Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Saudi teen to depart Thailand for Canada asylum-Thai immigration chief – (Reuters)
A Saudi woman who fled to Thailand saying she feared her family would kill her has been granted asylum in Canada and is traveling there on Friday, the Thai immigration chief told Reuters.
Woman says missing Wisconsin girl called out to her for help – (Associated Press)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A woman said she was walking her dog along a rural road when a disheveled teenage girl called out to her for help, quickly grabbed her and told her she was lost. Then the girl revealed her name: Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old Wisconsin girl who…
APNewsBreak: US approved thousands of child bride requests – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of requests by men to bring in child and adolescent brides to live in the United States were approved over the past decade, according to government data obtained by The Associated Press. In one case, a 49-year-old man applied for a…
The Latest: Thai police: Saudi asylum seeker going to Canada – (Associated Press)
BANGKOK (AP) — The Latest on Saudi asylum seeker who fled alleged abuse by her family (all times local): 10:15 p.m. Thailand’s immigration police chief says a Saudi woman who fled alleged abuse by her family will leave Bangkok for Canada. Police Chief Suracha…
US official says withdrawal from Syria has begun – (Associated Press)
BAGHDAD (AP) — After days of conflicting statements about a timeline for U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out American troops from Syria, a U.S. defense official said Friday the withdrawal process has begun with some military cargo pulled out. T…
Wall Street rally pauses as investors await corporate earnings reports – (Reuters)
A five-day rally in U.S. stocks ran out of steam on Friday as investors booked profits and reset their positions ahead of the earning season set to begin next week.
GM gives strong 2019 earnings forecast, shares jump 8 percent – (Reuters)
General Motors Co on Friday gave a strong earnings forecast for 2019 powered by its revamped and highly-profitable pickup truck lineup, sending the No. 1 U.S. automaker’s shares up 8 percent in early trading.
Trump says changes coming on high-tech visas – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says changes are coming in the way that the U.S. handles temporary H1-B visas, which allow American companies to bring high-tech and other skilled workers into the U.S. from abroad. Trump tweeted Friday that those who …
U.S. consumer prices post first drop in nine months on gasoline – (Reuters)
U.S. consumer prices fell for the first time in nine months in December amid a plunge in gasoline prices, but underlying inflation pressures remained firm as rental housing and healthcare costs rose steadily.
Trump closer to declaring emergency; 800,000 won’t get paid – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is edging closer to declaring a national emergency to fund his long-promised border wall, as pressure mounts to find an escape hatch from the three-week impasse that has closed parts of the government, leaving hundreds…
Expert: Comatose woman may not have shown signs of pregnancy – (Associated Press)
PHOENIX (AP) — A doctor examined an Arizona woman in a vegetative state nearly nine months before she gave birth but did not find that she was pregnant, and medical experts said Thursday that it’s possible she displayed no outward signs that workers who cared…
Trump promises changes to H1-B visas, including potential citizenship – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump on Friday said he is planning changes to H-1B visas, which are issued temporarily to highly educated immigrants so they can work in specialty occupations, that would create simplicity, certainty and a possibility that the workers could …
China Moon probes take snaps of each other – (BBC News)
A Chinese rover and static lander put on the far side of the Moon take pictures of each other.
MBS in touch with ‘former’ Saudi royal adviser Qahtani: WPost – (Al Jazeera English)
MBS continues to seek advice from ‘dismissed’ adviser Saud al-Qahtani, who is implicated in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
As U.S. shutdown ties record, Trump weighs emergency declaration – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump, facing the prospect of the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, is considering declaring a national emergency that would likely escalate a policy dispute with Democrats over his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall into a court tes…
Small steps from stocks after rally, giant leap for yuan – (Reuters)
Soothing words from the world’s top central banks helped stocks consolidate a strong start to 2019 on Friday, while China’s yuan capped its best week since it shed its dollar peg in 2005.
Shutdown suspends federal cleanups at US Superfund sites – (Associated Press)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The government shutdown has suspended federal cleanups at Superfund sites around the nation and forced the cancellation of public hearings, deepening the mistrust and resentment of surrounding residents who feel people in power long ag…
Federal workers seek loans, second jobs as shutdown lingers – (Associated Press)
OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Rachael Weatherly is a senior adviser for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but she’s considering trying to get a job at a grocery store. Weatherly is among the 800,000 federal employees who aren’t getting paychecks for the first tim…
Israel opens ‘Apartheid road’ in occupied West Bank – (Al Jazeera English)
A new road with brick and steel barrier separates Palestinian and Israeli traffic between villages of Anata and Azzayim.
U.S.-led coalition says it has started Syria withdrawal – (Reuters)
The U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State has begun the process of withdrawing from Syria, a spokesman said on Friday, indicating the start of a U.S. pullout that has been clouded by mixed messages from Washington.
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From various sources
How China could dominate science – (The Economist)
Should the world worry?
IDF soldier lightly injured during ‘March of Return’ protests in Gaza – (The Jerusalem Post)
One Palestinian woman was killed and fourteen more were injured from IDF fire, according to Palestinian Health Ministry reports.
U.S. to host global summit in Poland focusing on Iran – (The Jerusalem Post)
Pompeo said the meeting would “bring together dozens of countries from all around the world, from Asia, from Africa, from Western Hemisphere countries, Europe too, the Middle East of course.”
Saudi seeking asylum to be flown to Canada – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Canada has granted her asylum,” Surachate told Reuters. “She’ll leave tonight at 11.15 p.m.”
Following U.S. withdrawal, Turkey reinforces troops on Syrian border – (The Jerusalem Post)
The convoy was being sent to reinforce a Turkish military presence on the border near the northern Syrian province of Idlib.
Glass Exclusive Clip: The Beast Reveals Himself for Mister Glass – IGN.com – (IGN)
In this exclusive clip from M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass, the partnership between the Horde and Mister Glass leads to the Beast needing to reveal himself. Glass stars Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy and Spencer Trea…
Barron County sheriff holds news conference on Jayme Closs case – (Fox News)
San Diego station claims CNN asked for local border wall perspective, but backed off when response favored … – (Fox News)
A San Diego news station has accused CNN of asking for a local perspective on the border wall debate but backing off when the response didn’t fit CNN’s anti-Trump agenda.
Showering In Prison Is Hell – (Buzzfeed)
Step by step, I shuffle forward amid the mass of bodies, waiting to get inside.
PHP Apprentice – an online, open-source book for learning PHP – (Hacker News)
An online book for learning PHP
CNNgo – CNN.com – (CNN)
CNNgo is a revolutionary news-watching experience that offers the live CNN broadcast with unprecedented features. You can catch-up on the stories you‘ve missed, go deeper and learn more about the stories that interest you with related coverage, and enjoy the …
Brexit: Hunt claims Commons votes this week have made staying in EU more likely – Politics live – (The Guardian (UK))
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including day three of the Brexit debate
Every U.S. ambassador flying to D.C. conference despite shutdown – (Axios)
“That does not pass the laugh test.”
Missing Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs found alive: What we know about how she escaped – (USA Today)
Nearly three months after her parents were shot dead in their Wisconsin home, Jayme Closs, 13, was found alive. Here’s what we know about her rescue.
MPs attack ministers over delay to tax havens’ public registers – (The Guardian (UK))
British overseas territories win reprieve after threatening legal action or secession
Couple who raffled £3million riverside home change prize to £110,000 – (Daily Mail)
Mark and Sharon Beresford planned to raffle off their £3million Hampshire home but have sparked a backlash after changing the prize to £110,000 cash after failing to sell enough tickets.
AFC Divisional Round preview: Chargers-Patriots – (NFL News)
The Los Angeles Chargers take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round this Sunday, and Kevin Patra provides the backstory and key matchups in what figures to be a close game in Foxborough.
NFC Divisional Round preview: Eagles-Saints – (NFL News)
The Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints clash in an intriguing NFC Divisional Round matchup this Sunday night. Herbie Teope provides a survey of keys to look for and a prediction of the game.
Marijuana grower Tilray soars more than 20% after Peter Thiel-backed fund says it won’t sell – (CNBC)
Tilray popped more than 20 percent Friday after its largest shareholder, a private equity fund backed by Peter Thiel, said it will not sell.
Teen steals three-month-old puppy from young boy and runs off in shocking CCTV – (Mirror)
The tiny Jack Russell Terrier was scooped up as his young owner tried to stop the teenager running away with her
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All about Trump
San Diego station claims CNN asked for local border wall perspective, but backed off when response favored … – (Fox News)
A San Diego news station has accused CNN of asking for a local perspective on the border wall debate but backing off when the response didn’t fit CNN’s anti-Trump agenda.
The Week in Pictures: Jan. 3 – 10 – (NBC News)
President Trump addresses the nation, Clemson celebrates, snow blankets Athens and more
US official says withdrawal from Syria has begun – (Associated Press)
BAGHDAD (AP) — After days of conflicting statements about a timeline for U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out American troops from Syria, a U.S. defense official said Friday the withdrawal process has begun with some military cargo pulled out. T…
‘It’s a bad precedent’ — GOP Sen. Grassley warns Trump not to declare a national emergency to get his border wall – (CNBC)
“I believe you’re going to find it in the courts almost immediately,” says the Iowa Republican. “It contravenes the power of the purse” of Congress.
What do old tabloid covers reveal about the rise of Donald Trump? – (The Economist)
Aleksandra Mir, an artist, searches for clues in sensational stories
Trump: Mexico will Pay for Wall as USMCA is ‘Billions of Dollars’ Better Than NAFTA – (Crypto Coins News)
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated that Mexico will pay for the wall that he pledged to build along the country’s southern border during the 2015/2016 campaign rallies. In an early-morning tweet, Trump declared that the benefits accruing from the rece…
What happens if Trump declares national emergency at the border? – (CBS News)
President Trump says he will likely declare a national emergency at the southern border if Democrats don’t agree to provide $5.7 billion for a border wall. It would allow the president to divert funds from the Department of Defense to help pay for constructio…
Trump says changes coming on high-tech visas – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says changes are coming in the way that the U.S. handles temporary H1-B visas, which allow American companies to bring high-tech and other skilled workers into the U.S. from abroad. Trump tweeted Friday that those who …
Sam Lipsyte traces the rise of a messiah in a satire that loses steam: EW review – (Entertainment Weekly)
In ‘Hark,’ Lipsyte traces the rise of a messiah in a Trump-adjacent era with intriguing insights, but his characters fall fatally short.
Trump closer to declaring emergency; 800,000 won’t get paid – (Google News (Canada))
U.S. President Donald Trump is edging closer to declaring a national emergency to fund his long-promised border wall, as pressure mounts to find an escape hatch from the three-week impasse that has closed parts of the government, leaving hundreds of thousands…
Trump says will unveil overhaul ‘soon’ of visa rules for skilled workers ‘including a path to citizenship’ – (USA Today)
H1-B holders “can rest assured that changes are soon coming,” the president says in a tweet.
Trump appointee replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be “brutal,” conservative legal expert says – (Newsweek)
“It would be a brutal confirmation,” Director of the Heritage Foundation’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies John Malcolm said.
Exclusive: Trump team should be allowed to ‘correct’ final Mueller report, says Giuliani – (The Hill)
Rudy Giuliani says President Trump’s legal team should be allowed to “correct” special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report before Congress or the American people get the chance to read it.
Mueller, Feds Probe Ukrainian Officials Who Attended Trump’s Inauguration: Report – (The Huffington Post)
Some of the officials reportedly hoped to gauge how they could become influential to the new administration, in order to boost issues favorable to Russia.
Trump Promises Changes To H1-B Visas, Including Potential Citizenship – (Google News (India))
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he is planning changes to H1-B visas, which are issued temporarily to highly educated immigrants so they can work in specialty occupations, that would create simplicity, certainty and a possibility that the workers cou…
The partial US government shutdown is tied for the longest ever as Trump border wall fight rages on – (CNBC)
The government shutdown record comes on the same day hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers start to miss paychecks.
The partial US government shutdown is tied for the longest ever as Trump border wall fight rages on – (Google News)
The government shutdown record comes on the same day hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers start to miss paychecks.
Trump closer to declaring emergency; 800,000 won’t get paid – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is edging closer to declaring a national emergency to fund his long-promised border wall, as pressure mounts to find an escape hatch from the three-week impasse that has closed parts of the government, leaving hundreds…
Trump to H1B visa holders: ‘Path to citizenship’ could be coming soon – (The Hill)
President Trump on Friday indicated plans to change policies for visa holders, tweeting that a “path to citizenship” for H-1B holders was potentially possible under his administration.
Trump edges closer to declaring national emergency to fund border wall – (The Guardian (AU))
White House attorneys and allies prepare groundwork for declaration as pressure mounts to find a solution to three-week government shutdown