Corpus Christi

For Gaetz to raise Hunter Biden's substance abuse is 'the pot calling the kettle black,' Johnson says

The House Judiciary Committee debate over articles of impeachment against President Trump took an ugly turn Thursday when Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., brought up Hunter Biden’s past drug use.

AOC explains why she won't go on Fox News: 'Unmitigated racism'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., lashed out at Fox News hours after host Tucker Carlson and a guest had criticized her climate policy proposals, while suggesting her district is “dirty” due to its immigrant population. 

New Zealand recovers 6 bodies days after volcanic eruption

New Zealand military specialists recovered six bodies from a small volcanic island Friday days after an eruption claimed at least eight other lives and left a toxic and volatile landscape. The eight specialists wearing protective clothing and using breathing apparatuses landed by helicopter and found six of the bodies thought to remain on White Island since the eruption Monday. The bodies were airlifted to a ship near the island off New Zealand's eastern coast where scientists and other police and military personnel monitored the risky operation.

Saudi Family of Pensacola Gunman: 'Even We Don't Know the Truth' of Motive

AL AHSA, Saudi Arabia -- Not long before a 21-year-old Saudi Royal Air Force trainee shot and killed three American sailors Friday at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida, he called his mother and his brother back home.The trainee, 2nd Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, was wearing his uniform, they could see on the video call -- the uniform he had always wanted to wear as a child, when he dreamed of becoming a pilot.With his elder brother, Abdullah, he joked around on the call: "You're the eldest," Alshamrani teased, "but I'm going to get married first." Talking to his mother, he promised he would be home as soon as he finished his training. "Just a few more months," he said.What was missing was any hint of what was to come: opening fire in a classroom building at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, shooting three fatally and wounding eight more before being killed by a sheriff's deputy.Alshamrani seemed utterly normal in that last conversation, his family insisted in interviews this week in Saudi Arabia. Four days later, they are still baffled."He never had a secret, he was never hiding anything," Saeed Abdullah Alshamrani, 55, the lieutenant's father, said at the family's home in eastern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening. "It's such a mystery. Even we don't know the truth.""Are you sure he's dead?" his father asked during the interview, surrounded by several relatives, acquaintances and others whose relationship to the family was not clear. "We haven't even been given any proof of whether he's dead or alive."No motive for the shooting has been determined, although the FBI is treating it as a presumed terrorist attack. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it was suspending operational training for all of the nearly 900 Saudi military students in the United States.Among the few clues to emerge was a tweet from an account that may be connected to Alshamrani, which condemned United States foreign policy decisions in the Middle East, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist activity online. There was also a complaint the lieutenant filed earlier this year against one of his instructors for mocking his mustache in class.But in Saudi Arabia, the American focus on possible radicalization has left family and acquaintances bewildered, forced to answer for their son and friend to other Saudis.Sensitive to Western stereotypes that often reflexively brand Muslims as terrorists, and aware that the kingdom cannot afford to lose Washington's support, many Saudis have been eager to portray the lieutenant as a monstrous outlier. A hashtag declaring that he "does not represent" Saudis has dominated Twitter in the kingdom, and the media has echoed the point."This work can only be done by a cowardly villain," Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri, a political scientist, wrote in the Arab News, a Saudi newspaper. "He has betrayed his country, which trusted him and spent millions on his education. Instead, he stabbed her in the back."The Saudi government is also extremely sensitive about the case, fearing it could jeopardize a relationship already frayed by criticism in Washington over the war in Yemen and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials have all condemned the shooting. Alshamrani's family has said they were questioned by government officials.In interviews, his father, brother, cousins and a family friend said that Alshamrani had always seemed content to be in the United States, working toward his longtime goal, never mentioning difficulties."Since he was a kid, he'd dreamed of being a pilot, and he worked so hard for it," said his brother, Abdullah Alshamrani. Once he arrived in the United States, "he loved it so much, really," his brother said. "He was amazed by America's military force, just really impressed by the military."The third child in a family from Tabalah, a farming town in southern Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Alshamrani grew up in Al Ahsa, not far from the Saudi Aramco compound in eastern Saudi Arabia. His father had moved there to work in the local airport, eventually rising to be a security official.The family spent summers with extended family back in Tabalah, with its date farms nestled amid the undulating desert and stark mountains. They built another house there and frequently came back for weddings and other family events. On summer evenings, with other entertainment scarce, young men like Alshamrani and his brothers and cousins would gather at rented guesthouses in the desert to play cards and watch soccer on TV late into the night.Alshamrani always seemed more serious and less boisterous than the other young men, recalled Galat bin Mitshoosh, a retired longtime detective with the local prosecutor's office in Tabalah who knows the family."I never heard anything political from Mohammed," he said. "He was quiet, just a normal guy. He might talk about sports sometimes."The Alshamranis were observant Muslims who prayed, he said, but their practice of Islam was not considered especially strict.A person familiar with the investigation in the United States has said that friends and classmates told investigators that Alshamrani seemed to have become more religious when he returned from his last visit home in February.During that visit, relatives said, he took his mother to the holy city of Mecca to perform the umrah, a type of pilgrimage that many Muslims routinely undertake. In his relatives' eyes, however, they said there was nothing to indicate his Islamic beliefs had changed or hardened. He did not seem different, they said, except that he had shaven his chin clean.Always a good student, Alshamrani cemented his place as the pride of his family when he became one of the two students picked from his air force academy class of several hundred to enter the training program in the United States on a scholarship. Saudi Arabia has sent hundreds of thousands of young students overseas to study in Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States in recent years, but it was so rare for someone from rural Tabalah to study in the United States that the last young man from the town to do so before Alshamrani is locally famous."I was so proud of him. He's the role model of the family," his brother Abdullah said. "I'm the eldest son, but Mohammed is a big deal."Starting in August 2017, the Saudi government paid for him to spend a year learning English at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio before he moved to Pensacola for military training. He had already received weapons training at his academy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the family said. But he did not appear to acquire a gun in the United States until July, when he legally purchased a Glock 45 9-millimeter handgun in late July, shortly after obtaining a state hunting license, the FBI said Tuesday.Over his years in the United States, he shared with his family pictures of himself smiling in Times Square and in uniform with one of his American trainers.A video he took in Florida showed friends splashing around in kayaks, as he laughed behind the camera. When he called home -- almost every day, his father and brother said -- he talked about traveling around the United States, hanging out with his Saudi roommate and coming home after graduation. He was counting down the months.So was his family. His father had told neighbors and friends in Tabalah that he would throw a huge graduation party for his son when the family visited next summer, according to bin Mitshoosh, the retired detective. All the men from all six of the town's tribes would be invited.When he called his family Friday, Alshamrani offered to send his brother some extra money. He promised to be home soon."I'll call you later," he told Abdullah.Only hours later, that night, would they learn the news.This article originally appeared in The New York Times.(C) 2019 The New York Times Company

Yes, China's New Submarine-Launched Nuclear Missiles Could Destroy America

But that's why we have M.A.D.

Tessa Majors: 18-year-old college freshman found stabbed to death in New York City park

An 18-year-old college student has been found stabbed to death in a park just a block away from the New York City Columbia University campus.Tessa Majors was a student at Barnard College, a private liberal arts college in Manhattan that is affiliated with the prestigious university near where she was found with multiple stab wounds.

Subaru Recalls Over 250,000 Cars That Could Lose Power While Driving

Subaru is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent SUVs and Impreza hatchbacks and sedans because they can suddenly lose power while driving, which could cause a crash. A faulty part in ...

Some 1,100 car shoppers said they'd rather buy an electric pickup truck from Ford or GM than Tesla's Cybertruck — but there's a silver lining for Tesla in the survey

Tesla's Cybertruck may have a hard time converting Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado owners, but it might open up a new segment of the pickup market.

U.S. reaches deal in principle on trade with China: source

The United States has reached a "phase-one" trade deal in principle with China, a source briefed on talks between the two nations said on Thursday, saying a statement from the White House was expected soon. Ahead of the meeting, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told senators that announcements were possibly "imminent" on U.S. tariffs, senior Republican Senator John Cornyn told reporters. U.S. negotiators have offered to reduce tariffs on about $375 billion in Chinese goods by 50% across the board, two people familiar with the negotiations said, and suspend tariffs on $160 billion in goods scheduled to go into effect on Sunday.

Trump mocks Greta Thunberg's Time Person of the Year honor: 'So ridiculous'

President Trump on Thursday mocked Greta Thunberg after the Swedish teenage climate activist was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year, edging out finalists including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Hong Kong protesters — and him.

Republican women launch 'Conservative Squad' to take on AOC, progressives in D.C.

Four Republican women running for Congress have launched the Conservative Squad, aimed at taking on progressives in D.C.

Charges dropped, brothers in hemp-pot mixup look to sue NYC

The bust was a bust, and it could end up costing New York City some serious green. A day after prosecutors dropped criminal charges in a case spotlighting confusion over hemp, marijuana and conflicting laws, the Brooklyn brothers caught in the chaos took the first step toward suing the city and the police department. Oren and Ronen Levy filed notices of claim Wednesday, saying the “nightmare” ordeal that began with Ronen's Nov. 2 arrest and the seizure of 106 pounds (48 kilograms) of hemp plants tarnished their reputations and threatened their livelihoods selling CBD, the extract showing up lately in everything candy to coffee.

Meet the Navy's Small Warships That Help to Deter Iran

Spunky and important little boats.

Liability of cruise lines in question after deadly volcanic eruption

Royal Caribbean told CBS News it is now "suspending tours of active volcanoes."

Rep. Johnson says it's not 'proper' for Rep. Gaetz to discuss Hunter Biden's alleged substance abuse issues during impeachment debate

Members of the House Judiciary Committee continue to disagree during their consideration of formal articles of impeachment against President Trump.

The FAA calculated that Boeing's 737 Max could crash a total of 15 times, killing more than 3,000 people, if it wasn't grounded and fixed

If the Max suffered 15 crashes as bad as the two that actually happened, some 3,450 people would die, according to Business Insider's figures.

Malaysia seizes Vietnamese oil tanker that was tracked in North Korea

KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Vietnamese oil tanker which Reuters reported visited North Korea in February has been seized by Malaysia after it was found adrift off the Malaysian coast, maritime agency officials said. Refinitiv shipping data quoted by Reuters showed the Viet Tin 01 arrived just outside the harbor of Nampo on North Korea's western coast on Feb. 25 carrying 2,000 tonnes of gasoline, shortly before talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi. It was not clear whether the tanker unloaded cargo at Nampo.

Trump news : President attacks Congress members as they prepare for impeachment vote, after mocking teen activist Greta Thunberg

Donald Trump is set to face impeachment in the House of Representatives, becoming the fourth president in US history to face removal from office following charges of misconduct, following a House Judiciary Committee vote that sends articles of impeachment to the full Congress. The full House is expected to vote on impeachment next week.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she doesn't plan to whip votes to support impeachment, saying that House leadership won't pressure Democrats in vulnerable districts or moderate Democrats fearing political fallout from supporting efforts to remove the president from office.

Bulletproof vest did not fail in fatal shooting of Houston police officer, chief says

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says body armor didn't fail Sgt. Christopher Brewster, who was killed while responding to a domestic violence call

Fire on Russia's only aircraft carrier kills 1, injures 11

Russia's only aircraft carrier suffered a massive fire Thursday that killed one crew member, injured another 11 people and significantly damaged the ill-fated ship that has been haunted by incidents throughout its service. The fire on the Admiral Kuznetsov broke out during welding work at a shipyard in the Arctic port of Murmansk and spread quickly through the carrier's internal compartments. The military said one crew member died while battling the fire, and another one is missing.

Taiwan Still Has a Giant World War II-Era Artillery Gun (Pointed at China)

Could it fight?

The 2020 candidates who have qualified for the December debate

Hours before the deadline, Andrew Yang solidified his spot on the presidential stage.

Sumatran tiger kills farmer in Indonesia

A Sumatran tiger has killed an Indonesian farmer, police said Friday, in the third fatal attack by the critically endangered species in less than a month. The 55-year-old was set upon by the big cat at a coffee plantation in South Sumatra province on Thursday. "All of sudden, the tiger pounced on the victim," local police chief Ferry Harahap told AFP on Friday.

Newly discovered Indonesian cave painting could be the world's oldest figurative artwork

An Indonesian cave painting that depicts a prehistoric hunting scene could be the world's oldest figurative artwork, dating back nearly 44,000 years, a discovery that points to an advanced artistic culture, according to new research. Spotted two years ago on the island of Sulawesi, the 13-foot-wide painting features wild animals being chased by half-human hunters wielding what appear to be spears and ropes, said the study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.

A growing number of Republicans say they're satisfied with US healthcare costs — even as insurance prices have surged 20% in the past year

The poll suggests that heightened partisanship is swaying Republicans on healthcare just as it has been on the economy

House impeachment hearing grinds toward final vote

The 10th and final public impeachment hearing in the House lurched forward Thursday, as the House Judiciary Committee moved toward a vote that would send articles of impeachment to the full House floor for a final vote next week.

George P. Bush says GOP can't let 'racist' episodes slide

Republican George P. Bush, the only member of the Bush dynasty still in public office, condemned Thursday recurring episodes of what he described as racist or hateful rhetoric within the Texas GOP, and ripped what he called false accusations fanned by his Hispanic heritage. Bush, Texas' land commissioner, first denounced a white GOP state legislator who suggested “Asian" challengers on the ballot in 2020 were motivated by race.

Man dresses as mother to take driving test after she failed three times

A man has been arrested for attempting to take a driving test on his mother’s behalf – by dressing like her in a bold attempt to fool examiners.Heitor Márcio Schiave, 43, wore a stuffed bra, floral top, long skirt, earrings, and a handbag to impersonate his mother at the State Department of Traffic in Novo Mutum Parana, in the Brazilian Amazon.

F-35: Would You Spend $1,500,000,000,000 On a Plane That Can't Fly?

That's what the U.S. government did on the F-35.

Grandfather charged in girl's cruise ship death speaks out

Salvatore "Sam" Anello said he blamed Royal Caribbean for the death of his granddaughter in an exclusive interview with CBS News.

How to secure your home surveillance cameras from getting hacked

This week, there were reports of hackers gaining access to Ring security cameras in Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida and Texas.

Boeing is compensating Southwest for the 737 Max grounding, and the airline is sharing $125 million of the agreed total with employees

Southwest said that terms, including the total amount, were confidential, and that it was still in talks over additional 737 Max compensation.

Flashback: Trump subpoena stonewall is most dangerous outrage. Why even have a Congress?

The Founders anticipated our historical moment. They created the House, with 'the people' on its side, to guard against a president like Donald Trump.

Turkey adds former Palestinian politician Dahlan to most wanted list

Turkey has added exiled Palestinian politician Mohammed Dahlan to its "red list" of most-wanted terrorism suspects, offering a reward of up to 10 million lira ($1.75 million) for information leading to his capture, the Interior Ministry said on Friday. Arrest warrants have been issued for Dahlan on accusations of playing a role in the 2016 attempted coup in Turkey, seeking to change the constitutional order by force, and various spying-related charges, the ministry said in a statement. Dahlan has also recently been an outspoken critic of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Details sparse after a Texas man is fatally shot by police

More than a week after a 28-year-old Texas man was fatally shot in the head by a police officer, authorities haven’t released any details on the circumstances of the shooting. Michael Dean was killed Dec. 2 in Temple, located 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of Austin. Dallas attorney Lee Merritt, who is representing Dean’s family, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the silence from authorities is “completely unfair and particularly cruel" to Dean's family.

Canada Conservative leader resigns amid reports he used party funds for private school

Andrew Scheer announced intention to step down shortly before reports he used funds for his children’s eductionThe leader of Canada’s Conservatives has resigned, following mounting frustration over a disappointing performance in October’s general election and reports that he used party funds to help pay for his children’s private school education.Andrew Scheer announced his intention to step down at an emergency caucus meeting on Thursday morning. Shortly after news of his resignation broke, however, Global News reported that he had used party funds to pay for his children’s private school education – allegedly without knowledge or approval from the funding board.Party officials said that the use of party funds to partially cover the cost of private school in Ottawa was a “normal practice” for political parties and denied the issue was linked to Scheer’s resignation.In an emotional speech to the house of commons early Thursday afternoon, Scheer thanked his party and family for their steadfast support.“In order to chart the course ahead, this party needs a leader who can give 100% to this effort. So after a conversation with my kids, my loved ones, I felt it was time to put my family first,” he said.Scheer, who is also head of the official opposition, received a standing ovation from parliamentarians following his speech.Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals defeated the Conservatives in October’s bitter general election, praised Scheer’s dedication.“I want to thank him deeply for his service to Canada on behalf of all Canadians, on behalf on all Liberals, and I know there are many more conversations to have,” said Trudeau, as the two shook hands. The NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh, and the Bloc Québécois leader, Yves-François Blanchet, thanked Scheer for his service.Scheer – who won the popular vote on 21 October but failed to gain enough seats to form government – was unable to resist a parting shot at the prime minister on Thursday.“I believe I’m the first person in history to get more votes for Trudeau,” he said to laughter.Scheer, who was once speaker of the house under former prime minister Stephen Harper, won leadership of the party in 2017. In the months leading up to the election, his Conservatives had polled ahead of Trudeau, but the party was unable to capitalize on a prime minister beset by scandals, leaving many frustrated with Scheer’s performance.In the weeks following the election, Scheer has become the target of scathing editorials from conservatives, most notably over his stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Sheer has refused to march in any Pride parades and has declined to give full-throated support for gay marriage – positions his critics say risk further alienating voters in much of the country.Scheer will stay on until a new leader has been chosen, and asked the party’s governing council to immediately begin the search for his replacement

Meet The J-10 Fighter: China's Very Own F-16 That Is Now For Sale

It's a bit behind the curve in terms of what modern air forces are flying.

'Hangover days' for employees criticised by alcohol harm campaigners amid fears it could encourage binge drinking

A business offering its staff "hangover days" for when they are feeling worse for wear has been criticised by alcohol harm charities who have raised concern that the practice could encourage binge drinking.  Digital Marketing firm The Audit Lab lets employees take “hangover days” to try and create a flexible, honest workplace.  Company director and co-founder Lee Frame said he would "rather our employees be honest with us and tell the truth than pretend they’re ill.” Workers merely have to ring up their boss and say that they are simply not up to work, instead putting in a shift from either the comforts of their bed or a sofa.  Lee hopes this unorthodox approach will be more attractive to the younger generation, referring to this unusual policy as a “sexed-up work from home day” designed to appeal to workers without children.  Ellie Entwistle, 19, who works as a PR manager at Bolton-based The Audit Lab thoroughly enjoys the benefits of having a “hangover day”.  “I love the perk because it proves that my employer had trust in me, which makes me appreciate them more and means I work hard.”  She feels that it gives her greater control and creates a flexible work environment that considers what different age groups want in terms of flexibility.  However, the “hangover days” concept has been criticised by alcohol harm charities which said the policy could lead to workers “getting trolleyed” unnecessarily. Andrew Misell, Director of Alcohol Change UK in Wales, stated "There’s nothing wrong with having a drink, but knowing in advance that you’re going to drink to the point where you can’t get into the office the next day is a different story.” These fears are also echoed by Dr Jill Miller, diversity and inclusion adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), who feels that branding “these 'hangover days' might not be helpful if it's encouraging excessive alcohol consumption.”  She argues that employers have a duty of care which could be compromised by any promotion of binge drinking. Elaine Hindal, chief executive officer of the charity Drinkaware said:  “There should be no place for encouraging risky drinking behaviours in the workplace.” Elaine also fears that this policy could alienate workers who do not drink, leading to a less inclusive workplace.  “More than half of people in work say they feel there’s too much pressure to drink when socialising with colleagues”. Employers should be working to create a more diverse workplace rather than rewarding excessive drinking behaviours which are not only divisive but also damaging to health.

Elizabeth Smart's dad describes kids' reaction to him coming out as gay

In our exclusive interview, Ed Smart reveals how difficult it was to come out as gay to his family and friends

Saudi Arabia is quietly spending millions on a fresh lobbying effort in the US, hoping to finally put to bed Jamal Khashoggi's brutal murder

Saudi Arabia contracted three US lobby firms in November, its first move since it was abandoned by five firms over the Khashoggi affair in late 2018.

Rudy Giuliani's divorce battle ends, but legal troubles continue for Trump lawyer

Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's lawyer, has settled his divorce fight with Judith Nathan. Federal prosecutors continue to investigate him.

2nd suspect in Kansas bar shooting that killed 4 arrested

One of two men who is accused of opening fire inside a crowded bar in Kansas City, Kansas, killing four people and wounding five others, has been captured in Mexico, authorities said Thursday. Authorities have been searching for Hugo Villanueva-Morales, 29, since the shooting at the Tequila KC bar on Oct. 6. Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman Jonathan Westbrook said he was arrested Wednesday in Mexico but did not immediately release further details about the arrest.

Johnson Urges Healing After Winning Election That Upends Britain

(Bloomberg) -- Sign up to our Brexit Bulletin, follow us @Brexit and subscribe to our podcast.Boris Johnson won an emphatic election victory that redraws the political map of Britain and gives the prime minister the mandate he needs to pull the U.K. out of the European Union next month.The result spectacularly vindicated Johnson’s gamble on a snap election to break the deadlock in Parliament over Brexit, as his Conservatives won their biggest majority since Margaret Thatcher’s in 1987. The pound rose by the most in almost three years as the scale of the victory became clear.Live Blog: U.K. General Election“I urge everyone to find closure and to let the healing begin,” Johnson said in a speech outside his Downing Street office in which he acknowledged the divisive three years since the U.K. voted to leave the European Union. “Here in this people’s government the work is now being stepped up to make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth and hope.”The outcome was a repudiation of the main opposition Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn and his radical program of state intervention, nationalization of industries and tax rises for the better off. Corbyn announced his intention to resign after a catastrophic run of losses to the Tories in Brexit-supporting districts in northern England and Wales. These areas were considered traditional Labour strongholds and Johnson’s success here was the breakthrough that secured his victory.Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, who campaigned to remain in the EU, lost her seat.Having routed political opposition to Brexit across much of the country, Johnson still faces resistance in Scotland, where support for the pro-independence Scottish National Party surged, setting up the prospect of a renewed constitutional standoff over the U.K.’s future.Northern Ireland may also present a thorn in Johnson’s side. Unionist parties lost their majority and nationalists made advances, suggesting that pressure for a referendum on Irish unity may grow.Johnson held a solid lead over Labour in polls before Thursday vote, but just how Brexit would play out in the U.K.’s third general election in four years was never certain. What emerged was the biggest shift in British political allegiances for decades as areas that had voted to quit the EU turned away from Labour and toward Johnson and his “Get Brexit Done” mantra.Corbyn, who had tried to straddle both sides of the divide, said the issue had “taken over” the campaign and cost his party votes. “I did everything I possibly could in order to bridge the divide between those that voted leave and those that voted remain,” he said in a pooled TV interview.Some defeated candidates disagreed, saying the Labour leader had been raised as a concern by voters more than Brexit. Corbyn said he will talk to the party’s national executive about the process to replace him as leader, which he expects to begin early next yearWith all seats declared, the Conservatives had won 365 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, a gain of 48, to Labour’s 203 seats, down 59. The results showed the Conservatives taking some districts from Corbyn’s party for the first time ever, compounding Labour’s fourth successive general election defeat.Leaders including Angela Merkel of Germany and U.S. President Donald Trump offered their congratulations. Trump, in a tweet, again raised the prospect of a “massive new trade deal” after the U.K. leaves the EU.Johnson’s majority gives him the power to get his own way on Brexit, especially if he needs extra time to negotiate with the EU. He has said he will start to push legislation through parliament before the end of the year to meet the current departure date of Jan. 31.Calling the result “historic,” Johnson hailed “a powerful new mandate to get Brexit done.”Investors responded to what they saw as a possible end to the political gridlock and uncertainty that has hung over British assets for years. The pound surged 1.7% to $1.3387 as of 11:15 a.m. in London. The benchmark FTSE 100 index of stocks jumped 1.9% despite being heavily skewed to exporters vulnerable to currency appreciation. The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 rallied 4.4% to the highest on record as trading volumes soared.For Labour, the heavy losses raise questions over its future direction after voters decisively rejected Corbyn and his program. Corbyn plans to remain in place until a successor is chosen but he’s facing pressure to stand aside immediately.“Tonight is an absolute disaster for the Labour Party,” Ian Murray, Labour lawmaker for Edinburgh South, told the BBC. “There has got to be a change of direction. That work either has to start tomorrow or the Labour Party has to reassess what it stands for.”Few people predicted the political earthquake that took place.In England and Wales, voters moved to the Conservatives almost everywhere, but particularly strongly in places that voted to leave the EU. Former industrial areas abandoned Labour for the first time in generations, with mining and steel towns that suffered from mass unemployment under the Conservatives in the 1980s now embracing the party.Scotland, which opposed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, staged a rebellion as the SNP retook seats it lost two years ago. It ended the night with 48 of 59 districts, halving the Tory seat tally, defeating the Liberal Democrat leader and reducing Labour to a solitary district. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon reiterated her demand for another independence referendum, something Johnson has ruled out.“Boris Johnson has a mandate now to take England out of the EU,” Sturgeon said. “He must accept that I have a mandate to offer Scotland the choice of an alternative future.”For an interactive election map, click hereFor Johnson, his convincing majority marks the culmination of an extraordinary rise to power. After he led the pro-Brexit campaign three years ago, Johnson watched as Theresa May tried and repeatedly failed to negotiate an EU divorce agreement the House of Commons would accept. Once in power, Johnson secured a revised Brexit deal with the EU, but also couldn’t persuade Parliament to rush it into law.That prompted him to trigger an early election -- the next one wasn’t due until 2022 -- in the hope voters would give him the majority he needed. He now has a mandate “not just to get Brexit done,” he said, “but to unite this country and to take it forward and to focus on the priorities of the British people.”Addressing supporters in London on Friday morning, he said he had a “heavy responsibility” after winning support from former Labour heartlands. “We must rise to the challenge,” he said.\--With assistance from Heather Harris, Robert Hutton, Anna Edwards, Alastair Reed and Sam Potter.To contact the reporters on this story: Tim Ross in London at tross54@bloomberg.net;Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net;Greg Ritchie in London at gritchie10@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Flavia Krause-Jackson at fjackson@bloomberg.net, ;Rosalind Mathieson at rmathieson3@bloomberg.net, Alan CrawfordFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.

Germany says it wasn't aware Russia had requested extradition of Georgian man

Germany contradicted Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, saying it was not aware Russia had requested the extradition of a Georgian man who was killed in Berlin in August.