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.

California is grappling with a massive wildfire emergency, as fires continue to rage across Los Angeles and surrounding areas, claiming at least five lives and leaving tens of thousands displaced. A state of emergency has been declared, with the federal government stepping in to assist local authorities in managing the crisis. Retired firefighters with extensive firefighting experience have been called back to duty as part of the emergency response.

Over 70,000 people in Los Angeles and nearby regions have been forced to evacuate as multiple wildfires, fueled by high winds and extreme conditions, remain largely uncontrollable. The fires, which broke out in various parts of the city, have already destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, leaving a heavy blanket of smoke over the area. Among the hardest-hit neighborhoods is the upscale Pacific Palisades, home to many Hollywood celebrities, where flames consumed luxury homes at an alarming rate.

Struggle to contain the fires amidst strong winds

Firefighters are facing immense challenges as hurricane-force winds spread the flames across vast stretches of land. The fireball-like embers, driven by gusty winds, have ignited spot fires far faster than firefighters can contain them. The fire in Pacific Palisades alone has scorched approximately 16,000 acres, taking with it hundreds of homes. Another major fire burning in Altadena, north of the city, has ravaged suburban streets, consuming over 10,000 acres.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitted that local firefighting resources are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster. “We’re doing the very best we can. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in LA County between all the departments to handle this,” Marrone said.

The death toll has risen to five, with authorities fearing the discovery of more victims as the situation remains fluid and the fires continue to spread uncontrollably. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the grim update and expressed concerns that the number of casualties could increase as more areas are searched.

Water shortage threatens firefighting efforts

As the fires ravage vast sections of Los Angeles, a significant shortage of water is complicating firefighting efforts. Hydrants in affected areas have been drying up, particularly in Pacific Palisades, exacerbating the challenge for firefighters. Janisse Quinones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, urged residents to conserve water as the city’s water supply is stretched thin. “We’re fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that is really challenging,” Quinones explained.

Hollywood forced to pause as fires spread

The entertainment capital of the world has come to a standstill as wildfires threaten the very heart of Hollywood. Several high-profile events, including a major awards ceremony and a film premiere for Pamela Anderson, were cancelled as celebrities, actors, and musicians joined the thousands of residents fleeing the flames. In the Pacific Palisades area, multimillion-dollar homes, often owned by Hollywood elite, have been destroyed, leaving residents in shock.

Among those affected was singer and actress Mandy Moore, who shared on Instagram that she had to flee with her children and pets as the blaze devastated her neighborhood in Altadena. Moore expressed her devastation, writing, “I am devastated and gutted for those of us who’ve lost so much. I’m absolutely numb.”

Actor James Woods also took to social media, posting a video of flames threatening his Pacific Palisades home and recounting his frantic evacuation. “I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one,” Woods wrote.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis were also forced to evacuate their homes, with Hamill sharing on Instagram how he narrowly escaped the flames near his Malibu residence. Curtis, meanwhile, expressed relief that her home was safe, but lamented the destruction of the neighborhood.

Community faces challenges amid wildfire devastation

As the wildfires continue to rage, local authorities and emergency responders are working tirelessly to control the situation, with President Joe Biden visiting Los Angeles to assess the damage and offer federal assistance. Governor Gavin Newsom and Biden both expressed their commitment to providing all available resources to combat the wildfires.

In the entertainment industry, the upcoming Oscar nominations were delayed until January 19 to accommodate those impacted by the fires, ensuring affected members of the Academy have time to submit their ballots.

With no sign of containment in the immediate future, the residents of Los Angeles and surrounding areas remain on edge, as emergency crews continue their fight against the devastating fires.