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Ice and snow cover rocks on the waterfront in Brooklyn on Jan. 8.(Photo: Peter Morgan, AP)
1. NYC mayor: Snowstorm could be worst ever
The Northeast is bracing for a monstrous winter storm on Monday that could trigger massive power outages and slam the brakes on air traffic and rush hours from Philadelphia deep into New England. About 29 million people were under a blizzard warning and another 11 million in a winter storm warning, according to the National Weather Service. New York City could see up to 20 inches of snow Monday into Tuesday, the weather service predicted. Parts of New England could see 2 feet or more. High winds could cause whiteout conditions, bring down power lines and otherwise aggravate the weather disaster.
Gale-force winds and up to two feet of snow are possible as a tightly wound winter storm moves across the Northeast. VPC
2. Obama makes a symbolic visit to India
Obama became the first U.S. president to preside as a guest over India's Republic Day celebrations on Monday, which marked the 65th anniversary of India's constitution. The president and first lady Michelle Obama are in India for a three-day visit that included a fresh round of bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The U.S. and India are the biggest democracies in the world, but their relationship has been strained in recent years.
President Obama throws rose petals as he participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Raj Ghat Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in New Delhi on Sunday.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP)
3. Huge asteroid to zip safely by Earth tonight
Break out those telescopes, space-watchers. The biggest asteroid to fly by our planet for the next 12 years will streak through the night sky tonight. The massive asteroid, officially named 2004 BL86, isn't a threat to Earth. You should be able to see it with small telescopes or strong binoculars. At its closest point, as it flies by at about 35,000 mph, the space rock will be about 745,000 miles from Earth, about three times as far away as the moon. Asteroids fly past us all the time. It's the size of this one — roughly twice the size of the Rose Bowl stadium — that's impressive. Maximum brightness is expected to be between 11:07 and 11:52 p.m., so don't forget to look skyward.
The asteroid (orbit in blue) will make its closest pass to Earth late Monday.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: NASA/JPL)
4. NBA star Kobe Bryant to decide on shoulder surgery
Kobe Bryant has been dealing with ailments all season long. He'll decide today whether to have season-ending surgery on his torn right rotator cuff, USA TODAY Sports reported on Friday. It appears his shoulder is a problem that grew worse over time and ultimately became debilitating in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. After missing all but six games last season with leg and foot injuries, Bryant has played in 35 of the Lakers' 43 games this season, averaging team highs of 22.3 points and 5.6 assists a game. After his latest injury, how much longer will he play the game? Only Father Time will tell.
5. Pizza Hut to sell gluten-free pizza
Pizza Hut is about to join the gluten-free brigade. Beginning Monday, roughly 2,400 of the chain's 6,300 domestic locations will begin selling gluten-free pizzas. The move comes two years after rival Domino's rolled out a pizza sold with a gluten-free crust — but not entirely gluten free. Pizza Hut will be the first major pizza chain to sell a pizza that is certified gluten-free. Gluten-free foods have been a fast-growing trend over the past several years — with roughly 44 million Americans showing interest in purchasing gluten-free products of all kinds, and 22% of Americans buying gluten-free products occasionally, according to a study by the research firm Datamonitor.
Pizza Hut gluten-free pizza will have fewer calories than even its Skinny Slice pizza.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Pizza Hut)
And, the essentials:
Weather: The national weather forecast for Monday has a strong storm system moving East. Much of the Northeast is under a blizzard warning.
Stocks: Wall Street futures were lower Monday, as Greece's far-left Syriza party swept to power.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Ellen's Design Challenge.
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