Iran missile attacks, Ukraine International Airlines plane crash: 5 things to know Wednesday
Trump to make announcement on Iran missile attacks
President Donald Trump will address the nation Wednesday after Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at U.S. troops and coalition forces in Iraq — an apparent retaliation to the attack that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Ain Assad airbase, located in western Iraq, was used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein and houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces. Several lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for prayer and unity following the missile strike.
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More details expected after Ukrainian plane crashes in Iran
Boeing officials are expected to gather more information Wednesday following the Ukrainian airplane crash that killed 176 people, according to Iranian state TV.The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital when a fire struck one of its engines, said Qassem Biniaz, a spokesman for Iran’s Road and Transportation Ministry. Flight data from the airport showed a Ukrainian 737-800 being flown, a very common single-aisle, twin-engine jetliner used for short to medium-range flights. The crash came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack targeting two bases in Iraq housing U.S. forces. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was barring American pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. Australian carrier Qantas, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines said they were re-routing flights to avoid Iran.
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Will Kim Jong Un celebrate turning 36 ?
North Korea's reclusive leader turns 36 on Wednesday — as near as anyone can tell. The government has never confirmed the date, and accounts vary as to whether he was born in 1984 or a year earlier. Will Kim celebrate with a big party or a grand military parade? If history is any guide, no. Kim's birthday is not a national holiday, unlike those of his father and grandfather. The only time Kim was honored in public on his birthday was in 2014, when former NBA star Dennis Rodman sang "Happy Birthday" to him before an exhibition basketball game in the capital, Pyongyang.
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Ghosn to make first appearance since fleeing Japan in daring escape
Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced former chairman of car company Nissan, is expected to speak to journalists in Beirut on Wednesday, more than a week after his made-for-the-movies escape from Japan ahead of his trial for alleged financial misconduct. The news conference will be Ghosn's first public appearance since he smuggled himself from Tokyo to Beirut via Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, arriving in the Lebanese capital where he grew up and is regarded by many as a national hero. Ghosn has said he bolted Japan to escape "injustice" in the country's judicial system, where 99% of suspects are convicted of their alleged crimes. Japanese prosecutors and Nissan have accused Ghosn of secretly arranging excessive pay for himself. He has denied the allegations. Lebanese authorities say Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport, casting doubt on the possibility they would hand him over to Japan. The two nations also don't have an extradition treaty.
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Mike McCarthy introduced as Dallas Cowboys head coach
The Dallas Cowboys will introduce Mike McCarthy as the ninth coach in its franchise history Wednesday. The former Green Bay Packers coach agreed to a deal with the organization Monday to be the next head coach of the Cowboys. . It's the second coaching stop for McCarthy, 56, who won a Super Bowl and went to the playoffs nine times in 12-plus seasons with Green Bay. He'll replace Jason Garrett, who spent more than 20 years with the franchise as a player, assistant coach and then head coach.
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Contributing: Associated Press