The Presidential Daily Brief

Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump

Will this help him or hurt him? The Republican front-runner had teased a big announcement for an event in Iowa today, and he delivered: The 2008 vice-presidential nominee and former Alaska governor read a prepared statement voicing her support for Trump’s campaign. The Donald is recovering from a gaffe of Biblical proportions — he referred to ”Two Corinthians 3:17” instead of “Second Corinthians” — and Palin’s support could bolster him with Iowa’s social conservatives and successfully beat back rival Ted Cruz in the state’s caucuses, which are less than two weeks away.

China’s Economic Growth Hits 25-Year Low

Beijing’s economy grew by just 6.9 percent in 2015 — the slowest year since 1990 — falling shy of its 7 percent target. Steel and power contracted for the first time in 25 years, and coal production fell for a second consecutive year. Some question the data’s legitimacy, worrying that things are actually worse. As OZY’s Simon Constable reports, China is already suffering massive “capital flight,” with many investors parking their money overseas — a trend that will only worsen if China’s economy is suffering more than they admit.

Spike Lee Joins Jada Pinkett Smith, Boycotts ‘Lily White’ Oscars

They found it off-color. The Chi-Raq director and the Gotham star are standing up against the Academy’s lack of diversity. “Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all,” Lee posted on Instagram. “We can’t act?!” In a Facebook video Pinkett Smith declared that “begging for acknowledgment, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power.” Both stars are refusing to attend February’s ceremony, and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs has responded, vowing to “alter the make-up” of jurors, who are currently 94 percent white.

Supreme Court to Consider Obama’s Immigration Orders

They’re not throwing the case out. President Obama’s authority to allow millions of undocumented migrants to stay in the U.S. without fear of being deported has been challenged by 26 states since he announced it in 2014. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling against it in November — but the Supreme Court’s consideration, expected for April, will ensure that immigration is a key issue throughout the upcoming presidential primaries. If Obama’s actions are vindicated by the court when their verdicts are released in June, it would take a Republican victory in November to shut the program down.

Syrian Peace Talks Threatened Over Representation

They still haven’t sent the invitations. United Nations peace talks between Bashar Assad’s allies, Syrian opposition groups and other world powers are scheduled for Monday in Geneva. But Saudi Arabia wants to represent those opposing Assad, while Russia demands a broader opposition bloc, which is ruffling feathers and prompting talks of postponement. As former CIA Deputy Director John McLaughlin writes for OZY, this conflict impacts everything from ISIS and Europe’s refugee crisis to oil market volatility. Syria “must come first,” he says, which means everyone needs to get to the table.

UN Documents ‘Staggering’ Iraq Violence, Mich. Protesters Seek Governor’s Arrest

U.N. documents ‘staggering’ violence in Iraq with 3.2 million displaced. (BBC)

Crowd demands Gov. Rick Snyder’s arrest in Mich. over water crisis. (USA Today)

Violent protests risk derailment of Haiti’s presidential vote. (Al Jazeera)

A third of Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp is being demolished. (DW)

‘American Pie’ singer Don McLean arrested on domestic violence charge. (People)