The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has delayed its Oscar nominations announcement by 48 hours due to the deadly wildfires devastating Los Angeles. Originally scheduled for January 17, the announcement will now take place on January 19, the BBC reports.
As wildfires rage across California, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and President-elect Donald Trump offered starkly different explanations for the devastation. Sanders attributed the fires to climate change, calling it an "existential crisis" and urging swift action. Trump, meanwhile, placed the blame on California’s Democratic leadership, citing poor water management and restrictive regulations as contributing factors.
Southern California is facing dangerous air quality conditions as three major wildfires—the Palisades Fire in western Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire near Altadena, and the Hurst/Sylmar Fire near Santa Clarita—continue to burn out of control.
Huntington Beach, California, is suing the state over its sanctuary city law, saying it is unconstitutional by preventing authorities from fulfilling their duties to protect residents.
The Biden administration plans to send $500 million in weapons to Ukraine using existing U.S. stockpiles. The move aims to bolster Ukraine's position in ongoing negotiations ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Actor Chris Pratt urged his followers to pray for Los Angeles firefighters battling the fast-moving wildfires engulfing the city for a second consecutive day. Pratt, known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to share his concerns and gratitude for first responders.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass traveled to Ghana on Tuesday as part of a U.S. delegation attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama, sparking frustration as her city faced devastating wildfires. The taxpayer-funded trip, led by Shalanda D. Young, director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, also included U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia E. Palmer and Frances Z. Brown, a senior director for African affairs.
