A significant fire engulfed the historic Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam on Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. Early reports suggest fireworks may have been the cause, rapidly spreading flames through the structure. The church, a popular tourist destination dating back to 1880, was designed by renowned architect Pierre Cuypers. The venue was previously used for concerts and events.
The European Court of Human Rights has questioned the UK’s decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship, focusing on the state’s responsibility towards potential trafficking victims. Begum, who joined ISIS at 15, was later stripped of her citizenship due to national security concerns. The court is examining whether the Home Office considered Begum’s potential as a trafficking victim before making the decision, as the court is questioning the UK’s failure to consider the grooming and trafficking of a school child in London. The UK government maintains its decision was justified to protect national security and will be defended.
AP News reports that thieves stole a significant amount of property, estimated to be worth between 10 million and 90 million euros, from safety deposit boxes inside a German bank vault in Gelsenkirchen. Approximately 2,700 customers were affected, with over 3,000 safety deposit boxes broken into, representing more than 95% of the bank’s inventory. Police believe a large drill was used to breach the vault’s basement wall, and investigators are reviewing witness statements and video footage from a nearby parking garage. The bank branch remained closed, and each safety deposit box is insured for 10,300 euros unless the customer has additional private insurance.
On January 1st, a new wave of artistic works entered the public domain, marking the end of their 95-year copyright terms. Iconic characters such as Betty Boop and Blondie, along with Mickey Mouse’s dog Pluto (initially known as Rover), were among the many works that became freely available for use. In addition, the first appearances of Nancy Drew, Sam Spade, and Miss Marple in book form also entered the public domain. This year’s entries also include the Marx Brothers’ “Animal Crackers,” the German film “The Blue Angel,” and several classic songs like “Embraceable You” and “Georgia on My Mind.”
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of New York City in a private ceremony at the historic Old City Hall subway station. The 34-year-old Democrat, also the youngest mayor in generations, took the oath of office with a Quran, promising transformative change focused on affordability. Facing challenges such as high prices and political tensions, he will also navigate a relationship with Republican President Donald Trump. Mamdani’s agenda includes policies like free childcare and a rent freeze, as well as the need to address the city’s ongoing issues.
The body of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who had been missing since Christmas Eve, was discovered in a field near her home in Texas. Authorities confirmed the identity through the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, who determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the manner of death as suicide. Prior to the discovery, Olmos’s mother reported her missing after she did not return from her morning walk, and security footage showed her near her car and on a roadside. Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that Olmos had previously exhibited “suicidal ideations” and battled depression.
In a recent ruling, a federal district court judge determined the White House cannot cease funding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Judge Amy Berman declared that the CFPB should continue receiving funds from the Federal Reserve, rejecting the White House’s argument that the agency’s funding source was unavailable due to the Fed’s losses. The case centers on whether the White House could effectively shut down the CFPB through budget manipulation. The court found the White House’s “combined earnings” argument as an unsupported attempt to starve the CFPB of funding and circumvent a previous injunction protecting its employees.
The United States Postal Service has finalized a rule defining postmarks and clarifying their significance in relation to mail acceptance dates. The rule emphasizes that the postmark date often reflects the initial automated processing, not necessarily the date of USPS possession, and potential delays are likely due to operational changes. To guarantee a same-day postmark, customers must utilize specific retail services like manual postmarks, postage validation imprints, or certified mailing. This clarification is particularly important for tax filings, as the postmark date is crucial in determining timely submission under IRS regulations.
The CDC has released data showing a surge in flu cases, with hospital admissions and reported illnesses rising rapidly. This increase is largely attributed to a new strain, subclade K of influenza A(H3N2), which may be evading immune defenses. While the vaccine may not be a perfect match, it is still the best protection, and the CDC is encouraging vaccinations. Additional preventative measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, are also recommended to help slow the spread of the virus.
Rumors of a serial killer operating in Houston’s waterways are being refuted by the Harris County District Attorney, Sean Teare, following the recent discovery of three bodies. The Houston Police Department confirmed the recovery of bodies from various bayous in late December. Despite online speculation, Teare stated there is no evidence to suggest a serial killer is responsible, attributing many of the deaths to factors like the city’s homeless population and substance abuse issues. The mayor’s office also extended condolences, emphasizing the city’s vast network of waterways and the ongoing investigation into each case, with autopsy results still pending.
John Q. Hosedrinker