The ever-evolving vision for the wall President Trump wants to build along the border with Mexico got some new details earlier this month, the latest in the growing list of specifications for meeting Trumps signature campaign promise which is still in need of a source of funding.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 14:33:50 -0400

The detail came in an application for a search warrant, made public Monday in court documents, from state investigators examining what led to the July 15 shooting of Sydney native Justine Damond, 40. The fatal incident outraged the public in Australia and Minnesota, and led to the resignation of Minneapolis' police chief.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 17:43:01 -0400

UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States and China said Tuesday they are making progress on a new U.N. resolution that would impose additional sanctions against North Korea following its test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 20:15:01 -0400

Richard Dawkinswants "a public apology" from a California radio station that cancelled an event with the scientist because of hisabusive speech against Islam. The influential academic and writer was scheduled to speak about his memoir A Brief Candle in the Dark at an event organised by Berkeleys KPFA Radio next month. But KPFA has now cancelled the talk, citing his "hurtful speech" against Islam. We had booked this event based entirely on his excellent new book on science, when we didnt know he had offended and hurt in his tweets and other comments on Islam so many people," KPFA wrote in an email to ticket buyers. KPFA exercises its free speech right not to participate with anyone who uses hateful language against a community already under attack. https://t.co/nTC1LYQKiG KPFA Radio (@kpfa) July 21, 2017 "KPFA does not endorse hurtful speech. While KPFA emphatically supports serious free speech, we do not support abusive speech. We apologise for not having had broader knowledge of Dawkinss views much earlier. We also apologise to all those inconvenienced by this cancellation. Residents had reportedly highlightedstatements made by the evolutionary biologist and confirmed atheist, including a 2013 tweet saying "Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today". @ToddKincannon I think Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today. I've said so, often and loudly.What are you talking about? Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) March 1, 2013 Professor Dawkins responded to the radio station in an open letter published on his website,saying he had lived in Berkeley for two years and had appreciatedKPFA's "objective reporting and humane commentary". "It was therefore a matter of personal sorrow to me to receive this morning your truly astonishing 'justification' for de-platforming me," he wrote. You conspicuously did not quote a source when accusing me of abusive speech. Why didnt you check your facts or at least have the common courtesy to alert me before summarily cancelling my event? This is so stupid. Oh and by the way, my entire family is Muslim. Oh and Muslims aren't weak little children. They can hear other views. Fouad (@fouadalnoor) July 22, 2017 Professor Dawkins said that he had never used abusive speech against Islam, explainingthat while he had previously called Islamism vile, Islamism is not the same as Islam. I have criticised the appalling misogyny and homophobia of Islam, I have criticised the murdering of apostates for no crime other than their disbelief. Far from attacking Muslims, I understand as perhaps you do not that Muslims themselves are the prime victims of the oppressive cruelties of Islamism, especially Muslim women, the author wrote. Dawkins 'not certain' God does not exist 01:31 Urging the radio station to find examples of the abusive speech, he added: "When you fail to discover any, I presume you will issue a public apology." Professor Dawkins' bestselling book about the study of evolution, The Selfish Gene, was named the most influential science book of all timelast week by the Royal Society. Berkeley, historically known as the home of the Free Speech moment in the 1960s, has hit the headlines in recent months over the cancellations of other controversial speakers. An event foralt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos was cancelled in Februaryby the University of California after clashes involvingfar-left protesters, as was a speech by conservative pundit Ann Coulter.
Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:29:27 -0400

The Philippines tried Wednesday to reassure Southeast Asian neighbours about its proposal to partner with Beijing in oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea, promising to consult them on any plans. President Rodrigo Duterte has softened his predecessor's policy opposing China's claims -- which expand to nearly the entire sea -- causing alarm among neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, which also hold partial claims. On Monday Duterte said his government was in talks with China over joint drilling for natural resources in the sea, reversing years of tensions.
Wed, 26 Jul 2017 06:02:48 -0400

French authorities ordered the evacuation of up to 12,000 people around a picturesque hilltop town in the southern Cte dAzur region as fires hopscotched around the Mediterranean coast for a third day Wednesday.
Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:34:18 -0400

The head of the CIA has suggested the agency is working to change the elected government of Venezuela and is collaborating with two countries in the region to do so. In one of the clearest clues yet about Washingtons latest meddling in the politics of Latin America, CIA director Mike Pompeo said he was hopeful that there can be a transition in Venezuela and we the CIA is doing its best to understand the dynamic there. Mr Pompeos comments, delivered during a Q&A session at a security forum organised by the Aspen Institute think tank, have sparked outcry among supporters of Venezuelas government.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:56:00 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A condemned killer in Ohio arrived at the death house a day ahead of his scheduled execution Wednesday with several requests for a delay pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 14:07:52 -0400

Allegiant Air left over 200 passengers in Las Vegas for four days after a canceled Oklahoma City-bound flight.
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:42:48 -0400

You know how sometimes you're tapping out a tweet or a Facebook post or an email and you hit "send" a second too soon and you're like, "shit, I shouldn't have said that?" President Donald Trump has seemingly never felt that sensation. But perhaps he should try it out, because a tweet he sent late on Monday seems to confirm a secretive CIA program in Syria that he recently ended. SEE ALSO: 'SNL' writer treats Trump's tweets like they're text messages The president berated The Washington Post for what he said was a fabrication of the facts regarding the ending of the program, almost certainly referring to a recent Post article about the cancellation. The Amazon Washington Post fabricated the facts on my ending massive, dangerous, and wasteful payments to Syrian rebels fighting Assad..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017 The CIA program had reportedly provided funding for Syrian rebels fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the article had mentioned that the Russian government whose ties with Trump world are under investigation by multiple bodies of United States government had opposed the program. In the Syrian civil war, Moscow is on the side of Assad. Some might see that as fishy, but it's worth nothing that officials weren't sure the program was worthwhile well before Trump became president. Though the program is technically unacknowledged by the U.S. government, it's not strange that the Post would report on it. Like large portions of the nation's various drone wars, some military/CIA programs are known to be non-secret secrets. The Washington Post, by the way, is no stranger to being on the receiving end of a disparaging Trump tweet, nor is the media in general. But it's interesting the president picked out this story, given the scrutiny of his administration's relationship with their Russian counterparts. WATCH: Donald Trump vs. The Dictionary
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 17:56:23 -0400