via CNN:
Trump signs bill ending shutdown, official says:
The House and the Senate voted Monday to end the government shutdown, extending funding for three weeks, following a deal being reached between Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding assurances related to immigration.
The House passed the continuing resolution 266-159, with 36 more yes votes than the four-week resolution they passed last week.
The movement comes thanks in part to commitments from McConnell and other Republicans in bipartisan meetings, according to four Democratic sources.
A talking stick, bipartisan negotiations and Hershey’s Kisses: How the shutdown ended — for now:
After three days and countless bipartisan negotiations on the floor and behind closed doors,
the government has reopened. And hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be able to show up for work Tuesday.
But behind the scenes, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — absent clear presidential leadership — had to scramble to try to re-open the government and put the Capitol back together
In the end, lawmakers and senior aides credit — or, in some cases on the Democratic side, blame —
a group of more than 20 bipartisan members for clearing the way for a breakthrough of sorts, even if re-opening the government for just a few more weeks falls far short of historic in the annals of Senate history.
Neil Diamond diagnosed with Parkinson’s, retires from touring:
“I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” Diamond
said in a statement. “My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.”
The singer had been planning a March tour of Australia and New Zealand as a part of his 50th anniversary tour. Those performances have been canceled, according to the statement.
Diamond, 76, known for such hits as “Sweet Caroline,” said he plans to continue writing and recording.
Shirtless Tongan Flag-Bearer Pita Taufatofua Qualifies for 2018 Olympics:
Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan Olympian who rose to fame as the shirtless flag-bearer for his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics, qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in cross-country skiing.
According to the Wall Street Journal (h/t ESPN.com), Taufatofua earned his place in the 2018 Olympics during a qualifying event in Isafjordur, Iceland.
Taufatofua commented on his qualification in an Instagram post:
Jazz legend Hugh Masekela dies:
Known as the father of South African jazz, the trumpet master channeled the struggle against apartheid into soulful compositions that championed the experiences of ordinary South Africans.
Masekela’s 1986 “Bring Him Back Home” song, written for Nelson Mandela, became an anthem of the 1980s anti-apartheid movement. The Grammy-nominated artist toured with Paul Simon and was a major player on the jazz and world music scene for decades.
“A loving father, brother, grandfather and friend, our hearts beat with profound loss,” the family said in a statement released by his agents Dreamcatcher.
CLICK HERE to read story
