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New York Police Officer Wenjian Liu(Photo: Handout, Getty Images)
1. Funeral for slain NYPD officer
The crime shook New York City — and the nation: Two police officers were shot to death Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a street in Brooklyn. A wake Saturday and funeral Sunday will be held for Wenjian Liu, the first Chinese-American NYPD officer to be killed in the line of duty. Services for his partner, Rafael Ramos, were held last weekend and attended by Vice President Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and thousands of police officers from around the country. Liu's family members from China have flown to the United States for the services, which will be a combination of Buddhist rites and the full honors a slain police officer is accorded by the city.
Ahead of the funeral, NYPD Commissioner William Bratton has asked officers not to turn their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio, an act of disrespect that some did at Ramos's service last week.
New recruits attend their New York Police Academy graduation ceremony Dec. 29 2014, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Nearly 1,000 officers were sworn in as tensions between city hall and the NYPD continue following the Dec. 20 shooting deaths of officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.(Photo: John Minchillo, AP)
2. It's NFL playoffs time
The race for the Super Bowl begins this weekend when the NFL playoffs kick off with four wild-card games. It starts Saturday with with the Arizona Cardinals visiting the Carolina Panthers, who made the playoffs at 7-8-1.
Also on Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. That AFC North rivalry is made of "pure hatred," says ex-Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. On Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals head to Indianapolis to face the Colts and will try to avoid a wild-card round loss for the fourth consecutive season.
The Dallas Cowboys host the Detroit Lions in the weekend's finale on Sunday. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hopes his improved play this year will overcome his previous struggles in the playoffs. For predictions on all the games, check out picks by the USA TODAY Sports NFL staff. Here's a look at the most memorable wild-card moments:
3. 'Downton Abbey' is back!
When we left the cast of Downton, the downstairs servants were basking in the sun at the beach, toes in the water, gazing on the horizon. In Season 5, the tidal wave of change has begun in earnest as sexual morals are loosened and women seek advanced levels of employment. A few story lines to look for: Edith bonds with her baby; Lady Mary is back in the game; Sarah Bunting still has her eye on Tom; Violet has a past worth pursuing; and the radio arrives! USA TODAY's Robert Bianco gives the show 3 out of 4 stars.
As season five approaches, the stars of 'Downton Abbey' attempt the tricky task of talking up the upcoming series they can't really talk about. (July 23) AP
4. Vacation is over for the first family
The Obamas head back to D.C. this weekend after spending the holidays in Hawaii. It's an annual trip for the first family and it historically includes shave ice, body surfing, visiting with service members and lots of golf. This trip proved no different. However, the president's golf game did move a wedding this year and a woman came thisclose to having POTUS hold her parrot.
A woman with a parrot perched on her shoulder waits for a glimpse of President Obama in Hawaii.(Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP)
5. Look skyward! First meteor shower of the year
Prime viewing for the annual Quadrantid shower will be just a few hours before dawn Saturday or Sunday in the Northern Hemisphere -- assuming you're not under winter clouds. The West Coast, Nevada, Arizona and New England look to have the best chance of clear skies. Look below the Big Dipper to see as many as 80 meteors per hour.
A Quadrantid meteor is seen over New Mexico in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2013.(Photo: NASA)
And, the weekend essentials:
The week in pics:
In case you missed it, Dubai has an epic NYE show:
The Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates was center stage for a New Year's fireworks display that wowed audiences below. VPC
Here's what to watch this weekend:
USA TODAY's Robert Bianco previews the television lineup for this weekend with 'Surprised By Love,' 'Galavant' and 'The Good Wife.' VPC
Contributing: Michael Winter
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