Japan has asked more than a million people to avoid taking showers or doing laundry as rescuers try to reach a man trapped in a massive sinkhole. The 74-year-old and his 3-ton truck have been stuck now for days.

What happened?

The man and truck were swallowed by the sinkhole on Tuesday morning, Jan. 27. The sinkhole has reportedly grown to about the length of an Olympic swimming pool and is some 30 feet deep.

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Officials said the driver spoke to rescuers shortly after becoming trapped. However, authorities have not heard from him since then.

What are the latest rescue operations?

Rescuers attempted to dig out the driver but were unsuccessful. They also flew in a drone to see if it was possible to climb down.

They even tried to lift the truck with cranes but could only pull out the loading platform. It left behind the cab where the driver is believed to be stuck.

Authorities said they suspect the growing sinkhole is the result of corroded sewage lines with punctures in the pipes leaking water into the soil. This has created unstable ground under the concrete.

Why haven’t rescuers climbed down?

Officials have not ventured into the hole over fears of falling debris and are waiting until they can stabilize the surrounding area.

There are efforts to build a nearly 100-foot slope to reach the man, but authorities warn it may take days to construct.

What does it have to do with showers and laundry?

Government officials called on 1.2 million people across a dozen towns and cities in the area to hold off on bathing and doing laundry to reduce the amount of leaking wastewater and sewage in the hole, compromising rescue operations.

Officials also said the sinkhole contains a gas pipeline and have ordered the evacuation of 200 homes in the area.

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A growing problem

Sinkholes have become a growing problem in Japan as the country’s aging sewage pipelines fall into disrepair.

President Donald Trump’s first week in his second term ended with a visit to the fire-ravaged Los Angeles area Friday, Jan. 24, and a handshake from an unlikely ally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom. Despite Trump saying he may withhold federal aid if the state doesn’t change its water policies, the two came together for a common cause to help the victims of the wildfires.

Unity has been a central theme by our country’s two most recent presidents. Former president Joe Biden spoke about it in his inaugural address in 2021.

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“To restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words, it requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity,” Biden said.

Four years later, Trump referenced it in his inaugural speech at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.

“National unity is now returning to America and confidence and pride is soaring like never before,” Trump said. “In everything we do, my administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success.”

But just how united are these United States of America?

Each state has its own leadership, with the governor sitting at the top. The voice of the governor is an important one, an elected messenger of his or her constituents representing the different views of one state to another.

Trump’s inauguration and his first week as the 47th president had all 50 governors — Democrat and Republican — talking. To get a sense of the state of the United States, Straight Arrow News looked at each governor’s online presence during the past week — their social media posts, website updates, and news stories — to see how they responded to the same recent moments in our nation’s history.

While it may not come as a shock that many Republican governors’ reactions to a second Trump administration were favorable – and differed greatly from their democratic counterparts – it is worth noting that sometimes the reactions varied even within the same party.  

How did governors react to Trump’s inauguration?

Several Republican governors posted to social media about their presence at the ceremony and their positive outlook on Trump’s next four years.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote, “The golden age of America has begun under his leadership.”

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong wrote, “We are beyond excited to begin working with  [the president] to grow the economy, secure our borders, unleash American energy, support our farmers and ranchers, strengthen our military, defend the second amendment and protect our citizens from federal overreach.”

A handful of GOP governors described Trump’s presidency as a new era — a comeback for America — including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, current Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote, “It’s a great day to celebrate a new chapter for America As we prepare to work with this new administration to keep our nation safe, prosperous, and free!”

It’s a great day to celebrate a new chapter for America as we prepare to work with this new administration to keep our nation safe, prosperous, and free! pic.twitter.com/eKLSBl7aiN

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 20, 2025

And while these social posts only allude to the previous administration, Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott mentioned the former president by name.

Scott wrote, “It’s my hope the new administration and new congress use the peaceful transfer of power as an opportunity to start fresh, work together and collaborate to the benefit of all Americans. I also want to extend my appreciation to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our nation.”

Some Democratic governors homed in on appreciation for that peaceful transfer of power in their social media messages.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore wrote, “The peaceful transfer of power is not something we invented – it’s something we inherited from our founders…”

My statement on the Inauguration of President Trump: pic.twitter.com/8oNRsOpTkC

— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) January 20, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted, “For the 47th time in our nation’s history, we have inaugurated a new president, completing the peaceful transfer of power and proving that our democracy continues to endure.”

How did Democrats use flag status to show unity with the president?

Ahead of his inauguration, Trump aired his grievances that American flags would be at half-staff when he became president due to the mourning period for late President Jimmy Carter.

On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump.

The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter.

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 14, 2025

However, things changed after House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the flags at the U.S. Capitol would fly at full-staff on Inauguration Day. Once sworn-in, now-President Trump signed a proclamation ordering flags should be flown at full mast on all future Inauguration Days.

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Dozens of governors, Democrats included, began to raise the flags in their states on Trump’s Inauguration Day to commemorate the occasion, including North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. However, according to KARE 11 News, the former Democratic vice-presidential candidate issued his order less than an hour before flags were to be lowered once again.  

Others, like Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, kept their flags as is.

“While Governor Laura Kelly continues with her directive that flags throughout Kansas remain at half-staff in honor of former president Jimmy Carter’s passing, she wishes to congratulate President Trump ahead of his inauguration,” her office said in a statement.

How did the governors respond to Trump’s executive orders?

Once in office, Trump took little time to use his presidential powers. He signed a series of executive orders on topics ranging from illegal immigration, energy and diversity. Republican governors cheered these moves.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen wrote, “President Trump’s day one executive actions and orders are impressive and are the first steps in delivering on his promise to make America secure, strong, prosperous, and great again.”

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said, “West Virginia has your back, Mr. President. The green new deal is dead!”

President Trump gets off to a great start on Day One. West Virginia has your back, Mr. President. The Green New Deal is dead! @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/5QzVUnZwPQ

— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) January 20, 2025

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy thanked the president for the executive order opening parts of the state up for oil and gas drilling, writing, “Alaska is unleashed!”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt reacted to Trump’s order that the federal government recognize only two sexes, writing, “…President Trump’s order recognizing the two sexes will stop the radical gender ideology that’s infiltrated our federal government…”

But it was Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship that received the biggest online response from Democratic governors.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote, “Trump’s proposal to strip birthright citizenship from those born in this nation is unconstitutional. In Illinois, we follow the law…”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy responded, “The constitution could not be more clear: citizenship of children born in the U.S. does not depend on the citizenship of their parents. That principle is fundamental to who we are as a nation and what it means to be an American.”

The Constitution could not be more clear: citizenship of children born in the U.S. does not depend on the citizenship of their parents. That principle is fundamental to who we are as a nation and what it means to be an American.

Today, @NewJerseyOAG is leading a challenge to…

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 21, 2025

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said, “The constitution is clear — every child born within our borders deserves the same rights and freedoms as anyone else.”

Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs applauded Trump’s actions on border security, but disagreed on his birthright citizenship order.

“Ending birthright citizenship is unconstitutional and un-American. We should protect what makes our country exceptional, not tear it down. I urge the president to reconsider a policy that attacks our country’s ideals and does nothing to secure our border,” Hobbs wrote.

Can there be unity in America?

After more than 20 states filed suit saying the order violated the 14th Amendment, a federal district judge in Seattle temporarily blocked the order from taking effect.

Joining in the Democratic backlash over Trump’s birthright citizenship order was California Gov. Newsom, who wrote it was “unconstitutional.”

He also reacted to Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Newsom posted images of the deadly wildfires that devastated Southern California, along with the caption, “If you don’t believe in science, believe your own damn eyes.”

If you don’t believe in science, believe your own damn eyes. https://t.co/QtM8PQyKeX pic.twitter.com/5iqeID4La5

— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 21, 2025

The words of these governors — Republican and Democratic — show that the country does not always form one view and there will be arguments. As a Los Angeles Times columnist wrote last year: “Unity does not mean being silent.”

Despite disagreements, there are signs (like a handshake from sparring leaders) that show unity, when Americans with differing viewpoints come together for a common purpose, can be achieved in these United States.

See how each state governor reacted to President Trump’s first days:

1. Alabama – Kay Ivey (R)
2. Alaska- Mike Dunleavy (R)
3. Arizona – Katie Hobbs (D)
4. Arkansas –  Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R)
5. California – Gavin Newsom (D)
6. Colorado – Jared Polis (D)
7. Connecticut- Ned Lamont (D)
8. Delaware – Matt Meyer (D)
9. Florida – Ron DeSantis (R)
10. Georgia – Brian P. Kemp (R)
11. Hawaii – Josh Green (D)
12. Idaho – Brad Little (R)
13. Illinois – JB Pritzker (D)
14. Indiana- Mike Braun (R)
15. Iowa – Kim Reynolds (R)
16. Kansas – Laura Kelly (D)
17. Kentucky – Andy Beshaer (D)
18. Louisiana – Jeff Landry (R)
19. Maine – Janet Mills (D)
20. Maryland – Wes Moore (D)
21. Massachusetts – Maura Healey (D)
22. Michigan – Gretchen Whitmer (D)
23. Minnesota – Tim Walz (D)
24. Mississippi – Tate Reeves (R)
25. Missouri – Mike Kehoe (R)
26. Montana – Greg Gianforte (R)
27. Nebraska – Jim Pillen (R)
28. Nevada – Joe Lombardo (R)
29. New Hampshire – Kelly Ayotte (R)
30. New Jersey – Phil Murphy (D)
31. New Mexico – Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)
32. New York – Kathy Hochul (D)
33. North Carolina – Josh Stein (D)
34. North Dakota – Kelly Armstrong (R)
35. Ohio – Mike DeWine (R)
36. Oklahoma – Kevin Stitt (R)
37. Oregon – Tina Kotek (D)
38. Pennsylvania – Josh Shapiro (D)
39. Rhode Island – Dan McKee (D)
40. South Carolina – Henry McMaster (R)
41. South Dakota – Kristie Noem (R)
42. Tennessee – Bill Lee (R)
43. Texas- Greg Abbott (R)
44. Utah – Spencer Cox (R)
45. Vermont – Phil Scott (R)
46. Virginia – Glenn Youngkin (R)
47. Washington – Bob Ferguson (D)
48. West Virginia – Patrick Morrisey (R)
49. Wisconsin – Tony Evers (D)
50. Wyoming – Mark Gordon (R)

Less than two months after the overthrow of Bashar Assad, whose family ruled Syria for more than 50 years, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, has been declared as the country’s president. The move comes after a meeting during the week of Jan. 26 of military commanders, who took part in battles to take the country during December.

What will a new government look like in Syria?

The new leader said his first priority, as leader of Syria, will be to fill a vacuum in government in a legitimate and legal way. In doing so, al-Sharaa canceled the existing constitution and disbanded the national army, as well as opposition parties. He will now form a temporary legislative council during a transitional period.

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What’s the history of the new leader?

He headed the former al-Qaida affiliate group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a U.S.-designated terror organization. At one time, al-Sharaa fought alongside al-Qaida in Iraq as an anti-American jihadist.

The announcement of the new government structure came at a meeting that was titled “The Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution.” The newly appointed leader called for Syria to have civil peace and said military and security forces must be rebuilt, plus an economic infrastructure must be developed.

What will happen to those who supported the ousted regime?

Following the takeover of Damascus, HTS offered amnesty for members of the Syrian army, asked police officers to stay on duty, and ordered former officials to identify themselves to the rebels in exchange for their safety.

What is the initial reaction to the new Syrian leader?

Some experts believe al-Sharaa is now trying to secure his status as a strongman ruler under single-party rule. However, he has pledged to have an inclusive government that will eventually hold elections.

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Many in Syria cheered the announcements, with positive demonstrations on the streets in Damascus reported; however, some fear the way the appointment was made, as well as the lack of clarity on what’s coming next.

For now, Assad is gone, and for the first time since the 1970s, someone other than an Assad rules Syria.