Happy New Year!
Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
NASA spacecraft opens new year at tiny, icy world past Pluto – (Associated Press)
LAUREL, Md. (AP) — NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has survived humanity’s most distant exploration of another world. Ten hours after the middle-of-the-night encounter 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away, flight controllers in Laurel, Maryland, recei…
US man held in Russia is not spy, say family – (BBC News)
The brother of a US citizen arrested for spying in Moscow says he was attending a wedding.
Low carb? Low fat? What the latest dieting studies tell us – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Bacon and black coffee for breakfast, or oatmeal and bananas? If you’re planning to try to lose weight in 2019, you’re sure to find a fierce debate online and among friends and family about how best to do it. It seems like everyone has an opin…
AP Exclusive: Vatican letter undermines US cardinal on abuse – (Associated Press)
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican blocked U.S. bishops from taking measures to address the clergy sex abuse scandal because U.S. church leaders failed to sufficiently consult with the Holy See beforehand about legally problematic proposals, according to a lette…
Memorable news satellite photos of 2018 – (Associated Press)
From Russian war games to lava flows on Hawaii to raging fires in California, images gathered from high above Earth by satellites in 2018 delivered a unique perspective on humanity, geopolitics, and the forces of nature that have upended lives and landscape. …
French revellers start 2019 stuck on ride – (BBC News)
A helicopter was called in to help in Rennes after eight people got stuck more than 50 metres up.
‘A Pumping Conspiracy’: Why Workers Smuggled Breast Pumps Into Prison – (The New York Times)
Many employers don’t provide workers with time and space to express breast milk. Millions of families are affected — and often, it’s a violation of federal law.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards plan to upgrade speed boats with stealth technology – (Reuters)
(This December 31, 2018 story corrects unit in paragraph 5 to remove words “per hour”.)
Nasa probe survives distant flyby – (BBC News)
Nasa’s probe is in a “healthy” state after its flypast of Ultima Thule, the most distant object ever explored.
Federer on winning team after facing Serena for 1st time – (Associated Press)
PERTH, Australia (AP) — Roger Federer won the bragging rights over fellow tennis great Serena Williams as they faced each other on court for the first time on Tuesday, with Federer spearheading Switzerland’s 4-2, 4-3 (3) victory over the United States in a mi…
House Democrats have plan to fund government, but not a wall – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A week and a half into a partial government shutdown, House Democrats released their plan to re-open the government without approving money for President Donald Trump’s border wall. At the same time, the president struggled to find leverage …
Four injured in German ‘racist attack’ – (BBC News)
A 50-year-old man is accused of driving into people in Bottrop, injuring Syrian and Afghan citizens.
Federer and Williams: Tennis legends meet on court for first time – (BBC News)
Roger Federer teams up with Belinda Bencic to beat Serena Williams and Frances Tiafoe 2-1 at the Hopman Cup.
Baby rescued from rubble 35 hours after apartment collapse – (Associated Press)
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian rescuers on Tuesday pulled an infant boy alive from the rubble of an apartment building, some 35 hours after a collapse that killed at least seven people and left dozens missing. They found the baby after hearing cries amid the debris. A…
Brazil to inaugurate far-right firebrand Bolsonaro president – (Reuters)
Right-wing nationalist Jair Bolsonaro, who has vowed to crack down on political corruption, violent crime and ignite a moribund economy with deregulation and fiscal discipline, will be sworn in as Brazil’s president on Tuesday.
UK police look for terrorism links in Manchester New Year’s Eve stabbings – (Reuters)
A man armed with a kitchen knife stabbed three people, including a police officer, at Manchester Victoria train station on New Year’s Eve in an attack police are treating as terrorism-related.
Departure of Trump’s GOP critics in Senate leaves a void – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are days away from completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who — if anyone — will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains …
Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan sees peace opportunity in 2019 – (Reuters)
The top U.S general in Afghanistan told NATO troops on Tuesday to prepare themselves to deal with “positive processes or negative consequences” as peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban to end a 17-year war gain momentum.
Brazil’s far-right leader to take office – (BBC News)
Ex-army captain Jair Bolsonaro is a divisive figure who won on a promise of driving down crime.
Baby found alive in rubble of Russia blast – (BBC News)
Rescuers pull an 11-month-old baby from the rubble after an apartment block collapsed in Magnitogorsk.
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From various sources
Analysis: Israeli politics ready to be flushed – (The Jerusalem Post)
Gabbay could have ended the partnership like a gentleman, behind closed doors and with a terse message sent to the press. But that is not what Gabbay was after.
Pompeo meets Netanyahu: Our obligations to Israel remain unchanged – (The Jerusalem Post)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday in Brazil, where the two are to intend the inauguration ceremony of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Liberman: Netanyahu is fake right, caved to Palestinian threats – (The Jerusalem Post)
High hopes, and much fear, as Jair Bolsonaro assumes Brazil presidency – (Financial Times)
‘Tropical Trump’ is country’s first far-right leader since military dictatorship
Uber and Lyft’s valuations expose the gig economy to scrutiny – (Financial Times)
The platform business model faces challenges. Either customers or investors will pay
The New Season Of “Stranger Things” Is Coming To Netflix On July 4 And Everyone’s Excited – (Buzzfeed)
Happy 2̶0̶1̶9̶ 1985!
Chinese merchants refuse cash as mobile payments take off – (Financial Times)
Central bank takes steps to ensure Ant Financial and Tencent do not grow too powerful
Manchester police treat New Year’s Eve stabbing of 3 as terrorism | CBC News – (CBC News)
A man and a woman suffered “very serious” injuries after a man holding a knife attacked people at a train station in the English city of Manchester.
Netflix pulls episode of comedy show in Saudi Arabia – (Financial Times)
Second episode of ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’ criticised crown prince and Yemen war
American arrested in Russia as a spy was attending wedding, brother in Canada says | CBC News – (CBC News)
The brother of a U.S. citizen arrested in Russia on espionage charges said Tuesday he’s innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding.
Jane Curtain’s New Year’s resolution is ‘to make sure that the Republican party dies’ – (Fox News)
Former Conehead Jane Curtain got political on CNN’s New Year’s Eve show, sharing with viewers that her resolution for 2019 was “to make sure that the Republican party dies.”
Pompeo told Netanyahu that Syria pullout won’t harm U.S.-Israeli ties – (Axios)
The U.S. is attempting to reassure Israel that the move will not endanger Israeli security.
Fiorentina beat AC Milan to loan signing of Sevilla’s Muriel – (FourFourTwo)
Luis Muriel’s time at Sevilla looks to be over after Fiorentina confirmed his signing on loan with a purchase option.
NASA spacecraft opens new year at tiny, icy world past Pluto – (Associated Press)
LAUREL, Md. (AP) — NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has survived humanity’s most distant exploration of another world. Ten hours after the middle-of-the-night encounter 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away, flight controllers in Laurel, Maryland, recei…
Remembering The ‘World Class’ Bayer Leverkusen Team Who Reached UEFA Champions League Final – (The Sport Bible)
They were one of the most feared teams in European football…
US man held in Russia is not spy, say family – (BBC News)
The brother of a US citizen arrested for spying in Moscow says he was attending a wedding.
Nearly 8,000 Sunderland Fans Travelled To Blackpool For League One Away Game – (The Sport Bible)
Incredible support…
Baby boy found alive after 35 hours under rubble of collapsed building in Russia – (USA Today)
Russian rescuers find baby boy alive after 35 hours under the rubble of a collapsed apartment building
Knife attacker stabs three people at Manchester’s Victoria Station – (Daily Mail)
Anti-terror officers raided the 25-year-old suspect’s home in the Cheetham Hill area of the city today as they confirmed two of the victims will be in hospital ‘for some time’.
2018 Stock Market Crash Shreds $76 Billion Off America’s Wealthiest – (Crypto Coins News)
The stock market crash in 2018 shredded billions off the wealthiest Americans. A staggering $76 billion were wiped off their balance sheets. Still, new billionaires were added to the infamous Forbes list, while some industry
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All about Trump
High hopes, and much fear, as Jair Bolsonaro assumes Brazil presidency – (Financial Times)
‘Tropical Trump’ is country’s first far-right leader since military dictatorship
McChrystal: I think Trump is immoral, dishonest – CNN Video – (CNN)
On the heels of Jim Mattis leaving the White House, retired four-star Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal criticized President Donald Trump for his approach to the presidency in a wide-ranging interview that saw the former top commander of the US and international f…
Trump fires back at McChrystal: ‘Known for big, dumb mouth’ – (The Hill)
President Trump on Tuesday lashed out at retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal with a string of personal attacks after the former leader of U.S. operations in Afghanistan called the president “immoral” and dishonest.
Mystery surrounds Trump’s new ‘slow withdrawal’ Syria policy – (The Jerusalem Post)
There are new questions about the degree to which the withdrawal will be coordinated with Turkey.
Kim Jong Un warns Trump not to test North Korea’s patience – (The Irish Times)
Reclusive state’s leader takes hard line on sanctions but ready to schedule further talks
Stock market and economic predictions 2019: What experts forecast for the new year – (Newsweek)
Stocks started the year strong, but quickly erased early gains, while President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war with China and threats of tariffs have spooked investors.
House Democrats have plan to fund government, but not a wall – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A week and a half into a partial government shutdown, House Democrats released their plan to re-open the government without approving money for President Donald Trump’s border wall. At the same time, the president struggled to find leverage …
Donald Trump tells Americans “calm down and enjoy the ride” in 2019 – (Newsweek)
“HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA!” Trump tweeted, before urging folks to “ENJOY THE RIDE.”
Donald Trump rejects Democratic funding plan, wishes Happy New Year to ‘haters’ – (USA Today)
President Donald Trump rang in the new year Tuesday by rejecting a Democratic plan to re-open the government and taunting his critics
Trump wishes ‘everyone’ a happy new year, ‘including the haters and fake news media’ – (NBC News)
The president went on to say that 2019 would be a “fantastic” year for anyone “not suffering from Trump derangement syndrome” — a ailment he has diagnosed his critics with in the past.
Trump ushers in 2019 saying ‘calm down and enjoy the ride,’ amid new year challenges – (Fox News)
President Trump ushered in 2019 in characteristic fashion — with a tweet expressing supreme confidence in himself, contempt for the “fake news media” and optimism for the country.
What President Trump needs to do to drain the swamp in 2019 – (Fox News)
Fox News national security strategist Sebastian Gorka on what Trump can do in the new year to maintain his campaign promise of draining the swamp in Washington.
Federal employees union sues Trump administration over shutdown – (Axios)
The union’s president said forcing employees to work without pay “is nothing short of inhumane.”
Trump’s Twitter Year of Outrage and Braggadocio – (Politico)
The president spent 2018 addressing his 56.6 million Twitter followers with a vast catalogue of accomplishments and attacks on his foes.
Trump on 2019: ‘Calm down and enjoy the ride’ – (The Hill)
President Trump on Tuesday issued an all-caps New Year’s Day greeting to his followers on social media, and predicted 2019 “will be a fantastic year for those not suffering from Trump derangement syndrome.”
Departure of Trump’s GOP critics in Senate leaves a void – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are days away from completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who — if anyone — will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains …
How Trump Got Bad at Twitter – (Politico)
Once he ruled the medium, but read his feed now and you can see something has gone very wrong.
Democratic hopefuls are lining up to challenge Trump, but who will make the final cut? – (Independent)
There’s a genuine mystery surrounding who will emerge as presidential nominee
EU’s High Trade Surplus With the U.S. Poses Risk to 2018 Tariff Truce – (The Wall Street Journal)
The European Union narrowly avoided a bruising economic war with the U.S. in 2018 by vowing to rebalance trade. Now, the EU faces headwinds to fulfilling its promise and satisfying Trump’s demands.
Trump: Ask Warren’s Psychiatrist If She Thinks She Can Win 2020 – (The Huffington Post)
In a New Year’s Eve Q&A with Fox News, Trump mocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s chances at the presidency, suggesting a second term was in the bag.