Connect with us

Published

on

Celebrities are set to star in charity concerts to raise funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The two-part event will go ahead in response to the devastating wildfires that erupted on 7 January, which killed at least 27 people and scorched 2,400 acres.

Here’s everything you need to know about the concerts; from locations, timings, line-ups, how to get tickets and how to watch from the UK.

Where and when will FireAid happen?

It’s set to take place in two locations on Thursday 30 January in Inglewood, California: the Kia Forum starting at 6pm local time and the Intuit Dome starting at 7.30pm local time.

The time difference means the concerts will be at 2am UK time on Friday 31 January and 3.30am respectively.

Who will be performing?

Singer Olivia Rodrigo during a performance at the Wizink Center on June 20, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. Olivia Rodrigo is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American actress, singer and songwriter. She gained recognition in the late 2010s with her leading roles in the television shows 'Bizaardvark' and 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series'. Produced by Live Nation, The SOUR Tour world tour includes 57 dates. 20 JUNE 2024 Ricardo Rubio / Europa Press 06/21/2024 (Europa Press via AP)
Image:
Olivia Rodrigo, another star performing at FireAid, pictured on stage in Madrid last year. Pic: AP

So far, a total of 27 acts have been named – with 14 at the earlier show and 13 at the latter.

These are the artists confirmed for the Kia Forum concert:

More on California Wildfires

Alanis Morissette

Anderson .Paak

Dawes

Dave Matthews and John Mayer

Graham Nash

Green Day

John Fogerty

Joni Mitchell

No Doubt

Pink

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Stephen Stills

Stevie Nicks

The Black Crowes

This is the confirmed line-up for the Intuit Dome concert:

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas

Earth, Wind & Fire

Gracie Abrams

Jelly Roll

Katy Perry

Lady Gaga

Lil Baby

Olivia Rodrigo

Peso Pluma

Rod Stewart

Stevie Wonder

Sting

Tate McRae

When do tickets go on sale, how much are they and how can I buy them?

They are set to go on sale at 8pm UK time tonight (12pm PST) via Ticketmaster, with the price starting at $99 (£80.20) per ticket.

Organisers have said ticket hopefuls can get into the virtual queue on Ticketmaster 30 minutes before they go on sale.

The ticket you get is only valid for the venue that you have selected, rather than for both concerts.

But because the shows start at different times, those who go to the earlier Kia Forum show will be allowed to stay at the venue to watch the later Intuit Dome on the screens there, while those attending the Intuit Dome show will be allowed entry to the venue early to watch the Kia Forum show on those screens.

Doors for both events therefore open at 5pm.

Venue and ticketing service fees have been waived.

Can I watch FireAid in the UK?

Yes, it’s set to be made widely available on most major streaming platforms, including YouTube, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Spotify.

Where is money from the event going?

Organisers have said all the money raised from FireAid will be distributed to short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

All donations will be handled by the charity, the Annenberg Foundation, according to the FireAid website.

Continue Reading

US

Donald Trump pauses US military aid to Ukraine

Published

on

By

Donald Trump pauses US military aid to Ukraine

Donald Trump has paused US military aid to Ukraine just days after his row with President Zelenskyy.

A White House official, speaking anonymously, said: “President [Trump] has been clear that he is focused on peace.

“We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”

There was no indication about the possible length of the pause, and there’s been no comment so far from Ukraine.

It comes after the astonishing clash between the two leaders – as well as vice president Vance – in the Oval Office on Friday.

Donald Trump‘s berating of Mr Zelenskyy has led to a show of support from European leaders as they try to formulate their own way forward.

The US president attacked the Ukrainian leader again on Monday, telling reporters he should be “more appreciative”.

More on Donald Trump

US military aid has included Patriot air defence systems. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The tens of billion in US aid has included Patriot air defence systems. Pic: Reuters

Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump also said Mr Zelenskyy had made “the worst statement that could have been made” after he commented that peace was still “very, very far away”.

“America will not put up with it for much longer!” he posted.

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” the president added.

Mr Zelenskyy then posted on X, saying Ukraine was “working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace”.

“Peace is needed as soon as possible,” he said.

‘Music to the ears of Putin’

By David Blevins, US correspondent

President Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, one previously considered unthinkable.

This blow to Ukraine’s defences in the face of Russian aggression will be music to the ears of President Putin. US military aid has kept Ukraine in this David and Goliath battle for three years.

It has funded what military analysts simplify as “the big stuff” of battle – artillery, anti-tank weapons, rockets and armoured vehicles. Trump’s decision to push pause disregards efforts by Keir Starmer and other European leaders to devise a peace plan.

Those already questioning Europe’s reliance on the US for defence will conclude they have been given the answer.

But the decision sets President Trump up for a potential confrontation with Republicans, who had approved the funding, in Congress.

White House sources say he wants President Zelenskyy to go on TV and apologise for the jaw-dropping showdown last Friday. But the Ukrainian president feels he has no apology to make for expressing his doubt about Russia’s commitment to peace.

Earlier, Trump side-stepped a question about a Kremlin diplomat claiming the US administration and Moscow were now aligned on foreign policy.

This weakening of Ukraine’s defence capability moves that question front and centre as he prepares to address Congress on Tuesday.

Despite the diplomatic crisis, President Trump has said a deal is still possible.

An agreement giving the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth metals was meant to have been signed by the two presidents on Friday.

It was billed as an important step in a future peace deal – and part payback for aid already received.

However, the dramatic falling out has thrown that into jeopardy.

Mr Zelenskyy wants the metals deal to include guarantees on halting Russia should it break the terms of any peace agreement.

However, vice president JD Vance suggested on Monday that the metals pact was the best way to secure a lasting end to the war.

“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine
again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Mr Vance said.

“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” he added.

European and world allies – who met the Ukrainian leader in London at the weekend – have discussed a “coalition of the willing” to deploy peacekeepers and deter further Russian aggression.

The prime minister said Britain was prepared to put “boots on the ground and planes in the air” under the plan – but it’s unclear who else might participate.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

How many countries will back Starmer’s plan?

Read more:
Long-range drones ‘weakening Russia’s combat ability’
Zelenskyy: ‘I am exchangeable for NATO membership’

The coalition that could secure peace in Ukraine

Keir Starmer told MPs on Monday that Britain must “lead from the front” on supporting Ukraine and the “security of our continent, the security of our country”.

However, the prime minister believes any international deployment of troops must have a US “backstop” deterrent to be taken seriously by Russia.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky News gets rare access to drone launch

America has given around €64bn of military aid to Ukraine, compared with €62bn from European nations (including Britain).

The overall US total is €114bn and the European one €132bn. This includes humanitarian aid and other financial assistance to keep the country running.

Following the weekend summit, the UK also pledged £1.6bn in finance for Ukraine to buy another 5,000 air defence missiles.

Continue Reading

US

Donald Trump confirms Mexico and Canada tariffs – sending financial markets reeling

Published

on

By

Donald Trump confirms Mexico and Canada tariffs - sending financial markets reeling

Donald Trump has confirmed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, taking effect at 5am UK time on Tuesday.

The US president confirmed the tariffs in a speech at the White House – and his announcement sent US stocks down sharply.

The tariffs will be felt heavily by US companies which have factories in Canada and Mexico, such as carmakers.

Mr Trump said: “They’re going to have a tariff. So what they have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States, in which case they have no tariffs.”

There’s “no room left” for a deal that would see the tariffs shelved if fentanyl flowing into the US is curbed by its neighbours, he added.

As of 12:01am Eastern Standard Time (5.01am GMT), Mexico and Canada face tariffs of 25%, with 10% for Canadian energy, the Trump administration confirmed.

And tariffs on Chinese imports will double, raising them from 10% to 20%.

More on Donald Trump

Canada announced it would retaliate immediately, imposing 25% tariffs on US imports worth C$30bn (£16.3bn). It added the tariffs would be extended in 21 days to cover more US goods entering the country if the US did not lift its sanctions against Canada.

China also vowed to retaliate and reiterated its stance that the Trump administration was trying to “shift the blame” and
“bully” Beijing over fentanyl flows.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What is America’s trade position?

Mr Trump’s speech stoked fears of a trade war in North America and sent financial markets reeling.

Markets the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the Nasdaq Composite fell by 1.4% and 1.76% respectively.

The share prices for automobile companies including General Motors, which has significant truck production in Mexico, Automaker and Ford also fell.

👉 Follow Trump 100 on your podcast app 👈

Consumers in the US could see price hikes within days, an expert has said.

Gustavo Flores-Macias, a public policy professor at Cornell University, New York, said “the automobile sector, in particular, is likely to see considerable negative consequences”.

This is due to supply chains that “crisscross the three countries in the manufacturing process” and ” because of the expected increase in the price of vehicles, which can dampen demand,” he added.

Read more:
The effects of Trump trade tariffs explained
Trump hits out at Zelenskyy again

The Trump administration is gearing up to bring in other tariffs in the coming weeks.

On 2 April, reciprocal tariffs will take on effects on all countries that impose duties on US products.

He is also considering 25% tariffs on goods from the EU “very soon” after claiming the bloc was created to “screw the United States”.

Continue Reading

US

America will not put up with it for much longer!’: Donald Trump hits out at Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy once again

Published

on

By

America will not put up with it for much longer!': Donald Trump hits out at Ukraine's President Zelenskyy once again

Donald Trump has hit out at the Ukrainian president once again, just four days after an explosive on-camera spat between the pair.

The US president posted on Truth Social saying Volodymyr Zelenskyy made “the worst statement that could have been made” when he said the end of the war with Russia is “very, very far away”.

“America will not put up with it for much longer!” Mr Trump posted.

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” the president added.

He also appeared to attack Mr Zelenskyy and Europe after yesterday’s Ukraine summit in London at which leaders, according to Mr Trump: “stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the US.”

“What are they thinking?” Mr Trump asked.

A deal to end the war was still “very, very far away”, Mr Zelenskyy said earlier, adding he expects to keep receiving US support despite the two leaders’ public spat.

More on Donald Trump

“I think our relationship (with the US) will continue because it’s more than an occasional relationship,” the Ukrainian president added.

Mr Trump said in his Truth Social post: “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Trending