This edition of 5 Things PM highlights major headlines: a new study warns thousands of glaciers could vanish faster as the planet warms; Brian Walshe was convicted of first-degree murder and faces imminent sentencing; and Target is trying to rebuild cultural relevance by tapping a trendy New York neighborhood. Other items include newly released Rosa Parks photos, Guatemala’s politicized devil-effigy tradition, Dubai’s record-setting Ciel Tower, and the federal launch of a tech recruiting program called Tech Force.
Glaciers Disappearing, Walshe Convicted, Target’s Comeback: Today’s Top Stories
A cave at Morteratsch Glacier in Switzerland. - Lander Van Tricht
Welcome to 5 Things PM. Gift cards remain a popular holiday choice — handy for a picky teen or someone who insists they don’t want anything — but scammers target them frequently. An expert offers practical tips to help you avoid fraud.
Top Stories You Might Have Missed
Glaciers on a Fast Track: New research shows thousands of glaciers have vanished in recent decades, and scientists warn losses will accelerate as the planet warms. The study provides a clearer picture of how quickly ice masses could disappear and what that means for sea-level rise and water supplies.
Brian Walshe Convicted: After about six hours of deliberation, a Massachusetts jury found Brian Walshe guilty of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of his wife, Ana. Walshe left the courthouse in handcuffs; he is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
Ciel Dubai
Markets Ride a Trump Bounce — Then Cool: Donald Trump’s return to the White House triggered a surge in stocks and crypto projects tied to the president and his family. Many of those gains have since faded or the projects have faltered.
Target Seeks Cultural Comeback: Target, which has struggled recently, is attempting to recapture cultural relevance as part of a turnaround plan. The retailer is leaning on a fashion-forward New York neighborhood as a first step to reconnect with trend-conscious shoppers.
New Rosa Parks Photos Released: For the first time in roughly seven decades, previously unseen photos of Rosa Parks from the Civil Rights Movement were made public. The images illuminate lesser-known aspects of her life and legacy.
An AI-assisted fireworks show in Paris. - Thibaud Moritz/AFP/Getty Images
Guatemala’s Devil Effigies Turn Political: In Guatemala, families burn giant devil effigies each December to purge bad energy before Christmas. This year’s celebrations took on political overtones, according to organizers.
Ongoing Investigations and Incidents: Police say Rob and Michele Reiner’s son is being investigated in connection with their deaths. Authorities also released new surveillance footage showing a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, and suspects have been identified in the Bondi Beach killings that left 15 people dead.
Architecture and Culture: The Ciel Tower in Dubai has opened as the world’s tallest hotel after changes to its blueprints increased its final height. Elsewhere, experts explain why many supermarket aisles are stacked with highly processed products and how shoppers can make healthier choices.
Other Notable Items: Video surfaced of a US citizen being detained and placed in a chokehold by a masked federal agent during a lunch break. A light cultural moment asks: is Snoopy a sellout? And the US government launched Tech Force, a program to recruit and develop technology and AI talent for federal agencies.
Edited and produced by CNN’s Kimberly Richardson. For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
