skynewsus--2020-02-07--Kobe Bryant crash: Helicopter engines 'did not fail'

Kobe Bryant pictured with his daughter Gianna , who also died in the crash The engines of the helicopter that crashed last month , killing Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others , did not show any evidence of having failed , investigators have said .
The National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) said it found nothing to suggest there had been a `` catastrophic internal failure '' before the aircraft carrying the basketball legend fell to the ground in fog in Calabasas , California .
`` Viewable sections of the engines showed no evidence of an uncontained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NTSB said in an interim report .
A witness who heard the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in the mist , saw it descend fast and then reported it `` started to roll to the left such that he caught a glimpse of its belly '' soon before the crash , the NTSB added .
Bryant , 41 , and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among a group of nine people heading to a girls ' basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy .
Gianna 's team was coached by her father and was playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A witness who said he saw the helicopter for one to two seconds before it hit the steep hillside told investigators it was flying forward and downward through the fog before it crashed .
The pilot , Ara Zobayan , 50 , had more than 8,200 hours of flight time and was qualified to fly using just instruments , allowing him to fly at night and through clouds .
Weather conditions including heavy clouds , fog and limited visibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were clearly a problem for Mr Zobayan , as audio from air traffic control and 911 calls have confirmed .
The report did not rule out that mechanical issues might have contributed , but since a tree branch at the crash site was cut , investigators believe the engines were working and rotors turning at the time of impact .
The update did not contain any detail on the cause of the crash and a final report is n't expected for at least a year .
Kobe Bryant won five championships in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , retiring as the third leading scorer in the history of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) .
He also won an Oscar for his short animated film Dear Basketball .
Fans have attended countless memorials for him and tributes have been paid at NBA matches across the country and at other sports fixtures .
The remains of all the victims were released to their families on Monday .
Their deaths have been ruled an accident by blunt trauma by the Los Angeles County coroner .

The engines of the helicopter that crashed last month, killing Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others, did not show any evidence of having failed, investigators have said.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it found nothing to suggest there had been a "catastrophic internal failure" before the aircraft carrying the basketball legend fell to the ground in fog in Calabasas, California.
"Viewable sections of the engines showed no evidence of an uncontained or catastrophic internal failure," the NTSB said in an interim report.
Image: LA county firefighters on the scene of the crash in Calabasas, California
A witness who heard the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in the mist, saw it descend fast and then reported it "started to roll to the left such that he caught a glimpse of its belly" soon before the crash, the NTSB added.
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among a group of nine people heading to a girls' basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy.
Gianna's team was coached by her father and was playing in the competition.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A witness who said he saw the helicopter for one to two seconds before it hit the steep hillside told investigators it was flying forward and downward through the fog before it crashed.
The pilot, Ara Zobayan, 50, had more than 8,200 hours of flight time and was qualified to fly using just instruments, allowing him to fly at night and through clouds.
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Weather conditions including heavy clouds, fog and limited visibility reported in the vicinity of the crash were clearly a problem for Mr Zobayan, as audio from air traffic control and 911 calls have confirmed.
Image: Kobe Bryant pictured with his five NBA titles
Image: Kobe Bryant in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996
The report did not rule out that mechanical issues might have contributed, but since a tree branch at the crash site was cut, investigators believe the engines were working and rotors turning at the time of impact.
The update did not contain any detail on the cause of the crash and a final report isn't expected for at least a year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 Basketball legend's team pays emotional tribute
Kobe Bryant won five championships in his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, retiring as the third leading scorer in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He also won an Oscar for his short animated film Dear Basketball.
Fans have attended countless memorials for him and tributes have been paid at NBA matches across the country and at other sports fixtures.
Image: Fans have flocked to LA's Staples Centre, where the Lakers play, to pay their respects
The remains of all the victims were released to their families on Monday.
Their deaths have been ruled an accident by blunt trauma by the Los Angeles County coroner.


skynewsus--2020-02-07--Kesha defamed Dr Luke in Katy Perry rape claim text, judge rules

A judge has ruled Kesha defamed music producer Dr Luke when she sent a text to Lady Gaga claiming he had raped Katy Perry .
The singer was ordered to pay Lukasz `` Dr Luke '' Gottwald $ 374,000 ( £289,000 ) during a hearing at New York 's Supreme Court .
The pop star , whose full name is Kesha Rose Sebert , rose to fame in 2009 with Dr Luke-produced hits like Tik Tok and We R Who We R. But then a court battle began between the pair in 2014 when Kesha accused him of sexually assaulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sued her in 2017 for defamation and breach of contract , claiming she made up the Perry rape allegations to strengthen her case and get out of contractual obligations .
In a deposition in 2017 Perry denied that she had been assaulted by Gottwald .
Judge Jennifer G Schecter said that this testimony and a lack of evidence led her to the conclusion that Kesha had defamed Gottwald .
She said : `` Perry unequivocally testified that Gottwald did not do so .
In response , Kesha has not raised a triable issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Gottwald raped Katy Perry or that Katy Perry , whose sworn testimony is unrefuted , must not be believed .
Kesha can not defeat summary judgment with mere speculation . ''
Kesha was ordered to pay $ 374,000 in interest for her late payment of $ 1.3m ( £1m ) of royalties owed to Gottwald 's record label KMI .
Gottwald 's lawyer Christine Lepera said in a statement : `` Dr Luke is pursuing this lawsuit to seek recovery for the serious harm Kesha 's false accusations of rape have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
A larger defamation case related to Kesha 's claims that Gottwald drugged and raped her could still go to trial .
Ms Lepera 's statement said : `` Dr Luke looks forward to the trial of his case where he will prove that Kesha 's other false statements about him were equally false and defamatory . ''
Kesha 's lawyers said they will appeal the court 's decision .

A judge has ruled Kesha defamed music producer Dr Luke when she sent a text to Lady Gaga claiming he had raped Katy Perry.
The singer was ordered to pay Lukasz "Dr Luke" Gottwald $374,000 (£289,000) during a hearing at New York's Supreme Court.
The pop star, whose full name is Kesha Rose Sebert, rose to fame in 2009 with Dr Luke-produced hits like Tik Tok and We R Who We R.
But then a court battle began between the pair in 2014 when Kesha accused him of sexually assaulting and emotionally abusing her.
He subsequently sued her in 2017 for defamation and breach of contract, claiming she made up the Perry rape allegations to strengthen her case and get out of contractual obligations.
In a deposition in 2017 Perry denied that she had been assaulted by Gottwald.
Judge Jennifer G Schecter said that this testimony and a lack of evidence led her to the conclusion that Kesha had defamed Gottwald.
She said: "Perry unequivocally testified that Gottwald did not do so. In response, Kesha has not raised a triable issue.
"There is no evidence whatsoever that Gottwald raped Katy Perry or that Katy Perry, whose sworn testimony is unrefuted, must not be believed. Kesha cannot defeat summary judgment with mere speculation."
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Kesha was ordered to pay $374,000 in interest for her late payment of $1.3m (£1m) of royalties owed to Gottwald's record label KMI.
Image: The court battle between the pair has gone on for over five years
Gottwald's lawyer Christine Lepera said in a statement: "Dr Luke is pursuing this lawsuit to seek recovery for the serious harm Kesha's false accusations of rape have caused Dr Luke, his family and business."
A larger defamation case related to Kesha's claims that Gottwald drugged and raped her could still go to trial.
Ms Lepera's statement said: "Dr Luke looks forward to the trial of his case where he will prove that Kesha's other false statements about him were equally false and defamatory."
Image: Katy Perry met Prince Charles in the UK this week
Kesha's lawyers said they will appeal the court's decision.


skynewsus--2020-02-07--Russia dossier author hits back at Trump's 'fake' claims

This is the first time Christopher Steele has hit back directly at the president Christopher Steele has hit back at Donald Trump after the US president incorrectly claimed the former British spy had admitted a dossier on Russia and the 2016 election campaign was fake .
A private intelligence company co-owned by Mr Steele accused Mr Trump on Twitter of wild exaggerations and making false claims when he spoke at the White House the previous day to celebrate his acquittal from impeachment charges .
`` He wildly exaggerated our fees and , contrary to his claims we have never stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We stand by the integrity of our research on Kremlin interference in the 2016 election and support for Trump . ''
The rebuke was in response to Mr Trump alleging that then presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party paid `` millions and million of dollars '' for `` the fake dossier '' , referring to work Mr Steele did on allegations of Russian links with the Trump campaign .
The president said : `` And now Christopher Steele admits that it 's a fake because he got sued by rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too but when you 're president people do not like suing . ''
Mr Trump frequently attacks Mr Steele ever since it emerged in January 2017 that the former senior intelligence officer at Britain 's Secret Intelligence Service ( SIS ) had written the Trump dossier , which contained allegations of Russian collusion .
However this is the first time Mr Steele has , through his company , hit back directly at the president .

Christopher Steele has hit back at Donald Trump after the US president incorrectly claimed the former British spy had admitted a dossier on Russia and the 2016 election campaign was fake.
A private intelligence company co-owned by Mr Steele accused Mr Trump on Twitter of wild exaggerations and making false claims when he spoke at the White House the previous day to celebrate his acquittal from impeachment charges.
"Yesterday @realDonaldTrump made false claims about us," Orbis Business Intelligence wrote.
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"He wildly exaggerated our fees and, contrary to his claims we have never stated any of our reporting is 'fake'. We stand by the integrity of our research on Kremlin interference in the 2016 election and support for Trump."
The rebuke was in response to Mr Trump alleging that then presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party paid "millions and million of dollars" for "the fake dossier", referring to work Mr Steele did on allegations of Russian links with the Trump campaign.
The president said: "And now Christopher Steele admits that it's a fake because he got sued by rich people. I should have sued him too but when you're president people do not like suing."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:27 John Roberts announces verdicts in Trump impeachment trial
Mr Trump frequently attacks Mr Steele ever since it emerged in January 2017 that the former senior intelligence officer at Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) had written the Trump dossier, which contained allegations of Russian collusion.
However this is the first time Mr Steele has, through his company, hit back directly at the president.


skynewsus--2020-02-09--Harry Dunn death: Call for public inquiry after family 'abandoned'

A spokesman for the parents of Harry Dunn , the British motorcyclist killed in a crash near an air base , has called for a public inquiry into why the family was `` abandoned '' .
It comes as Sky News confirmed an American woman charged with causing the 19-year-old 's death on a road close to RAF Croughton had a background in the CIA .
But Anne Sacoolas was understood to have been at the Northamptonshire base as a spouse only and had no official role while she was in the UK .
The Mail on Sunday reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry 's mother , Charlotte Charles said she and the rest of the family were `` full of anger '' after hearing of Sacoolas ' alleged past and asked of the British government , `` how could they do this to us ? ''
Family spokesman Radd Seiger has called for a public inquiry , claiming Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had not mentioned to them the suspect 's reported past as a CIA officer .
Mr Seiger said they was `` very concerned '' about how the UK government has treated them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect over them , `` which should worry every single one of us '' .
He also claimed the family was `` misled '' by UK authorities about what was going on .
He said Mrs Charles and Harry 's father , Tim Dunn , had asked Mr Raab at a recent meeting specifically what Sacoolas ' role was .
He said Mr Raab confirmed she had been a state department worker but made no mention of her being a CIA officer .
Shortly after 19-year-old motorcyclist Mr Dunn died in a head-on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the suspected driver , Sacoolas , claimed diplomatic immunity and left the UK for the US .
Her husband is thought to be a US intelligence officer .
In December , the Crown Prosecution Service charged her with causing Mr Dunn 's death by dangerous driving .
But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to allow a UK request for Sacoolas , 42 , to be extradited to Britain .
Mrs Charles said : `` We had suspicions she was or used to be employed by the CIA , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should make any difference to facing justice in a host country '' .
She added : `` Our campaign goes on just because this there 's this little drip feed of information , we lost our boy , she needs to come back and face our justice system .
I believe she 'll never have any peace without facing what she 's done and taking the consequences of that . ''
Mr Seiger added : `` We will not rest until Anne Sacoolas is back and we have secured the safety of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committing crimes here in the UK is concerned . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined Mr Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel in criticising Washington 's decision to reject the request for the American to return to the UK .
And on Sky 's Sophy Ridge on Sunday , former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said Sacoolas ' CIA background may have a bearing on why the US was not allowing the extradition .
He said it was `` totally unacceptable that she is not facing justice in the UK '' and added the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ally in the case .
Sky 's Lisa Dowd said of the CIA background revelation : `` What it does do perhaps for the family is to explain what they see is the steadfast support from the United States administration for Anne Sacoolas in all of this .
`` What the family are very interested to know is what the British government knew about Anne Sacoolas ' background because when the family first approached Sky News with their story back in October they felt that they had very little help from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her background may explain something about that .
Of course , that is something that the government would dispute . ''

A spokesman for the parents of Harry Dunn, the British motorcyclist killed in a crash near an air base, has called for a public inquiry into why the family was "abandoned".
It comes as Sky News confirmed an American woman charged with causing the 19-year-old's death on a road close to RAF Croughton had a background in the CIA.
But Anne Sacoolas was understood to have been at the Northamptonshire base as a spouse only and had no official role while she was in the UK. The Mail on Sunday reported that Sacoolas was a former CIA spy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 24 January: 'Our priority is justice for Harry'
Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles said she and the rest of the family were "full of anger" after hearing of Sacoolas' alleged past and asked of the British government, "how could they do this to us?"
Image: Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and left for the US after the crash
Family spokesman Radd Seiger has called for a public inquiry, claiming Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had not mentioned to them the suspect's reported past as a CIA officer.
Mr Seiger said they was "very concerned" about how the UK government has treated them and he questioned whether it had prioritised the suspect over them, "which should worry every single one of us".
He also claimed the family was "misled" by UK authorities about what was going on.
He said Mrs Charles and Harry's father, Tim Dunn, had asked Mr Raab at a recent meeting specifically what Sacoolas' role was. He said Mr Raab confirmed she had been a state department worker but made no mention of her being a CIA officer.
Image: Harry Dunn's parents, Tim Dunn and Charlotte Charles
Shortly after 19-year-old motorcyclist Mr Dunn died in a head-on crash with a car on 27 August, the suspected driver, Sacoolas, claimed diplomatic immunity and left the UK for the US. Her husband is thought to be a US intelligence officer.
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In December, the Crown Prosecution Service charged her with causing Mr Dunn's death by dangerous driving.
But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to allow a UK request for Sacoolas, 42, to be extradited to Britain.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 24 January: 'Our priority is justice for Harry'
Mrs Charles said: "We had suspicions she was or used to be employed by the CIA, but we don't feel her job role should make any difference to facing justice in a host country".
She added: "Our campaign goes on just because this there's this little drip feed of information, we lost our boy, she needs to come back and face our justice system. I believe she'll never have any peace without facing what she's done and taking the consequences of that."
Mr Seiger added: "We will not rest until Anne Sacoolas is back and we have secured the safety of the nation in so far so called diplomats committing crimes here in the UK is concerned."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Jeremy Hunt on Harry Dunn suspect
Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined Mr Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel in criticising Washington's decision to reject the request for the American to return to the UK.
And on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said Sacoolas' CIA background may have a bearing on why the US was not allowing the extradition.
He said it was "totally unacceptable that she is not facing justice in the UK" and added the US was not treating the UK as an ally in the case.
Sky's Lisa Dowd said of the CIA background revelation: "What it does do perhaps for the family is to explain what they see is the steadfast support from the United States administration for Anne Sacoolas in all of this.
"What the family are very interested to know is what the British government knew about Anne Sacoolas' background because when the family first approached Sky News with their story back in October they felt that they had very little help from the British authorities.
"And they felt that her background may explain something about that. Of course, that is something that the government would dispute."


skynewsus--2020-02-09--Gunman ambushes New York police officers twice in 12 hours

The police commissioner said the suspect had a history of violent crime A gunman who ambushed police officers in the Bronx twice in 12 hours has been arrested .
The man , who has not been named , was captured after he walked into a police station and started shooting shortly before 8am on Sunday .
He wounded one officer and narrowly missed a number of others before he ran out of bullets , lay down and gave up his gun .
That attack came just hours after the same man approached a police van in the same part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside .
Despite multiple shots fired in both incidents , nobody was killed , and all are expected to recover , police said .
`` It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City police precinct , '' Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said .
`` The coward from this morning 's shooting is in police custody .
At this time , we are confident that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assassinate our police officers last night . ''
He also hit out at criminal justice reform activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent months , including a large protest in Grand Central Terminal .
`` These things are not unrelated .
We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently .
Mayor Bill de Blasio , who won office partly on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities , also suggested that anti-police sentiment had got out of hand .
`` Anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere , '' he said .
`` It is not acceptable .
You could protest for whatever you believe in , but you can not vilely attack those who are here to protect us .
It creates this kind of dynamic . ''
Robert Gangi , executive director of the Police Reform Organising Project , said it was irresponsible '' to say the violence was linked to the recent demonstrations .
Mr Gangi said there is no defence for a `` lunatic who opens fire on police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before 8:30pm on Saturday , when the gunman walked up to the van asking the officers for directions and then fired shots .
Police released a photograph of the suspect only for him to walk into the police station co-ordinating the manhunt and opened fire .

A gunman who ambushed police officers in the Bronx twice in 12 hours has been arrested.
The man, who has not been named, was captured after he walked into a police station and started shooting shortly before 8am on Sunday.
He wounded one officer and narrowly missed a number of others before he ran out of bullets, lay down and gave up his gun.
That attack came just hours after the same man approached a police van in the same part of the Bronx and fired at two officers inside.
Despite multiple shots fired in both incidents, nobody was killed, and all are expected to recover, police said.
Image: The man was captured after he walked into a police station
"It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City police precinct," Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
"The coward from this morning's shooting is in police custody. At this time, we are confident that he is the same person who attempted to assassinate our police officers last night."
He also hit out at criminal justice reform activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent months, including a large protest in Grand Central Terminal.
"These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently.
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"Words matter. And words affect people's behaviour."
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who won office partly on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities, also suggested that anti-police sentiment had got out of hand.
"Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere," he said.
"It is not acceptable. You could protest for whatever you believe in, but you cannot vilely attack those who are here to protect us. It creates this kind of dynamic."
Robert Gangi, executive director of the Police Reform Organising Project, said it was irresponsible" to say the violence was linked to the recent demonstrations.
Mr Gangi said there is no defence for a "lunatic who opens fire on police".
The first attack happened just before 8:30pm on Saturday, when the gunman walked up to the van asking the officers for directions and then fired shots.
Police released a photograph of the suspect only for him to walk into the police station co-ordinating the manhunt and opened fire.


skynewsus--2020-02-08--Trump justifies 'revenge sacking' of 'insubordinate' soldier

Donald Trump said Lt Col Vindman had problems with 'judgement ' and 'adhering to the chain of command' Donald Trump has justified the sacking of an official who gave evidence against him to impeachment hearings , calling army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman `` very insubordinate '' .
The decorated soldier , who was working at the National Security Council , was marched out of the White House on Friday , along with his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman .
The US president said on Twitter that he `` never spoke '' to Lt Col Vindman , who he said `` was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my perfect calls incorrectly '' .
Lt Col Vindman `` was given a horrendous report by his superior '' , who said the whistleblower had problems with `` judgement , adhering to the chain of command and leaking information '' .
Mr Trump concluded : `` In other words , 'OUT ' '' The phone call in question was between Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July last year which the official and others listened in on .
Mr Trump allegedly asked his opposite number to investigate whether his Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption in Ukraine .
Mr Vindman , the White House 's top expert on Ukraine , told the impeachment inquiry that Mr Trump 's demand was improper , stating : `` I could n't believe what I was hearing . ''
The US president was acquitted on Wednesday of both impeachment charges - abuse of power and obstruction of justice - after a vote in the Senate , controlled by fellow Republicans .
Lt Col Vindman 's two-year stint at the White House was due to end in July .
According to reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defence Department .
Also sacked in Mr Trump 's post-acquittal purge of those who , in his view , betrayed him was Gordon Sondland , the US ambassador to the European Union .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The diplomat , who delivered some of the most damning evidence , is a wealthy Oregon hotelier and was a Trump political donor before being appointed by the president to his ambassador post .
He told the House of Representatives `` everyone was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's desire to press Ukraine for politically charged investigations .
He explained there was a `` quid pro quo '' that if Ukraine investigated Mr Biden , President Zelenskiy would get a desired White House meeting .

Donald Trump has justified the sacking of an official who gave evidence against him to impeachment hearings, calling army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman "very insubordinate".
The decorated soldier, who was working at the National Security Council, was marched out of the White House on Friday, along with his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman.
The US president said on Twitter that he "never spoke" to Lt Col Vindman, who he said "was very insubordinate" and "reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly".
Image: Lt Col Vindman said he 'couldn't believe what he was hearing' on the call
Lt Col Vindman "was given a horrendous report by his superior", who said the whistleblower had problems with "judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information".
Mr Trump concluded: "In other words, 'OUT'"
The phone call in question was between Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July last year which the official and others listened in on.
Mr Trump allegedly asked his opposite number to investigate whether his Democrat rival Joe Biden had been involved in corruption in Ukraine.
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Mr Vindman, the White House's top expert on Ukraine, told the impeachment inquiry that Mr Trump's demand was improper, stating: "I couldn't believe what I was hearing."
The US president was acquitted on Wednesday of both impeachment charges - abuse of power and obstruction of justice - after a vote in the Senate, controlled by fellow Republicans.
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Lt Col Vindman's two-year stint at the White House was due to end in July. According to reports, he will be reassigned to the Defence Department.
Also sacked in Mr Trump's post-acquittal purge of those who, in his view, betrayed him was Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The diplomat, who delivered some of the most damning evidence, is a wealthy Oregon hotelier and was a Trump political donor before being appointed by the president to his ambassador post.
Image: Gordon Sondland said 'everyone was in the loop'
He told the House of Representatives "everyone was in the loop" on Mr Trump's desire to press Ukraine for politically charged investigations.
He explained there was a "quid pro quo" that if Ukraine investigated Mr Biden, President Zelenskiy would get a desired White House meeting.


skynewsus--2020-02-08--It's payback time: Trump's revenge on impeachment tormentors

Donald Trump has started taking revenge on key figures in his impeachment trial Donald Trump made `` you 're fired '' his catchphrase as a reality TV star and must have been dying to use it throughout his impeachment ordeal .
He has emerged from it he believes vindicated and his approval ratings are going up .
But he seems in no mood to be gracious in victory .
This week we have seen him use a prayer breakfast in Washington to crow about his Senate victory and heap scorn on his detractors .
He has launched long rambling denunciations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the week was beginning to take revenge on key figures in his impeachment .
Gordon Sondland donated a million dollars to the Trump campaign and was made ambassador to the European Union .
His testimony , that everyone was in on the president 's alleged abuse of power , was a key moment .
But it made him a marked man .
It was only a matter of time before he would be recalled .
He now has plenty of time on his hands to ponder the wisdom of giving a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colonel Alexander Vindman , a decorated war veteran and national security official , had also borne witness against the president .
Right-wing propaganda media have singled him out for criticism and unleashed a wave of innuendo around his Jewish and Ukrainian heritage .
Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker He suffered the ignominy of being marched out of the White House relieved of his duties and in a move better suited to the government of a banana republic his brother was also `` fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment hearings .
In a statement , Vindman 's lawyer said `` the most powerful man in the world - buoyed by the silent , the pliable and the complicit - has decided to exact revenge '' .
The president withheld evidence and witnesses from the impeachment process .
His party did its utmost to minimise the time Congress would consider the charges against him .
But he has emerged unscathed , so far .
His approval ratings are going up .
And he will not have been worried much this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take him on in November .
Their first round of voting to winnow the field ended in farce in Iowa with counting malfunctions .
Their debate in New Hampshire saw some spirited criticism of the president and a standing ovation in support of the now sacked Alexander Vindman .
But while they seem hobbled by this week 's false start , his star is rising if polls are correct and his coffers are filling , raising millions of dollars a day .

Donald Trump made "you're fired" his catchphrase as a reality TV star and must have been dying to use it throughout his impeachment ordeal.
He has emerged from it he believes vindicated and his approval ratings are going up. But he seems in no mood to be gracious in victory.
This week we have seen him use a prayer breakfast in Washington to crow about his Senate victory and heap scorn on his detractors.
He has launched long rambling denunciations of his tormentors and by the end of the week was beginning to take revenge on key figures in his impeachment.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:35 Trump hits out at 'liars and leakers'
Gordon Sondland donated a million dollars to the Trump campaign and was made ambassador to the European Union. His testimony, that everyone was in on the president's alleged abuse of power, was a key moment.
But it made him a marked man. It was only a matter of time before he would be recalled. He now has plenty of time on his hands to ponder the wisdom of giving a million dollars to join Team Trump.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a decorated war veteran and national security official, had also borne witness against the president.
Right-wing propaganda media have singled him out for criticism and unleashed a wave of innuendo around his Jewish and Ukrainian heritage.
Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
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He suffered the ignominy of being marched out of the White House relieved of his duties and in a move better suited to the government of a banana republic his brother was also "fired" despite playing no role whatsoever in the impeachment hearings.
In a statement, Vindman's lawyer said "the most powerful man in the world - buoyed by the silent, the pliable and the complicit - has decided to exact revenge".
The president withheld evidence and witnesses from the impeachment process. His party did its utmost to minimise the time Congress would consider the charges against him.
But he has emerged unscathed, so far. His approval ratings are going up.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:54 Not guilty on both charges, so what happens now?
And he will not have been worried much this week by Democrats jostling for the chance to take him on in November.
Their first round of voting to winnow the field ended in farce in Iowa with counting malfunctions. Their debate in New Hampshire saw some spirited criticism of the president and a standing ovation in support of the now sacked Alexander Vindman.
But while they seem hobbled by this week's false start, his star is rising if polls are correct and his coffers are filling, raising millions of dollars a day.


skynewsus--2020-02-08--UK's Huawei decision could hurt possible Brexit trade deal, warns Pence

Mike Pence on whether UK 's Huawei decision could hurt possible trade deal Mike Pence on whether UK 's Huawei decision could hurt possible trade deal Britain has decided to let Huawei Technologies have a limited role in its 5G network remains a point of issue between the two traditional allies .
Boris Johnson 's decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain 's 5G network could threaten a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and America , according to US vice president Mike Pence .
His comments came after it was reported that US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' rage during a phone call regarding the 5G move .
Speaking to the US broadcaster CNBC , Mr Pence said : `` We are profoundly disappointed because look , when I went at the president 's direction in September I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK .
`` But we just do n't believe that utilising the assets , the technology of Huawei is consistent with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of the United States and it remains a real issue between our two countries . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The vice president added : `` We 're anxious to build our economic ties , but we have made it clear to Prime Minister Johnson and to officials in the UK , that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country ... we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party . ''
Asked whether the decision was a possible deal-breaker , he replied : `` We 'll see . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In response , a UK government spokesperson said : `` Both the UK and US governments have been clear about our commitment to work together to agree a comprehensive free trade agreement now the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vice president has said - our teams have begun that process . ''
Mr Johnson defied repeated lobbying from the US to rule in January that the Chinese firm could play a limited role in the infrastructure .
The US had warned the move would jeopardise intelligence sharing as it raised concerns over the telecommunications company 's links to the Chinese state .
The move has been a particularly thorny one for Mr Johnson , with his Brexit plans relying heavily on striking an ambitious free trade deal with the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Huawei is only one of a series of issues where the two nations are at odds .
Washington has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on the British car industry , if the government goes ahead with a planned tax on tech companies such as Google and Facebook .
The UK is also pressing for the extradition of the wife of a US intelligence official charged with causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn .
Nevertheless , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the UK and the US is in a `` fantastic place '' as he visited London .

Boris Johnson's decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain's 5G network could threaten a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and America, according to US vice president Mike Pence.
His comments came after it was reported that US President Donald Trump blasted Mr Johnson with "apoplectic" rage during a phone call regarding the 5G move.
Speaking to the US broadcaster CNBC, Mr Pence said: "We are profoundly disappointed because look, when I went at the president's direction in September I met with Prime Minister Johnson and I told him the moment the UK is out of Brexit we were willing to begin to negotiate a free trade arrangement with the UK.
"But we just don't believe that utilising the assets, the technology of Huawei is consistent with the security or privacy interests of the UK, of the United States and it remains a real issue between our two countries."
Image: Asked whether the Huawei decision could prove a 'deal-breaker', Mr Pence replied: 'We’ll see.'
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The vice president added: "We're anxious to build our economic ties, but we have made it clear to Prime Minister Johnson and to officials in the UK, that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country... we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and UK and among all our allies without the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party."
Asked whether the decision was a possible deal-breaker, he replied: "We'll see."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In response, a UK government spokesperson said: "Both the UK and US governments have been clear about our commitment to work together to agree a comprehensive free trade agreement now the UK has left the EU, and as the vice president has said - our teams have begun that process."
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Mr Johnson defied repeated lobbying from the US to rule in January that the Chinese firm could play a limited role in the infrastructure.
The US had warned the move would jeopardise intelligence sharing as it raised concerns over the telecommunications company's links to the Chinese state.
The move has been a particularly thorny one for Mr Johnson, with his Brexit plans relying heavily on striking an ambitious free trade deal with the US.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Huawei is only one of a series of issues where the two nations are at odds.
Washington has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on the British car industry, if the government goes ahead with a planned tax on tech companies such as Google and Facebook.
The UK is also pressing for the extradition of the wife of a US intelligence official charged with causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn.
Nevertheless, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the "special relationship" between the UK and the US is in a "fantastic place" as he visited London.


skynewsus--2020-02-09--From Phoenix to Zellweger: The 'nailed-on' certainties at this year's Oscars

Oscars 2020 : 'Nailed-on ' acting gongs mean this year 's awards unlikely to surprise Oscars 2020 : 'Nailed-on ' acting gongs mean this year 's awards unlikely to surprise Brad Pitt , Laura Dern , Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger are widely expected to pick up major acting awards If you like your Oscars night to be packed with surprises , we have some bad news for you .
It comes from the people who make a living out of crunching the numbers to come up with percentages for the probability of who will win what at the Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the big acting categories are already nailed-on certainties .
Brad Pitt , Laura Dern , Renee Zellwegger and Joaquin Phoenix have cleaned up at this year 's BAFTAs , Golden Globes and the Screen Actors ' Guild Awards .
The experts say the chance they will each take home little gold statuette as well are somewhere north of 90 % .
If there is any hope of an upset it could some in the form of Joe Pesci , who pipped Pitt for best supporting actor at the Critic 's Choice Awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker At the Oscars , Pesci is going head-to-head not only with Pitt - but also his co-star in Martin Scorsese 's gangster epic The Irishman , fellow veteran Al Pacino .
The pair have duked it out at the Oscars before : back in 1991 Pesci 's performance in Goodfellas sneaking the award over Pacino 's in Dick Tracy .
At 79 , this is Pacino 's first nomination since he won for Scent Of A Woman in 1993 - but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buzz .
`` It 's a great perk '' he said .
`` When I was younger , it was a different thing for me than it is now .
Now I try to just look at it for what it is , you know . ''
The industry is certainly a different place from when he took his first major role , in 1971 's The Panic In Needle Park , but with a new Amazon Prime series Hunters under his belt , he says the Oscars remain fun for him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sense that our world is different now , '' he said .
`` And fame is different , but it still has that tradition . ''
Another familiar face at the Oscars is the legendary British cinematographer Roger Deakins .
His 15th nomination , for Sam Mendes ' much-talked-about 'one-shot ' movie 1917 , comes a year after his first Oscar success with Blade Runner 2049 .
The critics say the Best Picture Oscar is a contest between 1917 and the darkly comic Parasite .
South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign language film to win the top prize .
Deakins told Sky News : `` If 1917 wins it would be great for everybody that worked on it .
`` But I would be quite happy if any of the others won , especially Parasite , which I thought was a wonderful movie .
I do n't know how you make a judgement between them . ''
This will be the earliest Oscars ever as the Academy continues its efforts to find a formula to keep the show relevant to an evolving television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irishman and Marriage Story now taking their place alongside the established studio productions at the top table , the industry is changing too .
Big nomination hauls for the big players also raises questions about how lesser-known names can stand a chance of breaking through at the Oscars .
British hopes rest with Mendes , despite the honourable mentions for Cynthia Erivo for Harriet , Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce for The Two Popes , and Florence Pugh for Little Women in the acting categories .
Awards season has already shown us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important and topical as ever and it is certain to feature in the speeches of the winners .
Expect few surprises at the 92nd Academy Awards .
Sky Cinema 's live and exclusive coverage of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards starts on Sunday night at 12.30am .
Want to see the red carpet too ?
Catch a simulcast of E !
's preview show E !
Live From The Red Carpet at 10pm , all on Sky Cinema Oscars

If you like your Oscars night to be packed with surprises, we have some bad news for you.
It comes from the people who make a living out of crunching the numbers to come up with percentages for the probability of who will win what at the Academy Awards.
This year, they say, the big acting categories are already nailed-on certainties.
Image: The Oscars take place on Sunday night
Brad Pitt, Laura Dern, Renee Zellwegger and Joaquin Phoenix have cleaned up at this year's BAFTAs, Golden Globes and the Screen Actors' Guild Awards.
The experts say the chance they will each take home little gold statuette as well are somewhere north of 90%.
If there is any hope of an upset it could some in the form of Joe Pesci, who pipped Pitt for best supporting actor at the Critic's Choice Awards.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
At the Oscars, Pesci is going head-to-head not only with Pitt - but also his co-star in Martin Scorsese's gangster epic The Irishman, fellow veteran Al Pacino.
The pair have duked it out at the Oscars before: back in 1991 Pesci's performance in Goodfellas sneaking the award over Pacino's in Dick Tracy.
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At 79, this is Pacino's first nomination since he won for Scent Of A Woman in 1993 - but he told Sky News he still enjoys the buzz.
Image: The Irishman co-stars Joe Pesci and Al Pacino
"It's a great perk" he said.
"When I was younger, it was a different thing for me than it is now. Now I try to just look at it for what it is, you know."
The industry is certainly a different place from when he took his first major role, in 1971's The Panic In Needle Park, but with a new Amazon Prime series Hunters under his belt, he says the Oscars remain fun for him.
"It's changed a little bit in the sense that our world is different now," he said.
"And fame is different, but it still has that tradition."
Image: The Academy has been criticised for a lack of diversity among the nominees
Another familiar face at the Oscars is the legendary British cinematographer Roger Deakins.
His 15th nomination, for Sam Mendes' much-talked-about 'one-shot' movie 1917, comes a year after his first Oscar success with Blade Runner 2049.
The critics say the Best Picture Oscar is a contest between 1917 and the darkly comic Parasite.
South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho's film would make history as the first foreign language film to win the top prize.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:48 How 1917's famous 'one-shot' look was created
Deakins told Sky News: "If 1917 wins it would be great for everybody that worked on it.
"But I would be quite happy if any of the others won, especially Parasite, which I thought was a wonderful movie. I don't know how you make a judgement between them."
This will be the earliest Oscars ever as the Academy continues its efforts to find a formula to keep the show relevant to an evolving television audience.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Marielle Heller on female directors and awards
With Netflix movies like The Irishman and Marriage Story now taking their place alongside the established studio productions at the top table, the industry is changing too.
Big nomination hauls for the big players also raises questions about how lesser-known names can stand a chance of breaking through at the Oscars.
British hopes rest with Mendes, despite the honourable mentions for Cynthia Erivo for Harriet, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce for The Two Popes, and Florence Pugh for Little Women in the acting categories.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:22 'Men should watch more female-driven movies'
Awards season has already shown us that the debate about diversity is as important and topical as ever and it is certain to feature in the speeches of the winners.
Expect few surprises at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Sky Cinema's live and exclusive coverage of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards starts on Sunday night at 12.30am. Want to see the red carpet too? Catch a simulcast of E!'s preview show E! Live From The Red Carpet at 10pm, all on Sky Cinema Oscars


skynewsus--2020-02-08--Al Pacino: 'You never quite learn how to handle an Oscar nomination'

Al Pacino : 'You never quite learn how to handle an Oscar nomination' Al Pacino : 'You never quite learn how to handle an Oscar nomination' Oscar winner and nine-time nominee Al Pacino is a veteran when it comes to the biggest night of the year in Hollywood - but he has admitted to Sky News that `` you never quite learn how to handle it '' .
The 79-year-old star says being up for a prized statuette is a `` great perk '' of the job , but says the ceremony can get `` a little stressful '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since he was first on the Oscars radar almost 50 years ago - for arguably his most iconic role , as Michael Corleone in The Godfather , in 1973 .
This time round , Pacino is nominated for the best supporting actor prize for his portrayal of labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa in Martin Scorsese 's gangster epic The Irishman .
He is up against his co-star Joe Pesci , who came out of film retirement to play mob boss Russell Bufalino .
It is not the first time the two Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award , with both nominated for best supporting actor in 1991 ; Pacino for Dick Tracy , Pesci for Goodfellas .
Pesci took that round , and Pacino went on to win the big prize for best actor two years later , for his performance as blind alcoholic Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent Of A Woman .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker This year , Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood star Brad Pitt is the odds-on favourite to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taking it all in his stride .
Speaking about the awards while promoting his new Amazon Prime TV series Hunters , Pacino said he would be taking his three grown-up children to the ceremony later this evening .
`` Well , I think they 're fun for people that watch… but being part of it is a little stressful , '' he told Sky News .
`` But at the same time , it 's a great perk for you if you have an Oscar nomination and it makes you feel… '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You never quite learn how to handle it though .
`` When I was younger , it was a different thing for me than it is now .
Now I try to ...
I try to just look at it for what it is , you know , and I admire it , and the whole fact that I 'm involved ... '' I 'm very happy , I 'm going to bring my three kids to the Oscars , they 're coming with me .
`` It 's a good thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's fun .
It 's fun for everybody . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Irishman , an adaptation of the non-fiction book I Heard You Paint Houses , also reunites Pacino with Robert De Niro .
An epic saga of organised crime in post-war America , it is told through the eyes of De Niro 's character , Second World War veteran Frank Sheeran , a hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with digital de-ageing technology , or `` youthification '' , used to capture its stars during different periods of their lives - it offers an account of the story behind Hoffa 's unsolved murder .
It is up for 10 awards at the Oscars , including best picture and best director for Scorsese , as well as the supporting actor nods , although De Niro is a notable omission from the best actor shortlist .
Pacino says the Academy Awards now are a little different to those he first attended , describing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl '' .
`` I remember when I was younger and looking at it , it was so exciting to see the people in that world , '' he says .
`` It 's changed a little bit in the sense that our world is different now .
`` And fame is different ... but it still has that tradition . ''
Sky Cinema 's live and exclusive coverage of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards starts on Sunday night at 12.30am .
Want to see the red carpet too ?
Catch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E !
Live From The Red Carpet at 10pm , all on Sky Cinema Oscars In Hunters , Al Pacino 's new Amazon Prime Video series , he stars as one of a band of Nazi hunters on a quest for justice in New York City in 1977 .
The series launches on 21 February - read our full interview with the star and other cast members later this month

Oscar winner and nine-time nominee Al Pacino is a veteran when it comes to the biggest night of the year in Hollywood - but he has admitted to Sky News that "you never quite learn how to handle it".
The 79-year-old star says being up for a prized statuette is a "great perk" of the job, but says the ceremony can get "a little stressful".
Fame has also changed, he says, since he was first on the Oscars radar almost 50 years ago - for arguably his most iconic role, as Michael Corleone in The Godfather, in 1973.
Image: Pacino is up for best supporting actor alongside his Irishman co-star, Joe Pesci
This time round, Pacino is nominated for the best supporting actor prize for his portrayal of labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa in Martin Scorsese's gangster epic The Irishman.
He is up against his co-star Joe Pesci, who came out of film retirement to play mob boss Russell Bufalino. It is not the first time the two Hollywood heavyweights have been up for the same award, with both nominated for best supporting actor in 1991; Pacino for Dick Tracy, Pesci for Goodfellas.
Pesci took that round, and Pacino went on to win the big prize for best actor two years later, for his performance as blind alcoholic Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent Of A Woman.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
This year, Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood star Brad Pitt is the odds-on favourite to win the supporting actor gong, but Pacino is taking it all in his stride.
Speaking about the awards while promoting his new Amazon Prime TV series Hunters, Pacino said he would be taking his three grown-up children to the ceremony later this evening.
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"Well, I think they're fun for people that watch… but being part of it is a little stressful," he told Sky News. "But at the same time, it's a great perk for you if you have an Oscar nomination and it makes you feel…"
Image: Pacino stars alongside Robert De Niro in The Irishman. Pic: Netflix
He tails off, before adding: "You never quite learn how to handle it though.
"When I was younger, it was a different thing for me than it is now. Now I try to... I try to just look at it for what it is, you know, and I admire it, and the whole fact that I'm involved...
"I'm very happy, I'm going to bring my three kids to the Oscars, they're coming with me.
"It's a good thing for kids too, you know, it's fun. It's fun for everybody."
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Irishman, an adaptation of the non-fiction book I Heard You Paint Houses, also reunites Pacino with Robert De Niro.
An epic saga of organised crime in post-war America, it is told through the eyes of De Niro's character, Second World War veteran Frank Sheeran, a hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century.
Spanning several decades - and with digital de-ageing technology, or "youthification", used to capture its stars during different periods of their lives - it offers an account of the story behind Hoffa's unsolved murder.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:14 What does it take to actually win an Academy Award?
It is up for 10 awards at the Oscars, including best picture and best director for Scorsese, as well as the supporting actor nods, although De Niro is a notable omission from the best actor shortlist.
Pacino says the Academy Awards now are a little different to those he first attended, describing them now as "almost like a Super Bowl".
"I remember when I was younger and looking at it, it was so exciting to see the people in that world," he says. "It's changed a little bit in the sense that our world is different now.
"And fame is different... but it still has that tradition."
Image: Al Pacino won the best actor Oscar in 1993, for his performance in Scent Of A Woman
Sky Cinema's live and exclusive coverage of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards starts on Sunday night at 12.30am. Want to see the red carpet too? Catch a simulcast of E!'s preview show E! Live From The Red Carpet at 10pm, all on Sky Cinema Oscars
In Hunters, Al Pacino's new Amazon Prime Video series, he stars as one of a band of Nazi hunters on a quest for justice in New York City in 1977. The series launches on 21 February - read our full interview with the star and other cast members later this month


skynewsus--2020-02-09--US troops killed and injured in machine gun attack in Afghanistan

US troops killed and injured in machine gun attack in Afghanistan US troops killed and injured in machine gun attack in Afghanistan Two US servicemen have been shot dead and six others are injured after a machine gun attack in eastern Afghanistan .
American officials in the country said a combined US-Afghan force , stationed in the province of Nangahar , had been targeted by an individual in an Afghan uniform .
Colonel Sonny Leggett , a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan , said `` the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for the US operation in Afghanistan , with American diplomats having struggled to make progress in negotiations with the Taliban that would see foreign troops head home .
In exchange , the Taliban would be expected to provide security guarantees , including a commitment to ensure Afghanistan will not again become a base for international terrorist groups like al Qaeda .
But with violence in the country having failed to ebb away , the 13,000 US troops still stationed in Afghanistan do not seem likely to leave anytime soon .
Back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News there can not be a ceasefire - or any talks with the US-backed Afghan government - until all foreign forces leave Afghanistan The foreign troops are there as part of a US-led NATO mission to train , assist and advice Afghan forces and carry out counter-terror operations in the country .
Nangahar is particularly significant to the latter , as it has long served as the main stronghold of Islamic State and has also been partly controlled by the Taliban .
During a surprise Thanksgiving visit to Afghanistan last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airfield that he was confident negotiations with the Taliban would eventually succeed .
He said : `` The Taliban wants to make a deal .
We 'll see if they want to make a deal .
It 's got to be a real deal .
But we 'll see , but they want to make a deal . ''

Two US servicemen have been shot dead and six others are injured after a machine gun attack in eastern Afghanistan.
American officials in the country said a combined US-Afghan force, stationed in the province of Nangahar, had been targeted by an individual in an Afghan uniform.
Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said "the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time".
Image: Donald Trump wants to pull US troops out of Afghanistan
The violent incident comes at a sensitive time for the US operation in Afghanistan, with American diplomats having struggled to make progress in negotiations with the Taliban that would see foreign troops head home.
In exchange, the Taliban would be expected to provide security guarantees, including a commitment to ensure Afghanistan will not again become a base for international terrorist groups like al Qaeda.
But with violence in the country having failed to ebb away, the 13,000 US troops still stationed in Afghanistan do not seem likely to leave anytime soon.
Back in December, a mid-ranking Taliban commander told Sky News there cannot be a ceasefire - or any talks with the US-backed Afghan government - until all foreign forces leave Afghanistan
The foreign troops are there as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advice Afghan forces and carry out counter-terror operations in the country.
Nangahar is particularly significant to the latter, as it has long served as the main stronghold of Islamic State and has also been partly controlled by the Taliban.
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Image: Donald Trump at Bagram airbase
During a surprise Thanksgiving visit to Afghanistan last year, Donald Trump told US troops at Bagram Airfield that he was confident negotiations with the Taliban would eventually succeed.
He said: "The Taliban wants to make a deal. We'll see if they want to make a deal. It's got to be a real deal. But we'll see, but they want to make a deal."


skynewsus--2020-02-08--Ex-partner of Bobbie Kristina Brown died of heroin overdose

The former partner of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown 's late daughter died from an accidental heroin overdose , a post-mortem found .
-Nick Gordon was found unresponsive at a Sheraton hotel in Maitland , a suburb of Orlando , Florida , on New Year 's Day and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital .
The 30-year-old once dated Bobbie Kristina Brown , with the pair having publicly announced their relationship not long after legendary singer Houston died in February 2012 .
Houston , who was 48 when she drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under her wing after divorcing from her husband Brown in 2007 .
Gordon called her `` mom '' but she never formalised his adoption or included him in her will .
Three years after Houston 's death , which US authorities said was at least partly down to years of cocaine abuse and heart disease , her daughter passed away after also being found in a bathtub .
The 22-year-old died after spending six months in a coma , with a post-mortem showing she had a number of drugs , including morphine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not able to determine whether her death was accidental , deliberate or caused by someone else , but her family blamed Gordon .
They accused him of giving her a `` toxic cocktail '' before putting her face-down in the water , and while Gordon avoided charges he was found responsible in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay $ 36m to Brown 's estate .

The former partner of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's late daughter died from an accidental heroin overdose, a post-mortem found.
-Nick Gordon was found unresponsive at a Sheraton hotel in Maitland, a suburb of Orlando, Florida, on New Year's Day and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The 30-year-old once dated Bobbie Kristina Brown, with the pair having publicly announced their relationship not long after legendary singer Houston died in February 2012.
Image: Whitney Houston died in 2012 at the age of 48
Houston, who was 48 when she drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills, California, had taken Gordon under her wing after divorcing from her husband Brown in 2007.
Gordon called her "mom" but she never formalised his adoption or included him in her will.
Three years after Houston's death, which US authorities said was at least partly down to years of cocaine abuse and heart disease, her daughter passed away after also being found in a bathtub.
The 22-year-old died after spending six months in a coma, with a post-mortem showing she had a number of drugs, including morphine and cocaine, in her body.
Investigators were not able to determine whether her death was accidental, deliberate or caused by someone else, but her family blamed Gordon.
They accused him of giving her a "toxic cocktail" before putting her face-down in the water, and while Gordon avoided charges he was found responsible in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay $36m to Brown's estate.


skynewsus--2020-02-10--Oscars 2020: Parasite makes history as it wins best picture

South Korean film Parasite has made history by becoming the first foreign language film to take the top prize at the Oscars .
Bong Joon-ho 's subtitled black comedy was the most successful film of the night , taking home four Oscars in total .
It is a watershed moment for the Academy Awards , which has never seen a non-English language film win best picture .
It is also the first ever Korean film to take home an Oscar .
While many expected Sam Mendes ' wartime epic 1917 would nab the prize , it was the word-of-mouth box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the night .
An emotional Bong said his film had `` opened the door '' for non-English films at the Academy Awards .
As well as best film , it also took home best international original screenplay , best international feature film and best director .
Accepting the prize for his first award of the night , Bong dedicated it to his home country South Korea and said it was `` a great honour '' to have been chosen by the Academy .
Taking to the stage a second time to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from his trusty translator to joke that he was `` bloody ready to drink '' .
By the time he moved onto his third award - best director - a bemused looking Bong admitted he had thought he was done for the day and could finally relax .
But more was to come .
He payed homage to fellow directors and nominees Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino - both of whom he credited as inspiration for his own directing .
He said as as a young filmmaker he carved the Scorsese quote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most creative '' - into his heart .
Indeed , his dark comedy kicks off with a young student taking on the role of maths tutor to a wealthy family - a role Bong himself undertook as a youngster , before quitting because he was `` horrible at maths '' .
Making use of a classic film reference - Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Bong magnanimously said he 'd like to cut the award into five and share it with all the nominees .
He added that he would now `` drink until tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collect the biggest prize of the night - best picture - he was able to take his cast and crew along with him to collect the prize .
At one point during the final acceptance speech the stage lights went down , leading the audience to chant for the cast and crew to go back on - which they duly did as they finished giving thanks for the final prize of the night .
The Oscars have a notorious 45-second speech rule , after which artists can face being 'played off ' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to her cost last year .
Speaking to journalists following the ceremony , Bong said Parasite 's big win was like `` a dream '' .
While French film The Artist did win best picture back in 2011 , that film was mainly silent , making it largely seen as a film of 'no-language ' .
Away from Parasite 's surprise haul of statuettes , many of the other big category prizes went to the winners everyone was expecting .
Joaquin Phoenix took home best actor for his portrayal of Crown Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using his acceptance speech to highlight humankind 's mistreatment of the planet .
It 's his first Oscar win .
He told the audience : `` I think at times we feel or are made to feel that we champion different causes .
But for me , I see commonality .
`` I think , whether we 're talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights , we 're talking about the fight against injustice . ''
The 45-year-old star also became tearful as he remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died aged 23 in 1993 .
He concluded his acceptance speech with a personal memory : `` When he was 17 , my brother wrote this lyric , 'Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow ' . ''
In her second Oscar win , Renee Zellweger took home best actress for her screen transformation into Judy Garland .
Zellweger had widely been seen as the one to beat , and paid tribute to the Wizard Of Oz star as she picked up her statuette .
In the best supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Laura Dern were chosen by the Academy , as was widely expected .
While Pitt has been leading the laughs at all the awards leading up to the Oscars , he took a more serious approach while accepting his first acting Oscar .
Pitt took a political swipe at Senate Republicans for refusing to allow former national security adviser John Bolton to testify in US president Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
He said : `` They tell me I have only got 45 seconds , that is 45 seconds more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm thinking maybe Quentin does a movie about it and in the end the adults do the right thing . ''
He also thanked his six children , saying they `` colour everything I do '' .
The runner-up movie of the night was the previously expected favourite 1917 , which took three awards in total , all in technical categories : best cinematography , best sound mixing and best visual effects .
Seventy-year old cinematographer Roger Deakins , who was born in Torquay but now lives in LA , took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the British war film .
Despite being the most nominated film of the night , with 11 nods , Todd Phillips ' Joker ended up taking just two gongs home , with best original score as well as Phoenix 's lead actor win .
Quentin Tarantino 's Once Upon A Time ...
In Hollywood took home two prizes , with best production design adding to Pitt 's best supporting actor recognition .
Ford V Ferrari , directed by James Mangold , also took two Oscars in total - best film editing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jojo Rabbit , Greta Gerwig 's Little Women , Jay Roach 's Bombshell and Dexter Fletcher 's Rocketman all picked up one award apiece .
Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin accepted Rocketman 's best original song prize , for I 'm Gon na Love Me Again .
After playing the song on a cherry-red piano earlier in the ceremony , an emotional Sir Elton gave a shout out to his two young sons - Zachary and Elijah - as he picked up his first Oscar .
After all the British acting hopefuls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their American rivals , Sir Elton 's success provided a welcome home win .
An unexpected performance from Eminem on the night surprised the starry crowd , with many rocking along to his rendition of his 1997 hit Lose Yourself .
However , veteran director Martin Scorsese looked slightly bemused by the rapper .
Billie Eilish sang Beatles hit Yesterday during the In Memoriam section of the night , which paid tribute to performers who died during the last year .
The first performance of the night , led by singer Janelle Monae @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of female directors .
They were themes which reoccurred throughout the evening , with comedians Steve Martin and Chris Rock perhaps giving the sharpest observations on the lack of diversity across the awards .
Meanwhile , the light relief of the night came from presenters including Rebel Wilson and James Corden , who dressed up as their characters from the ill-fated movie Cats - the closest the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is going to come to an Oscar following stinging reviews .
Actresses Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig entertained the audience with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors in the audience '' , and a compilation of acapella tunes , accompanied by synchronised dance moves .

South Korean film Parasite has made history by becoming the first foreign language film to take the top prize at the Oscars.
Bong Joon-ho's subtitled black comedy was the most successful film of the night, taking home four Oscars in total.
Image: Bong Joon-ho's Parasite has topped the winners list at this year's Oscars
It is a watershed moment for the Academy Awards, which has never seen a non-English language film win best picture.
It is also the first ever Korean film to take home an Oscar.
While many expected Sam Mendes' wartime epic 1917 would nab the prize, it was the word-of-mouth box office smash that took home the statuette on the night.
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Bong's seventh feature film tackles capitalism, greed and class discrimination.
An emotional Bong said his film had "opened the door" for non-English films at the Academy Awards.
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As well as best film, it also took home best international original screenplay, best international feature film and best director.
Accepting the prize for his first award of the night, Bong dedicated it to his home country South Korea and said it was "a great honour" to have been chosen by the Academy.
Taking to the stage a second time to accept best international feature film, he broke away from his trusty translator to joke that he was "bloody ready to drink".
By the time he moved onto his third award - best director - a bemused looking Bong admitted he had thought he was done for the day and could finally relax. But more was to come.
Image: The South Korean film tackles capitalism, greed and class discrimination
He payed homage to fellow directors and nominees Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino - both of whom he credited as inspiration for his own directing.
He said as as a young filmmaker he carved the Scorsese quote - "the most personal is the most creative" - into his heart.
Indeed, his dark comedy kicks off with a young student taking on the role of maths tutor to a wealthy family - a role Bong himself undertook as a youngster, before quitting because he was "horrible at maths".
Image: Director Spike Lee congratulates Bong Joon Ho on his win
Making use of a classic film reference - Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Bong magnanimously said he'd like to cut the award into five and share it with all the nominees.
He added that he would now "drink until tomorrow".
When Bong stepped up to collect the biggest prize of the night - best picture - he was able to take his cast and crew along with him to collect the prize.
At one point during the final acceptance speech the stage lights went down, leading the audience to chant for the cast and crew to go back on - which they duly did as they finished giving thanks for the final prize of the night.
The Oscars have a notorious 45-second speech rule, after which artists can face being 'played off' by the orchestra, as Olivia Colman found out to her cost last year.
Speaking to journalists following the ceremony, Bong said Parasite's big win was like "a dream".
Image: An emotional Joaquin Phoenix remembers his late brother River
While French film The Artist did win best picture back in 2011, that film was mainly silent, making it largely seen as a film of 'no-language'.
Away from Parasite's surprise haul of statuettes, many of the other big category prizes went to the winners everyone was expecting.
Joaquin Phoenix took home best actor for his portrayal of Crown Prince Of Crime Arthur Fleck in Joker, using his acceptance speech to highlight humankind's mistreatment of the planet. It's his first Oscar win.
He told the audience: "I think at times we feel or are made to feel that we champion different causes. But for me, I see commonality.
"I think, whether we're talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we're talking about the fight against injustice."
The 45-year-old star also became tearful as he remembered his brother, actor River Phoenix, who died aged 23 in 1993.
He concluded his acceptance speech with a personal memory: "When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric, 'Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow'."
Image: Renee Zellweger paid tribute to Judy Garland as she picked up her award
In her second Oscar win, Renee Zellweger took home best actress for her screen transformation into Judy Garland.
Zellweger had widely been seen as the one to beat, and paid tribute to the Wizard Of Oz star as she picked up her statuette.
In the best supporting actor and actress category, Brad Pitt and Laura Dern were chosen by the Academy, as was widely expected.
While Pitt has been leading the laughs at all the awards leading up to the Oscars, he took a more serious approach while accepting his first acting Oscar.
Image: Best supporting actress winner Laura Dern was presented with her prize by Mahershala Ali
Pitt took a political swipe at Senate Republicans for refusing to allow former national security adviser John Bolton to testify in US president Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
He said: "They tell me I have only got 45 seconds, that is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week. I'm thinking maybe Quentin does a movie about it and in the end the adults do the right thing."
He also thanked his six children, saying they "colour everything I do".
The runner-up movie of the night was the previously expected favourite 1917, which took three awards in total, all in technical categories: best cinematography, best sound mixing and best visual effects.
Image: Wartime epic 1917 took home three Oscars in total
Seventy-year old cinematographer Roger Deakins, who was born in Torquay but now lives in LA, took home his second Oscar in two years for the British war film.
Despite being the most nominated film of the night, with 11 nods, Todd Phillips' Joker ended up taking just two gongs home, with best original score as well as Phoenix's lead actor win.
Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood took home two prizes, with best production design adding to Pitt's best supporting actor recognition.
Image: Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin were chuffed to bits with their first ever Oscar
Ford V Ferrari, directed by James Mangold, also took two Oscars in total - best film editing and best sound editing.
Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit, Greta Gerwig's Little Women, Jay Roach's Bombshell and Dexter Fletcher's Rocketman all picked up one award apiece.
Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin accepted Rocketman's best original song prize, for I'm Gonna Love Me Again.
Image: Eminem made a surprise appearance
After playing the song on a cherry-red piano earlier in the ceremony, an emotional Sir Elton gave a shout out to his two young sons - Zachary and Elijah - as he picked up his first Oscar.
After all the British acting hopefuls were knocked out of the race by their American rivals, Sir Elton's success provided a welcome home win.
An unexpected performance from Eminem on the night surprised the starry crowd, with many rocking along to his rendition of his 1997 hit Lose Yourself.
Image: Billie Eilish performed Yesterday at the Oscars
However, veteran director Martin Scorsese looked slightly bemused by the rapper.
Billie Eilish sang Beatles hit Yesterday during the In Memoriam section of the night, which paid tribute to performers who died during the last year.
The first performance of the night, led by singer Janelle Monae, made reference to #OscarsSoWhite and lack of female directors.
Image: Janelle Monae highlighted #OscarsSoWhite, a theme that ran through the event
They were themes which reoccurred throughout the evening, with comedians Steve Martin and Chris Rock perhaps giving the sharpest observations on the lack of diversity across the awards.
Meanwhile, the light relief of the night came from presenters including Rebel Wilson and James Corden, who dressed up as their characters from the ill-fated movie Cats - the closest the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is going to come to an Oscar following stinging reviews.
Image: Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig at the Oscars
Actresses Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig entertained the audience with a faux audition "for all the directors in the audience", and a compilation of acapella tunes, accompanied by synchronised dance moves.