By Saturday, the National Weather Service says, the central Plains area will see temperatures in the low 60s — nearly 20-25 degrees above normal.
Senate Republicans Rebuke President On Syria And Afghanistan Policy
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s amendment opposing a “precipitous withdrawal” from Syria was backed by many GOP senators who disagree with the president’s foreign policy.
Exploring The Mysterious Origins Of Mars’ 3-Mile-High Sand Pile
Space scientists on Earth have improvised a tool on the Mars rover to help them figure out how a giant mountain on the Red Planet came to be. Their surprising conclusion: It’s likely windswept sand.
U.S. Court Orders Syria To Pay $300 Million For Killing Of Journalist Marie Colvin
The judge ruled that Colvin was killed by Syria and “targeted because of her profession, for the purpose of silencing those reporting on the growing opposition movement in the country.”
Here’s How PG&E’s Bankruptcy Might Hurt California’s Ambitious Climate Goals
PG&E is key to helping California meet its ambitious goal of zero carbon electricity by mid-century. Now there’s concern that the utility’s bankruptcy may set that back.
Sick And Tired? Scientists Find Protein That Puts Flies To Sleep And Fights Infection
In the search for what triggers sleep, researchers stumbled upon a link between sleep and the immune system. A single fly gene gets turned on in sick flies, inducing sleep and an immune response.
WHO Warns Of Dire Conditions, Deaths Of Children At Refugee Camp In Syria
More than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have arrived at the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria in just two months. The World Health Organization says aid workers are struggling to keep up.
Homeland Security Created A Fake University In Michigan As Part Of Immigration Sting
Eight alleged recruiters who were paid thousands of dollars for connecting students to the bogus university — which had an actual office space in Farmington Hills, Mich. — have been indicted.
The Unlikely Success And Down-To-Earth Soul Of James Ingram
The gifted songwriter and singer wasn’t a born superstar — but became something of a sleeper hit on the strength of his singing, songwriting and history-making collaborations.
Flush With Cash, China Continues to Borrow Billions From The World Bank
From an economic standpoint, China does not need World Bank loans. So why is it still a top borrower?
Opinion: Here’s Why U.S. Aid To Palestinians Needs To Continue
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro and Washington Institute for Near East Policy senior fellow Dana Stroul warn of the consequences of cutting U.S. assistance.
A Syrian Chocolatier’s Legend Lives On In Europe — But Stays Close To Its Roots
Ghraoui chocolate in Damascus was a place fit for queens — literally. But the family that owned it since 1805 moved from war-torn Syria to Hungary to start over, and ended up thriving.
Deep Freeze Puts Strain On Midwest Gas And Electricity Grids
Millions of residents are being asked to turn their thermostats down to ensure there’s enough gas for everyone. GM and Ford have suspended some operations in Michigan to help conserve energy.
U. Of Maryland President Delays Retirement By One Year After Football Death
Wallace Loh, who had previously announced he would retire after the death of Jordan McNair, says he will stay on an extra year while the University of Maryland conducts a search for a new leader.
‘We Find A Way To Dance’: Inspired By New Orleans, DAWN Reconstructs Beauty From Ruin
Dawn Richard gained fame as a member of R&B group Danity Kane just as her hometown was recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Now a solo artist, she explores her New Orleans roots on a new album.
Tesla’s Challenge: Leaving Behind The Lap Of Luxury
Tesla is finally turning a profit selling premium electric cars. But CEO Elon Musk doesn’t want to make money just selling luxury cars to the world’s elite. He’s still aiming for the masses.
Art-Horror-Comedy ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ Paints In Broad But Colorful Strokes
Jake Gyllenhaal re-teams with Nightcrawler writer-director Dan Gilroy for this funny Netflix horror film set in the art world that’s better at delivering quotably arch lines than sharp satire.
The Youngest 2020 Candidate Pushes A Platform Of ‘Inter-Generational Justice’
Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., recently announced his intent to run for president, saying the 2020 election should focus on changing the economic outlook for millennials.
Medical Effects Of Extreme Cold: Why It Hurts And How To Stay Safe
Frostbite can nip ears in just a few minutes in the sort of temperatures many Americans are facing this week. Pull that hat down and curb the drinking; alcohol can impair your judgment of temperature.
Federal Judge Blasts PG&E’s Commitment To California Wildfire Safety
In unusually frank language, the judge said he fears the potential for more fires in 2019 if the utility company does not take drastic action.
Facebook, Google Draw Scrutiny Over Apps That Collected Data From Teens
In the latest revelation to raise privacy concerns, the Silicon Valley giants offered adults and teens gift cards for installing apps that would let the companies collect data on their smartphones.
Thai Officials Close Schools As Toxic Air Pollution Chokes Bangkok
Fine particulate matter floating through the murky haze that hangs over the city has reached harmful levels, leading the government to shutter more than 400 public schools.
Jury Awards Sen. Rand Paul More Than $580,000 In Damages In Attack By Neighbor
The neighbor had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress. The attack allegedly was prompted by a pile of brush Paul left near the line dividing their Kentucky properties.
Wrongfully Convicted And Jailed 38 Years, Fred Clay Gets $1 Million Payout
“It is a great day for justice and it is a great day for Mr. Clay,” said attorney Jeffrey Harris. The payout is the highest amount allowed under a revised state law on regarding wrongful conviction.
With Better Climate Data, A Push To Use It To Prepare For Climate Impacts
Scientists are getting more and better data on our changing climate. Now, there’s a push to use it to help people cope with the extremes we know are coming.
There’s Arsenic And Lead In Many Brands Of Fruit Juice. Should You Be Concerned?
Testing by Consumer Reports found “concerning levels” of cadmium, arsenic and lead in 21 samples of apple and other juices. But the FDA has yet to issue a guideline on arsenic limits in juice.
Opinion: Growing Up In Kenya Really Does Not Prepare You For Chicago’s Deep Freeze
Esther Ngumbi’s dad back home had no idea what advice to give her about surviving the historic low temperatures. And he definitely wanted to know what that kind of cold feels like.
Jury Hears Closing Arguments As Dramatic ‘El Chapo’ Trial Nears Its End
Prosecutor Andrea Goldbarg said in her closing arguments that Joaquín Guzmán led the Sinaloa drug cartel. Dozens of witnesses said he tortured and killed people and that he bribed officials in Mexico.
Why Is It So *&%# Cold? Come Warm Up In The Answer Vortex
The polar vortex has brought air so incredibly cold it may set low-temperature records. Will it ever be warm again?
Texas Officials Begin Walking Back Allegations About Noncitizen Voters
Just a few days after alleging nearly 100,000 Texas voters may not be citizens, officials now concede their list may not have been accurate.
Massive Starfish Die-Off Is Tied To Global Warming
Sea stars along the Pacific Coast are dying in the largest disease epidemic ever documented in a wild marine species. New research suggests warmer water is making the disease even more deadly.
Toronto Gardener Pleads Guilty To Killing 8 Men, Some Of Whom Were Buried In Planters
Bruce McArthur, 67, admitted to killing the men between 2010 and 2017 and disposing of their bodies on or near a client’s property. Nearly all the victims had ties to Toronto’s LGBT community.
Fed Says U.S. Growth Is ‘Solid,’ Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged
The labor market continues to get stronger and the economy is growing at a solid rate, the Federal Reserve said. The central bank also said it will be patient as it decides on future rate increases.
Several Democrats Eyeing A Presidential Run Embrace ‘Medicare-For-All’
The idea, they say, would be to eliminate the health insurance industry and replace it with government-run health insurance. The industry is already gearing up to oppose any moves in that direction.
U.S. Opens Trade Talks With China
President Trump has threatened to increase and expand on about $250 billion in tariffs, but he agreed to hold off until early March, while negotiators try to hammer out a deal.
Benefits For Navy Victims Of Agent Orange – Just 50 Years Later
Navy veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam were long denied benefits for exposure to Agent Orange. A federal appeals court now has ruled that service at sea was the same as service on land.