Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
May promises Brexit deal will deliver vote of British people – (Al Jazeera English)
If the UK government agrees with the draft agreement, an EU vote could take place as soon as November 25.
Overheating machines complicate Florida’s recount battle – (Associated Press)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s election recount drama is intensifying as lawyers return to court and tallying machines break down ahead of a Thursday deadline to complete reviews of the Senate and governor races. Much of the trouble centers on the Dem…
Trump Expected to Endorse Deal to Change Nation’s Sentencing Laws – (The New York Times)
President Trump is expected to throw his weight behind a bipartisan agreement to change the nation’s sentencing laws and ease some mandatory drug minimums.
Conservative Lawyers Say Trump Has Undermined the Rule of Law – (The New York Times)
On the eve of the Federalist Society’s annual convention, leading conservative lawyers criticized Trump’s attacks on the justice system and the news media.
Justice Dept. Defends Legality of Trump’s Appointment of Acting Attorney General – (The New York Times)
Though even temporary appointments for high-ranking posts are usually filled by Senate-confirmed officials, the Constitution does not require it, a law enforcement official said.
Lebanon aims to resolve pain over 17,000 missing since civil war – (Al Jazeera English)
Thousands of families hope landmark law to probe the fate of those missing will provide some closure.
McConnell, Schumer re-elected as Senate party leaders – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators chose Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for another term leading Republicans and Chuck Schumer for Democrats in closed-door party elections Wednesday lacking the high drama underway on the House side in the midterm election fallout. B…
UK PM May expected to make Brexit statement at 12.00 p.m. ET – (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to make a statement at around 12.00 p.m. ET on Wednesday outside her office after meeting senior ministers to discuss her Brexit deal, a Downing Street official said.
The Hottest Spot in Florida? The Seat of the Broward County Elections Chief – (The New York Times)
After days of withering attacks from Republicans, the head of Broward County’s elections office, Brenda Snipes, considers stepping down from her post.
New York Is a Genuine Tech Hub (and That Was Before Amazon) – (The New York Times)
The Bay Area in California remains the nation’s high-tech epicenter. But New York’s tech work force has been growing impressively.
Amazon’s New York Home Qualifies as ‘Distressed’ Under Federal Tax Law – (The New York Times)
The Long Island City site was designated as an “opportunity zone,” an incentive created by President Trump’s tax bill to help low-income areas attract investment.
Florida Recount, Amid Machine Error and Lawsuits, Is ‘Going to End Up a Little Messy’ – (The New York Times)
Old equipment in Palm Beach County prompted the elections supervisor to warn the county may not be able to meet the deadline in Florida’s statewide recount.
U.S. farmers scramble to contain trade-war damage, find new markets – (Reuters)
Clouds crowded the Illinois sky as Nick Harre walked away from his combine at the peak of harvest to join four fellow farmers in greeting some unlikely visitors.
As Florida Recount Swirls, Andrew Gillum Is Taking a Public Stand on Voting Rights – (The New York Times)
Andrew Gillum conceded the Florida governor election a week ago. But a recount has reopened the race, and he has returned to public appearances across the state.
In Yemen, a race to save a boy from al-Qaida and a US drone – (Associated Press)
ATAQ, Yemen (AP) — Al-Qaida was giving away motorcycles up in the mountains — that’s what the kids in town were saying the day Abdullah disappeared. Early that morning, Mohsanaa Salem woke her 14-year-old son to go buy vegetables. The sun had just risen above…
In Yemen, a race to save a boy from al-Qaida and a US drone – (Associated Press)
ATAQ, Yemen (AP) — Al-Qaida was giving away motorcycles up in the mountains — that’s what the kids in town were saying the day Abdullah disappeared. Early that morning, Mohsanaa Salem woke her 14-year-old son to go buy vegetables. The sun had just risen above…
Scots jarred by Brexit terms on Northern Ireland, fishing – (Reuters)
Scottish nationalists and their political opponents alike decried the terms expected to be offered to Northern Ireland in Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal on Wednesday, which some feel might foster resentment and boost the cause of Scottish independen…
Search intensifies for victims of California’s deadliest wildfire – (Reuters)
The search for remains of victims in the charred ruins of the northern California town of Paradise was set to intensify on Wednesday, while firefighters stepped up their nearly week-long efforts to contain the state’s deadliest-ever wildfire.
U.S. safety board holds hearing on fatal Southwest engine explosion – (Reuters)
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigative hearing on Wednesday into the fatal engine explosion on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 that killed one passenger.
Gene-edited food is coming, but will shoppers buy? – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The next generation of biotech food is headed for the grocery aisles, and first up may be salad dressings or granola bars made with soybean oil genetically tweaked to be good for your heart. By early next year, the first foods from plants or…
***
From various sources
Jewish students ‘take a knee’ during Hatikva in support of Palestinans – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Taking a knee,” meaning to kneel on one knee during the playing of the national anthem, was adopted in 2016 by NFL football star Colin Kaepernick in protest against police brutality.
Freshman congresswoman Ilhan Omar flip-flops, shares support for BDS – (The Jerusalem Post)
“I believe and support the BDS movement and have fought to make sure people’s right to support it isn’t criminalized,” she said, adding her reservations about the movement.
March’s AIPAC conference could influence next Israeli election – (The Jerusalem Post)
Trips abroad play to Netanyahu’s strengths, and trips to Washington these days – in the era of a friendly and supportive president – even more so.
ANALYSIS: Did a botched commando raid lead to Liberman’s downfall? – (The Jerusalem Post)
The latest round of escalation began Sunday night with a botched raid by elite IDF troops in the Gazan city of Khan Younis.
Gazan fisherman killed as large-scale violence winds down – (The Jerusalem Post)
Despite the incessant Hamas rockets attacks on Tuesday, the Kerem Shalom border crossing remained open, with dozens of trucks entering Gaza.
Netanyahu’s government is teetering on a cliff’s edge: Can it survive? – (The Jerusalem Post)
A party-by-party look at who wants an election and who wants to keep the coalition together.
The ruthless campaign to save Mohammed bin Salman – (Financial Times)
With every passing day, the Saudi prince looks more likely to survive the Khashoggi scandal
Electric vehicles spur race to mine deep sea riches – (Financial Times)
Miners want to tap subsea deposits of cobalt and other rare metals for green technologies, but environmental campaigners are worried
Italy remains defiant over government budget plans – (Financial Times)
Populist coalition rejects calls from Brussels to reverse course on public spending
German economy contracts for first time in more than 3 years – (Financial Times)
Fall in exports to China combines with auto industry problems to hit growth
“I Will Kill You”: Police Are Investigating Racist And Threatening Letters Sent To A 10-Year-Old Muslim Girl – (Buzzfeed)
Police in Framingham, Massachusetts, are investigating a possible hate crime after a fifth-grader found two threatening letters in her cubby at her elementary school.
China stimulus expected after weak economic data – (Financial Times)
Retail and property sales stutter while credit growth slides to all-time low
– (Fox Sports)
Brexit deal is toughest test for Theresa May’s persuasive powers – (Financial Times)
PM must first persuade cabinet and then the Commons
Undisputed – (Fox Sports)
Watch Undisputed where Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe give their unfiltered, incisive, passionate opinions on the biggest sports topics of the day.
May’s Brexit compromise comes with high price – (Financial Times)
Proposed solution to vexed issue of Irish border forces concessions from PM
McConnell reelected as leader, Thune promoted to whip – (The Hill)
Senate Republicans on Wednesday reelected Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to another term as Senate Majority Leader and promoted Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) to serve as Senate Republican Whip.
Marc Benioff had broad support of the Prop C homeless tax, but not tech – (Recode)
Business leaders are conditioned with a “Pavlovian” response against tax hikes, said the Salesforce CEO.
Prince Charles arrives at Spencer House with Camilla for tea party – (Daily Mail)
The Prince of Wales arrived at Spencer House in London this afternoon with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall carrying a glittering bag and 70th birthday balloon.
Babs Beverley of 1950s British pop trio The Beverley Sisters dies, 91 – (Daily Mail)
British sisters Babs, Joy and Teddie (pictured left to right) became famous after a series of hits including I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Little Drummer Boy.
***
All about Trump
Trump argues in court filing he can restrict reporter access to White House – (The Hill)
The Trump administration on Wednesday pushed back against CNN’s request to immediately reinstate reporter Jim Acosta’s press pass, arguing that reporters do not have a Constitutional right to enter the White House.
Defeated Republicans mocked by Trump fire back at president – (The Hill)
House Republicans mocked by President Trump in the wake of their midterm losses are pushing back on his rhetoric, arguing that embracing the commander-in-chief wouldn’t have changed the outcome of their races.
Donald Trump was mocked by French World Cup winner Benjamin Mendy after he tweeted “make France great again” – (Newsweek)
“Don’t worry bro,” Benjamin Mendy wrote on Twitter, “I’ll take care of him.”
Trump Expected to Endorse Deal to Change Nation’s Sentencing Laws – (The New York Times)
President Trump is expected to throw his weight behind a bipartisan agreement to change the nation’s sentencing laws and ease some mandatory drug minimums.
Conservative Lawyers Say Trump Has Undermined the Rule of Law – (The New York Times)
On the eve of the Federalist Society’s annual convention, leading conservative lawyers criticized Trump’s attacks on the justice system and the news media.
Justice Dept. Defends Legality of Trump’s Appointment of Acting Attorney General – (The New York Times)
Though even temporary appointments for high-ranking posts are usually filled by Senate-confirmed officials, the Constitution does not require it, a law enforcement official said.
Trump Administration Says Reporters Don’t Have a Right to Enter White House – (Google News)
Trump argues in court filing that he can limit journalists’ access to White House – (CNN)
The Justice Department responded to CNN’s lawsuit over the revocation of Jim Acosta’s press pass on Wednesday, saying in a court filing that the White House rejects the idea that it can’t pick and choose which journalists can be given a permanent pass to cove…
Whitaker’s controversial past with Iowa senator – CNN Video – (CNN)
When Iowa State Senator Matt McCoy learned Donald Trump had appointed Matthew Whitaker to be acting attorney general of the United States, he was aghast — he believes Whitaker was behind a politically motivated prosecution that was personally “devastating” t…
What Schumer plans to do about Whitaker – CNN Video – (CNN)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tells CNN’s Jake Tapper that President Donald Trump’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and appointment of Matthew Whitaker will “create a constitutional crisis.”
Fox News backs CNN’s lawsuit against Trump administration – (The Hill)
Fox News on Wednesday announced that it backs rival CNN’s lawsuit against the Trump administration.
House Democrats target Whitaker’s involvement in ‘scam’ company – (CNN)
House Democrats are kicking off their investigations into the Trump administration by probing acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker’s connections to a Florida company that was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission over what court documents called “a scam …
Fox News To File Amicus Brief In Support Of CNN’s Jim Acosta Lawsuit – (The Huffington Post)
CNN filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s White House Tuesday, after it removed reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials.
Amazon’s New York Home Qualifies as ‘Distressed’ Under Federal Tax Law – (The New York Times)
The Long Island City site was designated as an “opportunity zone,” an incentive created by President Trump’s tax bill to help low-income areas attract investment.
Fox News backs CNN in lawsuit against Trump White House – (Axios)
“We do support a free press, access and open exchanges for the American people.”
Senior Democrat says Trump must change USMCA deal if he wants Congress to pass it – (Financial Post)
There needs ‘to be not only changes in the legislation but more enforcement,’ said New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell
DOJ says Whitaker can serve as acting attorney general – (Fox News)
Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel supports President Trump’s appointment to replace Jeff Sessions under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.
Melania, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have power over the president on firing and hiring White House staff: Report – (Newsweek)
“It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” Melania Trump’s spokeswoman said of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel.
France responds to Trump’s wild Twitter tirade: ‘Common decency would have been appropriate’ – (Independent)
US president goads Emmanuel Macron over ‘very low’ approval ratings
Michelle Obama on Trump: ‘You don’t get results when you go low’ – (Mashable)
When they go low, we still go high.