NATION BRIEFLY
Trump imposes tariffs on $200B more in Chinese goods
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is imposing tariffs on $200 billion more in Chinese goods starting next week, escalating a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies and raising prices on consumer goods ranging from handbags to bicycle tires.
The tariffs will start at 10 percent and rise to 25 percent starting Jan. 1.
President Donald Trump decided to begin taxing the imports – equal to nearly 40 percent of goods China sold the United States last year – after a public comment period. China has said it’s ready to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
The U.S. had already imposed tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports. Trump initiated the fight to punish Beijing for what he says are China’s predatory tactics to try to supplant U.S. technological supremacy.
Jury sees video of white Chicago officer shooting black teen
CHICAGO – Prosecutors on Monday showed jurors video of a white Chicago police officer opening fire on black teenager Laquan McDonald, saying the 2014 fatal shooting was “completely unnecessary.” The video shows Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times as the 17-year-old, carrying a small knife in one hand, walks away from officers.
Special prosecutor Joseph McMahon told jurors that “not a single shot was necessary or justified” before showing them the video 15 minutes into his opening statement as the trial got underway.
But defense attorney Daniel Herbert argued that Van Dyke “is not a murderer. … He is a scared police officer who was fearful for his life and the life of others and acted as he was trained to do.”
Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery and official misconduct. Prosecutors on Monday dropped four counts of firstdegree murder, but Van Dyke still faces two first-degree murder counts.
Border Patrol agent charged in 4 murders served in Navy
LAREDO, Texas – The Navy says a Border Patrol agent accused of killing four women near the U.S.-Mexico border was in the service for almost eight years.
A biography of Juan David Ortiz released Monday says that he enlisted in the Navy in July 2001 and served until May 2009. He was listed as a hospital corpsman, second class.
He joined the Border Patrol shortly after leaving the Navy. The Border Patrol often recruits service members and gives hiring preference to eligible veterans.
Authorities say the 35-year-old Ortiz “provided a voluntary verbal confession” early Saturday in the deaths of the four women. He’s being held on $2.5 million bond on four counts of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful restraint.
Federal lawyers: Gulf oil leak spills much more than thought
Federal government lawyers say a 14year-old leak is releasing much more oil each day into the Gulf of Mexico than officials previously claimed, and it may be getting worse.
A Friday court filing in a case involving Taylor Energy Co. says 10,000 to 30,000 gallons are leaking daily from multiple wells around a drilling platform toppled by 2004’s Hurricane Ivan.
The government cites a report it commissioned from a scientist who has studied satellite images of persistent oil slicks and sampled floating oil at the site about 10 miles offshore. That report also suggests that while the amount of leaking oil decreased after some wells were plugged in 2011, the leak may be getting bigger again.
Foundation to be established for victims of gas explosions
LAWRENCE, Mass. – A relief fund will be established to help Massachusetts residents whose lives were disrupted by a series of natural gas fires and explosions. The announcement was made Monday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and leaders of the three affected communities. Baker says the hope is to have the foundation running by the end of the week.
The foundation will be in addition to the payments from Columbia Gas and payouts from insurance companies.