Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has been acquitted of charges related to firing a gun at a former friend during an altercation in Los Angeles. A jury found him not guilty of two felony assault charges, which could have resulted in a 24-year prison sentence. The charges stemmed from an incident on November 6, 2021, when Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, accused Mayers of shooting at him during an argument on a Hollywood street, grazing his knuckles with one of the bullets. Mayers, who is also a fashion mogul and Rihanna's partner, denied the allegations, claiming the weapon was a prop gun and that Ephron was motivated by financial gain. The verdict was met with cheers and applause in court, with Mayers quickly embracing his family, including Rihanna, who attended the trial with their young sons. Rapper Aly Hasan collaborates with Toffee for World Cup song Mayers thanked the jury and expressed relief, stating, “Thank God for saving my life.” The altercation occurred after a disagreement between the two men the previous day. Prosecutors alleged that Mayers drew the gun, threatened to kill Ephron, and fired several shots.  However, the defense argued the weapon was a non-lethal prop gun. The firearm was never recovered, and the prosecution's case relied partly on surveillance footage, but there was no direct evidence showing the shooting. Ephron took two days to report the incident and was unable to provide supporting evidence, including missing shell casings and surveillance footage. Rapper and singer Aaron Carter passes away at age 34 in California Mayers, who is preparing for the release of his first solo album in nearly a decade, is also scheduled to perform at the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025 and stars in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest.    

Staggered after one of the most destructive natural disasters in Southern California history, thousands of heartbroken families, burned-out business owners and beleaguered leaders across Los Angeles County are beginning to ponder another monumental task: rebuilding what was lost and charting a path forward. Alex Rosewood and nearly her entire family in Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, lost their homes — her father, whom she and her husband were living with, and her aunt, uncle and cousin next door. Lost were the keepsakes of a lifetime of family relationships: Rosewood's grandmother’s playing cards and unfinished quilt. Her wedding photos. Heirlooms from her grandfather, who served in the Navy. All things she wished she could have saved in their frantic flight as smoke turned the sky gray and her cousin’s house began to catch fire. But Altadena remains home. “We all plan to rebuild, for sure,” she said. The traumatized region made it through Wednesday without another major fire breaking out, after forecasters had warned of another round of particularly dangerous winds. Firefighters continue battling LA wildfires amid dangerous weather warning Yet even with flames still leaping in two of the largest fires, which have killed 25 and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, government officials talked Wednesday of the epic job that will unspool over years: clearing Altadena, Pacific Palisades and other ravaged communities of toxic ash and debris, then rebuilding homes, restaurants, schools, boutiques, banks and houses of worship — all while finding financing for it all. Because of the ongoing firefighting battle and the likelihood of dangerous refuse in burned areas, many anxious residents have yet to return to see what, if anything, is left of their homes. The losses range from multimillion-dollar ocean-view mansions to modest homes that once welcomed returning World War II GIs. While talking of rebuilding can be a comfort for those eager for a return to normalcy, much remains unknown. What will the new neighborhoods look like? Will fire-resistant materials and designs be used? Are more and wider roads needed to allow swifter evacuations and easier access for fire engines during future infernos? In the coveted seaside hills, there always is the impulse to rebuild after fires — it’s happened many times. But there are inevitable questions about whether it’s sensible to keep rebuilding in known high-risk areas, especially in an age of climate change. Californians race to save pets as LA wildfires advance “It’s going to be a while before we can get in there and build anything,” said Michael Hricak, an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Southern California., referring to the dangerous chemicals and rubble left behind. As for new construction, “it’s not being tougher than Mother Nature. It's being somewhat respectful of Mother Nature and knowing what the challenges are.” “Are we just inviting another problem down the road?” Hricak said. The fires struck at a challenging time, with the city in the midst of a post-pandemic transition that has reordered work life and left many downtown buildings with high vacancy rates. Meanwhile, planning is underway to host the 2028 Olympics and the region contends with perhaps the nation’s worst homeless crisis — the latter had been Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ priority before the fires broke out last week. The government has not yet released damage estimates, but private firms have expect they will climb into the tens of billions and it could become the costliest fire disaster in U.S. history. The Northern California community of Paradise, where the state's deadliest wildfire killed 85 people in 2018, offers a glimpse into how painstaking and difficult recovery and rebuilding can be. That fire destroyed about 11,000 homes — some 90% of the community's structures. Four years later, as of last November, just about 3,000 homes and apartments have been rebuilt. The town, which previously a population of 26,000, has struggled under high construction costs, expensive insurance premiums and the uncertainty over funds to be paid to people who lost homes by Pacific Gas & Electric, which was found liable for sparking the devastating blaze. In Los Angeles — a city notorious for dense layers of bureaucracy and government red tape — Bass issued an executive order this week intended to clear the way for residents to rebuild quickly. “As we prepare to make it through the rest of this emergency, we also have to start putting in place what we need to do to rebuild,” the mayor said Wednesday. The federal government already has approved spending $100 million to remove paints, cleaners, asbestos, batteries and other household waste from the rubble before crews can begin clearing debris. Robert Fenton Jr., a regional administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, called the plan a first step to getting people back in homes. New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations as over 10,000 structures burned Elsewhere, the agency is handing out assistance to help people with short-term lodging. Peter Dolan, who lived in Santa Monica, said he and his best friend both lost their apartments on the same day. They visited the disaster recovery center together to figure out their next steps. “This is what I got,” the 55-year-old said, pointing to his outfit: a leather jacket, shorts and sneakers, the clothes he had on the day the flames hit. Dolan didn’t have renter’s insurance, but he was able to apply for FEMA assistance and thinks he’ll get $750 and possibly his stay at a hotel covered for a few months. Michele Baron and her daughter were among those who came to a recovery center in West Los Angeles to figure out how to get new birth certificates and social security cards. Baron lost nearly everything when her Pacific Palisades apartment of 21 years burned to the ground. Her daughter made her way back to the property and salvaged a ring and pottery she made as a child. Despite the trauma, the plan is to stay put. “Now that I can go anywhere, I kind of don’t want to,” Baron said.

The windy, flame-fanning weather that put the nation's second most-populous metropolitan region on edge eased up Wednesday as firefighters made significant gains against the two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles. A “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red-flag warning expired without causing explosive fire growth as feared, though forecasters said gusty winds could linger into early Thursday, mostly in the mountains. Temperatures were predicted to drop, and a deep marine layer was expected to move in over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles. Those improved conditions should help fire crews make even more headway and allow residents to return to their neighborhoods to begin rebuilding. But Santa Ana winds could return early next week. “Good news: We are expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather concerns to close this week,” the weather service posted on social media Wednesday afternoon. “Bad News: Next week is a concern. While confident that we will NOT see a repeat of last week, dangerous fire weather conditions are expected.” Still, firefighters and police faced new challenges. Since the beginning of the outbreak last week, authorities have arrested about half a dozen people accused of setting new, small fires that were quickly knocked down. One suspect admitted starting a fire in a tree “because he liked the smell of burning leaves,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. Another said “she enjoyed causing chaos and destruction,” the chief said Wednesday. Authorities have not determined a cause for the major blazes in what is on track to become the nation’s costliest fire disaster, with at least 25 people dead and thousands of homes destroyed. Officials facing questions over response LA officials, who already were criticized for hydrants running dry, faced more questions. Fire officials chose not to double the number of firefighters on duty last Tuesday as winds increased, and only five of more than 40 engines were deployed, according to internal records obtained by The Los Angeles Times and interviews with fire commanders. Read: Relief, 21st-century style: As wildfires burn, GoFundMe becomes a repository of harrowing stories The department also did not call in off-duty firefighters until after the Palisades Fire erupted. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley defended her decisions. “I can tell you and stand before you, we did everything in our capability to surge where we could,” she told a news conference. Crowley said that despite “limited capacity” within the department, crews were able to respond swiftly by calling for assistance from other agencies and seeking help from off-duty firefighters. Increasing containment on the biggest fires More manageable winds Tuesday allowed firefighters to make gains on the two most destructive fires. Almost half of the Eaton Fire just north of LA was contained, and one-fifth of the fire that destroyed much of the seaside neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was surrounded. Both of those broke out Jan. 7 in conditions similar to what was expected Wednesday, though winds were higher last week when they pushed flames at remarkable speed and carried fire-sparking embers for miles. Packed and ready to go Weary and anxious residents said they were ready to make a hasty escape amid the threat from intense winds. Javier Vega, who said he feels like he has been “sleeping with one eye open,” and his girlfriend have planned out how they can quickly pack up their two cats, eight fish and leopard gecko if they get orders to evacuate. “Typically on any other night, hearing helicopters flying overhead from midnight to 4 in the morning, that would drive anyone crazy,” Vega said. But figuring they were helping firefighters to keep the flames from threatening their neighborhood, he explained, “it was actually soothing for me to go to sleep.” Long road of rebuilding ahead Los Angeles authorities promised to do everything they could to help people recover and rebuild. But Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged there is no way to replace much of what has been lost. “You’ve lost memories, family. All of the experiences that took place there are gone, and gone unexpectedly, gone rapidly,” Bass said. Read more: Firefighters continue battling LA wildfires amid dangerous weather warning This week the mayor issued an executive order to eliminate red tape and allow people to live in tiny homes and trailers while they rebuild. Different kind of disaster Thomas Martin works with Calvary Disaster Relief, a group that responds to disasters all over the world. Most times, he shows up after floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, helping people repair their roofs and rip out soggy carpet. “This is different,” he said. “This is total devastation. There’s nothing much we can do other than pray for the folks.” Wildfires on the rise across LA With almost no rain in more than eight months, the brush-filled region has had more than a dozen wildfires this year, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area. The four largest ones have scorched more than 63 square miles (163 square kilometers), roughly three times the size of Manhattan. Searching for victims Nearly 30 people were still missing, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday. Deputies have searched more than 5,500 properties for victims from the Eaton Fire and hoped to finish in that area by Thursday, he said. One of the victims of the Eaton Fire, 95-year-old Dalyce Curry, loved wearing big hair and makeup, her family said. She hobnobbed with stars from old Hollywood, appearing as an extra with Diana Ross in “Lady Sings the Blues” and in 1956’s “The Ten Commandments.” Entertainment community responds The Grammy awards ceremony will happen Feb. 2 and focus on helping the city’s recovery. “In challenging times, music has the power to heal, comfort and unite like nothing else,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Tammy Hurt, chair of the board of trustees, said in a letter sent to academy members that was obtained by The Associated Press.

For Irina Contreras, outdoor education served as a lifeline during the pandemic, offering solace for her and her 7-year-old daughter, Ceiba. However, the recent wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have destroyed much of this refuge. Ceiba, a member of the kids’ adventure group Hawks, attended Matilija, a bilingual forest school where children engaged in outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and swimming. Among her favorite spots was Eaton Canyon Nature Area, a 190-acre preserve near Altadena, which has now been reduced to ashes. LA wildfire death toll rises as crews fight strong winds to protect homes, landmarks These fires have inflicted a heavy toll on families like Contreras’. Beyond the loss of lives and homes, they mourn the destruction of natural and educational sanctuaries. These spaces, vital for public and private schools, nature-based preschools, and community groups, served as both learning hubs and retreats. Schools have also suffered, including Odyssey Charter School in Altadena, attended by the children of Miguel Ordeñana, a community science manager at the Natural History Museum. Sharing the news with his children has been a challenge, especially as many of their friends and teachers have lost homes. Poor air quality has rendered some unaffected areas unusable. Griffith Park, known for the Hollywood sign, remains inaccessible despite being spared by the fires. Meanwhile, schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District and Pasadena Unified School District have closed, with some campuses sustaining damage. Over 300 schools across several counties were shut down, and it’s unclear when they will reopen. During the pandemic, Contreras found respite in nature as she stepped away from her busy routine. Though she is hopeful outdoor programs will eventually resume, safety concerns linger for areas like Eaton Canyon, where much of the natural habitat has been destroyed. Ukraine claims to have captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia Richard Smart, superintendent of the Eaton Canyon Natural Area, described the devastation as “indescribable.” The park, a popular field trip destination, was a cornerstone for local schools. Its loss has left the community grappling with uncertainty about future outdoor education opportunities. Experts like Lila Higgins, a senior manager at the Natural History Museum, emphasize the importance of nature in children’s development, noting its benefits for cognitive and emotional health. While rebuilding efforts are anticipated, it may take years before these areas can again serve as educational and recreational spaces. “This is the reality of modern Southern California,” said Greg Pauly, co-author of Wild L.A.. “Fire dramatically alters both landscapes and lives.”

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16. The total of confirmed fatalities stands at 16 victims, and the cases remain under investigation. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroner's office said in a statement Saturday evening. The previous number of confirmed fatalities was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as cadaver dogs search leveled neighborhoods and crews assess the devastation. Authorities have established a center where people can report the missing. Firefighters raced to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. At a briefing, CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz said a main focus Saturday would be the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus. “We need to be aggressive out there,” Litz said. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the LA area "had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the Palisades Fire.” Light breezes were fanning the flames, but the National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds — the nemesis of firefighters — could soon return. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around to city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months. Read: Californians race to save pets as LA wildfires advance The fire also was threatening to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. The hunt for bodies continues The grim work of sifting through the devastation continued Saturday, with teams conducting systematic grid searches with cadaver dogs, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. He said a family assistance center was being established in Pasadena, and he urged residents to abide by curfews. “We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away,” he said. The fires have consumed about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and new evacuations were ordered Friday evening after a flare up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. Since the fires first began Tuesday just north of downtown LA, they have burned more than 12,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. No cause has been determined for the largest fires, and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nation's costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. Rays of kindness amid the devastation So many volunteers showed up to help at donation centers Saturday that some were being turned away. That was the case at a YMCA in the Koreatown neighborhood. By late morning, cars with would-be helpers were also being turned back from the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where donations of necessities were being accepted. At the race track Friday, people who lost their homes could be seen sifting through stacks of donated shirts, blankets and other household goods. Altadena resident Jose Luis Godinez said three homes occupied by more than a dozen of his family members were destroyed. “Everything is gone,” he said, speaking in Spanish. "All my family lived in those three houses and now we have nothing.” Officials warn against returning to burned homes Some residents have been venturing back to see what can be salvaged after wildfires destroyed their homes, sifting through rubble for keepsakes. But officials on Saturday urged them to stay away, warning that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials. “If you’re kicking that stuff up, you’re breathing it in,” said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire. “All of that stuff is toxic.” Read more: Disney pledges $15M to aid Los Angeles wildfire victims Residents will be allowed to return, with protective gear, after damage teams have evaluated their properties, Thomas said. City leadership accused of skimping on firefighting funds Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have begun and so have investigations. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water. “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she said. Progress made on fighting the Eaton fire Firefighters for the first time made progress Friday afternoon on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned more than 7,000 structures. Officials said most evacuation orders for the area had been lifted. LA Mayor Karen Bass, who faces a critical test of her leadership as her city endures its greatest crisis in decades, said several smaller fires also were stopped. The level of devastation is jarring even in a state that regularly confronts massive wildfires.

Firefighters confronted extensive wildfires early Thursday in the Los Angeles region, struggling to contain blazes that have killed five people, devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, and forced thousands to evacuate their homes in haste, reports AP. While the ferocious winds that fanned the flames have subsided somewhat, offering firefighters a critical chance to gain control, the fires remain widespread, with significant activity in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. On Wednesday evening, a new fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, inching closer to the heart of Los Angeles and its entertainment hub. Despite the encroaching flames, just a mile away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, bustling streets reflected the city’s resilience as visitors captured the burning hills on their phones. What to know about wildfires raining embers onto the Los Angeles area The Sunset Fire saw significant containment efforts, with Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott crediting swift action and more favourable weather conditions. A day earlier, hurricane-force winds had fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, destroying nearly 2,000 structures and necessitating the temporary grounding of firefighting aircraft. The fires have collectively scorched around 42 square miles (108 square kilometres), displacing 130,000 residents under evacuation orders. The Palisades Fire has become the most destructive in Los Angeles history, with the Eaton Fire claiming five lives. Educational institutions have not been spared, with over six schools damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, a location often featured in Hollywood productions. UCLA has cancelled classes for the week due to the fires. Pasadena’s fire chief, Chad Augustin, cited stretched water resources and power outages as challenges, compounded by winds that propelled embers miles ahead of the flames. Residents like Jose Velasquez fought valiantly to save their homes, though many in his Altadena neighbourhood lost everything while away at work. Thousands flee as wildfires devastate Los Angeles In Pacific Palisades, a hillside enclave with many celebrity homes, the devastation has revealed blocks of charred remains, melted vehicles, and soot-filled swimming pools. Fires also struck Sylmar in the northern San Fernando Valley, another area familiar with destructive blazes. The fires have swept through dense neighbourhoods primed to burn in dry conditions, leaving residents and police scrambling for safety. In Pacific Palisades, gridlocked roads forced many to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot. Affluent areas, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, were not spared. Celebrities such as Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal suffered the loss of homes. The Crystals, who lost their 45-year family home, reflected on the memories tied to their property. In Palisades Village, landmarks such as the public library, grocery stores, banks, and boutique shops were reduced to ashes. Residents, like Dylan Vincent, returned to scenes of total destruction, with blocks flattened and schools obliterated. California’s worsening fire seasons, driven by higher temperatures and reduced rainfall linked to climate change, have lengthened fire activity into traditionally cooler months. Dry winds like the Santa Anas, combined with a lack of rain since May, have exacerbated the conditions. Wind speeds peaked at 80 mph (129 kph) on Wednesday but are expected to decline into Friday. President Joe Biden issued a federal emergency declaration after meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom at a Santa Monica fire station. National Guard troops have been deployed to assist. The fires have also disrupted Hollywood, halting productions and leading to the closure of Universal Studios' theme park. Landmarks like Malibu’s Reel Inn seafood restaurant were heavily damaged, with its owners determined to rebuild. Teddy Leonard, the owner, emphasised the importance of family safety, remarking, “As long as everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?” Over 330,000 residents remain without power as the fires continue to challenge Southern California.

Hollywood celebrities' homes were at risk on Wednesday night as a fierce wildfire broke out in the Hollywood Hills, just a mile from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While some stars lost their homes, others are perilously close to the uncontained flames. Celebrity homes at risk or damaged The homes of several Hollywood stars are in close proximity to the advancing wildfires. Page Six released a map of the affected zone, highlighting celebrity residences in the area. National Board of Review Awards hold space for ‘Wicked’ Schitt's Creek actor Eugene Levy’s house has already been destroyed, as shown in an image shared by the outlet. The homes of Nobody Wants This actor Adam Brody, his wife and Gossip Girl actress Leighton Meester, Anna Faris, James Woods and reality TV duo Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have also been lost.  In Malibu, the fire threatens properties belonging to actor-singer Miley Cyrus and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill. In Santa Monica, the home of actress Jamie Lee Curtis faces danger, while farther north are the residences of Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson. Beyond Pacific Palisades are properties owned by filmmaker Steven Spielberg and actors Diane Keaton and Ben Affleck. Affleck, whose $20 million bachelor pad is at risk, was seen fleeing to ex-wife Jennifer Garner’s house for safety.  What to know about wildfires raining embers onto the Los Angeles area Meanwhile, stars like Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton confirmed on Wednesday that their homes were destroyed. Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice also lost their Palisades home of 45 years.  Overview of the LA wildfires Over 1,000 structures, primarily homes, have been reduced to ashes and more than 130,000 residents in the metropolitan area are under evacuation orders. Despite the arrival of hundreds of firefighters from other states, the four uncontrolled blazes remain a significant threat. Combined, the fires have scorched roughly 42 square miles — an area comparable to the size of San Francisco.   Source: With inputs from wires

Thousands of residents have fled as wildfires ravage areas around Los Angeles, destroying homes and overwhelming roads, reports AP. Firefighters are battling intense winds that are propelling the flames, and several fires remain uncontained.One fire, which began Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the foothills northeast of LA, spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living centre had to evacuate residents, some of whom were over 100 years old. They waited in parking lots under a red sky until they could be transported to safety. Staying safe in a wildfire: What to pack and when to evacuate Another fire, which started earlier, ravaged the Pacific Palisades, an upscale coastal area. As people fled, the roadways became gridlocked, forcing many to abandon their cars and escape on foot, some carrying bags and children. Emergency vehicles struggled to reach the area, and a bulldozer had to clear a path through the abandoned cars. Destruction along the Pacific Coast Highway was widespread. A third fire broke out in Sylmar around 10:30 p.m., triggering evacuations. The fires were fanned by Santa Ana winds of up to 70 mph, with some areas experiencing gusts up to 100 mph. The Los Angeles Fire Department appealed for off-duty firefighters to assist, while high winds prevented aircraft from assisting with firefighting efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom reported that over 1,400 firefighting personnel were deployed, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided support. California will soon require insurers to increase home coverage in wildfire-prone areas Authorities haven't provided an estimate of the damage caused by the Pacific Palisades fire, but about 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, and 13,000 structures were at risk. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency, and many homes in the area were destroyed. The fire spread through Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area, and damaged parts of the Palisades Charter High School. By evening, the flames had reached Malibu, where several people were treated for burn injuries, and a firefighter sustained a serious head injury. By early Wednesday, three fires were still raging, including one that had burned 1.6 square miles, another that had scorched 500 acres, and the largest, which had consumed 4.5 square miles. Power outages affected over 200,000 people in Los Angeles County. The region's persistent dry conditions and strong winds, exacerbated by the Santa Anas, have contributed to the severity of the fires. Many areas have not received significant rain since May, heightening the risk of wildfires. The Pacific Palisades, located along the coast near Malibu, saw dramatic scenes of homes burning as residents fled. Actor James Woods shared footage of the flames near his home, and the Getty Villa reported some damage to its grounds. Wildfire tears through Southern California community after burning dozens of homes Amid the chaos, several events were cancelled, including movie premieres, and schools in the affected areas were temporarily relocated. The Getty Museum confirmed that its staff and collection remained safe despite the nearby fire.

Writer-director Jeff Baena, whose darkly comedic independent films included “The Little Hours” and who was married to his frequent creative collaborator Aubrey Plaza, has died. He was 47. Baena was found dead Friday morning at a Los Angeles home, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. The circumstances of his death remained unclear Saturday, and the office said it was investigating and a full report would not be available until the case is closed. Baena co-wrote David O. Russell's 2004 film “I Heart Huckabees” and wrote and directed five of his own films, four of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He had been dating Plaza for three years before she starred in his 2014 directorial debut, the zombie comedy “Life After Beth." His next film, 2016's “Joshy,” featured Thomas Middleditch as a man who gets together with friends months after his fiancee commits suicide. The son of an attorney and teacher, Baena grew up in Miami and attended film school at New York University. He told podcaster Marc Maron in a 2017 interview that his interest in cinema was sparked after watching Stanley Kubrick's “A Clockwork Orange” and Federico Fellini's “8 1/2” as a child. “I was always drawn to left-of-center things,” he told Jim Alexander two years ago in an interview for the Reel Talker YouTube channel. Read: Film fraternity bids tearful adieu to Anjana Baena said in the same interview that it was “amazing” to work with Plaza, who appeared in four of his five films. The 40-year-old actor and producer rose to fame playing April Ludgate on the television series “Parks and Recreation” and was nominated for an Emmy for her role on “The White Lotus.” The couple married in 2021. “The opportunities to create together, to do something creative where we're both fulfilled, it's like how rare is that? She's down and she's so talented, so I'm really lucky," Baena said. A representative for Plaza said that in addition to Plaza, Baena is survived by his mother, Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is working to expand its international routes to enhance air connectivity for Bangladeshi passengers, Managing Director and CEO of the national flag carrier, Shafiul Azim, has said. “We have taken initiatives to operate flights on some important routes across the globe including to New York, Chennai, Bengaluru, Los Angeles, Rome, Male, and Guangzhou.” The Biman CEO shared the information during an exclusive interview with UNB “Gradually we will be able to start flights on these routes. We are evaluating and working on how to start flights on each of these routes within the shortest possible time,” he added. Biman currently operates regular flights to 19 destinations around the world. “We have a fleet of 21 aircraft including Dreamliners. Ten new aircraft are being purchased from Airbus,” he added. New aircraft from Airbus will facilitate the expansion of routes and will open up new directions in coordination with other countries, the Biman CEO hoped. Read: Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air forge strategic partnership for enhanced travel connectivity With the addition of the new aircraft, the number of flights on popular routes can also be increased, which would in turn create a more competitive market and help in reducing ticket prices. The Biman CEO said, “We are working on expanding our network not only in Asia but also in western countries, especially in Europe.” Besides, Biman has already done everything to launch direct flights from Dhaka to New York, he said. He further said some formal work is going on with Civil Aviation, Federal Aviation Authority and their Department of Transport. If everything goes well, all activities regarding flight operations on the new routes, including New York, are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. He said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air have recently started a partnership – set to revolutionise travel between Bangladesh and the Gulf region. As a result, passengers can travel from Dhaka to Bahrain and Bahrain to Dhaka with onward connection to Chattogram and Sylhet via both airlines (Biman and Gulf Air). Read: Biman Bangladesh Airlines launches online travel date change service In addition, it will benefit both airlines through enhanced operational efficiency and shared expertise in the aviation industry, he added. “We are starting flights to Narita (Tokyo), Japan from September 1. Chennai is also being considered as a destination. Apart from this, we are going to resume flights to Guangzhou in China by the middle of September. Besides, we are trying to establish communication and code sharing with other countries through Narita in Japan,” the Biman CEO said. Regarding the launch of flights to Japan, he said that Bangladesh has very good bilateral relations with Japan, and they have investments here. “We are launching a direct Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) flight from September 1, 2023 and it is a major achievement for us,” the Biman Bangladesh Airlines CEO said, adding, “Bangladeshi students are going to study in Japan and Japanese businessmen are coming here. Besides, many people travel to Japan from neighbouring countries. We have a good air network with the West compared to the East. Through Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) direct flights, a new horizon will open,” CEO Azim added. Besides, Biman will take initiative for improvement of the Bangladesh-Japan tourism sector. Read more: 2 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Friday cancelled At the same time, “we are moving forward with marketing strategies so that passengers from neighbouring countries can travel to and from Japan via Dhaka,” the Biman Bangladesh Airlines CEO said.