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California declares state of emergency as wildfires devastate Los Angeles, retired firefighters called in

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Wildfire burning in Los Angeles, California, with smoke and flames spreading across the Pacific Palisades area.

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.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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