Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.Intel Chiefs Briefed Trump on Alleged Russian Blackmail Efforts
Senior US intelligence officials last week presented both President Obama and President-elect Trump with a classified summary of unsubstantiated claims that Russia had gathered compromising personal details on Trump. An unverified dossier obtained by BuzzFeed News, based on claims made by a former British intelligence official, alleges Russian officials had evidence Trump hired sex workers for "perverted" sexual acts, including golden showers. The dossier also alleges the Russian government had been "cultivating" Trump for several years.—CNN / BuzzFeed NewsObama Makes Somber Farewell Speech in Chicago
President Obama warned about threats to the strength of US democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago on Tuesday night. He cautioned against becoming "so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions." The outgoing president also said "stark inequality" was "corrosive to our democratic principles," and conceded race "remains a potent and often divisive force."—The Guardian
US News
Senior US intelligence officials last week presented both President Obama and President-elect Trump with a classified summary of unsubstantiated claims that Russia had gathered compromising personal details on Trump. An unverified dossier obtained by BuzzFeed News, based on claims made by a former British intelligence official, alleges Russian officials had evidence Trump hired sex workers for "perverted" sexual acts, including golden showers. The dossier also alleges the Russian government had been "cultivating" Trump for several years.—CNN / BuzzFeed NewsObama Makes Somber Farewell Speech in Chicago
President Obama warned about threats to the strength of US democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago on Tuesday night. He cautioned against becoming "so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions." The outgoing president also said "stark inequality" was "corrosive to our democratic principles," and conceded race "remains a potent and often divisive force."—The Guardian
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Trump Wants Congress to Replace Obamacare Quickly
President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Congress both to repeal the Affordable Care Act pretty much right away and pass a replacement soon after. Despite several senior Republicans suggesting a replacement bill could take months or even years, Trump said the replace will come "very quickly or simultaneously, very shortly thereafter."—The New York TimesDylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Murder of Nine
A jury unanimously sentenced Dylann Roof to death for the murder of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2015. Judge Richard Gergel told Roof he was "strongly disinclined" to grant a request by Roof for new, court-appointed lawyers after the verdict, but said it could be discussed at Wednesday's sentencing hearing.—VICE NewsUAE Diplomats Killed in Bomb Attack in Afghanistan
Five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among 11 killed in the bombing of the state governor's office in Kandahar, Afghanistan Tuesday. The attack left 17 others injured, including the UAE ambassador. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, but claimed two suicide bombings in Kabul on Tuesday that killed 30 people and injured 80.—Al JazeeraTop Samsung Official a Suspect in Corruption Investigation
The South Korean special prosecutor investigating political corruption surrounding the president will question Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong as a suspect. Samsung allegedly made payments to foundations run by Choi Soon-sil, the friend of President Park Geun-hye at the center of the scandal. Investigators are examining whether any payments were linked to political backing for the merger of two Samsung group affiliates.—BBC News
President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Congress both to repeal the Affordable Care Act pretty much right away and pass a replacement soon after. Despite several senior Republicans suggesting a replacement bill could take months or even years, Trump said the replace will come "very quickly or simultaneously, very shortly thereafter."—The New York TimesDylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Murder of Nine
A jury unanimously sentenced Dylann Roof to death for the murder of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2015. Judge Richard Gergel told Roof he was "strongly disinclined" to grant a request by Roof for new, court-appointed lawyers after the verdict, but said it could be discussed at Wednesday's sentencing hearing.—VICE News
International News
Five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among 11 killed in the bombing of the state governor's office in Kandahar, Afghanistan Tuesday. The attack left 17 others injured, including the UAE ambassador. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, but claimed two suicide bombings in Kabul on Tuesday that killed 30 people and injured 80.—Al JazeeraTop Samsung Official a Suspect in Corruption Investigation
The South Korean special prosecutor investigating political corruption surrounding the president will question Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong as a suspect. Samsung allegedly made payments to foundations run by Choi Soon-sil, the friend of President Park Geun-hye at the center of the scandal. Investigators are examining whether any payments were linked to political backing for the merger of two Samsung group affiliates.—BBC News
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Taiwan Scrambles Jets Over Chinese Ships Entering Taiwan Strait
Taiwan ordered jets and navy ships to monitor Chinese Navy vessels discovered sailing through the Taiwan Strait late Tuesday. The Chinese warships did not encroach on territorial waters, but did enter Taiwan's "air defense identification zone," according to Taiwan's defense ministry. A minister for Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said it was not necessary to "overly panic."—AFPFrontrunner in French Election Wants Immigration Controls
Center-right presidential candidate François Fillon thinks France needs to consider immigration quotas. Although the EU's Schengen agreement complicates limits on the freedom of movement in Europe, Fillion said, "I want France to be able to decide every year the number of people it can accept on its territory."—ReutersGeorge Lucas Says His $1 Billion Museum Will Be in LA
George Lucas has announced that Los Angeles's Exposition Park will be home to his $1 billion museum of narrative art. The Star Wars creator, who considered San Francisco and Chicago as locations, has a collection of 10,000 pieces he wants to display.—TIMEThe National and Common to Play Planned Parenthood Fundraiser
The National and Common will co-headline a benefit show for Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC, the night before Donald Trump's inauguration. Organizers said the Show Up! concert at the 9:30 Club is for "reproductive health, freedom, and justice."—Rolling StoneNew Primate Species Named After Luke Skywalker
Scientists have named a new species of primate found living in southwest China the "Skywalker hoolock gibbon." It was so named partly because the Chinese translation means "Heaven's movement," and of course because the scientists are Star Wars fans.—BBC NewsRFK Jr. Claims He Has Position on Trump Vaccine Commission
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has embraced the widely discredited theory that thimerosal is linked to autism, said Tuesday he was working with Donald Trump on a new commission regarding vaccine policy. Trump's team later stated that "no decisions have been made at this time."—VICELA Artists Used Activists' Blood in Anti-Trump Painting
A group of artists in Los Angeles are using activists' blood donations for a new painting called RISE UP THY YOUNG BLOOD, a symbol of opposition to Donald Trump. One might call the artist Illma Gore and collective INDECLINE's work a "blood oath" against the nascent presidency.—The Creators Project
Taiwan ordered jets and navy ships to monitor Chinese Navy vessels discovered sailing through the Taiwan Strait late Tuesday. The Chinese warships did not encroach on territorial waters, but did enter Taiwan's "air defense identification zone," according to Taiwan's defense ministry. A minister for Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said it was not necessary to "overly panic."—AFPFrontrunner in French Election Wants Immigration Controls
Center-right presidential candidate François Fillon thinks France needs to consider immigration quotas. Although the EU's Schengen agreement complicates limits on the freedom of movement in Europe, Fillion said, "I want France to be able to decide every year the number of people it can accept on its territory."—Reuters
Everything Else
George Lucas has announced that Los Angeles's Exposition Park will be home to his $1 billion museum of narrative art. The Star Wars creator, who considered San Francisco and Chicago as locations, has a collection of 10,000 pieces he wants to display.—TIMEThe National and Common to Play Planned Parenthood Fundraiser
The National and Common will co-headline a benefit show for Planned Parenthood in Washington, DC, the night before Donald Trump's inauguration. Organizers said the Show Up! concert at the 9:30 Club is for "reproductive health, freedom, and justice."—Rolling StoneNew Primate Species Named After Luke Skywalker
Scientists have named a new species of primate found living in southwest China the "Skywalker hoolock gibbon." It was so named partly because the Chinese translation means "Heaven's movement," and of course because the scientists are Star Wars fans.—BBC NewsRFK Jr. Claims He Has Position on Trump Vaccine Commission
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has embraced the widely discredited theory that thimerosal is linked to autism, said Tuesday he was working with Donald Trump on a new commission regarding vaccine policy. Trump's team later stated that "no decisions have been made at this time."—VICELA Artists Used Activists' Blood in Anti-Trump Painting
A group of artists in Los Angeles are using activists' blood donations for a new painting called RISE UP THY YOUNG BLOOD, a symbol of opposition to Donald Trump. One might call the artist Illma Gore and collective INDECLINE's work a "blood oath" against the nascent presidency.—The Creators Project