A House-passed stopgap bill that would avoid a government shutdown fizzled out in the Senate late Friday night. The White House blamed Democrats for the measure’s failure, even as four Republican senators opposed it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he will offer an amendment to extend government funding until Feb. 8. A House-passed stopgap bill that…
Apple, Capitalizing on New Tax Law, Plans to Bring Billions in Cash Back to U.S.
Inside a building at Apple’s new headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. The company said Wednesday that it planned a $350 billion contribution to the American economy over the next five years. SAN FRANCISCO — Apple, which had long deferred paying taxes on its foreign earnings and had become synonymous with hoarding money overseas, unveiled plans on Wednesday that…
US holds back $65m aid to Palestinians
The US is withholding more than half of a $125m (£90m) instalment destined for the UN relief agency for the Palestinians, American officials say. It will provide $60m in aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) but will hold back a further $65m. A UN official said the move would have devastating consequences…
How the U.S. Is Making the War in Yemen Worse
Funerals in Yemen are traditionally large affairs. When prominent figures die, hundreds or even thousands of people come to pay their respects and to pray for them. Abdulqader Hilal Al-Dabab, the mayor of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, could expect such treatment. But Hilal used to ask for a simple burial. “If I get killed when I’m…
Court battle brewing over work rules for Medicaid
A battle is brewing in the courts over the Trump administration’s move to let states impose work requirements for recipients of Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor. Advocacy groups are gearing up to sue the administration, arguing that it doesn’t have the power to allow work requirements and other rules for Medicaid without…
California in revolt: how the progressive state plans to foil the Trump agenda
California prides itself on being first with progressive laws on climate change, labor rights and marijuana. In 2018, the Golden State’s “firsts” are defensive – bold proposals and legal maneuvers to protect citizens from Donald Trump. State leaders have pushed legislation and lawsuits to circumvent and undo Trump’s agenda on immigration, the environment, internet freedom and other liberal causes….
Rex Reed Bangs a Gong on the Mediocrity of Modern Life
“That’s me with Larry Olivier,” said Rex Reed, reaching for a black-and-white photo in a silver frame in his eighth-floor apartment in the Dakota on a recent chilly Tuesday afternoon. The photo was taken on the set of “Inchon,” a 1981 Korean War thriller. Looking dashing with his raven hair and Elvis cheekbones, Mr. Reed,…
Birkenstock Collaborates With Rick Owens
Rick Owens doesn’t shy away from subversion, so in some ways it makes perfect sense that the designer has teamed with Birkenstock, the German footwear brand best known for being fashionably unfashionable. On March 16, Birkenstock’s travelling mobile pop-up space, The Box, will park outside the Rick Owens store on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. To…
H&M Apologises After Using Black Child in ‘Monkey’ Hoodie Ad
The Swedish clothing retailer faced a barrage of criticism for the picture. Hennes & Mauritz AB apologised for an image in which a black child modelled a hoodie with the text “coolest monkey in the jungle” after the Swedish clothing retailer faced a barrage of criticism for the picture. The company said it agreed with…
Al Jazeera’s must-see documentaries of 2017
Al Jazeera has released dozens of documentaries in the last 12 months, many of them award-winning. So we’ve compiled a list of our must-see documentaries of 2017, covering some of the year’s major news events. From the battle in the Philippines to take back Marawi from ISIL, to the showmanship of US President Donald Trump,…
