PoliticsUSA TODAY OpinionWhy Donald Trump releasing his full '60 Minutes' interview is a major media miscalculation
After teasing it for a day or two, on Thursday President Donald Trump released an unedited version of the upcoming “60 Minutes” interview he did with Lesley Stahl. Trump spent most of the week complaining that the interview, which is scheduled to air during Sunday night's episode, was “FAKE” and “BIASED." In fact in the video, which Trump posted on his Facebook page, Stahl comes off as patient, if probing — exactly what she is supposed to do, in other words.
PoliticsNational ReviewOklahoma Democrat Rejects Biden’s Promise to ‘Transition’ Away from Oil Industry
Representative Kendra Horn (D., Ok.) immediately distanced herself from Joe Biden's claim during the Thursday presidential debate that he would “transition” away from the oil industry. Towards the end of the debate, President Trump challenged Biden to say whether or not he would go after the oil industry. “I would transition from the oil industry, yes,” Biden responded.
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Saudi commission insists no minors to face death penalty
A Saudi Arabian governmental body on Thursday insisted that executions have been abolished for crimes committed by minors, after Human Rights Watch said earlier this week that Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a number of young men from the predominantly Shiite eastern region of the kingdom for protest-related crimes they allegedly committed as children. The Saudi government's Human Rights Commission, which monitors human rights-related complaints and cases, said it “has found no basis to substantiate Human Rights Watch's claim that Saudi prosecutors still seek the death sentences for juvenile offenders.”
PoliticsSalonKellyanne Conway is being paid $15,000 a month by the GOP following her White House exit: filings
Nonetheless, the Republican National Committee is paying the former White House counselor $15,000 a month, according to new federal filings. Conway left the White House in August amid a publicly unfolding family drama after her daughter declared her intention to seek emancipation over alleged "trauma and abuse" in multiple social media posts. In an exit statement, Conway said she would be stepping down "gratefully" and "humbly."
U.S.The TelegraphGhislaine Maxwell could not contain frustration as she 'pounded' desk during bad tempered deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell could not hide her frustration during an increasingly heated and bad tempered legal deposition that was unsealed in New York. Several times during the seven-hour exchange, which took place over two days, her anger boiled over as she was forced to answer repeated questions about allegations made by a woman she insisted was a serial liar. At one point, unable to contain her emotions, Miss Maxwell “very inappropriately and very harshly” pounded the desk, forcing them to take a break.
PoliticsThe WeekThe Lincoln Project savages Trump's debate claim that separated migrant kids are 'so well taken care of'
Just minutes after President Trump declared during Thursday night's debate that migrant kids separated from their parents are "so well taken care of" inside U.S. facilities, the Lincoln Project released a searing four-second ad combining his words with the wails of children. This week, lawyers tasked with reuniting migrant kids with their families told a court they haven't been able to track down the parents of 545 children. They were separated under the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy, and when asked about this by moderator Kristen Welker, Trump claimed the government is working to find the parents, but added that many are smuggled into the country by coyotes and when kids are ...
PoliticsNational ReviewSenators Collins, Murkowski Vote Against Moving Forward with Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Confirmation
Senators Susan Collins (R., Maine.) and Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) voted on Friday against moving the Senate into an executive session to allow McConnell to expedite the final confirmation vote that is expected to seat Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The Senate ended up approving the move to executive session — which allows McConnell to file cloture, thereby overcoming any potential filibuster — by a vote of 51-46. Republicans are attempting to confirm Judge Barrett to the Court bench next week, cementing a 6-3 majority of conservative justices.
U.S.INSIDERA North Carolina man who was found with a van full of guns and explosives had researched how to kill Joe Biden, prosecutors say
A North Carolina man detained on child pornography charges had researched how to kill Joe Biden, according to prosecutors. Court documents say police found Alexander Hillel Treisman's van, which contained numerous guns and explosive material, parked outside a bank. A search of the 19-year-old's devices revealed thousands of examples of child pornography, as well as evidence he had posted a meme asking: "should I kill joe biden?"
WorldAssociated PressWeakened Hurricane Epsilon skirting well east of Bermuda
A weakened Hurricane Epsilon skirted well east of Bermuda on Thursday night, prompting officials to lift a tropical storm warning for the Atlantic island. Epsilon's top sustained winds had fallen during the day to 85 mph (140 kph), dropping it from a Category 2 to a Category 1 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The Miami-based center said Epsilon was about 190 miles (300 kilometers) east of Bermuda at 11 p.m as it moved north-northwest at 9 mph (15 kph).
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Banksy's take on Monet masterpiece sells for £7.5 million
In "Show me the Monet" Banksy used oil on canvas to recreate Monet's famously serene and verdant painting of the wooden footbridge that straddled the French artist's beloved lily pond in his garden at Giverny. But in Banksy's version, the idyll has turned into a modern day dumping ground where two abandoned shopping trolleys and an orange traffic cone float in the water. The 2005 work was expected to fetch between £3-5 million ($3.8-6.4 million), according to auction house Sotheby's.
WorldBusiness InsiderNorth Korea told citizens to stay inside, claiming (with no scientific basis) that a storm of yellow dust coming from China was carrying COVID-19
North Korea has warned its citizens to stay indoors to avoid a yellow dust storm which it claims could carry the coronavirus over from China. The state-run KCTV network warned Wednesday that the storm would arrive Thursday. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the storm posed a "danger of invading malicious viruses."
PoliticsMiami HeraldAnother round of $1,200 stimulus checks? Pelosi says Dems, White House closer on deal
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there has been progress between Democrats and the Trump administration on a second stimulus package — but it could be “a while” until a bill is written and passed. On another round of stimulus checks, Pelosi said, “we've come, I think, to terms.” Democrats haven't reached an agreement with the White House on state and local funds, election and census provisions and business liability protections, the publication reported.
PoliticsThe ConversationAn expert in nonverbal communication watched the Trump-Biden debate with the sound turned down – here's what he saw
These moments, when candidates nonverbally – and largely involuntarily – respond to their opposition can be enormously revealing. In other words, how people listen and react may speak louder than what they say. Biden During this debate Joe Biden reacted as the emotionally expressive politician he has been throughout his career.
U.S.INSIDERThe family of the rescued Zion National Park hiker spoke out after a sheriff's sergeant questioned her survival story — but it's still confusing
An official who helped in the search for Holly Courtier, who was found in Zion National Park 12 days after she disappeared on a hike, raised questions about her survival story earlier this week. Her sister, Jamie Courtier-Strong, told "CBS This Morning" and NBC's "Today" show on Thursday that her sister had been fasting for two days before she went into the park and intended to keep that fast during the hike. She also said Courtier was able to leave the park on her own because of a surge in adrenaline when she was rescued.
U.S.Associated PressPolice major who oversaw Taylor drug raid unit investigated
A Louisville Police major who oversaw the unit that sent officers to Breonna Taylor's home the night she was fatally shot is the subject of an internal police investigation. The department's Professional Standards Unit opened an investigation this week into Maj. Kimberly Burbrink, the commander of the Criminal Interdiction Division, the Courier Journal reported. The newspaper reported that the department's investigative file released this month included a report accusing Burbrink of “pressuring” and “cross-examining” investigators who were probing the shooting.
PoliticsThe IndependentLindsey Graham stands firm behind Amy Coney Barrett - but back home his bid for re-election is on shaky ground
As Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham on Thursday shepherded Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett's nomination onto the Senate floor for a momentous vote next week, voters back in his home state of South Carolina were casting ballots that'll determine whether the Barrett nomination is his last act as their senator. Here in balmy Charleston, the Palmetto State's coastal metropolis of more than 400,000 residents, the three-term Republican senator's recent moves on the Supreme Court have taken centre stage, another issue that has polarised voters in an increasingly competitive election. Lamont Brown, 46, a longshoreman on the Charleston docks for 27 years, accused Mr Graham on Thursday of being a “flip-flopper” on everything from Ms Barrett's nomination to his about-face embracing Donald Trump, whom the senator called “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” during the Republican presidential primaries in 2016.
EntertainmentThe WeekSacha Baron Cohen says 'it was pretty clear to us' what Giuliani was doing in Borat scene: 'It is what it is'
Sacha Baron Cohen is pushing back as Rudy Giuliani claims his scene in the new Borat is a "complete fabrication." The comedian spoke to Good Morning America on Friday about a climactic sequence in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, in which Giuliani speaks to an actress, Maria Bakalova, posing as a journalist. After the interview, which takes place in a hotel room, the personal attorney to President Trump is seen lying on a bed and putting his hand into his pants.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderStunning photos show Special Forces snipers taking tough high-angle shots way up in the mountains
A Belgian Special Forces Sniper engages an elevated target at night during the High Angle Sniper Course, in Hochfilzen training area, Austria. Special Forces snipers from a handful of NATO countries recently practiced taking tough, high-angle shots in what appears to be the Austrian Alps, and some of the scenes captured in the training photos are pretty stunning. The purpose of the high-angle shooting training is to prepare snipers for mountain combat, situations that demand more of snipers than traditional shooting ranges.
PoliticsMiami HeraldOver 52 million Americans have already voted. How does it break down by party?
At least 52 million Americans have voted so far for the upcoming general election — and Democrats in particular are turning out in droves, according to Michael McDonald, who tracks voting for his site U.S. Elections Project. It's crazy,” said McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist, according to The Associated Press. His analysis shows about 10 times as many people voted already compared to the same time period in 2016.
PoliticsThe WeekPete Buttigieg rebuts Fox News' attack on Hunter Biden: 'If they want to make this about the business deals of a government official...'
Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg was back on Fox News on Thursday night ahead of the final presidential debate, where he faced questions about the recent stories alleging misconduct by Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden. "It's not even clear what [they're] claiming it adds up to," Buttigieg said of Biden's opponents and the new claims. Host Bret Baier jumped in to clarify that the unsubstantiated allegation is that Joe Biden was "discussing all of his business deals" with his son.
U.S.Associated PressCourt won't revive state fraud charges against Manafort
A New York court on Thursday upheld a decision dismissing state mortgage fraud charges against Paul Manafort on double jeopardy grounds, affirming a lower court finding that they mirrored the federal charges that landed President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman behind bars. A four-judge panel in the state's intermediate appeals court ruled that Manhattan prosecutors failed to show that the state charges they brought against Manafort last year warranted an exception to state double jeopardy protections. Manhattan Judge Maxwell Wiley reached the same conclusion in December, explaining at the time that "the law of double jeopardy in New York state provides a very narrow window for prosecution."
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Trump and Biden face off in final showdown
The two candidates quickly pivoted to Trump's repeated accusations that Biden and his son Hunter engaged in unethical practices in China and Ukraine. "I don't make money from China. You do.
EntertainmentINSIDERBorat posted an 'official statement' defending Rudy Giuliani for having an 'innocent sexy-time encounter' with his 'daughter'
Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat has defended Rudy Giuliani for the hotel room encounter the former New York City Mayor had with Borat's daughter Tutar in "Borat 2." Giuliani was duped into a fake interview before going to Tutar's hotel room for a drink, where he was caught with his hand near his crotch. Tutar is played by 24-year-old actress Maria Bakalova but is supposedly 15 years old in the movie.
PoliticsThe Independent‘He’s losing it. He’s losing it’: Here’s what happened when I watched the final debate with Trump loyalists in Florida
Along with the two-dozen Trump supporters watching the debate at GOP headquarters in Daytona Beach, were two special guests - cardboard cuts-out of the president, one of them standing with the first lady, Melania Trump. In this battleground state, some numbers by way of context: Trump took Volusia County 56-43 in 2016, on the way to capturing the state.
PoliticsUSA TODAYA signed letter from Trump is being included in food-aid boxes. Nonprofits feel conflicted.
Round three of the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program came with an extra addition among the fruit: a signed letter from President Donald Trump. The letter, printed in English and Spanish, described the millions of food-aid boxes delivered to doorsteps as part of the White House coronavirus response. The USDA has required all Coronavirus Food Assistance Program-contract vendors responsible for packing the boxes to include the letter, though it does not require nonprofit distributors to do the same.
“Many are longtime Republicans wrestling with what they see as a choice between two lousy candidates.”
“Some undecideds turn out to be people who’ve long felt alienated from the two big political parties.”
“They’re not following the 24-hour news cycle. The election and politics are just not a high priority.”
“One common trait: at this stage of the game, the undecided voter doesn’t fit into an easy political profile.”
“More realistically...these voters may not be motivated to vote at all in the 2020 election.”