Fidel Castro, former Cuban leader, is finally breaking his silence on the decision to restore diplomatic ties with the United States in a statement that cites his distrust for the nation, but openness to smooth relations over. “I don’t trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts,” the 88-year-old wrote in a letter to a student federation read at the University of Havana. “We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries,” he added. Read more here… [AP]
Some of the richest men in New York City are really hell-bent on making sure a Republican takes the 2016 presidential election. The Koch brothers (Charles and David), and the conservative political advocacy groups the billionaires support, plan to spend nearly $1 billion in the upcoming elections — that’s more than double what they raised in 2012. According to the Washington Post, the $889 million would be spent on field operations, technology, policy study, and other expenses. The top 1 percent of the 1 percent clearly run this show. Read about it here… [HuffPost]
The estate of Joan Rivers has filed a lawsuit following her death at an outpatient endoscopy facility last summer, outlining the missteps the physicians caring for the late comedian took. Attorneys are suing for damages, saying the family wants to “make certain that the many medical deficiencies that led to Joan Rivers’ death are never repeated by any outpatient surgery center.” The lawsuit also alleges the physicians who performed the throat procedure on Rivers at Manhattan’s Yorkville Endoscopy clinic were “reckless, grossly negligent and wanton.” Rivers died on Sept 4, 2014. Read about it here… [CNN]
Gunmen in Libya stormed a luxury hotel in Tripoli, taking hostages and killing at least eight. Police have identified the victims as five foreigners and three guards. It is believed that some of the gunmen are still inside the hotel. It is not clear whether any staff or guests are there. Read about it here… [BBC]
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
