Video from Iran's Fars news shows the moment that Iran says a "ballistic missile" hit the Al-Asad base in Iraq. CNN cannot independently verify this video.
This video is no longer available
00:10 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Get '5 Things' in your inbox

  • If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the ‘5 Things’ newsletter.

    The Nasdaq topped 10,000 for the first time ever, proving that during this period of economic uncertainty, America still has faith in tech stocks like Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.

    Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.

    (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

    1. Police reform

    Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases where US troops are housed. No casualties have been reported, but the attack has made Iran’s message clear: It will not be bested in this perilous conflict with the US. After the attacks, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that Iran did not “seek escalation or war” and claimed the attacks were a proportional response to a series of US actions beginning with an airstrike last week that killed a top Iranian general. President Trump tweeted on the ballistic missile attacks, saying last night, “All is well!” However, precautions are being taken to avoid further disaster: Major airlines are diverting flights away from Iranian airspace, and the US Embassy in Jordan has asked personnel to stay home and maintain a low profile. Follow live updates here.

    President Donald Trump speaks during an "Evangelicals for Trump Coalition Launch" at King Jesus International Ministry, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
    Trump tweets message of optimism following Iran's attacks
    01:24 - Source: CNN

    MONDAY

    A Ukraine International Airlines plane bound for Kiev crashed just minutes after takeoff from Tehran’s international airport in Iran, killing all 176 people aboard. The crash was due to technical difficulties, an Iranian news agency reported, and Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority said it launched an investigation. Initially, the Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran said terror or rocket attacks had been ruled out as causes of the crash. But it retracted that statement, saying, “Information on the causes of the plane crash is being clarified by the commission.” Passengers from seven countries were on the 737, and almost half were Iranian nationals. Follow live updates as the situation develops.

    tehran iran ukrainian airlines boeing plane crash quest nr vpx_00003616
    Report: Technical issues after takeoff led to plane crash
    02:58 - Source: CNN

    3. Election 2020

    Australia is still suffering a spate of historic wildfires. Hundreds of millions of animals have perished in the blazes, and the environment will take years to bounce back from the trauma. With all this catastrophe, who in the world would deliberately start a bushfire? Police have charged at least 24 people with doing just that in New South Wales, where the crisis is as its worst. In the last two months, NSW Police said they’ve taken legal action against 183 people for fire-related offenses. Most are violations of the statewide fire ban or relate to people discarding cigarettes or matches (a fire hazard, obviously). 

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: In this handout provided by the Australian Department of Defence, A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' Helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on January 5, 2020 Sydney, Australia. HMAS Adelaide departed Sydney to assist with bushfire evacuations on the South Coast of New South Wales. Army Reserve forces and other specialist capabilities have been called in to help with firefighting efforts across Australia, along with extra Defence ships and helicopters. 14 people have now died in the fires in NSW, Victoria and South Australia since New Year's Eve. (Photo by ABIS Thomas Sawtell / Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images)
    Australian police charge 24 people for setting bushfires
    02:23 - Source: CNN

    THURSDAY

    It looks like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to force cooperation from the Senate in an impeachment trial has come up short. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he has enough votes to set impeachment trial rules without Democratic support. Pelosi has been holding on to the two articles of impeachment since last month in hopes McConnell and other Senate Republicans would negotiate the ground rules of the impeachment trial. But if McConnell already has the votes, that doesn’t really matter. Democrats still want a deal up front to hear from witnesses and get documents for the trial, but McConnell says he wants to wait on those issues until after opening statements. Pelosi penned a letter to Democratic colleagues in response to McConnell’s decision saying Republicans should immediately publish their plans for the trial so Democrats can start preparations.

    Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives for a closed meeting with fellow Republicans as he strategizes about the looming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020.
    McConnell says he has the votes to set impeachment trial rules
    01:49 - Source: CNN

    5. Nigeria

    The ongoing crisis in Venezuela reached a chaotic high during a showdown between the country’s opposition lawmakers and members of the military. Some background: In mid-2019, opposition leader Juan Guaido tried to wrest power from President Nicolas Maduro; he declared Maduro illegitimate, and the country’s been in a state of flux ever since. Over the weekend, pro-government lawmakers blocked Guaido from attending a vote to choose the new leader of the National Assembly. Guaido was expected to win the role, but instead, a small faction of pro-government lawmakers named a rival politician to it. Yesterday, Guaido and other opposition lawmakers were stopped from entering the National Assembly building by soldiers in riot gear. But they forced their way in and swore in Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. The US has voiced support for the move, saying Guaido is the only legitimate president. Still, other countries have expressed alarm.

    04 Venezuelan National Assembly 0107

    BREAKFAST BROWSE

    People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

    So … planes

    01 Uber flying car helicopter
    Fly inside Uber's new air taxi cabin
    01:26 - Source: CNN Business

    Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop is getting a Netflix series

    Sadly, it’s not called “A Very Goopy Special.”

    Bonnaroo lineup includes headliners Lizzo, Tame Impala and Tool

    Hey, we actually know who those people are

    natpkg bonnaroo 2015_00010918.jpg
    Bonnaroo in 70 seconds
    01:11 - Source: CNN

    2 men tried to cash in a forged lottery ticket they cobbled together with glue 

    Points for creativity

    Genetically enhanced ‘mighty mice’ just made it safely back from the International Space Station 

    They were part of a health experiment. And they’ve been to space?! These mice have some stories to tell.

    TODAY’S QUOTE

    “We have damaged the Church, we have damaged the image of God and most of all, we have damaged those we victimized, unconsciously very often.”

    Andrew Bosworth, a top Facebook executive, who told colleagues in an internal memo that he believes Facebook’s platform and algorithms led to President Trump’s 2016 election and may lead to the same result in 2020

    Facebook Libra hearing 1023 Mark Zuckerberg Maxine Waters SPLIT
    Zuckerberg struggles to explain whether Facebook fact checks political ads
    02:15 - Source: CNN Business

    TODAY’S NUMBER

    6.5 million

    The number of earthquakes of magnitude 2 or greater that have shaken Puerto Rico since December 28. Thirty-two were magnitude 4 and above. Some residents slept outside last night as a precaution after yesterday’s 6.4 magnitude quake, and experts say the tremors may not be over. 

    Lead Leyla Santiago DNT Live Jake Tapper _00000719.jpg
    New back-to-back earthquakes add on to crippling disasters in Puerto Rico
    02:52 - Source: CNN

    TODAY’S WEATHER

    daily weather forecast severe storms tornado rain flood snow_00000000.jpg
    Snow in New England gives way to a big warmup
    02:02 - Source: CNN

    AND FINALLY

    Pleased to meet you! 

    CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is underway in Las Vegas, so expect lots of sometimes-cool, sometimes-unsettling new tech, like this very happy robot butler. (Click here to view.)