Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
UK junior agriculture minister resigns citing Brexit delay – (Reuters)
A junior British agriculture minister, George Eustice, has resigned from the government, citing a delay to the process of leaving the European Union.
Celgene slumps as Bristol-Myers shareholder resists merger – (Reuters)
Shares of Celgene Corp dived 8 percent on Thursday after a major shareholder in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co came out against a $74 billion merger that would be the pharmaceutical world’s biggest ever takeover.
Starboard to vote against Bristol-Myers-Celgene $74 billion deal – (Reuters)
Activist investor Starboard Value LP will vote against Bristol-Myers Squibb Co’s $74 billion acquisition of Celgene Corp, the hedge fund said on Thursday, adding to the number of shareholders declaring against the deal.
US economic growth continues to slow – (BBC News)
Weaker consumer spending weighed on growth during the fourth quarter of 2018.
Klobuchar defends her record on regulating medical devices – (Associated Press)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In her more than two terms as a U.S. senator representing Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar has built a reputation as an effective champion for consumer safety, sponsoring bills that…
Brexit riddle goes on: May’s deal, delayed no-deal or referendum? – (Reuters)
The United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union in less than a month, yet there is still no ratified divorce deal so it faces three main options – swing behind Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal, leave without a deal in late June or throw the question ba…
Burden back on diplomats as Trump and Kim fail to reach North Korea deal – (Reuters)
The failure of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to secure even a limited deal at their second nuclear summit means any breakthrough now depends on working-level talks that have made little progress since last year.
Electoral commission: Senegal’s Macky Sall wins second term – (Al Jazeera English)
The 57-year-old incumbent received 58.27 percent of Sunday’s vote, which observers say had no major irregularities.
Cohen returns to Capitol Hill after slamming Trump as liar – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a damning depiction of Donald Trump, the president’s former lawyer cast him as a racist and a con man who used his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations…
No deal: Trump, Kim summit collapses over sanctions impasse – (Associated Press)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Talks between President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un collapsed Thursday after the two sides failed to bridge a standoff over U.S. sanctions, a dispiriting end…
Pakistan pledges to release captive Indian fighter pilot – (Associated Press)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister pledged on Thursday his country would release a captured Indian fighter pilot, a move that could help defuse the most serious confrontation in two…
Trump, Kim leave Vietnam summit without agreement – (Al Jazeera English)
Trump said two sides couldn’t reach an agreement over sanctions, lower-level negotiations to continue.
Who killed Emma? – (BBC News)
The mystery of the 2005 murder of Glasgow sex worker Emma Caldwell.
Cohen’s Testimony Is a Test for Both Parties in the Year Ahead – (The New York Times)
Democrats will face a chorus from the party’s liberals to impeach President Trump. Republicans will have to decide how much to support him.
Trump ‘impressed’ by one thing Cohen said – (BBC News)
“He didn’t lie about one thing, he said ‘no collusion’,” the US president said of his former lawyer.
Coyote fur is in big demand thanks to popular parkas – (Associated Press)
HERKIMER, N.Y. (AP) — Those fur-trimmed parkas so common on city sidewalks have become a boon to backwoods trappers.Coyote fur pelts are in big demand to provide the lush, silvery or…
Analysis: Even without a deal, Kim makes gains at summit – (Associated Press)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — As Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump took their seats across from each other at the negotiating table, the North Korean leader confidently told reporters he had a gut…
Brexit date can be extended but only for good reason: EU’s Barnier – (Reuters)
The March 29 Brexit date can be extended but it must be for a good reason, the European Union’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Thursday.
The lunch that never was: Trump’s North Korea summit falters – (Associated Press)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The table was set, with flowers in vases and menus tucked inside white napkins. Water glasses were filled. Wicker fans provided a cool breeze.But nobody…
U.S. Economy Slowed at Year’s End – (The New York Times)
Gross domestic product increased at a 2.6% rate in the fourth quarter, losing the midyear momentum generated by tax cuts.
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From various sources
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn lose control of their Brexit policies – (The Economist)
Brexit is likely to be deferred until at least June 30th. This will not make it any easier to get mps to back a deal
In a first for North Korea’s secretive leader, Kim Jong Un takes a question from a foreign journalist – (The Washington Post)
Kim said he has a “feeling good results will come.”
In light of sexual misconduct allegations, Gantz files libel suit – (The Jerusalem Post)
Gantz announced that he intends to contribute any amount that will be awarded in his favor in this lawsuit for a public purpose, such as the Association for Rape Crisis Centers.
High Court rejects NGO petition to make Netanyahu a suspect in Case 3000 – (The Jerusalem Post)
The Submarine Affair allegedly involved a deal with Germany over nuclear submarines in which certain top defense officials and Netanyahu officials illegally skimmed off the top.
High Court rejects Likud petition to delay Mandelblit indictment decision – (The Jerusalem Post)
For several hours the entire legal and political establishments went on pause until Justice Noam Sohlberg rejected the request for a delay around 4:00 p.m.
Jair Bolsonaro to arrive in Israel just days before elections – (The Jerusalem Post)
Brazilian president has promised to move embassy to Jerusalem.
Junior minister George Eustice resigns over article 50 vote – (The Guardian (UK))
Agriculture minister resigns in protest against Theresa May agreeing to possible Brexit delay
Ocasio-Cortez lashes out at ‘dude’ who ‘creepily’ took photo of burger meal – (Fox News)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., lashed out at an anonymous shutterbug who “creepily” snapped a picture of her at a restaurant with an aide who was feasting on a juicy burger — an image that soon made the rounds on social media, as it was taken days af…
Why can’t we build anything? (Part 2) – (TechCrunch)
One of the major themes we are working on these days at the Extra Crunch Daily is trying to understand why America and many other Western nations can’t seem to build infrastructure anymore. The answers are complicated but critical: our infrastructure is decre…
‘Emotional support’ pit bull mauled 5-year-old girl at Portland airport gate, lawsuit states – (USA Today)
A 5-year-old girl was “attacked” by a pit bull at Portland International Airport − and now her mother is suing.
Trump Accepts Kim’s Claim He Was Unaware of Warmbier Torture – (Fortune)
Trump said Kim “felt bad” about the episode.
May backs ally Jordan by underwriting $250m World Bank loan – (The Guardian (UK))
Prime minister in diplomatic push with King Abdullah II at major London conference
29 Affordable Things You’ll Want To Add To Your Self-Care Routine – (Buzzfeed)
Just a list of little things that may help make a difference in your mental clarity and happiness.
Peter Schmeichel delivers verdict on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United job prospects – (FourFourTwo)
Peter Schmeichel cannot see beyond Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the Manchester United job after he came up “smelling of roses” when faced with even…
New ToeJam & Earl game, 8Bitdo controller get Genesis nostalgia right – (Ars Technica)
Sega wasn’t involved with game or controller, but its Sega Ages line gets a shout, too.
Data Sheet—Which Are the Best New 5G Phones This Year And Does Apple Care? – (Fortune)
“A generation of wireless where the hard part-the devices and the ecosystem-is ready ahead of the network. It’s incredible.”
Last Year Was a Record Breaker for the Video Game Industry. Here’s Why It Won’t Happen Again in 2019 – (Fortune)
Video game sales in 2018 broke records thanks to Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption II.
‘ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove’ review: You want this funk – (Mashable)
After a long four-year wait, it’s finally time to turn this mother out.
Serial Box is partnering with Marvel to tell new serialized stories about your favorite superheroes – (The Verge)
Over the last couple of years, publishing startup Serial Box has experimented with new ways to tell stories, and is moving into the superhero world with a new partnership with Marvel, which will produce new stories about Black Panther, Black Widow, Jessica Jo…
How Many Times Do You Have to Slap a Chicken to Cook It? – (Wired)
While you could technically cook a chicken by slapping it, as proposed by a recent meme, you might also cook your hand. We crunch the numbers.
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All about Trump
Trump Accepts Kim’s Claim He Was Unaware of Warmbier Torture – (Fortune)
Trump said Kim “felt bad” about the episode.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned Michael Cohen and laid the groundwork for obtaining Trump’s tax returns – (CNBC)
“Do you think we need to review his financial statements and his tax returns in order to compare them?” Ocasio-Cortez asked. Cohen said “yes.”
Trump’s comments about Otto Warmbier spark bipartisan backlash – (The Hill)
President Trump took heat from both sides of the aisle on Thursday for saying
Trump doesn’t think Kim had role in death of U.S. student in North Korea, takes him ‘at his word’ – (The Globe And Mail)
The President said Kim Jong-un told him ‘that he didn’t know about it’ in regard to the death of Otto Warmbier, who died after being detained in North Korea
Trump Was Right to Walk Away From North Korea, But Kim Won’t Be Ignored – (New York Magazine)
Trump leaves Hanoi with no deal, but some cards left in his hand — though playing them just got much harder.
Lynne Patton, official who sat behind Meadows at Cohen hearing, fires back at Tlaib: Not ‘a prop’ – (Fox News)
Trump associate Lynne Patton on Thursday defended President Trump and struck back at a Democratic lawmaker’s suggestion that she was used as a “prop” during the explosive Michael Cohen hearing on Capitol Hill.
Burden back on diplomats as Trump and Kim fail to reach North Korea deal – (Reuters)
The failure of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to secure even a limited deal at their second nuclear summit means any breakthrough now depends on working-level talks that have made little progress since last year.
Trump’s Approach to Diplomacy Hits a Snag in North Korean Summit – (The Wall Street Journal)
ANALYSIS
Lynne Patton reacts to being called a ‘prop’ during the Cohen hearing – (Fox News)
After appearing with Rep. Mark Meadows at the Michael Cohen hearing, Trump administration official Lynne Patton tells ‘Fox & Friends’ she would never work for a racist and blasts ‘liar’ Michael Cohen.
After Michael Cohen’s testimony about President Trump, one question remains: Who to believe? – (USA Today)
Much of Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee came down to whether he should be believed over President Donald Trump.
Cohen reveals hunt for tape of Trump hitting Melania, doubts existence – (Daily Mail)
Cohen revealed that he hunted for a rumored tape of the president hitting Melania Trump – footage that he believes does not exist – and gave Democrats a reason to subpoena Trump’s taxes.
Cohen returns to Capitol Hill after slamming Trump as liar – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a damning depiction of Donald Trump, the president’s former lawyer cast him as a racist and a con man who used his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations…
Michael Cohen reveals Trump is being probed for other wrongdoings – (Daily Mail)
Michael Cohen revealed on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is being investigated for ‘other wrongdoing’ although he refused to divulge details because of the ongoing investigation.
No deal: Trump, Kim summit collapses over sanctions impasse – (Associated Press)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Talks between President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un collapsed Thursday after the two sides failed to bridge a standoff over U.S. sanctions, a dispiriting end…
Trump, Kim leave Vietnam summit without agreement – (Al Jazeera English)
Trump said two sides couldn’t reach an agreement over sanctions, lower-level negotiations to continue.
John Avlon: Trump is in real legal trouble – CNN Video – (CNN)
CNN’s John Avlon breaks down 5 key takeaways from Michael Cohen’s testimony in front of members of the House Oversight Committee.
Analysis | The Daily 202: Michael Cohen hearing showcased fresh faces – and the significance of divided government – (The Washington Post)
Trump criticizes timing of ‘fake hearing’ after walking out of summit with Kim Jong Un.
Cohen’s Testimony Is a Test for Both Parties in the Year Ahead – (The New York Times)
Democrats will face a chorus from the party’s liberals to impeach President Trump. Republicans will have to decide how much to support him.
‘Sometimes you have to walk’: Trump leaves summit empty-handed at tough point in presidency – (The Washington Post)
The Hanoi summit underscored the limits of Trump’s ability to translate the charisma and hustler instincts that made him a wealthy star in New York real estate into the more nuanced realm of international diplomacy.
Recode Daily: Kicking the Facebook habit — even for a month — might make you healthier and happier – (Recode)
Plus: Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen calls his ex-boss a liar, con man, and a cheat; Trump gets huggy with his “friend,” Kim Jong Un; when the bully is the boss.
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