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Pentagon says China military 'likely training for strikes' on U.S. targets

The assessment, which comes at a time of heightened U.S.-China tensions over trade, was contained in an annual report that highlighted China's efforts to increase its global influence, with defense spending that the Pentagon estimates exceeded $190 billion in 2017. "Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for China's People's Liberation Army. The report comes as China and the United States plan to hold trade talks, offering hope they might resolve an escalating tariff conflict that threatens to degenerate into an all-out trade war.

U.S. judge bars retrial of ex-Georgeson employees in bribe case

A federal judge on Thursday ruled prosecutors could not retry three former employees of a firm that advises companies on shareholder votes who were accused of using bribes to learn how a proxy advisory firm's investor clients voted. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston barred prosecutors from retrying three former employees of Georgeson LLC, a proxy solicitation firm owned by Computershare Ltd, after an earlier trial ended in a mistrial in March. The ex-employees - Michael Sedlak, Charles Garske and Richard Gottcent - were on trial alongside their colleague Donna Ackerly.

U.S., ACLU agree on plan to reunite separated immigrant families

In a Thursday court filing, U.S. Department of Justice lawyers said the changes would ensure an "efficient process" for reunifications, without requiring that parents removed from the United States be returned for that purpose. The plan is the second stage of government efforts to reunite 2,551 children ages 5 to 17 with their parents, after they had been separated under U.S. President Donald Trump's now-abandoned "zero tolerance" policy toward illegal immigrants. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered the reunifications on June 26 and must approve any reunification plan.

Body found at New Mexico compound identified as missing boy

A child's body found at a New Mexico compound has been identified as Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, a missing 3-year-old boy whose father is one of five adults charged with child abuse at the remote settlement, the Taos County Sheriff said on Thursday. The condition of the body made identification difficult, and investigators had to use different methods to make a positive identification, according to a statement from Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe.The cause and manner of death remained unclear, the statement said. Authorities unearthed the boy's body at the compound on Aug. 6, three days after they raided the ramshackle home near Amalia, New Mexico, where they found 11 children in "filthy conditions" with no food or clean water.

Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report

In a long statement that broke the Vatican's silence over a damning U.S. grand jury report that has shaken the American Church, spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See was taking the report "with great seriousness". The grand jury on Tuesday released the findings of the largest-ever investigation of sex abuse in the U.S. Catholic Church, finding that 301 priests in the state had sexually abused minors over the past 70 years.

Man held on suspicion of killing wife, two kids in Colorado

The body of a woman, believed to be the spouse of Christopher Watts, 33, has been recovered, authorities said. Watts was taken into custody late on Wednesday for the suspected murder of his wife Shanann Watts, 34, and of the couple's children. "This is absolutely the worst possible outcome that any of us could imagine," John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said at a news briefing about the incident in Frederick, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Denver.

Vatican feels 'shame and sorrow' over U.S. grand jury report on abuse

The Vatican, in its first response to a damning report by a U.S. grand jury on sexual abuse of children by priests in Pennsylvania, on Thursday expressed "shame and sorrow". The grand jury on Tuesday released the findings of the largest-ever investigation of sex abuse in the U.S. Catholic Church, finding that 301 priests in the state had sexually abused minors over the past 70 years. In a statement, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke also said the Catholic Church "must learn hard lessons from its past", and that the Vatican vowed to hold abusers and enablers accountable.

U.S. judge orders review of TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline route

A federal judge in Montana has ordered the U.S. State Department to do a full environmental review of a revised route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, possibly delaying its construction and dealing another setback to TransCanada Corp . For more than a decade, environmentalists, tribal groups, and ranchers have fought the $8-billion, 1,180-mile (1,900-km) pipeline that will carry heavy crude to Steele City, Nebraska, from Canada's oilsands in Alberta. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ruled late on Wednesday for the Indigenous Environmental Network and other plaintiffs, ordering the review of a revised pipeline route through Nebraska to supplement one the State Department did on the original path in 2014.

Newspapers across U.S. rebuke Trump for attacks on press

Hundreds of U.S. newspapers on Thursday launched a coordinated defense of press freedom and a rebuke of President Donald Trump for denouncing some media organizations as enemies of the American people. "A central pillar of President Trump's politics is a sustained assault on the free press," said the editorial by the Boston Globe, which coordinated publication among more than 350 newspapers. "The greatness of America is dependent on the role of a free press to speak the truth to the powerful," the Globe said.

Senate adopts resolution backing free press after Trump attacks

The vote comes after more than 300 hundred U.S. newspapers on Thursday launched a coordinated defense of press freedom and a rebuke of President Donald Trump for denouncing some media organizations as enemies of the American people. "A central pillar of President Trump's politics is a sustained assault on the free press," said the editorial by the Boston Globe, which coordinated publication among more than 350 newspapers.

Illness at Ohio Chipotle caused by food-borne bacteria: local officials

The outbreak last month was the latest in a series of food safety lapses at the burrito chain, and health officials said it was caused by the clostridium perfringens bacterium, which often infects food that is prepared in large quantities and kept warm for a long time. The resulting illnesses are fairly common and affect nearly 1 million people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Customers had last month complained of food poisoning and diarrhea after eating tacos and burrito bowls at the Powell, Ohio Chipotle restaurant.

Ross and Kocian add names to Nassar victims list

In interview with "CBS This Morning," Ross and 2016 Olympic team gold medalist Madison Kocian said a "culture of silence" within USA Gymnastics had allowed Nassar to prey on young athletes for years. Nassar, a doctor for USA Gymnastics and former faculty member and physician at an on-campus clinic at Michigan State University, was sentenced in February to up to 125 years in prison after some 200 young women testified about decades of abuse at his hands.

El Salvador probes alleged cases of child abuse in U.S. detention centers

El Salvador is investigating three alleged cases of sexual abuse of minors in U.S. immigrant detention centers, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Salvadorans Abroad, Liduvina Magarin, told reporters that consulate officials were using private attorneys to investigate the cases of alleged abuse at shelters in the U.S. state of Arizona. The U.S. State Department did not reply immediately to a request for comment, while an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said the agency did not have family facilities in Arizona.

U.S. banks teach financial literacy with hands-on experience

For 45 minutes each week, she became one of 15 student tellers at the Community Spirit Bank branch at Red Bay High School in Red Bay, Alabama. Community Spirit has used a digital platform to teach Red Bay students financial concepts for roughly five years. Recent research suggests that pairing financial literacy efforts and tangible experience has a greater impact on positive money management: higher credit scores, less debt and higher savings rates.

Texas, refineries urged to plan storm shutdowns to cut pollution

Texas environment regulators should coordinate shutdowns of oil refineries and other petrochemical plants during major storms to avoid big releases of air pollution like during last year's Hurricane Harvey, a report said on Thursday. A year ago Harvey dumped more than 60 inches (1.5 meters) of rain on southeastern Texas, halting refineries that produce a quarter of U.S. fuel and damaging infrastructure. Texas industry, including refineries and petrochemical plants, released an extra 8.3 million pounds (3.8 million kg) of air pollutants including cancer-causing benzene, during Harvey, said the report by the Washington-based Environmental Integrity Project.

Colorado baker in case of Supreme Court sues state over 'persecution'

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in the city of Lakewood, accuses Colorado’s Civil Rights Commission of violating his constitutional rights to free speech, freedom of religion, equal protection and due process, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Denver on Tuesday. “This lawsuit is necessary to stop Colorado’s continuing persecution of Phillips,” the written complaint alleges. Also named in the lawsuit are Governor John Hickenlooper and Cynthia Coffman, the state attorney general.

White House cannot shield information on transgender military ban: judge

The decision on Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite came in a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf more than one dozen transgender people serving or who want to serve in the military. Copperthite declined to decide whether President Donald Trump deserved a protective order for his own communications, pending a ruling on whether to dismiss Trump as a defendant. Andy Reuss, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, declined to comment.

New Mexico compound member in U.S. illegally over 20 years: government

A Haitian woman who was charged with child abuse at a New Mexico compound has been taken into custody by immigration authorities after living in the United States illegally for over 20 years, immigration officials said on Wednesday. Jany Leveille, 35, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Taos County, New Mexico, on Tuesday and must appear before a judge to resolve her immigration status, according to a statement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Leveille has been unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than 20 years after overstaying the validity of her non-immigrant visitor visa," according to an ICE statement.

U.S. and Mexico to set up joint team to fight drug cartels

The announcement of a fresh effort at co-operation on security issues comes at a time of strained relations between the two neighboring countries and around four months before President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a left-leaning nationalist, is due to take power in Mexico. Lopez Obrador has vowed to shake up Mexico's war on drug cartels and wants to rewrite the rules, aides have said, suggesting negotiated peace and amnesties rather than a hardline strategy that critics say has only perpetuated violence. "We are sure the next president of the republic will be willing to collaborate in the fight against organized crime," Felipe de Jesus Munoz Vazquez, Mexico's deputy attorney general for the specialized investigation of federal crimes unit, told a joint U.S.-Mexican news conference in Chicago.

Ex-NYC union head convicted of taking bribe to invest in fund

A former head of New York City's correction officers' union was found guilty on Wednesday of accepting a bribe to steer union money to now-defunct hedge fund Platinum Partners for investing. Norman Seabrook, a leader of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association for two decades, was convicted by a Manhattan federal jury of fraud and conspiracy after his second trial on the charges. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein set Seabrook's sentencing for Nov. 30.

Florida school opens for class with new security after massacre

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, doubled its campus security detail to 18, including three armed uniformed sheriff's deputies. The school's 3,300 students wore new identification badges as they funneled through three entrances at the sprawling 45-acre campus. School administrators considered and then opted against requiring students to use see-through backpacks or installing metal detectors, finding it would be too difficult to screen all students each morning before class.

Lightning storms mass over California, Oregon as wildfires blaze

The clouds carried little rain and offered little chance of a break from the bone-dry conditions plaguing the region, the National Weather Service said. Elsewhere, crews made slow but steady progress against wildfires including one, called the Mendocino Complex, which has become largest in California's history and killed one firefighter from Utah on Monday. Emergency crews had managed to set up containment lines around almost two thirds the fire which has raged through the southern end of the Mendocino National Forest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

Turkish court rejects U.S. pastor's appeal, upper court yet to rule: lawyer

One Turkish court has rejected an American Christian pastor's appeal to be released from house arrest and for his travel ban to be lifted, but an upper court is yet to rule on the appeal, his lawyer told Reuters on Wednesday. Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson is standing trial in Turkey over terrorism charges.

Mayor of Washington D.C. joins El Salvador town to celebrate migration milestone

Far from U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, the people of a small coastal town in El Salvador on Tuesday celebrated half a century of their links to Washington D.C. - joined by the capital's mayor. Sigfredo Chavez and Elba Salinas, along with their two sons, were the first migrants from Intipuca to make the long journey to the United States in 1967, ending up in Washington D.C. and paving the way for thousands of people from their town who would follow, local officials said.

New Mexico judge gets death threats after granting bail to Muslim compound members

A New Mexico judge received death threats and Islamophobic abuse on Tuesday a day after she granted bail to five Muslims charged with child abuse and accused of training children at their compound to carry out attacks, court officials said. Police raided the compound in Taos County on Aug. 3 following a tip-off that children held there were starving. In an order published on Tuesday, district Judge Sarah Backus said prosecutors had produced evidence that was "troubling and unusual" but failed to show the defendants abused the children and were a threat to society if released on bail.

Midwest battleground states tap candidates for midterm elections

Wisconsin Republicans tapped state senator Leah Vukmir to battle incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, according to an Associated Press projection, after a bruising primary that could hamper her chances in November. Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin in 32 years and he narrowly lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in Minnesota.

In first, transgender woman wins Democratic nomination for Vermont governor

"I think Vermont is a beacon of hope for the rest of the country," Hallquist said during an interview with Reuters. "This is what I call expanding our moral compass and that is what I think it represents." The contest comes at a time of uncertainty for transgender rights, which expanded under the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama. Transgender candidates are hoping to build on the breakthrough year of 2017, when at least 10 won office across the country at levels ranging from state legislator to zoning (town planning) board - the most ever recorded.

Ford to invest $740 million in Detroit train station, city development project

Ford aims to turn the building into a campus of offices for up to 5,000 tech workers and software engineers focused on self-driving vehicles and ancillary technologies and services. The second largest U.S. automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, about 10 miles from Detroit, announced the project in June, but had not previously disclosed costs until a community meeting on Tuesday. The company said Tuesday in a statement it is "working with federal, state and local economic development groups and officials, seeking at least $250 million in tax or other incentives to support the development of the five Corktown sites Ford has purchased." Ford said total investment in the development of the train station and developing 45 acres of vacant land will cost approximately $740 million over the next four years.

U.S. lawsuit over photos at U.S.-Mexico border crossings is revived

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California, ruled 3-0 that a lower court judge acted too hastily in dismissing Ray Askins' and Christian Ramirez's First Amendment claims against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection officials. It faulted the judge for deciding in a "conclusory fashion" that the case should be dismissed because of the government's "extremely compelling interest" in border security and general interest in protecting U.S. territorial sovereignty. While reasonable restrictions on speech might be justified, "it is the government's burden to prove that these specific restrictions are the least restrictive means available to further its compelling interest," Circuit Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the appeals court.

Nine hurt as gas explosion levels Denver building

DENVER (Reuters) - Nine people were injured, one critically, on Tuesday when a natural gas explosion leveled a Denver apartment building, a fire department spokesman said.

Pennsylvania report details decades of sexual abuse by priests

An 884-page report made public by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro after a two-year investigation contained graphic examples of children being groomed and sexually abused by clergymen. It was largely based on documents from secret archives kept by the dioceses, including handwritten confessions by priests, he said.

Yosemite reopens its valley, as flames and smoke linger

The reopening of Yosemite Valley, by far the most heavily touristed area of the park, came as firefighters continued to make slow, steady progress containing the last hot spots of the Ferguson Fire, which erupted July 13 at the edge of Yosemite. The blaze, one of the largest of dozens that have burned across California this summer, has charred nearly 97,000 acres around the park's northwestern corner, but fire crews have carved containment lines around 86 percent of its perimeter. The road into Yosemite Valley was reopened on Tuesday for the first time since July 25, along with two highways into the park.

Puerto Rico utility completes restoration 10 months after Maria

In a message on twitter, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) said it had restored power to the last customer that was still offline, a family in Ponce, on the island's southern side. Hurricane Maria devastated the island last September and the bankrupt utility struggled to restore service to its customers.

Boy, 11, hacks into replica U.S. vote website in minutes at convention

(Reuters) - An 11-year-old boy managed to hack into a replica of Florida's election results website in 10 minutes and change names and tallies during a hackers convention, organizers said, stoking concerns about security ahead of nationwide votes. The boy was the quickest of 35 children, ages 6 to 17, who all eventually hacked into copies of the websites of six swing states during the three-day Def Con security convention over the weekend, the event said on Twitter on Tuesday. The National Association of Secretaries of State - who are responsible for tallying votes - said it welcomed the convention's efforts.

Evacuations, rescues as 'historic' floods hit northeastern U.S.

(Reuters) - New Jersey declared a partial state of emergency on Tuesday as forecasts for further heavy rainfall posed new danger in parts of that state, New York and Pennsylvania, where rescuers hauled people from waterways, flooded cars and homes. Following several days of torrential rain throughout the northeastern United States, the National Weather Service issued new warnings for flooding in areas around Binghamton, New York, near the Pennsylvania border, and in New Jersey.

Nebraska carries out its first execution since 1997

Carey Moore, 60, was put to death at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, a state official told local media at the site. The execution also marked the first time Nebraska has used a lethal injection to kill an inmate since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976.

Southwest to allow only dogs, cats as emotional support animals

(Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co would limit emotional support animals to only dogs and cats on its flights and will allow one per passenger, the U.S. airline said on Tuesday as it updated its service animal policies. The emotional support animal must remain in a carrier or be on a leash at all times, Southwest said, adding that customers traveling with pets will need to present a complete letter from a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional on the day of the departure. Airlines have started to tighten policies to fly animals on growing concerns about passengers bringing aboard exotic pets that could pose a safety risk.

China angered at new U.S. defense act, to assess content

China's complaints about the act come as the world's two biggest economies engage in an increasingly bitter fight over trade, levying tariffs on each others' products. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $716-billion defense policy act on Monday that authorizes military spending and waters down controls on U.S. government contracts with China's ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd . The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, strengthens the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews proposals to determine if they threaten national security.

New Mexico family believed dead boy's spirit would lead attacks: prosecutors

A 3-year-old boy found buried at a New Mexico desert compound died in a ritual to "cast out demonic spirits," but his extended family believed he would "return as Jesus" to identify "corrupt" targets for them to attack, prosecutors said in court on Monday. Prosecutors' account of an exorcism-like ritual, allegations of weapons training for children and references to martyrdom and conspiracy were aimed at persuading a judge to deny bond for the five adults charged with child abuse in the case. Defense attorneys said prosecutors sought to criminalize their clients for being African-Americans of Muslim faith.