- PoliticsThe Independent
Mueller report: Democratic leadership slams Barr's 'indefensible partisan spin' and demands testimony
Democratic leadership in Congress has slammed attorney general William Barr for his “irresponsible” and “partisan” handling of the Mueller report, and has demanded public testimony regarding the investigation into Donald Trump as soon as possible. In a joint statement ahead of Mr Barr's planned press conference and the report's expected release on Thursday, speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer demanded that the attorney speak truth to the American people. “Attorney general Barr's regrettably partisan handling of the Mueller report, including his slanted March 24th summary letter, his irresponsible testimony before Congress last week, and his indefensible plan to spin the report in a press conference later this morning — hours before he allows the public or Congress to see it — have resulted in a crisis of confidence in his independence and impartiality,” the statement read.
- NewsUSA TODAY
NTSB investigating American Airlines JFK flight that 'struck an object' at takeoff
The Associated Press reports the plane tipped in strong wind, and a wingtip hit a runway marker during takeoff from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. American flight 300, an Airbus A321, took off from JFK at 8:40 p.m. April 10 and landed back at the airport 29 minutes later, American spokesman Ross Feinstein said in a statement to USA TODAY. The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday it's investigating the incident with help from the Federal Aviation Administration, American and the union for the airline's pilots.
- Lifestylemotorious
This Modern-Day Porsche Flat Nose Is A SEMA Winner
This highly modified Porsche 911 997 is an homage to the iconic 935 racing cars. A racing car has one purpose – to go fast. The uncorrupted objective of their designers often results in some intriguing interpretations of the rules, as seen on the Porsche 935.
- BusinessReuters
McDonald's pulls Signature Crafted burgers, doubles down on Quarter Pounders
McDonald's Corp said it would remove costlier, premium burgers from its menus in favor of its more popular Quarter Pounders, shifting its focus to simpler and quickly-served burgers. The company said its new deluxe and bacon Quarter Pounders received good feedback and it would continue to focus on such items. "It (the removal) probably has more to do about the process of cooking the burger in McDonald's than it does what the consumer is saying about the food," said Howard Penney, a managing director at Hedgeye Risk Management.
WorldAFPUkraine presidential candidates finally agree debate
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday finally agreed to a debate to close a presidential campaign that has at times descended into farce. Poroshenko originally called the event for last Sunday but Zelensky was a no-show, leading the incumbent to hold a one-man debate next to an empty podium at a Kiev stadium. With Zelensky scoring 72 percent support to Poroshenko's 25, according to the most recent opinion poll, this could be the last chance the incumbent has to boost his flagging campaign.
- NewsBGR News
A fossil hunter is selling a baby T-rex on eBay, and scientists are livid
Many publish papers that are available to anyone who wants to read them, and paleontologists in particular love to show what they've discovered, lending fossils of ancient creatures to museums and institutions where they can be studied further and enjoyed by the general public. Fossil hunter Alan Detrich has gone firmly against that trend, deciding to list the tiny T-rex fossils he discovered on eBay, despite the fact that they were still on display at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum. As Guardian reports, the issue that many in the paleontology field have with Detrich's decision to sell the fossils — which he boasts are from “most likely the only baby t-rex in the world” — isn't so much that dinosaur bones shouldn't be sold, but rather that the fossils are particularly important and should be studied.
BusinessBloombergThese Are the Health Companies at Risk in the 'Medicare for All' Debate
Health insurers and now hospitals have led the sector-wide plunge even as policy analyst like Veda's Spencer Perlman argue that Medicare for All has a slim shot at becoming law. While the broader healthcare sector remains under pressure -- S&P 500 health care names have lost more than 6 percent over the past three days in their biggest drop since December -- managed care's sell-off appears to have abated for now with S&P 500 insurer names now little changed intraday.
- PoliticsThe Independent
Republican rescinds Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's invite to meet coal miners after it completely backfires
A Republican lawmaker's invitation for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to meet with coal miners in his home state of Kentucky backfired completely after the progressive Washington newcomer accepted without hesitation. Ms Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to serve in the US House of Representatives, has served as a lightning rod across party lines for her Green New Deal resolution, which seeks to provide a comprehensive response to the global threat of climate change. Andy Barr, the Kentucky Republican who initially invited the 29-year-old congresswoman to his state, said at the time that local coal miners would tell her “what the Green New Deal would mean for their families, their paychecks,” while suggesting the resolution could destroy their industry.
WorldAssociated PressThe Latest: Portugal confirms 29 Germans killed on Madeira
Portugal's foreign ministry has confirmed that all 29 people killed in a tour bus crash on Madeira Island were German. Authorities previously said they were still working to identify the victims of Wednesday evening's crash, which saw the bus veer off a road and roll down a steep hill. The statement says Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva will join his German counterpart Heiko Maas later Thursday on the Portuguese island off northwest Africa.
- PoliticsTime
President Trump Told Mueller He Was Just Joking When He Asked Russia to Hack Hillary Clinton
Among the many nuggets made public in the long-awaited Mueller report released Thursday were Trump's written responses to the Special Counsel's questions regarding Russian election interference and possible obstruction of justice. As the report notes, Trump replied more than 30 times that he had “no recollection” or did not “recall” specific information requested by Mueller's team, including details of the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting, potential support from Russian President Vladimir Putin for his presidential campaign, or discussions pertaining to WikiLeaks head Julian Assange.
NewsUSA TODAYAir France-KLM offering free flights to those helping rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral
Air France-KLM is doing its part to assist with the reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral following the devastating fire on Monday. "All Air France and Air France-KLM teams around the world have been deeply affected and saddened since (Monday)," the airline said in a Tuesday statement. "Moreover, in the days ahead, the Air France-KLM group will set up a voluntary donations fund for its customers to help finance the reconstruction work," the airline added.
BusinessConsumer ReportsRedesigned 2020 Ford Escape Adds Tech, Loses Weight
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. The 2020 Ford Escape was revealed ahead of the New York International Auto Show. We have since seen it in person at the major new-car event in the Big Apple. The totally redesigned compact SUV gets a curvier body and a choice of four drivetrains, including two turbocharged engines, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid.
- BusinessReuters
RPT-EXPLAINER-How 5G drove moves by Apple, Qualcomm and Intel
The entire drama played out as the mobile phone industry prepares to shift to a technology called 5G. Echoing complaints from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Apple had alleged that Qualcomm used its patent licensing business to keep a monopoly on modem chips that connect devices like the iPhone to wireless data networks. Qualcomm insisted that Apple was using its valuable technology without proper payment, and Apple later dropped Qualcomm's chips in favor of those from Intel. In the end, Apple and Qualcomm ceased all litigation, with Apple signing a six-year licensing deal with Qualcomm and also agreeing to buy Qualcomm chips.
WorldAFPUS North Korea envoy in Moscow as Russia plans for Kim-Putin talks
The US special envoy for North Korea was due in Moscow on Wednesday as the Kremlin said it was preparing for possible talks between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Media reports said the first summit between the two leaders could come as early as next week. "Active preparations for a potential meeting are underway," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said in comments reported by news agencies.
WorldReutersThousands of Peruvians say goodbye to ex-president following suicide
Thousand of Peruvians said goodbye on Thursday in Lima to ex-president Alan Garcia -- who killed himself this week - in the second of three days of national mourning declared by President Martin Vizcarra. Garcia shot himself in the head on Wednesday to avoid arrest in connection with alleged bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht, in the most dramatic turn yet in Latin America's largest graft scandal. Friends, allies and leaders across the political spectrum paid homage to Garcia at the headquarters of his APRA party, one of Latin America's oldest political parties, and one which twice helped usher Garcia to the presidency.
- NewsAOL.com
20-year-old college student falls 100 feet off cliff to her death
A 20-year-old college student plummeted 100 feet to her death off a cliff during a school trip last weekend. Although it is considered one of Arkansas' most photographed spots, Hawksbill Crag has been the site of multiple deaths by unintentional falls in recent years, including that of a 19-year-old University of Arkansas coed in 2016. Briar Cliff University released a statement on Saturday following Norton's tragic death.
- U.S.WPIX - New York
Sentencing of Man in Killing of NYC Jogger Postponed Amid Jury Misconduct Allegations
The sentencing of Chanel Lewis, who is convicted in the killing and sexual assault Queens jogger Karina Vetrano, was postponed Wednesday amid allegations of jury misconduct.
- BusinessCar and Driver
Photos of the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio NRING Special Editions
The NRING package is available on both the Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. From Car and Driver
- PoliticsThe Daily Beast
Former Congressman Keith Ellison: Trump's Attacks on Ilhan Omar Are 'Violent Incitement'
Former congressman Keith Ellison has a theory for why President Donald Trump is working to make Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) public enemy number one. “She, simply by her existence, is a person who he doesn't believe belongs,” Ellison said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast. Omar has been a constant lightning rod for controversy since arriving in Washington, where her comments about the Israel lobby have drawn intense criticism from her Democratic and Republican colleagues alike.
- PoliticsBloomberg
Some Lawmakers to Get Less Redacted Mueller Report, Prosecutors Say
A limited number of members of Congress will get to see a “less redacted” version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, U.S. prosecutors told a federal judge in Washington. The Justice Department plans to give those members of Congress a version of the report that will include information related to charges against Roger Stone, President Donald Trump's sometime adviser who's charged with lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing justice, the prosecutors said. The copies of the “less redacted report” won't be disseminated to all members of Congress or their staff “in the first instance,” the prosecutors said.
- BusinessUSA TODAY
New York Auto Show: Here's what Lincoln's new Corsair SUV offers luxury drivers
Lincoln spent lavishly to make its new 2020 Corsair compact SUV a legitimate luxury vehicle, not a thinly disguised version of a mass-market vehicle. Debuting at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, the Corsair has a luxurious interior with features like 24-way adjustable massaging seats. The Corsair will come with a long list of safety and driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian assist, blind spot alert, lane keeping assist and automatic high beams.
BusinessAssociated PressSome of Samsung's new folding phones are already breaking
Some of Samsung's new, almost $2,000 folding phones appear to be breaking after just a couple of days. Journalists who received the phones to review before the public launch said the Galaxy Fold screen started flickering and turning black before completely fizzling out. Two journalists said they removed a thin, protective layer from the screens that they thought was supposed to come off, but was meant to stay.
- U.S.Meredith Videos
Pilots Say American Airlines Plane Rolled on Its Own and Hit a Sign During Takeoff
American Airlines pilots flying an Airbus A321 say it banked on its own during takeoff, causing a strike to the plane's left wing. The incident is now under investigation.
WorldReutersUK condemns U.S. application of Cuba sanctions to foreign companies
Britain said it was concerned by new attempts by the United States to require foreign companies to abide by U.S. sanctions on Cuba that have been rejected by Britain and other European countries. "The extraterritorial application of ... sanctions, which we consider to be illegal under international law, threaten to harm UK and EU companies doing legitimate business in Cuba by exposing them to liability in U.S. courts," Britain's foreign office said in a statement on Thursday. On Wednesday, Washington imposed new sanctions and other punitive measures on Cuba and Venezuela, seeking to ratchet up pressure on Havana to end its support for Venezuela's socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.
NewsAFPUS doctors, pharmacists charged in crackdown on opioid prescriptions
The US Justice Department announced charges Wednesday against 60 people, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists alleged to have illegally written hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for opioids that have underpinned the country's addiction crisis. Most of the charges involved health professionals in the Appalachia region, where poverty is deep and doctors and pharmacies pumped out millions of highly addictive pills for years without controls. A doctor who was charged in Tennessee called himself the "Roc Doc" and traded prescriptions for sex as he prescribed 800,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills and 600,000 benzodiazepine tablets over three years, the Justice Department said.
