World News
Bank of England keeps rates at record low as economy slows
The most recent figures show that workers are already worse off-real wages are declining, as the 2.3 percent inflation rate is outpacing wages growth, now running at just 1.9 percent compared to February of past year. However, that statement was based on the market view over the 15 working days to 3 May, which was for only one rate rise to 0.5% over the next three years. [Full Article...]
From the Archives: Prince Philip Through the Years
As Prince Philip , who turns 96 next month, gets ready for more leisure time (maybe some carriage driving or a spot of reading), he will still be there for advice and support, and the odd public event. The Duke is considered one of the hardest-working royals and conducted 110 days of appearances a year ago - outnumbering several young family members, including Prince William . [Full Article...]
Comey sought more Russian Federation resources before firing, AP sources indicate
If nothing more, Comey's professional reputation was the embodiment of the type of principled and independent position that the DOJ writ large often attempts to claim from administration to administration. He is a former chairman of the House of Representatives intelligence committee and was an Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in Chicago for five years before retiring in 1994 to begin a caree... [Full Article...]
Former French PM Manuel Valls pledges allegiance to Emmanuel Macron's movement
PARIS Emmanuel Macron's start-up political party was to announce on Thursday the names of several hundred candidates to do battle in a French parliamentary election that will decide how much power the centrist president-elect will enjoy once in office. [Full Article...]
Trump hosts Russians, Kissinger at White House
Here we sit. Had Trump fired Comey day one in office, he would still be labeled "Nixonian". He should have been fired by President Barack Obama for overstepping his authority, but the Obama administration would have had had added/jm similar charges leveled by the media of meddling to help Clinton. [Full Article...]
Merkel - Germany not 'first in line' to boost troops in Afghanistan
The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance will soon decide regarding the request to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan. Elements of the strategy under review include additional US ground troops, with the Pentagon determining just how many more soldiers are needed. They have sustained high casualties, up 35 percent in 2016 with 6,800 soldiers and police killed,... [Full Article...]
Jeff Sessions will not bring justice to the Justice Department
Darin Fontenette, left, football coach for Na'Quincy Pierson, son of Alton Sterling, pats Na'Quincy on the head outside the Triple S Food Mart, where Sterling was killed past year in Baton Rouge, La ., Tuesday, May 2, 2017. "There simply isn't enough evidence to proceed with the federal charge". "It's Rodney King 2.0", said Jo Hines, 23, the artist who spray-painted an iconic image of Sterling ... [Full Article...]
Keane blasts Mourinho, United for 'embarrassing' season
I really don't believe. Rooney became United's all-time leading scorer this season, but he is expected to drop to the bench against Celta at Old Trafford , where Mourinho's side will be defending a 1-0 lead from last week's first leg. It's completely impossible so since the moment we lost players and initially four of them in one week, Smalling and Jones with the global team and Rojo and Zlat... [Full Article...]
Meet Trump's 10 Picks For The Federal Bench
Some right-leaning court watchers had complained that the Trump administration was not moving swiftly enough on that front, but a White House source told me earlier this month that additional announcements were "in the works". "He's at an age where he has a lot of energy and can serve a lot of years on the court". The list of judicial nominees was confirmed to Politico news by a Trump ad... [Full Article...]
Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Artsvik from Armenia , Azerbaijan's Dihaj, and the Moldovan trio Sunstroke Project qualified on May 9 after performing at the glitzy competition's first semifinal, which was broadcast live from the International Exhibition Center in Kyiv. [Full Article...]
Government forces, rebels clash in northwest Syria after de-escalation takes effect: Observatory
Iran, Assad's other major ally, also backed it. Political and armed opposition groups have rejected the proposal, saying Russian Federation has been unwilling or unable to get Assad and his Iranian-backed militia allies to respect past ceasefires. [Full Article...]
Syrian Kurds clear mines after taking town, dam from IS
Turkey's deputy prime minister Nurettin Canikli denounced the decision as " unacceptable " and said it "amounts to support to a terror organisation". We never have and never will". "There is still an opportunity for the United States to take Turkey's sensitivities into consideration". Otherwise, the outcome won't only affect Turkey . [Full Article...]
Moon Seeks to Mend China Ties Over Thaad in Call With Xi
Selfies, coffee and a jacket were all that new South Korean President Moon Jae-in needed to powerfully project an image that he's a down-to-earth leader. Echoing the United States' line, Moon also suggested that China, the North's sole major ally and its economic lifeline should do more to tame Pyongyang, saying "solving the THAAD problem would be easier if there was no more provocation by the Nor... [Full Article...]
Trump hosts Russian foreign minister at White House
Trump and Lavrov met in private, though both sides cast the session as a sign of ties having improved since the USA leader's assessment of them last month as at an "all-time low". Putin said: "Your question seems very amusing to me". Those zones are envisioned under a deal struck by Russia, Iran and Turkey. Lavrov is speaking in Washington after meeting with President Donald Trump. [Full Article...]
Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas fined for incident with fan
E.T. The game will be televised on ESPN . The Wizards scored the first four points of Game 5, only to see Boston go on a 16-0 run to take full control. The House of Guards were outplayed in the first half and Washington found themselves down 67-51. Game five will be the most important 48 minutes that the Celtics have played all season. [Full Article...]
Religious Groups Divided Over Trump's Executive Order
It's a change Pastor Jim Franklin has been waiting for- for a long time. The President also ordered the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to "consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13 (a)(4) of title 4... [Full Article...]
Tories confident for Aberdeen South following council votes
Labour can not now gain overall control of the council after losing early seats. Both the Conservatives' predictions on their expected success in Scotland at the general election and Labour's claims that Nicola Sturgeon's fortunes are about to go in to reverse are based on extrapolation. [Full Article...]
Indonesia courts jails Jakarta's Christian governor for blasphemy against Islam
The maximum penalty for blasphemy in Muslim-majority Indonesia is five years in prison. Widodo was an ally of Purnama, an ethnic-Chinese Christian who is popularly known as "Ahok", and the verdict will be a blow to a government that has sought to quell radical groups and soothe investors' concerns that the country's secular values were at risk. [Full Article...]
Woman killed as India, Pak trade fire along LoC in Rajouri
According to the Indian Army, small arms, automatics and mortars of 82 mm and 120 mm were used by the Pakistani side. India also accused Pakistan of "indiscriminate firing" along the de facto border, which an Indian military official said had killed a woman and wounded a man on Wednesday night. [Full Article...]
Pakistani, Afghan troops exchange fire on border, several killed
The cross-border Afghan fire killed at least 12 Pakistanis and wounded more than 40 others, including civilians and security forces, provoking Pakistan's retaliation, Anjum noted. Aziz said the two sides also agreed to look at the demarcation line in the area. The incident took place in Chaman area near the Afghan border, Dawn online reported. [Full Article...]