Millions across the United States are being alerted to brace for potential power outages as extreme fire weather is set to impact nine states over the weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Red Flag Warnings from Arizona to Alaska. A dangerous mix of strong winds, extremely dry air, and parched landscapes threatens to ignite and rapidly spread wildfires.

Forecasters are predicting wind gusts that could soar to 55 mph, paired with plummeting humidity levels possibly dipping to an alarming five percent.

Authorities have declared that conditions are so severe in parts of Utah that they have received the rare ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ warning. Residents are advised to assemble emergency kits and familiarize themselves with evacuation routes.

These warnings encompass regions in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Alaska.

The dangerous fire weather outbreak begins Friday and intensifies over the weekend, with most Red Flag Warnings taking effect between Friday morning and Saturday morning and lasting through Sunday evening in some areas. 

Forecasters cautioned that downed power lines could ignite new fires and trigger blackouts. Residents are being urged to avoid outdoor burning, refrain from using equipment that could create sparks and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

Officials said the threat to life and property is significant and cautioned that safe and timely evacuations may not be possible if a wildfire rapidly approaches.

AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter said in a statement: ‘The damaging winds will themselves result in power outages in some areas, and, especially in the highest-risk areas, electric utilities may initiate Public Safety Power Shutoffs to reduce the chance that their utility infrastructure contributes to wildfire starts.

‘People in these areas should prepare for the risk of power outages, which may last for an extended time in some areas.’ 

The most serious warnings are centered on the Southwest and Intermountain West, where fierce winds are expected to combine with parched landscapes that have already dried out under weeks of hot weather.

Across Utah, southwest winds of 20 to 30mph are expected to gust as high as 50mph while relative humidity levels sink to between five and 10 percent.

Arizona is facing similarly dangerous conditions, with Red Flag Warnings covering large portions of the state, including the Grand Canyon region, the White Mountains and areas surrounding Phoenix and Tucson.

Forecasters warned that winds may damage power lines, potentially sparking new blazes.

A Red Flag Warning is an alert issued by the NWS indicating that critical weather conditions, such as strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, are occurring or will occur within 24 hours. 

California’s eastern Kern County and the Lake Isabella region are also under Red Flag Warnings, with forecasters giving a 70 to 80 percent chance that wind gusts will exceed 55mph on Saturday.

In Colorado, the National Weather Service warned that ‘extreme fire danger is expected’ as winds of up to 55mph sweep across several mountain and valley communities. Officials said any fires that ignite could spread uncontrollably and become highly destructive.

New Mexico, Nevada and Idaho are also under multiple warnings. 

In New Mexico, officials warned that any lightning-started fires could quickly grow under strong winds and dry conditions. 

Nevada’s warnings cite rapidly spreading fires and the potential for extreme fire behavior.

Even Alaska is under Red Flag Warnings as numerous thunderstorms threaten to ignite new fires in dry, burnable fuels.

The NWS repeatedly stressed that a Red Flag Warning does not mean a wildfire is already burning. Instead, it means weather conditions are ideal for a fire to ignite and spread rapidly.

Emergency officials are urging residents in affected areas to review evacuation plans, keep emergency supplies on hand and avoid any activities that could create sparks, including campfires, target shooting and using power equipment near dry vegetation.

A charter school network in San Diego has invested $500,000 in two humanoid robots powered by ChatGPT, promoting this high-tech acquisition as a pioneering advancement in education. However, some critics question if such an extravagant venture is necessary for student learning.

At the heart of this substantial investment stands Ameca, an imposing 6-foot-2 robot with a striking gray silicone face, animated blue eyes, and a transparent skull that emits a purple glow. Its exposed motors create a symphony of movement as it smiles, frowns, and surveys its surroundings.

Officials at Altus Schools have dubbed Ameca the “world’s most advanced AI-powered humanoid robot.” They believe these robots, as part of a pilot initiative, might revolutionize how artificial intelligence can assist in student education.

Designed for students aiming to recover credits and stay on the path to graduation, Altus plans to incorporate these robots into its resource centers. Here, students already benefit from personalized academic support sessions.

In a communication sent to families, Cathryn Rambo, the dean of academic studies at Altus, described the initiative as an “innovative opportunity for your student to participate in a research-based learning experience.”

“We are thrilled to be the first school in the world researching the use of physical AI as a teaching partner,” Rambo wrote to the Voice of San Diego.

Ameca can switch between four different personas: Sage the Teacher, Remi the Wellness Coach, Ari the College and Career Planner and Lexi the Translator, according to the email.

That wellness coach role is drawing some of the sharpest criticism.

“There is no independent evidence at scale that the use of these tools is either effective or safe, or even have a positive impact on the classroom,” Wayne Holmes, a professor of critical studies of artificial intelligence and education at University College London, wrote to the Voice of San Diego. “What we are increasingly hearing are bits of evidence that demonstrate the opposite.”

Holmes’ concerns extend beyond academics.

The report notes that even OpenAI has not fully solved the challenge of making AI chatbots safe for children.

It also points to reports of what has been described as AI-induced psychosis, a term used for cases in which chatbot users developed psychotic tendencies alongside AI conversations or had delusional beliefs reinforced by chatbots’ often sycophantic responses.

According to the report, some people experiencing AI-induced psychosis have died by suicide, and children are considered especially vulnerable to forming unhealthy relationships with AI-powered chatbots.

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A young man from Chicago, aged 20, has been apprehended in connection with a foiled plot to carry out a violent attack during the Freedom 250 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, which was slated to occur at the White House.

On Thursday, federal prosecutors indicted Alexander Iniguez Mercado. He stands accused of being a key figure—as both an administrator and participant—in Signal messaging groups that were used to orchestrate the planned assault on the June 14 event, as reported by Fox News.

Mercado is among eight individuals from various states who face charges related to this conspiracy.

RECORDS SHOW EXTENSIVE WEAPONRY ALLEGEDLY COLLECTED BY OHIO SUSPECT FOR PLANNED UFC EVENT ASSAULT AT WHITE HOUSE

According to the indictment, the FBI contacted Mercado by phone just one day before the White House event to discuss online threats. 

When a special agent asked if Mercado was planning to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the attack, he allegedly denied the plans and refused to meet with law enforcement. 

Immediately after the call, Mercado allegedly uninstalled the Signal app from his phone, rendering the critical message data unavailable to investigators.

Because of the alleged attempt to destroy evidence, Mercado has also been charged with obstruction of justice, according to the DOJ.

Mercado was taken into custody Thursday and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Chicago today at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes. 

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

Hours before the Justice Department confirmed the indictment against Mercado, officials on Friday morning announced the arrest of Ohio teen, Tycen Proper, another suspect in the alleged plot.

Proper, 19, allegedly used $3,000 of his “graduation money” to amass a massive arsenal of weapons and tactical gear before his parents turned him in, News Media previously reported.

His stockpile included an AR-15 rifle, American flag-painted 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to criminal complaints and sheriff’s office reports.

In addition to the guns, he allegedly gathered extensive tactical and survival equipment including ballistic plate carriers, a tactical bump helmet, a loaded battle belt, knives, a hatchet and medical trauma gear.

The alleged plot was disrupted after Proper’s mother called 911 to report his online activities and weapons purchases, noting she removed the guns and ammunition from his room.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

The latest must-have toy sensation might be concealing an unexpected issue.

Squishy dumpling toys have won over both kids and grown-ups, praised for their soothing, squeeze-worthy texture and the excitement of collecting each one.

However, a concerned father from Canada became suspicious after his daughters returned home with several imitation toys that, according to him, gave off ‘a very strong smell.’

Determined to uncover the truth, Jordan Collinet took matters into his own hands by employing an air quality monitor to investigate what might be hidden within the trendy toys.

Originally crafted by RMS, the immense popularity of these toys has triggered a surge of counterfeit versions produced by a variety of manufacturers.

Collinet tested two brand-new knockoff dumplings by placing them inside a ziplock bag with a portable air quality monitor. 

The device measures total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other indicators of indoor air quality. 

The reading quickly hit its maximum display value of 9.999, indicating the sensor detected a very high concentration of airborne chemicals, though the consumer-grade monitor could not identify the specific compounds or determine whether they posed a health risk. 

VOCs and formaldehyde can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and, at high levels or with prolonged exposure, have been linked to headaches, respiratory problems and other health issues. 

Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and lung disease. 

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can deprive the body’s organs of oxygen, while elevated carbon dioxide levels can cause drowsiness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. 

‘Ages three and up,’ Collinet said in a TikTok video, as he pointed to the age restriction on the packaging. 

‘Do you really think this is appropriate for your three-year-old to be putting in their mouths, up to their face, all over their hands, doing whatever else with?’

There is no specific U.S. federal limit for TVOC emissions from toys, so a reading of 9.999 on a portable air quality monitor cannot be directly compared with a legal ‘safe level’ for toys. 

Collinet’s discovery follows testing by the UK’s Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officer, which enforces consumer laws, who detected several potentially harmful airborne chemicals commonly found in plastics, fuels and industrial products.

Rhys Harries, Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officer, said in a statement: ‘These products are clearly attractive to children because they are being driven by online trends, but that does not mean they are safe.

‘When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike. Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas.’

Swansea Council received multiple complaints from parents who said the toys emitted a strong petrol-like odor.

In response, officials tested several products and detected the presence of VOCs. 

‘These substances are associated with the petrol-like smell that has been reported, explained the Council.

The levels identified in test certificates have raised significant safety concerns, and some of the chemicals detected are recognized as hazardous.’ 

Officials also found that many of the toys failed to meet basic safety standards because they were missing important information on their labels. 

Some did not include instructions on what to do if the toy leaks or is punctured, while others lacked the marks showing a product has undergone safety checks. 

‘Social media platforms such as TikTok can accelerate the spread of toy crazes almost overnight, but they can also help point Trading Standards towards the latest fake, unsafe or non-compliant products entering the market,’ said Harries.

‘We would urge parents to be cautious, to buy from reputable retailers, and to check for the correct safety markings and supplier details.

‘We would also ask businesses to be alert to fast-moving trends and make sure the products they stock meet legal safety requirements.’

This week, officials in the UK recalled the dumplings manufactured in China, specifically those sold by Samsons Cash and Carry, which were found to contain an excess concentration of benzene.

CARACAS, Venezuela — In the wake of consecutive earthquakes, Venezuelans have taken it upon themselves to search for missing relatives, expressing frustration over the limited presence of state rescue teams in the most severely affected regions. Although the government claims to be responding robustly, its actions seem to fall short in the eyes of many residents.

The scarcity of official assistance has only deepened the despair of many families, as the urgency to locate people buried under rubble grows more intense by the hour. As of Friday, the disaster’s impact neared the 48-hour mark, a critical period for rescuing survivors alive according to aid organizations. Rescue chances diminish significantly beyond the first 72 hours unless those trapped have access to food and water.

Meanwhile, international relief efforts have ramped up, with over 24 rescue teams arriving or planning to land in Venezuela to aid in search and recovery missions. This global response underscores widespread concern and support for the affected communities.

According to authorities, the powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have resulted in at least 920 fatalities and left 3,360 individuals injured since they struck late Wednesday.

“Each person saved is a miracle,” remarked Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, encapsulating the grim but hopeful spirit of the ongoing rescue endeavors.

Anxious families wait to see if their relatives survived
Desperate families across northern Venezuela searched in the ruins of buildings for family members and whatever remained of their lives.

Nazareth Jimenez sobbed into the shoulder of a loved one as she watched neighbors try to cut through slabs of concrete with hammers and power tools in a building reduced to a mountain of debris. “My god, how are we going to get them out of there?” she murmured.

She was in the northern state of La Guaira, just north of the capital of Caracas, where some of the worst destruction unfolded. Jimenez was wracked with anxiety as she waited to see if her siblings, nephews, nieces and friends would emerge from the debris alive.

“We’re making a call for help to governments of countries across the world,” she said, pleading for machines that would be capable of moving collapsed structures. “There are still people alive in there.”

Government forces distributed food and water to survivors in La Guaira as acting President Delcy Rodríguez said authorities were mounting a full response. She welcomed the arrival of rescuers and humanitarian aid from all over the world. Rodríguez said La Guaira had been militarized and that more help was on the way, even as residents said it was just a fraction of the aid they needed.

The number of dead was expected to climb, with thousands of people reported missing.

“We are going to rescue the people who are trapped,” she said. “We are working tirelessly on this task.”

Quakes leave millions of people reeling

The International Organization for Migration said that up to 6.76 million people in Venezuela could be affected by the quakes, some 2 million of them in Caracas alone. Loyce Pace, the International Red Cross’ regional director for the Americas, said “people are still terrified to reenter what were their homes.” Buildings across northern Venezuela were reduced to skeletons, with furniture hanging out of windows and helicopters circling overhead.

Desperation started to sink on Friday as many families still had not found their missing loved ones, and they had minimal equipment for rescue efforts. Many of them continued to sleep in the street and grew hungry.

In Catia La Mar, a community adjacent to the country’s main airport, people swarmed a civilian pickup truck that was giving out loaves of bread and water. A soldier intervened to allow the vehicle to leave. People turned the parking lot of a pharmacy into makeshift shelter by setting up tarps, hammocks and tents.

Omar Reyes walked through the remains of what was once his home, calling out the names of wife and children. He received no response.

Around 20 family members have died. Two of his four children are buried in the debris.

“I’ve been left alone in this life,” he said quietly.

International aid is on the way

On the country’s main highway, caravans of state forces, emergency personnel, dump trucks and heavy machinery moved in the direction of the tragedy. A civilian pickup truck carrying thin mattresses had its windows marked with “Help from Trujillo.” Venezuela’s government said it had diverted emergency services to La Guaira state.

Firefighters from the state of Tachira, which borders Colombia, were among those being deployed for the search and rescue efforts in La Guaira.

Firefighting Gen. Antonio Briceño said 45 firefighters and a trained dog, aptly named Rescue, expected to reach affected sites in the coming days.

“We are bringing shovels, picks, hydraulic tools, drinking water, which are needed at the site,” Briceño said.

Some 1,000 emergency responders in 25 search-and-rescue teams from across the globe were on their way to Venezuela, said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The assistance included help from Germany, Chile, Switzerland, Turkey, China, Qatar, Brazil, Portugal and Canada, as well as teams from El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spoke to Rodríguez following the quake, said the United States was immediately deploying assistance. On Thursday night, the U.S. Treasury moved to waive sanctions until Oct. 23 to allow transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited.

Venezuelan TV on Friday showed the arrival of rescuers with dogs and equipment, including cameras and ground-penetrating radar, from Spain.

Government and rescuers face huge challenges

Media reports have shared notable moments of hope, including a young man brought out on a stretcher in the San Bernardino district of Caracas to the applause of onlookers as his tearful mother said, “Leandro, I love you.”

Venezuelan TV broadcast video of a girl covered in dust and wrapped in a sweatshirt as she emerged from rubble with the help of rescuers. Caracas metropolitan rescue team head José Luis Núñez said she was found in a 10-story building in La Guaira that collapsed and flattened “like a pancake.”

“We want to highlight this girl’s strength, determination and will to live,” Núñez said.

Despite that, the natural disaster poses a huge challenge for Rodríguez, the former vice president who took office in January after the capture and removal from power of then-President Nicolás Maduro by the United States. Venezuela has been facing economic disarray for more than a decade and many people reject the legitimacy of the political movement Rodríguez represents.

Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday. She said the government was creating a $200 million reconstruction fund for damaged hospitals and homes.

The U.S. Geological Survey said both earthquakes were centered near Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of Caracas. The one-two punch of the quakes, combined with the shallow seismic movements, amplified the destruction, said Marcos Ferreira, a geophysicist and researcher at the Geological Survey of Brazil.

“It is as if I am screaming and then someone starts screaming, too. That amplifies the vibration and adds to the potential hazard,” Ferreira said.

___

Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Associated Press journalists Julie Watson in San Diego and Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Teresa Medrano in Madrid, contributed to this report.

A 34-year-old woman reported suffering severe injuries during a robbery after attending a World Cup viewing event in Southern California last week. Adding to her distress, she claimed that bystanders did not intervene to assist her.

Jennifer Silva recounted to KTLA that the terrifying attack took place on June 18 just outside a Hooters located in downtown Long Beach.

According to Silva, after she finished watching an intense soccer match at the restaurant, she was suddenly attacked by a thief.

“The last thing I recall was someone grabbing my purse while saying, ‘I’m going to need that,’” Silva detailed.

The assailant relentlessly beat her in an attempt to seize her possessions, resulting in a broken jaw, a dislocated wrist, and a fractured finger.

The suspect ended up taking her property before fleeing the scene.

When the woman, who also lost teeth and suffered cuts and bruises in the altercation, realized what had just happened, she said she noticed bystanders not doing a thing to make sure she was all right.

“There were crowds around me and nobody called 911,” Silva said. “Nobody helped me. I got attacked violently and I don’t know why.”

Silva was eventually spotted by police around 30 minutes after the incident and transported to a nearby hospital.

She wrote in a GoFundMe set up to pay for her medical bills that she’ll now need reconstructive jaw surgery and multiple dental procedures to fix her injuries.

“It’s a long road of recovery,” she said. “A long road of, ‘You need to get this done, you need to get that done.’ I know I’m going to get through this, but it’s taking a lot of strength to keep it together.”

The Long Beach Police Department is investigating the matter, but no suspects have been identified, according to KTLA.

An individual, claiming insider knowledge about Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping, now asserts possession of video proof alongside information about two perpetrators involved. This claim was reported by TMZ’s founder, Harvey Levin, who received the tip-off.

Levin has disclosed this new email as part of a sequence of communications he has received since the start of the case. The source of these messages alleges awareness of the fate of the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Law enforcement officials have yet to verify the authenticity of the initial two notes, as well as the emails to TMZ. Opinions within the investigation’s circle remain divided on their validity.

While some members of the investigative team dismiss the ransom notes as fabrications, others remain cautious, hesitant to form conclusions given that Guthrie is still missing, sources shared with Fox News and News Media.

“I have a phone stashed in a secure location guaranteeing both the information it stores and the safety of the phone,” the sender wrote, according to Levin. “What it contains is my definition of delivering them on a silver platter, a short video of the main guy with Nancy the day that was probably her last, pictures of both involved, names and addresses and age.”

In a video posted to X Friday, Levin challenged the sender to prove it.

“If you’ve got something, send it,” he said, urging the sender to prove he or she isn’t a fraudster.

The emailer has sought various sums of up to $100,000 for the information they claim to be able to provide and is now asking for a single Bitcoin, worth about $60,000 Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, there is more than $1 million available from Guthrie’s daughter, “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, for her mother’s return. And 88-Crime, Tucson’s Crime Stoppers affiliate, is offering $102,500 for information leading to an arrest in the case, which can be claimed anonymously.

Levin said he sent the email to the FBI, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

TMZ claims to have authenticated the email, with Levin explaining that the message included a Bitcoin account that had not been publicly revealed but had been included in earlier messages.

The sender also appears to be following news updates on the case — questioning recent reports that he or she may be a female and reacting to viral reports about a false alarm last week.

“I am not the idiot who recently called in a tip about her burial site in Mexico,” the sender allegedly wrote.

Anyone with information on Guthrie’s case is asked to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI. There is a combined reward of more than $1.2 million for information that cracks the case.

Tips can be provided anonymously to Tucson’s Crime Stoppers affiliate, 88-Crime, at 1-520-882-7463.