North America

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 (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.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Workers erected a wooden wall around Mexico City’s iconic Angel of Independence monument Saturday after feminists defaced it with graffiti during a raucous and violent protest over a string of alleged rapes by police.

The disorder Friday night erupted as part of protests that arose this week over a perception that city officials were not adequately investigating the rape accusations. Both victims were teenagers. The demonstrations have become known as the “glitter protests” after marchers doused the city’s police chief in pink glitter.

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.

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.

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).

HAVANA, Aug 17 (NNN-TELESUR) — Despite the United States’ attempts to limit tourism in Cuba, the country has seen three million foreign visitors between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15, Canadians making up the bulk of tourists to the Caribbean island. 

The Cuban Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) said in a statement that the arrival of the three million international travelers was “achieved despite campaigns … directed by the U.S. government to prevent the flow of tourists to our country.”

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.

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.

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.