Hawaii is to challenge Donald Trump's revised travel ban in court, according to a law firm.
The order, which comes into effect on 16 March, temporarily suspends immigration into the United States from six predominantly-Muslim countries.
Citizens from Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Somalia and Sudan will be subjected to a 90-day ban on travel to the US.
Iraq was previously listed among those nations, but a senior Department of Homeland Security official said the country was removed after the Iraqi government assured the Trump administration that they would share more information with the United States.
Here we go. Proud to stand w/State of Hawaii challenging Pres.Trump's "new" Executive Order issued yesterday. 1/2 https://t.co/GrPvlPGshL— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) March 8, 2017
The state of Hawaii has said in a court motion that it will seek a temporary restraining order against the ban.
Speaking in a statement on Monday, Hawaii's Attorney General Doug Chin said: "This new executive order is nothing more than Muslim Ban 2.0.
"Under the pretence of national security, it still targets immigrants and refugees. It leaves the door open for even further restrictions."
Court documents show that both sides have asked for a hearing on 15 March, a day before the new ban is due to come into effect.
Hawaii had filed a lawsuit against Mr Trump's initial ban but that was put on hold while a nationwide injunction remained in place.
In a statement, the Justice Department said: "We are confident that the president's actions are lawful to protect the national security of our country."
Neal Katyal, one of the lead attorneys for Hawaii, told CNN: "To be sure, the new executive order covers fewer people than the old one."
But he added that the ban still "suffers from the same constitutional and statutory defects".
He told MSNBC: "What the state of Hawaii is doing here is standing up for bedrock American values.
"This isn't about politics, this is really just about what the laws fundamentally require."
Mr Katyal is a former acting solicitor general under President Obama and his firm is giving Hawaii a 50% discount for its representation.
According to the profile on his firm's website, among Mr Katyal's high-profile cases was a victory in Hamdan v Rumsfeld, which challenged the policy of military trials at Guantanamo Bay.
He also successfully defended former Attorney General John Ashcroft against claims that he had abused civil liberties during the war on terror.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Robbers 'pose as police' in Johannesburg airport heist
Armed thieves masquerading as police have carried out a robbery at Johannesburg international airport in South Africa, reports say.
The thieves are said to have driven into a restricted zone and taken containers of cash.
Estimates vary but reports suggest that millions of dollars in different currencies may have been stolen.
The company that operates OR Tambo Airport, the continent's busiest, confirmed a robbery had taken place.
"No shots were fired and no injuries have been reported. The robbers fled‚" Airports Company South Africa said in a statement, the TimesLive news website reports.
The Hawks, an elite police unit, declined to release details.
A police spokeswoman, Athlenda Mathe, was quoted by broadcaster eNCA as saying she could not comment on "how much money exactly was stolen".
Guards from a private security firm protecting the valuable cargo were stopped by the robbers, who were travelling in a vehicle marked with "police", TimesLive says.
There have been reports of other high-value cargo robberies in recent years at the airport.
The thieves are said to have driven into a restricted zone and taken containers of cash.
Estimates vary but reports suggest that millions of dollars in different currencies may have been stolen.
The company that operates OR Tambo Airport, the continent's busiest, confirmed a robbery had taken place.
"No shots were fired and no injuries have been reported. The robbers fled‚" Airports Company South Africa said in a statement, the TimesLive news website reports.
The Hawks, an elite police unit, declined to release details.
A police spokeswoman, Athlenda Mathe, was quoted by broadcaster eNCA as saying she could not comment on "how much money exactly was stolen".
Guards from a private security firm protecting the valuable cargo were stopped by the robbers, who were travelling in a vehicle marked with "police", TimesLive says.
There have been reports of other high-value cargo robberies in recent years at the airport.
Microsoft says issue resolved after Hotmail sign-in glitch
Hotmail owner Microsoft said a sign-in problem affecting some users had been resolved - after users worldwide reported they were unable to access emails.
It is unclear what was behind the problem, though people took to social media in their droves to complain about the outage.
Microsoft said in a brief statement: "Some customers may have experienced difficulty signing in to some services.
"The issue has been resolved."
A spokeswoman was unable to provide any further details when asked about the scale of the outage.
Hotmail, which has been rebranded under Microsoft's Outlook banner, is believed to have crashed before midday GMT.
Microsoft's Twitter accounts were flooded with users desperate for information - with some saying their usual business operations were being damaged by the glitch.
The company responded to one user in Ireland: "Sorry for the inconvenience. We know about the issue and are currently working on the resolution. Request you try and log in again after a few hours."
Another user wrote on a Microsoft community site: "I've had repeated issues in the last 15 mins logging into Hotmail -first it said my account doesn't exist and then it says that my account can't be located, and then finally it asks for my password but the page doesn't look legit."
It comes months after Microsoft disclosed details of cyber attacks by a hacking group that exploited a security flaw in its Windows operating system.
The disclosure in November revealed that a group previously linked to the Russian government and US political hacks was behind the attacks.
It said at the time that it was issuing a new "patch" to protect Windows against the newly discovered threat.
Microsoft has not said what might be behind the latest problems.
It is unclear what was behind the problem, though people took to social media in their droves to complain about the outage.
Microsoft said in a brief statement: "Some customers may have experienced difficulty signing in to some services.
"The issue has been resolved."
A spokeswoman was unable to provide any further details when asked about the scale of the outage.
Hotmail, which has been rebranded under Microsoft's Outlook banner, is believed to have crashed before midday GMT.
Microsoft's Twitter accounts were flooded with users desperate for information - with some saying their usual business operations were being damaged by the glitch.
The company responded to one user in Ireland: "Sorry for the inconvenience. We know about the issue and are currently working on the resolution. Request you try and log in again after a few hours."
Another user wrote on a Microsoft community site: "I've had repeated issues in the last 15 mins logging into Hotmail -first it said my account doesn't exist and then it says that my account can't be located, and then finally it asks for my password but the page doesn't look legit."
It comes months after Microsoft disclosed details of cyber attacks by a hacking group that exploited a security flaw in its Windows operating system.
The disclosure in November revealed that a group previously linked to the Russian government and US political hacks was behind the attacks.
It said at the time that it was issuing a new "patch" to protect Windows against the newly discovered threat.
Microsoft has not said what might be behind the latest problems.
Iraqi forces in Mosul take government complex from Islamic State
Iraqi forces have recaptured a government complex in western Mosul from Islamic State fighters.
Troops hoisted an Iraqi flag on top of the buildings in the Dawasa district and Lt Gen Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah hailed the federal police as "heroes".
A Joint Operations Command statement said: "The heroes of the federal police and Rapid Response liberate the government building for Nineveh province and control the second bridge (Al-Hurriyah Bridge)."
The operation to retake west Mosul - the extremist group's largest remaining urban stronghold - was launched on 19 February, but the advance had been hampered by several days of bad weather until a renewed push began last week.
:: Mosul battle lessons will help when IS fight turns to Raqqa
Lt Gen Yar Allah, who commands army operations in Ninevah, Mosul's provincial capital, said the troops also control the western side of a second bridge across the Tigris River.
Troops hoisted an Iraqi flag on top of the buildings in the Dawasa district and Lt Gen Abdul-Amir Raheed Yar Allah hailed the federal police as "heroes".
A Joint Operations Command statement said: "The heroes of the federal police and Rapid Response liberate the government building for Nineveh province and control the second bridge (Al-Hurriyah Bridge)."
The operation to retake west Mosul - the extremist group's largest remaining urban stronghold - was launched on 19 February, but the advance had been hampered by several days of bad weather until a renewed push began last week.
:: Mosul battle lessons will help when IS fight turns to Raqqa
Lt Gen Yar Allah, who commands army operations in Ninevah, Mosul's provincial capital, said the troops also control the western side of a second bridge across the Tigris River.
George Michael died of natural causes
George Michael died of natural causes, an inquest has found, confirming previous reports of a heart condition.
The singer died of "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver".
"The investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries," senior coroner Darren Salter said in a statement.
:: Celebrity deaths: The big names mourned in 2016
According to the British Heart Foundation, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is "a disease of your heart muscle where it becomes stretched and thin".
The singer died of "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver".
"The investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries," senior coroner Darren Salter said in a statement.
:: Celebrity deaths: The big names mourned in 2016
According to the British Heart Foundation, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is "a disease of your heart muscle where it becomes stretched and thin".
Monday, March 6, 2017
New 'fraud-proof' £1 coin on sale ahead of public release
Those who want to get their hands on the new £1 coin before it is released into general circulation can buy their own version from today.
Prices range from £10 for the uncirculated coin to £1,995 for the gold proof two-coin set.
David Pearce was just 15 when his design for the coin was chosen over more than 6,000 other entries in 2014.
David's design, which features national emblems of the UK - a rose, leek, thistle and shamrock - emerging from a Royal Coronet, has been slightly refined with the support of renowned coin artist David Lawrence and lettering expert Stephen Raw.
Dr Kevin Clancy, director of The Royal Mint Museum, who helped choose the design, said: "The winning idea combined traditional elements but also symbolised a modern United Kingdom in an elegant and a succinct way.
"It was a young person's interpretation of an idea while still being steeped in history and tradition."
The coins will be released for general use on 28 March and the old pound coins, which have been around since 1983, will cease being legal tender on 15 October.
The round pound's successor is thinner, lighter and slightly bigger in diameter - and experts believe that its distinctive design will make it trickier to counterfeit.
It has been estimated that about one in every 30 pound coins currently in circulation is fake, creating a headache for businesses and the Royal Mint.
The 12-sided pound has been heralded as "the most secure coin in the world", as it boasts several security features - including a holographic image which changes from a "£" symbol to the number "1" when the coin is seen from different angles.
The collectors' edition coins can be bought from royalmint.com
Prices range from £10 for the uncirculated coin to £1,995 for the gold proof two-coin set.
David Pearce was just 15 when his design for the coin was chosen over more than 6,000 other entries in 2014.
David's design, which features national emblems of the UK - a rose, leek, thistle and shamrock - emerging from a Royal Coronet, has been slightly refined with the support of renowned coin artist David Lawrence and lettering expert Stephen Raw.
Dr Kevin Clancy, director of The Royal Mint Museum, who helped choose the design, said: "The winning idea combined traditional elements but also symbolised a modern United Kingdom in an elegant and a succinct way.
"It was a young person's interpretation of an idea while still being steeped in history and tradition."
The coins will be released for general use on 28 March and the old pound coins, which have been around since 1983, will cease being legal tender on 15 October.
The round pound's successor is thinner, lighter and slightly bigger in diameter - and experts believe that its distinctive design will make it trickier to counterfeit.
It has been estimated that about one in every 30 pound coins currently in circulation is fake, creating a headache for businesses and the Royal Mint.
The 12-sided pound has been heralded as "the most secure coin in the world", as it boasts several security features - including a holographic image which changes from a "£" symbol to the number "1" when the coin is seen from different angles.
The collectors' edition coins can be bought from royalmint.com
Malaysians banned from leaving North Korea: State media
Pyongyang has banned all Malaysian citizens from leaving North Korea, state media said, amid an escalating row over the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother.
In an immediate reponse, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak called on North Korea to immediately release all its citizens and also instructed the police "to prevent all North Korean citizens in Malaysia from leaving the country until we are assured of the safety and security of all Malaysians in North Korea".
"This abhorrent act, effectively holding our citizens hostage, is in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms," Najib said in a statement, adding that he has summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
Malaysia-North Korea relations fray after Kim Jong-nam killing
The North's foreign ministry notified the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang of the reason for the ban and said it had hoped the case would be swiftly and fairly resolved in order to develop bilateral ties with Malaysia, the North's KCNA news agency reported.
"All Malaysian nationals in the DPRK will be temporarily prohibited from leaving the country until the incident that happened in Malaysia is properly solved," the official Korea Central News Agency said on Tuesday, citing the foreign ministry.
Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Marican told reporters that there were 11 Malaysians in North Korea: Three at the embassy, two UN workers and and six family members.
Al Jazeera's Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said Marican also said the government will need to check the exact numbers because some Malaysians might be in the country on approved tours or some other business.
"Initially we were told Malaysian government's ban only affected the North Korean embassy staff and officials. But through the prime minister's statement, it's clear that it extends to all North Koreans in the country."
Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur had unusually strong links for years, but have been set at loggerheads following the assassination of King Jong-nam by two women using VX nerve agent.
READ MORE: Kim Jong-nam suspect accuses Malaysia of conspiracy
Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for the assassination, and Kuala Lumpur has sought several North Koreans for questioning, although the only one it arrested was released for lack of evidence.
According to KCNA, Pyongyang's foreign ministry expressed hopes that the Malaysian government would solve the issue in a "fair and timely manner based on goodwill".
The North has yet to confirm the dead man's identity but has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear it.
Malaysia expelled the North's ambassador as diplomatic tensions soared, and Pyongyang retaliated late Monday by formally ordering out his counterpart - who had already been recalled for consultations.
Malaysian diplomats and nationals in the North would be allowed to "conduct business and live normally" while the travel ban is in place, it added.
Earlier, Malaysia decided to cancel visa-free entry for North Koreans entering the country. North Koreans are now required to obtain a visa as of March 6 before entering Malaysia for national security reasons, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday, citing the deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In an immediate reponse, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak called on North Korea to immediately release all its citizens and also instructed the police "to prevent all North Korean citizens in Malaysia from leaving the country until we are assured of the safety and security of all Malaysians in North Korea".
"This abhorrent act, effectively holding our citizens hostage, is in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms," Najib said in a statement, adding that he has summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
Malaysia-North Korea relations fray after Kim Jong-nam killing
The North's foreign ministry notified the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang of the reason for the ban and said it had hoped the case would be swiftly and fairly resolved in order to develop bilateral ties with Malaysia, the North's KCNA news agency reported.
"All Malaysian nationals in the DPRK will be temporarily prohibited from leaving the country until the incident that happened in Malaysia is properly solved," the official Korea Central News Agency said on Tuesday, citing the foreign ministry.
Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Marican told reporters that there were 11 Malaysians in North Korea: Three at the embassy, two UN workers and and six family members.
Al Jazeera's Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said Marican also said the government will need to check the exact numbers because some Malaysians might be in the country on approved tours or some other business.
"Initially we were told Malaysian government's ban only affected the North Korean embassy staff and officials. But through the prime minister's statement, it's clear that it extends to all North Koreans in the country."
Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur had unusually strong links for years, but have been set at loggerheads following the assassination of King Jong-nam by two women using VX nerve agent.
READ MORE: Kim Jong-nam suspect accuses Malaysia of conspiracy
Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for the assassination, and Kuala Lumpur has sought several North Koreans for questioning, although the only one it arrested was released for lack of evidence.
According to KCNA, Pyongyang's foreign ministry expressed hopes that the Malaysian government would solve the issue in a "fair and timely manner based on goodwill".
The North has yet to confirm the dead man's identity but has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear it.
Malaysia expelled the North's ambassador as diplomatic tensions soared, and Pyongyang retaliated late Monday by formally ordering out his counterpart - who had already been recalled for consultations.
Malaysian diplomats and nationals in the North would be allowed to "conduct business and live normally" while the travel ban is in place, it added.
Earlier, Malaysia decided to cancel visa-free entry for North Koreans entering the country. North Koreans are now required to obtain a visa as of March 6 before entering Malaysia for national security reasons, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday, citing the deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
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