Wildfires are wreaking havoc in Los Angeles suburbs, forcing tens of thousands to abandon their homes amid dramatic scenes of destruction. The fires have spread rapidly, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency across the city.

Three major fires are currently active:

• This upscale neighborhood, home to many celebrities, is battling flames that have already consumed over 3,000 acres.
• A growing fire above Eaton Canyon continues to threaten residential areas.
• A 50-acre fire in the Sylmar suburbs has triggered mandatory evacuations as the flames spread rapidly.

California’s fire agency has issued an urgent warning, highlighting an immediate threat to life in affected areas.

At least 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate. Videos depict gridlocked roads, with abandoned vehicles being pushed aside by bulldozers to clear paths for emergency responders.

The wildfires have left tens of thousands without electricity. Approximately 200,000 customers in Los Angeles County and 26,000 in neighboring Ventura County are still affected. Utility providers are working tirelessly to restore power.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has cautioned against price gouging during the crisis, reminding retailers that increasing prices on essentials like shelter, gas, and food by more than 10% is illegal. Offenders face severe penalties, including up to a year in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Residents are urged to report any incidents of price gouging to authorities.

The Federal Government has announced the activation of heightened surveillance for inbound passengers from China following reports of a surge in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that has strained healthcare facilities across northern Chinese provinces.
HMPV cases have risen sharply, particularly among children under 14 in northern China. The outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals, with social media footage showing overcrowded facilities and sparking fears of a larger health crisis.

Chinese authorities have implemented measures including:

• Monitoring and tracking pneumonia cases of unknown origin.
• Promoting mask-wearing and social distancing.
• Disinfecting public spaces to limit virus spread.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, stated on Friday that while respiratory infections often peak in winter, the current illnesses appear less severe and widespread compared to the previous year.
To mitigate the risk of importation, Nigeria plans to:

• Conduct enhanced screening and monitoring of passengers arriving from China.
• Quarantine individuals if necessary.

The Federal Government aims to proactively address potential risks, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China five years ago and had a profound global impact.
Neighboring countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Cambodia are also closely tracking the situation, reporting isolated cases but no significant outbreaks.

China has launched a pilot program to monitor and manage pneumonia of unknown origin effectively, reinforcing laboratory reporting and coordination across health agencies.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new opportunity for candidates to resit their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) papers.

Starting January 2025, candidates who wish to improve their scores or retake failed subjects will have the chance to sit for the newly introduced WASSCE Private Candidate (PC1) exams.

Registration and Schedule
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, shared details about the development:

• Candidates can register online via WAEC’s website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés.
• Registration closes on 8th January 2025.
• The resit exams are scheduled to take place between 24th January and 15th February 2025.

Kapi emphasized that this initiative aims to provide students a timely opportunity to improve their results without waiting an entire year.
Candidates whose results were canceled due to administrative reasons can participate in the resit, provided they have not been banned for examination malpractice.