Latest news with #Christensen
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Conservation groups, Forest Service, argue merits and harms of Big Belts logging operation
(Photo courtesy of Pixabay | Public domain). Conservation groups argued in federal court that a forest management project comprising 1,241 acres of timber harvest east of Helena may violate several federal statutes, but the government lawyers said rules were followed and the timber sale has economic and public interest benefits. Three conservation groups, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Native Ecosystems Council and the Council on Fish and Wildlife filed suit against the U.S. Forest Service in the U.S. District Court in Missoula against the Wood Duck Project and seek a preliminary injunction to halt work. On Tuesday, they argued their case before Judge Dana Christensen, alleging the project violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Forest Management Act, that the government had failed to include data showing possible negative impact on wildlife, and that the Forest Service had ignored points of concern from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 'This is not just a procedural claim. It is a hard look at substantive environmental protections,' Rebecca Smith, counsel for the conservation groups, said during arguments on June 3. Smith argued two species in particular would be harmed by the logging project — elk and grizzly bears — due to an increased density of temporary roads constructed. As part of the forest management project, two companies were awarded timber sales. One company, Sun Mountain Lumber, which was awarded 356 acres of timber sale, filed as a party to the lawsuit, claiming substantial harm if the project is halted. Sun Mountain Lumber began its operations on the sale last fall, constructing several miles of temporary road and cutting 199 acres of lumber, according to court documents. Its operations are expected to resume around mid-June. Judge Christensen raised the timing of the lawsuit as a potential issue to the plaintiff's claims. 'I don't understand, when we've got an (environmental assessment) that was issued in April of 2024, a contract that was awarded to Sun Mountain on September 17 of 2024, why we had to wait until logging activities are about to resume up there… and come into this court and seek temporary relief?' Christensen said. 'That concerns me.' The Wood Duck Project is located in the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in the Big Belt Mountains. The total project area is roughly 70,000 acres, of which there will be 1,241 acres of commercial logging, 15 miles of temporary road construction, 10 miles of road reconstruction and 8 miles of road reconditioning. A portion of the temporary roads will be constructed in elk wintering grounds, according to the project plan, which the plaintiffs argue will decrease elk habitat effectiveness. '90 to 95% of the elk in this hunting district are already being displaced from public National Forest lands because of poor (habitat) elk security. And these are areas that would otherwise provide good elk habitat if there was security,' Smith said, quoting from comments made by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks about the project. 'There is nowhere in the project (environmental assessment) that the Forest Service disclose to the public that the current status of this area is that already 90 to 95% of elk are being displaced.' The plaintiffs also challenged the logging project on the basis of affecting grizzly bear habitat connectivity. Although there is no known population of grizzlies in the Big Belts, the area provides a possible route between grizzlies in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, centered around the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, and Yellowstone National Park. The plaintiffs argued that increased road density harms that connectivity. '(Part of the project area) already has a road density of 2.6 miles per square mile. That is far and away, a road density level that is too high for grizzly bears,' Smith said. '…It's not really possible for the Forest Service to say that it's maintaining connectivity for grizzly bears in this area.' But Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Nordhagen Cziok, said the plaintiffs were mischaracterizing their arguments as a 'false choice between logging, and elk and grizzly bears.' 'Really this entire case is meant to work towards vegetative desired conditions, and that means ensuring that there's health in the forest, making sure that the trees are resilient to changes in the environment, like fires, drought, disease,' Cziok said, adding that the species of concern would ultimately benefit. In her arguments, Cziok said the plaintiffs had failed to show they would suffer irreparable harm from the logging, the last-minute timeline showed a lack of urgency, and the Forest Service's environmental assessment had correctly weighed possible harms to wildlife. Cziok added the logging project was substantially changed during the public processes that accompany an environmental assessment, including in response to comments by FWP, cutting it from a 3,000-acre logging operation to one half that size. 'Really, the project we are considering today is not the same project that Fish, Wildlife and Parks wrote to the Forest Service about. It's a very different project,' she told the court. 'Importantly, at the beginning of that letter Fish, Wildlife and Parks said, 'We are generally in favor of this project.' That's because this project seeks to maintain a healthy, diverse forest.' Tyson McLean, attorney for Sun Mountain Lumber, said the company has made significant investment in the Wood Duck sale, could lose up to $3 million in revenue if the sale is halted, and that the harvested lumber would support operations of the company's lumber mills for months. At a time where lumber mills in Montana have been closing due to labor shortages and low lumber prices, timber sales like Wood Duck are essential to the remaining mills, McLean said. 'Sun Mountain employs approximately 65 people at its Livingston mill whose livelihoods would be jeopardized by the delay or cancellation of harvest activities,' he told the court. 'Sun Mountain is unable to pivot and find another viable option to replace the raw material that they are planning on or the volume of timber from the Wood Duck timber sale.' 'It's too late,' McLean said. Smith, on behalf of the conservation groups, said at the end of arguments that because the Sun Mountain timber sale was partially completed, the plaintiffs would be open to allowing the remaining 143 acres to be logged, and would seek an injunction against the remaining timber sales. Christensen said he would work to deliver an expedient ruling due to the impending restart of Sun Mountain's operations, but again took issue with the plaintiff's last-minute actions in the case. 'I do not like getting motions for temporary restraining orders days or weeks before a project is to recommence where logging has already taken place, when this claim could have been brought 10 months ago,' Christensen said. 'I am getting overwhelmed with requests for temporary restraining orders — overwhelmed — and every time a temporary restraining order is filed … that takes priority over everything else that I'm doing. And when I have a case where the issues could have been brought before me months ago that now has found its way into a temporary restraining order, I'm concerned.' Two of the conservation groups were previously successful in halting a large-scale logging project near Townsend in 2024, settling a suit with the Forest Service. The settlement allowed the government to proceed with a project tens of thousands of acres smaller than originally proposed. Wood Duck preliminary injunction brief U.S. Forest Service opposition to motion for injunction
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andreas Christensen picks his ultimate Barcelona XI full of icons and heroes
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen recently took some time to reflect on the rich history of the club by revealing his all-time favourite Barça starting XI. Speaking to the club's official media, the Danish centre-back picked a star-studded line-up filled with iconic players who have left a lasting impact on the Camp Nou. Advertisement His choices were a mix of footballing royalty, personal favourites, and teammates he's had the honour of sharing the pitch with. From rock-solid defenders to creative midfielders and game-changing forwards, Christensen's XI is a tribute to the club's greatest talents. Solid at the back, magic in the midfield In goal, Christensen had no doubts, as Victor Valdes was his pick. The Dane praised the legendary goalkeeper as a key figure in one of the greatest club teams ever. 'He was part of one of the best teams that has ever existed,' he said. His backline included Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Ronald Koeman and Jordi Alba. Each player, in Christensen's eyes, brought something unique to the team. 'Puyol's passion for football was incredibly important for the team,' he added. On Alba, whom he played alongside at Barça, he remarked, 'I saw how incredibly good he is, his assists and how he always pushed forward.' In midfield, Christensen selected Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Michael Laudrup. He spoke highly of Busquets' composure under pressure: Advertisement 'It was an honour to play with him. I don't know how, but he always turned in the right direction, never feeling the pressure.' Iniesta, his personal favourite, and Laudrup, his fellow Dane, completed a midfield full of elegance and intelligence. A front three that needs no introduction Up front, Christensen went with the legendary trio of Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, and Ronaldinho. The defender did not feel the need to explain this choice, simply stating that their inclusion 'needs no explanation.' All three changed the way football is played and helped shape the identity of FC Barcelona.
New York Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Ritchie Torres urges Capitol Police to probe baby-faced, anti-Israel social media star who urged support for terror suspect
Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres urged the Capitol Police to investigate alleged threats from a baby-faced anti-Israel activist who urged support for the gunman accused of killing two Israel Embassy staffers in DC. Guy Christensen, the Keffiyeh wearing 19-year-old from Pennsylvania who uses the handle 'YourFavoriteGuy,' posted a three-minute video rant on X May 22 trashing Torres as a tool of the Zionist lobby who backs genocide. 4 Guy Christensen, in his video threatening United States Representative Ritchie Torres posted to X on May 22, 2025. X/@guychristensen 'Now, Ritchie, screenshots are forever, and what you've said and done will haunt your family for eternity, as you will eventually, if you're still alive, end up in a Nuremberg trial,' Christiansen said in the video. Last week, Christen urged his nearly 1 million online followers to 'support'' 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who is accused of gunning down the two Israeli Embassy diplomats in a rant so vile that TikTok yanked it. Torres, in a Tuesday letter sent to US Capitol Chief of Police Thomas Manger said, 'The phrase `if you're still alive' carries a chilling and menacing implication—suggesting that I may be targeted or harmed. 4 Ritchie Torres speaks to supporters of Israel and the release of the hostages in Central Park. LP Media 'These words raise serious concerns about whether Mr. Christensen is inciting violence or encouraging others to take action against me.' Torres called Christensen a 'self-proclaimed apologist for violence and terror against anyone who dares to be a Zionist.' 'He has openly defended the cold-blooded murder of a young Jewish couple and has lionized their murderer as a `resistance fighter.' He has made it crystal clear that he holds no moral objection to violence against Zionists—a category in which I figure prominently,' the Bronx congressman told Manger. 4 Torres called Christensen a 'self-proclaimed apologist for violence and terror against anyone who dares to be a Zionist.' X/@guychristensen 'Given the sharp rise in threats against Members of Congress and other public officials in recent years, I am compelled to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and to err on the side of caution.' The US Capitol Police said they wouldn't comment on potential investigations. In his video, Christiansen called Torres as an 'AIPAC millionaire' — referring to support from the Israel American Public Affairs Committee and meeting with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel, who referred to fighting against 'human animals' two days after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack against the Jewish State. 4 Christiansen's initial TikTok rant supporting Elias Rodriguez has since been wiped off of the platform. 'Ritchie is going to keep on meeting … Zionist officials who are wanted for war crimes. So, shame on Ritchie. He is a Zionist scumbag. And I hope the money he sleeps on at night his pajamas blood red. Thank you and free Palestine,' Christensen said in closing his blast of Torres. The Post reached out to Christiansen for comment.
Mint
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Cannibal killer's daughter reveals chilling details of the night before murder, ‘This is the last thing you'll ever eat'
Jamie-Lee Arrow, 23, met her father, Isakin Jonsson, in 2024 after four years. Known as the 'Skara Cannibal' in Sweden, Jonsson was jailed in a psychiatric hospital in 2011 for killing and eating parts of his girlfriend, Helle Christensen. Arrow was only nine when the crime happened. A new true crime show on Discovery, Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks, shares their story. Over the years, Arrow battled depression and drug addiction. She stayed in touch with Jonsson, who suggested strange rituals like using voodoo dolls and selling her soul. At 13, she discovered what 'cannibal' meant and felt betrayed. Though their meeting felt emotional and warm at first, she later realised he had manipulated her since childhood. "I read some articles, and then I understood what the word meant. But, by then, my dad had me wrapped around his finger. He made himself a good person, and his girlfriend was the villain. He brainwashed me to believe that," Arrow told Fox News. Arrow grew up in two very different homes. Her mother's place felt loving and normal, but her father's home was dark and disturbing. He watched scary horror movies and made creepy voodoo dolls. Sometimes he was "the perfect dad". But, his mood changed fast. He could suddenly push her away. At age nine, Arrow met Christensen, her father's girlfriend, and saw her as a 'second mother'. Although Christensen loved him, Arrow never felt her father loved her back. They laughed sometimes but fought violently too. "He lost touch with reality. I felt like I was losing my dad more and more. The happy times became rarer," she said. During the 'worst weekend' of her life, she saw Christensen for the last time. "She cooked some food for us. As she served it, she went, like, 'Enjoy your meal because this is the last thing you'll ever eat from me because your dad is going to kill me.' That's one of the last things I ever heard her say," Arrow said. It turned out to be true. Arrow never saw Christensen again. When Arrow turned 18, her father asked her if she wanted to know how he had murdered Christensen. 'He showed no remorse. He almost said it with passion. And, I was sitting there wanting to throw up. He almost had a smirk on his face,' she said. 'That's the first time I truly felt in my body that my dad was not well. This man is sick," she added.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
19-year-old with 1 million TikTok followers defends Elias Rodriguez, calls him ‘resistance fighter' in rant video
A teenage social media influencer with a massive online following sparked outrage after he publicly expressed support for the man who is accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC, reported the New York Post. Guy Christensen, a 19-year-old college freshman from Pennsylvania who goes by the handle 'YourFavoriteGuy,' uploaded a video to TikTok on Thursday saying, 'I want to urge you first to support Elias' actions,' referring to Elias Rodriguez, the 31-year-old suspect in Wednesday's fatal shooting of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26. Also read: DC shooter Elias Rodriguez's alleged social media profile, photo surface Christensen, often seen wearing a keffiyeh in his videos, dismissed criticism in an interview with the outlet, saying, 'I think the only people who are interpreting that as such are the people'' who are using the slayings of "those two Zionist officials … as a pretence to silence critics of Israel.' The video, which had garnered over 632,000 views before being removed, described Lischinsky as a 'war criminal.' Christensen made no distinction for Milgrim, saying, 'And the same was true for the woman.' Speaking to the outlet by phone, Christensen added, 'You will not hear me sympathise with war criminals.' He also rejected the idea that Rodriguez was a terrorist, stating, 'He is a resistance fighter.' In the now-deleted original video, Christensen said, 'I do not condemn the elimination of those two Zionist officials who worked at the Israeli Embassy last night … and here's why. Israel has a live-streamed a genocide to the entire world the last two years. You cannot expect to do such a thing in this world without the people standing up to fight to stop you in any way they can, to resist against you.' Christensen continued to defend his stance, telling the outlet, 'I think it's very shameful that the media would rather cover Elias Rodriguez over the death of hundreds of Palestinians yesterday.' Although TikTok removed the video, Christensen revealed that he had successfully appealed its removal twice. 'It was taken down a third time and that there would be no appeal,' he said. Christensen currently has 321,000 followers on TikTok, 419,000 on Instagram, and 88,500 on X. Also read: India calls out Pakistan at UNSC over Pahalgam attack: 'Army officials attended terrorists' funeral' TikTok responded to the ordeal, stating that the content was removed for 'violating our Community Guidelines.' According to the outlet, the spokesperson said, 'Our Community Guidelines prohibit anyone from promoting violent or hateful actors, and we do not allow conspiracy theories that are violent or hateful, such as denying well-documented violent events.' Christensen's video was among several troubling social media posts that emerged following the embassy attack. One such post came from Skigh Johnson, a Canadian woman in her 20s, who uploaded a TikTok video of herself smiling while writing, 'To the people who [gun emoji] and unalived 2 Israelis in Washington DC then screamed free Palestine at their [skull emoji] bodies. I love you and I will help make sure you're taken care of in jail,' ending with kiss and party emojis. Johnson has over 13,000 followers on TikTok, and her clip had been viewed hundreds of times by Friday evening. Public officials and experts condemned the disturbing content and called for stricter control over online hate speech. 'TikTok by allowing this content — and just as insidiously utilising an algorithm that exposes people to this hateful speech even when they are not searching for it — is exacerbating antisemitism and violence,' said New York City Councilwoman Julie Menin. 'At what point does TikTok bear responsibility for spreading hate speech and inciting a violent call to action?' David Zimmerman, a senior research fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism, pointed out that while social media may not initiate radicalisation, it accelerates the process. 'Ideally, social media sites are picking up on this type of activity, but I don't know if the companies have enough resources to put toward it — that's the scary part,' he said. 'It's going to fall on communities, it's going to fall on families, it's going to fall on education.' State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic echoed similar concerns, saying, 'It's very clear that social media platforms, unwittingly or not, facilitate antisemitism, so they're implicated in the violence that emanates from it. We'll have to figure out a public policy answer to that, a solution to that, but it is very clear that these social media platforms are targets and hotbeds for violent extremist antisemitism, antisemitic content at an alarming rate. There's very little difference between people who murder Jews and those who cheer them on or swipe through their content.' Representative Dan Goldman of New York warned, 'What has been allowed to fester in the dark corners of the Internet is now bursting into the open with deadly consequences. It is incumbent on all of us — elected officials, tech executives, and everyday Americans — to confront and combat the antisemitism that motivated this attacker wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head.'
