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Strong Earthquake Near Mount Everest Kills at Least 95 in Western China

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A powerful earthquake struck western China near the Tibet-Nepal border on Tuesday, leaving at least 95 people dead, over 130 injured, and hundreds trapped beneath rubble as dozens of aftershocks shook the region. The magnitude 7.1 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), caused extensive damage in Tibet’s high-altitude Tingri County, near Mount Everest. 

Rescue workers sifted through piles of debris in heavily damaged villages, using ladders and makeshift tools to search for survivors. Videos released by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management showed rescuers pulling people from the wreckage, with some carried out on stretchers amid collapsed buildings. 

More than 1,000 homes were damaged in the sparsely populated region, China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported. Streets were strewn with fallen debris and crushed vehicles. The vice mayor of Shigatse city confirmed the injuries, while relief teams deployed over 3,000 rescuers and 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) in disaster relief funding. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged authorities to make all-out efforts to rescue survivors, reduce casualties, and provide shelter for displaced residents. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing visited the quake-hit region to oversee recovery efforts. 

The quake struck in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, an area prone to earthquakes powerful enough to reshape the towering Himalayan mountains. 

Residents of Nepal, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter, also felt the tremors. In Kathmandu, the capital city, people rushed into the streets in panic. However, Nepal’s National Emergency Operation Center reported no immediate injuries or significant damage. 

The quake’s epicenter was about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest. The scenic area on the Chinese side of the mountain was closed after the disaster. The region, largely deserted in winter, sees many residents migrate south to escape the harsh cold. 

This region has experienced 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 over the past century, according to USGS data. The shallow depth of this quake—just 10 kilometers (6 miles)—increased its potential for destruction. 

Tibet, where the epicenter lies, remains a politically sensitive area. Although part of China, many Tibetans remain loyal to their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Human rights groups and Western governments frequently criticize Beijing for its treatment of Tibetans, citing crackdowns on dissent despite significant economic investments in the region. 

The earthquake triggered about 50 aftershocks within three hours, further complicating rescue efforts. Thousands of residents have been displaced, struggling to cope with freezing temperatures at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). 

Videos from Kathmandu and surrounding areas showed water spilling from ponds and frightened residents describing the magnitude of the tremors. “It is a big earthquake,” one woman exclaimed in a video, with visible shaking in the background. 

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as rescue operations continue in one of the most remote and challenging terrains in the world. 

Mexico Relocates Migrants to Acapulco Amid Border Dispersal Policy

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Hundreds of migrants, including about 100 who found themselves stranded in Acapulco, continue to face hardships as Mexico implements its policy of dispersing migrant caravans far from the U.S. border. 

Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Cuba, lured by promises of transit permits to continue their journey north, found themselves stuck in the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco on Monday. Struggling to navigate their next steps, many were left sleeping on streets or seeking shelter in a Catholic church near the local immigration agency offices. 

“Immigration [officials] told us they were going to give us a permit to transit the country freely for 10, 15 days, and it wasn’t like that,” said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Ender Antonio Castañeda. “They left us dumped here without any way to get out. They won’t sell us [bus] tickets; they won’t sell us anything.” 

Acapulco, a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis in 2023 and grappling with high levels of organized crime, is an unusual destination for migrants. Despite federal efforts to restore the city, including deploying soldiers and the National Guard for reconstruction and security, violence and economic difficulties persist. 

The policy of “dispersion and exhaustion,” employed by Mexican authorities, aims to break up high-profile migrant caravans and prevent a buildup of migrants near the U.S. border. Officials allow migrants to walk for days before offering transportation to various cities where their immigration status will be processed. 

While some migrants receive permits allowing transit across Mexico, others are restricted to specific states, including Guerrero, where Acapulco is located. Meanwhile, the dangers of traveling through Mexico remain prevalent. Migrants frequently face risks of extortion and kidnapping by drug cartels, as well as corruption and bribes demanded by authorities. 

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has described her government’s approach as “humanitarian,” citing efforts to ease congestion in the southern city of Tapachula, a key waypoint near the Guatemalan border. However, migration advocates have criticized the relocation of migrants to areas like Acapulco, which lack the resources and infrastructure to support them. 

Rev. Leopoldo Morales, a priest assisting migrants in Acapulco, expressed concern over their dire circumstances. “We know they’re going through a very difficult time, with a lot of needs. They arrive without money,” he said, adding that local churches have provided food, water, and clothing. 

Acapulco’s high unemployment, compounded by storm damage and ongoing violence, makes it difficult for migrants to find work or safe passage north. For many, the journey to the U.S. border remains fraught with uncertainty and danger. 

Three Feared Dead, Nine Trapped in India’s Assam Coal Mine Flooding

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Three miners are feared dead, and nine others remain trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam’s hilly Dima Hasao district in northeastern India. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities and the military work to save the trapped miners. 

Local officials confirmed on Tuesday that three bodies have been spotted inside the flooded mine, though recovery efforts have not yet succeeded. The incident occurred on Monday when water inundated the mine, trapping 12 workers inside. 

According to district police chief Mayank Kumar, the flooding was caused by miners accidentally striking an underground water channel. “The mine got flooded yesterday — the source was internal. They [the miners] probably hit some water channel, and water came out and flooded it,” Kumar told Reuters. 

The Indian military has deployed divers, helicopters, and engineers to assist with the rescue efforts. Assam’s Mines Minister, Kaushik Rai, said the workers are feared to be trapped approximately 300 feet (91 meters) below the surface. “We are mobilizing resources to rescue them,” he added. 

Photos shared by the Indian Army on social media show rescue workers equipped with ropes, cranes, and other tools at the edge of the vertical mine shaft. 

The mine’s flooding highlights the ongoing dangers of coal extraction in India’s northeastern states, where miners often work in unsafe conditions in “rat hole” mines. These small, narrow mines are common in hilly regions, and workers use rudimentary methods to extract coal, hoisting it to the surface using pulleys. 

Accidents in such illegal mining operations are frequent. One of the most significant incidents occurred in 2019 in neighboring Meghalaya, where 15 miners were trapped and killed after water from a nearby river flooded an illegal mine. 

US Transfers 11 Yemeni Detainees From Guantanamo Bay to Oman

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The United States has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention center to Oman after holding them for more than two decades without charge. The move is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the prison’s population and eventually close the facility, which has long been criticized as a symbol of human rights abuses during the “war on terror.”

In a statement released on Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense expressed gratitude to Oman for supporting efforts to reduce the detainee population. “The United States appreciates the willingness of the government of Oman and other partners to assist in responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility,” the statement read.

Among those transferred is Sharqawi al-Hajj, who spent 21 years in detention following two years of CIA custody that included reported torture. Al-Hajj engaged in repeated hunger strikes during his time at Guantanamo to protest his prolonged detention. Pardiss Kebriaei, a lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) representing al-Hajj, welcomed his release, saying, “Our thoughts are with Mr. Al Hajj as he transitions to the free world after almost 23 years in captivity. His release is hopeful for him and for us.”

The transfer leaves only 15 detainees at Guantanamo, down from a peak of nearly 800 in the years following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for the closure of the detention center, labeling it a “glaring, longstanding stain on the human rights record of the United States.”

In recent weeks, U.S. authorities have accelerated efforts to transfer detainees. Several prisoners, including individuals held without charge for decades, were recently released to various countries. The Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to closing the facility, though significant hurdles remain.

Of the remaining 15 detainees, six are uncharged, with three cleared for transfer. The Defense Department noted that nine detainees are linked to high-profile terrorism cases, including the September 11 attacks and the USS Cole bombing.

aljazeera

Indonesia Joins BRICS Group of Emerging Economies

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Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS group, a bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia, China, Brazil, and others, widely seen as a counterweight to Western influence.

Brazil, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the group, announced on Monday that Indonesia would join as a full member. On Tuesday, Indonesia confirmed the decision, stating it “welcomes” the development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta called BRICS membership “a strategic step to improve collaborations and cooperation with other developing nations, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development.” The ministry also expressed its “gratitude to Russia,” which will chair BRICS in 2024, for its “support and leadership in facilitating Indonesia’s joining.”

Brazil’s foreign ministry highlighted the alignment between Indonesia and other BRICS members, saying Southeast Asia’s largest economy “shares the will to reform global governance institutions and contribute positively to cooperation within the Global South.”

Indonesia’s bid to join BRICS was approved at the 2023 summit held in Johannesburg.

Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Kurakhove Capture, Fighting Ongoing

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Ukraine’s military reported ongoing clashes in the eastern town of Kurakhove on Tuesday, disputing Russia’s claims of capturing the strategic location a day earlier.

Moscow described Kurakhove as an “important logistics hub” and claimed its seizure would expedite Russian advances across the Donetsk region. However, Ukraine’s Khortytsia army unit countered the claims, stating that “active” combat continued in the urban area of Kurakhove, with defense forces repelling attacks.

“In the Kurakhove sector, the defense forces are countering the enemy’s attempts to use their superiority in manpower and develop an offensive,” the Khortytsia unit said in a social media post. It also confirmed measures were underway to “localize and destroy enemy assault groups” that had infiltrated Ukrainian positions.

Kurakhove, with a pre-war population of approximately 18,000, is a critical location due to its power station, proximity to a reservoir, and significant lithium deposits. Ukrainian forces claimed to have repelled 26 attacks in the region, including those near the contested town.

Russian forces have been advancing in the Donetsk region for months, a territory Moscow declared annexed in 2022. Both sides are intensifying operations to secure territory ahead of major geopolitical shifts, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office later this month.

In another development, Ukraine’s military reported killing 13 North Korean soldiers in fighting in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces claimed five soldiers were killed in a gun battle and eight in drone strikes. Western, South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence allege that Pyongyang has sent over 10,000 troops to assist Russian forces.

Russia’s military reported that Ukraine launched a renewed counterattack in the Kursk region over the weekend, months after Kyiv’s forces captured dozens of border settlements during a surprise cross-border offensive.

New Orleans Massacre Raises Fears of Terror Training After Rare Explosives Found

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Authorities are investigating the New Orleans terrorist attack that left 14 dead on New Year’s Day, as the FBI reveals the use of rare explosives never seen in the U.S. or Europe. Officials fear the perpetrator, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, may have received high-level terror training.

Jabbar, 42, was fatally shot by police during his rampage on Bourbon Street. He drove a truck into crowds before exiting in combat gear and opening fire on revelers. Investigators discovered two undetonated bombs made with a volatile compound known as r-salt, which is unavailable in the U.S. or Europe.

Authorities believe Jabbar’s inability to acquire military-grade detonators or effectively assemble the devices prevented the bombs from detonating. Additional explosives, including devices using RDX, were found in Jabbar’s rented Airbnb and Houston home, where a bomb-making workbench was uncovered.

The FBI suspects Jabbar acted alone but is probing possible connections to international terror groups or training. A trip to Egypt and declared allegiance to ISIS in social media videos are under investigation. Hours before the attack, Jabbar posted five videos pledging support for the terrorist group and displayed an ISIS flag on his truck.

Jabbar had scouted Bourbon Street twice before the massacre, using AI-enabled smart glasses to record the area. Authorities are tracing his movements, including visits to Cairo, Canada, and Houston.

Among the 14 victims was Edward Pettifer, 31, a Chelsea-born Brit and stepson of Prince William and Harry’s former nanny. The Royal Family has expressed condolences to Pettifer’s grieving family.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Settle Divorce, No Spousal Support-TMZ

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have finalized their divorce settlement, sources confirm. The divorce will officially be concluded on February 20, marking just under six months since Lopez filed in August.

The terms of the settlement stipulate that both Affleck and Lopez retain the assets they individually acquired during their two-year marriage. Notably, neither party will be required to pay spousal support.

Affleck will maintain ownership of his highly successful production company, Artists Equity, which he co-founded with Matt Damon in 2022. The company has since produced popular films such as “Air,” “Unstoppable,” and “The Instigators.”

Lopez, meanwhile, will keep her significant projects from the marriage, including “Atlas,” “The Mother,” and “Shotgun Wedding.”

In addition, the former couple reached an agreement regarding their $61 million home, though the specifics remain confidential. The property is currently on the market but has yet to find a buyer.

The settlement, mediated by divorce attorney Laura Wasser, is being described as similar to a prenup, despite the absence of one. It marks the end of their brief marriage, which began in 2022.

Lopez is also dropping Affleck’s surname and will revert to her maiden name, Jennifer Lynn Lopez.

Britain to Criminalize Sexually Explicit ‘Deepfakes’ Amid Rising Abuse Cases

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The British government announced on Tuesday that creating and sharing sexually explicit “deepfakes” will soon become a criminal offense, addressing a sharp rise in the use of this technology to target women and girls. 

Deepfakes are digital creations—videos, images, or audio clips—generated using artificial intelligence to appear authentic. This technology is often exploited to superimpose someone’s likeness onto explicit content without their consent. 

While Britain outlawed revenge porn in 2015—criminalizing the publication of intimate photos or videos without consent and with intent to cause harm—those laws do not currently extend to fabricated images or videos. 

Data from the UK-based *Revenge Porn Helpline* highlights the urgency of the issue, reporting a staggering 400% increase in deepfake-related abuse since 2017. 

In response, the government plans to introduce a new offense targeting the creation and dissemination of sexually explicit deepfakes. Those found guilty could face criminal charges and prosecution for both producing and sharing such content. 

“There is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent,” the Ministry of Justice stated. 

The initiative revives plans introduced by the previous Conservative government, which proposed making deepfake-related abuse a criminal offense punishable by fines or imprisonment. The details of the new law, to be developed by the current Labour government, are expected to include similar penalties. 

In addition to criminalizing deepfakes, the government aims to address other forms of image-based abuse. New offenses will target the non-consensual taking of intimate images and the installation of equipment intended to commit such acts. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison under these new measures. 

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones condemned deepfake abuse, calling it a “demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism that must not become normalized.” 

Technology Minister Margaret Jones emphasized the role of tech platforms in curbing this abuse, warning that platforms hosting abusive content will face stricter scrutiny and significant penalties. 

The government has yet to specify when these new laws will be introduced, but officials stress that they reflect a commitment to safeguarding individuals, particularly women and girls, from technology-driven exploitation. 

Louisiana Reports First U.S. Death Linked to H5N1 Bird Flu

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The Louisiana Department of Health announced on Monday the first human death in the United States linked to H5N1 bird flu. The patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, was hospitalized on December 18 after exposure to a mix of backyard chickens and wild birds. 

The individual, over the age of 65, had underlying health conditions that heightened the risk of severe illness, according to health officials. This tragic case marks a significant milestone as the country grapples with the ongoing bird flu outbreak. 

Bird Flu in the U.S.: Context and Impact

Since April, nearly 70 people in the United States have contracted H5N1, predominantly farmworkers who came into contact with infected animals. Despite these infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state officials maintain that the risk to the general population remains low. 

The outbreak, which began in poultry in 2022, has caused widespread devastation, killing approximately 130 million wild and domestic birds and affecting 917 dairy herds nationwide. 

Genetic analysis of the virus from the Louisiana patient identified it as the D1.1 genotype, which has also been detected in wild birds and poultry in Washington State and linked to a severe case in a Canadian teenager in British Columbia. 

This genotype differs from the B3.13 strain circulating among U.S. dairy cows, which has been associated with milder symptoms in humans, such as conjunctivitis. 

While the CDC has emphasized that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, experts remain vigilant for any signs that the virus could evolve to spread more easily among people. 

Expert Reactions and Broader Implications 

Globally, more than 950 human cases of H5N1 have been reported to the World Health Organization, with a mortality rate of approximately 50%. 

Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, warned that while U.S. cases have typically been mild, H5N1 remains capable of causing severe illness and fatalities in vulnerable individuals. 

Public health experts expressed concern over the Louisiana case, urging greater attention to the virus’s potential risks. 

“This is a tragic reminder of what experts have been warning for months: H5N1 is a deadly virus,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University’s School of Public Health. 

Veterinary and public health consultant Gail Hansen added, “I hate to have the death of someone be a wake-up call, but if that’s what it takes, hopefully, it will prompt more focus on bird flu as a critical public health issue.” 

Preventive Measures and Recommendations

Louisiana health officials have highlighted that individuals working with birds, poultry, or livestock—or those engaging in recreational activities involving these animals—face a higher risk of infection. They advise proper protective measures and vigilance to reduce exposure. 

As the U.S. faces its first bird flu-related death, health authorities and experts are reiterating the need for heightened surveillance, improved biosecurity measures, and public awareness to mitigate the threat posed by H5N1. 

Reuters

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