Tax cut bill clears Senate test vote as Trump eyes 'big victory'

Tax cut bill clears Senate test vote as Trump eyes 'big victory'

Vietnamese court upholds prominent blogger's 10-year jail term

(Reuters) - A Vietnamese court on Thursday upheld a 10-year jail sentence for a prominent blogger convicted of publishing propaganda against the state, her lawyer said, the latest move in a crackdown on critics of the one-party state.

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US military says civilians not killed in Somali raid

US military investigators said Wednesday that only enemy fighters were shot dead in a joint US-Somali raid in August, amid allegations that multiple civilians were killed. At issue is an August 25 operation at a farm near Bariire in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, when Somali troops and US special forces attacked a suspected hideout for fighters from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab group. Local elders called a news conference in the capital Mogadishu and displayed nine bodies, two of them children, saying they were civilians killed in cold blood by Somali troops.

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Senior Saudi prince freed in $1 billion settlement agreement: official

By Saeed Azhar RIYADH (Reuters) - Senior Saudi Arabian prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender to the throne, has been freed after agreeing to pay over $1 billion to settle corruption allegations against him, a Saudi official said on Wednesday. Miteb, 65, son of the late King Abdullah and former head of the elite National Guard, was among dozens of royal family members, high officials and senior businessmen rounded up this month in a crackdown on graft that has strengthened the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The official, who is involved in the crackdown and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Miteb was released on Tuesday after reaching "an acceptable settlement agreement".

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UN wants Libya to agree to shut down migrant camps

The United Nations wants Libya's internationally-backed government to agree to shut down 30 detention centers holding 15,000 migrants, most of whom will be sent back to their countries, the head of the IOM said Tuesday. The detention of the migrants, most of whom are fleeing poverty, has become a pressing issue after video footage showing African men sold in Libyan slave auctions sparked global outrage. Libya has become an enormous transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

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North Korea could conduct new missile test 'within days', say US government sources

North Korea may conduct another missile test within days, after more than two months of silence, a new report has claimed. Japan recently detected suspicious radio signals coming from North Korea, and a source told the Japan Times that the country "might launch a missile within the next few days". South Korea's Yonhap news agency also made similar claims, citing South Korean government sources.

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Ahead of Vote, Promised Treasury Analysis of Tax Bill Proves Elusive

By ALAN RAPPEPORT from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2jy1pNX

A Black Royal? Meghan Markle Won’t Be the First

By MONICA DRAKE from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2iofNfw

iPhone X, Bitcoin, WannaCry and more: Biggest tech stories of 2017

iPhone X, Bitcoin, WannaCry and more: Biggest tech stories of 2017

'All the girls are lying?' man yells at Roy Moore in church - AL.com

AL.com

'All the girls are lying?' man yells at Roy Moore in church AL.com Republican Roy Moore continued on Wednesday to deny any knowledge of the accusers who have claimed in recent weeks that the former judge behaved inappropriately and molested teenage girls decades ago. Speaking inside a nearly 150-year-old church in ... Roy Moore Rallies Southern Alabama Two Weeks From Election Day: 'These Are the Times That Try Men's Souls'Breitbart News all 59 news articles »

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Trump's behavior raises questions of competency - CNN

CNN

Trump's behavior raises questions of competency CNN Washington (CNN) Donald Trump potentially has millions of lives in his hands as the threat of a devastating war with North Korea swiftly escalates. Yet the President of the United States is raising new questions about his temperament, his judgment and ... Liberals are increasing the odds of a new Korean WarNew York Post WATCH: 'If Kim Jong Un wants to stay alive, he needs to stop,' GOP rep saysThe Hill Trump's War of Words With North Korea Helped This Hedge Fund Gain 48%Bloomberg The Epoch Times -PRI all 65 news articles »

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Newt Gingrich: President Trump is decisively reining in the left

Newt Gingrich: President Trump is decisively reining in the left

Gregg Jarrett: Mueller's investigation imperils American-Russian relations, jeopardizing lives

Gregg Jarrett: Mueller's investigation imperils American-Russian relations, jeopardizing lives

Donald Trump 'continues to promote Barack Obama birther conspiracy,' senator claims

Donald Trump has reportedly continued to promote the conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in America despite disavowing the lie during the campaign. Before declaring his candidacy, Mr Trump actively embraced the discredited notion that Mr Obama, his predecessor and a Democrat, was not born in the United States and was thus ineligible to be president. The so-called “birther” theory persisted even after the White House released Mr Obama’s birth certificate verifying that he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Lakers' Lonzo Ball suffers bloody gash in tough OT loss to Warriors - ESPN

ESPN

Lakers' Lonzo Ball suffers bloody gash in tough OT loss to Warriors ESPN LOS ANGELES -- Lonzo Ball and the Lakers literally took their lumps from their first encounter against the Golden State Warriors this season. Ball suffered a bloody gash above his left eye that required three stitches following the Warriors' 127-123 ... Golden State Warriors outlast Los Angeles Lakers in overtimeUSA TODAY Watch: LaVar Ball Doesn't Care How Many MVPs Steph Curry Has, He Still Thinks Lonzo Is BetterSports Illustrated Warriors out-last Lakers in overtime, Rockets and Spurs winYahoo Sports Lakers.com -Los Angeles Times -Silver Screen and Roll -The Mercury News all 124 news articles »

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The thinking behind Kim Jong Un's 'madness'

SEOUL (Reuters) - On an icy December day in 2011, North Korea's new leader Kim Jong Un was accompanied by seven advisers as they escorted the hearse that carried his father, Kim Jong Il, through the streets of Pyongyang.

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Woman who threw tantrum on plane arrested for biting flight attendants

Woman who threw tantrum on plane arrested for biting flight attendants

Trump says 'we will handle' North Korea after launch

“We will take care of that situation,” President Trump told reporters, after meeting with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

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War Criminal Dies After Drinking 'Poison' in Court

Croatian state TV reported Wednesday that a convicted Croat war criminal has died after swallowing what he said was poison seconds after a United Nations judge confirmed his 20-year sentence

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Senior Saudi prince freed in $1 billion settlement agreement: official

By Saeed Azhar RIYADH (Reuters) - Senior Saudi Arabian prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender to the throne, has been freed after agreeing to pay over $1 billion to settle corruption allegations against him, a Saudi official said on Wednesday. Miteb, 65, son of the late King Abdullah and former head of the elite National Guard, was among dozens of royal family members, high officials and senior businessmen rounded up this month in a crackdown on graft that has strengthened the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The official, who is involved in the crackdown and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Miteb was released on Tuesday after reaching "an acceptable settlement agreement".

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Migration to UK plunges in year after Brexit, driven by EU citizens

LONDON (Reuters) - Net migration to Britain fell sharply by 106,000 to 230,000 people in the 12 months to June, with more than three-quarters of the drop due to EU citizens, official data showed on Thursday.

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Threat From North Korea No Longer Hypothetical, Arms Experts Warn

Global arms experts say North Korea’s latest test of a ballistic missile was an expected but troubling development that further solidifies Kim Jong Un’s role as a nuclear-backed strongman.

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NBC fires Matt Lauer for 'inappropriate sexual behavior'

The journalist, who had been with the “Today” show since 1994, was terminated after a review by the network of a detailed complaint from a colleague. Variety is reportedly preparing to reveal other accusations against Lauer.

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David Duke celebrates Trump's sharing Britain First anti-Muslim video

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke praised President Trump on Wednesday after he retweeted a series of anti-Muslim videos, saying "Thank God for Trump!"

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Former Bosnian General On Trial For War Crimes Dies After Drinking Poison In Court

Slobodan Praljak, a former Bosnian general who was on trial Wednesday at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, has died after drinking poison, The Associated Press reported.

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Gold trader tells US court: I paid ex-Turk minister over Iran deals

A Turkish-Iranian gold trader paid millions of dollars in bribes to Ankara's former economy minister to facilitate illegal gold transactions with sanctions-hit Iran, the trader testified on Wednesday. Reza Zarrab had been due to go on trial Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, but the prosecution made clear that Zarrab was, instead, their star witness. The lone man in the dock is now Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla, accused of violating sanctions against Iran, bribery and money laundering.

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U.S. Has ‘Turned the Corner’ in Afghanistan, Top General Says

The Trump administration brings a new strategy but same old promises to the 16-year war.

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Donald Trump mocked for hosting meeting with empty chairs after Democrat leaders refuse to attend

Donald Trump probably thought his decision to pose between two empty seats reserved for missing Democratic leaders was a stroke of genius - or in his own words “smart” - but it has backfired and the US president has been roundly mocked. President Trump declared Democrats used to be “all talk, no action” but now they are “not even talk” while sat between two seats reserved for Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. The two Democrat leaders did not show up for a meeting at the White House after Mr Trump accused democratic congressional leaders of scheming to use their leverage to increase taxes and deluge the US with undocumented immigrants.

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Donald Trump still peddling debunked conspiracy theories 'in closed-doors conversations'

Donald Trump continues to peddle conspiracy theories to aides and senators behind closed doors, according to reports. The US President has been condemned by critics over his repeated refusal to accept uncomfortable facts, including his denial that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote during the 2016 presidential election. The “birther” conspiracy theory was first peddled during the 2008 presidential race and asserts Mr Obama was ineligible to be president because he was not born a citizen of the US.

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Bosnian war criminal dies after drinking poison in court as he loses Hague appeal

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Hague itself became a crime scene on Wednesday when a convicted war criminal committed suicide with poison he had smuggled into the courtroom. Slobodan Praljak, a commander of Croat forces during the 1990s war in Bosnia, swigged poison from a flask moments after a panel of appeals judges upheld his 20 year sentence for war crimes on Wednesday morning. He was pronounced dead two hours later. Dutch police declared the courtroom a crime scene and have opened an investigation. Praljak, 72, was jailed in 2013 for his role in war crimes including a massacre of civilians in central Bosnia and the deliberate destruction of Mostar bridge during the siege of the city by Croatian forces in 1993.    He committed suicide when Carmel Agius, the presiding judge, read out a verdict rejecting his appeal. Refusing to sit, he said: “Judges, Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. With disdain, I reject this verdict.” Ignoring a request to sit down, he swigged from what appeared to be a small flask and announced: “What I drank was poison.” Slobodan Praljak screamed 'I am not a war criminal' before raising the liquid to his mouth He brought the liquid - in a small brown bottle - to his mouth Slobodan Praljak tipped his head back as he seemingly drained the liquid Judge Agius immediately suspended proceedings and called a doctor while Praljak’s lawyer shouted “my client says he has taken poison!” An ambulance was called and Praljak was reported to be receiving medical treatment before his death was confirmed in the early afternoon. It is unclear how he managed to smuggle poison into the courtroom. Dutch Police have opened a criminal investigation.   Slobodan Praljak, centre, was among the defendants at the Hague international court Credit: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN /AFP Praljak was in court to hear the result of a joint appeal he and five other senior figures in the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), the Bosnian-Croat force in the 1992-1995 war, had lodged against convictions for war crimes. The court upheld convictions against all six men, including a 25-year sentence imposed on Jadranko Prlic, the former prime minister of the breakaway Bosnian Croat state known as Herzog-Bosna. Praljak, who was commander of the HVO main staff in the war, was appealing convictions on multiple charges including aiding and abetting or failing to prevent the killing of civilians, attacks on international personnel, and the needless destruction of buildings including the historic Old Bridge and mosques during the siege of Mostar. Harry de Quetteville The most notorious charge related to his role in the massacre of Bosnian Muslim civilians in the village of Stupni Do, a village near the central Bosnian municipality of Vares, in the October 1993 . At least 37 people were killed after Praljak issued an order to “sort out the situation in Vares showing no mercy towards anyone. Find people who are up to both the times and the tasks.” Those who received the order included Ivica Rajic, a Croat commander in central Bosnia whose troops carried out the massacre and committed rapes in Stupni Do on October 23 and October 24. Rajic was found guilty of crimes including wilful killing and abuse including sexual assault in 2006. Tuesday’s appeal verdict  was the last judgement by the International Criminal Tribunal, which was established in 1993. The court is to close next month. Additional reporting by Alya Zayed  

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FDA Warns Dog Owners to Avoid Bone Treats After 15 Dogs Die

These potentially dangerous bone treats are available at pet retailers across the country

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Trump Speaks Out On North Korea Missile Launch

President Donald Trump commented Tuesday on reports that North Korea launched another ballistic missile, saying the United States would handle the situation but offering no details about strategy. “We will take care of it,” Trump said. Trump said the United States’ approach to North Korea has not changed.

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Bosnian Croat war crimes convict dies after taking 'poison' in UN court - Reuters

Reuters

Bosnian Croat war crimes convict dies after taking 'poison' in UN court Reuters THE HAGUE (Reuters) - A former Bosnian Croat military commander swallowed what he said was poison in a U.N. war crimes courtroom on Wednesday and died shortly after losing an appeal against his 20-year prison term. Slobodan Praljak's apparent courtroom ... and more »

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Trump lashes out at NBC News after Matt Lauer fired for 'inappropriate sexual behavior'

President Donald Trump responded to the announcement that NBC News had fired longtime anchor Matt Lauer by attacking Andy Lack, the chairman of NBC News and MSNBC.

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China's Military Is Getting Stronger and Could 'Leapfrog' over America

China’s military modernization remains a key concern for the US and its allies. Crucial in that regard has been China’s development of forces geared towards preventing uncontested access to its air and maritime approaches by potential adversaries. Such ‘anti-access and area denial’ (A2AD) capabilities are designed either to prevent an adversary’s access to a particular region (anti-access) or to contest its freedom of movement within that theater (area denial).

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Trump says 'we will handle' North Korea after launch

“We will take care of that situation,” President Trump told reporters, after meeting with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

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Hezbollah emerges a winner from Mideast turmoil, alarming foes

BEIRUT (Reuters) - When Iran declared victory over Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, it hailed the "strong and pivotal" role played by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

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