Iran Confessed, Royal Family Meeting & Hummer Returns

All the news you need in less than 10 min:

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Story Summaries

All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want perusing the latest happenings...

Iran admits it shot down passenger plane: 
After days of denying it, Iran’s military now admits it accidentally shot down the Ukrainian airliner last week. Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in Iran, demanding the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and eventually live ammunition on demonstrators. President Trump tweeted his support for protesters.
Read more: CNN, New York Times, Washington Post

Texas becomes first state to refuse refugees: 
Texas won’t accept any new refugees this year. President Trump’s executive order allows state and local governments to decide whether to participate in a federal program to resettle new refugees; Texas is opting out in order to direct resources towards the people already living there. More than 40 other states have agreed to accept refugees.
Read more: Reuters, NBC News, The Hill

Severe weather impacts South, Midwest: 
Severe storms and tornadoes hit the South and Midwest and are to blame for the deaths of at least 11 people. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power from Texas to Ohio. Hundreds of flights were canceled in Chicago. Arkansas declared a state of emergency to get more resources to help in the aftermath.
Read more: USA Today, The Weather Channel, Fox News

Philippines volcano prompts evacuations: 
A volcano in the Philippines erupted this weekend, sending ash up to nine miles in the air. Authorities are calling for a total evacuation near the capital, and the country’s main airport has shut down. Officials are concerned about ash, lava and another possible eruption.
Read more: CNN, AP, BBC

Same-sex marriage legal in Northern Ireland: 
Same-sex marriage is legal in Northern Ireland as of today. Couples have to give 28 days notice of their intention, so the first weddings will happen around Valentine’s Day. 
Read more: BBC, NBC News, CNN

Royal family’s emergency meeting: 
The royal family is holding an emergency meeting following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise announcement that they’ll 'step back' from their royal duties. Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles will be there with the Queen, while Duchess Meghan is expected to call-in from Canada.
Read more: AP, NPR, The Guardian

The Hummer returns: 
The Hummer is coming back as an electric pick-up truck 10 years after it was discontinued. The new version is expected to go on sale by 2022. It’ll be the first of several battery-powered SUVs and pick-ups GM will roll out over the next few years. NBA star LeBron James has agreed to help promote it.
Read more: WSJ, Reuters

Tesla’s new feature: 
Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased a new feature that could be coming soon: letting cars talk to pedestrians through external speakers. It’s not clear yet whether the driver would talk into the speakers or if there would be presets meant just for safety.
Read more: Engadget

Samsung launches Galaxy XCover Pro: 
Samsung is launching the Galaxy XCover Pro, a new smartphone meant to be used on-the-job. It’s meant to be rugged and durable without being bulky and built with enough battery to last all day. The phone will cost nearly $500 and should be available in the U.S.in early 2020.
Read more: TechCrunch, CNBC, The Verge

Instagram adds new Boomerang effects: 
Instagram's popular Boomerang feature got an upgrade. Boomerangs now offer effects called , SloMo, Echo and Duo. Users can find these new effects under the infinity symbol after recording a Boomerang.
Read more: TechCrunch, Engadget

Box office: 

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker lost its top spot at the box office to WWI movie 1917, which brought in $36 million in its first weekend. 1917 won two Golden Globes and will likely be nominated for some Oscars too. Oscar nominations should be announced this morning
Box office: Variety, Deadline, Business InsiderOcar nominations predictions: AP
Critics’ Choice Awards:
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood won Best Picture at last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards. On the TV side, Fleabag, Succession and When They See Us also won in their categories. Eddie Murphy received a lifetime achievement award and Kristen Bell received the #SeeHer award. Read more: People, THR

Money Monday - Making money with hobbies: Gaming is the number one hobby to turn into a side hustle. Skilled gamers with great personalities can earn money playing video games on live-streaming platforms. While rare, top streamers make big bucks. 'Ninja' reportedly brings in $6 million a year through paid subscribers, YouTube ads and sponsorships. There are many other money-making hobbies on the featured list, from flying drones to knitting to winning trivia.
Read more: USA Today, MSN