2019-02-09

Headlines:

From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired

Exclusive: Venezuela moves to replace U.S. executives on Citgo board – sources – (Reuters)
Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA is taking steps to remove at least two American executives from the board of directors of its U.S. refining subsidiary, Citgo Petroleum Corp, according to people close to the matter.

Calls mount for Virginia lieutenant governor’s resignation – (Associated Press)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Calls were mounting for Virginia’s lieutenant governor to resign Saturday, at the tail end of an astonishing week that saw the state’s top three elected officials — all Democrats — embroiled in potentially career-ending scandals fraught w…

Warren makes presidential bid official with call for change – (Associated Press)
LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren made her bid for the presidency official on Saturday in this working-class city, grounding her 2020 campaign in a populist call to fight economic inequality and build “an America that works for everyone.…

Senator Warren launches 2020 campaign, sounds note of economic equality – (Reuters)
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans.

Pelosi shows pragmatic streak in pursuit of border deal – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have vilified Nancy Pelosi for years as a San Francisco liberal and now they’re trying to portray her as a captive of resurgent left-wingers in her Democratic Party.But in her early moves so far as House speaker, Pelosi is displa…

Black Virginia voters feel betrayed, left in no-win scenario – (Associated Press)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Eva Siakam’s choice to campaign for Ralph Northam in 2017 was a simple one: He was a Democrat and endorsed by Barack Obama, America’s first black president.But sitting in a stylist’s chair at Supreme Hair Styling Boutique in Richmond on F…

Venezuela’s Guaidó vows to open aid routes – (BBC News)
The opposition leader says he will “do everything possible”, and calls for distribution volunteers.

US-backed Kurds launch final push against ISIL in Syria – (Al Jazeera English)
More than 20,000 civilians have been evacuated from ISIL area in eastern province of Deir el-Zour.

Russia polar bear ‘invasion’ prompts alert – (BBC News)
Dozens of the endangered species enter human settlements in the remote territory of Novaya Zemlya.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump swipes progress from Obama era – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — In President Donald Trump’s estimation, the good times began to roll for the country on the night he was elected. So he doesn’t hesitate to swipe job growth from the twilight of the Obama administration and claim it as his own.That overreach…

More states adopting gun-seizure laws after Parkland tragedy – (Associated Press)
In the year since the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school, more and more states have passed laws making it easier to take guns away from people who may be suicidal or bent on violence against others, and courts are issuing an unprecedented number of…

Trump’s Year 3 aims for dramatic sequels to rival originals – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump prepares to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un for a second time, he’s out to replicate the suspenseful buildup, make-or-break stakes and far-flung rendezvous of their first encounter. The reality star American presiden…

Woman acquitted of blasphemy still can’t leave Pakistan – (Associated Press)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after spending eight years on death row in Pakistan has been transferred from a secret location near the capital to another in Karachi, but is still unable to leave the country to join her daughters in…

Bezos, Virginia, SOTU: A week of telling American glimpses – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Anyone hungry for a pinpoint glimpse of early 21st-century America — a slice to slide under a microscope and reveal things that hide in plain sight — need only consider the first week of February in 2019.As always these days, there was politic…

Bundy’s deadly charm still polarizes, 40 years later – (Associated Press)
CINCINNATI (AP) — She kept her eyes on the dapper, wavy haired man who smiled, winked and exuded self-confidence as the courtroom proceedings moved along.”I don’t know what it is he has, but he’s fascinating,” the teenage spectator explained to me at the time…

What you need to know about Africa’s refugees – (Al Jazeera English)

President Trump ‘in very good health’ – (BBC News)
But a spokesman admits Mr Trump has not been following his weight loss plan “religiously”.

China condemns Indian PM Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh – (Al Jazeera English)
Modi’s visit was part of a series of public meetings in the region ahead of Indian elections due by May.

Legal battle for Fiji Water Girl – (BBC News)
Some say she outshone stars at the Golden Globes – now she is accused of “biting the hand that feeds her”.

Tunisia militants jailed for 2015 attacks – (BBC News)
Seven jihadists get life in prison but others are acquitted for assaults on a museum and beach resort.

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From various sources

Hadassah Hospital aims to block doctor strike – (The Jerusalem Post)
Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman also called on the doctors to return to work, with the Health Ministry warning that a strike during the busy winter months is likely to harm sick patients.

The Witcher 3 Collaboration Guide – Leshen – Monster Hunter World Wiki Guide – IGN – (IGN)
Monster Hunter World at IGN: walkthroughs, items, maps, video tips, and strategies

The Flare Path: Awe Restorer – (Hacker News)
Red kites and buzzards were as rare as rocs and phoenixes when I was growing up. To encounter one in southern England in the 1970s was magical. Today, thanks

Mike Pence is NOT anti-gay – I’m a gay man who knows he’s been falsely accused – (Fox News)
Vice President Pence has been falsely accused of being anti-gay. As a gay man, I know he respects all of us and opposes discrimination against LGBT Americans.

‘You’re a robot going through the motions,’ says nurse who quit over widespread stresses at N.L. health centre | CBC News – (CBC News)
A senior nurse hopes her resignation last month from the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., because of stressful shortstaffing and other situations sends a strong message to her former employer.

Elizabeth Warren formally launches 2020 presidential bid: ‘This is the fight of our lives’ – (Fox News)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., formally announced her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination on Saturday.

This Week’s Fake News Quiz – (Buzzfeed)
This week we have stories about the heart eyes emoji, Tom Brady, and a man who came back to life.

scala-js/scala-js – (Hacker News)
Scala.js, the Scala to JavaScript compiler. Contribute to scala-js/scala-js development by creating an account on GitHub.

Axios AM Deep Dive – (Axios)
A deeper look at the biggest topics impacting the future, by Axios subject matter experts. (Provided to all Axios AM subscribers, published periodically)

Palestinian Authority calls on Arabs to boycott U.S. conference in Warsaw – (The Jerusalem Post)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last month that the meeting would the meeting would also deal with Iran’s “destablizing influence” in the region.

Can Burnley move out of bottom three at Brighton? – (BBC Sport)
Brighton & Hove Albion host Burnley in the Premier League – follow live text coverage.

Arsenal down last-placed Huddersfield – (News24)
Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette scored in the first half as Arsenal stayed in the hunt for a top-four finish by beating last-place Huddersfield.

2020 tracker: Keep up with the field running for president – (Axios)
See the potential 2020 field.

Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 3: Bale nets 100th Blancos goal to seal first Wanda win – (FourFourTwo)
Gareth Bale took his Real Madrid tally to 100 goals in all competitions, as Los Blancos beat rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 away from home.

Bale reaches 100 Real Madrid goals slower than Ronaldo and Benzema – (FourFourTwo)
Of the members of Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’ forward line, it has taken Gareth Bale the most number of games to reach a century of goals.

Southampton 1 Cardiff City 2: Zohore snatches sensational win – (FourFourTwo)
Having seemingly been denied by Jack Stephens in the 91st minute, Cardiff City reclaimed the lead to defeat Southampton at St Mary’s.

Activision Blizzard Reportedly Planning Massive Layoffs – IGN – (IGN)
Activision Blizzard is reportedly planning on announcing job cuts that could “number in the hundreds” following slowing sales for the company responsible for such titles as Call of Duty and Overwatch.

Exclusive: Venezuela moves to replace U.S. executives on Citgo board – sources – (Reuters)
Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA is taking steps to remove at least two American executives from the board of directors of its U.S. refining subsidiary, Citgo Petroleum Corp, according to people close to the matter.

U.S. slams Germany for refusal to extradite Turkish terrorist to America – (The Jerusalem Post)
Germany’s legal system, according to critics, has earned a reputation over the years as being overly lenient toward terrorists involved in the murder of US officials and Israelis.

Just 16 Tweets From This Week That I Bet You Laugh At – (Buzzfeed)
“I would let Marie Kondo reorganize the organs in my body.”

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All about Trump

Trump, Beto to face off Monday in El Paso in dueling rallies near the border – (USA Today)
The president will address supporters to press his wall and immigration issues; O’Rourke plans to lead a protest march.

Trump campaign slams Warren as ‘fraud’ – (The Hill)
President Trump’s campaign wasted no time going after Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Saturday shortly before she was expected to formally announce her candidacy for the White House in 2020.

Live updates: Democrats hit the campaign trail across the US this weekend – CNNPolitics – (CNN)
President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, issued a statement on Saturday in light of Warren’s announcement, saying Warren “has already been exposed as a fraud by the Native Americans she impersonated and disrespected to advance her professiona…

Trump reveals his ‘dream’ 2020 opponent – CNN Video – (CNN)
In an interview with CBS News’ Jeff Glor, President Trump weighs in on his potential 2020 election opponents, saying Joe Biden would be a “dream” opponent.

Trump’s Border Wall Isn’t Immoral. It Just Wouldn’t Be Effective, Democratic Senator Says – (Fortune)
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) saysPresident Donald Trump’s $5.7 billion border wall isn’t an issue of morality, but one of efficacy.

Trump rips ‘vicious’ Dems after fiery hearing with acting AG – (The Hill)
“When the Republicans had the Majority they never acted with such hatred and scorn!” Trump tweeted

AP FACT CHECK: Trump swipes progress from Obama era – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — In President Donald Trump’s estimation, the good times began to roll for the country on the night he was elected. So he doesn’t hesitate to swipe job growth from the twilight of the Obama administration and claim it as his own.That overreach…

Senator Elizabeth Warren to formally launch 2020 presidential campaign – (The Guardian (UK))
Massachusetts Democrat has emerged as one of Trump’s sharpest critics, calling him ‘a loud, nasty, thin-skinned fraud’

How Trump’s Tax Returns Could Become Public – (Fortune)
Why hasn’t Trump released his tax returns?

Trump’s Year 3 aims for dramatic sequels to rival originals – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump prepares to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un for a second time, he’s out to replicate the suspenseful buildup, make-or-break stakes and far-flung rendezvous of their first encounter. The reality star American presiden…

Trump, ‘blackmail’ and a Pecker: Bezos delivers scandal with something for everyone – (The Guardian (AU))
This convoluted tale – with lurid pics, private investigators and, naturally, Trump – seems to have captured the spirit of the age

Trump, ‘blackmail’ and a Pecker: Bezos delivers scandal with something for everyone – (The Guardian (UK))
This convoluted tale – with lurid pics, private investigators and, naturally, Trump – seems to have captured the spirit of the age

New Evidence Emerges Of Possible Wrongdoing By Trump Inaugural Committee – (The Huffington Post)
Tax law prohibits nonprofits from paying inflated prices to entities that are owned by people who also control the nonprofit’s activities.

President Trump ‘in very good health’ – (BBC News)
But a spokesman admits Mr Trump has not been following his weight loss plan “religiously”.

Making America Great Again Means Ending the Wars – (The American Conservative)
The highlight of Trump’s State of the Union was declaring victory and going home.

Russian diplomat slams U.S., claims it may lead to Israeli-Lebanese clash – (The Jerusalem Post)
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin calls US President Donald Trump’s policy regarding Iran and Hezbollah ‘negative’.

‘This is the fight of our lives’: Warren swipes at Trump during official 2020 launch – (Politico)
The Massachusetts senator hit on themes of resistance but is still being scrutinized over her claims of Native American heritage.

Trump’s disruptive foreign policy will be tested in four major ways this month – (CNBC)
February brings the most significant series of tests yet of whether President Trump can transform his disruptive U.S. foreign policy into concrete outcomes, writes Fred Kempe of the Atlantic Council.

Second Trump-Kim summit to take place in Hanoi – (Google News)
Trump announced the venue in a tweet Friday night. U.S. officials had been pushing for the coastal resort city Danang, while the North Koreans had their sights set on Hanoi.

Stephen King Schools Donald Trump With Some Ancient Military Advice – (The Huffington Post)
The horror author mocked the president with a line from Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War.”

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