PoliticsBBCAfghanistan war: US spies doubt reports of Russian 'bounties' for troops
It comes amid new sanctions on Russia and US plans to leave Afghanistan. US imposes sanctions on Russia for cyber-attacks US: Putin pushed pro-Trump 'influence' campaign The intelligence assessment was first reported last June by the New York Times, and was cited by Mr Biden on the 2020 presidential campaign trail to accuse then-President Trump of not standing up to Russia. Mr Trump at the time called it "fake news" and a "fake issue".
WorldAssociated PressIran names suspect in Natanz attack, says he fled country
Iran named a suspect Saturday in the attack on its Natanz nuclear facility that damaged centrifuges there, saying he had fled the country “hours before” the sabotage happened. While the extent of the damage from the April 11 sabotage remains unclear, it comes as Iran tries to negotiate with world powers over allowing the U.S. to re-enter its tattered nuclear deal and lift the economic sanctions it faces. Already, Iran has begun enriching uranium up to 60% purity in response — three times higher than ever before, though in small quantities.
WorldThe WeekGlobal COVID-19 death toll eclipses 3 million
The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 3 million on Saturday, data compiled by Johns Hopkins University reveals. As The Associated Press notes, the true number is believed to be higher based on suspicions that some governments have downplayed their countries' cases and fatalities, as well as the likelihood that many infections were missed early in the pandemic. Cases are also on the upswing; World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday that weekly infections have "nearly doubled over the past two months."
PoliticsAssociated PressUS says Russia was given Trump campaign polling data in 2016
It was one of the more tantalizing, yet unresolved, questions of the investigation into possible connections between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign: Why was a business associate of campaign chairman Paul Manafort given internal polling data — and what did he do with it? A Treasury Department statement Thursday offered a potentially significant clue, asserting that Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian and Ukrainian political consultant, had shared sensitive campaign and polling information with Russian intelligence services. Kilimnik has long been alleged by U.S. officials to have ties to Russian intelligence.
WorldReutersMyanmar releases prisoners for New Year, though likely not dissidents
Myanmar's junta released 23,184 prisoners from jails across the country on Saturday under a New Year amnesty, a Prisons Department spokesman said, though few if any democracy activists arrested since a Feb. 1 coup were thought to be among them. Saturday is the first day of the traditional New Year in Myanmar and the last day of a five-day holiday that is usually celebrated with visits to Buddhist temples and rowdy water throwing and partying in the streets. Pro-democracy activists called for the cancellation of the festivities this year and instead for people to focus on a campaign to restore democracy after the military's ouster of the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
U.S.Associated PressAs mask mandates end, Oregon bucks trend with permanent rule
As states around the country lift COVID-19 restrictions, Oregon is poised to go the opposite direction — and many residents are fuming about it. A top health official is considering indefinitely extending rules requiring masks and social distancing in all businesses in the state. The proposal would keep the rules in place until they are “no longer necessary to address the effects of the pandemic in the workplace.”
U.S.Miami HeraldTwo men are dead, two women are injured after an early morning crash in Miami Beach
Two men are dead and two women are hospitalized after their SUV crashed into one of the towering trees along Miami Beach's Pine Tree Drive. According to Miami Beach police, the car was involved in a crash around 5:45 a.m. Saturday along the 3100 block of Pine Tree Drive.
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Clovis police searching for shooting suspect
Clovis police are searching for 36-year-old Troy Clowers, who they say shot his sister's girlfriend at her Harlan Ranch home during an argument on Thursday night.
LifestyleArchitectural DigestThe 9 Best Wireless Headphones for Every Kind of Use
From the most comfortable pair to the best value buy, these headphones will carry you through the spring, summer, and beyond Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
WorldThe TelegraphLabour accused of refusing to rule out second Scottish independence referendum
Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar have been accused of refusing to rule out another Scottish independence referendum as a new survey suggests that 60 per cent of Labour supporters back another poll. The YouGov study, which spoke to 1,073 Labour members between March 17 and March 24, revealed that a majority back a second referendum “in principle” in the next few years, while 56 per cent think the party should too. It also found that while a majority of supporters in the rest of the UK believe there should be another vote, just 31 per cent in Scotland feel the same - with 61 per cent against the idea and 8 per cent undecided.
PoliticsThe IndependentBiden news - live: Woman charged with threat to kill VP Harris as China hits out at US’s Japan alliance
China hit back at the United States's apparent show of alliance with Japan during talks between Joe Biden and Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga, calling it an “ironic attempt of stoking division”. During the talks, Mr Biden and Mr Suga aired concerns about China's activities in the Indo-Pacific region, saying it went “far beyond the scope of normal development of bilateral relations”. This comes as the White House announced that Mr Biden plans to lift his predecessor Donald Trump's historically low cap on refugees next month.
WorldBBCIndia coronavirus: Desperate Covid-19 patients turn to black market for drugs
Akhilesh Mishra started getting a fever and a cough last Thursday but he initially thought it was just the flu. Akhilesh began to worry the next day, when his father Yogendra developed similar symptoms. The two men decided to get Covid RT-PCR tests done and tried to book a slot online but the next available appointment was three days later.
PoliticsThe Daily BeastBiden Keeps Trump’s Record-Low Cap On Refugee Admissions
Amidst growing calls to lift the historically low yearly cap on refugee admissions into the United States, President Joe Biden on Friday signed an emergency order intended to speed the admissions process for those fleeing wars, natural disaster, or persecution abroad—but did not lift the cap itself, setting up a potential conflict with Democratic allies on Capitol Hill. Less than a month into his administration, Biden pledged to raise the cap to 125,000 people in order to “rebuild what has been so badly damaged” in the immigration system. “I'm directing the State Department to consult with Congress about making a down payment on that commitment as soon as possible,” Biden said in a speech at the State Department on February 4.
CelebrityThe TelegraphHow Meghan ensured she had a part in Prince Philip's funeral – with a handwritten note on wreath
The Duchess of Sussex wrote the card attached to the wreath sent by her and Prince Harry to ensure that, in a small way, she played a part in the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral service. Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with the couple's second child, had hoped to attend the ceremony but was advised against travelling by her doctor. The 39-year-old was watching the funeral on television at home in Montecito, California.
ScienceBBCPhilippines: Giant clam shells worth $25m seized in raid
Around 200 tonnes of illegally harvested giant clam shells worth nearly $25 million (£18 million) have been seized in the Philippines. The seizure is one of the largest ever hauls of the endangered species. Four suspects have been arrested on an island in the ecologically protected province of Palawan.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderWall Street spent a record $2.9 billion on political contributions and lobbying in 2019 and 2020, a new study shows. Here's who spent, and received, the most cash.
Wall Street spent a record $2.9 billion on campaign donations and lobbying in 2019 and 2020, a report suggests. It donated heavily in favor of Biden over Trump. Bloomberg LP was the top donor.
U.S.Raleigh News and ObserverCatawba Indians declared victor in NC casino court fight, clearing way for construction
The Catawba Indian Nation said a federal court has ruled in its favor in a lawsuit that tried to stop its planned North Carolina casino. In a Facebook post Friday evening, tribal leaders said they “were excited to announce” that they'd “just received word” of the court victory. The lawsuit brought by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was the final major hurdle to the Catawbas' opening their $273 million Two Kings Casino Resort off Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain, tribal leaders have said.
CelebrityAxiosIn photos: The funeral of Prince Philip puts military and royal tradition on display
Photo: KIRSTY O'CONNOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) and members of the Royal family stand outside St. George's Chapel for the funeral service of Prince Philip. Photo: HANNAH MCKAY/AFP via Getty Images Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives in the Royal Bentley at the funeral for her husband, Prince Philip. Photo: LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, lead the ceremonial funeral procession of Prince Philip to St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, followed by more royal family members.
U.S.The IndependentPolice identify Indianapolis shooter as former FedEx employee 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole
Police have named Brandon Scott Hole, 19, of Indiana, as the alleged shooter who opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis that left at least eight people dead and several more injured, according to reports. Special agent in charge of the Indianapolis field office, Paul Keenan, told NBC News the suspect's home was being searched by the FBI. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's deputy chief of criminal investigations, Craig McCartt, said during a news conference that the suspect began shooting “randomly” after arriving at the FedEx facility on Thursday night.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderRepublican lawmakers condemned pro-Trump caucus emphasizing 'Anglo-Saxon political traditions,' said GOP is not about 'nativism'
GOP lawmakers are reportedly starting a caucus that emphasizes "Anglo-Saxon political traditions." Other Republicans came out against it, with Rep. Adam Kinzinger saying members should be punished. Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney also post came forward to condemn "nativism" in the GOP.
CelebrityThe TelegraphQueen sits two metres apart from her loved ones at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
The Queen was seated two metres apart from her loved ones on Saturday as just 30 members of the Royal family attended the Duke of Edinburgh's Covid-complaint funeral. Buckingham Palace said the 94-year-old monarch had faced “difficult decisions” over who to invite to the 3pm ceremony at St George's Chapel and the seating plan reflected a strict adherence to the Government's coronavirus rules on indoor worship. The sovereign was joined on the south side of the quire by the Duke of York, 61, the Princess Royal, 70, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, 66, along with the Duke of Sussex.
U.S.The IndependentLatina grandmother assaulted on LA bus in anti-Asian attack
A 70-year-old Latina woman who was mistaken for Asian was savagely beaten on a Los Angeles bus, her son says. The assailant then dragged Becky to the other end of the bus and brutally battered her, her son Pete told The Eastsider. Pete says he and his family are often mistaken for Asian Americans, but they're actually of Mexican heritage.
- WorldUSA TODAY
Raul Castro confirms he's resigning Communist Party post, ending Castro era in Cuba
Raul Castro said Friday he is resigning as head of Cuba's Communist Party, ending an era of formal leadership by he and his brother Fidel Castro that began with the 1959 revolution. The 89-year-old Castro made the announcement Friday in a speech at the opening of the Eighth congress of the ruling party, the only one allowed on the island. He said he was retiring with the sense of having "fulfilled his mission and confident in the future of the fatherland."
PoliticsBusiness InsiderThe US is readying sanctions against Russia over the SolarWinds cyber attack. Here's a simple explanation of how the massive hack happened and why it's such a big deal
Major firms like Microsoft and top government agencies were attacked, and sensitive data was exposed. Foreign hackers, who some top US officials believe are from Russia, were able to use the hack to spy on private companies like the elite cybersecurity firm FireEye and the upper echelons of the US Government, including the Department of Homeland Security and Treasury Department.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderTrump rape accuser adds to former president's legal woes by asking court to keep defamation lawsuit alive
In 2020, E. Jean Carroll published an account accusing Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. The former Elle columnist sued Trump for defamation after he made comments denying sexually assaulting her. A judge ruled that Trump was not acting in a presidential capacity when he made the comments.
“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.”