U.S

General

SAN FRANCISCO | Oakland teachers get ready to strike over pay, class sizes

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Teachers in Oakland, California, prepared Wednesday to walk off the job in what could be the nation’s latest strike over classroom conditions and pay. Oakland’s 3,000 teachers planned to pack up personal items from classrooms and say goodbye to students then begin the strike Thursday, “barring an unlikely change from the … Continue reading SAN FRANCISCO | Oakland teachers get ready to strike over pay, class sizes →

General

FALLS CHURCH, Va | Muslim group seeks congressional probe on terror watchlist

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A Muslim civil rights group called for a congressional investigation Wednesday after its lawsuit revealed that the U.S. government has shared its terrorist watchlist with more than 1,400 private entities, including hospitals and universities. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Congress should look into why the FBI has so widely … Continue reading FALLS CHURCH, Va | Muslim group seeks congressional probe on terror watchlist →

Politics

WASHINGTON | Minutes show Fed officials noted number of rising threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve policymakers last month noted greater threats to the U.S. economy, ranging from adverse effects of the government shutdown to rising trade tensions, and opted to emphasize that they would be “patient” in raising interest rates. Minutes of the Fed’s discussions in January showed that Fed officials also felt that further … Continue reading WASHINGTON | Minutes show Fed officials noted number of rising threats →

Business

DALLAS | Southwest grapples with new labor and revenue problems

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines is lashing out at the union representing its mechanics, suggesting that they are purposely grounding planes in order to gain leverage in new contract negotiations. Separately, Southwest said Wednesday that the partial shutdown of the federal government will cost it $60 million in lost revenue during the first quarter — … Continue reading DALLAS | Southwest grapples with new labor and revenue problems →

Politics

United States | U.S.-Australia-India-Japan Consultations

United States – On November 15, senior officials from the United States, Australia, India, and Japan met in Singapore for consultations on the Indo-Pacific region. The officials reaffirmed a shared commitment to maintain and strengthen a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in which all nations are sovereign, strong, and prosperous. They further highlighted the complementary … Continue reading United States | U.S.-Australia-India-Japan Consultations →

Business

ANKARA, Turkey | Turkey shaken by financial fears, Trump rattles it further

ANKARA, Turkey — A financial shockwave ripped through Turkey on Friday as its currency nosedived on concerns about its economic policies and a dispute with the U.S., which President Donald Trump stoked further with a promise to double tariffs on the NATO ally. The lira tumbled 13 percent in one day, to 6.51 per dollar, … Continue reading ANKARA, Turkey | Turkey shaken by financial fears, Trump rattles it further →

Entertainment

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. | Julia Roberts, reboots and diversity part of new TV season

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.— What’s the television industry’s top summer destination? A hotel in which 200-plus U.S. and Canadian entertainment reporters and critics gather for an early look at next season’s shows and the chance to question the actors, writers and producers who create them. The Television Critics Association’s just-ended biannual conference was both a micro … Continue reading BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. | Julia Roberts, reboots and diversity part of new TV season →

Business

NEW YORK | US stock indexes dip as oil prices sink energy companies

NEW YORK— A late gain for U.S. stocks slipped away Wednesday as a four-day winning streak ended. Energy companies sank along with the price of oil. The price of crude oil fell more than 3 percent Wednesday. Big dividend payers and industrial companies slipped. Gains for Microsoft, Facebook and Alphabet helped technology companies finish higher. … Continue reading NEW YORK | US stock indexes dip as oil prices sink energy companies →

Entertainment

WARSAW, Poland | Photo exhibit documents revival of Polish Jewish life

WARSAW, Poland — American photographer Chuck Fishman was just 21 when he began traveling behind the Iron Curtain in 1975 to document a Jewish community on the verge of dying out after centuries of existence in Poland. He couldn’t have foreseen a Jewish revival that came after the fall of communism in 1989. A new … Continue reading WARSAW, Poland | Photo exhibit documents revival of Polish Jewish life →

Sports

WASHINGTON | Zverev beats de Minaur for 2nd consecutive Citi Open title

WASHINGTON— Alexander Zverev became the first man in nearly a decade to win consecutive titles at the Citi Open, overpowering Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-4 in the hard-court tournament’s final Sunday. Zverev hit six aces, topping 130 mph, and never faced a break point en route to his ninth career ATP title and third of … Continue reading WASHINGTON | Zverev beats de Minaur for 2nd consecutive Citi Open title →

General

CHICAGO | Crackdown on ‘bots’ sweeps up people who tweet often

CHICAGO— Nina Tomasieski logs on to Twitter before the sun rises. Seated at her dining room table with a nearby TV constantly tuned to Fox News, the 70-year-old grandmother spends up to 14 hours a day tweeting the praises of President Trump and his political allies, particularly those on the ballot this fall, and deriding … Continue reading CHICAGO | Crackdown on ‘bots’ sweeps up people who tweet often →

Business

Stocks are mostly higher in early trade as earnings roll in

U.S. stock indexes edged mostly higher in early trading Wednesday following a mixed batch of quarterly earnings results from General Motors, Boeing, Coca-Cola and other companies. Gains in technology and health care stocks outweighed losses in banks and other sectors. Investors also had their eye on Washington ahead of trade talks between the U.S. and … Continue reading Stocks are mostly higher in early trade as earnings roll in →

Business

NEW YORK | Comcast drops Fox bid, paving way for sale to Disney

NEW YORK— Comcast is dropping its bid for Fox’s entertainment businesses, paving the way for Disney to boost its upcoming streaming service by buying the studios behind “The Simpsons” and X-Men. Comcast can now focus on its pursuit of European pay-TV operator Sky, a deal that would give the Philadelphia-based cable and media company a … Continue reading NEW YORK | Comcast drops Fox bid, paving way for sale to Disney →

General

ALBANY, N.Y | Schumer: Measures needed to reduce toddler drownings in US

ALBANY, N.Y.— U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says a new report shows the number of drownings involving toddlers in the U.S. has increased in recent years, with young boys dying at twice the rate as girls. Schumer is calling on the federal government to take steps to help prevent drowning deaths. The Senate minority leader from … Continue reading ALBANY, N.Y | Schumer: Measures needed to reduce toddler drownings in US →

Sports

LONDON  | Djokovic eyes 4th Wimbledon title, facing Anderson in final

LONDON  — Novak Djokovic will be trying to win his fourth Wimbledon championship when he faces Kevin Anderson in the men’s singles final. Djokovic is also aiming for what would be a 13th Grand Slam trophy and his first in more than two years after dealing with an injured right elbow that needed surgery. Anderson … Continue reading LONDON  | Djokovic eyes 4th Wimbledon title, facing Anderson in final →

General

Virginia News: California Man, Zia Zafar Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder of U.S. Consulate Official

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A California man pleaded guilty today to shooting a U.S. diplomat stationed at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. “The Vice Consul was targeted and shot because he represented the United States,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “No one should doubt the resolve of law … Continue reading Virginia News: California Man, Zia Zafar Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder of U.S. Consulate Official →

General

MEXICO CITY | Pompeo in Mexico to meet country’s president-elect

MEXICO CITY— Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a Cabinet-level delegation arrived in Mexico Friday to meet with both the sitting president and president-elect after a sea-change election there that could offer a chance for the neighbors to repair strained relations — or make them worse. U.S.-Mexico ties have deteriorated significantly under President Donald Trump, … Continue reading MEXICO CITY | Pompeo in Mexico to meet country’s president-elect →

General

WASHINGTON News: Maryland Man, Ranjith Keerikkattil Found Guilty of Stalking Former Co-Worker, Now Accused of Fleeing U.S. to Iceland

Defendant Left Country Soon After Verdict WASHINGTON – Ranjith Keerikkattil, 30, of Catonsville, Md., has been found guilty by a jury of stalking a junior co-worker, starting while they were both employed at a consulting firm, and continuing after he was fired, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today. Keerikkatil was found guilty of the … Continue reading WASHINGTON News: Maryland Man, Ranjith Keerikkattil Found Guilty of Stalking Former Co-Worker, Now Accused of Fleeing U.S. to Iceland →

General

BRUSSELS  | Rattling NATO, Trump attacks another nation’s ties to Russia

BRUSSELS  — President Donald Trump tore into this week’s NATO summit questioning the value of a military alliance that has defined decades of American foreign policy, torching an ally and proposing a massive increase in European defense spending. Under fire for his warm embrace of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Trump on Wednesday turned a harsh spotlight … Continue reading BRUSSELS  | Rattling NATO, Trump attacks another nation’s ties to Russia →

General

New York News: Manhattan U.S. Attorney, Geoffrey S. Berman Announces Extended Deadline For NYCHA Monitor Applications

New York – Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the Office has extended the deadline for receiving applications from qualified individuals to serve as Court-appointed monitor in connection with a proposed consent decree submitted to the Court for approval in the case of United … Continue reading New York News: Manhattan U.S. Attorney, Geoffrey S. Berman Announces Extended Deadline For NYCHA Monitor Applications →

Politics

U.S. Department of State News: United States, Cuba Hold Fourth Law Enforcement Dialogue in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of State today released the following statement: The United States and Cuba held the fourth Law Enforcement Dialogue in Washington, DC on Tuesday, July 10.  During the dialogue, the United States and Cuba addressed topics of bilateral interest on national security matters, including fugitives and the return of Cuban nationals with … Continue reading U.S. Department of State News: United States, Cuba Hold Fourth Law Enforcement Dialogue in Washington, DC →

General

HONG KONG  | Phone maker Xiaomi falls then rises in Hong Kong debut

HONG KONG  — Xiaomi Corp. shares slipped and then rebounded Monday in the Chinese smartphone maker’s first trading day in Hong Kong following a multibillion-dollar initial public offering. Trading opened at 16.60 Hong Kong dollars ($2.11) per share, below Xiaomi’s offering price of 17 Hong Kong dollars ($2.17). Shares lost about 4 percent in early … Continue reading HONG KONG  | Phone maker Xiaomi falls then rises in Hong Kong debut →

General

MAE SAI, Thailand | Forecast of heavy rain could complicate Thai cave rescue

MAE SAI, Thailand  — Heavy rains forecast for northern Thailand could worsen flooding in a cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach are waiting to be extracted by rescuers, possibly forcing authorities to have them swim out through a narrow, underwater passage in the cavern, a top official said Tuesday. The 13, who disappeared … Continue reading MAE SAI, Thailand | Forecast of heavy rain could complicate Thai cave rescue →

Business

TOKYO  | Japan’s Uzabase to acquire online news platform Quartz

TOKYO  — Japanese media startup Uzabase is acquiring Quartz, a New York-based online business news platform, from Atlantic Media. Uzabase’s deal with the U.S. media company is valued at $75 million-$110 million, depending on Quartz’s financial performance, and expected to close within the next 30 days, both sides said Monday. Under the deal, Quartz will … Continue reading TOKYO  | Japan’s Uzabase to acquire online news platform Quartz →

Politics

WASHINGTON | US seen backing away from Syria de-escalation enforcement

WASHINGTON  — The Trump administration appears to be walking away from a pledge to enforce an arrangement to stabilize southwestern Syria as the Syrian military presses ahead with an offensive in the rebel-held area despite repeated U.S. warnings. The offensive violates an agreement among the U.S., Russia and neighboring Jordan, whose monarch met with President … Continue reading WASHINGTON | US seen backing away from Syria de-escalation enforcement →

General

Pennsylvania News: PITTSBURGH, U.S, Attorney Brady Announces the Arrest in Nigeria of an Individual who Conspired with 4 Others Charged in a Business E-Mail Compromise Scheme

Arrest is part of a coordinated International Enforcement Operation targeting hundreds of individuals in BEC schemes PITTSBURGH, PA – United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today the arrest of Taiwo Musiliudeen Idris by law enforcement authorities in Nigeria. Idris was charged today by criminal complaint in the Western District of Pennsylvania with one count … Continue reading Pennsylvania News: PITTSBURGH, U.S, Attorney Brady Announces the Arrest in Nigeria of an Individual who Conspired with 4 Others Charged in a Business E-Mail Compromise Scheme →

General

NEW YORK | Trade tremors: How tariffs, tough talk has unsettled markets

NEW YORK (AP) — Fears of a trade war have given a boost to some of the smallest companies on the market as well as some of the biggest technology companies, but they’ve squeezed almost everything in the middle. For more than three months, investors have focused on U.S. negotiations with trading partners including China, … Continue reading NEW YORK | Trade tremors: How tariffs, tough talk has unsettled markets →

General

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France | Veterans, families mark 74 years since Allied D-Day landings

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — Families of fallen soldiers and dwindling numbers of veterans of the D-Day invasion gathered on the Normandy shore Wednesday to mark 74 years since the massive military operation that helped change the course of World War II. Powerful gusts of wind blew through a heavy mist as relatives and others paid … Continue reading COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France | Veterans, families mark 74 years since Allied D-Day landings →

Politics

NEW YORK | Twitter to add special labels to political candidates in US

NEW YORK (AP) — Twitter says it’s adding special labels to tweets from some U.S. political candidates ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Twitter says the move is to provide users with “authentic information” and prevent spoofed and fake accounts from fooling users. The labels will include what office a person is running for and … Continue reading NEW YORK | Twitter to add special labels to political candidates in US →