Trump will “likely” meet with Putin in “not too distant future,” Pompeo says

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that President Trump is “likely” to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the “not too distant future” and national security adviser John Bolton will head to Moscow in the next few days. While still uncertain, it’s a more definitive statement than the White House has offered lately, amid questions of whether the…

Scientists plunge into icy waters as part of “mad tradition”

Scott Clifford swims in a pool cut into the sea ice in Antarctica on June 21, 2018, in a photo released by the Australian Antarctic Division. Australian Antarctic Division/George Brettingham-Moore Scientists based in Antarctica welcomed the winter solstice by plunging into icy waters Thursday as part of a “mad tradition” heralding the return of brighter days after weeks of darkness….

U.S.-North Korea summit: Fallout continues over joint statement

President Trump shows the document that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed acknowledging the progress of the talks and pledge to keep momentum going, after their summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on Tue., June 12, 2018. Reuters WASHINGTON — A tired President Trump emerged from Air Force One earlier Wednesday, having returned…

Trump showed Kim movie trailer depicting them as heroes at Singapore summit

The White House aired a movie trailer depicting the possibilities ahead for U.S.-North Korea relations to set up the president’s press conference following his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “Seven billion people inhabit planet Earth,” the voiceover begins. “Of those alive today, only a small number will leave a lasting impact. And only the very few will…

A Tale of Two Kims

On the left, Kim Kardashian West appears with Donald Trump in the Oval Office after their May 30 meeting. On the right, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un walks with U.S. President Donald Trump during a break in talks at their historic US-North Korea summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Twitter via…

A Tale of Two Kims

On the left, Kim Kardashian West appears with Donald Trump in the Oval Office after their May 30 meeting. On the right, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un walks with U.S. President Donald Trump during a break in talks at their historic US-North Korea summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Twitter via…

Buyer of this “ghost town” can own piece of the Wild West

The refurbished saloon in Cerro Gordo, California, a genuine “ghost town” for sale that was used by silver miners in the 19th century.  Bishops Real Estate A “ghost town” established by silver miners in the 19th century is up for sale in California, and it can be yours for less than what a home typically costs in San Francisco. Founded…

A life cut short: Trying to understand suicide

A LIFE CUT SHORT by personal despair is a reality that’s happening with increasing frequency across our country. And the news of two celebrity suicides this past week only hints at the dimensions of this public health crisis. Our Cover Story is reported by Tony Dokoupil: She was the woman behind the handbags, her name a by-word for elegance, while…

What’s this maker of scary robot animals really up to?

BOSTON – It has never been clear whether robotics company Boston Dynamics is making killing machines, household helpers — or something else entirely. For nine years, the secretive firm, which got its start with U.S. military funding, has unnerved people around the world with YouTube videos of experimental robots resembling animal predators. In one, a life-size robotic wildcat sprints across…

Philippines leader defends onstage kiss: “We enjoyed it”

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte kisses a Filipina woman during a live televised event in Seoul, South Korea. RAPPLER/YOUTUBE MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte brushed off claims of misogyny Wednesday after he kissed a Filipina woman on the lips onstage in Seoul — saying they had both “enjoyed it.” The 73-year-old grandfather had offered a free book in exchange…

Amazon yanks “smart” toy over security risks

That soft teddy bear seems harmless — until hackers can use it to spy on your kids. Amazon said it has pulled CloudPets, a smart toy that researchers said was riddled with security flaws, from its online store. Last week, Walmart and Target stopped selling the toy. Amazon began removing CloudPets on Tuesday morning.  The decision comes a day after…

Amazon yanks “smart” toy over security risks

That soft teddy bear seems harmless — until hackers can use it to spy on your kids. Amazon said it has pulled CloudPets, a smart toy that researchers said was riddled with security flaws, from its online store. Last week, Walmart and Target stopped selling the toy. Amazon began removing CloudPets on Tuesday morning.  The decision comes a day after…

Philippine leader draws fire for soliciting on-stage kiss

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte kisses a Filipina woman during a live televised event in Seoul, South Korea. RAPPLER/YOUTUBE The often controversial leader of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte, has again drawn condemnation for his treatment of women by kissing an overseas worker from his own country — on stage and in front of dozens of video cameras — during a…

Alternatives to straws that choke ocean life

Plastic straws are under attack. From a proposed ban by the European Union to efforts by individual towns and companies, the ubiquitous sipping tools are being targeted for littering beaches and ocean beds and harming animals.  But the environmental effort comes in fits and starts. McDonald’s (MCD), for instance, recently moved its plastic straws behind the counter in the U.K,…

Why Democrats are worried about Tuesday’s California primaries

What’s a “jungle” primary, and why are Democrats worried about them in California? Let’s take these one at a time. A jungle primary, or a nonpartisan blanket primary as it’s more formally known, puts all candidates together in one big primary regardless of what party they belong to. So instead of Democrats choosing a candidate and Republicans choosing another, all…

EU proposes banning plastic straws to cut marine litter

BRUSSELS — The European Union has proposed banning plastic products like cotton buds, straws, stirs and balloon sticks when alternatives are easily available in an attempt to reduce litter spoiling beaches and ocean beds. The European Commission said its proposal would seek to cut marine litter in half for the ten most prominent items and avoid environmental damage estimated at over…