New Jersey governor begins UK visit

1 February 2015 Last updated at 04:01

New Jersey's Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie is to begin his three-day visit to the UK.

Mr Christie will hold a series of meetings with top British politicians, including Prime Minister David Cameron.

Officially, his trip is a trade mission to promote ties with New Jersey's third largest foreign partner, with $7bn (£4.6bn) in goods exchanged in 2014.

But it is also seen as a chance to boost his foreign policy credentials ahead of the 2016 White House race.

Although the elections are still more than 18 months away, rival Republican contenders are currently trying to ensure they have enough donors to fund their campaigns, the BBC's Naomi Grimley in Washington reports.

'Strong connection'

Governor Christie is yet to officially announce a White House bid.

In Britain, he is due to hold talks with Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne.

"One of the main objectives of this trip is to focus on the opportunities that exist between the United Kingdom and New Jersey and our country as a whole," Governor Christie told reporters ahead of the visit.

"There is no other country that has such a strong connection to ours in terms of history, economy and culture. And so we want to continue to make the most of that relationship."

Mr Christie emerged as a Republican frontrunner after he gained praise for his emergency response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, our correspondent says.

But she adds that his reputation took a hit last year when it was alleged his aides had intentionally caused traffic chaos on a New Jersey bridge, just to spite another politician.

On Friday, Mitt Romney, the Republican beaten by President Barack Obama in the US 2012 election, announced that he would not run for president again.

The move frees up donors to support other Republican candidates.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Rand Paul are among those who are considering a White House bid.

On the Democratic side, the presumed front-runner is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, although she has not made any announcement about campaigning.

Mrs Clinton previously sought the Democratic nomination in 2008, but lost out to Barack Obama.

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US growth slows in fourth quarter

30 January 2015 Last updated at 15:10

The world's largest economy expanded less than expected in the final three months of 2014 despite lower fuel prices boosting consumer confidence.

The US posted annualised growth of 2.6% for the fourth quarter - lower than the 3% projected by economists.

The figure was weaker than the 5% growth in the third quarter of 2014.

However, the dramatic slide in fuel prices in recent months has put more money in consumers' pockets and allowed them to spend more.

Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, rose by 4.3% in the fourth quarter - the fastest rise in nearly nine years - and higher than the 3.2% for the third quarter.

Fuel savings

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said: "It took us a while to get here, but I think the economy is finally off and running.

"We are seeing a number of positive developments. Businesses are hiring aggressively and the big drop in gas prices means that people have more money to spend on other items."

The near-60% slide in oil prices in the plast seven months has cut the price of petrol to about $2 per gallon, or the equivalent of £1.32 for 4.5 litres. That is little more than British drivers pay for just one litre of petrol.

The fall has saved Americans about $175bn, Mr Zandi said: "A big part of growth this year will be people spending their gas savings."

For 2014 as a whole, the economy expanded by 2.4% - better than the 2.2% for the previous 12 months.

The report came two days after the Federal Reserve said the US economy was expanding at a "solid pace", but said it will "remain patient" in determining when to raise interest rates. The main rate has been held at close to zero since December 2008.

Weaker outlook

Some economists believe an increase could come in middle of the year, but Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said Friday's data could delay a rise until late this year or even early 2016.

He feared that the US economy was too reliant on consumer spending given that business investment fell by an annualised rate of 1.9% - the biggest decline since the second quarter of 2009. "Ideally, a sustainable economic upturn requires business spending to be rising alongside consumer expenditure."

"While Markit's Flash PMI survey data signalled a further robust expansion of private sector business activity in January, the latest reading was the second weakest for 11 months and points to GDP growth sliding to 2% in the first quarter," Mr Williamson added.

"Companies also reported the weakest monthly increase in new orders since the recession, suggesting the pace of economic growth could weaken even further in February."

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US rejects Guantanamo Bay demand

30 January 2015 Last updated at 13:55

The US says it will not hand back the Guantanamo Bay naval base as part of efforts to improve relations with Cuba.

Cuban President Raul Castro included the demand in a speech on Wednesday, calling also for the US trade embargo to be lifted.

US President Barack Obama "does believe that the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed down... but not the naval base", the White House said.

The land on which the base stands was leased to the US by Cuba in 1903.

The Cuban government which came to power in the revolution of 1959 has long demanded its return, saying it is a violation of international law, but the US points to a legal provision making the lease permanent unless it is terminated by mutual agreement.

Last month the two countries announced a thaw in relations, agreeing to restore diplomatic ties severed in 1961. Delegations have begun negotiating the re-establishment of embassies.

However in a speech on Wednesday, Mr Castro said: "The re-establishment of diplomatic relations is the start of a process of normalising bilateral relations.

"But this will not be possible while the blockade still exists, while they don't give back the territory illegally occupied by the Guantanamo naval base."

This condition was rejected by White House spokesman Josh Earnest in remarks to the media on Thursday.

He agreed that President Obama was seeking to shut the prison at Guantanamo Bay, as it "only serves as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda and other extremist organisations".

"But the naval base is not something that we believe should be closed," he said.

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Balloonists complete Pacific journey

1 February 2015 Last updated at 01:37

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Leonid Tiukhtyaev (L) and Troy Bradley (R) were ferried by boat to the Mexican shore

Two pilots in a helium balloon have completed their crossing of the Pacific with a sea-landing off Mexico, setting new milestones on a six-day trip.

American Troy Bradley and Russian Leonid Tiukhtyaev landed safely, their Two Eagles Balloon team said.

They claim to have beaten the world distance and duration records by flying for more than 137 hours and travelling more than 5,209 miles (8,383km).

To set the records the team needed to beat the existing records by 1%.

"The Two Eagles balloon team is pleased to report the Two Eagles balloon has landed safely just off the Baja coast near La Poza Grande," their team said in a statement.

"The pilots made a controlled descent to a gentle water landing about four miles off the Baja coast. The balloon is stable and still inflated and the pilots are fine."

The two pilots left Japan on Sunday and had aimed to land in Canada or the US. However, weather forced them to change course towards Mexico.

They were met in the sea by a Mexican fishing boat.

The statement stressed that the sea landing was acceptable "under the international rules governing the establishment of world records".

"Two around-the-world attempts using a different type of balloon landed in the water and were approved as records."

Closet-like space

The two pilots needed to beat the existing records - both set in 1981 - by 1%.

For duration that meant staying aloft for about 138 hours and 45 minutes, and for distance they needed to travel about 5,260 miles.

The Two Eagles Balloon team said the landing "occurred at six days, 16 hours and 37 minutes", with the pilots covering the distance of 6,646 miles.

Gas-air balloons are difficult to steer, relying on the differing wind speed and direction at different altitudes.

In order to change height the pilots have only a helium release valve to go down and sandbags to jettison to go up.

The hi-tech "Two Eagles" balloon is made of a strong Kevlar and carbon-fibre composite, but weighs only 220 pounds (100kg).

It is fitted with monitors and other instruments that track their course and compile data to be submitted to record-keepers.

The specially-designed capsule sits beneath a huge helium-filled envelope and is designed to stay aloft for up to 10 days. The pilots live in a closet-like space with a very low ceiling.

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Man missed lottery jackpot by seven seconds

29 January 2015 Last updated at 19:32

Canada's Supreme Court has said it will not hear the appeal of a Quebec man who missed a C$27m (£18m) lottery jackpot by seven seconds.

Joel Ifergan bought two tickets for the weekly lottery draw in 2008, but the second ticket with the winning numbers printed just after the deadline.

Mr Ifergan argued he should share the winnings as he bought both tickets before the cut-off.

He reportedly spent $100,000 in legal costs on the case.

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Joel Ifergan said he would continue to play the lottery

"I'm really disappointed in the decision, and it's not because it's about the money," Mr Ifergan told CTV News, saying Quebec's slower lottery machines were to blame.

"Had those tickets been bought anywhere else in Canada, I would have been a millionaire seven years ago."

The Montreal-area man had sued the province's lottery but has been rejected both in Quebec courts and now at Canada's highest court.

Another person also had the winning numbers for the week Mr Ifergan wanted to claim, so if his case had been successful, he would have shared the C$27m prize.

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Congress approves Keystone pipeline

29 January 2015 Last updated at 21:46

The US Senate has passed a bill to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, sending it to President Barack Obama's desk for a likely veto.

The 62-36 vote comes after weeks of debate and votes to amend the bill after the House approved it.

The 875-mile (1,400km) pipeline would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to the US state of Nebraska where it joins pipes running to Texas.

The White House has previously said Mr Obama will veto the bill.

Spokesman Josh Earnest said the legislation would undermine a "well-established" review process.

Congress would need two-thirds of each chamber of Congress to overcome a presidential veto.

The project has pitted Republicans and other supporters, who say it will create much needed jobs, against many Democrats and environmentalists, who warn the pipeline will add to carbon emissions and contribute to global warming.

Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell called the bill "an important accomplishment for the country".

"We are hoping the president upon reflection will agree to sign on to a bill that the State Department said could create up to 42,000 jobs and the State Department said creates little to no impact on the environment."

Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer called the bill "a disgrace".

"We tried on our side to make this a better bill and they turned us away."

Among the measures added the bill during the amendment process were energy efficiency measures, as well as on-the-record acknowledgement that climate change was not hoax.

The US president has been critical of the pipeline, saying at the end of last year it would primarily benefit Canadian oil firms and not contribute much to already dropping petrol prices.

A State Department report raised no major environmental objections in February, but the final recommendation was delayed amid a court battle over the project in Nebraska.

A final decision is expected in the upcoming weeks.

The state department is involved because the pipeline would cross an international border.

The Keystone XL pipeline aims to carry some 830,000 barrels of heavy crude a day from the fields in Alberta to Nebraska.

The oil would then be transported on existing pipes to refineries in Texas. The southern section of the project was finished last year.

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Suge Knight held over LA death

Marion "Suge" Knight has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a "fatal traffic incident", the Los Angeles County Sheriff says.

He is being held in West Hollywood on bail of $2m (£1.3m).

The record producer had earlier surrendered to police after he was declared a suspect in a hit-and-run incident where one man died.

Another man was injured and although he is currently in hospital, his condition is not yet known.

Around 15:00 (23:00 GMT) on Thursday, a man fitting Knight's description drove to a burger shop and began arguing with two people, said Lt John Corina of the LA County Sheriff's Department.

The driver then backed into one of the victims, before running them both over.

The Death Row Records founder is said to have left the scene in a red Ford pickup truck, the police said.

Knight, 49, was involved in an earlier fight with the pair at a different location, Lt Corina added.

One of the victims died in hospital, according to the Sheriff's Department statement - while the condition of the second victim, who was also taken to the hospital, has yet to be confirmed.

A lawyer for the rap music legend seemed to confirm Knight had been driving at the time, but claimed it was an accident and he was running away from attackers.

"He was in the process of being physically assaulted by two men and in an effort to escape he unfortunately hit two (other) individuals," James Blatt said.

"He was in his car trying to escape."

Knight founded Death Row Records in the 1990s, but later declared bankruptcy and the company was auctioned off.

He helped launch the careers of artists including Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.

Last August he was shot six times at a nightclub in Los Angeles. No arrests have been made.

In November, he pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge filed after a celebrity photographer accused him of stealing her camera in Beverly Hills.

He could face up to 30 years in prison because of previous convictions.

The music boss has previously been convicted of armed robbery and assault with a gun.

He has also served time for violating probation.

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Canadian PM seeks wider terror laws

30 January 2015 Last updated at 21:52

Encouraging terror attacks against Canada will become a crime under legislation proposed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The measure will also expand the powers of the country's spy agency, allowing it to take direct action to stop attacks.

Work began on the bill after two attacks days apart last year.

It is expected to be passed by Mr Harper's Conservative majority in Parliament.

Under current law it is a crime to make a specific threat. The new measure would make it crime to call for a terror attack against the country or Canadians generally, including online.

"We cannot tolerate this any more than we tolerate people that make jokes about bomb threats at airports," Mr Harper said.

"Anyone engaging in that kind of activity is going to face the full force of the law in the future."

The maximum prison sentence for those convicted under the new measure would be five years.

Among the critics of the bill are the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association which called the legislation "misguided" and said it would not make Canadians "any safer".

"We will be less free, less democratic and less likely to know who to keep an eye on," policy director Michael Vonn said, adding it was "likely unconstitutional".

Canada's two main opposition parties have said they have not decided whether to back the bill, the CBC reports.

The Canadian government promised the legislation after a gunman shot and killed a soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in October and then attacked Canada's Parliament Buildings nearby.

Two days before, a man, said to be inspired by the Islamic State group, ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, killing one and injuring the other before being shot to death.

Among the other changes in the bill

• anyone suspected of being involved in a terror plot may be detained without charge for up to seven days
• officials may remove material considered terrorist propaganda from any website
• Canada's spy agency may direct approach subjects and cancel travel reservations, with judicial approval

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US boy, three, shoots both parents

1 February 2015 Last updated at 12:25

A three-year-old American boy has shot his mother and father with the same bullet after pulling a gun from her handbag, police say.

The incident took place in a motel room on Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque in the state of New Mexico.

The toddler was apparently reaching for an iPod.

The bullet passed through his father's buttock and hit his mother, who is eight months pregnant, in the arm. Both parents are said to be recovering.

The boy's two-year-old sister, who was also in the room at the America's Best Value Inn, was unhurt.

'Traumatised'

Justin Reynolds told NBC News station KOB he and his girlfriend Monique Villescas were about to order a pizza when he heard the shot.

"The next minute I realised my girlfriend was bleeding. Then I sat down and realised I was shot too."

He called emergency services and tried to staunch Ms Villescas's bleeding with towels.

He said: "I was more worried about my girlfriend than myself and anything else that was going on. And my son because I didn't know if he had shot himself or not. He was shocked and crying. It was traumatising."

Mr Reynolds has been released from hospital and Ms Villescas is in a stable condition.

Albuquerque police said the district attorney's office would decide whether the parents would face negligence charges. The children have been taken into care.

In December a woman in the state of Idaho was killed after her two-year-old son accidentally shot her with a gun he found when reaching into her handbag in a Wal-Mart store.

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