Why Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant may not be starting in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game

AFP
Rice fields turned into art in northern Thailand
A two-acre paddy field in northern Thailand has been transformed into an artwork depicting a dragon and a cat, symbols of hope and resilience as the community recovers from floods.The dragon, last year's zodiac symbol, is shown protectively holding the cat.
Reuters
India pushes $3 investment plans to deepen reach of equities
India's markets regulator is pushing fund houses to popularise monthly investments as low as 250 rupees, or $3, to expand the reach of equity investing in the world's most populous country. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is looking to introduce simpler customer identification rules and lower costs as it aims to popularise small-ticket investments via mutual funds, four sources familiar with the discussions said. About 225 million investors currently invest via systematic investment plans (SIP) but a majority are from big cities.
AFP
Stocks follow Wall St higher on welcome US inflation data
Markets extended a global rally Thursday after below-forecast US inflation provided a much-needed shot of relief to investors and revived hopes for interest rate cuts this year.The inflation figures tempered worries that the Federal Reserve might not cut rates this year -- or possibly even hike them -- following a blockbuster jobs report on Friday.
Associated Press
YouTube election fraud conspiracy theories fuel impeached South Korean president and his supporters
Thousands have braved the frigid January weather in Seoul protests, waving South Korean and American flags and shouting vows to protect their embattled conservative hero, the impeached South Korean president facing imprisonment over potential rebellion charges. The swelling crowds in South Korea’s capital are inspired by President Yoon Suk Yeol's defiance, but also by the growing power of right-wing YouTubers who portray Yoon as a victim of a leftist, North Korea-sympathizing opposition that has rigged elections to gain a legislative majority and is now plotting to remove a patriotic leader. “Out with fraudulent elections and a fake National Assembly!” read one sign, brandished by an angry man in a fur hat during a recent protest near Yoon’s presidential residence, the site of a massive law enforcement operation Wednesday that made Yoon the country’s first sitting president to be detained in a criminal investigation.
Associated Press
Death toll rises to 87 as standoff between police and miners ends in South Africa
The death toll in a monthslong standoff between police and miners trapped while working illegally underground at an abandoned gold mine in South Africa has risen to at least 87, police said Thursday as they wound down a rescue operation that has pulled more than 240 survivors out from deep underground. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that 78 bodies were retrieved from the mine in an official rescue operation that began Monday, while another nine had been recovered previously. Community groups have said they launched their own rescue attempts when authorities said last year they would not help the miners because they were “criminals.”
AFP
Israeli cabinet to vote on Gaza ceasefire deal
Israel's cabinet was expected to meet Thursday to approve a ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas, Israeli media reported, a day after mediators announced an agreement they hope will lead to a permanent end to the Gaza war.- 'Last page of the war' Israeli media reported that the cabinet was set to vote on the ceasefire agreement on Thursday morning.
AFP
South Korea's Yoon avoids fresh questioning after dramatic arrest
South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol refused to appear for fresh questioning by investigators Thursday, a day after his dramatic arrest over an ill-fated martial law declaration.Yoon revoked martial law after just six hours and was later impeached by parliament.
AFP
Taiwan's TSMC says net profit rose 57% in fourth quarter
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC on Thursday announced a better-than-expected net profit for the fourth quarter as it benefits from booming demand for AI technology.Net revenue for the fourth quarter rose 38.8 percent to NT$868.46 billion, TMSC said, beating forecasts.
Reuters
French parliament head warns against backing no-confidence vote versus government
The head of France's lower house of parliament on Thursday warned of major risks if a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government succeeded, as it would hit areas such as the budget. Politicians from the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), Green and Communist parties have put forward a no-confidence motion against Bayrou's minority government. The political instability in France, which had four prime ministers last year, has rattled markets.
CBS News
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket soars into space on maiden flight
Despite losing the booster during a landing attempt, the upper stage reached orbit as planned.
Associated Press
Vanuatu holds snap election a month after destructive earthquake
Vanuatu held a snap general election on Thursday after Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s decision to go to the polls two years early rather than risk a no-confidence vote in his divided coalition government. The election is being held amidst the destructive of last month's powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of the South Pacific island nation on Dec. 17, killing 14 and injuring many more. Damage was concentrated in the capital Port Vila, where the United Nations said more 1,000 residents were displaced.
AFP
India achieves 'historic' space docking mission
India docked two satellites in space Thursday, a key milestone for the country's dreams of a space station and manned Moon mission, the space agency said."It is a significant stepping stone for India's ambitious space missions in the years to come," he said on social media.
NBC News
California wildfires: What we know about L.A.-area fires, maps, what caused them, who is affected and more
Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted last week and roared across the Los Angeles area, destroying hundreds of homes and killing at least 25 people, including some who died trying to prevent the fires from engulfing their homes.
CNN
Blue Origin launches New Glenn rocket, the company’s first SpaceX contender
Blue Origin, the rocket company Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos founded, notched one of the most substantial successes in its history on Thursday: sending a rocket to orbit.
TODAY
Libra compatibility: How the air sign gets along with each zodiac sign (or doesn’t)
What signs are Libras most compatible with? Find out Libras compatibility chart with Virgo, with Libra, with Scorpio, with Pisces, with Aries, with Cancer, with Leo and more.
AFP
South Korea's president arrest: what happens next?
Impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol made history this week as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, ending a weeks-long standoff.- Yoon, who remains South Korea's sitting head of state, is being held at the Seoul Detention Center.
CNN
Johnson removes Republican chair of House Intelligence Committee
House Speaker Mike Johnson has removed Republican Rep. Mike Turner as chair of the House Intelligence Committee for the 119th Congress.
CNN
India achieves first space docking, becoming fourth country to achieve major milestone
India on Thursday became the fourth country to successfully achieve an unmanned docking in space, a feat seen as pivotal for future missions as New Delhi cements its place as a global space power.
AFP
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket blasts off in first launch, reaches orbit
Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its massive New Glenn rocket for the first time early Thursday, a livestream of the blastoff showed.Blue Origin has experience landing its New Shepard rockets -- used for suborbital tourism -- but they are five times smaller and land on terra firma rather than a ship at sea.
AFP
Chinese give guarded welcome to spending subsidies
Beijing is hoping subsidies for rice cookers, microwave ovens and smartphones can boost sluggish spending and help the country weather an economic storm from incoming US president Donald Trump.Under the broadened subsidy scheme, people can get 20 percent off microwave ovens, water purifiers, dishwashers and rice cookers, among other things -- with the state covering the discount of up to 2,000 yuan ($275).

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