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Russia Responds to Trump’s Sanctions Threat Amid Ukraine Conflict as Baseless

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Russia Responds to Trump’s Sanctions Threat Amid Ukraine Conflict as Baseless

The Kremlin dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new sanctions on Russia if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached, calling the move unsurprising and lacking new elements. 

“We do not see any particular new elements here,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Thursday. Peskov added that Trump “liked sanctions” and often used them during his first term as president. 

Speaking to independent media outlet Meduza, Peskov emphasized Russia’s willingness for dialogue. “Russia is ready for an equal and careful dialogue with the United States, which we had during Trump’s first term. We are waiting for signals that have not yet been received,” he said. 

On Wednesday, Trump issued a stark warning via his Truth Social platform, threatening additional sanctions and tariffs against Russia if President Vladimir Putin fails to end the war in Ukraine. 

“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump wrote. “If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States. We can do it the easy way, or the hard way — and the easy way is always better.” 

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its third year, with the war claiming tens of thousands of lives on both sides. Ukrainian forces continue to resist as Moscow’s assault presses on. 

The conflict has drawn widespread international condemnation, with sanctions already in place from the U.S. and its allies aiming to cripple Russia’s economy and pressure the Kremlin into ending the hostilities. 

politico.eu

5 Injured in Knife Attack at Argos Warehouse in London

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5 Injured in Knife Attack at Argos Warehouse in London

A man has been arrested following a knife attack that left five people injured at an Argos warehouse in south London on Thursday morning. 

One of the victims told the PA news agency that the attacker was “stabbing at me like a serial killer” before he managed to fend him off using a fire extinguisher. 

Joseph Denton, 29, who was at the site for an audit, described hearing shouts from the warehouse. “We thought we’ve got to go and help them,” Denton said. 

He added: “[The attacker] sliced my finger open and got a couple of cuts on my arms. I picked up a fire extinguisher, opened the door, and hit him on the head with it. There were about six of us all attacking him at this point, and then he ran off.” 

Denton said the attacker wielded a large knife resembling a “Rambo knife about eight inches, with jagged edges.” 

Five people were treated for injuries, with one transported to a major trauma center in London and four others taken to local hospitals, according to the London Ambulance Service. Police confirmed that a 54-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

An air ambulance was seen landing in nearby Beddington Park as part of the emergency response. 

The incident occurred at the Argos depot on Marlowe Way in the Beddington area of Croydon. A spokesperson for Argos stated, “We’re doing everything we can to support the teams on site and gathering as much information as possible to support the police with their investigation.” 

The London Metropolitan Police are continuing their investigation into the attack. It remains unclear whether the arrested individual is among those hospitalized. 

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said, “We were called at 10:21 a.m. to reports of a stabbing incident in Marlowe Way, Croydon. We sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer, members of our Tactical Response Unit, and London’s Air Ambulance.” 

California Wildfires Force Over 30,000 to Evacuate Near Los Angeles

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California Wildfires Force Over 30,000 to Evacuate Near Los Angeles

More than 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the Hughes Fire erupted near Lake Castaic, just 40 miles from the areas impacted by the recent Eaton and Palisades wildfires. 

The fire, which started Wednesday morning, has burned over 10,000 acres (41 square kilometers) within hours and is only 14% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). 

Los Angeles County officials reported that evacuation orders have been issued for over 31,000 people due to “immediate threats to life.” Another 23,000 residents remain under evacuation warnings. 

Aircraft have been deployed to drop water and fire retardants as firefighters work to contain the blaze and prevent it from crossing Interstate 5. A 30-mile stretch of the highway, a major route between Mexico and Canada, has been closed. 

Smoke from the fire has worsened air quality, prompting Ventura College to close. The Los Angeles Zoo also shut its doors due to “Red Flag” weather conditions. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that critical fire conditions, including low humidity and high winds, will persist in areas surrounding Los Angeles through Thursday evening. 

Seen in a long exposure photograph, the Park Fire burns along Highway 32 in the Forest Ranch community of Butte County, Calif., on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The Hughes Fire adds to a month-long series of wildfires that have ravaged California. The Palisades Fire, which started as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades, has burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and is currently 70% contained. 

Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, which ignited shortly after the Palisades blaze, has consumed over 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 10,000 structures. It is now 95% contained. 

As California grapples with the ongoing crisis, President Donald Trump has reiterated his criticism of state water policies, falsely claiming that fish conservation efforts are causing water shortages for firefighting. 

“I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down,” Trump said in a Fox News interview, accusing Governor Gavin Newsom of prioritizing the Delta smelt, an endangered fish species, over human needs. Newsom has refuted these claims. 

Residents described harrowing scenes of the fire near Interstate 5. “It looked like you were driving into hell,” one witness told NBC4. “There was red fire coming up from below. It was pretty terrifying.” 

With high winds expected to continue, officials fear that containment lines for the Eaton and Palisades fires could be breached, potentially spreading destruction further across southern California. 

Southport Child Killer Axel Rudakubana Sentenced to Life in Prison

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Southport Child Killer Axel Rudakubana Sentenced to Life in Prison

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 52 years for the murders of three young girls and the attempted murders of ten others during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside. 

Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack on July 29, 2023, admitted to killing Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, as well as attempting to kill eight children, their instructor Leanne Lucas, and a businessman, John Hayes. 

The attack occurred at the Hart Space studio and lasted 15 minutes. Rudakubana used a 20cm kitchen knife, purchased online, to indiscriminately stab victims. Some were attacked as they fled, and one was pulled back inside the studio. 

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Justice Goose described the killings as “premeditated” and said they caused “shock and revulsion” across the nation. The judge noted Rudakubana had shown no remorse and expressed satisfaction with the murders. 

The triple murderer received 13 life sentences. The judge said if Rudakubana had been 18 at the time of the attack, he would have been sentenced to a whole-life term with no possibility of release. 

Rudakubana will be 70 before he is eligible for parole, but Justice Goose said it is “highly likely” he will never be released. 

Police arrested Rudakubana at the scene, where he was found standing over a victim with the knife still in hand. Authorities later discovered a stash of weapons in his home, including a machete, arrows, and a container of ricin. Analysis of his electronic devices revealed violent materials, including an al Qaeda training manual, which police believe informed his methods. 

Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to charges of producing ricin and possession of terrorism-related materials. 

Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy said there was no evidence Rudakubana was motivated by political or religious ideology. “This was a cowardly and vicious attack by a young man with an unhealthy obsession with violence,” Kennedy said. 

The case has led to a government inquiry into how authorities failed to identify the risk posed by Rudakubana. Between 2019 and 2021, schools referred him three times to the government’s anti-extremism program over concerns about his interest in school shootings and violent acts. 

He had multiple interactions with police and mental health services, including being expelled from school for carrying a knife. Despite his history, no disciplinary action was taken against officials who handled his case. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government would review the definition of terrorism and consider changes if necessary. 

France Issues New Arrest Warrant for Assad Over War Crimes Charges

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France Issues New Arrest Warrant for Assad Over War Crimes Charges

French judicial authorities have issued a new arrest warrant for Syria’s ousted leader Bashar Assad, accusing him of complicity in war crimes related to a deadly 2017 attack on civilians, according to reports from French media on Wednesday. 

TOPSHOT – An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadists and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on November 30, 2024. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies breached Syria’s second city of Aleppo on November 29, as they pressed a lightning offensive against forces of the Iranian- and Russian-backed government. (Photo by Mohammed AL-RIFAI / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED AL-RIFAI/AFP via Getty Images)

The warrant, dated January 20, ties Assad, the former head of Syria’s armed forces, to a bombing in Deraa that year which killed Salah Abou Nabout, a 59-year-old Franco-Syrian national, a legal source told AFP. 

Ongoing Investigation and Previous Arrest Warrants 

The investigation into the 2017 attack began in 2018, leading to arrest warrants against six senior Syrian military officials allegedly acting on Assad’s orders. 

“This case represents the culmination of a long fight for justice, in which my family and I believed from the beginning,” said Omar Abou Nabout, the victim’s son. He expressed hope that “a trial will take place and that the perpetrators will be arrested and judged, wherever they are.” 

France had previously issued an arrest warrant for Assad in November 2023 over chemical weapon attacks in 2013 that killed more than a thousand civilians. At the time, Assad’s presidency granted him immunity from prosecution, but his ouster in December removed those protections. 

Accountability and International Involvement

Assad fled to Russia after opposition forces seized control of Damascus, ending his 24-year rule. The latest warrant follows meetings between prosecutor Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to discuss accountability for crimes committed during Assad’s regime. 

The ICC is reportedly exploring mechanisms to ensure justice for the victims of the atrocities that marked Assad’s rule. 

Spanish PM Sánchez: Tech Billionaires Aim to Undermine Democracy Through Social Media

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Spanish PM Sánchez: Tech Billionaires Aim to Undermine Democracy Through Social Media

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned on Wednesday that tech billionaires are using social media platforms to “overthrow democracy,” calling for urgent action from European Union leaders. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Sánchez said, “The technology that was intended to free us has become the tool of our own oppression.” He criticized social media for fostering division and manipulation, claiming they serve the political agendas of wealthy elites by prioritizing “likes over votes.” 

Sánchez pointed to the lack of content moderation, fact-checking, and restrictions on the length of posts and videos as factors enabling disinformation to spread rapidly. He accused tech leaders of creating platforms designed to divide and manipulate society for their own gain. 

“The social media that was supposed to bring unity, clarity, and democracy have instead given us division, vice, and a reactionary agenda,” Sánchez said. 

While acknowledging that social media once supported global social justice movements, such as #MeToo and Fridays for Future, Sánchez lamented its shift toward concentrating “power and wealth in the hands of just a few … at the cost of our democracies.” 

The tech billionaires

Sánchez announced plans to push for stricter social media regulations during an upcoming EU summit in Brussels. He proposed measures such as requiring users to digitally verify their identities to combat fake profiles and bots, as well as leveraging the EU’s Digital Services Act to hold tech executives accountable for algorithms that harm society. 

“The owner of a small restaurant is held accountable if their food poisons customers,” Sánchez said. “Social media tycoons should be held accountable if their algorithms poison our societies.” 

While Sánchez did not name specific social media platform owners in his speech, he referenced a 2009 essay by venture capitalist Peter Thiel, in which Thiel wrote, “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.” 

Earlier this month, Sánchez criticized X owner Elon Musk, accusing him of supporting the international far right and inciting hatred. At another Davos event on January 21, Sánchez called on Europe to unite against the “tech caste.” 

2 Dead, Including Shooter, in Antioch High School Shooting, Police Say

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2 Dead, Including Shooter, in Antioch High School Shooting, Police Say

A shooting at Antioch High School on Tuesday left two people dead, including the suspected shooter, and one student injured, police said. 

The incident comes nearly two years after a deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where three children and three adults were killed. 

Metro Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed the shooter was a 17-year-old male student. The teen opened fire in the school cafeteria with a pistol around 11:09 a.m. Police received the first 911 call at 11:11 a.m. 

According to Aaron, the shooter fatally shot a female student before turning the gun on himself. A third student, a female, sustained a grazing wound but is expected to recover. 

Two school resource officers were on campus at the time of the shooting but were not in the cafeteria and could not intervene before the shooter took his own life, Aaron said. 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. 

“I’ve been briefed on the incident at Antioch High School and am grateful for law enforcement and first responders who responded quickly and continue to investigate,” Lee said in a statement. “As we await more information, I join Tennesseans in praying for the victims, their families, and the school community.” 

Chante Frye, whose daughter is a ninth grader at the school, said she received a text message from her daughter after gunshots were heard. Her daughter informed her that the school was under lockdown. 

“It was terrifying,” Frye said. “But it’s almost not surprising because it’s getting worse with the fights and the violence at school.” 

Frye spoke near Ascension Saint Thomas Antioch hospital, which served as the reunification site for students and parents. 

Metro Schools announced that parents can contact their students by calling the reunification hotline at 615-401-1712. 

Trump Threatens Putin with Sanctions Over Ukraine War

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Trump Threatens Putin with Sanctions Over Ukraine War

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose massive tariffs and sanctions on Russian goods unless Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

In a post on Truth Social Wednesday, Trump warned Putin: “Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.” Trump stated that if no deal is reached soon, he would have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian exports to the United States.

“We can do it the easy way, or the hard way — and the easy way is always better,” Trump added.

The threat comes after Trump, who began his second term as president earlier this week, ramped up his rhetoric against Putin. On Tuesday, he told reporters that Putin was in “big trouble” and should negotiate a peace agreement. Trump also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had expressed a desire for a deal, though he was uncertain if Putin would be open to talks.

Trump also stated that Russia’s economy was suffering due to the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He remarked that Putin’s failure to quickly capture Kyiv and other major cities had led to a prolonged war, which Trump described as damaging to Russia’s reputation.

“He’s grinding it out. Most people thought it would last about one week, and now you’re into three years,” Trump said. “It is not making him look good.”

Earlier, Trump claimed a meeting with Putin was being arranged, although Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any substantial preparations were underway.

Ukraine is hopeful that Trump’s leadership can bring an end to the conflict, with Zelenskyy telling reporters that Trump, as a businessman, knows how to apply pressure.

Chris Brown Sues Warner Bros Over Documentary’s Sexual Assault Claims, Seeks $500m Damages

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Chris Brown Sues Warner Bros Over Documentary’s Sexual Assault Claims, Seeks $500m Damages

Singer Chris Brown is suing Warner Bros. over a documentary that aired last year, which included accusations of sexual assault. The film, titled *Chris Brown: A History of Violence*, was released in October 2024 and featured allegations from an anonymous dancer, referred to as Jane Doe, who claimed Brown raped her on a yacht in 2020.

In a legal statement, Brown’s attorneys described the documentary as “defamatory,” asserting that the claims made by the dancer were “baseless” and “sensationalized.” They further accused Warner Bros. and production company Ample of “recklessly damaging” his reputation. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, seeks $500 million in damages.

Brown’s lawyers contended that the documentary was misleading, pointing to evidence tampering and unsubstantiated allegations. They argued that Warner Bros. and Ample ignored warnings from Brown’s legal team and released the documentary “prioritizing profits over journalistic integrity.”

The complaint casts doubt on the reliability of the dancer’s testimony and highlights three false claims made in the documentary: that Brown has a “predisposition for punching women in the face,” that he raped the dancer, and that he manipulated or deleted text messages before providing them to authorities. His lawyers also argued that the documentary portrayed him as a “serial rapist and sexual abuser.”

Brown, 35, claims the accusations have caused emotional distress and significantly harmed his reputation, career, and business opportunities. He argues the documentary has “irreparably tarnished” his public image.

Chris Brown’s accusers protest

The dancer had previously sued Brown in 2022 for $20 million, alleging he drugged and raped her during a yacht party in Miami, Florida. That lawsuit was reportedly dismissed by a judge.

Brown has faced legal troubles throughout his career, including a 2009 assault conviction involving then-girlfriend Rihanna. He has also faced accusations in the past, including a 2014 incident in Washington, D.C., where he pleaded guilty to punching a man. However, his lawyers stress that he has never been convicted of a sexual crime.

Brown’s lawyer, Levi McCathern, stated that the actions of Warner Bros. and Ample “undermine not only Mr. Brown’s decade-long efforts to rebuild his life but also the credibility of true survivors of violence.” He added that any damages awarded would be donated to survivors of sexual violence.

Bereaved Gazans Search for Loved Ones Amid Ruins, Seek Proper Graves

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Bereaved Gazans Search for Loved Ones Amid Ruins, Seek Proper Graves

In Gaza, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought a temporary pause to fighting, but for many like Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the anguish continues. Abu Dalfa is frantically searching for the bodies of his wife and five children, still trapped under the rubble of their home in Gaza City’s Shejaia neighborhood since December 2023. 

An Israeli airstrike destroyed the building, killing 35 members of Abu Dalfa’s extended family. With bombs falling relentlessly at the time, only three bodies could be recovered. 

“My wife and all my five children—three daughters and two sons—are still under the rubble. I had triplets,” Abu Dalfa told Reuters. “I just want to bring them out and give them a grave. That’s all I want from this world.” 

In Muslim and Arab traditions, burials are usually conducted within hours of death. The inability to recover bodies and ensure proper burials adds to the grief of mourning families. 

Since the ceasefire began on Sunday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service has recovered approximately 200 bodies, but the process has been slow and difficult. Mahmoud Basal, head of the service, said they face severe equipment shortages, with many vehicles destroyed and over 100 staff members killed during the conflict. 

Basal estimates that around 10,000 Palestinians killed in the war remain buried under rubble or in mass graves. A recent U.N. damage assessment revealed that removing the over 50 million tonnes of debris from Israeli bombardments could take 21 years and cost $1.2 billion. 

Thousands of Gaza residents are still searching for relatives either buried under ruins or hastily placed in mass graves during the conflict. 

Rabah Abulias, a 68-year-old father, is determined to give his son Ashraf, killed in an Israeli strike, a dignified resting place. 

“I know where Ashraf is buried, but his body is with dozens of others. There is no grave for him, no tombstone with his name,” Abulias said. “I want to make him a grave where I can visit him, talk to him, and tell him I am sorry I wasn’t there for him.” 

As humanitarian aid continues to flow into Gaza, officials from the Palestinian Authority have engaged with European counterparts to manage key crossings with Egypt and Israel. 

Egypt has also sent equipment to repair roads damaged by the Israeli ground offensive, facilitating aid delivery and recovery efforts. 

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