The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is under intense criticism following its handling of the Pacific Palisades fire, which has destroyed much of the area and remains uncontained more than a week later. Records reviewed by the LA Times reveal significant lapses in resource allocation, with over 1,000 available firefighters and dozens of engines left unused during the critical early hours of the fire.
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented President-elect Donald Trump with a personalized Diet Coke bottle on Tuesday to commemorate his upcoming inauguration. The gift continues Coca-Cola’s tradition of marking U.S. presidential inaugurations with specially branded bottles.
Hamas has agreed to a proposed ceasefire draft and the release of dozens of hostages as negotiations with Israel progress, according to officials involved in the talks.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, marking the second major event featuring former U.S. leaders and their spouses that she has missed in recent weeks. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with their spouses, are confirmed to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Capitol flags will be raised to full-staff on January 20 to mark President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the decision Tuesday, temporarily suspending President Joe Biden’s proclamation for flags to remain at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29.
Vice President Kamala Harris has declined the customary invitation for her successor, Senator JD Vance, to visit the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory before President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20. The decision breaks with a long-standing tradition observed during vice presidential transitions.
Freddie Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles County (UFLAC), criticized Los Angeles leaders for neglecting the city’s fire department, contributing to challenges in combating massive wildfires like the Palisades Fire. The fire has burned 24,000 acres, with another 14,000 acres scorched by the Eaton Fire, exposing severe resource and staffing shortages within the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
