Hurricane Ian slammed into Fort Myers Beach one month ago. This is what the area looks like now

TODAY
I got arrested days before Christmas when my kid was 5. How it changed me
My young daughter didn’t understand why her mom wasn’t there to decorate the tree or bake cookies with her. In that moment, I knew something had to change.
AFP
Taiwan says 'troublemaker' China expands military drills around island
China has expanded military drills around Taiwan aimed at drawing "a red line" for the next US president, Taipei authorities said on Wednesday, branding Beijing a "troublemaker".The security official said Wednesday that China's plans for the massive maritime operation began in October and were aimed at demonstrating that Beijing could choke off Taiwan and also to "draw a red line" ahead of the next US administration.
AFP
Asian markets mixed ahead of US inflation data, eyes on China
Markets diverged on Wednesday ahead of US inflation data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision next week, while traders were also keeping tabs on Beijing hoping for more economic support measures."The holiday season is in full swing, and like countless children around the world wishing for something special from jolly old Saint Nick, equity markets are hoping the US Federal Reserve will bring them a comfy-cosy interest rate cut," said Saira Malik, chief inves
Associated Press
Australian police launch a special operation to investigate increased antisemitic attacks
Australian federal police launched a special operation to investigate an increase in antisemitic threats and violence since the war between Israel and Hamas began last year. Jewish leaders say prejudice against their community has reached unprecedented levels, with most incidents reported in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s largest cities where 85% of the nation’s Jewish population live. The government says only Israel is home to more Holocaust survivors than Australia on a per capita basis.
AFP
Duterte parties as Philippines probes her alleged plot to kill Marcos
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte partied with journalists Wednesday as she thumbed her nose at an official inquiry into allegations she plotted to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos, her estranged ally.Hosting what she called a "thanksgiving" lunch for scores of journalists at her office instead of meeting with government investigators, she accused the government of plotting to have her removed from office and charged in court.
AFP
Malaria mortality returns to pre-Covid levels: WHO
Malaria mortality has fallen back to levels seen before the Covid-19 crisis, the WHO said Wednesday, but called for faster progress against the disease that killed nearly some 597,000 people last year.In 2020, disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic led to a sharp increase in malaria-related mortality, with an additional 55,000 deaths counted that year.
Associated Press
AP photos in 2024 show a Middle East riven by wars, but also moments of grace
An Israeli bomb hangs suspended in air, caught in a split-second image of a suburb in Beirut before it slams into an apartment building, passersby already bracing for the explosion. An Israeli woman grieves, the deep lines of wrinkles stark as she thinks of a man killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel whose body the militants spirited away into the Gaza Strip. Across the Middle East this year, Associated Press photographers froze these moments in time, reflections of the wars and their horrors that have upended life across the region.
AFP
US offers $10 mn reward for wanted Chinese hacker
The United States offered a $10 million reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest of a Chinese man and co-conspirators wanted for hacking computer firewalls."The zero-day vulnerability Guan Tianfeng and his co-conspirators found and exploited affected firewalls owned by businesses across the United States," FBI agent Herbert Stapleton said.
Reuters
Malaria cases up again in 2023, African children worst hit, WHO reports
There were around 11 million more cases of malaria in 2023 than in 2022, up to an estimated 263 million, according to a new World Health Organization report, marking another year of negligible progress against the age-old killer. There were 597,000 deaths, a similar total to 2022, the vast majority among African children aged under 5 years old, the WHO said. “No-one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a statement.
CNN
Justice Department’s storied Civil Rights Division will fight DEI under Trump
President-elect Donald Trump’s Justice Department is preparing to go on the anti-“woke” offensive against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that have been a cause célèbre of the right, two sources familiar with the incoming administration’s plans told CNN.
AFP
Hopes for 'reunification' a fact of life on China's window to Taiwan
Atop rock formations overlooking a vast coastline, groups of Chinese tourists snap pictures and gaze out to sea with binoculars in the direction of Taiwan's main island, just over a hundred kilometres away.At a scenic park on Pingtan -- a Chinese island that is the closest point to Taiwan's main island -- visitors were more concerned with snapping selfies than military manoeuvres.
TODAY
What we know about the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO's fatal shooting
Luigi Mangione was charged with murder in NYC in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. What to know about the 26-year-old suspect.
AFP
South Korean police blocked from raid on president's office
South Korean police said Wednesday that security guards were blocking a raid on President Yoon Suk Yeol's offices to investigate his brief imposition of martial law.Police said earlier that a Special Investigation Team "has conducted a raid" on the presidential office, on different police agencies and on the National Assembly Security Service.
NBC News
Bankruptcy judge rejects The Onion’s bid to buy Alex Jones’ Infowars
A bankruptcy judge on Tuesday rejected a bid by The Onion’s parent company to buy Alex Jones’ far-right media empire, including the website Infowars, ruling that the auction process was unfair.
Associated Press
India's new central bank governor takes over as economic growth slows and inflation rises
Sanjay Malhotra, a career civil servant, became India's new central bank governor on Wednesday as the country's economic growth slows and inflation is rising. The Reserve Bank of India said Malhotra, a former revenue secretary, will formulate India’s monetary policy for the next three years. GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in the quarter ending in September, the weakest level in seven quarters, while inflation in October rose above the central bank’s 6% tolerance band to 6.21%, driven by a rapid rise in vegetable prices.
Associated Press
Middle East latest: Israeli strike on home in northern Gaza kills 19 people, Palestinian medics say
Palestinian medical officials say an Israeli strike on a home where displaced people were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip has killed at least 19 people. Hospital records show that a family of eight were among those killed, including four children, their parents and two grandparents. Israel has been waging a renewed offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza since early October.
AFP
Nikotina, the soundtrack of Mozambique's youth in protest
Popular Mozambique rapper Nikotina KF is rattled and stressed after facing police tear gas and rubber bullets just hours earlier but is determined to bring his voice to the youth-led protests running through his country.It's a social issue," Nikotina told AFP on a busy street in Maputo's rundown Mafalala neighbourhood, his face tired and drawn after that morning's protest dispersed by police.
NBC News
Thousands warned to evacuate in Southern California as wildfires threaten Malibu
A wildfire in Malibu, California, has exploded to more than 2,000 acres, prompting evacuations. Pepperdine University students sheltered in place for six hours.
Associated Press
US defense chief observes drills with Japan, Australia, says he's confident about greater capability
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed confidence about enhanced military capabilities among the United States, Australia and Japan as he observed joint exercises Wednesday showcasing their closer cooperation as tensions grow in the region. Austin is in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington’s commitment to regional security. Austin noted as he observed the trilateral Yama Sakura 87 exercises held at the Japanese army’s Camp Asaka on the outskirts of Tokyo that the necessary equipment, munitions and people are in place and “these are the things that will guarantee success if we ever get challenged on the battlefield.”
TODAY
28 funny Elf on the Shelf ideas to try at home
Looking to get a few more laughs from your kids during the holiday season? Look no further than your trusty elf partner for funny Elf on the Shelf ideas.

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