2018年9月23日星期日

Yahoo! News: Iraq

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Iraq


Cruz and O'Rourke face off in testy Texas Senate debate

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 07:38 PM PDT

Cruz and O'Rourke face off in testy Texas Senate debateThe fireworks began almost immediately onstage when the candidates met for the first debate in Texas's Senate race.


GOP Aide In Kavanaugh Confirmation Resigns As Sexual Harassment Claim Surfaces

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 09:55 AM PDT

GOP Aide In Kavanaugh Confirmation Resigns As Sexual Harassment Claim SurfacesGarrett Ventry, a communications adviser to the Senate Judiciary Committee,


Pope honours victims of Holocaust, Soviet terror in Lithuania

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 10:03 AM PDT

Pope honours victims of Holocaust, Soviet terror in LithuaniaPope Francis on Sunday paid homage to Holocaust victims who perished in the Vilnius ghetto, 75 years to the day after the Nazis liquidated it, and remembered those who risked and lost their lives to challenge the Soviet regime in Lithuania. Pre-war Lithuania was home to a thriving Jewish community of more than 200,000 people known as "Litvaks", with its capital Vilnius a hub of learning known as the "Jerusalem of the North".


Michael Cohen visits NY courthouse a month after guilty plea

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 07:21 PM PDT

Michael Cohen visits NY courthouse a month after guilty pleaNEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid an unannounced visit Friday to the federal courthouse in New York where he pleaded guilty a month ago.


Arizona Republican's Siblings Endorse His Opponent In Brutal Ads

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 07:24 PM PDT

Arizona Republican's Siblings Endorse His Opponent In Brutal AdsAttack ads are nothing new in the world of politics, but one campaign video


Google CEO Sundar Pichai denies efforts to tweak search results: Axios

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 10:27 PM PDT

Google CEO Sundar Pichai denies efforts to tweak search results: AxiosThe Wall Street Journal citing internal emails reported on Thursday that the company's staff discussed ways to alter search functions to counter the Trump administration's 2017 travel ban. The Journal's report said Google did not go through with the ideas that were brainstormed. According to Axios, Pichai wrote an email to "Googlers" saying an internal email to suggest the company would compromise the integrity of its search results for a political end were "absolutely false".


Iran appears to soften stance on OPEC oil output increase

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 08:17 AM PDT

Iran appears to soften stance on OPEC oil output increaseIran appeared on Sunday to soften its stance on potential increases in OPEC oil output, saying it was the group's responsibility to balance the market if production from Iran or any other member declined. Tehran had previously said no OPEC member was allowed to grab market share from rivals, such as Venezuela or Libya, whose production had declined due to unrest or a lack of investment. Iran itself faces the prospect of much lower oil exports and output in coming months due to fresh U.S. sanctions.


National park in Hawaii reopens after monthslong eruption

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 08:30 PM PDT

National park in Hawaii reopens after monthslong eruptionHONOLULU (AP) — A national park in Hawaii has reopened after being closed for more than four months because of Kilauea volcano's latest eruption, which caused widespread damage to park infrastructure and dramatically changed its landscape.


Wendy Martinez: Police Believe Stabbing May Have Been Racially Motivated

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 10:53 AM PDT

Wendy Martinez: Police Believe Stabbing May Have Been Racially MotivatedA suspect has already been arrested in connection with the murder.


FCC Hiding Evidence Of Suspected Russian Role In Ending Net Neutrality: Lawsuit

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 01:02 AM PDT

FCC Hiding Evidence Of Suspected Russian Role In Ending Net Neutrality: LawsuitThe Federal Communications Commission has obstinately hidden information


GOP Extends Christine Blasey Ford's Deadline To Decide On Senate Hearing Request

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 09:02 PM PDT

GOP Extends Christine Blasey Ford's Deadline To Decide On Senate Hearing RequestThe legal team for Christine Blasey Ford, the California psychology professor


China comes out ahead in Vatican deal: analysts

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 08:49 PM PDT

China comes out ahead in Vatican deal: analystsThe landmark deal between China and the Vatican is a win for Beijing, giving official recognition to bishops appointed by the government despite a crackdown on religion, and potentially softening the ground for full diplomatic relations after 67 years of estrangement, analysts said. The two sides signed a provisional agreement on Saturday on who gets to name senior churchmen, an issue that has bedevilled ties for decades, and China quickly said it hoped for an improvement in relations. With its outsized international influence, the Vatican is the most important of Taiwan's 17 remaining friends, and its only European partner.


Duchess Meghan Markle sees her wedding dress for the first time since her big day

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 10:40 AM PDT

Duchess Meghan Markle sees her wedding dress for the first time since her big dayThe royal shares how she had fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry is stitched into the wedding gown.


Tanzania ferry death toll rises to 224, ship's managers detained

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 12:03 PM PDT

Tanzania ferry death toll rises to 224, ship's managers detainedTanzanian authorities said on Sunday the number of people who died in a ferry that capsized in Lake Victoria had risen to 224 and the vessel's managers had been detained for questioning. The ferry, MV Nyerere, sank on Thursday evening just a few meters from the dock on Ukerewe, the lake's biggest island. Works, Transport and Communication Minister Isack Kamwelwe told state broadcaster TBC the death toll had risen to 224 as of Sunday afternoon.


Iran points finger at Arab separatists for deadly attack

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 02:01 AM PDT

Iran points finger at Arab separatists for deadly attackIranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday appeared to blame Arab separatists for an attack on a military parade the previous day that left 29 people dead. "It is absolutely clear to us who has done this, which group it is and to whom they are affiliated," Rouhani said on state television shortly before leaving Tehran for the UN General Assembly in New York. "Those who have caused this catastrophe ... were Saddam's mercenaries as long as he was alive and then changed masters," he said, referring to late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.


NC river swirls with gray muck near flooded coal ash dump

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 04:37 PM PDT

NC river swirls with gray muck near flooded coal ash dumpWILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Gray muck is flowing into the Cape Fear River from the site of a dam breach at a Wilmington power plant where an old coal ash dump had been covered over by Florence's floodwaters.


Survivor pulled from capsized Tanzanian ferry as death toll reaches 218

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 12:32 PM PDT

Survivor pulled from capsized Tanzanian ferry as death toll reaches 218By Jackson Njehia UKARA, Tanzania (Reuters) - Divers rescued a man from the wreck of an overcrowded Tanzanian ferry on Saturday, two days after it capsized on Lake Victoria killing at least two people. Bodies continued to float to the surface around the vessel, which initial estimates suggested had been carrying more than 300 people. State broadcaster TBC said late on Saturday the death toll had reached 218. Four navy divers resumed their search inside the sunken MV Nyerere early on Saturday after hearing sounds that suggested signs of life. ...


Lindsey Graham: Blasey's Testimony Won't Sway My Vote 'Unless There's Something More'

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 09:22 AM PDT

Lindsey Graham: Blasey's Testimony Won't Sway My Vote 'Unless There's Something More'Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday continued to voice skepticism about


It's Officially the First Day of Fall. Here Are 4 Things You Should Know About Autumn

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 03:00 AM PDT

It's Officially the First Day of Fall. Here Are 4 Things You Should Know About AutumnIncluding what kind of weather to expect


Republican Congressman's six siblings launch TV advert attacking him

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 09:25 AM PDT

Republican Congressman's six siblings launch TV advert attacking himSix siblings of a Republican Congressman standing for re-election have taken the extraordinary step of releasing an advert urging people not to vote for him. Paul Gosar,  from the most conservative wing of the Republican Party,  is standing in Arizona for re-election to the House of Representatives in November. The Congressman has been known to court controversy, and boycotted Pope Francis' speech to Congress in 2015 because of his warnings about climate change. Now six of his siblings have put their support behind his Democratic opponent David Brill in a new television advert disparaging their brother. To maximise its impact, the campaign video does not reveal the six speakers' relationship to Mr Gosar until the very end. The speakers are introduced by first name only - with Grace, a rural physician, stating "Paul Gosar the Congressman isn't doing anything to support rural America". Jennifer, a medical interpreter, chimes in: "if he actually cared about people in rural Arizona, I bet he'd be fighting for social security, for better access to healthcare". "He is not listening to you - and he does not have your best interests at heart," says Tim, before adding: "My name is Tim Gosar". It is not the first time Mr Gosar's siblings have publicly criticised their brother. Last August the Congressman suggested a neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was planned by left-wing activists to undermine President Donald Trump. He later claimed that George Soros, a high profile Democratic Party donor, was a Nazi collaborator. Mr Soros, whose family is Jewish, survived Nazi-occupied Hungary and later emigrated to the US. These six — yes, six — siblings of a Republican congressman just endorsed his opponent via @washingtonpost: https://t.co/QcTYgOqVFipic.twitter.com/gynLW43Glg— Brill for Congress (@Brill4Congress) September 22, 2018 Following Mr Gosar's statements seven of his siblings signed an open letter to a local Arizona newspaper, The Kingman Daily Miner, saying: "It is extremely upsetting to have to call you out on this, Paul, but you've forced our hand with your deceit and anti-Semitic dog whistle." The Republican has also defended far-right British activist Tommy Robinson and attacked "disgusting and depraved" Muslim immigrants during a speech in London in July. In 2015, he criticised the Pope for supporting efforts to counter climate change - a phenomenon which Mr Gosar believes is based on "questionable science" used "to guilt people into leftist policies". "It would be difficult to see my brother as anything but a racist," Mr Gosar's sister Grace tells voters in another upcoming advert, according to The Phoenix New Times. Mr Gosar, who is one of ten children, has not yet responded to this most recent public attack by his siblings. But in the deeply red state, pollsters predict Mr Gosar is still likely to retain his seat - the Congressman won his seat with more than 70 per cent of the vote in 2016.


OPEC and allies struggle to pump more oil as Iran supply falls

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 09:55 AM PDT

OPEC and allies struggle to pump more oil as Iran supply fallsThe development further raises pressure on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to boost supply amid calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to lower oil prices. On Friday, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters OPEC and its allies led by Russia were considering the possibility of raising crude supplies by a further 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) as U.S. sanctions on OPEC's third-largest producer, Iran, bite into Tehran's exports. As a result, the strength of oil prices is now putting oil demand growth at risk," he added.


Watch this dad expertly help his kid pretend to be Spider-Man

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 10:00 AM PDT

Watch this dad expertly help his kid pretend to be Spider-ManThis is One Good Thing , a weekly column where we tell you about one of the few nice things that happened this week. Nothing like a little wholesome parent-child bonding.  In this extremely cute video, a little kid dressed like Spider-Man acts out every child's superhero daydream with some much-appreciated help from dad. SEE ALSO: 'Marvel's Spider-Man' Review: You really can do whatever a spider can Can we talk about the sound effects dad added to make this a truly authentic experience? Incredible. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention this kid's on-point Spidey movements. We've got a Spider-Man star in the making, folks. My dad used to do this for me when I was a kid when I was dressed as Spider-Man ������ https://t.co/KLQrGrrD5o — *halloween theme* (@mslambe12) September 21, 2018 Someone put this kid in a Spider-Man movie!! https://t.co/wnG0R1jYhy — Alex (@Moralexxxxx) September 20, 2018 Me as a dad if my kid has the same Spider-Man obsession as I did growing up �� https://t.co/5IsmO2QcZP — skunk stan (@WhoIsEazy) September 21, 2018 The father = mvp The kids Spider-Man movements = goat status �� https://t.co/9vGle8M0Za — G-Money (@KenyonKr) September 21, 2018 Tbh I'm hoping my kid loves Spider-Man this much so I can do this https://t.co/176bkv5Jq1 — Maria ⚓️ (@maybee_maria) September 21, 2018 Dads everywhere: When your kids tells you they want to be Spider-Man this Halloween, please refer back to this video for a tutorial in perfect lifting-and-sticking technique. WATCH: A teenage millionaire built a real-life Dr. Octopus suit


The Latest: Shooting victim was recent immigrant from Nepal

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 06:31 PM PDT

The Latest: Shooting victim was recent immigrant from NepalABERDEEN, Md. (AP) — The Latest on a shooting at a Maryland drugstore warehouse (all times local):


PayPal ends business dealings with Alex Jones's Infowars

Posted: 21 Sep 2018 10:20 PM PDT

PayPal ends business dealings with Alex Jones's Infowars(Reuters) - Payments processor PayPal Holdings Inc said on Friday it decided to end its business relationship with popular U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's Infowars website after finding instances of hate speech and discriminatory content on the site.


Pompeo on China trade war: 'We are going to win'

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 07:22 AM PDT

Pompeo on China trade war: 'We are going to win'Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed that the United States would emerge victorious in an intensifying trade war with China, a day before Washington imposes $200 billion worth of tariffs. "We are going to win it," Pompeo said in an interview on Fox News broadcast Sunday. "We're going to get an outcome which forces China to behave in a way that if you want to be a power -- a global power -- transparency, rule of law, you don't steal intellectual property," he said.


NC firefighters remove masses of dead fish from highway after Florence flood recedes

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 09:04 AM PDT

NC firefighters remove masses of dead fish from highway after Florence flood recedesA North Carolina fire department was tasked with cleaning up fish that became stranded on the highway when floodwaters from Hurricane Florence receded.


Russia's Su-35 Fighter Has a Problem

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 08:38 AM PDT

Russia's Su-35 Fighter Has a Problem"While the Su-35S has performed well over Syria, the aircraft has not had an opportunity to face off against other enemy aircraft and show off its potential." 


Four sharks killed after attack on swimmers near Great Barrier Reef

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 12:41 PM PDT

Four sharks killed after attack on swimmers near Great Barrier ReefFour large sharks have been killed in Australia after a woman and a 12-year-old girl were attacked at a popular Great Barrier Reef tourist spot. Both were still in hospital Sunday after being mauled in separate incidents just a day apart last week at the Whitsunday Islands. Drum lines, which use baited hooks to catch the predators, ensnared four tiger sharks, one 3.7 metres (12 feet) long and the others each between two to three metres, a Fisheries Queensland spokesman said Sunday. "While sharks of this size are potentially very dangerous to humans, it is unclear if they were responsible for injuries caused to two swimmers," he said. The latest shark to be caught "has been humanely euthanised and will be taken further out to sea for disposal." The spokesman said it was clear "there are a significant number of active sharks in local waters and people are urged not to swim". The drumlines were to remain in place over the next week. Shark attacks are very rare in the Whitsundays - a collection of spectacular tropical islands at the heart of the Barrier Reef - with the last encounter reported to be eight years ago, according to national broadcaster ABC. The attacks have revived debate about how best to reduce the risk of encounters between sharks and the growing number of people using the ocean for leisure.


Our Favorite Light Fixtures Right Now

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 05:00 AM PDT

Our Favorite Light Fixtures Right NowRustic, retro, or refined, our favorite fixtures showcase the materials of the moment


Porsche first German carmaker to abandon diesel engines

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 02:35 AM PDT

Porsche first German carmaker to abandon diesel enginesSports car maker Porsche said Sunday it would become the first German auto giant to abandon the diesel engine, reacting to parent company Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal and urban driving bans. "There won't be any Porsche diesels in the future," CEO Oliver Blume told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag.


Chinese police arrest 21 over data theft at Alibaba's delivery arm: Xinhua

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 01:37 AM PDT

Chinese police arrest 21 over data theft at Alibaba's delivery arm: XinhuaChinese police on Friday arrested 21 suspects in connection with the theft of customer information from Alibaba Group Holding's logistics affiliate Cainiao Network, state news agency Xinhua reported. More than 10 million pieces of client data - including user names, phone numbers and parcel tracking numbers - were stolen from Cainiao, which provides logistics support to Alibaba's Taobao e-commerce platform, the report said. The agency said that police in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, had been told by the logistics company in June that barcode scanners used in its distribution stations had been infected with malware.


Japan's Hayabusa2 successfully deploys two rovers on the surface of an asteroid

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 11:24 AM PDT

Japan's Hayabusa2 successfully deploys two rovers on the surface of an asteroidIt's just like the movie Armageddon, but without the apocalypse scenario. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has reason to celebrate after successfully deploying a pair of robots on the surface of an asteroid. The mission, which played out on Friday, aims to gather photos and data from the asteroid called Ryugu. SEE ALSO: Astronaut captures photos of ominous-looking Hurricane Florence from space The mission's success — marking the end of a four-year journey — was confirmed in a tweet on Saturday from JAXA's account for the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer. We are sorry we have kept you waiting! MINERVA-II1 consists of two rovers, 1a & 1b. Both rovers are confirmed to have landed on the surface of Ryugu. They are in good condition and have transmitted photos & data. We also confirmed they are moving on the surface. #asteroidlanding — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018 A flood of imagery followed as the two hopping rovers — yes, they get around by hopping — set about their important task.  This is a picture from MINERVA-II1. The color photo was captured by Rover-1A on September 21 around 13:08 JST, immediately after separation from the spacecraft. Hayabusa2 is top and Ryugu's surface is below. The image is blurred because the rover is spinning. #asteroidlanding pic.twitter.com/CeeI5ZjgmM — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018 Photo taken by Rover-1B on Sept 21 at ~13:07 JST. It was captured just after separation from the spacecraft. Ryugu's surface is in the lower right. The misty top left region is due to the reflection of sunlight. 1B seems to rotate slowly after separation, minimising image blur. pic.twitter.com/P71gsC9VNI — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018 This dynamic photo was captured by Rover-1A on September 22 at around 11:44 JST. It was taken on Ryugu's surface during a hop. The left-half is the surface of Ryugu, while the white region on the right is due to sunlight. (Hayabusa2 Project) pic.twitter.com/IQLsFd4gJu — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018 You can keep up with the status of Hayabusa2's mission on JAXA's English-language website right here. There's also a post from JAXA discussing the mission here. As JAXA notes, MINERVA-II1 "is the world's first rover (mobile exploration robot) to land on the surface of an asteroid. This is also the first time for autonomous movement and picture capture on an asteroid surface." WATCH: Elon Musk just unveiled images of SpaceX's ship that he hopes will be key to bringing people to Mars


Some Democrats warn of dangers of election overconfidence

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 09:52 AM PDT

Some Democrats warn of dangers of election overconfidenceWASHINGTON (AP) — The fight for the House majority is over.


Microsoft, Amazon, Google join fight to prevent famine

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 12:21 PM PDT

Microsoft, Amazon, Google join fight to prevent famineTech giants Microsoft, Amazon and Google are joining forces with international organizations to help identify and head off famines in developing nations using data analysis and artificial intelligence, a new initiative unveiled Sunday. Rather than waiting to respond to a famine after many lives already have been lost, the tech firms "will use the predictive power of data to trigger funding" to take action before it becomes a crisis, the World Bank and United Nations announced in a joint statement.


Syrian FSA rebels to cooperate with Turkey in Idlib, wary of Russia

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 03:49 PM PDT

Syrian FSA rebels to cooperate with Turkey in Idlib, wary of RussiaTurkey-allied Syrian rebels said on Saturday they would cooperate with Turkish diplomatic efforts that have halted a Russian-backed government offensive in Idlib, but they will not surrender their weapons or territory. Turkey and Russia struck a deal on Monday that will create a demilitarized zone between government and rebel fighters in northwestern Syria, sparing the area a major offensive for which pro-government forces had been mobilizing.


North Carolina farmers suffer major losses after storm

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 01:50 PM PDT

North Carolina farmers suffer major losses after stormBryan Llenas shares a look at how North Carolina farmers were impacted by Hurricane Florence.


Hong Kong opens high-speed rail link with mainland China

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 12:43 AM PDT

Hong Kong opens high-speed rail link with mainland ChinaHONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong on Saturday opened a new high-speed rail link to inland China that will vastly decrease travel times but also raises concerns about Beijing's creeping influence over the semi-autonomous Chinese region.


Coca-Cola Is Eyeing a Possible Entry Into the Cannabis Market

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 08:22 AM PDT

Coca-Cola Is Eyeing a Possible Entry Into the Cannabis MarketCoca-Cola says it's monitoring the nascent industry with interest in CBD drinks


Sky urges shareholders to accept Comcast takeover

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 04:42 AM PDT

Sky urges shareholders to accept Comcast takeoverEuropean TV operator Sky has urged its shareholders to accept a takeover offer from US cable giant Comcast that could reshape the global media landscape. Comcast outbid Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox in a rare blind auction Saturday that culminated an epic two-year battle for Europe's biggest pay-TV provider. Britain's takeover regulator said the secret process ended with Comcast valuing Sky at £30.4 billion ($39.7 billion, 33.8 billion euros).


Senate Judiciary aide resigns amid sexual harassment allegation: NBC

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 11:45 AM PDT

Senate Judiciary aide resigns amid sexual harassment allegation: NBCAn adviser responding to an allegation against Kavanaugh resigned amid a misconduct complaint against him, NBC reports.


BIS warns global economy risks crisis 'relapse'

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 10:27 AM PDT

BIS warns global economy risks crisis 'relapse'The Bank of International Settlements said Sunday the global economy risked a "relapse" of the crisis that rocked it a decade ago, warning there was little "medicine" left to treat the patient a second time. "Things look rather fragile," BIS chief economist Claudio Borio told reporters in a conference call. "There is little left in the medicine chest to nurse the patient back to health or care for him in case of a relapse," he warned.


Trump administration moves to restrict immigrants who use public benefits

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 06:23 PM PDT

Trump administration moves to restrict immigrants who use public benefitsDonald Trump's administration on Saturday said it would propose making it harder for foreigners to come to the United States or remain there if they have received or are likely to receive public benefits such as food aid, public housing or Medicaid. The proposed regulation from the Department of Homeland Security would expand immigration officers' ability to deny visas or legal permanent residency to aspiring immigrants if they have received a range of taxpayer-funded benefits to which they are legally entitled, such as Medicaid, the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, Section 8 housing vouchers and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is commonly known as food stamps. US immigration law has long required officials to exclude a person likely to become a "public charge" from permanent residence. But US guidelines in place for nearly two decades narrowly define "public charge" to be a person "primarily dependent on the government for subsistence," either through direct cash assistance or government-funded long-term care. The Trump administration's proposal is a sharp departure from current guidelines, which have been in place since 1999 and specifically bar authorities from considering such non-cash benefits in deciding a person's eligibility to immigrate to the United States or stay in the country. This proposed rule will implement a law passed by Congress intended to promote immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources.Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security The changes would apply to those seeking visas or legal permanent residency but not people applying for US citizenship. "Under long-standing federal law, those seeking to immigrate to the United States must show they can support themselves financially," Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. "This proposed rule will implement a law passed by Congress intended to promote immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources by ensuring that they are not likely to become burdens on American taxpayers." President Donald Trump with FEMA Administrator Brock Long and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen  Credit:  Evan Vucci/AP If a foreigner is receiving one or more of the public benefits laid out in the proposal when they apply for a visa or residency, that would be a heavily weighed negative factor in their determining their eligibility to come to or remain in the United States. If an immigrant is deemed inadmissible because of the new rule, they might be eligible to post a bond, no less than $10,000, to come into the United States. The overhaul is part of President Donald Trump's efforts to limit both legal and illegal immigration, an issue he highlighted during the 2016 presidential campaign and that has become an important topic in the 2018 congressional elections.  Trump has advocated ending a visa lottery program and some kinds of family-based immigration but many of his desired changes would require congressional action. The proposed regulation, which does not need to be approved by Congress, will be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks, officials said, the first step toward final adoption. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal and the agency must consider all submitted comments and could change the regulation before the final version is adopted, likely not for at least several months. Trump immigration comment The proposal would affect more than 382,000 people per year who obtain permanent residence while already in the United States, DHS said. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people living abroad obtain US permanent residence each year through the State Department, which would likely change its own regulations to match those of DHS when the proposal becomes final. Immigrant advocates have criticised the administration's plan, which was first reported by Reuters in February when it was in an early draft form, saying that it is an effort to cut legal immigration without going through Congress to change US law. They also believe the rule could negatively affect public health by dissuading immigrants from using health or food aid to which they or their children are entitled. Even the proposal published on Saturday anticipates some of those impacts. If immigrants forego enrolling in public benefits because of the new regulation, it could lead to "increased rates of poverty and housing instability" and "worse health outcomes," the proposal states. Although the administration's proposal would be a major change, the version released on Saturday is narrower in scope than previous leaked drafts. It will not penalise immigrants for using home heating aid; the widely used earned-income tax credit; WIC, a federal program that feeds poor pregnant or nursing women and their children; and Head Start, which provides early education to low-income children. Previous versions of the rule would have penalised immigrants for using those benefits. The regulation also would consider only the use of certain benefits by the individual applicant, and not their dependents, including US citizen children. Previous versions of the regulation would have taken into account the use of benefits by an applicant's children, even those born in the United States, which immigrant advocates said would force people to pull their children out of needed health and food programmes.


Ashes of war to S. Korea holiday gift: Spam Spam Spam

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 10:59 PM PDT

Ashes of war to S. Korea holiday gift: Spam Spam SpamFrom the front lines of war to a staple of institutional catering, Spam is rarely seen as a gourmet ingredient -- but the canned pink meat holds a unique position in South Korea as a top-selling holiday gift. Ahead of the Chuseok harvest festival which starts Sunday -- one of Korea's biggest celebrations and an occasion for mass family gatherings -- presentation wooden boxes of the blue-and-yellow tins, nestled in packing straw, line the shelves of both major retailers and local convenience stores. An upmarket black-label pack with six cans of Spam and two bottles of Andalusian olive oil costs over 90,000 won ($80), but the most popular version is a nine-tin set at 30,000 won.


China cancels military talks with U.S. in protest at sanctions over Russia military equipment

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 07:14 PM PDT

China cancels military talks with U.S. in protest at sanctions over Russia military equipmentChina's Defence Ministry said in a statement it would recall navy chief Shen Jinlong from a visit to the United States and postpone planned talks in Beijing between Chinese and U.S. military officials that had been set for next week. It added that China's military reserved the right to take further countermeasures, without giving further details. Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said China's decision to buy fighter jets and missile systems from Russia was a normal act of cooperation between sovereign countries, and the United States had "no right to interfere".


Why the Navy Could Be in Big Trouble in the Next War

Posted: 22 Sep 2018 07:19 AM PDT

Why the Navy Could Be in Big Trouble in the Next WarWhy? Because it hasn't had its nose bloodied since 1945. That's a long time to go without facing a serious combat challenge.


Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in border clashes: Gaza ministry

Posted: 23 Sep 2018 01:55 PM PDT

Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in border clashes: Gaza ministryIsraeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in fresh clashes on the Gaza border Sunday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said. Imad Ishtawi, 21, was shot in the head, the ministry said, as Palestinians again gathered along the border east of Gaza City late Sunday in the latest in months of often violent demonstrations. The strip's Islamist rulers Hamas had been rumoured to be seeking a lasting truce with Israel but the indirect talks have seemingly stalled, with protests subsequently increasing in number.


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