News Headlines - 22 January 2018

▽Pence says US embassy to open in Jerusalem by end of 2019 - CNNPolitics

The US will open its embassy in Jerusalem by the end of 2019, US Vice President Mike Pence said Monday in Israel's parliament, confirming that the controversial move is speeding up after officials earlier said it could take three to four years.

▽NY Gov. Cuomo to keep Statue of Liberty open during shutdown - CNNPolitics

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he will use state funds to keep the Statue of Liberty open to visitors during the federal government shutdown during a press conference on Sunday.

▽Germany: SPD narrowly backs coalition talks with Merkel | Al Jazeera

Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) have narrowly approved the start of formal coalition negotiations with Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats.
At a special congress held in Bonn on Sunday, 362 out of 642 delegates voted to approve a preliminary coalition deal

▽Tokyo hit by heaviest snow since 2014 | The Japan Times

Tokyo saw its heaviest snow in four years on Monday, with authorities urging evening commuters to hurry home and prompting those behind the wheel to brace for traffic disruptions.

▽Philippine volcano explodes, villagers flee back to shelters - ABC News

The Philippines' most active volcano ejected a huge column of lava fragments, ash and smoke in a thunderous explosion Monday, sending thousands of villagers back to evacuation centers and prompting a warning that a violent eruption may be imminent.