From the arrest of Roger Stone to blasts in the Philippines, here's what to know from the weekend. | | | | | | | Shutdown on hold, it's back to negotiations | After 35 days, the partial government shutdown is over — for now. President Donald Trump on Friday signed a temporary deal ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Federal agencies will reopen for three weeks while lawmakers continue to negotiate Trump's request for funding for a wall along the southern border. But, if a compromise isn't made by Feb. 15, it's unclear what could happen next. An impasse could mean another shutdown or Trump opting to use executive authority to redirect funds for the wall. Despite the shutdown ending, Trump's State of the Union address remains up in the air and won't take place Tuesday as once planned. | After arrest, Roger Stone stays defiant | Roger Stone on Sunday denied allegations against him two days after being arrested by the FBI on seven felony charges , including witness tampering, obstruction and lying. In a 24-page indictment revealed Friday against Stone, one of President Donald Trump's longtime advisers, prosecutors for special counsel Robert Mueller took their deepest plunge yet into the Trump campaign's intense interest in Kremlin efforts to undermine Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. A day after being indicted, Stone mocked Mueller on Instagram, calling the charges a "nothingburger." Stone found himself mocked that same day: Comedian Steve Martin portrayed him on 'Saturday Night Live' | U.S. ramps up pressure on Venezuelan president | Foreign policy hawk Elliott Abrams joined the Trump administration Friday as a special envoy for Venezuela as the U.S. ramps up pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Earlier this week, Trump recognized Juan Guaido , head of Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly, as the country's interim president, saying the incumbent leftist leader Maduro was not the country's legitimate leader. The State Department has pledged $20 million in assistance to Venezuela as the country struggles with hyperinflation and food and medicine shortages. The besieged socialist government wants to go ahead with an international baseball tournament despite the MLB's recommendation that players avoid the country. | Louisiana man suspected of 5 killings captured after manhunt | A 21-year-old Louisiana man wanted in connection to shooting deaths of his parents and three others was arrested Sunday. Authorities say the suspect, Dakota Theriot, fatally shot Billy Ernest, 43, his son Tanner, 17, and daughter Summer, 20, in their Livingston Parish home early Saturday before driving to his parent's home where the couple, Elizabeth Theriot, and Keith Theriot, both 51, were later found alive despite gunshot wounds. The father identified his son as the shooting suspect before he and his wife died from their wounds. Dakota was found in Virginia and will be booked on two counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and illegal use of weapons, authorities said. | Hundreds feared dead after Brazil waste dam collapses | At least 40 were dead and hundreds missing in southeastern Brazil after a dam holding back mine waste gave way Friday. Helicopters flew low over areas encased by a river of mud and mining waste on Saturday, and firefighters dug frantically to get into buried structures. "I'm angry," said Sonia Fatima da Silva, as she tried to get information about her son, who had worked at the Vale mining company for 20 years. By Sunday, hope of finding more survivors had turned to anguish, and officials suspended the search amid fears that another nearby dam owned by Vale was also at risk of breaching. | Bombs tear through cathedral in Philippines, killing at least 20 | Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 and wounding 111 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. Jolo island has long been troubled by the presence of Abu Sayyaf militants, but no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A Catholic bishop, Benjamin de Jesus, was gunned down by suspected militants outside the cathedral in 1997. | Djokovic crushes Nadal for Australian Open title | It was world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and not No. 2 Rafael Nadal who carved out a slice of tennis history for himself in the Australian Open final Sunday night. In a near perfect performance, Djokovic captured a record seventh Australian Open title in so many finals played by dismantling Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic picked up his 15th career Grand Slam trophy with the win, moving into sole ownership of third place in history behind Roger Federer with 20 titles and Nadal with 17. | | Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his seventh Australian Open singles championship. | Pierre Lahalle, Presse Sports/USA TODAY Sports | | 'I can't even eat': Truck driver claims $298 million jackpot | A Brooklyn truck driver claimed a $298.3 million Powerball jackpot, the New York State Gaming Commission announced Friday. The jackpot, drawn on Dec. 26, is the second-largest in New York Lottery history, according to a release. The winner, David Johnson, 56, will take his winnings in a single lump-sum payment totaling $114,091,248 after taxes. "I can't even eat. I start and can't finish my food," Johnson said. "I'm happy with joy inside." | Contributing: The Associated Press | | | MORE ARTICLES | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment