Thursday, January 9, 2025
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine have stopped following the expiration of the transit agreement.
The five-year gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired on Wednesday, with Kyiv declining to extend it due to the ongoing war.
A Gazprom employee walks beside pipelines at a gas measuring station located at the
Russia-Ukraine border in Sudzha, near Kursk.
Russian natural gas exports through Ukraine to several European countries have been suspended after Kyiv declined to renew a transit agreement that expired on Wednesday.
Ukraine had previously indicated that it would not extend the five-year transit deal due to the ongoing military conflict with Russia.
"We have halted the transit of Russian gas. This is a historic moment. Russia is losing its markets and will face financial losses. Europe has already decided to move away from Russian gas," stated Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
Russia’s energy giant Gazprom announced that gas exports to Europe ceased at 8 a.m. Moscow time (05:00 GMT) following the expiration of the transit deal.
"Due to the repeated and clearly expressed refusal of the Ukrainian side to renew these agreements, Gazprom no longer has the technical and legal capability to supply gas for transit through Ukraine starting January 1, 2025," Gazprom stated on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukraine has been a transit route for Russian natural gas to several European countries, including Slovakia, Moldova, and Hungary.
Meanwhile, Brussels has downplayed the impact of the loss of Russian gas supplies on the 27-member bloc.
“The Commission has been preparing for over a year for a scenario where Russian gas is not transiting through Ukraine,” it told AFP on Tuesday.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the decision on Wednesday, warning that Europe would bear the consequences.
“Halting gas transit via Ukraine will significantly affect everyone in the EU but not the Russian Federation,” Fico stated in a video message on Facebook.
Fico, who has expressed criticism towards the EU’s support for Kyiv, visited Moscow last week to meet with Putin in anticipation of a gas stoppage.
The situation is most critical in Moldova, which borders Ukraine and faces challenges from Russian-backed separatists within its territory.
The small nation had already declared a 60-day state of emergency earlier this month in anticipation of Kyiv's expected gas cut.
“Moscow has once again resorted to energy blackmail to influence the 2025 parliamentary elections and undermine our European ambitions,” said Moldova’s President Maia Sandu.
The termination of Russia's oldest gas route to Europe marks the end of a decade of tense relations following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“It ultimately ends Russia’s previous dominance in the EU energy market. In the past, it leveraged that dominance to impose economically damaging higher prices or threatened to cut off supplies in the middle of winter,” reported Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull from Kyiv.
“And, of course, this has come at a cost to the European Union, which has had to shift towards more expensive liquefied natural gas, negatively impacting the bloc's economic output and raising concerns about its future global competitiveness.”
Following the outbreak of the military conflict in Ukraine in 2022, the EU intensified its efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy by seeking alternative sources.
As of December 1, the EU received less than 14 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas from Russia via Ukraine, a significant decline from 65 bcm per year when the last five-year contract began in 2020. The European Commission has stated that this volume can be fully replaced by liquefied natural gas and non-Russian pipeline imports.
Russia continues to export gas through the TurkStream pipeline, which runs under the Black Sea.
Hungary, which, like Slovakia, has maintained a friendly relationship with Moscow, receives the majority of its Russian gas imports through the Black Sea pipeline. Consequently, Budapest is likely to remain largely unaffected by Ukraine’s decision.
At least 10 people have died after a vehicle drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Ten people were killed and dozens injured early Wednesday when a man deliberately drove his pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, where revelers were celebrating the New Year, officials said. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick reported that the man bypassed barricades and sped down Bourbon Street with "very intentional behavior" before opening fire on officers.
"This man was trying to run over as many people as he could," Kirkpatrick stated, noting that two police officers were struck by gunfire but are in stable condition.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell referred to the incident as a "terrorist attack," but an FBI official who spoke alongside her did not categorize it in that manner.
The bustling tourist district was packed with New Year's Day revelers at the time of the incident.
Witnesses told CBS News reporter Kati Weis that a white truck sped into the crowd on Bourbon Street before the driver exited the vehicle and began firing a weapon, prompting police to return fire.
In a statement posted online, the City of New Orleans reported that 30 people were taken to local hospitals with injuries, and 10 fatalities were confirmed. Kirkpatrick later mentioned that the number of hospitalized individuals exceeded 30.
Weis observed multiple individuals on the ground receiving treatment for injuries near the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets.
Jim and Nicole Mowrer, visiting from Iowa, witnessed the incident unfold. Nicole recounted to CBS News that they had just enjoyed the city's fireworks display and were taking in the New Year's Day atmosphere in the French Quarter when they heard loud crashing noises from down the street. They then saw a white truck speeding through a barricade "at a high rate of speed."
After the crashes, the Mowrers reported hearing gunshots and rushed to assist those they found wounded, only to realize that some victims had already died.
"We were pretty, pretty close to where it all began," Nicole said, estimating that the truck struck people just a block away from where they had been walking.
"Once it passed us, we heard gunfire and saw police running in that direction," Nicole continued. "After the gunfire stopped, we stayed in an alcove until it was safe, then stepped into the street and came across several people who had been hit, wanting to see what we could do to help."
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Blake Lively Claims Against Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment ... Claims of Wild Behavior on Set
Blake Lively has launched a legal battle against her former "It Ends with Us" co-star and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and alleging a coordinated effort to damage her reputation. Baldoni's team has responded, calling her claims a false attempt to restore her image.
The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, reveals that tensions escalated to the point where an all-hands-on-deck meeting was convened to address what Lively describes as a hostile work environment, with her husband Ryan Reynolds among the attendees.
Lively's lawsuit outlines several demands related to Baldoni's alleged conduct, including a ban on showing nude videos or images of women to her, prohibitions on discussing Baldoni's supposed "pornography addiction," restrictions on conversations about sexual conquests in her presence, and no further mentions of the cast and crew's genitalia. Additionally, it demands no inquiries about her weight and no references to her deceased father.
The lawsuit also includes a demand for "no more additions of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing by BL beyond the script approved by BL upon joining the project."
According to the suit, these demands were accepted by the studio, but a significant conflict arose over the marketing strategy. Blake wanted a more optimistic portrayal of her character’s resilience, following the marketing plan, while Baldoni preferred to center the focus on domestic violence and deviated from the agreed-upon script.
Lively alleges that Baldoni and his team orchestrated a "social manipulation" campaign aimed at "destroying" her reputation. The lawsuit includes messages from Baldoni's publicist to the studio publicist, stating that Baldoni "wants to feel like [Ms. Lively] can be buried," adding, "We can't write that we will destroy her."
The lawsuit claims that the campaign harmed Lively's business and caused her family "severe emotional distress."
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, criticized the lawsuit, arguing that it was aimed at "repairing her negative reputation." He added that the allegations are "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with the intent to cause public harm."
Freedman further claims that Lively was difficult to work with on set, "threatening not to show up, threatening not to promote the film, which ultimately contributed to its poor release."
As we've previously reported, this dispute has been ongoing for months and includes allegations that Baldoni asked his trainer about Lively's weight. While Lively perceived this as fat-shaming, Baldoni contends that he was only inquiring because he had a bad back and was trying to protect it.
2 Navy Pilots Shot Down Over Red Sea in 'Friendly Fire' Incident, Says Military
Two U.S. Navy pilots safely ejected over the Red Sea after their F/A-18 fighter was mistakenly shot down early Sunday in what military officials describe as "an apparent case of friendly fire."
One pilot sustained minor injuries, as reported by U.S. Central Command.
The incident occurred when the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, accidentally fired upon and hit the aircraft that was operating off the USS Harry S. Truman.
The military announced that a full investigation is underway.
For over a year, the U.S. Navy has been patrolling the region in response to ongoing attacks on commercial ships by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen, particularly following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
Just hours prior, the military reported that U.S. forces carried out precision airstrikes targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control site used by the Houthis. They also shot down multiple uncrewed aerial vehicles and an anti-ship cruise missile during the operation, which involved both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and included F/A-18 aircraft.
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Government Shutdown Live Updates: House and Senate Approve Short-Term Funding Bill
With a government shutdown narrowly averted late Friday into Saturday morning, the House and Senate sent a funding bill to President Joe Biden’s desk.
An initial bipartisan deal fell apart earlier in the week due to opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and his ally, Elon Musk. On Thursday night, the House also failed to pass a revised plan that included Trump's controversial demand for an extension of the debt limit.
The 118-page proposal contains most of the provisions from the bipartisan bill agreed upon on Wednesday. It includes $100 billion for disaster aid, $30 billion for farmers, and a one-year extension of the farm bill—issues that were heavily debated before the votes this week.
**Senate Approves Short-Term Government Funding Bill**
The Senate voted just after midnight to approve the House-passed short-term government funding bill, with a tally of 85-11.
The legislation will extend government funding until March 14 and allocates $100 billion for disaster aid, $30 billion for farmers, and includes a one-year extension of the farm bill.
Technically, the gavel fell in the Senate at 12:38, meaning Congress missed its midnight deadline to avert a shutdown by 38 minutes.
While President Joe Biden still needs to sign the bill, a shutdown has effectively been averted, and no significant impacts are expected before his signing.
Before the vote, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer commended the Senate for its efforts in passing the bill.
“Tonight the Senate delivers good news for America: there will be no government shutdown right before Christmas,” Schumer stated. “After a chaotic few days in the House, it’s reassuring that the bipartisan approach ultimately prevailed. This serves as a valuable lesson for next year: both sides must work together.”
He described the legislation as a “good bill” and added, “It is a positive outcome for America and the American people.”
The passage of the short-term funding bill marks the conclusion of the 118th Congress. The Senate will now recess for the holidays and reconvene on January 3, 2025, when the 119th Congress will be sworn in.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Indian music legend Zakir Hussain passes away at the age of 73.
The tabla player brought Indian classical music to a global audience, collaborating with icons such as former Beatle George Harrison.
Legendary Indian musician Zakir Hussain, regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, has passed away.
Hussain, celebrated for his "dancing fingers," died on Sunday in a San Francisco hospital due to complications from a chronic lung disease, according to a statement from his family.
Born in Mumbai, the 73-year-old was the world's foremost exponent of the tabla, the primary percussion instrument in Indian classical music.
“His prolific work as a teacher, mentor, and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians,” his family stated, noting his desire to inspire future generations of tabla players.
Hussain began learning the instrument at age 12 from his father, the celebrated tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha.
In a widely shared interview, he recalled his father welcoming him into the world by speaking tabla rhythms into his ears.
“The tradition was for the father to recite a prayer into the baby’s ear... So, he took me in his arms, put his lips to my ear, and recited tabla rhythms to me,” Hussain recalled.
A child prodigy, the musician began touring by age 12 and performed alongside India’s classical music legends during his teenage years.
By 18, he had gained international recognition for his captivating solo performances, collaborating with music icons such as former Beatle George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
In 1973, Hussain co-founded the Indian jazz fusion band “Shakti” with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin, creating acoustic fusion music that blended Indian music with jazz elements, introducing a fresh sound to Western audiences.
In 2024, he became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in a single year; he had previously won a Grammy in 2009.
In 2023, Hussain was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Tornado overturns vehicles and causes damage to businesses in Northern California.
A rare tornado swept through Northern California on Saturday, causing significant damage as the swirling winds flipped cars, affected homes and businesses, and left thousands without power.
Images and footage from Santa Cruz County revealed that Scotts Valley was the most severely impacted area, with Christmas shoppers seeking refuge as the intense weather passed through the region.
In one video, a woman was heard shouting, "Let’s go home, let’s go home," as debris struck the couple’s car on a major road around 1:30 p.m. local time.
Local officials reported several injuries and significant damage from the brief tornado, which was classified as an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds reaching 90 mph.
The Police Department stated that some local roads remained closed throughout the evening and were expected to stay closed until at least Sunday morning. This closure was necessary to facilitate repairs to damaged power lines and equipment, as well as to allow crews to clear debris and other hazards from the roads and nearby areas.
Several hours earlier, San Francisco experienced its first-ever Tornado Warning as a powerful storm system swept across the state.
National Weather Service survey crews examined the damage caused by the storm and estimated that straight-line winds of approximately 80 mph were responsible.
At the peak of the severe weather, PowerOutage.us reported over 128,000 power outages in California, predominantly affecting areas south of the Bay Area and in the Sierra Nevada.
How common are tornadoes in California?
According to a NOAA database, tornadoes are quite rare in many parts of the western U.S. Since 1950, California has reported fewer than 500 tornadoes, resulting in injuries but no fatalities.
The NWS office in Sacramento notes that, on average, 11 tornadoes occur each year, primarily during the spring and fall.
The recent atmospheric river event that triggered severe weather is expected to ease by Sunday, with another round of heavy rainfall forecast to reach the coast on Monday and Tuesday.
A satellite image of the powerful storm system affecting the California coastline on Saturday.
Monday, December 9, 2024
The U.S. announces airstrikes on ISIL targets in Syria following the fall of al-Assad.
The United States has conducted numerous airstrikes on ISIL (ISIS) targets in Syria after the unexpected fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
On Sunday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that it had targeted over 75 sites, including ISIL (ISIS) leaders, operatives, and camps, to prevent the armed group from capitalizing on the end of al-Assad’s rule.
CENTCOM announced it is assessing the damage from the strikes, which involved warplanes such as the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, with no reported civilian casualties.
“There should be no doubt—we will not allow ISIS to regroup and exploit the current situation in Syria,” said CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla in a statement.
“All groups in Syria should understand that we will hold them accountable if they collaborate with or support ISIS in any capacity.”
The strikes occurred as outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden referred to al-Assad’s fall as a “moment of risk” and a “historic opportunity.”
In a televised address from the White House, Biden stated that al-Assad’s fall at the hands of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) presents an opportunity for Syria’s long-suffering citizens to “build a better future for their proud country.”
“It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we consider what comes next, the United States will collaborate with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize this opportunity while managing the risks,” Biden said.
Claiming partial credit for al-Assad’s downfall, Biden noted that a decline in support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah had facilitated his removal.
“For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. However, in the past week, their support has collapsed—all three are now much weaker than they were when I took office,” Biden explained.
The abrupt end of 53 years of al-Assad family rule has created uncertainty regarding the security situation in the Middle East, particularly concerning the presence of approximately 900 U.S. troops in Syria.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who reduced the number of U.S. troops in Syria by half during his first term after being advised against a complete withdrawal, indicated on Saturday that his administration would not engage in any conflict in the country.
“Syria is a mess, but is not our friend,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing his point in all capital letters: “THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”
In his first public appearance since capturing Damascus, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, a former head of al-Qaeda's Syrian branch, called al-Assad’s downfall an opportunity to transform Syria into a “beacon for the Islamic nation” and the start of a “new history” for the region.
“God will not fail you,” al-Julani declared in a victory speech at the iconic Umayyad Mosque in the Syrian capital.
“This victory belongs to all Syrians; everyone played a role in this achievement.”
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Assad escapes to Moscow as Syrian rebels take control of Damascus.
Celebration fills the streets of Damascus following the fall of Assad.
Syrians flooded the streets of Damascus to celebrate the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia on Sunday following a rapid advance by rebel forces, marking the end of over five decades of oppressive dynastic rule.
Opposition fighters paraded on tanks and fired celebratory shots into the air, while residents cheered and flashed peace signs to commemorate this surprising and momentous political shift in a country that has endured a devastating civil war since 2011.
Syrian opposition fighters rejoice following the government's collapse in Damascus on December 8. Photo AP.
Syrians rejoice at the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus on December 8.
“Syria is free and liberated once more. Now it’s our time to rebuild and create a new country,” he told the AFP news agency.
Similar scenes unfolded in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, close to the Syrian border.
"The people are incredibly happy," Syrian Medjit Zein said to AFP in Gaziantep. "It's not just here; those living abroad or in Syria feel the same way. We’ve been saved from the tyrannical Assad, and we are very happy. May God bring down all dictators like Assad."
Turkey, which shares a lengthy border with Syria, hosts approximately 3.1 million Syrian refugees.
Around the globe, Syrians are celebrating the downfall of the Assad regime.
From Sydney to Stockholm, Syrian communities worldwide are celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which has endured more than 50 years of brutal dictatorship by his family.
In Germany, where the largest population of Syrian refugees outside the Middle East resides, hundreds took to the streets of Berlin on Sunday, many holding signs with Assad's face crossed out in red.
“We lost hope several years ago. But now hope is returning,” Muhamad Hamzalimam told the AFP news agency. “We’re ready for whatever lies ahead. We are just happy. It couldn’t be better.”
In the Swedish capital, hundreds of Syrians gathered in a major public square, waving flags in the green, red, black, and white colors of the Syrian opposition, while celebrations also took place in Dublin and London.
Mohammad Hajji Mahmoud, a 19-year-old student in London, described the news of Assad's downfall as “unbelievable.”
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