JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 889

Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert Wednesday beginning at 6 a.m., warning residents to avoid outdoor burning because drought, gusty winds, and low humidity increase the likelihood that fires will escape and spread rapidly.

This week several counties responded by imposing local burn bans: Georgetown, Horry, and Darlington restricted outdoor fires in unincorporated areas and advised limiting flames to cooking or heating; officials urged residents to monitor recent burns and postpone burning until the alert is lifted.

LOS ANGELES — Jasveen Sangha, 42, who admitted selling ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, is scheduled for federal sentencing Wednesday for her role in the 2023 overdose that killed the actor; prosecutors are seeking a 15-year term and note her acknowledgment of causing his death.

This week prosecutors emphasized Sangha's alleged high-end trafficking operation in filings while her attorneys argue time served and rehabilitation; Sangha is the third of five defendants to be sentenced and a judge will decide the punishment following sentencing submissions and scheduled court proceedings.

Manila — Vice President Sara Duterte filed a petition with the Supreme Court on April 1 seeking to halt the House Committee on Justice's "hearing proper" on impeachment complaints against her; the court on April 8 did not grant a temporary restraining order, allowing committee proceedings to continue.

The decision leaves the committee scheduled to convene on April 14 and maintains the legislative timetable; lawmakers and critics reacted publicly, with Rep. Terry Ridon calling the petition's claims fraudulent and Rep. Leila de Lima describing the situation as a procedural dilemma.

Los Angeles — Lakers coach JJ Redick downplayed a vocal confrontation with forward Jarred Vanderbilt during Tuesday night's NBA game, after calling a timeout 16 seconds into the second quarter of a 123-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder; Vanderbilt was pulled from play and confronted his coach on-court.

The incident left Vanderbilt with under five minutes of playing time and three missed free throws noted in reports, while Redick described the exchange as 'nothing personal' and cited a 'confluence of things'; the injury-depleted team faces scrutiny over cohesion and potential lineup adjustments this week.

Washington: United States and Iran agreed a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday after weeks of fighting, and President Donald Trump posted that the US will assist with traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran can begin reconstruction and that American forces will remain to help manage shipments.

Tehran's foreign ministry said safe passage would be coordinated with Iran's armed forces, and the Strait — a vital oil route that had been largely paralysed — may see eased congestion this week, lowering crude price pressure; however, the truce is limited to two weeks and will require technical coordination.

Inglewood — The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-103 at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday, overcoming a squandered 23-point lead with a late run; coach Tyronn Lue said the team limited rookie Cooper Flagg to 25 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

Wednesday's results widened playoff stakes: Oklahoma City beat the Clippers 128-110 to clinch the West's top seed, the Spurs locked the No. 2 seed with their 61st win, Phoenix clinched No. 7, and Friday's Clippers–Trail Blazers game plus an April 14 play-in will decide the final seedings.

AUGUSTA, Ga. Scottie Scheffler spoke to reporters Tuesday at Augusta National, saying winning does not define him as he returns as a two-time Masters champion and recent father of son Remy. He emphasized balancing professional competition with family life while preparing to compete in this week's tournament.

He is the world's No. 1 player, four-time major winner and has 20 PGA Tour victories, and media attention has focused on his comments since last summer's Open. Tournament organizers and fans expect him to compete this week; Scheffler's form and family priorities remain a central storyline during the event.

Jefferson City-area teams played Tuesday night conference games, with South Callaway beating Harrisburg 10-0 in five innings at Harrisburg, Tipton rallying to top Linn 4-3 in Linn, Rock Bridge overcoming Jefferson City 6-5 in Columbia, and Battle defeating Capital City 8-4 in Columbia.

The results changed early-season records and conference standings this week: Harrisburg fell to 0-5, South Callaway improved to 7-3 (2-1), standout performances included Kolton Adrian and Tyler Putnam, and teams will continue conference play and prepare for upcoming tournaments.

Sacramento — Rep. Eric Swalwell pledged at a Tuesday town hall to restrict federal immigration officers’ roles in California if elected governor, saying he would bar them from state jobs and revoke driver’s licenses for agents who refuse to unmask, though he did not specify legal implementation details.

San Francisco reporting noted Swalwell also publicly denied accusations of inappropriate behavior with staff at the same event, calling the claims false and saying there were no NDAs or settlements; his campaign and media outlets referenced these issues as mail-in ballots are prepared ahead of the June 2 primary.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — On Tuesday night, Atlanta pitcher Reynaldo López and Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler engaged in a bench-clearing brawl after Soler charged the mound following a high-and-inside pitch in the fifth inning; both players were ejected from the game.

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced seven-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for López and Soler, announced by senior vice president Michael Hill; both players have appealed, placing the suspensions on hold while appeals are processed and teams adjust lineups.