world news: 2018-09-30

Saturday 6 October 2018

Trump likely to win whether or not Kavanaugh is confirmed

If Kavanaugh is confirmed by the Senate in a vote planned on Saturday, Trump will have succeeded in placing his second justice on the top U.S. court and fulfilled his pledge to solidify its conservative majority. "This has done more to wake up complacent Republican voters than anything I have seen," said Robert Cahaly, a pollster and senior strategist at The Trafalgar Group, a Republican-leaning consulting and polling firm. Trump's pugnacious style was well suited to the messy drama, and his decision to stick by Kavanaugh, mock the woman who accused the nominee of sexual assault and use the controversy to fire up supporters could help Republicans in key Senate races in conservative states - even if it turns off independents and women voters in suburban House of Representatives districts that were already trending away from Republicans.

Indonesia battles fake news after quake-tsunami disaster

Indonesia has cracked down on "fake news" about its deadly quake-tsunami disaster, with police arresting nine people for spreading hoaxes in a bid to prevent further panic spreading among survivors. Another Facebook post used a photo of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami aftermath to depict what it claimed was a scene from the seaside city of Palu. Setyo Wasisto, Indonesia's national police spokesman, told Kompas TV on Thursday that nine people had been arrested on suspicion of spreading false news.

Toyota announces new recall of 2.4 million hybrid cars

Japanese car giant Toyota said Friday it is recalling more than 2.4 million hybrid cars over a fault that could cause crashes, just a month after another recall affecting hybrids. The firm in September said it was recalling more than one million hybrid cars globally after uncovering a technical problem that could cause fires. The latest announcement affects several models of the Prius and its Auris hybrid vehicles produced between October 2008 and November 2014, with more than a million of the affected cars in Japan.

When Will the Next War Erupt in the Middle East?

The Middle East is sitting on a powder keg. No one knows when it will blow up. What is certain is that it’s likely to do so sooner rather than later.

Florida governor's race: a microcosm of polarized US politics

A charismatic black Democrat versus an anti-immigrant white Republican -- the race for the governorship of Florida in next month's US midterm elections is a microcosm of America's bitterly divided politics, and possibly a sign of things to come in 2020. Andrew Gillum, 39, mayor of the state capital Tallahassee, is the Democratic candidate -- to his fervent supporters, he is an inspirational figure reminiscent of Barack Obama. It's as if Trump had run against far-left independent Senator Bernie Sanders -- not Hillary Clinton -- in the 2016 presidential elections.

Confusion, chaos hit Capitol Hill in wake of FBI report on Kavanaugh

As the full Senate vote on Brett Kavanaugh nears, the public rancor that has surrounded his nomination shows no sign of abating.

Republicans: Letters From Kavanaugh's Friends Clear Up The 'Mystery' Of 'Boofing'

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday they've gotten to

Sen. Mazie Hirono Calls FBI Investigation 'A Sham' As Kavanaugh Vote Nears

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) expressed strong opposition to Supreme Court

Suspect in shooting of 7 South Carolina officers charged with murder

Fred Hopkins, 74, allegedly ambushed officers who were serving a search warrant for sexual assault allegations for another individual at a home in Florence, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said.

Melania Trump Mourns Elephant Deaths As Her Husband Lets People Import Tusks As Trophies

While first lady Melania Trump reportedly mourned an ivory burn and toured an

Toyota Recalls 975,000 Cars for Stalling and Airbag Defects

The problem is (again) the Prius, but Tundra, Sequoia, and Avalon models are also involved.

US indicts seven Russian military intel agents in global hacking conspiracy

The US Justice Department Thursday indicted seven agents of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency as part of a joint crackdown with Western allies on a series of major hacking plots attributed to Moscow. The indictments were announced as Dutch security services said they had thwarted a cyber attack on the global chemical weapons watchdog, the OPCW -- expelling four Russian agents -- and after Britain and Australia blamed the GRU for plots that notably targeted the US Democratic Party and global sports bodies. John Demers, US Assistant Attorney General for National Security, confirmed the seven agents were indicted in connection to the attack on the OPCW, on football's governing body FIFA and the US and global anti-doping agencies, and on the US nuclear energy company Westinghouse among others.

Utah man confessed sending letters in ricin scare: court documents

William Clyde Allen III was arrested on Wednesday at his home in Logan, Utah, and will be charged on Friday, said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Aside from Trump, Allen is believed to have sent the letters containing ground castor seeds to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, according to a probable cause statement filed in Utah state court on Wednesday.

US, Chinese unease as Putin seeks India arms deals

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday looking to tie up billions of dollars in arms deals with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, likely irking the US, China and Pakistan in one fell swoop. The Kremlin said before the two-day visit by Putin and top ministers that the "key feature" would be the signing of a $5-billion deal for the S-400 air defence system, despite the risk of US sanctions against countries buying Russian defence kit. Putin arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening and he and Modi were due to have dinner before the main talks on Friday.

Cambodia to raise minimum wage for garment workers by $12

Cambodia hiked the monthly minimum wage for garment workers by $12 Friday from the current $170 following a election promise by premier Hun Sen. The country's $7 billion apparel industry is fuelled by more than 740,000 garment workers, who strongman Hun Sen attempted to woo before July's widely-criticised elections. Union representatives stopped short of welcoming the wage increase, which they say is not enough to address rising inflation and living expenses.

Brett Kavanaugh Appears To Inch Closer To Confirmation

Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday appeared to inch closer to becoming a Supreme

8-Year-Old Girl Pulls Pre-Viking Sword From Lake in Sweden

By PALKO KARASZ from NYT World https://ift.tt/2Cy1cq6

Democrats Rage After Viewing FBI's Brett Kavanaugh Investigation Report

Democrats slammed what they viewed as gaping holes in the latest FBI

Elderly white 'Trump supporters' tease young voters in satirical new ad

A campaign that aims to get millennials to register to vote turned heads by

These Republicans Expressed Some Concern, But Will Vote For Kavanaugh Anyway

Time and time again, Republicans have issued strongly worded statements and

Indonesia battles fake news after quake-tsunami disaster

Toyota announces new recall of 2.4 million hybrid cars

Here Are The People The FBI Didn't Ask About Brett Kavanaugh

The FBI on Wednesday wrapped up its supplemental background investigation into

The Latest: Chief: Officers' rescue took about 30 minutes

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — The Latest on the shooting of seven South Carolina law enforcement officers (all times local):

Senate approves measure giving airline passengers new rights

The Senate passed a measure Wednesday that would give airline passengers new rights and should help make an often frustrating experience easier.

Trump opponents rejoice as US President is snubbed for Nobel peace prize in favour of campaigners against sexual violence

Donald Trump's opponents are rejoicing after the US president lost out on the Nobel Peace Prize. Along with Kim Jong-un, he had been a frontrunner to win the award among bookmakers. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad were praised by the committee "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict".

Putin talks arms, nuclear deals in India

President Vladimir Putin was expected Friday to sign a deal in India worth more than $5 billion for the S-400 air defence system, despite US warnings of sanctions against countries buying Russian military hardware. Putin, who arrived in New Delhi late Thursday, was also set to discuss with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi further agreements worth some $3 billion for Russian naval ships and military helicopters. Russia building its second nuclear power plant in India is on the table too, as is the training of Indian astronauts in Russia for New Delhi's first crewed space mission in 2022.

Senator Orrin Hatch Tells Kavanaugh Protesters To 'Grow Up'

As crowds of demonstrators occupied the Hart Senate Building in Washington,

Gunman Accused of Killing 1 Officer and Wounding 6 Others Identified as 74-Year-Old Disbarred Lawyer

The officers were attempting to serve a warrant

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he will vote in favor of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, apparently cementing the Trump

10/05/18 4:03 PM

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Friday that she will vote in favor of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

10/05/18 3:53 PM

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Chicago police officer found guilty of second-degree murder of black teenager Laquan McDonald

10/05/18 2:56 PM

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Verdict reached in case of Chicago police officer who fatally shot black teenager Laquan McDonald

10/05/18 2:12 PM

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

White House believes it has the votes to confirm Kavanaugh, source tells Fox News

10/05/18 11:24 AM

French volunteers in Indonesia search for bodies in jumbled mire

A team of French rescue experts began hunting through a huge expanse of debris on the outskirts of the Indonesian city of Palu on Saturday, looking for hands, feet or any body parts of earthquake victims sticking out of the mud.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2OIbxp2

Brazil's polarized election enters last day of campaigning

Candidates began their last day of campaigning on Saturday for Brazil's most polarized presidential race in decades that could elect a far-right former army captain who promises to crack down on corruption, ease gun laws and defend Christian family values.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Ru8Kyk

China silent as French police probe disappearance of Interpol chief

French police are investigating the disappearance of Interpol chief, Meng Hongwei, who was reported missing after traveling from France to his native China, and they have placed his wife under protection after threats, the interior ministry said on Friday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2CrHkoJ