10 things you need to know today: January 12, 2014

West Virginians are desperate for clean water, the Chris Christie scandal widens, and more

West Virginians are out of clean water.
(Image credit: Tom Hindman/Getty Images)

1. West Virginia chemical leak leaves many without water

Around 32 people have been hospitalized and hundreds of thousands remain without water after a chemical leak in Charleston, W. Va., that contaminated the public water treatment system. Some 300,000 people in nine counties are entering their third day Sunday without being able to drink tap water or use it to bathe or wash dishes and clothes. [Huffington Post]

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2. More Christie-related bridge documents may be subpoenaed

New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D) said on Saturday that he intends to formally request that Gov. Chris Christie (R) and his staff hand over more correspondence and documents related to a four-day traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge that allegedly resulted from a political vendetta. The scandal has engulfed Christie, leading some to call for his resignation. [Chicago Tribune]

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3. India and U.S. attempt to defuse diplomatic crisis

India's government said Saturday that there was no standoff with the U.S. over the arrest and strip search of Devyani Khobragade, an Indian diplomat in New York, following a monthlong dispute. Khobragade, who returned home to New Delhi Saturday night, was indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury on accusations that she exploited her Indian-born housekeeper and nanny, allegedly making her work more than 100 hours a week for low pay and lying about it on a visa form. She denies the charge. [Associated Press]

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4. O'Malley avoids 2016 presidential campaign question

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, often talked about as a Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, declined to talk about his future political plans on CNN's State of the Union Sunday morning. O'Malley said that "it's an honor to even be mentioned" among potential contenders for the 2016 nomination, including troubled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. O'Malley indicated that it was far too early to make a decision, and he declined to give a timeline for making a decision. [Politico]

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5. Neiman Marcus credit cards hacked

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus joined Target as a victim of a cybersecurity attack on Saturday. Neiman Marcus confirmed that customers' credit and debit card information may have been compromised, following evidence of hacking in mid-December. The company did not reveal how many customers had been or would be affected. [TIME]

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6. Dallas Safari Club auctions black rhino permit

The Dallas Safari Club auctioned off a black rhino hunting permit in Namibia for $350,000 on Saturday night. The Safari Club says the auction was done in the name of conservation, to save the threatened black rhinoceros, of which there are only about 5,000 in the world. They are considered a "critically endangered species" by wildlife organizations around the world. The proceeds from the auction will go to conservation efforts, but critics say the stunt only encourages hunters. [CNN]

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7. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo reaches new heights

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo plane had its first supersonic rocket-powered test of 2014 under the control of its official pilot. The test at Mojave Air and Space Port was aimed at setting the stage for flights into outer space later this year, and eventually for commercial space tours. [NBC News]

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8. Rodriguez suspended from baseball for 2014 season

Alex Rodriguez, baseball's highest-paid player, will be suspended for the 2014 season and postseason, an independent arbitrator decided on Saturday. The suspension was given to Rodriguez after MLB said he used numerous performance-enhancing substances, and then tried to cover up his use by obstructing an MLB investigation. The ruling has the potential to end the 38-year-old's career. [NPR]

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9. Golden Globe Awards to air tonight

Hollywood's most celebrated stars of 2013 will step out for the 71st Golden Globe Awards tonight in Los Angeles. This year, American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave are tied for the most nominations with seven each. The awards telecast will air on NBC starting at 8 p.m. EST. [CBS News]

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10. Red Hot Chili Peppers to play Super Bowl halftime show

The Red Hot Chili Peppers will join Bruno Mars at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, set for Feb. 2. The addition was announced Saturday during Fox's broadcast of the NFC divisional playoff game featuring the New Orleans Saints against the Seattle Seahawks. [Entertainment Weekly]

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Terri is a freelance writer at TheWeek.com. She's a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and has worked at TIME and Brides. You can follow her on Twitter.