(Image Source: Flickr/DonkeyHotey)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.

In U.S. news — it’s primary day in New Hampshire and voters are already heading to the polls. Fox News explains why the results can be a barometer of national voting trends.
 

“Independent voters are a huge element here. Because unlike any other states, registered independents can walk in and vote in the GOP primary. So that would be a huge indication of which way things are going here. Most of the polling have shown a lot of them don’t know who they’re going to vote for yet!”
 

In world news — Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad took to the podium and addressed the Syrian public for the third time since the uprising began in March. The speech lasted two hours, with Assad blaming foreign conspiracy for the violence in the country. CNN has more.
 

“What he’s been saying is that what’s going on in Syria, the violence against protesters there, has made his heart cry. He’s called it events, not violence, but he does say it’s all a part of an external conspiracy. … All very sort of unusual euphemistic description for what have been the most bloody crackdown of many of the Spring uprisings of the Arab nations.”
 

Still in world news — North Korea announced it will grant amnesty to some prisoners come February 1. KNSD reports the event will mark the upcoming birth anniversaries of the country’s late leaders.
 

“Despite the announcement officials did not give any information as to how many prisoners would be released or who. Amnesty International estimates as many as 200,000 people are being held in political prison camps around the country. Last amnesty was announced in 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the country's ruling party.”
 

In business news — Ding Dong-maker Hostess Brands is close to bankruptcy once again. CNBC says the company is facing a cash crunch, despite receiving some loans last year.
 

“The Wall Street Journal says the Hostess brand is close to filing for Chapter 11 again, that would be the second restructuring for the private equity-owned company which went into bankruptcy nearly two years ago and emerged last September.”

 

Finally, in health news — a new study finds nicotine patches and gums may not be as effective in helping smokers quit and stay tobacco-free. USA Today reports in a study of 800 people over two years, about one-third of the quitters had started to smoke again.
 

The researchers suggest their findings might, quote, “have broad public health implications,” as the federal health reform law could have Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance plans cover the costs of nicotine replacement therapy.