Morning Brief: January 1

2015 is finally here--and with it is the halfway point for the decade. So after you're done dragging yourself out of bed this morning, why not bring in the second half of the decade with some literature? A little high culture is a a pretty good way to start the year. 

NEED TO KNOW

Palestinians Join International Criminal Court  [New York Times] 

Jeb Bush Cuts Ties with Private Sector with Eye on 2016  [Washington Post] 

City to Name Two Streets After Slain NYPD Officers  [Gothamist] 

Murders at Record Low in City--But NYPD Not Happy  [New York Times] 

Legislators Keep Pushing for Port Authority Reform  [Wall Street Journal] 

SPORTS

The Knicks fell to the Clippers, 99-78

The Rangers beat Florida, 5-2

The Islanders beat Winnipeg, 5-2

The Devils fell to Detroit, 3-1

WEATHER

Sunny with highs around 39 degrees. Tonight, mostly clear with lows around 32.  [Full Report] 

ON STAGE TONIGHT

Disclosure, RUDIMENTAL 11:00PM @ Output

5th Annual New Year's Day W/ Joseph Arthur And Chuck Prophet  8:00PM @ City Winery 

Performances at 8 & 10:30 PM: Chris Botti, 10th Annual Holiday Residency  @ Blue Note Jazz Club

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in 1752, in England and its colonies, this day was the beginning of the new year for the first time. Yes, you read that correctly. Up until that year, the English began the new year on March 25.