The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Deadly earthquake hits Tibet: At least 95 people have been killed by a powerful earthquake that rocked a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning. Get the latest updates on rescue missions.
- Indonesia joins BRICS: Indonesia on Monday officially joined the BRICS bloc of developing nations, marking a significant expansion of the group's global influence. Learn more.
- McCarthy praises Harris' certification: Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that he has "respect" for how Vice President Kamala Harris handled the certification process of the presidential election. His full remarks.
- China's Xi promises corruption crackdown: President Xi Jinping of China has renewed his call to root out corruption, describing it as the most serious threat to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Read more.
- Viruses on the rise: As infections from three viruses—human metapneumovirus (HMPV), bird flu, and norovirus—continue to climb, infectious disease and population health experts told Newsweek about the recent rise in cases, prevention measures, and what may come next.
- Social Security payment: The first round of Social Security retirement benefits for 2025 will be paid this week. Here's what to know.
- Windstorm warning: The National Weather Service has warned residents of California of "life threatening" windstorm that could hit parts of the Golden State this week. Here are the areas anticipated to experience high winds.
Trump Faces Potential Major Clash With His Supreme Court
The rundown: Donald Trump has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in an upcoming Supreme Court case in which he asks the court to delay a new law banning TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese owners sell it. Here's how this legal move could impact the future of TikTok.
Why it matters: On December 18, the Supreme Court announced it will hear TikTok's challenge to a new law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform within nine months given Congress' concerns about the Chinese government harvesting U.S. users' information. The case is being expedited, with oral arguments set for January 10. TikTok has requested a delay, supported by Trump in a friend-of-the-court brief. The Supreme Court, now with a 6-3 conservative majority, may reject this request, potentially leading to a significant clash between Trump and the court.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Doesn't Want to Ban TikTok Because He Gets Billions of Views
TL/DR: New York University law professor, Stephen Gillers, told Newsweek that the Supreme Court may refuse to consider Trump's friend-of-the-court brief.
What happens now? The Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on January 10, which will likely be a good indication of where the justices stand on the issues. The new law is due to come into effect on January 19, the day before Trump is to be inaugurated as president.
Deeper reading Donald Trump Faces Potential Major Clash With His Supreme Court
What Justin Trudeau's Resignation Means for Immigration at Northern Border
The rundown: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation has sent ripples through the political landscape, raising questions about the future of immigration policy, particularly at the Canada-U.S. border. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters: Trudeau's departure comes amid shifting public sentiment on immigration, economic challenges and growing pressure from the incoming Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 25 percent tariff on all goods from Canada, as well as Mexico, if the country does not clamp down on immigration and the trade of illicit narcotics. Experts have told Newsweek that Trudeau's resignation means "very little" for immigration policy and will not drastically alter the trajectory of Canadian politics and border policy. However, the move could lead to change following an election if the Conservatives return to power.
Read more in-depth coverage:
When Will Canada Host Elections to Replace Justin Trudeau? What We Know
TL/DR: Trudeau pointed to "internal battles" in his resignation speech.
What happens now? Trump is expected to impose tariffs to strong-arm Canada over matters concerning immigration policy. Canadians are set to vote in a federal election by October, potentially ushering in a new government.
Deeper reading What Justin Trudeau's Resignation Means for Immigration at Northern Border
US Air Bases Vulnerable to China Missile Strikes, Researchers Say
The rundown: The United States needs to expand and fortify its military airfields in the Western Pacific Ocean as they face the threat of severe Chinese attacks, researchers warned in a report.
Why it matters: The report, released by the Hudson Institute research foundation in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, came after the Pentagon issued its annual assessment on Chinese military power. It said that the number of Chinese medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) has increased by about 300 in just over a year. The Chinese MRBM force has a range of 621 miles to 1,864 miles, therefore capable of striking American military bases within the entire first island chain. According to the report, the combined regional U.S., allied, and partner military airfield capacity outside Taiwan is roughly one-third of China's.
Read more in-depth coverage:
What Is 'Next-Generation' Fighter Aircraft in US-China Air Power Race?
TL/DR: China has reserved the right to use force against Taiwan, while the U.S. is required by law to protect the island.
What happens now? China is likely to continue to expand its missile force to threaten America's military bases within the first island chain. The Hudson Institute's report recommended the U.S. should enhance the resilience of its military infrastructure, as well as improve its ability to strike Chinese forces, inducing China to spend fewer funds on its power projection capabilities.
Deeper reading US Air Bases Vulnerable to China Missile Strikes, Researchers Say
Russia's Pace of Advancement in Ukraine Plummets Ahead of Trump's Return
The rundown: Russia's advances in Ukraine over the past week plummeted to levels last seen in July, according to an analysis by an independent investigative Russian news outlet. Here's how it could impact the ongoing conflict.
Why it matters: The recent pace of Russian advance in Ukraine has been the lowest in six months, which is likely to worry Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20. After several record-breaking months, Putin's troops captured 40.43 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in the week from December 30 to January 5, according to data from the Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState that the news site Agentstvo analyzed. The outlet reported that the figure marked the slowest rate of advance by Russia in Ukraine since July. According to Agentstvo, from July 15 to 21, Russian troops seized 32.8 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Will There Be a Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal in 2025?
TL/DR: As the prospect of peace talks or a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine gains traction, both countries seek to boost their negotiating hand ahead of Trump's inauguration should such talks commence.
What happens now? Clashes will likely continue in Ukraine's east as Putin's troops push to capture the Donbas. A fresh incursion by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region, launched on January 5, could also divert Russian forces from Ukraine to the border region.
Deeper reading Russia's Pace of Advancement in Ukraine Plummets Ahead of Trump's Return
Exclusive: GOP Youth Chair Offers Trump Three Ideas to Engage Gen Z
The rundown: Brilyn Hollyhand—the 18-year-old chair of the Republican National Committee's Youth Advisory Council shared exclusively with Newsweek three suggestions for how the President-elect can carry that momentum into the White House. Find out here.
Why it matters: Hollyhand, a national political commentator and Alabama high school student, took charge of the Advisory Council in January 2023. He's since spearheaded efforts to bring a content creator outreach program to the 2024 Republican National Convention and campaign. Trump's success—winning 56 percent of young men and 40 percent of young women—can be attributed, in part, to the campaign's unconventional media strategy. To maintain this momentum, Hollyhand suggests the President-elect should hold a monthly podcast, start a White House influencer program to ask questions that Gen Z really cares about and continue appearing on TikTok.
Read more in-depth coverage:
The Podcasts Young Trump Voters Are Tuning In To
TL/DR: Hollyhand believes those gains came in part because of the campaign's unconventional media strategy.
What happens now? Hollyhand said, “whether that's hosting an official White House podcast, partnering with influencers in the briefing room, or TikToking from the Oval Office, this is how President Trump can retain these new voters in our party for generations to come.”
Deeper reading Exclusive: GOP Youth Chair Offers Donald Trump Three Ideas to Engage Gen Z
Justin Trudeau and the End of the Modern Progressive Experiment
When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared in front of reporters outside the front door of his residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Monday, it was a fitting setting for the announcement that would follow.
In the early days of the pandemic, Trudeau would hold regular briefings from the same spot in front of the handsome two-story Georgian Revival mansion he has called home for the last decade.
Fast forward to today, when the 53-year-old, one-time icon of the modern progressive movement announced that he would resign from office after losing the support of both Canadian voters and high-ranking members of his own Liberal party, which is on track for a crushing defeat in the national elections that must take place by October.
