1. Vilified for Drug Pricing, Martin Shkreli Busted for Securities Fraud
Martin Shkreli, the boyish pharmaceutical entrepreneur who caused a public uproar after he drastically raised the price of a life-saving prescription drug, was arrested for engaging in what US prosecutors say is a Ponzi-like scheme at his former hedge fund and a pharmaceutical company he previously headed.
2. US and Cuba to Resume Scheduled Flights
The US and Cuba agreed to restore scheduled commercial airline service for the first time in more than five decades, in a deal allowing 110 round-trip flights a day between the former Cold War foes.
3. UNSC Puts Sanctions Focus on ISIS
The UN Security Council warned that some countries are failing to implement long-standing sanctions against ISIS, as an unprecedented meeting of finance ministers put the global focus on cutting off the militant group’s funds.
4. Cameron Pleads for Leaders’ Help to Keep Britain in EU
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he could see a pathway to a deal to keep Britain in the European Union after EU leaders told him at a summit in Brussels that they will not accept discrimination against EU migrant workers in the UK.
5. China Warns of Widespread Smog, Beijing Issues Second ‘Red Alert’
China warned residents of a large swath of northern China to prepare for a wave of choking smog to arrive over the weekend, the worst of which is expected over the capital, Beijing, prompting the city to issue its second ever “red alert”.
6. US House Backs Permanent Tax Breaks
A massive bill that extends billions of dollars in tax assistance to businesses and expands the budget deficit won US House of Representatives approval in the closest thing to a grand bipartisan tax bargain in years.
7. California Shooters’ Ex-Neighbour Charged With Supporting Terrorists
A former neighbour accused of supplying assault rifles to the couple who massacred 14 people in San Bernardino, appeared in court, charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
8. VW Creates US Diesel Emissions Claims Program
Volkswagen in the US said it is creating an independent claims program for owners of nearly 600,000 diesel vehicles that emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions.
9. Libyan Factions Sign UN Deal to Form Unity Government
Delegates from Libya’s warring factions signed a UN-brokered agreement to form a national unity government, a deal that Western powers hope will bring stability and help to combat the growing ISIS presence.
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