Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
UK leader warns of ‘uncharted waters’ if Brexit deal nixed – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — With a crucial parliamentary vote on Brexit looming, British Prime Minister Theresa May warned lawmakers Sunday that they could take Britain into “uncharted waters” and trigger a general election if they reject the divorce deal she struck with t…
China summons US envoy to protest detention of Huawei exec – (Associated Press)
BEIJING (AP) — China summoned the U.S. ambassador to Beijing on Sunday to protest the detention of an executive of Chinese electronics giant Huawei in Canada at Washington’s behest and demanded Washington cancel an order for her arrest. The official Xinhua Ne…
Qatar rift overshadows Gulf Arab summit as emir stays away – (Reuters)
A Gulf Arab summit called for regional unity as Bahrain and Qatar traded barbs over the Qatari emir’s decision not to attend the gathering in Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a sign that a row between Doha and its neighbors is still festering.
Swath of South faces wintry mess: Snow, sleet, freezing rain – (Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A massive storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain across a wide swath of the South on Sunday — causing dangerously icy roads, immobilizing snowfalls and power losses to hundreds of thousands of people. Accidents on snow-covered int…
Are Rural Voters the ‘Real’ Voters? Wisconsin Republicans Seem to Think So – (The New York Times)
A last-minute power grab by state lawmakers draws on an argument as old as the nation.
Yemen’s warring sides meet face-to-face at Sweden peace talks – (Al Jazeera English)
Government delegates say the opposing sides are holding direct negotiations for the first time in two years.
U.S. winter storm knocks out power to 190,000 in North Carolina – (Reuters)
A powerful winter storm that hit the U.S. Southeast over the weekend knocked out power for more than 190,000 customers in North Carolina, officials said on Sunday.
Dem: Illegal payments ‘impeachable offense’ if Trump ordered – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday it would be an “impeachable offense” if it’s proved that President Donald Trump directed illegal hush-money payments to women, stressing a need for continuing inve…
Newtown shooter described ‘scorn for humanity’ – (Associated Press)
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Documents from the investigation into the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut are shedding light on the gunman’s anger, scorn for other people, and deep social isolation in the years leading up to the shooting. The d…
Scuba diving Santa swims with mermaid – (BBC News)
In just over two weeks, he’ll be delivering presents – but people are already in the festive spirit.
French minister asks Trump not to meddle in French affairs – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump should not meddle in French affairs, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Sunday after Trump criticized France in two tweets following riots in Paris.
U.S. says March 1 ‘hard deadline’ for trade deal with China – (Reuters)
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Sunday he considers March 1 “a hard deadline” to reach a deal on trade with China, and that new tariffs will be imposed otherwise.
With new chief of staff, Trump tries again to reset White House – (Reuters)
Nick Ayers, in talks with President Donald Trump to become his new White House chief of staff, is a 36-year-old political whiz-kid who could help with the looming re-election campaign, but critics question whether he has the grit needed to keep Trump and an o…
Comey: FBI probe of Russia initially looked at 4 Americans – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia initially focused on four Americans and whether they were connected to Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, form…
A young mayor, his friend, and a fatal attraction to opioids – (Associated Press)
MOUNT CARBON, Pa. (AP) — Janel Firestone found her son — the 24-year-old, just resigned mayor of the tiny Pennsylvania town of Mount Carbon — in what she assumed was a deep sleep. She tried to wake him for his overnight shift at the local supermarket, but he …
De-miners sound all-clear at marooned Jordan River baptism shrines – (Reuters)
Israeli and foreign engineers sounded the all-clear on Sunday around three churches on the western bank of the Jordan River, near where Jesus is believed to have been baptized, after mines that had marooned the shrines for decades were cleared.
China Tries to Balance Huawei Arrest with Warmer Trade Ties – (The New York Times)
China is pushing hard for the release of a tech executive, while still trying to follow up on President Trump’s recent truce in trade frictions.
Hindus rally in Delhi over disputed site – (BBC News)
Tens of thousands of Hindu activists converge on India’s capital to demand a temple be built.
Red-hot U.S. jobs market drives some to seek cooler options – (Reuters)
When Sean Luangrath joined Pocatello, Idaho-based Inergy Solar a few years ago, the plan was to move the portable solar battery maker to his home base of Salt Lake City so he could build it with easy access to Silicon Slopes’ tech talent and venture capital.
Afghanistan suspends football officials amid abuse allegations – (Al Jazeera English)
Kabul launched a probe last week into allegations of sexual abuse made by players on the national women’s team.
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From various sources
Israel clears landmines from seven monasteries by Jesus’ Baptismal site – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Now this is a border of peace,” INMAA director Marcel Aviv told reporters as he stood on a small hilltop overlooking the monasteries and described the project to reporters.
Eizenkot: UNIFIL has important role in neutralizing Hezbollah tunnels – (The Jerusalem Post)
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said that the Lebanese government is responsible for Hezbollah’s tunnel activity in southern Lebanon.
IDF Spokesperson to Lebanese residents: Evacuate buildings over tunnels – (The Jerusalem Post)
IDF troops operate beyond fence with Lebanon to place equipment to detect Hezbollah tunnels
Seattle NHL expansion team gets unique vision with Leiweke as president – (NHL News)
A Seattle expansion team will play in the NHL starting in 2021-22. NHL.com is posting a series of stories this month about the NHL Seattle organization, the local hockey scene and the city’s rich hockey history. Today, NHL Seattle president and CEO Tod Leiwek…
Snow Is Blanketing The South And Dogs Are Both Rolling In It And Resenting It – (Buzzfeed)
“Jack loooooves the snow!” But Bentley is not impressed.
Nick Cannon calls out Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer for old homophobic tweets – (Fox News)
Following the controversy that led to comedian Kevin Hart stepping down as the host of the Oscars, his friend Nick Cannon, made a move on social media to point out the hypocrisy behind his critics.
– (Fox Sports)
Ex-cyber chief: Khashoggi hacking irrelevant for Israeli spyware sales – (The Jerusalem Post)
“All sales are approved by the Defense Ministry.”
18 Questions I Have After Watching “Mean Girls” For Yet Another Time – (Buzzfeed)
I need to be a Mean Girls historian at this point.
UK leader warns of ‘uncharted waters’ if Brexit deal nixed – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — With a crucial parliamentary vote on Brexit looming, British Prime Minister Theresa May warned lawmakers Sunday that they could take Britain into “uncharted waters” and trigger a general election if they reject the divorce deal she struck with t…
Injuries we’re tracking in Sunday’s Week 14 games – (NFL News)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy was among those to go down Sunday. Here are the injuries we’re monitoring on the 14th weekend of the 2018 NFL season.
Tom Brady breaks record for most career TD passes – (NFL News)
Tom Brady is the NFL’s undisputed touchdown king. Brady broke a tie for the most touchdown tosses, including playoffs, in NFL history.
The Father Of A Slain North Carolina Teen Was Denied A Temporary Visa To Attend Her Funeral – (Buzzfeed)
Hania Aguilar, 13, was raped and killed after being kidnapped outside her family’s home last month. She was buried Saturday.
China pressures U.S. to withdraw arrest warrant for Meng Wanzhou and cancels trade meetings with B.C. | CBC News – (CBC News)
China’s foreign ministry called in the U.S. ambassador on Sunday to lodge a “strong protest” over the arrest in Canada of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.’s chief financial officer. China also cancelled meetings for a B.C. trade mission.
IFP’s Buthelezi: ‘Indians are not settlers in SA’ – (News24)
Anti-Indian sentiment, similar to any other forms of social division, is unacceptable, says IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Iowa sees early moves by possible 2020 Democrats – (Fox News)
Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg visits Hawkeye State only weeks after midterms.
Woman, 30, hunting for Christmas decorations falls through her ceiling – (Mirror)
Stacielea Doran, from Bloxwich in Walsall, got wedged in the hole and had to be rescued by firefighters
‘It’s serious’: Winter storm brings havoc to Southeast – (USA Today)
The same winter storm that dumped heavy rains on Los Angeles last week is expected to unleash heavy snows and ice this weeknd as it heads east.
Key Opposition meet today to give unity call a boost – (The Hindu)
DMK chief Stalin calls on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on eve of meeting
Berbatov defends under-fire Lukaku – (FourFourTwo)
Romelu Lukaku has been disappointing this season, but Dimitar Berbatov thinks the criticism of him has been unhelpful.
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All about Trump
Trump readies himself for Mueller’s final act – (Financial Times)
Democrats say prosecutors have evidence of ‘impeachable offences’ by the president
Trump blasts ‘lying’ ex-FBI boss – (Google News (Australia))
US President Donald Trump has hit out at former FBI director James Comey accusing him of lying to Congress in testimony last week over his handling of the Russia probe.
Rand Paul Calls Trump’s Nomination Of William Barr For Attorney General ‘Very Troubling’ – (The Huffington Post)
The Kentucky senator also spoke out against Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, but ultimately voted to confirm.
Dem: Illegal payments ‘impeachable offense’ if Trump ordered – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday it would be an “impeachable offense” if it’s proved that President Donald Trump directed illegal hush-money payments to women, stressing a need for continuing inve…
Rubio: Pardoning Paul Manafort ‘would be a mistake’ – (CNN)
Sen. Marco Rubio said Sunday that he doesn’t think President Donald Trump should grant a pardon to his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, calling such a move “a mistake.”
Republicans defend Trump amid brewing legal storm – (The Washington Post)
On NBC News, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) played down the alleged campaign finance violations detailed by prosecutors. Meanwhile, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) was cautious on the issue of impeachment.
Trump, without evidence, accuses James Comey of lying to House Judiciary Committee – (CNN)
President Donald Trump lashed out at former FBI Director James Comey over testimony he gave to the House Judiciary and Oversight committees on Friday, accusing the former FBI chief, without evidence, of lying to lawmakers and questioning his inability to reca…
Key House Democrat Jerry Nadler Says Trump Payments May Be ‘Impeachable Offenses’ – (The Huffington Post)
Still, the incoming House Judiciary Committee chairman was cautious about whether an impeachment process ought to begin.
French minister asks Trump not to meddle in French affairs – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump should not meddle in French affairs, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Sunday after Trump criticized France in two tweets following riots in Paris.
Stage set for budget showdown between Trump, Democrats – (Fox News)
Border wall funding remains a major sticking point in budget talks; House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy reacts on ‘Sunday Morning Futures.’
Media say Mueller nailed Trump – (Fox News)
President insists he’s been cleared.
With new chief of staff, Trump tries again to reset White House – (Reuters)
Nick Ayers, in talks with President Donald Trump to become his new White House chief of staff, is a 36-year-old political whiz-kid who could help with the looming re-election campaign, but critics question whether he has the grit needed to keep Trump and an o…
Trump ‘at center of massive fraud against Americans’, top Democrat says – (The Guardian (AU))
Incoming House chair Nadler promises investigations and says payments to women ‘would be impeachable offenses’
Trump ‘at center of massive fraud against Americans’, top Democrat says – (The Guardian (UK))
Incoming House chair Nadler promises investigations and says payments to women ‘would be impeachable offenses’
Comey: FBI probe of Russia initially looked at 4 Americans – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia initially focused on four Americans and whether they were connected to Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, form…
Rubio on journalist’s killing: ‘We don’t need direct evidence that he ordered the code red on this thing’ – (CNN)
Sen. Marco Rubio pushed back against Trump administration claims that there’s no direct link between the Saudi crown prince and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying that “there is no way” Mohammed bin Salman wasn’t aware of the killing and that he…
China Tries to Balance Huawei Arrest with Warmer Trade Ties – (The New York Times)
China is pushing hard for the release of a tech executive, while still trying to follow up on President Trump’s recent truce in trade frictions.
Rand Paul downplays potential Trump campaign finance violations: ‘We’ve over-criminalized campaign finance’ – (The Hill)
Sen.
Adam Schiff on Trump: “The first president in quite some time to face the real prospect of jail time” – (Axios)
He called him “the first president in quite some time to face the real prospect of jail time.”
Marco Rubio Warns Trump: It Would Be A ‘Terrible Mistake’ To Pardon Paul Manafort – (The Huffington Post)
The president said last month that a possible pardon for his former campaign manager wasn’t “off the table.”
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