Day: January 8, 2025

Firefighters tackled a three-alarm Brooklyn fire at a deli while battling freezing temperatures early on Wednesday morning.

FDNY officials said the blaze ignited just before 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 8 inside 590 Broadway in Williamsburg.

Members of Battalion 35 were among the first on the scene and encountered heavy smoke billowing from the deli, located on the first floor of the three-story structure.

The freezing weather hampered firefighting efforts from the state. Firefighters were hampered by frozen hydrants and inventory inside the deli, which delayed their ability to put out the fire. As a result, the flames quickly spread to several apartments above the store and necessitated the third-alarm call.

Approximately 138 firefighters from 33 units, along with the 90th Precinct and EMS units, arrived on the scene. Firefighters used five hose lines and worked their way inside in an aggressive interior attack to extinguish the blaze and bring it under control by about 7:20 a.m. Wednesday.

No serious injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is now under investigation by FDNY marshals.

SSO eliminated two Russian tanks during the failed assault.

The influential Ukrainian poet of the early 1960s, Vasyl Symonenko, would have turned 90 today. Here are some thoughts on him and what he and his colleagues represented.

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A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the past 24 hours. Here’s today’s news:

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Ireland has formally joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, according to an International Court of Justice statement published yesterday. Megan Specia reports for the New York Times.

The United Arab Emirates has discussed the possibility of contributing to postwar efforts to rebuild Gaza but its conditions for involvement have yet to be met, a UAE official told CNN yesterday. Mostafa Salem and Tareq Al Hilou report.

Gaza aid supply is facing a “dangerous pattern of sabotage and deliberate disruption,” U.N. humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher said on Monday. Kelly Kasulis Cho reports for the Washington Post.

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — U.S. RESPONSE

President-elect Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism over ongoing Doha ceasefire and hostage negotiations yesterday, with Trump reiterating that “all hell will break out” if the hostages are not released by Inauguration Day. Gram Slattery reports for Reuters; Michael D. Shear and Michael Crowley report for the New York Times. 

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR 

A Hamas official yesterday reiterated the group’s demand that Israel fully end its assault on Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. James Mackenzie and Nidal Al-Mughrabi report for Reuters.

Israel has signed domestic deals worth around $275 million to produce its own heavy bombs and defense materials and reduce reliance on imports, the Defense Ministry announced yesterday. The Washington Post reports.

Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank yesterday, the Israeli military said. Maytaal Angel and Ali Sawafta report for Reuters.

The IDF on Monday said it is investigating reports of Israeli troops using an ambulance to enter a West Bank refugee camp last month. Emanuel Fabian reports for the Times of Israel.

SYRIA 

Syria will “take its time” to organize a national dialogue conference to ensure all segments of the Syrian society are included, the country’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said yesterday. Timour Azhari and Tuvan Gumrukcu report for Reuters.

SYRIA — REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

The EU could “swiftly” lift sanctions that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder Syria’s recovery, France’s foreign minister said today. John Irish reports for Reuters.

Qatar is planning to help finance a boost of Syrian public sector salaries, according to a U.S. official and a senior diplomat. Timour Azhari and Andrew Mills report for Reuters.

Jordan and Syria will form a joint security committee to combat cross-border smuggling and prevent an Islamic State resurgence, the Jordanian foreign minister said yesterday. Nayera Abdallah, Tala Ramadan, and Suleiman Al-Khalidi report for Reuters.

U.S. FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday announced he determined that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has committed genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in Sudan. Blinken also said the United States will sanction the leader of RSF and seven UAE-based and RSF-owned companies. Declan Walsh reports for the New York Times.

Trump yesterday refused to rule out the use of military or economic coercion against Panama and NATO ally Denmark to force the sale of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Hannah Knowles and Cat Zakrzewski report for the Washington Post.

The Biden administration is negotiating the release of three Americans detained in Afghanistan in exchange for at least one high-profile Guantánamo Bay detainee with the Taliban, sources say. Alexander Ward and Brett Forrest report for the Wall Street Journal.

A Florida retiree, detained in Saudi Arabia over critical social media posts, was pressured to renounce his U.S. citizenship, becoming the latest of at least four dual Saudi-American citizens facing similar pressure from Riyadh, a U.S.-based human rights group said. Joshua Goodman and Ellen Knickmeyer report for AP News.

President Nicolas Maduro yesterday claimed two “high level” U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, without providing details or evidence of the arrests. Vivian Sequera reports for Reuters.

New State Department sanctions against the Maduro regime in Venezuela could be announced today, Axios’ Barak Ravid said on X.

The United States yesterday imposed sanctions on a senior Hungarian government official close to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over alleged corruption while in office. Justin Spike and Datima Hussein report for AP News.

U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS 

Meta yesterday announced it is ending its longstanding fact-checking program and some content restrictions in a sign of the company’s new priorities for the Trump presidency. Mike Isaac and Theodore Schleifer report for the New York Times.

The Washington Post yesterday laid off roughly 100 employees across its business division, suggesting financial trouble following the decision by its owner, Jeff Bezos, to block an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Liam Reilly reports for CNN.

The Biden administration yesterday asked a federal appeals court to block the plea deal for the alleged 9/11 attacks’ mastermind, currently scheduled for Friday. Erin Tucker and Ellen Knickmeyer report for AP News.

Three senior Justice Department officials improperly shared details about a non-public investigation with the possible intention of influencing  the 2020 election, the department’s internal watchdog found in a new report. Brad Heath and Sarah N. Lynch report for Reuters.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s (R-GA) investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack will be formalized as a new committee. Annie Grayer reports for CNN.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams engaged in illegal activity beyond that outlined in his September indictment, federal prosecutors alleged in a Monday court filing. Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin report for POLITICO. 

An Army doctor yesterday pleaded guilty in a military court to sexually assaulting dozens of his patients, one of the largest such cases in U.S. military history. Kate Selig reports for the New York Times.

More than 80 NGOs signed a letter to the Congress and the incoming Trump administration opposing the imposition of U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court. 

TRUMP LEGAL MATTERS 

Judge Eileen Cannon yesterday temporarily blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report on his two criminal investigations into the President-elect. Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney report for POLITICO.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS 

South Korean authorities yesterday reissued an arrest warrant for the country’s impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol, with investigators vowing they will execute the new warrant in a more robust manner. Gawon Bae, Yoonjung Seo, Simone McCarthy, and Lauren Said-Moorhouse report for CNN.

Former British special forces soldiers yesterday informed a public inquiry of concerns that U.K. forces murdered Afghans who posed no threat in raids against suspected Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. Michael Holden reports for Reuters.

The governments of Chad and Senegal yesterday criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s claim that some African leaders showed “ingratitude” for the deployment of French troops in the Sahel region. Nimi Princewill reports for CNN.

More than 5,600 people were reported killed and nearly 1,500 kidnapped in Haiti last year amid rampant gang violence, the U.N. Human Rights Office said yesterday. Evens Sanon reports for AP News.

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION AND NEW CONGRESS 

Senate Democrats are forcing a delay in the confirmation hearing for Trump’s National Intelligence Director pick, Tulsi Gabbard, over her alleged failure to provide required vetting materials, sources say. Stephen Neukam and Stef W. Kight report for Axios.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

Trump yesterday indicated he sympathizes with the Russian position that Ukraine should not be part of NATO. Gram Slattery and Helen Reid report for Reuters.

The post Early Edition: January 8, 2025 appeared first on Just Security.

14 Great Books for Kids to Curl Up With This Winter

Winter is the perfect time to slow down, get cozy, and dive into some great books with your kids.

Between shuttling back and forth from school and work, and enjoying cold outdoor activities like ice skating, there’s something about winter that makes curling up with a hot chocolate and a good book feel extra cozy. Let the winter chill outside make your indoor reading moments even more memorable with these awesome books!

Psst… Sick Kids? 4 Comforting Activities to Keep Your Child Entertained and Calm

Early Readers

The Tale of the Other Glove by Monica Berg

Ages: 5-12

This sweet story was inspired by Monica Berg’s 10-year-old daughter, Abigail, and based on a real encounter she had in the New York City subway. When Abigail in the story meets an unhoused person, it makes her think about what “right” and “wrong” really mean. Through this experience, she learns that kindness and empathy are about understanding others, not judging them.

This book shows that no act of kindness is ever wasted and that we’re all more alike than we might think. It’s a great way to talk to kids about empathy, generosity, and why being kind is more important than being right. The Tale of the Other Glove is a perfect reminder of how small acts of compassion can make a big difference.

 

The Night the Moon Was Hiding by Julie Dart

Ages: 0-5

When winter nights get long and chilly, there’s no better way to end the day than with The Night the Moon Was Hiding. This sweet story follows two young siblings and their Mom who search high and low for the moon … through the sky, the trees, and even the breeze, wondering where it could be. As they call out to the moon, their mom gently reassures them that it’s waiting for them to be tucked in before saying goodnight. This heartwarming tale reminds children that sometimes the moon waits for us to settle in before it shines its light.

With its soft, rhythmic text and comforting vibe, this book is perfect for winter evenings when you want to calm your child before bed or as a nightly bedtime ritual. The story is simple, soothing, and ideal for those quiet moments after a busy day of winter fun with beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. Julie Dart was a preschool teacher and director for 10 years and is also the author of Ellie Stands Up To The Bully.

 

The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg

Ages: 2 to 6 years

The Missing Mitten Mystery follows Annie and her dog, Oscar, as they search for Annie’s red mitten after a long day of playing in the snow. They look high and low at every spot they played in, who knows if it’s truly lost, or hidden in plain sight.

This book is perfect for showing kids how fun playing in the snow can be, but also to be mindful of what they may leave behind during all that fun.

The Monster at the End of the Book by Jon Stone

Ages: 1 to 4 years

A classic book for young readers, The Monster at the End of the Book follows our familiar friend Grover as he warns us nonstop about the monster at the end of the book. This book is a fun read with your little one that’ll keep them smiling to the end.

I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen

Ages: 3 to 5 years

Young children are unfamiliar and also frightened by extreme weather. I Am the Storm takes a peek at a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane along with warm family stories that portray preparedness and trust.

This book teaches kids about the complexity of nature, and how it has much more power than we initially realize, but with the right preparation, they can get through anything that comes their way.

Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty

Ages: 4 to 7 years

Aaron Slater loves hearing and creating stories. One day he is assigned to write a story of his own, but he can’t seem to decipher the squiggles on the page. He now has to find his own way of telling stories that are unique to who he is.

This book helps kids explore their imaginative selves and allows them see that they too can create things that come to their mind, no matter the setback.

Upper-Level Readers

COG by Greg van Eekhout

Ages: 8 to 12 years

COG follows five robots on an unforgettable journey to rescue their inventor. Cog is a young robot that has been left damaged after an accident. When he wakes up, he’s in an unknown lab and the scientist who created him is missing.

With the help of 4 accomplices, Cog starts a mission to find her and stop the corporation from controlling all of them. This is a fun adventure book that’ll surely keep your child reading for more.

The Sea in Winter by Christine Day

Ages: 8 to 12 Years

Maisie Cannon is not excited about her winter family road trip to the Makah community where her mother grew up.

After she hurt her leg and wasn’t able to keep up with her ballet training, her emotions took a turn for the worst. She has to work through her emotions to find her joy again, and maybe this trip will help her do just that.

Houdini and Me by Dan Gutman

Ages: 8 to 10 Years

Harry has always admired the escape artist Houdini. He lives in Houdini’s old New York City house and basically knows anything there is to know about him.

So, when Houdini claims to be contacting him from beyond the grave, Harry can’t help but listen to his favorite magician. Is it worth learning the secrets of Houdini’s tricks, or will a trick eventually be played on Henry?

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

Ages: 10 to 12 Years

Best Friends, Bug and Moira, have the next two months of summer to prepare for middle school. For Moira, that’s learning about makeup, clothes, and boys.

For Bug, that’s trying to untangle the mystery of the ghost that is haunting her home, and her. Bug must figure out what the ghost is trying to tell her, and what she is deep down trying to tell herself about who she is.

 8^th Grade & Young Adult Readers

Pony by R. J. Palacio

Ages: 10 and up

Silas wakes up to his father being taken away by three menacing horsemen.

Along with his ghost companion Mittenwool and a pony that has shown up on his doorstep, Silas goes on a perilous journey to find his father. This is a great adventure book for young adult readers who want to read a story of self-discovery in the face of danger.

You Have a Match: A Novel by Emma Lord

Ages: 12-18 Years

Abby signs up for a DNA service and finds out she has a secret older sister. She decides to meet up with her long-lost sister, Savannah, during summer camp and find out why her parents gave her up for adoption.

During this search for answers, she finds out that Savannah isn’t what she expected, and her parents are hiding secrets that can change life as she knows it.

Ski Weekend by Rektok Ross

Ages: 15-18 Years

Sam is going on a road trip to Senior Ski weekend that she’s dreading. Along the ride is her brother, his best friend Gavin, Gavin’s dog, and three other classmates. On the way, the SUV crashes into a snowbank.

Sam and her friends soon find themselves stranded in the mountains with no cell phone service and freezing temperatures fast approaching. Soon the elements of nature take a turn for the worst and the need for survival becomes their only hope in getting through this ski weekend.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Ages: 14 to 18

Daunis Fontaine dreams of a fresh start at college, away from all the things that don’t make her fit in in her hometown and nearby Ojibwe reservation. But tragedy strikes and she must stay home to look after her fragile mother.

Daunis then witnesses a murder that sweeps her up into an FBI investigation about a new lethal drug. Using her chemistry and native roots,  Duanis tries to solve the source of the drug before more people get hurt.

Psst… Reading to Your Babies and Toddlers Is Vital, Says New Pediatric Update