Uh, hackers have been mailing DNA test kits
Nancy Pelosi voiced concerned about President Trump's security, the government is still broken and someone called Duchess Meghan fat. It's Ashley Shaffer with the latest and greatest news of the day.
But first: Did you get a random DNA test kit in the mail? Toss it. Hopes of snagging a $10 Amazon gift card for referrals led hackers to send around 2,400 such "gifts."
Pelosi to Trump: Hold off on State of the Union
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked President Donald Trump to push back his Jan. 29 State of the Union speech if the government is still in a shutdown – or to deliver it in writing. Pelosi cited 'security concerns' in a letter, later saying the State of the Union requires hundreds of workers for logistics and security, most of whom have been furloughed or are working without pay because of the shutdown. The partial government shutdown is now in its 26th day, officially the longest in U.S. history.
Suicide blast kills US troops, civilians in Syria
A suicide bomber triggered a fiery explosion Wednesday that killed four U.S. citizens at a market in Syria. Two were U.S. soldiers and two others were U.S. civilians, military officials said. A total of 16 people were killed in the blast. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place less than a month after President Donald Trump declared victory in the region over the militant group. Before the latest attack, four U.S. troops had been killed in Syria since 2016.
Sears just might survive
Sears Holdings could escape a brush with annihilation after the chain's chairman prevailed in an auction for a shrunken version of the company. Eddie Lampert's hedge fund made a more than $5 billion offer to keep the owner of Sears and Kmart alive. If a judge approves, the deal would prevent Sears from liquidating the rest of its stores. Lampert's first offer involved keeping about 425 stores open and 50,000 workers employed. A federal judge must still decide whether it's the best outcome of the company's bankruptcy.
Real quick
Good news: Furloughed workers will get back pay once the government shutdown ends.
Interesting adjective: Pregnant Duchess Meghan laughed off being called a 'fat lady.'
'Space Force': Steve Carell is returning to TV in an Office-like comedy for Netflix.
'Jaws' IRL: Perhaps the largest known great white shark was spotted off Hawaii.
Theresa May survives a 'no-confidence' vote
British Prime Minister Theresa May comfortably survived a "no-confidence" vote in her government Wednesday following a vicious defeat in Parliament over her Brexit deal to leave the European Union. May won the attempt to oust her from power by 325 to 306 votes. The result means she stays in power — for now. She now has until Monday to devise a new Brexit plan acceptable to lawmakers. But, her opponents have not ruled out calling further no-confidence votes.
Too little tax withheld in 2018? The IRS will let it slide
Tax season may get a little less painful – both for those owed refunds and those who owe Uncle Sam. For those due refunds, the IRS on Wednesday recalled about 36,000 workers on leave for the government shutdown in order to process tax returns. And for those who owe the government, checks may be a little easier to write. The IRS said it's waiving penalties for taxpayers who didn’t withhold enough last year. Major tax changes in Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mean 10 percent of taxpayers could end up paying more. But as long as you withheld at least 85 percent of your income in 2018, the IRS says it won’t penalize you for underestimating your bill.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Uh, hackers have been mailing DNA test kits
