Friday News Dump: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! And Other News

The trial of fugitive Chinese mogul Guo Wengui kicks off in New York Wednesday, as federal prosecutors prepare to lay out what they have called a “complex” conspiracy involving elaborate financial schemes, dozens of offshore accounts, and evidence translated from Mandarin. But the heart of the case is a simple and familiar American phenomenon: political grift—a confidence job in which a demagogic leader allegedly translated partisan passion into personal gain.

This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. US gas utilities are partnering with one of the nation’s most trusted nonprofits as part of a “cynical PR stunt” to combat efforts to curb fossil fuel usage, a Guardian investigation has found. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates have teamed up with at least four utilities across 10 states to build “zero-net energy homes,” which are meant to produce more energy than they use. The houses, which are sold at affordable rates to low-income families, are weatherized and meticulously insulated to boost efficiency and equipped with rooftop solar panels.

It’s a rare sight, and lamentable.

This tiny Arab nation has already bought much of Europe, and it is making inroads into America, too.

American taxpayers have spent considerable treasure to ensure that Yemenis didn’t starve and then had to spend another fortune providing protection against them.

Marco Rubio did a good job of tearing up the media's favorite questions on abortion and the 2020 election.