Karen Bass announced the measure Monday, saying the social emergency “afflicts more than 40,000 people citywide. Analysts have attributed the problem to the exceptionally high cost of living and tax rates in the second-largest city in the United States, which has been littered with vagrants as well as tents, makeshift shelters and dilapidated RVs. The problem has also been linked to rampant drug abuse and mental health problems.

Speaking a day after taking office, Bass, the first woman entrusted with leading the city, said, “My mandate is to take Los Angeles in a new direction with an urgent and strategic approach to solving one of Los Angeles’ toughest problems.” Bass said he would sign a series of executive orders against homelessness, promising an aggressive approach to providing temporary housing by renting apartments and motel rooms. The mayor, a former U.S. congressman, won the election at the expense of wealthy real estate developer Rick Caruso. The campaign was dominated by the issue of homelessness.

Tens of thousands sleep on the streets of Los Angeles every night in an epidemic that upsets many visitors to one of the wealthiest urban areas on the planet. The homeless roam a dirty city, begging at intersections or raging against their invisible demons as traffic flows around them. Problems with health and drug addiction are compounded by the very expensive housing in the United States, in a state and city where the cost of living is high and taxes are well above the national average.

WASHINGTON-U.S. President Joe Biden asked by reporters whether the United States will send Patriot systems to Ukraine, replied “you’ll know in a minute,” suggesting that there will be an official announcement soon. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said the United States “is not and never has been at war with Russia,” which remains the only country to have committed provocative actions as part of the conflict in Ukraine. Zelensky reports to The Economist that the Russian offensive is “imminent.” New massive airstrike by Moscow. Sirens are again sounding in Kiev and the regions of Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad.