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Today: March 07, 2025
Today: March 07, 2025
Zakir Jamal

Zakir Jamal

Staff Writer

Zakir Jamal is a freelance writer for the L.A. Post., covering arts, culture and news. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Chicago, and is currently working on his Master's thesis at McGill.

Latest From Zakir Jamal

Local|Americas|Lifestyle|News|Political|WrittenByLAPost

Women’s March plans International Women’s Day protest in DTLA

The Women’s March Foundation — a Los Angeles-based activist group — is planning a protest for International Women’s Day Saturday. The event is anticipated to begin with a rally at 532 S. Olive St. in Pershing Square, starting 10 a.m. on March 8. Attendees are then expected to march towards L.A. City Hall.  Organizers aim to protest what they describe as the Trump administration’s “war against women driven by the Project 2025 Playbook,” referring to a set of far-right policies recommended by the conservative Heritage Foundation. “Our policy demand is to get back our reproductive rights, equal pay for equal

Women’s March plans International Women’s Day protest in DTLA
Lifestyle|Health|Opinion|US|WrittenByLAPost

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. Wasn’t it supposed to be abolished?

While most Angeleños are asleep Sunday at 2 a.m., the clocks will jump forward by an hour. Some may miss the sleep, but for others, an extra hour of sunlight in the evening is worth the once-a-year cost. The question remains, however: why do we still need to do this? Studies have found the consequences of the shift — from missed sleep to upset circadian rhythms — result in increases of social ills including heart attacks and car crashes. The time change is also deeply unpopular. A Gallup poll published Tuesday found just 19% of respondents favored keeping it. Accordingly,

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. Wasn’t it supposed to be abolished?
Local|Environment|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Earthquake hits Los Angeles after Oscars

Just after the conclusion of the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night, Hollywood shook. An earthquake beneath Burbank was felt across Greater Los Angeles. According to the United States Geological Service, the magnitude-3.9 quake was centered about 9.5 miles below Magnolia Park, near the border between Burbank and North Hollywood. Near the epicenter, tremors reached Intensity IV on the Modified Mercali scale, which measures vibration at the surface. MMI-II shakes were felt as far away as Long Beach, Malibu and Sylmar. Earthquakes of intensity IV are capable of producing a sensation like a heavy truck striking a building, but are not

Earthquake hits Los Angeles after Oscars
News|Environment|Local|WrittenByLAPost

Weather to cool across LA; rain expected early next week

After a week of warmth which pushed seasonal records, Los Angeles can expect cooler temperatures and rain this weekend.

Weather to cool across LA; rain expected early next week
Health|Local|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Measles case confirmed at LAX as 2 deaths reported in Texas

County of Los Angeles Public Health confirmed Wednesday that a case of measles had been recorded. The patient is not a resident, but travelled through LAXwhile infectious. The infected person arrived on Korean Air flight KAL11 at Terminal B on Feb. 19. Those on the plane who may have been exposed to the virus will be notified by their local health department. Authorities have advised that individuals who passed through Terminal B between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 should confirm if they have received a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  According to the statement, “If they

Measles case confirmed at LAX as 2 deaths reported in Texas
Entertainment|Americas|Arts|Local|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Kathleen Kennedy to step down as Lucasfilm Director

After a career spanning more than 40 years as a producer and thirteen as president of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy has begun planning her retirement.

Kathleen Kennedy to step down as Lucasfilm Director
Entertainment|Americas|Arts|Business|Local|WrittenByLAPost

Technicolor Group, advertising and VFX behemoth, may shut down

Advertising, animation and visual effects company Technicolor Group may soon cease operations, according to a memo sent to its U.S. staff.

Technicolor Group, advertising and VFX behemoth, may shut down
Local|News|Political|WrittenByLAPost

Bass ousts LAPD chief Crowley, citing response to wildfires

Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday she had dismissed Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, effective immediately. The mayor attributed the decision to Crowley’s response as wildfires broke out across the city in January. “Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief,” Bass said in a statement. “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch.” The mayor was likely referring to Crowley’s

Bass ousts LAPD chief Crowley, citing response to wildfires
Local|Crime|Education|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Lockdown lifted; 3 suspects arrested after Crenshaw High School stabbing

Police were called to Crenshaw High School in Hyde Park after a dispute on school grounds allegedly resulted in a stabbing.  The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the school on the 5100 block of 11th Avenue around 9 a.m., and dispatched firefighters and paramedics to the site. The victim transported himself to a nearby hospital. According to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District, “This morning, individuals came on to campus and were involved in a physical altercation with one of our students before school. The altercation escalated and unfortunately resulted in stabbing of an adult

Lockdown lifted; 3 suspects arrested after Crenshaw High School stabbing
Sports|Entertainment|Local|News|WrittenByLAPost

LaVar Ball has foot amputated following severe medical problem

LaVar Ball, Los Angeles-born businessman, had his right foot amputated, TMZ reported Wednesday. The condition which led to the operation has not been disclosed. However, LaVar is reported to be in good spirits. LaVar began his career as a collegiate football and basketball player. In 1995, he played tight end for the practice squads of the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. However, he is best known as the boisterous father of two professional basketball players, Lonzo and LaMello, as well as rapper LiAngelo. In 2016, a year before eldest son Lonzo was drafted, LaVar began making exaggerated claims to

LaVar Ball has foot amputated following severe medical problem
Lifestyle|Americas|Education|Local|News|WrittenByLAPost

LAUSD cell phone ban officially goes into effect

Students entering Los Angeles Unified School District facilities Tuesday were no longer allowed to check their phones throughout the day. Mobile devices are now required to be turned off and put away within school hours — including during lunch and other breaks. The measure, which called for the district to prohibit the use of mobile phones and social media throughout the day, was passed by the LAUSD board in a 5-2 vote last June. Also prohibited are other devices which have access to messaging apps and web browsers. Smart watches and tablets, if they can access the internet, will fall

LAUSD cell phone ban officially goes into effect
Local|Environment|WrittenByLAPost

L.A. breaks rainfall record with 2.8 inches; NWS investigates possible tornado

Southern California was battered by an atmospheric river storm Thursday, bringing record-breaking rain, mudslides and, potentially, a tornado.  Oxnard experienced strong winds, which tore the roofs off of homes at a mobile home park in the College Park neighborhood around 3:30 p.m.  The National Weather Service is investigating the possibility that the damage was caused by a tornado, though straight-line winds were also capable of similar destruction. Crews are expected to inspect the site Friday morning. Tornadoes are rare in California, though they do occur. The L.A. area sees occasional waterspouts over the ocean, as well as twisters brought about

L.A. breaks rainfall record with 2.8 inches; NWS investigates possible tornado
Local|Americas|Crime|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

‘Bank jugging’ burglaries on the rise, according to Burbank police

A statement from Burbank Police Department claims an increased number of “bank jugging” incidents have been reported in recent weeks.  According to the statement, “bank jugging” refers to a method of robbery in which perpetrators sit in bank parking lots and wait for patrons to emerge with cash.  “These criminals watch customers as they leave the bank and typically target those carrying bank envelopes, money bags, and/or coin boxes. Thieves will select a customer they believe to be in possession of a large amount of currency and will follow the customer to their next destination, at which point they break

‘Bank jugging’ burglaries on the rise, according to Burbank police
Political|Americas|Europe|US|World|WrittenByLAPost

Danish petition to buy California gets over 200,000 signatures

President Donald Trump’s attempt to purchase the vast Danish territory of Greenland is unpopular with locals, to say the least. Instead, a petition named “Denmarkification” urges the Danish government to purchase California.  The petition’s website lists a number of reasons why Danes should support the initiative. It would provide the Northern European country with abundant sunlight and avocados, for instance, as well as access to Disneyland – which would be renamed “Hans Christian Andersenland”. Denmarkification was created by Xåvier Dutoit, an activist identified by the campaign as its “Chief Pastry Officer.” He says that he aimed to show Americans how

Danish petition to buy California gets over 200,000 signatures
Sports|Entertainment|Lifestyle|Local|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show puts L.A. culture in the spotlight

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs went head-to-head against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans. Los Angeles seemed as far removed as baseball. But at the game’s midpoint, L.A. got its moment on the national broadcast. Rapper Kendrick Lamar, born and raised in Compton, took the stage to perform a set in which his pride in his home city was made a central theme. The “TV Off” performer first appeared squatting on the hood of a Buick GNX, simultaneously the namesake of his newest album, a nod to L.A.’s famed muscle car culture and the very vehicle which Lamar’s

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show puts L.A. culture in the spotlight
Local|Education|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

Lawsuit claims LAUSD misused tens of millions intended for arts education

In 2022, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 28, intended to expand funding for the arts in public schools. Yet according to the claims of a lawsuit, the Los Angeles Unified School District kept much of that money from ever reaching its intended recipients. Under the terms of the measure, the state was required to increase funds available for music and art education programs by 1% of the minimum overall funding required by state law. For LAUSD, that meant a $77 million increase. The money was redirected to school districts from California’s General Fund. The lawsuit was filed by former LAUSD

Lawsuit claims LAUSD misused tens of millions intended for arts education
Lifestyle|Entertainment|Opinion|WrittenByLAPost

'Stucktopia': why it feels like nothing ever changes

Life in the first half of the 2020s can feel somewhat like sitting in a waiting room. We pass the time, but nothing much seems to change. On the surface, this is surprising. Politics, technology and the climate have rapidly changed the way we all live. So it’s hard to see and understand why we all feel so stuck. Literary critic Hillary Kelly may have an explanation. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, she describes a concept she calls “stucktopia,” which names a world that is not wholly bad, but rather agonizingly unchanging. America is like this,

'Stucktopia': why it feels like nothing ever changes
Business|Local|News|US|WrittenByLAPost

‘Starbucks Monday’: how to get free coffee in Los Angeles

A fifteen-second ad aired during the Super Bowl gives few details. “Free coffee on us 2.10.2025” the spot reads, between clips of baristas opening a Starbucks store set to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” The chain of coffee houses is offering complimentary 12-ounce hot or iced coffees Monday to members of its loyalty program. To receive the beverage, customers must download the Starbucks app, and then order either online or in person. A map of Starbucks locations in Los Angeles can be found on the company’s website. Some locations may not participate in the promotion. The deal is likely intended to promote changes

‘Starbucks Monday’: how to get free coffee in Los Angeles
Local|Environment|News|WrittenByLAPost

Flood advisories expire across SoCal; chance of ‘atmospheric river’ remains for next week

The National Weather Service allowed flood advisories to expire early Friday for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, but said that stronger storms remain possible through Feb. 15 as a result of a second atmospheric river.

Flood advisories expire across SoCal; chance of ‘atmospheric river’ remains for next week
Business|Americas|Economy|Local|News|WrittenByLAPost

Costa Mesa-based owner of Volcom, Quiksilver, Billabong to shutter US stores

Liberated Brands, the owner of clothing chains Volcom, Quiksilver and Billabong, announced Thursday that it would close all its locations in the United States and file for bankruptcy in the coming weeks.

Costa Mesa-based owner of Volcom, Quiksilver, Billabong to shutter US stores
Asia|Europe|News|WrittenByLAPost

Aga Khan IV, Muslim leader and philanthropist, dies at 88

Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Imam, or leader, of the Ismaili Muslims and chair of the Aga Khan Development Network, passed away Tuesday in Lisbon, Portugal. His son, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, was named in his will as successor.

Aga Khan IV, Muslim leader and philanthropist, dies at 88
Election|Local|News|Opinion|Political

Immigration protests commence across L.A.; Spring street demonstration dispersed

Protests against the federal government’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants began Sunday and continued into Monday across Los Angeles. Protestors demonstrating against a planned increase in federal deportations blocked major downtown thoroughfares Sunday. The 101 Freeway was closed near Boyle Heights until 6 p.m., while Spring Street was closed from 1st Street to Temple Street until 1 p.m. Videos of the demonstration show participants holding flags and signs opposing Trump administration immigration policies. Some people can be seen spray painting graffiti and setting off fireworks. Around 6 p.m., authorities claimed that the event lacked necessary permits, and moved

Immigration protests commence across L.A.; Spring street demonstration dispersed
WrittenByLAPost|Entertainment|Local|News

Nirvana reunites for first performance in 11 years at FireAid

Drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic performed under the Nirvana name Thursday in a surprise performance at the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles. 

Nirvana reunites for first performance in 11 years at FireAid
US|Crime

Amber Alert Issued Across SoCal for Murder, Abduction Suspect

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert across much of Central and Southern California Wednesday as authorities searched for a man suspect of killing a woman in Kings County and abducting their two young daughters.

Amber Alert Issued Across SoCal for Murder, Abduction Suspect

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