promoearn: Iran calls US military ‘terrorists’

Tuesday, January 7

Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qasem Soleimani, in his hometown Kerman on Jan. 7, 2020.

A firefighter may be responsible for some fires in Australia. The US military landed on Iran's "terrorist" list. It's Tuesday's news.

Who are the people accused of starting fires in Australia? Will there be a military draft? And what's the mystery illness sending people to the hospital in China?

So many questions. So much news. It's Ashley. Let's do this.

But first, bedbugs in aisle 5: Pill bottles full of bedbugs were found inside a jacket for sale at Walmart. There were some crawling around a men's fitting room, too.

The Short List newsletter is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here!

Iran says US military is a 'terrorist' organization

Iran's parliament approved a bill Tuesday designating the U.S. military and Pentagon as terrorist organizations after the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. Lawmakers backed a motion allocating $220 million to the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards Corps to take revenge for Soleimani's death (he was killed in a drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump last week). Soleimani's killing reignited fears Tehran and Washington could be on the brink of a military confrontation, though both sides insist they don't want war.

Other Iran developments:

•	Dozens of Iranians and Iranian Americans reported being detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. CBP refuted the reports.
•	Iranian state TV reported Tuesday that at least 56 people were killed in a stampede that erupted at a funeral procession for Soleimani.
•	The U.S. denied Iran's foreign minister a visa to attend a United Nations meeting scheduled this week, the regime's top diplomat said.

Funeral procession for Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, Iran, on Jan. 7, 2020.

Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

6.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Puerto Rico, leaving 1 dead

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake rumbled across Puerto Rico on Tuesday, killing at least one person and knocking out power to virtually the entire island of more than 3 million. An aftershock three hours later registered a magnitude of 6. A recent series of earthquakes – including one of 5.8 magnitude – struck the U.S. territory and caused heavy damage, forcing at least 346 Puerto Ricans to leave their homes and seek refuge. Gov. Wanda Vázquez declared a state of emergency, activating the National Guard but ordering government employees, except for first responders, to stay home.

•	Photos: Puerto Rico earthquakes cause heavy damage across island.

The Immaculate Concepcion Catholic church lies in ruins after an overnight earthquake in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7. A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Puerto Rico before dawn on Tuesday, killing one man, injuring others and collapsing buildings in the southern part of the island.

Carlos Giusti, AP

What everyone's talking about

•	Will there be a draft? How to answer your kids' questions about a military draft.
•	Tom Brady's next stop? Five NFL teams stand out as landing spots if the QB splits with the Patriots.
•	A health alert was issued to Americans in China as the area grapples with a mystery illness.
•	Undercover ICE recordings reveal tactics of the fake university that led to 250 students arrested.
•	The parents of a 5-year-old girl say a Las Vegas dentist set their daughter's mouth on fire.

Is a teen firefighter responsible for some of the Australia fires?

Emergency airlifts, scorched koalas, hazardous air quality – wildfires raging across Australia have taken a devastating toll on the nation, and the blazes could burn for months to come. A teenage volunteer firefighter is among two dozen people accused of lighting some of the historic fires that have raged across Australia since September. This fire season, police took legal action – ranging from cautions to charges – against almost 200 people in New South Wales. That includes 24 people charged with deliberately lighting bush fires, 53 accused of failing to comply with the fire ban and 47 accused of discarding a lit cigarette or match.

•	Australia's devastating fires are still burning. If you're thinking about helping, whether through a donation or something else, here's where to start.

A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Ulladulla, Australia, Jan. 5, 2020.

DEAN LEWINS, EPA-EFE

Ikea to pay $46M to parents of toddler killed by dresser

Ikea agreed to pay $46 million to the parents of a toddler who died when one of the company's dressers tipped onto him in 2017, the family's lawyers announced Monday. The attorneys for the parents of 2-year-old Jozef Dudek said they believe it is the largest settlement resulting from the wrongful death of a child in U.S. history. Ikea dressers have been linked to the deaths of at least nine children and dozens of injuries. Often the incidents happen when a child pulls on the drawers of a unit, sending it crashing forward. The company recalled 17.3 million dressers in 2016, including the three-drawer Malm that tipped onto Jozef. Millions of the recalled dressers remain in use.

Real quick

•	Mitch McConnell said the GOP-led Senate would move forward on establishing rules for Trump's impeachment trial without Democrats.
•	Japan issued an arrest warrant for the wife of Carlos Ghosn, the ex-Nissan CEO who fled house arrest.
•	The estranged husband of a missing Connecticut mother of five was charged with murder in her disappearance, his lawyer said.
•	Multiple people were injured in a major pileup involving about 30 vehicles on a highway in Maine, state troopers said.
•	Pier 1 Imports plans to close up to 450 locations, nearly half of its 942 stores, the company announced.

Could Harvey Weinstein wind up in jail for using his phone?

It was only day two of Harvey Weinstein's New York sex crimes trial, and he already earned a scolding from the judge. Weinstein was repeatedly looking at his phone and typing until a court security officer yelled at him to put it away. Judge James Burke rejected a motion from prosecutors for Weinstein's immediate incarceration after the filing of additional charges Monday against the fallen movie mogul in Los Angeles, but he warned the defendant he still could wind up in jail if he didn't put his phone away.

A break from the news

•	Don't give AirPods to your kids – here's why.
•	Underwear that monitors your vitals, a mood-ring-like device for your dog and other tech gadgets you may see in 2020.
•	The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this Tuesday.