Week in 5: Dec 29-Jan 4, 2025

Jan 05, 2025

🇺🇸 U.S. News

Former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living U.S. president, died at 100 in Plains, Georgia. Known for the Camp David Accords and extensive post-presidential humanitarian work, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. President Biden declared January 9 a national day of mourning, with tributes planned in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Axios
A suspected terrorist drove a pickup truck into a New Year's crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing at least 15 and injuring 30 others before being fatally shot by police. The attack bypassed barricades in the French Quarter, leaving a scene of devastation during one of the city’s busiest celebrations. USA Today
Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi killed two people and injured six as severe storms swept the Southeast, with over 40 tornadoes reported. The storms caused extensive damage to homes, power outages, and infrastructure, particularly in Houston and northern Alabama. Authorities are conducting surveys to confirm the tornadoes, as severe weather risks continue eastward into Georgia and South Carolina. AP

A massive power outage in Puerto Rico left nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses without electricity on New Year's Eve, with half still in the dark hours later. Triggered by a fault in an underground cable, the outage disrupted critical facilities and highlighted the island's fragile grid, which has struggled since Hurricane Maria in 2017. NBC News
Israeli forces evacuated Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, alleging it was a Hamas command center, detaining staff, including the director, for questioning. Airstrikes in the area reportedly killed dozens, leaving northern Gaza without major medical services. The WHO condemned the operation, and calls for UN intervention highlight growing humanitarian concerns amid the blockade. BBC
Dinosaur footprints from the Middle Jurassic, including sauropods and Megalosaurus, were discovered in southern England. Over 200 tracks span nearly 500 feet, offering insights into behavior and interactions. Researchers used 3D models to document the site, which will feature in exhibitions and BBC's Digging for Britain. Link

Meta has shut down its AI-generated profiles on Facebook and Instagram following widespread ridicule and user backlash. Introduced in 2023, these profiles, such as “Liv,” a fictional Black queer mother, sparked criticism for appropriating marginalized identities and being impossible to block. Despite this failed experiment, Meta plans to continue developing AI personas and integrating AI-generated content across its platforms. Link
A U.S. court blocked rules that would have ensured equal internet access for all, saying the FCC doesn’t have the authority to enforce them. Advocates want Congress to pass a law to protect fair internet use, while critics argue the rules give the government too much control. The Hill
Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement over claims that its Siri voice assistant recorded private conversations without users' consent and shared them with third parties like advertisers. Customers with Siri-enabled devices purchased between 2014 and 2024 may qualify for up to $20 per device, pending court approval. AP

Football:
- The College Football Playoff semifinals feature Ohio State as the dominant favorite, Notre Dame and Penn State with strong defenses, and Texas appearing the most vulnerable after close wins. Link
- The NFL regular season has ended, and teams now compete in the playoffs, where the best performers from each division face off to eventually win the championship, with matchups and rankings decided based on their season records. Playoff Picture
After Blake Lively filed a federal complaint alleging harassment and retaliation on the set of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni has responded with a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. He claims the article misrepresented events, relied on false evidence, and defamed him by promoting Lively’s narrative. Variety
Billie Eilish’s "Birds of a Feather" surpassed Sabrina Carpenter’s "Espresso" as Spotify’s most-streamed song of 2024, garnering 1.77 billion streams and earning multiple Grammy nominations, solidifying Eilish’s continued dominance in music. Variety

A Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Las Vegas’ Trump International Hotel, suspected to involve fireworks and fuel in a terrorist act, gained attention as Elon Musk credited the truck's design for redirecting the blast upwards—a claim later confirmed by police. WSJ
Norovirus cases in the U.S. have surged 340% this season, with the Midwest experiencing the highest rates. Link
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends updating alcohol warning labels to include cancer risks, highlighting alcohol's link to 100,000 annual cancer cases and 20,000 deaths in the U.S. CBS News
Florida firefighters replaced a young boy’s ruined bike 🚲 with a new one after freeing his foot from its spokes during an accident. Link
2024 was filled with remarkable progress, including medical breakthroughs like the first lung cancer vaccine trials and a new cervical cancer treatment reducing mortality by 40%, environmental strides such as a 31% drop in Amazon deforestation, the U.S. capping insulin prices at $35/month, and historic milestones in space exploration, including the first civilian spacewalk. 🚀 Best Good News of 2024 (15 min video)

Thank you for reading. Happy new year! 🎉