| Trump says NRA 'under siege' by New York investigation Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:37 PM PDT  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The National Rifle Association is "under siege," President Donald Trump said Monday in response to New York state's decision to investigate the organization's status as a tax-exempt nonprofit.
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| US Army veteran arrested for plotting LA mass attack Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:51 PM PDT  A US Army veteran who was allegedly plotting a large-scale terror attack near Los Angeles as revenge for the recent mass shootings in New Zealand has been arrested, authorities said Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, who had combat experience in Afghanistan and recently converted to Islam, faces federal terror-related charges for plotting mass casualties via a home-made bomb at a white nationalist rally in Long Beach this past weekend, officials said. "This was a case in which law enforcement was able to identify a man consumed with hate and bent on mass murder, and stop him before he could carry out his attack," US Attorney Nick Hanna told reporters.
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| Maduro ally Turkey berates Venezuelan opposition for uprising call Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:51 AM PDT  Turkey's government defended its ally President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela on Tuesday, saying opposition calls for a military uprising against him threatened the constitutional order. Opposition leader Juan Guaido urged the military to help oust Maduro and violence broke out at protests in a new crisis point after years of chaos and divisions. The United States is among some 50 countries recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's president and has imposed sanctions to try and dislodge Maduro whom they say rigged an election last year.
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| The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS In Photos Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:35 AM PDT |
| Bolton: ‘No Money Was Paid’ to North Korea Posted: 29 Apr 2019 09:12 AM PDT  National-security adviser John Bolton pushed back Sunday against reports that the U.S. may have paid North Korea $2 million for the medical care of Otto Warmbier.Asked by Fox host Chris Wallace whether any money "however it was disguised" was paid to North Korea, Bolton said no."Absolutely not, and I think that's the key point," he replied. "It's very clear to me from my looking into it in the past few days, no money was paid. That is clear."The former U.S. envoy to the United Nations did however acknowledge that North Korea appears to have asked for reimbursement for Warmbier's medical bills and said State Department envoy Joseph Yun signed a document pledging to pay them."It appears that they did," the national-security adviser said of the dictatorship's request. "This occurred before I came into the administration, but that's my understanding, yes,"Warmier, then a 21-year-old University of Virginia student, was arrested in North Korea in 2016 for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster from his hotel, and subsequently sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. He was returned to the U.S. in 2017 in a vegetative state and died several days later.Bolton said he "doesn't know the circumstances" of the document the State Department representative signed promising the U.S. would foot Warmbier's medical bills."I think when people leave government sometimes their recollection of things that happened inside tend to be a little bit different from what actually happened," he remarked.President Trump also pushed back on reports about a payment to North Korea."We did not pay money for our great Otto," he told reporters. "There was no money paid. There was a fake news report that money was paid."
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| Japan rings in new era as Naruhito becomes emperor Posted: 30 Apr 2019 08:14 AM PDT  A new era dawned in Japan on Wednesday as Naruhito officially became emperor at midnight following his father's historic abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest monarchy. The 59-year-old Naruhito will formally take possession of the sacred imperial regalia at a solemn ceremony later Wednesday but he became the 126th emperor at the stroke of midnight, ushering in the "Reiwa" imperial era. During a 10-minute ceremony in the Imperial Palace's elegant Room of Pine, he stopped to offer a hand to his wife of 60 years, Michiko, as she stepped down from the stage and poignantly paused before exiting the room, bowing deeply to the 300 invited guests.
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| Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:27 PM PDT ![Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike]( "Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike") NASA is conducting a drill this week to see how we'd prepare if a giant asteroid was hurtling toward the Earth.
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| Trump demands personal apology from New York Times after anti-semitic cartoon Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:38 PM PDT  Donald Trump has suggested that the New York Times should really apologise to him personally, after the newspaper issued an apology for printing an anti-semitic cartoon in its international editions.Mr Trump, a man who is known for his disparaging remarks of the media and the New York paper, said on Twitter that the news organisation's coverage of him has been slanted and damaging."The New York Times has apologised for the terrible Anti-Semitic Cartoon, but they haven't apologised to me for this or all of the Fake and Corrupt news they print on a daily basis. They have reached the lowest level of 'journalism,' and certainly a low point in @nytimes history!" he tweeted.The tweet followed after the paper printed a cartoon depicting Mr Trump as a blind man wearing a skull cap, and being led by a dog version of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The cartoon stirred fury internationally, and the paper was forced to issue a rare apology for printing the image.Mr Trump has fostered a tight working relationship with Mr Netanyahu since taking over the Oval Office just over two years ago, giving the Israeli leader several major victories that he has sought for yearsThat included pulling US involvement in the Iran nuclear agreement, and moving the US embassy to Israel into Jerusalem — a move that other presidents had notably refused.
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| The Latest: 7 Tennessee victims died of blunt force injuries Posted: 30 Apr 2019 02:53 PM PDT  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Latest on the investigation into seven people killed in rural Tennessee (all times local):
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| Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State group's elusive leader Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:26 PM PDT  Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in an IS propaganda video released Monday, remains the world's most wanted man, despite the jihadists' "caliphate" imploding weeks ago. After declaring himself caliph in 2014, Baghdadi held sway over seven million people across swathes of Syria and Iraq, where IS implemented its brutal version of Islamic law. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but the man said to be Baghdadi referred to last week's deadly attack in Sri Lanka and to the months-long fight for IS's final bastion Baghouz, which ended in late March.
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| Violence spills over in heart of Caracas as thousands answer Guaidó's call Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:59 PM PDT  Masked protesters bloodied from rubber bullets and one person hit by armored tank as clashes rock Venezuelan capital * Venezuela: clashes after Guaido urges uprising – liveA masked opposition protester in Caracas. As the afternoon wore on, protesters battled security forces, throwing stones and facing rubber bullets in response. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/ReutersThe first bloodshed was captured on camera at about midday, when an armoured vehicle belonging to Venezuelan security forces accelerated towards protesters scattering along a highway, bounced over the median – and then crumpled at least one person under its wheels.Violence seemed inevitable on a day when Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó attempted to launch a military uprising and popular protests in the name of democracy and freedom, to topple the government of Nicolás Maduro.The Venezuelan government has shot at protesters before, when dealing with less direct challenges to its authority.But despite the looming threat, thousands answered Guaido's call, joining a steady march down the long Avenue of Francisco Miranda that snakes through the capital, waving flags or wearing the national colours.Francisco Betancourt and Elizabeth Saavedra said they had told their son that it would be dangerous in Caracas on Tuesday – but then explained why they wanted him to join the protests with them."We wanted him to be here so that he could tell his children he took part in changing Venezuela, the day that it was transformed from a nightmare to a dream," Betancourt said. An hour later they were walking through the heart of Caracas, wearing red, yellow and blue.Betancourt added: "We hope that in the next 48 hours, Venezuela can finally offer a better future for our son and his children. We know it will be difficult to create a different Venezuela, but it's worth it."As the afternoon dragged on, masked protesters began battles with security forces, throwing stones and facing rubber bullets in response. At least one bus was set on fire.> We are the resistance in the streets. We are dying of hunger, our family members are leaving, they are dying> > Victor ZabalaVictor Zabala, 25, showed his back pockmarked with bruising and blood from the pellets. "We are the resistance in the streets," he said, vowing to stay at the protests. "We are dying of hunger, our family members are leaving, they are dying."Despite the violence, and a shortage of transport – the metro was closed, and public buses appeared to have vanished from the streets – a large crowd gathered in the central Plaza Altamira to hear Guaidó address supporters.The speech offered a moment of calm. Heavily armed defectors from the national guard stood on their cars, watching Guaidó as he promised non-violent change through "Operation Freedom".The country had woken to Guaido's video calling for an uprising, filmed in the pre-dawn light, and flanked by his political mentor, Leopoldo López who had been sprung from house arrest.By the time the sun had full risen, people in opposition strongholds were leaning out of their windows banging pans in a traditional cazerolazo protest as word spread of Guiadó's last-ditch gamble on change.There were fewer cars than usual on the streets, with schools and many businesses closed, but supporters headed towards the centre of town on foot and on motorbikes, in response to the summons.Protests soon spread to other cities, and online opposition supporters cheered a video from eastern Puerto Ordaz, which showed an armoured vehicle turn and lumber away from the crowd.In Caracas, hundreds of pro-government protesters also answered a call for support on the streets, after Maduro promised "nerves of steel", and his second-in-command, Diosdado Cabello, insisted Guaido's attempt to seize power would fail.At the presidential palace in Caracas, a few hundred Maduro supporters gathered, most of them public sector employees or members of the Bolivarian militia – a group set up under Hugo Chávez in which civilians receive military training to defend the revolution.Julian Rivero, 63, had hitchhiked in from Valles del Tuy, a commuter town about 40 minutes south-east of Caracas, carrying a bag of mangos that he said would keep him going through the day."I brought my breakfast, lunch and dinner with me because I'm going to stay and defend the revolution."He had nothing but scorn for the opposition. "That lot want there to be deaths to create chaos in the country, but we don't want that. We want peace. They are breaking Venezuela."Valentin Santana, the leader of one of many armed pro-government gangs known as colectivos, posted a video on social media in which he brandished an automatic rifle. "It's time to defend the revolution with arms," he said.Senior military officers were less visible but apparently equally supportive. There was no mass military defection, no commanders pledged support to Guaido, and no major installations came under opposition control.The unfolding challenge to Maduro's rule was also followed closely by many of the millions of Venezuelans who have fled their country as hyperinflation sped up, and food and medicine shortages deepened in recent years.Just beyond the border, in Cúcuta, Colombia, scores of military defectors loyal to Guaidó gathered early at the Simón Bolívar bridge to support the uprising.They were unarmed and chose not to wear uniforms "out of respect to Colombia", but said they were "awaiting orders from our president, Juan Guaidó". However hours later, with no word from Caracas, the group had largely dissipated.A steady trickle of Venezuelan military defectors have arrived to the Colombian border city of Cúcuta since February 23, when Guaidó attempted to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela.Colombian authorities estimate that up to 1000 of Venezuela's security forces have now fled their posts, after the opposition urged them to and promised amnesty.Many initially dreamed of crossing back into Venezuela as an army and assisting with overthrowing Maduro's government, but instead found themselves waiting for a command that – so far – has still not come.Additional reporting by Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá
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| Chase tried to motivate customers with lower bank balances. It backfired badly. Posted: 30 Apr 2019 12:42 PM PDT  Chase Bank tried to offer customers on Twitter some #MondayMotivation to save money. The backlash was so strong the banking giant deleted their tweet.
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| The 8chan Terrorists Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:30 AM PDT  The ancient hatred has migrated to the Internet.The San Diego synagogue shooter was self-radicalized on a right-wing message board on the website 8chan, posting before he went on his rampage a thank-you to the board's users: "What I've learned here is priceless."The attack, which killed one and injured three, came six months to the day after the shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue that killed eleven. The San Diego shooter declared the Pittsburgh shooter — also a creature of fringe internet culture — one of his heroes. Anti-Semitism is a millennia-old phenomenon, and anti-Jewish shootings in the U.S. aren't new either (several occurred while George W. Bush and Barack Obama were president).What's disturbing about the latest spate of violence is the common thread of white-nationalist ideology, propagated and readily available on the Internet and developing its own twisted culture of mass shootings. What happened two decades ago with the Columbine shooting — which set the predicate for years of copycat killers, each soaked in the iconography of Columbine and seeking his own moment of notoriety — is being replicated by a loose collection of sick racists.The San Diego shooter attested to how quickly he'd been prepped for mass murder by 8chan, where white nationalists push one another to undertake acts of violence that they call "real-life effort-posting." He said he never could have imagined killing even a few months ago, and that he planned the attack in four weeks. He explained that he was inspired by the Christchurch mosque shooter, who killed 50 in New Zealand and came from the same white-nationalist 8chan sewer. The San Diego shooter aped his hero by also posting a similar long manifesto to the site and attempting to livestream his crime.Today's Internet anti-Semitism is based on very old lies, at the bottom of which is the belief that the Jews are an alien, parasitic force conspiring against their host, in this case supposedly the white race. The San Diego shooter even cited a notorious lie dating from the 15th century that Jews had used the blood of a Christian boy to bake their Passover matzos.The addition the 8chan haters make to the anti-Semitic oeuvre is their very Internet in-jokes and memes, underscoring their rancid nihilism. Because everything must be about Donald Trump, the Left blames him for Pittsburgh and San Diego. His critics point to his shabby response to Charlottesville (Trump actually did condemn the white nationalists and neo-Nazis, but posited "fine people" on their side who didn't exist). Yet Trump was explicitly rejected by the San Diego and Pittsburgh shooters, precisely because he's so pro-Israel.His State of the Union address earlier this year was notably philo-Semitic. "We must never ignore the vile poison of anti-Semitism, or those who spread its venomous creed," he said while recognizing a hero of the Pittsburgh massacre. "With one voice, we must confront this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs."At the same time that an extreme fringe on the right marinates in its own malice, a different sort of anti-Semitism, rooted in hatred for Israel, is getting normalized on the left. It can be seen in the refusal of House Democrats to forthrightly condemn Representative Ilhan Omar for her anti-Semitic posts and comments, and in the astonishing publication by the international edition of the New York Times of a political cartoon worthy of Der Stürmer.It's not the 1930s again, but the elite atmosphere is becoming more hostile to Israel than it has been for many decades, and the physical threat to Jews is growing. According to news reports, the San Diego shooting might have been much worse if the Poway Chabad congregation hadn't recently practiced shooter drills, and other synagogues will have to take note. If the freaks on 8chan have anything to say about it, there will be a next time.© 2019 by King Features Syndicate
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| Measles cases in the U.S. just hit a 25-year record high. Here's what you need to know Posted: 29 Apr 2019 01:04 PM PDT  Should you get another vaccine? Can you still get measles if you're vaccinated? We answer all of your questions about the measles outbreak.
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| Appeals court denies Bill Cosby's latest bid for bail Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:55 AM PDT  A Pennsylvania appeals court has denied Bill Cosby's latest effort to be released from prison on bail while he appeals his sex-assault conviction.
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| Trump's subpoena stonewall is his most dangerous outrage yet. Why even have a Congress? Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:30 AM PDT  The Founders anticipated our historical moment. They created the House, with 'the people' on its side, to guard against a president like Donald Trump.
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| FBI says received vague tips ahead of deadly California synagogue shooting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:49 PM PDT  Police are investigating what motivated a 19-year-old suspect to open fire on the Chabad of Poway synagogue in suburban San Diego on Saturday, including whether to bring hate crime charges against the man who surrendered to police shortly after the attack. The FBI said it received tips about an online post referring to a potential attack that did not include "specific" information about the post's author or location. "The FBI thanks the alert citizens who saw and reported the post," the bureau said in a statement.
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| Experts: Human error may be cause of Seattle crane collapse Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:33 PM PDT  SEATTLE (AP) — Human error may have caused a crane collapse that killed four people and injured four others in Seattle over the weekend, experts said Monday.
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| Venezuela news: Protestors mowed down by armoured military truck Posted: 30 Apr 2019 10:25 AM PDT  Armoured National Guard vehicles have been seen driving into protesters on the streets of Caracas in what one observer has dubbed Venezuela's "Tiananmen Square" moment.Video broadcast on several networks around the world shows the vehicles appearing to run directly over protesters on different sections of a roadway, reportedly outside of the La Carolta air base in the Venezuelan capital.Protesters have taken to the street in the city after opposition leader Juan Guaido — who has international support form the United States — posted a video online calling of the "final phase" in his plan to ouster President Nicolas Maduro.As the protests continued throughout the day on Tuesday, gunshots were reportedly heard, drawing the attention of the international community.Mr Maduro, for his part, has called the demonstrations a "coup" that he says was planned in the United States.The US has announced its support for Mr Guaido, though it is not clear that the Tuesday demonstrations were actually planned in Washington.Mr Guaido's representative in Washington, Carlos Vecchio, said that the protests in Venezuela were "only the beginning", and that this "is an operation that is developing right now, you will see more events in the hours and days to come."
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| Fearing an Attack, Wounded Rabbi Said California Synagogue Relied on Armed Volunteers for Protection Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:04 PM PDT  "If funds were made available for houses of worship, that could have made a difference"
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| Suspected Russian spy, a beluga whale found with mysterious camera strap, lets people pet it Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:00 PM PDT  The beluga whale with suspected Russian military ties has become a local attraction in Norway. It's so tame, it reportedly comes when called.
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| Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed Posted: 29 Apr 2019 02:30 PM PDT ![Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed]( "Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed") FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia tech staffing company has apologized after an online job posting sought "preferably Caucasian" applicants.
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| Judge Napolitano says Trump attacked him 'to divert attention' from Mueller report Posted: 29 Apr 2019 11:23 AM PDT  The Fox News legal analyst stands by his claim that the Mueller report shows the president obstructed justice.
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| Accused California gunman pleads not guilty in synagogue murder, mosque arson Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:20 PM PDT  John Earnest, arrested shortly after Saturday's bloodshed at the Chabad of Poway synagogue north of San Diego, also pleaded not guilty to a single count of arson on a house of worship stemming from a nearby mosque that was set on fire in March. Appearing behind a glass partition for his arraignment in San Diego County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon, Earnest stood expressionless and spoke faintly as he gave one-word answers to procedural questions put to him by the judge. The lanky defendant - a nursing student enrolled at California State University at San Marcos - wore dark-rimmed glasses with his hair combed straight forward.
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| Dem. Rep. Scolds Pence for ‘Inciting Violence’ in Venezuela Posted: 30 Apr 2019 02:24 PM PDT  Representative Ro Khana (D., Calif.) chastised Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday for encouraging anti-government protesters in Venezuela in their efforts to overthrow socialist president Nicolás Maduro."The vice president shouldn't be interfering or inciting violence with Guaidó," Khana said during an interview on MSNBC, referring to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who called on his supporters to overthrow Maduro on Tuesday."What we should be doing is deferring to the Pope to have a negotiated settlement or Uruguay or Mexico," he continued. "It looks like the United States is inching into yet another bloody conflict and this is not going to be easy. Venezuela is one of the most armed nations in the world, 1.6 millions militias [sic]. The military appears divided between Maduro and Guaido and the question is: Is this the United States's role to get involved in yet another war overseas?"> The Vice President has no place inciting violence in Venezuela. We cannot allow ourselves to contribute toward a civil war abroad. Instead, this is the moment for diplomacy and restraint. pic.twitter.com/A4ZPTPbUDX> > -- Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) April 30, 2019Pence joined a number of senior Trump administration officials in voicing support for the anti-government protesters as they clashed with pro-government forces in the streets of Caracas on Tuesday.> To @jguaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios! FreeVenezuela> > -- Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 30, 2019As Khana noted, the loyalty of the Venezuelan military appears to be divided between Maduro and Guaido, leaving the fate of the nation uncertain.Pro-government forces have used mostly non-lethal means, including tear gas and rubber bullets, to put down the protests, but they have resorted to lethal violence in some circumstances. One video of the protests shows an armored vehicle accelerating into a crowd of anti-government protesters who breached a barrier near the La Carlota air-force base, where soldiers rebelled to join the opposition Tuesday morning.> ���� | REBELIÓN EN VENEZUELA: Tanquetas militares arrollan a grupo de manifestantes en Caracas: pic.twitter.com/BLirOAoFkP> > -- Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) April 30, 2019Guaido loyalists plan to take the streets again on Wednesday for what their leader has predicted will be "the largest march in Venezuela's history" and part of the "definitive phase" of his government takeover. Guaido, who declared himself interim president of the country earlier this year, has said he will hold new elections once Maduro is vanquished.
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| Boeing wins confidence of shareholders, prepares for key 737 MAX test flight Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:09 PM PDT  Boeing executives successfully beat back shareholder challenges to their authority on Monday as the company signaled it expects regulators to take a key step next week in the effort to get the 737 MAX back in the air following two deadly crashes. The aerospace giant, under scrutiny following the crashes that killed 346 passengers and crew and grounded the MAX worldwide, won a vote of confidence from its investors, even as company management faced tough questions over plane design and the possible missteps in getting the aircraft to market. Boeing expects the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a test flight by the end of next week of the software fix the company developed for the flight system on the 737 MAX, a company spokesman said Monday.
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| Medicare for All Would Also Be Expensive for All Posted: 30 Apr 2019 05:00 AM PDT  Most of the Democrats' proposals claim that they can reduce costs, but they cannot do so unless they take on two of the most sympathetic and powerful actors in the U.S. health care system: hospitals and physicians. Both of them are more likely to co-opt Medicare for All than to allow it to harm their interests. To get a sense of their influence, consider that only about 21 percent of U.S. health care costs are attributable to drug and insurance companies.
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| Kidnapping averted as 8-year-old 'hero' pulls sister from moving car, police say Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:52 AM PDT  An 8-year-old and his older sister jumped out of a moving vehicle that was being stolen with them inside, Ohio police say.
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| Battle of Winterfell: Why the Living Were Slaughtered (4 Ways It Could Have Been Avoided) Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:01 AM PDT  The Game of Thrones episode "The Long Night" features the last stand of a fantastical medieval army against an implacable horde of White Walker zombies led by the chilling undead Night King.It also showcases a series of terrible command decisions made by its protagonists, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, squandering their forces lives in poorly thought-out gambits.These episodes of military ineptitude may be one of the TV show's most believable attributes, reflecting real-world military disasters. As such, a battle featuring a zombie horde and fire-breathing dragons offer surprising insight into classic errors in battlefield command.Failing to Act Cohesively Against the Enemy's Center of GravityCarl von Clausewitz, the grandfather of modern Western military theory, wrote in On War that it was vital to identify and strike at the enemy's "center of gravity"—that is, "the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends."That 'center of gravity' varies based on the nature of the adversary—it could be an enemy capital, a charismatic leader, or a strategically-deployed army.
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| 9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties Posted: 29 Apr 2019 01:38 PM PDT ![9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties]( "9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties") Avoid the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty. If you withdraw money from your 401(k) account before age 59 1/2, you will need to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty, in addition to income tax, on the distribution. There are a couple of exceptions to the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty.
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| Impeach or investigate? Democrats see no reason to choose Posted: 29 Apr 2019 08:02 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Whatever happens next, don't call it impeachment.
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| Father, two brothers of suspected Sri Lanka bombings mastermind killed in gun battle Posted: 28 Apr 2019 07:51 PM PDT  Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim, who appear in a video circulating on social media calling for all-out war against non-believers, were among at least 15 killed in a fierce gun battle with the military on the east coast on Friday. Kamal Jayanathdhi, the officer in charge at Kalmunai police station on the east coast, confirmed the three men had died along with a child that appears in the video, and that the undated clip in which they discuss martyrdom, had been shot in the same house where the gun battle took place.
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| Pompeo: U.S. ‘Fully Supports’ Venezuelan Opposition’s Move to Topple Maduro Posted: 30 Apr 2019 08:38 AM PDT  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that the U.S. supports Operation Liberty, a new movement by Venezuela's civilian opposition to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro."Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad," Pompeo wrote in a tweet. "The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated."Guaidó, the opposition leader whom the U.S. recognizes as Venezuela's rightful head of state, was joined by recently released activist Leopoldo Lopez as they called on citizens in a video message to take to the streets to "consolidate the end of usurpation."> En el marco de nuestra constitución. Y por el cese definitivo de la usurpación. https://t.co/3RD2bnQhxt> > -- Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019"At this moment, I am with the main military units of our armed forces, starting the final phase of Operation Liberty. People of Venezuela, we will go to the street with the armed forces to continue taking the streets until we consolidate the end of usurpation, which is already irreversible," Guaidó said in the video."Operation Freedom has begun!" Guaidó told a crowd of supporters. "We're going to stand here together asking and demanding the military to join."Melees broke out in Caracas after Guaidó's call to action, and shots were heard as crowds of citizens carrying Venezuelan flags assembled outside the La Carlota air-force base near the city. There were reports of gunfire exchanges between the soldiers backing Guaidó and troops loyal to Maduro on the military base."Venezuelans have made clear that the current path toward democracy is irreversible," U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton wrote in a tweet. "Venezuela's military has a choice: embrace democracy, protect civilians and members of the democratically-elected National Assembly, or face more man-made suffering and isolation."
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| Experts warned '13 Reasons Why' could lead to suicides. A new study suggests they were right. Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:40 PM PDT  When the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why debuted in 2017, suicide prevention experts worried that the show's graphic depiction of suicide might make some vulnerable viewers more prone to increased suicidal thinking and behavior. A new study of the suicide rate following the show's debut suggests those concerns were more than justified. Researchers found that, among adolescents and teens, 195 additional suicides occurred in the nine months after Netflix released the first season of 13 Reasons Why. While the study, which was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, couldn't establish a causal link between the show and the increase, the researchers used approaches that helped them account for various factors that could affect the suicide rate. That included forecasting models to estimate suicide trends, controlling for seasonal variations in the suicide rate, and comparing the suicide and homicide rates, the latter of which is also influenced by social and environmental events. The study's analysis looked at the existing and anticipated trends for the suicide rate and found an unexpected spike after the show launched. The finding was limited to only 10- to 17-year-olds; there was no significant association for those 18 and older. A separate study published in 2017 found an association between 13 Reasons Why and a spike in internet searches about suicide and suicide methods. SEE ALSO: 'Am I depressed?': How teens can find mental health help onlineCritics who've questioned Netflix's decision to show the protagonist's suicide in detail point to research indicating that such portrayals can have a "contagion effect," leading to a temporary rise in the suicide rate. Published guidelines for the media are meant to help reduce this possibility by, in part, avoiding sensationalism. "I think that any media depiction of suicide should follow the recommended guidelines," said Jeff Bridge, the study's lead author and director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "The reason for that is to avoid any harm and, in particular, subsequent suicides."Netflix has occasionally resisted criticism of its creative decisions, with some of the show's staff and supporters arguing -- without scientific evidence -- that a gory depiction can raise awareness and act as a deterrent. In the wake of the controversy, one of the show's writers defended the portrayal in a column for Vanity Fair about how his own experience with suicide, and having seen the outcome of a failed attempt firsthand, convinced him not to take his own life. > When @netflix chose to release and promote a show about a teen who committed suicide, experts warned that it could to cause an increase in suicides especially among adolescents. Now, research finds that's exactly what happened. https://t.co/2HqDWqAxO8 pic.twitter.com/me1QMTDxSt> > -- zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) April 30, 2019In general, it took considerable outcry from experts, advocates, and viewers to persuade Netflix to include detailed content warnings at the beginning of each episode. For the second season of 13 Reasons Why, Netflix offered additional resources to help guide conversations about the show's difficult themes. The third season is currently in production. "This is a critically important topic and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," a spokesperson for Netflix told the New York Times. The streaming service is looking into the new study. In addition to the increased suicide rate amongst adolescents and teens, the study also found that boys were most affected. That may seem counter-intuitive given that the show's protagonist is a teenage girl, but suicide attempts made by boys and men are more frequently fatal than those made by girls and women. Though females are more likely to try to take their own lives, researchers did not have data on suicide attempt rates amongst girls during the study's time period. Bridge said future research could look into those patterns, in addition to better understanding the effect of binge-watching content like 13 Reasons Why on the developing adolescent and teenage brain. It's possible that older viewers weren't similarly affected by the show's depiction of suicide because they possess more mature reasoning or coping skills. Nicole Mavrides, medical director of the child psychiatry consultation service at the University of Miami Health System, said that while the new study should be taken with a "grain of salt" because it can't prove a causal connection between the show and higher suicide rate, it does provide clinicians like her with useful information. She and her colleagues actually noticed a spike in the number of adolescents and teens admitted to their department for suicidal behavior following the show's first season; they wondered at the time if the two events were related. Mavrides, who was not involved in the study, recommends that parents discuss 13 Reasons Why's themes with a child who's watched the show, and urges worried adults to ask kids and teens about whether they've had thoughts about suicide. Mavrides said the study is an important reminder for clinicians to also talk to parents and patients about the media they're consuming, particularly if that includes 13 Reasons Why. "This evidence does show us we need to be more cautious about what our kids and teenagers are watching," she said. If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Here is a list of international resources. WATCH: Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey to collaborate on new mental health series
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| American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:22 PM PDT ![American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again]( "American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again") Sabre, which handles reservations and other functions for major airlines, said it is "actively working to resolve'' the problem.
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| How to watch Facebook’s F8 2019 live stream Posted: 30 Apr 2019 09:30 AM PDT  It's not often that Facebook makes headlines for any of its achievements or advancements anymore, with new privacy concerns seemingly cropping up on a weekly basis, but its annual F8 developer conference is a great opportunity for the social media company to control the narrative -- at least for a few days.That's exactly what Mark Zuckerberg and co. will attempt to accomplish on Tuesday, as the conference kicks off with a keynote from the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. And if you want to watch it all live, you can do so by heading over to this page, where the stream can be found.Facebook actually spoiled one of the major announcements of the day in a blog post this morning, where it revealed its plans for the future of Messenger, including a desktop app for Windows and macOS, a lighter and faster version of the mobile app, and the ability to watch videos with your friends in real time. But that's likely just the tip of the iceberg for the announcements today, as Facebook's description of the event suggests:> 2019 marks Facebook's 10th F8. What started as an 8-hour hackathon has evolved into a 2-day event for developers, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world.> > There will be networking opportunities, deep-dive sessions and product demos that showcase the latest in AI, open source, AR/VR, developer programs as well as new tools across Facebook's family of apps to help build products and grow businesses.> > F8 2019 will celebrate our global developer community and highlight how technology can enable the best of what people can do together.F8 2019 begins on April 30th and ends on May 1st. If you want to know more about the conference, you can check the full schedule with all of the keynotes and sessions that will be taking place right here on F8.com.
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| 15-month-old dies after being bitten by family friend's Rottweiler Posted: 29 Apr 2019 04:01 AM PDT  A Las Vegas family is mourning the loss of a 15-month-old girl after she was bitten by a Rottweiler on Saturday.
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| NRA Re-Elects Embattled Leader Wayne LaPierre Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:48 PM PDT  The vote came Monday, following a weekend of drama in the group's highest ranks, including barb trading between LaPierre and North over allegations that LaPierre had engaged in self-dealing. The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed it is investigating the NRA's nonprofit status after the New Yorker published the allegations against LaPierre.
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| Thousands gather in Kabul for Afghan peace meeting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:04 AM PDT  Thousands of politicians and officials from across Afghanistan gathered amid tight security in Kabul Monday to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 3,000 people have been invited to the rare "loya jirga", which is being billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement. The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges.
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| View Photos of the 2020 Land Rover Defender Prototype Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:09 AM PDT |
| Venezuela's Guaido calls for uprising but military loyal to Maduro for now Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:42 PM PDT  Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday made his strongest call yet to the military to help him oust President Nicolas Maduro but there were no concrete signs of defection from the armed forces leadership. Early on Tuesday, several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally in Caracas, and large anti-government protests in the streets turned violent. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that "as we understand it" Maduro had been ready to depart for socialist ally Cuba, but had been persuaded to stay by Russia, which has also been a steadfast supporter.
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| Sri Lanka lifts social media ban imposed after Easter blasts Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:50 AM PDT  COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka on Tuesday lifted a social media ban that was imposed after the Islamic State-claimed Easter bombings, a sign of security easing even as a Cabinet minister said he and others had received intelligence that they could be targeted by the same group in possible new attacks.
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