Month: September 2024

Man Arrested in Essen for Arson and Attack, Leaving 30 Injured

A man Arrested after setting fires and driving a van into shops in Essen, injuring 30, including children in critical condition.

BERLIN — The police have arrested a guy after a crazy day in Essen, where he started two fires that hurt 30 people, including 8 kids, and then crashed a van into two shops.

Emergency teams got calls about the fires around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The kids hurt the most had to be rushed to the hospital because they were badly burned from the smoke.

While the fires were going on, the guy drove the van into the shops, breaking a lot of stuff but luckily, no one got hurt.

Witnesses say he was holding weapons, but some brave folks stepped in with shovels and sticks to stop him until the cops showed up.

The guy, who’s 41 and from Syria, is said to have done this because his wife left. The police think he picked on homes and shops that backed her.

When the firefighters got there, it was a mess: smoke was everywhere and people were screaming for help from the windows.

Neighbors tried to help the people stuck inside with ladders, but they couldn’t get to the higher floors.

So far, the guy hasn’t said anything about what happened on Saturday. But the police knew about him before this and have been looking into him for other crimes.

They’re now charging him with starting the fires and trying to kill someone, showing just how serious this is.

Ukrainian Drone Assault Highlights Escalating Tensions Over Russian Territory

More than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia, igniting fires and damaging structures amid rising military tensions.

Over the weekend, more than 100 Ukrainian drones got shot down over Russia, starting a big fire and knocking down an apartment building.

This was one of the biggest drone attacks since Russia started fighting Ukraine in February 2022.

The Russian military said they stopped 125 drones while they were all over seven areas. The Volgograd area got hit the hardest, with Russian fighters saying they took down 67 of them.

In the Volgograd area, they also found 17 drones and some of the stuff they dropped on an apartment building and a house, and Gov.

Aleksandr Gusev said it was confirmed. People on social media were also seeing flames coming from the top floors of a high-rise. Luckily, no one got hurt.

Also, 18 drones were spotted in Russia’s Rostov area, and the stuff they dropped started a wildfire. Gov.

Vasily Golubev said they got the fire under control and it wasn’t going to spread to any people living nearby.

Back in Ukraine, 14 people got hurt in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia because of a continuous attack.

Ukrainian military leaders had been saying that Russia might be getting ready for another attack in the south, and it looked like they were right with ten attacks using guided bombs that damaged a high-rise and some houses.

Gov. Ivan Fedorov said there might be more people trapped under the rubble.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked about how Russia bombed Zaporizhzhia with planes, hurting regular homes and messing up the train tracks and how the city gets supplies.

The Ukrainian military also said that Russian soldiers are getting more in the Zaporizhzhia area, which could mean more attacks.

Vladyslav Voloshyn, who talks for Ukraine’s military in the south, said they’ve seen more Russian soldiers there.

At the same time, Ukraine’s air force said they shot down 22 Russian drones that were flying over Ukrainian land overnight, stopping 15 of them in Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa.

They also got rid of five more with electronic defenses, but they didn’t say what happened to the other two.

Conservative Party Leadership Contest Begins After Devastating Election Loss

The Conservative Party seeks a new leader after a July election defeat, focusing on immigration and party unity amid turmoil.

The Conservative Party in Britain is holding its annual conference, focusing on finding a new leader to help the party recover after losing a major election.

After the July elections, the Conservatives only have 121 seats out of 650, with the Labour Party winning more than 400.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided to step down as caretaker leader until a new one is chosen.

The search for a new leader is down to four candidates: Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat.

They will use the conference to meet with party members and present their final plans.

After that, the Conservative lawmakers will vote to eliminate two candidates, and then party members will vote for the new leader, who is expected to be announced on November 2.

The new leader will take over a party that has been through a lot of changes and challenges, including scandals and resignations of previous leaders.

The leading candidates, Jenrick and Badenoch, both want to appeal to the party’s right-wing supporters, with Jenrick focusing on immigration and human rights, and Badenoch on a smaller government and patriotism.

Cleverly and Tugendhat, while leaning towards the center, have become more strict on immigration to attract voters who left Reform.

Some Conservatives worry that moving too far to the right could hurt the party in the next election.

Former PM Theresa May believes the party lost support by moving too far right to please potential Reform supporters.

She said that staying in the center ground is safer for winning elections.

The ongoing leadership fight in the Conservative Party has made it hard for them to take advantage of the government’s mistakes.

Starmer’s popularity has dropped due to his negative views on the economy and a scandal about accepting gifts from a wealthy Labour donor.

Adding to Labour’s problems, Rosie Duffield, a lawmaker, has left the party, criticizing Starmer for corruption and saying the party cares more about money and power than making a difference.

Duffield has had issues with the Labour leadership, especially on transgender issues, as she is against making it easier to change legal gender.

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden is upset about Duffield leaving.

 Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah: Key Leaders Killed in Escalating Conflict

 Israeli military strikes have decimated Hezbollah, killing top officials amidst ongoing violence and regional tensions.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it killed another important Hezbollah leader, Nabil Kaouk, in a targeted attack.

This comes after a series of losses for Hezbollah, including the death of its main leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

According to military reports, Kaouk, who was the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council, was killed in an operation on Saturday.

The exact location of the attack is still unknown, and Hezbollah has not responded yet.

In recent months, Hezbollah has lost several high-ranking members, including some who were considered untouchable.

The situation is made worse by an attack on Hezbollah’s communication systems, which is believed to be from Israeli intelligence.

This has led to a lot of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, causing many deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

The Lebanese government says about 250,000 people have sought shelter, with many others staying with friends and family or on the streets.

Despite this, Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks into Israel, with most of their missiles hitting less populated areas.

Kaouk, who has been with Hezbollah since the 1980s, was known for leading military operations and appearing in the media to discuss politics and security.

He was also known for giving eulogies to other senior members who died. In 2020, the United States put sanctions on him.

Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel started after Hamas attacked from Gaza, which has now turned into a larger conflict.

Israel has been bombing back, and the situation is very tense, with fears of a wider war.

Israel is working on getting its citizens back to their homes in northern Israel, but Hezbollah has said they will stop attacking Israel if there’s a ceasefire in Gaza, which has not happened yet.

Chablis 2024 Harvest: Unprecedented Challenges and Low Yields Ahead

The 2024 Chablis harvest faces extreme weather challenges, leading to significant crop losses and unique wine characteristics.

In late September, grape pickers in Chablis, France, were working hard to pick the last Chardonnay grapes for the Domaine Roland Lavantureux winery’s Premier Cru wine.

This year’s harvest, the 2024 “millesime,” was expected to be smaller due to the unusually wet season and extreme weather conditions, including frost, hail, heavy rain, and a harmful fungus.

The Lavantureux brothers, David and Arnaud, faced significant challenges in fighting the fungus, which could lead to a 60 to 65% loss in their vineyard’s yield.

Despite the difficulties, they are hopeful that the unique conditions will result in a Premier Cru wine with distinct characteristics.

Chablis vineyards in the northern Bourgogne region, known for their ideal climate of cold winters, warm summers, and moderate rainfall, are facing challenges due to climate change.

The area is experiencing milder weather, more rain, and spring frosts, which are unusual for the region.

These changes, including frost damage, have caused financial problems for vineyards, with some frost events linked to climate change.

Winemakers are trying new methods to cope, like delaying pruning to avoid early bud bursts and protecting grapes from heat.

They also use expensive techniques such as warming vines with candles or electric heat, or spraying water on buds to create a protective ice layer.

Despite these efforts, the region still faces severe hailstorms, which can damage crops.

However, the Lavantureux family, who own Chablis vineyards, are hopeful that the successful harvests of 2022 and 2023 will help offset the losses from the less productive 2024 crop.

The demand for Chablis wine, especially in the U.S., remains strong, with exports to the U.S. increasing by 19% in the U.S. market.

Arnaud Lavantureux, a vineyard owner, has moved on from the challenges of this year and is now preparing for the next harvest.

Nepal Flooding and Landslides: Death Toll Exceeds 100, Rescue Efforts Continue

Nepal faces severe flooding and landslides, resulting in over 100 deaths. Rescue operations are ongoing as recovery begins.

The number of people killed in floods and landslides in Nepal has hit over 100, with a lot more missing.

On Sunday, the police said more people are likely to die as more reports come in from villages all over the mountains.

The weather got better in Nepal on Sunday, which means they can start looking for people, fixing damage, and cleaning up.

Rescue teams found 14 bodies overnight from two buses that got buried in a landslide on the road to Kathmandu.

They’re still looking for more people trapped under the rubble in the same spot, as they dig through rocks and mud to find survivors.

Kathmandu is cut off from the rest of the world on Sunday, with the main roads out of the city blocked by landslides. Three important roads, including the crucial Prithvi Highway that connects Kathmandu to other places, are also blocked.

People in southern Kathmandu, which got flooded a lot, are starting to clean up their homes as the water goes down.

At least 34 people died in Kathmandu, the city that got hit the hardest by the floods on Saturday.

The police and military are helping with the rescue work, and big machines are being used to clear the landslides blocking the roads.

Because of the floods, the government decided to close all schools and colleges for the next three days. Even though the heavy rain that started on Friday slowed down by Saturday night, there’s still a chance of more rain over the weekend.

Last week, the authorities warned everyone in the Himalayan area about heavy rain, which led to a no-nighttime bus travel rule on highways and a warning to stay off the roads.

Usually, the rainy season in Nepal starts in June and goes on until mid-September.

Volunteer Hospital Clowns Bring Joy to Ukrainian Children in Hospitals

In Ukraine, volunteer hospital clowns uplift children amidst war, providing laughter and joy during challenging medical times.

During the war and the strain on hospitals, volunteer clowns in Ukraine are bringing joy to sick children.

The “Bureau of Smiles and Support,” founded by Olha Bulkina and Maryna Berdar in 2023, aims to keep childhood alive despite tough times.

After a hospital was hit by a missile, the clowns helped evacuate children and supported those in need.

Now, they brighten the lives of kids in Kyiv, including those at the National Cancer Institute, where they help distract from pain and fear during treatments.

Their work is crucial, providing a much-needed break from the harsh realities of war and illness.

Some kids didn’t go back to the hospital; they went to other places or temporary homes helped by charities.

Even though there are programs like BUP in Ukraine, the need for them is getting bigger.

Berdar said, “Our help is really needed in big children’s hospitals in Kyiv, and I think it’s going to be even more needed in smaller hospitals, where these fun activities aren’t happening.”

The World Health Organization has pointed out that Ukraine is facing a serious health crisis because of ongoing power outages and damage to its healthcare system.

Since Russia started its invasion in February 2022, there have been almost 2,000 attacks on hospitals, making it hard to provide care.

Kids, who are most at risk, are suffering from this bigger mental health problem that’s affecting the whole country.

Because of the clowns, kids are happier. Parents are thankful for their help.

“With clowns around, kids learn to laugh, play with bubbles, and their moods get better. Today, Kira watched the clowns play the ukulele and now she wants one too,” Daria said, smiling proudly.

Model Ship Makers Bring 17th Century Soleil d’Orient to Life

Le Village in Madagascar revives the 17th-century ship Soleil d’Orient, crafting detailed models cherished by collectors worldwide.

In Madagascar, skilled craftsmen are working to restore a 17th-century French trading ship, the Soleil d’Orient, which sank carrying treasure.

Rafah Ralahy, with 30 years of experience, is meticulously sanding the wood to bring the ship back to life.

Creating a miniature version of the original 1,000-ton ship requires patience and precision, especially in shaping the hull.

The Soleil d’Orient, a prestigious ship from the French East India Company, sank in 1681 with ambassadors and treasures.

A custom wooden replica from Le Village, a company founded in 1993, costs over $2,500, including shipping.

The craftsmen aim to stay true to the ship’s original blueprints, ensuring historical accuracy.

Le Village has a rich history of creating models of famous historical ships for royal and collector clients, with prices ranging from $150 to $10,000.

The company’s focus on historical accuracy and innovation has led to the restoration of ships like the HMS Bounty and the Titanic.

Despite Madagascar’s lack of traditional shipbuilding culture, Le Village continues to thrive, with over two dozen model makers dedicated to their craft.

The company’s plans include financial stability, expanding its collection, and possibly opening a woodworking school and a maritime museum.

Ralahy sands the tough wood for the Soleil d’Orient model, thinking about the hard work ahead. Some models take over 1,000 hours.

Nearly 350 years after the first ship sank, a new Soleil d’Orient will sail again.

Every ship goes through different workshops and skilled workers. Le Village is a tight community, with many family members working together.

In one room, four women quickly finish a model, trying to meet a shipping deadline.

“It’s a race,” Alexandria Mandimbiherimamisoa said, making mini flags for the ship. Her husband, Tovo-Hery Andrianarivo, also from Le Village, feels proud seeing their work travel the world.

Andrianarivo remembers a documentary about a life-size Hermione, a frigate that carried French General Lafayette in the American War of Independence.

He felt very fulfilled seeing a Le Village model in the documentary.

“It was an amazing experience to see our model there,” Andrianarivo said.

Hurricane Helene Causes Widespread Destruction and Historic Flooding in Southeast

Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the Southeast, causing deaths, flooding, and massive power outages as recovery efforts commence.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused widespread damage and loss across the U.S. Southeast, with at least 64 deaths reported and millions without power.

The storm, which hit Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday, quickly moved through Georgia, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Gov. Brian Kemp described the damage as “like a bomb went off.” As Helene weakened, it brought heavy rain that flooded rivers and threatened dams.

Landslides and flooding isolated parts of Western North Carolina, closing roads and delaying a football game.

Rescue efforts were intense, with helicopters rescuing people from rooftops and continuing into the next day.

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to stay over the Tennessee Valley over the weekend.

North Carolina saw some of the worst flooding in a century, with areas like Spruce Pine receiving over 2 feet of rain.

Atlanta also recorded its highest two-day rainfall total since 1878.

President Joe Biden called Helene’s damage “overwhelming” and announced help from the government, including support for North Carolina.

Helene has caused at least 25 deaths in South Carolina, making it the deadliest storm there since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It has also led to deaths in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Experts predict that Helene could cause $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage and $95 billion to $110 billion in total losses in the U.S.

Before the storm hit, people were being evacuated, especially as lakes were overflowing and dams were at risk. Helicopters were used to rescue people from flooded homes.

So far, 11 people have died in Florida, with nine of them in a mandatory evacuation zone in Pinellas County, where Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said none of the deaths were in Taylor County, where Helene first hit.

Taylor County hasn’t seen a direct hurricane in years, but residents are starting to see a pattern of storms in the area.

Climate change is making hurricanes like Helene stronger, with warmer ocean temperatures playing a big role.

Helene is the eighth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, expected to be above average due to high ocean temperatures.

Lana Del Rey Marries Jeremy Dufrene: A Thrifts Wedding Dress and Intimate Ceremony

Lana Del Rey weds Jeremy Dufrene in a cozy ceremony. Discover her thrifted wedding dress and the story behind their romance!

Lana Del Rey got her wedding dress way before her big day with Jeremy Dufrene. Sources say she picked it up from Vintage Market by Trashy Diva in New Orleans in May.

We don’t know exactly how much the dress cost, but it’s said she didn’t spend more than $400, which is pretty normal for wedding dresses at that store.

They have dresses from the 1920s to the early 2000s.

The couple got married this week at Airboat Tours by Arthur in Louisiana, with just their family and a few close friends around.

Photos from the wedding show Del Rey walking down the aisle with her dad, Robert Grant.

Del Rey and Dufrene started dating in late August this year, but a Facebook post from 2019 suggests they might have known each other for a while.

Their relationship got more attention when a TikTok video showing them holding hands emerged.

They announced their relationship a few days before the wedding at Karen Elson’s wedding in New York City, where they were spotted together.

A Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court clerk told Page Six that Del Rey and Dufrene got their marriage license just before the wedding.

Before tying the knot, Del Rey was rumored to be engaged to Evan Winiker, as reported by Billboard in March 2023, and to Clayton Johnson in December 2020.

Exit mobile version