Governor Cuomo Annouces Flags at Half Staff to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

 

Flags on state government buildings will be flown at half-staff on Friday, September 11 in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 men, women and children who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"With the 14th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks upon us, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 individuals who were taken far too early. They were mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, employees who just began their day and first responders who put their own well-being aside to aid complete strangers."

"As we observe their memory, I would also ask New Yorkers to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who put their safety at risk day in and day out to preserve the freedoms and ideals that this state and nation were founded upon."

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Cuomo Announces Push to Raise NY's Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour

Earlier today, Governor Andrew Cuomo, joined by Vice President Joseph Biden, announced a push to make New York the first state in the nation to adopt a $15 per hour minimum wage at the Javits Center in New York City. 

This announcement comes after Acting State Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino signed a Wage Order designating $15 an hour as the statewide minimum wage for fast food workers.

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. 

FPWA CEO Responds to Governor Cuomo's Call for a Minimum Wage Hike

The following statement was provided by Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA).

New York, NY (September 10, 2015) -- "Governor Cuomo’s call for an across-the-board $15 wage floor for New York State is a necessary step forward in addressing the economic divide. Years of wage stagnation has unfairly limited opportunities for millions of families and hampered economic growth. The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies has advocated for a $15 minimum wage, recognizing that when employees make a living wage, they are better able to provide for themselves and their families, as well as contribute to the local economy. As we look forward to a phased-in statewide raise for workers, we must ensure that no individual is exempt.  Government contracts for nonprofit services to underserved populations must be funded at rates that ensure that service providers are able to pay their workers a living wage.”   

Trailblazers in Black History: Zora Neale Hurston

Uploaded to YouTube on Nov 12, 2008

To watch the entire documentary, to read background information and to order DVDs, click here.

This definitive film biography portrays Zora Neale Hurston in all her complexity: gifted, flamboyant, and controversial but always fiercely original.

Today in History: September 10th

NYPD Commissioner Apologizes to Retired Tennis Star James Blake for Mistaken Identity

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

The officer involved in the incident has been placed on modified assignment pending an internal affairs investigation.

Scott Walker Promises to Take on 'Union Bosses' As President

 

By Shaquille Brewster

Seeking to re-energize a campaign that's been sagging in national polls, GOP presidential candidate Scott Walker promised on Thursday "to take power out of the hands of the big government union bosses."

"On Day One, I'm going to stop the government from taking money, money out of the paychecks of federal employees for political union dues," Walker said in remarks at Eureka College, Ronald Reagan's alma mater, on Thursday. " I don't think any worker in this country should be required to put money into a political fund that doesn't support candidates that they don't support." 

Click here for the full article and related videos.

Source: NBC News

First Read: Why John Boehner Could Lose His Job

 

By Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Carrie Dann

First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.

Why chaos is brewing in Congress -- and why John Boehner could lose his job

Yesterday's House Republican chaos over what to do next on the Iran deal is a reminder how combustible the next month could be in Washington, especially as Congress must pass legislation to keep the government open after Sept. 30. And it's a reminder just how precarious Speaker John Boehner's position is right now with his conservative base. Indeed, you have the making for a perfect storm -- a conservative electorate angry that President Obama is poised for another win, despite Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress; a 2016 race where the incentive is for the candidates to move to the right; and the Age of Trump where his central argument is: "Why is everyone so weak?" If you add those things up and throw in a fight over Planned Parenthood and abortion, then you get trouble. Big trouble. Remember, both Boehner and Mitch McConnell received loud boos at yesterday's "Stop the Iran Deal" rally.

Click here for the full article and video. 

Source: NBC News 

Food and Drug Administration Takes on Food Poisoning With Sweeping Reforms

 

By Maggie Fox

The Food and Drug Administration released the first batch of sweeping new food safety regulations Thursday that are designed to stop outbreaks of food poisoning that kill 3,000 or more people a year.

The new regulations are intended to make food processors to anticipate where germs might be getting into food products — and work ahead of time to prevent them.

It sounds like common sense, but current regulations only require that food manufacturers, distributors and regulators respond only once an outbreak starts.

"Rather than just react to outbreaks, we are requiring food facilities to take measures to prevent them from the get-go," said Jenny Scott, a senior adviser in FDA's Office of Food Safety.

"It is the first time that food processors are going to be required to prevent contamination. That's huge," said Sandra Eskin, who directs food safety research at the Pew Charitable Trusts. 

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News 

Six Cops in the Freddie Gray Case Will Be Tried in Baltimore

 

By Adam Reiss

The trials of six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray will be held in Baltimore, a judge ruled on Thursday.

Circuit Judge Barry Williams' ruling dealt a blow to lawyers for the officers who had argued that high profile protests and publicity following Gray's death — coupled with the city officials' recent $6.4 million wrongful death settlement with Gray's family — would make it difficult to find an unbiased jury pool and warranted moving the trial outside of the city. 

Click here for the full article and related video. 

Source: NBC News 

Millions Earmarked to Clear 'Disturbing' Rape Kit Backlog

  Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance

By Kate Snow, Rich McHugh and Tracy Connor

For years, they've been collecting dust — tens of thousands of evidence kits that could lead police to serial rapists but have never been tested.

But now, almost $80 million is being earmarked to help clear the massive backlog and hopefully get justice for sexual assault survivors.

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance is putting $38 million in forfeiture funds toward the cause.

"We have finally come together to solve one of our law enforcement community's biggest embarrassments which is having treated sexual victims, particularly women, not as seriously as we have treated other kinds of crimes and victims," Vance told NBC News. 

Click here for the full article and video. 

Source: NBC News 

Population Parity in Historic Palestine Raises Hard Questions for Israel

 
Reuters, 10/09 20:24 CET

By Luke Baker

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – While Israel remains predominantly Jewish, Arab numbers within the area of historic Palestine are now close to eclipsing the Jewish population, creating a dilemma for supporters of a “one-state solution” to the region’s conflict.

Long-term demographic trends mean that those who want Jews and Palestinians to live together in a single, enlarged Israeli state – including President Reuben Rivlin – face a difficult question: how could Israel remain both democratic and Jewish if Arab voters became a majority within its borders?

The United States and European Union still support a two-state solution: Israel and Palestine side-by-side. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recommitted himself to the goal despite appearing to abandon it before elections in March.

But some Middle East scholars regard it as a diminishing prospect, raising the possibility of more radical alternatives. Population parity, however, challenges advocates of an enlarged state that would comprise Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Euronews

Cuba’s Controversial Cardinal Takes Centre Stage with Pope’s Visit

 

 Cardinal Jaime Ortega

Reuters, 10/09 20:17 CET

By Daniel Trotta

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cardinal Jaime Ortega rose from labour camp inmate in the 1960s to become one of Cuba’s leading political figures, leveraging a non-confrontational style into a rare position of influence for someone outside the Communist Party.

With Pope Francis visiting Cuba next week, Ortega’s role in boosting the power of the Roman Catholic Church on the island has drawn both praise and scorn.

Cuba’s small but vocal dissident community and hardline Cuban-American exiles in Miami believe he has become too cozy with the government and should be doing more for human rights and democratic freedoms.

Ortega, 78, enjoys unrivaled access among religious leaders to Cuban President Raul Castro and he has long been an ally of Argentine-born Pope Francis since their years together in the Latin American Bishops’ Council.

A soft-spoken cleric with a ready smile, Ortega negotiated the release of 126 political prisoners in 2010 and 2011. He also played a role last year in Cuba’s detente with the United States, leading to the renewal of diplomatic relations after 54 years of Cold War hostility.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Euronews

Ugandan Police Fire Tear Gas Again at Rally of Museveni’s Rival

Reuters, 10/09 19:53 CET

By Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA (Reuters) – Ugandan police fired tear gas for a second consecutive day on Thursday to disperse supporters of presidential contender Amama Mbabazi, who is seeking to unseat veteran leader Yoweri Museveni in next year’s elections.

Former prime minister Mbabazi, 66, has emerged as a strong challenger to his one-time ally Museveni, who has ruled the east African nation since 1986.

Mbabazi, an influential figure in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) before he quit the party, has held large rallies across eastern Uganda since Monday.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Euronews

Migrants: Austrian Rail Suspends Services to and from Hungary

Source: Euronews

Refugee Crush Overwhelms EU Dublin Rule

By Adrian Lancashire

Source: Euronews 

NATO Worried About Alleged Russian Military Buildup in Syria

Source: Euronews

Islamic State Militants Offer Prisoners ‘For Sale’

Source: Euronews

Lebanese Government Moves to End Weeks of Street Protests

Source: Euronews

At Least 8 Missing and 90,000 Evacuated in Japan Floods

Source: Euronews

Homo Naledi: A New Human-Like Species Discovered in South Africa

Source: Euronews

Turkish Election “Impossible” as Violence Spreads

Source: Euronews

Greek Unemployment Up to 25.2 Percent in June

Unemployment in Greece rose to 25.2 percent in June, a slight rise of 0.2 percent from the previous month.

The seasonally-adjusted figure was the lowest for June for three years. In June 2012 it stood at 24.9 percent.

The jobless total has come down from record highs – it hit 27.9 percent in September 2013 – as the economy has stabilised after a severe slump.

But it remains more than double the eurozone’s average, which eased to 10.9 percent in July.

Young people are particularly badly hit by the poor labour conditions. The data showed that 48.3 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were looking for work.

The Greek economy expanded by 0.9 percent in the second quarter but is expected to slide back into recession in the second half of the year.

Click here for video. 

Source: Euronews

MEPs Seek to Ban Cloning of Farm Animals

 (Click on the map to enlarge it.)

Members of European Parliment (MEPs) have called for a permanent ban on the cloning of all farm animals, setting them on a potential collision course with EU governments.

They voted by 529 votes to 120, with 57 abstentions.

Lawmakers also want to ban the import of cloned livestock, as well as the sale of food produced from such animals and their offspring.

Their draft law toughens up a two-year-old proposal from the European Commission, which did not cover the offspring of cloned animals.

The revised text will now be looked at by the national governments, which make up the twenty eight member states of European Union.

If there are any disagreements, then the member states and MEPs will hold negotiations.

Those talks would be mediated by the European Commission in a bid to strike a deal.

Click here for video. 

Source: Euronews

Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II, Judge Charles R. Breyer Nominated to Serve on the U.S. Sentencing Commission

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Obama nominated Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II and Judge Charles R. Breyer to serve on the United States Sentencing Commission.

“Throughout their careers these distinguished individuals have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice,” said President Obama. “I am confident they will continue to serve with excellence and integrity on the United States Sentencing Commission.”

Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II:  Nominee for Commissioner, United States Sentencing Commission

Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II is a United States District Judge for the District of Nevada, a position he has held since June 2014. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he worked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Las Vegas from 2007 to 2014, where he served as the lead attorney on complex white-collar cases from 2010 to 2014. From 2003 to 2007, he was a trial attorney at the Federal Defenders of New York. Judge Boulware began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Denise Cote of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2002 to 2003. He received his J.D. in 2002 from Columbia Law School and his A.B. cum laude in 1993 from Harvard College.

Judge Charles R. Breyer: Nominee for Commissioner, United States Sentencing Commission

Judge Charles R. Breyer has served as Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission since 2013 and as a United States District Judge in the Northern District of California since 1998. From 1974 to 1997, Judge Breyer worked at the law firm now known as Coblenz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP, with a brief stint as Chief Assistant District Attorney for San Francisco in 1979. From 1973 to 1974, Judge Breyer spent a year working as an Assistant Special Prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco from 1967 to 1973. Judge Breyer began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Oliver J. Carter of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. He received his J.D. in 1966 from the University of California at Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law and his B.A. cum laude in 1963 from Harvard College. 

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Remarks on Jobs and the Economy

President Obama delivers remarks at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan on job creation efforts and the state of the U.S. economy.

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Address on Iran Nuclear Agreement

Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton lays out in an address at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. how she would implement and enforce the Iran nuclear agreement if she is elected president.

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

Tea Party Rally Against the Iran Nuclear Agreement

 

2016 presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) are among the speakers at a “Stop the Iran Deal Rally” hosted by the Tea Party at the U.S. Capitol.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-Span

Senator John McCain on Syrian Refugees

With the recent photograph of drowned Syrian Aylan Kurdi toddler as a backdrop, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) criticizes the Obama administration, saying its policies led to the refugee crisis in the Middle East. He also calls for an increased U.S. presence in the region.

Click here for video. 

Source: C-Span

Hearing on Planned Parenthood Practices

 

The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing the practices of Planned Parenthood, including allegations that the group was engaged in the selling of aborted fetal tissue. Witnesses included women who say they are “survivors” of attempted late-term abortions. 

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

Al Qaeda Mag Urges Attack on Koch Brothers, Buffett, Bloomberg

 

By Robert Windrem and Tracy Connor

A notorious Al Qaeda magazine is encouraging lone-wolf terrorist attacks on U.S. economic leaders, including Sam Walton, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg and Warren Buffett.

The list in Inspire magazine also included industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, internet entrepreneur Larry Ellison, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, economist Robert Shiller, and former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. Not mentioned is Janet Yellen, who succeeded Bernanke as Fed chairman. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: NBC News

Russia Building Major Military Base Near Ukrainian Border: Report

By Reuters

Russia has started to build a huge military base housing ammunition depots and barracks for several thousand soldiers near the Ukrainian border, a project that suggests the Kremlin is digging in for a prolonged stand-off with Kiev.

The base, when completed, will even have its own swimming pool, skating rink and barber shop, according to public documents. This week workmen were erecting a fence in a cornfield outside the village of Soloti to mark out the perimeter, and told a Reuters reporter to leave, accusing him of being an Ukrainian spy. 

Click here for the full article. 

Source: NBC News

James Clapper on Intelligence and National Security

Office of the Director of National Intelligence Director James Clapper speaks at the AFCEA International and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance second annual Intelligence and National Security Summit.

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Iran Nuclear Agreement

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calls for an up or down vote on a disapproval resolution of the Iran nuclear agreement. Forty-one senators have pledged support for the Iran deal -- enough to filibuster the resolution.

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

Trailblazers in Black History: Wilma Rudolph

Today in History: September 9th

Hillary Clinton Says She's 'Sorry'

 
ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

In an ABC News exclusive interview, Democratic presidential candidate addresses questions about email, Joe Biden, Donald Trump and why she is running a second time.

Baltimore Settles With Freddie Gray Family for $6.4 Million

 

By Elizabeth Chuck

Baltimore officials have reached a $6.4 million settlement in the wrongful death of Freddie Gray, who sustained fatal neck injuries while in police custody in April.

The deal, first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by NBC News on Tuesday, still needs to be approved by Baltimore's spending overseer, the Board of Estimates. A vote on the proposal will take place on Wednesday. 

Click here for the full article and related video. 

Source: NBC News 

ISIS Using Rape as 'Policy,' UN Envoy Angelina Jolie Warns

 

By Phil Helsel and Reuters

The terror group ISIS is using rape as a weapon of terror to a degree "beyond what we have seen before," actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie told a committee of the House of Lords in England on Tuesday.

"It is a violent, brutal, terrorizing weapon," Jolie, special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said.

Jolie urged a "very strong response" to the crisis. ISIS, also known as Islamic State, has sold women as slaves during sick auctions in territories the group has captured, survivors have told NBC News. 

Click here for the full article and video. 

Source: NBC News 

Kim Davis Leaves Kentucky Jail, Vows to 'Keep on Pressing'

 

By Gabe Gutierrez and Jon Schuppe

A Kentucky clerk who defied orders to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples was released from jail Tuesday, but her lawyer says she will continue to resist until officials find a way to accommodate her religious opposition to gay unions.

Kim Davis emerged from the Carter County Detention Center to a swell of cheers from Christian supporters who'd been rallying outside the gates since she was ordered behind bars on Thursday. 

Click here for the full article and video. 

Source: NBC News