Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Aid workers rescue more African cyclone survivors, death toll mounts – (Reuters)
Rescue workers plucked more survivors from trees and roofs to safety on Thursday, a week after a cyclone ripped through southern Africa and triggered devastating floods that have killed hundreds of people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Exclusive: U.S. may soon pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey – (Reuters)
The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, officials told Reuters, in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia’s S-400 air defense syst…
Dozens feared dead in Iraq ferry sinking – (BBC News)
A river ferry has sunk in a tourist area near Mosul in Iraq, killing at least 40 people, reports say.
Forecasters: ‘Potentially historic’ flooding threatens South – (Associated Press)
Scientists are warning that historic flooding could soon deluge parts of several Southern states along the lower Mississippi River, where floodwaters could persist for several weeks.The…
Victory over Islamic State to be announced after enclave searched: SDF – (Reuters)
U.S.-backed Syrian forces were sweeping on Thursday through the final enclave that had been held by Islamic State fighters, and said they would declare the group defeated once a search for hidden mines and jihadist holdouts was complete.
‘Dozens killed’ as ferry sinks in Tigris River near Iraq’s Mosul – (Al Jazeera English)
Most of casualties are women and children who could not swim, local official is quoted as saying by Reuters.
At least 40 killed as overloaded ferry sinks in Iraq’s Tigris river – (Reuters)
At least 40 people died when an overloaded ferry sank in the Tigris river near Mosul in Iraq, police and medical sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Wall St. falls at open after Fed’s abrupt dovish turn – (Reuters)
U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday, after the Federal Reserve abandoned any interest rate hikes this year and flagged an expected slowdown in the economy.
Biogen scraps Alzheimer drug trials, shares slump by a quarter – (Reuters)
Biogen and partner Eisai Co Ltd are ending two late-stage trials testing the experimental Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab, marking the latest setback for an industry racing to develop treatments for the memory-robbing disease.
Jury finding upends Bayer’s Roundup defense strategy: experts – (Reuters)
Bayer AG had hoped a new trial strategy focusing jurors on scientific evidence could stem a burgeoning tide of U.S. lawsuits over its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup, but a second jury finding on Tuesday that the product caused cancer has narrowed the co…
Ethiopia crash captain did not train on airline’s MAX simulator: source – (Reuters)
The captain of a doomed Ethiopian Airlines flight did not get a chance to practice on his airline’s new simulator for the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before he died in a crash with 157 others, a pilot colleague said.
‘Full House’ to big house in college scheme? Experts differ – (Associated Press)
BOSTON (AP) — Could Aunt Becky be headed to prison? It could go either way, experts say.Some of the wealthy parents accused of paying bribes to get their kids into top universities may get…
A closer look at New Zealand’s new weapons ban – (Associated Press)
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Only a week after attacks on two mosques in New Zealand killed 50 worshippers, the country has banned sales of “military-style” semi-automatic weapons and…
More flood waters rising in storm damaged U.S. Midwest – (Reuters)
As icy, lethal flood waters fed by rains and melting snow recede in Nebraska and Iowa, leaving destroyed homes, drowned cattle and swamped farmland, Midwest states downstream were set on Thursday for a relentless surge of the Missouri River.
Six die in China chemical plant blast – (BBC News)
Another 30 people are injured in the explosion at a fertiliser-making facility in Yancheng.
Political divisions widen in Albania as EU decision nears – (Al Jazeera English)
Poverty, crime, corruption and political instability are testing the EU-aspiring country
Mullah Omar and the art of hiding in plain sight – Q&A – (Al Jazeera English)
Al Jazeera spoke to journalist Bette Dam, whose book says Mullah Omar was in Afghanistan till his death, not Pakistan.
Biden Weighing Unique Steps to Reassure Voters Concerned About His Age – (The New York Times)
The former vice president is considering naming a running mate earlier in the primary than is customary, and the possibility of serving only one term.
APNewsBreak: Police say immigrant suspect killed for drugs – (Associated Press)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A detective says a Salvadoran immigrant charged with four Nevada murders told police he robbed and killed his elderly victims during a 10-day rampage in January because he needed…
New Zealand bans ‘military-style’ guns after mosque attacks – (Associated Press)
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced a ban of “military-style” semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines like those used in…
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From various sources
Barry Hunter Shoots from the Hip – (Fox Sports)
The world class trainer hopes to steer long-time pupil Lamont Peterson back into the welterweight conversation, beginning Sunday night when Peterson faces Sergey Lipinets on FS1.
Michael Steinhardt accused by seven women of of sexual harassment – (The Jerusalem Post)
Six women said that “Steinhardt asked them to have sex with him, or made sexual requests of them, while they were relying on or seeking his support.”
Liberman stirs haredi scorn with Purim video – (The Jerusalem Post)
“I rule that public transport on Shabbat is permitted, civil marriage is permitted, and DNA tests are prohibited. Amen,” intones “Rabbi” Liberman.
Russian hackers are infiltrating European governments ahead of May elections, security firm says – (Vice News)
FireEye says the cyber attacks by two Kremlin-linked hacking groups have increased significantly since mid-2018
– (Fox Sports)
Harvard sued for ‘exploiting’ early photos of slaves, asked to pay damages to woman who says she’s next of kin – (Fox News)
Harvard University is being sued for “shamelessly” making a profit from photos of two 19th-century slaves despite the requests to turn the photographs over to the slaves’ descendants.
Pro Rata – (Axios)
Insider views on deals and dealmakers in venture capital, private equity and M&A, by Dan Primack. Weekday mornings
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch rebukes Netanyahu for damaging Diaspora-Israel ties – (The Jerusalem Post)
Influential reform leader says that the failure to address the conflict with the Palestinians, and haredi dominance has done ‘unprecedented’ harm to the relationship between US Jews and Israel.
Epic Games CEO says Apex Legends hasn’t made a dent in Fortnite – (TechCrunch)
In the wake of Apex Legends, which has briskly grown to 50 million players, many have wondered whether Fortnite has felt the impact. But Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney told GamesBeat that Apex hasn’t really made a dent. Without being asked about Apex Legends, Swe…
Deal Alert: Get 3-Months of Xbox Live Gold for Free, 1 Month Game Pass for 1 Dollar, and More – IGN – (IGN)
There are some great chances to save on Xbox Live right now, and you can get 1 month of Game Pass for just a buck if you’re a new subscriber.
Revealed: Meghan’s maternity wardrobe cost over £500k – (Daily Mail)
Megan has expensive taste, with her maternity wardrobe costing well over £500,000. The Duchess of Sussex has spent seven times more during her pregnancy than sister-in-law Kate Middleton.
Trump Gave John McCain the ‘Kind of Funeral He Wanted’ and ‘Didn’t Get a Thank You,’ He Says – (Fortune)
Donald Trump again attacked John McCain during a speech at an Ohio tank factory on Wednesday
The rumored disc-less Xbox One S could be out by May 7 – (Mashable)
Microsoft’s rumored lower-priced Xbox One S would reportedly come bundled with three games and feature a 1TB hard drive.
UK’s Police Federation hit by ransomware – (TechCrunch)
The U.K.’s Police Federation has confirmed it’s been hit by a cyberattack. The union-like organization, representing 119,000 police officers across the 43 forces in England and Wales, described the event as ransomware in a statement shared on Twitter. The ran…
There Are Over 100 Different Fruits And I Bet You Can’t Even Name 30 – (Buzzfeed)
An a**** a day keeps the doctor away.
Moment yob smashes up mosque during night of carnage – (Daily Mail)
CCTV footage shows the moment a mosque in Perry Barr, Birmingham had its windows smashed as part of a late-night rampage that saw five places of worship damaged.
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All about Trump
Trump Gave John McCain the ‘Kind of Funeral He Wanted’ and ‘Didn’t Get a Thank You,’ He Says – (Fortune)
Donald Trump again attacked John McCain during a speech at an Ohio tank factory on Wednesday
Here are all the questions about Trump the Mueller report won’t answer – (MSNBC)
What’s in Mueller’s special counsel report? Here are the Trump-related questions, from Jared Kushner to Saudi Arabia, that Mueller won’t answer
Conway on husband’s feud with Trump: ‘I’m not being asked to choose’ – (NBC News)
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway spoke with Fox Business Network about her husband George’s public feud with President Donald Trump
Kellyanne Conway calls husband’s attacks on Trump ‘unusual,’ thanks president for defending her – (Fox News)
Kellyanne Conway weighed in Thursday on the bitter Twitter feud between her husband George and President Trump.
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade Rips Trump’s McCain Attacks: ‘Makes Absolutely No Sense’ – (The Huffington Post)
The “Fox & Friends” co-host criticized parts of the speech the president gave Wednesday at a tank factory in Ohio.
Akunis to be first-ever Science Minister to be invited to White House – (The Jerusalem Post)
Akunis will be a guest of meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier, who is US President Donald Trump’s adviser on science.
Glenda Jackson, Jayne Houdyshell and Elizabeth Marvel on why ‘King Lear’ is still essential: “It’s f-ing genius.” – (Newsweek)
The stars of Broadway’s new gender-bending production on the cosmic, timeless fury of Shakespeare’s greatest play: ‘It’s Trump, it’s Russia, it’s North Korea.’
Jared Kushner’s dad says his son joined Trump administration at “substantial financial sacrifice, did nothing wrong – (Newsweek)
“We have passed up many business opportunities that we normally would have pursued,” Kushner Cos. founder Charles Kushner wrote in an impassioned defense of his son.
Democratic representative slams Trump administration’s “shameful” decision to expand “Remain In Mexico” policy – (Newsweek)
“The administration is endangering lives, abandoning its obligation to bring forward smart solutions for our broken immigration system,” Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar of Texas said.
Theresa May went on TV and blamed British lawmakers for the Brexit crisis. Now she’s being compared to Donald Trump. – (Vice News)
A Labour MP said the speech increased the chances of death threats.
Fed holds rate steady; US stays the course on trade tariffs with China – (Fox News)
Morning Business Outlook: Federal Reserve’s signal of no interest rate hikes in 2019 worries some investors; President Trump says that the U.S. may leave tariffs on Beijing for a ‘substantial period of time,’ even if a trade deal is reached.
Anthony Scaramucci says Trump’s McCain attacks are ‘stupid’ – (CNN)
President Donald Trump’s attacks on the late Sen. John McCain are “stupid” and “socially unnatural,” Anthony Scaramucci said Thursday.
George Conway rips Trump: ‘Worst kind of dumb’ – (The Hill)
George Conway, the husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, lashed out at President Trump in a new series of tweets early Thursday, saying that he is a liar and “the worst kind of dumb.”
A real trade deal between the U.S. and China could take years of negotiations – (Axios)
President Trump threatened to keep tariffs on Chinese goods until they cooperate with a deal.
Vietnam Veteran Ex-Senator Tells Donald Trump How To Silence Bone Spur Doubters – (The Huffington Post)
Nebraska Democrat Bob Kerrey tore into Trump for repeated attacks on the late Sen. John McCain.
Trump’s invective at John McCain dismays some Republicans – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Casting aside rare censure from Republican lawmakers, President Donald Trump aimed new blasts of invective at the late John McCain , even claiming credit for the senator’s moving…
Eye Opener: Trump keeps going after late Sen. John McCain – (CBS News)
President Trump is refusing to tone down his attacks on the late Sen. John McCain despite growing pushback from fellow Republicans. Also, Indonesian investigators confirmed an off-duty pilot was in the cockpit of the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max plane that experie…
Round 3: 2020 Democratic March Madness – (Fox News)
Which 2020 hopeful will win it all? Former Trump campaign pollster Jim McLaughlin explains.
Donald Trump bashes solar power and “windmills”: “When the wind doesn’t blow, turn off the television darling” – (Newsweek)
“Hillary [Clinton] wanted to put windmills all over the place,” the president told workers in Lima, Ohio.
The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s intraparty feuds divide Republicans – (The Hill)
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