News: World/Asia

Lawmaker arrested for child cruelty says he spanked daughter

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-13 03:10:49Z

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A California lawmaker arrested on suspicion of child cruelty said Wednesday the allegation stemmed from spanking his 7-year-old daughter.

Brazilian couple get light sentences in grandson's abduction

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-13 00:52:00Z

HOUSTON (AP) - A wealthy Brazilian couple were sentenced Wednesday to minimal U.S. prison terms for helping their daughter keep her son in Brazil for the past five years in violation of the terms of her divorce to the boy's American father.

Ex-lawyer blames Trump 'dirty deeds' as sentenced to three years

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 21:46:43Z

US President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen delivered a blistering attack on his ex-boss as he was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday for multiple crimes including making hush payments to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. "I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds," Cohen said as he pleaded for leniency before US District Judge William H. Pauley III in a packed Manhattan courtroom. Cohen's lawyers had argued for no jail time after he pleaded guilty to tax evasion, providing false statements to a bank, illegal campaign contributions and making false statements to Congress.

The Sources of Iranian Conduct

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 18:36:00Z

Iranian policy remains the same despite the Trump administration's "maximum pressure."

Turkey says it will launch new Syria offensive within days

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 15:05:45Z

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey will launch a new military operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria "within a few days," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday, a move likely to further strain ties between NATO allies Turkey and the United States.

Strasbourg shooting: Terror suspect 'may have crossed into Germany' after Christmas market shooting

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 12:49:13Z

France says it cannot "rule out" that a suspected terrorist has fled to neighbouring Germany after killing at least two people and injuring 13 in the eastern French city of Strasbourg.  Border controls have been strengthened and more than 600 people, including police, troops and helicopters were on the heels of the attacker who had "sowed terror" in the city, interior minister Christophe Castaner said. Asked whether he may have left France, deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez said: "That cannot be ruled out." According to Der Spiegel, the assailant had been in prison in Germany until 2017 on a sentence for "serious" theft handed out by Singen district...

Pakistan rejects US rebuke on religious freedoms

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 06:22:06Z

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan on Wednesday condemned a U.S. decision to add it to a list of nations that infringe on religious freedom, calling the move "unilateral and politically motivated."

Donald Trump threatens to 'shut down government' during Oval Office clash with Democrat leaders 

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 02:22:33Z

Donald Trump has declared he will "shut down the government" just days before Christmas during an extraordinary on air press conference in which he clashed with Democratic leaders over a funding deal. The US president claimed that if the Democrats will not approve funding for his border wall, he was willing to allow a lapse in federal government funding which would see large parts of the government close down. "I am proud to shut down the government for border security. I will take the mantle, I will shut it down," Mr Trump said. Mr Trump was meeting with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the most senior Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate respectively, to...

Wisconsin And Michigan Activists Are Resisting GOP Power Grabs Pretty Much On Their Own

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-12 00:24:18Z

Hundreds of progressive Michigan activists plan to mount a rally at the state

Judge orders Stormy Daniels to pay Trump nearly $300,000

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 22:32:40Z

A US federal judge in California has ordered porn star Stormy Daniels to pay Donald Trump nearly $300,000 for filing a defamation suit against the president that was dismissed. US District Judge S. James Otero said Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, must pay Trump $293,000 to cover the president's attorney fees and costs plus $1,000 in sanctions for filing the lawsuit. Daniels in her dismissed suit had accused Trump of defamation for characterizing as a "total con job" her claims of a presidential affair.

The Last Days of a Central Banker Under Fire in Modi's India

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 21:00:00Z

Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel announced his resignation on Dec. 10, citing personal reasons. The surprise departure by Patel, who still had 9 months left in his three-year term, startled colleagues inside the central bank's 25-floor headquarters on Mint Street in south Mumbai. Patel's unceremonious exit marked the culmination of a power struggle that had been raging behind the scenes for more than a year.

Texas to execute killer over 1993 attack on newlyweds

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 18:17:10Z

The southern US state of Texas was on Tuesday scheduled to execute a convicted killer and rapist over a 1993 attack on a newlywed couple. Alvin Braziel, 43, was set to die by lethal injection Tuesday evening at the Texas state prison in Huntsville. The couple were walking on a trail in the Dallas suburbs when Braziel, aged 18 at the time, attempted to rob them at gunpoint.

Kathie Lee Gifford announces she's leaving 'Today' show

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 18:04:41Z

Kathie Lee Gifford is leaving the "Today" show, she announced on Tuesday morning.

US presses Cuba with prisoner list

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 17:59:24Z

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pressed Cuba in an open letter to explain the detention of eight people who Washington says are political prisoners, saying that Havana has ignored diplomatic efforts to seek answers. In a letter released Tuesday by the State Department, Pompeo asked Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez to provide a "substantive explanation" on the detention of eight listed prisoners.

Khashoggi, other persecuted journalists named Time 'Person of the Year'

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 14:33:29Z

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in October at his country's Istanbul consulate, was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" Tuesday, an honor he shared with other persecuted journalists dubbed as "guardians" of the truth. Among those named with Khashoggi were Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo -- currently imprisoned in Myanmar -- and the staff of the Capital Gazette in the US city of Annapolis, including five members killed in a June shooting. US President Donald Trump, the 2016 "Person of the Year," was the bookmakers' favorite this year but in the end was runner-up.

BJP set for defeat in two key state elections, in blow to Modi ahead of national vote

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 13:45:21Z

India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lost three key state elections to the opposition Congress party, in a blow to the momentum of prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of a national poll in the spring.  The opposition Congress Party is now set to succeed BJP governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and the crucial state of Madhya Pradesh, in the biggest defeat for Mr Modi since taking office in 2014. The three rural heartland states powered Mr Modi to a landslide victory in that years general election, in which the BJP singlehandedly secured a parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years, bringing an era of coalition governments to a close....

Modi's Terrible 24 Hours Boosts India Opponents Before 2019 Vote

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 13:01:43Z

First came the abrupt resignation on Monday night of Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel, which sent stock, bond and currency markets tumbling when they reopened on Tuesday. Then Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party faced defeat in three key states that he carried in his 2014 national victory, in what amounts to his biggest political setback since taking office. "The results reveal the declining political stock of Narendra Modi going into the national elections," said Katharine Adeney, director of University of Nottingham's Asia Research Institute.

Corruption Charges Won't Bring Netanyahu Down

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 10:00:23Z

To a prime minister seeking a fourth consecutive term (he also served for three years in the late nineties) most of the lines of attack will be familiar, even formulaic: critics point to his hardline nationalism, his cynical political deal-making, his tendency to demagoguery. For one thing, the prime minister is popular, more so than any of his key rivals. Despite his long tenure, most Israelis aren't yet tired of Netanyahu.

Eight Arrested for Assault, Hate Crimes Against Black DJ at Washington Bar

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 02:38:25Z

Authorities say the FBI is now involved in an investigation into an attack by several white supremacists on a black DJ at a tavern in Washington state over the weekend.

Jon Voight Appears Game To Be Trump's Chief Of Staff, And Hilarity Ensues

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 01:15:53Z

As President Donald Trump searches for a new chief of staff to replace John

Police, FBI probe suspected white supremacist attack on DJ

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-11 00:16:07Z

SEATTLE (AP) - The FBI is helping investigate an attack by several suspected white supremacists on a black disc jockey at a tavern in Washington state over the weekend, authorities said Monday.

The Latest: Man speaks about 5 young cousins killed in fire

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 23:04:17Z

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on an Ohio house fire that killed five children (all times local):

The 12 Cars We're Most Excited to Drive in 2019

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 22:31:26Z

Thousands of active-duty troops to return from missions on the southwest border

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 19:52:22Z

Thousands of active-duty troops to come home from duty on the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a Defense Department source.

Donald Trump's 'Smocking Gun' Tweet Triggers A Whole Lot Of Jokes

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 18:16:23Z

Twitter was mocking the "smocking."

Kavanaugh, Supreme Court Let Stand Rulings Favoring Planned Parenthood

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 18:16:15Z

Kavanaugh voted to leave intact lower court rulings that let Planned Parenthood sue Kansas and Louisiana to try to preserve the Medicaid funds. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said Monday they would have heard the appeals, which contended the federal Medicaid law doesn't allow lawsuits by providers who are kicked out of the program.

EU Said Open to Assurances But Not Renegotiation of Brexit Deal

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 16:32:05Z

The EU is prepared to add wording to the effect it has no wish to force the U.K. into a never-ending "backstop" arrangement in the absence of a broader trade deal and it will do all it can to avoid it, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing the sensitivity of the matter. May told U.K. lawmakers on Monday that she would do "everything I possibly can" to secure assurances on the backstop from the EU.

Rep. Adam Schiff says Trump may 'face the real prospect of jail time' when he leaves office

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 12:55:22Z

"There's a very real prospect that on the day Donald Trump leaves office the Justice Department may indict him," Schiff said.

Don't eat raw cookie dough: CDC

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 11:52:55Z

With the holidays upon us, the CDC has a warning for cookie dough lovers.

Macron to meet unions, address nation seeking to end 'yellow vest' crisis

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-10 02:00:09Z

President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation on the "yellow vest" crisis Monday and meet trade unionists and business leaders in search of a way to end the protests that have rocked France. The president will speak to the French people at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT), his Elysee office announced -- his first public comments after four weeks of nationwide anti-government demonstrations which again turned violent Saturday in Paris and other cities. Government officials have said the 40-year-old centrist would announce "immediate and concrete measures" to respond to protesters' grievances.

Why is Michael Flynn above the law?: Readers sound off

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-09 16:39:32Z

From Robert Mueller's memo on Michael Flynn to Knickers the Australian steer to GM's layoffs, our readers sound off on recent headlines.

France 'yellow vest' protests: timeline of unrest

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-08 03:47:55Z

Here is a timeline of the "yellow vest" movement in France, from the first online rumblings against a fuel tax hike to nationwide protests that led to the worst Paris riots in decades. A new day of high-risk demonstrations is planned on Saturday. It shows a woman, Jacline Mouraud, addressing French President Emmanuel Macron -- "Monsieur Macron", she says -- from her living room.

Ex-major leaguers Valbuena, Castillo die in Venezuela crash

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-08 01:59:36Z

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Former major league players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo were killed in a car crash in Venezuela caused by highway bandits who then robbed them, officials said Friday.

Italian Renaissance Rugs, Galactic Tables, and More Products We're Loving Right Now

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-07 22:50:57Z

N.Y. federal prosecutors seek prison for former Trump lawyer Cohen

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-07 22:06:22Z

Cohen, who has been cooperating with U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign, pleaded guilty to the charges in August. Cohen pleaded guilty last week to a separate charge by Mueller's office that he lied to Congress about discussions over the construction of a proposed Trump Organization skyscraper in Moscow. In a separate filing on Friday, Mueller's office said Cohen should serve any sentence imposed for that crime concurrently with the sentence imposed for the New York charges, saying he had gone to "significant lengths to assist the Special Counsel's investigation." The New York prosecutors said in their...

Merkel ally becomes German conservative party's leader

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-07 18:51:18Z

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - Angela Merkel's center-right party elected an ally of the longtime German chancellor as its new leader on Friday, opting for continuity and experience as it handed her the challenge of opening a new chapter and improving the party's electoral fortunes.

Cardi B shows up for court, warned to stay away from accusers in strip club brawl

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-07 17:02:26Z

Cardi B's legal woes are not over yet. She was in court Friday on charges related to a strip club brawl and was warned to stay away from her accusers.

Trump picks former Attorney General Barr to return to head Justice Department

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-07 15:20:39Z

If confirmed by the Senate, Barr would take over from Matthew Whitaker, who has been serving in an acting capacity since Trump forced out Jeffrey Sessions a month ago. Whitaker had been Sessions' chief of staff. Barr was "my first choice from day one," and "a terrific man, a terrific person, a brilliant man," Trump said, speaking to reporters outside the White House.

Dow plunge: 5 ways to keep big drop from fraying your nerves, ruining your financial plan

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 23:10:53Z

5 ways to keep Dow drop from fraying your nerves. Among them: Put market's current level in perspective and realize stocks you're buying are cheaper

Senators wrestle with rebuke of Saudis for Khashoggi killing

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 19:25:12Z

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators are considering multiple pieces of legislation to formally rebuke Saudi Arabia for the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with momentum building for a resolution to call Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman complicit in the killing.

Eiffel Tower, shops, to close as fears of French protest violence mount

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 18:37:39Z

Paris's Eiffel Tower will close on Saturday over fears of fresh violence during nationwide protests against President Emmanuel Macron, as police urged shops and restaurants on the Champs-Elysees to shut their doors too. Around a dozen museums across the capital have also said they will remain closed on Saturday after vandalism and clashes between protesters and police last week rocked France. The announcements came as around 200 high schools across the country remained blocked or disrupted by students protesting a raft of education overhauls, on a fourth day of action called to coincide with the anti-government demonstrations.

Chicago police shoot suspect who drove at officers on West Side, police say

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 17:48:42Z

Chicago police shot and wounded a suspect after police said he drove his car at officers in the Lawndale neighborhood Wednesday night.

Republicans are staging mini-coups across the US

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 17:01:13Z

Republican passed a sweeping bill designed to radically check the powers of the incoming governor, Tony Evers. Democracies empower the will of majorities. In a lame-duck session in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Republican legislators in the state of Wisconsin passed a sweeping bill designed to radically check the powers of the incoming governor.

Here are the 5 best holiday deals you can get on Amazon right now

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 16:49:30Z

Save on gifts and more.

UK's Brexit vote to go ahead despite report ministers seek delay

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 15:00:09Z

May has repeatedly said if lawmakers reject her deal with Brussels, which would see Britain exit the EU on March 29 with continued close ties, the only alternatives are leaving without a deal or reversing Brexit. The British parliament is mid-way through a five-day debate on the Brexit deal, ahead of the vote which will define Britain's departure from the EU and could determine May's future as leader. The day before the vote, on Dec. 10, the EU's top court will deliver a judgment on whether Britain can unilaterally halt Brexit.

Here's the history behind the Presidential Train Car that will transport George H.W. Bush

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 14:11:02Z

Union Pacific's Locomotive No. 4141, made to honor the 41st president, will be the presidential funeral train for former President George H.W. Bush.

Six missing after U.S. military aircraft collide off Japan

• World/Asia
• 2018-12-06 03:25:57Z

Six U.S. Marines were missing following a still-unexplained mishap involving two aircraft, which may have collided during a refueling exercise gone wrong.