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AdvertisementUnited StatesWorldUnited States & CanadaSouthern California drenched by powerful Christmas storms, flash floodingGovernor declares state of emergency as powerful ‘Pineapple Express’ atmospheric river triggers flash floods and mudslide warnings
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAgence France-PressePublished: 11:35am, 25 Dec 2025Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides.
Driven by an atmospheric river known as “the Pineapple Express”, which moves heavy moisture from the tropical climes of Hawaii to rain on the West Coast, the storm is expected to deliver months’ worth of rain over the next few days.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Los Angeles, to facilitate the rapid mobilisation and allocation of resources if needed.
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Libyan army chief Lt Gen Mohamed Al-Haddad (Image/X@@RagnarFiles) Libya’s army chief, Lt Gen Mohamed Al-Haddad, was killed in a plane crash while returning to Tripoli from an official visit to Turkey, the country’s prime minister said on Tuesday.Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah confirmed that Al-Haddad died along with four others in a “tragic accident” during the flight home from Ankara. The crash occurred after the aircraft lost contact shortly after take-off from Turkey’s capital.“With great sadness and sorrow, we have received the news of the death of Lt Gen Al-Haddad and his companions,” al-Dbeibah said in a statement. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and said the loss was a tragedy for Libya and its military institution, as reported by CNN. The prime minister identified the other victims as Maj Gen Al-Fitouri Ghreibel, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces; Brig Gen Mahmoud Al-Qatioui, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority; Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab, ..

Candace Owens attacks TPUSA again after private Erika Kirk meeting and backs Tim Dillon’s blunt criticism (Image via Getty) Candace Owens is again speaking out against Turning Point USA, even after a long private meeting with its new leader, Erika Kirk. Owens made her views clear on December 22, 2025, when she shared strong words online about the group’s recent event in Phoenix. She openly agreed with comments made by comedian Tim Dillon, who called TPUSA’s event a “bad reality show.”Owens said the group now feels out of touch with regular people. She also questioned TPUSA’s choice to recreate a tent linked to the death of its founder, Charlie Kirk. Even though Candace Owens and Erika Kirk met face to face earlier this month and called the talk “honest” and “productive,” Owens’ latest comments show the bigger fight is not over. Her message is clear. The meeting helped with personal tension, but it did not change her views on how TPUSA is being run.Candace Owens criticizes Turning Point..

AdvertisementScienceChinaScienceChina urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimesEmperor Hirohito should be held accountable, according to scholars who say the wartime ruler was shielded from prosecution by US policy
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPLing Xinin OhioPublished: 12:00pm, 24 Dec 2025The late Emperor Hirohito of Japan should be held accountable under international law for the crimes of Unit 731, according to Chinese scholars who say the wartime ruler authorised the infamous programme but was shielded from prosecution by US policy after World War II.The secret Japanese military unit in northeastern China, which was responsible for human experimentation, biological warfare and at least tens of thousands of civilian deaths, had been created by imperial order in 1936, said Zhou Donghua, a contemporary history professor at Hangzhou Normal University.
Before Japan’s surrender, evidence of its crimes was systematically destroyed on the instruction of Hiroh..

AdvertisementVietnamAsiaSoutheast AsiaVietnam’s To Lam may secure dual role as party and state head in rare moveThe proposal is likely to be endorsed at a party congress scheduled to take place in Hanoi next month
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPBloombergPublished: 11:46am, 24 Dec 2025Vietnam’s Communist Party will nominate current General Secretary To Lam to stay in the top job, according to people familiar with the matter, paving the way for him to push on with a reform programme that is reshaping the nation.In a rare and politically significant move, Lam will also be put forward to hold the dual role of the nation’s presidency, the people said, asking not to be identified because they are not authorised to speak publicly. This could face a challenge when it gets to the party congress, where all leaders are up for election, and would still need parliamentary approval, the people added.
The decision was made at the 15th plenum of the Party Central Committee, the people sai..