WorldReutersBlinken visits Afghanistan in show of support after Biden announces withdrawal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Kabul on Thursday to show support for the Afghan government and civil society a day after President Joe Biden said he was pulling out American forces after nearly 20 years of war. Biden said U.S. objectives in Afghanistan had become "increasingly unclear" over the past decade and set a deadline for withdrawing all U.S. troops remaining in Afghanistan by Sept. 11, exactly two decades after al Qaeda's attacks on the United States that triggered the war. Foreign troops under NATO command will also withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with the U.S. pullout.
WorldNextSharkChinese Woman Goes Viral After Hitting Boss With Mop for Alleged Harassment
A woman has gone viral on Chinese social media after hitting her boss with a mop over inappropriate text messages. What happened: The woman, a government worker from northeastern China who has been identified only as Zhou, was caught on video fighting back after her boss had allegedly harassed her, the New York Times reported. In the 14-minute Weibo video, which has been watched millions of times, Zhou pours water over her boss.
U.S.Associated PressTexas' longest serving death row inmate has sentence tossed
An appeals court has overturned the sentence of Texas' longest serving death row inmate, whose attorneys say has languished in prison for more than 45 years because he's too mentally ill to be executed. Raymond Riles' “death sentence can no longer stand” because the 70-year-old inmate's history of mental illness was not properly considered by jurors, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Wednesday. When Riles was tried, state law did not expect jurors to consider mitigating evidence such as mental illness when deciding whether someone should be sentenced to death.
WorldReutersBiden, Suga poised to present united front on Taiwan as China steps up pressure
U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will present a united front on Taiwan, China's most sensitive territorial issue, in a summit meeting on Friday, according to a senior U.S. administration official. Biden and Suga are expected to agree on a joint statement on the Chinese claimed but democratically ruled island at Biden's first in-person meeting with a foreign leader, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Biden and Suga will also discuss Beijing's treatment of Muslims in the Xinjiang region and its influence over Hong Kong, while also announcing a $2 billion Japanese investment in 5G telecommunications to counter China's Huawei Technologies.
U.S.NextSharkSuspect Arrested for Home Invasion, Murder of Woman and 8-Year-Old Daughter
A male suspect has been arrested for the murder of a woman and her daughter on March 8 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. What happened: Jacob Alan Wright, 19, was arrested on Tuesday for killing Jia Jia, 44, and her daughter Ruby Meng, 8, in their home on the 6800 block of Bergano Place, according to KTLA 5. More details: Wright was arrested by the police on April 13, CBSLA reported.
PoliticsAssociated PressA look at new Biden administration sanctions against Russia
The Biden administration on Thursday rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia over its election interference, hacking campaigns and other malign activity. The Treasury Department sanctioned 16 people and 16 entities related to Russia's election interference efforts. Additionally, the department took new action to sanction Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a backer of the Internet Research Agency, which carried out Russia's election interference campaign in 2016, and Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian intelligence agent who falsely claimed Ukraine was behind the 2016 interference effort.
WorldReutersEuropean powers warn Iran over 'dangerous' uranium enrichment move
PARIS (Reuters) -The European countries party to the Iran nuclear deal told Tehran on Wednesday its decision to enrich uranium at 60% purity, bringing the fissile material closer to bomb-grade, was contrary to efforts to revive the 2015 accord. But in an apparent signal to Iran's arch-adversary Israel, which Tehran blamed for an explosion at its key nuclear site on Sunday, European powers Germany, France and Britain added that they rejected "all escalatory measures by any actor". Israel, which the Islamic Republic does not recognise, has not formally commented on the incident at Iran's Natanz site, which appeared the latest twist in a long-running covert war.
U.S.USA TODAYDetroit police restrained man and beat him for 2 minutes after he tried to help protesters, lawsuit claims
A man trying to offer protesters shelter during an August demonstration was repeatedly hit by Detroit police officers until his shoulder was separated and he suffered a closed-head injury, a complaint filed Tuesday alleges. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by Kevin Kwart, lists the city of Detroit, Detroit Police Sgt. Timothy Vernon, Officer Stephen Anouti and three unnamed officers as defendants. A spokesman for Detroit police did not respond to a Free Press request for comment, but Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia gave a brief statement that said, "We are aware of Mr. Kwart's complaints, and the DPD has an open investigation on the matter," and offered no further comment.
U.S.Associated PressCapitol Police watchdog says force needs 'cultural change'
The U.S. Capitol Police force needs “cultural change” after the broad failures of the Jan. 6 insurrection, the top watchdog for the department testified Thursday, pointing to inadequate training and outdated weaponry as among several urgent problems facing the force. Capitol Police Inspector General Michael A. Bolton has issued confidential monthly reports on the force's missteps since the siege, when hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters broke into the building and sent lawmakers fleeing for their lives. Bolton told the House Administration Committee that the Capitol Police needs to improve its intelligence gathering, training, and operational planning.
WorldBusiness InsiderBiden administration reveals the intelligence community is not very confident Russia actually put bounties on US troops
A Biden administration official said that US intelligence only has "low to moderate confidence" in prior claims that Russia offered to pay bounties to militants for killing American troops. The New York Times last year reported that American intelligence found that Russian operatives offered the bounties to Taliban-linked militants - a conclusion military officials later disputed. "The United States intelligence community assesses with low to moderate confidence that Russian intelligence officers sought to encourage Taliban attacks on US and coalition personnel in Afghanistan in 2019 and perhaps earlier," a senior administration official told The Daily Beast.
U.S.Associated PressSon, father appear in court for hearing in 1996 killing
A former California college student charged with murder in the 1996 disappearance of classmate Kristin Smart and the defendant's father, who is accused of helping hide the young woman's body, made their first court appearance Thursday but did not enter pleas. Paul Flores, 44, was charged with first-degree murder for the killing that allegedly happened as he tried to rape Smart in his dorm room at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo after an off-campus party. Witnesses said Smart was intoxicated and Flores had said he would walk her home.
PoliticsKansas City StarPompeo fuels 2024 speculation with cash infusion into new PAC with Wichita ties
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's dormant U.S. House campaign fund has donated to a newly formed political action committee that uses the same Kansas-based bank and bears the name of his new political slogan, according to financial disclosures. The Champion American Values committee was created on February 22. Pompeo for Kansas had just over $845,000 at the end of March, according to the committee's filing Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.
- WorldYahoo News Video
Daunte Wright's mother calls for accountability
On Thursday, Katie Wright, the mother of Daunte Wright, the 20-year-old Black man shot and killed by police in Brooklyn Center, Minn. expressed her grief and called for accountability for her son's death.
EntertainmentArchitectural DigestShop Troye Sivan’s Eclectic Home Style
Take a page out of the stylish young star's book, from must-have splurges to affordable accessories Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
PoliticsBusiness InsiderBiden called George W. Bush before he announced his Afghanistan troop withdrawal plan - but neither said whether Bush supported it
President Joe Biden called George W. Bush to discuss his plan to pull US troops out of Afghanistan. Biden didn't say if Bush supported the decision to end the war that started during his presidency. Biden also spoke with former President Barack Obama by phone before announcing the decision.
CelebrityThe TelegraphPrinces William and Harry will not walk shoulder to shoulder at Duke of Edinburgh's funeral
The Duke of Cambridge will not walk shoulder to shoulder with the Duke of Sussex at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, with the two being separated by Peter Phillips. Seemingly in recognition of ongoing tensions between them, the royal brothers will flank their older cousin as they walk in a procession behind their grandfather's coffin from the State Entrance of Windsor Castle to the West Steps of St George's Chapel on Saturday. Prince William, 38, is then expected to join the Duchess of Cambridge, 39, inside the chapel for the 3pm ceremony.
U.S.The IndependentDaunte Wright shooting: Kim Potter’s mugshot released as ex-police officer faces manslaughter charges
Kim Potter, the white police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop on Sunday has been charged with manslaughter. A GoFundMe campaign for a memorial fund for Mr Wright has raised over half a million dollars towards covering funeral and providing support for his family. Minneapolis faced its third night of civil unrest on Tuesday after the killing, which occurred in the suburb of Brooklyn Center.Tensions are already high amid the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, last May.
U.S.Kansas City StarAfter extensive search, Kansas City, Kansas, taps 4 finalists for next police chief
Following an extensive search, Kansas City, Kansas, Unified Government officials on Thursday announced four finalists who are vying to become the city's next police chief. Finalists are: Kansas City, Kansas, Police Deputy Chief Pamela Waldeck, Kansas City Police Deputy Chief Karl Oakman, Vince E. Davenport, an associate deputy director for the U.S. Department of Justice, and Rich Austin, who is chief of the Milton Police Department in Georgia. The candidates are being interviewed through several rounds, and the decision will ultimately be made by County Administrator Doug Bach.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderManchin balks at GOP's smaller infrastructure plan - and says he can back $4 trillion as long as it's paid for
Sen. Manchin rebuked the GOP's infrastructure plan, saying senators should "do whatever it takes." The moderate Democrat added he was open to spending $4 trillion as long as it's paid for. The GOP is preparing an up to $800 billion bill.
- WorldKGO – San Francisco
Standoff underway with shooting suspect in San Jose
A shooting suspect has been hospitalized with a life-threatening self-inflicted gunshot wound after an overnight standoff, police said.
U.S.USA TODAYFact check: Derek Chauvin did not have hand in his pocket while kneeling on George Floyd
The claim: Derek Chauvin's hand was in his pocket while pinning George Floyd to the ground As witness testimony continues in the trial of Derek Chauvin, viral posts have surfaced on social media claiming the former Minneapolis police officer's hand was in his pocket while pinning George Floyd to the ground. The description paints a particularly nonchalant picture, which would be a jarring contrast to the incident's tragic outcome. Chauvin is facing murder and manslaughter charges over the death of Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old Black man who died May 25, 2020, when Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes.
WorldThe IndependentGeophysicist accused in Capitol riot named flight risk for trying to flee to Switzerland
A rioter who allegedly attacked police while they were trying to help injured people during the Capitol riot and who then tried to flee to Switzerland has been jailed after being named a flight risk. Jeffrey Sabol, a geophysicist who attended the Capitol insurrection and was seen on video apparently beating officers while they were trying to help injured rioters, was arrested and is ineligible for bond after trying to flee the country to Switzerland. Judge Emmet Sullivan said releasing Mr Sabol would prove too risky, stating in a court ruling that the alleged rioter might be inclined to continue fighting "perceived tyranny" once he is free.
CelebrityNBC NewsWhat happened to Bernie Madoff's family? Where Ruth Madoff and others are now
The death of Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff has dredged up memories of the destruction and pain left behind in the wake of perhaps the most infamous Wall Street scheme in recent history. Madoff, 82, died while serving a 150-year prison sentence stemming from fraud charges that involved cheating thousands of investors, including the filmmaker Steven Spielberg and the actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, out of billions in promised returns. In 2011, Ruth said during an interview with NBC's "TODAY" show that she did not miss her imprisoned husband, adding that "the villain of all this is behind bars."
PoliticsBusiness InsiderAmerican voters overwhelmingly like the stuff the GOP wants to strip out of Biden's infrastructure plan
President Joe Biden unveiled his $2.3 trillion infrastructure package two weeks ago, and a CNBC survey found overwhelming support for it, but only parts of it. That's where it gets interesting. According to a CNBC survey released on Thursday, just 36% of Americans supported Biden's infrastructure plan as he presented it - only three percentage points higher than those who oppose the plan, at 33%.
ScienceKansas City StarDust may hold clues for scientists hunting better tools to predict COVID outbreaks
Early in the pandemic, scientists learned they can study wastewater samples to predict COVID-19 community outbreaks by searching for viral particles in poop. Now, researchers at The Ohio State University say they've found an easier, cheaper — and less smelly — alternative: dust. After analyzing surface samples from doorknobs, desks and floors, as well as vacuum bags full of grime from rooms at the school where students with COVID-19 were isolated, the team found the coronavirus's genetic material in 97% of the vacuum samples and 55% of the surface swabs.
“There’s no ‘both sides of the debate’ when it comes to active voter suppression.”
“Companies that do this ooze contempt for their own customers and employees who are not in the leftmost quarter of opinion.”
“The truth is that Fortune 500 companies were never taking moral stances from the goodness of their corporate hearts.”
“The truth is, the companies hold the cards…If companies stick to their guns, Georgia is likely to back down as well.”
“When a company folds to the unfounded outrage of a few misinformed nuts, they are forever at the mob’s beck-and-call.”