2020年6月23日星期二

Yahoo! News: Iraq

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Iraq


White House says Trump has no apology for calling coronavirus 'kung flu' at Tulsa rally

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 12:15 PM PDT

White House says Trump has no apology for calling coronavirus 'kung flu' at Tulsa rallyPress secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday that the president has no regrets about using a racial slur to refer to the deadly virus that originated in China.


Ex-Roger Stone Prosecutor: DOJ Under ‘Heavy Pressure’ to Spare Trump’s Friend

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 12:45 PM PDT

Ex-Roger Stone Prosecutor: DOJ Under 'Heavy Pressure' to Spare Trump's FriendOne of the prosecutors who quit the Roger Stone case in disgust over interference from Attorney General Bill Barr will tell the House Judiciary Committee that the "highest levels of the Department" wanted to spare Stone, a friend of the president's, years of prison time. "What I heard—repeatedly—was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the President," according to a statement from Aaron Zelinsky, one of ex-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's prosecutors. In February, Zelinsky and three colleagues resigned from the Stone prosecution after Timothy Shea, then the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, recommended a substantially shorter prison term than the seven to nine years Zelinsky recommended. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress about his interactions with WikiLeaks during the 2016 election, witness tampering and obstructing a congressional inquiry. Shea was a former senior aide to Barr who now runs the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Zelinsky's statement calls out Shea by name as "receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break, and that the U.S. Attorney's sentencing instructions to us were based on political considerations." He called the department's pursuit of a sentence shorter than its own sentencing guidelines "unheard of" for an "unrepentant" defendant like Stone, who threatened the judge presiding over his case. The judge, Amy Berman Jackson, sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison. "I was also told that the acting U.S. Attorney was giving Stone such unprecedentedly favorable treatment because he was 'afraid of the President,'" Zelinsky said of Shea.Trump Ally Roger Stone Gets 40 Months for Lying, Witness-TamperingZelinsky's testimony, delivered after the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed him, will come at professional risk. He remains a federal prosecutor in Maryland. An attorney for Zelinsky, the former Office of Director of National Intelligence general counsel Robert Litt, declined to comment. According to Zelinsky, Shea and his team attempted at least three times in February to get the Stone prosecutors to agree to a reduced sentence. First they requested that Zelinsky's team not apply the full term the sentencing guidelines suggested. When Zelinsky—along with Adam Jed, Jonathan Kravis, and Michael Marando—refused, Shea's team told them "to say that whatever the Guidelines recommended, Stone should get less." They rejected that, as well. Finally, Shea provided "an instruction" to omit from their sentencing memorandum references to Stone's conduct at trial, such as a threat to Berman that Stone posted on Instagram. Zelinsky says in his statement that he threatened to resign on Feb. 10. Trump rapidly attacked his team's sentencing memorandum as a "miscarriage of justice."Zelinsky criticized the more lenient memorandum Shea's office produced as "unethical" in a colloquy with a Department colleague that he references in his prepared statement. "I take no satisfaction in publicly criticizing the actions of the Department of Justice, where I have spent most of my legal career. I have always been and remain proud to be an Assistant United States Attorney," Zelinsky closes his prepared remarks by saying. Zelinsky will be joined by DOJ antitrust colleague John W. Elias, who will testify about antitrust investigations under Barr that concerned him enough to bring them to the department inspector general's attention. Wednesday's hearing is slated to feature no Justice Department witnesses on Barr or Shea's behalf, though former Attorney General Michael Mukasey is also scheduled to testify. The committee's Democratic majority is in open conflict with Barr over everything from the similar leniency shown to ex-National Security Adviser Mike Flynn to Barr's specially deputized federal police during the D.C. Black Lives Matter protests to Barr's deceitful attempt at firing the acting U.S. attorney in New York. Last month, they requested a Justice Department inspector general inquiry into Barr's "politicization" of numerous department actions. But the House Democratic leadership, having lost its fight to impeach Trump, is reluctant to attempt removing Barr from office—meaning that Wednesday's hearing with Zelinsky may be a high-water mark for pressure on the attorney general. Read 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.


Powerful earthquake shakes southern Mexico, at least 5 dead

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 08:46 AM PDT

Powerful earthquake shakes southern Mexico, at least 5 deadA powerful earthquake centered near the southern Mexico resort of Huatulco killed at least five people, swayed buildings in Mexico City and sent thousands fleeing into the streets. Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said one person was killed and another injured in a building collapse in Huatulco, Oaxaca. Oaxaca Gov. Alejandro Murat said a second person was killed in an apparent house collapse in the tiny mountain village of San Juan Ozolotepec, and said a third died in circumstances he did not explain.


Conservative Democrat could win primary in U.S.' bluest district

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 09:47 PM PDT

Conservative Democrat could win primary in U.S.' bluest districtRubén Díaz Sr. could emerge victorious from a large, divided field.


India tells Pakistan to cut embassy staff by half, says will do same

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 09:34 AM PDT

India tells Pakistan to cut embassy staff by half, says will do sameIndia told Pakistan on Tuesday to slash its embassy staff in New Delhi by half -- saying it would do the same in Islamabad -- as a diplomatic spat continued between the nuclear-armed rivals. The fractious relationship between the neighbours has worsened since New Delhi expelled two Pakistan embassy officials over spying claims in late May. After that, New Delhi accused Islamabad of torturing two Indian diplomats arrested following an alleged hit-and-run in the Pakistani capital.


New U.S. COVID-19 cases surge 25% last week; Arizona, Florida and Texas set records

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 04:11 AM PDT

New U.S. COVID-19 cases surge 25% last week; Arizona, Florida and Texas set recordsTwenty-five U.S. states reported more new cases last week than the previous week, including 10 states that saw weekly new infections rise more than 50%, and 12 states that posted new records, according to the analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak. Texas reported one of the largest rises in new cases at 24,000 for the week ended June 21, an increase of 84% from the previous week.


White House responds to questions on Trump’s use of phrase ‘kung flu’

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 11:36 AM PDT

White House responds to questions on Trump's use of phrase 'kung flu'White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday responded to questions about President Trump's use of the phrase 'kung flu' to characterize the coronavirus.


Protestors try to topple president's statue outside White House

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 06:43 PM PDT

Protestors try to topple president's statue outside White HouseA crowd of protesters tried to topple the statue of a former US president near the White House on Monday evening as police responded with pepper spray to break up new protests that erupted in Washington. Several-hundred protestors were pushed back by at least 100 security force personnel after they had thrown ropes around the statue of Andrew Jackson, the seventh US president, in Lafayette Park. They scrawled the words "killer scum" on the base and pulled at the ropes around the figure of Mr Jackson on a horse before police intervened. Video footage posted to social media also showed demonstrators climbing on the bronze monument in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, in the latest bid to destroy images of historical figures considered racist or divisive. Police in riot gear are then seen moving in to drive the crowd back and form a protective ring around the statue, which was erected in 1852 on a white marble base. "The police attacked us. They've taken the law to their own hands," Raymond Spaine, a 52-year-old black man cleaning his eyes with saline, told AFP.


Nadler Plans to Subpoena Barr After Saying He ‘Deserves Impeachment’

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 05:06 AM PDT

Nadler Plans to Subpoena Barr After Saying He 'Deserves Impeachment'House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) confirmed Monday night that his committee was preparing to subpoena Attorney General Bill Barr for his testimony, despite saying earlier this month that such a move was unlikely."We have begun the process to issue that subpoena," Nadler told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow in an interview. On June 2, Nadler shot down the idea of subpoenaing Barr, saying, "I am not going to spend months litigating a subpoena with an Attorney General who has already spent years resisting the courts and legitimate congressional oversight."On Sunday, Nadler claimed that Barr "deserves impeachment" for his alleged politicization of the Justice Department, but said trying to do so would be "a waste of time" because "corrupt" Senate Republicans would not vote to convict."We know that we have a corrupt Republican majority in the Senate which will not consider an impeachment no matter what the evidence and no matter what the facts," Nadler said.Nadler's spokesman Daniel Schwarz first confirmed to Axios that the subpoena was in the works. Democrats have called to investigate Barr over the abrupt decision to oust Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, Geoffrey Berman, who has been in charge of several investigations connected to President Trump.House Judiciary ranking member Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) slammed the decision to subpoena Barr in a letter to Nadler, saying "however much you disagree with the Justice Department's policy decisions—or agree with the Obama-Biden Administration's targeting of the Trump campaign—those are not legitimate reasons to compel Attorney General Barr's testimony at this time."Barr was supposed to appear in front of the House Judiciary Committee on March 31, but the hearing was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.


Did Russia Just Send a Submarine Through the Bosphorus?

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 10:59 AM PDT

Did Russia Just Send a Submarine Through the Bosphorus?Social media is buzzing that a Russian Kilo-class submarine might have just passed through the strait, violating a nearly 80-year-old-treaty.


Sheriff's office employee among 3 men accused of vandalizing Black Lives Matter sign

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 07:10 PM PDT

Sheriff's office employee among 3 men accused of vandalizing Black Lives Matter sign"I'm deeply disappointed that one of our employees involved himself in this type of illegal activity, especially when this is an infringement on someone's First Amendment right to freedom of speech," Sheriff Bill Ayub said.


Coronavirus: Newborn Mexican triplets test positive in 'unprecedented' case

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 01:26 AM PDT

Coronavirus: Newborn Mexican triplets test positive in 'unprecedented' caseExperts are investigating whether coronavirus could have been passed through the mother's placenta.


The Best Drones for Any Budget and Pilot

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 11:22 AM PDT

Protesters join class-action lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department alleging they were shot in the head or torso by projectiles

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 11:07 PM PDT

Protesters join class-action lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department alleging they were shot in the head or torso by projectilesA class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles accuses police of using excessive force against protesters.


Arizona firefighters forced to handle multiple historic wildfires at once

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 12:24 PM PDT

Arizona firefighters forced to handle multiple historic wildfires at onceA dozen wildfires have torched nearly 400,000 burned acres in Arizona and have left parts of the state, particularly the southeastern portion, in ruins. Nearly half of that acreage has come from the Bush Fire blazing in the Tonto National Forest, just north of Phoenix. As of Monday morning, the still-young 2020 wildfire season has already burned more Arizona land than all but two years since 2002. Three current active wildfires in the state all rank in the top-10 for largest blazes in Arizona history, marking the first time since 2011 that multiple, historic-sized fires have burnt simultaneously. After igniting on June 13, the Bush Fire has grown rapidly in the past week, up to 186,848 acres as of Monday morning. The fire is now the fifth-largest in state history with 61% containment, according to officials. It's also the largest blaze currently burning in the United States.The inferno was ignited by a vehicle fire and led to evacuations in nearby areas such as Brownsville, Jake's Corner, Slate Creek, Pioneer Pass and Punkin Center before evacuation orders were lifted on Sunday morning."It has just been a monster of a season for us and extremely busy," Dave Ramirez, South Zone Fire Management Officer, said according to AZCentral.com. "It's been very busy for us, actually, in the past two years."According to local fire officials, all residents are prohibited from burning any sort of fire, including campfires and cooking stove fires, in the Tonto National Forest. The state's second-fastest growing fire, the Bighorn Fire, increased to 58,553 acres on Tuesday morning, The fire has been the most destructive of any blaze in the state, causing $18.2 million of damage, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.After reaching 40% containment on Friday, conditions worsened and the containment decreased to 16% by Monday, the least contained of any of the state's major current blazes. Firefighters worked to increase containment up to 33% by Tuesday morning. It has required the attention of 969 firefighting personnel, the most of any fire. Burning in Coronado National Forest, the frightening spread of the blaze has escalated the classification from a type-3 to a type-1 fire."With this type-1 team there is a lot of complexity, a lot of levels, a lot of layers but the communication is the most important part and it's been great, the level of communication on this team," said Adam Jarrold, Public Information Officer of the Bighorn Fire, according to KVOA.com.A type-1 fire is the highest and most serious level of firefighting attention, as the classification means the risk level to structures and properties are at their peak. Charring at more than 100 square miles, the Mangum Fire is Arizona's second-largest fire. Since igniting on June 8, the wildfire has burned over 71,000 acres in the northern portion of Arizona in Coconino County and wreaked havoc for visitors trying to get to the northern rim of the Grand Canyon.The blaze, which is also the second-largest current fire in the U.S., has destroyed four structures and forced closures of popular roadways like Highway 89A and State Route 67 to Grand Canyon National Park, which takes visitors to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Smoke billows out of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. (Photo via Inciweb) The eastern-most wildfire and the only other blaze to have destroyed structures, the Bringham Fire has continued burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest north of Morenci since being ignited by lightning on June 6. It has scorched nearly 20,000 acres and is just 20% contained.On Monday morning, Incident Commander Carl Schwope said the remote location of the fire has provided logistical challenges for firefighters, according to Inciweb. Despite being nearly nine times smaller than the Bush Fire, the Bringham Fire has caused nearly as much damage, according to the NIFC.The Sawtooth Fire was previously burning in the Tonto National Forest, where it grew to 24,729 acres before firefighters reached 100% containment on June 7. The fire was burning in the scar of the Woodbury Fire, which was previously the fifth-largest fire in state history after burning 123,875 acres in 2019.The Blue River Fire has burned 30,400 acres as of Monday morning, but firefighters have managed to reach 85% containment of the blaze. According to the NIFC, despite being the state's fourth-largest fire, it has caused the least damage of any of the major blazes and is only requiring the attention of eight personnel.The Good Fire, the Dry Lake Fire and the Tadpole Fire have burnt about a combined 25,000 acres between the three blazes, but they are largely corralled and estimated to reach 100% containment in the coming weeks.Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.


The Latest: Kentucky polling site gets 30-minute extension

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 09:55 AM PDT

The Latest: Kentucky polling site gets 30-minute extensionA group locked outside a voting site in Louisville, Kentucky, were seen on video banging on doors at the entrance of the city's only polling location. Jefferson County Clerk spokesperson Nore Ghibaudy says about 175 more voters were let in after the court reopened the polling location. Ghibaudy says poll workers urged all voters in the building's lobby to get in a line before 6 p.m. He said the voters who were locked out were not in the building's lobby just after 6 p.m. when the doors were shut and locked.


White House press secretary says Trump's racist 'kung flu' comment was 'linking' the coronavirus 'to its place of origin'

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 11:40 AM PDT

White House press secretary says Trump's racist 'kung flu' comment was 'linking' the coronavirus 'to its place of origin'Trump's top aide Kellyanne Conway condemned the term "kung flu" as "highly offensive" and "wrong" in March.


Trudeau points to 'direct link' between detained Canadians and arrest of Huawei executive

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 10:57 AM PDT

Trudeau points to 'direct link' between detained Canadians and arrest of Huawei executiveChina has denied that the arrests of Kovrig and Spavor are tied to Meng's case.


Saudi leadership pressures former intelligence official’s family, seeks access to documents

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 02:40 AM PDT

Saudi leadership pressures former intelligence official's family, seeks access to documentsAs Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman moved to tighten his grip on power over the past few years, detaining senior royals and opponents, one person has eluded him: a former top-ranking intelligence official who was close to a key rival to the throne. In recent months, the crown prince -- known by the initials MbS -- has increased pressure on relatives of Saad al-Jabri, including detaining his adult children, to try to force his return to the kingdom from exile in Canada, the former intelligence official's family say. In the crown prince's sights are documents Jabri has access to that contain sensitive information, according to four people with knowledge of the situation.


Man who served decades for stepmom's murder pleads guilty to killing doctor

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 05:59 PM PDT

Man who served decades for stepmom's murder pleads guilty to killing doctorTimothy Chavira was immediately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the December death of Editha Cruz de Leon.


Cleveland business owner receiving threats for cooperating with police after store was looted

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 03:40 AM PDT

Cleveland business owner receiving threats for cooperating with police after store was lootedColossal Cupcakes owner Kelly Kandah, who hid with her staff as her store was ransacked by looters in May, says she's now receiving threats for cooperating with the police investigation.


Safoora Zargar: Bail for pregnant India student blamed for Delhi riots

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 03:10 AM PDT

Safoora Zargar: Bail for pregnant India student blamed for Delhi riotsSafoora Zargar was among a number of Muslim students and activists jailed during the Covid-19 lockdown.


One Expert Fought a New Korean War in a Simulator. You Should Be Scared.

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 03:00 PM PDT

One Expert Fought a New Korean War in a Simulator. You Should Be Scared.A terrible scenario.


Sirte: Kadhafi birthplace targeted in Libya conflict

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 03:27 AM PDT

Sirte: Kadhafi birthplace targeted in Libya conflictLibya's coastal city of Sirte, hometown of ex-dictator Moamer Kadhafi and a strategic gateway to oil export ports, is now at the centre of tensions between rival forces and regional powers. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Saturday that Sirte and Al-Jufra to the south represent a "red line" which Turkey-backed forces should not cross as they support the UN-recognised government in the battle against strongman Khalifa Haftar, a Sisi ally. Haftar, who controls most of eastern Libya, seized Sirte in January months after launching an assault on the capital Tripoli, base of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).


2nd presidential debate moves from Michigan to Florida

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 05:53 AM PDT

2nd presidential debate moves from Michigan to FloridaThe nonpartisan commission that sponsors the formal election year presidential debates announced Tuesday that an October debate that had been set for Michigan will now take place in Florida. The change comes after the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, determined it was no longer "feasible" to host the Oct. 15 debate, the Commission on Presidential Debates said. The debate will instead be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami.


Bolton Says Jared Kushner Was the Most Important Person in the White House

Posted: 21 Jun 2020 06:18 PM PDT

Bolton Says Jared Kushner Was the Most Important Person in the White HouseFormer National Security Adviser John Bolton said in an interview with ABC News that aired Sunday night that the most important person in the White House was President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner."It varied from time to time," Bolton said. "The sustained answer to that question… is Jared Kushner."Bolton went on to say that Trump was generally uninformed and did not do his homework."There was an unwillingness… to do systematic learning so he could make the most informed decisions," Bolton said, adding that the president's day didn't "start until almost lunchtime.""I don't think he is fit for office," Bolton said.What the Hell Is John Bolton?Bolton's interview with ABC comes just two days before the release of his book, titled The Room Where It Happened. The Department of Justice last week attempted to put an injunction on the book and block its release. But a judge in Washington struck down that effort Saturday.Most of Bolton's comments about the president seemed to focus on the president's inability to study and understand foreign policy."Trump was not following any international grand strategy," Bolton said.Trump said he ousted Bolton from his position at the NSC in September in the midst of the Ukraine scandal and in the lead-up to the House impeachment inquiry. (Bolton now claims that he resigned.)Over the past week the White House has scrambled to contain the fallout from Bolton's book and has tried to paint the former national security adviser as a disgruntled former official attempting to profit off of lies.In his interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz, Bolton laid out a series of foreign policy events where he says Trump "did not understand" U.S. policy and instead thought that forging personal relationships with leaders would bring friendlier relations between two nations."I think many of these foreign leaders mastered at ringing his bells," Bolton said. Bolton said Trump tried to become close with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in an attempt to smooth relations between the two countries and come to an agreement on nuclear weapons."I think Kim Jong Un gets a huge kick out of this," Bolton said. "Nobody should misunderstand that a personal relationship is somehow equivalent to better relations between two nations." Bolton said that during the Singapore summit in 2018 Trump gave concessions to Kim in private talks.Perhaps no other foreign policy relationship was more concerning to Bolton than the one between Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Bolton said it was clear Putin had a hold over Trump"I think Putin thinks he can play him like a fiddle. I don't think he is worried about Donald Trump," Bolton said. "I can just see the smirk when he knows he's got him following his line."The former national security adviser said Trump's callous indifference to establishing streamlined foreign policy eventually led to the breakdown of relations between the U.S. and Ukraine."He directly linked the provision of [Ukraine's] assistance with that provision," Bolton said of Trump holding up the country's military aid in exchange for President Volodymyr Zelensky pushing officials in Kyiv to open an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden.Bolton was called to testify in the House impeachment probe but declined Democrats' outreach, saying "it wouldn't have made a difference" if he had answered their questions. "Minds were already made up on Capitol Hill," he said.Bolton said Democrats carried out "impeachment malpractice" and that the House Democrats should have taken more time to carry out the investigation. Instead, he said, they chose to "keep it narrow and move it fast."If there was one incident that pushed him over the edge, Bolton said, it was Trump's decision to invite the Taliban to Camp David on the week of 9/11. That's when he decided to resign, Bolton said. But the president fired him first."I should have striked preemptively," Bolton said. "He and I had a one-on-one conversation in the afternoon and I said, 'If you want me to resign I'll do it.' And we decided to talk about it later in the afternoon."Read more at The Daily Beast.Get 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.


Putin raises tax for wealthy Russians ahead of vote on his rule

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 07:35 AM PDT

Putin raises tax for wealthy Russians ahead of vote on his rulePresident Vladimir Putin raised income tax for wealthy Russians and offered new state handouts to families with children on Tuesday, days before the country votes on reforms that could keep him in power until 2036. In a televised speech to the nation, Putin, 67, said Russia's response to the coronavirus crisis had saved tens of thousands of lives and he ordered the extension of several support measures to cushion the economic fallout. Deviating from a flat 13% tax he himself introduced almost two decades ago, Putin said the wealthy would now pay 15% on annual income over 5 million roubles ($72,833) and that the additional cash would go towards helping sick children.


Protest updates: Atlanta police officer says he 'didn't do anything wrong'; Fortnite removes police from game

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 09:47 PM PDT

Protest updates: Atlanta police officer says he 'didn't do anything wrong'; Fortnite removes police from gameOne of two Atlanta police officers charged in the death of Rayshard Brooks claimed innocence. Fortnite removes police from game. Latest protest news.


Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Mexico, at least five dead

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 02:25 PM PDT

Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Mexico, at least five deadIn Mexico, a powerful 7.4- magnitude earthquake near Huatulco in the Pacific coast of Oaxaca has left at least five people dead.


Seattle to end police-free protest zone after shootings

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 07:45 AM PDT

Seattle to end police-free protest zone after shootingsMayor Jenny Durkan says the violence is "increasingly difficult" for businesses and residents.


Florida tax collector charged with maligning opponent

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 03:39 PM PDT

Protestors Attempt to Create ‘Black House Autonomous Zone’ Near White House, Trump Urges Arrests

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 06:43 AM PDT

Protestors Attempt to Create 'Black House Autonomous Zone' Near White House, Trump Urges ArrestsProtestors in Washington, D.C., set up barricades and pitched tents on H Street NW near the White House and graffitied the historic St. John's church with "BHAZ" — Black House Autonomous Zone — on Monday, drawing warnings from President Trump.A plywood sign on H Street was also spray-painted "BHAZ: Black House Autonomous Zone," in apparent reference to the portion of Seattle dubbed the "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" that has been occupied for weeks by anarchists.> BHAZ — Black House Autonomous Zone — has been spray painted on the columns of the historic St. John's church outside the White House. pic.twitter.com/or2C2myVSX> > -- Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 23, 2020Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan said Monday that authorities would dismantle the area after multiple shootings. "We have to make sure that any resident, any business, or any visitor that calls for help gets the help they need," she explained.President Trump tweeted multiple times about the developments in front of St. John's, which he visited last month after it was set on fire by rioters in a move that drew criticism for its optics. "There will never be an "Autonomous Zone" in Washington, D.C., as long as I'm your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!" Trump tweeted Tuesday morning.Trump also said he had "authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran's Memorial Preservation Act."D.C. officials told the Washington Post that had requested that protestors stop pitching tents in the middle of the street, but were rebuffed.A Twitter account associated with Antifa tweeted early Monday morning that "Despite reports to the contrary BHAZ was held."> Despite reports to the contrary BHAZ was held. BHAZ currently consists of BLMPlaza and H street from 17th to Vermont where barricades have formed to protect BHAZ activists sleeping from getting hit by cars. DCProtest BlackHouseAutonomousZone> > -- Abolish the police (@alloutdc202) June 23, 2020


Germany's coronavirus infection rate has surged after 1,300 workers in a meat factory tested positive for COVID-19

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 05:05 AM PDT

Germany's coronavirus infection rate has surged after 1,300 workers in a meat factory tested positive for COVID-19Germany's R rate has surged to 2.88, meaning the number of coronavirus cases has risen quickly in the last four days.


Brazilians flock to beach as WHO says country undercounting coronavirus surge

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 01:17 PM PDT

Brazilians flock to beach as WHO says country undercounting coronavirus surgeBrazil reached more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases and 50,000 deaths over the weekend as throngs of people swarmed Rio de Janeiro beaches, but the World Health Organization said on Monday that even more cases were likely going uncounted. Brazil's health ministry said on Monday that an additional 21,432 confirmed cases of the virus and 654 new deaths had been registered in the previous 24 hours. A day earlier, swimmers and sunbathers packed Rio's famous beaches, with many neither wearing masks nor respecting the WHO's guidance to maintain 1 meter, or 3 feet, of distance between people.


'Like gasoline and fire': Former friend speaks out about Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 02:03 PM PDT

'Like gasoline and fire': Former friend speaks out about Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell"I saw him as the hand and her as the puppet on that hand," Melanie Gibb said. "They were both like gasoline and fire. Not a good match."


These states still require travelers to self-quarantine or present negative COVID-19 test

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 02:51 PM PDT

These states still require travelers to self-quarantine or present negative COVID-19 testStates are opening back up, but some still require or recommend visitors self-quarantine for two weeks. Find out where.


Nigeria says West Africa bloc backing WTO pick

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 10:10 AM PDT

Nigeria says West Africa bloc backing WTO pickNigeria on Monday said West African regional body ECOWAS had backed its choice to head the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the continent looks to get behind one candidate. The WTO this month kicked off the process for selecting a new director-general, after its current chief Roberto Azevedo decided to leave a year early. Diplomats acknowledge that Africa may be in line for the post since the continent has never before provided a WTO director-general.


This U.S. Missile Can Kill Any Target on the Planet (In Less Than an Hour)

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 09:15 AM PDT

This U.S. Missile Can Kill Any Target on the Planet (In Less Than an Hour)Meet the Common Hypersonic Glide Body.


Final results in NY, Kentucky primaries could be days away

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 09:34 PM PDT

Final results in NY, Kentucky primaries could be days awayVoters endured 90-minute waits in Kentucky's second-largest city, but the biggest hurdle facing election officials Tuesday seemed to be what wasn't happening: quick counting of mail-in ballots for high-profile congressional primaries in that state and New York. In the day's foremost contests, two young African American candidates with campaigns energized by nationwide protests for racial justice were challenging white Democratic establishment favorites for the party's nominations. First-term state legislator Charles Booker was hoping a late surge would carry him past former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath for the Democratic Senate nomination from Kentucky.


WH Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany: Trump 'Very Pleased' With Tulsa Rally

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 11:23 AM PDT

WH Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany: Trump 'Very Pleased' With Tulsa RallyThe White House held a briefing.


The White House has halted mandatory COVID-19 temperature checks and symptom screening for most visitors and staff

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 02:54 AM PDT

The White House has halted mandatory COVID-19 temperature checks and symptom screening for most visitors and staffChecks will remain for those in "close proximity" to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.


FCC orders radio station in Mexico to halt broadcast of Chinese programs to U.S.

Posted: 22 Jun 2020 02:32 PM PDT

FCC orders radio station in Mexico to halt broadcast of Chinese programs to U.S.The FCC said the broadcast studio is used by Phoenix Radio, a company wholly owned by Phoenix TV, but not listed as an applicant. The FCC rejected the request as "deficient" but said the applicants - and Phoenix Radio - could refile the request.


Suspect in Atlanta Wendy's fire arrested

Posted: 23 Jun 2020 02:08 PM PDT

Suspect in Atlanta Wendy's fire arrestedNatalie White is being charged with first-degree arson.


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