Top News Stories for Today – Jan 19, 2019
Top News Stories for Today – Jan 19, 2019
Trump meets N Korean envoy at WH
The White House has announced that a second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will be held at the end of February, at a place to be announced “at a later date.” Speculation is mounting that a second meeting could be held in Vietnam. The announcement was made after Trump met Friday with Kim Yong Chol, North Korea’s top nuclear envoy in the Oval Office, which the White House said was to “discuss efforts to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program.”
Trump’s meeting with the former North Korean spymaster, who often is referred to as Kim Jong Un’s right-hand man, lasted 90 minutes. VOA, BBC
Mueller denies Trump told Cohen to lie to Congress
Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s office on Friday denied an explosive report by BuzzFeed News that his investigators had gathered evidence showing President Trump directed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress about a prospective business deal in Moscow.
“BuzzFeed’s description of specific statements to the special counsel’s office, and characterization of documents and testimony obtained by this office, regarding Michael Cohen’s congressional testimony are not accurate,” said Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller. The Washington Post
Trump will make major announcement
President Donald Trump said he will make a “major” announcement on Saturday about the border and ongoing government shutdown.
The president did not provide any further details on what he would discuss on what is set to be the 28th day of the partial government shutdown. The White House press team offered no further guidance to reporters when asked about the president’s tweet late Friday. CNBC
Blast at Mexico pipeline kills at least 21
At least 21 people have been killed and 71 more injured in an explosion at an oil pipeline in Mexico. It is believed the blast occurred after the line was ruptured by suspected oil thieves in the town of Tlahuelilpan, in Hidalgo state. Officials say dozens of people had been scrambling to fill up containers when fire broke out on Friday evening. Footage on local television showed large flames and people at the scene with severe burns.
Fuel theft, known locally as “huachicoleo” (or moonshining) is rampant in some Mexican communities. The government has said the practice cost the country about $3bn last year. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office in December, has launched a major crackdown. BBC
2019 Oscar nominations
Critics expect A Star Is Born and Roma to lead the 2019 Oscar nominations, which will be announced Tuesday. The musical, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, is on pace to be nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Song among other awards, while the Alfonso Cuarón Netflix drama will likely be recognized in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, and more.
These are considered the two main frontrunners for Best Picture, a category almost certain to also include Green Book, The Favorite, BlackKklansman, Vice, and Black Panther, as well as potentially Bohemian Rhapsody and If Beale Street Could Talk. Tracee Ellis Ross and Kumail Nanjiani will announce the nominations on Jan. 22 at 8:20 a.m. EST. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety via The Week
Extreme heat wave grips Australia
With temperatures of 48 Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) in the New South Wales outback, records are falling as an extreme heat wave grips eastern Australia. Even in a land used to nature’s extremes, this heat wave is punishing. The blistering conditions are affecting much of eastern Australia, but New South Wales has felt it most.
Last year was Australia’s third-warmest year on record, and 2019 has got off to a scorching start. Australia’s hottest recorded temperature was 50.7 Celsius (123 Fahrenheit) in South Australia in January 1960. VOA