I was stalked on a foggy December evening

 The fog was thick, wrapping the streetlights in a soft, spectral glow. It was a Friday evening, the kind where the air hung heavy with the promise of the weekend and the scent of distant pine trees. I hurried along the sidewalk with my shopping bags and purse. The cold mist clung to my hair, turning the loose strands into a damp halo around my face. I had finished my Christmas shopping and was eager to get home and warm up with a cup of tea.

A rustle of leaves behind me made me glance over my shoulder. The street was empty, except for a figure that seemed to emerge from the fog. It was a woman, her silhouette vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. I quickened my pace, the cold seeping into my bones. The woman behind me did the same, matching my rhythm step for step. My heart began to race. I am being followed! I decided to take a detour, ducking into a side alley to throw her pursuer off.

As I turned the corner, my eyes searched the foggy street for any sign of the mysterious woman. The silence was eerie, the only sound the distant hum of a car's engine. I let out a sigh of relief, thinking she had lost her. But as I turned again, my eyes widened in shock. The woman was there, standing under a streetlight, watching me intently. My heart skipped a beat. How did she manage to catch up so quickly?

My mind raced as she picked up my pace, the fog swirling around her like a living entity. The woman followed, my footsteps echoing in the quiet night. My eyes darted from side to side, looking for a shortcut, a hiding place, or anything that could give me the upper hand. The fog grew denser, turning the familiar route into a labyrinth of shadow and mist. My thoughts grew as frantic as her steps. Who was this woman, and what did she want? The fear grew stronger with every step closer to home. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew her, yet I couldn't put a name or a face to the shadowy figure.

My house was in sight, the warm light of the windows beckoning me like a lighthouse through the fog. I sprinted the last few meters, my lungs burning with the cold air. I fumbled with my keys, the tremor in my hand making it difficult to unlock the door. As I stepped inside and slammed it shut, the figure emerged from the fog. My breath caught in her throat. The woman looked just like me.

We faced each other, my hand clutching the doorknob for support, and the woman's hand resting calmly on the mailbox post. I studied my double's eyes, searching for any hint of malice or deceit. We were the same warm brown, filled with a knowing that seemed to reach into my soul. The woman's smile was eerily familiar, a mirror of my own. My heart hammered in my chest, my thoughts a tumult of confusion and fear.

"Who are you?" I finally managed to ask, my voice a hoarse whisper. The woman tilted her head, her smile widening slightly. "I'm you!" she said, her voice a perfect match to my own. My mind reeled. Impossible. My eyes searched the woman's face for any clue that she was lying. But the longer I stared, the more she saw herself reflected back. I stumbled backwards, the walls of my house closing in around me. The woman took a step forward, the mist swirling at her feet like an otherworldly dress. "Or rather, a part of you," she corrected, her tone soothing, almost kind. My thoughts were a chaotic jumble as I retreated further into the house, the weight of this revelation pressing down on me.

The woman followed me inside, closing the door with a gentle click. My living room was suddenly too small, too filled with the presence of this uncanny stranger. "You look surprised," the double said, her voice carrying the same inflexions and rhythms as mine. My eyes darted around the room, looking for anything I could use as a weapon. But the only thing I found was the comforting familiarity of my own possessions, now seemingly mocking me in the face of this impossibility. "You've been ignoring me for so long, I thought you'd never notice," she continued, her eyes gleaming with an odd mix of amusement and sadness.

"What are you talking about?" My voice was shaking now, my fear giving way to anger. "What part of me?" The woman's smile grew, her eyes never leaving mine. She reached up and pushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, a gesture I recognized as my own. "The part you've been running from," she said. "The part that's been watching you all this time." I felt the floor tilt beneath me. Was I dreaming? Hallucinating? This had to be some sort of trick.

"Look, You need to leave. Right now." But the woman didn't move. Instead, she began to walk around the room, her movements uncannily mirroring my own. My heart hammered in my chest as I watched her double pick up a photo frame, her own face staring back at me. "I've been watching you live your life," the woman said. "Your joys, your sorrows. I've seen it all." I felt a chill run down my spine.

The woman set the frame down and turned to face me, her eyes filled with a strange intensity. "You can't ignore me forever," she said. I took a step back, my hand shaking as I reached for the phone on the coffee table. I needed to call someone, anyone, to make this nightmare end. But as my fingers brushed against the cool plastic, I heard a strange whisper in my mind. It was my own voice, but different, more knowing. "You don't need to be afraid," it said. I froze, the phone slipping from my hand. The woman took another step closer. "I'm here to help you," she said, reaching out my hand. I stared at it, my mind racing. What could this mean? What did she want from me? The fog outside seemed to have seeped into my very core, leaving me lost and unsure. The only thing I knew was that I wasn't ready to find out.

The woman's hand hovered in the air between us, and I felt a strange pull, a magnetic force drawing me closer. My heart pounded as I made the decision. I had to get rid of this intruder, this doppelgänger, beforeI lost myself entirely. With a surge of determination, I turned and sprinted up the stairs, my feet pounding on the wooden treads. The woman's footsteps followed, her calm demeanour never wavering. I slammed my bedroom door shut, the sound echoing through the house. I locked it. The handle rattled, and I felt the weight of the woman's hand on the other side. "We need to talk," the voice said through the wood. I leaned against the door, my eyes squeezed shut. This is my house. My life. And I wasn't going to let some...some...whatever she was take it from me. Not without a fight.

My eyes snapped open, and scanned the room. There had to be something I could use. My eyes fell on my bedside lamp, its heavy base gleaming in the soft light. I grabbed it and held it firmly, ready to defend myself. The door handle stopped moving. I waited, my muscles taut with anticipation. Then, I heard a faint click, and the door began to open. I raised the lamp, my arm shaking with the effort. But the woman didn't come in. Instead, she remained in the hallway, her hand still resting on the knob. I could see her reflection in the mirror across the room, a perfect copy of myself, standing just outside my sanctuary. "Why are you here?" My voice shaking.

The woman stepped into the room, her movements graceful despite the urgency of the situation. I tightened my grip on the lamp, ready to swing at the slightest provocation. But the woman just looked at me, her expression one of gentle concern. "I'm here because you need me," she said. "You've been hiding from yourself for so long,. I'm here to show you the truth." my mind raced. What truth? What was she talking about? The woman's eyes searched my face, and I realized she wasn't looking for an answer. She knew something I didn't. Something important.

The room grew warmer, the fog outside seeping through the cracks in the window. My reflection in the mirror began to blur, the lines of my face smearing like watercolour on wet paper. The woman stepped closer, her hand reaching out again. My arm trembled, the lamp heavy in my hand. "Let me show you," the woman whispered, her voice a siren's call. I felt a strange yearning, a desperate need to know what this other me knew. Slowly, I lowered the lamp. The woman took my hand, her grip firm but not unkind. My eyes closed, and the world around me faded away, leaving only the warmth of the other's touch and the sound of my own racing heart.

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in her bedroom. We were standing in a place I had never seen before. A vast, empty space filled with swirling mist, the echoes of distant laughter and the faint scent of pine. "This is where we come from," the woman said, her voice resonating through the fog. "This is where we return when we're forgotten." I looked down at their joined hands, the same hand that had held my phone, my keys, my life. "What are you?" I managed to ask. The woman's smile was sad. "I'm your potential," she said. "The parts of you that you've left behind, the choices you didn't make. I'm here to remind you. It's never too late to choose a different path." I felt a lump form in her throat. Was it possible? Could I change everything? The fog grew denser, and my thoughts swirled with the mist. What did I want? Who did I want to be? The woman's grip tightened, and I knew I had to decide. But the path ahead was as obscured as the street outside my window. All I could do was take the first step, into the unknown, with my double by my side.

The fog parted, and I saw moments from my past, frozen like photographs in the mist. Each image was a choice I had made, a memory I had buried. The woman guided me through the scenes, pointing out the paths not taken. I felt a pang of regret, but the woman's grip was reassuring. "You can't change the past," she said, "but you can learn from it." I nodded, my eyes misting over as I saw the faces of lost loves, missed opportunities, and forgotten dreams. The woman leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "But you can still choose differently," she whispered. "You can still become everything you've ever wanted to be." I looked up, my eyes meeting my double's, and for the first time, I saw not a threat, but a promise.

We emerged from the fog into a brightly lit street, lined with shops and bustling with people. I recognized it as the route I had taken to work every day for the past five years. Our hands felt a strange sense of loss. "You don't need me anymore," she said, her smile warm. "You're ready to face your fears, to live the life you've always imagined." I stared at her, unsure. "But how do I know what to choose?" The woman's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You already know," she said. "Just listen to your heart." With that, I felt a gentle push, and the woman faded away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk. I looked down at my hand, feeling the emptiness where the woman's grip had been.

The fog had lifted, and the world was clear. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the woman's words. I knew what I had to do. I turned away from the street that led to my mundane existence and stepped onto a path I had never noticed before. It wound through the heart of the city, leading to places I had always wanted to explore. I felt a rush of excitement, a sense of purpose. The woman had shown me that I was not just me, a shop assistant, the woman who always took the safe path. I am the adventurer, the risk-taker, the one who dared to live. I took another step, my heart racing with excitement and fear. This was my chance to rewrite my story, to become the person I was always meant to be. And as I disappeared into the night, the echoes of my double's laughter trailing behind me, I know that I'm ready to face whatever lay ahead.

South Korean President Arrested Over Martial Law and High Treason Charges

 In an unprecedented turn of events, South Korean President Jun Suk Jeol was arrested after briefly imposing martial law in early December 2024. The decision has sparked deep concern both domestically and internationally, undermining the stability of one of East Asia’s key democracies.

On December 3, 2024, President Jun unexpectedly declared martial law, citing the need to protect the constitutional order in the face of growing political tensions. The decision was met with immediate criticism from the opposition and civil society, who saw it as an attempted coup and a violation of democratic norms. Under pressure from mass protests and a strong response from parliament, Jun lifted martial law after several hours.

Despite the swift lifting of martial law, the consequences for the president were grave. On December 14, the National Assembly, dominated by the opposition, voted to impeach Jun, suspending him from his duties. The Constitutional Tribunal has begun a procedure to assess the legality of the decision, with a deadline of 180 days to issue a final verdict.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies, including the Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Office and the police, have begun investigating the president’s actions. They are examining whether declaring martial law constituted political sedition, a crime punishable by severe penalties under South Korean law, including the death penalty. Jun repeatedly ignored summonses for questioning, prompting investigators to file a motion to have him arrested. On December 30, a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant, making Jun the first sitting president in South Korean history to face such action.

The president's arrest deepened the country's political crisis. After Jun's suspension, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo took over as head of state. However, on December 27, parliament also voted to impeach him, accusing him of delaying the procedures for the president's removal. As a result, Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok took over as interim president, leaving the country without permanent leadership amid growing political and social tensions.

South Korean society is deeply divided over the events. Supporters of President Jun say his actions were necessary to protect public order and the country’s stability, while opponents see them as authoritarian tendencies that threaten democracy. Mass protests in both support and opposition to the president have been taking place in the capital and other cities, raising the risk of further instability.

Expert analysis points to deeper systemic problems in South Korean politics. Tensions between the executive and legislative branches, public distrust of institutions, and the growing influence of populist movements are all contributing to the current crisis. Many observers fear that a prolonged political stalemate could negatively impact the country’s economy and its international standing, especially in the context of tense relations with North Korea and China.

In the face of these challenges, it will be crucial for state institutions to act swiftly and transparently to restore stability and public trust. The Constitutional Court is expected to speed up the impeachment review of President Jun, and for law enforcement agencies to conduct the investigation impartially and in accordance with the rule of law. At the same time, political dialogue will need to be established between different factions in parliament to build consensus on the future of the country's leadership.

South Koreans are anxiously watching the situation unfold, hoping for a quick resolution to the crisis and a return to normalcy. The international community is also concerned, calling for respect for democratic procedures and human rights in the process of resolving the current political problems.

Third powerful X-ray burst in 2025 from just one active region on the Sun

 The beginning of 2025 brought a series of extremely intense events on the Sun that could have serious consequences for the Earth's technological infrastructure. In just 24 hours, three powerful X-class flares were observed, the strongest of which reached X1.8, posing a significant threat to communication and energy systems on Earth.

The latest, most intense flare was recorded on January 4, 2025 at 12:48 UTC by NOAA/GOES-16. The event, which lasted from 12:35 to 12:56 UTC, came from active region AR 3947, which had already produced two other powerful X-class flares earlier that day, with magnitudes of X1.2 and X1.1. 

During this event, a coronal mass ejection (CME) was also observed moving at a speed of 314 kilometers per second, but due to the current location of the active region relative to Earth, it does not pose a direct threat to our planet.

Particularly worrying is the fact that the AR 3947 region shows signs of further development, expanding its surface and gaining additional intermediate spots. Experts predict that in the coming days, as this region rotates towards Earth, we can expect more intense flares, which this time may be directed directly towards our planet. Currently, there are as many as 11 regions containing sunspots on the side of the Sun visible from Earth, which indicates high activity of our star.

The forecast for the coming days is not optimistic. Experts predict continued high solar activity, with a 55 percent chance of M-class flares and a 10-15 percent chance of more X-class flares. There is also a risk of an S1-class solar storm by January 6, as well as periodic G1-class geomagnetic disturbances over the next two days, caused by a combination of the effects of the CME and the high-velocity flux from the solar corona with positive polarity.

These events come just days after an unusually strong G4 geomagnetic storm, which briefly reached G5 intensity on January 1, 2025. It was caused by Earth colliding with two coronal solar mass ejections that were released on December 29 of the previous year.

Radio systems in the South American, South Atlantic and African regions are particularly susceptible to disruptions caused by the current solar activity. Observations by a spacecraft located at the L1 Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, have already confirmed the first effects of this increased solar activity.

The current situation requires special attention from operators of satellite systems and terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. There is a real risk of disruptions in the operation of GPS systems, radio communications and power grids. Scientists emphasize that such intense solar activity in a short period is a relatively rare phenomenon and requires careful monitoring in order to minimize potential threats to terrestrial technology.

An unusual phenomenon in the Sahara - snow has covered the desert dunes

 The Sahara, the world's largest hot desert, welcomed the year 2025 with an extraordinary phenomenon that defies popular perception of the region. On January 1, white snowflakes fell on the sand dunes near the Algerian city of Ain Sefra, creating a surreal landscape.

This is the second time in the past two years that this unusual weather phenomenon has hit the North African desert. Many residents were able to record the rare event as snowflakes fell onto the iconic Saharan dunes, creating a unique contrast between the golden sand and the white powder.

Ain Sefra, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara", owes its unique geographical location to the possibility of such a phenomenon. The city is located at an altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level, at a strategic point between the vast Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. This particular location gives the place a unique microclimate, combining the characteristics of a desert and mountain climate.

This unusual phenomenon is caused by a storm system that moved across Europe, bringing cold air masses to northern regions of Africa. The cold air reached not only Algeria, but also Tunisia and Libya. While the lower areas received mainly rain, the higher mountainous regions received freezing precipitation and even snow.

Although the snow covered the dunes, creating a breathtaking sight, its presence on the city streets was short-lived. Warmer surface temperatures meant that the snow quickly melted on the roads, causing no major disruptions to residents. Local authorities reported no threats from the snowfall, and residents welcomed the unusual phenomenon as a unique attraction.

Although snow in the Sahara is an extremely rare occurrence, its occurrence in Ain Sefra is not entirely unprecedented. The unique geographical location of the site, at the junction of different climate zones, creates conditions in which such phenomena can occur during the winter months, especially when cold air masses from Europe reach northern Africa.

Powerful eruption of Marapi volcano threatens residents of West Sumatra

 The people of West Sumatra have been put on high alert after the Marapi volcano once again showed its destructive power. On Saturday morning, January 4, 2025, a spectacular eruption occurred, during which a kilometre-long column of ash shot into the air, posing a serious threat to the surrounding areas.

The dramatic events were documented in detail at the volcano's observation point. According to the report, the eruption was characterized by an exceptionally intense, grey column of ash that spread to the north and northeast. This phenomenon was not short-lived - seismographs recorded activity lasting almost two minutes.

What is particularly worrying is the fact that at the time of the official report, the eruption was still ongoing, which indicates significant volcanic activity. In the face of this threat, local authorities took immediate preventive measures. An absolute ban was introduced on approaching the Verbeek crater within a radius of three kilometres, which applies to residents, tourists and climbers.

The situation is even more dangerous because it is the rainy season. The monitoring team is paying special attention to the risk of cold lava, which could pose a deadly threat to residents of areas located in the valleys and along the banks of the rivers flowing from the Marapi peak. Heavy rainfall can cause the formation of devastating lahars - mudflows made of volcanic material mixed with water.

As part of the safety measures, all residents are required to wear protective masks covering their nose and mouth. This is a key recommendation to prevent respiratory problems that may be caused by airborne volcanic ash. Fine ash particles can lead to serious health complications, especially in the elderly, children and people with existing respiratory diseases.

Local authorities are in constant contact with the team monitoring the volcano's activity, ready to take additional action if the situation requires it. Residents of threatened areas should be prepared for a possible evacuation and have the necessary items ready in case they need to leave their homes quickly.

A powerful earthquake shook El Salvador

 The beginning of 2025 brought dramatic moments to the inhabitants of El Salvador, when on January 5 at 11:18 local time, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook a large part of the country. This event, recorded by the American geological survey USGS, showed once again how unpredictable the forces of nature can be and how important it is to be prepared for such natural disasters.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the coastal area, about 51 kilometers southeast of the city of La Libertad, inhabited by almost 17 thousand people. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 49 kilometers, was so strong that its effects were felt by millions of residents of the country. According to detailed analyses, strong tremors directly affected about 124 thousand people, moderate tremors were felt by over 2.3 million people, and light tremors reached almost 5.6 million residents of the region.

The USGS issued a yellow alert regarding potential casualties and economic losses. This level of warning suggests the possibility of local damage and casualties, requiring a response from local or regional services. Importantly, the expected economic losses have been estimated at less than 1% of El Salvador's GDP, which in the case of this small Central American country could be a significant burden on the local economy.

Particularly worrying is the fact that most of the inhabitants of this region live in buildings that are extremely vulnerable to seismic shocks. The dominant structures here are made of mud and traditional building materials, which do not cope well with seismic vibrations. Although there are also buildings with increased resistance to earthquakes, they are a minority in local architecture.

The history of earthquakes in this region shows that they are often accompanied by dangerous secondary phenomena, especially landslides, which can significantly increase the scale of destruction and losses. This aspect is particularly important in the context of El Salvador's terrain and the construction techniques used there.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador (MARN) recorded a series of six aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 3.9 to 4.8. Although they may seem relatively weak compared to the main shock, combined with the already weakened infrastructure, they may pose an additional threat to residents.

Fortunately, according to initial reports from the Civil Defense, there were no fatalities or serious property damage. This is particularly positive news, considering the scale of the phenomenon and the potential threats it posed. This may indicate the effectiveness of local warning and emergency preparedness systems.

This event is yet another reminder of the importance of properly preparing infrastructure and society for seismic hazards, especially in earthquake-prone regions. It also shows how important it is to constantly monitor seismic activity and maintain efficient emergency response systems.