Spain plans 100% tax for homes bought by non-EU residents
The measure is meant to help tackle the country's housing crisis, the prime minister said.
US man charged with stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark
Prosecutors alleged the man from Texas sent threatening and explicit messages to the Indiana Fever star player.
Southern California Edison faces lawsuits over Los Angeles wildfires
In one suit, multiple witnesses are cited as having seen a fire at base of a transmission tower owned by the utility.
Dangerous winds expected to amplify California wildfires as death toll hits 24
Warning of ‘particularly dangerous situation’ with gusts expected as LA fire chief says: ‘We are not in the clear yet’
Firefighters battling the disastrous wildfires around Los Angeles were prepared for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the flames as the death toll in the tragedy has hit at least 24.
Fierce gusts known as Santa Ana winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into devastating infernos that leveled huge tranches of neighborhoods around America’s second-largest city, which has also been hit by drought.
Continue reading...FBI warns of potential ‘copycat or retaliatory’ New Orleans attacks
Agency and DHS report possible threat from extremists in response to attack that killed more than a dozen people
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday warned of a potential public safety threat from violent extremists in response to the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“The FBI and DHS are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers. Previous attackers inspired by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) who have conducted vehicle attacks in the United States and abroad have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles, which are easy to acquire,” the agencies said in a statement.
Continue reading...Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Los Angeles blazes raise fears of ‘super toxic’ lung damage
Concerns that dangerous fine particle pollution can become embedded in bloodstream and lungs
The Los Angeles wildfires have claimed the lives of at least 24 people and have burned more than 100,000 structures. While the focus is understandably on avoiding the flames, another immediate danger lurks across the county and beyond, one more difficult to escape: smoke.
The most dangerous component of wildfire smoke is fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5 or soot. These tiny particles, smaller than one 20th the width of a human hair, can, if inhaled, become embedded in the bloodstream and lungs. It is estimated that about one-third of all particulate matter pollution in the US now comes from wildfire smoke.
Continue reading...Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza – Yahoo! Voices
- Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza Yahoo! Voices
- Israeli soldiers refuse to fight until Gaza ceasefire is signed The Telegraph
- Growing number of Israeli soldiers say they will lay down arms if there is no ceasefire in Gaza Yahoo! Voices
- No more ‘cannon fodder’: Parents of troops, slain hostages demand Gaza deal The Times of Israel
- 'Movements like these end wars': Israelis attend conference calling for IDF refusal Haaretz
The tricky questions facing Trump’s nominees for top jobs
Allies of the president-elect can expect intense questioning when Senate confirmation hearings begin this week.
At least 100 illegal miners have died while trapped in a South African mine for months, group says – The Associated Press
- At least 100 illegal miners have died while trapped in a South African mine for months, group says The Associated Press
- South Africa launches operation at illegal gold mine amid fears many dead The Guardian
- Footage shows trapped miners, dead bodies underground after South Africa raid Reuters
- Operation under way to rescue trapped miners from South African gold mine Al Jazeera English
- South Africa starts rescuing illegal gold miners trapped for months MINING.com
Spain proposes 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents
Pedro Sánchez announces measure in response to anger over rising housing costs
Spain has announced plans to impose a tax of up to 100% on real estate bought by non-residents from countries outside the EU, such as the UK, in an aim to tackle the country’s housing crisis.
The measure was one of a dozen unveiled on Monday by the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the government seeks to quell mounting anger over housing costs that have soared far beyond the reach of many in Spain.
Continue reading...Gaza ceasefire deal being finalised, Palestinian official tells BBC
President Biden meanwhile says a deal is "on the brink" of coming to fruition and his administration is working on it.
Israel and Hamas “on the brink” of ceasefire deal, Biden says
US President Joe Biden said Israel and Hamas are “on the brink” of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
In scorched neighbourhoods, a few Los Angeles homes stand untouched
The blazes have killed at least 24 people in one of the most devastating natural disasters in United States history.
Video: Amputee doctor in Gaza carries on hospital work despite injury
Dr. Khaled al-Saedni works at a hospital in Gaza and tells how he cares for patients after losing a leg.
Surrey councillors ask ministers to ‘write off’ Woking’s £1bn debt
Taxpayers asked to shoulder burden as beleaguered council expected to merge with neighbouring authorities
Taxpayers are being asked to shoulder £1bn in debt amassed by a bankrupt Surrey council that will be merged in the government’s plan for the biggest transfer of powers to England’s regions this century.
Posing a fresh financial headache for the government, councillors in Surrey have requested that ministers “write off” £1bn in debt held by troubled Woking borough council to enable a merger between the county’s 12 local authorities.
Continue reading...Venezuela’s attorney general seeks arrest of opposition’s Leopoldo Lopez
Attorney General Tarek Saab says he has appealed to Interpol for the arrest of Leopoldo Lopez, who lives in exile.
US lists white supremacist Terrorgram network as ‘terrorist group’
The network, which largely operates on Telegram, has been linked to a series of violent attacks, officials say.
Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says – The Times of Israel
- Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says The Times of Israel
- What Are Israelis and Gazans Dying For? A Pointless War With No Goals Haaretz
- Soldiers killed in Beit Hanoun may have been caused by IDF weapons explosion The Jerusalem Post
- Four Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza The New Arab
- IDF faces growing threat from IEDs in northern Gaza Long War Journal
Rare comet may be visible for first time in 160,000 years
Comet C/2024 G3 could shine as bright as Venus due to its close proximity to the Sun.
North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says – PBS NewsHour
- North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says PBS NewsHour
- Troops Detained in Ukraine Give Rare Glimpse Into North Korea’s Military The New York Times
- North Korean troops are far from ‘cannon fodder,’ Ukrainian soldiers say POLITICO Europe
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready to trade captured North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners USA TODAY
- Zelensky ready to hand North Korea back its captured troops The Washington Post