Welcome to today’s edition of NewsHero for Monday, January 27, 2020.
We’ve mentioned before that we’d love for you to share this public edition of NewsHero with people you consider like-minded, but we believe it’s equally important to share it with people who may have different opinions and views.
Because we gather our content from both sides of the spectrum, all while searching for the heroes of every story, NewsHero is an ideal resource for coming together on issues big and small, without sensationalism and polarization—and without ads.
We’re excited about what we’re doing and hope you’ll help us continue to grow.
Thanks for reading!
Team NewsHero
NewsHero Notes
Our above statement seems to sashay nicely into National News Literacy Week, which kicks off today. The initiative is designed to raise awareness of news literacy as a fundamental life skill, and News Literacy Project founder Alan Miller says it’s all about dealing with the misinformation “pandemic.” We hear you!
Initial reports say that the U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad was hit Sunday by three rockets. One person was reportedly injured but has since returned to duty.
Afternoon Brief
Syria
Sesame Street is aiming to help children affected by the Syrian civil war, launching an Arabic TV program for the hundreds of thousands of children dealing with displacement in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. According to UNICEF, every child in Syria has been psychologically impacted by the crisis.
Health
Health officials are toiling to stay on top of a coronavirus outbreak that has now killed 81 and stranded millions in China during the busy New Year. In the U.S. the CDC is monitoring 110 possible cases across 26 states, with five cases confirmed so far.
Brexit
The voters spoke, and Brexit was the choice. In a ceremony Friday closed off from the press, the leaders of the two main EU institutions signed the agreement governing Britain’s departure. The UK will no longer be a member of the EU after 23:00 GMT on Jan. 31.
Bolton Leak Heats Up Impeachment
Republicans join Democrats in call for testimony
Alex Wong/Getty Images
John Bolton, the former national security adviser, claims in his upcoming book, “The Room Where It Happened,” that President Trump wanted to withhold $391 million in security aid from Ukraine until it helped him with investigations into Joe Biden. Trump denied Bolton’s account and took to Twitter to express his anger.
The news has put pressure on senators to call Bolton to testify, with many Republicans agreeing with Democrats for a need for witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial. “I think it’s increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton,” Republican Sen. of Utah Mitt Romney told reporters.
A lone protester holds a sign outside the Capitol on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Democrats maintain that Trump’s refusal to allow administration officials to testify in the impeachment proceeding only adds to suspicions that the White House is hiding evidence. According to a letter from Bolton’s attorney, Charles Cooper, the White House has had the manuscript of Bolton’s book since Dec 30.
If Bolton’s claims are true and the order to freeze financial aid to Ukraine came directly from Trump, the question now is whether Trump’s legal defense team had prior knowledge to the information in Bolton’s book. If so, they could be subjected to criminal liability for making false statements to the Senate.
“We’re all staring a White House cover-up in the face,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Polls show that the public wants to hear from witnesses. “We want the truth,” he said. “So do the American people.”
We at team NewsHero have said the more witnesses the better, and that transparency is key when it comes to what’s best for America’s democracy. When it’s time to make a decision on who is telling the truth and doing the right thing—finding the hero, if you will—more information is typically better than less.
Extra! Extra!
Last week we gave our take on Greta Thunberg’s response to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s comment about her needing a degree before criticizing U.S. policy, and it turns out Mnuchin’s wife may have agreed with us. “I stand with Greta on this issue. (I don’t have a degree in economics either),” Louise Linton wrote in an Instagram post that was later deleted. Well, better said and deleted than never said at all, right?
Sources:
Alan Miller says National News Literacy Week is about solving the misinformation 'pandemic' - CNN
Three rockets hit US Embassy compound in Baghdad, US official says - CNN
‘Sesame Street’ comforts children displaced by Syrian war - AP News
Help Save Children in Syria - Save the Children
Syrian crisis: What you need to know - UNICEF
CDC is monitoring 110 possible coronavirus cases across 26 states in US - CNBC
Coronavirus Case Confirmed In Arizona, Bringing U.S. Total To 5 - NPR
First coronavirus death in Beijing as more than 2,700 cases confirmed overall - CNN
Trump offers China 'any help' as virus spreads, markets reel - Reuters
Top EU officials sign Brexit deal in closed door ceremony - AP News
Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU - BBC News
What happens on Brexit day and what comes next? - The Guardian
Leaked Bolton claims fuel fiery new clash over impeachment testimony - Fox News
Trump Tied Ukraine Aid to Inquiries He Sought, Bolton Book Says - NY Times
Whistleblower’s Lawyer: Bolton Revelation Potentially Subjects Trump’s Legal Team to Criminal Liability - Law and Crime
GOP defends Trump as Bolton book adds pressure for witnesses - AP News
Trump Impeachment Trial Live Updates: Calls Intensify for Bolton to Testify - NY Times
’I stand with Greta’: Mnuchin’s wife posts — then deletes — support for climate activist - Politico