Worldwide / 302

Power out in Donegal homes, trees cleared as Storm Erik blows out

February 10, 2019

Snow, rain and wind are set to continue to batter the United Kingdom this weekend as Storm Erik rages on through Saturday. Samantha Loukes, network manager for Electricity North West, said: "Storm Erik has brought some severe gales to our region overnight and this morning, with 74mph winds recorded at St Bees in Cumbria".

France Joins U.S. in Questioning Gas Pipeline Backed by Merkel

February 10, 2019

The European Union executive wants to extend its internal energy market laws to offshore gas pipelines to have a say over the new gas link under the Baltic Sea from Russian Federation to Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel , who has always been a proponent of the pipeline, responded to the Nord Stream 2 criticism on Friday. She has said there will be no dependence on Russian Federation if Europe diversifies at the same time.

Acting US attorney general says he has not interfered with Russian Federation probe

February 10, 2019

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to support William P. Barr, Trump's pick for attorney general , and the Republican-led Senate is expected to confirm him in coming weeks. Whitaker originally said that he would not testify if Democrats in the House continue to threaten him with a subpoena, but on Thursday evening he changed his stance and agreed to take part in the questioning.

Trump sees no Xi meeting by tariff deadline, stoking trade worry

February 10, 2019

Addressing reporters at the White House , Trump answered in the negative when asked if a meeting could happen by March 1. In a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Trump's trade team discussed the next steps for the trade talks, according to a person briefed on the matter.

China objects to Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India dismisses remark

February 10, 2019

PM Modi hailed the NDA government's work and said that they have been building oil reserves at different locations to meet oil and gas requirements in hard times. PM Modi outlined all the schemes his government had in place for the development and betterment of the poor, farmers and the middle class. At his Tripura rally, PM also patted the back of the Biplab Deb government of Tripura, where the BJP formed government in 2018 after 25 years of Left rule.

House Democrats take first step to access Trump tax returns

February 10, 2019

Illinois Republican Rep. Darin LaHood blasted the effort by Democrats as a "waste of time and energy and resources" of the committee, arguing such a step was unprecedented especially while a sitting president was undergoing an independent investigation by the special counsel's office.

Prince Philip Surrenders His Driver's License Weeks After Crash

February 10, 2019

Pictures from the scene showed Prince Philip's Land Rover turned on its side. Prince Philip has "voluntarily" surrendered his driving licence , Buckingham Palace says. A police spokesperson said: "We will follow the standard procedure and return the licence to the DVLA". Prince Philip was not charged in the crash.

CBP: Group of 325 Central Americans crossed U.S.-Mexico border illegally

February 10, 2019

Earlier in the week, Mayor Arturo Garino told the local Nogales International that the razor wire was "lethal" to the town's residents. CBP said an uninjured passenger was released by Mexican authorities and the officer who shot the driver wasn't injured.

Justin Fairfax Removed as Chair of Lieutenant Governors Association

February 10, 2019

He said the latest accusation, that he had raped a fellow student at Duke University in 2000, was "demonstrably false" and declared he would not step down. "The central issue at the heart of her account is consent, and there can be no better authority to decide whether it was given than Dr. Tyson herself", several Virginia Democratic lawmakers said in a statement Friday night.

Backed Syrian force launches 'final battle' against IS

February 10, 2019

Back in December 2018, Trump announced a plan to withdraw the US military in Syria , . a decision that unsettled its allies at the time. "Rest assured, we'll do what it takes to defeat every ounce and every last person within the ISIS madness" he said, using another acronym for IS.

Seattle area getting another round of heavy snow -- and more next week

February 09, 2019

Our valleys could see an inch or two of snow by Saturday morning. Drivers are being advised to expect a longer commute than normal. If you enjoyed the snow day earlier in the week, you're in luck: more of the white stuff is coming. Seattle Weather Blog reports that Seattle woke up Saturday to its biggest February storm since 1962. The Tacoma and Bothell campuses have also announced suspension of operations starting Friday through the weekend.

Elizabeth Warren Makes It Official, Announces She’s Running For President In 2020

February 09, 2019

Considered a landmark moment for unions, the strike received national attention and eventually prompted federal investigations into brutal working conditions and pay raises for workers around New England. Warren recalls how her mother, crying, put on her best dress, insisted they would not lose their home, and found a minimum-wage job that ultimately kept them afloat.

Tulsi Gabbard launches presidential campaign

February 09, 2019

Questioned about her stance on Assad by NBC News' Kasie Hunt, Gabbard, one of Hawaii's two House members, said Assad is not an enemy of the US because, she said, he does not pose an immediate threat to the country. If Gabbard somehow wins the primary, it's unlikely she'll have a Russian apparatus pushing for her election to the Oval Office over Trump. "I believe that she really has made that change and she'll fight for the progressive values for all people".

Manchester City discover their surprise FA Cup fifth round opponents

February 09, 2019

Middlesbrough fielded a strong team in the FA Cup replay, with four of their back five that started against West Brom last weekend playing from the off at Newport. I said, 'Of course you can. "Nothing was really happening at midday on Tuesday, but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called me to say her waters had gone".

Sumatran tiger Asim arrives at London Zoo

February 09, 2019

When they finally got Asim away, Melati was dead. When they began to interact, however, the cats' caution turned into aggression. A tragic turn on Friday ended in the death of Melati, one of the zoo's female tigers. After their keepers saw positive signs, they decided to make the "high-risk" introduction on Friday morning. Sumatran tigers are described as critically endangered by the World Wildlife Federation, which estimages there are fewer than 400 in the wild.

Canadian serial killer sentenced to life for murdering eight

February 09, 2019

He had pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder for the brutal killings of eight men - some of them close friends. "Many of the victims had ties to Toronto's LGBT village and had a social life within that community". They will live with this nightmare for the rest of their lives. Top row (left to right) are Selim Esen , Soroush Mahmudi , Dean Lisowick and Abdulbasir Faizi.

Girl, 5, pulled from rubble 18 hours after building collapse in Istanbul

February 09, 2019

Broadcast images showed her blinking as she was carried out on a stretcher, wearing a neck brace, to a waiting ambulance. The building , with 43 people living in 14 apartments, collapsed on Wednesday. A 9-year-old boy also was rescued overnight. Prosecutors have begun an investigation into the incident and an Istanbul court issued a broadcasting ban, the country's top broadcasting authority, the Radio and Television Supreme Council, said in a statement.

Forecasters warn of freezing rain and slippery roads Wednesday night

February 09, 2019

So this will also contribute to the slippery roads, and reduce visibility for the morning commute tomorrow. There is a risk for a period of light freezing rain initially tonight with lows right around the freezing mark. We could see about 2 to 4 cm of ice pellet accumulation. Schneider said because temperatures are expected to remain in the low 30s during the day and drop into the low 20s and teens during the night, it's likely we will have snow on the ground, and numerous same travel ...

Another nuclear pact with US in trouble: Russia

February 09, 2019

Negotiations must be wrapped up by the end of the year, before the US enters a new campaign period for the 2020 elections, said Ryabkov, who expressed alarm at what he described as assurances by USA officials that there's still plenty of time to resolve the issue.

Venezuelans not 'beggars,' give humanitarian aid to Colombians — Maduro

February 09, 2019

President Nicolas Maduro has said Venezuela isn't a nation of "beggars" and won't accept the US humanitarian assistance. "If they really wanted to help they should lift all the economic sanctions, the financial persecution, and cancel the economic ban that robs us of billions of dollars", Maduro said.

United States lawmaker questions Washington's weapons shipments to Saudi-led coalition in Yemen

February 09, 2019

In a story February 6 about Western arms supplied to the Yemen war, The Associated Press incorrectly cited Amnesty International researcher Patrick Wilcken as saying that American and British weapons had ended up in the hands of the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

Man leaves baby on train to take smoke break

February 09, 2019

Another passenger desperately tried to alert the man that the carriage was about to leave but he didn't get to the doors in time. Shocking video shows a father leaving his baby on a departing train. The father is seen trying to keep up with the train before giving up. Worse yet, before the father finished his smoke the train began to pull out from the station, with the baby still on board.

Guteress calls for collaborative global action on female genital mutilation

February 09, 2019

Female Genital Mutilation is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways: it is painful, traumatic, and causes immediate and permanent health consequences. Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has called for decisive action by stakeholders to reduce female genital mutilation in the country. According to the UN-supported 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS ) for Iraq, a total of 7.4 per cent of girls get mutilated every year.

Supreme Court stops Louisiana abortion law from being implemented

February 09, 2019

The 2014 law required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility. But it seems likely the full court will now grant the case a full briefing and review, and perhaps reexamine its earlier decision, which was made by a very different Supreme Court.

Senate Judiciary Advances Barr Attorney General Nomination

February 09, 2019

President Trump's pick to be the next attorney general is one step closer to be confirmed. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said that Barr, as attorney general, would have the authority to change policies that now might prohibit him from revealing information about Mueller's work and that his nomination must be considered in the context of the historic moment in which the Justice Department finds itself.

Ahead of second Kim-Trump summit, North Korea sings praises of flag

February 09, 2019

While emphasizing a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea , and "a bold new diplomacy", Trump acknowledged "much work remains to be done". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the dismantling and destruction of plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities and that "corresponding measures" demanded by North Korea would be the subject of his talks.

Florida Politician Resigns After Reportedly 'Licking' Men's Faces, Groping Them

February 09, 2019

In her resignation letter , Oakley insisted she was innocent of the allegation and planned to appeal the ethics violation ruling, according to WTSP TV . The details are a bit convoluted, but Oakley took issue with the presence of Crawford's executive assistant, Cheryl McGrady. The sponsor of the fishing tournament where Oakley allegedly licked the city manager said she had licked his face and the faces of volunteers at other fishing tournaments.

Minnesota School Bus Driver Shot In The Head During Snow Storm Traffic

February 09, 2019

The violent ordeal unfolded after the alleged gunman , identified as 31-year-old Kenneth Lilly, drove his Toyota in front of a pickup truck and school bus before getting out of the auto and firing his gun, police said. Lilly appears to point a gun at the bus, and there what appear to be several gunshots. The driver told Lilly he could not come in because there was a student on the bus.

NYPD Wants Google to Ditch DWI Checkpoints on Waze App

February 09, 2019

The New York City Police Department, however, isn't a fan of the feature. 'Individuals who post the locations of DWI checkpoints may be engaging in criminal conduct since such actions could be intentional attempts to prevent and/or impair the administration of the DWI laws and other relevant criminal and traffic laws , ' Ann Prunty, the NYPD's acting deputy commissioner for legal matters, wrote in the letter, which was first spotted by Streetsblog NYC .

Trump's diet plan not followed 'religiously'

February 09, 2019

President Donald Trump's annual physical is set for Friday, when the American public will see if he followed the doctor's orders from previous year. At the time, Trump faced questions about his mental fitness after the book Fire and Fury was released.

Republican Virginia Senate leader edited yearbook with blackface photos

February 09, 2019

In 1968, Senate majority leader Thomas K. Norment was the managing editor of Virginia Military Institute's "The Bomb" yearbook, which featured multiple blackface photos and racist nicknames and slurs. Virginia's House Democrats have followed the state's Legislative Black Caucus in not calling for resignations of the lieutenant governor or attorney general after insisting the governor must go.

US emergency aid for Venezuela arrives at Colombian border

February 08, 2019

No details have been released on exactly how the opposition plans to get the shipments into Venezuela. Elliott Abrams, Washington's special envoy on Venezuela, said the aid effort was being coordinated with Guaido's team but that the aid would not be forced into Venezuela.

Russian Federation jails Dane for six years in Jehovah's Witnesses purge

February 08, 2019

Dennis Christensen was found guilty under Article 282.2 (1) of the criminal code for "organising the activity of an extremist organization". The Danish foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen, called on Moscow to respect religious freedom and criticised it for classifying Jehovah's Witnesses as a terrorist group.

Pope Francis Acknowledges Priests And Bishops Sexually Abused Nuns

February 08, 2019

The Vatican newspaper's women's magazine, L'Osservatore Romano, last week blamed the all-male clergy for the crisis. In recent months, more and more nuns and women are coming forward to expose the abuse that is happening in the Catholic Church.

Row deepens as Virginia attorney general admits he wore blackface

February 08, 2019

Ralph Northam over a racist photograph featured on his personal page in his 1984 medical school yearbook. Tyson wrote in her statement that "what began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault ". "Mr Fairfax has tried to brand me as a liar to a national audience, in service to his political ambitions, and has threatened litigation", she said .

Trump 2020 campaign announces February 11th MAGA rally in El Paso, Texas

February 08, 2019

This temporary opening puts the Senate and House of Representatives on the clock to create new legislation that can be agreed upon in both chambers of Congress regarding a border wall before President Trump's February 15th deadline. Trump plans to rally supporters on Monday night at the county coliseum. O'Rourke said during a recent taping of Oprah Winfrey's TV show that he would announce whether he would run for president in 2020 "before the end of the month".

Why the world's drug cartels have set their sights on Australians

February 08, 2019

This is the largest ever shipment of methylamphetamine bound for Australia and the largest ever domestic seizure of meth on record in the US. Authorities from the AFP, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force will address the media on Friday morning.

Mass. upholds Michelle Carter's involuntary manslaughter conviction

February 08, 2019

Carter was 17 years old and Roy was 18 years old at the time of his death in 2014. Carter's lawyers had argued that she didn't force him to take his own life, but prosecutors said she could have stopped him and instead encouraged him. Her case raised thorny legal questions about free speech and provided a disturbing look at teenage depression and suicide. Carter also faces a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Roy's mother in Norfolk Superior Court.

Warnings revised as Storm Erik batters parts of UK

February 08, 2019

This is called rapid cyclogenesis, an explosive cyclogenesis or even a weather bomb at times as the centre of the low drops at a fast pace over a very short time, causing the storm to intensify at a very rapid speed. The Coast Guard has asked the public to "heed the warnings and take appropriate action". Met Éireann forecasters have said that southwest to west winds will reach average speeds of 50 to 65 km/h, with gusts of 80 to 110 km/h.

Sentencing for serial killer

February 08, 2019

McArthur, Harper said, continued to endanger the public until the day he was arrested: January 18, 2018, when Toronto police officers who were surveiling McArthur saw him bring a Middle Eastern man into his apartment. Court heard that a notation in Kinsman's calendar ultimately helped police focus their investigation on McArthur. Senior Resettlement Officer Michael Casasola said many of those identifying as LGBTQ are fleeing high levels of persecution and harassment, adding the organization ...

Subpoena Threat Jeopardizes Matthew Whitaker Congressional Testimony

February 08, 2019

Whitaker added that "political theater is not the objective of an oversight hearing ". It remains to be seen whether Nadler's more conciliatory tone will be enough to get Whitaker into the witness seat voluntarily Friday or if the Justice Department will demand a more concrete assurance.

In stunning move, Thai king's sister running for PM in March polls

February 08, 2019

Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Varnavadi, 67, will stand for a party loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to registration papers. Thailand's recent political history has been incredibly turbulent as the conflict between Bangkok-centre elites and the populists has resulted in protests, military coups and violent clashes over the last 15 years.

"I will never let you down", Trump pledges at National Prayer Breakfast

February 08, 2019

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) was in attendance, even though he believes in a woman's right to choose, "reproductive freedom" and federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Trump also thanked faith leaders for their efforts helping to pass criminal justice reform legislation, which he signed a year ago. Lankford, the breakfast co-chairs, were largely responsible for choosing the breakfast guest speakers, which included Gary Haugen, founder of the International Justice Mission, an ...

Khashoggi murder planned and perpetrated by Saudi officials: UN expert

February 08, 2019

Saudi officials have denied MBS had any knowledge of the crime, however, and a trial opened earlier this month in the Gulf kingdom for 11 people suspected of being involved. Callamard's final report, to be presented to the Human Rights Council in June, will make a range of recommendations, including for the objective of formal criminal accountability, and their bases in global law.

Australia scraps game in Thailand over Hakeem al-Araibi detention

February 08, 2019

Araibi, 25, flew to Thailand in late November past year for a week-long honeymoon with his wife. Al-Araibi has said he was tortured in Bahrain after his 2012 arrest and fled in 2014 to Australia , which granted him political asylum in 2017.

Frozen, Unresponsive Cat Brought Back To Life By Veterinarians

February 08, 2019

A normal temperature for a cat is around 100°-102°F. This outdoor cat has certainly used up one of her 9 lives! She was rushed to the Animal Clinic of Kalispell where her body temperature did not even register on a veterinary thermometer, which bottoms out at 90F.

France withdraws ambassador to Italy, in latest blow to European unity

February 08, 2019

Addressing the protests in France earlier in January, leader of the anti-establishment party Five Star Movement (M5S) and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio supported the " yellow vests " movement, harshly criticising French President Emmanuel Macron .

Curvy Ugandan women named new tourist attraction

February 07, 2019

But the tourism minister is now facing accusations that his initiative is promoting sex tourism with women asserting that the pageant depicts them as sex objects. In an effort to attract more tourists and increase revenue, the East African country believes that the pageant will not only champion the beauty of curvaceous women but also attract tourists.

United Kingdom believes Isil hostage John Cantlie is still alive, minister says

February 07, 2019

Wallace, who made the remarks in London at a briefing for global journalists, did not elaborate or say whether Cantlie is thought to be in areas still held by ISIS. In July 2017, the Iraqi Al-Sura News Agency alleged that Cantlie had been killed. In January, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) director, Mustafi Bali, was quoted as saying that Cantlie "is still alive and is moving around" the Syrian province of Deir Az Zor.

Winter weather travel advisory in effect for Durham Region

February 07, 2019

The advisory stretches west toward Iowa, but may call for some sleet and freezing rain Wednesday evening in northern IL. "Sleet and freezing rain changes to rain fairly quickly along the coast, although freezing rain prevails after midnight across the interior", Metrologist Chris Lambert said in his latest weather blog .

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