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Coronavirus updates: Arrests after illicit party boat with 170 guests cruises around New York City

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 687,000 people worldwide. Over 18 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.

Hong Kong reports 80 new coronavirus cases, slight drop from previous highs

Hong Kong reported 80 new coronavirus cases on Monday, dropping below 100 infections for the first time in 12 days, as a team of Chinese officials began preparations for widespread testing in the global financial hub, which has seen a resurgence in cases. The initiative, which was announced by the Chinese government, marks the first time mainland health officials have assisted Hong Kong in its battle to control the epidemic. Since late January, around 3,600 people have been infected in Hong Kong, 37 of whom have died.

Buy, sell, repeat! No room for 'hold' in whipsawing markets

Warren Buffett's favourite holding period -- forever -- has few fans these days, with the average length of time shares spend in a portfolio hitting record lows this year as investors surf wild market swings for quick gains. There are different ways of slicing it, but Reuters calculations based on New York stock exchange data show the average holding period for U.S. shares was 5-1/2 months in June, versus 8-1/2 months at end-2019. Rob Almeida, a portfolio manager at asset manager MFS, said for years mom-and-pop punters, commission-free investing and more machine-trading have contributed to the trend.

One Free Press Coalition's '10 Most Urgent' list, August 2020

Yahoo News is a member of the One Free Press Coalition and is publishing the group’s latest “10 Most Urgent” list below to highlight the increasingly dangerous climate for journalism and free expression around the world in an effort to roll back repressive antipress policies.

Report: Retired Pope Benedict XVI ill after visit to Germany

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI has fallen ill after his return from a trip to his native Bavaria to visit his brother, who died a month ago, a German newspaper reported Monday. The daily Passauer Neue Presse quoted Peter Seewald, a biographer of the retired pontiff, as saying that the 93-year-old has been suffering from a facial infection since his return to Rome. Seewald, who has published several book-length interviews with Benedict, handed over a copy of the biography to the former pontiff on Saturday, the newspaper reported.

Tropical Storm Isaias nears Florida before heading for the Carolinas

Tropical storm watches and warnings stretch from Florida to parts of the southern New England coast as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way toward the Florida coast. The storm, in Atlantic waters and moving north-northwest, is expected to make its way up the East Coast after bringing downpours and gusty winds to the Florida Peninsula. As of late Sunday night Isaias was about 50 miles east of Cape Canaveral and about 365 miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

HSBC warns loan losses could hit $13 billion as profit plunges 65%

HSBC Holdings PLC warned its bad debt charges could blow past a previous estimate to $13 billion this year and said its profits more than halved, as the coronavirus pandemic hammered the bank's retail and corporate customers worldwide. HSBC increased its estimate of the total bad debt charges it could take this year to between $8 billion and $13 billion from $7 billion-$11 billion, reflecting worse-than-expected actual losses in the second quarter and expectations of a steeper decline in the economy. "What we have seen this quarter is quite a sharp shift in economic outlook for the global economy, the famous 'V' has got a lot sharper and as a result we have materially increased our provisions," Chief Financial Officer Ewen Stevenson told Reuters.

Manchester-born 'wellness entrepreneur' revealed as Jeffrey Epstein's alleged ex-girlfriend

A Manchester-born publisher has been identified as the alleged former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein named in legal papers relating to Ghislaine Maxwell that were unsealed by a Manhattan court last week. A woman named as “Shelley” was allegedly named by Ms Maxwell as Epstein’s girlfriend between 1999 and 2002, according to an email contained in papers released by US District Judge Loretta Preska. It has now been claimed that the woman is Shelley Ann Lewis, 43, a “wellness entrepreneur”, who runs a company called The Equanimity Expert. There is no suggestion that Ms Lewis was aware of any criminal behaviour by Epstein during the time of their alleged relationship. It coincided with the time when Virginia Giuffre alleges she was coerced into having sex with the Duke of York – an allegation that Prince Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied. Ms Lewis could, lawyers believe, be approached by prosecutors and attorneys in the United States acting for Epstein’s victims to ask what she knew about the alleged behaviour of Ms Maxwell and Epstein. The tranche of papers was compiled during a defamation case brought against Ms Maxwell by Ms Giuffre. They were released despite fierce opposition from Ms Maxwell’s legal team. In a January 2015 email to Epstein, Ms Maxwell wrote: “I would appreciate it if Shelley would come out and say she was your g’friend – I think she was from end [19]99 to 2002.” Epstein replied: “OK with me.” Ms Lewis’ name appears repeatedly on the flight logs of Epstein’s private planes, on occasion travelling alone with the disgraced financier, who was found dead in a jail cell a year ago. Destinations included New York and Little St James – the financier’s private island in the Caribbean where many of the offences are alleged to have taken place. It is believed they met in 1999 when Ms Lewis, then 22, was working for Christie’s auction house in New York. Epstein was 46 at the time. The company Ms Lewis now runs says it offers a six-week course hosted by “some of the leading thinkers in the fields of big picture decision making, neuroscience and psychology”. The company’s website adds: “After an experience of direct awakening at age seventeen, Shelley has been on the path of inner transformation ever since.” Her meditation centre, called Sacred Space, is intended to help New Yorkers find respite from the city’s frantic pace and “cultivate practices for Inner Peace”. Ms Lewis is understood to divide her time between New York and west London, where she owns a flat. She was also the author of A Key to the Heart, a bestselling children’s book, which has reportedly been praised by Laura Bush, the former First Lady and author J K Rowling. Ms Lewis’ father, Brian, a retired businessman told The Mail on Sunday: “I’ve not seen my daughter for ages. I have no idea what she would want to say.” Ms Lewis deleted all her social media profiles a short time after the release of the court documents on Friday. Ms Maxwell, the daughter of the late Robert Maxwell, a Labour MP and owner of the Mirror Group of newspapers, is in custody in New York awaiting trial. Charged with six counts of child abuse allegedly committed between 1994 and 1997, Ms Maxwell, who has denied the allegations, is due to stand trial next July. Other documents remain sealed and Ms Maxwell’s legal team are seeking to prevent their release. Some papers, which were due to be released on Monday, will be kept under wraps, including Ms Maxwell’s own deposition in which she has denied knowledge of Epstein’s activities. Judges in the US Court of Appeals agreed to delay their publication in a two-page order published on Saturday. A further hearing has been listed for September. The Telegraph has approached Ms Lewis for comment.

Trump demands reinstatement of death penalty for Boston bomber

Donald Trump has demanded the death penalty be reinstated for the Boston Marathon bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. A three-judge panel from the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston upheld Tsarnaev’s conviction for the bombing, but ordered a new sentencing trial. Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured in the April 2013 attack perpetrated by Tsarnaev and his older brother Tamerian, who died in a shootout with police.

A California couple was arrested for hate crimes after yelling 'white power' during an episode of road rage, according to police

The couple yelled "White power," and "Only white lives matter b----" to a Black man and his girlfriend during a racist altercation on the road.

Will Karen Bass bring her activist bona fides to Joe Biden's presidential ticket?

Rep. Karen Bass is a self-described “lifelong activist,” shaped by transformative decades in South Los Angeles. She's also reportedly a potential Joe Biden VP pick.

Trump says federal government should again seek death penalty for Boston bomber Tsarnaev

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the federal government should again seek the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. In a tweet, Trump said the federal government must challenge a Friday appeals court decision overturning the death penalty for the 2013 attack. "Rarely has anybody deserved the death penalty more than the Boston Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev," tweeted Trump.

Chief Whip 'failed to act in Tory MP rape case'

The Government’s Chief Whip was on Sunday night accused of failing to act for four months on complaints against a former minister who was arrested for a suspected rape at the weekend. Mark Spencer was under mounting pressure to explain why he failed to launch an investigation into the alleged behaviour of the senior Conservative, who has not been suspended by the party despite the seriousness of the allegations. The MP, who has not been publicly named, was arrested on Saturday after a woman in her 20s made a complaint of rape and sexual assault, before being bailed later that evening until a date in mid-August. The Telegraph has established that the woman - who was working as a parliamentary aide - made a complaint to Mr Spencer on April 1, but says she became frustrated when nothing was done and sought a second meeting with him, which she says he declined. She also alleges that she told Mr Spencer - the man in charge of party discipline - that the MP issued threats against her if she spoke to anybody, but that Mr Spencer simply reassured her that the MP in question would not carry out his threat.

Officer finds ‘large, thick piece of mucus’ in coffee at Dunkin’, Illinois police say

A worker at the doughnut shop faces several charges.

Emails about SAS shootings of Afghans were 'never witheld', MoD says

Claims the MoD withheld emails suggesting an SAS unit “executed” civilians have been rubbished because the documents have been independently reviewed four times and there was no evidence to bring a prosecution. The Ministry of Defence has been ordered by a High Court judge to submit a witness statement explaining why the documents that appear to show war crimes being committed in Afghanistan in 2011 were not released years ago. The internal emails between senior special forces officers expressed concerns about the killings of 33 people in 11 night raids in just three months by an SAS unit. The messages appear to suggest 10 similar incidents in which men were shot in their homes after surrendering. In those incidents special forces soldiers from an unnamed unit claimed the men they shot had attempted to grab a weapon. One email from a senior officer in the regiment described the claims as “explosive” and “disturbing”, adding he feared a “deliberate policy” to kill “fighting-aged males”. The emails were disclosed shortly before another High Court hearing being brought by a Afghan man in his late twenties, Saifullah Yar, who is seeking an independent investigation into the deaths of four of his family, shot by the SAS in 2011. The MoD on Sunday night rejected the suggestion they had been deliberately withheld at one earlier hearing, adding that the documents had been included in a series of subsequent investigations and independent reviews. An MoD spokesman said: “This is not new evidence, and this historical case has already been independently investigated by the Royal Military Police (RMP) as part of Operation Northmoor. It has also been subject to four reviews conducted by an Independent Review Team. “These documents were considered as part of the independent investigations, which concluded there was insufficient evidence to refer the case for prosecution.” None of the historical allegations investigated as part of Operation Northmoor have led to a single prosecution. Mr Justice Swift is to receive a response from Government lawyers next month. The ministry spokesman added: “The Service Police and the Service Prosecuting Authority of course remain open to considering allegations should new evidence, intelligence or information come to light.”

Mnuchin pushes back on Pelosi: We need 'balance' between debt, coronavirus relief

Pelosi painted a different picture to Raddatz, in an interview ahead of Mnuchin's, making it clear that the White House and Democrats are far apart on closing a deal. "He's the one who is standing in the way of that," she said of President Donald Trump on Sunday.

Dunkin' worker arrested for allegedly spitting in state trooper's coffee

Numerous law enforcement officers have complained about food tampering since the death of George Floyd in May.

Speaker Pelosi blames Trump, GOP for deadlock in coronavirus relief negotiations

After both Democratic and Republican negotiators expressed optimism Saturday about progress on a coronavirus relief package compromise, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tempered expectations Sunday, explaining that her party and the Trump administration still don't see eye-to-eye on the "strategic plan" necessary to combat the virus and prop up the struggling economy. "We have been for the $600, they have a $200 proposal, which does not meet the needs of America's working families."

Five men arrested after light aircraft laden with cocaine crashes in Papua, New Guinea

Five men have been arrested after a light aircraft carrying 500kg of cocaine, worth an estimated £45 million crashed in Papua, New Guinea. The Cessna model light aircraft had originally departed from Mareeba Airport, in Queensland on July 26, flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet to avoid detection. Having landed in New Guinea, it attempted to take off again from a remote runway, without success. Police believe that the weight of the cocaine could have been responsible for the plane crashing on take off. A spokesman said: "The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleges greed played a significant part in the syndicate's activities and cannot rule out that the weight of the cocaine had an impact on the plane's ability to take off. "These flights are dangerous for other aircraft as well as those on board, in addition to being illegal and unauthorised", the spokesman added. Nobody was found near the wreckage. However, the pilot, an Australian, surrendered to his country’s consulate in Papua. He has been charged with an immigration offence. Five other men, all allegedly linked to a Melbourne-based crime syndicate have been arrested and charged with an array of crimes, including drug-related offences. If convicted they could face life imprisonment.

Uber driver killed when police crash into car while chasing teen suspect, TX cops say

The Uber driver had a passenger in the car at the time of the crash, police say.

James Clyburn: Trump doesn't plan to 'give up the office'

Rep. James Clyburn defended his recent comments saying President Trump "thinks that the American people will be duped by him, like the people of Germany was duped by Adolf Hitler."

Homes evacuated as Southern California wildfire grows

Thousands of people were under evacuation orders Sunday after a wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles exploded in size as crews battled flames in triple-digit heat. The fire in Riverside County consumed more than 31 square miles (about 80 square kilometers) of dry brush and timber, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials allowed flames to run up the side of Mount San Gorgonio, an 11,000-foot (3,350-meter) peak, because it wasn't safe to let crews work in such steep, rugged terrain, said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

Mexican army arrests drug lord in losing battle against increasingly violent cartels

The Mexican Army and state security forces captured Jose Antonio Yepez, a notorious drug gang leader blamed for helping fuel a surge in violence that has severely tested the government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Mexican president. Widely known as "El Marro" (The Mallet), Yepez was captured early on Sunday morning, according to the federal government and authorities in the central state of Guanajuato, one of the principal flashpoints of gang violence in Mexico. "This is a tremendously successful blow for the government," said Raul Benitez, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Yepez, boss of the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, a Guanajuato-based gang, has been engaged in a bloody struggle for criminal control of the state with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country's most powerful and violent groups.

A Chicago Dunkin' worker was arrested after allegedly spitting in a state trooper's coffee

The incident is the latest in a series of recent tensions between restaurant workers and police officers amid nationwide uprisings against racism.

U.S. election will be Nov. 3 as planned, Trump advisers say

The White House and Donald Trump's campaign on Sunday sought to shut down the Republican president's musings on delaying the 2020 vote, saying there will be an election on Nov. 3. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Trump was raising concerns about mail-in ballots when he floated the idea of delaying the U.S. vote. "We're going to hold an election on November 3 and the president is going to win," Meadows said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

White House says not optimistic on near-term deal for coronavirus relief bill

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on Sunday he was not optimistic on reaching agreement soon on a deal for the next round of legislation to provide relief to Americans hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm not optimistic that there will be a solution in the very near term," Meadows said on CBS' "Face the Nation" as staff members from both sides were meeting to try to iron out differences over the bill. Democrats were standing in the way of a separate agreement to extend some federal unemployment benefits in the short-term while negotiations continue on an overall relief package, he said.

Roommate fatally slashed landlord after fallout on overdue rent, warrant says

Hartford, Connecticut police arrested a man on charges of decapitating his landlord — who was also his roommate — with a sword during a rent dispute.

Search and rescue effort concludes for missing Marines, all 8 presumed deceased

After an extensive 40-hour search, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) concluded their search and rescue operation for seven missing Marines and one Sailor, today. “It is with a heavy heart, that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU Commanding Officer. “The steadfast dedication of the Marines, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen to the persistent rescue effort was tremendous.”

Pelosi says she has no confidence in White House coronavirus adviser Birx

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday she does not have confidence in White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, linking her to disinformation about the virus spread by President Donald Trump. "I think the president has been spreading disinformation about the virus and she is his appointee so, I don't have confidence there, no," Speaker Pelosi told ABC's "This Week" when asked if she has confidence in Birx. Birx, asked about Pelosi's comment during an interview with CNN's "State of the Union," said she had great respect for Pelosi and attributed the criticism to a New York Times article on the White House pandemic response that described Birx as having embraced overly optimistic assessments on the virus.

Finnish prime minister marries her long-time partner

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced Sunday that she has married her long-time partner, eight months after becoming the head of government. Marin, 34, said on her Instagram account that she married Markus Raikkonen on Saturday and posted a picture of the couple in their wedding outfits with a bunch of white flowers. Finland's government said on its website that the wedding took place at Kesaranta, the prime minister's official residence.

As vaccines move into phase 3 trials, diversity must be at top of agenda

Ensuring Black and ethnic minority participation in coronavirus vaccine trials is key if we want a truly effective coronavirus vaccine, according to top epidemiology experts. "We know that there are higher mortality rates in Black and ethnic minority people and infections are being propagated at much higher in these groups," Dr. Sam Oh, director of epidemiology for the University of California, San Francisco Asthma Collaboratory, told ABC News. Is there something specific about these minority races that puts them at risk?

Conservative Party stands by decision not to suspend MP arrested over rape allegation as criticism mounts

The Conservative Party is standing by its decision not to suspend a former minister who has been arrested and bailed after being accused by a woman of rape and sexual assault. The senior Conservative MP, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken into custody on Saturday morning shortly before the Metropolitan Police announced it had launched an investigation. The man, in his 50s, was placed in custody at a police station in East London but has now been released on bail to a date in mid-August. A Metropolitan Police Service statement said officers received allegations relating to “four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.” The complaints were lodged with the constabulary on Friday. In a statement, a spokesman for Mark Spencer, the Government Chief Whip, said that he took “all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations."

Dunkin' Donuts employee arrested after cop finds 'large, thick piece of mucus' in his coffee

A Dunkin’ Donuts employee has been arrested after a police officer found a “large, thick piece of mucus which was later confirmed to be saliva” in his coffee. The incident occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 30 when an Illinois State Police (ISP) District Chicago Trooper bought a large black coffee from a Dunkin’ Donuts establishment located on Archer Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

Dunkin' Donuts employee arrested after cop finds 'large, thick piece of mucus' in his coffee

A Dunkin’ Donuts employee has been arrested after a police officer found a “large, thick piece of mucus which was later confirmed to be saliva” in his coffee. The incident occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 30 when an Illinois State Police (ISP) District Chicago Trooper bought a large black coffee from a Dunkin’ Donuts establishment located on Archer Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

COVID crisis in Texas: An 'overwhelming' battle to save lives

Meanwhile, in earlier pandemic hot spots like New York, the medical emergency has subsided, Texas is among the many U.S. states battling a resurgence of the virus that is straining its health care systems. Dr. Joseph Varon, the chief medical officer of United Memorial Medical Center said he is afraid he will soon face a dilemma many doctors elsewhere said they confronted earlier in the pandemic -- deciding who to save.

Most sex crimes go unreported – and activists think police funding could be the problem

Reclaimed police funds could be distributed to shelters, rape crisis centers, mental health services and programs to combat sexual violence, experts say.

Tropical Storm Isaias grazes Florida, heads up East Coast

The Florida coast looked set to avoid major damage late on Sunday with Tropical Storm Isaias keeping offshore as it rumbles north, although it could strengthen to a hurricane by the time it reaches the Carolinas on Monday packing heavy winds and rain. After passing the Florida coast overnight, the storm is expected to keep offshore while grazing Georgia and southern South Carolina before heading inland over eastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina on Monday night. "A turn toward the north and north-northeast along with an increase in forward speed is anticipated on Monday and Tuesday," said the NHC, which issued a hurricane watch for parts of South and North Carolina.

Justice for murdered Colorado mom Kelsey Berreth

Inside the shocking case against a Colorado man for the murder of his fianceé and how his secret girlfriend became the key witness against him -- showing investigators how she cleaned up a bloody crime scene