National
New Orleans attacker fired at police before they shot him, bodycam video shows
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Newly released police bodycam video shows that the Islamic State group-inspired attacker who killed 14 people in a truck rampage on New Year’s Day fired at least one time from inside his truck before police fatally shot him. The video released by New Orleans police on Friday shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar shooting from behind an airbag as several officers surround his truck after it crashed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street. Police officials say three officers discharged weapons.
Biden extends time in US for 800,000 Venezuelans, Salvadorans
MIAMI (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security says about 600,000 Venezuelans and more than 200,000 El Salvadorans already living in the United States can legally remain another 18 months. Friday’s announcement comes barely a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office with promises of hardline immigration policies. The TPS designation gives people the legal authority to be in the U.S., but it doesn’t provide them a long-term path to citizenship. Victor Macedo is a Venezuelan with TPS who works remodeling houses in Florida. He fled his home country because of political death threats, and said the extension is “a very big relief. I was afraid.”
Powerful winter storm dumps heavy snow, causing flight delays, slick roads
ATLANTA (AP) — A powerful winter storm that dumped heavy snow and glazed roads with ice across much of Texas and Oklahoma has lumbered eastward into the Deep South and elsewhere. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders mobilized the National Guard to help stranded motorists. School was canceled for millions of children across a wide tract of southern states from Texas to Georgia and as far east as South Carolina. Meanwhile, four passengers were injured after a Delta Air Lines plane bound for Minneapolis aborted takeoff at Atlanta’s international airport. Delta said it was unclear whether the weather had anything to do with the flight being aborted after takeoff.
US finds no ‘Havana syndrome’ link to foreign powers
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. intelligence report finds no evidence linking a foreign power to the mysterious “Havana syndrome” injuries experienced by U.S. personnel. But two agencies that participated in the review say it’s possible a foreign adversary could’ve developed or deployed such a weapon. It’s a subtle but important change of opinion that a White House spokesperson says shows the need for continued investigation. The findings released Friday follow a review conducted by seven intelligence agencies examining cases of brain injuries and other symptoms reported by American diplomats and other government personnel. Those staffers have raised questions about the involvement of a foreign adversary. Symptoms including headaches and balance problems were first reported in Cuba in 2016.