Top World News

Jan 15, 2025 - World

Firefighters expect difficult and treacherous day as red flag warning forecasts winds of up to 75mph. This blog is now closedPrivate firefighting crews prompt furious public debateTell us about financial consequences you are facingCalifornia homeowners and business owners who lost everything in the devastating Los Angeles-area fires now have to tackle their insurance companies to recover the value of their homeowners’ policies – if they are lucky enough to have insurance at all.With estimates of the economic damage from the fires now reaching over $200bn, we’d like to hear what financial consequences people face due to the fires.In the rural enclaves tucked close to the canyons most prime to burn, scores of animals – horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and even emus among them – were in danger as the fast-moving fires swept closer. Some had been left behind during chaotic evacuations. Others required large trailers or a gentle hand to calmly coax them through the terror caused by howling winds, ashen air and the very strangers desperately trying to get them to safety. A network of volunteers was preparing to descend on the fire zones, ready to risk it all to save pets and livestock in need.These strangers had quickly stepped up to answer calls for help. Mobilizing through social media pages or elaborate phone trees, they worked through the nights, driving into burning hillsides and through scorched wreckage. For some, it’s not the first time they’ve gone willingly into the fray. Continue reading...

Jan 15, 2025 - World

This liveblog has now closedGaza ceasefire negotiations ‘right on the brink’ as mediators meet in QatarFamilies cautiously optimistic that Israeli hostages may soon be freeHere are some of the latest images sent over the news wires from Gaza.Lebanon’s National News Agency reports that Israeli forces are operating to the west of Meiss El Jabal. It states they are “raiding and storming residential homes” and continues:They are also carrying out searches, vandalism, scattering contents and burning some of them. Limited explosions, machine gun fire and the movement of vehicles and tanks is also being recorded. Continue reading...

Jan 15, 2025 - World

Influential musician confirms loss of extensive record collection amassed over 30 yearsThe celebrated hip-hop producer Madlib has confirmed the loss of his extensive record collection and much of his recording equipment along with his home in the wildfires that have swept across California and killed at least 25 people.The influential musician, who has worked with some of the most prominent names in rap including Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and MF DOOM, is known for his sample-heavy production style. His record collection, amassed over 30 years, acted as the backbone of that work. Continue reading...

Jan 15, 2025 - World

Region faces ‘extreme fire risk’ warnings and ‘significant risk of rapid fire spread’ as official death toll expected to riseAs forecasters warn of another “particularly dangerous weather situation” across northern Los Angeles, residents braced for new wildfire evacuation orders, even as the official death toll from last week’s fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades was expected to rise.Los Angeles, and parts of Ventura county to the north, faced “extreme fire risk” warnings through Wednesday, with officials warning of “significant risk of rapid fire spread” due to the Santa Ana winds – which have gusts of up to 75mph – . The “particularly dangerous weather situation” designation is used very rarely, and was designed by meteorologists to signal “the extreme of the extremes”. The winds were predicted to reach near hurricane-force in some areas. Continue reading...

Jan 15, 2025 - World

Stars from Beyoncé to Eva Longoria, Halle Berry and Meghan Markle supporting families and frontline workersCelebrities are chipping in to help the region that’s helped them grow to prominence – southern California – as wildfires continue to sweep across the state.As of Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles-area fires had killed at least 25 people, displaced thousands of others and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Two of the largest blazes, the Palisades and Eaton fires, had charred almost 40,000 acres (16,187 hectares) combined and were still only partially contained. Continue reading...