| Photos of the week: 8/17 - 8/24 Posted: 24 Aug 2018 01:20 PM PDT  The body of missing college student Mollie Tibbetts was found this week in
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| Rep. Duncan Hunter Blames Wife For Campaign Spending Under Inquiry Posted: 24 Aug 2018 05:24 AM PDT  Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who has been indicted on corruption charges
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| Thomas Frieden, Former Head of CDC, Arrested on Sex Abuse Charge Posted: 24 Aug 2018 10:52 AM PDT  He is facing multiple charges in connection with the allegations
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| Pope faces calls for action over abuse 'shame' in Ireland Posted: 25 Aug 2018 12:55 PM PDT  Pope Francis expressed "pain and shame" over the Catholic Church's failure to deal with abuse and met with eight victims during a visit to Ireland on Saturday where the prime minister pressed him to take action. Francis said the "failure of ecclesiastical authorities... adequately to address these repellent crimes has rightly given rise to outrage, and remains a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community. "I myself share those sentiments," he said in a speech in Dublin Castle, speaking alongside Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.
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| Hurricane Lane pummels Hawaii Posted: 24 Aug 2018 09:07 AM PDT  Hawaiians brace themselves for more possible flooding and mudslides.
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| Trump tweets at A.G. 'Jeff': Now go after my political foes Posted: 24 Aug 2018 05:16 AM PDT  A day after saying that his attorney general had let him down, President Trump on Friday urged Jeff Sessions to investigate alleged "corruption" by his perceived enemies.
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| Facebook and Top Tech Companies Are Trying Not to Mess Up Another Election Posted: 24 Aug 2018 10:30 AM PDT  A dozen companies are forging an alliance.
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| Pope to pay tribute to Ireland's 'holy drinker' who may become saint Posted: 24 Aug 2018 02:59 PM PDT  Now, he is on his way to sainthood. On Saturday, Pope Francis will pay tribute to him, but not by raising a glass. Francis will instead pray before the relics of the man sometimes called the "Holy Drinker" and who is known as the patron of those struggling get or stay on the wagon.
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| Prosecutors say boy denied medication at New Mexico compound Posted: 24 Aug 2018 11:42 PM PDT  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors on Friday charged the father and stepmother of a 3-year-old boy whose body was found at a ramshackle compound in northern New Mexico with child abuse charges that can carry a penalty of life in prison.
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| Majority-Black Georgia County Rejects Plan To Close Nearly All Its Polling Places Posted: 24 Aug 2018 05:18 AM PDT  Officials in a rural southwest Georgia county on Friday voted down a proposal
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| Chris Watts Seemed Like a Warm Family Man, Friend Says: 'His Entire Life Was Those Girls' Posted: 25 Aug 2018 05:56 AM PDT  Chris Watts is accused of killing his pregnant wife and daughters.
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| The week Trump's own words caught up with him Posted: 24 Aug 2018 09:33 AM PDT  Since before he was elected president, Donald Trump has operated in the belief that he can control his narrative through sheer force of will — and words. But this week, Trump's relentless stream of messages seems to have come back to haunt him.
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| Brett Kavanaugh's Record Sets A Dangerous Precedent On Endangered Species Posted: 24 Aug 2018 02:46 AM PDT  If Judge Brett Kavanaugh becomes Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh, activists
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| Elon Musk Abandons Plan to Take Tesla Private Two Weeks After Bombshell Tweet Posted: 25 Aug 2018 06:26 AM PDT  He says he was concerned with investors who wanted the company to stay public
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| Smith & Wesson's M&P 2.0 Compact Handgun: Better Than Glock? Posted: 25 Aug 2018 06:00 AM PDT  In the crowded field of compact semi-automatic handguns, the M&P 2.0 Compact appears as close to the ideal as possible. A concealable handgun with a sixteen round capacity and absolute reliability, Smith & Wesson's new pistol improves on an already solid platform.
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| Pope in Ireland decries abuse cover-up, meets with victims Posted: 25 Aug 2018 01:30 PM PDT  DUBLIN (AP) — Pope Francis faced a lukewarm reception and scattered protests Saturday on his trip to Ireland, with even his vow to rid the church of the "scourge" of sexual abuse and his outrage at those "repugnant crimes" dismissed as a disappointment by some of Ireland's wounded victims.
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| U.S. health agency's ex-director charged with groping woman Posted: 24 Aug 2018 02:47 PM PDT  A 55-year-old woman filed a complaint in July against Thomas Frieden, who once served as the city's health commissioner, accusing him of grabbing her buttocks without permission last October at his Brooklyn apartment, said New York City Police Department spokeswoman Arlene Muniz. Frieden, 57, turned himself in to a Brooklyn police station, Muniz said, and he was arrested on misdemeanor charges of sexual abuse, forcible touching and harassment. A number of prominent men in business, entertainment, and the media in the United States have been accused of sexual misconduct in the past year in what has become known as the #MeToo movement.
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| Scott 'Stop the boats' Morrison: Australia's latest PM Posted: 24 Aug 2018 01:03 AM PDT  Evangelical Christian Scott Morrison, who emerged as prime minister Friday after a ruling party bun fight, is a key architect of Australia's controversial "stop the boats" policy to halt the arrival of seaborne asylum-seekers. Morrison, an ambitious man who has always dreamed of the top job, snatched the leadership from the hands of hardline conservatives who had engineered the ouster of incumbent moderate Malcolm Turnbull. Morrison, who was immigration minister before becoming treasurer, was reportedly quietly canvassing support among his colleagues as Turnbull feuded with his rivals during the week.
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| Authorities will not charge woman who struck & killed an 11 year old boy Posted: 24 Aug 2018 02:48 AM PDT  Authorities have announced they will not charge the woman who struck and killed an 11-year-old boy in South Philadelphia in May.
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| Woman Says She Was Mom-Shamed for Letting 8-Year-Old Daughter Walk Dog Alone Posted: 24 Aug 2018 11:49 AM PDT  A neighbor called the police after spotting the girl, Corey Widen said.
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| Cohen’s lawyer says senators failed to ask the right ‘follow-up questions’ in collusion probe Posted: 24 Aug 2018 02:10 AM PDT  Michael Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis says that members of the Senate Intelligence Committee failed to ask the right "follow-up questions" when his client appeared before the panel last year and therefore failed to elicit crucial answers about President Trump's prior knowledge of Russian hacking of Democratic emails during the 2016 election.
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| El Salvador switches allegiance from Taiwan to China, drawing ire from the US Posted: 23 Aug 2018 08:43 PM PDT  On the face of it, this week's break in diplomatic relations between tiny Taiwan, population 23.5 million, and even tinier El Salvador, population 6.3m, did not herald a dramatic shift in global politics. But the Central American nation's sudden switch in allegiance to China has clearly rattled its US neighbour. Accusing China of destabilising cross-Strait relations, the White House said: "This is a decision that affects not just El Salvador, but also the economic health and security of the entire Americas region." It reiterated that the US would reevaluate its ties with the Central American country as a result. Reacting to the news earlier, high profile US Senators Marco Rubio and Cory Gardner, representing Florida and Colorado respectively, immediately hit out with threats via their Twitter accounts. "El Salvador has made the wrong decision regarding Taiwan, and it will negatively influence US relations with El Salvador. The US government must stand up to China's campaign to bully Taiwan with every tool we have," said Mr Gardner. Mr Rubio told his 3.6 million followers on Twitter: "I have joined @SenCoryGardner in an amendment to end foreign aid to #ElSalvador after their leftist government decided to abandon #Taiwan in favor of #China. I also spoke to @realdonaldtrump about cutting off their aid just a few minutes ago. " They faced immediate charges of hypocrisy. El Salvador's defection has left Taiwan, an island democracy which Beijing claims as its own territory, with only 17 formal diplomatic allies in the world, and the US is not one of them. I have joined @SenCoryGardner in an amendment to end foreign aid to #ElSalvador after their leftist government decided to abandon #Taiwan in favor of #China. I also spoke to @realdonaldtrump about cutting off their aid just a few minutes ago.— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 21, 2018 Washington has not officially recognised Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted its recognition to China's communist government to suit its own strategic and economic interests. But the senators' comments join a narrative of growing concern within the US administration that China is acting in a predatory manner on Washington's doorstep. President Trump's National Security Strategy has described Beijing as seeking "to pull [Latin America] into its orbit through state-led investments and loans," while Rex Tillerson, the former secretary of state, once denounced China as a "new imperial power" in Latin America. Taiwan's foreign ministry offered some candid insights into its own rift with El Salvador late on Tuesday night, revealing that it had faced repeated demands for funds to develop the La Union commercial port which would have held "tremendous debt risks" for both countries. Only last month, Jean Manes, the US ambassador to El Salvador, warned that China had intentions to turn the Pacific-facing port into a "military base," reported the South China Morning Post. "It's a strategic matter, and we all need to keep our eyes open to what is happening," she said. China has previously sparked suspicions about the motivations behind its port investments after opening its first overseas military base in Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, last year, and over the possible development of a second in Gwadar Port in Pakistan. Members of the Taiwanese community in Paraguay greet President Tsai during a visit last week Credit: Jorge Adorno/Reuters However, analysts including Bonnie Glaser, senior director for Asia at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in DC, are more sceptical of the view that China is eyeing La Union for its strategic military interests, arguing that Beijing's motives in Latin America are more commercially driven. "I don't think China is looking to turn every port in the world into a Chinese base. It would be strategically stupid in my mind to be building a base in what America has always considered to be its backyard," Ms Glaser told The Telegraph. "The notion that China would like the countries in Latin America to have a good relationship with China and be less dependent on the United States, that could certainly be one of China's objectives," she said. "That's what China has done around the world, certainly closer to home in Southeast Asia. China has used its economic clout to try and pull some countries away from the United States, at least positioning them in a way that they're more neutral, so that's certainly possible." Top 10 | Things you didn't know about Taiwan Speculation is rising as to which of Taiwan's diplomatic allies Beijing may successfully pick off next in its quest to isolate the island nation on the global stage. But aside from the psychological impact on its population, Taiwan has tangibly little to worry about by losing its formal allies, several of whom have demanded funds in exchange for their loyalty, while offering little in return. Taipei already enjoys strong informal relations with more powerful friends including the US and Japan. As China seeks to undermine the legitimacy and global influence of Taiwan, a democratic ally of the West located in a regional flashpoint, it is perhaps Taipei's western friends who should be more concerned. A Pacific island may be next to switch its allegiance from Taiwan to China, which has grand strategic ambitions in the Pacific region. "People talk about the Solomon Islands," said Ms Glaser. "That would be seen as very significant not only by the US but also by Australia and New Zealand, who are very worried about China's growing influence in the region."
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| Elon Musk Emailed Tesla Employees His Reasons for Staying Public Posted: 25 Aug 2018 04:22 PM PDT  It took some convincing.
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| Irish abuse survivor demands accountability even at Vatican Posted: 24 Aug 2018 04:04 AM PDT  DUBLIN (AP) — A prominent Irish survivor of priestly sexual abuse told a Vatican-sponsored conference Friday that the Holy See must put in place "robust structures" and strong sanctions to hold accountable bishops and Vatican officials who fail protect children from predator priests.
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| 12 Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks That'll Get Any Party Started Posted: 24 Aug 2018 03:11 PM PDT |
| Airbnb sues New York over 'government overreach' Posted: 24 Aug 2018 05:10 PM PDT  Airbnb sued the city of New York on Friday, denouncing as "an extraordinary act of government overreach" a new law forcing home-sharing platforms to disclose data about hosts. It was a dramatic escalation in the battle between the $30 billion company and authorities in America's most populous city, amid a global backlash against "sharing economy" startups disrupting traditional industries. The law, which comes into effect on February 2, 2019, requires home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb to disclose information about hosts and imposes hefty fines for non-compliance.
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| Taliban launch attacks on approaches to Afghan city of Ghazni Posted: 24 Aug 2018 06:00 AM PDT ![Taliban launch attacks on approaches to Afghan city of Ghazni]( "Taliban launch attacks on approaches to Afghan city of Ghazni") The Taliban raided three villages on the outskirts of Ghazni late on Thursday, destroying some newly built checkpoints and cutting off power to some parts of the city. Provincial police chief Farid Mashal said government forces counter-attacked to block the insurgents from approaching the city. "We were swift to push the Taliban out of the villages, but many civilians fled to neighboring villages fearing the fighters could kill them," said Mashal.
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| Fox News' Neil Cavuto Shreds Donald Trump: 'The Problem Is You' Posted: 23 Aug 2018 06:56 PM PDT  Fox News host Neil Cavuto issued one of his searing monologues on Thursday,
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| North Carolina 10-year-old punished for calling teacher 'ma'am' Posted: 24 Aug 2018 07:18 AM PDT  Parents of a North Carolina fifth-grader are concerned after their child was punished for referring to his teacher as "ma'am."
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| Canada concerned over reported Saudi death sentences for activists Posted: 23 Aug 2018 10:57 PM PDT  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed concern Thursday over reports that human rights activists in Saudi Arabia face the death penalty. The two countries are locked in a diplomatic dispute triggered by Canadian criticism of the kingdom's human rights record, but Trudeau said Canada continues to "engage diplomatically" with Saudi Arabia. Human rights groups say Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five human rights activists, including, for the first time, a woman.
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| 'My 600-lb Life' Star Lisa Fleming Dies at 50 Posted: 25 Aug 2018 04:59 AM PDT  Her daughter shared the news on Facebook.
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| The Latest: Iowa student killed by 'sharp force injuries' Posted: 23 Aug 2018 05:47 PM PDT  BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — The Latest on the death of a 20-year-old Iowa student who vanished while running last month (all times local):
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| Nicki Minaj Gave a Shout Out to Margaret Thatcher and People Are Really Confused Posted: 24 Aug 2018 08:15 AM PDT  Fans quickly voiced their concerns about Thatcher
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| Pope Francis makes historic visit to Ireland Posted: 25 Aug 2018 11:11 AM PDT ![Pope Francis makes historic visit to Ireland]( "Pope Francis makes historic visit to Ireland") Pope Francis vowed on Saturday to end the "repugnant" sexual exploitation of children by Catholic clergy as he made a highly charged visit to once-devout Ireland where years of reported abuse have driven many Irish away from the church. More than three-quarters of Ireland's population flocked to see Pope John Paul II in 1979 when divorce and contraception there were illegal. Francis was greeted by far smaller numbers.
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| Franco family accepts dictator's body will be exhumed after feud Posted: 25 Aug 2018 10:14 AM PDT  The grandson of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco has said the family will accept the dictator's remains if Spain's government carries out its plan to remove his body from a controversial mausoleum after a battle over his resting place. "Of course we will take care of my grandfather's remains. We won't leave it in the hands of the government," Francis Franco told the newspaper La Razón in an interview on Saturday. It came as Spain's socialist administration published a decree outlining its plan to exhume the dictator, who died in 1975. The new law states that the Valley of the Fallen basilica can only hold "the mortal remains of persons who died in the Spanish Civil War", making Franco the odd one out at the mausoleum he had built and which contains the bodies of more than 33,000 war dead from both sides of the conflict. The decree, which will be voted on by Congress next month, gives the Franco family until September 15 to respond and state whether they are prepared to receive the dictator's body. Generalissimo Francisco Franco ruled Spain. An estimated 500,000 people died in the civil war Credit: AP Photo/file The family opposes the decision to exhume Franco, but the dictator's grandson said he now believed the government would carry out its plan "legally or otherwise". Mr Franco said challenging the government in court would be pointless, although he held out the possibility that the Benedictine monks who run the Valley of the Fallen could refuse to allow the exhumation. "The inviolability of the basilica is beyond question. We have written a letter to [the monks] saying that we do not authorize the exhumation." The government believes it will win majority support for its plan in parliament and has also received assurances that Spanish Church authorities will not oppose the removal of the body from its place behind the main altar in the basilica. Assuming the exhumation does finally take place, possibly in late October or November, Mr Franco said the family had yet to decide where his grandfather would be reburied. He ruled out the family tomb near Madrid, which holds the remains of Franco's wife, Carmen Polo, because of a lack of security, suggesting the family will try to bury the dictator in a more private place.
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| Trump Calls Off Pompeo's North Korea Trip Posted: 24 Aug 2018 11:50 AM PDT  President Donald Trump on Friday canceled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's
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| Waymo sets up subsidiary in Shanghai as Google plans China push Posted: 23 Aug 2018 10:58 PM PDT ![Waymo sets up subsidiary in Shanghai as Google plans China push]( "Waymo sets up subsidiary in Shanghai as Google plans China push") BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit Waymo has set up a subsidiary in Shanghai, according to a business registration filing, the latest sign that the U.S. internet giant is attempting to make new inroads into China. Waymo established a wholly-owned company called Huimo Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co on May 22 in Shanghai's free trade zone with registered capital of 3.5 million yuan ($509,165), according to China's National Enterprise Information Publicity System. Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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| Tech giants aim to coordinate fight on misinformation: report Posted: 24 Aug 2018 07:06 AM PDT  Major technology firms including Facebook, Google and Twitter were set to meet Friday as part of an effort to coordinate the battle against misinformation campaigns by foreign agents, a media report said. The report by BuzzFeed based on a leaked email said the companies were set to meet at Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco. Microsoft, Snapchat and other tech firms were expected to participate in the gathering called by Facebook cybersecurity head Nathaniel Gleicher.
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| Vegas Shooting Survivor Is Inspired to Become Police Officer: 'I Want to Be That Person for Someone Else' Posted: 25 Aug 2018 07:45 AM PDT  "I want them to see me and be like, 'OK, she's going to fix it. She's going to make it better,'" said Lauren Card.
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| Doctor accused of killing family with gas-filled yoga ball Posted: 24 Aug 2018 03:01 AM PDT  HONG KONG (AP) — An anesthesiologist is on trial in Hong Kong charged with killing his wife and daughter by placing a leaking yoga ball filled with carbon monoxide in their car.
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