John Glenn, first American in space, dead at 95

America has lost a hero. John Glenn, an astronaut who was the first American in space, died at age 95 on Dec. 8. Glenn was a war hero, logging 149 combat missions with the Marines, earning six distinguished flying crosses. He then became a test pilot and one of the “Mercury Seven,” the first seven NASA astronauts. He would become the first American to orbit the Earth February 20th, 1962. After he left NASA, he would become a Senator for Ohio from 1974-1999. Godspeed, John Glenn.

For more:   http://nyti.ms/2hbB4E7

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe plans to visit Pearl Harbor, a first

This Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese Empire’s attack on the U.S. base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Later this month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor with President Obama to pay respects to the 2400 Americans who died during the attacks. It would be the first time a Japanese Prime Minister has visited since the attack.  

For more: http://wapo.st/2gTks3t

Trump to hold stake in  ‘The Apprentice’ while president

President-elect Donald Trump is planning to be an executive producer of NBC’s “The Apprentice” while being President of the United States. He will not be hosting the show, but he will be an advisor on the content and will be paid. The move raises concerns about a conflict of interest, but supporters of Trump are quick to compare his actions to Obama and the royalties he received from his books.

For more:  http://bbc.in/2heQjfe

Italy’s Matteo Renzi resigns in another blow to establishment politics

Matteo Renzi, Italy’s 41st Prime Minister since World War II, has resigned after losing a constitutional reform referendum. Far-right parties consider this a victory for their cause and are petitioning the government to push forward the elections to be held in 2018 to an earlier date. Renzi plans to continue being part of the Italian Political scene.

For more: http://bbc.in/2h7otEb