2019-03-06

Headlines:

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

Family devastated after losing 10 relatives in tornado – (Associated Press)
BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — Cousins Cordarrly Jones and Demetria Jones have a hard time counting all the relatives they lost to a monster tornado that wiped out a rural community in…

Trudeau’s Ex-Adviser and Close Friend to Testify in Political Crisis – (The New York Times)
Though he has quit as top adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Gerald Butts is effectively the first person to present the government’s view of a widening ethics scandal.

Cohen’s 4th day of testimony could touch on Russia, finances – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s former lawyer on Wednesday returned to Capitol Hill for a fourth day of testimony as Democrats pursue a flurry of investigations into Trump’s White…

R. Kelly cries, calls accusers liars in sex abuse case – (Associated Press)
CHICAGO (AP) — R&B star R. Kelly cried, stood up and ranted about being “assassinated” during his first interview since being charged with sexual abuse, calling his accusers liars and saying…

Trade Deficit Soars to Record Level – (The New York Times)
The trade deficit in goods ballooned to its highest level in history, reaching nearly $900 billion in 2018.

Global economic growth forecasts cut again by OECD – (Reuters)
The OECD cut forecasts again for the global economy in 2019 and 2020, following on from previous downgrades in November, as it warned that trade disputes and uncertainty over Brexit would hit world commerce and businesses.

World’s second man cleared of AIDS virus invigorates quest for cure – (Reuters)
Scientific investigation into the world’s second man cleared of the AIDS virus is zooming in on a gene and a treatment side-effect, as newly-enthused researchers strive to find a cure for the disease that has killed millions.

Why a meaningful US-China trade deal could be hard to reach – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Under President Donald Trump, America’s trade deficit with China has so far worsened to a record high. That gap represents an unfulfilled Trump pledge just as talks between the…

EU says ‘difficult’ Brexit talks unlikely to yield swift deal – (Reuters)
Talks with Britain on amending its divorce deal with the European Union have made no headway and no swift solution is in sight, EU officials said on Wednesday, a week before British lawmakers must vote on the plan to avoid a chaotic Brexit.

Her Husband Did the Unthinkable. This Is a Play About Everything After. – (The New York Times)
When her husband was arrested on child pornography charges, Maddie Corman watched her world fall apart. Then she made a play about it.

Ready to inhale: Democratic 2020 contenders embrace marijuana legalization – (Reuters)
Cory Booker has reintroduced his U.S. Senate bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level. Beto O’Rourke called for expunging the records of those arrested for possession of the drug. Kamala Harris admitted she had smoked pot – and inhaled.

Ghosn’s journey: Star auto executive to masked suspect – (Associated Press)
Carlos Ghosn, the star auto executive credited with rescuing both Renault and Nissan, left a drab Tokyo detention center Wednesday after more than three months in custody, his identify obscured by…

Trump dealt blow as trade deficit jumps – (BBC News)
The gap between US imports and exports has widened despite the president’s pledge to narrow it.

‘We need it now’: U.S. farm country pins hopes on China trade deal – (Reuters)
Corn and soybean farmer Lorenda Overman from North Carolina has been selling her crops at a loss and delaying paychecks to her workers since the U.S. trade war with China tanked agriculture prices, and her farm’s debt recently topped $2 million.

R Kelly breaks silence over sex abuse – (BBC News)
The star tearfully denies sexual abuse in the first TV interview since his arrest.

To the bitter end, IS militants remain organized and brutal – (Associated Press)
BAGHOUZ, Syria (AP) — As defeat looms, militants of the Islamic State group have remained organized and ruthless to their last breath. Keeping institutions functioning in their last shred of…

North Korea said to be rebuilding structures at rocket site – (Associated Press)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is restoring facilities at a long-range rocket launch site that it dismantled last year as part of disarmament steps, according to foreign experts and a South…

Why Mueller’s report might be a letdown for Trump critics – (Reuters)
A lavishly detailed 445-page report by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr released by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998 concluded that President Bill Clinton “committed acts that may constitute grounds for an impeachment” and paved the way for an unsuc…

Inequality ‘undermining human rights’ – (BBC News)
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet calls on nations to do more, and condemns xenophobia.

U.S. FDA chief tough on e-cigarettes steps down abruptly – (Reuters)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on Tuesday that he plans to step down next month, a sudden resignation that calls into question how the agency will handle issues such as surging e-cigarette use among teens and efforts to inc…

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From various sources

Jewish, Arab women marrying later than decade ago – (The Jerusalem Post)
In 2017, the average life expectancy of Israeli women stood at 84.6 years old, almost four years longer than the 80.7 years life expectancy of Israeli men.

Provocative ad claims Reform Jews lead to annihilation, Gabby: ‘Shame!’ – (The Jerusalem Post)
An ad suggests that Reform Judaism will lead to the assimilation and loss of Jewish identity. Lapid: ‘Reform Jews are our brothers and sisters.’

Mortal Kombat 11: All Brutalities So Far in 4K – IGN.com – (IGN)
We found every Brutality in Mortal Kombat 11 so far and put them all together into one video for your viewing pleasure.

Bristol-Myers Squibb defends Celgene takeover as ‘best path’ – (Financial Times)
Drugmaker has faced pushback from shareholders, including institutional investor Wellington

How to watch Gerald Butts’ testimony on SNC-Lavalin Wednesday | CBC News – (CBC News)
Gerald Butts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former top adviser, will testify before the Commons Justice committee Wednesday to offer his side of the SNC-Lavalin story. Here’s how to follow CBC News’ special coverage online, on TV and on social media.

House Democratic leaders hold weekly press conference – (Fox News)

Groom-to-be allegedly returns from bachelor party with severely burnt hands days before wedding – (Fox News)
A groom returned home from his bachelor party with two burnt hands just days before his wedding, leaving his wife-to-be looking for “words of wisdom” online.

The Financial Post – Innovation Nation – (Financial Post)
What Canadian companies need to survive and prosper in the cutthroat global ideas economy — and why it’s essential we get it right.

Gayle King praised on Twitter for keeping calm during explosive R. Kelly interview – (USA Today)
“Whenever somebody is ranting… I’m gonna hit them with my smoothest Gayle King voice and say ‘Robert,'” a person tweeted of the R. Kelly interview.

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate, and signals no hikes on the horizon – (Financial Post)
The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate at 1.75 per cent

Kia turned 21 phone screens into a concept car dashboard – (The Verge)
The Kia Imagine is a “pure concept” car, designed to attract attention and stir conversation at the Geneva Motor Show 2019.

Daily Deals: Alienware GTX 1080 Desktop for $1126, Dell G7 15 GTX 1060 Laptop for $819 – IGN – (IGN)
Apple Watch for $220, 34″ LG Monitor for $290, PS Classic for $39.99, 4K HDTV Blowout Sale, and More.

Rennes boss Stephan backs Hatem Ben Arfa to make his mark against Arsenal – (FourFourTwo)
Rennes coach Julien Stephan has backed Hatem Ben Arfa to shine in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Arsenal as he comes up against his former…

Family devastated after losing 10 relatives in tornado – (Associated Press)
BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — Cousins Cordarrly Jones and Demetria Jones have a hard time counting all the relatives they lost to a monster tornado that wiped out a rural community in…

There Are 66 Books In The Bible, But Can You Name Even 15? – (Buzzfeed)
I hope you’ve been paying attention at bible study, Sunday school, vacation bible school, and uh…everywhere else.

There’s only one Blockbuster store left in the entire world – (USA Today)
Blockbuster was once one of the largest retailers in the world. Soon there will be only one location left in the world.

Maurizio Sarri set to rotate his Chelsea squad after gruelling fixture schedule – (FourFourTwo)
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is considering making changes to his team for the Europa League meeting with Dynamo Kiev due to tiredness in …

Live updates: Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testifies on border security – CNNPolitics – (CNN)
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen appears before the House Homeland Security Committee for a hearing on border security. Follow here for the latest.

Taylor Swift Wrote A List Of Things She’s Experienced Before Turning 30 And Here’s What We Learned – (Buzzfeed)
From learning to love your body to making cocktails and never using Sharpie as eyeliner.

Bolton’s home game against Millwall to go ahead – (FourFourTwo)
Bolton’s home game against Millwall on Saturday will go ahead after the club satisfied the local council they could meet their ground safety ob…

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All about Trump

This woman is hoping Trump will help her return home to North Korea – (Vice News)
She left her home in North Korea eight years ago, and she’s desperately been trying to make her way back ever since.

White House: ‘Absolute embarrassment’ that Congress is using all their time, resources to attack Trump – (Fox News)
Speaking on ‘Fox & Friends,’ press secretary Sarah Sanders calls it ‘absolutely outrageous’ that Democrats are launching investigations into the president instead of solving the country’s problems.

Homeland Security chief Nielsen to testify about southern border challenges | CBC News – (CBC News)
U.S. Homeland Security head Kirstjen Nielsen will testify today at a House of Representatives committee hearing and is expected to be pressed about the Trump administration’s declaration of a national emergency at the border, as well its controversial policy …

Melania Trump slams media’s coverage of ‘idle gossip or trivial stories’ during ‘Be Best’ speaking tour – (Fox News)
First lady Melania Trump prodded the news media on Tuesday to spend as much time highlighting the opioid epidemic at it devotes to “idle gossip or trivial stories.”

Cohen’s 4th day of testimony could touch on Russia, finances – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s former lawyer on Wednesday returned to Capitol Hill for a fourth day of testimony as Democrats pursue a flurry of investigations into Trump’s White…

Trump campaign’s “national 5G plan” draws bipartisan FCC rebuke – (Axios)
The campaign itself has walked back the plan.

Michael Cohen testifies in private to House intelligence panel – live updates – (Google News (UK))
Donald Trump’s former fixer returns for a fourth round of congressional testimony while Mike Pence pitches for oil and gas industry

Why a meaningful US-China trade deal could be hard to reach – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Under President Donald Trump, America’s trade deficit with China has so far worsened to a record high. That gap represents an unfulfilled Trump pledge just as talks between the…

US trade deficit hits 10-year high in 2018 – (Financial Times)
Report defies one of President Donald Trump’s key campaign promises to shrink the deficit

Trump attacks security clearance probe as “witch hunt” and a “disgrace to our country” – (Newsweek)
White House refuses to hand over documents requested by the House Oversight Committee, calling the request “unprecedented and extraordinarily intrusive.”

Despite trade war, U.S. trade deficit grows to 10-year high under Trump – (Axios)
The trade deficit with China also reached a new record.

Trump’s Insurance Broker Subpoenaed By New York Financial Regulators – (The Huffington Post)
The request comes days after Michael Cohen told Congress the president had misled insurers about his wealth.

Trump dealt blow as trade deficit jumps – (BBC News)
The gap between US imports and exports has widened despite the president’s pledge to narrow it.

Recode Daily: Google won’t run political ads during Canada’s October election – (Recode)
Plus: T-Mobile spent more at Trump’s DC hotel after announcing its merger with Sprint; a clear-eyed look at the $100 billion prescription eyewear industry; what if your April Fools’ pranks were bankrolled by Elon Musk?

Michael Cohen testifies in private to House intelligence panel – live updates – (The Guardian (UK))
Donald Trump’s former fixer returns for a fourth round of congressional testimony while Mike Pence pitches for oil and gas industry

Trump pushing for trade deal with China in hopes of boosting stock market ahead of 2020 bid – (CNBC)
President Trump is pushing hard to strike a deal with China with hopes of lifting stocks further into his re-election bid, sources say.

Alabama residents sift through rubble after tornado outbreak – (CBS News)
President Trump approved a disaster declaration for parts of Alabama devastated by Sunday’s deadly tornado outbreak. That will make it easier for those areas to get federal aid. Officials have identified all 23 people killed by a twister that packed estimated…

Why Mueller’s report might be a letdown for Trump critics – (Reuters)
A lavishly detailed 445-page report by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr released by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998 concluded that President Bill Clinton “committed acts that may constitute grounds for an impeachment” and paved the way for an unsuc…

Morning Update: You Come At Gayle King, You Best Not Miss – (Buzzfeed)
A new apprehensions record at the border, the WWF was warned about abuses, Trump’s youngest-ever federal judge. Your BuzzFeed News newsletter, March 6.

Five Reasons Why Republicans Won’t Abandon Trump Like They Ditched Nixon – (New York Magazine)
Nixon had weaker intra-party support than Trump, who will benefit from likely polarization over the Mueller report.

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