Corpus Christi

U.S. abortion rights groups fight new Missouri law in court

Abortion rights groups Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in July and want a judge to put the law on hold until their legal challenge is heard in court. The new law, signed by Republican Governor Mike Parson in May and set to take effect on Wednesday, allows for an abortion after the eighth week only in the case of medical emergencies and does not exempt victims of rape or incest. The 31-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri contends that the legislation is unconstitutional.

Sanders: Support coal country while combating climate change

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has told voters in coal-producing Kentucky that it's possible to be a friend of coal miners and a believer in climate change and the need for cleaner energy sources to combat it. In blunt terms rarely heard in Kentucky's political circles, the Vermont senator said Sunday on a stop in Kentucky that bold action is needed to confront the dangers from climate change.

Ex-Arizona lawman seeks to reclaim mantle as 'America's toughest sheriff'

Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who built a national reputation as a staunch foe of illegal immigration, announced on Sunday - the anniversary of his pardon by President Donald Trump - that he will see re-election to his old job next year. Arpaio, 87, a Republican who was voted out of office in 2016 after a 24-year tenure as Maricopa County's longest-serving sheriff, said he will seek his party's nomination for the post again in the Aug. 4, 2020 primary, running against his onetime chief deputy, Gerard Sheridan. The winner of that primary will likely face the man who defeated Arpaio in 2016, the current incumbent sheriff, Democrat Paul Penzone, in the November 2020 general election.

Planned Parenthood asks judge to pause Missouri abortion law

Critics of a new Missouri ban on abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy are asking a judge to block the law from taking effect this week. Attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union head to court Monday to ask U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs to put the law on hold while their legal challenge against it plays out in court. "As a result, some patients will be prevented from obtaining abortion care entirely, and be forced to carry their pregnancies to term against their will_for some, even in the face of significant health risks that nevertheless would not qualify as a 'medical emergency' under the Bans," attorneys wrote.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump's illusory claims of gains from tariffs

President Donald Trump is painting a false picture of a U.S. economy unaffected by his trade war with China and other countries. Some economists have put the costs to an average U.S. household from Trump's pending tariffs on imports from China at $1,000 per year or more, not taking into account the most recent tax hike the president announced Friday of up to 30% on goods. Trump also insisted that economists don't believe his trade disputes with China could spur recession, but in fact most analysts believe a downturn could start in the next two years.

Oklahoma judge to deliver judgment in state's opioid lawsuit

An Oklahoma judge is expected to rule Monday in the first state case to go to trial accusing an opioid drugmaker of being responsible for the devastating consequences arising from addiction to the powerful painkillers. Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman is scheduled to deliver his judgment in open court at 3 p.m. The case is at the forefront of a wave of similar lawsuits by states, cities, counties and Indian tribes against drug companies over the wreckage caused by the national opioid crisis. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has called consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson, the last remaining defendant group in the case, a "kingpin" company that helped fuel the most devastating public health crisis in the state's history.

Banana industry on alert after disease arrives in Colombia

It might not be obvious at the supermarket, but the banana industry is fighting to protect the most popular variety of the fruit from a destructive fungus. For years, scientists have said big banana companies would eventually need to find new banana varieties as the disease spread. Then this month, the fungus was confirmed in Colombia, a major exporter, prompting officials in the country to declare a state of emergency.

Japan denies it gave away too much in trade talks with U.S

The United States and Japan agreed in principle on Sunday to core elements of a trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they hoped to sign in New York next month. The agreement, if finalised, would cool a trade dispute between the two allies just as a trade war between the United States and China escalates, but some Japanese commentators say Tokyo gave up too much.

Oil drops as recession risks mount with trade war tariffs

Oil prices fell on Monday, pushing U.S. crude to the lowest in more than two weeks, as an intensifying trade war between the U.S. and China undermined confidence in global economic growth. Brent crude was down 54 cents, or 0.9%, at $58.80 a barrel by 0538 GMT, having earlier touched $58.24, the lowest since Aug. 15. Concerns about an economic slowdown are being fanned by a ratcheting up of trade tensions between the United States and China.

Turnaround may prove tricky for new Virgin Australia CEO Scurrah

Shareholders will press Virgin Australia Holdings' new CEO Paul Scurrah to present a robust strategic plan on Wednesday, when the airline is expected to report its seventh consecutive annual loss, on top of $1.2 billion worth of red ink over the previous six years. With shares trading near all-time lows, Scurrah's options include cutting costs, restructuring management, rebranding its underperforming budget carrier Tigerair Australia, ending loss-making flights to Hong Kong and tightening control over the loyalty division, seven current and former managers told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Borghetti transformed the former budget airline into a more serious rival to his former employer, Qantas Airways Ltd , for lucrative corporate traffic, but in doing so he sometimes made hasty decisions that proved costly for Virgin in the long term, five of the people said.

Four Florida nursing home workers face charges in post-hurricane deaths

Police in Florida have issued arrest warrants for four nursing home workers accused of criminal conduct in the death of a dozen elderly patients exposed to sweltering heat with little or no air-conditioning after Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, defense lawyers said on Sunday. The employees of the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills were expected to surrender to police on Monday morning and make their initial court appearance before a Broward County judge in nearby Fort Lauderdale, the defense attorneys said. Two of the defendants, the nursing home's administrator, Jorge Carballo, and the charge nurse on duty at the time, Sergo Collin, are expected to be booked on 12 counts of manslaughter, according to their lead attorney, David Frankel.

Target teams up with Disney to open shops

Target is hoping to bring the magic of such characters as Mickey Mouse and Elsa to its own customers by opening permanent Disney shops at a cluster of stores starting this fall. As part of the collaboration with The Walt Disney Co., the Minneapolis-based discounter says it will open 25 Disney-branded stores starting on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020. Target is also launching a Disney-focused online experience on its site on Sunday.

California parents charged with hate crime for kidnapping boy found hiding in teen daughter's closet, police say

The parents of a 15-year-old California girl are being charged with a hate crime after they allegedly kidnapped and abused their daughter's boyfriend after they found him hiding in the home, according to police. On Thursday afternoon, the 17-year-old victim went to police to report that he'd been held against his will, assaulted and threatened by three people at a home in San Bruno, about 12 miles south of San Francisco, according to a news release by the San Bruno Police.

U.S. equity futures reopen lower, U.S.-China trade relations at new low ebb

White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham sought on Sunday to clarify comments from Trump, saying the president wished he had raised tariffs on Chinese goods even higher last week, even as Trump signaled he did not plan to follow through with a demand he tweeted on Friday that U.S. firms find ways to close operations in China.

Heard for miles: Gas explosion hits office, shopping complex

A powerful natural gas explosion badly damaged a Maryland office complex and shopping center Sunday morning, ripping away part of the facade and exposing twisted metal, authorities said. No injuries were reported in the thundering blast, which occurred at about 8 a.m. It came after authorities said they had evacuated the area around the complex because of a suspected early morning gas leak near the complex in Columbia, Maryland. "It was so powerful it could be heard in communities many miles away," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement.

Atlanta lawyer killed victim with Mercedes after car was struck with golf ball, prosecutors say

An Atlanta attorney has been charged with murder after he fatally rammed his Mercedes sedan into a real estate investor, according to authorities. The encounter began after 60-year-old Hamid Jahangard "accidentally" hit the 2011 Mercedes CLS550 belonging to corporate lawyer Bryan Schmitt with a golf ball on July 30, according to a news release from the Fulton County District Attorney. Schmitt then "purposely steered" the luxury car into Jahangard in the driveway of one of his rental properties on River Valley Road in Sandy Springs, prosecutors said.

Disney to launch 25 stores inside Target nationwide on October 4

Walt Disney Co and Target Corp announced a collaboration on Sunday that will open 25 Disney stores inside select Target locations nationwide on Oct. 4, with plans for 40 additional sites by October next year. Disney said in a statement that the "shop-in-shop" would feature an array of more than 450 items from the company, including more than 100 products previously only available at its locations. Disney stores will launch inside Target in major cities such as Philadelphia, Denver and Chicago.

Innocent man jailed for 82 days and loses jobs for bringing three jars of honey back to US

Leon Haughton likes honey in his tea.Which is why during his Christmas visit to relatives in Jamaica, he made his regular stop and bought three bottles from a favourite roadside stand before heading home to Maryland.