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Collapsed portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel, in which at least eight workers are feared trapped. Photo: handout
India

8 workers trapped in ‘unfortunate’ India tunnel collapse

Rescue efforts are under way, with the ventilation system still functional, providing hope for the trapped workers.

Extreme weather

LA mayor sacks fire chief over handling of worst wildfire in city history

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Fame and celebrity

Who is Sheletta Chapital, ex-wife of new Captain America, Anthony Mackie?

United States

US braces for ‘life-threatening cold’ as polar vortex brings extreme weather

Extreme cold warnings were issued as a polar vortex hits the US after deadly floods and storms caused chaos across several states.

A man walks along an empty road during the pass of a polar vortex in Norwood, New Jersey, on January 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

At least 9 dead, including 8 in Kentucky, amid latest blast of US winter weather

Severe US winter weather causes flooding, power outages, and dangerous conditions across multiple states.

Japan

Japan’s Tepco takes on challenge of making space for Fukushima nuclear debris

Company has started dismantling water tanks and plans to build facilities to store the molten fuel debris after extracting it from inside the reactors.

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Donald Trump

Trump tours US disaster zones, says FEMA needs to ‘go away’

The US president visited storm-hit North Carolina and California areas ravaged by wildfires.

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US President Donald Trump greets supporters, as he arrives to assess recovery efforts and tour areas devastated by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
United States

Explosive new wildfire erupts near Los Angeles, forcing thousands to flee

The fast-moving Hughes Fire stoked fresh fears in a region already devastated by two weeks of deadly infernos.

Trending in China

China student honoured for carrying classmate on his back to safety during quake

Youngster acts on instinct, returns to shaking classroom to save fellow student from ravages of 4.6 magnitude tremor.

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Indonesia

Heavy rain triggers deadly landslide in Indonesia, killing 16, several missing

Rescue efforts are underway amid challenging conditions.

A crew conducts rescue operation after landslides hit Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on January 20, 2025. Photo: Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency/Xinhua
Taiwan

Southern Taiwan hit by 6.4-magnitude earthquake, TSMC evacuates some factories

Fire department said a handful of people were trapped in damaged buildings in city of Tainan; earthquake shook buildings in capital Taipei.

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Downtown Taipei, Taiwan. On Tuesday, an earthquake struck a mountainous, rural area of Taiwan’s south near the city of Chiayi. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Active volcano in Indonesia erupts 1,000 times in January, forcing evacuations

Mount Ibu, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, sent ash plumes 4km into the sky, forcing authorities to raise the alert level and urge residents to seek shelter.

Fame and celebrity

Who was under-fire LA Mayor Karen Bass’ late ex-husband, Jesus Lechuga?

Amid criticism over her handling of the Los Angeles wildfires, cutting the Fire Department’s budget and ill-timed Ghana trip, Bass’ personal life is under scrutiny too.

Japan

As Japan marks Kobe quake anniversary, fears of another major disaster mount

Tremors in the Nankai Trough, south of Kobe, have increased recently as seismologists flag higher risks of a major quake in the area.

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People mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 “Great Hanshin Earthquake” in Kobe on Friday. Photo: AFP
Music

With LA’s counter-culture suburb in ruins, creatives’ pain ramps up

Already hurting in the post-Covid economy, many millennial creatives who lost their Altadena homes in wildfires are now feeling priced out.

A home burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California, on January 8, 2025, as fires continue to ravage parts of the city. Large swathes of Altadena have since been destroyed. Photo: AP
United States

Burning Teslas add to toxic mix of pollution delaying LA return

Electric cars add a new dimension to the mess left by devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

United States

Los Angeles ‘Red Flag’ wildfire warnings expire, but dangers persist

Fire-wrecked Los Angeles gets a break, but some 6.5 million people remain under critical threat.

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United States

Los Angeles wildfires could spawn fire tornadoes, experts warn

Combination of high winds and dry conditions could create a perfect storm for dangerous phenomena.

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A fire tornado near Wrightwood, California in 2016. File photo: AFP
United States

Los Angeles firefighters hold the line in extreme conditions

High winds and low humidity pose extreme danger across the parched landscape around Los Angeles.

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Indonesia

Indonesian politician’s daughter slammed for LA fire aid, ignoring Gaza victims

Online users who have criticised Cinta Rahmania Putri say the fire victims’ suffering pales in comparison with that of the Palestinians.

United States

Devastating Los Angeles wildfires prompt 2028 Olympics debate

The Los Angeles disaster has underscored the challenges of staging the world’s largest sporting event in a region under threat of wildfires.

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Buildings in downtown Los Angeles shrouded by smoke from multiple wildfires on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Academy Awards

Oscar nominations postponed for second time because of LA fires

The names of Oscars finalists, initially planned for Friday, will be announced on January 23.

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The Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan hit by 6.6 magnitude quake, tsunami threat declared over

Public broadcaster NHK TV said a tsunami, estimated to be as high as 1 metre, reached land within 30 minutes of the quake.

United States

Netflix star says Los Angeles landlords price gouging amid devastating fires

Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim says landlords are illegally raising rents and exploiting displaced residents, while violating California’s price gouging laws.

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United States

Los Angeles braces for new week of wildfires as Santa Ana winds return

Fierce Santa Ana winds have been largely blamed for turning wildfires last week into infernos that levelled entire neighbourhoods.

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Pacific Palisades residents look through the remains of their home, which was destroyed by fire. Photo: Reuters
United States

Numerous historic landmarks lost in Los Angeles wildfires

Wildfires have destroyed more than 30 landmarks in Los Angeles – and the tally could grow.

The Andrew McNally House, a historical landmark, burns during the Eaton fire in Altadena, California, on January 8. Photo: AFP
TV shows and streaming video

Meghan Markle’s Netflix show delayed as LA fires wreak havoc

With Love, Meghan has been pushed back until March. As wildfires halt TV productions, one actress urges Hollywood to scrap its awards season.

TV shows and streaming video

US$83m house from Succession series among those destroyed in LA wildfires

The house, with six bedrooms and 18 bathrooms, was bought for US$83 million in 2021, and appeared in the season four premiere of Succession.

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