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Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told his colleagues during the 2021 Capitol riot that former President Donald Trump seemed to approve of the rioters’ “Hang Mike Pence!” chants, staffers told lawmakers investigating the attack, according to the New York Times —during a day that marked the end of what had been a tight relationship between Trump and Pence. Key Facts At least two witnesses informed the House January 6 committee that Meadows told staffers that Trump was upset about Pence being evacuated from the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and Trump also purportedly seemed to empathize with the “Hang Mike Pence!” chants that broke out among the rioters in a conversation with Meadows, the Times reported Wednesday. One of the staffers who told the committee about Meadows’ comments was his former aide, Cassidy Hutchinson, according to the Times , citing sources with knowledge of the committee’s … [Read more...] about Trump Approved Of ‘Hang Mike Pence!’ Chants During Capitol Riot, Staffers Reportedly Learned

Zuraida (Photo by Zahid Izzani Mohd Said/The Edge) - A + A PUTRAJAYA (May 26): Ampang Member of Parliament Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has been stripped of her Bersatu supreme council (MPT) post with immediate effect after announcing that she is joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), said Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Hamzah said he took note of Zuraida’s statement and would refer the matter to the MPT for further action. “As of now, she has not yet resigned from Bersatu,” he told reporters at the Immigration Department’s Aidilfitri gathering here on Thursday (May 26). Hamzah said Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had two weeks ago agreed to replace Zuraida with another individual in the MPT . “This was after a show-cause letter was issued to Zuraida on May 9, asking her to reply to several questions on her involvement with activities organised by PBM. “However, in her letter of reply on May 23, Zuraida rejected claims that she … [Read more...] about Zuraida stripped of her seat in Bersatu supreme council, says party secretary-general

President-Elect Bongbong Marcos and Vice President-Elect Sara Duterte. INQUIRER FILE NEW YORK—Some friends have pointed out that the allegations of electoral fraud conducted by the Marcos-Duterte campaign are credible enough to possibly render the results invalid. There are reports in widely disparate regions of the country where such manipulation seems to have been exercised in order to decisively swing the vote in favor of BBM and Sara Duterte. The Commission on Elections, being packed by Duterte appointees, is unlikely to seriously investigate such allegations, much less overturn the results. Nevertheless by highlighting the possibility of massive cheating the opposition keeps the spotlight on the dubious moral and ethical character of the incoming administration. We do need to accept that the strategic and well-funded use of social media by the Marcos-Duterte campaign, as stated in my previous column, did persuade the voters who hadn’t been born during the martial law era, … [Read more...] about Quo Vadis, Philippines: Part II

KABUL (Reuters) - The United Nations rights envoy in Afghanistan said on Thursday the country faces "severe" human rights challenges and called on Taliban authorities to reverse growing restrictions on women and investigate attacks against religious minorities. Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan spoke to reporters at the end of an 11-day visit to the country, his first since his position was created. "I urge the authorities to acknowledge human rights challenges that they are facing and to close the gap between their words and the deeds," he said. Bennett expressed concerns over access to education after the Taliban made a U-turn on allowing girls to go to high school in March and this month announced that women must cover their faces, to be enforced by punishing their closest male relatives. "Directives on maharams (male guardians), enforcing a strict form of hijab and strong advice to stay at home feed the pattern of absolute gender … [Read more...] about U.N. rights envoy says Taliban must reverse restrictions on Afghan women

(Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's army has been engaged in heavy fighting since the weekend against the M23 rebel group, which is waging its most sustained offensive since a 2012-2013 insurrection that captured vast swathes of territory. The rebels control positions as close as 20 km (12 miles) to eastern Congo's main city of Goma and briefly took over the main military base in the province, local officials said. The fighting has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes in a region that has had little respite from conflict ever since neighbours Rwanda and Uganda invaded in 1996, citing threats from local militia groups. WHO ARE THE M23? When it formed in 2012, M23 was the newest in a series of ethnic Tutsi-led insurgencies to rise up against Congolese forces. M23's name refers to the March 23 date of a 2009 accord that ended a previous Tutsi-led revolt in eastern Congo. The M23 accused the authorities of not living up to promises to fully integrate Congolese … [Read more...] about Explainer: Why is there more fighting in eastern Congo?

By The Associated Press KYIV — Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin has become the latest European leader to visit Ukraine. Marin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday in Kyiv. Finnish public broadcaster YLE says she also visited the towns of Bucha and Irpin where Russian soldiers are alleged to have killed civilians. Zelenskyy thanked Marin for Finland’s weapons deliveries and its support for sanctions against Russia. Jolted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland recently broke with its policy of non-alignment and applied for membership in NATO, together with neighboring Sweden. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: — As Ukraine war grinds on, world pushes for way to get grain out — Scars of war seem to be everywhere in Ukraine after 3 months — War Crimes Watch: Hard path to justice in Bucha atrocities — US aims to leverage Russia-Ukraine bloc against China — Russia takes steps to bolster army, offer some Ukrainians … [Read more...] about Live updates | Finland’s prime minister visits Ukraine

- A + A NEW YORK/BENGALURU (May 26): US stock indexes climbed in a broad-based rally on Thursday after upbeat annual forecasts from several retailers, while data confirmed the US economy contracted in the first quarter, easing concerns about aggressive interest rate hikes. All of the 11 major S&P sectors advanced, with consumer discretionaryup 4.1%, followed by a 1.9% rise in the financials sector. The small-cap Russell 200 index added 2.1%. Macy's Inc surged 16.2% after the department store raised its annual profit forecast, as party-wear demand rebounds. Dollar General Corp and Dollar Tree gained 11.7% and 18.4% respectively, after lifting their annual sales forecasts, as more Americans turn to discount store shopping with inflation at a four-decade high. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department's report showed US GDP fell at a 1.5% annualized rate last quarter, amid a record trade deficit and a sequential decline in the pace of inventory accumulation. The … [Read more...] about Wall Street surges on upbeat forecasts from retailers, Fed relief

- A + A WASHINGTON (May 26): The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week as the labour market remains tight amid strong demand for workers, despite rising interest rates and tightening financial conditions. But the outlook for the economy is uncertain, with other data on Thursday showing corporate profits falling across the board in the first quarter. Some economists believe the erosion of profits and falling share prices could force companies to pause hiring or start laying off workers. Several retailers, including Walmart Inc have lowered their full-year earnings forecasts, citing high inflation. Snap, the parent of Snapchat, issued a profit warning this week, sparking a sell-off of social media stocks. "The biggest expense for most companies is labor always," said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS in New York. "High-flying tech companies have seen their share prices plummet which will force … [Read more...] about US labour market hot, but declining profits cast shadow over economy

- A + A NEW YORK/WILMINGTON, Delaware (May 26): Billionaire Elon Musk was sued by Twitter Inc investors claiming he manipulated the company's stock price downward, as the chief executive of electric carmaker Tesla Inc mounts a US$44 billion takeover bid for the social media platform. The investors said Musk saved himself US$156 million by failing to disclose that he had purchased more than 5% of Twitter by March 14. They asked to be certified as a class and to be awarded an unspecified amount of punitive and compensatory damages. They also named Twitter as a defendant, arguing the company had an obligation to investigate Musk's conduct, though they are not seeking damages from the firm. The investors said Musk continued to buy stock after that, and ultimately disclosed in early April that he owned 9.2% of the company, according to the lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in San Francisco federal court. "By delaying his disclosure of his stake in Twitter, Musk engaged in … [Read more...] about Musk sued by Twitter investors for stock ‘manipulation’ during takeover bid

In a scene in the great TV show Cheers where Sam is down on his luck , Diane says in a chipper tone to cheer him up , "At least you still have your health." Everyone at the bar -- Norm, Cliff, Woody, etc -- suddenly groans, like they just saw a puppy die. "What? What did I say?" Diane asks, confused and surprised. Carla explains, "When you say someone has their health, it means they have nothing else. They've hit rock bottom. You're telling them their life is as bad as it can get. What a horrible thing to say!" As a businessman and entrepreneur, I've come to see hope the same way. Mainstream culture sees it differently. Desmond Tutu said Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness and most people feel inspired. Same when Franklin Roosevelt said We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon. Noble things to say. So why do … [Read more...] about Hope Is for Losers. Here’s What Winners Have Instead