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Tropical Storm Dorian strengthens as it moves west
And Dorian could get a bit stronger still. The island remains in crisis nearly two years after Hurricane Maria, the deadliest natural disaster in USA history, killed nearly 3,000 people in September 2017. "It is still far too early to speculate on whether Dorian will ever impact Florida". Strong wind shear can lead to the demise of tropical storms or low-end hurricanes. [Full Article...]
Indonesia announces location of new capital on Borneo
Some environmental activists have criticised the planned move, warning that building a new city in the middle of a forest could harm the environment. The site of the new capital, 2,000km (1,250 miles) north-east of Jakarta, is one of the regions least prone to the natural disasters that regularly hit the archipelago of 17,000 islands. [Full Article...]
Israel behind drone attack near Syria border — Iraq paramilitary
The coalition is a parliament bloc representing Iran-backed paramilitary militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. Meanwhile, his deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis, whom analysts say holds the real reigns in the PMF, has been unequivocal in blaming Washington. [Full Article...]
Trump calls purported rift with Macron 'false reporting'
When asked whether he supports Macron to deliver the message to Tehran on behalf of G-7 countries, Trump said, "No, I haven't discussed that". "We agreed on what we wanted to say jointly on Iran ", Reuters quoted Macron as saying. European leaders have struggled to tamp down the brewing confrontation between Iran and the United States since Trump pulled his country out of Iran's internation... [Full Article...]
Billionaire industrialist conservative donor David Koch dies at 79
Charles was the closest of David's brothers, with the two of them owning roughly 40 percent each of the family business, following a bitter family dispute. "I hope his soul suffers for eternity", added Jordan Weissman, who writes about economics and public policy for Slate. "David Hamilton Koch, longtime stockholder, director, and leader in Koch Industries passed away on August 23, 2019, at age ... [Full Article...]
Trump aides downplay China trade 'order'
On Friday, China unveiled a new round of retaliatory tariffs on about $75 billion worth of U.S. goods, the latest escalation in an on-going trade war that's putting a strain on the world's two largest economies. President Trump has threatening to use the emergency authority granted by a powerful federal law to make good on his Tweeted " order " to United States businesses to cut ties in Chin... [Full Article...]
Bashir lawyers seek release on bail as corruption trial continues
The representatives of the Prosecutor's Office have presented three witnesses, ' Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir, the leader of the ex-president's defense team, told the press. On Thursday, relatives and friends of protesters who were killed during the Sudan uprising staged a commemoration vigil in front of the army command in Khartoum . [Full Article...]
China imposed tariffs, US President retaliates immediately — Business as usual
In an announcement on Twitter after major indices on Wall Street sank, Trump said that existing 25 percent tariffs on about US$250 billion in imports from China would rise to 30 percent on October 1, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. [Full Article...]