Iran Protests, Flu Season, and 365 Buttons

 Need To Know 

Trump Weighs Iran

Widespread protests across Iran entered their third week yesterday, a continuation of the largest antigovernment demonstrations in the country since 2022. Human rights groups relying on activist networks estimate roughly 540 people have been killed and at least 10,000 others arrested amid an intensifying crackdown by the government (48 of those killed were said to be security forces). 

The unrest began Dec. 28 (see timeline), sparked by a plunge in the value of the Iranian rial and surging prices for food and goods. Accurate reports of the scale of protests have been limited by a near-total internet shutdown by the government, though hundreds of demonstrations have been held across all 31 provinces. Notably, footage shared on social media showed cars and buildings burning in the capital of Tehran.   

President Donald Trump suggested US military strikes were possible if violence against protesters continued. See a deep dive on factors underpinning the unrest here.

Record Flu Activity

There have been at least 15 million flu cases this season, according to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year, outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms reached the highest recorded level since the agency began tracking cases more than 30 years ago. 

The US flu season typically begins in October, peaks between December and February and extends as late as May. This season has seen at least 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths, with 26 states reporting “very high” levels of flu-like illness and 16 seeing “high” levels. Epidemiologists have blamed a new strain of influenza A H3N2—called subclade K—for the uptick (see more on strain names, w/video). The mutation began spreading after strains were chosen for this year’s vaccine, but research shows promise it still offers protection against severe illness.

Last year, a record 289 children died from the flu—the highest number since the agency began tracking cases in 2004. Roughly 90% were not fully vaccinated, and over 50% had an underlying medical condition, according to a CDC report.

CES Wraps Up

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show wrapped up this weekend in Las Vegas. The trade show included a wave of product announcements, with many focused on physical artificial intelligence, including humanoid robots. 

The world’s most valuable company, Nvidia, unveiled new chip models and software platforms and was one of 40 companies highlighting humanoid robots on the trade show’s website. Competitor AMD revealed a robot from a company it backs set to be deployed in shipyards later this year. Robots at CES this year shadowboxed, folded laundry, played blackjack, and danced, though speed and safety remain a concern. McKinsey estimates that the market for general-purpose robotics could reach $370B by 2040; see this year’s humanoid robots here (w/video). 

Founded in 1967, CES focuses on emerging technologies and long-term industry direction. Explore a roundup of other highlights from this year’s trade show here, including Lego’s Smart Bricks, smart bird feeders, and more.

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> NFL playoff divisional round is set, kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 17; see schedule (More) | College Football Playoff National Championship game is set, with No. 10 Miami playing No. 1 Indiana on Monday, Jan. 19 (More)

> Bob Weir, guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, dies at age 78 after being diagnosed with cancer (More) 

> "One Battle After Another" and "Hamnet" win top prizes at this year's Golden Globes; see highlights and winners (More) 

Science & Technology

> NASA orders first-ever medical evacuation of an astronaut on the International Space Station due to unspecified medical emergency involving current astronaut (More) | What we learned researching the ISS (1440 Topics)

> New study suggests the "Age of Fishes"—a period around 445 million years ago when jawed marine vertebrates became dominant—was enabled by the Late Ordovician mass extinction (More) 

> Chinese researchers achieve new experimental fusion record, holding a high-energy plasma stable at densities 30%-65% greater than standard operation; the demonstration did not achieve net power production, the long-term goal (More) 

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close up Friday (S&P 500 +0.7%, Dow +0.5%, Nasdaq +0.8%), with S&P 500 finishing at record high despite weaker-than-expected December jobs report (More) 

> President Donald Trump directs federally backed housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200B in mortgage-backed securities from the public market (More) | ... and suggests capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (More) | Listen to our editor-in-chief interview a credit card expert (More)

> Mining giant Rio Tinto restarts talks for $260B merger with rival Glencore; Glencore stock rises 10%, potential deal would create world's largest mining company (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the Justice Department is investigating him over comments he made in a June 2025 congressional testimony related to a Federal Reserve renovation project; DOJ issued grand jury subpoenas Friday (More)

> Tens of thousands of people protest immigration enforcement in cities across the US after ICE agent killed driver during an enforcement operation last week in Minnesota; see photos (More)

> US military strikes dozens of ISIS targets in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike; the attacks were ordered by President Donald Trump last month after ISIS killed two US soldiers and one interpreter on Dec. 13 (More)

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