5 things you need to know this morning: Dec. 10, 2021

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. US actor guilty of staging fake racist attack on himself in attempt to boost career

American actor Jussie Smollett has been found guilty of faking an attack on himself designed to appear racist and anti-gay. Smollett has maintained that his story, which originally included claims that the attack was perpetrated by Donald Trump supporters, is true.

BREAKING: Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was convicted on charges that he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it. https://t.co/SV5vBq1pGq

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 9, 2021

2. Dozens dead after Mexico truck crash

Dozens of people have died in a truck crash in Mexico. Many more have also been injured in the tragedy.

At least 49 people were killed and dozens injured in a horrific truck accident in southern Mexico on Thursday, the authorities said, with most of the victims believed to be migrants coming from Central America. https://t.co/JLhDjLjOQd

— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) December 10, 2021

3. Man 'thought he was going to die' after being attacked by otters

A man has spoken of his brutal encounter with a raft of furious otters. Graham Spencer said he suffered more than 20 wounds after being bitten by the usually cute and friendly mammals in Singapore's Botanic Gardens.

‘I thought I was going to die’: otters attack British man in Singapore park https://t.co/PNsYhaWYjK

— The Guardian (@guardian) December 10, 2021

4. Julian Assange loses extradition case in UK

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited to the US, a British judge has ruled. The Australian is wanted over the publication of thousands of classified military documents in 2010 and 2011.

U.K. High Court rules in favor of U.S. extradition of Julian Assange https://t.co/X6ZCjFK7rf

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 10, 2021

5. 'Extremely serious' wildfire forces residents to leave area of Australia

Residents have been urged to leave an area of Western Australia due to two bushfires. One of the fires is said to be "extremely serious."

Dramatic footage shows emergency crews in a fire truck driving through burning scrub as bushfires rage in Western Australia. https://t.co/EAhrTX6S2u pic.twitter.com/CznGksF9KL

— ABC News (@ABC) December 10, 2021