Day: January 11, 2017

At hearing, Rex Tillerson says Russia ‘poses a danger’ to US, but is not ‘unpredictable’

Barraged by questions about Russia, Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state promised a far more muscular approach toward the Kremlin on Wednesday, abandoning much of the president-elect’s emphasis on improving ties between the Cold War foes. Instead, Rex Tillerson suggested the outgoing Obama administration responded too softly to Moscow’s takeover of Ukrainian territory.

Trump takes questions

US President-elect Donald Trump whispers to his daughter Ivanka during a press conference January 11, 2017 at Trump Tower in New York. Trump held his first news conference in nearly six months Wednesday, amid explosive allegations over his ties to Russia, a little more than a week before his inauguration.

Maryland’s General Assembly Gavels for 2017 Session

The 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly began Wednesday amid confusion stemming from federal investigations plaguing Democrats and concern among Republicans over the possible override of several vetoes issued by Gov. Larry Hogan at the end of the 2016 session. The Senate is scheduled to begin to debate the vetoes on Jan. 18. The Maryland House of Delegates room was filled with delegates, friends and family members for the first day of the legislative session on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, in Annapolis, Md.

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear custody case –

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the custody case of a Choctaw child who was placed with extended family in Utah under terms of the Indian Child Welfare Act, ending a years’ long effort by opponents to overturn the law designed to keep Indian children in Native American families., the tribe said, in a news release. Without comment, the court refused to hear an appeal of California court decisions that removed a child known as Lexi from a Santa Clarita foster family who had fought the law in an effort to adopt Lexi.

DNI Chief Clapper Calls Trump – Says He Was…

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called President elect Donald Trump tonight to discuss the many intelligence leaks to the liberal media over the past week. Clapper also discussed the disgusting and fraudulent “golden shower” conspiracy being pushed by CNN, Buzzfeed and several liberal media outlets.

The Latest: Clapper speaks with Trump about Russia report

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says he has spoken with Donald Trump about the unsubstantiated report claiming Russia had compromising personal and financial information about the president-elect. Clapper says in a statement released Wednesday night that he told Trump the intelligence community “has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable.”

DoJ: Six VW execs indicted in emissions scam

Volkswagen attempted to fraudulently avoid emission controls with its diesel models for almost a decade – and the Department of Justice will make them pay for it , literally and figuratively. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that they had reached a deal where VW will plead guilty to corporate criminal conduct and pay a total of $4.3 billion.

Asian shares mixed after Trump offers scant policy details

Authorities urged thousands of people in Northern California to evacuate homes as rivers swollen by four days of heavy rain threatened to crest above flood level, even as another day of showers was forecast for… Rescue workers used boats and firetrucks to evacuate dozens of Northern California residents from their flooded homes Wednesday as a drought-busting series of storms began to move out of the region after days of heavy rain… Lawyers for Texas death row inmate Christopher Wilkins looked to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from becoming the first prisoner executed in the nation this year. Texas on Wednesday put to death an inmate convicted of killing two men over a phony drug deal, the first U.S. execution of 2017.

Asian shares mixed after Trump offers scant policy details

Authorities urged thousands of people in Northern California to evacuate homes as rivers swollen by four days of heavy rain threatened to crest above flood level, even as another day of showers was forecast for… Rescue workers used boats and firetrucks to evacuate dozens of Northern California residents from their flooded homes Wednesday as a drought-busting series of storms began to move out of the region after days of heavy rain… Lawyers for Texas death row inmate Christopher Wilkins looked to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from becoming the first prisoner executed in the nation this year. Texas on Wednesday put to death an inmate convicted of killing two men over a phony drug deal, the first U.S. execution of 2017.

Trump, McCain take aim at F-35 program

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump Tower in New York City. In his first press conference since winning the presidential election in November, Donald Trump again took aim at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Trump, McCain take aim at F-35 program

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump Tower in New York City. In his first press conference since winning the presidential election in November, Donald Trump again took aim at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Alabama lawmaker: Democrats’ criticism of Trump pick Sessions is…

A Republican lawmaker on Wednesday came to defense of fellow Alabaman Jeff Sessions, saying attacks on the potential attorney general by Democrats who object to him is part of their “war on whites.” Speaking on Alabama’s WBHP 800, Rep. Mo Brooks , made his comments on the same day that civil rights pioneer and fellow House member John Lewis and Sen. Corey Booker spoke out against the controversial lawmaker.

Alabama lawmaker: Democrats’ criticism of Trump pick Sessions is…

A Republican lawmaker on Wednesday came to defense of fellow Alabaman Jeff Sessions, saying attacks on the potential attorney general by Democrats who object to him is part of their “war on whites.” Speaking on Alabama’s WBHP 800, Rep. Mo Brooks , made his comments on the same day that civil rights pioneer and fellow House member John Lewis and Sen. Corey Booker spoke out against the controversial lawmaker.

U.S. Senate Committee Backs Montenegro’s Bid To Join NATO

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting Montenegro’s membership in NATO on January 11,sending it to the full Senate for a vote. The committee backed the small Balkan nation’s bid to join the military alliance last year, but it did not come up for a vote in the full Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for approval of new NATO members.

U.S. Senate Committee Backs Montenegro’s Bid To Join NATO

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting Montenegro’s membership in NATO on January 11,sending it to the full Senate for a vote. The committee backed the small Balkan nation’s bid to join the military alliance last year, but it did not come up for a vote in the full Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for approval of new NATO members.

Obama speech marks unofficial countdown for black Americans

Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency.

Obama speech marks unofficial countdown for black Americans

Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency.

Idaho Rep. Heather Scott faces possible sanctions for claiming female …

Idaho State Representative for Distric 1 Heather Scott talked about local politics in Priest River before the candidates forum at Priest River Junior high school sponsored by Bonner County Republican Central Committee on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. BOISE – In an outburst that shocked and upset her fellow lawmakers, controversial North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott claimed female members of the Idaho House get leadership positions only if they “spread their legs.”

Idaho Rep. Heather Scott faces possible sanctions for claiming female …

Idaho State Representative for Distric 1 Heather Scott talked about local politics in Priest River before the candidates forum at Priest River Junior high school sponsored by Bonner County Republican Central Committee on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. BOISE – In an outburst that shocked and upset her fellow lawmakers, controversial North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott claimed female members of the Idaho House get leadership positions only if they “spread their legs.”

Morning roundup

Jim Furyk was appointed Wednesday as the U.S. captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, where his team will try to win on European soil for the first time in 25 years. The former U.S. Open champion, and the only player in history to twice post rounds in the 50s, brings more playing experience than any other U.S. captain.

Morning roundup

Jim Furyk was appointed Wednesday as the U.S. captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, where his team will try to win on European soil for the first time in 25 years. The former U.S. Open champion, and the only player in history to twice post rounds in the 50s, brings more playing experience than any other U.S. captain.

Trump concedes Russia’s role in election hacking

In a combative and freewheeling news conference, President-elect Donald Trump said for the first time Wednesday that he accepts Russia was behind the election year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race. Looking ahead, he urged Congress to move quickly to replace President Barack Obama’s signature health care law and insisted anew that Mexico will pay the cost of a border wall.

Walker’s Wisconsin Tuition Plan Shuffles Political Alliances

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut tuition at the University of Wisconsin and use taxpayer funds to pay for it is shaking up normal political alliances with some Democrats supporting it while skeptical fellow Republicans worry it could put the state on a path toward socialist Bernie Sanders ‘ free college tuition plan. Republican governors across the nation have criticized universities over higher tuition and some, including Walker, have forced tuition freezes.

Booker makes history by testifying against sitting senator Sessions …

Booker makes history by testifying against sitting senator Sessions – while black lawmaker says scheduling their testimony at the end is like ‘being made to go to the back of the bus’ Civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis, warned Sessions’ pro-‘law and order’ stance could be code for violating civil rights, as it was in the segregated South Sen. Cory Booker said he was guided by his ‘conscience’ and love of ‘country’ to testify against another senator, a first for the legislative body In an unprecedented move, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., spoke out about one of his Senate peers, testifying against the nomination of Sen. Jeff Session, R-Ala., for President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general.

The Latest: No last-ditch appeals for condemned Texas inmate

The attorney for a Texas death row inmate set to die Wednesday evening says she plans no last-minute appeals to try to put off the execution. Hilary Sheard says she’s “alarmed and troubled” that during the entire appeals process in recent weeks only one judge on the nine-member Texas Court of Criminal Appeals acknowledged injustice in the case of condemned killer Christopher Wilkins.

More

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press The 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s house had been abused or neglected in at least three homes… By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press A14-year-old Pennsylvania girl raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s home had been abused or neglected in at least three homes during her short life. Lawyers for Texas death row inmate Christopher Wilkins looked to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from becoming the first prisoner executed in the nation this year.

Combative Trump concedes Russia’s role in election hacking

Trump says he owns a “great” company but really one of the … . FILE – In this Oct. 26, 2016, file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, accompanied by, from left, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Trump, Melania Trump, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump, speaks during the gra… By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press The 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s house had been abused or neglected in at least three homes… By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press A14-year-old Pennsylvania girl raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s home had been abused or neglected in at least three homes during her short life.

Rex Tillerson doesn’t rule out idea of Muslim registry

Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson did not rule out the idea of a U.S. registry for Muslims when he was asked about it his confirmation hearing Wednesday. Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., if he would support a U.S. registry for Muslims, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “I would need to have a lot more information over how such an approach would be constructed.”

6 VW employees indicted in emissions scandal; VW fined $4.3B

21, 2015, file photo, a Volkswagen logo is seen on car offered for sale at New Century Volkswagen dealership in Glendale, Calif. The Volkswagen executive, Oliver Schmidt, who once was in charge o… By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press The 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s house had been abused or neglected in at least three homes… By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press A14-year-old Pennsylvania girl raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother’s home had been abused or neglected in at least three homes during her short life.

Homes are evacuated after a man took a World War I bomb to Swansea pub

The most expensive homes in the WORLD in 2016: The Playboy Mansion, a Park Avenue penthouse and a huge Dallas mansion are ALL beaten by palatial mansion in Hong Kong that sold for $270m Trump calls Buzzfeed ‘a failing pile of garbage’ for publishing ‘Russian hotel sex blackmail dossier’ and refuses to let CNN ‘fake news reporter’ ask a question at press conference ‘I did what any citizen should do’: Sworn Trump enemy John McCain admits HE handed smear dossier to FBI – because he had no idea if it was credible Democrats’ Senate leader Chuck Schumer hints at intelligence revenge plot on Trump as he says ‘they have six ways from Sunday to get back at you’ Donald says he was NEVER briefed on fake dirty dossier and NEVER shown it by intelligence chiefs and ridicules its claim he was taped with Moscow hookers by confessing he’s a ‘germophobe’ Did a 4chan user make up the most salacious parts … (more)