Morning Must Reads: January 2

3 minute read

Mario Cuomo Dies at 82

Mario Cuomo, the former New York governor whose fiery, eloquent advocacy of liberal policies made him a key figurehead in the Democratic Party for years, died Thursday at age 82. He died just hours after his son was inaugurated to a second term as governor

Medicine Is About to Get Personal

How can Americans get better health care for less money? There’s a quiet experiment going on among primary-care physicians, and the results are intriguing

Weather Hampers AirAsia Recovery

Most families remain in grieving limbo as officials say it may take another week for the wreckage to be found

LeBron James Out With Injuries

The Cleveland Cavaliers said on Thursday that LeBron James will miss two weeks after he was diagnosed with a left knee strain and a lower back strain. James, who turned 30 earlier this week, had missed Cleveland’s last two games

Shanghai Seeks Answers After the New Year’s Eve Disaster

The New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai that killed 36 has prompted questions about crowd control in China, as the world’s most populous nation enters a holiday season characterized by massive gatherings

Most Types of Cancer Just ‘Bad Luck,’ Researchers Say

Researchers have found that bad luck plays a major role in determining most types of cancer, rather than genetics or risky lifestyle choices like smoking. In fact, two-thirds of cancers could be explained as biological misfortune

Charred Greek Ferry Towed to Italy Overnight

The charred wreck of a Greek ferry has reached an Italian port after an overnight tow across choppy Adriatic seas, and authorities will soon board it to search for any more bodies from the blaze that killed at least 11 people

Kanye and Sir Paul Team Up on ‘Only One’

Kanye West revealed a collaboration between himself on vocals and legendary Beatle Sir Paul McCartney on the keyboard just in time for the New Year. The track appears to be written from the perspective of Kanye’s late mother Donda

Florida Man Decapitates Mother

A Florida man is charged with first-degree murder after his mother was found decapitated outside their home on New Year’s Eve. Mario Gomez called 911 on Wednesday evening and told dispatchers that his brother Christian had killed their mother and cut off her head

Minimum-Wage Increases Go Into Effect Across the Country

Roughly 3.1 million workers across the United States woke up to a little New Year’s Day present on Jan. 1, when increases in the minimum wage took effect in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Hikes in more states are set to take effect later in the year

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Ties the Knot

The Walk star is officially off the market, having confirmed to PEOPLE that he married his girlfriend Tasha McCauley, the CEO of a robotics company, in a private ceremony at home on Dec. 20. Gordon-Levitt has been mostly mum about the relationship in public

Economist Piketty Declines Big French Award

Economist Thomas Piketty, who wrote Capital in the 21st Century, declined a nomination for France’s Legion of Honor award on Thursday, saying, “I refuse this nomination because I do not think it is the government’s role to decide who is honorable”

 

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