Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 27 December 2015
Econintersect: Here are some of the headlines we found to help you start your day. For more headlines see our afternoon feature for GEI members, What We Read Today, which has many more headlines and a number of article discussions to keep you abreast of what we have found interesting.
Global
‘Star Wars’ Poised to Set Mark for Fastest Film to $1 Billion (Bloomberg) “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was poised to pass $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales this weekend and become the first picture to reach that mark so quickly.
IS leader says ‘caliphate’ well, mocks Saudi-led alliance (Associated Press) The Islamic State group on Saturday released a new message purportedly from its reclusive leader, claiming that his self-styled “caliphate” is doing well despite an unprecedented alliance against it and criticizing the recently announced Saudi-led Islamic military coalition against terrorism.
First Christmas full moon in nearly 40 years seen worldwide (CNN) Friday’s lunar show was the first full moon on Christmas in 38 years. The moon was covered by clouds in a big chunk of the United States, but in places with clear skies it was quite the holiday treat. Stojan Stojanovski photographed silhouettes standing in front of the full moon in Ohrid, Macedonia.
U.S.
Tornadoes sweep through Dallas area; significant damage (Associated Press) Tornadoes swept through the Dallas area after dark on Saturday evening causing significant damage while a blizzard was blanketing parts of New Mexico and West Texas with snow, the latest in the nation’s freakish winter weather pattern that sent temperatures plunging to near zero wind chill in the western Plains even as numerous record highs are forecast for the eastern U.S. See next two articles.
Severe Weather Death Toll Reaches 25 As New Tornadoes Hit Texas (The Huffington Post) Seven more dead in the Dallas area so far may be the most damaging tornado outbreak in December in history. Dozens of twisters have touched down in at least four states. And the death toll keeps risng: Reuters now report 26 fatalities. See also next article.
Historical Records and Trends (NOAA) December is the least likely month for tornadoes.
Chicago police officer shoots, kills two, one by mistake (Reuters) In a city troubled by allegations of police misuse of force, a Chicago officer early on Saturday shot and killed a male college student and a mother of five, both black, and the police department later said the woman’s death was both accidental and tragic. The Chicago police statement:
“Officers were confronted by a combative subject resulting in the discharging of the officer’s weapon which fatally wounded two individuals. [ A woman, 55,] was accidentally struck and tragically killed … the department extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”
Hoping for a Price Surge, Oil Companies Keep Wells in Reserve (The New York Times) The price of oil keeps dropping. But that didn’t stop a work crew from drilling a well recently on what was once a cornfield, carefully guiding the last sections of 13,000 feet of pipe spiraling into the hard Niobrara shale with a diamond-tipped bit. Their well, one of hundreds drilled by Anadarko Petroleum in eastern Colorado’s Wattenberg field this year, could someday gush as many as 800 barrels of crude oil a day. But Anadarko is not planning to produce a drop of crude from the well for at least another year because the price of oil is now so pitifully low.
EU
Austrian police say European capitals have been warned of possible attack (Reuters) Vienna police said on Saturday a “friendly” intelligence service had warned European capitals of the possibility of a shooting or bomb attack before New Year, prompting police across the continent to increase security measures.
Japan
Japan embraces India as China looms (Al Jazeera) Last week Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe concluded a visit to India with an armful of key agreements and a solidification of Tokyo’s rapidly maturing relationship with New Delhi. During the summit, Abe and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, agreed to a “special strategic and global partnership” premised on closer cooperation, economically and through stronger bonds on defense and security.
China
Chinese mine owner kills himself as 17 miners remain trapped (BBC News) The owner of a gypsum mine in China’s eastern Shandong province has killed himself, as rescuers try to reach 17 miners who have been trapped for two days, state media report. One person died and four miners escaped when the mine collapsed on Friday. Since then, rescue workers have managed to pull a number of miners to safety.
