US News
President Trump affirmed US commitment to the One China policy—recognizing Beijing's sovereignty over what we know as China, and not having formal ties with Taiwan—during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday. In a statement, the White House said Trump had "agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our One China policy." It follows a suggestion by Trump that Taiwan could be used as a bargaining tool .—The New York TimesTrump Says 'See You in Court' After Court Refuses Travel Ban
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The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate President Trump's travel ban late Thursday, with the three-member panel unanimously upholding Seattle Judge James Robart's decision to block it. Trump responded angrily, tweeting: "SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!" The case may eventually reach the Supreme Court.—VICEBorder Wall Could Cost $21 Billion, Says Homeland Security
Constructing a wall along the US border with Mexico could cost up to $21.6 billion, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report. The internal document, to be presented to DHS Secretary John Kelly, estimates that a combination of wall and fence could be complete by the end of 2020. The cost estimate exceeds the $12 billion suggested by Trump during his campaign.—ReutersHouse Committee Urges White House to Punish Conway
Representative Elijah Cummings and Representative Jason Chaffetz have written a joint letter to the White House recommending disciplinary action against Kellyanne Conway for promoting Ivanka Trump's clothing line on TV. Republican Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said her plug was "unacceptable." White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Conway had been "counseled" on the matter.—The Daily BeastFour Suspected of Bomb Plot Arrested in France
French police have arrested four people in the city of Montpellier suspected of involvement in planning a bomb attack. Explosive material identified as TATP was discovered at the home of one of the four arrested, a 22-year-old man. His 16-year-old girlfriend was also arrested.—ReutersRussia Accidentally Bombs Turkish Army, Kills 3 Soldiers
Russian airstrikes intended for ISIS targets in Syria killed three Turkish soldiers on Thursday, and injured 11 more, when a plane bombed a Turkish army building. Russia said President Vladimir Putin has called Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to offer "condolences."—Reuters
Constructing a wall along the US border with Mexico could cost up to $21.6 billion, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report. The internal document, to be presented to DHS Secretary John Kelly, estimates that a combination of wall and fence could be complete by the end of 2020. The cost estimate exceeds the $12 billion suggested by Trump during his campaign.—ReutersHouse Committee Urges White House to Punish Conway
Representative Elijah Cummings and Representative Jason Chaffetz have written a joint letter to the White House recommending disciplinary action against Kellyanne Conway for promoting Ivanka Trump's clothing line on TV. Republican Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said her plug was "unacceptable." White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Conway had been "counseled" on the matter.—The Daily Beast
International News
French police have arrested four people in the city of Montpellier suspected of involvement in planning a bomb attack. Explosive material identified as TATP was discovered at the home of one of the four arrested, a 22-year-old man. His 16-year-old girlfriend was also arrested.—ReutersRussia Accidentally Bombs Turkish Army, Kills 3 Soldiers
Russian airstrikes intended for ISIS targets in Syria killed three Turkish soldiers on Thursday, and injured 11 more, when a plane bombed a Turkish army building. Russia said President Vladimir Putin has called Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to offer "condolences."—Reuters
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Landslides Kill 12 on Indonesian Island of Bali
Landslides on the Indonesian island of Bali have left 12 people dead, including young children, and several others injured. Caused by torrential rain, the landslides swamped homes in the villages of Bali's Kintamani district. The National Disaster Agency warned of further landslides and possible floods Friday, with heavy rains set to continue.—APOne Hundred Whales Still Alive After Mass Stranding in New Zealand
Hundreds of volunteers are trying to save around 100 surviving pilot whales after 416 were found beached on Farewell Spit in New Zealand. More than 300 of the whales were already dead when discovered at dawn on Friday, one of the largest mass whale strandings in New Zealand's history.—The GuardianUnheard Prince Material May Be Released
Prince's estate has struck an agreement with Universal Music Group to have access to the 25 albums recorded under the NPG Records label. The deal also includes unheard outtakes and demos from the singer's vault.—NoiseyMore Patriots Players Join Trump Boycott
Six members of the New England Patriots are now refusing to meet President Trump at the White House's post–Super Bowl celebration. LeGarrette Blount, Alan Branch, and Chris Long backed out Thursday, joining three players who already said they would not attend.—BuzzFeed NewsMilitary General Demoted for Strip Club Use
Major General Ronald Lewis will be demoted and retired as a brigadier general because he paid for strip club visits with a government credit card. Lewis spent almost $3,000 on strip clubs in South Korea and Rome.—NBC NewsArby's Customers' Details Stolen in Malware Hack
Hackers managed to breach Arby's point-of-sales system to steal an unknown number of customers' credit card details. The fast-food company said the malware used in January had now been eliminated and the hack reported to law enforcement.—FortuneExxon Advisor Quits Over Harassment of Environmentalists
Sarah Labowitz has resigned from ExxonMobil's advisory panel, accusing the company of harassing nonprofit environmental organizations. Labowitz said she was concerned about an "aggressive attack strategy" pursued in the courts.—MotherboardScientists Work Out the Sexiest Way to Dance
Researchers in the UK have used motion-capture technology and a Robbie Williams track to work out the scientifically sexiest way to dance. For women, wide swings of the hips can signal fertility. For men, a lot of upper body movement often signals muscularity.—VICE
Landslides on the Indonesian island of Bali have left 12 people dead, including young children, and several others injured. Caused by torrential rain, the landslides swamped homes in the villages of Bali's Kintamani district. The National Disaster Agency warned of further landslides and possible floods Friday, with heavy rains set to continue.—APOne Hundred Whales Still Alive After Mass Stranding in New Zealand
Hundreds of volunteers are trying to save around 100 surviving pilot whales after 416 were found beached on Farewell Spit in New Zealand. More than 300 of the whales were already dead when discovered at dawn on Friday, one of the largest mass whale strandings in New Zealand's history.—The Guardian
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Prince's estate has struck an agreement with Universal Music Group to have access to the 25 albums recorded under the NPG Records label. The deal also includes unheard outtakes and demos from the singer's vault.—NoiseyMore Patriots Players Join Trump Boycott
Six members of the New England Patriots are now refusing to meet President Trump at the White House's post–Super Bowl celebration. LeGarrette Blount, Alan Branch, and Chris Long backed out Thursday, joining three players who already said they would not attend.—BuzzFeed NewsMilitary General Demoted for Strip Club Use
Major General Ronald Lewis will be demoted and retired as a brigadier general because he paid for strip club visits with a government credit card. Lewis spent almost $3,000 on strip clubs in South Korea and Rome.—NBC NewsArby's Customers' Details Stolen in Malware Hack
Hackers managed to breach Arby's point-of-sales system to steal an unknown number of customers' credit card details. The fast-food company said the malware used in January had now been eliminated and the hack reported to law enforcement.—FortuneExxon Advisor Quits Over Harassment of Environmentalists
Sarah Labowitz has resigned from ExxonMobil's advisory panel, accusing the company of harassing nonprofit environmental organizations. Labowitz said she was concerned about an "aggressive attack strategy" pursued in the courts.—MotherboardScientists Work Out the Sexiest Way to Dance
Researchers in the UK have used motion-capture technology and a Robbie Williams track to work out the scientifically sexiest way to dance. For women, wide swings of the hips can signal fertility. For men, a lot of upper body movement often signals muscularity.—VICE