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5 things you need to know Friday

Tourists take a ride in a classic American convertible car on Dec. 18 in Havana.(Photo: Desmond Boylan, AP)1. Go ahead and book that trip to CubaNew travel rules go into effect Friday making it easier for Americans to get to the island, as long as they certify they are traveling through one of 12 approved categories (including educational, religious and humanitarian trips). Traveling to Cuba solely as a tourist remains prohibited, but Americans will no longer need to get approval from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control before their trips. Also new Friday: More businesses can sell more types of goods to Cuba. Payments and transactions become easier, but the rules are a little vague.Last SlideNext Slide2. Court may announce which gay-marriage cases it will takeThe Supreme Court will have its hands full Friday as it sifts through four separate cases related to gay marriage. They could pick up any of the cases, but the one most favored to be chosen, if any, will be Michigan's same-sex marriage ban. The lawsuit, helmed by April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, involves parental rights of gay couples; each woman adopted two children and has no parental rights for her partner's kids.3. After march blunder, Kerry heads to ParisThe controversy was swift when no American high official was in Paris following the Charlie Hebdo attacks, but now the U.S. seeks to repair any bridges it may have burned. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Paris and attends a town hall meeting with the mayor of Paris and to express sympathy for the victims of the last week's terror attacks. Singer-songwriter James Taylor, an old friend of Kerry's, was expected to join him. The Obama administration is receiving some sharp criticism for not sending a senior official to Sunday's rally for unity in Paris that more than 40 other world leaders attended. But Secretary of State John Kerry said he'll travel to Paris Thursday. VPC4. Some Oscar favorites open nationwideA day after Oscar nominations were announced, two big contenders – American Sniper and Still Alice – open for wide release across the country. Sniper was considered a dark horse, but the Academy surprised some by nominating it for best picture and star Bradley Cooper for best actor. Julianne Moore plays an early-onset Alzheimer's patient in Still Alice and is widely considered the best actress front-runner. Miss more movies from 2014? Check out our Oscar-nominated (and not-so-nominated) movie guide.Last SlideNext Slide5. NOAA and NASA release annual climate reportOn Friday, NASA and NOAA will release its climate data for the world. As we already know, 2014 was, for some, the warmest year since record-keeping began some 120 years ago. Alaska, California, Nevada and Arizona all had record years in 2014, while Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico had one of their five warmest years on record. The two federal agencies will add to that data from a more global perspective.And, the essentials:Weather: Another mostly tranquil day is on tap for the majority of the USA on Friday, though some rain and snow will hit the Northwest. The national weather forecast for Friday, January 16th calls for a dry and chilly Southeast, snow showers in the Northeast and rain, snow in the Pacific Northwest. VPCStocks: U.S. stock futures traded lower.TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at 12 Monkeys, Grantchester and Scorpion.If you missed Thursday's news, we've got you covered here.Need a break? Try playing some of our games.You can also subscribe to get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox or find us on the Yo! app: justyo.co/usatoday.Friday forecast: Strong cold front hits the NorthwestThursday's forecast: Cold rain along the Gulf Coast5 things you need to know Thursday5 things you need to know Wednesday5 things you need to know Tuesday