CNN host Don Lemon calls Donald Trump ‘racist’ for calling Haiti and African states ‘s***hole countries’

CNN host Don Lemon has labelled Donald Trump “racist” after reports the President called Haiti and African states “s***hole countries”. Opening his programme on Thursday night, Mr Lemon said: “The President of the United States is racist.

President Trump disputes reports of remarks on Haiti

President Trump is disputing multiple reports that he made disparaging remarks about countries during an Oval Office meeting with lawmakers on U.S. immigration policy.

Jeff Bezos Announces $33 Million Scholarship Fund For 'Dreamers'

Jeff Bezos, along with his wife MacKenzie, announced on Friday that they’d be donating a $33 million dollar grant to the country’s largest scholarship program for “dreamers,” a group of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

Few Republicans Acknowledged Trump's 'Shithole' Slur

Democrats were quick to denounce President Donald Trump after reports that he referred to Haiti and some African nations as “shithole countries” while discussing immigration reform with lawmakers at the White House.

Dog Stranded by California Mudslides Airlifted From Roof of Family's Home

Rescuers used a helicopter to save Californians stranded after torrential rains.

Walmart's Shiny New $11 Minimum Wage Isn't Really A Result Of The Tax Law

The Trump administration was ecstatic with Walmart on Thursday, and for good reason.

Vermont defies attorney general Jeff Sessions as it becomes ninth state to legalise pot

Vermont has become the ninth state to legalise recreational use of pot, defying attempts by the US attorney-general Jeff Sessions to crack down on cannabis. Unlike other states where legalisation followed a state-wide referendum, the initiative was taken by Vermont's elected politicians. Phil Scott, the Republican governor, has said he will sign the bill which was passed by Vermont's senate on Wednesday. New Jersey is expected to follow suit later this year and cannabis campaigners are stepping up pressure for legalisation in Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Similar legislation was passed in neighbouring New Hampshire, but it is expected to be vetoed by the governor, Chris Sununu, also a Republican. US state rules on use of cannabis Under the Vermont legislation, which comes into force on July 1, anyone over the age of 21 will be allowed to possess up to one ounce of cannabis. Even though Vermont is a small state, the timing of the move is a rebuff for Mr Sessions and the Trump administration. Mr Sessions is trying to reverse the hands-off policy adopted by the Obama administration towards the drug in states where pot had been legalised. Even in states where recreational use and sale of pot is legal, cannabis businesses are hampered by federal laws outlawing the drug. Jeff Sessions Credit: Susan Walsh/AP The federal prohibition effectively denies them the use of banking facilities, meaning that transactions have to be carried out in cash. "The progress in Vermont is ground-breaking. Should the Green Mountain State's leadership move forward as promised, it will mark a huge turning point in the national movement to end the criminalisation of marijuana," said Justin Strekal, politcal director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "The political courage of Vermont's lawmakers to break with nearly a century of legislative stagnation should be interpreted as a siren call in the halls of the state legislatures nationwide as well as the US Capitol."

The Latest: Surgeon among 17 killed in California mudslides

MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the California mudslide disaster (all times local):

Republicans Have Dramatically Ramped Up Their Attacks On Russia Probes In 2018

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that it is time for Republicans to “finally take control” of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and bring an end to a scandal that’s been looming over his presidency since he took office nearly a year ago.

How to Stop China from Someday Invading Taiwan? Submarines.

8, to be exact.  How to Stop China from Someday Invading Taiwan? The country with perhaps the most dire need for a modern submarine force in the industrialized world actually has the oldest. Fully half of Taiwan’s submarine force consists of World War II–era boats, while the other half is “just” forty years old.

Prime Minister cutouts a highlight of Thailand's Children's Day

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai children posed on Saturday with life-sized cutouts of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as the cardboard figures of the junta leader made an appearance at the annual Children's Day festival.

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2Fy7W5u

Africa Calls Trump Racist After 'Shithole' Remark

JOHANNESBURG/LUSAKA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - African politicians and diplomats labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a racist on Friday after he was reported to have described some immigrants from Africa and Haiti as coming from “shithole” countries.

People Are Suggesting How To #FixTrumpIn5Words

It’s been quite the roller-coaster ride for President Donald Trump’s administration.

Who Attacked a Russian Military Base with a 'Swarm' Strike?

Russia is pointing fingers in all directions as it attempts to decipher who, exactly, attacked the Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval base in Syria by deploying a massed flight of what appear to have been home-made GPS-guided drones. The coordinated attack marks the first time that drones have been used en masse—and may well mark a dangerous new moment in the history of technology and warfare. None of the thirteen bomb-laden drones made it to their targets—the Russians repelled the makeshift unmanned strike aircraft either by using anti-aircraft missiles or by intercepting them with electronic warfare to take them under direct control.

Jeff Bezos Announces $33 Million Scholarship Fund For 'Dreamers'

Jeff Bezos, along with his wife MacKenzie, announced on Friday that they’d be donating a $33 million dollar grant to the country’s largest scholarship program for “dreamers,” a group of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

Walmart's Shiny New $11 Minimum Wage Isn't Really A Result Of The Tax Law

The Trump administration was ecstatic with Walmart on Thursday, and for good reason.

Crash of water and a terrifying ride: Driver glad he's alive

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — A driver who rode a wave of muddy water down a twisting street in his car during a Southern California flood said he is lucky to be alive.

The Subtle Way that Merriam-Webster Just Called Out Trump's 'Shithole' Remark

The dictionary is throwing some serious shade

Most of mudslide-stricken California town told to empty out

MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — Most residents of mudslide-ravaged Montecito were under orders to clear out Friday as the search for victims dragged on and crews labored to clean up massive debris and repair power, water and gas lines.

Paul Ryan Calls Trump 'Shithole' Comments 'Very Unfortunate, Unhelpful'

After President Donald Trump reportedly referred to African countries that benefit from the U.S. visa lottery program as “shitholes,” House Speaker Paul Ryan lightly rebuked the president on Friday, calling the comments “very unfortunate” and “unhelpful.”

Trump Slams Protections For Immigrants From 'Shithole' Countries

In an Oval Office meeting with lawmakers on Thursday, President Donald Trump described Haiti and African nations as “shithole” countries and slammed the idea of restoring protections for immigrants from those regions.

A Medicaid Work Requirement Would Be Bad Policy Without The Opioid Crisis. It's Disastrous With It.

The Trump administration opened the doors Thursday for states to set work requirements for people who get Medicaid, a move that is likely to be a catastrophe for some of the most vulnerable Americans, particularly those struggling with opioid addiction.

Kellyanne Conway: We're forced to talk about Hillary, whom we never mention

Kellyanne Conway, refuting the claim that the White House is "obsessed" with Hillary Clinton, said on “Fox & Friends”: “The fact is, we only have to talk about her because people won’t let go of an election that she lost miserably.”

How to Protect Yourself During This Bad Flu Season

The 2017-2018 flu season—which is peaking right now—is shaping up to be a severe one, officials announced this week. “We are currently in the midst of a very active flu season,” said Centers for ...

Wild swings occur in numbers of California mudslide missing

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — The number of missing after a California mudslide has fluctuated wildly, due to shifting definitions, the inherent uncertainty that follows a natural disaster, and just plain human error.

China shuts Marriott website over Tibet error, scolds other firms

Authorities in China have shut down Marriott's local website for a week and scolded Delta, Zara and a US medical firm Friday for listing Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong as separate countries. Alongside Marriott, the Spanish clothing giant Zara, Delta Air Lines and Medtronic -- a medical device company -- were all called out by Chinese authorities for "illegal" classification of regions that Beijing claims under its authority. Shanghai's cyberspace authority late Thursday ordered Marriott to close its Chinese website and app for a week and completely clear out illegal and irregular information, according to a government statement.

Walmart raises pay in US even as it shuts some Sam's Club stores

Walmart announced Thursday it will raise the minimum wage for US workers to $11 an hour and pay bonuses, but announced plans to close 63 Sam's Club stores in the US. Owned by Walmart, Sam's Club is a chain of membership-only warehouse stores that offer discounted prices. Up to 12 of the shuttered Sam's Club stores would be converted into warehouses for e-commerce, the company said in a news release.

Trump's 'Year One' ignites on the cover of Time

Time magazine is set to publish a cover that it says depicts Donald Trump's first year in office and the White House response to Michael Wolff’s book “Fire and Fury.”

Trump's Statement On Canceled London Visit Is Full Of Falsehoods

LONDON ― President Donald Trump offered a classically Trumpian explanation for why he canceled his upcoming trip to the U.K.: the construction of a new U.S. embassy in the British capital represents a bad deal, and he wants nothing to do with it.

Africa Calls Trump Racist After 'Shithole' Remark

JOHANNESBURG/LUSAKA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - African politicians and diplomats labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a racist on Friday after he was reported to have described some immigrants from Africa and Haiti as coming from “shithole” countries.

America's 'Stealth' Air Force vs. North Korea: Who Wins in a War?

Hope we never have to find out... America's 'Stealth' Air Force vs. North Korea: Who Wins in a War? Indeed, even without its nuclear-tipped missiles, dug-in conventional North Korean artillery could leave Seoul devastated within only a few hours. Any successful attack on North Korea would have to eliminate those threats before they could level Seoul—but that is easier said than done.

Most of mudslide-stricken California town told to empty out

MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — Most residents of mudslide-ravaged Montecito were under orders to clear out Friday as the search for victims dragged on and crews labored to clean up massive debris and repair power, water and gas lines.

The Latest: Friend of U Penn student arrested in murder case

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on an arrest in the death of a 19-year-old student found buried in a California park (all times local):

Sen. Durbin confirms Trump's vulgar comments

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who attended yesterday’s bipartisan meeting with President Trump, confirms that Trump used vulgar language toward Haiti and African nations.

Former Union Leader Calls Trump A 'Con Man' And 'Liar' As Carrier Lays Off 215 More Workers

A former Steelworkers union boss has blasted Donald Trump as a “con man,”  an “idiot” and a “liar” as Indianapolis air-conditioning and furnace company Carrier Corp. laid off 215 more workers Thursday.

Why The California Mudslides Have Been So Deadly

Rescue crews continue to search wreckage for missing people two days after powerful mudslides swept through the Southern California community of Montecito, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than two dozen.

Nearly 50 people fall sick on Royal Caribbean cruise ship

BALTIMORE (AP) — Nearly 50 people have fallen sick on a cruise ship that departed from Baltimore last week.

A Medicaid Work Requirement Would Be Bad Policy Without The Opioid Crisis. It's Disastrous With It.

The Trump administration opened the doors Thursday for states to set work requirements for people who get Medicaid, a move that is likely to be a catastrophe for some of the most vulnerable Americans, particularly those struggling with opioid addiction.

Former bodyguard on Kim Jong Un's isolated childhood

Lee Young-guk, the former bodyguard of Kim Jong Il, said Kim Jong Un didn't have anyone his age to play with, was quick-tempered and did whatever he wanted.

Walmart's Shiny New $11 Minimum Wage Isn't Really A Result Of The Tax Law

The Trump administration was ecstatic with Walmart on Thursday, and for good reason.

This Map Shows Where Americans Are Being Told 'Do Not Travel' in Mexico

The State Department is urging Americans to avoid these areas

Ford gives Edge the ST treatment

Ford's Fiesta and Focus ST models have been such a big success worldwide it was only ever going to be a matter of time before other ST models were introduced, and the Blue Oval has now revealed that a Ford Edge ST will be the next model to wear the performance garb. The Edge is the first Ford SUV to get a performance-focused ST model, which will be part of a refreshed Edge lineup that will be on display at the Detroit auto show next week. Because the Edge already has the Sport model in its ranks, the Edge ST won't be quite as dramatic a step up in performance as the ST models in the Focus and Fiesta ranges are.

Donald Trump referred to Haitians and Africans as coming from 's***hole countries', says report

President Donald Trump has reportedly referred to Haiti and African countries as "s***hole countries" during a meeting with congressional leaders in the Oval Office. After ideas for restoration projects to help immigrants in Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries were floated as a potential part of a bipartisan immigration deal, the President grew frustrated. "Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?" Mr Trump asked, two people briefed on the meeting told the Washington Post.

The Latest: Man thought found after mudslide still missing

MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on deadly debris flows that devastated Montecito, California (all times local):

How to Stop China from Someday Invading Taiwan? Submarines.

8, to be exact.  How to Stop China from Someday Invading Taiwan? The country with perhaps the most dire need for a modern submarine force in the industrialized world actually has the oldest. Fully half of Taiwan’s submarine force consists of World War II–era boats, while the other half is “just” forty years old.

Vital Figure Excludes Family From N.F.L. Settlement: Date of Death

By KEN BELSON from NYT Sports http://ift.tt/2AWNzLJ

Trump denies vulgar remarks about Haiti, African countries; condemnation mounts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Facing strong condemnation at home and abroad, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday denied using the word "shithole" to describe Haiti and African countries, but kept up criticism of a Senate immigration plan that he said would force the United States to admit people from countries that "are doing badly."

from Reuters: World News http://ift.tt/2D5fBe9