International News
Again, Firefighter Dies In Canada Record-breaking Wildfires
As the nation battles its worst wildfire season on record, another firefighter has died in Canada.
Unidentified person died on Saturday after suffering injuries while putting out a fire in the Northwest Territories close to Fort Liard.
Devyn Gale, 19, was slain while working in nearby British Columbia just a few days prior.
Nearly 900 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, about 580 of which remain out of control.
So far this season, the fires have burned more than 10m hectares (24.7m acres) of land, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
The figure is higher than for any previous year on record and more than three times the average for the previous ten years.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “incredibly saddened” by the news that a second firefighter had lost their life, and sent his condolences to their family.
Caroline Cochrane, premier of the Northwest Territories, said the death was a “tragic loss for the entire territory”.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family, friends and colleagues,” she said.
“The bravery and selflessness of our firefighters is an incredible gift to us all. Thank you for your service to our territory and to our country.”
Ms Gale’s death was the first death on the ground since the start of Canada’s wildfire season – and reportedly the first in British Columbia since 2015.
Afterwards, Mr Trudeau said Canadians “must never forget the risks these heroes take every time they run toward the danger”.
“To firefighters… across the country who are doing just that to keep us safe: Thank you. We are inspired by your courage, and grateful for your service,” he said.
Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
According to estimates, Canada is warming twice as quickly as the rest of the world, and extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense in recent years.
As smoke is carried south over the eastern coast of North America, the wildfires have also prompted pollution advisories across the continent.
Devyn Gale, a teenage firefighter who died fighting wildfires in Canada, is seen in her uniform standing on a walkway on a mountainside. Her tongue sticking out.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
SEE ALSO: How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock
According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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