Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.
US News
Hollywood Women Launch Anti-Harassment Defense Fund
A group of more than 1,000 women in the entertainment industry—including America Ferrera, Reese Witherspoon, and Kathleen Kennedy—have created an initiative aimed at protecting women and challenging gender inequality the workplace. The “Time’s Up” campaign was said to have raised $13 million for legal assistance already.—CNN
Figures released by the Chicago Police Department showed the number of killings fell to 650 in 2017 from 771 the previous year. In Baltimore, statistics found 343 killings took place in 2017—the city’s highest-ever homicide rate. “Not only is it disheartening, it's painful,” said Mayor Catherine Pugh.—AP / AP
Mike Pence’s Office Insists He Is Going to Israel
Pence Deputy Chief of Staff Jarrod Agen said the vice president will travel to Israel in January, despite the country's foreign ministry suggesting the visit had been postponed. Pence was set go to Israel last month, but President Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital appeared to derail his plans.—Bloomberg
Immigration Computers Go Down at Airports
Customs and Border Protection's computer system shut down for two hours Monday night, causing long lines at several major airports across the country. “At this time, there is no indication the service disruption was malicious in nature,” an agency spokesperson said.—NBC News
International News
South Korea Invites North Korea to Winter Olympics Talks
The South Korean government proposed the two nations discuss whether the North might take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The unification minister said talks could take place in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) January 9. The move followed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s suggestion that the rivals “melt the frozen North-South relations” during his New Year’s Day speech.—BBC News
At Least Nine More Killed in Iranian Protests
Six protestors were killed at a police station in Qahderijan Monday night, as violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and security officials continued to flare up across Iran. A 20-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy were also reported killed in Khomeinishahr, while a solider was shot dead in Najafabad. At least 21 people have died since the protests over economic conditions began last week.—Al Jazeera / VICE News
Over a Dozen Killed in Nigerian Church Shootings
At least 14 people died when gunmen attacked New Year’s church services in Nigeria’s Rivers State in the early hours of Monday morning. Another 12 people were hospitalized for gunshot injuries. No group had yet claimed responsibility for the apparently coordinated attack.—The Guardian
Nine Dead in Brazilian Prison Riot
Violence erupted at a prison in Goiânia on Monday, leaving nine inmates dead and another 14 wounded. Another 100 or so prisoners reportedly broke out of the facility during the commotion, with only 27 recaptured so far. One of the convicts killed in the riot was said to be decapitated.—Reuters
Everything Else
Lorde Accused of Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s World Values Network took out a full-page ad in the Washington Post denouncing the New Zealand star as a “bigot” who had joined “a global anti-Semitic boycott of Israel.” Lorde previously announced she was scrapping a show in Tel Aviv after a strong response from activists.—The Huffington Post
Gretchen Carlson to Lead Miss America Board
The former Miss America is the new chair of the organization’s board of directors. Several pageant officials resigned recently after emails revealed some of them had belittled contestants. “Honored to move this iconic program forward,” Carlson said on Twitter.—The Hollywood Reporter
Recreational Weed Legalized in California
The state’s Proposition 64 took effect on Monday, allowing anyone over the age of 21 to purchase marijuana from a licensed dispensary. Californians can now grow up to six plants at home, though smoking weed in public is still punishable with a fine.—VICE News
Excessive Gaming Could Be Listed as Disease
The World Health Organization is mulling whether to add video game addiction to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD). A draft version of the 2018 list said “gaming disorder” can cause “significant impairment” to a player’s life.—Motherboard
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