Spring

Rachel Maddow Defends Niger Theory After Experts Call It 'Conspiracymongering'

Rachel Maddow on Friday doubled down on her controversial reporting on the deadly Niger ambush on U.S. troops, in which she linked President Donald Trump’s travel ban with the deaths of four soldiers.

Tampa Police Search for Possible Serial Killer in Murder of Three Pedestrians

Tampa police are searching for a possible serial killer who may have murdered three pedestrians in two weeks, each walking alone.

Oxford Students To Alumna Aung San Suu Kyi: Rohingya Inaction Is 'Inexcusable'

Students at St. Hugh’s College in Oxford have joined an international chorus of critics in condemning their alumnus Aung San Suu Kyi, now the de facto leader of Myanmar, for her response to the crisis engulfing the Rohingya in the country’s Rakhine State.

New Tax Proposal Could Affect 401K Plans for Millions of Americans

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the proposal being considered would reduce the amount a worker could contribute tax-free to just $2,400 a year.

Mother, son and daughter all arrested in connection to multiple robberies on Long Island

A woman and her two children have been arrested in Long Island in connection to seven armed robberies, all of which took place over the last month.

Tom Hanks Offers Suggestion To Those 'Frustrated' With Current Affairs: 'Read History'

Actor Tom Hanks recommends this: Brush up on your history.

US diplomat apologizes after Indonesia general denied entry

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A U.S. diplomat apologized to Indonesia's government Monday after the top Indonesian general was prevented from traveling to Washington, but a Jakarta official said the country expected a complete explanation.

Police Officer Killed in Las Vegas Mass Shooting Left Instructions For Funeral: 'Remember Me For Who I Was'

He was killed trying to shield others during the hail of gunfire.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Declares Era of “National Rejuvenation”

Chinese president Xi Jinping declared an era of national rejuvenation in a speech that garnered 1.5 billion virtual claps on a virtual applause app released in conjunction with the Communist Party congress.

Mark Cuban May Run Against Donald Trump In 2020 As A Republican

Mark Cuban is “seriously considering” seeking the presidency in 2020, and if he runs, he could challenge Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.

Three wounded in shooting near US mine in Papua

At least one gunman has wounded three people near a huge Indonesian gold and copper mine owned by US firm Freeport-McMoRan, the company said Sunday. The attacks on Saturday injured two policemen and a security contractor, according to Freeport spokesman Riza Pratama.

Spain Takes Control of Catalonia, Pushing a Crisis Into Higher Gear

Spain has acted upon Article 155

Report: Fox Renewed Bill O'Reilly's Contract After $32 Million Harassment Settlement

Fox News extended host Bill O’Reilly’s contract for $100 million over four years shortly after he reached a $32 million agreement to settle claims of sexual harassment from a former network employee, The New York Times reported Saturday.

German police arrest suspect after 8 hurt in Munich knife rampage

A knife-wielding man randomly attacked passersby in central Munich on Saturday, lightly injuring eight people, police said as they excluded terrorism as a motive after detaining the suspected perpetrator. The 33-year-old suspect already has a police record for theft and violence and appears to suffer from "psychiatric problems", Munich police chief Hubertus Andrae told a news conference. The man attacked people with his knife at random, causing light injuries to eight people: a 12-year-old boy, six men and one woman, said Andrae.

On the USS Reagan amid growing nuclear tensions

ABC News' Chief Global Correspondent Martha Raddatz travelled to the USS Reagan for an exclusive look at U.S. military preparations near North Korea.

Hikers’ Families Say Deaths Motivated By ‘Compassion’

The families of a young couple found dead in an embrace believe they died in a murder-suicide motivated by compassion.

Las Vegas hotel will not rent out mass killer Stephen Paddock's room again

The hotel room used by mass killer Stephen Paddock who murdered 58 people in Las Vegas earlier this month will not be rented out again. Paddock sprayed shots on a crowd attending a concert from a corner suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. MGM Resorts International announced its decision in a statement to a local paper, the Las Vegas Sun. "This was a terrible tragedy perpetrated by an evil man. We have no intention of renting that room," the company said. Stephen Paddock Credit: Eric Paddock/AP The company has also been ordered by a court to preserve evidence and surveillance footage of the incident. There was no indication of how the room will be used in future. MGM, which also owns the land used by the crowds attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, has not said what will happen to the area. The Bataclan nightclub in Paris where 90 people were killed in a terrorist attack in November 2015 has reopened. However, the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida where 49 people died on June 12 last year, has become a permanent memorial to the victims.

Trump Offers $430,000 Of His Own Money For Aides' Legal Fees In Russian Probe

Donald Trump is offering at least $430,000 of his own funds to help defray the legal costs of aides amid federal probes into Russian influence in the presidential election.

Philippines declares end to 5-month militant siege in Marawi

CLARK, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government declared the end Monday to the militant siege of a southern city that lasted five months, left more than 1,100 people dead and sparked fears of the Islamic State group gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

Abe to push reform of Japan's pacifist constitution after election win

By Leika Kihara and Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc scored a big win in Sunday's election, bolstering his chance of becoming the nation's longest-serving premier and re-energizing his push to revise the pacifist constitution. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-led (LDP) coalition won a combined 312 seats, keeping its two-thirds "super majority" in the 465-member lower house, local media said. A hefty win raises the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012, will secure a third three-year term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan's longest-serving premier.

Pets And People Are Joyously Reuniting After California Wildfires

Some Northern Californians who feared the worst for their pets in the wake of this month’s deadly wildfires are getting some welcome good news in recent days: Their animals survived.

Toddler Who Disappeared After Father Allegedly Put Her Out For Not Drinking Her Milk is Found Dead: Report

She was missing since Oct. 7.

The U.S. Navy Had a Crazy Plan to Build 'Super' Battleships (But Super Obsolete)

Had the U.S. built the Montanas, they likely would have had similar post-war careers to those of the South Dakotas.  Because of their speed, the Iowas were more useful at every job except fighting other battleships. Having built the ships in the late 1940s, the USN would have sold them for scrap in the early 1960s. In the early 1940s, the U.S. Navy still expected to need huge, first rate battleships to fight the best that Japan and Germany had to offer.

Former CIA director Petraeus calls nuclear war with North Korea unlikely

Former CIA Director David Petraeus discusses the North Korea threat and more on "This Week."

DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes For Couples That Are Actually Doable

Procrastinating husband, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends: fear not!

NFL’s Atlanta Falcons Hope New Stadium Can Spark Change in Community

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has invested $15 million in a local job training program as part of a deal to build Atlanta’s new football stadium in Westside Atlanta, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

Tom Hanks Slams Donald Trump Over Solider Comment

The actor added his voice to those criticizing the president's comment.

The Latest: Catalan leader urges strong response to Spain

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The Latest on Catalonia's effort to break away from Spain and the Spanish government's response (all times local):

Abe cruises to 'super-majority' win in Japan vote

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe swept to a resounding victory in a snap election Sunday and immediately vowed to "deal firmly" with threats from North Korea that dominated the campaign. This allows nationalist Abe to propose changes to pacifist Japan's US-imposed constitution, which forces it to renounce war and effectively limits its military to a self-defence role. Abe said the comfortable election win had stiffened his resolve to tackle North Korea's nuclear threat, as the key US regional ally seeks to step up pressure on Pyongyang after it fired two missiles over Japan in the space of a month.

Strudel The Obese Dog's Fitness Journey Is Nothing Short Of Inspiring

The dramatic weight loss of a severely chunky golden retriever mix could be an inspiration to people caring for overweight pets.

Fox & Friends draws ire by dressing up black child as watermelon slice for Halloween

In what one would hope was just a terrible oversight, Fox & Friends this weekend aired a Halloween segment that featured children in various cute costumes -- including a black child dressed as a watermelon slice.

‘We Have Someone Terrorizing the Neighborhood.’ Autistic Man’s Death Could Be Linked to Other Killings

‘We have someone terrorizing the neighborhood’

Naval Showdown: What Happens When a Battleship Fights an Aircraft Carrier?

In 1930, the Glorious was converted into an aircraft carrier, just as the U.S. Navy did with the Lexington and Saratoga. Battlecruisers had proven fragile in World War I, but they could travel thirty knots and had large hulls suitable for planting a flight deck on. The Glorious was committed to the Norwegian campaign, perhaps the rock bottom of the Royal Navy’s performance in World War II. On April 9, 1940, the Germans launched an amphibious invasion of Norway.

Eric Holder: Harvey Weinstein Revelations Must Prompt Culture Shift On Sexual Harassment

In the wake of the explosive revelations about alleged sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and other powerful men, former United States Attorney General Eric Holder called on men to take responsibility for creating a culture that allowed such abuse to occur ― and act to change.

British man tells of his terrifying five-mile swim for his life - pursued by a 13-foot shark

A British diver separated from his boat off the coast of Australia has said he was lucky to be alive after being forced to swim miles back to shore - shadowed by a large tiger shark. The spear fisherman, John Craig, was underwater off Western Australia state Friday when his boat was swept away due to engine problems and strong currents. He told the BBC that sharks gravitated towards him because stress had raised his heart rate. Mr Craig said: "I could feel my heart rate up, because I was panicking that I'd been left, after about five or ten minutes of this I put my head in the water to check I was still in the same place, and then at arm's reach, there was this huge four-meter tiger shark, I turned around and there was another fairly big sandbar whaler, which is another type of shark that you get here." A diver separated from his boat off the coast of Australia was followed by a large tiger shark He told local media the tiger shark was "easily the biggest tiger shark I've been in the water with and that's saying something having worked as a dive instructor for over 10 years." Terrified in the shark-infested waters near Shark Bay, he made the decision to swim back to shore. "I have to admit that at this point I thought I was gone - four nautical miles out to sea with a huge tiger shark following me. I thought this was it, this is how I'm going to die," he said. "The shark would disappear into the gloom then suddenly reappear behind me, just keeping pace with me behind my fins." Diver's close encounter with shark in Western Australia He spoke of how the shark pursued him, trying to kill him: "The shark didn't swim away, it actually followed me, so I started swimming towards the shore and the shark just kept pace behind me, so every time I looked back I just saw its huge head pointed at my fins, so I just kept my spear gun pointed towards my fins so it wouldn't get close enough to actually touch them, then it would disappear in the gloom then come down and come up below me and come from the sides...it was all because I was panicking. "I've been a dive instructor for ten years, and I knew straight away sharks were there because my heart rate was up and I was panicking. After about three or four minutes of swimming it just accelerated then started swimming beside me going towards the shore. So for about 15 minutes it was just swimming with me." Mr Craig kept his speargun pointed behind him as he embarked on a swim of "pure endurance", eventually losing the shark. He was later spotted by rescuers on a remote beach. "It's an absolutely incredible story," Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue commander Greg Ridgley told Perth's Sunday Times. Tiger sharks shown here off the coast of Port Elizabeth, South Africa Credit: Rainer Schimpf / Barcroft Media "He swam at least five miles in shark-infested waters... I just can't believe anybody could do that. It's such a massive effort, in that short timeframe too." There have been 14 encounters off the nation's vast coastline this year, including the death of a 17-year-old girl mauled by a shark in full view of her parents in Western Australia. Experts say incidents are increasing as water sports become more popular and baitfish move closer to shore, but fatalities remain rare.

Go home, Tillerson tells Iranian-backed militias in Iraq

By Stephen Kalin and Jonathan Landay RIYADH/DOHA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Sunday it was time for Iranian-backed militias and their Iranian advisers who helped Iraq defeat Islamic State to "go home", after a rare joint meeting with the leaders of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The United States is concerned that Iran, a Shi'ite regional power, will take advantage of gains against IS in Iraq and Syria to expand the influence it gained after the U.S. invasion in 2003, something Sunni Arab rivals such as Riyadh also oppose.

After Raqqa, Trump says US shifts to 'new phase' in Syria

STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump is portraying the Islamic State group's ouster from its Syrian stronghold as a milestone in the U.S. fight against terrorism and a step toward a political transition and lasting peace in Syria.

US 'to put nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert' for first time since Cold War

The United States is preparing to put nuclear bomber planes on 24-hour alert for the first time since the Cold War, a senior Air Force official has said. A fleet of B-52s laden with nuclear weapons could soon be readied to launch within a day's notice amid growing tensions with North Korea. General David Goldfein, Air Force Chief of Staff, said US military leaders were being forced to adapt to "the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in".

Some Truly Excellent Costumes From NYC's Famous Halloween Dog Parade

Every year, New Yorkers and their beloved canine pals embark on a time-honored tradition: The Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.

Two dead as typhoon slams into Japan after election day

A powerful typhoon ripped into central Japan early Monday, leaving two dead and more than 10 injured, hours after millions struggled to the polls for a national election. Authorities advised thousands living in coastal areas or near rivers to evacuate to shelters as Typhoon Lan, described as "very large and very strong", made landfall in Shizuoka southwest of Tokyo at around 3.00 am (1800 GMT Sunday). The typhoon was moving northeast as winds slowed slightly, and may hit Tokyo and surrounding regions during Monday morning rush hours.

Women Say They Were Burned and Branded by Doctors During Initiations Into a Secret Sorority

State officials will examine whether the women's complaints warrant an investigation now

Murder trial that sparked immigration debate gets underway

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trial is set to begin this week for a Mexican man who set off a national immigration debate after he shot and killed a woman on a popular San Francisco pier.

'Walking Dead' Season 8: Where We Left Rick and Negan

Before you watch 'The Walking Dead' Season 8, catch up with where the AMC show left the characters last year.

EPA Abruptly Blocks 3 Agency Scientists From Giving Talks On Climate Change

The Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly barred three agency scientists from giving talks about climate change at a conference in Rhode Island days before they were scheduled to speak.

'The Peshmerga sold us out': Kurdish shock and disbelief after losing the gamble for independence

Not much more than a month ago, Iraqi Kurdistan's leaders seemed sure that their path to independence was all but guaranteed. The autonomous region controlled swathes of disputed territory once administered by the federal government in Baghdad, including vast oil reserves and energy infrastructure. Its armed forces, known as Peshmerga, enjoyed a formidable reputation and had cooperated closely with the US and other powerful allies in the fight against Islamic State. The way, they thought, was clear. But on Monday October 16, Iraqi government forces ousted Peshmerga from the disputed city of Kirkuk along with nearby oil fields that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had counted on for revenues to sustain an independent state. A convoy of Iraqi military trucks flying religious Shia flags and Iraqi national flag as they advance into the central of Kirkuk city, northern Iraq Credit: EPA The defeat came shockingly fast and prompted a disorderly retreat from other territories that KRG president Masoud Barzani had pledged would never be returned to Baghdad. It was a rout that blindsided many of Iraq’s Kurds and left their long held dream of secession in tatters. In the regional capital of Erbil, officials, soldiers and civilians alike are still struggling to come to terms with this profound humiliation. “The Kurdish community never expected such a reaction from the Iraqi government,” said Alan, 26, who asked that he be known only by his first name. “We didn't expect them to attack us and take Kirkuk by force, it has become like a siege now.” The crisis was largely impelled by last month's controversial independence referendum, which faced near-universal opposition. Neighbouring Turkey and Iran found a rare moment of unity to agree retaliatory counter-measures, while Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi threatened military action if the results were not annulled. Even allies — with the exception of Israel — begged the KRG to postpone or cancel the vote, for fear it would destabilise the entire region. But Mr Barzani pressed on, seemingly confident the results would trigger secession talks in which they would hold a major advantage. Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani salutes the crowd while attending a rally to show their support for the September 25 independence referendum Credit: Reuters That now appears to have been a miscalculation of epic proportions. Voting went ahead as planned on September 25 and results reflected an overwhelming desire to leave the rest of Iraq. The backlash was rapid. At first, Baghdad chipped away at existing aspects of autonomy by banning international flights from landing in the region and demanding control of oil exports. Eventually though, Mr Abadi made good on his threats. Soon after retaking Kirkuk he called for a return to talks. “The illegal referendum is over, its results invalid and belongs in the past,” he said on Twitter. “We call for dialogue based on Iraq’s national constitution.” A return to the negotiating table now seem to be the only option open to Mr Barzani, though he will be in a far weaker position than before. Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih made a high-profile visit to Iraq on Saturday, as the countries begin strengthening ties in the sector and frosty relations between the countries thaw. On the same day, Mr Abadi left Baghdad for a visit to Saudi Arabia. Over the weekend, angry protestors in Erbil waved Kurdish flags outside the US embassy and UN consulate, some carrying signs saying, "We need our country". People outside the Iranian consulate cheered as a man tore down its flag. Iraqi Kurds wave flags and chant slogans during a protest outside the US consulate Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images The Kirkuk crisis has bred widespread resentment and acrimony and not just between the two rival governments. Iraq’s Kurds now see betrayal from every side.  Control of the Peshmerga is split between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two largest political factions, Mr Barzani’s ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). It was the PUK that first withdrew from Kirkuk after making an Iran-backed deal with the Iraqi government forces, although KDP peshmerga subsequently retreated too. Nevertheless, KDP officials and media outlets wasted no time in labelling the PUK traitors. Even Mr Barzani, who a week later, still has yet to make a public appearance since losing the city, blamed “persons within a certain internal political party of Kurdistan” in a statement. Others are less circumspect. “The Peshmerga sold us out, it was a PUK leaders, they made a deal for the whole of Kirkuk,” said Dana, 25, a student from the city. Iraqi Kurds clash with pro-government militia 01:51 PUK officials and followers have in turn levelled accusations of graft and egotism at the KDP while criticising Barzani for forcing through the referendum. “This is Barzani’s fault, because he asked for a country and his soldiers can’t even fire two bullets,” said one Erbil resident, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions. The crisis revealed deep-seated Kurdish rivalries, said Chatham House fellow Renad Mansour. “This showed the disunity of the Kurdistan region not only as a sub-state but with Peshmerga loyal to political parties and even individuals.” Divided and isolated, Iraq’s Kurds now feel abandoned by even their staunchest allies. The US has been slow to react to both the referendum and crisis in Kirkuk, at first describing clashes between Iraqi and Kurdish forces that killed nearly 30 people as a “misunderstanding.” And when government troops pushed Peshmerga out of the fringes of Kirkuk province on Friday, a statement from the Kurdish General Command made sure to highlight that they faced “American weapons that have been supplied to the Iraqi Army”. For Baran Abdullah, 25, a Peshmerga fighter whose unit recently retreated from the disputed town of Makhmour, the US was no longer a friend. “We don’t trust Americans anymore and we don’t need them anymore,” he said angrily. “We are finished with them.”

A Blueprint for Minimizing Iran's Influence in the Middle East

America needs a better strategy for containing and checking Iran, and that strategy is needed now. President Donald Trump would be making a serious mistake were he to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the 2015 nuclear deal between various world powers and Iran—in coming months. This action, which Trump has threatened if Congress does not act soon to toughen our overall Iran policy, would be a much more serious blow to American interests and to U.S. global leadership than Trump’s previous treaty-related decisions.

In ravaged Raqa, clues to IS's bygone media empire

Raqa (Syria) (AFP) - "Special operations by the Caliphate's soldiers!" boasts a torn, blood-stained pamphlet at a bombed-out media kiosk in Syria's Raqa, a symbol of the Islamic State group's once fearsome propaganda machine. As well as serving as the Syrian capital of IS's "caliphate," Raqa was the beating heart of much of its media output and was painstakingly portrayed as a jihadist paradise where Islamic law had finally been applied.

Father Dies After Being Hit With Rock Thrown Over an Overpass

A Michigan father has been killed after a rock allegedly thrown over an overpass by teenagers hit him on his way home from work