Kevin Hart quits as Oscars host over homophobic tweets

“I do not want to be a distraction,” the comedian says. No Images? Click here   By Paul Vale     Friday, December 7 KEVIN HART QUITS AS OSCARS HOST Actor and comedian Kevin Hart relinquished his role as host of the 2019 Academy Awards amid criticism of his history of homophobic comments and jokes. “I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists,” Hart wrote on Twitter. “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.” [HuffPost] [Tweet | Share on Facebook] NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRAT WITHDRAWS CONCESSION Dan McCready, the Democratic candidate in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, withdrew his concession as details emerged about allegations of election fraud that favored his Republican rival. “I didn’t serve overseas in the Marine Corps just to come back home and watch politicians and career criminals attack our democracy,” he said in a video. [HuffPost] CONGRESS COULD REFUSE TO SEAT 9TH DISTRICT REPUBLICAN House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that members of Congress have the option to refuse to seat Republican Mark Harris, the leader in the disputed North Carolina race. [HuffPost] BUSH ATTORNEY GENERAL EYED TO LEAD JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Former Attorney General William “Bill” Barr, who served as the nation’s top law enforcement official under George H.W. Bush, is likely to be nominated by Trump as the new attorney general. Barr has previously supported Trump’s call to investigate 2016 rival Hillary Clinton and questioned the need for the special counsel probe into Russian election interference. [HuffPost] FORMER FOX NEWS HOST TO BECOME UN AMBASSADOR State Department spokeswoman and former Fox News host Heather Nauert is expected to be chosen by Trump as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. [HuffPost] TRUMP ANSWERING MUELLER QUESTIONS A ‘NIGHTMARE’ The process of getting Trump to answer Robert Mueller’s questions in the ongoing probe into Russian interference in the U.S. election was “a nightmare,” according to his lawyer Rudy Giuliani. “It took him about three weeks to do what would normally take two days,” Giuliani said. [HuffPost]         ANOTHER REPUBLICAN FALLS IN CALIFORNIA Republican Rep. David Valadao conceded to Democratic challenger TJ Cox, ending a tight race and delivering another major blow to California Republicans. [HuffPost] NRA REMOVES ARTIST’S WORK FROM VIDEO The National Rifle Association has agreed to remove footage of a Chicago sculpture from a promotional attack video to settle a lawsuit by artist Anish Kapoor. [HuffPost] BOSTON GLOBE TELLS WARREN: DON’T RUN Three years ago, the Boston Globe’s editorial board urged Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to run for president. Now the board is offering her much different advice: Don’t do it. [HuffPost] BREXIT VOTE EXPLAINED Here’s what happens if British Prime Minister Theresa May loses a crucial Brexit vote next week. [HuffPost] EPA MOVES TO INCREASE CARBON-DIOXIDE EMISSIONS The Environmental Protection Agency proposed gutting an Obama-era rule requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, defying desperate international negotiations to curb planet-warming gases. [HuffPost] CBS STILL PAYING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM CBS continues to make payments to a woman who accused Don Hewitt, the late creator of CBS’ legendary news program “60 Minutes,” of sexually assaulting her multiple times. [HuffPost]       This is remarkable footage of a spacecraft entering orbit — filmed from the International Space Station. Here’s the newly released HBO teaser trailer for “Game of Thrones” Season 8. Reporters at Bloomberg News are worried about Michael Bloomberg’s potential presidential run. Here are 15 dog reveals that are way cuter than gender reveal parties. Fox News’ Tucker Carlson says he doesn’t think Trump has kept his promises and is not really “capable.” A Fox Business host lashed Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) for using “unsubstantiated and false allegations” to bash liberal philanthropist George Soros. Here’s a complete list of the 2019 Golden Globe nominations. Meghan Markle’s $56 Asos dress is back in stock. Gun violence has shortened the life expectancy of black Americans by more than four years. You might want to set up a fake Facebook account. Here’s why. These 12 baby name ideas are inspired by celebrities. Police and CNN have issued an all-clear message after the network's New York offices and studios were evacuated because of a phoned-in bomb threat. Here are six fashion moments that sparked controversy in 2018. Julian Assange's lawyer has rejected an agreement announced by Ecuador's president to see him leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London after six years. A senior aide to Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) resigned amid reports that the state paid $400,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him while Harris was the California attorney general. Love this newsletter? Share it with a friend!      HuffPost is now a part of Oath and a part of Verizon. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Oath Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More. Start your workday the right way with the news that matters most — all with a dash of signature Morning Email snark. Does somebody keep forwarding you this email? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here. Check out HuffPost Politics for more of the good stuff. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe     - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe