The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- LA wildfires: Investigators are beginning their work to determine the origin and cause of huge fires in the Los Angeles area. Here's what we know.
- Trudeau suggested trade with Trump: Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed on Sunday that he jokingly offered President-elect Donald Trump to trade Vermont or California in order for Canada to become the 51st state. Read his full remarks.
- Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Mediator Qatar gave Israel and Hamas a final draft of a deal to end the war in Gaza on Monday, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.
- Trump's call with Putin: An incoming adviser to Donald Trump has said that a call between the president-elect and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected "in the coming days and weeks," in an interview on ABC News. Know more.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, about 300 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to fight against Ukrainian forces have been killed, and a further 2,700 were injured, South Korean intelligence reported on Monday, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aired a prisoner of war video.
Arson Suspect Ruben Montes Arrested Near Eaton Fire
The rundown: Californian police arrested a man on suspicion of arson on Sunday after firefighters saw him lighting fires about 12 miles south east of the Eaton fire—the deadliest blaze, as of Monday morning, in fires raging across the Los Angeles area. Get the latest here.
Why it matters: Ruben Montes, 29, of Baldwin Park, was detained and arrested after firefighters responding about 12:30 p.m. local time to a small brush fire in Irwindale, near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway. "While on scene, LACOFD personnel observed a suspect actively lighting fires in the area," Irwindale Police Department wrote on X. Firefighters are working to gain control of huge fires in the Los Angeles area that have burned almost 40,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. At least 16 people have died in the Eaton fire, according to latest Cal Fire estimates.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Burglar Dressed As Firefighter Among 29 Arrested in California
TL/DR: The Palisades fire, the largest of the fires still burning, has burned more than 23,000 acres, and was just 13 percent contained.
What happens now? The arrest comes as the Los Angeles region remains on heightened alert amid the huge fires that started last week. Investigators are working to determine the cause of those fires, but there has been no indication from authorities that arson is responsible for the Palisades or Eaton fires.
Deeper reading Arson Suspect Ruben Montes Arrested Near Eaton Fire
Trump's Tech Bro Orbit—How Silicon Valley Merged With MAGA
The rundown: A new wave of right-wing technologists has surged into Donald Trump's orbit, intertwining Silicon Valley's influential figures with the Republican Party's agenda. Learn more about the growing connection.
Why it matters: Trump's growing alliance with this faction highlights a significant shift in Silicon Valley's political dynamics, traditionally perceived as liberal strongholds, that could reshape both the tech industry and American governance. Key figures such as Elon Musk, who pledged over $200 million to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, and venture capitalist David Sacks are leveraging their influence to secure policy shifts favoring deregulation and aggressive technological innovation. Both men, alongside billionaire Peter Thiel, are colloquially referred to as "the PayPal Mafia" on account of their involvement in the creation of the online payment system.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Tech Billionaires 'Play the Game' With Donations to Trump's Inaugural Fund
TL/DR: As the president-elect prepares for his second term, prominent tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, are poised to shape not only technology policy but also the broader direction of the nation.
What happens now? Trump will be inaugurated on January 20. Musk and Ramaswamy have pledged to hit the ground running, and have already planned widespread cuts to several departments and regulations. For now, the question remains whether this merger of tech and politics will benefit the broader public—or deepen the entrenchment of power among America's wealthiest and most influential players.
Deeper reading Donald Trump's Tech Bro Orbit—How Silicon Valley Merged With MAGA
Democrats Raise Alarm Over Pete Hegseth's FBI Check: 'Cover-Up'
The rundown: Democrats are raising alarms over the FBI background check of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, expressing concerns that crucial information may be withheld ahead of his confirmation hearing. Here's what we know.
Why it matters: Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has become one of Trump's most contentious Cabinet nominees, facing scrutiny over his qualifications to lead the Department of Defense and numerous allegations regarding his personal life, including an accusation of sexually assaulting a woman after a 2017 Republican conference. As the FBI's findings have not been shared with the other committee members, several Democrats expressed concerns that they may lack crucial information for Mr. Hegseth's confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Read more in-depth coverage:
MAGA Vows To Stand With Pete Hegseth Amid Controversies
TL/DR: Public reports have highlighted allegations against Hegseth, including claims of sexual assault, mismanagement of veterans' nonprofits he led, and frequent public intoxication.
What happens now? Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for January 14 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Deeper reading Democrats Raise Alarm Over Pete Hegseth's FBI Check: 'Cover-Up'
China Advances Territorial Claim Against US Ally
The rundown: China has installed a new structure in sensitive waters near a disputed maritime boundary with South Korea, sparking fears that Beijing may exploit Seoul's ongoing political crisis to assert territorial claims. Find out more.
Why it matters: South Korean intelligence observed the Chinese structure—over 50 meters (164 feet) tall and wide—via reconnaissance satellites, according to officials cited by Chosun. It follows the installation of similar structures in April and May 2024, which prompted protests from Seoul. At the time, China claimed the structures were "fishing support facilities." South Korean officials warned that Beijing could build as many as a dozen additional installations in the area. The area in question lies within the Provisional Measures Zone, established in 2001 to manage disputes over overlapping exclusive economic zones between the two countries.
Read more in-depth coverage:
'Illegal' Chinese Ships Trigger Coast Guard Response
TL/DR: South Korea has long raised concerns about Chinese fishing vessels operating illegally within its EEZ, which extends 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from its coastline and grants sole rights to natural resources.
What happens now? Though the Yellow Sea dispute has been relatively quiet compared to its feud with the Philippines, some analysts see the potential for China stepping up its presence if tensions escalate with the U.S. treaty partner.
Deeper reading China Advances Territorial Claim Against US Ally
Why Americans Are Accepting Lower Salaries
The rundown: In the U.S., the promise of working from home is leading workers to accept lower salaries than they otherwise would, as they appear to value flexibility more than money. Find out the surprising trend behind this.
Why it matters: In a recent report, HR consulting firm Robert Half found that when the gap between a candidate's salary expectations and an employer's limit is too great, many employers negotiate remote and hybrid work options to "help seal the deal." Often, candidates are open to accept a lower pay in exchange for more flexibility. Robert Half analyzed jobs created in the third quarter of last year in the U.S. and found that 35 percent of new job postings were for remote or hybrid roles, up from 30 percent during the same time the year before.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows Best US Cities to Find a Job in 2025
TL/DR: Remote and hybrid work options remain key factors to consider when candidates consider accepting a new job, and for employers it's a balancing act.
What happens now? Overall, remote work is here to stay—whatever the cost for employees. But that might change soon. While some American workers are willing to accept lower salaries in order to continue working remotely, Robert Half believes employers and employees should look at having both flexibility and fair compensation this year.
Deeper reading Why Americans Are Accepting Lower Salaries
California Fire Victims Whose Insurance Was Cut Have Few Legal Options
As wildfires ravage areas of Los Angeles in California, destroying thousands of homes and businesses, the decision last year by its largest insurer State Farm to reduce its number of policyholders in at-risk areas has caught fresh attention.
State Farm CEO Denies Hardin wrote in a March 2024 letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that the insurer's strained finances forced their hand in reducing exposure to risk, and higher rates alone weren't enough.
"We have been reluctant to take this step, recognizing how difficult it will be for impacted policyholders … We are striving to minimize the impact of the necessary actions that must be taken," Hardin wrote.
