First US transmission case; through sexual contact
The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the United States is reported in Dallas, TX. Officials say it was likely was contracted through sex and not a mosquito bite. The person was infected through sexual contact with someone who had traveled to Venezuela. Texas Department of State Health Services:
Case details are being evaluated, but the possibility of sexual transmission from an infected person to a non-infected person is likely in this case.
Iowa primary: second place
Trump comes second in the Iowa Republican primary, with 28% of the vote, compared to Ted Cruz, who gained 28%. Marco Rubio took 23% of the vote. Trump:
We finished second, and I want to tell you something…I’m just honored. I’m really honored. I want to congratulate Ted and I want to congratulate all of the incredible candidates including Mike Huckabee, who’s become a really good friend of mine. Congratulations to everybody…We will go on to get the Republican nomination, and we will go on to beat Hillary or Bernie or whoever the hell they throw up there.
UN denounces Nigeria terror attacks
The UN denounces recent terror attacks in Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon. Boko Haram which earlier claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of Nigerian school girls is blamed for the latest atrocity.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security…The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. They stressed that those responsible for these terrorist attacks should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
Palin: King ‘huffing ethanol’
Palin responds to the accusation that she was bought off by Trump for her endorsement:
Why would a good conservative guy like Steve King, from the heartland of America, want to say something that he knows isn’t true?
Maybe he’s forgotten some of his heart in the heartland. He got a touch of that Potomac fever there in DC. Maybe he’s been out in a cornfield too long huffing ethanol or something.
Says Palin bought by Trump
Speaking to MSNBC’s Jansing, Congressman King says about Trump:
He has a massive amount of assets and resources that he can deploy when it comes time to convince someone. And that has to affect the way people think. Not only the plus-ups of the promotion, the limelight, all the resources that are there…When I see where Sarah Palin has been on policies and issues, I’m confident that she’s much more comfortable with Ted Cruz’s issues than she is with Donald Trump’s.
https://youtu.be/TefpQoEbBVI
Sepang testing: May ditch 2016 Yamaha M1
Rossi thinks the 2016 MotoGP YZR-M1 Yamaha’s setup is now too radical for the Michelin tyres which have improved greatly since the last test at Valencia, preferring a version closer to his 2015 setup. Rossi also has a standard 2015 bike to ride.
One bike is the 2015 and I make some lap for the feeling. And after we have two bike, one more similar to the 2015 and one more modified. Today I concentrate on the bike more similar to the 2015 because of time because we have to work on electronic especially. I try the other one one time and the feeling was not so bad but at this moment I don’t know if it is better. The Michelin has improved already and that bike was for the old Michelin so I don’t know now if we need that bike or not.
Wraps up homecoming visit
After spending a week in the Philippines, Wurtzbach returns to the United States to continue fulfilling her responsibilities as Miss Universe.
I’ll be back soon. It’s very sad that I have to leave so soon. But like I said, this is a responsibility and I have duties now. I will continue making all of you proud!
UFC 196 moves to Fox Sports 1
White announces that, due to Cain Velazquez and Fabricio Werdum, pulling out of the main event fight due to injuries, the UFC’s upcoming event will not be a pay-per-view event, but instead will be shown on Fox Sports 1. The original co-main event, Hendricks against Thompson, will headline the upcoming fight card.
Sebring, OH, water operator accused
Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency accuses the water treatment plant operator of falsifying reports in a lead poisoning scandal in Sebring, Ohio. It is not clear at this time how long the lead has been leaching into the town’s drinking water. The agency issued a warning about Sebring’s water supply on Dec. 3, The agency then directly notified residents of the issue on Jan 21 when it came to their attention that the local water authority had not done so.
Permanent police chief decision on track
Authorities in Ferguson, MO say that they are on track to select a permanent police chief by March of 2016. The department has been without a permanent commander since March of 2015. The person taking on the role will have to work under close scrutiny by the Justice Department as the Ferguson PD works to rebuild their organization as mandated under the aegis of a scathing Justice Department investigation.
Countries warn women to delay pregnancy
Officials in four Latin American and Caribbean countries warn women to delay pregnancy as the consequences of the Zika virus outbreak for developing fetuses become more apparent. During an outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, the nation saw an increase of nearly 4,000 infants born with microcephaly. US health authorities have warned pregnant women to avoid travelling to more than 20 countries in the Americas and beyond, where Zika cases have been registered. Colombian health minister:
We are doing this because I believe it’s a good way to communicate the risk, to tell people that there could be serious consequences.
Virus likely to spread across Americas
The WHO warns that the Zika virus is likely to spread across the Americas. The virus has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America. No treatment or vaccine is available. The virus is spread through the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito is found throughout the Americas with the exceptions of Canada and Chile. 80% of infections do not show symptoms, but there seems to be a link between the virus and impaired fetal development.
Wants to get tested for HIV
As part of her HIV advocacy, Wutzbach says she will be tested for HIV.
The first step is get yourself tested and to let yourself be informed. I have plans of getting tested myself, too. If I take the first step, then maybe others can follow suit. So I hope that they do, they really do.
Winnings taxable in Philippines
The cash prize and other awards received by Wurtzbach for winning the Miss Universe title are subject to income tax according to Philippine revenue official.
We, too, are elated and proud that she won the Miss Universe title but we have to implement the law. Wurtzbach’s earnings from within and outside the country form part of her gross earnings subject to the maximum income tax rate of 32 percent.
Wurtzbach:
I am aware just like any employee that I have to pay taxes. I have never missed it when I was with ABS-CBN, Binibining Pilipinas. When I start working in the US, I’d be doing that as well.
Rossi/Marquez clash data will not be released
FIM and Honda Racing say that data from the Rossi/Marquez clash at Sepang will not be released. The data relates to claims by Honda that Rossi kicked Marquez, causing the Spaniard to fall. FIM President Ippolito:
In MotoGP, the dispute was brought before the CAS and the case is now closed. It is true that at the end of the season the polemics around the Rossi-Marquez case swelled to unprecedented levels. For that reason, we asked all the people involved, including the teams, to refrain from engaging in controversy about what happened in Sepang.During the last competition in Valencia, team Honda informed us that they had all the telemetry relating to the incident. Now the data are in our hands, and Honda and the FIM have decided together not to release them so as not to fuel further polemics.
Delays flights
McDonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa and Pearson International Airport in Toronto are asking travelers to check flight statuses before arrival due to numerous delays and cancellations caused by storm Jonas. The delays and cancellations mainly affect flights to or from Washington, Philadelphia and New York.
Reacts to La Loche shootings
Prime Minister Trudeau reacts to the La Loche shootings from Davos, Switzerland, where he learned of the attack hours later.
Obviously this is every parent’s worst nightmare. When I spoke with community leaders, they obviously expressed that their community is reeling and all of us across the country, our hearts are going out to the families and the whole community.
Victims remembered
Families of the La Loche shooting victims remember their loved ones as the investigations into the first Canadian school shooting in three years continues. Janvier’s cousin:
She was such a great storyteller. She was kind.
Wood’s family:
Adam was quite an adventurer, had a passion for life, and would often make you laugh until your stomach hurt.
The Fontaine brothers’ are described as quiet and loving by their uncle:
These two young kids, they didn’t even start their life and they’re gone.
Victims identified
Family members identify all four victims of the La Loche shootings: teachers Janvier and Wood, and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine. Local MP Jolibois, who previously served as mayor of La Loche, says that the community is “in shock.”
La Loche, being such a small community, everyone knows each other. We grew up together – we’re friends, we’re families.
Seven states declare State of Emergency
Seven states declare states of emergency as Jonas moves across the eastern United States. The blizzard, accompanied by gale-force winds, dumps as much as 23 inches of snow in some areas and has already been blamed for 12 deaths. Most deaths occurred in traffic accidents, but one person in Maryland dies while shoveling snow. Louis Uccellini, director of the U. S. Nation Weather Service, said that the storm might cause as much as $1 billion in damage.
It does have the potential to be an extremely dangerous storm that can affect up to 50 million people.