Friday morning news: December 7, 2018

President George H.W. Bush’s body laid to rest » AUDIO: [Sound of Bush funeral]

A choir performing America the Beautiful on Thursday in a final goodbye to former President George H.W. Bush.

About 1,200 guests attended an invitation-only funeral service in Houston, one day after a state funeral in Washington, D.C.

Some of Bush’s favorite country stars offered musical tributes, including the Oak Ridge Boys.

AUDIO: [Amazing Grace]

Reba McEntire sang “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Friends and family once again shared memories, not just of the nation’s 41st president, but of a loving and caring family man. His grandson, Texas Land Commissioner George Prescott Bush, said in death, as in life, his grandfather has won.

G.P. BUSH: For he has exchanged his earthly burdens for a Heavenly home, and he is at peace. Yes, George Herbert Walker Bush, is the most gracious, most decent, most humble man that I will ever know, and it’s the honor of a lifetime to share his name. 

Following the service, a specially commissioned train carried Bush’s casket to its final resting place in College Station, Texas, at the Bush Presidential Library next to the graves of his wife Barbara and daughter Robin. 

Rescuers continue search for missing U.S. military servicemembers following collision » Rescuers found two of seven crew members Thursday after two U.S. military planes collided and crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Japan’s southwestern coast.

One of the recovered crew members died, and the other is in fair condition.

The crash occurred Thursday morning around 2 a.m. A C-130 refueling plane and an F-18 Hornet fighter jet took off from a U.S. military base near Hiroshima for a regular training mission. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the collision.

Search parties continue to look for the remaining crew members.

China demands release of executive detained in Canada » China on Thursday demanded Canada release an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei after officials there detained her at the request of the United States. WORLD Radio’s Leigh Jones reports. 

LEIGH JONES, NEWS EDITOR: Meng Wanzhou is chief financial officer of Huawei, the world’s largest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet businesses. The company said she was changing planes in Vancouver, British Columbia, when Canadian authorities detained her on “unspecified charges.” She could be extradited to the U.S.  

China called on the two countries to reveal the reason behind her arrest.

Meng’s arrest occurred December 1st, the same day the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day truce in their ongoing trade war.

Global stocks took a tumble after news of Meng’s arrest over fears it could escalate tensions between the two countries.

Reporting for WORLD Radio, I’m Leigh Jones.

Wisconsin governor weighing legislation to place new limits on successor » The outgoing Republican Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker is weighing whether to sign legislation that places new limits on the powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.

The Republican-controlled legislature passed measures this week that limit early voting and give lawmakers control of most of the appointments to an economic development board. They also require Democratic Governor-elect Tony Evers to work with lawmakers before adjusting public benefit programs.

Evers urged supporters to keep the pressure on Walker to veto the legislation. But he said if that fails, Democrats are prepared to fight back. 

EVERS: We are exploring anything to make sure that this legislation does not get into practice, whether it’s litigation or other issues. 

Republican House Speaker Robin Vos insists Democrats are exaggerating the effect of the legislation, which he said simply “level[s] the playing field.” And he added he’s confident a legal challenge to the measures won’t stand up.

Congress approves two-week extension to funding deadline » Congress approved a two-week funding bill on Thursday to avert a partial government shutdown. WORLD Radio’s Sarah Schweinsberg has that story. 

SARAH SCHWEINSBERG, REPORTER: The measure keeps the government funded through December 21st.

Funding would have expired today for a portion of the government, including the Department of Homeland Security.

That stopgap funding bill sets up a possible showdown right before Christmas, over funding for a border wall.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday a bipartisan Senate plan for $1.6 billion in border security funding does not include money for the 30-foot-high concrete wall Trump envisions. He said the money “can only be used for fencing” and technology.

The White House is pushing for $5 billion for a border wall.

Reporting for WORLD Radio, I’m Sarah Schweinsberg.

(AP Photo/Matt York, Pool) The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard followed by family members at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in College Station, Texas. 

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