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Economists survey: 34% expect a US recession in 2021

WASHINGTON (AP) — A number of U.S. business economists appear sufficiently concerned about the risks of some of President Donald Trump’s economic policies that they expect a recession in the U.S. by the end of 2021.

Thirty-four percent of economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics, in a report being released Monday, said they believe a slowing economy will tip into recession in 2021. That’s up from 25% in a survey taken in February. Only 2% of those polled expect a recession to begin this year, while 38% predict that it will occur in 2020.

House speaker as US emissary: Pelosi emerges as force abroad

WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s an American leader whose words resonate on the global stage. Who draws attention in foreign capitals. Who carries a message from the United States by simply arriving.

It’s not just President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is emerging as an alternative ambassador abroad, an emissary for bedrock democratic values and the promise of stability that some see as diminishing in the Trump era.

New York City subway scare suspect taken into police custody

NEW YORK (AP) — A homeless man from West Virginia faced charges Saturday for allegedly placing two devices that looked like pressure cookers in a New York City subway station, forcing an evacuation and snarling the morning commute, police said.

Larry Kenton Griffin II, of Bruno, West Virginia, was awaiting arraignment late Saturday in Manhattan’s central booking after he was released from a New York hospital where he was being treated and under observation. Police did not specify what, if any, injuries or condition he was being treated for.

Portland ‘ground zero’ for protests between right, left-wing

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Hundreds of far-right protesters and anti-fascist counter-demonstrators swarmed downtown Portland, Oregon, on Saturday for a long-hyped rally that attracted President Donald Trump’s attention and resulted in at least 13 arrests.

Police seized metal poles, bear spray and other weapons and closed bridges and streets to try to keep the rival groups apart. They were largely successful. Six minor injuries were reported.

'Very good' White House discussions on Afghan peace deal: Trump

17 August 2019; AFP: The White House signaled progress Friday in preparations for a peace deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying that discussions between President Donald Trump and top advisors went "very well."

Trump met at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf course with national security advisors including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, the White House said.

Official documents on Khashoggi murder released by US group

17 Aug 2019; MEMO: A US organisation has started publishing official documents dealing with the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October last year.

The Open Society Justice Initiative explained via its website that it has obtained the documents under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

US: Two sentenced to prison for foiled terrorist plot on Muslims

17 August 2019; DW: The defendants showed remorse as the judge declared them a "threat to everyone in our democratic society." The two men planned to use homemade explosives in a terrorist plot on a Muslim community in upstate New York.

Two men were sentenced to between four and 12 years in prison on Friday after threatening to bomb a Muslim community in the United States.

Defendants Brian Colaneri, 20, and Andrew Crysel, 19, had both entered guilty pleas.

Kashmir: Is the UN Security Council reluctant to get involved?

17 August 2019; DW: Although the Security Council told India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute bilaterally, it didn't call a formal meeting or issue a statement. Some analysts dubbed the response "lukewarm."

Members of the United Nations Security Council on Friday refrained from calling for an emergency session on the disputed Kashmir region.

Instead, they urged India and Pakistan to resolve the matter bilaterally.

3 U.S. states, city join California in lawsuit against Trump's new immigration policy

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- California Friday led a coalition of five attorneys general of U.S. states and city to file a lawsuit against a new immigration policy by U.S. President Donald Trump administration to deny possible permanent residency to immigrants who receive some of federal benefits.

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