News Headlines - 05 January 2019

▽Spain′s Sanchez loses first of two chances to return as PM | DW

Sanchez fell 10 votes short of the 176 votes needed to secure an absolute majority in the 350-seat assembly, receiving just 166 in favor, with 165 against and 18 abstentions. One lawmaker did not attend the vote.
Sanchez will have a second chance on Tuesday, when the bar for success will be lowered to a simple majority and he will only need more votes in favor of his reelection than against it.
Spain has been without a proper government for most of the past year after two inconclusive elections in April and November.

▽Japan says Ghosn's escape inexcusable, orders investigation - The Mainichi

Justice Minister Masako Mori said she had ordered an investigation after Ghosn issued a statement a few days ago saying he was in Lebanon.
She said there were no records of Ghosn's departure from Tokyo.
She said his bail has been revoked, and Interpol had issued a wanted notice. Departure checks needed to be strengthened to prevent a recurrence, Mori said.

▽Australian prime minister is jeered in wildfire-ravaged zone

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was confronted by angry residents who cursed and insulted him Thursday as he visited a wildfire-ravaged corner of the country.
Locals in Cobargo, in New South Wales, yelled at him, made obscene gestures and called him an “idiot” and worse, criticizing him for the lack of equipment to deal with the fires in town. They jeered as his car left. In the New South Wales town of Quaama, a firefighter refused to shake hands with him.

▽Rod Stewart accused of hitting guard outside US kids' party

British pop star Rod Stewart has been charged for allegedly punching a hotel security guard in the chest outside a children's party in Florida, according to a police report obtained by US media.
The 74-year-old singer of "Forever Young" and numerous other hits was with his family at The Breakers, a luxury hotel in Palm Beach, on New Year's Eve when he was refused access to a party in the children's section of the resort, US media reported on Friday.

▽8 mutilated lions found at South African farm | New Straits Times

South African police on Saturday said they had launched an investigation after eight mutilated lion carcasses were discovered at a private game farm... Local media reported that poachers were thought to have fed the lions, found at the game farm in the country’s North West province, with poisoned chicken, but police refused to speculate saying investigations were still underway.