- PoliticsYahoo News
Democrats rolling out 2018 midterms message next week
Democrats will begin rolling out their message for the 2018 midterm elections next week, Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., the No. 4 House Democrat, told reporters Wednesday. “I recognize that waiting for Trump to implode … will not work,” Crowley said. Six months into Donald Trump’s presidency, the party has struggled to rally around a simple message, and most Americans say they don’t believe Democrats have one.
- ScienceYahoo News
GOP Rep. Rohrabacher gets to the bottom of Martian civilization: There wasn’t any
“You have indicated that Mars had — was totally different thousands of years ago,” Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., asked during a hearing of the space subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The congressman’s question followed earlier testimony by NASA scientist Kenneth Farley about plans for the Mars 2020 mission, which involves looking for evidence of life on the red planet from the first billion years of the solar system. “Prior to about 3.6 billion years ago, Mars had rivers, lakes and possibly a vast northern ocean,” Farley said earlier in the hearing.
NewsAssociated PressThe Latest: Officer in shooting exercising right to silence
Some legal experts say the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman after she called 911 to report a possible rape is smart not to talk to investigators. Mohamed Noor has yet to talk with agents investigating Sunday night's shooting, and his attorney has given no indication he will. In contrast, St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez voluntarily spoke with agents after shooting Philando Castile last summer.
- PoliticsThe Independent
Fox News reporter walks out of off-camera press briefing and throws parting shot at White House
Fox News reporter John Roberts has thrown some shade at Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump’s spokeswoman, for the White House’s refusal to hold daily on-camera press briefings. In recent weeks, the White House has begun to hold off-camera briefings almost daily – a departure from previous administrations when daily on-camera briefings were the norm. Mr Trump's press staff have said the change is meant to draw more attention to the President's remarks, but some reporters have asserted that the White House “should have the backbone” to answer questions during on-camera proceedings.
NewsReutersWildfire forces evacuation of California town near Yosemite
By Al Golub MARIPOSA, Calif. (Reuters) - The 2,000 residents of a small California town in the foothills flanking Yosemite National Park were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire that has already destroyed eight structures. Residents of tiny Mariposa, in the Sierra Nevada mountains southwest of Yosemite in central California, were ordered to flee after flames from the so-called Detwiler Fire jumped over Highway 140 and marched toward the community, threatening 1,500 structures. "Fire activity continued to grow throughout the night due to ample fuel, and steep terrain," the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said on its tracking website.
WorldAFPNetanyahu slams EU's 'crazy' Israel policy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday denounced the EU's political demands on Israel as "absolutely crazy", in remarks leaked from a closed-door meeting with eastern and central European leaders in Budapest. "The European Union is the only association of countries in the world that conditions the relations with Israel... in every area on political conditions," he said in a recording heard by AFP. Brussels has repeatedly condemned Israel's building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and its crackdown on civil society groups critical of the government.
- WorldThe Telegraph
Charlie Gard doctors remain 'unconvinced' after flying visit by US neurosurgeon who said he could treat him
The British doctors caring for Charlie Gard are understood to remain unconvinced by an American neurosurgeon who claimed he could treat the little boy. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) staff spent five and half hours on Tuesday locked in discussions with Dr Michio Hirano, a US specialist who flew back to the US on Tuesday night. Charlie’s mother Connie Yates was also present at the meeting to determine the best course of action for her 11-month-old son.
- LifestyleInternational Business Times
Missing Swiss Couple Found In Glacier 75 Years Later
A Swiss couple who went missing in the Alps as World War II was raging in Europe may have been found, thanks to a shrinking glacier that gave up the mummified remains of two people and some of their possessions. If DNA confirms that the bodies belong to Marcelin and Francine Dumoulin, the discovery would end a 75-year mystery surrounding their disappearance.
- WorldYahoo News Video
Russia says ready to retaliate after U.S. talks end without deal
Russia said on Tuesday that it reserved the right to retaliate against the United States after a meeting in Washington ended without an agreement to return Russian diplomatic property the U.S. had seized.
- HealthDelish
Creative Cookout Menus For Summer Holidays And Events
These party-perfect menus are full of grilling recipes, sides, and desserts.From Delish
- WorldTime
Even President Trump's Advisers Aren't Comfortable With His Second Vladimir Putin Meeting
The uneasy dynamic between the president and top aides has been exacerbated by the revelation this week of an extended dinner conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the recent summit in Germany. The previously undisclosed conversation, which occurred a few hours after their official bilateral meeting, raised red flags with advisers already concerned by the president’s tendency to shun protocol and press ahead with outreach toward Russia, according to two U.S. officials and three top foreign officials.
WorldAssociated PressA look at why a Saudi woman's miniskirt sparked an outcry
A short video of a Saudi woman walking around in a miniskirt and crop top sparked an outcry after going viral, leading to the woman being detained for several hours. The woman was eventually released without charge, but the incident and the online debate it ignited point to the tension in Saudi Arabia between proponents of its conservative, state-enforced strictures and those pushing for greater rights. The woman, whose name has not been released, defied the kingdom's conservative dress code, which requires all women, even foreigners, to wear long, loose robes known as abayas in public.
- NewsInside Edition
Newly Revealed Audio Sheds Light on Final Moments of Yoga Teacher Shot Dead by Cop
New details have emerged in the shocking death of a Minnesota yoga instructor who was shot dead by a police officer near her home. Justine Damond, 40, who is known for her YouTube videos on yoga and meditation, was in her pajamas when she made the call to the police at 11:28 Saturday night to report a possible sexual assault. In an audio recording, a police dispatcher can be heard saying, "Female screaming behind the building," in regard to Damond's report.
WorldReutersPhilippine police arrest 43 foreigners for kidnap of Singapore woman
By Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine police said on Thursday they had arrested 43 foreigners for kidnapping a Singaporean woman at a casino resort in the capital, highlighting security concerns that have scared high-stakes gamblers away from Manila. Police said the gang, including people from China and Southeast Asia, was believed to be a loan-shark syndicate targeting foreign high-rollers, with 11 similar cases reported since 2015. The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing casino hubs in Asia, after Macau and Singapore, with the opening of several resorts over the past two years.
WorldAFPIran's president threatens response to new US sanctions
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Tehran would "respond appropriately" to new US sanctions but that Iran remained committed to its nuclear deal with world powers. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will always stick to its international commitments," Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting.
NewsAssociated PressUS senator criticizes Pruitt in Oklahoma ethics probe
A Democratic member of the U.S. Senate committee that conducted confirmation hearings for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a letter Tuesday that Oklahoma's former attorney general presented "inconsistent and contradictory statements" to the panel. Pruitt's "misleading answers, evasiveness, and stonewalling" had stymied the committee's ability to provide oversight of the agency, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island wrote in a letter containing information about an ethics complaint against Pruitt being investigated by the Oklahoma Bar Association. "This conduct is unbecoming of an attorney who is also a public official and who, under law, is required to testify truthfully to Congress," Whitehouse said.
- EntertainmentInternational Business Times
Al Gore: There's Still Time To Solve Climate Change Crisis
Former Vice President Al Gore thinks we still have time to avoid catastrophic repercussions from climate change, “I think that we’re gonna solve this crisis,” he said earlier this week. The politician turned climate change activist has been a huge proponent for climate change action for much of his career and he didn’t stop just because he left office. A little more than a week before the release of his second film, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Gore sat down with New York Times reporter Coral Davenport for a “TimeTalks ” discussion.
- WorldThe Telegraph
US warns Venezuela that 'no option is off the table' if it goes ahead with vote for new assembly
The White House has threatened Venezuela with “strong and swift” action unless President Nicolas Maduro calls off a July 30 “constitutional congress”, which the US believes will push the South American country further towards a dictatorship. Mr Maduro, who has now faced more than 100 days of protests, killing around 100 people, insists that the congress to rewrite the constitution is the only way to restore calm to the troubled country – which has the largest oil reserves in the world, and was once a stable, middle class nation. On Tuesday a senior White House official said that “all options are on the table” if Venezuela goes ahead with the vote.
- HealthEat This, Not That!
Everything You Need to Know About the Chipotle Outbreak
Is it safe to eat at Chipotle? Customers reported experiencing painful norovirus symptoms ranging from severe stomach discomfort, nausea, dizziness, and dehydration to vomiting and diarrhea—which even drove two victims to the hospital. "We are working with health authorities to understand what the cause may be and to resolve the situation as quickly as possible," Jim Marsden, Chipotle's executive director of food safety, told Business Insider.
- PoliticsTime
'Hang in There.' Muslim Senate Candidate Gets Support From Republican Incumbent
Like many political figures, Deedra Abboud is no stranger to online abuse. “It’s unfortunate that this is the type of discourse that has become acceptable in America,” says Abboud, who’s running to challenge Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. Abboud, who wears a hijab, converted to Islam in 1998 (she was previously a Southern Baptist.) Abboud started and served as president of the Arizona chapter of the Council of American Islamic Relations, and was the director of the Muslim American Society’s Freedom Foundation.
- U.S.Yahoo News Video
Saudi woman in miniskirt video arrested after public outcry
A Saudi woman has been arrested for defying the kingdom's strict dress code by walking around in a miniskirt and crop top in a video that sparked public outrage.
- NewsThe Independent
Married teacher jailed for sex with student on day of his 16th birthday
A former Nebraska teacher has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for having sex with a student on his 16th birthday. Emily Lofing, 27, was charged with debauching a minor as the boy was 16 years old, the age of consent in Nebraska.
NewsReutersAustralian prime minister demands answers on Minneapolis police shooting
A Minneapolis police officer shot Justine Damond, who was originally from Sydney, around midnight Saturday while responding to an emergency call she had placed about a possible assault behind her house in a quiet residential neighborhood. Turnbull said he and the Australian consul-general in Chicago were "seeking answers," in a television interview on Wednesday morning in Australia (Tuesday evening in the U.S.). "It is a shocking killing, and yes, we are demanding answers on behalf of her family." The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which reviews shootings involving the police in Minneapolis, is seeking any civilian video of the incident and said the officer who shot Damond, who has been identified in local media as Mohamed Noor, and another officer who was in the patrol car with him have been placed on administrative leave.
- NewsInside Edition
Family of 5 Says They Were Booted From JetBlue Flight After Their Baby Kicked Seat in Front of Her
A couple and their three children were booted from a JetBlue flight after they say their 1-year-old daughter kicked the seat of another passenger. Mandy Ifrah, of Brooklyn, N.Y., told Inside Edition that her family was left stranded at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida with nowhere to go, no luggage and no baby supplies.
- NewsAssociated Press
Afghan team among medal winners at global robotics event
An international robotics competition in Washington attracted teams of teenagers from more than 150 nations. The team that drew the most attention at the FIRST Global Challenge, which ended Tuesday, was a squad of girls from Afghanistan who were twice rejected for U.S. visas before President Donald Trump intervened. Teams left with gold, silver and bronze medals in a variety of categories.
