Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Amos Oz, Israeli Author and Peace Advocate, Dies at 79 – (The New York Times)
One of Israel’s most prolific writers, he published numerous works of both fiction and nonfiction, and his writing was translated into more than 35 languages.
Sports mourns 1960s touchstones: Mikita, Taylor, McCovey – (Associated Press)
They were touchstones of sports in the 1960s, and sports lost three of the best in 2018: big-hitting Willie McCovey of the San Francisco Giants; Jim Taylor, the punishing Green Bay Packers fullback; and Stan Mikita, the embodiment of powerful Chicago Blackhaw…
GOP and Democrats trade blame for shutdown, no deal in sight – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The partial government shutdown will almost certainly be handed off to a divided government to solve in the new year, as both parties traded blame Friday and President Donald Trump sought to raise the stakes in the weeklong impasse. As agree…
Syrian surprise: How Trump’s phone call changed the war – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump’s declaration in a phone call with Tayyip Erdogan that he was pulling U.S. troops from Syria has stunned Turkey and left it scrambling to respond to the changing battlefield on its southern border.
Tesla names Oracle’s Ellison to board in SEC settlement – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Tesla named Oracle’s Larry Ellison and an executive from Walgreens to its board Friday as part of a settlement with U.S. regulators who demanded more oversight of CEO Elon Musk. Ellison and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, an executive vice president…
NYC utility probes electric flash that lit sky in eerie blue – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Electric utility Con Edison was working Friday to figure out what caused a high-voltage equipment failure that unleashed an otherworldly flash of bright blue light in the night sky over New York City. The event Thursday caused power outages, b…
Acclaimed author Amos Oz dies at 79 – (Associated Press)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli author Amos Oz, one of the country’s pre-eminent and widely acclaimed writers, died on Friday after a battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 79. His daughter, Fania Oz-Salzberger, announced her father’s death on Twitter. Oz …
Jerry Brown wraps a 5-decade history in California politics – (Associated Press)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — It was a matter of life and death in 2015 when California Gov. Jerry Brown pondered an assisted suicide bill granting terminally ill people the right to choose when they die. After much speculation, Brown signed the measure, a victor…
Syria’s Kurds, Abandoned by U.S., Ask Assad Government for Protection – (The New York Times)
The call was the first move in a looming scramble for control of Syria’s east since President Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops.
Syrian army deploys to Manbij after Kurdish calls to deter Turkey – (Reuters)
The Syrian army said it had deployed forces to Manbij in northern Syria on Friday after the Kurdish YPG militia urged Damascus to protect the town, where U.S. forces operate, from the threat of a major Turkish offensive.
Erdogan says Turkey has no business in Syria’s Manbij if YPG militia leaves – (Reuters)
Turkey will have nothing left to do in the Syrian town of Manbij once “terrorist organizations” leave the area, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, hours after the Syrian army said it had entered the town.
Trump threatens to shut Mexican border – (BBC News)
The US leader is locked in a dispute with Congress over funding for his proposed wall.
Trump threatens to close southern border if not given wall funding – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the U.S. southern border if Congress does not agree to provide $5 billion in taxpayer funds for his promised wall along the border with Mexico.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Elections 2018 – (Al Jazeera English)
Tesla names Larry Ellison, Walgreens executive to board – (Reuters)
Tesla Inc on Friday named two independent board directors as part of a September deal with federal regulators to move past the turbulence that followed Chief Executive Elon Musk’s tweet about taking the electric carmaker private.
Ten years of Sheikh Hasina: ‘Development minus democracy’ – (Al Jazeera English)
The ruling Awami League has been hard-selling development to millions of voters ahead of the December 30 poll.
Taliban seeks image makeover as Afghan peace talks gain momentum – (Reuters)
As moves toward peace pick up in Afghanistan, the Taliban are trying to show they have changed since the brutal days of the 1990s when they banned music and girls’ education and carried out public executions in Kabul’s football stadium.
Wall Street opens higher as post-Christmas rally continues – (Reuters)
U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday in broad-based gains, with technology stocks providing the biggest boost as the market rallied for the third day.
Acclaimed Israeli author Amos Oz dies – (BBC News)
He was one of Israel’s best-known writers, with works including A Tale of Love and Darkness.
Lebanon protests grow over economic crisis and political impasse – (Al Jazeera English)
Lebanon had elections seven months ago after a hiatus of nine years but a political stalemate has ensued ever since.
***
From various sources
Famed Israeli author Amos Oz passes away at 79 – (The Jerusalem Post)
Oz was known for his works worldwide and was one of the most influential authors in Israel.
Stocks are fighting to stave off their the worst December since the Great Depression – (Business Insider)
Stocks are fighting to stave off their the worst December since the Great Depression
Stocks are fighting to stave off their the worst December since the Great Depression – (Business Insider (UK))
Stocks are fighting to stave off their the worst December since the Great Depression
Birthright CEO addresses alienation from Israel by Diaspora youth – (The Jerusalem Post)
Gidi Mark says the trip is not designed to deal with political issues
How will Trump ‘meddle’ in Israel’s upcoming election? – (The Jerusalem Post)
On the diplomatic front, the April 9 election date fits Netanyahu like a glove.
The big questions of the 2019 Israeli election campaign – (The Jerusalem Post)
What kind of campaigns will the Israeli parties run?
Amotz Asa-El: Trump a major threat to West’s interests, sense of purpose – (The Jerusalem Post)
How the unraveling of the Western political order accelerated in 2018
Los Angeles News Anchor Chris Burrous Died In A Motel After A Possible Drug Overdose – (Buzzfeed)
Chris Burrous, a news anchor for KTLA, was 43 years old.
Angelina Jolie Says She Isn’t Ruling Out Going Into Politics – (Buzzfeed)
“I always say I’ll go where I’m needed.”
Trump threatens to close southern border if Democrats don’t fund wall construction | CBC News – (CBC News)
President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the U.S. southern border if Congress doesn’t agree to provide $5 billion US in taxpayer funds for his promised wall along the border with Mexico.
Tributes to two toddlers found dead after their mother ‘crashed car’ – (Daily Mail)
Samantha Ford is being held after her two children were found dying at their home on a new-build estate in Westwood near Margate, Kent.
Louis Theroux among those hit by Twitter hack exposing security flaw – (The Guardian (UK))
Cyber firm was able to post tweets on celebrities’ accounts without entering passwords
Pictured: Tragic mother killed in Iceland after 4×4 plunged off bridge – (Daily Mail)
Rajshree Laturia died when the Land Cruiser smashed through barriers and fell from a road crossing over a vast sand plain in southern Iceland yesterday morning.
People were very quick to voice their displeasure at Instagram’s ‘swipe’ update – (Mashable)
The head of IG said it was just a “small test.”
Moment ex-Aston Villa player punched a nurse in sick road rage attack – (Daily Mail)
Riccardo Calder, 22, repeatedly hit the 24-year-old woman through her open car window after she collided with his Mercedes in the car park of a Birmingham pub on May 6.
Dog walker slams parking firm after he is slapped with £400 in fines – (Daily Mail)
John Searle received four letters the week before Christmas telling him he’d be fined £400 if he didn’t pay straight away. The charity worker had left his car at the lot in Eddington, while he walked his dog.
Here’s The Most Popular ’90s Cartoon In Your State – (Buzzfeed)
Cartoons were just better in the ’90s.
Hellshots Golf combines the best of Doom, golf – (Polygon)
Hellshots Golf is a Doom mod that blends the savagery of golf with the serene environment of Doom (1993).
Base jumper is injured after their ‘parachute fails to open’ – (Daily Mail)
A base jumper has been injured after their parachute reportedly failed to open causing them to fall from a cliff near Dover. An air ambulance was scrambled and the person has been taken to hospital.
3 bust with cash, IDs, Sassa and bank cards – (News24)
Three men have been arrested in possession of 17 Sassa cards, 16 identity documents and five bank cards in Williston, say Northern Cape police.
***
All about Trump
How will Trump ‘meddle’ in Israel’s upcoming election? – (The Jerusalem Post)
On the diplomatic front, the April 9 election date fits Netanyahu like a glove.
Amotz Asa-El: Trump a major threat to West’s interests, sense of purpose – (The Jerusalem Post)
How the unraveling of the Western political order accelerated in 2018
Trump threatens to close southern border if Democrats don’t fund wall construction | CBC News – (CBC News)
President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the U.S. southern border if Congress doesn’t agree to provide $5 billion US in taxpayer funds for his promised wall along the border with Mexico.
GOP and Democrats trade blame for shutdown, no deal in sight – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The partial government shutdown will almost certainly be handed off to a divided government to solve in the new year, as both parties traded blame Friday and President Donald Trump sought to raise the stakes in the weeklong impasse. As agree…
Poll: Majorities oppose Trump’s wall funding demand, call for compromise – (The Hill)
Most voters oppose President Trump’s demand for border wall funding, but think that the White House and congressional Democrats should compromise on funding for the president’s long-promised project, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll rel
Syrian surprise: How Trump’s phone call changed the war – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump’s declaration in a phone call with Tayyip Erdogan that he was pulling U.S. troops from Syria has stunned Turkey and left it scrambling to respond to the changing battlefield on its southern border.
White House not expecting to hear from Democrats again on border funding negotiations until Pelosi locks up speakership – (Fox News)
President Trump’s incoming acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney accuses Democrats of choosing Nancy Pelosi’s speakership over what’s best for the country on ‘Fox & Friends.’
Donald Trump, venting fury over budget fight, threatens to close U.S.-Mexico border – (USA Today)
Donald Trump threatened to close the U.S.-Mexico border if Democrats refused to budge on wall funding but he didn’t spell out how he would do so.
Syria’s Kurds, Abandoned by U.S., Ask Assad Government for Protection – (The New York Times)
The call was the first move in a looming scramble for control of Syria’s east since President Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops.
Trump threatens to shut Mexican border – (BBC News)
The US leader is locked in a dispute with Congress over funding for his proposed wall.
Trump threatens to close southern border if not given wall funding – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the U.S. southern border if Congress does not agree to provide $5 billion in taxpayer funds for his promised wall along the border with Mexico.
Transgender service members ask SCOTUS to deny Trump’s request for reviewal of military ban cases – (Newsweek)
“The Trump administration has demonstrated no urgency that would justify leapfrogging the normal appellate process,” NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter said.
Trump Threatens to Close Border Over Funding Standoff – (The Wall Street Journal)
President Trump made a fresh threat to close the southern border if Democrats don’t fund a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, as a partial government shutdown related to the standoff stretched into its seventh day.
President Donald Trump claim to troops about pay raises? False, AP Fact Check finds – (USA Today)
Trump told troops he won them a raise — the first in 10 years, and a big one. Neither claim is true, an Associated Press Fact Check finds.
Trump threatens to cut aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador – (The Hill)
President Trump on Friday threatened to cut foreign aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, accusi
Trump threatens to shut border ‘entirely’ unless Democrats fund wall – (The Guardian (UK))
Warning came on seventh day of shutdown that began after Trump refused to accept legislation unless it contained wall money
Van Jones praises Trump: This is history – CNN Video – (CNN)
CNN host Van Jones praises Jared Kushner, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and President Trump for getting a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill to a vote in the US Senate.
Trump threatens to close border with Mexico and cut aid in Twitter tirade – (Google News (UK))
President Donald Trump has threatened to close the US border with Mexico if Democrats in Congress do not agree to fund the construction of a border wall. Trump tweeted on Friday morning that “we will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely” unless a …
Trump threatens to close border, terminate trade deals, cut aid unless wall is funded – (Fox News)
President Trump warned Friday that if Democrats do not agree to his demands to fund a wall on the southern border, he will “close the Southern border entirely” and cut aid to Central American countries — while pulling back on trade with Mexico.
Trump: I may be forced to seal southern border – (NBC News)
President Donald Trump said he might close the nation’s southern border if he doesn’t get money for a border wall in his funding feud with Congress.