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Melania Trump Signs $40 Million Documentary Deal with Amazon

Melania Trump has signed a lucrative $40 million deal with Amazon to produce a documentary about her life, set to stream on Prime Video in mid-2025. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film will feature appearances from her husband, Donald Trump, and their son, Barron. The deal includes a two-to-three-episode follow-up docuseries, with Melania serving as an executive producer, allowing her significant control over the content. Sources indicate that Melania has grown more comfortable in the public eye, leveraging her private nature to create intrigue and drive up her value. This collaboration follows a meeting between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Bezos announced a $1 million donation to Trump's inaugural fund. An Amazon spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for sharing Melania's unique story with a global audience, promising a rare glimpse into the life of the former First Lady. sources

Published:
Jan 08 2025, 8 am

Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles Area

At least five people have died as devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, with over 100,000 residents forced to evacuate and up to 1,500 buildings destroyed. The blazes, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have ravaged areas including the upscale Pacific Palisades, where flames consumed approximately 16,000 acres and incinerated numerous multimillion-dollar homes. Fire officials reported being overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the fires, with Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitting a lack of personnel to combat the disasters. As firefighters battled the flames, President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom assessed the situation, with Biden vowing to do everything possible to contain the fires. The region, experiencing extreme dryness exacerbated by climate change, is facing unprecedented challenges, with estimates of damage reaching up to $57 billion. Residents have been urged to conserve water as hydrants ran dry amidst the crisis. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

Indian-Origin Wedding Scammer Defrauds 17 Couples in South Africa

A 53-year-old Indian-origin South African attorney, Prelyn Mohanlall, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding 17 couples by accepting payments for the same wedding venue on the same day. The scam was uncovered by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), which tracked her down after victims sought help. Mohanlall, who has a history of fraud and was disbarred for misappropriating client funds, reportedly promised to repay her victims, potentially avoiding jail time. Couples who arrived at the venue found it deserted, ruining their wedding plans. One victim described the emotional turmoil of having to cancel their wedding, stating it drastically affected their financial planning. Mohanlall claims her business faced difficulties, leading to cancellations, and insists she intends to refund the couples. Despite her assertions, RUSA confirmed she was already wanted for multiple fraud cases in Gauteng province. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

Passenger Opens JetBlue Emergency Door After Argument with Girlfriend

A JetBlue flight at Logan Airport was thrown into chaos on Tuesday night when a Puerto Rican passenger, identified as Morales Torres, allegedly opened the emergency exit door while the plane was taxiing. Witnesses reported that Torres was engaged in a heated argument with his girlfriend when he suddenly ripped open the door of Flight 161, bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, prompting the emergency slide to deploy. Fellow passengers swiftly intervened, restraining him until authorities arrived. Massachusetts State Police detained Torres around 7:25 PM, and he was later released on bail, ordered to live with his parents and restricted from travel except for court appearances. His attorney described the situation as a medical issue rather than a criminal one, emphasizing the need for Torres to receive help. The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident, while the flight was eventually switched to another aircraft and departed for San Juan. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

California Wildfire: State of Emergency as 5 Confirmed Dead

Wildfires in Los Angeles have wreaked havoc this week, claiming at least five lives and forcing the evacuation of over 70,000 residents amid uncontained blazes fueled by hurricane-force winds. The largest fire in the city's history has consumed around 16,000 acres, destroying more than 1,000 homes in affluent areas like Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood favored by celebrities. Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported that firefighting resources are overwhelmed, exacerbated by dwindling water supplies as hydrants run dry. President Joe Biden, currently in Los Angeles, has pledged federal assistance as the state grapples with the crisis. The entertainment industry has been significantly impacted, with major events cancelled, including a film premiere and awards show. Celebrities like Mandy Moore and Mark Hamill have shared their harrowing experiences of evacuation, while the situation remains critical, with ongoing fears of further casualties. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 7 am

Israeli Military Restricts Media Amid War Crimes Concerns

The Israeli military has implemented new restrictions on media coverage of active-duty soldiers amid rising concerns over potential legal actions against reservists abroad for alleged war crimes in Gaza. This decision follows an incident where an Israeli reservist in Brazil left the country after a judge ordered an investigation based on claims from a pro-Palestinian group. Under the new guidelines, media are prohibited from displaying the full names or faces of soldiers ranked colonel and below during interviews, mirroring existing protocols for pilots and special forces. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani emphasized that these measures aim to protect soldiers from harassment by anti-Israel activists. He noted that while soldiers are already advised against sharing war zone content on social media, some have been targeted abroad due to their online activity. The International Criminal Court previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, escalating tensions within the country. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 6 am

France Expresses Concern Over Meta's US Fact-Checking Suspension

The French foreign ministry expressed "concern" on Wednesday regarding Meta's recent decision to cease its fact-checking operations on Facebook and Instagram in the United States. A ministry spokesman emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right in France and Europe, it should not equate to the unchecked spread of misleading content. France pledged to remain vigilant in ensuring that Meta complies with European laws, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to safeguard democratic processes and protect citizens from foreign interference. Meta's decision aligns with the priorities of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting French officials, including Junior Minister for Digital Technologies Clara Chappaz, to assess the implications of this move under EU law and to maintain high standards of content moderation. Currently, AFP collaborates with Facebook's fact-checking program, which utilizes the expertise of around 80 organizations worldwide. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 6 am

Palisades Fire Burns 15,800 Acres, Claims 5 Lives; Musk Shares Footage

The Palisades Fire has ravaged over 15,800 acres along the Los Angeles coast, leading to at least five fatalities and forcing more than 150,000 residents to evacuate. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed it is the largest wildfire currently in the area, having destroyed at least 1,000 structures. Billionaire Elon Musk shared harrowing footage of the devastation on social media, highlighting the destruction of beachfront homes in Malibu. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration, enabling access to federal resources for affected survivors and granting funds for firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, blaming him for the fires and the state's water management policies, which he claims hindered firefighting efforts. Reports indicate that some fire hydrants in Los Angeles County ran dry due to unprecedented demand during the crisis. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 6 am

Panama Canal CEO Warns Trump's Plans Could Cause Chaos

The head of the Panama Canal Authority, Ricuarte Vasquez Morales, has rejected Donald Trump's demand for preferential treatment for US ships passing through the canal, warning that such a move would "lead to chaos." In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Morales emphasized that "rules are rules" and that any exceptions would violate international law and the neutrality treaty. Trump has criticized the 1970s agreement that transferred control of the canal from the US to Panama and has made claims about China's influence over the waterway, which Morales called "unfounded." He clarified that while a Chinese company operates two ports at either end of the canal, the Panama Canal Authority manages the canal itself and does not impose higher fees on US vessels. The only exception to their rules is for US Navy ships, which receive priority treatment as per the original agreement. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 4 am

Trump Blames California Governor for Wildfires

US President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for the devastating wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area, claiming Newsom's refusal to sign a water restoration declaration has exacerbated the crisis. Trump accused Newsom of prioritizing the protection of the smelt fish over the needs of Californians, stating that the lack of water has hindered firefighting efforts. His comments came as the Eaton and Palisades Fires have burned thousands of acres, led to evacuations of tens of thousands, and resulted in at least two fatalities. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported significant destruction, with over 100 structures lost in the Eaton Fire alone. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency and urged residents to heed evacuation orders, emphasizing the extreme fire risk posed by the current weather conditions. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 5 am

Brazil Criticizes Meta for Ending Fact-Checking Program

Brazil's newly appointed communication minister, Sidonio Palmeira, criticized Meta's recent decision to end fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in the United States, labeling it "bad for democracy." The announcement by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who cited concerns over political bias, has raised alarms about the unchecked spread of hate and misinformation. Palmeira emphasized the need for regulation of social media, referencing Europe's approach to controlling online content. In response to Meta's changes, Brazil's public prosecutor's office has requested clarification from the company regarding its intentions in Brazil. Instead of professional fact-checking, Zuckerberg plans to implement a "Community Notes" model, which relies on users to identify falsehoods. Experts warn that this shift could exacerbate the spread of harmful misinformation, a concern echoed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating disinformation while defending freedom of expression. sources

Published:
Jan 09 2025, 2 am

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