Wildfires in Los Angeles May Have Stopped Lakers Games, But LeBron James Stays in the Spotlight

The future of Infowars, the controversial conspiracy website founded by Alex Jones, is about to take center stage once again in a Houston courtroom. On Monday, a hearing will unfold with attorneys representing Jones, the Onion—a well-known satirical news site—and victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. The primary topic? What the next steps are for Infowars, especially regarding its sale. The courtroom drama follows an intense series of events from last month, when Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez rejected an auction result that could have handed over the website and its assets to The Onion. Here's the lowdown on what’s been going on and what’s to come.

Rory Callum Sykes, a British-born former child actor, tragically lost his life in the devastating wildfires that swept through California this week. Known for his role in the Australian TV series Kiddy Kapers, Sykes was only 32 years old and passed away while at his family’s Malibu home. The heartbreaking news was shared by his mother, Shelley Sykes, a former reality TV star, on her X/Twitter account.

The Detroit Pistons have been on an electrifying run, emerging as one of the NBA’s hottest teams over the past month. Saturday night’s victory against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena added another chapter to their remarkable in-season turnaround. With this win, the Pistons climbed back above .500, boasting a 20-19 record and crossing the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2021-22 season. And the best part? They still have 43 games to go. Over their last 11 matchups, the Pistons have secured nine wins, including six of their last seven. They’ve also maintained their dominance over the Raptors, extending their winning streak against them to five games.

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t just sign Derrick Henry for regular-season dominance—they brought him in for moments like this. On a chilly winter evening in the postseason, the Pro Bowl running back delivered a performance that will go down in franchise history. In Saturday's wild-card matchup against their heated AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henry was simply unstoppable. He bulldozed his way to a Ravens playoff record, racking up an impressive 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns, leading Baltimore to a commanding 28-14 victory at M&T Bank Stadium.

Israel is making a strategic move to continue the high-stakes negotiations over the release of hostages in Gaza by sending the head of its Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, to Qatar. This development signals that the discussions could be advancing, possibly bringing the country closer to a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement, which has been a focal point of international diplomacy since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023.

In a significant move this week, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has instructed the Justice Department to respond to legal arguments presented by former co-defendants of President-elect Donald Trump in his classified documents case. This order, which came down with a tight deadline of 10 a.m. on Sunday, has ramped up the legal proceedings around Trump’s case and his co-defendants. It specifically focuses on whether anything contained in the first volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s report – primarily dealing with the January 6 investigation – impacts any aspect of the classified documents case involving Trump’s co-defendants.

On a lively Saturday evening, the ITV reality show The Masked Singer hit a slight hiccup when one of the contestants, dressed as Toad In The Hole, stormed off stage. This dramatic moment unfolded after the panel of celebrity judges decided to save Bear, the contestant donning a Shakespearean-style outfit. The tension was palpable, but the show's charismatic host, Joel Dommett, quickly worked his magic, inviting the Toad back to the stage. What followed was an unforgettable reveal: the iconic American R&B singer Macy Gray, best known for her hit “I Try,” was the celebrity hiding behind the Toad costume!

Roger Pratt, an iconic figure in the world of cinematography, has passed away at the age of 77. Known for his groundbreaking work on films like "Brazil," "Batman," and the first two "Harry Potter" films, Pratt was a master of his craft whose contributions to the film industry will continue to resonate for years to come. The British Society of Cinematographers confirmed his passing, though the exact cause and date remain undisclosed. While Pratt's death marks the end of an era, his legacy is firmly etched in the cinematic landscape.

On January 9, 2025, Jamie Lee Curtis made a significant and heartfelt gesture by becoming the first celebrity to publicly pledge a massive $1 million donation to help with the ongoing fire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Through a post on Instagram, the iconic actress announced that the funds would come from her family foundation. Curtis, who’s married to filmmaker Christopher Guest and shares two children with him, expressed her deep concern about the devastation caused by the fires. The donation wasn’t just about the money; it was a show of solidarity in a time when the community is in urgent need of help.

The Texans' offense finally found its rhythm in the second quarter of their wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. Quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a 13-yard touchdown, putting Houston up 7-6. This moment marked a significant turnaround for the Texans after a rocky start. For much of the first half, the offense had been sluggish, with Stroud throwing an interception and wideout John Metchie III fumbling the ball, contributing to the frustration. However, with 6:15 left in the half, Stroud led a 99-yard drive that culminated in the game’s first touchdown.

The Phoenix Suns secured an impressive 114-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday afternoon at Footprint Center, and what's even more exciting is that they never trailed during the game. Devin Booker was absolutely on fire, leading the Suns with 34 points, while Kevin Durant put together a solid performance with 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. This win marks their second consecutive victory, a feat they haven’t accomplished since mid-December when they beat the Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers in back-to-back games on December 13 and 15. The Suns had just topped Atlanta in a thrilling contest on Thursday.

Xavier Bounces Back with Road Victory Against DePaul

The Los Angeles Chargers’ dreams of advancing in the playoffs came to a crushing halt as they fell to the Houston Texans, 32-12, in the AFC wild-card game on Saturday afternoon. The game was a brutal reminder of how even the best players can falter under pressure, and unfortunately, it was Justin Herbert and the offense that bore the brunt of the blame for this disheartening loss.

The Tennessee Titans have taken another step in their search for a new general manager by interviewing Catherine Hickman, the Cleveland Browns’ assistant general manager. The team announced the interview on Saturday, adding Hickman to a growing list of potential candidates. Her impressive journey through the world of football makes her a standout choice for this high-profile role.

The Houston Texans broke out of their mid-game slump during Saturday's NFL wild-card playoff, and it all began with a stunning broken play that turned the tide. This pivotal moment ignited a thrilling 99-yard touchdown drive that left fans buzzing.

In the 1999 animated comedy South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, there's a catchy and humorous song titled "Blame Canada!" that takes aim at America’s northern neighbor. The satirical lyrics poke fun at the idea of blaming Canada for everything wrong with the world, claiming that the country is responsible for the moral decline in the U.S. instead of pointing fingers at domestic issues like government policies, media influence, or parenting. The song even has a memorable line: "We need to form a full assault — it’s Canada’s fault." While the song's humor is rooted in exaggeration, the idea of pinning societal problems on Canada has popped up in unexpected ways throughout history.

In one of the boldest cinematic moves of recent years, Robbie Williams’ life story takes an unexpected twist in his biopic, directed by Michael Gracey, best known for "The Greatest Showman." This isn’t your average rockstar-to-riches tale—it’s a journey like no other, with a highly imaginative, and frankly bizarre, portrayal of the pop icon.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has reached an electrifying crescendo as two powerhouse programs, Notre Dame and Ohio State, prepare to square off in the ultimate showdown. Mark your calendars for January 20 because Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to host a clash of the titans in the CFP National Championship, proudly presented by AT&T. This game isn’t just about winning a trophy—it’s about ending championship droughts and etching legacies into college football history.

Friday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl brought fans to the edge of their seats as Ohio State faced off against Texas in a high-stakes showdown. The game wasn’t just about talent or strategy—it came down to who could make the critical play when it mattered most. And when the dust settled, it was Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer who delivered the moment of the night, sending the Buckeyes to the national championship with an emphatic win.