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1/10/2023

Rain to persist as storm weary Californians face evacuations

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The latest in a relentless string of California storms is swamping roads, battering coastlines with high surf, turning rivers into gushing flood zones and forcing the evacuation of thousands in towns with histories of deadly mudslides. At least 14 people have died since the storms began last week, including two people killed by falling trees. Forecasters expect the rain to continue through Tuesday after dumping up to 14 inches at higher elevations in central and Southern California. The storm on Monday prompted evacuation orders for 10,000 people along the central California coast, including the entire town of Montecito — home to Prince Harry and other celebrities — which saw 23 people killed in a mudslide five years ago.

‘What madness looks like’: Russia intensifies Bakhmut attack

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say Russian forces are escalating their onslaught against Ukrainian positions around the wrecked eastern city of Bakhmut. The officials say the intense attack is bringing new levels of death and devastation in the grinding, monthslong battle for control of eastern Ukraine that is part of Moscow’s wider war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there is “almost no life left” around Bakhmut and the nearby Donetsk province city of Soledar. He added that ”this is what madness looks like.” A deputy Ukrainian defense minister says Russian forces are advancing “literally on the bodies of their own soldiers.” The Kremlin is hungry for any victories after its invasion of Ukraine suffered numerous reversals.

‘No amnesty!’: Brazilian protests demand jail for rioters

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Thousands of protesters in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo demanded “No amnesty!” Monday, following a riot that invaded the heart of Brazil’s capital Sunday in an effort to reinstall former President Jair Bolsonaro. The words evoke memories of an amnesty law that for decades has protected military members accused of abuse and murder during the country’s 1964-85 dictatorship. Justice minister Flávio Dino vowed to prosecute those who acted behind the scenes to summon supporters on social media and finance their transport for crimes including organized crime, staging a coup, and violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He also said authorities would investigate allegations local security personnel allowed the destruction to proceed unabated.

DOJ reviewing potentially classified docs at Biden center

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is reviewing a batch of potentially classified documents found in the Washington office space of President Joe Biden’s former institute. Special counsel to the president Richard Sauber says “a small number of documents with classified markings” were discovered as Biden’s personal attorneys were clearing out the offices of the Penn Biden Center, where the president kept an office after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his 2020 presidential campaign in 2019. Sauber says the documents were found on Nov. 2, 2022, in a “locked closet” in the office.

Biden, López Obrador, Trudeau meet in Mexico City for summit

MEXICO CITY (AP) — President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are set to meet for a series of talks on migration, trade and climate change. The three leaders are trying to mend tensions that have divided the continent. Tuesday’s gathering of North American countries is held most years, and it’s often called the “three amigos summit.” However, there have been strains in the relationship, and those were on display when Biden and López Obrador met Monday. During their conversation, López Obrador challenged the U.S. to end its “abandonment” and “disdain” for Latin America, and Biden defended his country’s foreign aid programs.

China suspends visas for South Koreans in virus retaliation

BEIJING (AP) — China is suspending issuing visas for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19-related requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travelers. Japan’s Kyodo News service says the ban would also affect Japanese travelers. A brief notice posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory measures on entrance by China.” No other details were given, although China has threatened to retaliate against countries that require travelers from China to show a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within the previous 48 hours. China has been accused of withholding data on its current outbreak.

Callers keep flooding 988 mental health, suicide helpline

HYATTSVILLE, Md. (AP) — The 988 mental health and suicide prevention helpline has quickly expanded its reach in the six months since it launched. It has received just over 2 million calls, texts and chat messages since July. The number of centers answering calls from Spanish grew from three to seven by the end of last year. A pilot line dedicated to LGBTQ youth started taking calls in September. And plans are underway to keep the momentum going, expanding the service even further. The helpline was created with bipartisan support in Congress and just under $1 billion in federal funds.

No. 1 Georgia bullies TCU 65-7 to win 2nd consecutive title

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Stetson Bennett threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores in the first half as No. 1 Georgia demolished No. 3 TCU 65-7 to become the first team to win consecutive College Football Playoff national championships. The Bulldogs became the first repeat champs since Alabama went back-to-back a decade ago and left no doubt that they have replaced the Crimson Tide as the new bullies on the block. TCU, the first Cinderella team of the CFP era, never had a chance against the Georgia juggernaut and suffered the most lopsided loss in a national title game dating to the start of the BCS in 1998.

Divisive influencer Tate appeals detention in Romanian court

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The divisive social media personality Andrew Tate has arrived at a court in Romania in handcuffs to appeal a judge’s earlier decision to extend his arrest period from 24 hours to 30 days on charges of being part of an organized crime group, human trafficking and rape. Tate, a 36-year-old British-U.S. citizen, was initially detained on Dec. 29 in an area north of the capital, Bucharest, along with his brother Tristan, who is charged in the same case. Two Romanian women are also in custody. All four of them immediately launched challenges after their arrest period was extended.

Newly restored house in Pompeii offers glimpse of elite life

POMPEII, Italy (AP) — The newly restored remains of an opulent ancient house in Pompeii offer visitors an exceptional peek at details of domestic life in the doomed Roman city. On Tuesday, the House of Vettii, or Domus Vettiorum as it is known by its Latin name, is being formally unveiled after 20 years of restoration. Given fresh life were frescoes from the latest fashion in Pompeii wall decoration before the flourishing city was buried under the volcanic ash spewing from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The restoration of the home is another sign of rebirth for Pompeii, which followed decades of modern bureaucratic neglect, flooding and pillaging by thieves in search of artifacts to sell.