The Bulletin

• Trump's inauguration: Donald Trump is set to officially become the 47th president of the United States in a matter of days at his January 20 inauguration—and speculation remains over who will perform at the high-profile ceremony. Here's everything we know.

• Mangione resurfaces as symbol of anger: The name of Luigi Mangione has come up often over the past few days in social media users' discussions of the fires ravaging Southern California. Know more about the depth of Americans' anger against health insurance companies.

• Newsom rebuffs wildfire backlash: California Governor Gavin Newsom has rejected criticism of his handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires saying he is "not interested in politicizing a natural disaster." Read what else he said.

• Zuckerberg slams Biden admin: Mark Zuckerberg unloaded on President Joe Biden and his administration during a surprise appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast that was published Friday. Know what he said.

• Biden faces backlash: President Joe Biden is facing backlash just before leaving office after insisting that he "would have beaten" incoming President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Find out more.

• Winter warning: A "very dangerous ice situation" is unfolding in the southeastern U.S. heading into the weekend, according to a Georgia-based meteorologist. Know if this impacts you.

The rundown: Deshaun Curtis-Simmons wanted to become a firefighter since childhood, and now the 22-year-old's dream has come true, as part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's (CDCR's) Fire Camp program. He is now among the roughly 30 percent of firefighters battling the California wildfires who are incarcerated.

Why it matters: The program has been hailed for its rehabilitation successes—many leave the program to become firefighters, leaving incarceration and the typical challenges accompanying reentry behind. But others argue that these firefighters are getting paid slave wages to risk their lives as they attempt to save some of the wealthiest communities in the country. While assigned to an active emergency, incarcerated fire crew members earn an additional $1 per hour paid by CAL FIRE, making up to $26.90 per day during 24-hour shifts, according to the CDCR website.

Read more in-depth coverage:
California Homeowners Get New Protection From Insurance Cancellations

TL/DR: California has 44 fire camps around the state, which the CDCR operates with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

What happens now? "As of today, 939 Fire Camp firefighters have been working around the clock cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, including 110 support staff," the agency said in a statement shared with Newsweek.

Deeper reading Incarcerated Firefighters Battle California Blazes for Low Pay, Redemption

The rundown: Donald Trump's second term in the White House is shaping up to face significant challenges just 10 days before his inauguration. Learn how Trump's transition team is battling these hurdles.

Why it matters: Trump was on Friday sentenced to an "unconditional discharge" in hush money case, meaning he will not face jail time. Trump is now the first convicted felon to serve as president. Adding to the challenges are fading hopes of ending the Russia-Ukraine war "within 24 hours" of taking office after the president-elect reportedly pushed back the timeline to several months. The Department of Justice is seeking to have special counsel Jack Smith's report into Donald Trump's federal indictments released before the president-elect takes office.

Read more in-depth coverage:
How Trump's Sentencing Affects His Voting Eligibility and Gun Ownership

TL/DR: Trump may face challenges passing his agenda after appointing GOP House members to his administration.

What happens now? Trump's inauguration ceremony will take place on January 20, after which he will begin his second term as president and begin to enact his agenda, which includes mass deportations, rolling back environmental protections, and raising tariffs on countries such as China, Mexico and Canada.

Deeper reading Donald Trump's Second Presidency Set for a Rocky Start

The rundown: U.S. companies that have continued to do business in Russia have contributed more than $1 billion in tax revenue to Kremlin, Newsweek has learned. Find out how U.S. became the largest contributor of foreign profit taxes to Russia.

Why it matters: American firms in Russia paid the country $1.2 billion in profit taxes in 2023, according to figures from campaign group B4Ukraine and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Institute shared exclusively with Newsweek. American companies' $1.2 billion tax bill is up from the $915.7 million they collectively paid in 2021. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, companies around the world left the country to voice their moral opposition to the conflict and to put economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime. Some of the companies' tax contributions to Russia appear to have offset their humanitarian donations to Ukraine, B4Ukraine found.

Read more in-depth coverage:
New US Sanctions Take 'Sweeping Action' Against Russia's Energy Sector

TL/DR: PepsiCo, Mars, Procter & Gamble, Cargill and Weatherford scaled back their business but continued to produce goods and run operations it deemed essential, according to the companies.

What happens now? While U.S. companies wrangle with how to manage their affairs in Russia, the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, has repeatedly indicated that he could end the war within a day.

Deeper reading US Companies Pay Over $1 Billion in Taxes to Russia Amid Ongoing Ukraine War

The rundown: Knowing how much house you can afford helps you avoid financial stress and set realistic expectations. Know how you can comfortably manage mortgage payments and plan for additional homeownership costs.

Why it matters: Many Americans struggle to buy homes due to high prices and interest rates. In 2020, with rates below 3%, Americans earning $150,000 could afford a $600,000 home. Today, with rates around 7%, they'd only afford a $400,000 home. A mortgage calculator can help you estimate your monthly payments and determine how much house you can afford. If saving for a down payment is challenging, consider exploring down payment assistance programs designed to aid first-time buyers and low-to-moderate-income individuals.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Housing Market 2025: Where and When To Buy and Sell, According to Experts

TL/DR: Before you start house hunting, take a close look at your financial situation. Calculate your monthly income, existing debts and expenses.

What happens now? Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "If you can afford it, a new home is a smart choice because unlike existing home sellers, they have the flexibility to lower prices and offer more competitive interest rates."

Deeper reading Housing Market Update: How to Find Out How Much House You Can Afford

The rundown: The Biden administration announced Friday an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from several countries, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to remain legally in the United States.

Why it matters: The decision expands protections to more than 1 million individuals, marking a stark contrast to former President Donald Trump's efforts to roll back the program. About 1,900 Sudanese, 103,700 Ukrainians, 232,000 Salvadorans and 600,000 Venezuelans will now be able to stay in the U.S. for another 18 months, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). President Biden's decision comes amid growing political pressure from both immigration advocates and conservative critics. TPS allows immigrants to work and live legally in the U.S., but it does not provide a pathway to citizenship, leaving beneficiaries reliant on periodic renewals.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Multiple Migrant Caravans Heading to Border Before Trump's Inauguration

TL/DR: The program, which was created by Congress in 1990, grants legal work authorization and deportation protections to immigrants from countries suffering from natural disasters or armed conflict.

What happens now? The Biden administration's expansion of TPS is likely to face legal and political challenges, particularly after Trump returns to office. For now, TPS recipients will remain uncertain about their future in the U.S.

Deeper reading Biden Extends Migrant Protection Programs Trump Promised to End