SOUTH SUDAN CEASEFIRE TALKS BEGIN
Government and rebel representatives of South Sudan have both confirmed the beginning of ceasefire talks in neighboring Ethiopia, almost a month after the alleged coup attempt from soldiers loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar. Read more from Al Arabiya.
STATE OF EMERGENCY IN N.Y. AS COLD CONTINUES
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency in western parts of the state, with residents urged to remain indoors, as a wave of extremely cold temperatures across North America continues, The New York Times reports. The market prices of oil and natural gas rose slightly, as demand is expected to increase. The “polar vortex” is expected to affect 187 million people, and Chicago has earned the new nickname “Chiberia.”
MASSIVE RESHUFFLE AT ANKARA PD AMID SCANDAL
The Turkish government fired 350 police officers during the night and is relocating another 600 in response to the ongoing corruption scandal,Hurriyetreports, citing private news agency DoÄŸan.
To better understand the spiraling corruption scandal, we offer a Radikal/Worldcrunch timeline of recent events.
AT LEAST 34 JIHADISTS DEAD IN FIGHTS WITH SYRIAN REBELS
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 34 non-Syrian jihadist fighters had been executed by rebels, as moderate opposition groups are now fighting against al-Qaeda-linked organizations. Read more from AFP.
BY THE NUMBERS
Total losses caused by natural disasters in 2013 were about $125 billion worldwide, according to the world’s biggest reinsurer, Germany-based Munich Re.
SAMSUNG’S BONUS PAYOUT LEADS TO PROFIT LOSSES
Samsung, the world’s largest cellphone manufacturer, announced profits for the fourth quarter of 2013 were down 6% compared with the previous year. This comes after the company distributed $1 billion in bonuses to employees to celebrate the 20th anniversary of chairman Lee Kun-hee’s “New Management” strategy, the Financial Times reports.
CRIME INT'L
The daughter of King Juan Carlos of Spain, Infanta Cristina, has been summoned by a Spanish judge to appear before a court over accusations of money-laundering and fraud.
FAREWELL
Hong Kong kung fu film pioneer Run Run Shaw has died at the age of 106.
NEW FED CHIEF
Janet Yellen won U.S. Senate confirmation to become the 15th chairman of the Federal Reserve and the first woman to head the central bank in its 100-year history. Read more from Bloomberg here.
