3 dead after plane crashes into California airport hangar while taking off, authorities say

A small plane crashed into a California airport hangar as it was taking off Sunday, killing all three people on board, authorities say.
http://dlvr.it/SszLZk

American nurse and child kidnapped in Haiti

An American nurse and her child have been kidnapped in Haiti, according to El Roi Haiti, the Christian humanitarian aid organization she works for.
http://dlvr.it/SsxKkf

Niger general appears on state TV as new leader following coup

A Niger general, Abdourahamane Tiani, appeared on state television as the country's new leader following a military coup that sparked international condemnation.
http://dlvr.it/SsvMmZ

Bollywood film 'Bawaal' accused of trivializing Holocaust and demeaning victims

A Bollywood film has been accused of trivializing the murder of millions during the Holocaust with flippant dialogue and a storyline that uses the Nazi's death camps as a metaphor for relationship woes, prompting a prominent Jewish rights group to call for its removal from streaming platforms.
http://dlvr.it/Ssrkw3

McConnell has fallen multiple times this year, sources say

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, who froze during a news conference Wednesday and earlier this year suffered a concussion after falling down, has also endured two other falls this year, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
http://dlvr.it/SsnvLf

Taiwan police investigated after botched sting operation leads to sexual assault of minor

Two Taiwan police officers are under investigation after a botched sting operation led to a minor being sexually assaulted, prompting public uproar and an official apology from the local police department.
http://dlvr.it/Ssl3zB

Russia's war in Ukraine

Ukrainian air defenses repelled a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said. Follow here for live updates.
http://dlvr.it/SshGK0

China promises more support to boost 'tortuous' economic recovery

China's top leadership has vowed to do more to support a "tortuous" economic recovery, which has lost steam after an initial burst of activity early in the year.
http://dlvr.it/SshFz5

Russia claims Ukrainian drone strikes hit two non-residential buildings in Moscow

Ukrainian drones struck two non-residential buildings in Moscow in the early hours of Monday morning and were "suppressed" by defenses there, Russian authorities said, describing the incident a "thwarted" attack.
http://dlvr.it/SsdV93

Suspect killed after Portland hospital shooting leaves security guard dead, police say

Police in Oregon say a suspect is dead after opening fire in a hospital in downtown Portland Saturday, a shooting that left one person dead and another injured.
http://dlvr.it/SsbTLh

Firefighter charged with arson after confessing to setting multiple fires in Arizona, sheriff's office says

An Arizona firefighter has been charged with arson after allegedly confessing to setting multiple fires across two counties over the past few weeks, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
http://dlvr.it/SsYYn8

US diaspora helps Philippines make World Cup history with country's first ever appearance

When the Philippines' soccer team faces Switzerland in a few hours time on Friday at the Women's World Cup, they'll be the first team of any gender from the Southeast Asian nation to make it to the tournament -- boosted by a contingent of dual US nationals players.
http://dlvr.it/SsVvsW

Second IRS whistleblower goes public at House Oversight hearing about Hunter Biden probe

The House Oversight Committee heard Wednesday from two IRS whistleblowers whose claims that the Justice Department politicized the Hunter Biden criminal probe have ignited a firestorm among Republicans.
http://dlvr.it/SsS5d0

China's ancient Silk Road murals face a new threat -- climate change

Ancient Buddhist murals and statues in caves along China's Silk Road are under "direct threat" from extreme rainfall brought by climate change, researchers have found.
http://dlvr.it/SsPJqF

Russia's war in Ukraine

Russia launched airstrikes on Ukraine's southern port city of Odesa Tuesday — 24 hours after the key Crimean bridge linking the annexed peninsula to Russia was hit by two strikes. Follow here for live updates.
http://dlvr.it/SsLWZy

Laid-off Twitter Africa team 'ghosted' without severance pay or benefits, former employees say

Former employees of Twitter Africa who were laid off as part of a global cost-cutting measure after Elon Musk's acquisition have not received any severance pay more than seven months since leaving the company, several sources told CNN.
http://dlvr.it/SsHfZl

The winning numbers have been drawn for the 3rd largest Powerball jackpot ever at $875 million

The numbers have been drawn Saturday for the third-largest Powerball jackpot in its history -- an estimated $875 million.
http://dlvr.it/SsFbf2

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape and attempted rape

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has asked for privacy to begin "rebuilding his life" after he was found not guilty on a charge of rape and a separate charge of attempted rape.
http://dlvr.it/SsCW5D

Yamuna River surpasses height record as northern India reels from deadly floods

A major river overflowing near India's capital has reached the highest level on record, authorities said, prompting mass evacuations and causing havoc with water supplies as northern states report rising deaths from heavy flooding.
http://dlvr.it/Ss8s8v

No Powerball jackpot winner in Wednesday's drawing, prize now an estimated $875 million

The Powerball grand prize is growing once again after no winning jackpot tickets were sold for Wednesday's drawing.
http://dlvr.it/Ss64qR

On-air claims about Dominion Voting Systems were false, Fox News says in statement

9:00 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Here's the ruling about Fox's on-air lies it acknowledged after settling defamation case

From CNN's Marshall Cohen

People walk by the News Corporation headquarters, home to Fox News, on April 18, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

In a statement made Tuesday after Fox News settled the defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems, Fox said:

“We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false.”

So, what did those rulings say?

This is about the topic of falsity. To win a defamation case, you need to prove a few things. Most importantly, you need to prove the statements were false and that they were made with actual malice, otherwise known as a reckless disregard for the truth.

In a major pretrial ruling on March 31, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled Dominion had successfully proven that all 20 statements mentioned in its lawsuit against Fox were false. 

“Through its extensive proof, Dominion has met its burden of showing there is no genuine issue of material fact as to falsity… The evidence developed in this civil proceeding demonstrates that is CRYSTAL clear that none of the Statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true,” Davis wrote.

8:00 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Fox settlement papers were signed minutes before announcement, Dominion lawyer says

From CNN’s Danny Freeman

Dominion Voting Systems' co-lead counsel Justin Nelson said he and Dominion's other attorneys were expecting to go to trial against Fox News on Tuesday.

The final deal to settle the case with the right-wing network for $787.5 million came late in the day, and the settlement papers with Fox were signed just “minutes” before the agreement was announced, he said.

Prior to the last-minute settlement, Nelson told CNN he and other attorneys had been preparing opening statements – even during the two-and-a-half-hour courtroom delay after the lunch recess.

7:49 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Here's how it looked inside the courtroom during the Fox vs Dominion case today

Fox News will pay more than $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems after lawyers from both sides hammered out a last-minute settlement of the defamation case launched against the right-wing network.

The deal was announced hours after the jury was sworn in at the Delaware Superior Court. Rumors of a settlement swirled in the courthouse when, after a lunch break, the proceedings dramatically ground to a halt for nearly three hours with no explanation, while the parties apparently hammered out an accord.

CNN's Bill Hennessy, court sketch artist, captured scenes from inside the courtroom:

Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis, center, with Dominion attorney Justin Nelson, left, and Fox attorney Dan Webb, right. (Sketch by Bill Hennessy)

Members of the public are seen in the foreground, with Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis on the far right. On the left are smudged glass panels to obscure the jurors and protect their identity. (Sketch by Bill Hennessy)

Lawyers for both sides talk amongst themselves. Lawyers for Dominion are seated on the left side of the room, with Fox's lawyers on the right. (Sketch by Bill Hennessy)

Dan Webb, attorney for Fox, looks at his phone. (Sketch by Bill Hennessy)

7:52 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Fox News settlement is the first time anyone has "paid the price" for election lies, Dominion's lead counsel says

Justin Nelson, Dominion's lead counsel, appears on CNN. (CNN)

Dominion Voting Systems had two goals in its defamation case against Fox News — accountability and “trying to make Dominion whole," said Justin Nelson, the lead counsel election technology company.

Both were accomplished in this settlement, he told CNN on Tuesday.

The payment of more than $787 million by Fox News to Dominion and the network's statement acknowledging that its coverage of the 2020 election was false was “a strong message of accountability” and an important victory for the employees of his client's company.

“This is really the first time that anyone has paid a price for telling the lies of the 2020 election and we're very proud about that," he said.

While the settlement does not stipulate that Fox’s anchors must acknowledge the lies on air, Nelson said it was a consequential outcome for the network.

The texts and emails that emerged during the litigation process from inside the Fox network were valuable, he said. "And what today has shown is that you have to pay a price if you're telling lies."

Previous court filings revealed messages that showed that the most prominent stars and highest-ranking executives at Fox News privately ridiculed claims of election fraud in the 2020 election, despite the right-wing channel allowing lies about the presidential contest to be promoted on its air.

“It’s a lot of what we teach our kids, which is that the truth does indeed matter, and if you are lying, eventually there's going to be consequences to that," Nelson said.

He said the settlement with Fox sends a "strong message" to other right-wing outlets in which Dominion has ongoing legal disputes.

6:44 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Fox-Dominion defamation settlement is largest involving US media company

From CNN's Jon Passantino

Fox News’ payment of $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems is the largest publicly known defamation settlement in US history involving a media company. 

Notably, in 2017, ABC News paid $177 million after its years-long legal dispute with South Dakota-based meat processor Beef Products Inc. over its textured meat product that the network referred to as “pink slime.”

At the time, the settlement was believed to be the biggest amount ever paid in a media defamation case in the United States.

5:23 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Fox anchors not required to acknowledge lies told about Dominion as part of settlement, Dominion rep says

From CNN’s Oliver Darcy

Fox News anchors will not have to acknowledge on-air that it told election lies about Dominion Voting Systems as part of the terms of its settlement, a representative for the election technology company told CNN.

Fox News did acknowledge in its statement that falsehoods were broadcast. 

But top anchors at the right-wing talk channel will not be required as part of the settlement to acknowledge on air the lies broadcast in the wake of the 2020 election.

5:10 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

"Fox has admitted to telling lies," Dominion CEO says

From CNN's Jon Passantino

Dominion CEO John Poulos, joined by members of the Dominion Voting Systems legal team, speaks outside the Leonard Williams Justice Center in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 18. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

“Fox has admitted to telling lies about Dominion," said the company CEO John Poulos on Tuesday, following the last-minute $787.5 million settlement with the right-wing network.

"Fox and Dominion have reached a historic settlement. Fox has admitted to telling lies about Dominion that caused enormous damage to my Company, our employees, and our customers. Nothing can ever make up for that," Poulos said in the statement. "Throughout this process, we have sought accountability and believe the evidence brought to light through this case underscores the consequences of spreading and endorsing lies."

5:04 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Smartmatic says its pending case will further expose Fox News' wrongdoing after Dominion settlement 

From CNN's Jon Passantino

Smartmatic representative demonstrates his company's system on August 30, 2018, at a meeting of the Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections Commission in Grovetown, Georgia.  (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP/FILE)

Smartmatic, the voting technology company that is suing Fox News for $2.7 billion for defamation said its pending case will further expose wrongdoing by the right-wing network, following the last-minute settlement in the case brought by Dominion Voting Systems.

“Dominion’s litigation exposed some of the misconduct and damage caused by Fox’s disinformation campaign. Smartmatic will expose the rest. Smartmatic remains committed to clearing its name, recouping the significant damage done to the company, and holding Fox accountable for undermining democracy," said a statement from Smartmatic attorney J. Erik Connolly.

4:54 p.m. ET, April 18, 2023

Dominion attorney says settlement represents a "ringing endorsement for truth and accountability"

From CNN’s Liam Reilly and Laura Dolan

Attorney Justin Nelson (Matt Rourke/AP)

The settlement for more than $787 million with Fox News represents “a ringing endorsement for truth and accountability,” the attorney representing Dominion Voting Systems said Tuesday.

“The truth matters. Lies have consequences,” said Justin Nelson of the Susman Godfrey law firm at a news conference outside the courthouse.

Nelson said that more than two years ago a “torrent of lies” had swept Dominion and election officials across America, causing “grievous harm to Dominion and the country.”

Nelson also said the country must “remain ever vigilant to find common ground.”

“For our democracy to endure for another 250 years and, hopefully much longer, we must share a commitment to facts,” Nelson added.

from CNN.com - RSS Channel - Intl Homepage - News https://ift.tt/8Z5PyjT
via IFTTT

'My house has been an island': Northeastern communities face a long road to recovery after devastating floods put neighborhoods under water

Crews across the Northeast are surveying the destruction and beginning clean-up efforts as sunshine briefly returns after devastating floods put towns under water, damaging homes and washing out roads.
http://dlvr.it/Ss3DJx

Biden just secured a big win from his Europe trip

President Joe Biden has already secured a powerful deliverable from his Europe trip -- one that will weaken Russia's strategic position in another detrimental consequence of its invasion of Ukraine.
http://dlvr.it/Ss0JB5

'Tonight is the final night': Elton John says goodbye to over 50 years of touring with last show on his farewell tour

The Rocket Man is retiring from the road.
http://dlvr.it/SrxQYN

Why isn't the housing market behaving the way it's supposed to?

When the Federal Reserve kicked off its rate-hiking campaign in March last year, the housing market responded predictably — mortgage rates climbed, leading to eventual declines in home prices.
http://dlvr.it/SrvM71

Casey DeSantis charms Iowa Republicans at first solo campaign trail event

In a packed barn of more than 100 attendees, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis had the crowd laughing as she recalled bringing her 5-year-old daughter with her to an event last year.
http://dlvr.it/SrsM7R

Samsung flags massive drop in quarterly profit as chip glut drags on

Samsung Electronics reported a likely 96% plunge in second-quarter operating profit on Friday, largely in line with forecasts, as an ongoing chip glut drives large losses in the tech giant's key business despite a supply cut.
http://dlvr.it/SrpZJW

Prosecutors say man went to Obama's DC neighborhood after Trump posted what he claimed was the Obamas' address

A man arrested last week with weapons in former President Barack Obama's Washington, DC, neighborhood began live-streaming in the area shortly after resharing a social media post from Donald Trump in which the former president posted what he claimed was Obama's address, according to federal prosecutors.
http://dlvr.it/Srlf0Q

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating deputies' use of force captured on body camera footage

Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have been taken off field duty as their department investigates force they used when a couple was being detained at a Southern California grocery store last month, the county sheriff's department said.
http://dlvr.it/SrldcF

India downplayed a key Russia-friendly summit, but Putin and Xi may not be complaining

Last year, the world watched closely as China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi of India and other world leaders within a Moscow-friendly group gathered in the Uzbek city of Samarkand for a high-profile, two-day summit.
http://dlvr.it/SrhkLt

Was the last battle of the American Revolution fought in India? A growing number of historians think so

A number of historains are reassessing the American Revolutionary War and looking at it as much more of a global conflict than previously portrayed, with one of the last battles between key protagonists actually fought in India.
http://dlvr.it/Srf0QG

13 prisoners on the run after violent jailbreak in Pakistan

Police in Pakistan are searching for 13 prisoners who broke out of a jail in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan last week, in a dramatic and deadly escape that saw one inmate killed.
http://dlvr.it/SrbYw0

Israel forces launch lethal strike on West Bank's Jenin

Israeli forces launched a large military operation in Jenin in the northern West Bank overnight Sunday, killing at least three people and injuring 25 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
http://dlvr.it/Srb7Kp

Woman dies after tree falls on her car during Saturday's severe weather in St. Louis

Severe weather continues to affect millions across the US Sunday, one day after a woman died in St. Louis when a tree fell on her car during a bad storm.
http://dlvr.it/Srb72m

Mayor says home 'rammed' and set on fire as France detains hundreds more protesters

The mayor of a Paris suburb has said his home was attacked early Sunday morning, calling it "an assassination attempt" on his family amid ongoing unrest in the country.
http://dlvr.it/SrYBjp

Some US cities are replacing 4th of July fireworks with environmentally friendly drones

Fire threats and environmental concerns have prompted some US cities to forego traditional Fourth of July fireworks in favor of spectacular drone light shows this year.
http://dlvr.it/SrYBZn

Crews have hauled away most of the train cars that derailed and fell into the Yellowstone River after a bridge collapse, EPA says

A week after a train derailment and bridge collapse sent rail cars into the Yellowstone River, authorities say only two rail cars carrying molten sulfur and scrap metal remain in the water as cleanup continues near Columbus, Montana.
http://dlvr.it/SrYBY0

Former WWE wrestler and NFL player Darren Drozdov dies at 54

Former WWE wrestler and NFL player Darren Drozdov has died at age 54, according to the WWE.
http://dlvr.it/SrVvwp