Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Jayme Closs to receive $25,000 reward – (BBC News)
The teen who escaped captivity after her parents were killed will receive the reward offer on her case.
Votes on Senate bills seen as progress even if they fail – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is taking a new approach to ending the partial government shutdown by actually taking votes. But competing bills appear likely to fail Thursday, caught in a poisonous Washington impasse. Either measure would reopen federal agencie…
4 Nevada killings spook neighbors who don’t know motive – (Associated Press)
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nervous neighbors were shining floodlights on their property at night in a northern Nevada community where Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken were killed this month in slayings that authorities blame on a 19-year-old from El Salvador sai…
Exclusive: U.N. expert to lead international inquiry into Khashoggi murder – (Reuters)
The United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions told Reuters on Thursday she will travel to Turkey next week to head an “independent international inquiry” into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
U.S. sanctions hit Iran-backed airlines, fighters in Syria – (Reuters)
The United States on Thursday targeted two Iran-backed foreign fighter militias in Syria and two airlines that help send weapons to Syria in fresh sanctions as Washington prepares for a military withdrawal from the war-torn country.
Exclusive: Some in Bangladesh election observer group say they now regret involvement – (Reuters)
A top official at an observer group that monitored Bangladesh’s election, as well as one of its foreign volunteers, have said they regret participating in the process, casting doubt on the credibility of a vote won overwhelmingly by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi…
Chefs and truck drivers beware: AI is coming for your jobs – (Associated Press)
Robots aren’t replacing everyone, but a quarter of U.S. jobs will be severely disrupted as artificial intelligence accelerates the automation of existing work, according to a new Brookings Institution report. Thursday’s report from the Washington think tank s…
UN’s Guterres: World is losing the race against climate change – (Al Jazeera English)
UN chief says political will needed to make governments understand this is the ‘most important priority of our times’.
Venezuela defense minister says Maduro is ‘legitimate president’ – (Reuters)
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Thursday that Nicolas Maduro was the country’s “legitimate president” and that the opposition was carrying out a coup after Juan Guaido, the leader of congress, declared himself president.
Congo’s new leader completes 1st peaceful transfer of power – (Associated Press)
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s new President Felix Tshisekedi made news as soon as he was sworn into office on Thursday by announcing he would release all political prisoners and by praising his father, the late opposition icon Etienne, calling him “president…
Trump delays State of the Union Address until shutdown ends – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a late night Tweet on Wednesday that he would delay a State of the Union address until the government shutdown was over, responding to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s move to obstruct his plans for the speech.
Alex Salmond charged with attempted rape – (BBC News)
The 64-year-old former Scottish first minister appeared in court following his arrest by police.
Nissin drops Osaka ad after complaints, star focused on game – (Associated Press)
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she hopes her sponsors will consult with her about how they portray her, but her focus is on her game as she heads into the final at the Australian Open. Osaka was asked about criticism over one of her main s…
Man who dialed 911 saying he shot 5 in bank held for murder – (Associated Press)
SEBRING, Fla. (AP) — An Indiana man accused of fatally shooting five people inside a Florida bank branch has long been fascinated with the idea of killing, but people who could have done something about it didn’t take his threats seriously, a woman who identi…
Senate stirs with votes on bills to end U.S. shutdown – (Reuters)
The Republican-led U.S. Senate planned votes for Thursday on competing proposals, one broadly backed by Democrats and the other by Republicans, to end the partial government shutdown, both of which seemed unlikely to resolve the month-long impasse.
Extended US-Taliban peace talks in Qatar raise Afghan hopes – (Al Jazeera English)
Talks in Qatar have now gone on for four days with analysts hoping they “open a way for an intra-Afghan dialogue”.
Kremlin backs Venezuela’s Maduro, while West turns up heat – (Reuters)
Russia accused the United States on Thursday of trying to usurp power in Venezuela and warned against military intervention, putting it at odds with Washington and the EU which backed protests against one of Moscow’s closest allies.
S&P, Dow dip on Commerce chief Ross’s trade comment; chips buoy Nasdaq – (Reuters)
The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped on Thursday after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the United States and China were a long way from resolving their trade dispute, while a rally in chipmakers lifted the Nasdaq.
Florida bank shooter ‘obsessed with death’ – (BBC News)
The man accused of killing five people in Florida always hated people, his ex-girlfriend says.
Maduro faces off with US over Venezuela rival’s power claim – (Associated Press)
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans headed into uncharted political waters Thursday, with the young leader of a newly united and combative opposition claiming to hold the presidency and socialist President Nicolas Maduro digging in for a fight with the Trum…
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From various sources
Juan Guaidó wins diplomatic recognition as Venezuela’s president – (The Economist)
But Nicolás Maduro still controls the army
Israeli politicians lash out at Netanyahu as Hamas refuses Qatari grant – (The Jerusalem Post)
The Israeli Security Cabinet approved the transfer of the money two days after halting it because of violence along the Israel-Gaza border.
Will EU financial vehicle to beat US’s Iran sanctions be a game-changer? – (The Jerusalem Post)
Or, are US sanctions too powerful for the EU aid to Iran to make a difference?
The Middle Eastern origins of support for Venezuela’s Maduro – (The Jerusalem Post)
As Venezuela’s crises unfolds Iran, Turkey, the Palestinians and Russia stand behind Maduro as US, Canada and other countries support interim President Guaido.
Over 20% young Canadians have never heard of the Holocaust – (The Jerusalem Post)
Significant gaps in knowledge about the Holocaust were revealed by the survey with 49% of Canadian respondents being unable to name a single camp or ghetto.
Hamas refuses Qatari cash after Israel allows third transfer of funds – (The Jerusalem Post)
In November, Israel allowed Qatar to begin a six-month cash infusion of some $90 million into Gaza.
Nathan Phillips says Covington student’s smirking explanation was “coached up and written for him” – (Vice News)
Trump’s brain trust is already rejecting Pelosi’s bid to end the shutdown: “it’s a nonstarter” – (Vice News)
It’s a symbol of the deep pessimism in Washington that the fact the Senate is voting on something counts as a bright spot.
military Archives – NextBigFuture.com – (Next Big Future)
US jobless claims fall to lowest since 1969 – (Financial Times)
Weekly data underline continued strength of US labour market
Route 60: the deadly road that is the West Bank’s lifeline – (Financial Times)
Calls to bar Palestinians from highway raises fears for region’s economy
Ingraham: The hat that dare not show its brim – (Fox News)
Why is the left so triggered by MAGA hats? Democrats view hats as symbols of ‘white supremacy.’
Cohen’s lawyer calls for criminal investigation into Giuliani over ‘witness tampering’ – (The Hill)
Michael Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, on Thursday called for a criminal investigation into President Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, for alleged witness tampering.
Barbra Streisand bailed on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ when he refused to film her ‘good side’ – (Fox News)
Barbra Streisand is so insecure about one side of her face that she canceled an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” because of it, the comedian claims.
Apple cuts 200 staff from secretive driverless car project – (Financial Times)
‘Project Titan’ workers have left or been redeployed to other divisions of tech group
Venezuelan defense minister warns of civil war by US-backed ‘criminal plan’ – (The Guardian (UK))
Vladimir Padrino accused the opposition, the US and regional allies of launching an attempted coup against Nicolás Maduro
Hilton and Netflix partner on in-room streaming, controlled through Hilton’s own app – (TechCrunch)
While many hotel chains offer Netflix on their TVs as a courtesy for their guests, Hilton and Netflix this morning announced a first-of-a-kind partnership that will give Hilton’s guests the ability to log into Netflix and control their streaming experience di…
TiVo’s new streaming apps will be limited to 720p and 30 fps – (The Verge)
TiVo’s upcoming Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV streaming apps that were announced at CES will have a big caveat when they launch: they’ll be limited to just 720p and 30 fps streaming
Buy one of Britain’s cheapest homes costing as little as £4k – (Daily Mail)
And the three properties with the lowest asking prices can all be found in the same area of Scotland’s Inverclyde, according to property website HouseSimple.
Loan firm sparks outrage by calling for return of ‘Dickensian’ debtors’ prisons – (Mirror)
Quick Loans – which charges eye-watering interest rates of up to 1,500% – has been branded “Dickensian” and faced death threats
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All about Trump
Trump’s brain trust is already rejecting Pelosi’s bid to end the shutdown: “it’s a nonstarter” – (Vice News)
It’s a symbol of the deep pessimism in Washington that the fact the Senate is voting on something counts as a bright spot.
Cohen’s lawyer calls for criminal investigation into Giuliani over ‘witness tampering’ – (The Hill)
Michael Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, on Thursday called for a criminal investigation into President Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, for alleged witness tampering.
Venezuela rises to end President Maduro’s ‘dictatorship’ – (Daily Mail)
Juan Guaido, leader of the centre-left Popular Will Party, called an end to President Nicolas Maduro’s ‘dictatorship’ and was recognised by Donald Trump as the country’s interim leader.
Former White House Aide Cliff Sims Calls Trump Counselor Kellyanne Conway a ‘Cartoon Villain Come to Life’ in New Book – (Fortune)
An excerpt from Sims’ upcoming book, ‘Team of Vipers,’ recounts an interaction he had with Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway.
State of the Union address delayed as Trump, Pelosi clash over shutdown – (CBS News)
President Trump announced he will delay his State of the Union address after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi disinvited from delivering the address on the House floor. CBS News’ Nancy Cordes and Major Garrett joined CBSN with more on the reaction on Capitol Hill a…
Trump delays State of the Union Address until shutdown ends – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a late night Tweet on Wednesday that he would delay a State of the Union address until the government shutdown was over, responding to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s move to obstruct his plans for the speech.
Scalise: Pelosi needs to put personal differences aside and do what’s best for the country – (Fox News)
Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise says that Speaker Nancy Pelosi needs to sit down and negotiate with President Trump.
Senate split on competing bills to end the government shutdown – (Fox News)
Republicans push President Trump’s plan to fund the border wall and temporarily protect DACA recipients while Democrats offer a CR to reopen the government without any wall money; Peter Doocy reports from Capitol Hill.
How Nancy Pelosi beat Donald Trump at his own game (and why it matters) – (CNN)
Donald Trump blinked.
Where’s the ‘art of the deal’? Trump has simply stopped negotiating to end the shutdown – (NBC News)
The man who authored “The Art of the Deal” hasn’t even really tried to strike a deal.
Why Trump is trying to oust Maduro from Venezuela, but not other global dictators – (NBC News)
Why Trump is trying to oust Maduro from Venezuela, but not other global dictators
Tom Fitton: ‘Air Pelosi’ – What you don’t know about the lucrative travel our leaders enjoy on your dime – (Fox News)
When President Trump denied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi use of a military aircraft for a CODEL (congressional delegation trip) to Afghanistan recently, he called the public’s attention to wasteful taxpayer-funded congressional travel.
Drug smugglers using tunnels to cross U.S.-Mexico border – (CBS News)
The debate in Washington about funding President Trump’s border wall comes amid growing questions about a barrier’s effectiveness in the fight against drug trafficking. Since 1990, Border Patrol agents have discovered at least 230 cross-border tunnels running…
Trump: ‘Interesting’ Cohen is using Clinton lawyer, ‘sadly’ will not testify – (The Hill)
President Trump on Thursday took aim at his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen after the president’s former fixer and his lawyers notified Congress that they were delaying his scheduled Feb.
Ending showdown with Pelosi, Trump postpones State of Union – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he is postponing his State of the Union address until the partial government shutdown ends, yielding after a weeklong showdown with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Following a high-stakes game of dare and double-dare,…
US House questions Deutsche Bank over Trump links – (Financial Times)
The US House of Representatives has sent questions to Deutsche Bank as part of an investigation into the German bank’s business relationship with President Donald Trump.
Government shutdown: Live updates – CNNPolitics – (CNN)
President Trump agreed to postpone his State of the Union address until after the shutdown is over, but negotiations to end it are still at a standstill. Follow the latest.
Recode Daily: Nancy Pelosi won’t open the House for Trump’s State of the Union until the government has reope… – (Recode)
Plus: Oracle has been accused of widespread discrimination against women and people of color; BuzzFeed and Verizon are laying off employees; phones are about to get weird.
GOP senator to break with party, vote to reopen government without border wall funding: spokesman – (The Hill)
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) is expected to break with President Trump and vote to reopen the government without funding for a border wall.
U.S. backing Venezuela’s Juan Guaido comes with risks – (CBS News)
Venezuela’s president severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. after President Trump backed an opposition leader who’s claimed the presidency. The standoff comes amid rising violence in the country. Seven people were killed Wednesday during massive protests…
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