New NYC ‘char broil’ rule would force restaurants to cut emissions by 75%
New York officials are considering imposing emissions restrictions on a popular grilling appliance as their latest climate crackdown, claiming that such regulations could prevent premature deaths. The blue state’s Department of Environmental Protection proposed a new rule to establish emissions standards for under-fire commercial char broilers, a commonly used method of cooking meat that gives it a smokey taste. The proposed rule would force all New York City restaurants using under-fire char broilers installed after May 2016 to cut emissions from the appliance by 75%. Additionally, under the rule, NYC restaurants that char-broil more than 875 pounds of meat per week would not be allowed to operate, with the exception that the business has an approved emissions control device. HOCHUL’S POLLUTERS PAY BILL COULD RESULT IN REGRESSIVE COSTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES: ECONOMISTS In the proposed rule, reviewed by Fox News Digital, officials claimed that such regulations on meat cooking appliances could prevent hundreds of deaths. The document cited a study by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on premature deaths attributed to particulate matter (PM) — solid particles like smoke or dust, released when cooking or burning fires. “If all char broilers had control technology installed, the reduction in ambient PM concentrations could have prevented nearly 350 of these premature deaths each year,” the proposed rule reads. BIDEN ADMIN EXPECTED TO OFFER CALIFORNIA WAIVER TO BAN GAS-POWERED CARS BY 2035: REPORT The study reportedly found that commercial char broilers released an estimated 1,400 tons of PM per year in New York’s five boroughs, which they concluded contributed to more than 12% of PM attributable premature deaths annually from 2005 to 2007. But restaurant owners are fuming at the potential regulation. “The fact that this is even an issue is a nothingburger,” Alan Rosen, who owns Juniors in NYC, a restaurant that uses the charred meat method, told the New York Post. “People are getting knifed in the subway, and they’re worried about charbroilers? We’ve been doing this for almost 75 years. It’s absolutely ridiculous.” In the proposed rule, the department acknowledges the difficulty in requiring New York City restaurants to undergo emissions tests. “Demonstrating the 75% PM reduction presented a challenge for many restaurant owners who do not have an Environmental Protection Agency Method 5 certified emissions control device,” the proposal reads. A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held on Jan. 29, 2025.
Hegseth was ‘incredibly talented, battle-proven leader,’ military evaluations show
EXCLUSIVE – President-elect Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was described as an “incredibly talented, battle-proven leader,” according to a copy of military evaluations obtained by Fox News Digital. Hegseth is set to face a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, where lawmakers are expected to grill the 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host on his ability to lead the Department of Defense. A leading critic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military, Hegseth has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over his qualifications. Fox News obtained copies of past performance evaluations describing Hegseth’s “outstanding” leadership skills over the years of his military service, including deployments to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth deployed with the New Jersey National Guard to Guantánamo Bay, where he was leader of a 39-man Air Assault Infantry Rifle platoon capable of deploying anywhere within the world within 36 hours. In an officer evaluation report covering April 2005 to January 2006, Hegseth received “outstanding performance” and was described as “an incredibly talented, battle-proven leader.” HUNDREDS OF VETERANS TO DESCEND ON DC TO MARCH IN SUPPORT OF PETE HEGSETH’S CONFIRMATION “Having taken charge of his platoon mere days before deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he effectively led his platoon through five months of combat,” the report read. “He planned and executed platoon operations ranging from air assault raids to the defense of a forward operating base (FOB).” During his tour as platoon leader, his evaluators said Hegseth ensured “that his platoon remained physically fit and mentally ready to meet the challenges of protracted missions in demanding conditions.” While serving at FOB Falcon, Iraq, Hegseth’s platoon “developed and fortified a platoon sector of the company defense and executed their portion of a continuous defense for three months while planning and executing additional offensive operations.” Under his leadership, the report detailed, Hegseth’s platoon “cleared areas around FOB Falcon suspected of insurgent activity and denied their use to the Anti-Iraqi Forces” and “also conducted an air assault, high-value target raid in which they captured an Al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader.” Hegseth and his troops moved north to Samarra, Iraq, where “he effectively transitioned his platoon to continuous offensive operations and conducted nine days of continuous combat outposts, nine days of patrolling and a deliberate cordon and search plus numerous time-sensitive missions,” the report read. “His performance as platoon leader has been solid. He is more than capable to operate independently, controlling not only his squads but also air support, indirect fire support and other external combat support assets,” his evaluators wrote. Expecting a fight during Tuesday’s confirmation process, several Republican lawmakers held a news conference on Capitol Hill Monday backing Hegseth. Criticism against Hegseth included alleged mismanagement of veteran nonprofit funds and lack of recent military experience. He was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a GOP conference in 2017. He was never criminally charged but reportedly recognized paying his accuser an undisclosed sum over the allegations. “I’m 110% behind Pete Hegseth,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “He will be ripped. He will be demeaned. He will be talked about. But we’re going to get him across the finish line.” “The last four years has been an absolute disaster for our military. Again, we have a lot of good people, a lot of good men and women that believe in the United States of America. But we got to go forward and we have to have a leader. It all starts with one person,” Tuberville added. “We don’t need a general from the Pentagon. We’ve tried that. We need a drill sergeant, somebody that’s been in two wars, somebody that understands camaraderie and team and work ethic and time, restraint and respect.” “I am strongly supporting Pete Hegseth for a couple of reasons. We have the most highly educated and powerful military in the history of the planet. And we haven’t won a war in 80 years,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said. In Iraq, Hegseth also served as an assistant civil military operations officer for a 660-man Air Assault Infantry Battalion. According to another report obtained by Fox News Digital, evaluators described him as “an absolutely outstanding officer,” who was “intelligent, mature and extremely gifted” and had become “a tremendous asset to his battillion and had contributed immensely to the BN’s performance during the past six months.” PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE HASN’T HEARD FROM WEST POINT SINCE EMPLOYEE ‘ERROR’ DENYING HIS ACCEPTANCE The officer evaluation report went on to describe how Hegseth “led numerous patrols and civil affairs missions and provided exceptional support to the battalion, proving himself as a strong combat leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom.” His evaluators said he “developed relationships and trust with many of the local leaders of Samarra, Iraq,” allowing him “to help collect intelligence which led to the capture/killing of countless Al Qaeda and insurgent leaders.” “His performance as the battalion assistant civil-military operations officer has been superb,” the company executive officer wrote of Hegseth. “He is a proven combat leader who is calm under fire and leads from the front.” “Peter is physically and mentally tough, and demonstrates a level of maturity, poise, and confidence usually found in more senior officers,” the report went on. “Peter always accomplishes every mission to high standards with minimal guidance or supervision. He has unlimited potential,” the evaluator added. Hegseth similarly received glowing feedback when he later deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, another officer evaluation report from 2012 showed. “Outstanding performance. CPT Pete Hegseth is the best CPT in this command (#1 of 12),” the report says. “Pete clearly rose to the top of his peer group through his exceptional leadership abilities, initiative, and dedication to mission accomplishment. Pete worked extremely hard to learn as much as he could about counterinsurgency operations, easily developing into one of my best COIN instructors. He always received high marks on the
Man arrested near LA fires with possible blowtorch is an illegal immigrant: ICE sources
A man seen in a viral video being confronted and apprehended by Los Angeles residents, and who was eventually arrested by police with an alleged blowtorch, is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources tell Fox News. Los Angeles police took the man into custody after a group of local residents grabbed him near the Kenneth Fire, allegedly carrying a blowtorch, according to video from Fox 11 Los Angeles. He is shown holding a torch head and a yellow fuel tank, before being tackled to the ground by at least five residents. LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: HOMEOWNERS CONFRONT MAN THEY BELIEVE IS ARSONIST AS CELEBRITIES FUEL FIREBUG THEORIES ICE sources tell Fox that he is a Mexican illegal immigrant named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody due to a probation violation and has not been charged with arson. ICE intends to place a detainer request on him – a request that ICE be notified on any release so he can be transferred into their custody and potentially deported. However, they do not expect it to be honored as California is a “sanctuary” state that largely limits local and state law enforcement cooperation with the agency. ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM A Los Angeles law enforcement source had previously told Fox News Digital that it’s not uncommon to find people have intentionally set wildfires. “When you have wind conditions like this, it brings out the serial arsonists, who are sickos,” the source said. There is no confirmed connection between arson and any of the fires as of last week. Illegal immigration has been a top political issue and the Trump administration is expected to launch a massive deportation operation once it takes office next week. Some states have said they will cooperate with the operation, while other state and local officials say they will not, and could even actively resist those efforts. Recently, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he wants to work with the incoming administration on deporting those who are violent criminals. But the Trump administration may have the hardest job in California, where there is not only a sanctuary state law in place but also efforts in local jurisdictions to go even further, forbidding ICE cooperation. Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Matt Finn contributed to this report.
US says Gaza truce deal ‘possible’ this week as Israel ramps up attacks
The United States says it sees the potential for a Gaza ceasefire to be reached as early as this week as the Israeli military continues to hammer the enclave to deadly effect. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said during a news conference on Monday that while a deal may be possible within days, it is not guaranteed. “We are now at a pivotal point in the negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza,” Sullivan said, adding the Biden had recently spoken with Israeli Primie Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the negotiations. The outgoing US president will also soon speak to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, he said. “We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week. I’m not making a promise or a prediction, but it is there for the taking, and we are able to work to make it happen,” Sullivan said. Ceasefire talks mediated by the US along with Qatar and Egypt are ongoing at advanced stages in Doha, where top Israeli negotiators like the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies are expected to stay for another day. Advertisement Hamas also said the talks have made some progress over some of the contentious issues that have been discussed many times over 15 months of a war that has killed more than 46,500 Palestinians in Gaza. “The negotiation over some core issues made progress, and we are working to conclude what remains soon,” an official with the Palestinian group told the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity. Officials said a final draft of the agreement, which includes an exchange of captives in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, was presented to all sides after the latest discussions in the Qatari capital yielded results. Netanyahu and Biden held a phone call on Sunday, discussing the latest developments, with Biden again saying the time for an agreement is now. US President-elect Donald Trump and his top officials have been repeatedly threatening that there will be “hell to pay” if the captives are not released or there is no agreement by the time Trump takes office on January 20. “It’s very clear that President Trump threatening Hamas and making it clear that there is going to be hell to pay is part of the reason why we’ve made progress on getting some hostages out,” Vice President-elect JD Vance said. Right-wing Knesset members and coalition leaders Itamar Ben-Gvir, left, and Bezalel Smotrich attend a special session of the Israeli parliament [File: Amir Cohen/Reuters] Netanyahu is also facing internal pressure from far-right members of his governing coalition, who have been threatening to leave if a deal is reached – even though Netanyahu has stressed that Israel will hold military control over Gaza regardless of any deal. Advertisement Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads one of the hardline ultranationalist religious parties in the country’s ruling coalition, said the fact that a deal is taking shape in Qatar is a “catastrophe for national security”. Angry family members of Israelis held captive in Gaza entered a committee room in the Israeli parliament on Monday to accuse Smotrich of abandoning their loved ones and saying “conditions are ripe for a deal”. Israel intensifies attacks amid talks The Israeli military has been launching relentless waves of heavy air attacks and artillery shelling across the Gaza Strip as talks of a potential agreement have heated up. Medical sources told Al Jazeera on Monday that at least 45 Palestinians were killed in the past day as a result of Israeli attacks across the enclave. Many attacks were focused on Gaza City in the northern part of Gaza, where more than 100 days of an Israeli siege has left at least 5,000 people killed or missing, according to local authorities. The siege has also destroyed hospitals and other critical infrastructure, displaced thousands of people and seen many Palestinians taken prisoner by the Israeli military. Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza on Monday, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said many drone attacks have taken place since the early hours of the morning. “These are happening in areas where the vast majority of displaced people have taken shelter, areas that are densely populated,” he said. The Israeli military said five of its soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Gaza on Monday, while eight others were wounded. The deaths bring the Israeli military’s losses in its war on Gaza to 408 since October 27, 2023. Advertisement Yossi Beilin, a former Israeli justice minister who initiated the Oslo peace accords in the early 1990s, told Al Jazeera a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is “long overdue”. “This is the main issue: How many [captives and prisoners] will be released? Once they agree on it and the [timing] of the release, then it is possible to have an agreement,” he said. The humanitarian situation remains dire in Gaza as the Israeli military continues to block most aid from getting in and starving the population, roughly half of which is made up of children. Adblock test (Why?)
Biden administration proposes new rules to tighten grip on AI chip flows
The outgoing administration of United States President Joe Biden is proposing a new framework for the export of advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence, an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries. But the framework proposed Monday also raised concerns of chip industry executives who said the rules would limit access to existing chips used for video games and restrict in 120 countries the chips used for data centres and AI products. Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland are among the nations that could have limited access. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on a call with reporters previewing the framework that it’s “critical” to preserve America’s leadership in AI and the development of AI-related computer chips. Fast-evolving AI technology enables computers to produce novels, make scientific research breakthroughs, automate driving and foster a range of other transformations that could reshape economies and warfare. Advertisement “As AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our national security become even more intense,” Raimondo said. The framework “is designed to safeguard the most advanced AI technology and ensure that it stays out of the hands of our foreign adversaries but also enabling the broad diffusion and sharing of the benefits with partner countries.” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stressed that the framework would ensure that the most cutting-edge aspects of AI would be developed within the US and with its closest allies instead of possibly being offshored like the battery and renewable energy sectors. A tech industry group, the Information Technology Industry Council, warned Raimondo in a letter last week that a hastily implemented new rule from the Democratic administration could fragment global supply chains and put US companies at a disadvantage. Another group, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), said Monday that it was disappointed the policy was being “rushed out the door” before a presidential transition. President-elect Donald Trump is to take office on January 20. “The new rule risks causing unintended and lasting damage to America’s economy and global competitiveness in semiconductors and AI by ceding strategic markets to our competitors,” SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said. One industry executive who is familiar with the framework and insisted on anonymity to discuss it said the proposed restrictions would limit access to chips already used for video games despite claims made otherwise by the government. The executive said it would also limit which companies could build data centres abroad. Advertisement ‘Control technology worldwide’ Because the framework includes a 120-day comment period, Trump’s incoming Republican administration could ultimately determine the rules for foreign sales of advanced computer chips. This sets up a scenario in which Trump will have to balance US economic interests with the need to keep the country and its allies safe. Government officials said they felt the need to act quickly in hopes of preserving what is perceived to be a six- to 18-month US advantage on AI over rivals such as China, a head start that could easily erode if competitors are able to stockpile the chips and make further gains. Ned Finkle, vice president of external affairs at the chipmaker Nvidia, said in a statement that the prior Trump administration had helped create the foundation for AI’s development and the proposed framework would hurt innovation without achieving the stated national security goals. “While cloaked in the guise of an ‘anti-China’ measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance US security,” he said. “The new rules would control technology worldwide, including technology that is already widely available in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer hardware.” Under the framework, roughly 20 key allies and partners would face no restrictions on accessing chips, but other countries would face caps on the chips they could import, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. The allies without restrictions include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Advertisement Users outside of these close allies could buy up to 50,000 graphics-processing units per country. There would also be government-to-government deals that could bump up the cap to 100,000 if their renewable energy and technological security goals are aligned with the US. Institutions in certain countries could also apply for a legal status that would let them buy up to 320,000 advanced graphics-processing units over two years. Still, there would be limits as to how much AI computational capacity could be placed abroad by companies and other institutions. Also, computer chip orders equivalent to 1,700 advanced graphics-processing units would not need a licence to import or count against the national chip cap. The exception for the 1,700 graphics-processing units would likely help meet the orders for universities and medical institutions as opposed to data centres. The new rules are not expected to hinder the AI-driven data centre expansion plans of leading cloud computing providers such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft because of exemptions for trusted companies seeking large clusters of advanced AI chips. China’s Ministry of Commerce said in response to the proposed rules that China will take necessary measures to safeguard its “legitimate rights and interests”. Adblock test (Why?)
Will the West move fast enough to lift al-Assad-era sanctions on Syria?
Damascus launches a diplomatic outreach to push for an end to restrictions. The United Nations says seven out of 10 Syrians require humanitarian assistance after 13 years of war. And an estimated $500bn is needed to rebuild their country. Syria’s new administration has engaged in diplomacy in the past two weeks to persuade Western powers to rapidly lift sanctions imposed during the rule of Bashar al-Assad. But those governments want to see progress towards inclusive and democratic governance in Syria. Concerns are growing that the euphoria following the fall of al-Assad may give way to frustration and violence if the process is delayed. Will the West be prepared to lift sanctions – and fast? And can Syria’s new rulers make the changes needed to win the confidence of world powers? Presenter: Neave Barker Guests: Ammar Kahf – executive director of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies Hind Kabawat – director of interfaith peacebuilding at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University Fadi Dayoub – executive director of Local Development and Small Projects Support, a Syrian NGO Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
Union Minister Vaishnaw fact-checks Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Lok Sabha poll results, says, ‘People of India..’
Vaishnaw opted for Meta’s Facebook platform to call out Zuckerberg for spreading ‘misinformation’.
Supreme Court makes decision on gun law challenges in Delaware, Maryland
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear challenges to gun laws in Delaware and Maryland. The justices turned away an appeal from a group of gun enthusiasts and firearm advocacy groups in Delaware to block the state’s prohibition on assault-style rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines after a lower court refused to issue a preliminary injunction against the ban. Delaware’s gun safety laws were enacted in 2022 and ban various semi-automatic “assault” long guns, including the AR-15 and AK47, though it allows those who owned such weapons prior to the law being enacted to keep the firearms under certain conditions, according to Reuters. The high court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, also declined to hear a case challenging Maryland’s handgun licensing requirements, which requires people to get safety training, submit fingerprints and pass a background check before buying a handgun. NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER TELLS KAVANAUGH FRIEND HE WOULD COVER STORY ‘DIFFERENTLY’ NOW The challengers argued that the handgun law violates the Second Amendment by making it too hard for people to get guns. MONTANA AG ASKS SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD LAW REQUIRING PARENTAL CONSENT FOR A MINOR’S ABORTION The law was passed following the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, where 20 first-graders and six educators were killed. A three-judge appeals court panel later struck down the law after a landmark 2022 Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights and said firearm laws must have strong roots in the country’s historic traditions, though the full 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later revived the law after the majority found that it does fit within historic firearm regulations. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federal judge clears way for release of special counsel report on Trump election case
A federal judge cleared the way for the release of the special counsel report on President-elect Trump’s election interference case on Monday. Judge Aileen Cannon approved the release of the first of two volumes of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation in her Monday ruling. Cannon will consider releasing the second volume, which relates to Trump’s handling of classified documents, on Friday. Smith suspended his investigations into Trump after the president-elect secured his return to the White House in November. Cannon had issued a temporary block on releasing Smith’s reports last week after Trump co-defendants Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira filed an emergency motion to block the reported imminent release of Smith’s final report. JUDGE GRANTS JACK SMITH REQUEST TO DISMISS JAN. 6 CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP, APPEAL DROPPED IN FLORIDA DOCS CASE Cannon prohibited the release of the report as she considered Nauta and De Oliveira’s claims. Cannon said Smith was “temporarily enjoined” from “releasing, sharing, or transmitting the Final Report or any drafts of such Report outside the Department of Justice.” JACK SMITH RESIGNS FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT She ultimately ruled against the pair on Monday, however, arguing that there was “insufficient basis” to grant an injunction against releasing the report. It is customary for special counsels to release a final report, detailing the findings of their investigation and explaining any prosecution or declination decisions they reached. In Smith’s case, the prosecution decision is immaterial, given Trump’s status as president-elect and long-standing Justice Department policy against bringing criminal charges against a sitting president. JUDGE GRANTS JACK SMITH REQUEST TO DISMISS JAN. 6 CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP, APPEAL DROPPED IN FLORIDA DOCS CASE Trump has blasted Smith’s work as a “fake report.” Attorney General Merrick Garland has opted to release the reports from two other special counsels whose investigations concluded during his tenure – publishing both the summary reports submitted by John Durham, who was tapped by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to review the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, as well as the final report from Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney whom he tapped in 2023 to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents. Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Carrie Underwood to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at Trump inauguration
Country music star Carrie Underwood is expected to perform at President Trump’s inauguration, Fox News Digital has learned. A Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital Underwood will perform during the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on Jan. 20. Underwood, the 2005 “American Idol” winner, will be singing “America the Beautiful” and will be joined by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” after Vance takes his Oath of Office and before Trump takes the Presidential Oath of Office. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.