London — A British teen pleaded guilty Monday to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people in what a prosecutor said was a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer. Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea as jury selection had been expected to begin at the start of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court.
The July 29 stabbings sent shock waves across the U.K. and led to a week of widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was actually born in Wales.
The rampage occurred on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls at the Hart Space, a facility hidden behind a row of houses, were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England.
Tributes to victims are left by well-wishers, July 30, 2024, in Southport, England, after teenager armed with a knife attacked children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, killing two kids and leaving six more in critical condition, along with two adults.
Chris Furlong/Getty
“This was an unspeakable attack — one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness,” Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said. “A day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”
Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led Rudakubana — who was days shy of his 18th birthday — to commit the atrocities but Doyle said it was clear he had a “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”
Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaeda manual.
Murder suspect Axel Rudakubana appears via video link at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with production of the deadly poison ricin and a terrorism offense, in London, England, Oct. 30, 2024, in a file courtroom sketch.
Julia Quenzler/Handout/REUTERS
Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday, Justice Julian Goose said.
Defense lawyer Stanley Reiz said he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana’s mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.
The surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent in court because they had expected to arrive Tuesday for opening statements.
Goose asked the prosecutor to apologize on his behalf that they were not present to hear Rudakubana plead guilty.
He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.
Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. Fifteen other girls, as young as 5, were at the class but uninjured. Under a court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.
Police said the stabbings weren’t classified as acts of terrorism because the motive wasn’t known.
Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was charged with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.
Police said they found the evidence during a search of his family’s home in a neighboring village.
The day after the killings — and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims — a violent group attacked a mosque near the crime scene and pelted police officers with bricks and bottles and set fire to police vehicles.
Rioting then spread to dozens of other towns over the next week when groups made up mostly of men mobilized by far-right activists on social media clashed with police during violent protests and attacked hotels housing migrants.
More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.
Fierce and gusty winds and a heightened risk of wildfire outbreaks are set to return to southern California, and especially the devastated city of Los Angeles, as the region continues to deal with deadly blazes that have already killed at least 27 people and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes.
Windy weather and single-digit humidity that have created dangerous bone dry conditions across the region are expected to linger through Thursday, said Rich Thompson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
The region hasn’t seen rain since April, creating a tinder box-like set of conditions that has millions of residents on edge.
The NWS issued a warning of a “ particularly dangerous situation” for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds. Gusts could peak at 70 mph (113 kph) along the coast and 100 mph (160 kph) in the mountains and foothills.
A windblown dust and ash advisory was also issued, as high winds could disperse ash from existing fire zones across southern California.
Critical fire weather with wind gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph) was also forecast for southern California communities stretching to San Diego on Monday and Tuesday, with residents urged to take steps to get ready to evacuate such as creating an emergency kit and keeping cars filled with at least a half tank of gas.
The warnings come as firefighters continue to battle two major blazes in the Los Angeles area, the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out during fierce winds on 7 January.
The Palisades fire was 52% contained on Sunday and the Eaton fire 81% contained, according to fire officials.
Firefighters have made progress on the perimeter of the Palisades fire, which has blackened more than 37 sq miles (96 sq km) near the Pacific coast, but there are areas in the interior that continue to burn, said Dan Collins, a spokesperson for the Palisades fire incident.
“There is always a possibility in a red flag warning something hot, or some type of burning material from the interior, could be perhaps whipped up and blown across the containment lines,” Collins said.
While firefighters are fairly confident the Eaton fire further inland will remain contained, there are concerns a new fire could break out with vegetation especially dry for this time of year, said Carlos Herrera, an Eaton fire spokesperson.
Fire engines, water-dropping aircraft and fire-fighting crews have been placed across the region to enable a quick response should a new fire break out. “This proactive approach has proven to be a critical component of California’s wildfire response strategy, reducing response times and containing fires before they escalate,” said the office of the governor, Gavin Newsom.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump look on as they meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on inauguration day of Donald Trump’s second presidential term in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2025.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
U.S. stock market futures rose amid the inauguration of Donald Trump as investors bet a series of immediate actions by the incoming president would boost the economy, especially in areas like the banking and energy sectors.
Traders were also likely encouraged by news that Trump wouldn’t immediately install new tariffs on day one.
Regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq was closed for the Martin Luther King Day holiday, but there was limited futures trading.
Bitcoin jumped to a new record above $109,000 on Monday.
“I’ve been doing this for 49 years and we’re probably going from the most anti-business administration to the opposite,” said Stanley Druckenmiller, chairman and CEO of the Duquesne Family Office, in an interview during CNBC’s special inauguration coverage. “CEOs are somewhere between relieved and giddy…we are a believer in animal spirits.”
There will be a flurry of executive actions unveiled Monday for investors to evaluate regarding their impact on the economy. A trade memorandum from the new administration that’s expected will not impose tariffs yet. The memo will ask for investigations of China, Canada and Mexico for unfair trade practices and currency policies.
Elsewhere, the President-elect will declare a national energy emergency, according to an incoming White House official, with the goal of lowering high costs. It will expand the president’s legal options for allowing drilling in Alaska and other areas.
Other executive actions to come Monday are likely to address business deregulation and immigration restrictions.
Druckenmiller, considered one of the best ever hedge fund managers, did have some caution on the overall market because of rising interest rates.
A series of experiments on board China’s space station have for the first time produced oxygen and the ingredients for rocket fuel – key steps that are considered essential for human survival and the future exploration of space.
The Shenzhou-19 crew aboard the Tiangong space station successfully conducted the world’s first in-orbit demonstration of artificial photosynthesis technology, producing oxygen, as well as the ingredients necessary for rocket fuel, paving the way for long-term space exploration, including a crewed moon landing before 2030.
The 12 experiments took place inside a drawer-shaped device, using semiconductor catalysts to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen while producing ethylene, a hydrocarbon that can be used to make spacecraft propellants, according to the China Manned Space (CMS) website.
It said the tests focused on several technologies that would be essential for resource production and human survival, including: carbon dioxide conversion at room temperature; the precise control of gas and liquid flows in microgravity; and real-time, high-sensitivity detection of reaction products.
“This technology mimics the natural photosynthesis process of green plants through engineered physical and chemical methods, utilising carbon dioxide resources in confined spaces or extraterrestrial atmospheres to produce oxygen and carbon-based fuels,” state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday.
China’s Tiangong space station. Photo: China Manned Space Agency
“The work is expected to provide critical technical support for human survival and exploration in outer space,” the report added.
Veteran leaker Evan Blass has posted a video showing off several Galaxy S25 series software features.
These features include a morning briefing screen, a Gemini assistant with deeper app integrations, improved night video, and an Audio Eraser tool.
The Galaxy S25 range launches on Wednesday, January 22.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is expected to launch on Wednesday (January 22), and we’ve seen a torrent of leaks in recent weeks as we approach the launch date. Now, a veteran tipster has posted a video showing off the new phone series and its software.
Evan Blass posted an apparently leaked Galaxy S25 series video on Substack. The seemingly official video starts off by showing someone waking up and then viewing a morning briefing on their Galaxy S25 Ultra. This briefing displays the day’s weather, as well as the user’s sleep and energy scores.
The video then reveals a more versatile Gemini assistant with deeper app integration. “Find a pet-friendly Italian restaurant with outdoor seating nearby and text it to Tony,” says a Galaxy S25 series owner in the clip. Gemini then searches for a suitable restaurant and composes a text in Messages, with the user subsequently prompted to tap the “modify” or “send” buttons.
Other Galaxy S25 software features
Samsung’s clip then highlights a Night Video option that delivers “vivid detail.” A comparison shows a brighter video with white balance adjustments and less noise. We also get a look at a Pixel-style Audio Eraser feature which lets you “minimize unwanted sounds.” The tool’s fine print notes that it’s compatible with common video formats accessible in the Gallery app and can minimize voices/speech, music, general noise, crowd sounds, “nature,” and wind.
Either way, this clip gives us a good idea of what to expect from the Galaxy S25 series when it launches on Wednesday. You can check it out via this link, but don’t be surprised if it’s not accessible down the line owing to Samsung’s legal takedowns.
The new phones are expected to be minor upgrades over the Galaxy S24 series. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is tipped to arrive with a 50MP ultrawide camera instead of the long-running 12MP shooter. It’s also believed that all three phones could arrive with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, making for a major performance and efficiency boost on paper.
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An 18-year-old British man Monday admitted to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people during a brutal knife attack at a dance class last July in Southport, England.
The defendant, Axel Rudakubana, unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges against him on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Mr. Rudakubana admitted to killing Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, who were taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance and bracelet-making class on July 29 during their summer break from school, and to the attempted murder of 10 people, including eight children and two adults.
After the stabbings, the police searched Mr. Rudakubana’s house and said they found ricin, a lethal toxin, and a PDF file titled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al Qaeda Training Manual.” Mr. Rudakubana was subsequently charged with production of a biological toxin and with “possessing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.”
On Monday, Mr. Rudakubana, who had initially pleaded not guilty, appeared in court, sitting at the back of the room in the defense dock and wearing a gray sweatsuit, though he repeatedly refused requests from the court to identify himself or to speak at a volume that the judge could hear.
The BBC reported that Mr. Rudakubana, whose mouth was covered with a surgical mask, uttered a mumbled “guilty” as each count in the indictment against him was read out.
His defense lawyer, Stanley Reiz, confirmed that the defendant understood the proceedings and had pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him. His admission of guilt came as the court was preparing to hear days of evidence about the harrowing attack last summer.
Now, the case will move swiftly to sentencing, according to Judge Julian Goose, who was presiding over the case and ordered that Mr. Rudakubana be sentenced on Thursday.
“You will understand it is inevitable the sentence to be imposed upon you will mean a life sentence equivalent,” he told Mr. Rudakubana after the guilty pleas.
Judge Goose said he “extends his apologies” to the families of the victims, as none were in court on Monday, because the initial evidence in the trial was not expected to be heard until later in the week. But he confirmed that those families would be in the courtroom on Thursday.
Ursula Doyle, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Mersey-Cheshire region, said in a statement that the “unspeakable attack” had “left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness.”
“It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence,” she said, adding that Mr. Rudakubana had shown no sign of remorse. “The prosecution was determined to prove his guilt and I am deeply grateful that today’s plea has spared the families at the heart of this case the pain of having to relive their ordeal through a trial.”
The authorities have declined to declare the stabbing attack an act of terrorism. Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of the Merseyside Police, which oversees policing in the region, said in a statement in October that “for a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.” She added, “We would strongly advise caution against anyone speculating as to motivation in this case.”
Mr. Rudakubana was born in Cardiff, Wales, to parents who were originally from Rwanda. He was living in Banks, a village north of Southport, at the time of the attack.
After the Southport attack, Britain was convulsed by a series of violent riots, as disinformation about the attacker’s identity swirled on social media and messaging apps. False claims that the suspect was an undocumented immigrant or newly arrived asylum seeker were amplified by anti-immigration activists and members of the far right.
Several people, including a neo-Nazi, were later found to have helped coordinate outbreaks of unrest, which included attacks on mosques and hotels where asylum seekers were staying, and which led to dozens of police officers being injured.
Mr. Rudakubana was 17 at the time of the attack and, under English court rules, he would usually have retained his anonymity until he turned 18. But a few days after the attack, a judge took the unusual step of releasing his name in an attempt to combat the spread of misinformation.
Since the riots last summer, hundreds of people have been charged for their involvement in the violent disorder across the country, and dozens of people have been sentenced to prison time.
Yvette Cooper, Britain’s home secretary, said in a statement on Monday morning that the trial would be a “deeply traumatic and distressing time for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, the survivors, and the people of Southport and the whole country.”
“The most important thing for all of us is to ensure that the legal process can take its course, to respect the difficult job the court has to do so there is a fair trial and justice can be done,” she added.
President-elect Donald Trump selected opera tenor Christopher Macchio to perform the national anthem at Monday’s inauguration, at which Carrie Underwood will also perform “America the Beautiful.” Here’s a list of some singers at previous presidential inaugurations:
John F Kennedy, 1961: Contralto Marian Anderson sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965: The United States Marine Band performed the national anthem.
Richard Nixon, 1969: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir accompanied by the United States Marine Band performed the national anthem.
Richard Nixon, 1973: Jazz great Ethel Ennis sang the national anthem.
Jimmy Carter, 1977: Cantor Isaac Goodfriend, a Holocaust survivor, accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band sang the national anthem.
Ronald Reagan, 1981: Amateur singer Juanita Booker sang the national anthem.
Ronald Reagan, 1985: The United States Marine Band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Opera singer Jessye Norman also performed.
George Bush, 1989: Staff Sergeant Alvy Powell of the U.S. Army Band sang the national anthem.
Bill Clinton, 1993: Opera singer Marilyn Horne sang the national anthem.
Bill Clinton, 1997: Santita Jackson, the daughter of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the Resurrection Choir sang the national anthem. Jessye Norman also performed.
George W. Bush, 2001: Army Staff Sgt. Alec T. Maly sang the national anthem.
George W. Bush, 2005: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bradley Bennett sang the national anthem. Singers Susan Graham and Denyce Graves also performed.
Barack Obama, 2009: The United States Navy Band Sea Chanters sang the national anthem. Aretha Franklin also performed.
Barack Obama, 2013: Beyoncé performed the national anthem and later said she had lip-synced to a taped track. James Taylor also sang.
Donald Trump, 2017: Jackie Evancho sang the national anthem.
Joe Biden, 2021: Lady Gaga sang the national anthem. Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks also performed.
The general hype around all things AI is not lifting all boats, as certain startups continue to struggle and look for exits.
In one of the latest developments, TechCrunch has learned and confirmed that Metropolis, an AI-powered parking platform, has acquired Oosto, the controversial computer vision company that used to be known as AnyVision. TechCrunch understands the all-stock deal is valued at $125 million — just one-third of the $380 million that the startup had raised from investors over the years, and likely a fraction of its peak valuation.
Metropolis’s tech is used in 4,000 locations and the company says it processes some $5 billion in payments annually. And $5 billion is an important number. We understand that Metropolis is now in the process of fundraising at a valuation that is approaching $5 billion. Oosto investors — which include SoftBank, FifthWall, Lightspeed, DFJ, Eldridge Industries and others — receive Series D preferred stock in as part of the Oosto transaction. The acquisition includes Oosto’s IP and team, and CEO Avi Golan and CTO Dieter Joecker will take senior roles at Metropolis.
A spokesperson confirmed the details over the phone and in a statement: “Metropolis, an artificial intelligence company whose computer vision platform enables checkout-free payment experiences for the real world, has agreed to acquire Oosto, the leading AI safety and security company.” Metropolis will be folding in some of Oosto’s technology to enhance its current business, she added.
Last week, Globes broke the news that Oosto was up for sale.
The sale caps off a turbulent several years for Oosto.
As AnyVision, the company was one of a wave of computer vision startups building technology being used in controversial surveillance applications. Over the years, there were reports exposing which organizations were quietly using its technology, and how the Israeli government tapped it to spy on Palestinians; other reports shed light on just how much data the company was able to collect.
The bad publicity led to the company losing Microsoft as a key strategic investor, although other investors were ready to double down. In 2020, it appointed a new CEO, Avi Golan, who had worked at SoftBank, and then in 2021, AnyVision, pitching itself as an ethical AI company, raised a whopping $235 million in a round led by SoftBank and Eldridge. Other backers of the company have included Lightspeed and Qualcomm, per PitchBook data.
Just months after the big SoftBank raise, AnyVision rebranded to Oosto and looked to pivot to more enterprise applications as it inked a research partnership with Carnegie Mellon. But it seems that the difficulties continued, with rounds of layoffs and Oosto parting ways with the university.
We understand from sources close to the company that Oosto was making around $20 million in annual revenues.
It’s worth wondering whether some of Oosto’s problems might have been a matter of timing. The last couple of years have seen big geopolitical shifts, AI has entered the mainstream of public consciousness, and a new wave of AI companies like Anduril and Helsing seem to be breaking many taboos on building military, defense and (more euphemistically) “resilience” technology.
Would AnyVision (or Oosto) have appeared as controversial today as it did five years ago? Regardless, the rise and fall of Oosto can be seen as a memento mori for the newer wave of AI companies being funded today on very high hopes, but perhaps not very high revenues (let alone profits).
That brings us to Metropolis. It, too, is focused on computer vision, but “focus” is perhaps the operative word here: Its square aim is to build AI-based systems for parking environments, automatically tracking cars when they enter or leave a space, and charging accordingly. In 2023, Metropolis raised $1.7 billion in financing and other investment, most of which was used to buy another parking technology specialist called SP Plus for $1.5 billion.
From what we understand the basic plan now will be to use Oosto tech to enhance Metropolis’s capabilities around computer vision in parking environments, rather than to expand to covering a number of other use-cases. Over time, it could include more applications where customers regular drive or walk in and out of a business environment (for example drive-throughs).
“Tech-wise this acquisition makes the perfect sense,” Avihai Michaeli, an investment banking advisor based in Tel Aviv, told TechCrunch. “Both Metropolis and Oosto (formerly known as AnyVision Tech) are key players in the AI-driven computer vision and security solutions space, with applications that enhance urban management, public safety, and automation. Both companies focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to create safer, smarter, and more efficient environments through artificial intelligence and data analytics.”
He added that the current war in Israel has made it challenging for some Israeli companies looking to raise money or do other business, which could have also played a role here.
Southern California is heading into a day of its most extreme fire weather conditions — an unprecedented fifth time the National Weather Service office has sounded the alarm this season of a “particularly dangerous situation.”
The “particularly dangerous situation” warning is set to go into effect Monday at noon and last through Tuesday at 10 a.m. for swaths of Los Angeles County and most of Ventura County.
Peak gusts of 50 mph to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, while sustained winds are expected to be between 25 mph to 40 mph.
Isolated gusts of up to 100 mph are possible in the mountains and foothills, while sustained winds there are expected to be between 30 mph to 50 mph, said Rose Schoenfeld, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.
A “particularly dangerous situation” is an enhancement of a red flag warning, which already warns of critical fire weather conditions and the rapid spread of fire should an ignition occur.
“The PDS is highlighting an extremely dangerous environment that is very favorable to rapid fire growth if a fire were to start,” Schoenfeld said.
Areas in a “particularly dangerous situation” face “the extreme of extreme conditions — almost as bad as it can get,” said Ryan Kittell, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.
(National Weather Service)
Areas in the “particularly dangerous situation” in Los Angeles County include the northern San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, Malibu, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the Santa Clarita Valley and other areas to the north.
They include areas such as Altadena and Pasadena, but also areas to the northwest, from La Crescenta to the Porter Ranch area.
The northern San Gabriel Valley affected by the “particularly dangerous situation” are areas north of Interstate 210, which includes Altadena and a large part of Pasadena. The parts of the San Fernando Valley in this warning area include Reseda and Burbank and areas to the north.
Much of Ventura County is also in the “particularly dangerous situation,” including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Port Hueneme and Fillmore.
A conventional red flag warning — which warns of critical fire weather conditions and the rapid spread of fire should an ignition occur — will go into effect at 8 a.m. Monday for a much larger swath of Southern California, and is expected to persist through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The red flag warning in L.A. County will also include the San Gabriel Valley, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Catalina Island.
Also included in the red flag warning are inland San Diego and Orange counties and large swaths of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Red flag fire weather warnings announced for large swaths of Southern California from Monday morning through Tuesday night.
(National Weather Service)
Unlike the devastating Jan. 7-8 windstorm, where winds came out of the north and northeast, this week’s Santa Ana winds are expected to be more traditional, and will head from the east and northeast, forecasters said.
That’s why forecasters expect one of the most affected areas will be the Santa Ana wind corridor that extends from Palmdale toward points southwest, like Santa Clarita and Ventura, as wind heads toward the coast.
The strongest winds are expected from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, Schoenfeld said.
Forecasters also warned of dangerous seas along the coast. “Strong winds will create dangerous sea conditions which could capsize or damage small and large vessels,” the weather service said.
What makes this “particularly dangerous situation” so distinct from the four earlier warnings of this kind since November is that “this may be one of the driest, driest fire weather events that we’ve seen so far this year,” Schoenfeld said.
Relative humidity could be down to just 3% for some areas, with the driest air likely on Tuesday.
“So even though the winds are expected to drop as Tuesday progresses, we would urge people to not let their guard down, because we will be marching toward some of the lowest relative humidities during that time period,” Schoenfeld said.
Next weekend could bring some rain. There’s a 50% to 70% chance of rain starting Saturday and lasting for the following two days — but also a 20% to 30% chance of thunderstorms. That could bring heavy rain in some isolated areas, and the risk of flooding near recently burned areas.
The good news is that there’s a chance of mostly beneficial showers, which could help dampen the fires. And it’s a cold storm, which would bring snow levels down to 4,000 feet above sea level, which would bring snow to some mountain communities, Schoenfeld said.
“If we were to get enough beneficial rain, it would really be a game changer for the fire weather,” Schoenfeld said.
An extreme lack of rain plays a major role in explaining Southern California’s fire woes, where vegetation is parched and flammable, making brush far more likely to turn into a spot fire should an ember land on it.
The last time downtown L.A. got more than one-tenth of an inch of rain in a single calendar day was on May 5. It has now been 259 days since then — a record for downtown of not getting at least one-tenth of an inch of rain. The previous record for downtown was from Feb. 25–Nov. 3, 2008, when there was a record 253 consecutive days without a tenth of an inch of rain.
Downtown L.A. has received only 0.16 of an inch of rain since the water year began Oct. 1. That’s only 3% of the average at this point in the water year, which is 5.99 inches. The annual average rainfall for downtown is 14.25 inches.
Forecasters urged people to take action now to reduce the risk of any kind of ignition or a spread of fire, and to prepare for strong, damaging winds.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture; adjust travel times between Monday night and Tuesday morning; charge up electronics, flashlights and battery packs; fill up the fuel tanks of emergency generators; and move cars away from trees that appear fragile, Schoenfeld said.
Experts warn people against keeping certain items within five feet of your home, such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas, garbage and recycling bins. Getting rid of all dead or living weeds is also a good idea, as is clearing gutters, roofs, decks, porches and stairways of flammable materials such as leaves and needles.
“And then when wind does start, stay away from trees, windows. And use extreme caution, again, with anything that could start a fire,” Schoenfeld said.
The new alert is an unprecedented fifth issuance of a “particularly dangerous situation” enhancement to a red flag warning in a single season by the weather service’s Oxnard office, which covers Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
The first three times the office issued that warning were followed by fires igniting and spreading rapidly — the 19,904-acre Mountain fire in Ventura County in November, which razed 243 structures; the 4,037-acre Franklin fire, which spread rapidly in Malibu and destroyed 20 buildings in December; and this month’s Palisades and Eaton fires, among the most destructive and deadliest in modern California history.
“This wind regime [this week] is similar to the Mountain fire in a lot of ways,” Schoenfeld said. But, she added, “it doesn’t dip as deep into the San Gabriel Valley, as the Jan. 7 event did,” which helped fuel the Eaton fire rapidly and destroyed a wide swath of unincorporated Altadena.
The weather service in Oxnard started issuing “particularly dangerous situation” warnings only in 2020. It sent out two that year, in October and December. No others were issued until November 2024.
(National Weather Service)
The weather service decided to begin using the “particularly dangerous situation” tagline as a way to sound the highest kind of alarm for a red flag warning.
The need for, essentially, a red alert for a red alert became clear after the devastating Thomas fire of 2017, which destroyed 1,063 structures in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties; and the Woolsey fire of 2018, which destroyed 1,643 structures in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Both were among the most destructive fires in Southern California’s modern history.
Amping up that messaging has seemed, sometimes, to work in the past. In late 2019, the weather service office overseeing the Bay Area referred to a red flag warning as potentially “historic” and “extreme,” which got significant attention. At the time, firefighters credited an extraordinary marshaling of firefighting resources as critical to keeping fires in Northern and Southern California from becoming far worse.
As of Sunday, the Palisades fire, which has burned more than 23,700 acres and killed at least 10 people, was 56% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Eaton fire, which has charred more than 14,000 acres and killed at least 17 people, was 81% contained.
There are still 27 people reported missing: 20 from the Eaton fire and seven from the Palisades, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Times staff writer Connor Sheets contributed to this report.
A look at what will happen and who will be there for Trump’s historic return as US president.
For the second time, Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as president of the United States.
Trump’s inauguration in Washington, DC will kick off at noon local time (17:00 GMT). While most of the inauguration’s events will occur today, they will officially conclude on Tuesday with a traditional prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.
Here’s a look at the lineup of official events surrounding Trump’s second inauguration as president. It is still unclear how the decision to move Trump’s swearing-in indoors to the Capitol Rotunda on Monday might affect the scheduled lineup for the ceremony.
Organisers work to move the inauguration day swearing-in ceremony into the Capitol Rotunda due to expected frigid weather in Washington, DC, Saturday, January 18, 2025 [J Scott Applewhite/AP Photo]
Church service
Trump will start the day by attending a service at St John’s Episcopal Church, located across Lafayette Park from the White House, a tradition for presidents-elect.
White House tea
Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump will meet outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House for a tea that’s traditionally held to welcome a new president.
Swearing-in ceremony inside the US Capitol Rotunda
Musical prelude by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Combined Choirs
Prelude: The President’s Own, by the United States Marine Band
Call to order by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota
Invocation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, and the Reverend Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Oh, America!, performed by opera singer Christopher Macchio
The vice presidential oath of office administered by US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
America the Beautiful, performed by Carrie Underwood, the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club
The presidential oath of office administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts
The Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by the US Naval Academy Glee Club
Carrie Underwood is scheduled to sing America the Beautiful [File: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Photo]
Trump’s inaugural address
Benediction from Yeshiva University’s President Ari Berman, Imam Husham Al-Husainy of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church Detroit and the Reverend Frank Mann of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
The Star-Spangled Banner, performed by Christopher Macchio
Farewell to the former president
A formal farewell will be held for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as they depart the US Capitol.
The president’s signing ceremony
Trump will head to the President’s Room just off the Senate Chamber in the US Capitol for a signing ceremony, where members of Congress watch as the newly sworn-in president signs nominations, memorandums and executive orders.
Inaugural luncheon
The new president and vice president attend a luncheon at the National Statuary Hall in the US Capitol hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
Pass in review
After the luncheon, the president and vice president head to the East Front steps of the US Capitol, where they are to review the military troops.
Presidential parade
Because of cold weather, Trump is moving the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to Washington’s Capital One Arena. The event is expected to feature marching bands and remarks from Trump.
Oval Office ceremony
Trump heads to the White House for an Oval Office ceremony.
Inaugural balls
Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball: Country music band Rascal Flatts and country singer Parker McCollum will perform at the ball geared toward military service members. Trump is scheduled to speak.
Liberty Inaugural Ball: Rapper Nelly, country singer Jason Aldean and the Village People are scheduled to perform at the ball geared towards Trump’s supporters. Trump is set to give remarks.
Starlight Ball: Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw will perform and Trump will speak at the third inaugural ball, at which guests are expected to be big donors of the incoming president.
Billionaire Elon Musk has become one of Trump’s most important supporters [File: Evan Vucci/AP Photo]
Who will be attending?
Besides a mix of invited foreign leaders, celebrities and tech giants will also be in attendance.
Scheduled to be there are Trump adviser Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc and SpaceX; Jeff Bezos, executive chairman of Amazon; and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms.
According to NBC News, several athletes and musicians will also be in attendance.
They include National Football League (NFL) wide receiver Antonio Brown, boxer Mike Tyson, martial arts fighter Jorge Masvidal, and NFL player Evander Kane, NBC said, adding that musicians attending include Anuel AA, Justin Quiles, Rod Wave, Kodak Black and Fivio Foreign.
The last surviving founding member of the Village People, Victor Willis, said on Facebook on Monday that the group will perform YMCA, the band’s hit song and a staple at Trump rallies.
President-elect Donald Trump dances with the Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th presidential inauguration, Sunday, January 19, 2025, in Washington, DC [Evan Vucci/AP Photo]
Who will cover the costs?
The official events are financed by Trump’s inauguration committee, which is chaired by longtime Trump allies Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer who is Trump’s pick to be his Middle East envoy, and Kelly Loeffler, a former US senator and Trump’s choice to head the Small Business Administration.
The committee will be responsible for covering the costs of everything but the swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol, which is borne by taxpayers.
Bezos and Zuckerberg pledged to donate $1m each to the committee, as have Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Uber and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, have each donated $1m to the fund.
Trump raised a record $106.7m for his 2017 inauguration festivities. His committee has raised more than $170m this time, according to media reports.
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