Democrats Pass Spending Bills | Stocks Tumble Amid Apple Fears

“We’re not doing a wall.” So said newly elected Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats marked their first day in control of a younger and more diverse House by passing legislation to end the partial government shutdown — without funding President Donald Trump’s $5 billion border wall. But only a handful of Republicans backed the legislative package, which funds the Department of Homeland Security separately from eight other federal agencies. The White House, meanwhile, swiftly pledged to veto the bills if they reach the president’s desk.

The tech giant’s shares dropped 10 percent yesterday after CEO Tim Cook announced late Wednesday that Apple’s iPhone sales in China would fall short of expectations. The warning stoked fears about the overall health of the global economy, causing the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to fall at least 2.5 percent each. Some experts suggest Apple is only the first of many American companies that can expect to see revenues shrink amid the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China.

While Canadian officials haven’t explicitly said so, most observers believe the recent detentions are a response to last month’s arrest in Vancouver of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. A government statement said at least eight of the 13 — only three of whom were previously disclosed — have been released. Meng’s arrest at the request of U.S. authorities has also heightened diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Washington. On Thursday the U.S. updated its own travel advisory for Americans visiting China, urging caution amid the “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

With maximum sustained winds of 42 miles per hour, Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall today in southern Thailand, striking popular coastal resorts and sparking fears it could soon do more serious damage. Officials — who expect Pabuk’s torrential rains and flash flooding to make it the region’s worst storm in decades — have urged people to leave the area. Thousands have already reportedly fled the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. But while previous tropical storms in Thailand have killed hundreds, authorities say this time they’re well-prepared.

Know This: The U.S. and China are expected to hold a new round of trade talks in Beijing next week. Seven people were killed yesterday after an accident sparked a diesel fuel fire on a Florida highway. And Mexico’s government has formally asked the U.S. to investigate this week’s incident in which American agents deployed tear gas across the border at migrants.

Try This: Feeling presidential after a week of briefings? Prove it with the PDB Quiz.

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For the first time ever, renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower provided the country with more electricity than coal last year, accounting for more than 40 percent of German energy consumption — a 4.3 percent hike from 2017. The government is pursuing a plan to phase out coal-based energy altogether, having shut down its last mine in November. Still, some experts say Germany’s turn to green energy isn’t speedy enough, warning that the country could still miss its goal of deriving 65 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2030.

A federal judge has blocked a law that would have required hosts on home-sharing platforms to disclose their identities and the addresses of their listings to city administrators. Proposed in response to the spate of property managers reportedly using companies like Airbnb and HomeAway to attract tourists in lucrative areas like Manhattan, District Judge Paul Engelmayer declared the law unconstitutional because hosts do not have a forum for challenging the monthly requirement. Critics say ordinary New Yorkers already lack affordable housing, and temporary home-share listings only push rents higher.

Researchers working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have found a way to improve the sunlight-powered process that plants use to turn carbon dioxide into energy. Because plants also pick up oxygen, which creates a toxic substance that must be removed by photorespiration, scientists genetically engineered a test crop to replace plants’ natural photorespiration process with a more efficient one. The engineered crops grew faster and 40 percent bigger. Next, the researchers will turn to improving food crops common in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

The hip-hop artist and founder of clothing company VLONE, whose real name is Jabari Shelton, admitted to one of two charges yesterday in a British court after allegedly verbally and physically assaulting a woman in a London hotel. Video footage emerged of the July 2017 incident, leading to his arrest in May. Judge Zoe Smith fined the 27-year-old $5,000, plus $3,500 in compensation to the victim — telling Shelton the court had concerns because the incident “exposed a very unpleasant attitude by you towards women.”

They’re going for it. Tight end Tony Gonzalez, safety John Lynch and cornerback Champ Bailey are among the 15 finalists named yesterday for the 2019 class. Only five will be selected by the organization for the full honor. Bailey and Gonzalez are first-time candidates, and two head coaches also made the short list. The winners — those who receive 80 percent of the vote — will be announced the night before the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, and will be inducted into the Canton, Ohio, Hall of Fame in August.