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Los Angeles County is grappling with catastrophic wildfires that have engulfed half the city, consuming over 19,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The death toll has risen to at least 10, with fears it could increase further. Despite the devastation, air quality in LA remains surprisingly better than that of Delhi, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 154 compared to Delhi's alarming 372, which falls into the "very poor" category. This stark contrast has sparked discussions online, with users noting that wind patterns contribute to the disparity in air quality between the two cities. Currently, five fires are still active in LA, prompting evacuation orders for nearly 180,000 residents and warnings for an additional 200,000. The economic impact of the wildfires is expected to be severe, with insured losses potentially exceeding $20 billion and total damages estimated at $50 billion. 
Published: Jan 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA tragic stampede at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Friday resulted in the deaths of three women, as confirmed by the city's governor, Maher Marwan. The crush occurred during a civilian event where free meals were being distributed, organized by a social media influencer known as Chef Abu Omar, a YouTuber with a restaurant in Istanbul. The White Helmets rescue group reported that five children sustained fractures, while they successfully rescued a girl from the crowd. The incident highlights the potential dangers of large gatherings, particularly when public figures promote events that attract significant attention. Earlier in the day, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had visited the historic mosque, underscoring its importance as a cultural site. The incident has raised concerns about crowd control and safety measures at public events in Syria.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inWildfires in Los Angeles County have resulted in at least ten fatalities, the destruction of 10,000 buildings, and the evacuation of 180,000 residents, with damage estimates reaching up to $150 billion. Since Tuesday, five major blazes have ravaged the area, notably the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have consumed 81 and 55 square kilometers, respectively. These fires, particularly destructive due to their proximity to residential neighborhoods, are among the most devastating in the county's history. Authorities report that the Palisades Fire alone has destroyed approximately 5,000 structures, while the Eaton Fire has impacted between 4,000 and 5,000. Amidst the chaos, police have arrested 20 individuals for looting, and a nighttime curfew has been imposed, with the National Guard deployed to assist in patrolling affected areas. Despite being smaller than previous California wildfires, the current blazes are proving lethal and catastrophic.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has announced that a leadership vote will take place on March 9, 2025, following his decision to resign amid increasing pressure and internal dissent. Trudeau, who has been in power for nearly a decade, will remain as interim prime minister until his successor is chosen, allowing the new leader to prepare for the upcoming national elections by October 2025 at the latest. The party's president, Sachit Mehra, emphasized the importance of engaging in constructive debate as Liberals prepare for this transition. Candidates must declare their intention to run by January 23 and pay a fee of Can$350,000 (US$243,000). Trudeau's approval has waned due to public dissatisfaction over rising living costs, with recent polls showing the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by over 20 points. Potential frontrunners for the leadership include Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe United States imposed new sanctions on eight senior Venezuelan officials on Friday, coinciding with President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration for a controversial third term, which followed elections widely criticized as fraudulent. The US Treasury Department identified these officials as key figures in Maduro's regime, involved in the repression of democracy and economic mismanagement in Venezuela. Among those sanctioned are high-ranking military and police officials, as well as the heads of the state-owned oil company and airline. Acting Treasury Undersecretary Bradley Smith emphasized the US commitment to supporting the Venezuelan people's desire for new leadership, rejecting Maduro's claims of electoral victory. This move aligns with similar actions from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union, collectively sending a strong message of solidarity with Venezuelans amid ongoing political turmoil.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Biden administration has unveiled its most extensive sanctions package against Russia, aimed at crippling its oil and gas revenues to bolster Ukraine's position in peace negotiations. Announced on Friday, the measures target key Russian energy firms, including Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, alongside 183 vessels involved in oil transportation, particularly to India and China. These sanctions are designed to impact every aspect of Russia's oil production and distribution, potentially costing the Kremlin billions monthly. As global oil prices surged, the sanctions were framed as part of a broader strategy to apply economic pressure on Russia, with the U.S. having provided Ukraine with around $64 billion in military aid since the invasion began. The new measures come as Donald Trump prepares to take office, raising concerns in Kyiv about possible concessions in peace talks, although any reversal of sanctions would require congressional approval.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant announcement, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 has been the hottest year on record, as revealed by spokesperson Clare Nullis ahead of a comprehensive report set to be released later today. The report will integrate data from various regional climate monitoring institutes, including those in Britain, China, the EU, and the US, and is scheduled for publication at 5 p.m. Geneva time. Nullis highlighted the alarming rise in land and sea surface temperatures, as well as unprecedented ocean heat, which has contributed to extreme weather events across the globe. These climatic changes have had devastating effects, impacting lives, livelihoods, and communities worldwide. The findings underscore the urgent need for action in the face of escalating climate challenges.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 7 pmeznews.inJeff Bezos' Blue Origin is poised to launch its New Glenn rocket for the first time on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in its decade-long development and a direct challenge to Elon Musk's SpaceX. At 30 stories tall, New Glenn is designed to cater to the growing demand for satellite constellation launches, potentially allowing Blue Origin to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 and its Starlink network. The inaugural launch, scheduled for 1 am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, will deploy the Blue Ring satellite, aimed at servicing and national security missions. Although New Glenn boasts a larger payload capacity than Falcon 9, it still lags behind SpaceX's next-gen Starship. The launch is also crucial for securing certification from the US Space Force for future national security missions. With multi-launch deals already in place, Blue Origin aims to solidify its position in the competitive space launch market.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn his podcast debut on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath's "People by WTF" series, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the viral "Melodi Memes" featuring him and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. During a light-hearted exchange, Kamath inquired about the memes, to which Modi responded, "Wo toh chalta rehta hai" (that's an ongoing thing), adding that he doesn't spend time on such matters. The two-hour podcast covered a range of topics, including Modi's childhood, education, political journey, and approaches to managing stress and policy. Modi shared personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing his human side by stating, "I'm only human, not God." The Prime Minister promoted the podcast trailer on X, formerly Twitter, expressing hope that listeners would enjoy it as much as he enjoyed creating it.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not attend Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, as there has been no invitation extended, according to EU spokesperson Paula Pinho. Despite her absence, Brussels aims for "early contacts" with the incoming administration. Traditionally, foreign leaders are not invited to US presidential inaugurations, although Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping. Von der Leyen, who has been recovering from severe pneumonia, also missed Joe Biden's inauguration four years ago. The EU is apprehensive about Trump's return to power amid rising tensions, particularly regarding his stance on the war in Ukraine and potential trade tariffs. Von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to protecting its citizens and democracies while reaffirming the importance of strengthening the Transatlantic relationship with the US.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRussia's financial watchdog, Rosfinmonitoring, has refused to remove late opposition leader Alexei Navalny from its list of "terrorists and extremists," despite his death in February while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, shared a letter from the agency stating that Navalny remains under investigation for money laundering and terrorism financing. She accused President Vladimir Putin of being afraid of her husband even posthumously, arguing that the continued designation serves to intimidate the Russian populace. Navalny, who was 47 at the time of his death, had been serving over 30 years for charges he claimed were politically motivated. Navalnaya has offered a reward for evidence of his alleged murder, a claim the Kremlin denies, asserting he died of natural causes. Meanwhile, three of Navalny's lawyers face sentencing next week, accused of facilitating his supposed extremist activities from prison.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 8 pm
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