| Trump Pardons Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Who Illegally Targeted Latinos Posted: 25 Aug 2017 05:07 PM PDT  WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned a notorious former Arizona sheriff who willfully violated a federal judge's order by unlawfully detaining individuals his officers claimed might be in the country illegally.
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| Soldiers on Pence Detail Reassigned for Bringing Women to Hotel Posted: 25 Aug 2017 08:59 AM PDT  The U.S. Army detail assigned to Vice President Pence has been removed from the White House detail amid allegations they brought unregistered female guests back to secure area of their hotel in Panama.
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| The idolatry of 'whiteness': Christians struggle to respond to Charlottesville Posted: 25 Aug 2017 01:40 PM PDT  In Virginia devoutly Christian Democratic politicians are trading barbs with the state Republican Party and evangelical leaders in the wake of Charlottesville. Meanwhile, a group of African-American faith leaders has published the "Charlottesville Declaration," calling on the Evangelical church to strongly condemn white supremacist ideology.
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| With Hurricane Harvey Bearing Down, Some Texas Residents Refuse to Leave Posted: 25 Aug 2017 10:02 PM PDT  Despite a mandatory evacuation order--and against the advice of friends and family--Juan Rodriguez chose to ride out the Category 4 hurricane at home in Victoria, Texas.
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| Macau enlists Chinese army as authorities struggle with typhoon fallout Posted: 25 Aug 2017 02:10 AM PDT  By Venus Wu and Farah Master MACAU (Reuters) - Chinese People's Liberation Army troops were deployed on the streets of Macau on Friday to help clean up in the aftermath of a devastating typhoon and amid mounting criticism authorities were unprepared for the severity of the storm. Macau public broadcaster, TDM, reported some 1,000 Chinese PLA troops left their Macau barracks to assist in the recovery. Chinese troops are rarely seen on Macau streets.
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| Pro-Confederate rally draws counterprotest in Knoxville, Tenn. Posted: 26 Aug 2017 04:31 PM PDT ![Pro-Confederate rally draws counterprotest in Knoxville, Tenn.]( "Pro-Confederate rally draws counterprotest in Knoxville, Tenn.") Counter-demonstrators gathered in Knoxville to protest at a Pro-Confederate rally at the Fort Sanders Confederate memorial, which some have called to remove.
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| Human Remains In Natalee Holloway Case Are Caucasian, Forensic Scientist Confirms Posted: 25 Aug 2017 07:42 AM PDT  The remains were confirmed to be human and of European descent.
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| North Korea Launches Short Range Ballistic Missiles Into Sea Posted: 25 Aug 2017 03:33 PM PDT  North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile into the sea off its east coast, South Korea's news agency Yonhap reports.
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| Mueller Takes New Step in Trump Russia Probe Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:42 AM PDT  Carol Lee, NBC News national political reporter, talks with Ari Melber about Special Counsel Robert Mueller subpoenaing grand jury testimony from PR executives tied to Paul Manafort.
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| Passengers tell Canadian woman 'get the f*** off the train' after she hurls racist abuse at elderly couple Posted: 26 Aug 2017 12:31 PM PDT  A Canadian woman who launched a tirade of racist abuse at a Filipino couple on a train was told to "get the f*** off" after passengers came to the pair's defence. The woman, who was travelling on the Vancouver SkyTrain on Monday afternoon, started hurling insults at the couple and said she thought they were speaking too loudly. The incident was caught on camera by multiple witnesses, including Ashley Klassen, who posted a video of the incident to Facebook.
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| Father Allegedly Kills Teen Daughter and Wife in Murder-Suicide in Wealthy New York Suburb Posted: 26 Aug 2017 11:17 AM PDT  New York State police are calling the death of three family members in Westchester County an apparent double-murder suicide, according to an official statement
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| Arizona Newspaper Editorial Says Joe Arpaio Pardon Shows Institutional Racism Is Trump's Goal Posted: 26 Aug 2017 08:08 AM PDT  The editorial board of the Arizona Republic blasted President Donald Trump for pardoning Joe Arpaio, the former Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff who was found guilty of contempt after profiling Latinos.
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| He Shared a Photo of His Baby. Then She Became a Political Football Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:25 AM PDT  The father of a baby who went viral after the ACLU tweeted out her photo with a controversial message discusses the national discourse.
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| Gaza boy swimmer death puts spotlight on pollution crisis Posted: 25 Aug 2017 09:26 PM PDT  The death of a little boy after swimming in polluted seawater has put the spotlight on Gaza's pollution crisis and the human impact of desperate electricity shortages in the Palestinian enclave. Mohammed al-Sayis, five, died late last month a few days after swimming in the sewage-polluted waters, with his brothers also hospitalised, his family and health ministry said. Dozens of others have been treated after swimming along the strip's filthy Mediterranean coastline in the past two months, a ministry spokesman in Gaza said.
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| Prosecutors oppose Sen. Menendez bid to alter trial schedule Posted: 25 Aug 2017 08:56 AM PDT  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Prosecutors oppose U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's bid to have the judge in his corruption trial alter the trial schedule so he can be present for important votes in Washington.
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| Trump's adviser Cohn 'has not held back how he feels' about Charlottesville response, White House says Posted: 25 Aug 2017 02:33 PM PDT  White House officials insisted that the president's top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, is staying in the administration and eager to work on tax reform after he sharply criticized President Trump's response to the recent violence in Charlottesville, Va.
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| Trump Flouts Pardon's Intended Purpose Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:13 AM PDT  Jon Meacham, presidential historian, talks with Ari Melber about the intended purpose of a presidential pardon and its responsible use by past presidents in contrast with Donald Trump's crass political application.
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| Islamic State urges Muslim extremists to wage war in Philippine city of Marawi Posted: 24 Aug 2017 07:35 PM PDT  The Islamic State terrorist group has released a new video calling on Muslim extremists in Southeast Asia to wage holy war in the besieged Philippine city of Marawi, while denouncing America and Australia for aiding the country's military. Its release comes as the battle between Isil-linked militants and government forces in the southern Muslim city of Marawi enters its fourth month, fuelling fears that the terrorist group is trying to set up a regional base in Southeast Asia after crushing defeats in the Middle East. In the seven-minute long video, produced by Isil's Al Hayat media centre, a fighter identified as Abul-Yaman from Marawi, appeals to Muslim brothers in East Asia, particularly those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore to migrate to the city "to perform jihad." The graphic and chilling footage, which depicts dead Philippine soldiers and militant "martyrs" dying in battle, is accompanied by an American-accented narrator who rails against the "subjugation" of Muslims in the Philippines. It opens with scenes of young men engaged in heavy fighting amid the city ruins, brandishing AK-47s through incoming mortar fire and air strikes. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gives a pep talk to troops fighting the extremist Maute group in Marawi. Credit: Handout/Reuters In scenes reminiscent of the destruction of Mosul, Iraq, it then switches to the destruction of a Catholic church, showing militants tearing down a cross, smashing statues of the Virgin Mary and ripping up posters of the pope. "We will make revenge...We will be in Rome, in'shallah," shouts a masked militant. The terrorist group then turns its ire on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, for running to "his masters, the defenders of the cross, America, along with their regional guard dog Australia" to beg them for help. It accuses the Philippines' allies of aiding Duterte in "a malicious air campaign" against the Islamic State. The fighting in Marawi has put Canberra on edge, with rising concerns that the growth of Isil in the region could herald more terrorist attacks in Australia. In June Australia deployed two surveillance planes to Mindanao province, where Marawi is located, to help the Philippine military in the battle. Earlier this week, Australian spy chief Nick Warner also met President Duterte in an unusually public visit to discuss progress. The Philippines regional neighbours are also nervous. Malaysia's top terrorist officer, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told Channel NewsAsia that the new video was "powerful" and would "inflame the passions" of Muslim fanatics. "Since the Marawi siege started, we have seen increased activities from IS cells in Malaysia trying to enter into the southern Philippines," he said.
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| Grace Mugabe makes first public appearance since South Africa assault charge Posted: 25 Aug 2017 06:21 AM PDT  Zimbabwe's first lady, Grace Mugabe, on Friday made her first public appearance since leaving South Africa where she was charged with assault. The wife of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, a potential successor to the president, was granted diplomatic immunity and left South Africa on Sunday. The Mugabes attended a farming fair in Harare, where Grace was seen smiling and talking with exhibitors.
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| American Airlines Refuses To Let Woman With Oxygen Tank Board Flight Posted: 25 Aug 2017 01:28 PM PDT  A woman was stranded in St. Louis this week after American Airlines refused to let her board over her oxygen tank.
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| Unusual spike in whale deaths in Canada, US sparks probe Posted: 25 Aug 2017 09:08 AM PDT  Endangered right whales are dying at unusually high rates in the Atlantic Ocean off Canada and the northern United States, sparking an investigation by authorities in both countries, officials said Friday. Thirteen of the massive, bus-sized marine mammals have been found dead this year, a large number considering the entire population numbers just 450-500, said experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). David Gouveia, protected Species Monitoring Program branch chief at NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region, described the deaths as "significant" and said an immediate response is needed.
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| FBI: Chinese man supplied rare, malicious malware Posted: 25 Aug 2017 02:41 PM PDT ![FBI: Chinese man supplied rare, malicious malware]( "FBI: Chinese man supplied rare, malicious malware") LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Chinese man has been charged in California with distributing a type of computer malware that has been linked to attacks on U.S. businesses and to the theft of personnel records of millions of U.S. government employees, authorities said.
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| Former Trump Ethics Director Calls Arpaio Pardon 'A Harbinger Of Worse to Come' Posted: 25 Aug 2017 07:15 PM PDT  President Donald Trump's former ethics chief, who resigned last month because of disagreements with the White House over ethics policies, blasted the president's decision on Friday to pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
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| Protesters turn out in San Francisco despite canceled 'alt-right' rally Posted: 26 Aug 2017 03:31 PM PDT ![Protesters turn out in San Francisco despite canceled 'alt-right' rally]( "Protesters turn out in San Francisco despite canceled 'alt-right' rally") Counterprotesters gathered in San Francisco despite the cancellation of a free speech rally that city leaders feared could draw right-wing extremists.
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| Florida Executes Convicted Double-Murderer Mark Asay Using a New Drug Posted: 24 Aug 2017 06:36 PM PDT  Asay received a three-drug injection that began with the anesthetic, etomidate
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| GOP Senator Blocks Plans to Fill Africa Post at State Department Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:02 AM PDT  A lone Republican lawmaker is threatening to hold up the Trump administration's pick for the next assistant secretary for Africa.
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| Hollywood mogul falls ill, close to death in less than 24 hours: Part 1 Posted: 25 Aug 2017 05:51 PM PDT  Jonathan Koch said the doctor told him, "'You're probably going to die tonight, and you should text your loved ones.'"
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| Anger over UAE jailing of Singaporeans for 'dressing feminine' Posted: 25 Aug 2017 03:07 AM PDT  The family of a Singaporean man jailed with a transgender friend in the United Arab Emirates for dressing in a "feminine" way called Friday for their release, as activists raced to raise funds for legal fees. Fashion photographer Muhammad Fadli bin Abdul Rahman and transgender friend Noor Vitriya Kistina Ibrahim were arrested at a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi at the weekend and sentenced to a year in jail, according to relatives. Fadli's brother Saiful told AFP from Singapore that the pair were detained by the tourism police for "looking feminine".
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| Giant marijuana bundle launched over US-Mexico border fence Posted: 25 Aug 2017 03:39 PM PDT  PHOENIX (AP) — Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona have seized a nearly 100-pound (45 kilogram) bundle of marijuana after spotting it flying over the border fence.
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| The Latest: Cops boost patrols around lottery winner's home Posted: 26 Aug 2017 09:19 AM PDT  The Latest: Cops boost patrols around lottery winner's home
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| President Trump Pardons Former Arizona Sheriff Arpaio Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:47 AM PDT  The White House announced that President Trump is pardoning controversial former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
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| Teen Smuggled Bengal Tiger Cub Into U.S. From Mexico, Authorities Allege Posted: 25 Aug 2017 08:40 AM PDT  Luis Eudoro Valencia was charged after customs officials say they found the animal on the floor of his car Wednesday.
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| Civil Rights Groups Sue To Block Indiana From Using Unreliable Process To Purge Voter Rolls Posted: 25 Aug 2017 11:55 AM PDT  Civil rights groups are suing Indiana officials to block the state from purging voters from its rolls using a process shown to inaccurately identify voters registered in multiple states. In April, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed legislation authorizing election officials to remove voters from the rolls if they were found to be registered in more than one place. According to the legislation, one of the ways officials can identify people who are registered in more than one place is by using Interstate Crosscheck, a system developed by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) that 27 states use to compare voter information.
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| Why Saving for Retirement Is Getting Harder, and What You Can Do About It Posted: 25 Aug 2017 12:35 PM PDT  For retirement savers, the challenges just keep coming. The Department of Labor recently signaled its intent to delay the final stages of its new Fiduciary Rule, which requires that retirement ad...
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| At ancient pyramid in Peru, remains of 20th century Chinese laborers found Posted: 24 Aug 2017 06:33 PM PDT  Archaeologists exploring Peru's pre-Colombian past recently unearthed a glimpse of a less prominent chapter in the Andean country's history - the remains of 16 Chinese laborers from around the turn of the last century. The bodies, thought to be those of indentured workers brought to Peru to replace slave labor, were found buried at the top of an adobe pyramid first used by the ancient Ichma people, Roxana Gomez, the lead archaeologist of the site, said on Thursday. Peru was one of the biggest destinations for Chinese labor in Latin America in the 20th century, a market that thrived after slavery was abolished in the country in 1854.
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| South Carolina's Republican governor ends all abortion funding Posted: 25 Aug 2017 03:00 PM PDT  The US state of South Carolina said Friday it is eliminating all state or federal aid to any medical practice linked to clinics practicing abortions. President Donald Trump had cleared the way for such changes in April, when -- in a move applauded by many conservatives -- he signed a bill revoking a rule from his predecessor, Barack Obama, that aimed to protect public funding for family-planning clinics. Medicaid provides health care to people with limited financial resources.
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| Melting Mont Blanc glacier yields remains of dead hikers Posted: 25 Aug 2017 10:39 AM PDT  MILAN (AP) — Italian mountain rescue crews have recovered the remains of two — or possibly three — hikers on a glacier on Mont Blanc's southern face likely dating from the 1980s or 1990s, officials said Friday.
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| This Is What Happens When Cake Pops and Push Pops Collide Posted: 26 Aug 2017 06:18 AM PDT  They're sold at the trendiest Brooklyn food hall.
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| Trudeau forced to backtrack on open invitation to refugees Posted: 24 Aug 2017 11:19 PM PDT  Justin Trudeau has been criticised for his broad welcoming message to migrants. Justin Trudeau has sought to temper the notion that Canada is a guaranteed safe haven for those fleeing the threat of deportation in the United States, as his government faces criticism that its refugee-friendly messaging has given "false hope" to the thousands of asylum seekers streaming into Canada from the US. Since the start of the year, more than 11,300 people have crossed into Canada by foot from the US.
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| White supremacist becomes first white man in Florida to be executed for killing black man Posted: 25 Aug 2017 01:42 AM PDT  The state of Florida on Thursday executed its first death row inmate in nearly two years, using a lethal injection cocktail that had never been tried before in the United States and putting to death the first white man convicted of killing a black man. Mark Asay, 53, was sentenced to death in 1988 for a racially motivated double murder in Jacksonville, Florida a year earlier. He became the first white man in state history to be executed for killing a black man. Since the state reinstated death sentences in 1976, 20 black men have been executed for killing white victims, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The execution was carried out at 6:22 pm (22.22 GMT), the Florida Department of Corrections said. For his last meal, Asay ordered fried pork chops, fried ham, fries, vanilla swirl ice cream and Coca-Cola, authorities said. He did not make a final statement. Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court denied a stay of execution for Asay, who had challenged the state's plan to employ a lethal injection cocktail that includes etomidate, an anesthetic never before used in carrying out an execution in the US. It replaces another drug, midazolam, which has been the subject of significant legal wrangling. According to critics, midazolam does not always adequately sedate prisoners, therefore subjecting them to excessive suffering. Corrections department spokeswoman Ashley Cook told AFP the department "follows the law and carries out the sentence of the court." "This is the department's most solemn duty and the foremost objective of the lethal injection procedure is a humane and dignified process," Cook said. Asay was the first prisoner to be executed in Florida since January 2016, before the state's supreme court ruled that Florida executions were unconstitutional because judges were granted powers that should be reserved for juries. He also was the first white man convicted of killing a black man to be executed in the state since Florida reinstated the death penalty in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC). Since then, the state has executed 92 inmates - 20 of them black inmates who had at least one white victim. Fifty-four others were white inmates who had white victims, according to DPIC data. Prosecutors say Asay fatally shot Robert Lee Booker, an African American, after making racist remarks. He killed his other victim, Robert McDowell, who has been identified as white and Hispanic and was apparently dressed as a woman, after making a deal to pay him for sex. Difficult to administer Janssen, a pharmaceutical division of the company Johnson & Johnson, developed etomidate and has objected to its use in executions. "Janssen discovers and develops medical innovations to save and enhance lives," spokesman Greg Panico told The Washington Post. "We do not condone the use of our medicines in lethal injections for capital punishment." Etomidate is difficult to administer and can cause severe irritation and burns if used incorrectly, warned Jonathan Groner, a professor of surgery at Ohio State University who is against the death penalty. Groner said administering the drug particularly "hurts when it's being injected if the veins are damaged - and a lot of people on death row have damaged veins because they're either old or they have an IV drug abuse history."
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| Montana Lawmakers Say 'Environmental Extremists' To Blame For Wildfires Posted: 24 Aug 2017 06:39 PM PDT  At a briefing at the Lolo Peak Incident Command in Missoula, Zinke and the others spoke of the importance of getting ahead of wildfires by better managing forests, as well as the threat they say certain environmentalists pose to that effort. "Montanans are saying, 'We are tired of breathing the smoke.
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