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January 13, 2025AP Sports
January 13, 2025AP- News
January 13, 2025
Los Angeles wildfire deaths rise to 24 as more fierce winds are forecast
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters are preparing for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area. Crews made some progress battling the flames this weekend. The relative calm Sunday allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas. But even as containment increased in the worst of the fires, more bad news emerged from the ashes: The death toll surged late Sunday with an update from the Los Angeles County medical examiner. At least 16 people were missing. Authorities said that number was also likely to rise. And the forecast was worrying. The National Weather Service issued a rare warning of a “particularly dangerous situation,” beginning overnight Monday into Tuesday.
Beyoncé donates $2.5 million to fire relief and Meghan delays show launch due to the disaster
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Weaker winds and intense firefighting efforts over the weekend boosted containment of fires burning in and around Los Angeles, but the effects of the blazes on the entertainment world continue. Several projects and awards shows have been delayed, with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announcing Sunday she would not launch a Netflix lifestyles program until March. Entertainment organizations continue to donate to fire relief, with the Screen Actors Guild pledging $1 million to help its members affected by the blazes. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and 24 people have died as a result of the fires. More are reported missing and officials expect that number to increase.
Progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release, officials say
CAIRO (AP) — Officials say U.S. and Arab mediators made significant progress overnight toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal has not been reached yet. Four officials said Monday that progress has been made and that the coming days would be critical for ending more than 15 months of fighting that has destabilized the Middle East. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks. On several occasions over the past year, U.S. officials have said they were on the verge of reaching a deal, only to have the talks stall.
Hegseth could lead troops who’d face getting fired for actions he’s done in the past
WASHINGTON (AP) — Some current and former defense leaders and veterans are questioning whether Pete Hegseth would be able to enforce discipline in the ranks if the Senate confirms him as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary. Hegseth has acknowledged having multiple extramarital affairs, which occurred while he was in the military, and telling his troops to ignore commands about when to fire on potential enemies in the Iraq War. Both violate the code of military justice and can get troops dismissed. Hegseth also faces questions over his drinking — which, had it occurred in uniform, can lead to military disciplinary action. The Republican Trump and his supporters have rallied around Hegseth, whose Senate confirmation hearing is Tuesday.
Biden says he was the steady hand the world needed after Trump, who’s ready to shake things up again
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden prepares to leave office next week, he remains insistent that his one-term presidency has made strides in restoring American credibility on the world stage and has proved that the U.S. remains an indispensable partner around the globe. That’s the message that will be at the center of a capstone address he will deliver on Monday reflecting on his foreign policy legacy. Yet, Biden’s case for his foreign policy achievements will be shadowed and shaped, at least in the near term, by the messy counterfactual that American voters are returning the country’s stewardship to Donald Trump and his protectionist worldview.
Seoul’s spy agency says North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s spy agency has told lawmakers that two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region haven’t expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s willing to hand over the soldiers to North Korea if the country’s authoritarian leader, Kim Jong Un, arranges for an exchange with Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. Zelenskyy added that “there may be other options” for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return home. Seoul’s National Intelligence Service said in a briefing Monday that the soldiers haven’t made a request to resettle in South Korea.
A tough-on-crime approach is back in US state capitols
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Among his first actions in office, new Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to issue a variety of orders targeting crime. The tone-setting move on Monday reflects a trend in the U.S. After a period of relaxed sentencing laws, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor. Republicans and Democrats alike are promoting anti-crime initiatives as a new year of lawmaking gets underway in state capitols. That comes after voters in several states in November embraced stricter penalties for crimes ranging from shoplifting to deadly drug dealing.
This is what the Homeland Security secretary has to say about his border record
WASHINGTON (AP) — Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has only days left in office. Mayorkas spoke to The Associated Press about what the agency had achieved. He defended his agency’s work to tamp down border-crossing numbers. He also made the case for keeping together the department that was forged in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Mayorkas said he has spoken repeatedly to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who’s President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the agency, including about the attack in New Orleans and the California wildfires. Homeland Security is responsible for border and airport security, disaster response, protections for high-level dignitaries and more.
Judge clears the way for release of special counsel Smith’s report on Trump’s 2020 election case
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge says the Justice Department can release special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed to the bench by Trump, is the latest in the back and forth in a court dispute over the report from the special counsel who prosecuted Trump in two cases the Justice Department abandoned in November. Cannon had earlier temporarily blocked the department from releasing the report. Cannon on Monday cleared the way for the release of the volume on Trump’s 2020 election interference case. A temporary injunction barring the immediate release of the report remains in effect until Tuesday.
Auburn rises to No. 1 in AP Top 25 after Tennessee loses, Georgia is ranked for 1st time since 2011
Auburn has climbed to No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll for its second stint at the top in program history. Bruce Pearl’s Tigers claimed 60 of 62 first-place votes to rise one spot Monday. That came after previous No. 1 Tennessee suffered its first loss of the season, falling at Florida, to end a five-week reign. Auburn had been No. 1 once before during a three-week stint in 2022. Iowa State, Duke, Alabama and Florida rounded out the top five. The Southeastern Conference had nine ranked teams. That included No. 23 Georgia for the first time since 2011.