# data[].attributes.body
A murder case has now been dropped because of the Amazon Echo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
James Bates was charged with first-degree murder in the 2015 death of Victor Collins after a night of drinking and watching football. Collins was found floating face-down in Bates' hot tub, police said.

County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss the case against Bates, saying the current evidence supports more than one "reasonable explanation" for Collin's death, according to court documents obtained by CNN.

"I can't stand in front of a jury and ask them to convict someone beyond a reasonable doubt if I myself have a reasonable doubt," Smith told CNN affiliate KNWA.

For that reason, the motion states, prosecutor was obligated to request the dismissal of Bates' case at this time.

"I'm 100% innocent," Bates told KNWA after the charges were dropped Wednesday. "I did nothing wrong, I'm not going to hide. I'm going to stay right here."

The state has one year to refile charges against Bates but his attorney, Kathleen Zellner, said it's unlikely because prosecutors would need "new evidence."

"Obviously we are very happy that the prosecution dismissed the case but also have empathy for the victim and the victim's family. This is not a day of rubbing it on anyone's face," she added.

For Collins' widow, Kristine, Wednesday's decision was devastating.

"Prosecutors have let us all down today," Kristine Collins said.

"I had to go home last night, sit down with my children and explain to them that the person that killed their father, who prevents them from Father's Days and Christmases and a regular life, is going to continue to enjoy those things with his family without any recourse whatsoever for what he has done to mine," she added.

The case

The Amazon Echo entered the November 2015 murder case because someone present on the night of Collins' death allegedly recalled hearing music streaming through the device that evening.

Amazon initially rebuffed the prosecution's request but later provided the data after Bates said he would voluntarily hand over the recordings.

According to Amazon, Echo works by constantly listening for the "wake word" -- "Alexa" or "Amazon," by default -- and then records your voice and transfers it to a processor for analysis so that it can fulfill requests or answer questions. The recordings are streamed and stored remotely, and can be reviewed or deleted over time, Amazon said.

On the night of the incident, Bates had invited two friends -- one of them former Georgia police officer Collins, 47 -- over to his Bentonville home. They watched college football, drank beer and vodka, according to the search warrant affidavit filed in Benton County Circuit Court. The men decided to get into Bates' hot tub and Bates said he went to bed around 1 a.m. When he woke up the next morning, Collins was floating face-down in the hot tub, an affidavit said.

Bates' attorney, Kimberly Weber, said Collins was Bates' friend, and his death was a tragic accident, possibly stemming from his drinking. Collins' blood-alcohol content at the time of death was .32, four times the legal limit to drive in Arkansas, she said.

CNN's Keith Allen contributed to this report.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
murder charge dropped in amazon echo case  - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Murder charge dropped in Amazon Echo case

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
James Bates was charged with first-degree murder in the 2015 death of Victor Collins after a night of drinking and watching football. Collins was found floating face-down in Bates' hot tub, police said.

# data[].attributes.body
A 9th grader shot & stabbed his grandmother to death.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Florida woman allegedly killed by her teenage grandson was shot and stabbed, prosecutors said this morning.

Logan Mott, 15, is accused of killing his grandmother, Kristina French, 53, whose body was found in a shallow grave Friday in Florida, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said.

Mott, who lives with his father in Florida, was staying with his grandmother while his father was on vacation, Flynn said at a news conference this morning. When his father came back on Wednesday, he found his home "in disarray" and guns missing from the home, Flynn said.

Mott was found this weekend in Buffalo, New York, where he was taken into custody after making a wrong turn on the Peace Bridge while allegedly trying to cross into Canada, Flynn said.

In the car were guns and a knife with what appears to be blood on it, Flynn said.

Mott was taken into custody on a grand theft auto warrant. On Tuesday, a judge in Florida issued an arrest warrant for murder.

Mott "adamantly denies any involvement in his grandmother's death and he's very upset about it," Dominic Saraceno, a lawyer hired by Mott's family, told ABC News on Sunday.

Saraceno said he spoke to Mott at the Erie County Youth Services Center, the detention center where he was being held on a grand theft auto warrant.

"My understanding is he has no history of crime, he's a ninth-grade student, he's a good student, he's well-liked by his classmates. And the only type of medication that he is on is for juvenile diabetes," Saraceno said.

Saraceno did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

Mott, who is being held without bail, is set to be arraigned on Friday in Buffalo, according to ABC affiliate WJXX in Jacksonville.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen allegedly shot, stabbed grandmother to death: Prosecutors

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Florida woman allegedly killed by her teenage grandson was shot and stabbed, prosecutors said this morning. Logan Mott, 15, is accused of killing his grandmother, Kristina French, 53, whose body was found in a shallow grave Friday in Florida, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said. ...

# data[].attributes.body
"male pregnancy would certainly be possible" by having an embryo implanted in a man's abdomen – with the placenta attached to an internal organ such as the bowel – and later delivered by Caesarean section

# data[].attributes.body
A family in Connecticut have a lot of Christmas lights up which causes 30,000 people to come tour the house. The neighbors are signing a petition to get rid of the lights.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It may be the holiday season, but residents in one Connecticut neighborhood aren't feeling the festive spirit.

Neighbors along Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. have circulated a petition with 45 signatures asking the town and police department to do something about the "Wonderland at Roseville," a local light display which draws over 30,000 visitors.

"They are requesting some sort of action from the town to minimize the impact to the community," Lt. Robert Kalamaras of the Fairfield police told FOX61.

The Halliwell family, who built up the display to include over 350,000 lights during its 18 years in existence, don't charge admission to tour the holiday spectacle, but accept donations which then go to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Mass.

Besides the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of lights, the Christmas display includes multiple train sets, a small chapel, and even a sleigh where people can pose for pictures.

Critics say, however, it also creates parking problems in the neighborhood.
MASSACHUSETTS POLICE STOP CAR WITH MASSIVE CHRISTMAS TREE ON TOP
Fairfield Police have posted signs permitting parking on only one side of the street during evenings through the holiday season.

"We are going to increase patrols," Kalamaras said. "We have the traffic unit that will go out there and assist with traffic on the high-volume days."

The Halliwell family also said they are working to appease the concerns of their neighbors.

"We've cut back on our hours and we've also lowered the voltage of the lights so they will not be as bright with also lower music," Mary Halliwell told FOX61.

The Halliwell family also said it was hurt the neighbors didn't come to them before sending around the petition.

"Why don't we all put up lights? Let's really make it a neighborhood to really bring the people around," Gene Halliwell said.
FIRST LADY GOES WITH CLASSIC, TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DECOR
The resident who submitted the petition, Nadine Losquadro, told the Connecticut Post the event, with its high traffic and limited parking, presents a "significant public safety concern for our neighborhood."

"We did not move into our homes knowing there would be, or could be, parking restrictions imposed on us for six weeks out of every year during prime holiday time," she said. "The majority of homes on Roseville and Sawyer have small driveways and many residents rely on street parking."

While the petition may include 45 signatures, not everyone in the neighborhood is upset over the lights.

"I love it," Jim Smith, who has helped the Halliwells break down the display at the end of the season, told FOX61. "With all the kids coming and the people coming it doesn't bother me."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Christmas lights display in Connecticut sparks controversy in neighborhood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It may be the holiday season, but residents in one Connecticut neighborhood aren't feeling the festive spirit. Neighbors along Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. have circulated a petition with 45 signatures asking the town and police department to do something about the "Wonderland at Roseville," a local light display which draws over 30,000 visitors.

# data[].attributes.body
The prince could barley finish proposing before Meghan said yes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
royal wedding of prince harry and meghan markle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Roasting chicken, a royal proposal and a ring to remember Princess Di | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Meghan Markle barely let Prince Harry finish proposing.

# data[].attributes.body
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina –  Argentina's navy says it's not giving up hope that crew members could be alive 11 days after a submarine vanished off the Atlantic coast with 44 people aboard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Argentina's navy says it's not giving up hope that crew members could be alive 11 days after a submarine vanished off the Atlantic coast with 44 people aboard.

Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference Sunday that the passage of time doesn't rule out "a situation of extreme survival."

Officials say they fear there was an explosion involving the vessel that lost contact on Nov. 15. And experts say the ARA San Juan had only about 10 days of oxygen supply at the outside.

It had been expected to dock on Nov. 19 in the port of Mar del Plata.

So far there's been no sign of the sub, but Balbi said the multinational search effort is continuing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Argentine navy not giving hope of submarine survivors

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Argentina's navy says it's not giving up hope that crew members could be alive 11 days after a submarine vanished off the Atlantic coast with 44 people aboard. Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference Sunday that the passage of time doesn't rule out "a situation of extreme survival."

# data[].attributes.body
NASA is making a submarine that could travel to Saturn's biggest moon, Titan, to explore the potentiality of life on it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are only two places in the Solar System known to have liquid seas: the Earth, and Saturn's biggest moon. Nasa is designing a submarine that could someday travel to Titan to explore its oceans.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This is the submarine that Nasa wants to send into space

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are only two places in the Solar System known to have liquid seas: the Earth, and Saturn's biggest moon. Nasa is designing a submarine that could someday travel to Titan to explore its oceans.

# data[].attributes.body
Ghost ships wash up in Japan with skeletons on board

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ghost ships wash up in japan with skeletons on board - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ghost ships wash up in Japan with skeletons on board

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At least four ships have washed up on Japan's west coast this month, some with bodies on board, and while authorities haven't confirmed their origin, signs suggest they're from North Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
2 Russian Olympians got stripped from their medals from 2012.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Russian track and field federation says two more of its athletes have been disqualified from the Olympics for doping.

The federation says relay medalist Yulia Gushchina and long jumper Anna Nazarova were caught when their samples from the 2012 Olympics were retested.

Gushchina had already been stripped of one gold and two silver relay medals from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics because various teammates were banned for doping offenses.

Nazarova finished fifth in the long jump.

More than 100 athletes have been disqualified from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics since the International Olympic Committee launched a wave of retests last year.

Track and field has been the sport worst affected, and Russia has been the country with the most doping cases.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2 Russian athletes disqualified from Olympics for doping

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Russian track and field federation says two more of its athletes have been disqualified from the Olympics for doping. The federation says relay medalist Yulia Gushchina and long jumper Anna Nazarova were caught when their samples from the 2012 Olympics were retested. Gushchina had...

# data[].attributes.body
Denzel washington doesn't blame prison system for black crime.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Denzel Washington: Don't blame prison system for black crime

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Richard Fowler and David Webb debate the actor's remarks on the importance of properly raising children at home.

# data[].attributes.body
4 ghost ships have washes up on Japan's shores and multiple skeleton bodies have been found.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ghost ships wash up in japan with skeletons on board - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ghost ships wash up in Japan with skeletons on board

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At least four ships have washed up on Japan's west coast this month, some with bodies on board, and while authorities haven't confirmed their origin, signs suggest they're from North Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
kindergarten teacher accused of abusing kids and drugging them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
parents allege abuse at chinese kindergarten - cnn video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents allege abuse at Chinese kindergarten - CNN Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Allegations of abuse, including drugging and molestation, at a Chinese kindergarten are rocking the nation's childcare industry. CNN's Andrew Stevens reports.

# data[].attributes.body
The war in Afghanistan is heating up as the war in Syria and Iraq are cooling down.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Another telling sign that the wars against ISIS in Iraq and Syria were winding down and entering the counter-insurgency phase recently came from the U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and the NATO Resolute Support mission, said that he had used a B-52 bomber and an F-22 Raptor advanced fighter normally assigned to the Iraq/Syria theaters to bomb suspected drug havens in Afghanistan.

The use of the B-52, flying out of Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, and the F-22, flying out of Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates, showed that "Things have gone well in Iraq and Syria," Nicholson said last Monday in a video briefing from Kabul to the Pentagon.

"So we're beginning to see the effects of a shift of resources" from Iraq and Syria to Afghanistan, Nicholson said. The shift "will increase over the course of the winter, going into the spring, as the situation continues to improve there" in Iraq and Syria.

As reported in September by Military.com's Oriana Pawlyk, the Air Force has also sent refueling tankers to Afghanistan and boosted the number of F-16 s in Afghanistan from 12 to 18.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, told reporters that he would be working with Nicholson's staff "on how to best synchronize his advise-and-assist strategy going forward to optimize the placement of the air assets."

Nicholson's comments on the shift in assets followed on earlier statements by officials of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve [CJTF-OIR) that the effort to drive the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS] from its last strongholds had reached the stage where the focus could be turned to recovery and counter-terror operations in both Iraq and Syria.

In a Nov. 7 briefing to the Pentagon from Iraq, Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew Croft, deputy air commander of Combined Joint Forces Land Component CJTF-OIR, said that the number of air strikes has been dropping significantly as the coalition runs out of targets.

He said that "the level of air support, if you're measuring it in number of strikes, has dropped by about 60 to 70 percent in the last month - that's the month of October - compared to the previous average over the last eight or nine months."

"That's indicative of the fact that ISIS is collapsing, not only as a physical caliphate, but also in ownership of land," Croft said. "So the number of targets has dropped dramatically, particularly in the last month."

"From the air component perspective, you're going to see those number of strikes drop even further," Croft said, "but what you will see is a continued requirement for aircraft, such as our remotely piloted aircraft - those are the unmanned aircraft - and some manned aircraft to do surveillance and reconnaissance."

In Iraq, "one of our challenges is continuing to find pockets of ISIS as they are - have moved to the desert, like the Jazira Desert, for instance, which is northeast of al-Qaim," a town on the Syrian border that fell to the Iraqi Security Forces [ISF] earlier this month, Croft said.

On Friday, the Defense Department said in a release that a total of 10 airstrikes had been conducted in Iraq and Syria from Nov. 10-23. On several days in that period, there were no airstrikes, DoD said.

The diminishing threat from ISIS was outlined last week in a study by the Britain-based Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Center [JTIC], which reported that the number of attacks in Iraq has fallen to its lowest level since ISIS declared a "caliphate" in 2014.

"Non-state armed group attacks and resulting fatalities represented the lowest monthly totals since the formation of ISIS and the declaration of the caliphate in June 2014, highlighting the extent of the decrease in operational activity by the group in Iraq," the report said.

"The 126 attacks in October represented almost half the peak recorded in January 2017, while the 102 fatalities represented an 80.0 percent decrease from November 2016," the report said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been reluctant to declare that ISIS has been defeated in Iraq until the desert area north of al-Qaim is cleared. On Sunday, the ISF announced that a clearing operation in the desert had begun.

"The objective behind the operation is to prevent remaining Daesh [ISIS] groups from melting into the desert region and using it as a base for future attacks," the ISF said.

Earlier this month, Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for CJTF-OIR, said operations against ISIS in Syria by the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces had progressed to the point that State Department officials were now on the ground to participate in recovery efforts.

"Even as we remain focused on the defeat and destruction of ISIS, the coalition is supporting stabilization efforts, so Syrian cities like Raqqa and Tabqa can recover after years of fighting and brutal ISIS occupation," Dillon said in a Nov. 14 briefing from Baghdad to the Pentagon.

"Many of these stabilization efforts in Syria are coordinated through the U.S. State Department's Syrian Transition Assistance and Response Team, or START, and they support the locally-led civil councils" in areas ISIS has lost to the SDF, Dillon said.

The U.S. has previously been reluctant to confirm the presence U.S. aid workers in Syria, or even the existence of the START team. In June, the New York Times reported that seven START team members were in Syria.

However, the White House has repeatedly said that the U.S. will support minimal recovery efforts but will not engage in so-called "nation building."

In August, Brett McGurk, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS, told reporters that the U.S. will be involved only in what he called "stabilization."

"This is not reconstruction, it's not nation building," he said. "Stabilization is demining, rubble removal so that trucks and equipment can get into areas of need. It means basic electricity, sewage, water, the basic essentials to allow populations to come back to their home," McGurk said.

"Now, sometimes we meet with local councils and they say, 'We really want you, the United States, to help us with the-you're going to run the hospitals, aren't you? You're going to run our school system.' And no, we're not-we're not doing that," McGurk said.

"We've learned some lessons and we're not very good at that, and also that is not our responsibility. We will do basic stabilization," he said.

As the ISIS "caliphate" crumbles, the main concern for the White House and DoD is that the sectarian rifts that gave rise to the jihadists in the first place will return.

In Iraq, the non-binding independence referendum held by the Kurdish Regional Government [KRG] in September led to clashes between the ISF and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and the loss by the KRG of the oil city of Kirkuk.

In Syria, NATO-ally Turkey has pressed the U.S. to stop arming the mostly-Kurdish SDF.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose support for the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has mostly crushed rebel groups, showed his own eagerness to begin winding down the Russian presence.

Following a meeting with Assad in Crimea, Putin said "We still have a long way to go before we achieve a complete victory over terrorists. But as far as our joint work in fighting terrorism on the territory of Syria is concerned, this military operation is indeed wrapping up."

Assad said that he gave Putin "and all Russian people our greetings and gratitude for all of the efforts that Russia made to save our country."

Last Tuesday, President Donald Trump said "We had a great [phone] call with President Putin. We're talking about peace in Syria - very important. We're talking about North Korea. We had a call that lasted almost an hour and a half," he said, and "we're talking very strongly about bringing peace for Syria."

In a statement later, the White House said that "Both presidents also stressed the importance of implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, and supporting the U.N.-led Geneva Process to peacefully resolve the Syrian civil war, end the humanitarian crisis, allow displaced Syrians to return home, and ensure the stability of a unified Syria free of malign intervention and terrorist safe havens."

"The two presidents affirmed the importance of fighting terrorism together throughout the Middle East and Central Asia and agreed to explore ways to further cooperate in the fight against ISIS, al-Qaida, the Taliban, and other terrorist organizations," the White House statement said.
- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
War in Afghanistan Heats Up as Fight Against ISIS Winds Down

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Another telling sign that the wars against ISIS in Iraq and Syria were winding down and entering the counter-insurgency phase recently came from the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S.

# data[].attributes.body
Jay-Z, lead Grammy noms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NEW YORK (AP) - Jay-Z is the leader of the 2018 Grammy Award nominations in a year where the top four categories are heavily dominated by rap and R&B artists, giving the often overlooked genres a strong chance of winning big.

The Recording Academy announced Tuesday that Jay-Z is nominated for eight honors, including album, song, and record of the year. Bruno Mars is also nominated for the big three, while Kendrick Lamar - who earned seven nominations - and Childish Gambino are also up for major awards.

Jay-Z's personal and revealing album, "4:44," is nominated for album of the year alongside Mars' 90s-inspired R&B adventure "24K Magic," Lamar's hard-hitting rap masterpiece "DAMN.," Gambino's funk-soul project "Awaken My Love!" and Lorde's critically acclaimed pop album, "Melodrama."

Record of the year nominees include Jay-Z's "The Story of O.J.," a song about blackness and managing money that also references O.J. Simpson; Mars' Top 5 hit, "24K Magic"; Lamar's No. 1 smash, "Humble"; Gambino's "Redbone," which peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100; and the year's biggest hit, "Despacito," by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber.

"Despacito" is also nominated for song of the year - a songwriter's award - along with Mars' No. 1 hit, "That's What I Like"; the title track from Jay-Z's "4:44"; rapper Logic's suicide prevention anthem, "1-800-273-8255"; and "Issues" by Julia Michaels, the singer who has written hits for Bieber, Selena Gomez and other pop stars.

Michaels is also nominated for best new artist, where R&B and rap rule again: Her competition includes singers SZA, Khalid and Alessia Cara, as well as rapper Lil Uzi Vert.

No rock or country acts were nominated in the top four categories. The rap- and R&B-heavy nominations, which include numerous black and Latino artists, come after the Grammys were criticized earlier this year when some felt Beyonce's multi-genre "Lemonade" album should have won album of the year over Adele's "25." Adele also expressed that Beyonce should have received the prize.

The win for Adele, though, marked another year when the Grammys awarded its biggest prizes to an artist outside of the rap or R&B genre. Kanye West, Eminem, Mariah Carey and others have also lost in the top categories over the years to pop, rock and country acts despite owning the year in music, critically and commercially.

"We have a current membership that is savvy and certainly timely, is current, and reflective of what music is about today and in the future. And clearly the diversification work that we've done for our membership is evident in all of the nominations this year," Neil Portnow, the academy's president and CEO, said in an interview. "I think it's a testimony to our hard work and intention of having a very vibrant, current, relevant, diverse voting membership."

Jay-Z or Lamar could make history next year when the Grammys take place in New York City on Jan. 28, 2018: Either album could become only the third rap-based album to win album of the year; and either song could become the first in the rap genre to win record or song of the year.

"4:44," which includes songs about Jay-Z's relationship with Beyonce and family life, marks the rap icon's first nomination for album of the year as a lead artist; it is Lamar's third in the top category. Lamar will compete with Jay-Z in all seven categories he is nominated in, including best rap album, best rap song, best rap performance, best rap sung performance and best music video.

Mars is behind Jay-Z and Lamar with six nominations, including best R&B album, best R&B song and best R&B performance. Gambino, better known as Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor Donald Glover, scored five nominations.

Others who earned five nominations include SZA, Khalid and No I.D., who produced Jay-Z's album and is up for non-classical producer of the year.

Ed Sheeran, who has the second best-selling album of the year with "Divide," was snubbed in the top categories. "Divide" earned a nomination for best pop vocal album, while his No. 1 hit, "Shape of You," is up for best pop solo performance.

Gallery: 2018 Grammy nominations snubs and surprises (via theWrap)

Nominees for best pop vocal album include Lady Gaga's "Joanne," Coldplay's five-song EP "Kaleidoscope," Imagine Dragons' "Evolve," Lana Del Rey's "Lust for Life" and Kesha's "Rainbow," marking her first Grammy nomination. Kesha, who has been in a legal war with former mentor and producer Dr. Luke, is also nominated for best pop solo performance for "Praying."

Leonard Cohen and Chris Cornell are both nominated for best rock performance; other deceased nominees include Glen Campbell, Gregg Allman and Carrie Fisher, who is nominated for best spoken word album, where Bernie Sanders, Mark Ruffalo and Bruce Springsteen are also nominated.

In the country categories, Chris Stapleton leads with three nominations. Miranda Lambert, who earned two nominations, was surprisingly shut out of best country album though her double album, "The Weight of These Wings," was a critical favorite.

Others who earned multiple nominations include Pharrell, Ledisi, Nothing More, Alison Krauss, Daniel Caesar and Foo Fighters. Randy Newman's song "Putin," his sardonic ode to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is nominated for best arrangement, instruments and vocals.

Taylor Swift, who didn't earn nominations for her single "Look What You Made Me Do" - released before the Grammy cutoff date - did earn a nod for best country song for writing Little Big Town's No. 1 hit, "Better Man." Swift is also nominated for best song written for visual media for "I Don't Wanna Live Forever," her collaboration with Zayn from the "Fifty Shades Darker" soundtrack. Her new album, "reputation," will qualify for nominations at the 2019 Grammys.

Cardi B, who had one of the year's biggest hits with "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)," earned two nominations: best rap song and best rap performance. Another female rapper scored nominations, too: Rapsody is up for best rap song for "Sassy" and best rap album for "Laila's Wisdom." In the latter category, she will compete with Jay-Z, Lamar, Migos and Tyler, the Creator. Snubs include Future, J. Cole and DJ Khaled, who has two of the year's biggest hits with "Wild Thoughts" and "I'm the One."

Albums and songs eligible in the 84 categories at the 60th annual Grammys had to be released between Oct. 1, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2017. This year is the first year the Grammys used online voting for its main awards show; it started online voting for the Latin Grammys last year.
See the full list of 2018 Grammy nominees here

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jay-Z, Bruno Mars lead Grammy noms in top categories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NEW YORK (AP) - Jay-Z is the leader of the 2018 Grammy Award nominations in a year where the top four categories are heavily dominated by rap and R&B artists, giving the often overlooked genres a strong chance of winning big.

# data[].attributes.body
North Carolina mom desperate as FBI joins search for 3-year old daughter who disappeared from home.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A North Carolina mom reached out to the public in an emotion-filled plea after her 3-year-old daughter disappeared on Sunday night.

"Please, bring her back ... She's my baby, she's my everything," said the child's mother, Kristy Woods. "Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go again. I'd give anything."

The girl was last seen on Sunday night when her mother put her to bed, according to ABC affiliate WCTI. The FBI is assisting state and local law enforcement in the case.

An amber alert has been issued for Mariah Woods from Jacksonville, North Carolina, soon after she was reported missing at approximately 6 a.m., according to Jacksonville Sheriff Hans Miller.

Woods is described as a white female with brown hair and blue eyes, about 2 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 30 pounds.

"[Officials are] working everything that can be worked to find this little girl," said Sheriff Miller.

Four volunteer fire departments, the Onslow County Sherriff's Department and K9 unites conducted a search in the wooded area behind the girl's home as well as surrounding wooded areas, WCTI reported. They also used a helicopter and drones to aide in the search.

"We don't know what happened. It's entirely premature to try to determine what happened," said Sheriff Miller.

Officials have interviewed both Woods' mother and her live-in boyfriend and conducted a search of their home and vehicle, WCTI reported. The Onslow County Sheriff's Department is also asking neighbors in the area to check their yards, sheds and other areas for any evidence of a little girl.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
North Carolina mom desperate to find missing 3-year-old daughter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A North Carolina mom reached out to the public in an emotion-filled plea after her 3-year-old daughter disappeared on Sunday night. "Please, bring her back ... She's my baby, she's my everything," said the child's mother, Kristy Woods. "Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go...

# data[].attributes.body
Roasting chicken, a royal proposal and a ring to remember Princess Di

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
royal wedding of prince harry and meghan markle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Roasting chicken, a royal proposal and a ring to remember Princess Di | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Meghan Markle barely let Prince Harry finish proposing.

# data[].attributes.body
Russian jet buzzes US Navy spy plane over Black Sea

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Russian Su-30 fighter jet buzzed a Navy reconnaissance plane flying in the Black Sea while conducting a routine patrol in international airspace Saturday, an official told Fox News.

The Russian jet crossed 50 feet in front of the Navy P-8 in full afterburner causing "violent turbulence," the official said. The provocation lasted 24 minutes.

It appears to be the first known incident of this type since June, when an armed Russian fighter jet buzzed a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Russian Su-27 jet had air-to-air missiles under its wings and approached the U.S. Air Force RC-135 recon jet "rapidly," coming within 5 feet of the American aircraft, officials said.

Once alongside, the Russian jet was "provocative" in its flight maneuvers and flying "erratically," according to another official.
RUSSIAN JET BUZZES US RECON JET: PICTURES RELEASED OF 'UNSAFE' INCIDENT
Earlier this month, U.S. fighter jets intercepted Russian nuclear bombers approaching the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan off the coast of North Korea.

Multiple U.S Navy F/A-18 jets were dispatched to escort two Russian TU-95 bombers away from the ship currently stationed near North Korea and operating in the Sea of Japan, according to Navy officials.

The Russian bombers, capable of executing a nuclear strike, were intercepted merely 80 miles away from the ship, said Navy officials.

Lt. Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman described the incident with the Russian air force as "safe and professional," according to Military.com.

Saturday's incident, which CNN was first to report, came just weeks after the Russian foreign ministry called the U.S. an "occupying force" in Syria.

There are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops on the ground in Syria, although the Pentagon acknowledges only 500. It's unclear how many will remain following the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa, the terror group's so-called capital.

There are approximately 3,000 ISIS fighters left in Iraq and Syria according to U.S. officials after reaching a height of nearly 40,000 fighters two years ago.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Russian jet buzzes US Navy spy plane over Black Sea

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Russian Su-30 fighter jet buzzed a Navy reconnaissance plane flying in the Black Sea while conducting a routine patrol in international airspace Saturday, an official told Fox News. The Russian jet crossed 50 feet in front of the Navy P-8 in full afterburner causing "violent turbulence," the official said.

# data[].attributes.body
as promised, Tesla has made the biggest battery in Australia. It is going to help reduce power outages in south Australia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Elon Musk is making good on his promise to help solve an energy crisis in Australia.

Tesla has "fully installed" the world's largest lithium ion battery in South Australia, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.

Tesla teamed up with a French renewable energy firm and the local government to install the battery, which Musk promised to deliver within 100 days of signing a contract-- or it would be free.

The battery needs to be operational by early December for Musk to meet his own deadline.

"Congratulations to the Tesla crew and South Australian authorities who worked so hard to get this manufactured and installed in record time!" Musk tweeted Thursday.

Congratulations to the Tesla crew and South Australian authorities who worked so hard to get this manufactured and installed in record time! https://t.co/M2zKXlIVn3
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2017

The battery should help ease frequent power outages in South Australia, which has suffered recently from energy shortages.

Related: Elon Musk promises world's biggest lithium ion battery to Australia

The battery will store power generated by a wind farm in South Australia, releasing it during times of increased demand.

It is slated to be three times more powerful than its nearest competitor, and is now being tested to ensure it meets federal and state requirements.

The project "sends the clearest message that South Australia will be a leader [in] renewable energy with battery storage," state premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement. "An enormous amount of work has gone in to delivering this project in such a short time."

The ambitious timeline dates back to a bet made in March, when billionaire entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes threw down the gauntlet to Musk, asking if Tesla was serious when it claimed it could quickly end blackouts in South Australia.

Related: China is winning electric cars 'arms race'

South Australia's population of 1.7 million people suffer regular power cuts and energy shortages. Late last year, much of the state was left without power after a storm damaged crucial transmission lines. Another major blackout occurred in February when a heat wave caused demand to spike.

CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published November 23, 2017: 6:07 AM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tesla has built the world's biggest battery in Australia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tesla has "fully installed" the world's largest lithium ion battery in South Australia, the state government said in a statement on Thursday. Tesla teamed up with a French renewable energy firm and the local government to install the battery, which Musk promised to deliver within 100 days of signing a contract-- or it would be free.

# data[].attributes.body
A North Carolina mom is desperate to find her 3 year daughter that disappeared Sunday night

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A North Carolina mom reached out to the public in an emotion-filled plea after her 3-year-old daughter disappeared on Sunday night.

"Please, bring her back ... She's my baby, she's my everything," said the child's mother, Kristy Woods. "Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go again. I'd give anything."

The girl was last seen on Sunday night when her mother put her to bed, according to ABC affiliate WCTI. The FBI is assisting state and local law enforcement in the case.

An amber alert has been issued for Mariah Woods from Jacksonville, North Carolina, soon after she was reported missing at approximately 6 a.m., according to Jacksonville Sheriff Hans Miller.

Woods is described as a white female with brown hair and blue eyes, about 2 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 30 pounds.

"[Officials are] working everything that can be worked to find this little girl," said Sheriff Miller.

Four volunteer fire departments, the Onslow County Sherriff's Department and K9 unites conducted a search in the wooded area behind the girl's home as well as surrounding wooded areas, WCTI reported. They also used a helicopter and drones to aide in the search.

"We don't know what happened. It's entirely premature to try to determine what happened," said Sheriff Miller.

Officials have interviewed both Woods' mother and her live-in boyfriend and conducted a search of their home and vehicle, WCTI reported. The Onslow County Sheriff's Department is also asking neighbors in the area to check their yards, sheds and other areas for any evidence of a little girl.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
North Carolina mom desperate to find missing 3-year-old daughter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A North Carolina mom reached out to the public in an emotion-filled plea after her 3-year-old daughter disappeared on Sunday night. "Please, bring her back ... She's my baby, she's my everything," said the child's mother, Kristy Woods. "Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go...

# data[].attributes.body
Ghost ships wash up in Japan with skeletons on board.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ghost ships wash up in japan with skeletons on board - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ghost ships wash up in Japan with skeletons on board

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At least four ships have washed up on Japan's west coast this month, some with bodies on board, and while authorities haven't confirmed their origin, signs suggest they're from North Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
Russian jet makes 'unsafe' intercept of US Navy aircraft

# data[].attributes.body
After Naya Rivera's got arrestested for Domestic Battery Big sean throws shade towards her

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Big Sean Appears to Throw Shade at Ex-Fiancee Naya Rivera After Her Domestic Battery Arrest

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Detroit rapper tweeted a video fans thought was aimed at Rivera on Sunday.