2019-05-27

Headlines:

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

Spain is back: Sanchez’s Socialists return to EU top table – (Reuters)
Buoyed by two electoral victories in a month, Spain’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez wants to thrust his country back into the heart of European Union decision-making after years of domestic woes that undercut Madrid’s sway.

Democratic-led states divided over approach on abortion – (Associated Press)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A bill seeking to preserve abortion protections in state law fails to pass a key committee. Lawmakers cite God, church and faith in proclaiming their opposition to it….

Preparing to sue, ex-Boy Scouts recall abuse by unit leaders – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Sharing their stories doesn’t come easily for these middle-aged men. At times, their eyes well up or their voices crack as they describe being sexually abused in the Boy Scouts and…

Race to succeed UK PM May centers on ‘no deal’ Brexit battle – (Reuters)
The prospect of a “no deal” Brexit was fast becoming the central battle of the race to succeed British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday, as environment minister Michael Gove became the eighth candidate to declare.

Factbox: Who wants to be Britain’s next prime minister? – (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will quit next month, triggering a contest that will bring a new leader to power who is likely to push for a cleaner break with the European Union.

Despite video disgrace, Austrian far right’s Strache gets EU seat: APA – (Reuters)
Heinz-Christian Strache, who was forced to resign as Austrian vice chancellor and leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) a week ago over a video sting, has secured a seat in the European Parliament, Austrian news agency APA reported.

Portugal’s Socialists prepare run for majority rule after EU vote – (Reuters)
Portugal’s ruling Socialists are prepared to ditch their far-left allies and go it alone at a general election in October, emboldened by their sound economic management and a weak opposition to seek majority rule.

Ukraine president holds contest for new ‘highly moral’ lawmaker candidates – (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s team on Monday invited applications from members of the public to fight a snap election in July for his new Servant of the People party, betting they can wrench power from a discredited political class.

EU vote points to less ambitious euro zone integration, more Italy budget clashes – (Reuters)
The results of the European parliamentary election are likely to lead to less ambitious euro zone integration plans and set Italy up for more clashes with the European Commission over its fiscal policy, euro zone officials said on Monday.

Wozniacki goes from perfect in 1st set to French Open loss – (Associated Press)
PARIS (AP) — Caroline Wozniacki went from playing a perfect set to start her French Open campaign to quickly fading away against an opponent who had never previously won a Grand Slam…

Trump, Japan’s Abe at odds over North Korean missile tests – (Associated Press)
TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he is not “personally” bothered by recent short-range North Korean missile tests and doesn’t believe they violated U.N. Security Council…

With His Job Gone, an Autoworker Wonders, ‘What Am I as a Man?’ – (The New York Times)
Rick Marsh worked in the car plant in Lordstown his entire life. Now that job is gone. What does that mean for his politics?

After EU election disaster, Britain’s main parties gird for no-deal Brexit battle – (Reuters)
Britain’s two main parties set the stage on Monday for a battle over a no-deal Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage and other smaller parties in European elections.

A hefty donation to Trump’s inaugural comes under scrutiny – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Real estate mogul Franklin Haney contributed $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee and all he’s got to show for the money is the glare of a federal…

Ethiopia apologises for map that erases Somalia – (BBC News)
It appeared on the foreign ministry website, showing its neighbour incorporated within its borders.

Cracks open up as earthquake hits Peru – (BBC News)
At least one person is dead after a powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Amazon rainforest in north-central Peru.

Myanmar massacre soldiers ‘released early’ – (BBC News)
They were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018, but officials say they are no longer detained.

Fiat Chrysler wants to form global giant with Renault – (Associated Press)
PARIS (AP) — Fiat Chrysler proposed on Monday to merge with France’s Renault to create the world’s third-biggest automaker and combine their investments in the race to make new electric and…

Trump gives ‘full support’ to Japan-N Korea talks – (BBC News)
Japan’s PM wants “frank talks” with North Korea on issues such as the abduction of its citizens.

Europe at crossroads as far-right, Greens make gains in vote – (Associated Press)
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders and party officials plotted strategy Monday after European Parliament elections ended the domination of the main center-right and center-left parties and…

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From various sources

Kiev synagogue evacuated following bomb threat – (The Jerusalem Post)
An email said that the bomb would explode within 24 hours.

Gantz wants a chance to form an alternative government – (The Jerusalem Post)
Opposition parties to vote against going to another election this year

Liberman vows to back early elections – (The Jerusalem Post)
Says Likud should look in the mirror instead of blaming him.

Opinion | The press must do better – (The Washington Post)
Journalists must refuse to be megaphones for Trump propaganda.

US trade hawk hunts bigger fish in Trump’s China battles – (Financial Times)
Nazak Nikakhtar has moved to frontline of Washington’s stand-off with Beijing

Summer weather forecasts vary sharply across Canada | CBC News – (CBC News)
The weather this summer could be starkly different across Canada, at least according to one long-range forecast.

Large rat snake discovered hiding in shopping carts at Walmart in Texas – (Fox News)
Be careful which cart you choose, there may be a slithering surprise.

Cook hits 50 for Essex – County Championship day one, radio & text – (BBC Sport)
Seven fixtures take place in the latest round of County Championship fixtures – follow live text and radio commentary.

The Never Seen Before Overhead Kick First Touch From FC Lyiv’s Pedro Vitor – (The Sport Bible)
Have you ever seen anything like this?!

Tory leadership hopefuls promise Brexit NOW as party faces wipeout – (Daily Mail)
A host of MPs vying to replace Theresa May broke cover today to warn of a Conservative collapse as it finished fifth on 9 per cent behind the Greens after months of chaos and bitter infighting.

Spain is back: Sanchez’s Socialists return to EU top table – (Reuters)
Buoyed by two electoral victories in a month, Spain’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez wants to thrust his country back into the heart of European Union decision-making after years of domestic woes that undercut Madrid’s sway.

Authorities powerless to move on travellers until after bank holiday – (Daily Mail)
A group of travellers have descended on a children’s play park in Hedge End, Hampshire. With the council and courts shut until after the bank holiday, the travellers are free to stay until they return.

Democratic-led states divided over approach on abortion – (Associated Press)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A bill seeking to preserve abortion protections in state law fails to pass a key committee. Lawmakers cite God, church and faith in proclaiming their opposition to it….

High home prices in big cities are pushing some first-time buyers to relocate way past the suburbs – (Financial Post)
The move to towns near secondary municipalities — called exurbs — has been gaining in popularity as millennials respond to the lure of lower prices

– (Fox Sports)

Doug Ford reversing retroactive funding cuts amid fierce pressure from Toronto | CBC News – (CBC News)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is reversing this year’s cuts to municipal funding, though future cuts will continue as planned, government sources have told CBC Toronto.

Preparing to sue, ex-Boy Scouts recall abuse by unit leaders – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Sharing their stories doesn’t come easily for these middle-aged men. At times, their eyes well up or their voices crack as they describe being sexually abused in the Boy Scouts and…

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All about Trump

Opinion | The press must do better – (The Washington Post)
Journalists must refuse to be megaphones for Trump propaganda.

US trade hawk hunts bigger fish in Trump’s China battles – (Financial Times)
Nazak Nikakhtar has moved to frontline of Washington’s stand-off with Beijing

Elon Musk Is Going to Mars, but Donald Trump Might Beat Him to It – (Crypto Coins News)
Donald Trump laid out new plans for the US space program on Monday in collaboration with Japan. Will he beat Elon Musk to land a rocket on Mars?

Trump set for state visit amid leadership crisis – (News.com.au)
With things rapidly going from bad to worse for the UK government, another red hot iron is about to be thrown into the fire – a visit from Donald J Trump.

Trump HUD Official: ‘I Honestly Don’t Care’ If I’m Breaking Federal Law – (The Huffington Post)
Lynne Patton said she may have violated the Hatch Act, then called anyone mad about it a “liberal snowflake.”

Iran’s regime relieved at Trump’s Japan mediation comments – (The Jerusalem Post)
The new Trump motto is “we’ll see what happens” as Iran’s Press TV says the US “lost momentum” in war talk.

Rolling Thunder’s last roar? Trump says ride will be back; organizer says not so fast – (USA Today)
Thousands of motorcyclists gathered in Washington, D.C., this weekend amid confusion over whether this would be the final ride for Rolling Thunder.

Amid Tensions, Iran’s Crude Buyers Jump Ship – (The Wall Street Journal)
One month after the Trump administration said it would tighten its ban on Iran’s oil sales, the country’s direct crude buyers have all but vanished, traders and executives in the Islamic Republic say.

Rolling Thunder offered $200k donation to help continue famed DC motorcycle ride – (Fox News)
The Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride may not be coming to an end after all following a generous gift to the veterans advocacy organization and emphatic support from President Trump.

Trump, Japan’s Abe at odds over North Korean missile tests – (Associated Press)
TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he is not “personally” bothered by recent short-range North Korean missile tests and doesn’t believe they violated U.N. Security Council…

Trump says Iran nuclear deal possible as sanctions bite – (The Jerusalem Post)
“I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal, and I think that’s very smart of them, and I think that’s a possibility to happen,” Trump said.

Trump’s Japan trip: Blasts Biden, Democrats, Mueller while bringing politics to world stage – (USA Today)
Trump doubled down on his criticism of Democrat Joe Biden, telling an international audience he agree with an insult from North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

If Trump calls me, ‘I may not answer’: Huawei’s billionaire founder defiant in storm that threatens his company’s survival – (Financial Post)
Ren Zhengfei admits U.S. sanctions will cut into Huawei’s 5G lead, but company will find solutions

North Korea Calls John Bolton a “Defective Human Product” – (Vice News)
Meanwhile, President Trump praised Kim Jong Un, and echoed the dictator’s insults of Joe Biden—again.

A hefty donation to Trump’s inaugural comes under scrutiny – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Real estate mogul Franklin Haney contributed $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee and all he’s got to show for the money is the glare of a federal…

North Korea has been testing ballistic missiles. So why won’t Trump use the B word? – (The Washington Post)
Washington and Seoul seem determined to downplay Pyongyang’s missile tests. Is it wise?

Trump in Japan: President says he isn’t worried about North Korea missile tests, disagreeing with advisers – (Google News)
The president also said he agrees with Kim Jong Un on Vice President Joe Biden

Trump breaks with Abe, says he’s not bothered by North Korea missile tests | CBC News – (CBC News)
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he is not “personally bothered” by recent short-range missile tests that North Korea conducted this month, breaking with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is hosting Trump on a four-day state visit full of pageant…

Flynn’s case could prompt release of some redacted parts of Mueller report – (CNN)
Sought-after parts of the Mueller investigation may be made public this week, thanks to a federal judge who’s taken an unusual approach in former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn’s case.

Seven key allies for Pelosi on impeachment – (The Hill)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is retaining allies in key corners of the Democratic caucus despite growing calls for impeaching President Trump.

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