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Los Angeles Declares Local Health Emergency Amid Wildfire Smoke and Ash
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Los Angeles County officials have declared a local health emergency as wildfire smoke and ash blanket the region, severely deteriorating air quality. The county’s Department of Public Health issued the emergency declaration alongside a public health order, citing both immediate and long-term health risks from the hazardous air conditions.
The fires and strong winds have forced many residents to evacuate, with healthcare facilities also being impacted, disrupting vital services. The public health order includes a ban on the use of power air blowers, such as leaf blowers, to prevent further dispersal of ash, which poses a heightened risk to vulnerable populations, including individuals with respiratory conditions, older adults, and children.
Residents are urged to take precautionary measures such as staying indoors, sealing windows and doors, using air conditioning with filtration systems, and wearing masks if venturing outdoors. Pets should also be kept inside to avoid exposure to the smoky conditions.
Current Fire Updates and Containment Efforts
Efforts to control the fires have seen some progress, with containment lines being established to limit their spread. Here is the latest information:
- Fatalities and Damage: At least 11 people have lost their lives, according to the LA County Medical Examiner, with nearly 1,000 structures destroyed.
- Major Fires:
- The Palisades Fire, the largest blaze, spans over 21,500 acres and is 8% contained.
- The Eaton Fire has burned through more than 14,000 acres and remains only 3% contained.
- The Kenneth Fire has scorched over 1,000 acres with 50% containment.
- The Hurst Fire has affected 770 acres and is 70% contained.
- The Lidia Fire, located in the hills north of LA, is 98% contained, covering 395 acres.
- The Archer Fire, the newest blaze, started Friday and has burned 19 acres without containment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into how water shortages may have hampered firefighting efforts.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited a fire relief center, offering support to first responders and displaced residents. Meanwhile, an evacuation warning for the Palisades Fire area has been upgraded to a mandatory evacuation order, now extending to Brentwood and Encino. The Getty Center, a world-renowned art gallery, is within the evacuation zone.
News
Australian Nurses Suspended Over Antisemitic Video Amid National Crackdown on Hate Speech
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Two Australian nurses have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them making violent antisemitic remarks, including threats to harm Israeli patients. The incident, which allegedly took place at a hospital in Sydney, has sparked outrage and is now under police investigation.
New South Wales (NSW) Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that the two individuals had been stood down immediately and would never work in the state’s healthcare system again. Authorities are conducting a thorough review of hospital records to ensure no patients were harmed, though a rapid preliminary check found nothing unusual.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as “sickening and shameful,” emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in Australia. His comments come just days after the country passed stricter hate crime laws in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents.
The video, shared online by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, appears to have been recorded in a hospital setting. In the footage, a man claiming to be a doctor tells Veifer he has “beautiful eyes” but adds, “I’m sorry you’re Israeli,” before making a throat-slitting gesture and stating he sends Israelis to “Jahannam” (an Islamic concept of hell). A woman later appears on screen, saying she refuses to treat Israelis and will “kill them” instead.
Despite the video being edited with emojis and censoring certain comments, authorities have not questioned its authenticity. NSW Police stated they have identified the individuals involved and are investigating whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Albanese vowed that anyone found guilty of committing hate crimes will “face the full force of our laws.” Park echoed this sentiment, apologizing to the Jewish community and reassuring them that NSW hospitals remain committed to providing “first-class” healthcare to all patients, regardless of background.
News
Coca-Cola May Increase Plastic Bottle Use Due to Trump’s Aluminium Tariffs
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Coca-Cola has warned that it may have to increase the use of plastic bottles in the U.S. if President Donald Trump’s new tariffs make aluminium cans too expensive. The announcement was made by Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey during a call with investors.
Trump’s recent order imposes a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the U.S., a move expected to raise costs for canned food and beverage manufacturers. Quincey acknowledged that Coca-Cola could shift more emphasis to PET plastic bottles to manage affordability.
“If aluminium cans become more expensive, we can put more emphasis on PET bottles,” he said, while noting that packaging costs are only a small fraction of the company’s overall expenses.
This shift comes shortly after Coca-Cola scaled back its sustainability goal of using 50% recycled materials in its packaging by 2030, adjusting the target to 35-40% by 2035. The beverage giant has been under pressure from environmental groups, which have labeled it the world’s “top global plastic polluter” for six years in a row.
Aluminium cans, despite being pricier, are far more recyclable than plastic bottles. The U.S. imports nearly half of its aluminium, according to the United States Geological Survey, making the tariffs a significant factor in production costs. Unlike in 2018, when some can-makers received exemptions from similar tariffs, Trump has now ruled out any exceptions for products or countries.
In a separate move, Trump also signed an executive order rolling back efforts to replace plastic straws with paper alternatives in government facilities—undoing a policy introduced by former President Joe Biden, who had called plastic pollution a “crisis.”
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U.S. Justice Department Orders Prosecutors to Drop Corruption Case Against NYC Mayor
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The U.S. Justice Department has directed federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the indictment was hindering his ability to address illegal immigration and crime.
The directive came from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former defense attorney for President Donald Trump, who stated in a memo that no further investigative steps should be taken until after the 2025 mayoral election. The memo also instructed prosecutors to work toward restoring Adams’ security clearance.
Adams, a Democrat, has recently forged a closer relationship with Trump and ordered city law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration raids—a move that critics argue undermines New York’s sanctuary city policies. However, he denies having discussed his case with Trump.
Adams was indicted in September on five charges related to accepting over $100,000 in illegal gifts and campaign contributions from Turkish officials in exchange for political favors, including allegedly assisting with safety regulation exemptions for a Turkish consulate in New York. He has pleaded not guilty.
Despite the Justice Department’s order, prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether they will comply. Any decision to drop the case must be formally submitted to the court and approved by a judge.
The move has sparked concerns about political influence in the justice system. While Bove’s memo states that the decision does not assess the strength of the evidence against Adams, it acknowledges that his past criticism of immigration policies under the Biden administration “cannot be ignored.”
Adams, who attended Trump’s presidential inauguration and recently met with him in Florida, has faced backlash from Democratic leaders for aligning with the Republican president. Meanwhile, Trump has previously claimed that both he and Adams were “persecuted” for opposing Biden’s immigration policies.
The Justice Department’s decision to delay potential future prosecution until after the next mayoral election raises questions about the case’s trajectory and whether it may be revisited under a new administration.