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wtorek, 29 grudnia 2015

Fwd: The Presidential Daily Brief - 12/29/2015

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: OZY <Admin@email.ozy.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 29, 2015 at 1:49 PM
Subject: The Presidential Daily Brief - 12/29/2015
To: pascal.alter@gmail.com


December 29, 2015

Important

Belgian special forces stand guard as authorities search for evidence of terrorism in Brussels. Source: Getty

Belgians Say They've Foiled New Year's Attack

Authorities raided locations in Brussels, Brabant and Liege, arresting two men, seizing military garb and propaganda material and allegedly stopping a new night of terror. One of the suspects is accused of recruiting and running an extremist cell after an investigation that "revealed serious threats" of an attack on "symbolic places" during New Year's celebrations in Brussels. The raids netted six people for questioning, but four were released. The probe into the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people continues to focus on Belgium, home to two of the attack's suicide bombers.

Sources: Reuters, BBC

Cleveland Officers Not Charged in Death of Black 12-Year-Old

An Ohio grand jury declined to press charges against an officer who fatally shot Tamir Rice in November 2014. Prosecutor Tim McGinty called the events a "perfect storm of human error," and argued that officers couldn't have known Rice was holding a pellet gun when he reached into his waistband. The shooting was one of several that inspired the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Rice's family continues to question the investigation, accusing McGinty of "acting like the police officers' defense attorney," and are asking the Justice Department to intervene.

Sources: CNN, USA Today, NYT

'Affluenza' Teen Nabbed Near Mexican Resort

It's a symptom of wealth. Mexican authorities near Puerto Vallarta have detained Ethan Couch, the 18-year-old whose defense of "affluenza" - being irresponsible due to a rich upbringing - was followed by a sentence of 10 years' probation for killing four people while driving intoxicated. Wanted back in Texas for violating his probation, he's expected to be turned over to U.S. marshals, and could see jail time. His mother, Tonya, was picked up with her son - though it's unclear if she'll face any legal issues over his unsanctioned disappearance.

Sources: CNN, NYT, Reuters

China Trade Status Divides US and EU

They're seeing red. U.S. officials have warned Europe that it shouldn't help China gain market economy status with the World Trade Organization. Some influential figures, including Germany's Angela Merkel and U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, are backing the People's Republic, which argues that the status kicks in automatically next year. The U.S. claims that the change will let China dump unfairly cheap goods into foreign markets. The European Commission is expected to decide the issue in February, but not before hearing objections from continental unions and industries like steel and textiles.

Sources: FT (sub)

Briefly

Family of drowned Syrian toddler finds sanctuary in Canada. (CNN)

Israeli court cuts former Israeli PM's bribery sentence. (NYT)

Double bombing kills 19 in Syrian city of Homs. (WSJ) sub

Report lists France among most dangerous places for journalists. (AFP)

Denver survives Cincinnati to clinch NFL playoff spot. (USA Today)

INTRIGUING

OZY's Best Stories from Around the Globe

It's a huge world, after all. And with more people moving from country to country than ever before, largely out of unfortunate necessity, we may soon see a lot more of it. Take a look at newcomers celebrating Thanksgiving - America's unique migrant holiday - for the first time, learning their new culture along with the 70,000 other refugees who made it to the states last year. Then partake in a different kind of meal: Istanbul's new culture of Syrian street food, courtesy of another mass migration that's bound to continue.

Sources: OZY

Motörhead Frontman Lemmy Kilmister Has Died

He didn't go quietly. The mutton-chopped leader of the English metal band known for hits such as "Ace of Spades" passed away at age 70, just two days after learning he had an aggressive form of cancer. Born Ian Fraser Kilmister, the vocalist and bassist started as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix and spent time with the space rock group Hawkwind. He also wrote for artists like Ozzy Osbourne and most recently collaborated with the Foo Fighters. But today grieving fans should follow the advice on the band's Facebook page and "play Motörhead loud."

Sources: Consequence of Sound, Rolling Stone

Thousands Apply for NYC Micro Apartments

They'll definitely sleep tight. Some 60,000 people have applied to live at Carmel Place, a Manhattan development that's testing the limits for how teensy homes can be. The units range from 265 to 350 square feet - the city's waived the minimum of 400 - and include amenities such as hideaway beds and desks that expand into dining tables. While some of the apartments will rent for as little as $950 a month, others could cost $3,150 - and could usher in a new era of tiny spaces in the city that never sleeps.

Sources: New York Daily News, New York Post

Data From 191 Million Voters Exposed

It's a telemarketer's dream. A misconfigured server has made voter registration files from all 50 states publicly accessible. Austin-based security researcher Chris Vickery, who said the files typically contain a voter's name, address, party affiliation and when they showed up at the polls, discovered the issue. It's still unclear who owns the server - and the data is still available. While most Americans may not realize this, most states already share such information. But about half of states forbid commercial use of voter files, and Vickery said he's working with a security professional to alert authorities.

Sources: Gizmodo, Politico, Forbes

Yankees Acquire All-Star Pitcher From Reds

Always be closing. New York sent four minor league players to Cincinnati in exchange for Aroldis Chapman, giving them yet another star closer to help ease the burden on their rotation of aging starting pitchers. But the move comes with a major caveat: The 27-year-old left-hander is still being investigated by Florida police and Major League Baseball for allegedly choking his girlfriend and firing a handgun in his garage eight times. Nonetheless, the Yankees are reportedly willing to risk a possible 45-day suspension for a new flamethrower in the bullpen.

Sources: USA Today, ESPN