Former child star Rory Callum Sykes, 32, tragically died during the Los Angeles wildfires at his family’s Malibu property. Born with cerebral palsy, Rory gained fame in the 1998 British TV show Kiddy Kapers and later became a motivational speaker. His mother, Shelley Sykes, revealed on social media that the water supply was turned off, preventing firefighters from saving the cottage where Rory was staying. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong extended condolences and confirmed consular support. The wildfires, fueled by climate change, have devastated over 30,000 acres, claimed 16 lives, and caused damages exceeding $135 billion.

Greenland's leader Múte Egede expressed willingness to negotiate with US president-elect Donald Trump about relations between Greenland and the US but firmly rejected the idea of Greenland becoming American. Speaking at a press conference in Denmark with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, Egede emphasized Greenland's independence aspirations, stating, "Greenland is for the Greenlandic people." Trump reiterated his desire for US control over Greenland, citing economic security as a reason. Frederiksen reaffirmed Greenland's autonomy, stating, "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders." Greenland, a Danish self-governing territory since 1953, remains strategically important and mineral-rich, relying on Denmark for defense.

German maritime authorities rescued the Panamanian-flagged tanker Eventin, identified as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' stranded off Rügen island in the Baltic Sea. The tanker, carrying 99,000 tonnes of oil, lost power and steering, prompting a rescue operation with three tugboats. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of circumventing sanctions and endangering European security by deploying such vessels. This incident follows heightened Western sanctions on Russian energy sectors post-Ukraine invasion, targeting firms like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas. Russia has not responded to the accusations regarding its shadow fleet.

Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region, marking the first live captures of such troops since their deployment last autumn. President Zelenskiy confirmed the soldiers were transferred to Kyiv and are being treated under international law. The men, aged 19 and 25, were interrogated with South Korean assistance due to language barriers. Captured during a special forces operation, one soldier had a jaw injury, while the other suffered a leg fracture. North Korean troops, allegedly aiding Russia since October, have reportedly bolstered artillery supplies. Moscow and Pyongyang remain silent on their involvement.

A California woman, Gale, returned to her burned-down home in Pacific Palisades to search for valuables after fleeing the L.A. wildfires. Wearing nursing scrubs and carrying her phone, she dug through the rubble with help from a man. They discovered a safe, which they opened using an axe. Inside, Gale found her wedding rings and other valuables. Police arrived soon after, concerned about looting in the area. Gale had left behind her passport and important documents when evacuating. Authorities are working to increase security and combat looting in affected neighborhoods.

Over 144,000 residents in Los Angeles are under evacuation orders as six wildfires continue to spread. The Palisades Fire has destroyed homes and prompted warnings for areas like Brentwood, Malibu, and Calabasas. Poor air quality led to a local health emergency, with officials urging residents to stay indoors. Strong winds are expected, raising fears of further spread. The Eaton Fire, the second largest blaze, has over 50 evacuation orders in place near Pasadena. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fires, but challenges like smoke, ash, and exhausted resources persist. At least 11 people have died in the wildfires.

Wildfires in Los Angeles caused chaos as firefighters struggled with low water pressure and dry hydrants. Areas like Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena were hit hard. The intense demand drained storage tanks and overwhelmed water systems. A reservoir under maintenance made things worse, while power outages disrupted pumps. Over 9,000 structures were damaged in the fires. Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation into water supply failures. Experts suggest improving storage, upgrading pipelines, and adding backup power for pumps. Meanwhile, firefighters relied on tanker trucks and unconventional sources like swimming pools to battle the flames.

Former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. has lost his home, belongings, and all ten Olympic medals in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The 50-year-old athlete, who won 10 medals across three Olympic Games, described the destruction as "worse than any apocalypse movie." His rented home in Pacific Palisades and the swimming pool where he taught his children were destroyed. Despite the tragedy, Hall remains optimistic, stating, "It's time to start a new chapter." A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Hall in rebuilding his life and business following the massive loss.

In a statement ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, outgoing US President Joe Biden, 82, ruled out retreating from public life after January 20. When asked if he would follow the post-presidency model of staying out of the spotlight, Biden told reporters, “I'm not going to be out of sight—out of mind.” While he didn’t share specific post-presidency plans, Biden’s comments suggest he intends to remain visible. This contrasts with the typical trend of US presidents, such as Barack Obama, who distanced themselves from the public after leaving office. Trump, Biden’s successor, plans to run for president again.

US President Joe Biden described Los Angeles as a "battle scene" following the devastating wildfires that continue to ravage the city. Speaking from the Oval Office, Biden noted "clear evidence" of looting in affected neighborhoods, prompting authorities to enforce nighttime curfews and deploy military and National Guard personnel for security. He criticized "demagogues" for spreading misinformation about the disaster, likening the destruction to targeted bombings in a war zone. Biden's remarks come as California grapples with one of its worst fire seasons, displacing thousands and causing widespread destruction. The fires have intensified debates over climate change and disaster preparedness.