A 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, has been apprehended on suspicion of starting the catastrophic Pacific Palisades fire in Los Angeles, which claimed 12 lives and obliterated over 6,000 homes in January. According to the U.S. Justice Department, evidence retrieved from Rinderknecht’s digital devices included an AI-generated image of a burning city, created using ChatGPT. The fire, which ignited on January 7 near a popular hiking trail in the affluent coastal neighborhood, smoldered underground for days before erupting above ground. Concurrently, the Eaton Fire, which broke out the same day in the Los Angeles area, resulted in 19 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 9,400 structures, though its cause remains undetermined. Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades who relocated to Florida post-fire, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with destruction of property by means of fire. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that further charges, including murder, may be forthcoming. Rinderknecht allegedly ignited the fire with an open flame after completing an Uber ride on New Year’s Eve. The blaze, which spread days later, became one of the most devastating in Los Angeles history, destroying homes of several celebrities, including Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, and Jeff Bridges. Rinderknecht is set to appear in court in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.
标签： North America
北美洲
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Ex-FBI director James Comey pleads not guilty to federal charges
James Comey, the former director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The plea was submitted on his behalf by his attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday. Fitzgerald argued that the case should be dismissed, citing political targeting due to Comey’s criticism of former President Donald Trump. The indictment followed Trump’s public urging of his attorney general to take legal action against Comey. A trial date has been set for January 5, with Comey’s legal team seeking a swift resolution. Fitzgerald also indicated plans to file motions to dismiss the case, claiming the prosecution is vindictive and that the appointment of the US attorney overseeing the case was unlawful. The case was initially handled by Erik Siebert, a Virginia prosecutor who resigned under pressure from Trump after failing to bring criminal charges against another political adversary, New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump subsequently appointed Lindsey Halligan to take over the case. Comey appeared in good spirits during the court proceedings, accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor, and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who was recently dismissed by the Trump administration. Comey, who served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017, was fired early in Trump’s presidency while leading an investigation into Russian election interference and potential links to Trump’s campaign. His tenure was marked by controversy, including his announcement of an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server just days before the 2016 presidential election. Since leaving government, Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump. The charges against him stem from allegations that he lied to Congress during a 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the FBI’s investigations into Clinton and Russia. Prosecutors also accuse him of obstructing the panel. In a video posted to Instagram after his indictment, Comey maintained his innocence and accused Trump of behaving like a ‘tyrant,’ vowing to stand up to him. The charges were filed after Trump publicly demanded his attorney general prosecute Comey.
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Trump calls for jailing of Illinois governor and Chicago mayor in immigration standoff
President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Illinois officials, calling for the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. In a fiery social media post, Trump accused the Democratic leaders of failing to protect federal immigration officers conducting raids in Chicago, labeling the city a ‘war zone’ due to ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. This rhetoric comes as hundreds of National Guard troops have been deployed to Chicago as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, mirroring similar actions in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Memphis, and Portland. A judge has temporarily blocked the deployment to Portland but allowed it in Chicago, prompting Illinois and Chicago to file a lawsuit to halt the move. Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, potentially using the military if courts intervene. Meanwhile, protests in Chicago turned violent last weekend, with immigration authorities reporting an armed woman allegedly ramming her car into law enforcement vehicles, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The woman’s condition remains unclear. Pritzker and Johnson have vehemently opposed Trump’s actions, with Pritzker calling them ‘authoritarian’ and Johnson accusing Trump of targeting him unjustly. The standoff highlights the deepening divide between Trump and Democratic-led cities and states.
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Hundreds of US National Guard troops arrive in Chicago
In a controversial move, hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas have been stationed at an Army Reserve Training Center near Chicago, as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts. Trump has labeled Chicago a ‘war zone’ following recent protests against federal immigration officials in the city, which ranks as the third-largest in the U.S. The deployment has sparked significant opposition from local leaders, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who criticized the Trump administration for what he called an ‘authoritarian march’ and vowed to use all available resources to halt the initiative. Sources from CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. partner, indicate that some troops could begin their duties as early as Wednesday. Temporary living quarters have been established at the training center, located approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago, with fencing erected around the facility late Tuesday. Local officials have expressed frustration over the lack of detailed information regarding the troops’ assignments. Trump has defended the deployment as necessary to address violence in Democratic-controlled cities, combat crime, and support his deportation policies. However, National Guard troops have limited authority and are primarily tasked with protecting federal officers and property, rather than enforcing laws or making arrests. This deployment follows similar actions in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, and Portland, though a federal judge temporarily blocked the Portland deployment. Chicago has witnessed a surge in protests against immigration enforcement, particularly outside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Last weekend, a woman was injured when U.S. Border Patrol personnel fired shots after a group rammed cars into immigration enforcement vehicles, though her lawyer disputes the government’s account. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday in a lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago, seeking to prevent the federalization of National Guard troops from Texas and Illinois. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the deployment as ‘illegal, unconstitutional, and dangerous,’ and signed an executive order banning ICE agents from operating on city-owned properties. The situation raises significant legal and constitutional questions, as National Guard troops are typically deployed by state governors, and century-old laws restrict the federal government’s use of the military for domestic matters. Trump has hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which allows the president to use active-duty military personnel for law enforcement within the country, if federal courts obstruct his plans. In the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump emphasized his determination to act if state governors fail to maintain order.
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Prosecutors say Libyan freely confessed to Lockerbie bombing
A legal dispute has emerged over the alleged confession of Abu Agila Mas’ud Kheir al-Marimi, a Libyan man accused of involvement in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and other attacks targeting Americans. Mas’ud, a 74-year-old former Libyan intelligence colonel, reportedly admitted his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people, during a 2012 interrogation in a Libyan detention facility. However, Mas’ud claims his confession was coerced by three masked men who threatened him and his family. His lawyers are now seeking to suppress the statement from being used as evidence in his upcoming trial in Washington, D.C., scheduled for April next year.
U.S. prosecutors argue that the confession was voluntary and reliable, emphasizing its significance in proving Mas’ud’s guilt in ‘two major terrorist attacks against Americans.’ They contend that independent evidence corroborates the details of his statement. Mas’ud’s defense team, however, asserts that the confession was obtained under duress during the chaotic aftermath of the 2011 Libyan revolution, when former members of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime faced widespread violence and persecution.
According to Mas’ud, he was abducted from his home in 2012 and taken to an unofficial prison where he was handed a handwritten confession to memorize and repeat during questioning. Fearing for his safety and that of his family, he complied. U.S. prosecutors counter that Mas’ud’s account is implausible, citing the testimony of the Libyan police officer who conducted the interrogation. The officer described the facility as well-run and denied any signs of torture or coercion.
Mas’ud is also accused of involvement in a 1986 bombing in West Berlin that killed three people, including two U.S. servicemen, and an attempted assassination of a U.S. Secretary of State in Pakistan. He allegedly chose not to detonate a booby-trapped overcoat after learning the wearer was unaware of the suicide mission. U.S. prosecutors argue this decision demonstrates his autonomy and resistance to coercion.
The legal battle over the admissibility of Mas’ud’s confession continues, with a hearing scheduled to determine whether it will be presented to the jury. The case underscores the complexities of prosecuting historical terrorism cases and the challenges of verifying confessions obtained in volatile political contexts.
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Dolly Parton’s sister asks fans to pray for singer over ‘health challenges’
Country music icon Dolly Parton has postponed her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to undisclosed health issues, prompting her sister, Freida Parton, to call for global prayers. The 79-year-old legend, known for timeless hits like ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You,’ was set to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December. However, she announced the delay, rescheduling the concerts to September 2025, citing the need for ‘a few procedures’ to address ongoing health challenges. Freida Parton took to Facebook to rally fans, stating, ‘I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.’ She expressed confidence in Dolly’s resilience, writing, ‘She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine.’ This setback follows a challenging year for the singer, who recently withdrew from a Dollywood event due to a kidney stone diagnosis and mourned the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, after nearly six decades of marriage. Despite these trials, Dolly remains a beloved figure in the music world, with her Las Vegas residency marking her first return to the Strip since the 1990s. Fans worldwide continue to send their support and well-wishes as she focuses on her recovery.
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Scientist’s off-grid hike interrupted by news of Nobel Prize win
In a remarkable twist of fate, Dr. Fred Ramsdell, a prominent US immunologist, discovered he had won the Nobel Prize in Medicine while on a remote hiking trip in Montana’s grizzly bear territory. The news reached him not through a direct call from the Nobel Committee but via a flood of text messages to his wife, Laura O’Neill, who was accompanying him on the adventure. Dr. Ramsdell, who had his phone on airplane mode, initially dismissed the announcement, only to be convinced by the overwhelming evidence of over 200 congratulatory messages. The award recognizes his groundbreaking research, conducted alongside two other scientists, into how the immune system combats infections. The trio will share a prize fund of 11 million Swedish kronor (£870,000). After receiving the messages, the couple drove to a nearby town to secure a phone signal, allowing Dr. Ramsdell to finally connect with the Nobel Committee nearly 20 hours after their initial attempts. Dr. Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Assembly, described this as the most challenging winner contact since 2016. Dr. Ramsdell’s lab, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, humorously noted that he was “living his best life” off-grid during the ordeal. This incident adds to the Nobel Prize’s history of quirky winner announcements, including economist Paul Milgrom’s missed call in 2020 and novelist Doris Lessing’s blunt reaction in 2007.
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‘I sleep with a gas mask on’ – Life next to Portland protest angering Trump
The South Waterfront neighborhood of Portland has become a battleground, with nightly clashes between federal agents and protesters opposing immigration arrests. Brennah Hammar, a 57-year-old resident of Gray’s Landing, describes her street as a ‘war zone,’ where tear gas infiltrates her apartment complex, located across from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. The unrest, centered on a single city block, has drawn national attention, with President Donald Trump proposing to deploy the National Guard to protect federal officers and buildings. However, a federal judge has temporarily halted this plan, citing concerns over constitutional overreach. Trump’s hyperbolic claims that ‘Portland is burning to the ground’ have been widely mocked by the city’s residents. Meanwhile, the community remains divided, with some blaming Antifa for the violence and others pointing fingers at federal agents. The Cottonwood School, adjacent to the ICE building, relocated in August after munitions were repeatedly found in its playground. Amidst the chaos, residents like Cindy Colgrove carry weapons for self-defense, while others, like Mai Tai Boyd, question the necessity of deploying combat-trained troops. Despite the turmoil, life continues in other parts of Portland, with events like the Portland Marathon proceeding without incident. Most residents blame Trump for the unrest, recalling his controversial decision to send National Guard troops during 2020 protests. As industrial air scrubbers work to cleanse the air of tear gas, Hammar, a Portland native, finds herself reluctantly supporting Trump’s plan to send in the National Guard, feeling abandoned by the city and determined to protect her rights.
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Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to fund US public broadcasting
In a heartfelt effort to support public television stations grappling with funding reductions under the Trump administration, approximately 30 artworks by the beloved art instructor Bob Ross will be auctioned by Bonhams starting November. These paintings, primarily created during his iconic TV show, *The Joy of Painting*, in the 1980s and 1990s, represent a significant part of Ross’s legacy. Bob Ross Inc. emphasized that the auction aims to sustain the medium that brought Ross’s creativity and joy into American households for decades. This initiative follows Congress’s approval of Trump’s proposal to cut public broadcast funding, leaving over 330 PBS and NPR stations in search of alternative financial resources. Ross’s show experienced a revival during the COVID-19 pandemic, as viewers found solace in his calming, step-by-step painting tutorials, where he famously referred to mistakes as ‘happy accidents.’ Ross passed away in 1995 at the age of 52. Bob Ross Inc. has donated the paintings to American Public Television, with all net proceeds directed to local public TV stations nationwide, supporting programs like *America’s Test Kitchen*, *Julia Child’s French Chef Classics*, and *This Old House*. Recent auctions of Ross’s works have set new records, with *Lake Below Snow-Capped Peaks and Cloudy Sky* selling for $114,800 and *Lake Below Snow-Covered Mountains and Clear Sky* fetching $95,750. Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., shared with the *New York Post* that Ross would have been modest about the high prices, as he was more passionate about the painting process and inspiring others to create their own art.
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White House suggests some federal workers may not get back pay after shutdown
The Trump administration has ignited a heated debate by suggesting that some federal workers furloughed during the ongoing government shutdown may not receive back pay once the funding impasse is resolved. This stance, outlined in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), contradicts a 2019 law signed by President Trump that guarantees retroactive pay for employees affected by shutdowns. The memo argues that the law does not apply to workers temporarily asked not to report to work. Trump reinforced this position on Tuesday, stating that back pay ‘depends on who we’re talking about’ and implying that some employees ‘don’t deserve to be taken care of.’ Approximately 750,000 federal workers are currently without pay as the shutdown enters its first week. Democratic leaders, including House Representative Hakeem Jeffries, have vehemently opposed Trump’s interpretation, asserting that the law clearly entitles all furloughed employees to back pay. The OMB memo, prepared last week but reported on Tuesday, has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia called it ‘totally illegal,’ while some Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, labeled the approach a ‘strategic mistake.’ The shutdown, which began on October 1, stems from a deadlock between Senate Republicans and Democrats over resolutions to reopen the government, with Democrats pushing for healthcare provisions and Republicans advocating for a ‘clean’ budget bill. The controversy over back pay adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political standoff.