We’re back and we’re reading – everything from “Fox News” to the “Washington Post.” We’re trying to help you keep up with the rapid pace of politics and everyday news. Today, we have President Donald Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination, UN Ambassador nominee Heather Nauert withdraws herself from consideration and an NYPD officer is under investigation.
Denny Hamlin prevails at NASCAR’s Great American Race, wins second Daytona 500 in four years
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.
According to NASCAR.com, Hamlin was riding a 47-race winless streak. The win was particularly emotional for the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota as JGR president J.D. Gibbs passed away five weeks prior to Sunday’s race after a long battle with a rare degenerative neurological disease. Gibbs found Hamlin as a teenager and eventually signed him to a driver development contract with his father’s race team.
Teammates Kyle Busch and Erik Jones followed Hamlin crossing the stripe second and third respectively while Joey Logano and Michael McDowell rounded out the top five.
The 61strunning of the Great American Race featured 12 cautions, tied for the second most in the race’s history.
Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Japan at request of United States
According to NBC News, Japan’s Prime Minister nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after the White House requested that Japan do so.
In a news conference Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave President Trump a copy of a five-page letter that he sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which selects the Peace Prize honorees.
Asahi Shimbun, the national newspaper in Japan, originally broke the story reporting that the White House requested Trump be nominated for the award after meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore last year.
Polish PM cancels trip to Israel after comments made by Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki cancelled a trip following comments made by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Polish involvement in World War II.
According to BBC News, Netanyahu was quoted saying, “Poles co-operated with the Germans” during the Holocaust.
Netanyahu later said that he was not referring to the Polish people or Polish nation.
A government spokesperson released the following statement on Sunday regarding the situation: “Prime Minister Morawiecki told Prime Minister Netanyahu in a telephone call that Poland will be represented at the summit by Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz.”
Trump’s choice for UN ambassador backs out
Heather Nauert, President Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew herself from consideration amid concerns about her qualifications for the job.
According to USA Today, this was a surprise and unexpected move by Nauert. She cited the strain on her family in recent months as the reason for her withdrawal.
People outside of the Trump administration questioned Trump’s decision to appoint Nauert citing her inexperience in foreign policy and political strategy.
A former Fox News host, Nauert has served as the State Department’s spokeswoman since April 2017.
NYPD commander under investigation for threatening rapper 50 Cent
The New York Police Department is conducting an internal investigation regarding a threat made by an NYPD officer to rapper 50 Cent in 2017.
According to CBS News, Deputy Inspector Emanuel Gonzalez ordered officers to shoot the New York-born rapper, formally known as Curtis Jackson, “on sight.” The order was made during role call prior to an NYPD-sanctioned boxing match in June 2017.
A source who spoke to the New York Daily News said Gonzalez tried to play the incident off as humor, but the situation made its way to police headquarters.
That’s all we have for today. Check back tomorrow for more.
