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Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Las Vegas Hotel Probed as Possible Act of Terror

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(TJV) A shocking explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck on Wednesday near the Trump Las Vegas hotel has left authorities racing to uncover the cause. Government officials told ABC News that the incident is being investigated as a “possible act of terror,” though many questions remain unanswered.

ABC reported:

Investigators do not know what caused the blast, such as whether something was wrong with the vehicle or whether something external prompted it. Determining what was behind the explosion is the key focus of the probe.

An official briefed on the probe told ABC News that the Tesla Cybertruck had a load of fireworks-style mortars onboard. Investigators are urgently working to determine a motive and whether the driver intended to set off an explosion and why.

An official briefed on the investigation revealed that the vehicle was loaded with fireworks-style mortars. This discovery has intensified the urgency to determine the driver’s intentions. Was the explosion deliberate? And if so, why?

Will authorities now admit the reality of vehicular jihad?

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terrorist carries the Islamic State's flag overlooking Dabiq in Syria, in 2013. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Vehicular Jihad in New Orleans

(Front Page Magazine)

 

SECOND UPDATE: NBC News reported early Wednesday afternoon that “four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter say they have preliminarily identified the suspect in the vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans as Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42.” Din Jabbar is “accused of intentionally plowing a pickup truck into New Year’s revelers at about 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street, authorities said. The suspect is dead, the FBI said.” The mysterious flag on the back of the truck Din Jabbar was driving seems to have been a flag of the Islamic State (ISIS). If that is definitively confirmed, it would not be surprising at all, for ISIS has called for vehicular jihad attacks as far back as 2014.

UPDATE: At 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, the FBI in New Orleans posted a statement on its Facebook page, saying: “The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.” It is good that they have come around on this rather obvious fact, after an FBI special agent initially denied that it was a terror attack, as you can see in the original article below. Will we eventually be told what kind of terrorism was involved here? That remains to be seen.

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The most curious aspect of the attack in New Orleans in the early morning of New Year’s Day is the naked and open contradiction between the city’s mayor and the FBI about what exactly happened. And that contradiction may mean that we will never know what really happened.

The basic facts of the incident are fairly straightforward, but they’re the only straightforward aspect of this. At around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday as New Year’s revelers packed the streets at Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a large truck plowed into them at high speed. By all accounts, the driver did this deliberately, killing at least ten people and injuring dozens more in the process.

And the man wasn’t finished. After crashing his truck, he jumped out and started firing at the cops who were beginning to assemble at the scene, wounding two of them. The police returned fire, and the attacker was killed. It appears that he had plans for even more mayhem, when the police searched his truck, they found improvised explosive devices.

This is where the story takes a strange turn. At a hastily convened press conference early on Wednesday morning, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that the incident was a “terrorist attack,” although she offered no information or speculation about what kind of terrorist attack it might have been. Once Cantrell was finished, however, FBI Special Agent Aletha (that’s how Fox has her name; NPR and CNN have “Alethea”) Duncan contradicted her, asserting that it was “not a terrorist attack.”

Now, this is just weird. What else does the FBI propose to call an attack in which a driver deliberately plows a truck into a crowd, then gets out and fires on the cops, and had explosives ready so as to kill or injure even more people? If that isn’t a terror attack, what exactly is a terror attack? Does the woke, clueless, compromised, and corrupt FBI only consider an incident to be a terror attack when it can plausibly claim that the perpetrator was a “white supremacist” Trump supporter?

Is it possible that the FBI doesn’t want to call what happened in New Orleans a terror attack because doing so might lead some people into “Islamophobia”? Absolutely. There is no information available as yet about the New Orleans attacker, but vehicular attacks are a favored tactic of Islamic jihadis. And the FBI of Christopher Wray and Robert Mueller has been busy downplaying and denying the reality of Islamic jihad for years.

There are numerous examples. Although the recent vehicular attack at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg, Germany is mired in controversy over whether or not the attacker had genuinely left Islam as he claimed to have done, there is a long history of jihadis using this tactic and precious few examples of non-Muslims resorting to it. Recently, in Oct. 2024 in Israel, another truck driver injured 35 people in a vehicular jihad attack at a bus stop near Tel Aviv. Just weeks before that, a Syrian Muslim migrant with a Palestinian flag wounded 31 people in arson and ramming attacks in Essen, Germany. Also in September in Darmstadt, Germany, an Afghan Muslim migrant ran through several red lights at high speed and tried to run over pedestrians, explaining that he did it “on behalf of Allah.”

Vehicular jihad has taken place in the U.S. as well: at Ohio State University in Nov. 2016, a Somali Muslim migrant mowed down students with his car, then jumped out and started stabbing anyone he could reach. Eight people were injured. As far back as 2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) was calling upon Muslims in Western countries to carry out vehicular jihad attacks.

Whoever carried out the New Orleans attack, there is another curious aspect of it: on X, a photo showed that the truck had a flagpole attached to its back bumper, and the driver was apparently flying some kind of flag. What kind, however, is unknown as of this writing on Wednesday morning, for it seemed as if one of the first things that the police did was cover the flag with a coat. Or did they? Another X user posted a different photo of the truck that was apparently taken just moments after the attack, and although the photo itself is not all that clear, asserted that “it was always just a black coat on a pole.”

Would some nut fly a black coat from a flagpole? Sure. Would the cops cover up a flag that an attacker was flying because seeing it might make people think negatively about a group that enjoys protected status from the left and its establishment media lapdogs? That possibility cannot be counted out, either.

So what happened in New Orleans? It does seem to have been a terrorist attack, judging from the fact that all accounts say that the driver intentionally plowed into the crowd and that he didn’t stop there, but began firing at the cops, and on top of all that, had explosives. Was it a jihad attack? It may have been, as there are many incidents of jihadis resorting to this tactic, while deliberate car rammings by others are comparatively rare. But we do not know for sure, and may never know.

We can only hope that the FBI and New Orleans authorities will follow up with a thorough investigation, without regard for woke niceties. But given the deep corruption of both, that seems unlikely in the extreme.

Puerto Rico Deals With Power Outage by Dumping Green, Going Back to Gas

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By   (Front Page Magazine)

Puerto Rico has suffered from power problems for a long time now. These power failures get more attention around a hurricane or other natural disaster, but they are always around, and they have been worsened by unworkable ‘green’ mandates.

On New Year’s Eve, a power outage has blacked out much of the island leaving 1.3 million people without power.

The incoming governor has a common sense plan to cope with the power problems.

When Jenniffer Gonzalez takes over as Puerto Rico governor on Thursday she will have to navigate one of the biggest energy messes in the US. Her solution: Embrace fossil fuels.
Gonzalez, 48, is proposing the US commonwealth drop some of its clean energy targets in favor of using more liquefied natural gas. A local law that requires Puerto Rico to have 100% renewable energy by 2050, among other commitments, is not only unrealistic but damaging economic activity, she said in an interview.
“We cannot continue to lose companies because of lack of energy, and none of them can work 24-7 in different shifts with just solar energy,” Gonzalez said. “I believe that we should diversify our energy basket.”

Jenniffer González Colón was the head of the Republican side of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Affairs and her party, the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico, is the local counterpart of the Republican Party.

But it’s still refreshing to see Puerto Rico deal with its energy problems by moving away from unreliable ‘green’ power and to reliable energy again.

Federal Judge Allows Key Claims to Proceed in Poland Spring Bottled Water Lawsuit

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shutterstock

Federal Judge Allows Key Claims to Proceed in Poland Spring Bottled Water Lawsuit

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A federal judge in Connecticut has refused to dismiss a long-standing lawsuit accusing the former Nestlé Waters North America of misleading consumers by marketing Poland Spring bottled water as “spring water.” As reported by Reuters, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer’s decision leaves open the pivotal question of whether Poland Spring qualifies as “spring water” under the legal standards of eight states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

The lawsuit, initially filed in 2017, alleges that consumers were deceived into overpaying for what was advertised as “Natural Spring Water” or “100% Natural Spring Water.” According to the report that appeared on Tuesday at Reuters, the plaintiffs argue that not a single drop of the approximately one billion gallons of Poland Spring water sold annually in the United States originates from a genuine natural spring. They further claim that the original Poland Spring in Maine ran dry nearly two decades before Nestlé acquired the brand in 1992.

Nestlé Waters, according to the information provided by Reuters, countered these claims by asserting that geologists and regulatory officials across the eight states validated that Poland Spring adhered to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition of “spring water.” The company maintained that each state explicitly approved Poland Spring’s labeling and sale as “spring water.” However, Judge Meyer pointed to testimony from an expert—a former Syracuse University earth sciences professor—who argued that Nestlé Waters appeared to have relied on man-made springs and surface water sources, including pond water, rather than authentic spring water.

Despite siding with Nestlé Waters on certain aspects, Judge Meyer ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to demand revised labeling, as they are now aware of the alleged “truth” about Poland Spring and can choose to purchase alternative brands. Nevertheless, key claims in the lawsuit remain active, leaving significant legal and commercial stakes for the bottled water giant.

Reuters reported that Poland Spring is now owned by Primo Brands, a Tampa-based company formed through a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 2021, Nestlé sold its North American bottled water business to two private equity firms, who subsequently renamed it BlueTriton. This company then merged with Primo Water in November 2023 to form the current Primo Brands entity.

In a statement to Reuters, Primo Brands defended its practices, asserting confidence in the compliance of Poland Spring’s water sources with FDA regulations. “Poland Spring brand bottled water is 100% spring water,” the company stated. “We remain confident in our position and look forward to successfully defending against the remaining claims.”

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

The case, Patane v. Nestlé Waters North America Inc., is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under case number 17-01381. As the Reuters report indicated, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications not only for Poland Spring but also for broader labeling practices in the bottled water industry.

While Nestlé Waters has successfully mitigated some claims in this complex litigation, the core allegations remain unresolved. With billions of dollars and brand integrity on the line, this case is set to remain a focal point of scrutiny in both legal and consumer advocacy circles.

Subway Attack Suspect’s History Highlights Failures of Justice System Alternatives

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(TJV)  The Brooklyn man accused of shoving a straphanger into the path of an incoming 1 train in Manhattan has a lengthy history of arrests and missed opportunities for intervention, The New York Post reports.

Kamel Hawkins, 23, was arraigned Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of attempted murder and assault after the random attack at the 18th Street subway station. The victim, a 45-year-old music programmer, suffered severe injuries, including four broken ribs, a fractured skull, and a ruptured spleen, but survived after falling into the trench beneath the train.

 

Hawkins’ father, Shamel Hawkins, 40, told The Post that his son’s behavior had changed significantly in recent weeks. “About three weeks ago he was all right, and then he started acting weird. We wanted to get him help, but he refused,” the elder Hawkins said.

Hawkins, who has at least three prior arrests, has been involved in multiple violent incidents, including a 2019 assault on an NYPD officer in Queens. During that altercation, Hawkins reportedly body-slammed the officer, causing back injuries. “Anyone who attacks a cop in full uniform is capable of doing far worse to defenseless civilians,” Patrick Hendry, president of the NYPD Police Benevolent Association, told The Post.

More recently, Hawkins faced charges of assault, harassment, and weapons possession in Brooklyn stemming from an October incident. Despite prosecutors requesting bail, he was referred to a court intervention program under the state’s “Problem-Solving Courts” initiative. The program aims to offer alternatives to incarceration, such as mental health treatment and community-based support.

However, critics argue that these alternatives often fail to protect the public from repeat offenders. “Every time the justice system drops the ball on an assault on a police officer, it puts every New Yorker in danger,” Hendry said.

Shamel Hawkins told The Post that his son had been living in a shelter and seemed to be struggling with mental health issues. “He needs help. We love him, but we can’t help him—not when he refused the help we tried to connect him with,” he said. “We try to help, but if he don’t want it, what can we do?”

Hawkins’ father expressed disbelief upon learning of his son’s alleged involvement in the subway attack. “We saw him here on Christmas. I can’t believe this,” he said.

Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment Hawkins shoved the victim onto the tracks in what police described as an unprovoked attack. Law enforcement sources said the victim was lucky to land in the trench beneath the train, avoiding an even more tragic outcome.

Following his arrest near Columbus Circle, Hawkins was ordered held without bail during his arraignment. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated Hawkins appeared intent on causing maximum harm during the attack.

The case has reignited debate over New York’s criminal justice system and its handling of individuals with violent tendencies. Critics point to Hawkins’ participation in a problem-solving court as a missed opportunity to prevent further harm.

This incident is a stark reminder, The Post notes, that reforms in the justice system must balance rehabilitation efforts with the safety of the public.

Hamas Bets Trump Is Bluffing

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Photo Credit: AP

By Joel B. Pollak

The Iranian-backed terror group Hamas has decided to call President-elect Donald Trump’s bluff and abandon negotiations toward a hostage deal, waiting instead to see if it can get a better deal when he takes office January 20.

 Trump said at Mar-a-Lago on New Year’s Eve, “They better let the hostages come back soon,” reiterating a threat that there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas did not free its remaining 100 Israeli hostages by his Inauguration.

 

But Hamas has decided that it would rather take its chances — and evidently believes that Trump will not do anything. The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas has pulled back from talks that once looked promising:

Cease-fire talks between Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Israeli government have hit an impasse in recent days, Arab mediators said, making any deal unlikely before the end of the Biden administration.
…
The parties were considering a 60-day cease-fire period that would see the release of up to 30 hostages being held in Gaza, according to the mediators. In exchange, Israel would set free Palestinian prisoners and allow greater humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, they said.
…
Arab mediators said they expect both sides to come back to the negotiating table after the new administration takes over in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has said on Truth Social that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if the hostages aren’t released before he assumes office in January.

The sticking points are the precise number of living hostages to be released in the first phase of a deal; the identities of Palestinian terrorists to be released from Israeli prisoners; and whether a deal would bring the war to an end.

 

Hamas is determined to survive and to return to power in the Middle East. It fired two short-range rockets at Israel at midnight on New Year’s Eve — a weaker barrage than it used to greet 2024, but a sign that it is still committed to war.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days, available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency, now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

FBI Sows Confusion After Initially Saying Bourbon Street Attack ‘Not a Terrorist Event’

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 “This is not a terrorist event. What it is right now is there improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if this is a viable device or not,” the FBI said initially. “As Chief Kirkpatrick said, we’re asking everyone to stay away from Bourbon Street,” the FBI continued, sparking confusion.
 “This is not a terrorist event. What it is right now is there improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if this is a viable device or not,” the FBI said initially. “As Chief Kirkpatrick said, we’re asking everyone to stay away from Bourbon Street,” the FBI continued, sparking confusion.

(Breitbart) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is under fire after initially asserting that the truck-ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans — leaving at least ten dead and over two dozen more injured — was “not a terrorist event.”

Local police responded to the incident at 3:17 a.m., as a suspect drove a vehicle through a crowd of New Year’s revelers before opening fire. The FBI confirmed the suspect was fatally shot by police.

 However, the FBI is coming under fire for initially stating that the attack was “not a terrorist event” — a real head scratcher, particularly given that the agency admitted that there were “improvised explosive devices” involved as well.

 “This is not a terrorist event. What it is right now is there improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if this is a viable device or not,” the FBI said initially.

“As Chief Kirkpatrick said, we’re asking everyone to stay away from Bourbon Street,” the FBI continued, sparking confusion.

That contradicts the official statement from the FBI, which has since stated that it is “working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”

President Joe Biden also confirmed this in a statement, which read in part, “The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism.”

Officials Confirm Suspect in New Year’s Day Massacre: Shamsud Din Jabbar

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(TJV) Officials in New Orleans have identified the suspect in the New Year’s Day massacre as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old man who was killed during a police response to the attack, The Post Millennial reports.

A law enforcement source speaking to The Advocate revealed that Jabbar had an ISIS flag in his truck. Karol Markowicz noted that the suspect, born and raised in Texas, was a former U.S. Army serviceman. According to New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno, Jabbar was dressed in full military gear during the attack and appeared to be from out of town.

Authorities were initially hesitant to release Jabbar’s identity due to the commonality of his name. They prioritized confirming his identity before making it public, according to ABC News.

A YouTube video has surfaced showing Jabbar working as a property manager for a veteran-owned company in Houston, Texas. Authorities believe this is the same individual who carried out the attack in New Orleans using a rented Ford truck.

Timeline and Details of the Incident

Local officials plan to address the media at a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. local time. Investigators have determined that the truck used in the attack crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, on November 16. The electric Ford F-150 was reportedly rented through the Turo car-sharing app.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the suspect intended to cause maximum damage. After driving the truck into a crowd, Jabbar exited the vehicle and opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring at least 35. Police officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was killed during the confrontation. Several officers sustained injuries. The FBI is treating the case as a terrorist attack.

Speculation has arisen regarding identifiers on the truck, including a flagpole visible in some images. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser suggested that the flagpole might have carried an ISIS flag,  Speaking to local news, Nungesser explained, “A national press reporter boarding a plane to New Orleans asked me to confirm if there was an ISIS flag on the truck. I couldn’t confirm it, but that’s what he heard. I don’t want to spread rumors, but it’s worth noting.”

This developing story has raised concerns about the suspect’s motives and connections, with authorities continuing their investigation.

New Year’s Eve Chaos in EU Capital Brussels, 159 Arrests as Police Attacked, Dozens of Cars Set on Fire

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A man lights a small firework at the Kuregem/ Cureghem district of the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht pictured on New Year's Eve in Brussels, Tuesday 31 December 2024. Anderlecht Mayor Cumps imposed a curfew for minors under the age of 16 that will be in force from 7pm on New Year's Eve. BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)

( Breitbart) Violence reigned in the New Year in Brussels as miscreants attacked police and firefighters and set dozens of fires in the de-facto capital of the European Union.

Brussels Police said that they made at least 159 arrests during New Year’s Eve and had to intervene in over 1,700 incidents with members of the public, Le Soir reports.

 

 

Meanwhile, firefighters in the EU capital responded to at least 30 cars being set on fire, with some areas seeing several cars being set ablaze simultaneously. Three electric bikes were also set on fire during the evening.

At least 54 other fires engulfed various pieces of street furniture, trash cans, and trees, Brussels firefighters said.

Police, emergency workers, and firefighters all reported coming under attack with either fireworks or Molotov cocktails.

Several buses and trams in the city also came under attack with fireworks, resulting in a tram passenger being hospitalised.

Belgian sovereigntist political party Vlaams Belang published footage they said had been recorded overnight. Breitbart News was unable to immediately verify the origin of the footage, but it appeared to portray police coming under attack with fireworks.

Chaotic scenes also broke out in Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city after Brussels, with riots breaking out shortly after midnight. After coming under attack by fireworks, police were able to disperse rioters at around 2 am local time, according to De Standaard.

Antwerp Police spokeswoman Kim Bastiaens said that 49 people were arrested, including 28 minors, four of whom have been arraigned for acts of public destruction.

Elsewhere, five people died in firework-related incidents in Germany, including a 24-year-old man in North Rhine-Westphalia, two men aged 45 and 50 in separate instances in Saxony, a 20-year old man in Hamburg, and a 21-year-old man in Brandenburg.

A fourteen-year-old boy also reportedly lost his life after a firework exploded too early in The Netherlands as well.

10 dead, over 30 injured following ramming-shooting terror attack in New Orleans, IED found on scene

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(AP) — A driver in a pickup truck who officials said was “hell-bent on carnage” sped through a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, killing 10 and injuring 30 revelers early on New Year’s Day.

At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a “terrorist attack” and the city’s police chief said the act was clearly intentional.

But an assistant FBI agent in charge declared that is was “not a terrorist event.” The news conference ended before authorities could reconcile the two characterizations.

Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.

 Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said police officers would work to ensure safety at the Sugar Bowl, indicating that the game would go on as scheduled.

 “He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”

 Two police officers who were shot after the driver emerged from the truck are in stable condition, she said.

Officials did not immediately provide an update on the status of the driver, whether there was an ongoing threat to the public or offer a suspected motive in the fatal incident.

UPDATE: The man was then shot and killed by police. The FBI Changed position and they are investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism”

 Officials did not immediately provide an update on the status of the driver, whether there was an ongoing threat to the public or offer a suspected motive.

 NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals.

The world welcomes 2025 with light shows, embraces and ice plunges

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(AP) — From Sydney to Mumbai to Paris to Rio de Janeiro, communities around the world welcomed 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.

The New Year’s Eve ball dropped in soggy Times Square, where thousands of revelers stuck it out in heavy rain to celebrate the start of 2025 in New York City.

Countries in the South Pacific Ocean were the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball dropped in Times Square. Auckland was the first major city to celebrate, with thousands thronging downtown or climbing the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point.

Conflict muted acknowledgements of the start of 2025 in places like the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine.

American Samoa will be among the last to welcome 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand.

More than 1 million people were estimated to have descended to watch the traditional fireworks at Sydney Harbour as Australians welcome 2025.

Earliest fireworks

A few hours after Auckland, fireworks blasted off Australia’s Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay. More than a million people gathered at iconic Sydney Harbor for the celebration. British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong with the crowd.

The celebration also featured Indigenous ceremonies and performances that acknowledged the land’s first people.

American traditions, old and new

In New York City, crowds cheered and couples kissed when the ball weighing almost 6 tons (5.4 metric tons) and featuring 2,688 crystal triangles descended down a pole in Times Square. The celebration included musical performances by TLC and Jonas Brothers.

Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan all saw in the new year, with fireworks celebrations across several cities and prayers in Tokyo.

 

The revelry culminated with a dance party and a carpeting of soggy confetti as attendees left singing along to Frank Sinatra’s version of “New York, New York.”

Angie Cuadradu, from Virginia, said she hopes 2025 is going to be great. “We’re sending positive vibes everywhere,” she said.

Las Vegas’ pyrotechnic show will be on the Strip, with 340,000 people anticipated as fireworks are launched from the rooftops of casinos. Nearby, the Sphere venue will display for the first time countdowns to midnight in different time zones.

In Pasadena, California, Rose Parade spectators were camping out and hoping for prime spots. And some 200,000 people flocked to a country music party in Nashville, Tennessee.

Asia prepares for Year of the Snake

Much of Japan shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin. Other places in Asia will mark the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.

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Fireworks at the Burj Khalifa during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or canceled during a period of national mourning following Sunday’s crash of a Jeju Air flight in Muan that killed 179 people.

China and Russia exchange goodwill

Chinese state media covered an exchange of New Year’s greetings between leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a reminder of growing closeness between two leaders who face tensions with the West.

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Pope Francis after celebrating over New Year’s Eve Vespers and Te Deum, in St.Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) 

China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin.

Seaside celebrations and beyond

 

In India, thousands of revelers in the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to the city’s bustling promenade facing the Arabian Sea. In Sri Lanka, people gathered at Buddhist temples to light oil lamps and incense sticks and pray.

 

In Dubai, thousands attended a fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. And in Nairobi, Kenya, scattered fireworks were heard.

A Holy Year begins

 

Rome’s traditional New Year’s Eve festivities have an additional draw: the start of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration projected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025.

On Tuesday, Francis celebrated a vespers at St. Peter’s Basilica. During Mass on Wednesday he is expected to again appeal for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

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Swimmers at the traditional New Year’s Eve swimming at Lake Moossee in Moosseedorf, Switzerland, Dec. 31, 2024. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

In Saint Paul, Minnesota, about 400 Catholics joined the archbishop for a rare 11 p.m. Mass followed by a champagne reception in the city’s monumental cathedral.

“People have the tradition to stay up and toast the new year, so we said, ‘Ok, let’s build on that,’” said the Rev. Joseph Johnson.

Paris recaptures the Olympic spirit

Paris capped a momentous 2024 with its traditional countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the Champs-Elysées. The city’s emblematic Arc de Triomphe monument was turned into a giant tableau for a light show that celebrated the city’s landmarks and the passage of time, with whirring clocks.

The Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games hosted in the French capital from July to September had transformed the city into a site of joy, fraternity and astonishing sporting achievements.

Wintry weather, for good and bad

London rang in the New Year with a pyrotechnic display along the River Thames. With a storm bringing bitter weather to other parts of the United Kingdom, however, festivities in Edinburgh, Scotland, were canceled.

 

But in Switzerland and some other places, people embraced the cold, stripping and plunging into the water in freezing temperatures.

Millions revel in Rio

 

The crowd on Copacabana was expected to exceed 2 million people — most decked out in white to keep with tradition. They packed together to enjoy concerts by Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia and Ivete Sangalo, among others. Right after the fireworks concluded, Brazil’s biggest pop star, Anitta, took the stage.

 

“It’s so magical. It’s an incredible thing,” Alejandro Legarreta, a tourist from Puerto Rico, said after diving into the ocean.

 

___

 

Graham-McLay reported from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.

Trump Calls It the ‘Center of the Universe.’ Mar-A-Lago Is a Magnet for Those Seeking Influence

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FILE - President-elect Donald Trump arrives for a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

(AP) — The cars begin lining up early in the morning to be screened by Secret Service agents under white tents near the fence that surrounds President-elect Donald Trump’s vast south Florida estate.

Famous figures such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk pop up at breakfasts, luncheons and other social gatherings held daily at the opulent Mar-a-Lago club.

Over the weekend, Mike Love, one of the original members of the Beach Boys, performed the band’s greatest hits under an outdoor tent there as Trump, trailed by Secret Service agents, wandered through the crowd, swinging his fists to the music, according to videos posted online. At other parts of the evening, he stood next to his wife, Melania, near the pool, bobbing his head to the music.

The resort is the “Center of the Universe,” Trump declared on social media Friday, adding, “Bill Gates asked to come, tonight.” Representatives for Trump and Gates didn’t clarify if the Microsoft co-founder did indeed join the parade of figures making the trip to Mar-a-Lago.

But the president-elect’s post reflects the way his resort, where he’s largely been holed up since the election, has become a salon and celebration for his movement. For the people he’s selected for his administration — and those who seek to get jobs or curry favor with the incoming president — it’s the place to be.

Sightings of those turning up there, usually in photos posted online or in the occasional public event, offer a glimpse into the workings of Trump’s incoming White House and how he is setting priorities for office.

They are also renewing concerns about transparency as the meetings are largely shrouded in secrecy, and raising questions about how Trump benefits financially as club members seeking to influence the new administration stay and eat there.

“It’s kind of unreal,” said James Fishback, an investor who has in recent days launched an investment fund in the club’s tea room and dined at the courtyard. “This is the power center.”

He recalled standing by the pasta table exchanging words with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has chosen to lead the Health Department.

The winter holidays have been another occasion for Trump’s celebrations and for big names to come visit.

A representative for Zuckerberg confirmed he joined Trump for a dinner the night before Thanksgiving. A Christmas Eve video showed Trump in one of the resort’s ballrooms full of guests, dancing to one of his favorite songs, the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.,” while his daughter Ivanka sat in a gilded chair nearby.

It’s not clear what Trump planned for New Year’s Eve — he has traditionally held a bash at the resort — but in his social media post on Friday, he boasted, “New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!!”

During dinners with friends and family, Trump uses the Spotify account on his tablet to play many of the same tunes that were ubiquitous at his campaign rallies. One night, his guest of honor was Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another night, the honor went to Akie Abe, the widow of slain Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And, yes, that was Argentine President Javier Milei doing Trump’s “Y.M.C.A.” dance between the tables at a gala dinner.

During the day, Trump often golfs at his nearby course with friends, relatives and allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Overall, the vibe is a mix of south Florida’s monied social scene overlaid with the power dynamics of an executive job fair.

“He’s surrounded by a lot of old friends,” Graham said. “I just know that everybody I know wants some job.”

Musk has been a constant presence at the club, so much so that Trump’s granddaughter, Kai, wrote on X that he was “achieving uncle status.” Trump has tasked Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental task force formed to find ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations.

Kevin Roberts, president of the think tank behind Project 2025, spoke at a December event with investors at the club. One of the guests at the small function was health care executive Dr. Peter Lamelas, later tapped by Trump to be U.S. ambassador to Argentina.

Sometimes Trump relaxes for dinner alongside club members and guests under the yellow and white awnings in the courtyard. Other times, he will address large groups for black-tie events in the ballrooms. At a recent gala for a nonprofit led by Lt. Gen Michael Flynn, the song ″God Bless the U.S.A.,” a favorite of Trump’s, cued the president-elect’s entrance.

“We’re off to a really good start,” Trump told people gathered for the event. He then inquired about the whereabouts of Tom Homan, whom he has tapped to be border czar, and joked that Homan was from “central casting.”

“Just relax, Tom. I want you to relax and get ready for the big push,” Trump said.

Trump shared with the party guests that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he threatened with a 25% tariff on all imported goods unless she does more to tackle illegal border crossings and drug flows, “has made progress.”

At another recent event at Mar-a-Lago, this one hosted by the America First Policy Institute, the ballroom was full of recognizable Trump-world figures such as Kellyanne Conway, who served as counselor to the president, and Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point Action. A copy of the president-elect’s latest book was sitting on the chairs for guests as they arrived in gowns and tuxedos.

As he entered the ballroom, Musk was swarmed by guests, including Kash Patel, whom Trump would later select to lead the FBI, before the tech billionaire took his seat at the center table of the ballroom. Musk was later joined there by Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

“It’s the place to be and the place to be seen,” said Damian Merlo, a political strategist who advises the Salvadoran president, Nayib Bukele. Merlo was at that event as well as another event hosted by the Conservative Political Action Committee.

At a news conference Trump held recently at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect noted the changed mood compared with his first term, saying, “Everybody wants to be my friend.”

Besides Zuckerberg, Trump has hosted other Silicon Valley executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“The top executives, the top bankers, they’re all calling,” Trump said. “It’s like a complete opposite.”

Actor Russell Brand traveled this month to the club to speak at an event, where he sat with actor Mel Gibson, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson and others. Later in the evening, he stood by a palm tree on the lawn, listening to a bagpiper in a kilt.

Brand later posted a video to X about his experience.

“Pretty amazing,” he said. “Is this real life, or am I in a dream?”

NYC’s Most Shocking Murders of 2024

By
Sholom Schreirber
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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50. Credit: hcinnovationgroup.com

By: Ellen Cans

The year 2024 had no lack of chilling, disturbing and tragic violent crimes. Here is a list of come of the most shocking murders of 2024 which occurred in New York City.

As reported by the NY Daily News, the first on the list has to be the broad-daylight shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, on a crowded Midtown Manhattan sidewalk on Dec. 4. After a five-day interstate manhunt, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was found in an Altoona, Pa., McDonald’s with a handwritten manifesto that read, in part, “Frankly, these parasites had it coming.” Mangione, valedictorian of his Baltimore private high school, an Ivy league computer science major, was extradited to New York City on Dec. 19 and charged with first-degree murder and terrorism charges by NYS. Mangione has since been arraigned in Federal Court on charges of murder, stalking and firearm offenses. The federal charges could possibly result in the death penalty.

Somehow the alleged murderer, has garnered support amongst a mass of Americans, who share his anger towards the health insurance industry, and who told their own stories of being denied health coverage, etc. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responded by saying, that “any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice.”

Another gruesome and chilling murder is that of Nadia Vitels, a 52-year-old woman found dead inside a duffel bag in the closet of a Kips Bay apartment on March 14. The city’s Medical Examiner said Vitels was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, per the NY Daily News. Prosecutors allege that she was attacked and killed by a pair of teenage squatters, who also stole her credit card and car and went on the run. The alleged killers, Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18, have since been apprehended by U.S. Marshals in York, Pa. They were charged with multiple crimes, including murder, concealment of a human corpse and grand larceny.

The deadly crimes continue, with 31-year-old Buffalo State College grad Yazmeen Williams who was killed by a roommate, who dumped her body in a sleeping bag in the trash on E. 27th St. near Third Ave. on July 5. Ex-con, 55-year-old Chad Irish, who was in a wheelchair, was charged with murder, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.

A disgruntled ex was accused of the next double murder. Edward Jacobs, 35, and his new friend Anastasia “Star” Ettienne, 33 were killed in a fire in Jamaica, Queens on Nov. 2. Aliya Fakhri, the sister of Bollywood movie star Nargis Fakhri, was arrested for the murder and arson.

Another chilling murder occurred on Sept. 8 in the Bronx. Per the NY Daily News, Bronx woman Jacklyn Timinski was killed by being struck in the head with a kettlebell by former celebrity photographer Benjamin Lozovsky, 41. After Timinski’s death, her grief-struck boyfriend, Juan Boria, went on a downward spiral of events which ending with him being fatally stabbed weeks later in a feud with a homeless man over a box to sleep in.

Another truly heartbreaking death was that of 4-year-old Jahmeik Modlin. The boy was starved to death by his parents in their Harlem apartment. Cops found plenty of food in the home, though it was shuttered and locked out of reach. Modlin’s sisters, ages 5, 6 and 7, were rescued from the home, and none of them were able to ingest solid food due to malnourishment.

NJ Homeless Woman ID’d as Victim in NYC Subway Fire Attack: Details of Shocking Crime Unveiled

By
Sholom Schreirber
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61-year-old Debrina Kawam, a NJ resident, was burned to death on a Brooklyn F train. Credit: indiatimes.com

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a shocking and deeply disturbing tragedy reported by The New York Post, 61-year-old Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey resident, was brutally burned to death on a Brooklyn F train on December 22. The New York Police Department confirmed her identity this week, shedding light on the grim circumstances surrounding her final moments. The horrifying incident has raised urgent questions about public safety, the shelter system, and immigration enforcement failures.

According to the report that appeared on Tuesday in The New York Post, Kawam was sleeping on the stationary train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station around 7:30 a.m. when Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal Guatemalan immigrant, allegedly set her on fire. Video footage described by The New York Post captures the chilling moment when Zapeta-Calil fanned the flames engulfing Kawam and then calmly observed her burning body from a nearby bench on the platform.

The New York Post further reported that Kawam was described as homeless by the Coalition for the Homeless. She had been living in New York City shelters since at least September 9 and was assigned a bed at the Franklin Williams Women’s Shelter in the Bronx on November 30. However, she left the facility on December 2, leaving her vulnerable and without stable shelter.

Authorities struggled to identify her remains due to the severity of the burns, as detailed in The New York Post report. Ultimately, it was her fingerprints that confirmed her identity. Sources told The Post that Kawam was alive at the time she was set on fire, with a walker and several bags nearby—objects that symbolize the transient and challenging life she had been navigating.

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, the man charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson, is currently being held at Rikers Island without bail, according to The New York Post. Federal immigration authorities revealed to The Post that Zapeta-Calil first entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 but was deported less than a week later. Despite this, he managed to re-enter the country and eventually settled in New York City.

By March 2023, Zapeta-Calil had entered the city’s shelter system, where, according to The New York Post, his struggles with substance abuse became apparent. Shelter resident Raymond Robinson told The Post that Zapeta-Calil was addicted to the synthetic drug K2 and regularly drank Voda vodka, described as “the cheapest s–t there is.”

Robinson, who shared sleeping quarters with Zapeta-Calil, described him as a person who was mostly self-destructive when under the influence but not outwardly violent. “He would bug out and talk to himself when he was high, but never harmed nobody but himself,” Robinson told The New York Post.

These revelations paint a picture of a man struggling with severe addiction and mental health challenges, raising difficult questions about the efficacy of support systems for vulnerable individuals in shelters and whether red flags were missed that could have prevented this tragedy.

The New York Post report highlighted the repeated failures of both immigration authorities and local support systems to intervene effectively. Zapeta-Calil’s illegal re-entry into the U.S. and subsequent integration into the shelter system without meaningful oversight expose significant gaps in immigration enforcement and social service safeguards.

Meanwhile, Debrina Kawam’s tragic story underscores the vulnerability of those experiencing homelessness, particularly women who rely on shelters for safety and stability. As reported by The New York Post, Kawam was assigned shelter space but left, either by choice or circumstance, just weeks before her gruesome death.

NYPD Commish Jessica Tisch Purges Internal Affairs Bureau in Wake of Maddrey Scandal

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Credit: NYC Dept of Sanitation

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In an unprecedented move to restore integrity and accountability within the New York Police Department (NYPD), Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch executed a sweeping purge of the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) and key leadership positions across the force. According to a report on Saturday in The New York Post, the shakeup comes in response to explosive allegations surrounding former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, who was accused of trading overtime hours for sexual favors with Lieutenant Quathisha Epps.

On Saturday, Tisch began her housecleaning with the Internal Affairs Bureau, the NYPD’s watchdog division tasked with investigating misconduct within the ranks. Deputy Chief Chris Morello, the bureau’s second-in-command, was removed from his post. This follows the earlier ousting of IAB Chief Miguel Iglesias on December 21—the same day The New York Post published its damning exposé on Maddrey.

The fallout didn’t stop there. Inspector Joseph Profeta, previously in charge of IAB’s Group 1, which investigates misconduct allegations against NYPD officers ranked captain and above, was reassigned to Patrol Borough Brooklyn North. Similarly, Inspector Michael Ricciardi of IAB Special Ops was transferred to Patrol Borough Manhattan North. Additionally, more than a dozen IAB supervisors, including lieutenants and sergeants, were relocated to precincts across the city, as per internal documents obtained by The New York Post.

A source told The New York Post that these changes were the result of a glaring “lack of oversight” within IAB, which failed to properly address the misconduct allegations and overtime abuse scandal brewing under Maddrey’s leadership. “Tisch means business,” the source said. “She’s cleaning up the mess and putting the department back on track.”

The dramatic restructuring comes in the aftermath of The New York Post’s exclusive report detailing allegations made by Lieutenant Quathisha Epps. Epps claimed that Maddrey coerced her into sexual encounters in his office between eight and ten times in exchange for extraordinary overtime opportunities. Epps, who earned more than $400,000 in 2024, alleged a pattern of abuse and misconduct that has now triggered multiple investigations.

In response to the scandal, six members of Maddrey’s office—including five detectives and one police officer—were reassigned, with many sent to patrol public housing areas. The transfers signal Commissioner Tisch’s commitment to rooting out any remaining remnants of Maddrey’s influence within the NYPD’s leadership structure.

A veteran officer with over 20 years of experience told The New York Post, “If you want to show that you are genuinely trying to change the face of the department and get rid of all of Maddrey’s cronies, this is the best way to do it.”

Earlier this month, Commissioner Tisch had already begun dismantling systemic issues within the NYPD. According to The New York Post, she reversed the controversial practice of “telephone message transfers,” where officers were improperly reassigned without formal documentation. This practice created personnel shortages in key areas, leading to slower response times and reduced police presence on city streets.

In a December 9 memo obtained by The New York Post, Tisch ordered approximately 500 officers to return to their original assignments, aiming to restore operational efficiency and accountability across precincts.

While Maddrey abruptly retired following The New York Post’s damning exposé, he continues to deny allegations of coercion, claiming instead that his relationship with Epps was “consensual.” His attorney, Lambros Lambrou, stated that Maddrey did not have the authority to sign off on overtime pay, implying that Epps’ earnings were not connected to their alleged relationship.

Guardian Angels Return to Patrol NYC Subways in Response to Arson Murder

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
“We’re going to have to increase our numbers, increase the training, and increase our presence as we did back in 1979,” Sliwa stated at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station, where the victim was killed. The murder, described by authorities as unprovoked, has sparked calls from the public for the Guardian Angels to help address safety concerns. Credit: AP

By: Jordan Baker

The Guardian Angels, the iconic red-beret-wearing volunteer patrol group, are returning to New York City’s subway system in response to last week’s horrific arson murder of a sleeping woman on an F train. Curtis Sliwa, the group’s founder, announced Sunday that the Angels are bolstering their ranks to levels not seen since their formation in 1979.

“We’re going to have to increase our numbers, increase the training, and increase our presence as we did back in 1979,” Sliwa stated at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station, where the victim was killed. The murder, described by authorities as unprovoked, has sparked calls from the public for the Guardian Angels to help address safety concerns.

Following the gruesome crime, Sliwa claimed that “hundreds of citizens” have urged the Angels to resume subway patrols. The group, which last patrolled the transit system in 2020, has begun focusing on trains starting at the Stillwell Avenue station.

“We’re covering the actual trains from front to back, walking through and making sure everything is okay,” Sliwa told the New York Post. He emphasized the group’s role in preventing bystander apathy. “It was an example of people just not getting involved,” he said, referencing the lack of intervention during the recent attack. “You see something, you say something. You gotta do something.”

The Guardian Angels plan to conduct wellness checks on homeless individuals and those with emotional disturbances, provide water to those in need, and report issues to the NYPD. Sliwa underscored the dire need for their presence, comparing today’s subway conditions to those in the late 1970s when he first established the group.

“We went from 13 members to 1,000 within a year because the need was there. The need is here now once again,” Sliwa said. “I’ve never seen it this bad. Never.”

The group’s resurgence comes as authorities continue investigating the tragic murder. Police arrested Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant, for allegedly starting the fire that claimed the life of an unidentified woman.

The Angels’ return has sparked a mix of support and skepticism. While many New Yorkers welcome their presence, some question its effectiveness. “It won’t get fixed overnight, but, yeah, it sounds good,” an MTA worker told the Post. “I think it’ll help. I don’t think the cops downstairs are going to like it, but yeah. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are no cops up here.”

City officials, however, were less enthusiastic. A representative for Mayor Eric Adams dismissed Sliwa’s announcement as a “meaningless stunt.” In a statement, City Hall touted the administration’s deployment of 1,000 police officers per day in the subway system, emphasizing that transit crime has declined under the mayor’s leadership.

Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels in 1979 while working as a night manager at a McDonald’s in the Bronx. Starting with just 13 volunteers, the group grew to thousands of members worldwide at its peak. Despite accusations of exaggerating their exploits in the past, the Angels remain a recognizable and generally respected force in New York City.

“Our goal is to make sure New Yorkers feel safe again,” Sliwa said. “

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