DOMESTIC
Following weeks of blazing wildfires that left 28 people dead and nearly 200,000 under evacuation orders, Los Angeles County now prepares for another potential natural calamity: toxic runoff. This past weekend’s rainfall brought much-needed assistance to firefighters still working to contain the raging flames. By Saturday, the Palisades Fire was 81% contained and the Eaton Fire was 95%. Even the more recent Hughes Fire underwent significant containment as a result of the precipitation and the clearer air provided. A new danger of the spread of toxic substances produced by the burned debris and the chemicals within is beginning to affect the already-depleted area, though. According to L.A. council member Traci Parks, the fires “ripped through homes, vehicles, electronics, plastics, chemicals, furniture and countless everyday materials, creating a dangerous mix of toxins.” Rain holds the potential to drive this ash into the gutters, the storm drains and even the nearby beaches. Additionally, the National Weather Service has expressed concern that “localized cloudbursts” could induce dangerous mudslides—potentially reminiscent of the landslides in 2018 that killed 21 people in Santa Barbara County. Workers have labored tirelessly to erect barriers, clear debris, cap pipes and shore up slopes in the hopes of filtering pollutants and potentially containing the ash should the worst-case scenario occur. Overall, the risk posed by these fire-produced toxins remains incalculable and many residents have chosen to postpone their return to L.A., claiming the true extent of the danger is not worth discovering.
One of the executive orders signed by President Donald Trump upon his re-inauguration into office on Jan. 20 directed federal officials to legally recognize only two “biological genders”— male and female. As a consequence of this order, transgender women who are serving time in prison must be admitted or relocated to male-gendered facilities. A transgender inmate affected by this consequence has recently filed a lawsuit—the first to nationally challenge the order—under the claim that impending transfer from a women’s to a men’s facility would violate the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which guards against the use of “cruel and unusual punishment.” Additionally, according to the inmate’s claim, the deprivation of necessary medical care would violate the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. According to the inmate’s lawyers, transfer to a men’s prison would create considerable risk for “harassment, abuse, violence and sexual assault.” As of now, the U.S. Department of Justice has not commented on the situation.
INTERNATIONAL
Romania and the Netherlands have recently become the victims of a new and peculiar incident of white-collar crime. This past weekend, unidentified criminals forced their way into a small Dutch museum that was displaying a 2,500-year-old priceless Romanian artifact of esteemed cultural significance. The “intricate golden Cotofenesti helmet” is one of Romania’s most revered national treasures. The sudden, dramatic theft of the artifact and the “shockwaves” the heist created both an emotional and symbolic pain through Romania and the wider art world. For the Romanian Justice Minister, recovering this precious artifact is a top priority and concern about the thieves’ intentions with the helmet raises the matter to heightened pertinence. Given the helmet’s fame and publicized disappearance, the thieves will struggle to sell it within its constructed state. Dutch art expert Arthur Brand expressed with fear and dismay that the thieves’ likely strategy may be to melt the gold—destroying the priceless relic and dramatically reducing its value. The helmet’s significance, however, far surpasses its material worth. In the words of the museum director, “It is about the cultural heritage”; the monetary loss is hardly relevant.
The ceasefire in Gaza sparked a mass migration of displaced Palestinians returning across the border. Their travel, however, has not avoided disruption. A recent hostage crisis—in violation of the ceasefire agreement—prompted Jerusalem to block Palestinians’ return on Sunday. Mediation by Qatar, along with negotiations for further hostage releases, quelled Israel’s unrest enough to permit the passage of Palestinian foot traffic and cars flowing to the north. Nevertheless, not all Israeli officials agree with the Prime Minister’s decision to allow the Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claims the Palestinians’ return to be another manifestation of a poorly conceived ceasefire: “images of Hamas’ victory and another humiliating part of the reckless deal.” His harsh words, however, did not stop at condemnation of the agreement’s controversial terms. In a bold statement, the minister has called for a “return to war” and the destruction of Israel’s “enemies.” The unfolding of this hostage crisis, alongside the ongoing migration, will reveal with time just how long the flighty, bitter peace will continue throughout the region.