Jan. 13, 2025

A 177 Million Gallon Reservoir was Empty When the LA Fires Broke Out

Despite decades of investment and regulations designed to combat wildfires, Los Angeles found itself overwhelmed as fires devastated neighborhoods like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, killing at least 11 people, destroying thousands of homes, and causing billions of dollars worth of damage. 

According to journalist Austyn Jeffs of The Free Press, the Santa Ynez Reservoir which is responsible for the water supply of Palisades, has been empty since February of last year. There was no communication from the Department of Water and Power to the Los Angeles Fire Department notifying them that this reservoir was empty. The reservoir is capable of 117 million gallons of water, which could have been used to help prevent the spread of the fires. Journalist Michael Shellenberger reported that a senior water utility executive spoke with him and stated that the reservoir should have never been drained and should have remained full for use in emergencies.

Sources: The Free Press, Public

Netanyahu and Biden Discuss Gaza Ceasefire-Hostage Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden held discussions regarding ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal. Talks in Doha, involving senior Israeli negotiators and Mossad officials, have reportedly made slow but steady progress. Biden reiterated his push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza, while Netanyahu navigates internal political challenges from far-right coalition members who oppose a ceasefire. The negotiations are under pressure from both Biden’s outgoing administration and incoming President Donald Trump’s team, with the latter threatening strong action if a deal is not reached before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

Notes: Netanyahu faces opposition from key coalition partners, Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben Gvir, who reject a ceasefire without Hamas’s total defeat.

Sources: CNN, Politico

Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns

Jack Smith, the special counsel tasked with investigating Donald J. Trump, has resigned following two high-profile yet unsuccessful federal prosecutions against the president-elect. Smith's resignation, confirmed in a brief court document, signals the end of a contentious legal effort that shaped the nation's political and judicial discourse. Appointed in 2022 to oversee investigations into Trump's handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, Smith faced repeated legal setbacks, including a dismissal of one case and a Supreme Court decision granting Trump immunity in the other. His resignation was expected, given Trump's upcoming inauguration and DOJ policy barring prosecutions of a sitting president. Smith's final report remains mired in controversy, with Trump’s legal team opposing its release, alleging political bias and unfair implications for members of the incoming administration.

Source: The New York Times

Zelensky Offers to Exchange Captured North Korean Soldiers for Ukrainians Held in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Kyiv’s willingness to return captured North Korean soldiers to their leader, Kim Jong Un, in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. This follows Ukraine's capture of two North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, the first such instance since North Korean soldiers began supporting Moscow's forces in the war last fall. North Korean troops in Russia have reportedly suffered significant casualties due to poor preparation and outdated tactics.

Source: Reuters

Starship Flight 7 Moved to 15th, Aiming for Tower Catch

SpaceX is set to launch its Starship Flight 7 mission on Wednesday, from its Starbase facility in South Texas. This test flight will evaluate a newly upgraded version of Starship and include a high-profile attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster using the "Mechazilla" launch tower arms. Scheduled for 5 p.m. EST, the mission will last about 66 minutes and test satellite deployment capabilities by releasing 10 Starlink simulators into suborbital trajectories. If successful, the flight will further SpaceX's ambitions for reusable rocket systems and future deep-space missions. The event will be streamed live on X, SpaceX's page, and YouTube. 

Notes: The Starship and Super Heavy stack measures 400 feet (122 meters) tall.

Source: Space.com