Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Voters set to punish UK PM May’s Conservatives over Brexit delay – (Reuters)
English voters are expected to use local government elections on Thursday to punish Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party over its failure to deliver Brexit, revealing a divided and dissatisfied electorate.
A Trump dilemma: Finding a dovish GOP ally to serve on Fed – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The skeptical response to President Donald Trump’s choice of Stephen Moore for the Federal Reserve has thrown a spotlight on the tough task Trump has set for himself: Finding a…
US military reports spike in sex assaults – (BBC News)
The number of unwanted sexual contacts in the armed forces has risen by 38% in two years.
House chairman gives Barr more time to release full Mueller report – (Reuters)
The Democratic head of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Thursday said the panel would make one more good faith attempt to negotiate with U.S. Attorney General William Barr over the release U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s full, unredacted report.
Maduro hangs on as Venezuelan protests peter out – (Reuters)
Venezuelans heeded opposition leader Juan Guaido’s call to take to the streets on Wednesday in a bid to force President Nicolas Maduro from power, but there was little concrete sign of change in a crisis that increasingly looks like a political stalemate.
Russia’s Lavrov says ‘not true’ Moscow asked Maduro not to leave Venezuela: RIA – (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed as untrue on Thursday assertions by U.S. officials that Moscow had urged Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro not to leave the country amid the continuing unrest there, RIA news agency reported.
Florida teachers can arm themselves under new gun bill – (Reuters)
Florida’s legislature on Wednesday passed a bill allowing teachers to carry guns in the classroom, expanding a program launched after the deadly high school shooting in Parkland with the aim of preventing another such massacre.
Empty chair and a prop chicken: Barr skips Mueller hearing – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr skipped a House hearing Thursday on special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia report, escalating an already acrimonious battle between Democrats…
The Hearing that William Barr Didn’t Show Up To – (The New York Times)
Attorney General William P. Barr pulled out of a Thursday House hearing, and he has left House lawmakers investigating the president fuming and calculating.
Top Democrat threatens to hold Attorney General Barr in contempt – (Reuters)
A Democratic U.S. congressional committee chairman said on Thursday he may hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress if he does not hand over a complete version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 pr…
Volkswagen sets aside 5.5 billion euros in contingent liabilities for diesel scandal – (Reuters)
Volkswagen said it has set aside 5.5 billion euros ($6.16 billion) in contingent liabilities to cover possible risks arising from a diesel cheating scandal, chief financial officer Frank Witter said on Thursday.
House panel chairman warns Barr over testimony, Mueller report – (Reuters)
Democratic U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler on Thursday urged Attorney General William Barr to comply with the panel’s demands to testify before it and to release Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s full report on the Rus…
Semenya case: A clash over ensuring an even playing field – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — A court ruling requiring Olympic running sensation Caster Semenya to lower her testosterone levels goes to the heart of a dilemma facing the sports world: How to avoid…
Colorado Sen. Bennet launches Democratic presidential bid – (Associated Press)
DENVER (AP) — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado jumped into the packed Democratic presidential primary on Thursday, announcing a 2020 campaign that had been stalled while he was treated for…
As car-sharing picks up in US, so do legislative battles – (Associated Press)
PHOENIX (AP) — When Chris Williamson was in the market for a new family car, a timely ad and conversations with a co-worker convinced him to try something out of the ordinary. He bought a BMW 3…
‘Riley Howell is a hero’: Student who attacked gunman lauded – (Associated Press)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina college student slain while confronting a gunman in his classroom was being given a hero’s send-off Thursday as his body is taken back to his hometown with…
Poll finds hunger for change to US system of government – (Associated Press)
After more than two years of the Donald Trump presidency, Andrea Petrusky is ready for some fundamental changes in the way the United States government works.”Right now we’re being shown…
Assange refuses extradition to US; long legal fight expected – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told a London court on Thursday that he wouldn’t agree to be extradited to the United States, where he is accused of conspiring to hack into a…
Catholic services in Sri Lanka capital canceled for 2nd week – (Associated Press)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Catholic services are being canceled for a second weekend in Sri Lanka’s capital after the government warned of more possible attacks by the same Islamic State-linked…
Biden Faces Conflict of Interest Questions That Are Being Promoted by Trump and Allies – (The New York Times)
As vice president, Joe Biden played a key role in the dismissal of a Ukrainian prosecutor who had opened an investigation of a company employing Mr. Biden’s son.
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From various sources
Israeli team makes embryo stem cells from skin cells – (The Jerusalem Post)
“What we actually did is convert skin cells int three types of stem cells that can produce embryos,” explained Dr. Yossi Buganim of HU’s Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research.
Corbyn in 2009: Israeli govt has ‘unbelievably high levels of influence in parts of media’ – (The Jerusalem Post)
UK Labour Party leader made the allegation in an op-ed article he wrote for Communist Morning Star newspaper in 2009.
U.S. Ambassador Friedman at March of the Living: Antisemitism plagues man – (The Jerusalem Post)
David Friedman spoke at the March of the Living, stating that antisemitism is a disease that plagues humanity since the dawn of humanity.
Did German bank close account of Israeli news website due to antisemitism – (The Jerusalem Post)
In a telephone conversation with Deutsche Bank, the bank told Israel Heute “It did not have to justify the decision and therefore would not say anything more,” according to Schneider.
Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitaries seek to clear ISIS from Syrian border-report – (The Jerusalem Post)
Iraq recently launched another major operation in Hamreen mountains. But ISIS has struck where it can. It murdered a Kurdish member of the local security forces earlier this week.
March of the Living remembers Holocaust, protests antisemitism – watch li – (The Jerusalem Post)
Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog, Israel envoy David Friedman, an international delegation of ambassadors led by Danny Danon, among other US ambassadors will also participate in the march.
J.D. Vance to Headline TAC Annual Gala – (The American Conservative)
We will also be feting the lifetime achievements of publisher Jon Basil Utley, and the writing of NYT columnist Ross Douthat.
What if Iran Retaliates and Shuts Down the Strait of Hormuz? – (The American Conservative)
Some 18 million barrels of oil transit through every day. The economic impact would be catastrophic.
The Disgraceful Case for Increasing U.S. Support for the War on Yemen – (The American Conservative)
The authors are explicitly calling for an assault that aid agencies have repeatedly said would drive Yemen’s civilian population into the abyss.
Permafrost is melting in the Arctic so fast scientists are losing their equipment | CBC News – (CBC News)
Permafrost in some areas of the Canadian Arctic is melting so fast that it’s gulping up the equipment left there to study it.
Gavin Williamson hits back at Theresa May over his sacking – (Financial Times)
Former UK defence secretary says PM conducted ‘kangaroo court’ after Huawei leak
Pro Rata – (Axios)
Insider views on deals and dealmakers in venture capital, private equity and M&A, by Dan Primack. Weekday mornings
Top House Democrat threatens U.S. attorney general with contempt after hearing no-show | CBC News – (CBC News)
A U.S. House committee convenes briefly without Attorney General William Barr in attendance to discuss his handling of the Mueller report at a time of rising tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and Congress.
Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee holds hearing – (Fox News)
Unchanged Mumbai bat, Sunrisers bring in Guptill – (ESPN Cric Info)
Citigroup CEO Corbat defends bank’s pay gap: `I started in 1983 at $17,000 salary’ – (CNBC)
The pay gap at Citigroup, led by Corbat since 2012, is the biggest among big U.S. banks
Toyota to invest $100 million in self-driving and robotic technology start-ups – (CNBC)
Toyota Motor plans to invest millions in businesses that specialize in autonomous transportation in the automaker’s most recent push to step into the self-driving market.
Parking warden caught on CCTV removing a valid ticket to issue a fine – (Daily Mail)
Kevin Gillespie, 58, had parked his vehicle overnight for free in a council car park near his pub in Folkestone, Kent, before buying a ticket that would have lasted until 10.30am.
Sarah Sanders slams Nadler after Barr a no-show at hearing – (The Hill)
“It’s surprising to find out he has actually lost confidence in himself and his capability to do his job,” Sanders says of Dem chairman
Voters set to punish UK PM May’s Conservatives over Brexit delay – (Reuters)
English voters are expected to use local government elections on Thursday to punish Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party over its failure to deliver Brexit, revealing a divided and dissatisfied electorate.
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All about Trump
Top House Democrat threatens U.S. attorney general with contempt after hearing no-show | CBC News – (CBC News)
A U.S. House committee convenes briefly without Attorney General William Barr in attendance to discuss his handling of the Mueller report at a time of rising tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and Congress.
A Trump dilemma: Finding a dovish GOP ally to serve on Fed – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The skeptical response to President Donald Trump’s choice of Stephen Moore for the Federal Reserve has thrown a spotlight on the tough task Trump has set for himself: Finding a…
Top Democrat slams Barr’s failure to appear at hearing – (Financial Times)
Jerrold Nadler says Trump ‘trying to render Congress inert’ with resistance to oversight
Empty chair and a prop chicken: Barr skips Mueller hearing – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr skipped a House hearing Thursday on special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia report, escalating an already acrimonious battle between Democrats…
Trump, GOP states ask appeals court to kill Obamacare – (NBC News)
Congress rendered the Affordable Care Act completely unconstitutional in 2017 by eliminating an unpopular tax penalty for not having insurance, the administration and GOP states told the court. The “Obamacare” opponents hope to persuade the 5th U.S. Circuit C…
US launches plan to choke off Iran’s energy exports, casting uncertainty over oil prices – (CNBC)
The Trump administration stopped issuing waivers to buy Iranian crude on Thursday, raising concerns about global oil supply.
Poll finds hunger for change to US system of government – (Associated Press)
After more than two years of the Donald Trump presidency, Andrea Petrusky is ready for some fundamental changes in the way the United States government works.”Right now we’re being shown…
Hillary Clinton pitches a hypothetical: ‘China, if you’re listening, why don’t you get Trump’s tax returns’ – (USA Today)
Hillary Clinton mocked the conclusions found by special counsel Robert Mueller during a Wednesday night appearance on MSNBC.
Reports: Tiger to visit White House on Monday – (ESPN)
Tiger Woods is set to celebrate his Masters victory by visiting the White House and President Donald Trump on Monday, according to multiple reports.
Biden Faces Conflict of Interest Questions That Are Being Promoted by Trump and Allies – (The New York Times)
As vice president, Joe Biden played a key role in the dismissal of a Ukrainian prosecutor who had opened an investigation of a company employing Mr. Biden’s son.
Trump Federal Reserve Nominee Stephen Moore Explains Controversial Comments – (Fortune)
Stephen Moore, Donald Trump’s pick for the Federal Reserve board, said there should be “a statute of limitations on saying stupid things.”
Under Trump, Visas Plummet For Afghan, Iraqi Military Translators – (The Huffington Post)
They’ve risked their lives working for the American military abroad, yet the number of interpreters being granted U.S. visas has fallen sharply.
Trump to Meet Hungary’s Orban as View on Illiberal Leader Alters – (Bloomberg)
Trump Administration Sues To Kill Obamacare – (The Huffington Post)
More than 20 million Americans are at risk of losing their health insurance.
Modi Battling for Modi – (Google News (India))
PM Narendra Modi is seeking to cover up the bad report card on his government’s performance by producing the trump card he knows best: himself.
2021 Could Be a Nightmare for Democrats — Even If Trump Loses – (New York Magazine)
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a GOP-controlled Senate stamping on a human face – forever.
Trump gets powerful new rival in Letitia James – (The Hill)
President Trump has a new and powerful rival in Letitia James, the first woman and the first African American to serve as New York’s attorney general.
Dems hope attacks will sideline William Barr – (The Hill)
Democrats are stepping up their criticisms of Attorney General William Barr, seeking to sideline him from future decisions about investigating President Trump.
Dow Flails After Fed Defies Trump & Shocks Stock Market – (Crypto Coins News)
By CCN: The Dow floundered on Thursday as the US stock market struggled to mount a convincing recovery from Wednesday’s triple-digit pullback. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve continues to flex its independence, with Chair Jerome Powell
William Barr a no-show as Democrats vow retribution – (The Washington Times)
With Attorney General William P. Barr’s chair empty, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler lashed out at Trump administration on Thursday for the growing clash, saying the government itself “is very much at stake.”
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