Connect with us

Published

on

Los Angeles has recorded at least 475 mudslides after one of the wettest storms in the history of southern California.

Officials are warning of further mudslides and flooding after a large amount of the city’s average annual rainfall fell in just three days – while seven deaths have been reported across the state.

LA mayor Karen Bass said: “Our hillsides are already saturated. So even not very heavy rains could still lead to additional mudslides.

“Even when the rain stops, the ground may continue to shift.”

Three were killed yesterday in the extreme conditions – and nearly 400 trees have fallen in the city.

Another died today in a swollen Tijuana River channel near the border with Mexico.

LA fire chief Kristin Crowley said at least three dozen buildings required inspection because of mudslide damage and hillside slope failures – and seven had been marked unsafe.

Prentice Sinclair Smith a friend of home owner Dion Peronneau says she was awoken by the sound of cracking around 4 a.m. early morning Monday, as mudflow forced its way into her home in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. One of the wettest storms in Southern California history unleashed more than 300 mudslides in the Los Angeles area after dumping more than half of the city's seasonal rainfall in just two days, and officials warned Tuesday that the threat hadn't passed yet. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Image:
Mudslides have damaged many homes across LA. Pic: AP/Damian Dovarganes

Workers pump flood water from the street surrounding the Inn at Playa del Rey, after heavy rains hit Southern California, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 5, 2024, as seen in this scree grab taken from a video. REUTERS/Sandra Stojanovic
Image:
Workers pump water after more heavy rainfall hit Los Angeles. Pic: Reuters

In Los Angeles, between six and 12 inches of rain fell, making it the third wettest two-day stretch since records began in the 1870s.

One city resident, Dion Peronneau, said her home was hit by a mudslide which knocked her sliding glass doors off their frame as it came pouring into her home of 25 years.

She added: “Eight feet of mud is pressed up against my window that is no longer there.

“They put up boards to make sure no more mud can come in.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Cars submerged as deadly storm hits California

Read more from Sky News:
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson set to interview Putin

Actress sues Disney over Mandalorian firing – in lawsuit backed by Elon Musk

Another heavy burst of rain is expected on Wednesday evening before the region begins to dry out, according to the National Weather Service.

The intense rainfall, with heavy snows in the mountains, was carried to California at the weekend by a storm system which meteorologists call an atmospheric river – a vast airborne current of dense moisture driven inland through a narrow corridor from the Pacific.

Experts warn such weather systems are likely to become more frequent and extreme if global warming from human-induced climate change continues at current rates.

The rain helped to boost some water supplies, just two years after most of California was plagued by a devastating drought.

Marty Adams, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said more than one billion gallons of rain had been captured for groundwater and local supplies.

Continue Reading

US

Trump is unlikely to take Biden’s advice on China – and it could change the world

Published

on

By

Trump is unlikely to take Biden's advice on China - and it could change the world

As the two most powerful countries in the world, the relationship between the United States and China is the most consequential of all bilateral ties.

Any change in interactions and behaviour by either side does not just impact security, economic activity and trade in Washington and Beijing, but also affects the rest of the planet.

President Xi Jinping chose to make this point publicly as he said hello – and presumably goodbye – to Joe Biden when the two men met on the sidelines of an economic forum in Peru in what was likely their last face-to-face sit down before the US leader hands the keys to the White House over to Donald Trump.

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping shake hands in Peru.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping shaking hands in Peru earlier this week. Pic: Reuters

“As two major countries, China and the United States should bear in mind the interest of the whole world and inject more certainty and positive energy into the turbulent world,” Mr Xi said, speaking through a translator.

“It is my consistent belief that as the world’s most important bilateral relationship, a stable China-US relationship is critical not only to the interests of the Chinese and American peoples but also to the future and destiny of the entire humanity.”

Mr Biden, whose relationship with his opposite number does not just span his four years as president but also when he previously served as vice president under Barack Obama, also focused on the importance of dialogue.

“We haven’t always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and always been frank,” he said, sitting at a long table, surrounded by aides, with Mr Xi opposite him.

Read more:
Analysis: Trump building a very controversial cabinet
Could Barron Trump run for president in 2044?

“I think that’s vital. These conversations prevent miscalculations, and they ensure the competition between our two countries will not veer into conflict. Be competition, not conflict.”

While clearly directed at him, it is doubtful that Mr Trump will heed the advice.

He has consistently criticised the Biden administration for being too soft on Beijing and has vowed to be much tougher – even saying he would impose 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.

The president-elect’s picks for top jobs in the White House, such as with China hawks Senator Marco Rubio as his desired secretary of state, and Representative Mike Walz as national security adviser, also point to a hardening in the US’ position on Beijing – which is on a trajectory to overtake Washington as the world’s number one superpower.

This moment of re-ordering in global dominance – something the UK was once forced to absorb when the sun set on the British Empire – is on course to happen regardless of who is in the White House.

But a more hostile and combative commander-in-chief in the White House makes it an increasingly perilous time for everyone.

It is perhaps why the current leaders in Beijing and Washington are so keen to stress that while their feelings towards one another go up and down, the ability to keep talking is critical.

Continue Reading

US

Xi Jinping says China is ‘ready to work’ with Donald Trump during last meeting with Joe Biden

Published

on

By

Xi Jinping says China is 'ready to work' with Donald Trump during last meeting with Joe Biden

Joe Biden has met with Xi Jinping for the last time as US president, where the Chinese leader said he is “ready to work” with Donald Trump.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru, Mr Biden said the US and China’s relationship should be about “competition, not conflict”.

“We haven’t always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and always been frank,” he said.

“We’ve never kidded one another. These conversations prevent miscalculations, and they ensure the competition between our two countries will not veer into conflict.

“We’ve been level with one another. I think that’s vital.”

Their last-ever meeting comes as president-elect Donald Trump vows to introduce blanket 60% tariffs on US imports of Chinese goods as part of a series of “America First” trade measures.

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

But despite Mr Trump’s proposed measures, Mr Xi said his country’s goal “of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged”.

More on China

“Our commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and… cooperation as principles for handling China-US relations remains unchanged,” he added.

The Chinese president then said the country is “ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences, so as to strive for a steady transition”.

Read more from Sky News:
Davina McCall out of surgery
Eight dead in China school stabbing

Neither Mr Xi nor Mr Biden responded to a question about whether there were concerns about Mr Trump’s proposed tariffs.

The president-elect has also named several China hawks to his transition team, such as Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Representative Mike Waltz as national security adviser.

Read more:
Team Trump: Who is in and out?

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Under Mr Biden, Washington has introduced restrictions on US investment in Chinese artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors.

Former house speaker Nancy Pelosi also visited the island of Taiwan – which China views as a breakaway province – in April 2022.

In their meeting at this time last year – which followed a surge in tensions when an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down over the US – both leaders said direct communication between American and Chinese military forces would be restored.

Continue Reading

US

Mike Tyson reveals he ‘almost died’ ahead of fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul

Published

on

By

Mike Tyson reveals he 'almost died' ahead of fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson says the health scare in June, which forced the postponement of his boxing match with Jake Paul, almost cost him his life.

“I almost died in June,” Tyson wrote on X, adding that he “had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital”.

The 58-year-old, who lost to the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a unanimous points decision in Texas, tweeted that the situation was far worse than people had realised.

Following Tyson’s recovery, after reportedly suffering an ulcer flareup, he reflected on the result of the fight.

“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won… no regrets to get in the ring one last time,” he said.

That contrasts with Tyson’s comments after the match in which he refused to confirm whether it would be his last fight.

“It depends on the situation,” Tyson said before suggesting a fight with Paul’s older brother, Logan Paul, who was standing near him in the ring.

More on Boxing

Critics argued that the revised match – which involved fewer and shortened rounds, as well as heavier gloves – fell short of entertaining.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul beats Tyson by unanimous decision

Some claimed it appeared more like a glorified sparring session.

It was Tyson’s first sanctioned pro bout since 2005, when he lost to Kevin McBride and then went into retirement – only briefly reappearing for an exhibition match in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr.

Jake Paul is driven to the ring before a heavyweight boxing match against Mike Tyson, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Image:
Jake Paul believes he can fight for a championship belt within two years. Pic: AP

Paul has plenty to prove

Paul, 27, still has plenty to prove. The social media influencer wants to be a championship fighter and compete for a championship belt within two years. “I think it could happen in the next 24 months,” Paul said.

“I truly, truly believe in my skills and my ability and my power. And the cruiserweight division is seemingly open for the taking on that timeline,” he added.

The only professional match he has lost so far has been to Tommy Fury, the less-accomplished brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

But there are questions about when Paul will fight a contender in his prime, as opposed to former champions or mixed martial artists.

Read more from Sky News:
Murdered woman found in car boot named
Cold health alerts begin ahead of snow and ice
Culture of fear stopped calls for Archbishop to resign

Could Paul really take on Alvarez?

Intriguingly, in the days before his fight with Tyson, Paul mentioned super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, considered one of the best boxers in the world.

According to reports, the Texas bout earned Paul $40m (£31.7m) versus $20m (£15.8m) for Tyson.

Netflix said 60 million households worldwide viewed the contest on its streaming platform, and nearly 50 million tuned in to watch the undercard which saw Ireland’s Katie Taylor beat Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano.

Even so there were some technical glitches. More than 90,000 users reported problems on Netflix at its peak, according to the website Downdetector, which tracks outages.

Continue Reading

Trending