California Wildfires Force Evacuation of 180,000 in LA County as Death Toll Rises and Thousands of Homes Destroyed

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:55pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

As wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles, nearly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders. The Palisades fire has burned over 17,000 acres with zero containment, while the Eaton fire has caused five deaths and destroyed over 1,000 structures. Firefighting efforts are hindered by extreme winds, with gusts expected up to 60 mph. More than 95,000 customers are without power, and the region’s water systems are affected by debris and ash. LA Mayor Karen Bass attributed the severity of the fires to historic winds and droughts, while looting has led to 20 arrests.

Read More at The Guardian

Satellite Images Reveal Scale of Devastation as Los Angeles Fires Destroy Thousands of Homes

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:38pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Satellite images have highlighted the massive destruction caused by wildfires in Los Angeles, which have been burning since Monday. Over 11 square kilometers of the city have been destroyed, with thousands of homes and buildings ravaged. The Pacific Palisades fire has caused the most damage, engulfing 6,407 hectares, including historical sites and luxury homes. The Eaton fire, affecting Altadena, has claimed five lives and displaced over 100,000 people. With about 400,000 homes without power, early damage estimates reach $16 billion. Officials warn that worsening weather conditions could spread the fires further.

Read More at abc News

Hollywood Stars Among Those Who Lose Homes as Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles, Including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:12pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Several Hollywood stars have tragically lost their homes in the ongoing wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. Celebrities including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and Diane Warren are among the victims of the blazes. Moore shared that her Altadena home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, while Hilton expressed heartbreak over the loss of her Malibu property. Crystal confirmed the Pacific Palisades fire took his family's home, and Warren's 30-year-old beach house was lost as well. Other stars, such as Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, also faced similar devastation, as wildfires continue to ravage the region.

Read More at The Hollywood Reporter

“Oh My God!”: Passengers Stunned by Los Angeles Wildfires, Five Dead

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:47pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Passengers landing in Los Angeles on January 7 witnessed shocking views of wildfires engulfing neighborhoods below. Nathan Walroth, traveling from Denver, filmed the glowing devastation, prompting exclamations like “Oh my God!” from others onboard. Cal Fire confirmed five active fires in Los Angeles by Wednesday night, with at least five fatalities reported. Strong winds continue fueling the flames, complicating containment efforts and forcing widespread evacuations. Emergency responders work tirelessly to prevent further losses.

Read More at abc News

Pound Falls 0.9% to $1.226 as UK Borrowing Costs Hit 16-Year High Amid Economic Uncertainty

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:35pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

The pound dropped 0.9% to $1.226, its lowest in over a year, as UK borrowing costs soared to a 16-year high. Economists warned that rising costs could force tax hikes or spending cuts to meet fiscal rules. Treasury Minister Darren Jones dismissed the need for emergency action, citing orderly market conditions. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized the government for higher debt and lower growth concerns. Mohamed El-Erian of Allianz highlighted rising debt interest costs and slower growth impacts. The Bank of England held interest rates at 4.75%, citing uncertainty. Global factors, including US policy shifts, also influenced bond yields.

Read More at BBC

India Drops 5 Spots in Global Passport Index; Singapore Remains No. 1

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:02pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

India has slipped from 80th to 85th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, which ranks 199 countries by visa-free access. Indian passport holders can now travel visa-free to 57 destinations, sharing the rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger. Singapore retains the top spot, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations, followed by Japan (193) and Finland (192). The UAE climbed to 10th place with 185 destinations, while the US fell to 9th. Pakistan and Yemen rank at the bottom, with visa-free access to 33 countries. Experts attribute India's decline to limited bilateral agreements improving travel freedom.

Read More at Hindustan Times

Satellite Images Show Devastation from Los Angeles Wildfires

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:05pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Satellite images show the extent of destruction caused by wildfires in Los Angeles. Fires have burned nearly 2,000 buildings, forcing 130,000 people to evacuate. The fires have been fueled by strong winds, spreading quickly across Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Some areas saw quiet streets turn into blazing infernos in just hours. Firefighters continue to battle the flames, trying to save homes and prevent further damage. So far, five people have died, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. The situation remains dire as the fires rage on, with little containment in sight.

Read More at Hindustan Times

Adam Brody, Paris Hilton Lose Homes in LA Wildfires, Celebrities Forced to Evacuate

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:36pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Hollywood stars, including Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, and Mandy Moore, lost their homes to the Pacific Palisades wildfires. The fires have scorched over 12,000 acres, destroying buildings and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Mandy Moore expressed shock, sharing that her children’s school and favourite places were gone. Paris Hilton shared her heartbreak, calling the loss overwhelming but grateful her family was safe. The wildfires, fuelled by strong winds, remain uncontained. Firefighters continue to battle the flames as residents return to find their neighbourhoods in ruins. Many celebrities are sharing messages of resilience and gratitude amidst the tragedy.

Read More at India Today

Wildfires in Los Angeles Reach Hills Above Hollywood Boulevard

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:07pm on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed five people, destroyed 2,000 buildings, and forced 130,000 evacuations. The fires began on Tuesday in Pacific Palisades and spread quickly due to strong winds. A new blaze has now reached the Hollywood Hills, threatening famous landmarks like the Walk of Fame. The fires have burned over 27,000 acres, with the hardest-hit areas being Santa Monica, Malibu, and Studio City. Emergency crews are working day and night, but dry weather and warm winds are making it harder to control the flames. Officials have called this one of the worst disasters in the city's history.

Read More at The Guardian

Assam Cops Enter Nagaland by Mistake, Attacked by Locals Following Google Maps Error

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:07am on 09 Jan 2025,Thursday International

A 16-member Assam Police team, guided by Google Maps, mistakenly entered Nagaland's Mokokchung district during a raid, sparking chaos. Mistaken for criminals, the team, mostly in civil dress, was attacked and held captive by locals. One officer sustained injuries. The confusion arose as Google Maps incorrectly showed a tea garden in Assam instead of Nagaland. Upon realization, Nagaland Police intervened, rescuing the team after a night of captivity. Five officers were freed initially, with the remaining 11 released the next morning. The incident highlighted challenges in cross-border operations and reliance on navigation apps.

Read More at India Today

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