International News
Death Toll Rises As Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles
At least 16 people have died in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise as the fires continue to spread.
The devastating blazes have claimed homes, memories, and lives, with many victims succumbing while trying to defend their properties or unable to evacuate in time.
Officials report that identifying victims may take weeks, as traditional methods like fingerprinting and visual recognition are being hampered by the intensity of the fires. Here’s what is known about some of the victims based on family statements and media reports:
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, died while trying to save his family’s home in Altadena. His body was discovered near the property with a garden hose in his hand, suggesting his desperate attempt to fend off the flames. His sister, Shari, who evacuated due to the “firestorm,” mourned his loss, saying, “I’ll miss talking to him, joking about, travelling with him and I’ll just miss him to death.”
Randall “Randy” Miod
Randall Miod, 55, perished in his Malibu home. According to his mother, Carol Smith, he was determined to protect the house he had cherished for decades. “That’s the one and only house he ever owned,” she said, reflecting on the memories tied to the property.
READ MORE: FG Set To Launch Three Major Cancer Treatment Centers
Anthony Mitchell and Justin Mitchell
Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, died in their Altadena home as they tried to escape the encroaching flames. Mitchell’s daughter, Hajime White, recounted his final call, where he said, “The fire’s in the yard.” The family described the heartbreaking loss of a father of four, grandfather of 11, and great-grandfather of 10.
Rodney Nickerson
Eighty-three-year-old Rodney Nickerson also died at his Altadena home. Despite warnings to evacuate, he believed the fire would pass, telling his daughter Kimiko, “I’ll be here tomorrow.”
Annette Rossilli
Annette Rossilli, 85, refused to leave her Pacific Palisades home, staying with her five pets. Firefighters later found her body in her car. Her family and caregivers described her devotion to her pets and her reluctance to abandon the life she had built there.
Rory Callum Sykes
Australian citizen Rory Sykes, 32, died in the Palisades fire. His mother, Shelley, recounted their struggle to escape as she attempted to lift her son, who had cerebral palsy. “No mum can leave their kid,” she said, mourning the loss of her “baby” who had overcome significant challenges to inspire others as a motivational speaker.
Erliene Kelley
The family of 83-year-old Erliene Kelley confirmed she died after refusing to evacuate her Altadena home. Her granddaughter, Briana Navarro, shared the family’s grief, saying Kelley had believed the fire would not reach her house, as previous ones had not.
Growing Crisis
As firefighters battle the flames and search for survivors, the community is left grappling with immense loss. Officials continue to urge residents to heed evacuation orders, stressing that lives are more important than possessions.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, shaking the region and sending tremors as far as Thailand and China.
The quake’s epicenter was located in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to around one million people and renowned for its historic temple complexes.
Panic erupted as buildings swayed and dust filled the air.
READ ALSO: Powerful 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits China, Dozens Killed
In Mandalay, videos shared online showed terrified residents rushing out of residential towers while traffic came to a sudden halt.
Reports indicate that a major bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River collapsed into the water in a cloud of dust and debris.
The quake was felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, where video footage showed a partially constructed building in Chatuchak Park crumbling to the ground.
Thai authorities reported that 43 people were trapped in the wreckage, while seven others sustained injuries.
In Chiang Mai, a resident described feeling the tremors for about ten seconds before fleeing into the streets.
In Myanmar’s commercial hub, Yangon—about 380 miles from the epicenter—residents also experienced the powerful shaking.
One resident recalled, “We felt the quake for about a minute, then ran out of the building.
It was very sudden and very strong.” Another noted that phone networks in the city, home to around 8 million people, briefly went down but were later restored.
Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is already grappling with the effects of a brutal civil war sparked by a military coup over four years ago.
The conflict has devastated the economy, and the country remains ill-equipped to handle a major natural disaster of this scale.
The Sagaing region, where the earthquake struck, is a war zone with multiple factions—including the ruling junta, pro-military militias, and rebel groups—fighting for control.
The ongoing violence has made travel by road or river extremely dangerous, posing significant challenges to delivering emergency aid and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Tremors were also felt in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
Authorities across the region are now assessing the situation, with emergency teams mobilizing in both Myanmar and Thailand.
Han Jong-hee, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and a driving force behind the company’s dominance in the global television market, has died of a heart attack at the age of 63, the company confirmed on Tuesday.
“He died from cardiac arrest today,” a Samsung spokesperson stated, adding that Han is survived by his wife and three children.
Having joined the company in 1988, Han played a significant role in shaping Samsung’s television business.
READ MORE: Samsung Reports Worst Quarterly Profits In 14 Years
His leadership was instrumental in the launch and success of the company’s high-end LED TVs, which helped establish Samsung as a global leader in the industry.
“Han was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the company noted in a biography published earlier this month. “His numerous other innovations enabled the company to continually demonstrate its technology leadership.”
His efforts ensured that Samsung maintained its position as a dominant force in the global television market.
Han’s death comes at a time when Samsung Electronics is grappling with challenges in the AI chip sector.
The company has been facing difficulties in meeting Nvidia’s standards, while its South Korean competitor, SK Hynix, has emerged as the leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for Nvidia’s AI processors.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong recently underscored the urgency of the situation, urging Samsung to adopt a “do-or-die” approach to overcome the growing challenges in the AI industry.
Last October, the company acknowledged it was facing a “crisis,” citing concerns over its “fundamental technological competitiveness and the future of the company.”
Pope Francis will on Sunday be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has been receiving treatment since February 14 for breathing difficulties and pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pontiff will return to his residence at Saint Martha’s House in the Vatican, where doctors have advised that he undergo “a long convalescence… of at least two months.”
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Dr. Sergio Alfieri explained that while the pope’s health is improving, further recovery is best achieved at home.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis’ Condition Improving, Says Vatican
“Further progress will take place at his home, because a hospital — even if this seems strange — is the worst place to recover because it’s where one can contract more infections,” Alfieri said.
Dr. Luca Carbone, another physician at Gemelli, added that there are positive signs in the pope’s condition. “We hope that he will soon be able to resume his normal activities,” he stated.
Before leaving the hospital, Pope Francis is expected to greet the public and offer a blessing from a hospital balcony after the Angelus prayers on Sunday, marking his first appearance in weeks.
Speculation about a possible resignation has been circulating due to the pope’s prolonged absence from public duties, but Vatican officials have firmly denied such claims.
When asked if the topic had been discussed, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin was clear in his response: “No, no, no, absolutely not.”
The pope, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, has received an outpouring of prayers and well-wishes from Catholics worldwide.
Supporters have been gathering outside Gemelli hospital, leaving flowers, candles, and messages of encouragement.
His hospitalization, the longest of his papacy has led to questions about how Easter celebrations will be handled in his absence.
However, Vatican officials remain optimistic about his gradual return to his duties in the coming weeks.
TURJI BELLO: HURIWA Urges Security Chief To Resign Honourably
JUST IN: Former Oyo Gov, Victor Olunloyo Dies At 89
Adeleke Felicitates Tinubu @73
Otti Commends NDDC, Charges Team Abia To Dominate NDSF
Tinubu Assents To Investments And Securities Act 2024
