North America

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert Mueller’s testimony before Congress will depend not so much on what he says, but that he’s even saying it at all.

For Democrats, the special counsel’s appearance Wednesday creates a moment many have been waiting for: Mueller finally speaking out, piercing the public consciousness about President Donald Trump’s response to the Russia investigation and whether anything should be done about it.

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s suggestion that four activist Democratic congresswomen of color “go back” to countries “from which they came” has excited some in his political base. Yet in many of America’s workplaces and institutions, the same language would be unacceptable and possibly illegal.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal laws against workplace bias, explicitly cites comments like “go back to where you came from” as examples of “potentially unlawful conduct.”

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN is reminding employees of the network’s policy to avoid talking about politics after radio talk show host Dan Le Batard criticized President Donald Trump and his recent racist comments and ESPN itself on the air this week.

The reminder went out Friday to all employees, including Le Batard, according to an ESPN employee who spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about personnel matters.

ESPN has not spoken publicly about Le Batard’s comments, including whether he faces any disciplinary action.

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 20 (APP): The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President, Inga Rhonda King, has told participants of the 54-member body’s high-level segment that this year’s session had contributed significantly to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

By “increasing awareness and galvanizing efforts towards empowerment, inclusiveness and equality”, the entire ECOSOC system has worked “to address gaps and challenges, provide integrated policy recommendations, and review progress”, which are all “at the heart of the 2030 Agenda”, she said.

WASHINGTON, July 20 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan will arrive here Saturday for high-stake parleys with President Donald Trump on advancing Pakistan-US relations in the backdrop of improving climate of trust between the two countries.

In what would be a Pakistani leader’s first visit to Washington in more than five years, the prime minister will also interact with top American lawmakers including Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of Senate Foreign Relations Committee to develop understanding on some key regional and bilateral issues.

20 July 2019; AFP: Fifty years ago on Saturday, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans in history to set foot on the Moon, an event watched on television by half a billion people.

Their lunar module, named "Eagle," touched down at 2018 GMT (4:18pm ET) on July 20, 1969.

A little over six hours later, at 0256 GMT, Armstrong placed his left foot on the lunar surface, declaring: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

20 July 2019; DW: The G7 ministers said this week they want to clamp down on cryptocurrencies like Facebook's Libra, arguing new and untested digital coins risk destabilizing international monetary systems. But can they and should they?

20 July 2019; DW: A former US contractor who stockpiled secret National Security Agency data at his home has been jailed for nine years. The case is another embarrassment for the NSA after Edward Snowden leaked classified info in 2013.

A former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) who stored more than two decades' worth of classified documents at his home has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

20 July 2019; DW: A 42-year-old former New York resident who was a sniper for the "Islamic State" has been detained without bail. He faces terrorism charges for attempting to recruit and train members for the militant group.

20 July 2019; DW: In the face of widespread criticism, US President Donald Trump has defended his racist attacks against four Democratic congresswomen. One of the president's targets said he was "spewing fascist ideology."

A day after saying his audience at a campaign rally in North Carolina went too far in chanting "Send her back!" about Somalia-born congresswoman, President Donald Trump has defended the crowd members as "incredible patriots."