- PoliticsYahoo News
Trump says he is holding up coronavirus aid to block Postal Service funds for voting by mail
President Trump on Thursday said he is withholding approval for a coronavirus relief package because Democrats want to include funds for mail-in voting. The president said Democrats want $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service, $3.5 billion of which would be used to shore up infrastructure amid logistical challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is predicted to keep some voters from going to the polls in November. “They want $3.5 billion for something that will turn out to be fraudulent, that's election money basically,” Trump said in an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.
- PoliticsThe Independent
Fox Host makes ominous prediction about Joe Biden then immediately tries to walk it back
Fox News host Jeanine Pirro suggested Wednesday night that "something" was going to happen to presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden that would keep him from appearing on the ballot come November. Her comment during an appearance on "The Five" as she was answering a question about a recent poll from right-wing outlet Rasmussen that claimed more than half of its respondents didn't believe Mr Biden would survive his first term in office. "For some reason, I just have this feeling that Joe Biden isn't going to be on the ticket," Ms Pirro said.
- U.S.National Review
Oregon State Police Withdraws from Portland Courthouse after D.A. Announces He Won’t Prosecute Most Rioters
Oregon state police are backing out of an agreement to protect the Portland federal courthouse from rioters, after the Multnomah County district attorney announced he will not prosecute most rioters who are arrested. Portland has seen riots almost every night since the May death of George Floyd, an African American man killed during his arrest by Minneapolis police officers. Rioters initially targeted the federal courthouse in the city, but after federal and state law enforcement came to an agreement to jointly protect the courthouse, rioters moved on to attack city police.
- U.S.Associated Press
California wildfires burn amid high risk of brutal blazes
Bone-dry vegetation fueled three wildfires near Los Angeles amid warnings Friday that the risk of new blazes erupting was high as temperatures spike and humidity levels drop during a statewide heat wave. A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles flared up Friday afternoon, sending up an enormous cloud of smoke as it headed down to the desert floor and the California aqueduct in the Antelope Valley. Fire crews managed to stop its movement there but additional evacuations were ordered for the western Antelope Valley.
- WorldThe Daily Beast
Ammonium Nitrate Blew Up Beirut. It Also Fuels Africa’s Most Dangerous Illegal Mines.
ABUJA, Nigeria—The ammonium nitrate that exploded last week in Beirut—killing 154 people, injuring more than 5,000 and causing widespread destruction—was destined for Mozambique, a transit point for raw materials in the explosives trade, where shipments often end up in the hands of illegal Chinese-owned mining companies with dubious human rights records. Almost seven years ago, Fábrica de Explosivos de Moçambique (FEM), a Mozambican firm that produces explosives, ordered 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate from a Georgian company known as Savaro for the purpose of manufacturing explosives for mining companies.
- U.S.Reuters
U.S. judge dismisses NRA lawsuit challenging gun shop closures in New York state
A federal judge on Friday dismissed the National Rifle Association's lawsuit challenging New York's decision to close gun stores in the state in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came eight days after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the gun rights group, accusing senior leaders of corruption including the improper diversion of millions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino said the NRA lacked standing to challenge on behalf of its members a March 20 executive order by Governor Andrew Cuomo requiring gun stores to close in the state because they were "non-essential" businesses.
- WorldLA Times
The Beirut blast leveled historic neighborhoods. Some fear developers may finish the job
That one second equaled more than 15 years of war,” Dagher said, referring to the 1975-1990 civil war that made the Lebanese capital a byword for destruction. Dagher, a 60-year-old architect, had spent decades restoring his family's elegant two-story, 4,800-square-foot house that his great-grandfather had first completed in 1875. In the eastern Beirut neighborhood of Gemmayzeh, it stood as a jewel-like example of the late Ottoman and French Mandate houses of fin-de-siecle Lebanon, with its facade of three arches and wide balconies.
- U.S.USA TODAY
A beloved lesbian baker in Detroit got a homophobic cake order. Here's why she made it anyway.
As a Black, openly gay woman, April Anderson said she is no stranger to discrimination. It was a disturbing slap in the face to Anderson and her wife and business partner, Michelle. “We are so used to being Black lesbian women,” Anderson said.
- U.S.Business Insider
The US said federal agents have seized millions of dollars in bitcoin from terrorist groups al-Qaeda and Hamas
Federal agents have seized millions of dollars worth of bitcoin that terrorist organizations were using to carry out their violent campaigns, the US Department of Justice said Thursday. As part of the operation, officials also seized a website and four Facebook pages that ISIS was using to sell fake personal protective equipment. The seizure was just one part of a broader crackdown on the financial operations behind terrorist groups.
- U.S.NY Daily News
Pentagon reportedly forming UFO commission after Trump told Fox host he'd look into it
A week after President Donald Trump told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs that he would follow the conspiracy theory-peddling host's lead on investigating UFOs, CNN is reporting that the Pentagon is forming a UFO task force. According to that report, the task force is being headed by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist and will be announced soon. Other entities with sway in Washington, D.C. — arguably more so than Dobbs — have recently pushed for the nation's intelligence apparatus to address the topic as well, but it never hurts to ask when you have a Trump-friendly cable talk show.
- U.S.The Independent
Chainsaw-wielding men covered in blood arrested on Toronto beach
Witnesses alleged that they menaced and “charged” at various people gathered at Toronto's Cherry Beach on Sunday morning, before police quickly intervened, responding to reports of a large fight. The gatherings have become weekly occurrences during the coronavirus pandemic and are thought to be frequented by protestors against face coverings and lockdown measures. Footage showed the two men covered in blood from apparent head wounds, wielding the running saws and shouting “who hit me”.
- PoliticsThe Guardian
I used to be critical of Kamala Harris. Now I am going to defend her at every turn
The historic announcement of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's VP pick is another reminder that multiple things can be true at the same time. Harris is undeniably brilliant, has recently introduced bills that would specifically improve the quality of live for Black Americans, and by all accounts she is superior in every way imaginable to the current president. In fact, adding her to the ticket has made me far more enthusiastic about this race than I was even days before the announcement.
- U.S.Miami Herald
He used social media to pimp a 14-year-old in Miami airport hotels, cops say. He’s 17
A 14-year-old runaway told cops she got sold for sex at hotels across the street from Miami International Airport up to five times a day, according to a police report. The girl said she turned all proceeds of that and future encounters over to her pimp, 17-year-old Miami resident Javier Quintero.
- U.S.Yahoo News Video
Bison violently attacks motorcyclist in South Dakota
A motorcyclist has survived a violent attack by a bison in the Black Hills of South Dakota, sheriff's officials said.
- LifestyleArchitectural Digest
You Need These High-Design Lawn Games to Maximize Summer Fun
Classic lawn games are perfect for enjoying what's left of summer 2020, plus they'll look great in your yard Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
- WorldAssociated Press
Palestinians say UAE deal hinders quest for Mideast peace
Israel's agreement to establish diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates marks a watershed moment in its relations with Arab countries, but the Palestinians say it puts a just resolution of the Middle East conflict even farther out of reach. The UAE presented its decision to upgrade longstanding ties to Israel as a way of encouraging peace efforts by taking Israel's planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank off the table, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rebuffed by insisting the pause was “temporary.”
- WorldReuters
Mexican government forces out over 1,000 immigration officials accused of corruption
The Mexican government has forced the resignation or sidelined more than 1,000 immigration officials over allegations of corruption and other irregularities, a senior official said on Friday. As part of an administrative modernization plan, the National Migration Institute (INM) installed video surveillance systems at its offices that have since detected irregularities that ranged from immigration officials extorting migrants, to workers sleeping on the job. INM chief Francisco Garduno said "more than 1,040 INM public servants have had to resign or have been subject to an internal review.
- U.S.CBS News
White House report recommends Georgia issue statewide mask mandate
As Georgia Governor Brian Kemp renews his efforts to keep localities from issuing mask mandates, a White House report that has not been made public "strongly" recommends a statewide mask mandate. "Current mitigation efforts are not having a sufficient impact and would strongly recommend a statewide mask mandate," reads a White House report dated August 9, informing Georgia that it is in the "red zone" for both cases and rate of positive tests. The White House has been creating such assessment reports on individual states, but not releasing them to the public.
- PoliticsUSA TODAY
Ex-FBI lawyer to plead guilty to falsifying documents in Russia inquiry; first case brought in DOJ review
A former FBI lawyer was charged Friday and is expected to plead guilty to falsifying documents used to support the surveillance of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. The case against Kevin Clinesmith is the first to be brought by federal prosecutor John Durham, appointed last year to review the origins of the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. Clinesmith's lawyers said their client "deeply regrets" his actions involving work on surveillance applications for Page submitted to the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
- U.S.The Independent
US economist proposes $12 trillion in slavery reparations to eliminate black-white wealth gap
A renowned economist has said that $12 trillion should be afforded to black Americans in reparation for slavery to help the close wealth gap. Duke University professor, William Darity Jr, and writer, Kirsten Mullen, jointly published a report for The Roosevelt Institute, an American liberal think tank, laying out a case for slavery reparations. Prof Darity and Ms Mullen outline that to eliminate the existing Black-White wealth gap an allocation of between $10 trillion and $12 trillion, or about $800,000 per black household, should be paid.
- U.S.NBC News
Bald eagle takes down government drone
A bald eagle took down a government drone in Michigan, state officials said Thursday. The bird of prey attacked the Phantom 4 Pro Advanced quadcopter drone about 162 feet in the sky on July 21, "tearing off a propeller and sending the aircraft to the bottom of Lake Michigan," according to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. An environmental quality analyst and drone pilot, Hunter King, was mapping shoreline erosion on Lake Michigan with the device, which was flying at 22 mph, when it began twirling out of control and he spotted an eagle flying away, it said.
- LifestyleDelish
How To Make Mrs. Fields Famous Cookies, Plus 28 More Copycat Dessert Recipes
Knowing how to make these sweets at home is seriously dangerous. Proceed at your own risk. From Delish
- WorldYahoo News Video
Turkey's president warns attack against Turkish ships will pay 'high price'
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that any attack on a Turkish ship exploring for oil and gas in disputed Mediterranean waters would incur a "high price" and suggested Turkey had already acted on that warning.
- WorldBBC
Nigerian police rescue Kano man locked up in his parents' garage
A Nigerian man has been rescued from the garage of his parents' house in the northern city of Kano, where he had been locked up for three years, police say. Ahmed Aminu, 30, was discovered after a police raid on the family's residence. Mr Aminu's father and step-mother have been arrested and police say further investigations are under way.
- BusinessAssociated Press
What No Student Loan Payments Until 2021 Means for You
You don't have to make another federal student loan payment in 2020. Federal student loan borrowers were already in an automatic interest-free pause on payments as part of the original coronavirus relief bill, known as the CARES Act. This pause was expected to expire Sept. 30, but an extension of the forbearance through Dec. 31 was directed in a memorandum signed by President Donald Trump on Aug. 8.
“It may be a campaign tactic, but older workers, be forewarned. Ageism runs deep in our culture.”
“Genuine concerns about the capacities of people who want the world’s most powerful job mingle bizarrely with insults.”
“Joe Biden and Donald Trump are both old. But the media should not be making mental illness a campaign issue, on either side.”
“The Trump campaign is now betting his reelection’s already slim chances on Biden proving Trump’s diagnosis is right.”
“The nightmare scenario for Democrats is that, at a pivotal moment, Biden will struggle to put together a coherent thought.”