Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Tech stocks, upbeat earnings boost Wall Street; Fed in focus – (Reuters)
Wall Street rose on Tuesday, helped by technology stocks, upbeat earnings reports and a rebound in few bellwether stocks, while investors awaited clues on the Federal Reserve’s path for future rate hikes.
Flynn heads to sentencing, with ‘Good luck’ wish from Trump – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Flynn could walk out of a courtroom a free man due to his extensive cooperation with federal prosecutors, but the run-up to his sentencing hearing Tuesday has exposed raw tensions over an FBI interview in which he lied about his Russ…
British government to activate full ‘no-deal’ Brexit preparations – (Reuters)
The British government said on Tuesday it would implement plans for a no-deal Brexit in full and begin telling businesses and citizens to prepare for the risk of leaving the European Union without an agreement.
Higher Interest Rates Could Lighten Workers’ Wallets – (The New York Times)
The Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, prompting concerns that growth will slow — and workers will reap fewer of the benefits.
Pittsburgh to propose tighter gun laws after synagogue attack – (Reuters)
The Pittsburgh city council on Tuesday was due to introduce a package of gun-control laws including a ban on assault-style rifles, nearly two months after a gunman shouting anti-Semitic messages killed 11 people in a synagogue.
West Virginia shows challenges of getting people healthier – (Associated Press)
MADISON, W.Va. (AP) — If you want to understand why U.S. life expectancy is declining, West Virginia is a good place to start. The state is a bellwether of bad health, portending major problems years before they became severe nationally. “It seems that the wo…
‘Zero-tolerance’ immigration policy hits snag in California – (Associated Press)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — One by one, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gallo called the names of 14 defendants who were charged with entering the country illegally. Defense attorneys told him the government had already deported them to Mexico, making it impossible for th…
Vatican committee: Church credibility at risk over sex abuse – (Associated Press)
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Organizers of an upcoming Vatican summit on sex abuse prevention are warning that the credibility of the Catholic Church is in jeopardy over the abuse scandal and are urging participants to meet with victims personally before coming to Rom…
Fighting in Yemeni city dies down as cease-fire takes hold – (Associated Press)
SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen’s key port city of Hodeida was calm Tuesday morning, hours after a U.N.-mediated cease-fire went into effect between government-allied forces and the country’s rebels, Yemeni officials said. Fighting subsided as the cease-fire took e…
A journey through 2018’s top pop culture moments – (Associated Press)
And the top pop culture moments of 2018 are… Wait. WAS there any pop culture this year? Of course there was, but you could be forgiven for forgetting, because more than ever it was politics, politics, and more politics occupying the zeitgeist and sucking th…
U.S. border agents will not speak to lawmakers about girl’s death – (Reuters)
U.S. Border Patrol agents who detained a 7-year-old Guatemalan migrant girl who later died in federal custody will not speak with U.S. lawmakers investigating her death, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, citing their union membership.
Former Trump adviser Flynn to be sentenced for lying to FBI – (Reuters)
A judge will decide on Tuesday whether former national security adviser Michael Flynn should be sent to prison for lying to the FBI in a case stemming from an investigation into possible collusion between President Donald Trump’s election campaign team and Ru…
Town responds to Hamilton ‘slums’ remark – (BBC News)
People stick up for Stevenage after Lewis Hamilton appeared to criticise his hometown on stage.
Oil drops on oversupply, equities sell-off – (Reuters)
Oil prices fell on Tuesday after reports of swelling inventories and forecasts of record U.S. and Russian output combined with a sharp sell-off in stock markets as the outlook for global growth deteriorated.
Chinese internment camp factory sends sportswear to US – (Associated Press)
HOTAN, China (AP) — Barbed wire and hundreds of cameras ring a massive compound of more than 30 dormitories, schools, warehouses and workshops in China’s far west. Dozens of armed officers and a growling Doberman stand guard outside. Behind locked gates, men …
U.S. housing starts rise; single-family segment remains weak – (Reuters)
U.S. homebuilding rebounded in November, driven by a surge in multi-family housing projects, but construction of single-family homes fell to a 1-1/2-year low, pointing to deepening housing market weakness that could spill over to the broader economy.
Members of banned Nazi group jailed – (BBC News)
A couple who named their child Adolf in honour of Hitler are sentenced alongside four others.
Trump Wishes Michael Flynn Good Luck Before Sentencing – (The New York Times)
Mr. Flynn, the president’s first national security adviser, is to be sentenced on Tuesday for lying to federal investigators about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.
Trump pressures Fed before meeting, warns against ‘another mistake’ – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday further sought to pressure the Federal Reserve as the central bank prepared to start its two-day policy meeting, warning the Fed’s board not to “make yet another mistake” ahead of an expected interest rate hike.
Fatah and Hamas will face Trump’s deal disunited – (Al Jazeera English)
And it will be a disaster for the Palestinian struggle.
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From various sources
Netanyahu visits site of terror attack, pledges to strengthen settlements – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Terrorism will not uproot a Jewish presence from the heart of our homeland.”
PA condemns Israel for ‘assault, aggression and terrorism’ – (The Jerusalem Post)
The statement also accused Israel of carrying out “extrajudicial killings, arrests, and house demolitions, as well as besieging cities and villages and restricting the movement.”
Zarif: Netanyahu cannot criticize Iran after boasting of Israeli missiles – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Netanyahu is a ‘warmonger’ and is in no position to criticize Iran’s defensive missile program after publicly bragging about Israel’s firepower.”
How Newark got lead in its water, and what it means for the rest of America – (Vice News)
Close to half of Newark homes tested have lead in their water. Residents are outraged.
Elizabeth Warren is trying to break up big pharma “cartels” by letting the government make generic drugs – (Vice News)
It’s the sort of big idea that someone seeking the White House might take up.
Israel Railways’ roller coaster ride – (The Jerusalem Post)
According to Ayalon, Israel Railways is currently facing a shortage of approximately 150 train carriages to adequately fulfill the demand of the network.
Ambient Cruelty — Real Life – (Hacker News)
The ability to ruin a stranger’s life is a feature, not a bug of consumer rating systems
Rep. Martha McSally appointed to open Arizona Senate seat – (Fox News)
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey appointed Rep. Martha McSally to replace outgoing Sen. Jon Kyl in the Senate on Tuesday. Kyl was appointed to the late Sen. John McCain’s seat in September.
A Woman Isn’t Sure Whether To Laugh Or Cry After Receiving A Crafty “Wrong Text” Message From A Guy She’s Been Ignoring – (Buzzfeed)
“HE REALLY THOUGHT HE COULD GET A REPLY OUT OF ME IF HE FLEXED SOME MONEY.”
Is the U.N. asking the world to fund salaries for Palestinian terrorists? – (The Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian Media Watch expressed outrage on Tuesday that the sum raised by the UN and the PA is equivalent to the $355 million dollars the PA allocated to payments for its “pay-for-slay” policy.
Arizona gov taps McSally for McCain Senate seat – (The Hill)
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) will tap outgoing Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) to fill the seat of the late Sen.
SpaceX said to be raising $500m to help fund internet service – (TechCrunch)
SpaceX is raising $500 million at a valuation of $30.5 billion, according to a WSJ report citing people familiar with the matter. The company is said to be raising the capital in part to help fund its ambitious Starlink internet service project. According to …
Geordan Murphy: Leicester Tigers appoint interim boss as new head coach – (BBC Sport)
Interim boss Geordan Murphy is formally appointed as Premiership club Leicester Tigers’ new head coach.
Rajya Sabha disruption: Opposition flags AIADMK ‘foul play’ – (The Hindu)
Opposition parties says All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is disrupting the House at the behest of BJP; AIADMK says Mekedatu issue is serious.
US Sportswear Traced To Internment Camps Holding Detained Chinese Muslims – (The Huffington Post)
Chinese authorities are forcing some detained Uighurs and Kazakhs to work in factories, the AP reports.
Trump directs creation of Space Command as 11th combatant command – (The Hill)
President Trump on Tuesday directed the Pentagon to create Space Command, a unified combatant command meant to lay the groundwork for his proposal to create Space Force.
Man, 21, dies after falling more than 1,600ft while climbing Ben Nevis – (Daily Mail)
Patrick Boothroyd, 21, (pictured in Italy this year) was scaling Tower Gully on the 4,413ft Scottish peak with a friend from Cardiff University when the tragedy happened on Sunday afternoon.
Facebook tries to lure TV advertisers to purchase ads on “Watch” – (Axios)
And it’s trying to change TV’s usual ad-buying paradigm.
Mother Barred From Seeing Dying Toddler Due To Trump Travel Ban, Say Advocates – (The Huffington Post)
The child’s father is an American citizen who brought the 2-year-old to California for treatment.
Jose Mourinho axed by Manchester United – and he’ll get £22.5m pay-out – (Daily Mail)
Jose Mourinho has left the Lowry hotel for one final time after being SACKED by Manchester United after a disastrous first half to the Premier League season.
***
All about Trump
Trump directs creation of Space Command as 11th combatant command – (The Hill)
President Trump on Tuesday directed the Pentagon to create Space Command, a unified combatant command meant to lay the groundwork for his proposal to create Space Force.
Mother Barred From Seeing Dying Toddler Due To Trump Travel Ban, Say Advocates – (The Huffington Post)
The child’s father is an American citizen who brought the 2-year-old to California for treatment.
Jon Meacham: Trump May Be Committing ‘Definition Of Treason’ Right Now – (The Huffington Post)
The presidential historian said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that “it’s quite possible” Trump is “a witting or at least partially witting agent of a foreign …
The NAACP wants you to boycott Facebook. Here’s why. – (Vice News)
A Russian disinformation campaign in the months before the 2016 election aimed to suppress black voter turnout, to favor Trump
Flynn heads to sentencing, with ‘Good luck’ wish from Trump – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Flynn could walk out of a courtroom a free man due to his extensive cooperation with federal prosecutors, but the run-up to his sentencing hearing Tuesday has exposed raw tensions over an FBI interview in which he lied about his Russ…
Trump Report Urges Gutting Guidance Aimed At Reducing Racist School Punishments – (The Huffington Post)
The administration also suggested arming school personnel, which could include teachers.
Spicer: Comey trying to deflect from his failures at FBI – (Fox News)
Ousted FBI Director James Comey blasts Trump, Republicans after his second closed-door meeting with Congress; former White House press secretary Sean Spicer reacts.
Trump and Congress barrel toward a Christmastime government shutdown with no resolution in sight – (CNBC)
As of Monday night, even Senate Republican leaders did not know President Donald Trump’s plan to avoid a government shutdown amid an impasse over his proposed border wall.
Mazie Hirono: ‘Walls are closing in’ on Trump – (Google News)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) on Monday said that she believes the “walls are closing in” on President Trump in terms of his legal woes.
Trump, Dems dig in as government shutdown looms: ‘I know of no plan’ – (Fox News)
President Trump and congressional Democrats remain sharply at odds over a spending package as Washington barrels toward a Friday at midnight deadline, leaving some on Capitol Hill increasingly worried that a Christmas government shutdown is in the making.
Ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn to be sentenced for lying to FBI – live updates – (Google News (UK))
Flynn to learn fate at US district court at about 11am ET as Trump sends good luck message. Follow all the latest news here
Poll: Most Americans don’t believe Trump’s denials, setting a rocky landscape ahead – (USA Today)
Poll: Even before special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, most don’t trust President Trump’s denials of collusion, setting a rocky landscape ahead.
Warren calls for probe into Trump name change for consumer bureau – (The Hill)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s internal watchdog to investigate whether the Trump administration’s pending name-change for the agency violates federal law.
Former business associate of Michael Flynn pleads not guilty – (CNN)
A former business associate of ex-Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn who was indicted by the Justice Department on charges of trying to influence American politicians to seek the extradition of a Turkish cleric pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
Trump administration eyes rolling back Obama-era school discipline policies – (NBC News)
President Donald Trump’s school safety commission, chaired by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is reportedly set to release its school safety report on Tuesday.
Trump school safety group goes after Obama civil rights policy, not guns – (Google News)
Conservatives view the guidance as a burden on school districts and possibly dangerous for its potential to keep violent children in school.
Former Trump adviser Flynn to be sentenced for lying to FBI – (Reuters)
A judge will decide on Tuesday whether former national security adviser Michael Flynn should be sent to prison for lying to the FBI in a case stemming from an investigation into possible collusion between President Donald Trump’s election campaign team and Ru…
Ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn to be sentenced for lying to FBI – live updates – (The Guardian (UK))
Flynn to learn fate at US district court at about 11am ET as Trump sends good luck message. Follow all the latest news here
What does the National Enquirer know about Trump clan? Former tabloid editor says paper has ‘criminal’ facts – (Newsweek)
David Pecker, CEO and chairman of American Media, allegedly wanted to get close to the Trump election campaign, according to a former AMI executive.
Trump Wishes Michael Flynn Good Luck Before Sentencing – (The New York Times)
Mr. Flynn, the president’s first national security adviser, is to be sentenced on Tuesday for lying to federal investigators about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.