Jhené Aiko, the American singer, has revealed she lost her home in the fast-moving wildfires in Los Angeles, a county in California.

The fire started on Tuesday night and was caused by strong gusty winds and fast-moving embers. It has led to the evacuation of over 137,000 people, the death of five people, and the destruction of over 1,000 houses, cars, and businesses.

In an Instagram post, the 36-year-old singer disclosed that her home got “burned to the ground with all of our things inside”.

She said while the situation left her heart feeling “so heavy,” she is grateful to be alive with her children.

“Me and my children’s home is gone burned to the ground with all of our things inside,” she wrote.

“Lord have mercy. Thankful we still have each other starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy.”

She offered prayers for those affected by the loss, hoping the situation would inspire compassion and understanding between people.

“Praying for everyone this morning. Those who lost their home. Those who lost their life’s work, those who lost their life,” she added.

“Praying for my city. Praying for the wildlife and lost pets. Praying for the world. Let suffering be a gift; a lesson in compassion.”

The singer has two children, including a two-year-old son Noah Hasani with rapper Big Sean.

Aiko is not the only celebrity affected by the disaster.

The American rapper Kid Cudi disclosed he had to evacuate his home. The media personality Paris Hilton also lost her house in Malibu.

“Heartbroken beyond words,” Hilton wrote. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.”

Chrissy Teigen earlier revealed that she and John Legend, her husband, their four children, and four dogs had to evacuate and check into a hotel.

“I haven’t had the words, it is a hellscape,” Teigen wrote on her Instatory.

“We are ok as of right now, and I felt weird saying that with so many people we know and don’t know who are not ok. Thank you for reaching out. Looking for any and all ways to help our community right now, please send anything you see. And god bless the firefighters and all first responders.”

Billy Crystal released a statement on Wednesday revealing that his home of 45 years was lost in the wildfire.

“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this,” Billy wrote.

While songwriter Diane Warren lost her home, Cobie Smulders and Taran Killam’s house in Pacific Palisades was also destroyed by fire.

‘This Is Us’ actress Mandy Moore shared footage of the scene of destruction as she evacuated.

“Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets),” she wrote.

“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone.

“Our favourite restaurants, levelled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”

Other celebrities who have homes in the area include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere caused by climate change have been key drivers in exacerbating wildfires in the western United States.

South Korea’s presidential security chief resigned Friday as he faced questioning over why his guards prevented the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and investigators prepared to make a fresh arrest attempt.

Yoon has refused questioning and last week resisted arrest in a stand-off between his guards and investigators after his short-lived power grab on December 3 plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

Yoon’s Presidential Security Service (PSS) chief Park Chong-jun submitted his resignation on Friday morning “as he attended a police questioning”, a PSS official told AFP.

It was later accepted by acting president Choi Sang-mok, an official from the interim leader’s office told reporters.

It came as investigators and police prepare to mount a new bid to arrest Yoon over his martial law declaration after securing a new warrant this week.

Earlier on Friday, Park told reporters there must be no bloodshed if investigators attempt another arrest of Yoon.

“I understand many citizens are concerned about the current situation where government agencies are in conflict and confrontation,” he said.

“I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed,” he added, before being questioned at the Korean National Police Agency.

Rival protest camps in sub-zero temperatures are calling for Yoon’s impeachment to be declared invalid on one side, and for him to be immediately detained on the other.

Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are able to detain him.

His legal team have said they will not comply with the current warrant.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) said it will “prepare thoroughly” for the second arrest attempt.

Police on Friday held a meeting of its commanders to plan for the renewed effort, Yonhap news agency reported.

Park twice ignored police requests to appear for questioning over allegations of obstruction of public duty since his team blocked investigators from arresting Yoon on January 3.

The UK’s new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday for passengers from dozens more countries, including millions of annual visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme — similar to the ESTA system in the United States — requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorisation.

Costing £10 ($12.50) and allowing stays of up to six months at a time over two years, it first launched in 2023, with Qatar, before being extended last year to five regional Gulf neighbours.

Now, it has been expanded to include citizens of around 50 more countries and territories, from Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand to Japan, South Korea and Caribbean nations.

With the system kicking in for them on Wednesday, they have been able to apply since last November.

The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2.

Citizens covered by the scheme will be able to apply for the new ETA — which is digitally linked to the traveller’s passport — via an app, from March 5.

Around six million people from the US, Canada and Australia visit Britain each year, according to the UK government.

Eligible travellers will need one even if they are just using the UK to connect to an onward flight abroad. ETA also applies to children and babies.

London’s Heathrow Airport has opposed the scheme, saying its rollout has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, and that it makes the country “less competitive” and harms economic growth.

The new requirement does not apply to British and Irish citizens, those with passports from British overseas territories and legal UK residents.

It does not change the requirements for citizens of countries who need a visa to visit Britain, such as Chinese, Ecuadorian and South African travellers.

Previously, most visitors not requiring a visa could arrive at a British airport and proceed through immigration control with their passport.

The new UK entry scheme mirrors the imminent ETIAS scheme for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which will cost seven euros ($7.40) and last three years.

The European Commission expects the system — which will apply to around 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil and the UK — to become operational in the middle of this year.