Here are today’s top headlines.
Transcripts detail how FBI debated whether Trump was ‘following directions’ of Russia
In the chaotic aftermath at the FBI following Director James Comey’s firing, a half-dozen senior FBI officials huddled to set in motion the momentous move to open an investigation into President Donald Trump that included trying to understand why he was acting in ways that seemed to benefit Russia.
Washington Post: Trump concealed details from meetings with Putin
There are no detailed records of five personal meetings President Donald Trump has had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing US officials.
Cargo plane crashes in Iran, killing at least 15
A Boeing 707 cargo plane crashed in Iran Monday, killing at least 15 people on board, according to Iranian state media.
Monday morning is no longer peak time for cardiac arrest, study says
In the past, the peak time for cardiac events was thought to be Monday morning, but this is changing. The internet and smartphones could have something to do with it, as they change when we feel most stressed.
Meet the egg that broke Kylie Jenner’s Instagram record
An egg just got over easy on Instagram.
Cathay Pacific accidentally discounts business-class tickets — again
Except, it would seem, the lesson hadn’t quite sunk in. The Hong Kong-based airline has repeated the blunder, selling business class tickets from Portugal to Hong Kong at about 14% of their usual price. For comparison, a business class flight January 18 on the same route is now on sale at $10,950.60, while flights in the following months are priced similarly.
Chris Pratt engaged to Katherine Schwarzenegger
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are headed to the altar.
Turkey dismisses Trump threats over Kurds
Turkey has dismissed President Donald Trump’s threat to “devastate” its economy if it attacks Kurdish forces in Syria following a planned pullout of US troops. “You cannot get anywhere by threatening Turkey economically,” Foreign Minister Nevlut Cavusoglu said. US forces have fought alongside a Kurdish militia in northern Syria against the Islamic State (IS) group.
Anger at Trump’s Native American tweet
US President Donald Trump is facing criticism once again for taunting Democrat Elizabeth Warren over her purported Native American heritage. On Sunday, Mr Trump said the senator, a 2020 presidential hopeful, should have filmed a commercial “from Bighorn or Wounded Knee” in “full Indian garb”.
Taiwan’s last friend in Africa
China has tried to win over eSwatini repeatedly, but the tiny kingdom, previously known as Swaziland, is staying with Taiwan for “diplomatic and political morality” even though it is left standing alone. It is the only African country that maintains diplomatic relations with the Asian island nation after Burkina Faso switched to China in May 2018.
What will Andy Murray be worth in retirement?
As Andy Murray’s retirement moves a step closer following his defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut in the Australian Open, the tennis star remains poised to continue making as big an impact off court as he did on it.
Trump denies he ever worked for Russia
US President Donald Trump has denied that he worked for Russia, following a report that the FBI investigated whether he was acting for the Kremlin. Addressing reporters at the White House as he left for Louisiana, he said: “I never worked for Russia.”
Ethereum is about to get a big upgrade. Here’s what you need to know.
Ethereum, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap and the most popular platform for decentralized applications (dApps), is getting an upgrade on (roughly) Jan. 16. The upgrade is called Constantinople and it makes the Ethereum network a bit more efficient, paving the way for bigger changes further ahead.
Canadian air traffic controllers send pizza to U.S. colleagues working without pay
It’s the fourth week of Donald Trump’s government shutdown, with around 800,000 federal employees working without pay since Dec. 22. That includes air traffic controllers, like those working in the New York Air Traffic Control Center, who, while they’re still waiting for their paychecks, received a tasty symbol of solidarity from their colleagues across the Canadian border.
‘Game of Thrones’ new Season 8 trailer sees the Starks reunite
It’s official: Game of Thrones’ final season comes crashing into our lives April 14, 2019. For months the only information about Thrones’ eighth and final season premiere was that it would be sometime in April, but now, along with a brand new trailer, we have a clear date and can start counting down in earnest.
‘Game of Thrones’ fans have a wild theory about why Bran isn’t in the new teaser
There are definitely spoilers here. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. When the good people at HBO throw us a Game of Thrones- related bone, you can bet that we’ll pick incessantly at said bone until all possible clues have been extracted.
Flat Earthers plan a cruise that uses charts of a round planet to navigate
Someone is going to tell them, right? Flat Earthers from around the globe disc are planning an all-out cruise for the 2020 Flat Earther International Conference. Promised to be the “biggest, boldest, best adventure yet,” the cruise will bring like-minded people together who all believe the planet is a disc protected by an ice wall barrier.
