2 people died and 5 were injured in a downtown Louisville shooting outside a restaurant and lounge
An overnight shooting in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, has left two people dead and five more injured, police say.
2023-08-28 05:23
As Israeli settlements thrive, Palestinian taps run dry. The water crisis reflects a broader battle
Across the dusty villages of the occupied West Bank, where Israeli water pipes don’t reach, Palestinians say they can't get enough water to wash their clothes — let alone irrigate their farms
2023-08-17 14:24
Turkey-Israel ties in tatters over Erdogan address
Israel said Saturday it was recalling its diplomatic staff from Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a fierce attack on its military operation...
2023-10-29 06:49
A U-haul truck, a Nazi flag and threats to kill the president: What we know about the White House crash
It was a balmy, spring night in Washington DC when a U-haul truck suddenly slammed into security gates close to the White House. The driver, who was allegedly carrying a Nazi flag, then made threatening statements about the building that President Joe Biden calls home. Now, the male suspect has been arrested on charges of threatening to kill or harm the president, Vice President Kamala Harris or one of their family members. The details so far remain scant, with the identity of the driver, his alleged motive and plans still unclear. But, what we do know about the incident will no doubt be setting off alarm bells around Capitol Hill – coming at a time when lawmakers and government officials have faced growing threats and just two years after Donald Trump supporters succeeding in storming the US Capitol in the January 6 riot. Here’s what we know so far about Monday’s incident. What happened? The incident unfolded just before 10pm ET on Monday night when the white U-Haul box truck crashed into the security barriers on the north side of Lafayette Square on 16th Street, Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service chief of communications, said in a statement on Monday night. The crash took place just a few hundred feet away from the White House, where Mr Biden had been holding talks with Senate Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy just hours earlier. Video, posted by eyewitness Chris Zaboji, appears to show the truck driving into the barricades once and then driving into them a second time. Mr Zaboji, an airline pilot living in Washington, said he was walking home after jogging on the national mall when he heard a loud crash. He pulled out his phone to capture what was going on. “I looked back and saw that the U-Haul van had rammed into the barricade. I backed away behind a guy on a golf cart and took the video on my phone,” he told Reuters. “After I saw it rammed again I didn’t want to be anywhere near the truck and left.” Nazi paraphernalia and threats A police source told NBC News that the driver made threatening statements about the White House at the scene but was quickly detained by law enforcement. Inside the truck, police also found a Nazi flag. The flag was seen in photos captured by a Reuters photojournalist on the ground next to the truck. Following a search of the truck, officials found it contained no weapons or explosives. There were no injuries in the crash and there is no ongoing danger to the public, officials said. “There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel and the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation,” said Mr Guglielmi. The suspect The identity of the suspect has not been released by authorities and the motive remains unknown at this time. However, on Tuesday morning, US Park Police spokesman Thomas Twiname said that the male suspect had been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on the president, vice president or a family member. Mr Guglielmi said on Monday night that the preliminary investigation indicated that the driver had “intentionally” collided with the security barriers. Threats against officials It is not clear if the president and first lady were home at the time of the incident which comes amid a rise of potential threats against politicians. Data from the Capitol Police revealed that the agency had investigated about 7,500 cases of potential threats against members of Congress in 2022. While lower than the 9,600 threats recorded in 2021, it was twice as many as in 2017. In October, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center and the US Capitol Police sent a joint intelligence bulletin to law enforcement partners across the country warning that a rise in domestic violent extremism (DVE) and “perceptions” of election fraud could lead to a spike in violence. Among the most “attractive targets” to extremists are lawmakers, government officials and personnel involved in elections including both political candidates and election workers, it warned. “Potential targets of DVE violence include candidates running for public office, elected officials, election workers, political rallies, political party representatives, racial and religious minorities, or perceived ideological opponents,” the bulletin read. That same day – 28 October 2022 – the husband of then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi husband was the victim of a violent hammer attack at the couple’s home in California. David DePape, a 42-year-old hemp jewellery maker, allegedly broke into the couple’s San Francisco home in the early hours of the morning searching for Ms Pelosi. Ms Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi, 82, was home alone, with his wife away in Washington DC at the time. Mr Pelosi managed to call 911 but the suspect allegedly struck him over the head with a hammer when officers arrived. This came over one year after the January 6 Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 when a mob of Mr Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol – fuelled by his lies that the presidential election was “stolen” from him – to try to overturn Joe Biden’s win. Chilling footage from that day reveals how some of the rioters hunted for Ms Pelosi, chanting “Where’s Nancy?” as they ransacked her office. Others were seen chanting “Hang Mike Pence” after the vice president refused to attempt to overthrow the election in Mr Trump’s favour. Read More Nazi flag recovered from scene after U-haul truck ‘intentionally’ slams into railings near White House
2023-05-23 21:21
Biden expected to sign budget deal to raise debt ceiling
President Joe Biden is expected to sign legislation on Saturday to raise the debt ceiling, just two days before the U.S. Treasury warned that the country would struggle to pay its bills. The bipartisan measure, which was approved this week by the House and Senate, eliminates the potential for an unprecedented government default. “Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher," Biden said from the Oval Office on Friday evening. “Nothing would have been more catastrophic,” he said, than defaulting on the country's debt. The agreement was hashed out by Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, giving Republicans some of their demanded federal spending cuts but holding the line on major Democratic priorities. It raises the debt limit until 2025 — after the 2024 presidential election — and gives legislators budget targets for the next two years in hopes of assuring fiscal stability as the political season heats up. “No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed,” Biden said, highlighting the “compromise and consensus” in the deal. “We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse.” Biden used the opportunity to itemize the achievements of his first term as he runs for reelection, including support for high-tech manufacturing, infrastructure investments and financial incentives for fighting climate change. He also highlighted ways he blunted Republican efforts to roll back his agenda and achieve deeper cuts. “We’re cutting spending and bringing deficits down at the same time,” Biden said. “We're protecting important priorities from Social Security to Medicare to Medicaid to veterans to our transformational investments in infrastructure and clean energy.” Even as he pledged to continue working with Republicans, Biden also drew contrasts with the opposing party, particularly when it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy, something the Democratic president has sought. It’s something he suggested may need to wait until a second term. “I’m going to be coming back,” he said. “With your help, I’m going to win.” Biden's remarks were the most detailed comments from the Democratic president on the compromise he and his staff negotiated. He largely remained quiet publicly during the high-stakes talks, a decision that frustrated some members of his party but was intended to give space for both sides to reach a deal and for lawmakers to vote it to his desk. Biden praised McCarthy and his negotiators for operating in good faith, and all congressional leaders for ensuring swift passage of the legislation. “They acted responsibly, and put the good of the country ahead of politics,” he said. Overall, the 99-page bill restricts spending for the next two years and changes some policies, including imposing new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and greenlighting an Appalachian natural gas pipeline that many Democrats oppose. Some environmental rules were modified to help streamline approvals for infrastructure and energy projects — a move long sought by moderates in Congress. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it could actually expand total eligibility for federal food assistance, with the elimination of work requirements for veterans, homeless people and young people leaving foster care. The legislation also bolsters funds for defense and veterans, cuts back some new money for the Internal Revenue Service and rejects Biden’s call to roll back Trump-era tax breaks on corporations and the wealthy to help cover the nation’s deficits. But the White House said the IRS' plans to step up enforcement of tax laws for high-income earners and corporations would continue. The agreement imposes an automatic overall 1% cut to spending programs if Congress fails to approve its annual spending bills — a measure designed to pressure lawmakers of both parties to reach consensus before the end of the fiscal year in September. In both chambers, more Democrats backed the legislation than Republicans, but both parties were critical to its passage. In the Senate the tally was 63-36 including 46 Democrats and independents and 17 Republicans in favor, 31 Republicans along with four Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats opposed. The vote in the House was 314-117. ___ AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide FBI offers to show GOP chairman document that purports to relate to Biden, his family Republicans schedule 1st presidential debate for Aug. 23, but there's no guarantee Trump will attend DeSantis wraps up 1st early states tour as candidate with more personal touch in South Carolina
2023-06-03 12:18
Who are The Weeknd's parents? 'The Idol' star who has seldom seen his dad once said he's 'a mama’s boy'
The Weeknd was raised by his mother and grandmother after the separation of his parents
2023-06-05 07:53
At least one dead, dozens of homes damaged after storms hit US Midwest and South
By Kanishka Singh Tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the U.S. Midwest and South on Sunday, leaving dozens of homes
2023-06-26 19:56
'Quite a feat': Internet reacts as Jessica Alba marks 15 years of marriage with Cash Warren
'I've loved you more and more every day since '03! Our three beautiful babies are everything', said Jessica Alba in a social media post
2023-05-21 01:50
Palestinians clash with own security forces in a West Bank refugee camp, leaving 1 dead
Fighting has erupted in a refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank between Palestinians and their own security forces
2023-08-31 03:28
US Justice Department to investigate PGA Tour-LIV Golf pact - WSJ
(Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department will review the PGA Tour's plan to merge with Saudi-backed LIV Golf to determine if
2023-06-16 00:23
Planned Parenthood sues to expand South Carolina abortion access under strict new ban
Abortion providers in South Carolina want to lengthen the narrow window when they can legally terminate a pregnancy under a strict new ban
2023-09-15 06:25
Biden 2024 campaign, allies raise $71 million in latest quarterly haul
By Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON President Joe Biden's 2024 re-election team and his party said on
2023-10-15 20:17
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