Firefighters in California are bracing for dangerous winds as they try to contain wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles for six days. 

The World Today examines the events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians.

Wild fires have created chaos in Los Angeles with a growing death toll and at least one thousand city properties believed damaged or destroyed.

There are further encouraging signs of an easing in the cost-of-living crisis.The latest official figures show underlying inflation for the year to November fell to 3.2 per cent.

The Israeli government is vowing revenge, after three of its citizens were killed in a deadly shooting in the occupied West Bank. It comes as Gaza suffers more Israeli airstrikes, despite ceasefire talks resuming.

Hitting back:  Ukraine launches a surprise new offensive in Russia's Kursk region, claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces.

The city of New Orleans is still grappling with a terror attack in the early hours of New Years Day, as the famous Bourbon Street reopens.

In the United States a man has killed at least 15 people after driving a pick-up truck into a crowd on bustling Bourbon Street in New Orleans. 

Australians have gathered in their millions to welcome 2025 with friends, fun, and festivities, with many flocking to vantage points in our capital cities to watch the fireworks. 

The annual rush to vantage points has begun, as Australians and tourists queue to catch a glimpse of New Year's Eve celebrations across the country.