Patch Morning Briefing: George Michael Dies, Vermont Doc in Russian Plane Crash, Trump Aide Says No

Good morning Patchers - Here's a look at some of what you need to know to make it through the day:

FALLOUT CONTINUES OVER U.N. VOTE ON ISRAEL

The U.S. ambassador to Israel was summoned by its prime minister to protest the failure of the United States to block a Untied Nations vote condemning Israel over West Bank settlements. This continues the drama started by the Trump administration in waiting which tried to undermine the Obama administration's position. There was also Sen. Ted Cruz seeming to violate the Logan Act. (Wall Street Journal & Ted Cruz).

QUICK HITS

Blagojevich, Ex-Illinois Gov, Seeks Commutation (Patch)

Famed Climatologist, Astronaut Dies (Patch)

Browns Rain on Their Own Parade (Patch)

BAD YEAR GETS WORSE AS GEORGE MICHAEL DIES

What a bad year. Muhammed Ali. Gene Wilder. Prince. Bowie. Abe Vigoda and Ron Glass. Alan Rickman. Arnold Palmer. Now, George Michael. Found dead in his home. He was 53 years old. He found fame in Wham! They became the first Western pop stars to perform in China. He had a second round of celebrity as a solo artist. He battled demons. He died too soon. (Patch).

KIDNEY FUND MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF GOVERNMENT PACT

The American Kidney Fund, one of the largest charities in the country, helps thousands of patients whose kidneys have failed cover all kinds of expenses. An investigation, though, questions whether they are in violation of their agreement with the government to do even more. (New York Times).

DOCTOR WITH VERMONT TIES DIES IN RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH

When a Russian plane headed to Syria crashed into the Black Sea over the weekend, one of the 92 people who died was an acclaimed doctor who lived in Vermont. Dr. Yelizaveta Glinka, married to Vermont lawyer Gleb Glinka, heads Fair Aid and was traveling with a shipment of medicine. (Boston Globe).

HOLIDAY SPIRIT ABSENT AS CHICAGO'S BLOODY YEAR GETS BLOODIER

Apparently the memo about holiday cheer didn't make it around the city as Chicago's bloody year continued unabated. More than two dozen people were shot over the holiday weekend - at least seven of whom died. The city has had 4,291 shootings since January 1, compared to 2,989 last year. (Chicago Tribune and New York Times).

HERE COME THE JUDGES... HERE COME THE JUDGES...

Donald Trump is in a position to change the shape of the judiciary for years to come. While the open seat on the Supreme Court has gotten most of the attention, it is one of just 103 vacancies that he's expected to inherit. That's nearly double the vacancies that President Obama inherited in 2009. (Washington Post).

'BABY-DADDY' TURNS DOWN WHITE HOUSE JOB

The concept of a quiet holiday weekend did not reach the Trump Transition team. Two days after taking the job of White House Communications Director, Jason Miller turned it down. That was quickly followed by allegations of an affair. Trump surrogate A.J. Delgado tweeted congratulations to the "baby-daddy" and called him the 2016 version of John Edwards, who got a campaign worker pregnant. (Politico).

LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT FOR CANCER KIDS TAKE A TOLL

Medical advances saving the lives of kids with cancer may be taking a toll on them down road. New research shows them battling problems ranging from ADHD to heart disorders to new cancers. (The Washington Post).

TRUMP ORGANIZATION REALLY JUST A MOM-AND-POP OPERATION?

It's a large company with thousands of employees and interest in dozens of countries around the world. But, when push comes to shove - the Trump Organization is run as a family affair, a kind of suped-up mom-and-pop operation. The problem is that occasionally the lines get blurred between company interests and family interests. (New York Times).

TEEN BLOGGER SEEKING ASYLUM

He is accused of making online comments that "hurt the feelings of Christians and Muslims." Now, 18-year-old Amos Yee is seeking asylum in the United States after a judge in his native Singapore said his comments should not be tolerated. (Patch).

QUEEN ELIZABETH MISSES CHRISTMAS SERVICE, SENDS MESSAGE

Last week, Queen Elizabeth almost didn't make it to her annual holiday getaway to Sandringham because of a bad cold. On Christmas, the cold finally got the better of her and she was forced to miss Christmas service. First time that anyone can remember that happening. Probably, worth mentioning that she is 90-years-old. (National Public Radio).

STAR WARS CAST AND FANS SENDING LOVE TO CARRIE FISHER

It's been about two days since Carrie Fisher suffered a heart attack on a plane to Los Angeles and was rushed to the hospital. On Sunday, her mother - legendary actress Debbie Reynolds - released a statement calling her daughter's condition "stable." Her co-stars from Star Wars have taken to social media tweeting their well-wishes. (Variety).

WANT TO SEE BABY EAGLES BEING BORN? WHO DOESN'T?

As of this writing Monday morning, there is an eagle sitting on some eggs in Florida. And there are cameras monitoring the situation. The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam announced on Friday that they are close... very close. (Patch).

That's what's happening in the world this morning. Thanks for reading - have a great day and see you back here Tuesday morning - on the Patch.

Photo via Yves Lorson/Wikimedia Commons