2019年12月19日星期四

Yahoo! News: Terrorism

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Terrorism


Horowitz Pushes Back on Claim that He Exonerated FBI of Political Bias: ‘We Did Not Reach that Conclusion’

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 11:12 AM PST

Horowitz Pushes Back on Claim that He Exonerated FBI of Political Bias: 'We Did Not Reach that Conclusion'Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz clarified Wednesday that his investigation into the FBI's FISA abuses "did not reach" the conclusion that the bureau was unaffected by political bias during its 2016 Russia investigation.Following the release of the report, Democrats and former FBI officials were quick to point to Horowitz's statement that he "did not find documentary or testimonial evidence" of political bias in the opening of Crossfire Hurricane, arguing that the statement proved President Trump's claims of a politically-motivated "witch hunt" were false.In an op-ed published after the report's release, James Comey attacked Trump and attorney general William Barr, saying "those who smeared the FBI are due for an accounting." On Sunday, the former FBI director attributed to "sloppiness" the 17 "significant errors and omissions" included in the FISA application to surveil Trump-campaign adviser Carter Page.Appearing on CNN with former FBI former deputy director Andrew McCabe, former FBI general counsel James Baker said that Trump should "apologize to me, to my colleagues" because "there was no hoax, there was no conspiracy to overthrow anybody, there was no sedition, there was no treason, there was no evidence of any of that."But under questioning from Senator Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), Horowitz explained his investigation did leave the door open to possible political bias because his team could not accept the explanations FBI members gave on why there were "so many errors" in their investigation."We have been very careful in the connection with the FISA's for the reasons you mentioned to not reach that conclusion," Horowitz told Hawley. "As we've talked about earlier — the alteration of the email, the text messages associated with the individual who did that, and our inability to explain or understand, to get good explanations so that we could understand why this all happened."Horowitz's clarification comes after U.S. attorney John Durham released a statement saying his office did "not agree with" the report's statements regarding the origins of the FBI's 2016 Russia probe.The inspector general also said during testimony that his team was looking further into whether the FBI's "basic errors" in the case were potentially systemic.


Seeking fresh momentum, Democrat Warren recalibrates 'Medicare for All' rhetoric

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 02:51 PM PST

Seeking fresh momentum, Democrat Warren recalibrates 'Medicare for All' rhetoricElizabeth Warren has recalibrated her rhetoric on Medicare for All, as concerns about her support for replacing private insurance with a government-run plan continue to buffet her once-surging Democratic presidential campaign. During a three-day, seven-stop tour of Iowa last weekend, the U.S. senator from Massachusetts repeatedly emphasized the word "choice" and focused on the transition plan she unveiled last month that would delay full implementation of the sweeping healthcare overhaul for three years. "It's your choice if you want to come in and get full healthcare coverage," Warren told about 180 people at a community center in Clinton, Iowa.


A 17-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly stealing a $2 million plane and driving it into an airport building in California

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 02:53 AM PST

A 17-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly stealing a $2 million plane and driving it into an airport building in CaliforniaOfficials at Fresno Yosemite International Airport said they are unsure how the suspect could have got inside the plane.


Macron Government Pushes Pension Reform as Opposition Mounts

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 09:49 AM PST

Macron Government Pushes Pension Reform as Opposition Mounts(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron signaled willingness to "improve" his pension reform plan on Wednesday in an effort to end a standoff with unions that showed no sign of abating.Strikes that have gummed up the public transportation system, leaving millions to work out alternative ways of getting around, enter their third week on Thursday, with a fresh poll showing that support for the protests is growing.Union leaders met with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Wednesday, with some remaining unconvinced ahead of further multilateral talks planned on Thursday. The head of the far-left CGT union, Philippe Martinez, repeated demands for Macron to abandon his pension plan following what he described as a 10-minute meeting with Philippe."The longer the strike goes on, the more anger transforms itself into something else," Martinez told reporters. "They can't afford to hang about because the situation is complicated for them."The government is seeking a truce during the holiday period to enable people to travel over Christmas but a group of unions including the CGT has called for further strikes and demonstrations through the end of the year unless Macron backs down.While Macron's government has barreled through reforms of tax and labor laws, the current gridlock shows how deeply the French are wedded to their pension system. Reforming it is the crown jewel of Macron's effort to modernize the country by merging 42 separate pension regimes into one universal points-based system and offering incentives to push back the age when workers retire to 64 from 62 in 2027.Macron won't abandon the reforms, although he is open to improvements, government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said Wednesday. That's notably around the retirement age, which the CFDT union -- the country's largest -- has called a red line. The government has said it is open to propositions that still guarantee balanced accounts in 2027.Two polls published on Wednesday showed the popularity of Macron and Philippe has taken a knock during the protests, support for which is stable at 54%. Public opposition to the reforms has jumped eight points to 57%."The French people are in favor of getting rid of special regimes, are divided on the creation of a points system, but are increasingly opposed to" raising the full-pension age to 64, pollster Elabe said.Of those interviewed, 49% want the government to carry out extensive changes to the government's reform plan, while 26% want it to remain unchanged and 24% want it to be scrapped. For 46%, Macron and the government are responsible for the protests.Union DemonstrationsA third round of demonstrations and protest marches on Tuesday drew 615,000 people across the country, according to Interior Ministry figures, while the CGT union that has led the anti-reform movement counted 1.8 million, Agence France-Presse reported."This doesn't call into question the government's determination to do this reform, which is a reform for all of the French," Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, junior minister for transportation, said in an interview on CNews television on Wednesday. "There were fewer people in the streets yesterday than on Dec. 5."The first march on Dec. 5, drew more than 800,000 people, the biggest turnout since Macron took office in May 2017. The second march on Dec. 10 had fewer than half that, according to the Interior Ministry.'We'll Be Back'Macron's administration has said it could agree to roll back some aspects of the plan, but it promised to end the special status of many public service workers, from metro drivers to Paris Opera dancers.CFDT head Laurent Berger said Tuesday that his union, and seen as the most likely to embrace a reform, was ready to continue strikes in the new year if the government didn't scrap plans to raise the full retirement age to 64. He reiterated that he supports a universal points-based pension system.Read more: Team Macron Ready to Ride Out Anything French Unions Throw at ItTransport HavocThe strikes are creating havoc for workers commuting on public transportation -- mostly in and around Paris -- and leading to hundreds of miles of traffic jams around the French capital.France's Insee statistics agency said the protests would have a limited impact on economic growth, especially if unions suspend their action during the holiday season.Yet the strikes are fraying the nerves of commuters having to squeeze into the few trains and buses still running or sitting in miles of traffic jams.(Adds union comments, opinion polls)\--With assistance from William Horobin, Rudy Ruitenberg and Angeline Benoit.To contact the reporters on this story: Helene Fouquet in Paris at hfouquet1@bloomberg.net;James Regan in Paris at jregan65@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, ;Geraldine Amiel at gamiel@bloomberg.net, Vidya RootFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Former Sri Lankan minister arrested over 2016 road accident

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 07:44 AM PST

Former Sri Lankan minister arrested over 2016 road accidentSri Lankan police arrested a former cabinet minister on Wednesday over a 2016 traffic accident in which a young man riding a motorcycle was seriously injured, state media reported. The former minister has called the government's decision to reopen a criminal case that had been closed politically motivated. A court ordered Patali Champika Ranawaka detained pending an investigation.


Russian security officer dies in shootout at Federal Security Service in Moscow

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 12:50 PM PST

Russian security officer dies in shootout at Federal Security Service in MoscowThe gunfight erupted around 7 p.m. in the reception room of the FSB, about eight blocks from the Kremlin in Moscow.


Every McDonald's in Peru closes over deaths of two employees

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 08:06 PM PST

Every McDonald's in Peru closes over deaths of two employeesThe teenage workers were electrocuted during the job, police said, according to BBC News.


Why Russia's Tu-22M3 Bomber Terrifies the World

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 02:30 PM PST

Why Russia's Tu-22M3 Bomber Terrifies the WorldAnd it's everywhere.


Democrat 'no's' say party didn't make impeachment case against Trump

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 06:41 PM PST

Democrat 'no's' say party didn't make impeachment case against TrumpWednesday's impeachment vote against President Donald Trump posed a political test for 31 House Democrats who represent districts that backed Trump in the 2016 presidential election, as Republicans warned that those lawmakers could face a backlash if they supported the effort to remove the president from office. In the end, only three of the 31 voted against one or both of the articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who represents a safely Democratic district in Hawaii, voted "present" on both charges.


'This Is Not Just a Muslim Fight.' Inside the Anti-Citizenship Act Protests Rocking India

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 09:11 AM PST

'This Is Not Just a Muslim Fight.' Inside the Anti-Citizenship Act Protests Rocking IndiaProtests in Delhi grew on Sunday in response to the Citizenship Amendment Act seen to target Muslims. Here's what's happening on the ground


2 North Koreans Tried to Defect. Did Seoul Send Them to Their Deaths?

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 12:14 PM PST

2 North Koreans Tried to Defect. Did Seoul Send Them to Their Deaths?SEOUL, South Korea -- In early November, two North Korean fishermen captured in South Korean waters were escorted to the inter-Korean border, blindfolded and their bodies tied with ropes​. There, they were handed over to North Korean authorities.South Korea often reveals the seizure of North Korean fishermen in its waters once it happens. This time, the episode was kept secret -- until an army ​officer on the border sent a text message ​reporting the handover ​to a senior presidential aide and a photographer captured the message on the aide's smartphone​.​R​evelation after shocking revelation​ has since followed, leaving human rights advocates and groups that include South Korea's bar association agape with outrage.As legislators looked into the matter, officials admitted that the two ​fishermen, ages 22 and 23, submitted ​hand-​written statements ​in which they said they hoped to defect to South Korea. ​But after a few days of interrogation, South Korea concluded that they were not refugees needing protection but "heinous criminals" who butchered the captain and 15 other crewmen on their boat.The two were denied access to lawyers, a court hearing or a chance to appeal the government's decision to repatriate them.​ Until their blindfolds were taken off at the border, they did not know where they were being taken. When they finally realized it, one of them collapsed, according to lawmakers briefed by officials.For the two men, their return to North Korea could mean their likely execution.​Tens of thousands of North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. ​Until now, the South had accepted all defectors, regardless of their criminal records, because North Koreans technically qualified as South Korean citizens under the South's Constitution.For years, the United Nations​ ​has ​lamented widespread lack of due process in North Korea​, reporting torture, starvation, murder and other crimes against humanity perpetrated against criminal suspects, especially those forcibly repatriated from abroad. ​"Forcibly repatriating ​them was an act against​ ​humanity that violated international law," Won Yoo-chul, an opposition lawmaker, told ​a highly emotional parliamentary hearing last month. "Their repatriation constitutes a murder through willful negligence because South Korea sent them to the North, fully aware that they would be executed there."The case of the two fishermen was also unusual because it marked the first in which South Korea rejected North Korean defectors because of their alleged crimes in the North or because their intent to defect was considered disingenuous.In a joint statement this week, Human Rights Watch and 66 other rights groups ​accused ​​South Korea ​of failing in its obligation under international treaties to "protect anyone who would be at substantial risk of torture or other serious human rights violations after repatriation."​Few personal details have been revealed about the two North Korean​s, except that one was the boatswain and the other a deck hand. But their fateful journey began Aug. 15, when their 17-ton wooden boat with 19 men on board cast off from Kimchaek​ on the east coast of North Korea, South Korean​ officials said.The two​, together with the ship's chief engineer, mutinied against the captain's abuse ​on a late October​ night​, killing him with hammers and axes. They then went on a killing spree to hide their crime. They awakened the​ir ​colleagues two at a time, lured them outside and butchered them, throwing their bodies overboard.They steered their ship back to Kimchaek, hoping to sell the squid and flee inland​. When the engineer was arrested by Kimchaek​ police​, the other two fled back to the sea.By the time their boat ​approached the inter-Korean sea border on Oct. 31, South Korean authorities said they had picked up intelligence that ​North Korea was looking for ​them. South Korean patrol boats fired​ warning shots and broadcast warnings, a standard procedure when a North Korean fishing boat crosses the border without signaling that those on the boat are defecting​.The boat repeatedly crossed back and forth across the maritime border for two days, until South Korean navy commandos ​finally ​seized ​it on Nov. 2.​ Both men quickly confessed to mass murder, providing identical details of the​ crime during separate interrogations, South Korean officials said. They then said they wanted to defect to the South​."We decided to expel them because they were atrocious criminals who could threaten the lives and safety of our people if accepted into our society," said the South Korean unification minister, Kim Yeon-chul,​ who added that the two "lacked sincerity when they said they wanted to defect."Few matters ​are that simple on the divided Korean Peninsula, however.Although the South's Constitution claims North Korea as part of its territory, both ​sides in reality have also recognize​d​ each other's territorial sovereignty. They joined the United Nations at the same time, and have held summit meetings and signed agreements to bolster economic and other forms of cooperation. In the past decade, South Korea has returned 185 North Korean fishermen adrift in its waters​ who wanted to return home. In the same period, North Korea sent home 16 South Koreans who entered the North illegally.In previously holding to its policy of never returning any North Koreans who said they wanted to defect, the South had welcomed people with tainted pasts. At least 270 ​North Korean defectors living in the South were found to have ​committed crimes serious enough to disqualify them from government subsidies, including nine who had committed murder or​ other serious ​offenses, according to government data."I am just flabbergasted," wrote Joo Sung-ha, a defector-turned-journalist in Seoul​, referring to the South's refusal to believe the two North Koreans' stated intention to defect. "If they defected​ to the South, they ​had a chance to live, and if they ​returned to the North, ​it was 100% ​certain that they ​would die. Under such circumstances, ​wasn't it natural for them to want to defect?"Rights advocates were especially disappointed because the office of President Moon Jae-in coordinated the repatriation. Before winning the presidency, Moon ​had been a famed human rights lawyer who once defended six Korean-Chinese men who ​murdered 11 ​crewmen, including seven South Koreans, on a tuna fishing boat in 1996."President Moon Jae-in and his government are ignoring North Korea's grave human rights abuses in a misguided effort to mollify Kim Jong Un and improve relations with Pyongyang," said Phil Robertson, the Asia deputy director at Human Rights Watch.​Instead of hurrying to repatriate the​ two North Koreans, South Korea should have thoroughly investigated the case​, including "whether 'the brutal criminals' were in reality not the abusers but victims of the harsh circumstance of North Korea," Ra Jong-yil, the former deputy director of the South's National Intelligence Service, wrote in the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.But under ​its legal system, South Korea could not have prosecuted the two men because the criminal evidence was in the North​, officials and other lawmakers said​. They feared that letting the two North Korean fishermen stay free in the South would have been a betrayal of the victims of their alleged crime, and might help turn South Korea into a safe haven for criminals on the run from the North."This is one of the best things the Unification Ministry and the National Intelligence Service have done recently," said Lee Seok-hyun, a governing party lawmaker, referring to ​the agencies involved in the repatriation.​Conspicuously absent from the debate​, however​, are the voices of the two North ​Koreans who were sent back to their homeland. Since they were returned, North Korea has not spoken a word about their fate.This article originally appeared in The New York Times.(C) 2019 The New York Times Company


Taipei Allows Expats Back Into Bike-Sharing Program After Uproar

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 01:05 AM PST

Taipei Allows Expats Back Into Bike-Sharing Program After Uproar(Bloomberg) -- The first time Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je heard foreign residents were to be excluded from Taipei's much-loved bike-rental scheme was in the middle of an interview Tuesday afternoon. He turned his wrath on one of his aides, telling them to call the transport department."Tell them to fix the problem tonight," he ordered, while simultaneously texting the head of the department himself. "They have to report to me tomorrow morning if they can't fix it tonight."The YouBike issue, which triggered an online uproar from expats, highlighted the point Ko had made earlier in the interview with Bloomberg News: Taipei struggles to compete with the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong in attracting multinational companies and expatriates.That may be changing, with the pro-democracy protests that have engulfed Hong Kong since June presenting an opportunity for Taipei to pitch itself as a good place to do business. The number of people moving from Hong Kong to Taiwan is set to reach its highest in at least four years in 2019, up 23% in the first 10 months of 2019 from a year earlier, according to the National Immigration Agency.Taiwan's more affordable housing and schools are among attractions. But while Ko has established a task force to attract businesses from Hong Kong, he conceded it had had little success so far."Taipei has to be more open, more multicultural." he said. "In the end, foreign companies prefer Singapore."Presidential AmbitionsIt's that blunt style that has endeared the 60-year-old former surgeon to many residents of the city, leading to regular speculation he'll one day seek Taiwan's presidency. First elected as an political newcomer unattached to any party in 2014, Ko won a second term in a close-run election in November last year.While he toyed with the idea of a run for the presidency in upcoming elections in January, he instead set up the Taiwan People's Party, which will field 46 candidates in legislative elections running concurrently with the presidential vote.He refused to confirm whether or not he will seek the presidency in the next election in 2024, but insisted he would prepare to do so."The future has too many unpredictable events. You should ask me in 2023," he said, illustrating his thought processes with a scrawled series of formulas on scrap paper.Angry ExpatsKo needed no time -- or calculations -- to make a decision on the YouBike issue.That's in part because Taipei is proud of its growing reputation among foreigners for quality of life and affordability. It's been ranked the best city in the world for expats for two years running in a survey by InterNations, a network for people living abroad.Ko touted his success in streamlining the application process for foreign businesses looking to invest in his city, with Taipei City's approval of foreign investments climbed more than 50% to $8.8 billion in 2018."H&M were on the verge of giving up on opening a store in Taipei after spending months going from department to department getting all the right permits," Ko said of Swedish clothing giant Hennes & Mauritz AB. "In the end I gave them the direct number to my office and told them if they have any more trouble to call me."H&M opened its first shop in Taipei in 2015. When asked if he hands his personal number out to every company looking to invest in Taipei, Ko said: "As long as you're big or valuable enough."Frustrating BureaucracyKo's exasperation with slow and burdensome bureaucracy was evident in his response to the YouBike fiasco.The 10-year-old bike-rental scheme is hugely popular among residents and a draw for visitors, with 26.6 million trips last year. Over the weekend, the company running the program informed frequent users that they would have to re-register. The wrinkle? Only ID numbers from citizens would be accepted, effectively shutting out Taiwan's roughly 800,000 foreign residents.When Bloomberg informed him of the issue, officials hastened to tell the mayor they were already working on a solution, saying it could be fixed by Christmas Eve. He demanded it be done immediately.Within hours, the city said the issue was fixed, and foreign residents can now enjoy the orange and yellow bikes.To contact the reporters on this story: Adela Lin in Taipei at alin95@bloomberg.net;Samson Ellis in Taipei at sellis29@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Samson Ellis at sellis29@bloomberg.net, Adrian Kennedy, Karen LeighFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Samantha Bee Breaks Down Why Impeaching Trump Is Far From ‘Pointless’

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 08:12 PM PST

Samantha Bee Breaks Down Why Impeaching Trump Is Far From 'Pointless'After a cold open parody of A Christmas Carol that found Samantha Bee as Ebenezer Scrooge waking up from her Trump nightmare to celebrate Impeachment Day, the Full Frontal host wished her viewers a very "Merry Impeach-mas." "Look, we should all take a moment to feel excited that Trump is finally facing a consequence," Bee said before cutting off her audience's cheers with, "OK, moment's over, time for people to ruin it." With that she cut to a series of clips of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) throwing cold water on any excitement by vowing to let Trump off the hook during his Senate trial."The really galling thing about the GOP firewall around Trump is that he's still openly doing the same crimes they're protecting him for," the host said, pointing to "nightmare before Christmas" Rudy Giuliani, who was back in Ukraine just last week continuing to search for dirt on Joe Biden and his son Hunter. "Rudy is still doing the stuff that got the president impeached today and he doesn't seem worried at all that there are going to be any consequences," Bee said, playing a clip of Giuliani telling Fox he's not "afraid" of being indicted himself. "Excuse me, but the only time Rudy Giuliani feels fear is when he gets too close to a very crisp apple," Bee joked. "One bite and those teeth fly out of his face." Looking ahead, Bee predicted that come January "this whole process is going to get even uglier," with Graham showing off his "best Kavanaugh-confirming sneer" and McConnell trying to "rush the impeachment trial through in 15 minutes." "This whole process is already excruciating and it's going to get worse," Bee said. "It might even feel like impeaching Trump was pointless. But it's not. In a world where old rich white dudes seem to increasingly operate with impunity, today Trump faces the tiniest bit of 'punity' and that is magic." The opening segment ended with David Alan Grier's Santa Claus bringing Bee the one gift she's always wanted: the approved articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.For more, listen to Samantha Bee on The Last Laugh podcast below: Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.


Suit: Police barged into Kansas home, beat man for no reason

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 06:24 AM PST

Suit: Police barged into Kansas home, beat man for no reasonA federal lawsuit alleges that Kansas City, Kansas, police broke into a man's home in the middle of the night and beat him before having him charged with battery of a law enforcement officer. Joseph Harter, 43, claims in the lawsuit filed last week in federal court that he was temporarily blinded by blood in his eyes and went to a hospital after the October 2018 beating, The Kansas City Star reported. The police department and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County declined to comment Wednesday on the pending litigation, which alleges that Harter was the victim of illegal entry, battery, false imprisonment and excessive force.


Erdogan says 50,000 Syrians fleeing Idlib to Turkey

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 01:25 AM PST

Erdogan says 50,000 Syrians fleeing Idlib to TurkeyTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that 50,000 people were fleeing Syria's northwestern region of Idlib to Turkey, and slammed Muslim nations for not supporting his plans to resettle refugees in other parts of north Syria. Turkey currently hosts some 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population in the world, and fears another influx from the Idlib region, where up to 3 million Syrians live in the last significant insurgent-held swathe of territory.


How America Could Catch China Preparing for a War

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 01:08 AM PST

How America Could Catch China Preparing for a WarThe U.S. Navy needs better surveillance and reconnaissance systems if it's to have any chance of detecting a Chinese build-up in the Western Pacific in the weeks or days preceding a possible major war.


White House press secretary says Trump is a 'counterpuncher' when asked why he implied that a late beloved Michigan congressman is in hell now

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 11:34 AM PST

White House press secretary says Trump is a 'counterpuncher' when asked why he implied that a late beloved Michigan congressman is in hell nowPresident Donald Trump implied that Rep. John Dingell, who died in February, was in hell, as he criticized Dingell's wife for voting to impeach him.


Family, church seek to bring 2-year-old girl back to life through prayer, song and praise

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 01:19 PM PST

Family, church seek to bring 2-year-old girl back to life through prayer, song and praiseFor the past week members of Bethel Church in Redding, California, have been using prayer, music and singing to bring back to life a child who died.


Meth boom adds to Afghanistan's opium and heroin woes

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 09:15 PM PST

Meth boom adds to Afghanistan's opium and heroin woesAt a sprawling rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Kabul, dozens of dazed-looking drug addicts clamber out of police buses and shuffle toward the facility. Almost unheard of in Afghanistan until a few years ago, meth's sudden appearance has blindsided authorities in a country already suffering from a crisis in opium and heroin addiction. "My life has been ruined by addiction," said 25-year-old Sulaiman, one of the 40 or so men arriving at the treatment centre.


Merkel Downplays Chinese Threats Over Huawei’s 5G Presence

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 06:37 AM PST

Merkel Downplays Chinese Threats Over Huawei's 5G Presence(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed any public threats from China should her government issue a ban on equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. from the country's fifth-generation network."Nothing has been communicated to me in terms of pressure from Chinese state actors," Merkel told lawmakers in a question-and-answer session in the Bundestag on Wednesday.Chinese ambassador Wu Ken last week said that a Huawei ban would result in consequences and cited German auto sales in the Asian giant's market.Merkel, who is trying to strike a balance between trade ties with China and hardliners warning about potential security risks from Huawei's ties to the Beijing government, stuck to her position of opposing a ban."My position is not to say at the very beginning that one single company is completely out of the question,"Merkel said. "But on the other hand, not to be blind. So, we must have an eye on the trust aspect."The German government is thrashing out 5G security standards with lawmakers in the Bundestag in negotiations that are likely to stretch into next year. Legislators from across Merkel's coalition presented a draft bill last week that would impose a full ban on any "untrustworthy" vendors -- taking direct aim at Huawei.Peter Beyer, a senior lawmaker in Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, said earlier on Wednesday that a draft would be finalized at the beginning of 2020 and have to take into account trade interests as well as national security. But he said there was reason to be wary of Huawei as as a factor in cybersecurity."We have a lot of information from our intelligence services that makes us a little uneasy," Beyer, who has been critical of Huawei, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.To contact the reporters on this story: Patrick Donahue in Berlin at pdonahue1@bloomberg.net;Arne Delfs in Berlin at adelfs@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, Raymond ColittFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Congress slashes funding for the Navy’s LCS sensors — again

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 12:33 PM PST

Congress slashes funding for the Navy's LCS sensors — againAppropriators are set to slice 77 percent from the Navy's mine countermeasures module, shuffling part of it to another section of the budget.


Police: 2 missing bodies in volcano eruption may be at sea

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 08:42 PM PST

Police: 2 missing bodies in volcano eruption may be at seaNew Zealand authorities said Wednesday they believe the two bodies that remain missing after a deadly volcanic eruption last week have been washed out to sea and may never be found. Eighteen people died and others suffered severe burns after the Dec. 9 eruption at White Island. Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said he believes a storm soon after the eruption washed the bodies down a stream and into the Pacific Ocean.


Grandfather offered plea deal in girl's cruise ship death

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 06:40 PM PST

Grandfather offered plea deal in girl's cruise ship deathPuerto Rican defense attorney Jose Perez said Anello doesn't want to plead guilty and would rather clear his name at trial.


Aircraft Theft: Why China's J-11 Fighter Looks Like Russia's Su-27 'Flanker'

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 04:00 AM PST

Aircraft Theft: Why China's J-11 Fighter Looks Like Russia's Su-27 'Flanker'China continues to reverse-engineer foreign military hardware.


Here's what happens now that Trump has been impeached by the House

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 05:45 PM PST

Here's what happens now that Trump has been impeached by the HouseOn Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against Trump: abuse of his office, and obstruction of Congress.


After Pensacola shooting, Pentagon screening of Saudi military trainees finds no imminent threat

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 02:30 PM PST

After Pensacola shooting, Pentagon screening of Saudi military trainees finds no imminent threatThe Pentagon plans to announce new steps to vet foreign military students after a Saudi officer attacked people at Naval Air Station Pensacola.


U.S. imposes sanctions on two Iranian judges for 'oppression'

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST

U.S. imposes sanctions on two Iranian judges for 'oppression'The United States has imposed sanctions on two Iranian judges whom it accuses of having punished Iranian citizens and dual nationals for exercising their freedoms of speech and assembly, the U.S. Treasury said on Thursday. The judges, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh, "oversaw the Iranian regime's miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran's ethnic and religious minority groups were penalized for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution," the Treasury said in a statement.


South African Cabinet Rejects Farm-Size Limits in Land Reforms

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 01:40 AM PST

South African Cabinet Rejects Farm-Size Limits in Land Reforms(Bloomberg) -- Sign up to our Next Africa newsletter and follow Bloomberg Africa on TwitterSouth Africa's cabinet rejected proposals to limit the size of farms and to establish a dedicated fund in the nation's land-reform process, Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza said.An advisory panel set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July submitted a report containing 73 recommendations on the land-reform process. Of those, the cabinet endorsed 60 and noted three others, according to the Department of Agriculture.The proposal on farm sizes was rejected because "agricultural conditions vary across the country," Didiza told reporters Thursday in Pretoria, the capital. "While in one place where rainfall is good and the land fertile, a far smaller farm would be needed than a farm in one of the more arid areas."A recommendation by the panel that a dedicated land-reform fund be established was also dismissed "because we believe that the optimum and judicial use of funds can be done through the current budgeting process," she said.The ruling African National Congress adopted expropriation of land without compensation as a policy in 2017 to address racially skewed ownership patterns dating back to colonialism and white-minority rule. It's seen by Ramaphosa's foes within the party as a test of his resolve to push through decisions unpopular with the business community.The panel's other proposals included considering a tax on land that exceeds the maximum threshold for one owner and levies on underutilized land. It also suggested dissolving the Ingonyama Trust under which the king of South Africa's most populous ethnic group, the Zulus, holds 2.8 million hectares (6.92 million acres) of land on behalf of his subjects.The ANC plans to change the constitution to make it easier to seize land without paying for it. Separate legislation has been drafted outlining the circumstances under which the state can do this.To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Vecchiatto in Cape Town at pvecchiatto@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Gordon Bell at gbell16@bloomberg.net, Paul Richardson, Jacqueline MackenzieFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


'Spouting Russian propaganda': Nadler calls out Gohmert

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 02:20 PM PST

'Spouting Russian propaganda': Nadler calls out GohmertChairman Nadler accused Rep. Louie Gohmert of "spouting Russian propaganda on the floor of the House" ahead of the impeachment vote on Wednesday.


30 Ceramic Table Lamps to Elevate Your Space

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 10:13 AM PST

30 Ceramic Table Lamps to Elevate Your Space


Institute to pay $5.5M for not disclosing Chinese grants

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 10:37 AM PST

Institute to pay $5.5M for not disclosing Chinese grantsA Michigan research institute accused of failing to disclose Chinese government grants received by two of its researchers has reached a $5.5 million settlement, the Justice Department announced Thursday. Federal officials said the Van Andel Research Institute, of Grand Rapids, acted with "deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard" when it applied to the U.S. government for grants on the scientists' behalf without also acknowledging that the researchers had been receiving funding from China. The civil case is part of a broader crackdown by the Justice Department and other agencies on unreported foreign funding — especially from China — to researchers at American universities and institutions.


Fitton on impeachment: Trump being abused, Constitution being attacked

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 06:11 PM PST

Fitton on impeachment: Trump being abused, Constitution being attackedJudicial Watch President Tom Fitton reacts to House vote on impeachment articles.


Italian Cops Tried to Take Revenge on U.S. Kids Who Killed One of Their Own

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 08:04 AM PST

Italian Cops Tried to Take Revenge on U.S. Kids Who Killed One of Their OwnROME–The criminal case against two American teens from California's Bay Area who are accused of fatally stabbing an Italian police officer here in July has just taken a truly Italian twist. On Wednesday, Italian police concluded their own internal investigation into three police officers who are now facing charges that could jeopardize the case against 19-year-old Finnegan Elder and 18-year-old Gabe Natale Hjorth. Elder allegedly confessed to stabbing the officer, Mario Rega Cerciello. But he says he did so in self defense because neither Cerciello nor his partner that night identified themselves as police officers by showing weapons or badges. Hjorth also says he was manhandled during the interrogation, as shown by a photo of him blindfolded in custody. Officer Fabio Manganaro is accused of using excessive measures and abuse of office for blindfolding Natale Hjorth when he was in custody being questioned about the murder. Officer Silvio Pellegrino is accused of circulating the photo of the blindfolded American, which was disseminated widely in the press. Police say Pellegrino circulated the images on "at least two WhatsApp chats," causing what they say was "unjust damage" to the case against Natale Hjorth. Pellegrini is also accused of abuse of office for relaying information to the press and other police officers about the Americans allegedly searching for cocaine, which, they say, compromised the investigation. It is unclear what Pellegrini's motive might have been in making a move that undermines the investigation by Italian police into the murder of one of their own officers. Another officer, Sandro Ottaviani, is accused of forgery for falsifying an official document to make it appear Cerciello and Varriale were carrying weapons. Ottaviani allegedly told his superiors that the officers had their government-issue weapons the night of the murder, when, in fact, they did not. American Teen Plunged 7-Inch Knife Deep Into Italian Cop According to Leaked Autopsy ReportCerciello was killed when he and his police partner met the Americans to retrieve a backpack they allegedly stole from a many who had lined them up with a pusher. They had expected to buy cocaine, and had spent about $80, only to discover they'd been sold crushed aspirin instead. So they stole the go-between's bag, with a phone still in it. According to police, he called the phone, and the Americans set up a meeting to exchange the bag for the money they'd spent and for some real cocaine. But when the Americans went to the rendezvous they were met by Cerciello and his partner. That these cops stepped in to help a drug pusher and his shill over an $80 drug deal has raised eyebrows across Italy, with the general consensus that one or both were police informants. Neither the go-between nor the pusher has been arrested for selling or abetting the sale of drugs. When the police officers met the Americans to retrieve the bag, a fight ensued and Cerciello was stabbed with a 7-inch military grade knife that Elder had brought from the U.S., according to a police report seen by The Daily Beast. Elder allegedly confessed to the stabbing, which he said was in self defense after Cerciello grabbed his neck. Hjorth has said through his attorney that he did not know Elder was armed, despite the fact that police say his fingerprints were found on Elder's hotel room ceiling panel under which the weapon used in the murder was found. The twist in the investigation will surely give the American defense team hope that they can question the police work as part of their defense. In November, police leaked details from what is purported to be a secret taping of Elder and his father and American lawyer in the prison visiting room during which Elder is supposed to have said that, indeed, he did know Cerciello was a police officer. Elder's lawyers told The Daily Beast they strongly deny the content of the leaked police transcript of the tape. They continue to insist that Elder did not know he and Hjorth were faced with police officers that fatal night. "When they quickly flashed their cards or whatever ...," Elder allegedly said before being interrupted by his lawyer, Craig Peterson, during their prison conversation. Peterson then is supposed to have whispered to his client, "Stay calm, stick to your statement, review it point by point, remember it. Your statement shouldn't worry us during the interrogation," Peterson reportedly said, then added, "You did not see anything." Peterson adamantly denied to The Daily Beast that such a conversation ever happened. Italian lawyers for Elder told The Daily Beast on Thursday that they were still weighing the significance of the investigation into the police officers, but that it certainly underscored the flaws in the case. Lawyers for Hjorth declined to comment, but have previously asked that their client, who is a dual American-Italian citizen, be placed under house arrest. The young Americans are in separate prisons in Rome accused of aggravated homicide and other charges awaiting a Feb. 26 trial date. They have separate defense teams but will be tried together. They face life in prison if convicted. Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.


Lindsey Graham Calls on Giuliani to Testify on Corruption before Senate Judiciary Committee

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 10:05 AM PST

Lindsey Graham Calls on Giuliani to Testify on Corruption before Senate Judiciary CommitteeSenate Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) told reporters on Wednesday that he wants Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani to testify before the panel regarding allegations that Joe Biden leveraged his position as vice president to secure a lucrative position for his son on the board of a Ukrainian gas company."I'm going to be reaching out to Rudy, writing a letter saying you're welcome to come to this committee, if you have something you'd like to share about corruption," Graham told reporters. Giuliani would not be compelled to make an appearance, the Senator added.Giuliani's actions have been scrutinized during the impeachment inquiry into President Trump's conduct regarding Ukraine. Democrats suspect Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure the country to investigate corruption allegations against political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma while Joe Biden was handling Ukraine policy as vice president.Giuliani repeatedly travelled to Ukraine in 2019 to meet with contacts and push for an investigation into the Bidens. Those contacts include former head prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, who Giuliani considered taking on as a client at the same time he was urging Lutsenko to investigate the Bidens, and a KGB-trained pro-Russian lawmaker Andriy Derkach, whose father was a KGB operative and one-time head of Ukrainian intelligence.Graham would like Giuliani to testify to his committee before the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin.The House will vote Wednesday on two articles of impeachment against President Trump, one for abuse of power and another for obstruction of Congress. The articles are expected to pass along party lines, with most Democrats in favor and every Republican House member opposed.


Russia's New Su-57 Stealth Fighter Is Back in Action in Syria

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 02:09 AM PST

Russia's New Su-57 Stealth Fighter Is Back in Action in SyriaBut don't get too excited just yet.


Australian leader curtails holiday as firefighters killed in huge blazes

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 01:37 PM PST

Australian leader curtails holiday as firefighters killed in huge blazesAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a rare public apology as he cut short a Hawaiian vacation on Friday after two volunteer firefighters were killed battling blazes that are ravaging much of the country's east coast. Australia has been fighting wildfires in the east for weeks, with blazes destroying more than 700 homes and nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) of bushland. The death of the two firefighters overnight when their fire truck was struck by a falling tree as it traveled through the front line of a fire brought the death toll since the start of October to eight.


Boris Johnson Plans 'Radical' U.K. Remake After Big Election Win

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 10:16 AM PST

Boris Johnson Plans 'Radical' U.K. Remake After Big Election Win(Bloomberg) -- Boris Johnson heralded a "golden age" for the U.K. as he pressed on with his plan to deliver Brexit on Jan. 31, with the first vote on his deal with European Union scheduled for Friday.The prime minister set out what he described as the "most radical" program of law-making in a generation after last week's election victory. The plans, delivered in a speech to Parliament by Queen Elizabeth II, included a spending boost for the National Health Service, infrastructure development and a review of the relationship between government and the courts."This is not a program for one year or one Parliament, it is a blueprint for the future of Britain: Just imagine where this country could be in 10 years' time," Johnson told the House of Commons. "I do not think it vainglorious or implausible to say that a new golden age for this United Kingdom is within reach."The Withdrawal Agreement Bill, the piece of legislation needed for the U.K. to leave the EU on Jan. 31 before formally triggering trade talks with the bloc, will be voted on for the first time in the House of Commons on Friday. The government announced the Department for Exiting the European Union will be closed at the end of January, to signal that Brexit will be "done."The revamped bill, similar to one introduced to Parliament by Johnson in October, removes provisions for workers' rights that were intended to win the support of opposition MPs and strips lawmakers of much of their say over leaving the bloc.Taking Back ControlIn the three-and-a-half-years since the 2016 referendum, the House of Commons wrested control of the process from the government, forcing ministers to seek the approval of lawmakers before making agreements with the EU. The new bill removes a say for MPs over negotiations and stops them from forcing an extension of the implementation period, which is scheduled to end in December 2020.In a symbol of Johnson's complete control of the process and how much the Brexit debate has moved on, The Independent Group for Change, set up by a cross-party group of pro-EU MPs, announced it was closing down after failing to win any seats in the Dec. 12 election."It was always better to have fought and lost than never to have fought at all," the group said. "We have no regrets about standing up and speaking truth to power when the country needed it."Johnson, who also promised action on immigration and tougher sentences for offenders, is seeking to act fast to cement the support of people in areas of Britain that have traditionally voted for the opposition Labour Party. His legislative program is loaded with the pledges he made to win support in those districts.Election PledgesAlongside a law to guarantee increased spending on the NHS and commitments to hire more police officers, there are political promises to provide free parking at hospitals and get people home quickly from their holidays if travel companies go bust.Read more: U.K. to Crack Down on Russian, North Korean SpiesJohnson is also pushing ahead with potentially radical constitutional reforms. After opponents of Brexit successfully went to the U.K. Supreme Court to block Johnson's Brexit plans, he will launch a review into the relationship between the country's governing institutions, setting up a battle with the judiciary and Parliament over Britain's constitution."We will set up a Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission to consider the relationship between Government, Parliament and the courts and to explore whether the checks and balances in our constitution are working for everyone," the government's briefing document said.The program also promised legislation to support the U.K.'s position as a center for financial services. Laws will ensure the country keeps its regulatory standards and stays open to international markets after leaving the EU.Security, DefenseJohnson, who had a controversial term as foreign secretary before becoming prime minister, will also personally lead a review of the U.K.'s security, defense and foreign policy. The focus will be on better integration and use of money to combat developing threats "from smartphones to autonomous drones," a briefing document said.Other measures include:A Trade Bill to allow international deals after Brexit and give the U.K. powers to "transition" trading arrangements while it is in the process of leaving the EU.Fiscal rules that commit the government to balancing the day-to-day budget and limiting investment to 3% of gross domestic product. The rules will allow the government room to increase borrowing for investmentLegislation upgrading the government's power to scrutinize and intervene in mergers and acquisitions seen to threaten national securityNew Espionage bill to allow security services to disrupt hostile state activity; U.K. is also considering a register for foreign agents in the countryScrapping the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act -- the law sets the date for a general election once every five years. Under Johnson's plan, the prime minister would have power to decide the timing of future electionsA 100 billion-pound ($131 billion) national infrastructure strategy to be set out alongside the government's first budget, focusing on transport, decarbonization and digital infrastructurePutting into law a new funding settlement for the NHS and speeding up access to cutting-edge drugs, making it easier for hospitals to manufacture innovative personalized medicinesLaws to speed up roll-out of gigabit-per-second broadband\--With assistance from Jessica Shankleman, Kitty Donaldson, James Paton and Alex Morales.To contact the reporters on this story: Thomas Penny in London at tpenny@bloomberg.net;Greg Ritchie in London at gritchie10@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Stuart BiggsFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


The US Army wants to outfit dogs with tiny cameras and other advanced gear to make them even more effective in combat

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 08:41 AM PST

The US Army wants to outfit dogs with tiny cameras and other advanced gear to make them even more effective in combatDogs been fighting on battlefields for centuries, but the modern military dog is more sophisticated than his predecessor with more advanced gear.


Postal worker accused of selling crack out of mail truck on delivery routes

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 07:16 AM PST

Postal worker accused of selling crack out of mail truck on delivery routesDarcy Spangler, 52, appeared in Ashtabula Municipal Court in Ashtabula, Ohio, on Wednesday on charges of trafficking in drugs, court records show.


This Is What It Looks Like When Octopuses Attack

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 12:37 PM PST

This Is What It Looks Like When Octopuses Attack


Report: German spy agency releases Himmler daughter files

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 06:26 AM PST

Report: German spy agency releases Himmler daughter filesGermany's foreign intelligence agency has declassified documents regarding its employment of the daughter of top Nazi Heinrich Himmler as a secretary in the early 1960s, the country's top-selling newspaper reported Thursday. The BND agency declassified the documents on Gudrun Burwitz-Himmler at the Bild newspaper's request. The paper previously confirmed the intelligence agency employed Burwitz-Himmler from 1961 to 1963.


Wanted Thai serial killer re-arrested after early release

Posted: 17 Dec 2019 09:22 PM PST

Wanted Thai serial killer re-arrested after early releaseThai police arrested a convicted serial killer Wednesday in connection with another murder after his early release from jail for good behaviour, authorities confirmed. Somkid Pumpuang was sentenced to life in 2005 for the killing of five women believed to be involved in the sex and nightlife industry, leading the media to dub him Thailand's "Jack the Ripper". Authorities considered him an "excellent prisoner" and released him in May this year, but he is now the chief suspect in the murder this week of a 51-year-old hotel maid in the country's northeast.


Breast cancer survivors face other health risks after treatment

Posted: 18 Dec 2019 02:28 PM PST

Breast cancer survivors face other health risks after treatmentBased on U.S. data for more than 750,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer and followed for an average of 15 years, researchers found that breast cancer and other cancers are the most common cause of death for the first decade, followed by heart disease and stroke. After 10 years, the risk of death from heart diseases remains high and is elevated compared to women in the general population, the researchers report in the journal Cancer. Breast cancer is the most common primary cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related death among women in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute.


Trump calls Democrats 'anti-American' as he unveils $4m funding drive to fight impeachment

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 12:03 PM PST

Trump calls Democrats 'anti-American' as he unveils $4m funding drive to fight impeachmentDonald Trump branded the Democratic party "anti-American" on Thursday as he attempted to turn being impeached into a political advantage.  The US president released a fundraising drive within hours of the vote seeking $4 million (£3.1m) within 24 hours as he seized on the fact that not a single Republican voted to impeach him. As part of a concerted effort to shape the narrative, Mr Trump shared a picture of himself pointing at the camera saying: "In reality they're not after me, they're after you". Mr Trump chose to hold a campaign rally in the aptly named city of Battle Creek in Michigan while the vote to impeach him on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress was happening in Washington. US networks carried split-screen footage of crowds cheering on the president while the somber House vote proceeded, offering a visual illustration of the deep public divide on impeachment. Recent polls suggest American's are equally split on the issue, with the website Five Thirty Eight showing 47.4 per cent in favour of impeachment and 46.3 per cent against it. Meanwhile a new row erupted Thursday over the Senate trial, which will decide whether to remove Mr Trump from office, following the House of Representatives vote to impeach a president for only the third time in US history. Democrats are demanding that new witnesses, including some in Mr Trump's inner circle, are called to give evidence on what they know about the Ukraine scandal that led to his impeachment.  pic.twitter.com/DutxclyZw9— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2019 But the Republicans, who set the parameters of the trial thanks to their majority in the Senate, are arguing that nobody else should be called to testify. In an apparent attempt to force concessions, the Democrats have indicated they may delay the Senate proceedings by refusing to hand over the impeachment articles until a "fair" process is agreed upon. Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat House Speaker who called the impeachment vote, said: "So far we haven't seen anything that looks fair to us. Nancy Pelosi has threatened to delay proceedings Credit: Rex Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, criticised the delay and suggested Democrats were simply "afraid" of trial's outcome, with Mr Trump all but certain to be acquitted by the chamber. Mr McConnell denounced the "most rushed and most unfair" impeachment and signalled he intends to hold a swift trial on the two charges passed by the House. "The vote did not reflect what had been proven. It only reflects how they feel about the president. The Senate must put this right," he said as he addressed his fellow senators. Read more | Donald Trump's impeachment "It could not be clearer which outcome would serve the stabilising, institution-preserving, fever-breaking role for which the United States Senate was created and which outcome would betray it".     The comments were echoed by Mr Trump in a campaign message sent to his supporters, attacking the impeachment vote as a "partisan scam" and highlighting the result fell along party lines. "Yesterday's vote by Democrats was blatantly anti-American. We can't let this go on any longer," Mr Trump said in a plea for donations.   "This is an attack on Democracy. An attack on freedom. An attack on everything we hold dear in this country. And it's an attack on you". The White House is already working with Mr McConnell to prepare for the upcoming Senate trial, expected to be held in January. The chamber's 100 senators will act as jurors to hear the case for and against convicting Mr Trump on the two articles is presented to them. The Supreme Court's chief justice, John Roberts, who was nominated to the bench by president George W Bush, will preside over the trial.


The Military Is Getting Ready to Fight China and Russia at the Same Time

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 09:00 AM PST

The Military Is Getting Ready to Fight China and Russia at the Same TimeJust in case?


Najib Ends Last Trial of 2019 By Pleading Ignorance: 1MDB Update

Posted: 19 Dec 2019 12:58 AM PST

Najib Ends Last Trial of 2019 By Pleading Ignorance: 1MDB Update(Bloomberg) -- Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak ended his last trial day for the year by saying he wasn't aware of the balance in his personal accounts and didn't know whether signatures on documents shown to him were his.Najib said he never checked the balance in his accounts, adding he issued checks by "sensing" that there would be enough funds to clear them. He also cast doubt over documents bearing his signatures, including one that gave him overreaching control over a former unit of 1MDB. His lawyer said they plan to summon a handwriting expert from Australia to verify the signatures.The former prime minister has been on the stand for most of the December, spending three days to read out his sworn testimony. He was ordered to defend against accusations of receiving 42 million ringgit ($10 million) of bribes in relation to his role in the former unit of 1MDB, after the judge ruled that prosecutors had built a successful case. In his testimony, he detailed decisions delegated to others and denied knowledge of transactions surrounding the case. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.Key DevelopmentsThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission named Najib in a statement banning ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker Tim Leissner on Dec. 17. The agency said Najib received kickbacks along with other government officials in Malaysia and Abu DhabiNajib's trial on the former unit of 1MDB will resume Jan. 6 next yearNajib faces a total of 42 charges and has two other trials ongoing, including a major one involving 1MDB's billion-dollar transactions. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s lawyer is holding a watching brief for that hearingFurther ReadingNajib Says He's Right to Buy $131,000 Gift for Wife: 1MDB UpdateU.S. Said to Discuss Goldman 1MDB Penalty Below $2 Billion (1)Long List of Charges Against Najib as 1MDB Trial Kicks Off (1)To contact the reporter on this story: Hadi Azmi in Kuala Lumpur at klnews@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Yudith Ho at yho35@bloomberg.net, Anisah ShukryFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


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