The Bulletin

• LA wildfires: Several Los Angeles neighborhoods remain under evacuation orders due to the devastating Palisades fire. Check out the map of affected areas.
• NATO launches new mission to protect undersea cables: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced on Tuesday a new mission, dubbed Baltic Sentry, to safeguard undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region. Find out more.

• Walmart's new logo: Walmart has redesigned its logo, drawing a mixed reaction online, with social media users joking, making memes and quipping that "It looks the f****** same." Know more.

• Illegal miners trapped in South Africa: A group representing illegal miners in South Africa reported on Monday that over 100 individuals have died after being trapped in a mine for several months. Full story here.

• Boko Haram attack: An attack by Boko Haram killed at least 40 farmers in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, a government official said Monday.

• Vaccines sales decline: Shares of Moderna Inc. fell sharply on Monday after the biotech firm projected a steep decline in 2025 revenues, falling below Wall Street expectations. Find out what's behind the drop.

• In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ukrainian military members described the escalation of the fighting in Kursk in recent months and said that machine-gunners "could not handle the pace of killing," according to The New York Times.

The rundown: A report into Donald Trump's role in the events of January 6, 2021 has been released by the Justice Department. Here's the full document.

Why it matters: Special Counsel Jack Smith has been investigating allegations that Trump criminally tried to overturn the 2020 election results when he lost the White House to Joe Biden. Trump had been seeking to block the release of Smith's investigative report, with his lawyers arguing it would illegally interfere with his presidential transition. In his report, which was submitted to Congress early Tuesday, Smith wrote that Trump would have been convicted had he not been elected. The report also includes allegations that Trump sought to put "pressure on the Vice President" to delay the vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021, and that he supported the organization of a false slate of electors.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Aileen Cannon Allows Release of Jack Smith's Report on Trump's Jan. 6 Case

TL/DR: The President-elect had faced accusations of inciting the January 6 Capitol riots, where his supporters stormed the building following his repeated, unproven claims that the election was "stolen" through voter fraud.

What happens now? Trump's inauguration is set for January 20, after which he will begin his second term as president.

Deeper reading Jack Smith's Donald Trump Report: Read Full Document

The rundown: President Joe Biden said on Monday that people impacted by the California wildfires will receive a one-time payment of $770 "so they can quickly purchase things like water, baby formula and prescriptions." Find out how the relief will help.

Why it matters: On January 8, Biden approved the Golden State's major disaster declaration, releasing federal funding to affected individuals in Los Angeles County. The announcement sparked a wave of criticism and anger on social media, with many complaining that the one-time payment was not enough—especially in the Golden State, where the cost of living is higher than much of the rest of the country. Additionally, the federal government will be paying 100 percent of the response cost to the fires for the next six months.

Read more in-depth coverage:
New California 'Auto Fire' Breaks Out in Ventura County

TL/DR: According to the president, nearly 6,000 people had registered to receive the one-time payment of $770 as of Monday and a total of $5.1 million had already gone out.

What happens now? As of Monday night, the fires were only partially contained. The Palisades fire, which had burned through over 23,000 acres, was only 14 percent contained; the Eaton fire, which had moved through more than 13,000 acres, was 33 percent contained. The Hurst fire, which has burned through nearly 800 acres, was 97 percent contained.

Deeper reading Joe Biden Announces Stimulus Checks for People Impacted by California Fires

The rundown: Pete Hegseth will take center stage on Tuesday as he testifies before the Senate as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense—and the controversial nominee is expected to get grilled. Here's what to expect from the testimony.

Why it matters: Hegseth, 44, is among 13 Trump nominees who will appear before the Senate this week as Trump prepares to take office on January 20. He's previously called to get rid of "woke" military leaders and argued that women should not serve in combat roles. Hegseth has also advocated for pardoning service members accused of war crimes. Democrats plan to come out guns blazing and will grill Hegseth on his background, qualifications and allegations of sexual and workplace misconduct. Democratic Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a list of 72 questions she plans to ask Hegseth.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Cabinet Picks' Chances of Being Confirmed

TL/DR: Hegseth is a veteran, though he does not have senior leadership experience. He was an infantry officer in the Army National Guard and previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What happens now? Hegseth's confirmation hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday. Punchbowl News' Andrew Desiderio reported that Armed Services plans to vote on the nomination at 5 p.m. ET January 20.

Deeper reading Pete Hegseth Senate Confirmation Hearing: How to Watch and What to Know

The rundown: Ukraine launched a large-scale drone and missile barrage overnight, damaging factories, a chemical plant and a gas tank in Russia, according to local reports.

Why it matters: Ukraine has attempted to target facilities in Russia that play a role in facilitating the country's war efforts, which began in February 2022. Ukraine's latest missile and drone attack targeted 12 Russian regions, including Oryol, Saratov, Voronezh, Sumy and Tula, as well as the Republic of Tatarstan, local officials said. Roman Busargin, governor of Saratov, reported damage at industrial facilities in the Engels district, where schools were closed for in-person classes on Tuesday. The attack is reported to be the largest by Ukraine so far this year.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Russia's 'Secret' Military Facilities Hit in Massive Overnight Drone Raids

TL/DR: The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of attempting to carry out terrorist attacks using drones on Russian soil.

What happens now? Ukrainian attacks on Russian military and industrial facilities will likely continue as the war enters its fourth year next month. The world is watching to see what the incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump, will do to bring about peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Deeper reading Russia Factories, Oil Terminals Hit in Massive Drone-Missile Attack

The rundown: A pastor who has had discussions with the incoming Trump administration supports its plan to revoke a long-standing policy that bars Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests at churches. Here's the impact.

Why it matters: Churches in the U.S. play a key role in supporting migrants by offering resources, aid and assistance. The pastor, who requested anonymity to speak freely, told Newsweek he expects ICE to focus solely on targeting serious criminals. The ICE policy requiring agents to obtain prior approval before making arrests in sensitive locations was introduced in 2011 through a memo issued by then-Director John Morton. The policy remained in effect during the first Trump administration and continued through the Biden administration. It was intended to allow undocumented migrants to move freely in certain public spaces.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Mass Deportation Fears Stop Chicago Church Services

TL/DR: Many faith leaders across the United States have criticized President-elect Donald Trump's proposed immigration policies, which also include mass deportations.

What happens now? Other planned changes to immigration policy, which include ending the CBP One app and resurrecting the "Remain in Mexico" program, have raised deep concerns within religious communities that see them as a direct threat to human dignity, compassion and hospitality. The CBP One app allows asylum-seekers and migrants to schedule appointments with border officials.

Deeper reading Exclusive: Pastor Backs New Immigration Raids on Churches