Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
G.M., Not Trump, Is the Real Villain to Some Ohio Factory Workers – (The New York Times)
In a region where the president vowed that manufacturing jobs were coming back, the idling of a Chevrolet plant and its 1,600 workers is a major blow.
Democratic Committee Ends House Campaign Cycle $18 Million in Debt – (The New York Times)
Though accumulating debt is not unusual for party-affiliated groups, the amount underscores the intense push Democrats made to defeat Republicans in House races.
Families of Lebanon’s war missing choose to forgive past – (Associated Press)
BEIRUT (AP) — Families of people who went missing during Lebanon’s civil war called on the government Wednesday to expedite the formation of a commission to look into the fate of relatives and urged those who know what happened to come forward nearly three de…
Not just jobs riding on fate of GM plant after Trump promise – (Associated Press)
LORDSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — General Motors is moving to shut down as many as five North American factories in a major restructuring, but there are more than jobs riding on the fate of at least one of them: Ohio’s Lordstown assembly plant. Ohio and much of the rest…
U.S. Cabinet members defend close Saudi ties, lawmakers unconvinced – (Reuters)
Two senior U.S. Cabinet members urged senators on Wednesday not to downgrade ties with Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but lawmakers from both parties said they could not turn a blind eye to reports that the country’s de facto rule…
Argentine judge seeks help from Turkey, Yemen in Saudi crown prince case – (Reuters)
An Argentine judge reviewing a Human Rights Watch complaint against Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked the foreign ministry on Wednesday to seek information from Turkey, Yemen and the International Criminal Court.
Putin derides Ukraine’s martial law as political trick – (Associated Press)
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president donned combat fatigues to implement martial law in much of the country on Wednesday, a move Russia denounced as a cynical political trick as both sides ratcheted up tensions after a weekend standoff in the Black Sea. E…
Putin derides Ukraine’s martial law as political trick – (Associated Press)
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president donned combat fatigues to implement martial law in much of the country on Wednesday, a move Russia denounced as a cynical political trick as both sides ratcheted up tensions after a weekend standoff in the Black Sea. E…
Pompeo, Mattis defend Saudis as senators weigh war cutoff – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top administration officials urged senators Wednesday to keep supporting U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, but it was unclear whether their message would dissuade lawmakers who want to punish the kingdom for its role in the mur…
High court likely to say states can’t levy excessive fines – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court left little doubt Wednesday that it would rule that the Constitution’s ban on excessive fines applies to the states, an outcome that could help an Indiana man recover the $40,000 Land Rover police seized when they arrested …
U.S. third-quarter growth unrevised, headwinds increasing – (Reuters)
The U.S. economy slowed in the third quarter as previously reported, but the pace was likely strong enough to keep growth on track to hit the Trump administration’s 3 percent target this year, even as momentum appears to have moderated further early in the fo…
Carlsen beats Caruana to retain World Chess crown – (Al Jazeera English)
Norwegian world number one beats beats US opponent in a tie-breaker to retain World Chess championship title.
Doomed Lion Air jet was ‘not airworthy’ on penultimate flight: investigators – (Reuters)
A Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea off Indonesia last month was not in a safe condition on its second-to-last flight, when pilots experienced similar problems to those on its doomed last journey, Indonesian investigators said on Wednesday.
Trump dismantling US climate efforts as warnings grow dire – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has moved steadily to dismantle Obama administration efforts to rein in coal, oil and gas emissions, even as warnings grow — from his own administration and others — about the devastating impact of climate change on th…
Man sues Hawaii, blaming false missile alert for heart attack – (Reuters)
A Hawaii man who had a heart attack after a false alert about an incoming ballistic missile flashed on cellphones in January has sued the state, accusing it of negligence in the incident that panicked thousands of people.
Putin defiant on Ukraine crisis despite Trump summit talks threat – (Reuters)
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday shrugged off a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel a meeting with him due to Moscow’s seizure of three Ukrainian navy ships, and accused Ukraine’s president of orchestrating the crisis.
Sea clash staged by Ukraine, says Putin – (BBC News)
Russia’s president accuses Ukraine of orchestrating the naval confrontation off Crimea.
At U.S.-Mexico border, Central American migrants sicken in dire conditions – (Reuters)
Several thousand Central American migrants languished in a filthy, overcrowded sports complex within tantalizing sight of the United States, facing sickness and indefinite waits amid shifting U.S. border policies that barred them from crossing.
Wall Street rallies as Powell hints at slowing rate hikes – (Reuters)
Wall Street extended its gains on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank’s policy rate was “just below” neutral, hinting at a potential moderation in the pace of policy tightening.
Fed’s Powell, in dovish shift, says rates near neutral – (Reuters)
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday appeared to signal the U.S. central bank is nearing an end to its interest-rate hikes, saying the Fed’s policy rate is now “just below” a level that neither brakes nor boosts a healthy economy.
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From various sources
Irish senate advances bill to criminalize settlement activity – (The Jerusalem Post)
The bill would make it illegal for Irish citizens to “import or sell goods or services originating in an occupied territory.”
Airbnb faces legal action in U.S. over West Bank settlement boycott – (The Jerusalem Post)
One claimant, represented by attorney David Abrams, sought damages of at least $75,000 and asked the Abrogation Association to bar Airbnb from operating in New York state.
Why the US is in the Mideast – (The Jerusalem Post)
Jerusalem wants to see the US engaged, influential and active in the region. It doesn’t want to see it disengaged and concerned only about its own domestic problems.
Israeli-Americans sue Airbnb in Delaware, cite religious discrimination – (The Jerusalem Post)
The lawsuit asks that the court enjoin Airbnb from discriminatory practices against Israel-Jewish homeowners and seeks monetary compensation for ongoing lost rental income from Airbnb.
Mr. Homecoming Queen: A Tutorial – (The American Conservative)
Contemporary institutions — media and school — catechize the public on the new normal
– (Fox Sports)
NASCAR – (Fox Sports)
Find live NASCAR updates, NASCAR driver news, NASCAR videos, rumors, schedules & more on FOX Sports.
Amazon Textract | Extract Text & Data | AWS – (Hacker News)
Easily extract text and data from virtually any document using Amazon Textract. Textract goes beyond simple optical character recognition (OCR) to also identify the contents of fields in forms and information stored in tables.
Two Florida Men Charged With Murder Over PlayStation 4 Suspected Theft – (Buzzfeed)
“It is the most bizarre and disgraceful act that one can imagine,” the sheriff said. “[These are] things that have little value, no association with the value of human life.”
Secretary Mattis honors Paul Ryan for public service – (Fox News)
Medieval whisky still discovered at Scottish abbey may be the world’s oldest – (Fox News)
A medieval structure, believed to be one of the world’s oldest whisky stills, has been discovered among the ruins of a Scottish abbey.
Remnants Of Poop Found On All Of McDonald’s Touchscreens Tested In London – (Buzzfeed)
No dipping sauce, please.
Has the IAF chosen their future fighter jets and refueling tankers? – (The Jerusalem Post)
IAI, Boeing sign multi-billion dollar agreement
Trump Touts the Steel Industry’s Successes While Condemning the Auto Industry’s Plight – (Fortune)
The same tariffs that benefited American steelworkers at Steel Dynamics have led to higher costs at companies like General Motors.
‘We have saved the town’: Gracemere residents return home after bushfire – (ABC News (AU))
Residents at Gracemere, south of Rockhampton, are being told they can return home this morning after a catastrophic fire emergency was declared yesterday for the first time ever in Queensland.
Nancy Pelosi Has Been Nominated for Speaker of the House – (Fortune)
Current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was nominated for speaker by House Democrats. She’ll face a full floor vote in January.
G.M., Not Trump, Is the Real Villain to Some Ohio Factory Workers – (The New York Times)
In a region where the president vowed that manufacturing jobs were coming back, the idling of a Chevrolet plant and its 1,600 workers is a major blow.
Democratic Committee Ends House Campaign Cycle $18 Million in Debt – (The New York Times)
Though accumulating debt is not unusual for party-affiliated groups, the amount underscores the intense push Democrats made to defeat Republicans in House races.
Net neutrality advocates pressure Congress with “Day of Action” Thursday – (Ars Technica)
There’s almost no Republican support for forcing vote to restore net neutrality.
36 Elegant Gifts For The Minimalist In Your Life – (Buzzfeed)
Or just get them the most minimalist gift of all: nothing!
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All about Trump
Trump Touts the Steel Industry’s Successes While Condemning the Auto Industry’s Plight – (Fortune)
The same tariffs that benefited American steelworkers at Steel Dynamics have led to higher costs at companies like General Motors.
G.M., Not Trump, Is the Real Villain to Some Ohio Factory Workers – (The New York Times)
In a region where the president vowed that manufacturing jobs were coming back, the idling of a Chevrolet plant and its 1,600 workers is a major blow.
Not just jobs riding on fate of GM plant after Trump promise – (Associated Press)
LORDSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — General Motors is moving to shut down as many as five North American factories in a major restructuring, but there are more than jobs riding on the fate of at least one of them: Ohio’s Lordstown assembly plant. Ohio and much of the rest…
Trump says Manafort pardon not ‘off the table’ – (CNN)
President Donald Trump declined in a new interview to rule out the possibility that he could pardon Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman.
Donald Trump says GM cuts will fuel plans to slap tariffs on cars – (Financial Times)
US president’s latest salvo could ratchet up trade tensions ahead of G20 summit
Why Sen. Barrasso opposes legislation to protect Mueller – (Fox News)
There’s no indication that President Trump will fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, says Republican Senator John Barasso from Wyoming.
Kurtz: Why Trump is pointing finger at his own Fed chairman – (Fox News)
‘MediaBuzz’ host Howard Kurtz weighs in on the mainstream news media’s reaction to Trump saying he trusts his gut.
Trump refuses to rule out Manafort pardon – (The Hill)
President Trump on Wednesday did not rule out the possibility of pardoning former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
U.S. third-quarter growth unrevised, headwinds increasing – (Reuters)
The U.S. economy slowed in the third quarter as previously reported, but the pace was likely strong enough to keep growth on track to hit the Trump administration’s 3 percent target this year, even as momentum appears to have moderated further early in the fo…
Trump falsely accuses Mueller of coercing people to ‘flip and lie’ and suggests he may pardon Manafort – (Business Insider (UK))
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said a…
Trump adviser sought WikiLeaks emails via Farage ally, Mueller document alleges – (The Guardian (AU))
Ted Malloch was allegedly passed request to get advanced copies of emails stolen from Trump’s opponents by Russian hackers
Trump adviser sought WikiLeaks emails via Farage ally, Mueller document alleges – (The Guardian (UK))
Ted Malloch was allegedly passed request to get advanced copies of emails stolen from Trump’s opponents by Russian hackers
Trump dismantling US climate efforts as warnings grow dire – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has moved steadily to dismantle Obama administration efforts to rein in coal, oil and gas emissions, even as warnings grow — from his own administration and others — about the devastating impact of climate change on th…
Melania Trump brushes off Christmas decoration critics: ‘I think they look fantastic’ – (Fox News)
First Lady Melania Trump brushed off criticism of her latest White House’s Christmas decorations and invited everyone to check them out in person during an appearance at Liberty University on Wednesday.
Putin defiant on Ukraine crisis despite Trump summit talks threat – (Reuters)
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday shrugged off a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel a meeting with him due to Moscow’s seizure of three Ukrainian navy ships, and accused Ukraine’s president of orchestrating the crisis.
Trump isn’t ruling out pardoning Paul Manafort – (CBS News)
The president claimed a pardon was “never discussed, but I wouldn’t take it off the table”
Paul Manafort’s “crimes and lies” are bad news for both Mueller and Trump – (Vice News)
“What Manafort did is simply unheard of, because it’s so risky,”
Melania Trump defends red White House Christmas trees: ‘They look fantastic’ – (NBC News)
Melania Trump defended her choice of all-red Christmas trees that are part of this year’s White House Christmas decorations, which have a patriotic theme.
Paul Manafort’s Nonstop Lying May Have Done Robert Mueller A Huge Favor – (The Huffington Post)
And set a trap for Trump.
Controversial Trump judicial nominee survives key Senate vote – (Axios)
Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie.
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