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«The price gouging is going haywire, it's obscene,» the 50-year-old stylist told AFP. «I can't find anywhere for us to go.»

Firefighters raced Saturday 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.

The wildfires that erupted this week across Los Angeles County are far from contained, but they're already expected to be the costliest in U.S. history and among the worst natural disasters

Pope Francis expressed his sadness over the devastation caused by the recent wildfires in California, offering spiritual support to the victims in a telegram sent to the Archbishop of Los Angeles. «Saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction,» the pope conveyed his «spiritual closeness» to those affected, according to Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, reported the Associated Press. Among the most tragic losses were houses of worship, including the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which was destroyed by the flames. Cantor Ruth Berman Harris, along with three others, risked their lives to rescue Torah scrolls from the temple as the fire approached. «It’s the heartbeat of any Jewish community,» Berman Harris of the Torah told the Associated Press. Her quick action, despite road closures, saved the sacred texts, but the synagogue itself was lost. «The flames were getting closer,» she explained, recalling how a nearby congregant called her to alert her about the danger. The temple, a cornerstone of the community for over 80 years, was reduced to a few walls and empty space. «There’s absolutely nothing except for a few walls and the empty space,» said Melissa Levy, the synagogue's executive director. Nevertheless, the AP report noted that many congregants have visited the site to say their farewells to a place where they celebrated family milestones and faith, reported the Associated Press.

Jenna Cooper started asking friends for clothing and other items to help people in need. Her request spread quickly through a network of powerful women. Actors including Sharon Stone and Halle Berry responded, providing sweaters, shoes, clothing, handbags, belts, pajamas and more pulled from their own collections. «I'm packing up my entire closet,» Berry wrote on Instagram. «If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now.»

National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 has been instrumental in reducing child stunting in India, preventing stunting in approximately 1.8 million children across eight states, reported TOI, citing a study published in the American Economic Association's Journal on Applied Economics. The evaluation highlights the impact of expanded food grain distribution under the Act on child nutrition, stunting, and dietary diversity. The study, conducted by Aditya Shrinivas of IIM Bangalore alongside researchers from the universities of California and Calgary, found that the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the NFSA improved not just nutrition but also household welfare. By increasing daily wages and overall income, the PDS provided crucial support to poor households, who are primarily net labor suppliers. Additionally, it helped vulnerable families withstand climate shocks such as poor rainfall or drought. The NFSA standardized entitlements to 5 kg of staple grains per person per month at subsidized rates—Rs 3 per kg for rice and Rs 2 per kg for wheat. Before the Act, states had discretion over prices and quantities offered under the PDS. This shift from per-household to per-individual entitlements particularly benefited larger families, prompting less generous states to expand their food distribution programs.

Los Angeles sports organizations are uniting to launch an “LA Strong” custom logo and apparel line that will raise money for organizations assisting those impacted by this week’s devasting wildfires

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Dear reader, Hello and welcome to the first edition of 2025 of Climate Change And You. It’s been two months since Sayantan and I started the newsletter, and it has been a busy time in terms of climate news.

‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ star Josh Flagg discusses evacuating Los Angeles amid the flames on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

Quebec said Friday it will send two more firefighting aircraft to California, a day after one of the province’s water bombers collided with a drone while battling the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.

Insurers exposed to the California homeowners' market sold off sharply Friday as the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires spread.

Constellation is buying power natural gas and geothermal power provider Calpine in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $16.4 billion, joining together two of the country’s biggest power companies

Gary Hall Jr. claims that fires in California destroyed everything he owned, including his ten medals. Gary Hall Jr., a former American Olympic swimmer, described the apocalyptic destruction and his own losses caused by the devastating wildfires that are still destroying Los Angeles. With the exception of a few personal belongings he hastily packed before leaving, the 50-year-old athlete told the Sydney Morning Herald that the consuming fires destroyed his rented home in the Pacific Palisades, his ten Olympic medals, the swimming pool where he taught his kids to swim, and most of his possessions, as quoted in a report by The Independent. ALSO READ Lost Angeles! Pacific Palisades totally devasted; these A-list celebrities' homes have burned to the ground

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Los Angeles wildfires are set to be the costliest blaze in U.S. history, analysts said Thursday, as the first initial estimates of damage from the infernos soared with their unchecked spread.

Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra has been named the best male javelin thrower in the world in 2024 by globally-renowned American magazine 'Track and Field News'. The 27-year-old Chopra, who was beaten by Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem for the Olympic gold medal in August last year, pipped two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada for the top spot in the 2024 rankings published by the California-based magazine. Nadeem was ranked fifth as he competed in only one event in 2024 besides the Olympic Games where he came up with a monster throw of 92.97m as against 89.45m of Chopra. He finished fourth in Paris Diamond League. Founded in 1948, the magazine, which claims itself to be 'The Bible Of The Sport', publishes world and American rankings every year. The magazine is considered an authority in global track and field circles.

Out-of-control wildfires are ravaging parts of Los Angeles this week, ripping through neighbourhoods and enclaves many Hollywood stars call home, including the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Wildfires in California aren’t all wild anymore. They often burn in urban areas, creating a toxic soup of smoke, ash and noxious substances that can be dangerous, even deadly.

Joe Biden announced that the federal government will cover the costs of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months.

Major wildfires continue to devastate parts of southern California, raging through neighbourhoods in and around Los Angeles as firefighters struggle to put out the blazes.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond discusses the impact of Californias policies on residents amid uncontained wildfires.