5 things to know for Jan. 10: GOP debate, Winter storm, Boeing, Israel, Ecuador

By Alexandra Banner, CNN

(CNN) — Meta is rolling out new restrictions for teenage Facebook and Instagram users, including hiding search results for certain terms. This comes as social media platforms have faced a litany of criticism and lawsuits over how they handle online safety.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

1. GOP debate

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will face off on CNN tonight in the fifth and final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses kick off next week. Both are searching for the critical blow that could position them as the sole viable challenger to former President Donald Trump, who is again skipping the event. The debate will begin at 9 p.m. ET at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and it will be the first time that Haley and DeSantis will meet on stage alone. Meanwhile, Haley has trimmed Trump’s lead in the primary race in New Hampshire to single digits, according to a new CNN Poll. Trump, however, has crossed the 50% mark in most recent polling on the Iowa caucuses and still holds wider majorities in national polls for the Republican nomination.

2. Winter storm

An expansive storm packing nearly every winter weather threat is set to dump more snow and rain on the Northeast today after battering a large swath of the eastern US. More than 450,000 homes and businesses were without power in the US this morning, including nearly 150,000 in New York and about 115,000 in Pennsylvania, according to PowerOutage.us. At least four deaths have been reported across Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina as storms walloped the states with fierce winds and rain. The heavy downpours are also fueling flood fears throughout the western Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with “numerous” flash floods possible, the National Weather Service said.

3. Boeing

Boeing CEO David Calhoun acknowledged the company’s “mistake” in the wake of the terrifying Alaska Airlines emergency landing incident. A company source told CNN that Boeing believes “the mistake in question” was introduced in the aircraft’s manufacturing supply chain, although regulators and Boeing are still investigating the exact cause of the incident. President Joe Biden is also personally tracking the grounding of many Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes for inspection, the White House said Tuesday. The aircraft will likely return to service plane by plane as they pass stringent safety tests, according to aviation experts.

4. Israel

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel on Tuesday where he told officials that Palestinians in Gaza must be allowed to return to their homes “as soon as conditions allow.” Blinken has repeatedly called on the Israeli government to shift its military tactics to reduce the number of civilian casualties in the enclave. Also on Tuesday, the US Navy shot down 21 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen in one of the largest Houthi attacks to take place in the Red Sea in recent months. Houthi rebels say they are attacking the world’s most important maritime trade routes as revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.

5. Ecuador

Ecuador’s president has declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country due to extreme violence. The decree came Tuesday after a live television program in the country was interrupted by hooded and armed men. Ecuadorians were stunned as they watched the assailants force staff of the state-owned network onto the floor of the studio as shots and yelling were heard in the background. Ecuador’s police later said they had arrested all the armed men, members of the media outlet had been evacuated, and all staff and hostages were alive. The country has been rocked by explosions, police kidnappings and prison disturbances since a nationwide state of emergency was declared Monday after notorious gang leader Adolfo “Fito” Macias escaped from prison over the weekend.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Honda announces a new line of electric cars
The automaker plans to introduce 30 new electric vehicles globally by 2030. View some of Honda’s new concepts unveiled this week.

‘Mean Girls’ premiere reunites Lindsay Lohan and Tina Fey
Many fans of the popular 2004 film are excited about a new chapter in the “Mean Girls” burn book.

Paris inaugurates David Bowie street in honor of legendary musician
A Parisian road has been named after David Bowie, with the official inauguration taking place on what would have been his 77th birthday.

Starbucks is expanding in India
The coffee chain plans to operate 1,000 stores in India by 2028, opening the equivalent of one new location every three days for the next four years.

Kenya goes visa-free for travelers — but there’s a catch
Kenya’s decision to drop visa requirements in favor of an Electronic Travel Authorization has sparked an online backlash.

TODAY’S NUMBER

6 million
That’s how many Catholic devotees flooded the streets of Manilla on Tuesday to honor the Black Nazarene, a centuries-old religious tradition that has returned after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of Filipinos waited for hours along the procession route to get close to the wooden statue, as many believe that touching it can bring blessings to them or their loved ones.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“Nobody in the White House knew.”

— National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, commenting that senior US officials were made aware Tuesday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Pentagon had been facing intense questions after Austin was hospitalized on January 1 and kept his condition secret from White House officials, including President Biden.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY …

How to make ‘couch time’ more productive
Are you looking to maximize your time while watching your favorite movies and shows? Watch this health and mobility coach explain a quick workout that starts and ends on the couch.

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