Doomsday Clock says we're in trouble (but not any more than last year)
Well folks, three minutes until the world ends. Three minutes on the Doomsday Clock, that is. The Manhattan Project's symbolic countdown to the world’s end, which is updated every year to reflect threats to humanity and the Earth, is staying put. One of the physicists who oversees the clock says the positives (America's nuclear deal with Iran and the Paris accord to slow climate change) balanced out the negatives (tension between the U.S. and Russia and North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weaponry). The closest we've ever been to the end of days was two minutes, in 1953, when the U.S. and Soviets had tested hydrogen bombs.
Hold onto your horses, because Iowa (caucuses), here we come
Donald Trump rules USA TODAY GOP's Power Rankings yet again, and Ted Cruz says Iowa is the only thing standing between Trump and the Republican nomination. Boxing gloves = on. Because it increasingly looks like a two-person race among Iowa Republicans: Trump leads Cruz 31%-29% among likely caucus-goers, according to a poll out Tuesday. But wait, there's always a lighter side in the heady world of politics. Let our friends at For the Record tell you about one Iowa restaurant’s "Trumpburger," featuring ham, shredded cheese (for the way he's shredding his opponents) and onions (for all the political pundits shedding tears over not being able to figure him out.) Here's their full fun take on what's happening in Iowa.
Unlock your phone, view an ad — we knew this was coming
It's all in the name of lowering your bill. The Android-only app Boost Dealz launched Tuesday. (Boost's parent is Sprint.) Obviously, it's opt-in. Here's how it works: Once you download the app, you'll get full-screen ads and receive special offers every three times or so you unlock your phone screen. Shudder. But the reward is tangible: a $5 bill credit each month. The Boost brand, which offers no-contract pre-pay plans, tends to attract budget-minded customers. No word yet on plans for iPhone or on expanding to other brands.
Time to take depression seriously
A special task force set up to tackle depression has some new advice, and it starts with every single adult. Primary care doctors should screen all adults for depression — especially older adults, pregnant women and new mothers. What did we used to do? In the past, doctors only had to screen adults for depression when mental health services were available to help with whatever problems were found. The task force is hoping to tackle depression in teens next.
'This is not a misprint'
The news is so shocking, researchers had to tell readers they meant what they said in this new study that shows just how many students in major U.S. metropolitan areas can actually read or do math proficiently. If all of Detroit’s fourth-graders took this standardized test, just 120 African-American fourth-graders across the entire city would score “proficient” or above in math. And it's not just Detroit. In Atlanta, just 60 Hispanic fourth-graders and 40 Hispanic eighth-graders would score proficient or above in reading. Cleveland and Baltimore show similar numbers. Remember, that's students — not a percentage of students.
Extra Bites:
You might think of Pokemon as kid stuff, but the video game sensation is taking on mature, inspirational themes when it comes to its first Super Bowl ad. It's amazing — just watch ... and while you're at it, enjoy our recap of the great ads from last year.
Some cliff-side residents in Pacifica, Calif., are being forced to leave their homes as the ground outside their back doors falls into the sea. A drone captured the stunning footage below.
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This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
