Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
As Trump wages political war over border, activists fight back – (Al Jazeera English)
Humanitarians say Trump’s crackdown creates hostile environment for their work and refugees, migrants crossing border.
Trump, Democrats ramp up pressure as shutdown hits 3rd week – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — With no weekend breakthrough to end a prolonged partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump is standing firm in his border wall funding demands and newly empowered House Democrats are planning to step up pressure on Trump and Republi…
Wall Street takes a breather after Friday’s rally – (Reuters)
U.S. stocks treaded water on Monday as investors turned wary of the latest round of U.S.-China trade talks and a prolonged government shutdown, halting Wall Street’s strong surge from Friday.
Ginsburg missing Supreme Court arguments for 1st time – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is missing arguments for the first time in more than 25 years as she recuperates from cancer surgery last month, the Supreme Court said. Ginsburg was not on the bench as the court met Monday to hear arguments. It …
Gabon thwarts military coup attempt in President’s absence – (Reuters)
Gabon foiled an attempted military coup on Monday, arresting several plotters just hours after they took over state radio in a bid to end 50 years of rule by President Ali Bongo’s family.
Two suspects killed, seven captured in failed Gabon coup attempt – (Reuters)
Gabon security forces killed two suspects in a failed coup attempt in Gabon on Monday and captured seven others, government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told reporters.
Ex-Goldman Sachs banker denied bail in Malaysia pending extradition to U.S. – (Reuters)
A Malaysian court on Monday refused bail to former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, pending his extradition to the United States where he faces charges related to suspected money laundering of funds siphoned off from state fund 1MDB.
Home items are getting smarter and creepier, like it or not – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — One day, finding an oven that just cooks food may be as tough as buying a TV that merely lets you click between channels. Internet-connected “smarts” are creeping into cars, refrigerators, thermostats, toys and just about everything else in yo…
Seven die in massive Alps snowfall – (BBC News)
Heavy snow proves deadly in Austria, Germany and Italy, as skiers are warned of avalanches.
U.S. destroyer sails in disputed South China Sea amid trade talks – (Reuters)
A U.S. guided-missile destroyer sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea in what China called a “provocation” as U.S. officials joined talks in Beijing during a truce in a bitter trade war.
Rahaf Alqunun: Thailand admits Saudi woman seeking asylum – (Al Jazeera English)
Teenager seeking passage to asylum in Australia claims she was abused by her family and fears death if repatriated.
Thai police say they won’t deport Saudi woman seeking asylum – (Associated Press)
BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Thailand’s immigration police said Monday that an 18-year-old Saudi woman who was stopped in Bangkok as she was trying to travel to Australia for asylum to escape alleged abuse by her family will not be sent anywhere against her wis…
Trump holds firm on border wall, offers steel option as compromise – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday not to bend in his demand for a wall along the southern border with Mexico but said the barrier could be made of steel instead of concrete as a potential compromise with Democrats who refuse to fund it.
‘They will kill me’: Saudi woman to seek asylum after fleeing family to Thailand – (Reuters)
An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family and barricaded herself inside a Bangkok airport hotel to prevent being expelled by Thai authorities has left the airport after talks with the United Nations refugee agency, an official said on Monday.
Kevin Spacey due in court on charge of groping young man – (Associated Press)
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Kevin Spacey is due in court Monday to answer accusations that he groped a young man in a bar on the resort island of Nantucket in 2016. The two-time Oscar winner has said he will plead not guilty to felony indecent assault and battery…
U.S. Supreme Court’s Ginsburg to miss Monday’s oral arguments – (Reuters)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be working from home and will not participate from the bench during the two scheduled oral arguments on Monday after undergoing surgery for lung cancer last month, a court spokeswoman said.
Deb Haaland becomes one of first two Native American congresswomen – (Reuters)
The day before Deb Haaland was sworn in last week as a freshman lawmaker in the most diverse U.S. House of Representatives class in history, she said the weight of being one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress had not yet fully hit her.
US, Turkey set for negotiations on fate of Kurds – (Associated Press)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton is set to press Turkey for assurances that it won’t attack the Kurdish fighters in Syria, which he said is now a condition for the withdrawal of American troops from northeastern Syria. Bolton a…
Incredible ‘sea monster’ skull revealed – (BBC News)
Face-to-face with the marine reptile that swam the ancient seas 200 million years ago.
‘American IS fighters’ captured in Syria – (BBC News)
The Texan reportedly submitted a CV to the Islamic State group asking for a job teaching English.
***
From various sources
Gabbay seeking partnership with Meimad – (The Jerusalem Post)
The party, which is a Hebrew acronym for Jewish state democratic state, was founded 30 years ago by Har Etzion yeshiva head Rabbi Amital and was relaunched in June after a period of inactivity.
Under new leadership, Bank of Israel leaves interest rate unchanged – (The Jerusalem Post)
A former professor of banking and finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Yaron started his term as governor only two weeks ago.
Review | At this year’s Golden Globes, a lot of agreement but not a lot of fun – (The Washington Post)
It was a by-the-book awards show, gentle on the jokes and heavy on the adulation.
Netanyahu to deliver ‘dramatic political announcement’ Monday evening – (The Jerusalem Post)
This comes in the wake of over half the voters believing that Netanyahu must resign if Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit indicts him, according to a poll.
Hecht Museum in Haifa to open two new archaeology exhibits – (The Jerusalem Post)
Police arrested Jazmine Barnes’ alleged killer. But he wasn’t the man described by her family. – (Vice News)
Two men — Eric Black Jr. and another police haven’t yet named — were arrested over the weekend.
“Call me a radical”: Highlights from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s big “60 Minutes” interview – (Vice News)
Is Marijuana as Safe as We Think? – (Hacker News)
Permitting pot is one thing; promoting its use is another.
Arraignment hearing for Kevin Spacey – (Fox News)
Bernie Sanders under siege at critical 2020 moment: ‘The problem has to be dealt with’ – (Fox News)
As Bernie Sanders gears up for a likely second run at the Democratic presidential nomination, the Vermont senator finds himself facing a much higher level of scrutiny than he ever endured in 2016.
‘Europe’s Silicone Valley’: Denmark plans nine new islands – (The Guardian (UK))
Government hopes 18-year Copenhagen scheme will attract hundreds of companies
Philip Rivers looking forward to rematch vs. Patriots – (NFL News)
The Los Angeles Chargers will face the New England Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday. Chargers signal-caller Philip Rivers is pumped to get another chance at the Pats in the playoffs.
Samsung sticks Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU inside new Odyssey gaming notebook – (Ars Technica)
Yet another competitor for Acer, Alienware, Razer, and others to watch.
Kevin Spacey appears at courthouse to face sex assault charges – (NBC News)
The Oscar-winner, facing felony indecent assault and battery, was accused by Heather Unruh of groping her then 18-year-old son in July 2016 at the Club Car Restaurant in Nantucket.
‘You keep lying about my name’ – Zuma tweets in response to Sunday Times report – (News24)
Former president Jacob Zuma has accused Tiso Blackstar publication Sunday Times of “lying” about him, despite ANC confirmation that he is set to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa this week.
Canary Wharf station shut due to serious incident as ‘man treated by paramedics’ – (Mirror)
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
Police launch hunt for migrants after abandoned inflatable boat found – (Daily Mail)
The rigid-hulled vessel was found deserted on a remote beach at Dungeness on Romney Marsh, in Kent, just after 8am this morning. A search was conducted and six men were found.
Wayne Rooney was handcuffed by armed police and dumped in a cell – (Daily Mail)
The former England football captain set off an alarm as he opened the door and then swore at police at Washington’s Dulles Airport who failed to recognise him.
5G isn’t even here yet, but the tech industry is already thinking about what comes next – (Axios)
And the first true 5G smartphones are still a couple months away.
Liz Cheney Slams Christian Bale For Golden Globes Remarks About Her Father – (The Huffington Post)
The “Vice” actor thanked Satan for inspiring him in his portrayal of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
***
All about Trump
Trump denies backtracking on Syria, even as withdrawal possibly delayed – (The Hill)
President Trump on Monday said his plans to pull U.S.
As Trump wages political war over border, activists fight back – (Al Jazeera English)
Humanitarians say Trump’s crackdown creates hostile environment for their work and refugees, migrants crossing border.
Trump, Democrats ramp up pressure as shutdown hits 3rd week – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — With no weekend breakthrough to end a prolonged partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump is standing firm in his border wall funding demands and newly empowered House Democrats are planning to step up pressure on Trump and Republi…
The greatest trick Donald Trump ever pulled – (CNN)
Donald Trump has done a lot of unprecedented things since he started running for president in June 2015. He’s attacked prisoners of war. He’s bullied just about everyone in the world of politics. He’s downplayed the white supremacist violence that led to a wo…
Commerce Secretary Ross denies Apple’s big earnings miss is tied to China – (CNBC)
Apple’s warning led some on Wall Street to question the impact of Trump’s trade policies with regard to China.
Government shutdown becomes the third-longest ever. Here’s where things stand – (CNBC)
With both sides dismissing each others’ positions as “non-starters,” administration officials including Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Democrats over the weekend in an attempt to push negotiations forward.
Trump holds firm on border wall, offers steel option as compromise – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday not to bend in his demand for a wall along the southern border with Mexico but said the barrier could be made of steel instead of concrete as a potential compromise with Democrats who refuse to fund it.
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference kicks off Monday with focus on Trump, Amazon – (CNBC)
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the industry’s biggest investor show, will bring more than 485 companies and 9,000 attendees to San Francisco.
Why are Democrats keeping their distance from Elizabeth Warren? – (Newsweek)
Warren has become the first senator to enter the 2020 race to unseat President Donald Trump.
The timeline for U.S. troops to exit Syria has gone from 30 days to sometime in the future – (Vice News)
Trump claims he “never said we’re doing it that quickly.”
Trump needs to bring a real concession to the shutdown bargaining table, not steel slats – (Google News)
Although President Trump has been previewing his “artistically designed steel slats” for the southern border wall for weeks now, the White House is now trying to reframe the use of steel instead of concrete as a concession to Democrats.
Trump ramps up attacks on media: ‘Crazed lunatics’ – (The Hill)
President Trump on Monday ramped up his attacks against the press, saying “crazed lunatics” have “given up on the TRUTH.”
Government shutdown: Democrats pan Trump’s steel border wall concession – (The Guardian (UK))
President claims Sunday meeting was ‘productive’ as Mulvaney says payroll will not go out on Friday if shutdown continues
Analysis | The Daily 202: Syria walk-backs underscore the rashness of Trump’s initial withdrawal announcement – (The Washington Post)
A timeline of the president’s evolving comments. The president vs. the presidency, cont.
Analysis: Trump’s unpredictable negotiating style faces test – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The partial government shutdown is spotlighting the limitations of President Donald Trump’s erratic negotiating style. With the impasse over Trump’s demand for border wall funding dragging into a third week, the president’s zigzag tactics an…
President Trump bets big on Supreme Court to uphold controversial policies after lower court losses – (USA Today)
President Trump is betting big on the Supreme Court to revive policies from immigration and border security to transgender soldiers in the military.
Lemon refutes Trump’s wall claim with video – CNN Video – (CNN)
CNN’s Don Lemon calls out President Donald Trump over comments he made about funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border as the partial government shutdown enters its 15th day.
John Bolton says U.S. troops not leaving Syria yet – (CBS News)
White House National Security Adviser John Bolton is rolling back President Trump’s plan to quickly withdraw American troops from Syria. Bolton said in Israel Sunday that the 2,000 troops will not leave Syria until ISIS is defeated and Turkey guarantees the s…
Eye Opener: No end in sight as government shutdown enters week 3 – (CBS News)
President Trump may try to bypass Democrats to secure billions for a border wall after weekend talks failed to break the deadlock. Also, the Golden Globe Awards turned into a night of diversity, inclusion and surprise winners. All that and all that matters in…
Steve Hilton: Mattis, Kelly marched to the establishment beat. Trump was right to fire them – (Fox News)
Gens. Mattis and Kelly may have been heroes in combat – I don’t know, I’m not a military man and can’t judge. But I do know something about civilian government, and the way they behaved was not just disgraceful, but frightening.