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A TSA agent checks a bag at Midway International Airport on Nov. 21.(Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)
Number of firearms on the rise, says Homeland Security
A record 2,212 firearms -- most of them loaded -- were discovered in travelers' carry-on bags at U.S. airports last year, according to 2014 statistics to be released Friday by the Department of Homeland Security. The total number of firearms discovered at airport security checkpoints rose 22% from 2013. Transportation Security Administration officers found an average of six firearms per day in passengers' carry-on bags or on their bodies. More than 80% of the guns were loaded.
Airport security agents in California stopped a passenger who was accidentally carrying an 8.5-inch knife in an enchilada.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Transportation Security Administration)
Kobe Bryant learns more about his shoulder injury
With a game-changing announcement about Bryant's injury leaving him out of commission "indefinitely," NBA fans are eagerly waiting any insight into when he'll be back on the court. Bryant is expected to meet with a team doctor on Friday, where more details about his injury will be revealed. Bryant was injured in Wednesday night's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, and preliminary results of an MRI showed the tear of the rotator cuff.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in New Orleans. The Pelicans won 96-80. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: The Associated Press)
'Game of Thrones' goes where no television show has gone before: IMAX
Well, winter's here and HBO's got a little something to warm you up. It's bringing its cult hit Game of Thrones to an IMAX theater near you starting Friday. It will screen episodes 9 and 10 from season 4, plus an extra plug for the fifth season, which premieres this April. Better get there quickly: The episodes will only be there for a one-week engagement. Fans can check imax.com for screening information.
'Game of Thrones' will be coming to IMAX Theaters for a very limited engagement. Gillian Pensavalle (@GillianWithaG) has more.
Video provided by Buzz60 Newslook
It's time to start paying attention to Box
What's Box, you ask? Well, on Friday, it becomes the latest publicly traded company. The cloud-based provider of online data storage helps companies keep information around for a long time and it will enter the markets for around $11 to $13 a share. USA TODAY's Matt Krantz isn't so sure how long it will last, but, regardless, it plans on making a splash.
On Friday, one of the most highly anticipated IPOs of the year hits the market as cloud storage company Box hopes to raise at least $138 million through a 12.5 million share public offering. The company should trade higher in the near-term, but long Newslook
will.i.am takes World Economic Forum (sans his fellow Peas)
The Black Eyed Peas co-founder and frontman will lead a session discussing how technology can provide what he called a "new way of learning" as well as new skill sets and opportunities for communities and populations traditionally underserved by entrepreneurs. In an interview with USA TODAY, he cited that inner-city kids don't have the role models needed to set their goals higher. "It's not like any of them ever wake up in the morning and say, 'Man, I'm going to get my Michael Dell on,'" he said.
USA TODAY's Kim Hjelmgaard, left, with musician and entrepreneur will.i.am. at Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22, 2015.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY)
Bonus: And the nominees for best panda are...?
Award season is upon us. But for Pandas? See the nominees for the Giant Panda Zoo Awards. Sierra Oshrin
And, the essentials:
Weather: A large, messy storm will bring heavy rain and some frozen precipitation to much of the southeastern U.S. on Friday, while another storm hits the Northwest.
The national weather forecast for Friday, January 23 calls for a storm system moving across the southern U.S. that's expected to bring more rain to the region. VPC
Stocks:Futures were up Friday following the European Central Bank's announcement of its plans to spend 60 billion euros a month on bonds to hold down interest rates.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Black Sails, Galavant and Looking.
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