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Trump targets Pell Grant money for NASA’s budget boost

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration wants to shift money for Pell Grants for college education to fund new spending, including a $1.6 billion bump for NASA to return American astronauts to the moon by 2024.

Under a budget amendment sent to Congress Monday evening, the administration would use an additional $1.9 billion in surplus Pell Grant money to fund other budget priorities, including an infusion of new cash for NASA “so that we can return to Space in a BIG WAY!” President Donald Trump tweeted.

Judge to hear suit over Trump financial records demand

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge is set to hold a hearing Tuesday on President Donald Trump’s attempt to block a House subpoena seeking his financial records.

Trump and his business organization sued the Democratic chairman of the House oversight committee to block the subpoena. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, said the subpoena from Rep. Elijah Cummings “has no legitimate legislative purpose” and accuses Democrats of harassing Trump and wielding their new majority in Congress to try to stain the president’s standing.

Activists at Venezuela Embassy served with eviction notice

WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities served an eviction notice Monday to activists who have stayed for more than a month inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington and asked them to leave immediately.

The activists have been inside the embassy because they consider Nicolas Maduro the legitimate president of Venezuela. The U.S. and 50 other countries say Maduro’s reelection was fraudulent and have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.

USA: Felicity Huffman pleads guilty in college admissions scheme

BOSTON (AP) — “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty Monday in the college admissions bribery scheme, the biggest name to do so in a scandal that has underscored the lengths to which some wealthy parents will go to get their children into top universities.

The Emmy-winning actress, 56, could face prison time after she admitted to participating in the nationwide scam, in which authorities say parents bribed coaches, rigged entrance exams or both to game the admissions system.

5 killed in U.S. floatplane collision

SAN FRANCISCO, May 13 (Xinhua): Five people from a cruise ship line were killed and one was missing Monday after two floatplanes collided in mid-air near Ketchikan, southeast Alaska, a local TV outlet reported.

The victims were among a group of 16 people from two cruise ships from Princess Cruises line, who were aboard two seaplanes for flight-seeing in Alaska, the cruise ship company confirmed.

U.S. Colorado high school shooting leaves unanswered questions

HIGHLANDS RANCH, the United States, May 13 (Xinhua): Prosecutors in U.S. state of Colorado have until Wednesday to file formal charges against two teenage suspects for murdering 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo and wounding eight others in a high school shooting last week.

Just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, two teenagers, aged 18 and 16, walked into the STEM School Highlands Ranch K-12 magnet school southeast of Denver and started firing, according to the police.

UN calls for humanitarian halt in Tripoli fighting

UNITED NATIONS, May 13 (Xinhua): The United Nations (UN) called for a rapid, sustained break in the clashes in the Libyan capital Tripoli to allow unimpeded evacuation of the wounded and sick, and the relocation of migrants and refugees, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

"The UN continues to be extremely concerned about the mounting impact of the fighting on civilians in and around Tripoli," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Trump defends tariffs after advisor says 'both sides' suffer

13 May 2019; AFP: US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his tariff policy, insisting again that China will pay billions in duties to the US, after Trump's economic advisor raised eyebrows by saying both sides will suffer.

"We are right where we want to be with China," Trump said on Twitter.

"Remember, they broke the deal with us & tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China."

Indigenous Australians challenge government over climate at UN

13 May 2019; DW: In the first case of its kind, an indigenous group is accusing the Australian government of violating their human rights by not taking action on climate change. They say their culture and homeland are at risk.

A group of indigenous Australians plans to submit a complaint to the UN on Monday that accuses Australia of failing to act on climate change.

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