Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
U.S. authorities investigate as many as 11 deaths at veterans hospital – (Reuters)
U.S. authorities are investigating suspicious deaths at a veterans hospital in West Virginia, the Veterans Affairs department said on Tuesday, and a U.S. senator said the probe may involve up to 11 deaths.
U.S. trade agency affirms Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods – (Reuters)
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office on Wednesday officially reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s plans to add an additional 5% tariff on a $300 billion list of Chinese imports starting on Sept. 1 and Dec. 15.
The Latest: Queen agrees to suspend UK Parliament – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Brexit (all times local):3:00 p.m.Queen Elizabeth II has approved the U.K. government’s request to suspend Parliament amid a growing crisis over…
At start of 1MDB trial, prosecution paints a tale of excess and abuse – (Reuters)
Malaysian prosecutors on Wednesday said former prime minister Najib Razak abused his power to cover up the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from the state fund 1MDB and used the fund for self-gratification.
Queen Elizabeth approves British parliament suspension – (Reuters)
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament, a statement from the official body of advisers to the Queen, known as the Privy Council, said on Wednesday.
Britain is committed to leaving EU on Oct. 31: UK’s Brexit minister – (Reuters)
The United Kingdom is committed to leaving the European Union on Oct. 31, said British Brexit minister Stephen Barclay on Wednesday, speaking just hours after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to limit parliament’s ability to derail Brexit.
Taliban says near agreement on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan – (Reuters)
The Taliban said on Wednesday it was close to an agreement with U.S. officials on a deal that would see U.S. forces withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for a Taliban promise that the country would not become a haven for international militants.
Trump says hard to target Britain’s Johnson with no-confidence vote – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it would be difficult for the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party to bring a no-confidence vote against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying, “Boris is exactly what the U.K. has been looking f…
UK’s Johnson moves to suspend Parliament ahead of Brexit – (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, a maneuver that outraged his critics because it will give the opposition even less…
Greta Thunberg sails into New York for UN summit – (BBC News)
The 16-year-old campaigner arrives in the US after sailing for two weeks across the Atlantic.
Wall Street opens lower as recession fears loom – (Reuters)
Wall Street’s main indexes opened lower on Wednesday after moves in the U.S. bond market brought back fears of a recession as the U.S.-China trade war drags on.
As troops prepare to leave Afghanistan, will aid stream out? – (Associated Press)
JEBUL SIRAJ, Afghanistan (AP) — The children will inherit any peace that comes to Afghanistan, if only they can live to see it.Whimpering and badly malnourished, they are among the most…
25 killed in fiery attack on bar in southern Mexico – (Associated Press)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — An attack on a bar in Mexico’s Gulf coast city of Coatzacoalcos killed 25 people and injured about a dozen, officials said Wednesday, and they said it was apparently overseen by…
OxyContin maker negotiating settlement worth a reported $12B – (Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Purdue Pharma and the thousands of state and local governments suing the maker of OxyContin over the nation’s deadly opioid crisis are negotiating a $10 billion to $12…
Brexit and suspending parliament: What just happened? – (BBC News)
Are you not sure what just happened in the UK? You’re not alone. Here’s a handy debrief.
Tropical Storm Dorian Live Updates: Puerto Rico Faces Direct Hit – (The New York Times)
The storm is expected to slam into the Virgin Islands and northeastern Puerto Rico on Wednesday. By the holiday weekend, it could be threatening Florida as a Category 2 hurricane.
Respiratory ailments rise in Brazil as Amazon fires rage – (Associated Press)
PORTO VELHO, Brazil (AP) — Lingering smoke in the Amazon is reportedly causing increased respiratory problems — particularly among children and the elderly — as fires in the region…
Storm Dorian heads for Puerto Rico amid fears of flooding – (Associated Press)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Dorian threatened Puerto Rico with a direct hit at near-hurricane force on Wednesday and forecasters said it could strengthen further as it approaches…
Uproar as British PM Johnson cuts parliament time before Brexit – (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to limit parliament’s opportunity to derail Brexit by cutting the amount of time it sits between now and EU exit day on Oct. 31, infuriating opponents who accused him of leading a “very British coup”.
Mexico bar attack leaves 23 dead – (BBC News)
The bar was peppered with gunfire and Molotov cocktails were thrown inside, Mexican media report.
***
From various sources
Taliban says near agreement on US withdrawal from Afghanistan – (The Jerusalem Post)
“We hope to have good news soon for our Muslim, independence-seeking nation,” said Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Doha.
Israeli judoka Sagi Muki wins gold medal at World Championship – (The Jerusalem Post)
Muki showed impressive fighting abilities in Wednesday’s tournament, having beaten most of his opponents by Ippon, including a fight that lasted merely 25 seconds.
Pro Rata – (Axios)
Insider views on deals and dealmakers in venture capital, private equity and M&A, by Dan Primack. Weekday mornings
Deutsche Bank has tax returns sought in Congressional probe – Breitbart – (Breitbart News)
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s longtime bank revealed Tuesday that it has tax records Congress is seeking in its investigation of the
Eero’s routers get a cheaper $2.99 monthly subscription for added security features – (The Verge)
Eero is adding a cheaper tier of service to its premium subscription with the introduction of the $2.99-per-month Eero Secure plan. It offers the same security, site filtering, and ad-blocking features of the old Eero Plus plan without the additional bundled …
Sony’s new a6600 flagship APS-C camera adds stabilization and over 2x better battery life – (TechCrunch)
Sony announced two new APS-C mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras at a special event in New York today, and the announcements are big news for anyone who’s looking for a small, capable camera that can handle everything from sport shooting to vlogging. The …
Man stuck in traffic jam on M5 finds out girlfriend died in crash that caused it – (Daily Mail)
Sorina Gheorge, 24, had been driving to work in Birmingham, to inspect Jaguar parts at around 5am on Wednesday, April 3 when she panicked while trying to overtake a van on the M5 near Worcester.
Livid pensioner, 69, is latest victim to be fined £100 at East Midlands Airport BP garage – (Daily Mail)
Paul Hayes from Ratby, Leicestershire says he was fined after visiting the BP garage to re-fuel and go into the shop. Ratby is the latest motorist to receive a fine after calling at the petrol station.
‘Magashule should be behind bars’, Dukwana tells state capture inquiry – (News24)
ANC secretary general Ace Magashule is not fit for office following his alleged involvement in the asbestos eradication project, the state capture inquiry has heard.
Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament to stop MPs blocking No Deal Brexit – (Daily Mail)
Boris Johnson today opted for the nuclear option of suspending Parliament in a bid to stop MPs trying to block the UK leaving the EU on October 31 as he declared war on the ‘Remain Alliance’.
15 Cats That Were Unapologetically And Adorably Rude To Dogs – (Buzzfeed)
It’s a cat’s world and dogs are just living in it.
Both Australia’s east and west to be hit by cold fronts – (News.com.au)
The mercury is set to plunge in Australia’s southeast today as a cold front moves in and brings with it frosty conditions that could last through to the weekend.
Questions Galore as Peloton Pedals Towards the Public Market—Data Sheet – (Fortune)
The company makes the claim even as most of revenue comes from exercise equipment.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the stories behind their biggest hits with Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, and more – (Entertainment Weekly)
Sixteen No. 1 singles, tens of millions of records sold, and two iconic hats.
Indigenous education, blue carbon research among Australia’s ‘science Oscars’ winners – (ABC News (AU))
Indigenous education, citizen frog surveys, and research into wetland carbon storage and cancer-killing immune cells are among those awarded at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
U.S. authorities investigate as many as 11 deaths at veterans hospital – (Reuters)
U.S. authorities are investigating suspicious deaths at a veterans hospital in West Virginia, the Veterans Affairs department said on Tuesday, and a U.S. senator said the probe may involve up to 11 deaths.
Conflicting road rules across cities could be a challenge for AVs – (Axios)
AVs will need to know local rules and regulations for every city and state.
Miley Cyrus’ New Tattoos Seem To Hint At Her Breakup From Liam Hemsworth And Relationship With Kaitlynn Carter – (Buzzfeed)
“My head was feeling scared, but my heart was feeling free.”
Prince Andrew’s friend question image of duke with arms round sex slave accuser – (Daily Mail)
The Duke of York’s legal team have asked to be shown the original image, taken in 2001, saying he has ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the it ever being taken.
Facebook will require political advertisers provide further credentials, or have their ads paused – (TechCrunch)
Ahead of the 2020 elections, Facebook today announced it’s tightening requirements for groups buying political ads on the social network. The company last year began requiring advertisers get authorized to run ads about social issues, elections, or politics, …
***
All about Trump
Deutsche Bank has tax returns sought in Congressional probe – Breitbart – (Breitbart News)
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s longtime bank revealed Tuesday that it has tax records Congress is seeking in its investigation of the
U.S. trade agency affirms Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods – (Reuters)
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office on Wednesday officially reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s plans to add an additional 5% tariff on a $300 billion list of Chinese imports starting on Sept. 1 and Dec. 15.
Trump says hard to target Britain’s Johnson with no-confidence vote – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it would be difficult for the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party to bring a no-confidence vote against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying, “Boris is exactly what the U.K. has been looking f…
Dow Stumbles as Strategist Warns of Stock Market ‘Death Spiral’ – (Crypto Coins News)
The Dow stumbled toward a losing session on Wednesday after President Trump appeared to double down on his controversial trade war strategy ahead of new tariffs scheduled for this weekend. Meanwhile, one Wall Street strategist warns that the stock market coul…
Mattis swipes at Trump, warns of ‘storm clouds gathering’ amid fractured alliances – (Fox News)
Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis took several implicit swipes at President Trump’s leadership in a newly published op-ed Wednesday, warning about the fallout from fractured alliances and increasing divisiveness under the current administration.
White House responds after Taylor Swift’s Equality Act push in VMAs speech – (Entertainment Weekly)
The Trump administration claimed the act is filled with “poison pills.”
Trump reportedly promised pardons to aides who break the law to build border wall by 2020 election – (CNBC)
“Don’t worry, I’ll pardon you,” Trump said in response to legal concerns about the use of eminent domain and contracting procedures, The Washington Post reported.
Jim Mattis reflects on his time with Trump: “I did as well as I could for as long as I could” – (Axios)
A new book excerpt is his first big statement since leaving the administration.
WSJ: Mattis says he ‘did as well as I could for as long as I could’ under Trump – (CNN)
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who resigned last year citing irreconcilable policy differences with President Donald Trump, on Wednesday rejected Trump’s preference for American isolationism, writing in a new essay that the US is “at increasing risk i…
Trump dismisses ‘free advice’ on tactics with China | TheHill – (The Hill)
President Trump on Wednesday dismissed “free advice” he says he is getting from critics of the on…
‘Tough guy!’: Trump mocks NYT columnist Bret Stephens for bedbug reaction – (USA Today)
Bret Stephens, who was called a bedbug Monday evening on Twitter, has since deactivated his Twitter account.
Trump lashes out at San Juan mayor as Puerto Rico braces for Dorian | TheHill – (The Hill)
President Trump on Wednesday criticized the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the island braced…
Washington Post: Trump told officials he would pardon them if they break the law building border wall – (CNN)
President Donald Trump, in his push to make good on his promise to supporters by Election Day, has told officials he will pardon them should they break any laws in attempting to finish construction on the wall at the US-Mexico border, The Washington Post repo…
Race relations plummet since Trump takes office – new survey – (The Jerusalem Post)
Americans also appear divided on issues or religion and patriotism
The Fed Needs to Fight Against Trump’s Trade War, Not Trump – (Bloomberg)
The central bank’s job is to respond to shocks to the economy, regardless of their source.
Trump knocks NYT’s Bret Stephens, remaining ‘Never Trumpers’: ‘All losers’ | TheHill – (The Hill)
President Trump went after conservative New York Times columnist Bret Stephens and oth…
George Conway Backs Bill Barr Trump Hotel Party: ‘This Is a Silly Story’ – (Newsweek)
One of President Trump’s staunchest critics, George Conway, dismissed the controversy over Attorney General Bill Barr’s party as a “silly story.”
New Nationalists Make Three Big Bets – (National Review)
The political math is questionable. Their embrace of ‘nation-statism,’ regrettable. And Trumpism is probably ephemeral.
Without a Suitable Enemy, Trump Is Adrift – (National Review)
The end of the Mueller probe has left the president in search of a worthy political foil.
Meet the Democratic senator trying to negotiate gun control with Trump | TheHill – (The Hill)
Sen. Chris Murphy’s “soul-crushing” day came less than a month after he won his 2012 el…
***