Headlines edition

Friday Headlines: Make that 2,001.

Trump denies calling Haiti, El Salvador, and all of Africa “shithole countries”—a comment even the White House didn’t try to claw back.

“This is CNN Tonight, I’m Don Lemon. The president of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that.”

The Guardian offers a quiz for 12 other times Trump has insulted other countries.

Economist Tyler Cowen agrees with Trump: Congressional “earmarks” can improve government when not abused.

Cape Town may become the world’s first major city to run out of water.

A United Nations “special rapporteur” on extreme poverty says its persistence in America is a political choice.

Photographs of the recovery efforts in Santa Barbara after mud buried whole neighborhoods and the highway.

Actor Bella Thorne complains about ongoing highway closures around Santa Barbara. Resident Rob Lowe responds: “I’m sorry you were inconvenienced. We will try to move out our dead quicker.”

Fifty million images from Google Street View yield huge data for social analysis (income levels, voting patterns).

After a video goes viral: Louisiana governor regrets a teacher being ejected and arrested; Baltimore hospital regrets “dumping” a nearly naked patient on the street in freezing temperatures.

“Amazon gets a bounty to create jobs in Ohio, and then a good chunk of the jobs are so low-paying that workers have to seek federal assistance, providing a second subsidy for the e-commerce giant.” Economic development subsidies provide a massive advantage to Amazon, little benefit to taxpayers.

Trump voters who smoke pot appear to be surprised by the administration’s anti-marijuana moves.

Remember when Trump would compliment or disparage companies on Twitter? Those he threatened have performed better than those he praised.

Your next coffee break mini-documentary: “Trump’s 2,000 Lies.”

After a Fox & Friends host questions a bill, “ping-pong” Trump does too—at least until his staff and members of Congress, after a mad scramble, tell him otherwise.

Widows of men assassinated in Duterte's extralegal drug war form their own support and legal clinics.

A gym chain removes cable news from its televisions for fear that it's bad for its members' health.

Now available: the Sol LeWitt sports bra.

Behind the "brands" targeting you on social media, there's often no physical operation, just marketing.

A collection of "Happy New Year" cards—for 2018, year of the dog—from graphic designers in Japan.

"Crown shyness" is well known among tree lovers, but not well understood. Why do trees resist harassing each other?

Video: A pair of hot-air balloon repairmen find great contentment in satisfying work, long-lasting friendship, and flexible schedules.