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X CEO Linda Yaccarino touts ‘holy grail’ feature as AI-powered robots, gadgets dominate show floor

NYPost
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X CEO Linda Yaccarino touts ‘holy grail’ feature as AI-powered robots, gadgets dominate show floor

LAS VEGAS – X CEO Linda Yaccarino took center stage at Tuesday’s opening day of CES 2025 — where throngs of tech geeks swarmed to see the latest AI-powered robots, software, drones and more.

Yaccarino boasted that the Elon Musk-owned social media platform was heading into 2025 at a “breakneck speed” during her featured keynote address at the multi-day event, organized by the Consumer Technology Association.

In her sit-down with keynote host Catherine Herridge — the award-winning investigative journalist fired by CBS News last year — Yaccarino touted a “holy grail” advertising-focused feature called “Trend Genius.”

Linda Yaccarino speaks at CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Yaccarino unveiled a “holy grail” advertising-focused feature called “Trend Genius,” which automatically boosts ad campaigns on X when they are linked to a trending topic. REUTERS

The software automatically boosts ad campaigns on X when they are linked to a trending topic – such as an LVMH partnership with actress Zendaya that surged during the Golden Globes.

“It is something only X can do,” said Yaccarino, who said X has “rolled out and shipped more than 250 product innovations” since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022.

The feature was beta tested within the last several months, she added.

Yaccarino was interviewed just hours after rival Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced that his company would abandon its widely-criticized fact-checking in favor of an X-style “community notes” feature.

“Mark, Meta – welcome to the party,” Yaccarino quipped.

She was also asked about Musk’s new role alongside Vivek Ramaswamy as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and whether it would affect X.

“I don’t think there’s two better people than Elon and Vivek to do that,” Yaccarino said. “As Americans, we should all be rooting for the overwhelming success of Doge. I would expect other countries to follow.”

Elsewhere at the world’s biggest trade show, tech policy experts faced off in a heated debate about whether antitrust enforcement playing out in Washington DC is helping or hurting innovation.

Linda Yaccarino interviewed by Catherine Herridge on Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images

Luther Lowe, a major Google critic and head of public policy at startup-focused Y Combinator, warned that Big Tech firms like the search giant and Apple are “trying to choke off the oxygen supply” by taking actions that benefit themselves at the expense of smaller competitors.

“If there is vigorous enforcement against that kind of behavior when its outside the bounds of the Sherman Act, Big Tech can coexist with Little Tech,” Lowe said.

Experts on both sides of the debate largely agreed that President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of antitrust bulldogs like Gail Slater to serve as Justice Department chief and Andrew Ferguson as FTC chair signaled that he would continue a hard-nosed approach to competition policy.

Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. Getty Images

“They’re going to be guided by an earnest, pro-innovation agenda,” said Tyler Grimm, principal at Miller Strategies and ex-chief counsel at the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee.

The show floor at Las Vegas Convention Center featured thousands of exhibits, including a huge display for Segway, which showcased a robotic lawnmower.

Tech giant Siemens’ stand included details about its collaboration with aircraft startup JetZero, which is using the company’s design software to fine-tune a futuristic wide-bodied passenger plane with engines on top and individual bag storage. A Siemens rep said the firms were aiming to have a flying plane by 2030.

A huge crowd formed at the booth for Chinese robotics firm Unitree, whose humanoid robots shook hands with attendees and performed backflips in front of shocked attendees.

Elsewhere, Xpeng Aero HT showed off what it has dubbed an “Land Aircraft Carrier” – an electric van with a flying vehicle that can fit in the trunk. The company plans to make its first deliveries in 2026.

The Elon Musk-owned social media platform was heading into 2025 as “breakneck speed,” Yaccarino said. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

CES attendees were still buzzing about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote address the previous night, which played in the lobby as guests arrived the convention center.

Huang received a rock star-like reception while unveiling Nvidia’s powerful next-gen Blackwell AI chip lineup at the jam-packed Michelob Ultra Arena inside Mandalay Bay resort. Attendees lined up for several hours to get inside.

At one point, the billionaire, who wore his trademark leather jacket, joked that he wanted a beer after lugging a “shield” displaying the full AI chip architecture on stage for several minutes – drawing laughs from the raucous crowd.

Some content creators in the audience joked about playing “Nvidia bingo,” as Huang hit several buzzwords that fans of the chip supplier have come to expect from his speeches.

The chips, which use AI to render incredibly lifelike graphics in devices used by gamers and software developers, were the centerpiece of a presentation that initially pushed Nvidia shares to a new all-time high and drew positive reviews from analysts. Shares later plunged amid a broader market selloff.

Huang also spoke extensively about plans for new AI models, including Nvidia Cosmos, a so-called “world foundation model” that the executive said would supercharge efforts to train software that helps driverless vehicles and robots navigate the physical world.

Many CES attendees and exhibitors joked that it was nearly impossible to find a booth that didn’t involve AI in some way.



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Kathy Hochul’s sham of a campaign is off and running

NYPost
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Kathy Hochul’s sham of a campaign is off and running

History credits Abraham Lincoln with saying “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” 

Kathy Hochul obviously agrees, so she has settled for trying to fool some of the people all the time. 

Nearly two years before she stands for re-election, New York’s Democratic governor is already running hard. 

To judge from her press releases, social media and public comments, Hochul wants voters to believe she will keep them safe from both crime and poverty. 

To underscore her pitch, she uses variations of her favorite catchphrases repeatedly: “I promised to put money in your pockets,” she says over and over. 

And this one: “Public safety is my top priority and I will do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe.” 

NY on wrong path 

They are the right goals — but the mystery is why Hochul won’t honestly fight to achieve them.

Talking is easy, but why not actually do something to make them happen? 

In fact, under her tenure, New York is going backward.

It is constantly taking more and more money out of people’s pockets. 

And far from feeling safe, most New Yorkers worry every day about sky-high crime and violence, especially on the subways. 

The big picture is that the state continues to fall further behind successful, dynamic states in both the cost and quality of life. 

It turns out that being America’s tax capital and treating perps and raving maniacs with kid gloves is not a formula for keeping residents happy. 

Who would have guessed? 

In some ways, the current crisis recalls Hochul’s brush with political death in her 2022 campaign.

She acted as if crime wasn’t a big deal then, letting GOP opponent Lee Zeldin pound away on the topic day after day. 

Although Hochul ultimately prevailed, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi scolded her for ignoring the crime problem, saying it helped the GOP flip enough seats in New York to turn the House red. 

It emerged later that Hochul had relied on the advice of a political aide who lived full-time in Colorado and who told her to downplay crime and focus on abortion. 

The aide was dispatched after it turned out he was repeatedly accused of being a bully, which made him a perfect scapegoat for her dismal performance. 

But Hochul is still not forcefully attacking the two issues driving people out of the city and state, so unless she can find someone else to blame, a second failure will be all hers. 

Enabling Albany 

The core problem is that the astronomical taxes and fees needed to support Albany’s reckless spending inevitably push the cost of living higher and higher. 

Yet while Hochul belatedly bemoans the situation, she adds more and more costs to both families and private businesses. 

New fees on landlords and employers took effect last week and Hochul personally led the way for the destructive congestion tax in Manhattan that started Sunday. 

She also pulled a bait-and-switch by pausing the tax in June just weeks before it was to begin.

Her decision came after meeting with Pelosi’s successor as Dem leader, Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. 

Clearly, the pause was a political ploy designed to protect the party’s suburban candidates and avoid a repeat of the GOP gains in 2022. 

Soon after the November results were in, Hochul rolled out a new scheme that imposed a $9 daily tax on cars, telling insiders she wanted to do it before Donald Trump became president and stopped it. 

Because the fee initially was set at $15, she claimed she had achieved a 40% reduction that would save motorists $1,500 a year. 

By her wacky math, that counts as putting money in your pocket. 

Such are the privileges available only in a one-party state.

If Republicans were truly competitive and even close to a majority in either chamber in Albany, Hochul wouldn’t have the nerve to make such silly claims. 

Her maneuver captures how New York is simultaneously addicted to out-of-control spending and dishonesty.

The state budget, at $237 billion, has increased by $100 billion in a decade, but it’s never enough. 

And that doesn’t include a slew of “independent” agencies, such as the MTA, which has a $20 billion budget of its own. 

As for public safety, Hochul has presided during an era marked by crimes being committed over and over by repeat offenders. 

Although the progressive legislative leaders and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are largely to blame, Hochul has chosen to meekly surrender rather than waging a public fight.

The result is that the governor’s office has been reduced to little more than a rubber stamp for radical ­lawmakers. 

Stores and pharmacies are closing because shoplifting is out of control, and the subways are, by most measures, more dangerous than ever.

Criminal penalties and mental health laws are woefully insufficient, even as Hochul urges more people to ride the system. 

Why should they? 

Her choice to lead the MTA, Janno Lieber, downplays crime as if it’s a minor problem and twists the knife by celebrating the congestion tax. 

He doesn’t have one tin ear — he has two. 

Her warped reality 

Again, Hochul has to know all this.

Because she once worked for the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, she must remember his warning that “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” 

But Hochul seems satisfied to blather on and on with her stale slogans rather than take the risk of fighting for things that would bring better results. 

Even on such outrages as the continual marches in the city by antisemites waving Hamas flags and calling for the elimination of Israel, she is silent. 

Where’s the leadership? 

The only reasonable conclusion is that Hochul doesn’t have a clue or the backbone required to fix New York.

And that she aims to keep the job by trying to fool most of the people all of the time.

Times not a-changin’

It’s a new year, but it’s the same old New York Times, as reflected in two recent opinion pieces.

The first declares that “The Next Assault on the Modern State Has Begun,” with a subhead claiming “Trump aims to dismantle institutions that keep Americans safe.”

The headline on the second piece insists that “America Needs More Jimmy Carters.”

Doesn’t the Gray Lady ever get tired of being wrong?

U. betcha, Biden

Reader J. David Kelsey asks a good question: “When will anyone dig into the sleazy Penn Biden Center, which China funded to the tune of $68 million through donations? Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan and many other Joe Biden associates were paid handsomely for four years, then the president of UPenn gets nominated to be our ambassador to Germany.”



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Does Humid Air Rise or Sink?

MostExpensiveThing
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Does Humid Air Rise or Sink?


Imagine stepping outside on a muggy summer day. The air feels heavy, clinging to your skin like a damp towel. Does this humidity mean the air is sinking, pressing down on you? Surprisingly, the answer is quite the opposite! Despite its “heavy” sensation, humid air actually rises for scientific reasons. Let’s delve into the physics behind this phenomenon and debunk the myth of heavy, sinking air.

Blue background of natural water condensation, window glass with high air strong humidity, large drops drip. Collecting and streaming down

Does Humid Air Rise or Sink?

Density: The Key Player

The movement of air, whether rising or sinking, is governed by density. Simply put, denser air sinks, while less dense air rises. This can be observed clearly in hot air balloons – the heated air inside becomes less dense than the surrounding air, causing the balloon to lift.

Now, let’s compare dry air and humid air. Each air molecule, regardless of the presence of moisture, weighs the same. However, humid air contains additional water vapor molecules, which are lighter than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up most of the air. Therefore, adding water vapor to air actually decreases its overall density compared to dry air at the same temperature and pressure.

So, why does humid air rise?

Because it’s less dense, humid air becomes buoyant, similar to a beach ball floating in water. The surrounding, denser air pushes the lighter humid air upwards, causing it to rise and displace surrounding air masses. This process is crucial for many atmospheric phenomena, including:

  • Cloud formation: As humid air rises, it cools and condenses, forming the water droplets or ice crystals that make up clouds.
  • Thunderstorms: Rising humid air cools rapidly, leading to condensation and the release of latent heat. This heat further fuels the updraft, creating the strong vertical motions associated with thunderstorms.
  • Global atmospheric circulation: Large-scale patterns of air movement around the globe are driven by differences in temperature and density, including those caused by moisture variations.

Busting the “Heavy Air” Myth

The feeling of “heavy” air associated with humidity is primarily due to its effect on our bodies. As humid air evaporates from our skin, it removes heat, creating a slight cooling sensation that our body interprets as coolness and heaviness. It’s not the air itself that’s heavy, but rather the cooling effect it has on our skin.

Remember: Don’t be fooled by the “heavy” feeling! Despite its perceived weight, humid air’s lower density ensures it will always take to the skies, playing a crucial role in shaping our weather patterns and atmospheric phenomena.

Why Is Humid Air Lighter Than Dry Air?

While the sensation of heavy, stifling air often accompanies high humidity, the reality paints a different picture. Humid air, despite its clammy embrace, is actually lighter than dry air at the same temperature and pressure. This counterintuitive truth requires a deeper dive into the world of molecules and their dance in the atmosphere.

Demystifying Density: The Key Ingredient

The determining factor for air movement, whether soaring upwards or sinking downwards, is its density. Simply put, denser air packs more mass per unit volume, making it heavier and prone to sinking. Conversely, less dense air weighs less per unit volume, enabling it to rise like a hot air balloon.

Now, let’s dissect the composition of air. In both dry and humid air, the majority of molecules are nitrogen and oxygen, each with its own fixed weight. However, the defining difference lies in the presence of water vapor in humid air. These water vapor molecules, despite being present in smaller quantities, are significantly lighter than their nitrogen and oxygen counterparts.

The Weight Game: Where the Difference Lies

Here’s where the magic happens: imagine two equal volumes of air, one dry and one humid. While both contain the same number of total molecules, the humid air packs in additional water vapor molecules, taking up space previously occupied by heavier nitrogen and oxygen molecules. This substitution results in a net decrease in overall mass for the humid air, making it less dense compared to its dry counterpart.

Think of it like replacing lead weights with feathers in a bag; the total number of objects might remain the same, but the overall weight reduces considerably.

Buoyancy in Action: Lifting the Humid Burden

Due to its lower density, humid air becomes buoyant, similar to a beach ball bobbing effortlessly in water. The denser surrounding air exerts an upward force on the lighter humid air, propelling it upwards just like a buoyant object pushes against water. This rising motion of humid air plays a crucial role in various atmospheric phenomena:

  • Cloud formation: As humid air ascends, it cools and condenses, forming the water droplets or ice crystals that make up clouds. Without this updraft, clouds wouldn’t be able to form, impacting precipitation patterns and weather systems.
  • Thunderstorms: Rising humid air cools rapidly, leading to condensation and the release of latent heat. This heat provides further energy, fueling the powerful updraft associated with thunderstorms.
  • Global atmospheric circulation: Large-scale air movements around the globe are driven by differences in temperature and density, including those caused by moisture variations. Humid air’s lightness plays a crucial role in these global wind patterns.

Beyond the Numbers: Understanding the Feeling of “Heavy” Air

Although humid air is objectively lighter, the sensation of heaviness it creates is a human response, not a true reflection of its weight. Water vapor in the air readily evaporates from our skin, drawing heat away from our bodies. This cooling effect is misinterpreted by our body as a feeling of “heaviness” or stickiness.

Summary: Embracing the Lighter Side of Humidity

So, the next time you feel weighed down by humid air, remember the science behind it. Despite its clammy touch, humid air’s lighter nature plays a crucial role in shaping our weather patterns and various atmospheric processes. From cloud formation to thunderstorms, understanding the “why” behind its lightness sheds light on the complex and fascinating dynamics of our planet’s atmosphere.

Is it best to place a dehumidifier high up in a room or low?

It’s generally not recommended to place a dehumidifier high up in a room. While there might be specific circumstances where it could be beneficial, in most cases, positioning it low is best for optimal performance. Here’s why:

Moisture Concentration: Humidity tends to be higher closer to the ground, as cooler air sinks and holds less moisture. Placing the dehumidifier low maximizes its ability to capture this moisture-laden air.

Air Circulation: Dehumidifiers work by drawing in air, removing moisture, and releasing drier air. Placing it low ensures better air circulation around the unit, allowing it to draw in more humid air effectively.

Drainage: Most dehumidifiers have internal tanks or hoses for collecting water. Positioning it low minimizes the length of the drainage hose needed and prevents potential issues with gravity affecting water flow.

Efficiency: Operating a dehumidifier high up might require it to work harder to pull in moist air, increasing energy consumption. Keeping it low ensures it targets the moist air efficiently, saving energy.

Exceptions:

  • Large Rooms: In very large rooms with high ceilings, placing the dehumidifier slightly elevated near the center might be necessary to distribute dry air more evenly.
  • Specific Moisture Sources: If the main source of moisture is high up, like a leaky roof or bathroom vent, positioning the dehumidifier closer to that source might be beneficial.

Important Notes:

  • Regardless of height, ensure good air circulation around the dehumidifier for optimal performance.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions for your model, as some might have recommendations for placement.
  • Avoid placing the dehumidifier directly on the floor, as it can restrict airflow and damage the unit.

By understanding these factors, you can choose the best placement for your dehumidifier and ensure it operates effectively in reducing humidity and creating a more comfortable environment.

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This story originally appeared on Mostexpensivething

Google faces new labor board complaint over contractor union bargaining

Computerworld
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Google faces new labor board complaint over contractor union bargaining



The US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a fresh complaint against Google, alleging that the company acts as the employer of certain contract workers and must negotiate with their union, Reuters reports.

The Board has said Google is a “joint employer” for roughly 50 San Francisco-based content creators hired through IT contractor Accenture Flex.

These workers, who joined the Alphabet Workers Union in 2023, should be considered under the tech giant’s purview, according to the agency, the report said.

An administrative judge will now hear the complaint, with the decision subject to review by the NLRB’s five-member panel.

If the Board confirms Google’s status as a joint employer for the Accenture Flex contractors, the tech giant would be compelled to engage in collective bargaining and could be held accountable for breaches of federal labor law.

NLRB is also looking into a separate complaint from October, which accuses Google and Accenture Flex of altering working conditions without consulting the union first, according to the report.

This follows the NLRB’s January 2024 ruling requiring Google to negotiate with employees at YouTube Music — an Alphabet subsidiary — hired through a different staffing firm. Google has appealed the decision, and a US federal court is scheduled to review the case later this month.

Google has faced growing labor challenges, marked by worker protests and layoffs. Last year, the company removed a $15-an-hour minimum wage for contractors and implemented changes aimed at sidestepping union negotiations.

Implications for the industry

Google has stated that it does not have sufficient control over contract workers to qualify as their joint employer, according to the report.

The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how contract workers are treated across the tech industry, where companies frequently rely on third-party staffing firms.

“Companies may need to rethink their mix of employment types and how they engage contract and gig workers,” said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research. “In a worst-case scenario, this work could be moved to locations where such regulations don’t exist. Alternatively, companies might face additional compliance requirements, costs, and audits if the NLRB wins against major corporations.”

Meanwhile, large corporations may need to adopt a more flexible stance on the issue, as the number of contract and gig workers is expected to grow, Gogia added.

A decision against Google could also energize unionization efforts within the tech sector, offering a roadmap for organizing workers in an industry that has traditionally resisted union activity. “The topic is also profoundly interlinked with the country’s political climate,” Gogia said. “If one were to consider the past stand that the Trump administration had on the subject, it is clear that the concept of joint employer may not see the light of day after all.”



This story originally appeared on Computerworld

More than one company brought a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to CES 2025

Engadget
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More than one company brought a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to CES 2025


It turns out that Roborock isn’t the only company that brought a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to CES 2025. Rival company Dreame, which unveiled its stair-climbing robot vacuum earlier in the week, is also working on a robot vacuum with an arm for picking up objects.

The device is still a prototype, according to the company, but the as yet unnamed robo vac was on full display at Dreame’s CES booth. Considering it’s still a prototype, the actual arm looked far more substantial compared to the one on Roborock’s Saros Z70. It was much thicker and had a bigger “claw” that looked like it might be able to pick up slightly heavier objects. (Roborock says its vac can pick up object that weigh up to 300 grams.)

Unfortunately, Dreame wasn’t showing it actually grab anything, but I was able to watch the arm extend and retract several times. It appeared to be on a similar device as the X50 as the prototype vacuum also rocked up onto “legs,” much like Dreame’s stair-stepping X50.

A Dreame rep at the booth told me that the company has been working on the prototype for a while, but decided to accelerate its plans for the vacuum at CES. After a quick glance up, I knew exactly what he was referring to: Dreame’s booth is positioned directly across from Roborock, which was displaying a massive replica of its arm-wielding Saros Z70 on top of its booth.

Maybe next year we’ll see the two robot vacuum arms wrestle.



This story originally appeared on Engadget

Democrats Says There Are No Votes Available To Save Mike Johnson

PoliticusUSA
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Democrats Says There Are No Votes Available To Save Mike Johnson


The last time that Speaker Mike Johnson faced a threat to his speakership, the Democrats rescued him to spare the country from chaos, but if Johnson doesn’t have the votes from the Republicans to be elected speaker, the Democrats aren’t going to help.

When CNN’s Jim Acosta asked Rep. Connolly if Democrats would save Johnson, he answered:

 I don’t speak for the Democratic Caucus, but I do speak for myself, and I can tell you definitively there is no chance of that. Zero. Uh, we’re voting for Hakeem Jeffries. And, and, by the way, that, Jim, if I can, If there are a lot of people who vote present on the Republican side, the risk for them, those votes don’t count toward the majority.

And that, that, we have 215 sure votes for Hakeem Jeffries. If enough Republicans vote present, we could actually elect Hakeem Jeffries, not Mike Johnson, as Speaker.

Video:

It is not a coincidence that Connolly used the same language as Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said when asked about saving Johnson, “ There will be no Democrats available to save him, or the extreme MAGA Republicans from themselves based on the breaching of a bipartisan agreement that reflected priorities that were good for the American people. We’re gonna have to continue to work on several of those as we move forward, including plusing up resources for community health centers, which is a bipartisan priority that Republicans walked away from.”

The Johnson speaker election isn’t likely to turn into the same debacle that Kevin McCarthy unleashed when he ran for speaker, but Democrats have a much different attitude than they did in the last Congress.

If Mike Johnson ends up in deep waters, Democrats aren’t going to toss him a life preserver.

What do you think about Democrats refusing to help Mike Johnson? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Leave a comment



This story originally appeared on Politicususa

Multiple Homes Are Burning as Los Angeles Firefighters Are Having Issues with Water Pressure – Wildfire Rages Out of Control – Hydrants Are Dry (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit

TheGatewayPundit
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Multiple Homes Are Burning as Los Angeles Firefighters Are Having Issues with Water Pressure – Wildfire Rages Out of Control – Hydrants Are Dry (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit


Fox LA reporter in Pacific Palisades fire

Meanwhile in the Democrat hellhole of California…

Evacuations were underway as a massive wildfire raged out of control and engulfed homes in Pacific Palisades, California, on Tuesday.

Thousands have evacuated and the fire has grown to more than 2,900 acres, according to The Los Angeles Times.

According to AccuWeather, wind gusts reached up to 65 miles per hour in Southern California on Tuesday.

Winds are expected to get up to 80 miles per hour overnight.

Horrifying video of a ‘fire tornado’ was posted to X.

WATCH:

California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom was on ground watching his state burn down as Democrat legislators refuse to properly manage underbrush.

WATCH:

Fleeing residents panicked and abandoned their cars after they got stuck in traffic.

According to Fox LA reporter Matthew Seedorff, the firefighters are having issues with water pressure on Lachman Lane in Pacific Palisades.

“The hydrants are currently dry,” Fox LA reported.

WATCH:

Multiple homes are burning as the winds exceed 65 miles per hour.

WATCH:

Countless homes have burned down!

WATCH:




This story originally appeared on TheGateWayPundit

Donald Trump’s threats could be a make-or-break test for NATO | World News

SkyNews
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Donald Trump’s threats could be a make-or-break test for NATO | World News


The public articulation by Donald Trump of a new desired target for NATO allies to spend 5% of national income on defence will surely plunge governments across Europe into crisis mode – not least here in the UK.

Britain presents itself to the world and in particular to the United States as the biggest defence spender in Europe and NATO’s most powerful European military.

Yet Sir Keir Starmer has not even managed to set out a timeline for what he describes as a “path to 2.5%” of GDP being invested in his armed forces, up from just over 2% today.

If the prime minister merely sticks to this pledge, he risks being viewed by the new administration as woefully unambitious and not credible on defence.

Then there is the extraordinary threat by Mr Trump to seize Greenland by force if necessary, even though this valuable piece of territory belongs to a fellow NATO ally in the form of Denmark.

The move – were it to happen – would demonstrate the limitations of the alliance’s Article 5 founding principle.

It is supposed to guarantee that all allies would come to the defence of any member state which is under armed attack.

But what about if the aggressor is also meant to be an ally?

The president-elect also appeared to dash any hope of Ukraine being offered membership to the alliance anytime soon – a core request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Instead, Mr Trump sounded sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s absolute opposition to such a move.

He said he would meet the Russian president after taking office – reiterating a promise to end the war in Ukraine, though again without spelling out how.

The outbursts came in a lengthy press conference on Tuesday that marked the starting shot in what could be a make-or-break test for NATO – an alliance of transatlantic friends that rose from the ashes of the Second World War.

Read more:
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European members of NATO, as well as Canada, already took a battering the last time Mr Trump was in the White House – and rightly so.

The US had for far too long largely bankrolled the security of Europe, while the majority of its allies – including the UK – reaped the so-called “peace dividend” that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, swapping expenditure on defence for peacetime priorities such as economic growth, healthcare and education.

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1:31

From 2019: Was this the most awkward NATO summit ever?

Mr Trump made clear during his first term his displeasure about what he saw as Washington being ripped off and vowed to make Europe take its fair share of the burden.

He even warned member states that the US would not come to the aid of an ally that was not hitting at the very least a minimum NATO spending targeting of 2% of GDP – something they had previously pledged to do by 2024 but were slow to deliver on.

Such language electrified allies in a way that even Putin’s initial 2014 invasion of Ukraine, with the annexation of Crimea and attacks in the east of the country, had not.

Yet, with the threat from Russia growing in the wake of its full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, coupled with conflict in the Middle East and the challenge posed by China, it has become clear that this heightened level of expenditure by allies was still far short of what is required to rebuild militaries across Europe that have been hollowed out over decades.

Read more from Sky News:
Trump’s Gaza warning risks becoming less threatening
Trump asks court to dismiss hush money conviction

Mark Rutte, the new secretary general of NATO, set the stage for what is expected to be another push to ramp up investment when he delivered a landmark speech last month in which he called on allies to return to a “war mindset” and “turbocharge” defence spending.

He said this was to counter growing threats, but observers said it was also a pre-emptive response to the anticipated demands of the next Trump administration.

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‘Ukraine needs more arms, less talking’

Either way, it poses a huge challenge for all allies, in particular for Sir Keir Starmer.

He and Rachel Reeves face a choice: change course when it comes to their top priorities of economic growth, hospital waiting lists and new housing and instead invest more in defence or defy what will doubtless be growing demands from the United States to spend billions of pounds more on the UK armed forces – and maybe even leave the country in a position whereby the US would not come to its aid if attacked.



This story originally appeared on Skynews

Thousands ordered to evacuate from Palisades Fire in Los Angeles : The Picture Show : NPR

NPR
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Thousands ordered to evacuate from Palisades Fire in Los Angeles : The Picture Show : NPR


A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Etienne Laurent/AP


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Etienne Laurent/AP

More than 30,000 people in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate as the Palisades Fire, one of several wildfires that broke out on Tuesday morning, blazed through the Pacific Palisades community.

Fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, the fire has spread over more than 1,200 acres and threatened 13,000 structures; California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during an afternoon press conference that he’s seen already seen many of them them destroyed. The fire remains uncontained.

Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze on foot in the hillsides of the Santa Monica Mountains where the fire originally broke out, as well as by plane, dropping water and flame retardant. In the Pacific Palisades community, thousands of people have scrambled to escape the flames. According to LAist, video footage showed drivers on the Pacific Coast Highway fleeing their cars to the ocean, at the behest of officers.

Conditions are changing quickly, as evacuation areas shift alongside the fire. Officials warn that the Santa Ana winds are only going to get worse on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, reaching 100 mph or more. The National Weather Service warned of a “particularly dangerous situation.”

“Very strong gusts and low relative humidity will allow any fires that develop to spread VERY rapidly,” the agency added. On Wednesday, that’s predicted to affect Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

You can find the latest information about the fire’s reach and damage from member station LAist.

A lone sunbather sits and watches a large plume of smoke from a wildfire rise over the Pacific Palisades, in Santa Monica, Calif..

A lone sunbather sits and watches a large plume of smoke from a wildfire rise over the Pacific Palisades, in Santa Monica, Calif..

Richard Vogel/AP


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Richard Vogel/AP

A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire around a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire around a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles .

Etienne Laurent/AP


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Etienne Laurent/AP

Jerome Krausse pushes his mother-in-law in a shopping cart as they evacuate from their home in the Pacific Palisades after a wildfire swept through their neighborhood in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Jerome Krausse pushes his mother-in-law in a shopping cart as they evacuate from their home in the Pacific Palisades after a wildfire swept through their neighborhood in Santa Monica, Calif.

Richard Vogel/AP


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Richard Vogel/AP

The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

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More than 200 acres was burning in Pacific Palisades

More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke.

David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images


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People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Etienne Laurent/AP


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A person flees from an advancing wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

A person flees from an advancing wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

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Ethan Swope/AP

Firefighters stage in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Firefighters stage in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Etienne Laurent/AP


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Bike riders make their way along the coast as large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif.

Bike riders make their way along the coast as large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif.

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Richard Vogel/AP

Firefighters work as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California.

Firefighters work as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California.

David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images


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The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Etienne Laurent/AP


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A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)

A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Eugene Garcia/AP


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Eugene Garcia/AP

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Etienne Laurent/AP


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A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

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Ethan Swope/AP

Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Ethan Swope/AP


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Firefighters protect structures from the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Firefighters protect structures from the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

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Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns

Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades as seen from Santa Monica, California.

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A brush fire burns near homes

A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as “life threatening” winds whipped the region.

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This story originally appeared on NPR

Fast-moving Eaton fire breaks out above Altadena, evacuations ordered

LATimes
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0
Fast-moving Eaton fire breaks out above Altadena, evacuations ordered

A fire broke out Tuesday night in the hills above Altadena near Eaton Canyon, prompting a response from firefighters.

The Eaton fire has burned more than 400 acres and prompted evacuations in the area west of the Eaton Canyon Golf Course, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Officials also told people living on these streets to evacuate immediately: Kinneloa Canyon Road, Outpost Lane, Glen Springs Road, Coolidge Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, Veranada Avenue, Kinclair Drive, Fox Ridge Drive, Canyon Close Road, Grand Oaks Avenue and areas east of Altadena Drive, north of New York Drive and west of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue.

Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the blaze broke out in the foothills above Altadena around 6:28 p.m., adding that she did not know the exact location of its origin.

Pasadena ordered mandatory evacuations “for the area north of New York Drive, east of Altadena Drive, and west of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. If you are in the evacuation area, please take all necessary items with you to be prepared to leave for an extended period of time.”

The fire comes amid intense winds that sparked a destructive fire in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday.

Fire officials say the winds are expected to intensify overnight.



This story originally appeared on LA Times

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