Extreme fire conditions are expected in the Los Angeles area through Wednesday due to strengthening Santa Ana winds. The wildfires have killed at least 16 people, with 16 others missing. A red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Southern California due to the strong winds expected. The city of Malibu has already lost a significant portion to the Palisades Fire. Small business owners are starting to deal with the aftermath of the wildfires, as arsonists are being investigated as a potential cause of the blazes. Former Australian child star Rory Sykes lost his life in the fires, as the wildfires become one of the most destructive disasters in Los Angeles history. Residents impacted by the fires are now focusing on filing insurance claims.
California Governor Gavin Newsom predicts the wildfires will be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Trump has criticized Newsom for the disaster, leading to a war of words between the two politicians. Meanwhile, special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department, with expectations for his report on Trump’s alleged involvement in 2020 election interference to be released soon. The NFL wild-card weekend also took place with several games resulting in victories for various teams. Director Barry Jenkins achieved dual wins at the box office with his films “Mufasa: The Lion King” and “The Fire Inside,” exploring themes of leadership and community. Additionally, other news stories include freeze alerts across the country, Ukraine capturing North Korean soldiers, and the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China.
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