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Did the Justice Department cave to Trump on Roger Stone?

February 14, 2020

Trump nominated the prosecutor on January 6 to become Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes, while she was still serving as the US attorney for an office handling several high-profile political cases including those of Michael Flynn and Roger Stone .

Covid-19 : Hubei adds 4823 cases; China death toll at 1483

February 14, 2020

Some 80,000 medical workers were involved in combating the epidemic in Wuhan, the city government said earlier this month. His death unleashed an outpouring of public anger on Chinese social media, with academics in Wuhan writing an open letter demanding reform and free speech.

Senate passes Iran War Powers resolution despite Trump's opposition

February 14, 2020

But those efforts gained renewed energy following a January 8 intelligence briefing that congressional Democrats and two Republican senators said did not sufficiently inform Congress of the administration's strategy in the Middle East. We have done so in the worst way - by letting tribal politics rule the day. Lots of commentary, but not much new. "Empty calories", said Phillip Gianos, a former political science professor at CSUF, about the media coverage during impeachment hearings and ...

First coronavirus case in Africa: Egypt health ministry

February 14, 2020

Dr Mike Ryan will coordinate the whole United Nations response. WHO is also hosting a two-day meeting of more than 400 scientists from around the world, both in person and virtually called Global research and innovation forum on February 11 and 12.

Second plane carrying Canadian evacuees from China arrives in Canada

February 14, 2020

More Canadian evacuees from Wuhan, China are back on home soil. The second passenger plane chartered by the federal government to repatriate the remaining Canadians from Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, is on its way to Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne confirmed Monday.

Defence minister hails Iraq’s approval of expanded North Atlantic Treaty Organisation mission

February 14, 2020

The Canada-led operation was launched in 2018 but suspended last month after a USA missile strike at Baghdad Airport killed Iran's top general and Iraq's government and lawmakers demanded that foreign troops leave. Yet heading into the 2020 election, he has sent more than 15,000 American troops to the Mideast since May to pressure Iran. "So even if we were to go down with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation taking on greater capacity-building roles, the needs are still the same".

Sanjeev Chawla, key accused in 2002 fixing scandal, extradited from UK

February 14, 2020

The Delhi police had sought Chawla's extradition because of his alleged involvement in the match-fixing controversy which eventually implicated Cronje, who confessed during the King Commission inquiry to accepting money from bookies to fix matches during South Africa's ODI series in India in 2000.

Critics target Elizabeth Warren for accepting $3 donation from ‘broke college student’

February 14, 2020

According to the Associated Press, Senator Bernie Sanders led with 25.8 percent, Mayor Pete Buttigieg followed with 24.4 percent, and Sen. Bernie Sanders almost tied for first place in that state, although an official victor has not been declared because of technical issues with reporting the results and an ongoing recanvassing effort.

Pentagon to Divert Another $3.8 Billion to Pay for Trump’s Border Wall

February 14, 2020

Despite congressional opposition, Trump faced no consequences when making similar transfers a year ago, when the Pentagon canceled dozens of military construction projects to free up $3.6 billion and transferred $2.5 billion in counter-drug money.

Snow showers and falling temperatures today

February 14, 2020

A mix of rain and wet snow is expected. There will be a wintry mix at times into the early overnight hours north of I-287 in NY and the Merritt Parkway in CT, where the overnight low will hover around the freezing mark. Winter Weather Advisories are also in effect for Susquehanna, Bradford and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania until Thursday morning. Rain will continue this evening.

Rocket attack hits north Iraq base hosting United States troops

February 14, 2020

An Iraqi base where American troops are stationed was hit in a rocket attack, Iraqi and USA security sources tell AFP. Those troops, as well as the US embassy in Baghdad, have faced almost 20 rocket attacks over the past four months. Since, December a year ago, it is the first attack on the K1 base. The attack infuriated Shiite Iraqi lawmakers who voted to oust USA troops from the country in a January 3 Parliament session.

China appoints Xis former deputy to Hong Kong office

February 14, 2020

Zhang's demotion, together with the appointment of 67-year-old Xia, underscores a potentially more assertive approach by Xi in how he manages Hong Kong's affairs, analysts said. He was subsequently appointed to a leadership role on the CPPCC, the nation's political advisory body and a post usually seen as a transition toward retirement for senior leaders.

Canadians aboard cruise ship now in Cambodia after entry refused elsewhere

February 14, 2020

Following the Philippines , Taiwan and Hong Kong , Japan became the latest country to deny entry to all worldwide cruise ships. The Westerdam's next scheduled voyage, from Yokohama, Japan, on February 15, is canceled, and the cruise line said it's "assessing the impact of current port restrictions in Asia on cruises departing February 29 or later".

Mike Bloomberg Wins Both Democratic and Republican Vote in America's Weirdest Primary

February 14, 2020

Dixville Notch, New Hampshire is a small residential town near the border with Canada. Bloomberg received three write-in votes, one from a Republican and two from Democrats. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) won the Democratic primary in Hart's Location, a central New Hampshire town that is crossed by the Appalachian Trail, with six votes.

Coronavirus Cases On Japan Cruise Ship Climb To 174

February 14, 2020

The company's Diamond Princess ship was placed in quarantine upon arriving in Yokohama, south of Tokyo , on February 3, after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus. Four patients - all men between 60 and 70 - are severely ill, on respirators and in intensive care. Meanwhile, Carl and Jeri Goldman , owners of Santa Clarita radio station KHTS, remain safe aboard the quarantined ship as their vacation has turned into a news story.

The battle of Downing Street: Can Rishi Sunak challenge Boris Johnson?

February 14, 2020

He is replaced by Sunak, who was until now Javid's junior as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and seen as a rising star within the Cabinet. Javid's departure as chancellor came amid a flurry of reports that he had been told to sack his advisors to stay in the job, and quit after refusing.

Trump reacts after John Kelly calls White House job 'a killer'

February 14, 2020

Alexander Vindman , whose testimony was pivotal in the House vote to impeach President Donald Trump . Sondland had testified that he believed Trump was withholding military aid for Ukraine until an investigation was launched into former Vice President Joe Biden, and it amounted to a "quid pro quo".

Italy Senate votes on migrant trial for far-right leader Salvini

February 14, 2020

Italy's right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini compared himself to President Trump Wednesday after the Italian Senate voted to allow prosecutors to put him on trial for allegedly holding 132 migrants hostage by forcing them to remain on a coast guard vessel, rather than enter an Italian port.

Protest forces South Africa President to suspend speech

February 14, 2020

The EFF demanded F.W. De Klerk, South Africa's last apartheid-era president, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela for their efforts to end white rule, be ejected from parliament accusing him of being "unrepentant". It is a convention that all former presidents who are still alive are invited to this sitting. After almost an hour of disruption, the National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise temporarily suspended proceedings, telling the EFF "when you think you have unlimited ...

Cruise Ship Passengers In Sydney Harbour Cleared Of Coronavirus

February 14, 2020

The cruise ship arrived in Sydney from Auckland on Friday morning, docking at the worldwide passenger terminal at Circular Quay. NSW Health on Friday said one person from the Norwegian Jewel - who was tested purely as a precautionary measure - had been cleared of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Search continues for British woman missing in New Zealand

February 14, 2020

Police confirmed "items of interest" had been discovered by search teams while looking for the 32-year-old, who has been missing since telling friends she would be going for a hike at Mt Aspiring National Park on Saturday. Two dog teams, LandSAR staff, Alpine Cliff Rescue and a canyon search and rescue team are assisting with the search today. Her brother-in-law, Sam Hazelton, told the New Zealand Herald that the worst thing was not knowing what had happened.

Boris Johnson should 'fess up' over who paid for holiday, Labour say

February 14, 2020

But the finance minister's resignation - which some commentators said might have been sought by Johnson's team - because of a dispute over Javid's advisers added to the picture that the prime minister will not tolerate dissent in his government.

Australian High Court rules Indigenous people can not be deported

February 14, 2020

He indicated the government would not back down from its policy of deporting non-citizens who commit crimes. Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms were born overseas with at least one of their parents an Australian indigenous citizen. Legal experts have warned it would be premature to jump to conclusions about the implications of a landmark high court decision that found Australian Aboriginal people can not be regarded as aliens under the constitution.

Harvard, Yale Probed for Unreported Foreign Funding

February 14, 2020

The department said Wednesday it is reviewing whether the Ivy League schools potentially failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts and donations from countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and China. In addition, while the department said it has found foreign money generally flows to the country's richest universities, "such money apparently does not reduce or otherwise offset American students' tuition costs", the document said.

US Announces Partial Taliban Truce Amid Signs Deal Is Near

February 14, 2020

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced Thursday that the USA and the Afghan Taliban "have negotiated a proposal for a seven day reduction in violence ". There are some 12,500 USA troops in Afghanistan, as well as thousands of European forces participating in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission. "I think we're very close", Trump said on a podcast broadcast on iHeart Radio when asked if a tentative deal had been reached.

Iraqi capital Baghdad receives 2nd snowfall in a century

February 13, 2020

The people of Baghdad are more used to heat than cold. For most citizens in Baghdad , it is rare for them to see snow . The traditional palm trees adorning the streets and boulevards were White, and the tents in the Thair square where the anti-government protestants were taking cover were covered in snow as well.

6 killed in Kabul auto bomb blast

February 13, 2020

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the suicide attack. The Taliban and militants from the Islamic State group regularly target Afghan forces. "The Secretary informed me about the Taliban's proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence", Ghani said. The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), John F.

US adds new charges to its case against Huawei

February 13, 2020

The United States government on Thursday added fresh charges to its case against Chinese smartphone maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd - a case that has angered China and hurt US-Chinese diplomatic relations. "To obtain the intellectual property of the Victim Companies, [Huawei] sometimes entered into confidentiality agreements with the owners of the intellectual property and then violated the terms of the confidentiality agreements by misappropriating the intellectual property for ...

Trump trolls Cuomo with 'Fredo' tweet ahead of White House meeting

February 13, 2020

DHS Secretary Chad Wolf announced the ban last week, stating it was due to NY not allowing federal officials to access state Department of Motor Vehicle records to conduct background checks on applicants. The governor and the president are expected to sit down together at the White House at 3 pm to discuss the Trump administration's ban on New Yorkers from taking party in the Trusted Traveler Program - that speeds up the process for citizens returning to the USA from overseas.

Flash Flood Watch in Effect for Shreveport Bossier

February 13, 2020

After that, potentially severe storms will move across the region, the National Weather Service said. In north Alabama, flood warnings have been issued for west central Marshall County and western Madison County as well as Lauderdale, Limestone, Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Morgan and Lawrence counties until 4:45 p.m.

Trump Is 'Feeling Untouchable,' Advisers and Allies Say

February 13, 2020

A call to investigate the Justice Department's reversal on Roger Stone's recommended sentence for lying to Congress and obstruction has over 109,000 signatures on a MoveOn.org petition . Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Wednesday that while Democrats in the House of Representatives do not "wake up in the morning wanting to impeach" President Trump , no options are off the table in response to Roger Stone's new sentencing.

Hope Hicks returning to Trump White House as senior adviser

February 13, 2020

Hope Hicks , one of President Donald Trump's most trusted and longest-serving aides, is returning to the White House. Earlier in her career, she worked at PR firms Hiltzik Strategies and Zeno Group. She ended her tenure in the midst of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Pressed on other matters, a White House lawyer interjected to claim that Hicks was fully immune from answering questions about her time working at the White House, ...

Over 300 officials join search for missing 6-year-old

February 13, 2020

Police will provide more information on the investigation into Faye's disappearance at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities also released footage of Faye getting off her school bus on Wednesday morning as they announced that the search for the girl had been expanded.

China removes party chief of virus epicentre province

February 13, 2020

The coronavirus , officially called COVID-19, has spread to at least 26 countries. The total number of confirmed patients of the virus is now 48,206, an increase of 44%. In the United Kingdom, a woman in London became the ninth person to test positive for coronavirus . There was a happy ending for another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, which docked in Cambodia after being denied docking rights in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines over fears one of its 1,455 passengers and ...

COVID-19: World Health Organization official name for Coronavirus

February 13, 2020

I'll spell it: "C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine - COVID-19". Under global guidelines, the World Health Organization "had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease", he explained.

Senate poised to pass resolution to curb Trump's war authority on Iran

February 13, 2020

Despite that, the resolution, chiefly authored by Democratic Sen. So it isn't hard to imagine a scenario in which Trump sent American forces into action without congressional approval - claiming an imminent attack, but offering no proof - then dared the House and Senate to do something about it.

'Lack of oxygen and overheating' killed 39 Vietnamese migrants in UK

February 13, 2020

The bodies of 31 men and eight women - all from Vietnam - were found inside the truck container on October 23 at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, a town about 25 miles east of London. Meanwhile, Gheorghe Nica, 43, from Essex , was detained on a European Arrest Warrant at Frankfurt Airport on 29 January and has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter.

British finance minister Javid quits in reshuffle

February 13, 2020

The prime minister demanded that Javid fire all five of his most senior aides but the chancellor refused and quit, according to three people familiar with the matter. Other casualties of Mr Johnson's reshuffle include Geoffrey Cox as United Kingdom attorney general, Theresa Villiers as environment secretary and Esther McVey as housing minister.

Steyer: Bloomberg's 2015 defense of stop-and-frisk is "extremely disturbing"

February 13, 2020

The New York Times responded on Tuesday morning, but only grudgingly. The billionaire a year ago apologised for backing stop-and frisk policing as he launched his White House campaign. But the audio of his Aspen speech highlights his embrace of the policy just a few years ago, and suggests he was aware of the disproportionate effects of stop and frisk on minorities.

Cardinal at Vatican presser: Question on women deacons, married priests not resolved

February 13, 2020

Many Catholic church officials appear to be strongly against the proposal. Traditionalists fear that any opening could eventually lead to the complete abolition of the celibacy rule for priests, which is not part of church dogma but has been in place since the Middle Ages.

Man charged with murder of Northern Ireland journalist Lyra McKee

February 13, 2020

Protesters scuffled with police as Mr McIntyre was brought into court. Mr McIntryre's defence solicitor, Derwin Harvey, said his client faced allegations that he was seen "picking up casings" that had come from a gun after it was sacked by another male who Mr McIntyre was standing behind.

President Abbas Ready to Restart Peace Talks With Israel

February 13, 2020

The Palestinian leader said the United States can no longer be the sole Middle East mediator. Some EU members have already recognised a Palestinian state, although the bloc as a whole says this is a matter is still to be resolved in peace talks.

New Hampshire primary turnout sets state Democratic record

February 13, 2020

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker pointed to Rath's comments when asked about the claims, and Corey Lewandowski , one of Donald Trump's campaign managers in 2016, disputed the assertion as well, saying "That's not what happens". The New Hampshire Republican said, "The incredible turnout for the President should be a warning sign to the Democratic Party at large, disorganized and unable to count its own votes, and to Chris Pappas here in the First District, who couldn't even state whether ...

Netanyahu rejects United Nations report on companies involved with settlements

February 13, 2020

He noted that multiple countries had expressed concern about the list, produced by the office of United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet on a mandate from a 2016 Human Rights Council resolution. Human Rights Watch's deputy advocacy chief Bruno Stagno welcomed the publication of the database. The settlements are widely considered illegal under worldwide law, though Israel has always disputed this.

Trump praises Barr, attacks prosecutors in Roger Stone case

February 13, 2020

The departures raised immediate questions over whether Mr Trump, who earlier in the day had blasted the original sentencing recommendation as "very awful and unfair", had at least indirectly exerted his will on a Justice Department that he often views as an arm of the White House.

Two suspected letter bombs explode in the Netherlands

February 13, 2020

Amsterdam police clarified that at ABN Amro's offices an employee heard a hissing sound before throwing the letter, a move that likely helped reduce the damage. A separate bomb erupted at a second postal-sorting centre in Kerkrade in the south of the country. Amsterdam police said in a statement that they are taking into account the possibility that the letters are linked to a string of letter bombs and warning letters sent to businesses last month.

Pakistan jails Mumbai terror attack suspect, says lawyer

February 13, 2020

The court had indicted the JuD chief and three of his associates - Hafiz Abdul Salam bin Mohammad, Mohammad Ashraf and Prof Zafar Iqbal - on terror financing charges on December 11 past year in a case filed by the Counter-Terrorism Department.

Turkey, Russia Trade Accusations Amid Rise In Syria Tensions

February 13, 2020

The Kremlin said Turkey had failed to deliver on a promise to neutralise militants in Idlib, something it called unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry reminded Ankara its forces were in Syria without the blessing of the Syrian government, and the Defence Ministry said Turkish troops were seriously aggravating the situation on the ground in Idlib.

Snow warnings issued as United Kingdom braces for new storm

February 13, 2020

A second yellow weather warning for rain is in force between midday on Saturday and midday on Sunday (16th February). The Met Office added: "The weather this week, ahead of Storm Dennis , remains unsettled. Despite widespread concern surrounding the severity of Storm Dennis, many believe it will not bring around as much destruction as Storm Ciara . "Very strong winds in association with Storm Dennis are expected on Saturday and Sunday across many parts of England and Wales".

Trump warns Senate not to approve war powers resolution on Iran

February 13, 2020

Several Republican senators support the resolution, despite pushback from Trump and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill. "This discrete and limited exercise of American power pales in comparison to the ways in which past presidents of both parties have routinely used presidential authorities to utilize our military might without prior consent of Congress", he continued.

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