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Focusing on the son, "Boyhood" follows a family for 12 years.(Photo: Matt Lankes, IFC Films)
1. Oscar season is in full swing
Movie buffs, it's the moment you've been waiting for! Oscar nominations are out!Boyhood continued to rule as the darlings of the awards show season - at least in the major categories, but American Sniper came on strong. Fresh off its Golden Globes wins for best drama, best director and supporting actress, Boyhood, the $4 million movie filmed over 12 years, snagged director, picture, supporting actor and actress Oscar nominations. Follow USA TODAY's movie team, Andrea Mandell (@AndreaMandell), Bryan Alexander (@BryAlexand), Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) and Kim Willis (@kwillis_kim) on Twitter for the latest.
2. Obama welcomes David Cameron to White House
British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at the White House on Thursday for dinner with President Obama and a discussion that is suddenly more vital to the future of the European Union, USA TODAY editor in chief David Callaway writes. Last week's terror attacks in Paris cast a global spotlight on growing anti-immigration sentiment across Europe just ahead of a series of elections this year.
British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama.(Photo: Pool photo by Stefan Rousseau)
3. Bud Selig says goodbye to MLB
Bud Selig's final day as baseball commissioner officially ends on Jan. 24, but realistically it concludes Thursday, when he presides over his final owners' meetings before Rob Manfred assumes control of baseball's most powerful position. "It's really all starting to hit me now,'' Selig, who originally planned to retire in 2009, tells USA TODAY Sports. "I've been really philosophical the last three weeks. It's been emotional, but I'm comfortable with it."
On Jan. 25, Bud Selig will pass the torch of baseball commissioner to Rob Manfred.(Photo: H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
4. One step closer to tickets to the Olympics in Rio
Brazilian organizers of the 2016 Olympics announce distribution plans Thursday for tickets going to the general public for the summer games. Rio organizers have said that 7.5 million tickets will be issued for the Games. Half of them will be priced under $30. But watch that resale value. Ticket scalping occurs at most Olympics and was a problem at last year's World Cup in Brazil. Selling tickets above face value is illegal in Brazil.
The Rio 2016 mascots pose in Rio de Janiero.(Photo: Alex Ferro, European Pressphoto Agency)
5. His Holiness travels to the Philippines
Pope Francis arrives in the Philippines for a five-day trip on Thursday in the largely Catholic country. More than 80% of the Philippine's 108 million people are Catholic. The main highlight will be Sunday's open-air Mass likely to attract millions in Manila. On Saturday, Francis visits Tacloban to meet survivors of devastating Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,000 people in November 2013.
Pope Francis traveled to a remote jungle church in northern Sri Lanka where hundreds of thousands of people from across the ethnic and religious divide flocked to receive his blessing.
Video provided by AFP Newslook
And the essentials:
Weather: While most of the nation enjoys a relatively tranquil mid-January day, a storm system will deliver rain and showers to the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
The national weather forecast for Thursday, Jan. 15 calls for rain and showers in the Pacific Northwest, dry in the Northeast and snow showers in the Northern Plains. VPC
Stocks: U.S. stock futures rose Thursday, after Wall Street extended its losses for a fourth straight session the previous day.
TV Tonight: What should you watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The World Dog Awards, Elementary and Parenthood.
USA TODAY's Robert Bianco previews the television lineup for Jan. 15 with 'Parenthood.' The family drama has only three episodes left till fans will have to say farewell. VPC
If you missed Wednesday's news, we've got you covered here.
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