2019-08-09

Headlines:

From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired

Walmart removes images of violence in stores after shooting – (Associated Press)
Walmart is removing from all of its stores signs, displays or videos that depict violence following a mass shooting at an El Paso, Texas, store that killed 22 people.The retailer instructed…

Bayer mediator says no Roundup settlement figures have been discussed – (Reuters)
Bayer AG has not offered to pay billions of dollars to settle claims in the United States related to the Roundup herbicide, mediator Ken Feinberg said, after a report of such a settlement had driven shares as much as 11% higher.

Scandal-ridden NRA head LaPierre digs in against gun control – (Associated Press)
In the aftermath of the back-to-back shooting massacres in Texas and Ohio, the debate over gun control has returned to the National Rifle Association and its immense power to stymie any…

Trade war escalation nudges U.S. closer to recession: Reuters poll – (Reuters)
The recent escalation in the U.S.-China trade war has brought forward the next U.S. recession, according to a majority of economists polled by Reuters who now expect the Federal Reserve to cut rates again in September and once more next year.

Facebook loses facial recognition appeal, must face privacy class action – (Reuters)
A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected Facebook Inc’s effort to undo a class action lawsuit claiming that it illegally collected and stored biometric data for millions of users without their consent.

China orders Cathay Pacific suspend staff backing Hong Kong protests – (Reuters)
China’s aviation regulator on Friday demanded Cathay Pacific Airways <0293.HK> suspend personnel who have engaged in illegal protests in Hong Kong from staffing flights into its airspace from August 10.

Bayer has not proposed paying $8 billion to settle U.S. Roundup claims: mediator – (Reuters)
Bayer AG has not proposed paying $8 billion to settle all U.S. claims related to the Roundup herbicide, mediator Ken Feinberg said in an email on Friday.

Europe rattled by Italy, Brexit stress; safe havens keep gaining – (Reuters)
Trade war worries and the prospect of early elections in Italy and Britain hit European markets hard on Friday, while the search for safety left gold on course for its best week in three years, Japan’s yen near an eight-month high and bonds surging.

Trump says NRA’s views should be ‘respected’ as Congress weighs gun action – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump on Friday said he has been speaking with the National Rifle Association to ensure that the gun lobby’s “very strong views” are considered as congressional leaders weigh possible gun legislation after two weekend mass shootings.

Trump heads for golf club holiday with summer storms looming – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Now is the summer (vacation) of the president’s discontent.As Donald Trump prepares to leave on Friday for his annual August holiday at his lush New Jersey golf club, he’s…

Biden centers campaign where he started: Trump’s character – (Associated Press)
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Joe Biden’s campaign is not anchored in a big policy idea like Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All. He is not proposing transformative change like Elizabeth Warren. Instead,…

Huawei unveils phone system that could replace Android – (Associated Press)
BEIJING (AP) — Huawei on Friday unveiled a smartphone operating system that it said can replace Google’s Android, adding to the Chinese tech giant’s efforts to insulate itself against U.S….

U.S. defense secretary visits South Korea as region faces myriad challenges – (Reuters)
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with senior South Korean leaders on Friday amid a series of regional challenges ranging from a bitter trade row between Seoul and Tokyo to the cost of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Economic downturn to hit Hong Kong like a ‘tsunami’, city’s leader warns – (Reuters)
Hong Kong’s protests could hit the economy like a tsunami, the city’s leader said on Friday, pledging daring economic reforms in response, even as activists geared up for marches through the sweltering weekend.

Gunman at Missouri Walmart ‘sparked panic’ – (BBC News)
It is not clear what the man, who had a loaded rifle, intended to do by walking into the store armed.

Houthis say Saudi-UAE-led coalition killed leader’s brother – (Al Jazeera English)
The rebel movement said Ibrahim Badreddin al-Houthi was found dead in a house in Sanaa.

Alaska’s hottest month portends transformation into ‘unfrozen state’ – (Reuters)
July 2019 now stands as Alaska’s hottest month on record, the latest benchmark in a long-term warming trend with ominous repercussions ranging from rapidly vanishing summer sea ice and melting glaciers to raging wildfires and deadly chaos for marine life.

UK economy shrinks for the first time since 2012 – (BBC News)
The UK economy contracted by 0.2% between April and June, its worst performance for more than six years.

Malaysia charges 17 Goldman Sachs employees over 1MDB scandal – (Al Jazeera English)
Prosecutors allege that bond sales organised by Goldman Sachs were one means for associates of Najib to steal billions.

McConnell wants to consider gun background checks in fall – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shifting the gun violence debate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he now wants to consider background checks and other bills, setting up a potentially pivotal moment…

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From various sources

Likud mocks Blue and White for billboards in Cyprus – (The Jerusalem Post)
“I hope he receives more votes from Cypriots than he gets from Israelis,” MK Mickey Zohar said.

Iran’s bluster over ‘Israel in the Persian Gulf’ – (The Jerusalem Post)
Tehran now is slamming Israel’s “illegitimate existence” and saying Iran reserves the right to defend itself.

Canadian held in Beirut, Syria released from prison – (The Jerusalem Post)
Ibrahim said Baxter had been detained for reasons related to breaking Syrian law.

El Paso shooting victims declined to meet with Donald Trump – (The Jerusalem Post)
“This is a very sensitive time in their lives. Some of them said they didn’t want to meet with the president, some of them didn’t want any visitors,” a hospital spokesperson told the Washington Post.

Netanyahu: We’re close to catching the terrorist, won’t take much longer – (The Jerusalem Post)
Earlier on Friday it was reported that IDF forces are clamping down on Hebron, believing that the terrorists who murdered Sorek are hiding there, after possibly having split.

Former Secretary Castro speaks at Iowa State Fair – (Fox News)

Man wrongly outed as Trump donor by Castro, forced to go over ‘situational awareness’ with wife, kids – (Fox News)
A San Antonio man was wrongly outed on Twitter as a donor to President Trump by Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro.

Hashim Amla’s greatest hits – (ESPN Cric Info)
South Africa news | Hashim Amla’s greatest hits | Photo Gallery | ESPN Cricinfo

Ramaphosa vs Mkhwebane: PP insists Bosasa report is above board as president flags unlawful activity – (News24)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has raised questions about where Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane received some of the bank statements contained in her Bosasa report.

Walmart pulls violent video game displays from its stores, but it will still sell guns – (CNN)
Walmart is taking down displays of violent video games in its stores in the wake of recent shootings. But the company plans to still sell the controversial video games — and guns.

What to watch for in weekend NFL preseason games – (NFL News)
Five NFL preseason games are on tap for Friday and Saturday, with Bruce Arians returning to the sidelines in Tampa Bay and Zac Taylor making his debut with Cincinnati.

Babysitter spared prison despite beating a one-year-old boy – (Daily Mail)
Christopher Noble, 38, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm at Manchester Crown Court and was given a four-month suspended sentence.

AMD CEO Lisa Su discusses her company’s resurgence and battles with Intel – (Axios)
“”I am counting on our competitor being really, really good. That just means we need to be better.”

17 Things Americans Believe About Brits That When You Think About It, Are Actually True – (Buzzfeed)
Our words are ridiculous.

Minister warns a No Deal Brexit would be an ‘absolute disaster – (Daily Mail)
Transport minister George Freeman dismissed calls from ‘hardliners’ for the UK to stay on World Trade Organisation terms with the bloc.

Costa shrinks cup sizes so coffee drinkers get as much as a third less – (Daily Mail)
The new line up means that a customer who previously paid £2.45 for a medium will now have to order the new large, priced at £2.85 to get the same amount of coffee.

First photo of ‘Britain’s hardest cop’ who Tasered machete thug – (Daily Mail)
PC Stuart Outten (pictured) has been branded the ‘hardest cop in Britain’ after he knocked out the attacker who pulled the giant blade when he was stopped in his car in Leyton, east London.

WATCH LIVE: Celebrities arrive on the Miss South Africa 2019 red carpet – (News24)
Local celebs have arrived at the Sun International’s Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria to witness the crowning of Miss South Africa 2019.

31 Pieces Of Jewelry That Are Shining, Shimmering, Splendid – (Buzzfeed)
These items will *take you wonder by wonder*.

Matt Ritchie boost for Newcastle ahead of opener against Arsenal – (FourFourTwo)

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All about Trump

El Paso shooting victims declined to meet with Donald Trump – (The Jerusalem Post)
“This is a very sensitive time in their lives. Some of them said they didn’t want to meet with the president, some of them didn’t want any visitors,” a hospital spokesperson told the Washington Post.

Man wrongly outed as Trump donor by Castro, forced to go over ‘situational awareness’ with wife, kids – (Fox News)
A San Antonio man was wrongly outed on Twitter as a donor to President Trump by Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro.

Trump gives thumbs up with baby orphaned in El Paso shooting – CNN Video – (CNN)
First Lady Melania Trump tweeted out a photo of herself holding a baby who was orphaned after his parents where killed in the El Paso, Texas, mass shooting along with President Donald Trump. The president, who is flanked by the baby’s uncle, gives a thumbs up…

Trump Says NRA Views Will Be ‘Fully Represented’ in Background Check Discussions – (Fortune)
The NRA has opposed expanded background checks.

Trump signals support for background checks but says NRA views must be ‘respected’ – (ABC News)
President Trump tweeted Friday morning that there are “serious discussions” between House and Senate leadership on “meaningful background checks” for firearm purchases.

Pelosi Urges Trump To Bring Senate Back From Vacation To Pass Gun Reforms – (The Huffington Post)
The House speaker cited a constitutional provision that permits presidents to order lawmakers back to Washington “on extraordinary occasions.”

5 Years After Ferguson, The Justice Department Has All But Ended Federal Police Reform – (The Huffington Post)
The Trump administration has sharply curtailed the department’s ability to rein in troubled police departments.

Trump says he’s talking to congressional leaders about ‘meaningful’ gun background checks – (CNBC)
Trump said he has spoken not only to top lawmakers but also the influential NRA as Congress considers responses to the latest mass shootings.

Trump says NRA’s views should be ‘respected’ as Congress weighs gun action – (Reuters)
President Donald Trump on Friday said he has been speaking with the National Rifle Association to ensure that the gun lobby’s “very strong views” are considered as congressional leaders weigh possible gun legislation after two weekend mass shootings.

Trump heads for golf club holiday with summer storms looming – (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — Now is the summer (vacation) of the president’s discontent.As Donald Trump prepares to leave on Friday for his annual August holiday at his lush New Jersey golf club, he’s…

Pelosi urges Trump to call Senate to vote on House gun background checks bills – (USA Today)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s request comes after a weekend of two mass shootings and gun violence.

Biden centers campaign where he started: Trump’s character – (Associated Press)
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Joe Biden’s campaign is not anchored in a big policy idea like Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All. He is not proposing transformative change like Elizabeth Warren. Instead,…

Trump: House, Senate leadership having ‘serious discussions’ on background checks | TheHill – (The Hill)
President Trump on Friday said that “serious discussions” over background checks for gun pur…

US retailers ‘at war’ with suppliers over price increases – (Financial Times)
Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on more consumer goods leaves industry anxious

Donald Trump has one trade deal that’s actually coming together: The new NAFTA – (Financial Post)
Not even Trump’s increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Democrats has impacted progress

Trump campaign allies welcome “white supremacist” charge from 2020 Democrats – (Axios)
“They’re trying to make the case that anyone who supports this president is a racist.”

Trump critics decry ‘choke-hold diplomacy’ in Central America | TheHill – (The Hill)
The Trump administration’s foreign policy for Central America’s Northern Triangle is under fire,…

Help for the Economy? Despite Grumbling, Trump Has Had Plenty – (The New York Times)
The Fed and Congress have given President Trump the most growth-friendly climate in decades. But the trade war may test its limits.

Equinox and Soulcycle face boycott calls over chairman’s support for Trump – (Fox News)
Rob Schmitt headed to Equinox to find out what people think.

10 Things to Know for Today – (Associated Press)
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. STORMS BREW AHEAD OF TRUMP’S GOLF HOLIDAYWith his poll numbers stalled and…

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