Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Stocks plunge after Apple sees slower iPhone sales in China – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks went into a steep slide Thursday morning after Apple reported a slowdown in iPhone sales over the holidays in China, a hugely important market for the company. The rare warning of disappointing results from Apple sent a shudder through …
Waning iPhone demand highlights Chinese consumer anxiety – (Associated Press)
BEIJING (AP) — Apple Inc.’s $1,000 iPhone is a tough sell to consumers in China unnerved by an economic slump and the trade war with the U.S. CEO Tim Cook said in a letter to shareholders Wednesday that demand for iPhones is waning and revenue for the last qu…
Pelosi poised to become House speaker, making history – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi knew this moment would come, even if others had their doubts — or worked to stop her. Pelosi is poised to be elected Thursday as House speaker, the only woman who has held the office and now one of few elected officials who will…
Delta shares fall 10 percent on lowered quarterly outlook; drags down rivals – (Reuters)
Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc dropped 10 percent on Thursday, after the U.S. carrier warned fourth-quarter unit revenue would be slightly below its prior forecast due to the lower-than-expected improvement in last-minute fares booked by travelers.
OPEC oil output posts biggest drop since 2017 on Saudi move – (Reuters)
OPEC oil supply fell in December by the largest amount in almost two years, a Reuters survey found, as top exporter Saudi Arabia made an early start to a supply-limiting accord while Iran and Libya posted involuntary declines.
North Korean envoy to Italy vanishes _ did he defect? – (Associated Press)
ROME (AP) — North Korea’s top diplomat in Italy has gone into hiding along with his wife, according to a South Korean lawmaker, raising the possibility of a defection of a senior North Korean official. The news came from South Korea’s spy agency, which briefe…
DUP’s Dodds says party’s objections to PM May’s Brexit deal remain, talks continue – (Reuters)
The Democractic Unionist Party’s objections to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal remain, its deputy leader Nigel Dodds said on Thursday after talks with the British leader.
Russia charges American with espionage: Interfax citing ‘informed source’ – (Reuters)
Russia has charged former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan with espionage, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, citing what it described as an informed source.
Apple shares slide after iPhone maker issues rare revenue warning – (Reuters)
Apple Inc shares fell as much as 9 percent in early trading after the iPhone maker blamed weak China demand for its revenue shortfall in the holiday quarter, a clear sign of the company’s struggles in the world’s largest smartphone market.
Apple sales should pick up when U.S.-China strike trade deal: Trump adviser – (Reuters)
A sharp drop in Chinese economic growth will hit the profits of U.S. firms but sales by Apple and other American companies should recover once Washington strikes a trade deal with Beijing, a senior White House adviser said on Thursday.
China lands spacecraft on ‘dark’ side of moon in world first – (Associated Press)
BEIJING (AP) — China’s burgeoning space program achieved a first on Thursday: a landing on the so-called dark side of the moon that brings the country closer to its goal of becoming a space power. Three nations — the United States, the former Soviet Union and…
Wall Street sinks nearly 3 percent as factory data adds to Apple woes – (Reuters)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 600 points on Thursday as the biggest drop in more than a decade in the ISM U.S. manufacturing index added to nerves over slowing global growth sparked by a revenue warning from Apple.
Automakers close out 2018 with drop in U.S. new vehicle sales – (Reuters)
Major automakers on Thursday posted a weak finish to 2018 for U.S. new vehicle sales as the industry braced for what is widely expected to be a worse year for sales in 2019.
Day 13: New Congress, same old impasse over Trump’s wall – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The partial government shutdown entered a 13th day Thursday with House Democrats prepared to pass their plan to reopen government and President Donald Trump accusing them of playing politics with an eye on the 2020 election. Both sides appea…
Irish PM: Any changes to Brexit cannot undermine backstop – (Reuters)
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Thursday the European Union would not accept clarifications or reassurances on Britain’s Brexit deal that would undermine the spirit of the agreement or render any part of it inoperable.
Meet the New Freshmen in Congress Being Sworn in Today – (The New York Times)
The congressional freshman class of 2019 includes the most racially diverse and most female group of representatives ever elected to the House.
Sanders contrite as 2016 aides face harassment allegations – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his chief lieutenants are offering contrition as some of his 2016 campaign staffers face allegations of sexual harassment that threaten to derail a second White House bid before it begins. Hours after a New York…
With May’s agreement in balance, ministers warn against no-deal Brexit – (Reuters)
Britain is more likely to leave the EU without a deal if lawmakers reject the agreement Prime Minister Theresa May has negotiated, one of her ministers said on Thursday, while a second said a no-deal exit would hit the farming sector hard.
Sudan’s opposition calls for more protests against Omar al-Bashir – (Al Jazeera English)
Sudanese President promises wage hikes in an attempt to stem demonstrations.
Women navigate toxicity, other barriers in esports – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Susie Kim thinks the women gamers are out there. As general manager for a championship esports team, she would know. She’s not surprised none of them are on her roster. The Entertainment Software Association reported this year that 45 percent …
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From various sources
The era of divided government in Washington begins, inauspiciously – (The Economist)
Will the president be able to see the wood for the subpoenas?
Returns on stocks in 2018 were down across the board – (The Economist)
For long-term investors that is good news
An uptick in migrants crossing the Channel by boat – (The Economist)
The change of approach follows the introduction of tighter controls elsewhere
Suspicious Iranian cargo plane made 72 flights since September – (The Jerusalem Post)
Flight tracking data and analysis shows increased trade between Tehran and Damascus since Russian IL-20 was shot down in September.
Israeli man convicted of sodomy, murder 21 years after grisly crime – (The Jerusalem Post)
Eyal’s family reacted to the verdict of their daughter’s murderer, “An evil person, who took the life of Noa has no right to walk freely like any other person.
Haredi activist to run in Labor elections – (The Jerusalem Post)
“I speak for the new haredi,”
Nikki Haley resets Twitter account, keeps Jerusalem photo – (The Jerusalem Post)
The former U.N. ambassador was forced to wipe her account clean after using it for business and personal tweets.
107 medicines worth NIS 460 million added to health basket – (The Jerusalem Post)
Established by the 1994 National Health Insurance Law, the basket encompasses the entire range of medical services, drugs, equipment and devices.
Court: Lawyers may meet minors in Jewish terror case on Saturday night – (The Jerusalem Post)
Fighting breaks out at courthouse between police and right-wing activists.
Bernie Sanders says he didn’t know about sexual harassment allegations among 2016 campaign workers – (Vice News)
Still, these accounts have reportedly damaged Sanders’ standing as a progressive champion.
Artificial Intelligence Can Detect Alzheimer’s Disease in Brain Scans Six Years Before a Diagnosis – (Hacker News)
UCSF researchers programmed a machine-learning algorithm to diagnose early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The algorithm used PET scans – a common type of brain scan.
Hynes agrees to contact extension as coach of Devils – (NHL News)
John Hynes agreed to a multiyear contract extension as coach of the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
Apple Had Five Ways to Fuel Earnings. Only One Still Works – (Hacker News)
NASA spacecraft completes farthest flyby in history. What’s next? – (National Geographic)
Scientists at last have their first good look at a primordial piece of the solar system orbiting more than four billion miles away.
China successfully lands Chang’e-4 on far side of Moon – (Hacker News)
It’s a space feat no nation has accomplished until now.
Thailand works to preserve its natural wonders – (National Geographic)
Tourism authorities are encouraging visitors to leave “only their footprints and take only good memories”.
Dueling eclipses, and more top sky-watching events in January – (National Geographic)
Ring in the new year with a sparkling meteor shower, a pair of eclipses, and a planet parade.
This baby sperm whale was tangled in ocean trash for 3 years – (National Geographic)
Digit’s survival is critical to her family. Her story highlights the marine pollution crisis.
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All about Trump
Trump trade adviser expects “heck of a lot” more earnings downgrades over China dispute – (Axios)
“It’s not going to be just Apple.”
Report reveals possible immigration violations at Trump’s Bedminster golf club – (CBS News)
The New York Daily News is reporting new information about a probe into possible immigration fraud at President Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Reporter Chris Sommerfeld joined CBSN with more on what their investigation uncovered.
After nearly 2 years, Trump finally has a top science adviser – (Axios)
Kelvin Droegemeier is considered to be a mainstream scientific voice.
Pelosi parts with DOJ on whether sitting president can be indicted: ‘Open discussion’ – (Fox News)
Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that a longstanding Justice Department policy protecting sitting presidents from indictment is “not conclusive” and represents an “open discussion,” in a fresh warning to President Trump amid Special Counsel Robert…
Trump’s New Year’s resolution: Fending off an emboldened Congress | CBC News – (CBC News)
Democrats won back the U.S. House of Representatives in November by talking about everything but Donald Trump. That’s over now, writes Keith Boag.
Apple sales should pick up when U.S.-China strike trade deal: Trump adviser – (Reuters)
A sharp drop in Chinese economic growth will hit the profits of U.S. firms but sales by Apple and other American companies should recover once Washington strikes a trade deal with Beijing, a senior White House adviser said on Thursday.
Day 13: New Congress, same old impasse over Trump’s wall – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The partial government shutdown entered a 13th day Thursday with House Democrats prepared to pass their plan to reopen government and President Donald Trump accusing them of playing politics with an eye on the 2020 election. Both sides appea…
Democrats attempt to end shutdown as they take House – (RTE)
Democrats have wasted no time flexing their new power in the US House of Representatives as they manoeuvered to pass legislation that would end a 13-day partial government shutdown while ignoring US President Donald Trump’s demand for $5 billion for a border …
Sen. Lindsey Graham warns President Trump: Loss in wall battle could be ‘end of his presidency’ – (USA Today)
“If he gives in now, that’s the end of 2019 in terms of him being an effective president. That’s probably the end of his presidency,” Graham said.
Trump accuses Dems of using shutdown to try to beat him in 2020 – (The Hill)
President Trump on Thursday called Democrats’ opposition to his proposed border wall “strictly political” and accused the party of seeking an advantage in the 2020 presidential election as a partial government shutdown entered its 13th day.
Recode Daily: How to watch the swearing-in of the 116th Congress, on a historic day for women in government – (Recode)
Plus: Apple drops its Q1 guidance and blames Trump and China; a Fortnite gamer earned nearly $10 million last year; cute robots are coming to next week’s CES.
Dow falls 500 points as Apple’s shock warning sends tremors through markets – (NBC News)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened sharply lower Thursday as investors digested some of the strongest indications yet that Trump’s trade policies are having a negative impact on U.S. companies.
Report: Trump’s DOJ weighs cutting of anti-discrimination regulations – (Axios)
They’re eyeing regulations that deal with “disparate impact.”
Exclusive: Nancy Pelosi vows ‘different world’ for Trump with new Congress, no more ‘rubber stamp’ – (USA Today)
Nancy Pelosi plans to confront Donald Trump on many fronts, from investigating the deaths of child migrants to protecting Robert Mueller’s probe.
Here’s how to watch, what to know about the swearing in of the new Congress and what it means for Donald Trump – (Newsweek)
The ongoing partial government shutdown, now in its 13th day with no end in sight, is perhaps an indicator of the large ideological division and gridlock that will persist for the next two years.
Trump border wall GoFundMe hits $18 million, more than Parkland and March For Our Lives campaigns combined in 2018 – (Newsweek)
At the current rate of donations, it will take around 890 more days—or 2.43 years—to reach the ultimate $1 billion goal.
US shutdown: Pelosi says Trump can’t persuade Democrats on wall – (Al Jazeera English)
As shutdown continues presumptive House Speaker Pelosi says negotiating with Trump is hard because he ‘resists truth’.
Dem lawmaker to introduce articles of impeachment against Trump on first day of new Congress – (Google News)
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) intends to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump on Thursday as the new session of Congress convenes.
Nancy Pelosi will not rule out impeachment or indictment for Trump – (Independent)
‘Oversight of government by the Congress is our responsibility,’ says leading Democrat
Blackburn on Romney-Trump feud: Together everyone achieves more – (Fox News)
Mitt Romney rips Trump in scathing op-ed; Senator-elect Marsha Blackburn reacts.
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