the @LokSabhaSectt of India, to #NeasdenTemple this evening. Mr Birla offered prayers during darshan of the murtis, performed abhishek, and gained insights into the impactful work of @BAPS across the UK and Europe, in particular the progress of the upcoming mandir in Paris, France. We deeply value this enriching exchange and look forward to strengthening the bonds between India and the UK." https://x.com/NeasdenTemple/status/1878183693316960650 Earlier on Saturday (local time), Om Birla, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, addressed over 180 Indian students at an event in London, emphasising the growing importance of India's youth in the global landscape. An official statement said that the Lok Sabha Speaker is on a five-day official visit to the United Kingdom, Scotland and Guernsey. During his visit to Scotland, Birla will meet Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, and John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland. According to the official statement, he will also interact with cross-party Members of the Scottish Parliament. (ANI) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A cold front will push through the region tonight, ushering in snow showers around midnight, followed by scattered snow showers throughout the morning on Monday. While we dont expect significant accumulation, this marks the beginning of an active lake-effect snow pattern that will persist through much of the week. The snow will likely remain light, but conditions could change rapidly as we move into the next few days. Enjoy the last few hours or so with lighter wind speeds. A cold front will pass through the area during the overnight hours, kicking up wind speeds once again. Colder air also begins to move in, which means we could be looking at near 0 feel like temps by mid week @News_8 pic.twitter.com/9ZEhhb4fRt Leanne Byer (@LeanneByerwx1) January 12, 2025 On Tuesday, the snow bands will align along the axis of the lakes, with the heaviest snowfall focused to the east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This positioning will create a winter wonderland in areas like the Finger Lakes, but Rochester itself will see more moderate snowfall. As we move into Tuesday night and Wednesday, winds will shift to the northwest, pushing the snow bands directly into the Rochester area. This change in wind direction will intensify the snow, leading to a more significant snow event for Western New York. Then, on Thursday, a clipper system will move through the region, adding a little more snow to the mix. At this time, its still too early to provide an exact snowfall total for Rochester, but current forecasts suggest we could see a few inches on the ground by Thursday evening. Of course, the highest totals will be found southeast of the lakes, where lake-effect snow will be the most intense. While we have been enjoying the past few days of mild weather here in Rochester, change is on the horizon. An active lake-effect snow pattern returns to WNY, bringing snow to most likely everyone. However, looks like Rochester won't see the most out of it @News_8 pic.twitter.com/4X9nctohaj Leanne Byer (@LeanneByerwx1) January 12, 2025 Along with the snow, we can also expect a notable drop in temperatures. Tuesday will be especially cold, with highs struggling to reach just 22 degrees. For those who enjoy the milder weather, be sure to take advantage of todays more moderate 34-degree temperatures while you can! After the frigid conditions on Tuesday, we can look forward to a brief recovery, with temperatures climbing back up to around 35 degrees by Saturday. However, this warmth will be short-lived, as a more significant temperature plunge is expected early next week. The polar vortex will make its way deep into the continental U.S., bringing another round of dangerously cold air to our region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the week unfolds, stay prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, and be sure to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on snowfall totals and temperature trends. Stay tuned to News 8 at 6 and 11 this evening and at Rochesterfirst.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Editor's note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Jan. 13 to Jan. 20. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday. With 8 eight days left until the Jan. 20 inauguration of Donald Trump, global policy makers are ramping up preparations for what a Trump 2 presidency could bring. Although the incoming administration has hardly been quite (incl. with concerning statements on NATO, Greenland, Canada and the Panama canal), the coming weeks will provide an indication on what is posturing and what is policy and what decisions need to be made. Military planning and security, as well as the viability of major global alliances, will be a key theme. On Jan. 13 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will attend a joint committee meeting at the European Parliament. The session takes place amid questions about the US commitment to European security (a live stream of Ruttes remarks and session transcript will be available on the NATO website). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 15-16 NATOs Military Committee will convene in Brussels. The meeting will bring together Allied Chiefs of Defense and over 20 counterparts from NATO Partner nations to discuss strategic issues and foster cooperation in addressing global challenges. The first session will feature General Cavoli, the United States European Command commander, briefing on NATOs readiness to deter and defend the Euro-Atlantic region while safeguarding its one billion inhabitants. Discussions will explore NATOs ongoing missions and support for Ukraine, including the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), which has taken on responsibilities to bolster Ukraines defense. Rutte will join the opening session to outline key priorities and challenges for the alliance. The Ad Hoc Working Party on the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine will convene at the European Council headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 17. This meeting will bring together representatives from EU member states, international organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate strategies for providing aid and supporting Ukraines immediate financing needs and its long-term economic recovery and reconstruction efforts. In global news, on Jan. 14 South Koreas Constitutional Court will begin the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol (he will not attend, being holed up in his residence to avoid arrest). South Koreas internal turmoil complicates support to Ukraine, which was set to ramp up due to North Koreas entry into the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest chapter of Frances tumultuous internal politics, the new centrist Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to lay out his policy priorities on Tuesday Jan. 14 in his first address to the French parliament. A driving force of political disruption, TikTok is set to shut down in the US on Jan. 19 unless President-elect Donald Trump finds a way to save the platform. The Supreme Court has signaled it will uphold the ban, which could impact 170 mn US users. Looking forward, the diplomatic year will kick off in full swing with the World Economic Forums Annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20-24. Of note, Ukraine will enter a period of mostly painful historical anniversaries, starting with the Jan. 19 Hrushevskoho street riots (a turning point in the EuroMaidan revolution, following the passage of anti-protest dictatorial laws) and the Unity Day on Jan. 22 (when the West Ukrainian Peoples Republic and Ukrainian Peoples Republic formed a short-lived, independent union). This period will continue through Feb. 24, which will mark 3 years of full-scale war against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have an upcoming event that you would like featured in our newsletter, please email insights@kyivindependent.com. Other events and milestones: Jan. 13: Online Policy Dialogue: "2025: A Decisive Year for Ukraine" hosted by the European Policy Centre. Key speakers include Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Centre for Defense Strategies Chairman, and Lt. General Ben Hodges. Discussions will focus on Ukraines security, conflict resolution, and long-term stability. Jan. 1317: UN sessions at Palais Wilson, Geneva. Ukraines human rights situation and conflict-related issues may feature as part of the broader agenda, which will include meetings of the working groups on discrimination against women and girls and on racial discrimination (i.e., the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action). Jan. 15: Conference: "The Price of Weakness" Hosted by ECR MEP Reinis Poznaks, this high-level conference will feature discussions on Europe's response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and strategies to address Russian aggression. Jan. 16: The European Parliamentary Research Service will hold a policy round-table "Ten Issues to Watch in 2025" in the Library of the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss key issues anticipated to shape the EUs agenda in 2025. Read also: 2025 A Turning Point for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) On This Week in Louisiana Politics, more comes to light in the investigation into security measures along Bourbon Street. New Orleans officials press the New Orleans Police Department to step things up. All the while, the victims of the New Years Day attack have filed a new lawsuit. The mayor of Bogalusa was arrested on drug and prostitution charges. He claims he is innocent. His community responds to the major story hitting the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three major candidates emerge for Baton Rouge state Senate seat In his final days in office, President Joe Biden issued an executive order banning future offshore drilling in most American waters. Louisiana leaders pushed back immediately and threatened a lawsuit. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein delivers his inaugural address at the Capitol Building in Raleigh on Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Josh Stein pledges long-term Helene support, urges GOP cooperation in first address By Galen Bacharier North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein delivers his inaugural address at the Capitol Building in Raleigh on Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Gov. Josh Stein pledged in his inaugural address Saturday to continue rebuilding western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene for as long as it takes, outlining a range of broad priorities and calling for bipartisan work with the Republican-led legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today we must overcome the unprecedented storm that ravaged our state, and the everyday struggles that impact our neighbors, Stein said. And we will. [Read more] A federal appeals court will hear the NC Supreme Court elections case Voters line up outside the Durham Main Library in the November 2024 election. (Photo: Lynn Bonner) By Lynn Bonner Ruling comes hours after a state court judge denied a GOP request for immediate action to invalidate votes cast in November The federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday said it will hear Republican State appeals court Judge Jefferson Griffins elections case, where hes seeking to invalidate more than 60,000 votes in the race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal court agreed to incumbent Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs request to put the case on a fast track, scheduling oral arguments for Jan. 27. The state Supreme Court is also considering Griffins case. Republican cases to invalidate North Carolina votes occupied two courts on Friday. [Read more...] Bonus read: * Republican lawsuit seeks to throw out votes in all North Carolina statewide races NC legislature returns, with Hurricane Helene aid and oversight as top priorities North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) speaks to reporters after the legislative sessions opening day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) By Galen Bacharier, Lynn Bonner and Christine Zhu Republican leaders say more relief is coming, and plan to scrutinize how the state responds to disasters North Carolina lawmakers returned to Raleigh on Wednesday, kicking off a session that is expected to feature continued Hurricane Helene relief and scrutiny for natural disaster efforts past and present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the coming months, the General Assembly will debate the states budget, as well as a wide range of contentious issues most prominently the ongoing recovery in the mountains. The new House Speaker, Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), said a bill setting out more relief for Helene would be coming very soon. [Read more...] Western North Carolina to receive $1.65B in federal disaster grants Gov. Josh Stein (right) inspects a trailer on visit to western North Carolina. (Photo courtesy of the governors office.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Greg Childress Western North Carolina received good news Tuesday in its struggle to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Gov. Josh Stein and HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman announced the region will receive two Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) awards totaling $1.65 billion. [Read more] Bonus read: New team in governors office will spearhead Helene recovery, led by ex-Wake County commissioner NC Treasurer: Premiums to rise with State Health Plan in dire financial shape NC Treasurer Brad Briner said rising health care costs may force an increase in premiums for teachers and state employees on the State Health Plan. (Photo: Screengrab from state Treasurers YouTube channel) By Clayton Henkel A week into his position as North Carolinas state treasurer, Brad Briner had to deliver some uncomfortable news at Thursdays meeting of the State Board of Education. Briner told board members that the state health plan is running a $507 million deficit even after a record appropriation expectation the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Briners predecessor, Republican Dale Folwell, warned last August the health insurance plan covering teachers and state employees needed the legislature to reimburse it $250 million for COVID costs. But the state also needed to develop a better strategy to address rising healthcare costs over the long term. [Read more...] Nonprofit led by Mark Robinsons wife wins reduction in disallowed expenses Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and his wife Yolanda greet supporters at a campaign event in Elon, North Carolina on Nov. 3, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) By: Ahmed Jallow NC DHHS says Balanced Nutrition, Inc. now owes the state $101,142 and will have 30 days to pay The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has revised its findings from a compliance review of Balanced Nutrition Inc. the nonprofit that was led by former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balanced Nutrition was a sponsoring organization that contracted with the state to help childcare centers apply for and receive federal funding for childrens meals. Yolanda Hill, who led Balanced Nutrition Inc., announced in April that she was shutting down the nonprofit as the state prepared to conduct a compliance review. [Read more...] Appeals court revives sexual abuse case surrounding former NC State sports medicine director The Lewis F. Powell Jr. federal courthouse in Richmond is home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. (Photo: Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury) By Brandon Kingdollar The lawsuit alleges that the school enabled alleged sexual misconduct spanning a decade. A case concerning alleged sexual abuse by a sports medicine official at NC State will return to the federal district court in Raleigh after a unanimous three-judge Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals panel vacated its dismissal on Tuesday. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina will now consider whether the university was deliberately indifferent to misconduct complaints against Robert Murphy, who served as the schools director of sports medicine.[Read more] WESTPORT, Conn. (WTNH) At around 3:05 a.m. Sunday morning, Westport firefighters said they were dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle crash on I-95 near Exit 18. Initially, Engine 4, Engine 5, Rescue 3, and the Shift Commander were dispatched to the scene, then the police were advised to assist, according to the Westport Fire Department. Photos provided by the Westport Fire Department Crews reported one vehicle off the road with heavy damage and an occupant needing to be extricated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries reported in rollover crash in Killingworth Officers said they stabilized the vehicle and used battery-operated rescue tools to remove the roof. The driver was extricated 10 minutes later and brought to a local hospital by the Westport EMS, according to officers. Crews said they remained on the scene throughout the incident to investigate and assist with traffic control. At about 5:13 a.m., firefighters said they cleared the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Guillemots, black and white birds each measuring about a foot tall, cram together on Skomer Island to starve off predators and protect their eggs, of which each reproducing bird lays just one each year. On this island off the coast of Wales, nearly 100,000 of these seabirds once huddled in groups next to neighboring puffins, but the population was nearly killed off due to oil pollution and tanker traffic starting in World War II. After hitting a nadir of 2,500 in 1972, the guillemot population made a miraculous comeback over several decades, reaching 30,000 in 2022. Then, in the summer of 2023, bird flu hit Skomer Island, killing about 15,000 birds, said Timothy Birkhead, a professor at the University of Sheffield who has spent the past 50 years studying the population. These deaths will be felt throughout the ecosystem. "The guillemot is a key player in the Skomer 12-species seabird community, Birkhead told Salon in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current bird flu panzootic or a pandemic in animals has spilled over to an unprecedented number of animals across the world since it began in 2020, killing off elephant seals, cougars, polar bears, and dozens of other mammalian species. Millions of wild birds have died from H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu, and more than 13 million poultry and 900 dairy herds have been impacted in the U.S. while at least 66 human cases have been reported. The first U.S. death from bird flu was reported last week in a patient from Louisiana. Every infection brings us closer to another pandemic like COVID-19, experts have emphasized. A big question is why is the crisis growing now? H5N1 has been documented since the mid-'90s, with scientists warning for decades that the virus had pandemic potential. Part of what's making it such an issue today might be related to climate change. Although its difficult to pinpoint a direct cause-and-effect relationship between climate change and bird flu, research going back many years before the current crisis linked our heating world and natural disasters with changing migratory patterns, nesting seasons, and habitat ranges of wild birds. All of this is influencing the way avian flu spreads across the world. Climate change is unpredictable because we can talk about a global increase in temperature, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily going to get warmer everywhere," said Dr. Damien Joly, a wildlife biologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. But what we do know is that climate change can affect those large scale patterns, like migration, that could bring birds into contact with agricultural systems that they have not been in contact with before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avian flu outbreaks date back centuries, when it was once known as "fowl plague," but this outbreak is unique. This time, the virus is adapting to the environment in new ways, infecting a record number of species and surviving various seasons without dying out, Joly said. clinical waste bags bird flu Avian Influenza dead carcasses puffins seagulls When you think of any virus system, there are really three components that affect whether that pathogen will persist, Joly told Salon in a phone interview. There are host effects, pathogen effects, and the environment. Changes in the relationship between those three groups is what leads to changes in disease dynamics." One of the ways a changing climate can impact bird flu is by increasing numbers of extreme weather events. Bird flu first arrived in North America in 2014, following a typhoon in Asia that impacted the North American Pacific Flyway, one of the major avian superhighways. In 2021, the arrival of the current outbreak in North America also coincided with windstorms in the North Atlantic that were happening at the time, said Dr. Claire Teitelbaum, who studies wildlife and infectious diseases at the USGS Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and is also a professor at the University of Georgia. Those events definitely affect when and where animals are, Teitelbaum told Salon in a phone interview. Animals in general are pretty good about moving away from natural disasters but they can also take those diseases they have with them as they move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme weather events could also displace bird habitats, change the way they access food, and consequently impact the way that species can fend off a virus, said Dr. Erin Sorrell, a virologist and a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. On Skomer Island, the guillemot population may have been made extra vulnerable to the virus due to a food shortage that occurred just before bird flu struck, likely caused by a major storm and the highest sea temperatures in the region ever on record that impacted the availability of food sources. All of these things can kind of come together to create a perfect storm, or you might only need three out of five of those factors to be able to have an opportunity for the virus to be around just a little bit longer, to expose one more bird species that is migrating or one more bird species that is in the surrounding environment, Sorrel told Salon in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, warmer temperatures have shifted migration patterns for some species earlier, which means certain birds are spending more time on their breeding grounds, Teitelbaum said. From the avian flu perspective, that is important because breeding grounds can be places of high transmission, Teitelbaum said. One 2019 case study looking at how bird flu infected the avian population in Qinghai Lake in China reported that the wild birds there encountered the virus at their wintering grounds and traveled across Eurasia and into Egypt and Northern Africa, said the studys author Dr. Barbara Canavan. It started in Qinghai, Canavan told Salon in a phone interview. It is a place that is warming very fast and where theyve had significant changes in farming, providing a viral pathway to get to birds that are far more mobile." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 70% of pathogens that infect humans come from wildlife, and as the human population continues to expand to every corner of the globe, it increases the chances that some of those pathogens will spill over to infect people. Ultimately, the environmental alterations humans have made, like developing farmland underneath one of the greatest migratory bird flyways, serve to provide avian influenza with a consistent source of hosts. For example, bird flu was detected in pigs for the first time late last year. In poultry populations, when you are constantly introducing new susceptible individuals, it allows these viruses to persist," Joly said. "They cant burn themselves out when you are constantly adding fuel to the fire. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to the general population of being infected with bird flu is low, although farmworkers in the dairy and poultry industry are at greater risk. Still, the virus is increasingly spilling over to other animals, including humans. The major concern is that the more chances bird flu has to transmit between hosts, the greater the risk that it could evolve to become more dangerous. This could occur if an infected host is also infected with another virus and genetic material is swapped in a process called viral reassortment. All of these impacts that climate change could have on locations and species interactions or temperatures in the environment are all likely to impact the rate at which the virus evolves, Teitelbaum said. Because it would impact when and where different genotypes of the virus are in the same place and in the same bird and able to do that reassortment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveilling how the virus transmits in the environment among wild birds can help protect domestic species and reduce its spread. In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture received $824 million to fund the surveillance of wild birds in addition to mitigating the spread of bird flu in agriculture. Thus far, the agency has already funneled more than $2 billion in combating the virus on farms. But some are calling for additional funding to go toward the surveillance of wild birds in order to get ahead of the virus. Ultimately, its way cheaper to fund the surveillance of wildlife populations for diseases than it is to try and deal with the millions of chickens that have died associated with avian influenza in this continent," Joly said. Being able to go upstream and detect and figure out mitigation before it gets into humans is ultimately so much cheaper and more effective because you are not chasing your tail. Theres an image that captures the threat posed by the White Christian nationalist movement and how it could become even more dangerous over the next four years. Taken during the Jan. 6 insurrection, the photo shows a solitary White man, his head pressed in prayer against a massive wooden cross, facing the domed US Capitol building. An American flag stands like a sentinel on a flagpole beside the Capitol under an ominously gray sky. The photograph depicts a foot soldier in an insurgent religious movement trying to storm the halls of American power. Whats unsettling about the photo four years later is that much of the religious zeal that fed the insurrection is no longer outside the gates of power. Many of that movements followers are now on the inside, because their Chosen One, Donald Trump, returns this month to the Oval Office. A supporter of Donald Trump holds a large cross while praying outside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington. - Win McNamee/Getty Images This is the scenario Americans could face in Trumps second term. Under Trump, Christian nationalists will have unprecedented access to the power of the federal government. Trumps GOP has unified control of Congress. And a conservative supermajority, which has already blurred the line between separation of church and state in a series of decisions favoring Christian interests, controls the US Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has not been shy about what comes next. He ran a presidential campaign that was infused with White Christian Nationalist imagery and rhetoric. He vowed in an October campaign speech to set up a task force to root out anti-Christian bias and restore preachers power in America while giving access to a group he calls my beautiful Christians. If I get in, youre going to be using that power at a level that youve never used before, Trump told an annual gathering of National Religious Broadcasters in Tennessee during a campaign stop earlier this year. Trump won the support of about 8 in 10 White evangelical voters in Novembers presidential election. Nearly two-thirds of White evangelical Protestants in the US described themselves as sympathizers or adherents to Christian nationalism in a February 2023 survey. Scholars have called White Christian nationalism an Imposter Christianity whose adherents use religious language to cloak sexism and hostility to Black people and non-White immigrants in a quest to create a White Christian America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what might life look like over the next four years for Americans who dont subscribe to this movement? CNN asked that question of Kristin Kobes Du Mez, one of the nations foremost authorities on Christian nationalism. Du Mez is a historian and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. Her book has become a go-to source for understanding Christian nationalism. It explains how the movements tentacles reach deep into American history and pop culture. To many people, declaring America a Christian nation may seem harmless. And its important to distinguish Christian nationalists from patriotic Christians who have a more inclusive view of what America should be. But Du Mez says Christian nationalism is ultimately incompatible with American democracy. Kristin Du Mez: "They have seen their movement go mainstream, and now they have incredible access to power." - Deborah Hoag This is not a pluralist vision for all of American coming together or a vision for compromise, says Du Mez, a history professor at Calvin University in Michigan and a fellow at the University of Notre Dames Center for Philosophy of Religion. It is a vision for seizing power and using that power to usher in a Christian America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN recently spoke to Du Mez about this movement and what Americans might expect during Trumps second term. Her comments were edited for brevity and clarity. What will Trumps victory do for the White Christian nationalist movement? It will embolden and empower the White Christian nationalist movement. In all likelihood, it will institutionalize White Christian nationalism. It will transform our government, with the goal of transforming our society. It will likely place White Christian nationalists in positions of enormous political power. It could be transformative. How would that institutionalization of White Christian nationalism look in ordinary peoples lives? We can expect this Christian nationalist agenda to transform the public school system. One of the proposals with Christian nationalists is to eliminate the Department of Education, to look to the privatization of schooling, but also to transform the curriculum throughout public schools. The anti-CRT (critical race theory) and anti-woke agenda that we have seen played out on a smaller scale in certain states that is what we should expect to see on a national scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025 (a conservative blueprint for the next Republican president, although Trump tried to distance himself from it during the 2024 campaign) is explicit about cracking down on woke ideology, eliminating certain terms from laws and federal regulations, terms like gender equality and reproductive rights. This anti-woke agenda is a key point of unity between White Christian nationalists and the broader MAGA movement. Is there any potential for book bans? Any book that could be perceived as pro-LGBTQ, for example, or to contain a harmful political agenda those are the books likely to be targeted, and certainly removed from school curriculums and school libraries. But in terms of everyday lives, part of the agenda of Christian nationalists is a redefinition of human rights and of civil rights according to their understanding of Gods laws or natural law. The Bible is seen shelved alongside other books in August 2024 at the Bixby High School library in Bixby, Oklahoma. - Joey Johnson/AP And in this respect, there is no right to same-sex marriage, there is no right to abortion, or broader LGBTQ rights. Those dont exist within their understanding of the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. They read the Constitution through this Christian nationalist framework: God founded the nation, our founding documents reflect that and therefore they must be interpreted in light of Gods law, which in a sense, erases how we would normally understand constitutional rights and replaces them with essentially a Christian nationalist agenda. Why are some Christian nationalists hostile to the Department of Education? Theres a long history of opposition to the Department of Education within the Christian right, going back several decades. Schools are seen as a primary site of formation of children, and within this conservative Christian ideology theres a very strong emphasis on the rights of the parent to shape the values and ideals of ones children. When government steps in and takes on that role, they believe that it infringes on a parents God-given rights. They are extremely upset when these, quote unquote, government schools educate their children and teach them things that they do not believe in or that they would find harmful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could also trace this hostility back historically, and not coincidentally, to the kind of resistance to government schools that really welled up in the context of the civil rights movement and desegregation efforts. This was seen as the government intrusion into families and into communities. With his victory, is Trump even more revered in White Christian nationalist movement circles? Absolutely. In every way, there is celebration in Christian nationalist spaces. The idea is widespread that Trumps victory demonstrates a divine mandate that resonates with the framework that they have been using to explain and promote Trump dating back to 2016. He is somehow Gods anointed one. He is Gods chosen leader for this particularly fraught, historical political moment. You saw that early on in 2016 with these prophecies that were coming from charismatic circles that no, he was not necessarily a Christian, but he was still Gods chosen one to save Christian America. The sense of his divine role certainly wasnt dampened by the assassination attempt and his survival, which seemed miraculous to some. Trump leaned into that and said God had saved him because God had a divine purpose for him. People stretch their hands towards former President Donald Trump as they pray at the National Faith Advisory Summit in Powder Springs, Georgia, on October 28, 2024. - Brendan McDermid/Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You once said that Christian nationalism and militant patriarchy go hand in hand. What does that mean? Christian nationalism is the idea that America is a distinctly Christian nation. But theres a whole set of descriptors that go along with this that we see over and over again. Theres this idea that we need to restore Christian America. What does that look like? It looks like privileging the quote unquote, traditional family, the patriarchal family structure. They believe that the way that God has designed human flourishing is to have a male patriarch, and then to have a submissive wife, one who submits to her husbands authority, and one whose primary role is a mother and a homemaker. Any family structure that does not look like that is seen as undermining society. Youll hear the rhetoric that we need strong Godly men to step up to defend faith, family and nation. And so when you get inside Christian nationalist spaces, there is all kinds of militant rhetoric about manly strength, about Christian men who need to step up and take power, and assert their leadership because that is their God-ordained role. Given that description, was there even a remote chance that White Christian nationalists would support Kamala Harris? No. No White Christian nationalist would vote for Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter what she did? No. Just an absolute nonstarter. I mean, how many strikes does she have against her? Shes a woman, and a woman of color. Her gender would probably be disqualifying for most. But no because shes a woman of color, and frankly a Democrat. Christian nationalism thrives on this us-versus-them mentality. This militancy is linked to always needing an enemy. And in Christian nationalism today, the enemies are internal. Historically the enemies of Christian America were secular humanists, feminists and then more recently Democrats and the woke. This language of an enemy within that caught some attention in the last week of the campaign, when Trump said those words that resonate deeply with Christian nationalists. That fuels the sense that we need warriors to fight to save your family and Christianity. And to save America, youre going have to fight fellow Americans who are threatening those values. In some ways, is Trump just as much of a transformational figure for White evangelicals as Billy Graham? I think we can say yes. The reason I pause is because I dont think people fully understand the significance and legacy of Billy Graham. But yes, Trump is transformational but only because of the kind of deep roots of Christian nationalism. If you go back to the 1960s and 1970s and listen to the rhetoric of evangelical and fundamentalist pastors, and listened to how they talked about race, and their mission to save Christian America that goes back a half of a century. Evangelist Billy Graham addressing a large gathering in 1955. - Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Given that resonance, yes, he has been transformational with that promise to give Christians power. And there he means, of course, power to conservative, White evangelical types of Christians. That (promise) has excited his base and emboldened that faction. A few years ago, it might have been frowned upon in many Christian spaces to support somebody like Trump. Now, the tables have really turned. Now theres no shame in embracing Trump. There has been a transformative effect. I see much unapologetically crude and belligerent language inside these spaces. This kind of militancy is no longer beneath the surface, and it is aimed at fellow Americans and at fellow Christians who do not toe the line. What happens though to those White Christian evangelicals who dont subscribe to Christian nationalism. Where do they go? There are a lot of pressures to get on board with this Christian nationalist agenda. It doesnt need to be overtly supported, but theres enormous pressure not to object. A person who works in an evangelical media organization explained it to me this way. The memo is: You dont have to support Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda you just cant speak against it, so you can keep your job. When I heard those words, I thought that exactly describes what Im hearing from people and what Im observing. So you can quietly hold onto your beliefs, but if you try to object to something that is part of this agenda, if you try to say, fellow Christians, should we be supporting a man like Trump? that will get you into trouble. If this movement gets everything it wants, what will this country look like? There will be no meaningful religious liberty. There will be essentially a two-tier society between the quote unquote, real Americansthose who buy into this, or pretend to and then the rest of Americans. If youre a person of no faith or a Muslim or anybody deemed not a true Christian, you will have a place, but you will not have a voice. The laws will be rewritten across the board. Rights as we understand them will cease to exist and instead, well have the framework of biblical law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea will be that true freedom comes from following Gods laws. So freedom will be redefined. You are free to follow the laws that we set out for you as a woman, or someone who is same-sex attracted. True freedom comes from submitting to Gods law, and we will help you do that, and it will ultimately be good for you. In our education system, our American history will be made up. It will be ideological. A woman holds a crucifix during a prayer at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on September 21, 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images They want to erase the teaching of actual history to prop up a mythical understanding of what this country was founded to be to justify their radical transformation of the country. There will be no abortion rights, and there will be limited, if any, access to contraception. There will be harsh anti-immigration laws with exceptions for people who subscribe to this Christian nationalist vision or who are seen to fit within it, religiously, politically and perhaps ethnically. There are potential mitigating factors: infighting or incompetence within Christian nationalist and MAGA circles, the role of the courts, resistance within government agencies and at the local and state levels. And of course, the extent to which various aspects of the Christian nationalist agenda align with Trumps own priorities and with those of members of his inner circle, like Elon Musk. What do you say to people who say youre being alarmist and playing into doomsday scenarios? I mean, this isnt The Handmaids Tale. I would love to be wrong about this. The reason Im saying these things is because I have been listening to what they (in this movement) have been saying and I have been reading what they have been writing for years. They have been writing these things and saying these things for decades. For a long time, they were a powerful strand in the broader evangelical world and within the Republican Party. But they were offset by a more secular and pro-business conservatism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve seen now is that theyve moved into a dominant position within the Republican Party. The MAGA brand is the Republican Party. These ideas are not new. What is new is that for the first time, they are really in a position to carry out these plans. Do you think White Christian nationalists will someday regret this alliance with Trump? No. Its hard for me to envision why they would regret it, because what they most want is power the power to achieve their ends. And he appears to be granting them that power. I suppose then there could be some regret, but that just seems so far-fetched at this point. They have seen their movement go mainstream, and now they have incredible access to power. John Blake is a CNN senior writer and author of the award-winning memoir, More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the wake of reports that a lack of water supply may have negatively impacted the work of firefighters battling the multiple blazes in Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation on Friday, Jan. 10. The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community, Newsom wrote in the letter addressed to Janisse Quinones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. While water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish fires over large areas, losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom posted the letter on X (formerly Twitter), telling his followers: We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires. Read More: L.A. Fires Show the Reality of Living in a World with 1.5C of Warming Currently, the Los Angeles Fire Department and CAL FIRE are fighting multiple blazes, the most dominant being the Palisades Fire. As of Jan. 12, at least 16 people are thought to have died, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office, thousands of homes have been destroyed, and over 40,000 acres have been decimated. Soon after the first fire sparked on Jan. 7, reports and concerns began to emerge that the fire hydrants were running dry, after being overstressed without aircraft support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 8, Los Angeles Fire Department Public Information Officer Erik Scott, addressed the multiple questions he was receiving about firefighters experiencing challenges with water pressure when fighting the Palisades Fire. He posted on X about how water supply and dry conditions had negatively affected firefighting efforts, despite the fact that the L.A. Department of Water and Power filled all available water tanks in the area. [W]ater availability was impacted at higher elevations, which affected some fire hydrants due to limited replenishment of water tanks in those areas, he wrote. The extreme demand caused a slower refill rate for these tanks which created a challenge for our firefighting effort. In a news conference on Wednesday morning, both Quinones and Pestrella discussed the struggles with water supply. We pushed the system to the extreme, Quinones said. We're fighting a wildfire with an urban water system. And that is really challenging. On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which helps supply water in Pacific Palisades, was offline for maintenance when the Palisades fire ignited on Tuesday. The 117-million-gallon-water storage is a fundamental tool in sustaining the water system for the residential area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a memo posted by the LADWP attempting to combat misinformation regarding water supply, they clarified that LADWP was required to take the Santa Ynez Reservoir out of service to meet safe drinking water regulations, but stated that water supply remained strong to the area. They also said that they are initiating [their] own investigation about water resiliency. Read More: How to Help Victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires Some experts have told the media that no water system in the world would have been able to handle the sheer magnitude of fires that have blazed over the course of the week, especially with the strong Santa Ana winds often grounding air support. A firefighter moves against the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7. Ethan SwopeAP According to Newsom, many of Southern Californias largest reservoirs are "currently at or above their historic average storage levels for this time of year. And while he has ordered for an investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir, he states on his new California fire facts websitelaunched on Jan. 11 with the intention of combating misinformation about the firesthat reservoirs are full and water is available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also reminds readers that urban water systems are built for structure fires and fire suppression, not hurricane-force firestorms and that the water supply was exhausted because of the extraordinary nature of this hurricane-force firestorm. Newsom addressed his call for an independent investigation in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, which aired on Jan. 12. He was asked what questions hes hoping to get answered. The same ones youre askingWhat the hell happened? What happened to the water systemWas it just overwhelmed? Newsom said. Did it contribute in any way to our inability to fight the fire? Or were 99 mile-an-hour winds determinative and there was really no firefight that could've been more meaningful? So I wantall of us want to know those answers, and I just don't want to wait because people are asking me. I want to know those facts. I want them objectively determined, and let the chips fall where they may. This is not about finger pointing." Throughout the week, there has also been much discussion as to whether budget cuts to the fire department have affected LAFDs ability to fight the destructive wildfires. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times posted on X, criticizing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Departments budget by $23M, he claimed. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has also criticized the city and Bass, stating on Fox 11 that the budget was cut, and it did impact our ability to provide service. She said: We are still under-staffed, we are still under-resourced, and were still under-funded, and added that she was not aware that the reservoir had been closed before Tuesday. That is something to discuss, and were going to look into that in regard to how we can ensure theres going to be water when we need it, Crowley said in the Jan. 10 interview. Newsom has denied that there were cuts to the firefighting budget. CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the worlds largest aerial firefighting fleet, Newsom wrote in a social media post announcing his new California fire facts website. Read More: Understanding How Massive the L.A. Fires Are Meanwhile, in a memo Crowley sent to Bass in Dec. 2024, she stated that the elimination of civilian positions and overtime within the department was causing unprecedented operational challenges and severely limited the departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass, who was criticized for being out of the country when the fires broke out, has repeatedly defended her support of the fire department throughout the week, stating in a news conference on Jan. 9 that the impact of our budget really did not impact what weve been going through over the last few days. TIME has reached out to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Department of Public Works for comment. Contact us at letters@time.com. Have you got a heat pump, or are you thinking about getting one? Email money@telegraph.co.uk. British households are paying more for electricity than gas in any other country in Europe in a blow to Ed Milibands net zero drive. The Government wants households to install 600,000 heat pumps every year and is offering grants of 7,500 as an incentive. However, the taxes levied on electricity bills in Britain mean that running a heat pump can still be more expensive than the cost of a gas boiler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers have already been deterred by the high costs of installation, the need to insulate homes and the noise generated by the electricity-powered units. But industry experts said homeowners were further put off by the fact that electricity is much more expensive than gas because of environmental levies that the Government demands. The UK has the highest spark gap between the cost of electricity and gas in Europe. This means that electricity in the UK costs between four and five times as much as gas. While a heat pump tends to be around four times more energy efficient than a gas boiler, the price disparity means that in order for consumers not to see their bills increase, it has to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This price difference is exacerbated by the high taxes on electricity. According to a breakdown of energy bills by regulator Ofgem, environmental and social costs made up 2.46pc of a typical gas bill in 2021. The same figure for electricity bills was 25.48pc. The average dual bill paid 15.3pc for climate taxes. Industry experts told The Telegraph that the tax proportion has remained very similar, despite calls for years to relieve the burden on electricity bills. It means that installing a heat pump can actually lower the energy efficiency rating of your home. Stuart Fairlie, of Elmhurst Energy, a body that issues close to one million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) a year, said: Currently, all green taxes get applied to electricity supply rather than gas and since heat pumps run on electricity, that pushes up the cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means, when it comes to EPCs, heat pumps are at a disadvantage against traditional gas boilers. We think that needs to change to help Britain hit its net zero targets. David Cowdrey, acting chief executive of the renewable energy standards scheme the MCS Foundation, said: The outdated levies placed on electricity bills are holding the country back from the switch to clean heating and tackling fuel poverty. Our research shows that removing levies from electricity bills would knock 130 to 300 off household energy costs at the same time as incentivising heat pump uptake. It is a win-win, with broad support from many sectors. But others warned that placing the burden on gas consumers would hit the most vulnerable hardest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peter Smith, of campaign group National Energy Action, said: Business as usual isnt working, with electricity customers paying more compared to gas, despite having taken action to reduce their emissions. But if the Government gets any changes wrong then low-income and vulnerable gas customers, who are unlikely to be able to afford a heat pump without a full grant, would be hit hard. Its no wonder this area of policy has moved so slowly. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: The Labour Governments approach to energy is nonsensical. Ed Miliband will make the cost of electricity eye-wateringly expensive, while also rushing to move people on to electrified home heating. Currently, 40pc of the UKs electricity is generated by gas and 28 million homes still rely on it directly meaning there is a lot of work to do to reduce the countrys reliance on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Policymakers are determined to reduce the nations dependence on foreign gas, especially as UK reserves plunged to concerning levels amid freezing temperatures this winter Mr Miliband is expected to announce in his Warm Homes Plan later this year that, while gas boilers will be banned in new builds, households will be able to replace existing ones from 2035. It is a climbdown from Labours previous position, which would have seen all new gas boilers banned from that date. Additional cost to consumers has forced about-turns on boilers before. Late last year, Mr Miliband climbed down on a reviled boiler tax, slashing what installers will pay for failing to sell enough heat pumps by 80pc. An initial penalty, proposed by the previous Conservative administration, had been set at 5,000 per missed unit but was dropped first to 3,000 and then to 500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boiler makers had said that they would have to put up the prices of their products by 120 to cover the penalties. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said:Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britains energy independence. The energy shocks of recent years have also shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes and our Warm Homes Plan will make them cheaper and cleaner to run, rolling out upgrades from new insulation to solar and heat pumps. We are making heat pumps more affordable by providing 7,500 towards the cost through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and have recently announced plans to remove planning constraints to make them easier to install. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In a post on X, BYC noted, "Today, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Mastung Zone organized a rally to honour the sacrifices of Baloch martyrs and victims of extrajudicial killings. The rally commenced at Bus Adda Mastung and proceeded to the graveyards of the Baloch martyrs, where BYC central leadership paid their respects by showering flowers, laying traditional Balochi chadars on the graves, and reciting prayers for the departed souls." BYC said that the rally saw the participation of hundreds of motorcycles and vehicles. Participants displayed banners and placards reflecting the plight and resilience of the Baloch people. Notably, BYC organiser, Mahrang Baloch addressed the rally, urging the public to uphold the ideology and struggle of the Baloch martyrs. She, along with ShahJi Sibghatullah emphasized the importance of forming a united front to resist all forms of oppression and injustice faced by the Baloch. The rally was organised as a part of BYC's broader campaign to commemorate Baloch Genocide Day, observed annually on January 25. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1878112517156999591 Amid the continuous rise in cases of Baloch people facing brutality, barbarity and violence at the hands of Pakistan, leading Baloch human rights activist and organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Mahrang Baloch gave a call on Thursday for a national gathering to be held at Dalbandin on January 25 to highlight the plight of Baloch people. Mahrang Baloch explained that January 25 marks the 2014 discovery of over 100 mutilated bodies in the Tootak region of Balochistan. She said that these remains belonged to Baloch individuals forcibly disappeared by Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. (ANI) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) As soon as the snow was covering the ground families here in Winston-Salem were out sledding. The hill at the dash was covered with happy sledders. You can see were all doing it and were all having a good time, said a sledder, Paxton. Im from Florida so this is definitely once in a blue-moon type of experience which is fun, said a sledder, Hope. Im from Massachusetts so Ive really been missing the snow, said a sledder, Erin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallery: Lexington Police Department, others enjoy snow day fun across the Piedmont Triad Once the hill was covered at the Dash, it was game on. Last night at midnight I kept seeing a bunch of people slide down. Some people were using cardboard boxes, some people were using kids and I was like Oh man I really wanna do that, said a sledder, Leah. A kind stranger let her use their sled. Most families were within walking distance from the sledding spot which was good because Saturday morning, the roads were still covered in snow. Last night as youre aware the temperatures got pretty low, and snow kind of got packed up but we started this morning actually moving plows, still applying the brine, still applying the salt, and working on those major routes and those critical care routes, said Director of Field Operations for the City of Winston-Salem, Keith Huff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch: What are the roads like driving from Greensboro to High Point? The City of Winston Salem has been preparing all week, and thats good because theyve been busy. WSPD or emergency management will dispatch us to the scene. We will come out there and if the road needs plowed, if it needs brined, if it needs salted to get those areas freed up so that traffic can move thats our goal and objective, said Huff. Friday night a pickup truck lost control and ran into 66 Diner. A friend of the owner explains that, luckily, they closed early. That was very fortunate because then a pickup truck lost control on 66 and they entered in the wall. This wall is made of brick, so the crash was a strong one. It was not a small one, said Customer of 66 Diner, Fulvio Carlo Toma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the sun goes down and temperatures drop, be aware of ice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Some schools in our area are adjusting their Monday morning schedules due to slick road conditions left from Fridays storm. Tune in at Channel 9s Monday morning broadcast for the latest updates on road conditions. >> CLICK HERE for the latest forecast from Severe Weather Center 9 Updates from school districts: Alexander County: Virtual learning day for students. Buildings will be open for staff who can safely report on a two-hour delay. Ashe County: Remote learning. Remote instruction begins at 10 a.m. Burke County: Operating on a remote learning day. For full details, head to the Burke County Schools website. Catawba County: Closed for students Monday. Optional teacher workday for staff. Caldwell County: Closed Monday. Carbarrus County: Two-hour delay Monday. Gaston County: Operating on a one-hour delay Monday. Iredell-Statesville: Remote learning day Monday. Kannapolis: Two-hour delay. Lincoln County: Two-hour delay. Mooresville Graded School District: Two-hour delay Monday. Rowan Salisbury: Remote e-learning day for students. Stanly County: Two-hour delay Monday. Watauga County: Remote learning day. Staff reporting will operate on a two-hour delay. Winter Weather Guide: (WATCH BELOW: Winter Weather: Channel 9 Team Coverage) A woman was arrested on suspicion of arson amid the Los Angeles wildfires but officials do not believe the incident to be connected to the devastating blazes. The woman, 60-year-old Gloria Lynn Mandich, was taken into custody and charged with felony arson related to a Jan. 8 brush fire in Los Angeles County, California State Parks announced in a press release on Friday, Jan. 10. The blaze in question was located near Leo Carrillo State Park in an area that has been under a red flag warning as multiple wildfires continue to rage in the region, fanned by severe winds and fed by dry vegetation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the major fires are only partially contained, the fire that Mandich is accused of starting was quickly extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, according to California State Parks. Mandich, meanwhile, was booked into Ventura County Jail, where her bail is currently set at $20,000, according to court records viewed by PEOPLE. The Kentucky native now faces a felony charge for allegedly causing a fire of a structure or forest land, as well as a separate arson charge specific to fires started during an emergency, records show. She pleaded not guilty. Mandich made her first appearance in court on Jan. 10, and has upcoming court appearances set for Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, the latter of which will be a preliminary examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor in the arson case did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment, nor did Mandichs attorney. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. David McNew/Getty Images A firefighter battles the Eaton fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025 A firefighter battles the Eaton fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025 Elsewhere on Jan. 10, authorities were dispatched to Pioneer Park in response to a reported brush fire. Once they arrived, a bystander alerted them that an individual was responsible for the flames and was still on the scene, the Azusa Police Department said in a news release. The suspect, later identified as Jose Carranza-Escobar, was detained and admitted to starting the fire, police said. He was arrested for arson and subsequently booked, and is now currently being held in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Azusa Public Works, in a joint effort with the Azusa Light and Water, is currently assessing the damage caused by the fire, per police. The investigation remains ongoing. More than 80,000 people have been displaced in the L.A. wildfires since they started in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7. The Eaton Fire came soon after at around 6:30 p.m. the same day. By the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 8, the fires had reached 10,000 acres across Pasadena and Altadena. Thousands of structures, including businesses and residents homes, have been affected in the massive, fast-growing blazes which, still uncontained, have already proved to be the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles. As of Jan. 10, at least 11 people are dead as a result of the fires, according to county officials. Read the original article on People A woman was found with fatal injuries after police received reports of "suspicious activity" at a home on Ireland Drive. The Fayetteville Police Department said in a news release that at 1:21 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 1500 block of Ireland Drive and found Sherri Miller, 57, suffering from fatal injuries. Miller's red 2014 Chevrolet Camaro was missing from the home, police said. A red 2014 Chevrolet Camaro with the license plate TJW-9684. The vehicle was stolen from the home of homicide victim, Sherri Miller, who lives on Ireland Drive. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective C. Cross at 472-210-2381. Crimestoppers information can also be submitted anonymously online by visiting fay-nccrimestoppers.org, or by downloading the FREE P3 Tips app in the Apple App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Android devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com. More: Police: Missing Fayetteville woman found dead Friday This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville woman found dead in Ireland Drive home on Saturday Authorities removed from jail a woman accused of murdering her newborn child and placed her under electronic monitoring in early December, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Annie Anderson, 51, is accused of killing her infant daughter and leaving the body in a Sky Harbor Airport bathroom trash can in 2005. The case remained unsolved until the arrest in February. On Saturday, Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said Anderson was released from a county jail on Dec. 12, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was released from jail custody but must wear an electronic device that allows authorities to monitor her location while she awaits trial, Enriquez added. In April, Anderson was extradited from Snohomish County, Washington, into the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, as authorities met a deadline to bring her back to the state where the crime took place. Anderson was charged by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office with first-degree murder, abandoning or concealing a dead body and child abuse, according to her court docket. The County Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the case. A nearly 20-year cold case Phoenix police announced the arrest of Annie Anderson on Feb. 20, 2024. She was charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 10, 2005, death of her newborn daughter, whom authorities named Baby Skylar, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson is accused of abandoning Baby Skylar a full-term infant with the umbilical cord still attached in a womens restroom trash can at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The babys body was discovered in a trash can on the east end of the second floor of Terminal 4, as reported by The Arizona Republic at the time. Detectives on the case determined she was delivered elsewhere and then left at the airport as there was no blood or other indication the child had been born there, The Arizona Republic's reporting noted. Investigative genetic genealogy, which FBI Special Agent Dan Horan said, "combines unknown crime scene DNA with traditional genealogy research to generate leads for law enforcement to follow," was instrumental in cracking the case, he explained after the February arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities narrowed their suspect search to Anderson after approaching a family member of hers who consented to a DNA sample for one-time use by investigators, according to Horan. When approached by authorities, Anderson admitted Baby Skylar was her child and that she was involved in the newborn's death, police said. The Arizona Republic's Perry Vandell and Jose R. Gonzalez contributed to this article. Suspect extradited: Woman extradited to Arizona nearly 20 years after 'Baby Skylar' found dead in Phoenix airport bathroom Suspect arrested: Woman arrested in 2005 case of baby found in Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport trash can Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reach the reporter at reynaldo.covarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman monitored in case of baby found in Phoenix airport trash can PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A woman was seriously hurt in an apparent hit-and-run early Saturday in Battle Ground, police said. Just after 9 a.m. a motorist called 911 and reported the woman lying on the north side of 3300 W. Main Street. The woman was unconscious when police arrived and she was rushed to the hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. It appears the woman, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was walking westbound when she was hit by a driver who didnt stop. Surveillance video from nearby businesses and homes is being reviewed, Battle Ground police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone who may have information about this is asked to call the Battle Ground Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. STANTON, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentucky State Police (KSP) said an Irvine officer shot a woman on Saturday afternoon following a police chase that started in Estill County and ended in Powell County. According to KSP, it was called around 3:30 p.m. to help investigate. Investigators said it started when Irvine officers tried to stop a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer on Kentucky Route 82 in Estill County. Arrest records noted that officers recognized the driver and knew her license was suspended. Authorities said the driver, identified as 44-year-old Sommer L. Arvin of Irvine, fled from officers and crossed over into Powell County. Per court documents, she passed five vehicles in the opposite lane during the chase. Arvin was said to have eventually turned onto Little Brush Creek Road in Clay City, where she reportedly lost control of the SUV and hit a snowbank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrest records said an officer got out of the car and noticed Arvins vehicle edging over towards me. Thats when the officer reportedly shot at the driver-side front tire with hopes of disabling the SUV. Arvin then put the car in reverse, and as she passed the officer, she allegedly pointed a gun at them. KSP said officers gave her several verbal commands to drop it. She did not comply, and at some point, KSP said an officer shot Arvin in the shoulder. Read more of the latest Kentucky news State police said Arvin fled from the SUV with the gun into a nearby wooded area. Court documents noted that she held the gun to her head as she walked to a home on Little Brush Creek Road. Thats where officers said she sat and talked with them, still with the gun in her hand, and requested cigarettes. After talking and negotiating with Arvin, police said they were able to get the gun from her and take her into custody. Arvin was taken to Clark Regional Hospital, treated, and released with non-life-threatening injuries, per KSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was charged with operating on a suspended drivers license, fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), and first-degree wanton endangerment. Court records show she was also charged with a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Arvin was booked into the Three Forks Regional Jail. Her arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. The remarkable downfall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria has liberated millions from his tyranny, but Syrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities remain fearful of their future. Should the new powers persecute Christians and other minorities, they will have to run for their lives. These challenges will confront the incoming Trump administration on Day 1. While the president-elect wants to avoid Middle East entanglements, there are actions his administration can take to support religious freedom and minority rights. Pairing consequential diplomacy with targeted humanitarian assistance can help ensure Syrian Christians and other minorities are not erased from their ancestral homeland. Headlines about Syria belie its diversity. The U.S. government estimates that 74 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, but Syrias Christian population was one of the largest in the Middle East before the war, at about 2 million strong. The faithful belong to various historic churches, such as the Syriac Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic churches, such as the Maronites, and the Assyrian Church of the East, but there are also small Protestant denominations and underground converts from Islam. Yet years of fighting have led thousands to flee. Open Doorsa nonprofit that advocates for persecuted Christians around the worldbelieves approximately 579,000 remain. Thats a precipitous drop, but Syrias Christian community is still one of the largest in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even within the majority Sunni Muslim community, diversity exists among Arabs, Kurds, Circassians, and others. Roughly 15 percent of the population identifies with minority Muslim sects, such as Alawites and Ismailis. In addition, small communities of Druze inhabit areas near the Lebanese and Israeli borders, while Yazidis are found in the northeast. Post-war Syria presents a myriad of problems for all Syrians and for the new Trump administration. Bashar Al-Assads brutality created a humanitarian catastrophe. Of Syrias pre-war population of 23 million, roughly half are displaced or have sought refuge in Lebanon, Turkey, or Europe. The world is watching how the new ruling power in Damascus, Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), will govern. Despite HTS past connections with terrorists, initial statements pointed toward an inclusive future for a multicultural Syria. Yet, recent events demonstrate the need for vigilance. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom found HTS rule of Idlib in northwest Syria to be authoritarian and repressed religious freedoms. HTS says it plans to reform Syrias education system, tilting it toward the groups narrow religious doctrine, which has alarmed both Muslims and non-Muslims alike and womens rights activists. The Alawite Muslim community, a minority Islamic sect and the community of the Assad family, is also at risk of reprisal attacks for political and sectarian reasons. Concern also extends beyond Damascus to the countrys northeast, an autonomous zone that emerged after the ISIS terrors a decade ago. Governed inclusively for several years by a multiethnic coalition, the peace has allowed the regions Christian population, estimated at 120,000, to recover. However, assaults by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) are intensifying. Dominated by Islamists, the FSA opposes minority rights for Kurds, Christians, and Yazidis. According to observers, Turkish airstrikes, drones, and artillery fire support the FSA advance. Christians fear annihilation by this renewed assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consequently, across Syria, Christians and other minorities are deeply concerned about their future. Considering the first Trump administrations remarkable effort in Iraq that surged resources to assist Christians, Yazidis, and others after the ISIS genocide, many will hope for a comparable response providing assistance and political support. But is that possible? There are similarities between Iraq and Syriaboth were ruled by Baathist dictators hailing from a minority Islamic sect in their country. Both nations were pummeled by years of fighting with Islamist groups who also victimize minorities. Turkish incursions continue with impunity in both, while Iranian proxies operate widely. However, significant differences will limit American influence in Syria. First, while U.S. soldiers are in Syria, the United States is not an occupying power. In Iraq, the U.S. was the largest tribe, able to dictate terms in ways impossible in Syria and later significantly aid the fight against ISIS. Not so in Syria. In addition, Donald Trump has said Syrias multilayered conflict is not our fight and that the U.S. should stay out of it. Yet, even if the United States operates at a distance, an American response mixing power politics with humanitarian assistance can help minorities. Firstly, to prevent mass migration, the United States should work toward a Syria where Christians and other minorities are equal citizens. The Trump administration can make clear the importance of minority rights, equal citizenship, and freedom of worship through bilateral engagements, as well as in concert with European allies and, most importantly, Arab partners. It will be crucial for countries like Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar to reinforce these messages (and not support parties opposed to them). The Trump administration should make clear these priorities and be willing to publicly expose nations opposed to them. A future Syria respecting the rights of all its citizens will encourage people to stay or return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similarly strong message will be needed to end attacks by Turkeys proxies. Human rights and advocacy groups are calling for re-imposing sanctions under Executive Order 13894 against Turkeys leadership until Turkish forces and proxies withdraw from the autonomous zone in the northeast. The northeasts successful secular, multiethnic, multireligious governing structure is a model for a peaceful Syria, something worth protecting, not destroying. In addition, these partners have worked with U.S. Special Forces to defeat ISIS in the region and maintain prisons. All of this is at risk should the FSA continue its advance. While rebuilding a rights-respecting Syria is crucial, it will take years, and the United States must be ready to assist Christians and other minorities in harms way now. Thus, policymakers should pair consequential diplomacy with humanitarian assistance and refugee resettlement. For instance, should HTS enforce a narrow ideology over the country, or if Turkish attacks continue in the northeast, another Christian exodus may follow. The Alawite community will also likely flee, fearing political and sectarian reprisals due to their minority Islamic creed and associations with the Assad family. Yazidis, too, have consistently faced violence on account of their unique beliefs. Maintaining a robust refugee resettlement program would allow for a controlled process that vets refugees, as opposed to unfettered immigration. Certainly, the United States cannot take everyone, so regional pathways to safety must also be ensured in advance. When the civil war started, I heard consistently from Christians about the failure of U.N. refugee offices in the region to understand and accommodate the unique traumas of religious minorities. Roadblocks disincentivized Christians from accessing U.N. assistance. Better training and messaging can demonstrate that U.N. resources are based on need and wont discriminate on creed. The United States can insist the U.N. do better. Syria stands at a crossroads, its future uncertain and its diverse communities in peril. A Syria that respects the rights of all its citizens is not just a moral imperativeit is essential for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing in his impeachment trial, local media reported on Sunday. Yoon would not attend due to concerns for his safety, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the president's lawyer. On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is scheduled to formally begin the impeachment process against Yoon, who issued a short-lived martial law decree on December 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court will decide whether to uphold his impeachment or reinstate him to office. Yoon, 64, is still in his residence, which is shielded by high walls and guarded by dozens of members of the presidential security service. Hundreds of his supporters are also camped out in front of the entrance to the property. Lawmakers removed Yoon from office until further notice on charges of abuse of power and sedition in mid-December. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif of deliberately attempting to derail ongoing negotiations, The Express Tribune reported. In response to their statements, Qaiser claimed that the remarks made by Maryam Nawaz and Khawaja Asif were part of an effort to sabotage the negotiations. Speaking to reporters, Qaiser said, "The way Khawaja Asif and Maryam Nawaz are speaking, they are trying to block negotiations by any means possible." He added, "Then, they accuse Imran Khan of tweeting." Qaiser underlined that PTI members had been subjected to injustice, referring to the events of November 26 when party members were allegedly denied their basic rights, and when people were allegedly shot by police. He also commented on the military courts' handling of PTI supporters involved in the May 9 events, describing military trials for civilians as unconstitutional, as reported by The Express Tribune. "Despite these hardships, PTI remains a victim in this situation," he said, reiterating that the party's demands and grievances had been moderated in order to help move the country forward. He called on the government to address the growing sense of despair in Pakistan, which he attributed to worsening border conditions and the fragile state of Pakistan's economy. Qaiser further stated, "We are stepping forward for the sake of the country. We are not afraid and are not intimidated by anyone. If we have backed down from some of our demands, it is only for the betterment of Pakistan." Despite ongoing challenges, Qaiser insisted that PTI had not strayed from its principles, particularly regarding the rule of law, an independent judiciary, civilian supremacy, and a strong parliament.. . He added, "We want a government that truly represents the people and is based on constitutional rule." In his statement, Qaiser noted that PTI founder Imran Khan was emerging as a global leader, enduring personal hardships in prison for the sake of Pakistan's future, and emphasized that the people of Pakistan stood with him. He also expressed concern over the government's failure to arrange a meeting between the negotiating team and Khan, suggesting that the government was using delaying tactics. He said, "The government promised that we would meet with Imran Khan, but now they are making excuses." Expressing PTI's commitment to talks with government, he said, "We remain committed to dialogue, but our demands remain clear and firm," The Express Tribune reported. Following months of political tensions, the PML-N government and the PTI started holding talks in December. The preliminary demands made by PTI include the release of all "political prisoners" and a judicial investigation into the events of May 9 and November 26. The first meeting between the government and the PTI took place on December 23 while the second took place on January 2. (ANI) Originally appeared on E! Online YouTubers Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry are opening up about their heartbreaking situations. The duo, otherwise known on the platform as Colin and Samir, recently shared that they have both lost their Pacific Palisades homes in the midst of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, noting that the tragic circumstances come as both of their wives are currently pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The enormity of the loss is very overwhelming, the two wrote in a joint statement shared to Instagram Jan. 11. Both of our wives are pregnant and our primary focus right now is getting back on stable ground. We'll be pausing uploads for a bit while we figure out what's next." As they explained, "It's a devastating situation for many people across LA right now and fires are continuing to burn. We're feeling incredibly fortunate for all the support we're receiving." Sharing their gratitude for those who have donated through a Go Fund Me, the creators also ended their message with a note for first responders. "We're grateful to the firefighters and first responders for continuing to fight the fire, they concluded. To everyone who follows along with us, words don't begin to capture how much you mean to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to their joint statement, Samir shared an update about him and his wife Katie Chaudry, who is currently 37 weeks pregnant, as well as their family members losing their homes, but noted, "everyone got out safe." "Katie and my house burned down, he wrote. The whole town is gone. My parents, extended family and brother all lived in the Palisades. It was the only home we knew." "To everyone who has reached out, thank you for your patience," Samir added. "I'm not sure when I'll be able to reply." More from E! Online Prior to their joint statement, Samir shared an update about him and his wife Katie Chaudry, who is currently 37 weeks pregnant, as well as their family members losing their homes, but noted, "everyone got out safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Katie and my house burned down, he wrote. The whole town is gone. My parents, extended family and brother all lived in the Palisades. It was the only home we knew." "To everyone who has reached out, thank you for your patience," Samir added. "I'm not sure when I'll be able to reply." As for Colin, he and his wife Madilyn Rosenblums latest chapter comes nearly nine months after the two got married. Tender moments filled with love, laughter, and community, a joint April 2024 Instagram post with a photographer agency noted. As the setting sun flooded the dance floor, so did the guest around the lovely couple. Lifting them up, like the love you could feel in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the death toll of the wind-fed California wildfires, NBC News reports that 16 residents have died so far. Keep reading for more stars whove spoken out about the devastating events (NBC News and E! are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Gwyneth Paltrow The Iron Man actress took to social media to express her sadness about the tragedy that has fallen over her beloved city. We are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything, she wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Thank you to those inquiring, we are currently safe. When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kind, she continued. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant. Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg The Once Upon a Time actress and the One Tree Hill actor are sharing resources after tragically losing their home in the Los Angeles fire. It was all a dream, Bryan wrote on a Jan. 9 Instagram story, showing the rubble that was once their family home. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there. And in between posting helpful resources, Jamie shared a tragic video of their entire neighborhood. Damn. Our entire neighborhood is gone, she wrote Jan. 9. We are grateful to our brave firefighters and first responders and pray we dont lose any more lives to these catastrophic fires. Stay safe and stay vigilant. Diane Warren The Grammy winner shared one last view from her Los Angeles beachfront home before it was lost in the fire. This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house, the songwriter, who confirmed her animals and rescue ranch were safe, wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post of the ocean view. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cary Elwes The Princess Bride actor shared his and his wife Lisa Marie Kurbikoffs Malibu home did not survive the fire in a heartfelt message to fans. Firstly, myself and my family are all safe, thank God, he wrote in his Jan. 9 Instagram post. Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire. Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it, he continued. We want to thank everyone for their incredible outpouring of support. It really means a great deal to us. Ricki Lake Sharing a video of the raging fires in the near distance, the former talk show host detailed her and husband Ross Burninghams final efforts to save her Los Angeles home in a Jan. 9 Instagram post. Were going down my street praying for these homes and these people and my house, she said in a video, showing the fire in the near distance. I dont even know what I grabbed, I think I might have just said goodbye to my house. Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured, she added in the caption. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel. He did everything to try to save our precious property. No doubt had we stayed, we would not have survived. Leanne Ford The HGTV host's home, which she recently moved into, was lost in the wildfires. "Three weeks ago we got keys to our new LA place in Rustic Canyon. We were excited (though me a bit hesitant) to start spending some time again in our favorite part of LA," the interior designer wrote on Instagram Jan. 10 alongside photos of what remains of her house. "A beautiful historical and quirky artists home. We brought over so many of our favorite things to fill it with. It was to be a place to write, to create." "Three days ago we lost it," she continued. "We are the lucky ones. We had a beautiful safe home in PA to escape back to. Im in awe of the firemen and women choosing to run into the flames while we get to run out. I can only say thank you." Mel Gibson During an appearance on Elizabeth Vargas Reports January. 9, the Braveheart actor shared that his Malibu home was destroyed while he was away recording Joe Rogans podcast in Texas. "Obviously, its kind of devastating. Its emotional," the 69-year-old said. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I had my stuff there, and its all like, Ive been relieved from the burden of my stuff, because its all in cinders. But when he returned home to discover that his home had been destroyed, he was relieved to find that, at least, his chickens survived, adding, It was amazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles Teller The Top Gun Maverick stars wife Keleigh Teller shared one last photo of what was their Los Angeles home before it was lost in the fire. To everyone reaching out I cant thank you enough, your kind hearts have meant the world, Ill never forget them, the 32-year-old wrote in her Jan. 9 Instagram post. Community has come out stronger than I could imagine, pacific palisades I love you beyond measure you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever. If youre in the LA area PLEASE get out if you can, she continued. I wish I grabbed my wedding dress .. wish I did a lot different but it doesnt matter, stay safe, get out. there are no words. THANK YOU to the first responders fighting. Bella Hadid On Jan. 9, the supermodel shared the childhood home she shared with sister Gigi Hadid and mom Yolanda Hadid had burned down in the Palisades Fire. Mandy Moore The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact." However, she noted that the home studio, garage and back house were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. "Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends," she added. "Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support." Milo Ventimiglia Like his This Is Us costar, the actor's Los Angeles home was destroyed by the fires. While visiting what remained of his property, he told CBS Evening News his heart felt "heavy." "You start thinking about all the memories," he continued. "My heart just breaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Simpson Amid the outbreak of the Kenneth Fire on Jan. 9, the "Irresistible" singer shared an image of smoke rising from beyond her backyard. She wrote in the caption, "We stayed as long as we could." Bozoma Saint John The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed her dream home in Malibu, where she lived with her teenage daughter Laela, was totaled in the fires. "This is an unimaginable loss," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 9. "I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling. Olivia Wilde "My block was on fire tonight and the only reason we still have a home is thanks to the brave members of the @losngelesfiredepartment who worked on the ground and from the air to save us," the Don't Worry Darling director wrote on Instagram Story Jan. 8. "Thank you." Chrissy Teigen The Cravings cookbook author started preparing in case of an evacuation, writing on Instagram Story Jan. 8, "This is surreal. I'm very scared. Packing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jen Atkin The hairstylist and her husband Mike Rosenthal safely evacuated along with their kids and pets, though she said their home was "gone." "Our whole area demolished," she added on Instagram Stories Jan. 8, alongside a tearful selfie. "So many are displaced and feeling scared right now it's almost too much to comprehend." Olivia Culpo One day after the Sunset Fire set the Hollywood Hills ablaze, the Culpo Sisters starwho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreywrote on Instagram Story Jan. 9, "Im praying so hard for our community. My heart aches for everyone who has lost so much so fast. Its just unimaginable." Tina Knowles Beyonce's mom shared on Jan. 9 that "my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place" was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. "This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu," she captioned a video of the Pacific Ocean. "Now it is gone!!" The entrepreneur added, "God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions . We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives." Gwyneth Paltrow "Our beloved Los Angeles," the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram Jan. 9, amid the wildfires, "we are in deep grief for so many of our close friends who have lost everything." Noting that she was safe from the blazes, Gwyneth added, "When the fires are out there will be more to say and everything to do. The city of angels will need angels of all kinds. Please everyone, stay safe and vigilant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa Rivers The daughter of late Joan Rivers said her home burned down, though she was able to evacuate with necessities and a few treasured heirlooms. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son," she told CNN. "I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace." Jhene Aiko The "Bad Peace" singer shared on Jan. 8 that "me and my children's home is gone." "Burned to the ground with all things inside," she wrote on Instagram Story. "Thankful we still have eachother. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy," Alabama Barker & Landon Barker Travis Barker's kids Landon and Alabama shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama posted on Instagram Story Jan. 7. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds." Jennifer Tilly The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and her husband Phil Laak evacuated to Commercea neighborhood southeast of Downtown Los Angelesto escape the Palisades Fire. She wrote on InstagramJan. 8, "Phil and I had to evacuate to the Commerce Casino." Ricki Lake The former talk show host shared on Jan. 8 that her house had been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Sharing throwback photos of the property, she wrote on Instagram, "Its all gone." "I lost our dream home," she continued. "It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second." She added, "This loss is immeasurable. Its the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event." Want to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires? Find out how you can get involved in relief efforts here. KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on allies on Sunday to honour all promises to supply Ukraine with weapons, including those to counter Russian air attacks. Zelenskiy said that over the past week Russian forces had launched hundreds of strikes on Ukraine and nearly 700 aerial bombs and over 600 attack drones were used. Ukrainian air defences downed 60 out of 94 drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said on Sunday. It said that 34 drones were "lost", in reference to Ukraine's use of electronic warfare to redirect Russian drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every week, the Russian war continues only because the Russian army retains its ability to terrorise Ukraine and exploit its superiority in the sky," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. He called on Ukraine's allies to fulfil agreements already made. "The decisions made at the NATO summit in Washington, as well as those adopted during the Ramstein meetings regarding air defences for Ukraine, have still not been fully implemented," Zelenskiy said. Ukraine's leader this week said he had discussed with partners and the United States the possibility of granting Ukraine licenses to produce air defence systems and missiles. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Ros Russell) By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday Kyiv is ready to hand over captured North Korean soldiers to their leader Kim Jong Un if he can facilitate their exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia. "In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. It's only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others," Zelenskiy said on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Ukraine had taken two North Koreans prisoner in Russia's Kursk region, the first time Ukraine has announced the capture of North Korean soldiers alive since their entry into the nearly three-year-old war last autumn. Ukrainian and Western assessments say that some 11,000 troops from Russia's ally North Korea have been deployed in the Kursk region to support Moscow's forces. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied their presence. Zelenskiy has said Russian and North Korean forces had suffered heavy losses. "Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un's soldiers to him if he can organise their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia," Zelenskiy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He posted a short video showing the interrogation of two men who are presented as North Korean soldiers. One of them was shown lying on a bed with bandaged hands, the other was sitting with a bandage on his jaw. One of the men said through an interpreter that he did not know he was fighting against Ukraine and had been told he was on a training exercise. He said he hid in a shelter during the offensive and was found a couple of days later. He said that if he was ordered to return to North Korea, he would, but that he was ready to stay in Ukraine if given the chance. Reuters could not verify the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of them (soldiers) expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine, the other to return to Korea," Zelenskiy said in a televised statement. Zelenskiy said that for North Korean soldiers who did not wish to return home, there may be other options available and "those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in the Korean (language) will be given that opportunity." Zelenskiy provided no specific details. About 300 North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been killed with another 2,700 injured in combat against Ukrainian forces, with their rising number of casualties attributed to a lack of understanding of modern warfare and "the way Russia used the North Korean military", a South Korean lawmaker briefed by the country's spy agency said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korean authorities appear to have called for its troops to commit suicide by blowing themselves up to evade capture, Lee Seong-kweun, a lawmaker on the South Korean parliament intelligence committee said citing the National Intelligence Service (NIS). "It was also found in the memos carried by those killed that North Korean authorities emphasized self-destruction and suicide before capture, and that soldiers vaguely expect to join the Workers' Party (of North Korea) or be pardoned," Lee said. Captured North Korean soldiers had not shown an intention to come to South Korea, though South Korea would cooperate with Ukraine if there was a request, Yonhap news agency also reported citing NIS. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee and Hyunsu Yim in Seoul; Editing by Ros Russell, Bill Berkrot and Kim Coghill) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to release North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers being held captive in Russia. Ukraine is ready to hand over (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Uns soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia, Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X that included a video purportedly showing two North Korean POWs being interrogated. On Saturday, Ukraine said it had captured two North Korean soldiers, marking the first time that Kyiv has captured soldiers alive from the isolated state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. CNN has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment, and is seeking comment from North Korea. In the video shared by Zelensky on Sunday, both soldiers appear injured and are likely speaking under duress. A Korean-speaking voice can be heard translating questions from the interrogator. One soldier has a wound to his jaw, the other has bandaged hands. One of the soldiers, who appears in the video lying down, says he did not know he was fighting in a war against Ukraine and that his commanders told him it was a training exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interrogator, whose voice has been modulated to obscure their identity, asks both soldiers whether they want to return to North Korea, according to a CNN translation of the video. One nods, the other after further prompting from the translator, who asks, Do you like it here in Ukraine? Its nicer here says he wants to stay in Ukraine but adds later that he will do as he is told. In his daily address later Sunday, Zelensky claimed that one of the soldiers had expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was tight-lipped about Zelenskys offer to swap the captured North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners taken by Russia, but said the Kremlin was interested in discussing potential exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not know what is true here, who offered what to whom, Peskov said Monday. The process is not easy. But the life of each of our soldiers in captivity is important to us. This work will continue. A still from a video shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, January 12, purportedly shows a North Korean POW being interrogated. CNN has blurred part of the image. - Volodymyr Zelensky According to Ukrainian and Western assessments, some 11,000 North Korean troops are deployed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces occupy several hundred square kilometers after staging a cross-border incursion in August last year. Ukraine estimates more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in Kursk, while a senior US official said North Korea has seen several hundred casualties both killed and wounded in the region since October. On Monday, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, who was briefed by the National Intelligence Service, said about 300 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia are believed to have died so far with 2,700 injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In video released Saturday by Ukraines Security Service, a spokesman says one of the North Koreans was captured on January 9 by Ukrainian special forces, and the other by Ukrainian paratroopers. In his statement on X, Zelensky vowed to capture more North Korean soldiers. In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. Its only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea, Zelensky said on X. Officials in Kyiv have accused Russia of trying to cover up the involvement of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield. CNNs Anna Chernova contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A controversial trip to Moscow by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to further criticize his neighbour. "It was a clear mistake for Fico to believe that he could continue his shady dealings with Moscow indefinitely," Zelensky said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday. Zelensky's account of events is as follows: Before the Russian gas transit through Ukraine was halted, Kiev wanted to help Slovakia, but Fico "arrogantly denied" this offer, despite being warned by many European politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now he is trying "to shift the blame onto others with PR, lies and loud accusations," Zelensky wrote. "But the problem is that he bet on Moscow, not on his country, not on a united Europe and not on common sense," Zelensky said. "It was a failed bet from the start." Fico travelled to Moscow shortly before Christmas and spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the possibility of supplying Slovakia with Russian natural gas. Kiev allowed the transit contract with Europe to expire at the turn of the year so as not to give Moscow any more money for its war chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday evening, thousands of people protested in 15 Slovakian cities against the Ukraine policy of the left-wing nationalist Fico. They accused him of a pro-Russian course and of "betraying" Western allies and neighbouring Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. The organizers of the demonstration criticized Fico's trip to Moscow as "submission" to Russian interests. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he discussed with partners, particularly the United States, the possibility of granting Ukraine licences to manufacture air defence systems and missiles for them. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy reported that Russia has carried out hundreds of strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages in the past week alone, using almost 700 aerial bombs and over 600 loitering munitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, he stressed the importance of partners fulfilling the agreements already made. "The decisions of the NATO summit in Washington, as well as those made at the Ramstein meetings on air defence for Ukraine, have not yet been fully implemented," the president said. Zelenskyy stressed that he had talked to partners, particularly the United States, about the possibility of granting Ukraine licences to produce air defence systems and missiles for them. "There is nothing impossible in this and it will only enhance our collective ability to ensure security. This is the kind of strength that makes lasting peace achievable," he concluded. Background: On 9 January, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov met with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto to discuss, among other things, missiles for air defence systems that Italy could provide to Ukraine. On the same day, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced plans to provide Ukraine with interceptor missiles for the IRIS-T air defence system soon. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered preparations for the eventual deployment of 150 Ukrainian rescue workers to help combat wildfires in California, USA. Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "Today, I instructed Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California. The situation there is extremely challenging, and Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives. This matter is being worked out, and through appropriate channels, we have offered our assistance to the American side. We already have 150 firefighters prepared." Background: Wildfires between Santa Monica and Malibu in California, which erupted on 8 January, are considered the strongest ever recorded. The fire has engulfed over 13,750 hectares and destroyed the homes of Hollywood stars. As of 12 January, 16 fatalities have been reported. On 10 January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the American people over the wildfires in California during a conversation with US President Joe Biden. Support UP or become our patron! The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) is organising a National Seminar-cum-Workshop at Bar Council Hall, Shimla on January 12, 2025. Titled Nalanda Buddhism in the Himalayan region of India: Emerging Trends & Development in 21st Century, the Conference will be inaugurated by Shriman Vikramaditya Singh, Minister for PWD, Government of Himachal Pradesh and presided over by Lochen Tulku Rinpoche (Lotsawa), and graced by Scholars, Spiritual masters and Geshes, Khenpos and Rinpoches from different Monasteries of Himachal Pradesh. The primary objective of the conference is to facilitate debate, discussions, research and cultural exchanges related to the Nalanda Buddhist tradition, with a specific focus on its influence, preservation, and retracing the footsteps of the great Acharyas from Nalanda to the Himalayas and beyond. Through this Seminar, the IHCNBT intends to foster a deeper understanding of this ancient Indian tradition of Nalanda and its relevance in the modern world and highlight the role of monasteries which a play vital role in strengthening the Sangha. The seminar will also discuss the introduction of the Monastic Education Curriculum (recognized by NIOS Education Board, Ministry of Education, Government of India) to inculcate modern education in monastic learning, as per a statement. The conference will see deliberations across several topics revolving around the larger theme of Nalanda Buddhism and the great Nalanda Masters contribution. These include -- history and development of Nalanda Buddhism, monastic education curriculum and the core philosophy and practice of Nalanda Buddhist tradition, the statement noted. Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh has a long history and is practised in many parts of the Himalayan region. The spread of Buddhism in the region has occurred intermediately throughout its history. Starting in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism was propagated during the Mauryan Empire under the reign of Ashoka. After a brief break in the spread of Buddhism in the state during the 10th century, renowned Tibetan scholar-translator Rinchen Zangpo laid the institutional foundations of Buddhism's revival in Himachal Pradesh. Zangpo was one of the 21 scholars (of which only two survived) sent by the Tibetan King Yeshe O'd to revive Buddhism in the trans-Himalayan region. Known as "Lotsawa" or the "Great Translator", Zangpo built 108 monasteries in the trans-Himalayan region to spread Buddhism, which are considered the mainstay of Vajrayana Buddhism. Zangpo even invited Kashmiri artists who created wall paintings and sculptures in these monasteries; only a few of them have survived in Himachal Pradesh namely, the Lhalung Monastery, the Nako Gompa in Spiti and the Tabo Monastery in Spiti, the latter monastery also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Apart from the monasteries founded by Zangpo, his contemporaries and their successors from other sects built numerous other monasteries, namely the Gandhola Monastery, Guru Ghantal Monastery, Kardang Monastery, Shashur Monastery, Tayul Monastery and Gemur Monastery in the Lahaul Valley, Dhankar Monastery, Kaza Monastery, Key Monastery, Tangyud Monastery, Kungri Monastery, Kardang, Monastery and Kibber Monastery in the Spiti Valley, and the Bir Monasteries (Tibetan monasteries of the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya sects) in the Kangra valley, the statement noted. Buddhism has spread far and wide and today it is one of the most studied and followed religions in the developed world. With the guidance of Nalanda's masters, this legacy is still thriving as a living tradition and this great human wisdom is well preserved to date. Such a great repository of precious human wisdom accumulated over the past thousands of years. Thus, it becomes crucial to preserve, promote, and propagate the precious Nalanda Tradition in universities and monasteries as well as among the general public. (ANI) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to offensive statements made by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, noting that Fico rejected assistance proposed by Kyiv to mitigate the effects of halting Russian gas supplies. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Quote: "Its good that Slovakias Prime Minister Fico has finally returned from his vacation at a luxurious hotel in Vietnam and is now in Bratislava. For him, personally, it must be challenging switching from living in luxury to now trying to fix his own mistakes." Details: Zelenskyy criticised the Slovak Prime Minister's reliance on "shadow schemes" in cooperation with Russia, calling it an obvious mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We offered our assistance to the people of Slovakia during their adaptation to the absence of Russian gas transit, but Fico arrogantly refused. Many in Europe warned him that doing nothing and waiting was not an option. Now, hes resorting to PR, lies and loud accusations to shift the blame away from himself onto someone else. But the real problem is that he bet on Moscow, not on his own country, not on a united Europe and certainly not on common sense. From the beginning, it was a losing bet." More details: Zelenskyy expressed hope that further diversification of energy supplies in Europe, cooperation with the European Commission and potentially increased US gas supplies under a new administration would help resolve the challenges caused by the "shortsightedness of certain European figures". Background: Earlier this week, Robert Fico referred to Zelenskyy as a "beggar and blackmailer" and alluded to an old grievance involving former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a situation that, according to European Pravda, shaped Ficos negative stance towards Ukraine over the years. Additionally, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini announced that he would not visit Kyiv officially, citing Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas. On 12 January, a group of pro-Russian Slovak parliamentarians traveled to Moscow for meetings with State Duma deputies and other Russian officials. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared the first video of the interrogation of North Korean soldiers captured in Russias Kursk Oblast and stated that Ukraine is ready to return them to their home country as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia. Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook Quote: "In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. Its only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea. Putin started three years ago with ultimatums to NATO and attempts to rewrite history, but now he cannot manage without military support from Pyongyang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Uns soldiers to him if he can organise their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia. For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available. In particular, those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity." Details: When one of the prisoners is questioned if he realised he was fighting against Ukraine, he shakes his head in denial. As the interpreter translated, the prisoner was told he was merely going for training. The prisoner originally expressed a desire to remain in Ukraine, but subsequently stated that he would "do as he is ordered". The interpreter explained, "If he has to return, he will. If given the chance, he will stay here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another North Korean prisoner nodded affirmatively when asked if he wanted to return to North Korea. Update: Later, in his address, Zelenskyy said one of the prisoners had expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine, while the other wanted to return to North Korea. Quote: "If Kim Jong Un even remembers these citizens of his and can arrange an exchange for our soldiers held in Russia, we are ready to hand over these soldiers. There will undoubtedly be other prisoners from North Korea." Background: On 11 January, President Zelenskyy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) reported that Ukrainian soldiers captured two North Korean servicemen in Russias Kursk Oblast. Special Operations Forces (SOF) released footage of the capture and evacuation of one North Korean soldier from Russia. The other was shown by Ukraines Air Assault Forces. Russian media reported that a forged military ID found on one of the North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast was issued under the name of a real resident of Russia's Tuva Republic. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that the authorities in Moldova's unrecognised Transnistria region may be playing along with Russia by refusing to accept Ukraine's offer to supply coal to the region during its energy crisis. Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "And regarding Moldova.This week, I had a conversation with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. We discussed how to address the humanitarian crisis in Transnistria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to deliberate actions by Russia, there is an energy resource vacuum there. People are suffering. This is a calculated move by Russia to undermine public sentiment in Moldova ahead of the elections. Ukraine can help with coal supplies. However, we havent yet seen a response from those who effectively control the situation on the left bank of the Dniester River. If they are playing along with Russia, thats one thing; its entirely different if they genuinely want to help the people of Transnistria. For our part, we are ready." Background: Transnistria has received no Russian gas since 1 January. Tens of thousands of consumers have been left without gas and local industry has come to a halt. The Moldavskaya thermal power plant in Transnistria, which had previously run on free Russian gas, has begun burning coal reserves, which will only last until the end of January. On 3 January, Transnistria introduced rolling blackouts and began experiencing disruptions in the water supply. The Moldovan government said Transnistria had dismissed Ukraines offer to help resolve the gas crisis, calling it "interference in Transnistrias internal affairs" and mocking the offer. During a phone call on 8 January, Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Maia Sandu agreed to coordinate joint efforts to tackle the energy shortage in Transnistria. Sandu sees coal supplies from Ukraine as a way of saving people in the region from a humanitarian catastrophe amid the energy crisis. Support UP or become our patron! Claim: Some air fryers could be "spying" on their users. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: U.K.-based consumer group Which? found that air fryers from Xiaomi, Corsair and Aigostar asked for permission to record audio and users' locations and birth dates through the companies' Android apps. Aigostar and Xiaomi sent data to servers in China, according to the report. However ... What's False: ... There was no concrete evidence from reputable sources that the data was being used for espionage purposes. Which? also clarified that it did not use the word "spying" in its report to mean espionage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2024 and January 2025 claims (archived) circulated on social media that air fryers were "listening to" (archived) or "spying on" (archived) their owners. On Dec. 28, 2024, tech journalist Kim Komando posted a clip of her show discussing the claim with co-host Andrew Babinski. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEH3wK6hc3X/ Andrew Babinski: They did a study and they looked at a bunch of air fryers, kitchen appliances, anything that is "smart" and they found out that your air fryer is listening to you. It's not like there's a microphone built in, or it's listening to you directly. Once you connect it to your phone you give it permission to access everything Kim Komando: Nice. AB: Including the microphone on your phone and including the ability to turn it on, off and record and transmit those recordings whenever it wants. KK: Are they all just Chinese brands? AB: They are, they're all Chinese brands and ... probably, the watchdog group said, that's part of the problem is that this information is going directly to China. KK: What is China not getting from us? AB: That's very true. And they said, "Hey, we are open and honest about all of this. It's in the manual and the Terms and Conditions." KK: And we all read that. Further claims (archived) also centered the allegations (archived) around air fryers from Chinese brands. The claim likely originated from a report by Which?, a U.K.-based consumer watchdog. The report looked at which permissions the Android apps accompanying air fryers from Chinese brands Xiaomi, Cosori and Aigostar asked users to give and found that all three wanted audio recording and location-information permissions. Aigostar and Xiaomi both "sent people's personal data to servers in China," according to Which?, though this was flagged in the apps' privacy notices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no indication from reputable sources, however, that information collected by the air fryer apps included in the study were used for espionage purposes. Which? also clarified to Snopes that it did not use the word "spying" in its report to mean espionage but rather "the commonly used 'keep a watch on' meaning." In the right-of-replies section in the Which? report, Xiaomi said that the audio recording feature in its app "is not applicable to Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer which does not operate directly through voice commands and video chat." Cosori said its smart product "must comply with GDPR" (a European law governing how data is handled) but declined to comment further. Which? said Aigostar did not respond. We have reached out to all three companies and will update this report if we receive further responses. The part of the Which? report relating to air fryers said: In the air fryer category, as well as knowing customers' precise location, all three products wanted permission to record audio on the user's phone, for no specified reason. The Xiaomi app linked to its air fryer connected to trackers from Facebook, Pangle (the ad network of TikTok for Business), and Chinese tech giant Tencent (depending on the location of the user). The Aigostar air fryer wanted to know gender and date of birth when setting up an owner account, again for no clear reason, but this was optional. The Aigostar and Xiaomi fryers both sent people's personal data to servers in China, although this was flagged in the privacy notice. Which? described the data requests as "excessive smart device surveillance." The watchdog explained over email that it had registered data being sent to "a large number of IP addresses and domains registered in China" during its test, which is how it knew user data could end up there. Which? said: "For example, in an analysis of a sample of four devices on test (including an air fryer), the products and linked apps had contact with 201 points located in China. One of the air fryers accounted for 51 of these connections." The testing was carried out by a third-party cybersecurity firm, Which? said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar research by SurfShark, a VPN provider, from February 2024 found Aigostar's app for iPhone to be less intrusive than the Android version tested in the Which? report. Out of 32 unique data points listed in Apple's App Store, Aigostar's app collected five, according to SurfShark. These five points all were classified by SurfShark as "data not linked to the user." Notably, SurfShark found that Aigostar's iPhone app did not collect audio data, as Which? found its Android app did. We reached out to the Consumer Protection Branch of the U.S. Department of Justice, which helps to enforce laws that protect aspects of life such as identity integrity, and Consumer Watchdog, a California-based protection organization, who both declined to comment on the study's implications for U.S. consumers. Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization that carries out product testing, referred us to a 2022 article about smart appliances and privacy. The article contains general advice for consumers when using smart devices also given by Which?, including checking and restricting app permissions in your phone settings or denying tracking permission where possible. Sources: "How Private Are Your Smart Home Devices?" Surfshark, https://surfshark.com/research/smart-homes. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Komando, Kim. "Now Our Air-Fryers Are Listening to Us?!" Facebook, 28 Dec. 2024, https://www.facebook.com/reel/1887888578404586. ---. "Now Our Air-Fryers Are Listening to Us?!" Instagram, 28 Dec. 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/DEH3wK6hc3X/. Lowenthal, Steven. "Your Air Fryer Made in China Can Spy on You - ?" Facebook, 27 Dec. 2024, https://www.facebook.com/steven.lowenthal1/posts/pfbid029SK3rCswPidHKQbUeTW6eDBRirVCtTnXiXMLUhWE1rysTib9YhUA68AbPKSBhZkNl. McAnally, Jill. "Here's Another Piece of My Mind You Won't like but Really Should Know. ." Facebook, 27 Dec. 2024, https://www.facebook.com/jill.mcanally.9?__cft__[0]=AZU9j4_2RSM2wLSRhIiDj8wC_LNyzUmKOM5L5KerbOgR40qNRM4D2_mFGNenN06Ivf32ULSdnCt8G_3_fVGuvzjUdFnQSl9O2cWbWQwGW2q7-eqeu433snHkgS_vQUo4R4k&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Methodology behind the Smart Home Privacy Checker." Surfshark, https://surfshark.com/research/smart-homes/methodology. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025. @OlaHolstVea. "Air Fry Spy?" X, 4 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/OlaHolstVea/status/1875486077676654974. "Smart Appliances Promise Convenience and Innovation. But Is Your Privacy Worth the Price?" Consumer Reports, 24 July 2023, https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/smart-appliances-and-privacy-a1186358482/. Steitz, Colin. "Ah the Chinese Spy Is in the Building." Facebook, 5 Jan. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/colin.steitz/posts/pfbid02AW21k89CxWTQdhkziKs4A1NS3ZWs9xKjoFvEmuj6KyDfankMU3Nu3vVeannucYYFl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What Is GDPR, the EU's New Data Protection Law?" GDPR.Eu, 7 Nov. 2018, https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/. "Why Is My Air Fryer Spying on Me? Which? Reveals the Smart Devices Gathering Your Data - and Where They Send It - Which? Policy and Insight." Which?, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.which.co.uk/policy-and-insight/article/why-is-my-air-fryer-spying-on-me-which-reveals-the-smart-devices-gathering-your-data-and-where-they-send-it-a9Fa24K6gY1c. Today Windy. Rain showers this evening with clearing late. Low 48F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Windy. Rain showers this evening with clearing late. Low 48F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Overcast. High 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected claims made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the government offered to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala or place him under house arrest, The Express Tribune reported. In his remarks at an event in Sialkot on Saturday, Asif rejected the claims calling them baseless. He said, "No such proposal has been made, nor is there any pressure for his release." He stated that Pakistan's government has no involvement in decisions regarding the detention or relocation of Khan, stressing that such matters are solely within the judiciary's jurisdiction. Khawaja Asif accused Imran Khan-founded party of fabricating narratives for political mileage. He said, "These claims are entirely unfounded and are part of PTI's ongoing attempts to mislead the public," according to The Express Tribune report. He further said, "Imran Khan's future will be decided by the courts, not by the government. I have no connection with the judiciary and am certainly not a fortune-teller to predict court outcomes." Asif slammed Imran Khan's party for its alleged attempts to destabilise Pakistan and said that "all their efforts to harm Pakistan have failed." He expressed government's commitment to maintain political stability and ensure the rule of law in Pakistan. His remarks come after Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, earlier this week said that authorities had offered Imran Khan a deal to move him from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to his residence in Banigala. According to Aleema Khan, the Pakistan government reportedly made offers through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. She claimed that Imran Khan was repeatedly asked to remain silent in exchange for the transfer but asked how he could accept house arrest after facing jail time, The Express Tribune reported. However, the government and the PTI have denied any such offers. Khan, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges including the Toshakhana case, cipher case and un-Islamic marriage case. (ANI) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari attended a special screening of Emergency in Nagpur, hosted by actor-director Kangana Ranaut and veteran actor Anupam Kher. Directed by Kangana, the film portrays one of India's most tumultuous periodsthe 1975 Emergencywhen democracy was suspended, and political power faced its greatest reckoning. With Kangana's compelling portrayal of Indira Gandhi and Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, the film takes viewers on an intense journey, delving into the complex dynamics of power, resistance, and democracy. After watching the film, Nitin Gadkari shared his thoughts on social media: "Joined the special screening of the movie Emergency, featuring @KanganaTeam Ji and Shri @AnupamPKher Ji, in Nagpur today. I wholeheartedly thank the filmmakers and actors for presenting the dark chapter of our nation's history with such authenticity and excellence. I urge everyone to watch this film, which portrays a significant period in India's history." Joined the special screening of the movie Emergency, featuring @KanganaTeam Ji and Shri @AnupamPKher Ji, in Nagpur today. I wholeheartedly thank the filmmakers and actors for presenting the dark chapter of our nation's history with such authenticity and excellence. I urge pic.twitter.com/a6S0f5Q5bG January 11, 2025 Kangana responded graciously, thanking Gadkari for his support and valuable time. Thank you so much for your precious time sir https://t.co/heLZog55m1 Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 11, 2025 Emergency is written and directed by Kangana Ranaut and features a star-studded cast, including Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in his final role. Produced by Zee Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Renu Pitti, the film is set for release on January 17, 2025. With music by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar and dialogues by Ritesh Shah, Emergency promises a gripping retelling of a pivotal chapter in Indian history. New Delhi: In a recent social media post, Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India shared his thoughts on work-life balance aligning with Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra. He humorously commented, "Yes [Anand Mahindra], even my wife [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always. Work life balance." This came after Mahindra had responded to L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion of 90-hour workweeks, including Sundays. Yes @anandmahindra, even my wife @NPoonawalla thinks i am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r January 12, 2025 Mr. Subrahmanyan faced backlash for his controversial comments about work-life balance where he questioned the purpose of staying at home. He remarked, How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working." These remarks were widely criticized, with RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka calling the idea of 90-hour workweeks a "recipe for burnout, not success." He even jokingly suggested that Sundays might as well be renamed "Sun-duty." Former badminton star Jwala Gutta criticised the comments as misogynistic, questioning why spending time with a spouse should be seen in a negative light. Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone also expressed her surprise, stressing the need for leaders to offer more balanced views. While Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has previously supported long work weeks, Poonawalla and Mahindras position highlights a growing push for smarter work practices that prioritize well-being. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Bangladeshi migrants seeking birth certificates illegally in the state to obtain voting rights was "vote jihad part 2". Fadnavis, during the November assembly poll campaign, had cited instances of a community voting en masse against the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier in 2024, and had termed this as "vote jihad". Speaking at the state BJP's convention in Shirdi in Ahilyanagar, Fadnavis said, "Bangladeshi infiltrators are seeking birth certificates in Maharashtra as part of vote jihad part 2. Nearly 100 such cases have been reported in Amravati and Malegaon tehsil in Nashik. These people, many aged around 50 years, are obtaining documents illegally." Not a single infiltrator will be allowed to stay in Maharashtra, the CM asserted. He said his government is committed to combating anarchist forces attempting to create caste-based and communal divisions and urged people to stay vigilant and ensure this resolve is strengthened. Reflecting on the BJP's stellar performance in the November assembly polls, he hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for guiding and instilling confidence among party workers after the setbacks faced in the Lok Sabha polls. "In the last 30 years in Maharashtra, the BJP is the only party which crossed the 100-seat mark in three consecutive polls (2014, 2019 and 2024). PM Modi's leadership gave us confidence and BJP got 132 seats with strike rate of 89 per cent," he said. Narrating an anecdote from the Mahabharata about who ensured the victory of the Pandavas over the Kauravas, Fadnavis said the party workers were "Keshav" and Modi was "Madhav", both names of Lord Krishna, in the stupendous victory of the BJP in the assembly polls. Cautioning against complacency after the assembly poll results, Fadnavis said workers must continue to put in concerted efforts for public welfare. Pointing towards the local body polls expected to take place across the state in the next few months, he said, "We must remain ready and united. The PM's mantra of 'ek hain to safe hain' (unity ensures safety) must guide us," he told the gathering. Polls to several civic bodies, including in Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur, are pending since early 2022. He said his government has lined up several schemes for the welfare of all segments of society, including ensuring 52 per cent of Maharashtra's electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2030. Agartala: The women troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday opened fire and successfully foiled a major attempt of smuggling of contrabands along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, officials said. A BSF spokesperson said that the Mahila Praharis of BSF fired two rounds from their lethal weapons in compelling circumstances when a large group of smugglers armed with sharp-edged weapons forcibly attempted to carry out smuggling of contrabands along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura's Sepahijala district. "The alert Mahila Praharis effectively foiled the major attempt of smuggling in the BOP Ashabari area and a huge quantity of sugar and other contrabands were recovered, the spokesman said. He said that as part of the familiarisation effort, Inspector General (IG) of BSF's Tripura frontier Ashwani Kumar Sharma visited Integrated Check Post in Manughat and presented a fruit basket to the troops of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The BSF IG as part of his three-day border visit in Unakoti and Dhalai districts in northern Tripura reviewed operational preparedness of the border guarding forces. The spokesman said that Sharma, who recently took over the charge of Tripura frontier of BSF, was briefed by the battalion commanders on the current scenario of the border. Addressing the BSF troopers during Sainik Sammelan at BOP Morachera, the IG lauded their relentless efforts while emphasising the need to be alert in view of the prevailing situation along the India-Bangladesh border. In another operation on Saturday, BSF troops of BOP Gaurnagar Khowai district apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals while they were trying to illegally cross over to Bangladesh from India. Apprehended Bangladeshi nationals are residents of Brahmanbaria district of the neighbouring country. During questioning by BSF, the intruders revealed the identity of Indian tout and Bangladeshi tout involved in facilitating crossing of border. In addition adopting non-lethal strategy, BSF troops successfully foiled several attempts of infiltration and smuggling, rescued 10 cattle, seized 1,000 kg of sugar, 16 kg ganja, huge quantity of clothing items, medicines and other contraband worth more than Rs 50 lakh. The spokesperson said that BSF is maintaining a high level of alertness on the international border to prevent infiltration and trans border crimes. He said that after the Bangladesh unrest began in June-July, the BSF has intensified its domination and operations along the 856-km India-Bangladesh border in Tripura to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, and trans-border crimes including smuggling of contraband. Tripura, which is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, parts of which are still unfenced in patches due to local disputes on land and demarcation-related issues. The BSF alone last year arrested 55 Rohingya migrants, 620 Bangladeshi nationals and 260 Indian nationals including human traffickers in various operations. Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, China is experiencing an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Reports and social media posts indicate that hospitals are overwhelmed with infected patients, and crematories are struggling to keep up. Some social media users suggest that multiple viruses, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, are circulating in China. While there are claims of a state of emergency being declared, there is no official confirmation. HMPV leads to flu-like symptoms and typically affects the upper respiratory system, though it can occasionally cause lower respiratory infections. The virus is more common during the winter and early spring months. How Does HMPV Spread? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMPV is highly contagious. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, direct contact with infected individuals, and touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms Of HMPV Virus: Cough Fever Nasal congestion Sore throat Shortness of breath Delhi Govt Alerts Hospitals As Soon As First 2 Cases Were Reported The Delhi government on Monday issued instructions to all hospitals in the capital to be fully prepared to handle a potential rise in respiratory illnesses following the detection of two Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in Karnataka. In a directive labeled "Most Urgent," Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj directed the health and family welfare department to closely monitor the situation and maintain regular communication with the Union health ministry for timely updates. "Hospitals under the Delhi government must be fully equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses, as advised by the Union health ministry," the directive issued by Bharadwaj said. Dos and Don'ts During HMPV virus spread Dos: 1. Cover your mouth and nose with handkerchief or tissue paper, when you cough or sneeze. 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer. 3. Avoid crowded places. 4. Stay away from public places if you have fever, cough and sneezing. 5. Adequate ventilation with outdoor air is recommended in all settings to reduce the transmission. 6. Stay at home and limit contact with others if you are sick. 7. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food. Don'ts 1. Reuse of tissue paper and handkerchief. 2. Close contact with sick people, sharing of towels, linen etc. 3. Frequent touching of eyes, nose and mouth. 4. Spitting in public places. 5. Self-medication without consulting the physician. HMPV Cases in India Live: Check State-Wise List Of HMPV Cases That Were Reported Gujarat: 5 Maharashtra: 3 Karnataka: 2 Tamil Nadu: 2 Kolkata: 3 Assam: 1 Puducherry: 1 Is the HMPV threat a growing concern for the Maha Kumbh? With only a week to go for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj, the emergence of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India is sparking fear among people. The Maha Kumbh celebration is expected to attract around 450 million devotees. The concerns pertaining to the massive gathering for this religious event mounted after eight fresh cases of the virus were reported across different states in India. Union Health Minister, JP Nadda Reacts To Rising HMPV Virus Scare Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday that the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not a new virus, and it was identified for the first time in 2001, and the virus has been circulating in the entire world for many years. With millions of devotees from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal expected to come together at the grand event, the question arises: Could the virus spread to the Mahakumbh, posing a major health risk? The Union health ministry sought to assuage fears, asserting that it was well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses. Briefing on the impact of HMPV, Nadda highlighted that it spreads through air, by way of respiration, and affects persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months, he added. Check Cost Of HMPV RT-PCR Test According to Economic Times, an HMPV RT-PCR test costs between Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 at labs like Dr Lal PathLabs, Tata 1mg Labs, and Max Healthcare Labs. Comprehensive tests which cover HMPV and other respiratory pathogens, may go up to Rs 20,000, it added. Will There Be Another Lockdown In India Due To HMPV? Now, with the infections already being reported from two states, the concern is growing across the country. People are also worried about whether the spread will lead to another lockdown in India. As of now, the government has maintained that there is no need to panic as the cases in India are not linked to China. The government has already activated its health agency to monitor the situation and take steps to aware the public. However, since the cases are infecting kids, and if there happens a largescale outbreak, the schools in the affected region may opt to go online to help kids maintain social distancing. As of now, many schools have gone either on holiday or on online mode due to biting cold in the northern belt. However, there is no official announcement for online classes due to the HMPV cases. India witnessed a lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 and since then, situation has returned to normal. In the case of HMPV, the country is now better prepared and the chances of lockdown like situation is very minimal. HMPV vs COVID-19: Myths Surrounding Human Metapneumovirus; Check What Doctor Says On This Dr Diksha Goyal, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram says that there are also several myths revolving around HMPV, one being that it could be as fatal as Covid-19. "True, HMPV can indeed cause severe respiratory illness, and it is always worse in some vulnerable individuals; however, its mortality rate or prevalence is less compared to that of COVID-19. Mostly, HMPV causes a mild to moderately severe illness for most people affected, with such severe cases commonly occurring in infants, the aged, or otherwise immunocompromised. HMPV is not as transmissible as Covid-19 or even as virulent for the general population," says Dr Goyal. According to a statement by Sierra Leone's National Public Health Agency (NPHA), the infected individual is a 27-year-old man from the Western Area Rural District. Swift actions are being taken by health teams to conduct thorough contact tracing and investigations to identify potential exposures and prevent further transmission of the virus, the statement said. (ANI/WAM) India has called on Bangladesh to adhere to existing border management agreements and adopt a cooperative stance in addressing cross-border crimes, following escalating tensions along the international boundary. This call comes after recent incidents involving the Border Security Force (BSF) and protests from Dhaka regarding India's border security measures. Rising Tensions on the Border Tensions between India and Bangladesh have been increasing after the BSF acted to prevent smuggling activities by Bangladeshi operatives. The situation escalated further when Bangladesh raised concerns over the construction of a fence at five locations along the border, which they argue violates bilateral agreements between the two countries. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, met with Bangladeshs Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin in Dhaka to discuss these issues. The meeting, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was an opportunity for Verma to reiterate Indias commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and to discuss ways to address smuggling, trafficking, and criminal activities along the frontier. We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime, Verma said after the meeting, underscoring the need for mutual cooperation between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Bangladesh Voices Concerns Over BSF Activities In the meeting, Jashim Uddin expressed deep concern about the BSFs actions, including the construction of barbed wire fences at certain points without proper authorization. He described these actions as provocative and warned that they could further escalate tensions along the border. Uddin emphasized that such activities undermine the spirit of cooperation between the two nations and urged India to refrain from any unilateral actions that could harm bilateral relations. Bangladesh also raised concerns over the continued border killings, citing a recent incident in Sunamganj where a Bangladeshi citizen was allegedly killed by the BSF. Uddin called for urgent measures to prevent such fatalities, especially given Indias previous commitment to adopting a "non-lethal strategy" at the border. Indias Position on Border Fencing and Security Measures In response, Indian officials clarified that the BSF was acting in self-defense after being attacked by Bangladeshi smugglers along the border in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district. The BSF stated that it had successfully thwarted the smuggling attempt and responded to the threat in line with their security protocols. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer-long border, and while much of it has already been fenced, there are still several sections where border fencing remains incomplete. Despite disagreements over the construction of the fence, the BSF and BGB have maintained communication to resolve border security issues and coordinate efforts to prevent crime. Call for Constructive Dialogue In light of the current tensions, both sides agree that such issues should be resolved through dialogue, based on existing bilateral agreements. Bangladesh has called for a constructive approach to peace and stability along the border, while India remains committed to ensuring the security of its border and combating cross-border criminal activities. The rise in border tensions coincides with broader political and diplomatic challenges between the two countries, particularly after the formation of a caretaker government in Bangladesh last August, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Relations between the two nations have been strained, with India expressing concern over the treatment of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. Despite these issues, both sides acknowledge the importance of maintaining peaceful and stable relations. Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 12-01-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-685" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-685, January 12, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Akshaya AK-685" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Akshaya AK-685 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-685 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 12-01-2025 January: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-685 Draw LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AB 846639 LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AH 243577 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AA 196854 AB 838400 AC 745225 AD 622450 AE 129668 AF 115526 AG 659827 AH 715095 AJ 303880 AK 692810 AL 579215 AM 889232 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AA 846639 AC 846639 AD 846639 AE 846639 AF 846639 AG 846639 AH 846639 AJ 846639 AK 846639 AL 846639 AM 846639 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 1118 1876 2077 3171 3276 3576 4048 4217 4318 4322 6647 7818 7824 7954 8642 8948 9711 9722 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0891 1225 1484 3848 4071 4895 5375 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0264 0447 0579 0662 0803 0828 1222 1855 2050 2771 3044 3048 3128 3226 3518 4027 5437 5555 6235 6293 6720 7116 7353 7529 8912 9119 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0097 0099 0335 0346 0425 0515 0567 0717 1052 1240 1260 1316 1460 1563 1926 2073 2096 2253 2301 2314 2320 2880 2891 2986 2998 3163 3190 3205 3242 3616 3875 3982 4852 4975 5103 5401 5456 5466 5542 5552 5565 5736 5877 5917 5934 6259 6315 6403 6422 6640 6867 6902 7020 7100 7305 7329 7370 7428 7629 7909 7984 8009 8101 8422 8815 8994 9044 9124 9208 9613 9669 9702 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0595 3030 7644 0374 4933 5291 0835 2044 7962 0165 7432 2035 5642 3214 6143 8051 3295 4812 5000 2074 3201 7608 0991 0893 3618 6976 0128 3087 8972 7460 9758 2560 9003 6183 3824 4062 7086 0797 2812 3871 5842 9539 0303 3666 6555 4077 0224 3479 3472 0649 4369 4922 7409 1442 4709 0751 5821 2024 900 6 2197 7222 9894 2447 5606 1815 4283 3754 8705 3012 0385 2674 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 12-01-2025 January TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-685 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday came down heavily on veteran politician and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, saying that he played politics of betrayal and treachery in Maharashtra from 1978 and that was brought to an end by the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) landslide victory in the assembly polls. While speaking at a state BJP convention in Shirdi, the senior party leader said the people of Maharashtra showed Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray their place by rejecting the politics of dynasty and betrayal in last years elections. In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mahayuti coalition of BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena won 230 of the 288 seats in the state. BJP led the pack with 132 seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was reduced to 46 seats, with NCP (SP) and Sena (UBT) getting 10 and 20, respectively. Sharad Pawar started the politics of daga-phatka (betrayal and treachery) in Maharashtra in 1978, which was rejected by people in 2024 (elections). Similarly, the politics of the dynasty and the betrayal of Uddhav Thackeray were also rejected, Shah said. People showed Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray their place in the 2024 polls. They sent both home and made the real Shiv Sena and NCP victorious along with BJP, he added. Undivided NCP and Shiv Sena saw acrimonious splits in recent years. Last year's Assembly polls also ended the politics of instability in Maharashtra, which began in 1978, the Union Minister said. What Happened In 1978? In 1978, Sharad Pawar walked out of the Vasantdada Patil government with 40 MLAs and became the CM. He later founded NCP. The Shiv Sena (undivided) contested the 2019 assembly polls along with the saffron party, but Thackeray snapped the alliance over the CMs post. BJP has repeatedly mocked him over the move. Shah Hails BJP Workers Calling BJP workers the real architects of the partys massive victory in the state, Shah said, You are the facilitators of the partys victory from panchayat to Parliament. You have to make BJP invincible so that no one dares to betray it again. He asked BJP workers to focus on strengthening the party at the booth level and include women and farmers in large numbers. Shah said Sharad Pawar held the CMs post, headed several cooperative institutions, and was also the Union agriculture minister but couldnt stop farmer suicides. Only the BJP can do it (prevent farmer suicides). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has devised several schemes for farmers welfare, he said. The Union minister asked the opposition to only watch the BJP government fulfilling all its assurances and not question how it will be done. The BJP under PM Modi ensured that Ram Lalla moved from a tent to a temple after 550 years. Article 370 (giving special powers to Jammu and Kashmir) has been abrogated, and terrorism has ended (in the Valley). We have promised that Naxalism will be eradicated by March 31, 2026, he said. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that the BJP, if voted to power in the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, plans to demolish all slums in the national capital. Arvind Kejriwal, addressing a press conference in Shakur Basti, accused the BJP of putting land acquisition above the welfare of slum residents. The former chief minister claimed, They want your votes first and your land after the elections. He criticised the BJP's 'Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan' scheme, calling it a sham. "In the past five years, they have built only 4,700 flats for slum dwellers," he said. #WATCH | AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal says "On 30 September 2024, the railways tendered this land. The poor slum dwellers do not know this...BJP people are so shameless, traitors, they are cheating these slum dwellers. They were sleeping inside the slum. On 27 December, pic.twitter.com/PipHKP4mnI ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025 Kejriwal further alleged that the BJP plans to seize land occupied by slum residents without providing proper housing. "They want your votes first and your land after the elections," Kejriwal said, referring to the BJP. At a press conference in Shakur Basti, the former chief minister accused the BJP of valuing land acquisition over the welfare of slum residents. Arvind Kejriwal was joined by senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain at the press conference in Shakur Basti. Jain, the party's candidate from the constituency, is seeking his fourth consecutive win after victories in 2013, 2015, and 2020. Delhi will vote on February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. The AAP, which secured 62 out of 70 seats in the 2020 elections, aims for a third consecutive full term. (With PTI inputs) Kochi: Following the arrest of Kerala businessman Boby Chemmanur on a sexual harrasment complaint, Malayalam actress Honey Rose has now accused activist Rahul Easwar of allegedly orchestrating a cyber crime to trivialise the seriousness of her complaint and manipulate public opinion against her. Honey Rose took to her Facebook handle and shared that she and her family have been enduring severe mental stress for which she holds Rahil Easwar responsible.The actress has filed the complaint at the Central Police Station, Ernakulam. "Rahul Easwar, my family and I are going through a lot of mental stress. You are one of the main reasons for that. I filed a complaint against the blatant abuse that was made against me on a public platform. The police found my complaint to be valid and registered a case and the court remanded the person I filed the complaint against. All I have to do is file the complaint. The rest is up to the government, police and court. Rahul Easwar is planning an organized crime in cyberspace intending to distort the seriousness of my complaint and turn public opinion against me." read the post. The actress further said, "Rahul Easwar is the main reason behind the continuous threats I face through the media, including vulgar, double-meaning, and insulting comments aimed at me and my profession. His actions have consistently pushed me into severe mental agony and even driven me towards thoughts of suicide. These actions are deliberate attempts to tarnish my dignity as a woman. Rahul Easwar has repeatedly issued threats to harm me and insult my womanhood, both directly and through social media. He has also attempted to undermine my professional opportunities. Considering the extent of his actions, I am taking legal action against him." Popular Malayalam actress Honey Rose earlier filed a sexual harassment complaint against Boby Chemmanur. After the complaint, the businessman was taken into custody by Wayanad police on Wednesday. According to officials, the complaint was lodged at the Ernakulam Central Police Station in Kochi. Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the businessman under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 67 of the IT Act. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new underground missile base, local media reported. Footage broadcast by state-run IRIB TV on Friday night showed the facility, described as a "missile city," being unveiled in the presence of IRGC Commander Hossein Salami and Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC's Aerospace Force. The base houses advanced Iranian missiles, including the "Emad, Qadr and Qiam," all liquid-fueled, the state TV narrator said. The subterranean facility is one of hundreds of such bases belonging to the IRGC's Aerospace Force, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting IRIB. The footage indicated missiles from the base were used in Iran's second retaliatory military operation against Israel in October last year. Salami, during a visit to the base, praised its forces for their involvement in the April 14, 2024, and subsequent October operations against Israel. He said Iran's defence systems and missiles were "increasing on a daily basis in different parts of the country." He dismissed "enemy" claims that Iran's missile production capacity had been disrupted, asserting that the country's missiles were "increasing and improving every day in terms of quantity as well as quality, efficiency and design." On October 1, 2024, Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel, calling the attack retaliation for the assassinations of key resistance figures, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and senior Iranian commander Abbas Nilforoushan. Meanwhile, recently, the Iranian forces also staged an exercise after American news website Axios reported that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan presented US President Joe Biden with options for a potential US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities "should the Iranians move towards a nuclear weapon before January 20, 2025." Iran's armed forces began a large-scale joint air defence exercise near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Isfahan province last week. The "Eqtedar" (Power) 1403 exercise was launched on the orders of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base Commander Qader Rahimzadeh, IRIB TV said. The first phase involves Aerospace Force units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) conducting "all-out point defence of the nuclear site against numerous aerial threats under tough electronic warfare conditions," according to IRIB. IRGC spokesman Ali-Mohammad Naeini said on Monday that the annual drills aim to maintain and improve military preparedness, counter potential military threats and acts of sabotage, and boost national morale. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. The event, marking Trumps return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, is set to take place following an invitation from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankars visit will include not only his attendance at the ceremony but also meetings with representatives of the incoming US administration. The minister will also engage with other global dignitaries attending the event, emphasizing Indias commitment to fostering international relations. On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, the MEA statement read. Trumps inauguration comes just weeks after the US Congress certified his electoral victory on January 6. Securing 312 electoral votes, Trump was declared the winner against his opponent, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the certification process, which proceeded smoothly without any objections from lawmakers. Republican legislators in the House chamber gave a standing ovation when the results were formally announced, followed by a rare bipartisan standing ovation as Harris declared the joint session dissolved. The certification process lasted around 30 minutes, with lawmakers, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Deb Fischer, and Representatives Bryan Steil and Joe Morelle, assisting in the vote count. Vice President-elect JD Vance was also present during the session. The ceremonial inauguration on January 20 will be closely watched globally, marking Trumps second term in the Oval Office. For India, Jaishankars attendance signals a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the United States, particularly in light of shared interests in economic collaboration, security, and global challenges. Jaishankars planned meetings with members of the incoming administration are expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation between the two nations in the years ahead. The Baloch National Movement's human rights wing, Paank, has condemned the targeted killing of Zakria Zaheer in Gwadar. In their statement, they emphasized that Zakria, who had previously been subjected to enforced disappearance, was viciously murdered, highlighting the continued pattern of human rights violations in the region. In a post on X, Paank said, "We are gravely concerned by the targeting of individuals who have been released after enduring the horrors of enforced disappearance, highlighting a systematic pattern of violence and intimidation by the state. Such actions violate international human rights law and Pakistan's obligations under international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)." The Balochistan Post has also reported that unidentified gunmen killed a man in Gwadar, Balochistan, who had previously been forcibly disappeared and later released. According to police reports, Zakria Zaheer, a Levies Force employee, was abducted by Pakistani authorities on September 27, 2024, before being freed. His tragic death has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice on social media, with many condemning the ongoing cycle of human rights violations in the region. Paank further stated, "We call on Pakistani authorities to conduct an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into this targeted killing, ensure accountability for those responsible, and provide protection to victims of enforced disappearances. We also urge the state to cease its campaign of harassment and violence against the people of Balochistan and uphold its human rights commitments." Paank also highlighted that justice must be served for Zakria Zaheer and the countless others who have endured such severe violations. "We can no longer tolerate silence or inaction." Therefore, the tragic killing of Zakria Zaheer demands urgent action. The Baloch National Movement's call for justice reflects a broader need for accountability and an end to the cycle of violence in Balochistan. Silence and inaction must give way to a commitment to human rights and justice for all victims. (ANI) Pakistan is struggling to unlock the potential of Gwadar port, a deep-sea port in the southwest, despite significant investment, Voice of America (VOA) News reported. Built-in 2007 at a cost of nearly USD 250 million, the port has been operated by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) since 2013. However, nearly a decade after the first container ships docked there in 2016, Gwadar port has failed to attract substantial commercial activity, with experts citing insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of a clear operational strategy, VOA News reported. A recent press release following a meeting chaired by Pakistani Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the absence of a comprehensive plan to boost trade at Gwadar port. According to the VOA News report, the statement revealed that the port has not been able to attract meaningful commercial traffic due to a lack of commercial analysis and operational planning. The minister urged immediate efforts to tap into the port's potential, noting that the necessary groundwork had not been laid over the years. Despite close to a billion dollars invested in infrastructure development in Gwadar and its surrounding areas, including the construction of a new airport, the port remains underutilized. According to a report by Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Gwadar handled less than 1 per cent of the country's seaborne trade in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, making it the smallest of Pakistan's three major ports. This stark underperformance has been attributed to Pakistan's broader governance issues, including a lack of long-term planning. According to VOA News report, experts argue that the port's challenges are compounded by the absence of basic facilities like water, electricity, and security, making it an unattractive destination for both commercial investment and airlines. Muhammad Faisal, a foreign policy expert, noted that the port's stagnation reflects deeper governance failures in Pakistan. While the new Gwadar airport is seen as a crucial element for the future, current conditions in the city hinder its ability to support economic growth and international trade. (ANI) Pakistani security forces have been accused of forcibly disappearing three individuals from Balochistan's Kech and Sibi districts. The alleged detentions are part of an ongoing pattern of enforced disappearances in the region, which has raised significant concern among human rights organizations and local communities, as reported by the Balochistan Post. According to the Balochistan Post, Irshad Ahmed, a young man, was allegedly apprehended by Pakistani forces at a medical store in Turbat. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, with his whereabouts remaining unknown. The Balochistan Post further reported that similarly, Nawaz Nadil, a 17-year-old student from the Balochistan Residential College (BRC), was allegedly detained by military personnel at the Gamshad Hotel in Turbat. His family has expressed deep concern for his safety, as they have not been informed of his location or the reasons for his detention. In a separate incident, Gul Hassan Sabir, a resident of Sibi, was taken by Pakistani forces on the evening of November 19, 2024, at approximately 9 PM. He was detained in front of a bus stop, and his family has been unable to ascertain his whereabouts since the incident. The disappearances of these individuals have left their families in distress, with little to no information from authorities about their fate. In a rare incident, Shahzaib, who was forcibly taken from his home in Turbat on January 7 has reportedly been released. However, his return comes under harrowing circumstances, he is said to be in critical condition due to severe torture endured during his detention. His family has expressed shock at his condition and has demanded accountability for the mistreatment he suffered, the Balochistan Post reported. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances that have plagued Balochistan for years, with many individuals, particularly activists and students, allegedly detained without charge or explanation. Human rights advocates continue to call for an end to these practices and for greater accountability from the Pakistani authorities. (ANI) Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused the federal government of treating Sindh unfairly, saying that the region was given "stepchild treatment," The Express Tribune reported. In his remarks at the inauguration of Phase I of the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway, formerly the Qayyumabad to Shah Faisal Malir Expressway, on Saturday, Bilawal said, "Federal government is treating Sindh like a stepchild. The federal government makes excuses and withholds resources of the province." He said, "When rights are not granted properly it becomes extremely difficult to provide essential facilities." Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his family has been contributing to Karachi's development for three generations. Praising his grandfather and PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal said that he revolutionised Karachi's infrastructure and laid the foundation for major projects, including the Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) and Shahrah-e-Faisal, according to The Express Tribune report. He also praised his mother and former Pakistan PM Benazir Bhutto for paying special attention to the region and working tirelessly to maintain peace and provide employment opportunities to people. He said that Benazir Bhutto fought against two military regimes. He stated that the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway project will not only link Karachi but the entire Sindh to the rest of Pakistan and provide employment opportunities to the residents of the metropolis. He said, "My favourite project 'Shahrah-e-Bhutto' is being constructed under a public-private partnership. Numerous projects have been completed successfully through public-private partnerships," according to the report. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP always wants to provide facilities to the people either free of cost or at the lowest possible price. He further said, "Thanks to the Sindh government, the toll tax has been set at Rs100 and it is hoped that it will remain the same." He stressed that Pakistan's development is closely related to progress of Karachi. He underlined that his father and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari allocated the highest funds for development of Karachi, according to The Express Tribune report. He underscored that the public-private partnership has been introduced to address the shortage of resources. He urged Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to engage with business community of Karachi. "The business sector will not operate on goodwill alone. If they (business community) and the city's residents' benefit, only then will we achieve success," he added. PPP chairperson called for the need to promote public-private partnerships to resolve the issues of the province, especially those of Karachi. He said that Karachi was facing water issue for a long time and called on his government to give the highest priority to resolve the problem. (ANI) Portillos, a popular Chicago fast-food chain, plans to open two locations this year in Schertz and New Braunfels. Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle Portillos is kicking off the New Year with even more Texas locations. The latest is set to open in New Braunfels this year, according to a public filing. The Chicago-based hot dog and Italian beef chain is in the midst of a Texas expansion, and the New Braunfels location will be the second in South Texas. In November, Portillos revealed it would be opening the first in Schertz, just 30 minutes northeast of San Antonio. Just last week, the company announced three new locations in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas, two of which will be small-format models. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Portillos representative told the San Antonio Express News that it did not have any news to share at this time regarding the New Braunfels location. The fast-food restaurant at FM 306 and Sophie Lane is expected to cost $6 million and be constructed by September 2025, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The New Braunfels location is slated to be 6,250 square feet, what Portillos is calling a Restaurant of the Future. The new locations are much smaller than Portillos typical 8,000-square-foot locations and will reduce buildout costs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prominent human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza has raised serious concerns regarding the reported abduction of 16 nuclear engineers from a uranium mining site in Lakki Marwat, located in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan. Mirza alleged that the incident may be an inside job, with suspicions of Pakistan's military involvement in a broader scheme. According to Mirza, reports claim that the "Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has stolen uranium from the site," but he believes the situation is more complex. He accused sections of Pakistan's military of facilitating the theft to mask alleged uranium smuggling to Iran. Mirza questioned, "How could the TTP breach a secure uranium mining area without resistance from security personnel or the military?" He further noted that no shots were fired during the incident. Additionally, Mirza criticized the "lack of an immediate response," such as deploying helicopters to pursue the abductors. He described the security lapse as highly suspicious and indicative of possible collusion. Mirza also alleged that Pakistan's military has been involved in covertly selling nuclear technology to rogue states, undermining global security. He urged, "The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should launch an independent investigation into the incident." Highlighting the potential risks, Mirza expressed concerns over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear assets and programs. He called on the United States to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that unauthorized transfers of nuclear technology and materials pose a major threat to the global non-proliferation regime, particularly the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Mirza's statement comes amid growing fears over nuclear security in Pakistan, with the abduction of nuclear engineers raising alarm about the safety of sensitive materials. He urged international authorities to take swift action to prevent further escalation and ensure the security of nuclear assets in the region. (ANI) Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Health, said on Saturday that Pakistan has the highest number of hepatitis C patients in the world, with 10 million of the global 60 million cases, as reported by Dawn. While addressing participants of a seminar organised by the Health Foundation on hepatitis elimination, he said, "This places us at the heart of the global effort to eliminate this disease." Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath emphasised the urgent need for collective action to combat Hepatitis C, a significant public health challenge faced by Pakistan, according to Dawn report. Highlighting the dire consequences if no action is taken, he said, "If we do not act, Pakistan will face over 11 million HCV cases by 2035, leading to 500,000 plus liver cirrhosis cases, over 100,000 cases of liver cancer and 130,000 HCV-related deaths." Speaking about its economic impact, he said that it would cause of loss of more than USD 285 million annually. Bharath noted that as of 2021, only 16 per cent of Hepatitis C cases in Pakistan had received treatment, with testing and treatment access being the key challenges. According to the statement, the federal government in collaboration with provincial governments has launched the Prime Minister's Programme for the Elimination of c(HCV) Infection to address these challenges with a plan to allocate Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 34.15 billion over the next three years. Furthermore, the provincial government will allocate PKR 33.61 million, taking the total funding for the initiative to PKR 67.77 billion. He said, "Pakistan has made significant strides toward hepatitis elimination," Dawn reported. He said this includes creating a National Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for hepatitis control, making national and provincial strategic frameworks, ensuring the availability of affordable generic Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) and backing nationwide scaling up of vaccination, screening, testing and treatment efforts. Pakistan PM's aide said that there was more support and technical assistance needed to bolster the efforts. He further said, "We seek support in developing detailed plans for hepatitis elimination, strengthening monitoring and healthcare systems, training healthcare workers and expanding national software and logistics. We also call for international collaboration to help us achieve our targets." Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said the goal of the programme was to reach 50 per cent of the eligible population for screening, testing and treatment within three years, Dawn reported. He urged international partners to help Pakistan achieve 100 per cent coverage to ensure that the country meets the global HCV elimination targets before 2030. (ANI) The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has confirmed that a Taiwanese man from Changhua County, who had been missing for 10 months, is detained by Chinese public security authorities, as reported by Taipei Times. According to the Taipei Times, the 19-year-old, identified as Huang, was reported missing in March 2024. According to SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia, it has been verified through official channels that Huang is in Chinese custody, though details about the reasons for his detention remain confidential due to the personal nature of the case. Luo stated that the SEF had reached out to Huang's family and obtained a general understanding of the situation. However, the reasons for his detention have not been disclosed. The case has raised concerns about China's adherence to the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement, which stipulates that Chinese authorities should notify Taiwan's National Police Agency when a Taiwanese citizen is detained on the mainland. Luo emphasized that China's failure to follow this protocol had left both the government and Huang's family unaware of his whereabouts for an extended period, causing unnecessary confusion, Taipei Times reported. Huang's family initially doubted the authenticity of a recent notification from Chinese authorities regarding his situation, suspecting it could be a scam, Taipei Times reported. It took considerable effort for them to verify the circumstances. The notice, received from a public security bureau in Datong, Shanxi Province, indicated that Huang was detained on charges of fraud filed against him on December 2. In response, the SEF has formally contacted China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits to seek further clarification on the case. Huang, originally from Shengang Township in Changhua, is now facing a legal process in China, but his family and the Taiwanese government continue to seek more information about his situation. (ANI) Amid ongoing internet disruptions across Pakistan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is considering reaching out to tech mogul Elon Musk to address the severe slowdown in internet speeds affecting the region, as reported by Geo News. Shafqat Ayaz, the Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister, revealed that the provincial government is also exploring other avenues to resolve the issue, particularly as the IT sector has been significantly impacted. "There is an internet issue in KP, but the reasons behind it remain unclear," Ayaz stated. The internet crisis in Pakistan has persisted for months, with authorities frequently attributing the disruptions to faults in submarine cables. However, there are growing speculations that the government may be experimenting with an internet "firewall," contributing to the ongoing slowdowns. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, confirmed that his satellite internet service, Starlink, is awaiting approval from the Pakistani government, according to Geo News. Musk made the announcement on his official X account, where he stated, "We are waiting for approval from the government." This came after a conversation with Pakistani social media activist Sanam Jamali, who urged Musk to expedite Starlink's launch in the country. Jamali emphasized that millions of people in Pakistan are eager for the connectivity, educational opportunities, and economic growth that Starlink could provide. Pakistan's Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, also confirmed that the government has been in talks with Starlink to bring its services to Pakistan. During a Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication, Khawaja assured that discussions are ongoing to introduce Starlink's satellite-based internet services to the country. As millions of Pakistanis continue to struggle with unreliable internet, Starlink's potential launch could offer a much-needed solution, providing stable, high-speed internet through satellite technology, bypassing the issues with terrestrial infrastructure, the report added. (ANI) Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two failed federal prosecutions against US President-elect Donald Trump, resigned this week, the New York Times reported citing a footnote buried in court papers. Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor fought a bitter battle with Trump's legal team on two fronts, but lost in both district court and the Supreme Court. Jack Smith left his offices in Washington on Friday, the report stated citing a senior law enforcement official. Smith had indicated his intention to leave before Trump, who had threatened to fire and punish him, taking office on January 20. However, he made no formal announcement regarding his resignation while his spokesperson had no comment. The special counsel's resignation comes after his efforts in the courtroom were essentially rendered moot by Trump's election win in November. Under a US Justice Department policy that forbids the pursuance of prosecutions against a sitting president, Smith was forced to drop both the cases he had filed against Trump in 2023 -- one in Florida, accusing him of mishandling classified documents, and the other in Washington, on charges of planning to overturn the 2020 election, according to The New York Times report. Jack Smith's final week was marked by another legal setback, as Judge Aileen M Cannon, the Trump-appointed jurist presiding over the Florida documents case, temporarily blocked the public release of his final report until at least Monday. Earlier in July, Judge Cannon dismissed the classified documents in a ruling that -- against decades of precedent -- Smith had been unlawfully appointed to his position as special counsel. While deputies of Smith appealed against the decision, they dropped the challenge where Trump was concerned after he was re-elected as US President but not against his two co-defendants, the New York Times report. Around the same time, the US Supreme Court hobbled the election interference case a ruling that gave Trump immunity for official acts he took as president. The ruling not only raised questions in many of the allegations made in Smith's indictment but made it impossible to hold a trial on the charges before the election. Earlier this week, the US Justice Department said it did not want to immediately release the volume of Smith's report regarding the classified documents case as the prosecution of Trump's former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, continued. The US Justice Department said it planned to show that part of the report in private to Congress members and make it public only when all of the proceedings against the two men were completed. It plans to release the volume regarding the election interference case at the earliest. However, Nauta and De Oliveira lawyers have asked Judge Cannon to extend her order blocking the report. (ANI) Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) negotiation team held a meeting with the incarcerated former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail on Sunday, The Express Tribune reported. The meeting between PTI founder and the negotiation committee lasted for over two hours. Before the committee's session, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur held one-on-one with PTI founder Imran Khan. Gandapur reached Adiala Jail with full official protocol. Other PTI leaders who came to Adiala Jail included Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Asad Qaiser and lawyer Faisal Chaudhry. Committee members Salman Akram Raja and Hamid Khan did not attend meeting, according to The Express Tribune report. As Gandapur had a private meeting with Khan, other committee members, including Asad Qaiser, Hamid Raza, and Allama Nasir Abbas and Omar Ayub sat in the deputy superintendent's room. Prior to the meeting, Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser spoke to Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq over phone. PTI leaders formally requested a meeting between the negotiation committee and Imran Khan, The Express Tribune reported. According to the National Assembly spokesperson, Ayaz Sadiq conveyed PTI's request to the government, clarifying that he only facilitated communication between the two parties. Notably, the first meeting between the government and the PTI took place on December 23 while the second took place on January 2, while the third round is scheduled for Wednesday. Earlier, PTI leader Asad Qaiser accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif of deliberately trying to derail ongoing negotiations, The Express Tribune reported. In response to the statements made by the two leaders, Qaiser said that their remarks were part of an effort to sabotage the negotiations. Speaking to reporters, he said, "The way Khawaja Asif and Maryam Nawaz are speaking, they are trying to block negotiations by any means possible." He added, "Then, they accuse Imran Khan of tweeting." Asad Qaiser insisted that PTI members had been subjected to injustice and mentioned about the events of November 26 when party members were allegedly not given their basic rights and people were shot by police. He also spoke about the military courts' handling of PTI supporters involved in the May 9 events, calling military trials for civilians unconstitutional, according to The Express Tribune report. He said, "Despite these hardships, PTI remains a victim in this situation," reiterating that the demands and grievances of party had been moderated to help move the country forward. He called on the government to address the rising sense of despair in Pakistan, which he attributed to worsening border conditions and the fragile state of Pakistan's economy. Reiterating PTI's commitment to Pakistan's future, he stated, "We are stepping forward for the sake of the country. We are not afraid and are not intimidated by anyone. If we have backed down from some of our demands, it is only for the betterment of Pakistan." Despite ongoing challenges, Qaiser said that PTI had not left its principles, particularly due to the rule of law, an independent judiciary, civilian supremacy and a strong parliament. He added, "We want a government that truly represents the people and is based on constitutional rule." (ANI) External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, is set to embark on a diplomatic visit to Spain on January 13-14. This will mark his first visit to Spain, as the Foreign Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday. During the visit, EAM will meet the leadership of Spain and hold discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Manuel Albares, on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and regional and global matters of mutual interest. He will also address the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors and meet the Indian community. Spanish President Pedro Sanchez paid an official visit to India in October last year at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, According to MEA, this was President Sanchez's first visit to India and the first visit by a President of the Government of Spain to India after 18 years. The two leaders noted that this visit has renewed the bilateral relationship, infusing it with fresh momentum and setting the stage for a new era of enhanced cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. They also expressed satisfaction at the progress of bilateral relations since Prime Minister Modi's visit to Spain in 2017. During his visit, President Sanchez and Prime Minister Modi jointly inaugurated the Final Assembly Line Plant of C-295 aircraft co-produced by Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. at Vadodara. This plant will roll out the first 'Made in India' C295 aircraft in 2026, out of a total of 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India. Airbus Spain is also delivering 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition to India, out of which 6 have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force. They noted that the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the foreign, economy and commerce and defence ministries is working well, and stressed the importance of holding regular dialogues between the concerned ministries/agencies of the two sides with a view to strengthening and diversifying bilateral cooperation in key areas of defence, security including cyber security, trade and economic issues, culture, tourism, education and people-to-people ties. (ANI) The United States has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan's self-defence capabilities, by providing significant security assistance, including the first-ever use of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for Taiwan. In a statement on Friday, the White House said, "Consistent with the United States' longstanding one-China policy. We have used a range of security assistance authorities and resources to provide Taiwan with defensive arms and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, commensurate with the threat it faces." "This support includes the first-ever use of Foreign Military Financing and Presidential Drawdown Authority for Taiwan, as well as International Military Education and Training (IMET). This assistance is an important part of our efforts to maintain cross-Strait peace and stability," it added. Emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to global security, US President Joe Biden identified the Indo-Pacific as the critical region for the future of the US and the world. "In pursuit of regional peace, security and stability, we have reinvested in our defence presence and capabilities, integrated our efforts with partners and modernized our alliances, and collectively deterred aggression and coercion," the statement said. "We have used a range of security assistance authorities and resources to provide Taiwan defensive arms and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, commensurate with the threat it faces." "This assistance is an important part of our efforts to maintain cross-strait peace and stability," it added. The White House further said that the US has collaborated with partners, including Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Together, they are funding over USD 37 million in undersea cable projects. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to the US for reiterating its use of FMF and PDA for Taiwan, for the IMET program, and other resources to help maintain the nation's self-defence capability, and cross-strait peace and stability, Taipei Times reported. "Taiwan is not only an important force in maintaining regional peace and global prosperity, but also a trustworthy partner in defending global economic safety and resilience," it said. Earlier, the Biden administration had also announced 19 arms sales to Taiwan, continuing the US policy of normalized weapons sales to Taiwan, the ministry said, adding that the sales underscore the US' staunch commitment to and support for bolstering Taiwan's self-defence capabilities and resilience. "The more secure Taiwan, the more secure the world. The more resilient Taiwan, the sounder the defence of global democracy," the ministry said, quoting President William Lai's New Year's address. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also publicly stressed that Taiwan is not China's business, but the world's business, it added. (ANI) The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade was held in Kathmandu from January 10-11, the Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement. During the meeting, the Indian side informed that the request of Nepal for a supply of 2,00,000 MT wheat had been accepted. The Nepali side also expressed its appreciation to the Indian side for its continued support in ensuring the supply of essential commodities to Nepal. This meeting of the IGC, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, carried out a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationships. Both sides reviewed mutual market access issues, IPR and duty-related issues. The agenda also included discussions on the review of the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade, proposed amendments to existing agreements, the harmonization of standards and the synchronized development of trade infrastructure including the electrification of the Raxaul-Birgunj rail line, as per the statement. At the Nepali side's request, the Indian side agreed that as per prevailing regulations of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a maximum axle weight of 18.5 tonnes for two-axle vehicles and 28 tonnes for three-axle vehicles may also be applicable to Nepali vehicles with respect to the cargo-in-transit on Kakarbhitta (Nepal)-Banglabandha (Bangladesh) via Phulbari (India) route. In response to the Nepali side's requests, the Indian side informed that Sal Seeds and Chayote have been included in the Plant Quarantine Order of India. The request for Jatamasi - Root extract; Sugandhkokila berry extracts; Sugandhwal Rhizome extract and Timur berry extracts into the list of Processed Items (Plant Products) has also been accepted, the statement read. At the Indian side's request, the Nepali side expressed openness to reviewing the documentation regarding the reclassification of products like EPAQUE and POLYHIDE 28 in their technical systems. The Indian side highlighted the problems faced in milk exports to Nepal. The Nepali side agreed to consider the request of the Indian side positively for milk products not adequately produced in Nepal such as whey and cheese. The meeting welcomed bilateral initiatives aimed at reinforcing the seamless cross-border connectivity between India and Nepal including through the construction of new Integrated Check Posts and railway links. Both sides expressed a commitment to taking forward bilateral connectivity, reflecting the shared vision of prosperous bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to form a Joint Working Group for discussion on the acceptance of Online CoO with Nepal and SAFTA. Earlier, a meeting of the Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade at the level of Joint Secretary had earlier met from January 12-13, last year in Kathmandu. The 2nd edition of the Joint Business Forum was organized on the sidelines of the meeting by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on 11 January 2025. This was co-chaired by Shri N. Senthil Kumar, Director (Pipelines, Planning & Business Development), Indian Oil Corporation and Ms. Bhawani Rana, Member, Investment Board of Nepal. The JBF gave an opportunity for businesses on both sides to highlight their suggestions to improve the ease of doing business in the context of bilateral trade and investment. "India continues to be the largest trade and investment partner for Nepal, significantly contributing to both Nepali imports and exports. The discussions in the IGC are expected to further fortify the economic and commercial linkages between the two countries," the statement further added. Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, led the Indian delegation, which included senior officials from various Ministries and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. The Nepali side was headed by Gobinda Bahadur Karkee, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal, accompanied by representatives from different Nepali Ministries and Departments, the statement said. (ANI) Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch on Sunday pointed out a disturbing trend in Balochistan, wherein those who were released after being forcibly disappeared were later killed. Mahrang Baloch cited an alleged incident, where Zakaria Zaheer from Gwadar, was forcibly disappeared on September 27 last year, released on November 13, and was gunned down on January 11, 2024. In a post on X, she said, "A deeply disturbing trend has emerged in Balochistan, largely unnoticed by the world. Enforced disappearances have taken an uglier turn: those released due to public pressure and protests by families are later targeted and killed," she said. She said that similar incidents have come afloat in other parts of the province. "Zakaria Zaheer from Gwadar is one of the latest victims of this barbarism. He was forcibly disappeared on September 27 last year, released on November 13, and tragically gunned down on January 11, 2024. Similar incidents have occurred in Turbat, and other parts of Balochistan," she said. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1878378763509002260 "The oppressive forces seem determined to silence the Baloch people--if they cannot keep them in dungeons, they eliminate them. We strongly condemn these brutal acts and declare that such barbaric actions will not be tolerated. If this continues, it will ignite massive anger and backlash," she added. Mahrang Baloch also voiced concerns about people living in the Pakistan-Balochistan border, or Durand line. She said in a post on X, "The people living along the so-called Goldsmith Line and Durand Line have spent their entire lives travelling, trading, and exchanging goods and culture between Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Iran." She added that the police personnel treat the people 'worse than animals'. "However, those with a colonial mindset have made this nearly impossible for the poor and vulnerable by imposing unnecessary travel restrictions in the name of security. On this border, men in uniform treat people worse than animals, which has affected millions. These measures have shattered lives, severed cultural ties, and devastated trade. But no matter how much you enforce restrictions, harass poor traders, or impose your will, you cannot break centuries-old bonds," she said. She added a video with the tweet, where police personnel were seen beating the locals. (ANI) Chicks are swabbed to test for avian influenza, which was confirmed in multiple domestic ducks found dead in a North Austin pond this month. Dorothy Merrimon Crawford/TNS Texas officials are asking residents to take down their bird feeders and baths due to a rise in bird flu cases across the state, including the recent detection of the contagious disease in the Austin area. The virus was confirmed in multiple domestic ducks found dead in a North Austin pond this month, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Austin Public Health issued a public health advisory last week urging community members to take proper precautions. The best way to protect yourself and others from bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure, the advisory states. That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Residents should avoid touching sick or dead animals or their droppings, bringing sick animals into their homes, letting pets interact with sick or dead animals and their feces, and ingesting uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses. Known as a highly pathogenic avian influenza, the H5N1 bird flu typically affects wild bird populations, especially waterfowl and domestic poultry. It can spread directly between animals or indirectly through contact with contaminated surfaces. There have been 66 confirmed human cases of the disease across the United States since 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Jan. 6, the agency reported that a patient hospitalized in Louisiana last month had died, marking the first U.S. death from the virus. The United States has seen the disease circulate among wild birds and domestic poultry since early 2022. In April 2022, Texas confirmed its first case in a commercial pheasant flock in Erath County, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, there were over 25 cases of the bird flu in Texas. Disease experts said bird flu has spread among wild birds in the Lone Star State as waterbirds and waterfowl visit their wintering grounds. In addition to Travis County, recent cases have been detected in Wharton, Galveston, El Paso, Potter and Harris counties. Cases have also been found in Lynn, Freestone, Colorado, Shenandoah and Waller counties. Bexar County had its last confirmed case of the bird flu in October 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture disease tracker. Because of its contagiousness, Texas Parks and Wildlife is reminding wildlife rehabilitators to be cautious when working with wild animals with symptoms consistent with the illness and to quarantine animals to limit the potential for exposure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The public can assist in interrupting HPAI transmission by limiting all unnecessary contact with wild birds, including not feeding or causing waterfowl to congregate in parks, TPWD said in a news release. To help combat this outbreak, it is recommended that all bird feeders and bird baths be taken down as these allow birds to congregate and spread disease easily to each other. The agency also encouraged game bird hunters to dispose of carcasses properly, wear gloves when processing, avoid consuming or processing any sick bird, clean and disinfect tools between carcasses and cook meat to proper temperatures. The CDC lists eye redness and irritation, mild fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue as symptoms of the illness. Those experiencing illness after contact with sick or dead birds should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdeva said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the United States for President-elect Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony sends a strong signal, as India is being a "heavyweight partner" to Washington in the geopolitical scenario. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, he said, "Minister Jaishankar to Trump's inauguration is definitely very important, is a great signal. India is sending our high-ranking official to the inauguration. Normally inaugurations of US presidents, they do not invite foreign leaders. That's not the convention." "But this time around, the Trump administration incoming, they're inviting some foreign leaders and India being a heavyweight partner, a heavyweight player in the geopolitical scenario," he added. Sachdeva believes that Jaishankar will also use this opportunity to discuss pressing global issues, such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with American officials. "I think it will be an important visit for India and for America because I think what Minister Jaishankar will also use this occasion is to discuss with America about resolving of the Ukraine-Russia conflict," he said. "The Russia-Ukraine peace is a priority for Trump and the American administration how to stop the Ukraine war he has promised he will have to he should be working on it right and India can help at it. Other than yes our US-India relations, they will also be discussed bilateral trade, defence cooperation," he added. Higlighting India's role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. the foreign expert noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi already had bilaterals with both sides and could really be helpful in finding a peaceful solution. "Now the urgent priority for Trump administration is Russia-Ukraine conflict. And in that conflict, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi has already done homework, groundwork meeting Putin-Zelensky, Putin again, Biden, American administration. So that homework of Prime Minister Modi and India will be very helpful for Trump as he goes about trying to find out a peaceful solution," he said. "That would be of high interest to America because they will move on to something on which they have a pain. And that is a top priority for America," he added. Further, the expert also added Trump has invited many other leaders including, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Argentina's President Javier Gerardo Milei, adding that now, even "India has received the invitation.""This time Trump is breaking with the tradition. One, he is talking informally to some leaders if there's some occasion, and he's inviting them. But secondly, what they're doing is they're sending official invitations to some governments like Italy's Georgia Meloni is going, Argentina's Milei is going. Now, even India has received the invitation," he said. "So it's up to the government of India and up to Prime Minister Modi if he wants or decides to go or not or he can send a representative like Minister Jaishankar is going," he added. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that EAM Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20 as the 47th US President. "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America," the MEA said in a statement. The ceremonial event is set to take place on January 20, approximately two weeks after Trump's electoral college win was certified by the US Congress. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 12 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety reported that H5N1 avian influenza has been diagnosed in a fattening turkey coop in Kibbutz Tzora in the Judea region. Following an unusual mortality in three pre-market turkey coops, at 9.4 weeks of age, samples sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety laboratories confirmed the suspicion. This is the 13th case of avian influenza diagnosed in commercial poultry farms this flu season. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is acting in accordance with the procedures recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding the treatment of avian influenza. Among other things, a quarantine zone has been defined within a range of up to 10 km from the infected poultry houses, in which the movement of poultry is restricted, the population of poultry houses is prohibited, and strict biosecurity measures are required from those involved in the industry. The veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security continue to conduct active monitoring of all poultry houses in the area. The Ministry called on breeders of ornamental birds and poultry farms, as well as free-range poultry farms, to keep the poultry they own inside buildings, prevent them from roaming in open areas, and thus reduce the risk of infection from wild birds during the migration season. During the current flu season (2024-2025), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has dealt with 13 outbreaks of avian influenza in commercial chicken coops. (ANI/TPS) Mauritius Minister of Arts and Culture Mahendra Gondeea offered prayers at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir on Sunday. Expressing his happiness, Gondeea said, "I came to Ram Mandir and went to all three places. I did the puja and Ram Mandir is very big. The construction has not been completed yet. But when it is done, I think it will be the best temple in the world. This is my good fortune. I came here after a year. It's been a year since I came here. There were many people there. I am extremely happy that I have taken part in this. This Ram Mandir is developing well. People around the world will see its development," he told ANI. Expressing disappointment over not attending Maha Kumbh, he said, "Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend Maha Kumbh, because there are some urgent works in Mauritius." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the significance of Maha Kumbh 2025, calling it a unique opportunity for people from across the country and the world to witness Uttar Pradesh and India's cultural and spiritual grandeur. According to a release, while speaking at the closing ceremony of Gorakhpur Mahotsav 2025 on Sunday afternoon, CM Yogi emphasized the special significance of this year's Mahakumbh, as it marks a rare celestial alignment occurring after 144 years. The 45-day grand event, from January 13 to February 26, begins on Monday and is expected to attract 40 crore visitors. "No other country, apart from India and China, boasts such a massive population," the Chief Minister remarked. (ANI) According to provisional results announced on Saturday by the head of the electoral commission, Ahmed Bartchiret, the party won 124 out of 188 seats in the National Assembly. According to Al Jazeera, the elections, which were largely boycotted by opposition parties, saw a voter turnout of 51.56 per cent with opposition groups criticising the turnout as evidence of doubts over the election's legitimacy. The election that took place on December 29 also included municipal and regional votes and was the first of its kind in Chad in over a decade. President Deby's government had framed the election as the final stage of the country's transition to democracy, following his rise to power in 2021 after the death of his father, long-time President Idriss Deby Itno, Al Jazeera reported. More than 10 opposition parties, including the main Transformers party, boycotted the vote, calling it a "charade" and expressing concerns it would mirror the disputed presidential election from the previous year. According to Al Jazeera, the election took place during a challenging period for Chad, which is facing security issues, including threats from the militant group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region and tensions over military cooperation with France. The country recently severed military ties with France, following a trend in several West and Central African nations, and has been building closer relations with Russia. This week, security forces also thwarted an attack on the presidency, which the government called an "attempt to destabilise." (ANI) Khabib Nurmgomedov is opening up about being removed from a flight in the United States following a seat dispute with airline staff. The 36-year-old Russian UFC champion wrote about the incident in an X post on Monday, clarifying what was seen in a video that went viral over the weekend. While initial reports indicated the mixed martial artist was on an Alaska Airlines flight, he stated in his post, which has been seen more than nine million times on the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he was flying with Frontier Airlines. He indicated the worker who confronted him while he sat in the exit row was "very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she insists on removing me from my seat." First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier not AlaskaAir. Lady who comes to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she still insists on removing me from my khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 12, 2025 In the video of the incident, which reportedly took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, shows an employee telling Nurmgomedov he either has to switch seats or get off the plane. "They're not comfortable with you sitting in the exit row," the worker added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not fair," said Nurmgomedov, who was reportedly flying to Los Angeles, to which the worker replied, "It is fair. Yes, it is." Nurmgomedov explained that when he was checking in for the flight, he was asked he if knew English, to which he said he did. The airline worker responded, "I understand that, but it's also off of their judgement. I'm not going to do this back-and-forth. I will call a supervisor." The employee reiterated the athlete could either take a different seat on the plane, or staff could "go ahead and escort" him off the flight. She asked "which one are we doing?" and then replied to Nurmgomedov saying they were going to have to rebook him on a different flight. Nurmagomedov continued in his X post on Monday that he wasn't sure of the worker's motive in the situation, questioning if it was "racial, national" or something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After two minutes of conversation, she called security and I was deplaned from this aircraft, after 1.5 hours, I boarded another airline and left to my destination. I did my best to stay calm and respectful as you can see on the video. But those crew members could do better next time and just be nice with clients." Frontier Airlines has since responded to Nurmagomedov's post, stating, "We are aware of the incident and are investigating." Other social media users have called out the airline in defence of Nurmagomedov, who's believed to be travelling to Los Angeles to support his teammates ahead of the UFC 311 event on Jan. 18. "Unacceptable behaviour from staff! Your company needs a cultural reboot," someone on Instagram wrote on the airline's most recent post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Y'all messed with the wrong marine," another chimed in. "Most embarrassing airline," one person added. AUSTIN (KXAN) A recent study found Austin was the top city in Texas attracting millennials. SmartAsset, a financial technology company, said it ranked 271 of the largest U.S. cities based on the percentage of people between the ages of 25 and 44 who recently moved in. The study found that over a year, 5.49 million millennials moved to large U.S. cities. Millennials are often in their prime earning years, and many have young families, which may significantly impact the communities they join and leave, SmartAsset said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas cities with the most people working from home In Austin, 10.69% of the population is represented by new millennial transplants, with 103,738 millennials moving in. The study found 395,776 millennials were represented in the Central Texas citys total population (1 year and older) of 970,338, with a relative population of 40.79%. Other information SmartAsset found on millennials in Austin: Millennials moved in from the same county: 55,591 Millennials moved in from a different county, same state: 21,403 Millennials moved in from a different state: 19,890 Millennials moved in from abroad: 6,854 While Austin ranked No. 1 in Texas, it was lower on the list when it came to U.S. cities. Nationally, Austin ranked No. 9 out of the 271 cities examined in the study. According to the study, another Texas city was not listed until Houston, which was ranked at No. 51 nationally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Houston, SmartAsset found 176,819 millennials moved into the city, and the generation now represents 32.73% of the total population of the Southeast Texas city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. 22 The real estate company looking to breathe new life into the former home of Worcester Federal Savings, also known as Two Chestnut Place, 22 Elm St., has transferred the ownership of the building to the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, an affiliate of the Archdiocese of Boston. The transfer of ownership aims to develop the building into 22 affordable condominiums, Boston-based company Synergy said. The renovations are part of a two-step plan Synergy announced last year and also includes the revamping of the 11-story building commonly known as One Chestnut Place into 198 market-rate apartments. Eskow Road site of development 897 Plans that call for an 897-car auction site on undeveloped land off Route 20 will appear in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 10 at the request of developer CarMax Auto Superstores. The proposal by CarMax Auto Superstores, a company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, includes construction of a 7,125-square-foot auction building, a 125-space parking lot for employees and public use, and a display lot covering about 255,000 square feet. According to plans, the site is expected to hold up to two indoor auctions per week, each of which could auction off 500 vehicles. In November, Ryan Gardell steps back to check on his progress while "refreshing" a mural on the outside wall at Coney Island Hot Dogs on Southbridge Street in Worcester. 140 When Ryan Gardell, an artist known for his murals in the city and artwork on local businesses, opened a workshop in Tatnuck Square in 2021, his goal was to create a venue where other artists could practice for free, regardless of skill level. In July, three years after opening, Gardell moved the Artifakt Studios to Providence, saying he had been priced out of the neighborhood. He opened a paint shop at 140 Millbury St. On Jan. 4, Gardell closed the paint shop, while raising concerns about the future of artists in the city and the sustainability of businesses run by artists. Dan Kenary, founder of Harpoon Brewery, has roots in Worcester. 14 Finestkind Brewing LLC, parent company of Smuttynose Brewing Co., is merging with Mass. Bay Brewing Co. The two companies announced the merger Dec. 31 under the name Barrel One Collective. Mass. Bay Brewing is known for Harpoon, Long Trail, Dunkin Spiked, UFO, Shed, Clown Shoes, Otter Creek, Catamount and Italian Ice. Barrel One Collective will have 14 brands and operate brewery-taprooms and/or retail businesses in Boston; Westminster; Worcester; Hampton, New Hampshire, Brooklyn, New York; Windsor, Vermont; Bridgewater Corners, Vermont; and in Manchester, New Hampshire, starting in spring 2025. Dan Kenary was announced as CEO of the new company. Saint Vincent Hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 31 Saint Vincent Hospital signed a new contract Dec. 30 with insurer Point32Health, just hours before a Dec. 31 deadline, sparing thousands of patients from having to scramble for health insurance coverage. The parties did not release the terms of the four-year deal signed Monday, which runs through Dec. 31, 2028. Point32Health's statement confirmed the new deal with Tenet Healthcare, the Dallas-based for-profit that owns and operates Saint Vincent, MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham and Natick, and Worcester Surgical Center. Besides hospital coverage at the Massachusetts facilities owned by Tenet, the new deal also covers outpatient centers and doctors' offices affiliated with Tenet. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. by the Numbers NEW YORK (PIX11) One week into congestion pricing the MTA has announced the purchase of more than 200 new buses and a new bus depot coming to New York City. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced that the agency has purchased more than 200 zero-emission buses that will take to the streets of all five boroughs. More Congestion Pricing News Transit officials also have plans for a new Jamaica Bus Depot which they say will help bring jobs to the surrounding Queens community during its construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transit is what makes New York the greenest Cityand these new buses, along with all the infrastructure upgrades to bus depots across the five boroughs, mean New Yorkers all over will soon be breathing cleaner air, said Lieber. More Local News The Jamaica Depot is expected to be up and running by 2027, expanding charging infrastructure for the citys new zero-emissions bus fleet. MTA representatives say theyre also striving to recruit 20% of the workforce from Southeast Queens neighborhoods. The new fully electric bus fleet will help eliminate carbon emissions associated with diesel fuel exhaust and will allow for cleaner air for city residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. If you haven't watched "Schoolhouse Rock" recently, it's probably a good time to get caught up on how a bill becomes a law in Iowa. State lawmakers return to the Iowa Capitol Jan. 13, where the 2025 legislative session will kick off at 10 a.m. when the House and Senate formally gavel in. It will be Republicans' ninth consecutive year in control of the House, Senate and governor's office since taking the trifecta in the 2016 election. This year, Republicans have supermajorities in both the House and the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's a lot to keep track of during the legislative process. In 2024, Iowa lawmakers introduced 1,166 pieces of legislation 719 in the House and 447 in the Senate. Of those, the Iowa Legislature passed 188 measures. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed 185 bills into law in 2024 and vetoed one bill. The two other measures passed by lawmakers were resolutions proposing amendments to the Iowa Constitution and did not require the governor's signature. So here's how Iowa's legislative process works: How does a bill become a law in Iowa? Bills go through multiple steps before they can become laws in Iowa. First, the bill must be filed by a state lawmaker. Then, leadership in the House and Senate must assign that bill to a committee for it to be considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the bill has been assigned to a specific committee, the committee chair chooses whether to schedule a subcommittee meeting for a smaller group of lawmakers to hear public input and move the bill forward. Subcommittees are the public's only chance to directly weigh in on legislation during the legislative process, although Iowans can always contact their lawmakers and urge them to support or oppose a bill. More: Property tax cuts, Medicaid, higher ed: 5 issues to watch in the 2025 Iowa Legislature If the bill is approved in subcommittee, it then moves to a full committee for consideration. Again, it's up to the committee chair's discretion to decide if a bill will be called up for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills that pass out of committee are eligible for votes in the full House or Senate, where leadership decides what goes on the agenda. Bills that pass either the House or the Senate must then go through the whole process again in the other chamber. To speed up the process, lawmakers sometimes introduce companion bills identical bills introduced in each chamber that can go through the committee process in parallel and be swapped out for each other during floor debate. Once a bill has been approved by a majority in both the House and Senate, it goes to the governor, who can choose to sign it into law or veto it. More: Want to contact Iowa lawmakers or find bills? How to engage in the legislative process: What should I expect from the Legislature's first week? Speeches, speeches, speeches The first week of the legislative session is all about pomp and ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative leaders will give opening speeches on Monday, while lawmakers welcome each other and the public back to the Statehouse. Gov. Kim Reynolds will give her annual Condition of the State address at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Iowa House chamber. She'll use the speech to lay out her legislative agenda for the year. Gov. Kim Reynolds arrives for the Condition of the Judiciary Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Iowa State Capitol. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen will give the Condition of the Judiciary address Wednesday morning. And Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, will give the Condition of the Guard speech on Thursday. More: Who are the leaders of the 2025 Iowa Legislature? Here's what you should know: Two 'funnel' deadlines will help determine which bills make the cut Most of the bills introduced in the Iowa Legislature won't become law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And two big deadlines play a key role in winnowing down bills that lack the support to pass. The first "funnel" deadline is March 7. By that point, a bill must make it through a full committee in the chamber where it was introduced. So a House bill must pass both a subcommittee and a full committee in the House to remain viable. The second funnel is four weeks later, April 4. By that date, bills must pass a full chamber and a full committee in the opposite chamber to remain alive. So a House bill must pass the House and advance through a full Senate committee by the deadline. Not all bills are subject to the funnel deadlines. Spending bills and changes to tax policy are exempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And lawmakers can resurrect bills in other ways, such as adding them as amendments to other bills or by leadership in both chambers cosponsoring a new bill. So, how long will Iowa's legislative session last? Lawmakers will be aiming to finish the session around May 2. That's the 110th calendar day of the session, when lawmakers' per diem stipends for expenses such as hotels and gas run out. However, there is no firm date when the session has to adjourn. Lawmakers often go past their target end date as they wrangle over the final details of bills and the state's budget. Here's how to follow legislative action and read Iowa bills online Even if you're not up at the Capitol, you can still track bills and stream floor debates online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers also allow the public to watch subcommittee and committee meetings virtually. The House and Senate post daily agendas of subcommittee and committee meetings online, with information on how to stream them. If you want to find your legislator and reach out, you can do so on the legislative website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find. And you can track all the legislative action through the Des Moines Register in print, online and in your inbox with our daily politics newsletter. Sign up at DesMoinesRegister.com/PoliticsNewsletter. While you're at it, follow the Register on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Threads and TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa's Legislature is back for 2025. Here's your guide on how it works Germany is working to secure a drifting Russian oil tanker, believed to be part of Moscows shadow fleet used to fund its war in Ukraine, after it lost control in the Baltic Sea. The Eventin tanker, carrying nearly 100,000 tons of oil thought to be from Russia, lost power near the German island of Rugen on Friday, Germanys Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME) said. By Saturday, three tugboats were still working to tow the 274-meter-long Panamanian-flagged tanker to safety. The Eventin departed from Russia and was headed for Egypt, according to MarineTraffic, a monitoring group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CCME said the tugboat convoy was working to tow the Eventin to Sassnitz, a port on Rugen, but that the stormy conditions were slowing the towing process considerably. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the decrepit oil tanker was another example of the danger Russia poses to European security. Since Western countries sanctioned Russias oil exports, the Kremlin has relied on old, sometimes Soviet-era tankers known as its shadow fleet to transport oil to buyers across the world. With the unscrupulous use of a fleet of rusting tankers, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin not only circumvents sanctions but also deliberately accepts the risk of halting tourism in the Baltic Sea region, Baerbock said Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin, which has previously refused to respond to accusations that it uses a shadow fleet, has not yet commented on the incident. The West has grown increasingly alarmed by Russias dependence on this aging fleet, which has wreaked environmental havoc in the Black Sea and implicated in damage to vital undersea cables off the Baltic coast. In December, two Russian tankers were wrecked off the coast of occupied Crimea, spilling thousands of tons of fuel into the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the ships nearly 50 years old shouldnt have been in operation at all. Those two tankers carried around 10,000 tons of fuel between them 10 times less than the Eventin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in December, Finnish authorities seized a tanker traveling from Russia, on suspicion it had used its anchor to damage an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia. German authorities said no oil leaks had been detected after the Eventin lost power on Friday, but warned of strong winds and waves of up to 2.5 meters (over 8 feet). Zelensky called the tanker an oil bomb that, fortunately, didnt detonate. Every day, Russia bombards Ukraine, and it finances its missiles, strike drones, and guided bombs, in part, with profits from its tanker fleet. Russia jeopardizes the environment solely to sustain its ability to kill people, he said Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Friday, the outgoing Biden administration targeted Russias energy sector, including its so-called shadow fleet, with some of its harshest sanctions to date. Zelensky welcomed the move. The sanctions target nearly 200 oil-carrying vessels, many thought to be part of the fleet. A senior administration official said: We expect our actions to cost Russia upwards of billions of dollars per month. In December 2022, the Group of Seven (G7) nations capped the price of Russian oil at $60 per barrel. The cap was designed to be enforced by companies that provide shipping, insurance and other services for Russian oil. If a buyer agreed to pay more than the cap, the companies would withhold their services. To dodge these sanctions, Russia has used aging, often uninsured tankers flagged in countries that do not observe the G7 sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a Finnish think-tank, said 420 vessels exported Russian crude oil and oil products last month, of which 234 were shadow tankers, and 30% of these were at least 20 years old. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Joby Aviation is parked at an airfield this fall in Marina, Calif. Terry Chea/AP Joby Aviation employees assemble parts for an electric vertical takeoff and landing eVTOL aircraft Oct. 7 in Marina, Calif. Terry Chea/AP JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, stands next to an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as an eVTOL. Terry Chea/AP An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Joby Aviation flies over an airfield in Marina, Calif. Terry Chea/AP A phone displays a Joby Aviation mobile app that consumers could use to take a flight in an electric vertical takeoff and landing eVTOL aircraft. Terry Chea/AP SAN FRANCISCO When he was still a boy making long, tedious trips between his school and his woodsy home in the mountains during the 1980s, JoeBen Bevirt began fantasizing about flying cars that could whisk him to his destination in a matter of minutes. As CEO of Joby Aviation, Bevirt is getting closer to turning his boyhood flights of fancy into a dream come true as he and latter-day versions of the Wright Brothers launch a new class of electric-powered aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky. The aircraft known as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL lift off the ground like a helicopter before flying at speeds up to 200 mph with a range of about 100 miles. And these craft do it without filling the air with excessive noise caused by fuel-powered helicopters and small airplanes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are just a few steps from the finish line. We want to turn what are now one- and two-hour trips into five-minute trips, Bevirt, 51, said before a Joby air taxi took off on a test flight in Marina, Calif. located about 40 miles south from where he grew up in the mountains. JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, stands next to an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as an eVTOL. Terry Chea/AP Archer Aviation, a Silicon Valley company backed by automaker Stellantis and United Airlines, has been testing its own eVTOLs over farmland in Salinas, Calif., where a prototype called Midnight could be seen gliding above a tractor plowing fields last November. The tests are part of the journey that Joby Aviation and other ambitious companies are taking to turn flying cars into more than just pie-in-the-sky concepts popularized in 1960s-era cartoon series, The Jetsons, and the 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner. Collectively, theyve raised billions of dollars for the quest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Archer Aviation and nearby Wisk Aero, with ties to aerospace giant Boeing Co. and Google co-founder Larry Page, also are at the forefront in the race to bring air taxis to market in the United States. Joby already has formed a partnership to connect its air taxis with Delta Air Lines passengers while Archer Aviation has lined up a deal to sell as many as 200 of its aircraft to United Airlines. An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Archer Aviation is parked at an airfield in Salinas, Calif., in 2024. Archer Aviation via AP Flying car hub in S.A. Port San Antonio already has plans in the works to build a vertiport as a hub for eVTOLs. It will be near the site of the ports futuristic, $300 million office tower expected to be complete in 2029. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Plans call for the hub to offer a park-and-ride service using eVTOLs to ferry employees from VIA transit centers and park-and-ride lots across the city. The ports tenants employ more than 18,000 people, according to the port. If we could pick those folks up at (a) park-and-ride and move them to our campus, we not only free up a lot of the immediate parking pressures that are on campus, but we free up having to put tens of millions of dollars of infrastructure into bringing that level of transportation to our campus, port President and CEO Jim Perschbach said during a panel discussion on the future of mobility in May. I think there is a clear and compelling immediate need for us to have it. Panelists speak at a May event at Boeing Tech Port about the future of mobility at Port San Antonio. Jessica Phelps In addition to getting employees to and from the port, the vertiport could develop air taxi services to encourage cross pollination of educational opportunities between the port and Texas A&M University San Antonio, according to a report on advanced air mobility possibilities. It also mentions the University of Texas at San Antonio and St. Philips College Southwest campus as possible destinations for eVTOL services. Other possible stops mentioned by the report are San Antonio International Airport, the Convention Center and, Alamo and River Walk. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Perschbach, who is on the Texas Transportation Commissions Advanced Air Mobility Advisory Committee, said he also sees eVTOLs eventually moving cargo across the port. I want this to move as quickly as possible, he said. One, because we have a need for it, but two, were somewhat in a race to become one of the prove-up environments for these aircraft. The air mobility report anticipates the time frame for the air taxi and cargo services would be from three to five years. It sets out actions that should be taken in the near term, one to three years, including seeking formal designation as an FAA AAM Test Site. New FAA category Flying taxis already have made enough regulatory inroads with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to result in the recent creation of a new aircraft category called powered lift, a step the agency hadnt taken since helicopters were introduced for civilian use in the 1940s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But there are more regulatory hurdles to be cleared before the craft will be allowed to carry passengers in the U.S., making Dubai the most likely place where eVTOLs will first take commercial flight perhaps by the end of this year. A Joby Aviation employees works on the assembly of an electric vertical takeoff and landing eVTOL aircraft Oct. 7 in Marina, Calif. Terry Chea/AP Its a tricky business to develop a whole new class of vehicles, said Alan Lim, director of Alton Aviation Consultancy, a firm tracking the industrys evolution. It is going to be like a crawl, walk, run situation. Right now, I think we are still crawling. We are not going to have the Jetsons-type reality where everyone will be flying around everywhere in the next two to three years. China also is vying to make flying cars a reality, a quest that has piqued President-elect Donald Trumps interest in making the vehicles a priority for his incoming administration during the next four years. If the ambitions of eVTOL pioneers are realized in the U.S., people will be able to hop in an air taxi to get to and from airports serving New York and Los Angeles within the next few years. Because its electric taxis can fly unimpeded at high speeds, Joby envisions transporting up to four Delta passengers at a time from New York-area airports to Manhattan in about 10 minutes or less. To start, air taxi prices almost certainly will be significantly more than the cost of taking a conventional cab or Uber ride from JFK to Manhattan, but the difference could narrow over time because eVTOLs should be able to transport a higher volume of passengers than ground vehicles stuck in traffic going each way. Highways in the sky You will see highways in the sky, Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein predicted during an interview at the companys San Jose, Calif., headquarters. There will be hundreds, maybe thousands of these aircraft flying in these individual cities, and it will truly change the way cities are being built. Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein speaks at the companys headquarters Dec. 13 in San Jose, Calif. Terry Chea/AP Investors are betting Goldstein is right, helping Archer raise an additional $430 million late last year from a group that included Stellantis and United Airlines. The infusion came shortly after a Japanese automaker poured another $500 million into Joby to bring its total investment in that company to nearly $900 million. Those investments were part of the $13 billion that eVTOL companies have raised during the past five years, according to Alton Aviation. Both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation went public in 2021 through reverse mergers, opening up another fundraising avenue and making it easier to recruit engineers with the allure of stock options. Both companies have been able to attract workers away from Elon Musks Tesla and SpaceX and, in Archers instance, raiding the ranks of Wisk Aero. The Wisk defections triggered a lawsuit accusing Archer of intellectual property theft in a dispute that was resolved with a 2023 settlement that included an agreement for the two sides to collaborate on some facets of eVTOL technology. Before going public, Joby also acquired eVTOL technology developed by ride-hailing service Uber in an $83 million deal that also brought those two companies together as partners. An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Joby Aviation lands at an airfield this fall in Marina, Calif. Terry Chea/AP Uncertain prospects But none of the deals or technological advances has stopped the losses from piling up at the companies building flying cars. Joby, whose roots date back to 2009 when Bevirt founded the company, has sustained $1.6 billion in losses since its inception while Archer has amassed nearly $1.5 billion in losses since its founding in 2018. While they moved to commercial air taxi services, both Joby and Archer are trying to bring in revenue by negotiating contracts to use their eVTOLs in the U.S. military for deliveries and other other short-range missions. Archer has forged a partnership with Anduril Industries, a military defense technology specialist founded by Oculus headset inventor Palmer Luckey, to help it win deals. The uncertain prospects have left both companies with relatively low market values by tech industry standards, with Jobys hovering around $7 billion and Archers $6 billion. But Bevirt sees blue skies ahead, saying eVTOLs are going to transform the way we move, he said. Its a dramatically better way to get around. Seeing the world from the air is better than being stuck in the traffic on the interstate. Eduardo Lacasta denies claims that he instructed the artist to portray himself in the newly installed church ceiling A tiny village in northeastern Spain was shocked to discover that a mystery saint had appeared in their church that bore a remarkable likeness to a local businessman. It emerged that Eduardo Lacasta, an 82-year-old real estate dealer with a criminal record, had paid for the restoration of the 900-year-old San Miguel church in his home village of Latre and commissioned an artist to paint its newly installed ceiling. The artist decided that the saint should look like me, Lacasta said, dismissing claims he purposely instructed the artist to paint him as Saint Matthias, the last of the 12 apostles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there has been anger among the nine residents of Latre for the church benefactors lack of respect. Saint Matthias, would you believe? That is not a good match for him, one local woman told RTVE, Spains state broadcaster. Lacasta was sentenced to six years in prison in 2020 for defrauding Spains tax office and other public bodies out of 45 million (37 million). He only spent three months in jail thanks to a plea deal. An anonymous letter has criticised the likeness of Eduardo Lacasta in the church ceiling as vandalism disguised as philanthropy - Willtron The businessman has since apologised not for including his face among local patron saints, but because he did not ask the church authorities before painting on its Romanesque walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made a mistake in not asking permission and for that I am sorry from my soul, Lacasta told the newspaper El Mundo. I recovered a building that was ruined with the roof on the ground, and I had it restored 20 years ago. I also put in a new church bell tower, with four new automated bells. The bishop of Jaca, the nearest cathedral city, now must consider whether to remove the painting, which was brought to public attention by an anonymous letter. The letter was sent to media outlets by an individual calling themselves Saint Barbara, who claimed to be an art historian. It said that Lacastas addition of his own face to the painting was an act of egocentrism and vandalism disguised as philanthropy. Monkey Christ Jose Ignacio Ubieto, deputy mayor of the larger neighbouring village of Caldearenas, had a more optimistic reaction to the local scandal, saying he hopes that the controversy might attract new visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the nearby town of Borja experienced a tourism boom after Cecilia Gimenez, an amateur artist, received unwanted global fame for her botched attempt to restore a prized fresco of Christ that was dubbed monkey Christ. Maybe word will get out and people will come to see what has happened; it would be ideal if in the end the painting has a positive impact, Mr Ubieto told local outlet El Periodico de Aragon. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The world must return to a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran to turn it into a more democratic country, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told an Iranian opposition event in Paris on Saturday. Trump has vowed to return to the policy he pursued in his previous term that sought to wreck Iran's economy to force the country to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programs, ballistic missile programs and regional activities. "These pressures are not just kinetic, just not military force, but they must be economic and diplomatic as well", Retired Lieutenant-General Kellogg, who is set to serve as Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, told the audience at Paris-based Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said there was an opportunity "to change Iran for the better" but that this opportunity would not last forever. "We must exploit the weakness we now see. The hope is there, so must too be the action." Retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg speaks at a campaign rally at Defender Ammunition Company in Raeford, N.C., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. He has previously spoken at NCRI events, most recently in November, but his presence in Paris, even if in a personal capacity, suggests the group has the ear of the new U.S. administration. Kellogg postponed a trip to European capitals earlier this month until after Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. It was unclear whether he would use his trip top Paris to meet French officials to discuss Ukraine. The French presidency, foreign ministry, Trump's transition team did not immediately respond for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incoming U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also spoken at NCRI events in the past. The group has repeatedly called for the fall of the existing Iranian authorities, although it is unclear how much support it has within Iran. Speaking at the start of the event at Auvers-sur-Oise, the group's headquarters on the outskirts of Paris, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi said the regional balance of power had shifted against Iran's leadership with the all of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the "crushing blow" suffered by its most important ally Hezbollah is its war with Israel. "It is time for Western governments to abandon past policies and stand with the Iranian people this time," she said. The NCRI, the political arm of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), has held frequent rallies in the France, often attended by high profile former U.S., European and Arab officials critical of the Islamic Republic. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Ukraine envoy: World must reinstate 'maximum pressure' on Iran With some two weeks left at the helm, President Joe Biden mentioned early hopes for a presidential library in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Wednesday. The president confirmed he hasnt made any decisions on where the library will be located but "hopefully" it lands in Delaware. Ive talked to former presidents, apparently building the library is a gigantic undertaking, Biden said from the Oval Office. And so I havent made that decision yet. Biden said there has been a push to see him link his library with the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware, while Wilmington officials want him to "move the library into the city." He said the University of Pennsylvania, which already has the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, is also interested in housing the library. Across Delaware, there are many ideas on where the Biden library could be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the push isn't going anywhere soon. As a university spokesperson put it Wednesday afternoon: "The University of Delaware would be honored to be considered as the home of the Biden Presidential Library and Museum at or near its campus." On his first day in office, Wilmington Mayor John Carney also issued a statement, adding he "favors a prominent location within the City of Wilmington as the site of the presidential library." Time will tell, and Biden is taking it. Another building: Brains, diseases, quantum physics in the basement: UD unveils new science building Biden not rushing into library decision President Joe Biden sits down with USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page for an interview in the Oval Office on Jan. 5, 2025. One of the reasons Biden hasnt decided, he said, is that hes still in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His presidency ends Jan. 20, and he hasnt yet determined who will represent him in any library pursuit. He and first lady Jill Biden partnered with the Creative Artists Agency a Los Angeles-based talent agency in 2017 to continue their policy work after he left the vice presidency. Whether its CAA or other folks, I honest to God havent decided, he said about who will work with him to establish his library. Two of Bidens close aides Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden's top adviser will take the lead on planning for a presidential library, Axios reported in December. The project will demand multimillions of dollars in fundraising. Any decision on the location will likely filter through not only Biden and the first lady, but also through layers of family and confidants in between. Sitdown exclusive with Joe Biden: In exclusive sit-down, Biden reveals his biggest regret and the compliment Trump gave him Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Herbert Hoover, presidents have chosen to build presidential libraries and museums to house their papers, records and historical markers. Franklin D. Roosevelt formally started the presidential library system in 1939. Presidential libraries cost millions of dollars George W. Bush raised more than $500 million for his presidential center and are generally funded with private donations and, in some cases, with contributions from state and local governments or university partners. After construction is completed, the National Archives and Records Administration typically operates and maintains the facility. Barack Obama decided against a physical presidential library maintained by the government. Instead, the Obama Foundation plans to build and operate a private museum and presidential center, while maintaining the first all-digital presidential library. Some 95% of his records were already digital, according to the foundation. Where could you see it? Ideas mount for a Joe Biden Presidential Library in Delaware Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Archives will store and preserve materials after digitalization, while some items will be lent for display at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago. This separate center will focus on the wider story of both the president and his family, before and after the White House, and is still scheduled to open in 2026. (This story has been updated to remove a typo.) Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01. (This story was updated to add a photo gallery) This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Joe Biden hopes presidential library will be in Delaware. What we know TOKYO, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - This year marks 80 years since the end of the Pacific War. As the number of people who experienced the war dwindles, efforts have begun to preserve the remnants of the Tokyo air raids, which claimed the lives of 100,000 people. A small room surrounded by blackened walls and ceilingthis room, 80 years ago, was covered in dark soot from the flames that claimed the lives of approximately 100,000 people. Sanyukais Mitsuhiro Toya: "Its unclear what this room was used for, but it has remained in its original condition ever since." Located in Tokyos Sumida Ward, the former main building of Sanyukai Hospital bears the terrible scars of the Tokyo air raids. In the early hours of March 10, 1945, countless incendiary bombs dropped by American B-29 bombers turned the downtown area, including the hospital, into a sea of fire. Masako Hoshino, who was 15 years old at the time and is now 94, recalled: "Someone from the neighborhood patrol came to the air raid shelter and said, Todays air raid is different in scale; its dangerous to stay here, so please flee. I saw sparks flying, and as I lowered my head, people along the roadside poured water on us." Hoshino fled to a park about 300 meters from the hospital, where she narrowly escaped with her life. However, by dawn, the sight of her devastated neighborhood unfolded before her eyes. "I saw Ueno Stations building, which wasnt visible before the air raid, standing in the midst of the burnt-out landscape. I was astonished and that memory has stayed with me ever since," she said. On that day, approximately 270,000 buildings were destroyed in the Tokyo air raids, and about 100,000 lives were lost. Though engulfed by flames, the concrete structure of Sanyukai Hospital miraculously remained intact, and there were no casualties among the doctors and patients. The hospital resumed operations the following year, but a small rooftop room was left untouched. For 80 years, it has quietly preserved the memory of the horrific war. Preserving the Aftermath of the Tokyo Air Raids for Future Generations However, with the aging of the building, a decision was made last year to demolish the old main structure. Before the demolition began, experts conducted a survey and discovered that this room was a valuable historical artifact. Kenta Senji, curator at the Center of the Tokyo Air Raids and War Damage: "We were genuinely surprised to find something like this still existing. As far as we know, there are no other rooms preserved in this condition. We decided to preserve as much as possible before the building is torn down." Pieces of charred wooden fragments and parts of the walls were cut out from the room and will be preserved and displayed at another facility. Senji added: "I believe this will help people understand the intensity and tragedy of the fire." As opportunities to hear firsthand accounts from war survivors become increasingly rare, the effort to preserve these remnants takes on greater significance. Sanyukais Mitsuhiro Toya: "We want people to know that such a massive air raid occurred, one so fierce that it left objects near the rooftop completely blackened by flames. It is a historical fact that must be passed on to future generations." Source: ANN TOKYO, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - A female student wielded a hammer on Hosei University's campus in Tokyo, injuring eight students. Students fleeing from a classroom during the tense moment were captured in footage, showing the chaos that unfolded. Yu Juhyun, a 22-year-old Korean national and second-year student at Hosei University, was arrested at the scene for allegedly striking a man in his twenties with what appeared to be a hammer around 3:30 p.m. on January 10th. Footage recorded during the incident shows a person slamming an object onto the floor, with students retreating toward the back of the classroom to escape. Photos taken shortly after the incident depict people attempting to cover their heads with clothing while fleeing. Bloodstains were visible near the seat believed to be where one of the victims had been sitting. The incident occurred on the lush Tama Campus in Machida City, Tokyo. Authorities received a report around 4:00 p.m. that day. A school staff member recalled: Someone is swinging a hammer around, and there are injured people. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire crews, rushed to the scene, creating a chaotic atmosphere on campus. According to the police, about 100 students were present in the classroom when the incident took place during a lecture. A student who was in the same classroom described Yus appearance: She was wearing all black, with white sneakers and glasses. She was fairly tall and slender. She remained silent and expressionless the entire time. From what I saw, she kept striking the victims head without saying anything, showing no expression throughout. Another student provided further details: The hammer was about 10 to 15 centimeters long, I think. I didnt get a good look, but it wasnt very large. She swung it from behind and hit a female student. One of the victims had blood all over his hand, and another was clutching the back of his neck. The eight injured students, including five male and three female students, suffered head wounds, but their lives are not in danger. During questioning, Yu reportedly admitted: I was frustrated after being ignored by the group. I used a hammer I found at the school to hit them. The Metropolitan Police Department is conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances and motives behind the incident. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - Japans largest non-life insurer, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, has decided to raise the starting salary for university graduates joining the company in April next year. The salary for general positions will increase from approximately 280,000 yen to a maximum of about 410,000 yen. This change will apply to new employees who agree to transfers involving relocation, setting one of the highest levels of starting salaries among major financial institutions. Meanwhile, for graduates who do not agree to relocation-based transfers, the starting salary will also be raised from approximately 230,000 yen to 280,000 yen. The move comes amid increasing competition for talent due to labor shortages, with the aim of attracting a broad range of highly capable graduates. Source: ANN Kitakyushu, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - A ceremony to celebrate new adults was held in Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, drawing many young people dressed in vibrant and flamboyant outfits. These eye-catching outfits have gained attention worldwide and were even showcased at a fashion show in New York two years ago. This year, Kitakyushu has 8,967 new adults turning 20, a decrease of 134 compared to last year. TOKYO, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - The Ground Self-Defense Force's First Airborne Brigade held its annual "First Parachute Training" exercise at the Narashino Training Ground in Chiba Prefecture, where Defense Minister Nakatanit also took part in the drills. This years exercise simulated the defense of remote islands against foreign invasions, with around 210 personnel parachuting in from helicopters and transport aircraft. A record 11 countries, including newly participating nations such as Italy and the Philippines, joined the training alongside the United States and the United Kingdom. Prior to the main exercise, Nakatani underwent training to practice parachute landing procedures. Nakatani remarked: "Joint training exercises strengthen efforts toward realizing Japans Indo-Pacific defense strategy." Source: BIZ KOBE, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - Two women were fatally struck by a train at a railroad crossing in Tarumi Ward, Kobe City, on January 9th, with investigators believing that the women may have accidentally waited for the traffic signal inside the lowered crossing gate. The accident occurred just before 4 p.m. near Nishimaiko Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway line. Both women were hit by the approaching train and died at the scene. Reporter Makino Amaki said, Theres a traffic signal immediately after the railroad crossing, but the waiting space is so narrow that it feels extremely dangerous. Subsequent investigation revealed that a pedestrian crossing on the south side of the crossing connects to National Route 2. Just before the collision, the train operator reportedly noticed two women standing inside the gate facing the pedestrian crossing. A passerby commented, The slope and narrow space make it quite frightening, adding, For elderly people, there might be situations where they end up waiting inside the crossing gate. Two Chinese passports were found at the scene, suggesting that the victims were foreign nationals. Police are investigating the possibility that they mistakenly waited inside the gate and are working to determine the cause of the accident. Sanyo Electric Railway reported that four accidents, including one fatality, have occurred at this crossing since 2009. Source: YOMIURI San Antonio CosMc's at 12360 FM 1957 on the Far West Side opened in August. Last week, McDonald's announced it plans to close three of its larger format CosMc's locations in Texas that opened last year. It's unclear if the two San Antonio CosMc's locations will close. Courtesy CosMc's San Antonio CosMc's at 12360 FM 1957 on the Far West Side. Courtesy CosMc's CosMcs, featuring a menu made up largely of beverages including fruity energy drinks and slushies, promised a new era for the McDonalds fast-food chain when it was announced in 2023. Now less than a year after opening locations across Texas, including in San Antonio, the company plans to close three of the brands larger-format restaurants that opened last year in the Lone Star State. Of the seven CosMcs nationwide, two are in San Antonio and four call North Texas home. The other is in Illinois, where McDonaldss is headquartered. It was the first to open in late 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McDonalds hasnt disclosed which Texas stores will be closing but said all three are larger locations that were remodeled into CosMcs. At least one of the North Texas locations is closing, Dallas news station WFAA reported. The two Alamo City CosMcs both on the West Side are smaller-format stores, a size McDonalds appears to favor. Sometimes the smallest stars shine the brightest, it said in a news release announcing the closure of the three larger CosMcs. We learned that the smaller format stores allow us to test new, unique circumstances that are reflective of our customer base. The company tested how compact prototype locations, which rely heavily on drive-thru and digital interaction, performed versus larger restaurant spaces. It appears the mini locations fared better and McDonalds now plans to open two smaller CosMcs in Texas this year, the news release states. It didnt say where. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first San Antonio CosMcs debuted in August at 12360 FM 1957, near Potranco Road. In October, the second location opened a few miles down the road at 8726 Potranco Road. Before pulling the plug on the large-format locations, McDonalds said its planning for expansion of the concept in Texas. The fast-food giant has teased the possibility of another CosMcs opening in the Alamo City, and said in August it plans to open five more locations between Dallas and San Antonio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In its update on the brand, McDonalds also announced the most popular CosMcs menu items. They include the Churro Cold Brew Frappe and Sour Cherry Energy Burst. On the food side, customers raved about the hashbrown bites and bite-sized donuts with a gooey chocolate filling dubbed McPops, the company said. TOKYO, Jan 13 (News On Japan) - The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming society and becoming an indispensable part of daily life. How should we engage with AI and learn to coexist with it? Author Keiichiro Hirano and philosopher Akiko Suzuki, an emeritus professor at Kyoto University, exchanged views on this pressing issue. I don't believe its technically feasible to create something that surpasses human intelligence so easily, Hirano said. "Life is often compared to walking in darkness, and navigating this gray area requires a certain level of adaptability." He expressed his belief that we are entering an era that demands a renewed appreciation for human creativity in artistic experiences. Suzuki, addressing Hirano, remarked, "You've explored the concept of AI in your novels, delving into various perspectives. Theres a growing expectation about what AI can achieve, but simultaneously, concerns about AI surpassing human intelligence, dominating society, or taking away jobs are intensifying. In this context, we need to carefully consider how we can live alongside AI." Hirano noted the distinction between narrow AI and general-purpose AI as the foundation of ongoing discussions. "Narrow AI operates as a tool under human control, while the feasibility of general-purpose AI remains questionable," he said. "I am skeptical about the singularity hypothesis because our understanding of human existence is incomplete. Therefore, I doubt the possibility of easily creating an entity that surpasses human intelligence." He added, "Narrow AI excels in specific tasks, and its use in various fields has become increasingly prominent. However, general-purpose AI is fundamentally based on algorithms that aggregate and pattern data. While this allows AI to make impressive predictions in conversations, the responses are often based on generalized learning rather than genuine understanding of unsaid emotions." Hirano drew upon his novel, which centers on a young man recreating his deceased mother using AI. He explained, "In the story, the protagonist struggles to overcome his loss and seeks his mothers true feelings through interactions with her AI-based representation. The novel raises questions about whether life logs collected through digital means can provide insights into a persons genuine thoughts." Suzuki highlighted concerns over how AI might alter human communication. "The advancement of AI, particularly in areas like human resource evaluation, raises ethical concerns," she said. "If AI is used to avoid difficult conversations between superiors and subordinates, it could undermine genuine communication. We must develop a framework to ensure AI complements rather than replaces human interaction." Both agreed that while AI-driven journalism is advancing, human journalists remain essential for gathering primary information and interpreting complex contexts. Hirano concluded, "AI will continue to evolve and influence various fields, but it cannot replace the value of human creativity. Readers still desire works created by real authors because of their personal experiences and emotional depth." Suzuki suggested that society might benefit from "digital detox" periods. "If we periodically disconnect from digital devices, it could sharpen our senses and enhance interpersonal communication," she said. "This approach may help us better navigate the challenges of AI-driven life." The discussion underscored the need for ethical AI governance and the role of human creativity in an increasingly AI-driven world. Both Hirano and Suzuki emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on AI's potential and limitations. Source: Kyodo Kano Emirship By Bashir Bello KANO Aminu Babba DanAgundi, Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced plans to challenge the recent Court of Appeal judgment favouring the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. DanAgundi, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano Emirate, initially sought enforcement of fundamental human rights through the Federal High Court, alleging violations during the emirship dispute. Speaking at the Nassarawa Mini Palace, DanAgundi rejected the appellate courts decision and vowed to seek redress at the Supreme Court. The emirship crisis has just begun; nobody can claim victory yet because we are challenging this ruling at the highest court, he asserted. I have already instructed my lawyers to obtain a certified true copy of the judgment. Once an appeal is lodged at the Supreme Court, the decision of a lower court is stayed until the case is fully resolved, he explained. DanAgundi elaborated on the Court of Appeals decision: The judge who delivered the lead judgment suggested transferring the case to the states Chief Judge for redirection to ensure a fair hearing. They did not dismiss our claims outright but ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction. He added: The other two judges disagreed with the lead judgment, resulting in the appeal being struck out. That is why I am now appealing to the Supreme Court. Whatever the Supreme Court decides will be final, and we submit to the will of Allah. Until then, no one should celebrate a victory. The senior counsel called for calm, urging Kano residents to remain law-abiding as the legal proceedings continue. South Koreas Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address at the Presidential Office in Seoul. (Photo by Handout / South Korean Presidential Office / AFP) South Koreas suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial next week because of safety concerns, his lawyer said on Sunday. Yoon has been holed up in the presidential residence and protected by an elite guard force since being suspended and impeached last month, following a short-lived declaration of martial law that plunged the country into political chaos. He has refused to meet prosecutors and investigators and his presidential guard unit thwarted an attempt to arrest him following a tense, hours-long standoff earlier this month. The Constitutional Court has scheduled five trial dates spanning January 14 to February 4, which will proceed in his absence if he does not attend. Concerns about safety and potential incidents have arisen. Therefore, the President will not be able to attend the trial on January 14, lawyer Yoon Kab-keun said in a statement sent to AFP. The President is willing to appear at any time once safety issues are resolved. The court will decide whether to uphold his impeachment or restore him to office. Separately, investigators seeking to question Yoon on insurrection charges linked to his ill-fated martial law declaration are preparing another arrest attempt. His lawyers have repeatedly said an initial seven-day warrant and the new one they secured this week were both unlawful. Investigators have kept secret the length of the new warrant, with local media reports saying it is longer than the previous seven days. High alert Rival protesters for and against Yoon have gathered almost daily in the South Korean capital since the crisis unfolded. On Sunday more demonstrations were planned by rival camps outside Yoons residence and on the streets of Seoul either calling for his impeachment to be declared invalid or for him to be detained immediately. The presidents legal team say his guards remain on high alert. Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are able to detain him. If convicted, he faces prison or even the death penalty. A team of Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) officials and police are planning for the next attempt, which they said could be their last. The CIO said anyone obstructing their attempt could be detained themselves and police reportedly held a meeting of top commanders on Friday to plan for the renewed effort. Former Presidential Security Service (PSS) chief Park Chong-jun who resigned on Friday and was automatically replaced by a more hardline Yoon loyalist told reporters there must be no bloodshed in any second arrest attempt. He faced two days of questioning and did not explain his resignation. I am cooperating as diligently as possible with the authorities investigation, he told reporters Saturday. His replacement, acting PSS chief Kim Seong-hun, refused to turn up to a third summons on Saturday claiming he had to protect Yoon, opening him up to possible arrest. Lee Jin-ha, head of the services security and safety division, was questioned on Saturday. The National Office of Investigation, a police unit, sent a note to high-ranking police officials in Seoul requesting they prepare to mobilise 1,000 investigators for the fresh attempt, the Yonhap news agency reported. As the crisis goes on Yoons ruling party has seen a bump in approval ratings. A Gallup survey published Friday showed the People Power Partys approval rating had risen to 34 percent from 24 percent three weeks ago. By Kingsley Omonobi The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed delivering a devastatingly well-coordinated air-ground assault on January 10, 2025, targeting terrorist hideouts in Zamfara State as part of Operation Fansan Yanma. Air strikes and synchronized ground assaults at Fakai Hills decimated scores of bandits, leaving many others gravely wounded, said Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information. Local intelligence identified the terrorists as followers of notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji. Scores of bandits were neutralized, while many others, including some top commanders, sustained varying degrees of injuries, Akinboyewa added. Despite the heavy casualties inflicted on the group, Turjis whereabouts remain unknown, further destabilizing his network. The operation, executed with real-time coordination from an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform, ensured accurate strikes using rockets and cannons. The identified targets were swiftly engaged in multiple passes, delivering devastating blows to the enemy, Akinboyewa noted. Desperate attempts by fleeing bandits to escape eastward prompted further air engagements, neutralizing additional targets. The offensive freed several kidnapped victims, a development celebrated by locals in Zamfara State. This bold operation underscores the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces to restore peace and security to the region, Akinboyewa stated, reiterating NAFs commitment to working with ground forces to combat all forms of criminality and ensure lasting peace in Nigeria. By Don Silas Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo wants the club to strengthen their squad before agreeing to a new deal, Fichajes reports. Ronaldos current contract with the Saudi Arabia club will expire at the end of this season. The Portugal forward has not agreed to a renewal at the moment. It now appears that the 39-years-old is willing to extend his stay with Al-Nassr, provided they commit to squad reinforcements. Ronaldo wants Al-Nassr to bolster their squad to help compete with the likes of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. The five-time Ballon dOr winner had personally requested Al-Nassr should sign Casemiro from Manchester United. Casemiros contract with Manchester United will expire in the summer of 2026. The Brazilian has not featured regularly under new manager Ruben Amorim this season. The midfielder has played just six times under Amorin this term. The midfielder has scored three goals from 22 games across competitions for the Red Devils this season. Three direct flights to Essaouira from Paris, Lyon, and Nantes will be launched as of April, with two to three weekly flights for each destination. Ryanair will kick off the Paris-Beauvais to Essaouira route in April, responding to growing demand for the city, as confirmed by the management of Essaouira-Mogador Airport. In May, EasyJet will resume flights between Lyon Saint-Exupery and Essaouira, reviving a route suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In July, Transavia will launch a connection between Nantes and Essaouira, improving access for visitors from western France to la Cite des Alizes. These new routes are part of a broader strategy to boost Essaouiras tourism appeal and improve connectivity with key French cities, Abdelmounaim Aoutoul, the airports manager said. Aoutoul noted that the flights support promotional efforts for the city, which welcomed over a million visitors in 2024. Essaouira-Mogador Airport recorded a passenger traffic increase of nearly 30% in the first nine months of 2024, with 171,892 travelers compared to 132,553 in 2023. The airport provides direct connections to major European cities and domestic destinations, including Tangier. Renowned for its efficiency and traveler-friendly environment, the airport offers quick and smooth check-in and security procedures, enhancing the overall passenger experience. The Summit of the Detailed Program for the Development of African Agriculture (PDDAA) concluded on Saturday with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration. The Kampala Declaration focused on the development of a resilient and sustainable agri-food system in Africa, as well as the PDDAAs ten-year strategy and action plan. In this context, participants decided to intensify sustainable food production, promote agri-industrialization, and strengthen trade. By 2035, they committed to increasing agri-food production by 45%, reducing post-harvest losses by 50%, and tripling intra-African trade in agri-food products and inputs. To achieve these goals, the Kampala Declaration advocates the establishment of a favorable political and regulatory environment, as well as the integration of emerging technologies, such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and digitalization. Countries also pledged to stimulate investments and funding for the accelerated transformation of agri-food systems. In this connection, they project to mobilize $100 billion through public and private investments by 2035. The Declaration also provides for reducing by 50% the number of people living in extreme poverty in Africa. Furthermore, African countries were urged to incorporate these commitments into their national policies, strategies, and budgets for effective implementation, while a call was made to African farmers to adopt innovative practices and emerging technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the farming sector. The event, which started on Thursday under the theme One Voice, One Land, gathered approximately 2,000 participants, including policymakers, civil society representatives, experts, and scientists. The summit was aimed at renewing member states commitment to the implementation of initiatives on the transformation of African agriculture for the period 2025-2035. Morocco, which was represented at the summit by Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, seized the opportunity to showcase the Kingdoms agricultural expertise and reiterated its readiness to share its agricultural expertise with African countries, in a bid to build a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future. Morocco also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing efforts to transform its agrifood system, making it more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, in order to achieve the goals outlined in the 2014 Malabo Declaration on African Agricultural Transformation. In line with the new development model, Moroccos sectoral strategies and efforts are focused on an in-depth and sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, by prioritizing the human factor, the delegation members said, mentioning the Generation Green 2020-2030, Forests of Morocco 2020-2030, as well as Halieutis strategies, all initiatives that helped build a resilient agricultural system. Such resilience was highlighted in the biennial monitoring reports of the Malabo Declaration Action Plan, in which Morocco ranked first in North Africa and second at continental level, after Rwanda. On the sidelines of the event, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture held a series of meetings with his counterparts from several African countries, including Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Eswatini, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda. During these meetings, he reiterated the Kingdoms commitment to sharing its agricultural experience with brotherly and friendly countries to develop sustainable and productive African agriculture and surveyed Moroccos experience in irrigation. He highlighted in this vein the achievements made by the Kingdom in the management of water resources, with focus on the dams policy, and the interconnection project between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins, which constitutes an innovative solution in adapting to climate change. Talks also covered Moroccos experience in the production and use of fertilizers. His interlocutors expressed their respective countries desire to benefit from Moroccos experience in enhancing productivity, particularly through the modernization of agricultural practices. 9 items in this article 2 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers We write about hundreds of products each week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, weve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didnt know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe including the coffee grinder that girl in red cant live without, a kid-friendly Shellaclava for freezing temperatures, and Ceremonias new nonaerosol dry shampoo. Warm and breathable Polartec Alpha fleece one writer cant stop buying William Ellery Orchard Bee Woolly $195 $195 If youre constantly overheating, even in the winter, and struggling to find gear for layering, youre not alone. Contributor Will Porter found a solution with the fabric known as Polartec Alpha Direct. Light as air, immensely breathable, and surprisingly warm, Alpha fleece has become a popular material among many outdoor and style brands, Porter says, adding that the fabric has a structured mesh core, but its finished with lofted fibers for warmth. His introduction to the material was on this William Ellery Woolly, which is made to mimic the tiny hairs found on the woolly bear caterpillar. Its made with 68 GSM Alpha, so its fairly warm on its own but light enough to throw on between a lightweight tee and your favorite jacket, Porter adds. $195 at William Ellery Buy girl in reds super-consistent coffee grinder Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade Coffee Grinder From $289 From $289 Oslo-based musician girl in red (nee Marie Ulven Ringheim) says her group of friends and her band have a coffee club. When we all wake up in the morning we do this either on the bus or in the hotel rooms that we check in to we make coffee together and talk about love and hate and the struggles of life and whatnot, Ringheim explains. Her favorite grinder is this Comandante one, which is very consistent and easy to use, plus it has a nice design, she says. From $289 at Amazon Buy From $299 at Bloomingdale's Buy Hannah Bronfmans sound machine for long car rides Shellaclava for keeping the winter cold off your kids face and neck and Gannis take on the balaclava Ganni Grey Striped Soft Wool Balaclava $195 $195 Heres a tip: Just buy a balaclava. Not only do they combine a scarf and hat into one (and are one less thing to lose), theyve been popping up more and more on the streets over the past few years. Our junior writer, Bella Druckman, set out to find the best ones on the ever-expanding market and uncovered this Ganni wool option for an almost Fair Isle knit thatll fit right in with your apres ski getup, she writes. $195 at Ganni Buy CBN gummies for those who have trouble staying asleep Charlottes Web Stay Asleep CBN Gummies $30 $30 As part of our column Strategist Explains, contributor Cheryl Kramer Kaye answered an important question for those struggling to catch up on zs: What is CBN (a.k.a. cannabinol) and can it actually help you sleep? Well, while this is very much a further research is required situation, CBN appears to be helpful for sleep, says Michael Breus, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and the founder of sleepdoctor.com, who refers to cannabinol as C-B-Nighttime. Our writer Dominique Pariso recommends Charlottes Web Stay Asleep gummies, which are formulated with CBN. Since Ive started taking them, Ive noticed my sleep is much deeper and more restful, she reports. $30 at Charlotte's Web Buy The Babaa sweater our writer snagged during Black Friday Babaa Jumper no67, Arce $305 $305 In our latest edition of Strategist Brain, we heard from Pariso, who says shes been enjoying the purchases she made during Black Friday, particularly her Babaa sweaters. I usually buy a new one each year during the brands Black Friday or winter sale, and this year (because Im mildly concerned about possible tariffs) I bought two, growing my collection of Spanish-made knitwear to five pieces, Pariso says. If youre considering a turtleneck, she prefers the No. 67 and says the balloon-shaped silhouette and oversize collar add a bit of drama to her outfits. $305 at Babaa Buy Durable dish sponge for washing dishes or cleaning bathrooms Ceremonias new nonaerosol dry shampoo get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Too busy trying to stay warm during last weeks frigid temperatures to keep up with the news? No worries. Heres what you missed. President-elect Donald Trump wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. FrankRamspott/Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump said last week he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. That prompted Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to suggest that the U.S. should then be called Mexican America. Not to be outdone, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott chimed in, saying it would be more fitting to call it the Gulf of Texas. Click to read all about how the body of water got its name. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Teso Life says it offers high-quality, creative, low-cost products. Bao Ong / Staff Japanese retailer Teso Life is opening its first store in San Antonio. Click to read more about its proposed store at University Square shopping center on the citys Northwest Side. USAA is one of San Antonios largest employers. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News USAA has named board member and longtime insurance executive Juan C. Andrade as its next leader, replacing retiring CEO and President Wayne Peacock. Click to read about the new leader of the insurance and financial services company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A San Antonio landowner recently sued the San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club, top left, alleging the club operates like a drinking fraternity that prioritizes its members' gunplay over the rights of its neighboring property owners to live and operate free from serious injury or death. Courtesy Google Earth, 2023 A judge has temporarily banned shooting at the San Antonio Target, Hunting and Fishing Club on the Northwest Side after an adjacent landowner alleged in a lawsuit it and neighboring residents are at significant risk of harm due to the clubs reckless operations. Click to read more about the allegations. Freight Fried Chicken at Pearl's Bottling Department food hall is one of the Top 10 San Antonio restaurant openings of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff Pullman Market, Freight Fried Chicken and a crazy Broadway burger joint called Pumpers round out the years best new openings. Click to find out which are the top 10 new restaurants in San Antonio. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent verbal attack on Armenia has raised doubts about the future of the peace process between the two countries. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyevs surprise rhetorical attack on Armenia is raising doubts that a peace deal between Baku and Yerevan can be reached anytime soon. Both sides in recent months had given indications that the peace process was making progress and a settlement could be close at hand. But then Aliyev, in a January 7 interview with Azerbaijani journalists, scrambled expectations, launching a verbal broadside against Armenia and its leaders, characterizing the country as a fascist state. In all, Aliyev used the term fascist or fascism in connection with Armenia over 10 times during the interview. Fascism must be eradicated. It will either be eradicated by Armenias leadership or by us. There is no other way, he stated. Aliyevs belligerent comments come at a sensitive time for Azerbaijan. Bilateral relations between Baku and its strongest ally in the region, Russia, have nosedived in recent weeks following the accidental shootdown by Russian air defenses of a civilian Azerbaijani airliner. Concurrently, Armenia of late has taken significant steps to improve its relations with the European Union and United States, bolstering the countrys security position via arms sales and joint exercises. Armenian officials have been on the strategic defensive since Baku inflicted a decisive defeat on the Armenian military in late 2023 to regain full control of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory. Since then, the two sides have engaged in stop-and-go negotiations on a peace treaty. Under the present circumstances, Aliyevs January 7 remarks may reflect a sense of concern that Bakus strategic advantage in its dealings with Armenia is eroding or could start to erode soon. A hint of concern could be seen in Aliyevs criticism of Western arms sales to Armenia. We see that both Armenia itself and its new patrons do not share this goal [peace], he said. They are driven by ideas of revenge, and Armenia has become a source of threat to the region. During his prolonged attack on Armenia, Aliyev renewed a call for the opening of the so-called Zangezur corridor, a proposed land bridge across Armenian territory connecting Azerbaijan proper to its Nakhchivan exclave over which Baku would enjoy extraterritorial rights. Aliyev also blasted perceived enemies in the West, singling out French President Emmanuel Macron and American billionaire philanthropist George Soros, long viewed as the chief architect of so-called color revolutions across Eurasia. The Soros era has ended in America, Aliyev stated, referring to the pending return to the presidency by Donald Trump. The Biden administration, in fact, was largely governed by the Soros method of governance. Aliyev spent much of 2024 feuding with US and European leaders. In a certain manner, Aliyevs aggressive comments during the interview can be seen as a plea for improved relations with the West, especially considering the rapid deterioration of relations with Russia. Last year was full of disappointments, Aliyev noted. The European Union unequivocally took Armenias side in the normalization process. The Azerbaijani leader made a point of noting the EU is a big consumer of Bakus natural gas. EU leaders should approach the situation with sobriety and recognize Azerbaijan as a reliable partner one that has never acted against Europe or any European country. Azerbaijan has only responded in kind and will continue to do so: good for good and evil for evil, so to speak, Aliyev said. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to Aliyevs provocative interview in measured tones, reaffirming his governments commitment to a peaceful settlement of bilateral differences. We will remain committed to the strategy of peace and consistently continue the implementation of the peace agenda, Pashinyan stated. He also called for broad-based public dialogue to address derogatory stereotypes and perceptions that prevail in both states concerning citizens of the other. The agenda of peace is about discussing, addressing these perceptions, he noted. In addition, the Armenian Foreign Ministry defended the countrys right to self-defense, with spokesperson Ani Badalyan stating, Armenia acquires weapons and equipment solely to exercise its right to self-defense and to protect its citizens. She reiterated that Armenia harbors no aggressive intentions toward its neighbors. Azerbaijans defense budget in 2025 is projected to be more than double that of Armenias. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com (Soju and Shochu bottles) Whats the difference between soju and shochu? Soju and shochu may sound alike, but is that just a coincidence? Soju has been taking the world by stormdid you know that Jinro Soju is the best-selling spirit brand in the world? Meanwhile, shochu is experiencing a resurgence, gaining attention from mixologists worldwide and rising in popularity as izakaya culture continues to spread globally. But how exactly do these two drinks differ, and what makes them similar? Shared Origin and Etymology Han China and its neighbors in 1 AD (Credit: Thomas A. Lessman) Both soju and shochu trace their roots to the Chinese term shaojiu (), meaning cooked alcoholic drink, a reference to distilled spirits. This Chinese liquor, now commonly referred to as baijiu, has roots in the Neolithic period, with systematic distillation processes emerging during the Han dynasty (202 BC 220 AD). Historically, each version was regarded as an equivalent of the other: soju in Japan was often thought of as shochu from Korea, and likewise, shochu was considered soju from Japan in Korea. In short, at least historically, soju and shochu are essentially the same spirits with shared origin and etymology. Though they differ slightly in characteristics and tendencies, they are primarily distinguished by their origins. Ingredients and Alcohol Content Both spirits can be made from various base ingredients, including rice, barley, and sweet potatoes. However, Japanese shochu can also be made from brown sugar, especially in Kyushu, adding a unique depth to its flavor. Traditionally, soju was primarily made from rice, but many well-known brands today, especially popular fruit-flavored soju, are mass-produced using cassava. The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese control from 1905 to 1945. Immediately after, the region was divided between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, leaving the nation with poverty and a severe rice shortage as the population grew. From 1965 to 1990, the South Korean government banned the use of rice in soju production, a policy that has influenced the ingredient sourcing to this day. Traditionally, both soju and shochu had a wide range of alcohol content. However, government regulations have since standardized their typical alcohol levels. Soju typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging from 12.5% to 53%. Most varieties found in supermarkets are around 20%. Shochu generally sits at 25% ABV, though it can reach as high as 45%. Both are considered mid-level alcohols, offering versatility for drinking straight or mixing into cocktails. Distinctions in Production (Ikinokura Shochu Distillery in Nagasaki) Soju is often distilled multiple times to achieve a neutral, smooth flavor, making it comparable to vodka. Premium soju brands often highlight their extensive filtration processes, such as using bamboo charcoal, as a key selling point. This clean taste serves as a versatile base, which has contributed to the popularity of fruit-flavored soju varieties. Today, most soju in South Korea is mass-produced by a few major companies due to the countrys economic landscape and chaebol culture. Many modern soju brands use ethanol distilled to 95% ABV. It is then diluted with water and mixed with sweeteners and flavorings. The latter is especially for the popular fruit-flavored varieties. However, traditional varieties like Andong soju still exist. Theres a growing movement toward artisanal soju, crafted in historically preserved ways. Shochu is divided into two distinct classifications in Japan. The first type, honkaku shochu, meaning authentic shochu, is produced through single distillation and is highly regulated in both ingredients and production. Known for its savory and bold flavors is generally considered a high-end variety. The second type, korui shochu, is made through consecutive distillation, similar to soju. This type of shochu has a clean, neutral taste and is affordable, making it a popular base for liqueurs like umeshu (plum wine). Okinawan liquor Awamori, made using long-grain indica rice, is technically classified as korui shochu under licensing laws. However, as an indigenous Ryukyuan alcohol, it is widely recognized as a distinct category. Whats the Difference Between Soju and Shochu? And Sake? Many online articles that compare soju and shochu are titles like Soju vs. Shochu vs. Sake. And if you have read the article up to this point, you should know this is weird. (Hint: sake is not distilled). The English name rice wine already explains that it is not a spiritthough, to be precise, sake is much closer to beer in its production. So, at first glance, soju and shochu are worth comparing, while sake seems irrelevant here. (Aspergillus oryzae, known as koji, is a fungus used in Japanese cuisine. It ferments foods to produce miso, soy sauce, sake, and shochu.) However, sake and shochu share something in common: koji (Aspergillus), a type of mold also used in fermenting soy sauce and miso. Yellow koji (A. oryzae) was traditionally used for both sake and shochu. In 1901, University of Tokyo scholar Tamaki Inui isolated and cultivated black koji (A. luchuensis), now used in some shochu and awamori. Then, in 1918, Genichiro Kawachi, the father of modern shochu, isolated and cultivated white koji (A. kawachii), now used in shochu. Soju traditionally relied on nuruk. This is a fermentation starter similar to koji, along with makgeolli, but this is uncommon in mass-produced soju found in supermarkets today. While many big brands use the ethanol method, some incorporate white koji from Japan, while others use traditional nuruk. Fun Fact: Korean Shochu in Japan (Kyogetsu bottle and a sunakku street) Kyogetsu is a Korean Shochu brand widely recognized in Japan. It entered the market before soju gained global prominence and was marketed as shochu. Called Gyeongwol in Korean, it is still produced in South Korea near Mt. Seorak, but is now almost exclusively sold in Japan. Today, Kyogetsu is often associated with the sunakku scenea retro Showa-era cultural staple. Sunakku establishments are small bars with a counter. Theyre typically run by a mama, an older woman who entertains customers with conversation. Kyogetsu, unlike the small bottles of soju that are standard today, is packaged in larger bottles. This fits well with the Japanese bottle-keep culture. This is especially popular in sunakku, where patrons buy bottles and store unfinished portions at bars for future visits. Today, soju is a very popular spirit in Japan, available virtually everywhere, including convenience stores. While soju has become a common term, it typically refers to the modern Korean standard 350ml bottle. Interestingly, even with the widespread popularity of the term, Kyogetsu is not usually referred to as soju but is considered a type of shochu instead. Embracing Both Spirits Both spirits share many similarities, but their unique histories, cultural contexts, and regulations have shaped them into distinct drinks. Soju, now produced through modern methods, has gained global popularity. But theres a growing movement to return to its traditional production techniques. On the other hand, while shochu hasnt been a staple among Japans younger generation, is gaining recognition worldwide for its craftsmanship. metropolisjapan.com The woman found under bed of a hotel The Delta State Police Command have arrested three suspects in connection with the decomposing corpse of a lady found under the bed of a hotel at Sapele. The lady identified as Abina Isaac, was found dead in Ebis Hotel in Amukpe area of Sapele earlier this month. Her father is Ghanaian and mother from Delta State. Spokesperson of the command, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen but did not disclose the identity of the suspects, said; We got him through his phone number that took us to Abuja where we apprehended him and from there we brought him back to Delta, Onovwakpoyeya said. The politician is currently helping us with investigation towards unraveling the true cause of the incident. We are detaining him at the Sapele Area Command, and we shall transfer the case to Asaba (State Police Command) once we are done for prosecution, he added. The alleged politician, who reportedly led the police operatives from Sapele Area Command to arrest two other suspects from Benin, was tracked and nabbed in Abuja. The trio are now in the custody of Sapele Command while further diligent investigation is said to be on course. By Lars Larson NW and national radio host, The very first bill of the new United States Congress split Northwest Democrats right down the middle. The bill was inspired by a murder that occurred almost a year ago, committed by one of the 16 million illegal aliens Joe Biden invited to invade America. Jose Ibarra killed 22-year-old Laken Riley after kidnapping her and attempting to rape her. The illegal alien beat the nursing student to death with a rock, but she lived long enough to call 9-1-1. The operator listened to her struggle for her life. Ibarra was in Federal Border Patrol custody but was released by the Presidents orders. New York had him in custody, but the sanctuary state refused to turn him over to ICE, just like the policies in Oregon and Washington. Police in Georgia arrested him for theft and let him go. The Laken Riley Act requires police to lock up illegals if theyre accused of theft. The bill got bipartisan support, with every Republican and 48 Democrats voting for it. Shamefully, Oregon Democrats Bonamici, Dexter, and Salinas voted no. Laken Rileys death failed to move them off the Democrat Party line. Interestingly, Democrat Marie Perez, who once said, Nobody stays awake at night worried about the border crisis, voted yes this time. Its trueelections have consequences, and sometimes they can kill you. A San Antonio police officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after crashing into a teenager who ran a stop sign on the East Side early Sunday morning, police said. Ken Branca A San Antonio police officer crashed into a teenage girl's car after she failed to heed a stop sign on the East Side early Sunday morning, police said. Another officer saw the 19-year-old driving a 2022 Nissan Sentra erratically, ignoring stop signs and traffic signals before the crash happened around 12 a.m. at the intersection of Rigsby and Clarke Avenue, police said. The officer asked for help conducting a traffic stop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An officer who was driving a marked SAPD Ford Explorer westbound on Rigsby Avenue was on the way to help and hit the teenager's car after she ran a stop sign while traveling southbound on Clarke Avenue, according to a preliminary police report. The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and was reported to be in good condition Sunday morning. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Canadian government recently announced it is indefinitely pausing new permanent residency sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents. Up until the pause, a limited number of qualifying Canadian citizens and permanent residents were able to apply to bring a parent or grandparent to Canada. Now the only option is a 10 year super visa which only allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time. The pause is part of the federal government's broader push to reduce permanent immigration by 20%. This announcement could be devastating news for thousands of immigrant families settled in Canada hoping to reunify with their parents. The pause could also further undermine Canada's efforts to recruit and retain skilled immigrants and address chronic worker shortages. Culture matters: definitions of family While some western cultures identify the family unit as couples and their children, many other cultures see that unit as larger, with parents as an integral part of the family and household. I grew up in China and as the only child in my family, it was a hard decision to come to Canada to work. I dedicated my Ph.D. dissertation to my parents: "I want to thank my parentsIt was not easy for them to spend every day, in particular Chinese New Years, without their only daughter by their side. They love me so much that they let me be half the world away to pursue my passion and career!" How to provide care to my elderly parents has been on my mind since I left China over a decade ago. As the child of a working-class family, part of my financial equation is supporting my parents, including (if my parents are willing to move) my sponsorship of their immigration to Canada. I am not alone. According to 2021 Canadian Census data, over 700,000 immigrants to Canada are from China. And many of them were born during the one-child policy era from 1979-2015. Over the years, I have served as an expert witness for many immigration cases in which immigrants had to justify why it was important for their parents to immigrate to Canada. In those cases, I have explained that just as young children are considered dependants of principal immigrant applicants and thus, will be admitted as accompanying immediate families, parents could also be interpreted as dependants. The current definition of "dependants" in Canada's immigration reflects what prominent sociologist Dorothy Smith had called the Standard North American family, emphasizing parents and young children living in the same household as a family. However, many recent immigrants to Canada come from India, the Philippines, China, Syria, Nigeria and elsewhereplaces where older parents and their adult children rely on mutual support to keep their family running. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Challeges of separation and caregiving Culture also matters. For example, in China and elsewhere, the idea of placing one's parents in a nursing home is considered shameful. Because of the cultural emphasis on filial piety, people often perceive relying on nursing homes for elder care as a personal failure and a sign of abandonment by adult children that leads to a serious loss of dignity for the elderly. As one senior care center director in Shanghai said, "if you get along well with your childrenfew will consider a nursing home." To add to this, the nursing homes reality is harsh in China. In Shanghai, China's largest city, there are fewer than three nursing home beds for every 100 elderly residents. In other less-developed regions, the shortage is worse, with virtually no specialized nursing homes for taking care of elderly persons with disabilities. The lack of social connectedness to adult children is a significant risk factor for physical and verbal abuse. Parents could lack social connectedness with their children who have immigrated to Canada, making them particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect in nursing homes. Older immigrants are not burdens A frequent argument against parent and grandparent immigration is that they will prove to be a burden on Canada's welfare and health-care system. But research has demonstrated that older immigrants are not burdens on Canadian society as commonly assumed. Rather, according to an article in Canadian Ethnic Studies, "sponsored parents and/or grandparents make significant economic contributions to Canadian society as well as other non-economic ones that are often overlooked." For example, given the shortage of affordable child care in Canada, many immigrant families rely on grandparents to care for young children, so that their parents, especially women, can continue to work outside the home. Many elderly immigrants also contribute to Canada's economy by working paid jobs and enrich Canada's communities through their diverse volunteer services. Canada is competing against other countries for talented workers. Allowing immigrants to reunite with their parents (and grandparents) is not only the right humanitarian choice; it is also one that will help Canadian families in their day to day lives, not to mention boost Canada's efforts to retain much-needed talent. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Climate scientists say that global warming is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. The last two years saw average global temperatures exceed a critical warming limit for the first time, Europe's climate monitor said Friday, as the UN demanded "trail-blazing" climate action. While this does not mean the internationally-agreed 1.5C warming threshold has been permanently breached, the United Nations warned it was in "grave danger". "Today's assessment from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is clear," UN chief Antonio Guterres said. "Global heating is a cold, hard fact." He added, "Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025. There's still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must actnow." The WMO said six international datasets all confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, extending a decade-long "extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures". The United States became the latest country to report its heat record had been shattered, capping a year marked by devastating tornadoes and hurricanes. The announcement came just days before President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to double down on fossil fuel production, was set to take office. Excess heat is supercharging extreme weather, and 2024 saw countries from Spain to Kenya, the United States and Nepal suffer disasters that cost more than $300 billion by some estimates. Los Angeles is currently battling deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of buildings and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. 'Stark warning' Another record-breaking year is not anticipated in 2025, as a UN deadline looms for nations to commit to curbing greenhouse gas emissions. A year of fires in South America. "My prediction is it will be the third-warmest year," said NASA's top climate scientist Gavin Schmidt, citing the US determination that the year has begun with a weak La Nina, a global weather pattern that is expected to bring slight cooling. The WMO's analysis of the six datasets showed global average surface temperatures were 1.55C above pre-industrial levels. "This means that we have likely just experienced the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5C above the 1850-1900 average," it said. Europe's climate monitor Copernicus, which provided one of the datasets, found that both of the past two years had exceeded the warming limit set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Global temperatures had soared "beyond what modern humans have ever experienced", it said. Scientists stressed that the 1.5C threshold in the Paris Agreement refers to a sustained rise over decades, offering a glimmer of hope. Still, Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research called the milestone a "stark warning sign." "We have now experienced the first taste of a 1.5C world, which has cost people and the global economy unprecedented suffering and economic costs," he told AFP. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. On the edge Nearly 200 nations agreed in Paris in 2015 that meeting 1.5C offered the best chance of preventing the most catastrophic repercussions of climate change. But the world remains far off track. World map showing sea surface temperature anomalies in 2024, according to data from Copernicus. While Copernicus records date back to 1940, other climate data from ice cores and tree rings suggest Earth is now likely the warmest it has been in tens of thousands of years. Scientists say every fraction of a degree above 1.5C mattersand that beyond a certain point the climate could shift in unpredictable ways. Human-driven climate change is already making droughts, storms, floods and heat waves more frequent and intense. The death of 1,300 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during extreme heat, a barrage of powerful tropical storms in Asia and North America, and historic flooding in Europe and Africa marked grim milestones in 2024. 'Stark warning' The oceans, which absorb 90 percent of excess heat from greenhouse gases, warmed to record levels in 2024, straining coral reefs and marine life and stirring violent weather. Warmer seas drive higher evaporation and atmospheric moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and energizing cyclones. Water vapor in the atmosphere hit fresh highs in 2024, combining with elevated temperatures to trigger floods, heat waves and "misery for millions of people", Copernicus climate deputy director Samantha Burgess said. Scientists attribute some of the record heat to the onset of a warming El Nino in 2023. But El Nino ended in early 2024, leaving them puzzled by persistently high global temperatures. "The future is in our handsswift and decisive action can still alter the trajectory of our future climate," said Copernicus climate director Carlo Buontempo. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Lisa Fotios from Pexels One of the more unexpected plot twists on the latest series of the BBC's "The Traitors" was contestant Charlotte revealing that despite being from London, she was putting on a Welsh accent to seem more trustworthy to her fellow contestants. Leaving aside the fact that, if she gets found out, faking her origins will hardly inspire confidence among her peers, has Charlotte stumbled upon a reasonable strategy? Are Welsh accents genuinely perceived as trustworthy? Before getting into the details of how people view Welsh accents, it's important to underline that our attitudes to accents in generalwhether positive or negative, widespread or personalare merely perceptions. No accent is intrinsically smarter, friendlier, or more trustworthy than any other. No accent is inherently dishonest or unintelligent either. When we judge someone by their accent, we are engaging in a form of stereotyping. As a sociolinguist, I've been researching the accents and dialects of English spoken in Wales for more than a decade. In one study, I examined several thousand tweets featuring the words "Welsh" and "accent" to explore what people were saying about the Welsh accent and their attitudes towards it. I found that most people tweeting viewed the Welsh accent very favorably, often commenting on its friendliness and attractiveness. Only a few said anything negative about it. While none of the tweets explicitly mentioned trustworthiness, research on language attitudes frequently finds that traits like friendliness, honesty and kindness are strongly linked. In that respect, Charlotte's strategy could be a good one. But Welsh accents are not unique in having these positive associations. Surveys and studies consistently find that Yorkshire (or broadly northern English) accents, Scottish accents and Irish accents also score highly for attractiveness and trustworthiness. In contrast, received pronunciation, also known as the "King's English" and commonly called "posh English," scores highly for intelligence, education and wealth, but tends to be viewed as less friendly. Accents linked to industrial and working-class cities often rank lower for positive traits. But this perception is shifting as more regional accents gain prominence in films, television and other media. For example, Peaky Blinders has notably improved perceptions of the Birmingham accent. With the various London accents, such as cockney, multicultural London English and estuary English, attitudes to each of them differ. Returning to Wales, my results also showed that although there are many distinct Welsh accents (not to mention the variety within the Welsh language itself), most people outside of Wales are primarily familiar with accents from the south Wales valleys or Barry. Other Welsh accents are less widely recognized. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 'Gavin and Stacey' This is partly due to media representation. You can't discuss Welsh accents in the UK without mentioning the BBC sitcom "Gavin and Stacey." In many ways, the show, which aired from 2007 to 2010 (with Christmas specials in 2019 and 2024), solidified the idea of what certain Welsh accents sound like for people outside of Wales. Many of the tweets I studied referenced the show directly, with phrases like "What's occurring?" (often uttered by the character Nessa in a Barry accent) frequently appearing. The association of Welsh accents with positive traits extends beyond television and social media, as linguistic attitudes can have economic effects as well. Several companies, including Starling Bank and Veezu, the transport booking app, have based their call centers in Wales to tap into the friendly associations with the accent. Together, this evidence confirms that perceptions of the Welsh accent are broadly positive in the UK and that people are likely to associate the accent with friendliness and trustworthiness. Does this mean Charlotte's strategy in "The Traitors" is a winning one? Yes and no. While the positive connotations of having a Welsh accent might give her an advantage, it's not her natural accent. And some fans of the program have accused Charlotte of "appropriation." In a game where contestants are constantly on the lookout for signs of deceit, maintaining a fake accent is a risky move. Our language is deeply tied to our identity and emotional state. In moments of stress or high stakes, it's challenging to maintain an unnatural way of speaking. If Charlotte slips back into her native London accent under pressure, it could raise suspicions and ultimately undermine her strategy. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher) John Locher/Associated Press Texas is sending personnel and equipment to help Californians battle the wildfires blazing in the Los Angeles area, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Saturday. More than 135 firefighters and other emergency management and medical personnel are being deployed, according to the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Our hearts grieve with the entire Los Angeles community as they continue to respond to these destructive wildfires, Abbott said. Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis. I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy firefighters, fire engines, and firefighting equipment to help our fellow Americans battle these wildfires." The response comes after California sent out a request for help through the state's Office of Emergency Services The Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, and Texas Emergency Medical Task Force are all contributing to Texas' response. Texas is also sending more than 45 "fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles and equipment." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like a sequel to an old movie, Richmond was engulfed in a water crisis last week that provoked an eerie reminder of lessons learned or not when Hurricane Isabel swept into Virginia on Sept. 18, 2003, crippling the public water supplies in the region and other parts of the state. Then, the lack of backup power generators at the city water treatment plant caused the system to shut down and forced a four-day boiled water advisory. The Category 1 hurricane shut down more than 100 water pumping stations across the state, including the largest, in Fairfax County, and resulted in advisories for more than 200 public water systems in Virginia. Last week, a faulty switch at Richmonds century-old treatment plant on the James River led to a cascade of failures that began with the loss of the primary electric utility feed and ended with the flooding of vital electronic equipment in the facilitys basement after the facilitys electronic computer system failed to reconnect with operational servers when power was restored. The backup generators that Richmond had finally installed years after Isabel, including two to keep the basement dry, were never started. This should be a wakeup call for the City of Richmond and the broader Richmond metropolitan area, said George Foresman in a telephone interview on Friday morning. Foresman was homeland security adviser to then-Gov. Mark Warner in 2003, two years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon in Arlington County and the World Trade Center in New York City. Foresman, now a national security consultant in Charlottesville, said he has been impressed with Richmond Mayor Danny Avulas public handling of the crisis, but he said the city faces hard questions about the failure. The question becomes, was this a preventable crisis? he said. The water plant failed just less than a week in office for Avula, a former public health official who managed the region and states response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also happened less than a week after the retirement of Bob Steidel, who served as Richmonds deputy chief of operations in a 33-year career that also included running the citys public utilities department. Foresman said those transitions shouldnt have mattered to Richmonds response to the winter storm that caused the initial loss of power at the water treatment plant, built in 1924. I think the question for Richmond is when was the last time they sat down and did a table-top (planning exercise) and said, What if? he said. Avula said questions of training and testing will be addressed in the after-action report by an independent consultant that the city is already working to retain. The investigation will include leaders of other jurisdictions in the region Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties which were affected by the failure of the citys public water system because of its inter-connection with their own. We all committed to one another that there will be an after-action report that a third party will perform, Henrico Manager John Vithoulkas said Thursday. We will all be part of it, as we have been during this water crisis. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a former Richmond mayor who was lieutenant governor during Hurricane Isabel, said he expects the investigation will look beyond short-term solutions. I know this about Richmonders theyre not going to be happy with an answer thats a short-term answer, said Kaine, who still lives in the city. Theyre going to want to know, OK, were back up and running, thats great. But what is the long-term answer to make sure that the backup power system is something we can count on in the event of an emergency like the one we had over the weekend. A shock to everybody The questions began coming immediately after Hurricane Isabel knocked out electrical power at the Richmond water treatment plant, as well as the public water system run by the Fairfax County Water Authority. It was a shock to everybody, said Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, who was then campaigning for his first term in the House of Delegates. The storm also led to the failure of a Chesterfield pumping station at Lake Chesdin, flooded the countys low-lying water treatment plant on Swift Creek, and knocked out two pumping stations where the county and city water systems inter-connect in South Richmond. About everything that could go wrong went wrong, Craig Bryant, then director of public utilities in Chesterfield, said after Isabel. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., then governor, quickly made his unhappiness with storm preparations clear. I would have liked to have seen better backup in our public water supplies, Warner said in the week after the 2003 storm, suggesting that local government leaders are going to have to take a look at additional generator backup power. Norfolk, at the leading edge of the Category 1 hurricane, never lost power because it had leased three generators that Virginia Beach had provided fuel to run. The city said it had learned its lesson in 1998, when Hurricane Bonnie knocked out both electric utility connections to its water treatment plant. The failure in Richmond put pressure on then-City Manager Calvin Jamison the last city manager under the old municipal form of government to invest in backup generators at the water treatment plant and pump stations, but his administration initially balked at the cost, estimated at up to $48 million. It cant be done with a sense of hysteria, said Ken Chandler, then-director of public utilities in Richmond. However, Richmond changed its tune in 2005 and began planning a $17 million project to install backup generators at the plant, which Steidel, then deputy director of utilities, called the next layer of protection. It took time for the city, under Mayors Doug Wilder and Dwight Jones, to procure and install the generators, but Steidel said in an interview on Thursday that backup generators were designed to operate the plant at 50% capacity. The backup includes two 45-kilowatt generators to ensure that the basement of the plant stays dry to protect sensitive electronic equipment. Theyre still there, he said Thursday. Theyre still in operation. But the generators were never started after the main utility feed to the plant failed at 5:50 a.m., Avula said on Thursday. The plant was supposed to automatically shift to the primary backup, but its switching device failed. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported on Friday that the city had sought to replace the switchgear multiple times, but each time had deferred action. After the switchgear failed, the system went to a battery backup. The battery backup kept the system going for 45 minutes, but an on-call electrician manually switched the plant to a second electric utility feed at around 7:30 a.m., about an hour and a half after the power went down. The SCADA computer system that runs the water plant rebooted with the restoration of power, but Avula said it never reconnected with the computer servers that, among other things, control the water valves that remained open and allowed the basement to flood. Thats the brain of the entire operation, the mayor said at the news conference on Thursday. Thats why the valves were not able to close. Reliability and redundancy Chesterfield Public Utilities Director George Hayes was working for Henricos public utilities department when Isabel clobbered the Richmond region in 2003. I experienced Isabel, he recalled on Thursday. I slept on a gymnasium floor in the Henrico Emergency Operations Center. Hayes, who joined the Chesterfield utilities department in 2006 and became director in 2015, said the county has improved the reliability and redundancy of its public water system since Isabel. Since 2003, Hayes said Chesterfield has expanded its water supply from all three sources primarily Lake Chesdin, through the Appomattox River Water Authority, in which the county now owns a majority interest, as well as the city system and the 57-year-old Addison-Evans treatment plant on Swift Creek, which the county plans to protect with a floodwall. The county has a state permit to build a new water treatment facility, now under design, on the tidal Appomattox River west of Interstate 295. The plant will ultimately boost the systems water supply capacity from 110.5 million gallons a day to more than 150 million gallons a day. Chesterfield also has backup generators to run all of its critical water pumping stations, as well as power for 50% of capacity at the Swift Creek plant, Hayes said. In Henrico, Vithoulkas said the county now has backup power at all water and sewage treatment facilities. Everything has a backup generator, he said. Chesterfields water system connects with Richmonds system at three sites in South Side. Hayes said he first learned of an electrical outage at the Richmond plant on Monday morning, but didnt realize the severity of the situation until Monday afternoon, when regional leaders held a conference call at 2:45 p.m. and reported the drop in the citys water supply and pressure. I made the call to physically disconnect from the city 100% because I wanted to make sure we preserved as much supply as possible, he said. On Tuesday afternoon, as the scope of the crisis became apparent, Vithoulkas said he received a phone call from a 703 area code on his cellphone. He almost didnt answer it, but hes glad he did. It was Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who lived in Fairfax County before his inauguration as governor three years ago. He said, What do you need? Vithoulkas said. Ive been through a bunch of storms. Ive never had a governor call me in a crisis. Hayes said people should waste less time in speculating on what went wrong and instead support the public utility workers in the region who have worked long hours in the cold since the crisis began. The United States and Britain on Friday announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including oil giant Gazprom Neft, just days before outgoing President Joe Biden leaves office. The US Treasury Department said it was designating more than 180 ships as well as Russian oil majors Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, fulfilling "the G7 commitment to reduce Russian revenues from energy." At the same time, the UK government announced sanctions against the two companies, saying their profits were "lining (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war chest and facilitating the war" in Ukraine. "Taking on Russian oil companies will drain Russia's war chest -- and every ruble we take from Putin's hands helps save Ukrainian lives," UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Gazprom Neft slammed the sanctions as "baseless" and "illegitimate," Russian state news agencies reported. "Gazprom Neft considers the decision to include its assets on the sanctions list as baseless, illegitimate and contrary to the principles of free competition," Russian state news agencies quoted a company representative as saying. Oil prices rose on the news, with a barrel of Brent North Sea crude oil for delivery in March up 3.6 percent at $79.68 at around 4:45 pm in Washington (2145 GMT). Even before the sanctions were officially announced, rumors of fresh designations sparked condemnation from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who told reporters that the Biden administration was trying to leave incoming US President Donald Trump "as heavy a legacy as possible." In total, the United States announced sanctions against almost 400 people and entities. These include 183 oil-carrying vessels, along with Russian oil traders and oilfield providers, the two Russian oil majors, and more than two dozen of their subsidiaries, according to the Treasury Department. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans to speak with Putin about the sanctions, which also affect Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), majority-owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft and its parent company, Gazprom. NIS is the only supplier of gas to Serbia and the majority owner of both gas pipelines that transport gas from Russia to households and industries in the country. "Today, the United States imposed the most significant sanctions yet on Russia's energy sector, by far the largest source of revenue for Putin's war," Daleep Singh, the Biden administration's deputy national security advisor for international economics, said in a statement. Senior administration officials told reporters that the measures were designed to give the United States additional leverage to help broker a "just peace" between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday praised the United States for introducing the sanctions. "These measures deliver a significant blow to the financial foundation of Russia's war machine by disrupting its entire supply chain," he wrote in a post on the social media platform X. Friday's announcement comes just 10 days before Biden is due to step down, and puts President-elect Trump in something of an awkward position given his stated desire to end the Ukraine war on day one of his presidency. Asked about the timing of the decision, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that oil markets were now in a "fundamentally" better place than they had been in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and that the US economy was also faring better. "We believe the moment was ripe right now to adjust our strategy," he said. The US State Department announced it was also taking action against Russia's energy sector, "sanctioning nearly 80 entities and individuals, including those engaged in the active production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia." Among those it designated were people involved in Russia's metals and mining sector, "and senior officials of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom." The move sparked condemnation from Rosatom, who called it "unreasonable and unlawful" in nature. "The sanctions are perceived as an element of unfair competition on the part of unfriendly states," Rosatom said in a statement published by several Russian news agencies. Belize makes official proposal to extend Maya Train into neighboring country Riviera Maya, Q.R. The Prime Minister of Belize says his government has requested Mexico expand the Maya Train across the Hondo River and into Belize. Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceno says the request has been formally made to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. According to Briceno, his government would like to see the train expanded in two stages that would have the Tren Maya railway project reach the border with Guatemala. The proposal, he said, seeks to strengthen regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange. Briceno explained that the first stage would include the construction of just over seven kilometers of track connecting the south of Quintana Roo with Belize. The second stage proposes the extension of the railway to the border with Guatemala, passing through Tikal, one of the main tourist attractions in the region, stressing the importance of this project for regional development. Briceno assured that in a first meeting he had with Sheinbaum, she was willing to follow up on the two current proposals being offered by the Belize government after talks that began with the previous administration of Lopez Obrador in 2022. Last year I sent a letter to the President. When I met her in October in Mexico City, we talked about the Maya Train and she continues to support this plan. She assured me that she wants to continue the work that President Lopez Obrador started. Briceno has proposed the project in two stages. The letter was to follow up on the two proposals we have, the first is that we can bring the train to the entrance of Belize from Chetumal, and the second is that it can go from here in Belize to Guatemala City. The studies still need to be done, but I am very hopeful that this can be consolidated, he explained. This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe and we dont have many visitors from Europe, but rather they are Americans. With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize. Also in trade, Mexico is a country from which we import millions of dollars, so with the train moving products from Mexico to Belize would be easier and also moving our products not only to Mexico, but to the United States and Canada, so it is an opportunity for everyone to win, he said. The first stage would see the Tren Maya tracks extended from Chetumal to the border with Belize. The proposal is awaiting an official response from President Sheinbaum. In 2023, Governor Mara Lezama Espinoza broached the topic of a Tren Maya extension into Belize as a proposal once Mexicos seven Tren Maya sections were complete. Governor heads to federal officials for Cancun taxi regulation after allegations of 10,000 peso ride Cancun, Q.R. Governor Mara Lezama says she is working with the federal government to regulate transportation fees at the Cancun airport. She made the announcement after another case of excessive charges surfaced late last week. A young woman traveling from the U.S. with a friend who identified herself as Nara B said she was charged 10,000 pesos or around $500 USD to travel from Cancun International to her accommodations in the seaside town of Tulum, a distance of around 120 kms or 74 miles. During the January 7 trip, they made a request for the private taxi to stop at two convenience stores which according to her, was a service that the cab driver claimed increased her fee by 2,500 pesos. He asked for payment upfront. When she wanted to pay by card, she said the driver made an excuse that there would not be Internet and she had to pay cash. He asked us to pay before arriving arguing that there would be no Internet at the destination to make the transfer. He insisted on charging 10,000 pesos justifying that the time at the stop and an alleged extra trip increased the cost. I felt very intimidated, she said in a video. On Saturday, Governor Lezama expressed her dismay at a few who do not abide by state laws and affect the destination. She says she is already in talks with the federal government to regulate the service in order to prevent the continuation of bad images for Cancun. We are not going to let our guard down. We are going to continue working because we cannot allow a few to affect the work of everyone. It is very clear, I have said it and I maintain it, no one is above the law and all excessive charges hurt the destinations and when you hurt the destinations, you hurt the citizens, and the most important thing in this state is tourism. Governor Mara Lezama We will be vigorous. This is an issue with the Cancun International Airport, she said. The problem at the airport is a completely federal issue since they are the ones who issued the transportation concession for the drivers who are overcharging, she said. Lezama stressed that since the beginning of her government, these practices of abuse and violence by state taxi drivers has not been permitted. She says the offending drivers have been punished within the jurisdiction of the state government. However, in recent cases, these service providers accused of the overcharges are related directly to the federal government. The destinations are hurt and when you hurt the destinations, you hurt many people who are in the tourism industry. This is why we put this on the table because of the issue of rates, concessions, she said. She says the tourism sector is distinguished by the good service it provides to national and international tourists, and now with the Maya Train, it is a greater opportunity for growth. Last month, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the Secretary of Quintana Roo Tourism, announced a comprehensive operation was being prepared to solve known mobility problems experienced by tourists at the Cancun International Airport. Earlier this month, Mexico City traveler Luisito C says he was charged 2,000 pesos from the Cancun International Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone, a ride of approximately 20 minutes. From his experience, he referred to the Cancun airport taxi service as a mafia. Letters to the Editor: Cancun taxi service Im troubled by all the problems I have been reading about with the taxi services of Cancun. Ive been a regular visitor for many years, but lately it seems things have become out of hand. Ive seen videos of grown men fighting in and outside of the airport, apparently over customers. Ive seen photos and videos of their aggressive attitude towards other drivers and even towards tourist, forcing them to ride with them and not Uber. These taxi drivers are like bullies. They also charge whatever they want because theres no meter and no way to enforce proper charges. Tourists have no way to know the real cost of a cab ride in Cancun and are stuck taking the drivers word for it that what they are charged is correct. These people, who are supposed to represent a city service, do the city a disservice by scamming travelers like the last guy who said he paid 2,000 pesos for a 20 minutes ride to the hotel zone. The last time I was there (a recent holiday) I was also charged a lot for a cab. They always want cash and never give a receipt. Since there is no meter, it is not possible to know what the actual cost should have been and no way to prove what you paid without a receipt. I will never take a taxi in Cancun again. Sincerely, Kelly G, Orlando, Florida. January 2025 Police arrest man wanted for double murder in Chetumal Chetumal, Q.R. A man has been arrested for double homicide after being released from hospital. Authorities took Ivan Gerardo N into custody for his probable participation in events possibly constituting the crime of femicide against two victims, one of them a minor, they reported. He was arrested in central Chetumal Friday after being found at the scene of the crime December 23 with self inflicted wounds. At the scene, police also located two dead women believed to be a mother and her 10 year old daughter. Police say the bodies were found in a state of decomposition, which is what alerted neighbors to make a report. They say Ivan Gerardo N likely killed them days before. Local authorities have said the events for which he is accused occurred on December 23, 2024, when the bodies of two women were found in a state of decomposition, in a home located in the Las Casitas neighborhood. In the same place was Ivan Gerardo N, with self-inflicted injuries with a sharp weapon. Presumably days before he had taken the lives of both women. Police say Ivan Gerardo N was picked up on an arrest warrant while walking on Andres Quintana Roo Avenue in Chetumal and is currently waiting for his hearing. The black boxes holding the flight data and cockpit voice recorders for the crashed Jeju Air flight that left 179 people dead stopped recording four minutes before the disaster, South Korea's transport ministry said Saturday. The Boeing 737-800 was flying from Thailand to Muan, South Korea, on December 29 carrying 181 passengers and crew when it belly-landed at the Muan airport and exploded in a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier. It was the worst-ever aviation disaster on South Korean soil. "The analysis revealed that both the CVR and FDR data were not recorded during the four minutes leading up to the aircraft's collision with the localiser," the transport ministry said in a statement, referring to the two recording devices. The localiser is a barrier at the end of the runway that helps with aircraft landings and was blamed for exacerbating the crash's severity. The damaged flight data recorder had been deemed unrecoverable for data extraction by South Korean authorities, who sent it to the United States for analysis at the US National Transportation Safety Board laboratory. But it appears that the boxes holding clues to the flight's final moments experienced data loss, leaving authorities trying to find out what happened. "Plans are in place to investigate the cause of the data loss during the ongoing accident investigation," the ministry said. South Korean and US investigators are still probing the cause of the crash, which prompted a national outpouring of mourning with memorials set up across the country. Investigators said the boxes were crucial to their probe but added they would not give up on trying to find out why the crash happened. "The investigation will be conducted through the examination and analysis of various data. The Committee is committed to doing its best to accurately determine the cause of the accident," the ministry said. Investigators have pointed to a bird strike, faulty landing gear and the runway barrier as possible issues. The pilot warned of a bird strike before pulling out of a first landing, then crashed on a second attempt when the landing gear did not emerge. This week, lead investigator Lee Seung-yeol told reporters that "feathers were found" in one of the plane's recovered engines, but cautioned a bird strike does not lead to an immediate engine failure. Authorities have raided offices at Muan airport where the crash took place, a regional aviation office in the southwestern city, and Jeju Air's office in the capital Seoul. They also barred Jeju Air's chief executive from leaving the country. Rival parties later formed a joint task force to probe the crash, while Transport Minister Park Sang-woo offered his resignation this week. "As the minister responsible for aviation safety, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility regarding this tragedy," he said. 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #02 Posted on 12 January 2025 by BaerbelW, Doug Bostrom A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 5, 2025 thru Sat, January 11, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if you spot any clear misses and/or have suggestions for additional categories, please let us know in the comments. Thanks! Stories we promoted this week, by category: Climate Change Impacts Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Interactive: How the world is already adapting to climate change by Carbon Brief Staff, Carbon Brief, Jan 07, 2025 by Carbon Brief Staff, Carbon Brief, Jan 07, 2025 The promises and challenges of the Philippines` new climate-resilient city New Clark City is being built from scratch to withstand extreme weather. Will it be a beacon of hope or a greenwashed illusion? by Maggie Wang, Grist, Jan 08, 2025 Climate Policy and Politics `They`ve heard so much wrong information`: Selling heat pumps across Germany`s political divide 'Going green'' means different things to different people. by Ajit Niranjan in Bautzen, The Guardian, Jan 03, 2025 Climate Science and Research Exploring the drivers of modern global warming By using a simple climate model, we can disentangle greenhouse gases, aerosols, and natural forcings. by Zeke Hausfather, The Climate Brink, Jan 06, 2025 Public Misunderstandings about Climate Science Public Misunderstandings about Climate Solutions Miscellaneous (Other) 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #01 A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 29, 2024 thru Sat, January 4, 2025. by Barbel Winkler & Doug Bostrom, Skeptical Science, Jan 05, 2025 A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 29, 2024 thru Sat, January 4, 2025. by Barbel Winkler & Doug Bostrom, Skeptical Science, Jan 05, 2025 Why anger, anxiety and anguish are understandable psychological reactions to the climate crisis by Georgina Ramsay, Gareth Morgan, Lauren McGregor, The Conversation, Jan 06, 2025 Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, Im hoping you can help me with something Im really bothered by and also feel weird/guilty about being bothered by (ugh). My spouse and I are the parents of an only child, our 27-year-old daughter Annie. Last year, Annie and her boyfriend of five years, Max, were married. I like Max! Im happy Annie and Max are happy! But now Annie has in-lawsperfectly nice people weve met numerous times over the years and will doubtless see more of in years to comewho live a two-hour drive from them. And because both Annie and Max have new jobs with very limited time off, and we live a two-hour flight away, they spent Christmas with Maxs parents. (They had just the day of Thanksgiving off, which they spent with friends, and then only two days off for Christmas.) They promise that next year, theyll come to us for Christmas, even if it has to be a very quick trip (theyve said they can switch off every year). This is reasonable and sane. But the photos Annies mother-in-law posted on social media, of her whole big happy family, celebrating together!her and her husband, Max and Annie, Maxs three sisters and their significant others, who are all local, and Maxs two grandmothers and an auntmade me feel like crap. It sort of made me hate them (not Annie and Max; Maxs family). My husband and I were alone for Christmas. He has no other family and my parents stay put in Florida all winter. We dont have a big family to gather together at our house. I hate being jealous of the in-laws. But I dont know how to stop. (I promise, I know I am being petty, small, and stupid.) Is there a cure? Is this normal? Does anybody else feel this way? Jealous and Ashamed Dear Jealous, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know firsthand that when youve got only one childand especially when you dont have a big, close, extended family surrounding your little family of threeno matter how happy you are about the match theyve made, their acquisition of a whole new family can be a little (or a lot) disorienting. It takes getting used to. I dont know that theres a cure per se, but there are some things you can do to help the process along. (At least: There are some things Ive done to help the process along. And theyve worked.) Advertisement First: Remind yourself that the more people who love your child, the better. The more people who include them in their livesand in their familiesthe better. Theres a Yiddish word I love and make liberal use ofmachatunimthat means, essentially, the family into which my child has married, but carries the specific connotation of: and which is now my family too. English has no word for this (except maybe co-in-laws, which is pretty cold, just like in-laws is). I do in fact think of my (only) daughters in-laws, Pam and Johnny, as related to me now: They are my machateynes and machatin, respectively. I havent seen them since the wedding weekend because they live 1,000 miles away, but were on each others minds. And we know we have to share. (Pam and Johnny got Christmas 2023; we got this past oneour children have jobs with very limited time off, too.) Did I have some pangs when I saw those here we all are, together again! photos on Facebook the Christmas before last? Sure. But thats when I reminded myself that theyre family, and that they love my kid, just as I love theirs. I swear: This helps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second: On the holidays that you used to spend with your childones you have traditions and expectations around, Im sureon the years they are with the machatunim, do something different. Take a trip. Or stay home but spend it with friends. Or stay home and invite some young people who cant be with their own families to spend it with you. (This is what I do every year at Thanksgiving now. And it is always fun.) Or skip the holiday altogether if it makes you sad to celebrate it without Annie. No law says you have to do Christmas. Third: Cut back on social media consumption (in general, but especially on family holidays). And last: Be advised that if Annie and Max have kids themselves, the current plan is likely to change. I dont know how it will change for you and your machatunim. There are plenty of possibilities. My daughter and her husband (with my enthusiastic endorsement) mean to start their own holiday traditionsto stay put, and invite both families to join them. (Full disclosure: This was what my husband and I did, though our parents rarely took us up on it. My in-laws hated to travel, and my own parents spent Thanksgiving with my brother and his family, and have always ignored Christmas.) Check back in with me in a few years and Ill let you know how its goingmy daughter and son-in-law may end up with quite the houseful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, I wish you patience. Things change. Some changes take a while to adjust to. But you will. Dont be so hard on yourself, OK? And keep in mind that your daughters in-laws are probably just as jealous of you as you are of them, so be gentlei.e., dont gloat; keep the golden rule in mindwhen youve got their kid with you. Advertisement Get parenting and family advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Care and Feeding, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Care and Feeding following up) Submit Dear Care and Feeding, I think my 7-year-old granddaughter might have ADHD. She loses or breaks stuff all the time. Its only January and my son has had to buy her four pairs of gloves already. She wears glasses and they have to be replaced regularly too, as she breaks them or loses them. Shes broken her tabletshes broken everything, really (except bones). She also has issues with paying attention. (I know every kid does these days, but in her case, its alarmingly so.) She struggles to make friends, and shes very anxious. I retired as an elementary school teacher in 2022, and she reminds me a lot of my students who were diagnosed with ADHD, particularly the girls with that diagnosis. But Im not sure if its my place to bring this up with my son and daughter-in-law. I have a great relationship with them, but my daughter-in-law has always made it clear that she wants to have respectful boundaries with me, since her own grandmother made her moms life incredibly difficult, and she doesnt want history to repeat itself. She does want her daughter to have a close, healthy relationship with me, though. Im not sure what to do. Does Grandma Know Best? Dear Grandma, Advertisement Advertisement Since every item on your listfrom lost gloves to struggling to make friendsis something your granddaughters parents are aware of, the only additional information you would be bringing to the table is what you observed in other children during your years as a teacher. I do not think that is sufficient new information to justify the crossing of the boundary your daughter-in-law has wisely put in place. I am pretty sure she would find it infuriating if you invoked the as a retired schoolteacher card. Wait until you are asked for advice. (She knows you have this experience; if she thinks it would be helpful to her to hear what you have to say on this or any other subject related to her child, Im certain shell let you know.) Advertisement Catch Up on Care and Feeding Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, In November I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I told my friend when I found the lump. She has completely ghosted menot even a query about my health. Im doing well but feel blindsided by her. I guess I know the answer, but since I sure could use some support now, should I reach out to her again? (My dear husband is trying his best to support me, but I need a buddy!) I Need My Friend Dear Need, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not this friend, you dont. I assume you delivered your news in person or over the phonethat is, directly to her? And that its since then that you havent heard from her? Because unless there is a real possibility that your friend doesnt know about your cancer diagnosisif you texted her and she somehow missed that text, if it came in on a day of a multitude of texts from others, or you left a voicemail message she never got around to listening tothis (friend)ship has sailed. Im sorry to hear about your diagnosisthat is a rough card to be dealtand very glad to hear that youre doing well. Im glad to know, too, that you have a supportive spouse whos trying his best. I wish your friend was the person you thought she was, or just hoped she was. The fact is that there are people who cannot or will not support others when their support is needed most. Your friend has shown her true colors. I cant begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear this. (I had a best friend who let me down in some big ways, and even years after the end of that friendship, it still pains me deeply.) If she was the only friend you had whom you felt you could count on, Im even sorrier. Reach out to other friendsmaybe theyll surprise you; maybe theres something there you hadnt been aware of, or that you didnt notice because you were counting so hard on this one particular friend. If youre a one-friend-only kind of gal (which I do not recommend), you need a new friend, or several new ones. If your health allows it, get out and do something that gives you joy, an activity that puts you in regular contact with others who share your interest/passion. If thats too much for you right nowor in addition to doing thatjoin a breast cancer support group. (The organization Breast Friends has one, which meets over Zoom, for the newly diagnosed.) I understand (too well, Im afraid) the impulse to reach for the phone and hope your friend will respond in the way you need her tothat she will be the friend you need, the one you thought she was. But thats a fools errand, bound to cause you more pain. She has told you who she is. Listen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, if my assumption was faulty, and you did not tell her your hard news directly, I see no great harm in reaching out one more time, just in case. Call (dont text!); dont leave a voice message if she doesnt pick up. And please, please, please, be prepared to be disappointed and sad all over again. I hope very much that you find the support you need and deserve elsewhere as soon as possible. Michelle More Advice From Slate My husbands mother has been living with us for the past year due to her declining health. Our kids love her, our dog is very protective of her. Shes an all-around amazing woman, and shes seamlessly integrated herself into our household. When she moved in, our identical twin 8-year-old daughters had to move into the same bedroom. It wasnt a big deal at the timethey were all for it. Within the last month or so, however, my daughters have been having a lot of issues sharing a room. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/afd-declines-to-condemn-russia-in-party-election-program--reports-1121411413.html AfD Declines to Condemn Russia in Party Election Program Reports AfD Declines to Condemn Russia in Party Election Program Reports Sputnik International The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party chose not to include a condemnation of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in its election program, German broadcaster N-tv reported. 2025-01-12T03:40+0000 2025-01-12T03:40+0000 2025-01-12T04:49+0000 alternative for germany (afd) world alice weidel russia ukraine germany alternative fuer deutschland (afd) ukrainian crisis ukrainian conflict ukraine crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/04/1120006682_0:190:2965:1858_1920x0_80_0_0_b570bb55bc7487f5b4d956f6e68b5823.jpg On Saturday, the AfD party congress took place in the German city of Riesa, where the party's co-chair Alice Weidel was approved as a candidate for chancellor. Delegates to the congress voted against condemning Russia for its operation in Ukraine by a majority of 69% out of around 600 party delegates, the broadcaster said. The partys draft program describes the Ukraine conflict as a disruption to peace in Europe and envisions Ukraine as a neutral state, outside of the EU and NATO.Since the beginning of the special military operation, AfD has consistently advocated for an end to arms supplies to Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin called its goal "the protection of people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." He noted that the special operation was a forced measure, Russia "was left with no chance to act differently, the security risks were such that it was impossible to respond by other means." According to Putin, Russia has been trying to reach an agreement with NATO on the principles of security in Europe for 30 years, but in response it has encountered either cynical deception and lies, or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while the alliance, despite Moscows protests, has been steadily expanding and approaching the borders of Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240108/germany-singlehandedly-pays-for-half-of-all-eu-aid-to-ukraine-minister-reveals-1116058230.html russia ukraine germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International afd for russia, afd for peace, russia + afd, germany and russia, alice weidel, german-russian relations, germany-russia relations, germany regional elections, alternative for germany, afd germany elections, german elections, german parties, ukraine conflict, ukrainian crisis, german aid, aid for ukraine, proxy war, us proxy war, nato proxy war, nato's proxy war, ukraine proxy war, proxy war in ukraine, strategic defeat, inflict defeat, harm russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/eu-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-lifting-sanctions-against-syria-on-january-27-1121414578.html EU Foreign Ministers to Discuss Lifting Sanctions Against Syria on January 27 EU Foreign Ministers to Discuss Lifting Sanctions Against Syria on January 27 Sputnik International EU foreign ministers are set to gather in Brussels on January 27 to discuss the removal of sanctions against Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, told reporters on her way to talks on Syria in Riyadh on Sunday. 2025-01-12T13:20+0000 2025-01-12T13:20+0000 2025-01-12T13:20+0000 world nariman kallas bashar assad brussels syria european union (eu) riyadh sanctions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/04/1e/1082774064_0:126:3197:1924_1920x0_80_0_0_420a129eed41a52e7fe14e54b1ef01e2.jpg Kallas added the European Union was working on decisions regarding the potential removal of sanctions. In December 2024, Kallas said that the EU could ease sanctions on Syria if the new leadership took "positive steps" toward an inclusive government and human rights. The Council of the EU has extended sanctions against Syria until June 1, 2025. Currently, 318 individuals and 86 entities are subject to asset freezes and EU entry bans. The sanctions also prohibit provision of funds and other economic resources to them, either directly or indirectly. Syria's armed opposition captured Damascus on December 8, 2024. Syrian President Bashar Assad stepped down after negotiations with opposition and left Syria for Russia, where he was granted asylum. Mohammed al-Bashir, who ran an Idlib-based administration formed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group, was named interim prime minister on December 10. He announced that an interim government had been formed and would remain in place until March 2025. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250109/with-syria-out-of-the-picture-little-reason-for-us-and-israel-to-try-to-carve-out-a-kurdish-state-1121394471.html brussels syria Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International eu foreign ministers, gather in brussels, sanctions against syria, syria in riyadh https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/farage-to-throw-party-in-washington-with-musk-in-honor-of-trumps-inauguration-1121413131.html Farage to Throw Party in Washington With Musk in Honor of Trump's Inauguration Farage to Throw Party in Washington With Musk in Honor of Trump's Inauguration Sputnik International The leader of the British party Reform UK, Nigel Farage, plans to throw a party in Washington with the participation of US entrepreneur Elon Musk in honor of the inauguration of the elected US President Donald Trump, the Independent newspaper reported. 2025-01-12T10:08+0000 2025-01-12T10:08+0000 2025-01-12T10:08+0000 world nigel farage elon musk donald trump united kingdom (uk) washington republican party inauguration https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/18/1112105883_0:317:3072:2045_1920x0_80_0_0_ac84c6e4530505005ce4e3f20a2dfc13.jpg By doing so, Farage plans to settle the shaken relations with the richest man on the planet, the publication noted. It is noted that a total of 400 guests from the US and UK right-wing political circles are expected at the event, including leading members of the Republican Party, as well as the new British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson. The publication emphasized that this would be the first meeting between Farage and Musk after the American entrepreneur called for the head of Reform UK to be replaced. According to the publication, since then, Trump's team has been trying to improve relations with Farage ahead of the inauguration. The newspaper also noted that the presence of the British ambassador might indicate his intention to try to improve relations between the government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump's team. Earlier, Musk, who had previously called for a vote for Reform UK, claiming that it was the UK's "only hope," said that the party needed to change its leader. As a British newspaper pointed out, Musk and Farage disagreed over the founder of the far-right organization English Defence League Tommy Robinson, whom Musk "praised" on his social network, while Farage said that Robinson was "not the one we need." Farage, in turn, responded to Musk's words by saying that he would never give up his principles. Musk also called Starmer "evil" and called for his resignation amid accusations that the British authorities had been covering up mass gang rapes of girls. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250111/japan-to-send-foreign-minister-to-us-president-elect-trumps-inauguration---reports-1121405974.html united kingdom (uk) washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International reform uk, nigel farage, us entrepreneur elon musk, us president donald trump https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/from-new-york-to-reichstag-top-fires-that-shook-the-world-1121411830.html From New York to Reichstag: Top Fires That Shook the World From New York to Reichstag: Top Fires That Shook the World Sputnik International As wildfires scorch Southern California, lets recall the profound impact left by some of historys devastating fires. 2025-01-12T08:01+0000 2025-01-12T08:01+0000 2025-01-12T08:01+0000 world california fires forest fires wildfires firefighters california adolf hitler new york notre dame nazis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107424/19/1074241937_0:148:2654:1641_1920x0_80_0_0_14e166503f5e7cdca6435927e058f462.jpg As wildfires scorch Southern California, lets recall the profound impact left by some of historys most devastating fires.Notre Dame fire (2019)No culprit has been found five years on from the fire that ravaged the iconic French cathedral and contaminated areas of Paris with toxic dust and lead. Totally restoring it is expected to run into 700 million euros ($767 million). Great Matheson Fire (1916)Coffins lined the tracks of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway after Canadas deadliest forest fire, in which some 200 people were killed. As sparks from dynamite used by railway companies may have been the cause, new regulations were set in place. Reichstag Fire (1933)The Reichstag fire was such a boon for the Nazis that it is speculated they started it themselves. Chancellor Adolf Hitler blamed the communists for setting it ablaze, used an emergency law to crush all opposition, and harnessed total power. While no one died in the fire itself, it set the stage for the largest conflict in human history, WWII, which is estimated to have claimed from 70 to 85 million lives. US Great Fire (1910) The Big Burn fire across North Idaho and Western Montana destroyed enough timber to fill a freight train 3,900 km long, prompting the creation of a federal fire protection system. The Great Fire of New York (1835)Firefighters drilled holes in the frozen East River and Hudson River to get to water during the blaze. No wonder the nations first aqueducts were built after the fire. Great Fire of London (1666) A new stone London rose from the ashes of this fire that destroyed over 13,000 mostly timber homes. Interestingly, the first fire insurance companies were established. Great Library of Alexandria, Egypt (48 BC) It took centuries for humanity to recover from the loss of the priceless knowledge contained in the over 40,000 ancient scrolls on science, philosophy, literature, etc. that were lost in the fire. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250110/billionaires-budget-cuts--drought-whats-fueling-las-fire-crisis-1121401372.html california new york notre dame Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko top fires in history, what were the most destructive fires in history,, what was the london fire, how did most deadly fires change history, the great fire of london, the great fire of new york, the reichstag fire, great matheson fire, notre dame fire, interesting facts about the most deadly fires in history, how did great library of alexandria burn down, https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/gaza-hostages-deal-may-be-reached-before-trumps-inauguration---white-house-1121417486.html Gaza Hostages Deal May Be Reached Before Trump's Inauguration - White House Gaza Hostages Deal May Be Reached Before Trump's Inauguration - White House Sputnik International The sides of negotiations on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip are "very close" to an agreement that could be reached before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. 2025-01-12T18:01+0000 2025-01-12T18:01+0000 2025-01-12T18:01+0000 world jake sullivan donald trump us joe biden gaza strip hamas white house palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/09/1107276038_0:135:3072:1863_1920x0_80_0_0_d1f4484ebf5cea6b072be83280df2799.jpg The sides of negotiations on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip are "very close" to an agreement that could be reached before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday. White House Coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk has been in Doha for a week, where final details of the text of the agreement are being agreed upon, Sullivan said. Biden receives daily updates on this issue and will most likely have talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon, Sullivan also said. On October 7, 2023, during a Hamas attack on southern Israeli settlements, the radicals captured more than 250 people and took them to the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli data, 98 people are still held captive by Hamas, including those believed to be dead. During various operations and humanitarian efforts, 156 people were returned from Hamas captivity, including the dead hostages whose bodies were taken out of Gaza. The hostages, including women, children and the elderly, have been held captive for more than 15 months. Among the hostages held captive, there are also two with Russian citizenship. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250110/israeli-defense-minister-pushes-for-strategy-to-completely-wipe-out-hamas-in-gaza-1121398268.html gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International the sides of negotiations on the release of hostages in the gaza strip are "very close" to an agreement that could be reached before us president-elect donald trump takes office on january 20. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/iran-deploys-air-defenses-at-nuclear-sites-unveils-new-underground-dormant-volcano-missile-base-1121413409.html Iran Deploys Air Defenses at Nuclear Sites, Unveils New Underground Dormant Volcano Missile Base Iran Deploys Air Defenses at Nuclear Sites, Unveils New Underground Dormant Volcano Missile Base Sputnik International Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated to their highest level in history in 2024 after a series of back-and-forth aerial, missile and drone attacks fueled by the Gaza crisis. Israel and the US have repeatedly threatened preemptive attacks targeting Irans nuclear facilities before Donald Trumps inauguration. 2025-01-12T13:02+0000 2025-01-12T13:02+0000 2025-01-12T13:02+0000 military military & intelligence donald trump jake sullivan israel natanz islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/01/0c/1121414319_0:110:2100:1291_1920x0_80_0_0_b9cb2a0a99364d58de3fb83668bfd2fc.jpg Irans military and the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have deployed some of their best air defenses two major nuclear sites, and unveiled a new fortified missile city mountain fortress.Photos published by the Mehr News Agency Saturday show components of what appears to be the Khordad 15 air and missile defense system being deployed.The Tasnim News Agency says the air defense units, subordinated to the Army and IRGC, have been deployed at the Fordow Nuclear Site in Qom Province, and the Khonab Nuclear Complex, which features a heavy water reactor and is situated in Markazi Province.Drilling is set to simulate defense of the nuclear sites, and other sensitive and critical areas, against enemy aerial and missile strikes. Similar drills were held recently by the IRGCs Aerospace Force at the Natanz Nuclear Site, with those drills reportedly also involving protection against electronic warfare threats.Mehr says Sundays exercises are a continuation of the wider Eqtadar (lit. Authority or Might) 1403 war games, which involve missile, radar, electronic warfare, air defense, manned aircraft and drone drills in both defensive and offensive operations.The drills follow a series of provocative statements and media reports about US and Israeli threats to target Irans nuclear facilities. In December, US media reported that Bidens National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, had presented the president with options for attacking the Islamic Republics nuclear facilities. Iran blasted the reported backroom planning as a gross violation of international law.Separately this week, the IRGC unveiled another of Irans patented underground missile cities. These facilities take advantage of Western Irans defensive, mountainous geography, and are burrowed deep under mountains for protection against enemy missile and air attack.Footage of the new base, situated at an undisclosed location, was broadcast on Iranian television, with military officials led by IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Ali Hajizadeh shown touring the facility, walking over Israeli and American flags painted on the floor, saluting troops and inspecting missiles.The footage included shots of the Emad, Qadr, and Qiam-series missiles. According to PressTV, the remaining 90 percent of the base was not shown for security reasons.Iran is known to have used the Emad and Qadr (sometimes transliterated as Ghadr) missiles in its October 1 retaliatory strikes on Israel in combination with the Fattah hypersonic missiles. The missile strike was designed to demonstrate Irans ability to reach Israels most sensitive defense and intelligence facilities, and footage of the attack showed scores of missiles penetrating the countrys sophisticated air and missile defense shield, which was jointly designed with the US.The TV report on the new base described it as a dormant volcano deep in the heart of mountains, warning that it could erupt in the shortest time possible in the event of enemy aggression.Iran is known to possess among the strongest indigenous military-industrial complexes in the world, producing everything from missiles and drones to increasingly sophisticated air and missile defense systems, and defense electronics. These capabilities are made possible by the country's strong scientific cadre and universities, and civilian industry (the strongest in the region), which provides critical materials to the defense sector. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250109/unveiling-brand-new-loitering-munition-during-massive-drills-iran-sends-adversaries-clear-message-1121395807.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241227/seven-front-war-mideast-hornets-nest-disturbed-by-israels-invasion-of-gaza-1121284298.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241108/iran-showed-israel-only-small-part-of-its-retaliatory-capabilities-in-october-strike-irgc-chief-1120825844.html israel natanz Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov does iran have good air defenses, what is the khordad 15, will israel attack iran https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/preparations-for-putin-trump-meeting-underway---president-elects-national-security-advisor-1121415941.html Preparations for Putin-Trump Meeting Underway - Waltz Preparations for Putin-Trump Meeting Underway - Waltz Sputnik International Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the Russian president was open to meeting with Trump after his inauguration. Russia welcomes Trump's "readiness to solve problems through dialogue," Peskov said. 2025-01-12T14:39+0000 2025-01-12T14:39+0000 2025-01-12T15:41+0000 world vladimir putin donald trump https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106652/48/1066524892_0:229:2825:1818_1920x0_80_0_0_295ac93857c3eb4e48e761c69d5eb581.jpg Trump National Security Advisor pick Mike Waltz has confirmed that preparations for a meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump are underway.Waltz also said that a telephone call between the two leaders may take place in the next days or weeks.At a press briefing earlier in the week, Trump said Putin "wants to meet" and that his transition team was in the process of "setting it up." The format of the meeting is "to be determined," Trump added.Presidents Putin and Trump had a summit meeting in Helsinki in July 2018. They've also met on at least four other occasions on the sidelines of international venues, and have spoken by phone 16 times or more. The outgoing president, Joe Biden, held one meeting with Putin, in June 2021 in Geneva.In a statement Sunday, the White House said Washington believes any agreement on Ukraine must provide "security guarantees" to prevent the conflict from reoccurring.Russian officials including President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have themselves pointed to the need for iron-clad guarantees, but for Russia, given Kiev's tendency to renege on agreements, from the 2015 Minsk peace deal, to the 2022 draft agreement reached in Istanbul, but left unsigned thanks to interference by NATO.Keith Kellogg, Trump's pick for Ukraine envoy, said earlier this week that for the Ukraine conflict to end, Russia and the US need to communicate. "The biggest mistake that President Biden made is the fact that he never engaged in any conversations with Putin," Kellogg said in an interview.On Tuesday, Trump said he "can understand" Russia's concerns about having NATO "right on their doorstep" in Ukraine, and slammed the Biden administration for ignoring Moscow's long-held apprehension.Moscow has made Ukrainian neutrality a key condition for any peace deal.Trump has been outspoken in his criticism of the current administration for its role in triggering the current conflict, saying the Ukraine crisis "would never" have started if he were president. Trump's record on Ukraine is also mixed, however, as it was during his first term that the US first began to deliver lethal weapons to Kiev.The Ukrainian crisis was sparked by Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, in 2014, when a US and EU-backed coup overthrew Ukraine's elected government after it rejected an EU Association Agreement in favor of closer ties with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.The crisis prompted Crimea to vote to leave Ukraine via referendum and rejoin Russia, and saw residents of the Donbass regions of Donetsk and Lugansk rise up against the new regime and proclaim independence. Kiev responded by trying to crush the regions with military force.A shaky ceasefire and peace deal known as the Minsk Accords was signed in February 2015, stipulating the regions' return to Ukraine's jurisdiction in exchange for guarantees of autonomy. Successive Ukrainian governments stalled on implementing Minsk for eight years. In 2022, the former leaders of Ukraine, Germany and France each separately admitted that Kiev only signed the deal to buy time to rearm and prepare for a conflict with Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/trump-acknowledges-russias-concerns-over-ukraines-possible-entry-into-nato-1121376609.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/euromaidan-color-revolution-that-brought-ukraine-to-ruin-1115104905.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov when will trump and putin meet, when will trump and putin talk Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer. She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/swiss-peoples-party-demands-resignation-defense-minister-under-fire-for-security-policy-failures-1121413266.html Swiss People's Party Demands Resignation: Defense Minister Under Fire for Security Policy Failures Swiss People's Party Demands Resignation: Defense Minister Under Fire for Security Policy Failures Sputnik International The Swiss People's Party, Switzerland's largest political force, has called on the head of the country's Defense Ministry, Viola Amherd, to resign over her failed security policy. 2025-01-12T11:47+0000 2025-01-12T11:47+0000 2025-01-12T11:47+0000 world switzerland ukraine bern nato defense ministry europe security https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/15/1118041947_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b33fc3c723ec3c2d4f59f9032c46d79e.jpg The Swiss People's Party, Switzerland's largest political force, has called on the head of the country's Defense Ministry, Viola Amherd, to resign over her failed security policy. Viola Amherd is also blamed for the country's rapprochement with NATO. According to the SVP, Amherd prefers to deal with gender issues in the armed forces rather than military equipment."She allows weapons ordered for Switzerland to be delivered to Ukraine. These are the wrong priorities, Federal Councillor," the SVP said in a statement.In late October 2024, Amherd said that Bern should ease restrictions on the re-export of Swiss weapons because of the country's arms business. She cited the fact that the Netherlands had already decided to stop buying weapons from the nation because of the current ban on re-exports, and that Germany could follow suit.Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder a settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to Lavrov, the United States and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The Kremlin stated that the West pumping Ukraine with weapons does not contribute to negotiations and would have a negative effect. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/switzerlands-nato-collaboration-grows-as-joint-air-drills-with-us-spark-questions-on-neutrality-1120708668.html switzerland ukraine bern Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International swiss people's party, viola amherd, to resign, security policy https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/trump-putin-may-hold-phone-conversation-in-coming-days-or-weeks---waltz-1121417346.html Trump, Putin May Hold Phone Conversation in Coming Days or Weeks - Waltz Trump, Putin May Hold Phone Conversation in Coming Days or Weeks - Waltz Sputnik International US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may hold a phone conversation in the coming days or weeks, Trumps National Security Advisor Designate Mike Waltz said on Sunday. 2025-01-12T17:59+0000 2025-01-12T17:59+0000 2025-01-12T17:59+0000 world donald trump vladimir putin russia ukraine nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107607/86/1076078663_0:0:2963:1666_1920x0_80_0_0_2a6357ca09ab2cf22de9bbfc88f48993.jpg "Well, we haven't set the exact framework for it yet. We're working on that, but I do you know, expect a call for at least in the coming days and weeks, so that that would be a step we and we'll take it from there. I will say, you know, the other thing that we're going to need to see is really stabilizing things on the battlefield. And one of the things that we'll be asking of the Ukrainians is they have real manpower issues," Trumps National Security Advisor Designate Mike Waltz said on air of ABC. Trump recognizes the fact that the idea of retaking territories held by Russia is unrealistic, and others are starting to understand this too, the national security advisor designate added. Waltz also said that achieving a ceasefire would be an "incredibly positive first step" for both Russia and Ukraine that could lead to a negotiated settlement of the conflict. In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin set the terms for a peace settlement in Ukraine, which include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Russia's new regions and guarantees from Kiev that it will abandon plans to join NATO. The president also mentioned an end to sanctions against Russia. After Ukrainian troops attacked the Kursk Region in August, Putin called the prospect of negotiations with Kiev impossible. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that Moscow's peace proposals had not been voided, but Russia would not engage with Ukraine at this point. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250112/preparations-for-putin-trump-meeting-underway---president-elects-national-security-advisor-1121415941.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us president-elect donald trump and russian president vladimir putin may hold a phone conversation in the coming days or weeks, trumps national security advisor designate mike waltz said on sunday. The News in Brief Monday, January 13, 2025 The head of the Adjara police, Irakli Dgebuadze, confirmed that eight individuals were arrested during protests in Batumi on January 12. Speaking with TV Pirveli, Dgebuadze stated that the arrests were made under the Code of Administrative Offenses, citing Articles 166 and 173, which cover minor hooliganism and disobedience to lawful police orders, respectively.Among those detained are Luka Natsvlishvili, Elizbar Chkhikvadze, Elene Khoshtaria, Giorgi Kirtadze, Shushana Matsaberidze, Tornike Kakaladze, as well as Batumelebi cameraman Giorgi MurvanidzeAccording to Droa, Shushana Matsaberidze was transferred to Poti along with other activists, while the whereabouts of Elene Khoshtaria remain unclear. Giorgi Kirtadze is reportedly being held at the Batumi Division.The protests mark the second consecutive day of detentions in Batumi. On January 11, police arrested 12 individuals, including Mzia Amaglobeli, founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti. Amaglobeli is accused of assaulting police officers.Tensions escalated outside the Babilo restaurant in Tbilisi on January 12, where judges gathered for a corporate event amidst public outrage. Protesters, including family members of individuals detained during pro-European demonstrations, confronted the judges as they began arriving around 3 PM.The protests were triggered by judicial decisions on January 10 and 11, which resulted in 19 protestors being placed in custody. These rulings sparked widespread criticism of the judiciary, which has been accused of being influenced by the ruling Georgian Dream party.Among the attendees was Levan Murusidze, a US-sanctioned member of the High Council of Justice.Police, including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Tasks Department, were heavily deployed at the scene. A water cannon was stationed nearby, and as judges began leaving the event in the evening, several demonstrators were arrested. However, the exact number and charges remain undisclosed as of now.Protesters carried banners reading, "A corrupt judiciary undermines democracy and violates human rights," and chanted slogans such as "Judges everywhere, justice nowhere." Some judges entered the venue through the back door to avoid confrontation, while others faced verbal abuse and were pelted with eggs. 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the frozen food selections, Yeltsin roamed the aisles of Randall's nodding his head in amazement. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the frozen food selections, Yeltsin roamed the aisles of Randall's nodding his head in amazement. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle 09/16/1989 - On a last-minute stopover in Houston, Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions were treated to a private Johnson Space Center tour of mission control and a mock-up of the planned space station. As he toured the space station mock-up, Yeltsin asked Clark Covington, NASA's technical assistant director, detailed, technical questions about materials used to construct space shuttles and auxiliary equipment. Yeltsin has an engineering background, his translator said. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the frozen food selections, Yeltsin roamed the aisles of Randall's nodding his head in amazement. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the frozen food selections, Yeltsin roamed the aisles of Randall's nodding his head in amazement. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle The Webster Food Town, once a Randall's Grocery visited by former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, has recently shuttered. A large sign reading, "This location closed," could be seen on the store's front windows near the intersection of El Dorado Boulevard and Highway 3. It's not clear exactly what forced the Webster Food Town to close its doors permanently, but for now, 29 other locations remain open in the Houston area. 09/16/1989 - On a last-minute stopover in Houston, Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions were treated to a private Johnson Space Center tour of mission control and a mock-up of the planned space station. As he toured the space station mock-up, Yeltsin asked Clark Covington, NASA's technical assistant director, detailed, technical questions about materials used to construct space shuttles and auxiliary equipment. Yeltsin has an engineering background, his translator said. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle This location was noteworthy because 35 years ago, the store welcomed Yeltsin and several of his Soviet companions for an unplanned 20-minute visit while the group was in Houston for a tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the meat selections, Yeltsin stopped people pushing carts to ask about the food they had selected and its cost," Houston Chronicle reporter Stefanie Asin wrote at the time. "On his way out of the store, Yeltsin asked for the manager. He wanted to know if special education is necessary to be a supermarket manager." Yeltsin was most struck by the store's stark comparison to a typical Russian grocery store at the time. "Even the Politburo doesn't have this choice. Not even Mr. Gorbachev,'' Yeltsin said as he observed the store's fish department, according to Asin. 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. Between trying free samples of cheese and produce and staring at the meat selections, Yeltsin roamed the aisles of Randall's nodding his head in amazement. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle Years later, Yeltsin wrote in his autobiography that the trip to Randall's had seriously challenged his view of communism and the state of Russia. His efforts were instrumental in the collapse of the Soviet Union and he later became the first president of the newly independent Russian state in 1991. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "When I saw those shelves crammed with hundreds, thousands of cans, cartons and goods of every possible sort, for the first time I felt quite frankly sick with despair for the Soviet people," Yeltsin wrote. "That such a potentially super-rich country as ours has been brought to a state of such poverty! It is terrible to think of it." 09/16/1989 - Boris Yeltsin and a handful of Soviet companions made an unscheduled 20-minute visit to a Randall's Supermarket after touring the Johnson Space Center. At the check-out counter, an employee showed the Soviet politician how a computer scans each item and totals the bill automatically. Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle Larry Reese/Houston Chronicle The Food Town opened in 2009 after the Randall's location closed and was replaced by a Gerlands, according to Terrie Lewis, a spokesperson for Food Town. Autozone is expected to take over the lot, Lewis said. Correction (Jan. 21, 2025, 9:10 a.m.): This article has been updated to reflect that the Food Town opened in 2009. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). U.S. Senator Ted Cruz addresses his supporters at a watch party at Marriott Marquis Hotel on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Sen. Ted Cruz believes U.S. airlines should resume flying to Israel, according to comments he made this week on the "Nothing But The Truth" podcast. Cruz said he intends to push airlines to resume flying to the country in his new role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. "At this point, every day that goes on, it appears more and more to be a politically-motivated boycott instead of a genuine safety concern," Cruz said on the podcast, which is about issues facing the Jewish community in the U.S. and Israel. "It was one thing right at the outset of the war when it was unclear what was going to happen. It was one thing to take a step, potentially, in terms of preserving safety. It's another thing now." Advertisement Article continues below this ad United Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines have all suspended service to Israel. Cruz noted there are some airlines based in Europe and the United Arab Emirates that are currently flying in and out of Israel. One of those airlines is FlyDubai, a sister airline to Emirates. An Associated Press story from November reported that FlyDubai canceled only 77 flights compared to 1,800 completed flights since the previous October. However, it is not just major U.S. airlines that are currently not flying to Israel. Non-U.S. airlines currently without flights to Israel include British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Israel has been engulfed in war since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. Mantra, a purpose-built layer 1 blockchain for tokenised real-world assets (RWAs) has signed a $1 billion agreement with Damac Group, a prominent investment conglomerate with a diversified portfolio that spans key sectors such as real estate, hospitality, data centres, and more, to tokenise assets in the Middle East. The collaboration between Mantra and the Damac Group will enable token-based financing for a diverse range of assets within the groups extensive portfolio of companies, with a minimum value of $1 billion. The Damac Group assets will be available in early 2025, exclusively on Mantra Chain, marking a bold step in leveraging blockchain technology to bring greater transparency, security, and accessibility to Damac Groups wide-ranging assets. This milestone partnership is yet another step in Mantras vision to become the preferred ledger of record for real-world assets. Recently Damac Groups chairman promised a $20 billion investment in the booming US data centre industry in the coming years, the US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida. "This partnership with Damac Group is an endorsement for the RWA industry. Were thrilled to partner with such a prestigious group of leaders that share our ambitions and see the incredible opportunities of bringing traditional financing opportunities onchain, said John Patrick Mullin, CEO of Mantra. Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of Sales & Development at Damac, said: Damac is always exploring new technologies to enhance our product offerings. Partnering with Mantra is a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and forward-thinking solutions. Tokenising our assets will provide investors with a secure, transparent, and convenient way to access a wide range of investment opportunities. The Mantra and Damac Group partnership follows the recent announcement of Mantra Chains Mainnet launch, which went live in October, representing a significant milestone in the integration of traditional finance with blockchain technology. Mantra is backed by the regions top investment firm Shorooq that has been the most active investor across MENAs venture capital and credit asset classes over the past few years. Shane Shin, Founding Partner at Shorooq, commented on the partnership: This collaboration represents a groundbreaking moment for the real-world asset market in the MENA region. As a leading investor in Mantra, we have always believed in the transformative potential of blockchain in traditional finance. Partnering with Damac is not just a step forward for Mantra but a leap toward redefining how assets are accessed and valued globally. Together, we are creating a blueprint for innovation that will inspire industries and markets far beyond the region. TradeArabia News Service Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced Al Areen Holding as a Forum Partner for its upcoming third edition, scheduled for January 28 and 29 in Bahrain. The forum will convene in the presence of Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Environment. This year's theme, "Mobilizing Action and Investment for Climate and Energy Resilience," aims to drive impactful discussions and help both public and private sector actors join forces to accelerate the journey to net zero. Al Areen Holding's partnership underscores its strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a leading real estate development company in Bahrain, Al Areen Holding has been incorporating sustainable practices into its projects. Notably, the company's Areen Master Development has been recognised for its harmonious blend of modern infrastructure and sustainable practices, earning the "Masterplan of the Year" award at the 2024 Entrepreneur Middle East Real Estate Leadership Awards. The forum is expected to attract over 400 regional business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, providing a dynamic platform for cross-sector collaboration. Discussions will focus on practical strategies to accelerate the net-zero journey, emphasizing the critical role of both public and private sectors actors in driving change. Al Areen Holding will be represented by its CEO, Dr Ahlam Zainal, and other senior executives. Dr Zainal said: "Al Areen is pleased to support the 2025 edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East. Our projects are designed with sustainability at their core, reflecting our dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation. We look forward to contributing to meaningful dialogues that will drive climate action and energy resilience in Bahrain and around the region." Zahraa Taher, Managing Director of FinMark Communications, the founder and organiser of the Forum, added: "We are delighted to welcome Al Areen Holding as a Forum Partner. Their leadership in sustainable real estate development aligns seamlessly with our mission to foster actionable climate solutions. Al Areen Holding's insights will be invaluable as we work together to mobilize impactful climate action around key issues." The forum's agenda will cover critical themes, including climate financing, energy transition, policy innovation, and technological advancements. The two-day program will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops designed to foster collaboration and inspire concrete advancements for climate resilience across the MENA region. The forums 2025 edition is supported by Strategic Partner: National Bank of Bahrain, Forum Partners: Aluminium Bahrain, Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry), American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain, Benefit, Boston Consulting Group, Environment Arabia, Foulath Holding, Gulf International Bank, talabat; Learning Partner: Impact Learning and Development, and Media Partners: Asharq Business with Bloomberg, BFT Media, OGN, and Sustainable Finance Daily. TradeArabia News Service Private Luxury Events has announced the first speakers/panellists for its invite-only event, Ultra by Private Luxury Events, scheduled for January 26-30, at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, aiming to redefine the ultra-luxury experience. Ultra 2025 will feature a panel of industry leaders discussing key trends in luxury travel, including the generational wealth shift, experience-driven luxury, and innovation in new and emerging markets, shaping the next era of luxury travel. The confirmed speakers/panellists for Ultra 2025 include: Opening panel: The making of icons, from first impressions to lasting impact. Mary Gostelow, Founder, Girlahead & Gostelow Report Kym Barter, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Atlantis The Royal Filip Boyen, Global Ambassador, Forbes Travel Guide and Senior Advisor to Corinthia Hotels and the Orient-Express La Dolce Vita Trains in Italy MPS Puri, Founder, The P Factor Closing panel: The Art of Authenticity: defining Ultra-Luxury for a new era Jenny Southan, Editor, Founder and CEO of Globetrender Adam Sebba, CEO and Advisor of Luminaire Dr Naim Maadad, CEO and Founder of Gateshospitality Britnie Faith Turner, Founder and CEO, Aerial Group The discussion features diverse speakers discussing service enhancement, personalized travel experiences, timeless innovation, and emotional intelligence's role in defining ultra luxury. "We are honoured to have such an impressive lineup of speakers and panellists at Ultra," said Christy Kuplic, Managing Director of Private Luxury Events. "These industry leaders are at the forefront of ultra luxury and will provide invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of experiential travel." As the luxury hospitality landscape evolves, so too does its most influential consumer basefrom Baby Boomers to the emerging Zenials, said MPS Puri, Founder of The P Factor. This new generation, inheriting unprecedented wealth, values experiences over possessions and prioritises authenticity, purpose, and connection in their choices. At Ultra by Private Luxury Events, I look forward to exploring how we can create value-driven, memorable experiences that redefine luxury narrative for now and the future. Mary Gostelow, Founder, Girlahead commented: This is the ideal rare chance to discuss a luxury future that will enlighten all participants. Filip Boyen, Global Ambassador, Forbes Travel Guide said: At Forbes Travel Guide we exist to evaluate, support and celebrate all those with a passion for extraordinary service. It is all about forging emotional and lasting connections with our guests. Adam Sebba, Founder and CEO of The Luminaire said he was delighted to be attending Ultra by Private Luxury Events in Dubai: Having heard so much about PLE's network, and program of global events I'm excited to be taking part myself and meeting so many other valuable attendees and joining a panel of esteemed speakers defining Ultra-luxury for a new era." Kym Barter, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Operations at Atlantis said: It is an honour to represent Atlantis Dubai at Ultra by Private Luxury Events, alongside a distinguished lineup of industry leaders. I look forward to discussing how we strive to innovate and deliver extraordinary experiences at Atlantis The Royal that continue to resonate with the modern ultra-luxury traveller. Britnie Faith Turner, Founder, Aerial Group: The luxury traveller of today seeks more than just opulence. They crave experiences that nourish their souls and rejuvenate their minds. At The Aerial, BVI, were redefining the luxury wellness experience through our new signature retreat, HEAL, which combines transformative longevity treatments with a sanctuary for deep alignment of mind, body, and spirit. -TradeArabia News Service Emirates Aviation University (EAU) has graduated another diverse, highly skilled class of 288 students who will enter the rapidly evolving world of aerospace and aviation. Held at the EAU campus in Dubai, the graduation ceremony showcased the broad range of nationalities and disciplines, which included postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in aviation management, aeronautical and aerospace engineering, aviation security, software engineering, aircraft maintenance engineering and more. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Chancellor of EAU, officially awarded the degrees at EAUs 34th ceremony, which was also attended by other dignitaries, Emirates Group executives, graduates families and friends and the universitys faculty. Professor Ahmad Al Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Emirates Aviation University, reflected on the institution's ongoing success: "Each graduating class continues to demonstrate extraordinary talent and professionalism, with our alumni consistently advancing in positions across different areas of the aviation industry. At our core, we remain dedicated to embracing next-generation technologies and new methods of learning that prepare our students to address the evolving challenges of modern air travel. We take particular pride in our 84% post-graduation employment rate, watching our graduates forge successful careers and push boundaries across the sector." This years cohort of 288 graduates included 100 postgraduate and 188 bachelor students of which 37 are Emirates sponsored students. Emirates Aviation University honoured 14 exemplary students across all disciplines, whose accomplishments reflected EAUs commitment to delivering future aviation leaders. Over 180 undergraduate students received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern with the Emirates Group for more than one semester. The highly sought-after roles serve as a vital stepping stone for students, performing authentic job tasks for hands-on experience, helping equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to build a strong foundation for their future careers. -TradeArabia News Service Accor, a leading hospitality group, and Naif Alrajhi Investment have signed an agreement to launch the first TRIBE and TRIBE Living locations in Saudi Arabia, part of the King Salman Park project. This initiative aligns with TRIBE's global expansion and Saudi Vision 2030's goal of creating vibrant urban spaces. The partnership builds on their previous success with the Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences. TRIBE aims to redefine hospitality with a modern, stylish, and accessible approach, catering to a new generation of travellers. The project, covering 290,000 square meters within King Salman Park, will be a mixed-use development featuring residential units, commercial offices, retail spaces, restaurants, a school, a hotel, and community facilities. Its strategic location near key attractions and transport links ensures easy accessibility while integrating with the park's natural landscape. TRIBE RIYADH KING SALMAN PARK The new-build property will feature 250 rooms, two restaurants, including a rooftop dining experience, alongside adaptable meetings facilities and banquet hall. Guests will enjoy wellness-focused amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool, designed to offer both comfort and inspiration for all travelers. TRIBE LIVING RIYADH KING SALMAN PARK TRIBE Living will introduce 150 stylish apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, paired with shared spaces like the clubhouse, providing a seamless blend of home-like comforts and convenient hotel services. Residents will benefit from access to the hotels dining and recreational amenities, ensuring a connected and vibrant community experience. Naif Saleh Alrajhi, Chairman & CEO for Naif Alrajhi Investment, commented on the collaboration, stating, " As a real estate developer and master lessee of the King Salman Park Package 1, mixed-use project, we are proud to be contributing to the realization of Vision 2030 and development of our nations real estate sector. We are delighted to be working with Accor once again, a trusted partner, to introduce new and iconic brands to the local market for the first time. This partnership is a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class destinations that cater to both local and international audiences." This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to the Saudi market and our alignment with Vision 2030. The introduction of TRIBE and TRIBE Living to Saudi Arabia showcases our focus on design-led, lifestyle experiences that meet the growing demand for modern, accessible hotel offerings in Riyadh. We are excited to continue our strong collaboration with Naif Alrajhi Investment to bring this groundbreaking project to life. said Duncan ORourke, Accors Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy brands for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. -TradeArabia News Service People will tell you to touch grass. But what if grass is the enemy? This week saw massive fires eat up Los Angeles, which brings to mind other deadly fires from Americas past. You might think of the Cocoanut Grove fire, the Iroquois Theatre fire or the Brooklyn Theatre fire each of which was much tinier than any wildfire but killed far more people. Or, if its buildings youre thinking about, maybe your mind goes to the burning of Notre-Dame in Paris, which killed no one but still destroyed some irreplaceable stuff. But theres one thing about that Paris fire that a lot of people got wrong. Find out below, along with some information about syrup, storms and spite. Advertisement 15 Oh Wow, a Promotion Britain hands out a great many hereditary titles, and the person who held one for the shortest time was Wilfred Stamp. Stamp and his father, Baron Josiah, died simultaneously during the Blitz. British law declared that the father died first, meaning Wilfred held the title of baron for an infinitesimal length of time. Advertisement 14 Attack of the Life-Saving Tomatoes In 2015, Japanese scientists created a robot that can perch on your back and feed you tomatoes as you run. This wasnt a mere side project to show off some more generally applicable feature but was specifically commissioned by a vegetable company to encourage people to eat tomatoes. 13 In the Face of Pain George Orwell was hospitalized soon after completing 1984 and died just months later. He did get married between that books publication and his death. The wedding was held in his hospital room, with him on his deathbed. 12 Sweet Demand In 1966, an advertising firm interviewed buyers, asking them what brand of syrup they generally bought. The majority of respondents picked Aunt Jemima out of the listed choices. Aunt Jemima didn't actually make syrup at the time, but this survey proved the public associated the brand with syrup, convincing the company to go into the syrup business. Advertisement Advertisement 11 Birth of Chaos In 1887, the King of Sweden held a contest related to the three-body problem. Mathematician Jules Poincare won the prize. Then he realized his proof was wrong. He paid to have all copies of it destroyed, and in finding that the thing he called stable was actually unstable, he launched the field of chaos theory. Dnttllthmmnm/Wiki Commons If you dont know what the three body problem is, this diagram should clear it up. 10 Literal Rags The heads of banks and investment companies often come from rich backgrounds. Not Sidney Weinberg, who was the head of Goldman Sachs for almost 40 years. He first joined the company in 1907 as an assistant janitor. Advertisement 9 I Have Confidence While filming The Sound of Music, Charmian Carr, who played 16-year-old Liesl, went through the glass window of a gazebo and broke her ankle. She danced the next scene on that broken ankle, which sounds painful. Advertisement 8 Green Initiative Scotts Miracle-Gro Company produces special resistant grass, for hardier lawns. The grass escaped containment, and though the USDA initially fined the company, we now agree that the grass cannot be defeated and can only be yielded to. Advertisement 7 Pure Catfishing The Pina Colada Song (whose official name is Escape), was written and sung by Rupert Holmes. He had never drunk a pina colada when he wrote the song and still had not when he was interviewed a quarter century later. 6 Another Ubisoft Scam When a fire hit Paris Notre-Dame cathedral in 2019, news sources said renovations would use a surprising source: Assassins Creed Unity, a video game that depicts Notre-Dame. In the end, they didn't use that video game at all. Instead, renovators used the many far more accurate records of the cathedral they themselves had, as it was one of the most documented buildings in the world. Zairon/Wiki Commons The video-game version wasnt even that accurate. Advertisement 5 Touchy Feely Leprosy is considered famously contagious, to the point that lepers were shunned and isolated in their own colonies. In reality, the disease is hard to catch even if you touch someone who has it and 95 percent of people are completely immune to it no matter what. Advertisement 4 Bitter Hearts On Valentines Day 2014, a group of single men in Shanghai colluded to buy every odd-numbered seat in a movie theater showing a romantic film, to ensure no couple could sit together. Many experts note that those men could have instead spent that money going on dates. Advertisement 3 The Hand of Fate The roof of a plane in Hawaii ripped off in 1988. One, and only one, person flew out flight attendant Clarabelle Lansing. Her body was never found. 2 Enquiring Minds Anthony Perkins first learned that he was HIV positive by reading it in the National Enquirer. The nurse shared his blood test results with that paper without sharing them with him. Advertisement Advertisement Demand for car beautification has risen in Ho Chi Minh City as many people choose cars as their primary means of transportation to their hometowns during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), which falls on January 29. With just about two weeks left before the Tet mass travel, routes such as An Duong Vuong Street in District 5, National Highway 13 in Thu Duc City, and Phan Van Tri Street in Go Vap District are bustling with customers bringing their cars in for refurbishment. Thanh Long, owner of a shop located at the foot of Binh Trieu Bridge in Thu Duc City, said that in the days leading up to Tet, the number of cars visiting the shop has increased compared to usual, with an average of 30-60 cars per day. Most customers say that before embarking on long journeys, such as traveling out of town or returning to their hometowns, it is important to check tires, adjust the steering wheel, and consider additional services like applying thermal-insulating film, beautifying the car, and adding accessories. Nguyen Quang, 40, from Thu Duc City, shared that this year he decided to drive to Da Nang City in central Vietnam instead of flying. Besides high airfares, Quang finds it more convenient to drive his family of four by car, allowing them to visit multiple destinations along the way. Before his trip, he visited a car repair shop for painting, accessory upgrades like installing the car map application Vietmap and a dashcam, costing more than VND8 million (US$315). Even though I have to wait in line for a long time, I still want my car to look new and clean for Tet, Quang said. And for long-distance travel, having a dashcam gives peace of mind, especially for speed and fine warnings. Price hike Records show that car repair service prices have increased 10-20 percent in recent days compared to earlier. Tran Hien, working at M.T. car care shop in Go Vap District, explained that the price hike is due to the hiring of seasonal workers who are paid 1.5 to two times more than usual. However, some shops have kept prices steady to maintain regular customers. Popular services like ceramic coating cost VND4.5-6.5 million ($177-256), paint surface correction ranges from VND1.7 million ($67) to VND2.5 million ($98), and glass stain removal is priced between VND600,000 ($24) and VND1 million ($39). Minh Tien, owner of a car tuning shop in Binh Thanh District, noted a significant jump in customers upgrading accessories like subwoofers, head-up displays, and power tailgates. These services can cost anywhere from a few million to more than VND10 million ($394). Car owners are advised to choose reputable garages and clearly communicate the services they require to avoid being overcharged or misled into installing unnecessary accessories. According to car dealers, to prevent being scammed or receiving non-original parts during maintenance, car owners should clearly outline the services they need in advance. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam's largest private conglomerate Vingroup and other companies in its green mobility ecosystem have kicked off a campaign, For a Green Capital to call on the community to join hands in reducing air pollution in Hanoi. The campaign comes as Hanoi is facing severe air pollution that requires immediate and drastic responses, Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network, said at the campaign-launching ceremony in Hanoi on Friday. Accordingly, starting from January 10, Vingroup and other partners provide support activities for customers who buy, rent, and use electric vehicles (EVs), green means of transportation. Vingroups EV maker VinFast will offer a support ranging from VND3.6 million (US$141.6) to VND70 million ($2,750) for purchasers of electric cars and registering license plates in Hanoi from January 10, 2025 until January 31, 2026, according to news site Vietnamnet. For buyers of electric motorcycles or bicycles, the support rates range from VND500,000 ($19.7) to VND3,000,000 ($118.1). Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM), a taxi and electric vehicle rental company owned by Vingroup, will launch special membership packages for the Hanoi area, including 365-day promotional codes for both Xanh SM Taxi and Xanh SM Bike services. VinBus, a passenger transporter under Vingroup, will offer a 50-percent discount off the ticket price for buyers of monthly single-route tickets on VinBus routes from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. For Green Future (FGF) Trading and Services JSC, also a part of Vingroup, will directly offer car rental discounts and points for customers who rent cars on a short-term basis and receive them in Hanoi from January 15 until further notice. In addition, buyers of used cars through FGF will also enjoy the same support level as VinFast's policy for each car model. Such support for EV users has been provided amid a recent report from the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment pinpointing that traffic is the largest contributor to emissions, responsible for up to 70 percent of urban pollution. Vehicle emissions are a primary source of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than one-thirty of a hair, which can penetrate into the lungs, pulmonary veins and enter the blood circulation system, causing many diseases related to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, experts warned. Speaking at the event, Nguyen Manh Quyen, deputy chairman of the Hanoi administration, said that the city is focusing on green transformation for public transport with the goal of having 100 percent of buses in the city using clean energy by 2035. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Dr. Tran Hoang Dung, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the U.S., has been awarded the first prize of the SIU Prize in Computer Science for his outstanding contributions to the field of self-learning real-virtual systems. The inaugural SIU Prize in Computer Science awards ceremony was held on Saturday evening at Saigon International University (SIU), celebrating the achievements of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin PhDs globally in the realm of computer science. Dr. Dung's exceptional doctoral dissertation on testing self-learning real-virtual systems, successfully defended in 2020 at Vanderbilt University in the U.S., won the top honor. According to the expert panel, his research has established a solid mathematical foundation along with new algorithms for verifying the safety of neural network systems and autonomous systems. The practical applications of his work are vast, ensuring safety and sustainability for advanced technologies like autonomous vehicles, drones, and deep neural networks, serving as a critical foundation in modern computing. Dr. Dung has published over 40 papers, many of which have been featured in top-tier journals and conferences in programming languages and logic, formal methods, real-virtual systems, neural networks, and machine learning systems. His dissertation earned the IEEE Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in the field of Cyber-Physical Systems in 2021. Among Dr. Dung's notable achievements are pioneering methods for analyzing real-world systems, developing solutions for safe AI, autonomous systems, and real-time testing. Moreover, Dr. Dung has led and participated in numerous research projects funded by prestigious organizations like the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. military, and major corporations including Toyota, with a total funding of about US$2.6 million, of which approximately $1.92 million (73 percent) was secured with him as the principal or sole investigator. Recently, his new research direction on the safety of complex self-learning systems has been nominated for the prestigious NSF CAREER Award, which offers $700,000 and is one of the highest honors for young professors in the U.S., supported by the NSF. In addition to the first prize, the expert panel awarded one second place, two third places, and three honorable mentions. The total prize money amounted to VND5 billion ($197,083). In its first season from 2023 to 2024, the SIU Prize in Computer Science attracted over 100 nominations from 19 countries and territories. The SIU Prize, sponsored by The Group of Asian International Education (GAIE), is valued at approximately VND10 billion ($394,166) allocated equally to the two fields of health sciences and computer science per season, aiming to honor exceptional talent among Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin PhD graduates worldwide. The first prize includes VND2 billion ($78,833) in cash and an 18K gold SIU Prize medallion. The second place receives VND1 billion ($39,417) and a silver SIU Prize medallion, while third place awardees receive VND600 million ($23,650) along with a silver SIU Prize medallion. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! LOS ANGELES -- Aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on steep hills to stem the eastward spread of the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles on Saturday as on-the-ground firefighting efforts also intensified amid warnings of wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour that could make matters worse. Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 1,000 acres, officials reported, and consumed more homes. Earlier on Saturday, Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins told reporters at a press conference that while 11 percent of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it has burned over 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares). Hopkins said the Palisades Fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and threatened to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighborhood where celebrities live and play, and the San Fernando Valley. It also inched towards the north-south 405 freeway. The National Weather Service warned of worsening Santa Ana winds that it predicted would pick up Saturday night into Sunday morning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and again on late Monday through Tuesday morning, bringing sustained winds up to 30 mph and wind gusts up to 70 mph. "We're in a continued period of critical fire weather through Wednesday," said NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld. Conditions were expected to moderate by Thursday. Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area now cover 153,000 residents, putting 57,000 structures at risk. Another 166,000 residents have been warned that they may have to evacuate, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. But significant progress was reported in bringing electrical power back to Los Angeles neighborhoods. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell told reporters there are now about 50,000 customers without power, "down from over half a million just a couple days ago." Powell said there was no evidence that any of Edison's equipment caused the Hurst fire but that the investigation was continuing. As state and local officials grappled with the worst cluster of fires in Los Angeles history, President Joe Biden spoke by phone with some of them to get an update on their efforts and he also was briefed by his senior aides on federal resources that were being dispatched. Bidens major disaster declaration unlocked federal assistance for those affected by the wildfires, clearing the way for FEMA to provide support. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, for example, were at the Pasadena Convention Center helping residents navigate FEMA aid applications. FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart said that support can range from funding to help with home repairs to money to replace lost food or medication. The assistance can be provided within a matter of days, he said. "We are looking to put initial funding in people's bank accounts to help them with those serious needs," Hart said. Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger told reporters that she invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the county to get a first-hand look at the destruction. Luna added that his agency has dispatched 40 search and rescue team workers to work jointly with other agencies, including the use of cadaver dogs to search for remains of victims and to help reunite families that have been separated. "LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday have killed at least 13 people and damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures. At least 13 people are estimated to be missing so far. The toll is expected to mount when firefighters are able to conduct house-to-house searches. The fierce Santa Ana winds that fanned the infernos eased on Friday night. But the Palisades Fire on the city's western edge was heading in a new direction as winds came off the Pacific Ocean. The fire, the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles, has razed whole neighborhoods to the ground, leaving just the smoldering ruins of what had been people's homes and possessions. Before the latest flare-up, firefighters had reported progress in subduing the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in the foothills east of the metropolis after it burned out of control for days. On Saturday, the Palisades Fire was 11 percent contained and the Eaton Fire in the east was 15 percent contained, state agency Cal Fire said. In Altadena, California official Don Fregulia said managing the Eaton Fire and its impact will be a "huge, herculian task" that he said will take "many weeks of work." The two big fires combined had consumed over 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares), or 56 square miles - 2-1/2 times the land area of Manhattan. Seven neighboring states, the federal government and Canada and Mexico have rushed aid and firefighters to California, bolstering aerial teams dropping water and fire retardant on the flaming hills and crews on the ground attacking fire lines with hand tools and hoses. Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the thick, toxic smoke. People watch smoke rising from the Palisades Fire, one of simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County, in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters Homes reduced to ash Pacific Palisades residents who ventured back to their devastated neighborhoods on Friday were shocked to find brick chimneys looming over charred waste and burnt-out vehicles as acrid smoke lingered in the air. "This was a house that was loved," Kelly Foster, 44, said while combing through the rubble where her house once stood. Foster's 16-year-old daughter, Ada, said she tried to get inside but "I just became sick. I just couldn't even...Yeah, it's hard." In Rick McGeagh's Palisades neighborhood, only six of 60 homes survived, and all that remained standing at his ranch house was a statue of the Virgin Mary. "Everything else is ash and rubble," said McGeagh, 61, a commercial real estate broker who, along with his wife, raised three children at their home. On Friday morning, hundreds of people streamed into a parking lot near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena for donated clothing, diapers and bottled water. Denise Doss, 63, said she was anxious to return to her destroyed home in Altadena to see if anything was salvageable, but officials stopped her due to safety concerns. "At least to say goodbye until we can rebuild. I will let God lead me," Doss said. Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire, one of simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County, as seen from the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters A view shows the backyard of a home destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters Billions in losses Many Altadena residents said they were worried government resources would go to wealthier areas and that insurers might short-change those who cannot afford to contest denials of fire claims. Beyond those who lost their homes, tens of thousands remained without power, and millions of people were exposed to poorer air quality, as the fires lofted traces of metals, plastics and other synthetic materials. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, portending an arduous recovery and soaring homeowners' insurance costs. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara called on insurers on Friday to suspend pending non-renewals and cancellations that homeowners received before the fires began and to extend the grace period for payments. Mandeville Canyon, Los Angeles, January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster and said the U.S. government would reimburse 100 percent of the recovery for the next six months. Law enforcement officials were warning residents to adhere to curfews, amid arrests with charges of burglary, looting and the possession of concealed firearms. "You go out there and you violate this curfew, you are going to spend time in jail," Luna warned. The fifth anniversary of the first known death from COVID-19 passed seemingly unnoticed in China Saturday, with no official remembrances in a country where the pandemic is a taboo subject. On January 11, 2020, health officials in the central Chinese city of Wuhan announced that a 61-year-old man had died from complications of pneumonia caused by a previously unknown virus. The disclosure came after authorities had reported dozens of infections over several weeks by the pathogen later named SARS-CoV-2 and understood as the cause of COVID-19. It went on to spark a global pandemic that has so far killed over seven million people and profoundly altered ways of life around the world, including in China. On Saturday, however, there appeared to be no official memorials in Beijing's tightly controlled official media. The Communist Party of China kept a tight leash on public discussion throughout its zero-COVID policy, and has eschewed reflections on the hardline curbs since dramatically ditching them at the end of 2022. On social media, too, many users seemed unaware of the anniversary. A few videos circulating on Douyin -- the Chinese version of TikTok -- noted the date but repeated the official version of events. 'Time passes' And on the popular Weibo platform, users who gravitated to the former account of Li Wenliang -- the whistleblower doctor who was investigated by police for spreading early information about the virus -- did not directly reference the anniversary. "Dr. Li, another year has gone by," read one comment on Saturday. "How quickly time passes." There was also little online commemoration in Hong Kong, where Beijing largely snuffed out opposition voices when it imposed a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous city in 2020. Unlike other countries, China has not built major memorials to those who lost their lives during the pandemic. Little is known about the identity of the first COVIDcasualty except that he was a frequent visitor to a Wuhan seafood market where the virus is thought to have circulated during the initial outbreak. Within days of his death, other countries reported their first cases of the disease, showing that official efforts to contain its spread had failed. China was later criticised by Western governments for allegedly covering up the early transmission of the virus and effacing evidence of its origins, though Beijing has vehemently maintained it acted decisively and with full transparency. According to the WHO, China has officially reported nearly 100 million COVID cases and 122,000 deaths to date, although the true number will likely never be known. In 2023, Beijing declared a "decisive victory" over COVID, calling its response a "miracle in human history". BANGKOK -- A suspected hitman accused of killing a Cambodian former opposition lawmaker in a brazen attack in Bangkok was handed over to Thai authorities on Saturday from Cambodia, where he had been arrested after crossing the border. Thai national Ekkalak Paenoi, 41, faces charges including premeditated murder in the Tuesday shooting death of Lim Kimya, 74, in the Thai capital. "The suspect confessed to the crime and to being the person in the arrest warrant," Somprasong Yentuam, assistant national police chief, told reporters. "He looked stressed." Ekkalak, a motorcycle taxi driver who police officers told Reuters was a former marine, was taken to Bangkok after Thai police coordinated with Cambodian authorities. A Thai court issued the warrant and he was arrested on Wednesday. Ekalak Paenoi, a suspect in the assassination of a former politician with now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Lim Kimya, 74, is escorted by police officers as he arrives in Thailand following handing over from Cambodia to Thai authorities, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters Lim Kimya, a Cambodian and French citizen, was killed by a gunman firing three shots, hours after arriving from Cambodia with his wife and brother and travelling to Bangkok by bus, police have said. He was a member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, a popular opposition group that was dissolved by a court over an alleged treason plot ahead of a 2018 election. The party dismissed the alleged plot as a fabrication. Cambodia's government, led by the Cambodian People's Party for more than four decades, has conducted a ruthless, years-long crackdown on its opponents, with scores of politicians and activists receiving prison terms, many in absentia, and hundreds more fleeing into exile. It has denied persecuting the opposition. Ekalak Paenoi, a suspect in the assassination of a former politician with now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Lim Kimya, 74, is escorted by police officers as he arrives in Thailand following handing over from Cambodia to Thai authorities, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters Lim Kimya was not a prominent member of the opposition movement. Police and the Thai government said they had not to determined the motive for his killing. WASHINGTON -- The lawyer for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance offered a warning during Supreme Court arguments over a law that would compel the sale of the short-video app or ban it in the United States: If Congress could do this to TikTok, it could come after other companies, too. The law, which was the subject of arguments before the nine justices on Friday, sets a Jan. 19 deadline for ByteDance to sell the popular social media platform or face a ban on national security grounds. The companies have sought, at the very least, a delay in implementation of the law, which they say violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech. Noel Francisco, representing TikTok and ByteDance, argued that Supreme Court endorsement of this law could enable statutes targeting other companies on similar grounds. "AMC movie theaters used to be owned by a Chinese company. Under this theory, Congress could order AMC movie theaters to censor any movies that Congress doesn't like or promote any movies that Congress wanted," Francisco told the justices. The justices signaled through their questions during the arguments that they were inclined to uphold the law, although some expressed serious concerns about its First Amendment implications. TikTok is a platform used by about 170 million people in the United States, roughly half the country's population. Congress passed the measure last year with overwhelming bipartisan support, as lawmakers cited the risk of the Chinese government exploiting TikTok to spy on Americans and carry out covert influence operations. Jeffrey Fisher, the lawyer representing TikTok content creators who also have challenged the law, noted during the Supreme Court arguments that Congress with this measure was focusing on TikTok and not major Chinese online retailers including Temu. "Would a Congress (that is) really worried about these very dramatic risks leave out an e-commerce site like Temu that has 70 million Americans using it?" Fisher asked. "It's very curious why you just single out TikTok alone and not other companies with tens of millions of people having their own data taken, you know, in the process of engaging with those websites and equally, if not more, available to Chinese control." Democratic President Joe Biden signed the measure into law and his administration is defending it in this case. The deadline for divestiture is just one day before Republican Donald Trump, who opposes the ban, takes office as Biden's successor. TikTok logo is placed on a U.S. flag in this illustration taken, April 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters 'Foreign adversaries' Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, arguing for the Biden administration in defending the law, said it was crucial that it take effect on Jan. 19 as scheduled in order to force ByteDance to act on divestiture. "Foreign adversaries do not willingly give up their control over this mass communications channel in the United States," Prelogar said. "When push comes to shove, and these restrictions take effect, I think it will fundamentally change the landscape with respect to what ByteDance is willing to consider. And it might be just the jolt that Congress expected the company would need to actually move forward with the divestiture process," Prelogar said. If the ban takes affect on Jan. 19, Apple and Alphabet's Google would no longer be able to offer TikTok for downloads for new users but existing users could still access the app. The U.S. government and TikTok agree that app would degrade and eventually become unusable over time because companies would not be able to offer supporting services. The Supreme Court also debated whether the possibility of TikTok being used for covert influence campaigns or propaganda purposes by China justified the banning it. "Look, everybody manipulates content," Francisco told the court. "There are lots of people who think CNN, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times are manipulating their content. That is core protected speech." Trump on Dec. 27 urged the court to put a hold on the Jan. 19 deadline to give his incoming administration "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case." Under the law, the U.S. president has the power to extend the Jan. 19 deadline for 90 days, but under circumstances that do not appear to apply to the current situation in which ByteDance has made no apparent effort to sell TikTok's U.S. assets. The law mandates that the president certify that significant progress has been made toward a sale, with binding legal agreements. Regardless, Trump does not become president until after the deadline - though Francisco said "we might be in a different world" once Trump is back in the White House. Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Prelogar whether the president could "say that we're not going to enforce this law?" "I think as a general matter, of course the president has enforcement discretion," Prelogar said. "Again, that's one of the reasons why I think it makes perfect sense to issue a preliminary injunction here and simply buy everybody a little breathing space," Francisco said. Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- The administration in Thu Duc City, a district-level unit under Ho Chi Minh City, on Saturday evening inaugurated the Creative Park stretching over one kilometer along the Saigon River. The park is expected to become a new symbol of the city. -- Police in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam said on Saturday that they were keeping six men in criminal custody for their involvement in a case of setting off fireworks and dancing on National Highway 1 to celebrate a birthday party on Thursday. -- About 7,220 people from 23 units were mobilized for a fire drill at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and Bach Dang Wharf Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. -- Traffic police in Hanoi fined nearly 8,400 violators of road traffic regulations in the first 10 days of 2025 a total of VND21.5 billion (US$847,615) officers reported on Saturday evening. Business -- Vietnamese travelers bookings of tours to Thailand during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, still grow strongly with no one canceled their bookings despite news about a Chinese actor falling victim to a human trafficking network after going missing at the Thailand-Myanmar border. -- South Korean conglomerate SK Group plans to sell about a fifth of its holding in Vietnam's Vingroup, starting from next week, Reuters reported, citing a Vingroup filing. Lifestyle -- As the Lunar New Year approaches, tourists from other localities have flocked to Sa Dec Flower Village in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam to take photos and purchase blooms. World News -- The lawyer for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance offered a warning during Supreme Court arguments over a law that would compel the sale of the short-video app or ban it in the United States: If Congress could do this to TikTok, it could come after other companies, too, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center in Ho Chi Minh City has worked with the local traffic police to install 80 right-turn signal arrows that allow motorcycles to turn right at red lights at intersections in the city center. On Friday, as many as 50 right-turn signs were installed at crowded intersections. An additional 30 green right-turn arrows were added to traffic light posts in District 1 and District 3 on Saturday, according to the center. The installation of these signs was aimed at facilitating residents commutes and easing traffic jams. After the right-turn signal arrows were added, traffic flow at busy intersections such as Pasteur - Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien Phu - Pham Ngoc Thanh, and Hai Ba Trung - Dien Bien Phu is now smoother. A representative of the center revealed that the center would continue to review locations, analyze traffic congestion situations, and consider installing more right-turn arrows. More right-turn signs will be installed at crowded intersections in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre Since a new government decree on much higher fines on road traffic violations took effect on January 1, road users have steered clear of traffic infractions, including blowing the red light, riding on sidewalks, and turning right at red lights, resulting in longer lines. Many commuters wished to be allowed to turn right at red lights to ease jams. Therefore, the citys transport department decided to review crowded intersections and install right-turn arrows to alleviate traffic pressure ahead of the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which is due later this month. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese university lecturer has addressed concerns about whether the rapidly spreading influenza in South Korea could impact Ho Chi Minh City, amid worries that returning Vietnamese travelers might bring flu strains back from the East Asian country. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses which have circulated worldwide for a long time. It is not caused by a new virus, explained Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dung from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. According to Dr. Dung, the key issue is not about detecting or stopping flu strains from South Korea but rather whether one of two scenarios occurs: a new variety of influenza viruses emerges, rendering current flu vaccines ineffective, or existing flu strains mutate to become more contagious, virulent, or resistant to treatments. Dr. Dung assured that based on the latest data, neither of these scenarios has been observed. Currently, the most common flu strains in South Korea include A(H1N1)pdm09 (34.6 percent prevalence), A(H3N2) (14.9 percent), and B (1.4 percent). These strains are already present in Ho Chi Minh City, which makes quarantine measures at airports unnecessary, Dr. Dung noted. South Korean health authorities are urging high-risk groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions, to get vaccinated, as current flu vaccines are effective against these strains. No significant mutations have been detected in the flu viruses that would cause rapid spread or drug resistance, Dr. Dung emphasized, attributing the widespread flu outbreak in South Korea to cold winter weather rather than virus mutations. The lecturer also pointed out that respiratory illnesses, including those caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and even COVID-19, tend to increase during colder months. Dr. Dung advised residents of Ho Chi Minh City to practice good respiratory hygiene to avoid flu infections and urged individuals in vulnerable groups to get vaccinated. In South Korea, influenza cases recently reached an eight-year high, overwhelming many pediatric and ear-nose-throat hospitals, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 cases, which had been declining, also spiked again in December. Amid the worsening outbreak, exacerbated by cold weather, Seoul authorities on Friday launched a campaign encouraging residents to wear masks for two weeks, starting Monday, as a preventive measure. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nearly 7,220 people from 23 units were mobilized for a fire drill on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and at Bach Dang Wharf Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. Firefighting forces and police officers demonstrated swift and coordinated action during a fire drill simulating a high-stakes scenario: a fireworks show drawing large crowds of residents and tourists, with fires breaking out on a cruise ship and in surrounding streets. The drill unfolded at key locations, including Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Bach Dang Wharf Park, and the Saigon River wharf. Duong Ngoc Hai, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, speaks at a fire drill event on January 11, 2025. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre The hypothetical situation for the drill entailed the city organizing the fireworks display at the square in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area along the Saigon River, while a festival was taking place on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street. The festival featured the participation of several top officials and international diplomats, as well as residents and tourists. During the event, an electrical system malfunction caused a fire and explosion at the outdoor main stage, which spread across the entire stage area shortly. The thermal radiation from the blaze triggered several fire extinguishers to explode, leading to the collapse of the stage. Thousands of revelers ran in panic, while many jostled, fell down, and trampled on others, leading to hundreds of people injured. Lieutenant General Le Hong Nam, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, delivers his speech at a fire drill in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, January 11, 2025. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Meanwhile, the cruise ship departing from a quay in the Bach Dang wharf area with a large number of passengers on board caught fire. The passengers were sent into a state of panic and attempted to exit the cruise ship. As kitchen workers aboard the boat fled, they forgot to turn off the gas stoves, compounding the issue. Many passengers were injured and got stuck on the ship, while some jumped into the river as they tried to escape. Rescuers promptly acted to save those who had fallen into the river, while speedboats were mobilized to the river to fight the flames. The context of the fire drill involves Ho Chi Minh City hosting a festival on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, but suddenly the stage catches fire due to an electrical problem. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Thousands of revelers run in panic, while many jostle, fall down, and trample on others, leading to hundreds of people injured. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre There was also a traffic crash between two cars and a truck carrying medical chemicals at Ton Duc Thang-Ham Nghi Intersection, leaving four people trapped in the vehicles. The two cars were totaled and a fuel leak caused another fire. Plastic bottles with chemicals also broke and spilled into the road. Firefighters, police officers, and medical workers rapidly took action to rescue victims. Due to frightened residents crowding Ton Duc Thang Street in Ho Chi Minh City, a traffic crash occurs between two cars and a truck carrying medical chemicals at Ton Duc Thang-Ham Nghi Intersection, causing a fire and explosion. Firefighters are quickly dispatched to the scene for rescue efforts. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Many injured people are taken out of the fire scene and transported to ambulances for medical checkups. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre The passengers go into a state of panic and attempt to exit the cruise ship. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Speedboats are mobilized to the scene where the cruise ship is on fire to spray water onto it. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre An ambulance quickly arrives at the scene of a fire drill in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A trailer has dropped for four-part docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night by Morgan Neville. Featuring more than 60 contributors, including SNL alumni, and covering decades of SNL history, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic hallmarks of the American late night comedy institution. Each episode is a deep dive into a different aspect of SNL. One episode highlights what goes on in the SNL writers room during a show week, while another shares unseen audition footage. The third instalment takes you deep inside the making of Will Ferrells More Cowbell sketch, while the fourth highlights Season 11, which effectively changed the course of the series. The four-part docuseries spotlights different elements of the shows history and legacy, exploring the intricacies of the legendary sketch comedy series: Episode 101, Five Minutes A showcase of the SNL audition process, with never-before-seen audition footage and firsthand accounts from some of the shows most iconic names as they reflect on their preparation and journey to the SNL stage. Episode 102, Written By: A Week Inside The SNL Writers Room A behind-the-scenes look at the SNL writing process from script to screen, capturing the creativity and chaos of a week inside the writers room at SNL. Episode 103, More Cowbell A deep dive into the making of SNLs iconic More Cowbell sketch, exploring how a simple idea became a cultural phenomenon and offering a tribute to the lasting impact of sketch comedy. Episode 104, Season 11: The Weird Year An exploration into SNLs 11th season, examining the pivotal year that reset the shows direction and cemented its enduring DNA with Lorne Michaels at the helm. With unprecedented access to the shows archives and talent, each episode brings a distinct lens to their dynamic subjects, embracing the unique vision of their award-winning directors: Emmy Award winner Robert Alexander (Ep 101), Academy Award winner Marshall Curry (Ep 102), Emmy Nominee Neil Berkeley (Ep 103) and Emmy Nominee Jason Zeldes (Ep 104). All four episodes Thursday 16 January on Binge / weekly 8:30pm Monday January 20th on FOX8. LONDON Viet Nam and the UK have identified trade and investment cooperation as an important pillar of their Strategic Partnership and will step up measures to ramp up economic cooperation in the coming time. This was agreed during a recent London meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK o Minh Hung and Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander. During the meeting, the two sides discussed economic cooperation potential and consented to speed up the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and closely coordinate to effectively realise the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). With the UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15, 2024, both sides agreed to capitalise on the opportunities to promote trade and investment between the two nations and among CPTPP member countries, contributing to the trend of regional economic integration. Minister Alexander also expressed gratitude to Viet Nam for its support during the UKs CPTPP accession negotiations. As both countries are making efforts to achieve economic growth targets and respond to climate change, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing energy transition collaboration within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The UK vowed to support Viet Nam in establishing an international financial centre in HCM City, creating a new momentum for economic cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Hung shared Viet Nams remarkable socio-economic achievements, highlighting the nations dynamic economy, which recorded the highest GDP growth rate in the region in 2024 at 7.09 per cent. He emphasised Viet Nam as an open economy connected to major global markets through 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), including several new-generation ones. Economic and trade cooperation remains a highlight in the multifaceted Viet Nam-UK relationship. Since 2021, bilateral trade has consistently grown year by year, reaching US$8.4 billion in 2024, a significant 18 per cent increase compared to 2023. Notably, Viet Nams export value to the UK surpassed $7 billion for the first time, totalling $7.5 billion, up 18.9 per cent year-on-year. Most of Viet Nams key exports experienced robust growth, including computers, electronic products and components, fruit and vegetables, pepper, coffee, rubber products, confectionery and cereal products, machinery, equipment, steel, paper products, wood products, and textiles and garments. Notably, Vietnamese products, including clothing, footwear, tools, equipment, food, and fresh produce, have established a strong presence in the UKs reputable retail chains. Vietnamese brands are now available in leading clothing stores in the UK such as Marks & Spencer (M&S), NEXT, PRIMARK, and UNIQLO, as well as major supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsburys, and premium food retailers such as Whole Foods and M&S. VNA/VNS Vietnamese tourists continue to have a strong passion for travel, valuing precious time spent with friends and family, according to digital travel platform Agodas latest study. While there have been concerns about discretionary spending challenges in Viet Nam for 2024 and beyond, a new study from Agoda indicates that the desire for travel among Vietnamese tourists is anticipated to persist into 2025. A recent study from Cimigo revealed that Vietnamese consumers are focusing on savings as their optimism wanes in the face of household economic uncertainty. The report highlighted a reduction in discretionary spend as consumers delayed or halted major purchases and shifted to value-based purchases. Against this backdrop, digital travel platform Agodas latest study into Vietnamese travel trends, which was conducted in October 2024 and joined by 1,081 respondents from eleven markets including Viet Nam, has shown that 90 per cent of Vietnamese travellers are budgeting at least as much this year for travel as they spent in 2024. Some 29 per cent of respondents plan on increasing spend this year while 61 per cent have set aside the same amount for their 2025 voyages as they spent last year. Despite financial constraints, Vietnamese travellers continue to prioritise meaningful experiences with family and friends over and above other discretionary spend, said Lam Vu, country director of Agoda Vietnam. The desire to explore new destinations, both locally and internationally, reflects a growing demand for adventure and value-driven choices. About 86 per cent of respondents reported that they planned on taking at least the same number of trips in 2025 as they did in 2024, with only 14 per cent reporting that they are planning to take fewer trips in the year ahead. Almost 40 per cent of respondents revealed an intention to head abroad in the coming year as Vietnamese travellers continue to spread their wings to new and unexplored territories. And 94 per cent of Vietnamese travellers said 2025 would be the year of the new frontier - with tourists who have outgrown visiting familiar places planning to head to some new destinations, either at home or abroad. Mirroring Cimigos findings about a market seeking budget-friendly options, Vietnamese prove themselves astute value-hunters when it comes to accommodation choices. Just over half, about 55 per cent, of travellers said that their available budget was one of the primary drivers in their travel decision making, with 64 per cent of respondents looking to spend under $250 per night for their total accommodation. Most travellers, about 88 per cent, would prefer to stay in hotels while other respondents also expressed interest in luxury resorts or boutique accommodations. Booking.com, another tourism service provider, has identified that for Generation Z, travel is an essential aspect of life. These modern-day travellers prioritise value for money by travelling during off-peak seasons and seek unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences during their trips. Booking.com found that in 2024, 62 per cent of Vietnamese Gen Z were likely to take a short domestic trip and good value for money was an important destination factor for 52 per cent of these Gen Z travellers. When it comes to vacations and finances, 62 per cent of Gen Z travellers opted to travel during off-peak season to save money. About 63 per cent looked for travel discounts through loyalty programmes to save as much as possible. Thinking about travel budget for 2024, 69 per cent of Gen Z wanted to try one-of-a-kind destination experiences such as skydiving and hot air ballooning. Tourism revenue of $10.2 bln HCM Citys tourism sector has set ambitious targets of welcoming 45 million domestic visitors and 8.5 million international tourists, and achieving total tourism revenue of VN260 trillion (US$10.2 billion) in 2025, significant increases compared to 2024. Speaking at a meeting held in HCM City on December 30 to review the sector's performance in 2024 and deploy key tasks for 2025, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the city's Department of Tourism, highlighted the sectors positive results in 2024. The city attracted approximately 6 million foreign visitors and 38 million domestic tourists, up by 20 per cent and 8.6 per cent, respectively, compared to 2023, she said. Total tourism revenue in 2024 was estimated at VN190 trillion ($7.45 billion), 19 per cent higher than 2023. Both the total number of tourists and tourism revenue met 100 per cent of the 2024 targets, according to Hoa. Hoa said to achieve the goals set for 2025, the department would research and advise the city authorities on policies to encourage and mobilise resources for tourism development, as well as establish mechanisms and policies for developing the tourism workforce. The department, she said, would also develop a plan on managing and promoting a shared economy model in the tourism accommodation sector, as well as a medical tourism development plan from now until 2030, with a vision toward 2045. Additionally, it would continue to implement administrative reforms and digital transformation in management activities to better serve local residents and businesses, she said. She also said that in 2025, the tourism sector would continue with its publicity campaign Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City with innovative content and in collaboration with domestic and international media outlets, enhancing promotion on online channels, and producing songs and films promoting the city as a global destination. Policies would also be designed to attract MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourists to the city, and develop green tourism and environmentally responsible tourism, contributing to increase tourism revenue for the city, she said. Nguyen Van Dung, vice chairman of the city People's Committee [municipal administration], said that the citys trade and service sector in 2024 was estimated to grow by 10.7 per cent, with the tourism sector making a significant contribution. Dung emphasised that 2025 would hold special significance with numerous activities, including tourism activities. To ensure that tourism would become a spearhead economic sector and a growth driver for the citys economy, it was essential to effectively implement the Tourism Development Strategy to 2030. Dung underscored the need to restructure the tourism sector toward professionalism, modernity, quality and sustainability, and diversify tourism products by leveraging the unique strengths of each locality in the city. In 2025, the city's tourism sector needed to accelerate digital transformation in management and business activities, and especially in destination marketing and brand development for the city's tourism industry, he said. At the same time, it was essential to implement short-, medium-, and long-term publicity campaigns while combining domestic and international promotion efforts to diversify the tourist market, he added. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese and Lao public security ministries jointly held a review conference of their 2024 cooperation plan in Ha Noi on Sunday, with notable achievements seen in countering cross-border crimes. Lao Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong, who also serves as Lao Deputy Prime Minister, was leading a high-level public security delegation to Viet Nam from January 11-13 at the invitation of Vietnamese public security minister Gen. Luong Tam Quang. Amid complex global and regional situations in the past year which have significantly impacted socio-economic development and security in the two countries, the public security forces of Viet Nam and Laos have collaborated to combat transnational drug crimes, human trafficking, and improve mutual legal assistance on criminal justice. They also achieved remarkable progress in jointly preventing illegal immigration, high-tech crimes and online fraud. These results have made an important contribution to each countrys national building and development efforts, as well as to preserving and nurturing the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Vietnamese and Lao public security forces also successfully held the 14th Viet Nam-Laos Security Cooperation Conference and a bilateral ministerial conference to prevent and control drugs and crimes, as well as to maintain social order and safety. At the meeting on Sunday, Vietnamese and Lao public security ministries signed their cooperation plan for 2025, which aligns with the common understanding agreed upon by the leaders of the two Parties and the States during the visit of Viet Nams Party General Secretary (then President) To Lam to Laos in July 2024. The two sides will strengthen security cooperation, ensuring mutual support, protecting each others legitimate interests, and jointly addressing increasingly diverse and complex security challenges. In addition, the public security forces of the two countries will maintain a mechanism for information exchanges and updates at different levels. They will also continue to communicate for intelligence on hostile forces and individuals that aim to undermine national security, social order and safety or plot peaceful evolution in Viet Nam and Laos. They will also work together to ensure security for high-level visits of the two countries leaders, as well as safety of citizens of each country residing in the other. Other areas of cooperation include exchanges of information and capture of fugitives hiding in each others territory; and collaboration with relevant departments to implement the bilateral agreement on combating human trafficking and protecting trafficking victims. VNS NEW YORK Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN), visited the Cuban delegation to the UN on the occasion of New Year 2025 and the 66th National Liberation Day of Cuba (January 1, 1959-2025) in New York on Saturday. During the visit, Giang congratulated the Cuban delegation and discussed with its head Ambassador Ernesto Guzman about the Viet Nam-Cuba relations, and their cooperation at the UN. He appreciated Cuba's position and role on the international stage and at the UN, expressing his belief that the Cuban people will overcome difficulties caused by the unjust embargo and continue to firmly protect the achievements of the revolution and attain new successes. Expressing his delight at seeing the continuously enhanced special friendship between Viet Nam and Cuba, Giang welcomed the efforts of both sides in effectively implementing cooperation agreements, especially the results of the state visit of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Cuba in September 2024. Giang said he hopes that in the near future, the two countries will continue to promote their tradition of reliable cooperation, and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the UN. For his part, Ambassador Ernesto Guzman said he treasures the unwavering affection and valuable support that Viet Nam has provided to Cuba over the years, including practical actions that helped the Cuban people recover from the effects of Hurricane Oscar last October. Recalling memories from his visit to Viet Nam, the Cuban diplomat praised the significant achievements that Viet Nam and its people have made in socio-economic development and international integration. On this occasion, the two ambassadors agreed to further strengthen cooperation between their delegations in New York, and coordinate to promote multilateralism, uphold international law and the UN Charter, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. They also reached a consensus on other mutual concerns within the frameworks of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the G77. VNA/VNS Le Thi Quynh Trang, CEO of Multimedia JSC, is one of the pioneers in Viet Nams fashion industry. A decade ago, Trang established the Viet Nam International Fashion Week (VIFW) to bring Vietnamese fashion to the world and the worlds fashion to Viet Nam. Trang tells Phuong Mai about the future of VIFW and Vietnamese fashion. Inner Sanctum: What are your thoughts on the decade-long journey of establishing and developing VIFW? VIFW was first launched in 2014. Today, when looking back on the decade-long journey, I am so proud that we have contributed to bringing a new face to Vietnamese fashion. Viet Nam was only known as a clothing manufacturing factory for global brands many years ago. But now the world sees and acknowledges the huge potential of Viet Nams fashion industry, thanks to the Vietnamese designers collections presented at the first Aquafina Viet Nam International Fashion Week. I feel so grateful to earn such achievements. Besides my efforts, Im fortunate to have the companionship and support of designers, fashion brands, and partners. We work together toward a common goal of putting Viet Nam on the world fashion map. Inner Sanctum: Did you face challenges at the beginning of the journey and what are key factors of VIFW's success? When we started VIFW, the biggest challenge was that we did not yet have brands known in the international market. So how could we attract the worlds attention to Viet Nams fashion market? I always believe that in every obstacle, there is an opportunity. And VIFW's opportunity was that we had favourable factors including abundant human resources and raw materials, and particularly many talented designers to create competitive differentiation with international designers and brands. Inner Sanctum: What achievements are you most proud of? First, Im proud that due to VIFW, more Vietnamese designers and brands have been publicly recognised. It does not stop there. The fashion week offers Vietnamese designers and brands opportunities to introduce their collections to the international market. We can see that global stars show their interest in creations by Vietnamese designer, and choose to wear them at the worlds leading events. Many Vietnamese brands signed contracts worth millions of US dollars with VIFWs international partners. In addition, due to maintaining professionalism in event production, VIFW is recognised by experts as the leading fashion week in Southeast Asia and ranks fourth in Asia after the Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai fashion weeks. The recognition is a source of pride and motivation for us to create more value for the Vietnamese fashion industry. Inner Sanctum: What is your development plan for VIFW in the next decade? A decade ago, when we started VIFW, we aspired to put Viet Nam on the worlds fashion map by telling the stories of designers. There will be a bigger story in the next decade. It is about promoting Vietnamese fashion brands with global chain stores. Our future vision is to gradually turn Viet Nam from a clothing manufacturer into a country with a developed fashion industry. Its not easy to make it come true, and I know there will be challenges ahead. However, If everyone chooses easy work, who will get hard work?. I hope with all our supporters and companions, we together will help the Vietnamese fashion industry step into a new brighter chapter in the next decade. Inner Sanctum: How do you envision the future of Viet Nams fashion industry? What should it do to go global? As I said above, Viet Nam has competitive advantages of labour, raw materials, talented designers, and particularly the governments favourable policies for the garment sector. I believe we stand a great chance of building a 'true fashion industry in the future. However, by going global, many things need to be changed, from planning to operations, and management to link chains in the industry. It is necessary to strengthen coordination between government agencies and businesses and individuals working in the industry. Grasping world trends is also extremely important because we must follow the world's flow to keep up with the market and meet its requirements. Therefore, in 2024, we collaborated with the WGSN, the worlds leading consumer trend forecaster providing global trend insights, to host a seminar for Vietnamese designers, businesses, and brands to help them see future customer trends and build effective development plans. One more important thing, we must have a fashion association of Viet Nam closely connected with fashion associations of countries in the region and the world. The association is not only a representative of Vietnamese designers and brands together with all individuals and organisations working in the fashion industry. It is also an essential link to fashion organisations and associations worldwide that help to bring cooperation opportunities to Vietnamese brands and introduce them to the international market. This is our plan in 2025, and I hope to gain everybodys support so that the Viet Nam Fashion Association will be established soon. Inner Sanctum: How could Viet Nam develop an environmentally friendly and sustainable fashion industry? In recent years, sustainable development has become not only an issue of concern but also one of the top priority issues in several countries. Sustainable development comes from different factors, from sustainability in raw materials to compliance with environmentally friendly treatment systems and processes. And even preserving cultural identity is also a sustainable factor. To build an environmentally friendly and sustainable fashion industry, its necessary to set a clear direction and have time to change and adapt. Therefore, every time we launch VIFW, we always try to seek different stories, perspectives and inspirations about sustainable development to support and guide designers to the path to sustainability. Inner Sanctum: What advice would you offer to Vietnamese designers and brands to approach the international market? As I said above, fashion has the potential and opportunity to become a key industry in Viet Nam in the future. We have many creative designers. And every designer and brand needs to get a proper perspective of promoting unique Vietnamese cultural traits with their creations. In addition, Vietnamese designers and brands must regularly improve their knowledge of the world's fashion trends. The fashion market is highly competitive and challenging, but if you have your own way and your own creations, there is always a chance for you to reach the international market. The Aquafina Viet Nam International Fashion Week has been a launchpad for many Vietnamese designers and brands to approach and develop in the international market, such as designers Cong Tri and Thuy Nguyen, and fashion brand Tracy Studio. I believe that with AVIFW, we will see much more success from young talents and new brands from Viet Nam in domestic and international markets in the next decade. VNS BANGKOK The Royal Thai Police (RTP) managed to solve and make arrests in 93 per cent of over 500,000 criminal cases last year, in line with the governments policy to crack down on crime, a government spokesman said on Sunday. The arrests were categorised into five main groups: 1. Criminal Cases: 5 Categories, Total 218,421 Cases Arrests made: 196,148 cases Suspects: 237,223 people 2. Drug Suppression: A Key Urgent Policy of the Government The Royal Thai Police established a Drug Suppression Operations Centre to ensure continuous action, handling: Total cases: 249,029 Arrests made: 241,607 cases Suspects: 250,878 people 3. Specialised Crimes Examples include violations under the Child Protection Act and the National Forest Reserve Act: Arrests made: 8,050 cases Suspects: 9,422 people 4. Technology-Related Crime and Online Gambling Suppression Arrests were categorised as follows: Financial fraud (online scams): 2,901 cases; Suspects: 2,896 Online sales fraud and illegal goods: 4,858 cases; Suspects: 4,973 Fake news and violations of the Computer Crimes Act: 6,117 cases; Suspects: 5,857 Sexual exploitation of children and women via the internet, and human trafficking: 340 cases; Suspects: 445 Online gambling and other transnational crimes: 15,395 cases; Suspects: 15,885 Crimes involving "ghost SIMs" and mule accounts: 3,669 cases; Suspects: 3,579 5. Other Crimes Arrests made: 431 cases Suspects: 826 people Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesman, stated that the RTP delivered a satisfactory performance, making arrests in 479,516 cases out of more than 500,000 complaints received between 1 January and 26 December last year. THE NATION/ANN Autism and ADHD diagnosis delays in Wales could triple by 2027 This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 12th, 2025 The number of children waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment in Wales could nearly triple to 61,000 over the next two years, a committee heard. Sarah Murphy, Wales mental health minister, told the Senedds childrens committee that 20,770 children were waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment in September 2024. She said: The assessment weve got from the NHS Executive is that were going to see, by March 2027, between 41,000 to 61,000 people waiting for these assessments. By comparison, according to freedom of information (FoI) requests, around 4,100 children were awaiting an ADHD or autism assessment in September 2021. Giving evidence on January 9, Ms Murphy, who is responsible for neurodevelopmental conditions, learning disability, and dementia, pointed to an extra 3m for health boards. This cannot continue Ms Murphy said: It will benefit the children and young people who have been waiting the longest and the money then is dependent on the delivery. Quizzed by Vaughan Gething, the former first minister who first brought her into government in May, she suggested the surge in demand was down to increasing awareness. She added: That assessment means a lot to children, young people and their families. I was speaking to the National Autistic Society yesterday and they said weve raised so much awareness but now we need to ride that wave towards understanding and acceptance. The Conservatives Joel James was alarmed to hear waiting lists could almost triple in two years, asking how ministers will intervene to ensure sustainable services. Ms Murphy replied: Weve done a national accelerated design event which was really good. It was over a couple of days: it brought together everybody who has a part to play in this. Because we all recognise that this cannot continue we have to change. Unsustainable Asked whether health boards could expect more funding to drive down waiting lists in future, she said: No. To be very clear, the 3m is one-off funding. Ms Murphy explained health boards are bringing in additional capacity from the private sector in an effort to meet demand but cautioned that this is unsustainable. The Welsh Government has a target of 80% of children and young people receiving an assessment in 26 weeks, twice as long as the 13 weeks recommended by NICE guidelines. Yet, while data on waiting times is not routinely published unlike in England, it is thought the 80% target has not been met Wales-wide since it was introduced nearly a decade ago. Welsh ministers have no corresponding target for adult assessments. Real energy Sixty-seven per cent of children waited at least 26 weeks and 45% waited for more than a year in June 2023, according to the response to another FoI request. Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Betsi Cadwaladr university health boards currently warn of waiting lists of two and three years, respectively. Albert Heaney, the chief social care officer for Wales, said health boards are confident an extra 2,000 assessments will be delivered by the end of March. He said: Importantly, the money is on condition that they are delivered. Its coming the other way around on this occasion its not money thats given out, the money is on delivery. Mr Heaney added: Im really pleased that theres a lot of co-production, theres lived experience, theres a real energy around this because I think theres recognition that it cant just be about focusing on assessment. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter New dedicated fund should help fix extra 30,000 potholes across Wales Senedd told This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 12th, 2025 Questions have been raised this week in Cardiff Bay over tight council budgets and how local road networks will be maintained. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates MS took question on the topic, telling the Senedd, Ive established a dedicated fund in 2025-26 solely for the repair of road defects on our network to maintain community connectivity. In addition, Ill be establishing the local borrowing fund, which will allow much-needed funding in 2025-26 for the repair of roads and local authority networks. Carolyn Thomas MS asked, In Flintshire alone, theyve got a 3.9 million funding gap. Well, not a gap, but they need 3.9 million just to keep the roads in their current state, which is a 2.5 million gap this year from what they actually do have. So, its a big issue. So, I welcome any funding. It does take a while to plan the road maintenance and get contractors in to do that work, so they could do with an indicative budget, if thats possible. I know weve got the budget-setting process, but they need to try and get programmes in place for this year, ready for a dry period. Is that possible? Skates replied, Of course Ill consider the delivery of that suggestion. If at all possible, we will deliver on it. Id just like to outline just how valuable the local borrowing initiative is. Carolyn highlighted the challenge faced by Flintshire County Council, and that is reflected across pretty much all of Wales and the United Kingdom. Maintenance backlogs are something that affect all transport authorities in Britain, unfortunately. It is a symbol, a sign and a result of 14 years of austerity. The local borrowing initiative will enable local authorities to self-finance 60 million of road repairs in 2025-26. That is alongside the 25 million dedicated fund that Ive established for repairs to the strategic road network. That 25 million will help to repair around 30,000 potholes on 100 km of road. If you then extrapolate out the figures, you can imagine that an extra 60 million for the local road network will fix something in the region of 100,000 potholes in total, between local roads and the strategic roads network. So, it is a huge endeavour to fix our roads, but we will work in the future with local authorities, as closely as we can, on co-designing the scheme and maintaining the scheme, if at all possible. (Top pic: Archive shot of potholes in Wrexham) Chaos and Clashes in Bihar as Pappu Yadav Leads State-Wide Protest Over BPSC Exam Irregularities 2 Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, called for a state-wide Bihar Bandh on Sunday, demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) preliminary examination. The protest was fueled by allegations of question paper leaks and administrative mishandling of the exam, which had sparked outrage among aspirants. The bandh led to significant disruptions across the state, with major areas paralyzed. Violent Clashes in Patna The protest turned violent in Patnas JP Golambar area, where Yadavs supporters clashed with the police. Demonstrators breached police barricades and attempted to march forward, prompting a tense standoff. The police struggled to contain the crowd as the situation quickly escalated into violent confrontations. Supporters of Yadavs Jan Adhikar Party, including its youth wing, Chhatra Yuva Shakti, rampaged through various parts of the state. Protesters damaged vehicles, including trucks used for metro construction, smashing them with sticks. BJP banners were torn down, and tyres were set on fire, filling the air with thick black smoke. Key locations in Patna, such as Ashok Rajpath, NIT More, and Dak Bungalow Chauraha, were completely blocked, leading to massive traffic jams and disrupting daily life. Pappu Yadav Leads Protest March Pappu Yadav personally led a large procession from Income Tax Chauraha to Dak Bungalow Chauraha in Patna. Standing atop an open vehicle emblazoned with a banner reading Ram Naam Satya, Yadav rallied his supporters to protest against the state government. His followers marched alongside him, chanting slogans demanding justice for BPSC candidates and condemning alleged corruption in the examination process. The bandh, which began early in the morning, saw protesters burning tyres and forcing shops to shut. Several districts reported road blockages, and public transport services were severely affected. Major markets in Patna and surrounding cities were closed, leaving commuters stranded and creating widespread inconvenience. Protests Over BPSC Exam Irregularities The protests had been simmering since December 2024, when BPSC aspirants first raised concerns over the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, which was held on December 13. The candidates alleged that the exam had been marred by question paper leaks, leading to a call for its cancellation. On Saturday, Pappu Yadav announced he was teaming up with Azad Party founder Chandrashekhar Azad and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi to push for justice in the BPSC case. They pledged to disrupt the functioning of the Bihar Legislative Assembly starting March 21 if their demands were not met. Legal Developments The protests come amid ongoing legal battles over the exam. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition alleging widespread malpractices in the BPSC exam. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna directed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court with their grievances. The counsel for the petitioners, Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, highlighted the brutal actions of Bihar police against peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the exam, further fueling tensions across the state. Controversial Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar Offers to Pay 7640 Crore Tax on Overseas Income 2 Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail for his involvement in a multi-crore fraud, has made an unexpected move by offering to declare his overseas income and pay 7640 crore in taxes. In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandrashekar expressed his intention to disclose his earnings for the financial year 2024-2025 under the relevant tax scheme issued by the Government of India. Chandrashekar, who has been linked to several high-profile fraud cases, revealed that his overseas business operations are based in the United States and the British Virgin Islands. His companies, LS Holdings International and Speed Gaming Corporation, which are involved in online and offline gaming and betting, have been active since 2016. According to reports, these businesses generated a turnover of $2.70 billion in 2024 alone. In his letter, Chandrashekar also mentioned the international reach of his businesses, with operations extending to the United States, Spain, the UK, Dubai, and Hong Kong. He made it clear that he is willing to settle all pending income tax proceedings and appeals in India. A Proud Indian? Chandrashekars letter to Sitharaman also included a surprising declaration of admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed to be a proud Indian and expressed his desire to contribute to the countrys development by paying taxes on his overseas income and investing in India. As of today, being a proud Indian, under the great leadership of our Prime Minister Modi Ji, I want to contribute my part towards the world-class development of this great nation. Henceforth, by willingly paying Indian taxes on my overseas income, and further investing my overseas income here in India, he wrote. Defending His Earnings In his letter, Chandrashekar clarified that he is an undertrial and has not been convicted of any crime. He emphasized that his income, including earnings from his overseas businesses, is legitimate. He also pointed out that the Indian tax department has already initiated proceedings regarding his domestic income. I am currently facing multiple cases, financial in nature, here in India, and am in judicial custody. Its important to mention that I am an undertrial and have not been convicted for any case. It would be wrong to say that any of my income is illegal. Your department has already initiated tax recovery proceedings on my Indian income, proving my earnings are legitimate, he added. Chandrashekars unexpected offer has raised eyebrows, leaving many to question the motivations behind such a move, given his controversial criminal history. His willingness to pay such a substantial tax amount will likely spark further discussions on the intersection of law, business, and accountability in India. A suspect has been charged in the shooting of another man inside a Hoover apartment. David L. Smith, 31, of Adamsville, is charged with attempted murder, first-degree burglary and menacing, police announced Saturday. Hoover police responded just before 11 a.m. Friday to a 911 call reporting a person shot in the 1900 block of Rime Village Drive. According to police radio communications, dispatchers could hear shots being fired during the emergency call. Officers responded to the complex The Park at Hoover Apartments and found the suspect outside of the apartment, armed with a rifle, said Capt. Keith Czeskleba. Police were able to disarm Smith and take him into custody after a brief standoff. Once the suspect was detained, officers entered the apartment and found the victim also an adult male with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Hoover Fire medics transported the victim to UAB Hospital. He is expected to recover. Czeskleba said investigators learned the suspect and the victim are acquaintances. Smith, he said, drove to the victims apartment, forced the door open and shot the victim. He also pointed the rifle at another resident of the apartment before going outside, still armed with the rifle. Smith was booked in the Jefferson County Jail Saturday where he remains held without bond. Dianne Rogers saw a chained dog in Madison County last month, and the scene deeply affected her. After 16 years in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rogers moved to Madison County in 2022. When she saw a chained dog at a location less than a 10-minute drive from her house, she decided to do something about it. Theres a skinny, skinny dog and I drove by there and obviously the owner doesnt have any money, Rogers told AL.com. The only reason why I got involved was because I felt bad for the dog. After seeing a post on Nextdoor, a neighborhood social media platform, Rogers dropped off four big bags of dog food in December, thinking one chained dog lived at the property. More Nextdoor posts showed her that at least two other dogs were chained there, prompting a second visit. AL.com is not disclosing the dogs location or owner because of privacy concerns. Hes got puppies in the house running around, hes got dogs chained up out back, hes got a mama dog outside separate, Rogers said. The dogs are like living in their own poop and stuff, and they had no clean water whatsoever. Rogers and other women who lived nearby repeatedly visited the location to feed and water the dogs. One of them cleaned up the feces, and an organization called Helping Animals Without Shelter brought bedding straw. Rogers noticed the dogs were no longer there at the beginning of the year, suggesting their complaints may have had an effect. Rogers and other concerned residents relayed their concerns about animal welfare, including requests for laws prohibiting dog chaining and other issues, to Madison County legislators this week. Madison County Animal Control officers told AL.com that they cannot act against dog chaining because its legal, despite the womens push for action. Madison County Animal Control covers the county areas outside Huntsville and Madison cities. Madison County should not be confused with its namesake, the city of Madison. Brad Stewart, director of Madison County Animal Control Department, told AL.com that he is aware of the location Rogers and others visit and is actively monitoring the situation, but the food the advocates provide the animals means they are looking better than before, reducing any urgency to remove the animals. Whenever the dogs are being provided for, theyre being fed and watered, the owner doesnt have to actually stay there, he said. And I think we got some citizens of the community going by and feeding them too; they shouldnt do that. A few miles away from that Madison County location, in Huntsville, stricter animal cruelty laws require owners to provide clean drinking water, food, and adequate shelter . The shelter must be free of accumulated feces, water, or mud. Madison County does not have such requirement. Stewart, who previously worked with Huntsville Animal Services, noted that dog chaining like that seen in that Madison County location is prohibited within city limits. Huntsville requires dogs and cats to be kept in temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees. We had to go around scan temperature inside the houses sometimes when it was cold, Stewart said. they cant be on a chain at all, he added, concerning dogs in Huntsville, noting that the water must not be in a place where the animals can tip it over. And if you dont live there, you cant have the dogs there because if the powers not on and the propertys condemned, the animals cant remain on that property, Stewart added. So weve just got two different entities. But Rogers and other animal advocates, in separate interviews with AL.com, warn that chained dogs in the unincorporated part of the county, those not within the cities of Huntsville and Madison, face multiple risks: attacks from coyote packs, exposure to freezing winter temperatures, and the danger of hanging. Sue Cummings, a retired marketing executive, discovered a dog had died from hanging from its chain in Madison County some years ago. That incident is close to her mind as she participated in her current advocacy. I tried to rescue a puppy, a German Shepherd, many years ago that was tethered, and Animal Control simply put a note on the door, she said. The dog ended up hanging himself and was dead when I found it. He got caught between a fence. I was wondering why I couldnt find him again. I found him dead. The advocates worry about dogs without rabies vaccination and license tags. But Stewart said his department cant act as long as the animals stay on the property. State law, the way its read, if the canines remain on the property , we cant enforce rabies or license, Stewart said. You can be on a chain and tethered as long as youve got food, water, and shelter. Those people just want us to go and pick up this mans dogs. We cant do that, he added. Lisa Dutsch moved from Virginia to Madison County in 2022. This year marked her first involvement in animal advocacy. You cant not see it, she said. You know, its just right there, and its the biggest heap of a thing Ive ever seen in my life. Its just an eyesore and the poor animals areIm an animal lover. I have been my whole life. I really cant stop thinking about these poor animals and nothing gets done. And its really a shock to my system and I just felt like I really needed to do something. Alabama animal cruelty law makes intentional torture a first-degree felony and says its a misdemeanor offense if anyone in a cruel manner deprives a dog or a cat of necessary sustenance or shelter. The advocates want Alabama to define shelter more clearly in state law, which counties must follow, to better protect the animals. Unlike cities, which can pass ordinances through their councils, Madison County is bound by the state constitution s animal control law. Any additional law would require legislative approval. We need to be able to say this is adequate shelter promoting quality of life and this is not an adequate shelter, said Deanna Nicholas, one of the advocates. She believes defining proper shelter and animal care would solve the problem. Two longtime Huntsville animal advocates, Aubrie Kavanaugh and Karen Borden of No Kill Huntsville , said the problem extends beyond one location. Its county-wide and its disgusting, Kavanaugh said. Borden, a Realtor, said people moving to Madison County find the treatment of animals to be a sore point. The county is one of Alabamas fastest-growing and largest, and, in recent estimates, added more residents than other counties. The Realtor acknowledges that dog chaining is legal in the county. Unfortunately, this isnt the only incident of this kind of thing thats going on in the county, and a group of us are trying to put a stop to it, trying to get new legislation entered, she said. More people have been galvanized, she explained, because many people drive that intersection on a regular basis and have been watching this go on, seeing dogs chained at that Madison County location since summer. And were supposed to be this big progressive area, all this high tech, all these engineers, all these rocket scientists, all this, that and the other. And were building, building, building, but we still dont know how to take care of our animals, she said. Its a disgrace. Animal welfare advocates, including Rogers, attended a forum on Jan. 6 at Huntsville City Hall where Madison County legislators heard recommendations from residents. Borden laid out three requests for a law that would apply only to Madison County: define shelter, prohibit dog chaining, and provide a better definition of animal neglect and abuse and when animals can be seized. We have many issues in Madison County regarding how animals are treated, but there are things that you, as our delegates, can do to separate Madison County from the rest of the pack and have standards of which we can all be proud, Borden told the lawmakers. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala, said in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union Sunday she is confident the Laken Riley Act will continue to garner support in the U.S. Congress. The legislation would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses and mandate those suspects be detained until they are deported so they cannot reoffend. Britt initially introduced the act in 2024, but the bill was dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate. Britt, a newly named deputy whip, reintroduced the act earlier this month and the bill became t he first piece of legislation taken up by the new Republican Senate majority and the first bill passed by the GOP-led House . The act advanced Thursday in the U.S. Senate with an assist from some Democrats. READ MORE: Katie Britts Laken Riley Act advances in Senate with help from Democrats In Sundays appearance on State of the Union, Jake Tapper noted that some Democrats have pointed out issues with the way the bill is written , saying the act could result in thousands of people being detained indefinitely for being accused of a crime without actually being charged or convicted, violating due process rights. Are they wrong? Tapper asked Britt during the segment. In response, Britt said the Laken Riley Act was ultimately going to save lives. It is a common-sense piece of legislation and it actually puts the talk that weve been having over the last four years into action, said Britt, adding that there has been no more litigated issue over the last four years than President Biden and Vice President Harris open border policies. It is my belief that the American people entered a verdict on that on Nov. 5, saying we are ready for secure borders. We want our streets and communities to be safe and secure. This is our first step to doing that. This is a targeted piece of legislation. It goes directly to the heart of the tragedy that occurred with Laken Riley. The act is named after Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student who was killed in 2024 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan national, while jogging on campus. The incident, which garnered national attention, impacted the debate on immigration. I think as we continue to debate this and talk about the merits of it this week, it will garner more support, Britt told Tapper, noting that the bill so far this year had the support of more than 40 Democrats. So its a bipartisan piece of legislation that is 60 percent of the House. I expect it to get 60 percent or more in the Senate. While Tapper acknowledged widespread support for deporting violent undocumented immigrants, he circled back on the issues politicians expressed about the bill, specifically about indefinitely detaining undocumented immigrants who commit non-violent crimes without formally being charged. Is that not a concern? he asked. In response, Britt said at the end of the day, the Laken Riley Act wouldnt affect people who dont commit crimes. The Democrats have to wake up and realize that Americans are sick of excuses and they are ready for action, said Britt. As long as you dont commit a crime, this doesnt apply to you. And I think people would agree that if you do commit a crime, you should go to the front of the line when it comes to detention and removal. English News Growth story of Japanese consumer goods giant in China Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 12 Janvier 2025 China is taking solid steps to accelerate the development of new quality productivity forces as part of its efforts to promote high-quality development. Nishiguchi sees this as a catalyst for fostering innovation and boosting production efficiency. "While pursuing its own development, the Chinese market has been creating new business models and opportunities. Kao will remain focused on its core strengths, developing new technologies and products to drive our development in China," he said. By Yue Linwei, Zhu Yueying, People's Daily In front of the Shanghai plant of Japanese consumer goods giant Kao Corp in Maqiao township, Minhang district, east China's Shanghai, lies the "Huawang" Road (Huawang is the Chinese translation of Kao). When the plant was just established in the 1990s, this road was merely a gravel path. Today, it has evolved into a modern four-lane highway. "The road's transformation reflects Kao's flourishing development in China over the past 30 years and the shared prosperity between Kao and the Chinese market," said Gu Ren, general manager of Kao Commercial Shanghai Co., Ltd., during an interview with People's Daily. On Gu's desk, there are two photographs. One, taken in 1996 when Kao's Shanghai plant was newly built, shows the factory surrounded by villages and farmland. The other is a recent image depicting a modern industrial park featuring residential areas, lush greenery, and beautiful surroundings. "The huge Chinese consumer market is full of vitality. We never waver in our commitment to deeply engaging with the Chinese market," Toru Nishiguchi, senior managing executive officer of Kao, told People's Daily. He said that China's continuous optimization of its industrial structure in recent years has created broad opportunities for foreign enterprises. Kao first entered the Chinese market in 1993, initially focusing on the sales of facial cleansers and shampoos. Over the years, Kao's brands have gained significant recognition among Chinese consumers. "Today, Kao (China) Holding Co. Ltd. has grown into a comprehensive group encompassing household products, cosmetics, and industrial chemicals," Nishiguchi explained. "China has been expanding high-level opening up," said Nishiguchi, who has extensive work experience in China. "The Chinese market remains resilient and dynamic. Thanks to China's booming daily consumer goods market, Kao's Chinese businesses have grown rapidly." According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, cosmetics retail sales in China reached 414.2 billion yuan ($56.52 billion) in 2023, more than ten times the sales recorded in 2006. It was in 2006 that Kao (China) began its cosmetics operations in the Chinese market. From 2006 to 2023, the company's cosmetics sales in China also surged by more than ten times, according to an executive of the company. "We have been growing and thriving together with the Chinese market," Nishiguchi remarked. During the interview, Nishiguchi highlighted a new product launched by Kao in February 2024, which was developed primarily by the Chinese R&D team. The entire process of the product - from research and testing to production and sales - was carried out in China, said Nishiguchi. "When developing the product, we have taken into account the personalized needs of Chinese consumers," Nishiguchi said. He believes the product's success in the Chinese market is due to its alignment with Chinese consumers' pursuit of a better life and validates Kao's localized business strategy in China. "As China's economy continues to develop, Chinese consumers need more personalized, diversified, and high-quality products. These emerging trends in the Chinese consumer market present new opportunities for Kao to expand its presence in the country," he remarked. "From a global perspective, Kao's business outside Japan accounts for about 45 percent of its total sales," Nishiguchi noted. "China has always been our most important overseas market, contributing to Kao's development in the entire Asian market," said Nishiguchi. Just a 15-minute drive from Kao's Shanghai plant is China's Maqiao Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Experimental Zone, a hub for integrating AI into urban development. The zone has attracted a number of high-tech companies specializing in cutting-edge robotics over the past five years. The industrial robots adopted by Kao's Shanghai plant in August 2024 was developed by companies within this zone. Gu said that Kao (China) is steadily promoting the automated, digital and unmanned transformation of its production lines, which is also supported by China's intelligent manufacturing. In recent years, Kao (China) has invested tens of millions of yuan in the intelligent transformation of its production lines on an annual basis, continually increasing the localization rate of its technical equipment. China is taking solid steps to accelerate the development of new quality productivity forces as part of its efforts to promote high-quality development. Nishiguchi sees this as a catalyst for fostering innovation and boosting production efficiency. "While pursuing its own development, the Chinese market has been creating new business models and opportunities. Kao will remain focused on its core strengths, developing new technologies and products to drive our development in China," he said. Dans la meme rubrique : < > High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth Technological cooperation leads to closer China-Africa economic, trade ties China's economic resilience, vitality in four sets of data Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) In a previous article, I mentioned that the Council on Foreign Relations and the Rockefeller Foundation had tried to suppress historical revisionism after World War II. Like the approach used by our modern day expert class to silence debates about carbon taxes and the COVID-19 response, the approach used after World War II to silence debate was to declare everything a settled science. The question of war responsibility in relation to 1939 and 1941 is taken for granted as completely and forever settled, Harry Elmer Barnes wrote in his opening essay on the Historical Blackout. With regard to the war in the Far East, Barnes added that this is supposed to be settled with equal finality by asking the question: Japan attacked us, didnt she? Unfortunately, I wrote the first section of my previous article in a cursory fashion. I left out the important details concerning how dangerous historical revisionism after World War I had been to some of the major lies of that war. The purposes of this article are to explore in more detail the Crown Council Myth and to show how revisionist history exposed this lie. Harry Elmer Barnes on the Crown Council Myth In the spring of 1966, Rampart College published a symposium (a collection of journal articles on the same topic) on revisionism. The lead article in this symposium, also by Harry Elmer Barnes, mentioned the application of revisionist history to the Crown Council Myth. Barnes based his argument on two sources, namely, Sidney B. Fay, the leading American revisionist dealing with the outbreak of war in 1914 and Paul Schwarz, the personal secretary to the German ambassador in Constantinople, Baron Hans von Wangenheim. (Constantinople, a major city in Turkey, is now called Istanbul). Barnes presented three iterations of this Crown Council Myth showing how the lie developed over time. The first iteration of the myth was fairly brief. Baron von Wangenheim had a mistress in Berlin who wanted to see him in the early days of the first World War. The Baron obviously had to conceal the real reason for his trip from his wife, so he invented a simple lie. He told her that the German Kaiser (Emperor) had summoned him to Berlin. When the Baron returned from Berlin, he told his wife about the fanciful crown council that he had dreamed up. The Kaiser, according to this second iteration of the lie, gathered together ambassadors, financiers, and leading German government officials at this Crown Council to tell them that he had decided to take Germany to war in two weeks. The third iteration of this myth occurred a short time later when the Baron went to a diplomatic reception with his wife. At that event, the Ambassador of the United States to Constantinople, Henry Morgenthau, asked von Wangenheim about his trip to Berlin. Because his wife was present and standing next to him, the Baron decided to double down on his lie, and he repeated it to the American Ambassador. Barnes further suggested that additional embellishments or modifications may have occurred at this point in time since liquor may have stimulated his [the Barons] imagination or lessened his restraint but added that what was precisely said will probably never be known. Unfortunately for the world, Morgenthau propagated the Barons lie as a historical true fact. Former Kaiser William II on the Crown Council Myth In late 1929, T. St. John Gaffney, the former United States Consul General at Dresden and Munich, wrote to the former Kaiser in order finally to get at the truth. The former Kaiser replied in his own handwriting. A facsimile of his actual handwritten response was included in Gaffneys article that appeared in Current History, a journal published by the University of California Press: The Lie of the Potsdam Crown-War-Council was concocted with all its exciting details by MY OWN!! Ambassador, pretending to have attended the Council personally, to give more probability to his story! It is a vile, malevolent Lie without the slightest foundation of truth. No Chiefs of Army & Navy were present. . .. No Bankers, no Captains of Industry were assembled, no Ambassadors bidden to be present: all Wangenheims personal FICTION! That was the result of Dr. Kurt Jagows investigations, who published them about a year ago. The Potsdam Crown Council is a Myth, a Lie, never took place. The Great Historical Significance of the Crown Council Myth to World History The Crown Council Myth, due to its sensational nature, had a great influence upon Allied propaganda against Germany at the end of the war, according to Barnes. The Crown Council Myth was exploited by the more vindictive makers of the Treaty of Versailles. Gaffney lamented the fact that Secretary Lansing and Dr. James Brown Scott, President Wilsons representatives on the Commission of Fifteen, in the report adjudging the Kaiser and the Imperial Government as solely guilty of causing the war, featured this bogus Crown Council as one of their convincing proofs. In particular, Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles declared that Germany and its allies are guilty of having caused all losses and damages which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nations suffered in consequence of the war. According to Barnes, historians are agreed that it was the Treaty of Versailles which prepared the way for the Second World War. Therefore, Baron von Wangenheims Crown Council Myth may have had some direct relation to the sacrifice of millions of lives and astronomical expenditures of money in the wars since 1939. Image: Public domain. A moment in my life that returns to me as a kind of blessing is connected in an odd but wonderful way to a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In The Day is Done he speaks of simple, heartfelt poems he calls them songs that . . . have power to quiet The restless pulse of care, And come like the benediction That follows after prayer . . . and gush from the heart as showers from the clouds of summer, or tears from the eyelids start. Its a poem that more than once has moved me close to tears. I think that is because in its lyrical way it moves the soul to its depths, where one can feel the beautiful, the true, and the good come together. In its unique way the poem evokes an incident that made my day during Army Basic Training in the early 1950s when a war raged in Korea. The connection stems from the poems use of the word songs. Of the many that return to this old musicians head, the title of one, Honeysuckle Rose (1929), always comes back to me changed to Honeysuckle Road. In that guise I am taken back to a moment of deep serenity in the hectic days of Army Basic Training. Image: Anthony J. De Blasi // by permission On a weekend pass in Augusta, Georgia, a platoon buddy and I walked along a peaceful road leading to the nearby border of South Carolina. It was late spring and the road was bordered with a heavy growth of wild honeysuckle filling the air with the heavenly scent from its flowers. When we stepped into South Carolina, we paused to take in the view. Across a large expanse of grass, sitting on a porch, was an old black woman peacefully smoking her pipe. The scene struck a chord of tranquility and beauty that sank deep into the spirit. On our way back, a car with Georgia license plates stopped to offer a lift. The young man and woman inside were newlyweds. Their gesture came to my mind as evidence of Southern hospitality. Recalling the sights and events (and the blessings) of that walk would help lighten my spirit when things got rough . . . again and again . . . and through the years. My brother, a World War II veteran (deceased), would respond to an account like Ive just related by asking Whats the moral to the story? Looking beneath the surface of things is a habit of his that must have rubbed off on me. It may be why I draw the Longfellow poem and my 1950s moment of poetry in Georgia together into a unity that is less than obvious . . . To my mind something deeper dwells in both the poem and the incident than a need for relief from the cares that infest the day (Longfellows words). Their poetry isnt just about rest and recuperation from physical and mental stress but also about R&R for the soul. Attending to this greater need helps us cope with the world were born into, even when at times it seems to be against us. At such times, spiritual renewal becomes as vital as breathing. Without R&R for the soul it is possible to skip life altogether and leave it behind, never having joined it. For those times when the whole world is against you, reaching for and holding onto simple things basic to life can save the day and perhaps a lot more. Heading the list of soul-restoring basics are simple things like the voice of a little child, the sight of a smile or a flower, the sound of a tune, the presence of ordinary folk around you, the power of a hug, the firmness of the ground beneath the feet, the uplift of a prayer. Active attention to such unassuming givens can help lift one over the cares and troubles of the day and what is more important restore the sense of hope. Soul-restoratives like those mentioned are not to be taken as crutches or distractions but as calls to the will to act in accordance with the reality that life is stronger than its twists, bumps, heartache, and brain-draining machinations. A return to ones senses can indeed be painful. But the alternative is pain of a worse kind, for which there is no effective cure. A light on the subject comes from one of Ralph Waldo Emersons insights: The problem of restoring to the world original and eternal beauty is solved by redemption of the soul. What better way than by switching on the light of God with the many simple wonders of His Creation? When progressive icon and communist dictator Mao Zedong launched his so-called Great Leap Forward (and later his Cultural Revolution) in China, he was rumored to have invoked an old French saying about cracking a few eggs to make an omelet. In the ensuing madness, millions of the demographically disfavored in China were put to death, or starved from Mao-caused famines. Engulfed by progressive hysteria, many farmers were told to don a surgeons smock, as they were now surgeons, whereas many real surgeons were stripped of their duties and ordered to work the collectivized farms. Decades later, Anita Dunn and Ron Bloom of the progressive Obama administration proudly paraphrased Maos famous 1949 speech in Tiananmen Square, declaring, Political power comes from the barrel of a gun. We will attempt the power of persuasion, but we will not hesitate to use the persuasion of power. In modern America, the closest thing to Maos and Obamas progressive utopia is to be found in the sad, debauched state of California. In the wake of the latest devastating wildfires in southern California, it has been asked repeatedly: how can Californias voters continue to vote for the likes of DIE mayor Karen Bass, a dyed-in-the-wool racist who idolized Fidel Castro and shrugged off warnings of imminent fire danger in Los Angeles in order to go party in West Africa on the taxpayers dime? Or Governor Gavin Newsom, an oily narcissist with tiny, delicate hands and wide hips, for whom everything is a performative virtue-signal to the progressive left, and who obsesses over the amount of melanin people have in their skin and their choice of bedroom partners? Newsom and Bass think its more important to install a woefully unqualified but outspoken lesbian as fire chief rather than promote the best qualified applicant, whether its a lesbian, a black or Hispanic transgender, or (gasp) a straight white male. Recall how Mao told the farmers they were now doctors, and vice versa. The death toll from the Los Angeles area fires is now in double digits, and because Newsom and Bass were well aware of the dangers for years but did nothing to prevent the catastrophe, a strong case can be made that both are legally culpable and guilty of negligent homicide. Newsoms decidedly unscientific fantasy about apocalyptic anthropogenic global warming (supposedly caused by the evils of greenhouse gases and capitalism) enables him to keep the lucrative, government- and activist-driven climate change grift alive. Thus, the smelt fish lives while people die in preventable, government-caused wildfires. They die because Gavin Newsom keeps flushing trillions of gallons of rainwater out to sea rather than building up and maintaining Californias reservoirs to fight fires. And much of the taxpayer money supposedly allocated for firefighting infrastructure instead goes to social engineering/DIE boondoggles or disappears as untraceable graft into the bank accounts of Californias well connected, super-rich progressive elite (both in and out of government). What do ultra-left-wing progressive celebrities in the destroyed Pacific Palisades think of all this? Karen Basss fellow Fidel Castroadmirer Steven Spielberg (who was as starstruck as any fanboy upon meeting The Maximum Leader) and actor/cabana boy Tom Hanks raise money and vote for moral monsters whose grifting and progressive policies lead inexorably to despair, destruction, and death. Spielbergs and Hankss homes were spared. But why do good people of high moral fiber, such as actor Anthony Hopkins, have to lose their homes on account of all this? Or the thousands of others who lost their precious houses and businesses, their lives permanently ripped asunder by Californias DIE-obsessed Uberklasse? What about the idealistic if misguided waitress in South Central L.A. who donated a hard-earned $50 to the Kamala Harris campaign, only to see Kamala give that money to billionaire Oprah Winfrey or other celebrities from the progressive Uberklasse? Is there some cognitive dissonance for the waitress, or will she mindlessly vote for Karen Bass for mayor again and Kamala for governor in 2026? How about the sexually confused UCLA gender studies major who can quote a quackademic like Howard Zinn or Ta-Nehisi Coates as readily as Matt Damon but who, like the baizuo Damon, would never be caught dead reading Heather Mac Donald or Chris Rufo of City Journal, or Dinesh DSouza or Douglas Murray, assuming she/he/they/zir had ever even heard of such real and heavyweight scholars? Progressives, whether rich or poor, white or black, famous or anonymous, refuse to abide ideas or facts with which they disagree, all the better to avoid any troublesome cognitive dissonance that forces them to re-examine their totalizing Manichean assumptions about the world and human nature. Decades ago, crackpot progressive social theories like DIE, Critical Race Theory (CRT), Queer Studies, and their endless postmodern offshoots were confined to the eccentricities of the campus, with professors outside the STEM fields parroting academic nihilists like Michel Foucault, Noam Chomsky, Bill Ayers, and Saul Alinsky. Unfortunately, the woke mind virus, like the COVID virus, did not stay confined to the lab or the campus. It infected all of society, but especially California, and now its getting lots of people killed, whether the proximate source is Boeing, the district attorneys office, the governors mansion in Sacramento, or the mayors office in Los Angeles. For progressive true believers, Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass might represent the apotheosis of the progressive movement. For the reality-based, they are its nadir. The authors are brothers and previous contributors to AT. Image: Gavin Newsom. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is profoundly changing strategic relationships globally, due to worldwide solidarity coalitions. Its origins, strategies and possible resolution are intensely studied. A significant contribution to this analysis is the recently published Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability ( Oxford University Press, 2024) by Michael Kimmage, Ukraine adviser from the Obama Administration. Kimmage starts off with a description of the Obama policy of democracy promotion. In 2014, it led to the Maidan protests in Kiev but due to a political embarrassment by the KGB, Obama abandoned it. He outsourced western policy regarding Ukraine to Germany and France. They signed the one-sided Minsk Agreements with Russia, which required Ukraine to negotiate with its own breakaway provinces, forcing it to qualify its sovereignty. Despite far-reaching compromises, Moscow was always dissatisfied and would not withdraw from the occupied territories. In 2019, Vladimir Zelensky was elected President of Ukraine as a peace candidate. Donald Trump become the President of the United States in 2017 and was the first to provide $250 million in lethal aid to Ukraine, instead of modest humanitarian assistance. This became the subject of impeachment of Trump in July 2019 when he threatened to delay this aid, allegedly for political reasons. Despite this stiffening of policy, Kimmage claims that Trump contributed to the subsequent outbreak of the war. He calls Trump an American Nero and mafia boss. He claims that Trump abandoned democracy had no patience for human rights and was a Putinist The inauguration of President Biden resulted in a change of U.S. foreign policy to one of restoration of relations with Europe and Russia, similar to Obama reset. Kimmage described it as putting a limit on conflicts, so-called guardrails. Immediately, Biden signed the START II arms control agreement and restored cooperation in public health and climate change with Russia. Biden also gave permission to Germany for completion of the Nordstream 2 pipeline to provide Russian natural gas to Germany and Europe, which Trump vetoed. Support for Ukraine was lowered to $100 million but it continued to participate in NATO exercises in March, June, and September 2021. In April 2021, U.S. intelligence observed a buildup of Russian troops near the Ukraine border. In response, Biden held up aid to Ukraine and initiated talks with Russia, which led to the Geneva summit of June 2021. In its aftermath, two working groups were established: on cybersecurity and on maintaining stability. Despite the seemingly successful outcome of the summit, Putin gave a speech on July 12, 2021 disparaging Ukraine. In August, Biden engaged in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Putins belligerence toward Ukraine increased markedly after the Afghanistan debacle. In October 2021, U.S. intelligence again reported a 100,000-man Russian military buildup near Ukraine. In response, William Burns, head of Central Intelligence, threatened sanctions on Russia if it invaded. The U.S. started to inform the public about Russian actions but no new arms were provided to Ukraine. On December 7, 2021, President Biden held a hastily arranged video conference with Putin but it did not stop his aggressive demands. Just the opposite: Putin took further escalatory steps. On 17 December, Putin issued an ultimatum to the U.S. government with the following demands: first, that Ukraine be rendered neutral and demilitarized second that NATO itself would have to be shrunk, walking back dozens of agreements that had been made since 1998. Kimmage does not mention the third demand that the United States withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe. Despite the insulting nature of the Russian ultimatum, the Administration started negotiating and considered making far-reaching concessions. According to Kimmage, Russia might have won real concessions, possibly including neutrality for Ukraine and limitations on troop and missile deployments in the European territory Putin claimed to be worried about. However, Kimmage says: the Biden Administration had tasks other than deterrence. One was to prevent Russia from gaining the upper hand in the global public sphere. Biden decided to make U.S. intelligence warnings public and engaged in intelligence sharing with Ukraine. He thought that Putin presented his moves as a means to avoid war; however, it turned out to be a distraction to westerners and a prelude to an actual invasion. After the invasion started, the Biden Administration offered President Zelensky an evacuation to a safe country. However, this would amount to the achievement of Putins perhaps most significant goal: a change in the government and a probable collapse of Ukrainian defense. Zelensky refused to leave. Kimmage does not mention that Zelensky allied Ukraine with Poland and other East European countries. The presidents of Poland and Lithuania were in Kyiv the night of the invasion. Poland already started to transfer virtually its whole military arsenal to Ukraine: 340 tanks, hundreds of armored vehicles, anti-aircraft launchers, artillery, guns, ammunition, gasoline, MiG aircraft, and numerous other items. This equipment allowed Ukraine to withstand the initial Russian assault. It was only on 25 March 2022 when Biden came to Warsaw to sign the necessary agreements that American military aid started flowing to Ukraine through Poland. First guns were provided in April and military equipment in May 2022. Biden decided to assist Ukraine only after it withstood the initial Russian attack with the help of East Europeans and was successfully defending itself not with a certainty of victory but with the certainty that Ukraine would not give up In conclusion, the author makes observations about war origins and blame for failure of peace efforts, which will impact the postwar settlement. He clearly states that the Russian invasion was caused by a failure of deterrence in Europe, in Ukraine, and in the United States. In Europe, he points to the Minsk agreements and how they demonstrated that France and Germany were limited as European powers and how they assumed that Russia was a necessary partner in European affairs. Ukraine had a reputation as a corrupt and divided country and its military was underestimated by all sides due to its 2014 defeat. Zelensky himself was unpopular. However, once the war started these assumptions were proven wrong. The government and citizens were united defending their country. No Ukrainians want to live under Putins boot. But perhaps the most significant failure was on the part of the United States. The author describes policies of Obama and Biden administrations of a virtual lack of military aid, pushing the problem on the Europeans deeply compromised by political and business ties with Russia, and flights of rhetoric about liberal international order but no consideration about how to actually defend it. When Putin threatened the invasion, the U.S. announced weak sanctions for after the invasion and engaged in ceaseless diplomacy. The U.S. did not arm Ukraine and did not threaten to use its own military power, therefore it was not taken into consideration by Putin in his decision to invade. Kimmage admits: Had Putin factored the U.S. role in, he might not have invaded Another weakness was that the Biden Administration was ready to make significant concessions to Russia. What changed Bidens attitude was the successful initial defense of Ukraine due to a resolute, cohesive leadership, impressive military performance by Ukrainian forces, and massive initial military, humanitarian, and diplomatic support by countries of Eastern Europe. Once successful defense was mounted and inaccurate political judgements about Ukraine, Russia and Europe were discarded, Biden decided to support the Ukrainian war effort. Image: Oxford University Press With a snow, sleet, and ice storm threatening much of the country, including St. Louis, most church services for Sunday, January 5, 2025, were cancelled out of concern for peoples safety. My church provided online resources in order to worship at home, which I did. Inadvertently, I misread the Bible passage in the book of Joshua and read chapter 20 instead of chapter 24. I was surprised by the topic of chapter 20. It must be remembered that this is both the Jewish Torah and the Christian Old Testament. The heading for that passage in my Bible was Six Cities of Refuge. Despite reading through the Bible frequently throughout my life, this chapter for the first time impacted me deeply and differently. Why? Well, its because it reveals how far our system of justice has strayed from the Jewish and Christian Gods justice. In this passage, a depiction of genuine and true justice appears: Then the Lord spoke to Joshua saying, Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. (Joshua 20: 1-3) So, they appointed six cities for the Israelites and sojourners to flee to for anyone who kills someone unintentionally. This record reveals Gods justice to be mixed with mercy when it comes to manslaughter. Not all deaths caused by another are counted or punished the same. Manslaughter is distanced from murder due to its not being intentional, premeditated, or with hatred. Further on in the passage it states that if the avenger of blood pursues the manslayer to their city of refuge, the elders of the city, ...shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally and did not hate him beforehand. (Joshua 20: 5) Its important to recognize hatred couldnt be involved. As this ordinance separates a guilty party as to consequence from one who struck another with intention, premeditation, and/or hatred, the implication and implied consequence or punishment for one who does so based on these three motivations is treated without mercy. Furthermore, it is indicative of the justice of capital punishment. According to both the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, this is divine justice, that is, God-blessed genuine, legitimate, and true justice. Such a perspective emphasizes the seriousness of killing someone intentionally, premeditatively, and hatefully, i.e., first-degree murder. Capital punishment may be perceived as rightfully avenging the victims loss of life. In other words, it is fair and righteous punishment and redress of the most evil and heinous act against another person. A life for a life is basically total equivalence. In our society and justice system, we have unreasonably discounted and devalued the life of the victims by not applying the only just consequence to such evil. In the few and rare instances where capital punishment is carried out, it is generally close to a lifetime later and in a more merciful, gentler manner than what the victims experienced. They are not subjected to cruel or unusual punishments; they are sedated beforehand. Nonetheless, the executions should occur sooner and closer to time of sentencing in order to be a deterrent to such violent crimes. Surely, someone who has killed several or many people should definitely face capital punishment. This might appear or sound harsh, but justice must be equal to the crime if it is to be just. The victims and their families deserve it. Society also deserves it, as it is taxed with financially supporting the guilty parties for many years while criminals fear no just repercussions for their behaviors and crimes, and society is less protected. Some might reject religious principles related to this subject, but moral issues are dealt with in religion, especially the Judeo/Christian tradition. The aforementioned passage in the Jewish Torah and Christian Old Testament testifies to the fairness and mercy applied to the manslayer while the murderer faces impartial true justice. Image: PxHere Ive complained a lot in this space about the Steel City, but I havent said enough about the stuff I like here in my hometown, where I was born. Im sure some folks wonder why I wont give old Pittsburgh a break and say something nice every once in a while. After all, were not fighting this culture war because of things we hate that we just want to vanquish, but for things we love that we want to see preserved. Some afternoons I can look out my back windows and see the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh a few miles away as clear as day, while v-formations of Canadian geese pass low overhead, being full-time residents of an old cemetery nearby. If I were to leave Pittsburgh tomorrow and never return, readers should know some of what Im a fan of about this placelike the old church ladies in the Sacred Heart of Jesus store in Bloomfield, Pittsburghs Little Italy, which is still Italianuna specie di (sort of). Sister Mary Madalyn Shleifer sounds like a Catholic cookie, and she is a sweetie. The joy of the Lord shines from her eyes when you see her at the store where she works with her partner in the ministry, Sharon Oldaker. They are Italian-American, and Irish-American, respectively. Mary Madalyn, a retired nun, still wears the dark habit of her defunct order. Sharon often wears a crucifix big enough to choke a Clydesdale, or at least make the horse seriously consider confessing its sins. You might think of your sins and blessings if you stopped to chat with the ladies. And you might not get out of there without joining in a Hail Mary. The books, statuary and such will cost you a little at the Sacred Heart of Jesus store, but the blessings are free. A place belongs to whoever claims it hardest, the obsessive compulsive writer Joan Didion wrote. So Im claiming Pittsburgh, in a way, like the church ladies havefor the good. Im claiming it for my ancestors who died here, and for my many nieces and nephews who might someday visit or live here. Im claiming it for St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church and its Maxo Vanka murals, and for all Croatians. I am claiming it for my childhood churchFirst Presbyterian Church in downtown, with its 13 Tiffany stained glass windows that made me gaze in wonder as a kid. Im claiming it for the iconic U.S. Steel Tower, with its funky Corten exterior and the huge shadow it casts; the skyscraper where Dad worked for many years. I am claiming Pittsburgh for all of those who still believe in freedom and self-government, and who dont agree with being ruled. I am claiming Pittsburgh for people who believe in the rule of law, and who believe in honoring their American ancestors. I claim Pittsburgh for the many good memories it holds. Like childhood memories of heading to the now-gone produce yards in the Strip District early in the morning (about 4 a.m.) with Dad, to pick up crates of fruit, logs of cheese and more. Hed take a couple or a few of us boys, and never fail to mention to one of the old Italians he was haggling with to lower the price on something: Theyre a couple of my 12 kids. The hard old merchant would look down at us kids and you could see his face soften. And, oh yeah, lest I forgetIm claiming this town for the folks at Paddy Cake Bakery in Bloomfield, or for some of the other merchants over there, too, and for all of the folks in my childhood hometown of Bellevue (including the Lincoln Bakery and Bellevue Brewery folks). For what are you claiming your town? Image: Free image, Pixabay license. How often have Americans screamed obscenities at their TV sets when theyve seen, yet again, media lies, smears and obfuscation? How often have they fervently wished the media paid for their malicious manipulation of the public? In a defamation trial of CNN and Jake Tapper, CNN may end up paying a billion or more for just that, and it couldnt happen to a worse network or talking head. Its a story I covered not long ago here at AT. Graphic: CNN Screenshot The story begins in the aftermath of Joe Bidens handlers' shameful and disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Not only did they leave billions of dollars of the most advanced military equipment on the planet to the Taliban, they left Americans, and Afghans who supported our troops, to the tender mercies of the Taliban. Zachary Young, a Navy veteran did his best to rescue them, and CNN responded as one might imagine: Graphic: CNN Screenshot CNN anchor Jake Tapper never apologized for airing a "devastating" report that falsely portrayed Navy veteran Zachary Young as an "illegal profiteer" operating in a "black market" during America's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Young testified Tuesday. Young is suing CNN in a Florida court for $1 billion in damages. He argues that Tapper's November 2021 portrayal and an accompanying segment irreparably harmed his reputation and destroyed his contracting company, Nemex Enterprises, by airing false and defamatory claims about his efforts to get Afghans out of the country as the Taliban took control. Young complained and months later, CNN issued a milquetoast correction: CNN removed the term "black market" from the online version of its segment. The network also issued an on-air apology acknowledging Young had not broken any laws, but anchor Pamela Brown was filling in for Tapper that day. "Did Mr. Tapper deliver that apology?" the plaintiff's lead attorney, Devin Freedman, asked. "No, he never did," Young replied. During his testimony, Young produced his 2018 contract with DynCorp. It included a clause indicating that he would be terminated without severance if he participated in a "black market" in his host country. "It's hard to explain to someone outside my world how devastating" it is to be accused of operating in a black market, Young testified. "It's devastating when you're labeled a criminal all over the world." Judge William Henry not only allowed the case to go forward and mandated discovery, he made clear to the jury Young never took money from Afghans and did not break the law. "CNN felt they had a sensational story that would drive ratings and they didn't care about the truth," an attorney for Young, Kyle Roche, said during his opening statement Tuesday. "CNN chose theater over truth and destroyed the life of an American patriot." He said Young helped 22 women evacuate Afghanistan on behalf of Audible and Bloomberg L.P. "The facts didn't matter," Roche said. He noted that CNN's editors admitted in internal messages that the segment was "full of holes like Swiss cheese" and "80% emotion and 20% obscured fact." For CNN, discovery has been a disaster: Henry ruled Thursday that, at trial, Young could use Tapper calling Fox News a "cancer on the democracy we have" and other disparaging remarks he made about the network in November 2023. He also ruled that Young's attorneys could present text messages that the veteran says will show that CNN employees had an agenda to smear him as a war profiteer. In one text exchange, CNN national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, the lead reporter on the Tapper segment, told colleagues he wanted to "nail this Zachary Young mfucker." CNN senior editor Fuzz Hogan called Young "a shit," according to messages turned over during discovery in the case. Common media tactics include giving targets of their smears an impossibly short time to respond before airing their smears. In this case, Young told CNN their facts were wrong, they werent giving him enough time to review their reporting, and if they libeled him, hed sue. That sounds an awful lot like malice, necessary to prove defamation. CNN has also tried to claim it has no idea of its own finances, because its owned by Warner Bros.Discovery: Essentially, Young wants the court to keep CNN from arguing its own finances to jurors in the event they lose the defamation case. [skip] WBD apparently manages all aspects of CNNs cash flows, the motion reads at one point. It collects virtually all of CNNs cash directly and immediately commingles it with cash generated by WBDs other subsidiary business segments. Thats not going to work out as CNN imagines. Its possible Youngs suit could be the blow that crushes CNN and forces the remaining networks to at least consider trying to turn honest. Its about time. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) faces intense backlash over California state officials lack of preparedness for the wildfires that continue to rage across Los Angeles. The wildfires, in Los Angeles, Palisades, and Eaton, have caused severe damage. The death toll continues to rise since authorities are unable to control them. These fires have reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble and forced thousands of people to leave their homes. This is the kind of incompetence and apathy seen in third-world nations. It is not acceptable in the worlds sixth largest economy, the worlds only superpower. Its not just the fires. Looting has begun in areas where homes have been abandoned. In the meantime, Newsom was challenged by an affected citizen, regarding the fire gutting her daughters school. WOW. This woman literally ran up to Gavin Newsom on the street and demanded answers on his disastrous wildfires response and she was NOT taking no for an answer. Good for her. pic.twitter.com/GNjUATtKXt Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) January 9, 2025 The slippery Newsom claimed to be literally talking to the president right now to specifically answer the question of what we can do for you and your daughter. The citizen expressed skepticism over Newsoms claim and demanded that she hear the call. At this point, Newsom changed his story. He claimed that he had tried to get a hold of Biden five times and was walking around to get cell phone reception. The citizen demanded that she be present when Newsom was talking to Joe Biden. Newsom apologized and claimed to be working to get reimbursements and assistance for the affected victims. The distressed citizen questioned Newsom about the lack of preparedness. Why was there no water in the hydrants, Governor? Is it going to be different next time? she asked. Newsom fumbled with his words. What are you gonna do? She persisted, not letting Newsom have an easy escape. Newsom then broke into a smile, followed by a nervous laugh, claiming to be doing all he could. I would fill them up personally. You know that. I would fill up the hydrants myself. But would you do that? I would do whatever I can... Newsom awkwardly replied. But youre not! replied the frustrated and very skeptical citizen, as Newsom claimed he would make the call right now. Can I at least have an opportunity to tell people that youre doing what youre saying youre doing? the citizen asked Newsom. By this time, the governor began to withdraw from the conversation. He slipped into his car and fled from the situation like a frightened mouse. The clip that will never be shown in the mainstream media has gone viral on social media. People seem to derive some satisfaction that the incompetent governor was being held accountable. President Trump has demanded that Newsom resign over this gross display of incompetence. Trump had warned Newsom about the importance of proper forest management after wildfires swept through California in 2018. FLASHBACK: Trump stood next to Gavin Newsom and stressed the importance of proper forest management after wildfires swept through California in 2018 pic.twitter.com/tE7ds4mxij johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 8, 2025 After accusing Trump of playing politics and rejecting Trumps rebuke over the states failures to tackle this crisis, Newsom conceded that Trump was right about the water management and gratuitous environmental rules. 9. Oh wait! BREAKING: Governor Newsom says President Trump is correct about the failures of water management and environmental rules in California and that they need to be totally changed! pic.twitter.com/uHzU930pXu Caesar (@caesar_pounce) January 11, 2025 So what happens next? Newsom will most likely go on TV and social media and shed tears and speak words of regret. He will probably even apologize. He will probably read Konstantin Stanislavskis acting technique guide before delivering the performance. Newsom knows that citizens often conflate a display of contrition with accountability. We often hear people often say, At least he apologized. But words will do nothing to resolve this grave crisis. Words wont resurrect the dead or reconstruct the destroyed properties. It has to be understood that this widespread destruction isnt the result of honest human error. The lack of preparedness was the outcome of policy, where the focus remains on the gratuitous rather than the essential. Wildfires occur too frequently in certain locations in California. The authorities ought to have been prepared. So what is Newsom up to? He appeared on a podcast. You read that correctly: he appeared on a podcast while key portions of his state were burning. Newsom employed the tactic that Barack Obama used during his presidency. Following a catastrophes, Obama never apologized or accepted responsibility. He would instead address the situation as if he were a commentator. At times, he would join the critics of his administrations failure and lament the system, the surroundings, and other issues. His utterances almost implied he had nothing to do with the crisis. The fawning media would spin this as honest reflection and remorse. Newsom went one step farther: he ordered an investigation into the causes behind water supply problems that left fire hydrants dry and hampered firefighting efforts. He is probably looking to pin the blame on an inconsequential subordinate and give the impression of accountability. This too is an evasion tactic: he implies that he is innocent and his conscience is clear, and hence he wants an investigation. Should Newsom resign? He certainly should, and with immediate effect. But a resignation would be an easy escape for Newsom. He will probably run for president in 2028, and history will be reinvented. There needs to be a thorough investigation into warnings such as the one last month, where the L.A. fire chief alerted officials that budget cuts were hampering emergency response. Newsweek reported that Newsom cut $100 million from Californias fire prevention budget in 2024. Yes, the local authorities in L.A. are also responsible, but considering the scale of the catastrophe, the buck stops with the governor. Someone in the governors office should have been paying attention. Newsom and his subordinates have blood on their hands and deserve punishment for the death and destruction caused by his negligence and incompetence. This should be a watershed moment for voters. Will they reject virtue-signaling charlatans such as Newsom, whose only accomplishment is bloviating before microphones and posing before cameras? We shall know soon. Image: Gavin Newsom. Credit: Mike D via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Ive been covering the George Floyd case since its inception. Floyd was a drug-addicted violent felon. Among his arrests/convictions were three armed robberies, six burglaries, three car thefts, and holding a gun to the belly of a very pregnant robbery victim. When Minneapolis PD officer Derek Chauvin and three others met him, he was trying to pass a counterfeit bill and resisted arrest. Such behavior is not usually associated with saints, but the Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) in control of Minneapolis gave him special dispensation. Floyd actually died from his drug-induced, severe health problems, but the narrative demanded he be killed by a supposed choke restraint applied by Chauvin, who was convicted and is currently in prison, having survived one shanking there. At Chauvins trial, despite clear evidence the technique applied by Chauvin was not only taught at the MPD Academy, but was standard operating procedure (SOP), the mob demanded his conviction and they were rewarded. Now it appears, the truth is coming out: Graphic: X Screenshot Fourteen current and former police officers with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) have signed sworn declarations which say they believe MPD Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell perjured herself when testifying in former MPD officer Derek Chauvins murder trial. Specifically, the group of former officers say they believe Blackwell perjured herself when she testified in court that the restraint method Chauvin used to subdue George Floyd in May 2020 was not a part of MPD officer training. In that trial, Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. However, many say the knee-on-neck restraint Chauvin employed was trained under the maximal-restraint technique (MRT), a restraint the MPD taught and allowed until 2023. This wouldnt have come to light were it not for a lawsuit filed by Blackwell against Alpha News, a reporter and producer and a publishing company. With this motion, 33 former MPD officers who served with Blackwell, and one who currently serves with her, have sworn that MPD trained this restraint as part of the maximal-restraint technique (MRT) and otherwise. Indeed, 14 of these officers have swornunder oaththeir belief that Blackwell perjured herself, wrote attorney Chris Madel in this weeks motion. These officers, according to the motion, swore that this training was well knownindeed, common knowledgeand omnipresent. Graphic: Screenshot, MPD training. Public Domain. The slide from MPD training introduced, but ignored, in Chauvins trial certainly supports the officers statements. Current and former MPD officers say they believe Blackwell perjured herself : Former MPD officer Ken Tidgwell was among the former law enforcement officers who signed a declaration saying he believes Blackwell perjured herself. A former patrol sergeant and member of the Minneapolis Police Honor and Color Guards, Tidgwell wrote that he nearly lost a leg from an injury he sustained during the riots that followed Floyds death. Tidgwell said he was trained to use the MRT when he was a member of the MPD. Further, Tidgwell stated that the MRT includes a knee-to-neck/upper shoulder restraint. Photographs of Chauvin restraining Floyd, when included from all angles, demonstrate Chauvin was applying pressure to Floyds shoulder blade and not directly on his neck. Floyd, who began complaining he couldnt breath long before he was placed on the ground, as he begged the officers to do, continued that complaint as Chauvin restrained him. Evidence was also introduced he used that ploy in earlier arrests. He had many opportunities to perfect his act, but that day, his drug-abused body betrayed him. The former patrol sergeant also mentioned that he and another member of MPD put together a virtual museum of the department. This museum chronicles over 100 years of department history with various photos and documents. In his declaration, Tidgwell produced a photo from the museum project which depicts Blackwell arresting a man in 2014. It appears that Katie Blackwell was employing the knee-to-neck/upper shoulder restraint that I described in this declaration in the picture I included in paragraph 5 above, wrote Tidgwell. Another officer about to retire at the end of a 30-year MPD career came forward only because he believed his retirement would allow him to avoid retaliation for telling the truth. To be scrupulously fair, its possible Blackwell wasnt aware when she testified that the technique she was photographed using was taught and sanctioned by the MPD and had been for decades. High-level police administrators are often far removed from the day-to- day reality of policing. However, she certainly would have been aware after the trial, and every officer has an obligation to be fully informed and prepared whenever they testify in any case. The trial also made clear the MPD administration, like every organ of Minneapolis government, was absolutely determined to throw Chauvin and his fellow officers under the bus in favor not of actual, but social, justice. Hopefully, these new revelations might help exonerate the officers. However, this is Minnesota, where actual justice and political common sense go to die. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. I have not written about the Los Angeles fires until now because, unfortunately, I have a real job, too. One that takes up much of my time. But by now, almost all of us know the facts. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, just back from a presidential inauguration in Ghana (will she attend Trumps?), refuses to answer a reporters questions or say anything to the people of Los Angeles she is supposed to protect and serve. More than $17 million cut from the fire department budget. DEI trumping merit in who gets hired, especially for the top positions. Firemen let go for refusing to accept the COVID jab. Excess equipment sent to Ukraine. Dead brush left where it lay, rather than being cleared away. Reservoirs and fire hydrants empty. But it is not just the reservoirs and the fire hydrants that are empty. It is the minds, the hearts, and the souls of the people who made these tragic, deadly, decisions. In the pursuit of a celebrate me and those that look and act like me culture, they have shown they are devoid of reason, wisdom, and character. And those deficiencies have aided and abetted these fires from hell. One thing we can count on: the insanity won't stop before the fires do. At first blush -- and at second, third, and each and every subsequent blush -- it is clear that the tragic fires consuming vast tracts of the Los Angeles area were, unlike climate change, man-caused. The LGBTQ+ LAFD could not be led by less competent or more woke individuals. Moreover, on a statewide scale, California's Gov. Gavin Newsom slashed $100 million from the Golden States firefighting budget. No doubt it was more desperately needed to provide free goods and services for non-citizens. Many have fled the state in recent years, in a kind of reverse gold rush, seeking better opportunities in other places. You can bet that many more will flee after this most recent tragedy. In a just world, it would be the likes of Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass who would have to flee the state, just ahead of those who would rightfully chase them out. And now there are several reports that at least a couple of the fires may have been started by arson. Nothing can be more man-caused than that. Or less caused by climate change. Image: Screen shot from X video Meghan and Harry Markle's decision to 'step back' from royal duties in 2020 is the best and perhaps most high-profile example of people wanting to have their cake and eat it, too. The Markles claimed they would no longer use their royal titles and they would work to become financially independent while continuing to support Her Majesty the Queen fully. The Markles even complained about their struggles under the media spotlight. So what did they do since their abdication? To become financially independent, they signed a deal with Netflix worth almost $100 million for a podcast and documentary series all about themselves. These multi-million dollar deals wouldn't have been inked without Harry and Meghan's royal connections. The Markles have left no stone unturned in maligning the Royal family, accusing them of racism and insensitivity. Once again they were reaping profits and getting publicity by exploiting their royal connections despite claiming otherwise. To avoid the media limelight, they appeared in an extended interview with Oprah. To become financially independent, they signed a deal with Netflix worth almost $100 million for a podcast and documentary series all about themselves. These multi-million dollar deals wouldn't have been inked without Harry and Meghan's royal connections.The Markles have left no stone unturned in maligning the Royal family, accusing them of racism and insensitivity. Once again they were reaping profits and getting publicity by exploiting their royal connections despite claiming otherwise. The Markles were quick to claim all possible varieties of victimhood, knowing that in the current climate, victimhood is celebrated more than achievement. But nobody was fooled that the couple who live in a Unsurprisingly, the podcast and the Netflix programs turned out to be damp squibs, critics and audiences branded them tone-deaf and boring. But despite that Meghan has another lifestyle show on Netflix called "With Love, Meghan." The perpetually virtue-signalling duo were accused of insensitivity when they continued their royal bashing during the last few months of Queen Elizabeth's life.The Markles were quick to claim all possible varieties of victimhood, knowing that in the current climate, victimhood is celebrated more than achievement. But nobody was fooled that the couple who live in a $29 million mansion in tony Montecito and travel by private jets were victims.Unsurprisingly, the podcast and the Netflix programs turned out to be damp squibs, critics and audiences branded them tone-deaf and boring.But despite that Meghan has another lifestyle show on Netflix called "With Love, Meghan." This show was slammed even worse than her previous efforts, by critics who are generally sympathetic to the Markles. Harry wrote his memoir, called "Spare," which contained a plethora of needless information about his genitalia and drug use. He also appeared to brag about This 'effort' was once again slammed for promoting a sylvan but ostentatious lifestyle display in an attempt to be "relatable."This show was slammed even worse than her previous efforts, by critics who are generally sympathetic to the Markles.Harry wrote his memoir, called "Spare," which contained a plethora of needless information about his genitalia and drug use. He also appeared to brag about killing 25 Taliban fighters during his second tour of Afghanistan. Meghan The Markles have also been criticized for Meghan made cold calls to Republican Senators to advocate for paid family leave where she introduced herself as the Duchess of Sussex.The Markles have also been criticized for hypocrisy They lecture the world about climate change and the environment but travel exclusively by private jet. It is well known that private jets generally produce significantly more emissions per passenger than commercial flights. A royal commentator has Meghan was slammed for being a hypocrite when she spoke about the importance of compassion and equality at a Summit in the U.K. where the admission costs were as high as $5,000 for three days. This is the same Meghan whose father accused her of disowning him once she joined the royal family.A royal commentator has said that Meghan Markle "might want to leave America" because Trump's victory in the recent U.S. presidential election has left her "very upset. Few would regret if the Markles were the first to be deported. To sum it up, their efforts to claim victimhood, lecture others, or engage in P.R. have been monumental failures. So what do they do now? They use the California wildfires in another pathetic attempt to rehabilitate themselves. The Markles turned up at a Los Angeles fire evacuation center to 'comfort the victims.' Peter and Zechariah Mehler are a Milwaukee father and son accused of using a hammer and ax to tear down a mural which showed a Star of David combined with a swastika in the center of the city in a building owned by Ihsan Atta, a local Palestinian activist who endorses both Hamas and the intifada. The Mehlers are facing three years in jail for allegedly destroying this hateful mural, and sadly the local Jewish community has refused to help men accused of a crime which many would deem heroic. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation (MJF) which has assets of at least $260 million, has yet to issue a statement on the incident, will not report on it in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and refuse to even accept a paid advertisement from charities supporting the Mehlers. This same Milwaukee Jewish Federation and their allied organizations loudly praised the BLM movement, noting they oppose the prevalence of all forms of oppression, and the absence of equality, respect, and opportunity needed for a just society. We embrace efforts to suffocate racism in all its forms and that light a path for reform and justice. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation proudly supports BLM and stands loud and proud on issues for Milwaukee lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning Jewish people, is outspoken on environment related issues, but refuses anything to do with Orthodox Jews accused of destroying a Nazi wall. As Michael Harryman, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of the MJF, told Zechariah Mehler in an email, MJF cant put ourselves in a position where folks can even get the sense that we endorsed any actions of your past. You know we didnt, we know we didnt, and youre not suggesting we did but optics matter. He continued to tell Mehler, you come with an ongoing backstory that could present content and/or reputation challenges for a Jewish publication. Reputational challenges for the largest local Jewish organization to have anything to do with Jews accused of destroying a Nazi wall created by Ihsan Atta, who praises Hamas, calls Israel a genocide state and calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. They are right, they have reputational issues and no sane Jews can continue to support the Milwaukee Jewish Federation who refuses to stand up to hate. As Zechariah Mehler told the Milwaukee Jewish Federation: As the complication MJF faces regarding what you believe to be my complicated profile, I have nothing to apologize for. I did not commit a crime, and I am falsely accused of destroying personal property which is a tangible threat to the Jewish community, displayed in a neighborhood in which Jews feel uncomfortably under fire by pro Palestinian agitators. Your refusal to even report on my position says that the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Milwaukee Jewish Chronicle are more interested in ignoring the rise of antisemitic behavior in Milwaukee than in servicing our Jewish community. Shame on you. Look in the mirror and understand that we have a community who is threatened and underserviced by your organization you shy away from reporting on our local jihadi who put a Nazi sign in the middle of town which calls for violence against Jews? That you urge Jews to report Anti-Semitism but not to act on anything? The problem of antisemitism is not going away. Public expressions of that antisemitism are on the rise and we can expect violence from these jihadis in Milwaukee as well. I am not asking you to attack the problem in the same way I have, but do something about Jew-hatred. This father and son are heroes, role models taking action at a time when government stands by watching antisemitism day after day. Yet, there are many in the Jewish community who realize that the Milwaukee DA must drop all charges as hate speech in Milwaukee and anywhere else must be confronted and destroyed. Jewish communal organizations that stand up for BLM and trans rights but refuse to stand up for Jews fighting back against Nazis are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Zechariah Mehler is the head of Betar Milwaukee, the organization founded by the great Zeev Jabotinsky, who once said The bitter root of our shame and our suffering is that we do not give our own people the full love of a patriot. It would be better if we did not love our people at all, if we were unconcerned as to whether it existed or had disappeared, rather than that we should love it halfway, which means to despise it. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation has harmed the interests of our community. The only thing that Peter and Zechariah Mehler should hear from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is Thank you for your actions and keeping our community safe. Ronn Torossian is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Image: Picryl Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has played down loss of a major town in the centre of the country to the rival Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), saying his forces lost a battle, not the warMohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as known as Hemedti, the commander and founder of the RSF, has for the first time commented on the loss by his forces of Madani town, some 200 kms south of the national capital, Khartoum, on Saturday, saying in war there is attack and retreat" In what has become yet another case of re-litigating an old point, people are calling out Pope Francis for another tone-deaf public pronouncement. In December, the Vatican released a Decree of the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State regarding those who enter the Vatican under false pretenses. It states, Anyone who enters the territory of the Vatican City State with violence, threats or deception is punishable by imprisonment from one to four years and a fine from 10,000.00 to 25,000.00. Entry is considered to have occurred by deception when the entry occurs through fraudulent evasion of the security and protection systems of the State, or by evading border controls. This is coming from an authority ensconced behind 40-foot walls. Those walls have been there a long time. After Muslim raiders sacked Old St. Peters Basilica in 846, then-pope Leo IV had them constructed around the Vatican. The purpose was to provide protection from invading forces. The walls are constructed of travertine, an attractive type of limestone, and serve practical, aesthetic, and symbolic purposes. Hopefully, no one is expecting hordes of Muslim invaders to sack St. Peters anytime soon. But the way things are going, who knows? God willing, their practical purpose will never be put to the test. They are undeniably beautiful and are visible from some distance away. They symbolically separate the spiritual aspects of the Catholic Church from the temporal aspects of the world. Upon publication of the Vatican document, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano responded forcefully and eloquently. Bergoglio interferes in the policies of the States regarding immigration, and he does so by usurping papal authority and manipulating Catholic Morality to support the globalist plan. But while our cities are scientifically transformed into landfills for criminals and derelicts and citizens are exposed to violence and considered strangers in their own home, the deep state and the deep church watch from the top of their insurmountable walls the destruction of our society, confirming themselves as traitors and criminals. In 2019, the pope visited Morocco and spoke about the hordes of migrants swarming into Western Europe. He criticized those who objected to the invasion of their countries by saying they were fomenting fear of others. He went on to say we should be building bridges, not walls. Has he looked out the windows of his Vatican apartment? In 2023, he had this to say about self-defense: Another thing is how that need to defend oneself lengthens, lengthens, and becomes a habit. Instead of making the effort to help us live, we make the effort to help us kill. That is a noble sentiment. Perhaps the Holy Father could ask Laken Riley and Rachel Morin how they feel about it. In June of 2015, the pope said that weapons manufacturers and investors in the industry are hypocrites if they call themselves Christian. He went on to say that duplicity is the currency of today. ... They say one thing and do another. While hes waiting to hear from Riley and Morin, he could take a few minutes and walk around the Vatican Armory. From all reports, its well equipped. Walls around the Vatican? A-O.K. Nations building walls across their borders? Thats fomenting fear. Hordes of illegals, many with malicious intent? Allow them full access to every nation on Earth...except not in the Vatican. Using firearms to defend yourself? Thats a bad habit, and if you manufacture them, youre not a Christian. But weve got a basement full of them here in the Vatican because we need them to defend ourselves. These attitudes are shared by elites all over the world. We have all heard those on the political left decrying walls and firearms from inside their gated homes while surrounded by armed security. Weve all heard them calling us racists and xenophobes for objecting to unfettered immigration while, like the residents of Marthas Vineyard, they cry, Not in my backyard! The great Thomas Sowell, one of Americas treasures, has this to say: It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong. My sentiment exactly. Image via Pexels. Last October, Indonesia banned the sale of the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and other products because Apple failed to comply with local regulations. Authorities require that products sold in the country include at least 40% of domestic content. In a recent development, Indonesia upholds the iPhone 16 sales ban because Apple still fails to meet the requirements. Indonesia upholds iPhone 16 sales ban after rejecting $1 billion investment offer Apparently, Apples strategy to try to comply with local laws did not meet the authorities expectations. Rosan Roeslani, Indonesias investment minister, said this week that Apple planned to invest up to $1 billion to set up factories for AirTag devices on Batam Island. The new factories would be responsible for 65% of the global supply of the product. Although the offer seems quite generous, local authorities were expecting something different. Agus Gumiwang, Indonesias industry minister, said that an AirTag is an accessory, not a part or component of gadgets. Basically, local regulation stipulates that only hardware and software components for products count. AirTags are products in themselves, so their manufacturing does not affect the iPhone 16 or other banned devices. Until this afternoon, the ministry doesnt have any reason to issue the domestic component level certificate for Apple products, especially iPhone 16, Gumiwang said. Meetings between government officials and Apple executives have not yielded any results. Authorities offered a counterproposal to Apple, but more specific details are not known. However, the Cupertino giant did not immediately respond to it. This suggests that Apple was not too keen on the conditions. In November of last year, Apple offered to invest an extra $100 million in the country to get the certification. However, this proposal was not enough for Indonesian officials either. Google Pixel phones sales are also banned in the country Indonesia is not among the main markets for iPhones worldwide. Only time will tell if Apple continues to try to obtain the license to sell the iPhone 16 series. Currently, the sale of Google Pixel devices is also banned in the country due to the same local tech use requirement. It seems that the big companies considered the countrys requirements a bit excessive. Meta is one of the companies that has decided to bet heavily on artificial intelligence to stay among the top companies in the tech industry. The firm has its own series of AI models, Llama. Like other companies, Meta trained Llama using datasets with large amounts of information available on the internet. However, a group of authors is suing Meta for allegedly using pirated books to train their AI models. Authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates and comedian Sarah Silverman (among others) are part of the group that says Meta used a dataset with content from stolen books. Not only that, the companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg would have been aware that the dataset contained pirated books before giving his approval for its use in the Llama training. Meta deliberately used pirated books to train AI, lawsuit claims Documents related to the lawsuit were made public in the middle of this week. The case, filed in a California federal court, stems from another filed in 2023 and dismissed last year by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. At the time, the authors claimed that Meta AI was able to generate text that infringed their copyrights. The original suit also alleged that Meta AI removed the copyright management information (CMI) from the content of their books. The plaintiff group wants the case reopened However, the plaintiff group claims that new findings warrant reopening the case. They say that they had access to internal Meta communications where Zuckerberg approved Metas use of the LibGen dataset notwithstanding concerns within Metas AI executive team (and others at Meta) that LibGen is a dataset we know to be pirated.' LibGen is a dataset for AI training that was available on the internet for a time. It contained around 32 TBs of content focused on books of all kindsincluding scientific content. The plaintiffs told Judge Chhabria that the new findings not only bolster their previous claims. They even think they may also include a new computer fraud claim. The judge will allow the plaintiffs to present their new evidence in an amended complaint. However, he also expressed skepticism that the lawsuit could be successful for the authors. Samsung has established itself as one of the leading companies when it comes to implementing artificial intelligence in its products. The Galaxy AI suite for Galaxy devices could be the biggest exponent for the mass consumer market. However, the company has integrated the technology into more product lines. A Samsung executive confirmed that its current plan is to use AI to boost its market growth. AI is a key part of Samsungs market growth strategy Han Jong-hee, CEO of Samsung Electronics, answered some questions from Chery Kang of CNBC. During the interview, the official stated that Samsung plans to continue implementing artificial intelligence in its devices. The company had disappointing financial results in 2024 and is developing strategies to turn the situation around. While we are most familiar with AI in Galaxy phones, Samsung has also implemented it in laptops, and even in smart home appliances. However, the features that have the most direct impact on the user are available on the companys mobile devices. AI lets you get real-time translations while talking to other people, make complex edits to photos with just a few taps, and more. A recent leak revealed that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have exclusive AI-driven camera features and quality enhancements as well. Strong competition from China helped decide the strategy Strong competition from Chinese brands partly drove Samsungs bet on heavy AI implementation in mobile devices. Companies such as Xiaomi have been releasing premium devices with impressive specs that surpass the capabilities of Galaxy phones in multiple aspects for some time now. So, faced with the inability to compete on a price-performance ratio, Samsung found an AI way to differentiate itself by offering exclusive software features. Han Jong-hee said that competition from Chinese companies is helpful for both Samsung and its users. This drives the brand to improve at a faster pace, which results in better products. We will have to wait and see if Samsungs bet on AI will bring about the short-term market growth the company wants. Samsung has a plan for its AI-focused hardware too Samsung is also involved in the AI industry as a key hardware supplier. The company sells HBMhigh-bandwidth memorychips to big names like NVIDIA. However, its products are lagging behind the competition in this segment. SK Hynixs HBM chip technology has taken the lead in the market. Last October, the head of Samsungs semiconductor division issued an apology to shareholders for the disappointing Q3 2024 financial results. In fact, for 2024, the companys shares plummeted 32% year-on-year. Samsungs CEO said that the firm already has a plan to increase shareholder returns. The South Korean giant will reveal the plan step by step when the time comes. Many celebrities and household names are known for their performances or careers, but few have to be as quick on their feet as news anchors and meteorologists. Reporting complicated information in an easy-to-understand way isn't easy, and the challenges of being on live TV make it even trickier. Luckily, these television personalities make time to be authentic and have fun, even when in the middle of a broadcast. Jim Cantore has been one of the most popular meteorologists, or weathermen since he joined The Weather Channel in the 1980s. He's gone viral and made headlines countless times over the years, but his recent impromptu playdate with an Australian Cattle Dog has people smiling from ear to ear. He met the playful pup while reporting on Winter Storm Blair in Kansas City on January 5, though it's safe to say that this moment will live in his mind (and the Internet's archives) forever. Aww! This is pure joy embodied in a single playful moment. I wish we could know what the cameraman was thinking when Cantore first got down on all fours, but it's safe to say that everyone was all smiles by the time the playful Aussie dog found his ball and continued on his way. Related: 'Bored' Husky's Mom Delighted After Little Boy Comes to Play with Him in the Snow "Jim Cantore and Bluey is the crossover we all need," commented @ahitsak. No kidding! This pup was just as happy to play in the snow as the meteorologist himself, who has seen weather conditions from hurricanes to thundersnow. Cantore's excitement over the weather is surprisingly contagious, so it should be no surprise that he's just as enthusiastic about playing with dogs. In fact, including a dog in a weather segment would be such a smart thing to do! Not only would it attract new audiences and create adorable moments, but it could also be a chance for Cantore (or even a veterinarian) to share weather and seasonal safety tips for dog owners. Snow Safety for Dogs Stevie the Australian Cattle Dog proved that many dogs can still do their business and even walk outside during a snowstorm, but it's up to every dog's owner to make the best decision for them. Large dogs, dogs with double-layered coats, and those with extra meat on their bones may be more comfortable outside during colder months. Small dogs and leaner pups may become cold more easily, so be sure to take the proper precautions, like wearing a winter jacket and keeping their paws protected. There's no single right or wrong way to navigate a snowstorm with a dog, but it's important to stock up on pet food and extra water just in case. When you're prepared and worry-free, you can spend your time cuddling with your dog inside or playing in the snow like Stevie and his new favorite weatherman! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks on the future of Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. David Lammy is set to offer UK expertise on humanitarian co-ordination during talks with Arab countries, European allies and the interim Syrian government in Riyadh on Sunday. The talks come one month after the fall of Bashar Assads authoritarian regime, which left the country in the hands of rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organisation that is banned in the UK. Before the visit, the Foreign Office said the Government was committed to a Syrian-led transition to create an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government, stressing the need to end ongoing hostilities in the north-east of the country and counter the threat posed by so-called Islamic State (IS) to UK national security. Syrians sing and wave post-Assad flags during a concert by the recently returned revolutionary singer Wasfi Maasrani in Damascus on January 8 (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) Mr Lammy said: The international community must come together to stand behind the people of Syria as they build a democratic future and a diverse and modern country. We are united with our key partners from the region and beyond in ensuring the protection of civilians, access to aid and security within Syria and the wider region. Syrians deserve a bright and prosperous future we are here today to support that. The UK has already provided more than 60 million of aid since the fall of the Assad regime. While in Riyadh, Mr Lammy will also meet the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, for bilateral talks building on Sir Keir Starmers visit to the country in December. His visit also follows calls from incoming US counter-terrorism chief Sebastian Gorka for countries to repatriate members of IS being held in Syrian prison camps. The intervention by the adviser to Donald Trump reopened the conversation about the fate of Shamima Begum, who travelled to IS-held territory a decade ago aged 15 and was subsequently stripped of her British citizenship. But Mr Lammy was adamant that Ms Begum will not be coming back to the UK. 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Clare Crockett, 33, from Londonderry, was killed in an earthquake in Ecuador in April 2016. The building where she had been teaching music collapsed. Ms Crockett, from Brandywell, was a larger-than-life character who had been an actress before choosing the religious life. She turned down a chance to present on childrens TV channel Nickelodeon to become a nun. Sister Clare Theresa Crockett (PA) She said friends were in disbelief when she declared she was going to be a nun while holding a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. She ultimately took her Holy Orders with the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order. Her motto in life was all or nothing and she has previously been associated with fertility miracles. The opening of the cause for the beatification of Sister Clare took place in the Cathedral of Alcala de Henares in Madrid on Sunday. The ceremony is the first step towards sainthood. Ms Crocketts sister Shauna Gill told the PA news agency that more than 100 people travelled to Madrid for the event, which was livestreamed online and at Brunswick Moviebowl in Derry. She said the group includes friends, family, priests and Derry Bishop Donal McKeown, adding: Theres people weve never met before here too so its a great experience. Ms Gill said the family is very proud and excited. Sharing the joy of Derry as #SrClareCrockett cause for sainthood is opened. Her story is an inspiration for young people, and for all of us who want to surrender to Gods will in our lives. A very special day for her family and for the Servant Srs of the https://t.co/KuoNGTiRnO pic.twitter.com/pwqh5DjRoM Eamon Martin (@ArchbishopEamon) January 12, 2025 She said the ceremony will see her sister declared as a servant of God. Theres four steps to becoming a saint, so this is the first one. Clares life will be investigated before we can move on. No one knows how long it can take 10 years, 20 years, two years, it depends on how fast things move. Nobody has been through this in our lifetime, so nobody knows what to expect or whats going to happen. Ms Gill said about 1,000 people attended the ceremony. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin said in a statement that Sr Clares story is an inspiration for young people, adding that it was a very special day for her family and the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order. Also speaking to PA, the Bishop of Derry said there had been a burgeoning of awareness about Sr Clare around the world in the years after her death. Aside from the claims of miracles which will be investigated as part of the process, Mr McKeown said her story shows how someones life can change so radically and beautifully. Sr Clare was a self-confessed party girl earlier in her life and had ambitions to become a famous actress, before changing direction after having a religious experience during a retreat around Good Friday in 2000. Mr McKeown added: She ended up being famous after her death. The bishop said there was a party atmosphere among the group in Madrid, adding: The people of Derry are so proud of her. Theres a group of people from all ages and backgrounds have travelled from all over. He said it was a beautiful day around the Cathedral of Alcala de Henares, and that the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate something beautiful in a challenging time. Becoming a Servant of God is the first of four steps, before being designated venerable, blessed and finally a saint. If all those steps are passed, he said Sr Clare would be the first saint for the region in the 21st century. Mr McKeown said Sr Clare could be seen as a role model for young people, adding: It is a very striking example of someone who had a conversion experience and dedicated their life to Jesus. US avant-garde artist and musician Laurie Anderson said the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is dismantling our world, as she reflected on the prospect of the technology being utilised to win a future war or election. Anderson, who rose to fame in the UK with her eight-minute song titled O Superman in 1981, said she has embraced AI in her work, but also acknowledges its danger in society. As a tool, I love it, she told BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs. Laurie Anderson said she loves to use artificial intelligence as a tool in her work (Yui Mok/PA) I also recognise that its the end of the world kind of thing, its horrible. You can impersonate anyone. You could win an election with something like this. You could start a war with something like this. We depend on a certain amount of authenticity that gets stamped, but we dont know whos saying what anymore at all. So the success of certain aspects of lets say intrusions into social media, lets say disinformation is enormous. It is dismantling our world. The 77-year-old said she is currently working with a group in Toronto using AI to create imagery out of spoken language so as you say something, it appears as an array of visuals. Its frightening, she said. Its like having somebody invade your dreams, or be able to see what youre thinking or dreaming. Its wild. Last year, Anderson revealed she was addicted to using an AI text generator to emulate the words of her late husband, Lou Reed, who co-founded US rock band The Velvet Underground. Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson (Yui Mok/PA) The couple married in 2008 after meeting in 1992, before Reeds death in 2013. Anderson told Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne how her Buddhist beliefs helped her grieve, following its teachings which included the instruction not to cry. That is the number one rule, no crying, zero crying, she said. It was exhilarating Its also a great honour and privilege to feel all those things and to try to understand them. I mean, its awesome. Anderson also spoke about the responsibility she felt inheriting Reeds archive. It was like a 15-storey building falls on you because you suddenly have to take care of all of those things and I wasnt prepared for that really, wed never really talked about anything, she said. We did talk about having something called the L&L art ranch, and that was going to be when we were really old and no one wanted to come and hear us anymore, we were going to have a kind of bar where he could play every night, and we just do whatever we wanted and that was the plan. But the plan wasnt for him to die and then I would just have to do what? Born in Chicago, Anderson is both a recipient of a Grammy lifetime achievement award and a Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication. It came after Anderson became Nasas first artist in residence, a two-year commission to produce a piece of work completely at her creative freedom, which inspired her performance piece The End Of The Moon. Desert Island Discs will air on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday at 10am. Alice Weidel was nominated the AfDs candidate for chancellor at the partys federal conference in Riesa, Germany on Saturday. Her co-chair, Tino Chrupalla, is seen with her. Photograph: Martin Divisek/EPA Germanys far-right AfD party has signed off on its manifesto before next months critical election, proposing a series of deeply controversial policies on everything from migration to education as the campaign for a new government in Europes powerhouse formally kicked off. The party, founded in 2013, endorsed the far-right concept of re-migration into its programme, threatening the mass deportation of migrants if it came to power. The phrase, long used in far-right, so-called identitarian circles, gained in notoriety after it was the focus of a secret meeting between rightwing extremists, neo-Nazis and AfD officials in November 2023, which sparked widespread protests across the country when it came to light. The Alternative fur Deutschlands two-day convention in the eastern city of Riesa at the weekend was held up by mass protests and blockades by over 10,000 demonstrators, which considerably delayed its start. A heavy police presence held back demonstrators and guarded delegates as they entered the meeting. A leftwing politician said he had been hit in the face and knocked to the ground by police. Police said they were examining a video of the incident. New polls showed the AfD, parts of which have been classified as far-right extremist by German domestic intelligence, to have increased its poll rating to 22%, putting it behind only the CDU/CSU alliance, which dropped a point to 30%. On Saturday the Social Democrats of the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, formally renewed their nomination of him as their main candidate, despite some misgivings within the party as to whether he is the right person. The SPD currently stands relatively unchanged on between 14% and 16%. The Greens, which held their convention in November, increased their share by 1% on Sunday to 15%. BSW, a new party that sells itself as offering left conservatism, held its party convention in Bonn and was expected to agree on its manifesto by the end of Sunday. The party is hovering between 4% and 6%, and in danger of failing to get the 5% needed to enter parliament. The same applies to the far-left Die Linke (3%-4%), as well as to the pro-business FDP (4%). It was the expulsion from government by Scholz of its leader and Germanys finance minister, Christian Lindner, that led to the collapse last month of the three-party coalition and paved the way for an early election on 23 February. The AfD formally nominated its co-leader Alice Weidel as its chancellor candidate on Saturday. Party delegates held up heart-shaped placards in the partys trademark blue, bearing the slogan: Alice for Germany, which critics said deliberately lent on slogans from the Nazi era. Among its manifesto promises is the abolition of the euro and a return to the Deutschmark, the reintroduction of military conscription and widespread reforms to the education system and media financing. At its conference it voted in favour of disbanding its youth wing, the Junge Alternative, which has been classified as far-right extremist and is considered more radical and further to the right than the mother party, and replacing it with a new organisation. The proposal has been highly controversial among members. The AfD has little chance of getting into government, as the mainstream parties have all ruled out coalescing or cooperating with it. However, after the collapse of coalition talks in neighbouring Austria, which has left Herbert Kickl, the head of the far-right Freedom party, at the helm to form a new government, the AfD has referred to a firewall that risks trapping the main parties in the conflagration. Related: The AfD leaders fawning over Elon Musk should sink her party. Instead, it will boost it | Thomas Verreyer Weidel, and the party as a whole, have appeared emboldened after an endorsement earlier this month by the US billionaire Elon Musk, who claimed on X that only the AfD could save Germany. Last week he and Weidel held a 75-minute conversation on X, in which Musk invited Weidel to explain her party to the wider world, but which morphed into a wide-ranging fireside chat on everything from Musks plans to put people on Mars within four years, to his love of solar energy, whether either believed in God, and Weidels conviction which drew accusations from historians of revisionism that Hitler had been wrongly framed as a fascist. Although often anti-American in the past, the very notion that the AfD now has a personal connection to the new US administration led its MEP Marc Jongen to propose the motion that the party was committed to improving relations with the USA, whose new administration heralds the end of climate ideology and wokeness. Jorgen said this clause, which was accepted by the majority of delegates, was effectively a thank you to Musk without naming his name, and acknowledged the sea change going on in the US, from which the AfD and Germany is profiting. Meanwhile in Bonn, the BSW, which was established only a year ago by the former communist politician Sahra Wagenknecht and made swift gains in European parliamentary and state elections, laid out its plans in a 39-page paper entitled: Our Country Deserves Better. Among its proposals are reported to be a complete withdrawal of US troops and long-range weapons from German soil, and a refusal to allow Ukraine to enter the EU. The leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance under Friedrich Merz, who has long since been expected to become Germanys next chancellor, came together in Hamburg at the weekend to consult over its election strategy after its drop in the polls. The alliance is proposing its Agenda 2030 to improve Germanys economic standing, under the slogan: mehr fordern, weniger fordern (demand more, offer less financial support), as it pushes for a slimming-down of the welfare state including more relief for those in work and less support for unemployed or low-paid people. It also plans to put more stress on domestic security. Moira Salmond has called for an end to SNP attacks on her late husband - Jeff Mitchell/PA Alex Salmonds widow has claimed senior SNP politicians are determined to damage her late husbands legacy by accusing him of bullying staffers. Moira Salmond, who married the former first minister in 1981, called for an end to deeply unfair attacks that she said were causing hurt and pain to Mr Salmonds grieving loved ones. At the weekend, Nicola Sturgeon claimed Mr Salmond could be really rough on people and that she had to step in many times to stop him. Ms Sturgeons account was backed on Sunday by John Swinney, who said Mr Salmond could be quite brisk with people and that sometimes we all had to say look, thats not on. The current First Minister added: Thats the way it was. In October last year Mr Salmond died suddenly of a heart attack in North Macedonia at the age of 69. A memorial service was held in Edinburgh six weeks ago. Alex and Moira Salmond during a reception in Edinburgh in 2009 - David Cheskin/PA In a rare public statement, Ms Salmond, 87, said she is still grieving for her husband and that the recent attacks on him come from people who seem determined to damage his reputation even in death. She added: It is difficult for us to understand what motivates those interventions, especially when such comments are made in the knowledge that Alex cannot defend himself as he would certainly have done. Those attacking him must know that the law does not allow us, his family, to protect his reputation from being defamed now that he is gone. Under UK law, it is not possible to defame the dead, though allegations about Mr Salmond bullying more junior figures also surfaced while he was alive. Ms Salmonds statement added: Attacks by the living on the dead will seem to many as deeply unfair. My wish, and sincere hope, is that these attacks will now stop. I am therefore asking those involved to recognise that all they are doing is causing hurt and pain to his family. From this point on, please let Alex rest in peace. A service was held at St Giles Cathedral on Nov 30 to remember the life of Mr Salmond, with 500 guests attending, including many significant figures from Scottish and UK politics. Lord Sedwill wants the UK to follow a robust approach towards Iran - Getty Images/Jim Watson Britain must align itself with Donald Trump to try and force regime change on Iran, a former UK national security adviser has said. Lord Sedwill, who served during the first Trump administration, said the UK should join the president-elect in his maximum pressure strategy towards Tehran. The ex-adviser and former cabinet secretary has backed a report that urges the Government to pursue a robust approach to exploit the regimes weakness. The Policy Exchange report said: Maximum pressure is not merely about containment; it is about creating the conditions for meaningful change within Iran. By maintaining sustained economic, political, and diplomatic pressure, the UK will be a key player in the creation of conditions which force a radical change in regime behaviour, or a reckoning. Lord Sedwill has backed a report arguing for the Government to exploit the Iran regimes weakness - Getty Images/Leon Neal There has been a growing wave of protests against the regime in Tehran, with widespread unrest across Iran as a result of fuel prices, the rights of minorities, and corruption. Mr Trump pursued a maximum pressure approach to Iran during his first administration, abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal that Tehran signed with global powers and imposing punitive sanctions on the country. The Tories took a tougher stance on Iran than France and Germany, but followed the lead of Joe Bidens administration when the White House was seen to soften its approach. Mr Biden sought to try and revive diplomatic negotiations with Tehran to resurrect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to end Irans nuclear programme. A deal was reportedly nearly concluded in the summer of 2022, but formal talks later stalled. There were indirect talks between the two countries in Oman in 2023, and the exchange of detainees. The US said it did not support Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran in retaliation against Iranian missile attacks on Israel. Opportunity for the UK to lead Mr Trump, however, is reportedly considering air strikes on Irans nuclear facilities when he returns to the White House later this month, according to the Wall Street Journal. Lord Sedwill said in the report: The vicious factional struggle for the succession to the ailing Ayatollah Khamenei could entrench the ambitions of the hardest of hardliners, and spill across Irans borders and into their nuclear programme. Meanwhile, the incoming US administrations determination to resume the policy of maximum pressure presents their allies with a dilemma: align or seek an alternative. He added: It is not for the West, let alone the UK, to determine who rules Iran. That is for the Iranian people. But we can make clear that the right choice will bring benefits just as the wrong one will bring more of the same. We know that, whenever given even the barest of choices, the Iranian people choose the most progressive [or least regressive] candidate available. Their tolerance of the regimes excesses is wearing thin. While aligning with Trump IIs maximum pressure against this regime, the UK should also insist that a successor, willing to liberalise at home and behave responsibly abroad, can earn a respectable place in the international community. From crisis emerges opportunity. It is an opportunity for the UK to lead. Jake Sullivan, the White Houses national security adviser, said that he briefed Mr Trump last month about the risk of Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons. He also said that given Irans weakened state, Mr Trump could also persuade Tehran to commit to dismantling its nuclear capacity. Jake Sullivan, the White Houses national security adviser, briefed the president-elect on the possibility of Iran getting nuclear weapons - Reuters/Annabelle Gordon Regarding the possibility of air strikes on the countrys nuclear facilities, the president-elect has told Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, that he is concerned about Iran achieving nuclear capability, The Wall Street Journal reported. Marco Rubio, the president-elects pick to be the next secretary of state, said in October that there should be the reimposition of a maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Elise Stefanik, the prospective next US ambassador to the United Nations, said in November that the country was ready for a return to President Trumps maximum pressure campaign against Iran. She wrote on X: For too long, our enemies have been emboldened by the weakness of the Biden-Harris Administration. With President Trump in charge, Peace through Strength is back. According to the Policy Exchange report, sanctions targeting Irans oil exports saw them cut from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2018 to around 300,000 by 2020. The measures also saw the regimes access to global financial systems limited, which saw the Iranian currency undergo substantial devaluation, according to the report. Ambulances queued outside a London hospital in January. One crew recently had to wait eight hours to hand over a patient, a paramedic said. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer Paramedics in England are unable to respond to 100,000 urgent 999 calls every month because they are stuck outside hospitals waiting to hand over patients, endangering thousands of lives, the Guardian can reveal. As the crisis engulfing the NHS intensified this weekend, figures showed ambulance crews are tied up at A&E for so long that on more than 3,500 occasions each day they are unable to respond to a 999 plea for help. In total, there were 1,313,218 lost job cycles in the past year as a direct result of ambulance handover delays, an analysis of NHS data by the Guardian and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) found. Doctors said the figures were jaw-dropping and called on ministers to take immediate action to tackle the handover delays. Patient groups said it was incredibly frightening that paramedics were unable to respond to thousands of emergency calls because they were stuck in queues outside hospitals. The revelations follow a Guardian investigation that exposed how more than 1,000 patients a day were experiencing potential harm while left in the back of ambulances outside hospitals. In total, ambulances spent 1,641,522 hours waiting outside A&E to hand over patients in the year to November 2024. Anna Parry, the managing director of AACE, which represents the bosses of Englands 10 regional NHS ambulance services, said the data showed how vital it was that handover delays were reduced. Lost job cycles have a profound impact on the resources available to local ambulance services, she added, with the most detrimental impact on 999 patients with life-threatening conditions who need us most. Patients who have suffered heart attacks and strokes are having to wait far too long for emergency care, and vulnerable older people are in some cases spending all night on the floor at home after falling. The crisis is being caused by soaring demand for emergency care, staff shortages and a lack of social care beds that means packed hospitals cannot discharge patients who are fit to leave so struggle to admit patients waiting in ambulances outside. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: This inevitably has a knock-on effect where ambulance staff caring for patients at the hospital cannot go out to the next call. This desperate situation becomes all the more pressing as the NHS grapples with the huge challenges it faces this winter. Every minute that passes when someone has had a heart attack or stroke risked further harm and even death, she added. No patient and their family should have to endure dramatic delays, and its a tragedy to see this happening on such a large scale. Related: Nine hours and 52 minutes: did Dave Strachans ambulance wait cost him his life? National guidance says patients arriving at an emergency department by ambulance must be handed over to the care of A&E staff within 15 minutes. However, the target is persistently missed, the Guardian investigation found. A total of 42.2% of patients arriving at hospitals in England last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E teams the highest figure so far this winter. In the past fortnight, one crew had to wait eight hours outside a hospital to hand over a patient before they could leave for another 999 call, a paramedic told the Guardian. Helga Pile, head of health at Unison, the UKs largest health union, said a failure by ministers to invest properly in the NHS for years had left staff exhausted and frustrated they cant do more. Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the number of 999 calls that crews could not respond to because they were tied up at hospitals, as revealed by the data analysis, was jaw-dropping. It is demoralising for my staff that we seem to have gone backwards compared to where we were last year, Boyle added. After Wiltshire resident Jayne Bolton, 63, was admitted to hospital last year with volvulus, a serious condition where the bowel twists and cuts off the blood supply to the organ, she was told to call 999 immediately if she experienced symptoms again. Vomiting and experiencing severe pain again in September, Bolton called 999 but was told no ambulances were available. She made it to A&E only when a neighbour agreed to drive her, and then spent almost a week in hospital. They need to get the hierarchy on to the frontlines to see what is really going on, she said. Louise Ansari, the chief executive at Healthwatch England, a patient group that was contacted by Bolton, said ambulance handover delays were becoming the norm. Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of Stroke Association, said that even patients who had suffered strokes were being left desperately waiting for an ambulance while crews were parked up outside hospitals due to significant handover delays. The situation was unacceptable, she added. Not only is this incredibly frightening for patients and their families but it also endangers their lives and chances of recovery we cannot abandon people with suspected stroke like this. NHS England said handover delays had improved before winter, but accepted there was clearly much more still to do to reduce unacceptably long waits for patients in some parts of the country. It was prioritising the sickest patients, a spokesperson added. The Department of Health and Social Care said its plans to rebuild the NHS would enable ambulances to arrive on time again, but did not specify any new measures for emergency care. A spokesperson added that previously announced social care reforms and a pledge to recruit 1,000 extra GPs would help ease pressures on ambulance services. However, Rachel Power, the chief executive of the Patients Association, said solutions to end the emergency care crisis were needed immediately to ensure patients can receive the care they need without unnecessary delays. The Guardian investigation clearly exposed how persistent handover delays were preventing crews from picking up thousands of 999 calls and continuing to put patients lives at risk, she added. Every minute counts when it comes to emergency care, and the longer patients are left without help, the greater the risk of harm. The government cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer. Allegations over Siddiqs connection to the ousted regime in Bangladesh are under the spotlight - Victoria Jones/PA Archive How would Sir Keir Starmer have reacted in opposition, had a Conservative government appointed as its anti-graft minister someone whose ties to a corrupt and brutal overseas regime were subject to intense scrutiny? Presumably, with righteous indignation. Why, then, did the Prime Minister appear to be so unperturbed by the allegations swirling around his City and anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq, and her familial and financial links to the overthrown Bangladeshi government formerly led by her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, prior to her decision to resign as a minister late on Tuesday? Hasina ruled the south-Asian nation with an iron first for two decades before fleeing to India in August of last year in the wake of mass protests that led to her regimes collapse. She stands accused by critics and rights groups of overseeing a litany of crimes against humanity including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings as well as rampant corruption in the poor, Muslim-majority nation of 170 million. Thousands of miles away, in Westminster, the toxicity of Hasinas deposed government has now accounted for Siddiq too, with scrutiny of her alleged involvement with her aunts administration prompting her decision to abandon front-bench duties. The Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgates resignation came after she referred herself last week to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Governments adviser on ministerial standards, over allegations surrounding her links to a number of London properties reportedly tied to Hasinas Awami League party. Reports have suggested a figure associated with the party gifted Siddiq a flat in central London, and that her current address, a 2.1 million family home in East Finchley, is owned by a member of its UK wing. Sir Laurie, for his part, concluded that he did not believe Siddiq had breached the Ministerial Code, but added she should consider her ongoing responsibilities in light of the controversy. The referral came as Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigates Siddiq, Hasina and other members of their family for alleged embezzlement of billions of pounds connected to a Russian-funded nuclear power plant. The probe is based on a series of allegations made by a senior political opponent of Hasinas. It was revealed last week that Bangladeshi banks had been ordered by local authorities to provide transaction records for Siddiq, her mother, Sheikh Rehana, two siblings and Hasina, among others, amid concerns over their financial dealings. Sadiq with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former prime minster of Bangladesh The Labour MP has denied any wrongdoing, having always insisted she had little to do with political events in Dhaka. In her resignation letter, Siddiq said her family connections are a matter of public record, adding: When I became a minister I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the Government. She insisted she had acted with full transparency and recused herself from matters relating to Bangladesh during her time in Government. But a deeper look at the case poses many questions that have yet to be answered about her links to Bangladesh. Hasina, whose removal as prime minister ended one of South Asias foremost political dynasties, first came to power in 1996 as the head of the Awami League, the political party founded by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her first stint in office saw Hasina broker a peace deal with insurgents in south-eastern Bangladesh and a historic water-sharing deal with neighbouring India. But she was cast aside by voters five years later amid allegations of corrupt business deals and of being overly subservient to New Delhi when her former political ally and the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, won the premiership in a 2001 election. After an eight-year stint in opposition, during which Hasina endured several assassination attempts and was arrested numerous times, she returned as prime minister in 2009. The same year, her niece, Siddiq, was busy building her own political career and seeking election as a Labour councillor in London. According to a now-deleted section of the Labour MPs website, she also worked for the Awami League, as part of its UK and EU lobbying unit and election strategy team. In February 2009, Siddiq appeared on the BBC World news channel as a spokesperson for her aunts party. Her entrenched family ties to the Awami League hierarchy are obvious. In addition to the connection that runs through Hasina, Siddiqs uncle, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and her cousin, Sajeeb Wazed, were senior advisers to the former Bangladeshi regime. Her brother, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, was also a key propagandist for Hasinas government, and a businessman in Dhaka. Siddiq might be forgiven for associating closely with an administration that had, at its outset, promised a fresh start for Bangladesh after decades of financial malaise and violence. Certainly, Hasinas supporters credited her with boosting Bangladeshs economy, and initiating a series of key infrastructure projects. But the governments authoritarian nature was soon apparent, and critics say Hasinas rule was underlined by a ruthless determination to cling on to power which led to repression of political opponents and the media. By 2013, Human Rights Watch was warning that Hasinas administration was already engaged in a harsh crackdown on members of civil society and the media. A year later, opposition parties boycotted an election against a backdrop of worsening political violence. Hasinas government had rejected calls to give way to an impartial, caretaker administration ahead of the vote, as had been customary in the country for almost two decades, as part of efforts to guard against manipulation. By December 2015, the then-Bangladeshi leader was described in a House of Commons report as playing fast and loose with democracy. Against this backdrop, Siddiqs association with her aunt and the political party she led continued. In 2013, the pair posed for a photograph alongside Russian president Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Moscow. The meeting saw Putin agree to bankroll the 10 billion Rooppur nuclear plant on the bank of the river Padma, about 100 miles northwest of Dhaka. The Anti-Corruption Commission alleges Siddiq brokered the deal and helped her family embezzle some 3.9 billion pounds from the project claims the Labour MP denies. Tulip Siddiq, left, with her aunt Sheikh Hasina, third left, and Vladimir Putin in Moscow in 2013 - AP Pool Two years later, in 2015, Siddiq appeared at an Awami League rally in the UK soon after entering Parliament as the Labour Party MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. Hasina also attended the rally, giving her niece a congratulatory kiss on the forehead. Had it not been for your help, I would never have been able to stand here as a British MP, Siddiq said in front of a cheering crowd. In 2017, Siddiqs connections with her aunt were again under intense scrutiny after she was involved in a controversial exchange with a Channel 4 News reporter over the fate of Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, a British-trained lawyer being detained in Dhaka. The son of an Islamist party leader in Bangladesh, Quasem had been held in solitary detention since 2016 and went on to suffer eight years of confinement and torture in Dhakas notorious House of Mirrors prison, so-called because inmates were never supposed to see any other person besides themselves. Siddiq had been a prominent campaigner for the release of the British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison in Iran and it was mooted in 2017 by journalist Alex Thomson that with one phone call to her aunt she could make a huge difference to Quasem. But the Labour MP immediately dismissed the suggestion that she might intervene to help him. Are you aware that I am a British MP and that Im born in London? she replied. Siddiq also told Thomson to be very careful, adding: Im not Bangladeshi and the person you are talking about, I have no idea about their case. That is the end of my statement. Soon after Channel 4s questioning and hours before the encounter was eventually broadcast on December 13 of that year Dhaka police raided Quasems family home, telling his wife to remain low and end media coverage of his case. Siddiq, for her part, complained to the police following her exchange with Thomson, alleging she had been the victim of a racially aggravated assault. She was later forced to issue an apology to Daisy Ayliffe, a producer who was working alongside Thomson for Channel 4 News and who was pregnant at the time of the exchange, for making threatening comments relating to childbirth at the end of the interview. Channel 4 News Quasem, who is currently having long-term medical treatment outside of Bangladesh, dismisses Siddiqs assertions that her links to Hasinas government are insignificant. He also accuses her of having repeatedly failed to speak out against the alleged human rights abuses committed by her aunts regime. [Siddiq] is actively involved with Bangladesh society, he says. She made numerous trips to Bangladesh, after she became an MP. She made media appearances, for instance, gave television and newspaper interviews about her experience after coming to Bangladesh, and she made clear that she derived her motivation from her aunt. If she says shes unaware of all the terrible things that were happening, thats absolutely not credible in any way. She had a duty to Bangladeshi society that she failed to discharge. And if Britain continues to have her as a minister, it will be greatly detrimental to the image of its government and society [abroad]. And what of the more recent suggestions of controversy dogging Siddiq? In particular, in relation to financial dealings involving properties connected to the Labour MP. Earlier this month, it emerged that she had been given a two-bedroom flat near Kings Cross in 2004, according to previously unreported Land Registry filings. The filings indicate the apartment had been donated to Siddiq by Abdul Motalif, a developer with links to the Awami League. The Mail on Sunday reported that Siddiq had previously told its reporters, in 2022, that the property had been bought by her parents and given to her as a gift, prompting accusations she had misled journalists. Another property, in Hampstead, was reportedly lived in by Siddiq after it had been purchased by Moin Ghani, a lawyer who represented Hasinas government, and transferred to Siddiqs sister. And Siddiq is also reported to be currently renting a 2.1m home in East Finchley owned by Abdul Karim, an executive member of the UK branch of the Awami League. The Labour MP had repeatedly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing as speculation over her conduct built of late. In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my familys links to the former government of Bangladesh, she wrote in her letter this week to Sir Laurie. I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. Her resignation would appear to settle the issue of her immediate political future. But serious questions remain over Siddiqs links to the former Bangladesh regime and her apparent unwillingness to criticise its appalling crimes, and of Sir Keirs decision to stick by his minister prior to her decision to quit. Siddiq is reportedly good friends with the Labour leader, and their families have reportedly holidayed together. Above, with Sir Keir and his wife, Victoria A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters last week that he had full confidence in Siddiq, adding she had acted entirely properly by referring herself for investigation. On Tuesday, Sir Keir said he accepted her resignation with sadness. I wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as independent advisor has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part, he added in a letter sent to his former minister. I appreciate that to end ongoing distraction from delivering our agenda to change Britain, you have made a difficult decision and want to be clear that the door remains open for you going forward. Siddiq, whose constituency borders that of the Labour leaders, is said to be one of just a handful of MPs whom the Prime Minister counts as a personal friend. Speaking alongside Siddiq while on the campaign trail for local elections in 2018, Sir Keir described her as my good friend and colleague. Two years later, when he was elected as leader of the Labour Party, Siddiq revelled in his victory, telling reporters he had been a good friend through thick and thin. The pairs families are said to have spent time in each others company, and it has been reported that they have been on holiday together. The Prime Minister wanted his government to clean up politics. But Siddiqs torturous departure after days of mounting questions may mean a degree of reputational damage for the Labour Government from which it could prove hard to recover. The Telegraph contacted the Labour Party and Tulip Siddiqs office for comment. A 4th-century funerary mosaic with Latin text. Photograph: DEA/G Dagli Orti/De Agostini/Getty We are representatives of university departments offering classical studies and of learned societies concerned with classics nationally and internationally, and we speak for many more colleagues across the UK who have encouraged us to write. We appeal to the education secretary to reconsider her decision to terminate funding for the Latin excellence programme (Letters, 31 December). We share the governments desire to see equality of opportunity at the heart of educational provision, but believe that the Latin excellence programme has been successfully meeting exactly that challenge. Children at 40 non-selective state schools, the majority located in areas of economic deprivation, are now covered by the scheme, and more than a third of its by now over 5,000 pupils are eligible for free school meals a remarkable uptake that indicates how exceptionally well the programme has been run. What these children have found in Latin is a subject that both challenges and inspires them, teaching them another language but also revealing to them the roots of English words and exposing them to some fascinating history, archaeology and art. We are convinced that Latin has a valuable role to play as part of the broad educational curriculum that the government rightly prizes, equipping children for the future by stimulating their interest and imagination while giving them the intellectual confidence that comes from getting to grips with an ancient language. We are especially saddened at the decision to end funding of the programme mid-year. We express our hope that consideration be given to children at key stage 4 who are working toward GCSE, and that, at the very least, the programme may be allowed to continue until the end of this academic year. Prof Catharine Edwards Birkbeck, University of London, Prof Roy Gibson Durham University and the Roman Society, Prof Katherine Harloe Institute of Classical Studies, Prof Llewelyn Morgan University of Oxford, Prof Laurence Totelin Cardiff University and the Womens Classical Committee, Prof Phiroze Vasunia University College London Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Girl sleeping, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, 2002. Photograph: Henry Roy/Courtesy of Loose Joints Henry Roys book, Impossible Island, a survey of 40 years of his photography, is threaded with images of sleepers and dreamers in different corners of the world Thailand, Tunisia, his adoptive France, his native Haiti. Roy took this picture of a girl making an impromptu cradle of a wheelbarrow in Congo-Brazzaville in 2002. Like all of his most evocative photographs, it asks several questions of the viewer but the overriding one seems to be: how sleepy do you have to be to take a nap here? Related: Dream states: the Lynchian imagery of Henry Roy in pictures Roys photos often work this way: they create little mythologies that seem to take their subjects outside their particular time and place. As he noted of his practice in his 2017 book Superstition, what he is always restless for are images that murmur the secret language of a world free from what contaminates us. Here, the vibrant Sunday-best floral prints of the girl, the precision of her hair, seem to elevate her above the clay and dust of her surroundings. It comes as no surprise, looking at Roys pictures, that they have been cited as primary inspirations by cinematographers and film-makers, notably Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins, who has suggested that he was inspired to create some of the visual sensuality of Moonlight by looking at Roys work. The photographer moved from Haiti to France as a boy, but he feels he is expressing some of the legacy of his homeland, including voodoo traditions, in his way of seeing. My relationship to the invisible, and to the world of the dead, imposed itself very early on in my artistic practice, he said in one interview. I am in search of the secrets hidden in colours and shapes. It is a real obsession. When I take a photo, I sometimes feel that each particle of matter contains the whole. Colour is a vehicle of incomparable power. Eric Gomez says the new Chinese barges could put a lot of stress on Taiwans defensive ability - Ritchie B Tongo/Shutterstock China is reportedly constructing D-Day style barges which could be used in an invasion of Taiwan. At least three of the new craft have been observed at Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China, according to Naval News. Experts told The Telegraph that the barges, which seemingly draw inspiration from the Mulberry Harbours built for the Normandy landings in 1944, could prove critical in an amphibious invasion of Taiwan. The vessels reportedly feature a bridge which could be used to transport tanks and supplies across unpassable ground onto the island of Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory. Currently, Taiwanese forces have been operating under the assumption that an attack by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) would have to take place at a handful of strongly defended ports. By allowing Chinas forces to bypass rocky or soft beaches unsuitable for heavy vehicles like tanks, the barges would provide multiple fronts for an invasion while thinning out Taiwanese defences. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory even though it has been effectively independent since 1949, and regularly threatens it with incursions by warships and fighter jets which stop short of a direct confrontation. At least three of the new craft have been observed at Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China, according to Naval News - VCG/Visual China Group Xi Jinping, the leader of China, said in his New Years message two weeks ago that reunification with Taiwan was inevitable. The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification, he said on CCTV, Chinas state broadcaster. It was reported this month that Taiwans military is considering recruiting foreign fighters to address a troop shortage amid growing pressure from the PLA. Meanwhile Donald Trump has appointed a number of hawkish foreign policy advisers to his transition team. However, he has pledged not to allow the US to become involved in foreign wars. If these barges have these long roadway bridging systems on them that can go over the beaches to firmer land further back, that creates a new and interesting problem, said Eric Gomez, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, an international security think tank. The areas that the Taiwanese military would be expected to defend suddenly become much more numerous. It could put a lot of stress on their defensive ability. However, he said the barges would be vulnerable to anti-ship missiles and might not be something that youd want to bring to a landing site that is actively contested because it would be a sitting duck. Experts say Chinas new barges draw inspiration from the Mulberry Harbours built for the 1944 Normandy landings - Leonard McCombe/Picture Post Mark F. Cancian, of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said China would have to establish air superiority and maritime dominance before deploying the barges because they would be destroyed by missiles and artillery. He added that China was replicating the D-Day Mulberry Harbours, which transported thousands of tons of vehicles and supplies to the shore every day. Each of the Chinese barges reportedly features a 120-metre bridge that would allow tanks and other vehicles to reach a coastal road or hard surface beyond the beach. Some are said to use pillars which can be lowered to provide a stable platform during poor weather, along with open platforms for other ships to dock and unload. Taiwans military is considering recruiting foreign fighters amid growing pressure from the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army - Ritchie B Tongo/Shutterstock Prof Lyle Goldstein, of Brown Universitys Watson Institute, said there was clear evidence that China had studied Mulberries and other facets of Normandy with considerable care. He estimated that China would likely need at least two dozen barges to reliably bring significant quantities of armour and supplies ashore because many would be destroyed by a Taiwanese counterattack. Such numbers are well within Chinese capabilities given their huge shipbuilding capacity, Prof Goldstein noted. Across England, more than 54,000 patients waited for more than 12 hours on trolleys to be admitted to a ward last month - Liam Thorp/Liverpool ECHO Nurses dedicated to corridor care are being recruited by an NHS hospital to help ease its A&E crisis. The Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, published multiple adverts last week calling for nurses to pick up bank shifts treating patients who are awaiting ward admission on trolleys in emergency departments. The postings described the job as corridor care or said they were looking for a corridor RN a registered nurse who could work at a band-5 level, which has a base salary of just under 30,000 pro rata. Professor Nicola Ranger, head of the Royal College of Nursing, told The Sunday Times: Recruiting tired nurses to do extra shifts solely in corridors is desperate. It shows just how normalised this practice has become. What was once an extraordinary escalation measure is now commonplace across our NHS. There is no scenario in which it constitutes good or safe care. It is an affront to patient safety and dignity and we should not be standing for it. Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the practice of caring for patients in corridors was a sign of the total acceptance of failure by the NHS. You cannot provide high-quality, dignified, patient-centred care to people in corridors, he told The Times. The sooner we acknowledge it and say this is completely unacceptable the better. Whittington Hospital saw 9,300 patients in its A&E last month, with more than 3,000 waiting longer than four hours to be seen - Yui Mok/PA The recruitment drive comes as reports emerge of Trusts installing power sockets and oxygen lines in corridor walls to brace for influxes of patients on trolleys awaiting beds. Whittington Hospital saw 9,300 patients in its A&E last month, with more than 3,000 waiting longer than four hours to be seen. Another 380 spent at least 12 hours waiting on a trolley after the decision was taken to admit them to hospital. Across England, more than 54,000 patients waited for more than 12 hours on trolleys to be admitted to a ward, the third-highest month on record, while ambulance delays outside of hospitals were at record highs as some 20,000 waited for longer than an hour to hand over patients to hospital staff. Some medics have praised the hospitals decision to bring in staff dedicated to those waiting in corridors to keep patients safe. But the Royal College of Nursing, with support from the British Medical Association, the Patients Association, Age UK and the Royal College of Physicians, has written to Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and called on him to act now. The letter said the practice was a year-round scourge in our hospitals. We are clear that treating patients in corridors, on chairs and other inappropriate spaces is in no way acceptable and must end, it read. They called on Mr Streeting and the NHS to publish transparent data on the number of people receiving corridor care. NHS England has said it will begin to do this in its weekly situation reports starting at the end of this month. Unprecedented demand for services Last week, Streeting acknowledged that despite the best efforts of staff, patients are still receiving unacceptable standards of care. The warning comes as at least a dozen hospitals publicly declared critical incidents in the past seven days as a result of increased pressure on their services, in large part driven by flu. This then allowed these hospitals to redirect resources to emergency departments to uphold patient safety. Among them is the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where patients have faced A&E waits lasting multiple days. A spokesman for Whittington Health NHS Trust said it had been experiencing very significant pressure and corridor care was an absolute last resort. We are grateful to all of our hard-working staff for their commitment during this period of extraordinary pressure, and we apologise to any patient whose care has not met our usual high standards due to the exceptional level of demand. An NHS England spokesman said: The NHS is facing unprecedented demand for services, but we remain clear that caring for patients in temporary spaces is not acceptable and should never be considered as standard. All NHS trusts will begin to report a count of the number of patients who receive care within temporary escalation spaces via a new metric in NHS Englands situation reports from Jan 25. File image of a woman sitting alone Domestic violence refuges may be forced to shut their doors as a result of Rachel Reevess Budget tax raid, a leading charity has warned. Womens Aid said the rise in employers National Insurance (NI) contributions meant life-saving services could be axed, putting children at heightened risk of abuse. The warning comes amid anger over Labours response to the grooming scandal, many victims of which have been supported by charity services. In a briefing note to MPs, Womens Aid said the Chancellors tax rises would wipe out up to 100 per cent of the money they received from Gift Aid. The charity said: The recent autumn Budget delivered a major blow to an already chronically under-funded specialist domestic abuse sector which is experiencing increased demand. The lack of new investment in the specialist domestic abuse sector in the autumn Budget, coupled with the minimum wage rise and the increase in employers contributions for National Insurance, puts them further at risk of needing to make redundancies and closing their life-saving services putting local women and children at risk. Devastating impact on victims Womens Aid, an umbrella organisation representing more than 175 charities that tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), said the rise in NI would cost its members upwards of 8,000 a year for the smallest organisations and up to 187,000 for the largest. It said Ms Reeves should address these concerns by ordering an exemption for groups providing specialist VAWG services. Joe Robertson, the Tory MP for Isle of Wight East, warned that the punitive tax hike would have a devastating impact on victims. He said: The growing discussions around a potential inquiry into the Governments handling of grooming gangs across the UK have rightly renewed focus on reducing violence against women and girls and improving overall outcomes. By increasing NI contributions, Labour is imposing crippling costs on womens charities like Refuge, Womens Aid, and Rape Crisis costs that, in many cases, will almost entirely offset the support they receive through Gift Aid. This will force these vital organisations to scale back the critical services they provide, which is often the only support available to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The MP, who led a recent Commons debate about the impact of the NI raid on charities, added: Labour campaigned on a manifesto that promised to tackle violence against women and girls, but without the indispensable work of these charities, achieving that goal will become far more difficult, potentially causing more women to be at risk of harm. Sarah Dyke, a Liberal Democrat MP, said one centre in her Somerset constituency which provides services to domestic abuse survivors was facing a 40,000 increase in its wage bill. She told the Commons: Theyll have to cancel any pay increase and theyll have to operate at a reduced capacity from April. The Government must rethink the changes. Sorcha Eastwood, the Alliance Party MP for Lagan Valley in Northern Ireland, also urged the Chancellor to reconsider. She said: If the Government are serious about tackling the issue of violence against women and girls, surely this increase flies in the face of everything were trying to achieve. So far 16 people have died with that figure expected to rise as cadaver dogs continue to dig through the wrecked neighbourhoods To some, the LA wildfires that devoured thousands of homes were down to a perfect storm of hurricane winds, drought and over-development. To others, it was the fault of gay firefighters. All of them are lesbians named Kristin, one conservative provocateur close to Donald Trump said, reeling off a string of officials including Kristina Crowley, the fire chief who has spent decades fighting fires across the region. Furious residents are rightly raising questions about how parts of their city turned to cinders in a matter of hours. And there is no shortage of answers. The hunt for blame has quickly turned into a Democrat vs Republican, Left vs Right row taking in everything from smelt fish to woke diversity policies. Several figures from the president-elects orbit have claimed that the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was more focused on inclusion schemes instead of their basic task of tackling the blazes. DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] means people DIE, Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire and Trump ally, wrote on his social media platform X. They prioritised DEI over saving lives and homes, he added in a later post. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have both waded into the debate about the wildfires, with the latter claiming authorities prioritised diversity over saving lives - AP/Brandon Bell To date, at least 24 people have been killed a number that is expected to rise as people remain missing and cadaver dogs continue to dig through the wrecked neighbourhoods. Ms Crowleys biography on the LAFD website notes her commitment to promoting a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and equity, which has provided fodder to her critics. At the same time, there is no evidence that she is an unqualified diversity hire. The same biography notes that she has served for 22 years in the fire department, including as a firefighter, paramedic and engineer. Ms Crowley also appears to have been one of the few figures who raised alarms about the impact that city budget cuts would have on her teams ability to tackle wildfires. The wildfires are the most destructive in LAs history, leaving entire neighbourhoods, such as Pacific Palisades, in ruin - Reuters/David Ryder Gavin Newsom, the California governor, who is eyeing a future White House run, has also been criticised over his response. He claims misinformation has become so bad that he has set up a fact-checking website to give the public access to fact-based data. Mr Trump, just days before he returns to the White House, has emerged as one of Mr Newsoms arch-critics since the fires broke out on Tuesday. One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. Its ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault, the president-elect claimed this week. In an intervention that has seemingly baffled the governor, he accused Mr Newsom of allowing the fires to rage unchecked to protect an endangered species of fish. In Mr Trumps telling, the Democrat diverted water from the northern part of the state because he wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water [it didnt work!] Gavin Newsom, the California governor, has been strongly criticised by Donald Trump, the president-elect - AP/Jeff Gritchen When firefighters attempted to beat back the blazes ravaging neighbourhoods this week, there were multiple reports of fire hydrants running dry. But while Mr Newsom has previously opposed efforts to redirect more water to southern California, experts and authorities have downplayed claims that the policy had left LA to the mercy of the flames. They say that the speed with which the fires spread through the city, gutting hundreds of homes simultaneously, meant the municipal system could not pump water rapidly enough to meet the needs of firefighters. Peter Kay, 40, who works in real estate, described the governor as an incompetent and echoed Mr Trumps claims about him prioritising a fish over LA residents. Mr Kay told The Telegraph: Hes a narcissist. He just makes a horrible, horrible, horrible governor. He has not done anything good for any Californians. Denis Mahgerefter, 46, a business owner from the same Woodland Hills neighbourhood, asked: Is a human life more important or [that of a] fish? Mr Newsom, in turn, has accused the president-elect of threatening to withhold aid from emergency workers in California unless they do his bidding. In a podcast episode released on Saturday, he criticised the culture of finger-pointing that has emerged in the wake of the most destructive fires in LAs history before pointing the finger at nameless officials. He claimed he was getting different answers from local leaders about the situation on the ground as wildfires tore through the region, adding: When you start getting different answers, then Im not getting the actual story. The authorities say the speed with which the fires spread through the city meant the municipal system could not pump water quickly enough - AP/John Locher The individual who has borne the brunt of public anger over LAs response to the wildfires, however, is Karen Bass, the LA mayor. Ms Crowley, her fire chief, told a reporter on Friday Ms Bass had let the fire department down by cutting its budget as tensions between the two women came out into the open. Ms Crowley claimed the LAFD had been screaming to be properly funded so that we can serve the community, arguing that its manpower should have been doubled and dozens of new fire stations needed to be built. In a December memo, she warned the mayors budget cut of $17.6 million severely limited the departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires. LAs haphazard response to the fires seems to bear out that warning. Firefighters have struggled to contain the flames as the wildfires brought death and destruction to LA - AFP/Josh Edelson Kristina Crowley, the LAFD chief, warned that the mayors budget cut of $17.6 million hurt the departments ability to combat large-scale emergencies, including wildfires - AP/Ethan Swope In a sign of the political dysfunction that has engulfed the citys leadership, Ms Bass summoned Ms Crowley to her office on Friday where the fire chief, according to the Daily Mail, assumed she would be sacked. A source close to the fire department told the newspaper that Ms Bass may have realised at the 11th hour that it would be suicide to sack the figure coordinating the wildfire response. The mayor and city authorities now look likely to face a class-action lawsuit from furious residents when the fires, already estimated to have caused some $150 billion worth of damage, finally die down. Shelley Sykes, whose son, a disabled former child star Rory Sykes, was killed in his home when she was unable to call the emergency services, has said she intends to take legal action. Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, has said he intends to sue the state of California for alleged negligence when his multi-million dollar home burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades wildfire. It seems unlikely that the wildfires will spur the revival of the Republican party in California, which has not elected a GOP governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. But the damage inflicted on senior Democrats, particularly Mr Newsom and Ms Bass, looks serious perhaps terminal. Mr Newsom, a second-term governor, cannot seek re-election in 2026 but the wildfires will tarnish his brand ahead of a possible presidential run in 2028. And while Ray Nagin, New Orleans mayor, won another stint in office in 2006 despite the devastation inflicted on the city by Hurricane Katrina, he was given a boost by the botched federal response. Ms Bass, more than anyone, has also found the finger of blame pointing squarely at her. For now, LA residents will be picking through their ruined homes, worrying about the fate of their friends and neighbours and filing insurance claims. But soon, their focus will shift towards finding out who exactly is to blame for the wildfires that tore through their lives. When the political circus moves on, they may finally get some answers. Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf, who were convicted of being grooming gang members. Both have been released from prison and live among their victims, despite attempts to deport them - Greater Manchester Police Whenever theres a story about Muslims breaking the law, a reader writes me an email with the sarcastic subject heading nothing to do with Islam. Ive become a bete-noire for a certain type: dhimmi Timmy who publicly insists that Islam isnt a problem either because Im wet, ignorant or trying to keep in with the establishment (who exactly?! Sadiq Khan?). As the centre-Right embraces the language of civilisational conflict and deportations catalysed by the grooming gang scandal I find myself defending a small island of cosmopolitan conservatism. Why do I do it? Because Im old-fashioned. I believe the state should leave religious citizens alone, even if they hate it, and though Id limit immigration to the tens of tens, I take the view that once youre here, youre part of the family. I might loathe Shamima Begum, for example, but the notion that because her parents are Bangladeshi we can revoke her citizenship is deeply troubling. Blood and soil stuff. Not very British. Begum is undeniably an example of how evil ideas or backward cultures can create the impetus for human beings to do bad things, but those who claim Islam justifies murder or rape risk putting themselves on common intellectual ground with terrorists and at odds with the millions of Muslims who abhor both. Where in the Koran does it order men to ply children with alcohol and drugs and sodomise them? I await the letters. If we are saying Islam is behind this, we also have the problem of France. There 51 men have been found guilty of raping an unconscious housewife: all ages and backgrounds. Unable to pin it on Muhammed, the defence latched on to their clients high sex drives and addiction to porn, as if they were victims of the opposite cultural context to that found in rural Pakistan. Discussing Rotherham on GB News, an ex-Labour MP told me that gang-rape was a potential consequence of Muslim sexual repression, much as Catholic celibacy fuelled paedophilia. Yet in France, we learn that rape is the fruit of libertarianism The sordid truth is that it is a human problem, that sexual assault has occurred at all times in all places. Emphasising Islamic theology removes a little agency from the rapists as if they had been brainwashed and distracts from the fallen state of man, his moral vulnerability. Though I agree that Western civilisation is generally good, I cannot shake off its responsibility for the Holocaust a culmination or deviation, I dont know or the fear that it might happen again, precisely because the influence of civilisational values is skin deep. The historian Christopher Browning, in his 1992 book Ordinary Men, documented the crimes of Reserve Police Battalion 101, which was invited not compelled at gunpoint to round up and kill Jews. Browning observed that a portion declined; a larger one reluctantly took part; a smaller group enjoyed it. These were not classic, indoctrinated Nazis. They were ordinary family men, few of whom immediately exhibited great anguish. Brownings point is that during and after the war, they almost uniformly suppressed any stress: but at their trials, some broke down, and one committed suicide because people found out what theyd done! Faith is about worship and submission, but also the exercise of a God-given conscience an ongoing effort to figure out what one is supposed to do. In this sense, the Christians of 101 and the Muslim rapists not only broke religious commandments but were never living authentically religious lives. Desire and conformity filled the gap where the conscience should have flourished. A healthy civilisation acknowledges the capacity of man to be evil and designs society to mitigate it, through education, art, laws or shame, and the worrying thing is that Britain seems to be giving up on this. It has no moral programme, no animating spirit. Muslims very much do and that is a reason to admire them. Muslim MPs spoke up against assisted suicide. Muslims have reacted with unity against the killing of Palestinians while millions of Jesus-fans turn a blind eye to the murder of Christians in Nigeria. The UK trundles along with superficial values that psychopaths can exploit, even deploying the race card to deter scrutiny. How pathetic to cry at this late stage weve been invaded! when weve opened the gates, torn down the protections and hollowed out the spiritual core of the country to the point where sexual abuse was considered a fact of life in major cities, including by white officials we laughingly call cultural Christians. Reading about the Oxford case, I discovered that the gang used to rape girls at a fleapit hotel called the Nanford. Twenty years ago, thats where I used to stay whenever I visited the university. I was shaken by the possibility that the other side of my bedroom wall, that was going on. Why did I lodge there? Because I was a poor student and it was cheap, and Oxford is a city of wealth and poverty so extreme that the meeting point between the two ie, a safe, affordable hotel has been priced out of the market. This is a metaphor for Britain. It is a country so divided, so lacking a healthy middle ground of cultural exchange, that we can live within inches of each other yet remain as strangers. Lets not open that gulf further by ostracising good Muslims. The First Minister insisted he would focus on issues of concern to people in Scotland in response to Nicola Sturgeons intervention - Jeff Mitchell/PA John Swinney has publicly split from Nicola Sturgeon by rejecting her warning not to abandon her Left-wing agenda. The First Minister insisted he would focus on issues of concern to people in Scotland in response to Ms Sturgeons intervention, in which she urged the SNP to be careful about a move away from the socially progressive platform she championed. Mr Swinney, who was seen as politically inseparable from Ms Sturgeon while serving as her deputy for more than eight years, also disputed her claim that Scottish independence is currently off the radar. Since taking office last May, Mr Swinney has moved the SNP away from the controversial trans rights agenda embraced by the former leader. He appointed Kate Forbes, who has said she agrees with JK Rowling on gender issues, as his deputy and shelved plans for a trans-inclusive Scottish ban on so-called conversion therapy, which threatened to become as controversial as Ms Sturgeons self-ID law. John Swinney was seen as politically inseparable from then first minister Nicola Sturgeon while serving as her deputy - Ken Jack/Getty Images Europe He has also pivoted from outright hostility to the oil and gas sector and ditched some environmental policies, such as a ban on wood burning stoves in new homes. Asked about Ms Sturgeons warning, which she gave in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Swinney said he would continue to pursue a mainstream agenda in a bid to secure a broad electoral coalition at the 2026 elections. Whats important to me is that Im focussed very directly on the issues of concern to people in Scotland, Mr Swinney told the BBCs Martin Geissler, who described Ms Sturgeons remarks about the direction of the party as barbed. He added: I want my party to be electorally successful. Now to do that, Ive got to have a broad electoral coalition behind me. What Im doing is broadening the electoral appeal of the SNP. The SNP always wins when its in the mainstream of Scottish public opinion. Thats been the consistent point through all of our history. Mr Swinney appointed Kate Forbes, who has said she agrees with JK Rowling on gender issues, as his deputy - Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images Europe Ms Sturgeons gender self-ID law, which was vetoed by the UK Government, was seen as costing the SNP support among the public, with opinion polls repeatedly showing the public did not support it. In her interview, Ms Sturgeon again refused to state whether she believed Isla Bryson, the transgender double-rapist previously known as Adam Graham, was a man or a woman and blamed scapegoating for the furore over her trans law. However, Mr Swinney has risked angering trans rights activists by stating he believes there are only two genders - male and female - and that it is not possible for men to become pregnant. His comments about men becoming pregnant, made in November, directly contradicted submissions his own governments lawyers were making at the Supreme Court while defending a legal challenge provoked by Ms Sturgeons legislation. Ms Sturgeon again refused to state whether she believed Isla Bryson, the transgender double-rapist, was a man or a woman - Andrew Milligan/PA In her interview, published at the weekend, Ms Sturgeon warned Mr Swinney not to abandon her agenda altogether, saying the SNP had repeatedly won elections under her leadership. She added: If you want to move [the party] away from that, be careful that you know what youre doing and why youre doing it and that youve thought through the electoral consequences. She added that independence was currently off the radar. Asked whether he agreed with Ms Sturgeon on independence, Mr Swinney said he did not. He raised the prospect of potentially seeking an agreement with the UK Government on a mechanism for triggering a new independence vote, rather than claiming, as Ms Sturgeon did, that a comprehensive SNP win in a national election would be enough. Weve now got a situation that in Northern Ireland, for example, there is an accepted means by which the constitutional status of Northern Ireland can be changed, Mr Swinney said. But theres not, apparently, the possibility of such an opportunity for a process and a route to exist for Scotland. Thats not good enough. What weve got to develop is the whole discussion about what a process looks like. The same failed policies In a separate interview with the Sunday Mail, Mr Swinney claimed he was still in regular contact with Ms Sturgeon, who remains an SNP MSP, and vowed to serve a full term as First Minister if the SNP wins the next election. Craig Hoy, the senior Scottish Tory MSP, accused Mr Swinney of peddling the same failed policies and continuing to push the SNPs divisive independence agenda. He added: Hes promising a new start but offering nothing but the same high-tax agenda, wasteful spending and Left-wing policies. A house burns as the Palisades Fire rages on at the Mandeville Canyon - REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton The threat of fires in LA is still very high with strong winds forecast and critical fire weather conditions to continue until Wednesday, the Los Angeles fire chief warned on Sunday. The National Weather Service has warned that strong Santa Ana winds, which had calmed somewhat over the weekend, could soon return, with stronger gusts of up to 70 mph. These winds have been largely blamed for turning wildfires into the infernos that have wreaked so much destruction. These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area, the NWS said. Six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across the second-largest US city since Tuesday had killed at least 16 people as of Sunday morning. At least 16 people are estimated to be missing. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expected the death toll to rise and said the fires are likely to be the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of just the costs associated with it. The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. 05:34 PM GMT The blog is now closed Thank you for following our live coverage. 05:18 PM GMT Threat of fire still very high The threat of fires in LA is still very high with strong winds forecast and critical fire weather conditions to continue until Wednesday, LA County fire chief Anthony Marrone has said at a press conference. Officials at the conference also said that: Three people have been found dead, and there are 16 missing persons reports within the jurisdiction of LA County. Twenty-nine people have been arrested, and those arrested are not believed to be from the local area and have zero business being there. More than 13,000 people have donated over $6m to the California Community Foundation to help wildfire relief efforts. The Hurst Fire is 89 per cent contained at 799 acres; the Palisades Fire is at 23,707 acres with 11 per cent containment; and the Eaton Fire is 27 per cent contained, covering 14,117 acres 05:01 PM GMT Unhealthy air warning likely to be extended Lindsey Horvath, a Los Angeles County supervisor, has said in a news conference that an unhealthy air warning would likely be extended through next week. She encouraged people to wear an N95 mask in smoky areas and advised people to limit outdoor activities in areas with visible smoke or the smell of it. On water safety, she reminded people that a Do Not Drink notice is in place for certain areas and advises avoiding beaches, as the water may be contaminated. 04:21 PM GMT 16 people missing The Los Angeles sheriff Robert Luna said that the sheriffs department currently has 16 missing persons reported, which includes12 in Eaton and four in Palisades. Mr Luna added that there were no juveniles listed within those numbers. 04:07 PM GMT Two men arrested outside Kamala Harriss evacuated LA home Two men were arrested outside Kamala Harriss home in Brentwood, a suburb of west Los Angeles now inside the evacuation zone as wildfires spread across the city. Police confirmed that they detained the men for breaking curfew violations early on Saturday after receiving a call reporting a potential burglary. The LAPD has since released the men, saying they found no evidence they were committing a crime. It is still unclear what the men were doing on the property or whether the incident would be further investigated. Areas of LA in the evacuation zones are under a strict 6pm to 6am to prevent people getting into the disaster zone. At least 20 people have been arrested for looting, including two people posed as firefighters. Brentwood has become a growing area of concern as the Palisades Fire - the most destructive in LAs history that broke out on Tuesday - began climbing inland over the mountains on Friday and Saturday. 03:21 PM GMT Dangerous and strong winds threaten to spread LA inferno US officials warned dangerous and strong winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas Sunday as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. Despite massive efforts, including precision sorties from aerial crews, the Palisades Fire continued to grow, spreading east towards the priceless collections of the Getty Center art museum and north to the densely populated San Fernando Valley. The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again, Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told CNN. The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous. A brief lull in the wind gave way to gusts that forecasters warned could reach up to 50 miles per hour early Sunday, and feed the blazes for days to come. The winds were due to weaken later Sunday before picking up again overnight, the National Weather Service said. 03:11 PM GMT In pictures A view shows the remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood - REUTERS/David Ryder Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire - AP Photo/Jae C. Hong A man walks past a fire-ravaged business after the Eaton Fire - AP Photo/Ethan Swope 03:02 PM GMT US military stands ready to respond to Los Angeles fires Active duty US military personnel stand ready to deploy to contain wildfires that have ripped through Los Angeles, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell said in an interview on ABCs This Week program. Criswell also said FEMA has the funding needed to support its response effort to the wildfires. 02:30 PM GMT LA fire closes in on key exit freeway The California wildfires are now creeping towards a busy key exit freeway, officials have warned, while wind gusts of up to 70 mph could inflame the inferno further on Sunday. The new Palisades flare-up is spreading east to Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood, inching closer to the Interstate 405 freeway and a busy mountain pass. The Palisades fire is also pushing towards the priceless collections of the Getty Centre art museum. LA Country spokesman Jesus Ruiz said the spread was a significant development and with the fire rapidly moving in the direction of a heavily populated area were definitely concerned. The Brentwood area is known for its multimillion-dollar houses, with the likes of Kamala Harris, LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger owning homes there. 01:50 PM GMT California governor launches new fire misinformation website California governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new website to counter what he has described as a lot of misinformation surrounding the states devastating wildfires. It came amid reports that funding for wildfire and forest resilience had been cut by more than $100 million in the preceding months accusations that Mr Newsom have deemed a ridiculous life. Writing on social media, Mr Newsom said California had not cut its firefighting budget, but in fact nearly doubled it since 2019. The number of firefighters also had increased by almost double, he said. California Governor Gavin Newsom surveys damage in during the Palisades Fire - Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP The launch of the new website, called californiafirefacts.com, also came as US president-elect Donald Trump sought to blame water-management decisions for the wildfires. In a social media post on Wednesday, Mr Trump said Mr Newsom, who is a Democrat, had refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to put out the fires. Mr Newsoms press office responded by saying that the water restoration declaration that Mr Trump had accused him of not signing did not exist. The governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need, the statement said. 01:14 PM GMT In pictures A plane makes a drop as smoke billows from the Palisades Fire at the Mandeville Canyon - REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Fire retardant covers a Jaguar car after being dropped from a firefighting aircraft - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Kevin Marshall sifts through his mothers fire-ravaged property in the the Palisades Fire - AP Photo/John Locher 01:00 PM GMT Looters dressed as firefighters arrested in LA At least 20 people have been arrested for looting evacuated homes in Los Angeles, including two people who posed as firefighters, a Los Angeles police captain has said. Looting is an issue, the number of arrests is continuously growing, Capt Mike Lorenz of the Los Angeles Police Department told a community meeting in the Palisades on Saturday evening. He added: We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses. 11:56 AM GMT Strong winds forecast The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has forecast strong Santa Ana winds early Sunday, with gusts reaching 60 to 70 miles per hour in mountain areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Wind advisories cover coastal spots like Malibu, which is expected to see gusts of up to 55 mph. Weather officials have predicted that the Santa Ana winds will continue through to Wednesday, although they are expected to be less powerful than in recent days. 11:18 AM GMT In pictures National Guard members man a checkpoint outside of the Eaton Fire area - Mario Tama/Getty Images Satellite image shows the front lines of the Palisades Fire in the mountains north of Santa Monica - Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images Firefighters work in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles - AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images 11:06 AM GMT California officials call for Trump to visit California governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles county officials say president-elect Donald Trump has yet to accept multiple invites to see fire-hit areas. Mr Newsom, a Democrat, posted a letter on X, which he says was sent to Mr Trump on Friday, inviting him to meet with the Americans affected by these fires and see the devastation first-hand. Separately, Los Angeles board of supervisors chair Kathryn Barger told reporters she had invited Mr Trump to visit the county to get a first-hand look at the destruction, and also posted the letter on social media. She said that when Mr Trump visited the area during his first term, after another wildfire in 2018, it sped up the deployment of federal aid. LAs mayor Karen Bass told reporters at a press conference that she had not yet heard from Trump. 10:31 AM GMT Trump calls California leaders incompetent over fire response US president-elect Donald Trump accused California officials on Sunday of incompetence over their handling of deadly wildfires raging around Los Angeles. The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols (politicians) have no idea how to put them out, Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just cant put out the fires. Whats wrong with them? he wrote. With just over a week before he returns to the White House, Mr Trump has launched a series of evidence-free broadsides accusing Californias democratic governor Gavin Newsom of failings in response to the blazes. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place, Trump said in his post. Mr Newsom has meanwhile invited Mr Trump to visit Los Angeles and survey the devastation with him 10:04 AM GMT Malibu loses one-third of eastern edge Malibu has lost approximately one-third of its eastern edge of the city to the Palisades fire, mayor Doug Stewart said at a briefing. The stretch of homes along the Pacific Coast Highway from Topanga to near the well-known Dukes Malibu restaurant were almost entirely gone, as was the neighbourhood of Big Rock, he said. 09:45 AM GMT Watch: Wildfires reach Brentwood Credit: Fox 11 09:44 AM GMT Evacuated residents returning for keepsakes told to stay away Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents against venturing back to destroyed homes to sift through rubble for keepsakes. We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away, Mr Luna said, urging people to abide by curfews. Officials on Saturday warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades fire who warned the material was toxic. Residents will be allowed to return with protective gear after damage teams evaluate their properties, Mr Thomas said. 09:36 AM GMT In pictures Fire retardant covers a pool and lounge chairs after being dropped from a firefighting aircraft - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Palisades Fire burns at the Mandeville Canyon - REUTERS/Ringo Chiu A house burns as the Palisades Fire rages on at the Mandeville Canyon - REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 09:23 AM GMT Weather conditions critical as fires set to continue By Saturday evening, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles (160 square kilometres), an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires accounted for 59 square miles (nearly 153 square kilometres). In a briefing posted online Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said. With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades fire at 11 per cent and the Eaton fire at 15 per cent on Saturday night, the fight is set to continue. Weather conditions are still critical and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday, Mr Traum said. 09:21 AM GMT Death toll rises to 16 At least 16 people have now been confirmed dead from fires that began ripping through Los Angeles on Tuesday. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroners office said in a statement Saturday evening. The previous number of confirmed fatalities before Saturday was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighbourhoods. Authorities have established a centre where people can report the missing. Smoke rises near the Getty Center as seen from the 405 freeway, in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday. Photograph: Ringo Chiu/Reuters It houses some of the richest treasures of the art world, such as Vincent van Goghs Irises, a popular Rembrandt and a priceless collection of paintings, portraits and other works spanning more than seven centuries. To protect them, the Getty Center in Los Angeles was built in 1997 as a marvel of anti-fire engineering, complete with fire-resistant stone and concrete, protected steel, and set in well-irrigated landscaping. Now, with an evacuation order in place for the Brentwood area of the city in which the museum is housed, and as flames from the deadly Palisades wildfire rage nearby, the Gettys claim of being the safest place for art during a fire could soon be put to the test. Outwardly, at least, there is little concern. Our galleries are safe and protected, Katherine Fleming, president and chief executive of the J Paul Getty Trust asserted in a statement on Saturday. But after a close call last week at the Getty Centers sister facility, the Getty Villa museum in Malibu about 10 miles away, staff who have remained on site admit they are monitoring the situation closely. There are, Fleming said, no plans to evacuate artwork or the remaining personnel because Getty officials consider them already in the safest place possible. A 2019 article published on the museums website details the extensive planning that went into the construction of the museum complex high in the hills above Brentwood, with materials, design, construction, operations, and controls purpose-built for safety inside and out. The buildings sit on travertine plazas and are surrounded by extensive open space to act as a buffer from any fire. Landscaping includes drought-resistant plants and oak trees, with branches trimmed often to prevent them from becoming fuel, while a comprehensive ground irrigation network is designed to stop flames taking hold. Emergency planning and safety are things we do all year round. Thats part of our Getty culture, to think about fire safety, said Mike Rogers, Gettys director of facilities, said in the article. Related: LA wildfires: stronger winds threaten further destruction, officials warn Inside the campus, walls are built of reinforced concrete or fire-protected steel, while the buildings have stone aggregate roofs. Sprinklers, with a million-gallon storage reservoir, are everywhere, but would only be used as a last resort given the fragility of many of the museums pieces of art. Instead, the buildings rely more on containment and are designed with fire separations doors that can isolate individual parts of the site. If a fire starts, it doesnt have the ability to travel, Rogers said. We have a very significant building here. It was well thought-out and carefully constructed, and is very carefully maintained and operated. We feel very safe here. Fleming told the Los Angeles Times that all 16 staff of the Getty Villa museum remained at work last week as the Palisades fire licked at that campus, and that we did get lucky in some ways, and people were rushing around. She said pre-emptive action, including a severe pruning of landscaping, clearance of low-lying brush and heavy irrigation, had helped prevent a disaster. Illustration: Observer Design It began with an anonymous email. Im genuinely so, so sorry to reach out to you, it read. Beneath the words were three links to an internet forum. Huge trigger warning They contain lewd photoshopped images of you. Jodie (not her real name) froze. In the past, the 27-year-old from Cambridgeshire had had problems with people stealing her photos to set up dating profiles and social media accounts. She had reported it to police but been told there was nothing they could do, so pushed it to the back of her mind. But this email, on 10 March 2021, was impossible to ignore. She clicked the links. It was just like time stood still, she said. I remember letting out a huge scream. I completely broke down. The forum, an alternative pornographic website, contained hundreds of photos of her on her own, on holiday, with her friends and housemates alongside comments calling them sluts and whores and asking people to rate them, or fantasise about what they would do. The person posting the pictures had also shared an invitation to other members of the forum: to use fully clothed photos of Jodie, taken from her private Instagram, to create sexually explicit deepfakes digitally altered content made using artificial intelligence. Never done this before, but would LOVE to see her faked Happy to chat/show you more of her too :D, they had written. In response, users had posted their creations: hundreds of synthetic images and videos showing a womans body with Jodies face. Some featured her image in the classroom, wearing a schoolgirl outfit and being raped by a teacher. Others showed her fully nude. I was having sex in every one of them, she said. The shock and devastation haunts me to this day. The fake images which have now been removed are among a growing number of synthetic, sexually explicit pictures and videos being made, traded and sold online in Britain and around the world on social media apps, in private messages and through gaming platforms, as well as on adult forums and porn sites. Last week, the government announced a crackdown on explicit deepfakes, promising to expand the current law to make creating the images without consent a criminal offence, as well as sharing them, which has been illegal since January 2024. But soliciting deepfakes getting someone to make them for you isnt set to be covered. The government is also yet to confirm whether the offence will be consent based which campaigners say it must be or if victims will have to prove the perpetrator had malicious intent. At the headquarters of the Revenge Porn Helpline, in a business park on the outskirts of Exeter, Kate Worthington, 28, a senior practitioner, says stronger laws without loopholes are desperately needed. The helpline, launched in 2015, is a dedicated service for victims of intimate image abuse, part-funded by the Home Office. Deepfake cases are at an all-time high: reports of synthetic image abuse have risen by 400% since 2017. But they remain small in proportion to intimate image abuse overall there were 50 cases last year, making up about 1% of the total caseload. The main reason for this is that it is drastically under-reported, says Worthington. A lot of the time, the victim has no idea their images have been shared. The team has noticed that many perpetrators of deepfake image abuse appear to be motivated by collector culture. Often its not done with the intent of the person knowing, says Worthington. Its being sold, swapped, traded for sexual gratification or for status. If youre the one finding this content and sharing it, alongside Snap handles, Insta handles, LinkedIn profiles, you might be glorified. Many are made using nudification apps. In March, the charity that runs the revenge porn helpline reported 29 such services to Apple, which removed them. Its being sold, swapped, traded for sexual gratification or for status Kate Worthington In other cases, synthetic images have been used to directly threaten or humiliate people. The helpline has heard cases of young boys making fake incest images of female relatives; of men with porn addictions creating synthetic pictures of their partners performing sexual acts they did not consent to in real life; of people having pictures taken of them in the gym which were then made into deepfaked videos, to look like they were having sex. Most of those targeted but not all are women. About 72% of deepfake cases seen by the helpline involved women. The oldest was in her seventies. There have also been several cases of Muslim women being targeted with deepfaked images where they were wearing revealing clothing, or had their hijabs removed. Regardless of intent, the impact is often extreme. These photos are so realistic, often. Your colleague, neighbour, grandma isnt going to know the difference, Worthington says. The Revenge Porn Helpline can help people get abusive imagery removed. Amanda Dashwood, 30, who has worked at the helpline for two years, says this is usually callers priority. Its, Oh my god, please help me, I need to get this taken down before people see it, she says. She and her colleagues on the helpline team - eight women, mostly aged under 30 have various tools at their disposal. If the victim knows where content of them has been posted, the team will issue a takedown request direct to the platform. Some ignore requests altogether. But the helpline has partnerships with most of the major ones from Instagram and Snapchat to Pornhub and OnlyFans and 90% of the time, are successful in getting it removed. If the victim doesnt know where content has been posted, or suspects it has been shared more widely, they will ask them to send in a selfie and run it through facial recognition technology (with their consent), or use reverse image-search tools. The tools arent foolproof but can detect material shared on the open web. The team can also advise steps to stop content being posted online again. They will direct people to a service called StopNCII, a tool created with funding from Meta by SWGFL, the online safety charity under which the Revenge Porn Helpline also sits. People can upload photos real or synthetic and the technology creates a unique hash, which is shared with partner platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Pornhub and Reddit (but not X or Discord). If someone then tries to upload that image, it is automatically blocked. As of December, a million images have been hashed and 24,000 uploads pre-emptively blocked. Some also go on to report it to the police, but the response varies drastically by force. Victims trying to report synthetic image abuse have been told police cannot help with edited images, or that prosecution would not be in the public interest. Sophie Mortimer, the helplines manager, recalls another case where police said no, thats not you; thats someone who looks like you and refused to investigate. It does feel like sometimes the police look for reasons not to pursue these sorts of cases, Mortimer says. We know theyre difficult, but that doesnt negate the real harm thats being caused to people. In November Sam Millar, assistant police chief constable and a strategic director for Violence Against Women and Girls at the National Police Chiefs Council, told a parliamentary inquiry into intimate image abuse that she was deeply worried about officers lack of understanding of the legislation, and inconsistencies in cases. Even yesterday, a victim said to me that she is in a conversation with 450 victims of deepfake imagery, but only two of them had had a positive experience of policing, she said. For Jodie, the need for better awareness of deepfake abuse among the public, as well as the police is clear. After she was alerted to the deepfakes of her, she spent hours scrolling through the posts, trying to piece together what had happened. She realised they had not been shared by a stranger but her close friend Alex Woolf, a Cambridge graduate and former BBC young composer of the year. He had posted a photo of her where he was cropped out. I knew I hadnt posted that picture on Instagram and had only sent it to him. Thats when the penny dropped. After Jodie and the other women spent hours sifting through graphic material of themselves, and gave the police a USB with 60 pages of evidence, Woolf was charged. He was subsequently convicted and given a 20-week suspended prison sentence with a rehabilitation requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. The court ordered him to pay 100 compensation to each of the 15 victims, and to delete all the images from his devices. But the conviction 15 counts of sending messages that were grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing related to the derogatory nature of the posts, rather than to his solicitation of the synthetic images themselves. Jodie is highly critical of the police. From the outset, it felt like they didnt take the abuse seriously, she says. She says she also faced an uphill battle with the forum to get the synthetic images removed. But her biggest concern is that the law itself is lacking. Had Woolf not posted the graphic comments, he may not have been convicted. And under the law proposed by the government based on details it has published so far his act of soliciting fake images of Jodie would not be a specific offence. The Ministry of Justice has said assisting someone to commit a crime is already illegal which would cover solicitation. But Jodie said: It needs to be watertight and black and white for the CPS to make a charging decision. So why would we allow this loophole to exist? What many dont realise is that its normal people doing this Jodie She is calling on the government to adopt another piece of legislation a private members bill put forward by Baroness Owen, drawn up with campaigners, which ensures deepfake creation is consent based and includes an offence of solicitation. The call has been backed by the End Violence Against Women Coalition and charities including Refuge, as well as the Revenge Porn Helpline. What Jodie hopes people will realise, if anything, is the monumental impact that deepfake abuse can have. Three years on, she speaks using a pseudonym because if she uses her real name, she risks being targeted again. Even though the original images were removed, she said she lives in constant fear that some might still be circulating, somewhere. It has also affected her friendships, relationships, and her view of men overall. For me it was the ultimate betrayal from someone that I really trusted, she says. What many dont realise is that its normal people doing this, she adds. Its not monsters or weirdos. Its people that live among us our colleagues, partners, friends. Maureen Henderson at the Thaxted Morris festival in Essex in the 1980s. She also had a lively interest in theatre and art, and occasionally opera. Photograph: James Drennan My friend and colleague, Maureen Henderson, who has died aged 83, joined the Polytechnic of North London as a social work tutor in the 1970s. At that time it had the biggest social work department in Britain and Mo soon became an important member of it, as the principal tutor and leader of the combined childcare and family social work course. She helped to make this course reflect the community that social workers served in London, including introducing an access course for minority ethnic students. Another of our colleagues there, Mary MacLeod, remembered Mo as having, a gentle presence that belied her fierce resolve and determination to bring a very disparate group of people together, despite ideological differences, to give our students the social work education that would focus them on serving the people for whom they were responsible. Mo and I had a break from North London in 1983-84 when we went as visiting professors to the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa in the US. We also rode 7,000 miles across 36 states in the US on a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle lent to us by one of our students. Born in London, she was brought up by her mother, Rose Camps, along with her sister, Patricia, first in the capital and then in Littlehampton, West Sussex. When Rose married, Mo took her stepfathers surname of Henderson. She went to Chichester high school and then Regent Street Polytechnic (University of Westminster) in London, graduating in the mid-60s with a degree in sociology. Later she was awarded a postgraduate diploma in social work from London School of Economics. She worked as a social worker in south London before becoming a social work tutor at Middlesex Polytechnic (Middlesex University) and then the Polytechnic of North London in the 70s. By the time Mo retired from North London in the early 2000s it had become London Metropolitan University. In retirement, she went on to help adult students develop study skills at the University of the Arts. She also had a lively interest in theatre and art and occasionally opera, although after attending a six-hour Parsifal in Venice she became somewhat resistant to Wagner. She is survived by her sister, Patricia, and a niece, Jayne. Aziz Ziriat (left) with his hiking companion, Sam Harris. Harriss body was found on Wednesday. Photograph: Family handout/PA Items belonging to a British hiker who has been missing in the Dolomites since New Years Day have been found as the search for him continues. Sam Harris, 35, and Aziz Ziriat, 36, from London, last sent messages home on 1 January and the pair did not check in for their flight home on 6 January. Friends and relatives have travelled to Italy. The body of Harris was found on Wednesday buried in deep snow at the foot of a cliff about 2,600 metres (8,500ft) above sea level in the area of the Conca pass in the Adamello nature park. On Sunday, Italys national Alpine cliff and cave rescue corps (CNSAS) said at 5.45pm local time that the search for Ziriat had been stood down for the day. A spokesperson said some items belonging to Ziriat had been found on Saturday. Harriss best friend and business partner paid tribute to him in a post on Instagram. Spencer Jones said: To say I am devastated would be an understatement, and I have no words to fully describe how I am feeling at the moment. The search is ongoing for our good friend Aziz Ziriat, so for now, I want to focus on Sam. He was an amazing friend of 23 years, ever since our school days. He was probably the most knowledgeable person I have ever known, and building the business with him has been an incredible journey. On Sunday, more than 100 rescuers continued their hunt for Ziriat, who works for the Crystal Palace FC charity Palace for Life. Crews were searching the snow in an area of about 5,500 sq metres, CNSAS said, with the help of a dog unit. They have been searching the area after tracking the mobile phones of the two mountaineers to where their backpacks were found on Wednesday, but have found no trace of Ziriat. The search was stood down for the day after 3pm on Sunday as it began to get dark. Joe Stone, a university friend of Ziriat, previously told the PA Media news agency that authorities were trying everything to find the 36-year-old. There is an acceptance among us that its not going to be good news, Stone said on Saturday. But it would be really nice to find him and be put out of this limbo. A local resident says that the closed school seems like an awful waste of money and something which really should have been foreseen - Tom Maddick/SWNS A net zero school designed to reduce carbon emissions has closed before admitting a single pupil because of low demand. Waterside Primary Academy in Nottingham was set to open last September and promised to host up to 210 pupils and 30 nursery-age children across its newly-built campus. The project, overseen by the Department for Education (DfE) and set to be operated by the Greenwood Academies Trust, had been hailed as one of the first schools in Britain built according to new net zero guidance. In October 2023 a statement from the school said it would be designed to reduce the amount of carbon emitted during the building process. Wayne Norrie, chief executive of Greenwood Academies Trust, said at the time that the school would provide much-needed primary school places for the families in the community. Just a handful of parents applied for places, prompting the DfE to pull funding from the school last month. The total spend on the school is not known but was part of the previous governments 3 billion offsite schools framework - Tom Maddick/SWNS Greenwood Academies Trust has also withdrawn from the agreement and said it will now try to find an alternate use for the site. It was hoped that children living in the new 350-home Nottingham Waterside Trent Basin development nearby would attend the school. However, local residents said most people who have moved into the properties, which cost up to 500,000, are older couples and young professionals without children. An awful waste of money One said: I can only think of a handful of families with school-age children living here so I am not surprised the school shut before it even opened. It seems an awful waste of money and something which really should have been foreseen. The total spend on the 1,400-square-metre project to be delivered as part of the DfEs offsite schools framework is not known. The 3 billion project, launched in 2020, aims to build 30 schools each year using low-carbon construction methods. Building specialist Reds10 was appointed by the DfE as the main contractor for Waterside Primary Academy in 2021. The company said in a post on its website that year that it marked one of five schools it was helping deliver, and that Reds10 would supply over 45 million of works across the projects. A pre-construction services agreement for Waterside Primary Academy awarded by the DfE to Reds10 in 2022 cost more than 629,000. The construction companys website said HLM Architects was also providing architecture and interior design advice for the school project. MAC Consulting, a separate firm, was set to be brought in to oversee landscape design. Sustainability embedded throughout A blog post about the Waterside project on Reds10s website added that sustainability is embedded throughout, with air-source heat pumps within the building and PV [solar] panels and windcatchers [for natural ventilation] on the roof, in line with the energy strategy for the school. A spokesman for Greenwood Academies Trust said: In recent conversations, it has become apparent that, with surplus primary places in the area there is not sufficient demand for this school to fulfil the rigorous criteria for meeting place planning needs and that the DfE would not, therefore, put in place a funding agreement to open the school. As a result, the trust made the difficult decision to reluctantly withdraw as the prospective operator of the school. This includes recommending an alternate use for the site which will benefit the educational landscape of the area and we will be sharing more details of this proposal in due course. Targeted funding A DfE spokesman said: Ministers have accepted Greenwood Academies Trusts request to withdraw the Waterside Primary pipeline project from the pre-opening stage. Our priority is to establish schools where there is a need for places and ensure government funding is targeted to where it is most needed. The demand for places at the proposed school has not materialised at the rate expected in Nottingham city councils basic need forecasts. A council spokesman added: The Department for Education has confirmed that the proposed Waterside Primary Academy does not currently meet the rigorous criteria it sets for the funding of free schools and that the proposers, the Greenwood Academies Trust, have decided to withdraw their application. We are in discussions with the department about the best way forward for the site. Gavin Newsom tours Pacific Palisades during the second day of the Palisades fire, in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday. Photograph: Jonathan Alcorn/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock Gavin Newsom is scheduled to ease building restrictions for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires part of a reconstruction effort that he said on Sunday would need a California version of the Marshall Plan, the US-led effort to rebuild western Europe after the second world war. The California governor ordered the states tough environmental laws and permitting requirements to be suspended to help wildfire victims rebuild their homes and businesses, with costs so far placed at $135bn to $150bn over 10 years, according to AccuWeather. I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of these fires and windstorm conditions, Newsom wrote in the executive order. California leads the nation in environmental stewardship. Im not going to give that up, he later told NBCs Meet the Press. But one thing I wont give into is delay. Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder. The building code suspensions apply only to properties and facilities in substantially the same location as before the fires, and whose height and footprint do not exceed 110% of their original size, the order says. Newsom also called for a California version of the Marshall Plan. We already have a team looking at reimagining LA 2.0, he said, and we are making sure everyones included, not just the folks on the coast, people here that were ravaged by this disaster. Meanwhile investigators are searching for clues as to why the major fires Palisades and Eaton were ignited, even as Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up overnight on Sunday and through Tuesday with no rain anticipated until later in the week. One theory gaining traction is that overhead transmission and distribution lines, rocked or brought down by the winds, may have sparked, igniting the dry vegetation below. It is routine for utilities to shut off power during red-flag events but the power lines were on near the Eaton and Palisades fires started on Tuesday last week. Power lines and utility equipment have been identified as the cause of Californias 2018 Camp fire, killing 85 people and destroying the town of Paradise, the 2023 Maui fire in Hawaii and a 2021 fire in Otis, Oregon, that began when a utility pole fell and ignited a wildfire, destroying 300 homes. Los Angeles department of water and power reportedly does not have a program in place to pre-emptively shut off power in urban areas when fire risk is high. Robert McCullough, a electric utility consultant, told the New York Times that the departments shut-off plan was woefully inadequate. The analyst also said that the utilitys electric grid was designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 56mph, which is considered quite low in todays climate. The department has said it did not cut power in advance of the fires in the city despite the wind speeds. Impacts to critical city services, including emergency response, the ability to fight fires, traffic and streetlights, as well as impacts to vulnerable people at home, are risks of widespread power outages, as are hospitals, dialysis centers and care centers, the department explained in a statement to the outlet. Theories that the power supply could have triggered the blazes have been bolstered by data from Whisker Labs, a tech firm that uses a sensor network to monitor power grids. Whisker has said some homes in the Altadena area still had power at the time the fire started. Company CEO Bob Marshall said the grid showed considerable stress before the fire erupted, suggesting a power line could have come into contact with vegetation or touched another line. A spokesperson for Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility that supplies power to Altadena, the area ravaged by the Eaton fire, said it would review all information available to us as part of our investigation in the fires. Insurance companies have asked SCE to preserve evidence, according to a company filing to regulators. SCE has said it had found no interruptions or electrical or operational anomalies until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire. The Washington Post pointed to a photo by a resident close to Eaton Canyon, where the Altadena blaze ignited, showing a transmission tower that it said was still energized when vegetation ignited below. Peter Kyle says AI, if used in the right way, can enhance a childs learning - BBC/Jeff Overs Children should be allowed to use ChatGPT to help with their homework, the Science Secretary said. In an interview on Sunday, Peter Kyle said it was fine to use the artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help with schoolwork as long as pupils were supervised while doing so. He even likened some of the fears about the use of AI in the classroom to concerns around the introduction of electronic calculators. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer will vow that the Government will not let the opportunity from AI slip through its fingers, and will embrace the technology. The Prime Minister will adopt all 50 of his AI advisers recommendations, including building a new supercomputer strong enough to play itself at chess half a million times a second. There will also be a promise to create new so-called AI-growth zones with incentives to attract AI companies. The first will be established in Culham, Oxfordshire. AI could turbo-charge pupils Mr Kyle was asked during an appearance on BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg whether it was okay for kids to use ChatGPT to do their homework? He responded: Actually with supervision and used in the right way, then yes, because ChatGPT and the AI technology that is using language is already being used across the economy. Pressed again on whether that was really the correct approach, Mr Kyle said: I am of an age where I remember this conversation about calculators. We need to make sure that kids and young people are learning how to use this technology and integrate it into their learning development. There are kids with real outlier talents. Using ChatGPT and other AI assistance could really turbo-charge [them] and give them a challenge theyre not getting in other places. In the same classroom, you could have kids with neurological barriers to learning that could have their innate barriers overcome and assisted within the same classroom. We need to help people use this, but it should never be a replacement for the expertise of teaching. That is the key thing we need to get right. Ministers are preparing to open up NHS health data to tech companies as part of the drive, the Times reported. Mr Kyle told the newspaper the health service would always be in control of data and how it is used and who has access to it. But he insisted: If we do it (carefully), it will mean that Britain is not just at the forefront, but in the forefront in a very considerable way, when it comes to using digital technology for scientific advancement, creating vaccines, preventative measures for health and medical solutions to long term chronic expensive challenges such as diabetes and Alzheimers. We must move fast The Government will launch its AI Action Plan this coming week, with ministers hoping the UK is in the sweet spot between tightly regulating Europe and a more hands-off US. ChatGPT is a tool powered by AI that allows someone to type in a request or question and get a written response from the computer program almost immediately. The tool can be used for everything from coming up with recipe ideas based on ingredients in the fridge to summarising historical events or explaining mathematical theories. But there have been concerns about the accuracy of the responses from the system and others like it, since they can be drawn from unverified information online. British ministers are wrestling with the challenges of harnessing the potential for AI while also creating a regulatory framework to ensure safety and security. Some in Whitehall see the UK as well positioned with Donald Trump, the president-elect, and his tech-boss supporters seeking to keep regulation on AI loose, while the European Union adopts stricter rules and regulations than in the UK. Sir Keir will announce that 14 billion and 13,250 jobs have been committed by private leading tech firms following the Governments AI Action Plan. Sir Keir will say: Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people. But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that wont sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race. Our plan will make Britain the world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and will turbocharge the Plan for Change. That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in peoples pockets, and transformed public services. Thats the change this government is delivering. The 50 recommendations being accepted have been proposed by Matt Clifford, a British entrepreneur who is advising the government on AI. Speaking to Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Kyle also acknowledged that AI could cause some disruption. There will be disruption caused by AI going forward, but you are right that it will also create a lot of new jobs, the Science Secretary said. And if its used wisely it will make workers lives in the workplace much more efficient, effective and satisfying. Some of the mundane tasks will be taken care of. He added: We want to make sure that everyone from every background uses this technology safety and safety is baked in at the outset but we fully explore the potential. Back towards harmful content Meanwhile, Mr Kyle has insisted that Facebook and X will be made to continue to follow the UKs online safety laws. It comes after Ian Russell, the father of a 14-year-old girl who took her own life after seeing harmful content online, said Britain was going backwards with regard to internet safety. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Russell said Elon Musk, owner of X, and Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks owner, were at the leading edge of a wholesale recalibration of the industry. He said that under Mr Zuckerberg, Facebook was moving towards a laissez-faire, anything-goes model and back towards the harmful content that Molly [his daughter] was exposed to. Mr Kyle told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: There is one thing that has not changed and that is the law of this land and the determination of this Government to keep everyone safe. He added: Access to the British society and economy is a privilege, it is not a right. If you come and operate in this country you abide by the law, and the law says illegal content must be taken down. The AI announcement includes a commitment to pool data from the archives of culturally valuable organisations such the BBC and the British Library that AI companies will then be able to use to train their software without breaching copyright. The BBC has previously pushed back on companies using its content to train their software. In late 2023, it took steps to block ChatGPT from trawling its websites, saying doing so without permission was not in the interests of licence fee payers. A BBC spokesman said: The BBC has not been approached by the Government regarding these plans. As always, we would carefully assess any opportunity to ensure it aligns with our values and responsibilities, and delivers value for Licence Fee Payers. The FGS Global Radar report found 14% of people want a strong leader who doesnt have to bother with elections. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA One in five generation Z and millennial Britons prefer strong leaders without elections to democracy, and voters overall are feeling downbeat about politics, a report has found. The polling, due to be published next week as part of the FGS Global Radar report, found that overall 14% of people agreed with the statement: The best system for running a country effectively is a strong leader who doesnt have to bother with elections, rather than the alternative: The best system for running a country effectively is democracy. That rose to 21% of people aged between 18 and 45, who answered that the best system was a strong leader without elections. In contrast, only 8% of people over 55 preferred that system to democracy. The reports findings, that a sizeable minority of under-45s are unconvinced by the need for elections, come as some electorates have been opting for populist leaders, such as Donald Trump, through the ballot box, and the billionaire Elon Musk has been wielding power over public debate by shaping what is seen on his social media platform X. Last week, the FT reported that Musk, who has been appointed by Trump to help overhaul the public sector, had privately discussed with allies how Keir Starmer could be removed as UK prime minister before the next general election, in a move that would constitute an intervention into British democracy. Related: I never thought Id abstain from voting, but many young people will and can you blame us? | Shaniya Odulawa The FGS report polling found that men were more likely to lean away from democracy than women, at 17% compared with 13%, and Reform UK voters were fractionally more likely to do so than voters for other parties, at 17% compared with Labour voters at 16%, Conservative at 14%, Lib Dem at 9% and Greens at 8%. Despite last year bringing a Labour landslide, changing the government in the UK, and delivering a second Trump administration in the US, nearly one in four voters said they thought voting did not make a difference. Those most disillusioned with voting were aged 25 to 44, with three in 10 saying it made no difference. The survey found pessimism about the state of UK politics, with 47% saying: None of the current political parties represent my views and values very closely. From polling 2,000 adults of voting age, it found 23% think that the UK is going in the right direction, while 64% agree with the statement: It feels like the UK is in a period of steep decline. Fifty-nine per cent said they felt that the UKs best years are behind us. Related: Turnout inequality in UK elections close to tipping point, report warns The annual Global Radar report, which looks at the big themes of 2025, predicts that this will be the year of Trump and there will be a period of shock and awe while he delivers his agenda. In off-record interviews with 70 political experts and opinion formers, the report said they highlighted the fact that the UK is now a beacon of relative stability compared with the last parliament and with the current state of play in major European neighbours allowing businesses to plan, take decisions and engage. But many also predicted there would be inevitable clashes with business, trade unions and Labour backbenchers, with interviewees questioning whether the cabinet has the stomach for the fight. The report said that even the Labour supporters it spoke to were worried that the government was struggling to articulate its strategy and agenda, and concerned about a lack of a clear vision and narrative to explain what the Starmer government is doing, why it is doing it and who it is for. This article was amended on 13 January 2025 to say that 59% said they felt the UKs best years are behind us, rather than about one in six, as we had it in an earlier version. Pc Rosie Priors family said she was a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister and aunty - NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE A police officer has been killed after she was hit by a lorry as she stopped to help motorists in North Yorkshire. Pc Rosie Prior had pulled over to assist motorists involved in a collision between a Ford Focus and an Audi on the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk, just before 9am on Saturday morning. She was stood on the verge of the road helping the driver and passenger of the Audi when the lorry struck them. Pc Prior and the driver of the Audi, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, died at the scene. A teenage boy is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation, police said. Pc Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022 and was based in York. Pc Prior joined the force nearly three years ago - NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE Her family called her a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed. Chief Constable Tim Forber, of North Yorkshire Police, said: It is with profound sadness to confirm the death of Pc Rosie Prior on Saturday morning who was tragically killed while helping at the scene of a separate collision on the A19 near Bagby. We are doing everything we can to support Rosies family, along with the family of a man who was also tragically killed in the incident. This is clearly a deeply traumatic and heartbreaking event for everyone involved and we ask that the two families are left alone to grieve in peace. Rosies response team colleagues in York, and from around the force, are being supported at this extremely difficult time. Tiff Lynch, the acting national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: It is with immense grief and sorrow that the Police Federation of England and Wales offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two persons, including Pc Rosie Prior, who were killed in a tragic collision on A19. We are assisting North Yorkshire Police Federation in offering every possible support to Pc Priors loved ones. Ryan Welford died at the scene - NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE Mr Welfords family said in a statement: Ryan was a hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. David Skaith, the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Jo Coles, the deputy mayor of policing, fire and crime, said their hearts are broken for Pc Prior and Mr Welfords families. They said in a statement: We are devastated by the news that PC Rosie Prior and a member of the public, Ryan Welford, lost their lives on North Yorkshires roads yesterday. Our hearts are broken for them and their families. Rosies commitment to serving the public, even when off duty, shows she was the very best of us. Our thoughts are also with the entire North Yorkshire Police family, who we know will be deeply mourning their colleague. We especially want to thank officers and staff who worked at the scene and are supporting those affected by this tragedy. The scene was reopened at 7.20pm after debris was cleared from the road. Two cars and the lorry have been recovered. Police are urging witnesses or motorists with relevant dash-cam footage to contact North Yorkshire Police at mcit@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 12250006038. A firefighter battles the Palisades fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday in Los Angeles. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP Gavin Newsom, Californias Democratic governor, appeared briefly to put his long-running feud with Donald Trump to one side on Friday, when he invited the president-elect to Los Angeles to survey devastation from the wildfires and meet with first responders, firefighters and the Americans affected. In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines, Newsom wrote in a letter to Trump on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of Americans displaced from their homes and fearful for the future deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a fast recovery and rebuild. The detente lasted less than 24 hours. By Saturday, Newsom, who is in contention to become the Democratic party leader in time for 2028, had returned to a more familiar, oppositional stance. In an interview with Pod Save America, he rejected Trumps claim that water is being withheld from southern California to save an endangered fish, the delta smelt, calling the president-elects messaging on the issue delusional and part of a consistent mantra from Trump going back years and years, and its reinforced over and over within the right wing ... and its profoundly ignorant. Newsom said Californians fears that Trump could try to withhold federal relief funds was reasonable, notwithstanding the governors outreach a day earlier; Newsom said Saturday evening Trump had yet to return his call about wildfire response. Hes done it in the past, not just here in California, Newsom told the podcasters, pointing to Tumps prior actions in Puerto Rico, Utah, Connecticut and Georgia. The rhetoric is very familiar, its increasingly acute, and obviously we all have reason to be concerned about it. The politicization of the Los Angeles fires could be showing signs of intensifying. To opposing political factions, the ruin of parts of Los Angeles offers an inviting but deadly tableau on which to lay out their contrary agendas. To Democrats, the intensity with which the fires took hold, propelled by the late-season Santa Ana winds, is evidence of climate change that some Republicans deny as a political hoax. To some Republicans, including Trump, the fires are evidence of mismanagement under Democrats racial- and gender-equity drives. Even before the extent of the devastation became clear last week, Trump had assailed Newsom as Newscum, and called on the governor to resign. Addressing the governor in a post on his Truth Social website, Trump said: One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. Its ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!! Trump blamed Newsom for refusing to sign a water-restoration declaration which Trump claimed would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. On the Republican sidelines, Warren Davidson, an Ohio representative, called on Friday for federal disaster relief to be withheld from California unless the state reforms its forestry management practices. The feud between the two political leaders over environmental issues has been percolating since at least 2018, after wildfires devastated Malibu and Paradise, when Trump accused Newsom and Democratic state leaders of gross mismanagement of forests by failing to make firebreaks or clear flammable undergrowth. At the time, Newsom defended Californias wildfire-prevention efforts while criticizing the federal government for not doing enough to help protect the state. You dont believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation, Newsom told Trump in a post on X. That dispute was revived earlier last year when Trump appeared to confuse the former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown with the former governor Jerry Brown, saying hed nearly crashed in a helicopter while assessing wildfire damage with (governor) Brown. A spokesperson for Newsom, who had been on the flight, said there had been no issues, no emergency landing and no disparaging conversation about Kamala Harris, as Trump had claimed. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign spokesperson, later responded that the president has a lot of amazing stories from his life. The ties, and potential fissures, run deeper than politics. Newsom was married to Kimberly Guilfoyle from 2001 to 2006. Guilfoyle subsequently dated Trumps eldest son, Don Jr, and was recently appointed US ambassador to Greece after leading a fundraising division of Donald Trumps 2020 presidential campaign. The chafing between the two looks set to continue, although, according to Politico, an unnamed Trump official downplayed the idea that he would withhold aid to the state. Joe Biden has already approved a disaster declaration for the southern California fires, committing the federal government to covering all of the fire management and debris removal costs for six months. We are with you, Biden pledged. We are not going anywhere. Newsom thanked Biden his fellow Democrat for having approved our major disaster declaration. According to Politico, in his letter to Trump, Newsom wrote Bidens action had been a strong indication of the partnership California needs and appreciates with any federal administration. However, Newsom added, the threat to lives and property remains acute. Late Friday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had appointed Ed Russo who describes himself as a dirt-kisser tree hugger and has described Trump as an environmental hero to an environmental advisory group. Trump wrote in the post: Together, we will achieve American Energy DOMINANCE, rebuild our Economy, and DRILL, BABY, DRILL. That comes as Newsom has moved in lock step with the California state legislature and the outgoing Biden administration to thwart Trumps America first energy agenda before Trumps inauguration in 10 days. Newsom has said Californias legislative efforts are precautionary in nature and he would approach the return president with an open hand, not a closed fist. But Trump made future disaster funds to California an issue during his 2024 campaign when, in September, he demanded Newsom reform water policy to divert more water to Californias farmers if he wanted the flow of federal funds to continue. If he doesnt sign those papers, we wont give him money to put out all his fires, Trump said. John Swinney during a visit to the Thistle Centre on Jan 10 - Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty The opening of the UKs first legal drugs consumption room is a disaster waiting to happen, a think tank has warned. Known as the Thistle Centre, it is due to open its doors for the first time in Glasgow on Monday morning. SNP ministers have insisted that the facility, where addicts will be able to take substances under supervision in a hygienic environment, will prevent deaths and make it easier for users to access help. Scotland has the highest number of drug deaths per head in Europe, and SNP ministers have backed a more liberal approach that would see drug taking treated as a public health issue, rather than a criminal matter. However, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a centre-right think tank, said its research suggested the plan would not work as places that brought in similar measures had not delivered the promised results in tackling addiction. Based on what I have seen in New York and on the CSJs research across the rest of the world - the opening of the UKs first ever legal drug consumption facility in Glasgow is a disaster waiting to happen, Sophia Worringer, the bodys deputy policy director, said. The success of the safer drug consumption facility must be measured on the numbers of people on the pathway to treatment and recovery, wider drug taking in the area, local crime and the polices ability to enforce the law. It will be the most disadvantaged who will lose out if drug taking becomes more normalised and the introduction of these so-called shooting galleries is a worrying step towards normalisation. The Scottish First Minister says the Government will monitor the centres progress and learn lessons from it - WPA Pool/Getty The Scottish Government hopes those who attend the pilot facility can be encouraged to seek support to overcome their addiction. Staff will also be able to assist anyone who suffers from an overdose. From Monday, the centre, in Hunter Street in the citys east end, will be open to users from 9am to 9pm, 365 days a year. It will be supported with 2 million of Scottish Government cash each year. Speaking during a tour of the facility last week, First Minister John Swinney said: I hope it will help us to reduce drug deaths in Scotland and to help people to find a different route in their lives. We will evaluate the effectiveness of this particular intervention to determine what progress is achieved as a consequence of it, what impact it has had, and to learn the lessons from it. Neil Gray, the SNP health secretary, said: I hope that this will be another tool in our box in reducing the harm and reducing the level of drug-related deaths that we see in Scotland and that the pilot will be successful. Critically I want this to be a facility that is well-used. I want there to be a confidence in the community about coming here. Ms Siddiq has denied all wrongdoing and referred herself to the Parliamentary watchdog - Victoria Jones Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to get a grip and sack Tulip Siddiq amid allegations over her use of properties linked to her aunts former Bangladeshi regime. The anti-corruption minister has faced questions over her links to the Awami League, which is led by Sheikh Hasina, her aunt and Bangladeshs former prime minister. Ms Siddiq denied all wrongdoing and said any suggestion that her ownership of properties is linked to support for the party is categorically wrong. But the Prime Minister, of whom she is a close personal friend, has been told that the Treasury minister cannot do her job effectively as a result of the allegations. It comes as Labour Party posters and flyers produced by Ms Siddiq were also found in the ruins of Ganabhaban, her aunts formal official residence in Dhaka. The Sunday Times reported that under the rubble, left when the site was stormed during a popular uprising last year, was a thank you note to local Labour Party members following Ms Siddiqs election as MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. The shadow chancellor spoke to Sky News Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Saturday - Sky News Her annual report for 2022 was also found, which invited readers to learn about help she had given to those affected by the cost of living crisis. The literature was found at the site despite the minister saying in 2017 that she never spoke about politics with her aunt. Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, told Sky News Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: What is not right is that the Prime Minister is not moving her out of that position and getting her to step down. He said that Ms Siddiq had serious accusations around corruption surrounding her, adding: Its going to be really impossible for her to do that job under current circumstances. Mr Stride continued: There are circumstances, I think, where you are in a situation where you cannot actually do your job effectively. Now look, the Chancellor has gone over to China Tulip Siddiq, my understanding was that she was due to be joining her, now she hasnt and I would imagine joining the dots, thats because of the circumstances surrounding her at the moment. So at the moment, shes not in a position to be able to properly carry out her role in Government and the Prime Minister needs to get a grip and to move her on. Sir Keir was told that Ms Siddiq could not do her job effectively as a result of the allegations - Nigel Howard Ms Siddiq referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser of ministerial standards, who is examining claims surrounding her use of two flats in London. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, said that she had done exactly the right thing in referring herself to the Parliamentary watchdog and that Sir Keir would act on the findings of the investigation. Also speaking on the Sky News programme, he said: I think the right way to go through this is to allow the authorities to investigate. We have given more powers to those authorities to do independent investigations and you know full well when it comes to Keir Starmer he will listen to what the authorities say. Ms Siddiq, left, with her aunt Sheikh Hasina and Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in Moscow in 2013 - Mikhail Metzel/AP Sir Keir has previously stated that Ms Siddiq had acted entirely properly in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had confidence in her. Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh, told the Sunday Times that London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and handed back to his government if they were acquired through plain robbery. He also urged her to apologise and resign, saying: She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didnt realise it, but now you realise it. Ms Siddiqs aunt was deposed in August 2024 following an uprising against her leadership and fled to India. The former prime minister is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly having been named as part of the case. She was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled. Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images Related: Trump and his henchman Musk treat Americas oldest allies as enemies. Britain cant face that threat alone | Jonathan Freedland Donald Trump may invite populist rightwing leaders from Europe such as Italys Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban to the White House before Keir Starmer, senior UK diplomats believe. Downing Street and the Foreign Office are eagerly pressing for the prime minister to be at the head of the traditional beauty parade of overseas leaders who are called to see the new president in the days after the inauguration on 20 January. Representations are being made via the UK embassy in Washington. But senior diplomatic figures are warning that Trump may prefer to give the first visits to political soulmates on the hard right, rather than social democratic and left-of-centre Europeans, and are suggesting that Starmer and his team prepare a face-saving response just in case. In January 2017 Theresa May was the first foreign leader to be invited to see Trump at the start of his first term. May wanted to extract a strong statement from Trump in support of Nato, and to warn him over his closeness to Vladimir Putin. But the visit became strained when Trump grabbed her by the hand as they walked through the White House, which May, it later emerged, found distinctly awkward. One former top-rank UK ambassador said there was certainly no guarantee that Trump would honour the special relationship by asking the UK prime minister first, particularly as Starmer has different political views to his own. No one knows what Trump will do but I would not be surprised if he asks Meloni first or Orban as they are from the right. There has already been talk in Trump circles about this dreadful leftwing socialist Starmer government. But such a decision would be a temporary embarrassment for Starmer, and not a serious lasting problem, say diplomats. Peter Ricketts, former UK ambassador to Paris, said he too believed Trump might prefer Meloni or Orban first. Starmers team needed to be ready, he said. They need to discount the market. What they then need to say is that we are really more interested in substance rather than who gets the first call. There is always this beauty parade and it is what is said and how they get on that matters. Ricketts added that the UKs best chance of getting in early was to be clear in advance about what Starmer and the UK could offer Trump. There is no point in having a conversation with Trump for the sake of it. He is purely transactional. Another UK diplomat with US experience said that if Starmer is granted an audience he needed to keep it light. You dont want to go in with your six-point plan on Ukraine. He will just switch off or interrupt and change the subject. Trump likes at least one session one-to-one with no officials. He likes the personal stuff, what do you think of him? What did you make of her? Do not appear needy or ask for too much. He finds that contemptuous. Nigel Sheinwald, a former UK ambassador to the US, said most western leaders were likely to have testing relationships with Trump. But this did not mean an initial meeting with Starmer would be confrontational. Trump can be gracious and he likes the UK and its traditions. Starmer has met him so will know this will be no conventional first meeting. Hell need to roll with the Trump free flow. I dont think it will be high noon. Meloni met Trump last week for dinner at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago home and he said at the time how much he admired her. This is very exciting, he said. I am here with a fantastic woman. She has really taken Europe by storm. Sheila Fox was reported missing in 1972, when she was a 16-year-old schoolgirl - West Midlands Police A woman who was found alive and well earlier this month after vanishing 53 years ago was not actually missing, her cousin has claimed. West Midlands Police celebrated solving one of its longest missing persons investigations last week following the discovery that Sheila Fox, now 68, was still alive. Ms Fox was last seen in Coventry city centre in 1972, when she was 16. Her parents reported her disappearance to the police and provided a grainy black-and-white photograph of the teenager on a recent seaside family holiday. Last Wednesday, police said she had been found after they received new information within hours of recirculating the image on social media in December as part of a fresh appeal. Rob Kevin, Ms Foxs cousin, has now claimed the appeal sparked amusement within the family because the missing former schoolgirl was in fact found decades ago. Mr Kevin told the MailOnline: When it came on the news that police were issuing a new appeal after 52 years, we all had a good laugh and Im not sure who put them right. Police patting themselves on the back Mr Kevin said Ms Fox made contact with her family several years after vanishing, by which time her three older siblings had left Coventry. She got back in touch with her family in the 1980s. But by then the whole family had moved to Canada, he told the MailOnline. Mr Kevin said it meant he was a bit surprised to see them [West Midlands Police] patting themselves on the back for the investigation. We all thought at the time that her parents would have informed the police that shed been found, but who knows? Maybe they did and the message got lost in the records, he added. The website also reported that she had posted a tribute on Facebook after her brother Christopher died in 2018 at the age of 71. She wrote on Facebook: Remembered with love. Sleep well. A month later, on his birthday, she posted on the obituaries website Legacy: No card today. No cake! Heavy hearts and tears. Blessed to have had you as my brother. Sheila x. The man from The Pru Another cousin, Kevin Fox, revealed it was the familys understanding that Ms Fox had run off with the insurance man, the man from The Pru. The phrase is an old advertising slogan used by the Prudential finance firm to refer to their agents, who would visit homes to sell insurance. Members of Ms Foxs wider family claimed she had embarked upon a relationship with an older man at the time of her disappearance and her parents disapproved, or she feared that they would if they found out. Both her mother, Anne, and father, Chris, a bricklayer, hailed from County Wexford in Ireland and moved to the Midlands at the end of the Second World War. Ms Foxs father is understood to have found work rebuilding Coventry after it was heavily bombed. She reportedly gave birth to her son Robert just 16 months after disappearing. His father is named on his birth certificate as John Foster, a barman from Enfield, north London. By 1983, Ms Fox had married Jack Thorpe, a father-of-two. The couple are understood to live in Watford, Hertfordshire. Ms Fox declined to comment in detail on the events when approached by the MailOnline, saying: It all happened a long time ago, Ive moved on, its all in the past. Its been a misunderstanding and I dont want to say any more. Campaigners met with Home Office officials in September to ask why recommendations by the child sexual abuse inquiry had not been implemented. Photograph: David Robinson/Alamy Campaigners met government officials months ago to urge them to implement recommendations from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) in England and Wales, but said no progress had been made until recent days. One campaigner who was present at the meeting with Home Office officials in September to ask why the recommendations had not been implemented accused the government of a kneejerk reaction and said it had been pushed into action by the political storm sparked by Elon Musks posts on X about grooming gangs. Weve been trying to get the government interested in implementing the recommendations for months and, lo and behold, Elon Musk turns up and something happens, they said. Last Monday the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, committed to introducing three key changes demanded by IICSA, which concluded in 2022. Cooper pledged to implement IICSAs proposals for a mandatory reporting regime for child sexual abuse, improved data collection and lengthened prison sentences for groomers. But there has so far been no commitment on other recommendations. A government source said work on these measures predated the row ignited by Musks posts on X and that progress on recommendations made by IICSA were also discussed at a ministerial meeting in December. On Saturday a government spokesperson said that it would set up a victims and survivors panel to advise on the implementation of IICSAs recommendations. Labour has been attacked by the Conservatives and Reform UK for rejecting calls for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs, while the Tories have been accused of failing to take action demanded by IICSA when they were in government. A Home Office spokesperson said: This government is focused on delivering meaningful change for victims impacted by these horrendous crimes and has wasted no time in working through the independent inquiry into child sexual abuses recommendations and implementing them. Ministers have been working across government and engaging with a number of partners, including survivors groups and campaigners, to drive this forward with a renewed focus. We will also set up a victims and survivors panel to guide us on the design and implementation of new proposals. Grooming gangs were one area of focus of the seven-year IICSA, which ended in 2022. Only a handful of its recommendations were taken forward by the Conservative government. IICSAs chair, Prof Alexis Jay, who also led a separate 2014 investigation into the Rotherham grooming scandal, has called for action rather than further inquiries. She criticised the politicisation of child sexual exploitation in an interview with BBC Radio 4s Today programme last Tuesday. She said: Im pleased that the subject matter and the inquiry recommendations are finally getting the attention they deserve, but this is definitely not the way I would have chosen for it to happen. When asked whether Musks posts had forced the government to act, Jay said the recent attention might have sped up action on IICSAs demands but that she had already been interacting with the government. Speaking to the Observer, Sarah Champion, the Labour MP for Rotherham, said she would be pushing the government to act on all IICSAs recommendations. For all the people I have spoken to, it just feels like once again were letting them down, she said. I dont want an inquiry that will kick everything into the long grass I want action. Related: Does UK need another national inquiry into rape and sexual abuse gangs? Champion said the existing system for compensating victims of child sexual abuse was particularly poor, with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority currently demanding claims be made within two years of an offence unless exceptional circumstances can be proved. The rules on claimants criminal convictions have also caused grooming gang victims to be refused compensation. IICSA called for the creation of a new compensation scheme for victims. The Conservatives promised a consultation on this but did not set it up, reportedly because of predicted financial costs. Last week the Financial Times reported compensation for victims could cost the government between 5bn and 10bn, according to Whitehall estimates. A Home Office spokesperson said it was doing further work on IICSAs remaining recommendations and was focused on meaningful change for victims. We are working at pace to go through the details of all the recommendations from IICSA, including evaluating costs of implementing them, they said. Crowds watch Elton John performing on the Pyramid Stage at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival - Yui Mok/PA An unemployed mother of two conned a grieving widower out of more than 672.50 for fake Glastonbury tickets, a court heard. Paul Kelly had hoped that attending the music festival would help get him out of the house following the death of his wife. When Holly Griffin, 35, advertised three tickets to the sell-out event Mr Kelly paid her 672.50 for them, and spent hundreds of pounds more on a camping pitch, refreshments, a cool box and new clothes for the five-day event. Yet she knew months before the 2023 festival - which was headlined that year by the Arctic Monkeys, Guns N Roses, and Elton John - that the tickets she sold to the grieving widower did not exist, prosecutors told Salisbury magistrates court. Holly Griffin knew months before the 2023 festival that the tickets she sold to Paul Kelly did not exist, the court heard - Solent News & Photo Agency That year Glastonbury tickets sold for 340 each. Locals are entitled to free admission, however, with Griffin living just three miles away in the Somerset village of East Pennard. Griffin was only allocated two free tickets instead of the six she had hoped to receive, the court was told, although she continued to string Mr Kelly along regardless. Over an eight month period the widower found himself on the receiving end of flirtatious messages from Griffin, who knew he had lost his wife and started a false relationship with him, the court heard. It was only on the eve of the 2023 festival that Mr Kelly found out the tickets did not exist. Emotional upset Kerry Richardson, prosecuting, told magistrates: In Griffins own account she said she knew those tickets were not available from February 2023 but it is the Crowns case she advertised them fraudulently from the start. She continued to contact Mr Kelly right up until the day of the festival. As a result he was at a loss of 627.50. In relation to the emotional upset, Griffin knew his wife had died previously and continued to contact him as if they were in a relationship. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Kelly said: I lost my wife in 2021, I had been struggling to get myself out of the house. Mr Kelly added that he thought attending the festival would be a good way to socialise. He continued: [Since the fake tickets] I have struggled to trust anyone, I feel ashamed and an idiot. People living near the festival site were entitled to free tickets, worth 340 in 2023 - Ben Birchall/PA Griffin, who pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation, told the court that she had stuck her head in the sand and wanted to avoid any conflict with Mr Kelly. As soon as I found out I could not come up with the tickets I should have told Mr Kelly, she said. I would have told Mr Kelly back in February but I could not deal with any more conflict, I stuck my head in the sand. Sentencing, District Judge Timothy Pattinson said: The most serious factor is the breach of trust... there was very considerable distrust. You have told me you are very remorseful, I accept that is the case. Griffin was fined 200 and ordered to pay Mr Kelly 750 in compensation. Protestors march with placards during the Demand for the Decriminalisation of Abortion Protest in London in June 2023. Photograph: SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Medical leaders are calling for reform of abortion laws in England and Wales after an unprecedented rise in women and girls being prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies. More than 30 groups including the British Medical Association, the Faculty of Public Health, the British Society of Abortion Care Providers and the royal colleges of GPs, nurses, psychiatrists, midwives and anaesthetists issued a joint statement warning that the current legislation is causing trauma and cruelty and demanding immediate action to safeguard reproductive rights. The intervention, led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), comes after cases where women were prosecuted for illegal abortions under a Victorian-era law that remains in place today. Six women have appeared in court over the past two years under the Offences against the Person Act. There had previously been only a handful of known convictions since the law was introduced in 1861. It is a criminal offence to have an abortion after 24 weeks or without approval from two doctors, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The groups, which represent about 800,000 healthcare professionals, are calling for a halt to prosecutions, saying abortion should be a healthcare issue, not a criminal one. Backed by 20 legal experts and charities including Womens Aid and Liberty, they suggest the change could be made as an amendment to the crime and policing bill, set to be introduced to parliament in the spring. They also call for a new bill to modernise abortion legislation, so it can be managed through the same robust regulatory and quality monitoring processes as all other healthcare. Women and girls are facing traumatic and prolonged criminal investigations following pregnancy loss and abortion in numbers never seen before, they said. We call on parliament as a matter of urgency to ensure women in England and Wales have the same protection as those in Northern Ireland by removing them from the threat of prosecution in relation to their own pregnancy. The call will put pressure on MPs amid rollbacks of abortion access in other countries, such as the US, and ramped up activity from anti-abortion activists in Britain. In the last parliament there were several attempts to restrict access, including an amendment to cut the legal limit from 24 weeks to 22. The Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, has signalled his desire for MPs to look at cutting the limit. Labour MPs including Jess Phillips and Diana Johnson both now Home Office ministers have been vocal about their support for modernising abortion laws. Before the election, Johnson tabled an amendment seeking to decriminalise it, backed by cross-party MPs including Phillips. However, some Labour figures urged caution about the bill, fearing it would embolden anti-abortion activists and lead to a rolling back of telemedicine, the remote provision of clinical services. Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the RCOG, said: The large majority of the public agree that it is not in the public interest to prosecute women for ending their own pregnancy. No woman should be forced to continue a pregnancy against her will. No woman should face the threat of jail, or the distress of an investigation or prosecution for ending a pregnancy, or for experiencing unexpected or unexplained pregnancy loss. Dr Andrew Green, chair of the British Medical Associations ethics committee, said: Criminalisation of abortion care belongs in a different era. It can discourage women from seeking safe healthcare when they need it, leading to unnecessary illness and suffering. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: The RCGP supports the decriminalisation of abortion and believes a change in the law is long overdue. It does not make sense that women can be prosecuted due to antiquated laws that were created before women were even allowed to vote. Campaigners say the proposed changes would not lead to deregulation of abortion. But the approach would stop women being prosecuted for ending their own pregnancies bringing the law into line with countries including Northern Ireland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France, where it is decriminalised. While abortion is accessible and prosecutions are uncommon, it is still a criminal offence in England and Wales to procure an abortion under the 1861 law. There are exemptions under the 1967 Abortion Act, which permits abortion when two doctors agree continuing the pregnancy would be risky for the womens physical or mental health. But the old law was never repealed. The Observer previously revealed police have launched dozens of investigations into suspected breaches of the law in the past decade, including cases where women bought abortion pills online and drank herbal remedies without medical supervision. In one case in 2021, a 15-year-old girl who had an unexplained early stillbirth was subjected to a year-long investigation that saw her texts and search history examined, according to records released under freedom of information laws. The case was dropped after a coroner concluded natural causes ended the pregnancy. In another case, in Norfolk, a woman was hospitalised after swallowing eight misoprostol tablets used with mifepristone to induce abortion which had not been obtained through a doctor. She was thought to be 26 weeks pregnant, two weeks past the legal limit. In the 10 years to April 2022, police in England and Wales recorded at least 67 cases of procuring an illegal abortion, the FoI data shows. In most the women were not charged because it was not considered to be in the public interest. But in some recent cases, women have faced prosecution. In December, Sophie Harvey, 25, was given a community order after admitting to conspiring with her partner to buy abortion pills to end her pregnancy when she was 19. The case took six years. In 2023, Carla Foster, 44, was jailed after admitting ending her pregnancy beyond the time limit during a coronavirus lockdown. Her 28-month sentence was later reduced to 14 months and suspended, with judges saying her case called for compassion, not punishment. In January 2024, Bethany Cox, 22, was found not guilty of an illegal at-home abortion after a three-year investigation. Prosecutors dropped the case due to evidential difficulties. The reason for the apparent rise in prosecutions is not clear. But Prof Sally Sheldon, an expert in abortion law at Bristol university, said greater awareness of medical abortions after the launch of telemedicine services had likely led to heightened vigilance among healthcare professionals. Reporting on illegal abortion cases had likely also led to greater awareness of the law, she said. Any time we have one of these cases there is a massive amount of publicity, so that can fuel it, she said. Campaigners say the impact of investigations can be profound. In several cases, women have had their children removed from their family and contact banned or severely restricted. It is common for mobile phones and computers to be seized. Even if charges are not brought, the impact of the investigation causes life-changing harm to women and their families, said Dr Jonathan Lord, an NHS gynaecologist and co-chair of the RCOG abortion taskforce. Many cases do not proceed to a prosecution, but it can take years before the case is dropped. Shila Keshvari, a criminal defence lawyer with expertise in abortion law, said young teenagers and abuse victims were among those investigated over alleged illegal terminations. Many have gone into hospital for a stillbirth and before they know it, the police have turned up to arrest them. The impact is long-term mental health trauma, she said. The government did not comment on the calls for new legislation. A spokesperson said abortion was an extremely sensitive issue with strongly held views on all sides of the discussion. That is why, by longstanding convention, any change to the law would be a matter of conscience for parliamentarians rather than the government. It said prosecutions were a matter for the CPS. A CPS spokesperson said cases, though rare, were often complex and traumatic and that prosecutors considered each one carefully. It said prosecution numbers reflected the cases referred to it and that court backlogs meant some cases charged pre-pandemic had only recently been heard. The National Police Chiefs Council said investigations were only initiated where there was credible information to suggest criminal activity often as a result of concerns raised from medical professionals, and were always treated with sensitivity and compassion. Labour MP Stella Creasy, a vocal campaigner on reproductive rights, said: We cannot ignore the fact that hundreds of women are still being investigated in often the most gruelling circumstances, having had a late-term miscarriage, or not even knowing they were pregnant at all. Instead of a counsellor, they get a police officer visiting them. Dr Janet Barter, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health, said: A change to the legislation is long overdue. A map of the United States of America salvaged from an 1867 school geography book. Photograph: Ideabug/Getty Donald Trump has suggested that the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed and referred to as the Gulf of America in the future. I have a better suggestion that would be far more historically accurate. We should rename North America itself (America Mexicana: Mexicos president responds to Trump with renaming of her own, 8 January). As the vikings of Norway are thought to be the first persons from Europe to have reached the continent now known as North America, the name should reflect this. Thus the name should be derived from the Norwegian language. And as many Algonquian- and Iroquoianspeaking peoples who lived on the east coast and suffered first contact with Europeans referred to the continent as Turtle Island, we should also honour them. After all, they lived there before Europeans brought their feudal and exploitative capitalistic systems to the continent. Turtle in Norwegian is skilpadde. And island is y or ya. Henceforth, North America should be referred to as Skilpaddeya. That would certainly be a challenge for the postal service. Carla Toney Karlsruhe, Germany Do you have a photograph youd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays. Sonay Kartal was disappointed with her performance on her Australian Open debut as she fell in the opening round to Spains Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The British number three won only one of the first 10 games following a long rain delay but mounted a comeback and was close to forcing a deciding set before losing out 6-1 7-6 (5). Im obviously disappointed with the result, pretty disappointed with the performance as well, said Kartal, who missed out on a second-round date with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. I was definitely far from what I expected myself to play and my expectations. But credit to her, she came out guns blazing in that first set. I wasnt even getting a touch on a lot of her forehands. It was tricky. She, in some aspects, plays very similar to me. Spinny forehand, gets good whip off the ball, likes to dictate with the forehand as well. So it was tough, kind of playing someone like myself. You dont really come across it that much. I had chances in the second set, just a couple of points here and there. And I think that, if Id have got one or two extra points, I think I could have easily gone into a third set. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro hit 23 winners in Melbourne (Manish Swarup/AP) After a more than three-hour wait, the players then faced a further delay while officials with towels tried to stop water coming up through small holes on the court. Then, in the second game, both players thought a Bouzas Maneiro serve had been called out, only to eventually realise that the call had come from a neighbouring court. With line calls now automated and no line judges on the court, it can be difficult for players to determine where the call has come from. They all sound the same, said Kartal. I was like, God. I think on ours the sound of his voice was male, so I was just listening out for the male voice instead of the female voice. Confusion over line calls was the least of the 23-year-olds problems, though, with Bouzas Maneiro, who defeated Katie Boulter at the US Open last summer, crunching winners seemingly at will. Kartal, ranked 33 places below her opponent at 87 in the world, finally ended a nine-game losing run by holding serve in the fourth game of the second set, and from there the momentum began to turn. There were a few more errors from the Bouzas Maneiro racket and Kartal broke serve twice in a row, saving a match point at 4-5 thanks to a wayward volley from her opponent. Had she capitalised on a 4-2 lead in the tie-break, things might have turned out differently, but Bouzas Maneiro won five of the last six points. Sonay Kartal (right) was not good enough to beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Manish Swarup/AP) Kartal is still very inexperienced at this level, having risen rapidly up the rankings during the second half of last season, winning a first WTA Tour title in Tunisia and breaking into the top 100. Her ranking will allow her to play some big tour events for the first time, and she said: Ill bounce back from this. Ive got plenty more chances and good matches that are coming up pretty soon. Kartal was the only British player in action on the opening day, with Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Jodie Burrage all due to begin their campaigns on Monday. Temperatures dropped to minus 13.9C overnight on Saturday, but the cold spell is coming to an end. Kinbrace in northern Scotland saw the lowest overnight temperature with minus 13.9C, while Cavendish in Suffolk hit minus 7.8C and Hawarden Airport in Wales dropped to minus 2.2C, the Met Office said. Freezing fog settled on areas of south-east England and Northern Ireland on Sunday morning, which could cause icy conditions, but it was expected to clear by the afternoon, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said. It's another very cold and frosty start for many on Sunday morning, with some freezing fog patches in places Less cold in the west with patchy rain moving into Northern Ireland pic.twitter.com/ouLwyW6266 Met Office (@metoffice) January 11, 2025 It comes after temperatures plummeted to minus 18.9C on Saturday morning in Altnaharra, Scotland, and was the UKs coldest January night in 15 years. The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C, while for England, overnight lows are about 1.5C to 1.6C. (PA Graphics) The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 14, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said. On Sunday, temperatures might reach 2C or 3C in the south east, while areas across the far west could see 6C-9C, and for the vast majority it will be between 5C and 7C, which Mr Dewhurst said was generally on the chilly side. (PA Graphics) Overnight on Sunday is when the milder air will arrive, by the end of the night temperatures in Northern Ireland and western Scotland could be between 9C and 10C, while most places will be between minus 1C and 3C, which is not as cold compared to recent nights, he added. Next week is set to start with a north and south split with the temperatures and weather, with Northern Ireland and the northern half of the country cloudy with outbreaks patchy rain and between 9C and 12C, while the central and southern areas drier and between 5C and 8C. Tuesday will be similar, but potentially drier with temperatures between 11-12C in the north and 8-9C in the south. Mr Dewhurst said: (It will be) back to average temperatures generally for the time of year. Thunderstorms lashed Melbourne Park on the opening day of the Australian Open but fifth seed Zheng Qinwen safely reached round two. Less than an hour of play was possible on the outside courts on the first morning before an intense storm hit, sending spectators scurrying for cover as thunder crashed overhead and torrential rain left walkways looking like rivers. Matches were able to continue on the three covered courts, and Zheng, the runner-up last year in the womens singles, opened proceedings on Rod Laver Arena. The Chinese player, who went on to win Olympic gold in Paris, did not have things all her own way against Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni but battled to a 7-6 (3) 6-1 victory. Zheng Qinwen made it into the next round (Vincent Thian/AP) Zheng looked in complete control serving for the set at 5-4 and leading 40-0 only for Todoni to win five points in a row. The Romanian then held three set points with Zheng serving at 5-6 but could not take any of them and things were comfortable for the fifth seed thereafter. The first match is always not easy, said Zheng in her on-court interview. Shes playing really good but I was doing a bit stupid mistakes at 5-4 40-0, I dont know what happened there. Teenager Mirra Andreeva could be a factor come the latter stages of the tournament and she began strongly with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Marie Bouzkova. Casper Ruud, pictured, was relieved after beating Jaume Munar (Vincent Thian/AP) Sixth seed Casper Ruud survived a major scare to avoid a first opening-round loss at a grand slam since Wimbledon four years ago. The Norwegian was twice pegged back by Spaniard Jaume Munar but proved too strong in the deciding set to claim a 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 victory. Also prevailing in a fifth was Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, who came from two sets down to beat Brazils Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-7 (4) 7-5 6-2 6-3 for just his second slam victory since 2021. The 35-year-old former US Open finalist has been dogged by injuries in recent years but, after saving two match points in the third set, he extended his five-set record to a superb 29 wins from 37 matches, coming through in four hours and six minutes. Play outside was finally due to get under way more than six hours after being suspended. John Clutterbuck/istockphoto Who said model airplanes are only for aviation enthusiasts? For some collectors, theyre worth spending a fortune on, especially if theyre tied to major historical events like World War II or the Space Race. From limited-edition replicas to vintage models no longer in production, these tiny planes can soar to sky-high values. Whether due to their craftsmanship, rarity, or the story behind the real aircraft, here are 10 model airplanes that prove the skys the limit when it comes to their worth. 1. Dinky Supermarine Spitfire eBay Celebrated for its historical significance (the plane played a key role during air attacks in the Battle of Britain in 1940), this vintage model of the iconic fighter plane is a rare gem among collectors. Thanks to its legacy and the lasting appeal of Dinky Toys, versions in pristine condition especially those still in their original packaging can command around $200 online. 2. Iron Maiden Herpa Diecast Boeing 747-400 eBay This detailed replica of Iron Maidens custom plane from its Book of Souls world tour is another coveted item cherished by both fans of the band and aviation enthusiasts. Limited production runs, coupled with its unique connection to the legendary rock band, have elevated this models value to around $300 (with unopened sets commanding even more). 3. Corgi Avro Lancaster Bomber eBay Known for its craftsmanship and fine detailing, this model of the WWII-era bomber is a collectors dream. With only a limited number ever made, the scarcity drives up its value. Some rare editions, especially in mint condition, can sell for over $550. 4. Franklin Mint B-17 Flying Fortress eBay This die-cast model is a detailed replica of the famous bomber that helped turn the tide in WWII. Complete with working parts like propellers and even landing gear, its value lies in its iconic status among military aviation history coupled with Franklin Mints reputation for making high-quality collectibles. Models in excellent condition can fetch over $700. 5. Tamiya P-51D Mustang Bomber eBay A favorite among model-building enthusiasts, this kit is famous for its high detail and historical accuracy. Discontinued editions have become especially rare, making unopened kits extremely valuable and coveted. But collectors have been known to also fork over hundreds for completed sets, like this P-51D Mustang Glamorous Glen thats going for over $300 on eBay. 6. Schabak Concorde British Airways Etsy Considered a symbol of luxury and innovation in aviation history, this die-cast model of the supersonic jet is another treasured gem among collectors. Its limited production run and association with the now-retired Concorde have further boosted its value, with even used sets like this 1029/14 Schabak fetching over $100. 7. Herpa Wings Emirates A380 eBay This replica of the Emirates A380 captures the worlds largest passenger plane in impressive detail, complete with engine turbines and realistic landing gear. Its connection to Emirates, which is known for its luxurious amenities and high-quality service, make it another collectors favorite. Rare versions (especially unopened sets) can sell for around $200. 8. Airfix Handley Page Victor eBay A classic from the Airfix brand, this model of the Cold War-era jet is both rare and steeped in history. Discontinued models in their original packaging are highly prized among collectors for their scarcity, with complete kits easily selling for over $100. 9. Hasegawa SR-71 Blackbird Etsy This limited-edition model of the legendary spy plane is known for its sleek design and massive size (it literally takes up the whole front hood of a truck!). Its mystique as one of the fastest planes ever built, coupled with the SR-71s iconic place in aviation history, adds to its appeal among collectors. In mint or good condition, you can expect to pay over $400 for one. 10. Revell Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor eBay A modern fighter jet icon, this model is renowned for its detailed craftsmanship and accuracy. Discontinued kits and special editions are especially valuable to collectors, with unopened sets selling for over $400 and completed ones snagging over $100. The post 10 Model Airplanes Worth Sky-High Amounts appeared first on Wealth Gang. The key to identifying the cause of the still-raging Palisades Fire lies on a brush-covered hilltop where the blaze broke out just after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Fire investigators are still working to determine what sparked the inferno, but experts say its easy to rule out one common cause of wildfires: lightning. The region was free of stormy weather this week. The area near the Temescal Ridge Trail also appears to be free of power lines or transformers, which rules out another potential cause. Follow along for live updates That leaves the source of most wildfires: people. But was it a result of arson? Four experts interviewed by NBC News said it was a possibility, but they thought the fires were more likely not set on purpose. A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday. This is what we call inaccessible, rugged terrain, said Rick Crawford, former battalion chief for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Arsonists usually arent going to go 500 feet off a trailhead through trees and brush, set a fire and then run away. Fires break out in the wooded areas on the edges of Los Angeles all the time many of them caused unintentionally by homeless people. The fires almost never grow into a destructive blaze due to the lack of high winds. The combination of ferocious winds and a parched landscape created ideal conditions for the fast-moving fires that have consumed large swaths of Los Angeles this week. You dont need a gang of arsonists to go out there and be starting fires because nature is taking care of that for you, said Scott Fischer, a retired federal law enforcement arson investigator. There are arsonists out there, he added, but are there a band of arsonists running around Los Angeles right now? Not likely. Copycat arson is a known phenomenon, however. The experts said they wouldnt be surprised if one of the smaller fires that broke out after the Palisades blaze was intentionally set. When you get a large fire event like this being experienced in Los Angeles, you sometimes trigger people to go out and light a fire, said Terry Taylor, a retired wildland fire investigator who now works as an instructor. Its a copycat thing. ... It happens from time to time. Taylor and the other experts said its unlikely those answers will come anytime soon, as determining arson tends to require a lengthy investigation. Eaton Fire The Eaton Fire, the second largest to wreak havoc in Los Angeles, is not one of those likely to have been started by an arsonist, the experts say. It erupted Tuesday evening in an area east of Altadena where an array of high-voltage transmission lines hovers overhead. Damage to structures from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Friday. Given the area and weather conditions, the fire experts said their first thought was power lines. Whipping winds can cause the lines to slap together, shedding small balls of superhot molten metal. If the ground is really dry and the wind is blowing and poof you have a fire, said Ed Nordskog, a retired detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department who spent his career investigating arsonists. But thats just one potential scenario. Its also possible that it was started by a person operating a camping stove or a car or lawn mower that ejected a hot spark onto dry grass, Nordskog said. As for the possibility it was intentionally set, Nordskog said it was unlikely. Most of the time, these fires are not arson, he said. There is no data supporting winds bringing out arsonists. Inch by inch Identifying the cause of a fire is a highly specialized and painstaking endeavor, experts say. The first step is pinpointing where it began. Things like burn patterns and charred debris can provide crucial clues. Then comes the most detailed and labor-intensive part of the process. The investigators will lay out a grid at the scene, typically with string, and literally crawl around on their hands and knees in search of footprints or other clues. The investigators often use metal detectors and magnifying glasses or even binoculars to help with their search. Theyll go inch by inch by inch, and it will take hours, said Nordskog. Its not fun. In the case of the Eaton Fire, the investigators are likely to use magnets to help them hunt for the tiny, melted pieces of metal that could have been shed by power lines if they slapped together. But the existence of the metal doesnt necessarily indicate thats how the fire started, Nordskog said. You still have to figure out if the power lines spark was because things were already on fire or what started the fire, he said. Theres so much stuff going on with an investigation, so many factors. Anybody tells you right away what caused the fire, they had to have seen it. If the investigators find evidence the fire was caused by a person, they must then work to determine whether it was the result of an accident, negligence or an intentional act. John Abatzoglou, a professor of climatology at the University of California, Merced, examined 30 years worth of government fire occurrence data from Los Angeles County. It showed that the most common causes of wildfires from 1992 to 2020 were mishaps related to vehicles and other equipment. More than 95% of these are human-ignited fires, he wrote in an email. Arson is among the causes, but most human-caused fires are not intentional. The best players out there The prospect of arsonists torching Los Angeles gained traction on social media Thursday when a group of people in Woodland Hills detained a man they suspected of setting a trash fire. The man was arrested, but there was not enough probable cause to charge him with arson, police officials said Friday. He was arrested on a felony probation violation instead. In addition to the Palisades and Eaton fires, four others have burned across Los Angeles. The causes remain under investigation. A law enforcement task force has been set up to uncover what caused the fires. The local agencies involved the Los Angeles fire and police departments and the county Sheriffs Department, as well as Cal Fire are considered to be among the most skilled in the country. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the probe. "Everything is absolutely on the table," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Saturday. It could take several days for investigators to determine the causes of the fires. Determining whether a fire found to have been started by a person is a criminal act could take several months or even years, the experts said. With the number of fire deaths reaching 24, the effort to uncover the causes is expected to go on for as long as it takes. Youre going to have the best players out there to be able to solve the problem, said Crawford, the retired Los Angeles battalion chief. By Andrea Shalal and Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with the families of three Americans detained in Afghanistan by its Taliban rulers since 2022, and emphasized his commitment to bringing home Americans wrongfully held overseas, the White House said. Biden's administration has been negotiating with the Taliban since at least July about a U.S. proposal to release the three Americans - Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi - in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, a high-profile prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay, Reuters reported last week, citing a source familiar with the discussions. Efforts to secure the release of the Americans continue, a second source familiar with the initiative said on Sunday. Corbett and Habibi were detained in separate incidents in August 2022 a year after the Taliban seized Kabul amid the chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal. Glezmann was detained later in 2022 while visiting as a tourist. Ahmad Habibi, Mahmood Habibi's brother, who was on the call on Sunday, welcomed the discussion with Biden. "President Biden was very clear in telling us that he would not trade Rahim if the Taliban do not let my brother go," he said. "He said he would not leave him behind. My family is very grateful that he is standing up for my brother." The Taliban, which denies holding Habibi, had countered the U.S. proposal with an offer to exchange Glezmann and Corbett for Rahim and two others, one of the sources told Reuters last week. The White House noted that Biden has brought home more than 75 Americans unjustly detained around the world, including from Myanmar, China, Gaza, Haiti, Iran, Russia, Rwanda, Venezuela and West Africa. His administration also brought home all Americans detained in Afghanistan before the U.S. military withdrawal, it said. "President Biden and his team have worked around the clock, often in partnership with key allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad so that they can be reunited with their families, and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the term," it added. A Senate intelligence committee report on the agency's so-called enhanced interrogation program called Rahim an "al Qaeda facilitator" and said he was arrested in Pakistan in June 2007 and "rendered" to the CIA the following month. He was kept in a secret CIA "black site," where he was subjected to tough interrogation methods, including extensive sleep deprivation, and then sent to Guantanamo Bay in March 2008, the report said. Biden last week sent 11 Guantanamo detainees to Oman, reducing the prisoner population at the detention center in Cuba by nearly half as part of its effort to close the facility as the president prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Jonathan Landay and Katharine Jackson in Washington; Editing by Diane Craft and Matthew Lewis) Maha Kumbh likely to generate over Rs 4 lakh crore in trade, boost India's economy As Maha Kumbh sets to begin in Prayagraj at the holy confluence of the revered Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers from Monday, the largest religious congregation on Earth is anticipated to generate more than Rs 4 lakh crore in trade in a significant boost to India's economy. As per industry estimates, Maha Kumbh is expected to boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1 per cent. The Uttar Pradesh government expects approximately 40 crore visitors, both domestic and international, to attend the event. According to the government estimates, Maha Kumbh may generate Rs 2 lakh crore in trade if each of 40 crore visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000. Industry estimates further say that the average expenditure per person could rise to even Rs 10,000 at the mega event, and the total economic impact could reach Rs 4 lakh crore. Meanwhile, companies from India as well as abroad are fighting for space to showcase their presence during the 45-day event. From fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to pharma sectors, from mobility providers to digital payments platforms, companies have loosened their marketing purse strings, and are set to spend more than Rs 3,000 crore on branding and marketing at Maha Kumbh, according to industry experts. Public sector giant Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has supplied approximately 45,000 tonnes of steel for the construction of various structures at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The steel supplied by the company includes chequered plates, hot strip mill plates, mild steel plates, angles and joists, according to a statement issued by the Maharatna company. Prayagraj has undergone a major makeover ahead of the biggest congregation of the followers of Sanatan Dharma. More than 200 roads have been constructed and upgraded, ensuring seamless connectivity for millions of devotees likely to attend the grand spiritual gathering. The roads have been beautified by placing over 3 lakh plants and 1 lakh horticultural samplings, enhancing their visual appeal. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as U.S. officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and cease-fire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20. Biden and Netanyahu discussed efforts underway to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the Palestinian enclave and free the remaining 98 hostages held there, the White House confirmed. Netanyahu updated Biden on progress and on the mandate he has given his top-level security delegation now in Doha in order to advance a hostage deal, Netanyahu said in a statement. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" program earlier on Sunday that the parties were "very, very close" to reaching a deal, but still had to get it across the finish line. He said Biden was getting daily updates on the talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas. "We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done," Sullivan said, "and we are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside." He said there was still a chance to reach an agreement before Biden leaves office, but that it was also possible "Hamas, in particular, remains intransigent." Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, and most of its population displaced. Vice President-elect JD Vance told the "Fox News Sunday" program in an interview taped on Saturday that he expects a deal for the release of U.S. hostages in the Middle East to be announced in the final days of the Biden administration, maybe in the last day or two. President-elect Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has strongly backed Netanyahu's goal of destroying Hamas. He has promised to bring peace to the Middle East, but has not said how he would accomplish that. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; additional reporting by David Morgan and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Ros Russell) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden spoke with Netanyahu as officials eye hostage, cease-fire deal Rohit Chopra has been going for broke. With the Biden administration winding down, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director has continued to roll out splashy and controversial new regulations, shrugging off angry warnings from Congressional Republicans. In December, the watchdog agency finalized rules drastically limiting overdraft fees on bank accounts, eliciting furious protests and an immediate lawsuit from the financial industry; it followed this week by finishing a regulation that bars medical bills from being included on consumer credit reports, much to the chagrin of banks, debt collectors, and many hospitals. The damn-the-torpedoes approach carries an inherent risk, however. Republicans have hinted they may try to undo some of Chopras moves using the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers and the president to spike recently completed rules. Whats more, the law bans agencies from enacting new regulations that are substantially the same as one Congress has reversed meaning they could, in theory, be permanently repealed. Industry lobbyists are already urging Republicans to pick up that tool. This is exactly what the Congressional Review Act is for, said Leah Dempsey, a partner with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, who represents the debt collector trade association ACA International. This would be a textbook example, some of these actions over the last few weeks. The CFBP, however, appears to be gambling that Republicans wont have the stomach to overturn what regulators view as populist, and likely very popular, consumer protection measures. The rule on overdraft fees which banks charge to customers in return for letting them overdraw their account limits them to just $5, down from an average of $27 today. The limits on reporting medical debt would protect cancer patients and others from having their credit marred by unavoidable hospital bills. I think that at the end of the day, its hard to see how either the incoming administration or members of Congress are going to want to have the first votes of their legacy be standing up for debt collectors, you know, standing up for big banks driving junk fees, a source familiar with the CFPBs internal thinking told Yahoo Finance. How Trump made the CRA great First passed in 1996, the Congressional Review Act was designed, in part, to prevent an outgoing administration from slipping last-minute regulations under the closing White House door. In order to scrap a regulation, both the House and Senate are required to pass whats known as a disapproval resolution, which must also be signed by the president. The statute gives lawmakers a limited window of time to reject a new rule after an agency publishes it. But each new Congress also gets an extra 60-day lookback period when it is permitted to overturn regulations finished late in the previous term. Although it had existed on the books for 20 years, Donald Trump was the first president to make heavy use of the law to undo a predecessors work, rolling back 16 different regulations that had been finished at the end of the Obama administration. Before then, the statute had only been successfully deployed once, under George W. Bush. The Biden White House was clearly cognizant of that experience and didnt want it to happen again, said Roger Nober, director of George Washington Universitys Regulatory Studies Center. It finalized a flurry of economically significant rules in the spring, early enough that Republicans couldnt move to repeal them in the event of a Trump win. Since Trumps election win, agencies have taken different approaches to tying up regulatory loose ends. The Department of Education recently withdrew major proposals on trans athletes in womens sports and student loan forgiveness, moves that were seen as tactical retreats. Leaving those rules unfinished would have given the Trump administration an opportunity to complete them itself, speeding up its own agenda. Finalizing them in a late rush would have left the regulations prone to Congressional review as well as lawsuits if the agency failed to dot-cross all the necessary Is and Ts. The Treasury Department, in contrast, finalized rules in recent weeks governing key tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, including ones for hydrogen production and zero-carbon electricity. Those rules were seen as must-finish items essential to making Bidens signature legislative achievement function. Meanwhile, some of the major banking regulators, including the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency promised to put their rulemaking activity on pause until the next administration took office. Midnight rulemaking Chopra, for his part, has chosen to clear his agencys to-do list in a final burst of activity, telling a Senate committee that he saw no need for the CFPB to be a dead fish in the lame-duck period. Along with late regulations, the regulator has filed a flurry of lawsuits targeting major banks and the company that runs the payment platform Zelle, Walmart, and the manufactured homes company owned by Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway. Key Capitol Hill Democrats have cheered on his approach. In December, former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, then the head of the Senate Banking Committee, and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, who also sits on the panel, urged the CFPB to finish its medical debt rule. This issue is far too important to remain unsettled any longer, Warnock said in a statement at the time. But Chopras push has infuriated Capitol Hill Republicans, many of whom have opposed the CFPBs existence since its creation and are hoping to significantly curtail its powers under Trump. Immediately after the election, Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott sent a letter to the Biden administration, asking all financial regulators to hit pause on new rules. He and House Financial Services Committee chair French Hill have sinceblasted Chopra for ignoring their requests, accusing him of engaging in midnight rulemaking. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) director Rohit Chopra arrives to testify before a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on December 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) (Kent Nishimura via Getty Images) Republicans lawmakers have yet to confirm whether they will try to repeal the regulations, though they have floated the possibility. In a December letter urging Chopra to hit pause on his efforts, Hill pointedly noted that his final actions could be subject to the Congressional Review Act. The financial system, its institutions, consumers, and the CFPB itself do not benefit from last-minute partisan rulemaking attempts, he wrote. Some of this typical end-of-term partisan sparring. The first Trump administration was similarly accused of engaging in midnight rulemaking as it sought to implement a slew of policy changes near its end. (The CFPB itself issued major rules on debt collection and mortgages in December of 2020). Progressives were ultimately frustrated that Democratic lawmakers and the Biden administration only used the Congressional Review Act three times to reverse those actions, in part because leaders on Capitol Hill wanted to focus on their expansive legislative agenda. Republicans could face similar logistical constraints this year. For that reason, some might prefer to let the Trump administrations regulators rewrite rules, though that would be a lengthier process, or allow lawsuits challenging them to play out. Industry groups have already filed suit to overturn the overdraft rule, which stands to cost banks billions of dollars annually in fees. Even if Republicans do overturn rules via the Congressional Review Act, some experts question whether it would actually prevent a future Democratic administration from resurrecting a similar policy down the line. Although the law bans agencies from implementing a rule in substantially the same form once its been subject to a disapproval resolution, it does not define what that means and the issue has never been fully litigated in court, said Philip Wallach, a senior fellow at The American Enterprise Institute who studies the regulatory process. I feel like if I were in Chopras position, youre thinking why not just take your shot, why not leave your record the best you can? Wallach said. Make [Republicans] take their time and spend their political capital rather than meekly tabling it all as you walk out the door. Jordan Weissmann is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance. VIEW press/Getty Images A trip to Costco can sometimes be overwhelming: you have to find a parking spot, remember which policies have changed so you dont get thwarted at the cashier, navigate through crowded aisles, juggle your shopping list, and maybe a kid or two. Hopefully, the mini cakes your family loved last time are still there or youll see a lot of pouts when you get home. When you do get home, you have to haul a car full of food and other home goods into the house, and then, there's dinner to cook. It's a lotuntil you remember that you bought a Costco ready-made meal kit, one with everything pre-portioned so you can throw dinner together in just a few minutes with minimal prep and clean up. Like the mini cakes and many other items Costco offers, those meal kits rotate. Sometimes, it's a Tempura Lime Taco kit. Sometimes, its the coveted Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes. Or Carne Asada Rice Bowls, Stir Fry Kit, or Cheese Quesadillas. One of our favorite kits hasnt been around for a while, at least not in any Costco weve been in recently. So imagine our excitement when someone on Reddit recently spotted it. Costcos Fan-Favorite Chicken Taco Kit A Costco member recently posted on Reddit about a Chicken Taco Kit that comes with seasoned chicken, a crunchy slaw, salsa, cilantro lime cream, and enough soft tortillas to fill with all the ingredients. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Plus, there are 12 tortillas in the kit, so, if shared between two people, that means each person can eat six tacos for under $10 per person, which is an absolute steal if you're asking us. "Chicken tacos are probably my all-time fav to pick up for an easy, cheap, and tasty dinner," the Redditor wrote. We were ready to start our cars and head to Costcountil we read further down the thread. The person who posted this lives in Canada. After scrambling on the internet to see if anyone has spotted this in their local Costco, it became apparent that this product might only be in Canadaat least for now. So, well have to take a deep breath and choose one of Costcos other beloved quick and easy meals: the Bibigo Mini Wontons. Add them to chicken broth for a quick, warm, and satisfying meal. Its not tacos, but we can live with that until someone spots Costcos Chicken Taco Meal Kit in the U.S. If that's you, please let us know. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the LA fires for Sunday, Jan. 12. For the latest updates on the Los Angeles wildfires in California, please read USA TODAY'S live updates for Monday, Jan. 13. LOS ANGELES Wildfires that have ignited across the Los Angeles area have left a trail of destruction, killing at least 24 people and destroying thousands of structures, officials said Sunday. In an update Sunday evening, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said a total of 24 people have died due to the wildfires. The cases remain under investigation by the department, which noted that only 10 have been confirmed as human remains. Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continued on Sunday as ominous new wind warnings as flames threatened additional Southern California communities. Aircraft unloaded water and fire retardant on hills where the Palisades Fire the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles has scorched over 23,000 acres, destroying more homes, businesses, and numerous landmarks. The expansion of the Palisades Fire, which was 13% contained, to the north and east spurred officials to issue evacuation orders and warnings to the west of the 405 freeway as the blaze put parts of Encino and Brentwood in peril. Officials acknowledged that progress had been made but warned resurging winds could complicate efforts and enhance the risk level. Santa Ana winds that have fueled the blazes for the past week were picking up Sunday morning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, then were expected to weaken in the afternoon before strengthening Sunday night through Wednesday, with the worst of it occurring on Tuesday. North-northeast wind gusts between 35 to 55 mph were possible, according to Rich Thompson, an incident meteorologist with the National Weather Service. A red flag warning is in effect until Wednesday and Thompson warned that in addition to the strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation will contribute to very critical fire conditions. "We're not out of the woods yet. We have some very significant fire weather ahead of us," Nancy Ward, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, said during a news conference Sunday afternoon. "We've prepositioned additional engines, fire crews, helicopters, bulldozers, water tenders across all of Southern California ... all poised to assist and support the additional fire threat." The Palisades Fire is one of six blazes that have erupted since Tuesday, obliterating neighborhoods and leaving a catastrophic trail of destruction. Three of the six fires remained active on Sunday. Get weather and fire alerts via text: Sign up to get current wildfire updates by location Developments: More than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires, which have consumed about 40,300 acres of total land, according to CalFire. Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area now cover 105,000 residents. Another 87,000 residents have been warned that they may have to evacuate, fire officials said. The containment status of all three active fires: Palisades 13%; Eaton 27%; Hurst 89%. Three other blazes Kenneth, Sunset, and Sunswept have been contained. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into water supply issues that may have impeded firefighters' efforts. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the U.S., will reopen almost all schools on Monday. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District said all Santa Monica schools, with the exception of Roosevelt Elementary, will also reopen on Monday. Meanwhile, Malibu schools will be closed through Wednesday and the Pasadena Unified School District will be closed through Friday. The unrelenting toll: From unhoused folks to beachfront Malibu homeowners, wildfires hit all of LA society In Altadena, a checkerboard of destruction Firefighters from Mexico, Canada, and several other nearby states are assisting local and state personnel in combatting the blazes, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Arizona firefighters on Sunday were among those monitoring Altadena, California, a community north of Pasadena, where a mix of life past and present coexisted in the wake of the Eaton Fire. The fire has scorched over 14,000 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. We're really trying to button up the area as best as possible before any anything else, before that wind comes in, said Captain Shaun Jones of Central Arizona Fire and Medical about the threat of further fire from more Santa Ana winds forecast for early in the week. Residential streets to the north alternated, randomly, between the houses lost to the fire that rolled down from the mountain early last week and those that withstood the inferno. Childrens playsets were covered in soot and swimming pools looked like black lagoons. Grayed-out chimneys were all that remained intact on most properties. Jones said Central Arizona Fire had brought five engine trucks and a water tank to the scene and were doing tactical patrols to prevent flare-ups. A seemingly unaffected yellow bungalow provided a pop of color on one devastated street. A squirrel could be seen running in front of the house that was guarded by a white picket fence. A fully stocked Little Free Library post stood curbside. A small older-model Ford pickup appeared emblematic of the neighborhoods condition the front half of the white truck was toasted brown by the flames, while the rear had gone unscathed. Jose R. Gonzalez, Arizona Republic Newsom: Death toll 'likely' to increase Earlier Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that 14 people have died so far, but acknowledged that the numbers might be different from those of the medical coroner. Luna said search and rescue recovery operations involving the county sheriffs department, coroners office, and county fire department are ongoing. Authorities are now conducting grid searchers with cadaver dogs, according to Luna. I don't expect good news from those, Luna said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported 24 fire-related deaths on Sunday evening. Eight deaths occurred in the Palisades Fire while 16 occurred in the Eaton Fire, according to the medical examiner. California Gov. Gavin Newsom told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview that aired Sunday that "there's likely to be a lot more" fatalities in the wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area. "We always have to be careful on the death toll," he said. "I've got search and rescue teams, we've got cadaver dogs out, and there's likely to be a lot more." Discussions on returning evacuees to their homes will start Thursday During Sunday's news conference, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said efforts to allow people from evacuation zones back to their communities will begin after the "next predicted red flag ends on Wednesday." "To all residents, please be assured that we will continue to be here for you until the last fire is completely extinguished," Marrone said. "We stand alongside all of you as we begin to plan for the repopulation of evacuated areas, establishment of disaster recovery centers, and the rebuilding of your homes, your communities, and your lives." Officials will begin talks on repopulating areas under evacuation orders and warnings "first thing Thursday," according to Marrone. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park said curfews remain in place for the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood neighborhoods, which is a "measure that is necessary to ensure public safety, as high winds are expected to pick up again." "(The Palisades Fire) remains active, and as others have said, this situation is far from over," Park said. "Pacific Palisades still faces dangerous conditions, including downed power lines, broken gas and water pipes and now slide conditions because of water activity." Park noted that the Los Angeles Police Department has suspended operations escorting residents back into evacuation zones to receive essential items due to the anticipated wind conditions and to bring utility personnel into the area to stabilize on-ground conditions. Fire agencies investigating whether electrical equipment caused Hurst Fire In a statement Sunday, Edison International and Southern California Edison the primary electric utility company for much of the region said fire agencies are investigating whether Edison electrical equipment was involved in the Hurst Fire. The fire was reported at around 10:10 p.m. on Jan. 7 and preliminary information revealed that a circuit experienced a relay about a minute later, according to the company. A downed power line that was associated with the circuit was also found but Southern California Edison said it "does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire." Minutes to flee: How the Palisades Fire rapidly expanded, devastating LA communities Los Angeles officials warn residents against scams Los Angeles officials are warning of scammers who are "actively targeting vulnerable individuals and families (and) exploiting their distress" during the deadly wildfires. In a Facebook post Sunday, the Los Angeles Police Department explained warning signs to help residents recognize and avoid common scams. "Always trust your instincts. If something feels off, take a step back and verify before proceeding," the department said in the post. Luna also addressed scams at a briefing Sunday morning and said those taking advantage of residents would face consequences. Luna said he has talked to officials, including the state attorney general, district attorney, and U.S. attorney, who are "eager to prosecute anybody who is taking advantage of our residents during this very difficult time." That includes burglaries, white-collar crimes, and scams, Luna said, explaining he saw a man impersonating a firefighter in Malibu who was caught burglarizing a home. Read more here. Hope Karnopp, USA TODAY Network Community reduced to rubble looks to rebuild Roughly 24 hours after a raging wildfire forced Neal Flesner to flee his Pacific Palisades home, he decided to hike four and a half miles back into the area from Santa Monica, California, with a man he had just met. The fire was still growing erratically burning through brush in the mountains surrounding the Palisades. But Flesner, 48, told USA TODAY that he was propelled by a "burning desire" to see firsthand the damage the blaze had wrought to his and his wife Carmens "happy place." When he and his new friend got there, they found both of their homes gone. Flesners entire neighborhood in the Alphabet Streets area of the Palisades had been reduced to rubble. The only structure still standing, almost untouched, was his garage. But Flesner is determined to rebuild what was once there. "It was like small town USA, like Main Street USA in Big City, Los Angeles," he said. "I want to be part of the effort to just not rebuild the homes but rebuild the community, rebuild the culture, rebuild the life that we all shared and loved there." Read more here. Karissa Waddick and Sandy Hooper 16 reported missing; officials expect 'dozens' more At least 16 people are reported missing as Los Angeles fire officials continue their search and rescue operations in areas devastated by the wildfires. The tally includes 12 people in the Eaton fire and four in the Palisades fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in Sundays press briefing. No children have been reported missing, so far. Luna said the sheriffs department had received dozens and dozens of reports in the morning before the press briefing and will update the numbers accordingly. He urges those with missing loved ones to contact their local law enforcement agency. People can also fill out an online form set up by the American Red Cross, which asks to provide as much detail as possible. Hillside horror: How California's Eaton Fire rapidly expanded, decimating Altadena community UCLA a 'ghost town' amid remote operations during wildfires Evacuation zones have moved closer to UCLA, located in Los Angeles' Westwood neighborhood, and warnings and orders were in place near the campus. The university will host classes online until Jan. 17 after shutting down in-person lectures last week. Though the sky over Westwood was powder blue and the brown pall of wildfire smoke consigned to the western edge of the sky, the UCLA campus was quiet on Sunday afternoon. A scattered few people moved through the heart of campus. "Its a ghost town," said Jeff Hall, a Brentwood, California, resident who walking through the campus with friends. Hall, founder of the Brentwood News, said hes been staying with friends in Westwood since his home lost electricity. Were sleeping better, he said. I feel like were relaxing. Allie Greene, a Westwood resident, brought her dog Piper for a walk on the grassy hill below the universitys Powell Library. The beaches Greene normally visits have had access restricted during the Palisades Fire. "I just needed to get out and clear my head," Greene said. She said she has kept a close eye on the fires progress, packing some non-essential items in her car and staging essentials by the door in case she needs to leave in a hurry. "I will leave if we get an (evacuation warning). Im not gonna wait until we get (an order)," she said. She watched the 2019 Getty Fire stop before it could cross east over the concrete and asphalt of the 405 Freeway and said it gave her a false sense of security. "You feel like youre following along with Cal Fire and you understand (whats happening)," she said, until things suddenly take a turn. "Its the winds. Its the embers." Isaiah Murtaugh, Ventura County Star Trump invited to survey destruction Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger told reporters Sunday she invited President-elect Donald Trump who takes office on Jan. 20 to visit the county to get a first-hand look at the destruction. "In my years at the county, I've seen time and time again how essential a partner the federal government is when responding to an emergency and helping out communities recover," she said. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had a phone conversation with his administration to discuss the timing of such a visit. Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly attacked Newsom on social media as the wildfires have raged in the southern part of the Golden State, often misspelling the governor's last name as "Newscum." "The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place... they just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?" he said on his Truth Social media feed. Aysha Bagchi and Reuters Canada to send firefighting help Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office released a statement Friday saying his Cabinet ministers were in touch with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and standing by for any additional requests. Fire crews, aircraft and equipment from Canada, including from British Columbia and Quebec, were among the first on the scene to help battle the fires, according to the statement. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford also pledged their support. Ford later posted on X that he had directed every available water bomber to fight the fires. "Well provide whatever personnel and equipment is needed and spare no expense to help our closest friends and allies," he said. In 2023, Canada had an extreme wildfire season, and the U.S. sent more than 2,000 firefighters to help, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Miguel Torres Mexico offers support; California 'deeply grateful' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said in a news conference Friday that the country's secretary of foreign affairs had spoken with President Joe Biden and Newsom about sending support to Los Angeles. The support team will include firefighters from Mexicos National Forestry Commission and the National Secretary of Defense. We are going to send support, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been giving, but also because there are many Mexican people in this zone of the United States, she said. She added that her government was coordinating with the U.S. to get the team dispatched. Newsom issued a statement on X saying California was "deeply grateful" for Sheinbaum's support. Read more here. NEW: Firefighters from Mexico are en route to the #EatonFire joining more than 10,000 personnel already on the ground. California is deeply grateful for President @ClaudiaShein's support as we work to suppress the Los Angeles wildfires. Our partnership and shared commitment Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 10, 2025 Miguel Torres Los Angeles fires like 'visiting war zones' Active duty U.S. military personnel stand ready to deploy to contain wildfires that have ripped through Los Angeles, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell said on Sunday in an interview on ABC's "This Week" program. Criswell also said FEMA has the funding needed to support its response effort to the wildfires. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was also on the program Sunday. He said he took a tour of the devastation and was reminded of the remnants left behind in an international conflict area. "That frankly reminded me of visiting war zones, seeing that kind of devastation, just house after house, block after block," Schiff said. In the past, he continued, California wildfires have sometimes left sporadic damage, where one house would be lost but others around it were fine. This time, whole neighborhoods are "all gone." Aysha Bagchi and Reuters A '50% chance' their home is gone Richard and Cathryn Conn evacuated from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood earlier this week, only to find out that much of their neighborhood had been decimated. But they still aren't sure about their four-bedroom house where they'd lived for over a quarter-century. You can visualize every room, Richard Conn, 75, said, and then you know theres a 50% chance it doesnt exist anymore." If you have ever wondered what it was like living in Dresden after the World War II firebombing, you should come to the Palisades," he said. They also don't know what will happen next as dangerous weather conditions have made it difficult to contain the fires, and more brush fires seem to keep popping up all over the county. "I feel like people are panicking,'' said Gary Baseman, 64. Read more here. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY; Reuters This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles wildfires: Death toll climbs as crews race to combat winds A student attends class at a Denver school that had received new students as migrant families arrived in the city. The morning after Election Day last year, Melanie Claros, a civics teacher and ESL coordinator at a South Florida school where half the students are Latino, found herself having to do a job beyond her usual duties. By the end of the day, she recently told NBC News, more than two dozen students had separately approached her to ask about changes to immigration enforcement ahead of another Donald Trump presidency. Are they going to deport all of us now? Who is going to get deported first? she recalled students asking her during class. The concerns have not abated since then, Claros said, noting she knows of at least one student who has already stopped showing up to school for immigration-related reasons. I am very suspicious that we will have [more] kids that will be withdrawn or just stop showing up to school, she said. Claros is one of several educators across six states who told NBC News they have found themselves in the uncomfortable position of fielding questions about potential mass deportations under the Trump administration. Many teachers and administrators are aware of a variety of scenarios that could start playing out very soon: immigration officials asking about a student; a kid who leaves school for the day only to discover that their parents have been detained and no one is home to care for them; students worried about deportation who simply stop coming to class. Educators and advocates say they feel they have to be prepared for these situations, but they are also keenly aware of the risk of backlash that can come with talking about a political issue like this publicly. This dilemma has left teachers like Claros in disbelief. A sign in a Denver-area public school. She became a teacher knowing shed have to talk about civics, she said, but I never in a million years thought that they [students] would ask me and have fears about immigration.Supporters of Trumps plans for mass deportations say an increase in immigration enforcement is necessary to decrease the incidence of crime committed by migrants and deter individuals from illegally crossing the border in record numbers. However, critics say theyre concerned about the possibility of family separations and widespread fear among certain communities. Several educators told NBC they feel its in a communitys best interest that kids, regardless of legal status, have the opportunity to go to school. Jasmin Baxter leads the communications office in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, school district, which has a significant English-learner population. She said the district is committed to making sure all students feel supported. You come to school, youre supposed to feel safe at school. Those outside factors youre not supposed to be thinking about while youre getting an education, Baxter said. But that doesnt mean its been easy for school districts to answer questions from families on immigration or talk about what theyre doing to prepare for possible mass deportations. It definitely is tricky for us to talk about it, said one assistant principal in California who asked that their name not be used so they could talk freely about the issue. Because even if it is like, Here is how we support our students, wed be getting pushback from families and community members. Viridiana Carrizales, co-founder of the nonprofit organization ImmSchools, says shes also seen reluctance from schools to be seen seeking out information on immigration and what to do in the event of an encounter with federal officials. Many of them are saying the moment we put our names out there, we become a target, she said. Despite this, in the days following the election, ImmSchools received messages from 37 schools it hadnt previously worked with asking about training opportunities and information for their staff, she said. Just before Christmas, the organization also held a virtual training session with 29 superintendents about how to prepare for any immigration raids or deportations that affect their student populations. [Schools] are really afraid and they are trying to figure out ways to best support families through this, she said. Educators are also expecting students to begin disappearing from their classrooms altogether, as Claros has already seen happening in her school. Parents may be nervous about being separated from their children if either are detained, or think that their childs presence in school could lead to authorities learning they are in the country without authorization. In Michigan, ESL teacher Karen Iglesias said shes heard students ask if they are going to get deported and had parents tell her theyre scared to drive to their kids school. Cinthya Longoria, an elementary school teacher in north Texas, says shes trying her best to support parents who feel anxious about the future as she remains uncertain about her own. Longoria is currently a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary legal protection against removal for some immigrants brought to the U.S. without documentation as children. She recently had a parent ask her for reassurance that their family would be OK under the new administration, she said. I just told her I hope so, Longoria said. Because I couldnt tell her yes. Thats when I told her I was a DACA recipient. At that moment, that was the only thing that I could tell her without being dishonest. Federal laws prohibit schools from denying students free public education based on immigration status and regulate the disclosure of students personal information. Those laws, in addition to Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure, are meant to serve as safeguards for undocumented families concerned about enrolling their kids into schools, experts say. Taken together, these are a fairly robust set of protections against immigration enforcement actions against students in school, especially where the school district is committed to protecting its noncitizen students, said Nayna Gupta, policy director for the nonprofit American Immigration Council. Under current policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement generally steers clear of areas where people receive public services, including schools, hospitals and churches. But under the Trump administration, this sensitive locations or protected areas policy is slated to go away, three people familiar with the plan to end it previously told NBC News. Denver Public Schools in Colorado and the Canutillo Independent School District in Texas both issued statements about the possible policy change, emphasizing the need to have disruption-free learning. Several educators told NBC News theyve been hearing questions from students and their parents about the incoming Trump administration and its immigration and deportation plans. This isnt the first time schools have found themselves at the center of immigration issues. In 2019, during the first Trump administration, a series of ICE raids resulted in the arrest of about 700 workers from seven Mississippi food processing plants. As a result, district officials told NBC News at the time, local organizations and schools had to find safe spaces for children to go in the absence of their parents. One Mississippi school district said it had instructed bus drivers to ensure that they saw a parent or guardian present at the time a child was being dropped off if not, they brought the child back to school to spend the night there.This history has shaped the way some advocacy groups and educators are now preparing families. In Tucson, Arizona, a coalition of nonprofits is helping families make emergency packets containing key information in case a parent is detained or deported, including a power of attorney for guardianship, emergency contacts and instructions about how to talk to children about who will be responsible for them in their parents absence. The assistant principal in California told NBC News she and some of her colleagues have even offered up their homes. We have spoken to families that have come forward about their status and have made it clear that their child can stay with one of us if their family were to be deported as an option for them, she said. Japanese police have arrested a female student on suspicion of carrying out a hammer attack at a Tokyo university that left eight people injured. The suspect, a 22-year-old South Korean sociology student, was subdued and arrested at the scene of the attack during class at Hosei Universitys Tama campus in western Tokyo. Police say the assailant attacked a male student, causing minor injuries. Several others also suffered minor injuries as they were hit in succession. Police received an emergency call around 3.45pm local time, reporting the attack in the classroom where some 150 students studied. Witnesses said the attacker swung the hammer aimlessly, hitting students seated in the last row of the classroom. One student told local news that the attackers face was expressionless and she did not seem to be targeting anyone specifically. People walk past a banner (C-top) for Hosei University near the entrance to the universitys Tama campus after a woman brandished a hammer inside a classroom, in Machida in the western suburbs of Tokyo on January 10, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images) Everyone was panicking. I was so scared at first that my hands were shaking, a student who witnessed the incident told local broadcaster TV Aashi. Investigators allege that the suspect attacked fellow students using a hammer she found on campus in frustration after being bullied by classmates. Koreans continue to face discrimination in Japan due to a bitter past between the two countries, including Japans colonisation of the Korean Peninsula which ended in 1945. The woman said she was filled with anger because she had been ignored, the Japan Times quoted police as saying. It remains unclear whether the attack was premeditated, police say. Police said the investigation is still ongoing, adding that the eight students who sustained injuries are recovering. Hosei University said in a statement that the students received medical treatment but did not need hospitalisation. It said it would cooperate with police in the investigation and would increase efforts to ensure campus safety. Violent crimes are rare in Japan but high-profile random stabbing and shooting incidents have occurred in recent times. Last month, a junior high school student was killed and her friend injured as they were waiting in a queue at a McDonalds restaurant in the southwestern city of Kitakyushu. A man was later arrested over the attack. In 2022, three people were stabbed, including two students on their way to writing exams at the University of Tokyo. The same year Japans former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated with a homemade gun. MIAMI - Edmundo Gonzalez, a retired diplomat and political newcomer recognized by several countries, including the United States, as the winner of Venezuela's most recent presidential election, released a video statement Friday condemning Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in as president. In the video posted on social media, Gonzalez accused Maduro of carrying out "a coup d'etat" by consolidating power. Gonzalez declared himself ready to return to Venezuela "at the right moment" and called on Venezuela's military to "reject illegal orders issued by Maduro's regime." "I continue working to create the conditions for my return to Venezuela and to assume the presidency of the republic," Gonzalez said. "I represent the will of nearly eight million Venezuelans and have a duty to defend that mandate." Gonzalez strongly condemned Maduro's decision to order the closure of the country's airspace, which he claimed was aimed at preventing his return. "They sought to do to me in the air what they did yesterday to our leader," Gonzalez said, referring to the detainment of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during a rally on Thursday. "This reflects their cowardice and lack of scruples." Gonzalez urged military leaders to disobey what he described as unlawful orders and ensure security for his return. He also emphasized the military's loyalty to the Venezuelan people. "The soldiers of our national armed forces are part of the same people they serve and must obey through me, as I am the elected president of the Republic of Venezuela," he said. Gonzalez also appealed to Venezuelans to remain steadfast in their fight for democracy. "I promise we will not fail. Soon, very soon, no matter what they do, we will enter Venezuela and end this tragedy," he vowed. He concluded with a message of unity, "Our liberator taught us the spirit of sacrifice for freedom. Freedom always defeats tyranny. Glory to the Brave People!" Earlier on Friday, the U.S. increased its reward for the capture of Maduro to $25 million. California authorities give update on L.A. fires and announce school closures Blue Origin to launch New Glenn rocket after 10 years of development 4 injured after Delta Air Lines flight aborted during takeoff in Atlanta Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., on Sunday dismissed President-elect Donald Trumps threat to acquire Greenland by military force, saying, The United States is not going to invade another country. Thats not who we are. Trump speaks very boldly on a lot of things, Lankford said, adding: Weve seen this over how hes done negotiations, whether it be for real estate or whether how he served as a great president just four years ago. Lankfords comments come as Trump has shown a renewed interest in annexing Greenland over the last few weeks. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., after meeting with then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the U.S. Capitol in January 2024. In a statement announcing his pick to be ambassador to Denmark last month, Trump wrote: For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. And days later, in a Christmas Day post on Truth Social, the president-elect addressed the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will! Last week, at a press conference in Florida, the president-elect suggested that hed even be willing to use military force to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. We need them for economic security, he added. Quite frankly, the presidents been very clear, Lankford said Sunday. He is the president that kept American troops out of war. He is not looking to be able to go start a war, to go expand American troops, but he does want to be able to protect Americas national security, and part of that is our economic security and our future. Presidents have conducted broad counterterrorism operations under the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force that were passed more than 20 years ago in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The authorizations have largely been used to justify the use of military force against those who aided the 2001 attack and the continuing threat posed by Iraq. Trumps allies have cited national security risks posed by Russia to justify procuring Greenland. Trumps incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News last week that Trumps interest in Greenland is about the Arctic. You have Russia that is trying to become king of the Arctic with 60-plus icebreakers, some of them nuclear-powered, Waltz said. During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect JD Vance said America does not need to use military force to secure Greenland but that the U.S. needs to make sure that Greenland is properly cared for from an American security perspective. Frankly, the current leadership, the Danish government, has not done a good enough job of securing Greenland, Vance said. I think there actually is a real opportunity here for us to take leadership, to protect Americas security, to ensure that those incredible natural resources are developed, Vance said. And thats what Donald Trump is good at. Hes good at making deals, and I think theres a deal to be made in Greenland. On Meet the Press, Lankford also said for the first time that he planned to vote in favor of Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. When asked if he was a yes on Gabbard, Lankford told moderator Kristen Welker, I am, suggesting he was convinced by Gabbards newfound support for Section 702, an intelligence gathering tool that she consistently opposed while in Congress. That was a very important piece for me. Obviously, she voted against 702 authority. ... But when she came out and said, Hey, this is something Im going to stand for, thats part of the role of the Office of National Intelligence, is to make sure were actually watching for people to come attack us and stopping them before they do, Lankford said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted President-elect Donald Trumps response to the California wildfires in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press recorded Saturday, saying, Mis- and disinformation I dont think advantages or aids any of us. Newsom appeared to be referring to Trumps posts on Truth Social blasting Newsom, President Joe Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass since the fires broke out Tuesday. In one post, the president-elect baselessly claimed Newsom had blocked a measure that would have allowed water to flow from Northern California to Southern California. Follow along for live coverage California Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, tours the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way, Trump wrote, using an insulting nickname for Newsom. In that post, Trump added that Newsom wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!) and he is the blame for this. Responding to Donald Trumps insults, we would spend another month, Newsom told NBC News Jacob Soboroff. Im very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them. He added that Trump was somehow connecting the delta smelt to this fire, which is inexcusable because its inaccurate. Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state. In another post, Trump wrote, NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE! and appeared to falsely claim, as he did last year in the aftermath of several hurricanes, that money had been drained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. At least 16 people have died in devastating wildfires across the greater Los Angeles area. On Friday, Newsom wrote a letter to Trump inviting him to come to his state and tour the destruction. I invite you to come to California again to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand, and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line, the governor wrote. Newsom told Soboroff on Saturday that he had not received a response to the letter. He added that hes worried the president-elect may make good on his threats to withhold disaster aid from the state after his inauguration. Newsom cited Trumps past efforts to withhold federal disaster aid from states with leaders he was feuding with. Hes done it in Utah. Hes done it in Michigan, did it in Puerto Rico. He did it to California back before I was even governor, in 2018, Newsom said. So hes been at this for years and years and years. It transcends the states, including, by the way, Georgia he threatened similarly. So thats his style. And we take it seriously to the extent that in the past its taken a little bit more time [to get federal aid], the governor added. EAM Jaishankar to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony on Jan 20 External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington on January 20, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA noted, "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America." The ministry further stated that Jaishankar will also engage with representatives from the incoming administration and other dignitaries during his visit. Donald Trump is set to take the presidential oath of office at noon on January 20, administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington. Prior to this, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will also be sworn in. Last month, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) announced "Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise" as the theme for the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. The theme pays tribute to the Founding Fathers' commitment to preserving democracy for future generations. As part of the inauguration, US flags will be flown at half-staff in honour of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100. President Joe Biden ordered the flags to remain lowered for 30 days, ending at sunset on January 28. Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election was certified by the United States Congress on January 6, clearing the path for his return to the White House. The certification officially validated the Electoral College results from November's election. The certification event in Congress, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who was Trump's main opponent in the presidential race, proceeded briefly and without significant attention. The swearing-in ceremony marks Trump's return to the Oval Office as he begins his second term as President of the United States. Mossad director David Barnea has arrived in Doha, following clear signs of progress in the hostage and ceasefire negotiations. (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP/Getty Images/File) Israeli negotiators attending ceasefire and hostage release talks in Doha have expressed cautious optimism, even as some gaps between both sides persist, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. A high-level Israeli delegation, which includes Mossad director David Barnea, arrived in Doha, following clear signs of progress in the hostage and ceasefire negotiations. The areas where daylight remains between the two sides are the Philadelphi corridor a narrow strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border and the presence of the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, as well as phrasing concerning the end of the war, according to the source. Israel has long demanded that its troops remain along the Philadelphi corridor, while Hamas insists that they withdraw. The disagreement over that narrow but strategic piece of land was a key reason for the collapse of previous talks in August last year. Gaps also remain between the Hamas leadership in Gaza and the groups leadership abroad, the source also explained. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with US President-elect Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday, is facing pressure from both the current and incoming US administrations to reach a deal by January 20. Despite that pressure, the source said the decision to send the high-level delegation to talks in Doha was made because most parties involved in negotiations really want a deal, adding that conditions are ripe. American pressure had little to do with it, the source claimed. But pressure from the United States is clearly being felt inside the Israeli government, an Israeli official acknowledged to CNN on Saturday. The Israeli delegation also includes Nitzan Alon, the head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) hostages unit and Ronen Bar, the head of Israels Shin Bet security agency. Negotiations have appeared deadlocked for months, despite the efforts of the outgoing US President Joe Biden. Trump, meanwhile, has warned that all hell will break out if the hostages are not released by his inauguration on January 20. Historic opportunity The Hostages Families Forum welcomed the decision to send the Israeli delegation, describing the move as a historic opportunity to secure the release of all our loved ones. Leave no stone unturned and return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one, the forum said in a statement on Saturday. The optimism comes even as Israels war on Hamas in Gaza continues to rage, with the IDF on Saturday announcing the deaths of four soldiers in combat in the north of the enclave. Israel launched the war in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage. Since then, at least 46,537 Palestinians have been killed and more than 109,571 people injured, according to health authorities in Gaza. While dozens of hostages were released as part of a short-lived hostages-for-ceasefire deal in November 2023, the Israeli government believes 98 hostages are still being held in Gaza nearly all of whom were taken on October 7, 2023, and dozens of whom are believed to be dead. Growing frustration over the lack of progress since the 2023 deal has seen protesters regularly take to the streets in Israel. On Saturday, protests took place in several locations, including Tel Aviv, where some demonstrators marched through the city center with signs calling for the end of the war and saying weak leaders wage pointless wars. A deal now! At the weekly rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Shira Albag whose 19-year-old daughter Liri Albag appeared in a recent proof of life hostage video released by Hamas demanded an immediate deal as she addressed the crowd. I stand here, exactly one week after receiving proof of life from my Liri, and my heart just wants to scream. Liri, our light, just 19 years old a child with her whole life ahead of her is there, in captivity, in hell, Albag said. A deal now! she demanded, adding, Liri is alive, and she will return home alive! US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew and UK Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters also addressed the crowd. Tonight, as Israels close friends and allies, we reaffirm our commitment to helping reach a breakthrough that will bring the hostages home and bring a better future for the people of this region, Lew said. Walters added: Hamas bears full responsibility for these crimes. But practically, we know that the only way to bring all the hostages home is through negotiation. Meanwhile, the mother and father of Itay Chen, one of the seven dual US-Israeli citizens still held by Hamas, visited Qatar in person this week to speak with negotiators. Chen is dead but his body has not been recovered or returned. We went to Qatar because we dont have full confidence in our representatives in the negotiations and wished to convey the families position to the US and Qatar facilitators, Ruby Chen told CNN on Saturday. CNNs Jeremy Diamond and Jim Sciutto contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A charred business sign along a road in Topanga Beach, Calif., after a wildfire swept through the area last week. Paul Rosenbluh was in Vancouver, Washington, finalizing a restaurant purchase when he learned that his existing eatery in Altadena, California, had been incinerated. He and his wife, Monique King, had run Foxs Restaurant, a gem on the hill of the Los Angeles-area community, since 2017. The diner was a local staple dating back to 1955, and Rosenbluh first laid eyes on its charred husk this week through a Facebook video that was sent to him after the Eaton Fire swept through the area. Foxs Restaurant co-owners Paul Rosenbluh and Monique King lost the iconic Altadena, Calif., diner to the Eaton Fire last week. I dont want to say [were] exchanging one restaurant for another, but thats kind of how its going to transpire, Rosenbluh recalled thinking on the 14-hour drive back to Altadena. We literally just closed escrow on Tuesday when all this stuff started to go down. Hes one of many small-business owners across greater Los Angeles who are just beginning to reckon with the devastating wildfires that have raged across the region, turning decades of history and years of entrepreneurial effort to ashes within hours. Destroyed buildings along the coast near Topanga Beach. Business had been steady at Foxs, Rosenbluh said it always had been. The diverse neighborhood is full of older residents who retired there and never left, ensuring there were always tons and tons of regulars. They came into the restaurant, [I] talked to them back in the alley. We knew these people, he said. Now, many of their homes are just gone. The couple is now figuring out how the other restaurants they own in the area Cindys and Little Beast, both in Eagle Rock can absorb Foxs 15 or so employees into their operations, which are also on alert as responders continue to battle the evolving conflagrations. Although Foxs was insured, Rosenbluh said he has little hope of rebuilding it. A charred and leafless tree; damp sand. (Wray Sinclair for NBC News) If all the infrastructure is gone, well, you cant rebuild a building if you have no power or gas or water, he said. Or customers. Others who lost their buildings, like Candace Frazee, co-founder of the Bunny Museum, are defiant. We will rebuild, she vowed, even though the propertys insurance wont cover construction costs. In an Instagram story announcing the end of the locations 27-year run, Frazee asked if anyone wanted to donate a building to the organization, a 501(c)(3). The Guinness World Records-certified site was an Altadena fixture displaying a panoply of rabbit-related memorabilia, from handmade antiques to pop-culture characters. It burned down on Wednesday morning after an all-night effort in which Frazee said she and her husband tried to tame the fire by hosing down the building. A firefighter walks past a charred topiary at the site of the destroyed Bunny Museum in Altadena on Thurs. Feeling still in shock, she said Friday. It was standing, and then it wasnt. Unlike longtime establishments, Aether was just starting to develop a loyal clientele when it was swallowed in flames, said owner Kristina Adam. She opened the wellness studio just over a year ago, two blocks from the rental home she shared with her husband and 2-year-old daughter in the Pacific Palisades. By Thursday afternoon, theyd evacuated to a friends place in the West L.A. neighborhood in time to get to safety but unable to save either property from destruction. Utensils litter the ground near a restaurant in Topanga Beach. Adam said shed built Aethers customer base from scratch into the hundreds, offering retreats, energy readings and yoga classes. Like Rosenbluh, she witnessed all that work reduced to cinders from miles away on her phone screen, via texted video. The roof was gone, the walls were burning, the staircase in front was burning, she said. That was a very heartbreaking moment. Picnic tables and part of a guest list survived the flames in Topanga Beach. Adam said shed recently started collaborating with other businesses in Topanga Beach to host group wellness events. She suspects those partners studios are likely gone, too. I dont know if anybodys thinking about what comes from here on out, because the Palisades are pretty much wiped out, she said. It may be some time before Adam or others in the local business community are fully apprised of each others plans or predicaments. Recent days have brought harrowing experiences for some residents whove struggled to track down family members during the crisis. On Thursday, James Benjamin posted a notice on the Instagram account of Wylies Bait Shop, a Topanga Beach institution since 1946: If anyone has any contact with Ginny or knows her whereabouts, please DM this account. She doesnt have a cellphone. Benjamin, 23, runs the stores social media and was referring to his great aunt, Ginny Wylie. The bait shop proprietor, whom Benjamin said is in her 80s, hadnt been heard from in more than 24 hours. Charred cans on a melted metal shelf and a destroyed bar stool sat among the debris of burned-down businesses in Topanga Beach. Weve been posting on NextDoor, and weve also been calling the Red Cross and different shelters, he said Thursday afternoon. I know she was escorted by a sheriff, but I dont know exactly who. Wylie, who couldnt be reached by NBC News, had inherited the shop from her grandparents, the original owners, and became known as the local authority on Malibu surf fishing. Be ready to spend some time and share some stories, one Yelp reviewer wrote in 2018. She always helps you feel like youre a kid about to go fishing with grandpa. Not many places like this in the world. The Palisades Fire destroyed Wylies Bait and Tackle, an institution frequented by surf fishing aficionados since 1946. Wylies was a huge hub of the Topanga-Malibu surf fishing community, Benjamin said, adding that his great aunt is definitely like a legend. Wylie had been seen leaving the store on Wednesday morning and tried to call her family from a shelter, he said. Since then, customers had reported on social media that the shop was engulfed in flames along with other nearby properties. By Thursday afternoon, Benjamin said authorities had found his great aunt at a makeshift shelter set up in a Ralphs supermarket. Shes still there and in good spirits, he said late Friday. A few miles away in the Palisades, another Ralphs location had already burned to the ground. A sign reads "Joy to All" amongst rubble on the ground. (Wray Sinclair for NBC News) President-elect Donald Trump shared photos of his son, Don Jr., from Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Donald Trump has doubled down on a proposal to buy the island. Courtesy of Truth Social (The Center Square) President-elect Donald Trump has made international headlines by suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state and the U.S. could purchase Greenland. U.S. expansionist goals historically stem from the concept of Manifest Destiny, which some founding fathers argued the destiny of U.S. greatness came from western expansion, and additional territorial control. The concept was first credited to Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, supported by some founding fathers and subsequent presidents who championed U.S. expansionist policies. Not all agree, with detractors arguing many U.S. policies were unconstitutional, illegal, unethical or morally wrong. While the United States was founded by 13 original states, former British colonies that won independence from the British government, the remaining 37 states would become states after having been a territory, part of a land purchase, acquired through a treaty or annexed through war. The first territory was the Northwest Territory created by Congress in 1787. The Northwest Ordinance outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union and guaranteed newly created states would have equal rights as the original 13 states. In 1803, Jefferson advanced U.S. westward expansion by purchasing 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million through the Louisiana Purchase. This doubled the geographic size of the U.S., adding land that would eventually become 15 states. It was considered one of the largest land deals ever made, negotiated by founding fathers Robert Livingston and Monroe. Monroe declared the importance of Manifest Destiny in an 1823 speech before Congress, after a major victory had been negotiated by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams with Spain. Adams negotiated the 1819 Spanish Purchase, paying Spain five million Spanish dollars, which was finalized in 1821. The U.S. gained Spanish Florida, acquiring West and East Florida territories and land stretching across the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean. Adams treaty was a crucial step in fulfilling Americas Manifest Destiny, expanding U.S. territory for the first time from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, American History Central notes. In 1842, a treaty between the U.S. and Great Britain partially resolved a conflict over the US-Canada border involving the Oregon Territory, which included what are now three states. President James Polk won his 1844 election using the slogan, 54 40 or fight, referring to the northern boundary. Polk, an ally of Texas General Sam Houston, was instrumental in garnering support from Congress to declare war against Mexico in 1846. Two years later, the U.S. defeated Mexico in the Mexican American War, resulting in Mexico ceding 55% of its northern territory through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The U.S. added 525,000 square miles to its domain land that would eventually become part of 10 states. In 1867, the federal government purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, adding 586,412 square miles to U.S. western expansion. Some believed it would lead toward the annexation of Canada, Britannica notes. Alaska was first under U.S. military control. It became a territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. In 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown; a republic was created in 1894. In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the U.S., became a territory in 1900 and a state in 1959. In 1898, the U.S. won the Spanish-American War, gaining Puerto Rico and Guam as territories and control of the Philippines for $20 million. The Philippines was briefly a U.S. territory and commonwealth. In 1899, the U.S. federal government petitioned part of the Samoan Islands with Germany, with the eastern island group of American Samoa becoming the southernmost U.S. territory. In 1917, the U.S. federal government paid Denmark $25 million for nearly 134 square miles of the Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas), a U.S. territory. During World War II, the U.S. established a military presence on Greenland, where its northernmost military base remains. The U.S. military also gained control over the Marshall Islands from Japan in 1944, assuming administrative control. In 1983, the U.S. and Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association, which was later amended in 2004. In 1986, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands became a U.S. territory where major U.S. military operations are based and where officials are dealing with alleged Chinese spies and illegal border crossers. It is believed that Greenland could enter into a Compact of Free Association with the U.S., giving the U.S. expanded military access. Trump has said the island is needed for national defense against China and Russia, which have been conducting joint air patrols in the Arctic. Chinas Coast Guard has claimed it entered the Arctic Ocean last fall; the Pentagon has warned about the Chinese-Russian Arctic strategy, Reuters reported. Both the outgoing Canadian prime minister and his likely successor oppose Canada becoming part of the US; the majority of Canadians recently polled oppose it. Greenland and Danish officials also remain skeptical about Trumps proposals. The U.S. Constitution solely gives Congress the authority to create a new state and establishes guidelines for doing so. President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with former Vice President Mike Pence before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Former Vice President Mike Pence revealed what he and his former boss, President-elect Donald Trump, said to each other in their first meeting since leaving the White House in 2021. The once and future commander in chief, 78, had a brief exchange and shook hands with his ex-veep en route to his seat at former President Jimmy Carters state funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, Thursday. He greeted me when he came down the aisle. I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, Congratulations, Mr. President, and he said, Thanks, Mike, Pence told Christianity Today during a podcast interview. Pence, 65, said he was glad to speak to Trump, with whom he has had icy relations since the 2020 election controversy, in which the former president blamed his loss on his veep for certifying the results on Jan. 6, 2021, in his capacity as head of the Senate. During the certification, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, with many chanting, Hang Mike Pence. The opportunity to speak to the president yesterday is something that I appreciated, I welcomed, Pence told the outlet. Ive really been blessed at how much Ive heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake, and in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days. Thats certainly my hope, Pence revealed to podcast host Russell Moore. Those difficult days included one conversation in which Trump gave an icy reply to a gesture of goodwill from Pence. In one of their final conversations while in office, Pence offered to pray for Trump, who said, Dont bother, according to Christianity Today. I said, You know, theres probably two things that were never going to agree on, Pence said before that meeting ended. Were probably never going to agree on what my duty was under the Constitution on January 6, Pence recalled saying, And Im never going to stop praying for you. And [Trump] said, Thats right. Mike, dont ever change. Pence also addressed former second lady Karen Pence allegedly being caught on camera giving the cold shoulder to Donald and Melania Trump as they passed her on their way to their seats at Carters funeral. Youd have to ask my wife about her posture, but weve been married 44 years, and she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply, Pence said in the interview. Special operators during the Bold Machina 2024 test. Screenshot/NATO NATO pit elite divers against new sensors to protect undersea cables from sabotage. Foreign adversaries have increasingly targeted undersea cables and underwater infrastructure. The training marks another shift in how NATO countries are preparing for future warfare. NATO sent special operations divers to test new systems designed to help shield critical underwater infrastructure from damage and sabotage, growing problems. Underwater cables and pipelines providing internet connectivity and energy have been damaged in a string of alarming incidents in recent years, with accusations of sabotage being thrown around about several just in the past couple of months. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of these lines, but the NATO alliance is looking for answers. Last fall, elite special operations divers from within the NATO alliance practiced bypassing underwater electronic detection sensors as part of an effort to boost protection for critical underwater infrastructure. NATO shared footage this week of the November training event Exercise Bold Machina 2024 in La Spezia, Italy as well as commentary from leadership. The 13-nation event was the first of its kind, said US Navy Capt. Kurt Muhler, the maritime development director at the NATO Special Operations Headquarters, and was designed to test new sensors that could be used to defend against underwater sabotage attempts. This exercise, which Defense News first reported on, also tested allied special operations divers and their abilities to operate in increasingly transparent battlespaces. Divers on offensive operations may not always be able to rely on dark, opaque waters to conceal their movements, Muhler, who has held SEAL team leadership positions, said, citing increased advancements in underwater detection system technologies. Special operator after putting on dive gear. Screenshot/NATO "It's not knowing if somebody knows, or if you're being detected," Muhler told Defense News last fall. "It is understanding that there is a system that has the capability to detect you, but that you know nothing about it and don't know exactly what the capability is." Undersea cables, pipelines, and other critical underwater infrastructure are at risk The joint exercise in Italy came as damage to critical underwater infrastructure has become increasingly worrisome to Western officials who are scrambling to deter more damage to cables from vessels often quietly linked to Russian and Chinese governments. Several underwater cables have been damaged in the past two months, including one telecommunications line linking Finland and Germany and another connecting Finland and Estonia. Finnish officials said that they found a 60-mile seabed trail suggesting a tanker linked to Russia might be responsible for cutting cables. And around the same time, cables linking Germany and Finland and Sweden and Estonia were damaged with a Chinese vessel detected nearby when the damage occurred. Such damage has spurred British defense officials to create a new joint operation with 10 European countries throughout the Baltic Sea area, using artificial intelligence to monitor potential threats from ships. Special operations divers. Screenshot/NATO Undersea cables are critical components of international telecommunication infrastructure and the global economy around 745,000 miles of cables span global seabeds and help transmit 95% of international data, including around $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. NATO officials highlighted growing threats to cables from Russia last year, noting surveillance activity from Russian units specializing in undersea sabotage. But the barrier to entry for sabotage isn't particularly high. Russia has submarine units known to specialize in underwater sabotage, but cables have also been damaged by commercial vessels simply dragging their anchors along the sea floor. And the concerns about the risk of underwater cable and infrastructure damage are not limited to European waters. Damage just last week to cables off the coast of Taiwan left that island's officials suspecting intentional damage from China. "The underwater domain is hard both to protect and hard to attack," said Alberto Tremori, a NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation scientist who helped oversee the November NATO exercise. "It's not easy to protect because it's a complex environment, it's a vast environment." Read the original article on Business Insider (Reuters) - Location tracking company Unacast has confirmed to the Norwegian government that it was the victim of a hack, according to a notice published by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Friday. Last week claims began circulating online that Unacast's data broker subsidiary Gravy Analytics had been the victim of a digital heist. Experts told Reuters that leaked data published to the internet by the hacker or hackers appeared to be genuine, but the company has so far not returned repeated messages seeking comment. The document published by NRK is addressed to Norway's data protection authority and says that the breach involved the theft of information from a Gravy Analytic's web server using a "misappropriated" key. It quotes Unacast's lawyers, BakerHostetler, as saying that the breach was discovered on Jan. 4 but that its timing was still under investigation. The law firm was also quoted as saying that a preliminary investigation showed that some of the stolen files "could contain personal data." Calls to Norway's data protection authority rang unanswered after-hours on Friday. BakerHostetler didn't immediately return messages. Unacast has not returned repeated messages seeking comment. (Reporting by Raphael Satter and AJ Vicens; Editing by Leslie Adler) By Pesha Magid RIYADH (Reuters) - European foreign ministers will meet at the end of January to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Syria, the EU foreign policy chief said on Sunday in Riyadh ahead of a meeting of top Middle Eastern and Western diplomats and Syria's new foreign minister. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, said the foreign ministers would convene in Brussels on Jan. 27 in an effort to decide how the 27-nation bloc would relax sanctions on Syria. After 13 years of civil war, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a month ago. The group has since set up a caretaker government in Damascus. Any European decision to ease sanctions would be conditional on the new Syrian administration's approach to governing, which must include "different groups" and women and "no radicalisation", Kallas said, without elaborating. "If we see the developments going to the right direction, we are ready to do the next steps...If we see that it's not going to the right direction, then we can also move back on this." Sunday's conference, the first such meeting of Western and regional leaders hosted by regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia since Assad's ouster, comes as Damascus urges the West to lift sanctions to help international funding flow more freely. In a press conference held after wrapping up the conference, Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said he stressed "lifting the unilateral and U.N. sanctions imposed on Syria as continuing ... sanctions will hinder the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development." The U.S., Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiralled into civil war. But the new reality in Syria has been complicated by sanctions on HTS - and some leaders - for its days as an al Qaeda affiliate. Germany, which is leading the EU's discussion on sanctions, on Sunday proposed allowing relief for the Syrian population, but retaining sanctions on Assad allies who "committed serious crimes" during Syria's war. "Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power, and we continue to help those in Syria who have nothing, as we have done all the years of civil war," German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Riyadh. The United States on Monday issued a six-month exemption of its sanctions for transactions with governing institutions in Syria to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow some energy transactions. British foreign minister David Lammy joined the Riyadh talks along with ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. Discussions would focus on support for the interim Syrian authorities, "including mechanisms to hold the Assad regime to account for the war crimes they perpetrated against the Syrian people," the UK foreign office said in a statement. (Reporting by Pesha Magid in Riyadh; Menna Alaa El-Din and Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Additional reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman; Writing by Andrew Mills; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Ros Russell) Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. The scenic coastal town of Pacifica south of San Francisco is threatened with devastating flooding, sea swells and erosion as ocean levels climb this century. Should residents fight back with seawalls and other measures or start planning now for a managed retreat? Bronte Wittpenn / The Chronicle Walking along a cliff in northern Pacifica, City Council member Christine Boles winced as she pointed toward orange tape and scraps of foundation. Nearly a decade ago, an apartment complex was evacuated and demolished there because the bluff it perched upon was gradually crumbling into the sea. As Boles, 61, gazed at the long-vacant lot on Esplanade Avenue on a recent foggy Monday, she reflected on the power of Mother Nature. When people fight the ocean, Boles said, the ocean always wins. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pacifica, a picturesque surf town of roughly 35,000 just south of San Francisco, has become an important case study for the increasingly urgent questions climate change raises for many coastal communities. Should residents stay to defend their homes from rising tides that grow fiercer by the year? Or, should they admit defeat and cede the land back to nature? For at least 16 years, Pacifica has wrestled with how to handle the Pacific Oceans threat to its civic existence, only for internal divisions to keep it from forming an official plan. Managed retreat a term coined by geologists to describe the process of removing people, homes and businesses from at-risk areas is at the root of the debate. Rising seas due to climate change could inundate most of Pacifica west of Highway 1 by the year 2100. Residents are at odds over whether to protect the town against the onslaught or pay property owners to move away while they still can. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Many locals view managed retreat as giving up. For the same reason towns rebuild after wildfires and mudslides, they argue, residents must stand their ground, build larger seawalls and commit to saving a community that occupies a special Bay Area niche: beautiful, relatively affordable and centrally located. Others see managed retreat as the only pragmatic solution to a problem that isnt going away. Seawalls are expensive, and they only last so long before needing to be built bigger and sturdier. Instead of waiting until the tides are at their doorsteps, some residents reason, why not stop delaying the inevitable? Advertisement Article continues below this ad We cant build seawalls high enough to protect us forever, said Gary Griggs, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz. So, in the long run, its either going to be managed retreat or unmanaged retreat. Its up to each community to decide. On Esplanade Avenue alone, wave- and storm-hastened erosion have already forced locals to flee three apartment buildings and 13 houses with little warning. By 2100, experts predict, the rising sea could wipe out most of Pacifica west of Highway 1. That area already a state-designated hazard zone includes hundreds of homes, the towns commercial hub, sewage systems, schools, a renowned fishing pier and some of the Bay Areas most scenic beaches and hiking trails. Even Highway 1 itself, Pacificas main connector to the outside world, is vulnerable. Pacifica resident and political consultant Mark Stechbart is among many locals wary of even discussing managed retreat. Its something we wouldnt be able to shake, he says. Itd follow us around everywhere, hurting home values and making life more difficult. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Pacifica City Council Member Christine Boles entire district is threatened by sea level rise. We havent been able to plan for what is to come, she says. The ocean is beautiful and powerful, but it is going to win in the end. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Were running out of time, said longtime Pacifica resident Cindy Abbott, a vocal supporter of managed retreat despite owning a home in the hazard zone. Forty or 50 years from now, future generations might not have the luxury to talk about what were talking about today. Itll be too late. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Frustrated by many communities refusal to address the effects of climate change, California officials passed a law two years ago mandating that all coastal local governments develop sea level rise plans by January 2034. How much Pacifica ultimately retreats could set a precedent for dozens of other beach communities grappling with grim long-term forecasts. Last month, after 10 hours-long City Council meetings, Pacifica administrators finally filed an update of their decades-old planning document with the state agency that regulates Californias coastline. The proposal is far from a finished product: It includes several development ideas that would require special exceptions under state law, and it largely avoids the managed-retreat issue. As Pacificans await the agencys feedback, some doubt that their 6-mile stretch of seaside hamlets can ever reach enough of a consensus on sea level rise to satisfy state policymakers. Though few residents deny climate change, they disagree strongly on the prospect of having to leave their homes someday. At the crux of the issue are home values, how people would be compensated, and preserving whats left of Pacificas beaches. In 2018, after the California Coastal Commission merely asked residents to consider managed retreat as one of several options to counter sea level rise, City Council meetings became so contentious that police officers were summoned to keep things civil. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pacificas mayor, retired biochemist John Keener, was the subject of a smear campaign in the next election and ousted from the council. His supposed offense: following the commissions recommendation to further study the managed-retreat process. Some in town worry that the local discourse around combating climate change might become even more polarized. At a City Council meeting in June, a Pacifica resident compared working with the Coastal Commission to negotiating with terrorists. But for a cash-strapped city government to secure the state and federal funds it needs to ease erosions toll and limit residents financial losses, it has only one option: partner with the commission to identify a plan for the entire shoreline fast. The stakes really couldnt be higher, said Suzanne Drake, who has been one of the most prominent locals advocating for a new seawall in lieu of managed retreat. Were talking about the future of our community here. Though its name means peaceful in Spanish, Pacifica sits atop one of the most fragile geologies on the California coastline. Nestled at the intersection of two tectonic plates, the towns steep bluffs and ancient sea floor are unusually shaky. An evolving climate of stronger storms and higher waves has worsened matters. On the northern end of Pacifica, the ocean needed less than a decade to gnaw away more than 90 feet of bluff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Loading... A town economic analysis in 2021 offered a sobering outlook: If Pacifica doesnt do anything to slow the effects of rising tides, it will incur more than $240 million in damages over a 30- to 60-year period just in the area immediately surrounding Beach Boulevard and the Pacifica Pier. Thats a seismic sum for a city whose $48 million operating budget relies heavily on property taxes. Bob Battalio, a retired coastal engineer who has called Pacifica home for 36 years, helped the town map its risk of sea level rise in 2018. After sitting through a few five-hour City Council meetings, he realized that the contrasting stances on managed retreat have little to do with geology. The state and the feds paid us at different times to help solve this, but its really not an engineering problem, Battalio said. Its really a social psychology issue, or even a political issue. People are pretty smart. They look at everything, and they just kind of figure out whats in their short-term best interest. Still, plenty of Pacificans remain blissfully unaware of the slow-moving apocalypse expected to ravage large swaths of their community sometime this century. On a Monday morning in late December, just a few hours before king tides collapsed part of Santa Cruzs iconic wharf about 65 miles south, a dozen people shot iPhone videos of mighty waves cannonading against the aging Pacifica Pier. Seawalls, which trace to the Stone Age and involve placing heavy objects in the path of oncoming waves, are known to protect against those king tides albeit, at a significant cost: They slowly kill the fronting beach. Beach replenishment, adding sand so that the beach takes longer to erode, is often far less effective in practice than it might sound in theory. Rock revetments guard the edge of a mobile home park in Pacifica. The beach town is among the most vulnerable in California to the impacts of climate change, but how to address the threat has become highly politicized. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Then there is managed retreat, which seems to mean different things to different Pacificans. The interpretation that has had some locals panicking residents in at-risk areas being forced from their homes without getting compensated hardly resembles what the Coastal Commission has outlined. In a 2018 document, the commission proposed moving out willing residents in different phases only when necessary, then using public funds to buy them out at full market value. But even under that scenario, locals might wonder: What if being in a hazard zone craters home values even before people move? Will the state or federal government do anything to make up the difference? Residents also have concerns about getting insurance, permits to remodel and 30-year mortgages. In 2022, Marianne P. Osberg nearly had the refinancing on one of several Pacifica apartment buildings she owns denied because her banker saw it in the hazard zone of an unofficial map of the towns at-risk areas for sea level rise. Before she could get a 10-year loan, she had to give the bank the areas geological report on climate change. Thats going to keep happening, Osberg said, and its only going to get worse. Mark Stechbart, a political consultant who has helped amplify the anti-retreat fury around town, believes that the mere mention of managed retreat in Pacificas sea level rise plan could devastate a middle-class community. Surfers walk past the Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica. The popular restaurant is among many businesses and homes threatened by rising sea levels, but nobody is sure how owners would be compensated for moving out of harms way. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Its something we wouldnt be able to shake, he said. Itd follow us around everywhere, hurting home values and making life more difficult. As Stechbart guided his Ram pickup down San Pedro Avenue on a recent Monday, he remarked on how many of the towns buildings had barely been updated since being constructed in the 1950s. In a Bay Area loaded with Big Tech money, Pacifica is an outlier an oceanfront community where a Taco Bell, a mobile home park and budget motels occupy prime real estate. Many locals like Stechbart flocked there decades ago for the affordable housing prices, outdoor activities and proximity to San Francisco. Now at or near retirement age, those same residents are content relaxing near the sea while they try to maximize their homes equity. For a lot of people here, their houses are really the only valuable thing they own, said Sue Beckmeyer, who has sat on Pacificas City Council for six years and just started her second term as mayor. Selling that property is their backup plan in case they start to run low on money and need to move into an assisted-living facility. Some locals had similar post-retirement contingency plans when they attended a now-infamous El Nino party on Esplanade Avenue in January 1998. For one fun-filled night, neighbors forgot about the storm outside as they sipped cocktails and danced in their favorite swimwear. Within weeks, vicious waves had washed away more than 30 feet of the cliff that holds up Esplanade. Residents of that streets even-numbered houses awoke to find their homes teetering on the edge, their backyards swallowed by the sea. Sandbags protect a home near Sharp Beach Park in Pacifica. The California Coastal Commission has proposed moving out willing residents in different phases when necessary, using public funds to buy them out. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Boles, the Pacifica City Council member, can still remember the desperation in the voice of a man who called her about two decades later. He pleaded for her to let him move his house the last even-numbered one yet to be bulldozed on Esplanade to the higher-ground lot where Boles was building a home with her husband. It was heartbreaking, Boles said. These people worked their whole lives to live by the coast, only to be left with nothing. A soft-spoken architect, Boles never even contemplated public office before her 2019 move from San Francisco to Pacifica. But after three years witnessing the unique challenges climate change had thrust upon her new town, she ran to represent District 2, which includes Esplanade and is considered by some geologists ground zero for Californias rising sea crisis. Between sips of coffee, she strolled down that street as she took in the sweeping ocean views that were once blocked by even-numbered houses. (Reuters) -U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the federal cases against Donald Trump on charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and mishandling of classified documents, has resigned, as the Republican president-elect prepared to return to the White House. Smith resigned on Friday from the Department of Justice, according to a court filing on Saturday to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, asking her to lift a court order she issued blocking release of his final report. Notice of Smith's resignation came in a footnote in the filing, which said the Special Counsel had completed his work, submitted his final confidential report on Jan. 7, and "separated" from the Justice Department on Jan. 10. A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought two of the four criminal cases Trump faced after leaving office, but saw them grind to a halt after a Trump-appointed judge in Florida dismissed one and the U.S. Supreme Court -- with three justices appointed by Trump -- found that former presidents have sweeping immunity from prosecution for official acts. Neither case went to trial. After Trump defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, Smith dropped both cases, citing a longstanding Justice Department rule against prosecuting sitting presidents. In asking courts to dismiss the charges, Smith's team defended the merits of the cases they had brought, signaling only that Trump's impending return to the White House made them untenable. Trump welcomed Smith's departure on Sunday, saying on Truth Social that Smith had accomplished nothing and accused the prosecutor of "destroying the lives of many people and families." Smith's departure is another marker of the collapse of the criminal cases against Trump, which could end without any legal consequences for the incoming president and sparked a backlash that helped fuel his political comeback. Smith's resignation from the Justice Department was expected. Trump, who has frequently called Smith "deranged," had said that he would fire him immediately upon taking office on Jan. 20, and has suggested that he may pursue retribution against Smith and others who investigated him once he returns to office. Trump in 2023 became the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, first in New York, where he was charged with trying to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign. Smith's charges followed, accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified material after leaving office and of trying to overturn his 2020 loss, a campaign that sparked the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors in Georgia also charged Trump over his efforts to overturn his election defeat in that state. TRUMP CLAIMED POLITICAL MOTIVATION Trump denied wrongdoing and assailed the prosecutions as politically motivated attempts to damage his campaign. He raised millions in campaign contributions from courthouse appearances and used the cases to drive a powerful narrative that the political establishment was arrayed against him and his supporters. The Justice Department defended the cases, saying they were run by career prosecutors who operated free of political influence. Garland appointed Smith in November 2022 -- nearly two years after the Capitol attack -- to lead the Justice Department's twin ongoing investigations into Trump. That move came just days after Trump announced a campaign to return to the White House in the 2024 election. Garland, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, said Smith would provide a degree of independence in the highly sensitive investigations. Garland had rebuffed earlier calls to name a special prosecutor, insisting he could appropriately oversee the Trump probes. Smith returned to Washington from The Hague where he prosecuted war crimes cases arising from the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. He previously led the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section and worked in the federal prosecutors office in Brooklyn, New York, developing a reputation as a tenacious investigator. At the Hague, Smith won the conviction of Salih Mustafa, a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander who ran a prison where torture took place during the conflict. HISTORIC FIRST The indictments, the first federal cases against a former U.S. president, accused Trump of taking highly sensitive national security documents to his Florida resort and using false claims of voter fraud to attempt to derail the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 election loss. "The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies - lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the U.S. government," Smith said in announcing the election indictment in August 2023, one of only two public appearances he made during his investigation. Smith faced a tight window to complete both prosecutions as it was clear Trump would be able to shut them down if he won the election. Both faced legal hurdles. In the classified documents case, Florida-based U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, dismissed all charges in July after ruling that Smith was improperly appointed as special counsel. Smiths office appealed that decision. Prosecutors dropped the appeal relating to Trump following his election win, but signaled they will continue a bid to revive charges against two Trump associates who were accused of obstructing the investigation. The election case was paused for months while Trumps lawyers mounted an appeal for presidential immunity. The U.S. Supreme Court largely sided with Trump in August, ruling Trump could not be prosecuted for many official acts he took as president and sparking more delays in the case. Smith acknowledged in court papers that his team faced an unprecedented circumstance after Trump won the election over Harris. His office concluded that both cases could not continue. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records following a trial in the New York hush money case, which was brought by state prosecutors. His sentencing was delayed indefinitely after his election win and Trump's lawyers are seeking to have it dismissed in its entirety. The Georgia case, which also includes charges against 14 Trump allies, remains in limbo while an appeals court determines if the lead prosecutor, Fani Willis, must be disqualified for misconduct over a romantic affair with a former top deputy. The case against Trump is unlikely to move forward while he remains president. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Mark Porter) @parkermediainc/Parker Media (2) Jess Parker's corgi Waldo saved her by running to get help after a bad fall A smart-thinking corgi saved the day after running to get help for his owner after she fell and hurt herself. Just after Christmas on Dec. 28, Kitchener, Ontario, resident Jess Parker was taking her usual morning walk with her 9-year-old dog, Waldo, on a path behind her home, per CTV News and CityNews Kitchener. Melting snow and mud had made the path slippery, and Parker suddenly took a hard fall. She immediately knew the situation was not good. My body went, and my right leg didnt. I heard a giant crack, and I knew that something was wrong," she recalled to CTV News. "My foot was facing completely east, and my body was facing north. So, it was very gruesome." Related: 'Hero Dog' Saves Injured 84-Year-Old Owner By Running to a Deputy for Help @parkermediainc/Parker Media Jess Parker poses with her corgi Waldo, who helped save her life after a bad fall As it turned out, she had broken her foot in the fall, and since she didn't bring her cell phone on the walk, she had no way to call anyone for help. She began shouting but feared no one would hear her due to the path being set far back from the main road. But she had her own four-legged superhero right by her side all along. "Waldo immediately jumps to action. He kisses me on the face and then runs away, Parker recounted to CTV News. As she laid on her back, in pain, she watched the Corgi turn into a real-life Lassie, getting the attention of a nearby stranger. I see him out in the distance, tugging on a strangers pant leg," she told CTV News. "He starts barking and leads the guy to me. Ive never met this guy before." @parkermediainc/Parker Media Waldo the corgi saved his owner's life after she suffered a bad fall while on a walk And the heroic pup wasn't done yet. After retrieving the man, Waldo dashed off again, this time getting the attention of Parker's husband, Brady Parker, and landlord. We just came right down here, and I could see some people gathering. I could hear Jess. She sounded like she was in a lot of pain, Brady recalled to CTV News. Paramedics soon arrived, and Jess was taken to a local hospital. The doctor said I got there just in time. I was losing a lot of blood to my foot, and that can be quite dangerous, Jess noted. @parkermediainc/Parker Media Jess Parker and her corgi Waldo Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Following surgery, Jess is recovering well at home and she now knows the lengths that her canine companion will go to protect her. "I had hoped Id never find out, but thankfully, Waldo did pass the Lassie test, Jess told CTV News. He did the exact right thing, which was incredible," she added to CityNews Kitchener. Its nice to know when something happens, hes got my back." Related: Hero Dog 'Refused' to Leave Owner's Side After Getting Man Help for a 'Significant' Injury Waldo was rewarded for his valiant efforts with a plate full of chopped up steak. "Steak dinner for our hero," Jess captioned a sweet Instagram video on Jan. 7. "Thanks for being the best doggo ever." While the corgi is making news for his heroic actions, he was already well-known for starring in commercials and from his presence on social media, where he boasts nearly 14,000 followers on TikTok. Waldo's page features videos documenting his everyday adventures, from visits to the Starbucks drive-through for a pup cup to forest walks at home in Ontario. He is also a regular at Octoberfest celebrations, even dressing up in tiny lederhosen for the occasion. Read the original article on People President-elect Donald Trumps pick for national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said negotiations for a deal to free the hostages in the Hamas-Israel war are literally happening as we speak. Let's allow our hostages to be set free. I want to see them walking across the tarmac, or at a minimum, some type of agreement before inauguration because President Trump is serious, Waltz told ABCs This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl on Sunday. Any deal will only get worse for Hamas, and there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East if we continue to have this kind of hostage diplomacy. Officials close to ceasefire negotiations told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad has already arrived in Doha for a critical round of talks. Egyptian and U.S. officials are participating in the conversations, including Trumps incoming Middle East adviser Steven Witkoff and President Joe Bidens outgoing adviser Brett McGurk. PHOTO: Rep. Mike Waltz appears on 'This Week,' Jan. 12, 2025. (ABC) On U.S. relations with Russia, Karl asked Waltz about plans for Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet. Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin would welcome a meeting with Trump, but that it would most likely happen after he takes office. When asked about a potential meeting with the Russian president while attending a dinner with Republican governors, Trump said, He wants to meet, and we're going to, we're setting it up." Waltz told Karl that "preparations are underway for that meeting and that from Trumps perspective, you can't enter a deal if you don't have some type of relationship and dialogue with the other side, and we will absolutely establish that in the coming months. MORE: In Ukraine, Trump election met with anxiety but also hope he might end the war Concerning Ukraine, Waltz said the Trump administration will be asking about its military manpower, noting that it "could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers" if it lowered its draft age. They certainly have taken a very noble and tough stand, but we need to see those manpower shortages addressed, Waltz said. This isn't just about munitions, ammunition or writing more checks. It's about seeing the front lines stabilized so that we can enter into some type of deal. PHOTO: Servicemen of artillery crew of the special unit National Police fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Jan. 11, 2025. (Stringer/Reuters) Trump has also repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal, even not ruling out using the U.S. military to do so if he saw fit. Asked if Trump was serious about using military power, Waltz said, What he's very serious about is the threats that we're facing in the Arctic -- the threats that we're facing in the Western Hemisphere. PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 9, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP) Enough is enough for having our adversaries coming into our Western Hemisphere threaten our, you know, our national security and President Trump is ready to take big, bold steps to ensure the United States is well-defended, he said. Further pressed by Karl on whether Trump would use military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, Waltz said the president-elect is never going to take an option off the table, unlike, frankly, his predecessor, so when it comes to our national defense, that is paramount to the commander in chief. ABC News Jordana Miller contributed to this report. Rep. Waltz: Negotiations to release Hamas hostages are underway originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Steve Bannon, Elon Musk Days after fawning over what tech magnate Elon Musks deep pockets could do for the MAGA movement, Steve Bannon went berserk on the worlds richest man and vowed to limit his White House influence. Bannon, 71, who hosts the War Room podcast and has a penchant for plotting all-out brass-knuckled political warfare, suggested Musk should go back to South Africa and decried his stance on H1-B visas. I will have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day, Bannon, told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera last week, per excerpts translated by his former employer Breitbart. He will not have a blue pass to the White House, he will not have full access to the White House, he will be like any other person. Steve Bannon suggested that Elon Musk should go back to South Africa. Aristide Economopoulos He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy. I made it my personal thing to take this guy down, he went on. Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it. Im not prepared to tolerate it anymore. Last month, just before Christmas, a war erupted within the MAGA movement between the tech bros and immigration hardliners over H1-B visas, which permit foreign workers to come to the US for specialty occupations. Musk, 53, a US citizen who emigrated from South Africa, emerged as a fierce defender of H1-B visas. President-elect Donald Trump, 78, eventually backed Musks stance and the tech billionaire. But Bannon hasnt let the H1-B visa flap go. This thing of the H-1B visas, its about the entire immigration system is gamed by the tech overlords, they use it to their advantage, the people are furious, Bannon told the outlet Bannon also unleashed on other big-name billionaire Trump backers. Elon Musk is set to helm a blue ribbon commission aimed at dramatically slashing government bloat. Getty Images Peter Thiel, David Sacks, Elon Musk, are all white South Africans, he added. He should go back to South Africa. Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on earth, white South Africans, we have them making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States? Billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel, is German-American but lived in South Africa and Namibia as a child. He had worked with Musk on PayPal, had been a top backer of Vice President-elect JD Vances Ohio Senate bid in 2022. Musk has espoused increasingly conservative viewpoints in the public eye since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the GOP primaries, he backed alternatives to Trump, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). However, after the July 13 assassination attempt, Musk began going all in on the president-elect. Since Trumps election victory, Musk has spent a large chunk of his time hunkered down at Mar-a-Lago. Trump has tapped him to helm the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which isnt actually a government department. Elon Musk has cultivated close ties with President-elect Donald Trump. Getty Images Democrats have attempted to poke at both Musks and Trumps egos and pit the two against each other. Last month, when Musk whipped up public opposition to a government funding bill in Congress, Democrats branded him President Musk, though Trump has so far declined to take the bait. Bannon complained that Musks sole objective is to become a trillionaire. Bannon has previously called for more taxes on the wealthy and warned about a French Revolution-style uprising in the US over the growing disparities between the mega-rich and the poor. [Musk] will do anything to make sure that any one of his companies is protected or has a better deal or he makes more money, Bannon further groused. His aggregation of wealth, and then through wealth power: thats what hes focused on. Bannon also took a jab at Musk for appearing to concur with a post on X that suggested Americans are too retarded to do the jobs that companies use foreigners via the H1-B visa system. Musk later deleted that post. He went out of his way to mock our movement as racist and retards, and he lost, Bannon complained. We blew him out of the water. Steven Bannon was just set free from prison last year. Gregory P. Mango Before Musk got behind Trump, Bannon had lashed out at the Tesla and SpaceX for not being critical of China. Musk has waded heavily into US and European politics, but largely eschewed mention of China, where he has factories and a massive Tesla sales business. Just last week, however, Bannon argued that despite their differences, Musk joining the MAGA movement could be an important boon and took note of the billionaires efforts to wade into European politics. I support his participation because the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Bannon told Bloomberg. Musk just spent a quarter of a billion dollars to elect Trump. If he puts the same amount of money into all of Europe that he put behind Trump, he will flip every nation to a populist agenda. Theres not a centrist left-wing government in Europe that will be able to withstand that onslaught. "Magnificent Seven" stocks the market darlings responsible for more than half of the S&P 500s (^GSPC) 25% return in 2024 may be poised for further gains as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Trumps pledge to peel back regulations and change tax policies, along with plans to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, have fueled bullish calls on Wall Street. Wedbushs Dan Ives expects the technology sector to be a big winner this year, with Magnificent Seven members Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), Tesla (TSLA), and Alphabet (GOOGL) among his top five tech winners for 2025. We expect tech stocks to be up 25% in 2025 as the Street further digests a less regulatory spider web under Trump in the White House with Khan/FTC days in the rear-view mirror, stronger AI initiatives within the Beltway on the way, and a goldilocks foundation for Big Tech and Tesla looking into 2025 and beyond, Ives wrote in a note to clients. And Big Tech isnt wasting any time warming up to the incoming administration. Meta (META) announced plans to end its fact-checking program an effort long criticized by conservatives and added UFCs Dana White, a close Trump ally, to its board. Microsoft and Alphabet donated $1 million each to Trumps inauguration fund, joining the likes of Meta and Amazon (AMZN). Rational Equity Armor Fund portfolio manager Joe Tigay echoed bullish calls on tech, advising investors to focus on stocks that will benefit from a shift in regulation, tax policies, and trade. He told me that he sees Tesla, Palantir (PLTR), and Amazon as three winners under the incoming administration. Tesla is a leader in the EV world, and I think the new administration will be favorable to them, Tigay said. And there's big money to be had specifically in the cloud services. In a new administration, tariffs around the world are going to be costly for a lot of companies, but Amazon's infrastructure is so diverse that they can find places where tariffs are less impactful and be able to capture some of that gain for its consumers. Tigay also noted that Palantirs focus on cost reduction and AI adoption uniquely aligns with the priorities of a second Trump administration. StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market. IBM (IBM) CEO Arvind Krishna told me at Yahoo Finances Invest conference that hes hopeful the incoming Trump administration will foster a lot more innovation and less regulation, laying the groundwork for a more favorable deal environment. If we have more certainty on the outcome, then we are willing to lean into things like M&A. If the regulatory process and antitrust are going to be more certain, that allows you to take more risk, Krishna said. But its important to point out that not all tech, and not even all of the Magnificent Seven names, are expected to be winners. Analysts warn tariff risks coupled with a sluggish Chinese market could spell trouble for Apple (AAPL) the second biggest contributor to the S&P last year behind Nvidia and other hardware names. While the incoming Trump Administration is likely to exempt Apple from import tariffs, there is a genuine risk that Apple will be targeted with retaliatory tariffs in countries negatively impacted by US import duties in unrelated categories, MoffettNathansons Craig Moffett wrote in a note to clients this week. Soon after the election, Morgan Stanleys Erik Woodring warned that hardware tech stocks including Dell (DELL), HPQ (HPQ), and Logitech (LOGI) are among the "most at-risk" from tariffs given smartphones, PCs, tablets, wearables, and servers are still primarily assembled in China. We estimate that if President-elect Trump were to use executive orders to reinstitute Section 301 tariffs on goods imported from China, our coverage would face, on average, 4-7% downside to FY25 EPS, Woodring wrote in November. Seana Smith is an anchor at Yahoo Finance. Follow Smith on Twitter @SeanaNSmith. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email seanasmith@yahooinc.com. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance President-elect Donald Trump has tapped several individuals who served during his first administration to fill key cabinet roles as he prepares to take back the White House this month, he announced in a series of posts on Truth Social Saturday. Several former members of Donald Trumps first administration have been tapped to fill key cabinet roles as he prepares to take back the White House this month, the president-elect announced in a series of Truth Social posts Saturday. Trump, 78, nominated Steven Bradbury to serve as deputy secretary of transportation; Katharine MacGregor the vice president of environmental services at NextEra Energy to serve as deputy secretary of the interior; and David Fotouhi as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The incoming president also chose Paul R. Lawrence to serve as deputy secretary of Veteran Affairs; University of Chicago professor Casey B. Mulligan as chief counsel for advocacy at the US Small Business Administration; and Army veteran James Danly as deputy secretary of energy. Trump unveiled his latest nominations in a series of posts on Truth Social Saturday. Anadolu via Getty Images Bradbury, who served as the general counsel of the Department of Transportation during Trumps first term, was credited by the 47th president for rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and slashing regulations that were killing jobs and small businesses. Steven Bradbury was tapped to serve as deputy secretary of Transportation. Steven G. Bradbury/Wikipedia MacGregor will return to the Department of Interior, where she served during Trumps first four years as president. She helped us in our quest to make our National Energy DOMINANT, and was also an integral part of the team that produced our Historic Salute to America at the National Mall, Trump said. Katharine MacGregor was nominated for Deputy Secretary of the Interior. Katharine MacGregor /Linked In Fotouhi, who worked at the EPA for the entirety of Trumps first term, will return to the environmental agency to advance pro GROWTH policies, unleash Americas Energy Dominance, and prioritize Clean Air, Clean Water, and Clean Soil for ALL Americans, he said. David Fotouhi was tapped as deputy administrator of the EPA. David Fotouhi/LinkedIn Trump hailed Lawrence for his work during his first term, adding that his latest nominee will focus on taking care of veterans and ensuring they are treated with the respect they deserve. Paul was a great VA Under Secretary of Benefits in my First Term, implementing Legislation I signed to improve the GI Bill and Appeals Modernization, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Paul Lawrence was chosen as deputy secretary of Veteran Affairs. Paul Lawrence/LinkedIn Paul also helped us drive the claims backlog to its LOWEST LEVEL in VA History. Dr. Casey Mulligan will serve as chief counsel for advocacy at the US Small Business Administration. Dr. Casey Mulligan/AFPI Trump praised Mulligan as a fantastic economist and a highly respected expert on regulations that are crushing our Small Businesses. He previously held the title of Chief Economist of Trumps Council of Economic Advisers. Danly is a retired US Army officer, who served two tours in Iraq, where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Trump said. He served in my First Term as General Counsel, Commissioner, and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he won countless cases before the Federal Courts, and drove regulatory reform to ensure abundant and affordable energy for the American People, the incoming commander in chief said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to release North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers being held captive in Russia. Ukraine is ready to hand over (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Uns soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia, Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X that included a video purportedly showing two North Korean POWs being interrogated. On Saturday, Ukraine said it had captured two North Korean soldiers, marking the first time that Kyiv has captured soldiers alive from the isolated state. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. CNN has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment, and is seeking comment from North Korea. In the video shared by Zelensky on Sunday, both soldiers appear injured and are likely speaking under duress. A Korean-speaking voice can be heard translating questions from the interrogator. One soldier has a wound to his jaw, the other has bandaged hands. One of the soldiers, who appears in the video lying down, says he did not know he was fighting in a war against Ukraine and that his commanders told him it was a training exercise. The interrogator, whose voice has been modulated to obscure their identity, asks both soldiers whether they want to return to North Korea, according to a CNN translation of the video. One nods, the other after further prompting from the translator, who asks, Do you like it here in Ukraine? Its nicer here says he wants to stay in Ukraine but adds later that he will do as he is told. In his daily address later Sunday, Zelensky claimed that one of the soldiers had expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was tight-lipped about Zelenskys offer to swap the captured North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners taken by Russia, but said the Kremlin was interested in discussing potential exchanges. We do not know what is true here, who offered what to whom, Peskov said Monday. The process is not easy. But the life of each of our soldiers in captivity is important to us. This work will continue. A still from a video shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, January 12, purportedly shows a North Korean POW being interrogated. CNN has blurred part of the image. - Volodymyr Zelensky According to Ukrainian and Western assessments, some 11,000 North Korean troops are deployed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces occupy several hundred square kilometers after staging a cross-border incursion in August last year. Ukraine estimates more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in Kursk, while a senior US official said North Korea has seen several hundred casualties both killed and wounded in the region since October. On Monday, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, who was briefed by the National Intelligence Service, said about 300 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia are believed to have died so far with 2,700 injured. In video released Saturday by Ukraines Security Service, a spokesman says one of the North Koreans was captured on January 9 by Ukrainian special forces, and the other by Ukrainian paratroopers. In his statement on X, Zelensky vowed to capture more North Korean soldiers. In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. Its only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea, Zelensky said on X. Officials in Kyiv have accused Russia of trying to cover up the involvement of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield. CNNs Anna Chernova contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A cadaver dog searches Saturday at a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena (Los Angeles County). The county medical examiner said it was investigating up to 11 deaths tied to the Eaton Fire, though it has yet to confirm them all. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A team searches for human remains Saturday at a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena (Los Angeles County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A team searches for human remains Saturday at a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena (Los Angeles County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A U.S. flag is draped at the entrance of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena (Los Angeles County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Chelsea Bayouth looks over what was once her 3-year-old daughters room Saturday after her familys Altadena home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. Keith Birmingham/Associated Press The scope of the Eaton Fire became clearer over the weekend as officials provided an update on the blaze in Altadena on the edge of Pasadena in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles medical examiner said it was investigating 11 deaths tied to the Eaton Fire, though as of Saturday night it had not confirmed six of them. A search-and-rescue team, including cadaver dogs, started working Saturday to search for remains and reunite families. Residents looking for missing persons can go to a Family Assistance Center at the Pasadena Convention Center Visitors Bureau. The Eaton Fire, which was 27% contained as of Sunday, has burned more than 14,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 4,000 structures as of Sunday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Devastation really is the only word, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. Loading... Officials emphasized that they will be strictly enforcing a curfew in the evacuation zones instituted Friday night and condemned looting in fire-affected areas. If youre even thinking about it, think twice because the Pasadena sheriff, Pasadena Police Department and L.A. County sheriff will not only be there to greet you, but you will be arrested, Gordo said. Pasadena does not have a curfew in place, but city officials are considering it, he said. National Guard and law enforcement personnel work together at a road closure in Altadena (Los Angeles County) during the Eaton Fire. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office has made 19 arrests, including four for curfew violations Friday night, according to a department spokesperson. Looter suppression teams are working in Altadena, according to a statement from the citys Town Council, which urged residents against returning to their homes, as doing so will aid law enforcement in looter suppression efforts, which ultimately benefits all of us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Sen. Sasha Renee Perez also condemned price-gouging on hotels and housing in the wake of the fires, and said she met with the California attorney general Saturday about the issue. She encouraged people to report price-gouging at oag.ca.gov/report. It is not OK to price-gouge in a state of emergency, she said. Thousands of residents remain without power in the area. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell said damaged neighborhoods that are difficult to access could lead to extended outages. More wind is also predicted for the area this week, he said, which could lead to further power shutoffs. To protect our communities when the conditions merit it, we need to use it as a tool of last resort, and we will be doing that, Powell said. In response to a question from a reporter, he said there is no evidence yet that Southern California Edison power lines caused the Hurst Fire in Sylmar (Los Angeles County), but that further investigation is necessary to determine the cause. Smoke covers the air over the Rose Bowl in the San Gabriel Valley on Saturday as the Eaton Fire burns in Los Angeles County. Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Air quality remains poor in the area and Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, urged people to limit their time outdoors as much as possible and to protect themselves from toxic substances left over from the fires when theyre told its safe to return to their homes. People returning to fire zones should wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants and K95 masks, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad by Nirmala Carvalho Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the apostolic administrator he appointed and the appointment of a new vicar, Archbishop Pamplany, for the community at the heart of the lengthy and bitter liturgical clash that has divided this Eastern-rite Catholic Church. In his speech to the Synod, the newly appointed Cardinal Koovakkad pointed out the primacy of charity to his fellow Syro-Malabar bishops. Kochi (AsiaNews) - The Indian archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, at the centre of the clash that has divided the Syro-Malabar Church for some years now over the issue of the liturgy, has a new leader. At the end of a session of the Synod of Bishops of this ancient Eastern-rite Catholic Church deeply rooted in the State of Kerala, the Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil - who as such is the Metropolitan of Ernakulam-Angamaly - appointed Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, who already holds the ministry of Archbishop of Tellicherry, as his vicar for this archieparchy. This choice - taken by the Synod - was confirmed by Pope Francis, who accepted the resignation of Bishop Bosco Puthur, who a little over a year ago had been appointed by the pontiff as apostolic administrator for this Syro-Malabar community whose clergy is firmly opposed to the unified rite of Eucharistic celebration adopted by the other dioceses in 2021. Bosco Puthur - who has been strongly contested by the local clergy in recent months - had handed his mandate back into the hands of the pope in September for health reasons. With the acceptance of the apostolic administrator's resignation, therefore, the governance of the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly was once again entrusted to the Major Archbishop who - as his predecessor, Card. George Alencherry with Archbishop Antony Kariyil - appointed a vicar for the pastoral leadership of this community. At the same time, however, Archbishop Cyril Vasil of Slovakia will continue to serve as papal delegate for the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. Born in 1969, Archbishop Joseph Pamplany was ordained a priest in 1997. He pursued higher studies in Sacred Scripture and received his doctorate from the University of Leuven. He was elected auxiliary bishop of Tellicherry on 1 September 2017 and consecrated on 8 November 2017. He became Metropolitan Archbishop of Tellicherry on 22 April 2022. Archbishop Pamplany is currently secretary of the Synod of the Malabar Church and a member of its permanent council. It will now fall to him, therefore, to heal the wound that has long shaken the Syro-Malabar Church, repeatedly called upon by Francis to rediscover unity in charity. And in this sense it was significant at the Synod - held these days in the presence of the 54 bishops who carry out their ministry in India and around the world - the intervention of Card. George Koovakkad, the priest from this Eastern-rite Church, a close collaborator of the pontiff for the organisation of his travels, whom the pope wanted to include among the new cardinals created in the recent consistory in December. In his speech before his fellow Syro-Malabar bishops, the cardinal emphasised that the Church cannot move forward without being ready to listen to the voice of the voiceless, without stepping forward to embrace the marginalised and without recognising the voices of the isolated and isolated. He recalled Pope Francis' invitation to anoint the wounded, in a field hospital Church. Koovakkad suggested strengthening cooperation between dioceses and generously helping students with education expenses, as well as expanding study and work opportunities to promote commitment to the Church in children and families. Finally, he also invited the Syro-Malabar community to enter the Jubilee Year as pilgrims of hope, under the guidance of the Christian hope that never disappoints. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. Can the Porn Industry Teach Consent? Consent Is a Huge Topic Today. But How Is the Porn Industry Approaching It? We all know the porn tropes. The blushing ingenue on the casting couch. The sexually aggressive MILF who catches her son's best friend staring at her cleavage and schools him in the ways of love, calling the shots at every stage. The massage session that wordlessly turns sexual. The free-use stepsister whos available to please at a moments notice, day or night. Lots of porn seems to consciously represent everything consent isn't the fantasy of absolute power for a lover to do anything you want without having to announce your intentions, let alone ask. But the fact that contemporary porn features precious little consent negotiation doesnt mean the people producing it arent thinking about the topic; the American porn studio Adult Time launched a PSA in 2023 called Consent Is Sexy, and many scenes these days do show women expressing enthusiastic consent before things get underway. Despite any seeming contradiction, in one sense, porn is the natural place from which to promote consent. Though theres an important distinction to make between porn and sex ed, its hard to deny the power the adult industry has over cultural conceptions of what sex is and how it looks. RELATED: Why Porn Isn't Sex Education So what makes porn the place to do so, and can it really make an impact? The Role of Consent in Porn The conversation around consent has changed massively in the past decade, so its no surprise that pornographers are thinking about it too. Our mission is to do porn differently, says Bree Mills, creative director of Adult Time. We live that mission not just in what we put online but in how we run sets, work with our community and positively influence adults who watch our content. And one of if not the most important subjects is the relationship we cultivate using consent between ourselves, crews and performers, it's a big part of our lives. RELATED: The Giant AskMen Guide to Pornography She adds the Consent is Sexy campaign was also part of an ongoing effort to let consumers peek behind the curtain, which is critical to getting them thinking about real issues surrounding sex in no small part because informed consent now forms a big part of the pre-shoot work that porn performers engage in. People need to be educated that [the porn clips they watch] are fantasies, says Mills, and if they see the work that goes behind them, it helps them realize the difference between the fantasy and the people making the fantasy. It's also not lost on Mills that the work of her industry is many peoples first exposure to sex, saying she feels a tremendous responsibility. RELATED: Adult Stars Reveal the Differences Between Porn & Real Sex We're not accountable for being sex educators, but we're definitely where a lot of people go to as their first reference point, she explains. As such, she wants to use the medium to positively influence the way people view sex, sexuality, sexual communication and what intimacy is, saying; I've translated that feeling of responsibility into the work. But Mills' sentiment isn't universal in the industry. Adult content creator Sugar Love, for instance, says, It's not for me to control whether parents are letting their teens [view] adult content. And while thats true, it may be in part a factor of their roles running a studio can mean a greater sense of responsibility than being a stand-alone performer. Can Porn Teach Viewers About Consent? For porn viewers now accustomed to skipping through the traditional set-up scenes of the customer asking with a purr if there's some other way she can pay the pizza delivery guy, consent education scenes may be likely to be met with little more than an eye roll and the scroll button. And that's not just conjecture. After polling her 300,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sugar Love says 75 percent of them skip or fast forward through scenes. Most users also said they lose interest in anything over 10 or 15 minutes, she says. Unless you save the 'script' for mid-scene during all the action, you're unlikely to have good results. RELATED: Examples of How to Ask for & Talk About Consent With a Partner However, doing consent education after the sex has already started is somewhat akin to closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. The whole point of consent negotiations is that they should happen before the action in question, not during or after. Fiona Vera-Grey, author of the 2024 book Women on Porn, says while it's good that some content makers like Mills are talking about consent, it's not going to work if it's a sideline to the content they're producing. Most people go to porn to masturbate and the education they get from it is secondary, she says. Im not sure a separate project is going to get the clicks... so it's probably more important to get the message both subtly and explicitly into the content of films. Mills is as conscious of that fact as anyone. The job of a writer and director is to find ways to 'Trojan horse' important messages that don't feel like a public service announcement, but show good behavior within the content, she says. RELATED: Things Guys Need to Unlearn About Sex Having two performers in a scene establish basic, enthusiastic consent in a way that feels natural can go a long way towards modelling this behavior for younger or less experienced viewers, for instance. However, Cindy Gallop, sex positive campaigner and the founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn, isnt sure that these scenes along will fix things there's only so much porn can do to change the conversation about consent, she believes, because the issue starts so much further back. The issue isn't porn, the issue is that we don't talk about sex in the real world, she says. So many things are laid at porn's door that should be laid at society's. The porn industry is not responsible for education about consent. Society is. RELATED: Understanding (and Defeating) Sexual Shame To Gallop, several problems about real world people and real world sex conspire to make it far harder to define and establish consent. Just one is that most situations where consent is potentially problematic are likely to be where men are pressuring women to have sex. In fact, for that crucial reason, she believes making consent sexy should be a message given to men by other men (and she notes there's only one male performer in the Adult Time PSA, somewhat reinforcing the idea that consent is a 'womens' issue'). Another is that many people find it very difficult to communicate about sex. Despite our feminist age, she says the majority of women may not be confident enough to spell out exactly what they want done to them in bed. RELATED: Examples of How to Ask for Consent [Messages about consent] aren't landing because people think consent means going 'Is it OK if I do this? Is it all right if I do this?', and the Adult Time PSA reinforced it one of the speakers says it's really sexy when partners go 'Is it OK if I do this?' but Gallop thinks that kind of approach is a total killjoy and not realistic. To her, the overarching problem isn't only that few people realize consent starts much farther back than the bedroom, it's because nobody knows what consent really looks like in bed. The only way you educate people about great, consensual, communicative sex is by watching people actually having that kind of sex. We all know you can withdraw consent at any time but again, people have never been exposed to seeing what that means in the real world. She says that's what MakeLoveNotPorn is all about. With a focus on real people having real sex you see plenty of coitus interruptus thanks to a partner saying they're just not feeling the role play, a sudden leg cramp or pets running into the room but most importantly, you see good sexual values and behavior in action in the real world. That last part is not incidental; Gallop says she designed the site specifically to promote the concept of good sexual values. RELATED: What Is Sexual Responsiveness and Why Is It Important? She makes the point that while parents aim to bring children up with good values, nobody ever teaches us how to behave well in bed where empathy, sensitivity, generosity, kindness, honesty, trust, respect, etc matter as much as they do do everywhere else. Though they may not see it the same way when it comes to the potential impact of adult content, Mills agrees with Gallops point about the paucity of consent education in our culture. We don't talk about the importance of consent in society very much, she notes, so even a lot of people who come into the industry don't realize how important it is to set boundaries and communicate. Should Porn Have to Educate Its Viewers? Try as they might, Vera-Grey thinks there's only so much Mills and other well-intentioned purveyors of adult content can do. They're at least trying to do something different, which is good, but they're in a wider industry that really isn't trying to do that and mostly is doing something opposed to that, and their content and audience is situated in a wider context. That context is what we know about porns place and use in society. Mills refers to the tendency of opponents (religious, political, etc.) and the simply uninformed to assume the word porn means little other than the extremely heteronormative, mostly male-targeted fantasy of a sexually permissive woman whos up for anything. RELATED: What People Did Before Internet Porn Was Invented In truth, contemporary porn is a diverse mix of content produced by everyone from complete amateurs to big studios, hosted on free tube sites or subscription-based platforms, catering to as many different desires and fantasies and fetishes as one can imagine. In short, its anything but a monolith. While that variety has its benefits there are trans performers, disabled performers, fat performers, old performers and more it can also mean that its hard to reform porns worst tendencies, since there will always be new purveyors popping up looking to satisfy the audiences basest instincts. RELATED: Popular Porn Moves You Shouldn't Try IRL Then, the best-meaning producers are often held responsible for the mediums impact as a whole. We don't hold the Fast and the Furious responsible for car crashes or Call of Duty responsible for gun violence, Mills says. The adult industry gets treated as pariahs for all the content being exploitative, but if you get beyond that single piece [naysayers] have as a reference, we do have a spectrum in content. RELATED: Porn Myths It's Time We Stopped Believing As long as the content is safely filmed, depicting consent amongst adults, promoting themes that are legal and fall within our guidelines, sure, you can have that more traditional male gaze-type porn, Mills says, but you can have really progressive, thought-provoking content, too. Is Consent Really the Issue? Part of the challenge whenever you do an initiative like [Consent is Sexy] is being open to criticism from the public in terms of what else could have been done or done better, says Mills. In the end, we can only speak for ourselves and our community and hope these conversations can spark conversations in others. RELATED: How We Teach Consent to Young Boys And after all that, Vera-Grey suggests the reason messages like Adult Time's PSA will or won't land is partly because we're looking at the whole problem wrong. In some ways I'm not sure consent is the problem, she says. We did research back in 2012 with young people and found the vast majority knew the law on consent and knew when something wasn't consensual; the problem was they just thought some forms of non-consensual sex were acceptable. RELATED: How to Ask for Consent in a Sexy Way To Vera-Grey, that means we have to challenge the acceptability of non-consent, not just the definition of consent. Instead of consent is sexy campaigns, she says we almost need to flip it on its head and normalize non-consent isn't sexy. But ultimately, that kind of messaging one where guys are asked to step into the shoes of their sexual partners, of women, of people having their consent violated is not especially compatible with the exciting feelings people come to pornography to experience. All of which means that the question of consent education is, like so many others facing us, important but far from resolved. You Might Also Dig: Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, praised Morocco's efficiency approach, which will lead to 20 % energy savings by 2030. Benali mentioned that the approach considers several objectives set within the country's sustainable development strategy, as well as the recommendations of the new development model. During a meeting of the Public Finance Control Committee in the House of Representatives, focused on the financial management of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE), Benali stressed that the new outlook considers the objectives of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD), as well as the suggestions of the New Development Model, and targets the transport, construction, industry, agriculture and lighting sectors. Benali said that more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects have been authorised during the current government's tenure. These projects represent an investment of more than $1.8 billion and have already generated more than 300 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. Aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, about 20 km (12.5 miles) from the city of Ouarzazate, central Morocco - AP/ABDELJALIL BOUNHAR The approach seeks to ensure that new investment projects comply with the principles of energy efficiency, Benali explained, adding that it incorporates these measures in public spending and state-supported programmes. He added that this makes energy efficiency an essential concern for professionals and citizens. Morocco has pledged to do more to promote its renewable energy assets as part of the country's sustainable development strategy. The AMEE is updating this indicator, the minister announced, adding that the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the public lighting sector will reduce energy consumption by 40 %. The North African country aims to position itself as a regional leader in Africa in terms of green energy transition, with the main objective of generating 52% of its energy from clean renewable sources by 2030. The government has launched an innovative initiative that rewards citizens who achieve energy savings in their electricity consumption, which has led to a 3 % decrease in energy consumption. The minister characterised energy efficiency as a second pillar of Morocco's national energy strategy, presenting a promising area for employment generation in the energy sector. It is also expected to create 100,000 jobs by 2030, the minister said, noting that energy savings of 6.58 % were recorded in 2020. Electric power cables - REUTERS/RAFAEL MARCHANTE The target is achievable, as the country has large-scale renewable energy projects, including the Noor Ouarzazate complex, which produces around 580 MW and is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world. For his part, the director general of the AMEE, Mohamed Benyahya, stressed that this draft law seeks to give new responsibilities to the Agency, especially in the area of decarbonisation of various sectors of the national economy and the promotion of the circular economy, in particular through the valorisation of waste from industrial activities. In his presentation, Benyahya clarified that this institutional reform seeks to foster complementarity between energy efficiency, decarbonisation and proper use of resources in the context of the circular economy, while addressing certain institutional gaps to strengthen the role of the Agency through monitoring, measurement and verification mechanisms. 12 January 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan's role in the global fight against climate change took center stage during COP29, hosted in Baku. The event, which drew participants from nearly every corner of the world, became a significant achievement for the country, overcoming various obstacles and challenges. In a recent interview, President Ilham Aliyev reflected on the experience, shedding light on the complexities involved, the outcomes for Azerbaijan and the world, and how the event strengthened the country's global standing. Turning a challenge into a success Hosting COP29 was no small feat for Azerbaijan. The country faced the daunting task of organizing a high-level international event with just 11 months of preparation, a far shorter timeline than previous hosts. Despite limited time and resources, Azerbaijan's strong potential, honed through years of experience in organizing global events, proved instrumental. President Aliyev emphasized that the success of COP29 was not just a result of physical preparation but also of Azerbaijans robust diplomatic standing and diversified foreign policy. These assets allowed the country to bridge divides between countries in the Global South and Global North, creating an atmosphere of collaboration. A major achievement at COP29 was the resolution of the contentious issue surrounding the carbon market, specifically Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This agreement had eluded consensus for nearly a decade, yet it was resolved in Baku, marking a pivotal moment in global climate negotiations. The President pointed out that the event demonstrated Azerbaijans ability to facilitate meaningful progress in international discussions, despite its relatively small contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Overcoming political challenges While the event was hailed as a success, it was not without its challenges. Azerbaijan faced attempts to discredit the event, including a political boycott orchestrated by some countries. President Aliyev revealed that even French officials tried to persuade other leaders not to attend. Despite these efforts, the boycott failed, with 80 heads of state and government attending, further cementing Azerbaijans reputation as a reliable international partner. In another unexpected turn, the President of the European Commission, who had initially confirmed attendance, ultimately did not participate. This raised questions about political motives and the EUs involvement in global climate negotiations. Despite this, the President noted that the absence did not diminish the success of COP29, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations attending both the opening and closing ceremonies, reinforcing the significance of the event. A legacy for the future One of the most tangible outcomes of COP29 was the increase in climate financing. While some had unrealistic expectations around a $1 trillion pledge, Azerbaijans leadership helped secure a more achievable figure of $300 billion, three times the amount originally agreed upon. This commitment to increased funding for climate action will have lasting implications for both Azerbaijan and the wider global community. Furthermore, Azerbaijans emphasis on green initiatives was evident in the 14 proposals it put forward during COP29, demonstrating the countrys commitment to the global green transition. The President also highlighted the innovative Troika mechanism between current, past, and future COP hosts, which will foster cooperation and build upon the successes achieved in previous COPs, including COP28 in the UAE. For Azerbaijan, COP29 was more than just a diplomatic success; it was a chance to introduce the country to a global audience. The President remarked that many first-time visitors to Baku were deeply impressed by the countrys active society, educated workforce, and the citys beauty and comfort. This positive image will undoubtedly help combat misinformation and enhance Azerbaijan's standing on the world stage. 12 January 2025 20:35 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more It is impossible to understand the Armenian officials, politicians, and most importantly, human rights activists. It seems as though they believe they possess some kind of superiority, and the law should only work in their favor. It is unclear where the source of this rudeness, egoism, and self-satisfaction comes from. On the one hand, they talk about the rights of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh to return, discussing it on almost every platform they can find. However, they consider it a territorial claim when Western Azerbaijanis, who were forcibly expelled from their ancestral lands and loaded onto trucks or cattle cars, losing all their property in a single night and becoming refugees, want to return to their homes. Its difficult to understand. How is it that the return of Armenians, who voluntarily left Garabagh despite all the promise of the protection of their rights and with Russian peacekeepers by their side, is welcomed, but the return of people like Mmmd, Hsn, and Huseyn, who were forcibly taken from their homes, beaten, insulted, and killed, is considered a territorial claim against a neighboring country? After all, unlike Armenians, the people of Western Azerbaijan have not raised an armed rebellion against Armenia. They have not committed terrorism or genocide against Armenians, as Armenians did in Khojaly. Why should the rights of Armenians, who have committed acts of terror, and crimes, and established an illegal so-called state within Azerbaijan's territory, be granted, while the rights of ordinary citizens who have committed no crime and abide by the law are denied? The hypocrisy is glaring. The Armenian narrative often portrays their people as perpetual victims, deserving of international sympathy and support. Yet, when it comes to acknowledging the suffering of Azerbaijani refugees, there is a deafening silence. The international community, swayed by well-orchestrated Armenian lobbying, often overlooks the plight of those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Western Azerbaijan. These individuals, who have endured unimaginable hardships, are left without a voice, their rights trampled upon by the very advocates who claim to champion human rights. The double standards are not just a matter of international politics; they have real, tangible consequences for the lives of ordinary people. Families torn apart, communities destroyed, and a legacy of trauma that spans generations. The stories of Mmmd, Hsn, and Huseyn are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of systemic injustice that has been perpetuated for decades. It is high time for the international community to recognize these double standards and hold Armenia accountable for its actions. The rights of Azerbaijani refugees must be upheld with the same vigor and commitment as those of any other displaced population. This requires a concerted effort to challenge the prevailing narratives and bring to light the often-overlooked stories of those who have suffered in silence. The Armenian state's approach to territorial claims is fraught with contradictions and hypocrisy. While they advocate for the return of Armenians to Garabagh, they simultaneously deny the rights of Azerbaijani refugees to return to their ancestral homes. This double standard not only undermines the principles of justice and equality but also perpetuates a cycle of conflict and suffering. It is imperative for the international community to address these issues with fairness and impartiality, ensuring that the voices of all affected populations are heard and their rights respected. 12 January 2025 19:30 (UTC+04:00) The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azernews reports. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono, emphasized the EUs role in facilitating peace and regional cooperation. We highly appreciate the in-depth exchange of views with the leadership and officials of both countries on the most effective ways to achieve peace, normalize the situation, and develop regional cooperation. The EU is ready to provide broad support in this process, focusing on various aspects, including ongoing bilateral negotiations, humanitarian issues, and connectivity. In addition, we are trying to put forward initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation, Grono wrote on her social media platform X. Her statement comes after her first official visit to Azerbaijan from January 7 to 11, 2025, followed by a visit to Armenia. Grono was appointed as the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia in July 2024, succeeding Toivo Klaar. She assumed office for an initial 12-month term from September 1, 2024. 12 January 2025 10:53 (UTC+04:00) The Standing Committee on Political Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) has commenced its meeting in Baghdad under the patronage of Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Azernews reports. The two-day event brings together delegations from APA member states, including Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iraq, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Cyprus, Palestine, Russia, Qatar, Iran, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Azerbaijan, as the current APA chairman, plays a key role in the discussions. The meeting's agenda includes deliberations on eight draft resolutions, focusing on issues such as the rule of law, strengthening judicial authority, advancing parliamentary practices, fostering prosperity in Asia through partnership and cooperation, and promoting democratic development through collaboration between Asian parliaments and governments. Additionally, discussions will cover the latest developments in the Middle East. 12 January 2025 15:03 (UTC+04:00) "They always said that those who God protects won't be burned by fire. This time I saw with my own eyes how the Almighty protected us," Azernews reports citin Nurullah Sirajov, a survivor of the plane crash near Aktau city in Kazakhstan, said in a video interview with local media Report. Sirajov, who was traveling with his wife to visit their son in Grozny, recounted the terrifying moments during the crash. He explained that when the plane was first attacked, he felt flames beneath his feet and feared he had been wounded. Despite his initial anxiety, he attempted to reassure his wife, only to experience an even stronger impact as the rear of the plane was struck. "The flight attendants tried to calm the passengers and announced that we were landing in Grozny. I could see the airport building, runways, and planes through the window. We were so close to the ground, it felt like we were about to land," Sirajov said. However, just as they were about to land, the plane suddenly gained speed and took off. At this moment, the flight attendants advised passengers to fold soft items and press their foreheads against the seat with their eyes closed. Sirajov continued: "I gave my wife a jacket and told her to stay still, following the instructions. I wasn't thinking about being afraidI was only concerned about her." Then, the plane crashed into the ground with a terrifying impact. "I thought it must have shattered into pieces," he said, describing the moment of impact. Sirajov added, "They always said that those who God protects won't be burned by fire. This time, I saw with my own eyes how the Almighty protected us." The crash, which took place near Aktau, left the passengers in a state of shock, but Sirajov's account highlights the resilience and clarity of mind he maintained during the ordeal. 12 January 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) The 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, one of South Korea's most popular winter events, kicked off Saturday in the northeastern county of Hwacheon, offering nearly a month of ice fishing and seasonal activities, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap. The festival, set to run through Feb. 2, opened in the remote mountain town in Gangwon Province, located just 25 kilometers south of the inter-Korean border and about 90 km northeast of Seoul. In the festival, participants try to catch "sancheoneo," a species of mountain trout, through holes cut in the surface of a vast frozen river, as well as take part in barehanded fishing, sledding and other events. As early as 8:30 a.m., the frozen Hwacheon stream was crowded with hundreds of visitors clad in thick winter jumpers who gathered to catch the sancheoneo. The visitors carefully lowered their rods into the ice holes, with some of them soon erupting in cheers as they reeled in the rod with freshly caught trout. "I came early in the morning from Seoul to celebrate my kid's birthday," a participant, identified only by his last name Kim, said. "I come every year but this year I plan to enjoy the Sancheoneo Ice Festival as well as a nighttime concert at Seon Deung Street." Outdoor grilling areas were set up nearby for tourists to barbecue the fish. The Hwacheon festival has attracted more than 1 million visitors almost every year since its launch in 2003, making headlines worldwide with thousands of tourists also taking part in other events at the festival such as bare-hand fishing and sledding. The festival turned Hwacheon, with a population of just 23,000, into a global wintertime festival city of South Korea. In 2011, a leading global news organization introduced the festival as one of the world's seven wonders of winter. Last January, the New York Times named the event one of five "must-see festivals in Asia" in winter that year. The festival attracts around 100,000 foreigners annually. 12 January 2025 13:33 (UTC+04:00) More than 6,500 polling stations have opened in Croatia and abroad for the second round of the presidential elections, which will take place from 07:00 local time (10:00 Baku time) to 19:00 (22:00). According to Azernews, the Croatian State Election Commission has provided details on the voting process, noting that 3,769,598 citizens are eligible to vote, including 251,170 who can cast their ballots abroad. A total of 6,755 polling stations have been set up for the election. Voters will choose between the two candidates who advanced to the second round: incumbent President Zoran Milanovic and Dragan Primorac, a doctor, scientist, and former Minister of Science, Education, and Sports. The winner will serve a five-year term as head of state. In the first round held on December 29, 2024, none of the eight candidates secured more than 50% of the vote, necessitating a runoff. Milanovic received 49.09%, while Primorac garnered 19.35%. In this final round, the candidate who receives more votes than their opponent will be declared the winner. A study by the IPSOS agency for Croatian Nova TV suggests that Milanovic maintains a significant lead over Primorac ahead of the final vote. In this composite: (Left) Don Griffin snapped a photo from his backyard of an early morning Jan. 1, fire in Pacific Palisades that started after reports of fireworks in the neighborhood. Firefighters held that fire to 8 acres, but six days later on Jan. 7, he photographed the start of the deadly Palisades Fire in the same area. Experts said it's possible the first fire rekindled under strong winds. Courtesy Don Griffin LOS ANGELES Six days before waves of flames crashed into the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, another wildfire broke out on the same parched hillside. Residents called 911 with reports of predawn New Years Day fireworks and snapped pictures of the fledgling fire, which firefighters declared they had stomped out before it reached the neighborhood. Los Angeles Fire Departments Dylan Casey and Mike Alvarez work on extinguishing a hot spot during aftermath of Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle As a Malibu resident watches the sunset from atop his beachfront home, Los Angeles Fire Departments Mike Alvarez works on extinguishing hot spots during aftermath of Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Remains of burnt structures near Sunset Boulevard during aftermath of Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Destroyed Bank of America on Sunset Boulevard during aftermath of Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A SoCal Gas employee looks at the destruction during aftermath of Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue team and search dog return to their car after conducting a search at a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A mixture of burned and untouched homes during aftermath of Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The Chronicle showed a pair of experts in wildfire investigations photos of both fire origins and their close proximity. The experts said severe winds could have rekindled smoldering embers from the earlier blaze and kick-started the deadly Jan. 7 Palisades Fire even six days later. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It could be months before investigators determine what started the Palisades Fire. The Los Angeles Fire Department has asked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to lead the inquiry, and a Bureau spokeswoman said it was way too early to make any determinations about the fires cause. Ginger Colbrun, an ATF spokesperson, cautioned against drawing conclusions prematurely and repeating theories. Some of the American Wests worst wildfires began with undetected embers including the 1991 Oakland hills fire, which killed 25 people, and the 2023 Maui firestorm that leveled the town of Lahaina. Could it have happened again in this high-end Los Angeles suburb, where dry and rugged parklands surround million-dollar homes? Yes, without a doubt, Terry Taylor, a retired wildland fire investigator who now works as an instructor, said of the possibility. These sorts of fuels, especially when they are dry, the fire goes deep down into the root structure, so you may not get it out even if you dump water on it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Official government reports and neighbors observations put both fires origins in the same brushy hillside between the Summit neighborhood of Pacific Palisades and a trail running behind the neighborhood in Topanga State Park. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart provided the Chronicle details about the New Years fire, but she declined to say whether the agencies were investigating a link between the fires. I cant answer that, that would be part of the investigation, Stewart said. It was just after midnight New Years Eve, and fireworks were popping off all over Los Angeles. Ari Sallus, 24, was hiking up a fire trail from his house and into Topanga State Park to take in the sweeping views above Santa Monica. He heard a loud bang nearby, then saw a bright white flash against the night sky. Ten minutes later, Sallus said he spotted flames on the hillside ahead. He called 911. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was incredible it was moving so fast, Sallus said. Firefighters from Los Angeles city and county rushed onto the incline with hoses and hand tools, and contained the fire at roughly nine acres, Stewart said. Stewart said the bulk of the work was done by 4:30 a.m., and firefighters began leaving the scene though some stayed behind to ensure the fire was extinguished. Dispatch notes show extensive overhaul on the fire, which is the work that comes after the main fire is out to ensure it doesnt reignite, she said. Crews were there throughout the whole day mopping up and making sure there was no smoldering, Stewart said. Firefighters blast water from fire hoses to stir up dirt and soil, unearth any smoldering material and extinguish any embers buried under the surface that youre not seeing, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We use hand tools to dig up the dirt, we use water, we use foam, we use heavy equipment to bulldoze around it, Stewart said. Stewart said the last firefighter left the scene at 4:14 p.m. nearly 16 hours after the fire was first reported and about 12 hours after crews had it contained. The department reported the fire contained at 4:46 a.m., according to a news release the city department posted to social media. An LAFD spokesperson said investigators have not determined what caused the New Years Day fire. The Palisades Fire ignited six days later in an area strikingly similar to where the New Years Day blaze burned. Don Griffin, 78, took the revealing photos of both fire origins from his backyard on Piedra Morada Drive. The images show flames burning in nearly the same stretch of ridgeline. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After snapping the New Years photo, Griffin said he watched firefighters mop up. They really worked for hours to make sure it was clearly out, he said. On Jan. 7, a neighbor banged on Griffins door to alert him of the new blaze, and he snapped another photo from his backyard at 10:31 a.m., one minute after fire officials said the Palisades Fire roared to life. He spent the rest of Tuesday fighting off flames climbing up the steep inclines behind his house, captured in a series of videos. Los Angeles resident Don Griffin filmed from his Piedra Morada Drive backyard around 11 a.m. on Tuesday just after the Palisades Fire first began and flames worked up the valley below him. By 5:19 p.m., the flames had reached his property. Courtesy Don Griffin But the Palisades Fire grew into a historic monster that burned across nearly 24,000 acres, killed at least five people and destroyed an estimated 5,300 structures. The fire continues to grow and threaten other communities. And Griffin began considering the closeness of the fires origin sites. The two wildfire investigation experts told the Chronicle Griffins images raise red flags. Looking at the two photos, I would agree with you that there appears to be an overlap of the two fires, but it is hard to say for sure as I cannot see on the other side of the ridge, said Alan Carlson, a retired Cal Fire deputy chief who worked more than 50 years as a wildland fire investigator. Wind direction looks to be consistent with a possible rekindle of the first fire. An 8-acre fire in that fuel type is also consistent with potential re-kindle, continued Carlson, who headed Cal Fires Northern Region law enforcement division. Gusty winds are consistent with hot materials blowing across control lines. Carlson also agreed with Taylor that smoldering embers, under the right conditions, could have rekindled even after six days. Further, the morning report of fire on Jan. 7 is also consistent with a rekindle, he added.During the night it is less likely to have been observed, could have smoldered for an extended period of time before going to flame as the winds picked up, Carlson said. Taylor called a rekindling very possible, and as a former investigator Id want to get into it big time. Taylor said handheld heat detectors are required to sense if theres still smoldering fire beneath the soil. Without that, you could walk over a burning area and not even realize fire was brewing beneath you. Stewart said that Los Angeles city firefighters use those types of sensors inside structures but not outdoors. Decades ago, Cal Fire and Caltrans teamed up to conduct an experiment on burning piles of tree limbs near Chico during winter. The piles burned for days, then were covered by almost 4 feet of snow. The tree limbs smoldered and produced heat readings under the snow all the way until spring, Taylor said. That finding suggests smoldering could persist undetected for six days on a parched hillside. You could soak it with water and do all you want, Taylor said. When its that dry the soil tends to get a crust and fire extends downward into the soil. And water doesnt readily penetrate it. Even hand crews turning over soil might not penetrate deep enough to reach the smoldering roots. The fact LAFD stayed at the scene for 16 hours is great, Taylor said, but the challenge is you can have a small smoldering in dry fuel and miss it, especially on steep, hard to access terrain. The ATF on Saturday announced it would take the lead in determining the origin and cause of the Pacific Palisades fire. The bureaus fire investigators have expertise in complex arson cases and special training in destructive devices and explosives including fireworks. Colbrun said the ATF is not investigating the New Years Day fire. ATF fire investigators have surveyed the fire origin area and are working with local agencies. More federal investigators are flying in to begin processing the scene Monday. We are the lead in determining the cause and origin solely of the Pacific Palisades Fire, she said. 12 January 2025 20:00 (UTC+04:00) Switzerland expressed willingness to host a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump, focusing on resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Swiss newspaper Le Temps reported on Sunday citing Nicolas Bideau, a spokesman for the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Azernews reports. "Following the Burgenstock summit, Ukraine, Russia and the United States were regularly informed of our readiness to support any diplomatic efforts regarding the peace settlement," the media quoted Bideau as saying. Plans are underway for this anticipated meeting between the two leaders. Meanwhile, Putin has shown openness to engage with the incoming US president without any preliminary conditions. 12 January 2025 21:35 (UTC+04:00) Denmark sent private messages to United States President-elect Donald Trump's team, expressing readiness to discuss boosting security in Greenland or increasing the US military presence on the island, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, Azernews reports. The report noted that Denmark aims to address Trump's security concerns without altering Greenland's status. Trump has called the island vital to US national security, referencing competition with Russia and China. Sinn Fein will call in a controversial decision for Belfast to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, after a DUP motion passed after a knife edge poll at City Hall thanks to a casting vote by the Alliance Lord Mayor. There were dramatic scenes during a debate at the January meeting of the full Belfast City Council, as the chamber was evenly split down the middle over a DUP proposal for City Hall to sign up to a covenant dedicated to ending disadvantages for former army servicemen and women, while giving them extra privileges. Last month at committee level, the DUP failed to get sufficient numbers to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant due to resistance from nationalist parties. The party however succeeded during the full council meeting on Thursday in the most contentious fashion. On a vote to support the Armed Forces Covenant, 27 voted in favour from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP and the TUV while 27 voted against the proposal, from Sinn Fein, the SDLP, and People Before Profit. Three Green councillors abstained. As is the protocol in an evenly split chamber, the Lord Mayor gets the casting vote, in this case Alliance Councillor Micky Murray, who went with his party and supported the Armed Forces Covenant. Sinn Fein however cried foul, stating one of their councillors, Councillor Aine McCabe, who they said was involved in the council meeting remotely, had not gotten the chance to vote due to technical difficulties. Her vote would have led to a refusal to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. After legal advice from the City Solicitor Nora Largey, the vote was upheld, and Sinn Fein said they would be calling in the decision. The two main nationalist parties then tried and failed to stop the Strategic Policy and Resources Committees minutes, where the original vote on the Covenant took place, from being signed off. Call-ins involve an independent legal examination, and have to be delivered to the Chief Executive within five working days of the publication of the draft minutes or decision register. According to local government law, support from only 15% of a council is required to call-in a decision, setting off independent legal examination, a potential equality impact assessment, then a redetermination of the decision. If the call-in is seen as competent, it will go back to the full council, where the original proposal has to then pass an 80% threshold of the vote to be successful. Councillors have to give reasons for any call-in, explaining why they believe the decision was not arrived at after a proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues and why they believe the decision would disproportionately affect adversely any section of the inhabitants of the district. At the very end of the vote on Thursday evening, Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie said he wanted a legal opinion on Councillor Aine McCabes uncast vote. Sinn Feins Ryan Murphy said last month that DUP councillor Fred Cobain had a vote counted despite casting it after the official vote. Opposing parties called across the chamber at each other, against meeting rules, with the DUP stating Mr Cobain was at the previous council meeting, while Sinn Fein said he was not in the chamber. The DUPs Dean McCullough said: It would be making a mockery of the democracy in this city with the false equivalence of Councillor Cobain, who was sitting here for the debate and voted, and wasnt heard. It is quite clear that Sinn Fein have seen the direction of this vote we have seen them scramble for their phones. They werent on the call, nobody brought it up prior to the vote. Why were they not alerted to it earlier that somebody was trying to get on? We held a democratic vote and there was a democratic decision. If (Sinn Fein) are going to start that, then every month somebody can just log on whenever they please. It is ridiculous. City Solicitor Nora Largey said: In the circumstances, because it did appear Councillor McCabe did have some difficulties in accessing the meeting, she may not have been present for the whole entire debate, and in those circumstances it would be my advice that she wouldnt then take part in the vote in any event. The vote was recorded after the vote count had concluded. Sinn Feins Ciaran Beattie said: We do not accept that advice and we will be calling this in. Further questions were raised by Sinn Fein on elected members voting remotely on chat without cameras on, and by the DUP on elected members voting in other languages without giving an English translation. The Armed Forces Covenant website states: (Our) two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of and sacrifices made by the armed forces, that those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve, and those who have served in the past and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. (Also that) special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved. The covenant promotes those who serve or served in the armed forces pay less or nothing for certain goods and services, and are eligible for goods or services that arent available to others. It also suggests those who serve or served in the armed forces are more easily able to access goods or services, that they receive higher quality goods or services and take less time to receive goods or services. The website states the Covenant Legal Duty is a legal obligation on certain public bodies (including local authorities, governing bodies of certain state schools, various NHS bodies, and other organisations) to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when carrying out certain functions in healthcare, education and housing. It has been in force since November 2022. Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray What is the future of the Great Northern Mall ? A nun from Derry is a step closer to sainthood after the process for her sanctification took place in Spain. A special ceremony was held yesterday at the Cathedral of Alcala de Henares in Madrid for Clare Crockett (33) who died after an earthquake in Ecuador in April 2016 while carrying out missionary work. Around 1,000 people attended the ceremony for Sister Clare. It was streamed online with thousands of viewers, from the likes of the US and Australia, watching. Sister Clare, from the Brandywell area, was originally an actress but turned down a presenting role on childrens TV channel Nickelodeon to become a nun. She had been a self-confessed party girl earlier in her life and had ambitions to become famous before changing direction after having a religious experience during a retreat around Good Friday in 2000. She said friends were in disbelief when she declared that she was going to be a nun while holding a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Sister Clare made her first formal oath to the church in February 2006 and professed her final vows in September 2010 before going on to work for the Catholic Church in Spain, the US and Ecuador. She took her Holy Orders with the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order. Moments before her death, she had been teaching guitar and singing with several other women. The earthquake killed at least 480 people, left 231 missing and injured over 4,000. Sister Clare Crockett was killed in an earthquake in 2016 Sister Clares body was returned to be buried in Derry where her funeral was attended by Irish bishops, family and friends. In November, she was declared a Servant of God by the Catholic Church, which is the first step towards becoming a saint. During the service marking her next steps to sainthood, Sister Kirsten said the Derry community received messages from more than 50 countries outlining how Sister Clare impacted their lives. Sister Kirsten added: Her community has received messages from over 50 counties and theyre still receiving them years later. Desperate souls on the verge of suicide have regained hope. University students have received strength to return to the Lord and lukewarm Catholics have regained the desire to be saints and return to God with all their hearts. She explained that a common theme of the messages was how Sister Clare was described as their friend, even without many having met her. Sister Kirsten said: People who knew Sister Clare in the countries she carried her apostle also testified to her generous dedication and radicalness in living a faith that made her stand out from others. Sister Clares motto was said to be all or nothing and a documentary was made about her. A social media group dedicated to her said she had a beautiful infectious smile lighting up our homes and many others across the world. Derry is very proud to call you one of their own. Among those who travelled to the Madrid service were family, friends, priests and Derry Bishop Donal McKeown. The people of Derry are so proud of her. Theres a group of people from all ages and backgrounds [who] have travelled from all over, he said. Sister Clares sister Shauna Gill, who was in attendance, said: Theres people weve never met before here too, so its a great experience. Ms Gill said the ceremony will see her sister declared a servant of God and that the family are very proud and excited. There are four steps to becoming a saint, so this is the first one, Ms Gill said. Clares life will be investigated before we can move on. No one knows how long it can take 10 years, 20 years, two years, it depends on how fast things move. She added: Nobody has been through this in our lifetime, so nobody knows what to expect or whats going to happen. The ceremony saw five selected members of the church put their right hand on a Bible and swear an oath to correctly investigate the case for her sainthood. In testimony following the service, Ms Gill said her family never could have imagined her sister would ever begin her journey to sainthood. When Clare left (to become a nun), we all imagined she would be home blaming us for letting her go, but how wrong were we. We visited Clare a few times and were there when she took her vows. It was very emotional. Ms Gill said the family was devastated after finding out about their loved ones death, adding that it was the most heartbreaking thing our family ever had to endure. After two weeks, we finally got our Clare home. Hundreds of people came to our home to support our family and pay their respects to her, she added. Radius Housing Inverary Fold resident Linda Sittt with her dog Dolly at Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where she and other residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Inverary Fold is a retirement housing complex built in 1984 and run by Radius Housing. Radius Housing Inverary Fold resident Linda Sittt with her dog Dolly at Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where she and other residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX PSNI officer helping Radius Housing Inverary Fold residents in east Belfast walk to Inverary Community Centre for shelter after an incident has occurred at the fold with PSNI, NIFRS and the ambulance services attending. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service at the scene of the fire at Inverary Fold on Saturday evening 11.01.2025 A number of tenants were treated in hospital following a fire at a flat within a retirement complex yesterday, Radius Housing has said. The blaze broke out shortly after 4pm on Saturday at the Fold Housing Association, which is located around Inverary Drive in the Sydenham area of east Belfast. On Sunday a spokesperson for Radius Housing said: We are grateful to the NI Fire Service and other emergency services for how quickly and efficiently they responded to the fire, and ensuring that all tenants were safely evacuated from the building. "We are also grateful to Belfast City Council, elected representatives and the wider community for the support provided to tenants who had to leave their homes. Radius staff were on site throughout yesterday evening and again this morning to begin a deep clean of the building. Most tenants were able to return to their homes on Saturday evening and Radius staff will be supporting them during this difficult period. A number of tenants were treated in hospital, and we hope they are able to make a full recovery. On Saturday a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said that crews wearing Breathing Apparatus carried out a search of the flat and rescued two persons and extinguished the fire. "Three persons were also led to safety from neighbouring flats by NIFRS personnel and our colleagues in the PSNI. The rescued persons were left in the care of the NI Ambulance Service. The incident was dealt with by 9:29pm, and the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental and not being treated as suspicious. Seven fire appliances and a support appliance attended the incident and were supported by colleagues from the PSNI and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The surrounding roads were closed to motorists as a result. The ambulance service was contacted for further details. Occupants of the retirement housing complex were also taken to local community centre, which was opened for the affected pensioners by Belfast City Council workers. Linda Stitt has been a resident within the building for the last nine years, and spoke to the Belfast Telegraph from the nearby community centre with her three-year-old Lhasa Apso/Shih Tzu mix dog, Dolly. Tonight our fire alarm went off just after 4pm and I live in one of the very first flats, she said. NIFRS attend the scene of an incident at Radius Housing Inverary Fold in east Belfast. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX I have my own front door, which none of the others have. I was sitting with my friend, and she looked out. She told me it must be serious because there was smoke coming out of one of the flats above the wee common room. Because I have an outside door, and am not really connected to the main building, I opened the door and brought in a few residents to make them a cup of tea. We just wanted to make sure people were comfortable. Next thing, the windows were blown out of the flat above, and we saw the ambulances and fire brigade arrive, and we knew it was very serious then. I know the fire brigade were working with one person in the foyer of The Fold, doing CPR. They were taken away in an ambulance. Three people went in an ambulance that I saw - they then started to evacuate people who were bedridden and were unable to leave their apartments on their own. They are people that we dont evacuate normally, unless it is a serious situation. Radius Housing Inverary Fold resident Linda Sittt with her dog Dolly at Inverary Community Centre in east Belfast where she and other residents of Radius Housing Inverary Fold have been given shelter by Belfast City Council.. Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Linda praised the emergency services and Belfast City Council for being tremendous in their speedy efforts in dealing with the incident. The council were very quick when they were asked to get the community centre here open for us. We were all asked to go over, and I think the electricity and gas has been turned off in the [Fold] building due to the risk. Our fire alarm, whenever it goes off - even if its for something minor like someone burning their toast - they are always here immediately, with no hesitation. I must commend them, they are always here. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service at the scene of the fire at Inverary Fold on Saturday evening 11.01.2025 What is the future of the Great Northern Mall ? David Lammy has travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks on the future of Syria (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The Foreign Secretary has travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks on the future of Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. David Lammy is set to offer UK expertise on humanitarian co-ordination during talks with Arab countries, European allies and the interim Syrian government in Riyadh on Sunday. The talks come one month after the fall of Bashar Assads authoritarian regime, which left the country in the hands of rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organisation that is banned in the UK. Before the visit, the Foreign Office said the Government was committed to a Syrian-led transition to create an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government, stressing the need to end ongoing hostilities in the north-east of the country and counter the threat posed by so-called Islamic State (IS) to UK national security. Syrians sing and wave post-Assad flags during a concert by the recently returned revolutionary singer Wasfi Maasrani in Damascus on January 8 (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) Mr Lammy said: The international community must come together to stand behind the people of Syria as they build a democratic future and a diverse and modern country. We are united with our key partners from the region and beyond in ensuring the protection of civilians, access to aid and security within Syria and the wider region. Syrians deserve a bright and prosperous future we are here today to support that. The UK has already provided more than 60 million of aid since the fall of the Assad regime. While in Riyadh, Mr Lammy will also meet the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, for bilateral talks building on Sir Keir Starmers visit to the country in December. His visit also follows calls from incoming US counter-terrorism chief Sebastian Gorka for countries to repatriate members of IS being held in Syrian prison camps. The intervention by the adviser to Donald Trump reopened the conversation about the fate of Shamima Begum, who travelled to IS-held territory a decade ago aged 15 and was subsequently stripped of her British citizenship. But Mr Lammy was adamant that Ms Begum will not be coming back to the UK. An off-duty policewoman who was killed by a lorry as she helped at the scene of a crash epitomises the very best of British policing, a senior officer has said. North Yorkshire Police constable Rosie Prior, 45, was standing on the verge of the A19 at Bagby, near the town of Thirsk, on Saturday morning, after coming across a road collision, when she and two others were struck by a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). Pc Prior and Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, who had been involved in the first collision, died at the scene. A teenage boy who was a passenger in Mr Welfords car was also struck and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation, North Yorkshire Police said. Chief Constable Tim Forber was among those who paid tribute to York-based response officer Pc Prior, who he said joined the force more than two years ago because she wanted to help people. North Yorkshire Police constable Rosie Prior has died (North Yorkshire Police/PA) In a statement outside Fulford Road police station on Sunday, he said: Yesterday morning, she wasnt on duty on a shift, she was off duty, and she came across the road traffic collision on the A19 and she stopped to help. She got out and like many police officers up and down the country put herself on duty. And it was whilst dealing with that incident that she was tragically killed. Rosie epitomises the very best of British policing, she put the safety of others before her own safety. He said that his thoughts are with the family of Mr Welford, and that it was a deeply traumatic and heart-breaking event for everyone involved. Ryan Welfords family also paid tribute (North Yorkshire Police/PA) Pc Priors family described her as a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty who will be deeply missed. David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire and Jo Coles, deputy mayor of policing, fire and crime, said they were devastated. Their statement read: Our hearts are broken for them and their families. Rosies commitment to serving the public, even when off duty, shows she was the very best of us. Our thoughts are also with the entire North Yorkshire Police family, who we know will be deeply mourning their colleague. We especially want to thank officers and staff who worked at the scene and are supporting those affected by this tragedy. Mr Welfords family said: Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on X: Im deeply saddened by the deaths of Pc Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford yesterday. Thinking of their families & friends and all Pc Priors colleagues at this incredibly difficult time. It is a tragic reminder of the dedication & bravery police officers show each day to keep us safe. The Police Federation of England & Wales offered its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pc Prior and Mr Welford. North Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Rob Bowles said: In the best tradition of British policing, Rosie stopped to assist a member of the public. Throughout her career she truly exemplified public service and was a credit to North Yorkshire Police. She was, in short, the best of us and she will be missed by everyone who worked with her. The scene of the collision reopened at around 7.20pm on Saturday. Two cars and the lorry have been recovered and debris has been cleared. North Yorkshire Police has urged witnesses to the collisions and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. People pose for a photo at Waterloo station as they take part in the annual No Trousers Tube Ride in London (Aaron Chown/PA) The annual No Trousers Tube Ride event has returned in colourful fashion as people stripped down to their underwear and hopped on the London Underground. Hordes of bare legs were seen at Newport Place in Chinatown before heading on to the Tube in their underwear of choice. Crowds gathered at Waterloo station and one group of women kicked their legs with raised arms while dressed in coloured knickers. Women display their colourful knickers as part of the annual No Trousers Tube Ride in London (Aaron Chown/PA) Others were seen strutting down escalators, taking selfies on the platform or posing inside a train carriage as they showcased an array of underwear styles and colours. Men strutting on the escalators on the London Underground (Aaron Chown/PA) From pink knickers to black Y-fronts to grey boxers adorned with red hearts, people were smiling and laughing as they took part in the free event. One man opted for a more cosy look with an orange puffer jacket, orange beanie and blue scarf (Aaron Chown/PA) Some added flair to their clothing, with one man dressed in a white shirt, black tie and brown waistcoat, while another opted for a more cosy look in an orange puffer jacket, orange beanie and blue scarf. Two women take a selfie on a Tube platform (Aaron Chown/PA) The Facebook event instructed participants to dress in pants as normal or low-key as possible, so it looks like youve just forgotten your trousers. The annual event was described as a fun activity just for the sake of fun. The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, seen here in 2021, is a Superfund site. According to a new study, rising seas that elevate groundwater levels could release hazardous materials at the shipyard site and other facilities with buried toxins around the Bay Area. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2021 A developer has been planning to build 4,000 housing units on this site in Richmond, seen here in 2020, where industrial activity formerly took place. Paul Kuroda/Special to The Chronicle 2021 Dangerous chemicals hiding in the ground around the Bay Area are due to be released by groundwater as its pushed closer to the surface with sea level rise, a new study has found. In many cases, it can happen without warning as cancer-causing volatile compounds escape into schools and homes, experts say. As the sea level rises, it pushes shallow groundwater, the layer of water just underground, closer to the surface a process that can release contaminants buried in the soil. Groundwater rise, as the phenomenon is called, is an imminent threat to the Bay Area and could impact twice as much land as the rising seas themselves, according to the new study from UC Berkeley. The study also found that the risk is highest in low-lying areas within the bay with a history of contamination and disproportionately impacts people of color and low-income people who often live in those places. And yet its rarely taken into account in planning, researchers say. Groundwater rise and sea level rise are gradual processes that are accelerating, said Kristina Hill, associate professor at UC Berkeleys College of Environmental Design, lead author of the study. Its a problem tomorrow, and its a problem today. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The study, which is undergoing peer review, found that risks of inundation from rising groundwater could threaten over 5,200 hazardous sites in the Bay Area, from old gas stations to Superfund sites locations prioritized by the Environmental Protection Agency for cleanup. Thats with a sea level rise of 3.2 feet, a level that some projections say could be reached by 2050. But Hill said its already happening at a smaller scale, because groundwater levels go up during storms, such as the atmospheric rivers that caused basements and intersections to flood in low-lying parts of Alameda and other coastal cities this winter. Based on what they found in the Bay Area, the researchers estimate that 326 Superfund sites are at risk from groundwater rise across the United States. The authors say their report is the first to look at how groundwater could threaten hazardous sites, though previous studies have looked at how coastal flooding could do so. Bay Area locations where the rising groundwater is the biggest risk include Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco, the Richmond shoreline, West Oakland and East Palo Alto, the study found. Hill explains that a small amount of benzene, a cancer-causing gasoline additive often left over in soil from old gas stations or other sources, can leak into cracked sewer pipes when groundwater rises. From there its vapors can rise up into toilets and thus into homes and schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I worry about some 12-year-old thats in a biologically developmental stage who could be affected a lot by volatile compounds, said Hill. Thats what keeps me up at night. In 2020, McClymonds High School in West Oakland closed temporarily when the cancer-causing compound trichloroethylene was found in groundwater under the campus. Two students at the school had died of cancer before the chemical was found, raising concerns that there was a connection between the two, though investigations into the possible link are inconclusive. The school is located near industries that use trichloroethylene. The community group Richmond Shoreline Alliance and other community and environmental groups sued the city of Richmond in 2021 after it proposed building 4,000 units of housing at the 86-acre Zeneca site, on top of what used to be a fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing plant, with only a partial cleanup of groundwater before construction. The case is under appeal. Sherry Padgett visits the site of a proposed residential development project in Richmond in 2020. Padgett has been concerned that the site is still contaminated with hazardous materials from previous industrial use and has fought approval of the project. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020 Community members in San Francisco have raised similar concerns about housing proposed at the contaminated Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sabrina Hall speaks at a rally in San Francisco in 2020, where residents were demanding more precautions for the land at a large residential community under development at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard site. Rising seas that elevate groundwater levels could release hazardous materials at the shipyard site, according to a new study. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020 State and local building codes do not yet take rising groundwater, which can weaken foundations, into account, said Jessica Fain, director of planning at San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. She calls groundwater rise an emerging issue that everyones starting to pay attention to. Were starting to really understand it, and were moving into how should policy respond to that, she said. Hazardous waste sites in the Bay Area are managed either by the federal government or by two state agencies: the State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, which recently released draft guidance for the first time that requires that managers of contaminated properties assess the risk of rising groundwater. Eileen White, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, took issue with the number of sites identified in the study because 3,817 were what are called closed sites, meaning that they are considered to be cleaned up. While the study included them because they can still contain residual contamination, White said they generally present a significantly lower threat because theyve had a higher degree of cleanup. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The board has identified 780 open sites under its jurisdiction, and 150 closed sites, that it is prioritizing for cleanup in part because of sea level rise. We want to continue to incorporate groundwater and sea level rise as we do planning and as we look at cleaning up contaminated sites here in the Bay Area, she said. Sarah Atkinson, resilience policy manager at the urban planning nonprofit SPUR, said there needs to be more research on groundwater rise. It presents so many issues we havent thought about, she said. The most important thing right now is getting our regions existing adaptation plans, both public and private, to consider groundwater. This is what will prompt innovative solutions. Unionists will never accept the Tricolour as their flag in a united Ireland And thats not just the view of hardliners, but fact most people in the Republic are unlikely to budge over the issue is yet another barrier to change The Irish Tricolour Sam McBride Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 08:38 You cant eat a flag is one of the most brilliantly succinct summations of a political philosophy and if John Humes telling was correct, it was a piece of instinctive fatherly advice rather than the product of spin doctors or focus groups. UVF branded hypocrites over cocaine dealer threats Sources hit out at biggest criminals in the area over issuing of ultimatum Daryl McMurty Sunday Life Reporter Sun 12 Jan 2025 at 08:32 A Shankill Road cocaine dealer has been warned by the UVF to stay out of the area. This column first appeared in 2004. It has been updated for 2006.January 31 marked the start of the month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic new year. Muharram is one of four sacred months in the Islamic calendar during which offensive fighting is unlawful, and Muslims are encouraged to increase in their good deeds. Thursday, February 9, is the 10th day of Muharram, or Ashura, making the day even more super than it already is.This day in particular, and this month in general, have a number of significances for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Muharram is the month during which the Prophet emigrated from Mecca to Medina, the event which marked the beginning of the Muslim calendar and the founding of the first Islamic city-state in Medina. Ashura is the day that God saved Moses and the Children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. The Prophet encouraged Muslims to fast this day (and the day before) in gratitude to God, just as Moses did thousands of years before. The fast of Ashura is not obligatory. Nevertheless, fasting during Ashura is greatly encouraged and handsomely rewarded by God. It is significant, and fascinating, that the faithful of one major religion, Islam, perform extra acts of worship in gratitude to God for one of the most important events in the sacred history of another major world religion, Judaism. Ashura is also important because of an event 61 years after the Prophet's migration. On the day of Ashura in the Iraqi city of Karbala, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Husayn, was murdered along with 72 of his kinsmen by the army of the Muslim Caliph Yazid. This day is probably the most important day in all of Shia Islam, and Shia Muslims have been known to self-flagellate in mourning of the Imam's murder. Although I do not agree with the self-mutilation rituals of the Shia on Ashura, and I do not follow Shia Islam, there still is a warm place in my heart for my Shia brothers and sisters. I felt an enormous amount of happiness when the Shia of Iraq were finally able to outwardly express their religious beliefs and rituals once Saddam Hussein was deposed by U.S. forces. In addition, I was enraged by the 2004 car bombing at the mosque of Imam Ali in Najaf, a major Shia shrine. There was a time when I looked down at Shia Muslims...Read more on page 2 >> There was a time when I looked down at Shia Muslims as Islamic deviants who have strayed far from the path of Islam. I was, at one time in my life, swept up in the Shia-Sunni divide. I was arrogant, narrow-minded, and plain wrong. The overwhelming majority of Shia Muslims share all of the core beliefs of Sunni Islam, and as far as I am concerned, they are as Muslim as I am. While there are some differences of opinion between Sunnis and Shias in regards to who should lead the Muslim community and in matters of Islamic jurisprudence, these differences are minor. They should not serve as the basis for division among the two groups. Indeed, some Sunni Muslim extremists view Shias as heretics who deserve death. This is abominable. There is too much at stake to get swept up by minor differences of juristic opinion and divide the Muslim community along Shia and Sunni lines. Also, I think the media here in the West often hype the Sunni-Shia thing way too much. We are all Muslims, and that is the most important thing to remember. On this Ashura, while I will not be commemorating the day as the Shia in Iraq or Iran, I nevertheless plan on fasting on Monday and Tuesday as the Prophet suggested. This is significant, because any fast outside of Ramadan is usually more difficult for me psychologically. Still, I am actually looking forward to fasting Ashura. As I plan to forgo food and drink early next week, I reflect upon the glorious gift of freedom that God bestowed upon Moses and his people; upon the tragedy of Karbala and the vicious murder of the Prophet's own blood; upon the Shia of Iraq and the continued difficulty of the post-war period. Just as God delivered Moses and his people from bondage, death, and despair, I pray God delivers the greater Middle East from the bondage of hatred, death, and war. While that may now seem as elusive as ever, so was the prospect of the Hebrews leaving Egypt victorious. With God, however, anything is possible. Four years ago, Michael Jackson and I produced approximately 30 hours of taped conversations intended as the basis of a book that would reveal his true self, the nature of his relationship with children, and his insights on various aspects of life, including love, spirituality, history, religion, and G-d.Michael asked me to write the book because we were close friends at the time and I was an experienced writer who could help him frame his authentic concerns and use his celebrity for a positive end. He desired to serve as a spokesman for the unmet needs of children, and I encouraged this desire provided that he directed his message to, and worked with, the children's parents. Those taped conversations were not the only manifestation of his concern. I took him to Oxford University, where he gave a well-received address about the need for a children's Bill of Rights. We also did a lecture together at Carnegie Hall about the need for parents to devote themselves to raising their children and not leave them to the proxy parenting of violent video games and mindless TV. The manuscript based on the transcripts of our conversations revealed Michael Jackson to be a sensitive personality: thoughtful, knowledgeable, and deeply spiritual. Nevertheless, I withheld it from publication for two reasons. The first was the fact that by then my relationship with Michael had deteriorated, because I no longer felt I could influence him positively. He was reverting to being the superstar surrounded by sycophantic handlers who resented my advice to Michael to shift his focus to advocating for children in serious forums where his message might be taken seriously. I had begun to question whether I wished to maintain the public association with Michael that the book would only reinforce. The second and much more important reason was Michael's arrest on charges of child molestation. Michael's eloquence in the book made me fear that his words might be interpreted by some people as the rationalizations of a pedophile. Furthermore, once he had been indicted it seemed that the book could not be published because in the manuscript, Michael discussed his relationship with the young cancer victim who would later become his accuser at some length, and it seemed that the book would be a distraction from the core issues of the trial which related to whether Michael had molested the boy of whom he spoke so lovingly several years after our discussions had concluded. For example, Michael told me that he wished to give the boy, who had gone bald from chemotherapy, a sense of his own handsomeness: "He was hiding and he was ashamed that he had a bald head and he had cancer. Everybody had made him feel like an outcast, and that's how he came here, and I want him to let go. He is such a beautiful child, he doesn't need that hat. I told him, 'You look just like an angel. Your voice sounds like an angel. As far as I am concerned you are an angel. What are you ashamed of?' " Indeed, at Neverland, I witnessed Michael speaking to the boy and encouraging him never to be ashamed of his baldness, and I found it inspiring that Michael would try so hard to bolster the boy's self-confidence. Still, it seemed best to keep these conversations out of the public domain during the trial. But now that Michael Jackson has been acquitted, it seems proper that the conversations in the book should be put in the public domain. Despite many people's lingering skepticism about the verdict, I believe there is still, perhaps, something to be learned from this man who once professed his undying love for children.Our conversations shed light on three questions still lingering in the aftermath of the trial: Who is Michael Jackson and why is he so damaged? What is the nature of his relationship with children and with his accuser in particular? And finally, what should the public feel toward Michael Jackson: contempt, sympathy, or both? I myself struggled with these emotions many times as we conducted our conversations. There was the time, for example, that Michael nearly brought me to tears when he suddenly told me: "I am going to say something I have never said before, and this is the truth. I have no reason to lie to you, and God knows I am telling the truth. I think all my success and fame--and I have wanted it--I have wanted it because I wanted to be loved. That's all. That's the real truth. I wanted people to love me, truly love me, because I never really felt loved. I said I know I have an ability. Maybe if I sharpened my craft, maybe people will love me more. I just wanted to be loved, because I think it is very important to be loved and to tell people that you love them and to look in their eyes and say it." The ancient rabbis of the Talmud proclaimed that words that emanate from the heart penetrate the heart. Michael's admission that the prime motivator for his career was to gain the love that had eluded him as a child pierced my heart like a dagger and drew us closer as spiritual soul-friends. His many confessions of his ongoing quest, even as a man in his forties, to finally receive his father's approval and affection, seemed to be emblematic of a generation of children whose parents had put professional pursuits ahead of family stability. Michael said: "My father was a great man because he was a great, great manager and he trained me well as a musician, as a showman. I couldn't miss a step.. he taught me how to work an audience, how to work a stage, how to feel your music when it is playing, how to move your body to the music. He wasn't even a dancer, but he understands music and show business. But... he never gave me a piggyback ride, he never threw a pillow at me or [did] something fun. [But] when I was about four years old there was a little carnival and he picked me up and put me on a pony. And because of that one moment I have this special place in my heart for him, for that one moment! I remember it. I remember it. I only got it one time but it made me really feel a lot differently about him and the world, because of that one moment. And that's the real truth. Imagine if this kinda thing could happen more often, the difference it would make to the lives of our families and children." Comments like these from Michael touched my heart. He seemed uniquely capable of expressing how much children hunger for their parent's validation and affection. Similarly, Michael seemed to believe in children more than any other person I had ever met. To Michael, a child was perfect and innocent, incapable of doing wrong. And if a child displayed cruelty, it was because of the corrupting influence of neglectful adults:"I had an argument with Lisa Marie [Presley] in London because two little boys in England dragged another little boy to a train track and they beat him and I said I want to go visit them [this refers to the Jamie Bulger tragedy, where a 4-year-old boy was brutally murdered on train tracks by two 10-year-old boys].. I said I want to see them. [Lisa Marie] said, 'Are you crazy?' I said, 'I want to see these boys and I want to talk to them.' She said, 'You are just rewarding them for what they did, and it's wrong. I think you are wrong.' We were arguing. I said, 'Lisa, I don't think these boys have ever been hugged. I don't think anyone ever looked in their eyes and said, I love you. I really don't. They never had that. I just want to look at them and show that somebody cares.' She said, 'Look at what they did.' I said, 'I do care about that, but somewhere there is something wrong and something missing.' Then they found out the kids came from a broken family. The mother was never there and the father was like a gangster and a pusher and to pacify the children they let them watch movies every day with stabbings and killings. And that's where it comes from. No one to say, 'I love you, I love you. You're my baby,' and just hold them. "Michael can be forgiven for a naive belief that a lack of love is an excuse for murder, and that he could bring out the latent goodness in 10-year-old killers. But a man who believes that he can transform evil into goodness is treading on dangerous ground. In Michael's case, it was part of the slow development of a destructive Messiah complex, wherein he stopped seeing himself as an entertainer and began seeing himself as a savior. He believed that he possessed a special sensitivity that ordinary mortals lacked. Hence, while others might find it unacceptable for a grown man to share a bed with a child, he existed on a loftier plane that most mortals. This belief that ordinary rules of right and wrong did not apply to him is what ultimately led to the deterioration and ruin of Michael's life.For all his sensitivity and for what I saw as his undeniable goodness, Michael Jackson went astray by believing that the everyday norms that applied to car mechanics and street cleaners did not apply to the King of Pop. Only in this context can we understand his shocking declaration on international television that platonically sharing a bed with other people's children is a loving act.But the Michael Jackson that our taped conversations reveals-a tortured, damaged, but ultimately gentle and hopeful soul who refused to express hatred of his many critics in the press, who asked me repeatedly if I was spending enough time with my own children, who would come to me with questions about why G-d allows innocent children to suffer-is a man I'm not ashamed to say I once cared for deeply.Our relationship did make me a better father in many ways. Michael would always ask me if I had told my children I loved them that day while looking them in the eye. He would ask if I ate dinner with them and if I had read them a bedtime story. While I did many of these things before meeting Michael Jackson, the influence of his perspective reinforced my commitment to them.Some will find it ludicrous that a rabbi and father of seven would confess a debt of gratitude to Michael Jackson for teaching him to be a more available parent. But two of the essential messages of Judaism are, first, that one must show gratitude under all circumstances, and second, as Maimonides so eloquently expressed it, one must "accept the truth regardless of its source."I can only hope that now that Michael has been vindicated in a courtroom, he will pursue the far more important vindication in life that has so far eluded him. PITTSFIELD What will it take to build a new elementary school in Pittsfield? The district will have to comply with Massachusetts School Building Authority requirements, which includes greenlighting a feasibility study. It also sets several deadlines for the city, culminating in a City Council vote to appropriate funds for the study within a 270-day window (but not before July 1). The clock starts ticking on Feb. 3. The requirements were outlined by Superintendent Joseph Curtis to the city's School Buildings Needs Commission on Tuesday at Taconic High School. The commission also heard appeals for the new building to be built without relying on fossil fuels, and was updated on the progress of boiler replacements at Pittsfield High School and air conditioning repairs at Taconic. Key dates Jan. 21: Compliance certification sent to Pittsfield. Feb. 3: Eligibility period begins. March 5: Initial compliance certification to be signed and returned. April 4: School Building Needs Commission formed and submitted to MSBA. May 4: Educational profile questionnaire must be submitted to MSBA. Includes proposed educational program for new facility and how district envisions its use, intended outline of feasibility study. Online enrollment projection tool to be submitted. This includes two questionnaires to completed by the district providing housing data, current and historical enrollment data, private/parochial/charter openings and/or closures, and potential consolidations or grade configuration changes in the district. Maintenance and capital planning must be submitted to MSBA. Includes distinct information about maintenance and capital planning practices. This assessment is reflected in the project scope and budget agreement, as well as potential bonus points for meeting best practices for routine and capital maintenance upkeep of existing buildings. Aug. 2: An enrollment meeting between MSBA and the district is to take place by this date. Oct. 31: Deadline for a vote approving funding for a feasibility study and schematic design for the project. The vote can take place no sooner than July 1. This is also the deadline for a feasibility study agreement between the district and MSBA. The MSBA process outlined and greenlit for Pittsfield last month won't make the city eligible for funding to build a new elementary school on the Crosby Elementary School campus at least not yet. But it will make the district eligible for the study. After that, it would progress into the design phase, followed by an agreement providing state funding for construction. The new building would take the place of Crosby Elementary and Conte Community schools. It's been more than 50 years since Pittsfield last built new elementary schools. City leaders determined last year that Crosby and Conte need to be replaced. Both were among buildings left out in the citys seven-school renovation project of the 1990s and 2000s. The work could also play a key role in a district-wide effort to redraw its school districts and reinvent its middle schools, potentially by changing grade levels to kindergarten through fourth grade at the elementary level. A Middle School Restructuring Committee is working on those possibilities and its recommendations are expected next month. Other deadlines for the new elementary school require the city to complete surveys on the districts current buildings, enrollment projections, potential grade reconfiguration and building maintenance practices. Greg Smolley of Drummey Rosane Anderson Architects, which designed the new Taconic High School and is consulting the districts restructuring study, said hitting those marks is important. In addition to meeting requirements, the process [builds] up a better understanding of the existing building and the community. A big part of this says right in their letter of invitation is to make sure that you're providing the state the ability to ascertain that you are actually ready to move forward and be successful, he said. They do not like to get behind projects that they don't feel have a chance of success. In public comments and during the meeting, respectively, Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn and commission member Judy Gittleson called on the commission to seek a sustainable building one not relying on oil or natural gas. It can be done. There are 37 K-through-12 schools in Massachusetts that are fully decarbonized, Gittleson said. HEATING AND COOLING Taconics malfunctioning air conditioning system was also on the commission agenda, and Brian Filiault, the citys director of building maintenance, said a demanding live-action test of new motors for school's AC units was a success. If a follow-up test this spring proves successful, hell order a full set of about 40 for the building, making Taconic a cooler place to learn. The original motors for the AC units were exposed to the elements on Taconics roof, leading to their failure, Filiault explained. I think [the original motors] are just a bad design that's my opinion, he said. City workers will install the motors. Filiault believes they can be ready for the 2025-26 school year. My main goal is obviously just to make these right. I just want them to work right and get the life that we should be getting out of it, he said. Meanwhile, the installation of new natural gas-fired boilers at Pittsfield High has also been a success, Filiault said. Hes expecting theyll be tested on Jan. 13 and, if all goes well, will be fully operational on Jan. 20. Pittsfield High has been heating its halls with temporary boilers parked outside the building. The city authorized borrowing up to $3 million to do the work after the schools original boilers, rebuilt train engines installed when PHS was built in 1930, finally failed. Gov. Maura Healey on Friday discussed an interest in realigning the state's right-to-shelter law "with its original intent," opening up a possible area of debate in talks over her shelter spending bill. Healey's comments came after the top House Republican blasted her administration for its oversight and for failing to realize that emergency shelter residents were not being screened with criminal background checks. Minority Leader Brad Jones said the family shelter crisis is "wildly unsustainable and unmanageable for the Healey Administration" and called for the state to halt additional funding to shelters until reforms are made. Healey told reporters later Friday that she had ordered criminal background checks conducted on all shelter residents, but was "recently informed" that those checks did not happen at all sites. "And that's absolutely unacceptable," she said. "Whether its incompetence, intransigence or negligence, changes must be made. Its time for heads to roll," Jones said in his statement. The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Healey's administration acknowledged for the first time this week that it has not been running full criminal background checks on the people staying in family homeless shelters, after previously telling reporters that individuals entering the shelter system were being screened. The governor told reporters Friday that every shelter resident has been subjected to sex offender and outstanding warrant checks. However, the administration had not been conducting CORI, or Criminal Offender Record Information, checks for every person coming into the system. Healey said individuals entering overflow sites temporary shelters where families can stay for only a few days had CORI checks done. "Those are the sites like Lexington and Chelsea and Cambridge and Joint Base Cape Cod, for example, we refer to those sites as overflow sites... that's where, in fact, the majority of migrants, new arrivals to Massachusetts, have been directed," Healey told reporters Friday. She added that for the 6,400 migrants who the state helped get work authorizations through the Department of Homeland Security, they underwent additional vetting, including fingerprinting. "Last spring, I ordered the unprecedented step to have CORI criminal background checks conducted on all shelter residents, not just at temporary respite sites, but across the entire system," Healey said. "I was recently informed by my team that that did not happen at all sites, and that's absolutely unacceptable." Healey said she was again ordering CORI checks to be done on all shelter residents across the state. Earlier this week she also ordered inspections at all shelter sites. As of Friday afternoon, she said, inspections of hotels were complete and investigators were moving through the remainder of the shelter sites. The governor said she also asked former Boston Police Department Commissioner Ed Davis to lead an independent outside review and determine if additional steps need to be taken "to protect our communities." "I also plan to work with the Legislature to take a look at any changes and to make changes to better ensure that the right to shelter law actually aligns with its original intent," Healey said. She said that law was written "to protect and take care of poor women and children" and "didn't imagine a broken immigration system and waves and waves of people arriving in Massachusetts." Republicans have repeatedly called to restrict access to shelters with a requirement that an applicant already be a resident of Massachusetts for a certain period of time. A reporter asked her about the residency requirements. "The right to shelter law, in my view you asked about duration requirements I think that's important. I think that it's something to consider as we move forward, because I want and this is a conversation to have in the Legislature but the law aligning with the original intent and purposes of the law is important to me. But today is about what I'm doing in terms of ensuring safety within these sites," she said. Jones in his statement called for the state not to invest more funding into the program "until meaningful reforms are implemented." "The Healey Administrations admission that it failed to carry out criminal background checks on applicants seeking emergency shelter assistance is completely unacceptable and represents a serious betrayal of the publics trust. The Administrations handling of the situation has been a total disaster, with the failure to carry out the most basic of public safety protocols needlessly placing other people in harms way by housing them alongside dangerous criminals," Jones said. The topic has been in the news this week after an immigrant who entered the country illegally was arrested at a family shelter site in Revere with an estimated $1 million worth of fentanyl and a "loaded AR-15 with ammo," according to police. He had been "residing" at the Quality Inn for three months with his girlfriend who was registered through the state program, though he himself is not. "The Administration has long maintained that it was conducting extensive background checks of all applicants seeking shelter assistance, but now we know that was not the case. The fact that the Administration has no idea how many individuals with a criminal record are currently residing in the states shelter system is cause for alarm," Jones said. The arrest in Revere has thrust the issue of screening the applicants into the beleaguered shelter system just at a time when Healey has returned to the Legislature once again to ask for more money to fund the system. She filed a supplemental budget earlier this week to inject another $425 million into the family homeless shelters that have skyrocketed in costs and applicants over the past three years. The House is beginning to review the spending bill and is on a short timeline. The shelter system is set to run out of money this month. Healey's newest bill includes additional regulations and restrictions to try to rein in costs at the system by shortening lengths of stay, but the issue of background checks and screening is emerging as a likely issue to be debated through this bill as well. A consultant working with Sens. Peter Durant and Kelly Dooner said this week that the senators are seeking an amendment that would restrict the state shelter system to legal residents, similar to unsuccessful efforts last year to impose a six-month Massachusetts residency requirement for shelter applicants. "So my understanding is that any participant in the emergency shelter system are legal residents of the commonwealth," Senate budget chief Michael Rodrigues said when asked about the Republican proposal. He added, "We'll take a look at that, and I think that raises constitutional issues, but we'll take a look at that. Yep, we'll take a look at anything that's proposed. It's our first bill out of the gate for this new legislative session, and we're excited to get to it as quickly as possible." BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. A lion dance is staged during a temple fair welcoming the Chinese New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jan. 10, 2025. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) "I feel very nice to come to this program. I played some games and I am very happy today," Sohan Hossain, a Bangladeshi boy said, chanting "Happy Chinese New Year to all." The "Happy Chinese New Year Festival" Temple Fair was held by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh. During the event, Chinese and Bangladeshi participants enjoyed dragon and lion dances, martial arts, instrumental performances, and traditional Chinese dances, in addition to visits to Spring Festival cultural exhibition booths and New Year goods markets. Writing Spring Festival couplets and making dumplings were among the most attractive activities. "We really enjoy today's event. Bangladeshi people enjoy that," Sarwar Hossain, Sohan Hossain's father told Xinhua, adding "Chinese culture is creating huge influence in Bangladesh. Lots of people come to this event, reflecting Bangladeshi people know Chinese festivals. It's creating an increasing influence in Bangladesh." "After coming here, I leant this year is the Year of Snake, and last year is Dragon in China. It's interesting," said Tahsin, who took her daughter to the temple fair. "I can feel fresh festival atmosphere here, so I like that." Student from Dhaka University Sadia Khan has studied Chinese in China for one year, and experienced Chinese Spring Festival there. "I know that people will set off firecrackers, prepare sumptuous dinner and wear red cloths. To some extent, Chinese festival culture is similar with Bangladesh. So it's easy for us to understand." "At the same time, I also introduced Chinese festival culture to my friends and relatives because I hope that more and more Bangladeshi people know, learn and understand that," Sadia said. "We gather here to celebrate the most significant traditional festival of Chinese culture and kick off the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh and the "China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges," Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said. "I hope that through today's 'Happy Chinese New Year Festival' Temple Fair, we can be as close as a family with all the guests and friends in Bangladesh, hang up lanterns and decorations, share the joy of the Spring Festival, and convey warmth and harmony." Bangladeshi Cultural Advisor to the interim government Mostofa Sarwar Farooki expressed his love for Chinese Spring Festival culture and wished all Chinese citizens in Bangladesh a happy new year. He also commended China for its firm support for Bangladesh's development, and hoped that the two countries would deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and open a new chapter in China-Bangladesh relations. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen delivers a speech during a temple fair welcoming the Chinese New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jan. 10, 2025. As the Chinese zodiac Year of the Snake is approaching, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh jointly hosted the "Happy Chinese New Year Festival" Temple Fair on Friday. Thousands of people from all walks of life in Bangladesh gathered together to welcome the upcoming Spring Festival and experience Chinese culture. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) A child participates in a game during a temple fair welcoming the Chinese New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jan. 10, 2025. As the Chinese zodiac Year of the Snake is approaching, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh jointly hosted the "Happy Chinese New Year Festival" Temple Fair on Friday. Thousands of people from all walks of life in Bangladesh gathered together to welcome the upcoming Spring Festival and experience Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Sun Nan) A driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a two-car crash that killed one person in Sonoma County on Friday night, the CHPs Santa Rosa office said. Chris Carlson/Associated Press A driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a two-car crash that killed one person in Sonoma County on Friday night, authorities said. The crash occurred just before 9:15 p.m. in the Forestville area, when the driver of a Honda CRV traveling eastbound on Highway 116 west of Giovanetti Road lost control, veered into the opposite lane, and crashed into a Lincoln Zephyr approaching westbound, according to the California Highway Patrols Santa Rosa office. The Hondas male driver, female passenger, and the Lincolns male driver, the cars only occupant, were all hospitalized after the crash. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital, the CHP said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Honda driver was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, the CHP said. He was arrested on suspicion of a DUI but as of Saturday afternoon was still at the hospital receiving treatment for major injuries. The Lincoln drivers condition was not immediately available, and the female passengers identity was not immediately released. A young Dublin man has been denied bail after being accused of striking another male from behind with a hurley several times, causing severe head injuries during a feud-related attack. Andrew Thomas, 18, of Wad River Close, Ballymun, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday, charged with assault causing harm at the AppleGreen shop on Swords Road in Santry, north Dublin on September 28th last year. Advertisement He was also charged with possessing a knife as a weapon during an incident at St Mary's Abbey in Dublin 7 on September 20th 2024. He faced court after investigating gardai spent months searching for him, believing the teenager had "gone to ground" and may have left the country. However, Mr Thomas was spotted and arrested at Dublin Airport on Friday while getting a haircut. Judge Treasa Kelly refused bail and remanded him in custody. Advertisement Garda Sean Clyde alleged the incidents were connected to an ongoing feud, which has already involved gun attacks on the accused and his home. He stated that during the assault, the injured party was at the till area when he was attacked from behind by the accused. The officer maintained, "Mr Thomas struck the man with a hurley on three occasions to his head." A contested bail hearing revealed claims that the male sustained severe injuries, including a broken nose and swelling to his right eye. It was alleged the attacker, wearing a black ski mask, took 20 from him, and fled. The court heard that gardai recovered an identical ski mask two days later during a search of the defendant's address. Advertisement Garda Clyde maintained that the accused also got involved in an altercation at St Mary's Abbey. Youths were verbally abusive to each other, and it was claimed the accused produced a knife, and a more serious charge could arise from that incident. The court heard there were independent witnesses and CCTV evidence. Mr Thomas's passport had been seized earlier. Advertisement However, Garda Clyde suggested the accused "disappeared" and was gone for three months after the violent incident in the Applegreen shop. The officer believed he could have left the country by ferry. He said the accused had been in a feud with another individual in Ballymun, which had caused serious concerns, and it was maintained that shots were fired at his home and the accused himself had once been shot in the arm. The garda feared there would be more incidents and that "members of the public could be dragged into this". Advertisement Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury highlighted that his client had no prior convictions. In cross-examination, the garda agreed that Mr Thomas did not have a passport or a ticket on him when found at the airport, and "there was nothing to suggest he was going anywhere". He also acknowledged that the accused had been identified solely by gardai, not by external witnesses. Pleading for bail, Mr Bradbury asked the judge to consider his client's young age, he had just turned 18, and that there was no evidence of drug addiction. The accused, who did not address the proceedings, was supported in court by family members. His solicitor emphasised that his client had the presumption of innocence and he argued that the court could set bail with specific conditions. However, the application for bail was denied, and Judge Kelly remanded the teenager in custody. He is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday via video link. Legal aid was granted. A prisoner who escaped from custody in Dublin on Saturday morning has been caught. Keith Macken, who is in his 40s and from Cabra, was brought to Tallaght Hospital for treatment early on Saturday, but absconded from prison officers at about 6am. Advertisement The Irish Prison Service has confirmed the prisoner has been returned to custody. He was on remand at Wheatfield Prison, awaiting sentencing for assault causing harm. The Los Angeles County medical examiners office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16. The total number of confirmed fatalities stands at 16 victims, and the cases remain under investigation. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroners office said in a statement on Saturday evening. Advertisement The previous number of confirmed fatalities was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as cadaver dogs search levelled neighbourhoods and crews assess the devastation. Authorities have established a centre where people can report the missing. Firefighters raced to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames towards the world famous J Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. A firefighter rests as crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon (Eric Thayer/AP) A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. Advertisement At a briefing, CalFire operations chief Christian Litz said a main focus on Saturday would be the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus. We need to be aggressive out there, Mr Litz said. County supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the LA area had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the Palisades Fire. Light breezes were fanning the flames, but the National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds the nemesis of firefighters could soon return. Advertisement Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that levelled entire neighbourhoods around a city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. The fire also was threatening to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the citys most famous landmarks. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroners office said. Advertisement The previous number of confirmed deaths before Saturday was 11 but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a centre where people can report the missing. A firefighter rests as crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon (Eric Thayer/AP) There were fears that winds could move the fires toward the J Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. By Saturday evening, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires accounted for 59 square miles. Advertisement In a briefing posted online on Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said. With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades Fire at 11% and the Eaton Fire at 15 per cent on Saturday night, the fight is set to continue. Weather conditions are still critical and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday, Mr Traum said. Advertisement A fierce battle occurred Saturday in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the hillside. CalFire operations chief Christian Litz said on Saturday that a main focus was the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus. The National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds could soon return. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that levelled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. Advertisement The fire also threatened to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. Wildfire damage at the Eaton Canyon Nature Centre (Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation via AP) The fires that began on Tuesday just north of central LA have burned more than 12,000 structures. Firefighters for the first time made progress on Friday afternoon on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned more than 7,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. Most evacuation orders for the area were lifted, officials said. No cause has been determined for the largest fires and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nations costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between 135 billion and 150 billion dollars. Advertisement Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents against venturing back to destroyed homes to sift through rubble for keepsakes. We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away, Mr Luna said, urging people to abide by curfews. World Special counsel Jack Smith resigns after submittin... Read More Officials on Saturday warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. If youre kicking that stuff up, youre breathing it in, said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire who warned the material was toxic. Residents will be allowed to return with protective gear after damage teams evaluate their properties, Mr Thomas said. By the time we reached Cesky Krumlov, we were used to sleeping rough. Wed slept at Frankfurt station when wed accidentally found ourselves in Germany rather than Luxembourg. Wed spent a night wandering the streets in Regensburg when wed missed the youth hostel curfew. And wed made ourselves comfortable on a platform somewhere near the German-Czechia border when our train never came. That night, we arrived in the little Czech town around midnight with our packs on our backs, four 18-year-old girls wandering the empty cobblestone streets like long-legged snails. We knocked on guest house doors. No one answered. We were on the verge of finding a quiet spot in the square to sleep when a woman answered her door. She had space in her old guest house, a pretty room with exposed wooden beams and patchwork quilts. We clambered into bed gratefully. The next morning, we woke late, roused by the smell of coffee. We followed it to the verandah. The daylight was dazzling. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. View of the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia region, Czech Republic. Credit: Getty Images We were on the banks of a river, the Vltava, which swept in a U-shape through the town. It was lined by fairytale cottages in reds and yellows, with triangular roofs, carved shutters and flowering vines. A castle loomed above us, which seemed built into the hill. I had never seen anything so breathtaking. We were giddy with wonder and awe. We had little money but oodles of time, so we stayed in that little room for the best part of a week, riding rubber tubes around the rivers U-bend by day and having picnics on the rivers banks by night. The voice and data recorders pulled from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Company jet in South Korea failed to capture the final moments before the Boeing 737-800 made an emergency landing and crashed, depriving investigators of evidence to help understand the cause of the countrys deadliest aviation accident. Both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders suspended recording for the final four minutes before the plane ploughed into a structure at the end of the runway, the Korean transport ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Jeju Air has come under intense scrutiny as investigators look into what caused Flight 7C2216 to crash. Credit: Getty Images A joint investigation team comprising Korean and US officials is seeking to determine what caused the devices to stop working. The revelation is a setback for the investigative team trying to solve what led to the deadliest aviation disaster, which killed 179 out of 181 on board. Flight data recorders, commonly referred to as black boxes, are fortified devices meant to withstand even the most severe impacts, as well as fire or extended submersion. They tape key parameters of an aircrafts performance as well as cockpit voices and sounds that aid crash investigations. A San Diego couple pleaded guilty in June to multiple charges including grand theft and conspiracy for conspiring to steal and resell an estimated $7.8 million in makeup products from Ulta and Sephora over multiple years, the Attorney Generals Office said. Seng Kui Lim/Getty Images A San Diego woman who led an organized crime ring that pilfered millions of dollars of beauty products across California, including in the Bay Area, was sentenced to more than five years in prison, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday. Michelle Mack and her husband, Kenneth Mack, pleaded guilty in June to multiple charges including grand theft and conspiracy for conspiring to steal and resell an estimated $7.8 million in makeup products from Ulta and Sephora over multiple years, the Attorney Generals Office said. The thefts occurred across 21 counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Solano, Napa, Marin and Sonoma. Michelle Mack was sentenced to five years and four months in state prison and was remanded into custody Thursday, the Attorney Generals Office said. As part of the plea deal, the Macks forfeited all their property and assets, including a multimillion-dollar San Diego-area mansion that was sold to pay restitution. The couple also owe an additional $3 million in restitution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Between December 2021 and October 2023, the Macks recruited young women to steal in-demand cosmetics products from Ulta and Sephora, which the couple then sold on Amazon at a fraction of the sticker price, the Attorney Generals Office said. Prosecutors filed charges against the Macks and eight individuals in February after surveillance cameras captured some of the thefts. Authorities then searched the Macks home and found large amounts of makeup products in their original packaging, ready to be shipped out, the Attorney Generals Office said. In a statement, Bonta called the sentencing a win for business, retailers, and consumers in the fight against organized retail crime in California. Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza. It was not immediately clear when David Barnea would travel to Qatars capital, Doha, for the latest round of indirect talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group, but there is US pressure for a deal before the presidential inauguration on January 20. Barneas presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved. Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel on Thursday. Credit: AP Just one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war, and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. The talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since. A phased ceasefire is being discussed, with Netanyahu signalling he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a week-long pause in fighting. Kristin Crowley was elevated to Los Angeles fire chief in 2022 at a time of turmoil in a department consumed by complaints of rampant hazing, harassment and discrimination among its 3400-member ranks. As a career firefighter, she was portrayed by the then-mayor as a stabilising force. Three years later, the mood between Crowley and City Hall has changed. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (left) and LA fire chief Kristin Crowley have engaged in a public spat over resources even as the battle against flames continues. Credit: Marija Ercegovac The wildfire in Pacific Palisades that has burnt more than 5000 structures to become the most destructive in city history has put leaders on the defensive and led Crowley to engage in a public spat with Mayor Karen Bass over resources even as the battle against flames continues across the Los Angeles area. Crowley publicly criticised the city late last week for budget cuts that she said had made it harder for firefighters to do their jobs at a time when they were seeing more calls. She also cast blame on the city for water running out on Tuesday when about 20 per cent of the hydrants tapped to fight the Palisades fire went dry. Eva Osborne A commemorative walk is taking place to mark the third anniversary of the death of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy. The 23-year-old was out jogging on the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, when she was murdered on January 12th, 2022. A walk in her memory got underway at the same location at 3:15pm on Sunday. Jozef Puska is serving a life sentence for her murder after he was found guilty in November 2023 at the Central Criminal Court. Women's Aid Ireland said its thoughts are with Ashling Murphy's loved ones and her community as they remember her on the third anniversary of her death. The domestic violence and abuse service said it had hoped that Ashling Murphy's murder was a "watershed moment" regarding male violence against women and girls in Ireland, but said that "this is not the case". Today marks 3 years since the murder of Ashling Murphy. Our thoughts are with Ashling's loved ones & community as they remember her today. We hoped that Ashling's murder was a watershed moment regarding male violence against women and girls in this country. This is not the case. pic.twitter.com/GjwKF30Wid Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) January 12, 2025 The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund organised the walk to "remember and celebrate" Ashling's life. Independent councillor for Sligo County Council, Marie Casserly, shared images of remembrance from Sligo on Facebook. A simple commonsense reform to benefits for the disabled could give Congress and the president more time to fix Social Security. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images 2021 As todays pensioners rapidly drain the nations $2.8 trillion Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund, younger workers fear Social Security will go broke before they have the chance to use it. For San Francisco, my conservative estimate is that over $1.5 billion in OASI trust payments flow into the city to help support nearly 100,000 retirees. While the system they rely on wont go broke, it is broken. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Worker pensions are mostly funded by a 10.6% payroll tax, evenly split between workers and their employers. So long as these payroll taxes continue, some benefits are safe. But the size of payments will ultimately depend on the actions (or inaction) of the new presidential administration. Todays worker contributions go straight into the pockets of retiring Baby Boomers. If, as in the past few years, payroll contributions fail to cover promised payments, then it falls to the trust fund to top up benefits. The problem is that way more Boomers are retiring than young people are joining the workforce. Nearly 90% of the $1.2 trillion U.S. retirees collected in 2023 came from payroll taxes. The rest came from the trust fund. As recently as 2010, the trust fund was flush; payroll taxes routinely exceeded expenditures. However, Congress borrowed billions from the fund to cover its spending plans. This forced the U.S. Treasury to fill the fund with special OASI securities, which are non-marketable IOUs that earn little interest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2021, the dam broke as the surge in Boomer retirements and the slow-growing workforce forced the Social Security Administration to dip into the trust fund. To raise cash to redeem OASI securities and top-up pension payments, the U.S. Treasury issues new Treasury bills, notes and bonds all of which add to the national debt. The Congressional Budget Office expects the fund will be fully depleted around 2033. Meanwhile, the ratio of workers to pensioners could drop from roughly 3-to-1 to 2-to-1. At that point, payroll taxes will barely cover 80% of scheduled benefits. The prospect of a 20% or more benefit cut less than a decade away is alarming. Politicians, President-elect Donald Trump included, have historically treated Social Security like a third rail touching it is tantamount to political suicide. The most commonsense and politically palatable solutions would be some combination of increasing payroll taxes, modifying benefits, changing eligibility requirements such as gradually raising the retirement age, transitioning younger workers to 401k-type programs and/or raising the income cap above its 2025 level of $176,100. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, Trumps pick as commissioner of Social Security, Frank Bisignano, CEO of fintech Fiserv, has already said his plans do not include cutting benefits for any American. Were going to fix it by doing other things. Another thing could be to modify the cost-of-living adjustment. Well see if that happens. Trump believes that a stronger economy would naturally sustain Social Security. Economic growth and job creation would boost payroll tax revenues to support the program. Trumps campaign platform said his administration would fight for and protect Social Security and Medicare with no cuts, including no changes to the retirement age. His campaign proposed eliminating taxes on Social Security. One projection suggests this would accelerate insolvency to 2031 and reduce benefit payments by one-third in 2035. Meanwhile, it would make sense for Elon Musks $2 trillion cost-saving agenda to review Social Security, since its the single largest (mandatory) federal expenditure and the governments single biggest budget item and largest program, accounting for $1.4 trillion or 21% of the federal budget in 2023. Although Musk has not advocated cutting OASI benefits, he acknowledges, If we dont fix the deficit, everything will suffer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One simple commonsense reform could offer some breathing room. An added payroll tax of 1.8% is split between employees and their employers to fund a welfare program called Social Security Disability Insurance that offers financial assistance to people unable to secure employment due to physical or mental limitations. Over $150 billion was distributed through it in 2023. In San Francisco, over 43,000 people depend on it. Its counterpart is the Supplementary Security Income program. This federally funded welfare program offers financial assistance to lower-income disabled persons, including the blind and the elderly. Its budget in 2023 was $66 billion. Over $250 million of these payments flowed into San Francisco and helped support over 37,000 people. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Social Security Disability Insurance was introduced as a welfare program in 1956, over 20 years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law. While this disability welfare fund is expected to last until the end of the century (2098), the retirement fund will be exhausted in less than a decade. This suggests the 1.8% SSDI payroll tax could be too high, and the 10.6% OASI tax too low. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The numbers are staggering. Under the Kelly administration, the executive branch budget has exploded from $2.1 million to $6.6 million - a 214 percent increase that enriches bureaucrats while leaving our city vulnerable to natural disasters. Our recent snowfall exposed a frightening truth: Chattanooga is nowhere near ready for a major weather event like the Blizzard of '93. While administrators enjoy six-figure salaries in warm offices, our city lacks basic emergency preparedness. The salt trucks are insufficient, emergency response plans are outdated, and our infrastructure is vulnerable. If we can't handle a light snow, how will we manage when the next major storm hits? When tornadoes threaten our communities? When floods endanger our neighborhoods? The Kelly administration spends millions studying problems but fails to prepare for real emergencies that threaten our citizens' lives. While we remain unprepared for natural disasters, gunshots echo through our neighborhoods. The Kelly administration proposes spending $16.9 million on a 'National Park City/15 Minute City' designation instead of investing in critical emergency preparedness. Our police officers earn significantly less than their county counterparts, forcing them to seek employment elsewhere. First responders patrol with aging equipment while administrators enjoy comfortable offices. Howard High School, once our crown jewel, now stands as a monument to failed leadership. Less than 15 percent of graduates earn college degrees. Over 90 percent of students live in poverty. Following the May 2021 secret flights of unaccompanied minors - flights Governor Bill Lee condemned while our administration remained silent - this historic institution has seen traditional student enrollment plummet. Kelly led the effort to make Chattanoogas Airport a Global Entry Airport; overnight flights of undocumented immigrants are breaking our budgets, our neighborhoods, our schools, and contributing to escalating crimes. Tent cities multiply while administrators study the problem from air-conditioned offices. During weather emergencies, our most vulnerable citizens face life-threatening conditions without adequate emergency shelter options. Small businesses suffocate under 120+ day permit delays, costing business owners money and forcing several to contemplate bankruptcy. Chattanoogas LDO has two Ombudsmen: one for developers, infrastructure, and new construction permitting and stormwater review (no issues with this Ombudsman), and one for the Mayors Office, including building inspection and permitting (major issues, delays, and failure to lead with this Ombudsman who oversees building inspection before Certificates of Occupancy). MLK Boulevard, once a thriving symbol of black entrepreneurship, withers under bureaucratic paralysis. While they tout unity, their policies create division. While they study equity, real inequality grows. While they chase symbolic titles, our community remains dangerously unprepared for natural disasters. Under my leadership, every dollar will serve our citizens' safety and security: - Comprehensive emergency preparedness planning - Modern snow and ice removal equipment - Updated tornado warning systems - Enhanced flood control infrastructure - Matching police pay with county rates - Modernizing first responder equipment - Creating emergency shelter solutions - Restoring fiscal responsibility This isn't just about politics. It's about survival. The next major storm won't wait for another study or committee meeting. The next tornado won't care about symbolic titles. Our city deserves leadership that prepares for real emergencies. Chris Long Watching the sad situation in Los Angeles as thousands of homes and businesses have burned to the ground due to utter incompetence of local and state officials, I am convinced that a lack of accountability by so many government bureaucrats and elected officials needs to change. Consider this: Who has been held accountable for the 2008 housing crash? Who has been held accountable for the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle? Who has been held accountable for the massive economic and psychological damage to our nation and specifically our children for a virus that escaped from an American funded lab in China? Who has been held accountable for the weaponization of government that led to the Steele dossier and the shameful lawfare directed at Donald Trump? Who has been held accountable for allowing millions of illegal immigrants to flood through our southern border many of whom are violent criminals? Who has been held accountable for covering up Joe Biden's dementia for the last several years? And now who will be held accountable for the incompetence that led to the LA fires? I think we all know the answer. No one. The above are but a few examples, but it is obvious that we have a crisis of incompetence in America and there needs to be accountability for those whose agendas and decisions got us here. James Nelson Meri Brown is spending season 19 of 'Sister Wives' making light of her troubled marriage to Kody Brown. She recently quipped that the "joke" was on him after he threatened her years earlier. Kody Brown has spent 19 seasons of Sister Wives behaving increasingly awful. Fans of the series have denounced his treatment of his first three wives and the children he shared with them. Still, things were apparently far worse than what viewers were initially privy to. In a recent episode, Meri Brown revealed that Kody Brown threatened her years ago, and he apparently tried to make good on those threats. Meri Brown insists the joke is on Kody Brown after he threatened her In the Jan. 5 episode of Sister Wives, Meri Brown opened up about just how disastrous her marriage to Kody Brown was. She revealed to a friend that Kody Brown had threatened her in 2011. The former polygamist told Meri that he was going to be horrible to her for 20 years because he found her difficult to live with for most of their marriage. She claims Kody insisted she was mean and that he planned to spend 20 years being mean to her as payback. Only then, she said, would he consider working on their marriage. Meri Brown and Kody Brown | TLC/YouTube Meris friend, Jenn Sullivan, who has garnered a fanbase of her own during her recent appearance on the show, was appalled. She wondered how Kody could make such a bold threat. Meri made light of the situation, joking that the joke was on Kody because she didnt stick around long enough for him to make good on his threat. Meri revealed Kody made the threat in 2011 when the family moved from Lehi, Utah, to Las Vegas, Nevada. She announced the end of her marriage in 2023. Technically, Kody only got the chance to be horrible to her for 12 years. Still, twelve years was far too long to put up with Kody Brown. Meri Brown appears to have grown and healed following the end of her marriage While Meri Brown insists she got the last laugh in the situation, fans cant help but feel sad for Meri. After all, it feels like she wasted many of the best years of her life on a failing marriage and a man who was openly hostile toward her. In the years since she left Kody Brown behind, it seems shes done some healing and grown pretty contemplative. Meri Brown | TLC/YouTube Meri, who often lashed out at viewers who called her desperate and pathetic, has finally gained the insight to see where they might have been coming from. In the same episode, Meri admitted she can see why viewers were so frustrated that she hadnt taken the hint. Still, she insists she was trying to make the best of it and give Kody time to figure things out. Meri announced the end of her marriage in January 2023, although she moved away from Flagstaff months before that. Since then, shes settled into her new home in Parowan, Utah, and is dating. She had a brief relationship that didnt work out. Still, the reality TV star appears to be enjoying her freedom and is hopeful about what is to come. She said she is committed to making the rest of her life better than the last 20 years of her marriage. She appears to be following through on that promise. Screenshot: YouVersion Video Clip via Website The YouVersion Bible App experienced a record-breaking 798,000 downloads on January 5, marking the largest single-day installation total in its history. Bobby Gruenewald, the founder of YouVersion and a pastor at Life.Church, shared with The Christian Post that the app saw 18.2 million people engage in the Bible reading and more than 798,000 installs on that Sunday. This figure surpassed the record set on the first Sunday of the previous year, while New Years Day ranked as the third-highest installation day in the apps history. Gruenewald noted, We tend to see a seasonal uptick in Bible engagement at the beginning of the year as people start new habits and are interested in reading the Bible for the first time. He added that this years increase is even higher than this same time last year, and its a trend were seeing globally. The YouVersion app reported significant increases in installs and engagement, particularly in African nations and throughout Asia and the Middle East. Notably, Ethiopia saw a 198% increase in activity, Egypt experienced a 94% increase, Turkey had a 74% increase, Ghana saw a 65% increase, and Pakistan experienced a 48% increase. Overall, Northern Africa recorded a staggering 297% increase in activity, while the Middle East saw a 166% increase. Gruenewald emphasized that the team is continually looking for ways to improve the app to help users engage with the Bible consistently. Because we know people are interested in creating new rhythms, we put a lot of work into designing features to help them make Bible engagement a daily practice that is sustained throughout the year. One of the apps most popular features is Bible Plans, which provide daily devotional content rooted in Scripture to assist users in studying, understanding, meditating on, and applying biblical truths to their lives. Gruenewald told The Christian Post, Every week, we add new plans in multiple languages to help people continue to engage in the Bible every day. He also emphasized the Plans with Friends feature, which allows users to study Scripture together, noting that communal support enhances consistency. Gruenewald expressed amazement at being part of a daily process through which God works, stating, Every time someone opens the Bible is an opportunity for the power of Gods Word to change their life. Since its launch in July 2008 by Life.Church, the YouVersion family of apps has been installed on over 850 million devices globally and is available in 2,100 languages. At the end of last year, YouVersion reported an average of 11.2 million new device installs each month in 2024 and approximately 14 million people engaging with the Bible daily. Home News Charity regulator in Great Britain expands Barnabas Aid investigation, looks into 4 other charities The charity regulator for England and Wales has expanded its investigation into Barnabas Aid also called Barnabas Fund to include the activities of four charities that have links with the organization. The Charity Commission announced on Thursday that it was launching statutory inquiries into TBF Trust, the Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life, the Reconciliation Trust, and Servants Fellowship International (SFI). The charity regulator said the new investigations were being launched after it had identified "possible risks due to their shared premises, trustees and/or founders, and the flow of funds with Barnabas Aid, another charity under inquiry." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Barnabas Aid has been under investigation by the regulator since last October over "serious concerns regarding its compliance with charity law and the use of charitable funds." At the time, it restricted Barnabas Aid transactions to 4,000 ($4,800). It has now moved to restrict transactions by the TBF Trust, SFI and the Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life to 2,500 ($3,000), while it carries out its inquiries. Transactions over this amount require written consent from the Charity Commission. The bank accounts of the Reconciliation Trust have been frozen entirely. "This follows concerns that charitable funds could be at risk," the Charity Commission said. The expanded inquiry will examine legal compliance in the governance of the charities, any risk to charity property and other assets, and whether there has been any misconduct or mismanagement by charity trustees. It will also consider the relationship between the four charities and Nexcus International, a U.S. nonprofit umbrella organization that sits over all the global Barnabas Family of ministries, including Barnabas Aid UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Barnabas Aid said in a statement, "We are committed to openness and transparency and welcome the Charity Commission's extension to their statutory inquiry into other parts of the Barnabas Family and interconnected Christian ministries. "For the avoidance of doubt, the entities listed in the Charity Commission's statement have always formed part of the Barnabas Family. It is right that the Charity Commission has expanded its work to include these organizations." This article was originally published at Christian Today Home News US troops must stay in Syria to maintain a 'foot on the throat of ISIS,' Austin warns U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said American troops must remain in Syria to prevent the Islamic State from regaining a foothold, warning that pulling out prematurely would allow the terror group to reconstitute as a major threat. Austin asserted in a recent interview with The Associated Press that U.S. troops remain essential to preventing the Islamic State group from rebuilding its combat strength in Syria. As President-elect Donald Trump previously expressed a desire to pull forces out of Syria, Austin believes if U.S. forces withdraw too quickly, militants could "enter back into the mainstream," posing a renewed danger after the recent toppling of Bashar al-Assad's government. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The United States still needs a "foot on the throat of ISIS," he asserted, referring to the acronym of the Islamic extremist group that enacted what it called its own "caliphate" in parts of Iraq and Syria during the mid-2010s, enslaving and killing thousands. Austin indicated that one of the military's principal objectives is to secure detention camps where up to 10,000 Islamic State fighters are being held. At least 2,000 detainees are deemed "very dangerous," he said, making it critical to keep the camps under close watch. Speaking shortly before the end of his tenure, Austin said American forces have partnered with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to provide security in those areas, including camps holding families of captured militants. "At some point, the SDF may very well be absorbed into the Syrian military and then Syria would own all the (IS detention) camps and hopefully keep control of them," Austin was quoted as saying. "But for now I think we have to protect our interests there." Turkey, which regards the SDF's Kurdish component as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, has opposed U.S. ties with this local force. Turkey has increased airstrikes to remove Kurdish forces from strategic areas, causing additional complications for the SDF. Last month, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh clarified that there were no immediate plans to increase the existing U.S. troop presence in Syria but added that Washington remains determined to ensure the safety of the troops that are there. While the U.S. has officially counted around 900 troops in Syria, there are also reportedly undisclosed numbers of contractors and special operations forces that frequently move in and out of the country. Those forces have been stationed there for a decade, initially deployed when Islamic State militants seized large areas in 2014. Meanwhile, the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will inherit the question of whether to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, now leading Syria's transitional government, from the U.S. terrorist designation list. The Biden administration will maintain HTS's designation for the remainder of President Joe Biden's tenure, shifting the decision to the new administration, according to U.S. officials cited by The Washington Post. Among the reasons for the terror label is HTS's earlier affiliation with al-Qaeda, although its leadership claims to have severed those ties. HTS's seizure of power in Damascus last month has raised questions about stability, leaving a leadership vacuum and prompting concern in Washington that militant groups could exploit the upheaval. The posture of the new U.S. administration on Syria could also potentially affect alliances on the ground. Trump recently wrote on his Truth Social network, "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT," in reference to Syria's conflicts. He further commented, "LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump has previously urged a withdrawal from the region during his first term, which contributed to the resignation of former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in 2018. Plans to pull troops out of Syria also faced criticism from Evangelical leaders, including the late Pat Robertson, Tony Perkins and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor and Trump's nominee for the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, has stated in the past that while he typically agrees with Trump's foreign policy, he thinks it would be a "huge mistake to abandon the Kurds." "They've never asked us to do THEIR fighting-just give them tools to defend themselves," Huckabee wrote in a 2019 social media post. "They have been faithful allies. We CANNOT abandon them." Former Ambassador Robert Ford, who served under the Obama administration, told the BBC in December that the new U.S. administration might keep some involvement in the region, partly because officials in the president-elect's circle worry about counterterrorism risks. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told CNN News Central last month that the U.S. was working on ways to communicate with all factions that contributed to Assad's removal. Kirby said the administration "will be working through all the processes we can, including at the U.N.," to forge pathways for collaboration or to maintain existing security frameworks. Home News 93% of Protestant pastors give free Bibles to congregants: study An overwhelming majority of Protestant pastors in the United States have gifted their congregants free Bibles to encourage them to engage with Scripture outside of church, according to a new poll. Lifeway Research released a report titled Pastors Views on Encouraging Bible Reading based on responses collected by 1,003 Protestant pastors between Aug. 8 and Sept. 3, 2024. The report examined the methods used by pastors to encourage their congregants to read the Bible, comparing the results of this survey to the findings of similar research conducted in 2016. In an increasingly secular culture, pastors are not assuming people have a Bible, said Lifeway Research CEO Scott McConnell in a statement accompanying the reports publication. More churches are prepared to give a free Bible to someone who needs one to encourage them to read more about the message the church shares. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The most common way pastors encourage their congregants to engage with Scripture on their own is by providing free Bibles to those who need one. Ninety-three percent of respondents told pollsters they gave free Bibles to congregants who needed one in 2024, an increase from the 86% who said the same in 2016. Nearly all pastors affiliated with the United Church of Christ (99%) gave out free Bibles to their congregants in 2024, along with 98% of Pentecostals and 98% of pastors leading non-denominational congregations. Eighty-eight percent of both Presbyterians and Methodists gave out free Bibles to their church members if needed. Ninety-two percent of pastors surveyed said during sermons, they remind their congregants to read the Bible independently, a jump from the 86% who engaged in this practice in 2016. Just over three-quarters of respondents (73%) include Bible readings during worship services, a slight dip from the 76% who featured Scripture readings during services eight years ago. Bible readings during worship services were most commonly embraced by pastors affiliated with the Church of Christ (85%), followed by Lutherans (83%), Baptists (71%), Presbyterians (67%), pastors of non-denominational congregations (66%) and Pentecostals (55%). A large majority of respondents (59%) provided their congregants with a printed Bible reading plan compared to 64% who did the same in 2016. Most pastors affiliated with the Church of Christ (72%) took this course of action, as did most Lutheran (69%), Baptist (67%), Pentecostal (53%) and Methodist pastors (51%), as well as 41% of Presbyterian pastors. Conversely, the percentage of pastors who used social media to encourage their congregants to read Scripture increased from 52% in 2016 to 56% in 2024. Most pastors leading Methodist (69%) and Pentecostal (69%) congregations utilized the social media option, as did one-half of those leading non-denominational churches (50%), 47% of Lutherans and 42% of Presbyterians. A significantly smaller share of pastors provided reminders to congregants via email to read the Bible in both 2024 (49%) and 2016 (46%). Reminders to interact with Scripture via email were adopted by a majority of Lutherans (65%) and Methodists (65%), exactly one-half of non-denominational pastors (50%) and smaller shares of pastors affiliated with the Church of Christ (48%), Presbyterians (47%), Baptists (36%) and Pentecostals (36%). The least commonly used method to encourage Scripture reading is providing a digital or online Bible reading plan. Thirty-seven percent of respondents embraced this option in 2024, down from the 40% who did so in 2016. Less than half of pastors belonging to all denominations included in the study provided their congregants with an online Bible reading plan. While nearly half of pastors belonging to the Church of Christ (49%) have taken this route, smaller percentages of Pentecostals (46%), pastors leading non-denominational churches (41%), Baptists (39%), Lutherans (28%) and Presbyterians (28%) have compiled digital Bible reading plans. Overall, more than 99% of pastors use at least one method to encourage their congregants to partake in independent Bible reading, as less than 1% selected none of these in response to the survey question. This marks an improvement from 2016, when exactly 99% of pastors employed various methods to get members of their churches to read the Bible, and just 1% did not. Mayor George Christopher tosses out the first pitch at San Francisco Giants 1960 Opening Day, also the opening of Candlestick Park, with Vice President Richard M. Nixon in attendance. Peter Breinig/The Chronicle Mayor George Christopher rides on a cable car in San Francisco in 1959. The Chronicle 1959 San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, right, and former Mayor George Christopher wave to a crowd gathered to witness the reopening of City Hall on Jan. 5, 1999, following renovations and seismic retrofitting. Susan Ragan/Associated Press Mayor Daniel Lurie and his family walk from UN Plaza to City Hall during the inauguration festivities on Jan. 8. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle When wealthy San Franciscan George Christopher entered City Hall in 1945, the Chronicle called him the surprise of the election. Beating an incumbent by a few thousand votes for the fifth and final Board of Supervisors spot, Christopher was a right-leaning (by San Francisco standards) citizen who had never run for anything, and appeared to outspend his opponents by a factor of 10. Political editor Earl Behrens wrote a column suggesting the dairy magnate bought the election. Does that sound a little like our new Mayor Daniel Lurie? Then know that Christopher went on to become one of the best San Francisco mayors of modern times. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Franciscans are understandably suspicious of money in politics, as anyone who observes the increasing wealth disparity in this nation should be. The mayoral campaigns spent a record $23.5 million seeking the San Franciscos top office last year, while the city faces a massive budget crisis. Bay Area tech leaders, meanwhile, many of whom profited during a worldwide pandemic, are in a receiving line to please Donald Trump, clearly hoping to expand their obscene wealth even more. But as I mine the Chronicle archives for San Francisco stories, theres an irrefutable fact: Many of our citys comebacks, rises and greatest treasures were due to the hard work and cash of loyal-to-their-soil wealthy San Franciscans. It was the citys richest residents, including bankers A.P. Giannini and Isaias Hellman, who led our defining rebirth after the 1906 earthquake. History is filled with wealthy San Franciscans who left their fortunes to the city and helped shape its future. Ignatz Steinhart, an immigrant banker who made a fortune from gold miners, in the 1920s donated his wealth to build an aquarium we still enjoy. Just last week I learned about Carl Larsen, a real estate speculator who donated two of the Sunset Districts greatest parks. April 10, 1928: Mrs. A.P. Giannini, Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini, and Miss Clarise Grannurn. Chronicle file And two of our most effective mayors of the past 100 years, Christopher and Dianne Feinstein, took their oaths as mayor not needing to work another day in their lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lurie and Christopher have some stark differences. Lurie is an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune. Christopher was a Greek immigrant who dropped out of high school to help his family and worked odd jobs while getting a night school accounting degree. He bought a small San Francisco dairy one of his accounting clients and built it into an empire, then used that wealth to make his name known in the city. San Franciscans of a certain age still talk about the Christopher Milk seats, which allowed kids to go to 49ers games essentially for free. That reputation soared him into the mayors office in 1956. Like Lurie, who ran the costliest mayoral campaign in recent San Francisco history and poured $8.9 million of his own money into the election, Christopher won office after outspending opponents. Christopher took that first supervisor seat after paying for billboards, mailers and near-daily advertisements in the Chronicle. San Francisco Mayor George Christopher is serenaded by the San Francisco Municipal Band, in honor of his upcoming 50th birthday in 1957. Bob Campbell/The Chronicle And like Lurie, as an incoming mayor Christopher inherited a population with shattered confidence in their leaders ability to solve the hardest challenges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At noon today, the most difficult job in San Francisco will drop like a heavy cloak onto the shoulders of one George Christopher, the Chronicles Richard Reinhardt wrote in 1956. Running (San Francisco) is no longer a sinecure for ribbon-cutters and key-givers for San Francisco lags embarrassingly, notoriously behind many other American cities in adapting itself to modern life. Much like today, San Francisco in the mid-1950s suffered from increasing poverty and depressed retail and business on lower Market Street. After a skyscraper boom beginning in the 1920s, the city had seemed to stagnate from inaction. Christopher was largely responsible for courting the San Francisco Giants to the city in 1958; he shepherded a new skyline of skyscrapers downtown, and brought the Republican National Convention to the Cow Palace in 1956 and 1964, the year he left office. There were blunders too: The double-decker Embarcadero Freeway was built on his watch. But more than mistakes that might set back his political career, Christopher feared inaction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think people will think more of us if we make an honest mistake and press on rather than make the mistake of doing nothing, he told the Chronicle. Historic Chronicle front page from Nov. 14, 1957: Willie Mays is denied his plan to buy a house in San Francisco because of his race. The Chronicle 1957 Perhaps most importantly, Christopher retained his decency. When Willie Mays and his wife were denied a home in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood near St. Francis Wood because of their race, Christopher forcefully decried the decision, and said Mays could stay with him. I mean that very sincerely. I have a nice room upstairs; its quiet and you could come and go as you please, Christopher told Mays by telephone, according to the Chronicle. Wed be portraying the kind of brotherhood the world needs. While Lurie and Christopher have their differences Christopher is also the answer to the trivia question: Who is the last Republican to serve as San Francisco mayor? they share a hyperfocus on the city. San Francisco doesnt need more toothless resolutions about national issues. San Francisco doesnt need a resistance leader. The best way to prove haters wrong is to build a city that works so well that its greatness cant be denied. And that happens by making the hard decisions, and believing mayor of San Francisco is the most important job in the world. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie, right, greets Louise Adler Bennett, left, her husband, Mark Adler Bennett, and their daughter, Lea, 21 months, of London as Lurie picks up trash in San Franciscos Hayes Valley neighborhood. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Christopher believed that, and I think Lurie does too. Founding the anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point Community may or may not qualify him for mayor, but it shows his willingness to take a big swing to tackle homelessness in the city. It was a good sign that he spent the weekend before his inauguration picking up trash. So as Lurie takes on his first days as San Francisco mayor, Id suggest he look beyond both his harshest critics and strongest sycophants, and think of the man who walked a similar road. Home News Biden awards Pope Francis Presidential Medal of Freedom President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, recognizing him as a recipient of the nations highest civilian honor. The Biden administration announced the honor following a conversation between the president and the pontiff. Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the White House said in a statement Saturday. The distinction is part of the Nations highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Officials said this occasion marks Bidens first time awarding the medal with distinction. The official citation for the honor reads, As a young man, Jorge Bergoglio sought a career in science before faith led him to a life with the Jesuits. For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. The citation describes him as a loving pastor who responds joyfully to childrens questions about God and as a challenging teacher who commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. The text also refers to him as a welcoming leader who reaches out to different faiths, noting the significance of his position as the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. Above all, he is the Peoples Pope a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world, the Biden administration statement concluded. Although such recognition typically involves a White House ceremony, no immediate details were provided about any related event. Biden's Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said last week that Biden wouldn't be traveling to Rome due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. Jean-Pierre said that once the president returned from Los Angeles, he made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead. However, she did not indicate whether the visit would be rescheduled before the end of Bidens presidential term on Jan. 20, only adding that the White House would provide further information soon. Biden had initially planned to travel to Italy on Thursday night and meet with Francis over the weekend. Biden, the first Roman Catholic to serve as president of the United States since John F. Kennedy, has earlier clashed with Catholic Church leadership in the U.S. over his steadfast support of abortion. In October 2021, Biden received communion at St. Patricks Church in Rome a day after he said Francis called him a good Catholic amid the debate at the time over whether pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be given the sacrament. Supporters of denying communion to Biden and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians pointed to the Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law, which states that those obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion as the justification for their position. Francis has also faced numerous controversies, including pushback against his decision to promote transgenderism by inviting a group of trans-identified men to dine with him during a luncheon at the Vatican in 2023. Home News Travel: New Orleans is open as the state steps forward to keep visitors safe I found myself in one of the great American cities. Its a city that some might argue isnt an American city. Dating back to 1718, when France established a colonial outpost, New Orleans has a rich culture and extensive history and heritage. French, Spanish and Caribbean influences are visible in the French Quarter or Vieux Carre, the citys oldest neighborhood. Originally, I planned my trip to coincide with the Jan. 8 anniversary of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, the final battle in the War of 1812. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Despite the battle having occurred after a peace treaty to end the war had been signed, the American victory over the British cemented U.S. sovereignty on the North American continent. It also made Major Gen. Andrew Jackson a national hero and later propelled him to the White House, where he became one of the most consequential presidents in history. My plans changed when New Orleans was attacked by a jihadist in the early hours of the New Year. I ended up postponing my visit by a few days. I would arrive in the Crescent City as President Joe Biden was in the quarter for an interfaith memorial service at the Cathedral of St. Louis. Dedicated to Louis IX, a French king in the late 13th century who was later canonized as a saint, this landmark rebuilt in the mid-19th century is the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop and has been a pillar of the community since the earliest days of French settlement. In front of the cathedral is a plaza and the much-larger Jackson Square, which, as its name might suggest, is named after the hero of New Orleans. It was here in 1803 where the French tricolor was lowered for the Stars and Stripes after Napoleon somewhat questionably sold 828,000 square miles of the now-contiguous United States for $15 million in 1803 dollars. That transaction, the Louisiana Purchase, set the foundation for American expansion, which as an idea continues with President-elect Donald J. Trumps not-so-serious trolling of Canada and his very serious idea of acquiring Greenland. Is New Orleans safe? That was a question I kept asking myself over the course of four nights at a hotel just a short walk from the French Quarter. I interviewed Louisiana Lieutenant Gov. Billy Nungesser, who isnt just a political spare if something happens to the governor. Unlike other state lieutenant governors, he has real authority. In Nungessers case, he oversees the department that includes tourism the states fourth-largest industry. When asked point blank if he had confidence in Mayor LaToya Cantrell keeping New Orleans safe for visitors, he said no. Prior to this horrible incident, I was seeing major changes and improvements in crime in the quarter, Nungesser said. In saying that, the mayor is completely I dont want to say she doesnt have a clue she just doesnt care. For Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, youre going to see a presence of federal officials, state police, other sheriff offices leaning in to absolutely make the city safe. The problem predates the terrorist attack, which could have happened anywhere. You cant put up a barrier on every street in every city in the country. Nungesser also praised Gov. Jeff Landry for moving Louisiana State Police troopers into the quarter to protect arguably the most valuable product in the states $1.9 billion tourism industry. We are going to make this city safe, he said. The food, the music, the culture is like nowhere else in the world. Nungesser is right about that. Louisiana and, more specifically, New Orleans truly do hospitality better than any other place I have visited. If you go I stayed at the Le Pavillion, a new addition to Marriotts boutique-inspired Tribute Portfolio brand. The location, a couple blocks from the French Quarter, is superb. For restaurants, eat at Brennans, where the dessert bananas foster was invented, and Antoines Restaurant, which dates to 1840 and is the citys oldest restaurant. For those visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art, nearby Ralphs on the Park is recommended. Of course, no visit to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the iconic Cafe du Monde for a cup of chicory-blended coffee and a beignet doughnut covered in powdered sugar. Visitors to the 1815 battlefield, which is in the care of the National Park Service, can see the actual battlefield and explore the visitor center with its small but excellent museum related to the War of 1812 and the battle itself. In addition to regular and special Roman Catholic services, St. Louis Cathedral is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to visit. Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post. Home News Pakistan's oldest seminary removes chairman amid accusations corruption The chairman of the Board of Directors of Gujranwala Theological Seminary, Pakistans oldest seminary, has been removed from his position over allegations of financial corruption and gross irregularities in a building project, and alleged illegal and unconstitutional actions that have damaged the operations of the institution once known as the cornerstone of theological education in the subcontinent, Christian Daily International has learned. The seminary, commonly known as GTS, was founded by United Presbyterian missionaries from North America in 1877 to train national pastors in accordance with scriptural and creedal principles generally recognized as Evangelical and in accordance with Reformed Theology. Since 1954, the seminary has been serving the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan (PCP), the United Church of Pakistan, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and other churches. According to its official website, the seminary has graduated 12,280 pastors who are serving churches in Pakistan and other parts of the world. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Investigation finds questionable practices in building project An extraordinary meeting of the board on Jan. 2, presided over by the former vice chairman, Bishop Humphrey Peters of Peshawar Diocese and attended by three other bishops of the Church of Pakistan and representatives from the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan (PCP) and Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church, considered the findings of an independent review conducted by the seminarys management of the project of a new academic block. The review report prepared by Tariq Haneef & Co Chartered Accountants, a copy of which was reviewed by CDI, makes startling revelations regarding the project funded by donations raised from the U.S. and other sources. According to the report, the project was carried out unilaterally by the former chairman, Presbyterian Pastor Reverend Majid Abel, without the boards written approval. Instances were noted that no formal approved budget plan for the project was available neither any formal implementation plan, including execution timelines, milestones, or monitoring mechanisms, were developed. It was observed that donations were received in accounts not formally approved for the project, including the chairmans personal accounts, with no supporting agreements or evidence of fund transfers, a summary of the report made for the board members states. The report also revealed a clear conflict of interest involving the contractors and the former chairman. It was identified that the contractors Mr. Tariq (the owner of WISHZ Builders) and Mr. Ashraf (the owner of DAWOOD Builders) were the real brothers of the chairman and also the companies were on the name of their children. The chairman has made sole decision and did not involve the management while giving the contracts. This connection raises concerns regarding impartiality and the transparency of the contracting process, the report noted. According to the finding's, DAWOOD Builders was paid an amount of 9.1 million Pakistani Rupees ($32,714) between March 2022 and June 2023, but the seminary doesn't have any records, such as original invoices for the payments made to him. Similarly, WISHZ Builders was paid 3.4 million Pakistani Rupees ($12,170) between August 2023 and March 2024. The absence of original bills or invoices suggests that payments made to the contractors may have been fraudulent, the report noted. The report also points to absence of any formal agreement between GTS, Presbyterian Education Board (PEB), Friends of GTS (FGTS) and other donors regarding the funding for the project. Moreover, the funding transaction channel adopted by the chairman was not authorized by the board and significant discrepancies were found in the recording and management of the donations meant for the project. Two receipt books were used for recording donations, including one printed by GTS and the other allegedly illegally printed by Rev Abel, which raises concerns about the integrity and transparency of the donation process, the report said. This points to possible financial misappropriation by the chairman who, on one hand, was raising and receiving funds for GTS, but on the other hand was giving the money as loans to the seminary, which were subsequently reimbursed to him [from donations received from FGTS and other donors]. Unusual loans by the chairman with no explanations of origin The report goes on to reveal that Abel, who was also the sole international fundraiser for the seminary since assuming the position in 2019, had given loans amounting to 16.2 million Pakistani Rupees ($58,000) from July 2022 through March 2024 from his personal bank account to the seminary for administrative expenses and building construction. According to record, the seminary has repaid him 12.9 million Pakistani Rupees ($46,427) from the donations it received from the FGTS and other donors, while 3.2 million Pakistani Rupees ($11,500) were still outstanding. The repayments, however, were not documented, which "raises the concern that he may claim the same amount many times." Furthermore, the loan amount given by the chairman surpasses the funds that FGTS has sent to the seminary specifically for the construction project. According to the report, the seminarys accounts from July 2022 through March 2024 show that a total of 28.7 million Pakistani Rupees ($103,000) were received in shape of donations and loan for the construction project from FGTS and other donors between July 2022 and March 2024, of which 14 million Pakistani Rupees ($40, 942) were loaned by Abel alone, of which 10.6 million Pakistani Rupees ($37,965) were repaid to him. CDI repeatedly contacted PEB Executive Director Veeda Javed, also a member of the GTS board, as well as FGTS' Executive Director, the Rev. Robert Johnson, via email, text messages and calls for their comments on the issues highlighted in the report, but they did not respond. Chairman challenges his removal, calling meeting 'illegal' A resolution passed by the board members stated that in view of the reports findings, Abel has been removed from the position with immediate effect and barred from representing the seminary at any forum. The meeting's participants then elected three new office-bearers to replace the chairman, vice chairman and treasurer. A Presbyterian pastor from Faisalabad, the Rev. Emric Joseph, was unanimously elected as the new chairman, along with Elder Naveed John Bhinder as the vice chairman, and Elder Wilbur John as the treasurer. Calling the meeting that removed from his position illegal, Abel told CDI that as per the GTS constitution, only the boards chairman could call a special meeting of the board. Five members of the board had written to me asking for holding a special meeting of the board in view of the principal, the Rev. Nosheen Khans negative activities, which were detrimental to the seminary. I issued notices for a special meeting on Jan. 4 which terminated her services and appointed me as the acting principal, he claimed. CDI has learned that the principal, who is also the executive secretary of the board, had drawn Abels ire for writing letters to board members and donors complaining about his alleged corruption in the building project and micromanagement of the seminarys day-to-day affairs, seeking their intervention. According to Abel, the office-bearers of the board could only be changed in the annual board meeting, which is held in March. Im still the legal chairman of the board and the decisions taken in the illegal meeting held on Jan. 2 have no effect, he reiterated. However, CDI has learned that the board headed by Abel has been declared infructuous by the relevant Punjab government department as it had not filed its renewal application last year. Meanwhile, the department has admitted the principals application for registration of the new board of directors. Responding to questions regarding the irregularities in the execution of the project highlighted in the review report, Abel did not deny the contents of the report but said the report was not authorized by "his board." The board did not authorize this report so it has no value. The building is standing there so I dont see the reason behind this controversy. Khan and some others are targeting me after I asked a board member to step down due to a controversy over his graduation degree, he claimed. When asked why he had delegated the construction work to his own brothers without calling for open proposals as per the market principle, Abel said that the seminary did not have the money to hire any other contractor. The seminarys classrooms are in a dilapidated condition and no development work has been done there in the last 70 years. A new academic block was much needed and everyone, including the principal, supported the project. If the principal or others were opposed to my brothers involvement, why did the management keep paying them for the work? he said. Abel, who is also the executive secretary of one of the factions of the fragmented PCP, was at a loss of words when asked to explain how he was giving such huge loans to the seminary and making frequent visits to the U.S., sometimes even twice a month, when his only known source of income was his pastoral salary and benefits, which, according to church sources, doesn't exceed $1,000 per month. Ive many sources of income but Im not obliged to disclose them, said the pastor. Longstanding issues: lack of transparency, no documentation, absolute authority CDI has found that the building project lacked transparency from the onset. The board members, including some senior bishops of the Church of Pakistan and leaders of the Presbyterian church, among others, ostensibly acted as mere rubber stamps largely oblivious to the manner in which Abel was singlehandedly executing the project. Insiders told CDI that the chairman had the support of the principal and some board members when he expressed his desire to start the building project. Khan admitted that she had supported Abels decisions but insisted that everything she did was in good faith and in the best interest of the seminary. The seminary has been struggling for finances for years, so when Abel offered to raise funds for it with help from his American friends, we agreed to his proposal. I had no idea then that the seminarys name would be misused by Abel to make a personal fortune and the foreign funds would become a leveraging tool for perpetuating his control over the institution, she said. According to the principal, her relations with Abel started deteriorating in 2023 after she refused to employ his female relative in the seminary and give an honourary MDiv degree to a close friend. He also wanted me to give him a faculty residence, which I denied after which his attitude towards me became very aggressive, she alleged. She added that on April 9, 2024, Abel unilaterally suspended her administrative powers without the approval of the board and executive committee and started micromanaging the seminary's affairs. According to Khan, though shes a member of the FGTS board, she has no knowledge of how much funds they or Abel have raised for the seminary other than the money sent to the seminary through the PEB. The entire matter of fundraising and building construction was solely dealt by Rev. Abel and no one else from the management was in the loop except a former female accountant who reported directly to the chairman, she said. Khan claimed that whenever she demanded the required documents, Abel told her that the donors do not like such demands and they could stop the funding. He even threatened to hinder the 2024 graduation ceremony if I raised this matter before the donors, the principal said. Explaining why the seminary couldnt receive foreign funds directly in its bank account, Khan said that the institution hadnt yet been able to register itself with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of the Pakistan government. Without the EADs approval, no charity or non-government organization can receive foreign funds, she said. We also have no information as to what explanation the PEB has given to the EAD regarding the funds it is receiving on behalf of GTS, she added. Responding to Abels claim that the review report was unauthorized, Khan said that the boards Finance Committee in its meeting held in June 2024 had decided to conduct an independent review of the construction project. This decision was recorded in the minutes of that meeting so how can Abel call it unauthorized? she asked. Rejecting the Abel-led meetings decision to terminate her as principal, Khan said that she is continuing to hold her office. As head of the institution, it was my moral responsibility to call the special meeting on Jan. 2 to apprise the board members about the former chairmans corruption and unconstitutional actions. Ive the full support of my faculty and board members and weve already commenced the session with the blessings of our new chairman. In fact, the students and faculty are very happy that the board is now being led by a pastor who is known in the church for his impeccable character and love for Christ, she said. A board member confirmed to CDI that they had not seen or approved any contract, MoU/TOR or other document related to the building project. We did get verbal briefings about the progress of the project but nothing was shared with us in writing. It has always been a tradition in the GTS Board that no document is shared for the board members perusal, said the boards former vice chairman, Bishop of Multan Diocese Leo Roderick Paul. Bishop Paul said the non-Presbyterian board members were often told that they couldnt question the source of funds because they werent contributing to the project. We only give a paltry amount to support the seminary so we didnt really push for details, he said. According to Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah, a former moderator of the Church of Pakistan and the director of the Christian Study Center, the McIntire movement's arrival in Pakistan in the 1970s had a devastating impact on the Presbyterian Church, GTS and the church in general. Since then, the institution has struggled with negativity, fragmentation, nepotism, and injustice, ultimately compromising its vision. Instead of producing disciples of Christ, GTS began turning out church politicians and hypocritical religious zealots, Bishop Azariah told CDI. The senior bishop said that the Presbyterian church's significant influence over GTS has led to church politics and fragmentation, causing division and mistrust among board members. To move forward, GTS requires reforms, including new leadership in the board and administration to ensure financial, administrative, and institutional transparency. The seminary must return to its original vision of producing disciples of Christ, rather than church politicians. It's essential for church leadership to step aside and allow new leaders to take responsibility. Ultimately, GTS is accountable for the church's poor leadership and witness, he stressed. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Passion 2025: Pastor urges young people to rise above shame: The enemy wants to steal your future Speaking to a sea of young adults gathered at Passion 2025, Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, D.C., delivered a message of redemption, hope and renewed mission, urging attendees to embrace faithfulness and rise above shame despite their shortcomings. Anchoring his sermon in John 21, Stuart unpacked the narrative of Peter's restoration by Jesus after his devastating denial, framing the story as a call for believers to rise above shame and move forward into their God-given purpose. Faithfulness, Stuart began, is what Jesus calls us to, even when we fall short. He brought the story of Peters return to fishing, the miraculous catch of fish, and Jesus probing question Do you love me? into focus. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Stuart emphasized Jesus grace-filled approach to Peter, noting that even in the moment of Peters deepest shame and failure, Jesus did not cast him aside. Instead, He recreated the circumstances of their first encounter, using a miraculous catch of fish to remind Peter of his original calling. He recreates the moment of connection, Stuart said. How does Jesus treat you when the thing you swore youd never do again, you do again? He comes for you. He calls you back. He recreates the moment of connection, and in doing so, says, the door is still open, the relationship is not lost. 'I am still connected to you. I still want you.'" "That's what He does to Peter, and that's what He's doing to many of you, that when the moment comes, when you say, 'I did it again. I made these choices. I went to dark, sad, broken places God has banished me.' No, He shows up on the shore and calls you home. The relationship is still open." The pastor added that Jesus actions were deliberate, both in recreating the miracle and in addressing Peters denial directly, so that Peter could confront his shame and move forward in freedom. Stuart described the charcoal fire around which Jesus and Peter met in John 21, highlighting its symbolic significance. There are only two charcoal fires in the Bible, Stuart explained. The first was where Peter denied Jesus three times, and the second was where Jesus restored him. Jesus recreated the moment of Peters failure, not to shame him, but to heal him. Stuart recounted encounters with people who had wandered from faith, carrying the weight of their past mistakes. I remember talking to a guy once who was drunk, and when he found out I was a pastor, he said, I used to be in Young Life. Then he just trailed off, looking at himself like, What happened? Stuart said. Thats Peter in this story. Hes asking, What happened? And Jesus response is to show up and call him home. Shame, the pastor emphasized, can paralyze people and steal their future. The enemy wants to steal your future by reminding you of the sins of your past, he said. But Jesus puts His hand on the wound not to hurt you, but to heal you. Stuart reflected on Jesus playful interactions with the disciples after His resurrection. He calls them little boys and asks, You dont have any fish, do you? Stuart said. Its a gentle way of showing them their way isnt working. Hes not dismissive of their sin, but Hes also not harsh. Instead, He cooks them breakfast. Why? Because you eat with people you like. Transitioning from restoration to mission, Stuart emphasized that Jesus didnt just restore Peter; He recommissioned him. What does Jesus say to Peter after asking if he loves Him? He doesnt drag him back into shame. He says, Feed my sheep. He calls Peter forward into his mission. Stuart reminded attendees of the stakes of their faith and the needs of the world around them. There are sheep who are suffering people in your colleges, high schools, and towns who need the hope you carry, he said. Gods not calling you back into the boat to fish. Hes calling you to care for His sheep. He warned against allowing shame or distractions to sideline them, adding: Dont let shame steal from you the future God has for you and dont let comparisons hold you back either. When Peter asked about John, Jesus said, What is that to you? You follow me. Thats the message for all of us. Jesus is talking to you about you. Stuart closed by addressing those who might feel that Jesus message of grace and mission isnt for them. You might think, Peter betrayed Jesus, but you dont know what Ive done. Let me tell you something: Jesus paid for that sin. He went to the grave with it and rose again to offer you life. Hes calling you back into relationship, back into mission, he concluded. Dont retreat. Throw yourself into the sea like Peter and swim toward Him. Hes waiting for you on the shore. Launched in 1995, the Passion Movement has the stated aim of calling students and leaders from campuses across the nation and cities around the world to live for what matters most. Over the years, Passion has given over $18 million to 70 partner organizations around the world. Part one of Passion 2025, geared toward 18-25-year-olds, was held Jan. 2-4, with part two held Jan. 6-8. The theme of this year's conference was "For His Renown" and featured founder Louie Giglio, Sadie Robertson Huff, Jackie Hill Perry, Jonathan Pokluda and others, with music from Brooke Ligertwood, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, KB and Passion Music. Home Opinion 7 reasons why prayer, not politics, will save our nation In recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred within some segments of the Evangelical church. Increasingly, believers have focused more on political engagement as the primary means of achieving national transformation. As a result, prayer often symbolized by the altar is sometimes dismissed or neglected. Those who emphasize prayer over political activism are even mocked or deemed irrelevant in some circles. But is this focus on politics over prayer biblical? Is engaging in the civic arena truly more important than seeking God at the altar when it comes to moving the needle toward systemic change and biblical values? In this article, the altar represents prayer, while thrones symbolize civic government. While there is certainly a place for political engagement in the life of the believer, the Bible makes it clear that spiritual transformation begins at the altar, not at the throne. By examining Scripture, we find that although leaders play an essential role in a nations fidelity to God, the true power for national change comes from a life devoted to prayer and obedience to God. The books of Kings and Chronicles offer vivid illustrations of this truth. These books highlight a leaders influence over a nations faithfulness to God, but they also show the importance of the altar. King David, for example, was victorious in battle not because of his military prowess but because he had a heart after God. Similarly, every king who followed David only succeeded when they remained faithful to Yahweh. So, while there is certainly a place for leadership and political influence, prayer and sacrificial obedience to Yahweh are more potent when it comes to national transformation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Here are seven biblical reasons why altars are more powerful than thrones: 1. Our battle is not against flesh and blood The apostle Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 6:10-13 that our struggle is not against human enemies but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms that oppose Gods Kingdom. Political leaders and earthly systems are often the physical outworkings of deeper spiritual realities. Revelation 16 speaks of evil spirits influencing the kings of the earth, and Revelation 13 describes how the Dragon (Satan) uses political systems, like the Roman Empire, to oppose Gods purposes. This means that the Churchs primary battleground is in the spiritual realm. If we want to see lasting change in our nations, we must first win the battle through prayer before expecting results in the physical world. Without prayer, political engagement is like fighting a battle with no weapons. 2. Jesus said His Kingdom is not of this world In John 18:36, Jesus declares His kingdom is not of this world. He does not mean that His kingdom is absent from this world but that its power and authority do not derive from earthly governments. Jesus did not rely on political structures to advance His kingdom, nor should we. The early church understood this truth. Despite facing intense persecution from the Roman government, they did not organize political revolts. Instead, they prayed, preached, and lived out the kingdom of God, trusting that God would move through them to transform lives and nations. 3. Prayer can shift the destiny of nations In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges believers to pray for kings and all those in authority so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. This passage reveals the power of prayer to influence even the highest levels of government. Prayer can bring about peace, stop wars, and create conditions for spreading the Gospel. While political engagement has its place, prayer can shift the very destiny of a nation by bringing divine intervention into human affairs. 4. When the altar is rebuilt, the fire comes down In 1 Kings 18, we read the dramatic story of Elijahs confrontation with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Despite Ahabs position of power, Elijah, a man of prayer, brought the nation back to God. Elijahs first step was to rebuild the altar of the Lord, which had been neglected. When the altar was restored, God responded with fire from Heaven, demonstrating His power to the entire nation. This account shows us that Gods presence and power will follow when the altar is rebuilt in our lives and our nations. Political leaders may hold influence, but the true transformation begins when people return to prayer. 5. The power of Daniels prayer Daniel 9-11 shows how Daniels persistent prayer and fasting moved heaven and earth. For 21 days, Daniel humbled himself before God, seeking understanding and interceding for his people. As a result, God dispatched angels to fight spiritual battles on Daniels behalf. Daniels prayer influenced the course of history, leading to the return of the Jewish people to their homeland. His story reminds us that real battles are fought and won in the spiritual realm, and prayer is the weapon that moves the hand of God in world affairs. 6. Jesus taught that prayer can bind and loose things on earth In Matthew 18:18-20, Jesus taught His disciples that the prayer of agreement has the power to bind and loose things on earth as they are in heaven. This teaching highlights the spiritual authority given to believers when they pray in unity. Spiritual realities deeply influence the physical world, and through prayer, the church can impact what happens in both realms. If the church neglects prayer in favor of political engagement, it forfeits the divine authority that comes from binding and loosing in the name of Jesus. 7. The early church changed the world through prayer As described in the book of Acts, the early church transformed the Roman Empire in just a few centuries. They did not rely on political power but on the power of the Holy Spirit, which was released through prayer. Time and time again, we see that prayer preceded every major move of God in the early church, as noted in the Acts narrative. From the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to the missionary journeys of Paul, the early church understood that the key to Kingdom advancement was not political influence but prayer. Through prayer, they started a global movement that continues to this day. In conclusion, is political engagement important? Absolutely. However, political activism should never be a priority over prayer meetings. Home Opinion Secular spirituality grows among educated. Is this revival? According to a recent report from statistician Ryan Burge, the belief in miracles has risen in recent years among the college-educated, the group most correlated with materialistic beliefs. In 1991, just 45% of Americans with a bachelors degree said they definitely believe in miracles. However, according to the U.S. governments General Social Survey, that number climbed to 63% by 2018. The change was even more dramatic among those with graduate-level degrees. In 1991, a mere 30% of those with at least a masters degree believed in miracles. By 2018, that number had jumped to 61%. Apparently, education is no longer the de-supernaturalizing influence it once was. In fact, those with higher education are as likely to believe in miracles as those without higher education. However, these surprising numbers are part of the larger story of Western secular society. The standard prediction about the West has been that the growth and expansion of technology would continue to make us more secular and that more secular would mean less belief in God and the supernatural. But, the percentage of atheists and agnostics in America has hardly budged, even among the group Burge refers to as the non-religious. Even the so-called Great de-Churching has not been a mass conversion to atheism, but rather an explosion of what sociologists call nones, people with no religion in particular. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Making sense of this apparent contradiction requires rethinking what it means to be secular. For example, just as rejecting religion is not the same as rejecting the supernatural, so an increased openness to the supernatural should not be equated with religious revival. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat has suggested that the softening toward signs and wonders among college-educated Americans may simply reflect the general resilience of supernaturalism. This is not the same thing as embracing faith, Christian or otherwise. Put differently, there is such a thing as a secular spirituality, and that may be what we are seeing today. In the middle of the 20th century, the eminent sociologist Peter Berger proposed the secularization thesis. He speculated that as societies advanced into the modern, scientific age, religion would lose its grip on people. In its place would be a secularism that, among other things, was marked by a rejection of anything supernatural. Decades later, Berger renounced this thesis, recognizing the resilience of religion. For example, the world had become more religious, not less. Christianity is projected to number 2.7 billion or 33.8% of the worlds population soon, while atheism and the non-religious are declining as a percentage of world population. In this sense, the West is an outlier. However, its not clear that Bergers self-rejected thesis was wrong. More than 25 years ago, another observer argued that the form of secularism overtaking our society wasnt Dawkins-style materialism. Rather, it was the tendency to think about the world and to live not as if God does not exist, but as if He were largely irrelevant. In his book The Way of the Modern World, Dr. Craig Gay suggested that our modern, consumeristic and, yes, secular world elevated convenience, control, and choice above all other values. Thus, we may still believe in God and want spirituality, but our approach mimics shopping or eating at a buffet, in which we pick and choose what we like rather than relying on the authority of Scriptures, traditions, or creeds. In this view, the West is as deeply secular about spirituality as about technology, politics, or anything else. An example is the disturbing video that recently went viral which portrayed white-collar Americans on an ayahuasca retreat in Central America. Spiritual tourism is big business, and these tourists, sitting in the dirt violently vomiting from hallucinogenic drugs while local guides wiped their chins, were willing to pay for their manufactured miracle. The growth of spiritual secularism, or secular spiritualism, does not disprove the secularization thesis, but it does reframe it. To be clear, the understanding of spirituality that has emerged in the West is as far from Christian as the non-spirituality that was predicted. The mixing and matching approach suits customers who believe they are in charge, and that the right techniques will give them the convenience, control, and choice Gay described, even beyond the physical world. Some, including higher profile former secularists, are by Gods grace finding the One who is the Truth and actually in charge of the universe. Others are finding themselves, in this increasingly popular marketplace of secular spirituality, deep in pagan darkness, subjected to forces they cant possibly understand, let alone command. Which is why the increased openness to miracles among educated Americans is mixed news. Secular spirituality is far from revival. Christians know of these other forces capable of counterfeit miracles but that lead away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This should cause us to cry out for mercy for those who are being deceived. Originally published at BreakPoint. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A recent report from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and consultancy firm Hello Tomorrow highlights the rapid growth of deep tech startups in Saudi Arabia, with 50% of these startups focusing on AI and IoT. These sectors are emerging as key drivers of innovation and investment in the Kingdom, with over 43 high-growth startups collectively raising more than 987 USD in funding. Saudi Arabia has become one of the leading ecosystems for tech startups in the Middle East and North Africa , ranking among the top three for funding and deal activity. This success is a testament to the growing availability of venture capital, a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, and government support for innovation-driven ventures. The deep tech sector, while still in its early stages, is drawing significant attention from international companies and investors, eager to tap into the countrys potential for technological advancement. The surge in AI and IoT-focused startups is directly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework designed to diversify the Kingdoms economy and reduce its reliance on oil revenues. Vision 2030 aims to foster a knowledge-based economy and establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in technology and innovation. The deep tech sector plays a crucial role in achieving this vision, positioning AI and IoT at the forefront of the Kingdoms digital transformation. CLEVELAND, Ohio With the advent of wayfinding apps on our phones and cars, confounded folded maps have disappeared from car glove compartments, where no one ever keeps gloves or even a mitten. Confession an Ohio map rests in one of our cars, in case of technical difficulties, but its never been consulted. Maps are not just wayfinding tools. They help us understand the places we live and visit. The shape of our state and country are familiar and reassuring. A simple silhouette is enough to identify them. Most people worldwide know and feel this. But maps are also storytellers and historians. They reveal how bodies of water, mountains, canyons and deserts affect where people live. New renditions illuminate border changes, the differences pointing out which countries are no longer and which countries are now set and how some lands have been negotiated into a different shape. A globe map always supersedes a flat map, because a schematic of a sphere can never become a regular rectangle. Distortion resolves the most northern and southern latitudes, but the wall map of the world is what many have known. Growing up, I thought Greenland was bigger than the lower 48 states. I also thought the U.S. was ALWAYS at the center of every map everywhere, which now makes me smile. Our grade school maps were a U.S.-centric view, while kids in the UK or Japan saw their home countries centered in their maps. None of us knew the nation-centric influence existed. The fact is it would take a little more than four Greenlands to cover the continental United States. Its the worlds largest island that is not a country and has belonged to the Kingdom of Denmark for about 645 years. It lies about 1,300 miles from the tip of Maine and is in line with the shortest direct route between Europe and North America, as a crow flies over the Arctic Circle. This makes Greenland a very strategic location for the defense of both continents. In 1814, the Treaty of Kiel officially transferred Greenland to Denmark. It was a peaceful and respectful process. This is kinda similar to how Alaska became part of the U.S. Through the 1600s (Colonization Period), Great Britain had acquired lands throughout what is now Canada. By 1763, it officially owned all of the known Canadian expanse, except for the very northwest area, now Alaska, which Russia claimed as its own. Since only furriers visited the area, Russia didnt invest in it even though there was (and still is) only 53 miles between the most western point of Alaska and the most eastern point in Russia. In that 53 miles, are two islands, Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (U.S.). Only 2.5 miles of water separate those little guys, and thats very close without sharing a border. Sadly, a costly Crimean War left Russia broke. At the same time, Russia felt threatened by then- arch enemy Great Britain and its growing global strength. To solve both the cash crunch and the vulnerability of its eastern coastline, Russia asked the United States to buy Alaska in 1859. This conveyance would protect it from conflict with Britain and help refill its coffers. Bad timing for America, because it was soon distracted with the American Civil War. Still, U.S. leaders knew the Northwest Pacific edge was important. Finally, in 1867, the U.S. paid $7.2 million for the area that became the 49th state. Since then, Russia has had no presence in continental North America. The U.S. has fortified its Pacific Rim outpost. The purchase process and boundary setting were peaceful and respectful. Today, we hear Americas president-elect Donald Trump claiming Greenland must belong to the U.S., and that he wouldnt rule out using military force to acquire it. Really? Greenlands strategic location is a fact. But to take by force? Nonsense. The United States of America is a diplomatic democracy, a world leader, and its leaders should act with diplomacy, rather than making irrational demands. In Greenlandic, the local language, the island is called Kalaallit Nunaat, which means Land of the People. Which people? The 56,000 or so who live there, thats who. Is Denmark looking to sell off the ice chunk? No. Although the island uses more kroners than it generates for its motherland, Denmark values its island and in December dedicated about $1.5 billion to improving defense there. Denmark senses a threat, and it is not the only country seeing it. In his end-of-year speech, Mark Rutte, NATOs secretary general, and former Dutch prime minister of 14 years, warned all 32 member countries, of which the U.S. is one, Danger is moving towards us at full speed. We must not look the other way, we must face it. Whats the danger? Russia. Rutte says Moscow is preparing for long-term confrontation with the West. Note: The West is every country west of Russia, beginning with Poland on the frontline and then the rest of Europe onward. The Secretary-General said NATO members arent ready but must become so to avoid the high cost of what happens if a member is attacked. The need for increased defense investment is huge, and it must happen now, according to Rutte. Japan has already taken action. Its cabinet recently approved a record 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) to increase response if attacked. Leaders sense the potential aggression of Russia, China and North Korea. The investment makes sense. Greenland can remain a world peace maintenance zone by its presence between two continents. Denmark and the U.S., along with the other 30 members of NATO, must stick together. Let Greenland be Kalaallit Nunaat. Let the U.S. champion collaboration to strengthen its defense of home and allies. Its the only way to keep the world map from caving in. Leslie Kouba is a freelance writer residing on Clevelands West side and writes regularly for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. Her columns draw attention to ideas, concepts, social needs and political shenanigans. Sometimes, she writes humorously, because laughing is her favorite activity. She values relationships and deep conversations (because small talk gets us nowhere). When Aron Olegnowicz-Cruz thinks about his future, he foresees getting his MBA and working in business. But for now, the 22-year-old works as a special education teacher at an elementary charter school in Columbus, Ohio. Olegnowicz-Cruz is in his first of two years teaching with Teach for America , the nonprofit that recruits recent college grads to teach in underserved schools across the U.S. Olegnowicz-Cruz, who studied political science and psychology at the Ohio State University and took a pre-MBA summer fellowship at Harvard Business School, hadn't planned to teach. Then he learned about TFA from through the Association of Latino Professionals for America. He learned that taking a teaching job today could help him achieve his personal and long-term career goals. A teaching job with financial and work-life stability TFA has its fair share of critics, including those who say it fails to help low-income students access qualified teachers, and that corp members' two-year commitments accelerate turnover in areas that need stability. Meanwhile, supporters say the program brings people from elite backgrounds into the classroom and can encourage a new wave of leaders to join the education system overall. Teaching isn't exactly a low-stakes profession: It's notorious for its low pay, burnout rates and staff shortages. For its part, TFA has worked to address common challenges and appeal to Gen Z college grads, who like Olegnowicz-Cruz are increasingly concerned about their post-college financial stability and work-life balance while making a meaningful, positive impact early in their careers. Though he had the option to teach in Miami or New York, Olegnowicz-Cruz was happy to learn that he could stay and teach in Columbus, where he says having friends and family nearby have helped him avoid the post-college isolation of moving to a new community. Plus, he says his $49,000 yearly starting salary helps him live comfortably there, whereas he felt the local pay in pricier cities wouldn't have stretched as far. "I am a big advocate of diving into the unknown and the thrill of meeting new people in a new chapter," he says. "But I also understand that in the undertaking of a job as emotionally demanding as teaching, especially in an underserved school, I wanted to make those factors a little bit easier on myself and stick with something that would bring me comfort." Olegnowicz-Cruz began TFA training last summer to develop instructional skills and completed an onboarding intensive at his placement school prior to working with students. He meets the requirements set by the Ohio State Board of Education and is licensed to teach special education. His day-to-day Olegnowicz-Cruz gets to school by 7:30 a.m. every day to prepare for classes starting at 9. Throughout the day, students visit his classroom for one-on-one specialized sessions to work toward their learning goals, whether it's learning how to read or better understanding the math lessons their general education classroom is learning. Olegnowicz-Cruz also visits some students in their classrooms throughout the day to provide individualized instruction to students alongside their general education teacher. He sees a handful of students every day, with breaks to supervise recess, until class dismisses at 4:15 p.m. He spends the rest of his afternoon lesson-planning, holding meetings with teachers, reaching out to students' families, and overall keeping track of the progress his students are making. It's a "lucky" day when he can leave school by 6 p.m., when he says a visit to the gym helps him physically and mentally decompress. The biggest challenges of his job are things beyond his control, like when students arrive late to school because of unreliable transportation issues. His schedule, while blocked out for every minute, must also be flexible to fit in students who arrive late or have to move their session with him to another time. For every challenge is also a bright spot, especially one-on-one reading sessions with his students, who range from 4 to 10 years old, Olegnowicz-Cruz says: "That's got to be the most emotionally rewarding part of the job, is teaching kids how to read." Making an impact White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (R) looks on as Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), speaks remotely during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | Afp | Getty Images The U.S. military is prepared to deploy to help contain the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell said Sunday. "There are active duty military personnel that are on a 'prepare to deploy' order, that are ready to go in and continue to support the firefighting effort," in an interview on ABC's "This Week," Criswell said. "Those incident commanders at each of those command posts, they are going to know exactly what they need. And if they need anything else, we're able to come in and support them." That includes 500 active duty Marines and 10 Naval helicopters, according to the Department of Defense. When asked why the state hasn't requested military assistance yet, Criswell said she would defer to the incident commanders, who "know what the needs are, where they need to put people." California National Guard personnel gather during the Palisades Fire near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 11, 2025. David Ryder | Reuters "And often, in these situations, it's very strategic. It's not necessarily about always putting more people on that," she added. "We have to make sure that it's safe. And, you know, you can only have so much aircraft in the space. And so, they would have the specifics about the strategies that they're using, but we want to make sure that we're not late to need, and if they have that need, they can move them in." Criswell said her "biggest concern" is that Los Angeles is "still in such a dangerous situation" as the wildfires rage on. "The red flag warnings have been reissued. The winds are coming back. And we still want to make sure that people are in a safe place," she said in a separate interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." "I know that that's hard for so many because they want to get back in, they want to see their home, they want to see if there is anything left," Criswell continued. "But this life safety piece, not just for them, but making sure that our firefighters don't get hurt as well, that is the most important piece as they continue to try to contain this fire." Wind is a major concern. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said strong gusts of wind could spread the wildfires further in the next 48 hours. The wind whips embers while a firefighter battles the fire in the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson as the wildfires burn in the Los Angeles area, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 9, 2025. Ringo Chiu | Reuters "The challenge is the winds. We've got these winds coming back this evening, Sunday night. We've got peak winds on Monday. We're going to see 50-plus mile-an-hour gusts, subject to change," Newsom told "Meet the Press" Sunday in Altadena. "So now we're pre-positioning assets. And we're pre-positioning not just here in the theater, those existing five-plus fires, but now broadening that to a number of other counties and moving farther south with some of those resources in anticipation we could see some flare-ups in new places, new starts." "These winds change the dynamics of this fire, and so I'm concerned for the safety of our firefighters, concerned for their ability to continue to contain this fire, and I want people to make sure that they are listening closely to what local officials are saying, so they can stay safe and they can stay out of harm's way," FEMA's Criswell said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday. Asked why officials have been unprepared to handle the fires, Criswell told Brennan "they were very prepared," but "they have never seen 100-mile-an-hour winds that are fueling the fire, and those winds and that weather condition is what really impacts where this fire is going to go." A member of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department holds a smartphone as smoke billows from the Palisades Fire threatening homes in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 11, 2025. Shannon Stapleton | Reuters January 11, 2025: The war in Ukraine has cost the Russian military over a million soldiers dead, disabled or fled the country. Several million more military age men have left the country or gone into hiding while still in Russia. There are labor shortages everywhere. Employers often cooperate with their military age employees when the police or military recovery teams come looking for men to mobilize into the army. Russian men know that military service is a virtual death sentence. If you have the money, you can bribe your way into a non-combat job. The Russian economy is a mess and few families can afford bribes. In desperation the government is seeking to mobilize over 100,000 men in prisons. The convicts are granted pardons, freed and join the military. If they desert, the pardon is revoked and warrants are issued for the arrest of the reluctant and faithless soldiers. Popular attitudes towards the use of pardons to get criminals to serve in the military are horrifying to parents of men with no criminal record. The pardoned criminals are seen as unreliable and dangerous to their fellow soldiers For the military the situation is desperate, as the number of men willing to fight continues to dwindle. This is not a new problem, in 2023 there was growing opposition to conscription and voluntary enlistment. This has led to lowering of standards of those mobilized into the military. The standards could only be lowered so far before the number of partially fit men now subject to conscription or mobilization into the military reaches the point where the unfit outnumber the fit and the medical expenses for the partially fit men becomes more than Russia can afford. Normally, men with HIV, Covid19, poor vision, diabetes, cancer and susceptibility to strokes were not taken into the military. Then they were and that meant more medical expenses for the military and problems finding useful work for the partially fit in the armed forces. Many healthy Russian military age men have found ways to avoid military service, including obtaining false documents about their medical condition, bribes to conscription or mobilization authorities or simply illegally leaving the country. With partially fit men now eligible, the bribes and illegal migration will continue as will popular opposition by families of men being taken into the military. This widespread opposition is something the government cannot ignore indefinitely. Meanwhile the government continued making large cash payments to non-criminal men who would join. That appealed to men from rural areas, where incomes were lower. In the cities and urban areas employees received higher pay and men there were opposed to trading their comfortable lives for life in the military. Initially the government insisted that there was no war for these men to be sent into. Ukraine was described as a pacification of a region that was once part of Russia. That excuse lost its credibility as the number of Russians killed or disabled in Ukraine approached 300,000. Taking partially fit men is not only more expensive in terms of medical costs, but it means more families of partially fit men will openly oppose these changes. Even if most of the partially fit men are not sent into combat, non-combat military jobs can be strenuous and many partially fit recruits will not be able to handle it. The government has a hard time justifying this and, as more of the partially fit escalate to totally unfit while in the military, their families will grow angrier at the government. This cannot be ignored because Russia ceased being a dictatorship in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. The new, somewhat democratic, Russian government learned to pay more attention to public opinion. This resulted in long demanded changes to conscription and the conditions of military service. Conscripts now serve only one year and the new laws prohibit them from being sent to fight in a foreign war. Russia then proclaimed that Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine were not involved in a war but a necessary effort to fight NATO aggression. This explanation was not popular but tolerated. That has changed as more Russian soldiers died in Ukraine. The invasion failed while losses in weapons and manpower were larger than expected and continue to get worse. Dealing with that problem by taking partially fit men into the military is seen as a desperate measure that will only increase Russian losses in personnel and money spent on death benefits for the families of soldiers allegedly killed as well as a growing increase in medical costs for wounded or disabled soldiers. Taking the partially fit made this worse. Russian popular opposition to the war and the government are also increasing, something that Russian politicians are forced to deal with and having a difficult time handling. California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) tours the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted President-elect Donald Trump's response to the California wildfires in an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" recorded Saturday, saying, "Mis- and disinformation I don't think advantages or aids any of us." Newsom appeared to be referring to Trump's posts on Truth Social blasting Newsom, President Joe Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass since the fires broke out Tuesday. In one post, the president-elect baselessly claimed Newsom had blocked a measure that would have allowed water to flow from Northern California to Southern California. "Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way," Trump wrote, using an insulting nickname for Newsom. In that post, Trump added that Newsom "wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn't work!)" and "he is the blame for this." "Responding to Donald Trump's insults, we would spend another month," Newsom told NBC News' Jacob Soboroff. "I'm very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them." He added that Trump was "somehow connecting the delta smelt to this fire, which is inexcusable because it's inaccurate. Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state." In another post, Trump wrote, "NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!" and appeared to falsely claim, as he did last year in the aftermath of several hurricanes, that money had been drained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. At least 16 people have died in devastating wildfires across the greater Los Angeles area. On Friday, Newsom wrote a letter to Trump inviting him to come to his state and tour the destruction. "I invite you to come to California again to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand, and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line," the governor wrote. Rhetoric & Writing Studies Major, Adamary Garcia studies inside of the Perry-Castaneda Library at the University of Texas at Austin on February 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images If your federal student loans were forgiven in 2024, you may be wondering if there are any tax implications. Many borrowers have benefited from education debt cancellation under the Biden administration. While in office so far, President Joe Biden has cleared nearly $180 billion in federal student loans for 4.9 million people. More than 1 million people had their debt cleared in 2024. If you've had your debt excused last year, here's what to know at tax time. No federal taxes on relief through 2025 You could owe taxes to your state Despite the current federal policy on forgiven student debt, it's possible a borrower could still face state taxes. Currently, a handful of states tax certain kinds of student loan forgiveness, Kantrowitz said. That could be because their state tax code doesn't conform to the federal one or hasn't been updated to reflect the American Rescue Plan. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., July 27, 2024. Kevin Wurm | Reuters With the levers of power in Washington, D.C., about to change hands, a raft of pro-crypto legislation is expected from Congress and the Trump administration. To date, there's been less focus on the cybersecurity side of the political effort, which could be an issue for crypto in relation to its popularity among a wary U.S. population. Cryptocurrency, which includes not just bitcoin but ethereum , dogecoin , and others, has a faithful following among American adults. According to the Pew Research Center, 17% of American adults have traded in crypto, but that market share of American wallets has remained virtually unchanged since 2021. Meanwhile, according to a poll Pew conducted shortly before the election, 63% of adults say they have little to no confidence in crypto investing or trading, and don't think cryptocurrencies are reliable and safe. The incoming Trump administration has been touting its crypto bona fides, with a focus on the industry rather than the consumer. "The No. 1 most important priority for the industry is to make sure they have a regulatory framework so that they can do business," said Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), who helped author the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) that addresses the treatment of digital assets under U.S. law. The law passed in the House with bipartisan support but has not been taken up by the Senate. FIT21 did contain specific crypto-cybersecurity provisions, which Johnson predicts will be built upon in the new administration. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and a co-author of FIT21, says the cybersecurity provisions in the bill are still key in the upcoming administration. "FIT21 requires important cybersecurity safeguards for financial intermediaries engaging with digital assets," Thompson said in a statement to CNBC, adding that FIT21 includes explicit provisions to ensure that regulated firms take steps to evaluate and mitigate cyber vulnerabilities to protect both the services they offer and assets they hold on behalf of their customers. "These cybersecurity requirements are critical for protecting digital asset markets and market participants," Thompson said. watch now Some experts, however, doubt that there will be as much action on the security side of the legislation, given that crypto proponents are closely advising the Trump administration. "Personnel is policy," says Jeff Le, vice president of global government affairs and public policy at Security Scorecard and a former deputy cabinet secretary in the California governor's office. The top ranks of the incoming economic team, made up of SEC Chair-designate Paul Atkins, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary-designate Scott Bessent, "have had a track record of supporting cryptocurrencies," Le said. Among other major posts in his second administration, President-elect Trump has appointed venture capital investor David Sacks to be his AI and crypto "czar." Crypto industry's role in political realignment The crypto industry donated significant sums to the 2024 election cycle, contributions that were not limited to the GOP, but focused more broadly on lawmakers with an industry-friendly view of crypto regulation. It's likely that will continue to influence political calculations. The pro-crypto and bipartisan super PAC Fairshake and its affiliates have already raised over $100 million for the 2026 midterm elections, including commitments from Coinbase and Silicon Valley venture fund Andreessen Horowitz, an early backer of Coinbase. Top Andreessen Horowitz executives have been tapped for roles in the Trump administration. "We have the most pro-crypto Congress ever [in] history, we have an extraordinarily pro-crypto president coming into office," Faryar Shirzad, chief policy officer at Coinbase, recently told CNBC. "It is rare to see cryptocurrency proponents advocate for increased regulation in the space, regardless of reason," said Jason Baker, senior threat intelligence consultant at GuidePoint Security. Baker says the anonymity and independence of cryptocurrency are often cited as primary benefits that legislation would curtail, and cryptocurrency's decentralized nature makes it hard to regulate in a traditional sense. "Given current signaling from the incoming administration and the interests of cryptocurrency proponents influential to the administration, we do not anticipate significant advances in cryptocurrency regulation within the next four years," Baker said. If there isn't much action on regulation, there are some obvious ramifications for cybersecurity, he said, driven by the correlation between a pro-crypto Washington, D.C., and bullish bets by investors on digital assets. "Cybercrime is often driven by benefits from increasing cryptocurrency value. In ransomware, for example, ransoms are commonly demanded in USD, but payments are made most frequently in bitcoin. When the value of bitcoin increases, cybercriminals will benefit," Baker said. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon The value of bitcoin has risen significantly over the past three months in what has been a risk-on market environment. January 11, 2025: The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine failed as a military effort but was successful at creating many new opportunities for corruption. This included Russians of all types. At the high end, senior officials at the Defense ministry were outrageously corrupt and did little to hide it. These men were safe in the knowledge that if any of them were prosecuted, they could bribe their way out and still have a lot of money left. The current round of corruption scandals began in mid-2024 with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministrys personnel directorate was hauled into court. Within weeks more arrests were made. All those detained faced charges of corruption, which were usually denied. The arrests started shortly before President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term on May 7. 2024 as a longtime ally, longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, was demoted. This immediately raised questions about whether Putin was reasserting control over the Defense Ministry amid the war in Ukraine, whether a turf battle had broken out between the military and the security services, or whether some other scenario was playing out in Moscow. To many this seemed to be a return to the Russian government long described as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Corruption scandals are not new and officials and top officials have been accused of profiting from their positions for decades. Corruption in Russia is used to encourage some officials, while prosecutions punish those who do not collaborate. Corruption is used to encourage officials to remain loyal to Vladimir Putin or one of Putins associates. Then there is the blackmail technique. Putin prefers officials with embarrassing secrets. When selecting key officials in his government Putin selects the ones most vulnerable to blackmail. Putin wants subordinates who have a secret they want kept secret. The Russian government constantly searches for such secrets so it can threaten to publicize them if the officials do not do as they are told. This hidden secret policy and tolerance for corruption are the key elements in running the current Russian government. Since 2022 the Ukraine War has led to much larger defense spending that has increased opportunities for graft. In 2021 the Russian defense budget was 2.7 percent of GDP but in 2024 it was six percent. Over the next few years the government plans to spend 30 percent of the government budget on the military. Earlier in 2024 the first official arrested for corruption was a former Deputy Defense Minister who presided over military-related construction projects that had high priority, access to lots of money and few financial controls. One of the projects was the reconstruction of the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The Ukrainians held out for a long time and the Russians had to fight hard to capture a city of ruins and unusable factories and port facilities. The recent arrests are not described as part of an anti-corruption campaign but rather ongoing activities throughout the Russian government. Thats another way of admitting that corruption was everywhere and ongoing as an essential element of making the government work. Key officials make little effort to hide their new wealth. They do this through ostentatious displays ranging from hundred million dollar yachts to new wrist watches that cost several times their official annual salaries. These displays of stolen wealth by senior government and military officials and their family members were so extensive and obvious that it enraged Russians who were suffering economically because of the cost of the war. There were more personal costs because nearly a million Russian soldiers have been killed, disabled or disappeared in Ukraine since early 2022, and their families and friends blame the Russian government because it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, not the other way around. During World War II, the last time Russia was invaded, there was little corruption in part because 13 percent of Russians died in that war. Most of them were killed by the Germans but many were killed by the Russian government in order to maintain loyalty. After 1941 prompt obedience to orders was a matter of life or death for Russian soldiers and civilians because military officers and NKVD secret police personnel could kill any Russian displaying reluctance or refusal to carry out orders. The desperate situation during World War II limited opportunities for corruption. The war in Ukraine is different but as many corrupt officials are discovering, not different enough to keep them out of prison or an early grave. The recent arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment of senior officials who were corrupt, or too obviously corrupt, has sent a message to all senior officials in jobs giving them access to the swollen defense budget that is now 6.7 percent of GDP. Before the invasion it was 2.7 percent. Putin thought the invasion would quickly overthrow the Ukrainian government. That did not happen and the costs of that war are more than Russia can afford. This is nothing new, it was decades of spending 15 percent of GDP on defense, and tolerating a lot of corruption by senior officials, that caused the Soviet Union to collapse in 1991. Many Russian economists and bankers believe another economic collapse, similar to what destroyed the Soviet Union, is possible unless the increased defense spending is restrained along with the growing corruption. Media has established a pretty specific image of a hacker. A pale face lit by the glow of multiple monitors and with a screamingly high words-per-minute on their keyboard. After all, everyone knows that the faster you type, the faster you hack. But hacking isnt always carried out from a Mountain Dew bottle-infested den. Multiple highly successful hacks utilize offline cyber-espionage, even, in what movies have portrayed as a hackers greatest fear, through face-to-face interaction. After all, the weakest part of most modern computer systems is behind the keyboard. These methods are commonly described as social engineering. Don't Miss Here are five common ones 5 Pretexting Shutterstock Cybercrime might be a high-tech field, but some relatively luddite approaches are still effective. For example, pretending to be someone else. Pretexting involves assuming a different identity, whether over the phone or in person, in order to gain information. Usually, this information seems perfectly innocuous, but provides hackers with angles to either later hit that person with a detailed phishing attack, or possibly to have better information on the system theyre planning to break into. It can even be a way to get answers to security questions, which arent nearly as protective as their name implies. It could be a fake job interview used to learn more about a companys security, or calling someone with a fake survey that finds out common security answers like first pets or first concerts. Advertisement 4 Quid Pro Quo Shutterstock Again often carried out over the phone, quid pro quo sees the hacker offering something the target wants in exchange for access to their system. Despite the name and that description, its not as cut-and-dry as Ill send you money if you give me your log-in credentials. Instead, its usually an offer of something that's common enough that it's likely the person might need help with it slow internet speed or cable issues, for example. If you were to cold-call people in New York City saying youre from Spectrum, and asking if theyre having internet problems? Probably 70 percent of people are, and if theyre not on their toes, they may hand over stuff like account information or their social security number. If youve ever gotten a call saying that your Windows system has a problem, and offering to fix it? Youve been on the other end of a quid pro quo attempt. Advertisement Advertisement 3 Piggybacking Shutterstock Piggybacking, also called tailgating, is a sometimes physical attempt to get access to a computer or network via an approved user. Someone using a work laptop in a public space might be asked by a stranger with a supposedly dead phone if they could quickly google something. Or, they could borrow a phone itself, supposedly to text someone, but in reality to get access to stored information. Piggybacking can also take the delightfully corporeal form of asking an employee to hold the door to get into private areas, where they might have network access thats prevented from the outside. 2 Baiting Advertisement Shutterstock Most social engineering attacks rely on human nature, and baiting relies on one of the strongest human instincts there is: curiosity. Malicious software is installed, probably in a hidden partition, on a flash drive, which is then left sitting around. If a passerby makes the mistake of wanting to know whats on the flash drive bad enough to plug it into their computer? Kaput. They might not even know anything happened, as the flash drive might appear empty contrary to popular belief, most hacks dont immediately spawn a dancing skeleton on your desktop which then enables the infected hardware to spread that program to others. If youre doubting the efficacy? Baiting is possibly responsible for the Stuxnet hack that destroyed Iran's nuclear weapon system. Advertisement Should we object when foreigners meddle in our internal business? Some liberal thinkers say we should welcome it. National independence, as an idea, has been going through a bad patch recently. Countries are not free to decide their own affairs. Solemn treaties forbid them to say who may or may not cross their borders. International Charters of Rights prevent once-proud nations from making their own laws. Supranational bodies, especially the EU, rob their members of key features of independence, especially frontiers and currencies. This may be welcome to unhappy peoples living in misery and oppression. Yet, in contented and prosperous states, such as ours still mostly is, there are many who can see the point of independent nationhood. Indeed, we recently voted to get it back. Britain, one of the oldest-established nations on the planet, has especially strong reasons to think this way. We are bound together with an ancient and almost mystical web of laws, traditions, customs and habits. We understand our fellow-countrymen a hundred times better than we understand those who do not share our heritage. We laugh at the same jokes, know the same history, feel at home in the same landscape, and share an ultimate togetherness despite regional differences, political loyalties, class divisions or anything else. We are British. Outsiders are as baffled by us as we are by them. One thing that unites us above all is the threat of interference by those who are not British. These unifying patriotic forces are so complex and tangled that foreign visitors have puzzled over them for centuries and they have more than once underestimated us as a result, mistaking patience, tolerance and forbearance for weakness. These interlopers all eventually withdrew to lick their wounds. Elon Musk, no doubt a brilliant businessman, is interested in involving himself in our politics Mr Musk is wooing Dominic Cummings, whose ride through the upper regions of UK politics has been almost as chaotic as Mr Musks journey from major entrepreneur to minor prophet Mr Musk first entangled himself with Nigel Farages Reform UK, but is already showing signs of having no idea what he is doing Now we find that an American citizen, Elon Musk, no doubt a brilliant businessman, is interested in involving himself in our politics. Yet he obviously knows little or nothing about us. He first entangled himself with Nigel Farages Reform UK, but is already showing signs of having no idea what he is doing. He veered in a matter of days from smiling friendship to stinging criticism. He spoke of contributing money to Reform. But he then turned on Mr Farage, sneering that he does not have what it takes, and should be replaced. It might be rather hard to pull back from such a brutal personal denunciation, and we may suspect that relations between Mr Musk and Mr Farage are now a good deal cooler than they used to be despite Mr Farages claims of a rapprochement. Mr Farage could of course explain it all away by pointing out that Mr Musk, who has foolishly boosted the repellent Tommy Robinson, is rather erratic, to put it politely. But in that case why would he want to be shackled to such an unpredictable person by chains of money? How will Mr Farage react to The Mail on Sundays revelation today that Mr Musk is also wooing Dominic Cummings, whose wild ride through the upper regions of British politics has been almost as chaotic as Mr Musks journey from major entrepreneur to minor prophet? It would be hard to find two more disruptive people in either Britain or the USA, and - unless you like chaos it is very worrying to think of them working together to influence our national affairs. Britain has plenty of problems, not least a Labour government that has lost its way with amazing speed. Kemi Badenoch needs to rebuild the Tory brand as soon as possible. But things are not so bad that we need a tech billionaire let alone one guided and aided by Dominic Cummings to rescue us. Aries (March 21 to April 19): The Full Moon and Mars together shine a light on home, family, and emotional foundations. You might feel torn between professional ambitions and the need to create a peaceful sanctuary. Youre now being called to address unresolved family dynamics or make changes to your living situation. Do be cautious of disagreements with family members now. On a deeper level, this Full Moon encourages you to explore your family roots and how they shape your current sense of security. You might also notice a shift in how you prioritise emotional well-being versus external achievements. Your ruler Mars will help you carve out time for self-reflection itll help you find the balance you're seeking. Taurus (April 20 to May 20): The Full Moon illuminates your house of communication, learning, and community. Conversations with siblings, neighbors, or colleagues may take on a deeper emotional tone, pushing you to express yourself more authentically. You might feel full of energy and if you've been juggling a hectic schedule, this is a help, but dont overdo things, you may actually need to reassess your priorities. Writing projects, travel plans, or educational pursuits may demand attention, with surprising opportunities coming your way. Stay open to fresh perspectives but avoid getting caught up in minor disagreements. Focus on clarity and connection this is a moment to align your thoughts with your long-term vision. Gemini (May 21 to June 20): The Full Moon highlights finances, personal values and self-worth. Its time to evaluate how your money habits align with your broader goals. Are you spending on what truly matters? Or could you refine your priorities? Mars is giving you more energy for spending, however, do be careful of unexpected expenses or shifts in income which may arise. On the upside, these moments also bring clarity and growth. This Full Moon encourages you to stand firm in your values, even when external pressures challenge your boundaries. Partnerships may play a role in financial discussions, so be open yet firm when negotiating shared resources. Matters of an intimate nature might also arise now. Cancer (June 21 to July 22): This Full Moon in your sign is deeply personal, casting a spotlight on your emotions, identity, and relationships. Its a powerful time for self-reflection, as you balance your needs with those of others. Are you giving too much without receiving? Or perhaps its time to shed outdated habits that no longer serve your growth. Relationship dynamics may also reach a turning point, with heightened clarity about what works and what doesnt. This is a time for independence and autonomy as you become more authentically you. Use this energy to step into your power with confidence and grace. Pay attention to your appearance and identity now. Emotional breakthroughs are likely if you listen to your intuition. Leo (July 23 to August 22): The Full Moon brings your inner world into focus, urging you to rest, reflect, and recharge. Unconscious patterns or past wounds may surface, offering a chance for healing and release. This is a time to step back from the hustle and reconnect with your spiritual self. Meditation, journaling, or creative pursuits can bring profound clarity. It could also be a tad frustrating at the moment as you probably have desires and goals that cant seem to be fulfilled just yet. However, you might also find that behind-the-scenes efforts come to fruition, offering quiet yet significant rewards. Trust that taking time to nurture your Soul now will prepare you for bolder moves in the weeks ahead. Virgo (August 23 to September 22): The Full Moon conjuncting Mars highlights friendships, community, and long-term goals. A project or group effort may reach a climax, revealing its successor showing you where adjustments are needed. Friendships could be a source of support or drama, depending on how aligned you feel with your social circles. The Sun and Pluto are opposite, so it could be a tad turbulent with friends and groups. This is a great time to assess whether your dreams still are on par with your daily reality. If not, its time to make some amendments. Networking opportunities may arise but choose connections that truly resonate with your values. Authenticity will guide you toward fulfillment. Libra (September 23 to October 22): The Full Moon and Mars light up your house of career, status, and public image. Professional milestones or challenges could come to a head, offering a chance to shineor recalibrate your direction. Theres a great surge of energy for professional advancement or recognition. However, obstacles may arise in your career pursuits. This is a time to reflect on how your career aligns with your personal values and aspirations. You may also feel pressure to meet external expectations, but dont let others o pinions dictate your path. Balance is keynurture your ambitions while staying connected to your emotional well-being. If you're considering a career pivot, trust your instincts and take that first step. Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): The Full Moon together with Mars expands your horizons, urging you to explore new ideas, cultures, or philosophies. You may feel called to dive deeper into study, travel, or share your wisdom with others. education or publishing projects may also reach a turning point. This is a time to embrace curiosity and let go of limiting beliefs. A fresh perspective could come from unexpected sources, offering clarity and inspiration for your future plans. Challenging domestic matters may arise now. However, staying open to experiences that challenge your comfort zonetheyll lead to meaningful growth. Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): The Full Moon is together with Mars in your house of intimacy, shared resources, and transformation. Deep emotional or financial matters may come to light, urging you to confront what lies beneath the surface. Its a powerful time for healing and release, especially if you've been holding onto past grievances. Partnerships, whether romantic or business-related, may require honest conversations about intimacy, trust and boundaries. This Full Moon also encourages you to review financial agreements, investments or debt management strategies. Embrace vulnerabilityits the key to fostering deeper connections and long-term stability. Its important to be honest, especially with yourself. Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19): The Full Moon together with Mars in your house of relationships brings partnerships into sharp focus. Significant others, whether romantic, business, or platonicmay reach a turning point. Are your needs being met, or is there room for improvement? Theres a likely surge of energy in relationships that can be exciting but also argumentative. However, its also time to address imbalances, set boundaries, or take relationships to the next level. If single, you might gain clarity about what you truly seek in a partner. Stay open to emotional insights, theyll guide you toward greater harmony and connection. Remember, balance between your identity and the needs of healthy relationships is key now. Aquarius (January 20th to February 18): The Full Moon and Mars shine a light on health, routines, and daily responsibilities. You may feel the need to restructure your daily schedule to prioritise well-being or improve your work-life balance. Pay attention to signs from your bodyits time to take care of your physical and emotional health. A work project or collaboration could reach completion, offering a chance to celebrate progress or refine your approach. This Full Moon also encourages you to reassess how your habits supportor hinderyour larger goals. Small, intentional changes can lead to big rewards now, so make the necessary adjustments. Pisces (February 19 to March 20): The Full Moon and Mars highlight creativity, romance, and self-expression. Its a moment to celebrate your unique talents and share them with the world. You might feel inspired to complete a creative project or take a bold step in matters of the heart. Mars gives a boost of energy for leisure and pleasure as well. Relationships with children or younger people could also come into focus, offering opportunities for connection and growth. You may also deal more with your own inner child who needs some attention now. If you've been holding back, this Full Moon encourages you to embrace joy and spontaneity. Let go of self-doubt and allow your inner light to shine. Source: Rose Smith January 12, 2025: At least 2,000 of the French UX11 kamikaze drones are being sent to Ukraine. Developed and built KNDS in collaboration with Delair, the UX11 also known as Colibri, is a loitering munition that weighs 1.5 kg, has a 1.1m wingspan top speed of 60 kilometers an hour and an endurance of 45 minutes. UX11 is battery powered and propeller driven. It has an effective range of five kilometers from the operator and can reach altitudes of up to 2,000 meters. The operator uses the video link with the UX11 to search for a target. When one is found the drone dives into it, exploding on contact. The explosives carried are equivalent to several hand grenades and sufficient to damage or destroy unarmored targets, including groups of soldiers. These initial models of the UX11 cost about $23,000 each. Once UX11 enters mass production that cost will come down to under a thousand dollars each. KNDS, like so many other NATO weapons manufacturers, are donating new products to Ukraine to see how their products perform in combat. France has sent substantial military aid to Ukraine. One of the more popular and useful weapons was the Caesar truck mounted 155mm artillery system. After receiving its first Caesar artillery systems, Ukraine found that this novel truck mounted 155mm howitzer was more effective than towed or conventional self-propelled artillery systems that ran on tracks, like a tank. That led Ukraine to purchase more Caesar systems from the French manufacturer. The French had already increased production of Caesar systems to six a month and were preparing to increase that to eight a month. The manufacturer has also made several improvements and upgrades. These are often based on feedback from Ukrainian users. The changes include adapting Caesar for use on different types of trucks and upgrades to the fire control system that allow the use of different types of 155mm shells, including some that can hit targets fifty kilometers away accurately. This required upgrades to the fire control system to increase effectiveness of regular missions and as well as the accuracy of long-range missions. A semi-automatic loading system increases the rate of fire and requires less physical effort from the crew. Ukraine found that their first Caesar systems were the key to developing a more effective counterbattery or destroying enemy artillery operations. NATO was able to help with that because NATO also supplied very effective counterbattery radars that are used to calculate where enemy shells and rockets were coming from. This enabled the Ukrainians to fire back quickly, often while the Russian artillery was being moved to avoid counterbattery fire. Ukraine did this by developing a better fire control system that was much quicker to react using multiple well-dispersed individual guns and artillery rocket launchers, as well as their own UAVs that specialized in detecting targets, especially enemy artillery systems that were not firing. The Russians have nothing as effective as this and neither does NATO. Ukraine has some of the best software engineers in the world and they mobilized after 2014 to improve Ukrainian military capabilities. An additional advantage was the many Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied areas kept their Ukraine cellphones and, once the invasion began, joined local clandestine networks to provide GPS locations for Russian troops, headquarters, and supply stockpiles. The corrupt and poorly led Russian forces were unable to deal with the Ukrainian target location and artillery advantage. This is a major reason why, by late 2022 the Russians were not just retreating but often running away from the advancing Ukrainian troops and their numerous artillery attacks on targets behind the front line. These Ukrainian successes with artillery also revealed which artillery weapons were the most effective. The big winners were not armored self-propelled guns firing new, longer-range shells. The Ukrainians found that towed 155mm guns, like the M777 or truck mounted 155mm guns like Caesar were the best for supporting front line troops and counterbattery fire against enemy artillery near the front line. For more distant targets the best solution was systems like the American High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. This was a truck-mounted system that carried either six guided 227mm diameter rockets with a range of 80 kilometers, or one or two larger guided rockets with ranges of up to 500 kilometers. Western nations, especially the United States, have spent a lot of time and money trying to develop longer range shells and came up with larger armored self-propelled guns firing very expensive GPS-guided shells that could hit targets up to 70 kilometers away. The shorter barrel on the M777 and Caesar fired unguided shells out to 40 kilometers. This approach was a lot cheaper because M777 and Caesar were cheaper and more effective because both could set up quickly, fire several shells and then be gone in about a minute or two. That was quick enough to avoid counterbattery fire and the truck-based artillery systems were easier to keep operational. Plus unguided shells are far cheaper than guided ones. Tracked armored vehicles require a lot more maintenance by the crew and need replacement parts, like new tracks to replace worn ones, more frequently as well as a lot more fuel. The armor was sometimes useful but the truck mounted HIMARS system got a lot of battlefield experience in Afghanistan and elsewhere and found that some lightweight armor on the crew cabin was sufficient for protection from bullets and shell fragments. Truck mounted systems like Caesar often use this protected crew compartment feature as well. There is no doubt the body positivity movement is bigger than ever and, don't get me wrong, it's a great message to spread. 'Embrace your curves' and 'love the skin you're in' are plastered across most female-focused marketing campaigns and I respect and support every word. But what if those well-meaning mantras are not working for you? What if you don't even like the skin you are in? Sure, my body was lumpy and bumpy because I grew humans inside it, but, quite frankly, I didn't want to wear that with pride, and looking in the mirror only made me miserable. So, as I was nearing the end of my maternity leave at age 39, I decided to do something about it and booked myself a cheap mummy makeover abroad. On a mission to get some sun, sea and surgery, I immediately joined a load of Facebook groups to check my options. There was no denying the results people were sharing were amazing, but the prices were much steeper than I'd imagined. A mummy makeover in Thailand started at $17,000 (8,500), or $11,000 (5,500) for a facelift, and once I added flights and accommodation there was no way I could afford it. Jonica Bray first considered medical tourism at the end of her maternity leave at the age of 39 I got a mummy makeover in manila with plastic surgeon Dr Joel Unson (pictured before and after the procedure) My recovery was great and I was slowly walking around after just a couple of days Turkey was another cheap option, but flight prices and the massive 20-hour trek from my home in Australia put me off. That's when I stumbled across a post about the Philippines. Having holidayed there a couple of times, I felt pretty confident in the infrastructure and general safety standards, so I looked into it further. I soon found plastic surgeon Dr Joel Unson, who had hundreds of amazing before-and-after photos and five-star reviews. We did a Zoom consultation, and then Joel sent me to get blood tests and X-rays and have the results sent to him. My package cost $12,500 (6,300) and included flights, accommodation, a tummy tuck, a breast augmentation, muscle separation, a mons lift (also known as a pubic lift) and all the tests and medications needed. The Philippines actually has really strict rules around elective surgery, and I also had to have independent health tests, scans, more bloods and a meeting with a psychologist. I'm not going to lie: there were a few tears the night before surgery. I had all sorts of mum guilt for risking my life for vanity. I did have a little cry the night before I went under and felt all the mummy guilt My swelling after my facelift was insane and I worried if I would be allowed on the flight home I was in Manila for two weeks before the doctor gave me the all clear to fly home. (Pictured: Jonica before and after her facelift, from the front and side-on) I was asked for ID a couple of weeks before my 40th birthday - this is a photo from the night That was obviously playing on my mind when I woke after surgery too, because apparently I was yelling at everyone that I 'should have gone to Thailand' and they had all 'messed up and would be sorry'. I was mortified, but felt a bit better when they told me it was really common and they had heard worse. Thankfully no one had actually messed up and my surgery was a success. I was thrilled with the results. So thrilled, in fact, that I went back to Manila six months later for a second round of surgery. This time I picked Dr Rino Lorenzo for my lower facelift, upper eye lift, liposuction for my pesky double chin, and a fat transfer from my thighs to my cheeks. However, his approach was not as gentle as Dr Unson's had been. 'You look like an old lady,' Dr Lorenzo told me as he prodded my cheeks. 'It's really bad.' Watching my jowls jiggle in the mirror, I quickly decided to forgive his shocking bedside manner and handed over my credit card. All up, the surgery cost me $6,800 (3,400) plus $400 (200) budget flights with Cebu Air, and my hotel was around $90 (45) a night. I pre-warned the doctor about the possibility of a verbal attack as I came to, but I was clearly more relaxed that time around, and I'm pleased to report no medical staff were offended. After surgery, my swelling was insane and I could hardly recognise myself in the mirror. I was genuinely worried they would not let me fly home because I looked nothing like my passport photo. But after 14 days, I was given the all clear and headed home feeling and looking like a new woman. And honestly, this part sounds made up, but I swear it happened: a couple of weeks later, just before my 40th birthday, I got asked for ID! Look, the swelling was still pretty bad, and my sister screamed when I Facetimed her, but I'm taking it at a compliment. Meghan and Harry visited the Pasadena Convention Centre in LA on Friday The Duchess of Sussex made a nod to her hometown when comforting victims of the ongoing LA fire on Friday. Alongside Prince Harry, 40, Meghan handed out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre in Los Angeles, which is being used as an evacuation centre. The couple were spotted hugging Jose Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen - a company distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency crews in the wake of the wildfires. While the mother-of-two, known for choosing sentimental clothing pieces, opted for a low-key outfit consisting of a light blue shirt, black leggings, and white trainers, it was her hat that showed her love for the county devastated by the fire. While also helping to keep them anonymous, Meghan, 43, opted for a 23 LA Dodger hat in the shade 'essential blue', featuring a Los Angeles Dodgers 'LA' logo in white on the front. Harry followed in his wife's footsteps and revealed his love of his home in the US by sporting a vintage hat with a California bear on it, which features on the official flag of the state of California. The father-of-two also sported a casual outfit for the outing, complete with a black polo shirt and trousers. The couple were keen to provide any support they could, according to the Mayor, saying they were 'great people' with 'great personalities'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a nod to the area devastated by fire through their choice of headwear when visiting victims on Friday at the Pasadena Convention Centre 'They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,' the Mayor added. The interaction was broadcast live on Fox News, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later being slammed online for describing Meghan as 'Princess Markle'. She also received criticism for saying Meghan was 'hanging out with the commoners'. It comes after the couple opened the doors to their $29million mansion in Montecito, which is around 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires. Speaking to Fox News, Mayor Gordo said: 'They (Harry and Meghan) want to be as helpful as they can be and really they just want to be supportive.' He added that the couple visited some of the burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes. 'They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spend time. They are just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbours,' the Mayor said. Meghan donned a 23 LA Dodger hat in the shade 'essential blue', featuring a Los Angeles Dodgers 'LA' logo in white on the front Harry sported a vintage cap with a California bear on it, which features on the official flag of the US state of California Ms Hirasuna then asked: 'I saw Meghan Markle stoop down and take the lid off of a plastic bin. Do they want to really get down and dirty?' Mayor Gordo replied saying the couple 'were not here for publicity, they came out here to work'. He said Harry and Meghan made an earlier appearance at the centre, during which they were 'anonymously' serving food to victims who were unable to recognise the pair with their masks on. 'We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view firsthand some of the impacted area and then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbors,' the Mayor added. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California's First Partner, was also pictured speaking to the couple along with Chef Andres. Harry and Meghan have urged other Los Angeles residents to open up their homes for victims in a statement on their website, Sussex.com, as the wildfires continued to level celebrities' homes, leaving nothing but ash and rubble. The couple urged: 'If a friend, loved one or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. 'And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.' Meghan sported a LA Dodgers hat, pictured left, and Harry donned one with a California bear on it, pictured right, which features on the official flag of the US state of California Meghan spoke with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, who's home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are photographed speaking with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo 'Please consider donating clothing, children's toys and clothing, and other essentials,' they said, noting the American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need. Harry and Meghan have already done so, according to The Telegraph, and are working with their staff from the Archewell Foundation to identify the most effective ways to support the community. Donations have also been made to relief efforts through their foundation, which is also looking for opportunities to volunteer. Thousands of firefighters have been attempting to contain the wind-driven fires in California which have so far killed 11 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties. Blustery winds continue to whip across Los Angeles and could still ignite new fires, though they appear to have mellowed somewhat from their highs on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have started further east in Altadena, which forced major evacuations in nearby Pasadena on Tuesday night. More fires broke out in the Hollywood hills on Wednesday, threatening heavily populated parts of Hollywood. Stars, including Adam Brody and Leighton Meester had their homes destroyed, along with Anna Faris' mansion. John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy have also lost their houses. Actor James Woods shared a video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated ahead of the destruction of his house. The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed in the wildfire, and Spencer was pictured looking sombre at the approaching flames before his family was forced to flee. The Eaton Fire, which broke out just north of Pasedena, has been one of the most devastating, having claimed the lives of six people and burning more than 7,000 structures. The Duchess of Sussex's Suit co-star Abigail Spencer has hailed Meghan's support for Los Angeles fire victims as 'excellent'. Abigail, 43, who starred in Suits alongside Meghan Markle, also 43, and is due to appear in her upcoming Netflix series, With Love Meghan, took to social media to praise Archewell's post supporting victims of the devastating LA fires. Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan shared resources and ideas for those 'compelled to help' victims of the Californian fires. The couple, who live in Montecito, posted a link to various charities they've previously worked with and asked supporters to 'help those in need'. Abigail shared the post to her Instagram, writing: 'Excellent vetted resources for those looking to help'. The actress is a member of Meghan's inner circle despite her previously cutting several former co-stars from her life. Meghan and Abigail made headlines last April after they were seen beaming together in a series of Instagram pictures to support friend Kelly McKee Zajfen's Mother's Day campaign for her charity 'Alliance of Moms.' Abigail also made an emotional appearance in the Sussexes' 2022 Netflix documentary. Actress Abigail Spencer praised Meghan's support for victims of the Los Angeles fires, saying Archewell's post included 'excellent vetted resources' (seen together in 2016) Talking in the documentary, Abigail revealed that she was one of the first people to learn about Meghan's then-secret relationship with Harry. 'It was 2016, Meghan and I met up in New York,' she recalled. 'We really enjoyed going to have tea and champagne at Bergdorf Goodman. We'd be like, "Let's meet at the tea room at Bergdorfs." 'She's like, "Um yeah, I think I met someone and I'm in love. It's Prince Harry."' Like several of Meghan's other friends who feature in the Netflix show, Abigail was full of excitement over the earliest stages of their relationship. 'I could just feel everything in her body vibrating,' she shared. 'We have a photo from that moment. I was screaming because I could tell it was different. 'It was very clear from the moment she told me about him that they were in love and they were going to go to the ends of the earth to be together.' However, Abigail was also quick to make clear how much Meghan had sacrificed in order to make her relationship with Harry work, particularly under the burning glare of public scrutiny. On Friday, Meghan and Harry visited the Pasadena Convention Center to meet first responders and victims of the fires Pictured: Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Abigail Spencer as Dana Scott in 'God's Green Earth' Suits episode Abigail Spencer took to Instagram to share Archewell's post with resources to help LA fire victims 'She had a whole life before she met H,' she said. Abigail had a recurring role as Dana 'Scottie' Scott, Gabriel Macht's character's rival, on the legal drama Suits. Having started her career on All My Children in 1998, she has since had recurring roles on Grey's Anatomy, A Beautiful Now, This Is Where I Leave You, and the crime thriller film The Forger following her departure from Suits. She also received critical acclaim for starring as Amantha Holden in the Sundance Channel original drama series Rectify. It come as Harry and Meghan showed support for victims of the fires and handed out food parcels to those affected by the devastating fires at the Pasadena Convention Centre in Los Angeles on Friday. The couple were spotted hugging Jose Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen - a company distributing free hot meals to the public and emergency crews in the wake of the wildfires. Taking to Instagram after receiving a jar of Meghan's jam, Abigail wrote: 'This jam is my jam. A delicious taste of what's to come indeed. Love you so M @americanrivieraorchard Taking to their website, Sussex.com, the couple said: 'In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. 'A state of emergency has been issued. 'If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources and ideas,' they wrote. They are also encouraging people to 'open their home' to others affected and to donated to American Red Cross. 'If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating,' 'Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, childrens toys & clothing, and other essentials. The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.,' The couple were keen to provide any support they could, according to the Mayor, saying they were 'great people' with 'great personalities'. Meghan donned a 23 LA Dodger hat in the shade 'essential blue', featuring a Los Angeles Dodgers 'LA' logo in white on the front Harry sported a vintage cap with a California bear on it, which features on the official flag of the US state of California 'They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them,' the Mayor added. The interaction was broadcast live on Fox News, with news anchor Susan Hirasuna later being slammed online for describing Meghan as 'Princess Markle'. She also received criticism for saying Meghan was 'hanging out with the commoners'. It comes after the couple opened the doors to their $29million mansion in Montecito, which is around 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires. Speaking to Fox News, Mayor Gordo said: 'They (Harry and Meghan) want to be as helpful as they can be and really they just want to be supportive.' He added that the couple visited some of the burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes. 'They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spend time. They are just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbours,' the Mayor said. Ms Hirasuna then asked: 'I saw Meghan Markle stoop down and take the lid off of a plastic bin. Do they want to really get down and dirty?' Mayor Gordo replied saying the couple 'were not here for publicity, they came out here to work'. Meghan spoke with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, who's home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena He said Harry and Meghan made an earlier appearance at the centre, during which they were 'anonymously' serving food to victims who were unable to recognise the pair with their masks on. 'We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view firsthand some of the impacted area and then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbors,' the Mayor added. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California's First Partner, was also pictured speaking to the couple along with Chef Andres. Harry and Meghan have urged other Los Angeles residents to open up their homes for victims in a statement on their website, Sussex.com, as the wildfires continued to level celebrities' homes, leaving nothing but ash and rubble. The couple urged: 'If a friend, loved one or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. 'And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.' 'Please consider donating clothing, children's toys and clothing, and other essentials,' they said, noting the American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need. Harry and Meghan have already done so, according to The Telegraph, and are working with their staff from the Archewell Foundation to identify the most effective ways to support the community. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are photographed speaking with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo Donations have also been made to relief efforts through their foundation, which is also looking for opportunities to volunteer. Thousands of firefighters have been attempting to contain the wind-driven fires in California which have so far killed 11 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties. Blustery winds continue to whip across Los Angeles and could still ignite new fires, though they appear to have mellowed somewhat from their highs on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have started further east in Altadena, which forced major evacuations in nearby Pasadena on Tuesday night. More fires broke out in the Hollywood hills on Wednesday, threatening heavily populated parts of Hollywood. Stars, including Adam Brody and Leighton Meester had their homes destroyed, along with Anna Faris' mansion. John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy have also lost their houses. Actor James Woods shared a video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated ahead of the destruction of his house. The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed in the wildfire, and Spencer was pictured looking sombre at the approaching flames before his family was forced to flee. The Eaton Fire, which broke out just north of Pasedena, has been one of the most devastating, having claimed the lives of six people and burning more than 7,000 structures. A couple was shocked to find their Stanley cup completely untouched after a fire destroyed their entire home. Alexus Wilkins, from Denton, Georgia, took to TikTok earlier this week to share her devastation after her house had burned down. Not only did she and her fiance, Hunter Pittman, lose their entire abode, but pretty much all of their belongings were also destroyed in the blaze... except for one item: their Stanley cup. The couple were stunned to discover that the tumbler was in pretty much perfect condition despite the destruction. Alexus posted a short clip to the video streaming platform that showed her walking through what was left of her home. She made her way through rubble and soot, before she turned the camera to Hunter, who held up the pristine tumbler, which was the Stanley X Lainey Wilson Country Gold. 'When your house burns down and you go back to find one specific thing...' she wrote. The Georgia-native then cut to a close up video of the cup, which was covered in dirt but had no dents, scratches, or burn marks. A couple was shocked to find their Stanley cup completely untouched after a fire destroyed their entire home Alexus Wilkins, from Denton, Georgia, took to TikTok earlier this week to share her devastation after her house had burned down Not only did she and her fiance, Hunter Pittman, lose their entire abode, but pretty much all of their belongings were also destroyed in the blaze... except for one item: their Stanley cup 'IN THE LAINEY WILSON STANLEY WE TRUST,' she captioned the clip. Immediately, Alexus' TikTok went viral, gaining more than 12 million views in a matter of days. Many viewers were impressed by the Stanley cup's durability, and took to the comment section to share their thoughts. 'Petition for Stanley to build houses,' one person wrote. 'Stanley needs to make safe boxes at this point,' agreed another user. 'Note to self, keep valuables inside a Stanley cup,' someone else joked. 'This is good marketing for Stanley,' a fourth comment read, while a fifth said. 'That's literally crazy.' In a GoFundMe for the couple, Alexus' sister explained that their house had become 'fully engulfed in flames' which lead to them 'losing everything.' Immediately, Alexus' TikTok went viral, gaining more than 12 million views in a matter of days. Many viewers were impressed by the Stanley cup's durability, and took to the comment section Last February, a woman named Rachel claimed on TikTok that her Stanley had saved her life after a stray bullet tore through the walls of her home and ricocheted off the popular tumbler Plus, in November 2023, another TikToker named Danielle Marie Lettering revealed that a car fire incinerated her vehicle - but left the insulated container completely intact She added that Alexus was 'luckily' at work when it happened and that Hunter and his grandmother were home but 'made it out.' Unfortunately, she said some of their dogs 'were not able to be rescued.' 'They have all worked so very hard for the things that they have and continue to do so every day,' she wrote. 'We are thankful everyone made it out alive, but they need all of the help that they can get. 'Donations of any kind are greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please lift them up in your prayers.' This isn't the first time a Stanley cup has survived something horrific. Last February, a woman named Rachel claimed on TikTok that her Stanley had saved her life after a stray bullet tore through the walls of her home and ricocheted off the popular tumbler. Plus, in November 2023, another TikToker named Danielle Marie Lettering revealed that a car fire incinerated her vehicle - but left the insulated container completely intact. Meghan Markle has decided to delay the launch of her new lifestyle and cooking Netflix show due to the ongoing LA wildfire crisis. The programme, With Love, Meghan, was set to be released on January 15, but this has now been moved to March 4. A statement issued by the Duchess of Sussex on Sunday, three days before the series was scheduled to debut, read: 'I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.' With Love, Meghan reportedly includes tributes to the California-based royal's home state and her personal ties to it. Last week, Meghan and Prince Harry were seen participating in volunteering efforts in the wake of the deadly fires. On January 10, the Sussexes visited an evacuation site in Pasadena, California, where charity organisation World Central Kitchen was distributing food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire. According to People magazine, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, also donated money to the relief efforts through their charity, the Archewell Foundation. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo claimed that the royal couple, who volunteered anonymously, 'really buoyed the spirits of the first responders', during their visit. Meghan Markle has pushed the release of her new Netflix show to March 4 due to the LA wildfires The Duchess, 43, bills the series as creating 'wonder in every moment' as she shares her tips and tricks on living well Meghan Markle was spotted comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation centre on Friday amid the ongoing fires in LA 'It's great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected,' the politician told Fox News. He added that the couple visited some of the burnt out houses in Pasadena and Altadena and spoke to those who had lost their homes. 'They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spend time. They are just very caring people who are very concerned for their friends and neighbours,' the Mayor said. It comes after PR experts questioned the timing of the release of Meghan's Netflix cookery show and said it should be postponed amid the wildfires. They suggested to air it now could come across as 'insensitive' and 'tone deaf' and cause a fierce backlash against the royal couple. UK brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: 'I think Netflix bosses will be having to make some big decisions as whether to air With Love, Meghan in the next week. 'With the show being so centred on California life, Los Angeles and Montecito, providing a glimpse into aspirational and inspirational living, I suspect it will be pulled from its current schedule and delayed for at least a few months.' A description of the series on Tudum's website said: 'Produced by Meghan, With Love, Meghan blends practical how-to's and candid conversation with friends, new and old. 'Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. 'She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.' Flames engulf a structure as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena on January 7 So far 16 people have died in the fires, with US President Joe Biden making the terrifying prediction the death toll will rise further in infernos he has likened to a 'war zone'. Meghan and Harry also opened the doors to their $29million mansion in Montecito, which is around 90 miles from LA, to their friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate the ongoing wildfires. They have now urged other Los Angeles residents to open up their homes for victims in a statement on their website, Sussex.com, as the wildfires continued to level celebrities' homes, leaving nothing but ash and rubble. The couple wrote: 'If a friend, loved one or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. 'And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.' 'Please consider donating clothing, children's toys and clothing, and other essentials,' they said, noting the American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need. Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have started further east in Altadena, which forced major evacuations in nearby Pasadena on Tuesday night. More fires broke out in the Hollywood hills on Wednesday, threatening heavily populated parts of Hollywood. Stars including Paris Hilton, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester's homes were destroyed, along with Anna Faris' mansion. Meghan Markle speaks with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, and Doug Goodwin, who's home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena Flames near the Mandeville Canyon on January 11 Meghan and Harry pictured with other volunteers after helping LA wildfire victims Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stood alongside the embattled California governor's wife as they served meals to the survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy also lost their houses. Actor James Woods shared video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated ahead of the destruction of his house. The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed in the wildfire, and Spencer was pictured looking somberly at the approaching flames before his family was forced to flee. The Eaton Fire, which broke out just north of Pasedena, has been one of the most devastating, having claimed the lives of six people and burning more than 7,000 structures. A 'cheeky' crocodile in Indonesia has learned to 'mimic a drowning human' in order to lure others into predator-rich waters - according to locals. A video which shows a grown crocodile with its front 'hands' in the air appears to back the theory and has terrified millions of people after going viral. But according to Australian crocodile experts there is 'no way' wild reptiles would be able to learn such behaviour. Which means there's another explanation. Brandon Sideleau, a researcher of human and crocodile conflict at Charles Darwin University, told Yahoo News the crocodile has probably already made a catch. He said he has seen unusual maneuvers like this before, when a crocodile has been trying to overpower and eat prey. He added another, but less-likely, cause could be a neurological condition causing the crocodile to display unusual behaviour. Leading zoologist and crocodile researcher Professor Graham Webb agreed and said the crocodile could have had its tail caught on something in the river. A 'cheeky' crocodile in Indonesia has learned to 'mimick a drowning human' in order to lure others into predator-rich waters - according to locals Alligator expert Christopher Gillette also believes the manoeuvre has 'nothing to do with humans'. He claims the apex predator is simply 'feeling for fish' at the bottom of the murky river. But the expert views hasn't stopped the original message in the video - that crocodiles have learned to mimic drowning humans - from taking hold. 'Those look like human hands, OMG,' one woman commented on the video. 'Animals are so much smarter than we think!' said another. 'They have also learned to shed tears to gain empathy,' another claimed. The video was allegedly taken from the shores of the Barito River in Borneo. Australia has 200,000 salt water crocodiles, half of the world's total population, but only one or two deaths per year. This is because developing countries where more deaths occur, like Indonesia, don't have access to good plumbing. This means people must use the same rivers which are inhabited by crocodiles. Not because the crocodiles there have a particular taste for humans or see them as natural prey, experts advised. Amanda Hedges will never forgive herself for 'forgetting to live'. The 31-year-old thought she had plenty of time to splash out for seaside holidays, trips to the zoo, or visiting the snack aisle at a Costco one day. After all, only one of her grandparents has died and her impressive health record looked like it was following suit. She had never been to hospital and expected to live a long life. So she 'gave most of her life' to work, worries and simply 'existing'. Now she's dying of cancer. The young Brisbane woman has Glioblastoma, an aggressive, terminal brain cancer. It is inoperable and although she's fighting through seemingly endless rounds of chemo and radiotherapy, it won't cure her. 'The idea is to extend my life, the cancer won't go away,' she told FEMAIL. Amanda Hedges, 31, has months to live after getting cancer The young woman from Brisbane said she 'forgot to live' her life and wants other people to remember what's really important The heartbroken young woman's cancer horror began in September when she had a few light headaches after upping her anxiety medication. 'I asked my psychiatrist about it. They weren't bad headaches and went away with Panadol,' she said. Her psychiatrist suggested an MRI, she had never had one before and the specialist noted it could be a good idea, given her age. After the scan Amanda was sitting in the waiting room when the radiographer came toward her with a clipboard - and told her they would have to repeat the process with contrast. The bubbly blonde blurted out a joke, but didn't realise the punchline would send her world crashing down. 'I laughed and said sarcastically "what did you find... a brain tumour?",' she recalled. 'And the radiographer looked at me, dead pan, and said "yes".' Amanda immediately felt the room come in on her, it started spinning and then went black. Amanda is an only child and says she feels for her mum and dad who will have to live with her cancer diagnosis for much longer than she will She says her friends and family have been there for her - making her realise how badly she prioritised things at times 'I was sitting in the MRI trying not to cry. Because if you cry you move and they need a clear photo,' she said. The next day she went to the doctor with her parents, but it was somewhat reassuring news. 'My doctor said the scans showed a mass but it had firm edges and that most brain tumours are benign,' she said. There had been no major symptoms so everyone was feeling confident. Amanda was told she could wait a month to be seen by a neurosurgeon in the public system, or go private and be seen the next week. Because of her history of anxiety she opted the private route, she couldn't imagine 'not knowing' for weeks. The doctor ordered a FETPET scan, a special scan only available under private healthcare, an EEG and a CT scan. The EEG and CT scan both looked fine. But the specialist scan lit up - prompting her doctor to schedule a biopsy the following week. 'The scan showed the tumour was active, benign tumours aren't active,' she explained. 'And if you think of the scan like a traffic light - green is good, yellow is more concerning and red is very bad. It was all red and yellow - which meant it was very active.' The biopsy revealed the tumour was cancerous and Amanda started to see oncologists, meeting with a chemotherapy specialist first who talked her through options. She says her mum's support and bright spark help to keep her positive despite knowing she doesn't have long to live The first week of radiotherapy was tough for Amanda But those options were dashed a week later when she saw the radiotherapy oncologists. He had the full results from the biopsy and revealed Amanda's terminal diagnosis. 'My mum and dad were blurting out questions and I just felt myself shutting down,' she said. For Amanda only one thing mattered. 'I finally asked "how long do I have?" and the doctor told me maybe 15 months,' she said. Her cancer is typically seen in 'old people' aged 60-80 years old with most living between three and 24 months after diagnosis. 'I thought that would be good because I was young, I might last longer. But my cancer is big, which means it has already been there for a while,' she said. Amanda's first six weeks of treatment included radiotherapy and chemotherapy and left her feeling nauseated and breathless. 'It finished three days before Christmas. I was sleeping on Christmas day,' she said. Two weeks later and she has finally recovered enough to think about how she wants to live before she dies. 'If I had my time again I would do everything different,' she said. 'I would book a holiday to Bali or go to a buffet, or have a holiday on the beach and not worry about all the little things, or about money,' she said. She has a few weeks, until January 23, to make some of her bucket list dreams come true - before she starts chemotherapy again and feels too sick and is limited by how far she can travel from the hospital. 'I really want to stay at a hotel on the beach and just listen to the waves and forget that I am dying. Forget that I am me. Be someone else for a few days and just relax and have fun,' she said. 'I have also always wanted to head back to Australia Zoo and see Robert Irwin do a show. I saw his dad do one when I was a kid but I have always just put off going. 'And I really want to go to an all-you-can-eat buffet. I guess hotels would have that covered,' she laughed. With less than two weeks before she receives chemotherapy drugs again she's realised she must live her dreams now. 'I can't do these things when I am nauseous or on chemo every day,' she said. Amanda has created a GoFundMe to help with her bucket list and medical costs which continue to come in. 'Radiotherapy was $750 per week, the FETPET scan was $1,000, I have top-tier health insurance but it doesn't cover everything,' she said. 'I looked up hotels on the beach in Caloundra, but I was shocked by how much they cost - it is like $3,000 for a week,' she said. She is currently on Centrelink payments as she can no longer work and has exhausted her super. She wants young people to look at how they are living their lives, and take stock of what matters. 'None of my old bosses or colleagues are sitting with me while I do chemo,' she said. 'It's my mum and dad and friends that are here supporting me through this. 'I wish I could live again so I could stop worrying about the little things and enjoy myself. This picture was taken after her brain biopsy - just weeks after her MRI scan 'I would spend more time with the people who actually mattered, make more of an effort to meet someone and have kids, to travel.' Amanda also wants to go on a cruise, though isn't allowed to leave the country due to insurance so a 'three-dayer' if she is feeling up to it in the future will have to do. 'I also just want to go to like Sushi Train without a budget. Just grab what looks good instead of mentally adding up every plate, too scared to spend $30 on sushi.' Amanda's condition has remained stable, with her main symptoms like fatigue and nausea and breathlessness coming from treatment. But things could go down hill at anytime and when they do 'it will be fast'. 'Doctors say I will start having seizures and that will be a sign that everything else is going to get worse,' she said. She will then likely go blind in her left eye and eventually her vital organs will start shutting down. 'They don't know how long the cancer has been there or when that will start to happen, but it will happen,' she said. 'I still haven't processed it all. I thought I had so much more time. 'I wasted 30 years of my life doing nothing and still got cancer.' Dozens of British women have reported their breasts ballooning in size after receiving a Covid vaccine, MailOnline can reveal. The revelation comes days after shocking images showed how a 19-year-old Canadian woman's breast quadrupled in size in what experts believe is a rare reaction to Pfizer's Covid jab dubbed the 'Pfizer boob job'. Now, MailOnline has uncovered data from the British drug medical safety watchdog showing 33 reports of similar cases of 'breast enlargement' following Pfizer's vaccine. A further 11 British women reported an expanded bust after AstraZeneca's jab, while four reported the same bizarre reaction after a Moderna vaccine. These reports, made to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card system, are based on patient testimony only. They have not been verified by medical professionals, and experts flag that it is possible such unexpected bodily changes occured by chance and had nothing to do with the jab. However, doctors have argued that the link between the unusual reaction and the vaccine is indeed plausible. Making their case in a recent medical report about a young woman who suffered the complication, they theorize that a bizarre immune system reaction to the vaccine may have caused cells in the breast to overgrow. The report, by medics at the University of Toronto, told of a Canadian woman who went from a B cup to triple G cup within six months of two doses of a Pfizer Covid jab. The unnamed 19-year-old received her first dose of the Pfizer Covid vaccine in September 2022 and then noticed her breasts had started tingling and growing slightly. Dozens of British women have reported their breasts ballooning in size after getting a Covid vaccine, MailOnline can reveal Both reactions accelerated following her second dose just three weeks later. Over a total six-month period, her breasts grew to a triple G cup size. The bra size of an average British women is 36DD. Rapid breast growth is a rare condition medically known as gigantomastia. Experts are still exploring what triggers it though some cases are known to be the result of hormone problem or a reaction to certain drugs. Doctors, who reported the case in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryGlobal Open, suggested the vaccine may have triggered a cause of gigantomastia called pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH). PASH itself a poorly understood condition where cells in the breast tissue called myofibroblasts overgrow as benign lumps. It is rare, having only been medically documented some 200 times, and no previous examples had any known link to vaccines. The unnamed woman is shown above after receiving breast reduction surgery. She is considering further procedures to get back to her normal cup size But how exactly the vaccine would have triggered PASH is unknown. The woman in the report had no underlying conditions and while her breasts seemed swollen and saggy, there were no masses. An ultrasound and CT scan showed slightly swollen lymph nodes around the woman's armpits and dense blood vessels, which the medics believe was from the enlarged breast tissue. Analysis of tissue samples taken from biopsies confirmed the growth was result of PASH. Despite a course of treatment involving steroids and antibiotics no reduction in breast size was noted. She chose to undergo a breast reduction procedure to take her bust size down to a DD 11 months after the jab. The patient underwent another procedure five months later due to problems with asymmetry, taking her down to her original B cup size. While the experts said the timing suggested a link between the Covid jab and PASH, they said it cannot be proven it was the culprit and called for further research. 'The association between the COVID-19 vaccine, PASH, and breast hypertrophy warrants further investigation to comprehend the spectrum of reactions to the vaccine,' they said. The graph shows the cumulative number of Covid jabs dished out in the UK as of November 2023 However, they criticised medics who dismissed the woman's concerns that her symptoms were linked to the vaccine. 'Although a temporal relationship does not establish causality, dismissing patient concerns can erode trust,' they wrote. 'Physicians should consider and value patient concerns when developing therapeutic relationships.' In 2021, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found Covid vaccines could lead to swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, leading to abnormal findings on mammograms and breast ultrasounds. British health officials were also aware of this link, issuing a notice to staff that while this may occur, any abnormal findings from these scans should still be investigated as potential breast cancer symptoms and not dismissed as a vaccine reaction. Systems like MHRA's Yellow Card reports, in theory, allow experts to track potential side effects through active monitoring, though some MPs are concerned the system isn't proactive enough. Such reports can serve as a 'canary in the coal mine' if patterns emerge with a particular drug, type of patient, and a suspected reaction. Hospitals left a record 518,000 patients languishing on trolleys in A&E for 12 hours or more last year, damning figures reveal. The rate is 400 times higher than the 1,306 reported a decade ago and comes amid a major shortage of beds preventing staff moving new arrivals on to wards. It shows emergency departments were already dangerously overwhelmed before the emergence of this winter's flu outbreak, forcing around 20 trusts to declare 'critical incidents'. NHS England said an average of 5,408 patients a day were in hospital with flu last week, including 256 in critical care. It believes this number will rise now children have returned to school, where they risk catching the virus and taking it home to families and vulnerable relatives. Carrie Johnson, wife of former prime minister Boris, revealed over the weekend she spent the first week of 2025 in an NHS hospital suffering from flu and pneumonia. She said she had been struggling to breathe properly during a 'nasty' infection lasting nearly 18 days, and urged the public to get a flu jab. Figures being published this Thursday are expected to show the NHS is enduring its worst flu season for a decade. Damning figures show hospitals left a record 518,000 patients languishing on trolleys in A&E for 12 hours or more last year (stock image) Joanna Ormesher tweeted this photograph of the main corridor at Royal Blackburn Hospital in Lancashire yesterday, saying: 'Patients left out in cold corridors to be gawped at like exhibits in a zoo. No patient dignity and poor patient care. Shameful at best' A&Es and ambulance services suffered their busiest year ever in 2024 and crews dealt with more incidents in December than any previous month It comes as Labour was last night accused of being 'asleep at the wheel' during the crisis, which is expected to deepen this week. Professor Phil Banfield, chair of the British Medical Association, described corridor care as 'undignified' and 'unsafe', warning scenes inside NHS hospitals are now 'akin to those seen in developing countries'. He said hundreds of patients are suffering avoidable harm and deaths every week, with some dying before they are even seen by medics. Some A&Es are running at more than 200 per cent capacity, with waits of up to 50 hours for a bed and ambulances in 18-deep queues outside waiting to hand over new arrivals. Last week Whittington Hospital in north London published multiple adverts for nurses to work overtime providing 'corridor care' to patients on trolleys. And NHS trusts nationwide are now installing power sockets and oxygen lines in corridors as they prepare to treat more patients in trolleys along their walls. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) said corridors are 'open, noisy, brightly lit, often cold', making it 'difficult if not impossible' for patients to rest. It stressed it is 'not possible' to control the spread of infection in them, that it is 'challenging' for staff to monitor patients, and that privacy, dignity and confidentiality are 'not maintained. The RCEM warns long waits in A&E are extremely dangerous and are estimated to have contributed to 14,000 deaths in 2023. Meanwhile A&Es and ambulance services suffered their busiest year ever in 2024 and crews dealt with more incidents in December than any previous month. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. There were a record 518,213 waits of 12 hours or more in A&E last year timed from when doctors made a decision to admit the patient according to analysis of NHS England data by the Liberal Democrats. This is up by more than 100,000 or 25 per cent on the previous year, when there were 415,136. In stark contrast, there were just 1,306 such waits across the whole of 2015 fewer than now occur in a single day. Helen Morgan, health and social care spokesman for the Lib Dems, urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to devise an emergency plan to tackle the 'shocking and dangerous' A&E waiting times, saying the Government 'looks to be asleep at the wheel'. She said it must include an immediate increase in the number of hospital beds to bring occupancy rates down to a safe level, typically considered to be 85 per cent. The RCEM said it currently stands at 93 per cent, meaning the NHS needs a further 9,471. An average of 12,591 hospital beds in England were filled each day last week with patients considered medically fit for discharge but unable to leave. Many will have been waiting for a place in a care home or for care to be arranged in their own home. Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said elderly patients left on corridors come to increased harm, including 'delirium, pressure sores and psychological distress'. He added: 'Patient confidence in the NHS is rapidly deteriorating and this is well founded. NHS trusts nationwide are now installing power sockets and oxygen lines in corridors as they prepare to treat more patients in trolleys along their walls (stock image) A row of ambulances parked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham earlier this week 'The worsening of the current winter crisis seen in the past week was predictable and inevitable.' Professor Banfield described the crisis as a 'national emergency' and added: 'There are people, some elderly and vulnerable, waiting in A&E departments far longer than we could ever have imagined a few years ago and this is directly leading to avoidable harm and preventable deaths. 'If this was still the pandemic, Cobra [convened to handle matters of national emergency] would be mobilised why is losing the equivalent of an aeroplane-full of patients each month not provoking the same sense of urgency?' Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described the figures as 'staggering' and the situation in A&E as 'stark'. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'We inherited a broken NHS, and in our first six months we have taken action to protect A&E departments this winter, introducing the new RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] vaccine, delivering more flu vaccines than last year, and ending the strikes so staff are on the front line not the picket line for the first winter in three years. 'It will take time, but we are working to break out of this cycle of annual winter crises and will publish an urgent care recovery plan shortly.' The Housefly Effect by Eva Van Den Broek & Tim Den Heijer (Bedford Square 20, 240pp) The Housefly Effect is available now from the Mail Bookshop When flies begin to congregate on your kitchen counter, it is time for a clean. But for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the arrival of flies was beneficial. They painted little flies in the urinals, et, voila, splashback was reduced by 50 per cent. If men had a target, their aim was far more accurate. This is not a new phenomenon, 19th-century British urinals had bees painted on them. Bee in Latin is apis Of the 3,250 buttons at pedestrian crossings in New York City, 2,500 have no bearing on traffic. But when a pedestrian has a button to press they feel in control; it doesnt matter if that feeling is real. According to Van den Broek, a doctor of behavioural economics, and Den Heijer, a creative strategist, these instances can be explained by the Housefly Effect. The human behavioural equivalent of the Butterfly Effect, in which a small change starts a chain of events that will have a huge impact (the flap of a butterflys wings in India causing a tornado in Florida), the Housefly Effect occurs when your behaviour is influenced by something you barely notice. This book is crammed with interesting nuggets from the psychology of how we spend money, to the fact that, in the US, when the Capitol was raided in 2021, the raucous rioters followed the cordoned paths along the corridors. Is pedestrian power a myth? Van den Broek and Den Heijer make the persuasive case that were more likely to take the path of least resistance than make a free choice. If you bought the expensive dishwasher tablets from a supermarkets middle shelf because the cheaper ones were down by your ankles, you have been influenced by a housefly. If you would buy sardines but never pilchards (theyve been renamed), you have been influenced by a housefly. There are seven flies, including the lazy fly (the one of least resistance), the pain fly (the one that avoids pain or discomfort) and the social fly (fallible to social pressure) and their collective power is mighty. But, our behaviour is not out of our control. If you know what the various flies are, you are capable of avoiding them. The power of conditioning can go both ways. Condition yourself to do positive things. Do a press-up every time you go to the loo (though probably not in the loo), or phrase questions with clear options rather than leaving them open ended (ask someone if they want burgers or sushi, rather than just what they want to eat). You are able to rewire your brain so that your houseflies become allies rather than swat-able nuisances. January 12, 2025: From the most recent Russian invasion in February 2023 to September 2024, the Ukrainian military lost 90,000 troops to AWOL/Absent Without Leave and desertion. A third of these cases were desertion, where a soldier tries to leave military service permanently. AWOL soldiers intend to return once they have dealt with whatever issue caused them to go AWOL. Ukraine is practical about this and does not punish soldiers who return after an AWOL incident. In combat, soldiers develop a strong bond with each other, which means AWOL is rare and, when it happens, the missing soldier has a good reason for it. The most combat reason is mental and physical fatigue from being in combat. In Ukraine, soldiers who have been in combat the longest are most likely to go AWOL or desert. During World War II American analysts of the combat experience found that soldiers subjected to about 200 days of combat were prone to AWOL and more rarely desertion. A year after the Russian invasion Ukraine had to cope with a growing amount of political and military combat fatigue. For troops or civilians exposed to battlefield violence, combat fatigue is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. This is a 21st century term even though the concept was first described in the 1980s. In the 21st century, more effective tools and techniques for measuring PTSD and the impact of various treatments, techniques and medications are used to deal with the problem. Theres lots of PTSD in Ukraine, among both combatants and civilians. The presence of PTSD is obvious for military personnel but less so for civilians. For as long as there has been organized violence against civilians, this use of terror to demoralize, disorient or distract civilians has been used and abused. The political version of all this is more accurately described as combat fatigue. This was the term for combat-related stress that was popular before the use of PTSD became common. Political combat fatigue is something Russia, Ukraine and their NATO allies have to deal with. A century ago, communist and fascists, especially the Nazis developed and used many new techniques for causing and manipulating political combat fatigue. Such techniques are now commonly used, abused and developed into more effective tools. Nations supporting Ukraine have to pay attention to the impact of combat fatigue on local popular support for the continuing costs of providing Ukraine with weapons. Russia has been losing the war, but is currently determined to keep fighting despite the growing combat fatigue among military-age Russian civilians. Thats because those forced to join the army often find themselves sent to Ukraine with little or no training, inadequate weapons and incompetent or non-existent leaders. The result is generally death, injury, incapacitating illness, desertion or capture by the enemy. Senior Russian military and political leaders are somewhat paralyzed by all the bad decisions Russia has made and none of them is powerful enough to change the situation. Change will eventually happen but there is no timetable for such events. Ukraine wants to end the war by re-capturing all its Russian-occupied territory, currently about 18 percent of the country. To do that it needs the timely support of NATO allies to supply the necessary weapons, ammunition, military equipment and non-military aid. Ukrainian and NATO military leaders tend to agree on what is needed but politicians are less able, or willing, to understand the requirements for victory against the Russians. There are also politicians that dont believe there is a long-term threat from Russia and are willing to settle for a long-term ceasefire even if it means Russian continues to occupy Ukrainian territory. Western economic sanctions have crippled the Russian ability to produce the most sophisticated weapons and some Western politicians see this as a suitable justification for greatly reducing aid to Ukraine. As the war continues the financial burden on NATO nations becomes more of a problem for local politicians. Russian Information War efforts keep pressing this angle because in the long run it works. This means planting a lot of false media reports that justify reducing financial support for Ukraine. Some Western media accepts the Russian disinformation without checking to see if it is valid. In democracies, voter attitudes count and over time minor irritations can turn into major problems. Such is the case with support for wars. In the United States any war that lasts more than three years results in a sharp drop in popular support and that often plays an important role in war's ending. The Ukraine War is unique in that it is Ukrainians who are doing all the fighting and dying to stop the Russians. NATO nations spend a lot of money on weapons and reconstruction support for Ukraine. NATO nations have less money to spend on their domestic constituencies and this eventually becomes a problem, even if a lot of locals are not being killed. In Russia the traditions are different. Russians are willing to endure more financial and human losses to defend the homeland. Russian leaders justify invasion of Ukraine by insisting that Ukraine is an essential and historical part of Russia and that NATO nations have deceived Ukrainians into believing that Ukraine is a legitimate sovereign state. Russians have never tried to justify a war of conquest against a neighbor this way before. Russia has had lots of brief border wars fought to settle disagreements over exactly where the border should be. Russia also has a history of empire building, in which wars with weaker neighbors result in annexation. This is the reason why NATO exists; to protect member states from Russian aggression. Russia knows this but prefers to call NATO the aggressor. This has believers in Russia who were perplexed at the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Most of the Soviet citizens no longer supported their government and the choice was either dissolution or civil war. At the time it was clear to most pro-Soviet Russians that a civil war was unlikely to preserve the Soviet Union and the fighting could cause enormous economic and human losses to those involved. Instead, the Soviet Union peacefully dissolved into fifteen sovereign nations. The largest was Russia, with about half the Soviet Unions population and 77 percent of its territory. This meant that none of the new states were as large as Russia. In terms of population, Ukraine was second largest, with about a third as many people as Russia but much less territory as Russia still stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Many mid-level Soviet officials disagreed with the dissolution but couldnt stop it. By the end of the 1990s, these officials had gained political power and in 2008 began rebuilding the Soviet Union. Tiny bits of Georgia, in the Caucasus, were the first taken. In 2014 Russia grabbed about 20 percent of Ukraine. About ten percent of Moldova. a post-Soviet state between Romania and Ukraine, wanted to be independent, as Transnistria does of Moldova and called on Russia to help with that. Russia wants to annex most of the former Soviet states that became independent in 1991. Several of these are now NATO members. NATO is a mutual defense organization. If one NATO member is attacked, all NATO members will join in the defense of the NATO country under attack. Russia now knows that NATO will oppose an attack on a member and, in the case of Ukraine, with a nation that wants to become a member, especially after 2014. British Steel looks set to abandon plans for a return to Teesside, ending hopes for hundreds of jobs to come to the North East. The loss-making company, which has been in talks over a Government-backed rescue, had planned to build a 'green steel' electric arc furnace in the region and another at its main site in Scunthorpe. It would have marked a return of the industry to an area devastated by Redcar's steelworks closing in 2015. But now both furnaces will be built in Scunthorpe, The Sunday Times reported, under plans being discussed with Labour ministers. Disappointment: Both furnaces will be built in Scunthorpe under plans being discussed with Labour ministers British Steel has been in talks with the Government for taxpayer funding to replace its blast furnaces with electric ones. A spokesman confirmed the talks but said 'no final decisions' had been made. A spokesman for the Department of Business said it was working to secure a 'green steel transition'. An Aussie cab driver who was once physically assaulted by a drunk pedestrian has revealed why he loves his job despite his ordeal. Muhammad Azam Warach, 70, who has been working for more than three decades as a taxi driver in Sydney, said he has never considered walking away from the job. 'I've been doing this for 35 years. It's the only thing I know how to do and I've never imagined myself doing anything else,' Mr Warach told Daily Mail Australia. Mr Warach, who lives in Leppington, in Sydney's south-west, said he like so many of his fellow cab drivers, has endured the uglier parts of driving a taxi in the Harbour City on many occasions. The father-of-three recalled one terrifying incident when a man assaulted him while he was working in the city. 'He came around the driver's side of the car and broke the glass and hit me on the side of the head. He was drunk,' Mr Warach said. Mr Warach said he suffered minor injuries and reported the attack to police. He also revealed several other incidents involving pedestrians smashing the windows of his vehicle. Muhammad Azam Warach (pictured) who has been working for more than three decades as a taxi driver in Sydney, said he has never considered walking away from the job 'One guy damaged the front windshield because he wanted me to go quickly while I was waiting at the traffic lights at an intersection,' Mr Warach said. 'Another guy damaged the front passenger side window of the car.' Mr Warach said he has experienced fare evasions several times and he was once falsely accused of stealing a passenger's wallet. The incident happened at a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool in 2023 when a man asked Mr Warach to take him to the drive through at the fast food store. 'He suddenly got out of the car [when they pulled up at the drive through] and accused me of taking his wallet,' Mr Warach said. 'He was sitting in the back seat ... how could I have taken it?' The manager at the store witnessed what happened and told Mr Warach to park his taxi in the car park nearby before they called police. 'They searched his bag and found his wallet inside,' Mr Warach said. In another incident Mr Warach was forced to fork out $250 for parking illegally one night in a city street. His passengers - a man and a woman - asked him to pull over before they got out after they claimed they wanted to see a place that caught their eye. Mr Warach (pictured) said he has also experienced fare evasions several times and he was once falsely accused of stealing a passenger's wallet 'I thought they just wanted to have a quick look and would come back so I waited for them and they never came,' Mr Warach said. 'I was only there for a few minutes before a parking ranger came up to me and gave me [the] fine.' Mr Warach tried to explain the situation to the parking ranger and apologised, but Mr Warach said he didn't want to hear his side of the story. He never got paid the fare for the cab ride and also had to pay the parking fine even though he claims he was told by police that he wouldn't have to foot the bill. Mr Warach smiled when asked if he ever felt he had enough of the bad experiences and challenges the job often entails. 'These things are a part of the job and I've never been afraid of what might happen. The only thing I am scared of is God,' he said. 'Like I said to you before 99 per cent of people are good. Only one per cent are bad.' He said driving a cab in Sydney is much more safer compared to when he first started started working as a taxi driver. Mr Warach said driving a cab in Sydney is much more safer compared to when he first started working as a taxi driver (pictured stock image) Mr Warach grew up in a village located on the outskirts of the city of Lahore, in the province of Punjab, in eastern Pakistan. He left Pakistan in 1982 with a desire to explore the world and moved to Germany where he took up a job working as a chef at an Italian restaurant. He came to Australia in 1986 after he spent several years living in Saudi Arabia and Canada. He spent his first night in Sydney at Lakemba Mosque before he moved into an apartment in Surry Hills with a friend the next day. He started off working as a chef in a local restaurant before he became a cab driver and hasn't looked back. He starts his shift everyday at 2pm at Liverpool Station and finishes work at 3am. He only takes one day off every week on Sundays. He says he has no plans on retiring even though he's eligible for his pension. NSW Taxi Council Chief Executive Nick Abraham told Daily Mail cab drivers are encouraged to report incidents such as fair evasions and assaults to NSW Police. Mr Abraham said drivers are provided with support services by the companies they work for and measures have been implemented to protect the safety of drivers. NSW Taxi Council Chief Executive Nick Abraham said cab drivers are encouraged to report incidents such as fair evasions and assaults to NSW Police (pictured passengers getting into a waiting taxi near Liverpool Station in Sydney's south-west) 'Every single taxi that provides rank and hail work across NSW and Sydney by law must be fitted with a security camera,' Mr Abraham said. 'In the last six months there's been around six prohibition notices issued to taxi companies because they've had non-complaint duress alarms or cameras ... because of these safety issues.' Figures from 13Cabs, which is Australia's largest taxi company, revealed 233 drivers were attacked or threatened by out of control passengers between January and August in 2023. Melbourne had the highest rate of incidents with 381. A NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail all crimes that are committed should be reported to police. As the development of ever more devastating nuclear weapons gathered pace amid the Cold War, American and Soviet scientists and military chiefs became acutely aware of the destructive potential of an electromagnetic pulse attack. Besides the obvious consequences of a nuclear missile strike on land, experts realised that they could also wreak havoc on their adversary by detonating their intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in space. The resulting surge of energy from the huge radioactive explosion would knock out critical infrastructure in enemy territory for thousands upon thousands of square miles. But after both sides amassed huge arsenals and developed early warning systems designed to ensure whoever struck first could not escape a cataclysmic response, the threat of mutually assured destruction meant a nuclear strike or EMP attack became a very slim prospect. This comforting status quo was shattered early last year, however, when a series of bombshell reports in American media revealed that US intelligence officials suspected Russia was working on plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space via satellite. Then in early December, US officials told the New York Times they believed a specific Russian scientific satellite - 'Cosmos 2553' - is already testing components for that very weapon. The reports sparked fears that Moscow could blast a satellite into space with a nuclear warhead on board, moving it into position above the United States or other Western nations before detonating at the perfect moment. This orbital weapon would destroy or disable thousands of vital satellites - but if detonated at the right altitude, it could also deliver a punishing EMP strike on the territory below. Your browser does not support iframes. Russia launches a Soyuz-2.1b from Plesetsk cosmodrome with a Defence Ministry payload Apache test detonation on Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 8th July 1956, at the end of Operation Redwing a series of 17 nuclear tests from May to July 1956 What is an EMP weapon and how does it work? An Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) weapon is a device that creates a pulse of energy to disable electrical systems. Localised EMP devices work by releasing a burst of energy in the radiofrequency or microwave spectrum, which can overload and damage electronic components and systems. But these are only effective on a small scale - typically within a radius of a few city blocks. By far the most effective and devastating EMP attack would come as a result of a nuclear bomb or missile being detonated anywhere from a few dozen miles to several hundred miles above the Earth, depending on its yield. The radiation of the nuclear blast is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, but the explosion also creates a massive electrostatic discharge known as the Compton effect. That cascades down to the Earth where every wire and electrical system acts as an antenna. The huge charge overloads the system and blows up the electrical grid, and also shorts the components of any electronic products. Such a strike is a line-of-sight event, and because the weapon is detonated high above the Earth, the target area is massive. We came to understand this in 1962 after the United States' Starfish Prime nuclear test above Bikini Atoll - a small spit of land that makes up part of the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. That bomb had a yield of 1.4 megatons - miniscule in comparison to today's nukes - but the EMP blast still disrupted electrical and communication systems in Hawaii over 500 miles away from the detonation point. Starfish Prime was a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the United States, a joint effort of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Defense Atomic Support Agency. It was launched from Johnston Atoll on July 9, 1962, and was the largest nuclear test conducted in outer space, and one of five conducted by the US in space The 'Cosmos 2553' satellite was blasted through the atmosphere atop a Soyuz-2 rocket from Russia 's Plesetsk Cosmodrome in February 2022 Anti-satellite nukes could destroy entire communication networks, GPS relay stations, military targeting systems and defence sensors, making modern life on Earth all but impossible What would be the fallout of a space-based EMP attack? The immediate effect of a nuclear detonation with a modern, high-yield warhead above the Earth would be catastrophic. Water and energy supplies would be knocked out immediately, along with any heating system short of fuel generators, or burning firewood or other flammable materials. Cars, computers, phones, transport, banking - everything that uses electrical components or relies on electronic systems to operate ceases to function. Besides the obvious chaos that would erupt in such a scenario, military history and technology expert Dr William Forstchen told MailOnline what would happen in the weeks and months following an EMP blast. 'Unless you're living completely unsupported in the wilderness, this essentially takes away your access to water, heat and food - three elements of the base level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - and would essentially trigger a societal collapse as a result. 'The long-term effects of an EMP strike are therefore a dramatic reduction in population. 'Many of the people living in cities would die of thirst or starvation - or be killed in panic and violence, and anyone who requires regular medical treatment would have no chance of survival. 'Access to what little food and water supplies remain would of course be controlled either by the government and the military, or the most effective and violent armed gangs. 'In the US, Department of Energy studies estimate it could take up to five years to get just 20 per cent of the grid back online, by which point modern society would have all but collapsed - I imagine the UK would face a similar scenario.' A cloud of smoke and dust rises in the sky after the so-called Tsar Bomba was detonated in a test over the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago in USSR, in this still image from previously classified footage taken in October 1961 What steps can be taken to protect against an EMP blast? Dr Fortschen was sombre when asked about how societies can defend against and EMP blast. Although simple defences such as Faraday cages and other methods to absorb and redirect the vast surges of electrical energy can be used to effectively ward off localised EMP attacks, there is no way of implementing such protections against a space-based blast. 'On the ground we have very limited capacity to protect the grid against an EMP strike but it would require a major industrial upgrade. 'Many components that underpin US and UK grid systems are decades old. 'Replacement parts would be required, but most of these are engineered abroad and we don't have an emergency stockpile. William R. Forstchen is a New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series and a Professor of History at Montreat College in North Carolina 'Authorities would need to embark on a massive upgrade programme that would involve designing and constructing key electrical grid components, such as transformers and substations, to withstand the effects of an EMP. 'This can be achieved through shielding and surge protection - but this would still only have a limited effect,' Fortschen said. In theory, the United States could potentially prevent an EMP strike delivered by a Russian, Iranian, Chinese or North Korean-launched ICBM. The US has an ICBM defence system with dozens of missiles on standby ready to intercept the nuke and blow it up - without triggering the nuclear blast - in space before it re-enters the atmosphere. But by mounting a nuclear device on a satellite, Russia could in theory evade all early-warning systems and preclude the US from ever having the chance to avert disaster. Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia launches a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Could a Russian satellite really carry out a nuclear or EMP strike? Fortunately, it seems as though the prospect of a satellite-based nuclear weapon is not yet an operational reality. If Cosmos 2553 is indeed performing tests to develop an orbital strike weapon, it suggests that Russia, nor any other state, yet has the capacity to deploy it in a live scenario. Another consideration is whether the satellite could carry a large enough nuclear device to mount an effective attack. The Royal United Services Institute's electronic warfare specialist Dr Thomas Withington told The Telegraph: 'You need a sufficient power level to cause damage over a wide area... it's hard to get that into a satellite'. A low-yield nuclear device of a few kilotons would need to be detonated roughly 20-25 miles up to have a sizeable EMP effect. But even the satellites orbiting closest to Earth are stationed well over 100 miles above the ground - if they stray much lower than that, they are affected by atmospheric drag. Besides, given the EMP effects electrical systems in the line-of-sight of the explosion, a detonation at around 25 miles would only affect infrastructure on the ground within a radius of roughly four hundred miles. For a devastating strike reaching thousands of miles across the US, an adversary would need to detonate a bomb at an altitude of 100 - 200 miles, but this requires a much larger yield, and therefore a much heavier device. Nonetheless, the prospect of a space-based EMP strike in the near future is one that some experts feel Western governments are not taking seriously enough. A House of Commons Defence Committee report delivered in 2012 recognised that the effect of a nuclear EMP would be 'very difficult to mitigate' and a 'truly catastrophic event', but concluded that 'the UK nor Western Europe is a target for such an EMP attack'. Now though, with the advent of more advanced technology, officials and experts are imploring the UK and other Western governments to explore options for protecting against both localised non-nuclear and space-based EMP threats. Tory peer Lord James Arbuthnot is one of few in Westminster raising the alarm over the EMP threat, declaring: 'Officialdom is beginning to recognise it as a problem... but recognising there's a problem is not enough. 'We are not yet at the stage where enough is being done to protect us.' The death of a sweet baby girl in Maine still haunts the detectives who know she was murdered, but still can't bring her killers to justice. On December 16, 2011, Ayla Reynolds vanished without a trace wearing polka-dot pajamas with 'Daddy's Princess' written on them. In a tragic twist of irony, it was her father, Justin DiPietro who became the main suspect in her disappearance and suspected death. But despite a pool of blood that shows she was harmed, no one has ever faced justice for what happened to the baby girl. DiPietro has always claimed Ayla was abducted by an intruder in the middle of the night while he slept. There were no signs of a break-in. Aylas blood was also found in several locations throughout the house, including next to her bed. One of her arms was broken at the time and was in a soft cast. DiPietros girlfriend Courtney Roberts, 37, and his sister Elisha, 36, were also inside the residence at the time. The house belonged to DiPietros mother Phoebe, 60. Longtime lead investigator of the case, Jeff Love, tells DailyMail.com that he strongly believes DiPietro - and the other adults who were in the house - are refusing to release valuable information that could help find missing Ayla. On December 16, 2011, Ayla Reynolds vanished without a trace wearing polka-dot pajamas with 'Daddy's Princess' written on them It's very clear that something happened to Ayla, and that they have those answers. And they're not providing those answers to us. That's what's problematic for us. Our state police detectives have literally spent day in and day out for the last several years doing their job to the best of their ability. As we've said from day one, they have more information that would help bring closure to everybody. And that's what's frustrating. We're here, we're available, as we have been from day one. We're very reasonable people. We just want to bring closure,' he says. Love said the blood found in the DiPietro home is strong evidence that the family knows more than they have revealed so far. The blood is why we've said from day one that they have more information, he said. They have better and more answers for the questions that we have. That's the frustrating part - it's clear that somebody inside of that house would have to know. We do feel that they have more information. We're waiting for them to provide that or for anybody to come forward with more information. Love said of DiPietro, now 37, We know that he has more information. He's got our business cards. He has our number. The family has our numbers. And we're waiting for them to come forward and give us some more information that will help move this investigation forward. There's a lot of clues and evidence from inside of that house. What we found inside of that residence told us that they have more information. We wouldn't say that if it was (just) a drop or two of blood. We obviously have concerns. Early on we said that we did not believe she was alive. The blood evidence was extremely concerning to us. Aylas blood was also found in several locations throughout the house, including next to her bed. One of her arms was broken at the time and was in a soft cast Staff with the Maine State Police and the Maine Warden Service clear the Messalonskee Stream in Waterviille of ice as they search for Ayla Reynolds, the largest ever search Maine. Despite their efforts, her remains have never been found Love would not confirm if he believes Ayla died while inside the Pietro residence. We haven't said that publicly. We said early on that we don't believe we are going to find her alive. Added Love, We interviewed a lot of people within the city of Waterville. We searched everywhere - rivers, streams, brooks, any body of water, the woods. We conducted an extensive investigation and the people of Waterville were extremely helpful to law enforcement. If youre interviewing people for a couple of years intensely, as time goes on, obviously the leads slow down and we still don't have her body. He would not divulge exactly what - if anything - was found during the searches. A sergeant when Ayla first disappeared, Love has since been promoted to Captain in Internal Affairs with Maine State Police. He told DailyMail.com police have held off filing charges until they are confident of a concrete case and conviction. We only get one shot at this, said Capt. Love, referring to the principle of double jeopardy. We just want to get this right. If we rush to judgment or take a case that we're not 100% confident with to trial, (if) we lose, then no one wins from that. In Maine, it's very uncommon to move forward or prosecute a case when there is no body. Time is on our side because there's no statute of limitations on these cases. Ayla's mother, Trista Reynolds, right, has long blamed her father for her disappearance and presumed death Ayla was being looked after by her father, Justin DiPietro, when she vanished. He claims an intruder abducted her in the middle of the night, and refuses to share more details with police about the night his daughter disappeared Aylas mother, Trista Reynolds, 36, was in a rehab facility at the time the infant was with her father. She also has two sons, Anthony and Raymond. In September 2013, she posted an online statement revealing evidence police had shown her using a slideshow of photographs. She said her daughters blood was found in several rooms inside the house, on a sofa and on Aylas car seat in DiPietros vehicle. Droplets were also found on her princess slippers and smeared across the face of a baby doll she played with. Blood was also found on DiPietro's sneakers, according to the statement, and on the mattress and sheets in his basement bedroom. According to Reynolds, police also showed her pictures of blood splashes on the floor and walls. A sample of the blood showed that the toddler's saliva was mixed with it, leading Reynolds to believe Ayla had suffered. DiPietros girlfriend Courtney Roberts, 37, and his sister Elisha, 36, were also inside the residence at the time. The house belonged to DiPietros mother Phoebe, 60 (right), who maintains the family's innocence After seeing (the evidence), it has started to settle in my mind that Ayla more than likely really is deceased and not coming back. Im not just able to close my eyes and not see her blood,' she said at the time. Her fear was confirmed in 2017 when Cumberland County Probate Judge Joseph Mazziotti issued a court order that toddler Ayla died on or around December 17, 2011. The following year, Reynolds filed a wrongful death lawsuit against DiPietro, later amended to include his sister and mother. He was also charged with breach of his parental duty to protect his daughter. Last September, a settlement was reached leading to a dismissal of the lawsuit. Terms were not disclosed. Longtime lead investigator of the case, Jeff Love, tells DailyMail.com that he strongly believes DiPietro - and the other adults who were in the house - are refusing to release valuable information that could help find missing Ayla But the father has never been arrested for her disappearance or presumed death. He told police that he had put Ayla to bed at 8pm on Dec. 16 in her first-floor bedroom and that his sister checked on her about two hours later. He said he was sleeping in a basement room with his girlfriend and her son He called 911 the following day at 8.49am. Went to her room and shes not there, he told the dispatcher. DiPietro has now gone to ground. When contacted by Daily Mail, his mother, Phoebe, protested his innocence and that of everyone else in the house on the night Ayla vanished. 'Life has been pure hell. Were taking things one day at a time. Too many people have twisted stuff weve said. Any time our names get out there we end up getting more death threats. Were innocent but yet were paying the price because Maine State Police, Det. Love is an ass. Hes had us guilty since day one. He just has a puzzle that he cant fit together because hes not looking at the pieces right. So we paid the price. Of Ayla, the family source added, Shes out there somewhere. I know were not guilty. You just keep asking God to bring her home. We just have to put our faith and trust in God and that things are going to work out. Love told DailyMail.com that the DiPietro family wasnt known to police before the disappearance of Ayla. We understand the family's going to have their side of the story and a perspective, he said. It's unfortunate if they don't appreciate (what were doing) but we're just fact finders. It's our job to try to figure out what happened. That's all we're going to do. Ayla would have celebrated her 15th birthday on April 4 I respect their opinion and how they feel but it's not personal for us. We have a job to do and we're going to do that job no matter what. The search for Ayla was the largest criminal investigation in Maines history and included the FBI and Love told DailyMail.com that investigators received upwards of 1,600 tips and leads over the years. And we continue to get leads on this case, he said. We can continue to take leads from the public, evaluate those leads individually - compare them to the case file and see if that will move the investigation forward. The ultimate goal is to find out what happened, bring closure to the families involved. Sgt. Ryan Brockway and Lt. Chris Tremblay of the Major Crimes Unit told DailyMail.com in a statement, The Maine State Police continues to investigate and follow up on leads regarding the Ayla Reynolds investigation. Information has come from individuals within the State of Maine and out of State. All leads and information are followed up by investigators within the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central. We continue to leverage the most modern technology and advancements in science and apply it to the evidence in the case. The case remains open and active. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Maine Attorney Generals Office remain committed to a positive resolution in the case and cannot comment on specific evidence, information, or circumstances surrounding the investigation. Ayla would have celebrated her 15th birthday on April 4. Hopefully, some day, one of our detectives will be able to bring closure to this family, said Love. We are working for the family. So we want to get it right. The new Queen of the Cross's nightclub empire has crashed owing almost $400,000 less than two years after she was hailed as the saviour to revive Sydney's nightlife. Christina Jaucian, 46, took over Kings Cross venues Chicane and KX Social in April 2023 and promised to bring back the glory days killed off by the lock-out laws. The venues in Sydney's once-infamous King's Cross had fallen into liquidation under the previous owner Ussi Moniz Da Silva who is alleged to have fled to Bali owing over $7million to creditors. Ms Jaucian vowed to create two 'safe' and stylish nightclubs that would be 'operating at full capacity within a few months' alongside the nearby trendy Levant restaurant. But now the parent company of all three establishments, 24 Bayswater Pty Ltd, has collapsed into liquidation, owing almost $380,000 to suppliers and staff. The nearby Eros restaurant, run by her husband, Lance Alaalatoa, also appears to have gone under. Despite this, Ms Jaucian appears to have found the money to buy a new car after a rumoured move interstate. A glowing review left by a 'Christina Jaucian' four weeks ago for Ausloans Finance Group, based near the Gold Coast, praised a staff member for being 'an absolute pleasure to deal with!' Christina Jaucian, 46, who was once dubbed 'Queen of the Cross', took over the Chicane and KX Social nightclubs in April 2023 to much fanfare, promising to bring back the area's glory days before the lock-out laws killed them The venues in Sydney's once-infamous King's Cross had fallen into liquidation under the previous owner Ussi Moniz Da Silva who is alleged to have fled to Bali owing over $7million to creditors (pictured: the dancefloor in Chicane nightclub) 'He attended to all our concerns and found us the perfect car,' Ms Jaucian gushed. 'The entire experience was seamless, fast and headache-free. We wouldnt go anywhere else!' The same Google account has left a number of past reviews at various Sydney restaurants and nightclubs. These include a five-star review for Chicane nightclub, left a year ago, and another glowing five-star review for Maali, Chicane's previous name. Liquidator Stephen Dixon's report, obtained by Daily Mail Australia, revealed Ms Jaucian blames the demise of her nightclub empire on the previous owner, Mr Da Silva. 'The Director has advised the primary reason of the businesses failure was due to disputes with the previous owner of the businesses,' Mr Dixon writes. 'According to the Director, the previous owner was not in favour of the Director acquiring and operating the businesses, leading to incidents of vandalism, equipment damage and rumours of criminal activity. 'These issues led to severe financial losses and negative publicity for the business, eventually leading to a decline in customer numbers. Despite the collapse of her nightclub empire, Ms Jaucian (pictured) appears to have found the money to buy a new car (review pictured below) after a rumoured move interstate 'The Director has also attributed financial difficulty to the unfavourable lease arrangement for the Companys trading premises, which constituted high rent and a month-to-month tenancy.' While Mr Dixon acknowledged that the reasons provided were 'likely significant factors leading to the Companys financial difficulties', he also blamed a poor cash flow, bad management and a lack of working capital. He found that 10 staff members were owed a total of $90,707 in unpaid wages, leave and super. Three secured creditors were owed over $45,000, while unsecured creditors were owed in excess of $210,000. AGL was also owed over $42,000 in unpaid electricity bills. Mr Dixon was also prevented from analysing the company's books because Ms Jaucian claimed to have lost access to the electronic records. Until access is gained, Mr Dixon said he could not comment on whether there was a claim for pursuing a claim against Ms Jaucian for insolvent trading. Insolvent trading is when a company incurs new debts while it can't pay its existing debts and it is illegal in Australia. Ms Jaucian vowed to create 'safe' and stylish nightclubs 'operating at full capacity within a few months' alongside the trendy Levant restaurant (the diner's launch event is pictured) Mr Dixon also 'identified multiple payments totalling $26,340 that may be uncommercial'. 'The payments were with respect to rent and utilities for the Directors (Ms Jaucian's) personal home address,' he wrote. Mr Dixon said the transactions 'warrant further investigation to ascertain their likelihood of recovery'. He added: 'My investigations into the affairs of the Company have identified multiple payments to the Director, unlabelled and unreferenced, totalling of $4,386. 'There were multiple other transactions to the Director that were labelled as the payment of wages. 'Further investigation into this is needed before I can evaluate the significance of the transaction and determine whether it is uncommercial and unreasonable.' He also requested that five of the company's bank accounts with ANZ be frozen, even though they had 'a negative or nil balance'. Attempts were made to contact Ms Jaucian for comment. Eros, run by her husband, was ordered to close for 60 hours in March 2023 by the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority after police received a credible threat that bikie gangs were going to storm it. At the time, a source with knowledge of the frightening situation told Daily Mail Australia: 'Kings Cross isn't a safe place right now, tensions are rising... war is imminent.' The quaint California town Oprah once dubbed 'the happiest place in America' has been plagued by a deluge of feral frat boys hellbent on causing neighborhood carnage. Located on the coast roughly halfway between the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles, scenic San Luis Obispo is known in part for being the home to the California Polytechnic State University. But the peaceful coexistence between students and residents has degenerated into disputes over noise complaints, vandalism and shocking harassment caught on camera. Kathie and Steve Walker, who have lived in the picturesque Alta Vista neighborhood of the city with their children for 16 years, said their lives have been ruined by rowdy college students who have occupied dozens of homes on their once-peaceful street. 'It's been an absolute nightmare,' stay-at-home-mom Kathie, 61, told the DailyMail.com. 'I love our city, but it has been ruined by the fraternities that have overtaken the neighborhood. 'They have these things called "dayges" - a daytime rager. Hundreds of people fill the backyards, and they bring in waterslides and DJs and porta-potties. These things last for several hours into the night, for around four days each week.' The longtime resident compared her situation to Neighbors, a 2014 comedy featuring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron centering on a married couple's battle against a fraternity after they move in next door. 'It's like that, but on steroids,' she said. The quaint California town Oprah once dubbed 'the happiest place in America' has been plagued by a deluge of feral frat boys hellbent on causing neighborhood carnage. (Pictured: A frat party in the neighborhood on 'St. Fratty's Day' in March 2024) Kathie and Steve Walker, who have lived in the picturesque Alta Vista neighborhood of the city with their children for 16 years, said their lives have been ruined by rowdy college students who have occupied dozens of homes on their once-peaceful street Scenic San Luis Obispo is located on the California coast roughly halfway between the San Francisco and Los Angeles. It's recently been overrun by fraternities Kathie said Cal Poly students pack Alta Vista's tiny streets, carrying boomboxes blasting loud music across the valley often until around 4 am. She said the worst-offending frat boys come from Delta Epsilon, Kappa Sigma and Phi Sigma Kappa. Alarming videos posted by frat members online illustrate her point - showing thousands of students swarming multiple backyards while stomping on rooftops and drinking beer. Other clips show students rampaging through corridors where the walls have been badly damaged, with large shards of drywall littered across the floors. All the while, beautiful green rolling hills and sandy beaches punctuated by towering peaks like the Cerro San Luis Obispo mountain frame the carnage. Kathie is a fourth-generation resident in the city, and a Cal Poly graduate herself. She said that while she respects the students' prerogative to party, the low-density zoning in her neighborhood does not permit fraternity houses. On top of this, Kathie said she has endured cyber stalking and shocking targeted harassment by some frat boys, as caught on camera. Security footage captured from the front of their home in June 2024 shows two partygoers screaming obscenities at Kathie after she walked out of her home to check what was causing noise in the middle of the night. Kathie and Steve Walker live with their four children in the once-peaceful neighborhood Steve Walker is an EMS pilot and he often has to call in sick to work after being kept up all night by the out-of-control frat parties. He met his wife, Kathie, when they were at flight school After a brief pause, one frat boy could be heard screaming toward the house: 'Hey, Kathie Walker, get f---ed'. 'F--k you, Kathie Walker,' another said. 'Hey, if your name's Kathie Walker. You're a b---h. Suck my d---, b---h... Big-t---ied, gray-haired s--t. Kill yourself.' The couple said they frequently endure this kind of harassment, and have been told several times that they 'don't belong' in the neighborhood they have called home for the last 16 years. 'I'm tired a lot, and it's stressful. It gives me anxiety when they post my name on social media and tell people to come to my house. That has been scary,' Kathie told the DailyMail.com. The carnage is also threatening the Walkers' livelihood. 'My husband is an EMS helicopter pilot. He has to fly around a medical crew and patients,' Kathie said. 'When he doesn't get to rest because of the parties he has to call in sick, and this impacts our income,' Kathie added. Pictured: SLO Police Chief Rick Scott The San Luis Obispo resident said the frat boy activities have worsened in recent years, partly due to inaction by officials including Police Chief Rick Scott, who started his tenure in 2021. 'He embraces the zero-harm policing method. They don't really enforce the ordinances as much,' Kathie said, adding that Scott even told a resident that 'someone would have to die' for him to take action against the fraternities. The San Luis Obispo Police Department have denied that Scott made this comment. 'The San Luis Obispo Police Department takes quality of life crimes very seriously and has dedicated countless hours of education and enforcement to reduce noisy parties and disruptions in the neighborhoods surrounding Cal Poly University,' the department told DailyMail.com. 'As is common in many cities that are adjacent to major universities, there is often friction between college students and full-time residents in these neighborhoods.' The department added that it has many ordinances in place to deal with noise complaints, including officer responses, citations based on observed behavior, and fines ranging from $350 to $1,000 for repeat offenders. They have also introduced a 'party registration program' which allows residents to register a party and provide a point of contact who can be called if a noise complaint is received. They then have 20 minutes to end the noise without receiving a citation. 'In 2023, the total number of noise complaints received by the San Luis Obispo Police Department was the second lowest year since 2013,' the department said. 'The San Luis Obispo Police Department is not "dismissive" of our residents complaints, but unfortunately there are times were residents want to see more enforcement than can legally be applied.' The Walker family used to enjoy a peaceful existence in San Luis Obispo, California Pictured: Student graffiti in San Luis Obispo is but a small symptom of the city's frat problem All the while, beautiful green rolling hills and sandy beaches punctuated by towering peaks like the Cerro San Luis Obispo mountain frame the carnage Frat ragers often take place in multiple houses, meaning students loudly spill out onto the streets throughout the night, often until as late as 4am, in the once-peaceful neighborhood 'The police just dismiss them (the frat parties) like they're not happening,' she added. 'My husband is also an Army veteran who trained in Sandhurst and Zimbabwe. He compares the lack of action by police to the authorities in Zimbabwe.' DailyMail.com has contacted the Chief's office for comment. Meanwhile, city and college authorities seem to be passing the buck. 'The city council has ignored me,' Kathie said. 'They are blaming Cal Poly, but Cal Poly is telling me it's the city's responsibility.' Kathie said the fraternity chaos began as far back as a decade ago, and it has gotten so bad that many longtime residents have felt forced out of their homes. 'In 2015, the frats took over the neighborhood,' she told DailyMail.com. 'On "St. Fratty's Day" in March, so many people piled onto a roof that it collapsed. 'There were three frats in the city at that time - now there are 60 factions. 'People have been moving out. One of the city council members who used to be the mayor of the city moved away because of the frats. Crazy videos caught on home security cameras show the fraternity carnage in SLO, California Frat ragers go on all night for several days a week, causing tensions with families in SLO Kathie said their tiny town was overrun by 7,000 frat and sorority students for St. Fratty's Day 'Another woman - a 40-year resident and landlady - said her tenants were terrified last year because there were 100 people on the roof and they were afraid it was going to cave in. 'The owner went to the police chief last month, and said I'm very worried about St. Fratty's Day. 'He told her that either someone's going to have to die or there's going to have to be major property damage for something to happen about St Fratty's Day. The 40-year resident is now selling up.' Kathie said 2,000 people packed out their town of around 47,000 people for "St. Fratty's Day" in March 2022. This number swelled to 7,000 last year, when the parties got so out of control that students downed power lines and collapsed a sewer on a family home. The Walkers are bracing for a deluge of around 10,000 frat boys and sorority girls this year. 'It's giving me anxiety,' Kathie said. SLO Code Enforcement recently investigated 17 locations where fraternities are operating in quiet zones designated for single-family homes and two were found to be in violation, city officials told the San Luis Obispo Tribune. 'To my knowledge, we have issued one citation related to unpermitted fraternities in the last year,' Interim Deputy Building Official John Mezzapesa told The Tribune. The San Luis Obispo Police Department told The Tribune they receive an average of around two complaints per weekend about the fraternities. A mom-of-four has thanked politician Adam Kinzinger for rescuing her from a deadly knife attack in the street in Milwaukee in 2006, when he grappled her attacker to the ground so she could escape with her life. Aminah Hamdan, 40, says Kinzinger, a Republican, saved her when he charged her then-boyfriend Ryan Thundercloud, who had attacked her with a pocket knife during an argument shortly after midnight on August 17. She calls Kinzinger a 'hero' for intervening that awful night, after Thundercloud left her bleeding and screaming for help from passing motorists after he sliced an eight-inch gash in her neck. Back then, Kinzinger was a 28-year-old US Air Force pilot. Hamdan only found out that her rescuer went on to become a GOP heavyweight after he spoke about the decades-old incident in a new documentary. 'What he did definitely changed the shape of the future,' Hamdan told DailyMail.com. 'Had he not been there, I don't know if I would have been able to get away, because I was actively being chased.' Were it not for the bravery of Kinzinger and other passersby who stopped Thundercloud and pinned him to the sidewalk until cops arrived, Hamdan says she could well have died in an ensuing attack. That would have left the one-year-old son she shared with Thundercloud without a mom, she says. And she would not have lived to have three other kids and launch a hit dog-grooming business. Aminah Hamdan, 40, says Republican politician Adam Kinzinger was a 'hero for saving her from a knife attack in 2006 'It changed the trajectory of time for a lot of people,' she said. 'There's a reason why God didn't just take me right then and there.' Police reports from 2006 show that Thundercloud, a schizophrenic who had skipped a dose of his medicine, was out drinking with his partner Hamdan in eastern Milwaukee when they got into a fight. Kinzinger received an Airman's Medal for heroism in 2007 In an attack that Thundercloud put down to schizophrenia, he repeatedly punched Hamdan and slit her neck with a pocketknife, before chasing after her as she begged for help from passing motorists. Kinzinger, on a date with his then-girlfriend Megan Alland, saw the attack and stepped in, according to a copy of a Milwaukee Police Department report that was unearthed in a public records request. Kinzinger grappled Thundercloud to the ground. Two other men passersby helped Kinzinger restrain the attacker, and Alland took the man's knife and threw it over a fence, says the report. Thundercloud, now 44, was arrested and charged with attempted homicide. He pleaded not guilty on the basis of mental health problems, and was locked up in an institution for nearly a decade, Hamdan says. Kinzinger, now 46, was lionized by local media and received the Airman's Medal for heroism in 2007. That helped pave the way for a political run that in 2010 saw him elected to Congress, where he served Illinois from 2011 to 2023. He famously served on the select committee that probed the 2021 US Capitol attack and voted to impeach Donald Trump making him an unpopular outlier among Republicans. He did not seek reelection in 2022 and is now a talking head on CNN. A new documentary about his career, The Last Republican, directed by Steve Pink, who is best known for Hot Tub Time Machine, shows how Kinzinger has no regrets about becoming a MAGA bogeyman. Back in 2006, Kinzinger had just completed his pilot training in the US Air Force He served in the US House of Representatives for Illinois districts from 2011 to 2023 In the movie, Kinzinger recalls how that violent encounter in 2006 changed his life. 'I'm walking to my car when I hear a commotion, and this girl comes running at me, holding her throat, bleeding out,' he recalls in the documentary. 'They say in a crisis half of the people run, 40 percent freeze and 10 percent act. I felt every one of those emotions.' In those crucial seconds, Kinzinger says he was torn about what to do. 'There were two immediate thoughts that went through my head,' he says. 'The first one was, 'If I act, I'm gonna die.' The second was, 'If I watch this lady die, and I do nothing, I can't live with myself for the rest of my life.' ' He describes a 'close grapple' with his 5ft 10in and 220lbs foe that could well have ended badly for him. 'I had his knife hand and I remember consciously feeling the knife hand trying to stab me, Kinzinger says. 'It's not a matter of pride now, it's a matter of life to win.' Kinzinger says he was able to overpower Thundercloud and pin him until cops arrived. Over the coming weeks, he says he kept the bloodied shirt he wore that night unwashed, sitting in his bedroom. 'It stayed in a corner in my room, and then it was about two or three months later I started realizing I had some PTSD from' the shocking night, he says. 'That moment on that street in Milwaukee utterly changed my life.' Hamdan was taken to hospital after the attack and needed dozens of stitches. She says she has 'healed internally' but still has a scar on her neck. Hamdan has four children and is the founder of the Official Pet Boutique and other pet-grooming enterprises Adam Kinzinger talks about the 2006 attack in the new documentary The Last Republican She was known back then as Jerriann Lobermeir but changed her name in 2017 after marrying a Muslim man, with whom she had three children. At the time, she only knew her savior as a serviceman called 'Adam' and was oblivious to his rising political star. DailyMail.com reached out to her this month as The Last Republican started screening at a New York City theater. She says she was stunned to learn the fresh-faced airman went on to become a major politician. Hamdan says she 'feels bad' for the PTSD Kinzinger endured, but that 'his efforts weren't for nothing' as she went on to be a loving mom and founder of the Official Pet Boutique and other enterprises. She praises Kinzinger for defying the Republicans who rallied behind Trump after the Jan 6th attacks. For Hamdan, it echoes the mettle he showed that night in Milwaukee. 'I applaud him for it,' she told DailyMail.com. 'We need more people like them. When something ain't right, it ain't right. He's not a coward. 'He's not going to stand down and just watch things happen that shouldn't be happening.' Fuming locals have raged at a council planning to build thousands of homes on green belt surrounding one of England's oldest market towns. St Albans Council sent its proposal to use land including 800 hectares of green belt to build 15,000 homes by 2041 to Labour's Planning Inspectorate at the end of 2024. Homeowners in the area slammed the 'diabolical' plan by developers who 'don't give a s***' to destroy the countryside and said the extra homes would put local services under unbearable strain. Although the council has promised 750million of infrastructure as part of the plan the council is 200million in debt from a previous housing scheme and locals fear developers would simply pull out of providing services - as has happened in Kent. Last month, people in Ashford, Kent, were left distraught when the lead housebuilder of a 6,000-home estate announced plans to pull 50million of infrastructure funding as it said it had 'ceased to be possible in the financial markets' and would be 'prohibitively expensive and self-defeating'. Hardworking Brits living in and around St Albans fear the same could happen to them if the plans are approved. Swathes of countryside across Britain face being bulldozed under Labour's plan to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years. Gee Smedley, 47, a finance trainer from St Albans who runs local action group CLASH in her spare time told MailOnline: 'It's an absolutely diabolical mess. We've had a lot of stress. Residents are spending thousands yearly fighting it. Gee Medley, 47, (pictured) told MailOnline the plans for newbuilds on green belt near her home were 'diabolical' Sue Dunt, 64, (pictured with her two-year-old Staffy Vizla cross Saffron) said the plans were 'a joke' and 'just ridiculous' These rolling green belt fields near St Albans would be turned into a huge housing estate under the plans 'We're really disappointed in this government who have come in and torn up the protections. 'Planning is political. All governments have had kind of the same target over the last however many years - 1.5 million [homes] seems to be a rolling target. 'If you could deliver it before without using green belt, why now tear up the green belt? 'Most residents don't think it's the right strategy by our house because of the flooding. 'The wider concern is a lack of infrastructure. Nobody is adverse to building. St Albans does have brownfield but the greenbelt is the easy option. 'It doesn't stack up and the evidence doesn't support it. 'This is some of the most valuable greenbelt there is. All the surveys say St Albans is the best place to live so it pushes up the value of the land. Joan Aziz (pictured) is nearly 70 and moved into a house beside fields earmarked for development this week Stanley Jackson, 75, said the new homes would bring further traffic to an area already struggling with the 'chaos' on a daily basis Pictured: Green belt farmland that will be used as the site for thousands of homes if the plans go ahead Each light brown area surrounded by a purple line will be green belt used for homes under the plan, amounting to more than 800 hectares of countryside 'The land by our house used to be 20,000 an acre. They've just sold the field for 38million.' Addressing Housing Minister Angela Rayner directly, she said: 'Build houses where there's already infrastructure. Green belt rarely has that. 'Don't call in applications over local communities when you're trying to devolve power anyway. It makes no sense. 'There's a lot of hypocritical statements. You're not delivering what you said you would deliver.' A flood risk assessment commissioned by Mrs Smedley and other local volunteers found that the field by her home was unsuitable for development because of the 'unavoidable flood risk'. The report said: 'Development areas should be steered away from the site, and should be allocated to other sites that are appropriate for development with a lower risk of flooding.' Mrs Smedley added: 'None of the maths makes sense. If you could build your house on stilts, you'd be in order. 'But it's not a piece of green field that can be easily converted, [it has] huge environmental consequences and infrastructure challenges. It can't deliver. 'It doesn't makes any sense. In the meantime, we could be delivering more conversion of existing, built-on land.' Her neighbour Stanley Jackson, 75, moved to St Albans with his wife six years ago to be closer to his son and their grandchildren. He said: 'Labour has reduced the numbers required in London where Labour have all their seats and increased it here. A flood risk assessment commissioned by Mrs Smedley and other local volunteers found that the field (pictured) by her home was unsuitable for development because of the 'unavoidable flood risk' Locals said they were almost brought to tears by the council's plan to bulldoze the countryside 'If you come along this road when the school is in, at 3pm it's utter chaos.' He's not the only local who felt Labour was sticking a knife into the heart of the community. Innovation consultant Emma, in her 40s and her partner Alistair, 52, have lived together in St Albans for around eight years. Emma told MailOnline: 'What's nice about here is that you can go into the city but feel like you also have a foot in the countryside so you can go for a long run and walks. 'This completely messes that up. My concern is the trees. I don't trust the council and developers to be thoughtful. 'I voted Labour and I get that we need more housing. It brings to mind Lord of The Rings type imagery - massive bulldozing down of things and is it actually improving the community and in harmony with nature? 'I don't get a feeling that it is. [The developers] don't give a s***. 'The thing about the Labour manifesto is that it makes you feel more helpless. Before I thought, there's not a lot we can do to oppose something, they probably won't listen anyway. But now I feel like there really isn't. 'We need to feel more empowered locally. 'You get a sense that there will be no green belt. No difference between St Albans and Harpenden. You can imagine them building on everything. What's the plan? 'You feel really powerless. We got a consultation thing through the door but what can we really do? 'It's rubbish. It really is. I just want to be around nature. I'm not interested in all this development. You could almost weep at it. 'The walk we do down there [in my favourite field] would be completely demolished. Her partner Alistair said: 'The developers are in it for the money. The plan is to cover the countryside in housing and the consulting process is just PR. 'I find the whole thing very irritating. There's only one reason we're building more houses and that's because there are more people and there's obviously one reason for that.' A few miles away, Sue Dunt, 64, lives in Hemel Hempstead in the neighbouring borough of Dacorum, beside rolling Hertfordshire fields that St Albans council wants to destroy. She told MailOnline: 'It's just a joke. We don't have the infrastructure here to cope with it all. They slammed Labour for setting the huge targets that St Albans Council is following A council spokesman told MailOnline the Local Plan 'has to be legally compliant and in line with national policies, including targets for new housing in the district that are set by the Government and not by us' 'We've only got two doctors on this estate and they're both full to capacity. We've got not dentists, no nothing. 'I just don't know how the roads are going to cope with it. 'It's just ridiculous.' Her neighbour Terry Davies, 90, the father and ex-trainer of Olympic medallist swimmer Sharron Davies, lives next to green belt fields in Hemel Hempstead that are earmarked for development. Former special services veteran Terry told MailOnline: 'I don't know why as a nation we're not building upwards. It's happening everywhere. I've been here 23 years. 'It's ridiculous. This development is going to make [congestion] worse. 'Politics these days - they're a bunch of f***ing nutcases. Look at the group we've got now. They got a smaller number of votes than last time when we beat them.' Joan Aziz is nearly 70 and moved into a house beside the fields this week. However, she was unaware the fields were earmarked for development. When she found out, she was gutted. 'I just don't like it,' she said. 'I like the green areas.' Another neighbour, Bobbi Amamou, in her 60s, works at a nearby school. She said: 'It's not good news. When we moved out here this is how it was, all lovely and green. 'It's a vast amount [they're planning to build on]. It's really sad because it's a lovely area. We've got all this lovely greenery that's going to be going.' Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake, the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Communities, said: 'The Labour Government have used their sleight of hand invention of 'grey belt' land as a Trojan Horse to undermine important national Green Belt protections and are now going to bulldoze the countryside by disproportionately moving development into Green Belt and rural areas. 'When the Conservatives were in government, we delivered over 2.5 million homes without concreting over the Green Belt. 'Labour must prioritise building on brownfield land in urban areas rather than ignoring local communities wishes to protect Green Belt land'. A St Albans spokesman said:'We have stressed to our residents that the Local Plan has to be legally compliant and in line with national policies, including targets for new housing in the district that are set by the Government and not by us. 'Producing a Local Plan is one of the most challenging and complex tasks that a council of our size has to undertake. 'It involved three years of work including numerous public meetings, discussions, reports and studies, some carried out by independent experts. 'We have been entirely transparent throughout this process, providing regular updates to councillors of all parties at committee meetings open to the public. 'Residents, community groups, businesses, neighbouring local authorities, statutory bodies and other organisations helped shape the Local Plan by giving their views in two major consultations. 'All of the feedback we received was carefully considered, analysed in published reports and put before councillors on our Planning Policy Committee. 'People will still have a chance to raise any objections they may have during the examination hearings.' A Ministry of Housing spokesman said: 'We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory and all areas, including St Albans, must play their part as we deliver 1.5 million homes as part of our Plan for Change. 'Our ambitious plans to provide the housing we need will not come at the expense of the environment. Brownfield sites which people are desperate to see used will be developed first, and any greenbelt development will deliver the infrastructure and affordable housing which communities need.' The new series of BBC drama SAS Rogue Heroes has drawn both praise and criticism for its depiction of the wartime exploits of Britain's most elite troops. The second series of the adaptation of the book by historian Ben Macintyre is certainly an all-action extravaganza. But aspects of the show have also been slated by historians, not least Jack O'Connell's portrayal of the SAS's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Blair 'Paddy' Mayne. Historian Damien Lewis told MailOnline on Thursday that his depiction as a 'drunken, ill-disciplined, irreverent, uncouth, misfit' is a 'travesty'. But the BBC drama does repeatedly get across the immense bravery of Mayne and his men and the respect they had for their commander. A disclaimer at the start of each episode also warns viewers that what they are watching is 'not a history lesson'. So, with that in mind, MailOnline separates fact from fiction in each of the drama's six episodes with the help of Mr Lewis - who has written more than a dozen books on the history of the SAS. Did Paddy Mayne really smash up a Cairo restaurant and then have a fight with military police? The scene in the opening episode of the second series of SAS Rogue Heroes, where Jack O'Connell's Paddy Mayne smashes up a Cairo restaurant The opening episode of the second series of SAS Rogue Heroes shows Paddy Mayne smashing up a Cairo restaurant after being denied leave to attend his father's funeral. The SAS commander really was refused permission to go to his father's send-off. Mr Macintyre's original book does say that Mayne went on the rampage shortly after receiving the news. He writes: 'In the course of a few hours in Cairo, it was said, he smashed up several restaurants, got into a punch up with half a dozen military policemen and was flung into a cell.' The TV version shows Mayne sitting in a posh restaurant in Egypt's capital as viewers hear him reading out a letter to his mother, telling her that he was 'somewhat aggrieved' he could not come home for 'dad's funeral'. He then explodes with rage and causes significant damage to his surroundings before brawling with military police. Mr Lewis says there is 'no evidence' he smashed up the restaurant, but that he did have a fight with members of the military police. Verdict: Partly true Lieutenant Colonel Blair 'Paddy' Mayne is portrayed by Jack O'Connell in SAS Rogue Heroes Did the brother of SAS founder David Stirling really butt heads with Paddy Mayne over the change of the unit's name to the Special Raiding Squadron? It is true that the SAS was re-styled as the SRS in April 1943. Rogue Heroes shows Mayne arguing with Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stirling - the brother of David - over the name and trying to stop any change. But Stirling was never involved with the name change. Instead, he was sent to Algeria to raise the 2nd SAS Regiment (2 SAS). The BBC show also depicts Bill Stirling briefing Mayne's men, some of whom are insubordinate. This is not a historical account. Mr Lewis said: 'The two forces Mayne's SRS and 2 SAS were encamped hundreds of miles apart, and had no need or desire to meet. 'Stirling never briefed Mayne's men for Italy ops, and he certainly didn't turn up in Italy to command Mayne and his men in the field. 'Indeed, he was seen as being too valuable a commander raising and training 2 SAS to risk him at the coal face of operations.' Verdict: False In SAS Rogue Heroes, Jack O'Connell's Paddy Mayne is seen falling out with Bill Stirling, including over the change of the SAS's name to the Special Raiding Squadron Did Paddy Mayne really order his men to leave British sailors to drown and tell them to cut loose a flailing soldier who had clung onto their boat? The first episode of Rogue Heroes shows a harrowing scene minutes before they land on the beach during the first steps of the invasion of Sicily. Mayne is seen telling his men that they will soon encounter British comrades drowning in the sea, with their gliders having crashed into the water. He tells them that they are not allowed to rescue them because there is no time. One of Mayne's men, Reg Seekings, who is portrayed by Theo Barklem-Biggs on TV, later said: 'The poor devils were shouting for help but we didn't stop. 'We shouted to them to hang on, but we couldn't stop to pick them up... we'd got a job to do.' The first episode of Rogue Heroes shows Paddy Mayne telling his men not to help drowning sailors in the minutes before they land in Sicily On screen, Mayne is even seen ordering his men to cut loose a drowning man who was clinging onto their boat. But Mr Lewis said Mayne and his men had 'no idea' there were drowning men until they came across them vessel, the Ulster Monarch. 'They sailed into the carnage and had to deal with what they found. They actually rescued several of those drowning. 'The lead LCAs were then full, so yes they had to continue and Mayne made that clear. All his men understood why.' Verdict: False On screen, Mayne is even seen ordering his men to cut loose a drowning man who was clinging onto their boat Did the SAS really clash with the Sicilian mafia? In Rogue Heroes, Mayne's men are seen exchanging fire with the Cosa Nostra, members of the Sicilian Mafia. The criminals later double-cross Mayne by betraying his men to the Germans. However, the introduction of the mafia is pure fiction. Similarly, there were no interactions at the time with the Italian resistance. Verdict: False In Rogue Heroes, Mayne's men are seen exchanging fire with the Cosa Nostra, members of the Sicilian Mafia Did David Stirling really have a French lover who visited him in prison disguised as a nun? Rogue Heroes shows David Stirling being visited in captivity by French spy Eve Mansour, who is also his lover. She gets into his cell disguised as a nun and the pair sleep together, narrowly avoiding being discovered by guards. However, although there were many heroic female spies in the war, Mansour - who is portrayed by Sofia Boutella - is an invention. Verdict: False Rogue Heroes shows David Stirling being visited in captivity by French spy Eve Mansour, who is also his lover Did David Stirling really not get on with his brother or Paddy Mayne? In Rogue Heroes, Connor Swindells' David Stirling is seen angrily telling Mansour that his brother is in command 'because it was my idea'. He also appears to disparage his older sibling by referring to him as his 'older, calmer, more sophisticated brother'. But Mr Lewis says there is 'no evidence' for the hint of bad blood between the Stirling brothers, or for suggestions in the series that David and Mayne did not get on either. He said: 'No evidence of this at all. As there is zero evidence that David Stirling and Mayne didn't get on. 'In fact, both write of missing each other when David Stirling was captured.' Verdict: False In Rogue Heroes, there is a suggestion that David Stirling (portrayed by Connor Swindells), resents his brother, Bill Stirling Swindells' David Stirling refers to his brother (played by Gwilym Lee) as his 'older, calmer, more sophisticated brother' David Stirling (above) founded the SAS in 1941. He went on to spend most of the war as a prisoner of Italy and Nazi Germany Did David Stirling really try to escape from captivity? In Rogue Heroes' third episode, Stirling is seen attempting to escape from his Italian captors. Fellow inmates help him to get out of the prison walls, before he begins abseiling down to the ground. But his ploy fails when a guard finds him and cuts the rope. Injured, he is thrown into solitary confinement. In the sixth episode of Rogue Heroes, which is available on BBC iPlayer but has not yet aired on TV, Stirling is seen attempting another escape while dressed as a German soldier. Again, his plot is foiled and he is banged up once more. Although both escape ploys depicted on screen are inventions, the reality is that Stirling did try to escape from prison more than once. For his efforts, he was sent to the supposedly 'escape proof' Colditz Castle in Germany. There, he spent the rest of the war. Verdict: True In Rogue Heroes' third episode, Stirling is seen attempting to escape from his Italian captors. Fellow inmates help him to get out of the prison walls, before he begins abseiling down to the ground In the sixth episode of Rogue Heroes, which is available on BBC iPlayer but has not yet aired on TV, Stirling is seen attempting another escape while dressed as a German soldier Was Paddy Mayne really a fan of poetry? O'Connell's Mayne is seen more than once in Rogue Heroes reciting poetry. In the third episode, he gets part way through Anthem for Doomed Youth - the great work by First World War poet Wilfred Owen - before forgetting the next verse. The scene is an accurate representation of Mayne's love for poetry. Mr Lewis said: 'He would carry a book of poetry with him into battle named Other Men's Flowers, an anthology by General Wavell. 'An eclectic collection, it includes much war poetry, but also philosophy, spiritual works, those on magic, landscape, beauty, love and much more.' Verdict: True O'Connell's Mayne is seen more than once in Rogue Heroes reciting poetry Did the SAS really kill a gravely wounded soldier in an act of mercy? The third episode of Rogue Heroes also shows Mayne shooting dead a gravely wounded German soldier after being asked to do so by the young man's terrified brother. Mr Lewis said that this tragic act of mercy really was carried out after the SAS came across two soldiers who were siblings, one of them gravely wounded. Verdict: True The third episode of Rogue Heroes also shows Mayne shooting dead a gravely wounded German soldier Mr Lewis said that this tragic act of mercy really was carried out after the SAS came across two soldiers who were siblings, one of them gravely wounded Did Did Hitler really order for captured SAS soldiers to be executed? The fifth episode of Rogue Heroes shows Mayne being told that 'Foster, Shorthall, Dudgeon and Brunt' were captured and then executed. He is also told: 'The new command from Hitler regarding SAS prisoners was carried out to the letter'. Viewers are then shown the names of 'the first SAS to die as a result of Hitler's Commando Order'. The fifth episode of Rogue Heroes depicts the introduction of Hitler's 'Commando Order'. Viewers are shown the names of 'the first SAS to die' as a result of the order The moment in Rogue Heroes when two SAS sodiers are executed by German soldiers after being captured They were Captain James Patrick Shortall, Sergeant William Johnston Foster, Captain Patrick Laurence Dudgeon and Parachutist Bernard Oliver Brunt. Mr Lewis said: 'The "Commando Order", as it became known, was notorious, illegal, and against all rules of war.' Adolf Hitler imposed the order after being left furious by the damage wrought by the SAS and other commando units. In October 1942, Adolf Hitler was left so enraged by the SAS's raids that he imposed his order to execute all captured commandos, even when in uniform. Verdict: True German troops line up with their rifles to kill two members of the SAS in Rogue Heroes Did Reg Seekings really shoot a gravely wounded boy in an act of mercy during the battle in Termoli? In Rogue Heroes' fourth episode, SAS soldier Reg Seekings is seen shooting a gravely wounded boy in an act of mercy during the German assault on Termoli in Sicily. Earlier scenes had showed him befriending the child, who is depicted as being from the family that owns a laundry firm in the town. The family are seen washing the SAS soldiers' uniforms before German forces attacked. But the child and his family are then killed when a German bomb smashes into their home. In Rogue Heroes' fourth episode, Seekings is seen shooting a gravely wounded boy in an act of mercy during the German assault on Termoli in Sicily Mr Macintyre said in his book that an Italian family - a man and his wife who had a teenage daughter and son - had taken in some washing for the troops and had become friendly with the SAS soldiers. And Mr Lewis confirmed that Seekings did shoot the family's son after he was gravely wounded in the German attack. Although the boy's sister survived, his mother and father were killed outright in the blast. On screen, all members of the family are killed. Seekings later said of the boy: 'Suddenly he got up and ran around screaming. Terrible sight. 'There was absolutely no hope for him, and you couldn't let anybody suffer like that. So I caught him, and I shot him.' Verdict: Partly true Earlier scenes had showed him befriending the child, who is depicted as being from the family that owns a laundry firm in the town Reg Seekings survived his service in the SAS and went on to live until 1999 Was SAS soldier John Tonkin really saved from execution when a German commander summoned him for dinner? In the fourth episode of Rogue Heroes, SAS man John Tonkin (played by Jack Barton) is seen being captured and then unexpectedly getting a reprieve from execution when the German commander summons him to have dinner with him. After the pair eat together, Tonkin is again set to be put to death but then escapes. Mr Lewis said: 'He gave him dinner and a veiled warning that he would be forced to hand Tonkin to the Gestapo and that would spell the end. 'That drove Tonkin to escape and he brought back to the SAS the very first intimations that Hitler's Commando Order did exist.' Verdict: Partly true In the fourth episode of Rogue Heroes, SAS man John Tonkin (played by Jack Barton) is seen being captured and then unexpectedly getting a reprieve from execution He is about to be executed by a German firing squad but is saved when seconds from death Did Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery really come to Termoli to inspect the SAS? In the show's fifth episode, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery is seen coming to Termoli to inspect the SAS after their victory. He encounters Mayne, who is insubordinate and defiantly refuses to wear the regiment's new maroon beret. O'Connell's Mayne then wins the senior Army man's favour and Montgomery says he has his permission to continue wearing his sand-coloured beret. In the show's fifth episode, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery is seen coming to Termoli to inspect the SAS after their victory Mr Lewis confirmed that Montgomery really did come to Termoli Members of 2nd SAS Regiment on parade for an inspection by Gen. Montgomery, following their successful participation in the capture of the port of Termoli Mr Lewis confirmed that Montgomery really did come to Termoli but says that Mayne only refused to wear the new beret after the SAS were withdrawn to the UK. The historian also insists: 'He never spoke back to Monty. Between them there developed a huge respect. 'Mayne congratulated Monty on his promotion by wireless message from the field. Monty acknowledged and thanked him for that.' Verdict: True Did Paddy Mayne really start a fight in the Ritz with American GIs, before it was broken up by spy Dudley Clarke firing a gun at the ceiling? The sixth episode of Rogue Heroes shows O'Connell's Mayne brawling with American GIs at the Ritz Hotel in London. The fight breaks out after the US soldier tries to aid hotel staff in getting the members of the SAS to leave. The brawl is finally broken up by intelligence officer Dudley Clarke (portrayed by Dominic West) when he fires his pistol. Viewers may not be surprised to learn that the scene is fictional. Verdict: False Donald Trump plans to get aggressive on illegal immigration starting on Day One of his second term, and Latino Americans could be critical to helping him in that effort. Trump's incoming 'border czar' Tom Homan made it clear that he will take a much more proactive approach to the role than his predecessor, Vice President Kamala Harris. And one man, Latino Wall Street CEO Tony Delgado, talked about his group's central role to those efforts and how Latino Americans are flocking to support Trump. A lifelong Democrat, Delgado was helping run Hispanics for Kennedy in Robert F. Kennedy's White House bid last year. He then switched over to Trump's camp when Kennedy endorsed the now-president-elect. Delgado told DailyMail.com that he participated in an intimate roundtable with Homan in Florida this month. He revealed how Homan detailed his focus on quelling the illegal immigration and human and fentanyl trafficking crisis at the U.S. borders. Delgado believes that Trump will bring the security and safety that Latinos who came through legal channels to the U.S. want to see. Delgado believes that Trump will bring the security and safety that legal immigrants want to see Tony Delgado of Latino Wall Street claims Democrats have been gaslighting Americans into thinking open borders won't let cartels take over U.S. cities but says legal immigrants who fled the cartels know better. Pictured: Delgado with incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan Delgado said Democrats are 'gaslighting' Americans into thinking a flow of migration over the southern border won't bring harm to the U.S. But he claims Latinos who left Central and South American cities run by cartels aren't fooled and see the writing on the wall of sanctuary cities becoming like the cities from which they originally fled. 'A lot of them came here for opportunity, a lot of them came here to escape crime,' Delgado said of those who legally emigrated from their countries and are now American citizens. 'You know, you can gaslight unsuspecting other American citizens who have never been to Latin America and pretend like the cartels aren't real,' he said of Democrats' strategy to keep the borders open. 'We know the cartels are real. We know the crime is real in our countries. That's why we've left in many cases. So we know the dangers of the cartels and the criminal elements.' Because these Latino Americans understand the dangers of the cartels and their crime rings, they can be helpful to spread the word on why tough policies are necessary, he says. Homan plans to hit the ground running with three top priorities, Delgado revealed. The first is to close the border and criminalize illegal crossings between ports of entry. Individuals crossing between ports and claiming asylum when they are captured or otherwise evading authorities is what has led to the largest influx of undocumented migrants living in the U.S. in the last four years under President Joe Biden. Homan that another priority will be overseeing the 'largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history' that Trump promised during his 2024 reelection campaign. Homan is helping lead the massive efforts by Trump to lead the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history once he takes office later this month Tony Delgado's wife Gabriela Berrospi founded Latino Wall Street. The couple are spearheading efforts to increase support among the Latino American community to support Trump in his second term Delgado detailed how Homan is currently building relationships with mayors and governors, as well as jails and prisons across the country, to get in place a system for having them help with deportation. He said Homan has already established a good relationship with New York City's Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who is looking to more directly address the illegal immigrant crisis in his city. Homan said a priority for deportations is going to be looking at prisons and jails were undocumented immigrants are being held already. He wants these jails to do a lot of the 'leg work' to get started on the deportation efforts. Delgado's father was actually in prison until just recently. He detailed how he grew up without a father because he was sentenced to life in prison as a nonviolent drug offender who Delgado claims was a victim of the super stringent punishments for drugs during the 'war on drugs.' 'Trump's first step act frees my father,' Delgado explained. 'So Trump, in 2018 does the first step act, my dad applies for it, and my dad gets out six months before the election.' Delgado's dad flew to Palm Beach, Florida, right after getting out of prison and had him attend an event with RFK Jr. Delgado and his father, who grew up between New York City and Puerto Rico, pose with a Puerto Rican flag after Democrats slammed Trump for featuring a comedian at a rally that called the U.S. territory 'garbage' Guatemalan migrants deported from the United States Finally, the third top priority for the Trump administration is to 'find the kids,' according to Delgado. He said there are approximately 400,000 children that were lost at the border, and that Homan wants to find where these children went. Many are victims of sex trafficking, while others are just unaccounted for because migrants or other people in the U.S. were able to claim the kids without showing proof of relations. Delgado is the CEO of Latino Wall Street, a Spanish-language group that his wife Gabriela Berrospi founded to help bring financial education to Latino people in America. Specifically the group aims to help Latino Americans succeed in business or reach economic prosperity. Some museum fans may have paid multiple visits last year, but on average, every Chinese person visited a museum in the country once in 2024. As a document released by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Friday showed, more than 1.4 billion visits roughly equal to the nation's population were made to museums across the country last year, setting a new yearly record. The popularity of such facilities among the public reflects the fruitful achievements of cultural heritage-related promotional and educational efforts in China. Also, according to the administration, since the 4th national census of cultural relics launched in November 2023, over 93 percent of some 710,000 previously registered "immovable cultural relics" defined in China as archaeological sites, historical monuments, ancient architecture, rock carvings and so on had been rechecked nationwide to ensure such ongoing classification by last week. Another 52,000 such relics were newly discovered in the ongoing census, which is expected to last until next year. Archaeological work continued to be conducted in an orderly way, demonstrating key progress. In 2024, 259 proactive excavations were initiated to solve crucial academic issues. They focused not only on long-explored landmark sites marking early-stage civilization such as the Yinxu and Erlitou sites in Henan province but also new areas like deep-sea research on two Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) shipwrecks in the South China Sea. "We'll continuously strengthen archaeology and thus better explain Chinese civilization," said Li Qun, director of the administration. In preparation for infrastructure construction, another 1,480 excavations were launched last year to better protect heritage sites. More than 10 new museums opened on major archaeological sites. The newest findings on the origins of Chinese civilization were included in the latest versions of history textbooks for elementary and high school students. Last year, a total of 36 Chinese cultural relic exhibitions were held abroad, and 211 lost Chinese relics overseas were repatriated on seven occasions from countries including the United States, Japan, Argentina and Italy. China is also drafting national-level guidance concerning cross-border joint archaeological research in the next decade. "(In 2025,) China will promote friendly relations between World Heritage Sites in China and other countries," Li said. "More work will be done to advance the return of key cultural relics to the motherland." An exhibition is planned for later this year to showcase the achievements of repatriated Chinese cultural relics since 2012, he added. The extraordinary story of how a runaway teenage girl was sought by police as a missing person for more than 50 years can be told for the first time today. The bizarre case of Sheila Fox - a 16-year-old from Coventry who vanished in March 1972, leaving her family desperately worried - went viral last week. There was huge international interest after it was announced that Sheila had been finally found some six decades after disappearing, following a 'cold case' appeal. A police spokesperson said: 'We are delighted to announce the conclusion of one of our longest-running missing person investigations.' But the West Midlands Police announcement conspicuously did not reveal any further details of what had happened to Sheila beyond explaining that they had now made contact with her. Now, however, MailOnline has unearthed the extraordinary back story of the teenager who ran off just days after her 16th birthday - and what happened to her. And we can reveal that she has been hiding in plain sight - living openly just 80 miles away from the family home she'd run away from. And has even married and had a family of her own. The story begins at a modest terraced house on Gulson Road, an unremarkable street less than a mile from Coventry's iconic modernist cathedral. It was here, in a neighbourhood described as 'working class and very close-knit', that Sheila was born, on 26 February 1956 - only then she was christened 'Sheelagh' in honour of her parents' joint Irish heritage. Sheila Fox vanished from her home in Coventry as a 16-year-old schoolgirl in March 1972. It was rumoured she had run off with an older man, the identity of whom was a mystery. All police had to go one was this grainy black and white photo Over the next six decades detectives had no idea what happened to her until they put out a fresh appeal last week with the same grainy photo. Now MailOnline has pieced together the true story of what happened to Sheila (pictured this week) who was hiding in plain sight Both her mother, Anne, and father, Chris, a bricklayer, hailed from County Wexford in Ireland and had moved to the Midlands at the end of WWII when Chris found work there rebuilding the city which had been heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe. Sheelagh was the first of the couple's four children to be born in England. Her elder brothers John and Chris Jr, and sister Brigid, were all born in Ireland and moved to Coventry as young children. Sheila appears to have had a conventional childhood in the city, at one point anglicising the spelling of her name to Sheila, presumably in a bid to blend in with her English classmates. She was apparently intending, as was normal in the 1970s, to leave school at 16 which would have happened in July 1972. Instead, she would leave Coventry and her family abruptly that March. It was at this point that the story of Sheila's life as a missing person began. The precise circumstances of what prompted her to run away from home remain unclear though the accepted version of events among members of her wider family is that she had embarked upon a relationship with an older man and her parents disapproved - or she feared that they would if they found out. According to her cousin Kevin Fox, the family story was that she had 'run off with the insurance man, the man from The Pru.' ('The man from the Pru', short for Prudential, was a popular insurance advertising slogan at the time Sheila vanished.) If this were the reason for her running away, it would echo the 1967 Beatles song She's Leaving Home, written by Paul McCartney: 'Friday morning, at nine o'clock, she is far away. Waiting to keep the appointment she made, greeting a man from the motor trade.' Sheila's frantic parents quickly reported her disappearance to police - providing them with a solitary grainy black and white photograph of her gazing wistfully into the distance on a recent seaside family holiday to help identify her. The riddle of what happened to Sheila remained unknown - but now MailOnline can reveal what really happened to her after she left the home in Coventry she shared with her parents Sheila's birth certificate shows that she was born Sheelagh Fox, later on anglicising the spelling to Sheila. Her mother, Anne, and father, Chris, hailed from Ireland. Sheila was the first of the couple's four children to be born in England Sheila was a schoolgirl living in this terraced house in Coventry when she vanished in 1972. A relative told MailOnline that she embarked on a relationship that her parents disapproved of Gulson Road, where Sheila was living, is an unremarkable street of terraced houses less than a mile from Coventry's iconic modernist cathedral. It is described as a close-knit working class community where the family settled after moving to England from Ireland Her movements immediately after leaving Coventry are not clear. But what is clear is that if Sheila hadn't run away because she 'got in trouble' - as the expression for unplanned pregnancies at the time had it - she soon would be. Just 16 months after disappearing, Sheila gave birth to a son Robert, who turned out to be her only son, in July 1973. Rob's birth certificate shows he was fathered by a man called John Foster, who is described as barman from Enfield, north London. By that time Sheila had changed her surname to Foster, suggesting that Sheila and John had married. Teenage mum Sheila remained estranged from her parents and siblings at this point and would remain so for another decade or so - before herself making contact again. Or at least trying to. 'She got back in touch with her family in the 1980s,' recalled Kevin, 75, who still lives in Coventry. 'But by then the whole family had moved to Canada.' While Sheila was out of contact Chris and Anne Fox and Sheila's three older siblings had indeed emigrated. They left Coventry for Delta, British Columbia in 1976 to start a new life, perhaps partly to put the trauma of Sheila's disappearance behind them. The precise details of what happened when she tried to get back in touch are unclear but it's believed that word reached the Fox family in Canada and the whole notion that Sheila was missing was laid to rest at this point - but apparently no one got around to informing West Midlands Police that they were back in contact. Cousin Kevin recalls: 'We all thought at the time that her parents would have informed the police that she'd been found, but who knows? Maybe they did and the message got lost in the records.' It is also unclear what happened to her relationship with John Foster, but by 1983 Sheila had married divorced father-of-two Jack Thorpe, who is seven years her senior, taking his surname, as did her son, Rob. Just 16 months after leaving Gulson Road (pictured) Sheila, who by this time had moved to north London, had a son called Rob in July 1973. She remained estranged from her parents who in 1976 - three years after she vanished - left Coventry for British Columbia to start a new life Jack, a chauffeur, had grown up in north-west London and it's thought the couple were living in the area at this time and subsequently. Certainly from 2003, they were in a flat just off London's North Circular Road in Cricklewood. Then in 2015, Sheila and Jack Thorpe bought a flat in Watford, where they still live. Rob, now 51 and himself also married, lives around the corner from his mother and her husband in the Hertfordshire commuter town. He works as a lorry driver. It was at the Thorpe's flat in a new build block just outside Watford town centre, that MailOnline tracked down Sheila this week and asked her about her sudden international fame courtesy of being 'found' by West Midlands Police. Sheila declined to comment in detail on her strange life story, saying only: 'It all happened a long time ago, I've moved on, it's all in the past. It's been a misunderstanding and I don't want to say any more.' But two comments she reposted on Facebook in recent days might also provide a clue to the way she now views those tumultuous events from so long ago. One, posted around the time of the new police appeal, three days after Christmas, was by US author Morgan Richard Olivier and read: 'You did the best you could with what you knew at the time. 'Don't let new wisdom lead you to condemn yourself over old struggles. Forgive yourself and move forward.' Another in a similar vein, posted a week ago, read: 'Life doesn't allow for us to go back and fix what we have done wrong in the past, but it does allow for us to live each day better than our last.' Sheila's mother Anne died in Delta, British Columbia in August 1996, and her father Chris passed away there in 2019, aged 98. In 2018 when her brother Christopher died, aged 71, Sheila demonstrated that any suggestion that she was estranged was no longer the case. She posted a loving tribute, writing on Facebook: 'Remembered with love. Sleep well.' A month later, on his birthday, she posted on legacy.com: 'No card today. No cake! Heavy hearts and tears. Blessed to have had you as my brother. Sheila x.' Her surviving siblings still live in British Columbia, Canada. But the sudden fame that the police announcement brought to Sheila seems to have amused her wider family. It is unclear when Sheila got in touch with her family - but in 1983 she married divorced father-of-two Jack Thorpe (pictured), a chauffer, who is seven years her senior, taking his surname as did her only son Rob. By 2003, the couple lived in a flat in Cricklewood, north London By 2015 Sheila and Jack had bought a flat in Watford (pictured), which is just around the corner from her mother-in-law. Sheila's mother Anne died in British Columbia in August 1996, and her father Chris passed away there in 2019, aged 98. Her three siblings still live in Canada Cousin Rob Kevin told us: 'In any case, when it came on the news that police were issuing a new appeal after 52 years, we all had a good laugh and I'm not sure who put them right, but I was a bit surprised to see them patting themselves on the back for the investigation! And another relative, publisher Ella Fox-Martens, 26, tweeted a link to the story writing: 'This is my grandfather's cousin. Just unimaginable scenes in the family group chat at the minute.' Later she added: 'The most telling part being that she'd been back for years! "A bit late in the day," as my great aunt put it.' Newly released bodycam footage shows twisted 'hell-on-wheels' killer, Mackenzie Shirilla, pleading with Ohio police during an arrest in 2022. The unsettling video showed the disturbed teen crying and begging police 'not to break her bracelet' as a Strongsville detective put her in handcuffs. In August 2023, Shirilla, now 20, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole after killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and his friend Davion Flanagan, 19, when she plowed her car into a building at 100mph in July 2022. In the footage, one officer could be heard asking 'Where is she?' as he approached another police vehicle, which held the handcuffed teen. 'Hi Mackenzie,' the officer said as he opened the car's rear door, 'Can you step out for me?' Shirilla, teary-eyed and dressed in a white tank-top and an unzipped black sweatshirt, then exited the rear of the cop car before being placed under arrest. Shirilla, who was about to turn 18 just two days after the fatal crash, can then be seen quietly weeping in the backseat of the police vehicle. On July 31, 2022, at approximately 5:30 am, Shirilla was 'driving her Toyota Camry with the two passengers inside at a controlled speed down Progress Road in Strongsville,' according to a Cuyhoga County Prosecutor's Office report. However, almost immediately after turning onto Progress Drive, Shirilla accelerated her vehicle to 100 mph. Newly released bodycam footage shows twisted 'hell-on-wheels' killer, Mackenzie Shirilla, pleading with Ohio police during an arrest in 2022 Shirilla, now 20, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after she horrifically killed her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and his 19-year-old friend Davion Flanagan, when she plowed her car into a building at 100mph in July 2022 Welling up with tears, Shirilla then pleads with the detective 'not to break her bracelet' as he attempts to switch out her handcuffs She then plowed her car directly through a business sign and into the Plidco Building, a brick structure at the intersection of Progress and Alameda Drive, the report added. The teen's reckless actions were captured on nearby surveillance footage and turned out to be the key evidence in her eventual conviction. 'The video clearly shows the purpose and intent of the defendant,' Judge Nancy Margaret Russo said. 'She chose a course of death and destruction that day.' 'Whether Shirilla intended to kill herself too was a matter of speculation and irrelevant to evaluating the evidence at hand, Russo added. Russo ultimately ruled that the defendant, whose actions were 'controlled, methodical, deliberate, intentional, and purposeful,' meant to kill the young men. The judge found Shirilla guilty on all charges, including four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of drug possession and one count of possessing criminal tools. Despite having the possibility of parole, Russo voiced doubt at Shirilla's sentencing that she would actually get out after 15 years, agreeing with the prosecution, who maintained the defendant showed a 'shocking lack of remorse.' Shirilla can then be seen quietly weeping in the backseat of the police vehicle On July 31, 2022, at approximately 5:30 am, Shirilla was driving her Toyota Camry with two male passengers inside at a controlled speed down Progress Road in Strongsville, surveillance footage shows. Pictured: Mackenzie Shirilla and her then-boyfriend, Dominic Russo Shirilla's reckless actions also took the life of 19-year-old Davion Flanagan However, Shirilla maintained her innocence in court, even shaking her head during victim impact statements Although Shirilla's lawyers appealed her conviction, it was upheld by an appeals court in September 2024. However, Shirilla maintained her innocence in court, even shaking her head during victim impact statements. 'No one wanted this to be a murder, or to punish Mackenzie Shirilla for this accident, but this was not a car accident,' Christine Russo, Shirilla's then-boyfriend's mother, said in court. 'The evidence and science proved that Mackenzie Shirilla murdered my son Dominic as well as Davion.' Mark Zuckerberg has met with Donald Trump for a second time since the election as the Facebook owner faces down critics of his so-called MAGA makeover. The tech titan was spotted getting on to his private jet in Palm Beach, Florida, which was parked next to Trump's after the pair met at Mar-a-Lago. The co-chair of Meta's oversight board suggested Zuckerberg was 'caving in to Trump' by axing Facebook fact-checking and admitted he was blindsided by the stunning U-turn. Zuckerberg, whose Meta group owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, is in the midst of an abrupt policy shift that took users and staff by surprise. He announced he would end the fact-checking program, which multiple studies found reduced misinformation on Meta social media sites. The billionaire also moved to allow for LGBT people to be called mentally ill, promoted his most Trump-favoring executive, and put UFC boss Dana White on the board. Michael McConnell, co-chair of the Meta Oversight Board, was mostly guarded when asked about the changes, but admitted the optics were 'bad'. Mark Zuckerberg has met with Donald Trump a second time since the election, spotted at Palm Beach Airport on Friday His jet was notably smaller than the modified Boeing 757 'Trump Force One' it was parked next to on the tarmac 'I do think that there's bad optics here, that it looks like and may be even the reality - I don't know,' he told NPR. 'But it certainly looks like this is buckling to political pressure. I would have liked to have seen these reforms laid out, you know... in less contentious and partisan times so that they would be considered on the merits. 'Rather than looking like this is - you know, Donald Trump is president, and now they're caving.' The Meta Oversight Board is made up of experts in law, human rights, and journalism from around the world that reviews content moderation policies and decisions. McConnell admitted 'there's pretty overwhelming evidence that the fact-checkers corrected much more content from the right side of the spectrum than the left side of the spectrum' but said it wasn't clear if that was because more lies came from the right. He said the board was blindsided by Zuckerberg's decision and was not consulted before it was announced. 'We did not know that they were going to be revising that standard,' he said of the fact-checking program. The tech titan was spotted getting on to his private jet in Palm Beach, Florida, that was parked next to Trump's at the airport, after the Mar-a-Lago meeting Zuckerberg strode from his car to his Gulfstream G650 jet at Palm Beach International Airport, wearing a navy suit and appropriately red tie Zuckerberg's announcement that he will end 'fact-checking' on Meta completes his turn from a man who banned Trump from his platform to a full supporter of the president-elect By contrast, Zuckerberg told the president-elect's team ahead of time, according to the New York Times. Zuckerberg dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the election, donated $1 million to his inauguration and sat down with him a second time on Friday. He strode from his car to his Gulfstream G650 jet at Palm Beach International Airport, wearing a navy suit and appropriately red tie. His jet was notably smaller than the modified Boeing 757 'Trump Force One' it was parked next to on the tarmac. Trump and Zuckerberg meeting inside the Oval Office in September 2019 During a five-minute video explaining the new policies, Zuckerberg claimed his fact-checking 'reached a point where it's just too many mistakes and too much censorship'. 'Fact-checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they've created,' he said. Joel Kaplan, a Trump ally whom Zuckerberg promoted to chief global affairs officer after the election, also claimed on Fox News that there was 'too much political bias' in Meta's fact-checking program. These claims stood at odds with independent studies, which determined that the program helped to reduce misinformation. Fewer people believed falsehoods than before it was implemented, they found. Meta has made several moves in recent days that are likely to please Trump's team, such as appointing former Republican official Joel Kaplan to head up public affairs at the company On Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White to Meta's board of directors in another olive branch to Trump Zuckerberg also appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast to discuss his policy shifts Zuckerberg admitted misinformation would rise, but insisted it was more important to allow mostly unfettered free expression. 'The reality is that this is a trade-off. It means that we're going to catch less bad stuff, but we'll also reduce the number of innocent people's posts and accounts that we accidentally take down,' he said. Another policy shift that many found alarming was the removal of protections against the abuse of LGBT people. Meta users will be able to share 'allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality'. Zuckerberg said this was part of a push to 'get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse'. As I drive towards Pacific Palisades, the heart of the LA wildfires, ash falls like snow. The air is sulphurous and my throat burns. Up ahead in the distance, the sky glows an angry red. On the opposite side of the road, traffic is backed up. Everyone else is trying to get out. An American friend with me struggles to take it all in. This is f***ing unbelievable, man, he repeats softly to himself. Even by LA standards these fires are unprecedented. They are the worst not only in the history of California but the history of the United States. So far, they have killed at least 16 people, and wiped out an estimated 29,000 acres of land, 10,000 homes and other structures. They have also caused around 47 billion ($57 billion) in economic damage and forced 180,000 people to evacuate. The mood on the ground here is the same mix of rage and grief Ive seen in Ukraine after a Russian missile strike or a particularly bloody battle. And almost everyone around me believes this carnage was avoidable. The main target of their anger is LA mayor Karen Bass, who was away in Ghana when the fires began. When she did eventually show up to give a press conference, she informed her now desperate citizenry that all the help they needed could be found at URL. She had meant to give the emergency website for victims of the fire to visit, but it appears the script in front of her only said URL the shorthand for all web addresses. Thinking on your feet is not a Bass speciality. Ms Bass is utterly out of her depth. Everyone already knew that her last budget included $17.6 million (14.4 million) of cuts to the fire department. Now a leaked memo has revealed that just days before the fire, the city also asked the fire department to make an extra $49 million (40 million) of budget cuts. A helicopter drops water on the Palisades fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday Los Angeles County firefighters try unsuccessfully to get water from a hydrant as they battle the Eaton Fire An aerial view of incinerated homes on Pacific Coast Highway on Thursday Firefighters fight a blaze as a building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. In a city where fires are a part of life, this is unforgivable. And its merely one problem of many. Another major factor is the dried-out underbrush and unmanaged forests that, under the right conditions, become flammable with almost a single spark. In LA, brush and forestry needs to be regularly cleared. It wasnt. Why? Well, according to Edward Ring, co-founder of the California Policy Centre, a conservative think tank, environmentalist lawsuits have consistently blocked the necessary logging, grazing and thinning of forests. This allowed Californias forest density to increase to about five times what it had been for the past 20 million years and turned them into tinderboxes. Then there are the water issues. Hydrants in Pacific Palisades had little to no water running out of them as the fires began. By 3am on Wednesday, Janisse Quinones, the chief executive and chief engineer of the LA Department of Water and Power, confirmed all three water storage tanks in the area each holding about 1 million gallons had run dry. Fire hydrants are a feature of the Palisades. They sit on many corners, small and either yellow or red yet now when I look at them on the streets here they seem a mocking reminder of everything that has gone wrong. Many of the hydrants I saw had not even been uncapped. The fire brigade had never even attempted to use them. What makes all this so lamentable is that these problems were all made plain just two months ago. In November, firefighters battling a large blaze in the Santa Susana mountains, some 15 miles north of Palisades, similarly reported issues of low water pressure and outright unavailability. Ventura County Fire chief Dustin Gardner later said at a community meeting: Did water run out? Yes... when those hydrants on the west side or in the Estates wherever they went dry, firefighters adjust to that... were used to that. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades after the devastating blaze on Tuesday. The Mayor has come under fire for her decision to cut around $17.5 million from the fire department budget this fiscal year Firefighters pull a hose in front of a burning home in Altadena as the Eaton Fire moved through the area on Wednesday The mood on the ground here is the same mix of rage and grief Ive seen in Ukraine after a Russian missile strike or a particularly bloody battle, and almost everyone around me believes this carnage was avoidable 'This latest response has been a disaster, and the authorities know it.' The chronic under-investment in the city of Los Angeles in our public infrastructure and our public safety partners was evident and on full display over the last 24 hours, said LA City Council member Traci Park. The authorities have been found wanting, the buck must stop with someone, and ultimately that someone is California governor Gavin Newsom. Hoping to douse the criticism coming his way, he has announced an investigation into why the hydrants were short of water. But a big part of any inquiry will undoubtedly be his role in the management of Californias water resources and forests. On his first day in office in January 2019, Mr Newsom pledged to do more and better on wildfires. But an investigation by news outlet NPR found that despite his claims that 90,000 acres would be managed responsibly, in reality it was less than 12,000 acres. It also found that Mr Newsom deducted 123 million ($150 million) from Californias wildfire prevention budget. The political firestorm facing the Democrat is made worse because Donald Trump is now on his case. Calling him Governor Gavin Newscum, the President Elect accused him of refusing to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. Residents try to escape a burning home in Pacific Palisades, California on January 8, 2025 A helicopter drops water on homes affected by the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Californians in Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood are trying to flee to safety as the Palisades Fire has begun engulfing several celebrity-owned million dollar homes The hellish flames have already as claimed the lives of about 16 people while burning over 37,000 acres of land and destroying 12,000 structures in its wake The reason that Mr Newsom apparently refused is that diverting the water would have endangered delta smelt fish. This three-inch silvery blue fish is native only to the delta region of the San Joaquin river. The problem is that the delta a vast network of lakes and tributaries, which lies to the west of San Francisco, and is fed by that snow melt from mountains in Californias north east is a major water source for Los Angeles further south. The delta smelt fishs numbers have drastically declined since the 1970s, as mechanical pumps extract fresh water from the delta, leaving the fish vulnerable to higher levels of salt water. Conservationists argue that the delta smelt is the thin end of the wedge, for the increasing salinity of the water will eventually endanger the Chinook salmon and resident killer whales. Farmers, though, have long complained that their crops will suffer by restricting fresh water use. And now it seems the issue could badly damage Newsom politically. For his part, Mr Newsom has denied that such a declaration as Mr Trump described existed, saying: There is no such document as the water restoration declaration that is pure fiction. His attempts to portray himself as LAs saviour are not going well. In a video that has gone viral, a mother whose daughters school burned down ran up to Mr Newsom and asked what he was doing to solve the crisis. His grandiose reply that I am literally talking to the President right now came unstuck when the woman asked to listen to the call, forcing him to admit that he wasnt actually speaking to Joe Biden. Ive tried five times to get through, he mumbled weakly. Why is the President not taking your calls? she demanded. A team of firefighters walk near the Palisades Fire in Malibu - one of six simultaneous blazes engulfing Los Angeles A partially burnt US flag flies behind the remains of a vehicle and home destroyed by the Palisades Fire As thousands of residents in the City of Angels continue to evacuate, multiple drivers on Sunset Boulevard, located south of Mandeville Canyon have reported being stuck in a gridlock She, like so many others here, has suffered a lot. A friend of my brother Phillip has been luckier. His house has been spared. The only problem is that almost everything around it is destroyed, including the school his children attend. I cant go back and live there with nothing around me, he says. People dont realise the worst thing is not the destruction of buildings, but the destruction of communities. The systemic dysfunction is so bad that people are looking for an explanation for what went wrong, and it seems that many have found one in a simple acronym: DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Critics now accuse LAFD chief Kristin Crowley of prioritising DEI policies over actual fire fighting since taking the job in 2022. The LAFDs 2023-2026 strategic plan lists seven goals. While the first is to deliver exceptional public safety and emergency services, the following six include commitments to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, promote a safe, healthy and progressive work environment and enhance... environmental sustainability. Its too early to say how large a role this focus on woke idiocy played, especially given the manifold other failings. What matters is that people believe it. Unsurprisingly, Elon Musk has waded in, tweeting simply: DEI means people DIE. Fire crews monitor and tackle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday The National Weather Service has warned that locally strong Santa Ana winds - the nemesis of firefighters - could soon return According to state authority Cal Fire, there are at least six fires currently burning, with the Palisades fire being the largest Right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk was also keen to get involved. Meet the people in charge of LAs fire response, he tweeted. All of them lesbians named Kristin. Kristina Crowley First LGBTQ Fire Chief LAFD. Salary: $439,722. Kristina Kepner First Lesbian Assistant Chief LAFD. Salary: $264,468. Kristine Larson First black lesbian Equity Bureau Chief LAFD. Salary: $399,000. As of yesterday afternoon, the tweet had 37,000 retweets and 137,000 likes. The public discourse in Los Angeles is becoming as poisonous as the air. As we finally drive out of the Palisades my friend looks around once more. When they catch the arsonist scum who did this, he growls, the families of those who died or those who lost everything should decide their punishment. The rage is palpable and Mr Newsom, Ms Bass and others will do well to survive the inquisition. Millions of people may be up to a third more likely to develop dementia because of their tap water, new research has found. A first-of-its-kind study suggests people who live in 'softer water' areas of the UK 40 per cent of the UK population, around 27 million Britons may be at increased risk of the degenerative disease because their drinking water contains lower levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Scientists suggest that these minerals may have a protective effect on the brain and say that low levels might also cause water pipes to corrode faster, allowing toxic elements such as lead to leach into the body. Soft-water areas include Scotland, most of Yorkshire, Cornwall and the west and south coasts of Wales. Meanwhile, thousands of people in hard-water areas install water softeners in their homes to remove magnesium and calcium and prevent limescale build-up. The research found people with soft water had structural changes to their brain in 20 different areas, and may also be at risk from other neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The study was based on data from nearly 400,000 people in the UK and carried out by a team of scientists from Imperial College London and China. Dr Tom Russ, director of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, said: 'There is more work to be done on any environmental factor that might be linked to dementia, and this shows that water may potentially be a part of that. It's important to recognise that the study doesn't prove that water type contributes to the development of dementia. A study suggests people who live in 'softer water' areas of the UK 40 per cent of the UK population, around 27 million Britons may be at increased risk of the degenerative disease (stock image) Soft-water areas include Scotland, most of Yorkshire, Cornwall and the west and south coasts of Wales 'There's still a much bigger risk of dementia from other risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure and most people shouldn't be too worried about the effect that tap water might have. If it has any effect, it'll be very small.' About one million people are living with some form of dementia in the UK. This is forecast to rise to 1.4 million by 2030. Research suggests around 45 per cent of cases can be prevented by living a healthier lifestyle, challenging your brain and staying connected with other people. Why some water is soft Water is either soft or hard due to the chemical elements within it - and that depends on geology. Hard water is formed in areas with limestone or chalk, with rivers helping to release calcium and magnesium. It increases the amount of limescale that collects in kettles and washing machines. Hard water is regarded as better for drinking as it has less sodium than soft water but soft water is seen as kinder on the skin. Scientists at Kings College London found that removing calcium and magnesium from the water supply can reduce irritation. Homeowners can pay around 500 to switch their hot water supply from hard to soft. A soft-water convertor uses a resin to draw calcium and magnesium out of the water. They are then filtered out using a brine solution. Advertisement But there are thought to be other environmental factors, too. Dr Russ's research has found links between areas with high levels of aluminium and fluoride in drinking water and an increased risk of dying from dementia. Others have found a link between hard water and a reduced risk of heart disease. But this latest study is one of the first to look at the impact of tap water's calcium content on neurodegenerative disease, and in the UK population. Publishing their research, the scientists from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine wrote: 'We provide new evidence about the harmful effect of soft water on neurodegenerative diseases that highlight the importance of optimising water quality standards to ensure long-term health benefits.' UK regulations do not specify standards for the level of minerals that should be contained in drinking water. Water is classed as either 'soft' or 'hard' depending on the local geology. Around 60 per cent of tap water consumed in the UK is from areas with hard water. The study was based on data taken from the UK Biobank, which performs ongoing research on 500,000 adults across the country. Scientists compared their home addresses and details of their water supply with the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. They found 2,389 people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's, 1,278 with vascular dementia and 366 with multiple sclerosis. An analysis found that those exposed to soft water defined as between zero and 60mg of calcium carbonate per litre of water had a 34 per cent higher risk of vascular dementia compared with those who had a hard water supply, defined as between 120 and 300mg/L. Low concentrations of calcium were also associated with a 63 per cent higher risk of dementia more generally and a 53 per cent greater risk of MS. Low levels of magnesium were associated with a 25 per cent higher risk of Alzheimer's. UK regulations do not specify standards for the level of minerals that should be contained in drinking water. Water is classed as either 'soft' or 'hard' depending on the local geology Brain scans of more than 30,000 people were also analysed to see if there were any physical differences. They found people living in areas with soft to moderately hard water had various parts of their brains that were reduced in volume compared with those living in hard water areas. But Awad hesh Jha, Professor of Genetic Toxicology and Ecotoxicology at the University of Plymouth, said there were many factors involved in the development of diseases such as dementia. 'It is speculative to draw conclusions based on such associations and recommend regulations to maintain water hardness in drinking water,' he said. The most populated parts of the UK, which include the South East, East England, the M4 corridor and most of the South Coast, live in hard water areas. The West Midlands, Liverpool, parts of Devon, Northumberland and East Wales have a medium-to-hard supply. Dr Emma Anderson, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, said the way the study was conducted was 'problematic'. 'Overall I think this is a poorly conducted study and not one we should be using to assess whether water hardness should be taken more seriously,' she added. A proposed six-storey hybrid building proposal has come under fire with NIMBYs complaining it will negatively affect their 'mental health'. An incredible 14 of the 16 submission made to the City of Sydney council over ABC Planning's $15million proposal disapproved of the Surry Hills project, in the city's inner-south. The council has recommended approval of the developer's plan for 141-155 Commonwealth St with the new building set to include retail space, commercial offices and a communal rooftop terrace. All of the above will fit in just six storeys, but neighbours of the proposal claim it will block vital sunlight in their apartments, negatively impacting their mental health. Submissions against the plan also cited overshadowing, visual privacy, height and noise as concerns, the Daily Telegraph reported. Commonwealth St resident Caroline Lorentz claimed the height of the proposed building would reduce neighbouring properties' privacy. 'The proposed development will result is significant loss of visual privacy which will affect the quality of life for occupants of these east facing apartments,' she said 'During the day there will be loss of privacy, as well as the possibility of light spill at night. Neighbours of 141-155 Commonwealth St are frustrated with a new hybrid building (pictured) proposal At least three proposals have been made for the abandoned eyesore at 141-155 Commonwealth St (pictured) since 2015 'This will seriously affect the quality of life for occupants of 74-80 Reservoir Street.' Another anonymous local claimed the proposed building would take a huge toll on surrounding residents. 'The amount of solar access or loss of solar access to my living spaces greatly impacts the liveability of a home, the mental health of occupants and also the affected property's value,' a submission to council said. 'Please do take my concerns seriously and consider how this could impact not only liveability in my home but also the mental health of the occupants in the homes affected.' NIMBY is an acronym for 'not in my backyard' and refers to neighbours who oppose large redevelopments in their areas, while supporting ones in other suburbs. At least three proposals have been made for the abandoned eyesore at 141-155 Commonwealth St since 2015. Although previously approved for transformation into student accommodation and a 96-room hotel, no plans for the 913sq metre site have eventuated. Daily Mail Australia has contacted ABC Planning for comment. A property investor has been slammed after complaining about her tenants leaving behind a trail of destruction at her house. The woman was left horrified by the disgusting state her south-east Melbourne property was left in by her tenants after their lease ended after seven years. The young landlord shared several TikTok videos on Saturday with footage showing damaged walls, trashed furniture, piles of dust, and a dirty bathroom. 'Obviously they completely all quarterly checks as required,' the woman said, taking aim at her real estate agent. However, many commenters were quick to dismiss the landlord's frustrations and questioned why she didn't use her bond to pay for cleaning and damages. 'That's not a quarter check problem, it's a bond clean problem and as long as they didn't move in with similar conditions money can be taken from their bond to clean it,' one wrote. 'It really doesn't look that bad,' another said. 'Bond and the fact you've had continual tenancy and rent for seven years should pay for it, nothing's damaged,' another wrote. A Melbourne homeowner showed the damage left at her investment property after renting it for seven years Some even took the side of the renters and said the landlord shouldn't complain as her tenants had effectively been paying her mortgage for the past seven years. 'Sounds like investments come with risks hey? This one was entirely avoidable if you werent a landlord,' one wrote. 'How much rent did your tenant of 7 years pay off your mortgage? And your capital gain on the property in that time? Boofknhoo,' another added. Others were more sympathetic and called out the tenants for leaving the home in such a state. 'It's sad to me when this happens. I'm a renter and would never leave a property like this,' one said. 'It's so difficult to find nice rentals, most of them are run down and still cost heaps. This doesn't help.' Another wrote: 'I'm sorry this happened to you no one deserves this and the previous tenants should be ashamed. 'I would get the property checked for mould because some of the pics look like there could be growth.' 'Anyone saying this is an easy clean up and at least you have the bond and (hopefully LL insurance) don't understand how much this clean up actually cost and the time and effort that now has to go,' a third added. 'Oh my gosh I'm so sorry! As a tenant I don't understand these type of people,' another wrote. 'It kills me that there's some of us local who would love to rent a property like that and others ruin it,' another said. Other property investors shared their own advice to the landlord with one suggesting she change real estate agents. 'Seems like the boutique agencies care more bc they have less properties to manage,' one wrote. 'This is why we do airbnb, we inspect the properties every stay,' another said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the landlord and real estate agency for comment. A cafe has sparked outrage after its owners announced it would only serve coffee in disposable cups. Surfing Lizard Cafe, which operates in Coogee and Secret Harbour in Western Australia announced the move in December. The business said it was more viable to serve its drinks, excluding alcohol, in takeaway paper cups because of staff shortages. Locals immediately aired their concerns about the '1960s behaviour', citing environmental impacts. 'You only have to look at a place like Bali to realise giving customers disposable cups is going to cause issues,' one told news.com.au. 'It's behaviour from the 1960s when people didn't give a s***.' Another said the local community was unlikely to support the move, given their differences in values. 'We live on a beautiful stretch of coastline, and it's disappointing that business operating so close to our ocean isn't concerned about the sustainability of serving everyone using disposable cups,' one woman said. The owners of Surfing Lizard Cafe, Secret Harbour announced they would only use disposable cups in a controversial move One woman defended the move, arguing the business would only be using disposable mugs for a short time. But another said she couldn't understand the business' reasoning. 'The disposable cups add to landfill, and I don't see why you would really need to use them exclusively,' she said. 'If you can serve coffee in a reusable mug, why wouldn't you.' Images of the nearby area appeared to show council bins overflowing with single-use cups. Many disposable cups could be seen fallen from bins and on resting the walkways of the Secret Harbour foreshore. It is not suggested they all originated from the Surfing Lizard Cafe. Daily Mail Australia contacted Surfing Lizard for comment. Last year, Western Australia became the first state in the country to ban plastic-lined takeaway cups in March. Businesses found not complying with the laws face hefty fines. WA environment minister Reece Whitby said cafes can instead use compostable paperboard cups, which are excluded from the ban, or bring keep cups of their own. 'This is an excellent move for the environment because we know that plastic persists in the environment for decades and decades and decades,' he said. The change was part of a wider push by the Cook government to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastics in the economy. The government also banned disposable plastic food trays without lids, such as sushi trays and bento boxes. Bans on several items, including micro-beads and cotton bud sticks, came into effect in 2023, while sales of plastic produce bags and takeaway containers with lids will be prohibited from September. Mr Whitby said more than a billion single-use plastic items, including more than 154million coffee cups, will be saved from landfill annually. The home of an ex-Labour MP who was arrested on suspicion of 'engaging in sexual communication with a child' was searched by police. Ivor Caplin's 350,000 two-bedroom flat in Hove, East Sussex was searched by Specialist Police after he was arrested yesterday afternoon. Residents neaby described a number of cars and vans were seen outside the property 'for hours'. One told the Sun: 'There was a large number of police that came, and an officer was very clearly in charge and was giving directions.' It comes after a video shared on social media shows a man who identifies himself as Mr Caplin being handcuffed by police officers. Sussex Police have confirmed they have arrested a 66-year-old man on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. The former MP was stopped by a group of activists who claimed they had arranged to meet him there posing as an 'underage boy'. The group's leader, Dean Rowland, alleged the former minister was at Hove station in order to meet with the 15-year-old child - something which Mr Caplin denied multiple times on video. The man is seen being held by people involved in the sting Footage of the arrest has been shared online showing a man wearing a black trench coat and a red cap being held by officers Sussex Police have confirmed they have arrested a 66-year-old man on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child Mr Rowland claims his group handed their 'evidence' over to officers after the police were called. Footage of the arrest has been shared online showing a man wearing a black trench coat and a red cap being held by officers. Police then appear to take the arrested man's phone and put it inside an evidence bag. A police spokesperson said: 'We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing a man in Brighton being detained on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. 'Officers can confirm that a local 66-year-old man was arrested on Saturday January 11 and currently remains in custody. 'This is an ongoing and active investigation.' It is understood that Mr Caplin denies all allegations against him. Mr Caplin, was the MP for Hove after Labour's 1997 electoral win until 2005, was last year suspended from the Party over 'serious allegations' - which he denies. The former Hove MP, who represented the constituency between 1997 and 2005, was suspected from the Labour Party over serious allegations Mr Caplin, then MP for Hove, left, with then Prime Minister, Tony Blair In 2001 he became as assistant Government whip and then a junior defence minister and minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence. Mr Caplin was suspended from the Labour Party in May 2024 and is no longer a member. MailOnline has approached Mr Caplin for comment. In one of the videos shared online, Mr Caplin is seen being handcuffed as he is held by two men. In the video, the officer is heard telling him that he was arresting him to 'protect a vulnerable person - namely a child'. The former MP answered the questions asked by the officer. After being cuffed he is then taken into the hands of the police officers who then search him. The officer removes the phone from the suspended Labour member's pockets, placing it inside an evidence bag. In the video he denies any wrongdoing claiming he was going into town. He also confirmed he used to be a veterans minister when he was asked. An Albanian people smuggler has claimed that he shouldn't be deported from the UK as he does not like Belgian jails. Adriatik Hysenlika is facing extradition from the UK after being handed a ten-year prison sentence for raking in at least 1million as the head of a trafficking gang that smuggled illegal immigrants into the country in the back of lorries. The immigrants are thought to have paid 23,000 to Hysenlika, of Willesden, North West London. Following a request from Belgian authorities, where he had been sentenced for 60 immigration offences, he was arrested by the National Crime Agency last August. According to court documents, he was the 'leader of a criminal organisation that is, on a large scale and making use of a vast network', the Sun report. However, the 43-year-old, who arrived in Britain in 1998 after claiming he was being persecuted in Albania, has claimed that Belgium prisons are overcrowded and they would breach his human rights. He also said deportation would deny him access to his two-year-old son who was born here. This comes after a people smuggler who hid four Vietnamese nationals in the back of his lorry cab was jailed for two and a half years. People smuggler Adriatik Hysenlika, 43, (pictured) has claimed that he shouldn't be deported from the UK as he does not like Belgian jails Following a request from Belgian authorities Hysenlika was arrested by the National Crime Agency last August. Pictured: Belgium police officers Marian-Marius Radu, who is a 23-year-old Romanian National, will also face the prospect of deportation once he has served his sentence. Radu was stopped by border police at the Port of Dover in September after officers intercepted four people walking through vehicle lanes. The Border Forces' investigations led to the estbalishing that the individuals, who were all Vietnamese nationals, had gotten out of Radu's three-and-a-half-tonne lorry trailer. Further footage obtained and reviewed by Home Office investigators showed Radu acting in a suspicous manner at the busy port. In the footage, Radu can be scanning his surroundings and adjusting his lorry cab's mirrors in an attempt at avoiding detection. The footage also revealed that Radu lifted a curtain behind him in the cab of the lorry and directed the four migrants out of the lorry, thinking nobody had noticed. Following Border Forces being alerted by Radu's behaviour, he was pulled aside and a search of his lorry was conducted. Some of us can still remember the devastating hailstorm that hit Ngculwini and surrounding areas in December 2023, leaving many homes, vehicles and other properties damaged. To this day, some of those affected say they have still not received the relevant relief from structures like the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). That hailstorm damaged even quality roofing from modern houses, broke windows in many homes and left cars with tell-tale signs of having been in the area. At least 10 months later, on October 27, 2024, a severe windstorm, swept across the kingdom and had serious impact in the Manzini, Lubombo and Hhohho regions. This windstorm accompanied by only a little rain, inflicted damage on residential areas and infrastructure. Unfortunately, a day later, another storm hit some parts of the country. In the aftermath of these two storms, 1 272 people in 236 households countrywide had been affected. No less than 14 schools were left damaged. Now, many households in our country are either child-headed or headed by elderly people who look after grandchildren. The E500 social grant senior citizens get from government each month is not even enough to cater for their daily groceries, let alone house maintenance. Where does the NDMA place these vulnerable citizens? It is a fact that whether rich or poor, natural disasters will affect you. The difference arises in the aftermath of that disaster, when those with the financial muscle are able to quickly repair the damage and get on with their lives. Those who struggle to make ends meet rely on the intervention of agencies like the NDMA, Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society and Good Samaritans. Notably, apart from the NDMA, we still have the Disaster Management Department under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). This department oversees and works with the NDMA, non-governmental organisations and other development partners whose mandate is to prevent and substantially reduce the impact of disasters. In the past few years, these agencies have not exactly impressed with their response to natural disasters. Unfortunately, the Disaster Management Department under the DPMs Office, and the NDMA are seemingly never ready. Even when they do respond as quickly as practicable, they soon claim to have run out of resources, leaving affected emaSwati in dire straits. With climate change affecting every nation in the world, delivering storms, floods, extreme heat or extreme cold and very strong winds, Eswatini is no exception. As we have seen in the past week, climate change effects are now pounding our kingdom on a disturbingly regular basis. Perplexed The number of affected citizens keeps going up, with new cases arising while those affected by previous disasters are still perplexed and wondering if they will ever get the required intervention. Indeed, after a heatwave spanning several weeks between November and December, Eswatini suddenly received a lot of rain this past week. The rains were a welcome change because dams were running dry, making everybody worry, while crops and animals were dying. Unfortunately, the rain was not what we had been praying for, as it was too heavy and fell for not less than three days in most parts of the country. Rivers flooded, bridges were washed away and people drowned. In other areas, animals like cattle and people were stranded in the longesheya ngulongesheya fashion. One house at Nginamadvolo was even damaged by a large boulder that rolled from a mountain after being loosened by the rain. The less said about roads, the better. ith most gravel roads across the country already in a deplorable state before the floods, they are now virtually non-existent after the rains. By Friday, more than 60 homes had been recorded as damaged, with the number of affected people going up to more than 300. Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, has appealed to the private sector to assist households affected by the heavy rains. At the same time, citizens have come out as individuals to help others or repair roads and fix drainages. Lubombo Member of Parliament (MP) Futhie Ngcamphalala is one of those who have wasted no time in offering help to those affected. Same as Minister of Information , Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya who spent yesterday morning delivering food packages at different tinkhundla. All this is appreciated and hopefully, Minister Khumalos plea is heeded. Despite what naysayers say, the private sector everywhere in the world always pitches in when there are huge disasters. Even in South Africa, it is now practically an expectation that Gift of the Givers, a non-governmental disaster response organisation will always be on hand to provide relief to survivors. However, we cannot run away from the fact that it is always the responsibility of government to protect citizens and drive relief efforts in case disaster strikes. With countries under the European Union (EU) feeling the effects of climate change, with disasters like drought, wildfires, heatwaves and floods, governments have been tasked with allocating more funds to disaster management agencies similar to our own NDMA. Acting Prime Minister Thuli Dladla, who has been running around literally comforting storm victims while assessing the damage, seems to have the right idea as she called on emaSwati to identify homesteads built using stick-and-mud. She says government is shifting its focus towards disaster prevention, as opposed to reacting when the damage has been done. One does not have to be a prophet of doom to predict that we are still going to have more windstorms, floods, hailstorms and even snow as the months as the years go by. In his ambitious Eswatini Government Programme of Action 2024/2025 2028/2029, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini revealed that E60 billion would be raised to deal with effects of climate change. The total amount required to see the programme of action come to fruition over the next five years is about E220 billion. I am sure Cabinet understands that this past weeks floods are a stark example of climate change effects. Nothing beats preparedness. If E60 billion is the targeted amount over five years, how much is available for such occurrences right now, as in, for nkwe purposes? That is the big question Cabinet should answer, as a matter of urgency. The Princess of Wales is set to make her biggest comeback to royal working life with a show- stopping appearance at next month's Bafta film awards. Insiders at the awards say they are 'pulling out all the stops' to ensure the ceremony marks Kate's triumphant return to the red carpet after her cancer ordeal. Bafta film committee chairman Anna Higgs says she is 'very hopeful' Kate will accompany husband William, the academy's president, at London's Royal Festival Hall on February 16. An insider adds Bafta is 'throwing everything at securing' Kate's presence, aware of the worldwide fanfare her arrival will herald. Kate missed the awards last year weeks before she revealed in a video message on March 22 that she was suffering from cancer. Before her video, the public merely knew she had been admitted to hospital for planned abdominal surgery. William walked the red carpet alone at the Baftas. Kate finished chemotherapy in September and said that she would focus on staying 'cancer-free'. Since then she has met families of the girls killed in the Southport knife attack, marked Remembrance Sunday and led her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey. But she has yet to return to the glamour of the red carpet. Insiders at the awards say they are 'pulling out all the stops' to ensure the ceremony marks Kate's triumphant return to the red carpet after her cancer ordeal. She last appeared at the event in 2023 In previous years Kate's appearances have helped to throw a spotlight on British fashion brands she has patronised (Pictured on Christmas Day 2024) Kate missed the awards last year weeks before she revealed in a video message on March 22 that she was suffering from cancer In 2018 Kate even attended the Baftas while heavily pregnant with Prince Louis, who was born two months later The well-placed insider said: 'Bafta has close ties with William and Kate and is pulling out all the stops to try to secure Kate's presence at this year's awards. 'It sent her warmest wishes when she revealed her cancer diagnosis and hopes she will appear alongside William in what will be her big showbiz return since she's been in recovery. Anything Bafta can do to work around Kate, it will do. 'William and Kate love to watch the nominated films beforehand and we know Kate enjoys meeting those working in the film industry. 'We have been told that she wouldn't want to miss it, so she's hoping to be there with William.' In previous years Kate's appearances have helped to throw a spotlight on British fashion brands she has patronised. She first attended the event in 2017. The couple took a break in 2021, just before Prince Philip died, and again in 2022, due to diary constraints, before a triumphant return in 2023 when the ceremony paid tribute to the late Queen. In 2018 Kate even attended the Baftas while heavily pregnant with Prince Louis, who was born two months later. Bridget Phillipson has been accused of a 'betrayal of Blair's legacy' as part of a bid to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader. The Education Secretary last night faced claims her controversial school academy reforms are an attempt to play down her Blairite reputation and curry favour with Left-wing Labour MPs crucial to a potential leadership challenge. Labour insiders said that this was behind her determination last week to revise aspects of the school academy programme seen by Sir Tony's allies as one of the crowning achievements of his government. The claims come as Sir Keir's poll ratings sparked talk among Labour MPs he would be replaced before the next election. Last night sources close to Ms Phillipson dismissed the plot claims as 'simply laughable' and denied her reforms amounted to a betrayal of Sir Tony's work. However, Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh said she would be surprised if the former PM was happy with Ms Phillipson's proposals. The Mitcham and Morden MP said Sir Tony regarded the academy reforms 'as a great success and I know it's a great success in my constituency'. The creation of the new type of academy, free from local authority control and focused on deprived areas, was seen as one of the major achievements of the Blair premiership. Bridget Phillipson has been accused of a 'betrayal of Blair's legacy' as part of a bid to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader The Education Secretary has faced claims her controversial school academy reforms are an attempt to play down her Blairite reputation and curry favour with Left-wing Labour MPs. Pictured: Phillipson with Sir Keir Starmer But the Tories say Ms Phillipson's proposed changes in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill amount to 'educational vandalism' with one Labour MP even saying the proposals could be seen as a 'betrayal of Blair's legacy'. And a Labour source told The Mail on Sunday that Ms Phillipson's name was for the first time being touted as a potential successor should Sir Keir be forced to stand down before the next election. He said: 'She is seen as highly intelligent, but most people say she's a sort of Blairite at a time when the Parliamentary Labour Party has really moved on from that era. 'So the academies reform might be a bid to establish herself as different to that.' However, a source close to the Education Secretary said last night: 'These simply laughable claims show some people have forgotten Tony Blair's greatest lesson for our party we win when we look forward not back. 'As a beneficiary of the transformation the last Labour government made to education, Bridget is proudly building on this legacy to secure brilliant outcomes for every child. 'Bridget's reforms will ensure every child in every school has a guarantee of a high standard curriculum, expert qualified teachers, and flexibility for schools to drive innovation and improvement. 'Bridget's only focus is on being Education Secretary and transforming the life chances of children the best job in government.' Sir Tony declined to comment last night. But sources pointed out that in 2021 the former PM criticised the direction the 2010 Tory/Lib Dem coalition had taken on the academies programme. Former Vice President Mike Pence has further stoked speculation that his wife deliberately snubbed Donald and Melania Trump during Jimmy Carter's funeral earlier this week. The event sparked scrutiny over the dynamics between the Pences and the Trumps with cameras firmly trained on the former presidential partners, reigniting speculation over lingering tensions from their time in office. It was the first time since leaving office in January 2021 the pair found themselves face-to-face. The moment came just as Trump, the president-elect, approached Pence to shake hands. While the exchange appeared cordial to onlookers, Pence has now shared what was said during their brief interaction. 'He greeted me when he came down the aisle,' Pence told Christianity Today. 'I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, "Congratulations, Mr. President," and he said, "Thanks, Mike."' Yet, it is what happened - or rather didn't happen - immediately after that has fueled intense speculation. Karen Pence (seated center) refused to acknowledge Donald and Melania Trump as they arrived at the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral of President Jimmy Carter Mike Pence shook hands with Donald Trump marking their first interaction since serving as his vice president in 2021. They had a major falling out after the January 6 Capitol attack As Trump continued down the aisle, Karen Pence notably remained seated, refusing to rise, extend her hand, or even look in the direction of Trump or wife Melania. Instead, she remained seated, looking forward, the whole time. The former second lady's reaction was in stark contrast to how she warmly greeted former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, during the same event. When asked about his wife's behavior in the interview, Pence offered a carefully measured response that many have interpreted as a veiled acknowledgment of tension. 'You'd have to ask my wife about her posture,' he said. 'But we've been married 44 years, and she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply.' The fallout between Trump and Pence following the 2020 election remains one of the most dramatic episodes in recent political history. After Pence refused to support Trump's efforts to overturn the election results, their relationship fractured beyond repair. The January 6 House select committee found that a Proud Boys informant had told the FBI that if members of the group had found Pence that day they would have killed him. Still Pence refused to leave the Capitol on that day, instead hiding out in a garage-like structure deemed a secure location within the complex. Melania Trump appeared to make a move toward Karen Pence to acknowledge her and the former second lady refused As Trump continued down the aisle, Karen Pence notably remained seated, refusing to rise, extend her hand, or even look in the direction of Trump or wife Melania. Instead, she remained seated, looking forward, the whole time. 'The vice president did not want to take any chance that the world would see the vice president of the United States fleeing the United States Capitol,' his counselor to the vice president Greg Jacob testified to committee members in 2022. Since leaving office, Pence has been in the political wilderness. He tried running against Trump for the 2024 nomination but only stayed in the race from June through October of 2023. Thursday's funeral marked their first public reunion in four years. 'The opportunity to speak to the president yesterday is something that I appreciated, I welcomed,' Pence said the following day. 'Ive really been blessed at how much Ive heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake, and in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days. Thats certainly my hope.' Pence has repeatedly stood by his role of certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral win, despite the political fallout, but Karen Pence's apparent snub has left political observers wondering if the discord runs even deeper than previously thought. From an alternative angle, Pence can be seen looking at Trump while wife Karen Pence keeps her face facing forward while looking down as the Trump's entered When asked about his wife's behavior in the interview, Pence offered a carefully measured response that many have interpreted as a veiled acknowledgment of tension (file photo) Body language experts quickly analyzed and dissected every glance and gesture, with the contrast between Karen Pence's treatment of Trump and the Bushes only amplifying theories that the snub was intentional. Her decision to remain seated and ignore Trump as he approached symbolized a deeper schism not just between the Pences and the Trumps, but within the fractured Republican Party itself. And while Mike Pence's careful words leave room for interpretation, but his actions of rising to greet Trump and offering him congratulations may signal that he is ready to heal and move past old wounds. Whether Karen Pence shares such sentiments remains an open question. The former second lady's reaction was in stark contrast tho how she warmly greeted former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, during the same event During last year's election campaign, Pence refused to endorse Trump but he wouldn't endorse Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, either. Instead his political action committee financed advertisements ahead of the 2024 election pushing Americans to vote for Republicans on issues. On Monday, the fourth anniversary of January 6, Pence commended Harris for chairing the joint session to certify Trump's victory. He said it was 'particularly admirable that Vice President Harris would preside over the certification of a presidential election that she lost.' Pence also sent well wishes to Trump. 'I welcome the return of order and civility to these historic proceedings and offer my most sincere congratulations and prayers to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance on their election to lead this great Nation,' he said. Wes Streeting was last night accused of playing the race card over the grooming gangs scandal after warning of a far-Right terror attack if entire communities are tarred with the same brush. The Health Secretary, who rebuked Tory leader Kemi Badenoch after she called for a new national inquiry into the issue, raised fears that vilifying ethnic groups for the sickening sex abuse could lead to an atrocity on the scale of the 2019 mosque attacks in New Zealand. More than 50 people were killed and 89 injured when a far-Right extremist opened fire in Christ-church, using a gun marked For Rotherham in an apparent reference to child grooming by men of predominantly Pakistani heritage. Mr Streeting said he had no difficulty calling out sex abuse crimes. But he told The Guardian: If Kemi Badenoch is in any doubt whatsoever about where irresponsible and coarse public discourse can lead on this issue, look on the other side of the world in Christchurch, where someone walked into a mosque and killed innocent Muslims stone cold dead with a gun whose magazine had inscribed on it for Rotherham. The Tories accused him of dog whistle politics and an attempt to save his Ilford North seat, which he held by just 528 votes at the last election against an Independent British-Palestinian candidate. Former Tory minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: It is this type of playing the race card that led to the cover-up, with people saying, Were not going to believe these white girls were not going to do anything about it because we upset community relations. He has clearly learnt nothing from the thousands who have been abused. A spokesman for Mr Streeting said last night: Wes was pointing out that two things are true political correctness failed victims of Pakistani rape gangs, and people of Pakistani heritage appalled by these crimes are fearful of being tarred by the same brush. Wes Streeting raised fears that vilifying ethnic groups for the sickening sex abuse could lead to an atrocity on the scale of the 2019 mosque attacks in New Zealand . Former Tory minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured in 2019) took a swipe at the Health Secretary suggesting he was playing the 'race card' Gang ringleader and groomer Qari Abdul Rauf (pictured) racked up the highest amount in legal fees - totalling to 285,000 Qari Abdul Rauf, a ringleader of the Rochdale paedophile ring, was still living in the UK in 2024 Your browser does not support iframes. It came as Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick demanded Labour stop handing millions of pounds to Pakistan while the country blocks the removal of child sex abusers from Britain. Grooming gang ringleaders who raped and exploited dozens of young white girls in Rochdale and elsewhere cannot be deported because Islamabad has refused to accept them. Pakistan has received more than 1billion in aid from the UK over the past decade. Its shameful that Pakistan is abusing our generosity, and madness the Government isnt doing something about it, he said. The MoS can reveal lawyers for a ringleader of an Asian grooming gang have been granted anonymity. Qari Abdul Rauf, 56, still lives in Rochdale, where he committed his crimes, almost a decade after he was released from jail and told he would be deported. In what are believed to be unprecedented court orders, the media is banned from naming those who represented him in his deportation fight. Dawn Alford at the Society of Editors said it raised grave misgivings in terms of press freedom and open justice. Ministry of Defence officials have been accused of putting the Special Forces at risk by revealing what would-be recruits must do to join the elite services. They have angered veterans of the famously shadowy forces by disclosing precise details of the tests applicants must take to apply for the Special Air Service (SAS), the Special Boat Service (SBS) and other secretive units. The tests include: Marching nearly eight miles in two hours carrying 15kg (33lbs); Jumping from nearly 10ft into water with webbing and weapon; Swimming 200 metres in under ten minutes; Doing 900 metres of laps and exercises in physical and cognitive testing. The rigorous first step tests for potential Special Forces recruits are revealed in the latest edition of Soldier Magazine, the official journal of the British Army, in a bid to encourage more service personnel to apply for what it calls the pinnacle of soldiering. But last night, veterans accused the MoD of breaking the traditional official code of silence over the Special Forces, and warned that however harmless the published information might look, it could be used by Britains enemies to put elite troops at risk. A former Special Forces sergeant said: This is a disgraceful breach of the Governments own highly sensitive rules and, quite frankly, it is of use to our enemies. If they were interrogating a captured soldier suspected of being in Special Forces, they would use these details to get inside their head. The Soldier Magazine article admitted that for obvious reasons the world of elite soldiering remains entirely absent from public view and not least the pages of this magazine but said it wanted to dispel assumptions about the selection process. A cover line on the publication reads: The path to Special Forces and how someone like you could get there in 2025. Ministry of Defence officials have made a 'slight departure from tradition' in revealing what would-be recruits must do to join the Special Forces (file photo) The SAS badge. Veterans said the information revealed could be used by Britains enemies to put elite troops at risk MoD insiders admitted last night that the article was a slight departure from tradition, but insisted the department will continue to maintain our long-standing policy of not commenting on Special Forces operational activity. They added that Soldier Magazine did not reveal details of the main Special Forces selection course or provide any insight into operational tactics, techniques or procedures deployed by the regiments. The source stressed that ministers were not involved in the decision to publish the details, but Tory former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said last night it was astonishing that none was involved in such a sensitive decision, adding: This departure from tradition shows a worrying lack of ministerial oversight. The row comes as the SAS whose insignia showing its Who Dares Wins motto is pictured left expects more people to apply to join as a result of the current BBC1 series SAS Rogue Heroes, which details the exploits of the regiment in the Second World War across North Africa and Europe. But it also comes amid claims at a public inquiry that some Special Forces troops may have decided to take the law into their own hands and kill suspected members of the Taliban in Afghanistan, rather than release them. More than 20 years ago, I watched the filming of a documentary that followed the work of Bradford Social Services. Titled Edge Of The City, it was the first major TV report to graphically depict the scandal of the systematic grooming of young white girls by predominantly Asian men. But ahead of its broadcast, the film was subject to a barrage of abuse, lobbying and allegations of racism. Channel 4 axed the programme at short notice only to screen it four months later. Yet the fact is that every allegation in the documentary has since been vindicated even though the liberal Left and Sir Keir Starmer still paint those who seek to spotlight this heinous issue as being far-Right with a racist agenda. Only a fraction of those abusers have been prosecuted, though that is still more than the number of people in positions of authority who have been held to account for failing to stop it. How many lives could have been saved from ruin, suicide, rape and trauma had the first reports of this horrendous scandal been accepted as an awful truth that had to be tackled, rather than smeared as propaganda for the then British National Party (BNP)? I have spent a lifetime being attacked, threatened and had to live in safe houses because of death threats after working undercover targeting far-Right extremists. I am no advocate for those on that end of the political spectrum, but this story must be told. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) during a visit to the City of London Police station) responded to questions over grooming gangs by warning against 'amplifying the far right' In 2019 nine men were jailed for abusing two teenage girls who were living in a children's home, Bradford Crown Court heard (From top left, clockwise) Basharat Khaliq, Saeed Akhtar, Naveed Akhtar, Parvaze Ahmed, Zeeshan Ali, Fahim Iqbal, Izar Hussain, Mohammed Usman and Kieran Harris) In early 2004, concerns over grooming gangs in Bradford and Keighley were highlighted by local BNP members who saw the issue as a lightning rod for white working-class dissent ahead of local elections. Meanwhile, the subject was not raised by social services chiefs or West Yorkshire Police. A year earlier, a team of film-makers had secured access to Bradford Social Services and had been commissioned by Channel 4 to produce a fly-on-the-wall series. The production team told me that one part of the film, about two teenage girls who had been groomed, was considered so combustible that it nearly didnt make the cut because social workers anticipated a public backlash. When the storyline was trailed in publicity for the film due for broadcast in May 2004 the BNP drew attention to the content and treated the programme as its equivalent of a party political broadcast. Predictably, Channel 4 was lobbied by interest groups, accused of providing ammunition to racists and of handing the far-Right a propaganda coup ahead of the local elections. Its programme became dubbed the BNP Sex Row Film. For its part, West Yorkshire Police warned that the programme would increase community tensions and lead to public disorder. Channel 4 duly pulled the documentary. When the election was over, it was considered less inflammatory to broadcast Edge Of The City and it was screened in August. In view of what happened, its no wonder that other broadcasters were reluctant to cover the issue in the following years. The Daily Mails Sue Reid was laudably the first British newspaper journalist to write about the scandal, with her breakthrough report in August 2010 headlined: Predatory gangs, middle-class girls forced into the sex trade and a very troubling taboo. Your browser does not support iframes. And the BBC eventually gave the issue a poignant airing in 2017 with Three Girls, a three-part drama about the Rochdale child sex abuse ring. Without doubt, political correctness has caused these terrible crimes to go unchecked for far too long, and dropping the Channel 4 documentary set back the war against rape gangs by at least ten years, severely impacting the lives of thousands of victims. This is why the facts must be allowed to speak for themselves and why we need a proper examination of this decades-long outrage in the form of a national inquiry. For if we cannot understand how such a scandal was allowed to fester in plain sight of the police, social services and politicians, we cannot stop other tragedies unfolding in the same manner. There is nothing far-Right in seeking this truth, and society must not be cowed by those who wish to deflect legitimate horror about rape gangs by using token insult and denigration. For more than 20 years, countless children have been let down, despite the chance being available in 2004 for justice to be done on their behalf. Today, we must not be fooled again by the same tactics still being used by those who want to suppress debate of the problem. A former SAS soldier who heroically rescued dozens of hostages in a terrorist attack has been hired by incoming US President Donald Trump as one of his elite personal bodyguards. Christian Craighead was thanked by Mr Trump during his first term in office after he led an operation to save British and American hotel guests who were being held captive by jihadi group al-Shabaab in Kenyas capital Nairobi. Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal he will be part of the security detail for Mr Trumps inauguration in Washington DC on January 20, after the President-elect told aides that Mr Craigheads eagle eyes wouldnt have missed a rooftop shooter during the failed assassination attempt on him in Pennsylvania in July. Mr Craighead, 48, is said to be working in the shadows around Mr Trump and has been tasked with the key role of organising reconnaissance at locations where he is due to appear in public. A close family friend told the MoS: Trump first reached out to Chris after the terror attack, telling him how much he admired his actions. They have kept in regular touch ever since. Hes also good friends with Trumps son, Don Trump Jnr, and his former partner Kimberly Guilfoyle, having spent time with them in Miami. Wednesday marks the sixth anniversary of al-Shabaabs attack on the DusitD2 hotel complex. Mr Craighead not his real name had been posted to Nairobi to help train Kenyas security forces in counter-terrorism. He was off-duty and out shopping when he was told hostages had been taken. He collected weapons from his truck and, according to fellow SAS veteran Chris Ryan, organised the entire operation. Mr Craighead, 48, is said to be working in the shadows around Mr Trump and has been tasked with the key role of organising reconnaissance at locations where he is due to appear in public Mr Craighead led an operation to save British and American hotel guests who were being held captive by jihadi group al-Shabaab in Kenyas capital Nairobi (pictured right) Wednesday marks the sixth anniversary of al-Shabaabs attack on the DusitD2 hotel complex While 22 people died in the shootout, 27 emerged alive some carried to safety by Mr Craighead after he killed two terrorists. Footage of his heroism went viral on news and social media outlets, and he was awarded the UKs second-highest military honour the Conspicuous Gallantry Award. But his actions caused friction within the SAS, which prides itself on discretion. Mr Craighead quit the regiment shortly afterwards, claiming he had been shunned by comrades. His planned book on the attack, titled One Man In, was blocked by the Ministry of Defence. Mr Craigheads friendship with Mr Trump began when the then President invited him to the White House to offer thanks for his actions in Nairobi. In May he introduced Mr Trump to thousands of supporters at a rally in New Jersey. Then, after the assassination attempt in July, Mr Trump, according to a family friend, told his inner circle that Chriss eagle eyes wouldnt have missed the shooter. They added: In October last year Trump personally requested a meeting and asked Chris to become one of his bodyguards. Christian Craighead with Donald Trump in 2019. The former SAS soldier was thanked by Mr Trump during his first term in office, after he led an operation to save British and American hotel guests held hostage in Nairobi, Kenya Mr Craighead accepted a role as one of Mr Trump's bodyguards last month, and will be alongside the president-elect at his inauguration In December Chris accepted the role, after agreeing financial terms and sorting his US residency. Since then he has been working in the shadows around Trump, organising reconnaissance around his work diary, and will be alongside him when he is sworn into office on January 20. Last year the MoS reported how Mr Craigheads girlfriend, Tobi-Jayne Cadbury, 37, a scion of the chocolate family dynasty, had been bombarded with revenge-porn messages from the elite soldiers ex, British Army dentist Major Jennifer Wilson, 42. Wilson later pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to harassment and malicious communications charges. She was ordered to carry out 100 hours of community work and given a ten-year restraining order banning her from contacting her victims. Mr Craighead was unavailable for comment last night. Hundreds of private school teachers at the UK's largest academy chain are set to strike because its state school teachers could receive more than triple their pay rise. United Learning, which runs 90 state academies and 14 independent schools, says it cannot afford to pay them any more than 2 to 3% extra despite a 6.5% pay award for their state school counterparts. But the National Education Union says United Learning already pays them less than its state school teachers and has accused them of treating them like 'second class teachers'. Teachers at United's independent schools were told before Christmas in a move branded 'Scrooge-like' that no more than 2 to 3% was on the table for them. Meanwhile state school colleagues at the same trust, who are already paid between 35,000 and 51,000 a year, will be getting 6.5% - above the 5.5% agreed for the state sector by the Department for Education. Defending the decision, a trust spokesman told the Mail on Sunday that private school teachers should be 'well aware of the financial challenges facing the sector at the moment'. Now staff are planning a walkout saying the trust is blaming its meagre pay offer on the Government's VAT raid on school fees while sitting on huge funds of its own. The trust has told parents it will absorb some of the new 20% tax and only charge them 12% extra on fees across its private schools from this month, meaning it will seek to slash costs elsewhere. Hundreds of private school teachers at United Learning, the UK's largest academy chain, are set to strike as the trust's state school teachers could receive over triple their pay rise (file pic) United Learning's independent schools include the prestigious Royal School in Haslemere, which boasts Princess Anne as its president But its latest accounts show it is sitting on net assets of 717 million. Meanwhile its Chief Executive Sir Jon Coles was recently found to be in the 'super league' of highly paid academy trust chiefs, earning over 250,000 a year. One teacher raged: 'We received a real 'Bah Humbug 'letter right before Christmas telling us that there was no more money in the pot to make us a better offer. 'At the same time, they've absorbed some of the VAT on fees increase, but what have they done with that cost? 'United Learning say they are a not for profit but that's questionable when they are sitting on valuable pension funds and their Chief Executive is being paid over 250,000.' Another fuming staff member said they 'would be better off driving a tube train' than working for United Learning and 'it is impossible to keep up with the cost of living based on our salaries', adding: 'Academy chains have to pay the government increase to state school teachers but we have no set increase. You simply can't treat staff the way United Learning do.' Furious teachers complained to their unions demanding action after receiving the letter. An initial survey of members found more than 89% rejected the pay offer, said Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the NEU. The National Education Union says United Learning's private school teachers are treated as 'second class' and are paid less than its state school teachers. Pictured: State school teachers have protested over pay in recent years He added: 'This offer is off the back of a history of salaries below that of local state schools and colleagues working for the same employer in academies. 'Teachers working in United Learning independent schools are not second-class teachers, so should not be given second-class pay. 'The NEU have opened an indicative ballot of members following the survey of members which rejected the employer offer.' Strike action is expected to follow at the end of the month. United Learning's independent schools include the prestigious Royal School in Haslemere, which boasts Princess Anne as its president. A spokesperson for United Learning said: 'We do not expect there to be strike action in our independent schools. 'We believe that staff in our schools are well aware of the financial challenges facing the sector at the moment and understand that there is no more money for a further pay rise at the present time.' Royal Marine commandos will officially be allowed to grow beards for the first time to tackle the recruitment crisis. Senior officers are set to scrap a ban ensuring commandos remain clean shaven at all times. However, specific rules will dictate the 'length and shape' of any beards and soldiers will not be allowed to have 'caveman' facial hair. The move has apparently been approved by King Charles in an effort to increase recruitment statistics, the Telegraph report. It comes only recently after the Army decided to allow regular troops to grow beards last year for the first time. Soldiers in special service units such as the SAS have alternatively always been allowed to wear beards. In September, defence chiefs ordered Royal Marines' training exercises to be renamed because their aggressive and sexual connotations could offend recruits. Long-established mission rehearsals such as 'Final Thrust' and 'Violent Entry' have been deemed inappropriate for millennials because of the potential innuendos. Royal Marine commandos will be allowed to grow beards for the first time. Recruits undergoing training for the Royal Marines in Lympstone. Royal Marines in France for the 80th anniversary of D-day this year. Senior officers are set to scrap a ban ensuring commandos remain clean shaven at all times The Royal Marines at the Tower of London. The move has apparently been approved by King Charles in an effort to increase recruitment So the manoeuvres, which could involve female personnel, have been rebranded as 'Commando Forge' and 'Green Salmander' respectively. Even the seemingly generically named exercise 'Direct Action' has been rebranded as 'Dragon Warrior'. The Royal Navy insisted the new titles were 'more professional' and aligned better with names used by Britain's strategic military partners. The move follows the scrapping of gender-based titles such as 'seaman' and 'airman', which have been changed to 'seafarer' and 'aviator' by the Navy and RAF. UK commanders want to ensure a military career appeals to as broad a range of people as possible. A Royal Navy spokesperson told the Telegraph: 'The Royal Marines are reviewing recruitment and service policies.' Labour must stop handing millions to Pakistan while the country blocks the removal of child sex abusers from Britain, it was claimed last night. Grooming gang ringleaders who raped and exploited dozens of young white girls in Rochdale and elsewhere cannot be deported because Islamabad has refused to accept them. While countries cannot unilaterally send criminals back to their native lands, Pakistan receives millions in aid money from the UK each each year - amounting to more than 1 billion over the last decade. Last night, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick called for the payments to stop and a visa ban to be implemented until the country starts cooperating. 'It's shameful that Pakistan is abusing our generosity and madness that the Government isn't doing something about it,' he said. 'Perpetrators with dual nationality should be stripped of UK citizenship and kicked out of this country - no ifs, no buts. 'If their country of origin won't take them back, then the Government should use every lever to force them to do so. 'These sick and twisted individuals should never set foot on British soil again.' Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick called for the payments to stop and a visa ban to be implemented until the country starts cooperating It is unknown how many UK-based criminals Pakistan has refused to accept because the Home Office has refused to release data on the abusers It t is understood that Adil Khan (left) and Qari Abdul Rauf (right) who exploited girls as young as 12 as part of a nine-strong gang during a two-year reign of terror, are among them It is unknown how many UK-based criminals Pakistan has refused to accept because the Home Office has refused to release data on the abusers. However, it is understood that Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf, who exploited girls as young as 12 as part of a nine-strong gang during a two-year reign of terror, are among them. Khan, now 54, who fathered a child with one 13-year-old victim, was convicted of child trafficking and jailed for eight years in May 2012. Religious studies teacher Rauf, now 55, received six years for the same offence. The courts heard he asked a 15-year-victim if she had any younger friends, and would drive girls to other men who would use them for sex. Khan served four years while Rauf served three and a half before being released on licence. The pair were among four abusers who desperately tried to dodge deportation by renouncing their Pakistani citizenship, claiming that removal from the UK would leave them stateless. However, immigration judges dismissed the tactic more than two years ago, saying it would be 'relatively easy' for them to regain their status back home. Rejecting their appeals, Judges Charlotte Welsh and Judge Siew Ling Yoke said Khan had shown a 'breathtaking lack of remorse' and there was very strong public interest in the men being kicked out of the UK Although their deportation orders were upheld, the individuals remain in this country, living and working alongside their victims. Neighbours in Rochdale have said Rauf, who is understood to work for a takeaway delivery company, walks around 'like he owns the place'. Your browser does not support iframes. One mum said: 'Nobody can believe that monster is still here after what he did to those young girls. 'I can't believe he was delivering takeaways to peoples' houses. Just imagine it - you are one of his victims and you open the door to get your meal and he's there. 'It's disgusting. What is the country coming to? Why is he still here?' In the case of Rauf and Khan, and possibly others, they remain in the UK because Pakistan has refused to take them back. Mr Jenrick has previously called for foreign aid to be conditional on countries co-operating on returns. Iraq, which has received more than 400 million in aid from the UK over the last 10 years, has only accepted 150 returns - despite accounting for nearly 15,000 Channel migrant crossings since 2018. More than half a million has gone to Somalia, Afghanistan and Ethiopia during the last decade. While nearly 18,000 small boat arrivals have hailed from the countries, the UK successfully returned just 13 to Somalia in 2023. Destination countries cannot unilaterally return criminals and failed asylum seekers, but must depend on origin states' willingness to readmit them. The US has long considered Pakistan 'recalcitrant', and in 2019 it sanctioned the country with visa restrictions and a reduction in aid payments. MBABANE Is it possible that come end of 2029, the Kingdom of Eswatini will have secured a viable international route with direct flights outside of Africa? And is this even possible when the countrys national airline, Eswatini Air, is yet to achieve financial stability and break even? These questions arise from the fact that this is a plan that is contained in the Government Programme of Action (PoA) which has been produced by the Office of the Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini. In the document, it is reflected that one of the policy strategies and key deliverables of government is fostering viable international routes with direct flights identified, negotiated and secured, one outside of Africa and two within Africa. In terms of outcomes and benefits, the document states that the plan is to ensure availability of affordable and cost-effective international routes with direct flights from Eswatini. Also, the plan, as detailed in the document, is to ensure an increase in international travel to and from Eswatini. In terms of delivery time, the document reflects that this is expected to happen between the financial years 2026 and 2029. The funding that will have to be raised for the project has been set at E150 million and the funding mechanism will be through the private sector, and this will be led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Still on aviation, the document states that about E200 million will have to be raised to facilitate the upgrading of the King Mswati III International Airport at Sikhuphe in order to allow it to host international airlines. Government also plans to improve the Eswatini aviation industry and ensure that the countrys national airline, Eswatini Air, is aggressively marketed. While the idea of an international route would be good for the country, critics of the Government PoA have said that it might be a dream that will take years to achieve. A family that has long refused to sell their prime property location has seen the money on offer skyrocket amid suggestions of how they may be forced to leave, which the local council denies. Despite already being surrounded by thousands of houses, the intensely private Zammit family has steadfastly held onto their sprawling 20,000sqm property near Quakers Hill, in Sydney's west. The property slices through a massive block of new developments, abruptly turning through-roads into cul-de-sacs, with homes wedged up hard against their boundary fence. The family was offered $40million to sell to developers less than two years ago, but Sydney's rampant property market has now reportedly seen that figure leap to a phenomenal $60million. But amid all the talk of how they can keep resisting the money, some commenters on social media believe the authorities will use a sneaky way to force the family out. The online chatter is that the Zammit's will be squeezed by their rates being increased to a point where the family will no longer be able to afford their home. 'If they don't sell out in time the adjusted council rates will get them out in the end,' on commenter said. 'Yep, that's how they will do it! Rezone, then apply higher rates accordingly until they squeeze them out financially,' another said. A family that has long refused to sell their prime property location (pictured) has seen the money on offer skyrocket and suggestions of how they may be forced to leave Their home (pictured) slices through a massive block of new developments, abruptly turning through-roads into cul-de-sacs A third replied that 'Many people I know had their hand forced to sell their dream home in the end due to increases in council rates.' Though the Zammits have refused to budge, developers bought all the land around them to build a new suburb called The Ponds. Commenters from around the world, though, have praised the family for staying put. 'Good on them, why should developers get rich,' one wrote. Another said 'Don't bow down to greedy big corp.' Incredible photos show the transformation of the block over the years, which was once surrounded by farmland The home is now slap bang in the middle of a new-build development in The Ponds area near Quakers Hill which has seen thousands of high-density detached homes spring up House prices in Quakers Hill rose about 8.5 per cent in 2024, according to PropTrack. That alone would have earned the Zammits about another $4.25million on top of their previous high level offers. Ten years ago, the median house in Quakers Hill went for about $700,000, but that has risen by 67 per cent to $1.172milion at the end of last year. The Zammits have refused to discuss the offers they've been made to move out, but they have said the land is unrecognisable from when they moved in two decades ago. 'It used to be farmland dotted with little red brick homes and cottages,' Diane Zammit, 50, previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'Every home was unique, and there was so much space - but not any more. It's just not the same.' Stunning aerial images showed the huge changes in the area since the family moved in. Australian buyers agent Ella Cas said the lot was worth so much because it could be divided into 46 or 56 lots depending on how conservative or 'greedy' the developer was. The Zammit's property boasts breathtaking views west to the Blue Mountains, with the spectacular Newnes Plateau visible in the distance, but is just 40 minutes drive to Sydney's CBD. It has a lush green lawn and a 200m driveway, which makes it stick out even more from its neighbours - row after row of indistinguishable homes in small blocks. A Blacktown City Council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it 'has no plans to acquire the property and has not had any negotiations to acquire the property. 'The property rate applied to this property is the same as all surrounding residential properties.' At least 1,860 foreign nationals were arrested last year over sexual offences against children in England and Wales, the Mail on Sunday can reveal. And campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera - who has received death threats for speaking out - said she had 'no doubt' grooming gangs were continuing brazenly to target youngsters. She demanded a new public inquiry. The Centre of Migration Control think tank last week published data showing foreign nationals were 3.5 times as likely to be arrested for sex offences as British suspects. Police made more than 9,000 arrests of foreign nationals for sexual offences in the first ten months of last year in 41 of the 43 forces in England and Wales, more than 26 per cent of the total estimated 35,000 sexual offences arrests, despite foreigners making up just nine per cent of the population. Now the Mail on Sunday can reveal that the think tank's freedom of information requests - answered by 22 forces - allows the figures to be broken down for child sex offences by region. Arrests for child sex offences by foreign citizens were at 660 in London for the first ten months of last year, 309 in the West Midland, 187 in Greater Manchester, 162 in Kent and 105 in Essex. At least 312 foreign nationals were arrested for sexual offences on children under the age of 13, with 98 in London, 61 in the West Midlands, and 40 in Greater Manchester. There were more than 265 foreign citizen arrested for creating, possessing or distributing indecent images of children, with 95 taking place in the capital. Campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera - who has received death threats for speaking out - said she had 'no doubt' grooming gangs were continuing brazenly to target youngsters Your browser does not support iframes. And at least 67 foreigners were arrested for prostitution-related offences. Those figures will understate the full extent of the scandal, as they are for just half of the forces, and are for just ten months of the year. The revelations come as the controversy over grooming gangs of Pakistani heritage targeting white girls shows little sign of abating with Sir Keir Starmer still trying to end off calls for a public inquiry. Dame Jasvinder, who was shunned by her family aged 16 after refusing an arranged marriage to an older man, founded Karma Nirvana, a charity helping victims of honour-based abuse in the UK, in 1993. She told the Mail on Sunday: 'I've lost count of the number of times victims have come to me saying they are not being taken seriously because people are worried about community tensions. 'People are worried about being called a racist. People are worried about treading on cultural ties and and then on the back of that, people have not acted in response to these victims. 'I've spent nearly 30 years trying to get agencies to recognize that this issue has to be dealt with as a safeguarding issue and not an issue you can just tiptoe around because it's from a different culture. 'Cultural acceptance does not mean accepting the unacceptable. 'I've sat opposite victims who were harmed by grooming gangs and they have said to me, 'Jasvinder, these perpetrators will say to us go to the police, but they're not going to believe you, because we will just say they've been racist.' People fearing being branded racist gives perpetrators power, she added. 'If perpetrators believe somehow they are untouchable because professionals may not take them as seriously, because they are fearing being called a racist or fearing treading on cultural ties, you're giving the perpetrators more power.' In the first ten months of last year at least 131,000 foreign citizens were arrested in England and Wales, accounting for 16.1% of arrests. They also accounted for 26.1% of sexual offences. Dame Jasvinder said: 'I'm absolutely horrified and shocked to hear that. 'The prevalence of offences still being committed implies to me that the deterrent isn't high enough. 'Something's wrong whereby this is an area of crime that isn't reducing...the deterrent is not working.' She criticised the government's decision not to launch a new national inquiry into grooming gangs. The government has said it would adopt the recommendations made in 2022 by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay (pictured) The government has said it would adopt the recommendations made in 2022 by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay. She said the Jay Report does not go far enough in exploring ongoing grooming. She added: 'There's no doubt in my mind that it's still happening.' On Thursday, Simon Morton, a former police officer who led a grooming investigation in Oxford, told the BBC it is 'obvious' grooming is still 'happening in every city around the country.' He said that perpetrators are 'influencing and arranging others to do the same thing' and 'guys we couldn't catch are still out there.' Dame Jasvinder said: 'In my community this bigoted culture exists. 'Men have a significant position in comparison to what women do. I've seen that in my own experience. 'I'm one of seven sisters, and the preference of males to females was pretty obvious to me in terms of how we were treated. 'They believe we are different and they can harm these individuals because they don't see them in the same way. Your browser does not support iframes. 'My family and mother would say the worst insult of all is that you are behaving like a white woman.' 'I am Indian by descent. How many of the significant leaders from that community, be Indian, Afghan, Pakistani, have stood up and spoke out for these girls and said 'we are ashamed to hear that.' 'I have campaigned for almost 30 years and I can say with conviction I never received support from my community. 'I've had death threats from my community. I've had to put panic alarms in my house. 'The very community where these things happen, people did not stand up and speak out against it. That needs to happen. That outcry from that very community, and we need to hear them telling us what they do to propose a change, because they're the ones with the power. The fires that erupted across Los Angeles County are still raging, but already are projected to be among the costliest natural disasters in America's history. While it's still too early for an accurate tally of the financial toll, the losses so far likely make the wildfires the costliest ever in the U.S., according to various estimates, leaving behind devastation that will ripple far beyond California's borders. With tens of thousands of displaced LA residents who have lost all but the clothes they were wearing, plus a few select personal items, insurance companies will be on the hook for colossal payouts. It will inevitably lead to a rise in insurance premiums for Americans across the country as companies work out how they can best pay out claims. With losses surpassing a staggering $135 billion, according to a preliminary estimate by AccuWeather, the aftermath of this inferno is set to burden federal programs, strain insurance markets, and reshape the lives of Americans nationwide. But only once the ashes settle will the true cost of the economic and social fallout become clear. The fire, which engulfed some of America's wealthiest neighborhoods, has already left thousands scrambling for answers - and funds - to rebuild their lives. The devastating blazes have killed at least 16 people and incinerated more than 12,000 structures since Tuesday, laying waste to entire neighborhoods once home to multimillion-dollar properties. Insurance is expected to cover just $20 billion of the estimated losses, according to JPMorgan Chase. That leaves $115 billion in uncovered costs, setting the stage for a patchwork of federal aid, personal savings, and charitable contributions to fill the gap. The LA fires that erupted this week across Los Angeles County are still raging, but already are projected to be among the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Pictured, Pedram Salimpour and Stacy Weiss look through the remains of their home, which was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood The devastating blazes have killed at least 16 people and incinerated more than 12,000 structures since Tuesday, laying waste to entire neighborhoods once home to multimillion-dollar properties. Pictured, a view of burned houses at Malibu Beach that burned during Palisades wildfire in Malibu Though Altadena has never experienced fire devastation on this scale in the past, the suburb does sit at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, which are prone to wildfires. This has made getting fire insurance more difficult. Many residents in Altadena, a racially and economically diverse suburb, are covered by the California FAIR Plan, an insurance program backed by the state of California that is used by property owners who cannot find private market coverage. As private insurers have rejected or dropped homeowners in fire-prone areas of California, residents have increasingly switched to FAIR Plan, data shows. As of the end of September last year, 958 homes in Altadena were covered by the scheme, up 28 percent from a year earlier, according to data from the insurer. In Pacific Palisades, a wealthy suburb west of downtown Los Angeles ravaged by wildfires this week, the rise in the use of the FAIR plan has been more stark. There are 1,430 homes covered under the scheme, up 85 percent from a year earlier and quadruple the number in 2020, the insurer's data showed. But for many, rebuilding won't be easy. A 2023 survey by the Insurance Information Institute and Munich Re found that 12 percent of U.S. homeowners don't carry home insurance, and those who do often find their coverage woefully inadequate. In areas like Pacific Palisades, where homes average $3.4 million, policies from California's last-resort FAIR Plan cap damages at $3 million a glaring shortfall in the face of soaring property values. While it's still too early for an accurate tally of the financial toll, the losses so far likely make the wildfires the costliest ever in the U.S. Pictured, a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday With losses surpassing a staggering $135 billion, according to estimates, the aftermath of this inferno is set to burden federal programs, strain insurance markets, and reshape the lives of Americans nationwide. Pictured, the devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air Only once the ashes settle will the true cost of the economic and social fallout become clear. Pedram Salimpour and Stacy Weiss stand on the remains of their home in the Palisades State Farm's recent decision to stop renewing policies for 30,000 homeowners in fire-prone California further complicates matters. Pacific Palisades, one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the fire, has already seen 69 percent of its residents lose access to State Farm policies. The FAIR Plan, while a stopgap solution, is under immense pressure, raising concerns about its ability to sustain payouts amidst increasingly frequent and severe disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also stepped in, offering temporary shelter and financial assistance. However, FEMA's maximum payout of $43,600 per household barely scratches the surface of the costs for homeowners in areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, where home prices have doubled in the past decade. Madison Sloan, director of the disaster recovery and fair housing project at Texas Appleseed, emphasized the limitations to WSJ.com: 'Even if you get the full amount of housing assistance, that's not going to rebuild a house.' For long-term rebuilding, FEMA relies on Congress to appropriate funds through Community Development Block Grants. But this process can be agonizingly slow. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, it took Congress three months to approve aid, while funds for rebuilding Maui's Lahaina -devastated by wildfires in 2023 - took a year and a half to materialize. The fire, which engulfed some of America's wealthiest neighborhoods, has already left thousands scrambling for answers - and funds - to rebuild their lives. Pictured, Water is dropped on homes as the Palisades Fire advances in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday A resident of Pacific Palisades rides his bike on the streets and on his way to his destroyed house Houses are reduced to ashes due to the fire in Pacific Palisades. In the aftermath of the devastating wildfire in Pacific Palisades, which ultimately consumed more than 22,000 acres, the community is left grappling with the destruction The impacts of these fires wont remain confined to California. Rising insurance premiums, reduced availability of coverage in high-risk areas, and increased federal disaster spending will affect taxpayers and policyholders nationwide. But even before the fires, many Californians were grappling with insufficient insurance coverage. A 2021 study of Colorados Marshall Fire revealed that 36 percent of homeowners discovered their policies covered less than three-quarters of their replacement costs. Similar gaps have emerged after tornadoes in Kentucky and Tennessee, where deductibles left some families with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. The situation is particularly dire in mobile-home parks like Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates, which was destroyed in the fire. Mobile-home insurance is less common, leaving many residents with no safety net to rebuild. Moreover, the rebuilding process could reshape swaths of Los Angeles, as some residents, overwhelmed by the costs, choose to sell their land. This pattern is not unprecedented. After Hurricane Sandy devastated New Jerseys coastline in 2012, many long-time residents sold their properties to wealthier buyers. Jody Stewart, a resident of one such area, lamented, The light of a fire fighting helicopter illuminates a smouldering hillside as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on Saturday Cars are destroyed due to the fire in Pacific Palisades Water is dropped on the Palisades Fire by helicopter in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday That was a hardworking community at one point of regular people Now, 65 of the 70 homes on my street changed hands,' Stewart told the Wall Street Journal. The L.A. County wildfires, which were fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds and an extreme drought, remained largely uncontained on Saturday. That means the final tally of losses from the blazes is likely to increase, perhaps substantially. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss from the fires at $135 billion to $150 billion, portending soaring homeowners' insurance costs. 'This will be the costliest wildfire in California modern history and also very likely the costliest wildfire in U.S. modern history, because of the fires occurring in the densely populated areas around Los Angeles with some of the highest-valued real estate in the country,' said Jonathan Porter, Accuweather's chief meteorologist. 'To put this into perspective, the total damage and economic loss from this wildfire disaster could reach nearly 4 percent of the annual GDP of the state of California,' Porter said. AccuWeather factors in a multitude of variables in its estimates, including damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure and vehicles, as well as immediate and long-term health care costs, lost wages and supply chain interruptions. Nine of the top home insurance companies in California were contacted for comment. State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, Mercury, Liberty Mutual and Farmers responded with statements saying they were working with policyholders to help them make claims, without addressing specific concerns about residents not receiving sufficient payouts or rising future premiums. Houses are reduced to ashes due to the fire in Pacific Palisades. Thousands of homes, businesses, and vehicles were reduced to ashes, leaving residents displaced and heartbroken Pedram Salimpour and Stacy Weiss look at the remains of their home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California on Saturday Earlier his week, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara invoked moratorium powers to suspend all policy non-renewals and cancellations from insurance companies for one year. Lara said in a statement on Friday that next week he will host free insurance workshops in Santa Monica and Pasadena, suburbs close to the two biggest fires. In a report issued on Friday, Moody's also concluded that the wildfires would prove to be the costliest in U.S. history, specifically because they have ripped through densely populated areas with higher-end properties. While the state is no stranger to major wildfires, they have generally been concentrated in inland areas that are not densely populated. That's led to less destruction per acre, and in damage to less expensive homes, Moody's noted. That's far from the case this time, with one of the largest conflagrations destroying thousands of properties across the Pacific Palisades and Malibu, home to many Hollywood stars and executives with multimillion-dollar properties. 'The scale and intensity of the blazes, combined with their geographic footprint, suggest a staggering price tag, both in terms of the human cost and the economic toll,' Moody's analysts wrote. The report did not include a preliminary cost estimate of the wildfire damage and it could be several months before a concrete tally of the financial losses from the wildfires will be possible. 'We're in the very early stages of this disaster,' Porter added. Peter Dutton has confirmed the Coalition's election promise to allow first homebuyers to use $50,000 of their superannuation to buy a home will be extended to divorced women. Mr Dutton said 'restoring the dream of home ownership' will be a key policy area in the Opposition's campaign to win the 2025 election. 'Entering the property market shouldn't be limited to those who can rely on the bank of mum and dad,' he said on Sunday. 'That's why a Coalition Government will allow Australians to access up to $50,000 of their super to buy their first home. And we will extend that policy to assist separated women.' Mr Dutton also launched an extraordinary attack on Anthony Albanese, saying Australians had suffered under him and his government. 'Under this Albanese Labor government, I've seen the mood of Australians change,' he said. 'They've suffered under one of our country's weakest ever prime ministers. 'For so many Australians, aspiration has been replaced by anxiety. Optimism has turned to pessimism and national confidence changed to dispiritedness.' Peter Dutton (pictured) has confirmed the Coalition's election promise to allow first homebuyers to use $50,000 of their super to buy a home will be extended to divorced women With the federal election due by May, the Opposition leader was making an early start in the Melbourne seat of Chisholm, which the Liberals hope to win back. In his first major rally after the summer break, Mr Dutton said the Coalition would 'get Australia back on track' and he would lead a government based on the 'views, values and vision' of everyday Australians. He said over the last three years, the country had 'endured one of the most incompetent governments in our nation's history. 'As a result, Australians are worse off. Our country is less safe. Our society is less cohesive.' A fired up Mr Dutton also addressed migration, which is set to be a major election issue for both major parties. 'We will reduce the permanent migration program by 25 per cent for two years from 185,000 to 140,000 places,' he said. 'In years three and four, we will return to a sustainable 150,000 and 160,000 places.' But his careful use of a four-year plan and the phrase 'permanent migration' has left open the door to sustaining some temporary visa levels. Mr Dutton also reiterated his vow for 'stricter caps on foreign students,' after the Coalition refused to back the Government's Bill to limit 2025 enrolments to 270,000 new enrolments. Addressing an audience of Liberal Party members, he spoke about Indigenous policy commitments, including bringing back the Cashless Debit Card, which was dropped by Labor. Mr Dutton called Anthony Albanese (pictured) 'one of our country's weakest ever prime ministers' If the Coalition won the coming election, it would reintroduce the system for working-aged welfare recipients in 'Indigenous communities where drugs and alcohol are prevalent'. Mr Dutton said this would be done in 'consultation with communities,' in order to ensure children were 'getting the support from their parents that they deserve'. 'Labor has lost its energy to address this issue. But with the defeat of the Voice, we have an opportunity to move away from symbolic gestures, activist-driven agendas, and more Canberra-based bureaucracy,' he said. 'We can press ahead with a Dutton Coalition government's priority to focus on practical action for Indigenous Australians. 'As (Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Jacinta Price said, it's time to dispense with the racial stereotyping which treats all Aboriginal people the same.' He said a victorious Coalition government would also have a full audit into spending on Indigenous programs, and promised a Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities. Mr Dutton also hammered home the Coalition's recurring message - that Australians can't afford to re-elect Anthony Albanese and Labor. 'I think the past three years are a good indication of what the future will look like under a returned Labor government,' he said. 'That's a future Australians can't afford And the next federal election is a sliding doors moment for our nation.' He aimed his pitch at what he called 'compassionate, stoic, fair and quietly patriotic' Australians, echoing previously successful Liberal campaigns. Robert Menzies - Australia's longest serving Prime Minister - spoke in the 1950s about the 'forgotten people'. In the mid-1990s John Howard - Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister - spoke about helping the 'battlers' who were doing it tough under Labor. More recently, when Scott Morrison won the 2019 election - which the Coalition was widely expected to lose - he said it was a victory for the 'quiet Australians'. Wildlife researcher said dingo was vital to her research A popular local dingo was shot and killed at a WA tip Locals have been left heartbroken after one of the last healthy dingos near a small town was shot and killed. Warrigal, a two-year-old female dingo, was shot at a tip near Coral Bay, Western Australia, researcher Brinkley Davies confirmed on Thursday. The wildlife researcher and not-for-profit charity worker had been following Warrigal's movements due to her importance to the local dingo population. Ms Davies said the shooting was carried out by a paid dogger. 'This senseless act happened just 800m from the town centre on public land,' she said. 'A firearm was discharged with no respect for Warrigal, her body, or our work. We weren't notified and couldn't take a DNA sample.' 'Warrigal wasn't a threat. She was one of the few dingoes without mange hunting, playing, and exploring bringing hope to her species.' The small community of Coral Bay was left devastated by the shooting. Celebrity dingo Warrigal was shot and killed in a tip at Coral Bay, WA, locals said 'She was a beacon of hope for our project, respected by locals and tourists,' Ms Davies said. Locals recalled their interactions with the animal over the years. 'I saw this dingo outside town; it ran alongside my car and was so chill. This is horrendous,' one wrote on social media. 'When will the government preserve life and not kill it?' 'Absolutely devastating and heartbreaking. It's time to push a change to legislation and police about dingoes,' another said. Dingoes like Warrigal can provide insights into their affect on the natural environment including how they can reduce and manage feral cat populations. The animals only give birth to a litter once a year, and Coral Bay's dingo population is now uncertain, according to Ms Davies. The native wild dogs are protected in Western Australia and cannot be killed on public or Crown land without the relevant approvals. Killing a dingo without appropriate justification or incentive is also outlawed. Diver and Wildlife researcher Brinkley Davies said the dingo was vital for its species in the area Ms Davies claimed an employee at the tip heard a gunshot and saw the dog's body before the dogger carried it away. She said she spoke with the local council and Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction to understand why the animal was shot dead. She is now searching for answers. 'We want to know why she was shot. We want to know why a firearm was allowed to be discharged in a public place, that's 800 metres from town,' Ms Davies told Yahoo. 'Why, if there was an issue with Warrigal, were other options not explored first? She said the community loved the dog. 'She was a huge highlight in a lot of people's days. And Coral Bay is such a small place, and so a connection like that with an animal that's wild and not doing anyone any harm, is a really special part of living somewhere like this.' The Shire of Carnarvon said it was investigating the matter and requested patience from the public. They insisted the council was not involved in the killing. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Shire of Carnarvon for comment. The effects of the Los Angeles fire disaster will be long-lasting and thousands of people have lost everything or been displaced. At least 16 people have been killed, more than 12,000 structures destroyed and 180,000 people ordered to flee their homes due to the blazes. Help for those who have lost their homes to the huge infernos is coming from around the world while many were forced to flee and are still unclear on when they can return. But charities and government-run relief efforts are overwhelmed by donations of items they don't need or don't have the resources to sift through. Thieves are also preying on kind-hearted people with convincing scams that won't send a dollar to anyone in need. Here's how you can do the most good with your donations. Help for those whose homes burned along with all they owned, and many more forced to flee and don't know when they can return, is coming from around the world Beware of scams Fraudsters thrive in an environment of confusion, desperation, and inexperience - along with heightened emotions. Many people hoping to help fire victims don't regularly donate to charity and are unlikely to know who they can and can't trust. Scammers are even targeting would-be donors with phone calls, text messages, emails, and even going door-to-door to elicit donations. The Federal Trade Commission has a guide on how to vet anyone soliciting you to avoid falling victim, and Charity Navigator and GuideStar list reputable charities. California Attorney General Rob Bonta vowed to prosecute scammers taking advantage of the fires, but many will be overseas out of reach. 'To anybody who would take advantage of people for their greedy gain, who see dollar signs, I have a message for you: You will be held responsible,' he said. People gather and sort through donated clothing and other items at a pop-up donation center for wildfire victims at Santa Anita race track Only give very specific items Many charities are asking donors to stop sending random goods to them because they aren't needed and do more harm than good. Local governments also asked donors to stop leaving items at fire and police stations. 'The City of Pasadena and all of the first responders across the city, are incredibly grateful for the donations of food and other items,' the city ravaged by the Eaton fire said. 'However, at this time, we are overwhelmed with the amount and we are no longer accepting additional donations.' Nonprofits were also overwhelmed with bags of random essentials they don't have the time or manpower to sort through and distribute. Instead, look on charities' websites and social media pages as they will often spell out what they actually need. City shelters need toiletries like diapers, wipes, towels, and hairbrushes; the YMCA is accepting essential items; and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has a list of things it needs. Local charity It's Bigger Than Us is accepting air mattresses, bedding, clothes, toiletries, and non-perishable food, along with cash. All must be new, not used. Volunteers unload aid items from a car at the YMCA distribution center at Pasadena City College after residents fled from the Eaton Fire People look for shoes at a distribution center for people affected by the Eaton Fire at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California Where to send your cash Direct monetary donations are the easiest and most effective way to assist with relief efforts, as they both pay for charities' expenses and finance buying what they need. There is a long list of charities, both local and much larger like the Red Cross, which is staffing evacuation centers and handing out supplies. Others include: The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, to buy tools and supplies for firefighters as city funds are stretched thin. World Central Kitchen, which has volunteer chefs cooking food and assembling sandwiches to give to hungry survivors and aid workers. The California Fire Foundation, which directly supports fire victims. The League of California Community Foundations, which rebuilds homes, restores lost belongings, and provides counseling. The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation , to buy tools and supplies for firefighters as city funds are stretched thin People collect aid items at the YMCA distribution center at Pasadena City College after residents fled from the Eaton Fire International Medical Corps, handing out hygiene and first-aid kits to survivors and affected communities. Best Friends Animal Society and Pasadena Humane Society, which are caring for hundreds of pets and animals displaced by the blazes. Direct Relief, handing out N95 masks to protect locals from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation, along with medical and hygiene supplies. Ventura County Community Foundation and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. If you'd rather contribute more directly to people in need, GoFundMe has a hub for all fundraisers to support people who lost their homes or loved ones. GoFundMe also has its own relief fund it will distribute to victims. Getting your hands dirty People out of harms way but living nearby often want to help in more direct ways by volunteering at a charity or helping relief efforts. Assisting neighbors is usually the best way, but if you don't have any affected it's not a simple process to start helping out. Charities, such as the Red Cross, usually have a training period of at least a week before you can actually contribute on the front lines. Direct Relief is handing out N95 masks to protect locals from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation A man carries water in a neighborhood where many homes were destroyed by the Eaton Fire However, that shouldn't deter you as there will be a need for volunteers well after the flames are extinguished. A few will let you get stuck in immediately, such as LAIT911's disaster response and recovery team, which needs help collecting donations and assisting with delivery, Animal charities like the Pasadena Humane Society, Los Angeles Animal Services, and Canine Rescue Club need foster homes for displaced pets. Our Big Kitchen LA needs cooks to prepare meals for victims and emergency personnel. Volunteer Collective has a master list of charities that need helping hands. Don't just give and forget As much as help and cash is needed right now, a disaster of this magnitude will take a long time to overcome and the need for support will be ongoing. Coming back to donate smaller amounts regularly will stop longer-term relief efforts running out of steam months or years later. You could also donate to charities that plan to continue their support for as long as it takes. A disgusting chant was hurled at Jewish community members and supporters during an anti-semitism rally. Grassroots group Lions of Zion hosted a demonstration in Melbourne CBD on Sunday against a wave of anti-Semitic attacks across major cities, including a synagogue in Sydney which was vandalised with a large red Swastika and words 'Hitler on top'. At the same time, a procession of pro-Palestine demonstrators were parading through the CBD from the State Library of Victoria. Footage showed the moment the two groups clashed with the pro-Palestine group heard yelling, 'Go back to Germany'. Victoria Police officers lined the streets of the CBD as the pro-Palestine rally marched through and managed to keep them separated from Israel supporters. Several commenters questioned why those yelling 'go back to Germany' weren't charged by police. 'Why are they not arrested for disorderly conduct, inciting violence,' one wrote. 'S**t's getting a bit too real now. I'm done with this,' another said. Pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with anti-semitism protesters in Melbourne on Sunday Large gatherings in support of either Palestine or Israel have become common in large cities since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. It's understood the death toll for the conflict has passed 45,000 with most victims being Palestinians civilians. However, Australia Jewish Association Chief Executive Officer Robert Gregory claimed increased violence against Jewish communities has limited their ability to participate in demonstrations. 'The streets of Melbourne CBD have been abandoned to a hate mob of anti-Israel activists for well over a year,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Many Jewish people no longer feel comfortable venturing into the CBD while these rallies take place. 'Today a small group of Jews, organised by the newly-formed, grassroots group, Lions of Zion, decided to show that Melbourne CBD will not be closed to Jews. Mr Gregory added the verbal attacks should be taken more seriously by Australians across the board. 'The ugly verbal abuse directed at the Jewish people should be condemned by all,' he said. Police are investigating allegations pro-Palestine protesters told Lions of Zion to 'go back to Germany' 'Racist taunts of "go back to Germany" are intended to remind Jewish people of the Holocaust carried out by Germany and to intimidate the Jewish community. 'It's time for the Victorian Government to claim back the streets of Melbourne CBD from the extremists.' Victoria Police urged anyone with information on those behind the racist attack to come forward. 'Victoria Police had a visible presence at a protest in the CBD to ensure public safety,' it said in a statement. 'We are aware of a small group of people shouting anti-Semitic slurs at the demonstration. 'Victoria Police will now make an assessment of those statements to determine if an investigation will commence. 'Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.' Boris Johnson had branded Vladimir Putin a 'f***ing idiot' over his imperial ambitions. Britain's former Prime Minister told the despot there will be 'no more empire', declaring Ukraine and other eastern European countries would never rejoin the 'Russian imperium'. Mr Johnson, 60, also warned the West was in 'retreat' and Donald Trump would not 'do everything... to help Ukraine' unless Nato members up their spending on defence. Speaking to Baltic news website, Delfi, he said: 'What Putin is doing is archaic and barbaric, and he needs to understand that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania none of these countries are part of the Russian imperium anymore. And nor is Ukraine. 'It's over over, over, over. No more empire, Vladimir, you f***ing idiot. Excuse my language.' Mr Johnson also proposed world leaders to renew their efforts to have Ukraine join Nato in order to deter a Russian invasion in the future. He said: 'People have stopped talking about it. And I think that's a great, great loss, because the West is retreating again. 'We have to be much more decisive. We will not solve the Ukraine problem without Article 5 guarantees or long-term Nato membership.' Boris Johnson had branded Vladimir Putin a 'f***ing idiot' over his imperial ambitions Britain's former Prime Minister told the Russian leader there will be 'no more empire', declaring Ukraine and other eastern European countries would never rejoin the 'Russian imperium' Mr Johnson, 60, also warned the West was in 'retreat' and Donald Trump would not 'do everything... to help Ukraine' unless Nato members up their spending on defence (Pictured: Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensy with Boris Johnson in September 2023) Mr Johnson reprimanded Germany and other Nato members for demanding that President elect Donald Trump send aid to Ukraine while failing to live up to their own military spending commitments. He said: 'Until we get serious about that, I don't see how we can convince the Trump administration to do everything it can to help Ukraine. 'I don't see how Germany can just sit there and refuse to spend enough on defence, demand that Trump help Ukraine, and say they don't want to send frozen Russian 300 billion to Ukraine. It's absurd.' The former Conservative leader also complained 'stupid' objections by officials to arming Ukraine meant that British anti-tank missiles only arrived in the country about a month before Russia's invasion. 'The problem was the British system itself our officials in the Foreign Office and elsewhere who simply ... made the stupidest arguments,' he said. 'I'm not saying they were stupid, but I think their objections were wrong.' Mr Johnson is credited with rallying up Europe's support for Ukraine following Putin's invasion in February 2022. He was the first Western leader to visit their capital city, Kyiv, following the outbreak of war and returned twice during his time in office. Donald Trump has broken his silence over the Los Angeles fires after he failed to respond to California governor Gavin Newsom's invitation to visit ground zero. Forecasters are warning that strong winds fuelling the devastating blazes, which have killed at least 16 people, are set to continue into next week. So far, at least 40,000 acres have been burned down - an area roughly a tenth of the size of Greater London. Trump took to Truth Social, his social media platform, and said: 'The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. 'Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. 'This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just cant put out the fires. Whats wrong with them?' It comes after Gavin Newsom engaged in a spat with Trump over the fires. On Friday, he invited the President-elect to come and see the devastation and meet survivors. Donald Trump (pictured) said: 'The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out' Fire crests the hills behind Pacific Palisades Saturday morning as fire fighting aircraft drop water and refill to fight the flames Firefighters work to put out flames in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025 Newsom wrote in a letter: 'In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines. 'Hundreds of thousands of Americans displaced from their homes and fearful for the future deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a fast recovery and rebuild.' But less than a day later, he told Pod Save America that Trump's messaging on the fires was 'delusional', adding that his claim that California was holding back water from firefighters to save an endangered fish is part of a 'consistent mantra from Trump going back years and years, and its reinforced over and over within the right wing ... and its profoundly ignorant.' But California's leadership has come under heavy scrutiny in the past week for claims they did not do enough to fund emergency services in the runup to the fires. Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley took aim at the city's leadership during an interview with KTTV on Friday, admitting it had failed those affected by the fires and prevented the LA Fire Department from effectively doing its job. 'We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so that we can serve the community,' Crowley said, adding that there were 'huge gaps' in firefighters' ability to tackle the blazes on the ground. She joins a chorus of high profile celebrities who have hit out at the city's handling of the ongoing wildfires, which have so far killed 11 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties. This includes reality star Khloe Kardashian, who rallied around Crowley to share her furious response at the mayor's decision to cut around $17.5 million from the fire department budget for this fiscal year. California's leadership has come under heavy scrutiny in the past week for claims they did not do enough to fund emergency services in the runup to the fires A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 A sawyer cuts a tree over a home that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 11, 2025 in Altadena, California Smoke from flames rises behind homes in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025 A tree trimmer carries a log his partner cut a tree over a home that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 11, 2025 in Altadena, California During an interview with Gigi Graciette, Crowley stated that the mayor's budget cuts for the LAFD affected the fire fight throughout Southern California, adding that the department was 'not properly funded'. Reacting to her statement on Instagram, Khloe said she 'stood behind' the fire chief before dubbing Mayor Bass a 'joke'. Mayor Bass has also been cricitised for flying out to attend a presidential inauguration in Ghana even though meteorologists had warned a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike LA. Meanwhile, on Friday former reality star Spencer Pratt announced that he intends to file a lawsuit against California for its alleged negligence after his home was tragically burnt down in the Pacific Palisades fire. The fires may soon get worse, as a red flag and fire watch warning issued at 6pm local time on Saturday has now been extended into Wednesday night igniting fears of further devastation. The Santa Ana winds will largely affect mountain and foothill communities in Los Angeles and Ventura County and will be felt more strongly in the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains. 'The general duration of this is not looking good,' National Weather Service meteorlogist Rose Schoenfield told the LA Times. A woman takes a picture on the beach with the Santa Monica pier on the background with smoke from the Palisades Fire seen in the sky on January 11, 2025 in Santa Monica, California People hug in a neighborhood where many homes were destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 11, 2025 in Altadena, California Firefighters monitor as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 'Our concern is winds picking up tonight and then on Monday through Wednesday.' The federal agency also revealed that the fires and power outages have affected some of its radio and observation equipment, leading to monitoring delays. Winds of up to 70mph are being anticipated, which could push the Eaton Fire further south of Altadena. This combined with a lack of significant rainfall in more than eight months is generating tinderbox conditions which transformed the blazes into infernos which have razed entire neighborhoods. Rachel Reeves has been accused of making Britain a 'laughing stock' with her visit to China as critics poured scorn on the 600million investment she secured in Beijing. The Tories said the Chancellor had 'come back with next to nothing' from her trip to Beijing, which she ploughed ahead with despite fresh alarm at her economic plans. Increases in the Government's borrowing costs have sparked fears that Ms Reeves will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets. This could require either tax rises or deeper spending cuts when she delivers a fiscal statement at the end of March. But Ms Reeves ignored calls for her to cancel her trip to China and take emergency action to deal with the soaring borrowing costs, which has invoked memories of Britain's 1976 debt crisis. Her visit, during which she met Chinese vice-president Han Zheng and vice-premier He Lifeng, is the first high-level economic meeting between Britain and China since 2019. Relations with Beijing cooled under the previous Tory government amid anger about China's actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and over Taiwan. But Labour have pinned hopes on improving economic ties with Beijing as part of Ms Reeves' scramble to kickstart the UK economy. The Chancellor was this weekend warned that support for her position has 'evaporated' within Labour as concerns grow at her tax and spending policies. In his latest column for the Daily Mail, former PM Boris Johnson said it was time for Ms Reeves to 'collect her P45' as he accused her of 'losing the trust' of bond markets. Rachel Reeves has been accused of making Britain a 'laughing stock' with her trip to China as critics poured scorn on the 600million investment she secured in Beijing The Chancellor's visit, during which she met Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng, is the first high-level economic meeting between Britain and China since 2019 Labour have pinned hopes on improving economic ties with Beijing as part of Ms Reeves' scramble to kickstart the UK economy At meetings on Saturday, Ms Reeves hailed her trip as a 'significant milestone' in Labour's re-engagement with China, saying she had agreed deals worth 600million to the UK economy over the next five years. Speaking after her meeting with Mr He, the Chancellor said: 'The outcomes we have agreed today represent pragmatic co-operation in action. 'They represent common ground being found on areas like financial services, trade, investment and the climate.' She added that 're-engagement' with China 'already sets us on course to deliver up to 1 billion of value for the UK economy'. The agreements reached on Saturday include deals on financial services, agri-food and cultural exports, along with other areas. But former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun: 'We are the laughing stock of the Western world. 'Europe is toughening up on China and America is going to toughen up on China, so we are going to be the odd one out.' Fellow Conservative MP Gareth Davies, the shadow financial Secretary, said: 'She's flown halfway across the world, and come back with next to nothing to show for it.' A leading City adviser told the newspaper: 'There's a whiff of desperation about it. I'm amazed they think 600million over five years is a good thing.' As well as the backlash at Ms Reeves' China trip, the Chancellor is under mounting pressure within her own party over her economic strategy. She has come under regular attack from businesses over her tax-hiking Budget in October, with claims it has choked off growth. One Labour MP told The Telegraph: 'The Government's whole strategy depends on growth. But there is a lack of confidence. 'Growth depends on low energy prices, confidence, investment in infrastructure and she has done the exact opposite.' They added: 'The support for her has evaporated - even those who supported her at first are now wavering.' Another Labour MP told the newspaper: 'I don't think we can continue like this until the end of the year, let alone for another four years. 'The whole shtick was about growth and now we are coming up against the harsh reality'. Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride this morning claimed he would 'most definitely not' have gone ahead with a planned trip to China if he was in Ms Reeves' position. He said the Chancellor should instead be 'trying to give some sense that this Government gets the depth of the problem' on the gilt markets. Asked about Conservative former PMs and chancellors that visited China during the last government, Mr Stride told the BBC: 'They weren't going to China at a point that our economy was in significant distress. 'And it is completely wrong for the Chancellor at a point that we have this stress in the bond markets, with the consequences that I set out for people right up and down the country, their living standards, their businesses, their livelihoods, and so on. 'The Chancellor should be here at her station, reassuring markets and trying to give some sense that this Government gets the depth of the problem and it has some clear plan.' He added: 'I would most definitely not be in Beijing or Shanghai at the moment talking to the Chinese, cap in hand for some kind of deal, trade arrangements, etc, at a time that these kind of momentous things are happening around the UK economy.' Cabinet minister Peter Kyle this morning said China committing to putting 600million in the UK is 'a start' and 'will lead to future investment'. The Science Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News the Chancellor has returned with 'solid commitments for investment' as the Government commits to 'rebuilding the relationship with China'. NWENE Khayalethu Vilakati, a 19-year-old boy, clung to tree branches in the middle of the raging Mkhondvo River for four hours after being swept downstream while attempting to cross. He explained that his parents had sent him to buy mealie meal from the shops located on the opposite side of the rapidly flowing river. Initially intending to swim across, he changed his mind midway and struggled against the fast-moving water. The Mkhondvo River was overflowing due to the recent torrential rains that affected the country. Khayalethu was swept downstream for approximately 400 metres before two boys, Mzwandile Mkhatshwa and Sizolwethu Vilakati, who were relaxing on the riverbank, spotted him helplessly being carried away by the current. The boys, nearly the same age as Khayalethu, quickly threw a pipe into his path in an attempt to rescue him. We realised that the pipe plan was not working, so we pushed him with it towards a tree in the middle of the river so he could hold on to it, Sizolwethu recounted as he described how they saved Khayalethu. After he successfully grabbed hold of the tree, they called for help. Fortunately Khayalethu endured four hours clinging to that tree in the Mkhondvo River before being rescued by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) helicopter. Fortunately for him, the UEDFs air wing has established a base in Nkwene, which is used to airlift food parcels to isolated chiefdoms such as Buseleni, Hlobane and Kuphumuleni. Recent heavy rains have damaged bridges and footbridges connecting these areas, leaving residents without access to stores and medical care. The UEDF has also set up a mobile clinic on the other side of the Mkhondvo River to provide residents with immediate medical assistance. On Thursday, the helicopter was needed to airlift a woman in labour and to rescue another resident from the river. The UEDF issued a stern warning to residents to avoid crossing the river, as the incidents of rescue have diverted them from their primary mission of delivering food parcels to affected communities. The Deputy Prime Ministers office, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has provided 200 food parcels, including rice, beans and cooking oil, to isolated communities. Nkwene Member of Parliament Sikhumbuzo Dlamini stated that over 1 300 individuals have been affected by the situation. We applaud governments response to the situation and the support we are receiving from individuals such as the Minister for ICT, Savannah Maziya, he said. An off-duty policewoman and a motorist she stopped to help at the roadside have both been killed after being struck by a lorry in a horrific double-tragedy. Tributes were paid yesterday to PC Rosie Prior, 45 described as the very best of us - and the motorist, Ryan Welford, 41, remembered by his family as a loving father, husband, so and brother. A teenage boy who was a passenger in Mr Welford's car is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Meanwhile, the driver of the lorry, a 65-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation. The tragedy happened on the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, at 8.55am on Saturday. PC Prior, who had joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022 and was based in York, had stopped to help Mr Welford following an earlier collision. The pair and the teenager were stood on a verge when they were struck by the truck. PC Prior and Mr Welford were pronounced dead at the scene. Her family described her as a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty who will be deeply missed. PC Rosie Prior had been assisting two people from an earlier collision on the verge of the A19 at Bagby near Thirsk when the vehicle struck her Mr Welford's family said he was a 'hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother' and that he would be 'greatly missed by his family and friends' PC Rosie Prior had been assisting two people from an earlier collision on the verge of the A19 at Bagby near Thirsk (pictured) when the vehicle struck her Flowers are laid at the scene of the crash near Bagby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where a police officer was killed Relatives of Mr Welford, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, paid tribute to him as a hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother and said he would be greatly missed by his family and friends. The earlier collision had involved a silver Audi, driven by Mr Welford, and a black Ford Focus. North Yorkshire Police chief constable Tim Forber said: This is clearly a deeply traumatic and heartbreaking event for everyone involved. He added: Rosies response team colleagues in York, and from around the force, are being supported at this extremely difficult time. David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Jo Coles, deputy mayor, who serves as police and crime commissioner for the county, said in a joint statement: Our hearts are broken for them and their families. Rosie's commitment to serving the public, even when off duty, shows she was the very best of us. Our thoughts are also with the entire North Yorkshire Police family, who we know will be deeply mourning their colleague. We especially want to thank officers and staff who worked at the scene and are supporting those affected by this tragedy. Her family described her as 'a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty' and said she would be 'deeply missed' A tribute attached to flowers reads: 'To all those affected by this tragic incident, our thoughts are with you all' North Yorkshire Police chief constable Tim Forber (pictured) said PC Prior's death was 'deeply traumatic and heartbreaking' And Tiff Lynch, Police Federation acting national chair, said the organisation was offering every possible support to PC Prior's loved ones. Ms Lynch said: It is with immense grief and sorrow that the Police Federation of England and Wales offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two people, including PC Rosie Prior, who were killed in a tragic collision on the A19.' And Church of England Bishop of Kirkstall, the Right Reverend Arun Arora, paid tribute to Ms Prior and Mr Welford, said the friends and families of both victims were in his thoughts, adding: They will be in our prayers and our condolences to them at this time.' North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage of the incident. Lush green palm trees still standing despite wildfires raging around it have sparked wild conspiracy theories online. The trees can be seen upright amid the burning wrecks of homes and cars set alight by devastating fires which have claimed 16 lives and displaced 200,000 people. One user, pointing to the destruction of homes and cars, claimed that that an apparent 'heat attack' had targeted the livelihoods of Californians. Another, referencing similar theories about wildfires in Hawaii in 2023, posted: 'This has Maui written all over it.' These 'attacks' are, according to conspiracy theorists, are designed to facilitate the eradication of national identities and form a one-world government. But in reality, trees are often able to survive wildfires thanks to adaptations like thick bark and high moisture content that protect them from the heat. Palm trees in particular are often safe from fires, as often fires occur at ground level - far from a tree's canopy. On top of this, photographers in LA have captured images of several palm trees burning down in the wildfires. Other conspiracy theories claim that the fires were stared by California governor Gavin Newsom and US president Joe Biden to stop the development of high-speed rail funded by China. Palm trees can be seen in several photos still upright amid the burning wrecks of homes and cars set alight this week by the fires A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Two people ride bicycles amid the destruction left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, January 9, 2025 The aim of this conspiracy would be to make the land 'unusable' for rail developers, which would then be used to develop so-called '15-minute cities.' While a 15-minute city is in reality an urban planning concept that aims to highlight the necessity of having one's daily needs to be within walking or biking distance at any point in a city, the concept has been twisted by the far-right, who claim it is a plot to trap people in ghettoised regions. Sadly, it is not out of the question that the fires were started intentionally. A man in his 30s was arrested for allegedly starting the Kenneth fire. The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the city's most famous landmarks. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said. The previous number of confirmed deaths before Saturday was 11 but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a centre where people can report the missing. A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 A palm tree burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles on January 7, 2025 A palm tree burns at Sunset Beach during a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles A palm tree burns as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate Firefighters work to put out flames in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025 People hug in a neighborhood where many homes were destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 11, 2025 in Altadena, California There were fears that winds could move the fires toward the J Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. By Saturday evening, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires accounted for 59 square miles. In a briefing posted online on Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said. With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades Fire at 11% and the Eaton Fire at 15% on Saturday night, the fight is set to continue. 'Weather conditions are still critical and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday,' Mr Traum said. Elon Musk has thanked a Labour MP after they became the first to break ranks with Sir Keir Starmer and call for a fresh national inquiry into grooming gangs. The tech mogul, who has launched a barrage of attacks on the PM over Labour's rejection of a new widescale probe, praised Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden. The former shadow minister's intervention will heap further pressure on Sir Keir to reverse his position amid a furious political row. The issue of grooming gangs has returned to the spotlight after it was revealed Labour had rejected a council's request for a Whitehall-led inquiry. The Home Office instead backed a locally-led probe into child sexual exploitation in Oldham. Amid the social media assault on Sir Keir by Mr Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a close ally of Donald Trump, both the Tories and Reform UK have demanded a new national inquiry. But Sir Keir has warned a further investigation could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse. The Government is instead focused on implementing the recommendations of the seven-year Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the PM has said. The seven-year investigation, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, reported in 2022 but has not yet been fully acted on. Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden urged Sir Keir Starmer to 'use the full power of the state to deliver justice' for victims. Elon Musk, who has launched a barrage of attacks on the PM over Labour's rejection of a new widescale probe, praised the former shadow minister's intervention Sir Keir has warned a further investigation could delay action on tackling child sexual exploitation The Tories used an attempt to block Government legislation on Wednesday to force a vote on calls for a new inquiry, although Mr Carden did not record a vote. Speaking to The Liverpool Echo this weekend, Mr Carden urged Sir Keir to 'use the full power of the state to deliver justice' for victims. He said: 'The public compassion for the victims, thousands of young British working-class girls and children is real. The public call for justice must be heeded. 'It is shocking that people in positions of power could have covered up and refused to act to avoid confronting racial or cultural issues or because victims were poor and working class. 'We must question and challenge the orthodoxy of progressive liberal multiculturalism that led to authorities failing to act. 'We need a new doctrine to take our multi-ethnic society into the future.' Insisting that the issue was 'not an obsession of the far-right', Mr Carden said he was speaking out as 'over the decades there have been far too few Labour voices expressing clear disgust and outrage at these heinous crimes, their cover-up and the lack of action.' He added: 'Both Keir Starmer and (safeguarding minister) Jess Phillips have strong records in this area and yet the Government has failed to take the high ground. 'It must communicate a clear message about whose side it is on and now direct the state to implement the rule of law without fear (or) favour and deliver justice. 'The Prime Minister must use the full power of the state to deliver justice. 'It must continue to unflinchingly pursue the perpetrators and bring to account those in positions of authority who turned a blind eye, failed to act, or gave political cover to the gangs.' In response to Mr Carden's intervention, Mr Musk posted on X: 'Thank you, @DanCardenMP! Integrity.' Mr Carden has joined Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman in backing calls for a new probe into grooming gangs. Speaking on Friday, Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said she disagreed with Mr Burnham's call for a limited national inquiry into child sexual abuse. But, asked whether the Government was ruling out another inquiry, Ms Nandy told ITV: 'The reason I think that that people have heard from us that there may at some point in the future be another inquiry is because child abuse by its very nature is hidden 'It's secretive, and at various points, I'm sure that more will come out about the scandals that we've heard.' 'We are not going to rule out an inquiry ever,' she added, but insisted ministers were focused on delivering action for victims by responding to Prof. Jay's 2022 report. The father of a woman mysteriously shot in the back while helping a friend move home has pleaded for an end to speculation about his daughter's condition and the need for space at a 'dangerous time in her healing'. Linley Anne Anyos, 33, remains in a critical condition at Gold Coast University Hospital, four days after she was shot while sitting in a blue Volkswagen Jetta outside a Tallebudgera home, on the Gold Coast at around midday Wednesday. Her father Brian Anyos took to social media late Saturday night to address ongoing rumours that his daughter had died in hospital. 'As you have heard Linley - Ling Ling or whatever you may know her as - has undergone a life changing situation and while some people might be promoting and commiserating her death, that is simply not true,' Mr Anyos wrote. 'Linley is in a very bad way, but is Linley one of the toughest people we all know and as such is fighting like a beast.' Mr Anyos also thanked well-wishers while pleading for space and privacy as he and his family keep a bedside vigil. 'We need you all to respect that Linley is in a very dangerous stage of her healing and needs time and space so the amazing medical team that is working with Linley can do their jobs,' he wrote. 'Amy (Bryan's wife) and I are absolutely heartbroken as I assume many of you are, and while we would love you all to flood Linley with love and wishes, you need to do that on here for now. Linley Anne Anyos, 33, (pictured) remains in a critical condition in a Gold Coast hospital 'Please share this message with everyone you like, and when the time comes for Linley to receive visitors, we will let you know.' Mr Anyos said this period is 'friggin' tough' on him, his wife and Linley's two younger siblings. 'We will keep updating you as we know more,' he said. 'And anything that needs to be done to support Linley will be set up by us for you to help where you can.' Police believe Ms Anyos was shot from the backseat of the car, possibly by a man known to her. The search for the suspected gunman and weapon was ongoing on Sunday night. Mr Anyos (pictured) was shot while sitting in a car outside a home in Tallebudgera on Wednesday Detectives have not ruled out the possibility the shooting was an accident. It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed Ms Anyos served time in jail for a string of criminal offences and was due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court last Monday, just two days before the shooting on unknown charges. She was arrested in August 2020, after a loaded gun was allegedly discovered in her car following a road rage incident in Carbrook in Brisbane's south. She was initially charged with a string of offences including endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent, possessing a Schedule 1 dangerous drug in a quantity exceeding Schedule 3, possessing a Category D/H/R loaded short firearm in public, and breach of bail. Police believe the gunshot was fired from the backseat of the car, possibly by a man known to Ms Anyos No arrests or charges have been laid and the firearm used is yet to be located by police Prior to the incident, she was charged with supplying cocaine, the Courier Mail reported at the time. A victim statement claimed they were 'bumped (by a vehicle) with no headlights on', a gun was discharged and Ms Anyos had exited a vehicle while holding a bat. However, both the involvement of a bat and discharge of a gun were later refuted. It was also later proven Ms Anyos was not behind the wheel of the car. Ms Anyos was again arrested in January 2023 after she allegedly threw a syringe filled with GHB into a bush while fleeing police. Her lawyer, Lisa Searing, told the court that after a difficult childhood, Ms Anyos had fallen in with the wrong crowd but was determined to turn her life around with an apprenticeship starting later that year. 'Her grandparents adore her, her family adores her, but shes had some issues,' Ms Searing said, News Corp reported. 'Thats led to her using drugs and mixing with mainly the wrong men, who have unfortunately had quite a negative impact on probably the last five years of her life. Linley Anyos's troubled past emerged as she remains on life support in hospital 'She is normally someone who is held in high regard.' Ms Anyos was sentenced to three months' jail after she pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing dangerous drugs and and failing to appear. Daily Mail Australia also revealed that she shared the same network of friends as Chloe Jade Mason, 23, who was allegedly gunned down outside a home at Caboolture on the Sunshine Coast on December 22. Police and forensic officers remained at the crime scene on Thursday. It's understood Ms Anyos was among a group of people helping someone move out of the home at the time. 'My understanding is the car's been parked in the same location for a couple of hours,' Detective Inspector Mark Mooney told reporters last week. At least 10 people have assisted police with their inquiries into the shooting. Pictured are police at the scene on Thursday 'We've engaged the homicide squad because the victim's injuries are critical and we don't know at this point in time whether she will survive or not.' Prior to the shooting, dozens of people had attended the home to pick up free furniture advertised on Facebook Marketplace. At least 10 people assisted police with their inquiries on Wednesday. 'Everyone's been very compliant this point in time,' Detective Inspector Mooney said. 'There are eight to 10 people that have gone back to one of our stations to provide statements. 'We're also chasing people that were here prior to that, people that may have seen something or heard something or spoke to certain individuals while they were here, or had video or CCTV cameras.' It's understood another person was inside the Volkswagen Jetta at the time of the shooting. Ms Anyos (pictured) was again arrested in January 2023 after allegedly throwing a drug-filled syringe into a bush while fleeing from police Police urged any witnesses who left the scene prior to officers' arrival to come forward 'It would appear that the victim has been sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle and has been shot through the seat,' Inspector Mooney said. 'My understanding is the car's been parked in the same location for a couple of hours. 'She arrived on scene with a couple of our witnesses who were assisting (people) move out.' Police urged any witnesses who left the scene prior to officers' arrival to come forward. 'We'd like to speak to anyone that was present to give us any information that we don't yet have,' Inspector Mooney said. 'It's going to be a complex investigation.' He stressed there was no ongoing threat to the public. Anyone with information, CTTV/dashcam footage or who visited the property in recent days is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Britain's ice snap sparked chaos at a Peak District beauty spot after up to 200 cars blocked gritters trying to de-ice frozen roads. Emergency crews were unable to pass through Rushup Edge and Mam Nick, in Derbyshire, yesterday morning due to vehicles obstructing the road. The highways authority urged drivers to 'not add to the problems' as temperatures in the UK plunged to -17C, the coldest January night in 15 years. A spokesman added the job of gritters was being made 'very difficult' by drivers flocking to the popular walking destination to take in the wintry scenes. It comes as heavy snowfall and flooding have sparked travel chaos across the UK over the past week. Local councils have refused to do waste collections after bins froze in the freezing weather. Residents in Harborough, Leicestershire, were outraged after crews stopped picking up bins where contents had frozen solid. Emergency crews were unable to pass through Rushup Edge and Mam Nick, near Edale on Saturday morning due to vehicles obstructing the icy Derbyshire Road The highways authority urged drivers to 'not add to the problems' as temperatures in the UK plunged to -17C Previously the council had told people to leave their bins out for later collection as crews could not complete rounds, but shortly deleted their post issuing this advice Previously the council had told people to leave their bins out for later collection as crews could not complete rounds. A new post said: 'The contents of some household wheeled bins may freeze due to the freezing temperatures expected this weekend. Unfortunately, if the contents of your wheeled bin are frozen solid, our crews will be unable to empty your bin and will not be able to return.' Many locals responded angrily on social media, with one person saying: 'They most certainly should return and do them at a later date that's what people pay council tax for.' Another added: 'What do they expect, they tell you to put your bin out by 7am but don't empty it till 4.30pm. Are we supposed to wrap our bins in electric blankets?' A third concluded things would not be much different as they 'only take half the rubbish anyway'. Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of Harborough District Council, re-iterated 'frozen bins are extremely difficult to empty in some circumstances'. He also added the council had not issued any recent press releases or formal announcements with regard to frozen bin collections. The leader said: 'There is a policy in place which has been adopted for numerous years which we inherited, and this has been quoted in response to some queries from residents in view of the recent cold weather. I have asked officers to take the opportunity to review this policy so we can be sure how it fits to 2025. Walkers enjoy the freezing fog and icy weather in Richmond Park south-west London this morning as the Met Office warns of more snow and ice today People out early on a cold and frosty morning in the countryside. Dunsden, Oxfordshire - 12 Jan 2025 Temperatures dropped to -10C in the village of Stamford in Lincolnshire, on Saturday January 11 People out on the Cambridgeshire Fens this morning skating at Upware near Ely as the temperatures stayed below zero 'From time to time there may be factors that stop Harborough District Council collecting waste, such as very bad weather or public holidays. If the council miss a collection of the bin(s), we expect that our contractors will endeavour to reschedule a subsequent collection of the bin(s) as soon as practically possible, unless there is an issue logged by our contractor. 'Where bins cannot be emptied because they are frozen, we try to be as flexible as we can in terms of rescheduling collections as we appreciate the frustration that having a full unemptied bin causes regardless of the reasons, but if doing so prevents us from completing other rounds then again we cannot guarantee this immediately. 'The council strives to provide an excellent refuse and recycling collection service and will always return to properties where practically possible.' More alarming weather is expected for later this month with a 470-mile influx of snow expected to rock the UK. Areas from Wick to Manchester are likely to be coated with Inverness also having a possible 7cm of the white stuff. It comes as Altnaharra, which is in the most northern region of the Highlands, recorded -18.7C on Friday night. The Met Office says the chilly weather this morning with frost and patchy fog will persist in the east later into the day. Dry and occasional sunny spells are expected for parts of the south with cloudy weather elsewhere and persistent rain spreading into northwestern Scotland this afternoon. Temperatures near average away from the southeast. California's governor Gavin Newsom is facing fresh fury after claiming he does not know how the Los Angeles wildfires happened - while appearing to cast blame on other officials, including beleaguered LA mayor Karen Bass. Mr Newsom has been accused of 'passing the buck' in his latest attempts to defend his response to the devastating 'Palisade Fire' inferno across the state, as the official death toll today rose to 16. The man previously touted as a potential Democrat presidential candidate has also been criticised over $100million cuts to funding earmarked for tackling wildfires. Meanwhile, Ms Bass has been described as 'the most hated woman in America' for her response to the ongoing disaster, with fierce blazes continuing to rage and spread further across California. The growing backlash comes as: Both Ms Bass and Mr Newsom have been filmed having awkward encounters with people expressing public fears and demanding answers over the emergency response - with the governor confronted by a California mother and the major by a Sky News reporter. Scrutiny is being stepped over why California's 117million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir has been out of action for repairs for almost a year, reportedly left empty and unable to provide much-needed water supplies to help combat the wildfires. Mr Newsom has written a letter to LA officials demanding to know why water has been in such short supply over recent days - but a new podcast interview in which he sought to shift responsibility elsewhere has only fuelled more anger against him. Mr Newsom, California's governor since 2019, told the podcast Pod Bless America and interviewer Jon Favreau that he had struggled to get 'straight answers' from his own officials about what was happening. California's governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass after facing fury over their response to the Palisade Fire disaster including this blaze over Mandeville Canyon Gavin Newsom was confronted by a California mother over his response to the disaster Under-pressure LA mayor Karen Bass stayed silent when questioned by a Sky News reporter He said: 'So, Im the governor of California and want know the answer - Ive got that question, I cant tell you, by how many people, "What happened" on my own team, "What happened?". 'Ill be candid with you, I wasnt getting straight answers.' Favreau, a former aide to ex-US president Barack Obama, told how one of his 'best friends' had lost his home in The Palisades and felt Mr Newsom was 'just trying to pass the blame' to local leaders. The governor replied: 'We had my team start talking to local leaders, saying: "Whats going on?" 'I was getting different answers - and so, for me, when you start getting different answers, then Im not getting the actual story.' He insisted he wanted to give officials 'grace' to assess the situation. But viewers and listeners have been left unimpressed, with comments on X including: 'There goes his chances of ever becoming President of the US. Adios Gavin.' Other responses included 'He needs to get fired', 'Sir, you are the manager' and 'I certainly don't want to hear any more explanations or excuses'. California Governor Gavin Newsom (left) said he struggled to get what he called 'straight answers' when questioning officials, in a podcast interview with Jon Favreau (right) Another X user posted: 'If he doesnt know what happened, when hes the first who should know, then he isnt fit for purpose and needs to resign.' The governor's latest interview came after a California mother went viral when she challenged Mr Newsom for his bumbling response to the Los Angeles fires. Rachel Darvish told Fox News she was furious with the California Governor after he was left scrambling for a response when she chased him down. Mr Newsom claimed to be trying to reach President Biden on the phone at the time but said he could not get cell service, which Darvish argued was indicative of his mismanagement of the crisis. Meanwhile, with thousands being forced to flee some of the city's ritziest enclaves as homes and businesses burn to the ground, Ms Bass has come under increasing pressure. But she stayed silent when challenged by a Sky News reporter, who posed questions including: 'Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning?' As the mayor remained stone-faced, the reporter continued: 'Do you regret cutting the fire department's budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor? Have you nothing to say today?' Still without receiving any answer, the reporter asked once again: 'Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today? Elon Musk says that you're utterly incompetent. Are you reconsidering your position?' Despite the questions, Ms Bass continued to remain completely silent for nearly a minute before walking away from the interviewer. A Change.org petition demanding her immediate resignation has now passed 91,000 signatures. The Democrat mayor was on a taxpayer-funded trip to Ghana last Tuesday despite warnings from weather experts that gusting Santa Ana winds of 80mph could spark catastrophic wildfires. And she has faced more criticism today after posting on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram a video message during a visit to fire headquarters - including mockery for her smiling appearances despite the ongoing disaster. Ms Bass accompanied the video with the words: 'On the ground here in Sylmar being briefed on continued efforts to fight the Hurst Fire. 'Thanks to courageous efforts by @losangelesfiredepartment and other departments working in partnership, the fire is 76% contained.' Replies included scornful comments such as: 'Pro tip is typically you shouldnt be smiling as a leader during the worst disaster in Californias history.' Others wrote messages including 'We dont stand with you resign', 'Like she cares? No way!' and 'Did you go out there just for the photos? To act like youre doing something. Were not dumb. Please step down. Nobody wants you'. A firefighter is seen battling the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on January 11 Questions have been asked about why the 117million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir in California (pictured empty in 2022) has been out of action for almost a year The Palisades Fire is pictured burning south of the Encino Reservoir in LA on Saturday And other criticism of the mayor and other local leaders has come from Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who said city chiefs failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also aimed barbs at the lack of water, saying: 'When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there's going to be water.' The reservoir is reported to have been closed for repairs in recent weeks after damage to a covering which was meant to preserve water quality, the Los Angeles Times first reported. Emptying of the reservoir is said to have started last February following a tear in the water cover which let debris into the water supply, before it was drained and bids for repairs were invited in April - but the status of any response remained unclear. Fire hydrants in higher-elevation streets are also said to have gone dry, which left firefighter crews struggling with low pressure levels. LADWP union leader Gus Corona has said: 'Its completely unacceptable that this reservoir was empty for almost a year for minor repairs. 'This work should have been done in-house, and they shouldnt have depended on a contractor to do it - I truly believe its something that could have been avoided.' Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been praised after they stood alongside Mr Newsom's wife Jennifer as they served meals to the survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires. Harry and Meghan posed with fellow helpers at the Pasadena Convention Centre in LA Meghan Markle was spotted comforting victims and first responders at an evacuation centre, on Friday amid the ongoing fires in LA Prince Harry made a sweet gesture to an elderly victim of the Los Angeles wildfires during a visit with his wife Meghan Markle this weekend The royal couple, who live near Santa Barbara, around 90 miles away from LA, were seen comforting victims as they handed out food parcels at the Pasadena Convention Centre, which is being used as an evacuation centre. Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, have rallied around victims by making donations to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation and have opened their $29million Montecito mansion to loved ones who were forced to evacuate. They were joined by Mayor Victor Gordo to visit the victims and see the destruction of the fire first-hand. At one point, Gordo said he lost track of the Duke of Sussex - before witnessing an act of kindness from the royal. According to local paper the Pasadena Star News, Harry offered an elderly man if he wanted something to eat - a sandwich, piece of fruit or some water. When the man, who was not aware of who he was speaking to, said what he really wanted was a donut, Harry personally went out to fetch him one, and returned ten minutes later. "The gentleman said, "What Id really like is a donut,", Mr Gordo recalled. In contrast to acclaim for the Duke and Duchess, there has been condemnation of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian - accused of wasting much-needed water that could have been used to save homes laid waste by the blazes. Kim Kardashian was fined by city authorities that year for using 232,000 gallons of water more than her allocation This is how Kim Kardashian's Hidden Hills compound looked in September 2023 Tristan Thompson, ex-boyfriend of Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian, was reported in March 2023 to be living just two properties away from her own Hidden Hills home Kevin Hart, whose LA home is seen here, is among those to have been fined for water use Strict water-conserving measures have been in place since 2022, with ordinary residents restricted to watering their gardens twice a week for eight minutes at a time. Ms Kardashian, who lives in a $60 million house in The Oaks an exclusive gated community near the epicentre of one of this weeks fires was fined by city authorities that year for using 232,000 gallons of water more than her allocation. Other celebrities including Sylvester Stallone and comedian Kevin Hart were also fined. The Mail on Sunday understands that Ms Kardashian has since installed water-saving measures. Last night a neighbour of Ms Kardashian told the Mail on Sunday: 'These celebrities have a sense of entitlement. 'Everyone was told to cut back on water precisely for this situation, to preserve it to fight fires. They carried on watering because they could afford the fines.' Anger was also growing at rich people hiring private firefighters for $2,000 an hour to protect their properties. Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, which provides the service to Hollywoods elite, told the Mail on Sunday: 'My phone has been ringing off the hook. Demand has never been higher.' A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire on January 10 in Los Angeles Firefighters stand in a fire-ravaged zone while battling the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon One wealthy source said: 'This weeks events have shown you cant trust the city to protect your property. I have the money, so why not?' Today there were fears that winds could move the fires toward the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 160sq km (62 square miles), an area larger than San Francisco - while the Palisades and Eaton fires accounted for almost 153 sq km (59 square miles). In a briefing posted online Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said. Mr Traum added: 'Weather conditions are still critical and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday.' Sitting in the ruins of iconic Californian institutions like the Reel Inn, Malibu, the choking grey mass sitting heavily above Los Angeles is hard to ignore. But from the skies, it is impossible to look away. Long shadows cast by the towering plumes of smoke darkened Los Angeles' plush Palisades region, shrouding the city in a violent darkness. Rarely has an scene as apocalyptic as the satellite image capturing the Palisades fire been witnssed before. The enormous image, captured by the Pleiades Neo satellite on January 9, shows Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades, as well as the Summit and North of Montana neighbourhoods, engulfed in the smoke. Up in Topanga State Park, which has since been closed due to the risk of harm to life, shadows stretches for miles over the once-safe home to countless species of American wildlife that is now being consumed by the deadly Palisades fire. South of the park, the entire coast from the Will Rogers Beach to Topanga Beach is being razed to the ground by the flames. Institutions like the Reel Inn, an iconic seafood restaurant that has served Malibu faithfully for nearly four decades, have been ravaged. Rarely has an scene as apocalyptic as the satellite image capturing the Palisades fire been seen A person rides a motorcycle as palm trees burn nearby during the Palisades Fire amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California Flames cross over a fire road above Mandeville Canyon during the Palisades Fire The homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton, who said she watched her waterfront property burn to the ground on live TV, have also been destroyed. And there is a risk that Los Angeles's exclusive high-end neighbourhood of Bel Air is coming under increasing danger from the inferno continuing to sweep through. The Getty Museum in California has stepped up defences aimed at protecting its priceless artworks, while it has also been revealed that the Palisades reservoir was empty when the blazes began. Its collection includes 125,000 artworks, among them paintings by Monet, Rembrandt, Turner and Van Gogh, as well as 1.4million documents. The museum has said in statements: 'Getty staff, the art collections and buildings remain safe from the Palisades Fire. The threat is still happening.' Reported defences which officials hope will help protect against any damage to artefacts include fire-resistant travertine stone, plus well as cement and steel. The wildfires death toll rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the city's most famous landmarks. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said in a statement on Saturday evening. The enormous image, captured by the Pleiades Neo satellite on January 9, shows Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades, as well as the Summit and North of Montana neighbourhoods, engulfed in the smoke The entire coast from the Will Rogers Beach to Topanga Beach is being razed to the ground by the flames Firefighters monitor as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 Firefighters work to put out flames in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025, as the Palisades Fire continues to burn A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 An American flag waves above a section of Mandeville Canyon destroyed by the Palisades Fire The previous number of confirmed fatalities was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in leveled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a center where people can report the missing. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. Meanwhile, California governor Gavin Newsom has ordered state officials to determine why a 117million-gallon (440million-litre) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticised the lack of water, saying: 'When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there's going to be water.' The reservoir is reported to have been closed for repairs in recent weeks after damage to a covering which was meant to preserve water quality, the Los Angeles Times first reported. Emptying of the reservoir is said to have started last February following a tear in the water cover which let debris into the water supply, before it was drained and bids for repairs were invited in April - the status of any response remained unclear. Up in Topanga State Park, which has since been closed due to the risk of harm to life, shadows stretches for miles over the once-safe home to countless species of American wildlife Smoke was seen pluming from a small section of Topanga State Park A palm tree burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 Smoke from flames rises behind homes in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025 Fire hydrants in higher-elevation streets are also said to have gone dry, which left firefighter crews struggling with low pressure levels. LA mayor Ms Bass, 71, has been dubbed 'the most hated woman in America' after cutting 14.4million ($17.6 million) in vital firefighting funding just weeks before the latest inferno. The Democrat mayor was on a taxpayer-funded trip to Ghana last Tuesday despite warnings from weather experts that gusting Santa Ana winds of 80mph could spark catastrophic wildfires. Fire chief Ms Crowley has been among her critics, saying: 'We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so we can serve the community. The budget cuts made our job impossible.' Mr Newsom has branded the loss of water pressure as 'deeply troubling' and said in a letter to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and LA County Public Works: 'We need answers to how that happened.' LADWP spokesperson Ellen Cheng said: 'We appreciate the Governors letter and believe that an investigation will help identify any new needed capabilities for water systems to support fighting wildfires.' But LADWP union leader Gus Corona has said: 'Its completely unacceptable that this reservoir was empty for almost a year for minor repairs. 'This work should have been done in-house, and they shouldnt have depended on a contractor to do it - I truly believe its something that could have been avoided. 'I am glad the governor is stepping in and looking into why this happened, and holding people accountable.' Sir Keir Starmer was today urged to 'get a grip' and sack his Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq amid fresh scrutiny of her property interests. The Hampstead and Highgate MP is currently being probed by a watchdog about her use of homes linked to her aunt, the recently-deposed Bangladeshi prime minister. Ms Siddiq is reported to have used a flat in Hampstead, north London, after it was gifted to her sister by an ally of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party. It has also emerged that the Treasury minister was given a flat in King's Cross by another associate of senior Awami League members. Her aunt is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as part of the case. The row deepened today after Ms Siddiq was rebuked by the leader of Bangladesh's interim government, which replaced the Hasina administration in August. Muhammad Yunus told the Sunday Times that London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and handed back to his government if they were acquired through 'plain robbery'. Tulip Siddiq is currently being probed by a watchdog about her use of homes linked to her aunt, the recently-deposed Bangladeshi prime minister Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and handed back to his government if they were acquired through 'plain robbery' Sir Keir Starmer was urged to 'get a grip' and sack his anti-corruption minister after being told she was becoming a 'distraction' He also called on her to apologise and resign, saying: 'She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didn't realise it, but now you realise it. 'You say: 'Sorry, I didn't know it (at) that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign.' She's not saying that. She's defending herself.' As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption. She reported herself to the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, on Monday. In a letter to Sir Laurie asking for an investigation to be opened, she maintained she had done nothing wrong. On the same day, Sir Keir told a press conference Ms Siddiq had 'acted entirely properly' in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had 'confidence in her'. Ms Siddiq also pulled out of accompanying Chancellor Rachel Reeves on her trip to China this weekend in order to be available to help Sir Laurie with his investigation. Since then, the Sunday Times published further allegations about properties linked to Ms Siddiq and her family, along with Mr Yunus's comments, prompting Tory calls for her to be sacked. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride told Sky News this morning: 'What is not right is that the PM is not moving her out of that position and getting her to step down. 'Because she is the anti-corruption minister, she has serious charges laid against her now, or serious accusations around corruption, and it's going to be really impossible for her to do that job under current circumstances. 'So she should step down, and the PM needs to get a grip of that.' He added: 'There are circumstances, I think, where you are in a situation where you cannot actually do your job effectively. 'Now look, the Chancellor has gone over to China, Tulip Siddiq, my understanding was that she was due to be joining her now she hasn't, and I would imagine joining the dots, that's because of the circumstances surrounding her at the moment. 'So at the moment, she's not in a position to be able to properly carry out her role in Government, and the PM needs to get a grip and to move her on.' Associated Press footage from 2013 shows Ms Siddiq attending the signing of a deal between her aunt and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Tory leader Kemi Badenoch last night said it was 'time for Keir Starmer to sack' Ms Siddiq. She posted on social media: 'He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. 'Now the Government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina. 'Tulip Siddiq has become a distraction when the Government should be focused on dealing with the financial problems it has created and the consequences for millions of families across the country. 'The PM tried to make a big deal of his commitment to standards and integrity. His weak leadership on Siddiq suggests he is not as bothered by integrity as he claims.' A Cabinet minister today promised Sir Keir will act on the findings of Sir Laurie's investigation into Ms Siddiq. Science Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News: 'I think she's done exactly the right thing, she's referred herself, that inquiry needs to go through.' He added: 'I think the right way to go through this is to allow the authorities to investigate, we have given more powers to those authorities to do independent investigations, and you know full well when it comes to Keir Starmer he will listen to what the authorities say.' Speaking to Times Radio later during a round of TV and radio interviews, Mr Kyle failed to say the Government had full confidence in Ms Siddiq. 'We need to wait for the outcome of that inquiry,' he said. 'And so I have full confidence in the process and the country needs to rest assured that we've given that commissioner more powers and more independence. 'So that process must now carry on. And it is not benefited by having colleagues actually commenting on it as it's unfolding. I want to see that inquiry undertaken. 'I know the Prime Minister has said many, many times about how seriously he takes these processes. 'Let's let it conclude and I'm very, very happy to come back once it has concluded and answer any questions that you might have.' In her letter to Sir Laurie, Ms Siddiq said: 'In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my family's links to the former government of Bangladesh. 'I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. 'I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this.' Ms Siddiq was reportedly named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. She is alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled. Ms Siddiq has 'denied any involvement in the claims' accusing her of involvement in embezzlement, according to No 10. Sources close to the minister have described the allegations as 'spurious'. Associated Press footage from 2013 shows Ms Siddiq attending the signing of the deal between her aunt and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Gregg Wallace surprised viewers with a return to TV since leaving MasterChef amid historical misconduct allegations. The TV presenter, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate behaviour - including from Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark - and stepped down from hosting the hit BBC cooking show in November. He appeared last night on Channel 5 in a rerun of 90-minute documentary Beast from the East: The Big Freeze of 2018. The show, which first aired in 2023, looks back at when Britain was in the midst of the icy grip of the Siberian storm which wreaked havoc on the country and caused temperatures to plunge to -11C and 20inches of snow to fall in some areas. Wallace appears in interviews alongside Countryfile's Adam Henson, and meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker, in which he talks about being delighted of hearing how sales of cans of soup had soared. He talks about snow along the small country roads near his home in Kent being up to your earlobes and how he had been 'snowed out' compared to others in the countryside being 'snowed in'. Laughing, he says: 'I had to go shopping for underwear and some clean shirts and spent seven or eight nights in a hotel room.' The former greengrocer later said he was 'pleased' when he found out that sales of crumpets and tins of soup had rocketed during the spell of Arctic weather. 'They are both outstanding products,' he added. Gregg Wallace surprised viewers yesterday with a return to TV since leaving MasterChef in which he said 'we are good people at our core' Wallace (right) stepped down from his role as MasterChef co-host in November amid a raft of allegations about his misconduct Wallace went on to laud 'human spirit at its best' as communities came together to help one another, saying: 'We are good, you know? At our core we are good people.' Wallace is currently under investigation by the BBC amid a raft of allegations about his misconduct. He was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from 'middle class women of a certain age'. He went on to ask: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?' Since then, several high-profile names - including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - have condemned his remarks in public statements. The former greengrocer later apologised for the controversial comments which caused a PR storm. The under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: 'I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion. Among those to come forward with allegations against Wallace is a woman called Lisa, not her real name, who worked on BBC show Eat Well for Less in 2015. He appeared last night on Channel 5 in a rerun of 90-minute documentary Beast from the East: The Big Freeze of 2018 Landlord Angus Wharton clears snow outside the Ye Olde Black Ladd pub in Shaw, Greater Manchester in 2018 A woman makes her way through the snow on March 1, 2018 in Balloch, Scotland She told the BBC Wallace 'touched her inappropriately' when they were filming in a supermarket. 'He brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said 'oooh you liked that didn't you',' she alleged. 'It was the way he reacted, other people would've said 'oh I'm sorry can I squeeze by' which would've been ok.' Lisa also claims that she felt she had to continue working but was 'not ok about it', describing it as 'slimy and disgusting'. She claims she raised it with a senior colleague but that nothing was ever done. Banijay say they have no record of this incident being raised at RDF Television, which produced Eat Well For Less. A second woman claims that she came across Wallace while working at an event in 2022. The woman, known only as Sarah, claims that Wallace asked her to take him to the car park at the end of the event. 'As we walked down, he started putting his arm around me, saying 'go on, hold my hand, don't you want to stand next to me',' she told the BBC. Several high-profile names - including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - have condemned his remarks in public statements MasterChef presenter Gregg, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour Wallace pictured at home with his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini Other claims include talking about his sex life on set, asking for women's numbers and repeatedly questioning a gay woman about the 'logistics' of dating other women. Gregg's lawyers said 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'. Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is set to replace Wallace on MasterChef while the investigation into his behaviour takes place. Dent will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef, having appeared regularly as a guest and then even a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics in 2022. A sculpture masterpiece is expected to attract global interest when it is auctioned off after being rediscovered in a headmaster's study over 60 years since it was last seen in public. The significance of the bronze by the UK's pre-eminent sculptress, the late Dame Barbara Hepworth, was only realised after an archivist began looking at the history of Bryanston School in Dorset ahead of its centenary. It could now raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for arts bursaries at the school where some of the most famous artists in the UK were educated including Lucian Freud and designer Sir Terence Conran. The artwork, newly recognised as 'Single Form', was donated by Hepworth, one of the most important worldwide artists of the Twentieth Century, in 1963 to a Save the Children charity auction, just a year after she created it. It was bought by a former Bryanston governor and was left to the school in 1975. Since then, it has presided over the tenure of five Headmasters until its recent rediscovery. Headmaster Richard Jones said senior leaders and the school's Arts Advisory Board, which includes old girl actor Emilia Fox, faced a tough decision on whether to keep the statue or use it to fund future talented artists. 'It was not an easy decision to part with it, but we need to use the sculpture to make the most positive impact on pupils and we will ensure the provenance of that funding is always linked to the Hepworth name.' And Mr Jones says the discovery could not have come at a better time as the school, where 1 in 5 pupils receive financial aid, was looking at making some tough decisions about cutting bursary spending after the Government's imposition of VAT on school fees. A sculpture masterpiece is expected to attract global interest when it is auctioned off after being rediscovered in a headmaster's study over 60 years since it was last seen in public The significance of the bronze by the UK's pre-eminent sculptress, the late Dame Barbara Hepworth, was only realised after an archivist began looking at the history of Bryanston School in Dorset ahead of its centenary The artwork, newly recognised as 'Single Form', was donated by Hepworth (pictured with another sculpture), one of the most important worldwide artists of the Twentieth Century, in 1963 to a Save the Children charity auction, just a year after she created it Headmaster Richard Jones said senior leaders and the school's Arts Advisory Board, which includes old girl actor Emilia Fox (pictured), faced a tough decision on whether to keep the statue or use it to fund future talented artists 'Like other schools in the sector, VAT on school fees will have a really significant impact on us and we are having to look at where we can make cuts and this will include what we can spend on bursaries. 'This find, which we hope will help to ensure our arts bursary funding, was perfectly timed in that sense.' The sculpture, which has also been greeted with excitement by the Hepworth Estate, who had lost track of the artwork for half a century, will be auctioned in April at Dukes Auctioneers in Dorset. Mr Jones added: 'Whoever buys this sculpture will not just be acquiring an incredible piece of art but will also be doing something philanthropic and helping to ensure the next generation of artists.' Art expert Guy Schwinge from Hanover Forbes, called the piece 'a remarkable work by the most important female sculptor of the 20th century, adding: 'It is certain to appeal to collectors globally.' Her works are considered of such national significance that in November last year a temporary export bar was placed on one of her sculptures which is up for auction in an attempt to find a British buyer for it and keep it in the UK. MBABANE The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is back in the limelight. This time, the TSC is entangled in a court battle with the Headteacher of St Marks High School, Khanyisile Baah Shabangu. The matter is before the Industrial Court where an order has been issued directing the Commission to stop the implementation of the transfer of the headteacher from St Marks High School to Fonteyn High School in Mbabane. The court issued this order pending the finalisation of the matter. The applicant, Shabangu and the respondents, TSC and attorney general, are expected back in court on January 14, 2025. Arguments In the meantime, parties as directed by the court are expected to exchange all the necessary pleadings, heads of arguments, including authorities to enable the matter to be argued on Tuesday. The matter was before Judge Muzikayise Motsa. Shabangu, the Headteacher of St Marks High School, is represented by Siphamandla Simelane from Robinson Bertram. Simelane stated in his application for a certificate of urgency that the TSC served the school leader with a letter on January 7, 2025, informing her of the transfer to Fonteyn High School, effective on the same date, without consulting her or affording her the right to make representations before this adverse decision is taken. Unlawful In her affidavit, Shabangu, prays to the court to interdict what she described as the implementation of the unlawful letter transferring her as principal of St Marks High School to Fonteyn. She also prays for an order restraining and interdicting the TSC from effecting the transfer pending the determination of the application. Shabangu wants the court to issue an order that the decision of the TSC communicated to her through the letter dated January 7, 2025 be reviewed and set aside as irregular and unlawful. Preparations She told the court that the unlawful act of transferring her without due process might affect the smooth opening of St Marks High School for the first term on January 28, 2025 as she has already commenced preparations for same. This, I submit, might have a deleterious effect on all stakeholders, including amongst others students and parents, she said. The headteacher argues that the process of handing over a school cannot be done in the blink of an eye as there are due processes that must be followed, including the handing over of bank accounts and accounting records of the school. Transfers That is why the general policy of the TSC is to at least communicate the transfer of teachers in the third term and such transfers are then only effected in the following year (first term) in order to allow the teachers to prepare for such transfer, the headteacher stated in the court papers. She added: what is worse in the present case is that I am the head of the school and I am responsible for its daily operations, yet I am expected to vacate office in less than 24 hours. Shabangu shared with the court that she was employed by the Government of Eswatini on or about the year 1992 and was first stationed at Motshane High School in the Hhohho Region as a languages teacher in English and SiSwati. After 20 years of clean service as a teacher at Motshane High School, she was promoted and transferred to Ka-Boyce High School as head of the SiSwati Department. Again, through my diligence service, in 2016, I was promoted by the TSC into being a deputy principal at Ka-Boyce High School, which position I took up until I was promoted by the TSC into being the principal a principal at St Marks High School in 2022, the headteacher further stated in her court papers. Commitment She said she assumed the position of headteacher at St Marks High School in 2022, and through her diligent service and commitment to work, the school achieved great results in both Form III and Form V. In its answering affidavit, the TSC says the decision is fair as the headteacher is being transferred to a local school and her contract of employment has not been tempered with, hence, she retains her position as headteacher with the same benefits. The TSC alleged that the headteacher was consulted by the executive secretary but she did not accept that the Commission was redeploying her to another school, constantly stating that Fonteyn High School is a low status school. The Commission alleged the headteacher was consulted on the last week of November 2024, arguing that its letter is lawful, fair and procedural. The matter will be heard on Tuesday. Supermarket giant Morrisons has given its backing to farmers protesting against Labour's inheritance tax raid in a fresh blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In a video posted on social media, the grocery chain told Britain's farmers it shared their concerns about the impact of Labour's action, adding: 'We're with you.' Campaigners hailed Morrisons' intervention as a 'major development' in the fight against Ms Reeves' Budget measures. Under changes announced in October, farmers will pay a 20 per cent rate of inheritance tax on land and property they inherit worth more than 1million. Ministers have insisted their action - dubbed the 'family farm tax' - will only affect the wealthiest quarter of landowners. But the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and others say the impact of Ms Reeves' measures will be much more widespread. Critics claim the move could wipe out family-run farms with tight margins, as they will be forced to sell up in order to pay death duties. Farmers have been staging a series of protests across the UK in the wake of the Budget, including at Westminster. Sophie Throup, head of agriculture for Morrisons, used a social media video to tell farmers: 'We're with you.' Campaigners hailed Morrisons' intervention as a 'major development' in the fight against Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax raid Farmers have been staging a series of protests across the UK in the wake of the Chancellor's Budget, including at Westminster Sophie Throup, head of agriculture for Morrisons, said in the social media video: 'We want to send a message of support today for the whole of the farming community. 'We understand your anger and your frustrations at the inheritance tax, and we're with you. 'We share your concerns about the long-term future the inheritance tax is going to have on farms, particularly smaller family farms. 'And we know that you want something done about it. 'We've been raising these concerns at the highest levels of Government since November last year, and we will continue to do so. We know it's important. 'We are with you. We're here to help you. If you want to talk to me, please message me. We are here to help.' Tory shadow farming minister Robbie Moore thanked Ms Throup for her intervention. 'As a Yorkshire farmer and head of agriculture at Morrisons, I know you get just how damaging this Government's changes announced in the Budget are for our farming community,' he said. 'Huge well done to Morrisons for showing support.' Mo Metcalf-Fisher, external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance, said: 'This is a major development in the ongoing fight to get Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to see sense. 'Their hated tax hike threatens the future of small family farms, the very people these supermarkets depend on to do business. 'We hope more supermarket chains stand with farmers and use their might to help force a Government rethink before it's too late'. Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference this week, Cabinet minister Steve Reed offered an apology for Labour having 'shocked' farmers with the Budget measures. The Environment Secretary blamed the tax raid on a 22billion 'black hole' in the public finances left by the previous Tory government. 'It meant we had to take immediate tough decisions across the economy to balance the books, including on agricultural property relief,' he said. 'We were shocked by the size of the black hole we were left to fill. I'm sorry if some of the action we took shocked you in return. 'But stable finances are the foundation of the economic growth needed to get the economy growing again after it flat-lined through a decade of chaos.' A Government spokesperson said: 'Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast we have committed 5billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, alongside our New Deal for Farmers to deliver a profitable farming sector and unlock rural growth. 'Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will mean farmers will pay a reduced inheritance tax rate of 20 per cent, rather than the standard 40 per cent, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. 'This is a fair and balanced approach, which fixes the public services we all rely on, affecting around 500 estates a year.' Mountain lions, goats and donkeys in LA have been seen fleeing to safety from the blistering infernos as the city's shelters fill up with lost pets. Videos show wild animals running for their lives from the fires which have already claimed the lives of around 16 people, while burning over 37,000 acres of land and destroying 12,000 structures in its wake. In one clip taken at night, a mountain lion and two small cubs are seen running down Topanga Canyon Boulevard, California, away from the Palisades fire. As the fire moved east, residents from the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood were evacuated and another video showed a flock of goats being ushered down from the hills to safer areas. Meanwhile, animal shelters, volunteers are helping lost pets find safety and a dog groomer is cleaning up pets who were found in a shaken state. Hundreds of dogs and cats that were lost or displaced due to the fires are being flown to shelters in other states, such as Utah, as the shelters in LA are overwhelmed and at risk of danger. Videos posted on Instagram show selfless volunteers in Burbank loading up planes with dogs and cats in crates and calling for people to foster or adopt them. Lisa Jenai Hernandez, or as she calls herself 'Groomer to the Rescue, has posted videos to Instagram showing her cleaning up 15 dogs from the Paws For Like K9 Rescue in Mission Hills. In one clip take in the night, a mountain lion and two small cubs are seen running down Topanga Canyon Boulevard, California , away from the Palisades fire One of the two mountain lion cubs seen running for its life as the fires continue to rage and spread As the fire moved east, residents from the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood were evacuated and another video showed a flock of goats being ushered down from the hills to safer areas The pooches looks shaken up as they lay on a table whilst Lisa shaves their dirty and matted fur but are comforted with cuddles and love. In one of the videos, Lisa said: 'There 15 of these doggies surrendered to the shelter yesterday, they're pretty yucky and stinky but we are getting them cleaned up one at a time.' Canine Rescue Club, Dog Ppl and Paws For Life teamed up to rescue 250 dogs in just six hours after sending out a plea for people willing to foster them. On Saturday, Pasadena Humane, an LA-based animal shelter, posted a video of a five-day-old puppy rescued from under a collapsed building during an evacuation in Pasadena. The pup was taken straight to their ICU where they discovered burns on her tiny ears. They said she is now 'safe and resting in an incubator' and will be heading to her foster home immediately. Pasadena Humane said they have taken in over 400 animals from the Eaton Fire and are calling for people to donate money so they can provide them with resources. Elsewhere, a tortoise, named Houdini, was seen wandering streets in the Eaton area as people evacuated the area. Lisa Jenai Hernandez, or as she calls herself 'Groomer to the Rescue, has posted videos to Instagram showing her cleaning up 15 dogs from the Paws For Like K9 Rescue in Mission Hills Videos posted on Instagram show selfless volunteers loading up planes with dogs in crates and calling for people to foster or adopt them Hundreds of dogs and cats that were lost or displaced due to the fires are being flown to shelters in other states, such as Utah , as the shelters in LA are overwhelmed and at risk of danger A lost cat being tended to in Burbank before they are put on a plane to be flown to a shelter in another state It seems Houdini is now safe as another pictured shows the reptile being held by a man standing with a member of a rescue team. Animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, has been supporting rescuers and providing life-saving aid for animals impact by the wildfires. In Defense of Animals board member Sammy Zablen, has been working tirelessly to evacuate animals from dangerous areas. On January 8, he responded to a desperate plea from Philozoia Animal Rescue in Malibu's Tuna Canyon, which has been burned down, to evacuate two ponies from the scorched property. The drive would have usually taken only 20 minutes but took over three hour due to rockslides, fallen trees and fire debris blocking the route. When they finally arrived, the ponies' pen was broken and they were missing but they were found and saved after a 30 minute search. In Defense of Animals told Storyful: 'Upon arrival, the team discovered the ponies corral was broken and the animals were missing. 'The team searched the area for 30 minutes, leaving food, water, and dousing the roof with water to mitigate further damage. Elsewhere, a tortoise, named Houdini, was seen wandering streets in the Eaton area as people evacuated the area It seems Houdini is now safe as another pictured shows the reptile being held by a man standing with a member of a rescue team On January 8, In Defense of Animals board member Sammy Zablen responded to a desperate plea from Philozoia Animal Rescue in Malibu's Tuna Canyon, which has been burned down, to evacuate two ponies from the scorched property On Saturday, Pasadena Humane, a nonprofit organisation, posted a video of a five-day-old puppy rescued from under a collapsed building during an evacuation in Pasadena 'The two ponies have now been recovered by Philozoia, but two dogs remain missing, and the rescue center was completely destroyed.' Earlier in the week, Pasadena Humane shared harrowing images of animals injured in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. It added that several animals have had to be treated in the ICU, as they have come in suffering from severe burns and dehydration. The charity has also posted a series of images showing the wounded animals who were caught in the middle of the historic wildfires. One picture shows a pained ginger cat, whose whiskers appear to have been burnt off by the flames. 'This poor cat came to us in bad shape. He was found outside by a nice community member who rushed straight to us for help. 'His face and body are covered in burns. Our Veterinary team has wasted no time treating him, cleaning his wounds and giving him eye drops to help with his eye irritation due to smoke exposure. 'He is safe in our ICU, where he is resting in an oxygen kennel as he recovers', Pasadena Humane wrote in an Instagram caption. An animal welfare charity has shared harrowing images of animals injured in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires Pasadena Humane - an LA-based animal shelter - said it has taken in over 300 animals due to evacuations The shelter said several animals have had to be treated in the ICU, as they have come in suffering from severe burns and dehydration Dog Roxy had to be treated for dehydration and burn marks, the shelter said Another image shared by the shelter on social media shows a white dog covered in ash and burn marks as it gets examined by a vet. The severely dehydrated dog was reportedly found near the site of the fires with burns on his paw pads. A different, smaller dog was also pictured displaying blisters on her tummy as well as open wounds in her mouth. The shelter wrote: 'Roxy is actually a white dog ,but as you can see, shes coated completely in ash. 'She was found in the fire zones, in a house that had collapsed. She has severe burns on her face and body, as well as ulcers in her eyes due to the fire exposure. 'Her gums are extremely inflamed from carbon monoxide inhalation. She is safely in our ICU, where she has received burn care, pain medications and antibiotics for her eyes. 'She is very scared, but is currently resting in an oxygen kennel'. A separate video shared by the shelter shows Roxy recovering in a kennel. Picture shows an injured bird The animal shelter has advised pet owners under evacuation orders to take their furry friends with them, and is also offering free animal food to those who need it It also said that its Animal Control officers are on the ground trying to find and help animals displaced by the fires, and has urged people to donate via a fundraising website so that they can continue their efforts A bird rescued from the fires is seen with burnt feathers as it sits in a cosy knitted nest Other images show birds with burnt wings and tails. In one photo, a peacock is seen receiving treatment from a vet. The animal shelter has advised pet owners under evacuation orders to take their furry friends with them, and is also offering free animal food to those who need it. It also said that its Animal Control officers are on the ground trying to find and help animals displaced by the fires, and has urged people to donate via a fundraising website so that they can continue their efforts. Other videos and images have been shared online of desperate animals attempting to escape the hellish blaze. A person has died at a popular holiday spot in front of shocked beachgoers. Emergency services were called to Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast shortly after 7pm on Sunday night following reports of a person was found unresponsive and not breathing. They could not be revived, despite the desperate efforts of paramedics. A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that 'the incident has been deemed a medical episode at this stage'. A beachgoer was found unresponsive on the NSW Central Coast on Sunday night Photos of the cordoned off scene show officers surrounding the body lying in the middle of a car park covered with a sheet under a tent. A woman was heard sobbing inconsolably while other members of the group could be seen with hands on knees in shock. NSW Police will prepare a report for the coroner. There has been a surge in support, particularly among young Aussies, for Australia Day to be celebrated on its traditional date, a surprising new poll has revealed. The survey conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) found that 69 per cent of 1,002 respondents agreed that the national public holiday should remain on January 26- a six point increase from 12 months ago. According to the right-wing think tank, the growing shift towards January 26, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788, is particularly pronounced among Australians aged 18-24, despite being less in favour of the date than other other age group. Last year, just 42 per cent of young Aussies supported celebrating on January 26 but that number has risen to 52 per cent. A majority in every age bracket now prefers January 26 as the date for national commemoration. The poll also found 86 per cent of respondents were 'proud to be Australian' while 68 per cent agreed that Australia has 'a history to be proud of'. IPA deputy executive Director Daniel Wild said the results demonstrated a shift in the vibe and energy surrounding Australia Day. 'In the recent past every January, Australians have needed to endure the hand-wringing and navel gazing of the self-appointed thought leaders and elites demanding the country to think of the reasons to be ashamed of Australia. No more!' he told the Daily Telegraph. A right wing think tank says there has been a surge in support for holding Australia Day on January 26. Pictured is a young Australia Day reveller Mr Wild pointed to the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum sent a strong message. Backflips by supermarket giant Woolworths and hospitality operator Australian Venue Co to downplay the significance of Australia Day due to public backlash was also further evidence of the turning of the tide. 'It is clear that mainstream Australians have had a gutful of this attitude and being put upon by the elites,' Mr Wild added. 'The 26th of January is more than just a date, it represents the establishment of modern Australia as a free and fair country.' Mr Wild called on for the fight to keep Australia Day on January 26 to continue, amid fears 'we will lose it.' It comes after Liberal MP Andrew Wallace claimed that most Aussies have had a 'gutful' of being told what to do by woke activists. The IPA poll indicated a growing shift against Invasion Day commemorations on January 26. Pictured is Senator Lydia Thorpe taking part in a previous Invasion Day rally Mr Wallace, who represents Fisher in south-east Queensland, said he is frequently stopped on the streets by regular Australians fed-up with the debate. 'The word woke was never really in mainstream vocabulary until recently,' he told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio last week. 'I think people have had an absolute gutful and I'm not talking about members of the LNP or people involved with politics, just everyday average Australians that have had enough. 'They want government to get out of their lives, they're over being told whats right and wrong, how they should think, where they should buy, what they should do.' Mr Wallace said Australia Day was 'special' and should be treated as such. 'Australians are a friendly, peace-loving people who are, and should be, very, very proud of this great country,' he said. 'Its a very special day where we recognise Australia and we should be very proud of where we have come over the past 240 years. The poll found that Australians aged 18-24 had swung behind January 26 as the national day 'We're the 12th largest economy in the world and we're a very small population - 27 million people. 'We box well above our weight in so many areas, in sport, in the economy, in industry. 'We're a great country and we should be very, very proud of what we have managed to build.' January 26 has been labelled Invasion Day by those who believe it should be a day of mourning for the dispossession of Indigenous Australians. Governor Gavin Newsom was slammed for claiming that reservoirs in southern California were 'completely full' when at least one of them has been confirmed to be bone dry. Newsom made the claim during an interview he gave to NBC's Meet The Press about his response to the raging wildfires in Los Angeles that have caused 16 deaths and billions of dollars worth of damages. NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff asked the governor about President-elect Donald Trump's criticism. Trump argued that Newsom's efforts to protect a fish called the Delta smelt has stopped water from being delivered to farmers and major cities. 'I don't know what he's referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California,' Newsom said. However, the LA Times reported Friday that the the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a 117-million-gallon water storage complex has been completely empty for over a year. This reservoir serves the Pacific Palisades, an area of west of downtown Los Angeles where a wildfire has grown to about 23,654 acres. Firefighters have only been able to contain 11 percent of the out-of-control blaze. DailyMail.com further revealed that this reservoir was left disconnected by Department of Water and Power (LADWP) CEO Janisse Quinones. On top of that, fire hydrants usually fed by the reservoir were left broken for months before the fires, leading to firefighters running out of water as they battled the devastating blazes. The reservoir was taken offline in recent months to repair a tear in its cover that exposed the water and potentially impacted its drinkability. When confronted about this, Newsom simply said Santa Ynez 'was not a state system reservoir.' Governor Gavin Newsom sat down with NBC's Meet The Press to address how he's handling the wildfire crisis in California so far Residents embrace outside of a burning property as the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California Pictured: The Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades, the area with perhaps the worst ongoing wildfire Newsom also faced backlash for his 'over-the-top' body language in the wide-ranging interview. Newsom, wearing a untucked black button down with a pair of jeans, spoke with his hands all throughout the 18-minute-long conversation that took place in Altadena, a community that's been ravaged by the Eaton Fire. He often clapped and made other big gesticulations as he answered questions about the catastrophic blazes - which are now some of the worst in the city's history. The California Gov. also suggested that LA's failed water system is to blame for the crisis - while claiming that he was not trying to point fingers at anyone in particular for the death and destruction. As of Sunday morning, the Eaton Fire currently spans 14,005 acres, and the Kenneth Fire, although now 100 percent contained, has blazed 1,052 acres of land. In the highly-criticized interview, Newsom signaled that he didn't know why all three water storage tanks in the Pacific Palisades each holding about 1 million gallons had run dry right as the fires began last week. 'Was it pipes? Was it electricity? It was a combination of pipes, electricities, and pumps,' Newsom told NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff as he rocked back and forth and threw up his hands. 'Was that drawdown impossible because you lost seven-plus thousand structures right here anyway and every single structure we lost had a pipe that was leaking, and we would've lost that water pressure anyway?' 'Did it contribute in any way to our inability to fight the fire? Or were 99 mile-an-hour winds determinative and there was really no firefight that could've been more meaningful?' Pictured: Gavin Newsom looks on as a wildfire rages in an affluent area of Los Angeles on January 7. The governor was slammed for this picture, with some claiming it was a photo-op One person reacting to the interview on X picked up on the governor's restless movements and said: 'Who the hell is he dancing with?' Another said: 'Watching Gavin Newsome (sic) his body language and speech suggests he is overwhelmed.' 'At the beginning of his interview, the first thing he does is start waving his fingers,' a third pointed out. 'His physical gestures are over the top and distracting,' another watcher thought. One person shifted their anger to Soboroff, the interviewer, and claimed he wasn't pushing Newsom hard enough. 'If you had an ounce of integrity or shame @jacobsoboroff, you'd resign for this obsequious joke of an interview & give your job to the woman who cornered Newsom in the street with real Qs after her community burned down,' they wrote. Shortly after the panned interview, Newsom announced he had deployed 1,000 additional members of the state's National Guard to Los Angeles to help respond to the wildfires. There are now a total of 2,500 service members on the ground. The interview covered topics such as Newsom's culpability in the crisis, Trump's condemnation of the state's wildfire response and new executive orders the governor is pursuing to provide relief to Californians. Newsom denied he was playing the blame game by opening an independent investigation into why the reservoirs were empty. President-elect Donald Trump has hurled insults at Newsom and said he didn't accept federal help from him when he was president that would have helped prevent fires 'How could it be when we're doing an independent investigation and we just want the adjudication of the facts? As I say, it's not about finger pointing. It's about answering the questions you and everybody want answered,' he said. 'The same ones you're asking. Same ones that people out on the streets are asking, yelling about, "What the hell happened? What happened to the water system?"' In total, 16 people have lost their lives, 12,300 structures have been destroyed, and 40,300 acres have been burned. Newsom put the death toll at a more conservative 13 and said his office is still getting information from coroners, adding 'there's likely to be a lot more.' He said search and rescue teams and cadaver dogs are out searching for the deceased. When asked if the buck stops with him, Newsom replied: 'I mean, you're governor of California. It might as well be the mayor of California. We're all in this together. We're all better off when we're all better off. 'And we're here not just in the immediacy of the crisis, but we're here after the crisis, as opposed to creating a crisis in the middle of this by trying to divide people and play political, take cheap political shots.' The conversation soon shifted to President-elect Donald Trump, who has blamed Newsom for the wildfires. Your browser does not support iframes. Trump said that the governor, who he referred to as 'Gavin Newscum' - a favorite of the Republican's pet names - refused to accept preemptive help from the federal government back when he was president. 'Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. To address the damage caused to people's homes and buildings around the city, Newsom announced he'd be issuing executive orders on 'price gouging' and 'recovery.' He also said the executive orders will help people get their insurance claims 'within the next few weeks.' When it comes to rebuilding, Newsom signaled he'd be relaxing the rigid environmental review processes that often make development difficult in California. 'We want to fast-track by eliminating any [California Environmental Quality Act] requirements. I've got Coastal Act changes that we're making. I want to make sure when someone rebuilds that they have their old property tax assessments and that they're not increased,' he said. Newsom also thanked President Joe Biden for pledging to cover 100 percent of disaster related costs in California for the next 180 days. Early estimates suggest damages could cost as much as $150 billion. 'We had support from the President of the United States, Joe Biden, with 100% reimbursement, all the resources you could hope for, imagine, constant communication. I'd like to extend that to the president-elect,' he said. Firefighter near a fire road above Mandeville Canyon during the Palisades Fire on January 11, 2025 A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire on January 10, 2025 Newsom was also criticized for using the horrific fires to slyly boost his future political gambits. The day before the interview with NBC, Newsom posted a link to californiafirefacts.com, a website set up by his campaign committee, in response to what he said was misinformation people were spreading about the wildfires. At first, the site looks innocuous. It contains a list of claims the governor's office either finds to be misleading or incorrect with rebuttals underneath. If you scroll all the way down, there's a box that allows users to donate to the California Fire Foundation, a nonprofit that provides assistance to firefighters and survivors of wildfire natural disasters. If you donate to the organization through Newsom's link though, you automatically consent to receiving campaign text messages from his Super PAC 'Campaign for Democracy.' Another recent criticism against the governor is that he is supposedly allowing looting during the fires. This claim came most prominently from Elon Musk, who's become a loyal confidant to Trump as he prepares to take the White House. Newsom bristled at the accusation and replied to Musk on X: 'Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people its decriminalized. Its not.' The latest victim of this fire-induced crime spree is Vice President Kamala Harris, whose home in Brentwood was broken into by two men. The LAPD was called to the scene around 4:30 a.m. but the men were not on the property when they were arrested. Law enforcement sources told NBC Los Angeles, 'they likely had no idea where they were.' The two men were detained for breaking curfew, but released after police found no evidence they were committing a crime, reported KTLA. Weary Los Angeles locals have finally learned when they can return to their homes to inspect the damage caused by the city's worst fires in history. Officials will begin reopening fire-ravaged neighborhoods to residents as of Thursday, after a red flag weather warning gripping Los Angeles for the next 72 hours eases. It comes as burglars dressed as firefighters are among the thieves arrested as lawlessness in the city spirals during curfews and mandatory evacuation orders. Looting is now running rampant as the flames continue to destroy homes across the City of Angels. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the burglars claimed to be associated with a fire station, but a check with the department weeded them out. Our live coverage has now ended but for a recap see below A new report has hinted that a 'foreign actor' may be responsible for the 'Havana Syndrome' symptoms which have been plaguing hundreds of US veterans. Although the majority of the US intelligence community has said it is 'very unlikely' an adversary is linked to the mystery ailment, a new report published on Friday revealed that two out of seven agencies diverged from this consensus for the first time. Released by the National Intelligence Council on Friday, the document states that the two unnamed groups now believe there is a 50/50 chance foreign actors could have developed radiofrequency technology associated with 'Havana Syndrome'. Sources told The Atlantic one group which changed its tune was the National Security Agency, adding that their revised evaluation was based on 'intercepted communications' linked to a 'foreign actor'. It's a major development for people suffering with 'Havana Syndrome', who have felt dismissed and gas-lit by the government for years. Many believe their debilitating symptoms have been caused by concealed energy weapons. The Intelligence Community (IC) report states that overall, it 'continues to assess that it is "very unlikely" a foreign adversary is responsible for the events reported as possible anomalous health incidents (AHIs)' - the official term for Havana Syndrome. Five groups within the IC have said they do not believe a foreign actor has 'used a novel weapon or prototype device to harm even a subset of the USG personnel or dependents who reported medical symptoms or sensory phenomena as AHIs'. But by contrast, one IC group has said there is a 'roughly event chance' a foreign actor has done exactly this. Another group believes such a weapon may have been developed - but they don't think it's linked to the AHIs. A new report released by the National Intelligence Council has hinted that a 'foreign actor' may be responsible for the 'Havana Syndrome' symptoms which have been plaguing hundreds of US veterans. (Pictured: Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines in March 2023) The syndrome first surfaced at the US embassy in Havana, (pictured) when government employees suddenly found themselves afflicted with the mysterious malady Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties 'Both of these IC components have low confidence in these judgments,' the report update states. 'These shifts are based on reporting they evaluate to indicate that foreign actors are making progress in scientific research and weapons development.' Havana Syndrome is a disputed medical condition experienced by a cluster of US and Canadian government officials who were based in around a dozen overseas locations, which started among employees in Havana in 2016. Symptoms include dizziness, cognitive problems, insomnia, and headaches. The most prominent theory is that it is caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound emanating from sonic weapons. At least 200 cases across the government are now under investigation. It comes after a CIA whistleblower said Americans should be 'terrified' of alleged government gaslighting of former intelligence employees who believe they have been struck down by the syndrome. The medically-retired CIA officer spoke with investigative journalist Catherine Herridge about her experience with the debilitating mystery disorder, and how the authorities have treated her since. Speaking under the pseudonym Alice, the former CIA employee said she spent two decades in government service and began experiencing the syndrome. Alice said her injuries are so debilitating that she relies on a service dog. She needed several breaks during the interview and wore dark-tinted glasses to shield her eyes from the studio lighting. A CIA whistleblower (pictured) said that Americans should be 'terrified' of government gaslighting of former intelligence employees who have reported Havana Syndrome symptoms One of the sonic weapons that could cause Havana syndrome is said to be a smaller version of this 1990s Soviet microwave generator, which is kept at the University of New Mexico 'I was serving in Africa and I experienced an anomalous health incident in my home on a Saturday night,' Alice told Herridge. 'I heard a weird noise. It was a really weird sound that I'll never, never forget it and after about a second or two, I felt it in my feet, kind of like the reverb from a speaker.' Alice said she went to the master bedroom to ask her partner whether he could hear the off-putting noise too. 'I said, "Hey, do you hear that weird noise?" And the first sign that something was off, I should have known, was when he said, "what noise?" What is 'Havana Syndrome'? The mysterious illness that started in the US embassy in Cuba and causes memory and hearing loss The problem has been labeled the 'Havana Syndrome,' because the first cases affected personnel in 2016 at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. At least 200 cases across the government are now under investigation. People who are believed to have been affected have reported headaches, dizziness and symptoms consistent with concussions, with some requiring months of medical treatment. Some have reported hearing a loud noise before the sudden onset of symptoms. Countries its been reported in: Cuba, United States, China, Russia, Vietnam, Austria, Germany, Serbia, United Kingdom, Georgia, Poland, Taiwan, Australia, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan Symptoms include: -hearing loss -severe headaches -memory issues -dizziness -brain injury Advertisement Alice went back to where she heard the noise. 'Immediately, as soon as I re-entered the space, I heard the noise again,' she said. 'My ear started hurting. I started having vertigo. 'The room was spinning, my head started pulsing. It hurt so badly and I had a ton of pain in my left ear and my ears started ringing and I thought I was going to pass out.' Alice said she believes several different, concealed weapons could be behind the strange symptoms experienced by herself and many of her colleagues, adding that she thinks Moscow is to blame. 'I think there are weapons that can be fit in backpacks, ones that can be fit in the trunks of cars, ones that can be planted at a position with line of sight to people from across the street,' she said. 'I believe the Russian GRU (Russian military intelligence) came to my house late at night and took me off the battlefield,' she added. Asked if her old self died the day she experienced an AHI, Alice responded, 'A little bit. I was paid for my brain. I was paid for my ability to write well and to write for the president. 'I was paid to meet with foreigners and to get information that would help advance US security objectives and I can't do that anymore the way I used to and it's really, that's one of the hardest parts.' But Alice said the CIA has been gaslighting her and other AHI survivors in the years since by making them 'question our own injuries'. 'We swore this oath and every day I watch them really continue to deny people's humanity and their injuries,' she told Herridge. 'People that put themselves and their families on the line in horrible, horribly dangerous places and situations to protect this country.' Speaking about the intelligence agencies, she added: 'If they're politicizing this, what else are they not telling the president?' 'It's a coverup and it's terrifying and it should be terrifying to all Americans.' There have been several investigations into Havana Syndrome by government and non-government agencies, but none have been able to determine the cause. They found that foreign adversaries are unlikely to be the cause of AHIs, and considered energy weapons and psychological causes like stress are potential causes. A March 2024 letter obtained by Herridge from the former head of the DoD Cross-Functional AHI team, Brigadier General Shannon O'Harren, said they believed Havana Syndrome victims. 'We believe your experiences are real and we are unwaveringly committed to continue to provide quality care for you and those who are eligible,' the letter reads. 'The Department of Defense believes us and has actually gone to bat for those of us from across the US government. I would not be getting care if it wasn't for senior DOD leadership,' Alice told Herridge. But she had sterner words for the CIA. When asked why she was speaking out now, Alice said: 'Because the CIA is betraying and not just betraying but making friends of mine and my life a living hell. I want them to stop hurting my friends. 'I want them to give everyone I care about medical care and Havana Act payments and to take care of us in the long term. 'I want them to stop denying what is happening to us and so there can be opportunities to collect the information that we need so that we can prevent this from happening to more people.' Kwasi Kwarteng today compared Rachel Reeves jetting to China amid economic turmoil to the events of his own ill-fated spell as chancellor. The former Tory MP, who was in charge of the Treasury for just 38 days in 2022, said financial markets were confronting a 'nightmare' under Labour and Ms Reeves. Increases in the Government's borrowing costs have sparked fears the Chancellor will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets. This could require either tax rises or deeper spending cuts when Ms Reeves delivers a fiscal statement at the end of March. But she ignored calls for her to cancel her trip to China and take emergency action - despite the spike in borrowing costs invoking memories of Britain's 1976 debt crisis. In an article for the Sun on Sunday, Mr Kwarteng said markets were 'not convinced' by Ms Reeves' strategy in the wake of her huge tax, borrow and spend Budget. He claimed - amid the 'chaos' - there was the sound of 'the death rattle for Labour'. Kwasi Kwarteng today compared Rachel Reeves jetting to China amid economic turmoil to the events of his own ill-fated spell as chancellor Increases in the Government's borrowing costs have sparked fears the Chancellor will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets Although he was sacked by Liz Truss after his disastrous 'mini-budget' in September 2022, Mr Kwarteng said he did not expect Sir Keir Starmer to axe Ms Reeves Mr Kwarteng wrote: 'Markets in turmoil. Borrowing costs going up. A Chancellor far away in a foreign land. 'It reminds me of my own short-lived period as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Liz Truss in 2022.' Although he was sacked by Ms Truss - after being summoned back from a trip to the US - following his disastrous 'mini-budget' in September 2022, Mr Kwarteng said he did not expect Sir Keir Starmer to axe Ms Reeves. 'The truth is Starmer has agreed to and sanctioned everything that Reeves has done,' he added. 'He is PM. He made the pledge to make our country the fastest growing economy in the G7 group of countries. A pledge the Government would rather we all forgot about. 'I expect if he sacks Reeves that his remaining days at No10 would be numbered. 'Truss announced her resignation exactly six days after giving me the order of the boot.' Mr Kwarteng admitted he made 'many mistakes' during his time in the Treasury, but defended his bid to 'reduce the burdens on business in order to grow the economy'. 'A growing economy actually means increasing tax receipts,' he said. 'These give us more money to pay more for public services. I make no apology for trying to encourage businesses to grow. 'Higher tax rates, by contrast, put more pressure on firms and individuals. 'In a high tax economy, there are fewer incentives to work and invest. This causes slower growth. 'It is this nightmare markets are confronting. The fear of the traders is that there is no plan. 'The Government must be concerned. Amid all the sound and fury of the market turmoil and economic debate, we can also hear the death rattle for Labour.' Speaking to GB News this morning, Mr Kwarteng went on to claim that Labour are in a worse position than the Tories were under Ms Truss. He told the TV channel: 'We did too much too quickly, and I've said this repeatedly, and the markets were spooked. 'And it was a huge immediate reaction to what they perceived to be unfunded tax cuts. In this situation, I think it's a worse situation, because there's no easy way out.' At meetings on Saturday, the Chancellor hailed her trip as a 'significant milestone' in Labour's re-engagement with China. She said she had agreed deals worth 600million to the UK economy over the next five years. Ms Reeves added that 're-engagement' with China 'already sets us on course to deliver up to 1 billion of value for the UK economy'. The agreements reached on Saturday include deals on financial services, agri-food and cultural exports, along with other areas. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, the Chancellor declined to give a 'running commentary' on financial markets but insisted her fiscal rules were 'non-negotiable'. She added: 'We will take action to ensure that we meet those fiscal rules'. That action is reported to include deeper spending cuts than the 5 per cent efficiency savings already pencilled in for the spending review being published later this year. Cuts to the welfare bill are also said to be under consideration. The Chancellor has previously ruled out further tax rises after hiking taxes by 40billion at the Budget in October. A Texas cop who was fired for a 'vile and disgusting act' has been placed back into a law enforcement role in a new city. Matthew Luckhurst, 42, was fired in 2016 for serving a homeless man a dog-poop-filled sandwich. In a separate incident that same year, Luckhurst was accused of smearing brown feces-like substances across a toilet in the only women's restroom available to female officers. Despite facing two indefinite suspensions for his revolting behavior, Luckhurst managed to make his way back onto the force in 2019 - due to a legal loophole requiring discipline within 180 days of the sandwich incident. The case went to an arbitration hearing in 2020, where San Antonio Police Chief William McManus testified about Luckhurst's actions. 'This was a vile and disgusting act that violates our guiding principles of 'treating all with integrity, compassion, fairness and respect,' McManus said in a statement at the time. Floresville Mayor Cissy Gonzalez-Dippel confirmed that he was released from this position on Dec. 13, 2022. 'Our city manager, Andy Joslin is implementing stricter hiring policies for all city of Floresville employees. He is also working with Chief Herrera on the Reserve program,' the Mayor told KSAT in a statement. But now the disgraced former San Antonio police officer has quietly slipped back into law enforcement - this time patrolling the streets of a small Texas town as part of the Benavides Police Department. Matthew Luckhurst, 42, was fired in 2016 for serving a homeless man a dog-poop filled sandwich In a separate incident that same year, Luckhurst was accused of smearing brown feces-like substances across a toilet in the only women's restroom available to female officers Benavides Police Chief Andre Hines confirmed that the department hired Luckhurst on Tuesday. In a statement to KSAT, Hines said that their decision highlights 'department's commitment to offering individuals a second chance to demonstrate their dedication to public service.' He also emphasized Officer Luckhurst's 'exemplary record' since joining the department - despite the prior allegations. 'Officer Luckhurst's record since joining the department in April 2023 has been exemplary, with no complaints or issues reported,' Hines wrote in the statement . 'A thorough background check was conducted before he was sworn in as a peace officer, ensuring that all aspects of his history were carefully considered.' 'Officer Luckhurst has consistently maintained that the allegations made against him during his time with the San Antonio Police Department-specifically the incident involving a homeless man-are untrue.' The disturbing 2016 incident came to light when Luckhurst bragged to a fellow officer that he had picked up some feces, put it in between two slices of bread before placing the 'sandwich' in a Styrofoam container,My San Antonio reported at the time. Despite facing two indefinite suspensions for his revolting behavior, Luckhurst managed to make his way back onto the force in 2019 - due to a legal loophole requiring discipline within 180 days of the sandwich incident He then sat the container next to a homeless man, police officials said. The officer reported that he told Luckhurst, a five-year veteran of the force, to go back and throw away the container. The officer said he watched Luckhurst go back and assumed that he threw it away, but it's not confirmed that he did. Another officer reported Luckhurst's actions to his supervisor, who then notified internal affairs of the shocking incident. The case was investigated and presented to both civilian and sworn review boards, which recommended that Luckhurst be placed on indefinite suspension from the police force. Police officials said Luckhurst had been assigned to downtown bike patrol for about a year before he was fired. Police Chief William McManus met with Luckhurst and said that 'type of behavior will never be tolerated.' Now the disgraced former San Antonio police officer has quietly slipped back into law enforcement This time he is patrolling the streets of a small Texas town as part of the Benavides Police Department 'This was a vile and disgusting act that violates our guiding principles of 'treating all with integrity, compassion, fairness and respect,'' McManus said in a statement at the time. 'The fact that his fellow officers were so disgusted with his actions that they reported him to internal affairs demonstrates that this type of behavior will never be tolerated. An 'annoying' alien-like insect is set to emerge from a 17-year slumber and wreak havoc across multiple US states this year, scientists have warned. Billions of 'Brood XIV' cicadas are currently tunneling out of their underground homes ready to swarm across 13 states by the spring. The creepy red-eyed insects are poised to strike New York, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia this year. The timing of their emergence can be unpredictable, but typically the bugs start to crawl out when the ground warms to 64F - usually between April and June for most areas. Male cicadas cause chaos by making a high-pitched buzzing noise designed to attract females which is as loud as a lawn mower. Last year, the bugs were so noisy that Americans called the cops to complain. Newberry County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina received so many calls they issued a statement to reassure residents about the creatures. 'We have had several calls about a noise in the air that sounds like a siren, or a whine, or a roar,' the sheriff's office wrote in April. 'The sound is cicadas. Cicadas are a super family of insects that appear each spring. The nymphs have lived underground for 13-17 years and now this time they are hatching. A huge alien-like insect is set to emerge from a 17-year slumber and wreak havoc across multiple US states this year, scientists have warned. (Pictured: the Brood XIV Cicada) Billions of 'Brood XIV' cicadas are currently tunneling out of their underground homes ready to swarm across 13 states across eastern and central America A huge alien-like insect is set to emerge from a 17-year slumber and wreak havoc across multiple US states this year, scientists have warned. (Pictured: the Brood XIV Cicada) 'Although to some, the noise is annoying, they pose no danger to humans or pets. Unfortunately it is the sounds of nature.' When they finally emerge after spending more than a decade underground sipping on tree root juices, the periodic cicadas do bring ecological benefits. 'Cicadas are a valuable food source for birds and other predators,' the US EPA noted, adding that the burrows dug by young 'nymphs' to feed on sap 'aerate lawns and improve water filtration to the ground'. Periodical cicadas have black bodies with red eyes and they arrive in droves, unlike annual cicadas which are greenish-brown and emerge in smaller numbers each year. Broods of periodical cicadas only emerge every 13 or 17 years. This year's invasion, Brood XIV or Brood 14, is the second-largest periodical cicada type at around two inches long, according to the University of Connecticut. Once they emerge, cicadas are active for between four to six weeks before they vanish just as quickly as they came. Despite their noisy nature, they're relatively tame. 'All they do is just climb up on trees and pee. That's as much damage as they do,' Saad Bhamla, a professor at Georgia Tech College of Engineering told The Hill. Even their pee is innocuous - unlike mammal urine, is almost entirely just water. 'You don't have to worry, it isn't like our human pee. It isn't disgusting, it's just water,' Bhamla said. Your browser does not support iframes. When they finally emerge after spending more than a decade underground sipping on tree root juices, the periodic cicadas do bring ecological benefits One thing which makes the cicada so interesting is its ability to harden their exoskeletons - which takes about five days - shedding its old exterior in order to begin flying This year's invasion won't be as bad as last year, when a one trillion of the red-eyed bugs infested the nation in a 200-year event known as the cicada 'apocalypse'. For the first time since the 19th century, two different broods of cicada emerged across more than a dozen states, mating and laying millions more eggs. Dr Gene Kritsky, a professor, entomologist and cicada expert at Mount St. Joseph University, told DailyMail.com at the time: 'The dual emergence is a one in two or three lifetime event. 'This happens 12 times every 221 years, but this is the first time since 1803 that these broods will emerge together.' There are more than 3,000 known species of cicadas, and they form 15 major 'broods' in different geographic areas. What makes these creatures so interesting is the ability to harden their exoskeletons, which takes about five days, and shed it in order to being flying. A New York City influencer has sparked fierce debate over her 'dystopian' Los Angeles fire relief efforts - with some disapproving of her beauty product goodie bags and others rushing to her defense. Serena Kerrigan, 30, shared a photo to her Instagram story showing skincare and haircare donations that were to be sent to victims of the fires ravaging LA communities. She wrote on Thursday: 'Putting together bags of products to send to LA. If you guys have any stuff you can donate, DM @cocoschiffer.' The photo showed pink bags filled with cosmetic supplies, which some viewers felt trivialized the devastation being caused by the ongoing flames. 'This story really struck a dystopian chord with me,' Reddit user AffectionateRip764 wrote in a thread dedicated to 'discussion and snark about NYC influencers.' They continued: 'I am not trying to shade her intentions, however, seeing this influencer front lines response to the devastation in LA by sending goodie bags of picked over products is so incredibly satirical and influencer-age Fahrenheit 451. 'The critical resources those people are looking for are not Crown Affair mousse or 111Skin(??) face masks in a neon pink Poppi PVC bag.' In the comment section, more than 100 people responded to the post, chiming in to discuss Kerrigan's contributions. Serena Kerrigan, 30, shared a photo to her Instagram story of her preparing 'goodie bags' of beauty products to send to send to victims of the fires ravaging LA communities The photo showed pink bags filled with skin care and hair supplies, which some viewers felt trivialized the devastation being caused by the ongoing flames The LA fires have displaced more than 180,000 people and took the lives of at least 16 Californians Many people saw AffectionateRip764's perspective, but actually sided with Kerrigan and praised her actions. 'I understand where you're coming from but people lost everything. I think that while items like these aren't practical, they'll help people feel some level of normalcy as they figure out how to move forward,' an approving user replied. A few commenters said they watched Kerrigan's full story and she explained that the items were from a canceled event. Another user said: 'People are losing everything. Think about how this might make a few teenage girls in a temporary shelter feel normal for even just a few minutes. I think honestly anything helps, and hygiene products are always being requested.' One person said that it was a great way for Kerrigan and others to put good use to items that would have likely been thrown away or not used. They wrote: 'Its also a good way to put elaborate and often wasteful PR box stuff to use. Influencers throw so much of this stuff out just because of the absolute excess they receive. Im not against it' AffectionateRip764 said the bags were 'incredibly satirical and influencer-age Fahrenheit 451,' referencing the classic novel set in a dystopian society Another woman shared that at first, she did not understand why Kerrigan would send these kinds of bags out. However, she quickly changed her perspective. 'Why shouldnt influencers send their massive piles of sh*t theyll never use (prob just save to use for a giveaway) to people who lost truly everything. Its actually refreshing to see them do SOMETHING tactical as opposed to just posting.' The rest of the comments echoed the sentiment that the influencer's gesture is more than most other people are doing to help out. They also pointed out that these products could put a smile on the face of someone who has just lost everything they own. Someone addressed AffectionateRip764: 'Theres nothing dystopian about wanting skincare after all your sh*t burned down. Now tell the class what youve donated to the people in California.' DailyMail.com has reached out to Kerrigan for comment. More than 180,000 residents have been displaced by the raging disaster and at least 16 have been killed. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. The fires started in the Pacific Palisades area of LA and rapidly spread into Brentwood, a ritzy neighborhood home to high-profile people including Lebron James, Kamala Harris and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The LA fires that erupted across the county are still raging and are projected to be among the costliest natural disasters in US history The fires started started in the Pacific Palisades area of LA and rapidly spread into Brentwood According to The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades Fire is 11 percent contained and has spanned across more than 23,700 acres in LA county. There are currently three fires burning - Palisades, Eaton and Hurst - more than 40,300 acres of land have been destroyed in total. 'This will be the costliest wildfire in California modern history and also very likely the costliest wildfire in U.S. modern history, because of the fires occurring in the densely populated areas around Los Angeles with some of the highest-valued real estate in the country,' AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter told the Associated Press. AccuWeather experts predicted that the economic losses and damages caused by the fire so far fall between $135 billion and $150 billion. Three teenagers have been charged with murder following the death of Thomas Taylor, 17, who was stabbed near a bus station in Bedford. Sixth-form student, Thomas, was fatally stabbed by a group of males near a bus station in Bedford as he walked along Greenhill Street in the city centre at 5.50pm on Wednesday. He was left lying on the floor behind the town's bus station while his assailants fled the scene. CCTV images show five youths running wielding at least two knives running away from Bedford bus station shortly after the fatal knife attack. Paramedics rushed the teenager to hospital with serious injuries but he was later pronounced dead. Ahmed Adam, 18, of Mardale Close, Kempston, Bedford, and two other males aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested on Friday and were charged with murder on Saturday, Bedfordshire Police confirmed. They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Luton Magistrates' Court on Monday. Detectives investigating the case made three more arrests over the weekend, the force said. A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old male were arrested on Saturday and remain in police custody for questioning. An 18-year-old male was also arrested and has been released on bail as inquiries continue. Sixth-form student Thomas Taylor, 17 (pictured) was stabbed to death as he walked through the centre of Bedford on Wednesday Thomas had been walking along Greenhill Street in Bedford (pictured) when he was ambushed by the thugs Multiple parts of Bedford town centre were cordoned off as police conducted their investigations into the incident on Thursday Detective Inspector Richard Stott, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: 'Our thoughts remain very much with Thomas's family and friends at this extremely difficult time. 'We understand this was a shocking incident and we would like to reassure our local community that we are working tirelessly on this case and would urge anyone with information to get it touch with us.' Anyone with any information which could assist the investigation is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Cimarron or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. Earlier this week, family and friends of the 'respected' 17-year-old issued tributes to the youngster. His mother issued a heartfelt tribute to her son, remarking how the family were 'completely devastated' by the news. 'He was really looking forward to his future and we are all completely devastated. He was deeply caring and family orientated and was a very intelligent boy,' she said. 'He brightened up any room he walked into he really cared about others and his life.' CCTV image shows a group of five youths running away from Bedford bus station shortly after the fatal knife attack on Thomas One of the youths can be seen brandishing a large knife in CCTV footage obtained exclusively by MailOnline Floral tributes near Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, following the stabbing Thomas's school friends told MailOnline how he 'left everyone with a smile'. One said: 'The one word that sums him up is fun. You couldn't have a bad day with him, it was impossible. 'He was just so funny, everything he said would have you cracking up. Not just what he said, but how he said it.' Thomas had been studying A-Level criminology, health and social care studies and business studies at Bedford Academy. The friend added: 'He'd left school recently but was really keen to come back, he kept emailing the school. 'He was a really smart lad, he could sometimes be cheeky in class but he was never rude.' Bedford Academy headteacher Chris Deller said the school was 'deeply upset and shocked' by the 17-year-old's death. Mr Deller said: 'Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form. 'Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period, whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss.' A police officer who shot and killed two dogs has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). On May 7, 2023, armed officers were called to Commercial Road in Poplar, east London, after receiving reports of a woman being attacked by two Cane Corso dogs. The woman, who was walking her own dog at the time, sustained an injury to her leg after she had been knocked to the ground by the large dogs whilst trying to protect herself. Her dog was bitten and suffered a cut on its nose and had chunks of fur missing. Police found the owner, who is in his 40s, and the two Cane Corsos at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the man. After he refused to hand over his dogs, one of them jumped up at one of the officers before the man ran away with the animals. The armed officers officers pursued him to Limehouse Cut Canal but he would still not let them take the dogs. During the conversation, one of the Cane Corsos became loose and tried to run towards the officers but was stopped by the owner. A police officer who shot and killed two dogs has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) On May 7, 2023, armed officers were called to Commercial Road (pictured) in Poplar, east London, after receiving reports of a woman being attacked by two Cane Corso dogs Seconds later, one broke free from its lead and lunged at the dog handler before being shot dead by a firearms officer. The second dog was detained by the dog handler using a pole capture device and was tasered. However, it then broke free and was followed and shot dead by the same firearms officer as he feared for his colleagues safety. The dog owner was then tasered and arrested. After checking their systems, it revealed that he was disqualified from keeping dogs for 20 years as part of an order handed to him in 2019. The case was referred to the IOPC after the Met Police received complaints of misconduct and discrimination against the man because he was homeless. But after completing their independent investigation, IOPC officers found no evidence to uphold these claims. The Cane Corso owner was handed a suspended prison sentence in November 2023 after pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control (without injury). He also pleaded guilty to possession of dogs whilst under a 20-year disqualification order. Earlier that month, he admitted to the same offences in connection to another incident in Westminster. The other incident occurred in Strutton Ground in February 2023 and saw a Pomeranian dog left blind after being attack by the dogs. Det Chf Supt James Conway said: 'The IOPC investigation has been extensive, examining every aspect of what happened that day and scrutinising body worn video, mobile phone footage and CCTV of the incident as well as consulting dangerous dog experts. 'The investigation found the officers faced a really challenging situation and made numerous attempts to get the owner of the aggressive animals - after they had attacked a woman and her dog - to surrender them to prevent further injury to anyone. 'Parts of the incident were filmed and posted on social media and we know how much distress this matter caused. 'None of us would wish to see injury to any animal and that includes our officers who only acted to ensure the safety of everyone involved.' Angry farmers who twice blockaded a port in protest at inheritance tax changes have accused police of bullying and attempting a scare tactic after they were sent letters warning they could face prosecution for future action disrupting critical infrastructure. Holyhead Port, on Anglesey, North Wales, was targeted on November 27 and December 5 by farmers who fear they will no longer be able to pass on family farms to younger generations. Under current rules, farmers are exempt from inheritance tax but Chancellor Rachel Reeves is axing the tax relief on farms worth above 1m from 2026 a move which has triggered protests across the country including two large-scale demonstrations in Westminster. Since the protests, Holyhead port has been temporarily closed after suffering storm damage but is set to partially-reopen on Thursday this week. Now North Wales Police have sent farmers involved in the earlier protests letters warning: 'Interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure is a criminal offence.' Livestock farmer Dyfan Eilir Jones, 46, a member of the organising committee behind the protests, said: It is bullying. 'Were concerned with how the letters have been hand-delivered by two police officers. Farmers were recorded receiving the letters and made to sign a piece of paper declaring theyd received them. We have been working constructively with North Wales Police but is this letter coming from them or have they been pressured by (the Welsh Labour governments in) Cardiff or Westminster? Livestock farmer Dyfan Eilir Jones, 46, a member of the organising committee behind the Holyhead protests, said the warning by police was a form of 'bullying' The first page of the letter received by the protesting farmers, warning them they could face prosecution for their actions The letter ends with police underlying their desire to avoid any further incidents at Holyhead Port, which they said disrupted 'key national infrastructure' Farmers also reacted furiously online with one commenting on the Welsh Farmers' Protests Facebook page saying: Very polite threatening letter! I hope the Chief Constable ensures that all his officers are made fully aware of what THEY are allowed and not allowed to do and that they have a responsibility to enforce laws impartially. Another blasted the letter as a scare tactic and urged fellow farmers to ignore this bullying behaviour. As well as the IHT changes, farmers are angry about plans by the Welsh government to force them to rewild up to 30% of their land which led to previous protests outside the Senedd in Cardiff. Around 50 farmers turned up in their tractors at Holyhead a major port for ferries between Britain and Ireland - preventing access between 11pm on November 27 and 3am the following morning, disputing six ferry sailings. Members of the public were allowed on and off boats but the passage of lorries was blocked. The protest forced heavy goods vehicles to queue for hours outside the port unable to board ferries. Farmers took similar action again the following week before damage during Storm Darragh closed the port on December 7. Mr Jones, who keeps 1,700 sheep and over 100 cows at a farm near Ruthin, Denbighshire, which has been in his family for over five generations, said ports were chosen for protests to highlight the fragility of imported food supplies. Delays caused by the action at Holyhead alone caused a three-day backlog of haulage. Protests also took place at Fishguard and Dover ports. Over 40 tractors block the entrance to Holyhead Port ferry terminal on December 5, 2024, completely stopping vehicles going in and exiting the harbour The Holyhead protest was held by farmers in protest at Labour's plans to axe the tax relief on farms worth above 1m from 2026 A policeman tries to stop the tractors going past him into the harbour, so other tractors mounted pavements to get around the road block The farmers stood together in solidarity next to their tractors and removed to move when police attempted to disperse them The letter from North Wales Police has been sent to the owners of tractors present at the earlier Holyhead protests. While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, officers warn the right is not absolute adding: Section 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 2023 Allows for the imposition of certain conditions on public processions and assemblies if the senior officer at the scene reasonably believes that it may result in serious disruption to the life of the community. Police have criticised farmers for not using a proposed protest area at Holyhead Port rather than disrupting the main access to the facility. Mr Jones said he and other organisers were not told about any designated protest area and claimed police had attempted tactics to minimise the impact of other demonstrations, such as trying to divert a protest in Llandudno away from a conference by the Welsh Labour Party in November. They were leading us to places we didnt want to go, down the backstreets. They didnt want us to use the seafront, he added. When we were in Holyhead and he was with a cop who did not tell us about an area being allocated for us to protest. They then threatened us with fines but we said that if that happened we would escalate protests. Mr Jones said that, as yet, no fines have materialised. He added that sources at the ports have said they are 100 per cent behind the protests as they stand to be hit by the governments crippling National Insurance rise affecting employers. In the letter to farmers, North Wales Police warned: A person commits an offence if (a) They do an act which interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure in England and Wales and (b) They intend that act to interfere with the use or operation of such infrastructure or are reckless as to whether it will do so. Mr Jones said himself and the rest of the protesters have been working constructively with North Wales Police but is this letter coming from them or have they been pressured by Cardiff or Westminster? Mr Jones is the joint organiser of the North Wales farmer protests. He is pictured here on his farm, which has 1700 breeding ewes, and 100 cattle mixed between French Limousine and Belgium Blues Protests against Labour's plans to make farms worth over 1million eligible for inheritance tax have been widespread, such as this protests in London on December 11, 2024 Farmer Will Elliott, of Whipley Manor Farm near Guildford in Surrey, stands on a tractor in Westminster, London, on December 11, 2024, holding a handpainted placard Attendees at another mass rally in central London on December 19, 2024, carrying a banner reading 'stop killing the people who feed you' British Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been the ire of UK farmers after announcing the end to their tax break in her first budget Causing interference with the infrastructure around Holyhead Port in a similar manner to that experienced on both the 27th November and 5th December is likely to involve an offence under Section 7 of the Public Order Act of 2023. North Wales Police urge you to work with us, follow direction and ensure your protests are peaceful. I must warn you that failure to adhere to this advice, may leave you liable to prosecution. The letter added: North Wales Police and specifically the Rural Crime Team enjoy a close working relationship with our farming communities and are fully committed to building on that relationship. North Wales Police have been contacted for further comment. A body has been found in the hunt for a missing woman a week after she disappeared amid freezing temperatures across Britain. Lynda, whose last name has not been given, was last seen leaving her home on Parish Drive in Ainsworth, by Bolton, around midday on January 4. A week-long search has been underway since the 57-year-old vanished. Greater Manchester Police issued a fresh appeal earlier this week as temperatures were predicted to plunge below freezing once again, with a picture of her wearing the long leopard print jacket and red hat officers say she frequently wore. A body has since been found, with police confirming Lynda's next of kin have been informed. 'A body has sadly been found in the search for missing Lynda', a spokesperson for Bury Police said. 'Her next of kin are aware and a file has been passed to the coroner. 'Our thoughts remain with Lynda's family at this difficult time'. It comes as Britain has endured some of coldest nights in years, with weather warnings being extended across the nation. Lynda, whose last name has not been given, was last seen leaving her home on Parish Drive in Ainsworth, by Bolton, around midday on January 4 Greater Manchester Police issued a fresh appeal earlier this week with a picture of Lynda wearing the long leopard print jacket and red hat officers say she frequently wore Altnaharra, which is in the most northern region of the Highlands, recorded -18.7C on Friday night, the Met Office said. It is the coldest January overnight temperature since 2010 when temperatures dropped below -15C several times at locations across the UK including -22.3C on January 8 in Altnaharra. Much of the UK endured below-freezing temperatures overnight, with temperatures dropping to -11C in Shap, Cumbria, and Heathrow recording -5C. The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C, while for England, overnight lows are about 1.5C to 1.6C. The last time the UK had a temperature under -20C (-4F) was February 11, 2021 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire dropped to -23C (-9.4F) shortly after Storm Darcy. This was the UK's coldest day since December 30, 1995, when the all-time coldest recorded temperature reached was Altnaharra with -27.2C (-17F). The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 14 meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said. A publican led calls for a grooming gangs enquiry in his town of Oldham for five years and has had his campaign taken up by Elon Musk. Brian Hobin, who runs the Mare & Foal pub in Failsworth and is an independent councillor, has been demanding the Labour council hold an independent inquiry into child exploitation since 2019. His battle started after meeting a woman who was raped by nine different men in a day at the age of 12. Mr Hobin believes an independent inquiry with access to police, social service and council records is the solution to giving victims a voice, acknowledging mistakes made by those in power and bringing abusers to justice. When the Labour Party lost its council majority in the May 2024 elections, the party required help from Mr Hobin and three other independent councillors to stay in power. It is then that Mr Hobin demanded the Labour group write to the Home Office to ask for an inquiry, The Times first reported. Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, told the council that a local inquiry would be more appropriate, after which Musk - the richest man in the world - called her a 'rape genocide apologist' on X. Brian Hobin (pictured) has been demanding the Labour council hold an independent inquiry into child exploitation since 2019 Comments from inside the council chamber have been edited and fed into feed conspiracy blogs and Facebook groups in the town. One online user made a baseless suggestion that a grooming gang operated from inside the council's headquarters - a post retweeted by Musk last week. Members of the public have reportedly been ejected from the council chamber by officers for demanding answers regarding grooming gangs. Musk this month retweeted a post to his 211 million followers on X about the latest battle between the council and Home Office. Following elections in May, Labour sought an agreement with four independent councillors to stay in power. 'It's just a verbal agreement to work with them,' Mr Hobin said. 'I haven't signed anything.' He added: 'I've put my head over the parapet for the survivors, but it was the right thing to do.' Mr Hobin led calls for a grooming gangs enquiry in his town of Oldham (pictured) for five years The agreement empowered Mr Hobin to have another shot at calling for an enquiry. His motion on July 10 said the council would 'write to the home secretary requesting a Home Office-led public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the borough of Oldham, to continue to work with survivors in commissioning an independent inquiry should the Home Office refuse, and that any inquiry should provide a voice for the victims'. Oldham's population is at 242,089, according to the 2021 census, with 31.9 per cent non-white residents. Arooj Shah, the leader of Oldham council, said: 'There is nothing more important for securing justice for the victims of these horrific crimes and no stone will be left unturned to hold perpetrators to account. Victims and survivors will be at the heart of how we move forward, and their voices will be heard.' It's no secret that Steve Bannon, once a top aide to Donald Trump, isn't a fan of the president-elect's newest buddy Elon Musk. But Bannon took his criticism even further last week, telling an Italian newspaper that he will take the billionaire down before Trump's Inauguration day this month. The comments were basically a declaration of war against the Tesla, SpaceX and X boss who has strategically placed himself within the innermost circle of the incoming president and the latest in Bannon's attacks on him. 'I will have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day,' Bannon told the Italian ouetlet Corriere della Sera in an interview translated on the conservative site Breitbart. He went on: '[Musk] will not have a blue pass to the White House, he will not have full access to the White House, he will be like any other person.' It's not clear whether Bannon has any pull or influence left in Trump's mind or his circle. 'He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy,' Bannon insisted. 'I made it my personal thing to take this guy down.' Trump ally Steve Bannon vows to 'run out' Elon Musk from Donald Trump's circle before his Inauguration Day this month 'Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it; I'm not prepared to tolerate it anymore,' he added. Musk became a staunch and vocal Trump supporter after the first failed assassination attempt against Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in late June this summer. Trump selected him to co-lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new group he created with the aim of cutting government waste and reducing the budget. It has an end date of July 4, 2026, meaning Musk and co-chair Vivek Ramamswamy have just a year to reach their goal. Meanwhile, Bannon served as a chief strategist and senior counselor to Trump for just seven months at the start of his first term from January to August 2017. He is still a hero in the pro-MAGA movement. After refusing to comply with a subpoena by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Attack, Bannon was held in contempt of Congress. He was indicted on two criminal charges by a federal grand jury and convicted in July 2022 on both counts. He was sentenced to a $6,500 fine and four months in prison, which he served in a Connecticut facility from July 1 until October 29, 2024. It's thought that Trump could pardon Bannon and wipe his slate clean from the charges. The MAGA warrior tore into Musk's idea for high-tech visas for foreigners and ridiculed the reform efforts proposed by the billionaire. These so-called H-1B visas are at the heart of the public debate between Musk and Bannon. 'This thing of the H-1B visas, it's about the entire immigration system is gamed by the tech overlords, they use it to their advantage, the people are furious,' Bannon said. He noted that '76 percent of engineers working in Silicon Valley are non-Americans.' The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX boss has been by Trump's side virtually at all times since his election win in November. Bannon clearly has a bone to pick with Musk and doesn't want him close to the president-elect 'No blacks or Hispanics have any of these jobs or any access to these jobs,' Bannon added. 'Peter Thiel, David Sachs, Elon Musk, are all white South Africans.' 'He should go back to South Africa,' he said of Musk. Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on earth, white South Africans, we have them making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States?' 'We have been fighting this fight for ten years,' he declared. 'We are going to expose the entire corruption of the American system, of how money controls everything and hopefully we'll inspire you in Italy to wake up,' he told Corriere della Sera. Bannon was recently seen at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, where Musk is reportedly renting a $2,000-per-night cottage where he has been holed up since the November election. A man has been saddled with 250 fine after being convicted of being drunk in charge of a horse. Garry Addision, 42, was pursued by a female police officer in her patrol car when he refused to hand over the reins. He had been reported by motorists by causing an obstruction after repeatedly stopping and starting his horse and cart. When a policewoman attended he refused to say who he was and rode off down the street in the town of Prudhoe, Northumberland. She gave a chase and used a PAVA spray - a synthetic pepper spray - after he refused to come quietly. Newcastle Upon Tyne magistrates court was told Addission was drunkenly riding home in his horse and carriage. When police arrived, Addison, who was on a suspended sentence at the time, continued to ride the animal along West Road. When appended, Addison still refused to cooperate and the officer had to use PAVA spray on him in order to detain him. Garry Addision, 42, was pursued by a female police officer in her patrol car when he refused to hand over the reins When police arrived, Addison, who was on a suspended sentence at the time, continued to ride the animal along West Road (pictured) in Prudhoe, Northumberland Addison, of no fixed abode, admitted being drunk in charge of a horse and obstructing a police officer. District Judge Kate Meek said: 'Quite frankly, it's the first time I have come across a charge of a person being drunk in charge of a horse on a highway. 'You can see why it's an offence because horses are big and powerful things. If you're drunk, you're not capable of controlling that horse and, if it does go out of control, it's a danger to everyone around.' Prosecutor Jonathan Stirland said the officer was called out on June 24 last year after motorists reported the horse and carriage for obstruction. He continued: 'The officer saw the defendant with a horse. The officer asked him to say who he was. He then rode the horse and carriage up the road while intoxicated. The court heard Addison shouted abuse and resisted arrest, prompting the officer to use PAVA spray to detain him. Jonathan Cousins, defending, said: 'Mr Addison was riding his horse home. Police wanted to speak to him. He rode off. He gets back on the horse. 'She follows him in her vehicle. He pulls up and, when the officer pulls in behind him, he's on his mobile phone to his family trying to seek assistance with the horse or for someone to come and take it. 'He has stayed out of trouble since this. 'It was clear he was intoxicated by his manner. The officer sought to stop him doing that. He was not cooperative. The officer followed in her vehicle and the defendant was eventually apprehended.' President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly open to raising the SALT cap, a provision of the tax code that overwhelmingly disadvantages wealthy households in blue states. Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a law signed by Trump in 2017, the SALT deduction allowed taxpayers who itemized their deductions to subtract what they paid in state and local (SALT) taxes from their federal taxes. There was no limit to how much you could deduct before 2017, which meant rich individuals in high-tax states that provide more government services could reduce their federally taxable income by tens of thousands of dollars. Trump's bill made it so taxpayers could only deduct up to $10,000 worth of property, sales or income taxes paid to state and local governments. This was a seismic shift for many citizens, and at the time, Democrats saw this as Trump retaliating against people in blue states that didn't vote for him in the 2016 election. Before Trump's tax reform, 91 percent of the benefits of the SALT deduction was claimed by California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania, according to the Tax Foundation. But now, after a recent meeting with House Republicans from New York, California and New Jersey, Trump is said to be open to raising the cap from $10,000. Trump made huge gains in all three of those states in the 2024 election. Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who attended the Saturday gathering at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, said Trump 'is fully supportive of raising the cap.' After a Saturday meeting at his Mar-a-Lago resort, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly open to raising the SALT cap. His administration could support a jump to $20,000 Republican Representatives Mike Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis, both of New York, attended the meeting and are now saying Trump is either in favor of 'raising' or killing the cap Representative Nicole Malliotakis, also of New York, told The New York Post that Trump 'wants to provide SALT relief.' 'He said that he understands the plight of New Yorkers who are being abused by our mayor and our governor who treat them like ATMs, and he wants to provide SALT relief,' Malliotakis said. 'We need to work out what that number is going to be.' What the president-elect isn't open to, according to the reporting, is completely getting rid of the cap. Bloomberg reported that Trump's economic advisers have discussed expanding the cap to $20,000. The apparent reason Trump is against lifting of the cap is that his administration wants to do more tax cuts that would need to be offset. Some of the tax cuts Trump discussed on the campaign trail included removing income taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and overtime pay. Lifting the SALT cap is unpopular with some conservative Republicans from lower-tax states, who again argue it disproportionately benefits taxpayers in Democratic states. 'Why should people in South Carolina subsidize California and New York tax policy? You're going to have a hard time with me on that,' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said last week on Fox Business. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is not in favor of raising the SALT cap, something many elected Republicans in blue states disagree with him on Lawler hit back at Graham, arguing in his own appearance on Fox News that South Carolina is 'one of the biggest recipients of federal dollars in comparison to other states by a percentage.' Trump will be coming into office on January 20 with an extremely narrow GOP margin in the House, with Republicans controlling 219 seats and Democrats holding 215. This will soon drop to 217-215 after two lawmakers join the incoming Trump administration. This means he'll almost certainly have to continue negotiating with Republicans who support raising the SALT cap if he wants to pass another large-scale tax cut. Over the last four years, Democrats have made several attempts to get rid of or raise the SALT cap. Their first try came in 2021, when the House passed the Build Back Better plan. The bill rose the cap to $80,000 until 2031 but it failed in the Senate. A collection of blue states - including New York, Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey - also mounted a legal challenge against the part of Trump's tax bill that contained the SALT cap. The states argued that the cap improperly encroached on their taxing ability. In April 2022, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case and didn't offer a reason why. An NHS hospital is recruiting nurses dedicated to 'corridor care' to treat patients stuck on trolleys in corridors in its overwhelmed A&E department. The Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, posted a number of adverts last week calling for nurses to take shifts treating patients who are awaiting ward admission on trolleys. The adverts described to role as 'corridor care' or said the hospital was looking for a 'corridor registered nurse' for a band five salary of just under 30,000. It comes as reports suggest NHS Trusts are fitting power sockets and oxygen lines in corridor walls to prepare for large influxes of patients waiting for beds. Last month Whittington Hospital saw more than 9,000 patients, with around a third of those waiting longer than four hours to be seen. Around 380 spent at least 12 hours waiting on a trolley after being admitted. More than 54,000 patients waited for more than 12 hours across England in December, the third-highest month ever recorded. Meanwhile ambulance delays outside of hospitals were at record highs as around 20,000 waited over an hour to hand over patients to hospital staff. Around 380 patients at Whittington Hospital spent at least 12 hours waiting on a trolley after being admitted last month. Stock image Some medics have praised the decision to bring in the so-called 'corridor nurses'. However the Royal College of Nursing, with support from the British Medical Association, the Patients Association, Age UK and the Royal College of Physicians, has written to Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and called on him to act now. The letter said the practice was 'a year-round scourge in our hospitals', The Telegraph reported. 'We are clear that treating patients in corridors, on chairs and other inappropriate spaces is in no way acceptable and must end,' it read. They called on Mr Streeting and the NHS to publish data on the number of people receiving corridor care. NHS England has said it will begin to do this in its weekly situation reports starting at the end of this month. Professor Nicola Ranger, head of the Royal College of Nursing, told The Sunday Times: 'Recruiting tired nurses to do extra shifts solely in corridors is desperate. It shows just how normalised this practice has become. 'What was once an extraordinary escalation measure is now commonplace across our NHS. There is no scenario in which it constitutes good or safe care. It is an affront to patient safety and dignity and we should not be standing for it.' The hospital said corridor care was an 'absolute last resort' and apologised to patients who had faced long waiting times A spokesperson for Whittington Health NHS Trust said it had been experiencing very significant pressure and corridor care was an 'absolute last resort'. They said they were grateful to their staff for their commitment during a period of 'extraordinary pressure' and apologised for those whose care did not meet their 'usual high standard'. An NHS England spokesman said: 'The NHS is facing unprecedented demand for services, but we remain clear that caring for patients in temporary spaces is not acceptable and should never be considered as standard. 'All NHS trusts will begin to report a count of the number of patients who receive care within temporary escalation spaces via a new metric in NHS England's situation reports from Jan 25.' The Hague, Jan 12 (UNI) Over 700 climate activists were arrested on Saturday during a demonstration on a motorway near The Hague as they blocked the road and refused to leave, Dutch police reported. Among those detained, 12 individuals faced charges for criminal offenses such as sedition and assault and were taken to police stations. The remaining protesters were transported out of the city by bus and released later in the day. The demonstrators were campaigning for an end to fossil fuel subsidies for oil, natural gas, and coal companies, according to Dutch media reports. Despite a municipal ban on the blockade and measures such as screens and fences, hundreds of activists managed to access the highway. Some chained themselves to the road, resulting in hours of traffic disruption. Police ultimately used water cannons to disperse the crowd and clear the road. UNI XINHUA ARN An Iranian citizen wanted by America over a drone attack in Jordan which killed three soldiers has returned home after being detained in Italy for the last month. Mohammad Abedini, 38, was arrested on a US warrant on December 16 over allegations he had supplied the sophisticated drone navigation technology used in the lethal attack in January 2024. He was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday after he asked to be granted a house arrest pending an extradition hearing. But according to local state TV, the Swiss-Iranian has already returned to his home country after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest. Mr Abedini's arrest had come three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran. Ms Sala, who was believed to have been held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned to Italy last week. An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-US extradition treaties 'only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, can't be considered as existing.' The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini - criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a US federal law - 'did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime'. Mohammad Abedini (pictured) was arrested on an US warrant on December 16 over allegations he had supplied the sophisticated drone navigation technology used in the legal attack in January 2024 Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was believed to have been held as a bargaining chip for Abedini's release, returned home last week 'The decision taken by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio happily surprised us,' Mr Abedini's lawyer told Italian news agency Ansa. 'My client is now a free person and he will be able to smile and hope once again. He always repeated to me that he believed and had confidence in justice.' Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Iran's foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as 'talks' between Iran's intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a 'diplomatic triangulation' with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Sala's release, confirming for the first time that Washington's interests entered into the negotiations. Sala's release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The 29-year-old returned home and embraced her boyfriend Daniele Raineri after landing at Rome's Ciampino airport, before greeting Ms Meloni. In announcing that the journalist was flying home, Ms Meloni's office said the premier had personally informed Sala's parents and credited the release to the government's 'intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels'. Ms Sala is embraced by her parents after landing, having spent three weeks in a prison in Iran Ms Sala, 29, greeted Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni as she landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Wednesday Iran's foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday that an Iranian national who was held in Italy had returned home, after Rome said it was seeking to revoke his arrest and extradition warrant. 'Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the release of Mr. Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian citizen detained in Italy, and his return to his homeland,' the ministry said in a statement. The bathroom sink in my parents house is clogged again. Ive tried plungers. Ive tried chemicals. Ive tried industrial language while limply brandishing a drain auger. Nothing will shift it. Every other time this has happened, Dad would toddle into the bathroom, work some unseen magic, and the basin would promptly clear. Dads have special powers when it comes to practical matters. When the maternity doctor hands Mum the baby, a nurse must slip Dad the secret manual revealing the location of stopcocks, instructions on rewiring light switches, and weekly bin collection times. It has occurred to me more than once in the past month to seek Dads advice on the sink, only for my brain to deliver in an instant the cruellest fact-check. We lost Dad just before Christmas and buried him in the New Year, just after my birthday. Jim was 79, and although he had sundry health problems his decline was sudden. The night he was admitted to A&E, he was told he could die, then he was moved to a ward and Mum and I spent a week watching his vitals improve. So much so that a doctor told him he might even get home for Christmas. Jim Daisley was the kind of father every child should have, writes his son Stephen Then, everything changed, and Mum and I spent another week watching him slowly fade away. He faced death with tremendous bravery. When the doctor told him he was dying, he asked Dad how he felt about the news. Terrific, he responded. These things happen. This is life. Like the roguish hero of Tam oShanter, Dads favourite poem and one he could recite from memory, Kings may be blest, but [Jim] was glorious/ Oer a the ills o life victorious! The doctors and nurses on Ward 17 at University Hospital Monklands took good care of him, and he enjoyed a great rapport with all of them. When one nurse asked if he wanted any more fluids, Dad piped up: Some Chivas Regal, if youve got it. Jim Daisley died as he lived: with courage, dignity, and good humour. Reflecting on her own fathers death, Julia Gillard offered a rebuttal to Dylan Thomas: In the life of a man there is a moment to go gentle into that good night. Dad went gentle. At the end, there was no raging, raging against the dying of the light. He loved life cherished it but he had lived a full one, without regrets or recriminations. After the doctors told him there was nothing more that could be done, Mum asked him if there were any final wishes he wanted to fulfil. None, he said. If, after almost eight decades, you arrive at your final days in such perfect contentment, you have not only lived a life, you have lived it well. Dad lived life well and for 40 years he lived it with Mum by his side. Known as Maureen to everyone else, to Dad she was always his lassie. In the early days of their marriage, they climbed Munros together and visited every nook and cranny of Scotland in a succession of used cars that were reliable only in the frequency with which they broke down. If nothing else, it gave them more time to take in the awe-inspiring scenery. When youre a child, you dont think much about the love Mum and Dad share. At that age, it seems natural and inevitable. Only with age do you come to understand your parents bond and the work that goes into it. The poets would have you believe love is about mountains kissing high heaven and beauty like the nights cloudless climes and starry skies. But love, the kind that endures, is decidedly unpoetic. Love is tough, demanding, and often painful. It is common struggles and shared suffering, nerves frayed and patience tested, vigils over hospital beds and eulogies over coffins. The hurting is how you know its real love; the other person is so much a part of you, and you of them, that every blow that lands on them lands on you tenfold. And yet you love. Till his dying day, Dad loved his lassie fondly and fiercely, and she loved him with the same ardour. Passion can temper with age but for Mum and Dad their commitment to one another remained as intense at the end as it was in the beginning. When Dad broke his back, he spent three months in the spinal injuries unit at the old Southern General in Glasgow. Every day he was there every single one Mum was there at his bedside. It meant a succession of buses and lonely walks, morning and night, but there is nowhere else she would have been. So severe was the break that the doctors told him he might never walk again, but with Mums encouragement Dad pushed himself, hour by hour, day by day, to lift his head, move his legs, sit up and eventually walk. And when we got him home, it was Mum who saw to it that he was cared for in every possible way. Dad lived for another decade after that fall and Mum is the reason why. If she was his lassie, I was always his buddy boy. When I was born, he held me in his arms and sang Wild Mountain Thyme. When he was dying, I held him in mine and sang it back to him. He was a kind, gentle, loving father, a wonderful husband, and the finest man Ive ever known. If I had one wish, it would be that every child could have a father like Jim Daisley. Politically, we couldnt have been more different. Although never a member of a political party, he was a man of the Bennite Left, a believer in Scottish independence, and he reckoned Nicola Sturgeon was the best thing to come out of Ayrshire since Arran Blonde ale. Yet he cut out every one of my articles from the Mail and stored them in a folder. I was touched by this display of paternal pride, but he was quick to set me straight. Im just keeping records for The Party, he said with a wry smile, so they can deal with the quislings after freedom comes. He was an uncommonly kind person and although modest in means he was endlessly generous. This was a man who, when friends or neighbours needed a car, would hand over the keys to his and walk ten miles to and from work every day. Who drove elderly neighbours to shops and hospital appointments and people he had just met anywhere they needed to go. To Dad, no man was a stranger and no possession so precious that he wouldnt readily give it to someone in need. Mum and I are reminded daily of the character who has gone missing from our lives. Taxi drivers and hairdressers and supermarket checkout ladies have broken down as they tried to tell us how fond they were of this lovely gentleman who, despite his own troubles, was always so friendly and upbeat. Grief is a numb fog with occasional moments of dreadful clarity, a flurry of arrangements and appointments, cold bureaucracy and well-meaning cliches, interrupted now and then by pain and memory. The only way through it is through it: by mourning Dad, cherishing Mum, and unblocking the bathroom sink. Energy company Edison International is being investigated over a possible link to one of the wildfires currently tearing through Los Angeles. The $25 billion firm said it discovered a downed conductor at a tower close to where the Hurst Fire broke out on Tuesday evening following an intense Santa Ana windstorm. However, Edison said it doesn't know whether the damage happened before or after the fire, which has so far burned through almost 800 acres of land. The conductor was found at the Eagle Rock Sylmar 220 kV circuit, the company said in a press release on Sunday, adding that the findings were preliminary. Edison International's market cap has already tumbled by $5.73 billion over the last week - from $30.89 billion on January 3 to $25.16 billion today. The wildfires have put pressure on energy, utility and insurance firm shares more broadly, sending the stock market haywire. Edison shares plummeted 10 percent on Wednesday and 6.5 percent on Friday. It comes as speculation swirls about what could have caused the worst cluster of wildfires ever seen in the United States - and Los Angelinos, who have lost everything, are demanding answers. Energy company Edison International is being investigated over a possible link to one of the wildfires currently tearing through Los Angeles It comes as speculation swirls about what could have caused the worst cluster of wildfires ever seen in the United States and Los Angelinos who have lost everything are demanding answers The $25 billion firm said it discovered a downed conductor at a tower. (Pictured: Edison International CEO Pedro J. Pizarro taking a tour of a fuel storage installation in California with the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin in 2022) Faults along the LA power grid soared earlier this week. Bob Marshall, the chief executive of Whisker Labs, a company that monitors electrical activity, told Fox News that the firm saw spikes in the hours before each of the fires. Marshall said data shows the power was not immediately shut off after the faults surged, and may have been caused by 'tree limbs touching wires or wires blowing in the wind and touching.' 'That creates a spark in a fault, and we detect all of those things,' Marshall said. Faulty electrical equipment, a sudden surge in electrical demand or earthquake tremors are also possible causes of the surges. In the worst-hit Pacific Palisades area, there were 63 faults in the two-to-three hours before it ignited, with 18 coming in the hour before it started Tuesday. The Eaton Fire, near Altadena, saw 317 grid faults in the hours before ignition, Marshall said, and the Hurst Fire saw around 230 faults. On a typical day, he said the company registers very few. Although investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fires, the grid faults raise the possibility that sparks from the faults ignited dried-out vegetation, with high winds then carrying embers across the region. Edison, which is potentially linked to the Hurst Fire, is owned by a mix of individual investors and public companies. The Hurst Fire has been burning through San Fernando in Los Angeles County. The blaze was 89 percent contained as of 2pm on Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's one of the three main active fires, though the other two are even larger. The Eaton Fire had torn through more than 14,000 acres north of Pasadena by 2pm on Sunday and was only 27 percent contained. Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire had razed almost 24,000 acres by the same time and was only 11 percent contained. So far, the California fires have killed at least 16 people, while wiping out an estimated 29,000 acres of land and 12,300 structures. They have also caused around $57 billion in economic damage and forced 180,000 people to evacuate. Fierce Santa Anas have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires sparked last week into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions continuing from Sunday through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50mph and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph. Your browser does not support iframes. Pictured: Pedro J. Pizarro, President and C.E.O. of Edison International, speaks onstage at The New York Times Climate Forward Summit 2023 at The Times Center in NYC in September 2023 Pictured: A firefighter keeps watch for structure defense against the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California, USA, 11 January 2025 The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, according to weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson. 'You're going to have really strong gusty Santa Ana winds, a very dry atmosphere and still very dry brush, so we still have some very critical fire weather conditions out there,' Thompson said at a community meeting Saturday night. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help crews fend off flames spread by renewed gusts. 'We are prepared for the upcoming wind event,' he said. Officials were building an online database to allow evacuated residents to see if their homes were damaged or destroyed. In the meantime, LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from scorched neighborhoods. 'There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,' Crowley said at a Sunday briefing. 'There's no power, there's no water, there's broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures. The first responders are working as quickly as possible to ensure that it is safe for you to return into your communities.' Officials warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. About 150,000 people in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, with more than 700 residents taking refuge in nine shelters, Luna said. By Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed more than 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. Alex Salmonds widow has launched a thinly veiled attack on Nicola Sturgeon and described comments made by those determined to damage her husbands reputation as unfair. Breaking her silence after decades avoiding the public eye, Moira Salmond said the attacks on the late politicians character were causing hurt and pain. In an emotionally charged statement, she said those who seemed determined to damage his reputation even in death were inflicting great distress. The condemnation, which is likely to fuel yet more Nationalist infighting, came just two days after Ms Sturgeon criticised Mr Salmond in an interview with the Financial Times. She said her predecessor as First Minister was really rough on people, adding: Many times I intervened to stop him. Asked on BBC Scotlands Sunday Show yesterday if he was aware of the same behaviour, John Swinney added: Its pretty well documented that Alex could be quite brisk with people. Sometimes we all witnessed that, and sometimes we all had to say, Look, thats not on. Mr Salmond died of a heart attack in October in North Macedonia aged 69. Mrs Salmond, 87, was famously tight-lipped throughout their 43-year marriage, giving a single interview. Mrs Salmond, pictured with her late husband at Wimbledon in 2012, said comments in recents days about Mr Salmond had caused her and the family 'great distress' I married Alex, not politics, she said in 1990. But in a statement issued by her lawyers, she appealed directly to her late husbands critics. Noting Mr Salmonds memorial service was only six weeks ago, she said: I, and the rest of the family, continue to grieve. Life will never be the same for any of us. In recent days, it has therefore caused me and the wider family great distress to read the comments of those who seem determined to damage his reputation even in death. It is difficult for us to understand what motivates those interventions, especially when such comments are made in the knowledge that Alex cannot defend himself as he would certainly have done. Those attacking him must know that the law does not allow us, his family, to protect his reputation from being defamed now that he is gone. Attacks by the living on the dead will seem to many as deeply unfair. My wish, and sincere hope, is that these attacks will now stop. I am therefore asking those involved to recognise that all they are doing is causing hurt and pain to his family. From this point on, please let Alex rest in peace. Ms Sturgeon, who was Mr Salmonds deputy for 10 years until he quit as FM after the independence referendum, was once inseparable from her mentor. But they had a bitter falling out after Mr Salmond was accused of sexual misconduct and went on trial accused of sexual assault and attempted rape. During the 2020 trial, his lawyer was recorded on a train calling his client an objectionable bully and a nasty person to work for... a nightmare to work for. Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond were colleagues for decades but their relationship soured Mr Salmond was acquitted on all counts, but the rift with Ms Sturgeon never healed. An SNP leader for two decades, Mr Salmond launched his rival Alba party in 2021. Addressing Holyrood after his sudden death, Ms Swinney admitted their relationship had changed after 2018, when the misconduct claims first surfaced. We all know that, in life, human relationships can change, he told MSPs. One moment, they are strong; the next, they are not. The SNP declined to comment on Mrs Salmonds statement. Mr Swinney yesterday said he wanted to remain FM until 2031 if the SNP stayed in power after the 2026 Holyrood election. Despite the party losing 39 of its 48 MPs last year, he disagreed with Ms Sturgeons view that independence was off the radar, saying he intended to build public support for it. Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: Scots will respond to John Swinneys bid to cling on to office with anger and dismay. The First Minister is peddling the same failed policies and continuing to push the SNPs divisive independence agenda. To be or not to be on schools teaching syllabus that is the question. Despite being widely seen as the greatest writer in the history of the English language, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has decided William Shakespeare may no longer have a part to play in the Scottish curriculum. In a bid to shake up the study texts for English courses, the SQA has told teachers they can drop Shakespeare in favour of Scottish poets and writers, even though the Bard of Avon is credited with enriching the language with more than 1,700 words and phrases still in use today. His canon remains mandatory in schools south of the Border, but there is no requirement for those sitting English exams at the age of 15 upwards in Scotland to study his texts, with the SQA only specifying works by Scottish poets and writers. It is now at the discretion of teachers and secondary schools whether they want to introduce pupils to plays such as Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. The decision to mandate Scottish writers was introduced a decade ago by the SNP government along with its controversial Curriculum for Excellence. The list of set Scottish texts, from which teachers must choose, has been updated twice. The latest consultation added Duck Feet, written by Ely Percy in working-class Scottish vernacular and the Gaelic language play Sequamur, about schoolboys encouraged to fight in the First World War. Some Robert Burns poetry is also included in the selection. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has decided William Shakespeare may no longer have a part to play in the Scottish curriculum (file image) It is now at the discretion of teachers and secondary schools whether they want to introduce pupils to plays such as Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamle (file image) William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet may no longer be on the curriculum for Scottish children Emma Bratchell of the SQA denied there was a deliberate move away from Shakespeare but told the Sunday Times it was common across the world for students to be exposed to the literature of their country. She said: There was a desire to shine a light on Scottish writing and writing that had not been focused on so much. But Dr Jose Perez Diez of the British Shakespeare Society said: We believe Shakespeares international cultural impact transcends parochial insularities and is one of the strongest cultural assets of the English language and its heritage. We are therefore saddened and concerned that the SQA has decided to make the study of his work optional. Mike Corbett of teachers union NASUWT said many if not most teachers will use Shakespeare, particularly Macbeth, which is loosely based on the story of the 11th century Scottish king. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been slammed for directing well-wishers to make wildfire donations through a Democratic fundraising site. Newsom, 57, shared a link to californiafirefacts.com - a website created by his campaign committee - claiming it would combat misinformation about the devastating Los Angeles fires. He has been steering donations meant for California wildfire victims through his super PAC's fundraising page, which collects donors' personal information for Democratic databases. But critics quickly noticed that while the site encourages donations to the California Fire Foundation, it funnels all contributions through ActBlue, the Democratic Party's fundraising platform, via Newsom's Campaign for Democracy super PAC. Donors who provide phone numbers are also automatically enrolled to receive text messages from Newsom's political organization. Three fires are still burning Los Angeles to the ground - Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst. At least 16 people have died, tens of thousands of people are displaced, and 12,300 structures have been burned to the ground. 'A lot of misinformation out there. Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires,' Newsom posted to X on Saturday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been slammed for directing wildfire donations through a Democratic fundraising site Newsom, 57, shared a link to californiafirefacts.com - a website created by his campaign committee - claiming it would combat misinformation about the devastating Los Angeles fires 'The TRUTH:- CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the world's largest aerial firefighting fleet. 'CA has INCREASED forest management ten-fold since we took office. 'California will NOT allow for looting. Get the facts: http://californiafirefacts.com,' the post continued. Newsom has been blasted for his attempt to harvest donor data while victims lose homes. It sparked immediate backlash with critics pointing out that the California Fire Foundation already accepts direct donations without requiring Democratic Party middlemen. ActBlue, which processes the donations, takes a 3.95 percent cut of every contribution, the New York Post reported. This means thousands of dollars meant for fire victims could instead go to payment processing. 'So at the bottom of your fact site you want ppl to donate to a fund that is run by ACTBLUE!' one critic pointed out. 'So not only have you been completely incompetent and a failure you have lied continuously and now you want ppl to donate to a site that a portion goes to DEMOCRAT FUNDRAISING!' 'Democratic policies is why SoCal is literally burning to the ground with no end in sight! What a piece of work you are! You need to RESIGN and own your FAILURE! The fact that you are consistently LYING over and over is astounding! What a disgusting human being you are!' Another user chimed in, commented: 'Why is this a priority right now? After the current crisis is over, there will be plenty of time for you to try and respond to and deflect criticism. Launching this PR website reveals that your focus is too much on your political future and not the problems in front of you.' The controversy comes as Los Angeles residents continue to grapple with devastating wildfires that have destroyed homes and forced widespread evacuations across the region. He has been steering donations meant for California wildfire victims through his super PAC's fundraising page, which collects donors' personal information for Democratic databases It sparked immediate backlash with critics pointing out that the California Fire Foundation already accepts direct donations without requiring Democratic Party middlemen Donors who provide phone numbers are also automatically enrolled to receive text messages from Newsom's political organization ActBlue, which processes the donations, takes a 3.95 percent cut of every contribution This comes as Newsom faces fury after claiming he does not know how the Los Angeles wildfires happened - while appearing to cast blame on other officials, including LA mayor Karen Bass This comes as Newsom faces fury after claiming he does not know how the Los Angeles wildfires happened - while appearing to cast blame on other officials, including LA mayor Karen Bass. Newsom has been accused of 'passing the buck' in his latest attempts to defend his response to the devastating 'Palisade Fire' inferno across the state, as the official death toll today rose to 16. The man previously touted as a potential Democrat presidential candidate has also been criticized over $100million cuts to funding earmarked for tackling wildfires. Three skiers died after their group was hit by an avalanche in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Local media named the three deceased as driving school instructor Gaudenzio Bonini, 65, Matteo Auguadro, 48, and Matteo Lomazzi, 34. An additional two skiers survived and were airlifted to hospital by helicopter after a difficult rescue operation. The avalanche hit at about midday on the eastern face of Punta Valgrande, a summit on the border between Italy and Switzerland. The skiers who died were dragged downhill for several hundred metres, suffering fatal injuries, rescuers said. An alert had been issued in the area above 6,900ft (2,100 metres), warning of 'considerable danger of avalanches'. According to Italian news site Attualita, the avalanche happened on the eastern ridge of Punta Valgrande - close to 3,000 metres above sea level. Witnesses alerted the rescue team after watching the avalanche that engulfed the group of five. Punta Valgrande, a summit on the border between Italy and Switzerland, that rises to almost 3,000 metres above sea level The avalanche hit at about midday on the eastern face of Punta Valgrande, leaving the men trapped under the snow The additional two skiers who survived were airlifted to hospital by helicopter - although the individuals have not yet been identified The rescue team embarked on a lengthy operation to find the skiers hit by the avalanche The area was scanned with state-of-the-art avalanche scanning devices that reveal the location of people trapped under the snow The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue and the Alpine Rescue of the Guardia di Finanza raced to the scene. The area was scanned with state-of-the-art avalanche scanning devices that reveal the location of people trapped under the snow, assisted by dog teams - but nothing could be done to save the three men. Matteo Gasparini, head of the Alpine Rescue of the Valdossola Delegation, said: 'They were all experienced guys. They were climbing the canal where there was already a track of someone who had passed previously, but they were swept away by the avalanche.' Avalanches are a perennial risk for skiers who like to follow their pursuit in the backcountry. Earlier this month a skier died and another was left injured after triggering a large avalanche while ascending a mountain in western Wyoming. Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, Wyoming, was killed Saturday afternoon after being completely buried in the snow on the Togwotee Pass. A second victim, who was partially buried during the snowslide, suffered leg injuries. Private school teachers are being sacked and having their pay cut because of Labour's VAT raid on fees. The policy is hitting some of the country's most prestigious private schools hard with cost cutting measures seeing pay, pensions and jobs being axed. The policy means private schools must pay a 20 per cent VAT tax on their fees with the knock-on consequence that less popular subjects such as Latin are being removed from the curriculum to save money. Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Budget speech in October that the policy would be introduced this year despite bitter opposition branding it a 'tax on education'. The row between the government and union representatives for teachers is at a nadir with Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of National Education Union vowing to 'robustly defend' his members against the Labour Party. Mr Kebede told The Telegraph: 'We have had some reports from members that the VAT increase is impacting upon jobs, pensions and pay increases. 'The NEU continues to talk to the government about mitigating the unintended consequences on staff. 'Where terms and conditions are threatened by an employer, NEU will robustly defend our members.' Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Budget speech in October that the policy would be introduced this year despite bitter opposition branding it a 'tax on education' Teachers at some private schools are being sacked and having their pay cut because of Labour's VAT raid on fees (stock image) Private schools increased their fees earlier this month in an effort to stabilising their income revenue following the tax move (stock image) In response to the unprecedented tax private schools increased their fees earlier this month in an effort to stabilising their income revenue. This includes Prince William's old school Eton which is putting fees up by 20 per cent while others are opting for an increase of 15 per cent. At Eton boarding fees have increased from 17,583 to 21,100 per term while at Harrow and Marlborough fees are roughly 60,000. Sir Keir Starmer's government justifies the VAT tax by arguing the money raised from it can be reinvested in the state school system. However, if parents with pupils at private schools decide they cannot afford the fees, they are likely to move their children into state schools which will increase already overly large class sizes. The Prime Minister attended Reigate Grammar School when it transitioned into a private school from 1974 and 1981. Hs last five years there it was a fee-paying school. His fees were paid by Surrey County Council. His wife, Victoria, was educated at a private school. In January 2017, he spoke at an event for the Henry Smith Club at the private members' East India Club in London, telling guests that the private school paved the way for his successful career. A government spokesman said: 'Through our Plan for Change we are determined to break down the barriers to opportunity children face, driving high and rising standards across education. Our teachers are integral to that mission. 'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8bn a year by 2029-30 to help deliver 6,500 new teachers and raise school standards, supporting the 94pc of children in state schools to achieve and thrive.' Civil servants will no longer be labelled transphobic for expressing gender-critical views under new Whitehall guidelines, it has emerged. Two government departments have promised to amend their policies on gender following an employment tribunal brought by a former civil servant. It comes after Eleanor Frances brought a case claiming she had no choice but to resign after she faced a backlash over her gender-critical beliefs. Ms Frances said on Saturday that she had reached a 116,000 settlement with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The former civil servant said she had raised concerns about Whitehall departments embracing politicised concepts and language and introducing self-identification in government buildings - with people afraid to speak out against the policies due to what she described as a climate of fear. Ms Frances reportedly claimed that gender policies were adopted without proper consultation following a workplace assessment by trans rights lobbying group Stonewall. She took DCMS and DSIT to an employment tribunal last year for victimisation, protected disclosure detriment, unfair constructive dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of philosophical belief. The case has now been settled without liability, with the departments agreeing to pay Ms Frances 116,749 plus tax, she said. Eleanor Frances brought a case claiming she had no choice but to resign after she faced a backlash over her gender-critical beliefs Thousands of people take to the streets for a London Trans+ Pride March in 2022 (file image) In a joint statement, the permanent secretaries of both departments said that they would review gender assignment policies following the settlement. The results of this review will be circulated to all other government departments which will decide whether to implement them, according to the Telegraph. In the statement, Susannah Storey and Sarah Munby, the permanent secretaries of DCMS and DSIT, said: We are committed to fostering a tolerant and respectful working culture. As such, our departments are working together to introduce a revised gender reassignment policy, informed by a new central model policy which we anticipate will be available by the end of the year. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the revised policy will balance the rights of staff with different protected characteristics, including but not limited to gender reassignment, religion and belief, and sex. The statement added: A well-functioning civil service is one that allows its civil servants to safely hold, voice, discuss or challenge any lawful perspective, without fear or favour. Posting on X, Ms Frances said: While I am disappointed that it took legal action to achieve this result, I am extremely happy with the outcome. She added that, whilst investigations into her concerns were ongoing, she was removed from her team and stripped of her responsibilities and was given unsubstantiated and derogatory feedback by bosses over her views on the gender policies. Two government departments will amend guidelines which will now not label civil servants as transphobic Peter Daly, from Doyle Clayton lawyers which acted for Ms Frances, said: This has been a long-running case, but could have been resolved quickly and simply several years ago. None of Eleanors concerns were complex or controversial. She only ever sought the application of existing law and policy in order to protect the civil service and her fellow civil servants. She offered to settle her claim for 1 at the start of litigation if that could be agreed. But rather than treat Eleanor equitably, the civil service forced her out of her career and spent a six-figure sum of taxpayers money in forcing the litigation to go away. It is to be hoped that this experience will lead the civil service into a radical rethink of how it approaches disputes of this nature. Toby Young of the Free Speech Union, who supported Ms Frances case, told the Telegraph: The fact that the Civil Service has agreed to rip up its trans policy and start again shows just how poorly written it was in the first place. Its another example of equality law being interpreted as woke activists would like it to be rather than as it is. Looking glamorous enough to front the countrys top TV news bulletins does not come cheap. It has emerged that the BBC is looking to spend about 1 million a year in licence fee cash on the provision of make-up services for its news shows that are based in London. As well as helping newsreaders like Fiona Bruce and Sophie Raworth appear at their photogenic best, the huge cost of the expenditure also covers the use of cosmetics on other on-air journalists, as well as guests on its shows. The BBC has just put a tender document out for a single supplier to provide a managed service for the provision of make-up services for BBC News based in London. Potential applicants to win the contract are being offered an up to 3 million deal, for an initial three-year period, which is understood to include providing hairstyling as well as make-up. There will also be an option to extend the deal by a further two years, which would make it 5 million across five years. The contract includes the cost of the make-up experts as well as the products they are using. A previously published report about the BBCs make-up services, suggested presenters are given products such as anti-shine creams, foundation and bespoke powder. A 1 million-a-year deal is being lined up for make-up services for BBC journalists like Fiona Bruce Newsreaders such as Sophie Raworth are part of a long list of presenters who benefit from the makeup services Female presenters would also have items such as blusher, eye shadow, lipstick, eyeliner and lip-gloss. The report said presenters, including men, had their own designated make-up bags, including sponges and brushes. It understood the lucrative contract covers all the news programmes done from Broadcasting House, its London base, including the 6pm and 10pm bulletins and Newsnight, as well as the news channel. Make-up services for these news shows would handle dozens of staff and guests before they go on air each day, say insiders. In 2011, it was reported by the Daily Telegraph the BBC used top make-up brands such as Chanel, Dior and Laura Mercier. It is unclear if the corporation still uses these brands of products, amid its continual attempts to save money. It had also said that make-up artists would have a record card for individual presenters including information like the colours and brands that suited them, as well as any allergy issues they have. It was also said to include the price of each product. The tender document says: The BBC is looking for a single supplier to provide a managed service for the provision of make-up services to BBC News based in London. The contract term will be an initial 3 year term with an option to extend by 2 further years. The Contract value range is between 3M and 5M. The BBC is looking to spend about 1 million a year in licence fee cash on the provision of make-up services for its news shows A BBC source quipped: We cant say this story is without foundation, but while we are trusted to not make-up the news we do make up our newsreaders. It is understood the newly advertised contract is not a new requirement or approach by the corporation, but simply a re-tender. Such contracts are understood to have been in place since the early 2000s. A BBC spokesman said: Like most major broadcasters, the BBC offers make-up artists and hair styling for on-air staff and contributors. This is a long-standing arrangement and we always seek to keep costs as low as possible. Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard is Miss America 2025 "To God be the Glory". A former Tory cabinet minister last night dismissed claims Dominic Cummings and Elon Musk could upend the traditional political party system after it emerged the pair were in cahoots. Nadine Dorries intervened after The Mail on Sunday revealed Boris Johnsons former No 10 adviser is reportedly helping to orchestrate Mr Musks attacks on British politicians in messages over WhatsApp. An ally of the tech billionaire told the Mail that he and Mr Cummings, who is planning a new StartUp Party, were talking about smaller government and the end of the traditional party system. But Ms Dorries said the suggestion Mr Cummings could start a new political party that would take off is for the birds. Ms Dorries told the Mail last night: If Musk thinks that Cummings is going to start a new political party in the UK and its going to take off, thats for the birds. Of course its going to end in tears. She added: I think what you will see is Musk will come out for Kemi Badenoch. Labours suspicions Mr Musk and Mr Cummings were in talks were aroused by the tech tycoons use of British terminology such as two-tier Keir and the timings of his posts, The Mail on Sunday reported. Several of his posts were sent in the middle of the night in America, leading sources to conclude that Mr Musk, who owns social media site X, must have a UK-based co-conspirator writing the posts for him. However, tweets can be scheduled to go out at any time. Dominic Cummings is planning a new StartUp Party which he hopes will smash the traditional Westminster system Elon Musk, who has posted a slew of attacks on Keir Starmer over the grooming gangs issue, has privately discussed with allies how to remove the Prime Minister from office Nadine Dorries said the suggestion Dominic Cummings would start a new political party that would take off is for the birds. Musk is yet to show support for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, but Dorries believes that could be on the cards An ally of Mr Musk told the Mail: It is 100 per cent true that they [Musk and Cummings] are talking about smaller government and the end of the traditional party system. 'It is not just Elon Dom is in constant contact with major Silicon Valley figures, who are becoming increasingly anti-woke. Neither Mr Cummings nor Mr Musk responded to the Mails request for comment. It was reported last week Mr Musk, who has posted a slew of attacks on Keir Starmer over the grooming gangs issue, had privately discussed with allies how to remove the Prime Minister from office. The Financial Times said he was probing how he and allies could destabilise the Labour Government. One person briefed on the matter said: His view is that Western civilisation itself is threatened. He was reported to have sought information about whether it might be possible to build support for alternative British political movements. On X, Mr Musk has described the Prime Minister as evil, and said he should be in prison as he was complicit in the rape of Britain during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, when police were investigating grooming gangs. A domestic cat caused a stir at a popular Sydney beach on Sunday after it was spotted lounging on the sand, surrounded by beachgoers. The feline, seemingly on a leash, was enjoying the afternoon sun at Maroubra Beach, in the city's southeast. However, its presence triggered mixed reactions from locals, as cats, like dogs, are prohibited from the beach. One labelled the the owners as fools. 'Some people should not own pets,' one woman said. 'Cat's not happy, hope it doesn't pee or poo,' another said. A picture from Maroubra beach shows a cat on the sand 'That's a fine waiting to happen,' a third added. Many leapt to the defence of the adventurous puss. 'My cat loves the beach,' one woman said. 'Just remember - the dogs and the cat never leave as much rubbish, litter, or crap as humans do,' another agreed. 'People can have dogs on the beaches even when they ignored the rules; it's still okay because dogs are so cute and they're humans' best friends,' a third argued. 'But giving people such a hard time when they bring their cat, why? I didn't see anything wrong in the photo,' a fourth said. 'To be honest, this cat was very comfortable exploring the area, greeting people for pats. It was very loved and seemed to be content on its lead,' another added. According to Catster's expert cat journalist Kristian Hitchcock, whether cats enjoy the beach depends on various factors. 'Most importantly, is your cat used to venturing outdoors on a harness and lead with your constant supervision, and are they comfortable with outdoor noise and the unpredictable challenges it may bring? 'If not, your cat is not a good candidate for a beach visit, as it may easily get spooked by other people, animals, traffic, and noise, which may lead to injuries or your cat escaping.' Randwick City Council, which covers the Maroubra Beach area, states that cats are not allowed in the following places: beaches, children's play areas, food preparation zones, community centres, schools, and kindergartens. Labour's anti-corruption minister is under fresh pressure to quit over her links to Bangladeshs ousted regime after the new leader of the country intervened in the controversy for the first time. Muhammad Yunus said that a series of London properties used by Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq and her family should be investigated and returned to Bangladesh if they are found to have involved robbery. Asked if the homes gifted by figures in her aunts Awami League party should be looked at as part of a probe recently launched by his countrys Anti-Corruption Commission, the Nobel peace prize-winning economist said: Absolutely. He cited a recent report that found the autocratic regime led by her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who has been accused of crimes against humanity as well as corruption, had taken billions out pounds out of Bangladesh and used some of the money to buy property. They pointed out how money is stolen, but its not stealing - when you steal, you hide it. Its a robbery, Mr Yunus told the Sunday Times. Asked if that could apply to properties used by members of Hasinas family in London, with Ms Siddiq and her relatives living in five different addresses over the years that were owned or gifted by Awami League figures, he agreed: Absolutely, its about plain robbery. Nothing else. He said it was the intention of the interim government to work out how to bring the properties back. Because its about peoples money. And when I say people its not about the billion-dollar people you talk about, [its] common people. Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq is under fresh pressure to quit over her links to Bangladeshs ousted regime Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and handed back to his government if they were acquired through 'plain robbery' Associated Press footage from 2013 shows Ms Siddiq attending the signing of a deal between her aunt and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Mr Yunus said it was a big issue if a British MP was involved and that he was relieved that youre bringing this to the attention of the world. He said it was an irony that Ms Siddiq, 42, had been accused of corruption given her ministerial role. She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didnt realise it, but now you realise it. You say: Sorry, I didnt know it [at] that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign. Shes not saying that. Shes defending herself. Support for Ms Siddiq within the Cabinet also appears to be ebbing away a week after she was forced to refer herself to the Prime Ministers Independent Adviser on Ministers Interests. Asked by Times Radio yesterday if the Government has full confidence in Ms Siddiq, Science Secretary Peter Kyle would only say: We need to wait for the outcome of that inquiry. And so I have full confidence in the process and the country needs to rest assured that weve given that commissioner more powers and more independence. So that process must now carry on. In a separate interview with Sky News, he insisted that Sir Keir Starmer - a close friend as well as a constituency neighbour of Ms Siddiq - would act on the findings of watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus. Mr Kyle said: I think the right way to go through this is to allow the authorities to investigate, we have given more powers to those authorities to do independent investigations, and you know full well when it comes to Keir Starmer he will listen to what the authorities say. However the Tories say that Ms Siddiq should be removed now as she is unable to carry on her role, having been forced to cancel a planned trip to China because of the furore. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: Because she is the anti-corruption minister, she has serious charges laid against her now, or serious accusations around corruption, and its going to be really impossible for her to do that job under current circumstances. So she should step down, and the Prime Minister needs to get a grip of that. Last night it emerged that Labour Party posters and flyers produced by Ms Siddiq have been found in the ruined presidential palace in Bangladeshs capital Dhaka, despite her previous insistence that she never discussed politics with her aunt. Ms Siddiq has insisted: I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. Last night it emerged that Labour Party posters and flyers produced by Ms Siddiq have been found in the ruined presidential palace in Bangladeshs capital Dhaka, despite her previous insistence that she never discussed politics with her aunt. Controversial properties linked to MP 700,000 Kings Cross flat Tulip Siddiq received this two-bedroom apartment as a gift in 2004 from developer Abdul Motalif, who has links to her aunt. The MP still owns the property and rents it out at more than 10,000 per year, parliamentary records show. When The Mail on Sunday confronted Ms Siddiq about the flat two years ago, she said it had not been a gift but was bought by her parents. 1.3 million Golders Green house The Economic Secretary to the Treasurys mother, Sheikh Rehana, lives rent-free in this smart semi-detached home near Hampstead Heath in north London. The property is owned by the family of billionaire Salman F Rahman, a former minister in the government of Sheikh Hasina, Ms Siddiqs aunt, who is now being held in custody in Bangladesh accused of crimes against humanity and corruption. 650,000 flat in Hampstead This three-bedroom flat was home to Ms Siddiq and her husband Christian Percy between 2012 and 2016. It was given to her by her sister Azmina, who received it as a gift in 2009 from Moin Ghani, a Bangladeshi lawyer, who represented their aunt Sheikh Hasinas government. 865,000 flat in Golders Green Ms Siddiq was investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Authority and forced to apologise after failing to declare rental income from this property for 14 months. She and her husband bought it in 2018, paying off the mortgage within five years. They left two years ago. 2.2m East Finchley house This semi-detached property is owned by Abdul Karim, an executive member of the UK wing of Ms Siddiqs aunts Awami League. Ms Siddiq and her family moved into it two years ago. She has refused to say how much rent she is paying to Mr Karim, who was granted special status as a Commercially Important Person in Bangladesh after she moved in. He is vice-chairman of the Shahjalal Islami Bank, with shares worth 1.2million. 350,000 flat in Finchley The apartment in this mansion block was owned by Kazi Zafarullah, a Bangladeshi industrialist who is a member of the Awami Leagues central executive committee. The electoral register shows that Ms Siddiqs mother, Sheikh Rehana, and her sister Azmina lived at the property in north London between 2009 and 2013. A foreign rapist who claimed he was not aware having sex with a sleeping woman is wrong cannot be deported because he is bisexual, a specialist tribunal heard. The man, 41, would be targeted by violent gangs due to his sexuality if he was returned to Jamaica, where he is originally from, the tribunal was told. He was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2018 for the sex attack - which happened at a party - but released in 2021 after serving half of his sentence, before being handed a deportation order. The Home Office called him a 'danger to the community' and said he should be sent back to his native country under the 2002 Asylum Act, The Sun first reported. The decision was challenged by the man, who was granted anonymity for his own protection. He had been brought to the UK in 2001 by a relative after falling victim to several attacks in Jamaica due to being bisexual. During the attacks, he was struck with a 'metal bar, machete and dogs,' he told the tribunal. A foreign rapist who claimed he was not aware having sex with a sleeping woman is wrong cannot be deported because he is bisexual, a specialist tribunal heard (Stock photo) An older man he had been in a relationship with was also killed for being gay, it was claimed. But the Home Office said it could only find evidence of the man being with women since he arrived in the UK aged 18. Former security minister Sir John Hayes said: 'This is an insult to every victim. 'This man should be thrown out of the country.' The Home Office said: 'We made the case to deport this individual and lost in the courts.' Scottish wind farms have been handed an astonishing 380million for not generating electricity as so-called constraint payments reach a historic high. It is the first time the payouts for reducing output or turning off turbines which are passed on to consumers via energy bills have crossed the 300million mark. The situation has been described as a scandal which burdens hard-pressed energy customers. Last years record figures mean wind farm operators in Scotland have now been handed a massive 1.86billion to switch turbines off since the controversial compensation scheme began. Scottish Tory energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said that hard-pressed Scots will rightly be questioning the soaring payments. He added: At a time when pensioners are having their winter fuel payment cut and others are facing rising energy bills, they will wonder why they are footing an ever-increasing bill for turbines to be turned off. Figures compiled by the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) show more than 380,004,000 was paid out to operators for wind farms in Scotland last year compared with 278,525,000 in 2023 an increase of more than a third in 12 months. Payments in Scotland make up the vast majority of those made to operators across Britain. There are more than 4,000 onshore wind turbines across Scotland The scale of the payments comes amid rising fears of blackouts in the rush to net zero and concerns surrounding low levels of gas in reserve as the country shivers in sub-zero conditions. Dr Lee Moroney of the REF said: Neither the government nor Ofgem seem willing to address the scandal of burdening consumers with ever-increasing wind farm constraint payments. They could reduce costs immediately by preventing wind farms from charging more than any foregone subsidy and refusing planning permission for wind farms in areas without suitable network connections to areas of demand. Constraint payments, which were introduced in 2010, are dished out when the amount of wind power generated exceeds local demand but cannot be moved elsewhere in the country because of insufficient grid infrastructure. As the number of wind farms has grown, so too have the constraint payments. In 2010 these totalled just 174,128, and in 2014 the figure was 51,453,462. However, the price charged per megawatt hour to reduce output has fallen from an average of 178 in 2010 to 46 in 2024. According to the REF, a record 8.2 terawatt hours of wind-generated electricity were discarded last year, an increase of more than 100 per cent when compared with 2023 which in itself was a record. The REF statistics show that more than 90 Scottish wind farms were in receipt of the payments. Mr Lumsden added: While the right balance must be struck on our energy needs, delivering value for money for taxpayers must be a top priority at all times. The record constraint payouts came as the energy price cap rose for the second consecutive quarter this month, leaving the typical household with a 1,738 bill. Andrew MacNish Porter, head of economics and markets at industry body Scottish Renewables, said that the majority of constraint payments are paid to expensive gas generators as there is insufficient capacity on the grid to transport affordable green energy to the UKs households and businesses. He added: A modern electricity network capable of delivering renewable energy to consumers, as well as investment in large scale, long duration energy storage solutions, will be the best way to balance supply and demand within the UKs energy system and minimise the cost of constraint payments. The quicker we build more electricity transmission infrastructure the quicker we will reduce constraint payments while connecting more renewable energy to UK consumers, creating jobs and bringing investment to Scotland. Last week the boss of Centrica, the owner of British Gas, revealed that the UKs gas reserves had fallen to concerningly low levels, with less than a week of demand in store. The stark warning came just days after the country came unsettlingly close to rolling power cuts on the tightest day the GB electricity market has seen since 2011. On Wednesday the National Energy System Operator the body responsible for the operation of the electricity system issued an alert urging providers to bolster output. The grid has recently struggled with a lack of wind power, no solar power during the night and interconnector outages. Conservative former energy secretary Claire Coutinho, who now shadows Labours Ed Miliband, warned that the lights could go out. She said: Ed Milibands obsession with wind and solar, far from giving us energy security, will leave us out of pocket, dependent on foreign imports and at risk of blackouts. Sandringham House is famous for being the countryside retreat where the Royal Family has been hosting their annual Christmas family gathering for decades. But five years ago today, on January 13, 2020, it was at the centre of the biggest news story in the country for an entirely different reason. The Firm had once again gathered at the Norfolk estate, but this time there was no jolly festive spirit in the air, only an eerie sense of apprehension. The late Queen had gathered her son and heir Prince Charles, her grandson and second in line to the throne Prince William, and Prince Harry to discuss the looming problem of Megxit. Since Meghan Markle married Harry in May 2018, the couple had been unhappy with their lot and now wanted to carve out a new 'half-in half-out' role for themselves. In response to their public whining, Queen Elizabeth II summoned them to try to heal the family rift that was threatening to break apart the House of Windsor. But at the same time, the private family meeting would decide the future of the monarchy and was, therefore, of great importance to the British public. It was quickly dubbed 'The Sandringham Summit' by the press as media vans with satellite dishes descended on the outskirts of the estate to cover the monumental moment. Prince Harry has made the conspiratorial claim that the Sandringham Summit was 'fixed' by the Queen's advisors Queen Elizabeth II as she leaves church at Sandringham on January 12, 2020, the day before her family gathered for the notorious summit Sandringham, the least stuffy of all the royal homes, was chosen as the location to give the summit a family flavour As it is her private home rather than an official royal residence, the Queen had expressly chosen Sandringham to try to give the summit a family, rather than formal, flavour. It is also the least stuffy of all the royal homes, as it is less formal than Buckingham Palace, less historical than Windsor Castle and less baronial than Balmoral. As the 2pm meeting approached, normal life came to a halt as the maids were ordered to discharge their duties on the other side of the house and the footmen were confined to the pages' vestibule in order to give the royals maximum privacy. The showdown took place in the Long Library, which used to house a bowling alley and where, as children, Princes William and Harry would take tea while staying at the estate. But this time, the room had a long, polished conference table with eight chairs and a royal notepad in front of each one. The Queen was placed at the head of the table. As she sat down with her immediate heirs, she knew she would be trying to resolve one of the deepest crises of her long reign. The Daily Mail's renowned royal expert Richard Kay wrote at the time: 'Not since the dark days over Diana has there been such a sense of dread and unhappiness shrouding the Royal Family.' The meeting lasted around 90 minutes, with the royals, alongside their closest aides, discussing a number of possible futures for Harry and Meghan. The grand Norfolk estate is privately owned by the family and it is where they gather every year for Christmas The summit grabbed headlines from all across the world, with reporters pictured camping outside the estate Harry and William during the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace in July 2021 Prince Charles (pictured with Harry in 2018) reportedly led the discussion at the Sandringham Summit Harry and Meghan visit Canada House in London on January 7, the week before the summit Due to the deep privacy of the occasion, details of the intense family chat initially remained private. For royal watchers, it would have been a fascinating day to be a fly on the wall. According to informed sources at the time, the mood of the meeting was calm and there were no reports of shouting or blistering exchanges. But in the years since, recollections have once again begun to vary as Harry has come forward with more details that seem to contradict those accounts. In his and Meghan's 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry alleged William left him 'terrified' during the summit after he 'screamed and shouted' at him, while also accusing Charles of telling untruths to his face - as the Queen quietly sat there and 'took it all in'. And in his 2023 blockbuster memoir Spare, he claimed the summit was 'just for show' as the outcome had already been 'fixed' by the Queen's aides. He wrote that he arrived at Sandringham with the impression that the summit would consider five options for how the Sussexes would exit royal life ranging from maintaining the status quo (option one), to full departure (option five). The Duke claims the rest of the royals pressed him and his wife to stay, but barring that, the only other solution they would accept was option five, departure. Upon coming to the summit, he and Meghan's preference had been option three - a compromise that was 'somewhere in between'. After an hour, the Queen's private secretary, nicknamed by Harry as 'the Bee', (who has since been identified as Sir Edward Young) distributed drafts of a statement announcing the Sussex's departure through the implementation of option five. Harry made the allegations that the summit was 'fixed' in his 2023 memoir Spare Sir Edward Young, the Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II (pictured in 2021), was called 'the Bee' by Harry in Spare and accused of 'fixing' the summit Harry's conspiratorial claims revolve around his accusation that Sir Young's printer was not broken like he said it was (stock image) The stunned Harry wrote: 'Wait. I'm confused. You've already drafted a statement? Before any discussion? Announcing Option 5? 'In other words, the fix was in, this whole time? This summit was just for show? No answer. 'I asked if there were drafts of other statements. Announcing the other options. Oh yes, of course, the Bee assured me. 'Can I see them? Alas - his printer had gone on the blink, he said. The odds! At the very moment he was about to print out those other drafts! 'I started laughing. Is this some kind of joke? Everyone was staring away or down at their shoes.' Following the meeting Harry then writes he asked the Queen's friendliest page, 'who'd always liked him', for directions to the printer which he found was working fine 'churning out documents'. When he asked an assistant if it was working properly he wrote, he was told it was 'indestructible', and when he asked if the printer in 'the Bee's' office worked too he was told yes. A few moments later 'the Bee' appeared and 'looked extremely sheepish' as he 'knew he was busted' - but brushed off the Prince and told him 'not to worry' about the printer. Other details in Harry's account of the summit include that when he arrived early to chat with the Queen, Charles' private secretary 'reacted with alarm' and went 'buzzing off' to fetch him. Harry claimed in his Netflix show that his father 'said things that just simply weren't true' Meghan and Harry pictured the week before the Sandringham Summit He also claimed his brother William 'looked at me as if he planned to murder me' when he first sat down at the table for the meeting. Meghan also spoke about her outrage that she was not able to attend the summit as she was still in Canada with baby Archie. She said in her and Harry's Netflix show: 'Imagine a conversation, a roundtable discussion about the future of your life. 'When the stakes are this high. And you as the mom and the wife and the target, in many regards, aren't invited to have a seat at the table.' Harry added: 'It was clear to me that they planned out so that you weren't in the room.' None of the other royal spouses, Philip, Camilla, or Kate, attended the meeting either. But despite not being in attendance, royal author Robert Lacey wrote the 'key negotiator and spiritual head of the whole team' who Harry would defer to was Rachel Zane the character played by Meghan in the hit legal show Suits. The author claimed she had not spent seven years playing the role of a hotshot paralegal in a top Manhattan law firm without 'developing the confidence that she could handle the cut and thrust of a high-stakes duel like this'. 'Don't sign anything unless you can get something in return' was one of the key commandments drilled into Rachel in the show - along with 'Stand Your Ground'. Lacey described in his 2020 book Battle Of Brothers: William, Harry And The Inside Story Of A Family In Tumult, that William on the other hand maintained his distance at the summit. Robert Lacey (left) described the Sandringham Summit in his 2020 book Battle Of Brothers: William, Harry And The Inside Story Of A Family In Tumult (right) He claims the Queen had suggested the family should gather for lunch before their big pow-wow in the afternoon, but he refused his grandmother's invitation. William would obviously turn up at 2pm for the meeting, but he only wanted to talk business, wrote Lacey. His friends speculated that he was so furious with his younger brother that he would not be able to endure the hypocrisy of smiling at him over lunch. 'It was like dealing with a hard-nosed Hollywood lawyer,' a senior palace source familiar with the negotiations told Lacey. 'The Sussexes wanted guarantees on every single point as if it were a contractual negotiation.' 'They totally misplayed the negotiations,' said the palace insider, 'but then so did the palace.' The man directing the palace strategy was the Queen's private secretary Sir Edward Young. 'The trouble with Edward,' a source told Lacey, who had worked with Young for many years, 'is that he is not very good at doing humans. 'He is incredibly difficult to read impossible to fathom. He is also deeply cautious. He's a letter-of-the-law kind of man.' Lacey believes the Sandringham Summit was a 'transatlantic cross-cultural conflict that pitted the stereotypical all-American superwoman against a Monty Python parody of a toffee-nosed royal sucker-up'. But unlike the Sussexes, the rest of the Royal Family have remained tight-lipped about what happened at the meeting. And due to their 'never complain, never explain' mantra, we are unlikely to ever hear their side of the story. Lacey claims Meghan channeled the energy of her Suits character Rachel for the negotiations The decision about what to do at the summit came down to Queen Elizabeth II (pictured leaving church the previous day) Harry seems to believe that the Queen was heavily influenced by her advisers, who he has accused on other occasions of blocking his access to her. He said in his Netflix show: 'But you have to understand that, from the family's perspective, especially from hers [Queen Elizabeth], there are ways of doing things and her ultimate sort of mission goal or responsibility is the institution. 'People around her telling her, by the way, that proposal or these two doing "xyz" is going to be seen as an attack on the institution, then she's going to on the advice that she's given,' he continued. 'That was really hard.' The Queen's full statement after the Sandringham Summit 'Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. 'My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. 'Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 'It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the U.K. 'These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.' Advertisement It is thought that Elizabeth II had always had a soft spot for Harry, and she was widely seen to have been delighted by the arrival of Meghan, who she had high hopes for improving relations with her beloved Commonwealth. But despite the kindness in her heart for her grandson, the Queen ultimately had to make the heartbreaking decision about how to conclude the family crisis. And the statement that came in her name after the summit was laced with despair. Her message was clear that she would not stand in the couple's way but it was seen by royal experts that she made the decision with a heavy heart. In this one sentence alone, her sadness about this incendiary situation shone through. 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.' Richard Kay wrote at the time of the announcement: 'Not since 1997 in the aftermath of the death of Diana has the Queen issued such a personal bulletin.' But although the deal was dressed up with talk of it being 'a constructive and supportive way forward', at the end of the day it involved Meghan and Harry being 'required to step back from royal duties'. Harry would also lose his beloved military appointments and his role as Commonwealth youth ambassador. They also volunteered to forgo all access to the Sovereign Grant and public cash, along with paying off the costs of Frogmore Cottage's renovation. After thinking about it for several weeks, the Queen then also ruled that Harry and Meghan could not use Sussex Royal as the brand name to market their merchandise in the US. Prince William and Prince Harry arrive to view the floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 The name of Meghan's upcoming wellness brand has since been revealed as American Riviera Orchard. The summit was where Harry's security, which had been with him for his entire life at that point, began to slip away. He was so angered at the decision that he has since sued the government over the decision. One of the only things the couple managed to keep was their His/Her Royal Highness titles, but they no longer use them. Although logical, the Queen's ruthless decision to strip Princess Diana of her HRH title after her divorce from Charles was deemed as unnecessarily harsh by the public towards the mother of a future king. Richard Kay believes that due to the repercussions of that decision, which linger to this day, it is unlikely that the step will be repeated with the Princess's son and his wife. Nevertheless the shadow of the Sandringham Summit looms large to this day on the Royal Family. Only 18 months earlier they had all welcomed Meghan into the family, along with millions of people around the world, as Harry married her in a lavish ceremony. In Spare, Harry told of his anguish following the summit, writing: 'I love my Mother Country, and I love my family, and I always will. The relationship between the brothers (pictured in 2010) has broken down since the summit Prince Harry laughing as he leaves church at Sandringham in 1997. But now his memories of the estate might not be so happy 'I just wish, at the second-darkest moment of my life, they'd both been there for me. And I believe they'll look back one day and wish they had too.' But it seems the moment of regret that Harry is waiting for has not yet dawned on the Royal Family. Instead they seem to have moved on with their lives and are now facing down challenges of a different sort - mainly cancer battles for Kate and Charles. For his part, Harry seems to be content with his life in his $14million California mansion. But perhaps now, when he looks back on his old life, his everlasting memory of Sandringham has changed. Instead of recalling his annual Christmas pilgrimage there to open presents and eat turkey, he will now remember the fateful January afternoon his family told him his royal life was over. A picturesque East Coast town has been named the safest place to live in America. The quaint community of Ramapo, New York, took the top spot, according to MoneyGeek.com, yet its residents are stuck fighting to keep their neighborhood affordable as rents continue to rise. The town, which has a population of 152,000, earned its mark due to its remarkably low cost of crime, ranking at just $271 per capita. MoneyGeek's analysis calculated the average cost of crimes within cities and towns across the country based on their nature, quantifying how much more violent crimes cost a community than property crimes. On average, those who live in higher crime areas often see depressed home values and are likely to pay higher prices for crucial needs, including home, renters and auto insurances. Despite its top spot, Ramapo - like most cities and towns within the Empire State - is struggling with affordable housing. Fair market rents in Ramapo's Rockland County jumped from $1,831 in 2019 to $2,752 in 2024, an increase of more than 50 percent, according to a recent report. Of the nine counties studied in the report, Rockland County had the highest two-bedroom fair market rent on average. The quaint community of Ramapo, New York, took the top spot, according to MoneyGeek.com , yet its residents are stuck fighting to keep their neighborhood affordable as rents continue to rise The town, which has a population of 152,000, earned its mark due to its remarkably low cost of crime , ranking at just $271 per capita Ramapo, located 40 miles northwest Manhattan, looks to combat the ever-increasing housing costs with its enrollment in state Governor Kathy Hochul 's Certified Pro-Housing Community Program 'The biggest shortage we have is two-bedroom apartments for young families,' Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht told the Rockland County Business Journal. The same is true for those looking to buy as well. The median single-family home price recorded in June 2024 stood at a whopping $720,000 - a 7.9 percent increase from the $667,500 median recorded a year earlier in Rockland County. However, the housing situation is par for the course when it comes to New York state. 'More than half of New York renters are rent-burdened,' Ruthanne Visnauskas, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, told the publication. Visnauskas added that New Yorkers pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent - the second-highest rate in the nation. Rent prices in New York have risen 40 to 60 percent since 2015, the commissioner said, also claiming that average home prices have risen 50 to 80 percent in the same time period. However, the charming town, located 40 miles northwest Manhattan, looks to combat the ever-increasing housing costs with its enrollment in state Governor Kathy Hochul's Certified Pro-Housing Community Program. 'We know theres a tremendous need,' Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht (pictured) said, citing a 20 percent growth in population in his town since 2020 The caveat to the town's receipt of the hefty grants relies on the community as a whole, as the money is awarded to towns and cities that commit to creating more affordable housing options '[My ancestors] have been here since time immemorial and these lands are sacred to us we are at the verge of genocide, watching our mountains, trees, rivers, our homes and burial grounds go away the founding principle of this town was to protect and preserve,' Chief Vincent Mann (pictured) of the Ramapo-Munsee Tribe said during a November town meeting The program, created in 2023, awards up to $650 million in state grants for communities that are actively working on expanding housing options, including affordable housing projects. 'We know theres a tremendous need,' Specht said, citing a 20 percent growth in population in his town since 2020. 'We need a variety of housing, smaller apartments for families and seniors. The county has a need to establish more affordable housing,' he added. But, the caveat to the town's receipt of the hefty grants relies on the community as a whole, as the money is awarded to towns and cities that commit to creating more affordable housing options. Yet, several Ramapo residents are up in arms over the proposed addition of affordable housing units, claiming the proposed new, affordable units will 'destroy' the land they fought to preserve. '[My ancestors] have been here since time immemorial and these lands are sacred to us we are at the verge of genocide, watching our mountains, trees, rivers, our homes and burial grounds go away the founding principle of this town was to protect and preserve,' Chief Vincent Mann of the Ramapo-Munsee Tribe said during a November town meeting. At the heated meeting, Mann told Specht that it was the Towns job to 'maintain what is left of a bona fide tribe,' and to preserve what is left to uplift the Ramapo-Munsee tribe. Others chimed in on the proposed 'rampant overdevelopment,' calling it 'incomprehensible,' suggesting danger to children who may be 'struck by cars and buses that ignore the speed limits,' the Rockland Times reported. Fair market rents in Ramapo's Rockland County jumped from $1,831 in 2019 to $2,752 in 2024, an increase of more than 50 percent, according to a recent report. Pictured: Ramapo Town Hall The median single-family home price recorded in June 2024 stood at a whopping $720,000 - a 7.9 percent increase from the $667,500 median recorded a year earlier in Rockland County Another outraged attendee spoke of the overuse of water by the town that could negatively affects all who live within the county. 'There is a need for affordable housing, but it needs to be done responsibly,' Ramapo resident Michael Miller said at the November 19 meeting. However, plans to incorporate affordable housing units into the community have already begun. In August, Specht unveiled plans to 'renovate and create space,' for affordable units inside the town's Spring Valley Cultural Arts Center - which has been used for years by the NAACP before he bought it. 'The building we own, Spring Valley, has a limited use and so wed like to build on it, renovate the building, create community space for nonprofits and convert a part of the building to 30 to 40 residential units,' Specht said. 'The county has a need to establish more affordable housing.' In August, Specht unveiled plans to 'renovate and create space,' for affordable units inside the town's Spring Valley Cultural Arts Center - which has been used for years by the NAACP But, even with ample pushback from his constituents, Specht remains in high hopes for his beloved town, which he has served for the last seven years. 'I really appreciate [Gov. Kathy Hochuls] carrot instead of the stick incentive,' he said. 'We thought this is the time to do this; we cant hide our heads in the sand.' The town has since hired Jaclyn Hakes of M.J. Engineering & Land Survey to assess housing demand as it pertains to the Pro-Housing Program. 'The firm is putting together a survey that will go out to town residents, hopefully in August, that will focus on income and the need for different types of housing,' Specht said. 'The survey will look at rent to confirm what percentage of the population is rent burdened, and at home purchase prices.' Specht also added that the town is addressing the issue with the Small Apartment Incentive Law, which encourages more units or greater density in R-15C zones. 'Historically, governments are reactive. We are trying to be proactive,' Specht said hoping his community will embrace the new program. 'We think of ourselves as a semi-rural community, but weve grown beyond that. Ramapo and throughout the county, there is opposition to any project that changes that ideal but the outcome are costly and time-consuming lawsuits. 'Im proud weve made this commitment. I cant speak for others but its the right thing to do. 'Not participating is really the same as leaving money on the table. But I guess there will be a larger pot for those of us that try to access it.' If you've ever told someone to 'go to hell', you probably didn't have a real location in mind. While most people no longer believe that hell is a physical place, that has not always been the case. Scattered across the world, there are five terrifying locations that are claimed to be entrances to the underworld. And experts now say that there could be some surprising scientific truths to back them up. From the nightmarish location that inspired Jesus' account of hell to the cave that mysteriously kills anyone who enters, these locations are as close to hell on Earth as you can get. In Iceland, you can find the ever-burning brimstone of Hekla Fell, a volcano believed by Christians to be the real location of hell. While in Belize, archaeologists are now piecing together the mysteries of the crystalised skeletons hidden within an eerie portal to the Mayan underworld. So, would you be brave enough to visit any of these real-life gates to hell? Your browser does not support iframes. Gehenna In his 'Sermon on the Mount' Jesus famously warned that anyone who allows their hand or eye to sin will be cast into 'hell'. However, biblical experts believe that isn't really what Jesus said. In the earliest version of the text, the word that Jesus uses is not 'hell' but 'Gehenna'. Rather than referring to a place of eternal torment, Gehenna is a real location just outside the walls of old Jerusalem. A contraction of the name Valley of Hinnom, or 'Ge-Hinnom', Gehenna is one of the deep gorges which can be found to the southwest of the old city. At the time Jesus was alive, many Jews believed that this was a particularly evil place. According to the Bible, this was the place where ancient Israelites practised child sacrifice, making offerings of their own young to the god Baal. Jesus' sermon on the mount is often translated as saying that sinners go to 'hell'. However, the word he really used was 'Gehenna' which refers to a real valley to the south of Old Jerusalem (pictured) Five locations scientists believe could be gateways to the hell Gehenna , Israel , Israel Hierapolis , Turkey , Turkey Hekla , Iceland , Iceland Actun Tunichil Muknal , Belize , Belize St Patrick's Purgatory , Iceland Advertisement For this reason, many believed that the location had been cursed by God and made unfit for worship. Bart Ehrman, a New Testament scholar from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wrote in Time: 'In the ancient world (whether Greek, Roman, or Jewish), the worst punishment a person could experience after death was to be denied a decent burial. 'Jesus developed this view into a repugnant scenario: corpses of those excluded from the kingdom would be unceremoniously tossed into the most desecrated dumping ground on the planet.' As the bible was translated into other languages, the word Gehenna was gradually swapped for the English word 'hell'. This means that, according to Christianity, Gehenna is literally hell on Earth. The Valley of Hinnom might also be the origin of the fires of hell which have filled the popular imagination. According to some accounts, the Valley of Hinnom was used by the people of Jerusalem as a landfill site where rubbish fires perpetually burned. Some biblical scholars believe this could have inspired the idea that sinners would be cast into a place of eternal fire. Gehenna, or the Valley of Hinnom (pictured), was believed by Jews in Jesus' day to have been a place of human sacrifice. By saying that sinners would be thrown into Gehenna, Jesus may have meant that they would not receive a proper burial. Over time, Gehenna became linked to the Christian idea of Hell and the underworld However, while a Roman-era rubbish dump has been found in the North of the city, there is no archaeological evidence that Gehenna was ever really used to burn waste. Hierapolis It might not come as a surprise that passing through the gates to the underworld can be hazardous to your health. But at Hierapolis, in modern-day Turkey, attempting to pass in through this ancient portal really could cost you your life. The ancient Roman city of Hierapolis was built during the reign of emperor Tiberius between 14 and 37 BC. In the ruins of this once bustling city, archaeologists have found extensive baths, a gymnasium, an agora or meeting place, and even a Byzantine church. But Hierapolis is also home to a dark secret - a passage leading directly to the underworld. Discovered in 2011, the entrance to hell is a small door leading into a cave-like grotto built into one wall of an open arena. In modern-day Turkey, scientists have found an ancient Roman portal to the underworld with the power to kill anyone who enters (pictured) According to the ancient philosopher Strabo, the castrated priests of the underworld would carry sacrificial animals down through the door, known as the Plutonium. To the shock of the spectators lining the surrounding amphitheatre, the animals would die on the spot as if struck down by an invisible assailant while the priests would remain unharmed. In his account written 2,000 years ago, Strabo says: '[The] space is filled with a cloudy and dark vapour, so dense that the bottom can scarcely be discerned ... Animals which enter ... die instantly. 'Even bulls, when brought within it, fall down and are taken out dead. We have ourselves thrown in sparrows, which immediately fell down lifeless.' Shockingly, modern scientists have found that Strabo was completely correct about the Plutonium's deadly properties. Rather than posing a supernatural threat, scientists have found that the door sits on top of an active volcanic fault line. In addition to warming the springs which drew tourists to the town, this geological activity produced thick clouds of CO2 which would rise up out of the cave. At night, the CO2 pools thickly in an enveloping cloud of mist which the ancient Romans attributed to the breath of Kerberos, the three-headed guard dog of hell. The 'Plutonium' in Hierapolis was believed to be an entrance to the underworld. In reality, scientists found that the temple had been built above a geological faultline which produced enough CO2 to kill animals brought near it In a study published in 2018, researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen found that CO2 outside the temple entrance reached concentrations of 40-50 per cent. The authors write: 'Astonishingly, these vapors are still emitted in concentrations that nowadays kill insects, birds, and mammals. 'They reach concentrations during the night that would easily kill even a human being within a minute.' While the priests were tall enough to keep their heads above the gases, the sacrificial animals were trapped inside the toxic cloud and killed. Even today, these gases are so toxic that visiting this entrance to hell unprepared really could be a one-way ticket to the afterlife. Hekla Even from afar, it is easy to see why Medieval Christians believed that Hekla might be the entrance to hell. The snow-capped peak of this 1,491-metre volcano towers above Southern Iceland. Hekla in Iceland was once believed to be the gates of hell through which souls would pass on their way to the underworld The Icelandic word 'Hekla' refers to a short, hooded cloak which could reflect the dramatic layer of clouds that gather about its peak. The mountain's demonic reputation first emerged around the year 1104 when Hekla burst out of dormancy with an enormous eruption. Based on geological studies, it is believed that the eruption was a category VEI 5 - the same rating as the eruption of Mount St Helen in 1980. The explosion was so violent that 21,000 square miles (55,000 km squared) - more than half of Iceland - was bombarded by rock and ash. According to accounts written at the time, people could see the blast of lava, searing ash, and toxic gases from the sea as lava bombs weighing up to 12 tonnes rained down on the country. The eruption was so violent that news of Hekla's diabolic force soon spread around the ancient world. In 1180, a Cistercian monk called Herbert de Clairvaux boasted that Helka was even more deady than Mount Etna in Italy. He wrote: 'The renowned fiery cauldron of Sicily, which men call Hell's chimney ... that cauldron is affirmed to be like a small furnace compared to this enormous inferno.' This volcano earned its diabolical reputation thanks to a series of massive eruptions that began in 1104. Hekla produced so much lava and ash that medieval writers believed they had found hell As one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, Hekla has continued to earn its sinister status. The volcano most recently erupted in 2000 (pictured) in an explosion which created a 4.3 mile (7km) fissure By 1120, a poem by the monk Benedeit called the mountain the eternal prison of Judas, referring to the lowest circles of hell. In the early 14th century, one medieval author described seeing large birds flying into the volcano's fires which were believed to be the souls of the damned entering inferno. Most famously, the 16th-century German scholar Caspar Peucer wrote that the gates to hell could be found in 'the bottomless abyss of Hekla Fell'. Although the legends about Hekla's connection to the underworld died off by the 19th century, the volcano has continued to earn its fiendish reputation. Since its first eruption, Hekla has ignited around 20 times and accounts for 13 per cent of all Icelandic eruptions. Over the 20th century alone, Hekla has produced 1.2 billion cubic metres of lava and 150 million cubic metres of rocky debris known as tephra. The mountain has even erupted as recently as the year 2000 when it opened up a 4.3 mile (7km) fissure which sprayed ash and steam 9 miles (15km) into the air. Actun Tunichil Muknal In Belize, the cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal, meaning 'Cave of the Stone Sepulcher', is one of the best preserved entrances to the underworld anywhere on the planet. Its 3 miles (5km) long tunnels have been undisturbed for over 1,000 years and contain the grizzly remains of human sacrifices While legends about hell vary wildly from culture to culture, one common thread that ties these stories together is that hell is often believed to be deep beneath the Earth. In Belize, you can find one of the best contenders for an entrance to the subterranean underworld within the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal, meaning 'Cave of the Stone Sepulcher'. Actun Tunichil Muknal (the ATM Cave) lay undiscovered and undisturbed for more than 1,000 years after the collapse of the Mayan Empire. The cave extends more than three miles (five kilometres) beneath the Earth and archaeologists have found artefacts dating back to around 800 AD. Most shockingly of all, the cave is filled with the grisly remains of the victims of human sacrifice. When the cave was first discovered in 1989, archaeologists were shocked to find the remains of individuals as young as four years old who had been bludgeoned to death. The most famous of these remains is so old that the bones have crystalised into glittering calcite, earning it the name 'The Crystal Maiden'. Researchers now think that the cave was revered as an entrance to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld and the domain of the death gods. One of the victims has been there so long that their bones have crystalised, earning them the nickname 'The Crystal Maiden'. Experts believe that the Mayans thought the cave was an entrance to Xibalba, the underworld, and made sacrifices there to appease the lords of hell Based on the arrangement of the bodies, researchers believe that this was the site of ritual murders designed to reenact the 'Popol Vuh' creation myth. During the 10th century, the Mayan empire was being blighted by droughts and natural disasters which culminated in the civilisation's rapid collapse. Their sacrifices were intended to appease the Lords of Xibalba who were thought to be responsible for the droughts. Professor Holley Moyes, an expert on the caves from the University of California told the BBC: 'Amongst the Maya, we hardly see any almost no human sacrifice until the late classic period. 'And I think they start doing it because they are in the middle of a drought, and they are trying to up the ante.' St Patrick's Purgatory On a little-known Irish island, you can find a supposed entrance to hell which has had an outsised impact on the Christian understanding of life after death. St Patrick's Purgatory, located on Station Island in northwestern Ireland, was considered by early medieval people to be the edge of the known world. Station Island in Ireland is home to St Patrick's Purgatory. In the medieval period, it was believed that the caves on the island could give visitors glimpses of hell While St Patrick today might be better associated with shamrocks and green hats, he once had a much more terrifying reputation. According to a 12th-century text written by a monk named H. of Saltrey, St Patrick prayed to God for a way to convert the Irish pagans. His efforts were rewarded by a vision of a 'pit of purgatory'. This chasm filled the mind of anyone who entered with visions of hell fire and monsters, essentially providing a first-hand experience of the consequences of rebuking Christianity. According to medieval texts, this pit is located on Station Island where a monastery founded by one of St Patrick's disciples still stands today. Early visitors reported finding a small cave where they would be bombarded with unearthly visions. The 12-century historian Gerald of Wales of Wales wrote: 'This part of the island contains nine pits, and should any one perchance venture to spend the night in one of them, he is immediately seized by the malignant spirits.' The cave was filled in and replaced with a more conventional chapel in the year 1790, but St Patrick's vision of a temporary hell would go on to have a far wider influence. The caves were filled in in 1790 and replaced with a large chapel. However, the reports of hellish visions went on to form the basis of the Christian understanding of hell and purgatory which persist today After reports of the mystical powers of St Patrick's caves were reported, the monastery became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Europe. The idea that sinners might briefly experience suffering before reaching salvation formed one of the essential cornerstones of the idea of purgatory, a sort of waiting room for heaven. By popularising these ideas, St Patrick's Purgatory became a critical point for the evolution of Christian ideas about what happens after you die. Just 100 years after the first accounts were written, purgatory was made official church doctrine in 1274. Even today, pilgrims from around the world undergo notoriously gruelling visits to the island to get a taste of hell first-hand. So, while you might no longer be able to take a day trip to the inferno in the cave beneath the island, you can still visit the place where our modern ideas of hell began. When our high society snitch passed on a 'tier list' of Sydney's most talked-about socialites, we knew straight away it was one for our Mail+ subscribers. So after the Emerald City's rankings proved wildly popular last week, we did a ring around Melbourne's most clued-up insiders and asked: who are the big names south of the border? Below, we present our tongue-in-cheek tier list of the unofficial queens of Toorak, Brighton and South Yarra. Some you'll know from Daily Mail's years of showbiz coverage, but others have the kind of wealth that keeps them below the radar, and it's hard not to conclude that they make Sydney look like Australia's second city when it comes to style. The socialites are placed into three tiers - A, B and C - and, as with the previous list, we'll leave it up to you to decide if their placements are fair. Without further ado, here are the A-listers... Top of the food chain is Sarah Lucas (formerly Lew, nee Nowoweiski) and her daughter Bella Lew, whom she shares with ex-husband Steven Lew, the son of retail billionaire Solomon Lew Sarah (centre) and Bella (right) are pictured at Sarah's pre-wedding party in Venice in 2023 Interior designer Tamsin Johnson (pictured with her husband, celebrity tailor Patrick Johnson) is also a notable member of Melbourne's 'It' crowd, despite having moved to Sydney A-list Top of the food chain is Sarah Lucas (formerly Lew, nee Nowoweiski) and her glamorous daughter Bella Lew, whom she shares with her ex-husband Steven Lew, the son of billionaire retail magnate Solomon Lew. Sarah married her second husband, restaurateur Chris Lucas, in Venice in 2023 at the luxury Aman hotel, in the same second-floor ballroom where George and Amal Clooney tied the knot. Tamsin Johnson is also a notable member of Melbourne's 'It' crowd despite having moved to Sydney. She runs her own interior design practice and is behind some of the Victorian capital's finest homes. 'Queen bee' AFL WAG Rebecca Judd also makes the A-list, which is hardly surprising as she is so revered in the city's social scene she has been given the nickname 'God'. Georgia and Bella Geminder, the glamorous granddaughters of billionaire 'cardboard king' Richard Pratt, also run in the same elite circles. Their mother, Fiona, owns cardboard giant Visy and is worth a reported $3.4billion, while their father, Raphael, who is also on Forbes' Rich List, has a 40 per cent share in the plastics manufacturer Pact. Sacha De Winter, who married into the prominent blue-blood Baillieu family, has also cemented her place in the lofty heights of Melbourne's social scene. 'Queen bee' WAG Rebecca Judd (pictured with husband Chris) also makes the A-list. She is so revered in the city's social scene she has been given the nickname 'God' Georgia and Bella Geminder (both pictured), the glamorous granddaughters of billionaire 'cardboard king' Richard Pratt, also run in the same elite circles Sacha De Winter (pictured with her husband Hamish Baillieu), has also cemented her place in the lofty heights of Melbourne's social scene Amanda Valmorbida's (left) family made their fortune as wholesalers for the La Gina and Sirena tinned food brands in the 1970s, and by importing Lavazza coffee. Her husband Tim Holmes a Court's (right) father is a cousin of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes a Court Kristen Fowler (pictured), who is married to Harry Fox, the grandson of billionaire trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, also holds a position on the top of the social ladder Joining the A-list is Amanda Valmorbida, whose family made their fortune as wholesalers for the La Gina and Sirena tinned food brands in the 1970s, and by importing the ubiquitous Lavazza coffee. Her husband Tim Holmes a Court's father is a cousin of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes a Court. Kristen Fowler, who is married to Harry Fox, the grandson of billionaire trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, also holds a position on the top of the social ladder. B-list One of the main 'It' girls on the B-list is Rebecca Harding, who is engaged to TV, radio and podcast superstar Andy Lee. Rozalia Russian, the model-influencer wife of hospitality king Nick Russian, who owns Bar Bambi on AC/DC Lane, also earns a place in the middle tier. Former WAG-turned-fashion designer Nadia Bartel has moved up the ladder, having successfully rebuilt her reputation after that Kmart plate incident. One of the main 'It' girls on the B-list is Rebecca Harding (left), who is engaged to TV, radio and podcast superstar Andy Lee (right) Rozalia Russian, the model-influencer wife of hospitality king Nick Russian, who owns Bar Bambi on AC/DC Lane, also earned her place in the middle tier Former WAG-turned-fashion designer Nadia Bartel has moved up the ladder, having successfully rebuilt her reputation after that Kmart plate incident Journalist-turned-skincare entrepreneur Zoe Foster-Blake should be at the top, what with her estimated net worth of $36million, but her move to Sydney with husband Hamish Blake has impacted her position in the Melbourne scene. Joining her on the B-list is Lisa Wipfli, the wife of Nova 96.9 breakfast host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, who also splits her time between Melbourne and Sydney. Radio presenter Lauren Phillips, who is engaged to private jet mogul Paul O'Brien, has been a C-list fixture for years - but by thrashing Kyle and Jackie O in the breakfast show ratings, she has climbed up a rung. Designer Effie Kats is another prominent socialite whose clothes are regularly seen on the likes of Dannii Minogue, Kelly Rowland, Carrie Bickmore and DJ Havana Brown. Lindy Klim moved back to Melbourne last October after splitting from her second husband, property developer Adam Ellis, and living in Indonesia for years. Being a legitimate Balinese princess guarantees her a spot in the B-list - and the only way is up. Also in the middle tier are Emma Hawkins, the wife of Geelong great Tom Hawkins, and reality TV star and co-founder of the Liberty Belle Skin Centre Andrea Moss. Other notable B-listers include Holly Lucas, the daughter of famed Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas; and Georgia Maddern, the niece of TV stalwart Rebecca Maddern and wife of Patch Garnaut of the Garnaut financial advisory family. Journalist-turned-skincare entrepreneur Zoe Foster-Blake should be at the top, what with her estimated net worth of $36million, but her move to Sydney has impacted her ranking Joining Zoe on the B-list is Lisa Wipfli (right), the wife of Nova 96.9 breakfast host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli (left), who also splits her time between Melbourne and Sydney Lauren Phillips (left) and Effie Kats (right) also made the B-list Lindy Klim moved back to Melbourne last October after living in Indonesia for years. Being a legitimate Balinese princess guarantees her a spot in the B-list - and the only way is up Rounding out this middle tier is Emma Hawkins, the wife of Geelong great Tom Hawkins, and reality TV star and co-founder of the Liberty Belle Skin Centre Andrea Moss The C-list While they aren't quite at the pinnacle of Melbourne's high society, these names are still ones to keep an eye on. AFL star Josh Daicos' fiancee Annalise Dalins works as a model and is signed to top agency Vivien's - could she be the next 'Queen bee WAG'? Sarah Ellen has also been making a name for herself since leaving acting behind to focus on her influencing career, and now boasts almost 800,000 Instagram followers. Also building a reputation in the beauty industry is Bridget Bond, the head of international brand development at cosmetics giant Mecca. Bridget is the sister-in-law of A-lister Holly Lucas. Footy WAG Jessie Murphy (nee Habermann), the wife of former Carlton skipper Marc Murphy, is also one to watch, having burst onto the scene when she wore a daringly low-cut dress at the 2016 Brownlow Medal. Brendan Fevola's stepdaughter Mia Fevola rounds out the list as a budding influencer and entrepreneur. AFL star Josh Daicos' fiancee Annalise Dalins works as a model and is signed to top agency Vivien's - could she be the next 'Queen bee WAG'? Sarah Ellen has also been making a name for herself after leaving acting behind to focus on her influencing career, and now boasts almost 800,000 Instagram followers Also building a reputation in the beauty industry is Bridget Bond, the head of international brand development at cosmetics giant Mecca Footy WAG Jessie Murphy (nee Habermann), the wife of former Carlton skipper Marc Murphy, is also one to watch, having burst onto the scene at the 2016 Brownlow Medal Jay-Z's lawyer is claiming there are 'glaring red flags' in the civil suit that alleges he raped a 13-year-old girl and he is calling for sanctions against the accuser's lawyer. Alex Spiro filed a 30-page motion that claimed to unravel inconsistencies in her story and demanded measures be taken against the accuser's lawyer, Tony Buzbee, for causing 'extraordinary harm' to the rapper. But Buzbee fired back in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying Spiro's filing 'reeks of desperation' and is 'full of lies'. Texas-based Buzbee, who has filed dozens of lawsuits against Diddy, said: 'Mr. Spiro and his firm are paid by the hour. So, they file a lot of junk with the court.' The war of words between the two sides has been raging for weeks over the suit which was filed in a federal court in New York. The woman, who is now a 38-year-old mother of two, claimed that the assault happened at a home where she was taken after the VMAs in September 2000. Jay-Z's lawyer claimed there's 'glaring red flags' in the civil suit that alleges he raped a 13-year-old girl with Diddy and is calling for sanctions against the accuser's lawyer Tony Buzbee The woman, who is now a 38-year-old mother of two, claimed that the assault happened at a home where she was taken after the VMAs - The photo of Jay-Z (in red) was taken at the afterparty at the Lotus Nightclub in New York That night, Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were seen arguing in the same nightclub where Jay-Z was partying She alleged that Diddy, who is awaiting trial on criminal sex trafficking charges, came into the room and said that she was 'ready to party' before he and Jay-Z forced themselves upon her. But in an interview with NBC, the woman admitted that she may have made 'mistakes' in identifying who was at the party that night, even if she stood by her story. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has repeatedly strongly denied the woman's claims and said that the accuser 'filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame'. In his filing, Spiro whose previous clients include Alec Baldwin outlined a slew of inconsistencies in the woman's claims, some of which she admitted to in her NBC interview. These showed that her claims were 'demonstrably false' and amounted to 'glaring red flags', according to Spiro. The woman claimed the rape happened at a 'large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway'. But Spiro wrote that on the night in question, Diddy was seen at the Lotus nightclub in New York with his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, and at another Manhattan club, Twirl. Alex Spiro filed a 30-page motion which claimed to unravel the 'red flags' in the accuser'ss story and demanded measures be taken against Buzbee, for causing 'extraordinary harm to Mr Carter' Texas-based Buzbee, who has filed dozens of lawsuits against Diddy, said: 'Mr. Spiro and his firm are paid by the hour. So, they file a lot of junk with the court' Jay-Z has repeatedly and strongly denied the woman's claims and said that the accuser 'filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame' The woman, who was 13 at the time, alleged that Diddy came into the room and said that she was 'ready to party' before he and Jay-Z forced themselves upon her The accuser said she saw musicians Fred Durst and Benji Madden at the after party, but they didn't attend the VMAs that year, Spiro wrote. Another inconsistency was that the woman claimed she watched the ceremony on a Jumbotron outside the theater when she couldn't get in. But New York City officials had denied MTV's permit request for one, Spiro writes. Then there was the woman's claim that she asked her father to pick her up later that night at a gas station, but the dad told NBC he couldn't remember doing so. He was also located five hours north in Rochester, New York, and the VMAs were in Manhattan. 'Uncovering these serious problems with the claim would not have taken a competent and ethical attorney much time,' Spiro wrote. But Buzbee failed to do so, instead claiming that a previous law firm vetted the woman's story, he added. That meant that Buzbee's vetting of the claims he got from Diddy's accusers was 'grossly deficient'. All this means that Buzbee's 'deeply unethical behavior that warrants judicial condemnation', the filing states. Spiro wrote: 'Given the horrific nature of the allegations, every day this inadequately vetted complaint remains on the docket causes extraordinary harm to Mr Carter, his family, his businesses and his employees. 'Attorneys should not be permitted to destroy a person's reputation by alleging facts without a sufficient investigation or by failing to withdraw those allegations once it is clear that they are false or exceedingly unlikely to be true.' Spiro called for the complaint to be dismissed immediately and urged the court to impose 'an appropriate monetary sanction or fee award' against Buzbee. Judge Analisa Torres told Spiro last month to tone his language down in his excessive legal filings that he's submitted and says it's 'inappropriate' and 'a waste of judicial resources' Jay-Z notably broke his silence in a lengthy statement where he slammed the allegations and expressed 'heartbreak' for his loved ones Diddy, Beyonce and Jay-Z enjoy champagne at the Cannes Champagne Party VIP room on May 23, 2008 The filing came after a warning from Analisa Torres, the federal judge overseeing the case, who told Spiro last month to tone his language down in what legal analysts described as a 'bench slap'. In a ruling, Judge Torres wrote: '(Jay-Z's) lawyer's relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources, and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client. 'The Court will not fast-track the judicial process merely because counsel demands it.' In the statement, Buzbee's office said: 'Mr. Spiro and his firm are paid by the hour. So, they file a lot of junk with the Court. With each frantic filing, his team reeks of desperation. 'He and his team think the laws and rules don't apply to them. They are flat wrong. 'They also think they can bully or intimidate counsel for victims by filing meritless and frivolous pleadings full of lies and half-truths. Again, they are dead wrong. We won't be bullied or intimidated, ever.' Diddy, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all allegations against him. Jay-Z notably broke his silence in a lengthy statement where he slammed the allegations and expressed 'heartbreak' for his loved ones. The rapper joined his family only hours after he was named in the lawsuit at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King, in which his daughter Blue Ivy, 13, stars. Former NRL star Billy Slater was all smiles on Saturday as he cuddled up with his wife Nicole during the Magic Millions Race Day arrivals. The retired footy legend, 41, looked very handsome in a navy suit with a crisp white shirt and matching tie as he wrapped an arm around his wife of 15 years. Posing for photos at the Gold Coast Turf Club alongside other arrivals, the happy couple could hardly wipe a smile off their face as they enjoyed the sunny day. Nicole turned heads as she slipped her figure into a coral coloured dress which hit her at mid-calf and featured a daring low cut neckline. She opted for a pair of matching strappy kitten heels which complemented her netted fascinator beautifully. The monochromatic ensemble artfully highlighted the white Bulgari handbag the mum-of-two carried, which can currently fetch up to $3,400 secondhand. Former NRL star Billy Slater, 41, (right) was all smiles on Saturday as he cuddled up with his wife Nicole (left) during the Magic Millions Race Day arrivals Nicole, who shared daughter Tyla, 15, and son Jake, 13, with Billy, polished off her race day look with a nude lip and a set of designer shades. Elsewhere, former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her partner Dr Reza Adib looked the matching pair as they arrived at the annual event. The politician, 55, who served as the 39th premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023, appeared to be content as she enjoyed retirement with her beau. Palaszczuk kept her accessories to a minimum, but stepped out in a white, floral printed Samantha Ogilvie dress worth a shocking $1,550. Rocking a pearl necklace and silver watch alongside her frock, the former Labor leader stepped into some strappy heels which flaunted her red painted toenails. Standing at her side, partner Dr Adib, who is the CEO of Brisbane Obesity Clinic, looked dashing in a cream suit with a wide-brimmed hat and brown loafers. Palaszczuk went public with her relationship with Dr Adib on September 3, 2021, ending months of speculation the pair were dating. The former premier, who was steering her state through the Covid pandemic when she first confirmed the relationship, described Dr Adib as a 'gorgeous man'. Elsewhere, former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, 55, (right) and her partner Dr Reza Adib (left) looked the matching pair as they arrived at the annual event They were first spotted together at the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club on July 11, 2021 and endured multiple scandals during Ms Palaszczuk's tumultuous time in office before she announced her resignation in 2023. Palaszczuk had been highly secretive about her personal life which she said was almost non-existent because of her busy schedule as premier. 'It's simply not true that we all need a partner to be fulfilled,' she said in 2019. 'It's lovely when it's the right person of course, but it is very possible to be single and very happy.' She was first spotted with Dr Adib at the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club on July 11, 2021 and her chief of staff initially dismissed rumours of a romance. However, in August 2021 she unveiled a glamorous makeover during one of her daily Covid press conferences, raising speculation there had been other changes in her private life. She finally confirmed that she was committed to Dr Adib to the Courier Mail early in the following month. 'He is a very warm and caring, intelligent man with a great sense of humour, and we are just enjoying getting to know each other,' the premier said at the time. 'We make time when we can to see each other, its not easy, but when we do see each other we like to go out to dinner and go on long walks, and what has been nice for me is that he also makes me take a break from work every now and again.' In 2022 the couple were often spotted together with Ms Palaszczuk facing a wave of backlash from critics. She was accused of being out of touch for her frequent red carpet appearances with Dr Adib, including at Baz Luhrmann's Elvis premiere and the 2022 Logie awards. Jennifer Garner lives in fire ravaged Pacific Palisades, but she still had time to give back to people who have lost everything. The Alias star, 52, volunteered with Chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen in the parking lot of a closed Jack in the Box restaurant in Altadena on Saturday, which has suffered tragic losses in the Eaton Fire. The food truck Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen, owned by Greg Dolan, provided the food at the event. Jennifer dug in and helped where she was needed, whether that was serving the residents of Altadena, washing dishes or preparing food. And she did it all with a smile on her face, in a blue hoodie with a blue ball cap on her head. Garner began volunteering on Friday to help feed firefighters and victims amid the LA fires after ex Ben Affleck rushed to her home following the catastrophe. Jennifer Garner lives in fire ravaged Pacific Palisades, and she still had time to give back to people who have lost everything The Alias star, 52, volunteered with Chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen in the parking lot of closed Jack in the Box restaurant in Altadena, which has suffered tragic losses in the Eaton Fire WCK is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that provides food relief. She joined chef Jose Andres for an interview with MSNBC and emotionally revealed that she had 'lost a friend' during the catastrophic event - which has taken 11 lives. At one point while talking to journalist Katy Tur, Garner shared, 'I did lose a friend. And for our church, it's really tender. So, I don't feel like I should talk about her yet.' 'But yeah, I did lose a friend who did not get out on time,' she continued as her voice cracked over the tragic loss. Jennifer also reflected on seeing the destruction of thousands of homes in the Palisades community and expressed, 'I just...my heart bleeds for all my friends.' 'I mean, I can think of a hundred families and there are 5,000 homes lost. Without even thinking, I can write out a list of a hundred friends that lost their homes.' Garner then admitted, 'I feel almost guilty walking through my house just, you know, what can I do? How can I help? What can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands and these walls and the safety that I have?' The food truck Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen, owned by Greg Dolan, provided the food at the event Jennifer dug in and helped where she was needed, whether that was serving the residents of Altadena, washing dishes or preparing food And she did it all with a smile on her face, in a blue hoodie with a blue ball cap on her head The Last Thing He Told Me actress chatted with neighborhood residents The star - who is also an ambassador for the nonprofit Save The Children - said the organization 'will be in shelters helping parents and kids and keeping them safe and social and emotional...we'll be here in a big way very, very soon.' Elsewhere in her conversation with Tur, the actress stated, 'I've lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years, so I just think all of us, we want to get our hands into working, somehow, to be helpful.' 'And because of my work with Save The Children, we have a relationship with the chef,' she said, referencing to Jose Andres - who is the founder of World Central Kitchen. 'And I was able to just say, "Can I be with you for the day? What can I do to help? Put me to work."' The Methodist Church that Jennifer would attend burned down in the fires, and she told Katy while becoming emotional, 'It's my family's church.' After a brief pause, Garner continued, 'And it's where my kids went to Sunday school. We lit the Advent candle together there a couple of weeks ago. We watched the little kids perform. It's a preschool. It's a central part of our community.' 'It's a gathering point for the entire community. And full of really quirky, cool, mostly blue collar people of the community. And just, like, I loved belonging there because wherever I went, I would run into somebody from our community.' She later added, 'The people are strong and the sense of the community is strong. We will look after each other, and that is still here. That is still stronger than ever.' Garner began volunteering on Friday to help feed firefighters and victims amid the LA fires after ex Ben Affleck rushed to her home following the catastrophe WCK is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that provides food relief At one point while talking to journalist Katy Tur, Garner shared, 'I did lose a friend. And for our church, it's really tender. So, I don't feel like I should talk about her yet' Blustery winds continue to whip across Los Angeles and could still ignite new fires, though they appear to have mellowed somewhat from their highs on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Since the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, new fires have started further east in Altadena, which forced major evacuations in nearby Pasadena on Tuesday night. More fires broke out in the Hollywood hills on Wednesday, threatening heavily populated parts of Hollywood, however they were fully contained by Thursday. As of Saturday, the Palisades fire is making a northeast march into the San Fernando Valley and the return of high winds after two relatively calm days could present a real challenge for over taxed firefighters. Tyra Banks has been living the Aussie life for the last 18 months, with most fans not knowing she's been working undercover as a start-up boss Down Under. The American supermodel, 51, has been jumping between Los Angeles and Sydney for over a year now as she launches her ice cream store chain Smize & Dream. And on Sunday, the former America's Next Top Model host revealed just how she's managed to blend in with the locals, reported The Daily Telegraph. She told the publication she and her family enjoy spending their days just hanging out at their local shopping centre and partaking in everyday Aussie activities. 'We'll get some breakfast in the mall, then we'll go to a Hoyts cinema,' she said. 'We'll get some ice cream at the cinema, see a movie, then we might get a foot massage. Then we'll have some lunch... Then we go to Target or Kmart.' Tyra Banks, 51, (pictured) has been living the Aussie life for the last 18 months, with most fans not knowing she's been working undercover as a start-up boss Down Under Tyra, who is set to open her first Smize & Dream store in Darling Harbour by midyear, went on to say she loves the Australian Kmart. Despite walking the runway for luxury fashion houses like Saint Laurent, Chanel and Dior, the supermodel said she thinks the Kmart Down Under is 'fancy'. She added that after a bit of shopping, she and her family will go and do the groceries. 'We'll do Coles, Woolies, Harris Farm, whatever, and so that is a whole day at the mall and we don't do that in America,' she said. Tyra explained that the 'mall' culture in America is a dying pastime because it's just about shopping for what you 'want' instead of what you 'need'. The opening of her new ice cream store comes as critics have been slamming the shocking comments once made to models on America's Next Top Model. Bullying, verbal and physical abuse, fat shaming, tears, and tantrums were all fair game on the reality series, which Tyra was the face of. Several clips have resurfaced in recent years of Tyra and her co-hosts shaming contestants they considered 'fat' or otherwise unfit to be a model on the show. The American supermodel has been jumping between Los Angeles and Sydney for over a year now as prepares to launch her ice cream store chain Smize & Dream and also walked in the Victoria's Secret 2024 fashion show After walking the Victoria's Secret runway as a plus-size model last year, Tyra has received a slew of her own backlash from critics who grew up watching ANTM. Tyra pictured in 1998 Now, after walking the Victoria's Secret runway as a plus-size model last year, Tyra has received a slew of her own backlash from critics who grew up watching ANTM. 'Did ya'll forget ANTM?' one person wrote under an interview Tyra did for her plus-size runway. 'It's crazy for us too and not in a good way!' another person commented, referencing Tyra saying in her interview that it felt 'crazy' to be on the runway at 51-years-old. A third added: 'They can never make me like you Tyra.' The only response Tyra has issued to the backlash was penned on Twitter in 2020: 'Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices,' she wrote on Twitter at the time. 'Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.' It comes amid backlash Tyra has received over her plus-size modelling gig with Victoria's Secret following the body shaming comments she once made on America's Next Top Model Bullying, verbal and physical abuse, fat shaming, tears, and tantrums were all fair game on the reality series, which Tyra was the face of Tyra isn't the only Next Top Model cast member to cop backlash over the problematic scenes which came out of the modelling competition reality show over the years. Longtime co-host of Australia's Next Top Model Alex Perry was hit with heated criticism just last month. Gen Z TikTok users were left shocked by resurfaced footage of the Down Under rendition of the series. In the first few seconds of the viral video montage, Alex, 61, can be heard asking: 'What are those feet? Gorilla feet? Transgendered feet?' He appears throughout the two-minute montage of un-PC clangers, with a measuring tape in hand, and a hard word for the often teenage models about their weight. 'Just stop chowing down, you guys have got to exercise. Just get on the treadmill,' he tells one model in the clip. 'Alex Perry is living his karma,' one person commented as they referenced the renowned designer's recent public appearances which show him rocking a more filled out physique while running errands in Sydney's inner west. 'Can't talk if you see him now,' another user commented. 'How is Alex Perry not cancelled?' asked another. 'I grew up watching this stuff. No wonder our body image is so distorted,' one TikTok user commented on the video. Another Gen Z TikToker was so baffled by what they had just witnessed in the video, that the closest thing they could liken the series to was a Chris Lilley skit. The Next Top Model franchise saw young girls, most still teenagers, aspiring toward a high-fashion modelling career as they compete to avoid elimination each week by a panel of high-profile judges. Coronation Street star Georgia Taylor has reportedly split from her boyfriend Charlie De Melo. The actress, 44, met Charlie, 35, on the set of the ITV soap in 2020 and they started dating in late 2022, but the pair are no longer together, according to The Sun. The publication claimed they both decided to part ways several months ago but remain good friends. A source told the publication: 'Georgia and Charlie are no longer a couple, but they remain friends who care about each other deeply.' 'They have lots of happy memories together, but are both really focused on work at the moment and looking forward to the future, there are no hard feelings.' According to The Mirror, the couple spent Christmas separately and Georgia reportedly celebrated with friends and co-stars. Coronation Street star Georgia Taylor has reportedly split from her boyfriend Charlie De Melo The actress, 44, met Charlie, 35, on the set of the ITV soap in 2020 and they started dating in late 2022, but the pair are no longer together, according to The Sun Georgia and Charlie have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Charlie confirmed his romance with Georgia in July 2023, sharing a series of snaps from a Blur concert they attended at London's Wembley Arena. The real-life couple played a married couple on the ITV soap before Charlie's character Imran Habeeb was killed off in 2022. Georgia was previously in a 14-year relationship with actor Mark Letheren, 53, before they went their separate ways in 2022. The former couple met back in 2008 on Casualty and Charlie previously dated his former co-star Nicola Thorp. Fans of the ITV soap may not know that Georgia opted for a pseudonym early on in her career, changing her legal name, Claire Jackson, when she made her soap debut. She told The Mirror: 'It's not that I planned this to happen. But when I started with Coronation Street I had to register with Equity, the actors' union, and at the time there seemed to be a hell of a lot of Claires so I had to think of something else.' She admitted: 'I couldnt tell you where I got Georgia from, other than I liked it, but my grandads surname was Taylor and he passed away not long before I got the part.' The publication claimed they both decided to part ways several months ago but remain good friends Charlie confirmed his romance with Georgia in July 2023, sharing a series of snaps from a Blur concert they attended at London's Wembley Arena The real-life couple played a married couple on the ITV soap before Charlie's character Imran Habeeb was killed off in 2022 (pictured 2020) Georgia was previously in a 14-year relationship with actor Mark Letheren, 53, before they went their separate ways in 2022 (pictured in 2018) 'As a teenager, I didnt really think the consequences through of opting for a completely different name, but it's meant theres been quite a bit of confusion over the years. At this point, Ill pretty much answer to anything!' In 2001, Georgia won the Best Dramatic Performance British Soap Award for her role as Toyah Battersby. She left Coronation Street for the first time in 2003 and joined BBC One's Casualty as a series regular, playing Ruth Winters from September 2007. Since returning to the cobbles, Georgia's character embarked on an on-screen romance with solicitor Imran Habeeb, once rivalling for his affection with her sister Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson). After four years, Georgia transitioned to television again, starring as Junior Crown Prosecutor Kate Barker in Law & Order: UK for two seasons, from 2013 to 2014. She then returned to Coronation Street permanently in 2016. Mark Hamill had some good news to report to his fans on Saturday. The actor, 73, who was one of thousands of Malibu and Pacific Palisades residents who had to flee their homes as deadly wildfires approached earlier this week, reported his home had survived the blaze. 'Thanks to all who were concerned if our house survived the fires, the Star Wars franchise icon wrote. 'Amazingly enough... it did.' The actor shared an aerial photo of his neighborhood that featured houses that had been decimated by the flames, next to homes that appeared not to have been touched by the fire. He did not point out which house was his. 'My heart goes out to everyone who werent as fortunate, not only in my neighborhood, but all of Los Angeles,' he said, expressing his sorrow, before adding a note of hope, 'Together, we will get through this! -mh' Mark Hamill had some good news to report to his fans on Saturday (Pictured in Toronto in September 2024) The actor, shared an aerial shot of his fire ravaged neighborhood, reporting 'Thanks to all who were concerned if our house survived the fires. Amazingly enough... it did,' adding, 'My heart goes out to everyone who werent as fortunate' On Friday night, The Wild Roboto actor shared a night time photo from a helicopter with bright orange flames covering acres of land. 'Hard to process the devastation Ive witnessed in the last two days. Still in a state of shock for those who have lost so much in such a short period of time.' On Tuesday, after Hamill and his neighbors were ordered to evacuate the area, the MultiVersus star reported that he, his wife, Marilou York and their dog Trixie, had gone to their daughter Chelsea's house in Hollywood. 'We were fleeing for our lives,' he said, sarcastically referring to 'small fires' in the area. Fans were relieved the actor and his family still had a home to return to. 'Great news during a heartbreaking week. Im very happy for you and your family,' wrote one. LEGO Star Wars voice actress Shelby Young, who has worked with Hamill on several projects said, 'Mark, I'm so happy for you and yours.' 'Its wonderful to see any bit of good news during all of this so thank you very much for sharing . On Friday night, the Star Wars franchise star shared a nighttime shot of the bright orange flames, writing it was 'Hard to process the devastation' Hamill, his wife Marilou York and their dog Trixie have been staying with their daughter Chelsea in Hollywood, he reported on social media Wednesday (Pictured in Los Angeles in November 2024) The Mandalorian actress Misty Rojas wrote, 'Im glad your house survived!' Echoing Hamill's previous comments, she stated, 'We WILL get through this together! Just did a sandwich run for volunteers at the Culver City YMCA.' It was unclear on Saturday when the actor might be able to return home. The Palisades fire was still growing as of Saturday at mid-day with evacuations ordered as the blaze spread to parts of Brentwood, Encino and Tarzana, according to KNBC. Nicole Kidmans new movie is so sexually charged that she doesnt want her teenage daughters to see it. The Australian actress plays a married middle-aged executive who has a highly erotic affair with a much younger intern in her latest film Babygirl. Even though the actress says the film aims to show female sexual pleasure as it really is albeit with the help of a co-star half her age - she doesnt want the daughters she shares with musician Keith Urban, Sunday Rose, 16, and 14-year-old Faith Margaret, to watch it because of the intense sex scenes. Well, my daughters arent seeing it, she says in the Telegraph Review, adding: But theyve also declared that they dont want to see it. Neither of them has any interest in seeing Mum like that. In Babygirl, described as a modern take on the erotic thriller, Kidman, 57, plays Romy, the married but sexually frustrated CEO of an AI-driven logistics firm who embarks on a steamy entanglement with brazen intern Samuel played by 28-year-old British actor Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas plays Jacob, Romys handsome theatre director husband. Previously, Kidman has said she had to fake sex so many times during filming that she ended up 'almost like burnout' but equally admits that she was terrified of playing the grunting scenes. Dont forget the grunting, she said. That was all actually scary, and I said to Halina (Reijn, the films writer and director) at the beginning how scared I was. Kidman is one of the stars of the erotic A24 film Babygirl, which was written and directed by Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn Kidman features in some steamy scenes alongside co-star Harris Dickinson - but says she doesn't want her teenage daughters to watch Kidman (right) with her daughter Sunday Rose, 16. Kidman said her teenage daughters have 'also declared that they dont want to see it. Neither of them has any interest in seeing Mum like that 'But she was like, Ill get you there. Itll be safe - but I want the embarrassment, I want the struggle. 'Because so much of Romys sexuality is caught up in her struggle to release. She can perform, but she cant let go. 'And I think thats a common thread that runs through a lot of womens sexuality - what they feel it should be, versus what it actually is. Kidman added that she was too embarrassed to watch the raunchy scenes at Babygirls Venice premiere. She said: I remember covering my face at one point and burying my head in Halinas chest at another. Because it was a bit like, Oh, gosh. I dont want to watch myself doing this. Babygirl is now in cinemas nationwide. The film, which involves Kidman's character getting erotically entangled with a much younger man, features some graphic scenes Previously, Kidman has said she had to fake sex so many times during filming that she ended up 'almost like burnout' Sara Pascoe has revealed she is glad she waited until she was 40 to have children, after seeing her mother miss out on the carefree experiences of young adulthood. The comedian, 43, who is married to actor Steen Raskopoulos, 37, welcomed her sons Theodore, two, and Albie, 13 months, via In vitro fertilization (IVF). And in a new candid interview with The Sunday Times, the star admitted she was happy to wait until 40 before becoming a parent as she wanted a different life for herself. 'My mum just didn't get a life because she had children so young' said Sara whose mother was 20-years-old when she had her first child and mostly supported Sara and her two younger sisters alone. She continued: 'She had to work so hard, which meant she didn't have friends, a social life, she didn't get to go to the cinema... I knew I wanted a different life.' So when Sara herself became pregnant at 16, she decided to have an abortion, which she has never regretted. Sara Pascoe revealed that she's glad she waited until she was 40 to have children, after seeing her mother miss out on the carefree experiences of young adulthood (pictured last year) The comedian, 43, who is married to comedian and actor Steen Raskopoulos, 37, welcomed her sons Theodore, two, and Albie, 13 months via In vitro fertilization (IVF) (pictured 2023) When she later struggled to conceive, she and her husband underwent two rounds of IVF before welcoming their son, Theodore, in 2022, and his brother, Albie, in 2023. Discussing how she has no regrets about waiting until she was 40 to have children, Sara added: 'Even though I had infertility and troubles at the other end of it, I had 20 years that my mum didn't get.' In October 2023, Sara revealed she 'couldn't believe her luck' after welcoming her second child. The comedian, who has been open about her fertility struggles, shared adorable first pictures of her son revealing to her followers that she and her husband Steen had welcomed a son called Albie. Taking to Instagram, Sara shared a slew of snaps of Albie and their elder son Theodore and penned: Ive been in a hormone hole for three weeks so excuse my lateness- allow me to introduce baby Albie.' 'As a 42-year-old infertile woman I cant believe my luck to have had two children (IVF). I also cant believe how much washing there is.' 'Ill see you at gigs later in the year when Ive stopped crying every three minutes, lots of love ps last photo is @steenrasko I think his face sums up the post partum period very well.' The news was announced earlier in the day by The Great British Sewing Bee's social media page, as they tweeted: 'Sending lots of love to Sara and her new baby!' And in a new candid interview with The Sunday Times, the star admitted she was happy to wait until 40 before becoming a parent as she wanted a different life for herself (pictured 2023) 'My mum just didn't get a life because she had children so young' says Sara whose mother was 20-years-old when she had her first child and mostly supported Sara and her two younger sisters alone (pictured last year) In October 2023, Sara revealed she 'couldn't believe her luck' after welcoming her second child Albie In April 2023, Sara opened up on her fertility issues impacting her stand-up comedy and her fear of turning down work after her baby was born In April 2023, Sara opened up on her fertility issues impacting her stand-up comedy and her fear of turning down work after her baby was born. Before giving birth, she had struggled to conceive and centred a lot of her comedy around being infertile. After having her baby, she then changed her material to reflect being a mother, admitting to being 'complex'. Speaking to the Radio Times, Sara explained: 'As human beings, we're all inconsistent. Something can be true at one point in your life or career, but not true later on.' 'When I did Out of Her Mind [the BBC2 sitcom in 2020], I was at a stage of my life where I'd got my head around the fact that I was infertile and I really leant into that in the show.' 'Then a year later, I had a baby [via IVF]. People who felt close to my narrative said, 'Who are you, then?' And it was like, 'Sorry, people are really complex!' 'When I was infertile, I was really defensive and now I'm a mummy, I do mum jokes. I'm an over-sharer I'm comfortable with it, and with the discussion that comes after.' Ricki Lake has uncovered the moment psychic Tyler Henry predicted that her home would burn in a fire. The 56-year-old former talk show host lost her Pacific Palisades home, like many other public figures, in this week's raging Los Angeles wildfires. On Thursday she revealed that her sprawling abode had been destroyed in the inferno, despite her best efforts to save it. And on Saturday, she appeared on Instagram to share a highlight from an October 2024 episode of Live From The Other Side With Tyler Henry in which the medium warned of the destruction to come. 'The great @tylerhenrymedium called it! Less than three months ago, on Oct 15th, 2024 Ross and I were on Tyler's show and guys, he SAW the fire,' she wrote in a caption, referring to husband Ross Burningham. She encouraged her 450,000 followers to check out the full episode for themselves, adding, 'The show is on @netflix. I urge you to watch it.' Ricki Lake has uncovered the moment psychic Tyler Henry predicted that her home would burn in a fire The 56-year-old former talk show host lost her Pacific Palisades home, like many other public figures, in this week's raging Los Angeles wildfires The note continued, 'Omg. Praying for all those impacted by this ongoing nightmare, including my new friend, @tylerhenrymedium and @rachaelharris whose homes I hear may be at risk.' In the outtake, Tyler said, 'If there was a loss of material objects from a fire and water, that's the kind of weird distinction it's two separate things...' 'So we're going to end up finding there's a story, where like, there was a house fire or something along those lines,' he continued. He added, 'There's jut something about watching water seep into a place that it shouldn't and damaging things.' Ricki appeared stunned in the footage, dropping her mouth at one point while her husband sat next to her with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. In a post shared online earlier in the week, the media personality declared herself a 'survivor.' Sharing a selfie with a solemn expression, she wrote, 'If I am anything at all, I am a f'ing survivor.' Lake said that at 11:24am on Tuesday, she saw 'early signs of smoke in Temescal Canyon,' leading her and Burningham to set up a fire defense system which included sprinklers. At 4:10pm, Lake said Burningham used a hose to extinguish a blaze on a palm tree on their neighbors' property. On Saturday, Lake appeared on Instagram to share a highlight from an October 2024 episode of Live From The Other Side With Tyler Henry in which the medium warned of the destruction to come In a post shared online earlier in the week, the media personality declared herself a 'survivor' Lake and her spouse married at the home three years ago in January 2022. She said she and Ross weighed the risk of trying to save the home against their physical safety amid the windy night fires. 'We finally surrendered our efforts and left our home at 8:02pm,' she recounted, adding that they are 'grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured.' She added, 'No doubt, had we stayed, we would not have survived.' The star also posted nighttime dash-cam footage of her exit down Malibu's winding roads that night. Lake said she was 'praying' for other locals and their homes amid the wreckage caused by the fires. 'I think I might have just said goodbye to my house,' she said in one chilling moment. The devastation in Southern California unfolded on Tuesday morning when a combination of heavy wind and lack of rain created the perfect condition for a brush fire. Lake said that at 11:24am on Tuesday, she saw 'early signs of smoke in Temescal Canyon,' leading her and Burningham to set up a fire defense system which included sprinklers Lake and her spouse married at the home three years ago in January 2022 The flames quickly spread and as of Friday evening, 21,317 acres of land had been scorched in the Palisades fire alone, with firefighters still working around the clock to contain the flames there and at other locations throughout the sprawling city. The Pacific Palisades was home to celebrities including Reese Witherspoon, Anna Farris, Tyra Banks, and many more. Paris Hilton lost her Malibu mansion in the blaze and launched an emergency fund, starting with a $100,000 donation to other victims. Along with her generous contribution, the heiress revealed that she will match 'additional dollars raised up to $100,000 more' and said she plans to volunteer on-site this weekend. Joshua Jackson's $2 million Topanga Canyon home has been destroyed amid the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires that began earlier this week on Tuesday. The Doctor Odyssey actor, 46, had spent his early childhood at the house before moving back to Canada at the age of eight after his parents divorced. In 2001, the star purchased the property and reflected during an interview with Mr. Porter Magazine in 2021 that it had been a place 'where everything felt simple.' However, in devastating photos taken on Saturday, the residence is now a pile of charred remnants after being burnt to the ground in the Pacific Palisades blaze - which has currently destroyed 22,660 acres, per the Los Angeles Times. Portions of the backyard and swimming pool are still intact, while the hills surrounding where the house once stood are also barren due to the flames. Before, green trees and bushes had bordered the driveway and multiple-story home, while the residence itself contained a large, wooden deck that offered views of the scenery down below. Joshua Jackson's, 46, $2 million Topanga Canyon home has been destroyed amid the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires that began earlier this week on Tuesday; seen in September 2024 in L.A. Slide me The residence is now a pile of charred remnants after being burnt to the ground in the Pacific Palisades blaze A staircase led down one side of hill towards a rectangular-shaped swimming and solar panels. In the new images, the area seemingly was untouched by the fire, with lounge chairs and umbrellas still placed next to the pool. In the Palisades Fire alone, an estimation of around 5,300 structures have been destroyed - and include homes, churches and schools. The Eaton Fire near the Altadena and Pasadena area has burned 13,956 acres as of Saturday, per the LA Times. Officials have stated that 7,000 structures have been burned to the ground in that specific blaze. Other infernos have since sparked up, such as the Kenneth Fire and Hurst Fire. On Saturday, firefighters have been working on a flare up of the Palisades blaze near Brentwood. 1,680 National Guard troops have made their way to Southern California to offer assistance - as the death toll has now risen to 13. Jackson is one of many residents and stars who have lost their properties in the deadly wildfires - including Jeff Bridges, Miles Teller, Eugene Levy, Tina Knowles and Paris Hilton. While talking to Mr. Porter in 2021, the Dawson's Creek alum opened up about buying his former childhood home - which he had lived in with his family until he was eight. Portions of the backyard and swimming pool are still intact, while the hills surrounding where the house once stood are also barren due to the flames In 2001, the star purchased the property and reflected during an interview with Mr. Porter Magazine in 2021 that it had been a place 'where everything felt simple'; seen earlier this month in Beverly Hills The star - who was born in Canada - moved back to Vancouver when his parents divorced, but bought the Topanga Canyon house in 2001. He told the outlet at the time, 'My father unfortunately was not a good father or a husband and exited the scene, but that house in Topanga was where everything felt simple, so it was a very healing thing for me to do.' Joshua and his now-ex Jodie Turner-Smith had previously lived together at the home, and was also where they raised their four-year-old daughter, Juno. The actor's daughter had slept in his own childhood bedroom and said, 'There was a mural of a dragon on the wall in that room that I couldn't believe was still there, years later.' 'The owner [who sold him the house] said, "I knew it meant a lot to somebody and that they were going to come back for it some day."' And while talking to E! News in 2023, Jackson also opened up about living in his former childhood home - and raising a family of his own there. 'The most surprising thing is that it's a lot more homey than it looks like from the outside,' the star expressed. 'It's very, very baby-oriented and family-oriented inside the house.' Joshua and his now-ex Jodie Turner-Smith had previously lived together at the home, and was also where they raised their four-year-old daughter, Juno; former couple seen in 2022 in NYC Joshua and Jodie Turner-Smith began dating in 2018 and tied the knot the following year in 2019. Their daughter was born in April 2020 - but in October 2023, it was revealed that the pair had filed for divorce. Last month in December, the actress claimed that Joshua has not yet paid both child and spousal support following their split. Jackson also previously owned a home in West Hollywood with ex-girlfriend, Diane Kruger, which was sold in 2017 for $5.76 million after they went their separate ways. The Pacific Palisades Fire began on Tuesday morning amid strong Santa Winds, and is currently 11% percent contained as of Saturday. Over 100,000 people are still facing evacuation orders throughout Southern California as multiple fires continue to burn - and around 12,000 structures are still threatened by the blazes, per NBC News. The Pacific Palisades Fire began on Tuesday morning amid strong Santa Winds, and is currently 11% percent contained as of Saturday; taken in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday Some A-listers have slammed L.A. mayor Karen Bass over the fires, such as Khloe Kardashian who called her 'a joke' Other stars that have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Seinfeld star Julia-Louis Dreyfus, and Gilmore Girls alum Milo Ventimiglia. However, other celebrity homes survived, with James Woods revealing on Friday that his home had not been burned after believing it had been destroyed just days earlier. Some A-listers have slammed L.A. mayor Karen Bass over the fires, such as Khloe Kardashian who called her 'a joke.' Many more stars have also joined Kardashian in criticizing Bass over the mismanagement of the deadly blazes - including Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Woods and Sara Foster. Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Joe Tate made a dramatic return to the village after a six-year absence. The character, played by Ned Porteous, 30, resurfaced as part of a plot to overthrow Kim Tate, played by Claire King, 63, and her husband Will Taylor, played by Dean Andrews, 61. However, as Joe took centre stage in the soap, some viewers were shocked to discover that Ned had previously appeared in EastEnders as Grant Mitchells son. In 2016, Ned played Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell, 57) and hardman Grant, as well as being Martin Fowler's (James Bye, 40) cousin. The character made a surprise entrance, travelling from Florida to London's East End in search of his real father, Grant. However, his stay in Walford was brief. Some die-hard EastEnders fans might have forgotten that Michelle Fowler once left the UK for America, keeping Grant unaware that she was pregnant with his child. Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Joe Tate made a dramatic return to the village after a six-year absence The character, played by Ned Porteous, 30, resurfaced as part of a plot to overthrow Kim Tate, played by Claire King, 63, and her husband Will Taylor, played by Dean Andrews, 61 Mark Jr. was born off-screen in 1996, but it wasn't until 2016 that viewers saw him arrive in the Square to untangle the web of his paternal roots. Although his stint on EastEnders was short-lived - Mark Jr. was on-screen for just a month before returning to the US - Ned was thrilled to be part of the iconic show. He said: 'Being part of two iconic families and the longest-kept secret in EastEnders history is beyond exciting!' He added: 'I'm honoured to be here and can't wait for viewers to meet Mark Jr.' Following Joe's return to Emmerdale, fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their surprise at Ned's EastEnders connection. One fan wrote: 'I didn't know that Joe [has] been in Bridgerton, and EastEnders as Mark Jnr.'; 'How have I only just found out Joe Tate in #Emmerdale is played by the same actor that played Mark Fowler Jr in #EastEnders.' While another added: 'I didn't know he'd been in EastEnders.' However, as joe took centre stage in the soap, some viewers were shocked to discover that Ned had previously appeared in EastEnders as Grant Mitchell's son In 2016, Ned played Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell, 57) and hardman Grant, as well as being Martin Fowler's (James Bye, 40) cousin Following Joe's return to Emmerdale, fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their surprise at Ned's EastEnders connection Meanwhile, another fan expressed their preference for Ned's EastEnders role: 'Ned Porteous back as Joe Tate is awesome but I preferred him playing Mark fowler Jr (Mitchell) in EastEnders. We didn't have him long enough as Grant's son. #Emmerdale #Eastenders.' As Emmerdale fans know, Joe's return to the village has been nothing short of dramatic. The show took an unexpected twist when Will Taylor succumbed to a heart attack following revelations from Joe. In the aftermath, a heartbroken Kim is left to rebuild her life, with Joe stepping in as the supportive step-grandson. However, there are worrying signs that Joe might be struggling with a severe health issue. Earlier this month, viewers saw Joe in his room at the B&B suddenly falling ill. Distressed, he rummaged through his bag, spilling pill packets onto the bed before taking medication. He later requested painkillers from Dawn Taylor, played by Olivia Bromley, raising further concerns for Kim. Emmerdale airs on ITV and ITVX on weekdays at 7:30 PM, with the exception of Thursdays when episodes are one hour long. by Mike OBrien I recently read a post by Agnes Callard discussing a philosophical novel (how dreadful) entitled The Man Without Qualities. The titular character is an essayist, a figure standing in stark contrast to philosophers. The essayist seeks novelty and surprise, the ephemeral glitters of new and interesting perspectives. He lacks the courage for the philosophers burdensome and risky enterprise of seeking long and hard for answers that may never reveal themselves. Thinking long and hard, writes Callard, makes sense if you want answers; it makes less sense if the highest reward you anticipate from your intellectual efforts is surprise. I was already conscious of the distinction between the writing that I do, and what is done by the philosophers whose work I discuss. But it stings a little more when someone else points it out. Thanks, Agnes. Casting The Man Without Qualities as a cautionary tale of stunted intellectual life, Callard writes that [t]he book shows us what it is like to be a thinker without a quest; perpetually idle in spite of all ones ceaseless, restless intellectual activity. Such a description could find no more unfitting targets than Jonathan Birch and his latest book, The Edge of Sentience. This publication, like the rest of Birchs voluminous output, exemplifies the ethic of philosophy as productive work, rather than some kind of divine communion, or clever puzzle-building, or sly apologetics. Birch clearly explains his project to the reader, and frequently re-iterates the books key principles and criteria to keep that project firmly in view. He is not trying to surprise or dazzle, or hide gems for only the most insightful and subtle readers to discover through exegetical pilgrimage. This book is not trying to showcase Birchs talents or seduce the reader into sharing Birchs prejudices, but rather seeks to clearly convey relevant information and to articulate a consistent set of proposals with reasonable chances of implementation in public institutions. The Edge Of Sentience is a book with a public agenda, and Birch executes it well. A recent review in Nature called it a masterclass in public-facing philosophy, in case my opinion isnt authoritative enough for you. In reviewing an article co-written by Birch and Kristin Andrews for a previous column, I noted that it was nearly impossible to summarize without restating the whole article point for point, because it comprised so many independently important details and argumentative steps. This book presents a similar challenge, having little extraneous information to cut or inflated themes to compress. A less good book would be easier to summarize: the author argues X, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, over the course of 200 pages, and it basically amounts to this . Birch, by contrast, argues A through Z, sequentially, over about 350 pages, and only repeats himself deliberately. So, I will not attempt to discuss much of the content of this book (the zoological research, the histories of medical decision-making, the emerging theories of artificial intelligence, etc.). Instead, I will try to describe the books educational and political project, and the methods it employs to accomplish that project. Readers will no doubt enjoy all the substance that I omit here when they encounter it while reading the book for themselves. The subject matter of Birchs book is the zone of possibly sentient beings who may have welfare interests that should be respected. This zone includes humans with persistent disorders of consciousness (e.g. comatose patients), human fetuses, invertebrate animals of many kinds, artificial intelligence, and neural organoids (masses of human neural tissue grown for experiments). At the outset, it is uncertain which beings are likely sentient, it is uncertain what criteria should be accepted as indicative of sentience, and it is uncertain what protective measures are appropriate to protect beings which are deemed sentient. It is even uncertain what definition of sentience should be adopted for these questions. Birch adopts the capacity to have valenced experiences as the working definition of sentience, although he discusses alternatives with metaphysical commitments that lie outside the scope of the books project. He stakes out five realistic positions regarding prerequisites for sentience, ranging from most restrictive (requiring a granular prefrontal cortex, found only in primates) to least restrictive (requiring something functionally equivalent to a midbrain, which may admit insects). He excludes positions requiring language or an adult human brain as unrealistically restrictive (sorry not sorry, contractualists), and positions admitting anything with a spinal cord, or even non-nervous tissue, as unrealistically permissive. For beings possessing some of these features but not yet accepted as sentient, Birch adopts the concepts of sentience candidate and investigation priority. The former category includes those beings for which the evidence of sentience is strong enough that it would be irresponsible to ignore in policy decisions, and rich enough to identify welfare risks and design precautions for them. The latter category includes beings that could plausibly be identified as sentient if more research was done, and which are affected by human activity in such a way that would create welfare risks if they are sentient. The lines between beings recognized as sentient, as sentience candidates or as investigation priorities will be drawn differently depending on ones beliefs and working criteria, of course. But these categories allow for greater clarity about the substance and scope of disagreements over sentience. This search for clarity in a disputed zone (rather than consensus on one preferred stance) drives the structure of the book. It opens with a list of all the proposals that Birch will make, regarding the precautionary framework generally and various cases specifically. These proposals are re-stated throughout the book in the context of the supporting evidence and argumentation. The three stipulations that compose this guiding framework are (1) There exists a duty to avoid gratuitous suffering, (2) Sentience candidature can warrant precautions (to avoid gratuitous suffering), and (3) Assessments of proportionality (of precautionary measures) should be informed, democratic and inclusive. The main body of the book is subdivided into five parts, comprising seventeen chapters. Part One deals with the zone of reasonable disagreement about sentience and the relationship between physical and mental phenomena, covering the philosophical and scientific challenges of definition and explanation. Part Two deals with the precautionary framework, whereby Birch tries to identify a range of defensible principles and positions from which policy recommendations can be made, along with prescribing democratic procedures by which these recommendations can be reached. Part Three deals with human cases (neural organoids, fetuses, and people in coma-like states), drawing on some very interesting medical research and history while avoiding the tangled debates around reproductive rights or dignity. Part Four deals with (other) animals, and is also replete with biological and historical information, as well as discussions of how to give proportionate protection to welfare interests when they are threatened by defensible human activity. (I suspect that Birch believes most of the harm we currently do is indefensible, but he cannot simply propose a moratorium on all human enterprise as a feasible policy within his framework.) Part Five deals with artificial intelligence, including extant technologies like LLMs and future developments guided by cognitive theories of consciousness. I am generally much less interested in AI than in animal cognition, but found this section quite interesting and of properly urgent importance to the books project. There are some definite conclusions in the book, despite its general approach of upholding reasonable disagreement. Octopuses are sentient. Plants are not. Language requirements for sentience are out. Torturing animals is wrong (and not for the crazy reasonsmy words, not Birchsproposed by Kant or Carruthers). But arriving at such conclusions is not the point of the book. Beyond accepting some minimal stipulations (duty to respect welfare interests, commitment to abide by standards of evidence and logic), Birch is trying to create the conditions for productive discussion, not win a debate. Does the book succeed in this project? I suppose that largely depends on factors outside of Birchs control. He has certainly made a good case for the range of possibilities that he believes to merit consideration. Whether that consideration, and subsequent decision and implementation, will be forthcoming at the level of governments, industries and professional bodies is yet to be seen. He has written a book that is worth reading on its own merits, and the more people benefit themselves by reading it, the more influential it may prove to be. Writing a good book is a pragmatic necessity to advance Birchs project of protecting the welfare of sentience candidates. My personal assessment of the book is quite positive. I came to it expecting something more like Ed Yongs work in An Immense World, which is a tour of the science and philosophy of animal perception aimed at a lay but somewhat scientifically literate audience. That book is more entertaining, more narratively satisfying, and less goal-directed in Birchs policy-minded sense. I dont wish to contrast these two authors critically, as Yong is not shallow and Birch is not boring, but they are clearly doing different things. Both serve to raise awareness and appreciation of non-human beings capacity for mental experience, and of the welfare questions that follow. But Birch is making a case, not leading a tour, and as such he can give cause for dissent. As I have been thinking about animal welfare issues and their political challenges for quite a few years, I occasionally had to smooth down my hackles to give Birchs proposals a fair hearing. Interested readers who have not yet formed their own definite opinions will likely experience less friction with the arguments of the book. My main point of discontent (I cant really call it a disagreement, and it is barely a criticism) lies with Birchs advocating for and describing in much detail the role of democratic consultation and citizens assemblies for creating policy proposals. It is not just some hand-wave to the value of democracy, as democratic and inclusive bona fides are integral to the third principle of his precautionary framework. But I felt that the book didnt explain why these particular policy matters (precautionary measures to safeguard the welfare of sentience candidates) merited extraordinarily democratic and inclusive processes to create recommendations. Birch could argue that these are deeply important matters of moral significance, given the numbers of beings potentially affected, and any similarly vast and dire matter should also be addressed by similar procedures. I suppose my gripe is that I wanted a more explicit explanation of why (human-only) democratic procedures should be any more credible than expert dictatorships insofar as their decisions impact the welfare of non-human (and therefore not democratically represented) beings. But I suspect Birch might have a good answer for that. He does state that [i]f a citizens panel were to decide that there should be no limit [on our abuse of sentient beings], then I would have to accept the force of that verdict for public policy (though not for my own private life). The use of the word force rather than legitimacy or right might point to a simply pragmatic answer to this. Politics is, after all, the art of the possible. I dont wish to make too much of this point. Birch hangs his hat at the LSE, hardly a den of political radicalism, and works in the intersection of research and policy where certain political realities and values must be taken for granted. Opposing democracy on behalf of octopus rights would not help his project gain any traction in government or industry. A substantive political discussion would introduce a whole other dimension to his pragmatic considerations, and probably make the project of The Edge Of Sentience impossibly unwieldy. It is a defensible choice to assume (or hope for?) a morally responsible and reasonable government (and licenced bodies in research and industry) to which carefully tuned consultative mechanisms can deliver their recommendations. I suppose that living next to the USA, in a country poised to elect its own Republican-Lite government, makes it easy for me to forget that some countries do still have credible prospects for state-level moral advancement. This quibble reminds me of the criticisms thrown at John Rawls (mostly by people who have not read his work) for being a weak-kneed incrementalist, or tinkering apologist for the status quo. His criteria for a minimally decent society are in fact incredibly, perhaps impossibly, demanding from the standpoint of existing societies like his own USA. He didnt need to shout the status quo is horribly unjust on every page, because the thoughtful reader should be able to recognize the radical disconnect between the world they inhabit and the world prescribed in Rawls work. Similarly, Birch doesnt need to point out that humanitys relationship to non-human beings (and human beings) is horrible every time he mentions existing institutions. There is an incongruity between the conscientiously constructed, better-angels-harnessing procedures that Birch proposes, and the often amoral-at-best superstructure into which they will deliver their recommendations, and that incongruity makes me itchy. But thats a me problem, not a The Edge Of Sentience problem. Thats it. Thats all the criticism I have of Birchs book. Im in no position to pick apart the massive amount of empirical and philosophical literature that he cites (the bibliography runs thirty-six pages). I have no counter-proposal to replace the very large and very sturdy edifice of proposals that he has constructed. I cant fault him for being too restrictive or too permissive in setting his criteria, at least in light of the evidence and arguments he provides for those choices. I cant even fault it for being boring, because it isnt, despite running nearly 400 pages and being oriented more towards influencing policy than entertaining casual science and philosophy buffs. The quibbles about meta-political quietism and democratic legitimacy are largely peculiar to me, as my eyes glaze over whenever I hear words like reasonable or consensus. This is a wonderfully informative work of science and philosophy writing, even to readers who are already well-versed in the issues discussed. Birchs writing is engaging, earnest and easy to follow, with flashes of wit and style that indicate that he could flex some rhetorical muscles if he wished, but has the good sense to refrain. He judiciously and seldom exercises his prerogative as author to give any privileged place to his own views, except at the level where opinion is the only currency, such as in stipulating that moral duties to other sentient beings do exist. I look forward, as I am sure Birch does too, to seeing a fruitful response to this book in the form of counter-arguments, corrections and amendments from other experts. I also admire that Birch would put as much work into this book as he obviously has, knowing full well that the often very recent evidence on which it rests is constantly being added to and revised. He could have stepped back from the edge of current research and written a more abstract book with a longer shelf life. But this book is not intended to sit on shelves. It is intended to have an exploitable use-value, to be a tool for bending the arc of history towards justice, and by happy coincidence it also provides a positively valenced experience to sentient systems like me. The Edge Of Sentience by Jonathan Birch is published by Oxford University Press and is available in print, digital and audio-book formats. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. He has played a variety of roles from a crime-solving vicar to terrifying villain Tommy-Lee Royce in Happy Valley, but James Norton's latest part may be his worthiest role to date. For the British acting heartthrob born and bred in North Yorkshire - went back to his roots at the cinema he went to as he was growing up and was happy to muck in. He chose The Palace Independent Cinema in his idyllic home town Malton for a private charity screening of one of his new projects for family and friends before Christmas. And he showed his northern grit and humility had not left him by picking up a broom and helping to clean the auditorium before the lights went down. Cinema goers were astonished to spot the acclaimed actor, currently starring in primetime ITV baby swap drama Playing Nice, patiently waiting inside the cinema as they filed out of their film. And he stopped to chat and happily posed for selfies before his screening in aid of baby loss charity Tommy's and impressed the historic cinema's owner Jeremy Powell with his hands-on approach. Speaking exclusively to the Mail on Sunday, Jeremy said: 'We donated the cinema screen to a showing of one of his films for a private family charity night for 86 of James's family and friends. 'He was an absolutely charming chap as you'd imagine. He used to come to the cinema when he was growing up. British acting heartthrob James Norton chose The Palace Independent Cinema in Malton for a private charity screening for family and friends before Christmas Cinema goers were astonished to spot the acclaimed actor, currently starring in primetime ITV baby swap drama Playing Nice, patiently waiting inside the cinema as they filed out of their film 'When he arrived, the audience of Wicked was coming out of Screen Two at the same time. 'They spotted him, and he got mugged by the audience at the door with people having selfies taken with him and all sorts. He was super about the whole thing. 'My wife Caroline decided to usher him into Screen One where it was empty and he kept asking 'anything I can do to help?' and Holly who was in there sweeping up, said 'if you fancy it?' 'So he picked up the dustpan and brush and just got on with it. It was a comic moment and out came the phones and pictures were taken. 'We weren't expecting that, but I have to say he did a good job of the sweeping up. 'He is a lovely man and an absolute pleasure to have him and his family here.' Jeremy revealed he previously hosted James's family for a screening of his first big feature film, An Education, in 2009. 'We ran An Education, and his family came to see that and there was a great uproar of cheering when he appeared on screen. The actor showed his northern grit and humility had not left him by picking up a broom and helping to clean the auditorium before the lights went down Norton is currently starring in ITV baby swap drama Playing Nice James McArdle plays Miles Lambert, while Jessica Brown Findlay plays his wife Lucy 'His family do come to the cinema quite regularly.' A self-confessed proud Yorkshireman, he recently told Radio York that he regularly travels home to see his parents and his sister, proclaiming: 'I'm a Yorkshireman - I don't sound like it anymore - but I'm a Yorkshireman through and through, so to come home is always a pleasure.' He is also the patron of Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre where he did work experience as a teenager, further developing his love of the stage and screen. Dennis Quaid was stopped for an interview while evacuating from the Los Angeles wildfires on Friday evening, and the internet is focused on the 'overeager' reporter talking to him. In a now-viral news clip, the 70-year-old actor was interrupted by a reporter for NBC 4 Los Angeles and his cameraperson outside of his Brentwood home. While he was trying to pack up his car, the reporter, Robert Kovacik, started asking him questions and Quaid answered them politely. At one point, he even got emotional during the interview despite hurriedly trying to pack up his family's belongings from their house and evacuate quickly. However, viewers of the news segment took to X, formerly Twitter, to slam the reporter for being 'obnoxious' as he 'bothered' Quaid. The news channel was also criticized for airing the segment for 15 minutes when people were watching in anticipation for critical wildfire updates and evacuation orders. Dennis Quaid was stopped for an interview while evacuating from the Los Angeles wildfires on Friday evening, and the internet is focused on the 'overeager' reporter talking to him The segment first began with the reporter introducing Quaid and saying, 'I'm going to walk with you if that's OK,' but the actor did not appear to respond. At one point, fans pointed out that the reporter even knocked on Quaid's driver's side window after he got into his car, shut the door and appeared to be getting ready to drive away. The reporter complimented his 'Quaid smile' and seemed to be trying to keep the interview going even with car horns honking in the background, sirens blaring at various points throughout the video and as members of the fire department keep walking around them and staring. During the interview, Quaid revealed he was returning to collect some more important items after he and his family already evacuated at some point earlier. 'Who would have thought? We've all had a really big lesson... that our experience of reality can change in a moment,' he said on the news. 'I came back just in case I hadn't shut off the gas, you know, all those little things you don't think of and just thought, maybe I could be there to put a hose on the roof if the embers come over at least. Something like that, or help out the neighbors.' The reporter was also roasted for how much he referred to the Substance star in the third person and for 'snooping around' at what Quaid was packing into his trunk. Even Quaid called him out for using his full name when addressing him but laughed it off. In a now-viral news clip, the 70-year-old actor was interrupted by a reporter for NBC 4 Los Angeles and his cameraperson outside of his Brentwood home While he was trying to pack up his car, the reporter, Robert Kovacik, started asking him questions and Quaid answered them politely At one point, fans pointed out that the reporter even knocked on Quaid's driver's side window after he got into his car, shut the door and appeared to be getting ready to drive away. The reporter was also criticized for standing in his way while Quaid was holding a large hamper of clothes and trying to pack his car. One social media user called out one instance of the 'bizarre' interaction when the reporter said: 'It's nice to be able to watch Dennis Quaid trying to fit two hampers of his 17-year-old daughter's clothes into his Mercedes.' At one point, he even opened one of the hampers, pulled out a pair of Quaid's pants. The reporter was lambasted for making too many jokes while trying to find levity in difficult and devastating circumstances. At the end of the clip, he knocked on Quaid's window and had him open his car window for him to put his microphone inside the car interview him and his dog Peaches. Social media users said that Quaid was being kind and conversational even though he was 'frantically' trying to pack up his car and evacuate. 'Not them interviewing Dennis Quaid while he frantically tries to pack his belongings to evacuate,' one tweet read. 'Not them interviewing Dennis Quaid while he frantically tries to pack his belongings to evacuate,' one tweet read 'I just watched the most cringe news segment of my life,' an X user tweeted. 'It was surreal and bizarre.' The same social media user said that the reporter 'would not stop dogging Dennis Quaid while he was packing his car to evacuate' 'For Pete's sake, let Dennis Quaid pack his stuff and leave,' another user wrote before calling the clip 'painful to watch' One X user tweeted: 'That newscaster following [and] interviewing Dennis Quaid was so embarrassing! How OBNOXIOUS! I felt bad for Quaid!' 'I just watched the most cringe news segment of my life,' an X user tweeted. 'It was surreal and bizarre.' The same social media user said that the reporter 'would not stop dogging Dennis Quaid while he was packing his car to evacuate. He even knocked on his car window after he rolled it up. Insane harassment.' 'For Pete's sake, let Dennis Quaid pack his stuff and leave,' another user wrote before calling the clip 'painful to watch.' One X user tweeted: 'That newscaster following [and] interviewing Dennis Quaid was so embarrassing! How OBNOXIOUS! I felt bad for Quaid!' A different tweet called the interview 'awful' and 'disrespectful.' The X user wrote: 'What kind of person goes through someone's stuff without their permission?!?!! He was trying to pack up and get gone but Robert was trying to go viral asking pointless questions [and] snooping around...' One tweet joked about how much the reporter referred to the actor in the third person. 'NBC reporter found Dennis Quaid evacuating and won't stop calling him Dennis Quaid.' 'Lmao this guy is bothering Dennis Quaid so much lol on NBC,' another user wrote. Another user laughed at the reporter's interaction with Quaid while the star was trying to pack his car. A different tweet called the interview 'awful' and 'disrespectful.' The X user wrote: 'What kind of person goes through someone's stuff without their permission?!?!! He was trying to pack up and get gone but Robert was trying to go viral asking pointless questions [and] snooping around...' One tweet joked about how much the reporter referred to the actor in the third person. 'NBC reporter found Dennis Quaid evacuating and won't stop calling him Dennis Quaid' 'Lmao this guy is bothering Dennis Quaid so much lol on NBC,' another user wrote Another user laughed at the reporter's interaction with Quaid while the star was trying to pack his car 'Not NBC 4 stopping the 21,000-acre Palisades Fire emergency newscast dead for 15 minutes to interrupt and interview Dennis Quaid as he packs his car, and Dennis Quaid's dog Peaches, while I'm waiting to see if I need to abandon my house in Sherman Oaks,' another user wrote as they criticized the outlet for the poorly timed news segment 'Not NBC 4 stopping the 21,000-acre Palisades Fire emergency newscast dead for 15 minutes to interrupt and interview Dennis Quaid as he packs his car, and Dennis Quaid's dog Peaches, while I'm waiting to see if I need to abandon my house in Sherman Oaks,' another user wrote as they criticized the outlet for the poorly timed news segment. Hollywood's biggest celebrities have been picking up the pieces after discovering their affluent Los Angeles neighborhoods were reduced to ash and rubble when the California wildfires started ravaging the city. Apocalyptic fires tore through the ritzy enclave of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, rapidly spreading to surrounding suburbs as a windstorm carried embers and debris in all directions. The death toll of the historic infernos has reached 16, as of Saturday evening, as heroic firefighters still battle hellish conditions on the front lines of at least five different fires. The homes of Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Tina Knowles, John Goodman, Candy Spelling, Milo Ventimiglia, and Miles Teller are among those destroyed, while dozens of other stars face an anxious wait alongside their neighbors to learn if anything could be saved. Rebel Wilson and wife Ramona Agruma looked to have seen better days as they were spotted arriving at Sydney Airport together on Sunday. The couple looked tired and unkempt after a horrific week saw their lavish Hollywood Hills home barely survive the LA fires intact. Hiding her eyes behind a pair of large dark designer sunglasses, the Australian actress, 44, opted for a casual look as she pulled on a $646 Maison Margiela T-shirt. She covered the embroidered numerical frock with a simple black jacket left unbuttoned and finished with a pair of blue skinny jeans. Rolling along her carry-on luggage, Rebel kept her visage free of makeup as she let her blonde tresses fall in their natural curl pattern down her back. Wife Ramona, 40, who seemed just as exhausted by the recent inferno ravaging their home city, opted for a yellow co-ord loungewear set. Rebel Wilson, 44, (left) and wife Ramona Agruma, 40, (right) looked to have seen better days on Sunday as they were spotted arriving at Sydney Airport together Also hiding her eyes behind a pair of shades, Ramona toted a Zimmerman garment bag in one hand and an Hermes Birkin in the other. DailyMail.com revealed on Friday that Rebel and Ramona's lavish Hollywood Hills mansion managed to avoid the blaze that turned other homes to ash. The modern-looking two level house with a generous deck in front and a swimming pool in the back was in good condition on Thursday. All the damage that could be seen was slight foliage from the Santa Ana windstorm in Rebel's swimming pool. There was also a car in the driveway, indicating that someone could have been inside the residence. The day before, Rebel hinted that her home was in jeopardy as she said 'Ornela' saved their cat. On Sunday, Rebel put a call out to her 11.1 million followers in an effort to 'raise money' to donate to the Los Angeles Police Department to help officers amid the LA fires. She informed her fans on Instagram that '20 LAPD personnel have lost their homes' with more than 50 of them being 'displaced', as she asked followers to financially assist them. The couple looked tired and unkempt after a horrific week saw their lavish Hollywood Hills home barely survive the LA fires intact Hiding her eyes behind a pair of large dark designer sunglasses, the Australian actress opted for a casual look as she pulled on a $646 Maison Margiela T-shirt She covered the embroidered numerical frock with a simple black jacket left unbuttoned and finished with a pair of blue skinny jeans 'Hey everyone, I know there's so many worthy causes right now in LA but wanted to highlight this one,' she said. '20 LAPD personnel have lost their homes so far and more than 50 are displaced. We are raising money to provide assistance to them. 'Right now, 600 officers are deployed to the front lines. They are also doing great work in trying to stop looters and find those responsible for some of these fires.' Rebel then provided a link where followers can donate money to the Los Angeles Police Foundation. The website the link led to said the LAPF 'is committed to assisting Department employees who have lost their homes or who have been displaced by the fires'. 'We are also providing water, meals, and snacks to the officers while they work long hours during extreme conditions,' it added. The call out comes just days after Rebel revealed her beloved cat had to be rescued from her LA home as the city was engulfed in devastating wildfires. The Pitch Perfect star lives with her wife Ramona Agruma and daughter Royce, two, in the Hollywood Hills. DailyMail.com revealed on Friday that Rebel and Ramona's lavish Hollywood Hills mansion managed to avoid the blaze that turned other homes to ash Rolling along her carry-on luggage, Rebel kept her visage free of makeup as she let her blonde tresses fall in their natural curl pattern down her back Wife Ramona who seemed just as exhausted by the recent inferno ravaging their home city, opted for a yellow co-ord loungewear set Also hiding her eyes behind a pair of shades, Ramona toted a Zimmerman garment bag in one hand and an Hermes Birkin in the other Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the Hollywood actress revealed her home had been impacted by the horrific fires. Rebel shared a frightening image, taken by her friend Ornela, that showed the West Hollywood skyline engulfed in flames. 'Can not believe this,' Rebel captioned the terrifying image. 'Thank you Ornela for saving our cat.' Ornela also shared the image to her Instagram with the caption: 'This is West Hollywood, we are not OK. 'If you have room, DM me and I can connect you with people who need it.' Rebel replied in the comments with: 'Thank you Ornela for helping everyone, this is crazy.' On Sunday, Rebel put a call out to her 11.1 million followers in an effort to ' raise money' to donate to the Los Angeles Police Department to help officers amid the LA fires She informed her fans on Instagram that '20 LAPD personnel have lost their homes' with more than 50 of them being 'displaced', as she asked followers to financially assist them A ferocious new wildfire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesdaysparking a mass evacuation of the iconic Hollywood Boulevard amid warnings that another 100,000 residents should be prepared to evacuate their homes. The catastrophic blazes have already claimed the homes of a number of high-profile celebrities including Paris Hilton, Jon Goodman, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal. The fate of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards is still up in the air as the deadly L.A. wildfires continue to rage throughout Southern California. The ceremony is currently scheduled for Sunday, February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena and will air on CBS - with Beyonce dominating the list with a total of 11 nominations, including Album of the Year. Earlier this week on Tuesday, catastrophic blazes began amid strong Santa Ana winds, resulting in over 10,000 structures being destroyed and the death toll rising to 16 as of Saturday, per NBC News. The host of this year's ceremony has yet to be announced, as well as the list of performers set to take to the stage. Sources informed The Hollywood Reporter that discussions have taken place to possibly delay the show or turn the event into a fundraiser. It comes after the Critics Choice Awards 2025 - which had been slated to take place on Sunday, January 12 - was officially postponed to January 26 amid the fires that have left devastation throughout Los Angeles. The fate of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards is still up in the air as the deadly L.A. wildfires continue to rage throughout Southern California; Taylor Swift seen at 2024 Grammys in L.A. A senior television executive told THR that it is very 'likely' the the music ceremony will be postponed to a later date. The next few days will determine the ultimate decision about the fate of the awards show. Harvey Mason Jr. - the Recording Academy Head - has reportedly been toying over various options. Some conversations have also taken place about a potential benefit concert in collaboration with MusiCares before the Grammys. MusiCares is notably a nonprofit organization that 'provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community,' per the official website. The Recording Academy and MusiCares have also pledged $1 million to help music professionals amid the Southern California fires, and have also launched the L.A. Fire Relief Effort. The Grammy Awards were previously delayed back in 2021 and 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The nominations for the 2025 ceremony were announced two months earlier in November, with Beyonce leading with the most nods. Earlier this week on Tuesday, catastrophic blazes began amid strong Santa Ana winds, resulting in over 10,000 structures being destroyed and the death toll rising to 16 as of Saturday, per NBC News; taken on Saturday The nominations for the 2025 ceremony were announced two months earlier in November, with Beyonce leading with the most nods; seen in April 2024 in Hollywood Other artists including Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone raked in seven nominations. Taylor Swift received a total of six nominations, as well as Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. Amid the ongoing fires, other awards events have also been cancelled or postponed this week. On Wednesday, the 2025 Critics Choice Awards was also postponed after being originally set to take place this week on Sunday, January 12. The annual ceremony was going to be held over the weekend at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica - a city close to the Pacific Palisades wildfire. Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin issued a statement to announcement the event's postponement to January 26, per People. 'This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.' The awards show will still be held at the Barker Hangar later this month, and hosted by Chelsea Handler. On Wednesday, the 2025 Critics Choice Awards was also postponed after being originally set to take place this week on Sunday, January 12 and was moved to January 26; Chelsea Handler seen hosting the show in 2023 And the nominations for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards were postponed on Wednesday. In the wake of the horrific L.A. fires, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences delayed the announcement of the 2025 Oscar nominations from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19. The voting period - which began on Wednesday - has also been extended through Tuesday, January 14. Voting had initially been set to end on Sunday, January 12. A letter from the Academy, per The Hollywood Reporter, read: 'We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California.' 'So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.' 'So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.' Given the fire situation, we want to share some updates regarding an extension to the Oscars nominations voting window as well as updated information on Oscars Shortlist Screenings, Oscars Bake-Offs, and the Academy Museum.' Voting for the 2025 Oscar nominations, 'opened this morning at 9am PT. We will be extending the voting window by two days to give members more time to cast their ballots. Voting will now close on Tuesday, January 14 at 5pm PT.' In the wake of the horrific L.A. fires, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences delayed the announcement of the 2025 Oscar nominations from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19 The 97th Academy Awards are still set to take place later this year on March 2 - and hosted by comedian and TV personality, Conan O'Brien; seen in 2023 in NYC 'As such, our Oscars Nominations Announcement will move from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19. More information on the announcement will follow soon...' Other academy events have also been temporarily canceled and will be rescheduled to a later date, such as the International Feature Film Shortlist Screening. The 97th Academy Awards are still set to take place later this year on March 2 - and hosted by comedian and TV personality, Conan O'Brien. The annual BAFTA Tea Party was supposed to take place on Saturday - but has also been canceled. A representative stated, per Deadline, 'In light of the dangerous winds and wildfires in Los Angeles, we are cancelling this weekend's BAFTA Tea Party.' 'The safety of our colleagues, friends and peers in Los Angeles remains our utmost priority and our thoughts are with everyone impacted.' The infernos - which include the Pacific Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire - began earlier this week on Tuesday amid strong Santa Ana winds. In the Palisades Fire alone - which began on Tuesday morning - an estimation of around 5,300 structures have been destroyed which includes homes, churches and schools. A number of residents and stars lost their homes this week, including Miles Teller, Mel Gibson and Paris Hilton. A total of around 22,660 acres have been destroyed in the Palisades blaze as of Saturday night, NBC reported. The Eaton Fire near the Altadena and Pasadena area has burned 13,956 acres as of Saturday, per the Los Angeles Times. In the Palisades Fire alone - which began on Tuesday morning - an estimation of around 5,300 structures have been destroyed which includes homes, churches and schools; taken on Saturday in Pacific Palisades A number of residents and stars lost their homes this week, including Miles Teller, Mel Gibson and Paris Hilton; Hilton seen in November 2024 in West Hollywood Officials have stated that 7,000 structures have been burned to the ground in that specific blaze. Over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders as firefighters continue to put out the fires throughout Southern California - with winds set to pick up once again early next week. Aside from the Palisades and Eaton blazes, other infernos have since sparked up this week such as the Kenneth Fire and Hurst Fire. On Saturday, firefighters have been working on a flare up of the Palisades blaze near Brentwood. 1,680 National Guard troops have made their way to Southern California to offer assistance - as the death toll has now risen to 16. Deon Cole is sharing details from his 'nightmare' of a week. The 53-year-old actor-comedian who is pals with Paul McCartney appeared on Instagram on Thursday to reveal that he spent his January 9 birthday in the hospital. He wrote to his one million followers, 'Thank u all for your birthday well wishes. I sure could use them. Thank you all,' along with a photo of him in his hospital bed. Cole wore a yellow disposable face mask and had IVs hooked up to his arms in the selfie. The entertainer didn't say what landed him in the hospital. Then on Friday he reemerged online to note that he had been released, but had to evacuate his home due to the Los Angeles wildfires, which have leveled many celebrity properties. 'This day is devastating!!!! Left the hospital earlier, sick af, went home, then had to packed what I could to evacuate. As I drove away I [saw] the fire rising from behind my house. It's a nightmare!!!' Deon expressed. Deon Cole is sharing details from his 'nightmare' of a week, which included spending his 53rd birthday in the hospital He wrote to his one million followers, 'Thank u all for your birthday well wishes. I sure could use them. Thank you all' His video post began with a photo of the side of his head as he showed his packed vehicle in the background. There was a big bouquet of blue roses in the backseat, along with large black luggage bags. 'I got the flowers my mom gave me before she passed tho,' he said, looking on the bright side. Deon's recording depicted a fiery nighttime scene as he hurried to find refuge as the days-long flames rage on throughout several parts of the sprawling city. Prior to announcing that he had been hospitalized, he had taken to Instagram to say he was cancelling his birthday party. 'Don't feel right to do my birthday party while people are losing everything they own and myself being under high alert for my own home,' he explained. Cole urged his fans to 'pray for the families.' And he reiterated in capitalized white text set against a black backdrop, 'Due to the fires in Los Angeles we are postponing our party at The Well. Thoughts and prayers to those that have lost.' Then on Friday he reemerged online to note that he had been released from the hospital, but had to evacuate his home due to the Los Angeles wildfires 'This day is devastating!!!! Left the hospital earlier, sick af, went home, then had to packed what I could to evacuate,' the standup comic detailed Deon's recording depicted a fiery nighttime scene as he hurried to find refuge as the days-long flames rage on throughout several parts of the sprawling city Among the A-list stars whose homes have been reduced to ash are Ricki Lake, Paris Hilton, Jhene Aiko, Anthony Hopkins, and Miles Teller. Others, like Kim Kardashian and her famous family members, have been ordered to evacuate their residences. The devastation in Southern California began unfolding on Tuesday morning when a combination of heavy wind and lack of rain created the perfect condition for a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades. The flames quickly spread and as of Saturday, over 21,317 acres of land have been scorched in the Palisades fire alone, with firefighters still working around the clock to contain the flames there and at other locations throughout LA. Steve Guttenberg's Pacific Palisades home narrowly avoided igniting this week as the initial Los Angeles wildfire, which stared Tuesday, tore through his neighborhood. The still-burning inferno leveled many celebrity mansions in the area, including properties belonging to Anna Faris, Heidi Montag, Paris Hilton, and Ricki Lake. Guttenberg's home is still standing despite the singed wreckage surrounding it. 'Just this morning, I woke up and I was really conscious of my mental state and my mental health, because the last three days, I've seen so much tragedy,' the 66-year-old actor told the Associated Press on Friday. 'It's like when someone dies suddenly,' he described of the shock. 'It's like when someone gets hit by a car. You never expect that to happen. That's how shocking it was.' 'There's really a lot of pain going on right now. I'm doing whatever I can to help alleviate it,' the star said of how he's showing up for his community. Steve Guttenberg's Pacific Palisades home narrowly avoided igniting this week as the initial Los Angeles wildfire, which stared Tuesday, tore through his neighborhood Guttenberg's home is still standing despite the singed wreckage surrounding it, as per a photo obtained by DailyMail.com on Saturday Steve was among the first to provide assistance earlier this week as he helped move abandoned cars out of fire trucks' pathway. He told KTLA 5's Gene Kang: 'What's happening is people take their keys with them as if they're in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars. 'If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.' Guttenberg explained that he had friends who were struggling to evacuate due to the traffic jam on Palisades Drive as he stressed: 'It's really, really important. 'There are people stuck up there. So we're trying to clear Palisades Dr. and I'm walking up there as far as I can moving cars.' Tom Hanks' multimillion-dollar cliffside home also evaded the flames caused by strong winds. Bill Hader's home also remarkably survived the devastating Los Angeles fires while his neighbors were not as fortunate. Guttenberg's neighborhood pictured before the fires that have leveled many celebrity mansions in the area, including properties belonging to Anna Faris, Heidi Montag, Paris Hilton, and Ricki Lake Steve was among the first to provide assistance earlier this week as he helped move abandoned cars out of fire trucks' pathway. He instead opted to assist by moving cars in order to make room for incoming fire trucks Authorities issued an 'immediate' evacuation order for Pacific Palisades earlier this week, urging residents to 'LEAVE NOW' Among the A-list stars whose homes have been reduced to ash are Jhene Aiko, Anthony Hopkins, and Miles Teller. Others, like Kim Kardashian and her famous family members, have been ordered to evacuate their residences. The devastation in Southern California began unfolding on Tuesday morning when a combination of heavy wind and lack of rain created the perfect condition for a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades. The flames quickly spread and as of Saturday, over 21,317 acres of land have been scorched in the Palisades fire alone, with firefighters still working around the clock to contain the flames there and at other locations throughout LA. Stephanie Rice has stunned fans with a second wedding. Just days ago she tied the knot with her partner Mark Lassey following a whirlwind 10-month romance. The former Olympic swimmer, 38, then held a second wedding - again in Perth - on Friday, sharing a look at the event on social media. 'Because one night wasnt enough. We had the most amazing night celebrating our marriage and farewell with our favourite people, on the most amazing rooftop, in this beautiful city, under the presence of God,' she wrote in her Instagram caption. 'Thank you to all our family and friends who flew from across the world to make these the most memorable days of our lives,' the athlete continued. 'And to all of our family who prayed, encouraged and honoured our love story. You all mean so much to us and made these two days so special.' Stephanie Rice (pictured) has stunned fans with a second wedding Just days ago she tied the knot with her partner Mark Lassey (pictured) following a whirlwind 10-month romance The former Olympic swimmer, 38, then held a second wedding - again in Perth - on Friday, sharing a look at the event on social media In the images, the pair said 'I do' for a second time at a rooftop venue surrounded by family and friends. Steph opted for a stunning sleeveless silk gown for her second ceremony, and added a pair of pearl drop earrings. She carried a large bouquet of white blooms while her heels were hidden by her long train. Mark meanwhile looked dapper in a cream suit with a white shirt worn partially unbuttoned. The pair partied into the night with their guests with fireworks going off at the venue as they shared a kiss. Stephanie had earlier reveled she exchanged vows with the Aussie pastor, 46, during a vineyard ceremony in his native Perth. The couple met at the start of 2024 and got engaged in September after seven months of dating. For the ceremony, which was held at Sandalford Wines, Steph looked every inch the blushing bride in a gorgeous strapless satin gown which featured a long train that billowed out behind her. 'Because one night wasnt enough. We had the most amazing night celebrating our marriage and farewell with our favourite people, on the most amazing rooftop, in this beautiful city, under the presence of God,' she wrote in her Instagram caption 'Thank you to all our family and friends who flew from across the world to make these the most memorable days of our lives,' the athlete continued 'And to all of our family who prayed, encouraged and honoured our love story. You all mean so much to us and made these two days so special,' she said In the images, the pair said 'I do' for a second time at a rooftop venue surrounded by family and friends Steph opted for a stunning sleeveless silk slip gown for her second ceremony, and added a pair of pearl drop earrings She let her dress do all the talking as she simply accessorised with a dainty necklace and droplet earrings, while she wore her brunette tresses loose over her shoulders. Steph gazed lovingly at her new husband Mark, who cut a dapper figure in a tuxedo, made up of a white shirt, black trousers and a suave cream suit jacket. The couple shared a video documenting the moment they were declared a married couple. In the footage, they beamed with joy as they stood holding hands at the outdoor altar which sat underneath a natural green vine pergola. They were then showered with confetti as they walked down the aisle together as newlyweds before they shared a romantic kiss. The couple then celebrated their union with their closest family and friends during an outdoor reception at sunset on the grounds of the vineyard. Later in the evening, the pair kissed while sparklers lit up the sky behind them. In an accompanying caption, Steph shared her excitement over starting off her married life with Mark in Dubai, where they plan to live together. She carried a large bouquet of white blooms while her heels were hidden by her long train Mark meanwhile looked dapper in a cream suit with a white shirt worn partially unbuttoned The pair partied into the night with their guests The bride and groom emerged hand in hand to greet their party The athlete looked absolutely delighted She gushed: 'Surrounded by our closest family and friends, those who have loved, supported, and guided us on our journey, all came together to celebrate our love and the beginning of forever together. 'As we step into this new chapter as husband and wife, where two become one, our hearts are so full. 'The day was everything we dreamed it would beoverflowing with love, joy, and the tangible presence of God. It felt like heaven touched earth. 'Thank you to everyone who made our day so special! We are truly blessed.' She finished off her post with a Bible quote, adding: 'I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail. 'My intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope - Jeremiah 29:11 TPT.' Three-time Olympic gold medallist Stephanie joined the church when she relocated to Dubai late last year and is now heavily involved with Kingdom City. Mark is a pastor with the same organisation in Perth and has been with the church for more than 10 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Stephanie had earlier reveled she exchanged vows with the Aussie pastor, 46, during a vineyard ceremony in his native Perth For the ceremony, Steph looked every inch the blushing bride in a gorgeous strapless satin gown which featured a long train that billowed out behind her The couple shared a video documenting the moment they were declared a married couple (pictured) They sealed their vows with a kiss Kingdom City started in Perth in 2003 and has since gone global with branches in Africa, Europe and Asia in addition to the Middle East. Their wedding comes after a whirlwind ten months of dating after they were first introduced by a mutual friend at the start of 2024. They quietly dated for five months before going public with their romance on Instagram in July, just weeks before they got engaged. The couple have been in a long-distance relationship with Mark being based in Perth while Steph moved to Dubai in November 2023. The couple announced their engagement in September after Mark popped the question at Dubai's luxury Atlantis The Royal hotel while visiting Steph. Mark is a father to three sons - Tyler, Joel and Luke - from a previous relationship. Steph was previously romantically involved with former soldier Dane Christison, who she met at an Australian church. They holidayed in the United States together over Christmas 2023, but she publicly announced their split just months later in May 2024. The couple met at the start of 2024 and got engaged in September after seven months of dating Stephanie had deleted images of her boyfriend from her Instagram page even earlier in March and had not mentioned him in some weeks. The sportswoman later opened up about how she was happy their relationship had ended. 'When I moved, I really wanted to share a lot more of the journey with you guys in real time,' she said. 'I just was going through the deepest healing. I was in a really challenging relationship at the time, when we broke up, I felt the peace of God was upon me. I felt like I felt free. I felt happy.' At the time, Stephanie said that her new life in Dubai had lifted a weight off her shoulders. 'For the first time, I realised the heaviness that I was carrying. I just felt like it all lifted off me, and I feel like I'm in this amazing place now where I feel so happy, so content,' she said. 'God is so good. I'm seeing so many fruits of the amazing things God has given me, and I want to be able to share a lot more of what's kind of happened over the past six months' she said. 'Now that I have a lot more clarity, a lot more peace, and a lot more happiness.' A German DJ has issued a stern warning to Australian revellers during a wild music festival. Marlon Hoffstadt, who uses the stage name DJ Daddy Trance, halted his show at Adelaide's Wildlands Festival on January 5. Hoffstadt urged the crowd to 'chill' during one particularly 'rowdy' moment. 'As much as I love you all, and as sick as it is to play for you guys, from here it looks f***ing rowdy down there,' he said from the stage. 'That is not a compliment. Everyone drink some water, look out for each other and chill a f***ing bit. 'I know it's so nice but let's chill a bit,' he added. A German DJ has issued a stern warning to Australian revellers during a wild music festival. Marlon Hoffstadt, who uses the stage name DJ Daddy Trance, halted his show at Adelaide's Wildlands Festival on January 5. Pictured Hoffstadt later further addressed the situation on Instagram, revealing that he saw people faint during his set. 'There is one thing I've really noticed at all these festivals is people passing out,' he wrote. 'I know that going crazy... and stuff is fun, I've been there, done that, but to create a safer space on the dancefloor there are a few things that need to exist. 'One of them is the safe use of drugs and to watch out for each other. I've seen so many people passing out, really young people passing out' he continued. 'Maybe it is time to educate yourself on what these drugs can do to you. For me, it's not fun seeing people pass out during my set and being carried out by security. 'It is also not fun to stop my music because someone in the middle can't get out of the crowd. 'I think just do a little less. Guys drink some water, do a little bit less, go longer not faster. It can be really f***ing dangerous.' Australian DJ Fisher leads a huge international lineup for Wildlands Festival 2025. 'As much as I love you all, and as sick as it is to play for you guys, from here it looks f***ing rowdy down there,' he said from the stage Hoffstadt later further addressed the situation on Instagram, revealing that he saw people faint during his set The ARIA Award-winning tunesmith is joined by US rapper Ice Spice at the top of the festival bill that kicked off in Brisbane on New Years Eve before it headed to Perth and Adelaide. UK drum and bass duo Chase & Status, who were Down Under in April, also came back for the three-date electro-pop festival. Also featured at this year's festival is Berlin based rave-king Marlon Hoffstadt, Sydney duo Royel Otis and R&B American pop star Tinashe. UK Garage deck-spinner Sammy Virji also appeared at the Brisbane and Perth events alongside US rapper RL Grime. The first lineup announcement for the 2024 festival also includes Believe Me Now? hitmaker Becky Hill, plus Horsegirl, Wilkinson, Confidence Man, Joy (Anonymous) and Lola Young. BARKAA, Melugi, Sam Alfred, Hannah Laing, Issey Cross, MESSIE, Little Fritter, 1tbsp, SAMMYTHESINNER, Moss, Djanaba, and UK-Dutch popsters GIRLTHING round out the huge lineup. The first Wildlands lineup is a great chance for punters who can't make it to the popular Lost Paradise festival in New South Wales' Glenworth Valley or the Victorian Beyond the Valley festival, with many acts also appearing on those bills. Wildlands kicked off in Brisbane on December 31 before heading to Perth on January 4 and Adelaide on January 5. The flurry of summer festivals comes after a string of recent event cancellations including the long-running Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo and ValleyWays. Pamela Anderson continued to show off her stunning bare-faced complexion as she posed for an artistic shoot with Perfect Magazine. The actress, 57, has cemented her acting comeback with an acclaimed new role in The Last Showgirl, already landing a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. In the images Pamela, who has been proudly posing makeup free, slipped into an eye-catching cut-out dress adorned with peach sequins, before changing into a stylish red mini, both from Isabel Marant. The former Baywatch star left little to the imagination by going braless in a racy black Alexander McQueen gown, and a distressed cream linen piece. Speaking to the publication, Pamela also shared her reasons behind her decision to return to her childhood home in Canada. She said: 'Like a moth to a flame, I needed to go home to the place it all started, full circle Unfinished business? I had some demons to face, some life to unravel and history to look at from an adult point of view. Pamela Anderson, 57, continued to show off her stunning bare-faced complexion as she posed for an artistic shoot with Perfect Magazine The actress has cemented her acting comeback with an acclaimed new role in The Last Showgirl, already landing a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture In the images Pamela, who has been proudly posing makeup free, slipped into a stylish red mini while posing in a bedroom 'It hasn't been easy, but rewarding. The trees on my property have known me since birth. A vortex it's a place I always came home to refuel. 'I sink my toes in the ocean and breathe. My hair has grown a foot since I returned, like roots of a tree. I feel very connected and in the right place. Elsewhere, Pamela recently shared that 'knew she had to do' her newest role in The Last Showgirl. The film centres on a seasoned performer who must plan her future when her show ends abruptly and Pamela said she had 'never been offered' anything like it when the script was presented to her. She told Collider: 'I was all in and knew I had to do it. It felt like life or death. It just ticked all the boxes for me and made me feel alive. I felt such relief when I read it. 'My heart started beating fast and I thought, ''Oh, this is what that feeling is, when you read a project and you have to do it.'' 'I've never read a script like this before. I've never been offered anything like it. So, I was all in, times a thousand, times a million.' Pamela is joined in the cast by Jamie Lee Curtis and Brenda Song amongst a host of others and Billie Lourd, the daughter of late Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, plays her on-screen daughter and felt as if they shared a 'beautiful scene' together on screen that felt akin to a therapy session. The former Baywatch star left little to the imagination by going braless in a racy black sheer gown in one image from the shoot Speaking to the publication, Pamela also shared her reasons behind her decision to return to her childhood home in Canada She said: 'Like a moth to a flame, I needed to go home to the place it all started, full circle Unfinished business? I had some demons to face' Elsewhere, Pamela recently shared that 'knew she had to do' her newest role in The Last Showgirl The film centres on a seasoned performer who must plan her future when her show ends abruptly after 30 years She told Collider: 'I was all in and knew I had to do it. It felt like life or death. It just ticked all the boxes for me and made me feel alive. I felt such relief when I read it' 'My heart started beating fast and I thought, ''Oh, this is what that feeling is, when you read a project and you have to do it,'' Pamela added The former Baywatch sensation was nominated in the Best Actress in a Drama category for her role in The Last Showgirl, which premieres in theaters on January 10. She attended the ceremony with her son Brandon, who towered over her as they walked the red carpet. The show business veteran wowed critics with her comeback performance in Gia Coppola's film. On Thursday Pamela also used her Instagram platform to acknowledge the devastation caused by the ongoing firestorm in Southern California. In black font set against a beige background, she wrote to her nearly four million followers, 'In this devastating moment, my heart is aching for all. 'In this time, we come together to help, to love our fellow beings, our neighbors, our community.' The note continued, 'To our hero first responders, and all risking their lives for others: Thank you. 'The spirit of family and friends sustains us. Be safe. Bless you.' In an interview with Better Homes & Gardens last summer, Pamela discussed the public persona she had in the 1990s. She told the publication: 'People have this pneumatic kind of image of me from Playboy to Baywatch, to my rock 'n' roll type of husbands, to everything else. 'And as much as I threw every dinner party and cooked all those meals for family and my kids, it wasn't what was seen publicly.' The legendary actress posed for the latest shoot with Perfect Magazine On the other hand, she added: 'But I also played into the image that was created around me. I'm glad I did all that, but I'm really glad I'm where I am now.' 'I think the most important part is, I made it through all of it. And now it's such a relief that I get to be myself and enjoy this time.' Pamela has cultivated a quiet, peaceful live in her native British Columbia that she loves and cherishes. 'Wake up, whatever is happening is just happening. Its all about self acceptance. This is the chapter of my life Im trying to embrace now,' she told I-D in October. 'Well, sometimes its challenging, and you just have to understand that youre good enough and that you are beautiful. I like to say the word life-ing instead of aging, chasing youth is just futile.' 'I feel like a relief, just a weight off my shoulders and I actually like it better. Im dressing for me now, not for everybody else,' she said of walking out the door makeup free. Comedians and Act Your Age co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown and Kym Whitley are standing behind Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass amid the wildfire crisis, and they believe the harsh criticism she's receiving is race related. 'Let me tell you something, she's got a spine of steel,' Yvette told TMZ outside a grocery store on Saturday. 'And she's also been a Black woman in America for a long time, so none of this is new to her. We are mad, because we're tired of it.' Kym added: 'We're mad for her. Somebody needs to stand behind her and support her, because of how she's handling it. You can see it in her face. She stays calm, but think about it, she's got the city to take care of!' The 53-year-old Community alum noted that the 71-year-old Democratic politician was born and raised in the City of Angels, but she's 'not the mayor of every municipality' as Mayor Doug Stewart oversees Malibu. The 62-year-old Two Funny Mamas podcaster understands people watching the fires on TV want someone to blame, but stressed that Karen has helped enlist firefighters 'coming in from other countries to help us.' Act Your Age co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown (L, pictured May 21) and Kym Whitley (R) are standing behind Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (M) amid the wildfire crisis, and they believe the harsh criticism she's receiving is race related 'This is not the time [to blame]. I need everybody to remain calm, be vigilant, support the leadership,' Whitley stated. 'Support Karen Bass. That's all I can say. Ooh y'all have got me upset. She has done what she's had to do. She's jumped in there.' The Daytime Emmy nominee received the order to evacuate her Tarzana home last Thursday - the same day she was trying to celebrate her adopted son Joshua Whitney's 14th birthday. Brown pointed out how in the 30 years she's lived in LA, there are fires every years and she doesn't remember anyone laying all the blame on one person in the past. 'I've never seen everybody react like this to the mayor and blame one person for a natural disaster,' the newlywed - who just tied the knot with Anthony R. Davis on December 14 - scoffed. 'I've never seen it. Now what's different this time? Interesting isn't it?' Bass was attending the inauguration of President John Mahama in Ghana on Tuesday when heavy Santa Ana winds started the wildfire, and she's been widely criticized for cutting $17.6M from the LAFD's annual budget. Celebrities who've spoken out against the former Congresswoman includes James Woods, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sara Foster, and Khloe Kardashian who called Bass 'a joke' on Friday. 'There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days,' Karen told reporters last Thursday. Yvette told TMZ outside a grocery store on Saturday: 'Let me tell you something, she's got a spine of steel. And she's also been a Black woman in America for a long time, so none of this is new to her. We are mad, because we're tired of it' (pictured September 24) Kym added: 'We're mad for her. Somebody needs to stand behind her and support her, because of how she's handling it. You can see it in her face. She stays calm, but think about it, she's got the city to take care of!' (pictured in 2022) The 53-year-old Community alum noted that the 71-year-old Democratic politician was born and raised in the City of Angels, but she's 'not the mayor of every municipality' as Mayor Doug Stewart (pictured Saturday) oversees Malibu The 62-year-old Two Funny Mamas podcaster understands people watching the fires on TV want someone to blame, but stressed that Karen has helped enlist firefighters 'coming in from other countries to help us' (pictured Wednesday) Whitley stated: 'This is not the time [to blame]. I need everybody to remain calm, be vigilant, support the leadership. Support Karen Bass. That's all I can say. Ooh y'all have got me upset. She has done what she's had to do. She's jumped in there' The Daytime Emmy nominee received the order to evacuate her Tarzana home last Thursday - the same day she was trying to celebrate her adopted son Joshua Whitney's (R, pictured December 1) 14th birthday Brown - who wed Anthony R. Davis (R, pictured Saturday) on December 14 - pointed out how in the 30 years she's lived in LA, there are fires every years and she doesn't remember anyone laying all the blame on one person in the past: 'Now what's different this time? Interesting isn't it?' Bass was attending the inauguration of President John Mahama in Ghana on Tuesday when heavy Santa Ana winds started the wildfire, and she's been widely criticized for cutting $17.6M from the LAFD's annual budget (pictured Saturday) Celebrities who've spoken out against the former Congresswoman includes James Woods, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sara Foster, and Khloe Kardashian who called Bass 'a joke' on Friday Karen told reporters last Thursday: 'There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days. Our No. 1 priority right now is to save lives, to protect lives, to save homes. I'm not here to talk about the status of our budget' (pictured Saturday) Firefighters are entering day six of the battle against four different wildfires destroying a total 38,276 acres with Pacific Palisades being 11% contained and the Altadena area being 15% contained (Palisades pictured Saturday) Officials have confirmed 16 deaths and over 105K residents remain under evacuation orders as damage and economic loss are estimated to cost between $135B-$150B (Eaton Fire pictured Saturday) Numerous celebrities have lost their homes in the blaze including Mel Gibson (pictured Friday), Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Diane Warren, Anthony Hopkins, and more 'Our No. 1 priority right now is to save lives, to protect lives, to save homes. I'm not here to talk about the status of our budget.' Firefighters are entering day six of the battle against four different wildfires destroying a total 38,276 acres with Pacific Palisades being 11% contained and the Altadena area being 15% contained. Officials have confirmed 16 deaths and over 105K residents remain under evacuation orders as damage and economic loss are estimated to cost between $135B-$150B. Numerous celebrities have lost their homes in the blaze including Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Diane Warren, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Eugene Levy, Steve Guttenberg, Jennifer Grey, Ricki Lake, Matt Damon, Miles Teller, Billy Crystal, and Adam Brody. China and the United Kingdom have agreed to further expand economic and financial cooperation, as the two sides held the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue on Saturday. The dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, serving as the lead persons of the dialogue. He said that China is willing to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, uphold the positioning of strategic partners, strengthen communication and dialogue, further expand economic and financial cooperation, and provide more impetus for the development of stable and mutually beneficial China-UK relations. Reeves said that the UK is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with China in the fields of economy and finance, and develop a consistent, lasting and mutually respectful relationship between the two countries. During the dialogue, the two sides reached a series of mutually beneficial outcomes and consensus. He and Reeves also attended the fourth China-UK Financial Services Summit. Dancing On Ice paid tribute to former contestant The Vivienne on Sunday's launch show after their tragic death last week. The RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner, who came third when they competed on the ITV skating show in 2023, died suddenly on January 5 at the age of 32. Presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern opened Sunday's Dancing On Ice with a touching tribute to The Vivienne, whose real name was James Williams - but viewers were left less than impressed. Speaking to the camera, Holly said: 'Before we move on, like us, many of you have been saddened by the tragedy of The Viviennes passing last weekend. 'Now, they were a huge part of the show, making it all the way to the final in 2023 and theyll be very sorely missed. 'Our thoughts are with The Viviennes loved ones at this sad time. So sad.' Dancing On Ice paid tribute to former contestant The Vivienne on Sunday's launch show after the drag queen's tragic death last week at the age of 32 The RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner, who came third when they competed on the ITV skating show in 2023, died suddenly on January 5 However fans of The Vivienne were left unimpressed by the tribute, as they criticised the show for not showing any of The Vivienne's dances. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, viewers wrote: 'I thought that they might of said/done a little more when it came too paying homage too The Vivienne, showing previous clips and, or a dance routine in memory of perhaps,'; 'Was that seriously the tribute for The Vivienne they were talking about?? Hoping theres something else later on in the show because thats the only reason why I tuned in icl,'; 'Is that it for a tribute to The Vivienne a few words why cant we at least see some dances etc,'; 'Didn't seem genuine to be honest. The Vivienne deserved better,'; 'That tribute from #DoI #DancingOnIce for #TheVivienne was absolutely disgusting. No VT, no picture on the big screen the opening dance couldve been a dedication. Seemed like no feeling or care at all in that.' The Vivienne garnered attention in 2015 as the British drag ambassador for the US version of RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul broke his silence in public for the first time since The Vivienne's death as he opened DragCon UK at the ExCel London on Friday. Speaking to the camera, Holly said: 'Before we move on, like us, many of you have been saddened by the tragedy of The Viviennes passing last weekend' Viewers slammed the tribute as 'fake' and claimed the message had 'no care or feeling' as they criticised the show for not showing any of The Vivienne's dances The show shared a tribute to The Vivienne at the end of the episode Taking to X, formerly Twitter, viewers wrote: 'I thought that they might of said/done a little more when it came too paying homage too The Vivienne' RuPaul, 64, who discovered the Welsh-born performer, real name James Lee Williams, on season one of his hit BBC show, appeared visibly emotional with his best friend Michelle Visage by his side, who wore a mini dress with 'The Vivienne' emblazoned across it. He told the audience of DragCon UK: 'We are here to celebrate life and celebrate love and to spread it around. We want to focus on love'. 'We are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love and life, because that's what she was all about and she would love for you to live your lives and to be free and to have a lot of fun and spread it around.' Organisers set up a memorial wall and memorial books where the thousand of fans who are expected to attend the event over the weekend can remember the late entertainer who won the show's UK series back in 2019. On Wednesday RuPaul hit back at fellow drag star Tyra Sanchez posted a controversial tweet about The Vivienne. Sanchez, real name James Ross, feuded with The Vivienne nearly five years ago and has reacted to news of the shock death with a scathing jibe about the late performer. Sanchez reposted a tweet by The Vivienne from July 2020, in which the latter wrote: 'Bet Tyra was fuming when she realised Netflix Spoiled the win too. Sorry gal. You tried though.' Quoting the tweet, Sanchez retorted: 'Yet it doesnt compare to the fumes of the crematorium.' RuPaul has broken his silence in public for the first time since the death of The Vivienne as he opened DragCon UK at the ExCel London on Friday The RuPaul's Drag Race UK winners death last week at the age of 32 has plunged the drag community into mourning Sanchez, another Drag Race alum, was met with a vociferous backlash on social media from fans of The Vivienne who were outraged over the post. Amid the furor, RuPaul posted a throwback video on Instagram this Wednesday, showing him pretending to slap Sanchez during an acting challenge on Drag Race. While news of The Vivienne's death triggered an outpouring of grief from fans, Sanchez, winner of the American version of the program in 2010, took to social media to rekindle a social media feud with The Vivienne from almost five years earlier by posting her crematorium tweet. Met with opprobrium from fans and fellow drag stars alike, Sanchez was unrepentant, writing on social media the following day: 'She's dead. Rotting. Sending me all the hate in the world won't bring her back. But do as you must. 'Because of you the tweet has reached over 25k individuals. Thanks for the much needed attention that I oh so desperately needed.' And despite further criticism, with X users branding the drag queen 'disgusting' and 'twisted', Sanchez's position became more entrenched on Tuesday evening, when she posted a picture of a crematorium furnace captioned: Songs I would play if I owned a crematorium. The soundtrack to the post was the Alicia Keys hit Girl on Fire. Social media users once again responded with fury, variously branding Sanchez 'disgusting', 'despicable' and 'sad'. Poh Ling Yeow announced a surprising career change on Monday when she revealed she'll be working closely with Tourism NT. The MasterChef star, 51, who is best known for her cooking skills and TV work, has now landed the role of ambassador for the Northern Territory. She revealed she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'. 'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said. 'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it alland I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!' In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory. Poh Ling Yeow, 51, (pictured) announced a surprising career change on Monday when she revealed she'll be working closely with Tourism NT Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year. She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations. Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin. She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve and the majestic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park were also on her list of travel destinations. Tourism NT Chief Marketing Officer Tony Quarmby shared his delight at welcoming Poh Ling Yeow as the newest ambassador for the NT. 'Poh's passion for food, art, culture, the outdoors and exploration perfectly capture the essence of the Territory,' he said. 'Everywhere she went, she connected effortlessly with visitors and locals alike, with fans from Australia and around the world flocking to meet her. The MasterChef star who is best known for her cooking skills and TV work, has now landed the role of ambassador for the Northern Territory 'Poh's genuine warmth, authenticity and deep connection to the landscapes and stories of the Territory make her the perfect inspiration for others to explore our incredible destination.' Poh's new gig comes after she admitted in her Women's Weekly interview that she feels 'guilty' over the death of her beloved mother. The former MasterChef contestant-turned-judge lost her mother Christina to cancer in November 2022 and was working overseas when she passed away. Poh shared her regrets in November about going on the overseas trip, saying it is something she still regrets as she reflected on Christina's long cancer battle. 'She was ill, she encouraged me to go, but I shouldnt haveit will be a wound forever,' she told The Australian Womens Weekly during the Christmas issue. 'She never complained once in all her treatmentso stoic. I was convinced she was going to win the battle and buy at least a couple more months, if not years. 'I took her courage for granted, but it turned out to be the worst rolling of a dice ever.' Earlier in the year, Poh broke down in tears on MasterChef as she discussed her relationship with her late mother. She revealed she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense' Wiping away tears, the Malaysian-born presenter said her mother struggled to show affection until Poh shot to fame on MasterChef in 2009. The heartbreaking moment began when contestant Nat revealed her mother told her she was proud of her for the first time when she landed a spot on the show, with Poh then detailing her own experience. 'After I was on MasterChef, it was one of the first times my mum had ever expressed that she was proud of me,' Poh shared through tears. Overwhelmed with emotion, she continued: 'I think that's why when I'm in this kitchen I am very emotional because it affected so much of my life outside of cooking. 'Cooking became that thing that bonded us because we did have that very Asian thing of having trouble expressing our love. 'So, it's just so amazing how this kitchen connects us in so many different ways.' From showcasing GI-certified products to championing organic farming, Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 underscored rural Indias vital role in nation building Rural India, often described as the soul of the nation, has been a cornerstone of Indias economic and cultural identity. The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025, organised by NABARD and inaugurated by the Prime Minister, illuminated the remarkable strides made by rural communities. This event brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, artisans, and thought leaders to celebrate and further the progress of rural India while envisioning a sustainable and inclusive future. Held under the theme Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047, the Mahotsav provided a platform to showcase the diverse achievements of rural India. From GI-certified products and tribal crafts to organic agriculture and women-led entrepreneurship, the festival underscored the untapped economic and cultural potential of rural areas, particularly the North-Eastern region. In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister emphasised the pivotal role of rural India in achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted the governments focus on enhancing rural infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering marginalised communities. The Prime Ministers speech set the tone for the event, reinforcing the idea that the path to Indias growth lies in the empowerment of its villages. NABARD Chairman, Shaji KV, delivered a compelling address, reflecting on the transformative journey of rural India over the past decade. He pointed to significant advancements such as improved infrastructure through the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna, widespread electrification, digital connectivity, and the GI tagging of rural products. These initiatives, he stated, have bridged the gap between rural and urban areas, creating opportunities for inclusive economic growth. The Mahotsav also featured dynamic panel discussions that explored critical aspects of rural development. One panel delved into the potential of organic agriculture, discussing how climate-smart practices can address food security, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. Highlights included the success of the GOBAR-Dhan Yojana, which has already established over 2,300 biogas units, and the expansion of the organic agriculture market, now valued at Rs16,800 crore. Another panel emphasised the importance of empowering cooperatives, with NABARDs initiatives in digitising over 67,000 cooperative societies playing a transformative role in making banking more accessible and affordable for rural populations. The event wasnt just about discussions and economic progressit was also a celebration of Indias rich cultural heritage. Vibrant performances brought to life the diverse artistic traditions of rural India. It provided rural entrepreneurs and artisans with access to broader markets, strengthened partnerships between stakeholders, and emphasised sustainable practices. The festival also resulted in actionable policy recommendations, including the promotion of digital literacy, enhanced support for organic farming, and initiatives to boost rural infrastructure and healthcare. As the event concluded, it left a resounding message: the future of India lies in the empowerment of its villages. With the collective efforts of organisations like NABARD and the unwavering support of the government, rural India is poised to lead the nation into a brighter, more sustainable future, aligning perfectly with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. (The writer is a development writer; views are personal) By adapting to domestic production practices with the changing global demand and fostering a collaborative ecosystem, India can secure its future exports in the global market For centuries, India has been known as the Land of Spices, producing and exporting a wide variety of products, renowned for their distinctive flavour, aroma and health benefits. One such spice is turmeric, known as the Golden Spice of India, which has spread through trade beyond South Asia to different parts of the world. Today, turmeric is cultivated in many South Asian countries, China, Africa and the Caribbean and has multiple end-uses spanning industries such as food, condiment, dye, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and medicine. With global demand rising and growing demand for high-quality curcumin for preventive healthcare, several countries, such as Myanmar, Fiji, and Indonesia, are among the top five producers. India continues to be the largest exporter with close to 67 per cent of global exports in the year 2023. While the export value has increased from USD 182.53 million in 2017 to USD 212.65 million in 2023, the share in exports is showing a slow decline, with new exporting countries like Fiji coming up. Global demand is also shifting towards turmeric, which has high curcumin content and organic varieties. Developed markets like the EU and the USA are emerging as key centres for the consumption of high-quality turmeric that meets stringent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and quality standards. The share of the USA in the imports of turmeric increased from 13.80 per cent in 2017 to 18.98 per cent in 2023, making it the first largest importer followed by India. We continue to import significant amounts of turmeric (especially dry), mainly from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Much of our exports are in raw and powder format, where processing and further product developments are done in markets like the European Union (EU). Within the EU, countries like the Netherlands and Germany have become key exporters along with other countries like the USA. Some reasons for lower value addition in India include the inability to supply more than 10 per cent of the global requirement of turmeric with higher than 5 per cent curcumin, high use of pesticides and insecticides, lack of market knowledge and limited R&D and innovative products. The country must evolve from just a raw turmeric supplier by innovating, ensuring quality, and adopting sustainable and good agricultural practices to maintain Indias global dominance and move up the global value chain. Several companies have made strides in this direction by producing curcumin extracts for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Products like Vicco Turmeric Cream combine turmeric with modern cosmetics, linking Ayurvedic traditions with contemporary personal care. High-curcumin variants, such as Lakadong turmeric, are gaining international recognition for their medicinal benefits. The number of Geographical Indication (GI) turmeric has increased to six as of December 31, 2024. However, to achieve the Indian Governments objective of making India the global hub for turmeric production and to meet the Ministry of Commerce and Industrys projected target of turmeric exports of USD1 billion by 2030, further action is required. Establishing a National Turmeric Board, announced by the Prime Minister, is one such step towards consolidating and implementing comprehensive regulations governing the entire turmeric value chain, imperative to enhance the sectors global competitiveness. Additionally, although the standards of domestically produced turmeric align with international regulations, such as the CODEX, global turmeric users require higher curcumin content, with sustainable farming practices and for that targeted R&D is needed to improve the curcumin content of the produce. Export processes and compliance requirements need to be streamlined and simplified. Signing mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for standards and organic may help. For example, the MRA for organic products signed between India and Taiwan in 2024, is a step in the right direction. Similar MRAs need to be signed between India and its key turmeric export destinations Like the EU and the USA, which will reduce the cost and time of certifications and testing. By aligning domestic production practices with the changing global demand and fostering a collaborative ecosystem, India can secure its future exports as a reliable and preferred supplier of high-quality turmeric in the global market. (The writer is professor, at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. With inputs from Eshana Mukherjee. Views are personal) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Saturday condemned the statement of the Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) urging for to extending the working hour to 90 hours per week. Similar satanic statement was earlier made by the Infosys Head N.R. Narayan Murthy, urging for increasing working hour of 70 hours per week through statutory measure. It seems that there is a rogue competition among the corporate messiahs to rinse the blood and sweat of Indian workers and they are in active connivance and collaboration with the corporate-communal regime in governance by Modi-led NDA, said Tapan Sen, general secretary of CITU in a statement. Indian workers, even the permanent ones in the formal sector, are deployed in much more hours of work compared to more productive countries like China, Europe and even the U.S. The stretching of working hours is very disastrously impacting upon the health and social life of the Indian workers. Despite that, these sort of satanic exercise are being made by the corporate class only to further minimize employment as well as labour cost with brutal working conditions to facilitate more intense exploitation on the workers for profit, cost cutting, in the guise of efficiency and productivity, which have led to 11486 suicides in 2022 as per records of Crime Bureau. The extent of severity of inhuman extraction from labour can be seen from the share of wages in net value addition going down sharply to 15.94% in 2022-23 from 27.64% in 1990-91 while share of net profit jumping from 19.06% to 51.92% during the same period as per Annual Survey of Industries report, besides aggravating joblessness, pointed out CITU. The major Left trade union said that such desperate and filthy competitive bid by the leading corporate houses one after another to increase working hours is in conspiratorial connivance with their obedient Government at the centre. CITU accused the Central Government for changing the Labour Codes which envisages working time to 12 hours. Although the Labour Codes could not yet be notified owing to resistance by trade union movement, we have seen numerous attempts/moves by the BJP ruled state govts and some non-BJP state govts too making exercises to increase working hours to 12 hours a day, which are also being resisted by united trade union movement in many states, said CITU demanding 7 hours work a day and 5 days work a week. In the run to lure the voters by offering monetary benefits, Congress on Sunday unveiled the Yuva Udaan Yojana, a scheme promising a highest ever monthly allowance of Rs 8,500 to educated but unemployed youth for one year if they come to power in the national Capital. The move, designed to address the growing issue of unemployment among educated youth, comes as a big announcement with Congress likely being the first political party in the country to offer such substantial financial support as part of their employment strategy. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is also making his first appearance for campaigning for the party at Seelampur on Monday, ending speculations that there is a rift between the national and state leadership. He will address a Jai Bhim-Jai Samvidhan public meeting in East Delhi. Congress is vying to come back to power since 2013 when AAP rose to power. This is the third scheme launched by the party ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. AICC general secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot, at a press conference, said, It is the governments responsibility to support our young and educated friends living in Delhi. If the youth gets discouraged, then it is not a good thing for the country. Therefore, we have decided that after the formation of Congress government in Delhi, educated and unemployed youth will be given one year apprenticeship and financial assistance of Rs 8,500. We will provide financial assistance to youths who can show their skills in a company, factory or organisation. They will get money through these companies. This is not a scheme under which one will get money while sitting at home, Pilot said. He said that this help will not be just financial. Instead, he added that they will try that people are absorbed in those fields where they have received training so that they can improve their skill set. Terming the politics in Delhi as one of allegations and counter-allegations, the senior Congress leader said, Creating employment should be the first priority of any government, but both the central and state governments ignored the unemployed. Congress has always worked for the people. The Congress government did excellent work in the field of IT, in which I myself was a minister. Today politics in Delhi is just about allegations and counter-allegations, but now people want a better alternative. We hope that in the coming elections, people will choose the Congress party and form the government, he said. Yes, this is a guarantee that if there is a person who is not able to be absorbed in any factory or company, then we are ready to bear. This is an encouragement for one year so that they can stand on their feet, Pilot said. During the press conference, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav and NSUI, Congress student wing, President Varun Chaudhary were also present. Congress Badli candidate Yadav said, We have very thoughtfully introduced the Yuva Udaan Yojana. This scheme is for those educated youth who are facing unemployment because drug addiction is a big problem in Delhi today. We want to give direction to the youth through Yuva Udaan Yojana. Under this scheme, registered educated unemployed youth will get Rs 8,500 every month. Our government will try to ensure skill development of the youth so that they can get employment as per their skills. The leaders also launched the poster of the scheme during the press conference. I have full confidence that on February 5, people will give the Congress a chance to serve in the national capital with a good majority, Pilot added. On January 6, the Congress announced the Pyaari Didi Yojana, promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for women if it is voted to power. On January 8, the party announced the Jeevan Raksha Yojana, under which it promised to provide free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh. Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8. Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin on Sunday expressed Bangladeshs deep concern over the recent border tensions during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at the Foreign Ministry here. The state-run BSS news agency earlier reported that Verma was summoned by the foreign ministry to discuss escalating tensions along the border. However, a press statement issued by the foreign ministry did not use that term. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin today expressed deep concern of Government of Bangladesh to the High Commissioner of India Pranay Verma at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the Bangladesh-India Border, the foreign ministry said in the statement. Verma entered the foreign ministry around 3:00 pm (local time). His meeting with the foreign secretary lasted about 45 minutes, BSS reported. I just met Foreign Secretary to discuss Indias commitment to ensuring a crime-free border, effectively addressing challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking, Verma told the media after emerging from the meeting. We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) have been in communication in this regard. We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be cooperative approach to combatting crime, he added. The development came hours after Dhaka alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, violating a bilateral agreement. The foreign secretary stressed that such activities particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF, have caused tensions and disturbances along the border, the statement said. He emphasised that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length, it added. Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment over such repetition of border killings, it said. He strongly resented these acts of killing and called for urgent action by the Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all these border killings and take actions against those responsible, the statement said. The foreign secretary mentioned that it is also a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and to stop killings, such incidents of killing have been continuing, it added. Jashim Uddin called upon the Indian government to advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border. He also said that Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquility along the border, the statement added. Earlier in the day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to the strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh and locals. Addressing a media briefing, Chowdhury said that due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous governments tenure, several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border. However, the efforts of our people and the BGB have forced India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences. Chowdhury said Bangladesh and India have four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to govern border activities. Of these, the 1975 MoU specifies that no development with defence potential can take place within 150 yards of the zero line. Another MoU states that no development activities can occur within this boundary without mutual consent. Any such work requires prior agreement between the two nations, he said. The adviser said India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced. He accused the previous government led by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina of granting India unequal opportunities, which led to disputes over barbed wire fencing at 160 locations between 2010 and 2023. Recently, conflicts have surfaced in five areas, including (northwestern) Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor. Thanks to the strong position of the BGB and locals, India has been forced to halt its activities, he added. He said that under the 1974 agreement, Bangladesh handed over Berubari to India after parliamentary ratification. In return, India was supposed to provide Bangladesh access to the Tin Bigha Corridor, but it failed to fulfil this commitment or ratify the agreement in its parliament, he added. They used to open the corridor for an hour and then close it for another hour. Finally, in 2010, an agreement was reached to keep the corridor open 24 hours. However, this agreement also allowed India to construct a border fence on the zero line at Angarpota, violating the 150-yard rule, he said. Now, while we oppose this construction, we face challenges as Bangladesh is a signatory to the 2010 agreement, he said, adding that the foreign ministry took up the matter for diplomatic engagement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday that Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Trump administration during his visit to the US. Trump had defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election held in November. Last month, Jaishankar said Trump has had a positive political view of India and it is in a much more advantageous position than many other countries to build deeper relations with his administration and take the bilateral ties forward. On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the swearing-In ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, it said. JD Vance will be the new US Vice President. During the visit, the external affairs minister will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion, the MEA said in a statement. There have been concerns in many countries over the Trump administrations policy over a range of sensitive issues including tariff, climate change and overall foreign policy priorities against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. It is for the second time Trump will be the US President. He served as the 45th President of the US from January, 2017 to January 2021. There have been concerns in many countries over the new Trump administrations likely policy approach over a range of sensitive issues including tariff, climate change and overall foreign policy priorities against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia. Before this Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Spain on January 13-14 during which he will meet the countrys leadership and hold discussions with his Spanish counterpart Manuel Albares on the entire gamut of the bilateral ties, the MEA on Sunday said. This will be Jaishankars first visit to Spain as an external affairs minister, it said. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar (EAM) will be on an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain on 13-14 January 2025. This will be his first visit as External Affairs Minister to Spain, the MEA said in a statement. MEA also said that he is scheduled to address the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors and meet the Indian community. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Sunday called for tractor marches across the country on January 26 and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold discussions with farmers over their pending demands. The SKMs call comes amid growing concerns over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for 48 days. Dallewal, the convener of SKM (Non-Political), has been on the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 last year over farmers various demands including a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. In a statement issued here, the SKM also announced that a meeting with SKM (Non-political) and KMM will be held on Monday for a joint struggle over demands, including MSP and the scrapping of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM). SKM called upon farmers to conduct Tractor/Vehicle/ Motorcycle Parades on 26th January 2025, the 76th Republic Day, at the district/sub-division level across the country, it said in a statement. The farmers will parade demanding that the Prime Minister immediately convene discussions with all the Kisan organisations on the struggle and save the life of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, immediately withdraw the anti-farmer, anti-federal NPFAM, and enact a law for MSP at C2+50 per cent with legally guaranteed procurement, SKM added. The demands also include a comprehensive loan waiver scheme for farmers and farm workers, no privatisation of electricity, no smart metres, provision of free electricity up to 300 units and implementation of the LARR Act 2013, among others. All the State Coordination Committees (SCCs) of SKM will issue calls to protest against NPFAM by burning its copies. SKM strongly condemned the authoritarian, insensitive attitude of the Prime Minister for not willing to discuss with the Kisan organisations and to protect the life of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, SKM said. The umbrella body of farmers organisations, which led the 2020-21 farmers protests against the now scrapped farm laws, alleged that the Supreme Court and the President of India have become helpless to intervene to save the farmer leaders life despite his fast-unto-death struggle crossing 46 days. This is mainly due to the adamant stand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is surrendering to the rapacious corporate forces that are hell-bent on imposing their dominance on agriculture, industry, and services by denying minimum support price to farmers, minimum wage to workers, and destroying productive employment for the youth, they said. The peoples livelihood is at stake due to the corporate onslaught through a series of pro-corporate reforms, the latest being the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, which challenges the federal structure of the Indian Union, one of the basic principles of the Indian Constitution, they added. They further announced that a coordination meeting of SKM with SKM (Non-Political) and KMM will be held on 13th January at Patran, a town near Khanauri. A six-member committee of SKM visited the Khanauri protest site on Friday and invited SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha for a meeting to unify farmer bodies for a joint fight against the Centre to secure farmers demands. The meeting was initially scheduled for January 15 in Patiala but was rescheduled due to Dallewals health condition. The Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) successfully performed a complex life-saving endovascular aortic repair on a 30-year-old male patient involved in a severe road traffic accident. The surgery was conducted using the Cath Lab as a Hybrid Operating Room where cardiac surgeons and cardiologists collaborated ensuring advanced patient care. This innovative approach minimized risks and improved surgical precision. The patient was initially treated at some private hospital and then referred to AIIMS Bhopal for further management. At AIIMS Bhopal, the patient was assessed and admitted by the CTVS team. The patient was diagnosed as traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch which is a life threatening condition and requires urgent open heart surgery. The patient was shifted to the CTVS ICU and underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluation before successfully undergoing endovascular aortic repair in the Hybrid Cath Lab. As cardiac surgeon and cardiology team were working together under the concept of hybrid operation theatre, the team was prepared for open heart surgery in case of any complication. Simultaneously, the team secured and treated aortic dissection with the help of minimal access endovascular aortic repair. The surgery was successful, and the patient is recovering well with an uneventful postoperative course. The surgery was led by Dr. Yogesh Niwariya, Head of the Cardiothoracic Department, along with Dr M Kishan, Dr. Surendra Yadav, Dr. Rahul Sharma, Dr. Vikram Watti, and Dr Aditya Sirohi. The cardiology team comprised Dr. Bhushan Shah, Dr. Ashish Jain and Dr. Sudesh Prajapati. Anesthesia support was provided by Dr. Nagabhushanam and Dr. Prateek. The surgery team also includes perfusionists Sushma and Vedant as well as Lalit and Pallavi from the nursing team. Cardiology technicians, Sanjay and Mr Rahul were also part of this surgery. AIIMS Bhopal is committed to provide state of art care under hybrid cardiac OT and for which Dr. Vikram Watti has recently received training from Madras Medical Mission, Chennai and other institutes. Prof. Singh commended the efforts of the multidisciplinary team, saying, "This successful surgery highlights the advanced capabilities of AIIMS Bhopal in delivering cutting-edge care through the Hybrid Cardiac operation theatre. Such technological advancements enable us to provide life-saving interventions with greater precision and improved patient outcomes." AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal on Sunday responded to the allegations that he aided Bangladeshi infiltrators in securing fake Aadhaar cards, calling the charges a part of a "political conspiracy." Goyals remarks came after the Delhi Police served him a second notice on Sunday, directing him to join the ongoing probe into the case. "This is all part of a political conspiracy. I have already sent a reply to the notice issued by the Delhi Police. I respect the law and will cooperate. But it is clear that the BJP is behind this, knowing full well that AAP is poised to win all the assembly seats in the upcoming elections. This is nothing more than a political stunt," Goyal said. The case stems from accusations that Goyal, along with another AAP MLA, Jai Bhagwan Upkar, was involved in a scheme to create fake Aadhaar cards for Bangladeshi nationals. The Delhi Police had arrested several Bangladeshi immigrants in connection with the case and seized forged documents, including Aadhaar cards. The allegations sparked a political outburst, with BJP leader Smriti Irani launching an attack on the AAP. "Two AAP MLAs, Mohinder Goyal and Jai Bhagwan Upkar, are involved in a conspiracy to make fake Aadhaar cards for Bangladeshi infiltrators. The Delhi Police has issued two notices to them, but neither has appeared before investigating agencies, thereby obstructing the investigation," Irani said in a statement. Irani criticized the AAP for its silence on the issue, calling it a matter of national security. "Why are Aam Aadmi Party leaders silent on a matter so crucial to our countrys security? Who are these infiltrators attempting to weaken our democracy by making fake voter cards? Why aren't AAP MLAs cooperating with the investigation? AAP seems to be standing in support of Bangladeshi infiltrators," she added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Abhishek Dutt, who is contesting from the Kasturba Nagar assembly constituency, also highlighted the seriousness of the charges. "AAP has facilitated Aadhaar cards for individuals who are not residents of this area. This is a major and serious issue," Dutt stated. In response, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar accused the BJP of fabricating cases against the party's leaders to derail their campaign in the upcoming state elections. "The BJP has no agenda, no vision, and no credible CM face. They are well aware of their impending defeat, and this is why they are filing fake cases against AAP leaders to distract voters," Kakkar said. On Saturday, the Delhi Police had initially served a notice to Goyal and his office staff, summoning them for questioning regarding the fake Aadhaar card racket, which involved several Bangladeshi nationals. The police are continuing their investigation, seeking more clarity on the extent of the involvement of the accused MLAs in the creation of fraudulent documents. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is committed for the welfare of every section of society. Focused efforts are being made in the state to uplift women, youth, the poor and farmers. Swami Vivekanandas words 125 years ago, when India was under colonial rule and mired in despair inspired the nation with hope, declaring that the 21st century would belong to India and its Sanatan culture. Today, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, Swami Vivekanandas prophecy is becoming a reality as India rises to global prominence. On Swami Vivekananda's Jayanti, let us pledge to work together for the development of Madhya Pradesh, contributing to the nation's progress. With collective effort and unity, India will advance, ensuring growth and prosperity for all. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav transferred an amount of Rs 1553 crore to the accounts of 1.27 crore Ladli Bahnas of the state in a programme organised in Kalapipal Tehsil of Shajapur district on Sunday. Along with this, Rs 335 crore was transferred to the accounts of 55 lakh social security pension beneficiaries and the amount given to 26 lakh sisters for cylinder refilling was transferred. CM Dr. Yadav dedicated and performed Bhoomi Pujan of development works worth Rs 10 crore 11 lakh. Benefits were also distributed to the beneficiaries under various schemes in the programme. Yadav also made several announcements for the development of the area. He announced to make Kalapipal Tehsil a revenue sub-division and Polaykalan sub mandi the main mandi. CM Dr. Yadav announced the construction of 15 rural roads in Kalapipal and changing the names of 11 villages. The village of Nipania Hissamuddin has been renamed as Nipania Dev, Dhabla Hussainpur as Dhabla Ram, Mohammadpur Pawadia as Rampur Pawadia, Khajuri Allahabad as Khajuri Ram, Hajipur as Hirapur, Mohammadpur Machnai as Mohanpur, Reechhidi Moradabad as Reechhidi, Khalilpur (Village Panchayat Silonda) as Rampur, Unchod as Unchavad, Ghatti Mukhtiarpur as Ghatti and Sheikhpur Bongi as Awadhpuri. National Youth Day (January 12) saw a spectacular display of fitness enthusiasts and community unity on the streets of Ranchi as 60 participants took part in the 'Cyclothon 25' organized by i3 Foundation. The event witnessed participants ranging from 12-13 years old children to 57-58 years-old men and women. The event aimed to promote awareness about health and fitness, with DiGiCrow and G-Tech Education as partners and sponsors. Event Details: - 25 km route: Started from Morhabadi, passed through Pithoria, and ended at Morhabadi via Kanke Road. - 50 km route: Followed the same route but with a turning point at Kumhariya (Chandwe Market Road). Key Highlights: Fitness experts conducted a warm-up session to boost participants' enthusiasm. Safety volunteers ensured a secure and smooth experience. All participants received medals and certificates to acknowledge their efforts. Distinguished Guests: Murari Lal Meena (Retd. DG, Police), Utkarsh Kumar (SDM, Ranchi), Mrinmay Paul (Murshidabad), 13-year-old Sutatva Riju (Palamu), Dr. Agnish Minj, Ganesh Reddy, Praveen Rajgarhia, S R Natesh (IFS), Dr. Danish Halim, Amit Lakra, and others. Past Event and Future Plans: Previous year, on August 17, 2024, i3 Foundation organized a special 30 km Cyclothon with 15 mountaineers (Everest Summiteers) and civilian participants, which was successfully held from JAP1 Auditorium to Dhurva Dam. This year, the foundation has released its annual event calendar for 2025. As part of this initiative, the foundation has pledged to organize a Cyclothon every second Sunday of the month in Ranchi to promote fitness awareness. Rajeev Gupta, Founder and Director of i3 Foundation, stated, "Our objective is not only to promote fitness but also to inspire people to adopt a healthy lifestyle." The success of this event was made possible by the support of i3 Foundation's Amit Modi, Firoz Khan, Kailash Manjhi, Kanishk Poddar, and the entire volunteer team, as well as G-Tech's team. "We aim to make Ranchi a beautiful city where such activities continue to thrive," added Gupta. A day before the Paush Purnima, the banks of Sangam witnessed an overwhelming surge of faith as on Sunday, lakhs of devotees, spanning all age groups youth, elderly and children gathered with immense enthusiasm to take a holy dip in the sacred waters. The occasion also coincided with National Youth Day, further energising the youth, who embraced the festival as an opportunity to connect with their roots and traditions. Bathing at the VIP Ghat and Sangam Nose, they captured and shared their moments, symbolising a blend of ancient faith and modern connectivity. The vibrant atmosphere reflected the essence of Sanatan culture, with devotees showcasing unwavering faith and joy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed unprecedented security measures to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. The Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) monitors every activity across Mahakumbh Nagar, complemented by artificial intelligence-enabled cameras for enhanced surveillance. DIG Vaibhav Krishna and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi are personally overseeing the arrangements, supported by an augmented police force providing real-time updates. In the digital era, Maha Kumbhs fervour has extended to social media, with devotees sharing their experiences through videos and pictures. Many offered their families virtual darshan of Maa Ganga via video calls. In contrast, group calls on platforms like Facebook Live and WhatsApp Live brought the divine celebration closer to distant loved ones. International and domestic pilgrims praised the Yogi governments arrangements, describing the scene as unparalleled. Integrating modern technology with cultural tradition has made this Maha Kumbh a symbol of seamless devotion and innovation. Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena criticised the Delhi government, claiming that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has spent a staggering Rs 28,000 crore in capital expenditure over the past seven years, an amount sufficient to replace every pipeline in the city. Despite this, Delhiites continue to suffer from severe water supply issues, including contaminated water and unequal distribution, the LG said during his conversation with Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe in the inaugural episode of the 'Apni Dilli Apni Baat' podcast series. Speaking on the podcast, Saxena highlighted the failures of the ruling AAP, in providing basic services to the citizens. "The people of Delhi are being forced to live amidst sewage water under the AAP governments rule," the LG said, emphasizing the need for a responsible state government to ensure clean water, good infrastructure, and better living conditions for its people. The Lieutenant Governor further lamented the condition of the national capital, describing it as the most polluted city in the world. "There are mountains of garbage, polluted water, and the Yamuna River, which should be a lifeline for the people, is so heavily polluted that one cannot even stand near it, let alone touch the water," he said. The failure to clean the Yamuna, he added, is a glaring example of the mismanagement by the current administration. He also raised the issue of unequal distribution of water across the city. He pointed out that while affluent areas in Delhi receive as much as 560 liters of water per person per day, residents of slums and underprivileged areas are often forced to make do with just 20 liters. "There are areas in Delhi where people go without water for 7-8 days, relying solely on water tankers," the LG stated. Even more alarming, according to the LG, is the state of Delhis water infrastructure, where drinking water pipes often run parallel to sewage lines. Due to frequent leaks, sewage water is seeping into potable water, leaving residents with no option but to consume contaminated water, he said. Saxena also voiced his concern over the citys drainage system, which has been neglected for over a decade. "The drains in many areas have been blocked for years," he said, questioning how the DJB had managed to spend Rs 28,000 crore without fixing such fundamental issues. On the topic of cleaning the Yamuna, Saxena recalled an incident where former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted to being unaware of the 57 km long Najafgarh drain, a major contributor to the pollution in the Yamuna, despite being in power for nearly a decade. "This highlights the lack of seriousness in addressing the problem," the LG remarked. To enhance the research methodologies skills of students and faculties, the Prestige Institute of Management and Research (UG Campus) conducted an 8-day online national workshop on "Research Methodology: Basics to Advanced." It was aimed at enhancing the research skills of faculty and students, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and advanced statistical tools such as SPSS and AMOS. Renowned academicians and industry professionals led interactive sessions, offering practical insights into research methodologies and the application of statistical tools. The workshop focused on improving participants' ability to write impactful research papers and theses with accurate citations. Participants across India, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, praised the workshop for bridging the gap between theory and practice through real-world examples and exercises. Vibrant celebrations marked Yuva Mahotsava in the state capital on Sunday, as thousands of youth participated in inspiring events, from grand Rangolis to energetic rallies, honouring Swami Vivekananda's ideals and youth power. An 18,000 square feet 3D Rangoli at Shaurya Smarakfeaturing images of Swami Vivekananda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was the centrepiece of the celebrations. City schools and colleges also joined the festivities by organising a host of events. Scores of people participated in a rally organised by Brahma Kumaris Sukh Shanti Bhavan at Neelbad. Rallyists raised slogans as the march passed through various localities in the Neelbad area. In her address, Neeta Didi, Director of Sukh Shanti Bhavan, reminded participants of the important role of youth in bringing social change. She exhorted youngsters to invest in creative pursuits and overcome destructive tendencies. Siddh Bhaua spiritual leader of the Sindhi communityvisited the Kewalram Chanrai Public School and Kala Lakshmandas Vensimal Ganwani Foundation School, where he encouraged students to draw inspiration from the life of Swami Vivekananda. He urged students to set goals and work consistently towards achieving them. At Navnidh Hasomal Lakhani Public School, students and teachers celebrated the occasion with reverence and enthusiasm. Teachers told students to inculcate yoga as a part of their daily routine while encouraging them to dream big and work diligently towards achieving their goals. A youth festival was held to mark the occasion at Mithi Gobindram Public School, with students and teachers participating in Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). Teachers highlighted the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and sought to inspire the scholars to adopt his teachings as a way of life. The Youth Festival 2025, held at Mansarovar Global University, featured live performances by renowned solo performer and songwriter Rahgir. Celebrations at the institute included a storytelling session by renowned writer and storyteller Divya Prakash Dubey, folk songs by Kaluram Bamaniya. At its maiden installation ceremony, the Rotary Club of Khandwa Nimar felicitated chief guest and Principal Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Awadesh Pratap Singh, who congratulated the newly elected office-bearers. In his address, Singh described the service of humanity as the greatest task of life. Noting the contributions of Rotary members drawn from various professions, Singh said that it was "our shared responsibility to give something back to society by serving the differently-abled and the needy." Singh further said that preventing the erosion of social and family values, and promoting moral education among the new generation, is the greatest form of social service. Citing examples of Swami Vivekananda and Justice Welford, he said that service can also be carried out through sensitive behaviour, sacrifice, and humanitarian actions, and not just through wealth. Initially, Rotary District President, Rotarian Aneesh Malik, administered the oath to the newly appointed president, Rotarian Sushil Mandloi; secretary, Rotarian Atul Atriwal; and other office-bearers, and presented them with the charter. Rotarys elected District President, Rotarian Sushil Malhotra from Indore, Assistant District President Ashok Mahajan from Khargone, Project Coordinator Rotarian Sunil Bansal, Rotarian Basant Agarwal, Mukesh Tanve, Dharmendra Bajaj, Deepak Agarwal, along with a large number of distinguished guests and Rotary members from Khandwa, Khargone, and Burhanpur, attended the event with their families. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the very thought of the youthful and pioneer Swami Vivekananda instills a sense of patriotism and youth power. He highlighted the role of Swami Vivekananda in establishing Sanatan culture, Indian civilization, and philosophy globally, which continues to instill pride among Indians. Swami Vivekananda's message, 'Arise, awake and do not stop till the goal is achieved,' inspires individuals to harness their divine energy to achieve their dreams. Yadav expressed confidence that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership, Swami Vivekananda's vision of the 21st century belonging to India is becoming a reality. He shared these thoughts during the state-level Samoohik Surya Namaskar programme organized at Subhash Utkrishta Vidyalaya in Bhopal on National Youth Day. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the programme by garlanding the portraits of Maa Saraswati and Swami Vivekananda, followed by the rendition of the national song Vande Mataram. A recorded audio message of Swami Vivekananda was also broadcasted during the event. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav along with the students participated in Surya Namaskar, performing three cycles of Surya Namaskar and various Pranayama exercises, including Anulom-Vilom, Bhramari, and Bhartsika. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized the importance of yoga, stating that Indian culture identifies a healthy body as the foremost of the ten pleasures, and yoga is the best way to achieve it. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting health through Surya Namaskar, aligning it with Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and National Youth Day. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Sun is a source of energy and yoga is a means to achieve a healthy body and mind. He noted how Indian culture integrates astronomical events with daily life through festivals like Teej, which aid in seasonal adaptation and calculation of time. With Yoga Day celebrated globally in more than 200 countries on June 21, Dr. Yadav linked the state's Yuva Shakti Mission to Prime Minister Shri Modi's vision of empowering the poor, youth, farmers, and women, contributing to India's goal of becoming a developed nation. The state-level programme was attended by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Smt. Krishna Gaur, Bhopal Mayor Smt. Malti Rai, MLA Shri Rameshwar Sharma, and Shri Bhagwan Das Sabnani. The event was broadcast simultaneously from all Akashvani centers across the state. Following instructions from the School Education Department, collective Surya Namaskar was conducted in all educational institutions at the same time. Students from classes 6 to 12 participated voluntarily. Local public representatives, educational institutions, committees, and eminent citizens in various districts also participated the Surya Namaskar programme. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, saying he showed the world that the Sanatan Vedic culture and Hinduism was the true guide of humanity. He also unveiled Swami Vivekanandas statue at Saraswati Shishu Mandir Senior Secondary School in Gorakhpur and highlighted how the young monk awakened national consciousness through his bold thoughts and actions. Swami Vivekananda was a great son of India who played a key role in bringing the countrys ancient spiritual culture to the global stage. Through his speech at the Chicago Summit in 1893, he introduced the world to Indias significance and its rich spiritual and cultural heritage, he said, speaking at an event capital on National Youth Day organised on Swami Vivekananda Jayanti in the state. Swami Vivekananda often used to say, the greater the challenge, the more glorious the victory This serves as a source of inspiration for the youth, who are forging ahead by embracing this motivational message, he added. Say with pride, we are Hindus. Many salutes to the great young monk, thinker, source of inspiration for the youth Swami Vivekanandaji, who reestablished the Sanatan culture on the global stage, on his birth anniversary. Heartiest congratulations to everyone on National Youth Day!, Chief Minister Yogi said in a post on X. He (Swami Vivekananda) showed the world that Hinduism is the true guide of humanity, the chief minister added in the post. He called upon the youth to imbibe Swami Vivekanandas thoughts and resolve to work for nation-building. The chief minister acknowledged the achievements of Uttar Pradeshs youth, stating that 63 participants from the state took part in the National Festival, with three of them winning gold medals, bringing pride to the state. He noted that while earlier there was an identity crisis for the youth of Uttar Pradesh, today they are proving their talent on national and global platforms. During the event, the chief minister presented the state-level Swami Vivekananda Youth Awards to winners and handed over appointment letters to selected dependents of deceased Provincial Guard Force personnel. He also launched the artificial intelligence-based integrated portal Yuva Saathi, designed to utilise AI to further enhance opportunities for the youth. The chief minister warned against the dangers of substance abuse, emphasising that addiction can destroy a young persons future. He urged the youth to take a stand against drugs, calling for active participation from Yuvak Mangal Dal and Mahila Mangal Dal. The event also celebrated young achievers, with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Award being presented to Arshpreet Singh (Jhansi), Amal (Baghpat), Arpita Singh (Gorakhpur), Ajit Kumar Soni (Chandauli), Sundaram Tiwari (Pratapgarh), Satyadev Arya (Bareilly), Siddharth Rai (Ghazipur), Akshay Shukla (Unnao), and Aryan Gaur (Bulandshahr), who received certificates and checks in recognition of their achievements. Additionally, members of Yuvak Mangal Dal, including Praveen Kumar Gupta and Ankesh Gupta from Ambedkar Nagar, Abhishek Kumar Yadav from Siddharthnagar, and Piyush Chaubey and Shani from Varanasi, were honoured with certificates and cheques. Swami Vivekananda was born on this day in 1863 in an elite Bengali family of Kolkata. The day is celebrated as the National Youth Day. Swami Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902 at the age of just 39. Ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP on Sunday alleged that the AAP government in the capital failed to fulfil all of its key poll promises and "destroyed" the city. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, senior party leader and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri listed 10 promises, including cleaning the Yamuna and making Delhi pollution-free, that AAP made ahead of the 2020 polls but did not fulfil. Targeting Arvind Kejriwal, Puri said the AAP national convener only "spreads lies" and did not make any effort to fulfil the promises his party made to voters. Kejriwal came into politics saying that he would not accept big government bungalows and only travel in his Wagon R but built a 'sheesh mahal' for himself to live a luxurious life during his stint as Delhi chief minister, the BJP leader charged. AAP "destroyed" Delhi, he added. Puri also targeted the AAP government in Punjab, saying the party had promised to end the menace of drugs in the border state but instead, the drug lords there got more "energy". "From morning to evening, they (AAP) are only running advertisements (on TV channels). You have the right (to run advertisements) since you are paying for them. I am happy that TV channel owners are earning revenue by (running advertisements) about this 'nasha-mukt' leadership of Punjab," he said. The 70-member Delhi Assembly will go to polls on February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8. In the 2015 and 2020 Delhi Assembly polls, AAP won 67 and 62 seats, respectively. The BJP won three seats in 2015 and eight in 2020, while the Congress drew a blank. Puri slammed Kejriwal over his claim that the BJP will demolish all slums in Delhi if it is voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections, saying the AAP leader "talks nonsense". "When Kejriwal started his political journey, some of us were present at Ramlila Maidan. We actually felt that it is going to be a big movement against corruption. We were also impressed by his personality," he said. But, Kejriwal's actual "planning" gradually started "emerging", he said, adding, "He completely destroyed Delhi." The BJP leader said the AAP national convenor said his government will provide world class education to students in Delhi and promised to establish 500 schools in the city. "Later, they moved from counting the number of schools to be established to the number of classrooms to be constructed and claimed that they have constructed 20,000 classrooms." he said. Puri claimed that a Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report, meanwhile, said that the AAP government could construct just 4,027 classrooms and it put the construction of toilets in schools also in the list. "They kept hiding this report for two-and-a-half years," he said. While AAP talks about providing world class education in Delhi, more than two lakh children are deprived of education in the national capital, he charged. "They did not hire any new teacher or regular teacher over the past 10 years. There are 43,000 permanent teachers and 13,000 guest teachers in schools of Delhi, while they need 62,000 teachers. There is a shortfall of 6000 teachers," he added. He alleged AAP came to power, promising world class healthcare facilities in Delhi but did not establish even a single new hospital or added any bed for patients in the existing hospitals in the city. Puri alleged the AAP government did not implement the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme and the PM Awas Yojna, keeping the people of Delhi deprived of their benefits. The AAP government also tried to "obstruct" the expansion of the Delhi Metro network, he alleged. Tamils who had migrated from the state to many countries centuries ago, have contributed greatly for the development of the respective nations, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Sunday. Addressing the World Tamil Diaspora Day here, he said the Tamil language was the "umbilical cord" linking all. "The ancestors of many who have assembled here would have left the motherland (India-Tamil Nadu) about a 100, 200 years ago. With their untiring effort, sweat and sacrifice, they developed those countries," he said. Only because of them did deserts became lush and green, the barren surface turned into black-topped roads, many ports were constructed and the labourers worked in rubber and sugarcane plantations and those countries flourished as a result, the CM said. Stalin assured Tamil Nadu was there to embrace the subsequent generations of such Tamil people who had migrated long ago and listed out the various welfare initiatives meant for the diaspora. He particularly highlighted "Vergalai Thedi" (In search of roots), an initiative which helps the diaspora members to connect with their ancestral places and their relatives in the state. Diaspora members, including elected representatives from various countries participated. Shares of Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twenty brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $171.50. Get Lennar alerts: A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Lennar from $196.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Lennar from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Lennar from $192.00 to $173.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Lennar from $180.00 to $165.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Lennar from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $130.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday. Check Out Our Latest Report on LEN Lennar Trading Down 3.0 % Shares of LEN stock opened at $129.58 on Friday. Lennar has a 12-month low of $129.36 and a 12-month high of $193.80. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $156.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $167.67. The company has a market capitalization of $35.15 billion, a PE ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 4.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Lennar (NYSE:LEN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 18th. The construction company reported $4.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.15 by ($0.12). Lennar had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 15.47%. The business had revenue of $9.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.82 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Lennar will post 14.11 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Lennar In other news, Director Jeffrey Sonnenfeld sold 17,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.13, for a total transaction of $3,064,775.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 23,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,148,654.57. This represents a 42.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 9.36% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lennar Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lennar in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lennar by 933.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 155 shares of the construction companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lennar in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Asset Dedication LLC raised its holdings in shares of Lennar by 4,225.0% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 173 shares of the construction companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lennar in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.10% of the companys stock. Lennar Company Profile (Get Free Report Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The companys homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Were now well into January, with only another six months left until the end of the month. While we continue this endless crawl to the finish line, Im going to be taking a look back at some of the musical highlights of last year: CHERYM February of 2024 saw the release of one of the best Irish albums of the year, when CHERYM released their debut Take It Or Leave It (available now in Cool Discs). The album showcased what makes them one of the most exciting bands to come out of this city in recent years and was launched in the Nerve Centre with support from Reevah and Problem Patterns. Take It Or Leave It wasnt the only CHERYM release last year. On International Womens Day they released a cover of Doja Cats Boss Bitch, with a portion of proceeds going to Women For Women International, a charity helping women that have been affected by the ongoing genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. The Rise of The Suite Last year saw the arrival of some great new bands on the Derry music scene. One in particular that seems to stand out is the Suite, who, since March last year, have done four singles (Keep In Mind, It Wasnt To Be, Wanna-Be and Can You Feel It) that show a band that is continuing to improve and evolve all the time. As well as this, theyve managed to snag opening slots for Red Eye Pariah and Touts and opened the Gig For Gaza in August. November then saw them play their first headline gig in the Nerve Centre (with support from Cora Harkin and Sombre) and this year they plan on releasing their debut EP (more on that closer to the time) TRAMP If youve been a regular reader of this column over the past three years, youll definitely be familiar with TRAMP, a group that have been going from strength to strength since that first interview we had upstairs in Sandinos when they opened for General Fiasco (along with another band whove been a regular feature in these fine pages, Parker). Last year saw one of the most anticipated releases of recent times finally arrive, when TRAMP released their debut EP Bimbofication in October. The EP, featuring the singles The Birds (Lowered Suspension) and Skeletons Surfacing, manages to capture what makes the group something special and promises exciting things ahead for this happy four piece. Cora Harkin Next up is someone whos managed to be a part of the Derry music scene for over half a decade by the age of sixteen. Cora Harkin has been a regular presence on the local gig circuit for a while now, and the past couple of years have seen her release five self-penned singles that show why shes one of the best young talents in this town. In 2024, Cora released a trio singles (Back Of My Mind, Your Sweet Veronica and Fever Dream) that showcases her range as an artist, from tender piano ballads to pop-punk to straight-up pop and in November she was one of the opening acts for The Suite in their first headline gig in the Nerve Centre. Parker Now turning to another group with a trio of singles in 2024, Parker. Following up from the release of their debut album Never Let This Go (available now in Cool Discs) in 2023, Parker released the first of their three singles, Generic Indie Bands, in May last year. This was followed by arguably their best song to date, Eleanor, in August and their most recent release, Holy Communion, in November. READ MORE: MacD on Music The group have also been keeping busy on the gig circuit, making their return to the Stendhal stage and scoring opening slots for Brand New Friend and headline gigs in Bennigans, closing the year with Rock Against Cancer (also in Bennigans), with a line-up that included Roe, Moya Sweeney, The Vandees and more. NuMuze Now for something different. 2024 saw NuMuze branch out from its usual promotions and interviews into the world of live music, beginning with the brilliant Lord Jane in October. The gig took place in Nacional De Cuba and featured support from The Vandees, Ciarzo and The Capris and was followed in December with the single launch for Nine Foot Lizards in Letterkenny. As well as this, the Instagram page has continued to feature interviews and articles on some of the best local and not-so-local talent currently on the scene and this year promises to keep this up, with the recent launch of their website www.numuze.co.uk. Now, time for the socials. CHERYM can be found on Instagram @cherymofficial, The Suite @thesuite.band, Cora Harkin @coraharkinmusic, Parker @bandcalledparker, NuMuze @_numuze_ and TRAMP are, of course, @thisistramp. The Churches Trust recently took ownership of spacious new modern premises at 11 Limavady Road in the Waterside and held a celebration to launch a number of new initiatives including a bright, colourful new website. The move will allow the Trust to continue with their strategic growth plan as well as developing the work they do across the North-West and further afield. Its understood staff are delighted with their new comfortable spacious work environment and at the launch event, Laura Brown, Community Relations Manager, said that the move will provide an in-house space here in the Waterside to co-ordinate our youth and community education programmes as well as our youth space at the Diamond in the cityside. Mary Holmes, CEO, Churches Trust also provided an overview of all things new while thanking the many core funders who have facilitated the work carried out by the Trust over the years, acknowledging that it is through the value that funders place on the Trusts work that allows it to continue to grow and develop as an organisation. "I would particularly like to thank the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, The Benefact Trust, The Inner City Trust and The Charities Aid Foundation. Special mention also to Paul ODonnell of Three Creative in facilitating a lot of background work in the development of the Churches Trusts new branding and website which we viewed today for the first time." Mary Holmes, CEO, Churches Trust, addressing the attendance at the recent launch of the Trust's new Waterside premises. Ms. Holmes then outlined how the Churches Trust now works from a Trauma Informed Approach allowing for more transformative approaches and outcomes across all the Trusts work and particularly in the youth and community development work. "By asking the question what happened as opposed to whats wrong you begin to change the narrative and support people in understanding themselves, their families and their communities. This also transforms how we find solutions that enhances better outcomes for us all." Also addressing the attendance, Diana Rudd, current Chair of the Churches Trust, outlined how delighted she was to attend the opening of the new premises at 11 Limavady Road and congratulated those involved in the launch of the new website and corporate branding. Pictured at last week's Churches Trust launch are Fiona Fagan, Director, Fr. Michael Canny and Trustee Rev. Susan Moore. "This event celebrates the work that has been going on over many years to support those in need both locally and further afield. It has always been underpinned by the support of our trustees the four main church leaders in the city - and I thank them and all our board members, staff and volunteers for their continued dedication to the work we do. "Indeed, we are grateful to all our funders who have enabled our work to continue and we look forward to providing a quality service for many years to come." If you would like to learn more about the work done by the Churches Trust you can check out their new website www.thechurchestrust.org.uk or contact them through email at info@thechurhcestrust.org.uk. Delays in getting patients into emergency departments from ambulances is leading to a loss of life, a surgeon has said. There were 640 people in emergency departments across Northern Ireland on Saturday morning, with more than 200 of those waiting for over 12 hours. There were 284 waiting on a decisions to admit. In addition, hospitals were not able to send 532 patients home despite them being medically fit for discharge at 10am on Saturday. Professor Mark Taylor, Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care (NICON) spokesman, outlined the figures on BBCs Sunday Politics Northern Ireland. Prof Taylor, a consultant surgeon, said delays in admitting people into emergency departments was resulting in a loss of life. Similar concerns have been raised by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Prof Taylor said the recent winter flu spike has brought a perfect storm on top of year-round immense pressure on the health service. When you have a system that is under so much pressure you cannot get ambulances decanting those very vulnerable patients into the emergency department, those ambulances are trapped at the emergency department. Therefore, when a call comes through with trauma, acute heart attack or acute stroke, there are delays and those delays have consequences. Prof Taylor said Northern Ireland was dealing with the worst waiting lists in the UK, adding that the workforce was demoralised. Pat Cullen, Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said the health system is in crisis. Ms Cullen, who was the chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing prior to running for election, raised concerns for patients as well as healthcare workers. On the same programme, she said Northern Ireland trusts had been given funding to pilot schemes for best practices in care. However, she said recurring funding was not provided for these schemes and inevitably they come to an end before being rolled out across the system. She added: We know that we need to do more in social care but all of that costs money. And weve had 14 years of us having austerity in the north, the Tory Government starved this place of funding. And while we see that the Finance Minister (Sinn Feins Caoimhe Archibald) has put 50% of the block grant towards health, the block grant overall is not fit for purpose. Pressed on whether Health Minister and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt could deliver required health and social care services with that funding, Ms Cullen said: Well, he can do what he can do with the money and thats the bottom line. We are saying very loud and clear that overall the money overall is insufficient within the North. A Dundalk IT student team recently participated in the final of the EIT Health I-Days Innovation competition in Budapest. This event brought together students from 25 European Universities who had previously won their regional challenge competitions. The DkIT NarConnect team comprised of James Sands (Maths & Data Analytics), Jordana Hamilton (Bioscience), and Raphael Frogoso (Software Development). The EIT Health I-Days are part of a Europe-wide initiative designed to inspire and nurture the next generation of healthcare innovators. As part of the Dundalk I-Days competition in October, the team developed an innovative Bluetooth-enabled patch, designed to assist in symptom recognition and analysis. The patch was also designed to alert users of impending narcoleptic episodes, reducing the need for frequent visits to clinical practitioners and increasing safety for the person living with narcolepsy. Following their success in the DkIT competition, Team NarConnect continued to refine their solution under the mentorship of Breanndan Casey from the Connected Health and Wellbeing Cluster and Ceara Treacy, of dConnect in addition to other mentors from the day. Read Next: Eimear Mattisons path from Dundalk IT graduate to rising talent in audio post-production Speaking about the experience, Raphael Frogoso said: Attending the Budapest final allowed us to meet like-minded health innovators from across Europe and we heard numerous inspirational talks from fellow-students and established entrepreneurs. This included the winning team from Nicosia who are developing pHera, a device designed to provide a faster and safer method for confirming Nasogastric (NG) tube placement. Breanndan Casey, manager of the Connected Health Cluster said, Narconnect worked together as a team, combining skills across software development, data analytics, and science. They also used the Design Thinking process to break down the challenges of living with Narcolepsy. It was great to see the team refine their idea and with the FabLab at Creative Spark in Dundalk to develop a prototype which included changing from a patch to a wristband and supporting software. The success of the Dundalk event was made possible through the generous support of key sponsors, including Takeda UK and Ireland, HSE Technology and Transformation, and Nordic Global. THE oldest building at Emmet Place has served as an office for British intelligence, customs men, a family home, an art school, as an IRA hideout and, oh, an art gallery. Corks Crawford Art Gallery was originally constructed as the old Cork Custom House between 1723 and 1724. The Crawford School of Art, Emmet Place, Cork pictured in 1966 / /Ref. 623P-104 The gallery is home to the famous Canova Casts, which were gifted to the city two centuries ago and feature works by many well-known names such as Harry Clarke and Jack B. Yeats as well as more contemporary artists such as Eilis OConnell and Gerard Byrne. Perhaps lesser known however are the names of the residents of the iconic building before it became the Crawford Gallery. William Maynard (1690-1732) Collector of Customs At the time of the Custom Houses construction, the man in charge, and effectively the most significant representative of the British crown in Co. Cork, was a man called William Maynard. Born in 1690, he was perhaps not the kind of chap Corkonians alive today would have much in common with. He was a loyalist volunteer and an enemy to the Catholic faith. His career started brightly with an education in Trinity College Dublin, and he became MP for Tallow at 23. In 1717 he organised for the dismissal of the man responsible for collecting customs in Cork and took over his position instead. Extensive lobbying led to the construction of a new Custom House in 1723-24 and Maynard and his family moved in to a residential wing on the north side of the new building where he could see the traffic on the river. Unfortunately, for him, he appears to have become entangled in the debts of his aristocratic father-in-law; additionally many notorious frauds in the Customs were found, with the result that he fell quickly from grace. He died in 1732, leaving a wife and daughter. Bernard Shaw (died 1808) Collector of Customs Bernard Shaw was the younger brother of Sir Robert Shaw, a Dublin MP. Like Maynard, he was a true defender of the British crown, and when the French were rumoured to be invading in 1796, he enlisted as a Captain in a volunteer regiment. In 1797, he married a local girl, Jane Westrop, and quickly had several children. The family divided their time between their rooms in the Custom House, where at least one of their children was born, and Monkstown Castle. One of his daughters caused a stir when she appeared on the stage in 1830 not at all what respectable ladies were expected to do! Bernard is said to have died in his carriage on a journey to Monkstown. He appears to be a distant cousin to the dramatist George Bernard Shaw. William Willis (or Willes, died 1851) first Head of Cork School of Art After the government had moved the offices of the Customs and Excise department to the new Custom House on Lapps Quay in 1818, the building on Emmet Place became vacant. Male students at Crawford School of Art, c.1890.Courtesy Crawford Art Gallery, Cork In time it was granted to an organisation called the Royal Cork Institution, who set up a science lecture theatre where the present cafe is situated, and installed a set of plaster casts in the attic for students to study. These had been made in Rome at the start of the nineteenth century. The school opened in January 1850 under the headship of William Willis. Pictured is a sketch by Willis. Collection Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. In time, the Institution faded away especially after the founding of what is now UCC, which made the older organisation obsolete. In an attempt to improve Irish industry, the British Government passed an Act of Parliament to found a school of design in Cork in 1848, with an annual grant of 350. The school opened in January 1850 under the headship of William Willis. Willis was a late developer who had studied medicine as a young man, not starting to paint seriously until he was in his thirties, but he was accomplished enough to be accepted by the Royal Academy of Arts in London. His belief that a solid foundation in anatomy was an essential part of the artists toolkit is evident in the very many anatomical drawings credited to him that remain in Crawford Art Gallerys collection to this day. In 1853 the British government withdrew its grant. Fortunately, the school was saved when the taxpayers of Cork stepped in to fund it. Mary (1878-1921) and Francis Giltinan (1878-1938) The Custom House/Art School continued to act as a family home until at least the 1920s. One of the last families to live there was that of Francis Giltinan, who was then the hard-working secretary of the body that ran Corks technical education. In 1911 he lived in the school with his wife Mary, son Donal and a maid, Ellen Kingston. Tragically, Mary died at home shortly after giving birth to a daughter, also named Mary, in April 1921. She had previously lost a child. Whilst deaths related to childbirth were not uncommon at the time, even in middle-class families, it would have been unusual for a single father to raise a family alone. The following June, Giltinan re-married, this time to an Ellen Harrington who went on to raise a number of children with him. In 1930, Francis became the first CEO of the Cork Vocational Education Committee. Seamus Fitzgerald (1896-1972) IRA man in art school hideout Many Cork people would have been familiar with Fitzgeralds Electrical shop on Grand Parade. Seamus Murphy bust of Seamus Fitzgerald, 1966. the artists estate. Photo: Dara McGrath. Fewer would know that the founder of the business was a leading entrepreneur and Fianna Fail politician and TD in the first Dail, Seamus Fitzgerald. Long before he was a respectable businessman, he was put in charge of Dail intelligence in Cork city, tasked with the mission to collect witness statements following the Burning of Cork in December 1920. Fitzgerald and his colleagues studiously examined and compiled testimony, but there was clearly a British mole in the organisation since they had to repeatedly move from place to place once their hideouts were discovered. He explained we then decided to locate our staff in the School of Art, where one day [in the first half of May 1921] Crown Forces completely surrounded the building and captured all our records and equipment, but we ourselves escaped through a back way into the Opera House. It is likely that the captured records revealed a list of names of those who had testified. The Italian connection to Emmet Place; fish, chips andliving in sin Aside from these regular and occasional residents, the vicinity around Emmet Place was quite a homogenous area. In 1911, the majority community was Catholic, but there were significant numbers of Protestants (about 6%). Most of these were working class. By 1922 there were at least four Jewish people living in the area. The population included English, Scottish, Germans and Italians. The Italian families in Cork at this time included the Fulignatis, Bernardis, Lombardis, Bertozzis, Brunicardis, Grossis and Guisanis. Most were professionals, craftspeople or musicians. In terms of Emmet Place, the most relevant are the Lucchesi brothers. Enerico (born 1877) and Gicondo (1887-1955) Lucchesi were statue makers and had been in Cork since at least 1907. By 1912, Enerico had branched out into late-night fried fish and potato chips. In 1915 they were resident at 17, Drawbridge Street. Giocondo married Alice Hallaway, a farmers daughter from Co. Dublin, that year. Enerico had claimed to be married in his 1911 census return to Alices sister, Hannah, but actually, they only tied the knot in 1918. Exterior of Crawford Municipal School of Art, c.1935.Courtesy Crawford Art Gallery, Cork In 1921, Giocondo was working from Oliver Plunkett Street as a bookmaker, occasionally having brushes with the law, and Enerico was still running his fish and chips place. Giocondo lived in Cork for the rest of his life, but his brother appears to have left after the War of Independence. Whilst the Crawford Art Gallery is most important to Corkonians for its priceless collection of art, it has served many other purposes and has sheltered republicans, loyalists, artists and teachers, and was a family home for most of its existence. After its redevelopment, it will no doubt become the home of new personal stories. The research this article is based on was supported by the Government of Irelands Decade of Centenaries fund. This article appeared in the 2024 Holly Bough. See hollybough.ie. The Green Party in Cork have welcomed the new all-electric car provided to the citys lord mayor, but said that this needs to be followed through with delivery of the citys electric vehicle charging strategy. Earlier this month, Lord Mayor Dan Boyle became the first Green Party lord mayor to receive an all-electric vehicle from the Ford Motor Company. The gift of the car to the city, which is used for official purposes, is an annual tradition associated with the historical presence of the Ford factory close to City Hall over 100 years ago, and for the last four years, electric vehicles have been provided to lords mayor. Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, Oliver Moran, said: The current lord mayor has taken a markedly different approach to use of the car compared to previous office holders. Hes much more conscious that for short journeys, like those in the city centre, the car should be left where it is in favour of walking, cycling and public transport. There are other occasions where a car is necessary for the office and its important the city shows leadership in the car being an all-electric one. We need to show commitment for the public who are considering switching to electric vehicles, especially when that appears to be waning. However, he added: Thats got to be followed through with practical commitments too. The most common demand from residents when it comes to confidence around electric vehicles is for more charging locations. The city agreed an ambitious EV charging strategy in June. We need to link accepting this car with following through on that strategy and now deliver the infrastructure for everyone throughout our city. The 22m plan to install almost 700 publicly available electric vehicle (EV) chargers at a network of new charging stations across Cork city by 2030, with the potential for over 60 charging stations to be in place before the end of this year, was adopted by council in June. It comes as analysis by Geotab published at the end of last year found that Cork City Council has electrified more of its fleet compared to any other local authority, with 28% of its transportation comprising electric vehicles. A man aged 40 accused of carrying out two off-licence robberies was remanded in custody until January 22. Graham OMahony of 62 Edward Walsh Rd, Togher, is charged with robbery on November 8, 2024, at Galvins Carry-Out, Bandon Rd, Cork. He is also charged with robbery on November 19, 2024, at ODonovans off-licence on Summerhill North. Directions from the DPP are not available, Sergeant Dave Delea said. Solicitor Eddie Burke said that Mr OMahonys concern was to have the cases listed at the forthcoming sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 4. He said it was likely that the DPP would direct that the cases be dealt with at that court. Mr Burke further stated that if the cases against Mr OMahony did not make the February sessions because of any delay from the DPP in issuing directions, it would miss the February sessions and could be delayed until much later in the year. Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until January 22 for DPP directions. Between 150 and 500 Canadian-Irish descendants are expected to attend an anniversary event in Cork this year. This September will mark the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Settlers Assisted Emigration Scheme, through which families left communities across the Ballyhoura region including Mitchelstown, Doneraile, Kildorrery, Churchtown, Liscarroll, Charleville, Croom, Kilfinane, Kilbehenny, and Colmanswell and emigrated to Canada. These families all left in search of a better life, departing on 11 ships from the Port of Cove in 1823 and in 1825, bound for the Ottawa and Ontario regions of Canada. A week-long homecoming to remember these families will begin on September 15, culminating in a commemorative event at Griston Bog on September 21. Across the week, Ballyhoura communities will have the unique opportunity to engage with returning descendants, share local stories, and celebrate the cultural heritage of the region. Ballyhoura Development CLG is now reaching out to individuals, community groups, businesses, and heritage enthusiasts to help make this event a memorable celebration of culture, history, and connection. To get involved, people across Cork are asked to share if their family has connections to the Peter Robinson Scheme, or if they are a part of a local heritage group, to impart their knowledge and stories around the scheme. Community councils, local businesses, including hotels, B&Bs and cafes, and volunteers, can also help to create a warm welcome for the arriving visitors by offering services and time. Ballyhoura Development is further inviting everyone interested in the event to attend a community information session on January 15 at The Old Creamery, Kildorrery, to learn more about the festivities. Registration for the community information session is available on the Ballyhoura Development website, www.ballyhouradevelopment.com. A renewed appeal has been issued to road users in Cork County to take extra caution as driving conditions in some areas remain hazardous. Cork County Councils severe weather assessment team again convened this morning to assess the situation. Motorists should be aware that the thaw will be slow in the worst affected areas, leading to treacherous driving conditions, especially on higher elevations, the council said. The volume of snow which had fallen means that there will be compacted snow and mounds on roads and in villages for days to come, making driving hazardous. Drivers are urged to slow down, even in areas that have thawed, as there may be significant damage to road surfaces across the county, making driving conditions challenging and unpredictable and care should be taken on all routes. Council crews, supported by the Defence Forces, Cork City Council, and contractors, were in operation in priority sites in North-West, North, and mid Cork yesterday and are continuing their efforts today. Conditions remain challenging in Rockchapel, Freemount, Meelin, Tullylease, and Liscarroll, with a sustained focus on these and surrounding areas throughout the weekend, the local authority said. Cork County Councils emergency line will remain open on 021 4800048 today to report issues or request assistance. Uisce Eireann appeal: Meanwhile, Uisce Eireann is reiterating its appeal to the public to report any visible leaks in the public network so that its crews can carry out maintenance and repairs as required. Uisce Eireanns head of water operations Margaret Attridge said: As the freezing conditions of the past week are replaced by a thaw we are seeing an increase in leaks and bursts on the network. Water services crews have been carrying out works throughout the weekend to repair these and ensure we maintain normal supplies to customers. Night time restrictions may also be required in some areas to allow reservoir levels to recover. We would ask people to remain vigilant over the coming days and report any leaks they see in the public network so that our crews can carry out repairs. The public can report leaks or bursts to our customer care team on 1800 278 278. Uisce Eireann has launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at the text alerts page. A 41-year-old man accused of playing a part in an aggravated burglary at the home of three young Chinese nationals in Cork was remanded in custody until January 22 for DPP directions. Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case, on the application of Sergeant Dave Delea, at Cork District Court. Gerard Quinlan, of Gilabbey Mews, Connaught Avenue, Cork, is charged with burglary and assault causing harm to one man and two women, who are in their 20s. Detective Garda Brian Barron testified previously that the victims complied with the intruders, handing over their cash and phones. However, they were beaten with a crowbar and seriously injured. The incident went on for seven minutes. Det Garda Barron said: It is alleged that at 5.45am on April 17, Gerard Quinlan and (another man) entered a dwelling house at Millerd St, Cork city, as intruders. It is alleged that following complete compliance with the demands of the two and having handed over what little money and mobile phones they had, the three residents were then subjected to a vicious and sustained assault at the hands of (another man) and Gerard Quinlan, where all three were beaten with a crowbar. They escaped with 200, approximately, and a laptop. Cork students have once again proven their credentials as among the most scientifically curious in the country with a significant haul of prizes and highly commended certificates from this year's BT Young Scientist and Technologist Exhibition (BTYSE). While the overall title was won by a trio of Kerry sisters, the winner of the individual BT Young Scientist and Technologist award was Tomas Markey of St Brogans College in Bandon while St Marys Secondary School in Macroom won the title of the Best Overall School in the Republic of Ireland. The Bandon students project, which has earned him the right to represent Ireland at the World Expo when its held in Osaka, Japan later this year, focused on a method to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Tomas was one of several students from St Brogans to win awards at the BTYSE held at the RDS in Dublin this week. His project also won the Analog Devices Technology Award. The Best School ROI Award at this year's BT Young Scientist and Technologist Exhibition was presented by NAPD president Anton O'Mahony to Shannen Foley on behalf of St Mary's Secondary School in Macroom. Photo: Fennell Photography Among the others from the school to have their projects recognised were Caoimhe Ryan, Ella ODriscoll and Tadhg Og ODonovan who secured second place in the Senior Group Social and Behavioural Sciences section with their project on the electoral system. Bandon-based Fianna Fail councillor and Cork Education and Training Board chairperson Gillian Coughlan said she was delighted to have been interviewed as part of that project. "There was, by all accounts, a really high standard of entry and it bodes well for the future of our country that the brains of the country are focused on the issues and challenges facing our society," she added. St Brogan's principal, Helen Cadogan, said the school had a "big celebration" planned for tomorrow morning, adding: "We're really looking forward to it." Celebrations are likely across the city and county tomorrow morning as students from schools such as Colaiste Treasa in Kanturk, Kinsale Community School, Colaiste an Phiarsaigh in Glanmire, Colaiste Choilm in Ballincollig, Regina Mundi College in Douglas and St Mary's Secondary School in Mallow went to the podium to collect a variety of prizes. Arlene O'Donoghue, a teacher at St Mary's Secondary Secondary School in Macroom, said the school was delighted following its success at the exhibition. "Shannen Foley and Roisin O'Keeffe are the science teachers who worked with the girls this year. "We are absolutely delighted, [it's] such an amazing achievement and great to get the recognition they richly deserve. "They work so hard," she said. A Cork man living in Los Angeles has said he and his partner have lost everything due to the ongoing wildfires that have caused widespread devastation. Andrew Duggan, who is originally from Cork, featured on RTEs Morning Ireland in recent days to discuss his experience with the fires, saying that in just five hours, he and his partner Renatas home and design studio in Altadena had completely burned to the ground. Mr Duggan said he and Renata left their home an hour after his area received a final evacuation notice at around 2am on Thursday morning. When we came back, there was literally the hedges in the front yard and a couple of fruit trees [left] it was absolutely levelled. There were a couple of broken walls standing, the chimney stacks still standing, but other than that, absolutely everything else was unrecognisable our studio was non-existent, its insane how it just disintegrates to dust. Its pretty intense, just to see it all gone, its kind of crazy, he added. Its so surreal, its worse than being in a movie because youre living it to see the total devastation of thousands of homes. There might be one house standing for every 100 houses burned the entire neighbourhood and community is just gone. Its just sad to see to be honest its going to be a year at least until were properly able to rebuild our home and studio. Andrew Duggan and his girlfriend Renata Carolina Ortega with their dogs. Were definitely moving forward because at the end of the day were alive, were healthy, our dogs made it out, our neighbours made it out and we can work from there. Meanwhile, Irish Eurovision finalist Bambie Thug has spoken of how they nearly got caught up in the LA fires this week. The Macroom-born artist told the Opinion Line on Corks 96FM of their narrow escape from the Runyon Canyon fire. Bambie received the warning alert and couldnt get an Uber. They told PJ Coogan: I was watching the news, but I had turned it on mute and when I unmuted it immediately said Hollywood Hills evacuate now. I was one of the many residents who received an urgent evacuation notice, they said. Irish Eurovision finalist Bambie Thug has spoken of how they nearly got caught up in the LA fires last week. So I went up to the roof and behind the house by this restaurant called Yamashiro, which is like this old Japanese, like historic restaurant. There was this big fire next to it. There were eight of us on the roof. Ive never experienced a natural disaster. Obviously in Ireland were lucky. I was trying to book an Uber and they were cancelling on me and then a friend of mine actually came back into the building, gave me a lift down. So I was lucky. Im in downtown LA now. Bambie is due to return home to Ireland at the end of the month. The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews continued to battle the blazes at the weekend. The previous number of confirmed deaths before Saturday was 11 but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighborhoods. Eva Osborne Tommy Tiernan came out ahead of Bertie Ahern in a poll asking Irish people who they would vote for in the Irish presidential election, with Mairead McGuinness and Michael McDowell taking first and second place respectively. According to the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll, prospective Fine Gael candidate Mairead McGuinness would have the vote of 34.8 per cent of Irish people for the role. The public will head to the polls to vote in the next presidential election on or up to 60 days before November 11th, 2025, as Michael D Higgins' second term in the role comes to an end. The poll saw a list of 14 potential presidential candidates put to the public with the question: "Which of the following would you vote for in an Irish Presidential election in 2025?" Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was in a tight race for the third place spot, and led Tommy Tiernan through 10 rounds of voting before he was ultimately surpassed by the comedian. After Ahern in fourth place, Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald came fifth out of the 14 potential candidates, taking 12.8 per cent of the vote. Frances Fitzgerald had 10.4 per cent of the vote, Roisin Shortall had 9.3 per cent, and Heather Humphreys had 6.6 per cent. At the lower end of the scale, former GAA president Sean Kelly sat on 5.5 per cent, Jarlath Burns on 4 per cent, and Frances Black on 3.7 per cent. Former People Before Profit TD Brid Smith took 3.2 per cent of the vote, with John Finucane on 2 per cent, and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu was at the bottom on 1.7 per cent. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Global sea temperatures reached an all-time high in 2024, according to a new study published Friday in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. The 54 researchers from seven countries deployed thousands of instruments to collect ocean data both at the surface and up to 2,000 meters below the surface the latter called ocean heat content covering all the worlds oceans. The broken records in the ocean have become a broken record, professor Lijing Cheng with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in a press release. The researchers found that all three major metrics they analyzed broke records this year: global sea surface temperature, average global sea surface temperature and the temperature of water up to 2,000 meters below the surface. From 2023 to 2024, the researchers recorded an enormous increase of the upper 2,000 meters of ocean heat content of 16 zettajoules. That increase represents about 140 times the worlds total energy production in 2023. Kevin Trenberth, a co-author and researcher at the University of Auckland, said its unusual for all three metrics to break records in a single year. The biggest years on record globally are the year following an El Nino event, Trenberth told EcoWatch in a video interview. The last major one was 2016. Thats the last time that the global mean surface temperature and the sea temperatures and the ocean heat content were all at record levels. 2024, like 2016, was a year marked by the tail-end of an El Nino event, which, as lead author Lijing Cheng explained on a video call, leads to higher-than average sea temperatures. During El Nino, he said, global surface temperature is very high. La Nina is cold so year-to-year fluctuations are dominated by El Nino-La Nina cycles. Cheng explained that although the El Nino phenomenon has an enormous impact on sea surface temperatures, it only has a minor role on ocean heat content or ocean temperature below sea level which also broke record highs last year. Ocean temperatures are a critical indicator of human-caused climate change. The vast majority about 90% of the Earths excess heat from global warming is stored in the oceans. The researchers used multiple instruments to record ocean data, John Abraham, a co-author and researcher at the University of St. Thomas, told EcoWatch in an email. Most importanly, we use devices called Argo floats which are robotic sensors that move up and down in the oceans 2000 meters and send temperature data to laboratories through satellites. Abraham also explained that the researchers used instruments called expendable bathythermographs with long wires going up to the surface that dropped from ships passing the ocean to record data. Other instruments, he added, are buoys that have sensors, and we also attach sensors to animals so they gather data as they swim. The authors estimate in the studys concluding remarks that the recorded 16 zettajoule increase in ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 meters of the oceans led to a sea level rise of 1.0 millimeters, with a total rise of 54 millimeters since 1960. Sea level rise, in turn, increases the risk of coastal infrastructure and habitats being impacted by saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion and flooding in low-lying regions, the study says. Warming oceans also tend to lead to more and more intense storms, Trenberth explained. The warmer ocean temperatures, in general, means that theres capacity for greater evaporation over the ocean, and so that puts more moisture into the atmosphere, which gets gathered up by weather systems, and where its raining, then it rains harder, he said. This is especially true for hurricanes, which are fueled by warm waters. Cheng said that even if we were to stay under the Paris Climate Agreements goal of 1.5 C of warming, ocean heating will still continue to rise. Even if we meet the Paris target, the surface warming can be controlled by two degrees Celsius [but] ocean warming will continue, because ocean warming is delayed response. Climate change mitigation and adaptation need to continue even if we meet can meet [the] Paris Agreement, he said. Its a long-time preparation for the future of climate change. The team plans to continue keeping track of ocean warming going forward. Theyve been putting out these reports in January for the last five years, or something like that. Now the group in China seems to be committed to continuing this, and I think they like the publicity theyve received in the past, Trenberth said. It indicates that their work is important, and for the funding that they get within China to continue. And as you may know, there are some stresses between the U.S. and China, he said. Congress has been prevented from interacting with Chinese scientists for the most part now, which is rather unfortunate. I think they still can, to some extent, in the area of climate, but [for] areas that involve sophisticated technology of certain kinds then there are restrictions as to how much people can interact on the climate. Its very much a global phenomenon. Its very important that everyone who has information share that data, and then we can get a more complete picture of what is going on, and so thats what our paper is about. Not only does dangerous driving along Teewah put lives at risk, but it can also have devastating impacts on the endangered species of turtles that use the dunes for nesting. Turtle hatchlings often get trapped and die in the deep ruts left by tyres at Teewah Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Jan Waters/Facebook Campers, four-wheel drivers, visitors and locals alike have all been urged to practise extreme caution at a major east coast beach in the coming days, with thousands of endangered turtle hatchlings soon set to make the journey from the safety of their nests out to the sea. Teewah Beach, near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, is known for its pristine shoreline, popularity with travellers and, for being the spot of choice among both green and loggerhead turtles to lay their eggs. Jan Waters from Cooloola Coast Turtle Care encouraged all visitors to the area to avoid taking their cars onto the sand at night, and to only drive two hours before or after low-tide. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Waters said by using the hard wet sand, drivers will leave no tyre ruts which typically run about 25 centimetres deep. It's enough to trap a hatchling in the dip, where it'll likely die from becoming stranded. With hatchlings facing enormous challenges as they migrate from sand to sea, Waters said people should make a concerted effort not to become another one. When the young hatch, there are often hundreds per nest heading to the ocean but they often get stuck in the four-wheel drive ruts and perish. Source: Supplied Beachgoers urged to steer clear as critical turtle event takes places On average, only one in 1,000 hatchlings are estimated to survive the journey from the nest to adulthood, with Teewah Beach, like many other nesting sites in Australia, playing host to a range of natural predators such as ghost crabs, seagulls, and fish that target the babies during their journey. ADVERTISEMENT "The hatchlings have to cross the deep 4WD tracks to reach the ocean [and] the tracks, created ... on the beach close to the dunes at high tide, are 25cm deep and 25cm wide," Waters told Yahoo. "The small hatchlings are only five centimetres, and once they're caught in the tracks, they will most likely perish." "At the moment, we are asking for cooperation from the many 4WD visitors to our unique area to help the turtles." Turtle nests hatch when the temperature in the nest cools, usually between 6pm to 10pm, Waters said. "A nest will have about 100 eggs. Hatchlings emerge all together called an eruption," she explained. "If youre lucky enough to see hatchlings, clear a path over the deep tracks (if needed). Don't handle the hatchlings. Turn off all visible lights. Mobile phone lights too. Torch light can easily disorient hatchlings hindering their race to the ocean." ADVERTISEMENT Just days ago, wild footage of a driver in a ute speeding past a line of travelling vehicles while towing a jet ski at Teewah Beach was criticised by police. The driver was in such a rush, they risked travelling on the soft sand which ultimately the vehicle bogged and in need of rescuing. A ute was spotted speeding along the soft sand at Teewah Beach. Source: Sunshine Coast News Police have flagged an alarming number of drivers don't seem to apply road rules when they cruise along the beach, with hundreds of penalties handed out for offences such as speeding, mobile phone use and drink driving. Not only does dangerous driving along Teewah put drivers and passengers' lives at risk, but it can also have devastating impacts on two endangered species of turtle that use the dunes for nesting. ADVERTISEMENT The Cooloola Coast welcomes upwards of 30 nesting females, and the area is "crucial" for the survival of the species, but the increase in 4WD activity and dangerous driving is causing concern. "It's not only detrimental to the wildlife, but also just to the environment because they're doing tremendous damage," Waters said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The UK farming industry has expressed concern following confirmation of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in water buffalo in Germany. The country's first case of foot-and-mouth disease in 35 years was detected in a herd of water buffalo in Honow, near Berlin. A 72-hour animal transport ban has been enacted for the state of Brandenburg, covering cattle, pigs, sheep and other livestock. A cull has also been ordered for 200 pigs at a farm near where the outbreak was detected, as a precautionary measure. Following confirmation of the outbreak, the NFU said the UK government must secure the borders to avoid importing the disease. The union's president, Tom Bradshaw said: The confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany is very worrying news for all livestock keepers across the EU. We welcome the swift action taken in reporting the disease so that we can minimise the risk to all livestock keepers. "It is now paramount that we make sure our borders are secure so that we dont risk importing the disease into the UK. Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock, with significant economic impact. The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals but mortality rates are high in young animals, and in susceptible populations morbidity approaches 100%. Those animals that recover are usually weakened and debilitated. The 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak saw around 2,000 cases of the disease in farms across the UK. In a statement, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledged Germanys rapid official notification of the outbreak. "While the FMD virus is not considered a public health problem, its crucial for animal health due to its easy transmission and the significant economic impact it can have," it said. "Germany has already been putting containment measures in place. Early detection and rapid response are critical to contain any outbreak. "WOAH is fully committed to supporting its members to prevent and rapidly respond to the risk associated with FMD along with its partners and network of reference laboratories." This idea for this story did not come to me in a flash or from a single event. Instead, it had been brewing in my head for some years. While it is, on one level, a story of love between father and daughter, their relationship is itself shaped by the Vietnam war. Author Stuart Blackburn As an American living in the US during the 1960s and 1970s, the war in Vietnam was the single most important historical event in my life, and that of many, many others. But, unlike those many others, I got lucky. I was not sent to Vietnam and I did not flee to Canada, as thousands and thousands did. My good fortune was to join the Peace Corps in 1970, which was considered national service and became my escape from the draft lottery of December 1969, a televised event that decided the fate of so many who were sent to Vietnam, some to die. Aware of this, I wanted to write a story about someone who, like me, had a promising future (accepted at Harvard Law School) but got unlucky in the draft lottery and drew a low number in the draft number, which meant being sent to fight in Vietnam. My character, again like me, underwent a humiliating and frightening physical exam at an army recruiting center. Then our paths diverge, and he is again unfortunate in his choices, the consequences of which are dramatised in the novel. As for me, I was lucky in that the Vietnam war and the draft lottery resulted in me having a successful career and happy life. What happened was this. Instead of being sent to Southeast Asia in the army, I was sent to South India in the Peace Corps. Living there for two plus years, in a village surrounded by rice fields (very similar to Vietnam), I learned the local language, Tamil. That led to a PhD and many decades of university life, teaching, doing research and publishing books on local oral storytelling traditions. My years in India also led me to my wife, who I spotted on the Berkeley campus wearing a sari. I thought she must be from south India and found a way to approach her. It turned out she was from LA. That is the supreme irony of the Vietnam war and the draft lottery of 1969. Without them, I would not have gone to India and learned a language, would not have enjoyed so many years doing fascinating research on oral traditions, not only in south India but also in tribal northeast India. All because of a terrible war that I was able to escape. The irony of it all is that the Vietnam war shaped my life precisely because I did not participate in it. Luck of the Draw follows Stephen, a young man whose story begins with evading the Vietnam War draft and feeling to California. It is due to be published on the 28th January 2025 ISBN: 9781835740996 Price: 9.99 Josh Hall is the "happiest" he has been in a while. Josh Hall is the 'happiest' he has been in a while following his split from Christina Haack The 44-year-old star split from TV host Christina Haack after nearly three years of marriage in July 2024 and now insiders have claimed that he is looking forward to the coming year after meeting model Stephanie Gabrys, although he is trying to move away from the spotlight. A source told People: "Josh met someone wonderful in Nashville, and they have been happily dating for sometime. He wasn't trying to date, but he met someone, and it was a perfect match. [Josh is] trying to live a more private life and has no desire to be a celebrity. He hasn't made a show of the relationship, but it's not a secret. "Josh is just low-key. He is very happy with his life and looking forward to 2025 and what's on the horizon. This is the happiest he's been in some time." Insiders claimed that Stephanie has supported him throughout his tumultuous divorce from the 'Christina in the Country' star and that he sees his new partner as a "breath of fresh air" in his life, even though they have only known each other for a short time. The source added: "Stephanie has been there for Josh through all of this. "The relationship is new, but they get closer every day and Josh has said she is a breath of fresh air." Josh and Stephanie have not announced their relationship publicly yet, but they have been affectionate towards each other on social media. On one of Josh's Instagram posts, Stephanie comment: "Proud of you and the strong, patient, hard working, generous, and kind hearted man you are! 2025 is going to be the best year yet!" In another, Josh described Stephanie as "the absolute sweetest" and claimed he was "so grateful" to have her around. Earlier this year, Christina claimed in a legal filing that Josh had asked to be paid $65,000 a month and she blasted the request due to the short nature of their marriage." In documents obtained by People magazine, she wrote: "Josh Hall is requesting $65,000 per month in spousal support from [Christina] on a 2 year, 9 month marriage, which is outrageous when he is self-supporting." She also claimed Josh had "just paid over $70,000 to pay off the lease" on a Bentley and therefore "has no need for spousal support." But Josh has hit out at the filing, arguing the "legal declarations" made by the 41-year-old beauty were "riddled with lies and assumptions". He also blasted Christina's lawyer, Matthew S. DeArmey. He wrote: "Interesting tactic for someone who is a licensed attorney and took an oath of integrity. Pretty sure making provably false statements to a judge is unethical." Speakers at a recent seminar in Ho Chi Minh City stressed the need for Vietnam to proactively adapt to potential shifts in trade dynamics resulting from the policies of the upcoming US administration. To sustain its growth, Vietnam must remain vigilant and adaptable, noted Kevin Morgan, chairman of the US-Vietnam Business Council. Speakers at a recent seminar stressed the need for Vietnam to adapt to potential shifts in trade dynamics resulting from the Trump administration's policies. To sustain growth, Vietnam must remain vigilant and adaptable, noted Kevin Morgan, chairman of the US-Vietnam Business Council. Exporters must also be prepared with the data and documentation to comply with any OGA import regulations. Businesses and governments alike are closely monitoring how these changes might affect their trade relations with the United States, he added. Cao Thi Phi Van, Deputy Director of HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), said the significant shift in power in the US following President Donald Trumps election will have major implications for the global economy, especially for Vietnam as one of its largest trading partners. Vietnam also plays a vital role in the United States global supply chain, while US businesses continue to make significant contributions to Vietnams economic development, she added. Vietnams trade surplus with the United States was up over 26 per cent year on year (YoY) as of the end of 2024, making it the third-largest surplus with the US, after Mexico and Canada, a domestic news agency reported. Vietnamese exporters must also be thoroughly prepared with the requisite data and documentation to comply with any Other Government Agency (OGA) import regulations, which may encompass requirements from the Food and Drug Administration and the US department of agriculture, another expert noted. The total US-Vietnam trade turnover in the first 11 months last year reached $122.4 billion. The United States is Vietnams largest export market with a turnover of $108.9 billion in 2024up by 23.9 per cent YoY. Imports from the United States amounted to $13.5 billionan increase of 7.3 per cent. Vietnams trade surplus with the United States reached $95.4 billionup by 26.7 per cent. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Young people in particular are driving this trend, with many Aussies still 'prioritising a suntan over protecting their health'. Tilly Dawson previously admitted to Yahoo that she doesn't use suncream as much as recommended. She's far from the only one, experts warn. Source: Supplied As Australians soak up the sun throughout what's so far been a warmer than average summer, health authorities are desperately urging the public to be sun-safe with the "bad habits we develop now" significantly increasing the risk of "developing skin cancer" later in life. The warning comes as a skin specialist also encouraged Australians to stay away from "collariums" also known as collagen beds, which are similar to solariums that appear to be increasing in popularity, in social media in particular. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Mark Nevin, Cancer Council Australia CEO said while the rate of Aussies developing melanoma aged 30 to 39 has reduced by 7.8 per cent between 2000 and 2024, there are still many young people still living under the misguided belief they won't be affected due to their age. "According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the data shows skin cancer awareness campaigns have positively increased sun protection behaviours in younger Australians," Nevin told Yahoo. "However, research from Australian Government and Cancer Council tells us that ... most (74 per cent) believe their risk of getting skin cancer is unlikely. ADVERTISEMENT "Australias culture glamourises a suntan, and suntanning trends on social media contribute to harmful pro-suntanning attitudes. These attitudes can lead to young people having dangerous suntanning behaviours as they prioritise getting a suntan over protecting their health. This ultimately increases their risk of developing skin cancer." Collariums have been pushed as a 'healthier' version of a solarium. Skin specialists say in fact the opposite is true. Source: Facebook Marketplace/ABC What are collariums are why are they unsafe? Nevin said that while the reduced melanoma incidence rates among younger generations are "encouraging", we know that young Australians have some of the "most concerning attitudes and behaviours" when it comes to suntanning. He believes many still engage in dangerous behaviour to "prioritise getting a tan over their health". He warned the public not to fall for the collarium illusion, which some have falsely argued are a "healthier" version of the solarium which have been banned in Australia since 2015. ADVERTISEMENT "Manufacturers of modified sunbeds called collariums are marketed as a "healthy" alternative as they claim they provide a tan with skin benefits such as stimulating collagen," Nevin said. "Collariums are similar to solariums and also emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UVA radiation. "The UVA radiation produced by a collarium does not stimulate collagen or elastin production but breaks it down and can cause more rapid skin-ageing. The use of any sunbeds, including collariums, that provide a suntan is a sign of skin damage and will increase your risk of developing skin cancer." He said though commercial solariums have been banned for the past decade, private ownership and personal use of solariums "remain legal and unregulated". ADVERTISEMENT "Cancer Council advises against using any type of solarium," Nevin said. "Exposure to artificial UV radiation in a solarium increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. "We want young people to feel empowered to be the ones to stop skin cancer trending. This campaign harnesses Gen Z culture and the power of influencers, fashion and lifestyle media to challenge young Australians dangerous attitudes and behaviours towards suntanning and encourages them to use all five forms of sun protection when the UV is 3 or above. "After last summers campaign, we saw positive changes in young Australians sun protection habits with young Australians who reported seeing multiple campaign messages being more likely to use sun protection. Sustained funding for campaigns will help turn the tide against suntanning culture and ultimately save lives from skin cancer. "However, the erosion of these dangerous suntanning attitudes and behaviours has only just begun, and there is more work to do." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Nvidia's stock experienced a significant setback on Friday, closing down 3% at $135.91 amid new US government export restrictions. The proposed three-tier semiconductor export control system has drawn sharp criticism from the tech giant, which argues that limiting exports to standard data centers could potentially drive other countries toward alternative technologies without effectively addressing national security concerns. This market reaction comes against a backdrop of unprecedented demand for high-performance chips in the AI sector, with major tech companies significantly increasing their infrastructure investments. Microsoft's planned $77.6 billion investment in data center expansion exemplifies the robust demand driving Nvidia's market position. Analysts Maintain Positive Outlook Despite current market turbulence, financial experts remain optimistic about Nvidia's prospects. Market analysts project share price targets ranging from $170 to $190 by early 2025, reflecting confidence in the company's continued leadership in AI applications and potential for future growth. This positive sentiment is further supported by strong performance indicators from key manufacturing partners, with TSMC reporting quarterly revenues of 25.6 billion, largely driven by AI-related demand. Ad Fresh Nvidia information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Nvidia analysis... Borussia Dortmund GmbH's stock has experienced a downturn, with shares declining 0.6 percent to 3.14 in recent trading. This market response follows the team's challenging 3-2 defeat against Leverkusen, where defensive vulnerabilities were starkly exposed within the first 25 seconds of play. The club's current defensive personnel crisis has prompted urgent transfer market activity, with negotiations reportedly underway for Portuguese defensive specialist Renato Veiga from Chelsea, potentially through a loan arrangement with a purchase option. This strategic move aims to address immediate defensive shortcomings that could impact the company's sporting objectives and, consequently, its financial performance. Financial Overview Despite current challenges, the company maintains a solid fundamental position with a market capitalization of 346.6 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.85. The annual dividend payout stands at 0.06 per share, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder value despite operational hurdles. The upcoming away fixture against Holstein Kiel presents another critical test for the team's defensive capabilities, with management racing against time to strengthen the squad and potentially stabilize the stock's performance. Ad Fresh Borussia Dortmund GmbH information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Borussia Dortmund GmbH analysis... Throughout history, January 12 has been witness to some big moments. In 2010, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake that left over 300,000 dead. In 1991, the US House voted to authorise then-President George HW Bush to make war on Iraq to liberate Kuwait. In 2006, 364 Hajj pilgrims died in a stampede during the Mina stoning ritual in Saudi Arabia. Heres what else happened on this day in history read more The 7.0 magnitude quake rocked Haiti in 2010 is one of the most devastating in recent history. Illustration: Santanu Kumar Santan Throughout history, January 12 has been witness to some big moments. In 2010, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake that left over 300,000 dead. On this day in 1991, the US Congress voted to authorise then-President George HW Bush to make war on Iraq to free Kuwait. In 2006, 364 Hajj pilgrims died in a stampede during the Mina stoning ritual in Saudi Arabia. And in 2021, the Supreme Court of India ordered an interim stay on the three farm laws in Rakesh Vaishnav v Union of India & Ors. Advertisement As part of Firstposts ongoing series, History Today, we delve into defining moments of this day and their impact on the world. Haiti earthquake leaves death and devastation The earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, 2010 struck 25 kilometres southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The tremor, which measured 7.0 on the Richter scale, caused widespread death and devastation. It was followed by two aftershocks that were measured at 5.9 and 5.5. Around three million people were affected by the quake a third of the countrys population. Over a million were left homeless. The government of Haiti ultimately pegged the toll at over 300,000. A decade and a half later, Haiti is yet to completely recover. US House votes for war against Iraq The year was 1991. President George HW Bush was in office. The previous year, Iraq under Saddam Hussein had invaded its oil-rich neighbour Kuwait. Now, the eyes of the world were on the United States Congress specifically. Would the House authorise Bush Sr, the former CIA director and ex-VP, to use military force? The final vote, which came after days of fierce debate was 250 to 183 in favour of war. A man examines January 15, 2001 the damage to the outside of the headquarters of the Iraqi Civil Defence, which was hit by 2,000-pound bombs dropped by U.-led coalition aircraft during the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait. Reuters The US would go on to unleash a devastating, lightning assault on Iraq the first war that was broadcast LIVE on cable TV to millions in America. Advertisement Just five weeks later, Kuwait was free and Hussein was humiliated. Tragedy during Hajj in Saudi Arabia In 2006, over 300 were killed and around 1,000 left injured in Mecca. This after the last day of the Mina stoning ritual turned deadly. Tens of thousands of pilgrims had walked past al-Jamarat, the three large stone walls representing the devil which are pelted with stones by pilgrims. This is done so that pilgrims can cleanse themselves of sin. Then, pieces of luggage fell off moving buses. Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Pilgrims who were walking towards the stone walls then tripped over them. The incident occurred despite authorities best efforts to improve safety. The walkways had been widened to reduce congestion and nearly 60,000 security forces deployed. Yet, the tragic incident could not be prevented. Advertisement SC stays Centres farm laws In January 2021, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the Centres three farm laws. Parliament had passed the three farm laws in September 2020. The three laws enacted were Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. However, cultivators, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, began protesting against these laws. Meanwhile, multiple petitions challenging the laws were filed with the apex court. Then, on January 12, 2021, the Supreme Court stayed the farm laws. The then Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said the court would establish a committee to examine the farmers grievances. Supreme Court of India. Reuters We are of the view that the constitution of a committee of experts in the field of agriculture to negotiate between the farmers bodies and the Government of India may create a congenial atmosphere and improve the trust and confidence of the farmers a stay of implementation of all the three farm laws for the present may assuage the hurt feelings of the farmers and encourage them to come to the negotiating table with confidence and good faith, the order read. Advertisement Though the court set up a committee to help the farmers and the Centre come to an agreement, the cultivators would not participate in the discussions. Then, in November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shocked many by announcing that the farm laws would be repealed. This was done in the Winter Session of Parliament and the controversial issue was done and dusted. This day, that year 1863: Narendranath Datta, who would become the global icon Swami Vivekananda, is born into a Bengali family in Calcutta. 1962 : US begins its first combat mission in Vietnam 1966: The famed Batman TV series debuts on ABC. 1967 : Boxer Muhammad Ali, known as The Greatest, is denied an exemption for the Vietnam War by a draft board in Louisville, Kentucky. 1972: Abu Sayeed Chowdhury is sworn in as President of Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman takes oath of office as Prime Minister. With inputs from agencies While the history of middle age goes way back, the term midlife crisis didnt enter the lexicon until 1965. Historically in Western literature, the middle phase of life is described as a time when people are most themselves, with the greatest abundance of skill and purpose that life will ever confer. But how did it become a crisis? read more As industrial revolution came it gave rise to a deep-seated feeling of anxiety about the value of ones achievements, the meaning of existence and the proximity of death. Image for Representation. Pixabay In the acknowledgments of her 2024 novel All Fours, Miranda July explains that she was inspired by a series of conversations about physical and emotional midlife changes with several women close to her. And while there is almost no trace of these actual conversations in the book, she adds, they made writing it more necessary. The novel finds a middle-aged mother choosing to leave home and drive across the country in search of herself. Sound a little hackneyed? Maybe thats why she gives up after about 30 minutes, pulling into a dingy motel and instead trying to turn back time from her new home base, the appropriately chosen Room 321. Advertisement In this bland environment she undergoes a physical and spiritual awakening a dance to the Muzak of time. Whether remodeling her motel room or defying libidinal decline with a nearby Hertz rental car employee, Julys protagonist, who talks a lot about respiration I breathed in; I breathed out finally breathes life back into herself. Along the way, All Fours frames middle age as something that must be felt and communicated afresh, one powerful, awkward, minutely recorded sensation at a time. Easier said than done. Some cliches are like planets, their gravitational pull too strong for all but the most propulsive acts of creativity. Middle age is one of these. The changes often associated with being in your 40s and 50s gray hairs, career doldrums, times squeaky-wheeled chariot drawing near can seem as inevitable as aging itself. And yet, as my research on the construction and representation of aging has shown, the middle years arent what they used to be, nor what they will one day become. Where did the term midlife come from? The history of middle age begins as far back as the eye can read. In classical Western literature, the middle of life is represented as a time to live and die magnificently. In the Greek epics, Odysseus and Ajax are middle-aged, and neither loses sleep wondering about his life choices or whether his skills are falling off. Nor does Homer worry much about conveying how these men became who they are. Wily Odysseus, you can only assume, was wily pretty much from the cradle. Advertisement Beowulf, the hero of an early Anglo-Saxon poem, likewise does not show signs of slowing down until old age, when a dragon proves too much for him to kill without help from a much younger man. Embarrassing. The middle phase of life, these works imply, is the time when people are most themselves, with the greatest abundance of skill and purpose that life will ever confer. Even Shakespeare saw midlife as little cause for anxiety. Among the seven ages of man described in As You Like It, middle age corresponds roughly to the part of the justice, a man with fair round belly and wise saws who sounds a little quaint, perhaps, but also content; it is only during the sixth age, with the approach of what Shakespeare calls second childishness, that a major shift occurs and quality of life starts to drop. Advertisement The seven ages of man. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons The genesis of crisis Then everything changed. The Industrial Revolution gave rise to a new bourgeois class that, when not reeling from the latest market crash, had time and money to burn. Middle-class leisure, unlike the aristocratic kind that greeted one at birth, required shifting gears, from a full-steam-ahead search for ones place in the world to the relative stagnancy that came with having found it. This kind of whiplash was enough to make a crisis of midlife: a deep-seated feeling of anxiety about the value of ones achievements, the meaning of existence and the proximity of death. While the actual term midlife crisis was not born until 1965, thanks to 48-year-old Canadian psychoanalyst Elliot Jacques, its gestation stretched across the 18th and 19th centuries. Romantic poets such as John Keats and Percy Shelley, who died at 25 and 29, respectively, taught readers to covet the summer of life with almost desperate intensity, and even a slight chill in the air became cause for dread. Advertisement The Victorians, perhaps sensing that Britains empire could not stay young and virile forever, took this Romantic dread and ran with it. In the 1853 novel Little Dorrit, 41-year-old Charles Dickens portrays 41-year-old Arthur Clennam, who gloomily meditates on what hes done with himself and how little its gotten him: From the unhappy suppression of my youngest days, through the rigid and unloving home that followed them, through my departure, my long exile, my return, my mothers welcome, my intercourse with her since, down to the afternoon of this day with poor Flora, said Arthur Clennam, what have I found! Advertisement For Clennam, a jaded merchant who recently vacated his position with the family firm in search of some greater purpose, taking stock of ones life seems a painful but necessary exercise. He also takes another kind of stock, investing in a Ponzi scheme that plunges him, with most of London, into a state of financial crisis that mirrors his personal one. A generation later, in the US, Theodore Dreisers 1900 novel Sister Carrie tells the story of George Hurstwood, a successful businessman whose life begins to unravel the moment he stops working long enough to question its real worth. Both Clennam and Hurstwood eventually take up with a 20-something woman one finding regeneration in that relationship, the other dishevelment and death. In another time, both men might also splurge on a red Corvette. Future midlife What about middle-aged women in the 19th century? In a way, there were none. The critic Sari Edelstein, in her 2019 book Adulthood and Other Fictions, encourages readers to think about adulthood not as a biological fact but as a cluster of political rights and privileges conferred on some people in the US usually white men and largely withheld from others, such as women and people of colour. While race, class and marital status profoundly impacted womens experience of midlife, one fact remains constant for much of the century: the absence of full adult status under the law. Even as they matured, women were kept little. They were also portrayed as such. Popular novels such as The Lamplighter and The Wide, Wide World retraced time and again the approved boundaries of a married womans life, which extend no further than the home. Unmarried women and widows could hold property and manage their own financial affairs, but the period literature far too seldom represents their point of view. Not until the advent of second-wave feminism, and works such as Doris Lessings 1974 novel The Summer Before the Dark, did middle-aged womanhood become a topic more openly and creatively explored on paper. For all that creative labour across the past century, the English-speaking world has been largely resigned to the idea of middle age as a dreadful, isolating crisis. This is likely due in part to the midlife crisiss amazing elasticity the way it stretches to accommodate shifting cultural contexts and the rise of whole new artistic forms. Few other topics seem to lend themselves so generously to esoteric offerings and crowd-pleasing genre fare, to the page and the screen. (For my money, one of the best films about midlife crises is Martin Scorseses Casino.) If not a crisis, what else could midlife be? Perhaps the gateway to something universal. While the narrator of All Fours suffers plenty of distress and ennui, she never uses the word crisis without scare quotes. Shes clearly holding out for another kind of midlife. That faith is rewarded in the last chapter, when she watches a dance recital and feels the warm, hallowed feeling from her hotel retreat gilding the whole neighbourhood, the whole city The whole universe? Yes She reflects: If 321 was everywhere then every day was Wednesday, and I could always be how I was in the room. Imperfect, ungendered, game, unashamed. I had everything I needed in my pockets, a full soul. Her consciousness expanding and contracting between the scale of the universe and that of her own pockets, Julys narrator does more than regenerate. Rising and falling, part St. Teresa and part Lady Macbeth, she embraces both the ecstasy and the tragedy of life and is twice empowered. It is a midlife metamorphosis. This article has been updated to remove a characterization of Achilles as middle-aged. Matthew Redmond, Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Universite de Lille This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in Greenland, a largely autonomous territory in Denmark. But can he and how much money would it take? We talk about the US president-elects expansion plans, the California wildfires, and more in our weekly roundup of explainers read more Greenland's flag flies in the Igaliku settlement, on July 5, 2024. In recent weeks, Donald Trump has said time and again that we wants to acquire Greenland, the world's largest island. File photo/Reuters We are only 12 days into the New Year and weve witnessed everything from political turmoil to a pandemic scare and devastating natural disasters an earthquake and wildfires. The week started with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus resignation. He will be a lame-duck leader until the Liberal party picks his successor. All this, as his country heads to an election in October. What happens next? In neighbouring United States, wildfires have wreaked havoc. It seems like an apocalypse has hit Southern California, especially Los Angeles, which has been reduced to ashes. The death toll is rising, thousands of structures have been damaged including celebrity homes and local landmarks, and lakhs have been evacuated. Advertisement Donald Trump is only days from taking charge as Americas 47th president. He once again reiterated his expansion plans. In a bombshell press conference, he spoke about Greenland, wanting to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and Canada as the 51st US state. In Asia, cases of the HMPV virus have been surging, including in India and China. Rumour mills have been abuzz about another pandemic in the making, but experts say there is nothing to worry about yet. Chinas Tibet was rocked by a massive earthquake that killed at least 120. The tremors were felt in northern and northeastern parts of India. All this and more in our weekly roundup from around the world. 1. The writing was on the wall. Justin Trudeaus days were numbered. The Canadian PM resigned on January 6 after facing growing calls to step down from members of his Liberal party. His popularity among the public has also taken a massive hit in recent years. But how did Trudeau go from being a rockstar politician to Canadas most unwanted one? We analyse. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his decision to resign outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. AP 2. Massive wildfires are spreading across Californias Los Angeles, resulting in at least 16 deaths, scorching buildings and cars and leading to evacuation of close to 1,80,000 residents. The battle against the blazes continues with little respite. But what made the fires so deadly? How did they spread so fast? And why are they so difficult to contain? Advertisement 3. One of the biggest fires in Los Angeless history is destroying Pacific Palisades. A plush neighbourhood, it is home to some big Hollywood names. The raging infernos have destroyed the homes of actors Billy Crystal and Anthony Hopkins, and American heiress Paris Hilton. Heres how the most scenic part of LA was reduced to ashes. Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, on January 9. AP 4. Donald Trump has said it over and over again he wants to purchase Greenland. He upped the ante earlier this week when he did not refuse the use of military power to acquire the territory. This came, as his son Donald Trump Jr visited the island, the worlds largest. But why does Trump want to buy Greenland? And can he? And what would it cost him? Our explainers give you the answers. Advertisement A plane carrying Donald Trump Jr lands in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 7. Donald Trump has been reiterating that he wants to acquire the island. AP 5. Its been five years since the first Covid -19 death was reported in China in 2020. What followed later was unfathomable. A virus that spread to almost every country in the world and claimed more than six million lives. Now another virus is surging in China the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). India has at least eight cases so far; the infection has also been reported in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Is it a reason of grave concern? 6. The grooming gangs of the UK. This week, they have been grabbing headlines. Elon Musk hit out at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over them. Indian lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi responded to the premiers remark on Asian grooming gangs saying they were Pakistani. But w hat is the scandal? Are members of such groups of Pakistan-origin? Advertisement A woman poses at her home in England, Britain. She was 14 when she was sexually abused by a grooming gang in Rochdale. Reuters 7. Russia has 99 problems and one of them is a low birth rate. Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine has resulted in massive casualties and a mass exodus. Now some female students are being offered cash payments for giving birth to healthy babies. This story tells you more. Thats your reading list for this Sunday, updating you about all the big events that defined the week. If you like the way we explain the news, bookmark this page. PS: Are you a coffee lover? We have some news. Yes, the beverage has health benefits but when you drink it matters the most. Heres what science says. Advertisement The lack of clarity and widespread unfamiliarity about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) among the public and health experts has sparked anxiety in India. Firstpost brings expert insights on addressing concerns around it. read more Amid rising concerns over the detection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, health experts have emphasised that the virus is not new and have advised the public to remain calm while following basic precautions. HMPV, which causes upper respiratory infections, gained attention after a recent outbreak in China. While it can affect people across all age groups, experts noted that India has not experienced any unusual surge in cases. Firstpost spoke with Dr. Neetu Jain, Senior Consultant of Pulmonology at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi, to explore the various aspects of the virus in detail. Advertisement What is HMPV and how does it compare to other respiratory viruses like influenza or RSV? Dr Jain: HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) is an RNA virus that causes respiratory infections, similar to other viruses such as RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and influenza. Like those viruses, HMPV can cause symptoms like cough, sore throat, nasal discharge, and shortness of breath. While it shares similarities with RSV and influenza, HMPV can cause severe disease in vulnerable groups, such as the very young, the elderly (over 65 years), and immunocompromised individuals. However, HMPV is not the same as influenza, as it belongs to a different viral group. How is HMPV transmitted and what is the typical incubation period? Dr Jain: HMPV is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosol transmission, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be transmitted from person to person through close contact. The incubation period for HMPV is typically between three to six days. What are the symptoms and what preventive measures are recommended for HMPV infection? Dr Jain: Symptoms of HMPV infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing (especially in individuals with pre-existing asthma), and nasal discharge. In some cases, it can lead to pneumonia or bronchopneumonia, which may require hospitalisation, particularly for older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Preventive measures for HMPV include general hygiene practices such as washing hands frequently, avoiding touching the face, wearing a mask, staying away from infected individuals, and staying indoors if you are infected to prevent spreading it to others. What has caused the recent spike in HMPV cases and should the public be concerned? Dr Jain: Each year, during the winter season, there is a natural spike in cases of viral respiratory infections, including HMPV, influenza and RSV. This is due to the higher circulation of these viruses during colder months. In the case of HMPV, it accounts for about 5-10% of common cold cases during this season. There is no significant new strain or outbreak causing concern, so there is no immediate need for panic. It is part of the usual seasonal variation. How is HMPV diagnosed and what treatments are currently available? Dr Jain: HMPV is diagnosed via RT-PCR testing of a nasal swab or throat swab. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV. Patients are typically treated symptomatically, which may include the use of antiallergic medications, paracetamol for fever, and staying hydrated. In more severe cases, especially for individuals with difficulty breathing, oxygen therapy may be necessary. Could HMPV evolve to cause a pandemic similar to COVID-19? How can it be distinguished from COVID-19, flu or RSV? Dr Jain: It is highly unlikely that HMPV will cause a pandemic similar to COVID-19. While it can cause respiratory illness, it is not as transmissible or severe as COVID-19. The symptoms of HMPV can be similar to those of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The key distinction between these viruses is that different viruses cause them: HMPV is a Metapneumovirus, while the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causes COVID-19. The diagnosis can be made through specific tests such as RT-PCR, which can differentiate between these viruses. If a person has taken a COVID-19 vaccine, does it provide any cross-immunity or protection against HMPV, given the similarities in respiratory symptoms? Dr Jain: The COVID-19 vaccine does not provide immunity or protection against hMPV. Although both viruses cause respiratory symptoms, they belong to different viral familiesCOVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus, while hMPV is a Metapneumovirus. As such, immunity against one does not protect the other. How does HMPV affect children compared to adults and are there any long-term health implications? Dr Jain: HMPV tends to affect children more severely than adults, especially younger children, as they have weaker immune systems. In children, it can lead to more significant respiratory symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath. Adults, especially healthy ones, generally experience milder symptoms. Long-term health implications are rare, as the disease is usually mild and self-limiting. However, in vulnerable populations, such as infants or elderly individuals, complications like pneumonia may arise. What is the genetic structure of HMPV and how does it contribute to the viruss behaviour and spread? Dr Jain: HMPV is an RNA virus, which contributes to its ability to mutate and adapt. This genetic structure allows the virus to spread rapidly and evade some aspects of the immune response. Its RNA composition plays a significant role in how it behaves in the body, causing respiratory symptoms and spreading through the air via droplets. However, despite its capacity for mutation, HMPV remains a virus that causes seasonal outbreaks, with no indication of a major genetic shift that would result in a pandemic. Addressing a press conference in the Delhis Shakur Basti area, former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of prioritising land acquisition over the welfare of slum dwellers. read more AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday claimed that the BJP would demolish all slums in Delhi if voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in the Shakur Basti area here, the former chief minister accused the BJP of prioritising land acquisition over the welfare of slum dwellers. They want your votes first and your land after the elections, Kejriwal said, referring to the BJP. There was no immediate response from the BJP. Advertisement The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief further challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw all cases against people living in jhuggis and resettle those displaced within 24 hours, vowing not to contest the elections if the BJP complies. I will not contest the elections if Amit Shah withdraws all the cases against the slum dwellers or displaced people. If the BJP fails, I will contest and stand as a shield for the slum dwellers. Lets see who destroys them, Kejriwal claimed. He also criticised the BJPs Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan scheme, calling it an eyewash. In the past 10 years, they have constructed only 4,700 flats for slum dwellers. Delhi has 4 lakh jhuggis. At this rate, it will take them 1,000 years to provide homes for all slum dwellers in the city, he said. Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP has plans to take over the land currently occupied by slum dwellers without addressing their housing needs. They will demolish all the slums and acquire the land without any concern for the people living there, he added. Echoing similar sentiments, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said on X, Arvind Kejriwal has exposed every lie and conspiracy told by Amit Shah to the people living in jhuggis. The BJP has rendered 3 lakh people living in jhuggis homeless in the last 10 years. Now, it is plotting to demolish every jhuggi in Delhi. People living in jhuggis of Delhi, remember, this is a bulldozer party. If you vote for the BJP, all these jhuggis will be demolished within a year. Kejriwal was accompanied by senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the partys candidate from the Shakur Basti constituency. Jain is seeking re-election from the seat for the fourth time, after winning it in 2013, 2015 and 2020. Advertisement Delhi will go to the polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8. The AAP, which won 62 of the 70 seats in Delhi in the 2020 elections, is aiming for a third consecutive full term. The act provoked outrage among top saints, prompting a gathering of senior Akhara authorities, including patron saint Srimahant Giri, spokesperson Narayan Giri, fair in-charge Mohan Bharti, and others, to address the situation read more Juna Akhara, Indias greatest Hindu monastic order, has dismissed mahant Kaushal Giri for seven years for accepting a 13-year-old girl as a donation from her family and initiating her as a sadhvi (monk) before the Kumbh Melas initial bathing rite. According to the akharas top office bearers, the girl was returned to her family in Agra on Friday evening, and they have now imposed a minimum age restriction of 22 years for introducing women as sanyasi. Advertisement Giri, on the other hand, stated that the girls father freely handed his daughter to the Akhara, noting her wish to leave the world behind. Her parents had no objections. After completing the Dharmadhwaja and Pindadaana rituals, she would formally embrace sainthood, Giri said. The act provoked outrage among top saints, prompting a gathering of senior Akhara authorities, including patron saint Srimahant Giri, spokesperson Narayan Giri, fair in-charge Mohan Bharti, and others, to address the situation. They unanimously agreed to remove Giri for breaking ethical and legal standards. The girl is a minor, and this was unacceptable. We decided that she should be sent back home. While we will adopt an abandoned infant if found, we will not induct women under 22 years of age under normal circumstances. The age limit ensures that a girl seeking sainthood is mature enough to make an informed decision. Children cannot be housed in our camps, and we have requested the authorities concerned to intervene and ensure such incidents do not happen again, spokesperson Narayan Giri said. An Akhada official stated that in order for a minor to become a sannyasin, her parents must first give an initial consent form. After six months, a final permission form, along with the minors consent, is necessary to ensure that the decision is not made rashly or in anger. The girls father, who owns a sweets business in Agra, took her and her sister to Prayagraj on December 26 to assist Giri with camp chores at the Juna Akhara camp in Sector 20. Their families stated that their dedication to Giri began more than three years ago, and they absolutely trusted him. Advertisement The girls mother, a housewife, stated that their relationship with Giri began when he performed religious speeches at the Kali Maa temple in their hamlet. However, the girls grandpa, 65-year-old Rohtan Singh Dhakre, was against the choice. She is not the right age for this. We were unaware of her joining the Akhara and only discovered out when the media arrived at our house, he explained. Her grandmother, Radha Devi, explained, She does not live with us, so we were not informed. Child rights campaigner Naresh Paras also decried the event, calling it a breach of the Juvenile Justice Act. A child is not a commodity to be donated. Every child aged six to 14 is entitled to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act. This action breaches her fundamental rights, Paras stated. Advertisement Paras has written to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), pleading for prompt action. He further stated that no Akhara is permitted to admit kids because they are neither licensed educational institutions nor in compliance with child protection legislation. If a child is left by their parents, they must be produced before the child welfare committee. The consent of a minor is legally invalid, he stated. The seers also believe that any yagya performed during the Kumbh in Prayagraj will have much more effect than yagyas performed on other occasions at another place. read more Ahead of the first major bathing on the occasion of Paush Poornima on Monday, seers and those associated with spirituality feel this time the Maha Kumbh will give more strength to the nation, devotees and pilgrims than its previous editions. The seers also believe that any yagya performed during the Kumbh in Prayagraj will have much more effect than yagyas performed on other occasions at another place. Speaking to PTI on Sunday, Govardhan Math Peethadheeshwar Shankaracharya Swami Adhokshajanand Devtirth said, The event is being called Maha Kumbh as it is taking place after 12 Poorn Kumbhs, although for us, every Kumbh is supremely pious and Shakti Vardhak (strength provider). Advertisement However, the ongoing Maha Kumbh will give more strength to the nation, devotees and pilgrims than the other Kumbhs. The deliberations done by the saints here, along with the yagyas and other spiritual activities, will generate a power that will make the nation stronger and prosperous, and also send a positive message to the entire world and humanity. It is believed that the yagya performed during the Kumbh in Prayagraj has much more effect than the yagyas performed on other occasions at some other place, he said, adding that the facilities made by the government for the event have been good. Throwing light on the spiritual aspect of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Ashutosh Varshney, convenor of Ram Naam Bank, a Prayagraj-based NGO, told PTI, The most sacred festival for Hindu pilgrims, Kumbh Mela traces its origin to a blend of mythology, history and astrology. The word Kumbh is derived from the sacred Amrit Kalash meaning immortal pitcher. According to legend, after the Devasura war, both gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) agreed to churn the ocean to obtain Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Mount Mandarachal served as the churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki acted as the churning rope. Fourteen precious items emerged from the churning, which were divided among the Devas and Asuras. However, when Dhanvantari (physician of the gods) presented the Amrit Kalash to the gods, another conflict arose. Lord Vishnu then intervened in the guise of Mohini, suggesting that everyone should partake the Amrit. He entrusted the Amrit Kalash to Indras son, Jayant. As Jayant fled to protect the Amrit from the demons, drops of the nectar fell on four locations on Earth Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain and Prayagraj. These four places, touched by the divine nectar, became sacred sites for the Kumbh Mela, Varshney said. Speaking about the significance of Paush Purnima, Lucknow-based astrologer Triloki Nath Singh said the occasion occurs on the 15th day of Shukla Paksh in the Hindu calendar month of Paush. It also marks the initiation of Kalpvasa, a period of intense spiritual practice and devotion observed by pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela, Singh said. Advertisement Wearing a glowing new look, Prayagraj is now welcoming saints, seers, pilgrims, devotees and citizens from different walks of life to soak themselves in the water of spirituality. Scheduled to be held from January 13 to February 26, the Maha Kumbh will elevate Indias ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence, according to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who termed the event a testament to Indias rich spiritual and cultural legacy. Ocean currents and pollution are major contributors to the accumulation of rubbish on beaches globally, with Bali and northern Australia among the worst affected. Volunteers this week cleaned an incredible 70 tonnes of garbage from Jimbaran Beach in Bali. Source: Instagram/sambencheghib After volunteers cleared an astonishing 70 tonnes of rubbish from a Bali beach described by one man as "the worst trash wave" he'd ever seen an Australian travel expert has warned that without significant reductions in plastic use, such alarming scenes will become increasingly common. This week, environmentalist Sam Bencheghib, alongside the team at Sungai Watch and additional volunteers, worked tirelessly to remove dozens of tonnes of garbage from Bali's iconic Jimbaran Beach. Writing on social media, Bencheghib said "every day more trash" just kept "on coming". "We called to our community for help and Bali answered 2,000 strong. We removed 70 tonnes of plastic from Jimbaran beach," he said. "The cleanup is not over, but our hopes are high with the support of Bali behind us." Staggering images shows the true scale of the pollution pile-up, with the sand effectively unable to be seen over the mountains of waste. Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media Quentin Long specialises in Indonesian affairs. He spoke to Yahoo News Australia and said travellers need to reduce their plastic waste, or risk becoming part of the problem. Jimbaran Beach is a popular spot among both travellers and locals. But it could hardly been seen beneath the mountains of waste. Source: Instagram/sambencheghib 'Huge waste epidemic' destroying coastlines around the globe Long said that while in this instance, recent monsoons and extreme weather significantly exacerbated the situation, with currents bringing in rubbish from the sea. But, "the rubbish has to be in the ocean in the first place". ADVERTISEMENT "There's two things going on, one is that you do have seasonal weather patterns and tidal patterns that mean that you get a lot more waste getting washed up on the beaches," Long told Yahoo News Australia. "But these things, the objects, have got to be there in the sea in the first place. There is a huge waste epidemic going through Bali and that does end up in the waters around the island, that then seasonally end up on the beaches. "It's generally acknowledged as a pretty big problem that they have to manage, and there's a real focus now on how to deal with waste when it comes to Bali and generally in terms of the tourism impact." Before and after at Jimbaran. Source: Instagram/sambencheghib Why is so much garbage ending up on our beaches? Ocean currents and pollution are major contributors to the accumulation of rubbish on beaches worldwide, with Bali and northern Australia among the worst affected regions. ADVERTISEMENT Strong currents in the Indonesian Throughflow a key marine passage connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans carry debris from across Southeast Asia, depositing it on Balis beaches, including popular spots like Kuta and Jimbaran. Seasonal monsoons worsen the problem, pushing waves of plastic and other waste ashore. In northern Australia, the Gulf of Carpentaria is a hotspot for marine debris. The region collects rubbish from nearby countries, such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, due to prevailing currents. Ghost nets discarded fishing gear pose a severe threat, trapping marine life like turtles and fish. Efforts to tackle the issue in both regions include community clean-ups and international collaboration to reduce pollution at its source. However, experts warn that without significant global action to curb plastic use and improve waste management, these problems will persist. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A woman poses at her home in England, Britain, January 8, 2025. She was 14 when she was sexually abused by a grooming gang in Rochdale. REUTERS/Hollie Adams This has been a difficult piece to write. At a deeply personal level researching on the serial rape and abuse of thousands upon thousands of underage British girls by men of mostly Pakistani Muslim heritage that went on unabated for decades, aided by nearly every arm of the British state that systematically tried to brush the horror under the carpet has been a humbling, upsetting and even a bruising experience. Advertisement As an Indian sitting in India, and as someone whose job it is to write, the degrees of separation and professionalism should have insulated me somewhat as I went through the details of dreadful depravity that those defenceless children were subjected to. But it didnt. I missed a self-imposed deadline chiefly because as I went down the rabbit hole, it was increasingly impossible to remain objective. How can one remain objective when one encounters accounts of minor girls subjected to gang anal rape using a pump by five or six men? In his sentencing remarks in 2013, Judge Peter Rook writes, at one point the child had four men inside her. A red ball was placed in her mouth to keep her quiet. Or in Telford, one of those mill towns in the unfashionable part of north England where white, working-class girls were being abused by an organised network of Pakistani Muslim paedophiles by thousands. One such was Lucy Lowe, who died at 16 alongside her mother and sister when her abuser set fire to her home in 2000. She had given birth to Azhar Ali Mahmoods child when she was just 14, and was pregnant (with Mahmoods unborn) when she was killed. In Telford alone, notes The Telegraph, at least 1,000 girls were abused in the town between 1980 and 2009. Thousands and thousands of mostly white (some Sikh), underage girls were gang raped, sodomized, beaten up, drugged, abused, humiliated and passed around like pieces of meat. The accounts are horrific. Reading the details takes away a little part of the soul. Yet these must be read. Advertisement The world must know how the British state not only failed in its primary duty of protecting the most vulnerable and defenceless part of its population, but worse, is guilty of collusion with the sexual predators. From the police, administration, political leadership, civil society or the media every part of the state apparatus either looked away, pretended that the evil does not exist, or even more tragically went after the parents and whistleblowers to penalise them instead. American journalist Dominic Green, writing in the Free Press, says the grooming and serial rape of thousands of English girls by men of mostly Pakistani Muslim background over several decades is the biggest peacetime crime in the history of modern Europe. It went on for many years. It is still going on. And there has been no justice for the vast majority of the victims. Advertisement Judge Rooks observations after the trial of Akhtar Dogar, Anjum Dogar, Kamar Jamil, Mohammed Karrar and Basam Karrar in 2013, paint a picture of unimaginable depravity, exploitation and abuse that sends a chill through the spine. The physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon the victims prompted the mother of a 15-year-old to say how by the time the pack of wolves were done with her, there was not much left of her apart from aggression. You took her soul. She felt as though it had been ripped out. The Pakistani-Muslim child rape gangs, euphemistically referred to as Asian grooming gangs in British media and establishment to avoid mentioning the ethnicity of the criminals, would not only ply the teenage victims with drugs and alcohol to make them malleable for abuse, but force them into providing sex to vast numbers of strangers for money. Up to four or five men would be invited to addresses so they could have sex with her. Men were brought from Bradford, Leeds, Slough and London. Sometimes the sex would be photographed no doubt to lure more customers." Advertisement If she resisted, she would be coerced. Customers would become angry. For instance, if oral sex was required, her head would be pushed down, her hair pulled and she would be slapped. Strangers would burn her with cigarettes. A stranger almost throttled her. One deliberately scratched her vagina with his nails. One inserted a hairbrush into her vagina. The victims, consequently, suffer from nightmares, panic attacks and flashbacks, some have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Distress Disorder, and suffers from bouts of anxiety and depression self-loathing difficulties in relationships and carry a great burden of shame and embarrassment about what happened Staggeringly, the scale of the abuse is still unknown. Former UK Independence Party leader Lord Malcolm Pearson at a recent British parliamentary intervention put the number of young, white minor girls raped and abused by Muslim men of Pakistani descent at 250,000. Advertisement Lord Malcolm Pearson of Rannoch, UK calls out how Britain's Grooming Gangs are largely Pakistani Muslim men. It is estimated that around 250,000, young white British minor girls have been victims of rape and sexual abuse by Pakistani Muslim men. Due to political correctness and pic.twitter.com/zYUcMvnPFZ INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) January 5, 2025 The paedophile network followed a certain modus operandi, systematically targeting mostly poor children from broken homes who resided in care facilities. They would be enticed with taxi rides, sweets, trinkets and food, and as Green points out in FP, the rapists after their own gratification would pass them around family and friendship networks, pimp them into similar networks in other cities, then discard them as they reached the age of consent This pattern was repeated in as many as 50 cities across the country, including in leafy Oxford and liberal Bristol. A 2014 inquiry estimated that 1,400 girls had been serially raped in Rotherham alone. The abuse, by some accounts, started in the 1960s with the settlement of Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants. The natural question that any sane person would ask is how did the British state for decades allow such a monstrous crime to take place at a mass scale? Was their collective conscience sucked out by dementors? Why and how did it fail not only in its duty, but become a willing accomplice in perversion of law and natural justice by its non-action and worse, attempted suppression of details? Despite the horrific aspects coming to light of late mainly due to the relentless amplification of the case by Elon Musk on his social media platform why did the ruling Labour Party and most British politicians join hands to cancel calls for a new public inquiry into the grooming gangs, despite the fact that more than three-quarters of Britons right now want a national investigation into the scandal? To answer these questions, one must observe the peculiar conditions of developed Europe where multiculturalism has become a state religion, and it cannot be allowed to fail no matter the cost. It is evident that the post-second World War liberal consensus is in a shambles across the West. The stubborn belief in multiculturalism was in part an ideological conviction, and in part a clever moral justification for the urgent need to import migrant labour since fertility rates have been crashing (most acutely) in the rich world. Europe must import more working hands or else its wheels would stop rolling. Importing labour is the easy part. Trouble begins when western society is confronted with a religion and culture that holds medieval views towards women, is prone to ghettoisation, resists assimilation in western societies, considers western culture as alien and prioritizes community bonding. For instance, Badrul Hussain, a member of the Newcastle rape gang, when caught travelling on public transport without a ticket, told the female ticket inspector, All white women are only good for one thing. For men like me to use like trash. Thats all women like you are worth. Other testimony from victims details how frequently they were referred to as white slags or white whores, reports The Telegraph. What the West does not want to acknowledge owing to an epidemic of political correctness that Canadian professor and author Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy is that owing to their rapidly growing numbers and religious unity, members of this insular culture not only hold enormous power to mould the politics in western democracies, but also possess increasing ability to exploit the loopholes of an open democratic system. They also find in the apologetic West a bunch of self-hating people and a virtue-signalling submissive culture that can be dominated, bullied and subjugated. In Unherd, Dominic Adler, a former police officer, writes that as an officer of the law for 25 years, Ive watched senior officers, faced with uncomfortable truths, wriggle like greased piglets. Ive witnessed logic-defying decisions for nakedly political reasons The answer, in the end, is simple. Racism, for police services from Chester to Penzance, remains the original sin This institutional reticence over race goes beyond the police themselves: even the Independent Office for Police Conducts (IOPC) review of the rape gang scandal tiptoed around the heritage and religion of offenders. The scale of this institutional submission is unimaginable. It perverted the principles of natural justice. The Dharma of administrators and rulers is to govern with fairness and implement the rule of law. The primary duty of a society is to protect its children. It is the key social contract that sustains human civilization and even the natural world. If leaders suffer a collective failure in in enforcing the terms of the social contract protecting children from harm due to empathy, greed or fear, the societal norms come unstuck. As Sam Ashworth-Hayes and Charlie Peters write in The Telegraph, Denial about the extent of the problem is rooted deep in Britains political system. At times, it appears that the governments approach to multiculturalism is not to uphold the law, but instead to minimise the risk of unrest between communities. Confronted with gangs of predominantly Pakistani men targeting predominantly white children, the state knew exactly what to do. For the good of community relations, it had to bury the story. The officers, administrators, council members and leadership were mortally scared and told a distresses parent in Rotherham that the entire town would erupt if the routine abuse of white children by Pakistani heritage men became public knowledge. There are several issues at work here. First, the rich West, having risen above sustenance concerns and in possession of tremendous wealth and priviledge, is looking for ways to feel morally superior and greater dignity. These feelings are tied to their sense of self-worth in absence of a third world to be colonised and modernised or wars to be won. By dint of suicidal empathy, cultural relativism and an urgent need to feel socially and morally superior, the West has decided that the ills of Islamism, the tenets of a totalitarian ideology that holds seventh century views on women and acts in ways that violates every thread of modern civilizational existence is a perception problem and can cease to exist if we broaden our provincial minds. This fatal dialectic gives rise to the woke mind virus that creates the perfect environment for political Islam and its veto of intolerance to take over. The second issue, as former police officer Adler writes in Unherd, is that the police were petrified of race-related violence and chief constables were inclined to see the rape gang scandal as another intractable problem, confined to a marginalised section of the white underclass. To pick at that particular scab might risk public disorder. Better to speak to community leaders to keep the peace, even at the price of allowing organised paedophile networks to operate in plain sight. Take the case of the 2014 Jay inquiry into the grooming gang scandal in Rotherham, that found children were doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, witnessed brutally violent rapes and were threatened that they would be the next victim if they told anyone. Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators, one after the other. What was the police response? As The Telegraph reports, In the same town, a senior police officer allegedly said the abuse had been going on for 30 years, adding with it being Asians (read Pakistani Muslims), we cant afford for this to be coming out. In other words, the British state has steadily lost the monopoly over violence. Instead, an outgroup that is ready to indulge in violence to have its way the veto of violence is now dictating terms and state policy. In an inversion of administrative priorities, British cops were more scared of a race-related outbreak of aggression that can only happen if the larger Muslim community goes up in arms against the cops for hauling the rape-gang suspects than the possible perpetrators of a riot. This submission of monopoly over violence, and appeasement of a community to buy peace at the cost of young girls being brutalized is a key reason behind police inaction and state failure. The British states moral bankruptcy holds crucial lessons for administrator everywhere. Institutional reticence in the face of absolute evil is incentivization of evil. The hapless, young children who were abandoned by the state to their fate have suffered double injustice. Lets hope a modicum of sanity prevails and the conspiracy of silence is broken in Britain. The country owes its children better governance than an orchestrated deception. The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. This may be the most opportune moment for the Indian leadership to take up the maximalist position vis-a-vis Bangladesh, given the government in Dhaka that doesnt even pretend to be friendly. Image: REUTERS The more things change, the more they remain the same. Reading Anirban Gangulys new book, From Partition to Progress: Persecuted Hindus and the Struggle for Citizenship, especially in the context of whats happening in Bangladesh post-Sheikh Hasina, reminds us how little has changed since what became East Pakistan, after Independence, and Bangladesh, after the 1971 war. The one constant has been the persecution of minorities in this newly carved nation. The other constant has been the absolute, if not criminal, indifference shown by the Indian political class, except for a while in the early 1970s, towards the plight of Hindus. Advertisement The Indian failure has been moral, political, and diplomatic. And above all, its a failure of Indian imagination. The moral failure, as Syama Prasad Mookerjee had said in one of his speeches, is because the Hindus of East Bengal are entitled to the protection of India, not on humanitarian considerations alone, but by virtue of their sufferings and sacrifices, made cheerfully for generations, not for advancing their own parochial interest, but for laying the foundations of Indias political freedom and intellectual progress. It is the united voice of the leaders that are dead and of the youth that smilingly walked up to the gallows for Indias cause that calls for justice and fair play at the hands of free India of today. The moral dimension too comes into play when one realises how the Congress leadership led an extensive campaign during the Partition persuading fellow Hindus to stay in their homes, trying to assuage their fear and confusion, as author Yasmin Khan writes in The Great Partition, while recounting the work done by Suhasini Das, an East Bengali Gandhian in Sylhet. Then came the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of April 1950a Pact that Sri Aurobindo saw as an exceedingly clever move of Liaquat Ali to fish his nation out of the desperate situation into which it had run itself and to secure its safe survivalwhich created a false hope of normalcy for Hindu minorities, especially in East Pakistan. From the beginning, the Pact was a non-starter. The failure to see what was written on the wall exposes the political failure of the Indian leadership. Mookerjee writes, Beginning from 14th June 1950 and ending on 3rd August 1950 15,900 Hindus had been interrogated by our workers. Out of these 15,900 Hindus who were going back to East Bengal about 90 per cent of them declared that they had no intention whatsoever to go and stay in East Bengal In the same way, I had advised my workers to interrogate the Muslims who were going to East Bengal. Of course, not all Muslims were willing to answer the interrogation for obvious reasons. We could get an answer from 4,500 Muslims, and their answer was that about 40 per cent of them were going away to live in East Bengal, but 60 per cent wanted to come back to West Bengal Now, what do these statistics show? That in the mind of 90 per cent of the Hindus who were going back to East Bengal, there is no return of confidence at all. On the other hand, in the minds of the Muslims, 60 per cent of them feel confident to live in West Bengal and India. From Partition to Progress: Persecuted Hindus and the Struggle for Citizenship, Paperback 29 August 2024, by Anirban Ganguly (Author) Manoranjan Byapari, a well-known Bengali writer who had lived a traumatic life as a child in the refugee camps of West Bengal and Dandakaranya, in his memoirs, Interrogating My Chandal Life, remembers not just the prison-like situation in camps but also couldnt forget, despite decades having passed by, the foul smell that would envelope the entire camp whenever the food, especially rice, was cooked. A significant number among the 10 per cent Hindus who decided to go back to East Pakistan couldnt take the inhuman condition they faced in these refugee camps; 90 per cent still thought these pathetic standards were better than those awaiting them in what later became Bangladesh. Advertisement And they were not wrong. Mookerjee, in his speech in Parliament, as quoted by Anirban Ganguly, made a detailed mention of the fate of Hindus in East Pakistan. He said, Between the date of the (Nehru-Liaquat) pact (signed on April 8, 1950) and 30th June 1950, there have been 757 cases of dacoity, robbery, and theft; 219 cases of extortion; 194 cases of trespass; 180 cases of assault, harassment, and threats to leave Pakistan; 129 cases of abduction, rape, and outraging the modesty of females; 70 cases of murder; 70 cases of grievous hurt, stabbing, and looting; 67 cases of arson; 21 cases of wrongful confinement and restraint; 39 cases of defiling Hindu temples and places of worship; and 72 cases of illegal possession By no means is this an exhaustive list. This is only an illustrative list of occurrences that have happened in East Bengal right up to 30th June 1950 and spread almost throughout the length and breadth of Eastern Bengal. In every one of these cases, I should add that the minority, the Hindus, is the victim, and the oppressor is a member of the majority community. The entire social and economic structure in which Hindus lived has collapsed, and it is impossible for them to live there. Advertisement This didnt move Nehru, who continued to believe that everything is alright except some insecurity. And this largely remained the stand of the Government of India to date. And so had remained the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh: In good times, they are in for slow death. As per a 2021 human rights report, Bangladesh saw more than 3,600 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh since 2013. Sheikh Hasina had been in power since 2009. And in bad times, as they are currently witnessing after the 2024 coup against Sheikh Hasina, Hindu persecution and killings become state-sponsored. This brings us to the last aspect of Indias Bangladesh gaffe: Its failure of both Indian diplomacy and imaginationoften the two combined to create a catastrophic impact. Its a Nehruvian gift to Indian diplomacy, which unfortunately continues to this day, thankfully in lesser proportions today, to be overly pragmatist, to the extent of being apologetic at times, while putting up demands with another country. We invariably try to be reasonable. The Indian leadership can learn from China on how to push the maximalist position while pursuing diplomacy. It would be ludicrous to assume that the Chinese believe India would give up Arunachal Pradesh, and yet they keep bringing up the issue of this Indian state on the diplomatic table. Advertisement This may be the most opportune moment for the Indian leadership to take up the maximalist position vis-a-vis Bangladesh, given the government in Dhaka that doesnt even pretend to be friendly. And here Delhi can again take a cue from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who had matter-of-factly suggested the need to make a demand for one-third of the territory of Eastern Pakistan. We must tell them: if you turn out one-third of the population from Eastern Bengal, pray give us one-third of your territory. Today, the Hindu population has dwindled from a third to less than a 10th of the total Bangladeshi population. Will the Indian leadership make amends and ask Dhaka to create a 10th of the territory, autonomous in nature, for settling the beleaguered Hindus of that country? The Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) is a noble move, but then, frankly speaking, the Islamists would see it as a case of having the cake and eating it too! Advertisement Its time for India to show its diplomatic imagination. Occasionally, it wont be a bad idea for the Elephant to learn a trick or two from the Dragon! Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. In a somewhat unusual but remarkable development, the Indian Navy will simultaneously commission three formidable combatant platforms on January 15, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The landmark day will see the guided missile stealth destroyer Surat, the guided missile stealth frigate Nilgiri, and the diesel submarine Vaghsheer enter naval service, having completed all their pre-commissioning trials. All three have been built indigenously at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Advertisement While the submarine is based on the French Scorpene design, the two capital ships have been designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy. Describing it as a historic milestone, the Navy spokesman said that it will provide a significant boost to the Indian Navys combat potential while underscoring the countrys pre-eminent status in indigenous shipbuilding. While each of the three tells a story of technological modernity combining with history and legacy, this piece will restrict itself to INS Surat and its splendid story. Background and Capabilities Warship Surat (Yard 12707) is the last of the Project 15 destroyers, an ambitious programme that the Indian Navy had flagged off in the early nineties. Over the past nearly three decades, ten ships have been built, all named after major Indian cities. These comprise IN Ships Delhi, Mysore, and Mumbai in the Project 15 scheme; IN Ships Kolkata, Kochi, and Chennai under the Project 15 A scheme; and IN Ships Vishakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat under the Project 15 B scheme. While Indias indigenous warship building journey began with a small ship, INS Ajay, in 1960, gained momentum with survey ship Darshak in 1964, took a huge leap with the Leander (Nilgiri class) warships from the late 60s, and pole-vaulted with the in-house-designed Godavari class in the 80s, it became truly world-class with the Project 15, or Delhi class, destroyers. This was because the form, firepower, weapon-sensor mix, seakeeping, and other parameters in the Delhi class were comparable with global standards. In the last 25 years, the platforms have only gotten better with further modifications and enhancements. Significantly, all ten of them have been built in Mumbais Mazagon Docks. Today, as the nation looks to celebrate 75 years of being a Republic, Indias warship building programme has been a huge success, and the recent years have seen us design and build an aircraft carrier, nuclear submarines, and many other platforms. However, in all this, the destroyers remain a notable model of continuity and development, and the numbers speak for themselves. Destroyers operate at the vanguard of the fleet with inbuilt flexibility in the manner of their deployment. They can be part of the Carrier Task Force (CTF) or operate independently or in small groups as Surface Action Groups (SAG) or Search and Attack Units (SAU). With their multi-dimensional capabilities, they can essay military, constabulary, diplomatic, and benign roles of the Navy with ease and finesse. The delivery of INS Surat culminates the iconic indigenous destroyer building project of the Indian Navy. It is in this context that we must look at her induction and see what Surat brings to the table. Advertisement INS Surat carrying out precommisioning trials of its armament First, she is an awesome beast. With a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and an overall length of 164 meters, INS Surat is big and almost the size of cruisers. She is also among the most technologically advanced destroyers in the world, equipped with the latest weapons, which include surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, medium- and close-range guns, anti-submarine torpedoes, and rockets. Powered by four gas turbines delivering up to a total of 64,000 horsepower, she is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (about 60 km/h) and has an extended reach of over 7,500 km. The ships flight deck and helicopter hangars can operate two multi-role helicopters, as well as unmanned platforms (drones), which provide the much-required flexibility in tactical operations. In tandem with her bristling firepower, she also has stealth features incorporated in her design to obtain competitive advantages in combat situations. Advertisement Second, she has a wide range of cutting-edge equipment that makes her capable of being deployed across the full spectrum of naval operations. She has been outfitted with state-of-the-art sensorsradars, sonars, and electronic warfare systemsas well as advanced communication and navigation suites that enable much higher situational awareness and networking-centric operations. The ship features a high degree of automationsoftware-defined radios, an integrated bridge system, a combat management system, the navys datalink system, and suchlike. She is also poised to be our first Al-enabled warship utilising indigenously developed Al solutions. An Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), designed indigenously, facilitates control and monitoring of machinery from a single point at a remote location. All of these enhance her operational efficiency manifold. In short, she can be described as the most modern ship in the Navys arsenal at the moment. Advertisement Third, the delivery of INS Surat showcases the nations design, ship construction, engineering prowess, and industrial know-how. It also reinforces Navys unrelenting focus on Aatmanirbharta or self-reliance in both ship design and shipbuilding. The ship boasts of a high indigenous content of about 75 per cent. What particularly stands out is the fact that all weapons and sensors fitted onboard have been developed or manufactured in India, either directly through design and development by Indian companies or sourced through strategic tie-ups and transfer of technology with reputed international manufacturers. In addition, the project has boosted economic development through employment generation, growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)more than 200 of them were involvedand encouragement to the ancillary ecosystem in the country. Advertisement Fourth and related to the above, the ship has been delivered to the Indian Navy in 31 months from launch (May 2022) to delivery (December 2024), the fastest for a ship of its size and in line with international best practices. The ship concluded her complete suite of sea trials within a record time of just six months. These developments compare very well with global standards and one where Indian shipyards, for a variety of reasons, used to lag behind earlier. To further emphasise, this is a benchmark that is constantly being improved upon owing to the integrated construction and advanced shipbuilding techniques coming into play. Even where pure modular construction is not undertaken, aspects of the same were utilised to the extent feasible, such as in piping, cable hangers, trunking, and so on. Cmde Sunil Kaushik, a Navy veteran who was the Warship Production Superintendent (WPS) until recently and who has overseen the construction of many ships, says, The P15 Bs have been delivered approximately 31 months ahead of the average time of their predecessors, ie, P15 As. Further, the launch-delivery timeline of each successive ship of the class was compressed by an average of 20 per cent over the preceding ship, with INS Surat culminating in a whopping 61 percent lesser time than INS Visakhapatnam, the first ship of the class. This catapults India among the global elite in terms of shipbuilding timelines; the benchmark for destroyerslaunch-delivery timelineshovers around 36 months, and all this while absorbing a time penalty for enhancements while the project progressed. He further adds, We have come a long way; shipyards have experienced the transformation and know that the set pace can reap them laurels. We have moved from being laggards to aspiring for leadership positions. Hopefully the coming generations will sustain and build on this. Fifth, she is a very potent platform in other myriad ways. Her four gas turbine generators and a diesel alternator produce a staggering 4.6 MW of power, which is equivalent to the power requirements of the entire Colaba area. This power is distributed across the ship over an intricate network of cables cumulatively measuring more than 17 km. Her bilge and discharge pumps comply with the latest MARPOL standards to maintain a clean maritime environment. Surat is like a mobile smart city with 120 tonnes of drinking water-generating capacity every day, with air conditioning plants of 1,100 tonnes of refrigeration, with a galley that can churn out multiple meals for more than 300 personnel every day, with a modern gymnasium equipped with the latest fitness equipment, and a sickbay that boasts of modern medical amenities including facilities for telemedicine. At the same time, cognisant of its role, the ship has been constructed to fight effectively under nuclear, biological, and chemical environments with a number of sensors onboard to provide early warning of such dangers and to take preventive actions. In addition, 500 fire detector sensors and 200 flood sensors make for a damage control prevention apparatus. Sixth and most importantly, INS Surat has been constructed with dedicated accommodation for a sizeable complement of women officers and sailors. This move will further boost the deployment of women onboard frontline warships. Top view of the INS Surat Historical Association While all names given by the navy to their units have certain meaning or historical significance, it is manifested extremely deeply in the case of Surat. Surat, the city, has long been a pivotal hub of maritime trade for markets across the oceans, along with a rich shipbuilding legacy. While its birth is rooted in antiquity, the city attained prominence as a port in the mediaeval era. Coveted and controlled at different times by Muslim rulers, Portuguese, and Dutch, Surat came under Mughal rule in 1573 and became their most prosperous port. Mughal navy ships and ships for Haj pilgrims to Mecca were based in Surat. Surat was also attacked and overcome by the Maratha Army under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1664 and 1670. The British journey in India began in Surat, when an East India Company (EIC) ship, the Hector, arrived in Surat in August 1608. Having obtained permission to trade from Emperor Jahangir, a squadron of four EIC warships arrived off Surat on September 5, 1612, a date that the British regard as the foundation day of the Indian Navy. Soon they established themselves as the masters of the land and sea around Surat, controlling trade, setting up factories, and building ships on the Maratha Ghurab and Galivat design. They also set up a shipbuilding yard in Surat in 1635. The ceding of Bombay by the Portuguese to the British happened in 1662; however, real development and movement started when Bombay was transferred to the EIC in 1668, and the Indian Marine moved here in 1685 and came to be called the Bombay Marine in 1686. The shifting of Lowejee Nusserwanjee Wadia, the first of a long line of famous Parsee shipbuilders, to Bombay in 1735 and the setting up of a shipyard there marked the permanent relocation of the EIC, which consequently resulted in the rise of the fortunes of Bombay (todays Mumbai) and the decline of Surat. In other words, the destinies of the two cities were intertwined. Today, Surat has again risen in eminence as a diamond and textile hub reflecting Indias new prosperity; the city is also frequently ranked amongst Indias cleanest cities. Surat also represents the growing importance of Gujarat, which has the longest coastline among Indian states and whose ports now symbolise Indian enterprise and industry. It is not surprising, therefore, that the ships pentagonal crest depicts the iconic Hazira Lighthouse and the Asiatic lion. Built in 1836, this lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses in India, while the lion (found in the famous Gir forest) is the state animal of Gujarat. While the lion evokes the ships ferociousness and strength, the lighthouse represents longevity and being a sentinel of the seas. Interestingly, the blocks for Surat were manufactured in Shoft Shipyard at Bharuch (barring the first three units) and integrated there itself. The skeletal structure was then towed to MDL in Mumbai, where the forward blocks were integrated and outfitting progressed. Given the proximity of Bharuch to Surat (less than 100 km) and the fact that Bharuch (ancient name Barygaza/Barugaza) was itself a maritime port of eminence in early times, this seems like an auspicious pre-destined event. Thus, naming a capital ship after the city of Surat brings history full circle. It celebrates the historical prominence of the port city and underscores its ongoing relevance to Indias maritime strength and heritage. It notes the role of all actorsMarathas, Mughals, British, other colonisers, and players in Indias maritime history. Further, naming Indias most modern, indigenous ship as Surat is an ode to the famous Wadias whose shipbuilding prowess was widely acknowledged. In a further nod to history, Surat was built at Mazagon Docks and is being commissioned at Naval Dockyard, which together constitute the erstwhile Bombay docks, the very place identified by Lowejee Nusserwanjee as the site of the Bombay Marine shipyard and where, arguably, the foundations of the Raj were laid. Conclusion Surat ranks amongst the largest and most technologically advanced destroyers in the world and is capable of performing a variety of missions. Superior firepower and excellent network-centric capabilities make her an ideal command platform for fleet operations. Her highly automated features rival the best in the world. Surat is an important addition to the Indian Naval Fleet; her induction will significantly enhance the operational capabilities and combat readiness of the Indian Navy and bolster Indias maritime power. Her commissioning is in keeping with the thrust given by the Indian Navy on nation building through self-reliance. She is a remarkable testament to an indigenous shipbuilding programme that has taken shape over years through hard work, planning, and execution by multiple stakeholders, including the Indian Navy, Mazagon Dock, and other shipbuilders; equipment manufacturers, which include many PSUs and MSMEs; and the many ships commissioning crews. We must also note and celebrate the quiet work of the overseers who catalyse, harmonise, and choreograph the whole warship-building endeavour. Warship Surat aginst the backdrop of Mumbai city Most importantly, there is great history and legacy behind it. It is a befitting recognition of Surats rich maritime history and shipbuilding legacy and of Gujarats enterprising and self-reliant spirit. Once upon a time, Surat and Mumbai shaped the history of much of the world. Today, INS Surat in Mumbai will play a big role in defending Indias maritime interests. The commissioning of INS Surat, along with Nilgiri and Vaghsheer, will indeed be a red-letter day for India and the Indian Navy. Here is wishing her happy hunting across the oceans of the world, flying the flag of a resurgent India. A political philosopher witnessing in fascination the made in India aspects of the ship may muse that Surat epitomises the journey from Raj to Swaraj. An aesthete, on the other hand, charmed by her winsome looks and awesome power, and given her historical legacy, may be tempted to say of INS Surat, echoing the old Gulzar song from the film Daulat, Aarzoo ho, Qayamat ho, Sapna ho, Haqeeqat ho, Tum Badi Khoob Surat ho. Cmde Srikant Kesnur is a Navy veteran who writes on maritime issues. The views expressed here are the authors own and do not reflect those of Firstpost. Photographs courtesy of the Indian Navy. India has to ensure that not only an adversarial China but also a friendly US limit its geopolitical outreach and military presence in the Indian Ocean Region read more India will have to ensure that the presence and/or dominance of friendly powers does not interfere with its own revived national pride in projecting the shared IOR as New Delhis traditional sphere of influence. Image Courtesy: Indian Navy Coming as it does in the aftermath of the continuing developments along the northern land border, especially Bangladesh and Myanmar, New Delhi seems to have made substantial strategic gains in the southern Indian Ocean, which too had become a source of Chinese threat. The recent Delhi visits by Sri Lankas new president, Anura Kumara Dissanyake, preceded by his Maldivian counterpart, Mohamed Muizzu, may have opened up possibilities that, when logically followed up by the parties concerned, can reconvert the shared Indian Ocean Region into Indias traditional sphere of influence. Advertisement India had lost the post-war ownership of the phraseology after the Cold War, especially following the unprecedented economic crisis of the late eighties. Looking back, it would seem successive governments had deliberately looked away when the international community, especially the nations new friends in the West, their analysts and journalists, deliberately or otherwise, stopped referring to the IOR in these parts as Indias traditional sphere of influence, or even anything resembling or closer to the phraseology. Truth be acknowledged, the slide in this regard had begun at least a decade before traditional adversary China, in the midst of its seaside geo-strategic expansion to these parts, claimed that the Indian Ocean is not Indias Ocean. It is another matter: China itself continues to claim ownership and title to the South China Sea and the East China Sea, despite strong protests and limited naval responses from littoral nations, especially some member nations of the ASEAN bloc. Setting a trap Today, after the state visits of the two southern neighbourhood leaders, respectively in December and October, India can hope for bilateral defence cooperation to ensure the security of the shared waters, especially involving non-regional powers like China. The US will remain an Indian Ocean power owing to the pre-existence of the Diego Garcia military base, so will France, thanks to its continuing colonisation of the Reunion Island, at the mouth of what otherwise is the Indian Ocean pond, which runs all the way up to the Indian shores. In fact, with strategic friends in the US and France and its own naval-cum-air presence in the Andaman and Lakshadweep Island groups, India can set a trap for any common adversarial power, throw a security threat to the nation from the seaside, and at the same time challenge its geo-strategic supremacy in the region. China fits the bill, and it is more than what Pakistan used to be in the decades past. At least, Pakistan did not have and could not have afforded a grandiose geo-strategic plan for the seas far away from its coasts. It is unlike China, which now has fiscal and technical capabilities for such muscle-flexing, the world across that was absent even at the height of the 1962 war, which it won against India, along the land border. Advertisement The question for the smaller Indian Ocean neighbours is simple. As Sri Lanka and Maldives, for instance, concluded in the first decade of this century, when the world was opening up to the post-Cold War geo-strategic realities centred on China, smaller nations like theirs needed to work on regional security but could not afford it in any way. Leaning towards regional power India, which has inherent compulsions to secure the shared waters, should be the natural thing to do. Picking up an extra-regional player, or playing favourites between India and that other power, was not on, especially in the name of these nations asserting their sovereignty and sovereign rights to take strategic decisions uninfluenced by India. As they are finding it out over the past decade and more, it has only complicated their security scenario without securing them anything, starting with the traditional economic security, too, which India (alone) had provided mostly through the difficult phases in their post-Independence history. Advertisement Maritime security In New Delhi recently, Maldives Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon reiterated the known Maldivian position that India is the first responder for Maldives. As the son of the nations longest-serving president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Ghassan was not only stating the official position of the incumbent government of President Mohamed Muizzu. He was also possibly speaking from his fathers experience, when India despatched the IAF to abort a coup bid through what is known as Operation Cactus in 1988. Ghassan Maumoons visit has also followed up on the Vision document released during President Muizzus state visit in October. Official statements during Ghassans visithis first one to India as defence ministeralso spoke about India equipping (and empowering!) Maldives to ensure the nations maritime security. The two sides are also seamlessly working on various projects, including the $500 million Thilamale civilian sea-bridge and the Maldivian Coast Guard harbour and repair facility. Advertisement The joint statement issued at the end of Sri Lankas Dissanayakes Delhi visit said more than the Vision Document released during predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghes 2023 visit. There is a specific section on bilateral defence cooperation in the joint statement, which was not there in the Vision Document. Addressing a joint news conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about a defence cooperation agreement early on and also hydrological cooperation. In between, the Maldives has also been reassuring New Delhi that the previous years permission for China to berth a research ship, otherwise a spy ship, was only for re-stocking and rotation of personnel and did not involve any hydrological research. It is not unlikely that before long, India engages Maldives in similar bilateral cooperation in hydrological studies, which the Muizzu government had refused to extend beyond the inherited three-year period last year. Advertisement Through all this, India seems to have deliberately drawn a distinction between bilateral agreements with smaller Ocean neighbours and the mandate of the larger Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). From the looks of it, the CSC would remain restricted to regional cooperation, mostly in terms of non-traditional security concerns, including human security, cybersecurity, rescue operations, and accidental oil pollution. Against this, defence cooperation, as understood, would be bilateral in nature. There seems to be a clear message that India is not attempting to misuse or abuse its location advantage and size(s) to emerge as a regional power and dominate the neighbours. The second scenario, as imagined by some sections in these nations, is behind their constant demand for their governments asserting their sovereignty and sovereign rights. By remaining proactive in supporting the regions nations to explore seabeds for invaluable minerals that can change the fate of their sagging economies, New Delhi also seems to play a positive role in denying access to China, or any other extra-regional power, that wants to exploit the helplessness of such nations. India understands that smaller neighbours need support and assistance to become economically viable and that their sovereignty and territorial integrity are not for any extra-regional power to trifle within their moments of economic weakness, which remain periodic just now. National consensus Through all these, India has ground support from the people in the Maldives and more so Sri Lanka. They have understood the emotional bonding from across the ocean shores when it comes to rushing Covid-era medical care and subsequent economic assistance when the two nations got stuck in the middle. The bonding, they understand, is between the peoples, too, and goes beyond New Delhis security concerns, which are labelled as the Indian motive. Because the peoples in these two nations acknowledge that Indias aid and assistance are altruistic and that their nations are not being made a pawn in New Delhis geo-strategic games, their governments, representing the will of those people, have also taken the cue. It will take some time for the parties concerned to straighten feathers that have ruffled over a period of time. But the idea is for them to make it happenand also institutionalise them in ways that they are not torpedoed by future governments in those countries. It is not an Indian concern. Whichever party or government is in power, the nations geo-strategic and geo-political positions are rarely challenged or altered. Despite domestic political upheavals to the contrary, there is a visible national consensus in economic and security matters. Yet, India too will have to ensure that the presence and/or dominance of friendly powers in these parts does not interfere with its own revived national pride in projecting the shared IOR as New Delhis traditional sphere of influence. In this, the French presence in Reunion is less invasive than that of the US in Diego Garcia. No, it is not about the Cold War arrival of the US military in these parts, to a permanent base, and Nixons White House despatching the Seventh Fleet to stall or at least delay Indias victory in the momentous Bangladesh War, 1971. Instead, it is about the US wanting to play a continual, independent role in these parts despite having offloaded its own geo-strategic responsibilities aimed at American dominance across the world to India. It is unlike what India had experienced during the Cold War era, when the erstwhile Soviet Union appreciated and abided by Indias position on matters in South Asia. For India, to ensure regional security in the broader sense and sound genuine and independent and not be seen as imposing its relatively limited concerns on the neighbourhood, it has to ensure that not only an adversarial China but also a friendly US limit its geopolitical outreach and military presence. Rather, the US should align its policies and projects in the region to those of India, and not the other way roundwhich is what it looks like thus far. Going beyond the Maldives and Sri Lanka, there is Mauritius, whose agreement with the one-time British colonial power to take ownership of the Chagos Islands, with Diego Garcia as the main attraction, has run into difficulties of its own, owing to a change of elected government in Port Louis. Senior policy aides of the US President-elect, Donald Trump, are unhappy with the unsigned agreement for their own reasons, while the Muizzu government in the Maldives has reopened claims to the Chagos, which the previous Solih dispensation had settled in favour of Mauritius. All of it is going to take time and effort, and India seems prepared for a long haul, through the short and medium phases, at least. It is here that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars recent declaration that India wont be intimidated to conform and that there can be no veto on our choices would come to be testedand also come to be of great use! The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@nsathiyamoorthy.com. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. US President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. The White House said in a statement that Biden had earlier planned to present the honor in person during his final overseas trip to Rome, but the visit was canceled due to massive wildfires in California. read more The outgoing US President, Joe Biden, awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the White House announced on Saturday. The White House said Biden was meant to give the top civilian honour in person in Rome during his final overseas trip as president, the Associated Press reported. Bidens visit was cancelled because he had to monitor and oversee the massive wildfires in California. The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, Pope Francis is unlike any who came before. Above all, he is the Peoples Pope a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world, the White House said in a statement. Advertisement President Biden spoke with the Pope and informed him about the award. The two leaders discussed global peace efforts, including Pope Francis dedication to easing the suffering of vulnerable communities, the White House said. Biden wrote on the social media platform X, Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. Today, it was my honour to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People's Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world. Today, it was my honor to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential pic.twitter.com/q4a0DKoSyi President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) January 11, 2025 The two last met in June last year at the G7 Leaders Summit in Italys Apulia. Biden Honours 19 Others With Presidential Medal Last week, President Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals from various fields. However, this marks the first time in four years that he has presented the award with distinction. Other recent notable recipients of the nations highest civilian honour include Hillary Clinton, George Soros, Lionel Messi, Ralph Lauren, Anna Wintour, and Denzel Washington. Biden will officially leave the presidency on January 20, as president-elect Donald Trump assumes office. During his time as vice president in former US President Barack Obamas administration, Biden himself was awarded the US Medal of Freedom. Advertisement The call was supposed to have been held on Sunday, but has been postponed because of the Los Angeles wildfires, presidential spokesman Cesar Chavez said in a statement read more US President Joe Biden will have a trilateral telephone call with Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos early Monday, Marcoss spokesman said Sunday. The call was supposed to have been held on Sunday, but has been postponed because of the Los Angeles wildfires, presidential spokesman Cesar Chavez said in a statement. The three leaders are expected to discuss progress made on mutal cooperation, economic matters, and recent regional and global developments. Advertisement The three countries have stepped up security cooperation to blunt Chinas efforts to control most of the disputed South China Sea. Biden earlier cancelled a January 9-12 trip to Italy to focus instead on the federal response to the California wildfires. His term ends on January 20 when Donald Trump will be sworn in as the next US leader. Several voting booths opened late after material failed to materialise in time for an official 7:00 am (0400 GMT) start, an AFP reporter saw read more The Indian Ocean nation of the Comoros headed to the polls Sunday to elect lawmakers, with many opposition groups planning to snub a vote they say lacks transparency. Comorian President Azali Assoumanis eldest son, Nour El Fath Azali, who is 39 and the countrys secretary general, is running to represent a constituency just outside the capital Moroni. Several voting booths opened late after material failed to materialise in time for an official 7:00 am (0400 GMT) start, an AFP reporter saw. Advertisement Polls are due to close at 4:00 pm (1300 GMT). One US observer, James Burns, said officials had to improvise one booth comprising two panels around a table. Nearby, another booth consisted of a simple box placed on a chair making it nigh on impossible to preserve voter privacy as ballots were cast. Before he was appointed to the post in July 2024, Nour had been a private advisor to his father, 65, a former military ruler who came to power in a 1999 coup. Critics said Nours new powers which entail approving all decrees issued by ministers and governors elevate his role to that of de facto prime minister. Azali was re-elected president in January 2024 after a disputed vote followed by two days of deadly protests. He has been accused of growing authoritarianism. Several opposition candidates were standing election to avoid an outcome similar to the boycott of the 2020 legislative vote, which gave free rein to his ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) party. Advertisement One man clad in a boubou and kofia, typical Comorian headgear, complained that I dipped my finger in the inkwell but the inks already gone, showing his index finger with no indelible ink stain. The CRC is expected to dominate parliament again in this years vote, not least as its candidates in some constituencies face no competition. Thirty-three members of parliament will be elected directly by around 340,000 registered voters in a two-round ballot. A second round of voting will take place on February 16. Azali in January 2024 officially won 57 percent of the vote, allowing him to remain in power until 2029. But the strongmans opponents said the election was marred by fraud, and court challenges were dismissed. Advertisement One person was killed and several others injured in the violence that erupted in the aftermath of the election in the country of some 870,000 people. The protest follows the courts December decision to annul the election just two days before a scheduled runoff. Far-right populist Calin Georgescu had stunned many by winning the first round on November 24, prompting allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference read more Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered in Bucharest on Sunday (January 12) to protest the Constitutional Courts decision to annul the presidential election, a move that has plunged the country into political turmoil. Waving Romanias blue, yellow, and red flags, demonstrators honked car horns and held placards with slogans like Democracy is not optional and We want free elections. Many demanded that the presidential race resume from the second round. The protest follows the courts December decision to annul the election just two days before a scheduled December 8 runoff. Far-right populist Calin Georgescu had stunned many by winning the first round on November 24, prompting allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference. Advertisement We are protesting against the coup detat that took place on December 6, George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians and organizer of Sundays demonstration, told reporters. We demand a return to democracy through the resumption of elections, starting with the second round. The court cited the illegal use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, and undeclared sources of funding as reasons for annulling the election. Georgescu, who reported zero campaign spending, has denied wrongdoing and challenged the decision in a local appeals court and the European Court of Human Rights. Observers attributed Georgescus surprise success to his TikTok presence, boasting 7.2 million likes and 646,000 followers. Romanias top security body alleged his following was artificially inflated, claiming TikTok gave him preferential treatment over other candidates. New election dates have been set, with the first round scheduled for May 4 and a potential runoff on May 18. It remains unclear whether Georgescu will be allowed to participate. The cancelled election has sparked multiple protests in Romania, including another large demonstration in Bucharest on Friday. Romania, a European Union and Nato member, faces growing political uncertainty as tensions over the election reverberate. With inputs from agencies Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings, Malala told the attendees a summit on girls education in Islamic nations. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification read more Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai on Sunday (January 12) called on Muslim leaders to refuse recognition of Afghanistans Taliban government and demonstrate true leadership in condemning its treatment of women. Do not legitimise them, Yousafzai said during a summit on girls education in Islamic nations held in Pakistans capital, Islamabad. As Muslim leaders, now is the time to raise your voices, use your power. You can show true leadership. You can show true Islam. Advertisement The 27-year-old activist addressed ministers and education officials from Muslim-majority countries attending the two-day conference, organised with support from the Muslim World League (MWL). Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings, Yousafzai told attendees. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification. Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012 at age 15 for advocating for girls education, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. She remains a prominent global advocate for womens rights and education. Talibans moves against womens education Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban government has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, banning girls from attending secondary school and universitymaking Afghanistan the only country in the world with such prohibitions. The United Nations has condemned the measures, describing them as gender apartheid. Despite being invited to the event, representatives of the Taliban government did not attend, Pakistans Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said. Yousafzai also drew attention to the impact of conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, and Gaza on education. In Gaza, Israel has decimated the entire education system, she said. I will continue to call out Israels violations of international law and human rights. International community divided over Taliban While the Talibans policies toward women have drawn widespread condemnation, nations are divided on how to engage with its rulers. Some argue that isolating the Taliban diplomatically may pressure them to reverse their policies, while others advocate for dialogue to encourage change. No government has officially recognised the Taliban, though some regional countries have engaged with them on trade and security. International criticism, however, has had little apparent effect on their policies toward women. With inputs from agencies Thousands of people demonstrated against a convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany on Saturday, blocking some roads and delaying the meetings start as parties launched their campaigns for the countrys election next month. read more Thousands of people demonstrated against a convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany on Saturday, blocking some roads and delaying the meetings start as parties launched their campaigns for the countrys election next month. A heavy police presence was in place in Riesa in the eastern state of Saxony, a stronghold of Alternative for Germany, or AfD and officers cleared some protesters from the streets. However, the two-day convention started a little over two hours late as many delegates trips to the venue were slowed by blockades. Advertisement AfD formally nominated co-leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor by acclamation. Weidel, who was among those held up, thanked delegates for defying the left-wing mob and getting here. Polls show AfD in second place ahead of the Feb. 23 election, with about 20% support. However, Weidel who this week held a live chat with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has endorsed the party, on his X platform has no realistic chance of becoming Germanys leader as other parties refuse to work with AfD. It is the mainstream conservative opposition Union bloc that leads polls with around 30% and its candidate, Friedrich Merz, is the favorite to become the next chancellor. The Union is focusing on boosting Germanys stagnant economy in particular and on reducing irregular migration. Weidel assailed it as a party of fraudsters Saturday, urging people to vote for the original and strengthen her party. She called for closing Germanys borders to undocumented migration and large-scale deportations of asylum-seekers, making clear that she has no problem with the politically charged term remigration. She pledged to return to service the Nord Stream gas pipeline that was damaged in 2022 explosions shortly after Russia cut off gas supplies to Germany, and won loud applause for saying that AfD would tear down all wind turbines which she described as windmills of shame if it came to power. Advertisement At a news conference in Hamburg, Merz concentrated on his own partys offer of fundamental change after the unpopular and notoriously rancorous coalition of center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed. He said he aims to lead a government that stops arguing; a government that draws up reliable laws that also endure in the longer term, producing a reliable environment for domestic and foreign investors. Then we will have higher potential growth, and then we will have higher actual growth again. Scholz is hoping for a come-from-behind victory, but there has been little sign of significant movement so far in polls that show support for his Social Democrats at 14-17%. His coalition government collapsed in November when he fired his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalize the economy, leading to an early election. Advertisement Scholz conceded Saturday that mistakes were made and said that maybe I should also have ended the coalition earlier. But he said that its time to look to the future. Lets fight, he told delegates at a party convention in Berlin, which formally confirmed his nomination as its candidate in a show of hands. He accused Merzs Union of having no serious plans to tackle Germanys problems and said it is making expensive promises for the absolute top earners that would rip a gigantic crater in our budget. Scholz, who has made Germany one of the leading weapons suppliers to Ukraine in its war with Russia but refused to send it Taurus long-range cruise missiles, again pledged to maintain his steadfast and prudent approach. Advertisement And he reiterated his pushback against President-elect Donald Trumps recently expressed designs on Greenland and other territories, declaring without naming Trump that the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it lies to the east of us or the west; every state must keep to this principle, whether it is a small state or a very big and powerful one. Merz said that public finger-pointing from Germany has never made an impression in America, and as a rule has achieved the opposite. The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the citys most famous landmarks. read more The light of a fire fighting helicopter illuminates a smouldering hillside as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025.- Image- AFP Firefighters made gradual progress in their efforts to contain the massive blaze that has devastated large portions of Los Angeles Pacific Palisades neighborhood. However, on Sunday, the fires continued spread posed a threat to communities in the densely populated San Fernando Valley. Aircraft were deployed to drop water and fire retardant on the steep hills to slow the Palisades Fires eastward advance. According to KTLA, ground crews successfully saved several homes, though others were lost to the flames. Advertisement LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said. US officials warned dangerous and strong winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas Sunday as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighborhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes. Six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across the United States second-largest city since Tuesday had killed at least 16 people as of late Saturday, the Washington Post and other media reported, citing the Los Angeles County medical examiners office. Reuters could not reach the coroner. At least 13 people are estimated to be missing. The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. The flames have reduced whole neighborhoods to smouldering ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike and leaving an apocalyptic landscape. Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares), consuming more homes, officials reported. Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said that while 11% of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it has burned more than 22,000 acres. Hopkins told a press conference that fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon and threatened to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighborhood that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. It also inched towards the north-south 405 freeway. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede said that he is ready to talk with US President-elect Donald Trump, while emphasizing that Greenland has no intention of becoming an American territory. read more Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede said that he is ready to talk with US President-elect Donald Trump about the future of the Arctic island. However, Egede also clarified that his country has no intention of becoming an American territory. Egedes statement came after the President-elect expressed his interest in taking control of Greenland. Trump has described the acquisition of Greenland as an absolute necessity. We want to be Greenlandic We dont want to be Danes. We dont want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlandic, of course. Its the Greenlandic people who decide their future, Egede said during a press conference in Copenhagen. In response to US President-elect Donald Trumps interest in acquiring Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the autonomous Arctic island is not for sale. Frederiksen emphasised that Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has been very, very clear in expressing that there is strong support among the people of Greenland for the island remaining independent and not being sold in the future. Advertisement Trump has not ruled out using military or economic power to achieve this. He believes Greenland holds strategic significance for the US military and its ballistic missile early-warning system. Donald Trump will assume office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. The president-elect also suggested that the United States should annex the Panama Canal and even proposed making Canada the 51st state. Natural resources, strategic location Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, is rich in natural resources including oil, gas, and rare earth elements. Its strategic location in the Arctic, an area where global powers like Russia and China are expanding their influence, has further heightened its importance. Greenlands desire for independence In recent years, the independence movement has gained momentum in the Danish-controlled autonomous territory. Egede also addressed this in his New Year speech. Greenland has a population of just 57,000 people. It was a Danish colony until 1953 and is now a self-governing territory of Denmark. In 2009, it gained the right to seek independence through a referendum. Irans military, including the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Army, has been steadily upgrading its hardware and combat readiness under the directives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei read more Iran is set to boost its naval power with 1,000 drones and a new warship. Representational image/AP Iran is set to induct a new warship and around 1,000 advanced drones into its military arsenal in the coming days, state media reported on Sunday (January 12), citing Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination. The drones will feature stealth capabilities, high explosive power, long range, and precision targeting, Sayyari told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The destroyer will be added to the naval force, while the drones will join the Armys Drone Unit, Sayyari said. Stealth, long range, pinpoint accuracy and high destructive power are among the features of these drones, which will be added to the Islamic Republic of Irans Army in the coming days, he added. Advertisement He did not provide details about the warship but said it would significantly enhance the Iranian Navys combat capabilities. Sayyari also noted that additional upgraded vessels and flight units are expected to join the Navy in the near future. Separately, Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the Iranian Armys Ground Force, said new military equipment with features such as enhanced manoeuvrability, precision, smart systems, and network-based capabilities would be deployed to address various threats. Irans military modernisation Irans military, including the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Army, has been steadily upgrading its hardware and combat readiness under the directives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In October 2024, state media had reported government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani as saying that Irans government plans to raise its military budget by around 200 per cent. The planned defence budget increase is part of a budget proposal that has been submitted by the government to parliament for approval. Within weeks of that announcement, in November 2024, an adviser to Khamenei said that Tehran is likely to increase the range of its ballistic missiles and possibly review its nuclear doctrine. With inputs from agencies National security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden was getting daily updates on the talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas. read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with outgoing US President Joe Biden on Sunday, updating him on progress in negotiations to reach a hostage release deal in Gaza. The prime minister discussed with the American president the progress in the negotiations for the release of our hostages and updated him on the mandate he has given to the negotiating team in Doha, aimed at advancing the release of the hostages, Netanyahus office said in a statement. Advertisement Jake Sullivan told CNNs State of the Union program that the parties were very, very close to reaching a deal to halt the fighting in the enclave and free the remaining 98 hostages held there, but still had to get it across the finish line. Biden was getting daily updates on the talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas, Sullivan said. We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done, he said, adding that Biden is likely, in the near term, to engage with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside. He said there was still a chance to reach an agreement before Biden leaves office, but that it was also possible Hamas, in particular, remains intransigent. Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, and most of its population displaced. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be attending the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the news on Sunday read more External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be representing India at the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X, formally known as Twitter to share the news. Jaiswal said that the external affairs minister will be attending the event in Washington DC on the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-in Ceremony of the President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, Jaiswal wrote in his post. Advertisement On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-in Ceremony of the President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America. Press Release : Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2025 During his visit, Jaishankar will be conducting meetings with the representatives of the incoming administration. Apart from this, the EAM is likely to hold talks with other foreign dignitaries who will be attending the ceremony. India seeks stronger ties with the US under Trump India will be looking a strengthening bilateral ties with the United States under the upcoming Trump administration. In December last year, Jaishankar met the next US Security Advisor Michael Waltz during his visit to the US. The two leaders held discussions on bilateral partnerships and current global issues. Delighted to meet Rep. @michaelgwaltz this evening. Enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership as well as current global issues. Look forward to working with him, Jaishankar wrote in a post at that time. Delighted to meet Rep. @michaelgwaltz this evening. Enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership as well as current global issues. Look forward to working with him. pic.twitter.com/ngRUnH0AIF Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 28, 2024 Advertisement In November Trump picked the Florida Republican leaders to take over the office from the current US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Waltz has served as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. As the US authorities struggle to get a hold of the ravaging flames, Mexico on Saturday confirmed that it has sent a team of firefighters to help the state. Americas northern neighbour Canada followed the same suit and assured that they were willing to send the Canadian military to help with the situation read more The death toll in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires rose to 16 as firefighters from Canada and Mexico rushed in to help the state of California. Five wind-fed fires have left the second-largest American city in a complete shamble with thousands being displaced. The areas equalled to the size of Manhattan have been burned as of now with 12,000 structures turned to ashes. As the US authorities struggle to get a hold of the ravaging flames, Mexico on Saturday confirmed that it has sent a team of firefighters to help the state. Americas northern neighbour Canada followed the same suit and assured that they were willing to send the Canadian military to help with the situation. Advertisement En este momento sale el grupo de ayuda humanitaria a Los Angeles, California. Somos un pais generoso y solidario. Gracias al equipo del Plan DN-III-E de la Secretaria de la Defensa, a los combatientes forestales y a @laualzua, coordinadora nacional de Proteccion Civil. Llevan con pic.twitter.com/MviVvKCxvE Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) January 11, 2025 In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo noted that the group of firefighters had left for California on Sunday morning. We are a generous and supportive country, she wrote in her post. You carry with you the courage and heart of Mexico. Canada comes to the USs rescue Meanwhile, on Friday, Canadas British Columbia Wildfire Service announced that it was deploying a senior management team to help Los Angeles control the wildfire. A team of Canadian firefighters were sent out at the request of the Canadian fire officials, Global News reported. Premier David Eby confirmed the deployment in a post to social media, adding the team would be departing imminently." Were also working to send ground crews as part of a national response, Eby said. California has been there for us, we will be there for them. Thats what good neighbours do," he added. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he has doubled the deployment of the states national guard to Los Angeles amid the wildfires. CAL FIRE has asked for a senior management team from BC Wildfire Service They will be departing imminently. We're also working to send ground crews as part of a national response. California has been there for us, we will be there for them. Thats what good neighbours do. David Eby (@Dave_Eby) January 10, 2025 Advertisement In a statement on Saturday, Newsome said that over 1,600 national guards have been deployed in the city to deal with the blaze. We are continuing to rush in resources to rapidly respond to the firestorm in Los Angeles fueled by hurricane-force winds. The men and women of the California National Guard are working day and night to help Los Angeles residents during their greatest time of need. We are grateful for their continued bravery and commitment to be of service to others, the California governor said in a statement. Advertisement So far, more than 12,000 personnel including firefighters, guard service members, highway patrol officers and transportation teams have been working day and night to deal with the deadly wildfires. With inputs from agencies. Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have killed 16 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week. read more A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025. Image- AFP Wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Sunday confronted the return of dangerous winds, as officials said that firefighters were ready to combat any new blazes whipped up by furious gusts. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead as wildfires have ravaged the city for five days, leaving entire communities destroyed and thousands displaced. Despite extensive efforts, including targeted aerial operations, the largest fire continued its spread toward the upscale Brentwood area and the heavily populated San Fernando Valley. Advertisement Renewed winds up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour will keep the fire threat critical for days, and could fan flames and whip up embers from existing burn zones into new areas, firefighters warned Sunday. Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone said his department had received resources including dozens of new water trucks and firefighters from far afield, and was primed to face the renewed threat. Six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across the second-largest U.S. city since Tuesday had killed at least 14 people as of Sunday morning. At least 16 people are estimated to be missing. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expected the death toll to rise. Ive got search and rescue teams out. Weve got cadaver dogs out and theres likely to be a lot more, he told NBCs Meet the Press program. Newsom said the fires are likely to be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history in terms of just the costs associated with it. Active duty military personnel are ready to support the firefighting effort, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a series of Sunday television interviews, adding the agency has urged residents to begin filing for disaster relief. We have the funding to support this response, to support this recovery, she told ABCs This Week program. Fire officials said the blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures. The flames have reduced whole neighborhoods to smoldering ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike and leaving an apocalyptic landscape. Advertisement Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares), consuming more homes, officials reported. Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said that while 11% of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it has burned more than 22,000 acres. With inputs from agencies. Zuckerberg had criticised Europes regulatory landscape. The rebuttal is one of the strongest responses from an EU official amid ongoing tensions with US tech companies over regulatory compliance read more European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen dismissed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs claim that the European Union is institutionalising censorship, calling the statement misleading and untrue. We know that its not true, POLITICO cited Virkkunen as saying in an interview. In Europe freedom of speech is one of our fundamental values and its also respected and protected [in] our Digital Services Act. So its very misleading also to say that. Her comments came in response to Zuckerbergs announcement that Meta is ending its US third-party fact-checking program. Advertisement Zuckerberg had criticised Europes regulatory landscape, saying, Europe has an ever-increasing number of laws institutionalising censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there. Virkkunen, a Finnish politician from the centre-right National Coalition Party who assumed office as EU commissioner for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy on December 1, described Zuckerbergs remarks as misleading. The rebuttal is one of the strongest responses from an EU official amid ongoing tensions with US tech companies over regulatory compliance. Virkkunen also addressed an EU investigation into Elon Musks social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over allegations it violated the blocs Digital Services Act. The platform faces charges for failing to assess and mitigate risks to electoral processes and civic discourse, a requirement under the new law. We are also assessing whether the current scope of the investigation if its sufficient, she said. Musk has been criticised for using his platform to support Germanys far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party. The Commissions probe, initiated in July, could result in a fine of up to 6 per cent of Xs annual revenue if the company is found in violation. Virkkunen said it was unclear if the investigation would conclude before Germanys February 23 election. She noted she had not watched Musks recent conversation with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, adding, Ive never been very active on X. The EUs Digital Services Act is among the most stringent tech laws globally, aiming to regulate content moderation, transparency, and platform accountability. Advertisement The Myanmar junta has been accused of carrying out multiple attacks on civilian targets as it struggles to quell resistance to its 2021 coup. read more A Myanmar junta air strike killed at least 15 civilians and wounded 10 others at a market in a gold-mining area in northern Kachin state, a spokesman for an ethnic rebel group that controls the area told AFP on Sunday. The junta has been accused of carrying out multiple attacks on civilian targets as it struggles to quell resistance to its 2021 coup. The latest attack happened around 11:00 am on Saturday, Colonel Naw Bu, a spokesperson from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), told AFP. Advertisement All those killed were civilians including gold miners and local shopkeepers, he said. The KIA, which can call on around 7,000 fighters, has been battling the military for decades for autonomy and control of local resources in Kachin state. Myanmar is wracked by violence that began when the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. After the army used lethal force to suppress peaceful demonstrations, many opponents of military rule took up arms and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. The region has seen heavy fighting in the wake of the 2021 putsch, with the junta accusing the KIA of arming and training the newer Peoples Defence Forces that have sprung up to battle the junta. Separately, the Arakan Army reported that the junta had dropped 15 bombs during three attacks Saturday on a public market in the town of Kyauktaw in Arakan State. It said some civilians had died and others were wounded but did not specify how many. The Arakan Army engaged in a fierce fight with the military, is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement which seeks autonomy from Myanmars central government. It is also a member of an alliance of armed ethnic groups that recently gained strategic territory in the countrys northeast on the border with China. Advertisement It began its offensive in Rakhine in November 2023 and has now gained control of a strategically important regional army headquarters and 14 of Rakhines 17 townships, leaving only the states capital, Sittwe, and two important townships near Ramree still in military government hands. Rakhine, formerly known as Arakan, was the site of a brutal army counterinsurgency operation in 2017 that drove about 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh. With inputs from agencies. The incident is the second deadly military airstrike to hit civilians in less than a month. On December 25, an airstrike targeting jihadists killed civilians in two villages in neighbouring Sokoto state read more An airstrike made due to a mistake claimed the lives of 16 Nigerians. Representational Image | Reuters. A military airstrike in Nigerias northwestern Zamfara state killed at least 16 civilians after a pilot mistook local self-defence forces for criminal gangs, residents said Sunday. The airstrike occurred late Saturday as villagers from several communities returned home after chasing off gunmen who had attacked Dangebe village, looting livestock and burning homes. The military jet targeted the group near Tungar Kara village, residents said. The group was returning to their villages after chasing away the bandits who attacked Dangebe when the fighter jet bombed them on reaching Tungar Kara village, said Saidu Ibrahim, a local resident. Advertisement He said villagers recovered 16 bodies from the attacks and took several other people with severe injuries to the hospital. Another resident, Bube Namare, said the death toll could rise as villagers continue to search for more bodies. Calls for investigation Amnesty International put the death toll at 20 and called on Nigerian authorities to immediately and impartially investigate the airstrike. The incident is the second deadly military airstrike to hit civilians in less than a month. On December 25, an airstrike targeting jihadists killed civilians in two villages in neighbouring Sokoto state. Nigerias military has been fighting criminal gangs, locally known as bandits, who have long terrorised communities in the countrys northwest and central regions. These groups raid villages, kill and abduct residents for ransom, and burn homes after looting. Similar accidental airstrikes have occurred during the militarys campaigns against bandits and jihadists. In December 2023, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a Muslim religious gathering in Kaduna state, killing at least 85 people. In January 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a fighter jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people displaced by jihadist violence in the town of Rann near the border with Cameroon. The latest incident underscores ongoing challenges in distinguishing civilians from armed groups in the regions conflict zones. With inputs from agencies Advertisement Every year, the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) hosts over 100 exhibitions, attracting more than 7 million visitors, Michael Kruppe, the center's general manager, proudly highlights its achievements since entering the Chinese market 23 years ago. A Sino-German joint venture, SNIEC is a testament to the evolution of China's exhibition industry, which has become one of the most significant and dynamic sectors globally. According to Kruppe, China's exhibition industry has become an indispensable global connector. He emphasizes that China is one of the most promising markets worldwide, and many international exhibition companies stand to benefit from the rapid growth of the sector. "I'm happy to witness the market's fast development, not only in quantity but also in quality, in terms of the growing events, exhibitions and conventions we have," said Kruppe, who hails from Germany. During the 20th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO), a key annual event in the global exhibition industry, held in Tianjin from Jan. 8 to 10, Kruppe signed several new agreements with international associations and industry players. "I think that is a fantastic start for at least another 10 or 20 years of growth in the industry," he said. Loy Joon How, vice chairman of the Thai Exhibition Association who attended the CEFCO, also expressed strong confidence in China's market. He expressed his desire to connect with new Chinese industry colleagues, gain insights into the latest market trends in China, and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Since its launch in 2005, the expo has helped China's exhibition industry build a stronger international network. The event has been instrumental in forming new partnerships and encouraging well-known global exhibition companies to set up operations in China. Speaking at this year's CEFCO, Miao Ruiqing, project manager Asia of Advanced Business Events SAS, highlighted the company's nearly 20 years of involvement in the Chinese market, where it frequently organizes aerospace exhibitions in cities such as Tianjin and Guangzhou. Miao pointed to the International Helicopter Expo in Tianjin as a prime example, noting that the proportion of international exhibitors traveling from abroad has significantly increased, now making up 60 percent of the total. This increase underscores China's growing significance as a key global hub for industry events. "China boasts world-class exhibition infrastructure, a solid technical foundation and a favorable business environment. The Chinese government's strong support for the industry has made it an increasingly attractive destination for international exhibitors," Miao said. In recent years, the Chinese government has regarded the exhibition industry as a key driver of economic growth, supporting domestic enterprises in exploring international markets while also welcoming global companies to benefit from China's development. Major exhibitions across the country, including the China International Import Expo, China International Supply Chain Expo and China International Fair for Trade in Services, have evolved into key platforms for global communication and cooperation, with an increasing participation of international exhibitors. According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), as of December 2024, a total of 265 exhibition projects in China have been certified by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. This certification, which recognizes the quality and scale of an exhibition, marks an increase of over 20 percent compared to the previous year. Easier travel for foreign nationals to China has further internationalized the exhibition industry, making it more accessible and appealing to global participants. A range of visa-free policies and facilitation measures for overseas attendees have effectively unleashed the potential of China's exhibition sector. Driven by multiple favorable factors, China's exhibition industry experienced steady growth in 2024, hosting 3,844 economic and trade events. According to a CCPIT report, the total exhibition space grew by 10.1 percent year on year, reaching 155 million square meters. The growth of the country's exhibition industry has also driven many Chinese enterprises to reach out globally, helping create a more expansive and integrated global exhibition ecosystem. In 2024, the CCPIT approved and executed 1,166 outbound exhibition projects, involving 60 countries and regions, with a total of 50,100 participating enterprises. Tomasz Szypua, president of Ptak Warsaw Expo, one of Poland's largest exhibition venues, attended the CEFCO for the sixth time this year. He noted that in 2024, his venue hosted around 100 commercial exhibitions across various sectors such as energy, construction, healthcare and food, attracting nearly 1,000 Chinese exhibitors. Looking ahead to 2025, Szypua estimated that the number of Chinese exhibitors would increase to about 2,000. Against a backdrop of rising anti-globalization, protectionism and unilateralism, industry insiders believe that the global exhibition sector has the potential to promote cooperation and help address the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions. "Open trade is always the best situation for the whole world. Otherwise, it's not good for anybody," Kruppe said, adding that China is actively promoting global communication and cooperation. "The exhibition industry plays a vital role in bridging production and consumption, supply and demand, and domestic and international markets. It connects enterprises, markets and resources across the globe, serving as an irreplaceable force in driving economic and social growth. It also fosters international trade and economic cooperation," said Ren Hongbin, chairman of CCPIT. The Fergus County Commission approved the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement at its Jan. 2 meeting, ending months of delay following miscommunication with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Some of us need to be a little more blunt with, like, This isnt moving forward because of this, right? Commissioner Ross Butcher told FWP wildlife biologist Sonja Andersen and Region 4 supervisor Jason Rhoten at the commissions Lewistown meeting. I dont think we understood that at all. In an interview, Butcher said the commission wasnt aware of a problem with the 1,080-acre Stafford Ferry CE, located 10 miles north of Winifred, until Fergus County constituents called. They wanted to know why the commissioners were opposed to the easement, picking up the phone after the deal was pulled from the Fish and Wildlife Commissions October and then December agendas. After that, Butcher said, We decided a few weeks back we had to take an affirmative action to move this forward. Reading between the lines, some hunters saw the delays as an indirect attack on the 36-year-old Habitat Montana program that has provided public hunting access to more than 339,000 acres of private lands enrolled in permanent conservation easements. "I don't understand why we would want to take tools away from landowners," said Randy Newberg, of the "Fresh Tracks" public lands hunting program based in Bozeman. "We benefit when working landowners stay on the land, and permanent conservation easements accomplish that at a much lower cost, probably the lowest cost, of any solution we have." The agreements have been popular with some ranchers and farmers, who use the compensation to pay off debt or make improvements without selling the property. FWPs field staff does not actively recruit landowners for conservation easements, Andersen told the Billings Gazette, they approach FWP. Landowners come to us knowing it will be a long, drawn-out process, she said. New process The Fergus County commission's discussion highlighted the confusion over changes to FWPs conservation easements under Gov. Greg Gianfortes Republican administration. Now, FWP must receive county commission approval before starting work on a conservation easement. Fergus County said the commission provided that in 2021. Then FWPs lands department could conduct due diligence. Once that was completed, FWP starts its scoping process, seeking questions or comments from the public. That is followed by a draft environmental assessment which, again, provides the public and county commission an opportunity to comment. After all this, the Fish and Wildlife Commission must sign off on the agreement. Since a bill passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature, the agreements, if costing more than $1 million, must also go before the State Board of Land Commissioners. The board is made up of the governor, secretary of state, schools superintendent, state auditor and attorney general. Even though the Stafford Ferry CE is below the $1 million threshold, FWPs Andersen indicated the department may still seek the land boards approval since its so close to that amount. The Stafford Ferry CE draft EA predicted the Fish and Wildlife Commission would issue its decision by April 2024 with the deal closing by May. Then progress stalled. FWP spokesman Greg Lemon cited several outstanding issues that need to be addressed regarding the Stafford Ferry easement, but refused to say what the issues were. Bill Schenk, FWPs lands program manager, said there was an access issue but wouldnt elaborate. He also said there hasnt been similar confusion by other county commissions regarding their role in FWPs conservation easement process. In an October meeting, Fergus County commissioners had raised some issues with then-FWP Director Dustin Temple about the perpetual easement, such as wanting to be able to mine gravel for county roads if needed, Butcher said, but didnt know its remarks were holding up the process. We didnt realize our comments were being used to say we werent supportive, he added, noting the officials often seek terms to benefit the county, without any expectation they might make or break the deal. Turnover at FWP may have also played into the delays. Temple announced his retirement in November, so it was the acting director who followed up asking Fergus County about its concerns, but Butcher said there was no explicit direction indicating the commission needed to take action for the proposal to move forward. "To me, it was just a response to our comments," he said. On Jan. 2, the county specifically passed a resolution endorsing the easement, which included a couple of digs at FWP. GOP opposition Members of the Montana Republican party have long sought to eliminate FWPs use of perpetual conservation easements, including a 2023 bill introduced by Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, that would have mandated all conservation easements be limited to 40 years. Although the bill was tabled in committee, FWPs direction has noticeably changed. FWP generally prioritizes short-term lease agreements as they are often more efficient and cost-effective, said Greg Lemon, FWP spokesman. With that in mind, in 2022 the agency announced its goal to lease up to 500,000 acres of prairie habitat in five years, emphasizing 30- to 40-year leases. Back then, FWP staff said the new goal didnt mean land purchases or perpetual easements wouldnt still be pursued. However, in FWPs last two reports to the Legislature covering the period from January 2020 to June 2024 only two conservation easements have been signed. That compares to 18 conservation easements completed between January 2017 and December 2020, the two legislative reports prior to the Gianforte administration. In total, FWPs Habitat Montana program oversees conservation easements on 60 properties. "I think FWP is well served when we work with these willing landowners who want to do these conservation easements in perpetuity," said Newberg, the public lands hunting advocate. FWP also had to revamp its process for shorter-term leases after initially receiving little interest. So far, the agency has processed 15 applications for about 131,000 acres. Some hunters have criticized the access component of the shorter leases. Stafford Ferry details The Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement would protect and conserve sagebrush-grassland habitat adjoining the Missouri River Breaks in deer and elk Hunting Districts 417 and 426. The easement will also guarantee free public access for a minimum of 100 days of hunting, as well as other recreational pursuits outside the hunting season. The property adjoins an additional 15,400 acres of state and Bureau of Land Management property, including the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The Stafford Ferry CE was appraised at $1.08 million. Northwestern Energy and the Wild Sheep Foundation are partnering on the project and have committed to contribute $50,000 and $10,000, respectively. The landowner, Cliff Henderson, has agreed to donate $85,000 of the easements value. Therefore, the total state funding to purchase the easement would be $980,000. FWPs portion of its easements are paid for with money from the Habitat Montana program, which is funded largely by nonresident hunting licenses. In total, as of June 2024, FWP has spent $52.2 million in Habitat Montana funds on conservation easements. Land acquisitions purchased through the program total 141,231 acres (74 transactions involving 34 wildlife management areas or other sites), costing $54.6 million in Habitat Montana funds, according to FWPs 2025 legislative report. Next up Still in the works in Fergus County is the 3,800-acre Hannah Ranch perpetual conservation easement, proposed along the base of the Big Snowy Mountains near Moore. The easement would provide access to public lands in the mountains where none currently exists. Its got a little ways to go, said Schenk, FWPs lands program manager. Butcher, the Fergus County commissioner, said the Stafford Ferry easement seems to have slowed the Hannah Ranch project but that a lot of people were interested in seeing it succeed. These two easements in particular feel like theres a lot of positives to them, he said. Were trying to be proactive and not be the problem. The administration will now hold off enforcing the order until June 18, Nippon Steel and US Steel said, extending an initial 30-day deadline read more Nippon Steel logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 1, 2024. REUTERS/File Photo US authorities have extended the deadline for Japans Nippon Steel to abandon its acquisition of its American rival after President Joe Biden blocked the deal, the companies said Sunday. Biden cited national security concerns as he put a stop to the $14.9 billion sale of US Steel to the Japanese giant. Accusing the president of illegal interference, the companies filed a legal review with the US court of appeals. The administration will now hold off enforcing the order until June 18, Nippon Steel and US Steel said, extending an initial 30-day deadline. Advertisement We are pleased that CFIUS (the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) has granted an extension to June 18, 2025 of the requirement in President Bidens Executive Order that the parties permanently abandon the transaction, the companies said in a joint statement. We look forward to completing the transaction, which secures the best future for the American steel industry and all our stakeholders, it added. While the outgoing presidents decision to block the transaction enjoyed rare bipartisan support at home, it drew sharp criticism from the Japanese government and business community. Japans industry minister labelled it incomprehensible and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called on Washington to explain clearly its rationale. Japan and the United States are each others top foreign investors. It is important to appropriately deal with the issue while not undermining the big picture of the Japan-US alliance, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Sunday. I will ask the US side to remove concerns which are spreading in the business community, he said during a television debate. Russia said its forces had taken Yantarne, a village in the Donetsk region located about 10 kilometres (six miles) southwest of the key logistics hub of Kurakhove. Further north, Russian troops captured Kalinove, a village in the Kharkiv read more In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defence Ministry Press Service in October, a Russian Army "Grad" self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher fires rockets toward Ukrainian position at an undisclosed location. AP Russia has announced the capture of two villages in eastern Ukraine, a sign of incremental advances in a conflict that is well over three years old. According to the Russian defence ministrys report, Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields, and amassed enemy manpower and military hardware in up to 140 areas over the past day. The ministry said on Sunday (January 12) that its forces had taken Yantarne, a village in the Donetsk region located about 10 kilometres (six miles) southwest of the key logistics hub of Kurakhove, which Moscow claimed to have seized last week. The Russian military had also reported gains in territory northwest of Kurakhove a day prior. Advertisement Further north, Russian troops captured Kalinove, a village in the Kharkiv region on the western bank of the Oskil River. The river had long served as a front line in the area, but Ukrainian officials recently confirmed that Russian forces had established a bridgehead on the western bank after crossing the river. Kharkiv and Donetsk in focus Kupiansk, a strategic city in the Kharkiv region recaptured by Ukraine during its 2022 counteroffensive, remains a focal point of Russias operations. The eastern front, particularly Donetsk, is also core to Russias military efforts as Ukraine counters with strategic drone strikes targeting infrastructure deep within Russian territory. In Russia, the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Engels, a city on the Volga River, continued to unfold. Saratov Governor Roman Busargin said on Telegram that the fire remained active, though its size and the amount of smoke had decreased. Firefighters were reportedly working around the clock to contain the blaze. With inputs from agencies Syrias new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main rebel group in the alliance that overthrew Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief. His administration is represented at the Riyadh talks by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. read more Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meetings with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe that focused on the war-ravaged countrys future. The Gulf kingdom, the regions biggest economy, is seeking to increase its influence in Syria after Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month, analysts say. We stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after Sundays talks concluded in Riyadh. Advertisement The agenda included a meeting of Arab officials as well as a broader gathering that also included Turkey, France, the European Union and the United Nations. Syrias new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main rebel group in the alliance that overthrew Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief. His administration is represented at the Riyadh talks by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Western powers, including the United States and the EU, imposed heavy sanctions on Assads government over his brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011, which triggered civil war. Some US sanctions long pre-date the conflict, with Washington labelling Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 and adding further measures in 2004. More than 13 years of conflict have killed over half a million Syrians, left infrastructure destroyed and the people impoverished, while millions have fled their homes, including to Europe. The US Treasury Department said last Monday it would ease the enforcement of restrictions affecting essential services such as energy and sanitation. But officials in Washington say they will wait to see progress before any wider easing of sanctions. Next steps The European Unions top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said on Friday that the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions if Syrias new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protected minorities. European foreign ministers are due to meet on January 27 to discuss the issue, Kallas told reporters in Riyadh. Advertisement Possible priorities for relief include those sanctions that are hindering the building up of a country, access to banking services and all these things, she said. If we see the developments going to the right direction we are ready to do the next steps, she said. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Riyadh that her government wanted a smart approach that would enable aid to reach Syrians. Sanctions against Assads henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power, she said, adding that Germany would provide another 50 million euros for food, emergency shelter and medical care. Advertisement According to the UN, seven in 10 Syrians need help. A statement published Sunday evening by Saudi state media did not include a call from all participants for sanctions relief, instead saying steps were discussed to support the brotherly Syrian people and provide them with all aid and support in this important stage of their history. It also voiced concern about Israels entrance into the buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights. Saudi weighs support Saudi Arabia cut ties with Assads government in 2012 and had long openly championed his overthrow. But in 2023 it hosted an Arab League meeting at which Assad was welcomed back into the regional fold. This month the Gulf kingdom sent food, shelter and medical supplies to Syria by land and by plane. Riyadh is now negotiating how to support the countrys long-term recovery. Advertisement This includes creating a conducive environment for the return of Syrian refugees, Prince Faisal said in his statement to reporters. Riyadhs decision to host Sundays talks sends the message that Saudi Arabia wants to take the lead on coordinating the regional effort to support Syrias recovery, said Anna Jacobs, non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. But the big question is how much time and how many resources will Saudi Arabia devote to this effort? And what is possible with many of the sanctions remaining in place? Saudi Arabia is among the countries taking a more cautious approach to Syrias new administration compared to Turkey and Qatar, which were the first nations to reopen embassies in Damascus after Assads fall, said Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi politics at the University of Birmingham. Advertisement Saudi officials are nevertheless positively approaching the new leaders in Syria, looking to see if they can bring stability and control the more extreme elements in (their) ranks, Karim said. The group that Sharaa leads, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, but years ago broke that link and has sought to moderate its image. With inputs from agencies. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, with Maria Zakharovas comments pointing to the growing alignment between Russia and China in countering US narratives on human rights read more Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused the United States of hypocrisy over its use of prison labour to combat wildfires in California. She drew comparisons to American criticism of alleged forced labour practices in Chinas Xinjiang region. In a statement on her Telegram channel, Zakharova pointed to recent reports that nearly 800 incarcerated individuals in California were mobilised to assist firefighters battling wildfires across the state. She contrasted this with Washingtons long-standing condemnation of Beijing for alleged human rights abuses, including the use of forced labour in Xinjiang. Advertisement This raises a logical question: will Congress draft a bill imposing sanctions on California authorities, private companies, and ordinary Americans for using prison labour to put out fires? Zakharova wrote. We are so sick of this hypocrisy! The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, with Zakharovas comments pointing to the growing alignment between Russia and China in countering US narratives on human rights. US actions against Chinese companies When speaking of sanctions, Zakharova was referencing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), a law signed in December 2021 to prevent goods allegedly produced with Uyghur forced labour from entering US markets. Since its enactment, the US has blacklisted more than 100 Chinese companies, including 30 new additions in November 2024, for their purported involvement in forced labour practices. Incarcerated firefighters in California The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reported last week that 783 incarcerated individuals had joined nearly 2,000 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) personnel in fighting wildfires. Under the US Constitutions 13th Amendment, prison labour is legal as a punishment for crime, allowing inmates to perform physically demanding and dangerous tasks for low wages. The incarcerated firefighters in California earn a maximum of $10.24 per day for their work. The use of prison labour in firefighting has drawn criticism within the United States, with activists and advocacy groups condemning it as exploitative and akin to slavery. With inputs from agencies Hamas had provided mediators with a list of 34 Israeli captives taken during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The list reportedly includes women, children, and older or injured individuals who could be released as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal. read more US President-elect Donald Trumps West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to discuss efforts to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting comes amid a push from the United States and other international players to discuss the latest developments in the region, particularly the efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip After the meeting, Netanyahu dispatched a high-level delegation to Qatar in order to advance talks on the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, a statement from the Israeli Prime Ministers office said. The delegation also includes the head of Israels intelligence agency, Mossad. Advertisement The talks between the Palestinian armed group and Israel are being mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Witkoffs Doha visit amid truce talks Witkoff also visited Doha on Friday and met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to Qatars foreign ministry. Egyptian and Qatari mediators were assured by Witkoff that the US would continue working towards a fair deal to end the war soon, Egyptian security sources said. Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli official said some progress had been made in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement in Gaza. Mediators are intensifying efforts to reach a deal to stop the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages before Trump takes office on January 20. The agreement would also include the release of some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Families of Israeli hostages welcomed Netanyahus decision to send the officials. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called it a historic opportunity. Israel began its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border in the southern part of the Jewish nation in October 2023. Hamas fighters killed nearly 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Since then, over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. Much of the region has been destroyed, and a severe humanitarian crisis has taken hold, with most of the population displaced. On Saturday, the Palestinian civil emergency service reported that eight people, including two women and two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a former school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Advertisement The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted Hamas militants operating at the school and that efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties. With inputs from Reuters. Monster blazes tearing through Americas second largest city are pumping toxic clouds into the air, blanketing a vast region with choking fumes read more A helicopter drops water on smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire burning behind Mulholland drive towards the Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, January 10, 2025. Image- AFP Health bosses warned people living in Los Angeles on Saturday to stay indoors because of dangerous wildfire smoke wreathing the area. Monster blazes tearing through Americas second largest city are pumping toxic clouds into the air, blanketing a vast region with choking fumes. We are all experiencing this wildfire smoke, which is a mix of small particles, gasses and water vapors, Anish Mahajan of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told a press conference. Advertisement Its those small particles that get into our noses and throats and cause those sore throats and headaches. Everyone in the areas where theres visible smoke or the smell of smoke, and even where you dont see that, we know that the air quality is poor, so you should limit outdoor exposure as much as possible. Mahajan said even healthy individuals should stay inside as much as possible, using some kind of air filtration system. People who have to work outside should wear an N95 mask, which filters out small particles to stop them entering the body. But the young, the old and the sick should be especially careful at this time. Those who are at higher risk for bad health effects children, the elderly, those with respiratory and heart conditions, and people with immunocompromised states, they may have worse symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and chest pain, he said. Multiple fires that have erupted around Los Angeles have laid waste to vast areas, reducing homes, businesses, cars and vegetation to ash. That means plastics, chemicals, fuel and building materials all went up in smoke, and now hang in the air across a densely populated region. On Friday, Los Angeles County declared a public health emergency because of the smoke, and banned the use of machines like leaf blowers that can whip up dangerous ashes. Advertisement Trump attended Carters funeral at the Washington National Cathedral with his wife, Melania Trump. This was the first time both Harris and Trump came face to face after the former lost a bitterly fought campaign in the 2024 US presidential elections read more US Vice President Kamala Harris shares photo with current and former US Presidents, but Trump gets cropped off. X - @VP The funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter was attended by five current and former American presidents. However, the photo shared by Vice President Kamala Harris and the Carter Center only featured four of them. The one missing was the 45th and the 47th President of the United States Donald Trump. Trump attended Carters funeral at the Washington National Cathedral with his wife, Melania Trump. This was the first time both Harris and Trump came face to face after the former lost a bitterly fought campaign in the 2024 US presidential elections. The photograph shared from the vice presidents official social media account only featured three Democrats. Advertisement The photo showed current US President Joe Biden, along with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, standing with their hands over their hearts. The face of former President George Bush, a Republican, was obstructed by Harriss husband Doug Emhoff while he was standing next to her in the front row. Was it intentional? Trump was standing next to Obama along with his wife. However, in the photograph Harris shared, a large pillar appeared which blocked both Donald and Melania. President Jimmy Carter loved our country, Harris wrote in her tribute post to Carter. He lived his faith, served the people, and left the world better than he found it," she added. A different photograph shared by the Carter Center also did not feature Trump. In the second row, Clinton, Laura Bush and Obama are visible. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Bush are partly obscured, and the Trumps cannot be seen at all. It is unclear whether the omission was intentional since other photographs clicked at the event featured all five US Presidents. Beautiful moments from the service at Washington National Cathedral this morning honoring former President Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/CwikJWLbjQ The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) January 9, 2025 Advertisement The state funeral of a former American president who died at 100 was marked by a rare display of bipartisanship at a moment of deep political divisions. Obama was seen chatting amicably with Trump, who has spent years bashing the Democratic leader. Another Republican who attended the ceremony was Trumps former VP, Mike Pence. While the former VP supported Trump throughout the presidency, many believe that he was the main target of the January 6 riots in 2021. Following the 2020 election results, Pence refused to endorse Trump because of his involvement in the riots. There were some dignitaries who did not shake Trumps hand and appeared to avoid him, including Karen Pence, Mr. Pences wife, and Bush. Former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral service. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Many of the tankers have been used to ship oil to India and China as Western sanctions and a price cap imposed by the Group of Seven countries in 2022 shifted trade in Russian oil from Europe to Asia. Some tankers have also shipped oil from Iran, which is also under sanctions. read more Chinese and Indian refiners are expected to increase their oil imports from West Asia, Africa, and the Americas, leading to higher prices and freight costs. This shift comes as new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and vessels limit supply to Russias primary customers, according to traders and analysts. Many of the affected tankers have previously been transporting oil to India and China, following the redirection of Russian oil trade from Europe to Asia due to Western sanctions and the 2022 price cap imposed by the Group of Seven. Some vessels have also been transporting oil from Iran, which is similarly sanctioned. Advertisement Russian oil exports will be hurt severely by the new sanctions, which will force Chinese independent refiners to cut refining output going forward, two Chinese trade sources told Reuters. The United States and Britain on Friday announced sanctions against Russias energy sector, including oil giant Gazprom Neft. Russias Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned new US sanctions targeting Moscows energy sector, calling them an effort to damage Russias economy while risking global market instability. The ministry said that Russia would continue pursuing major oil and gas projects despite the sanctions. Among the newly sanctioned ships, 143 are oil tankers that handled more than 530 million barrels of Russian crude last year, about 42% of the countrys total seaborne crude exports, Kplers lead freight analyst Matt Wright said in a note. Of these, about 300 million barrels was shipped to China while the bulk of the remainder went to India, he added. These sanctions will significantly reduce the fleet of ships available to deliver crude from Russia in the short term, pushing freight rates higher, Wright said. A Singapore-based trader said the designated tankers shipped close to 900,000 bpd of Russian crude to China over the past 12 months. Advertisement Its going to drop off a cliff, he added. For the first 11 months last year, Indias Russian crude imports rose 4.5% on year to 1.764 million bpd, or 36% of Indias total imports. Chinas volume, including pipeline supply, was up 2% at 99.09 million metric tons (2.159 million bpd), or 20% of its total imports, over the same period. The new sanctions will push China and India back into the compliant oil market to seek more supply from the West Asia, Africa and the Americas, the sources said. Spot prices for Middle East, Africa and Brazilian grades have already risen in recent months on rising demand from China and India as supplies of Russian and Iranian oil tightened and became more expensive, they added. Advertisement Already, prices are rising for Middle Eastern grades, said an Indian oil refining official. There is no option than that we have to go for Middle Eastern oil. Perhaps we may have to go for U.S. oil as well. A second Indian refining source said the sanctions on Russian oil insurers will prompt Russia to price its crude below $60 a barrel so Moscow can continue to use Western insurance and tankers. Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group said: Indian refiners, the main takers of Russian crude, are unlikely to wait around to find out and will be scrambling to find alternatives in Middle Eastern and Dated-Brent related Atlantic Basin crude. Advertisement Strength in the Dubai benchmark can only rise from here as we are likely to see aggressive bidding for February loading cargoes of the likes of Oman or Murban, leading to a tighter Brent/Dubai spread, he added. With inputs from agencies. https://theviolinchannel.com/pianist-jonathan-biss-signs-with-colbert-artists/ Jonathan Biss joins pianists such as Orli Shahm, Ran Dank, Marc-Andre Hamelin, and Soyeon Kate Lee on the roster of Colbert Artists Management. Biss has appeared as a soloist with some of the worlds foremost orchestras, including the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics, Boston Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, and the London Symphony, amongst others. Since 2018, he has served as the Co-Artistic Director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival alongside pianist Mitsuko Uchida. He previously served as artist-in-residence on American Public Medias Performance Today and was the first American chosen to participate in the BBCs New Generation Artist program. As an educator, he was on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music for ten years and has been a guest professor at schools such as the Guildhall SOMAD and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has published four books, and in the latest one, Unquiet: My Life with Beethoven, he examines music and his own lifes journey through the lens of Beethovens last piano sonatas. His relationship with Beethoven's music was furthered when he embarked on a groundbreaking journey with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2015, launching the Beethoven/5 commissioning project. The project yielded a collection of five new piano concerti, each written by a distinguished composer in response to one of Beethovens iconic works. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Beethovens birth in 2020, Biss recorded the composers complete piano sonatas, and offered insights into all 32 landmark works via his free, online Coursera lecture series "Exploring Beethovens Piano Sonatas." Biss has received numerous honors including the Leonard Bernstein Award, the Andrew Wolf Memorial Chamber Music Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and a Gilmore Young Artist Award. His albums for EMI won the Diapason dOr de lAnnee and Edison awards. The pianist grew up in a family of musicians: his grandmother is Raya Garbousova, one of the first famous female cellists, and his parents are violinist Miriam Fried and violist/violinist Paul Biss. He studied with Evelyne Brancart at Indiana University and Leon Fleisher at the Curtis Institute of Music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPfWt8XfnNI&list=PLPhpKLCkZxtaDWW7jhZa1pUBlSSFYqP5O Les femmes de l'ombre (2/4) S'engager 19,903 views Jun 28, 2017 19,903 views Jun 28, 2017 Temoignages de femmes engagees dans la resistance en 39-45). Nous connaissons tous la lutte des resistants pendant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. Nous connaissons moins bien en revanche celle des resistantes. Pourtant nombreuses furent les femmes a se lancer a corps perdu dans le combat contre l'oppression et la barbarie nazies. De Lucie Aubrac aux resistantes inconnues, ce documentaire donne la parole a ces femmes pas comme les autres. Un film de Christine Bouteiller et Benjamin Saglio Zeaux Productions / La Chaine Histoire 2002 The video "Les femmes de l'ombre (1/4) Desobeir (Temoignages de femmes engagees dans la resistance en 39-45)" is part of a series called "Les femmes de l'ombre" (Women of the Shadows) and focuses on the experiences of women who resisted the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. The video features interviews with several women who discuss their motivations for joining the Resistance, the challenges they faced, and the impact of the war on their lives. Some of the key themes explored in the video include: The initial shock and disbelief of the German invasion: Many women describe feeling a sense of betrayal and disillusionment as they witnessed the fall of France. Many women describe feeling a sense of betrayal and disillusionment as they witnessed the fall of France. The importance of family and community: The war had a profound impact on family life, with many men being sent to war or imprisoned. Women played a crucial role in supporting their families and communities during this difficult time. The war had a profound impact on family life, with many men being sent to war or imprisoned. Women played a crucial role in supporting their families and communities during this difficult time. The growing sense of resistance: As the occupation continued, many women felt a growing sense of anger and frustration. They began to find ways to resist the Germans, from small acts of defiance to more organized resistance activities. As the occupation continued, many women felt a growing sense of anger and frustration. They began to find ways to resist the Germans, from small acts of defiance to more organized resistance activities. The role of women in the Resistance: Women played a vital role in the Resistance, often taking on tasks that men were unable to do. They served as couriers, gathered intelligence, and provided support to resistance fighters. Women played a vital role in the Resistance, often taking on tasks that men were unable to do. They served as couriers, gathered intelligence, and provided support to resistance fighters. The personal cost of resistance: Many women who participated in the Resistance faced significant risks, including arrest, torture, and even death. The video provides a valuable glimpse into the experiences of women who played a crucial role in the French Resistance. It highlights their courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. IRGC disbands spy network in southwestern Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Ahvaz, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismantled an espionage team in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In a statement on Friday, the IRGC announced that members of the spy ring had been arrested following round-the-clock intelligence operations. The elements were carrying out intelligence activities for one of the Persian Gulf states, the statement added. The arrested spies were trying to gather information about sensitive centers of the province, it noted. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spy ring linked to foreign intelligence dismantled in southwest Iran Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 6:32 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have arrested members of a network involved in collecting information about sensitive facilities in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province for a foreign spy agency. In a statement released on Friday night, the IRGC announced that it arrested the individuals on charges of affiliation to the spy agency of a Persian Gulf country, and handed them over to judicial authorities for legal action. Last month, the IRGC said it arrested an individual in Iran's northwestern province of Ardabil on charges of affiliation to the spy agency of a neighboring country. In late October, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said it dismantled a separatist group linked to the Israeli regime that intended to infiltrate the country from the Iraqi Kurdistan in order to incite street riots and carry out assassinations. During the operation, one of the main members of the group was killed, two others were arrested, and their weapons were confiscated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Memorandum on the Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy January 10, 2025 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY SUBJECT: Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy I have considered the proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the "proposed Agreement"), along with the views, recommendations, and statements of the interested departments and agencies. I have determined that the performance of the proposed Agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security. Pursuant to section 123 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b)), I hereby approve the proposed Agreement and authorize the Secretary of State to arrange for its execution. The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on Venezuelan presidential inauguration Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 11 January 2025 Category: International relations The Australian Government is concerned by this week's political developments in Venezuela, including with regard to the Presidential inauguration on 10 January 2025. We urge Venezuelan authorities to respect democratic principles and to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of opinion and expression, and of peaceful assembly. The Australian Government reiterates its calls for a peaceful return to democracy in Venezuela and the immediate release of all political detainees by Venezuelan authorities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 46,537 Palestinians killed in Israeli war on Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- At least 46,537 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since the genocidal war began on October 7, 2023, according to official data. The Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Saturday that Israeli forces have killed at least 32 Palestinians in five new massacres in the enclave over the past 24 hours. More than 190 others have also been injured in the attacks, it added. Meanwhile, a new major study has found that the Palestinian death toll in Gaza is underestimated by a wide margin. The study published on Thursday by The Lancet medical journal said that more than 64,000 people in Gaza have been killed since October 2023. The majority of the deaths (59 percent) were women, children, and elderly people, researchers who measured traumatic injury deaths in Gaza, reported. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian vows talks with Afghanistan on Iran's water share from Helmand River IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Zabol, IRNA -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that his administration plans to hold talks with Afghanistan to uphold water rights of Sistan and Baluchestan Province from the Helmand River also known as Hirmand. President Pezeshkian made the remark in an interview with Sistan and Baluchestan's provincial TV channel on Friday night, before wrapping up his two-day trip to the southeastern province. The governor general of the province is scheduled to visit Afghanistan to hold talks with Afghan officials on Iran's water right, Pezeshkian said, adding that the governor general's office and the Ministry of Energy are pursuing other related issues. The president also pointed out to the current situation in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which has long borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying that the province possesses a unique capacity to play a key role in the implementation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Iran and Afghanistan are at odds on water shares from the Hirmand River, with Tehran saying that the de facto Taliban government HAS unlawfully restricted the flow of water from the river to Iran's arid southeastern regions. The administration of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a lot of efforts to uphold Iran's right. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza hostage deal "possible" to be reached before Trump's inauguration People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:06, January 11, 2025 WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A White House spokesperson said on Friday a deal that would secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is "possible" to be reached before Jan. 20, the day when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated to succeed incumbent President Joe Biden. John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, told reporters during a press gaggle that he was unable to give "a percentage" indicating the precise possibility of such a deal being ultimately struck, hence paving the way for the release of 100 hostages -- among whom seven are Americans. "The question is, do I think it's possible?" Kirby said. "Yes, we think it's possible, but not without a lot of hard work still ahead of us. " Biden's Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, is currently leading a U.S. delegation in Doha, Qatar, in what is the administration's last-minute effort to try to get the hostage deal over the finish line, according to Kirby. Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, is in the delegation for the negotiations. "I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural, we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president," Witkoff said of Trump during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Teresa Magbanua' sustains vigilance vs. illegal CCG ship off Zambales Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora January 11, 2025, 4:24 pm MANILA -- The BRP Teresa Magbanua remains deployed off the coast of Zambales to deter the China Coast Guard's (CCG) illegal presence in the area, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In a statement on Saturday, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said a CCG vessel with bow number "3304" had been illegally sailing approximately 70 to 80 nautical miles off the coast of the province. Teresa Magbanua's unwavering presence, he said, is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s policy direction to thwart the normalization and legitimization of the CCG's illegal actions, which may lead to assertions of control over Philippine waters. "The continued vigilance of BRP Teresa Magbanua serves as a proactive measure to ensure that Filipino fishermen can carry out their activities without the threat of harassment or intimidation," he said. "The deployment of the PCG's white ship underscores a commitment to monitoring and maintaining a visible presence to deter illegal activities by the Chinese Coast Guard while adhering to principles of restraint and non-provocation." On Wednesday, the PCG reported sightings of CCG vessel "3103" heading to Zambales to replace CCG-5901, dubbed monster ship, after its five-day incursion into Philippine waters. CCG vessel "3304" eventually replaced vessel "3103," Tarriela said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel strikes another school in north Gaza; two children among victims Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 4:58 PM An Israeli airstrike on a school housing "thousands of displaced people" has killed eight people, including two children and two women, in northern Gaza's Jabalia town. Gaza's civil defense agency said Saturday that rescue workers recovered the bodies of eight people from under the collapsed building of the school. The airstrike also wounded 30 people, including 19 children, said agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal. The Israeli military admitted it had targeted the facility. It claimed that the building was being used as a "command-and-control center" by Hamas. Hamas has not commented on the statement yet, but it has repeatedly denied that its fighters operate from civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals. This was Israel's latest attack on school buildings housing displaced people in Gaza. In September, the regime's military targeted the United Nations-run Al-Jawni school in central Gaza, killing at least 18 people. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA said at the time that six of its staff were among the victims of the attack. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the regime's forces have killed at least 32 Palestinians across the besieged enclave in the past 48 hours, taking the overall death toll to over 46,500. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel fears Ansarullah retaliation following joint US-British airstrikes in Yemen: Media Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 3:24 PM A new report has revealed that the Israeli regime's so-called security service is on high alert as fears mount over Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement launching an attack in retaliation for US-British-Israeli joint airstrikes on the Arab country. In a report on Saturday, Israeli Channel 12 said that "The Israeli security system is in a heightened state of alert due to anticipated Ansarullah retaliation" after US, British and Israeli warplanes carried out a string of airstrikes against various targets across Yemen a day earlier. The report said that there are "genuine fears" that Ansarullah may attempt to respond to the joint assault in the coming hours. The joint operation marked "the fifth such attack" on Ansarullah targets since the start of the war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, it claimed. On Friday, Yemen's al-Masirah television network said Israeli-American-British aircraft had hit the Amran Province, north of Sana'a. According to the network, the targets included some areas around the Harf Sufyan District in the province, which were attacked on 12 occasions. It also reported that the aggressors had targeted the Ra's Isa Port and the al-Hudaydah Port in western Yemen in several cases. The joint operation came after Yemen's armed forces said they had conducted retaliatory strikes against an American aircraft carrier and several other US warships in response to Washington's support for the Israeli regime's war of genocide against the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Friday, the forces said they had targeted the vessels, including the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, in the northern part of the Red Sea over the previous 48 hours, using cruise missiles and explosive-laden drones. The Yemeni troops began launching their operations against Israeli targets in October 2023 in support of Gaza and Lebanon, which have respectively come under the genocidal war and escalated deadly assaults by the Israeli regime. The successful strikes were both preceded and followed by intensified deadly aggression by the regime, the United States, its biggest ally, and the United Kingdom against the Yemeni territory. The forces have been responding by ramping up their strikes against strategic and sensitive Israeli and American targets, including the US warships and aircraft carriers that are deployed off Yemen's coastline. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jan. 10: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 2:59 PM By Press TV Website Staff Amid the West-backed Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 46,500 Palestinians so far, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations by the resistance groups on Friday, January 10, are as follows: Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan 11: Shelled positions of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles that had penetrated the Palestinian-Egyptian border south of Rafah city in southern Gaza with mortar shells. Fighters in the Qabatiya division targeted Israeli infantry forces and military vehicles with heavy barrages of bullets in Jenin town, occupied West Bank. Fighters in the Qabatiya division detonated a number of explosive devices prepared in advance on Israeli military vehicles and targeted Israeli infantry forces and military vehicles with a heavy barrage of bullets. Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on Jan 11: In a joint operation with the Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades, targeted an Israeli military command and control center in Juhr Al-Dik using 60mm mortar shells. Yemeni military operations on Jan 9-10-11: Targeted the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and a number of its warships in the northern Red Sea region with cruise missiles and drones. The operation was carried out by the missile force and the air force and succeeded in thwarting a new air attack against Yemen. Targeted Israeli military targets in Yaffa (Tel Aviv) with three drones. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon complains to UN Security Council over ongoing Israeli attacks Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 11:39 AM Lebanon has complained to the UN Security Council over Israel's ongoing acts of aggression on agricultural lands as well as livestock in the southern part of the country in violation of a ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in a statement outlined the major violations, emphasizing how such actions are blatant breaches of international law and pose direct threats to Lebanon's sovereignty and food security. It said the attacks are causing significant damage to agricultural roads and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, and have destroyed the "Seedling Cultivation" project in the Wadi al-Hajir region, which was supported by the World Food Program and the European Union. The ministry said it had notified the diplomatic mission in New York to submit a complaint to the Security Council against Israel following consultations and coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry urged the Security Council to take immediate action to stop these attacks, protect the rights of farmers and fishermen in the affected areas, and ensure their livelihoods. It also demanded that the occupying Tel Aviv regime be held accountable, and required to compensate for the damages it has caused by its aggression on Lebanon's agricultural sector and beyond. Furthermore, Lebanon is calling on Security Council members, especially those who helped broker the ceasefire, to take a strong and clear stance against Israel's repeated violations of the agreement, it said. Israel was forced to accept the ceasefire with the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement after suffering heavy losses following almost 14 months of fighting and failing to achieve its goals in its aggression on Lebanon. The truce deal came into effect on November 27. It will last for 60 days in the hope of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities. Under the agreement, an international monitoring committee, headed by the US, is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One killed, several injured in joint US, UK, Israeli airstrikes on Yemen Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 10:39 AM At least one person has been killed and nine others sustained injuries when US, British and Israeli warplanes carried out a string of airstrikes against various targets across Yemen. Yemen's al-Masirah television channel reported that a person was killed and six others were wounded when the joint aerial raids targeted the Red Sea port of Ras Issa in the strategic western province of Hudaydah early on Saturday. Three other people were injured in attacks on a power station in the Hezyaz neighborhood, south of the capital Sana'a. A series of airstrikes also hit the Hudaydah port and northern 'Amran province, al-Masirah TV noted. The US-British coalition has not commented on the strikes, but the Israeli military announced in a statement that its warplanes had targeted a number of sites on the western Yemeni coast and inland Yemen. Earlier on Friday, the US, Britain and the Israeli regime announced the launch of their first joint aggression against Yemen. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Yemeni army, later said in a televised statement that Yemen's armed forces had conducted retaliatory strikes against an American aircraft carrier and several other US warships in response to Washington's support for the Israeli regime's war of genocide against the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Friday, the forces said they targeted the vessels, including the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, in the northern tip of the Red Sea over the previous 48 hours, using cruise missiles and explosive-laden drones. "The operation .. succeeded in thwarting a new aerial attack launched against our nation from the carrier," said the statement, adding, "The attack forced the carrier and its accompanying warships to withdraw from the northern Red Sea region." Following Israel's first joint airstrike with the US and the UK, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Yemen was "paying and will continue to pay a heavy price". Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz, who observed the aerial assault from the air force command center in Tel Aviv, asserted, "The port of Hudaydah is paralyzed, and the Ras Issa port is ablaze." Large parts of Sana'a witnessed power outages after the airstrikes. Houthi: Zionists are clear example of barbarity Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, strongly condemned the US-British-Israeli joint airstrikes on Yemen, describing Israeli officials as a clear example of barbarity and cruelty. "Your (Israeli authorities') contradictory and conflicting statements would not scare us. On the contrary, they will make Yemeni heroes more determined to continue supporting Gaza and destroying your criminal regime," Houthi stated. "The attacks on Yemen due to its support for Gaza have strengthened the faith and willpower of our people in the fight against terrorism and genocide." Hamas denounces joint airstrikes Hamas strongly condemned the joint attacks on civilian infrastructure in the provinces of 'Amran, Hudaydah and Sana'a as a blatant violation of international law, an attack on Yemen's sovereignty, and a threat to regional security. The airstrikes on Yemen, it said, prove the full complicity of the United States and Britain in the Zionist regime's genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza. The targeting of Yemeni civilians, especially the gathering at al-Sabeen Square in Sana'a which was held to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, constitutes a war crime, the Palestinian resistance group stated. "Hamas reiterates its full solidarity with the Yemeni nation, the country's armed forces and the Ansarullah movement, and appreciates their efforts in support of Palestine," the statement read. The resistance group also commended the Yemeni retaliatory operations against Israeli positions as powerful and effective, calling upon all Arab and Muslim countries to unite and confront the regime's acts of terror and aggression against Palestinian and Yemeni peoples. Hamas urged Muslim countries to take decisive action against the threats of the Tel Aviv regime and its partners. Yemenis have been hitting Israeli and American targets in support of Palestinians in Gaza since Israel launched its devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, and in response to the American-British aggression on their homeland. The Yemeni army has been also targeting ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom to force an end to the Tel Aviv regime's brutal war on Gaza. The operations have effectively shut down the Eilat port south of the occupied territories, causing significant economic setbacks for the Israelis. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they will not stop their attacks until Israel's ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. Israel has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 110,000 other individuals in Gaza since the onset of the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Panama official rejects Trump threat to take back canal's control Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 7:39 AM A Panamanian official has rejected US President-elect Donald Trump's claims that China controls the Panama Canal or his suggestion that the US could take it back. The Panama Canal will remain in Panamanian hands, and open to commerce from all countries, Ricaurte Vasquez, the administrator of the waterway, said on Friday. Making exceptions to current rules concerning the canal's operation in favor of the US would lead to "chaos", he said. In recent weeks, Trump has suggested several times that he may take back control of the canal, and as the future US president, he will not rule out using military options to do so. "It might be that you will have to do something," Trump said on Tuesday. "The Panama Canal is vital to our country." Trump has slammed the fees requested from US-flagged ships for transiting the canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as "ridiculous". Panama's president, Jose Raul Mulino, has declared unequivocally that the canal will remain in Panamanian hands. "The most sensible and efficient way to do this is to maintain the established rules," he said, emphasizing that the canal will not give special treatment to US-flagged ships. He said Trump's requests for exceptions are routinely rejected, because the process is clear and there must not be arbitrary variations. The US built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. The canal cuts across Panama, running 51 miles end to end. It allows ships to avoid the longer and costlier trip around Cape Horn at the tip of South America. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on December 31,1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by late President Jimmy Carter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli strikes kill more civilians across Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 3:22 AM Israel is pushing ahead with its genocidal onslaught on the devastated Gaza Strip, killing more Palestinians in its indiscriminate air and artillery strikes. Rescue efforts were underway on Saturday morning following an Israeli attack on a home in southern Gaza's Khan Younis. The Israeli aggression killed one and left others injured. In northern Gaza, smoke was rising from neighborhoods that had been reduced to rubble by Israel's military. The occupying military has been using bulldozers to demolish buildings and burn others to the ground for weeks in the area of the Jabalia refugee camp. On Friday night, four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City's Shujayea neighborhood and there was a report of several killed in the Zeitoun neighborhood. Another five were killed in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza after the Israeli army shelled the area. There are also reports from the minister of telecommunications, suggesting that the Gaza Strip is expected to witness a gradual shutdown of communications and internet services due to the lack of fuel. Israel's genocide in Gaza has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians and wounded over 109,300 others since October 7, 2023. Most of the victims are women and children and thousands of people are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said an Israeli attack struck an area just a meter away from its emergency medical services point. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deportation Of Afghans Sparks Rare Outrage In Tajikistan By Farangis Najibullah, Alisher Zarifi and Mullorajab Yusufzoda January 11, 2025 Tamkin Mehrabuddin and her sister were preparing lunch in their home in Tajikistan when police officers knocked on their door. The two Afghan women were ordered to accompany them to a police station in Dushanbe, the Tajik capital. Instead, they were driven for nearly three hours to the border and forced back to their homeland. "My sister was crying, and we pleaded with the officers not to send us back to Afghanistan," said Mehrabuddin, whose brother was also deported from Tajikistan. The 24-year-old said she and her sister both had valid visas to reside in Tajikistan, adding that their residency documents were confiscated by the police the day before their deportation. Mehrabuddin and her sister are among the scores of Afghans who have been deported in recent weeks from neighboring Tajikistan, which is home to some 10,000 Afghans. Her brother, who lived separately from them, was also deported. The deportations have triggered anger in Tajikistan, an authoritarian country where criticism of the authorities is rare. No Official Reason Many of the deportees were abruptly summoned by the police and expelled without any due process, despite having temporary visas or documents showing they have been registered as refugees. The move has triggered fear that they could face possible retribution in their homeland, which has been under the Taliban's repressive rule since 2021, although no country has formally recognized the extremist group's government. Afghanistan's consulate in Tajikistan's eastern city of Khorugh, which represents the Taliban-led administration in Kabul, said that around 60 Afghans were expelled from Tajikistan in December. "They had their documents in order, and I don't know what the reason for their expulsion was," said a consulate officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. Nusratullo Mahmadzoda, a spokesperson for Tajikistan's Interior Ministry, said he was not aware of the deportations, adding that foreigners are deported if they "do not follow immigration rules." But the Dushanbe office of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said at least 37 of the Afghans deported had refugee status. Police Harassment Tajikistan, which shares a border of around 1,300 kilometers with Afghanistan, is home to documented and undocumented Afghan migrants and refugees. Some have lived in the Central Asian country for decades, while others fled there after the Western-backed Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized power in 2021. Most of Tajikistan's Afghan community live in the town of Vahdat, which is on the outskirts of Dushanbe. Tajikistan is seen by many Afghans as a transit country from where they hope to reach the West. "My sister and I lived in Dushanbe for two years before moving [abroad]," said Leena, a 25-year-old Afghan who only gave her first name. Leena worked as a waitress in a coffee shop but said she "did not see any future" for herself in Tajikistan. "Tajik police often harass Afghans to extort bribes," she said. "A police officer in our neighborhood in Dushanbe knew where I lived and would blackmail me with a deportation threat to get money." Roya Hafizi moved to Tajikistan with her husband and five young children in 2020. Last month, her husband and several other Afghans were taken to a police station. "Later my husband called me from the border to say that he was being deported," said Hafizi. "My husband is an ordinary worker. We don't harm anyone and haven't committed any crime." Hafizi's husband was the family's sole breadwinner, and his deportation has left the family with no source of income to buy food or pay rent. Tajikistan usually does not provide income support and welfare benefits to refugees and migrants. Possible Retribution In a statement issued on December 7, the UNHCR office in Dushanbe expressed "grave concern" over the forcible return of Afghans and urged the Tajik government to halt the deportations and uphold its "obligations to protect those fleeing persecution." Some Tajik have taken to social media to criticize the move. Tajikistan and Afghanistan have deep linguistic, cultural, and historical ties, and Tajiks have called on the authorities to better protect Afghans. Social media users have been particularly critical of the deportation of Mehrabuddin, a graduate of the Technological University in Dushanbe. On social media, Mehrabuddin had recently complained of "psychological abuse" at the hands of her husband, an Afghan who was living in Tajikistan. Her allegations prompted the Tajik authorities to launch an investigation. Some Tajiks on social media said Mehrabuddin could face torture or death in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has severely curtailed women's rights. Other Tajik social media users recalled how tens of thousands of Tajiks took refuge in Afghanistan during Tajikistan's civil war in the 1990s. Taliban officials did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment. Tajikistan had previously come under criticism by the UNHCR for deporting scores of Afghans in 2021 and 2022. The latest expulsions come as Afghan migrants and refugees are under increased pressure in neighboring countries. Iran has vowed to deport millions of Afghans in the Islamic republic. Pakistan, meanwhile, has deported nearly 800,000 since late 2023. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-refugees-deported- tajikistan-human-rights-concerns/33270276.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Absent As Pakistan PM Opens Summit On Girls' Education By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal January 11, 2025 Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said preventing girls from receiving an education is "tantamount to denying their voice" as he opened a major Muslim-led summit on the subject that remains sensitive in the Islamic world. The gathering attracted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai - who is scheduled to speak on January 12 - while it was apparently shunned by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, who activists say are among the world's leading violators of the rights of women and girls. "The Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls," Sharif said at the opening of the event in Islamabad. "Denying education to girls is tantamount to denying their voice and their choice, while depriving them of their right to a bright future," he added. On January 11, no Taliban representatives were present among participants from some 50 Muslim-majority countries when the two-day conference opened in the Pakistani capital. A senior Taliban diplomat in Islamabad told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that "so far, Kabul has not told us anything about this event." Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan's education minister, said, "No one from the Afghan government was at the conference," but they were formally invited to the event. The Taliban government banned teenage girls from education soon after returning to power in August 2021. Since then, the Islamist group has imposed draconian education on women's work, education, and mobility despite domestic opposition and a global outcry. It is now the only nation among the 57 members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that bans women's education. The ban has been widely opposed by Afghans and internationally. "The entire Muslim world has agreed that girls' education is important," said Muhammad al-Issa, a Saudi cleric and secretary-general of the Muslim World League, who organized the event with the Pakistani government. "Those who say that girls' education is un-Islamic are wrong," he added. Nobel laureate Yousafzai wrote on X ahead if the conference that "leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women and girls." In 2012, Pakistani Taliban militants shot Malala in the northwestern valley of Swat because she campaigned for girls' education. The Taliban banned women's education despite promising to allow it while it negotiated a peace agreement with the United States. Senior Taliban government leaders, who are Sunni Deobandi clerics, have adopted a "fringe opinion" of Islamic Shari'a law to enforce the ban on the education of teenage girls and women. Pakistan has also faced criticism for violation of the rights of girls and women in the country, particularly in rural areas. But poverty, lack of infrastructure, and cultural issues have also hampered the educational system. "Millions of Pakistani children do not attend school, and those that do must deal with absent teachers and poor learning environments, among other things," the U.S.-based Wilson Center said in a report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-shuns-girls- education-summit-muslim-malala/33272162.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Santa Comes Early This Year! Turbine Delivering 'Bumblebee' 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' & 'Sing 2' to 3D Blu-ray on December 19th Afghan Taliban skip Pakistan-hosted summit on girls education By Ayaz Gul January 11, 2025 Pakistan hosted a two-day global conference Saturday, where delegates advocated for the promotion of girls education worldwide in Muslim communities and denounced restrictions on female schooling as contrary to the principles of Islam. However, speakers, including the host, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and scholars from participating nations, refrained from mentioning Afghanistan, the sole Islamic country where its hard-line Taliban leaders have banned girls from seeking education beyond the sixth grade. Pakistani officials announced on the eve of the conference that the Taliban government in Kabul had been formally invited to attend the Global Summit on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities, but Islamabad did not receive a response. More than 150 international dignitaries are attending the summit in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and academics from 44 Muslim and Muslim-friendly countries, as well as representatives from international organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, according to officials. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, a non-governmental international organization based in Saudi Arabia, stressed in his speech that men and women must acquire education. He later addressed a televised news conference with the help of his interpreter to emphasize that Islam allows women to receive an education. "The Islamic world is united in its belief that those who oppose women's education are misguided and do not represent true Islam," Al-Issa responded when asked if the outcome of the summit could encourage the Taliban to relax restrictions on women's access to education and employment in Afghanistan. The Saudi scholar clarified that the gathering in Islamabad was not directed at any specific community or country. "We have simply tried to address the concerns of those who oppose women's education and conveyed our message that there are no restrictions in Islam regarding education for girls," he stated, without naming Afghanistan. The Taliban have refrained from commenting on their absence from the event. The de facto Afghan leaders vehemently resist criticism of their governance, asserting that their policies align with local culture and Islamic law, known as Sharia. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is also among the participants and is scheduled to address the gathering Sunday. She told reporters that she was happy to be returning to her native Pakistan. "I am excited to join Muslim leaders from around the world for a critical conference on girls education," Yousafzai said via social media platform X on the eve of the conference. "On Sunday, I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school, and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls," she wrote. In 2012, the education activist was shot and injured by the outlawed extremist Pakistani Taliban in her picturesque home district of Swat in northwestern Pakistan while she was a schoolgirl. She was subsequently airlifted to the United Kingdom for medical treatment and has since returned to her home country only a few times. She has become a global advocate for girls education and, at 17, became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that the conference will culminate in a formal signing of the Islamabad Declaration, committing Muslim nations to empowering girls through education to foster inclusive and sustainable educational reforms. "We have decided to place [the] Islamabad Declaration to be signed by this conference before the United Nations, including the U.N. Security Council, as a collective aspiration of the Ummah (Muslim world)," Sharif said in his inaugural speech Saturday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somali president makes surprise visit to Ethiopia amid strained relations By Kennedy Abate, Harun Maruf January 11, 2025 Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia's capital on Saturday, exactly a month to the day since the two countries' leaders reached an agreement aimed at ending a bitter, yearlong dispute. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he received Mohamud at the Addis Ababa airport. The Somali president's office earlier published a statement confirming Mohamud's visit to Addis Ababa at the invitation of Ethiopia's leader. "The discussions with the Ethiopian leadership aim to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities," the statement said. Ethiopia and Somalia reached a diplomatic agreement on Dec. 11 called the "Ankara Declaration" following a heated diplomatic dispute ignited over a controversial maritime access deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway Somalian region of Somaliland. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 1, 2024, with Somaliland allowing it to lease 20 kilometers of seafront for 50 years in return for diplomatic recognition, Somaliland officials said. The Somali government rejected the deal, calling it "null and void," and accused Ethiopia of "blatant violation" of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under the Ankara Declaration, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity. In addition, the two sides also agreed to work together to finalize "mutually advantageous commercial arrangements through bilateral agreements, including contract, lease and similar modalities, which will allow the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea, under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia." In the streets of Addis Ababa, photos of the Somali leader were posted on electronic boards on major streets, according to a VOA reporter in Addis Ababa. "Welcome President Sheikh Mahmoud," was written under one of the photos. The flags of Somalia and Ethiopia were flown. The roads leading from Bole Airport to the palace were guarded by Ethiopia's Federal Police. Somalia said Mohamud's visit, which is his first since alleging he was "prevented" from entering the African Union headquarters in February 2024 by Ethiopian security forces, "builds on" the Ankara agreement. In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging "internal interference" by Ethiopia. In October, Somalia declared a counselor working at the Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu persona non grata and ordered him to leave. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Hargeisa, Somaliland; and Garowe, Puntland although both remained open. In a joint communique issued Saturday evening, the two leaders said they agreed to "restore and enhance" their bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals. "The leaders reaffirmed that the stability of the region requires strong cooperation between the two countries based on mutual trust, confidence and respect," the communique said. Prior to the trip to Addis Ababa, Mohamud visited Kampala, Uganda, for a continental summit on agricultural development, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto, two leaders who at one point attempted to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia before the Ankara Declaration emerged. "The president's diplomatic engagement are part of a broader regional tour, which includes recent productive visits to Eritrea and Djibouti," the statement from Villa Somalia said. Commenting on the meeting with Mohamud, Ruto said relations between the two countries have "progressively deepened" since Somalia joined the regional economic bloc East African Community last year. "Our two countries are doing more business than before, with Somalia buying goods worth KSh5 billion [$38 million] in the first nine months of 2024," he posted. "On peace and security, Kenya, and indeed the region, will continue to be engaged in collaborative efforts to ensure stability in Somalia," Ruto said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni army reports heavy battle with US warship in Red Sea IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 12, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree has informed about a new operation against a US aircraft carrier deployed to the Red Sea. In a statement, cited by Yemen's Al-Masirah Channel on Saturday night, Saree announced that the country's armed forces clashed with USS Harry J Truman in the Red Sea for the fifth time in recent weeks. The spokesman said that the American warship was targeted with cruise missiles and drones during the clashes that lasted 9 hours. He said that the operation was successful as it forced the American ship to leave the area and escape to the northernmost part of the Red Sea. Yahya Saree once again emphasized the continuation of the Yemeni operations until the crimes of the Zionist regime and its backers are stopped in the Gaza Strip stop and the siege of the Palestinian territory is lifted. On Friday evening, the Yemeni Armed Forces had issued a statement confirming several strikes as part of the fifth stage of operation, the most notable of which was the attack on the American aircraft carrier and several affiliated frigates in the northern Red Sea region. The operation was carried out by the Yemeni missile and drone force and was able to prevent a new air attack on our country from that aircraft carrier, the statement added. On Thursday, Yemeni fighters also attacked several Israeli targets in the occupied Palestinian territories using drones. The Yemeni armed forces hold the US and the UK responsible for turning the Red Sea region into a military tension zone and its consequences on maritime traffic. The Yemeni army has also targeted many Israeli ships or ships bound for the occupied territories in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait in the past months in support of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 11 January 2025 - Day 1053 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 157 combat clashes, the Russian enemy launched 11 air strikes and one missile strike, used 20 KABs and one missile, launched 751 kamikaze drones to strike, launched about four thousand shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists once unsuccessfully stormed the positions of Ukrainian units, tried to advance in the direction of the Cossack Lopana. Sixteen times the Russian enemy has attacked Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupyans komu direction in the areas of Golubivka, Sinkivka, Stepova Novoselivka and Zagrizovoye, currently three fighting are being sharpened. Nineteen Russian attacks were repelled by Ukrainian warriors near the Green Grove, Novoyegorivka, Makiyivka, Terniv, Zarichny, Grigorivka and in the Serebryansky Forest in the Lyman direction. In the Sivers komu direction, Russian forces made one attempt to appease Ukrainian defenders from occupied positions in the area of the settlement of Bilogorivka. In the Kramatorsky direction, the Russian invaders walked 22 times on the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Chasiv Yar and Stupochka, fighting is still ongoing in several locations. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces today six times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Toretsk and Diliyivka. So far, one confrontation is being sharpened. With the support of bombarding aviation, the Russian opponent attacks the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. Throughout the day, Russian forces committed 63 offensive actions. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of settlements Baranivka, Elizavetyvka, Beam, Lisivka, Zelene, New Labor, Zvirove, Novoandriivka, Uspenivka, Slovyanka and Constantinopolsk. Ukrainian defenders bravely hold the border, repelled 52 Russian attacks, eleven clashes continue so far. The hits of kabama were hit by pokrovsk and novopavlivka. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 189 and wounded 188 Russian invaders. Destroyed one tank, two btri, three units of automotive equipment and antenna of the Russian bpla. Two vehicles were also damaged. In the novopavlivs komu direction, Russian forces attacked Ukrainians five times in the areas of novosilka and great novosilki. In the Pridniprovsk direction, two Russian assaults were unsuccessful. On the Kurs komu direction today Ukrainian defenders fought off 17 Russian assaults. There's a battle going on. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on units one mechanised brigade and one mechanised infantry brigade close to Volchansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region). The AFU losses were up to 35 troops, two motor vehicles, and four artillery guns. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops launched strikes at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one territorial defence brigade, and one National Guard brigade close to Lozovaya, Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region), Ivanovka, and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were more than 365 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, six artillery guns, and one counter-battery radar station. Two ammunition depots have been wiped out. Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, and one air assault brigade near Konstantinovka, Nikolayevka, Serebryanka, and Predtechino (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 210 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, one Grad MLRS combat vehicle, three artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station. Two ammunition depots have been wiped out. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades and one National Guard brigade close to Sribnoye, Alekseyevka, Grishino, and Belitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 535 troops, one German-made Leopard tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, including two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, three motor vehicles, and five artillery guns. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the AFU defences. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on formations of one mechanised brigade, one tank brigade of the AFU, and one National Guard brigade near Velikaya Novosyolka, Burlatskoye, and Volnoye Pole (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 185 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, and four artillery guns. One ammunition depot was wiped out. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces engaged manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades and one infantry brigade close to Blakitnoye, Primorskoye, and Novoyakovlevka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses were up to 70 troops, four motor vehicles, and five artillery guns. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces delivered strikes at infrastructure of military airfields, power objects ensuring operation of the Ukrainian defence industry as well as engaged clusters of manpower and military hardware in 146 areas. Air defence facilities shot down five U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 181 fixed-wing U.S.-made UAVs. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 652 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 40,077 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,480 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,508 MLRS combat vehicles, 20,412 field artillery guns and mortars, and 30,156 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. Units of the Sever Group of Forces engaged formations of one tank brigade, two mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, and two territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Viktorovka, Kositsa, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Pogrebki. Nine enemy counter-attacks were repelled. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, artillery inflicted losses on enemy manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Viktorovka, Goncharovka, Guyevo, Zaoleshinka, Kazachya Loknya, Kruglenkoye, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Melovoy, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Oleshnya, Rubanshchina, Sverdlikovo, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Yuzhny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Obody, and Yunakovka in Sumy region. During the day, the enemy losses were up to 240 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one artillery gun, four mortars, one electronic warfare station. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 50,840 troops, 296 tanks, 224 infantry fighting vehicles, 161 armoured personnel carriers, 1,521 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,445 motor vehicles, 353 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 91 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 29 units of engineering and other materiel, including 15 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, seven armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address California, Nevada, Wyoming Guard join battle fighting SoCal Fires By National Guard Bureau January 10, 2025 MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. -- Hundreds of National Guard members are now involved in multiple air and ground firefighting efforts as wildfires rage across the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California. More than 880 Guard members from California, Nevada and Wyoming are currently activated. Mutliple C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with Modular Aerial Fire Fighting Systems are in the air. The MAFFS-equipped aircraft, which drop fire retardant from the air, are from the 146th Airlift Wing in California, 152nd Airlift Wing and 192nd Airlift Squadron in Nevada, 153rd Airlift Wing and 187th Airlift Squadron in Wyoming, and the 302nd Airlift Wing and 731st Airlift Squadron in Colorado. The California Guard is also activating two ground firefighting teams and four military police companies to assist local law enforcement and emergency response. Additional Cal Guard military hand crews are joining the firefighting efforts in Southern California. These hand crews, alongside military police, aircrews flying helicopters and the C-130 aircraft, are supporting interagency partners under the direction of CAL FIRE and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Guard members assisting on the ground include members of the U.S. Army National Guard's 330th Military Police Company and the 40th Military Police Company, 49th Military Police Brigade. They are working with local law enforcement to maintain order and support communities affected by the wildfires. "U.S. Northern Command immediately took action as we watched and learned more about the fires in the Los Angeles area," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command. "Providing support to civil authorities is a valued part of our homeland defense mission. We're well-practiced and in position to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Interagency Firefighting Center, and the state of California to assist the many citizens in need." March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County is supporting disaster operations as the forward distribution hub for supplies and equipment. Additionally, if requested, U.S. Northern Command is prepared to provide rotary wing support, ground and air search and rescue, commodity distribution, emergency route clearance, incident awareness and assessment, and medical capabilities. "Our hearts go out to the people of California impacted by these devastating wildfires," said Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau. "Helping communities in need is a core National Guard mission, and we are incredibly proud of the men and women who, as they always have, answered the call to duty to work alongside first responders and emergency managers and all of our partners at the local, state and national levels." Matthew Olay, DOD News, the California National Guard and United States Northern Command Public Affairs contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to launch Pars-2 satellite by February IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the Iranian Space Agency has announced that Iran plans to launch its Pars-2 Satellite by February 2025. The Pars-2 satellite, boasting precision color imaging accuracy better than four meters and black-and-white imaging accuracy better than eight meters, will be unveiled during the ten-day Fajr festivities, which commemorates the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory, Hassan Salarieh said on Saturday. He added that the Pars 2 represents an advanced generation of the Pars-1 satellite with more extensive capabilities. Highlighting the capabilities of Iranian satellite developments, Salarieh noted that Pars 1, Pars 2 and Paya satellites will form a constellation of remote sensing satellites. He also mentioned that Pars-3 satellite is currently under construction. 6125**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese VP meets with UK chancellor of exchequer; China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue convenes after a six-year hiatus Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 11, 2025 07:37 PM Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Saturday met with British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, who is in Beijing for the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), the Xinhua News Agency reported. The visit marks the restart of the China-UK EFD, a crucial dialogue mechanism between the two sides, after a nearly six-year hiatus. During the meeting, Han Zheng, also a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that China and the UK are both major economies and financial heavyweights in the world, pointing out that strengthening economic and financial cooperation in the spirit of strategic partnership is of great significance to promoting economic growth, improving people's lives and encouraging green development in these two countries, according to Xinhua. It will also inject confidence and impetus into the development of the world economy, Han added. "China is willing to continue to expand openness and exchanges with the UK, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to bring more benefits to the two countries and the world," said Han. Reeves said the resumption of this dialogue after nearly six years is of great significance. The British side attaches importance to developing relations with China and is willing to strengthen candid dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with China to promote the economic development of each country, she added. Since last year, visits by senior UK officials and the meeting between the leaders of both countries have underscored the UK's willingness to strengthening bilateral ties, Li Guanjie, a research fellow with the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies under the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Saturday. Li noted that the visit by the UK Chancellor focused on bolstering collaboration in finance, trade, and other pivotal sectors of the bilateral relationship, adding that by reinstating dialogues, the Labour government hopes to reverse the decline in economic and trade relations with China and enhance the UK's economic standing amid challenging growth prospects. Li also noted that despite positive signals, China-UK economic and trade relations continue to face hurdles, including concerns over investment security, geopolitical strains, and external influences from third-party nations like the US. The 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue took place in Beijing on Saturday. It is co-chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng and Reeves as the lead persons of the Dialogue. He stated that China is willing to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, uphold the strategic partnership, strengthen communication and dialogue, and further expand economic and financial cooperation, providing more momentum for the development of a stable and mutually beneficial China-UK relationship. Reeves expressed that the UK is willing to enhance practical cooperation with China in the economic and financial fields and develop a coherent, lasting, and mutually respectful UK-China relationship. Established in 2008, this high-level dialogue mechanism has served as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, overarching and long-term issues in the economic and financial fields. In a statement to the Global Times, the UK Chamber of Commerce in China said that it warmly welcomed the Chancellor's visit to China and the revival of the Economic and Financial Dialogue. The chamber highlighted that the resumption of this dialogue marks a significant step forward in rejuvenating economic ties and strengthening bilateral relations and it is hoped that this renewed engagement will foster constructive discussions in critical sectors, paving the way for fresh opportunities in trade, investment, and cooperation. Earlier Saturday, the chancellor visited the Beijing store of UK bicycle maker Brompton and said that she was in China "to unlock tangible benefits for British businesses exporting and trading around the world to ensure that we have greater access to the second-largest economy in the world", Reuters reported. Reeves' visit is being accompanied by a delegation of senior executives from the City of London, according to The Guardian. The Guardian described this trip as the UK government's efforts to "closer economic links with Beijing as part of its quest for growth." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China vows "highly proactive" fiscal policy to shore up economy People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:12, January 11, 2025 BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China is poised to implement a clear-cut fiscal policy in 2025 that aims to intensify countercyclical regulation and will be "highly proactive," officials said Friday. As part of the policy, the size of China's fiscal deficit will increase significantly in 2025, Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min told a press conference. Noting that the fiscal deficit ratio will be increased in 2025, Liao said considering the increasing size of China's GDP, the total fiscal expenditure will further be expanded, and countercyclical adjustment efforts will also be stepped up to provide solid support for the sustained recovery of the economy. The policy also takes fiscal sustainability in the medium and long term into consideration, so that it is prudent at the same time. Specific policy measures must go through statutory procedures before being launched, Liao said. The ministry will increase transfer payments to local governments to enhance their fiscal capacity, while allocating a larger scale of government bonds, including ultra-long special treasury bonds and local government special bonds, the vice minister said. Specifically, efforts will focus on expanding the scope of special bonds in the country's property market to drive effective demand, said Lin Zechang, head of the comprehensive department of the ministry. Within the limits of newly issued special bond quotas for 2025, local authorities will be able to allocate funds as needed for special bond projects aimed at land reserves and the acquisition of existing commercial housing for affordable housing purposes, Lin said. As policy measures take effect, multiple indicators of the property market have shown improvement. In December 2024, the transaction area of new commercial housing in 100 major cities nationwide increased by some 17 percent month on month and 18 percent year on year, Lin said. "We believe that as policy measures continue to strengthen and a new model for real estate development is being developed, the market will further stabilize and improve," Lin said. Emphasizing the optimization of the country's fiscal expenditure structure in 2025, Liao said that the focus will be more on improving livelihoods and stimulating consumption. Accordingly, the ministry will provide greater support for stabilizing employment and boosting consumption by increasing income, strengthening the social security system and developing new consumption sectors. Regarding employment, Lin said that the ministry will further support key sectors such as the cultural and tourism industry, other modern service industries, and foreign trade. While promising more investment in stabilizing employment and ensuring people's livelihoods, Lin said that efforts will be made to further promote employment in small and micro businesses. Looking ahead, Liao said the ministry will deepen reforms in the fiscal and tax systems and continue to strengthen efforts to prevent and resolve risks in key sectors. Given the new situations and challenges in both domestic and international environments, there is ample fiscal policy space and a variety of tools available, Liao added, stressing that further measures will be gradually unveiled to provide robust support for economic and social development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korean launch of 'new' missile fires up Guam security debate Kim Jong Un's claim the missile will "contain any rivals in the Pacific" has stoked fears over the US military's ability to defend Guam from attack. By Mar-Vic Cagurangan for BenarNews 2025.01.11 HAGATNA, Guam -- North Korea's launch of a "new" intermediate range ballistic missile earlier this week that "will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific" has fired up debate about the U.S. military's ability to defend Guam from potential attack. The Asian country's first major test launch of the year was a "new" weapon with a hypersonic warhead that flew about 1,000 miles (1,500 kilometers), North Korean state media reported. Last year China launched its first long-range missile in 40-years into the Pacific and the U.S. has conducted several, including its first successful test missile intercept from Guam last month. "I have full confidence in the readiness and capabilities of our armed forces and the strategic defenses of our island and the region," local Republican Sen. Jesse Lujan told BenarNews. While acknowledging that Pyongyang's "threat is concerning," Lujan dismissed it as a "sideshow." North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un oversaw Monday's launch. He was quoted by the state-run Korean Central News Agency as hailing the test for putting the "country's nuclear war deterrent on an advanced basis" with a "weapon system to which no one can respond." "The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state." The United States and its allies denounced North Korea at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday. North Korea responded that it has the right to self-defence against "nuclear-based" enemies. In 2017, when then U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bring "fire and fury" down on North Korea, Pyongyang responded that it was "carefully examining the operational plan for making an enveloping fire at the areas around Guam." The U.S. Department of Defense is proposing to build a US$1.8 billion missile defense system on Guam to counter threats from China and North Korea. "The real focus must remain on preparing for China's growing influence and capabilities," Lujan said. "By strengthening our defenses and alliances to address that challenge, we will inherently be prepared for anything North Korea does." Strategic location Located closer to Beijing than Hawaii, the U.S. territory serves as a key strategic asset and is known as the "tip of the spear" with 10,000 military personnel on the island, a base for F-35 fighters and B-2 bombers and home port for Virginia-class nuclear submarines. Another 5,000 Marines are due to relocate to Guam from Okinawa in Japan starting this year. A local think tank has warned the arms race in the region exposes Guam to the perils of war, but the civilian sector has been left out of security and survival planning. "The Missile Defense Agency's proposal for an [Enhanced integrated Air Missile Defense System] in Guam is overstated in its effectiveness and understated in the real and potential damaging repercussions to the Guam community," said Robert Underwood, chair of the Pacific Center for Island Security, said in a statement. On Wednesday, public submissions closed on the MDA's draft environmental impact statement for the proposed missile defense architecture. The PCIS submission said "there remained significant questions about the ability of the system to function as proposed." It pointed out that the defense department has marked areas in the Pacific region that would serve as "alternative operating locations" if Guam became incapacitated. "This indicates that even DoD planners do not anticipate the EIAMDS will defend the entirety of Guam,'" the group said. Residents expressed mixed feelings about the North Korean test. Rubyjane Buhain-Redila told BenarNews she wasn't scared and it is the "same old, I'm desensitized already." Others like Kyle Mandapat are concerned and want the civilian population to be better informed "in the event of an attack, much like we prepare for tsunamis, typhoons and earthquakes." Fellow resident Debbie Quinata was critical of elected officials for providing "no bunkers for the public, we're sitting ducks." Guam's Chamber of Commerce supports the enhancement of the island's defensive capabilities, which will potentially bring billions of dollars in new investments and economic opportunities "We must rely on our military partners ensuring that we have the necessary measures in place to protect our island and the nation's home front," Ernie Galito, chair of the GCC board of directors, told BenarNews. China in September test fired an ICBM that flew over Guam to land on the high seas near Kiribati's territorial waters. Last October, North Korea launched what it claimed was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile - called the Hwasong-19 - with an estimated range of over 9,000 miles and capable of striking the U.S. mainland. Last November, the United States fired an unarmed ICBM from its Vandenberg Air Force Base in California that splashed down 4,200 miles away at Republic of Marshall Islands' Kwajalein Atoll. More than 300 similar U.S. tests have been conducted. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France starts 2025 with fresh controversy, questions over Africa By Lisa Bryant January 11, 2025 France starts 2025 with a further drawdown of its military presence in its former African colonies, and fresh tensions ignited this week with controversial remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron. Chad, Senegal and now Ivory Coast have followed Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in asking France to withdraw its troops from their soil. The reasons vary from growing anti-French sentiment to calls for greater sovereignty and strengthening ties with other foreign powers. But the impact is the same. "There is a clear collapse of French policy in Africa," said Thierry Vircoulon, a researcher at the French Institute for International Relations' Africa Center. "The withdrawal of the French troops and basically the end of the French military presence in Africa is a symbol of that collapse." French-African relations haven't improved in recent days. On Monday, Macron suggested some Sahel countries had forgotten to thank French troops for spearheading a decadelong fight against Islamist insurgencies. That drew sharp criticism from leaders in Chad and Senegal. French authorities say Macron's remarks were taken out of context. Jean-Pierre Maulny, deputy director of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs think tank, said he believes France needs to be less focused on the immediate fallout and instead concentrate on longer-term ties with francophone African countries. France should think more about development and sharing the future of Africa's security, he said, and less about adopting a big brother attitude. Macron's government announced plans last year to reduce its military presence on the continent where it also has troops in Gabon and Djibouti and make it more responsive to countries' demands. France has also expanded ties beyond francophone Africa. Its two biggest trading partners, for example, are Nigeria and South Africa. But analyst Vircoulon predicts France's long-term influence in Africa will remain limited, at best. "There's very little that the French government can do, and it's playing in favor of Russia and other countries that are not Western," he said. He said he believes France's strategic priorities will shift to potential conflicts in Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC top cmdr.: Iran's missile power constantly growing IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 IRGC Chief Commander Major General Salami said on Saturday that Iran's missile power continues to grow as he toured the newly unveiled "missile city". Tehran, IRNA -- Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), says Iran is constantly growing its missile power in terms of the number of the weapons and their quality. "The growth rate of our missile power is updated. Every day, [our] missiles are witnessing growth in terms of quantity, quality, capability and design," Salami said on Saturday evening, dismissing speculations by "the enemy" that Iran's missile manufacturing has been suspended. He made the comments as he addressed IRGC members during his visit to Iran's "missile city", which is an underground facility unveiled a day earlier, housing different types of domestically-made missiles. Due to developments in the region over the past weeks, enemies falsely got happy and tried to use their media and propaganda campaign to show that those developments have caused the Islamic Republic's power to weaken, Salami said. "We know that such judgements are the dreams of the enemy, not realities on the ground," the IRGC top commander noted, warning adversaries of Iran that the Islamic Republic's political determination to counter aggression and excessive demands is decisive. Iran's self-reliance Major General Salami also said that Iran acts independently when it comes to defending itself, without relying on any power outside of its borders. "We have never relied on any power outside of the system to defend our independence, identity, credit and power. We have not put the defense of the country based on others' action. Self-reliance is the principle of our doctrine in terms of strategy, operations and tactics." The IRGC commander warned enemies to mind their calculations, as Iran acts on time and at proper level. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All US interests in region within range of Iran's Army: Cmdr. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Ahvaz, IRNA -- Commander of the Ground Force of the Iranian Army, Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, has said that all American interests in the region are within the range of the Iran's Army. During a ceremony on Saturday, Brigadier General Heidari stated, "The enemy has launched a hybrid war against Iran, and we must always be prepared to confront this threat." He further explained that the objective of the enemy's psychological and hybrid warfare is to influence public opinion and steer minds toward illegitimate interests. "Therefore, managing and addressing this strategy of the enemy should be on the agenda," he underscored. Additionally, he mentioned that all tanks, helicopters, and drones within the Iranian Army Ground Forces in the region are fully combat-ready. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CIA chief: No sign Iran has decided to go for nukes IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns says there is no sign that Iran tries to go for nuclear weapons. In an interview with American public broadcasting organization NPR, which was published on Friday, Burns implicitly alluded to the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. When asked whether Iran seeks nukes, he said: "We do not see any sign today that any such decision has been made,", according to the Washington-based National Public Radio (NPR). Iran says its nuclear activities are within the framework of international law and remains under the continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iranian officials have on various occasions said that nuclear weapons have no place in the country's defense doctrine, citing a fatwa (religious decree) by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei that bans the production and use of such weapons. 7129**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran plans $120bn worth of investment in petroleum projects Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 6:07 PM Iran is planning to invest up to $120 billion in petroleum projects as the country seeks to increase its oil and gas production to respond to a rising demand for energy. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said on Saturday that Iran will invest some $50 billion to increase its oil production to 4.6 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2028, from a current output of 3.3 million bpd. Paknejad said that Iran's natural gas production should also increase from 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) per day to 1.35 bcm per day in the next four years, adding that the country will need to invest more than $70 billion to hit the target. He said investment in gas fields will also cover projects to boost pressure at South Pars, the world's largest gas field which straddles the maritime border between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. The minister said seven pressure-boosting projects with a total investment of $18 billion will be executed in South Pars to help stabilize the output from the giant reserve. Paknejad said Iran also seeks to increase its refining capacity by 0.5 million bpd per day until 2028 while trying to raise the output capacity of its petrochemical sector. He said the development projects will be funded partly through finances provided by Iran's sovereign wealth fund and partly through investment from foreign companies. Iran's plans to expand its petroleum sector come as the country is still subject to an extensive regime of US sanctions that bans the provision of technology and investment from abroad. Since the sanctions were imposed in 2018, the Iranian Oil Ministry has mostly relied on domestic resources to develop the oil and gas fields in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Dormant volcano': IRGC unveils new subterranean missile facility Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 8:48 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled one of its new underground missile bases, described as a "missile city", amid the Israeli regime's heightened escalation in the region and threats against the country. The sprawling missile base, accommodating advanced Iranian projectiles, was unveiled by IRGC Chief Commander Major General Hossein Salami and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force, according to a report by Tasnim news agency late on Friday. Broadcast by the national TV, the report on the footage from the subterranean facility said the base lodges such high-tech missiles as Emad, Qadr and Qiam which run on liquid fuel and that 90 percent of the other sections of the missile city were not shown for security reasons. The advanced projectiles were used in Iran's stunning missile attacks against Israeli military sites in military operations code-named True Promise 1 and 2 in April and October 2024. Describing the missile base as a "dormant volcano deep in the heart of mountains," the national TV report said, "The volcano lying under these mountains can erupt in the shortest time possible." During the tour of the missile facility, Salami praised the IRGC forces involved in the two anti-Israel attacks and rejected the enemy's mistaken belief that Iran's capability to produce missiles had been harmed. "Every day, the number of systems and missiles is augmented in the far corners of this land. Maybe the enemy thought that our production power has stagnated, but the growth rate of our missile power is up to date," the IRGC chief said. "All components of our power are improving, but missiles, their capacity and capability are increasing and improving every day both in quantity and quality and in efficiency and design." Earlier in the day, Salami asserted that the Islamic Republic has more missiles than it can store, dismissing the enemy's propaganda about the weakening of Iran's armed forces following attacks by Israel on Iran and its regional allies. Salami added that the IRGC Aerospace Force would unveil more new missiles and missile facilities in the near future. The Armed Forces, including the IRGC and the country's Army, have been continuously enhancing their military hardware and combat readiness in line with the directives of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The forces have vowed to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of the threats by the Iranian nation's enemies. The Islamic Republic launched some 200 missiles at the Israeli entity's military, and espionage and intelligence bases all over the occupied territories on October 1 as part of Operation True Promise II. The operation came in response to the regime's assassinations of senior leaders of the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance and a senior IRGC commander. In the early hours of October 26, Israel targeted two Iranian border provinces, Ilam and Khuzestan, as well as Tehran. The country's integrated air defense system successfully intercepted and countered the aggression. Iran has said it will respond to the recent Israeli act of aggression against the country and will not abandon its rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish forces 'neutralize' 11 Kurdish PKK militants in northern Iraq: Defense Ministry Iran Press TV Saturday, 11 January 2025 6:03 PM Turkish military forces have killed nearly a dozen members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group during a cross-border operation in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The Turkish Defense Ministry announced in a statement published on its official X account on Saturday that eleven Kurdish militants had been "neutralized" in the Hakurk, Metina, and Gara regions. The statement did not specify the date of the operation. "We are determined to eliminate terrorism at its source," the ministry stressed. The Turkish military generally uses the term "neutralize" to imply that the militants in question were killed, captured, or surrendered. PKK militants regularly clash with Turkish forces in the Kurdish-dominated southeast of Turkey attached to northern Iraq. Turkey, along with the European Union and the United States, has declared the PKK a terrorist group and banned it. The militant group has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region since 1984. Turkish ground and air forces frequently carry out operations against PKK positions in the country as well as in northern Iraq and neighboring Syria. More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the autonomy-seeking militant group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch Hold the Fourth Round of Diplomatic Consultations at Vice-Foreign Ministerial Level between China and Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 11, 2025 20:11 On January 10, 2025, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch held the fourth round of diplomatic consultations at the vice-foreign ministerial level between China and Pakistan in Beijing. The two sides agreed that China and Pakistan are ironclad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and the time-tested friendship between the two countries has grown even stronger. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, China-Pakistan relations have been growing at a high level, strongly safeguarding and promoting the common interests of both sides amidst the changes unseen in a century. The two sides agreed the need to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, expand practical cooperation in various fields, better coordinate development and security, make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), promote the continuous development of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common interest and concern. On the same day, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch co-chaired the Fifth Meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination in Beijing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin-Trump talks possible without any preconditions: Kremlin People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:38, January 11, 2025 MOSCOW, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to potential negotiations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump without any preconditions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday. Peskov said no specific conditions are required for future negotiations, adding that both leaders must show a mutual desire and political will to resolve existing problems via dialogue. He also confirmed that Putin is open to future talks with Trump, and planning for a meeting will begin once Trump takes office. "We are seeing that Trump has also expressed his readiness to solve problems through dialogue, and we welcome this," Peskov said. He noted that Russia's position on Ukraine, as outlined by Putin in July, remains clear and consistent. Moscow's stance will remain unchanged in any potential talks between Putin and Trump, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German Foreign Minister Says Stricken Tanker In Baltic Sea Belongs To Russia's 'Shadow Fleet' By RFE/RL's Russian Service January 11, 2025 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said a heavily loaded oil tanker that Germany's maritime emergencies agency had to secure on January 10 in the Baltic Sea is part of the "shadow fleet" that Moscow uses to avoid sanctions on its oil exports. Baerbock criticized Russia's use of such tankers, calling them "dilapidated" and labeling them a threat to European security, after the 274-meter-long Eventin was reported adrift. "With the reckless deployment of a fleet of rusty tankers, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is not only circumventing sanctions, but also accepting that tourism on the Baltic Sea will come to a standstill -- be it in the Baltic States, in Poland, or in our country," Baerbock said. "Russia is endangering our European security not only with its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, but also with severed cables, displaced border buoys, disinformation campaigns, GPS jammers and, as we have seen, dilapidated oil tankers," she added. The environmental organization Greenpeace also says the ship belongs to Russia's shadow fleet and names it on a list published on its website. It says all the tankers on the list are old and many have technical defects. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys also reacted to the incident, saying he favored more decisive action against Russia's shadow fleet. "The Baltic Sea is the most important gateway for Russia's oil exports and we must stop this," he said during a visit to the Estonian capital Tallinn. At the same time, the "shadow fleet" is an "instrument in hybrid activities" and poses a threat to the environment, he said. Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME) said the vessel, which is carrying almost 100,000 tons of oil, experienced an engine failure on January 10 and "was drifting at low speed" off the island of Ruegen. An emergency tug intercepted the Eventin to stabilize the ship and was joined by two tugboats that successfully attached towing lines to the stricken vessel and held it in place, the German command said. No oil leaks were detected by surveillance aircraft, and a spokesman for the CCME quoted by the dpa news agency said the vessel did not pose an immediate environmental risk or a danger to the crew on board. No decision has been made on whether to tow the ship to a port. Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022, Western countries have taken steps to reduce oil revenues that Russia has used to fund the war. In response, Russia has relied on the shadow fleet to continue lucrative oil exports. In addition to direct action against Russia's oil industry, Western countries have moved to sanction individual ships thought to be in the shadow fleet. The United States and Britain announced sweeping sanctions on January 10 to impose restrictions on more than 180 ships in the fleet. The Eventin was built in 2006 and is sailing under a Panamanian flag, according to Greenpeace. Its owners are unknown. It left the Russian port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region on January 6 and was heading to Egypt's Port Said. With reporting by AFP and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-baerbock-tanker- russia-oil-baltic-sea-ukraine/33271968.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia to Respond to US Sanctions Against Energy Sector - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20250111 MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - The United States' decision to introduce new sanctions against the Russian energy sector will receive a response, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. "Washington's hostile actions will not go unanswered and will be taken into account [by Moscow] when developing foreign economic strategy," the statement said. The ministry also noted that the introduction of new sanctions is an attempt to harm the Russian economy ahead of the end of President Joe Biden's "inglorious tenure" at the cost of the risk of destabilizing global markets. The interests of US allies in Europe and residents of the United States are being sacrificed, the ministry added. "Accordingly, the incoming president, who does not have the right to lift the mentioned sanctions without the approval of Congress, is left with a 'scorched earth,' literally and figuratively," the statement said. Russia will continue implementation of large oil and gas production projects, as well as import substitution, provision of oilfield services and construction of nuclear power plants in third countries, the ministry also said, noting that Moscow was and remains a key and reliable player on the global energy market. On Friday, the US imposed sanctions on more than 200 companies and individuals linked to Russia's energy sector, as well as more than 180 vessels involved in energy transportation. The sanctions are aimed at restricting Moscow's access to international markets and reducing revenues from oil and gas exports. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria thwarts ISIS attempt to bomb Sayyida Zainab Shrine: Source IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Interior Ministry of the Syrian government said that the Syrian Intelligence and security forces have thwarted an ISIS plot to detonate explosives inside the Shrine of Sayyida Zainab in Damascus. The official Syrian news agency SANA quoted the source as saying on Saturday that the Intelligence Directorate, in collaboration with the Public Security Department in the suburbs of Damascus, successfully prevented an ISIS attempt to carry out a bombing at the Shrine of Sayyida Zainab. The source stated, "The operation resulted in the arrest of individuals involved in this significant criminal plot targeting the Syrian people." The Syrian armed opposition groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), overthrew the government of President Bashar al-Assad in early December of last year, soon after they launched a blitz attack against the central government. The new rulers in Syria have reportedly enforced strict security measures to protect the Iranian embassy and its affiliated buildings in Damascus and other cities. The new administration, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has begun implementing the security protocols around the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Baghdad al-Youm reported, citing Syrian sources. HTS militants have cordoned off the embassy and closed its main entrances as part of these measures, in what seems to be an attempt at de-escalating tensions with Tehran, a key ally of former president Bashar al-Assad. They are also preventing anyone from approaching the embassy or defacing it with anti-Iran graffiti. The international community has not officially recognized Tahrir al-Sham as the government of Syria. However, the visits of officials from some countries to Damascus suggest a tacit acknowledgment of this group as the de facto government of Syria. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rule of law, equal citizenship cornerstones of Syria's future: FM People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:29, January 11, 2025 DAMASCUS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani on Friday reaffirmed his government's commitment to guaranteeing freedom for all Syrians, stressing the rule of law and equal citizenship are cornerstones of the nation's future. He made the remarks during a joint press conference in Damascus with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. "We remain dedicated to principles and values that ensure freedom for every Syrian, regardless of sectarian, ethnic, or religious background, within the framework of law and citizenship," al-Shibani said, adding these principles and values form the foundation of Syria's unity and stability. Al-Shibani also highlighted an upcoming national conference, which intends to bring together all segments of Syrian society. "We aim to shape the next phase comprehensively, ensuring a smooth political transition that includes everyone and holds accountable those responsible for crimes against the Syrian people," he explained, without giving a timeframe for the much-awaited conference. At the press conference, al-Shibani further announced that he would lead a high-level delegation on a tour of several European countries to boost cooperation in various sectors. "I invite global delegations and companies to launch more initiatives and partnerships on Syrian soil," he added, stressing the new government's pursuit of international engagement. For his part, Tajani stressed the need to lift the sanctions on Syria, saying those sanctions imposed on the former Syrian government should not persist. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Taiwan Working Group Meeting on International Organizations US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson January 10, 2025 On January 8, 2025, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) convened representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consultations in Washington on expanding Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations system and in other international forums. This discussion focused on near-term opportunities to support Taiwan's expanded participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and other global public health bodies, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as Taiwan's meaningful participation in non-UN international, regional, and multilateral organizations. Participants exchanged views on addressing global challenges, such as global public health, aviation safety, environmental protection, and transnational crime. U.S. representatives underscored Taiwan's exceptional expertise and valuable contributions in these critical areas, particularly in health, aviation safety and security, environmental protection, and law enforcement cooperation, and reiterated the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's meaningful participation at the World Health Organization and ICAO. All participants recognized the importance of working closely with partners who share our concerns regarding attempts to exclude Taiwan from the international community. U.S. support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international fora is in line with our one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S., Taiwan discuss Taiwan's participation in global groups ROC Central News Agency 01/11/2025 02:21 PM Washington, Jan. 10 (CNA) The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss Taiwan's participation in international organizations, the U.S. State Department said on Friday. In a press statement, it said the two offices convened with representatives from the State Department and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to explore ways to expand Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations (U.N.) system and in other international forums. These include the World Health Assembly and other global public health bodies, the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as non-U.N. international, regional and multilateral groups, according to the statement. The department said both sides exchanged views on addressing global challenges including public health, aviation safety, environmental protection and transnational crime. U.S. representatives highlighted Taiwan's "exceptional expertise" and "valuable contributions" in those areas, according to the media note. The meeting's participants all recognized the importance of working closely with partners who share U.S. concerns about attempts at excluding Taiwan from the international community, the note said. The U.S. support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international fora is in line with its One China Policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, the note added. The meeting was an annual bilateral working group discussion for Taiwan and the U.S., MOFA said in a news release issued on Saturday Taiwan time. MOFA also expressed gratitude towards the United States' staunch bi-partisan support for Taiwan's international participation. (By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Wu Kuan-hsien) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine gets 3 bln euros backed by frozen Russian assets People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:08, January 11, 2025 KIEV, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's Finance Ministry announced on Friday that it has secured 3 billion euros (about 3.09 billion U.S. dollars) from the European Union (EU) backed by the revenues of the frozen Russian assets. The funds are part of the EU's contribution to the Group of Seven (G7) Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine (ERA) initiative, according to a statement on the ministry's website. The money will be used to finance the priority budget expenditures in social and military sectors, support macroeconomic stability, and restore critical infrastructure, said Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko. Since February 2022, financial institutions of the EU member states have immobilized assets of the Central Bank of Russia worth approximately 210 billion euros (about 216 billion dollars). The G7 ERA initiative envisages 50 billion dollars in support for Ukraine secured using proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Last month, Ukraine received 1 billion U.S. dollars from the U.S. under the initiative. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address N. Korean Soldier Claims He Thought He Was On Training Mission, Ukraine Says By RFE/RL January 11, 2025 Ukrainian investigators are questioning two soldiers from North Korea whom the country's forces captured in Russia's Kursk region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "These are two soldiers who, although wounded, survived and were brought to Kyiv and are talking to SBU [Ukrainian Security Service] investigators," Zelenskiy said in a statement on Telegram on January 11. Zelenskiy's Telegram post included photos of the soldiers he says were taken prisoner. He did not provide evidence that they were North Korean, but if this is confirmed, it will be the first time Ukrainian authorities have published images of captured North Korean troops. The Ukrainian president said it was "not easy" to capture the North Korean soldiers, claiming that Moscow attempted to hide their presence by letting Russian and North Korean troops kill their wounded comrades on the battlefield to avoid being taken prisoner by Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said the prisoners were talking through interpreters working with South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). The SBU said one prisoner, who said he was born in 2005, claimed he believed he was "going for training, not to fight a war against Ukraine." The other man was forced to write his answers because of an injured jaw, the SBU said. That soldier said he was born in 1999 and was a sniper in the North Korean army. The developments followed new Ukrainian attacks in Kursk to prevent Russia from snatching back territory. A lightning Ukrainian offensive first captured large swaths of the Kursk region in August 2024. It was the largest incursion onto Russian soil since World War II. Last fall, Moscow sent some 11,000 North Korean troops to the Kursk region to support Russian forces there. Moscow has reclaimed some 40 percent of the territory, but Ukrainian troops still control more than 500 square kilometers in Kursk, and Pyongyang's troops have reportedly been experiencing mass casualties there. Referring to the captured soldiers on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that the "first North Korean prisoners of war are now in Kyiv" and that they were "regular [North Korean] troops, not mercenaries." "The security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is directly linked. We need maximum pressure against regimes in Moscow and Pyongyang.," he wrote. Meanwhile, a Russian drone attack killed a woman in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region. Ivan Fedorov, the head of the region's military administration, said a 47-year-old woman was killed instantly after a Russian drone hit a civilian car with five passengers. "The occupiers attacked Prymorske all night," he said. Fedorov said the wounded included two men aged 46 and 60. Two women, 49 and 52, were also injured. Earlier on January 11, Yevgeny Pervyshov, the governor of the Tambov region in western Russia, said Ukrainian drones crashed into two apartment buildings in the town of Kotovsk, which injured several people. Photos and videos of the incident, which have not been verified by RFE/RL, were posted online by local residents, who said there had been no air raid siren before the drones struck. With reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-interrogates- captured-north-korean-soldiers-kursk/33272225.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Injuries Reported In Western Russian Town After Drone Attack By RFE/RL's Russian Service January 11, 2025 Drones crashed into two apartment buildings in the town of Kotovsk in the Tambov region of western Russia, injuring several people, the region's governor said early on January 11. Yevgeny Pervyshov said on Telegram that several people suffered injuries from glass shards and were being treated. Pervyshov said the buildings did not catch fire and sustained only minor damage. Photos and videos of the incident, which have not been verified by RFE/RL, were posted online by local residents, who said there had been no air raid siren before the drones struck. The Russian state news agency TASS said the drones were launched by Ukraine, but the General Staff of the Ukrainian military has not reported any drone attacks on Russian regions. TASS added that authorities in other parts of Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea also reported Ukrainian drone attacks on the night of January 10-11, including in the Krasnodar Krai region to the east of Crimea. Explosions were also heard in the Kursk and Voronezh regions of Russia. Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev said more than 15 drones were shot down on the night of January 10-11. There were no casualties or damage, he said. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing a fire in the port area of Novorossiisk on the Black Sea, and the bridge connecting the Russian mainland to Crimea was closed for more than three hours. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said several drones were destroyed in the Kursk region. There were no casualties, but three private houses were damaged, he said on Telegram. The governors of the other regions that came under drone attack have not commented on any damage or casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry has also not yet reported on drones being shot down. Russia on January 10 accused Ukraine of conducting a deadly missile strike on a supermarket in the Moscow-controlled city of Donetsk. Another Russian state news agency, RIA, said investigators were looking into the supermarket attack, claiming a U.S.-supplied HIMARS missile hit the supermarket, killing two people. Video on social media, which has been verified by RFE/RL, appears to show a massive explosion in an area where a small market is located. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the Russian accusation. The Ukrainian Air Force, meanwhile, said Russia attacked Ukraine with 72 Shahed-type strike drones on January 10 in the Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Khmelnytskiy, Vinnytsya, and Kherson regions. The Ukrainian General Staff said several small towns east of Pokrovsk and an important highway a few kilometers south of the area had been the site of intense battles on January 10. The city has been the target of a brutal, bloody drive by Russia in recent months. The January 10 fighting came a day after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Ramstein, Germany, where Kyiv's allies vowed no letup in aid to bolster Ukraine's air defenses amid Moscow's relentless assaults throughout the east, including attacks on civilian and infrastructure sites. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who traveled to Rome following the Ramstein gathering, also praised new actions by the United States and Britain to sanction Russia's oil producers, a major liquefied natural gas project, and more than 100 tankers in its "shadow fleet" as the West looks to deprive Moscow of funds needed to carry on its war. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-kursk- drones-voronezh-kotovsk/33271991.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (11 January 2025) 11.01.2025 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. Units of the Sever Group of Forces engaged formations of one tank brigade, two mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, and two territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Viktorovka, Kositsa, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Pogrebki. Nine enemy counter-attacks were repelled. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, artillery inflicted losses on enemy manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Viktorovka, Goncharovka, Guyevo, Zaoleshinka, Kazachya Loknya, Kruglenkoye, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Melovoy, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Oleshnya, Rubanshchina, Sverdlikovo, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Yuzhny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Obody, and Yunakovka in Sumy region. During the day, the enemy losses were up to 240 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one artillery gun, four mortars, one electronic warfare station. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 50,840 troops, 296 tanks, 224 infantry fighting vehicles, 161 armoured personnel carriers, 1,521 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,445 motor vehicles, 353 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 91 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 29 units of engineering and other materiel, including 15 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, seven armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 240 Soldiers in Kursk Region in Past Day - MoD Sputnik News 20250111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 240 soldiers in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "Over the past day, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 240 servicepeople, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored combat vehicle, four vehicles, four mortars and an electronic warfare station," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Battlegroup Sever also repelled nine Ukrainian counterattacks in border areas of the Kursk Region, the ministry said. In total, Ukraine has lost over 50,840 servicepeople and 296 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk region, the ministry added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Armed Forces Suffer Significant Losses Due to Low-Quality Ammunition Sputnik News 20250111 Ukraine's Defense Ministry said earlier that the cause of the shells detonating could be low-quality powder charges or a violation of ammunition storage conditions. Ukrainian soldiers are suffering significant losses due to the use of low-quality ammunition and improvised explosive devices - at best, they "get their hands torn off and their faces burned," Ukrainian media reported, citing the head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Aerial Reconnaissance Support Center, Maria Berlinska. In late November 2024, Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal case after the supply of defective 120 mm shells to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As previously reported by Ukrainian media, servicemen complained about a low-quality batch of 120 mm shells produced by the state Ukroboronprom corporation. Later, Ukrainian journalist Yuliya Kiriyenko-Merinova said that Ukroboronprom had also supplied the Ukrainian Armed Forces with a batch of defective 82 mm shells. Earlier, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko*, referencing a report in the publication Zerkalo Nedeli (Mirror of the Week), highlighted that the Ukrainian government had invested substantial sums into developing domestic weaponry, including shells. However, the Ukroboronprom factory responsible for the project lacked the necessary capacity to produce compatible detonators, instead using incompatible ones that failed to operate effectively. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry allegedly kept this information from the public, remaining silent at each stage of the production process. As a result, only one out of ten shells detonated correctly. *Goncharenko is listed as a terrorist and extremist in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Take Control of Shevchenko Village in DPR - MoD Sputnik News 20250111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr group of forces has taken control of the Shevchenko village in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. "As a result of decisive actions, units of Battlegroup Tsentr liberated the settlement of Shevchenko in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said, adding that the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 535 soldiers, a Leopard tank and four armored vehicles in clashes with the Battlegroup Tsentr. Russia's Battlegroup Vostok continued its advance deep into Ukraine's defense lines, and Kiev lost up to 185 soldiers in clashes in the past 24 hours, the ministry added. "The enemy losses [in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad] amounted to up to 365 servicepeople, three armored combat vehicles, three vehicles, six artillery pieces and a counter-battery radar station. Two ammunition depots were destroyed," the ministry said, adding that Ukraine also lost up to 210 soldiers and two ammunition depots in clashes with Russia's Battlegroup Yug. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defense Destroy 85 Ukrainian Drones Over Regions Overnight - MoD Sputnik News 20250111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems have downed and intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over the Russian regions overnight, with 31 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) destroyed over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday morning. "Over the past night, 85 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems on duty. Thirty-one drones were downed over the Black Sea, 16 UAVs were shot down over the territories of the Voronezh Region and Krasnodar Territory, 14 over the Sea of Azov, four over the territory of the Belgorod Region, two UAVs were intercepted over the territory of the Tambov Region and one was shot down over the territories of Crimea and the Kursk Region," the ministry said. Meanwhile, the overnight drone attack on apartment buildings in the Tambov Region injured seven civilians, with three people sustaining cuts from shattered windows and four others experiencing high blood pressure, Acting Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said. Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Joint Task for Arms Manufacturers, Government Officials, and All Those Involved - to Make This Year a Record One in Terms of Drones - Address by the President President of Ukraine 11 January 2025 - 14:37 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! I have just held a Staff meeting. The main focus was on our drone operations and procurement for this year, procurement of everything the Defense Forces need. Today reports were made on contracts - those that are already being implemented and those that are still planned. It is a joint task for arms manufacturers, our Government officials, and all those involved - to make this year a record one in terms of all types of drones, as well as to significantly increase the production of Ukrainian missiles, artillery, and all the necessary equipment. I have given instructions to increase the number of orders for drones. This is already being implemented. Our arsenals are one of the guarantees of our independence, just as the precision of our warriors is. And I thank all our units that carry out strikes on Russia's territory: on military facilities, on the occupier's military logistics. More and more such important results should be achieved. A good sanctions strike was also carried out this week, and I am grateful to our partners for that. We have American sanctions against Russia's oil sector - sanctions against the shadow tanker fleet, against companies like Surgutneftegaz, which is Putin's personal wallet. I am also grateful for the sanctions against Rosatom officials, and it is important to put pressure on the Russian nuclear industry for still holding our Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant hostage. The United Kingdom is also taking its own new sanctions steps to limit Moscow's energy revenues. We also have a new sanctions package from Japan against Russian arms production: it restricts the supply of components and some significant schemes that support Russia's arms production. These days, during my visit to Italy, we also had discussions, in particular, about sanctions. Italy firmly supports this pressure on Russia. I am grateful for the assistance in blocking Russian sanction bypassing schemes. As well as for our joint efforts within the EU to continue applying all forms of pressure on Russia to make it seek peace. Today, Minister of Defense Umerov also reported on his talks with partners at Ramstein: our defense coalitions - they are working effectively. And another result of this week. Our guys from the Special Operations Forces, namely the Tactical Group No. 84, as well as airborne warriors, have taken two soldiers from North Korea prisoners. Both are alive and have already been brought to Kyiv. They were captured in the Kursk region, and it was not easy: other North Korean soldiers and Russians keep trying to finish off their wounded Koreans - specifically to prevent them from being captured. Now these two are receiving medical care and talking to SSU investigators. Russians issue their documents to these Koreans, but they will not deceive anyone. Russia is the one doing everything to prolong and escalate the war, and it will be held accountable. Glory to all our warriors! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berger Montague PC advises investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against PACS Group, Inc. (PACS or the Company) (NYSE: PACS) on behalf of purchasers of PACS securities between April 8, 2024 through November 21, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired PACS securities during the Class Period may, no later than JANUARY 13, 2025 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation, please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at aabramowitz@bm.net or (215) 875-3015, or Peter Hamner at phamner@bm.net , or CLICK HERE . Headquartered in Farmington, Utah, PACS operates skilled nursing facilities and post-acute care facilities in the U.S. According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose that: (a) PACS inflated its Medicare revenues by misclassifying lower-acuity patients as high-acuity patients that required skilled care in violation of a Covid-era waiver, thereby securing higher reimbursement rates; and (b) that after the expiration of the COVID-era waiver, PACS inflated its revenues by fraudulently billing for unnecessary treatments and for services never provided to patients. On November 4, 2024, Hindenburg Research published a report alleging that, among other things, PACS misused COVID waivers to inflate Medicare reimbursements, as well as engaging in other revenue practices which misrepresented the Companys financial health. On this news, PACS share price dropped $11.93 per share 27.8 percent to close at $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024. Then, on November 6, 2024, the Company announced that it would delay the release of its third-quarter 2024 financial results due to an investigation by the Companys Audit Committee into recent allegations concerning its reimbursement and referral practices. PACS also disclosed that it had received civil investigative demands from the federal government regarding these practices. On this news, PACS share price dropped $11.45 per share 38.8 percent to close at $18.09 per share on November 6, 2024. Learn More About the Lawsuit A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Communicating with any counsel is not necessary to participate or share in any recovery achieved in this case. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as a lead plaintiff through counsel of his/her choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an inactive class member. Berger Montague, with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Delaware, Washington, D.C., San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago, has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for over five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States. Contact: Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel Berger Montague (215) 875-3015 aabramowitz@bm.net There are new ways for fire and rescue services to think about the job. One leading proponent of that re-thinking is Jeff Johnson, former president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and recently retired chief of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue in Oregon -- the second largest fire district in the state, encompassing Nike World Headquarters. Here are some of his thoughts:There are places where you could easily combine two, three or four departments. The cost of a fixed station is significant, so potential savings from consolidation of stations are equally significant. In places where you have stations a couple of miles apart and each does about two runs a day, you should start asking about the cost of each community having their own, Johnson says.For example, traffic cameras can scope out accidents prior to dispatch. That way, if you have a call for an accident on the freeway and you see that everyone is out of their cars and unhurt, you roll accordingly. It allows you to stop carpet bombing and start using a surgical approach to response, he says.Over the past 15 years, weve developed computerized reports with lots of data, but not many people are using it to do what we do better, Johnson says. For example, Johnson asked for an analysis of 10,000 fire alarm activations in his district. Two, it turned out, were actual fires. In fact, most fire and rescue calls are for minor incidents or false alarms. In response, Johnson instituted a response protocol whereby four small SUVs manned by a single paramedic now initially respond to most calls -- because most calls dont need a full firematic or emergency medical response. The fly cars handle calls like smoke alarm activations, smell of smoke, abdominal pain and so forth. Why should a firehouse empty out when its a 2 in 10,000 chance that the alarm is serious? Johnson asks.Making significant changes in how the fire service does its work requires a high degree of cooperation with front-line staff. It starts with relationships based on truth and integrity, Johnson says. Firefighters and management dont lie to each other, and they dont ambush each other. Otherwise its a full-on fist fight. And thats not helpful to anyone. Featured Im underpaid and struggling to earn a living despite two Oscar nominations Actor Djimon Hounsou Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jan - 11 - 2025 , 20:27 3 minutes read Despite his impressive two-decade career in Hollywood and two Oscar nominations, Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou has shockingly revealed that he struggles financially. In a candid interview on CNN's African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou opened up about being underpaid and facing difficulties making a living, shedding light on the harsh realities of his life as a Hollywood actor. Im still struggling to make a living. Ive been in the filmmaking business for over two decades, with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, Im still struggling financially. Im definitely underpaid, he said. In the interview, Djimon Hounsou exposed the harsh realities of racism in Hollywood. He recounted a particularly disappointing experience where he was snubbed for an Oscar nomination, despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination for the same role. Advertisement I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that, they just didnt feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism wont change like that anytime soon, he stated. Beninese-born American actor, Djimon Hounson began his career appearing in music videos and made his film debut in Without You I'm Nothing in 1990. He then earned widespread recognition for his role as Cinque in the Steven Spielberg film Amistad (1997), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. For his performances in In America (2002) and Blood Diamond (2006), Hounsou was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2018, Hounsou made his directorial debut with the documentary film In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, which examines the history, nature and religious practices of West African Vodun. The documentary premiered at the Miami International Film Festival on 10 March 2018. In 2024, Hounsou had a guest performance on South African record producer and DJ Black Coffee's "Ode to Ancestors" song which was included in an EP inspired by Zack Snyder's movie, Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver. Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou is still struggling financially even after 20+ years in Hollywood. How is that possible yet hes one of the most recognizable African actors? pic.twitter.com/iIW1gsxsr6 January 10, 2025 Movies Acted by Djimon Hounsou Next article: The Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls Featured US returns $50m in alleged stolen funds to Nigeria bbc.com International News Jan - 12 - 2025 , 08:57 3 minutes read Close to $53m (43m) in alleged illicit funds recovered from Nigeria's former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke among others will be used to fund public services, the country's justice ministry says. The money is being sent back to Nigeria from the US, whose authorities allege that Alison-Madueke enriched herself, and others, while leading Nigeria's state oil firm by awarding contracts in exchange for bribes. The US alleged that the money was then used to buy a 65-metre superyacht called the Galactica Star plus multiple luxury properties in California and New York. Alison-Madueke, 64, has always denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Advertisement Her alleged ill-gotten gains are also under scrutiny in the UK, where two years ago she was charged with bribery offences including gifts of Louis Vuitton luxury goods, payment of private school fees, and at least $127,000 in cash. A key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, she also served as the first female president of the oil exporters group Opec. Her time as Nigeria's minister of petroleum resources began in 2010 and ended in 2015. She previously served as transport minister, and the minister for solid minerals and steel development. The US Department of Justice announced in 2023 the final resolution of two civil cases on the forfeiture of assets that were reportedly laundered in and through the US by Alison-Madueke and her associates. On Friday, the US and Nigeria confirmed that the sum of $52.88m would be repatriated to the West African nation. This will be the first repatriation to Nigeria of assets outside the West African country linked to Alison-Madueke, the Reuters news agency reports. Speaking at the formal signing ceremony in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the return of the funds marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption. Fagbemi said $50m of the money will go through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects, and the remaining $2.88m will be directed to the International Institute of Justice to strengthen the justice system and promote anti-corruption efforts. Meanwhile the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has emphasised the need for accountability as well as the careful monitoring of the returned funds. "The ministry of justice must guarantee that these funds are used transparently and effectively to improve the lives of Nigerians," he said. In November 2022, the US government repatriated to Nigeria, $20.6m in assets allegedly stolen by former Nigerian military leader Gen Sani Abacha. Five years ago, Washington transferred $311.8m to the Nigerian government as part of a previous agreement to repatriate assets that traced back to the Abacha regime. Featured University of Ghana introduces self-placement system for unadmitted applicants GraphicOnline Education Jan - 12 - 2025 , 09:12 2 minutes read The University of Ghana (UG) has rolled out a self-placement system to enable qualified applicants who do not gain admission to select alternative programmes they are eligible for through the university's admissions portal. The initiative was announced by the Director of the Academic Affairs Directorate, Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah, during an interview on Radio Univers on Thursday, January 9, 2024. According to Mrs Nyako-Danquah, the system aims to assist applicants who may have selected programmes for which they do not meet the qualification requirements. We have implemented a system to assist students who may not be admitted to self-place in suitable programmes. If you do not receive any notification from us, revisit the portal where you will find options for programs you qualify for and self-place in it, she explained. Advertisement She highlighted the importance of applicants choosing programmes they are qualified for and being mentally prepared for the challenges of university education. Sometimes applicants select programs they are not qualified for. Meeting the requirements is essential because university education is challenging, and it requires mental readiness to successfully pursue some courses, she added. Support for applicants To support the admissions process, Mrs Nyako-Danquah announced the establishment of a helpdesk at the UG Information Centre near the university's main entrance. A helpdesk will be available at the information center close to the main entrance for students who need assistance. The admissions process is expected to conclude by the end of January to pave the way for the matriculation of newly admitted students, she stated. Admissions requirements Admission to UG requires applicants to have at least credit passes (A1-C6) in six WASSCE subjects: three core subjects (English, Mathematics, and Integrated Science or Social Studies) and three electives relevant to the chosen programme. An aggregate score of 24 or better is mandatory, with stricter requirements for highly competitive programmes. This self-placement system is expected to enhance accessibility and ensure that all qualified students have an opportunity to gain admission to the university, furthering UGs commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity. A federal judge has allowed a student not vaccinated for whooping cough to go back to class at Starpoint Middle School as her parents press a First Amendment retaliation case against school and district officials. The Niagara County parents, after the state Education Department ruled against them, sought a court order directing the Starpoint Central School District to accept their childs vaccine exemption request and permit her to return to school. U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. cautioned the parents lawyers not to read too much into his preliminary order allowing her to return, given what he called the many open questions in the early stages of the lawsuit. The judge scheduled a hearing for Feb. 7, when he could reconsider his decision after depositions and testimony from doctors and others involved in the case. A lawyer for the district warned that the childs return to class puts immunocompromised students, teachers and staff members at risk. For Your Honor to sit in judgment and say this was proper or not, and Im going to reverse this or not, and send her back to school I think is beyond your jurisdiction, said attorney Michael McClaren, who represents the school district, at a recent court hearing. McClaren said he has represented school districts for about 25 years, and this is the first time Ive ever seen a situation where somebody brought a claim to federal court regarding the denial of a vaccine exemption. Lawyers for the parents say the child has a medical exemption form signed by a physician for that one vaccine shes on schedule for all other vaccines but the district refuses to accept it. The redacted 43-page lawsuit available to the public blacks out the childs medical information. But the back-and-forth during two court proceedings and other documents make it clear what harm the parents believe the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine poses the child: vocal and motor tics. During one recent proceeding, the judge summarized a document from the childs physician saying she has a history of neurological reactions to the vaccine in the form of vocal and motor tics. If you look at the specific vaccine waiver, it doesnt just include tics, Chad Davenport, the parents attorney, said in court. What it says is a neurological disorder. And a neurological disorder consists of motor and vocal tics. The district is basically saying that tics would not constitute a neurological disorder, Davenport said. Their interpretation is completely irrational and not based on any medical evidence. The districts actions against the middle school student and her sister, a high school student who reluctantly got the vaccine under pressure, should be viewed within a broader policy context in New York State, according to the lawsuit. Medical providers face systematic pressure not to document vaccine reactions or grant medical exemptions, according to the lawsuit. Multiple physicians have confirmed facing threats to their medical licenses if they document vaccine reactions or grant medical exemptions, creating a climate of fear that prevents students like plaintiffs children from obtaining necessary documentation despite clear medical contraindications, according to the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the parents by Davenport and attorney R. Anthony Rupp III. Seeking more information Sean M. Croft, Starpoints superintendent of schools, said the denial in December of the childs exemption request was proper. The districts decision is consistent with the medical guidance from the districts medical director, New York State Department of Health regulations, and New York State Education Department directives, all of which are clear and consistent on the matter of vaccination exemptions, Croft told The Buffalo News. Throughout this process we have remained engaged with the family and offered accommodations to support the students learning with hopes of reaching a resolution, Croft added. If resolution can only be achieved through a court order, we believe that state court is the appropriate jurisdiction, given its clear guidelines and proven procedures for hearing matters related to state health and education regulations. A pediatrician who serves as the districts school physician said in a court filing that the vocal and motor tics described in the childs exemption request are not contraindications or precautions to the Tdap vaccine according to the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We went to them in good faith and said give us more information, McClaren said in court. Give us your records. Let our doctor, let the New York State Department of Health, take a look at all this and make a determination. And they came out and said no. The parents refused to turn over their childs medical information because the district lacks discretion to overrule the physician-approved exemption, their lawyer said. The district wants to be able to second-guess a valid medical waiver thats written by a licensed physician, Davenport said. By denying a valid medical vaccine waiver, they are infringing on my clients First Amendment rights and 14th Amendment (equal protection) rights to be able to make determinations for their own children. If the vaccine waiver form complies with the states requirements, the district has to accept it, Davenport said. McClaren said no court has ever held that a vaccine waiver is absolute based solely on the recommendation of a physician. The judge also pushed back on the notion the district must rubber-stamp a waiver signed by a doctor. If the doctor wrote that the (child) cant take this vaccine because it makes her smell funny every time she takes the vaccine, dont you think the (school and district officials) would would be able to throw a penalty flag there? Sinatra asked the parents lawyers at a hearing. As the case proceeds, Sinatra said he would like to know how often the school district asks for more information from other parents seeking vaccine exemptions, or is it just jerking around this family? Sinatra said he also wants to know if the district frequently, sometimes or never gets input from the state Health Department or simply relies on its school physician when dealing with waiver requests. How many times out of a hundred does the district refuse to accept an exemption? Sinatra asked. Retaliation alleged The parents Dec. 28 lawsuit names district administrators, the school physician, a middle school nurse and the middle school and high school principals as defendants. The district allowed other unvaccinated students to remain in school with future or unscheduled vaccination appointments, according to the lawsuit. For most of the school year, the parents children have attended classes as well. In late September, the districts then-acting superintendent denied the medical exemption requests for the parents two children. On Oct. 10, the parents filed a petition with the state education commissioner seeking an expedited ruling on the validity of medical exemptions and a stay of the districts denial and removal of the administrator for willful violation of law and neglect of duty. The commissioner denied the stay 11 days later. On Oct. 21, the high school principal approached the older daughter in the school parking lot at the start of the school day and, although apologetic, told her to leave school grounds immediately, despite knowing she had a confirmed vaccination appointment, according to the lawsuit. The district also prevented her from competing in an Oct. 22 cheerleading competition. On Oct. 23, the high school student tried to get vaccinated at the Niagara County Health Department. But the department refused to administer the vaccination because of the medical waiver she also received from a physician. The Health Departments refusal to vaccinate (her) demonstrates that a New York State agency recognized and accepted the validity of the medical exemption waiver, in direct contradiction to the districts position, according to the lawsuit. Despite being a school district without medical expertise, defendants rejected the same medical waiver that the Niagara County Health Department the agency actually responsible for public health found sufficiently valid to refuse vaccination. Instead, the high school child went to a Rochester clinic to receive the vaccine, under extreme duress. The symptoms that followed her vaccination were redacted in the publicly available court filing. She returned to school on Oct. 23. As for the middle school child, the district allowed her to attend classes ahead of and after her Dec. 3 medical appointment, according to the lawsuit. That was under the assumption she would get the vaccination, the districts lawyer said in court. That stance changed the first week of January. Davenport called the districts decision to keep her out of the classroom this month completely unnecessary. She had been attending school for the past month without any issues, he said in court. She fell behind in her classes and was sad after the decision to keep her out the classroom, he said. The parents believe the district has treated their children differently because they exercised their legal right to file a commissioners appeal, according to the lawsuit. Featured University of Ghana releases admission list for 2024/2025 academic year GraphicOnline Education Jan - 12 - 2025 , 09:27 1 minute read The University of Ghana has officially announced the release of the first batch of admission lists for the 2024/2025 academic year. Successful applicants who have been offered provisional admission into various programmes can now access their admission status online. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the universitys admission portal at https://apply.ug.edu.gh/admissions/admissionstatus to check their status and follow the outlined steps to secure their place. Applicants who do not find their names on the initial list are advised to be patient, as the list is being released in batches. Subsequent lists will follow in due course. Those who have secured admission are reminded to complete all necessary processes, including acceptance of their admission offer and payment of relevant fees, to confirm their enrolment. Advertisement For additional details and updates regarding the admission process, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official university website or contact the admissions office directly. Next article: VIDEO: I don't want to depend on politicians for development Asantehene Featured LIVESTREAMED: National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service today at UPSA GraphicOnline Jan - 12 - 2025 , 09:55 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will this afternoon (January 12, 2025) join worshippers at a Christian National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Ohene Konadu Auditorium in Madina at 3pm. This follows a similar event held last Friday at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra, dubbed the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving Service. During that gathering, President Mahama reiterated his administrations pledge to promote religious inclusivity and tolerance, including a proposed additional public holiday for Muslims during Eid-ul-Fitr. Advertisement The move is aimed at ensuring that all Muslim citizens can enjoy the public holiday without conflict with their places of work, the President stated. He emphasised that this would not affect productivity, as the Public Holidays Act would be modified to maintain the same number of annual holidays. The President also announced several initiatives to support the Muslim community, including the establishment of a new Hajj committee and scholarships for Muslim students to study medicine, law, and ICT. Hijabs can be worn freely in public, promoting religious tolerance and acceptance, President Mahama declared, reaffirming his commitment to equality and the recognition of all citizens. Addressing election violence President Mahama took a firm stance on addressing election-related violence, tasking his executive secretary to seek a comprehensive report on the killings that occurred during the 2020 and 2024 elections. I have asked my executive secretary to write to the Inspector General of Police to give us a report on the status of investigations into these killings, he said. Condemning the violence, which claimed five lives in 2024 and eight in 2020, the President described it as senseless and warned of the consequences of unresolved injustices. Gratitude for support During the event at the National Mosque, President Mahama expressed deep gratitude to Allah for His protection during the election campaign. By the time we arrived at the rally at Madina, we had done 30,000 kilometres and not a single accident, he said. We asked [the Chief Imam] for prayers so that Allah would grant our heart desires. If Allah has listened to our supplication and granted our heart desire, it is only proper to thank Allah. National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also praised the Muslim community for their prayers and peaceful conduct during the elections. The Muslim community demonstrated that leaders should be chosen based on integrity and capacity, rather than religious affiliations, he stated. The National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service at UPSA is expected to be another opportunity for the nations leaders and citizens to come together in gratitude, prayer, and unity as Ghana embarks on a new chapter under President Mahamas leadership. Watch the video below; Next article: Consider our sons and daughters in building your team Volta House of Chiefs to Mahama Featured NPP condemns acts of violence and calls on President Mahama to address the situation Kweku Zurek Politics Jan - 12 - 2025 , 14:20 3 minutes read The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a strong condemnation of recent acts of violence and lawlessness reportedly perpetrated by persons claiming to be members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement signed by the partys General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong and released on January 11, 2025, the NPP described the incidents as reckless and barbaric acts and called on President John Dramani Mahama to take immediate steps to address the situation. The statement follows incidents across the country in the aftermath of last year's election where persons claiming to be members of NDC have stormed public institutions and companies demanding the removal of management and staff as well as threatening to take over operations. These reckless and barbaric acts, which are creating unnecessary tension in the country, must not go unchecked, the statement read. Advertisement The NPP urged President Mahama to demonstrate leadership by publicly denouncing these actions and taking necessary measures to restore calm. We call on the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and his government to demonstrate true leadership by publicly condemning these shameful actions and taking the necessary steps to restore order and sanity in our dear country, the statement added. Security and rule of law The party further called on security agencies, particularly the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to act with professionalism and impartiality. The security services have a constitutional duty to protect all citizens and uphold the rule of law. We expect swift and decisive action to restore order and ensure the safety of all Ghanaians, including public servants who are forcibly being ejected from their offices and residences by marauding NDC thugs without any justification, the statement said. The NPP highlighted a range of unlawful activities, including violent invasions of private properties, car seizures, and forced evictions, which have contributed to a climate of fear and instability. Appeal to stakeholders The NPP also appealed to the public, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and the diplomatic community to join in denouncing these acts of violence. Ghana has always been a beacon of peace and democracy, and such conduct threatens to erode the very foundations of our democracy, the statement warned. Call for accountability The statement concluded with a direct appeal to President Mahama to take responsibility for ensuring peace and stability. We urge President Mahama to take immediate steps to exhibit leadership to protect the peace, stability, and respect for the rule of law. We will continue to hold him and his government responsible and accountable until they restore these values, the party declared. President calls on supporters to desist It will be recalled that on Friday, President Mahama issued a firm call of restraint to NDC sympathisers regarding such illegal acts. I call on all our supporters and others involved in these illegal actions to desist immediately, he urged at a thanksgiving event that took place at the National Mosque. We must do things differently, and we must act in a way that maintains the trust and confidence that the people of Ghana have placed in us. The president specifically referenced the actions of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2017, which many Ghanaians criticized, and emphasized that his government would not repeat those mistakes. Many people have said that what we are seeing now is the same thing the MPP did when they came into power in 2017, and that is why Ghanaians voted them out, he remarked. We must not copy these mistakes. The OnePlus 13 went global earlier this week. The phone is a bit more expensive this time around, but the 16/512GB option is available with a 100 discount, bringing its price down to that of the OnePlus 12 last year. There is a cheaper 12/256GB model too, but without a discount. We are also waiting on the OnePlus 13R to become available. We took the OnePlus 13 for a photo tour of Sri Lanka and have a detailed review, which you can check out video review too. The company has committed to 4 OS updates and six years of security patches. This week Xiaomi launched the new Poco X7 series and the pair is already available in the UK. There are two models, vanilla and Pro, which mainly differ in performance and battery. The Poco X7 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 8400 Ultra and has faster UFS 4.0 storage. The displays on both models are essentially the same and both are excellent flat 6.67 120Hz OLED panels with 12-bit colors (Dolby Vision, HDR10+) and Gorilla Glass 7i. These displays have a resolution of 1,220 x 2,712px. The phone is equipped with a large 6,000mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge (100% in 42 minutes). The vanilla Poco X7 is 70 cheaper, but it drops down to a Dimensity 7300 Ultra (which is based on the older ARMv8 tech, not v9 like the 8400 Ultra) and UFS 2.2 storage. Also, the battery is smaller at 5,110mAh with slower 45W charging (100% in 52 minutes). Both phones are rated IP68, but this one has Gorilla Glass Victus to protect the screen. They have the same cameras too 50MP main (1/1.95, OIS), 8MP ultra wide (120) and 20MP selfie cameras. Note that because of the older chipset, the X7 cant record 4K @ 60fps (it tops out at 4K @ 30fps), but the X7 Pro does have that option. Going back to the X7 Pro, we can compare it to its cousin from the F-series, the Poco F6, which costs basically the same. The F6 has a more powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, and a nearly identical 6.67 120Hz OLED display with 12-bit colors and 1220p+ resolution (it uses Gorilla Glass Victus). However, the IP64 rating offers only basic water resistance and the 5,000mAh battery with 90W charging is 1,000mAh short. The 50+8MP rear and 20MP front cameras are not identical but quite similar. A pricier alternative is the Realme GT 6T at 60 more for the same 8/256GB configuration as the X7 Pro. This one uses the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which also has a Cortex-X4 core like the 8s Gen 3. The display is larger at 6.78 and it is a 120Hz LTPO panel (10-bit, 1,264 x 2,780px, GG Victus 2). The water resistance is a bit better than the F6 at IP65, but this phone still isnt rated for submersion. The battery splits the difference with a capacity of 5,500mAh and supports fast 120W charging. The camera setup is nothing special (though the 32MP selfie deserves a nod), unlike the pricier GT 6 (no T). We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Ming-Chi Kuo just released a new market report on Apple in December 2024, showing a sharp decline in sales year-over-year in China. Compared to December 2023, Apple's iPhone sales in the country slipped 10-12%. Kuo believes the main culprit is the lack of innovation. The iPhone 16 series wasn't well-received in China due to the minor improvements over the last generation. It's important to note that Apple's decline comes amid fairly stable market conditions in the country. The overall smartphone sales in China remained stable throughout December. Looking ahead, Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will lose even more sales in the first half of 2025. The launch of the upcoming iPhone SE4 won't be enough to offset the poor sales performance due to the limited impact the SE lineup usually has. Kuo isn't very optimistic about the iPhone 17 lineup either. With rumors suggesting the new iPhone 17 series will exclusively rely on eSIM with no physical SIM support, Ming-Chi Kuo believes the Chinese market won't respond well. Not all carriers in the country offer eSIM support, so it will be a challenge for some users. The analyst's predictions see a total of 225 million iPhone sales in 2025 worldwide, which will slightly increase over 2024's 220 million shipments but still fall short of the expected 240 million units. Source These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Guam Regional Medical City announced the addition of Dr. Supannee Jill Rassameehiran, a board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist and liver transplant specialist. Rassameehiran is a specialist in treating patients with conditions that affect the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. She is one of only two gastroenterologists currently practicing on Guam, with the unique ability to treat liver diseases and cancers, an area of critical need for the local community. Rassameehirans arrival at GRMC is a game-changer for the local community and a significant step forward for both the hospital and Guam as a whole, according to Dr. Edison Manaloto, GRMC chief medical officer. Her expertise in hepatology and liver transplantation fills a crucial gap in Guams local health care, especially in the treatment of liver diseases and liver cancers, Manaloto said in a statement. With Rassameehirans specialized skills, patients on Guam no longer need to seek life-saving treatments off island, he said. This not only improves access to high-quality healthcare, but also reduces the emotional and financial burdens that come with seeking treatment elsewhere, Manaloto added. Her ability to offer comprehensive care for both digestive and liver conditions ensures that GRMC can provide a holistic approach to gastrointestinal health, ultimately improving outcomes and enhancing the overall health of the community, he said. Honored Rassameehiran, in a statement, said she is honored to be part of the GRMC team and to have the opportunity to provide care to the people of Guam. Liver diseases and cancers are often complex, but with the right care and treatment plan, we can make a significant difference in a patients quality of life, Rassameehiran said. My goal is to bring that level of expertise to the community, offering comprehensive treatment options from liver disease screenings to liver transplants, and to provide personalized care for each patient. Rassameehiran pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in hepatology, focusing on liver diseases, liver transplantation, and liver cancer care. Her expertise spans a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders, from common issues like acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, to more complex conditions such as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. She is a key provider in treating chronic liver conditions that require advanced, specialized care. This expertise includes providing liver disease screenings such as hepatitis B and C assessments, chronic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Rassameehiran completed advanced training at top institutions, including Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. She also earned her medical degree in Thailand and practiced on the U.S. mainland, where she worked at MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital in Washington. Referrals are welcome for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of: For more information about Rassameehiran and GRMCs gastroenterology and liver services, visit www.grmc.gu or contact GRMC Referral Management at (671) 633-GRMC or email refer@grmc.gu. It has been over a year since Richard Folbuw Ken, a Mongmong-Toto-Maite resident, was stranded in Pohnpei in November 2023 after he was deplaned from a flight that was supposed to take him back to Guam. He remains in Pohnpei today and continues to try to get back to his family on Guam. Despite the circumstances, Im doing all right. And yeah, Im just okay, despite everything, just waiting to see what happens next, Ken said. The 44-year-old father of five was deplaned after getting off his United Airlines flight during a stopover in Pohnpei on Nov. 9, 2023. He had briefly stepped off the plane to buy a soda but was not allowed to board again, and the plane departed without him. At the time, he was on his way back to Guam from Alaska, where he was working as a sanitation employee for Trident Seafoods in Kodiak, earning $18.06 an hour. He was supposed to prepare his family on Guam so he could bring them to Alaska with him. Pastor Herman Sado of the Every Home For Christ Fellowship is housing and helping Ken in Pohnpei. Im helping him around the house and doing what I can. But hes been my social provider, helping me out as best as he can for now, Ken said. Ken said to this day, he has not received any clear answers from United Airlines, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federated States of Micronesia Consulate on Guam, the U.S. Embassy in Pohnpei, Guam Del. James Moylans office, or any other agencies. Ken said he is desperate to be reunited with his family, especially his children. I missed my youngest daughters second birthday last November, and I missed her third birthday this year. Its painful because I want to be there for her and for my other daughters. I missed my oldest daughters graduation from high school, and I missed my second youngest daughter starting high school, he said. While he remains in communication with them, Ken said his absence has caused significant strain. Being away from my family for this long is really hard. There are people whove been helping my family, making sure they have a roof over their heads, but its been hard for them, especially knowing they have their own families to care for. Its my responsibility to provide for mine, and now I cant, Ken said. My wife is worried about when theyll get an eviction notice or when theyll run out of food. That stress is really taking a toll on her. Ken reached out anew to his former parole advisor, Gregorio S. Calvo, to request media assistance after receiving long silence from authorities. I met Greg when I was in prison. He was one of the facilitators for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program at OC. He helped me by giving me some small jobs, like cutting grass, and gave me a little cash to get by, Ken said. He also encouraged me to keep going and helped me get back on my feet. I introduced him to my family, and hes been a big support for me. Hes like my parole advisor, keeping me motivated to stay on track. The Pacific Daily News previously reported on Kens situation in June 2024. Read the full story here, tinyurl.com/2wfts7xc. Ken recently said he is hesitant to tell more of his story, especially given the negative comments he saw on social media when the PDN first wrote about his case. I feel like Ive been trying. Its not like I left the island and committed a crime. I came back, finished my probation, and tried to turn things around. I thought society would recognize that I changed, that I have a family and responsibilities now, Ken said. But then this happened, and I feel like Ive failed. Im not fighting right now, and its been hard for my wife, too. Originally from Yap, Ken moved to Guam in 2001. Ken has a criminal history that includes a 2007 conviction for vehicular homicide while intoxicated, following a crash that killed Joseph Atoigue. He served a sentence of 10 years, with three years suspended, and was released in 2012. In 2014, Ken entered a plea deal in a family violence case and served time from 2013 to 2016. He was discharged by the Guam Board of Parole in 2019, and his criminal case was officially closed in 2022 after he completed all probation conditions. While Ken owns up to his past, he worries about the impact on his family. I just want to remind people that they shouldnt judge someone by their past. I know Ive made mistakes, but Ive been trying to change, Ken said. Its painful when people focus on my past because it hurts my family. My wife and kids see those negative comments, and it affects them. Despite still being stuck in Pohnpei, Ken remains hopeful that his story will shed light on why he was deplaned and help him reunite with his family. We were planning to move to the States to give our kids a better life, and working in Guam makes it hard to make ends meet. I want to give them a better future, especially after I got out of incarceration, Ken said. Ive seen what a better life can give, and I want to be part of society, helping out the community. Thats what motivates me. Haiti - 15th of the 2010 earthquake : A generation of children raised in chaos "A generation of children bears the scars of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, their futures shaped by repeated displacement, ongoing crises and persistent disruptions to their education over the past 15 years," said Save the Children. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed more than 220,000 people, displaced more than 1.5 million people and devastated vast infrastructure, including thousands of schools. While Haiti has since made some progress in rebuilding, ongoing violence by armed groups has crippled them, leaving childrens futures in limbo. Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children Haiti Country Director, said : "Life has been a succession of crises for many children in Haiti. From hurricanes to earthquakes to the rampant violence we see today, many of the families we spoke to have been displaced eight, nine, or ten times in the last 15 years. Today, armed groups have turned Port-au-Prince into an open-air prison for children. No part of the city is safe. They cant go to school, play outside, or leave their neighborhoods safely. The future of these children is out of their control." Haitis ongoing struggle with armed violence, compounded by the long-term effects of the 2010 earthquake, has left many children uncertain about their futures. Last year alone, more than 700,000 people out of a population of 11.7 million were displaced by armed groups, and at least 1,000 schools out of more than 18,000 remain closed. The violence has limited aid deliveries, caused prices to soar, and sent hunger levels soaring across the country. Desperation has driven children to join armed groups in search of food and a sense of protection. "Many of todays armed gang leaders and members were children themselves in 2010," said Chantal Sylvie Imbeault. "Their futures have been compromised by the earthquake, and they are now leaving a new generation behind. For many children in Haiti, education is their only hope. The world must act now to ensure these children have the chance to learn and build a better future, so that history does not repeat itself." Learn more about Save the Children : Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1978 in both urban and rural communities. The childrens rights organization is calling for full and unhindered access for aid workers and life-saving supplies throughout the country. Over the past 15 years, Save the Children has responded to numerous humanitarian emergencies in Haiti, including the 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the 2021 earthquake. Save the Children has provided financial assistance to displaced families in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area living in converted schools to find more dignified housing solutions, while helping to free up schools so they can resume educational activities. The children's rights organization also works with local partners in the West, Grand'Anse and South departments of Haiti, including Les Cayes, to provide access to quality education and psychosocial support to students in need. HL/ HaitiLibre