Good morning. We're covering the Los Angeles wildfires and a new president for Lebanon. Plus: Beyond the "cougar."
A third day of devastating fires in Los AngelesThe economic cost of wildfires in Los Angeles could exceed $50 billion, after three days of fast-moving fires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Here's the latest. Local officials yesterday hoped that decreased winds would finally give firefighters a chance to control the blazes. Helicopters and planes dropped water from the sky, and firefighters battled on the ground. Despite the subsiding winds, the risk remained for current fires to spread and for other fires to ignite. At least five people have died in the firestorms, and the Los Angeles County sheriff said he expected the death toll to rise. One of the blazes — the Palisades fire, in one of the city's most affluent areas — has damaged or destroyed thousands of buildings and has burned more than 17,200 acres. On the ground: The fires have torn through communities of every socioeconomic status and stripe, affecting mansions as well as '70s townhouses, ranches and subdivisions. Residents are overwhelmed by the pervasiveness and see themselves as stuck in the middle of a mega-catastrophe. Aid: President Biden said that the federal government would pay for 100 percent of the firefighting needs in the area for the next 180 days.
Lebanon elected a president after two years of gridlockAfter two rounds of voting, Lebanon's Parliament picked Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese military, to be the next president. His election reflects the changing power balances at an unnerving time for Lebanon, which has endured a series of disasters in recent years, including an economic collapse and a war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. The country's international allies, including the U.S., had hinted that financial support after the war was contingent on a successful presidential election. Background: Aoun is considered to have U.S. backing and is widely respected in Lebanon. Since 2017 he has led the military, which is the only national institution to have cross-sectarian support. War in Gaza:
Zelensky made an appeal to his alliesIn an impassioned address, President Volodymyr Zelensky implored representatives from roughly 50 nations to maintain their military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, even after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. "The new chapter starts for Europe and the entire world just 11 days from now," Zelensky said, "at a time when we have to cooperate even more, rely on one another even more and achieve even greater results together."
As a top conductor, Daniel Harding scaled the heights of classical music. Then he set out to conquer the skies — as a pilot for Air France. "In flying, we have to identify all the threats and make sure we don't go anywhere near them," he said. "In music, it's the opposite: We have to get as close as we can to catastrophe." Lives lived: Peter Fenwick, a neuropsychiatrist who became a leading expert on near-death experiences, has died at 89. Read out-of-body anecdotes from his work.
Beyond the 'cougar'Depending on your age, you might associate the "older woman" — a cinematic figure who is defined by her sexual and romantic relationships with younger men — with "Mrs. Robinson" or the joke about "your mom." Now, in a slew of new movies and television shows, she is the protagonist. "The bounty of the older woman's recent plots, and the complexity of her new arrangements, come as a thrill, and a relief," our critic Amanda Hess writes. "For so long, the movies have flattened her into a villain or reduced her to a joke." We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.
Cook: For a simple yet satisfying breakfast, bake your oatmeal. Prepare: Traveling internationally? Here's what to do if you get sick or injured. Watch: Pamela Anderson is dazzling in "The Last Showgirl," our critic writes. Dream: Can a magical Marrakesh riad be found for $500,000? Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. Have a great weekend. — Natasha Reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
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