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🔥🚒Provo News: Massive Fire Destroys Three Buildings in Provo, Blocks Trump’s Plan to Place 2,200 USAID Workers, Landslide in Sichuan Province/China.

🔥🚒Provo News: Massive Fire Destroys Three Buildings in Provo, Blocks Trump’s Plan to Place 2,200 USAID Workers, Landslide in Sichuan Province/China.

Issue#263

February 08, 2025

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Local News

Massive Fire Destroys Three Buildings Under Construction in Provo

A massive fire destroyed three buildings under construction in Provo early Saturday morning, causing $4.5 million in damage and widespread power outages. The blaze, which started at 1620 S State just before 3 a.m., burned power lines and overwhelmed the city's emergency dispatch center. Fire crews from Provo, Springville, and Mapleton responded, managing to save a fourth structure. Authorities are investigating all possible causes, including arson, and have requested security footage from the public. Power was fully restored by early morning, and no injuries were reported.

National News

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Place 2,200 USAID Workers on Leave

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from placing 2,200 USAID employees on leave, issuing a temporary restraining order that also reinstates 500 workers already affected. The move follows a lawsuit by two foreign service unions, which claim Trump's efforts to reduce USAID’s workforce to just 300 employees are unconstitutional and illegal. The administration argues the cuts are necessary due to alleged fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds. Plaintiffs warn the mass layoffs have already disrupted global humanitarian aid, impacted employees' lives, and jeopardized U.S. national security interests. The court will continue reviewing the case, as Trump’s actions lack congressional authorization.

International News

Rescuers Search for 30 Missing After Devastating Landslide in Sichuan Province

A landslide in China’s Sichuan province buried 10 houses and left around 30 people missing, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. Emergency teams, including firefighters, were deployed, rescuing two people and evacuating 200 others. Locals had reported frequent rockfalls since mid-2024, with geologists inspecting the area last year. President Xi Jinping called for urgent rescue efforts, while Premier Li Qiang ordered an investigation into geological risks. The government allocated 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) for emergency infrastructure repairs. This disaster follows previous deadly landslides in China, including one in Fujian province last year.

Sports News

Breezy Johnson Claims Gold in Women’s Downhill at Alpine World Championships

American skier Breezy Johnson won gold in the women's downhill at the Alpine skiing world championships in Austria, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead of Austria’s Mirjam Puchner and 0.21 seconds ahead of Czech skier Ester Ledecka. Johnson, 29, secured her first major event medal after a strong second half of her run. The victory comes just two months after returning from a 14-month anti-doping suspension. Lindsey Vonn, making a comeback with a titanium knee, placed 15th, while top contenders like Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia underperformed. The race took place exactly one year before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.