Firefighters continued their grueling efforts Saturday night to contain massive wildfires raging across Los Angeles, as fierce winds fueled the flames, driving them toward previously unaffected neighborhoods.

The infernos have left at least 16 people dead, destroyed communities, and put millions of Californians on edge.

The relentless Palisades Fire grew to 23,600 acres by Saturday evening, threatening the Getty Center’s priceless art collections and pushing northward toward the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

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Despite aerial water drops and round-the-clock efforts, the fire was only 11% contained. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire spread to 14,000 acres with 15% containment.

“We’re a nervous wreck,” said Tarzana resident Sarah Cohen. “Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”

A lull in the wind Saturday gave firefighters a brief reprieve, but forecasters warned that dangerous gusts would persist for days.

The National Weather Service predicted “critical fire-weather conditions” through early next week, raising fears of further destruction.

Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes, outbuildings, and vehicles. Thousands of displaced residents now face an already tight housing market.

“I’m back on the market with tens of thousands of people,” lamented Brian, who lost his rent-controlled apartment. “That doesn’t bode well.”

Frustration has mounted among residents waiting hours to access disaster zones. “I just want closure,” said Janelle, whose home was confirmed destroyed. “I need to see it with my own eyes.”

With reports of looting, officials imposed nighttime curfews and deployed police and National Guard checkpoints. Residents have also voiced anger over hydrants that ran dry during initial firefighting efforts.

Amid rumors of discord, Mayor Karen Bass and Fire Chief Kristin Crowley presented a united front Saturday. “Our mission is to get us past this emergency,” Bass assured reporters, following reports of funding shortages within the fire department.

Among the victims was former Australian child star Rory Sykes, known for his role in the 1990s British TV show Kiddy Kapers. His mother, Shelley Sykes, mourned his loss on social media, writing, “I’m totally heartbroken.”

Cadaver dogs continued to search the rubble, with several people missing and fears that the death toll could rise.

Cause of the Fires Under Investigation
Authorities launched a large-scale investigation involving the FBI, ATF, and local agencies.

While natural causes or human error are common culprits, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized that any criminal intent would be thoroughly investigated.

“If this is a criminal act, we will hold those responsible,” Luna stated.

Climate Challenges and Urban Sprawl
Experts noted that climate change and urban sprawl exacerbate wildfire risks.

Drier conditions and higher temperatures, driven by fossil fuel use, have created an environment ripe for destructive fires.

In a significant political development, John Dramani Mahama was officially sworn in as Ghana’s President today, January 7, succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo.

The 65-year-old leader begins his second tenure in the role, having previously served as president from July 2012 to January 2017.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mahama made an unexpected slip, mistakenly referring to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the “President of Ghana.”

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The statement, made in front of a global audience, quickly went viral.

This marks Mahama’s second time at the helm.

He initially assumed office in July 2012, following the passing of then-President John Evans Atta Mills. After completing Mills’ term, Mahama won the 2012 presidential election, serving a full term before stepping down in 2017.

Today’s inauguration was attended by dignitaries and citizens eager to witness Mahama’s return to power.

Despite the momentary gaffe, the ceremony was hailed as a testament to Ghana’s vibrant democracy.

See video below:

A powerful earthquake struck China’s remote Tibet region on Tuesday, leaving at least 53 people dead and 62 injured, state media reported.

The quake, which hit Dingri County near the Nepal border, also caused significant damage, with over 1,000 buildings affected and many completely destroyed.

The tremor, measured at 6.8 magnitude by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) and 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time (0105 GMT).

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It is the strongest earthquake recorded within a 200-kilometer radius in the past five years, according to CENC.

Videos aired by China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed homes reduced to rubble and streets filled with debris.

Surveillance footage from a local store captured the moment of impact, with shelves violently shaking and items like toys crashing to the floor.

In the town of Lhatse, visuals verified by AFP revealed rubble scattered outside shops and eateries.

Rescue workers are seen navigating through the devastation, distributing thick blankets to residents struggling with subzero temperatures.

The China Meteorological Administration warned that temperatures in Dingri could drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) by nightfall.

“Dingri County and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicenter have collapsed,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “full-scale search and rescue efforts, minimizing casualties to the greatest extent possible, properly resettling affected residents, and ensuring their safety and warmth through the winter.”

Disaster relief, including tents, quilts, and other essential supplies, has been dispatched to the affected areas.

Local authorities are continuing efforts to assess the full impact of the quake, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The earthquake’s tremors extended into neighboring Nepal and parts of India.

Residents of Kathmandu and areas near Everest in Nepal’s high mountains reported strong shaking.

“It shook quite strongly here, everyone is awake,” said Jagat Prasad Bhusal, a government official in Nepal’s Namche region. However, no casualties or damage were reported in Nepal, according to Nepali Home Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari.

Some tremors were also felt in India’s Bihar state, though no injuries were reported.

The Himalayan region, situated on a major tectonic fault line where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide, is highly prone to earthquakes.

This latest quake follows other recent seismic disasters, including a 7.8-magnitude quake in Nepal in 2015 that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000.

In China, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake along the China-Kyrgyzstan border in January 2024 killed three people, while a December 2023 quake in Gansu Province claimed 148 lives and displaced thousands.

The extreme weather conditions in Tibet are complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Temperatures in the affected region are already below freezing, and survivors face further hardships as authorities work to restore order and safety.

Xinhua reported that “local authorities are reaching out to various townships in the county to assess the impact of the quake.”