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Firefighter killed in explosion while battling fire near Palmdale

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Firefighter killed in explosion while battling fire near Palmdale

An explosion killed a Los Angeles County firefighter and injured another while they were battling a fire near Palmdale Friday.

The incident happened at a quarry near the 6500 block of East Avenue in Littlerock at around 2.p.m., fire officials said.

Sky5 videos of the scene showed a large tractor, described as an articulated front loader, with flames still visible near the engine and heavy smoke billowing from the vehicle.

Officials confirm the firefighter killed was a 19-year veteran who was assigned to a four-person engine and worked in the Palmdale area. His identity was not yet released.

A body located on a dirt mound near the smoking vehicle was seen covered by an American flag.

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A second firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Antelope Valley Medical Center. He will be released later Friday night.  It’s unknown what initially caused the fire.

Fire crews responded to the scene. By 6: 30 p.m., they were still dowsing the smoking vehicle and working to extinguish the flames.

“He was a wonderful man,” said Anthony Marrone, L.A. County Fire Department Chief, of the victim. “He was married, he’s a father and it’s just such a tragedy.”

The incident will be investigated by the LASD’s Homicide Bureau and the Arson Unit.

“We grieve in solidarity with our brothers and sisters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department,” said LASD Commander Mark Reyes.

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“My heart is heavy to learn that one of our firefighters lost his life when responding to a call in Palmdale,” said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “My deepest condolences to his family and the other firefighters at Station 93. It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers our first responders face every day. We owe them our steadfast support as they grapple with this loss. I’m committed to ensuring our Fire personnel are connected with needed mental health support as they grieve.”

A press conference where officials provided an update can be viewed in the video player above.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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BBC Verify Live: Fact-checking Trump’s unusual new White House presidential plaques

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BBC Verify Live: Fact-checking Trump’s unusual new White House presidential plaques

Videos show rebels on the move in eastern DRC city Uvirapublished at 12:49 GMT

Peter Mwai
BBC Verify senior journalist

We have verified video showing fighters belonging to the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group on the move in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after M23 announced a withdrawal from the city of Uvira in South Kivu province which it seized a week ago.

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The M23 had taken contorl of Uvira despite a ceasefire deal agreed between the governments of Rwanda and DRC and had come under increasing diplomatic pressure to withdraw its forces from the city.

The DRC government has reacted with scepticism, with a spokesperson asking on XL “Where are they going? How many were there? What are they leaving behind in the city? Mass graves? Soldiers disguised as civilians?”

We can’t tell where they are heading, but in the footage we have verified the fighters, together with vehicles, move north past the Uvira police headquarters.

We confirmed where the clips were filmed by matching the distinctively painted road kerbs, buildings and trees to satellite imagery.

The leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition of rebel groups which includes the M23 group, had announced on Monday that the group would withdraw from the city as a “trust-building measure”.

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It followed a request from the US which has been mediating between the governments of Rwanda and DRC.

The rebels remained present in the city after the announcement but on Wednesday M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma announced the group had begun withdrawing troops. The group said it intends to complete the withdrawal today, but has warned against militarisation.

Image source, X
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FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he will step down in January

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FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he will step down in January

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino speaks during a news conference on an arrest of a suspect in the January 6th pipe bomb case at the Department of Justice on Dec. 4, 2025.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images


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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said Wednesday he plans to step down from the bureau in January.

In a statement posted on X, Bongino thanked President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel “for the opportunity to serve with purpose.”

Bongino was an unusual pick for the No. 2 post at the FBI, a critical job overseeing the bureau’s day-to-day affairs traditionally held by a career agent. Neither Bongino nor his boss, Patel, had any previous experience at the FBI.

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Bongino did have previous law enforcement experience, as a police officer and later as a Secret Service agent, as well as a long history of vocal support for Trump.

Bongino made his name over the past decade as a pro-Trump, far-right podcaster who pushed conspiracy theories, including some involving the FBI. He had been critical of the bureau, embracing the narrative that it had been “weaponized” against conservatives and even calling its agents “thugs.”

His tenure at the bureau was at times tumultuous, including a clash with Justice Department leadership over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

But it also involved the arrest earlier this month of the man authorities say is responsible for placing two pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters, hours before the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

In an unusual arrangement, Bongino has had a co-deputy director since this summer when the Trump administration tapped Andrew Bailey, a former attorney general of Missouri, to serve alongside Bongino in the No. 2 job.

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President Trump praised Bongino in brief remarks to reporters before he announced he was stepping down.”Dan did a great job,” Trump said. “I think he wants to go back to his show.”

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Video: Man on Roof Faces Off with ICE Agents for Hours in Minnesota

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Video: Man on Roof Faces Off with ICE Agents for Hours in Minnesota

new video loaded: Man on Roof Faces Off with ICE Agents for Hours in Minnesota

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Man on Roof Faces Off with ICE Agents for Hours in Minnesota

A man clung to a partially built roof for hours in frigid temperatures during a standoff with immigration agents in Chanhassen, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis. The confrontation was part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the state to remove what it calls “vicious criminals.”

“What a [expletive] embarrassment.” “Look at this guy.” “What’s with all the fascists?” “The Lord is with you.” “Where’s the bad hombre? What did this guy do?” “He’s out here working to support his [expletive] family.” “Gestapo agents.” “Oh yeah, shake your head, tough guy.” “This is where you get the worst of the worst right here, hard-working builders.” “Crossing the border is not a crime. Coming illegally to the United States is not a crime, according to you.” “C’mon, get out of here.” “Take him to a different hospital.”

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A man clung to a partially built roof for hours in frigid temperatures during a standoff with immigration agents in Chanhassen, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis. The confrontation was part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the state to remove what it calls “vicious criminals.”

By Ernesto Londoño, Jackeline Luna and Daniel Fetherston

December 17, 2025

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