Pakistan military warns India against 'misadventure'

• World/Latin America
• 2019-02-22 15:47:58Z

Pakistan's military warned India on Friday against "misadventure", saying it was capable of responding to any threats as tensions simmer between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. "We hope you will not mess up with us," military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a press briefing in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, the second such message Pakistan has sent to New Delhi in as many days. Tensions have risen in the days following a suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 41 Indian paramilitaries and was claimed by Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), based in Pakistan.

Kraft Heinz write-down puts focus on years of cost cuts, shares fall 27 percent

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-22 15:45:19Z

The move put the spotlight on Kraft's slowing growth and the changing tastes of consumers, who have been shunning older, established brands for newer hipper products, cheaper private label brands and non-processed food. Berkshire Hathaway's Class B shares were down 1 percent. Shares of rivals

Stamps.com Wipes Off 50% of Market Cap as Key USPS Deal Ends

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-22 15:23:04Z

Shares of Stamps dropped as much as 58 percent on Friday in New York, touching their lowest since August 2016 and wiping off $2 billion in market value. The company's commentary about aggressive pricing tactics employed by bigger rivals -- as well as new challenges from Amazon -- also weighed on shares

Jussie Smollett Exits 'Empire': Fox Drama Opts to 'Remove' Embattled Actor From Season's Final 2 Episodes

• Entertainment
• 2019-02-22 15:19:57Z

Empire is no longer standing by its man. The Fox drama has suspended Jussie Smollett in the wake of the actor's arrest for allegedly staging last month's hate-crime attack against himself. Smollett's sorta-dismissal comes as the Fox drama was winding down production on Season 5; there's no word how his character Jamal's absence in this season's […]

U.S. farmers receive $7.7 billion in trade aid to date: USDA

• US
• 2019-02-22 14:51:19Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Department of Agriculture has paid out $7.7 billion so far to farmers, William Northey, Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, said on Friday, in aid designed to offset the negative impact of tariff imposition.

Saudi Arabia strikes $10 billion China deal, talks de-radicalisation with Xi

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-22 14:27:09Z

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman cemented a $10 billion (7.7 billion pounds) deal for a refining and petrochemical complex in China on Friday, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping who urged joint efforts to counter extremism and terror. The Saudi delegation, including top executives from state-owned

'Captain Marvel' Movie Rating Suffers After Trolls Post Disturbing Reviews

• Entertainment
• 2019-02-22 14:04:05Z

Since the news hit, it appears several (around 15 or so) of those trollingcomments have been removed, according to screenshots HuffPost took on Tuesday

War memorial or religious symbol? Cross fight reaches U.S. high court

• US
• 2019-02-22 12:42:06Z

There was nothing about it that made me think it was anything other than a Christian cross," Edwords, 70, said in an interview. Edwords and two other plaintiffs filed a 2014 lawsuit challenging the cross as a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion and bars governmental actions favoring one religion over another. While the Establishment Clause's scope is a matter of dispute, most Supreme Court experts predict the challenge to the Peace Cross will fail, with the justices potentially setting a new precedent allowing greater government involvement in religious expression.

Vatican sex abuse summit seeks new culture of accountability

• Business
• 2019-02-22 12:24:30Z

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Cardinals attending Pope Francis' summit on preventing clergy sex abuse called Friday for a new culture of accountability in the Catholic Church to punish bishops and religious superiors when they fail to protect their flocks from predator priests.

India to Stop Its Share of Water From Flowing Into Pakistan

• World/Asia
• 2019-02-22 12:15:32Z

On Friday, Pakistan's army spokesman said that the country did not want a war with India but warned that Islamabad would retaliate and "dominate the escalation ladder" if New Delhi authorized any military strikes. "Pakistan's armed forces shall never be surprised by you, but let me assure you we shall surprise you," Major General Asif Ghafoor said at a press conference in the garrison town of Rawalpindi on Friday.

India to Stop Its Share of Water From Flowing Into Pakistan

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-22 12:15:32Z

On Friday, Pakistan's army spokesman said that the country did not want a war with India but warned that Islamabad would retaliate and "dominate the escalation ladder" if New Delhi authorized any military strikes. "Pakistan's armed forces shall never be surprised by you, but let me assure you we shall

Malnourished Venezuelans hope urgently needed aid arrives soon

• Science
• 2019-02-22 12:12:20Z

The 38-year-old is one of many Venezuelans suffering from malnutrition as the once-prosperous, oil-rich OPEC nation has seen its economy halve in size over the last five years under President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelans' diets have become ever more deficient in vitamins and protein, as currency controls restrict food imports and salaries fail to keep apace with inflation that is now above 2 million percent annually. Growing malnutrition is one of the reasons Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido has moved ahead with his plans to bring supplies of food and medicine into Venezuela by land and sea on Saturday, despite resistance from Maduro.

Reparations for Slavery: Just More Symbolism over Substance

• Business
• 2019-02-22 11:30:27Z

The French people recently completed paying out about $60 million to non-French victims of the Holocaust and their survivors in a program administered by the United States, a reminder that the United States' central role in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of postwar Europe never quite came to a conclusion.This settlement, which is separate from the reparations paid to French victims of the Holocaust, recognizes the French collaboration in transporting non-citizens to Nazi death camps on French trains. Most of those receiving the reparations are now Americans or Israelis.The terms of the payments are specific, limiting the reparations to the survivors themselves, their spouses, their...

Kraft Heinz's 20% Stock Plunge Sees Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Lose $2.8 Billion

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-22 09:59:04Z

The SEC isn't messing around when it comes to investor protection. We're getting used to subpoenas being dealt out in the cryptocurrency space. But when it comes to traditional industries, they pack a decent punch. One right hook so hard, in fact, that it saw Kraft Heinz stock plummet by 20%. And Warren

Disney Unveils Major Epcot Refurb That'll Change The Face Of Future World

• Entertainment
• 2019-02-22 09:53:16Z

Disney's Epcot theme park is getting a major facelift

Australia, China deny ban on coal imports amid tensions

• Business
• 2019-02-22 09:35:59Z

China and Australia on Friday denied reports Australian coal was being blocked from entering the Asian country, with Canberra seeking to quell fears that worsening diplomatic tensions are damaging the nations' crucial trading relationship. Industry experts have noted recently that China appeared to be delaying customs clearances for Australian coking coal used in steel-making, but a report late Thursday that ports in the northern city of Dalian had banned the shipments sent the Aussie dollar plunging. China is Australia's biggest trading partner and coal is the resource-rich country's most valuable export.

Jussie Smollett directed brothers to pour gas on him and yell slurs, prosecutor says

• World/Latin America
• 2019-02-22 03:07:11Z

"Empire actor "Jussie Smollett made his first court appearance Thursday afternoon at a bond hearing following his arrest on charges of filing a false police report and disorderly conduct.

Trump pledges to expand opportunity for every race

• Business
• 2019-02-22 03:05:08Z

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is pledging to expand opportunity for Americans of every race, religion and creed as he commemorates Black History Month.

Trump, adult children urge dismissal of marketing scam lawsuit

• US
• 2019-02-22 02:30:26Z

U.S. President Donald Trump and his adult children on Thursday urged a federal judge to dismiss a racketeering lawsuit accusing them of using the family name to promote sham marketing opportunities to vulnerable, financially struggling investors. Calling the lawsuit "implausible," the Trump family said in a filing in federal court in Manhattan that the four plaintiffs failed to prove there was fraud or intent to cause harm, or that any statements by Donald Trump caused losses. The lawsuit said the Trumps deliberately conned victims into believing Donald Trump stood behind the investments and thought they would pay off, when the real goal was to enrich themselves.

Teen is fighting to wear her MAGA hat to school: 'Since when is patriotism inappropriate?'

• Entertainment/Style
• 2019-02-22 01:58:31Z

According to a school spokesperson, the dress code is clear: Only hats featuring the school's logo or hats that are the solid color of the school's colors are allowed.

North Korea warns of food crisis, almost halves rations before summit

• World
• 2019-02-22 00:50:25Z

The release of the undated two-page memo by the North Korean mission to the United Nations comes ahead of a second summit next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Washington has been demanding that North Korea give

'It's snowing in Hollywood!' Snowflakes seen in and around Los Angeles

• Business
• 2019-02-22 00:41:02Z

Forget the red carpet Sunday, the Oscars may have a white carpet!

Oil prices dip as U.S. crude output hits record 12 million barrels per day

• Business
• 2019-02-22 00:26:41Z

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday after the United States reported its crude output hit a record 12 million barrels per day (bpd), undermining efforts by Middle East dominated producer club OPEC to withhold supply and tighten global markets.

North Carolina orders new U.S. House election after 'tainted' vote

• US
• 2019-02-22 00:09:48Z

The bipartisan board's 5-0 decision came after Republican candidate Mark Harris, confronted by days of evidence that an operative for his campaign orchestrated a ballot fraud scheme, called for a new vote in the state's 9th Congressional District. Elections Board Chairman Bob Cordle said "the corruption" and "absolute mess" with absentee ballots had cast doubt on the entire contest.

Kraft Heinz Sinks Near Record Low on $15.4 Billion Writedown

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-21 23:35:22Z

The packaged food giant's charge to reduce the goodwill value of the Kraft and Oscar Mayer trademarks and other assets, coupled with disappointing fourth-quarter earnings and an accounting subpoena from securities regulators, sent the shares tumbling toward what would be a record low if the declines

Trump, adult children urge dismissal of marketing scam lawsuit

• US
• 2019-02-21 23:02:24Z

U.S. President Donald Trump and his adult children on Thursday urged a federal judge to dismiss a racketeering lawsuit accusing them of using the family name to promote sham marketing opportunities to vulnerable, financially struggling investors. Calling the lawsuit "implausible," the Trump family said in a filing in federal court in Manhattan that the four plaintiffs failed to prove there was fraud or intent to cause harm, or that any statements by Donald Trump caused losses. The lawsuit said the Trumps deliberately conned victims into believing Donald Trump stood behind the investments and thought they would pay off, when the real goal was to enrich themselves.

Jussie Smollett Returns to 'Empire' Set As Fox Struggles to Decide His Fate

• Entertainment
• 2019-02-21 22:59:33Z

Jussie Smollett is back on the set of "Empire" in Chicago following his release from police custody on Thursday, Variety has learned. Smollett was released after posting bail in Chicago after police charged him with staging what was originally reported as a hate crime last month. He was originally intended to film throughout this week […]

Senator Elizabeth Warren backs reparations for black Americans

• World/Latin America
• 2019-02-21 22:26:55Z

"We must confront the dark history of slavery and government-sanctioned discrimination in this country that has had many consequences including undermining the ability of Black families to build wealth in America for generations," Warren, who is white, said in a statement to Reuters. "Black families have had a much steeper hill to climb - and we need systemic, structural changes to address that," she said in the statement. U.S. Senator Kamala Harris also recently said she would support some form of reparations.

Japan probe Hayabusa2 set for asteroid landing

• Science
• 2019-02-21 22:04:31Z

A Japanese probe is expected to land on a distant asteroid Friday, aiming to blast a "bullet" into the surface to collect clues about the origins of Earth and the solar system. The Hayabusa2 probe is scheduled to touch down at 8:25am local time (2325 GMT Thursday) on the Ryugu asteroid, some 300 million kilometres from the Earth, according to officials at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). If the landing is successful, Hayabusa2 will fire a projectile at Ryugu's surface to stir up surface matter, which the probe will then collect for analysis back on Earth.

Eleven Venezuela diplomats in U.S. defect since last month: opposition

• World
• 2019-02-21 21:56:57Z

Eleven Venezuelan diplomats in the United States have defected from President Nicolas Maduro's government since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president last month, a representative of the opposition said on Thursday. Gustavo Marcano, senior aide to the Venezuelan opposition

Judge to Roger Stone: Stop talking about federal case alleging obstruction and lying to Congress

• Business
• 2019-02-21 21:44:25Z

A federal judge ordered Roger Stone, a flamboyant political consultant, to stop talking about his case alleging obstruction and lying to Congress

Dow Plunges 103 Points While Analysts Spar over Trade War's Impact on US Stock Market

• Business
• 2019-02-21 21:27:19Z

Thursday's closing bell couldn't come soon enough for the US stock market, which plunged across the board and prevented the Dow from crossing the 26,000 point threshold. Dow Recovers 80 Points But Still Sees Triple-Digit Loss The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 103.81 points for the day, falling 0.4 percent to 25,850.63. Losses were fairly evenly distributed throughout the stock market's other two major indices as well, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped by 0.35 percent and 0.39 percent, respectively. The market did pare losses in the minutes before the closing bell, enabling the Dow to recover by

The Latest: Judge imposes gag order on Trump confidant Stone

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-21 21:21:41Z

A judge has imposed a full gag order on Trump confidant Roger Stone after he posted a photo on Instagram of the judge with what appeared to be crosshairs of a gun. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said Thursday she believes Stone would "pose a danger" to others in the case if she didn

Jussie Smollett investigation timeline: How the actor went from assault victim to suspect

• World/Middle East
• 2019-02-21 21:11:52Z

Three weeks after Jussie Smollett said he'd been the victim of a hate crime, the "Empire" star was charged with filing a false police report.

Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Tesla's Model 3, citing reliability

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-21 20:42:26Z

Consumer Reports on Thursday pulled a recommendation for Tesla Inc's Model 3, citing reliability problems, and the influential U.S. magazine turned up the pressure on other automakers to include crash-avoiding automatic braking as standard equipment. The magazine's decision to withdraw its endorsement

U.S. Coast Guard officer accused of terror plot could face more charges

• US
• 2019-02-21 20:40:57Z

A U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant accused of amassing a cache of weapons and plotting to attack Democratic politicians and journalists was ordered held for two weeks on Thursday while federal prosecutors consider charging him with more crimes. Chris Hasson, 49, appeared in a burgundy jumpsuit but did not speak during a brief hearing in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland. "There is an intent to murder innocent civilians," U.S. Attorney Jennifer Sykes told Judge Charles Day.

View the 2019 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 in Photos

• World/Latin America
• 2019-02-21 20:30:00Z

Hoda Muthana's attorney calls her a 'scumbag monster,' but says she deserves to be brought back to US

• Science/Energy
• 2019-02-21 19:57:20Z

Hassan Shibly says that Hoda Muthana may have valuable intelligence the U.S. could use against ISIS; Peter Doocy reports.

Nike stumbles into social media storm after basketball star's shoe splits

• Business/Economy
• 2019-02-21 18:42:31Z

Zion Williamson, a 6-foot-7-inch freshman forward for the Duke Blue Devils who is anticipated to be the top 2019 NBA Draft pick, suffered a mild sprain to his right knee because of the incident, according to his coach Mike Krzyzewski. "We are obviously concerned and want to wish Zion a speedy recovery

Oregon set to become 1st state with mandatory rent controls

• Business
• 2019-02-21 18:30:59Z

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Faced with a housing shortage and skyrocketing rents, Oregon is poised to become the first state to impose mandatory rent controls, with a measure establishing tenant protections moving swiftly through the Legislature.

Trump and Kim to have one-one-one meeting at Vietnam summit

• Business
• 2019-02-21 18:27:13Z

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said Thursday. Trump is seeking to persuade the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear arsenal. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy to Pyongyang, is already in Hanoi holding talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol.

Operation to end last IS Syria pocket hits evacuation snag

• Business
• 2019-02-21 18:24:55Z

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has steadily driven the jihadists down the Euphrates, has surrounded them at Baghouz near the Iraqi border, but does not want to mount a final attack until all civilians are out. Iraqi sources said the SDF handed over more then 150 Iraqi and other foreign jihadists to Iraq on Thursday, under a deal involving a total of 502. The SDF had expected to pull the last civilians from Baghouz on Thursday, but trucks it sent in left empty.