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Malaysia arrests second woman in suspected assassination of North Korean leader's half-brother
By Joseph Sipalan KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police detained a second woman on Thursday suspected of involvement in the apparent assassination of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. State-run Bernama news agency reported that she has been remanded in custody for seven days along with a woman who was caught at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday, two days after Kim Jong Nam was assaulted there with what was believed to be a fast acting poison. Police said the latest arrest was made at 2 a.m on Thursday (2000 GMT Wednesday), and the woman was carrying an Indonesian passport, unlike the first suspect who held Vietnamese travel papers.
LeBron leads Cavaliers into break with win over Pacers
LeBron James scored 31 points, Kyrie Irving added 26 and Kyle Korver had 22 to spark defending NBA champion Cleveland over the visiting Indiana Pacers 113-104. In their final game before Sunday's 66th NBA All-Star Game, the Cavaliers won their third game in a row and seventh in eight starts to stand 39-16 and atop the Eastern Conference. "We've played some good ball," James said.
Sparks fly over Maher's booking of provocateur Yiannopoulos
Bill Maher's decision to book conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos on his HBO show drew quick condemnation from another guest. Jeremy Scahill, a journalist who's appeared frequently on "Real ...
Snap sets valuation at lower end of expectation: WSJ
(Reuters) - Snap Inc, the owner of the popular messaging app Snapchat, has set a valuation range for itself of $19.5 billion to $22.2 billion in its initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. The valuation range, which represents $14 to $16 per share, is close to the lower end of the expected range of $20 billion to $25 billion, the Journal reported. Snap Inc filed its IPO registration statement in early February and was expected to record the biggest valuation in a U.S. technology IPO since Facebook Inc. The company had confidentially registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last year for an IPO.
Westbrook scores 38 in triple-double as Thunder top Knicks
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook closed out the first half in familiar fashion — with a triple-double and a win.
'Day Without Immigrants' protests being held across US
Immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school and work on Thursday to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions ...
Fire alarm, protests disrupt ex-pharma exec Shkreli's talk
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A fire alarm rang out moments before indicted former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli was to speak at Harvard University, briefly delaying an appearance that also was disrupted by student protests.
'Mentally disturbed' Hackett reported missing
Olympic swimming great Grant Hackett was reported missing Thursday following a family bust-up and after he posted a picture of his bruised face on social media, claiming his brother beat him up. "He's definitely a missing person and he's definitely mentally disturbed," Neville Hackett told reporters on the Gold Coast.
Refugees serve up coffee and life lessons in California
A coffee shop that recently opened in California is serving customers more than just steamy cups of latte or espresso, offering an additional true life lesson about an issue roiling the country -- refugees. Founded by Rachel Taber and Doug Hewitt, 1951 Coffee Shop is entirely staffed by refugees from various countries -- including Syria, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Uganda and Eritrea -- who are trying to build a new life after escaping wars or persecution. The establishment -- located in the university town of Berkeley -- launched just days before President Donald Trump's controversial executive order banning refugees and arrivals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Trains, not drains: New Jersey lobbyists set to swamp DC
As President Donald Trump vows to "drain the swamp" in Washington, a swarm of 1,000 lobbyists, business owners and politicians are boarding a train from the swamps of New Jersey on Thursday for ...
Newspapers aim to ride 'Trump Bump' to reach readers, advertisers
By Jessica Toonkel NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration's combative view of traditional news media as the "opposition party" and "fake news" is turning out to be the best hope in 2017 for newspapers struggling to attract more digital readers and advertisers. The New York Times , the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and Gannett Co are building on the online readership they gained during the 2016 presidential election by marketing unbiased reporting as a sales strategy. The New York Times, which President Donald Trump has referred to as "failing" in his Twitter messages, added a record 276,000 digital news subscribers in the last quarter and sees digital ad revenue up 10 to 15 percent in the current quarter.
Asian stocks test new 19-month highs, some markets seen overvalued
By Saikat Chatterjee HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian stocks inched to new 19-month highs on Thursday with thanks to an ongoing rally on Wall Street and bolstered by gains in Chinese stocks while the dollar came in for a bout of profit-taking after a recent bounce. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent to its highest since July 2015. European stock markets are set to open steady to slightly higher according to index futures Wall Street pushed relentlessly into record-high territory on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 notching a seven-session winning streak.
South Korean prosecutor seeks extension for corruption investigation
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's special prosecution office said on Thursday it has asked for an extension for its investigation into a graft scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye, saying it will not be able to finish by the current Feb. 28 deadline. The probe can be prolonged for 30 days upon consent from Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Cynthia Kim; Editing by Paul Tait)
Ralph Lauren wows, Kanye grows up, Kors goes plus-size
Fashion royalty Ralph Lauren decorated in wall-to-wall orchids, Kanye West bounced back from a breakdown to put a hijab on the runway and Michael Kors hired his first plus-sized model. Here are the highlights from day seven of New York fashion week. With just critic's favorite and fashion darling Marc Jacobs left to unveil his collection Thursday, the fashion pack now heads to Europe.
Malaysia police arrest second woman over N. Korea killing
Malaysian police probing the killing of the half-brother of North Korea's leader on Thursday arrested a second woman over the spy novel-style assassination Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. A woman with an Indonesian passport was taken into custody overnight, a police statement said, and was being quizzed along with a 28-year-old Vietnamese woman detained on Wednesday. The two women were arrested separately by detectives trying to get to the bottom of the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged playboy brother of Kim Jong-Un.
China carfentanil ban a 'game-changer' for opioid epidemic
China is adding the deadly elephant tranquilizer carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids to its list of controlled substances effective March 1, China's National Narcotics Control Commission said ...
All eyes on US' Tillerson at G20 in diplomatic debut
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday will make his diplomatic debut at a G20 gathering in Germany, where his counterparts hope to find out what "America First" means for the rest of the world. Host nation Germany has billed the two-day meeting as a chance for the club of leading economies to discuss how to work together on challenges ranging from climate change to the Syrian war at a time of geopolitical upheaval. Tillerson will also have his first sitdown with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, talks that will be closely scrutinised for any hint of a rapprochement as controversy swirls over White House ties to the Kremlin.
G20 meets Tillerson: what to expect
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's G20 peers get their first chance Thursday to hear direct from the top what President Donald Trump's foreign policy will look like. The first task for the G20 ministers, including Russia, China, Brazil and India, will be to get Tillerson to spell out exactly what "America First" means in practice. For Trump, it is what it says -- American interests come first and the United States will treat other nations on a come-as-you-are basis, doing specific deals on specific issues as it sees fit.
Governor orders evacuation of Dakota pipeline protest camp
Republican Doug Burgum ordered demonstrators to leave the camp located on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by Feb. 22, citing safety concerns that have arisen due to accelerated snowmelt and rising water levels of the nearby Cannonball River. Burgum also said in his executive order that the camp poses an environmental danger to the surrounding area. A federal judge on Monday denied a request by Native American tribes seeking to halt construction of the final link of the $3.8 billion pipeline after the Corps of Engineers granted a final easement to Energy Transfer Partners LP last week.
Cyber warriors see politics muddying security efforts
President Donald Trump has vowed to improve cyber attack defense, but security experts meeting this week say a fractious domestic and international political landscape could hamstring efforts to improve internet security. As the White House mulls an executive order on cybersecurity to combat an epidemic of data breaches and hacks, participants at the annual RSA Conference voiced concern that dwindling political unity will challenge efforts to improve defense.
Malaysia arrests 2nd suspect in North Korean's death
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian police have arrested two women in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korea's leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia, police said Thursday.
Asian stocks mixed on upbeat US data, rate hike expectations
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Thursday as investors took profit amid expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates more aggressively than expected following upbeat U.S. economic data.
Kanye West shows comfy Yeezy clothes, shoes _ without delay
NEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West the rapper did something unusual as Kanye West the fashion designer: He wasted little time Wednesday in unveiling his Yeezy Season 5 collection, including new bulky, thick-soled Boost runners, as he projected models onto a huge four-sided screen in a dark boxy space, then sent out some to walk the regular way.
Runway diversity at Kors, a desert oasis for Ralph Lauren
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Kors put plus-size model Ashley Graham and a live orchestra on his runway, and Narciso Rodriguez presented what he called a "no shenanigans" collection — just sleek, impeccable tailoring on clothes constructed to last a lifetime.
LeBron scores 31 as Cavs roll into All-Star break with win
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers are getting some down time. Not that they really want any right now.
NYC officials: 1 person dies, 2 ill from rat-related disease
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City health department officials are targeting a Bronx neighborhood after one person died and two others became severely ill from contracting a rare disease transmitted by rats.
Myanmar, from Asia's pride to prolonged football slide
Shouts reverberate under the concrete overpass as barefoot players jostle for the ball, a sad echo of Myanmar's long-lost footballing glory days which authorities are now hoping to revive. Once an Asian powerhouse, Myanmar's football fortunes suffered a precipitous decline under the former military junta whose 50-year reign ravaged the economy and sporting infrastructure. Myanmar, formerly Burma, won the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games and were crowned Southeast Asian champions five times in a row.
China Jan. bird flu deaths hit 79, most since at least 2013
BEIJING (AP) — An outbreak of H7N9 bird flu in China killed 79 people in January, the most in a single month in at least three years, the country's national health authority said.
Malaysian police say second suspect in North Korean's murder had Indonesian passport
Malaysian police said the second female suspect detained on Thursday in connection with the killing of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was carrying an Indonesian passport. Malaysian police on Wednesday detained a woman holding Vietnam travel papers and said they were looking for a "few" other foreign suspects in connection with the apparent assassination of Kim Jong Nam at the Kuala Lumpur airport.
Samsung chief questioned behind closed doors in arrest warrant hearing
By Joyce Lee and Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean judge questioned Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee and another executive behind closed doors on Thursday to decide whether they should be arrested over their roles in a corruption scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye. Dozens of protesters surrounded by riot police met Lee, 48, who was wearing a dark coat and navy tie as he arrived at the Seoul Central District Court to attend the hearing. South Korea's special prosecutor's office has focused its investigations on Samsung Group's [SAGR.UL] relationship with Park, who was impeached by parliament in December and has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold her impeachment.
Trump slams intel officials, media over Flynn and Russia
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed the media and "illegally leaked" intelligence information for bringing down his national security adviser Michael Flynn, one day after the White House said Trump had asked Flynn to resign because he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia.
Republican Senator Collins opposes Pruitt for EPA chief
Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said on Wednesday she would oppose Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt's nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency, citing his numerous lawsuits against the agency. Pruitt is scheduled to face a Senate confirmation vote on Friday. Unless more Republicans join Collins in opposing Pruitt, his nomination is likely to be approved.
Vince Young signs with agent Leigh Steinberg, wants to play
Vince Young still isn't quite ready to call it a career.
Seoul court begins to deliberate Samsung chief's arrest
A South Korean court began deliberating on Thursday whether to issue an arrest warrant for a Samsung heir in connection to a massive corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of the country's president. ...
10 Things to Know for Thursday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday: 1. WHAT REPRESENTS SEA CHANGE IN US-ISRAELI POLICY Trump declines to endorse an independent Palestinian ...
Kids with ADHD have some smaller brain regions than normal
LONDON (AP) — Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder have several brain regions that are slightly smaller than usual, more evidence that the disorder should be considered a neurological condition, a new study says.
Venezuela pulls Spanish-language CNN from air for 'distorting truth'
By Girish Gupta and Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro's government ordered the suspension of CNN's Spanish-language service from Venezuela's airwaves on Wednesday, accusing it of distorting the truth in coverage. U.S.-based 'CNN en Espanol' became unavailable on Venezuela's major cable providers minutes after a statement by telecommunications regulator Conatel announcing the suspension. The network had irked the socialist government with various reports, including one alleging passports and visas were being sold illegally at Venezuela's embassy in Iraq.
Phoenix turns down petition to adopt sanctuary city status
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday turned down a petition to adopt sanctuary status for immigrants following a contentious and emotional discussion that ended with chants against the council.
Bouchard pays off blind date bet at NBA game
Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard paid off her lost Super Bowl bet by joining blind date John Goehrke at a Brooklyn Nets NBA home game against Milwaukee. Goehrke, a 20-year-old University of Missouri student and New England Patriots supporter, won his dream date with Bouchard, who turns 23 on February 25, thanks to the Patriots' record-setting rally to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 earlier this month.
Workers at Boeing's South Carolina plant reject union
SEATTLE/NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - Boeing Co handily defeated a union drive by workers at the company's aircraft factory in South Carolina on Wednesday, as almost three-quarters of workers at the plant who voted rejected union representation. The secret ballot vote, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at polling locations throughout the North Charleston plant, was the first for Boeing and a high-profile test for organized labor in the nation's most strongly anti-union state. The NLRB said 74 percent of the 2,828 workers who cast ballots voted against joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).