2019-04-24

Headlines:

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

Trump’s threat to go to court over impeachment defies ruling – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’ll go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court “if the partisan Dems” ever try to impeach him.But Trump’s strategy could run into a…

Missing Danes found alive after Sri Lanka hotel blast: ministry – (Reuters)
A Danish family has established contact with two relatives who went missing after the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, Ritzau news agency said on Wednesday, citing Denmark’s foreign ministry.

Minorities, older adults boost Biden atop 2020 Democratic field: Reuters/Ipsos poll – (Reuters)
Former Vice President Joe Biden leads all other candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and draws his strongest levels of support from minorities and older adults, according to a Reuters/Ipsos public poll released on Wednesday.

Russia eases path to citizenship for east Ukraine residents – (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport for residents of the rebel-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

North Korean leader’s train suffers hitch on arrival in Vladivostok – (Reuters)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s carefully choreographed visit to Russia suffered a minor glitch on Wednesday as his armored train missed the red carpet laid out for his welcome at Vladivostok station.

Kiev denounces Russian move to ease citizenship for east Ukraine residents – (Reuters)
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on Wednesday denounced a Russian move to simplify procedures for residents in separatist-held eastern Ukraine to obtain Russian passports.

White presidential hopefuls face ‘woke litmus test’ on race – (Associated Press)
HOUSTON (AP) — After touring the National Lynching Memorial recently, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke of the “shame” he felt that some white people “kind of looked the other way…

The girls of Bessborough – (BBC News)
For decades thousands of Irish mothers were confined in homes and had their babies taken from them. Will the full truth ever be revealed?

Teacher of the Year works with youths in juvenile detention – (Associated Press)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — As a veteran teacher at a troubled high school in Richmond, Virginia, Rodney Robinson wanted to better understand why so many students go directly from school to prison. So he…

Lyra McKee’s funeral taking place – (BBC News)
Theresa May and Leo Varadkar are at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for the funeral.

Sri Lankan president asks police chief, defense secretary to quit following attacks – (Reuters)
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the police chief and defense secretary to quit following the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 359 people, two sources close to the president said on Wednesday.

North Korea sidelines leader Kim’s right-hand man for Hanoi breakdown: South Korea lawmaker – (Reuters)
North Korea has replaced Kim Jong Un’s right-hand man who steered nuclear talks with the United States, apparently blaming him for a failed summit between the two countries, a South Korean lawmaker said on Wednesday.

UK and Irish leaders attend funeral of journalist Lyra McKee – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — Mourners wearing colorful Harry Potter scarves and Marvel superhero shirts were joined by the leaders of Britain and Ireland Wednesday at the funeral of Lyra McKee, the journalist…

The name on the back matters: NHL is now marketing its stars – (Associated Press)
Connor McDavid is eager to shrug off personal stats, awards and achievements and put the focus on his team in Edmonton.Yet there he is on the cover of a video game or in a commercial for a…

Sri Lanka asks for resignations of top security officials – (Associated Press)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president has asked for the resignations of the defense secretary and national police chief, a dramatic internal shake-up after security forces shrugged off…

Norway forest fires rage amid Europe drought fears – (BBC News)
Experts say the rate of forest fires in Europe is “way above the average”.

Scale, sophistication of Sri Lanka attack point to foreign links: U.S. ambassador – (Reuters)
The scale and sophistication of the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka suggested the involvement of an external group such as Islamic State, the U.S. ambassador said on Wednesday, as the death toll from the bombings rose to 359.

More than 50 dead in South Africa after heavy rains – (Al Jazeera English)
Rescue workers were digging through collapsed homes and other buildings in coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal province.

UN: Pro-government forces kill more Afghans than insurgents – (Associated Press)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan and international forces were responsible for more civilian deaths in the first three months of 2019 than the Taliban and other militants, a new U.N. report said…

Britain to allow Huawei restricted access to 5G network – (Reuters)
Britain will allow Huawei Technologies a restricted role in building parts of its 5G network, seeking a middle way in a bitter dispute between the United States and China over the next generation of communications technology.

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From various sources

U.N. Human Rights chief condemns Saudi Arabia for beheading of 37 men – (The Jerusalem Post)
Most were minority Shi’ite Muslims who may not have had fair trials and at least three were minors when sentenced, the UN Human Rights Chief said.

Greenblatt: Upcoming peace plan doesn’t include confederation with Jordan – (The Jerusalem Post)
“Please don’t spread rumors.”

We know more about Sri Lanka attacks, but still not enough – (The Jerusalem Post)
Eight of nine of the attackers have been identified. They appear to all be local Sri Lankans.

INTERPOL operation rescues hundreds of victims of human trafficking – (The Jerusalem Post)
“As law enforcement officers it is our duty to combat human trafficking, especially when children are involved.”

Man storms German church yelling “Allah Akbar,” injuring 9 people – (The Jerusalem Post)
The attacker has been identified as a 36-year-old Somali

The Pope’s Climate Encyclical Didn’t Stop Global Warming – (Buzzfeed)
“There is no sign of religious people saving us from climate change.”

Wednesday, April 24 – (Financial Times)

Pro Rata – (Axios)
Insider views on deals and dealmakers in venture capital, private equity and M&A, by Dan Primack. Weekday mornings

Google’s Wing Aviation gets OK for drone deliveries in U.S. | CBC News – (CBC News)
Google affiliate Wing Aviation can start delivering goods by drone in Virginia later this year after being the first company to get U.S. air carrier certification

Knight Riders host Royals with time running out for both teams – (ESPN Cric Info)

Spielman: Wife says don’t come home if Vikings pick CB – (NFL News)
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman shared his wife told him to not come home if he drafts another cornerback. The Vikings hold the No. 18 overall pick.

Amari Cooper: Cowboys ‘want to get’ extension done – (NFL News)
Amari Cooper thrived in his half-season in Dallas. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, the fifth-year wide receiver says his agent and the Cowboys have actively discussed his next contract.

Nicola Sturgeon calls for a second referendum on Scottish independence – (Daily Mail)
The SNP leader said she would try to pass plans for a second referendum on the issue by the end of the year – and dared Theresa May to stop Scotland voting on the issue again.

Hamas arrests Gaza comedian who protested economic hardship – (The Jerusalem Post)
Hussam Khalaf is known for his criticism of Hamas and Qatar.

Chad Michael Murray teaches us how to be a cult leader, and other <em>Riverdale</em> secrets – (Entertainment Weekly)
‘One Tree Hill’ alum Chad Michael Murray tells EW about playing cult leader Edgar Evernever on ‘Riverdale,’ and more.

Ian McEwan’s uneven but sharp new novel rivals <em>Black Mirror</em> in speculative intrigue: EW review – (Entertainment Weekly)
‘Atonement’ author Ian McEwan spins an intriguing tale in his latest novel, ‘Machines Like Me,’ which ought to draw comparisons to ‘Black Mirror.’

America’s Grandest Movie Palaces Find Strange New Lives – (Wired)
The old Hollywood studios built thousands of ornate theaters across the country. Most have been torn down or abandoned.

Twitter Users Are Richer and More Woke Than the Rest of Us – (Wired)
A new report from Pew Research backs up the idea that social media often doesn’t reflect the larger world around us.

Trump reignites claim British intelligence helped Obama spy on him – (Daily Mail)
President Trump repeated a claim that the U.K’s intelligence service helped Barack Obama spy on his 2016 campaign – charge made by a man famous for spreading a hoax about Michelle Obama.

Trump’s threat to go to court over impeachment defies ruling – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’ll go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court “if the partisan Dems” ever try to impeach him.But Trump’s strategy could run into a…

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All about Trump

Trump reignites claim British intelligence helped Obama spy on him – (Daily Mail)
President Trump repeated a claim that the U.K’s intelligence service helped Barack Obama spy on his 2016 campaign – charge made by a man famous for spreading a hoax about Michelle Obama.

Trump’s threat to go to court over impeachment defies ruling – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’ll go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court “if the partisan Dems” ever try to impeach him.But Trump’s strategy could run into a…

Trump’s IRS Audit Files Offer ‘Treasure Trove’—If Congress Ever Gets Them – (The Wall Street Journal)
Democrats want not just six years of President Trump’s tax returns but also administrative files for the president’s IRS audits. Together they could make clear the core issues of any IRS inquiry into the president.

So I am done being wishy-washy. Impeach him. Now | Opinion – (Reddit /r/all)
Debate around impeaching President Trump has been centered around what’s pragmatic, but after the release of Robert Mueller’s redacted report on election interference by Russia, there’s a moral imperative now.

Trump warns Mexico over guns drawn on US troops: ‘Better not happen again!’ – (Fox News)
President Trump on Wednesday warned Mexico after their soldiers reportedly drew guns on U.S. troops at the border last week, while also calling on America’s southern neighbor to do more to halt another north-bound migrant caravan.

Impeachment: Trump says he would challenge impeachment proceedings in Supreme Court – (CBS News)
Trump said the Mueller report cleared him of wrongdoing, even though it outlined possible instances of obstruction of justice

‘A really big deal’: Trump says Supreme Court should back citizenship question on 2020 Census – (USA Today)
Critics say a citizenship question will lead to millions of people avoiding the 2020 Census. Trump lobbied the Supreme Court to uphold his plan.

Trump Tax Returns Request Raises ‘Serious Constitutional Questions,’ Mnuchin Says – (Fortune)
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin again refused to release Donald Trump’s tax returns to House Democrats.

Trump World ramps up campaign to turn tables in Russia case, target Dems who ‘colluded’ – (Fox News)
As Democratic leaders tentatively took impeachment proceedings off the docket this week, the White House put payback on the front burner — calling for closer looks into everyone from the FBI officials who investigated the Russia case to allies of Hillary Cli…

Trump claims Mexican soldiers ‘probably’ used armed confrontation with US troops as a diversion for drug smugglers – (CNBC)
“Better not happen again! We are now sending ARMED SOLDIERS to the Border,” the president wrote in a post on Twitter. “Mexico is not doing nearly enough in apprehending & returning!”

Nielsen was warned not to talk to Trump about new Russian election interference: report – (The Hill)
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was warned not to brief President Trump on possible Russian election interference in the 2020 election,

Trump says he would challenge impeachment in Supreme Court – (The Hill)
President Trump on Wednesday said that he would attempt to challenge impeachment in the Supreme Court if Democrats carried out such proceedings.

Trump says he would challenge impeachment in Supreme Court – (Google News)
President Trump on Wednesday said that he would attempt to challenge impeachment in the Supreme Court if Democrats carried out such proceedings, though it’s unclear the high court would hear such a case.

Trump suggests Mexican soldiers disarmed US troops as cover for drug smuggling – (The Hill)
President Trump in a tweet Wednesday morning accused Mexican soldiers involved in a recent incident with U.S. troops along the border of aiding drug cartels.

Trump renews threat to close portions of southern border – (ABC News)
President Donald Trump threatened to close the border earlier this month before walking it back a few days later.

Former Trump Transition Official Calls For Impeachment: ‘This Is Serious Stuff’ – (The Huffington Post)
“There’s more than enough evidence in the Mueller Report to start,” said J.W. Verret, a George Mason University law professor.

Rudy Giuliani fires back at Hillary Clinton’s remarks on Mueller probe – (Fox News)
Hillary Clinton says she believes Donald Trump would have been indicted in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe if he weren’t president. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani responds on ‘Fox & Friends.’

Trump promotes conspiracy theory that UK helped Obama administration spy on his presidential campaign – (Independent)
‘WOW! It is now just a question of time before the truth comes out,’ president says

Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones arrives in Dublin – (The Irish Times)
The Mother of Dragons joins Donald Trump and Phil Lynott in Waxworks Museum

Trump promotes conspiracy theory that UK helped Obama administration spy on his presidential campaign – (Google News (UK))
‘WOW! It is now just a question of time before the truth comes out,’ president says

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