Worldwide / 306

Dershowitz: 'Greatest Risk' to Trump Is From NY Prosecutors, Not Mueller Probe

August 27, 2018

The Trump Organization's Chief Financial Officer, Allen Weisselberg , was reportedly granted legal immunity in the investigation of Michael Cohen . It is not clear whether Weisselberg told government prosecutors that the president was aware of the payments. Cohen reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors Tuesday on eight felony counts - two of which concerned campaign finance law violations.

First Lady Melania Trump Shares Simple Tribute to Late Senator John McCain

August 27, 2018

When McCain learned of his cancer diagnosis, he focused on his concern for his family and a "renewed drive" to complete his work, said Kennedy's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, in a tribute published by the Globe. "As you go through life, you meet few truly great people ". "As a POW, John endured the worst of what human beings can do to one another. But I'd hope that whoever goes in there would have same dedication to country over party that John McCain always had".

Former Vatican Envoy Pens Bitter Denunciation Letter in McCarrick Case

August 27, 2018

But he claims he was surprised to find McCarrick back on Church missions after Francis became pope in 2013, although the claim that Benedict sanctioned him is disputed. Vigano gave the bombshell statement to conservative Roman Catholic media outlets during the pope's visit to Ireland , which was dominated by the Church's sexual abuse in that country and others around the world.

North Korea will reportedly host its own cryptocurrency and blockchain conference

August 27, 2018

The commentary comes in the wake of a surprise announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday that a visit to North Korea by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo planned for this week had been nixed. He said Mr. Pompeo would travel to North Korea after the trade dispute is resolved. The cancellation follows two days of US-China trade talks in Washington that ended with no sign of progress toward resolving a deepening trade war between the world's two largest economies and no plans for ...

Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband praises Hunt's handling of case

August 27, 2018

Having received mixed messages throughout the day, she was then told she had to return to prison by sunset on Sunday as the necessary permit had not been signed off. "So we call on the Iranian authorities to capitalize on the goodwill from today's announcement by going the whole way and releasing Nazanin and allowing her to go back to her family, come back to the United Kingdom which is where her home is and end this totally appalling injustice".

US Senator John McCain dies after brain tumour battle

August 27, 2018

A private burial service next Sunday will conclude almost a week of events honoring the Navy aviator, prisoner of war , congressman, longtime senator and presidential contender. "Our hearts and prayers are with you!" he wrote on Saturday night. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama issued a statement sending their "heartfelt condolences" to McCain's wife, Cindy and their family.

US prosecutors grant Trump Organization CFO immunity in Cohen probe

August 27, 2018

In an interview on " Fox News Sunday", former attorney general Alberto Gonzales said that Cohen's guilty plea and the conviction of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort - in a prosecution led by Mueller's office - were creating "a lot of debate and swirl around the president as an individual, and that's never good".

Myanmar military chief among those banned by Facebook

August 27, 2018

The investigators from United Nations called for an worldwide probe and action against top leadership of Myanmar's army including its chief for genocide against the country's Rohingya minority. The report found evidence of four out of five possible genocidal acts, and "the necessary genocidal intent is present in Rakhine state". The U.N. panel, set up past year, interviewed 875 victims and witnesses in Bangladesh and other countries, and analyzed documents , videos, photographs and ...

Turkey warns military solution in Syria's Idlib will 'cause catastrophe'

August 27, 2018

Russian Federation earlier this week presented proposals to the Turkish authorities on resolving the situation in Idlib, a northwestern Syrian region that borders Turkey . About it reports Bloomberg with reference to the statement of USA presidential Advisor for national security John Bolton during a meeting in Geneva with Russian security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

Police Identify Madden Shooter as 24 Year Old Who Participated in Tournament

August 27, 2018

Florida has seen several mass shootings in recent years: a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland earlier this year; five people were gunned down at the Fort Lauderdale airport last year; and 49 were shot dead at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in 2016.

Australia’s new Prime Minister Morrison announces cabinet

August 27, 2018

Ms Forster who is a City of Sydney councillor said she had a strong record of championing Liberal Party values at a local government level. Bishop was eliminated in the first round of voting during a three-way leadership battle alongside Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Friday to replace Turnbull.

British Airways, Air France halting flights to Iran from September

August 27, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed a wave of tough unilateral sanctions on Iran three weeks ago, bringing back into effect harsh penalties that had been lifted under a landmark 2015 agreement. Most people inside Iran simply can no longer afford to travel overseas. The deal, which dealt with halting the nation's creation of nuclear weapons, also allowed for the lifting of economic sanctions that had largely prevented trade with the west in years prior.

How John McCain reached across the aisle and promoted bipartisanship

August 27, 2018

But in one last display of bipartisanship, McCain selected both Obama and George W Bush to read eulogies at his service. Obama said they "saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world".

A year since fleeing, Rohingya mother sees little hope for the future

August 27, 2018

They demonstrated in the refugee camp that has become home to almost 900,000 people. A number of Rohingya refugees fled the country on foot or by boat to neighbouring countries. We have researchers on the ground gathering evidence of Myanmar's violent system of apartheid that Rohingya people have been subjected to for years.

John McCain dies at the age of 81

August 27, 2018

Former President George W. Bush speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington , D.C., September 24, 2016. The program will be named the "McCain/Kerry Fellowship" in honor of McCain and John Kerry , another Vietnam War veteran who has promoted U.S. -Vietnam issues during his political career, the embassy said in a statement .

Mexico NAFTA talks seen running into next week, autos unresolved

August 27, 2018

That's a 'yes, ' according to President Trump , who tweeted Saturday that "a big trade agreement... could be happening soon". The flags of Canada, Mexico and the US are seen on a lectern before a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico, March 5, 2018.

3 dead, including gunman, after shooting at Madden tournament in Jacksonville, Florida

August 27, 2018

The shooting comes two days after a gunman killed one person and left two injured at a high school football game in Jacksonville. In a presser held by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, authorities confirmed that they have finished clearing the landing and that there are no outstanding suspects.

Allen Weisselberg: Trump Organization CFO granted immunity in Cohen case

August 27, 2018

He served as treasurer of the Donald J. Trump Foundation and has long handled the Trump family personal expenses. The Associated Press reported that the Enquirer kept a safe with potentially damaging stories on Trump, along with other celebrities who benefited from the newspaper buying dirt and then killing the stories, and information about hush-money agreements in the run-up to the presidential election.

Some of Mollie Tibbetts’ family don’t want her death politicized

August 27, 2018

After the interview, police say, Rivera guided them to her location "from memory". He said now was not the time to debate immigration but to grieve the loss of Tibbetts, who was about to start her junior year studying psychology. She said her family received an outpouring of love from people of all races, religions and ethnicities during the search for her niece. The murder of an Iowa college student has some people questioning the dangers posed by illegal immigrants in our community.

Aussie PM Scott Morrison invites Donald Trump to Australia

August 27, 2018

Other favorites include Treasurer Scott Morrison and the only declared challenger Peter Dutton , a former Cabinet minister. Having survived a vote on Tuesday, Mr. "It was described as madness by many, and I think it's hard to describe it in any other way". But Australia's first Pentecostal prime minister is staunch social conservative.

‘Mass shooting’ at Madden video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, authorities say

August 27, 2018

Multiple gunshots were heard on the live-stream before the game came to a stop. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is advising people, including the media to stay away as far as possible. "One of the men ran into Hooters with the shot wounds - they locked us in the restaurant". Authorities warned that those people should remain where they are and avoid running out while the SWAT team conducted its "methodical search inside The Landing".

Julie Bishop resigns as Aussie Foreign Minister

August 27, 2018

Former small business minister Craig Laundy, who accompanied deposed prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to his final party room meeting, has resigned and is considering whether he will contest the next election. "While Labor has at times been critical of the foreign policy directions under prime ministers Abbott and Turnbull, Ms Bishop's commitment to standing up for Australia both here and overseas has never been in question".

Huge Category 4 Cyclone Hurricane Lane Closes in on Panicked Hawaiians

August 27, 2018

Monday. "Tropical storms can be very risky and Hawaii is not in the clear from Tropical Storm Lane at this point", he said . Lane is now a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. Forecasters believe the storm will turn west - away from the islands - but are uncertain when that will happen. As of 2 am Hawaii time (8 am EDT/1200 GMT), Lane was moving north at 5 mph (8 kph) and was about 200 miles (320 km) south of Honolulu , the service said.

National Enquirer boss granted immunity in Cohen probe

August 26, 2018

It is the latest fallout from the wider inquiry launched by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 into suspected collusion between the Trump election campaign and Russian Federation. "I love Michael, and I want Trump out", Karafin said. Trump biographer Michael D'Antonio says the president may be surprised that he can't exert more control from the West Wing over his former friends and employees.

Sanctions tied to nerve agent attack in effect Monday: federal notice

August 26, 2018

White House national-security adviser John Bolton said earlier on August 24 during a visit to Ukraine that the list of USA sanctions, including those imposed for other activities, would "remain in force" until Moscow changes its "behavior".

7.1-magnitude quake reported on Peru-Brazil border

August 26, 2018

The quake was recorded at 4.04am local time at a depth of 609km (378 miles) on Peru's eastern frontier with Brazil. "So far no damages or victims have been reported and monitoring continues", said Peru's National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI).

Drug Tunnel Uncovered in Former KFC Building

August 26, 2018

Authorities claim that the fentanyl alone could provide three million doses. In April 2017, Border Patrol agents found a collapsed and abandoned cross-border tunnel near the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry; the tunnel traveled roughly 200 feet into Arizona.

North and South Koreans prepare to part for last time

August 26, 2018

While the Defense Ministry has yet to make it official, it is widely expected the military will delete that description in a fast-changing diplomatic landscape that saw two inter-Korean summits and a North-U.S. Ahead of a third planned summit next month, Moon has promised major changes created to keep the peace process on track. In an interview with Reuters on Monday, Trump suggested that he would hold another summit with Kim later in the year and boasted of the success of the Singapore ...

Donald Trump hits back after attorney general's public rebuke

August 26, 2018

That removed him from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russia's role in the election and whether Trump's campaign worked with Moscow to influence the vote. In February 2016, Sessions was the first senator to endorse the outsider candidate. Trump's tweets come as he is reportedly concerned after his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to several federal counts.

Trump's Latest China Tariffs Take Effect As Beijing Retaliates

August 26, 2018

China is returning the favor with retaliatory tariffs of its own on US goods. "China resolutely opposes this, and will continue to take necessary countermeasures ", it said in a statement , adding Beijing will file a complaint over the latest tariffs with the World Trade Organisation.

Palestinians blast 'blackmail' as USA cuts $200 million

August 26, 2018

The official said the decision also considered "the challenges the worldwide community faces in providing assistance in Gaza, where Hamas control endangers the lives of Gaza's citizens and degrades an already dire humanitarian and economic situation".

State Department updates Mexico travel warning; Cancun advisory remains the same

August 25, 2018

The travel advisory issued Wednesday calls for visitors to exercise increased caution in Mexico because of crime . The warning does mention that most of these homicides appear to be targeted, but fights between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by USA citizens and bystanders have been injured or killed in cross fire.

Hotel equipment where British tourists died is safe: Egyptian prosecutor

August 25, 2018

An inspection of the couple's hotel room revealed there were no toxic or harmful gas emissions or leaks, a statement by Nabil Sadeq said. It also said his office was waiting for forensic analysis of samples taken from the bodies. Nick Harris, a partner at law firm Simpson Millar who is representing the group, said his clients had reported becoming unwell after recent stays at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel.

DNC now say hacking attempt was test from within

August 25, 2018

Wednesday, though, the DNC clarified the hack - and said it was apparently an "unauthorized" security test . A cybersecurity researcher from a firm called Lookout contacted the DNC on Tuesday about the attempted intrusion, said two officials briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Scott Morrison Chosen as Australia's New Prime Minister Following a Leadership Crisis

August 25, 2018

He said the result meant West Australians could "sleep easy" because WA's GST deal would be "secure" under Mr Morrison's leadership. "There's a lot to do today, so I'm looking forward to getting there and making sure we get everything in place that we need to", he told Channel Nine television.

Vatican says Pope Francis to meet sex abuse victims in Ireland

August 25, 2018

This is normal procedure for when the Pope meets victims of clergy abuse during his trips outside Rome. A damning report last week into abuse in the US state of Pennsylvania, combined with scandals in Australia and Chile, have formed what one Vatican official called "a ideal storm" and already overshadowed a trip where the main goal is to close a week-long worldwide Catholic gathering.

Trump Organization possible criminal charges over hush-money payments

August 25, 2018

As Business Insider's senior politics reporter Allan Smith wrote this week, observers pointed to Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's chief financial officer, as likely to be one of the two. - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime.

Pakistan disputes USA account of Pompeo-Khan phone call

August 25, 2018

He said that dialogue was the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries. Pakistan's newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier said that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ) government favoured good relations with India and wanted to see leaders of the two countries to sit across the table and resolve all disputes, including Kashmir.

Ugandan govt withdraws charges against opposition politician

August 25, 2018

Ugandan musician turned politician, Robert Kyagulanyi (C) leads activists during a demonstration against new taxes including a levy on access to social media platforms in Kampala, Uganda July 11, 2018. Ssentamu's arrest came after he was campaigning for a lawmaker in the northwestern town of Arua. Ssentamu was detained with four other opposition lawmakers, three of whom face treason charges.

'Disappointed' South Africa summons US envoy for Trump tweet

August 25, 2018

It's not clear what the Trump administration could, or would, do to get involved in South Africa's land controversy - especially considering that the US has not had an ambassador to the country since December 2016 because Trump has not yet appointed anyone to the post.

Australia’s ‘accidental prime minister’ Scott Morrison promises stability

August 25, 2018

In the end, Morrison won an internal ballot 45-40 over former home affairs minister Peter Dutton . Turnbull did not stand for re-election and said afterwards he would be resigning from his parliamentary seat. From the outset, a Peter Dutton victory would have been hard for the Liberal party to push to the public. A hardliner on social issues, Morrison was criticized by the United Nations in 2014 for insisting that the children of asylum seekers be detained while their residency claims ...

Mollie Tibbetts' Surprising Connection to Her Alleged Killer's Ex-Girlfriend

August 25, 2018

And Patrick said he is willing to debate Rivera on the topic, adding Rivera seems to have a "good heart". "I didn't sense anything was wrong". Rivera was in the country illegally and used a stolen identification to satisfy a federal background check at the farm where he worked, according to law enforcement officials and statements Wednesday by his former employer.

Trump cancels North Korea visit

August 25, 2018

And when the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report Monday arguing that North Korea is likely expanding its nuclear capacity, Trump voiced no public concern at the news. Pompeo said the goal of the trip is to make further diplomatic progress toward the US objective. However, only two days ago Mr Trump said China had been a "big help on North Korea".

Scott Morrison to step in for Malcolm Turnbull

August 25, 2018

It could encourage the next Prime Minister Scott Morrison to soon call general elections. This sparked a series of tweets, now shared and liked thousands of times, and made him a topic of discussion in Australian politics - with many Twitter users imploring him to come over and take over the prime minister's office himself.

Flipping in criminal cases should be made illegal: Donald Trump

August 25, 2018

Those attorneys have also stated that special counsel Robert Mueller , investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, plans to stick to those guidelines. Law professor Rick Hasen, who specializes in campaign finance law, said the Justice Department may have wanted to make the case public now "so people could evaluate it, for whatever it's worth, in deciding how to vote in the next election".

Zimbabwe court upholds President Mnangagwa's win

August 24, 2018

Nine judges, led by Chief Justice Malaba, delivered the unanimous verdict at the court in Harare, amid tight security though there were no protests ahead of the ruling. "The best evidence would have been the contents of the ballot boxes themselves", he said . "The applicant is clearly flippant", he said. The iron-fisted president had been the only leader Zimbabwe had known in almost four decades of independence - that is, until he stepped down late a year ago under pressure from the ...

Congressman, wife plead not guilty to illegal spending

August 24, 2018

Politico's Jake Sherman and a panel of reporters on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" had a good time mocking Representative Duncan Hunter Jr. for blaming his campaign finance and conspiracy indictment on his wife. But his Democrat opponent s Ammar Campa-Najjar, 29, a Palestinian-Mexican-American, is gaining ground. He did acknowledge that his campaign, led by his wife and campaign manager Margaret Hunter, made "mistakes" but maintained that he was not responsible for any improper spending.

Pakistan rejects United States statement on Pompeo-Khan phone call

August 24, 2018

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on Pakistan to take "decisive action" against all terrorists operating in the country. Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesman Mohammad Faisal denied in a tweet that the issue of terrorism had been discussed at all.

NSA Leaker Reality Winner Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison

August 24, 2018

Reality Winner , 26, was accused of taking a report about a 2016 Russian military intelligence cyberattack from the NSA facility where she worked and sending it to an online news outlet. She pleaded guilty in June to copying a classified report that detailed the alleged Russian government's efforts to penetrate a Florida-based voting software supplier.

Italy floods latest: 11 dead, more missing - where is Raganello Gorge?

August 24, 2018

Rescue squads worked through the night with spotlights, and helicopters took off a first light to survey the area. Several hiking groups were caught Monday afternoon by the torrential deluge in the Raganello river gorge in southern Cosenza province.

Information