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May 23, 2019

First Line News Articles for Thursday, May 23 2019

Top Stories

Pentagon considering request to send 5,000 troops to Middle East – officials

The U.S. Department of Defense is considering a U.S. military request to send about 5,000 additional troops to the Middle East amid increasing tensions with Iran, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

Alabama House OK’s “born alive” abortion bill

The bill, by Republican Rep. Ginny Shaver of Leesburg, says doctors would face 20-year prison sentences for failing to provide reasonable care to save a “child born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion.”

Trump cuts short infrastructure meeting, blasts Pelosi’s ‘cover-up’ accusation

President Donald Trump on Wednesday abruptly cut off a meeting with U.S. congressional Democrats on infrastructure spending, then ripped into them over intensifying investigations by lawmakers and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s accusation that he is engaged in a cover-up.

Deadly storm brings hail, flooding and 132 reports of tornadoes in central US

A deadly spring storm unleashed drenching rain, flash flooding and hail in the central United States — along with more than 130 reports of tornadoes in five days.

LDS News

Oakland California’s Mormon Temple opens to the public after stunning makeover

Visitors to California may like to take a tour of a unique and interesting example of modern church architecture.

4,000 Latter-day Saints in Fiji welcome President Nelson on fifth stop of Pacific Ministry Tour

Strong strains of the Fijian farewell song “Isa Lei” filled Ratu Cakobau Park as President Russell M. Nelson waved to more than 4,000 Latter-day Saints gathered here for a devotional on Wednesday, May 22.

Video: President Nelson offers hope, healing to Muslims following Christchurch attacks

President Russell M. Nelson traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, on May 21 to express his love for those who had been impacted by the March 15 shootings in Christchurch .

Dedications of Asuncion Paraguay Temple and Arequipa Peru Temples announced

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced dates for open houses, a rededication and a dedication this fall for the Asunción Paraguay and Arequipa Peru Temples.

St. George LDS Temple, Utah’s first, to close Nov. 4 for several years to undergo seismic upgrade and major renovation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled plans Wednesday for renovating the St. George Temple, which will include seismic upgrades, new heating and cooling systems, landscaping and partial demolition and rebuilding of the temple annex.

National

U.S. charges Trump foe Michael Avenatti with fraud, extortion

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced new criminal charges against Michael Avenatti, escalating the legal troubles for the combative lawyer who once represented porn star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against U.S. President Donald Trump.

Nevada passes National Popular Vote bill in bid to upend Electoral College

The Nevada Senate approved Tuesday a National Popular Vote bill on a party-line vote, sending the legislation aimed at upending the Electoral College to the governor.

Trump picks Barbara Barrett to be next Air Force secretary

President Trump on Tuesday announced his intention to nominate Barbara Barrett, a former chairwoman of the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation and an Arizona business executive, to be the next secretary of the Air Force.

California sues Trump administration over withholding high-speed rail funds

California and its high-speed rail authority filed suit on Tuesday to prevent the Trump administration from canceling a nearly $1 billion federal grant awarded in 2010 for a “bullet” train project hobbled by extensive delays and rising costs.

Confidential draft IRS tax memo says tax returns must be handed to Congress unless president uses executive privilege: report

Just days after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would not comply with a House Democratic subpoena for President Trump’s tax returns, a confidential draft IRS memo obtained by The Washington Post called the disclosure “mandatory,” unless the president asserts his executive privilege.

Republican wins special House election in Pennsylvania

Fred Keller, a Republican state representative, beat Democrat Marc Friedenberg in the race to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th District on Tuesday.

Washington becomes first state ever to allow human composting

Gov. Jay Inslee, the Democrat from Washington, signed a bill into law on Tuesday that allows the composting of human bodies as an alternative to burials and cremations.

‘Save Chick-fil-A’ bill advances in Texas Legislature

Two weeks after it was thought to be dead in the water, Texas’ so-called Save Chick-fil-A bill is inching closer to the governor’s desk.

Nevada legislature passes abortion protections

The Nevada assembly passed a measure to roll back abortion restrictions Tuesday, sending the bill to Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak.

Trump officials say US efforts to deter Iran have worked

Top Trump administration officials worked Tuesday to lower the temperature after weeks of escalating tension with Iran, arguing the decision to deploy U.S. military assets to the Persian Gulf has worked.

World

Russian fighter jets, bombers intercepted off Alaska for 2nd day in a row

U.S. warplanes intercepted Russian bombers and fighter jets off the Alaskan coast for the second day in a row on Tuesday, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed early Wednesday morning.

Indonesia post-election protests leave six dead in Jakarta

Six people have been killed and 200 injured during mass rallies in Jakarta against the re-election of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

U.S. readies sanctions, charges over Venezuela food program: sources

The United States is preparing sanctions and criminal charges against Venezuelan officials and others suspected of using a military-run food aid program to launder money for President Nicolas Maduro’s government, according to people familiar with the matter.

HIV infects over 400 Pakistani children; doctor accused

More 400 children have been diagnosed with HIV in a Pakistani town as several families accuse a local doctor of spreading the virus through tainted syringes.

The US is reportedly considering blacklisting Chinese surveillance tech firm Hikvision

The U.S. administration is considering limits to Chinese video surveillance firm Hikvision’s ability to buy U.S. technology, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, in a move that deepens worries about trade frictions between the world’s two top economies.

May’s Brexit gambit fails as her premiership fades

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s final Brexit gambit was in tatters on Wednesday after her offer of a vote on a second referendum and closer trading arrangements failed to win over either opposition lawmakers or many in her own party.

Business

Amazon shareholders reject facial recognition ban as concern grows in U.S. Congress

Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday said shareholders rejected proposals to curb and audit its facial recognition service, just as members of Congress indicated there was bipartisan support to one day regulate the technology.

Chick-fil-A’s mobile sales are skyrocketing as execs say the chicken chain is entering a new tech-obsessed era

Chick-fil-A’s mobile sales are skyrocketing as the chain looks for new ways to drive growth.

Oil prices fall as US crude stockpiles rise by 4.7 million barrels, gasoline stocks jump

Oil prices fell on Wednesday after industry data showed an increase in U.S. crude inventories and on demand concerns linked to a protracted trade war between China and the United States.

Economy

Fed’s patience on interest rates to last ‘for some time’

U.S. Federal Reserve officials at their last meeting agreed that their current patient approach to setting monetary policy could remain in place “for some time,” a further sign policymakers see little need to change rates in either direction.

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