WorldThe TelegraphUS announces sanctions against Russia and expels 10 diplomats
The United States announced economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday and the expulsion of 10 diplomats in retaliation for what Washington says is the Kremlin's US election interference, a massive cyber attack and other hostile activity. President Joe Biden's executive order "sends a signal that the United States will impose costs in a strategic and economically impactful manner on Russia if it continues or escalates its destabilising international action," the White House said. The moves are in response to alleged interference in last year's presidential election as well as the hacking last year of federal government agencies.
U.S.Raleigh News and ObserverToddler found walking alone near highway while mom dined with friend, Texas police say
Dominique Edwards was driving home late Tuesday when he saw something he won't soon forget — a 2-year-old toddling along the feeder road to North Freeway in Harris County. Police arrived to take the girl then started checking nearby hotels, according to KTRK. An 8-year-old boy and his 3-year-old brother were asleep inside, KHOU reported.
U.S.Associated PressFuneral of US Capitol Officer William Evans underway
Under a steady rain, the flag-draped casket of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William Evans was carried into a Massachusetts church on Thursday as dozens of state police troopers stood in the street and saluted. Mourners followed the casket into St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams for a private funeral Mass, which was to be followed by burial at Bellevue Cemetery — where Evans will be laid to rest beside his father, Howard. Several residents stood under umbrellas nearby, Residents who wanted to pay their respects could also do so by gathering on Park Street in Adams at 1 p.m. for the funeral procession, according to a statement from the town.
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
PoliticsNational ReviewPelosi Mocked AOC, Squad Members When They Arrived in Congress: ‘See How Perfect I Am?’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly mocked Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and other members of the progressive “Squad” when they arrived in Congress amid growing tensions between the moderate and left-wing factions of the party, according to a new report. On Thursday Politico published an adapted excerpt from USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page's new book Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power, which details how tensions flared early on between Pelosi and the Squad, the progressive group of lawmakers elected in 2018 that includes Ocasio-Cortez and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.). After the Squad members cast the only four Democratic votes against an immigration bill the speaker had backed, Pelosi showed little concern over their opposition, Page writes.
- WorldChristian Science Monitor
How the far-right has shifted France’s political center of gravity
As next year's presidential elections in France approach, the two front-runners are trying on each other's clothes. Marine Le Pen, traditionally a candidate of the extreme right, is seeking more moderate voters by steering her party, the National Rally, toward the middle ground of French politics. More surprisingly, perhaps, President Emmanuel Macron is veering sharply rightward, shocking many of his supporters and raising questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.
U.S.USA TODAYNo apology owed for pepper-spraying Black and Latino Army officer in Virginia, police chief says
While he said he felt bad for how the events of a traffic-stop late last year unfolded, the police chief of the town where a Black and Latino military officer from Petersburg, Virginia, was accosted by two of his officers said Wednesday that he does not think the soldier is in need of an official apology. In response, Army Lt. Caron Nazario's legal team said Windsor Police Department Chief Rodney D. Riddle "continues a false narrative" of the case and blaming their client for initiating it. "I'm gonna own what we did," Riddle said about the stop during a news conference Wednesday in the Isle of Wight County, Virginia, community where Nazario was stopped last December while on his way home.
HealthThe Telegraph'My healthy sister just never woke up'. The reality of Sudden Adult Death – and how to protect yourself
Patrick Mead had just finished his breakfast one Sunday morning in October 2019 when he noticed his sister, Lauren, hadn't yet left her bedroom. The siblings worked together at a restaurant near their family home in Frome, Somerset; they had a shift that morning and Lauren was going to be late. Lauren, the seemingly healthy 19-year-old with whom Patrick used to gossip every afternoon after school, had died in her sleep.
BusinessAssociated PressAsian stock markets mixed after Wall St retreats from record
Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday after Wall Street retreated from a record high as major banks reported strong profits at the start of the U.S. earnings season. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index closed 0.4% below the previous day's record due to losses for major tech stocks while smaller companies rallied. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo announced quarterly earnings that beat forecasts.
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."
U.S.USA TODAYDefense in Derek Chauvin trial rests after 2 days and 7 witnesses. Here are the highlights.
The defense, led by attorney Eric Nelson, called on current and former police officers, a retired paramedic, an eyewitness, a use-of-force expert, an officer who leads the department's emergency medical response training and a former medical examiner in an attempt to prove that Chauvin's use of force was reasonable and Floyd died because of his health issues and drug use. Key testimony for the defense came from expert witness Barry Brodd, who has taught use-of-force to officers in California for 35 years. Brodd was the only witness in the trial to say Chauvin's use of force was "justified" and that the prone restraint "doesn't hurt."
WorldThe IndependentBiden to hit Russian officials with sanctions as tension rises with Putin
The United States is expected to announce sanctions on Russia for alleged election interference and a massive hacking campaign amidst mounting tensions between the two countries. The US government has said that the hack, which affected at least 100 private-sector businesses and nine federal agencies, was likely carried out by Russia. The US has also alleged that Russian president Vladimir Putin authorised attempts to swing the 2020 US presidential election in favour of Donald Trump.
U.S.Tribune PublishingIn 1975, Tampa police officer Richard Cloud was killed. Now we know why.
Angelo Bedami has openly told tales of his criminal past since his release from prison nearly 30 years ago. Tampa's Underground Airline, details how he smuggled drugs into the United States with stolen planes that were then crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. It involves the 1975 killing of Richard Cloud, a former Tampa police sergeant turned organized crime investigator for the federal government.
CelebrityAssociated PressPrinces William, Harry won't walk side-by-side at funeral
Prince William and Prince Harry won't walk side-by-side Saturday as they follow their grandfather's coffin into the church ahead of Prince Philip's funeral, minimizing the chances of any awkward moments between the brothers who are grappling with strained relations since Harry's decision to step away from royal duties last year. Buckingham Palace on Thursday released the broad outlines of the funeral program for Queen Elizabeth II's husband, who died April 9 at 99. The palace revealed that William and Harry's cousin, Peter Phillips, will walk between the princes as they escort the coffin to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, west of London.
- NewsAssociated Press Videos
Video shows shooting in Ohio hospital
Police body camera footage shows a routine police pat-down of a man in a hospital emergency room erupting within minutes into a fatal police shooting after the man apparently fires a gun he had concealed in his possession. (April 15)
PoliticsUSA TODAYKristen Clarke, Joe Biden's pick for top civil rights job, tells senators about her own son
Kristen Clarke, President Joe Biden's pick to be the Justice Department's civil rights chief, is promising to make racial equality a top priority, drawing on her experiences as a longtime civil rights attorney and a single mother of a Black teenager. "As I look to my own son … I remain committed to the promise of working every day to build a world of equal opportunity for all," Clarke said in a prepared opening statement. Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, appeared Wednesday during a 2 1/2-hour nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
U.S.The IndependentDaunte Wright protesters use umbrellas as shields against police
Photographs from the third night of protests in Minneapolis following the killing of Daunte Wright showed demonstrators getting creative to protect themselves from deterrent tactics used by police. Images from Tuesday night in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, revealed a group of protesters using umbrellas to protect themselves from fumes of chemical irritants released by authorities. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered again at the heavily guarded police headquarters, which has been ringed by concrete barriers and a tall metal fence, with police in riot gear and National Guard soldiers standing watch.
CelebrityNBC NewsJennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez announce split
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez officially called off their two-year engagement, saying in a statement Thursday that they "realized we are better as friends." "We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects," Lopez and Rodriguez said in a joint statement to NBC's "TODAY" show. Lopez is the mom of twins Max and Emme, 13, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
U.S.The IndependentHouse committee votes for the first time in favour of slavery reparations bill
A House committee, in a historic vote, passed a legislation for forming a panel to study reparations for slavery for Black Americans on Wednesday. It intends to establish a 13-person commission to study the lasting impacts of slavery and ongoing racial discrimination throughout the country's history, in order to send its recommendations on necessary remedies, including reparations to the descendants of enslaved people. The bill was passed after a long discussion over the issue last year during the Black Lives Matter protest and 2020 election campaign trail, as it garnered support from several other Democrats, including President Biden who made racial inequality his focus in his domestic agenda.
U.S.The IndependentJournalist hit in face with non-lethal round while covering protests over police killing of Daunte Wright
A journalist at the Minneapolis Star Tribune was reportedly shot with a non-lethal round and was seriously injured while covering the Daunte Wright protests in Minneapolis. According to freelance journalist Jared Goyette, he is working with the ACLU to file an emergency restraining order against the Minneapolis Police Department to force them to stop firing non-lethal rounds at journalists covering the protests. He said the journalist - a reporter at the Minneapolis Star Tribune - is doing "ok," but said he was worried more reporters would be injured while trying to do their jobs.
U.S.NY Daily NewsGirl injured in car crash caused by former Chiefs coach Britt Reid released from hospital after two months
The 5-year-old girl injured during a car crash caused by former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid has been released from the hospital. According to KWCH, Ariel Young is recovering at home after more than two months in the hospital. Reid turned himself in Monday and was later released on a $100,000 bond.
- PoliticsReuters Videos
Britain's Johnson slammed for lack of sign language
Speaking via an online link to the House, Labour MP for south London's Lewisham and Deptford boroughs and Shadow Minister for Disabled People Vicky Foxcroft began by signing first, before questioning the lack of interpretation available at the new £2.6 million briefing room. "And if the Prime Minister doesn't understand, imagine how those who rely on British sign language feel at his press briefings," said Foxcroft. million spent on the new press room, yet still no interpreter, she added.
PoliticsThe Independent‘Sedition Caucus’ Josh Hawley under fire for ‘bizarre’ and ‘shameless’ photo shoot with Capitol police
Missouri senator Josh Hawley has been criticised for a “bizarre and shameless” photoshoot praising his state's National Guard members who are currently supporting police officers guarding the US Capitol. On his Twitter account on Wednesday, Mr Hawley posted a picture of him posing in solidarity with members of the Missouri National Guard, who are helping protect the Capitol following the riots on 6 January. “Honored to meet with the @Missouri_NG 220th Engineer Construction Company who've been proudly supporting Capitol Police,” the senator tweeted on Wednesday alongside a photo of him standing in solidarity with the officers.
CelebrityThe TelegraphA tearful Prince Charles makes first public engagement since Prince Philip's death as he inspects flowers and tributes
The Prince of Wales appeared close to tears as he inspected the many flowers and tributes left for his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, by well-wishers today. Prince Charles, 72, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, was clearly moved as he paid an emotional visit to Marlborough House Gardens to read some of the messages left by members of the public, his first engagement since the Duke's death. The Duchess, dressed in black, also looked solemn as she bent to look at the messages, paying particular attention to a model Land Rover with the words “The Duke R.I.P” written on the roof.
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.
“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.”