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Nigerian army seizes on Trump's remarks about military attacking migrant caravan – live Trump said black people were 'too stupid' to vote for him, claims Michael Cohen – live
(35 minutes later)
New from the Associated Press:
The supreme court says new justice Brett Kavanaugh won’t take the traditional walk down the courthouse steps after his ceremonial installation on the court because of security concerns.
Kavanaugh’s investiture ceremony is scheduled for Thursday morning in the courtroom. It is customary for a new justice to walk down the 44 marble steps in front of the building, accompanied by the chief justice. The moment provides a chance for news organizations to photograph the justice, since the courtroom event is closed to cameras.
Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Friday that the change is being made “out of an abundance of caution due to security concerns”.
Kavanaugh was confirmed 6 October by a 50-48 Senate vote following an allegation he sexually assaulted a woman decades ago. He denied any wrongdoing.
Donald Trump famously said that if he were to stand on Fifth Avenue and shoot someone on he still wouldn’t lose any votes.
Well, it turns out that Teflon status doesn’t quite extend to his leading impersonator, Alec Baldwin. After allegedly punching a man over a parking spot in New York on Friday Baldwin didn’t lose any votes of course – but he was arrested.
NEW YORK (AP) — Alec Baldwin has been arrested for allegedly punching someone during a dispute over a New York City parking spot.
File this one under: “Too little too late” and “Tell us something we don’t know!”
Donald Trump’s recently convicted former lawyer, and increasingly disloyal one-time confidant Michael Cohen told Vanity Fair that Trump “repeatedly used racist language before his presidency”.
Some of the highlights (lowlights)?
“[Trump] said to me: ‘Name one country run by a black person that’s not a shithole,’ and then he added: ‘Name one city,’” Cohen recalled, a statement that echoed the president’s alleged comments about African nations earlier this year.
“I told Trump that the rally looked vanilla on television. Trump responded: ‘That’s because black people are too stupid to vote for me.’”
“We were going from the airport to the hotel, and we drove through what looked like a rougher neighborhood. Trump made a comment to me, saying that only the blacks could live like this.”
Regarding a contestant on his show The Apprentice: “He said: ‘There’s no way I can let this black f-g win.’”
Donald Trump’s effort to thwart a lawsuit against him over possible violations of the emoluments clause of the constitution was quashed by a federal judge Friday. Suit will continue.
BREAKING: Federal judge denies @realDonaldTrump's attempt to stop discovery process in "Emoluments Clause" lawsuit by DC/MD A.G.'s. Will allow AGs to get documents showing foreign-government customers at Trump Hotel D.C. Story coming soon...
One interesting part: @realDonaldTrump had argued that a lawsuit would distract him from his duties as POTUS. But judge notes that, while in office, Trump has found time to threatened lawsuits against Bannon, Stormy, Michael Wolff.. https://t.co/zScwMfSxBa
Reacting to Trump’s playful tweet about reinstating sanctions on Iran, Ahmad Ghavideh, the head of Iran’s hemophilia society, which is an NGO, told the Guardian by phone from Tehran that the lives of at least 12,000 patients with bleeding disorders in Iran will be put at immediate risk when the country’s supply runs out.Reacting to Trump’s playful tweet about reinstating sanctions on Iran, Ahmad Ghavideh, the head of Iran’s hemophilia society, which is an NGO, told the Guardian by phone from Tehran that the lives of at least 12,000 patients with bleeding disorders in Iran will be put at immediate risk when the country’s supply runs out.
We believe that sanctions are in fact worse than waging a classic war, because when you’re in the war situation at least civilian buildings, and targets are supposed to be spared, while with sanctions in this scale, a whole nation has been targeted.We believe that sanctions are in fact worse than waging a classic war, because when you’re in the war situation at least civilian buildings, and targets are supposed to be spared, while with sanctions in this scale, a whole nation has been targeted.
“There’s no doubt that the lives of thousands of patients will be at risk. Any delay in supply of medicine, particularly in the sector I work in, will have catastrophic consequences. My worry is not for today, but in six month’s time when our supply runs out. They claim that the imports of medicines are exempted from sanctions but in pratice, because of banking restrictions we don’t have access to medicine or ingredients needed to make them internally. There’s no doubt that the lives of thousands of patients will be at risk. Any delay in supply of medicine, particularly in the sector I work in, will have catastrophic consequences. My worry is not for today, but in six month’s time when our supply runs out. They claim that the imports of medicines are exempted from sanctions but in practice, because of banking restrictions we don’t have access to medicine or ingredients needed to make them internally.
“We’ve been here before in 2012 when a 15-year-old boy in the city of Dezful died. We’ve been here before in 2012 when a 15-year-old boy in the city of Dezful died.
“Women having their period and suffering from bleeding disorders who have not access to their medicine might experience 15 to 18 days bleeding in a single month. We’re not talking about a simple matter here.” Women having their period and suffering from bleeding disorders who have not access to their medicine might experience 15 to 18 days bleeding in a single month. We’re not talking about a simple matter here.
Senior US officials have warned that Washington will next week reimpose all sanctions on Iran that were lifted by the Obama administration after the 2015 nuclear agreement.Senior US officials have warned that Washington will next week reimpose all sanctions on Iran that were lifted by the Obama administration after the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Donald Trump, since breaking that deal in May, has vowed to cut off Iranian oil revenue completely, and oil exporters and tankers will be among 700 companies, individuals, vessels and aircraft that will be added to a US sanctions blacklist on Monday.Donald Trump, since breaking that deal in May, has vowed to cut off Iranian oil revenue completely, and oil exporters and tankers will be among 700 companies, individuals, vessels and aircraft that will be added to a US sanctions blacklist on Monday.
The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said that eight “jurisdictions” would be granted temporary waivers after Monday’s sanctions deadline, but only on the understanding that they would stop or drastically reduce oil imports in the coming weeks.The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said that eight “jurisdictions” would be granted temporary waivers after Monday’s sanctions deadline, but only on the understanding that they would stop or drastically reduce oil imports in the coming weeks.
Pompeo did not name the countries to be exempted, except to say that the European Union was not among them. He did not say whether individual European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain might be granted waivers.Pompeo did not name the countries to be exempted, except to say that the European Union was not among them. He did not say whether individual European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain might be granted waivers.
Trump announced the move by tweeting a parody of a poster for the HBO series Game of Thrones featuring himself.Trump announced the move by tweeting a parody of a poster for the HBO series Game of Thrones featuring himself.
It’s full speed ahead for the Trump administration’s aggressive mobilization at the southern border. From the Daily Beast, former Guardian US reporter Spencer Ackerman has this report:It’s full speed ahead for the Trump administration’s aggressive mobilization at the southern border. From the Daily Beast, former Guardian US reporter Spencer Ackerman has this report:
The Pentagon expects to soon receive a long-delayed formal request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to host detention facilities for thousands of migrant families, The Daily Beast has learned.The Pentagon expects to soon receive a long-delayed formal request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to host detention facilities for thousands of migrant families, The Daily Beast has learned.
Discussions are ongoing between the two departments, already collaborating with each other on a massive military mobilization at the southern border, officials said. It’s an effort that has prompted outrage and fears of troops firing on unarmed asylum seekers. Under discussion are the terms under which two military bases in Texas, the Army’s Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Base, will become detention sites for thousands of families.Discussions are ongoing between the two departments, already collaborating with each other on a massive military mobilization at the southern border, officials said. It’s an effort that has prompted outrage and fears of troops firing on unarmed asylum seekers. Under discussion are the terms under which two military bases in Texas, the Army’s Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Base, will become detention sites for thousands of families.
Update to a story we brought you a short time ago: the Nigerian army has since deleted its tweet referencing Donald Trump’s statement about treating migrants throwing rocks as if they were armed with rifles. Nothing is ever really gone on the internet, however.Update to a story we brought you a short time ago: the Nigerian army has since deleted its tweet referencing Donald Trump’s statement about treating migrants throwing rocks as if they were armed with rifles. Nothing is ever really gone on the internet, however.
The army stands accused of opening fire on peaceful protesters, killing 45 earlier this week. The post seemed to be a way of using Trump’s logic to excuse the violent suppression of large masses of unarmed or minimally armed people with military-grade firepower.The army stands accused of opening fire on peaceful protesters, killing 45 earlier this week. The post seemed to be a way of using Trump’s logic to excuse the violent suppression of large masses of unarmed or minimally armed people with military-grade firepower.
Big news out of Georgia, where the secretary of state (and current gubernatorial candidate) Brian Kemp had thus far been successful in keeping 53,000 voters off rolls for minor data mismatches.Big news out of Georgia, where the secretary of state (and current gubernatorial candidate) Brian Kemp had thus far been successful in keeping 53,000 voters off rolls for minor data mismatches.
A federal judge has ruled that Kemp must guarantee that people flagged as non-citizens through Georgia’s “exact match” system can vote in the 2018 election.A federal judge has ruled that Kemp must guarantee that people flagged as non-citizens through Georgia’s “exact match” system can vote in the 2018 election.
Breaking news: A federal judge ordered Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to guarantee people flagged as non-citizens through Georgia's "exact match" system can vote in the 2018 election. https://t.co/9Lmw1rR4gHHere is how they can vote: pic.twitter.com/eHircRO07xBreaking news: A federal judge ordered Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to guarantee people flagged as non-citizens through Georgia's "exact match" system can vote in the 2018 election. https://t.co/9Lmw1rR4gHHere is how they can vote: pic.twitter.com/eHircRO07x
Read more about Georgia’s registration exclusion policy below, which many have described as an attempt at voter suppression. 70% of those affected by the “exact match” exclusions are black Americans.Read more about Georgia’s registration exclusion policy below, which many have described as an attempt at voter suppression. 70% of those affected by the “exact match” exclusions are black Americans.
An event at a Brooklyn synagogue with Broad City actor Ilana Glazer was canceled after antisemitic graffiti including the phrase “Kill all Jews” was found on the walls Thursday night.An event at a Brooklyn synagogue with Broad City actor Ilana Glazer was canceled after antisemitic graffiti including the phrase “Kill all Jews” was found on the walls Thursday night.
“I can’t put these 200 people who came to listen in a safe space ... in that danger,” Glazer told Democracy Now.“I can’t put these 200 people who came to listen in a safe space ... in that danger,” Glazer told Democracy Now.
.@broadcity star and co-creator Ilana Glazer (@ilazer) decided to cancel an event with Amy Goodman at a Brooklyn synagogue Thursday night after the discovery of anti-Semitic messages on the walls: "I can't put these 200 people who came to listen in a safe space… in that danger" pic.twitter.com/WY0RKR3Gcq.@broadcity star and co-creator Ilana Glazer (@ilazer) decided to cancel an event with Amy Goodman at a Brooklyn synagogue Thursday night after the discovery of anti-Semitic messages on the walls: "I can't put these 200 people who came to listen in a safe space… in that danger" pic.twitter.com/WY0RKR3Gcq
What’s a quick route to weaker unions, lower taxes or less-stringent environmental regulations? Pour some money into politics.What’s a quick route to weaker unions, lower taxes or less-stringent environmental regulations? Pour some money into politics.
Political donors “get their phone calls answered”, one expert tells us today in our roundup of the most significant donors of the midterms.Political donors “get their phone calls answered”, one expert tells us today in our roundup of the most significant donors of the midterms.
Leading the pack is casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who’s given $113m to conservative causes. Of course, big money in politics isn’t the preserve of Republicans. The top liberals are Thomas Steyer and Kathryn Taylor, who have funneled much of their $50.7m in donations to candidates and causes working to combat climate change.Leading the pack is casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who’s given $113m to conservative causes. Of course, big money in politics isn’t the preserve of Republicans. The top liberals are Thomas Steyer and Kathryn Taylor, who have funneled much of their $50.7m in donations to candidates and causes working to combat climate change.
Find out the rest of the top 20 here.Find out the rest of the top 20 here.
(And check out some of the other pieces in Big Money, our new series on the political and social clout of America’s ultra-rich: on what billionaires really want, the bad behavior of plutocrats, and more. )(And check out some of the other pieces in Big Money, our new series on the political and social clout of America’s ultra-rich: on what billionaires really want, the bad behavior of plutocrats, and more. )
If there is one (non-Trump) issue Democrats hammered this election season, it’s healthcare. A Thursday debate between two Ohio candidates shows why.If there is one (non-Trump) issue Democrats hammered this election season, it’s healthcare. A Thursday debate between two Ohio candidates shows why.
The Democratic challenger Danny O’Connor jabbed incumbent Republican congressman Troy Balderson, as Balderson struggled to explain why he wanted to end a government program which provides public health insurance to 653,000 Ohioans. The program, called Medicaid expansion, cut the state’s uninsured rate in half.The Democratic challenger Danny O’Connor jabbed incumbent Republican congressman Troy Balderson, as Balderson struggled to explain why he wanted to end a government program which provides public health insurance to 653,000 Ohioans. The program, called Medicaid expansion, cut the state’s uninsured rate in half.
“We have saved $200m” in Medicaid reforms, Balderson started, before he was interrupted.“We have saved $200m” in Medicaid reforms, Balderson started, before he was interrupted.
“Well, I guess that’s how much a life is worth for someone who doesn’t have healthcare,” said O’Connor. Balderson argued he was not trying to take away anyone’s health insurance – although that is exactly what an end to Medicaid expansion would do.“Well, I guess that’s how much a life is worth for someone who doesn’t have healthcare,” said O’Connor. Balderson argued he was not trying to take away anyone’s health insurance – although that is exactly what an end to Medicaid expansion would do.
“If they don’t have Medicaid where are they going to go?” said O’Connor.“If they don’t have Medicaid where are they going to go?” said O’Connor.
“That is not throwing them off their healthcare,” said Balderson. “We have federally qualified health centers in this community –”“That is not throwing them off their healthcare,” said Balderson. “We have federally qualified health centers in this community –”
“Well, you’ve said counties don’t even have doctors,” O’Connor interjected, and Balderson paused.“Well, you’ve said counties don’t even have doctors,” O’Connor interjected, and Balderson paused.
In last night's debate, Danny O'Connor challenged Troy Balderson on his opposition to Medicaid expansion and it was definitely something. #OH12 pic.twitter.com/PgBSdEwdd3In last night's debate, Danny O'Connor challenged Troy Balderson on his opposition to Medicaid expansion and it was definitely something. #OH12 pic.twitter.com/PgBSdEwdd3
“Danny, there are counties which don’t have doctors,” Balderson said.“Danny, there are counties which don’t have doctors,” Balderson said.
“... Every county in your old senate district has a doctor. All you’ve got to do is go on Google, and you’ll find it,” O’Connor said. The two men paused, before the moderator offered a reprieve.“... Every county in your old senate district has a doctor. All you’ve got to do is go on Google, and you’ll find it,” O’Connor said. The two men paused, before the moderator offered a reprieve.
“Let’s move on unless you have something to add, Congressman Balderson.”“Let’s move on unless you have something to add, Congressman Balderson.”
“I have nothing to add,” Balderson replied.“I have nothing to add,” Balderson replied.
Former Virginia Republican senator John Warner tells NBC News he is endorsing several Democrats for Congress in 2018, including Abigail Spanberger, who is challenging GOP representative Dave Brat in Virginia’s seventh congressional district.Former Virginia Republican senator John Warner tells NBC News he is endorsing several Democrats for Congress in 2018, including Abigail Spanberger, who is challenging GOP representative Dave Brat in Virginia’s seventh congressional district.
Now is the time to rise above politics, Warner, a dean of the Virginia Republican party, told NBC News.Now is the time to rise above politics, Warner, a dean of the Virginia Republican party, told NBC News.
“It goes beyond politics now. I’m a Republican, I’ll finish a Republican as I cruise through my 91st year. But you’ve got to put the nation’s interests and the state’s interests ahead of politics,” Warner told NBC in a phone interview.“It goes beyond politics now. I’m a Republican, I’ll finish a Republican as I cruise through my 91st year. But you’ve got to put the nation’s interests and the state’s interests ahead of politics,” Warner told NBC in a phone interview.
The Nigerian army, accused of killing 45 demonstrators earlier this week during what Amnesty International called “peaceful protests”, has seized on Donald Trump’s words yesterday in defense of its actions.The Nigerian army, accused of killing 45 demonstrators earlier this week during what Amnesty International called “peaceful protests”, has seized on Donald Trump’s words yesterday in defense of its actions.
Trump said in remarks about the migrant caravan headed towards the US, that if the US military encounters anyone throwing rocks at personnel it should treat it as though they have rifles.Trump said in remarks about the migrant caravan headed towards the US, that if the US military encounters anyone throwing rocks at personnel it should treat it as though they have rifles.
The comments related to strife between migrants and Mexican police in which rocks were thrown at authorities leaving two officers with minor injuries.The comments related to strife between migrants and Mexican police in which rocks were thrown at authorities leaving two officers with minor injuries.
The army of Africa’s most populous country tweeted video of Trump’s remarks Friday with the caption: “Please Watch and Make your Deductions.”The army of Africa’s most populous country tweeted video of Trump’s remarks Friday with the caption: “Please Watch and Make your Deductions.”
As for Trump’s remarks, a number of military experts chimed in quickly to note that conflating rocks with rifles and using that as a basis for applying deadly force on migrants would be unlawful and out of accordance with rules of engagement.As for Trump’s remarks, a number of military experts chimed in quickly to note that conflating rocks with rifles and using that as a basis for applying deadly force on migrants would be unlawful and out of accordance with rules of engagement.
FWIW, there is no leader in the military - Officer or NCO - who would allow a soldier to shoot at an individual throwing a rock. They know that violates the rules of engagement, the law of land warfare & the values those in the military believe. It would be an unlawful order.FWIW, there is no leader in the military - Officer or NCO - who would allow a soldier to shoot at an individual throwing a rock. They know that violates the rules of engagement, the law of land warfare & the values those in the military believe. It would be an unlawful order.
Reuters has this from West Virginia, where conservative Democrat Joe Manchin is in a tight battle to retain his Senate seat:Reuters has this from West Virginia, where conservative Democrat Joe Manchin is in a tight battle to retain his Senate seat:
Democratic US Senator Joe Manchin’s re-election race was never going to be easy in conservative West Virginia, a state that Donald Trump carried by more than 40 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.Democratic US Senator Joe Manchin’s re-election race was never going to be easy in conservative West Virginia, a state that Donald Trump carried by more than 40 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.
But two new polls this week showing Manchin’s once comfortable lead over Republican Patrick Morrisey dwindling to five percentage points ahead of Tuesday’s congressional elections have sparked concern among Democrats, although a poll in mid-October showed Manchin still holding a double-digit lead.But two new polls this week showing Manchin’s once comfortable lead over Republican Patrick Morrisey dwindling to five percentage points ahead of Tuesday’s congressional elections have sparked concern among Democrats, although a poll in mid-October showed Manchin still holding a double-digit lead.
On Friday, Trump will make his third trip to West Virginia in three months to support Morrisey against Manchin, a moderate Democrat who sometimes sides with the president. Morrisey, the state’s attorney general, touts Trump’s support in ads, and said earlier this year the president would be the “difference maker” in the Senate race.On Friday, Trump will make his third trip to West Virginia in three months to support Morrisey against Manchin, a moderate Democrat who sometimes sides with the president. Morrisey, the state’s attorney general, touts Trump’s support in ads, and said earlier this year the president would be the “difference maker” in the Senate race.
“I know Trump coming so often is making an impact,” said Jim Hoyt, chairman of the Morgan county Democratic party in northeast West Virginia. Like other state Democrats, he still expects Manchin to win.“I know Trump coming so often is making an impact,” said Jim Hoyt, chairman of the Morgan county Democratic party in northeast West Virginia. Like other state Democrats, he still expects Manchin to win.
The Democratic Senate campaign committee has made a late television ad buy in two small markets in the state, the Republican media firm Medium Buying reported, a sign of Democratic concern.The Democratic Senate campaign committee has made a late television ad buy in two small markets in the state, the Republican media firm Medium Buying reported, a sign of Democratic concern.
West Virginia is one of 10 states won by Trump where Democrats are defending Senate seats. A Manchin loss on Tuesday would deal a punishing blow to already-slim Democratic hopes of picking up the net two seats they need to gain a Senate majority. Democrats are widely favored to win control of the House of Representatives.West Virginia is one of 10 states won by Trump where Democrats are defending Senate seats. A Manchin loss on Tuesday would deal a punishing blow to already-slim Democratic hopes of picking up the net two seats they need to gain a Senate majority. Democrats are widely favored to win control of the House of Representatives.
The visit to West Virginia on Friday, part of an 11-rally blitz across eight states in the final run-up to Tuesday’s voting, is aimed at turning out his core supporters in a state where Trump’s approval ratings are well above 50%.The visit to West Virginia on Friday, part of an 11-rally blitz across eight states in the final run-up to Tuesday’s voting, is aimed at turning out his core supporters in a state where Trump’s approval ratings are well above 50%.
Trump has tweeted this image of himself on a faux-poster styled after the HBO series Game of Thrones, presumably to announce the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran reported a short time ago.Trump has tweeted this image of himself on a faux-poster styled after the HBO series Game of Thrones, presumably to announce the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran reported a short time ago.
pic.twitter.com/nk2vKvHuaLpic.twitter.com/nk2vKvHuaL
HBO’s response:HBO’s response:
Here's the statement HBO sent BuzzFeed News regarding President Trump's Game of Thrones-related tweet/meme: “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.”Here's the statement HBO sent BuzzFeed News regarding President Trump's Game of Thrones-related tweet/meme: “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.”
If the Democrats win control of either chamber of Congress they plan to use an obscure law to pressure Trump into releasing his tax returns, reports the New York Times.If the Democrats win control of either chamber of Congress they plan to use an obscure law to pressure Trump into releasing his tax returns, reports the New York Times.
Democrats are preparing to use an obscure law to try to obtain a copy of Trump's tax returns if they win control of the House or Senate — a scenario that could force one of the president’s most trusted aides to reveal his most closely guarded secret. https://t.co/ewyySLXgDADemocrats are preparing to use an obscure law to try to obtain a copy of Trump's tax returns if they win control of the House or Senate — a scenario that could force one of the president’s most trusted aides to reveal his most closely guarded secret. https://t.co/ewyySLXgDA