California's pro-Russia congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, is one of four Republican incumbents in the state whose seats are still in danger of falling to Democratic opponents in the US House of Representatives as America's most populous state slowly counts its votes.

The outcome of those races - and how much they add to the Democrats' majority in the newly constituted House - may be uncertain for weeks to come because of mail-in and provisional balloting systems that California introduced in recent years to boost voter participation.

According to the latest projections by media outlets and data provider DDHQ, Democrats have achieved a net gain of 32 House seats nationwide.

California election results tallied as of Wednesday do not account for millions of outstanding ballots still to be processed statewide. Many were mailed by voters to local registrar offices by Tuesday's deadline but have yet to be delivered.

In Orange County alone, well over 400,0000 votes remained left to be counted, more than half of them mail-in ballots, according to data provided by the county registrar's office on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of provisional ballots for voters who waited until election day to register also are outstanding.

State returns on Wednesday showed Rohrabacher, a 13-term congressman in coastal Orange County in Southern California, trailing his Democratic challenger, Harley Rouda, a real estate entrepreneur and former Republican, by fewer than 3,000 votes - or 49.3 per cent to 50.7 per cent.

Rouda, whose lead improved slightly on Thursday to 51 per cent, versus 49 per cent for Rohracher, estimated that 70,000 ballots remained to be counted in the district.

Rouda said he was "cautiously optimistic" that "our lead will hold and in all likelihood will increase" when all votes are in, but said he would hold off on any announcements for at least several days.

The Rohrabacher campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Rohrabacher-Rouda race has stood out nationally in part because of the incumbent's reputation for unabashedly pro-Russian views, widely seen as once putting him on a short-list for consideration as President Donald Trump's Secretary of State.

Rohrabacher's seat is one of several held by a Republican in a California district that supported Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 presidential election or was otherwise seen as vulnerable to flipping Democrat.

That race and three others in the state where Democrats were seeking to pick up a Republican seat were either still in play or, as was the cases in two districts, leaning so heavily toward Democrats that they had claimed victory.

However, Republican incumbents appeared to have garnered comfortable leads in at least three other House races in Southern California that Democrats had viewed as up for grabs.

Among them was Duncan Hunter, who has pleaded not guilty to felony corruption charges but managed to defeat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former Obama administration aide of Mexican and Palestinian heritage.

No races will be certified for at least a month, the time election officials are given to complete their "official canvass" of all votes. They have until December 7 to report final results to the California secretary of state, who then will have another week to officially declare winners.

California's pro-Russia congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, is one of four Republican incumbents in the state whose seats are still in danger of falling to Democratic opponents in the US House of Representatives as America's most populous state slowly counts its votes.

California's pro-Russia congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, is one of four Republican incumbents in the state whose seats are still in danger of falling to Democratic opponents in the US House of Representatives as America's most populous state slowly counts its votes. The outcome of those races - and how much they add to the Democrats' majority in the newly constituted House - may be uncertain for weeks to come because of mail-in and provisional balloting systems that California introduced in recent years to boost voter participation. According to the latest projections by media outlets and data provider DDHQ, Democrats have achieved a net gain of 32 House seats nationwide. California election results tallied as of Wednesday do not account for millions of outstanding ballots still to be processed statewide. Many were mailed by voters to local registrar offices by Tuesday's deadline but have yet to be delivered. In Orange County alone, well over 400,0000 votes remained left to be counted, more than half of them mail-in ballots, according to data provided by the county registrar's office on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of provisional ballots for voters who waited until election day to register also are outstanding. State returns on Wednesday showed Rohrabacher, a 13-term congressman in coastal Orange County in Southern California, trailing his Democratic challenger, Harley Rouda, a real estate entrepreneur and former Republican, by fewer than 3,000 votes - or 49.3 per cent to 50.7 per cent. Rouda, whose lead improved slightly on Thursday to 51 per cent, versus 49 per cent for Rohracher, estimated that 70,000 ballots remained to be counted in the district. Rouda said he was "cautiously optimistic" that "our lead will hold and in all likelihood will increase" when all votes are in, but said he would hold off on any announcements for at least several days. The Rohrabacher campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Rohrabacher-Rouda race has stood out nationally in part because of the incumbent's reputation for unabashedly pro-Russian views, widely seen as once putting him on a short-list for consideration as President Donald Trump's Secretary of State. Rohrabacher's seat is one of several held by a Republican in a California district that supported Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 presidential election or was otherwise seen as vulnerable to flipping Democrat. That race and three others in the state where Democrats were seeking to pick up a Republican seat were either still in play or, as was the cases in two districts, leaning so heavily toward Democrats that they had claimed victory. However, Republican incumbents appeared to have garnered comfortable leads in at least three other House races in Southern California that Democrats had viewed as up for grabs. Among them was Duncan Hunter, who has pleaded not guilty to felony corruption charges but managed to defeat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former Obama administration aide of Mexican and Palestinian heritage. No races will be certified for at least a month, the time election officials are given to complete their "official canvass" of all votes. They have until December 7 to report final results to the California secretary of state, who then will have another week to officially declare winners.

Midterm polls: California House races hang in balance amid slow vote count

WION Gravitas: California wildfire destroys homes, hospitals; over thousands flee from homes

Watch: WION Fineprint, 9th November, 2018

A former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-shooting-suspect-david-long-was-a-decorated-marine-veteran-176285">US Marine combat veteran opened fire in a Los Angeles</a> area bar and dance hall filled with college students, killing 12 people in a mass shooting that stunned a bucolic Southern California community with a reputation for safety.

The gunman, identified by police as 28-year-old Ian David Long, was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound following the Wednesday night massacre at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, a suburb 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Los Angeles, law enforcement officials said.

Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles FBI office, said it was too early to speculate on the shooter`s motives but that he appeared to have acted alone.

"We will be sure to paint a picture of the state of mind of the subject and do our best to identify a motivation," Delacourt said, adding that the FBI would investigate any possible "radicalisation" or links to militant groups.&nbsp;

Long opened fire, seemingly at random, inside the Western-themed bar at about 11:30 p.m. PST (0730 GMT Thursday), using a .45 caliber Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said.&nbsp;

Long was in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013, reaching the rank of corporal and serving as a machine gunner in Afghanistan, and the sheriff said he may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Obviously, he had something going on in his head that would cause him to do something like this," Dean said.

Disturbance call

Dean told reporters that in April officers had gone to Long`s home in nearby Newbury Park, about 4 miles (6 km) from the bar to answer a disturbance call and found him agitated. Mental health specialists talked with Long and determined that no further action was necessary, the sheriff said.

"He was raving hell in the house, you know, kicking holes in the walls and stuff and one of the neighbours was concerned and called the police," Richard Berge, who lived one block away from the home, told Reuters. "They couldn’t get him to come out, so it was like a standoff for four or five hours."

Berge, who took care of Long’s mother’s dogs, said she told him following that incident she worried her son might take his own life but did not fear he would hurt her.

Dean said he had been told that 150 to 200 people were in the Borderline at the time Long opened fire, adding: "It could have been much, much worse."

Asked what the scene inside the bar was like, Dean said, "Like ... hell." Earlier he had described it as "a horrific scene in there. There is blood everywhere and the suspect is part of that."

The Ventura County Sheriff`s Department said 21 people had been treated for injuries and released at area hospitals.

Latest mass shooting

The massacre was the latest shooting rampage in the United States amid a fierce debate over gun control.

After a man fatally shot 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue last month, US President Donald Trump said their deaths could have been prevented if an armed guard had been stationed inside the temple.

Long shot an unarmed security guard outside the bar before going inside, where he fired on security staff, CNN reported.&nbsp;

Ventura County Sheriff`s Office Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran, was killed inside. He and a California Highway Patrol officer were the first to arrive at the bar just before 11:30 p.m. PST (0730 GMT) to confront the gunman.&nbsp;

Trump ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff at public buildings and grounds.

The Borderline is popular with students and was hosting a College Country Night at the time of the shooting. Nearby California Lutheran University cancelled classes on Thursday while Pepperdine University, about 20 miles away, planned a prayer service.

Cole Knapp, 19, was inside the bar when the shooting began and told Reuters he saw the gunman walk in and stop at the counter as if to pay a cover charge before he heard gunshots ring out and a young woman at the counter hit with multiple rounds.

"It took a couple of seconds for people to realize what was going on and once that happened it was just utter chaos," he said.

Knapp said he helped people hide behind a pool table and then fled outside, alerting people on an outdoor smoking patio and helping carry a victim to an ambulance.

Safe city

Thousand Oaks, a leafy, sprawling suburb of 127,000 people, was named the third safest city in the United States for 2018 by the Niche research company.&nbsp;

"I`ve learned it doesn`t matter what community you`re in," Dean said. "It doesn’t matter how safe your community is. It can happen anywhere."

In the hours after the shooting concerned family members gathered at a nearby teen centre waiting to learn the fate of loved ones.&nbsp;

Jason Coffman wept as he told reporters that his son, Cody, 22, was among the dead.

"Only him and I know how I love, how much I miss him," he said. "Oh, son, I love you so much."

Actress Tamera Mowry-Housley confirmed in a statement to ABC News that her niece, Alaina, was killed at the bar.&nbsp;

Among those outside the hospital was Ellen Rivera, who said she had survived the October 2017 slaughter of 58 people at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas - the worst mass shooting in US history.

A former US Marine combat veteran opened fire in a Los Angeles area bar and dance hall filled with college students, killing 12 people in a mass shooting that stunned a bucolic Southern California community with a reputation for safety.

A former US Marine combat veteran opened fire in a Los Angeles area bar and dance hall filled with college students, killing 12 people in a mass shooting that stunned a bucolic Southern California community with a reputation for safety. The gunman, identified by police as 28-year-old Ian David Long, was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound following the Wednesday night massacre at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, a suburb 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Los Angeles, law enforcement officials said. Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles FBI office, said it was too early to speculate on the shooter`s motives but that he appeared to have acted alone. "We will be sure to paint a picture of the state of mind of the subject and do our best to identify a motivation," Delacourt said, adding that the FBI would investigate any possible "radicalisation" or links to militant groups. Long opened fire, seemingly at random, inside the Western-themed bar at about 11:30 p.m. PST (0730 GMT Thursday), using a .45 caliber Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. Long was in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013, reaching the rank of corporal and serving as a machine gunner in Afghanistan, and the sheriff said he may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. "Obviously, he had something going on in his head that would cause him to do something like this," Dean said. Disturbance call Dean told reporters that in April officers had gone to Long`s home in nearby Newbury Park, about 4 miles (6 km) from the bar to answer a disturbance call and found him agitated. Mental health specialists talked with Long and determined that no further action was necessary, the sheriff said. "He was raving hell in the house, you know, kicking holes in the walls and stuff and one of the neighbours was concerned and called the police," Richard Berge, who lived one block away from the home, told Reuters. "They couldn’t get him to come out, so it was like a standoff for four or five hours." Berge, who took care of Long’s mother’s dogs, said she told him following that incident she worried her son might take his own life but did not fear he would hurt her. Dean said he had been told that 150 to 200 people were in the Borderline at the time Long opened fire, adding: "It could have been much, much worse." Asked what the scene inside the bar was like, Dean said, "Like ... hell." Earlier he had described it as "a horrific scene in there. There is blood everywhere and the suspect is part of that." The Ventura County Sheriff`s Department said 21 people had been treated for injuries and released at area hospitals. Latest mass shooting The massacre was the latest shooting rampage in the United States amid a fierce debate over gun control. After a man fatally shot 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue last month, US President Donald Trump said their deaths could have been prevented if an armed guard had been stationed inside the temple. Long shot an unarmed security guard outside the bar before going inside, where he fired on security staff, CNN reported. Ventura County Sheriff`s Office Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran, was killed inside. He and a California Highway Patrol officer were the first to arrive at the bar just before 11:30 p.m. PST (0730 GMT) to confront the gunman. Trump ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff at public buildings and grounds. The Borderline is popular with students and was hosting a College Country Night at the time of the shooting. Nearby California Lutheran University cancelled classes on Thursday while Pepperdine University, about 20 miles away, planned a prayer service. Cole Knapp, 19, was inside the bar when the shooting began and told Reuters he saw the gunman walk in and stop at the counter as if to pay a cover charge before he heard gunshots ring out and a young woman at the counter hit with multiple rounds. "It took a couple of seconds for people to realize what was going on and once that happened it was just utter chaos," he said. Knapp said he helped people hide behind a pool table and then fled outside, alerting people on an outdoor smoking patio and helping carry a victim to an ambulance. Safe city Thousand Oaks, a leafy, sprawling suburb of 127,000 people, was named the third safest city in the United States for 2018 by the Niche research company. "I`ve learned it doesn`t matter what community you`re in," Dean said. "It doesn’t matter how safe your community is. It can happen anywhere." In the hours after the shooting concerned family members gathered at a nearby teen centre waiting to learn the fate of loved ones. Jason Coffman wept as he told reporters that his son, Cody, 22, was among the dead. "Only him and I know how I love, how much I miss him," he said. "Oh, son, I love you so much." Actress Tamera Mowry-Housley confirmed in a statement to ABC News that her niece, Alaina, was killed at the bar. Among those outside the hospital was Ellen Rivera, who said she had survived the October 2017 slaughter of 58 people at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas - the worst mass shooting in US history.

Ex-Marine apparently acted alone in California bar shooting: FBI

Watch: WION Your Story, 9th November, 2018

Even as the South California city of Thousands Oaks reeled from a mass shooting in which a gunman killed 12 people in a bar packed with college students, a spreading wildfire forced thousands of people to flee their homes in a nearby area on Friday.

The fire broke out to the northeast of Thousand Oaks, a suburb 40 miles (64 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, on Thursday afternoon, forcing mandatory evacuations of 75,000 homes in communities in the area.

Evacuation centres were set up in Thousand Oaks, including a teen centre where during Thursday frantic parents waited for news of their children after Wednesday night's massacre at the Borderline Bar and Grill.

The FBI was seeking to build a profile of the gunman and discover a motive for the country's latest shooting rampage. Former US Marine combat veteran Ian David Long, 28, entered the bar and opened fire before apparently killing himself, law enforcement officials said.

California Lutheran University, which just the day before cancelled classes because many of its students frequented the Borderline bar, announced that although the school had not been ordered to evacuate, it would close Friday and was "monitoring the situation closely."

The fire was one of three fast-moving wildfires burning in California on Friday morning that had caused tens of thousands to flee. One of the blazes left the Northern Californian town of Paradise in ruins.

The massacre in Thousand Oaks was the latest U.S. shooting rampage and came less than two weeks after a man shot dead 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said it was too early to speculate on the shooter's motives but he appeared to have acted alone.

"We will be sure to paint a picture of the state of mind of the subject and do our best to identify a motivation," Delacourt said, adding the FBI would investigate any possible "radicalization" or links to militant groups.

Long fired seemingly at random inside the Western-themed bar with a .45 calibre Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said.

Long was in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013 and served as a machine gunner in Afghanistan. Dean said Long may have suffered from a post-traumatic stress disorder.

DISTURBANCE CALL

Officers went to Long's home in Newbury Park, about 4 miles (6 km) from the bar, in April to answer a disturbance call and found him agitated, Dean told reporters. Mental health specialists talked with Long and determined that no further action was necessary, the sheriff said.

"He was raving hell in the house, you know, kicking holes in the walls and stuff and one of the neighbours was concerned and called the police," Richard Berge, who lived one block away from the home, told Reuters.

Berge, who looked after Long’s mother’s dogs, said she told him following that incident she worried her son might take his own life but did not fear he would hurt her.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department said 21 people had been treated for injuries at area hospitals and released.

Ventura County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran, was killed during the shooting. He and a California Highway Patrol officer were the first to arrive to confront the gunman.

Thousand Oaks, a leafy, sprawling suburb of 127,000 people, was named the third safest city in the United States for 2018 by the Niche research company.

Jason Coffman wept as he told reporters that his son, Cody, 22, was among the dead.

"I know how I love, how much I miss him," he said. "Oh, son, I love you so much."

Even as the South California city of Thousands Oaks reeled from a mass shooting in which a gunman killed 12 people in a bar packed with college students, a spreading wildfire forced thousands of people to flee their homes in a nearby area on Friday.

Even as the South California city of Thousands Oaks reeled from a mass shooting in which a gunman killed 12 people in a bar packed with college students, a spreading wildfire forced thousands of people to flee their homes in a nearby area on Friday. The fire broke out to the northeast of Thousand Oaks, a suburb 40 miles (64 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, on Thursday afternoon, forcing mandatory evacuations of 75,000 homes in communities in the area. Evacuation centres were set up in Thousand Oaks, including a teen centre where during Thursday frantic parents waited for news of their children after Wednesday night's massacre at the Borderline Bar and Grill. The FBI was seeking to build a profile of the gunman and discover a motive for the country's latest shooting rampage. Former US Marine combat veteran Ian David Long, 28, entered the bar and opened fire before apparently killing himself, law enforcement officials said. California Lutheran University, which just the day before cancelled classes because many of its students frequented the Borderline bar, announced that although the school had not been ordered to evacuate, it would close Friday and was "monitoring the situation closely." The fire was one of three fast-moving wildfires burning in California on Friday morning that had caused tens of thousands to flee. One of the blazes left the Northern Californian town of Paradise in ruins. The massacre in Thousand Oaks was the latest U.S. shooting rampage and came less than two weeks after a man shot dead 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said it was too early to speculate on the shooter's motives but he appeared to have acted alone. "We will be sure to paint a picture of the state of mind of the subject and do our best to identify a motivation," Delacourt said, adding the FBI would investigate any possible "radicalization" or links to militant groups. Long fired seemingly at random inside the Western-themed bar with a .45 calibre Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. Long was in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013 and served as a machine gunner in Afghanistan. Dean said Long may have suffered from a post-traumatic stress disorder. DISTURBANCE CALL Officers went to Long's home in Newbury Park, about 4 miles (6 km) from the bar, in April to answer a disturbance call and found him agitated, Dean told reporters. Mental health specialists talked with Long and determined that no further action was necessary, the sheriff said. "He was raving hell in the house, you know, kicking holes in the walls and stuff and one of the neighbours was concerned and called the police," Richard Berge, who lived one block away from the home, told Reuters. Berge, who looked after Long’s mother’s dogs, said she told him following that incident she worried her son might take his own life but did not fear he would hurt her. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department said 21 people had been treated for injuries at area hospitals and released. Ventura County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran, was killed during the shooting. He and a California Highway Patrol officer were the first to arrive to confront the gunman. Thousand Oaks, a leafy, sprawling suburb of 127,000 people, was named the third safest city in the United States for 2018 by the Niche research company. Jason Coffman wept as he told reporters that his son, Cody, 22, was among the dead. "I know how I love, how much I miss him," he said. "Oh, son, I love you so much."

As California city reels from shooting, wildfires threaten

Wildfire devastates North California; 30,000 flee from their homes

University freshman Cole Knapp was talking with friends inside the Borderline Bar and Grill in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks when he saw a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-shooting-suspect-david-long-was-a-decorated-marine-veteran-176285">man dressed in black</a> reach towards the counter by the door as if he was paying his cover charge.

"I just kind of saw it in the corner of my eye and I heard a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-marine-apparently-acted-alone-in-california-bar-shooting-fbi-176302">gunshot</a> and I focused on him and I saw that he was holding a handgun and he continued to shoot at the girl at the front desk," Knapp, 19, told Reuters TV.

It was sometime after 11pm PST on Wednesday night when Ian David Long, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/at-least-6-injured-in-shooting-at-bar-in-thousand-oaks-california-176182">28-year-old former US Marine</a>, walked into the Western-themed bar on "College Country Night" and fired off round after round seemingly at random from his .45 caliber Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine.

Knapp, a student at nearby Moorpark College, ducked behind a pool table with a few other people, he said, even as some patrons kept line dancing, apparently unaware of the gunfire around them.

He bolted toward an exit onto a smoking patio, filled with more people who hadn`t heard the gunshots over the loud music "and I told them get over that fence and just run."

A SWAT team from the Ventura County Sherrif's Department, arrived within minutes, along with the FBI and other officers to find the bar strewn with bodies, survivors huddling in terror, and others desperately trying to get out.

"They found people hiding in restrooms, people hiding in attics," Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. Other witnesses described people using bar stools to break windows and escape.

Alexis Tait, 23, said she heard what sounded like firecrackers going off until she saw her friend Kristina Kaylee Morisette fall to the floor - one of a dozen people the gunman killed.

Tait, who says she's a regular at the bar, then saw people huddled by a mirror and window and fled there.

“We were all bodies on top of each other and as soon as we saw him (the shooter) walk ... into the other part of the bar, everyone bolted as fast as they could to get out,” Tait said.

Tait said she also saw people break windows with bar stools and jump out.

“We all just trampled and tried to get out,” Tait said. “All we could think about was like we need to get out.”

University freshman Cole Knapp was talking with friends inside the Borderline Bar and Grill in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks when he saw a man dressed in black reach towards the counter by the door as if he was paying his cover charge.

University freshman Cole Knapp was talking with friends inside the Borderline Bar and Grill in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks when he saw a man dressed in black reach towards the counter by the door as if he was paying his cover charge. "I just kind of saw it in the corner of my eye and I heard a gunshot and I focused on him and I saw that he was holding a handgun and he continued to shoot at the girl at the front desk," Knapp, 19, told Reuters TV. It was sometime after 11pm PST on Wednesday night when Ian David Long, a 28-year-old former US Marine, walked into the Western-themed bar on "College Country Night" and fired off round after round seemingly at random from his .45 caliber Glock handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine. Knapp, a student at nearby Moorpark College, ducked behind a pool table with a few other people, he said, even as some patrons kept line dancing, apparently unaware of the gunfire around them. He bolted toward an exit onto a smoking patio, filled with more people who hadn`t heard the gunshots over the loud music "and I told them get over that fence and just run." A SWAT team from the Ventura County Sherrif's Department, arrived within minutes, along with the FBI and other officers to find the bar strewn with bodies, survivors huddling in terror, and others desperately trying to get out. "They found people hiding in restrooms, people hiding in attics," Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. Other witnesses described people using bar stools to break windows and escape. Alexis Tait, 23, said she heard what sounded like firecrackers going off until she saw her friend Kristina Kaylee Morisette fall to the floor - one of a dozen people the gunman killed. Tait, who says she's a regular at the bar, then saw people huddled by a mirror and window and fled there. “We were all bodies on top of each other and as soon as we saw him (the shooter) walk ... into the other part of the bar, everyone bolted as fast as they could to get out,” Tait said. Tait said she also saw people break windows with bar stools and jump out. “We all just trampled and tried to get out,” Tait said. “All we could think about was like we need to get out.”

'We all just trampled', California bar shooting survivor recalls

A fast-moving wildfire devastated a Northern California town of 26,000 people on Thursday with authorities unsure of the casualties as they struggled to contain 150-foot flames.

Driven by strong winds and dry conditions, the blaze dubbed the Camp Fire roared through the town of Paradise, about 85 miles (240 km) north of Sacramento, forcing the population to flee in a chaotic mass evacuation.

Fire ripped through residential areas and flames leapt from hospitals and schools, according to a Reuters witness, who saw a car dealership go up in flames on a street clogged with burned out vehicles and an abandoned police cruiser.

"The town is devastated, everything is destroyed," said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) spokesman Scott Maclean, who spent much of the day in Paradise. "There's nothing much left standing."

The town of Chico, population 93,000, could be next in the path of the wildfire, as flames were driven westward by 35-mile-per hour (56 km-per-hour) winds, said Butte County Fire Chief Darren Read.

"We have received reports of some fatalities. Those reports have not yet been verified," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told a news conference.

The fire was the fiercest of several wind-driven blazes across California on Thursday, during one of the state's worst years for wildfires.

"The whole town is burning," Bob Van Camp, a Paradise resident who escaped on his motorbike, told local TV channel Action News Now. "We had to ride through flames to get here," he said from the road between Paradise and Chico.

With the town located on a ridge and limited escape routes, traffic accidents turned roads into gridlock. Residents abandoned vehicles and ran from the flames carrying children and pets, officials said. One woman stuck in traffic went into labor, the Enterprise-Record newspaper reported.

"It's very chaotic. It’s a very bad fire,” Officer Ryan Lambert of the California Highway Patrol said of the evacuation.

The blaze began early on Thursday and had charred 20,000 acres (8,093 hectares) by 8pm (11.00pm ET), said Cal Fire spokesman Rick Carhart.

Rescuers used a bulldozer to push abandoned cars out the way to reach Feather River Hospital and evacuate patients as flames engulfed the building, Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter told reporters.

The hospital was totally destroyed, Mike Mangas, a spokesman for operator Dignity Health, told Action News Now.

Firefighting aircraft were unable to operate due to high winds, which were forecast to strengthen on Friday morning.

"The problem is the winds that pushed the fire so much, so fast," said Maclean, adding that it could be days before authorities knew the full extent of fatalities and destruction.

A fast-moving wildfire devastated a Northern California town of 26,000 people on Thursday with authorities unsure of the casualties as they struggled to contain 150-foot flames.

A fast-moving wildfire devastated a Northern California town of 26,000 people on Thursday with authorities unsure of the casualties as they struggled to contain 150-foot flames. Driven by strong winds and dry conditions, the blaze dubbed the Camp Fire roared through the town of Paradise, about 85 miles (240 km) north of Sacramento, forcing the population to flee in a chaotic mass evacuation. Fire ripped through residential areas and flames leapt from hospitals and schools, according to a Reuters witness, who saw a car dealership go up in flames on a street clogged with burned out vehicles and an abandoned police cruiser. "The town is devastated, everything is destroyed," said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) spokesman Scott Maclean, who spent much of the day in Paradise. "There's nothing much left standing." The town of Chico, population 93,000, could be next in the path of the wildfire, as flames were driven westward by 35-mile-per hour (56 km-per-hour) winds, said Butte County Fire Chief Darren Read. "We have received reports of some fatalities. Those reports have not yet been verified," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told a news conference. The fire was the fiercest of several wind-driven blazes across California on Thursday, during one of the state's worst years for wildfires. "The whole town is burning," Bob Van Camp, a Paradise resident who escaped on his motorbike, told local TV channel Action News Now. "We had to ride through flames to get here," he said from the road between Paradise and Chico. With the town located on a ridge and limited escape routes, traffic accidents turned roads into gridlock. Residents abandoned vehicles and ran from the flames carrying children and pets, officials said. One woman stuck in traffic went into labor, the Enterprise-Record newspaper reported. "It's very chaotic. It’s a very bad fire,” Officer Ryan Lambert of the California Highway Patrol said of the evacuation. The blaze began early on Thursday and had charred 20,000 acres (8,093 hectares) by 8pm (11.00pm ET), said Cal Fire spokesman Rick Carhart. Rescuers used a bulldozer to push abandoned cars out the way to reach Feather River Hospital and evacuate patients as flames engulfed the building, Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter told reporters. The hospital was totally destroyed, Mike Mangas, a spokesman for operator Dignity Health, told Action News Now. Firefighting aircraft were unable to operate due to high winds, which were forecast to strengthen on Friday morning. "The problem is the winds that pushed the fire so much, so fast," said Maclean, adding that it could be days before authorities knew the full extent of fatalities and destruction.

'Everything destroyed' as wildfire scorches Paradise in California

California shooting: 12 killed including a cop; several others injured

California bar shooting: 13 dead; gunman killed

Shooting at a bar in Southern California injures several; gunman killed

Twelve people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday night, media reports said.&nbsp;

The shooter is also dead inside the bar, authorities said.

Ventura County Sheriff's Office Sgt Eric Buchow told the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles that there were "multiple fatalities" in the shooting and the gunman was dead inside the crowded venue in the upscale residential suburb of Thousand Oaks.

Initial reports indicated that a man had opened fire with a semi-automatic gun at about 11.20 pm.

Officers said at least 30 shots had been fired, sending hundreds of panicking people toward the exits with some breaking windows to escape.

According to CNN reports, the bar is a few miles from California Lutheran University and is a popular spot for students on such nights. The western-style bar hosts theme nights such as country, salsa and swing dancing.

Thousand Oaks is in Ventura County, about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Twelve people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday night, media reports said. The shooter is also dead inside the bar, authorities said.

Twelve people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday night, media reports said. The shooter is also dead inside the bar, authorities said. Ventura County Sheriff's Office Sgt Eric Buchow told the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles that there were "multiple fatalities" in the shooting and the gunman was dead inside the crowded venue in the upscale residential suburb of Thousand Oaks. Initial reports indicated that a man had opened fire with a semi-automatic gun at about 11.20 pm. Officers said at least 30 shots had been fired, sending hundreds of panicking people toward the exits with some breaking windows to escape. According to CNN reports, the bar is a few miles from California Lutheran University and is a popular spot for students on such nights. The western-style bar hosts theme nights such as country, salsa and swing dancing. Thousand Oaks is in Ventura County, about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Video: At least 12 killed in California bar shooting; gunman dead

A gunman barged into a large, crowded Los Angeles-area country music bar and dance hall and opened fire late Wednesday, wounding at least 11 people including a police officer, US police said.

The venue in a quiet, upscale residential suburb was hosting an event for college students, with possibly several hundred young people in attendance, Captain Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff's office said.

Witnesses told CNN the attacker had a large handgun, wore a black trench coat and glasses and threw smoke grenades inside the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks.

Kuredjian said at around 0915 GMT that the shooter was still confined inside the premises, adding that he did not know if he had been subdued or shot.&nbsp;

TV footage showed SWAT teams surrounding the bar, with distraught revellers milling around and using their cell phones as lights from police cars flashed.

Holden Harrah, a young man who saw the incident, cried as he told CNN that a place where he goes every week to have fun with friends had been a scene of carnage.&nbsp;

"A gentleman walked in the front door and shot the girl that was behind the counter. I don't know if she is alive," he said.

Police who responded to reports of a shooting rushed to the scene and engaged the gunman, said Kuredjian.

A deputy sheriff is among the 11 wounded and the injury toll could rise, he added.

The Los Angeles Times quoted a law enforcement official as saying at least 30 shots had been fired.

An unnamed witness told the newspaper that someone ran into the bar around 11:30 pm and started shooting what looked to be a black pistol.

"He shot a lot, at least 30 times. I could still hear gunshots after everyone left," the Times quoted the man as saying.

A gunman barged into a large, crowded Los Angeles-area country music bar and dance hall and opened fire late Wednesday, wounding at least 11 people including a police officer, US police said.

A gunman barged into a large, crowded Los Angeles-area country music bar and dance hall and opened fire late Wednesday, wounding at least 11 people including a police officer, US police said. The venue in a quiet, upscale residential suburb was hosting an event for college students, with possibly several hundred young people in attendance, Captain Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff's office said. Witnesses told CNN the attacker had a large handgun, wore a black trench coat and glasses and threw smoke grenades inside the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. Kuredjian said at around 0915 GMT that the shooter was still confined inside the premises, adding that he did not know if he had been subdued or shot. TV footage showed SWAT teams surrounding the bar, with distraught revellers milling around and using their cell phones as lights from police cars flashed. Holden Harrah, a young man who saw the incident, cried as he told CNN that a place where he goes every week to have fun with friends had been a scene of carnage. "A gentleman walked in the front door and shot the girl that was behind the counter. I don't know if she is alive," he said. Police who responded to reports of a shooting rushed to the scene and engaged the gunman, said Kuredjian. A deputy sheriff is among the 11 wounded and the injury toll could rise, he added. The Los Angeles Times quoted a law enforcement official as saying at least 30 shots had been fired. An unnamed witness told the newspaper that someone ran into the bar around 11:30 pm and started shooting what looked to be a black pistol. "He shot a lot, at least 30 times. I could still hear gunshots after everyone left," the Times quoted the man as saying.

At least 11 injured in shooting at bar in Thousand Oaks, California

United States authorities said several people were injured following a shooting at a bar in Southern California on Wednesday night.

Los Angeles Times quoting police sources reported that at least 30 shots were fired at the Borderline Bar &amp; Grill in Thousand Oaks, which is about 40 miles west of Los Angeles.&nbsp;

The extent of the victim’s injuries is yet to be ascertained, according to a report.&nbsp;

The Times reports that there were multiple reports of shots fired and people hit. Law enforcement and emergency crews were flooding the scene.

Authorities urged the public to avoid the area.

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United States authorities said several people were injured following a shooting at a bar in Southern California on Wednesday night. Los Angeles Times quoting police sources reported that at least 30 shots were fired at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, which is about 40 miles west of Los Angeles.

United States authorities said several people were injured following a shooting at a bar in Southern California on Wednesday night. Los Angeles Times quoting police sources reported that at least 30 shots were fired at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, which is about 40 miles west of Los Angeles. The extent of the victim’s injuries is yet to be ascertained, according to a report. The Times reports that there were multiple reports of shots fired and people hit. Law enforcement and emergency crews were flooding the scene. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area. Authorities say multiple people were injured at a shooting at a bar in Southern California, US on Wednesday night, reports new agency AP — ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018 ×

Multiple injuries reported in shootout at Southern California bar

Exhaust from SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 launch lit up California's night sky on Sunday as it carried Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A into orbit.

The launch was the first to see SpaceX's reusable booster land in California, and SpaceX's 30th booster landing in total. Previous launches on the West Coast have seen SpaceX's boosters land on specialised drone barges.

Video obtained from Reuters showed the Falcon 9's contrails ripple across the California night sky.

SAOCOM 1A is the first of two Earth observation satellites operated by Argentina's space agency that will be used for agriculture and emergency management.

Exhaust from SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 launch lit up California's night sky on Sunday as it carried Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A into orbit. The launch was the first to see SpaceX's reusable booster land in California, and SpaceX's 30th booster landing in total.

Exhaust from SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 launch lit up California's night sky on Sunday as it carried Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A into orbit. The launch was the first to see SpaceX's reusable booster land in California, and SpaceX's 30th booster landing in total. Previous launches on the West Coast have seen SpaceX's boosters land on specialised drone barges. Video obtained from Reuters showed the Falcon 9's contrails ripple across the California night sky. SAOCOM 1A is the first of two Earth observation satellites operated by Argentina's space agency that will be used for agriculture and emergency management.

Watch: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch lights up California night sky, wow onlookers

By law, the United States government is responsible for conducting a census every 10 years to count all of the country's residents. But in the lead-up to the 2020 census, state and local leaders have made it clear they will not rely on the federal government to ensure an accurate count.

State governments, foundations and local governments are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to convince people to fill out their census forms, in what is likely to be the most expensive grassroots census campaign ever.

The stakes are high: Population data collected in the census not only serves to allocate congressional seats; it also determines how the federal government divides an estimated $800 billion each year for such things as public housing, highway construction, Head Start, Medicaid and Medicare. An undercount could cost states billions of dollars in federal revenue.

Some of the groups most likely to receive federal aid are also among those most often missed by the census. The Census Bureau's own analysis found that it undercounted young children by 4.6 per cent in the 2010 census and missed 1.1 per cent of renters (a category sometimes used as a proxy for low-income residents). Homeowners were over-enumerated by more than half-a-per cent.&nbsp;

States with large immigrant populations are particularly worried for 2020. They say they have seen widespread distrust of government among immigrants because of heightened immigration enforcement. And for the first time in 70 years, the Census Bureau intends to ask all people whether they are U.S. citizens, a question many worry will further suppress immigrant participation. More than two dozen states and cities are suing to get the question removed.

California has said it will spend $100 million on outreach, dwarfing the $2 million it spent on the 2010 census, when the state had a severe budget crisis, and the $25 million it spent in 2000. Salt Lake City has budgeted $80,000 to hire its first-ever census director. New York City has allocated $4.3 million, the first time it has formally budgeted for census outreach.

In addition to state and local governments, some 74 grant-makers nationwide have committed $30 million to census efforts.

Even so, government and nonprofit leaders across the country expressed doubt in interviews that money alone will be enough to coax wary populations to raise their hands.

“Certain communities,” said New York City Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson, “may just be too frightened to participate.”

'IT'S A TRICK'

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials has been running focus groups to identify effective ways of maximizing census participation. The group's chief executive, Arturo Vargas, said the citizenship question raised alarm bells in focus groups conducted with immigrants, and that participants said they had little confidence their data would be kept private.

They also worried about completing census forms online, another innovation of this year's census. “My mom is 61 years old and she’s not going to go on the computer,” said one focus group respondent. “She’ll think it’s a trick.”

NALEO’s research found that immigrants responded positively to messaging that cited their legal obligation to complete the census. Younger Latino men responded well to ads portraying the census as a way to defend their communities.

Traditional messaging emphasizing civic responsibility “ain’t gonna work,” said Allan Oliver, of the Santa Fe, N.M.-based Thornburg Foundation.

Many state and local officials expressed concern that the citizenship question in particular would depress participation. “Citizenship might be relevant to the federal government, but for those of us who run local governments, we have to treat the sewage,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer, whose county has appointed an advisory board to help boost participation. “I don’t know if it’s generated by a citizen or not.”

Los Angeles Census Director Maria de la Luz Garcia said the city's efforts have focused on practical concerns, including planning for computers at local libraries to perform double duty as kiosks for filling out census forms and preparing to include census reminders in city utility bills.

The bureau has said it can conduct the 2020 census more cheaply because, with online responses, it will be able to hire fewer enumerators than in 2010 and open fewer field offices.

But some local government officials say their constituents will need human contact and encouragement in this census more than ever.

Every person not counted will ultimately cost his or her state $19,500 over the next decade, a study by George Washington University’s Andrew Reamer estimated. California, for example, lost out on at least $1.5 billion of aid due to uncounted residents after the 2000 census, a PricewaterhouseCoopers study found.

FUNDERS CIRCLE&nbsp;

Philanthropic groups in 21 states so far have formed state-level census outreach efforts, in many cases for the first time.

In rural New Mexico, where getting an accurate count has always been difficult, a group led by the Thornburg Foundation and the Albuquerque Community Foundation are aiming to raise $600,000. In Minnesota, which has the nation's largest Somali population, foundations have designed a $4.8 million campaign, asking Minnesota’s government to chip in $1.25 million.

The foundation-led New York Counts 2020 coalition plans to raise $3 million, and is urging the state's government to pony up much more, citing California's example.

Ditas Katague, who oversees census outreach for California, said that even with the state's $100 million campaign, the task is difficult.

“We’re way ahead of where we were in 2000 and 2010,” Katague said. “But the feeling is that we’re behind.”

By law, the United States government is responsible for conducting a census every 10 years to count all of the country's residents. But in the lead-up to the 2020 census, state and local leaders have made it clear they will not rely on the federal government to ensure an accurate count.

By law, the United States government is responsible for conducting a census every 10 years to count all of the country's residents. But in the lead-up to the 2020 census, state and local leaders have made it clear they will not rely on the federal government to ensure an accurate count. State governments, foundations and local governments are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to convince people to fill out their census forms, in what is likely to be the most expensive grassroots census campaign ever. The stakes are high: Population data collected in the census not only serves to allocate congressional seats; it also determines how the federal government divides an estimated $800 billion each year for such things as public housing, highway construction, Head Start, Medicaid and Medicare. An undercount could cost states billions of dollars in federal revenue. Some of the groups most likely to receive federal aid are also among those most often missed by the census. The Census Bureau's own analysis found that it undercounted young children by 4.6 per cent in the 2010 census and missed 1.1 per cent of renters (a category sometimes used as a proxy for low-income residents). Homeowners were over-enumerated by more than half-a-per cent. States with large immigrant populations are particularly worried for 2020. They say they have seen widespread distrust of government among immigrants because of heightened immigration enforcement. And for the first time in 70 years, the Census Bureau intends to ask all people whether they are U.S. citizens, a question many worry will further suppress immigrant participation. More than two dozen states and cities are suing to get the question removed. California has said it will spend $100 million on outreach, dwarfing the $2 million it spent on the 2010 census, when the state had a severe budget crisis, and the $25 million it spent in 2000. Salt Lake City has budgeted $80,000 to hire its first-ever census director. New York City has allocated $4.3 million, the first time it has formally budgeted for census outreach. In addition to state and local governments, some 74 grant-makers nationwide have committed $30 million to census efforts. Even so, government and nonprofit leaders across the country expressed doubt in interviews that money alone will be enough to coax wary populations to raise their hands. “Certain communities,” said New York City Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson, “may just be too frightened to participate.” 'IT'S A TRICK' The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials has been running focus groups to identify effective ways of maximizing census participation. The group's chief executive, Arturo Vargas, said the citizenship question raised alarm bells in focus groups conducted with immigrants, and that participants said they had little confidence their data would be kept private. They also worried about completing census forms online, another innovation of this year's census. “My mom is 61 years old and she’s not going to go on the computer,” said one focus group respondent. “She’ll think it’s a trick.” NALEO’s research found that immigrants responded positively to messaging that cited their legal obligation to complete the census. Younger Latino men responded well to ads portraying the census as a way to defend their communities. Traditional messaging emphasizing civic responsibility “ain’t gonna work,” said Allan Oliver, of the Santa Fe, N.M.-based Thornburg Foundation. Many state and local officials expressed concern that the citizenship question in particular would depress participation. “Citizenship might be relevant to the federal government, but for those of us who run local governments, we have to treat the sewage,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer, whose county has appointed an advisory board to help boost participation. “I don’t know if it’s generated by a citizen or not.” Los Angeles Census Director Maria de la Luz Garcia said the city's efforts have focused on practical concerns, including planning for computers at local libraries to perform double duty as kiosks for filling out census forms and preparing to include census reminders in city utility bills. The bureau has said it can conduct the 2020 census more cheaply because, with online responses, it will be able to hire fewer enumerators than in 2010 and open fewer field offices. But some local government officials say their constituents will need human contact and encouragement in this census more than ever. Every person not counted will ultimately cost his or her state $19,500 over the next decade, a study by George Washington University’s Andrew Reamer estimated. California, for example, lost out on at least $1.5 billion of aid due to uncounted residents after the 2000 census, a PricewaterhouseCoopers study found. FUNDERS CIRCLE Philanthropic groups in 21 states so far have formed state-level census outreach efforts, in many cases for the first time. In rural New Mexico, where getting an accurate count has always been difficult, a group led by the Thornburg Foundation and the Albuquerque Community Foundation are aiming to raise $600,000. In Minnesota, which has the nation's largest Somali population, foundations have designed a $4.8 million campaign, asking Minnesota’s government to chip in $1.25 million. The foundation-led New York Counts 2020 coalition plans to raise $3 million, and is urging the state's government to pony up much more, citing California's example. Ditas Katague, who oversees census outreach for California, said that even with the state's $100 million campaign, the task is difficult. “We’re way ahead of where we were in 2000 and 2010,” Katague said. “But the feeling is that we’re behind.”

Worried about undercount, states and cities spend to promote 2020 census

A man who fled to California from Texas after being questioned in the disappearance of two Houston relatives was arrested on suspicion of bludgeoning seven men, three fatally, in a string of Los Angeles-area attacks on mostly homeless victims, police said on Tuesday.

Ramon Escobar, 47, faces three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder in a case that investigators plan to present to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday for formal charging, police said.

Los Angeles Police Department Captain William Hayes described Escobar as a "previously deported felon" who is originally from El Salvador and applied for and was possibly granted asylum in the United States.

Escobar spent five years in prison in Texas, from 1995 to 2000, on a burglary conviction, and was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal trespass in Texas during the past two years, Hayes told a news conference.

Six of Escobar's seven alleged victims in California were homeless men, all of them assaulted during the past three weeks. Three were attacked while sleeping on the streets of downtown Los Angeles and three others while asleep on the beach in the adjacent seaside town of Santa Monica.

Three surviving victims remained hospitalized - two in a coma. A third was on life support, police said.

All were bludgeoned in the head. A baseball bat recovered from Escobar's car and a pair of bolt-cutters found at the scene of one of the attacks were identified as the weapons Escobar used, Hayes said.

The police captain told reporters that Escobar was apparently homeless himself and that robbery appeared to be his motive for the attacks, which Hayes called "crimes of opportunity."

Surveillance video caught the suspect rummaging through some of the victims' belongings, police have said.

Asked about an unconfirmed report that Escobar may have gone off the medication he was taking for a mental illness, Hayes said: "Nobody in their right mind would do something as vicious as this, but it still doesn't take the criminal culpability away from it."

"He is a violent predator," Hayes added.

Escobar was jailed without bond following his arrest in Santa Monica on Monday shortly after the latest attack. It was not clear if he had an attorney yet.

Hayes said Escobar was already considered a "person of interest" by Houston police investigating the disappearance of two relatives he had been living within that city. The two family members, identified by the Los Angeles Times as an aunt and uncle, went missing in late August.

Police found the charred wreckage of his aunt's van days after the couple went missing, the newspaper reported.

Hayes said Escobar was questioned by Houston homicide detectives on August 30 before he "fled the state of Texas," traveling by car to Southern California and arriving in Los Angeles on September 5. The first attack of which he is suspected occurred three days later.

A man who fled to California from Texas after being questioned in the disappearance of two Houston relatives was arrested on suspicion of bludgeoning seven men, three fatally, in a string of Los Angeles-area attacks on mostly homeless victims, police said on Tuesday.

A man who fled to California from Texas after being questioned in the disappearance of two Houston relatives was arrested on suspicion of bludgeoning seven men, three fatally, in a string of Los Angeles-area attacks on mostly homeless victims, police said on Tuesday. Ramon Escobar, 47, faces three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder in a case that investigators plan to present to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday for formal charging, police said. Los Angeles Police Department Captain William Hayes described Escobar as a "previously deported felon" who is originally from El Salvador and applied for and was possibly granted asylum in the United States. Escobar spent five years in prison in Texas, from 1995 to 2000, on a burglary conviction, and was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal trespass in Texas during the past two years, Hayes told a news conference. Six of Escobar's seven alleged victims in California were homeless men, all of them assaulted during the past three weeks. Three were attacked while sleeping on the streets of downtown Los Angeles and three others while asleep on the beach in the adjacent seaside town of Santa Monica. Three surviving victims remained hospitalized - two in a coma. A third was on life support, police said. All were bludgeoned in the head. A baseball bat recovered from Escobar's car and a pair of bolt-cutters found at the scene of one of the attacks were identified as the weapons Escobar used, Hayes said. The police captain told reporters that Escobar was apparently homeless himself and that robbery appeared to be his motive for the attacks, which Hayes called "crimes of opportunity." Surveillance video caught the suspect rummaging through some of the victims' belongings, police have said. Asked about an unconfirmed report that Escobar may have gone off the medication he was taking for a mental illness, Hayes said: "Nobody in their right mind would do something as vicious as this, but it still doesn't take the criminal culpability away from it." "He is a violent predator," Hayes added. Escobar was jailed without bond following his arrest in Santa Monica on Monday shortly after the latest attack. It was not clear if he had an attorney yet. Hayes said Escobar was already considered a "person of interest" by Houston police investigating the disappearance of two relatives he had been living within that city. The two family members, identified by the Los Angeles Times as an aunt and uncle, went missing in late August. Police found the charred wreckage of his aunt's van days after the couple went missing, the newspaper reported. Hayes said Escobar was questioned by Houston homicide detectives on August 30 before he "fled the state of Texas," traveling by car to Southern California and arriving in Los Angeles on September 5. The first attack of which he is suspected occurred three days later.

Suspect arrested in bludgeoning of 7 California men, 3 of them fatal

The driver of a Tesla Model S crashed into a parked police vehicle in Laguna Beach, California on Tuesday. The driver said that the car was in "autopilot" mode at the time.&nbsp

No one was in the patrol car when the collision took place in the late morning, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a message.

The driver suffered minor injuries, Laguna Beach Sergeant Jim Cota said, who posted photos of the crash scene showing extensive damage to the front end of the Tesla and the rear side of the police vehicle.

"When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times," a Tesla spokeswoman said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn't make the car impervious to all accidents."

Autopilot is a semi-autonomous technology that the company says is a form of advanced cruise control. The driverless feature comes packaged as standard in all Tesla vehicles, which the automaker’s website describes as having “the hardware needed for full self-driving capability at a safety level substantially greater than that of a human driver”.

It is intended to match the speed of the car to surrounding traffic conditions, and use an enhanced vision processing system to navigate obstacles.&nbsp

The driver suffered minor injuries, Laguna Beach Sergeant Jim Cota said, who posted photos of the crash scene showing extensive damage to the front end of the Tesla and the rear side of the police vehicle

The driver of a Tesla Model S crashed into a parked police vehicle in Laguna Beach, California on Tuesday. The driver said that the car was in "autopilot" mode at the time. No one was in the patrol car when the collision took place in the late morning, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a message. The driver suffered minor injuries, Laguna Beach Sergeant Jim Cota said, who posted photos of the crash scene showing extensive damage to the front end of the Tesla and the rear side of the police vehicle. "When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times," a Tesla spokeswoman said in response to an AFP inquiry. "Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn't make the car impervious to all accidents." Autopilot is a semi-autonomous technology that the company says is a form of advanced cruise control. The driverless feature comes packaged as standard in all Tesla vehicles, which the automaker’s website describes as having “the hardware needed for full self-driving capability at a safety level substantially greater than that of a human driver”. It is intended to match the speed of the car to surrounding traffic conditions, and use an enhanced vision processing system to navigate obstacles.

Tesla hits parked California police vehicle; driver blames 'Autopilot'

The president of a top California university resigned Friday in the wake of a growing scandal over a former campus gynaecologist who stands accused of sexually abusing thousands of students over a period of decades.

CL&nbspMax Nikias' departure was announced in a letter by the board of trustees at the University of Southern California was facing multiple new lawsuits Friday over its alleged failure to act against the physician despite repeated complaints.

The women allege that George Tyndall, who left the university last year, used his position to abuse them repeatedly, conducting improper examinations and groping their breasts.

Rick J. Caruso, the board's chairman, wrote that it had "agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president."

"We have heard the message that something is broken and that urgent and profound actions are needed," he said.

"We will rebuild our culture to reflect an environment in which safety and transparency are of paramount importance, and to institute systemic change that will prevent this from occurring in the future."

The decision followed a call by two hundred professors demanding Nikias' resignation.

Two class actions meanwhile were submitted at the Los Angeles Superior Court Friday "on behalf of thousands of female students" who attended the school in Los Angeles and were allegedly sexually abused and illicitly photographed by Tyndall.

The complaints were filed by a team including Howard Janet, the lawyer who spearheaded a $190-million suit in 2014 against Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital and its physician Nikita Levy.

That settlement was reached on behalf of approximately 8,500 women whom Levy, who subsequently committed suicide, recorded using a camera hidden in a pen.

"As with the Hopkins case, this case centers on allegations of grossly improper pelvic exams that involved improper probing, at times without gloves, sexually charged remarks and illicit photographing of genitalia," said Janet.

"It appears that Dr. Tyndall, like Dr. Levy at Hopkins, violated the sacred trust between physicians and patients -– specifically the trust between male OB/GYNs and patients –- in a methodical and disturbing fashion by preying on young, unsuspecting women."

The case exploded last week after the Los Angeles Times published accounts from several current and former employees regarding Tyndall's behavior toward his mostly adolescent patients.

Widening scandal

The lawsuits allege that USC received repeated complaints from students and co-workers, but failed to take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, six former students were added to an existing lawsuit alleging that the university received complaints dating back to the early 1990s, but deliberately concealed Tyndall's abuse.

The group, described as "Jane Does 5-10," accuses USC of paying the doctor a substantial financial settlement to resign in an attempted cover-up following an internal investigation in 2016.

He eventually left in 2017 after USC concluded that he had violated anti-harassment policy by making repeated racially discriminatory and sexually inappropriate remarks to patients.

Since last week, more than 300 students have contacted a university hotline established to receive complaints and information about Tyndall.

"Sadly, the university and its board of trustees have not taken the necessary steps to determine who was responsible and hold them accountable," said John Manly, a lawyer for Jane Does 5-10.

Manly compared the Tyndall case to that against disgraced Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of molesting more than 300 women and girls and sentenced in January to up to 175 years.

Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Nassar, reminded her Twitter followers of her impact statement, which asked: "This is what it looks like when leaders don't do their job?"

"Well, this is what it looks like, again," tweeted Denhollander. "Standing with the survivors of USC. Professors, students, leaders, do what is RIGHT, IMMEDIATELY. Don't be the next MSU."

Friday's legal action follows the launch of four lawsuits submitted on May 21 over Tyndall's conduct.

The president of a top California university resigned Friday in the wake of a growing scandal over a former campus gynaecologist who stands accused of sexually abusing thousands of students over a period of decades

The president of a top California university resigned Friday in the wake of a growing scandal over a former campus gynaecologist who stands accused of sexually abusing thousands of students over a period of decades. CL&nbspMax Nikias' departure was announced in a letter by the board of trustees at the University of Southern California was facing multiple new lawsuits Friday over its alleged failure to act against the physician despite repeated complaints. The women allege that George Tyndall, who left the university last year, used his position to abuse them repeatedly, conducting improper examinations and groping their breasts. Rick J. Caruso, the board's chairman, wrote that it had "agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president." "We have heard the message that something is broken and that urgent and profound actions are needed," he said. "We will rebuild our culture to reflect an environment in which safety and transparency are of paramount importance, and to institute systemic change that will prevent this from occurring in the future." The decision followed a call by two hundred professors demanding Nikias' resignation. Two class actions meanwhile were submitted at the Los Angeles Superior Court Friday "on behalf of thousands of female students" who attended the school in Los Angeles and were allegedly sexually abused and illicitly photographed by Tyndall. The complaints were filed by a team including Howard Janet, the lawyer who spearheaded a $190-million suit in 2014 against Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital and its physician Nikita Levy. That settlement was reached on behalf of approximately 8,500 women whom Levy, who subsequently committed suicide, recorded using a camera hidden in a pen. "As with the Hopkins case, this case centers on allegations of grossly improper pelvic exams that involved improper probing, at times without gloves, sexually charged remarks and illicit photographing of genitalia," said Janet. "It appears that Dr. Tyndall, like Dr. Levy at Hopkins, violated the sacred trust between physicians and patients -– specifically the trust between male OB/GYNs and patients –- in a methodical and disturbing fashion by preying on young, unsuspecting women." The case exploded last week after the Los Angeles Times published accounts from several current and former employees regarding Tyndall's behavior toward his mostly adolescent patients. Widening scandal The lawsuits allege that USC received repeated complaints from students and co-workers, but failed to take appropriate action. Meanwhile, six former students were added to an existing lawsuit alleging that the university received complaints dating back to the early 1990s, but deliberately concealed Tyndall's abuse. The group, described as "Jane Does 5-10," accuses USC of paying the doctor a substantial financial settlement to resign in an attempted cover-up following an internal investigation in 2016. He eventually left in 2017 after USC concluded that he had violated anti-harassment policy by making repeated racially discriminatory and sexually inappropriate remarks to patients. Since last week, more than 300 students have contacted a university hotline established to receive complaints and information about Tyndall. "Sadly, the university and its board of trustees have not taken the necessary steps to determine who was responsible and hold them accountable," said John Manly, a lawyer for Jane Does 5-10. Manly compared the Tyndall case to that against disgraced Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of molesting more than 300 women and girls and sentenced in January to up to 175 years. Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Nassar, reminded her Twitter followers of her impact statement, which asked: "This is what it looks like when leaders don't do their job?" "Well, this is what it looks like, again," tweeted Denhollander. "Standing with the survivors of USC. Professors, students, leaders, do what is RIGHT, IMMEDIATELY. Don't be the next MSU." Friday's legal action follows the launch of four lawsuits submitted on May 21 over Tyndall's conduct.

California university president resigns as abuse scandal widens

Months before meeting the Queen for the first time and having a "cuppa" with her Majesty, Meghan Markle brushed up on tea drinking etiquette at a cottage near Los Angeles -- where she was apparently a natural.

"Well, she learned it all here," Edmund Fry, the British-born owner of Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, told AFP in an interview this week. "On a scale of one to 10, by the time she finished coming to us, I would say she would probably be a 9.5.

"But I have to say that because I want her to come back for the other half point."&nbsp

Fry said the California-born actress, who will marry Prince Harry this weekend, on several occasions visited the picturesque tea room -- decked out with all things British -- where she was given the inside track on tea drinking.

"She came with friends and was very relaxed and very much in control," he recalled.

Also read:&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-why-meghan-markles-sister-is-upset-with-her-130199">Why is Meghan Markle's sister upset with her?</a>

He said he shared some tips on the quintessential tea experience with the soon-to-be new member of the royal family, as she munched on traditional finger sandwiches and scones.

No slurping or dribbling 
"I do believe that I mentioned, as I always do, that the handle of the cup is always left at three o'clock of course ... and the spoon always needs to be left at six o'clock and 12 o'clock," said the 77-year-old, who dresses in tails and white gloves while serving and educating his customers.

He added that Markle seemed like a natural on her repeated visits and was unlikely to make any faux pas -- like slurping or using her napkin to blow her nose or wipe her glasses &nbsp-- while sipping tea with the Queen.

"I remember telling her one of the habits in this country is people tend to get much more palsy walsy with their cup ... and they move it in front of them," Fry said, raising his eyebrows in despair.&nbsp

"Maybe it's because they have a tendency to dribble, I'm not sure," he added.

"But this is not a good thing to do."

Another no-no he shared with Markle, he said, was changing the table setting.

"If you were at the palace, you wouldn't dream of moving the cutlery and the silver or the china away from the place where it should be," he said.

Traditional English scones served with tea should also be sliced sideways and topped with jam and clotted cream before each half is eaten separately, pleaded Fry, who looks like a character straight out of "Downton Abbey."

"You don't want to put the two halves together because it ends up looking like a quarter pound hamburger, and the last thing you want is people having cream come down their jowls," he said in his cut-glass British accent.&nbsp

And please, when drinking tea, refrain from slurping or clinking the cup with the spoon when stirring, he added.

As for crooking the little finger while holding the cup and saucer, Fry said that was optional.

"It's not wrong to have your finger in, but ladies tend to leave the pinky slightly crooked," he said.

Fry said he will be celebrating Harry and Meghan's nuptials on Saturday with a wedding party, and will always keep a table open for the newlyweds.

"She will always have a table here, and Harry of course," he said. "There will be the time when he wants real bacon and he'll come here for it."

Before having a 'cuppa' with her Majesty, Markle brushed up on tea-drinking etiquette at a cottage near Los Angeles — where she was apparently a natural

Months before meeting the Queen for the first time and having a "cuppa" with her Majesty, Meghan Markle brushed up on tea drinking etiquette at a cottage near Los Angeles -- where she was apparently a natural. "Well, she learned it all here," Edmund Fry, the British-born owner of Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, told AFP in an interview this week. "On a scale of one to 10, by the time she finished coming to us, I would say she would probably be a 9.5. "But I have to say that because I want her to come back for the other half point." Fry said the California-born actress, who will marry Prince Harry this weekend, on several occasions visited the picturesque tea room -- decked out with all things British -- where she was given the inside track on tea drinking. "She came with friends and was very relaxed and very much in control," he recalled. Also read: Why is Meghan Markle's sister upset with her? He said he shared some tips on the quintessential tea experience with the soon-to-be new member of the royal family, as she munched on traditional finger sandwiches and scones. No slurping or dribbling "I do believe that I mentioned, as I always do, that the handle of the cup is always left at three o'clock of course ... and the spoon always needs to be left at six o'clock and 12 o'clock," said the 77-year-old, who dresses in tails and white gloves while serving and educating his customers. He added that Markle seemed like a natural on her repeated visits and was unlikely to make any faux pas -- like slurping or using her napkin to blow her nose or wipe her glasses -- while sipping tea with the Queen. "I remember telling her one of the habits in this country is people tend to get much more palsy walsy with their cup ... and they move it in front of them," Fry said, raising his eyebrows in despair. "Maybe it's because they have a tendency to dribble, I'm not sure," he added. "But this is not a good thing to do." Another no-no he shared with Markle, he said, was changing the table setting. "If you were at the palace, you wouldn't dream of moving the cutlery and the silver or the china away from the place where it should be," he said. Traditional English scones served with tea should also be sliced sideways and topped with jam and clotted cream before each half is eaten separately, pleaded Fry, who looks like a character straight out of "Downton Abbey." "You don't want to put the two halves together because it ends up looking like a quarter pound hamburger, and the last thing you want is people having cream come down their jowls," he said in his cut-glass British accent. And please, when drinking tea, refrain from slurping or clinking the cup with the spoon when stirring, he added. As for crooking the little finger while holding the cup and saucer, Fry said that was optional. "It's not wrong to have your finger in, but ladies tend to leave the pinky slightly crooked," he said. Fry said he will be celebrating Harry and Meghan's nuptials on Saturday with a wedding party, and will always keep a table open for the newlyweds. "She will always have a table here, and Harry of course," he said. "There will be the time when he wants real bacon and he'll come here for it."

This is where Meghan Markle learned how to take tea with the Queen

A video footage of a man insulting a Muslim woman wearing Niqab in California coffee shop has gone viral on social media recently.

The video is recorded by the woman herself and has been seen by at least 1.6 million times on Twitter.

In video woman name Kathleen Amina Deady was asked by a man standing next to her in line "Is this Halloween or something?" to which Deady responds asked why he would say that. The unidentified man answers her that "because I want to".&nbsp

He then continues saying that he knows she is Muslim and that he does not "like" her religion.

"It says to kill me and I don't want to be killed by you, how's that?",he then asks.

The man and Deady then engage in back and forth during which she draws a comparison between the Bible and The Quran after which the man refuses to respond to her. She also tells him that he is aware that he committing hate speech.&nbsp

After the comments, the supervisor &nbsprefuses to serve the man &nbspas he says that he is "disrupting public place and being very racist."

An off-camera male voice can also be heard yelling at the man and asking him to leave the place.

The footage went viral on social media and has gathered support from people around the world.

The video was posted on Twitter on May 12 by a journalist name CJ Werleman.

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
"I'm a Muslim [woman]." 
 
"I know your religion and I don't want to be killed by you." 
 
This took place at a cafe in California yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/4WAWKcQDh8">pic.twitter.com/4WAWKcQDh8</a>
— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjwerleman/status/995336596781121536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

The video is recorded by the woman herself and has been seen by at least 1.6 million times on Twitter

A video footage of a man insulting a Muslim woman wearing Niqab in California coffee shop has gone viral on social media recently. The video is recorded by the woman herself and has been seen by at least 1.6 million times on Twitter. In video woman name Kathleen Amina Deady was asked by a man standing next to her in line "Is this Halloween or something?" to which Deady responds asked why he would say that. The unidentified man answers her that "because I want to". He then continues saying that he knows she is Muslim and that he does not "like" her religion. "It says to kill me and I don't want to be killed by you, how's that?",he then asks. The man and Deady then engage in back and forth during which she draws a comparison between the Bible and The Quran after which the man refuses to respond to her. She also tells him that he is aware that he committing hate speech. After the comments, the supervisor &nbsprefuses to serve the man &nbspas he says that he is "disrupting public place and being very racist." An off-camera male voice can also be heard yelling at the man and asking him to leave the place. The footage went viral on social media and has gathered support from people around the world. The video was posted on Twitter on May 12 by a journalist name CJ Werleman. "I'm a Muslim [woman]." "I know your religion and I don't want to be killed by you." This took place at a cafe in California yesterday. pic.twitter.com/4WAWKcQDh8 — CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) May 12, 2018 ×

Watch: Coffee place refuses to serve man insulting woman in Niqab

One victim was shot in the arm at a California high school on Friday morning and a suspect was detained, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

The suspect, described as a "male Hispanic juvenile" by the department on Twitter, was not identified. Police also said they had recovered one firearm from the scene at Highland High School in Palmdale, California, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Los Angeles.

It was not clear whether the suspect or the victim, who was in stable condition at a hospital, were students at the school.

In a statement, the school district's superintendent, Raul Maldonado, said, "It has been confirmed that earlier this morning, there was an active shooter on the Highland High School campus. Apparently, the person was already apprehended."

The department received multiple reports of an armed man around 7 a.m. at the school.

Sheriff's deputies also headed to a second school, Manzanita Elementary School, a few miles away after receiving reports around 7:30 a.m. that people thought they heard gunfire, Boese said.

The department said on Twitter that deputies searched the elementary school and had found no evidence of a crime as of around 8:30 a.m.

Palmdale, a city of about 160,000 people, boasts that it is the "aerospace capital of the United States." It is home to a U.S. Air Force aircraft manufacturing plant that includes production facilities operated by Boeing Co, Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp.

The suspect, described as a 'male Hispanic juvenile' by the LA County Sheriff's Department on Twitter, was not identified

One victim was shot in the arm at a California high school on Friday morning and a suspect was detained, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. The suspect, described as a "male Hispanic juvenile" by the department on Twitter, was not identified. Police also said they had recovered one firearm from the scene at Highland High School in Palmdale, California, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Los Angeles. It was not clear whether the suspect or the victim, who was in stable condition at a hospital, were students at the school. In a statement, the school district's superintendent, Raul Maldonado, said, "It has been confirmed that earlier this morning, there was an active shooter on the Highland High School campus. Apparently, the person was already apprehended." The department received multiple reports of an armed man around 7 a.m. at the school. Sheriff's deputies also headed to a second school, Manzanita Elementary School, a few miles away after receiving reports around 7:30 a.m. that people thought they heard gunfire, Boese said. The department said on Twitter that deputies searched the elementary school and had found no evidence of a crime as of around 8:30 a.m. Palmdale, a city of about 160,000 people, boasts that it is the "aerospace capital of the United States." It is home to a U.S. Air Force aircraft manufacturing plant that includes production facilities operated by Boeing Co, Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp.

California school shooting: 1 shot in the arm, suspect detained

An Atlas 5 rocket soared into space early on Saturday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, carrying NASA's first robotic lander designed for exploring the deep interior of another planet on its voyage to Mars.

The Mars InSight probe lifted off from the central California coast at 4:05 a.m.PDT, treating early-rising residents across a wide swath of the state to the luminous pre-dawn spectacle of the first US interplanetary spacecraft to be launched over the Pacific.

The lander will be carried aloft for NASA and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) atop a two-stage, 19-story Atlas 5 rocket from the fleet of United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co.

The payload will be released about 90 minutes after launch on a 301 million mile (484 million km) flight to Mars. It is due to reach its destination in six months, landing on a broad, smooth plain close to the planet's equator called the Elysium Planitia.

That will put InSight roughly 373 miles (600 km) from the 2012 landing site of the car-sized Mars rover Curiosity.

The new 800-pound (360-kg) spacecraft marks the 21st US-launched Martian exploration, dating to the Mariner fly-by missions of the 1960s. Nearly two dozen other Mars missions have been launched by other nations.

Once settled, the solar-powered InSight will spend two years - about one Martian year - plumbing the depths of the planet's interior for clues to how Mars took form and, by extension, the origins of the Earth and other rocky planets.

InSight's primary instrument is a French-built seismometer, designed to detect the slightest vibrations from "marsquakes" around the planet. The device, to be placed on the surface by the lander's robot arm, is so sensitive it can measure a seismic wave just one-half the radius of a hydrogen atom.

Scientists expect to see a dozen to 100 marsquakes over the course of the mission, producing data to help them deduce the depth, density and composition of the planet's core, the rocky mantle surrounding it and the outermost layer, the crust.

The Viking probes of the mid-1970s were equipped with seismometers, too, but they were bolted to the top of the landers, a design that proved largely ineffective.

Apollo missions to the moon brought seismometers to the lunar surface as well, detecting thousands of moonquakes and meteorite impacts. But InSight is expected to yield the first meaningful data on planetary seismic tremors beyond Earth.

InSight also will be fitted with a German-made drill to burrow as much as 16 feet (5 meters) underground, pulling behind it a rope-like thermal probe to measure heat flowing from inside the planet.

Meanwhile, a special transmitter on the lander will send radio signals back to Earth, tracking Mars' subtle rotational wobble to reveal the size of the planet's core and possibly whether it remains molten.

Hitching a ride aboard the same rocket that launches InSight will be a pair of miniature satellites called CubeSats, which will fly to Mars on their own paths behind the lander in a first deep-space test of that technology.

The Mars InSight probe lifted off from the central California coast at 4:05 a.m.PDT, treating early-rising residents across a wide swath of the state to the luminous pre-dawn spectacle of the first US interplanetary spacecraft to be launched over the Pacific

An Atlas 5 rocket soared into space early on Saturday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, carrying NASA's first robotic lander designed for exploring the deep interior of another planet on its voyage to Mars. The Mars InSight probe lifted off from the central California coast at 4:05 a.m.PDT, treating early-rising residents across a wide swath of the state to the luminous pre-dawn spectacle of the first US interplanetary spacecraft to be launched over the Pacific. The lander will be carried aloft for NASA and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) atop a two-stage, 19-story Atlas 5 rocket from the fleet of United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co. The payload will be released about 90 minutes after launch on a 301 million mile (484 million km) flight to Mars. It is due to reach its destination in six months, landing on a broad, smooth plain close to the planet's equator called the Elysium Planitia. That will put InSight roughly 373 miles (600 km) from the 2012 landing site of the car-sized Mars rover Curiosity. The new 800-pound (360-kg) spacecraft marks the 21st US-launched Martian exploration, dating to the Mariner fly-by missions of the 1960s. Nearly two dozen other Mars missions have been launched by other nations. Once settled, the solar-powered InSight will spend two years - about one Martian year - plumbing the depths of the planet's interior for clues to how Mars took form and, by extension, the origins of the Earth and other rocky planets. InSight's primary instrument is a French-built seismometer, designed to detect the slightest vibrations from "marsquakes" around the planet. The device, to be placed on the surface by the lander's robot arm, is so sensitive it can measure a seismic wave just one-half the radius of a hydrogen atom. Scientists expect to see a dozen to 100 marsquakes over the course of the mission, producing data to help them deduce the depth, density and composition of the planet's core, the rocky mantle surrounding it and the outermost layer, the crust. The Viking probes of the mid-1970s were equipped with seismometers, too, but they were bolted to the top of the landers, a design that proved largely ineffective. Apollo missions to the moon brought seismometers to the lunar surface as well, detecting thousands of moonquakes and meteorite impacts. But InSight is expected to yield the first meaningful data on planetary seismic tremors beyond Earth. InSight also will be fitted with a German-made drill to burrow as much as 16 feet (5 meters) underground, pulling behind it a rope-like thermal probe to measure heat flowing from inside the planet. Meanwhile, a special transmitter on the lander will send radio signals back to Earth, tracking Mars' subtle rotational wobble to reveal the size of the planet's core and possibly whether it remains molten. Hitching a ride aboard the same rocket that launches InSight will be a pair of miniature satellites called CubeSats, which will fly to Mars on their own paths behind the lander in a first deep-space test of that technology.

First NASA lander to study Mars' interior launches from California

An elderly former policeman has been arrested and charged with eight murders attributed to the Golden State Killer, a serial criminal responsible for dozens of rapes and slayings that terrorized parts of California during the 1970s and 1980s, authorities said on Wednesday.

The suspect was identified at a Sacramento news conference as Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, in a case officials said was finally solved by DNA evidence about two months after gaining renewed attention in the bestselling book, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark."

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones credited the book with helping to generate new tips but said no information was "extracted from that book that directly led to the apprehension."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has previously said that the man sought in the 40-year-old case was tied to 12 slayings, 45 rapes and more than 120 burglaries in and around Sacramento, the eastern San Francisco Bay area and Southern California.

The crime spree spanned 10 California counties in all, said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who recalled she was 12 in 1976 when a wave of violent home invasions shattered a "time of innocence" in which area residents routinely left their doors unlocked.

The suspect, also dubbed by investigators as the "East Area Rapist" and the "Original Night Stalker," is considered one of the state's most prolific serial killers, the FBI said.

"Finally, after all these years, the haunting question of who committed these terrible crimes has been put to rest," Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters.

DeAngelo was living in the Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights when arrested on Tuesday. He had been under surveillance for a few days and was taken into custody without incident as he emerged from his house, Jones said, adding that the suspect appeared "surprised" when confronted.

He is due to be arraigned in Sacramento, the state capital, on Friday.

Jones said DeAngelo was an officer in two small-town California police departments during the 1970s - Exeter and Auburn. DeAngelo was fired from the Auburn force in 1979, Jones said, after being accused of shoplifting a hammer and dog repellent from a store.

Authorities had long speculated the killer had some military or law enforcement training because of his proficiency with firearms and ability to elude capture for so long.

Jones acknowledged that some of the earlier crimes were committed while DeAngelo was a policeman. But authorities said his name had never surfaced as a suspect prior to the latest break in the case, which they said came from a "discarded DNA sample" obtained by investigators.

Efforts to capture the killer were renewed in June 2016, when the FBI offered a $50,000 reward for the suspect, who was known for creeping into the homes of couples at night, tying them up and raping the woman before killing both victims.

Between 1976 and 1978, he committed a wave of burglaries, rapes and killings in the Sacramento area, then centred his attacks in the East Bay before moving on to Ventura and Orange counties to the south, according to the FBI.

He was formally charged in Sacramento County this week with two counts of murder for the February 1978 killings of Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, who were on an evening walk with their dog when they were chased down and slain in what became the first homicide linked to an earlier series of East Bay rapes. Two additional murder charges were filed in Ventura County and four more were brought in Orange County.

The killings were intensively explored in “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” published in February. Author Michelle McNamara died in 2016, and the book, which topped the New York Times bestsellers list, was finished by a writer hired by her husband, comedian-actor Patton Oswalt.

Oswalt, best known to television audiences from the hit CBS sitcom "King of Queens," said in a video posted on social media on Wednesday, "I think you got him, Michelle."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has previously said that the man sought in the 40-year-old case was tied to 12 slayings, 45 rapes and more than 120 burglaries

An elderly former policeman has been arrested and charged with eight murders attributed to the Golden State Killer, a serial criminal responsible for dozens of rapes and slayings that terrorized parts of California during the 1970s and 1980s, authorities said on Wednesday. The suspect was identified at a Sacramento news conference as Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, in a case officials said was finally solved by DNA evidence about two months after gaining renewed attention in the bestselling book, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark." Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones credited the book with helping to generate new tips but said no information was "extracted from that book that directly led to the apprehension." The Federal Bureau of Investigation has previously said that the man sought in the 40-year-old case was tied to 12 slayings, 45 rapes and more than 120 burglaries in and around Sacramento, the eastern San Francisco Bay area and Southern California. The crime spree spanned 10 California counties in all, said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who recalled she was 12 in 1976 when a wave of violent home invasions shattered a "time of innocence" in which area residents routinely left their doors unlocked. The suspect, also dubbed by investigators as the "East Area Rapist" and the "Original Night Stalker," is considered one of the state's most prolific serial killers, the FBI said. "Finally, after all these years, the haunting question of who committed these terrible crimes has been put to rest," Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters. DeAngelo was living in the Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights when arrested on Tuesday. He had been under surveillance for a few days and was taken into custody without incident as he emerged from his house, Jones said, adding that the suspect appeared "surprised" when confronted. He is due to be arraigned in Sacramento, the state capital, on Friday. Jones said DeAngelo was an officer in two small-town California police departments during the 1970s - Exeter and Auburn. DeAngelo was fired from the Auburn force in 1979, Jones said, after being accused of shoplifting a hammer and dog repellent from a store. Authorities had long speculated the killer had some military or law enforcement training because of his proficiency with firearms and ability to elude capture for so long. Jones acknowledged that some of the earlier crimes were committed while DeAngelo was a policeman. But authorities said his name had never surfaced as a suspect prior to the latest break in the case, which they said came from a "discarded DNA sample" obtained by investigators. Efforts to capture the killer were renewed in June 2016, when the FBI offered a $50,000 reward for the suspect, who was known for creeping into the homes of couples at night, tying them up and raping the woman before killing both victims. Between 1976 and 1978, he committed a wave of burglaries, rapes and killings in the Sacramento area, then centred his attacks in the East Bay before moving on to Ventura and Orange counties to the south, according to the FBI. He was formally charged in Sacramento County this week with two counts of murder for the February 1978 killings of Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, who were on an evening walk with their dog when they were chased down and slain in what became the first homicide linked to an earlier series of East Bay rapes. Two additional murder charges were filed in Ventura County and four more were brought in Orange County. The killings were intensively explored in “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” published in February. Author Michelle McNamara died in 2016, and the book, which topped the New York Times bestsellers list, was finished by a writer hired by her husband, comedian-actor Patton Oswalt. Oswalt, best known to television audiences from the hit CBS sitcom "King of Queens," said in a video posted on social media on Wednesday, "I think you got him, Michelle."

Ex-California policeman arrested in 'Golden State' serial killer case

According to reports, the woman attacker who opened fire at YouTube Headquarters near San Francisco earlier today had complaints about YouTube.

Reuters reports that the woman had previously "voiced complaints online about YouTube". &nbsp;

Local American media, citing unnamed sources, identified the woman as Nasim Aghdam.

San Bruno police officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the identity of the attacker.

The report suggests a website called NasimeSabz to have been linked to the attacker. The website contained several posts about "Persian culture and veganism, interspersed with screeds against YouTube".

Some of the complainants claimed that YouTube was not sharing enough revenue with those involved in generating video content for the company.

"There is no equal growth opportunity on YouTube or any other video-sharing site, your channel will grow if they want to," read one of the complaints on the website.

A YouTube account in the name of Nasime Sabz was deleted on Tuesday evening, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

YouTube spokeswoman Jessica Mason could not immediately be reached for comment on the identification by media.

The local police have not released the name or any other details of the culprit who shot herself after wounding four people no known connection to terrorism was established.

A leading American media house, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, said the suspect was 35 to 40 years old and lived in Southern California.

Last month, YouTube announced it would ban content promoting the sale of guns and gun accessories, as well as videos that teach how to make guns.

Female mass shooters are rare. A recent Washington Post analysis shows only three out of 150 US shootings with more than four victims since 1966 were done by women. In 2015, a husband and wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The report suggests a website called NasimeSabz to have been linked to the attacker

According to reports, the woman attacker who opened fire at YouTube Headquarters near San Francisco earlier today had complaints about YouTube. Reuters reports that the woman had previously "voiced complaints online about YouTube". Local American media, citing unnamed sources, identified the woman as Nasim Aghdam. San Bruno police officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the identity of the attacker. The report suggests a website called NasimeSabz to have been linked to the attacker. The website contained several posts about "Persian culture and veganism, interspersed with screeds against YouTube". Some of the complainants claimed that YouTube was not sharing enough revenue with those involved in generating video content for the company. "There is no equal growth opportunity on YouTube or any other video-sharing site, your channel will grow if they want to," read one of the complaints on the website. A YouTube account in the name of Nasime Sabz was deleted on Tuesday evening, Reuters reported. YouTube spokeswoman Jessica Mason could not immediately be reached for comment on the identification by media. The local police have not released the name or any other details of the culprit who shot herself after wounding four people no known connection to terrorism was established. A leading American media house, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, said the suspect was 35 to 40 years old and lived in Southern California. Last month, YouTube announced it would ban content promoting the sale of guns and gun accessories, as well as videos that teach how to make guns. Female mass shooters are rare. A recent Washington Post analysis shows only three out of 150 US shootings with more than four victims since 1966 were done by women. In 2015, a husband and wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California. (With inputs from Reuters)

Woman attacker had complaints about YouTube, lived in South California: Reports

Several Silicon Valley leaders called for increased gun control on Tuesday afternoon after a woman at the headquarters of YouTube shot and wounded three people before taking her own life.

Tech companies have largely avoided the topic of gun control in the United States, but they have previously pushed for progressive stances on other hot-topic issues, ranging from climate change to same-sex marriage and comprehensive immigration reform. At least three major chief executives took up gun control after the shooting.&nbsp;

“We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots,” tweeted Twitter Inc and Square Inc CEO Jack Dorsey. “It’s beyond time to evolve our policies.”

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We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots. It’s beyond time to evolve our policies. This is a simple and reasonable approach, and it won’t solve all, but it’s a good start: <a href="https://t.co/ADYalbaO57">https://t.co/ADYalbaO57</a> <a href="https://t.co/nbXpH9DDyT">https://t.co/nbXpH9DDyT</a>
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/981307599453700101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Joining Dorsey were Uber Technologies Inc CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Box Inc CEO Aaron Levie, who respectively sent tweets on Tuesday saying #EndGunViolence and #NeverAgain, two Twitter hashtags commonly used by proponents of gun control.

“On behalf of the team at @Uber, sending support to everyone @YouTube and @Google, and gratitude to the heroic first responders,” Khosrowshahi tweeted. “Another tragedy that should push us again to #EndGunViolence”

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On behalf of the team at <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Uber</a>, sending support to everyone <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTube</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a>, and gratitude to the heroic first responders. Another tragedy that should push us again to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndGunViolence?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndGunViolence</a>
— dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) <a href="https://twitter.com/dkhos/status/981300761039536128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Sundar Pichai and Susan Wojcicki, the CEOs of Google and YouTube respectively, also issued statements on Tuesday while avoiding the topic of gun control.&nbsp;

A woman opened fire at YouTube's headquarters near San Francisco on Tuesday. Three people were reported wounded after which the woman shot herself.&nbsp;

No further information about the woman, or her motives, was released by the police, however, senior law enforcement officials believe the motive behind the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, MSNBC and other media reported. Any possible links to terrorism have been ruled out by the local police.

The suspect is believed to be in her 30s. According to reports, she approached an outdoor patio and dining area on the YouTube campus around lunchtime and began to fire, before turning the gun on herself.&nbsp;

According to San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini, the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun.&nbsp;

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The weapon used in today’s shooting at YouTube headquarters in San Bruno was a handgun, according to San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/981321491689111552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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One of the victims, a 36-year-old man, was critically injured and was admitted to the San Francisco General Hospital. Another victim, a 32-year-old woman, was listed in serious condition and a 27-year-old woman was injured but was in fair condition. Authorities did not release names of the victims.

All three people were victims of gunshot wounds; none of them had undergone surgery. A fourth person was taken to a local hospital with an ankle injury from fleeing the scene.

US President Donald Trump condemned the incident and offered his prayers to those involved.&nbsp;

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved,” Trump tweeted. “Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.”&nbsp;

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Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube’s HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/981287536520847360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Google said on Twitter that it was coordinating with local authorities.

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Re: YouTube situation, we are coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available.
— Google Communications (@Google_Comms) <a href="https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/981267668350115840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey tweeted: "We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots. It’s beyond time to evolve our policies."&nbsp;

Google CEO Sundar Pichai released an official statement stating that the situation is "contained".

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Here is the note that <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundarpichai</a> just sent to Googlers worldwide. <a href="https://t.co/bdC6KeTl9c">pic.twitter.com/bdC6KeTl9c</a>
— Google Communications (@Google_Comms) <a href="https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/981314129725079553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"We are doing everything we can to support them (the victims) and their families at this time. I am grateful to everyone inside and outside the company for the outpouring of support and best wishes. I am especially thankful to the first responders and our own security team who acted so quickly to keep people safe," read the statement.&nbsp;

The shooting was the latest in an epidemic of mass killings that have plagued the United States in recent years. Most recently, the massacre of 17 people at a Florida high school has led to calls for tighter restrictions on gun ownership.

Last month, YouTube announced it would ban content promoting the sale of guns and gun accessories as well as videos that teach how to make guns.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The shooting was the latest in an epidemic of mass killings that have plagued the United States in recent years

Several Silicon Valley leaders called for increased gun control on Tuesday afternoon after a woman at the headquarters of YouTube shot and wounded three people before taking her own life. Tech companies have largely avoided the topic of gun control in the United States, but they have previously pushed for progressive stances on other hot-topic issues, ranging from climate change to same-sex marriage and comprehensive immigration reform. At least three major chief executives took up gun control after the shooting. “We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots,” tweeted Twitter Inc and Square Inc CEO Jack Dorsey. “It’s beyond time to evolve our policies.” We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots. It’s beyond time to evolve our policies. This is a simple and reasonable approach, and it won’t solve all, but it’s a good start: https://t.co/ADYalbaO57 https://t.co/nbXpH9DDyT — jack (@jack) April 3, 2018 × Joining Dorsey were Uber Technologies Inc CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Box Inc CEO Aaron Levie, who respectively sent tweets on Tuesday saying #EndGunViolence and #NeverAgain, two Twitter hashtags commonly used by proponents of gun control. “On behalf of the team at @Uber, sending support to everyone @YouTube and @Google, and gratitude to the heroic first responders,” Khosrowshahi tweeted. “Another tragedy that should push us again to #EndGunViolence” On behalf of the team at @Uber, sending support to everyone @YouTube and @Google, and gratitude to the heroic first responders. Another tragedy that should push us again to #EndGunViolence — dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) April 3, 2018 × Sundar Pichai and Susan Wojcicki, the CEOs of Google and YouTube respectively, also issued statements on Tuesday while avoiding the topic of gun control. A woman opened fire at YouTube's headquarters near San Francisco on Tuesday. Three people were reported wounded after which the woman shot herself. No further information about the woman, or her motives, was released by the police, however, senior law enforcement officials believe the motive behind the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, MSNBC and other media reported. Any possible links to terrorism have been ruled out by the local police. The suspect is believed to be in her 30s. According to reports, she approached an outdoor patio and dining area on the YouTube campus around lunchtime and began to fire, before turning the gun on herself. According to San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini, the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun. The weapon used in today’s shooting at YouTube headquarters in San Bruno was a handgun, according to San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 4, 2018 × One of the victims, a 36-year-old man, was critically injured and was admitted to the San Francisco General Hospital. Another victim, a 32-year-old woman, was listed in serious condition and a 27-year-old woman was injured but was in fair condition. Authorities did not release names of the victims. All three people were victims of gunshot wounds; none of them had undergone surgery. A fourth person was taken to a local hospital with an ankle injury from fleeing the scene. US President Donald Trump condemned the incident and offered his prayers to those involved. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved,” Trump tweeted. “Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.” Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube’s HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2018 × Google said on Twitter that it was coordinating with local authorities. Re: YouTube situation, we are coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available. — Google Communications (@Google_Comms) April 3, 2018 × Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey tweeted: "We can’t keep being reactive to this, thinking and praying it won’t happen again at our schools, jobs, or our community spots. It’s beyond time to evolve our policies." Google CEO Sundar Pichai released an official statement stating that the situation is "contained". Here is the note that @sundarpichai just sent to Googlers worldwide. pic.twitter.com/bdC6KeTl9c — Google Communications (@Google_Comms) April 3, 2018 × "We are doing everything we can to support them (the victims) and their families at this time. I am grateful to everyone inside and outside the company for the outpouring of support and best wishes. I am especially thankful to the first responders and our own security team who acted so quickly to keep people safe," read the statement. The shooting was the latest in an epidemic of mass killings that have plagued the United States in recent years. Most recently, the massacre of 17 people at a Florida high school has led to calls for tighter restrictions on gun ownership. Last month, YouTube announced it would ban content promoting the sale of guns and gun accessories as well as videos that teach how to make guns. (With inputs from Reuters)

YouTube headquarters shooting: Silicon Valley leaders call for stringent gun control

Marine Corps helicopter crashed on Tuesday in Southern California, leaving four presumably dead.&nbsp

The helicopter, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, crashed during a routine training mission when the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing went down.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The four crew members' identities have not been released yet pending 24 hours after notifying their families.

The name of the crew's squadron and the base from which it flew were also withheld by the Marine officials.

The CH-53E is largest and heaviest helicopter in the US military.&nbsp

The helicopter, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, crashed during a routine training mission when the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing went down

Marine Corps helicopter crashed on Tuesday in Southern California, leaving four presumably dead. The helicopter, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, crashed during a routine training mission when the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing went down. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The four crew members' identities have not been released yet pending 24 hours after notifying their families. The name of the crew's squadron and the base from which it flew were also withheld by the Marine officials. The CH-53E is largest and heaviest helicopter in the US military.

Marine helicopter crashes in California, 4 presumably dead

About 200 people demonstrated in Sacramento on Saturday to protest the fatal police shooting of Stephon Clark, in the latest of nearly two weeks of rallies since the unarmed black man was gunned down in his grandmother's yard.

Another vigil with about 150 people was held on Saturday night, and a protester was hit by a Sacramento sheriff's vehicle, according to a video posted on the internet and the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

The newspaper said the protester was taken to a hospital by the fire department and later released with bruises.

The sheriff's office said in a statement early on Sunday that protesters were yelling and kicking the patrol car. "The collision occurred while the patrol vehicle was travelling at slow speeds," it said.

The statement also said that the patrol car was damaged with dents and a shattered rear window from the protesters. The California Highway Patrol and the sheriff's office are investigating the incident.

Saturday's demonstration brought together a multi-racial crowd, many holding signs such as "Stop Police Rage" and "Power to the People". It was led by retired National Basketball Association player Matt Barnes, who grew up in the area and had two stints with the Sacramento Kings franchise.

The death of Clark, a 22-year-old father of two, was the latest in a string of killings of black men by police that have triggered street protests and fuelled a renewed national debate about bias in the U.S. criminal justice system.

"We're here today to raise awareness, to come together peacefully and to have some accountability for the officers, not only in Sacramento but across the country, who have been doing this," Barnes told the Sacramento Bee.

Some of Clark's relatives attended the gathering in a city plaza. It followed a more heated protest overnight, during which demonstrators yelled expletives at police clad in riot gear.

Clark was shot on the night of March 18 by police responding to a report that someone was breaking windows. Police said the officers feared he had a gun, but that he was later found to have been holding a cellphone.

Police have said he was moving towards officers in a menacing way. The shooting was captured on a body cam video released by police.

On Friday, an attorney for Clark's family released a private autopsy showing most of the eight bullets that hit Clark struck him in the back, contradicting the police version of events.

Clark was shot six times in the back, once in the side and once in the leg, said the attorney, Benjamin Crump.

"This independent autopsy affirms that Stephon was not a threat to police and was slain in another senseless police killing under increasingly questionable circumstances," Crump said.

The Sacramento Police Department said it would have no further comment until after the release of the findings of an official autopsy by the county coroner, and a review by state and local prosecutors.

In several days of sporadic protests, protesters have blocked traffic and twice delayed fans from reaching games played by the Kings at the Golden 1 Center.

Another vigil with about 150 people was held on Saturday night, and a protester was hit by a Sacramento sheriff's vehicle, according to a video posted on the internet and the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

About 200 people demonstrated in Sacramento on Saturday to protest the fatal police shooting of Stephon Clark, in the latest of nearly two weeks of rallies since the unarmed black man was gunned down in his grandmother's yard. Another vigil with about 150 people was held on Saturday night, and a protester was hit by a Sacramento sheriff's vehicle, according to a video posted on the internet and the Sacramento Bee newspaper. The newspaper said the protester was taken to a hospital by the fire department and later released with bruises. The sheriff's office said in a statement early on Sunday that protesters were yelling and kicking the patrol car. "The collision occurred while the patrol vehicle was travelling at slow speeds," it said. The statement also said that the patrol car was damaged with dents and a shattered rear window from the protesters. The California Highway Patrol and the sheriff's office are investigating the incident. Saturday's demonstration brought together a multi-racial crowd, many holding signs such as "Stop Police Rage" and "Power to the People". It was led by retired National Basketball Association player Matt Barnes, who grew up in the area and had two stints with the Sacramento Kings franchise. The death of Clark, a 22-year-old father of two, was the latest in a string of killings of black men by police that have triggered street protests and fuelled a renewed national debate about bias in the U.S. criminal justice system. "We're here today to raise awareness, to come together peacefully and to have some accountability for the officers, not only in Sacramento but across the country, who have been doing this," Barnes told the Sacramento Bee. Some of Clark's relatives attended the gathering in a city plaza. It followed a more heated protest overnight, during which demonstrators yelled expletives at police clad in riot gear. Clark was shot on the night of March 18 by police responding to a report that someone was breaking windows. Police said the officers feared he had a gun, but that he was later found to have been holding a cellphone. Police have said he was moving towards officers in a menacing way. The shooting was captured on a body cam video released by police. On Friday, an attorney for Clark's family released a private autopsy showing most of the eight bullets that hit Clark struck him in the back, contradicting the police version of events. Clark was shot six times in the back, once in the side and once in the leg, said the attorney, Benjamin Crump. "This independent autopsy affirms that Stephon was not a threat to police and was slain in another senseless police killing under increasingly questionable circumstances," Crump said. The Sacramento Police Department said it would have no further comment until after the release of the findings of an official autopsy by the county coroner, and a review by state and local prosecutors. In several days of sporadic protests, protesters have blocked traffic and twice delayed fans from reaching games played by the Kings at the Golden 1 Center.

Autopsy prompts more protests over killing of black man in California

President Donald Trump will raise about US $5 million for his prospective re-election campaign in 2020 and for the Republican National Committee at a fundraising event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, a party official said on Monday.

This is the first time in 14 months he will be visiting the populous state.Trump lost California by a two-to-one margin in 2016, worse than any modern Republican presidential nominee, and the state&rsquo;s political leaders have since led the nation in challenging Trump&rsquo;s policies on immigration, health care and the environment.

Trump will headline a fundraiser in Beverly Hills as part of what will be his first trip to California since he assumed the presidency in January 2017.

A party official said the $5 million will come from 90 people expected to attend the fundraiser. RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and finance chair Todd Ricketts will also attend.

Minimum contributions are $35,000, and guests can pay up to $250,000 each for a roundtable discussion and photo with the president, reports said.&nbsp;

The fundraiser will be hosted by &nbsp;Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, national finance chairman Todd Ricketts and deputy national finance chairman Elliott Broidy. 
&nbsp;

Trump will headline a fundraiser in Beverly Hills as part of what will be his first trip to California since he assumed the presidency in January 2017

President Donald Trump will raise about US $5 million for his prospective re-election campaign in 2020 and for the Republican National Committee at a fundraising event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, a party official said on Monday. This is the first time in 14 months he will be visiting the populous state.Trump lost California by a two-to-one margin in 2016, worse than any modern Republican presidential nominee, and the state’s political leaders have since led the nation in challenging Trump’s policies on immigration, health care and the environment. Trump will headline a fundraiser in Beverly Hills as part of what will be his first trip to California since he assumed the presidency in January 2017. A party official said the $5 million will come from 90 people expected to attend the fundraiser. RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and finance chair Todd Ricketts will also attend. Minimum contributions are $35,000, and guests can pay up to $250,000 each for a roundtable discussion and photo with the president, reports said. The fundraiser will be hosted by Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, national finance chairman Todd Ricketts and deputy national finance chairman Elliott Broidy.

Trump expected to raise US $5 million in California re-election

Three women and a gunman who held them hostage at a California veterans home were found dead late on Friday, bringing a tragic end to an all-day standoff with police at the sprawling facility, authorities said.

A state senator whose district includes the area, Bill Dodd, earlier told reporters that the gunman was a member of Pathway Home, a program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and that the hostages were believed to be employees of the facility.

&quot;This is a tragic piece of news we hoped not to share with the public,&quot; California Highway Patrol spokesman Chris Childs told reporters outside the sprawling facility in Yountville, a picturesque town located in the heart of Napa Valley&#39;s wine country about 60 miles (97 km) north of San Francisco.

The siege came less than a month after a former student with an assault-style rifle killed 17 people at a Florida high school. That massacre touched off a student-led drive for new restrictions on gun sales to curb mass shootings that have occurred with frightening frequency in the United States over the past few years.

The Veterans Home of California, which houses about 1,000 disabled and aging military veterans, is the largest facility of its kind in the United States. The Pathway Home is housed in a separate building on the campus.

The entire complex, its staff and residents were placed under a security lockdown during the siege.

The gunman walked into the Pathway Home building carrying a rifle during a going-away party for one of the employees, according to Larry Kamer, the husband of one of the program&#39;s administrators who said he spoke to his wife by telephone during the standoff.

Three women and a gunman who held them hostage at a California veterans home were found dead late on Friday, bringing a tragic end to an all-day standoff with police at the sprawling facility, authorities said

Three women and a gunman who held them hostage at a California veterans home were found dead late on Friday, bringing a tragic end to an all-day standoff with police at the sprawling facility, authorities said. A state senator whose district includes the area, Bill Dodd, earlier told reporters that the gunman was a member of Pathway Home, a program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and that the hostages were believed to be employees of the facility. "This is a tragic piece of news we hoped not to share with the public," California Highway Patrol spokesman Chris Childs told reporters outside the sprawling facility in Yountville, a picturesque town located in the heart of Napa Valley's wine country about 60 miles (97 km) north of San Francisco. The siege came less than a month after a former student with an assault-style rifle killed 17 people at a Florida high school. That massacre touched off a student-led drive for new restrictions on gun sales to curb mass shootings that have occurred with frightening frequency in the United States over the past few years. The Veterans Home of California, which houses about 1,000 disabled and aging military veterans, is the largest facility of its kind in the United States. The Pathway Home is housed in a separate building on the campus. The entire complex, its staff and residents were placed under a security lockdown during the siege. The gunman walked into the Pathway Home building carrying a rifle during a going-away party for one of the employees, according to Larry Kamer, the husband of one of the program's administrators who said he spoke to his wife by telephone during the standoff.

Gunman and three hostages found dead at California veterans home

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