| 'We're not some banana republic': National security adviser defends removal of Trump impeachment witness from White House job Posted: 11 Feb 2020 06:26 PM PST  National security adviser Robert O'Brien said Tuesday evening there had been "absolutely" no retaliation involved in Friday's departure of Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council, even as President Trump seemed to indicate that the military would "look into" whether to take disciplinary action against the Army officer.
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| Democratic candidates silent on police shootings of black men Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:12 AM PST  African Americans, who make up 13 percent of the country's population, were the victims of 31 percent of police shootings last year.
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| US military prepping for coronavirus pandemic Posted: 12 Feb 2020 04:50 PM PST  U.S. Northern Command is bracing for an outbreak of the new coronavirus on U.S. soil, if it should occur.
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| Prominent Elizabeth Warren supporter says 'she's done' after her poor New Hampshire results Posted: 12 Feb 2020 08:46 AM PST  The Warren campaign was effective at reaching voters across New Hampshire, but still struggled to persuade people to vote for her.
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| Stealth Killer? China’s Air Defenses Are Surpassing Russia’s Anti-Aircraft Weapons Posted: 11 Feb 2020 07:32 PM PST  While the West has been focusing on the power of advanced Russian anti-aircraft missiles such as the S-400, it should have been watching China.
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| Pete Buttigieg congratulates Sanders in New Hampshire speech — and then swipes at his 'revolution' Posted: 11 Feb 2020 08:37 PM PST  Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is avoiding talk of a "victory" this primary around.Buttigieg came in second place in New Hampshire's primary on Tuesday night, earning 24.4 percent of the vote to Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) 26 percent with 90 percent of precincts reporting. And while he didn't declare an early victory over Sanders like he did in Iowa, Buttigieg did use his Tuesday night speech to take a few shots at Sanders' campaign.Buttigieg kicked off his speech by recalling an essay he'd written in praise of Sanders when he was in high school, and congratulated Sanders on his "strong showing" that night. He also praised his fellow Democratic candidates, saying he'd make sure to support whoever won the party's nomination because "we are on the same team."> Pete Buttigieg: "I admired Senator Sanders when I was a high school, I respect him greatly to this day, and I congratulate him on his strong showing tonight." https://t.co/PT0ouFYIIE pic.twitter.com/UJO5E8LsZp> > — ABC News (@ABC) February 12, 2020But the Sanders praise didn't last for long. Buttigieg acknowledged that "some said" his campaign "shouldn't be here at all," perhaps a dig at how several Democrats attacked Buttigieg's lack of experience in Friday's debate. "We have been told by some that you must either be for revolution, or you are for the status quo," Buttigieg also added — a likely shot at how Sanders often calls his campaign a "revolution." But "most Americans don't see where they fit in that polarized vision," Buttigieg said, and declared that "the politics of 'my way or the highway' is a road to re-electing [President] Donald Trump." More stories from theweek.com How the Army could end Vindman's career without an investigation 8 Republicans join Democrats in vote to limit Trump's military powers in Iran Trump reportedly spent important policy meetings grilling Reince Priebus about badgers
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| Russia Allows Arrested U.S. Investor’s Colleagues Out of Jail Posted: 12 Feb 2020 08:09 AM PST |
| 2 police officers serving attempted murder warrant shot in Baltimore; suspect dead Posted: 12 Feb 2020 01:20 PM PST  One officer was shot in the leg and the other was shot in the stomach, but the injuries were not life-threatening.
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| Teacher under fire for questioning 5th graders' sexualities in front of class Posted: 12 Feb 2020 11:33 AM PST  A Port St. Lucie woman said her daughter is too embarrassed to return to class and will be homeschooled until the end of the year.
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| 'This is horrendous': Biden's 5th-place finish in New Hampshire leaves supporters concerned for the candidate's future Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:55 AM PST  Joe Biden's dismal finish in New Hampshire has prominent Democrats questioning his campaign, which made 'electability' its chief selling point.
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| These County Jails Shamelessly Detained Immigrants for ICE Posted: 11 Feb 2020 05:09 PM PST  Holding immigrant detainees in jails may strengthen the public's unfounded assumptions about the criminality of immigrants, given that the public often assumes that jails are only for criminal defendants awaiting their trials or for those serving their criminal sentence.
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| The White House will reportedly dismiss another official over role in impeachment investigation Posted: 11 Feb 2020 11:07 AM PST  The impeachment fallout continues.The New York Post reported Tuesday that Elaine McCusker, the acting Pentagon comptroller, will have her nomination for the permanent position rescinded by the White House. And, surprise, it has to do with Ukraine.In January, emails sent from McCusker questioning President Trump's directive to freeze about $250 million in Ukrainian military aid were leaked just before the president's Senate impeachment trial. Those communications clearly didn't sit well with the administration. "This administration needs people who are committed to implementing the president's agenda, specifically on foreign policy, and not trying to thwart it," a White House official told the Post.It's not clear when the nomination will be officially withdrawn, or if the decision will affect her acting role in the meantime, but it looks as if McCusker will eventually join Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who had served on the National Security Council, and former Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, both of whom were removed from their posts after they provided some of the more damaging testimony during the House impeachment inquiry. The White House said their ousters weren't related to their testimonies. Read more at The New York Post.More stories from theweek.com Hey Democrats, it's okay to vote for Bernie Sanders The Democratic establishment is out of time In Twitter rampage, Trump attacks federal judge set to sentence Roger Stone
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| Philippines scraps security agreement with U.S., plans to develop its own defense capabilities Posted: 12 Feb 2020 06:37 AM PST  The Philippine military on Wednesday stood by President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to scrap a security agreement with the United States, saying the country could now develop its own defense capabilities and alliances, and would do fine without it.
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| Cop on leave after putting high school student in chokehold Posted: 11 Feb 2020 02:36 AM PST  "I will not tolerate misconduct from my officers and this matter will be dealt with accordingly," Camden Police Chief Boyd M. Woody said.
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| Couple weds in Northern Ireland's first same-sex marriage Posted: 12 Feb 2020 11:03 AM PST  Two women tied the knot Tuesday in Northern Ireland's first same-sex wedding, after the region became the last part of the United Kingdom to legalize gay marriage. Care worker Robyn Peoples, 26, and waitress Sharni Edwards, 27 married at a ceremony in Carrickfergus, near Belfast. The couple said they had not intended to be the first to wed, but were thrilled to become symbols of change in Northern Ireland.
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| Trump Turns to Tucker Carlson to Help Decide Roger Stone’s Fate Posted: 12 Feb 2020 11:32 AM PST  If President Donald Trump ends up pardoning his former political operative Roger Stone, it could very well be—at least in part—thanks to the sustained efforts of a Fox News star and part-time Trump adviser: Tucker Carlson.For roughly a year, the primetime host has done a series of segments devoted to calling on the president to pardon the so-called "dirty trickster" Stone, a Republican consultant, Nixon enthusiast, and lobbyist who had long advised Trump. The show's position as a platform for pro-Stone messaging is potent enough that Trump allies who seek leniency for Stone have specifically sought to appear on the Fox News show in order to get the message to the president.Stone's situation has, of course, been of personal interest to the president for a while now. On multiple occasions over the past year, Trump, during casual conversation with White House aides and close associates, has brought up—unprompted—recent episodes of Tucker Carlson Tonight. Trump would then quickly note that Carlson did a segment or monologue on Stone's predicament, and then ask his aide or friend if they'd seen the episode and "What do you think?" according to two sources with direct knowledge of the president's private comments on the matter."That's how he [often] talks, not showing his hand. He'll say, 'What do you think about' this or that, which will be often code for 'I'm interested or looking into doing' this," one of these people said.On Tuesday, all four prosecutors handling Stone's court case withdrew, mere hours after the Justice Department headquarters intervened to supercede their recommendation to a federal judge that Stone be sentenced to seven-to-nine years behind bars. And on Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, "Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought." The president also posted a tweet railing against the "rogue" prosecutors, branding them part of "the swamp," and tagging Carlson and Fox & Friends at the end.And it's a topic Carlson has fervently taken up as a cause célèbre.Off-camera, Carlson has at times moonlighted as an informal adviser to Trump. Last year, he privately lobbied Trump against military action on Iran and also used their private chat as an opportunity to trash the president's more hawkish senior officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and now-former National Security Adviser John Bolton. On-camera, Carlson helms a program that this president regularly tunes into, with Trump identifying with the host's immigration-restrictionist, culture-warrior themes.Since early last year, Carlson has been offering up a steady stream of segments framing Stone as a victim of anti-Trump law-enforcement run amok and explicitly advocating for the president's intervention.One of Carlson's recurring on-air guests to discuss a potential Stone pardon has been Michael Caputo, another former Trump adviser and a close friend of the Stone family. Asked if he's appeared on Carlson's show specifically because he safely assumed Trump would see it, Caputo told The Daily Beast on Tuesday night, "Yes, that was my intention. Tucker has longer segments where he makes convincing arguments about issues the president's base cares about. Nobody knows that better than the president. It's a no-brainer."Fox News Host Pete Hegseth Privately Lobbied Trump to Pardon Accused War CriminalsDuring Carlson's broadcast Tuesday night, the Fox News primetime star directly appealed to the president and called for clemency for Stone. Expressing concern that the notorious political trickster could "die in prison," Carlson described Stone as a "67-year-old man with no criminal record" who was caught up in the "Russia hoax."Claiming violent criminals get far more lenient prison sentences than Stone's recommended sentence of seven-to-nine years, Carlson grumbled that the left and CNN want the ex-operative to rot in jail, adding, "This man needs a pardon."Carlson's demand for clemency as Stone stares down prison time is the culmination of the Fox host's prolonged effort to clear his buddy. Prior to his indictment as a result of the Mueller investigation, Stone repeatedly appeared on Carlson's show in 2018, calling the special counsel's probe "Orwellian" at one point while claiming Robert Mueller was persecuting him for supporting Trump.After Stone was eventually charged with obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress in early 2019, Carlson's on-air campaign to help secure a pardon for the longtime Trump confidant began in earnest, hosting the Trump ally the day of his Jan. 25 arrest to rail against the indictment.Days after the Stone raid, meanwhile, Carlson fumed, "Mueller himself is a threat to our democracy," grousing that "nobody controls" him and the "all-powerful unelected prosecutor" was able to "send armed men to your home to roust you from bed at gunpoint just because he feels like it." The Fox host also began peddling a discredited conspiracy that Mueller tipped off CNN on Stone's raid in order to capture the whole thing on camera.Weeks later, after Stone was placed under a full gag order, following inflammatory social media posts that the judge in the case deemed threatening, Carlson and his guests began openly calling for his pardon. "Roger Stone is facing life in prison," Carlson declared on his March 22 broadcast. "He was indicted by an investigation designed to find collusion, indicted on minor charges. He was dragged from his own home in a morning FBI raid. They put an amphibious vehicle outside his house and pointed an automatic weapon in his face, all to find collusion. But there was no collusion. Stone is still looking at life in prison. Where is Roger Stone's pardon? His pardon from the president? Let's hope it comes very soon."A few days later, Caputo advised Trump through the TV set to issue clemency for Stone via Twitter."Pardon General Flynn. Pardon George Papadopoulos. And pardon Roger Stone right now, Mr. Trump," Caputo exclaimed on Tucker's March 27 show. "Don't wait until after the election, they deserve it now. Do it right now," he added. "Do it right now on Twitter."Caputo and Carlson circled back to this topic in May, with Carlson telling the former Trump aide that "it would be nice to see some pardons, a pardon of Roger Stone, to begin" with. Following Stone's guilty verdict in November, Carlson once again called for Trump to give the conservative operative a pardon, reminding the president that he had called the decision against Stone a "travesty" while criticizing reports that Trump's inner circle was advising him against getting involved.While hosting Stone's daughter Adria Stone, who pleaded with the president to "save" her family, Carlson noted that Trump had recently pardoned two others and "signed a law not that long ago that, in effect, pardoned a lot of crack dealers and also some rapists.""I honestly do think that after watching a series of people, some of whom are not deserving at all, get pardons from this White House, in effect or literally, you know I think people are going to be watching really carefully to see if your dad is pardoned," Carlson concluded. "I'm going to be, that's for sure."In the meantime, figures like Carlson are likely going to be the public voice and face of Stone's case far more than Stone himself will be. Reached for comment on this story Wednesday afternoon, Stone simply messaged back, "I am under a gag order and therefore have no comment."—With additional reporting by Max Tani.Tucker Carlson Tells Trump in Private: No War With IranRead more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Prominent Elizabeth Warren supporter says 'she's done' after poor N.H. results Posted: 12 Feb 2020 01:24 PM PST  A high-profile supporter of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was point-blank with criticism as the candidate's disappointing results rolled in primary night in New Hampshire.
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| Man threatens to torch himself after virus cancels birthday Posted: 12 Feb 2020 01:01 AM PST  A man in southwest China doused himself with petrol and tied firecrackers around his waist because authorities cancelled his birthday banquet as a precaution against spreading the coronavirus. The Chongqing resident, a 59-year-old surnamed Wang, had planned to hold a banquet with 10 tables late last month, state news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday. Hundreds of millions of people across China face restrictions and interruptions to their lives due to efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which has now infected more than 44,600 people and killed over 1,100.
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| An engineer spent 15 years fireproofing his California home. Here's why his house was the last one standing after a devastating blaze last year. Posted: 12 Feb 2020 09:47 AM PST  Chris Arai's home in Sonoma County, California, was the only one on his ridge that was still standing after the Kincade Fire ripped through.
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| Biden isn't fazed after New Hampshire because '99.9 percent' of black voters haven't had their say yet Posted: 11 Feb 2020 07:29 PM PST  Former Vice President Joe Biden would like to remind you just how white Iowa and New Hampshire are.Before the polls had even closed in New Hampshire on Tuesday, Biden had already left the early primary state for South Carolina. That's where, even after results showed him in a distant fifth place in New Hampshire, Biden declared he's far from done with his 2020 run.While "it's important" to hear from the first two states in the Democratic primary schedule, Biden declared "we haven't heard from the most committed constituency of the Democratic Party — the African American community" and "fastest growing segment of society — the Latino community." "99.9 percent" of black voters "have not yet had the chance to vote in America," Biden said, and neither did "99.8 percent" of Latinx voters. And a Democrat can't win the general election "unless you have overwhelming support from black and brown voters," Biden added.> Biden, speaking in South Carolina, focuses on his African-American support after underwhelming New Hampshire results: "You can't win a general election as a Democrat unless you have overwhelming support from black and brown voters. It's just really simple" https://t.co/0lBnBx3sux pic.twitter.com/gBlX4HKoyG> > — CBS News (@CBSNews) February 12, 2020Biden's point reflects an argument former candidate Julián Castro made late last year: That the first two states in the Democratic nomination schedule, Iowa and New Hampshire, are far whiter than the rest of the U.S. as a whole.More stories from theweek.com The Democratic establishment is out of time In Twitter rampage, Trump attacks federal judge set to sentence Roger Stone Attorney General Barr is intervening in Roger Stone's case and others important to Trump, officials say
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| 29 Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas That Are Lit Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:00 AM PST |
| Suit: District wrong to punish students over racist posts Posted: 12 Feb 2020 09:07 AM PST  Four students in a southeastern Michigan town sued their school district over discipline they received in the wake of racist social media posts directed at black students. The white students, who were not identified, were among those added to a private group on Snapchat, according to the lawsuit.
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| Trump says he does not mind if Philippines cuts military pact with U.S. Posted: 12 Feb 2020 12:22 PM PST  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to end a decades-old military agreement with the United States, a position at odds with that of his defense secretary who viewed the move with dismay. Duterte on Tuesday announced termination of the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the decision "unfortunate" as Washington and its allies press China to abide by "international rules" in Asia.
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| Coronavirus 'to take a foothold' in US warn experts Posted: 12 Feb 2020 12:14 PM PST  Health experts have warned that the new coronavirus, which has killed at more than 1,100 people and made ill a further 45,000 globally, is will likely "take a foothold in the US".As officials said the number of new cases in China appeared to have stabilised, experts at the centres for disease control (CDC) said they were preparing for the disease to spread here.
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| A Pennsylvania school called police after a 6-year-old girl with Down Syndrome pointed her finger like a gun, her mother says Posted: 11 Feb 2020 06:57 PM PST  Margot Gaines does not understand the concept of shooting, according to her mom, who thinks Valley Forge Elementary School came down way too hard.
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| Lexus will introduce a rival to Tesla's Autopilot this year that will have one big feature that Autopilot doesn't Posted: 12 Feb 2020 08:24 AM PST  Unlike Tesla's Autopilot, Lexus' Highway Teammate system will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel in some situations.
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| Meet the Infamous Graf Zeppelin: The Only Aircraft Carrier the Nazis Ever Built Posted: 12 Feb 2020 05:00 PM PST  What went wrong?
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| Tom Steyer spent about $1,900 for every vote he got in New Hampshire Posted: 12 Feb 2020 10:33 AM PST  There are a lot of ways to spend $19 million. Buying TV ads in a presidential race you have close to zero chance of winning probably shouldn't be one of them.Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer has dumped tons of his own money into the 2020 Democratic presidential race, coming in second to only former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in terms of spending on TV and Facebook ads. But unlike Bloomberg, Steyer has failed to gain more than an ounce of momentum after all was spent and done — a fact that was glaringly obvious after his sixth place finish in Tuesday's New Hampshire primaries.Steyer spent $19.2 million on TV and radio ads leading up the New Hampshire's vote, NBC News reports, and earned just over 10,000 votes. That's about $1,850 spent on each vote.> Tom Steyer spent $19.2 million in New Hampshire on TV and radio, per @amandawgolden, and received about 10,272 votes, per WaPo. That's close to $1,900 spent per vote https://t.co/68tItqcrFB> > — Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 12, 2020Reason to Believe, a PAC supporting former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, meanwhile spent about $1,430 for every one of Patrick's 1,258 votes — and unlike Steyer, Patrick dropped out of the race immediately after that count was in.More stories from theweek.com How the Army could end Vindman's career without an investigation 8 Republicans join Democrats in vote to limit Trump's military powers in Iran Trump reportedly spent important policy meetings grilling Reince Priebus about badgers
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| Coronavirus updates: Some test kits sent to states were flawed, CDC says Posted: 12 Feb 2020 01:44 PM PST  As the death toll in mainland China reaches 1,113, here is the latest news.
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| Argentina delays payment on bond principal Posted: 11 Feb 2020 10:26 AM PST |
| ‘We are not a banana republic’: National security adviser defends Vindman dismissals Posted: 11 Feb 2020 04:41 PM PST  Robert O'Brien said the brothers' removal from the NSC was because they were trying to undermine Trump.
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| Car-sized prehistoric South American turtle was built for battle Posted: 12 Feb 2020 12:43 PM PST |
| Man pleads guilty, admits to killing teen Bianca Devins and posting photos on social media Posted: 12 Feb 2020 03:10 AM PST  Brandon Clark faces 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty Monday to killing Utica, New York, teen Bianca Devins.
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| A photographer captured how eerily empty Shanghai's normally bustling streets are amid the coronavirus outbreak Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:56 AM PST  Shanghai-based photographer Nicoco captured the haunting difference between the crowds at Chinese New Year in 2014, and in 2020.
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| America's Use of Agent Orange: 45 Million Liters of Dioxin Compound Dumped On Vietnam Posted: 11 Feb 2020 04:28 PM PST  What a disaster.
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| Boris Johnson Suggests Heathrow Third Runway Won’t Be Built Soon Posted: 11 Feb 2020 05:58 AM PST |
| Senate Republicans block plans to make elections more secure from foreign interference Posted: 12 Feb 2020 09:43 AM PST  Republicans in the US Senate have blocked the passage of several election security measures that would require campaigns to alert federal authorities about foreign influence and ban voting machines from connecting to the internet.As part of the Senate's procedure, Democrats sought "unanimous consent" to bring the measures to the body, meaning any one opponent could effectively end the bills' passage just nine months from contentious 2020 federal elections.
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| More than 500 healthcare workers in Wuhan have gotten the coronavirus. One study found that 29% of infections were in medical staff. Posted: 12 Feb 2020 02:29 PM PST  Medical workers fighting the new coronavirus, called COVID-19, face resource shortages and a high risk of infection.
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| Asian carp roundup in Kentucky opens new front in battle Posted: 11 Feb 2020 10:12 PM PST  Like a slow-motion, underwater cattle drive, wildlife officials in a half-dozen aluminum boats used pulses of electricity and sound on a recent gray morning to herd schools of Asian carp toward 1,000-foot-long (305 meters) nets. The ongoing roundup on wind-rippled Kentucky Lake opens a new front in a 15-year battle to halt the advance of the invasive carp, which threaten to upend aquatic ecosystems, starve out native fish and wipe out endangered mussel and snail populations along the Mississippi River and dozens of tributaries. Programs aim to reduce established populations and prevent further spreading, but wildlife officials concede they may never be able to eradicate the prolific fish.
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| Venezuelan opposition claims government is behind disappearance of Juan Guiadó's uncle Posted: 12 Feb 2020 11:33 AM PST  Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó returned to his home country Tuesday after defying a travel ban and embarking on a tour to seek international support for his movement. His arrival caused his supporters and government loyalists to clash at the Caracas airport. During the chaotic scene, Guaidó's uncle Juan José Márquez, who was traveling with him, went missing.The opposition has blamed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for the disappearance and is holding him accountable "for his physical integrity." Márquez's wife, Romina Botaro, said she heard from her husband while he was going through customs but not since, adding that no one knows his whereabouts.Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who has been a vocal supporter of Guaidó, called out Maduro's government over Márquez, who does not hold an official position in the opposition leadership.> .@NicolasMaduro and his thugs arbitrarily detained @jguaido's uncle upon their arrival to Venezuela. His whereabouts or the reasons for his detention are unknown. > > Maduro knows his time is coming to an end. This is the act of a desperate tyrant. https://t.co/PA3UQByRRJ> > — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 12, 2020Guaidó said Maduro was targeting his family, but added the "threats have not stopped us or will not stop us." Read more at The Washington Post.More stories from theweek.com How the Army could end Vindman's career without an investigation 8 Republicans join Democrats in vote to limit Trump's military powers in Iran Trump reportedly spent important policy meetings grilling Reince Priebus about badgers
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| New York man accused of manipulating daughter's college friends charged with sex trafficking Posted: 11 Feb 2020 05:09 PM PST  Lawrence Ray, the father of a former Sarah Lawrence College student, is accused of manipulating and abusing her school friends.
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| Tour This Quintessential Beach Retreat in Amagansett Dunes Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:08 AM PST |
| Coronavirus death toll leaps in China's Hubei province Posted: 12 Feb 2020 05:04 PM PST  The Chinese province at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in the death toll on Thursday, as global health experts warned the epidemic could get far worse before it is brought under control. Health officials in Hubei province said 242 people had died from the flu-like virus on Wednesday, the fastest rise in the daily count since the pathogen was identified in December, and bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 1,310. The grim new tally came a day after China had reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases in two weeks, bolstering a forecast by Beijing's senior medical adviser for the outbreak there to end by April.
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