515,000 pounds of pork product without food safety inspection recalled after anonymous tip

These items were produced by Morris Meat Packing, which operates in Maywood, Illinois, between 25 November 2017 and 9 November 2019.

Joe Biden: Stacey Abrams, Sally Yates could be potential vice president picks

Joe Biden identified several prominent Democratic women when asked at a town hall in Iowa who he would choose as vice president.

‘Give that dog a license.’ Black lab seen on video doing donuts in Florida cul-de-sac

His owner reportedly left the car running with the dog inside.

Chinese spy defects to Australia with trove of intel: report

A Chinese spy has defected to Australia with a trove of intelligence on China's political interference operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and elsewhere, according to a media report Saturday. The Nine network newspapers said the defector, named as Wang "William" Liqiang, had given Australia's counter-espionage agency the identities of China’s senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong and provided details of how they funded and conducted operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia.

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Friday night after experiencing chills and a fever, the Supreme Court

11/23/19 4:25 PM

Guinea Bissau votes for president after weeks of political upset

Guinea Bissau holds a presidential election on Sunday that voters hope will bring change to the coup-prone nation after weeks of political chaos that sparked violent protests and deadlocked parliament.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/35ydM3b

Hong Kong district council elections begin peacefully on Sunday morning

Voting at district council elections in Hong Kong began peacefully on Sunday morning, with no signs of a major police presence at polling booths monitored by Reuters despite nearly six months of sometimes violent unrest in the Chinese-controlled city.

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

A former FBI staffer is reportedly being investigated over an altered document in the Russia probe

It is unclear which document was thought to be altered by the FBI lawyer, nor what change was made or whether it affected the Russia investigation.

Giuliani Says Biden Documents to Be Released ‘If I Disappear’

(Bloomberg) -- Rudy Giuliani, a focus of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s foreign policy dealings in Ukraine, suggested on Twitter that he has dirt on the Biden family that would be released were he to get into trouble.Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, also described as “sarcastic” a statement he made recently about having “an insurance policy” should he fall out of favor with the president.That followed an interview with Fox News during which he was asked whether Trump might soon conclude that Giuliani is a liability, and throw him “under the bus.”“This is ridiculous,” Giuliani, 75, said. “We are very good friends. He knows what I did was in order to defend him, not to dig up dirt on Biden.”Without offering proof, Giuliani tweeted that he had “files in my safe about the Biden Family’s 4 decade monetizing” of the former vice president and senator’s office. “If I disappear, it will immediately appear.”Giuliani’s tweet also referred to his “RICO chart.” Mentioning the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the federal law aimed at prosecuting organized crime, may imply Giuliani still has information that’s not been released publicly from his days as a U.S. Attorney.Also on Saturday Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor, said on Twitter that “the Mafia couldn’t kill me so NO, I am not worried about the swamp press.”It was a busy day on social media for the former New York City mayor, who’s said to be under investigation for possible campaign finance violations and a failure to register as a foreign agent. He said, again without elaborating, that he “plans to bring out a massive pay-for-play scheme under the Obama administration that will devastate the Democrat Party.”During two weeks of impeachment hearings Giuliani was mentioned multiple times by State Department officials testifying on whether Trump improperly withheld military aid to Ukraine. Two of Giuliani’s associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were charged in October in a campaign finance scheme.To contact the reporter on this story: Ros Krasny in Washington at rkrasny1@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Matthew G. Miller at mmiller144@bloomberg.net, Ian Fisher, Virginia Van NattaFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.

Divorce? Marry off your kid? As financial aid confusion grows, parents consider drastic measures

Parents can't afford their EFC, or expected family contribution, after filling out a FAFSA to get financial aid. Some have turned to drastic measures.

How Did the Gettysburg Address End Up in Glenn Beck’s Office?

By BY NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2OzuiZO

Ohio State Passes Its First Test of the Season by Beating Penn State

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports https://ift.tt/2OiqhtX

The Saugus High School Shooter Used an Illegal 'Ghost Gun.' Authorities Warn More Criminals Are Using Untraceable Weapons to Get Around Gun Laws

Since the gun is put together from separate parts and doesn't have a serial number, it's almost impossible for law enforcement to track

Woman accused of encouraging boyfriend to kill himself releases last text message they sent

A 21-year-old woman accused of encouraging her boyfriend to kill himself has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges after publicly releasing the last text messages the pair sent to each other before his death.Inyoung You appeared in a Boston courtroom on Friday, where she was taken into custody and had her bail set at $5,000 (£3,896), which her lawyer noted would be paid immediately. Her trial date was set for November 2020.

Elizabeth Warren Needs Black Women To Vote For Her. Here's Her Plan to Win Their Support

Black women are powerful allies and equally powerful adversaries—and no Democratic candidate can win without their support.

AR-15 rifle, target list, school map seized in Los Angeles student threat, cops say

A Los Angeles County school shooting threat was foiled after deputies seized a student’s AR-15 rifle, target list and more, Southern California authorities said on Friday.

Devin Nunes met with Ukrainian prosecutor to push investigations, Giuliani associate claims

Well, the impeachment investigation just got a little more awkward.Joseph Bondy, the attorney who represents recently indicted Soviet-born American businessman Lev Parnas, said his client is willing to participate in the impeachment inquiry and inform Congress about a meeting between Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the top-ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee who has been heavily involved in impeachment proceedings, and former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Victor Shokin in Vienna in 2018, CNN reports.Parnas, who worked with President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to push accusations of Democratic corruption in Ukraine, reportedly heard directly from Shokin that the prosecutor met with Nunes. Bondy's client also said he was in touch with Nunes prior to the Vienna trip, putting him in contact with Ukrainians who could help Nunes find dirt on Democrats in Ukraine, including former Vice President Joe Biden, since Nunes was reportedly working on his own investigation into the matter, spurred by reports on the Biden conspiracy from journalist John Solomon. "Nunes had told Shokin of the urgent need to launch investigations into Burisma, Joe and Hunter Biden, and any purported Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election," Bondy told CNN.Congressional records show Nunes did travel to Europe in 2018 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, but he was not required to disclose specific details from the trip, and there is no specific indication that he went to Vienna.CNN notes the report could place Nunes in a "difficult spot" as the impeachment process continues. Read more at CNN.More stories from theweek.com Where is Nancy Pelosi on impeachment? Outed CIA agent Valerie Plame is running for Congress, and her launch video looks like a spy movie trailer Pence praises Kurds during surprise Iraq visit

UPDATE 2-Canada's use of Huawei 5G would hamper its access to U.S. intelligence - U.S. official

The U.S. national security adviser urged Canada on Saturday not to use Huawei 5G technology, saying that doing so would put in jeopardy intelligence sharing with the United States and expose Canadians to being profiled by the Chinese government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau postponed a decision on whether to use Huawei Technologies Co Ltd 5G network equipment until after the October federal election.

Former Iowa governor says Biden has ‘heart of a president’

In endorsing Democrat Joe Biden for president on Saturday, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said, above all, the former vice president’s personal losses give him “the capacity to comfort” and “the need to heal” a divided nation. More fundamentally, the death of Biden’s first wife and infant daughter in a car accident in 1972 and his son Beau’s death from cancer in 2015 have given Biden a deep sense of suffering important to understanding the day-to-day struggles, and personal pain, of many Americans. The endorsement comes as Biden has slipped from being the early favorite in Iowa last spring to trailing newcomers, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

US military loses drone over Libyan capital

The U.S. military said Friday it lost an unmanned drone aircraft over the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where rival armed groups have been fighting for control of the city for months. The U.S. Africa Command said the drone was lost Thursday while assessing the security situation and monitoring extremist activity. Since 2015, Libya has been divided between two governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the country’s east.

4 reasons Democrats have an uphill climb on Donald Trump impeachment and removal

If the ending of this movie is inevitable, the undecided public may move toward the Republican claim that the whole thing is a waste of time and money.

Vatican accused of harbouring bishop wanted for alleged sexual abuse of young priests

The Vatican has been accused of harbouring a bishop wanted for alleged sex abuse offences, as Pope Francis railed against the evils of sexual exploitation on a visit to Thailand. Prosecutors in Argentina have issued an international arrest warrant for Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta, who is accused of sexually abusing young trainee priests, known as seminarians. He denies the charges. Bishop Zanchetta, 55, who is close to his fellow Argentine Pope Francis, lives in the Vatican. Not only that, he reportedly resides in Casa Santa Marta, an accommodation block in the shadow of St Peter’s Basilica where Francis has lived ever since his election six years ago. Bishop Zanchetta is believed to be living in the Vatican Credit: AFP Argentinian prosecutors have complained that the bishop has failed to respond to repeated emails and telephone calls about the abuse allegations, which were made last year by two young seminarians. The trainee priests also accused him of mismanagement of the diocese’s finances and abuse of power. If convicted, the bishop would face up to 10 years in prison, but there is no extradition treaty between Argentina and the Vatican and for now he seems to be safely ensconced in Rome. The stand-off emerged as Pope Francis made an impassioned speech in Bangkok on behalf of victims of sex trafficking, prompting accusations of a double standard in the Catholic Church’s stance on sex crimes. “Despite being suspended from ministry, the Vatican has argued that Zanchetta's ‘daily work’ requires him to be in Rome instead of facing trial in Argentina. This decision is at best questionable and at worst a Vatican-sponsored opportunity for Zanchetta to flee from justice,” said Zach Hiner, the executive director of victims’ pressure group SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “If Pope Francis was serious about his “all-out battle” against cases of clergy abuse, he would order Zanchetta to return to Argentina and face the allegations against him.” Anne Barrett Doyle, of BishopAccountability.org, which documents the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, said: “It's vital that Pope Francis ensures Zanchetta's full cooperation with Argentine civil authorities. To do otherwise would put the Pope in violation of his own decree forbidding conduct by bishops that interferes with civil investigations. “Francis must begin to set an example - especially because his protectiveness toward Zanchetta to date already raises disturbing questions about his commitment to ending complicity by Church officials. “Francis should not have given Zanchetta safe harbour in the first place, given the bishop's reported wrongdoing in Argentina.” During an open air Mass in Bangkok on Thursday, he urged greater efforts in combating what he called the “humiliation” of women and children forced into prostitution. Earlier, in a speech delivered at the office of the Thai prime minister, the Pope called for greater international commitment to protect women and children "who are violated and exposed to every form of exploitation, enslavement, violence and abuse." Pope Francis exits a youth Mass at Assumption Cathedral on November 22, 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand Credit: Getty In 2017, Zanchetta resigned as bishop of the city of Oran, in the north of Argentina, citing “health reasons”. The Pope called him to Rome and gave him a job in Apsa, the Vatican agency that manages the Church’s huge property portfolio. In January, he was suspended from that role with the Vatican acknowledging he was under investigation. Argentinian prosecutors complain that they cannot get in touch with Zanchetta and that he refuses to respond to their communications. The Vatican did not respond to questions about Zanchetta’s whereabouts or whether he intended to reply to prosecutors in Argentina. In a Mexican television interview earlier this year, the Pope said he had asked Zanchetta about the accusations, which involved nude selfies on the bishop’s mobile phone. Francis said he gave his friend the benefit of the doubt after he claimed his phone had been hacked.  A representative for the bishop in Rome insisted that Zanchetta had always cooperated with investigators. "He is the first one to be interested in clarifying the truth, so that his reputation can be restored. For this reason he will continue to actively cooperate with the justice system," Javier Iniesta told Reuters. Pope Francis has been accused of failing to act against the scourge of clerical sex abuse by campaign groups representing victims. Scandals have erupted in Argentina and neighbouring Chile, as well as other countries such as Ireland, Australia and Germany.

Police Say They Foiled 2 Potential School Shootings in California

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Impeachment Briefing: How Republicans Are Using Hearings

By BY NOAH WEILAND from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2OA0WKM

Benjamin Netanyahu was just indicted on fraud and bribery charges, becoming the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted in office

Netanyahu is accused of receiving gifts and positive news coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits from the government.

New hearing, same sentence for convicted Penn State child molester Jerry Sandusky

A resentencing hearing on Friday for former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky resulted in the same penalty that he received after his 2012 conviction for sexually assaulting teenage boys: 30 to 60 years in prison, likely the rest of his life. Sandusky was granted the hearing because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that minimum sentencing requirements, such as those on which his original sentence was based, were unconstitutional. Sporting a faded orange prison jumpsuit, Sandusky smiled broadly to spectators, including his wife Dottie, as he entered the courtroom at the Centre County Court of Common Pleas in Bellefonte, where his trial was held seven years ago.

Trump impeachment news: Watergate prosecutor says evidence to remove president at 'tipping point', as John Bolton posts cryptic attack on White House

Donald Trump gave a wild, 53-minute long interview with Fox and Friends on Friday morning, attacking the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry and spreading debunked conspiracy theories.A group of Senate Republicans met Thursday with White House officials to discuss how a potential trial on articles of impeachment of Mr Trump could happen. “Frankly, I want a trial,” the president said during the interview.

100 Protest Leaders Arrested, Iran Says, as U.S. Sanctions a Top Official

By BY FARNAZ FASSIHI AND RICK GLADSTONE from NYT World https://ift.tt/2qECaRF

U.S. Judge Orders Iran to Pay $180 Million to Washington Post Reporter and Family

By BY CHRISTOPHER MELE from NYT World https://ift.tt/2OFDtYR

'Can I actually say something?': Hill responds after GOP congressman failed to ask question

During former top national security adviser Fiona Hill's testimony, Hill said "All of us who came here ... felt we had a moral obligation to do so. We came as fact witnesses." 

Attorney general unveils plan on missing Native Americans

Attorney General William Barr announced a nationwide plan Friday to address the crisis of missing and slain Native American women as concerns mount over the level of violence they face. Barr announced the plan, known as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, during a visit with tribal leaders and law enforcement officials on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Native American women experience some of the nation’s highest rates of murder, sexual violence and domestic abuse.

‘Give that dog a license.’ Black lab seen on video doing donuts in Florida cul-de-sac

His owner reportedly left the car running with the dog inside.

Christian group wrote legislation eerily similar to Ohio religious liberty bill

Critics suspect hand of Project Blitz in draft passed by Ohio house which they fear could let students’ religious beliefs trump scienceThe draft law says a teacher ‘shall not penalize or reward a student based on the religious content of a student’s work’ – language strikingly similar to Project Blitz’s model legislation. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPAAn Ohio state bill which could allow students’ religious beliefs to trump science-based facts is almost identical to model legislation backed by an evangelical, anti-gay Christian group.The Student Religious Liberties Act, which passed the Ohio house last week, instructs schools to neither “penalize or reward” students on the basis of their religious speech. It also stipulates schools must provide opportunities for religious expression “in the same manner and to the same extent” as secular speech. Critics argue the bill would provide protect students from bad grades based on religion.The bill’s backers deny it is connected to the group, called Project Blitz but the bill has nearly identical language to the model legislation backed by Project Blitz in their 2018-19 “playbook”.While student religious liberties bills existed before Project Blitz, its inclusion in a playbook by groups whose goal is to inject religion into law shows the priority they place on the matter. When contacted by the Guardian, Steven W Fitschen, president of the National Legal Foundation, said “We are, of course, delighted that legislators in Ohio drafted a bill so similar to our model bill since we believe its provisions are constitutional and beneficial to students of faith in Ohio, without impinging on anyone else’s rights.”By contrast, many mainstream civil rights groups have lined up against the bill.Project Blitz model legislation says: “A student may not be penalized or rewarded based on the religious content of his or her work.” The Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act says teachers “shall not penalize or reward a student based on the religious content of a student’s work.”“This bill is under the guise of religious freedom for students, but it’s really designed to encourage students to pray and proselytize in public schools,” said Maggie Garrett, the vice-president of policy for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “It adds more confusion than clarity, and of course current law already protects the rights of students,” she said.The law’s predicted effects have divided critics and supporters. Opponents have said the bill will cause controversy-averse teachers and school administrators to hedge against correcting students who might cite religious beliefs in classwork.Backers argue school officials are intimidated by “well funded groups” who are “biased against Ohio students’ religious freedom”. The most likely impact, groups such as the Anti-Defamation League said, is potential lawsuits against school districts.Student religious liberty bills have spread across the US south and midwest for more than a decade with roots in a 1995 set of guidelines from the Clinton administration, according to a University of California, Davis law review article.In 2007, Texas reincarnated the guidelines in a form which “intentionally lacks” some of the caveats the Clinton administration included, such as a prohibition on having a “captive audience” in school, the article said.“This bill has been around since before the Project Blitz campaign, but the bill is part of the Project Blitz playbook,” said Garrett, the vice-president for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “We will be seeing more of these bills in the future, because we’re certainly seeing an increase in other Project Blitz bills.”In another example of their similarities, Project Blitz’s model legislation reads, “A student may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and other religious gatherings before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student is permitted to organize secular activities and groups.”Ohio’s bill said students could attend “religious gatherings, including but not limited to prayer groups, religious clubs, ‘see you at the pole’ gatherings, or other religious gatherings” and “may engage in religious expression before, during, and after school hours in the same manner and to the same extent that a student is permitted to engage in secular activities or expression before, during, and after school hours.”Even though backers deny the bill has been designed to promote Christian values, others disagree. “It is negligent and reckless of our colleagues to push an agenda this way and act as if it is not based on this one religious tenet,” said Emilia Strong Sykes, the Democratic Ohio house minority leader and a Christian. “It is anti-American,” she said.Long-term Republican control of Ohio state politics through gerrymandering – a process of drawing district lines to benefit one party – has turned Ohio into a proving ground for conservative legislation. Including 2019, Republicans have held all three levers of Ohio state government for 21 of the last 27 years, according to Ballotpedia.Ohio was the first of several states to pass a six-week ban on abortion last summer. The same legislators introduced a bill to ban abortion outright last week, including new criminal penalties for “abortion murder”. Courts stopped Ohio’s six-week ban from going into effect. Abortion is legal in all 50 US states.“My personal feeling, quite frankly, is this is disgraceful,” said Paul Beck, an Ohio State University political science professor and an expert on gerrymandering, about the Student Religious Liberties Act. “One of the products of gerrymandering and Republican domination we have in the Ohio general assembly is these are not necessarily reasonable people making our laws,” he said.“Here you have legislation that is not only not needed, but will – at minimum – cause confusion,” said Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. The ACLU often sues on behalf of those who suffer religious discrimination, and opposes the bill.Project Blitz is organized by the Congressional Prayer Caucus, the National Legal Foundation and the WallBuilders ProFamily Legislators Conference. Other Blitz proposals include proclamations to establish, “Christian heritage week” and a “public policy resolution favoring sexual intercourse only between a married man and woman”.The privately run Congressional Prayer Caucus works to “preserve America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and promote prayer”, according to its website. WallBuilders is led by a widely criticized revisionist historian who claims the US was founded on Christian ideals. The not-for-profit National Legal Foundation aims to “create and implement” public policy “to support and facilitate God’s purpose for [America] … in such a way as to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ”.When contacted by the Guardian, Steven W Fitschen, president of the National Legal Foundation, said “We are, of course, delighted that legislators in Ohio drafted a bill so similar to our model bill since we believe its provisions are constitutional and beneficial to students of faith in Ohio, without impinging on anyone else’s rights.”Representative Timothy Ginter, the bill’s sponsor and a pastor, said he had “no knowledge” of Project Blitz. He declined further requests for an interview.The Guardian contacted 11 co-sponsors of the legislation. None responded. The Guardian also contacted the legislator who originally introduced the legislation in 2016, former representative Bill Hayes. He did not respond to a request for comment.In a statement, Ginter argued the bill is necessary, “Because of increased pressure on our schools from groups who are biased against Ohio students’ religious freedoms, many school officials are confused, and frankly intimidated by the threat of litigation from these well-funded groups.” He also denied the bill is meant to promote Christianity. “Nowhere in the language of the bill is a specific religion mentioned,” Ginter said.The Republican-backed Ohio house passed the bill last week with a party-line vote. Only two Democrats voted in favor. The bill must be passed by the Republican-controlled Senate and the Republican governor, Mike DeWine, to become law. He did not respond to a Guardian request for comment.

Cory Booker is right: Joe Biden must be 'high' to oppose legalizing marijuana

Joe Biden isn’t just old-fashioned. He’s a stubborn prohibitionist averse to catching up with reality — the inevitability of marijuana legalization.

Trevor Noah Mocks Pete Buttigieg’s Debate Performance: ‘The Only Adult Michael Jackson Would Be Into’

Comedy Central“Now, the major change since the last debate is the rise of Pete Buttigieg: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the only adult Michael Jackson would be into,” joked The Daily Show host Trevor Noah of the man who’s taken the surprising lead (according to polls, at least) in Iowa and New Hampshire. Calling it “a four-way race” between Buttigieg, Biden, Bernie and Warren, Noah, who went live immediately after the debate, threw to the point of the night where Buttigieg was asked why voters should “take the risk of betting on” a relatively green politician to beat President Trump. Samantha Bee: Gordon Sondland Is the ‘Selfish, Idiotic’ Hero America DeservesJeff Ross Nails Gordon Sondland, Roasts Trump on ‘Kimmel’“In order to defeat this president we need somebody who can go toe-to-toe, who actually comes from the kinds of communities that he’s been appealing to. I don’t talk a big game about helping the working class while helicoptering between golf courses with my name on it,” said Buttigieg, adding, “I don’t even golf. In fact, I never thought I’d be on a Forbes magazine list but they did one of all the candidates by wealth and I am literally the least-wealthy person on this stage.” “You know, it’s actually funny how running for president is the only time people brag about how much money they don’t have. It’s like they’re bizarro rappers,” cracked Noah. He then addressed the “beef that really came out of nowhere: Kamala Harris vs. Tulsi Gabbard.” Yes, Kamala came at Gabbard for spending “four years full-time on Fox News criticizing President Obama” during his administration, and who “buddied-up to Steve Bannon to get a meeting with Trump in Trump Tower.” Gabbard didn’t have much of a rebuttal. “People please, stop fighting! Neither one of you are going to be president!” said Noah. “What are you doing?! That was the most intense argument in Atlanta that didn’t involve Nene.” Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

Bolivia prosecutors probing Morales over accusations he encouraged unrest

Bolivia's attorney general said on Friday that his office has opened a probe into former President Evo Morales for alleged sedition and terrorism, related to accusations from the interim government that he has been stirring unrest since resigning.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2QJkgI5

Joe Biden's newest endorsement seems to be a slap in the face to Pete Buttigieg

That one's gotta hurt.On Friday, former Vice President Joe Biden announced that he'd earned the endorsement of Oliver Davis Jr., a black community leader in Indiana. The endorsement got some heavy play for someone who's not even close to a national political figure -- but all makes sense considering Davis is from Pete Buttigieg's hometown.Davis is the vice president of the common council in South Bend, Indiana, where Buttigieg is mayor. In fact, Davis even ran for mayor earlier this year after Buttigieg declined to run, but couldn't beat the 4,447 votes that Buttigieg's chief of staff earned to clinch the Democratic nomination. Still, Davis is one of the longest-serving members of the city's common council, and focused on Biden's long tenure in his endorsement. "In times like these, when the political winds are fiercely blowing across our country, it's important for us to have an experienced leader who has been through the diverse storms of life to guide our country," he said.It's hard not to read that as a shot at Buttigieg, who is 40 years Biden's junior and has faced major criticism over his lack of political and life experience and dismal showing among black voters. And if that weren't enough of a blow, Biden was sure to point out that Davis "joins two other African American elected officials from Indiana" in backing Biden as well.More stories from theweek.com The story Republicans are really telling themselves about impeachment Imelda Staunton is in talks to be The Crown's next Queen Elizabeth Outed CIA agent Valerie Plame is running for Congress, and her launch video looks like a spy movie trailer

A New Zealand man has been convicted of the harrowing murder of backpacker Grace Millane on their Tinder date, but it's still illegal to report his name

A 27-year-old man was found guilty of murdering Millane in December 2018. A court order to suppress his name has been in place since last year.

Putin honours 'hero' pilots for Russian corn field landing

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday bestowed the country's top state honour on two pilots who safely landed a plane carrying more than 230 people in a corn field after a bird strike. At a ceremony in the Kremlin, Putin handed pilot Damir Yusupov and co-pilot Georgy Murzin the Hero of Russia awards, praising the crew's courage and professionalism. "They were able to land the plane literally in an empty field and saved dozens of lives," Putin said.

Pot stocks soar as U.S. House committee clears bill on federal weed legalization

US-China trade war could spark real war: Kissinger

Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger warned Thursday that an armed conflict could break out between the United States and China if they fail to resolve their trade war. The sober remarks from Kissinger, who was instrumental in normalising diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing, came at a conference in Beijing on the future of the two economic giants. "If conflict is permitted to run unconstrained, the outcome could be even worse than it was in Europe," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum.

Watch Kamala Harris learn from Stephen Colbert that Lindsey Graham is investigating Joe Biden and Ukraine

Numerous witnesses at the House impeachment hearings have testified that President Trump was refusing to grant a crucial meeting and unfreeze U.S. military aid to Ukraine until its new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, publicly announced investigations into Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and the gas company Burisma, on whose board Hunter Biden sat. Zelensky almost complied, but Trump released the money two days before the announcement.On Thursday's Late Show, Stephen Colbert informed guest Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) that what Zelensky wouldn't do, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will undertake instead. "There is news that just broke," he said, "that Lindsey Graham is launching a probe of the Bidens, Burma, and Ukraine. First question: What the hell?" He noted that Harris is on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Graham. "What do you make of this?" he asked."It's the same thing that they've been doing, which is to create a big distraction from the facts and the evidence," Harris said. "The Burisma, the Biden probe -- it's a bunch of B.S." Colbert pointed out that even Republican impeachment witnesses like Kurt Volker said there's nothing there and you can't impugn Biden's character with this. Harris said Graham's investigation shows Republicans "know they have to create this big distraction" to keep America from focusing on "the fact that we have a criminal living in the White House."Graham was, not too long ago, in agreement about Biden's character and rectitude, especially when it comes to his family.> It's almost like someone reviewed past footage of every good thing you've ever said and then used it to compile a list of things for you to do to show that you had completely sold your soul to Trump.pic.twitter.com/W26bPhOWum https://t.co/7Tgso21oWf> > -- Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) November 22, 2019Harris said she's skeptical her GOP colleagues will vote to convict Trump in the Senate, and explained why she wants Vice President Mike Pence to testify. Watch below. More stories from theweek.com The story Republicans are really telling themselves about impeachment Imelda Staunton is in talks to be The Crown's next Queen Elizabeth Outed CIA agent Valerie Plame is running for Congress, and her launch video looks like a spy movie trailer

Bolton Teases a City Eager to Hear His Story

By BY PETER BAKER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2KNM4aB

Would-Be Chinese Defector Details Covert Campaigns in Hong Kong and Taiwan

By BY STEVEN LEE MYERS AND DAMIEN CAVE from NYT World https://ift.tt/2qGB1ZQ