Los Angeles is grappling with devastating wildfires that have left destruction in their wake, forcing thousands to evacuate and stretching firefighting resources to their limits. The infernos, which have destroyed thousands of structures and scorched vast tracts of land, have been described by authorities as some of the worst in California’s history.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna painted a grim picture of the situation, saying, “It looks as though an atomic bomb dropped in these areas,” during a press conference on Thursday.

Rapid spread and destruction

A new fire broke out Thursday evening in the West Hills neighborhood, consuming over 900 acres in mere hours. Across Southern California, multiple wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives, displaced tens of thousands of residents, and razed entire neighborhoods. In total, the Pacific Palisades fire has burned over 19,000 acres, while the Altadena fire has destroyed 13,000 acres.

Mass evacuations and celebrity homes affected

Nearly 180,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders. Pacific Palisades and Altadena, home to numerous celebrities like Paris Hilton and Anthony Hopkins, have been among the hardest-hit areas, with multi-million-dollar properties reduced to ash.

“This is absolutely an unprecedented, historic firestorm,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a briefing.

National Guard and federal support

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of the National Guard to assist in the firefighting efforts and protect vulnerable communities. “We’re throwing everything at our disposal to safeguard lives and properties,” he stated, while also issuing stern warnings against looting in evacuated zones.

President Joe Biden has pledged federal support, describing the situation as “the most widespread, devastating fire in California’s history.” He emphasized that the federal government is fully committed to aiding the state in its response.

Political tensions and conspiracy theories

The crisis has sparked political friction, with President-elect Donald Trump accusing Governor Newsom of mismanagement on social media. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories have emerged online, including baseless claims about firefighting resources being diverted to Ukraine.

International support and climate challenges

Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered assistance, sharing a video of Canadian firefighters battling the California blazes. “Neighbors helping neighbors,” Trudeau wrote, emphasizing international solidarity during the crisis.

Experts attribute the fires’ intensity to decades of drought followed by unusually wet years, which created an abundance of dry vegetation now fueling the flames. Meteorologists warn that strong winds and dry conditions are likely to persist, exacerbating the situation.

Community response and recovery efforts

Shelters have been inundated with donations from local residents, though officials are redirecting supplies to other areas in need. Meanwhile, containment efforts in some regions, such as the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, have allowed residents brief reprieves to check their homes.

As California grapples with these catastrophic fires, the focus remains on safeguarding lives, controlling the blazes, and addressing the long-term implications of climate-driven disasters.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has firmly dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st state of the United States. Addressing the controversial comments, Trudeau characterized them as a distraction tactic and reiterated the distinct identity and pride of Canadians.

“That’s not going to happen. Canadians are incredibly proud of being Canadian,” Trudeau stated in an interview with CNN. “One of the ways we most easily define ourselves is that we are not American. I believe President Trump, who is a skilled negotiator, is using this rhetoric to divert attention.”

Trump recently proposed a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian imports unless Ottawa strengthens its border security, a move Trudeau warned would have significant consequences for both nations’ economies. He emphasized that such a policy would lead to increased costs for American consumers.

“From oil and gas to steel, aluminum, lumber, and other goods Americans rely on, everything would suddenly become much more expensive,” Trudeau explained. “These tariffs would hurt not only Canada but also U.S. consumers and industries.”

The Canadian leader also highlighted Ottawa’s response during a similar trade dispute in 2018, where counter-tariffs were imposed on American goods such as ketchup, playing cards, bourbon, and motorcycles. While he noted Canada’s readiness to act if necessary, Trudeau emphasized the mutual harm such measures could cause.

“We don’t want to go down that path again because it raises prices for Canadians and disrupts trade with our closest partner,” he added.

Trump’s remarks about Canada follow a history of unconventional territorial ideas, including his controversial proposal to purchase Greenland during his presidency. Both Danish and Greenlandic officials dismissed the idea outright.

Earlier this week, Trudeau further rebuffed Trump’s suggestion, stating, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions in cross-border relations, with Trudeau making it clear that Canada remains steadfast in protecting its sovereignty and economic stability.

A series of devastating wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, resulting in five fatalities and the destruction of over 1,100 structures. The fires have prompted mass evacuations, including among Hollywood celebrities, and led to the widespread cancellation of major entertainment events.

As a consequence, the announcement of Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for January 17, has been postponed to January 19, with nomination voting deadlines also extended. However, the ceremony itself is still set to take place on March 2.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed his condolences to those affected, highlighting the fires’ significant impact on the film industry, particularly in Southern California.

Events such as the Critics Choice Awards, along with other pre-Oscar functions like the AFI Awards luncheon and the British Academy of Film and TV Arts Tea Party, have been delayed. Significant industry events, including the Academy’s technical “bake-off,” have been canceled.

Prominent figures in Hollywood, including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Anthony Hopkins, have experienced personal losses, with their homes either destroyed or evacuated.

Premieres for films like Better Man and The Last Showgirl have been called off, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were released via press release instead of as a live event. Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily closed due to hazardous conditions, and filming for shows such as Ted Lasso and Grey’s Anatomy has been halted.

The wildfires, which began on Tuesday, have severely stretched firefighting resources and water supplies. Schools, including Palisades Charter High School—known for its roles in films like Carrie and Teen Wolf—have been damaged or destroyed. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden has signed a federal disaster declaration, releasing funds for temporary housing, repairs, and recovery efforts.

Earlier, the announcement of the 15 films shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars has reignited controversy among cinephiles, critics, and filmmakers in India due to Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies not being included in the list.

Following the announcement, strong online criticism of the Film Federation of India (FFI) emerged, led by voices like Hansal Mehta and Ricky Kej, who accused the organization of consistently poor judgment in its Oscar selections. For many, this omission serves as a reflection of deeper issues in how India presents itself on the global cinematic stage.

Laapataa Ladies, a charming satire about two brides swapped in rural India during the 1990s, received acclaim for its clever narrative. However, as Grammy-winning musician Kej bluntly stated, it was “absolutely the wrong choice” for an Oscar campaign.

The disappointment was further intensified by comparisons to Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL), which many believe to be India’s strongest contender for the international feature race. Kapadia’s portrayal of Mumbai’s working class has already garnered multiple accolades, including nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and its triumph at Cannes, where it won the Grand Prize, has firmly established it as a critical favorite early in the competition.