Los Angeles fire authorities faced criticism for delayed deployment and underutilization of available firefighting resources during the Pacific Palisades wildfire, despite severe wind warnings. Internal records reveal only a fraction of available firefighters and engines were initially used. Officials defend their strategy, citing experience and resource constraints, amid criticism of missteps and budget cuts affecting response.
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Once again, Ali Ghulam receives mourners at his home -- his brother and nephew killed 40 years apart in the same sectarian conflict that was reignited this year in northwest Pakistan, claiming 200 lives since July alone. - 'Murdered my dreams' - Ghulam's nephew was killed along with at least 42 others last month, when Sunni gunmen opened fire on a convoy of Shiites being escorted by the police to their homes.
Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old dual citizen of the US and Israel, was freed by Hamas after 484 days of captivity. This release is part of an ongoing ceasefire and prisoner swap deal. His wife, Aviva, had been advocating for his release since she was freed in November 2023.
A gunman entered Coquette Brasserie in Raleigh and fatally shot a man before turning the gun on himself. The shooter is in critical condition and another bystander was injured but not severely. Police believe the incident resulted from a dispute and confirmed it wasn’t random. Traffic near North Hills shopping mall and several schools were temporarily affected.
A women's football match in Bangladesh was cancelled due to Islamist protests, marking the second such event recently. Demonstrators, including students and teachers, opposed female participation in football, citing it as un-Islamic. The Bangladesh Football Federation condemned the disruptions, emphasising women's rights to engage in sports.
A UN report highlights that 40% of the global population lacks education in a language they understand, with numbers soaring to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries. UNESCO's report stresses the growing importance of multilingual policies in diverse classrooms. Challenges include inadequate trained teachers and resources, as well as community resistance, causing significant learning disparities.
Germany's center-right CDU bloc is advocating for stricter immigration laws after an Afghan national, who was supposed to be deported, committed a knife attack. They propose a five-point plan that includes border controls and an entry ban for those without valid documents, potentially conflicting with EU laws and neighboring countries.
Two young men in Balochistan's Dera Bugti district have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces. Identified as Ashref and Pato Khan, their whereabouts remain unknown. This incident adds to ongoing enforced disappearances in the region, highlighting a persistent human rights crisis. Families face difficulties in seeking justice, with international calls for accountability.
Melania Trump and Usha Vance accompanied their husbands to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the cemetery where Donald Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony. Clad in black and white, Melania Trump and Usha Vance projected a picture in contrast at the event. Melania Trump is around 5 feet 9 inches tall while Usha Vance is around 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall. Both the women were wearing heels at the event.
The US has denied Mexico's request for additional water from the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers, citing Mexico’s shortfall in water-sharing commitments under a 1944 treaty, which has impacted American agriculture. The decision comes amidst severe drought conditions in Mexico and rising political tensions in Texas.
Pope Francis greeted ambassadors at the Holy See but asked an aide to deliver his annual foreign policy speech because he was battling a cold. The 88-year-old pope, who often suffers winter bronchitis, had sounded congested but continued his busy schedule after a demanding Christmas period.