Residents of various towns in California were awoken this Sunday morning by evacuation alerts due to the severe storm that is currently hitting the state. Forecasters are predicting that this storm will bring the largest amount of rainfall today, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides, and power outages.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles has issued a flood watch for all areas of the metropolitan region.

Residents in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, located north of Los Angeles, have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the risk of flooding following a level 4 “high risk” alert issued due to excessive rainfall. The NWS has also warned that this storm could break “historic” records for accumulated rainfall.

Areas affected by last year’s wildfires are still on evacuation alert due to the potential for landslides. Coastal cities from the California-Mexico border to the north of San Francisco Bay need to remain vigilant and closely follow emergency service directives.

According to the NWS, “given the large amounts of rainfall expected within a short period of time, three to six-hour rainfall rates could cause problems, potentially resulting in mud and debris flows as well as rapid overflow into local rivers and streams.”

There have already been reports of power outages in the San Francisco Bay area, with one hospital’s emergency room having to close. The NWS has issued a “hurricane-force” wind warning for this region.

Warnings for strong winds, reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour, are also in effect for nearly 30 million people in inland areas across the majority of the state. The foothills and mountains, where record-breaking snowfall is anticipated, could experience wind gusts of approximately 150 kilometers per hour.

The devastating fire that erupted on Friday in the densely populated hills surrounding the city of Viña del Mar, approximately 120 kilometers from Santiago de Chile, continues to advance relentlessly and has now reached industrial areas. Several explosions have been reported in chemical warehouses, paint factories, and other storage facilities. Tragically, the death toll has already reached around fifty individuals as of Saturday.

Due to the severity of the situation, authorities have ordered large-scale evacuations in the Villamarin sectors of El Salto, Limonares, Chorrillos, and Canal Chacao. The smoke from the fire has even spread to the beach of Viña del Mar, known as the “garden city” and a popular tourist destination during the summer months.

Mayor Macarena Ripamonti of Viña del Mar acknowledged that this is one of the largest fires in the city’s history.

The Viña del Mar Fire Department shared a video on its X account showing a powerful explosion in a gas tank in Limonares. Local channels also aired images of various paint and chemical factories engulfed in flames, creating a toxic black cloud.

Extreme and unusual temperatures, reaching nearly 38 degrees Celsius, coupled with strong winds and low humidity, are making it difficult to control the fire not only in Viña del Mar but also in other towns in the Valparaíso region. In fact, Quilpué, another town in the region, had to evacuate a hospital due to the nearby flames.

Regarding the cause of the fire, regional governor Rodrigo Mundaca stated, “Evidently, everything indicates that there is an element of intentionality when four simultaneous outbreaks appear just 400 meters from each other.”

As of Saturday, authorities have confirmed the deaths of around fifty people in the region. Unfortunately, the number of victims is expected to rise as rescue teams access the devastated areas.

To aid in rescue and firefighting efforts and to ensure clear evacuation routes, the Chilean Government has implemented a 12-hour curfew from 9:00 p.m. local time (1:00 a.m. Spanish peninsular time) in the towns of Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache, and Viña del Mar, where evacuations are still in progress.

The Risk and Disaster Management Committee (COGRID), composed of various authorities and public institutions responsible for making crucial decisions in emergency situations, is scheduled to meet at 7:00 p.m. local time (11:00 p.m. Spanish peninsular time) to assess and update the scale of the tragedy.

Chile experienced its deadliest wave of fires last year, resulting in 27 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes in central-southern regions such as La Araucanía, Biobío, and Ñuble.

Although Chile has been experiencing one of the wettest winters in the last 15 years, experts have been cautioning for months that the underlying drought has not been eradicated, making the south-central region of Chile susceptible to the development of fine, dead vegetation that easily ignites.

Ukraine is at a crossroads, faced with the choice of relying solely on European Union military aid or adopting a new strategy centered around drone warfare. President Volodymyr Zelensky and Army Chief Valeri Zaluzhni agree on the importance of drones and the local production of weapons and ammunition to minimize casualties and costs.

Mobilization, including the enlistment of individuals who left the country illegally, is an unpopular measure. Recognizing the limited defense capabilities, Zelensky announced the arrival of air defense systems but emphasized the need for more comprehensive support from the European Union.

Meanwhile, discussions with the General Staff highlighted plans to increase drone manufacturing, with additional contracts and funding expected after a significant investment in 2023. Self-made drones have already proven effective, wreaking havoc in Russia by targeting oil refineries and sinking a Russian coast guard ship.

In a recent article, Zaluzhni highlighted the necessity of adopting a new approach to warfare, centered around drones, due to the enemy’s numerical advantage, reduced Western aid, and ineffective sanctions. The objective is to create a relatively inexpensive, modern, and highly effective arsenal to inflict maximum damage on the enemy while minimizing casualties. To achieve this, Ukraine has established a new Strategic Industries portfolio and signed cooperation agreements with Western defense companies.

While mass production of drones is already underway, Ukraine aims to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of missiles, tanks, and other military equipment. However, acquiring Western licenses for this remains a challenge, particularly from the United States.

In the meantime, Ukraine is seeking to modernize Cold War weaponry such as short-range Sidewinder missiles, which have been effective against Iranian drones. The overall goal is to secure the freedom of Ukrainians and Ukraine through the production and deployment of advanced military capabilities.

A shocking revelation unfolded in Kamakura, Japan, when a 70-year-old man, known as Satoshi Kirishima, confessed on his deathbed to being one of the most notorious terrorists in the country’s history. His confession came just before succumbing to cancer on January 28 at a local hospital.

Kirishima’s involvement in a bomb attack in 1974, which claimed the lives of eight people, had long haunted Japanese authorities. He was a member of a radical group, the East Asian Anti-Japanese Armed Front, which carried out a series of attacks against major Japanese companies during the 1970s.

Authorities were alerted to Kirishima’s presence at the hospital, where they interrogated him about his past actions. The dying man, who had been evading capture for nearly five decades, revealed details about the attacks that were previously unknown to investigators.

After the interview, Kirishima passed away without his true identity being officially verified. However, DNA tests conducted on the body and compared to samples from his relatives confirmed his true identity, according to Japanese media.

Kirishima’s criminal career began when he was a university student in Tokyo in the 1970s. Radicalized and motivated by extremist ideologies, he joined the East Asian Anti-Japanese Armed Front. The group’s most infamous act was the 1975 bombing of a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries building, for which Kirishima was allegedly involved.

Despite being a member of the group, Kirishima managed to evade capture throughout the years. He lived and worked under the alias Hiroshi Uchida, receiving his salary in cash and taking precautionary measures to avoid authorities, such as not owning a mobile phone or health insurance.

While Kirishima’s death brings closure to his elusive criminal existence, it also serves as a reminder of the violent past that some individuals can leave behind. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the terrorist group have faced justice, with two individuals receiving death sentences, including its founder, Masashi Daidoji.

In just under three weeks, it will mark two years since the conflict in Ukraine began due to the invasion of Russian troops. Despite the passing of time, the situation remains unresolved and the violence persists.

The impact of this ongoing conflict is felt most by the people involved, as demonstrated by a Ukrainian news presenter who recently bid farewell to his audience in order to join the armed forces and fight on the front lines.

“The time has come for me to leave my comfortable studio behind and don a military uniform,” declared Orest Drymalovsky, a 29-year-old journalist, during a live broadcast.

“This marks the end of an era for me. Today, I bid goodbye as this is my final broadcast before being mobilized into the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” announced the passionate journalist who will be joining the ranks later this week.

“I implore you to believe in, support, and join the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he passionately expressed. “There is no alternative path to victory,” he added, urging his fellow citizens to rally behind their military efforts.

Drymalovsky later mentioned in an interview with the Daily Mail that fleeing abroad, a choice made by many, was never a consideration for him. “I envision working, starting a family, and building a successful business right here in Ukraine. I desire for my future children to grow up in this country,” he emphasized.

“In order to make all this possible, we must do what is necessary to safeguard our state. And to protect our state, it becomes imperative to serve in the army when duty calls. It’s as simple as that,” he concluded.

The unexpected emergence of a 16th century church that was previously submerged beneath the waters of a dam in Jalapa del Marqués, Oaxaca, has triggered concerns about the severe drought situation in Mexico. The water levels of the Benito Juarez Dam have plummeted by 47% in the past year, leading local fishermen and farmers to anticipate dire circumstances for their livelihoods.

“Currently, you can witness the church’s structure and people come to capture photos and videos, but the reality is that there are no mojarras (a type of fish). For those of us who rely on fishing, resources are scarce due to the absence of rainfall,” laments fisherman Alejandro Olvera in an interview with the Mexican newspaper Página 3.

Irrigated crops are also bearing the brunt of the drought, on the verge of withering away due to water scarcity. “Climate change is already upon us, and we must confront it. The depleted water levels in the dam mirror the harsh reality faced by numerous agricultural workers and fishing communities. It is a regrettable situation that demands broader awareness,” asserts Juan de Dios Gallegos, technical manager of the major crop network.

Constructed six decades ago through the confluence of the Tehuantepec and Tequisistlán rivers, the dam displaced inhabitants to facilitate irrigation across 23,000 hectares of farmland in the Isthmus region. Throughout the years, it has become expected for the submerged church to emerge during periods of minimal rainfall, but the current predicament is unparalleled. As a result of the drought, the visible section of the church stands at 40% above water level.

The lack of rainfall and soaring temperatures have intensified the crisis. On January 18, an all-time high temperature of 39.5 degrees was recorded, as reported by the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

While in 2022, abundant rainfall resulted in the dam surpassing a storage capacity of 727,000 cubic hectometers, the situation drastically changed in 2023. By December 26, the dam’s capacity had plummeted to a mere 65.3% due to insufficient precipitation.

A National Concern

This distressing scenario extends beyond the immediate vicinity, affecting approximately 115 additional dams throughout Mexico. As of January 22, these dams recorded less than 50% of their storage capacity, according to data collected by the Mexican newspaper NVI News from the General Technical Subdirectorate of the National Water Commission (Conagua).

Mexico possesses approximately 210 major dams, which can hold up to 92% of the nation’s total reservoir water. Regrettably, the average filling level of these dams stands at a meager 52%. The water scarcity issue has been exacerbated over the past month, with a 43.7% deficit in typical rainfall.

On Friday, the United States executed a series of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the deaths of three US soldiers in an attack by a faction associated with the Islamic Resistance of Iraq. This attack marks the first instance of US casualties since the commencement of the Gaza conflict on October 7th, which began with a terrorist massacre in Israel by Palestinian extremists.

In a statement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on social media, they attributed the attack to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and their affiliated pro-Iran militias.

According to the Pentagon, the US military conducted over 85 airstrikes utilizing various aircraft, including long-range bombers dispatched from the United States. These airstrikes employed over 125 precision munitions.

The targets of the US airstrikes included command and control structures, intelligence centers, drone and missile warehouses, logistics buildings, and facilities supporting the supply chain of these militia groups.

These armed groups have carried out numerous actions against US targets in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of the Gaza war in October. However, until Sunday’s attack, none have resulted in fatalities.

Although Washington had previously promised a response, details regarding the nature, location, and timing of the retaliation had not been disclosed by US authorities throughout the week.

In his first press appearance after being hospitalized for prostate cancer, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned on Thursday that the response could be “multiple.”

The attack was claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, but the Pentagon suggests that Kataib Hezbollah, the most prominent pro-Iran militia in Iraq and the leader of the Resistance, orchestrated it.

Despite Iran distancing itself from the attack, Washington ultimately holds the country accountable.

Biden warns: “It will continue”

Shortly after, US President Joe Biden issued a warning on Friday that his country’s response to the attack on US troops in Jordan will continue as deemed necessary by Washington.

“Our response began today. It will continue at a time and in places of our choosing,” he stated in a press release from the White House, shortly after reports of airstrikes against the targets of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and affiliated groups in Syria and Iraq surfaced.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, issued a stark warning on Friday regarding the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that any potential ceasefire in the south would not extend to the northern border with Lebanon, as Hezbollah has continued to attack Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Speaking after meeting with Alpine Unit troops in the occupied Golan Heights, Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to ensure security for its northern residents, dismissing any notion that the cessation of hostilities in the south would lead to a complete cessation of fire. The Minister further stated that Israel would not stop until it could restore security for the residents of the north, whether through diplomatic agreements or military actions.

Following the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, which resulted in numerous casualties, the Israeli Army launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a significant loss of life. Currently, there is speculation about potential negotiations for a new exchange of hostages for prisoners. In response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, Hezbollah has mounted attacks across the northern border. The Israeli Army has retaliated to these attacks, while other armed groups in the region, including the Houthi rebels, have also expressed their support for the Palestinian cause through violent actions.

The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, has made the decision to empower his sister Karina Milei in the area of official communications within the country’s Presidency. As stated in the Official Gazette, Karina will now be responsible for the dissemination of national public sector activities and acts of the national state. This role was previously fulfilled by Eduardo Serenellini, the Director of the Undersecretariat of Press of the Presidency of the Nation.

In addition to these duties, Karina will also oversee the planning, contracting, and execution of official advertising, as well as the formulation, planning, execution, and supervision of the national State’s public communication policy. She will act as the main coordinator for the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of communication campaigns by the Argentine State.

As a key collaborator of the President, Karina Milei will play a central role in managing relations between national and international media and the Argentine Executive. The Official Gazette highlights her authority in production, editing, photography, and transmission of official content.

Furthermore, she will provide assistance to the national executive power in preparing messages, speeches, and public statements, while also having involvement in matters related to technology, art, education, culture, information, and knowledge dissemination supported by the national State.

The Secretary will also have the responsibility of supervising the activities of the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, who regularly holds press conferences at the Government headquarters. Additionally, another important figure in Milei’s team, the Chief of Cabinet Ministers, Nicolás Posse, will have the ability to intervene in the administration and operation of Argentina’s public radio and television. Despite previous contemplations of dismantling, the administration and operation of the Argentine state news agency, Télam, will also be under his purview. Posse will also have involvement in the multi-state Telesur and preside over the Advisory Council of the Argentine digital terrestrial television system.

The leader of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, criticized this Friday the “promiscuous” display of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the leaks of confidential cabinet meetings. Lapid questioned how families are supposed to feel in such a situation.

In a scathing message on his social media account, the opposition leader hit out at the incompetence of the government and Netanyahu himself. He suggested that instead of filtering information, the cabinet meetings should be broadcasted on television. Lapid, who served as Prime Minister of Israel for only a year, expressed his displeasure with the lack of discretion and responsibility displayed by the current administration.

Lapid further criticized the impact of these leaked discussions on families of kidnapped individuals, evacuees, and combatants who have entrusted their fate to the government. He asserts that such a public and irresponsible spectacle in cabinet meetings has never been witnessed before in the country’s history.

Simultaneously, Israeli newspaper Maariv released a survey on Friday, revealing that the opposition would dominate in hypothetical legislative elections with a significant lead of nearly 30 seats over the far-right coalition led by Netanyahu.

The survey conducted by Leyzer Research and Panel4All also disclosed that only 32% of respondents consider Netanyahu as the most qualified leader to govern.