Headlines:
From Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and Wired
Trump pressured Ukraine president to investigate Biden: reports – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden, one of Trump’s chief political rivals, in a July phone call, according to reports on Friday by the Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media outlets.
Ukraine minister denies Trump put pressure on Zelenskiy during call: report – (Reuters)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko denied suggestions U.S. President Donald Trump had put pressure on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call, in an interview to local media outlet Hromadske on Saturday.
Joe Kennedy III launches primary campaign for Senate seat in Massachusetts – (Reuters)
U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III, a scion of the famed political dynasty, on Saturday launched a 2020 primary challenge against fellow Democrat Edward Markey for his U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts.
Bus with Chinese tourists crashes in Utah; 4 dead – (Associated Press)
PANGUITCH, Utah (AP) — A tour bus crashed on a highway running through the red-rock landscape of southern Utah, killing four people from China and injuring dozens more.On Friday, the bus…
Youth leaders at UN demand bold climate change action – (Associated Press)
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Fresh off a climate strike that took hundreds of thousands of young people out of classrooms and into the streets globally, youth leaders have gathered at the United Nations…
Saudis vow to respond to attack on oil sites – (BBC News)
The kingdom says it will take “necessary measures” as it reiterates that Iran is to blame.
‘We hugged and cried’: Families struggle to meet jailed Kashmiris – (Al Jazeera English)
Officials say about 250 of 4,000 arrested since August 5 were moved to various Indian jails outside the disputed region.
Rep. Joe Kennedy formally announces US Senate campaign – (Associated Press)
BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III formally declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Saturday, becoming the first member of the Kennedy political dynasty to bid for the upper chamber of…
French police break up ‘yellow vest’ and ‘black bloc’ protests in Paris – (Reuters)
French police fired tear gas and made over a hundred arrests in Paris on Saturday as they dispersed “yellow vest” protesters attempting unauthorized rallies and black-masked demonstrators who disrupted a climate march.
Trump says he had ‘perfectly fine’ call with Ukraine leader – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump urged the new leader of Ukraine this summer to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, a person familiar with the matter said. Democrats…
Big rise in US mass shooting tips poses challenge for police – (Associated Press)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It had all the makings of a massacre. Six guns, including a Colt AR-15 rifle. About 1,000 rounds of ammunition. A bulletproof vest. And an angry Southern California man who…
Charge against airline mechanic highlights ‘insider threat’ – (Associated Press)
The arrest of an airline mechanic suspected of being sympathetic with terrorists and charged with sabotaging a jetliner has renewed fear about the “insider threat” to aviation…
Hong Kong protests turn to violent clashes in two towns – (Reuters)
Hong Kong police fired tear gas to disperse pro-democracy protesters on Saturday after pro-China groups pulled down some of the “Lennon Walls” of anti-government messages posted in the Chinese-ruled city in more than three months of unrest.
Saudi says it will respond appropriately if probe confirms Iran’s role in attacks – (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia will take appropriate steps to respond to an attack on its oil facilities if, as expected, a Saudi investigation confirms that Iran is responsible, a senior official said on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia oil attacks: A look at the damage – (BBC News)
After attacks against the country’s oil infrastructure, the BBC’s Frank Gardner surveys the damage.
Justices’ DC sniper case examines teen murderers’ sentences – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lee Boyd Malvo, who terrorized the Washington region in 2002 as one-half of a sniper team, is at the center of a case the Supreme Court will hear this fall. But the justices’…
China’s Pacific influence grows as it signs up new friend in Solomon Islands – (Reuters)
China and former Taiwan ally the Solomon Islands established diplomatic ties on Saturday in a sign of Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific that has angered Washington, with a top Chinese diplomat saying the time was almost up for the rest of Taiwan’s fr…
Kiribati says national interest behind cutting Taiwan ties in favor of China – (Reuters)
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati acted in its best national interest when it severed ties with Taiwan and re-established diplomatic relations with China, the office of Kiribati’s president said on Saturday.
GM electric car push could mean fewer and lower paying jobs – (Associated Press)
DETROIT (AP) — If U.S. consumers ever ditch fuel burners for electric vehicles, then the United Auto Workers union is in trouble.Gone would be thousands of jobs at engine and transmission…
Meteor lights up Australian sky – (BBC News)
Video shows the moment the sky above Tasmania and Victoria was lit up by a meteor.
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From various sources
NRL Finals 2019 | Melbourne Storm Vs Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park – (News.com.au)
The Melbourne Storm will host the Parramatta Eels for a chance to play the Sydney Roosters for a spot in the NRL Grand Final.
U.S. hoping its security mechanism gamble in Syria will pay off – analysis – (The Jerusalem Post)
On Saturday, the sixth aerial overflight by the US and Turkey took place in eastern Syria.
Palestinians in bid to secure renewal of UNRWA mandate – (The Jerusalem Post)
PA urges donors to honor financial obligations to Palestinians.
Columbia U. to host antisemitic Malaysian PM – (The Jerusalem Post)
93-year-old Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has a history of making antisemitic statements.
Saudi says it will respond appropriately if probe confirms Iran’s role in attacks – (The Jerusalem Post)
Riyadh has already said the investigation so far shows that Iranian weapons were used and that the attack came from the north.
Iran’s IRGC: We will ‘hit anyone who violates our borders’ – (The Jerusalem Post)
Salami is a key figure in Iran and the IRGC is Iran’s leader in drone technology. He made the speech during an exhibition of US drones that have been downed by Iran.
Pick Your Meals And We’ll Sort You Into A Hogwarts House – (Buzzfeed)
Everyone’s got a bit of Ravenclaw in ’em.
– (Fox Sports)
Dawn Butler tells Labour ‘get s**t together!’ as she likens Boris Johnson to KKK – (Mirror)
The Shadow Equalities Secretary gave a hard-hitting speech where she also branded the PM a “cheater”, branded him “Johnson by nature”, vowed a review of the far-right and urged more reparations over slavery
Friends fans go wild over ‘grown up Ben’ as Cole Sprouse marks 25th anniversary – (Mirror)
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Friends, Cole Sprouse has posed on the iconic orange sofa
Trump pressured Ukraine president to investigate Biden: reports – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden, one of Trump’s chief political rivals, in a July phone call, according to reports on Friday by the Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media outlets.
Ukraine minister denies Trump put pressure on Zelenskiy during call: report – (Reuters)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko denied suggestions U.S. President Donald Trump had put pressure on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call, in an interview to local media outlet Hromadske on Saturday.
Joe Kennedy III launches primary campaign for Senate seat in Massachusetts – (Reuters)
U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III, a scion of the famed political dynasty, on Saturday launched a 2020 primary challenge against fellow Democrat Edward Markey for his U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts.
Taylor Swift cancels Melbourne Cup concert after criticism from animal rights activists – (Fox News)
Taylor Swift is no longer performing at the 2019 Melbourne Cup.
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All about Trump
Trump pressured Ukraine president to investigate Biden: reports – (Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden, one of Trump’s chief political rivals, in a July phone call, according to reports on Friday by the Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media outlets.
Ukraine minister denies Trump put pressure on Zelenskiy during call: report – (Reuters)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko denied suggestions U.S. President Donald Trump had put pressure on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call, in an interview to local media outlet Hromadske on Saturday.
Stephen Schwarzman: ‘I like to do things that are beautiful’ – (Financial Times)
The Blackstone co-founder on risk-taking, Trump whispering — and why the rich shouldn’t pay more tax
How Hope Hicks is doing in Hollywood – (Axios)
“The scarlet T burns bright in Hollywood” after working for Trump.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s grandmother to Donald Trump: Let’s talk about your peace plan – (USA Today)
The White House will soon unveil its Middle East peace plan. A 90-year-old grandmother to Rep. Rashida Tlaib says she’d welcome President Trump to talk about it.
After ‘Howdy Modi’, Trump and Modi likely to sign trade deal – (Google News (India))
The deal will lower some tariffs on US produce and restore preferential treatment for some Indian exports to the United States.US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra will meet this Sunday in Houston
Trump says he had ‘perfectly fine’ call with Ukraine leader – (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump urged the new leader of Ukraine this summer to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, a person familiar with the matter said. Democrats…
Nancy Pelosi remains against impeachment despite reports Trump requested election interference – (Google News)
Instead, Pelosi said Congress should focus on passing new laws governing presidential indictments.
Trump tweets video of media covering Hunter Biden and claims media not covering Hunter Biden – (Axios)
Trump claims the “witch hunt” is a cover-up for Biden and his son.
Trump defends call with Ukrainian president, calling it ‘perfectly fine and routine’ – (The Washington Post)
The president, in a series of tweets, makes no mention of whether he brought up Biden during the conversation. Instead, he blames the news media for its coverage of the story.
Swing states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania lost the most factory jobs last year – (Axios)
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin narrowly helped Trump win the presidency in 2016.
Trump Appoints ‘Bolton Lite’ – (The American Conservative)
For foreign policy realists, a disappointing but not cataclysmic end to the search to replace John Bolton.
Trump attacks Biden, defends call with Ukraine leader as ‘perfectly fine and routine’ | TheHill – (The Hill)
President Trump on Saturday defended his reported push for Ukraine’s president to investigat…
‘Nothing was wrong’: Trump hits out at claims he asked Ukraine for Biden dirt – (Google News (UK))
Trump reportedly urged Volodymyr Zelenskiy ‘eight times’ to investigate Joe Biden’s son as Biden pushes for transcript release
Trump unleashed: He’s talking more and tweeting more – (CNN)
For better or worse, we’re getting more Donald Trump these days.
‘Was this hearing a hot mess? Sure.’ Democrats weighing Trump’s impeachment face roadblocks at every turn – (USA Today)
Democrats face hurdles gathering testimony and documents while investigating President Donald Trump, and haven’t been able to overcome them.
Is America ready for an 80-year-old commander in chief? – (NBC News)
The question of how old a president should be has been with the country for decades. It has come to 2020, too, as Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Donald Trump are all in their 70s.
Breaking Down the Whistleblower Frenzy – (National Review)
Congress should investigate whistleblower claim that Trump made dangerous ‘promise’ to a foreign leader . . . but not because of a statute.
High school cancels football game after cheerleaders display Trump 2020 banner – (ABC News)
After a North Carolina high school cheerleading squad was disciplined for displaying a pro-Trump banner, the school abruptly canceled Friday’s football game.
GOP Strategy to Shield Trump by Canceling Primaries Carries Risk – (Bloomberg)
The Republican Party’s gambit to kill primary elections to ensure President Donald Trump’s renomination may protect the president from short-term losses but …
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