January 7, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

In our news wrap Tuesday, residents are fleeing the hills of Los Angeles after the Palisades Fire exploded in size to more than 700 acres, a so-called polar vortex is bringing freezing temperatures as far south as the Gulf Coast, a devastating earthquake in Tibet killed at least 126 and two people were found dead in the landing gear compartment of a Jetblue plane in Florida.

Meta announced it's ending third-party fact-checking on its platforms, calling the decision a return to a “fundamental commitment to free expression.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the rules had become too restrictive and prone to over-enforcement. Geoff Bennett discussed the implications of this shift with Renee DiResta of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

ART & CLIMATE

The U.S. has long been one of the world’s largest donors of foreign aid. But in recent years, its effectiveness has been called into question by a chorus of critics who say the impact of assistance programs falls well short of their intended goals. They blame what some have called the "aid industrial complex." Fred de Sam Lazaro reports for his series, Agents for Change.

The U.S. has long been one of the world’s largest donors of foreign aid. But in recent years, its effectiveness has been called into question by a chorus of critics who say the impact of assistance programs falls well short of their intended goals. They blame what some have called the "aid industrial complex." Fred de Sam Lazaro reports for his series, Agents for Change.

The Biden administration says the Rapid Support Forces rebel group in Sudan is committing genocide and announced new sanctions for the group’s leader and affiliated companies. It’s the latest escalation for Sudan which is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world right now. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Beth Van Schaack, U.S. ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice.

With Donald Trump set to enter the Oval Office in just two weeks, the president-elect expressed a desire to expand American territory through the use of military and economic force, if necessary. Trump also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico and attacked his perceived political enemies as he battles legal challenges before he takes office. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

France’s foreign minister said three French detainees being held by Iran face conditions that fall within the definition of torture. Human rights groups have long decried how Iran treats its prisoners. Nick Schifrin and producers spoke to protestors inside Iran, especially female demonstrators, who have paid a heavy price in and out of jail, but remain undaunted.