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.
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.
‘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.
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.
Survey Finds Higher Risk Of Stroke Among E-Cigarette Users
New findings about the health effects of e-cigarettes add to a small but growing body of research that undercuts the widely presumed safety of the alternative to conventional cigarettes.
Trump Faults Spy Bosses As Break Widens Between What They Advise And What He Does
The president complained that his chiefs of the intelligence services were too “passive” and “naive” after a Senate hearing that underscored how often the White House rejects their assessments.
Border Security Talks Begin On Capitol Hill
House and Senate lawmakers formally kick off negotiations today. They are facing a Feb. 15 deadline to come up with a spending bill the president will sign to avoid another shutdown.
Pressure On Maduro Intensifies As Venezuela Braces For More Protests
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has called for nationwide rallies a week after he declared himself interim president and demanded Nicolás Maduro step down or call new elections.
When The Principal Cancels School … With A Song-And-Dance Number
As temperatures plummet, school administrators from Michigan to Mississippi are finding creative ways to announce snow days. Some of their music videos have gone viral.
USPS Suspends Mail Delivery In Parts Of 10 States Due To Dangerous Polar Vortex
“Some places could see wind chill readings as low as 60 below zero,” the postal service said as it halted delivery for a day in parts of the Great Plains and Midwest.
Opinion: Foreign Forces Did Not Start Venezuela’s Transition. Venezuela Did
Venezuela’s government and opposition triggered the political standoff that’s drawing an international response. Latin America expert Javier Corrales explains how.
Award-Winning R&B Singer James Ingram Dies At 66
The Grammy-winning artist rose to prominence in the 1980s and enjoyed several successful collaborations with other artists. He had two No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts.