| Trump administration staff to abandon protection of president under threat of fines, congressman suggests: 'It could be a game changer' Posted: 14 May 2019 01:08 AM PDT  Trump administration staff who are protecting the president by refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas could abandon him under threat of huge fines, senior Democrats have suggested.Adam Schiff, Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, has proposed holding those who do not comply with Congress with inherent contempt, a rarely used procedure which can result in fines up to $25,000 (£19,330) daily or even imprisonment.The proposal comes amid an unprecedented effort by the White House to resist efforts by House Democrats to get access to Donald Trump's tax returns, the unredacted Mueller report, and documents from former White House lawyer Don McGahn. "I don't know how many are going to want to take that risk for Donald Trump. But we're going to have to use that device if necessary," Mr Schiff told ABC News."We're going to have to use the power of the purse if necessary. We're going to have to enforce our ability to do oversight." Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, asked about Mr Schiff's comments, told NBC News on Monday that he believed "fines would be appropriate".Noting the threat of contempt ultimately pressured the Nixon administration into complying with Congress during the Watergate scandal, Mr Khanna said: "I do think it could be a game changer. Not everyone is going to want to incur a fine to protect this president, not everyone is going to want to be held in contempt of congress to protect this president." Mr Khanna, who is co-chair of Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, added he hoped the issue could be resolved in the courts, amid what he described as a "constitutional stalemate". House Democrats last week escalated their feud with the White House by moving towards holding attorney general William Barr in contempt over his refusal to give up the unredacted Mueller report, which details Russia's attempts to help Mr Trump win the 2020 election, as well as the president's attempts to impede the subsequent investigation. Finding Mr Barr in contempt would make him only the second sitting attorney general to be hit with the charge.The White House has been contacted for comment.
|
| Five U.S. abuse victims sue Vatican to release names of predator priests Posted: 14 May 2019 12:57 PM PDT ![Five U.S. abuse victims sue Vatican to release names of predator priests]( "Five U.S. abuse victims sue Vatican to release names of predator priests") Three brothers and two other men claimed in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in St. Paul that the Church has kept secret the identities and records of more than 3,400 clergy accused of sexual abuse, including some top church officials. The men are asking the court to require the Vatican to make the information public and report all alleged crimes to law enforcement worldwide.
|
| New study suggests the Moon may be shrinking Posted: 13 May 2019 04:37 PM PDT  Earth isn't the only place that "quakes." Rocky planets and moons regularly experience similar movements, and faults can form between massive chunks of crust on other worlds the same as they can here on Earth. The Moon is one place we know that experiences those kinds of shifts, and new research suggests that it might actually be making the Moon smaller over time.The study, which was published in Nature Geoscience, explains how the cliffs observed on the Moon's surface hint at a cooling spell that occurred after the Moon formed. As it cooled, it "shriveled like a raisin," and large cliffs formed on the surface when the Moon's crust was compressed. These regions, known as thrust faults, may still be growing today, and the overall size of the Moon may be shrinking as a result.The researchers combined observations from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter with new analysis of seismic readings gathered during the Apollo moon missions. This revisiting of the data revealed the approximate source of dozens of lunar quakes detected by the instruments."We found that a number of the quakes recorded in the Apollo data happened very close to the faults seen in the LRO imagery," Nicholas Schmerr of the University of Maryland, co-author of the study, said in a statement. "It's quite likely that the faults are still active today. You don't often get to see active tectonics anywhere but Earth, so it's very exciting to think these faults may still be producing moonquakes."As on Earth, pressure along fault lines builds up to a point where the force of friction can no longer prevent the large rocky plates from moving. When that movement occurs, a quake is felt, and in the case of the Moon the continued movement of the plates may indicate that it's not done shrinking.The researchers suggest that this is just another of many reasons why mankind should prioritize a revisit of the Moon. Learning more about how the Moon works and the mechanics at play on the surface could teach us a great deal about other planets as well, and help prepare organizations like NASA for trips deeper into space.
|
| World equities sink as US and China exchange trade war salvos Posted: 13 May 2019 02:39 PM PDT  China's move to retaliate against the latest US tariffs pummeled global stocks on Monday, with Wall Street suffering an especially bruising blow amid fears the year-long conflict could deteriorate further.
|
| Legendary Porsche-Designed Type 64 Up For Auction Posted: 13 May 2019 02:52 AM PDT  The Type 64 was designed by Professor Ferdinand Porsche to compete in the 1939 Berlin-Rome race. Porsche can trace back its origin to the very first 356 ever built over seven decades ago, but some argue that the Porsche timeline actually stretches back further. Commissioned to design and build a car for the 932-mile Berlin-Rome race of September 1939, Professor Ferdinand Porsche created a car known only as the Type 64.
|
| The Best SUVs and Crossovers 2019-2020 Posted: 13 May 2019 12:17 PM PDT |
| As Trump escalates pressure, experts fear Iran will strike back Posted: 13 May 2019 06:33 AM PDT  The Trump administration's strategy of ratcheting up diplomatic, financial and military pressure on Iran is increasing the likelihood that Tehran will use its proxy forces to strike U.S. targets abroad, according to several former intelligence officials.
|
| UPDATE 5-WhatsApp security breach may have targeted human rights groups Posted: 14 May 2019 02:24 AM PDT ![UPDATE 5-WhatsApp security breach may have targeted human rights groups]( "UPDATE 5-WhatsApp security breach may have targeted human rights groups") WhatsApp said on Tuesday that a security breach on its messaging app had signs of coming from a government using surveillance technology developed by a private company, and it may have targeted human rights groups. WhatsApp, a unit of Facebook, said it had notified the U.S. Department of Justice to help with an investigation, and it encouraged all WhatsApp users to update to the latest version of the app, where the breach had been fixed.
|
| Rosenstein: Russia probe justified, closing it wasn't option Posted: 13 May 2019 04:49 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh out of his job as deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein said Monday that the Justice Department's investigation into Russian election interference was "justified," that he would have never allowed anyone to interfere with it and that closing it had not been an option.
|
| Sri Lanka blocks social media and imposes curfew after anti-Muslim attacks Posted: 13 May 2019 10:52 AM PDT  Sri Lanka temporarily blocked social media networks and messaging apps and imposed a nationwide curfew on Monday after the worst outbreak of anti-Muslim violence since the Easter Sunday attacks. The murder of over 250 people by suicide bombers at three churches and three luxury hotels was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The riots, apparently sparked by a row on Facebook, began on Sunday as mobs attacked three mosques and many Muslim-owned businesses in Chilaw, some 40km north of capital Colombo, before the military stepped in. Nalaka Kaluwewa, the chief of the Information Department said the ban on social media was intended "to prevent misinformation from being circulated and also to prevent spreading of information that would harm communal harmony." Police said a curfew would be enforced until further notice in the country's North Western region, and until Tuesday morning in the rest of the nation. The violence in Chilaw spread to the adjoining Buddhist-majority Kurunegala district, where mobs were heard shouting "we will kill you," while attacking Muslim businesses and homes. Shops were vandalised in the violence Credit: REX Kurunegala, the electorate of former president Mahinda Rajapaksha, has been the flashpoint of serious anti-Muslim clashes led by Buddhist extremists in the past. On Sunday night, a petrol bomb was thrown into a mosque while worshipers were leaving after their Ramadan night prayers in Koslanda, also in the Kurunegala district. "We now lock the gates after the congregation comes due to security reasons. Just as the congregation was leaving, two men came on a motorbike and threw a petrol bomb that came crashing through the glass," said a 35-year-old mosque volunteer who did not want to be named. "It was terrifying because there were still people inside the mosque. Fortunately, it did not detonate because the fuse went off." The aftermath of the attacks have stirred sectarian tensions in the Buddhist-majority country. Local residents accused Buddhist extremists of being behind some of the violence. Military and special forces were deployed on Monday evening to guard mosques in the Kurunegala district, while police held special meetings with Muslim civil communities and mosque authorities to discuss security strategies. Mosques around the country have been under heavy guard by the military since the Easter bombing attacks. Children under 13 and older people have been asked not to attend prayers, funeral or wedding services in case of emergency evacuations or bombings.
|
| Julian Assange Could Face Extradition Requests From 2 Countries. What Happens Next? Posted: 14 May 2019 08:58 AM PDT  The U.S. wants to try him on hacking charges, Sweden re-opened a rape case
|
| Saudi Arabia says stands by UAE after attacks on tankers Posted: 12 May 2019 10:36 PM PDT ![Saudi Arabia says stands by UAE after attacks on tankers]( "Saudi Arabia says stands by UAE after attacks on tankers") Saudi Arabia expressed support on Monday for the United Arab Emirates, following attacks targeting two Saudi tankers and two other vessels off the UAE coast, its state news agency SPA said, citing a foreign ministry statement. The attacks constitute a "dangerous threat to the safety of navigation and affects negatively regional and international security," the ministry added. On Monday, Saudi Arabia said two of its oil tankers were among vessels targeted by a "sabotage attack" off the UAE coast, condemning the episode as a bid to undermine security of global crude supplies.
|
| CIA Joins Barr in Investigating Origins of Trump Campaign Surveillance Posted: 14 May 2019 08:19 AM PDT  Attorney General William Barr has enlisted the help of the CIA to investigate whether the FBI's surveillance of the Trump campaign was motivated by partisan bias, CNN reported Tuesday.CIA director Gina Haspel, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and FBI director Chris Wray are all participating in the investigation, which Barr first announced publicly during a congressional hearing last month.The Wall Street Journal reported Monday evening that Barr has tapped Connecticut U.S. attorney John Durham to help examine the origins of the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 election, which served as the pretext for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's appointment.The investigation was launched in response to long-held Republican concerns that the FBI's surveillance of the Trump campaign was politically motivated and relied on dubious opposition research. These concerns were in part fueled by the revelation that the FISA warrant obtained to surveil Trump campaign national-security adviser Carter Page was based on information provided in the unsubstantiated Steele dossier.Barr drew the ire of top Democrats last month when he confirmed that he believed the FBI's surveillance of Page and other campaign officials constituted "spying," though he stopped short of asserting the surveillance activity was not properly predicated."I think spying did occur," Barr said during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee. "But the question is whether it was adequately predicated and I am not suggesting that it wasn't adequately predicated. . . . I am not suggesting those rules were violated, but I think it is important to look at that. And I am not talking about the FBI necessarily, but intelligence agencies more broadly."Barr went on to defend his use of the term at a subsequent hearing, telling lawmakers that spying "is a good English word" that accurately captures the FBI's behavior.
|
| Official: Initial US assessment blames Iran for ship attacks Posted: 13 May 2019 03:45 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — An American military team's initial assessment is that Iranian or Iranian-backed proxies used explosives Sunday to blow large holes in four ships anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. official said Monday.
|
| JetBlue operations delayed as 'global' computer outage briefly cripples airline, again Posted: 14 May 2019 05:59 AM PDT ![JetBlue operations delayed as 'global' computer outage briefly cripples airline, again]( "JetBlue operations delayed as 'global' computer outage briefly cripples airline, again") JetBlue reported Tuesday morning that operations had been slowed by what it called a "global Sabre outage impacting multiple airlines."
|
| Sacramento homeless campers putting homeowners at risk by digging into levees Posted: 14 May 2019 07:35 AM PDT  Raw video: Homeless campers in Sacramento, California are putting homeowners at risk. General manager of the American River Flood Control District explains that digging into levees causes flooding issues when water levels rise during the winter.
|
| Sen. Lindsey Graham advises Donald Trump Jr. to ignore Senate subpoena Posted: 13 May 2019 08:31 AM PDT  Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says Donald Trump Jr. should ignore the subpoena issued to him by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
|
| Correction: Houston-Missing Girl story Posted: 13 May 2019 08:33 AM PDT  HOUSTON (AP) — In a story May 6 about a reported abduction of a 4-year-old Houston girl, The Associated Press, relying on information provided by Houston police, misspelled the name of the man who told police the girl had been abducted. His name is Derion Vence, not Darion Vence. The AP also reported that police referred to Vence as the girl's stepfather. A spokesman for the girl's mother says she and Vence lived together and were engaged, but that she recently broke off the engagement.
|
| May Aims to Reopen EU Brexit Talks to Win Corbyn's Support Posted: 13 May 2019 12:40 AM PDT  Theresa May is promising to reopen Brexit talks with the European Union to try to breathe life back into negotiations with the opposition Labour Party and take the U.K. out of the bloc by the summer. The prime minister's office said Sunday the government will explore with the EU this week how to rewrite the outline political agreement on future customs ties, even as a senior Labour official warned that the party's members of Parliament wouldn't back a deal without a second referendum. The EU has said it's willing to make changes to the political declaration, the non-binding part of the Brexit deal that focuses on future ties.
|
| Dead whale washes ashore in Pacifica Posted: 14 May 2019 11:46 AM PDT  The 10th whale in the past few months has washed ashore in the Bay Area. The unusually large death toll is reportedly happening because there is too little food to support the giant mammals.
|
| Trade war threat adds to Boeing woes Posted: 13 May 2019 11:58 AM PDT  Already in crisis mode over the grounding of its top-selling 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing now finds itself at risk of becoming collateral damage in the US-China trade dispute. The editor of Communist party-owned Global Times newspaper said Monday that Boeing's order book could take a hit as Beijing parries Washington in the escalating trade fight. "China may stop purchasing US agricultural products and energy, reduce Boeing orders and restrict US service trade with China," Global Times editor Hu Xijin wrote on his verified Twitter account.
|
| Despite falling numbers, immigration remains divisive EU issue Posted: 14 May 2019 05:47 AM PDT  On the face of it, Europe's migrant crisis appears over, but the shockwaves still resound around the continent ahead of this month's European Parliament election, and nationalist politicians are looking to capitalize on the continued tumult. "The most important thing is that leaders are elected who oppose immigration so that Europe will be in a position to defend itself," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on the sidelines of an EU summit in Romania last week. Opponents accuse far-right and populist parties of grossly exaggerating the problem, but the issue still resonates, with a YouGov poll published on Monday showing that immigration was currently the voters' top concern, followed by climate change.
|
| A top-rated wireless charging pad is only $7.99 right now on Amazon, and it might be a mistake Posted: 13 May 2019 04:54 AM PDT ![A top-rated wireless charging pad is only $7.99 right now on Amazon, and it might be a mistake]( "A top-rated wireless charging pad is only $7.99 right now on Amazon, and it might be a mistake") UPDATE: You guys must have loved this deal because it sold out in just a few hours! Here's a good alternative, and it's only $10.EARLIER: If you have a phone that supports wireless charging, your day is about to get a whole lot brighter. Amazon is running a sale right now on a top-rated wireless charger that slashes the price all the way down to just $7.99. Is it a mistake? It could be. In fact, it probably is, considering the main photo on the product page for the Tiamat Wireless Charging Pad shows a pair of mini speakers. The rest of the images show the correct product though, and Amazon always honors pricing snafus like this one. So if you want a wireless charging pad for an insanely low price, hurry up and snag one before they sell out... and before Amazon realizes the price might be wrong!Here are the key details from the product page: * 【Fast Wireless Charge】Output up to 10W Qi-enabled and support Quick Charge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S9+ / S9 / S8 / S8+ / S7 / S7 edge / S6 edge+ / Note8; Or charges Qi-enabled, non-Quick Charge devices (Compatible with iPhone X / 8 / 8 Plus and etc.) at a standard 5W. * 【Premium Design】0.3in Ultra Slim body with skin fabric coat giving the wireless charging station a modern, premium appearance. The unique coating can also prevent your phone from slipping and keeps dirt away. * 【Safe Charging】Specially designed vents on the bottom cool down the charging pad while charging; Integrated smart chip inside the wireless charging pad helps protect it from overheating, overvoltage short circuit and other similar problems. ❤30-day money back and 12-month free warranty❤ comes with this product. * 【Informative LED Indicator】Low-key, yet fully visible LED light informs you about charging status. * 【Extra Anti-slip Pad】A free silicon anti-slip pad in the box improves the safety of your phone. Enjoy the fun when you DIY your own wireless charger!
|
| 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman celebrates Mother's Day with 10 of her children: Photo Posted: 13 May 2019 11:48 AM PDT  A full house!Nadya "Octomom" Suleman was surrounded by love on Mother's Day this year, andthe mother of 14 took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of her growingchildren on the joyous holiday
|
| Deported Honduran migrant gives up on American dream Posted: 13 May 2019 06:45 PM PDT  Honduran Ruth Elizabeth Gomez gave up on her American dream after US immigration authorities locked her in a cold cell and then deported her back home. After reaching Mexico by foot, the 25-year-old had paid a "coyote" to smuggle her across the US border by boat, only to be arrested after arriving in Texas. After leaving her five and eight-year-old children with her mother, Gomez and her brother Jose Tulio joined the first Central American caravan that set off from San Pedro Sula in Honduras on October 13.
|
| Key events in the Julian Assange legal saga Posted: 13 May 2019 03:23 AM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they are reopening a rape case against Julian Assange, the founder of anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, a month after he was removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London
|
| Immigration Offenses Topped List of Federal Crimes in FY 2018 Posted: 13 May 2019 09:34 AM PDT  Immigration offenses became the biggest category of federal crime in fiscal year 2018, surpassing the number of drug offenses.Crimes relating to immigration comprised 34.4 percent of all federal sentencing cases, an increase from last year's 30 percent, according to the United States Sentencing Commission's annual report. While the vast majority of crimes in the U.S., including most violent crimes, are dealt with at the state level, immigration offenses stand out as as category under the purview of federal authorities.96.3 percent of the 23,883 immigration cases recorded in the report involved Hispanics, 92.7 percent of them male. Approximately 94.7 percent of the cases led to prison sentences, and 13,500 led to supervised release. Only 866 cases involved a defendant under 21 years old."In fiscal year 2018, 54.3 percent of all offenders were Hispanic, 21.2 percent were white, 20.6 percent were black, and 3.8 percent were of another race. Non-U.S. citizens accounted for 42.7 percent of all federal offenders," the report stated.Drug offenses were the second most common type of federal crime in fiscal year 2018, at 28.1 percent of all cases. Firearms offenses placed third at 10.8 percent and fraud-related crimes came fourth at 9.5 percent.The new numbers coincide with an increasing flood of migrants at the southern border, including a record number of families in March, a crisis the Trump administration has attempted to address with its "no tolerance" policy for those who cross the border between ports of entry.Earlier this month, the White House asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency funds to deal with the crisis, including $3.3 billion for humanitarian assistance and $1.1 billion for law-enforcement operations. Democrats have objected to the request, but the White House Budget Office has warned that the Office of Refugee Resettlement and other programs are at risk of running out of funding by the beginning of the summer.
|
| Consumer Insolvencies in Canada Climb to Highest in 8 Years Posted: 13 May 2019 07:34 AM PDT  The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcies reported consumer insolvencies rose 5.7% to 11,963 in March, compared with 11,315 in the same month a year earlier. After declining for years, insolvencies are beginning to tick up again, stoking concern the country's record level household debt -- C$2.17 trillion at the end of the first quarter -- is unsustainable. In volume terms, however, insolvencies are still well below the peak of more than 15,000 reached in September 2009, in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
|
| Tesla Discontinues the "$35,000" Tesla Model 3 by Raising the Price Posted: 14 May 2019 03:45 PM PDT  Tesla says that the Standard Range car, now a software-restricted version of the Standard Range Plus car, will no longer cost $35,000 before required fees.
|
| Pompeo shares details on 'escalating' Iran threats in Brussels: U.S. State Department Posted: 13 May 2019 11:53 AM PDT  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared information on "escalating" threats from Iran with European allies and NATO officials during meetings in Brussels on Monday, the U.S. special representative for Iran said. "Iran is an escalating threat and this seemed like a timely visit on his way to Sochi," Brian Hook told reporters, referring to Pompeo's planned visit to Russia on Tuesday for meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
|
| The Best Pickup Trucks 2019-2020 Posted: 13 May 2019 08:37 PM PDT |
| Two Saudi tankers damaged in 'sabotage attack' off UAE Posted: 12 May 2019 09:51 PM PDT  Two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in a "sabotage attack" off the United Arab Emirates coast, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday, quoting the Saudi energy minister. "Two Saudi oil tankers were subjected to a sabotage attack in the exclusive economic zone of the United Arab Emirates, off the coast of the Emirate of Fujairah, while on their way to cross into the Arabian Gulf," SPA cited Khalid al-Falih as saying.
|
| Author accused of shaming black Metro employee for eating on train; book deal halted Posted: 13 May 2019 05:12 AM PDT ![Author accused of shaming black Metro employee for eating on train; book deal halted]( "Author accused of shaming black Metro employee for eating on train; book deal halted") Author Natasha Tynes has been accused of shaming a black woman who works on the Washington. D.C., Metro for eating on a train.
|
| Identity released of young mother killed in possible street-racing crash in Willowbrook Posted: 13 May 2019 11:54 PM PDT  A 23-year-old mother who was killed in a violent crash that may have been caused by street racers just hours before Mother's Day was identified Monday.
|
| Jimmy Carter recovering from surgery after breaking hip prior to turkey hunting trip Posted: 13 May 2019 04:55 PM PDT  Carter fell prior to turkey hunting trip.
|
| Why did the Dow just plunge 617 points? Look at Trump's trade war with China Posted: 13 May 2019 03:19 PM PDT  President Trump's use of tariffs as a negotiating cudgel against the Chinese equals sales taxes on Americans. Where's Congress?: Our view
|
| UN envoy to Mideast warns of war between Israel, Hamas Posted: 13 May 2019 07:07 AM PDT  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The U.N. envoy to the Mideast said Monday that the recent ceasefire between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel was the "last chance" to prevent an all-out conflict. A Qatari envoy arrived the same day in the Palestinian enclave with cash to help cement the truce, which halted the worst round of fighting between the two sides in years.
|
| FAA deferred to Boeing on key 737 MAX assessments: source Posted: 14 May 2019 09:26 AM PDT  The US Federal Aviation Administration did not independently evaluate the safety of a Boeing 737 MAX system implicated in two deadly crashes, a person familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The US regulator, as part of an internal review, has preliminarily concluded that FAA officials largely deferred to Boeing's assessments of the accident-ridden 737 MAX during the certification process, the person said. Boeing's top-selling 737 MAX narrow-body planes have been grounded globally since mid-March following two plane crashes that killed 346 people.
|
| Monsanto ordered to pay $2 bn in latest Roundup blow Posted: 14 May 2019 01:51 AM PDT  In a third major legal blow to Bayer-owned Monsanto and its weedkiller Roundup, a jury in California has ordered the chemicals giant to pay more than $2 billion in damages to a couple that sued on grounds the product caused their cancer, lawyers said. The ruling on Monday was the latest in a series of court defeats for Monsanto over the glyphosate-based product, but the company insists the weedkiller is not linked to cancer. The couple's legal team described the damages award as "historic," saying it totalled $2.055 billion (1.8 billion euros) after adding in slightly more than $55 million in compensatory damages.
|
| US close to 'dangerous military confrontation', warns senior Iranian diplomat Posted: 14 May 2019 09:04 AM PDT  America is getting "dragged into a dangerous military confrontation" with Iran by an alliance of malign states in the Middle East and hawks in the Trump administration, one of Tehran's most senior diplomats has charged as tensions continue to rise in the region.The leaders of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US President's National Security Advisor were singled by the Iranian ambassador to Britain as those supposedly attempting to orchestrate a conflict.The accusation came in the wake of the deployment of an US aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf and Mr Trump's acting Defence Secretary, Patrick Shanahan, reportedly presenting a military contingency plan for an Iran conflict at a meeting of senior national security officials. The plan, was drawn up on the orders of Mr Bolton, according to the New York Times, involved sending more than 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Tehran carries out attacks on US forces or speeds up its development of nuclear weapons.Mr Trump, however, claimed the New York Times report was " fake news". He said: "We'd send hell of a lot more troops than that" if a plan was to be drawn up for a war with Iran.Meanwhile there were reports in Washington that American investigators believe that Iran or its armed proxy group attacked four oil tankers in the area, using explosives to cause severe damage to the vessels. Iran has strongly disclaimed any involvement.Hamid Baedinejad, the Iranian ambassador said: "Unfortunately there are people in the region advising Donald Trump, those our ministers call the 'B team', who have adopted a policy of confrontation and initiatives to drag the US into a confrontation with Iran in collaboration with John Bolton."The question is whether there are people in Washington who would be able to avoid falling into this trap."These people trying for confrontation have been very active in this area. We believe this is a total mistake and a total miscalculation. We hope they understand that they are playing a very dangerous game and it may have consequences for them."We hope that this stops and people start behaving in a responsible way."No evidence has been produced so far to show Iranian involvement, but the attacks have escalated tension with an expanding military presence in and around the Strait of Hormuz which provides passage for tankers carrying a fifth of the oil consumed globally each year.Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have stopped short of directly blaming Iran for the attacks, which Tehran has condemned as "dreadful" with a parliamentary spokesman holding that Israel was a prime suspect for carrying them out.> Unfortunately there are people in the region advising Donald Trump, those our ministers call the 'B team', who have adopted a policy of confrontation Hamid BaedinejadLast week the US administration maintained that it has "specific and credible" intelligence indicating that Iran or its allies were preparing assaults against American targets in the area. Mr Trump threatened that "there's going to a bad problem for Iran if something happens". The intelligence warning, according to security and diplomatic officials, came from Israel.Mr Baedinejad insisted that Iran was fully aware of the build up of American forces and had been extremely careful to avoid any possibility of clashes."The military presence of the US is very high in the region, we know that, and we know that any miscalculation would be very damaging," he said."But let me tell you frankly that after this military preparation by the US we were actually expecting there would be some incidents, because there are people in Washington and elsewhere trying to drag the US into a military confrontation, trying to find some pretext to do so, maybe shape public opinion for some action."The ambassador denied any Iranian involvement in the tanker attacks. "We don't know who did this, we need to find evidence. But we are very suspicious of what happened. Hours after media reports on this, the UAE declined to comment, they rejected this has happened at all. But then suddenly there was a concerted effort to channelize the news that Iran and 'proxies' were likely to be engaged in this. We don't know who is coordinating it, but we find it all very suspicious" he said.The theme of agent provocateurs attempting to ferment a conflict was echoed by other senior Iranian officials.Heshmatollah Falahat Pisheh, the head of the country's National Security Foreign Policy Committee stated: "Iran and the United States can manage the crisis by themselves.But there are third parties who might make the atmosphere of the region more sensitive in terms of security by making deviant moves. There are different groups whose goal is to make the region unsafe. Therefore, there must be red lines between Iran and the United States in the management of the events which prevents third parties from making crises."Iran's Foreign Minister claimed "extremist individuals" in the US of pursuing dangerous policies.Speaking during a visit to New Delhi, Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had discussed the issue in a meeting with Indian officials. "In this meeting there was also discussion of the worries about the actions and suspicious sabotage in the region.And we announced that we had predicted these kinds of actions for provoking tension in the region before....We discussed regional issues and the dangers of the policies, extremist individuals in the American government and the region are trying to impose on the region."
|
| The Latest: Man pleads guilty in mall attack against child Posted: 14 May 2019 08:50 AM PDT  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on a hearing for the man accused of throwing a 5-year-old boy from a balcony at the Mall of America (all times local):
|
| How to use Target Cartwheel to save money and time Posted: 14 May 2019 01:24 PM PDT  Saving time and money doesn't have to make your head spin. We take you on the twists and turns of the Target app to help save you time and money.
|
