Here’s a snapshot of today’s news from various sources:
Political News
- Certification of Election: Congress officially certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election without any challenges, marking a significant contrast to the events of 2021. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the session and acknowledged the democratic process.
- Trudeau Resignation: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, effective after a new leader for his Liberal Party is chosen, a development that broke just a few hours ago.
- House Speaker Vote: In the U.S., Mike Johnson was re-elected as House Speaker in a dramatic vote, highlighting the narrow margins within the Republican party.
Legal Updates
- Trump’s Sentencing: Donald Trump’s request to halt sentencing in his criminal hush money case was denied by a New York judge, with sentencing still scheduled for January 10.
- Special Counsel Report: Efforts by Trump’s legal team to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report are ongoing, with Trump’s attorneys having reviewed a draft of the report.
Global Events
- Earthquake in Tibet: A powerful earthquake in a remote region of Tibet has killed more than 100 people, with the tremors felt across the Himalayas, including in Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India.
Health and Environment
- Bird Flu Death: Louisiana reported the first human death in the USA due to the H5N1 bird flu, sparking varied public reactions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency due to the spread of Bird Flu, aiming to enhance the state’s response to this health threat.
Miscellaneous
- National Day of Mourning: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices will be closed on January 9, 2025, in observance of a National Day of Mourning declared by President Biden for former President Jimmy Carter.
- Meta’s Policy Changes: Meta has announced significant changes to its content moderation policies, removing fact-checkers in favor of user-generated “community notes,” aiming to reduce what they describe as ‘censorship’.
Additional Global News
- Death of Jean-Marie Le Pen: The founder of France’s far-right National Front party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has died at the age of 96, marking the end of an era for a polarizing figure in French politics.