Corpus Christi

Ex-sanctions czar bashes Obama administration's 'weak' response to Russian interference

Dan Fried, the former State Department diplomat who oversaw sanctions policy, told the "Skullduggery" podcast that he was “extremely” frustrated when the Obama administration issued “weak” and “frankly inadequate” sanctions against Russia for interfering in the 2016 presidential election.

2 Florida Deputies Shot Dead While Eating At Chinese Restaurant

Two deputies were killed when a man shot at them through a window while they

At Least 5 Dead In Violent Clashes In Nicaragua Over Social Security Changes

Four young protesters and a police officer were killed in increasingly violent

Dog feared to have cancer had actually eaten four teddy bears... but vet didn't realise until midway through operation 

A dog feared to cancer had actually eaten four teddy bears, but the vet did not realise until halfway through the operation. Eight-year-old St Bernard Maisy was taken for a CT scan after she was taken ill, which showed a mass on her spleen and an unusually full stomach, seemingly showing she had not digested her food properly. Her owner, Jane Dickinson, from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, feared the worst as she took her pet to Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield. It would not be unusual for Maisy, an elderly dog, to have cancer at her advanced age. However, vet surgeon Nick Blackburn ruled out any fatal disease when he carried out the operation to remove Maisy’s spleen and found her stomach was full of soft toys. Maisy is now reportedly 'loving life' Credit:  Paragon Vet Referrals / SWNS.com He said : "It's fair to say this was not something we were expecting to find! We all know certain dogs enjoy chewing things they shouldn't but managing to devour four full teddy bears is quite a feat. "I know Jane was worried about Maisy as she is quite old for a St Bernard, so we were naturally delighted the operation was such a success and we were able to return a happy, healthy dog to the Dickinsons.” Her owner said she had never seen the gentle giant chewing or eating toys, but that now the operation has been completed Maisy is “loving life”. An x-ray showing the teddy bears within the stomach. Credit: Paragon Vet Referrals / SWNS.com Ms Dickinson explained: "When Maisy went in I did think 'is she coming out?' but she is loving life now - it's like she's got her youth back. "The toys weren't even hers! She will steal the chihuahuas' toys and play with them but I've never seen her trying to chew them. Her eating habits had been completely normal. "I didn't even recognise one of the toys - my brother also keeps chihuahuas and it turns out it belonged to his dog." Maisy has since made a full recovery from her operation and a histology report has shown no signs of cancer.

No surprise: Charles to succeed queen as Commonwealth head

LONDON (AP) — Prince Charles has spent a lifetime waiting to be king. On Friday the 69-year-old heir to the British throne got another position to wait for — he was approved as the next head of the Commonwealth made up of the U.K. and the countries that once were its colonies.

Lois Riess Busted After Tip From Restaurant Manager Who Recognized Her Hair

George Higginbotham said he was drawn to her shock of silver hair as she viewed the menu at his restaurant on South Padre Island.

Passengers On Deadly Southwest Flight Receive $5,000 Checks

At least some passengers aboard a deadly Southwest Airlines flight have

Brooklyn Postal Worker Hoards 17,000 Pieces of Mail to Focus on 'Important' Deliveries

He now faces federal charges

Saudis see oil price on rise as Trump blasts OPEC

Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said Friday the global market has the capacity to absorb higher oil prices, drawing a swift reaction from US President Donald Trump who accused OPEC of inflating prices. Faleh's statement at a meeting of oil producers in Saudi Arabia came as crude hit the highest level in more than three years. "Looks like OPEC is at it again," Trump tweeted.

South Sudan says head of army has died

South Sudan's army chief General James Ajongo died in Cairo on Friday following a short illness, government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army's chief of defense force," Lueth said. Ajongo joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army, the formal name of the South Sudanese military, in 1983, when the SPLA was still a rebel group fighting for independence from Sudan.

Natalie Portman Backs Out Of Israel Award Over 'Recent Events'

Actress Natalie Portman has pulled out of accepting a prestigious award in

'Flamboyant' jihadi linked to 9/11 terror cell captured by Kurdish forces in Syria

A Syrian-German jihadist linked to the 9/11 attacks on the United States has been captured in Syria by US-backed forces, the Pentagon said on Thursday. Mohammad Haydar Zammar, who has been accused of recruiting some of the 9/11 Al-Qaeda hijackers, was captured over a month ago by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia backed by the US. News of his capture was first reported on Wednesday by the Kurdish group. The Pentagon had said it was looking into the reports before confirming Zammar’s arrest. "We can confirm that Mohammad Haydar Zammar, a Syrian-born German national, was captured more than a month ago by SDF partners as part of their ongoing operations to defeat ISIS inside Syria," Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). "We are working with our SDF partners to obtain additional details," Pahon said. The 9/11 Commission report into the attacks in Washington and New York that led to the deaths of almost 3,000 people described Zammar as an “outspoken, flamboyant Islamist” who “had fought in Afghanistan and relished any opportunity to extol the virtues of violent jihad.” According to the report, Zammar took credit for influencing people linked to the attacks including Mohammed Atta, who hijacked an American Airlines plane and flew it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Zammar had come into contact with Atta and others linked to the attacks while living in Hamburg, in 1997, the report says. Seven foiled UK terror plots Zammar was detained in Morocco in December 2001 in an operation involving CIA agents, and was handed over to the Syrian authorities two weeks later. He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2007 for belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. He was reportedly freed from prison in 2014 in a prison swap organised with Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham. The SDF, which has been a key western ally in the fight against Isil, has detained several high-profile foreign members of Isil as the jihadist group’s grip on Syria has collapsed. They are currently holding two alleged members of the notorious Isil torture cell known as ‘the Beatles.’ El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexandra Kotey were captured by the group in February. The two are accused of being involved in the execution and torture of hostages. US officials believe there are hundreds of foreign fighters and thousands of Syrian Isil militants in SDF custody.

Mother Who Left 4 Kids Home Alone While She Took European Vacation Gets Probation

Erin Macke's ex-husband is angry that she won't have to serve any jail time.

Two Florida sheriff's deputies ambushed at restaurant

Authorities in Florida are looking for answers after two sheriff's deputies were shot through the window of a restaurant. ABC News' Diane Macedo reports.

The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week

Kids may say the darndest things, but parents tweet about them in the funniest

10 Of The Best Beauty Buys From Sephora's VIB Spring Sale

It's probably the only time of the year when spending too much money on beauty

Brick-throwing China zoo-goers kill kangaroo, injure another

Visitors to a zoo in southeastern China killed one kangaroo and injured another by throwing bricks at them in an attempt to get a reaction from the big marsupials, state media reported. A 12-year-old female kangaroo suffered a severely injured foot when it was struck by bricks and concrete chunks on February 28 at the Fuzhou Zoo in Fujian province, China Central Television reported. The report included pictures of the first kangaroo's smashed and nearly severed foot, and of the animal receiving treatment via intravenous drip before it died.

Rudy Giuliani Joins President Trump's Legal Team in the Russia Probe

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is joining the legal team defending Donald Trump in the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Marijuana Industry Says Seniors Are The Next Budding Market

Legalized pot is an idea Americans are warming up to ― almost two-thirds, 64

Iran warns of 'unpleasant' response if U.S. drops nuclear deal: TV

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported. "Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran's reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York.

Indonesian fishermen rescue Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar

BIREUEN, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian fishermen rescued 76 Rohingya Muslims stranded off the coast of Aceh on Friday, authorities said, in the latest attempt by members of the persecuted ethnic group to flee Myanmar by sea.

A-Rod's Alleged Nephew Kidnapped Over Lamborghini Sale Gone Wrong

Don't go around claiming to be a celebrity's relative.

2 Service Members Disciplined Over Hand Puppet Used in Oath Ceremony

A colonel and a master sergeant were disciplined for using a hand puppet during a re-enlistment ceremony.

The Best Cookie Recipes To Bake This Weekend

Baking for others is a delicious form of altruism that's been proven to boost

Chemical weapons inspectors collect samples from Syria site

BEIRUT (AP) — Chemical weapons inspectors collected samples from Syria's Douma on Saturday, two weeks after a suspected gas attack there followed by retaliatory strikes by Western powers on the Syrian government's chemical facilities.

Japan Takeda eyes Shire takeover after rival drops bid

Shares in Japanese drug maker Takeda dropped Friday after a potential rival in its bid to take over Ireland's Shire Pharmaceuticals said it was no longer considering making an offer. Analysts had raised the prospect of a bidding war between Takeda and Botox-maker Allergan after the global pharma giant said it was also considering making a bid for Shire. Takeda was trading down as much as 3.98 percent on Tokyo trade on Friday morning.

Several members of migrant caravan have reached the US-Mexico border to seek asylum

At least 50 members of a migrant caravan that has been travelling through Central America and Mexico has reached the US border and are seeking asylum. The group, which at one point reached a peak of 1,500 people from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, had prompted US President Donald Trump to call in the National Guard troops from Arizona and Texas in order to secure the border and continues on with plans to build a 2,000-mile border wall. The group dwindled as word of Mr Trump’s threats spread and Mexican authorities separated those who were legally allowed to stay in Mexico from those who were not.

Jimmy Kimmel May Have Just Pulled Off His Greatest Prank Ever

Jimmy Kimmel is known for his elaborate pranks, with no one ― not even

Embattled Missouri Gov. Charged with Felony Computer Tampering

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens is facing a charge in connection to his alleged use of a donor list from his charity during the 2016 gubernatorial campaign.

Trucker in deadly Texas migrant case given life sentences

The driver of a truck packed with migrants, 10 of whom died due to sweltering Texas heat in July, was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty in October to federal human smuggling charges. James Bradley, 61, could have faced the death penalty in the case, considered one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in modern U.S. history. "This was the equivalent of torture," U.S. District Judge David Ezra told Bradley when he handed out two concurrent life sentences at a court in San Antonio.

Woman Saves 18-Month-Old She Spotted Hanging From Roof Gutter

She was driving when she saw the baby boy.

Dozens of opposition protesters arrested in Armenia

Dozens were arrested as hundreds of opposition supporters staged sit-ins and attempted to block road traffic in Armenia's capital Friday to protest ex-president Serzh Sarkisian's election as prime minister. Many of the demonstrators waved national flags and held up placards reading "Sarkisian is a dictator". Some attempted to block roads in response to repeated calls by the leader of the protests, opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan to paralyse traffic.

Man who shot 2 deputies in Florida was mystery to neighbors

TRENTON, Fla. (AP) — A man who investigators say killed two sheriff's deputies in rural north Florida was a mystery figure in the small agricultural community rocked by the shooting.

Lockheed Martin Wants to Merge an F-22 and F-35 Into 1 Fighter for Japan. It Won't Happen.

The most likely scenario is that the F-22/F-35 hybrid will remain in the realm of fantasy. Lockheed Martin Wants to Merge an F-22 and F-35 Into 1 Fighter for Japan. Reuters is reporting that Lockheed Martin is pitching an F-22 and F-35 combination to Japan to meet Tokyo’s requirement for a next-generation air superiority fighter.

Plane skids off the runway during take off in Nepal

All passengers and crew were safely evacuated after a Malindo Air flight skidded off the runway as it prepared to take off from Kathmandu. Rough cut (no reporter narration).

Sean Hannity Isn't A Journalist And Fox News Isn't News

Earlier this week, Fox News declared its "full support" for Sean Hannity after

Who shot Lewis Carroll’s dodo? Forensic scans reveal mystery death

The world’s most famous dodo, which inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, met an untimely and murderous end, scientists have discovered. The Oxford Dodo is the most well-preserved example of the extinct bird on Earth and still contains soft tissue and DNA which could be used one day to resurrect the species. It was always thought the Oxford Dodo survived the fate of its kin, and was brought back alive from Mauritius, ending up as an exotic curiosity on the streets of London.  Dodos survive such as this one auctioned in West Sussex in 2016 but only the Oxford dodo still has DNA Credit:  Gareth Fuller In 1638 the MP Sir Hamon L’Estrange wrote that he had paid a penny to view a ‘strange fowle’ near Lincoln Inns Fields, claiming it ate stones as big as nutmegs to aid digestion. After it died naturally it ended up in the collection of John Tradescant, gardener of King Charles II, whose curiosities were passed to Elias Ashmole, who used them to found Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum.  Finally in 1860 the remains of the bird moved to the Oxford University of Natural History. Scans show lead shot in the dodo's head  Credit: University of Warwick But when researchers at the University of Warwick were asked to scan the head of the dodo, they found clear evidence of pellets in its skull. Subsequent analysis of the material and size of the particles revealed that they were lead shot, typically used to hunt wildfowl during the 17th century. The clear implication is that the bird either never made it to Britain alive or was shot sometime after its arrival. Professor Paul Smith, Director of Oxford University Museum of Natural History, said: “We thought we knew the specimen, so it was a really great surprise when the researchers came and it had lots of millimetre diameter lead pellets embedded within the skin and the bone. It rapidly became apparent this was lead shot from a gun. “Regarding where it was shot, the truth is we don’t know but it raises more questions. If it was shot in London, why? And if it was shot in Mauritius, how did they preserve the specimen?” The dodo species was first discovered by the Dutch in 1598, but was recorded as extinct by 1662. Although it was originally thought that hunters were to blame, revisionist histories suggest that dogs and rats from ships ate the eggs, wiping out the species. However the new evidence may show the bird was hunted after all.  Dodos became extinct in the 1860s  The Oxford dodo is not just scientifically significant but also culturally important. The mathematician Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) would regularly visit the Oxford University Museum of Natural History with his young muse Alice Liddel, and wrote the bird into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as a caricature of himself. It also appears in Hilaire Belloc’s Bad Child’s Book of Beasts. Too precious to be on permanent display it remains in storage and is moved every few weeks to discourage theft. The team had originally scanned the dodo’s head hoping to create a three dimensional skull which would reveal more about its evolutionary past and also how it fed. But the results uncovered something far more interesting. The dodo is the only one in the world with soft tissue and DNA still present  Credit: The University of Warwick Prof Mark Williams: “We were astounded to find that when we looked at the scans in close detail there were some mysterious pellets buried in the back of its head. The dodo had actually been shot. “Although the results were initially shocking, it was exciting to be able to reveal such an important part of the story in the life of the world’s most famous extinct bird. “ It just goes to show that when you are carrying out investigative research, you never quite know what you are going to find.” The team now plan to use forensic analysis usually reserved for crime scenes to work out where the the bird was killed. Prof Smith added: “The Oxford Dodo is the iconic representation of dodos, it’s the most complete, it’s the only one we can get DNA form. “It is the only one we can do molecular analysis to work out relationships and potentially to reconstruct the genome of dodos. “The next step is to do some chemical analysis of the lead shot and using those we may be able to trace which particular orefield the lead came form and therefore what country it was mined in and what country the shot was made in so we could then determine who killed the dodo.”

Lance Armstrong settles U.S. federal fraud case for $5 million: attorney

The settlement ends the long-running false claims suit brought by fellow cyclist Floyd Landis and joined by the U.S. government, which had sought $100 million in damages on behalf of the Post Office, according to statements from Armstrong's attorney, Elliot Peters, and the U.S. Department of Justice. "No one is above the law," Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division Chad Readler said in a statement.

UK lawmakers form group to combat 'malign' Russian influence

LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers set up a special group Friday to focus on Russian election interference and disinformation campaigns, saying more must be done to understand the extent of Moscow's "malign influence."

Romanian president slams plan to move Israel embassy

A row erupted Friday between Romania's government and President Klaus Iohannis over a proposal to move the country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The foreign ministry announced that "a process of analysis and evaluation with the aim of transferring the embassy has been launched". Prime Minister Viorica Dancila of the left-wing Social Democratic Party confirmed Friday the government had adopted a memorandum on moving the embassy but added that other steps needed to be taken before a final decision.

Smallville actor Allison Mack charged with trafficking over 'involvement in sex cult'

Allison Mack, an actor best known for her role in the US TV show Smallville, has been charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy. Ms Mack was arrested on Friday and has since pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ford licenses Classic Mustangs for production

If you fancy owning a mint condition 1969-1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, 1969-1970 Mustang Boss 429, or a 1969-1970 Mustang Mach 1, you'd better prepare yourself for a long and laborious search and some pretty eye-watering asking prices. Classic Restorations is a company from Oklahoma in the United States that has a somewhat tainted history to be honest, but over the last few years it's been building some very impressive Shelby Mustangs with modern underpinnings under the body. Now the company is expanding its horizons and the new licensed trio of classic Mustangs will become available from them from later this year.

J. K. Rowling Mocks Donald Trump With Magical 'Harry Potter' Taunt

J. K. Rowling cast a spell over Twitter with her latest diss of Donald Trump.

Chinese military 'challenged Australian warships in the South China Sea'

Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian prime minister, asserted his country's rights to conduct patrols in the South China Sea after reports of a confrontation with China amid rising tensions in the disputed waters. China's navy was said to have been involved in a "robust" but polite confrontation with three Australian warships in the strategically important sea, according to Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC). The broadcaster, which first reported the incident, said it was "believed to have occurred earlier this month as China was conducting its largest ever naval exercises". Mr Turnbull, who is in London on a visit, did not comment on the specific confrontation, which is said to have taken place off the coast of Vietnam. But when prompted by reporters, he said: "We maintain and practice the right of freedom of navigation and overflight throughout the world and, in this context, we're talking about naval vessels on the world's oceans, including the South China Sea, as is our perfect right in accordance with international law." Australian defence officials did not confirm the confrontation took place, but said three warships had arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. They are making a three-day goodwill visit to Vietnam. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during China's drills last week  Credit: Xinhua/Reuters On the same day, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over huge exercises in the South China Sea in an unmistakable show of force to Beijing's regional rivals. The drills involved 48 ships, among them China's sole operating aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with 76 helicopters, fighter jets and bombers, and more than 10,000 personnel. ABC said the HMAS Anzac, HMAS Toowoomba and HMAS Success were challenged by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, where more than $5 trillion (£3.8 trillion) of trade passes every year.  Much of the sea is also claimed by several south-east Asian nations, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Success prepares to dock at Saigon port in Ho Chi Minh City last week. Credit: Van Khoa/Thanh Nien News Observers say China is developing its military capabilities by fortifying and building infrastructure on what were previously reefs and partially-submerged islets. The US Navy has been confronting China in the region with 'freedom of navigation' exercises. It sent the aircraft carriers Theodore Roosevelt and Carl Vinson through the South China Sea in recent months, angering Beijing. Washington has also called on Australia to carry out similar patrols.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Is Cheaper While Adding Safety Kit

More for less is always a win.