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‘A miracle.’ James Woods posts on X that his house survived Los Angeles wildfires

Actor James Woods says his house in Pacific Palisades has survived the Los Angeles wildfires that had devastated much of his neighborhood. In a Friday post on X, Woods remarked, “A miracle has happened.” Earlier this week, Woods was among hundreds of thousands around Los Angeles who were forced to evacuate as the fires spread and intensified. He has posted regular updates on X, showing charred ruins of homes near his, and had been convinced his house would fare no better. Numerous stars, from Paris Hilton to Billy Crystal, have confirmed their homes were lost or sustained damage.

One of four lynx captured in the Scottish Highlands dies

LONDON (AP) — Wildlife officials in Scotland say one of four lynx thought to have been released illegally in the Scottish Highlands has died the day after it was captured. The medium-sized wildcats extinct in Scotland for hundreds of years were spotted in the snowy Cairngorms National Park this week, raising concerns that a private breeder had illegally released the predators into the wild. The lynx that died was one of a pair captured Friday. Some environmental activists seek to reintroduce lynx as a way to control the burgeoning deer population and highlight Scotland’s commitment to wildlife diversity.

Black boxes from South Korea plane crash failed to record final 4 minutes, officials say

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Officials say the black boxes of a Boeing jetliner that crashed in South Korea last month stopped recording about four minutes before the accident. The discovery could complicate investigations into the cause of the disaster that killed 179 people. The South Korean Transportation Ministry said the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board analyzed the devices and concluded that both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders stopped working about four minutes before the crash. The Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air skidded off a runway in the South Korean town of Muan on Dec. 29. Only two people on board survived.

Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts during World Series banned from all MLB games

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has banned two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during a World Series game at Yankee Stadium from attending any games at big league ballparks. MLB sent a letter to Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen this week informing them of the decision. The letter say “based on your conduct, Major League Baseball is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities.” It adds: ”You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB.”

Police arrest student suspected of hammer attack at a Tokyo university

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese police have arrested a student suspected of a hammer attack at a Tokyo university, which local media said left several injured. The 22-year-old South Korean sociology student was apprehended on the spot for allegedly attacking a male student during class at Hosei University’s Tama campus in Tokyo’s western suburbs on Friday, causing him minor injuries, according to the Tokyo metropolitan police. Japanese media said seven more students suffered minor injuries. It was not clear whether her actions were premeditated. Kyodo News agency reported that the suspect told investigators she felt “frustrated” after being ignored and bullied by her classmates and used a hammer she found on campus.

Delta jet aborts takeoff from snowy Atlanta airport after engine problem

ATLANTA (AP) — Four passengers have been injured after a Delta Air Lines jet at the Atlanta airport aborted its takeoff for a flight to Minneapolis. Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant said the plane had an engine problem. The incident happened Friday while a snowstorm was causing widespread cancellations and delays in Atlanta, the world’s busiest airport. But officials can’t say if the problem had anything to do with the weather. The 201 passengers, two pilots and five flight attendants aboard evacuated the Boeing 757-300 using inflatable slides and were bused back to a concourse. One of the injured passengers was taken to a hospital, while three were treated at the airport for minor injuries.

Judge extends Megan Thee Stallion’s protection order against rapper Tory Lanez until 2030

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Megan Thee Stallion has been granted a restraining order from imprisoned rapper Tory Lanez until early 2030. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday granted Megan’s request for a protective order after the hip-hop star alleged that Lanez is harassing her from prison through surrogates as he serves a 10-year sentence for shooting her in the feet. Megan had obtained a temporary order in November. An attorney for Lanez wrote in an objection to the restraining order request that his client’s incarceration means there is no threat to Megan and there has been no direct contact between the two recently.

Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84

NEW YORK (AP) — Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma and popular singer who became known over the second half of her life for her outspoken opposition to gay rights, has died. She was 84. Starting in the early 1960s, she had several hit singles and had performed at the White House and the political conventions for both parties. But in the late 1970s, her life and career began a dramatically new path. Bryant led a successful campaign to repeal an ordinance in Florida’s Miami-Dade County that would have prohibited discrimination against gay people. Her career in entertainment soon declined. Supported by the Rev. Jerry Falwell among others, she continued to oppose gay rights around the country. The family did not list a cause of death.

‘Pizzagate’ gunman killed by police in North Carolina after traffic stop, authorities say

Authorities say the man who traveled armed to a pizzeria in the nation’s capital nearly a decade ago because of a fake online conspiracy theory has been shot and killed by police in North Carolina. Police say Edgar Maddison Welch was pulled over Saturday night as a passenger in a traffic stop because he had an outstanding warrant. Authorities say Welch then pulled a gun out when officers approached the car. The officers were said to have ordered him to drop the weapon. The department says the officers shot him after he refused. He later died from his injuries. Welch was sentenced about a decade ago after he shot inside the pizzeria at the center of the false “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory.

Timothée Chalamet returns to ‘SNL’ as host — and musical guest

NEW YORK (AP) — Timothée Chalamet will return to “Saturday Night Live” for his third stint as a host. This time, he’ll be pulling double duty. NBC announced Friday that comedian Dave Chappelle will host the sketch show for a fourth time Jan. 18, with musical guest GloRilla. Chalamet will be the host and musical guest on Jan. 25. The trio of announced performers are all in the thick of awards season. Chappelle and GloRilla are each nominated for Grammys at the Feb. 2 show. Chalamet has been nominated for a slew of acting awards for “A Complete Unknown.” “SNL” is in the midst of its 50th anniversary season.

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