Week in 5: Jan 5-11, 2025
California wildfires wreak havoc, Congress certifies Trump’s presidency, Trudeau resigns, Meta ends fact-checking, and Golden Globes highlight bold storytelling.
📰 Top 3 in…
🇺🇸 U.S. News
The California wildfires, among the worst in the state’s history, have killed at least 16 people, burned 37,000 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and forced 153,000 residents to evacuate. Firefighters are battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which remain largely uncontained and threaten thousands more structures. Intensifying Santa Ana winds up to 70 mph are worsening conditions, while Governor Newsom issued an executive order to accelerate disaster aid. Reinforcements from Canada, Texas, and Mexico join over 14,000 firefighters as aerial resources are deployed to combat the catastrophic destruction, compounded by widespread power outages and hazardous smoke levels. NBC News
Congress certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election in a peaceful session, starkly contrasting the violent Capitol attack of January 6, 2021. The process concluded smoothly, with bipartisan acceptance. Vice President Kamala Harris oversaw the certification, underscoring the peaceful transfer of power as a cornerstone of American democracy. CBS News
This week Trump was also sentenced in his New York hush money case, but Judge Juan M. Merchan imposed no punishment, granting an unconditional discharge. This means Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records linked to a 2016 hush payment to Stormy Daniels, but will face no jail time, fines, or probation. Despite the conviction, Trump is set to return to the White House, with the case concluding just days before his second inauguration. AP
🌎 World News
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down after nine years in office, citing internal party divisions and his inability to remain the best choice for the next election. Once a leader who promised progressive change, Trudeau now departs amidst plummeting approval ratings, rising economic pressures, and strained relations with the U.S. over proposed tariffs. His resignation leaves the Liberal Party at a crossroads, preparing to select a new leader who will face the challenge of revitalizing the party and navigating Canada’s future in an increasingly uncertain political landscape. BBC
A powerful 6.8 earthquake hit Tibet’s Shigatse region, a mountainous area near Mount Everest and home to important cultural and religious sites, including the seat of the Panchen Lama, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The quake killed at least 126 people, injured 188, and destroyed over 1,000 homes, with tremors also felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India. Rescue efforts are ongoing as freezing temperatures add to the challenges. Reuters
The US has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of genocide, pointing to shocking violence since the conflict began in April 2023. Sanctions on the group’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), aim to isolate the RSF and push their foreign supporters to back away, as millions in Sudan urgently need help. The group has been accused of targeted killings based on ethnicity and other atrocities. BBC
🧪 Tech & Science
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the end of fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, framing the decision as a commitment to restoring free expression on the platforms. The move comes as Zuckerberg seeks to strengthen ties with the incoming Trump administration, reversing the content moderation policies Meta implemented following Trump’s first presidential election. The shift has sparked debate over the balance between free speech and misinformation. WSJ
A YouTube investigator has accused PayPal’s browser extension Honey of scamming influencers and users by redirecting referral commissions to itself during online purchases. The app, which offers coupons and cashback, allegedly uses deceptive tactics to claim credit for sales it didn’t generate. While PayPal denies wrongdoing, the viral video claims the scheme may have cost content creators millions, sparking widespread scrutiny. Inc | The Honey Scam: Explained (Video)
Scientists have discovered that male spiders can “smell” with tiny sensory hairs on their legs, called wall-pore sensilla. These hairs help them detect signals released by females, allowing them to find mates even from far away. Found only in adult males, this surprising ability gives new insight into how spiders sense their surroundings and interact with each other. Link
📺 Sports & Culture
The 82nd Golden Globes celebrated bold storytelling, highlighted by standout wins and a sharp monologue from Nikki Glaser as host.
Big winners: The Brutalist swept best drama, director, and actor; Emilia Pérez claimed four awards, including best comedy/musical.
Surprises: Demi Moore won her first Globe for The Substance, and Sebastian Stan won for A Different Man.
TV triumphs: Shōgun led with 4 awards, while Hacks and The Bear also scored.
Blockbuster moment: Wicked snagged the cinematic achievement award, boosting Oscar hopes.
President Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals for their contributions to society, including Hillary Clinton, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, chef José Andrés, and Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi. Honorees also included Michael J. Fox, Bono, and Jane Goodall, among others. The award recognizes leadership, advocacy, and service across various fields, celebrating their impact on the nation and the world. NPR
Writer-director Jeff Baena, known for darkly comedic indie films like The Little Hours and husband of actor Aubrey Plaza, has died at 47 in Los Angeles, with his death ruled a suicide. Baena’s work often premiered at Sundance, and he frequently collaborated with Plaza. He is survived by Plaza and his family. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. AP
🏎️ Fast Five
Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they will face Notre Dame on January 20. AP
New York City’s congestion pricing program has launched, charging drivers $9 to enter Manhattan’s busiest areas, prompting shifts to public transit, increased suburban parking demand, and mixed reactions from commuters and drivers. CBS News
The U.S. imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan officials following Nicolás Maduro’s disputed inauguration, targeting allies involved in human rights abuses and supporting opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president-elect. The Hill
Post Malone left a $20,000 tip for bartender Renee Brown on 🎄Christmas Eve, an act of generosity the single mother called a "Christmas miracle" as she worked away from her child during the holidays. Vice
A Macomb County 911 dispatcher, Cidnee Schramm, guided a father through delivering his 👶 baby over the phone after his wife's contractions became too close for emergency responders to arrive, successfully ensuring the newborn's safe delivery before help arrived. CBS News
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!