Worldwide / 321

End of an era: Angela Merkel passes torch to new party leader

December 07, 2018

Merkel announced in October she would give up the reins in her party, though she has said she plans to remain chancellor until the end of the current term in 2021. A survey by pollster Infratest dimap for broadcaster ARD on Thursday showed 47 per cent of CDU members favoured Kramp-Karrenbauer compared with 37 per cent for Merz and 12 per cent for Health Minister Jens Spahn.

United States warship challenges Russian Federation claims in Sea of Japan

December 07, 2018

A Russian warship and aircraft escorted an American destroyer in the Pacific Ocean, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow said on Thursday, after the U.S. The operation comes as the United States and Russia are clashing over a variety of issues, including US accusations that Russia has violated terms of the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF, and USA complaints over recent Russian operations near Ukraine.

Who Is William Barr?

December 07, 2018

What he used to do: Barr served as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush for two years, after previously working in both the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel and as Deputy Attorney General. He served until the end of Bush's presidency in 1993. Sessions's chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker , is now serving as acting attorney general. As the top U.S.

Trump says he'll nominate Barr for attorney general

December 07, 2018

In a 2017 interview with The Washington Post , Barr had a critique for Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is spearheading the Russian Federation investigation. "And I think it will go very quickly". "It is telling that none of the president's critics are challenging the decision on the merits". Barr, 68, has extensive experience in government, particularly the upper echelons of the Justice Department.

Trump says Mueller and Comey are 'Best Friends'

December 07, 2018

That is Fake News. Democrats say they will scrutinize Trump's attacks on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department when they assume control of the House in January. He changed his tune by Friday morning. But he will appear for the closed-door testimony after Goodlatte agreed that the former Federal Bureau of Investigation head's remarks would be made public in their entirety and Comey is allowed to discuss the hearing publicly.

CNN, others in NY evacuated after phoned-in bomb threat

December 07, 2018

The NYPD said they were investigating. Police closed off 58th Street, where the Time Warner building housing the CNN headquarter is located. "We were evacuated in the middle of my live show", reported CNN host Don Lemon . The news of evacuation came around half an hour after President Donald Trump attacked the mainstream media yet again with a short tweet. In October, CNN's NY headquarters was evacuated after a package containing a crude pipe bomb, which was addressed to ex-Central ...

Pakistan Not Your 'Hired Gun' Anymore: Imran Roared on Trump

December 07, 2018

In this meeting, President Ghani appreciated Khalilzad's efforts for Afghan peace and said the Afghan government announced its negotiations team at Geneva Conference on Afghanistan late last month, the statement said. "We will try our best to establish peace in Afghanistan through dialogue", he added while lamenting that "we were treated as if we were being given funds to fight someone else's war".

Satellite images show activity at North Korean missile base

December 07, 2018

In November , the New York Times reported that North Korea was still working on its nuclear missile program at more than a dozen hidden bases, according the Sakkonmol Missile Operating Base, which is about 85 miles from the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea .

Israel calls for worldwide response to Hezbollah tunnels

December 07, 2018

In Lebanon, the LBC TV posted an audio message that it said some residents of the border village of Kfar Fila received on their cellphones Thursday warning them to stay away from tunnels. "We are talking about engineering activity ...", she said, accusing Netanyahu of "blowing the incident out of proportion". "Hezbollah knows this and so does Hamas".

Michigan House votes to extend legislative power

December 07, 2018

The measure effectively serves to strengthen the state legislature, both chambers of which will remain Republican-controlled. The legislation, ultimately, could make it harder for future Democratic election wins. In one concession, Republicans backed away from giving the Legislature the power to sidestep the attorney general and appoint their own attorney when state laws are challenged in court.

Brexit: See how your MP voted on the contempt motion

December 07, 2018

In dramatic scenes at Westminster, the Government bowed to pressure to publish the "final and full" legal advice to Cabinet on the deal after MPs voted by 311 to 293 that its failure to do so amounted to contempt. 'If a bad Brexit is forced upon our country and jobs and the economy are not protected, many of our people who have suffered from eight years of austerity will suffer even more, ' he said.

Ex-Fox News anchor to be new U.S. ambassador to the UN

December 07, 2018

According to multiple sources, the president will bring Heather Nauert from her current position as State Department spokeswoman to replace Haley at the United Nations. If Nauert is confirmed by the Senate, she would be a leading administration voice on Trump's foreign policy. ABC News reported in November that Nauert had been offered the United Nations job, but it was not clear at the time whether she had accepted.

Lawyer for undocumented Trump Organization workers seeks investigation

December 07, 2018

At the time when she was picking up after Trump at his New Jersey residence, however, she told the New York Times that "there are many people without papers" working at the Trump National Golf Club. According to Diaz, they were apparently "stubborn remnants of his makeup". "We sweat it out and attend to his every need and have to put up with his humiliation".

OH father's punishment of bully daughter prompts outrage, accolades

December 07, 2018

In the video, Cox said a lot of children today feel that the things their parents do for them are a right and not a privilege. He made a decision to teach his daughter a harsh lesson, by making her walk to school. Cox told WTVG that he didn't want to be a parent who brushed off his child's actions with the mantra, "Kids will be kids". But other users criticized Cox's behavior.

Luxembourg to make public transport FREE for everyone across the whole country

December 07, 2018

However, even this low fare will end under the plans that will be paid for in part by removing a tax break for commuters. This summer, the government introduced free transport for every child and young person under the age of 20. Aside from free public transport, Bettel's coalition government seeks to legalize the purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis for recreational use, as per the publication.

Missing tourist: 'The longer this goes on, the more worrying it is'

December 07, 2018

Police gave out a description of the young woman, as well as details about the last confirmed sighting of her. The father of a British tourist missing in Auckland is flying to New Zealand in a bid to find her. "I looked at the photo [of Millane] and I was quite adamant I had seen that girl", she said. While she was travelling alone, Michael Millane said she had made a lot of friends.

Congress Ready to Punt Spending Fight for Two Weeks

December 06, 2018

And even some Republicans balk at spending more than the $1.6 billion already provided. Democrats have long held off on giving into Trump's demand for funding to build his border wall, which he promised Mexico would pay for throughout his 2016 presidential campaign.

US Senate to declare MbS 'complicit' in Khashoggi death

December 06, 2018

It's among several measures being considered after a closed Central Intelligence Agency briefing on Capitol Hill. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Marco Rubio , R-Fla.; Ed Markey, D-Mass.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; and Chris Coons, D-Del.

Trump meets with German auto execs, tweets 'I am a Tariff Man'

December 06, 2018

In his latest Twitter storm, Trump said that his team of negotiators was still "seeing whether or not a REAL deal with China is actually possible", adding that China is "supposed to" start buying more U.S. "When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so", he said. I am a Tariff Man .

Police arrest dozens of suspected mobsters in global operation

December 06, 2018

Police launched a string of anti-mafia raids on Wednesday, targeting the notorious criminal franchise in Italy, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, according to authorities. Officials hailed Wednesday's operation - dubbed "Operation Pollina" - as a serious blow to the group. As well as arresting dozens of suspected mobsters in Italy, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, police seized drugs and around 2 million euros ($2.3 million).

Bomb attack kills three in Chabahar city of Iran: state media

December 06, 2018

The blast near Chabahar's police headquarters on Shahid Rigi Boulevard has been confirmed by Mohammad Hadi Marashi, the deputy security chief of the province. The television said several people were also wounded in the terrorist attack. The attack comes as Iran's economy reels in the wake of the U.S. re-imposing sanctions lifted by Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers.

Duterte 'entitled' to make marijuana joke - Palace

December 06, 2018

It's the opposite, so obviously there was no logic there, so he was joking". Now, being in the second year of a Trump presidency, we may be desensitized to politicians making weird claims (who uses marijuana to stay awake?? ). Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said that he was just kidding so the crowd won't get bored. While the President is against synthetic substances such as shabu, he is open to the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Donald Trump Is Building A New Liberal Order, Says Mike Pompeo

December 06, 2018

Such punitive measures usually involve travel bans and asset freezes and seek to choke off funding to such arms programmes. Refuting Iranian claims that its illicit missile tests are defensive in nature, Trump administration Iran envoy Brian Hook vowed tough reprisals for Iran's most recent missile tests, which are among the most provocative in recent memory.

North Korea, United States: Leaders to Meet Early Next Year, Trump Says

December 06, 2018

Moon emphasised the impact Kim's presence in South Korea would have on the two nations. Moon said it's still unclear whether Kim will visit Seoul by the end of this year, and that it's up to the North Korean leader. Trump and Kim met for the first time in June in Singapore, where they issued a vague statement on a nuclear-free peninsula without describing how and when it would occur.

PETA releases list of animal friendly idioms to avoid 'speciesism'

December 06, 2018

PETA's Twitter call for an end to "anti-animal" language is drawing a combination of ridicule and condemnation. But rather than beat a dead horse, PETA offered alternative more-animal-friendly phrases on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. Have you ever dared to use the phrase "bring home the bacon"? In the chart, PETA also recommends replacing "take the bull by the horns" with the more innocuous "take the flower by the thorns".

Marine rescued after 2 military aircraft crash off coast of Japan

December 06, 2018

December 6.", a Marine Corps news release said. The Marine Corps offered little information in a statement about the incident. "The aviators retained their wings and will continue service to their country as valued members of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing", he said.

Global Citizen and House of Mandela 'disturbed' by violence after festival

December 06, 2018

The Carters took the stage shortly after Oprah delivered a powerful keynote address recognizing the legacy of the late South African president and anti-apartheid leader. "The safety of our guests is always of paramount importance to us and we understand and strongly empathise with their hurt and anger", Andrew Kirk, global director of PR for Global Citizen, said in a statement.

Facebook collected records of users' text and phone calls, secret documents reveal

December 05, 2018

Unlike other email exchanges about user data sales and API changes that would ensure data reciprocity between developers and Facebook itself, there is no evidence that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was aware of this particular issue. Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer and founder of Facebook Inc. attends the Viva Tech start-up and technology gathering at Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles on May 24, 2018 in Paris.

Soros-founded university says it has been 'forced out of Budapest'

December 05, 2018

A United States institution has been driven out of a country that is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally", said Ignatieff. Founded by the Hungarian-born Soros in 1991 and chartered in the USA state of NY, the CEU says it was the target of a law passed April 2017 that placed tough requirements on foreign universities.

Wisconsin Republicans prepare to move ahead with lame-duck session

December 05, 2018

Scott Walker faced a chorus of boos from protesters at an event in the state Capitol. Reporters at the scene described chaotic all-night negotiations with lawmakers wandering the Capitol building in Madison unsure of the current state of bill they were rushing to move forward.

Missing tourist Carla Stefaniak's body identified in Costa Rica

December 05, 2018

Authorities also say they have detained a suspect in the case. According to relatives, Stefaniak was celebrating her birthday in Costa Rica with her sister-in-law, April Burton. Mario Caicedo, a brother of Stefaniak, Mario Caicedo, is in Costa Rica. Her sister-in-law, April Antonieta, wrote in a Facebook post that on the day she went missing that Stefaniak had taken an Uber from Thrifty auto rental.

Union Pacific to participate in Bush funeral procession

December 05, 2018

Bush as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, December 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. A similar outpouring is anticipated in Washington this week during the state funeral for Bush, who died late on Friday at his home in Houston. An invitation-only funeral service is set for Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral. President and Mrs. Bush were frequent guests at Kyle Field along with many other@TAMU athletic venues.

Houthi rebels arrive in Sweden for Yemen peace talks

December 05, 2018

Although no date has been announced for the start of the negotiations, Yemeni government sources say they could begin on Thursday. The resulting humanitarian crisis, already the world's worst, will deteriorate in 2019, the United Nations said on Tuesday , warning the number of people needing food aid is set to jump by four million.

One child dead, 45 injured in youth football bus crash in Arkansas

December 05, 2018

Authorities have confirmed that one child was killed and at least 40 others were injured in the crash - a lot of them children. The bus driver survived the crash and is being questioned by state troopers, according to a news release from ASP.

Teacher’s Pet subject Chris Dawson arrested over murder of Lyn Dawson

December 05, 2018

Lyn Dawson was 33 years old when she vanished from her home in Sydney's northern beaches in January 1982, leaving behind two daughters. The former Newtown Jets rugby league player, who is at the centre of the popular Teacher's Pet podcast, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court today with his head bowed, wearing a t-shirt, shorts and bare feet.

Rudy Giuliani Goes Full Conspiracy Theory Because He Doesn't Understand The Internet

December 05, 2018

He pointed to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was charged with witness tampering in June for text messages that appeared he was trying to line up his testimony with other witnesses. To bolster his argument, Giuliani noted that his second "period no space" error ("Helsinki.Either") didn't generate a link. Giuliani is referring to the fact that if you go to the website "G-20.in", you will see the text " Donald J.

NRCC Emails Hacked During Midterm Election

December 05, 2018

It was a vendor of the committee that first discovered the hack and notified the NRCC and the contractor that monitors its cybersecurity, according to Politico . On Tuesday, Thompson jabbed at Republicans who fought against additional election security measures after a reported cyberattack on the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2018 midterm elections.

Christian Michel, the British businessman who probably knows too much

December 05, 2018

The CBI had filed its first chargesheet in the AgustaWestland scam in September 2017, in which it alleged that Christian Michel through his companies had received 42.27 million euros for the goal of payment for service and consultancy contracts in 2010-11.

US gives Russia 60 days to comply with nuclear treaty

December 05, 2018

NATO foreign ministers, who met in Brussels, issued a statement condemning Russian Federation for developing and fielding a missile system, a violation of the INF Treaty of 1987. The nuclear-capable Russian cruise missiles are mobile and hard to detect and can hit cities in Europe with little or no warning, according to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, dramatically changing the security calculus on the continent.

Cop among 2 dead as clashes break out in UP’s Bulandshahr

December 05, 2018

They alleged that they had found carcasses of cows earlier that day in the fields - videos, which soon began circulating on WhatsApp and social media, show a tractor with several carcasses blocking the road leading to the police station. When police asked them to lift the blockade, they attacked police, he said. Tears rolled down the eyes of family, friends and colleagues of slain Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh when the body was consigned to flames in a state funeral in the evening.

Woman, Two Kids Cross into U.S., Stopped by Border Patrol

December 05, 2018

He told Fox News that Tijuana can not continue providing support for the migrants, saying the city's resources have been depleted. A second taller fence past a hill kept them from reaching California, creating an area heavily guarded by border patrols.

Belarus 54th in Global Passport Power Rank 2018

December 05, 2018

Placed at 91st place in the Global Passport Power Rank 2018, Pakistani passport has been once again ranked as the third worst performing passports in the world. Financial advisory firm Arton Capital releases the study every year on the strength of the world's passports based on the number of countries citizens can travel to without having to apply for a visa.

Four big differences that could endanger Trump and Xi's trade deal

December 05, 2018

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed to suspend any new tariffs in the escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. "This agreement at least postpones further escalation in the trade war, avoiding an outcome that would have roiled financial markets", Eurasia Group analysts wrote in a research note.

Tsunami waves spotted after natural disaster off New Caledonia

December 05, 2018

New Zealand officials issued a statement saying there was no tsumani threat to New Zealand. New Caledonia is made up of a group of islands to the east of Australia. It sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes and volcanic activity occur.

Trump Complains About Cost of 'Uncontrollable' Arms Race

December 05, 2018

Pompeo said there is "complete unity" among NATO members on this decision, and it comes after the Foreign Ministers of NATO released a joint statement that says Russia's development and deployment specifically of the 9M729 missile system "poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security" and "is in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty", paving the way for US withdrawal.

Menendez after CIA's Khashoggi briefing: Trump, Mattis, Pompeo making 'wrong calculation'

December 05, 2018

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for the Washington Post , was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Turkey says a hit squad from Riyadh killed and dismembered him. Senators have moved to punish Saudi Arabia by advancing legislation to curtail US backing for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. He emerged saying that, "if the crown prince went in front of a jury, he would be convicted in 30 minutes".

Mueller to Detail Ex-NSA Flynn's Cooperation in Russia Probe

December 05, 2018

It was filed two weeks ahead of Flynn's sentencing and just over a year after he pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about conversations with the Russian ambassador on Trump's behalf. He was forced out over revelations that he had discussed lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to Washington before Mr Trump took office, and that he lied to the United States vice-president about that conversation.

Remainers Mobilise After European Court Opens Door to Cancelling Brexit Altogether

December 04, 2018

The ECJ has not yet made its ruling on the matter, but the breakthrough for pro-European Union activists in the United Kingdom came after the European advocate general gave his legal opinion on the matter. "If the CJEU judgment does follow the advocate general's approach, it would confirm that the United Kingdom government has the option of revoking unilaterally the UK's Article 50 notification before 29 March 2019, with the effect that the United Kingdom would continue as an European Union ...

Couple Dropped Engagement Ring At Times Square. NYPD To The Rescue

December 04, 2018

NY police found the ring and put out an all points Twitter bulletin Saturday, looking for the victims of the matrimonial miscue. The newly engaged pair, named by police as John and Daniella and said to be from the United Kingdom, were the subject of a mass Twitter search after New York Police Department ( NYPD ) shared footage of them desperately trying to retrieve the ring from a pavement grate.

MPs find ministers in contempt of Parliament

December 04, 2018

He revealed he had received a letter from Mr Cox "within the last 10 minutes" and announced the contempt motion would be discussed just before the first debate on the Brexit divorce deal. Ms Haddon said the contempt motion was a "show of force" which could foreshadow both the final vote on the deal and the various amendments lawmakers are trying to attach to it.

Information