US: Palisades Fire Visible From Flights Near LAX As 30,000 Evacuate 4

Huge plumes of smoke were visible from flights arriving and departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as a wildfire rapidly spread through Pacific Palisades fueled by Santa Ana winds on Tuesday, January 7. The fire has scorched more than 2,900 acres, prompting the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents and causing several road closures. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional support to the affected communities.

US: Palisades Fire Smoke Visible From Flights Near LAX As 30,000 Evacuate 2

Huge plumes of smoke were visible from flights arriving and departing from Los Angeles International Airport as a wildfire rapidly spread through Pacific Palisades fueled by Santa Ana winds on Tuesday, January 7. The fire has scorched more than 2,900 acres, prompting the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents and causing several road closures. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional support to the affected communities.

Repaired 'Benzaiten' statue unveiled in Iwate Pref.

Repaired 'Benzaiten' statue unveiled in Iwate Pref.

MORIOKA, Japan - The statue of "Benzaiten," a Japanese goddess originated from the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is displayed in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on Aug. 31, 2014, after repairs from damaged caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami were completed. It was originally enshrined at the town's gourd-shaped Horai Island (L back), regarded as the model of the island in the TV puppet show "Hyokkori Hyotanjima."

Repaired 'Benzaiten' statue unveiled in Iwate Pref.

Repaired 'Benzaiten' statue unveiled in Iwate Pref.

MORIOKA, Japan - The statue of "Benzaiten," a Japanese goddess originated from the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is displayed in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on Aug. 31, 2014, after repairs from damaged caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami were completed. It was originally enshrined at the town's gourd-shaped Horai Island (L back), regarded as the model of the island in the TV puppet show "Hyokkori Hyotanjima." (Kyodo)