University of Miami’s new Cuba programs: A backseat to human rights and academic freedom

After the University of Miami's sudden and ham-handed closing of its Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies and subsequent firing of its director Dr. Jaime Suchlicki , many saw this as a sign of things to come. UM's president Julio Frenk has a history of cooperation with Cuba's apartheid Castro dictatorship at other organizations and the existence of ICCAS and the presence of Dr. Suchlicki made it difficult if not impossible for him to rekindle at UM.

WHO chief: ‘Rethinking’ appointment of Mugabe as goodwill ambassador

The public health agency announced the decision this week, saying the African leader will focus on noncommunicable diseases such as heart attacks and strokes on the continent. But Saturday morning, as public disapproval of the decision grew, WHO's director-general said in a tweet he was "rethinking the approach in light of WHO values."

Ap Fact Check: Trump on military death, and taxes

President Donald Trump's boast that he surpasses his predecessors in consoling families of the fallen proved empty this past week as many stepped forward to say they'd never heard from him after losing their loved ones in military service. The suddenly fraught and politically charged subject overshadowed other misfires from the president, on taxes, hurricane relief and more.

Trump hits ‘wacky’ Dem lawmaker after phone call with soldier’s familyThe Hill

Republicans nix idea of pairing repeal with tax reform Fla. lawmaker warned officials before retirement home tragedy Florida Dem: 'Abomination' that seniors were left at nursing home where 8 died MORE in a tweet Thursday night, calling her "wacky" and accusing the Florida Democrat of lying about the content of his phone call with the family of a fallen soldier.

Malta offers $1.18 million to discover who killed reporter

Forensic police work on the main road in Bidnija, Malta, which leads to Daphne Caruana Galizias house, looking for evidence on the blast that killed the journalist as she was leaving her home, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Caruana Galizia, a harsh critic of Maltese Premier Joseph Muscat, and who reported extensively on corruption on Malta, was killed by a car bomb on Monday.

5 living ex-presidents attend Texas hurricane relief concert

Democrats Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and Republicans George H.W. and George W. Bush are putting aside politics in contrast with President Donald Trump, who has vowed to help Texas and Florida for as long as it takes but has criticized Puerto Rican leaders while suggesting aid there won't be unlimited. Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, which made landfall after Harvey and Irma had battered other areas.

Florida Democrat calls Niger ambush ‘Trump’s Benghazi’POLITICO

A Florida Republican lawmaker disputed the comparison. The Florida Democratic congresswoman who clashed with President Donald Trump over his call to the widow of a soldier killed in an ambush in Niger wants Congress to investigate what she's calling "Mr. Trump's Benghazi."

After years of influence, GOP kingmaker’s future uncertain

In a May 23, 2017 file photo, former Majority Leader Rick Quinn, left, and his father, Richard Quinn Sr. pause as they talk during a break in a hearing to get solicitor David Pascoe disqualified from the prosecution of Quinn in Columbia, S.C. Solicitor David Pascoe announced Wednesday, Oct. 18, that the State Grand Jury had returned indictments against Richard Quinn on charges of criminal conspiracy and failure to register as a lobbyist. Grand jurors also issued new indictments for two lawmakers already charged.