Author: Vividh Bharathi

Large wildfire in California prompts evacuations

Los Angeles, Dec 11 (IANS) A large wildfire in Malibu in Southern California has grown to over 2,700 acres (10.9 square kilometres) prompting evacuations due to dangerous fire conditions.

The fire, codenamed Franklin Fire, was reported Monday night. It started near Malibu Creek State Park in Los Angeles County, Xinhua news agency reported.

Power to tens of thousands of people had been shut off by Monday night as utilities worked to mitigate the impacts of the winds, as strong gusts can damage electrical equipment and spark wildfires, according to local media reports.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has issued evacuation orders. The fire area is closed to public access.

There are approximately 18,000 people and 8,100 homes and businesses under evacuation orders or warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters Tuesday. There are several shelters for displaced residents, he said.

“Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week,” said Cal Fire.

Cal Fire asked people to stay up to date with weather and fire conditions in their areas, and be prepared to evacuate if notified.

Currently the fire is active with no containment at all, according to Cal Fire live report.

The Santa Ana Winds peaked in strength Tuesday morning, fanning the fire and worsening conditions.

“Critical fire weather conditions are expected through at least Wednesday as a strong Santa Ana wind event continues across the burn area,” according to the fire spot forecast of the US National Weather Service (NWS).

It will not be until Wednesday afternoon that winds and other fire weather conditions will begin to improve significantly, according to NWS.

Due to the ongoing fire and safety concerns, all Malibu schools were closed Tuesday, the city of Malibu announced.

More than 60,000 customers in California are without power, according to PowerOutage.us.

Pacific Coast Highway was closed between Carbon Canyon and Corral Canyon Road to evacuees only, according to Cal Fire.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said in a news briefing on Tuesday that “a minimal number” of homes had been destroyed. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported so far.

The state of California secured a grant from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support fire response, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday.

A state of local emergency has also been declared in Los Angeles County due to “conditions of disaster” or “extreme peril to the safety of persons and property,” said county board of supervisors chair Kathryn Barger.

–IANS

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Sonam Kapoor reveals one dish that reminds her of home

Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor revealed that one dish that reminds of her home includes Sindhi delicacies.

Sonam, whose mother Sunita is a Sindhi, took to Instagram stories, where she shared a reel about “one dish that always reminds of home” is “Sindhi koki with dahi and papad.” She also shared a video of “masala bread.”

The actress in her stories also shared that she is on her way back to home in London after her stay in Dubai.

Sonam shared a picture of a Christmas tree and wrote: “Back home in London coming back to this lovely @dior.”

On December 8, Sonam shared glimpses of her family by the sea. In the first picture, Sonam can be seen sitting with her husband, Anand Ahuja, on the seashore, enjoying the sunset view.

In the next few pictures, Sonam and her son Vayu can be seen playing by the sea.

Along with the pictures, Sonam added a caption that reads: “A friend recently asked me, ‘If I had to drive to meet the person I wanted to be in my wildest dreams, who would that be?’

“The answer was so clear: it’s just me. The best version of me—a diamond in the rough that experiences and life keep polishing and refining, making me better every day. Everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve dreamed of being, is already here. This picture says it all.

“It’s not about becoming someone else—it’s about embracing who I am, completely, and trusting the journey to keep shaping me. @anandahuja, love you #everydayphenomenal is only with you by my side.”

Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja tied the knot in 2018 in Mumbai in a lavish ceremony. They dated for five years before getting married. The couple welcomed their son, Vayu, in August 2022. Post marriage Sonam divides her time between London, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Sonam will next be seen in “Battle of Bittora”, produced by her father Anil Kapoor and sister Rhea Kapoor.

–IANS

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Syrian transitional govt talks with ousted officials to transfer power

Damascus, Dec 11 (IANS) Syrian ministers from the newly formed transitional government met with members of the ousted Bashar al-Assad’s administration to organise the transfer of state institutions and ensure the continuity of public services, according to the Syrian national TV.

Mohammad al-Bashir, the Prime Minister overseeing the transitional government, said his cabinet, composed of ministers from the transitional government, has been tasked by the general leadership to manage Syria’s affairs until March 2025, during which the transitional government aims to assume control of ministries, reintroduce employees to their posts, and restore essential services across the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Our responsibility is to maintain security, protect the integrity of institutions, and prevent the fragmentation of the state,” al-Bashir told reporters. “We want to ensure that Syrians receive the services they deserve during this interim phase until a new government is formed that meets the aspirations of Syrian society.”

Al-Bashir underscored the need for cooperation from outgoing ministers, particularly in handing over files and responsibilities.

“We hope the ministers from the deposed regime will assist their successors,” he said, emphasising that a smooth transition is crucial to delivering uninterrupted public services to the Syrian people.

–IANS

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Parliament today: Stormy session likely amid Oppn’s no-trust move against Jagdeep Dhankhar

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday may witness chaos as the INDIA bloc has submitted a notice to bring a motion for removing House Chairman Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The opposition bloc has accused Dhankhar of “partisan” conduct as the chairman of the Upper House and submitted the notice for motion on Tuesday.

The move, spearheaded by the Congress, comes in the wake of verbal clashes between opposition parties and RS Chairman Dhankhar.

If the motion is moved, the opposition needs a simple majority to get it passed, but they do not have the requisite numbers in the 243-member House.

On behalf of the opposition, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Naseer Hussain submitted the notice signed by 60 opposition MPs under Article 67-B of the Constitution. These MPs include those from the Congress, RJD, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPI(M), JMM, AAP, DMK, and Samajwadi Party.

Congress members maintained that such biased handling of Rajya Sabha proceedings undermines the democratic process, prompting the INDIA bloc parties to collectively bring the motion forward. They insisted that it was a “strong message to fight for parliamentary democracy”.

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala criticised the ruling party, alleging that it is disrupting Parliament to avoid debates on critical issues like corruption, inflation, and unemployment. “This is a black chapter in parliamentary history. The government is running away from discussions and wasting Parliament’s time,” he said.

Surjewala claimed this marked the first instance in India’s 75-year history where the government itself is allegedly obstructing Parliament’s functioning.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, have also raised concerns about unequal treatment in the Rajya Sabha. They allege that while the ruling party is allowed to express its views even amidst disruptions, the opposition is denied the same opportunity. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari stated that the opposition has always been willing to engage in debates and discussions but accused the BJP of deliberately adjourning the House to avoid addressing pressing issues such as unemployment and recent violence in UP’s Sambhal.

The opposition’s no-confidence motion signals escalating tensions in Parliament, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing democratic functioning.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday, responding to the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Chairman Dhankhar, said the NDA government holds the majority in the House. “We have a lot of respect for Jagdeep Dhankhar. He is a very knowledgeable person. The notice that has been served against him, which has been signed by 60 MPs, I condemn it. The NDA government has a full majority and the majority has trust in the Vice President,” said Rijiju.

–IANS

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Lebanese army fires at unknown gunmen crossing from Syria into Lebanon

Beirut, Dec 11 (IANS) Members of the Lebanese army fired warning shots at unknown gunmen who crossed the border from the Syrian side into Lebanon in the outskirts of the village of Kfar Qouq, eastern Lebanon, according to a statement by the Lebanese army.

“Unknown gunmen coming from Syrian territory crossed the border and approached one of the army’s border posts and fired into the air,” said the statement published on social media platform X.

“The Lebanese army fired warning shots, which forced the gunmen to return to Syrian territory,” added the statement.

A Lebanese military source told Xinhua that “the Lebanese army summoned additional forces to this axis, where they carried out a large-scale combing operation that reached meters from the borderline with Syria.”

The Lebanese army had strengthened its presence and deployment along the borderline separating Lebanon and Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

Syria’s al-Assad’s government collapsed on Sunday amid a major offensive waged by militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

–IANS

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Champions League: Liverpool stay perfect as Bayern hit five; Villa win 

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty maintained their perfect record in the Champions League this season by beating Girona 1-0 away from home.

The Egyptian international’s 63rd-minute penalty at Estadi Montilivi made it six victories from six in the league phase for Arne Slot’s side, who top the standings.

Already guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds, the win puts the Reds on the brink of a definite top-eight finish, which would see them progress straight to the last 16 and bypass the play-offs.

Meanwhile, an attacking masterclass from Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise’s double led Bayern to a 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk to mark their first away win of the league phase.

Shakhtar had led through Kevin in Gelsenkirchen, but the visitors did not look back after Konrad Laimer equalised with a powerful shot.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid returned to winning ways as they edged Atalanta 3-2 in an entertaining contest in Bergamo. Kylian Mbappe put the visitors ahead early on with his 50th goal of the competition, only for Atalanta to draw level via Charles De Ketelaere’s emphatic penalty on half-time.

Vinicius Junior pounced ten minutes after the interval, then turned provider for Jude Bellingham, but Ademola Lookman squeezed a shot inside Thibaut Courtois’ right post with 25 minutes left. La Dea pushed for an equaliser, and in added time substitute Mateo Retegui scooped over from close range.

In another match, Nordi Mukiele’s 90th-minute winner helped Leverkusen beat Inter Milan 1-0 and extended their perfect home record. Inter were the only side yet to concede in the league phase, although Nathan Tella’s shot against the crossbar almost changed that after three minutes at the BayArena.

Florian Wirtz’s angled drive tested Yann Sommer as Leverkusen had all three attempts on target before the break, but the reigning Italian champions’ No. 1 was rarely troubled before Mukiele fired in from close range to secure victory.

The outstanding Musiala then combined with Thomas Muller, setting his captain up to put Bayern ahead just before half-time. Olise’s penalty extended Bayern’s lead, before Musiala pounced to score a late goal of his own. There was still time for Olise to weave through the Shakhtar defence to add a stunning fifth.

Ross Barkley’s late deflected drive earned Aston Villa their fourth win of the league phase. The visitors dominated the early stages and took the lead when John McGinn fired in Ollie Watkins’ cushioned header, though Leipzig levelled when Loïs Openda capitalised on a mix-up in the Villa defence.

Jhon Duran, who replaced Watkins at half-time, restored the visitors’ advantage with a looping, long-range drive. Christoph Baumgartner’s volley restored parity for a second time, but Barkley struck late on to move Villa onto 13 points. With it, Leipzig’s elimination has been confirmed.

–IANS

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Iranian oil minister elected OPEC president

Tehran, Dec 11 (IANS) Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad was elected as the rotating president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for 2025.

In a press release on its website, OPEC confirmed the election of its president for the upcoming year and thanked Marcel Abeke, Gabon’s minister of petroleum, for his leadership as the organisation’s rotating president in 2024, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

According to IRNA, the newly elected OPEC president, Paknejad, emphasised his commitment to using all his capacities to uphold the organisation’s consistency, solidarity, and progress.

The OPEC conference has renewed the term of office for Haitham Al Ghais as secretary general for an additional three years, effective August 1, 2025, according to the OPEC press release.

Iran is set to assume the presidency of the organisation on January 1, 2025. The OPEC presidency rotates annually among OPEC member countries.

The OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental organisation of 12 oil-exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its member countries.

–IANS

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Pamela Anderson’s ‘Baywatch’ swimsuit to be showcased in exhibition

Los Angeles, Dec 11 (IANS) Hollywood star Pamela Anderson’s iconic fiery red swimsuit from “Baywatch” will be displayed at an exhibition at London’s Design Museum.

The swimsuit will be showcased in the ‘Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style’. The 57-year-old actress wore the red bathing suit during her stint on the hit TV show between 1992 and 1997, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Amber Butchart, the guest curator of ‘Splash!’, said: “It’s incredible to be showing Pamela Anderson’s iconic ‘Baywatch’ swimsuit in the exhibition, especially at this pivotal point when she has reclaimed her own image, and has designed and modelled her own swimwear.”

The new exhibition will focus on Britain’s enduring love of swimming and swimwear over the past 100 years.

‘Splash!’ will feature more than 200 objects and will explore swimming’s evolution, in a social, cultural, technological and environmental context, over the last century.

Tim Marlow, the director and CEO of the Design Museum, said: “The story of swimming is more than just a story of sport, as our new exhibition will make abundantly clear.

“By examining the culture of swimming through the lens of design, we will explore a range of evolving ideas about the way we have lived from the beginning of the 20th century to the present, from materials and making to leisure, travel, performance, wellbeing and the environment. It’s another innovative exhibition that will show visitors to the Design Museum the profound impact of design in almost every aspect of our lives.”

‘Splash!’ will open at the Design Museum in London on March 28, and tickets for the exhibition are now on sale.

Anderson rose to prominence after being selected as the February 1990 Playboy Playmate of the Month. She holds the record for the most Playboy covers by any individual.

She went on to star in the series “V.I.P.” and “Stacked”. Her film credits include Raw Justice, Barb Wire, Scary Movie 3, Borat, Superhero Movie, Blonde and Blonder, The Institute, Baywatch, City Hunter, and The Last Showgirl . Anderson also appeared in her own reality series Pam: Girl on the Loose among many others.

–IANS

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Humanitarian situation in Syria remains volatile: UN

United Nations, Dec 11 (IANS) UN humanitarians said that the humanitarian situation in Syria remains volatile, with continuing hostilities and looting reported in the capital Damascus area but relative calm in the country’s northwest.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported challenges for aid delivery in parts of the northeast, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Airstrikes and other hostilities continue to be reported in Damascus, rural Damascus, Daraa, and As-Sweida,” OCHA said. “Some looting of aid warehouses, including those of UN agencies and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent has been reported.”

UN agencies and their partners said they are trying to identify the extent of the reported looting.

A curfew is in place in Damascus and its countryside, Latakia, and Tartous from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time. “While vital public services are gradually resuming, movement restrictions, including curfews, are hindering the flow of goods and services,” OCHA said.

The humanitarians have received reports from areas with relative calm of displaced people who fled hostilities in the past two weeks returning home.

“All 11 reception centers that had been opened in Idlib to host newly displaced families were empty as of yesterday (Monday),” the office said, adding that its partners in the northeast report people continuing to arrive in displaced sites.

The United Nations and partners continue aid activities as the security situation permits. OCHA said the cross-border operation from Turkey is continuing without any impediment.

“Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that 25 trucks carrying UN aid crossed to northwest Syria,” the office said. “Nine trucks carrying more than 200 tons of food crossed through Bab Al-Salam, while 16 trucks crossed through Bab Al-Hawa.”

UN partners also deployed 16 mobile medical teams to support the response in underserved areas and displacement camps. The UN Population Fund and the World Health Organization reported distributing health, surgical and trauma kits to support hospitals.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that food prices in markets across the country are increasing sharply. In the past two weeks, more than 20 partners delivered food to more than 590,000 people in northwest Syria.

WFP and its partners have provided meals to more than 40,000 people in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Latakia, Deir El Zor, Raqqa and Hasaka, according to the agency.

The UN Refugee Agency distributed cash assistance for winter support to more than 6,000 households in Idlib and northern Aleppo and transported 1,500 core relief item kits to Idlib while working with its partners.

–IANS

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No one better than Uddhav Thackeray to lead INDIA bloc, says Shiv Sena (UBT)

Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) The question of leadership in the INDIA bloc has sparked intense debate after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently expressed dissatisfaction with the alliance’s current leadership and her willingness to take charge.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Wednesday stated that while Mamata Banerjee is a capable leader, party chief Uddhav Thackeray would be the most suitable person to lead the Opposition alliance.

“Mamata Banerjee has proven her mettle by halting PM Modi’s political surge in Bengal twice, in 2016 and 2021. She is a formidable leader who challenges PM Modi effectively,” Dubey told IANS.

However, he emphasised that Uddhav Thackeray “possesses all the qualities needed” to unify and lead the alliance.

Dubey praised Thackeray as a leader who is “calm by nature, knowledgeable, articulate, and a flag-bearer of Hindutva,” adding, “He seeks to steer the country toward development and could run the INDIA bloc better than anyone else.”

The INDIA bloc was conceptualised with Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar playing a significant role. However, Nitish Kumar’s dissatisfaction with the alliance reportedly led him to align with the BJP. Since then, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a prominent face of the Opposition, but repeated defeats in state elections have raised questions about his leadership.

Dubey acknowledged Rahul Gandhi’s contributions, saying, “He is a capable Leader of Opposition, but the burden on him is immense. If someone else also takes on the INDIA bloc leadership, what’s wrong with that? Rahul Gandhi himself should consider sharing responsibilities to strengthen the alliance.”

Using a cricket analogy, Dubey highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, “In a cricket team, captains change every three years, but the team wins when everyone contributes. Similarly, defeating PM Modi in 2024 requires unity and collective performance.”

While some leaders within the Opposition alliance, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, have rallied behind Mamata Banerjee as the ideal leader, Dubey expressed concerns about her potential departure from the bloc.

“If Mamata also leaves like Nitish Kumar, it will weaken the fight against Modi. We need a solution through collective dialogue,” he said.

Interestingly, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which is not a part of the INDIA bloc, has also voiced support for Mamata.

As speculation grows about leadership, Dubey reiterated that the alliance must act decisively to counter the BJP’s preparation for the 2024 elections and beyond.

“We will have to perform well. Otherwise, we saw the 2024, 2019, and 2014 elections. Should we keep watching like that? Now, the BJP must have started preparing for 2029; it will not be sitting at home,” he added.

Backing Thackeray, he added, “Uddhav Thackeray embodies the qualities of an ideal leader — calmness, focus on development, and the ability to unify diverse factions.”

With the leadership debate intensifying, the INDIA bloc faces a crucial test in balancing ambitions and unity to present a formidable challenge to the BJP in the next general elections.

–IANS

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