"Iran accused Saudi Arabia on Thursday of an aerial attack on its embassy in Sana, the capital of Yemen, in a potential escalation of a sectarian and geopolitical conflict that has put the region on edge." [NYT]
"China halted stock trading Thursday, its second daylong trading suspension this week, after prices plunged in the latest spasm of investor panic on its volatile markets." Global stocks continue to suffer from the volatility, and here's why such drops are "more about the economy than the market." [AP]
While the U.S. refused to confirm whether North Korea successfully executed a hydrogen bomb test, the U.N. Security Council is considering heavy sanctions after the country's announcement. [Reuters]
"A Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland after a contentious traffic stop last summer was fired Wednesday after being charged with perjury for allegedly lying about his confrontation with the black woman who died three days later in jail." [AP]
The vice president also said he still believes it was the right decision for his family at the time. [AP]
"The government has vowed to punish executives for corporate wrongdoing. Will it follow through?" [Shahien Nasiripour, HuffPost]
"Ever wonder what it's like to actually live on the presidential campaign trail -- not just watch it from afar? Starting this Monday, Jan. 11, we'll show you." [Scott Conroy, HuffPost]
To get The Morning Email, HuffPost's daily roundup of the news, in your inbox, sign up here. And listen to the news in under two minutes here.
WHAT’S BREWING
You don't want to be that person. [Bloomberg]
And a look at what will replace it. [The Atlantic]
"In one of the studies, a team of Chinese researchers fed male mice a high-fat diet and then harvested their sperm to impregnate female mice. The offspring of those mice developed impaired insulin resistance and glucose intolerance -- both known precursors to diabetes -- while the offspring of a control group of mice did not." [HuffPost]
Probably. This chart will tell you just how probably. [Fast Company]
"Mohamed is overcome with relief that he can now support his family, he said, but he finds that the hours are difficult to get used to. He also had to abandon his ESL class, since he sleeps during the day." [HuffPost]
"If British children gathered in the glow of the kitchen hearth to hear stories about magic swords and talking bears, American children sat at their mother’s knee listening to tales larded with moral messages about a world where life was hard, obedience emphasized, and Christian morality valued. Each style has its virtues, but the British approach undoubtedly yields the kinds of stories that appeal to the furthest reaches of children’s imagination." [The Atlantic]
WHAT'S WORKING
"Panera Bread's entire U.S. soup menu no longer contains artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives listed on its No No List, the company announced Wednesday." [HuffPost]
For more, sign up for the What's Working newsletter.
ON THE BLOG
That cost all of $0. [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
~ A map of all the nuclear tests since 1945.
~ Meet the woman who delivers North Korea's most important news.
~ The highlights from last night's People's Choice Awards, from the red carpet to the top moments.
~ Do box office records even matter anymore?
~ You can make your own custom Lego head. You're welcome.
~ Hats off to Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza, who were voted into Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame.
~ Netflix has expanded to India and Russia, as the site slowly turns the entire world into binge-watchers.
~ Taking a look at the top three "gateway drugs": alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.
~ The apps that'll suss out your inner artsy creativity this year.
~ Defrost those windows faster.
~ Pretty much everyone loves Prince George's first day of school photos. Because they're human, and because he's the cutest.
~ This Olympian's insane stair jumps will make you pick up your New Year's resolutions.
~ Understanding over-the-counter birth control pills.
~ And yesterday, people really, really enjoyed watching people skirt this puddle. You've got to love the Internet.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.