| Israeli teen dies of wounds in West Bank attack, 2 wounded Posted: 23 Aug 2019 10:44 AM PDT  An explosion Friday near a West Bank settlement that Israel said was a Palestinian attack killed a 17-year-old Israeli girl and wounded her brother and father, Israeli authorities said. Initially, three Israelis were reported wounded in the blast on Friday near the Dolev settlement, northwest of Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the family and vowed to pursue the perpetrators and "strengthen" Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
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| David Koch's Millions Remade the Republican Party. He Didn't Like the Results Posted: 23 Aug 2019 12:16 PM PDT  David Koch was the most vilified symbol of the billionaires who have turned 21st century politics their playground. He died at 79.
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| Police are trying to arrest their way out of a mass shooting epidemic, and experts warn that law enforcement can't shoulder the entire burden Posted: 24 Aug 2019 04:04 PM PDT  The arrests won't fully or permanently stop a person determined to inflict mass death — and the US is nowhere near close to tackling the root causes.
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| The first crime in space? Nasa investigates an unprecedented divorce case Posted: 24 Aug 2019 08:52 AM PDT  The divorce case has details that are all too familiar - two partners at loggerheads, a young child caught in the middle and claims of financial malpractice. Except there is a twist. The person accused of wrongdoing was in space. In what is believed to be a first, Nasa is investigating whether one of its astronauts committed a crime while in orbit. The person in question, Anne McClain, was taking part in a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station [ISS] when the incident took place. Taking advantage of the ISS's internet connection, Ms McClain accessed the bank account of her partner while they were separating, according to a report from The New York Times. The partner, a former Air Force intelligence officer called Summer Worden, has accused Ms McClain of identity theft and improperly accessing her finances, according to the account. Ms McClain in turn has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that she was simply overseeing the couple's intertwined money arrangements as she had done in the past. NASA's Office of Inspector General is now investigating. The International Space Station (ISS) crew members David Saint-Jacques of Canada, Oleg Kononenko of Russia and Anne McClain of the U.S. board the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft Credit: REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov The case appears to be unprecedented, with Nasa officials telling the paper that they were unaware of any previous crimes being committed on the space station. Mark Sundahl, director of the Global Space Law Center at Cleveland State University, went a step further, saying that he was not aware of any allegations of crime being committed anywhere in space before. "Just because it's in space doesn't mean it's not subject to law," Mr. Sundahl told The New York Times. He added: "The more we go out there and spend time out there, all the things we do here are going to happen in space." The couple were married in 2014. Ms Worden had a son who had been born the year before she met Ms McClain. Ms McClain wanted to adopt the child, according to the New York Times's description of the divorce battle, but Ms Worden resisted. Rusty Hardin, Ms McClain's lawyer, said "she strenuously denies that she did anything improper" regarding accessing the bank account while in space and "is totally cooperating" with the investigation. Now back on Earth, Ms McClain has reportedly sat for an interview with the inspector general last week under oath. Ms McClain, a decorated pilot, was a West Point graduate who flew more than 800 combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom before joining Nasa in 2013. She was due to be part of Nasa's first all-female spacewalk during her time on the ISS, but did not participate in the end. The case has thrown a spotlight on the little understood world of space law and what happens if a crime is committed in orbit. There are rules for what laws govern on the ISS, which has astronauts from America, Canada, Japan and Russia as well as several European nations. National law applies to each person and their possessions, so an American citizen is subject to American law, while a Russian is subject to Russian law. The significance of legal rules in the cosmos are only likely to increase as commercial space flights become a reality in the near future.
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| UAE minister calls Saudi-UAE coalition a strategic necessity in Yemen Posted: 24 Aug 2019 03:32 PM PDT  "As a result of our strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia, it is the one deciding whether to continue our role in supporting stability in Yemen within the Arab coalition or not," Gargash said in another tweet.
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| Mon dieu! Donald Trump arrives at G7 summit in France amid tensions, threat of tariffs on French wines Posted: 24 Aug 2019 12:06 PM PDT  Fears of a global recession and a mélange of other issues awaited President Donald Trump and other G7 leaders as they arrived in Biarritz, France.
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| Iceland Held Talks With U.S. Ambassador Over Pence Visit Posted: 24 Aug 2019 07:27 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Iceland' prime minister is open to a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence during his trip to the Nordic island, should the visit be extended.The option was discussed during a pre-scheduled meeting on Friday between Katrin Jakobsdottir and ambassador Jeffrey Gunter, a government spokesman told Bloomberg.Jakobsdottir, a left-of-center feminist and LGBT advocate, is due to attend a conference by Nordic trade union leaders in Sweden on Sept. 4. That's the same day in which Pence is due to arrive.Jakobsdottir's decision to not change her schedule to accommodate the vice president's visit has been criticized at home.Olafur Hardarson, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland, told local media Morgunbladid it would be "unusual" for the prime minister not to greet the American vice president.According to her spokeswoman, a final decision on whether the meeting can take place has not yet been made.The White House said Pence planned to discuss trade opportunities, the Arctic and NATO efforts to counter Russian aggression in the region.The scheduling snafu is the latest episode in a series of exchanges involving Donald Trump and the Nordics.Pence's visit would take place in the wake of a very public spat between the U.S. president and Denmark over its refusal to sell Greenland.Trump said Saturday he had held a "nice" conversation with Mette Frederiksen, with the exchange coming just days after labeling the Danish prime minister as "nasty."In 2017, Sweden reacted forcibly to Trump's portrayal of the Nordic nation as being in a state of chaos and overrun by crime after an influx of refugees.(Adds quote in fifth paragraph.)To contact the reporter on this story: Ragnhildur Sigurdardottir in Reykjavik at rsigurdardot@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Jonas Bergman at jbergman@bloomberg.net, Nick Rigillo, Andrew DavisFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| UK consulate staffer returns to Hong Kong after China detention Posted: 24 Aug 2019 01:44 AM PDT  A British consulate employee detained in China has returned to Hong Kong, his family said Saturday, ending a two-week ordeal during which Beijing's state media smeared him with lurid allegations. Simon Cheng disappeared after visiting the neighbouring city of Shenzhen on August 8 and was placed in administrative detention by police, unable to contact his family or his British employers.
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| Twenty-six pound cat named Mr. B takes the internet by storm Posted: 23 Aug 2019 03:57 PM PDT  Morris Animal Refuge in Center City is now home to a celebrity. His name is Mr. B and he's a 26 pound cat who needs a home.
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| Metal detectorist finds £10,000 gold ring in garage 40 years after discarding it as worthless Posted: 23 Aug 2019 05:46 AM PDT  A metal detectorist who discarded a gold ring in his garage for 40 years after a museum told him it was worthless has discovered its real value is £10,000. Tom Clark, 81, dug up the buried treasure while scanning an area of farmland near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1979, then put it inside a metal tin and forgot about it. But the retired leather craftsman came across the rare seal ring eight years ago while sorting through items from his mother's house after she passed away. He got the item valued and was astonished to discover that it was actually a 670-year-old medieval artefact dating back to 1350. It is due to be auctioned off in Derbyshire on Tuesday (Aug 27) and is expected to sell for between £8,500 and £10,000. The turn of events is similar to the plot of BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, when brothers Del and Rodney come across a watch in their garage which is then auctioned off for millions of pounds. Mr Clark said: "I had completely forgotten about it. At the time I'd only been metal detecting for 10 years and didn't realise the ring was anything special. It was all twisted and broken when I dug it up." He took the rare ring along with some others to a museum to have them valued at the time, but was told they were all fairly modern. "I put them all in a tin and left them in the garage at my mother's house," he said. "A few months ago, I was sorting through some stuff in my own garage that had come from my mother's house and there it was - the tin with the rings in it." Tom is auctioning off the ring, which is expected to make between £8,500 and £10,000 Credit: Hansons / SWNS/Hansons / SWNS Mr Clark, now a much more experienced collector, said he instantly knew it was a seal ring dating back to the 1300s and would have belonged to someone important given its decoration and quality. He added: "It's rare and elegant. I'd love to know who it belonged to." A Latin inscription on the ring translates as 'I hide the true message'. Mark Becher, Historica expert at auctioneer Hansons, said: "It's a fascinating piece of medieval jewellery and I'm delighted Tom rediscovered again after all these years."
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| Two NYC women plead guilty to plan to build bomb for attack on U.S. Posted: 23 Aug 2019 10:59 AM PDT ![Two NYC women plead guilty to plan to build bomb for attack on U.S.]( "Two NYC women plead guilty to plan to build bomb for attack on U.S.") Two women inspired by radical Islam pleaded guilty in New York City on Friday to teaching and distributing information about the manufacture and use of an explosive, destructive device and weapon of mass destruction, federal prosecutors said. Asia Siddiqui and Noelle Velentzas, both U.S. citizens in their 30s from the borough of Queens, face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced. U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue said in a statement the defendants studied some of the most deadly attacks in U.S. history as a blueprint for their plans to kill American law enforcement and military personnel.
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| World leaders believe ‘it’s pointless’ trying to show unity with Trump at G7 Posted: 24 Aug 2019 01:28 AM PDT  After they wooed him in Taormina, Italy, in 2017, Donald Trump snubbed world leaders by dropping out of the Paris climate accords.When they reached consensus in Charlevoix, Canada, a year later, Mr Trump abruptly refused to sign their joint statement and escalated his trade war with personal insults.
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| Fear grips Bangladesh camp as 2 Rohingya refugees killed Posted: 24 Aug 2019 08:56 AM PDT  Bangladesh police said they had shot dead two Rohingya refugees during a gunfight in a refugee camp on Saturday after the pair were accused of killing a ruling party official. Nearly a million Rohingya live in squalid camps in southeast Bangladesh, 740,000 of whom fled a 2017 military offensive against the Muslim minority in Myanmar. The incident comes two days after a second failed attempt to repatriate the refugees, which saw not a single Rohingya turn up to return across the border to conflict-scarred Rakhine state.
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| UK Hong Kong consulate worker Simon Cheng freed after detention in mainland China Posted: 24 Aug 2019 07:15 AM PDT  A British consulate employee in Hong Kong has been freed by China after being detained for 15 days on the mainland amid rising tensions between the former British colony and Beijing. Simon Cheng, 28, a trade and investment officer at the Hong Kong consulate's Scottish Development International section, went missing on August 8 on his way back from a work trip in Shenzhen, a neighbouring Chinese city. It was not until after the UK expressed "extreme concern" about his disappearance that China's foreign ministry broke its silence, confirming Mr Cheng had been detained without releasing further details. On Saturday, his family announced that he had come back. "Simon has returned to Hong Kong; thanks you everyone for your support! Simon and his family wish to have some time to rest and recover, and will not take any interview," they said in a statement. An activist holds an illustration of Simon Cheng during a gathering outside the British Consulate-General building in Hong Kong Credit: AFP Chinese police in Shenzhen confirmed that Mr Cheng had been detained for violating public security management regulations, and was released after that period on Saturday. Police also said he had "confessed to the facts of his illegal activity," without saying what those activities were. Mr Cheng was not formally charged or tried in court, and his family rejected allegations in Chinese state media that he had been detained for visiting prostitutes. On Friday the UK issued a warning to all travellers to Hong Kong about increased scrutiny from mainland authorities at border crossings. The warning added that mobile phones and electronic devices were being checked by border patrol. Mr Cheng's mysterious disappearance highlights China's murky legal and judicial system – something that help kicked off mass protests early June in Hong Kong. Many fear freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong, guaranteed for at least 50 years under an agreement that became effective when the former British colony was returned to Beijing, are fast-disappearing under China's ruling Communist Party. Hong Kong crisis | Comment and analysis Millions first took to the streets against a now-suspended extradition proposal that would have sent people to face trial in mainland China, where Communist Party control of the courts contributes to a 99.9 per cent conviction rate. Forced confessions are also common with suspects paraded on state television. "What happened to Simong Cheng – this is a common tactic used by the central government to put pressure on people," said Kammy Yang, 50, an office clerk at a protest on Saturday. "Many Chinese activists were accused of prostitution or tax scams; this is their strategy in China, trying to suppress freedom." Thousands of protesters on Saturday engaged in a series of skirmishes, throwing projectiles from bricks to petrol bombs at police who responded with sprays of tear gas and rubber bullets. It was the first time tear gas had been deployed in 10 days, a period of relative calm as protesters recalibrated their approach in an otherwise tumultuous, violent summer. Demonstrators join hands to form a human chain during the Hong Kong Way event in the Central district of Hong Kong, China, on Friday Credit: Bloomberg "The reasons why protesters are building roadblocks, surrounding police stations, and throwing bricks – it's because the government doesn't respond to us," said Vaso Chan, 28, an office clerk. "It's not fun for any of us to come out during summer break." Protesters spray painted slogans like "Give me liberty or death," Chinazi," and "HK popo Gestapo," on sidewalks and highways. As the political movement has grown, so have protesters' demands, who are now calling for an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, the resignation of Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, and direct leadership elections. City leaders however have made no concessions, instead thrusting the police to the front lines to handle the situation, further angering protesters. Demonstrations are occurring nearly every day now in the financial hub, disrupting traffic and public transportation. On Saturday, several stations closed along a planned march route. But despite growing unrest, public support for the protesters has stayed strong, with marches and strikes planned through September. "No matter whether those protesters are peaceful protesters or protesters that are standing in the 'front lines', no matter what they do, we will support them," said Mr Chan.
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| Rep. Steve King wants to make abortion point in 'softer way' Posted: 23 Aug 2019 03:31 PM PDT  Backed by supporters at a news conference in Des Moines, the Iowa Republican affirmed his belief that abortion should be outlawed with no exceptions for rape or incest. King faced criticism for his comment Aug. 14 that questioned whether there would be "any population of the world left" if not for births due to rape or incest. The remarks were condemned by numerous groups and individuals, including Republican and Democratic candidates seeking to oust King, Democratic presidential candidates as well as the Iowa Republican Party and Rep. Liz Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in House leadership.
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| A man was training to get a gun permit. The instructor accidentally shot him, police say Posted: 24 Aug 2019 11:27 AM PDT  The instructor, a Riverside County Sheriff's Department trainer, accidentally shot a student attending the class to get a concealed weapons permit.
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| Democratic presidential candidates have a new approach for tackling gun violence: Treat it as a public-health crisis Posted: 23 Aug 2019 10:23 AM PDT  Candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker want to draw on tactics used by community-based organizations to fight gun violence.
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| Britain sends another warship to boost presence in the Gulf Posted: 24 Aug 2019 10:39 AM PDT ![Britain sends another warship to boost presence in the Gulf]( "Britain sends another warship to boost presence in the Gulf") Britain is sending another warship to the Gulf to defend freedom of navigation, the defence minister said on Saturday, after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in the region. Tensions have risen between Iran and Britain after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker last month.
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| Released from death row, then returned — forced to prove race discrimination a second time Posted: 23 Aug 2019 05:01 PM PDT  Cases before N.C. Supreme Court show link between slavery, Jim Crow and modern death penalty is as connected as 'ropes of the lynch-man's noose'
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| All the Best Le Creuset Deals During Williams Sonoma Warehouse Sale Posted: 23 Aug 2019 11:54 AM PDT |
| Trump's economic anxiety comes to a boil Posted: 23 Aug 2019 11:47 AM PDT  The president directs U.S. businesses to pull out of China, but maintains that the "economy is doing really well."
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| Soyuz spacecraft carrying humanoid robot fails to dock with space station Posted: 24 Aug 2019 12:06 AM PDT  A Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russia's first humanoid robot on Saturday failed to dock automatically with the international space station, Moscow news agencies reported. Live broadcast of the event on the Russian space agency Roscosmos was interrupted with the Soyuz spacecraft about 100 metres (109 yards) off the ISS. The life-size robot, named Fedor, was to spend 10 days learning to assist astronauts in the space station.
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| Revered as a saint by online extremists, how Christchurch shooter inspired copycat terrorists around the world Posted: 24 Aug 2019 01:22 PM PDT  "Brenton Tarrant was a catalyst for me personally. He showed me that it could be done. And that it needed to be done."Those were the words written by John Timothy Earnest shortly before he stormed a synagogue in Poway, California, and opened fire on the Jewish congregation.
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| Cathay Pacific cabin crew union leader fired as Hong Kongers warn of spread of 'white terror' Posted: 23 Aug 2019 09:36 AM PDT  Cathay Pacific fired a cabin crew union leader on Friday, the latest casualty in a fast-spreading "white terror" as mass protests in Hong Kong continue into their third month. Rebecca Sy, head of the Cathay Dragon flight attendant's association, said she lost her job of 17 years, without explanation, after managers saw and confirmed her Facebook account, which included messages in favour of the protests. "All the employees are being frightened, not just cabin crews, but even the management," Ms Sy told reporters. "My colleagues are all terrified because of its white terror." "White terror" is a term used to describe a slew of events that create a climate of fear particularly as companies and employees worry of serious repercussions for voicing their views. Her departure follows a surprise resignation last week by CEO Rupert Hogg, reported first by Chinese state media, underlining the political nature of the decision. Cathay has borne the brunt of Beijing's anger as authorities look to punish companies with any link to the Hong Kong protests - a direct challenge to the power of the Communist Party. Rebecca Sy was dismissed from her position as flight attendant for Cathay Pacific's subsidiary Cathay Dragon Credit: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images In the crackdown, companies and employees could face serious repercussions for voicing their views. Hong Kong subway operator MTR has also come under fire for arranging additional trains to allow protesters to travel home, accused of "colluding with rioters" in Chinese state media. Beijing authorities have long put the squeeze on companies over political issues by encouraging its 1.4 billion citizens to snub various brands or by throwing up a number of regulatory roadblocks – a move that can have devastating consequences for even the biggest firms. Simon Cheng, 28, a British consular official in Hong Kong and permanent resident of the city has been detained for two weeks in mainland China for allegedly visiting prostitutes. Under Chinese law, Mr Cheng should have been released today after a 15-day administrative period but at time of publication he was still in detention. Hong Kong police said on Friday that they did not know Mr Cheng's whereabouts. Protests in Hong Kong first kicked off over an extradition proposal that would have exposed people to China's murky legal and judicial system, where authorities have also in the past detained foreigners to express political displeasure. Two Canadians - Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur - were detained in China last year during Beijing's diplomatic dispute with Ottawa over its arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. It is widely viewed that both men - who are still being held and have been charged with spying – are being used as political pawns. Hong Kong protests | Read more A number of multinationals operating in Hong Kong have sought to stress their political neutrality to avoid their businesses being targeted and to protect staff from arbitrary detention. Earlier this week, the world's "big four" accounting firms came under attack after an anonymous group claiming to be made up of their employees took out a full-page newspaper advertisement to express support for protests in Hong Kong and condemn the firms for remaining silent on the issue. Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Pricewaterhouse Coopers all sought to distance themselves from the advertisement, saying it didn't represent the companies' views. But Chinese state media had already seized on the situation, calling for the firms to identify and sack the employees behind the ad. FinnAir has also issued a warning to staff to remember to "keep work and politics separate," reported the South China Morning Post, over concerns that any link to the protests might lead to a customer backlash or flight cancellations in China, its second-largest market for long-haul travel. "China is obviously putting pressure on companies to ensure that they all hold the same political views," said Keenan Chuk, 30, a finance manager who attended a lunchtime rally or accountants in Hong Kong's central business district Friday. "I am concerned that I will be fired," he said, adding that "we still have to fight for our rights." Even universities have warned students against discussing politics and participating in rallies. "In a modern society, education should be free from politics so as to alleviate the escalation of anxiety and avoid the divisive society caused by chaos," according to a statement from the City University of Hong Kong issued earlier this month. A woman said she experienced at a police station during her detention in Hong Kong Credit: REUTERS/Thomas Peter Some banks are also now taking precautionary measures, purchasing full page ads in newspapers to affirm their support for the government. Edwin, 26, an accountant who declined to give his last name, said senior partners in his firm had invited junior employees to lunch that day in an attempt to dissuade people from attending Friday's protest. But he participated in the demonstration anyway, turning up again in the evening to join a human chain meant to evoke the Baltic Way, when two million lined up across three countries to protest Soviet rule in 1989. "In the industry, we switch firms quite often," he shrugged. Hong Kong police came under renewed pressure on Friday when officers were accused of conducting an unnecessary strip search on a female protester. The alleged victim appeared at a press conference dressed in all black with a black face mask, cap and sunglasses. Facing the cameras in front of a "MeToo" sign, she claimed she was arrested weeks ago at a protest against the now-abandoned extradition bill and was admitted to hospital for injuries she suffered that night. By her account, one officer patted her thighs with a pen, instructing her to open her legs wider after ordering her to take off all her clothes in a police cell. The police said their body search procedures had not changed during the recent outbreak of citywide protests.
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| Ex-wife, children of Atlanta surgeon Christopher Edwards found dead in apparent murder-suicide Posted: 23 Aug 2019 06:43 AM PDT  Authorities say they believe Marsha Edwards shot Christopher Edwards Jr. and Erin Edwards before turning the gun on herself.
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| Chaotic scene as DNC votes down climate change debate at San Francisco meeting Posted: 22 Aug 2019 06:03 PM PDT  The move sparked loud and angry backlash from climate change activists who believe the Democratic Party should change the rules to allow for a debate focused solely on climate issues.
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| Britain will withhold $37 billion from EU in no-deal Brexit: Mail on Sunday Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:14 PM PDT  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to tell European Union leaders he will withhold 30 billion pounds ($37 billion) from the Brexit divorce bill unless they agree to changes to the deal, the Mail on Sunday reported. If Britain leaves the bloc without a trade deal, lawyers have concluded the government's will only have to pay the EU 9 billion pounds, rather than 39 billion pounds, the newspaper reported.
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| A man with schizophrenia was found guilty of murdering a Saint Augustine's University student in 1979. 40 years later, a panel of judges decided he's innocent after all. Posted: 23 Aug 2019 08:05 AM PDT  Blackmon's lawyers argued he was tricked by police and prosecutors into falsely confessing to a crime he didn't commit.
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| Democrats can’t just unwind Trump’s foreign policy Posted: 24 Aug 2019 03:36 AM PDT  Through executive orders, regulatory changes, political maneuvers and sometimes mere neglect, the president has overseen major, possibly permanent, shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
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| China to impose new tariffs on $75 bn of US imports Posted: 23 Aug 2019 08:10 AM PDT  China announced Friday it will hit US soybeans, lobsters, peanut butter and other imports worth $75 billion with new tariffs in retaliation for Washington's planned duty hikes, further intensifying the bruising trade war between the world's top two economies. The punitive tariffs of 5 to 10 percent will apply to 5,078 items from the US, starting September 1 and December 15, China's state council tariff office said. Beijing also announced it will reimpose a 25 percent tariff on US autos and a 5 percent tariff on auto parts, also starting December 15.
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| US homeland security chief tours Panama jungle migrant camp Posted: 23 Aug 2019 03:43 PM PDT  The acting U.S. homeland security secretary visited a camp in the Panamanian jungle Friday housing hundreds of migrants who survived the perilous border crossing from Colombia, usually heading for the United States. Kevin McAleenan arrived by SUV in Penitas shortly before midday and was briefed on the camp's operations and the physical conditions of those who crossed the region known as the Darien Gap.
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| Cathay flight attendant says fired over Facebook posts on HK protests Posted: 23 Aug 2019 06:48 AM PDT  A flight attendant on Friday accused Cathay Pacific of summarily firing her over Facebook posts linked to Hong Kong's political crisis, adding to concerns about a China-driven witch-hunt to root out pro-democracy supporters at major firms. The Hong Kong-based airline has been accused of bowing to political and commercial pressure from Beijing by sacking employees in recent weeks for their public support for the massive anti-government movement roiling Hong Kong. Earlier this month, China's aviation authority ordered Cathay Pacific to stop pro-democracy supporters among its 27,000 staff from working on flights to -- or over -- China, after a general strike drew out some of its workers.
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| Sitting Pretty Posted: 23 Aug 2019 05:00 AM PDT |
| Florida will be target of tropical depression expected to form off Southeast coast this weekend Posted: 23 Aug 2019 11:46 AM PDT ![Florida will be target of tropical depression expected to form off Southeast coast this weekend]( "Florida will be target of tropical depression expected to form off Southeast coast this weekend") A tropical disturbance that formed Wednesday near the Bahamas continues to spin toward Florida.
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| Chinese ship inches closer to Vietnam coastline amid South China Sea tensions Posted: 23 Aug 2019 10:35 PM PDT ![Chinese ship inches closer to Vietnam coastline amid South China Sea tensions]( "Chinese ship inches closer to Vietnam coastline amid South China Sea tensions") A Chinese survey vessel on Saturday extended its activities to an area closer to Vietnam's coastline, ship tracking data showed, after the United States and Australia expressed concern about China's actions in the disputed waterways. The Haiyang Dizhi 8 vessel first entered Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) early last month where it began a weeks-long seismic survey, triggering a tense standoff between military and coastguard vessels from Vietnam and China. The Chinese vessel continued to survey Vietnam's EEZ on Saturday under escort from at least four ships and was around 102 kilometres (63 miles) southeast of Vietnam's Phu Quy island and 185 kilometres (115 miles) from the beaches of the southern city of Phan Thiet, according to data from Marine Traffic, a website that tracks vessel movements.
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| A Beverly Hills realtor has been charged with burglarizing the homes of celebrities — including Adam Lambert and Usher — while hosting open houses Posted: 24 Aug 2019 08:45 AM PDT  Realtor Jason Yaselli and Benjamin Eitan Ackerman face 50 felony counts, and could spend more than 31 years in state prison if convicted.
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| Pompeo says Huawei CEO is not a bargaining chip in Trump-China trade war Posted: 23 Aug 2019 09:45 AM PDT  Mike Pompeo has rejected claims that detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou is being used for leverage in the US-China trade war. Speaking with his Canadian counterpart, Chrystia Freeland, in Ottawa on Thursday, the US secretary of state appeared to rule out dropping the extradition request for Ms Meng to ease tensions with Beijing, insisting it is a legal matter. In December, US president Donald Trump implied he might intervene in the case to help secure a trade deal with China. "Whatever's good for this country, I would do," he said at the time. The US alleges Ms Meng – the Chinese technology company's chief financial officer and the daughter of its chief executive – helped Huawei circumvent sanctions on Iran. According to Vancouver court documents released this week, she told a Canadian border official that the company has an office in Iran. The US has charged Ms Meng, 47, with bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit both. She is currently on bail living under house arrest in one of her Vancouver mansions while her lawyers fight her extradition to the US. Asked on Thursday if she is a "bargaining chip" in US-China trade talks, Mr Pompeo replied simply: "No." Since Ms Meng's arrest in Vancouver airport on a US arrest warrant in December, ties between Ottawa and Beijing have fallen to a historically low ebb. Two Canadians, businessman Michael Svapor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, were arrested and charged with espionage shortly afterwards in what is widely viewed as a reprisal by Beijing. "Our team is focussed on helping those two Canadians be released," Mr Pompeo said later ahead of a meeting with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Mr Trump spoke directly to Chinese president Xi Jinping about their "arbitrary detention" in June, he told journalists. Mr Pompeo, 55, also slapped down a question comparing their confinement with that of Ms Meng, accusing the journalist of taking "the Chinese line". Mr Pompeo was visiting Canada ahead of the G7 meeting in France, where relations with China will be discussed. On Friday, Beijing escalated the trade dispute, announcing fresh tariffs on US imports worth $75 billion (£61 billion).
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| Joe Biden asks audience to imagine Barack Obama’s assassination Posted: 24 Aug 2019 01:48 AM PDT  Former US vice president Joe Biden has speculated about how a political assassination of Barack Obama might have affected the country in 2008.Speaking at a town-hall-style campaign event nominally dedicated to health care, speculating, he went on to recall that he was accused of being gay because of his support of women's rights in the 1970s.
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| Bernie's $16T climate plan would have 'zero' impact, ClimateDepot.com's Marc Morano says Posted: 23 Aug 2019 03:51 AM PDT  2020 hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders releases a $16T 'Green New Deal' climate change plan. ClimateDepot.com publisher Marc Morano breaks down the impact.
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| Oregon defends past nonunanimous jury verdicts to high court Posted: 24 Aug 2019 01:29 PM PDT  Oregon's criminal justice system would be "overwhelmed" if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in an upcoming case that nonunanimous jury verdicts are unconstitutional, the state's attorney general has told the court. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in an amicus brief on Friday that if the U.S. Supreme Court finds nonunanimous juries unconstitutional, it could invalidate hundreds or even thousands of convictions in Oregon. Oregon is the only state in America allowing 11-1 or 10-2 jury verdicts in criminal trials, except first-degree murder convictions.
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