10 things you need to know today: January 6, 2020

1. Iran ends all commitments under 2015 nuclear deal

Iran announced Sunday that it would stop honoring its commitments under its landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, in response to the U.S. killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's government said it would stop adhering to the agreement's limits on Tehran's uranium enrichment, the size of its uranium stockpile, and its research activities, suggesting it could move closer to developing nuclear weapons. Iran has vowed "harsh revenge" for the Baghdad drone strike that killed Soleimani, who led the elite Quds Force and was the architect of Iran's proxy wars across the Middle East. President Trump has threatened to strike back at 52 Iranian targets, including cultural sites, despite warnings that could be considered a war crime under international law.

The Associated Press

2. Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions after vote against U.S. troops

Lawmakers in Iraq on Sunday approved a non-binding resolution to expel U.S. troops and all other foreign soldiers from the country after President Trump ordered a drone strike that killed a top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad. The 170-0 vote requires the signature of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to become final. It was not immediately clear, however, whether as a caretaker prime minister he had the authority to end Iraq's military cooperation with the U.S. The U.S. State Department said it was disappointed by the vote. "We strongly urge Iraqi leaders to reconsider" and continue the joint effort to beat ISIS, spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. Trump threatened to hit Iraq with sanctions "like they've never seen before" if it does ask the U.S. to leave.

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The New York Times The Washington Post

3. U.S.-led coalition pauses ISIS fight, bracing for Iran retaliation

The U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq and Syria is temporarily halting its fight against ISIS and focusing on preventing attacks by Iranian-backed militias in response to the assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. The Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia recently targeted a base with rockets and killed a U.S. civilian contractor and several Iraqi security forces. "We are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host coalition troops," the coalition said in a statement. "This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against [the Islamic State] and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review."

CNN

4. 1 American soldier, 2 contractors killed in al-Shabab attack

One U.S. soldier and two Defense Department contractors were killed in an attack by fighters from al-Shabab, an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group, on a Kenyan air base used by the United States military Sunday, the U.S. Africa Command said in a statement. Two other contractors were wounded. They were being evacuated in stable condition. The fighting also reportedly damaged contractor-operated civilian aircraft on the base. U.S. and Kenyan forces reportedly eventually repelled the attack and secured the base. Earlier in the day, Kenya Defense Forces said four militants were killed.

U.S. Africa Command Al Jazeera

5. Maduro allies take over Venezuela's National Assembly

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government on Sunday swore in an ally as head of the National Assembly, attempting a takeover of the South American nation's legislature. The move to oust the body's leader, Juan Guaidó, came months after he staked a claim to the presidency citing allegations that Maduro won re-election by fraud. On Sunday, Guaidó was due to be re-elected as the Assembly's leader but security forces loyal to Maduro blocked opposition lawmakers from entering the building, while Maduro's allies were allowed to enter and install one of their own in the job. The opposition accused Maduro's government of staging a "parliamentary coup" aiming to expand Maduro's powers. "Today, they dismantled the rule of law, assassinating the republic, with the complicity of a group of traitor lawmakers," Guaidó said.

The Washington Post

6. Tens of thousands attend New York march against anti-Semitism

Tens of thousands of people marched in Lower Manhattan on Sunday to show solidarity with New York's Jewish community after a rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the region. Last month, a man barged into the New York home of a Hasidic rabbi and stabbed at least five people, and three people were killed in a shootout inside a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, New Jersey; a police officer was shot and killed by the gunman earlier in the day. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) told the crowd he would propose a state law designating hate crimes as domestic terrorism. He also announced plans to increase funding for security at religious institutions. "Government must do more than just offer thoughts and prayers," he said. "Government must act."

The New York Times

7. Boeing, FAA confirm review of 737 Max jet wiring issue

Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration are examining a wiring issue on the planemaker's grounded 737 Max jets, the company and the regulator confirmed Sunday. Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the company "identified this issue as part of that rigorous process, and we are working with the FAA to perform the appropriate analysis. It would be premature to speculate as to whether this analysis will lead to any design changes." Two bundles of wiring reportedly are too close together and could cause a short circuit, raising the potential of a crash. The FAA called the issue potentially "catastrophic." The 737 Max jets have been grounded for months following two fatal crashes that occurred within five months and killed a total of 346 people. Those crashes have been linked to problems with a flight control system that is being revamped.

Reuters

8. 5 die in Pennsylvania chain-reaction crash

Five people died Sunday in a chain-reaction crash on a rural stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. More than 60 people, ranging from ages 7 to 67, were injured. All of the injured were expected to survive. The accident started when a bus loaded with passengers en route from New Jersey to Ohio went out of control on a downhill curve, and rolled over on a hill. Two tractor-trailers then hit the bus, and a third tractor-trailer hit the other trucks. A car also hit the wrecked vehicles. The early morning wreck forced authorities to shut down the highway in both directions for hours. It was reopened by the evening.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

9. Harvey Weinstein sexual assault trial to begin in New York

The criminal sexual assault trial of disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein starts Monday in Manhattan. More than 80 women have made allegations against Weinstein, and prosecutors are expected to call several female witnesses to demonstrate a pattern of sexual misconduct. In the trial, Weinstein faces charges that he forced oral sex on a film production assistant, and raped another woman, who has remained anonymous. Many of the other accusations cannot be prosecuted because the alleged crimes occurred too long ago, or in other jurisdictions. The trial is expected to last more than two months. Weinstein already has lost his company due to the allegations, which helped ignite the #MeToo movement.

The New York Times

10. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Fleabag win big at Golden Globes

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Fleabag were the big winners during Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards. Fleabag won for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy, and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge received the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood snagged several awards, with the film named Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Quentin Tarantino winning for Best Screenplay — Motion Picture, and Brad Pitt picking up the Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture award. There were two big surprises, both courtesy of the upcoming movie 1917 — the film won the prize for Best Motion Picture — Drama and Sam Mendes received the award for Best Director.

Variety