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[h=4]5 things you need to know Thursday[/h]The biggest news to start your morning.
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An Oscar statue sits on the red carpet before the 84th Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 2012.(Photo: Matt Sayles, AP)
And the Oscar nominees are …
Now that the Golden Globes —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and Leo's viral eyebrow raise —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>have come and gone, it's time to gear up for the Oscars. The nominees will be announced Thursday, and while<span style="color: Red;">*</span>some films and stars are locks to land a nomination, there's sure to be some heated debate over who the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Academy loved and who it<span style="color: Red;">*</span>snubbed. <span style="color: Red;">*</span>The Revenant and The Martian are almost certain to be nominated, especially after their strong showing at the Golden Globes. Could this be the year Leonardo<span style="color: Red;">*</span>DiCaprio finally walks away the best actor award? And what will happen with blockbuster<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Star Wars: The Force Awakens? The announcements begin at 8:30 a.m. ET and will stream on YouTube. Follow along live with @USATODAYLife.
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From Leonardo DiCaprio to John Travolta, these stars have multiple Academy Award nods under their belts. Yet, for some reason, they've never taken home the gold. Mara Montalbano (@maramontalbano) has the details. Buzz60
Last Republican debate before Iowa caucuses
A narrower field<span style="color: Red;">*</span>of Republican presidential candidates will gather Thursday night for the final debate before the Iowa caucuses. The seven leading candidates —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich and Donald Trump<span style="color: Red;">*</span>— will appear on stage together at 9 p.m. ET, live from North Charleston, S.C. The debate is hosted by Fox Business Network. There is an "undercard" debate starting at 6 p.m. ET for those who didn't qualify for the main event. (Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul says he's skipping it.)
Republican presidential candidates at a debate last month in Las Vegas.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: AP)
Amal Clooney gives her first U.S. network TV interview
She's known as a highly respected international law and human rights attorney back home in Britain.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>She's also known for her Hollywood heartthrob husband, George.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(They married in 2014.) Now<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Amal Clooney is giving<span style="color: Red;">*</span>her first solo U.S. network TV interview.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>The<span style="color: Red;">*</span>first part<span style="color: Red;">*</span>airs Thursday on<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Nightly News With Lester Holt,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>with the second to follow on Friday's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Today.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Clooney is currently lobbying Congress to level sanctions against the government of the Pacific island nation of Maldives<span style="color: Red;">*</span>over political prisoners.
First forum in 'One Nation' series looks at energy
The USA TODAY Network's "One Nation" series kicks off Thursday in Des Moines<span style="color: Red;">*</span>with a forum on the future of energy in the United States — a pivotal issue in the 2016 presidential race. The forum, hosted by USA TODAY and The Des Moines Register, is one of 10<span style="color: Red;">*</span>events in different cities on topics shaping next year's presidential election. The Des Moines event will aim to answer the questions: What's the next-next thing in energy that will power our homes, businesses and cars 10 or 20 years from now? How do we get there? What's holding us back? Learn more about the series and upcoming events here.
Iowa produces more wind energy than any other state in the U.S., while its farmers produce mass amounts of corn that goes into the production of ethanol. In Des Moines, One Nation’s expert panel will talk about Iowa’s role in energy and sustainability. Join the conversation on Jan. 14 @woolysdm! Ticket link in bio. Photo by @dmregister.
A photo posted by OneNation (@onenation_2016) on Dec 22, 2015 at 3:41pm PST
Another crucial test for SpaceX rocket boosters?
Less than a month after a<span style="color: Red;">*</span>historic landing, SpaceX aims to test-fire the engines of the Falcon 9 rocket booster Thursday at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. On Dec. 21, the booster touched down 10 minutes after liftoff, completing the first return to Earth intact under its own power of a rocket that had boosted a payload to orbit. The test on Thursday would be an important demonstration of the feasibility of reusing such boosters, which SpaceX believes is critical to lowering launch costs.
Bonus: Thursday is National Dress Up Your Pet Day, and our readers' furry friends have never been more in style.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>How dapper is your pet? Tweet a photo of your pet to us @yourtake<span style="color: Red;">*</span>or post one to the Your Take Facebook page.
And<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the essentials:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
Weather:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Another storm will roll into the West on Thursday, bringing rain to coastal and valley areas and heavy snow to the mountains.
Stocks:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>U.S. stock futures were higher Thursday, while global markets sank following sustained weakness in oil prices and a dive on Wall Street.
TV Tonight: Not sure what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks atAngel from Hell, Shades of Blue and Colony.
If you missed the Wednesday's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>news,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>we've got you covered.
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You can<span style="color: Red;">*</span>subscribe<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox.
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