| US won't waver from Iran pressure as nuclear deal unravels Posted: 08 Jul 2019 12:39 PM PDT  The United States will not waver from its course of maximum pressure against Iran, Vice President Mike Pence said Monday, as tensions rise and the U.S.-brokered nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers appears to be unraveling with the Trump administration's pullout. Pence's assertion to a pro-Israel Christian organization that the U.S. "will never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon" came on the same day that Iran began enriching uranium to 4.5 percent , breaking the limit set in the 2015 agreement sealed under President Barack Obama.
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| Bill Clinton: I Flew With Jeffrey Epstein but Knew ‘Nothing’ About ‘Terrible Crimes’ Posted: 08 Jul 2019 05:22 PM PDT  Leah Millis/ReutersFormer President Bill Clinton said Monday he knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein's "terrible crimes" and tried to downplay the time he spent on the billionaire's private plane.In a statement issued hours after Epstein was arraigned on a sex-trafficking indictment, Clinton said he took "a total of four trips" with the financier in 2002 and 2003—to Europe, Asia and Africa.It's not clear how many flights were involved in each trip or how that number would square with flight logs that reportedly show Clinton on 26 flights on Epstein's plane between 2001 and 2003. Gawker reported in 2015 that the logs also appear to show Clinton on a 2002 domestic flight between Miami and Westchester County, with Epstein also on board.Everything You Need to Know About the Jeffrey Epstein CaseIn his statement, Clinton said the trips included stops in connection with the Clinton Foundation and that he was accompanied by staff, foundation supporters and Secret Service agents on "every leg of every trip.""President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York," the statement said.The statement said Clinton made "one brief visit" to Epstein's apartment in New York—alongside a "staff member and his security detail"—in 2002. The two men also met at Clinton's Harlem office "around the same time" as the apartment visit, the statement said."He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade, and has never been to Little St. James Island, Epstein's ranch in New Mexico, or his residence in Florida," the statement read.The statement did not mention Clinton's financial ties to Epstein. As The Daily Beast reported, a former charity of Epstein's, the C.O.U.Q. Foundation, donated $25,000 to Bill and Hillary Clinton's charity in 2006 and was recently listed among past and present donors on the Clinton Foundation's website.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Mexican officials find 51 migrants in truck using giant X-ray Posted: 08 Jul 2019 12:17 PM PDT ![Mexican officials find 51 migrants in truck using giant X-ray]( "Mexican officials find 51 migrants in truck using giant X-ray") Mexican officials using a large X-ray scanner at a checkpoint in the central state of Zacatecas found 51 Central American migrants in hidden compartments inside a truck. Footage of the X-ray shows a ghost-like truck filled with the brightened silhouettes of the migrants, some sitting, others lying down along two levels in the crowded compartments. The migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Ecuador, 21 of whom were minors, are now in the custody of the country's National Migration Institute (INM), government officials said in a statement late on Sunday.
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| Second person accused of licking Blue Bell ice cream at store Posted: 09 Jul 2019 01:42 PM PDT ![Second person accused of licking Blue Bell ice cream at store]( "Second person accused of licking Blue Bell ice cream at store") Another apparent incident of someone licking ice cream at a store has surfaced. This time it's in Louisiana.
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| Swalwell becomes first major Democrat to drop out of 2020 race Posted: 08 Jul 2019 01:48 PM PDT  Rep. Eric Swalwell officially ended his presidential bid on Monday after failing to gain traction in a crowded Democratic primary.
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| Cruise ship in Venice near-miss weeks after dock incident Posted: 08 Jul 2019 03:27 AM PDT  A cruise ship narrowly missed a yacht while being towed out of Venice late Sunday, just a month after a collision there renewed the controversy over the giant vessels. The 12-deck Costa Deliziosa, which is nearly 300 metres (1,000 feet) long and carries more than 3,800 passengers and crew, was being towed out in stormy conditions when the near-miss happened. A video posted by a Venetian writer and artist, Roberto Ferrucci, on his website www.robertoferrucci.com showed the massive cruise ship passing very close to a moored yacht.
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| China vs. America in the South China Sea is a Missile Stand-Off. Who Would Win? Posted: 09 Jul 2019 12:46 AM PDT  The Chinese military lobbed anti-ship ballistic missiles into the South China Sea in tests in early July 2019.The missile trials underscored Beijing's increasing militarization of resource-rich waters on which several countries have conflicting claims."The Chinese carried out the first test over the weekend, firing off at least one missile into the sea," NBC News reported on July 1, 2019, citing a U.S. official with knowledge of the test."The window for testing remains open until July 3, and the official expects the Chinese military to test again before it closes."No U.S. Navy vessels were in the area when the missile or missiles splashed down, NBC News reported. Still, the official described the event as "concerning."China in recent years has occupied several disputed islands in the China Seas, dredged their endangered coral reefs and built atop them sprawling airfields and barracks and installations for cruise missiles and air-defense systems.The U.S. Navy frequently sails warships through international waters near these fortified islands in order to assert its rights to navigate open waters. These "freedom-of-navigation operations," or FONOPs, often draw harsh condemnation from Beijing.In January 2019 China deployed anti-ship ballistic missiles to the country's northwest plateau in an apparent attempt to protect them from the U.S. Navy's own missiles.
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| A Saudi princess, a bodyguard and a workman: French trial to open Posted: 08 Jul 2019 07:51 AM PDT ![A Saudi princess, a bodyguard and a workman: French trial to open]( "A Saudi princess, a bodyguard and a workman: French trial to open") The king of Saudi Arabia's daughter is a "caring, humble" person who is the victim of false allegations that she ordered a bodyguard to beat up a workman in her luxury flat in Paris, the princess' lawyer said. Princess Hassa bint Salman is due to go on trial in absentia on Tuesday on charges of complicity to violence with a weapon and complicity to kidnap an Egyptian-born artisan who was carrying out repairs at her father's residence on the exclusive Avenue Foch in September 2016. According to the indictment, seen by Reuters, workman Ashraf Eid told police the bodyguard bound his hands, punched and kicked him and forced him to kiss the princess' feet after she accused him of filming her on his cell phone.
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| 13-year-old stabs brother because he 'would rather be in jail than spend eight hours' with him Posted: 09 Jul 2019 06:57 AM PDT  A 13-year-old boy who stabbed his older brother told police he would "rather be in jail" than spend eight hours in a car with his sibling. The teenager complained his 15-year-old brother had been teasing him before he slashed him three times with a pocket knife.
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| I hope Jeffrey Epstein sings like a bird. And if some Democrats go down, so be it Posted: 09 Jul 2019 08:53 AM PDT  Holding people accountable for abusing girls should be nonpartisan. Sadly, in the Trump era of lowered expectations, we can't count on that'Epstein's powerful connections (and the potential wrongdoings of other powerful men) may have had a hand in keeping him in relative freedom.' Photograph: STRINGER/ReutersI hope Jeffrey Epstein sings like a bird.The wealthy and well-connected financier and registered sex offender was arrested this week in New York on accusations of child sex trafficking. He just may bring a lot of bad men – and a few bad women – down with him.Epstein allegedly groomed and recruited dozens of underage girls, many of them vulnerable runaways, for sex with him and his friends. Despite being caught by authorities, Epstein has largely evaded serious punishment. Thanks to heroic reporting by Julie K Brown at the Miami Herald, Americans learned that back in 2008, Epstein was given an exceptionally favorable plea deal by then-prosecutor Alex Acosta – now Trump's secretary of labor. The deal was shamefully hidden from Epstein's victims, and while it forced Epstein to register as a sex offender, it allowed him near-total freedom for the 13 months he was technically in jail – he was allowed to leave the facility to work in his luxurious private office instead of serving life in prison.It's unclear why Epstein was given such favorable treatment. But given who his friends are, speculation has run rampant that his powerful connections (and the potential wrongdoings of other powerful men) may have had a hand in keeping him in relative freedom.Epstein's friends and contacts include President Donald Trump, President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and high-powered attorney Alan Dershowitz, among many others. In 2002, Trump characterized Epstein as a "terrific guy" who enjoyed the company of girls "on the younger side."In the immediate aftermath of Epstein's arrest, Twitter exploded with political gotchas. On the right, it's near-gospel that President Bill Clinton and Epstein are jet-setting pals, and that Clinton is at best complicit and at worst a participant in Epstein's sex crimes. (We know Clinton used Epstein's private jet for work related to the Clinton Foundation; according to Clinton, they were always accompanied by Secret Service agents or Clinton Foundation staff.)On the left, Trump opponents wonder if the president was ever a participant in Epstein's sexual crimes. Trump was at one point accused by a young woman of raping her at Epstein's New York home when she was 13; the lawsuit in which those accusations were made was withdrawn by the accuser. We also know that Trump and Epstein socialized, that Trump's various phone numbers were written in Epstein's notorious little black book, and that Epstein was once asked whether he had ever been around Trump and underage girls – and he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.This is not a story in which anyone should find satisfaction. Dozens of vulnerable girls were allegedly sexually exploited and abused by Jeffrey Epstein. A great many adults, who should have done the right thing and stood up for these children, chose to look the other way. A few may have even participated in exploitation and rape.The only way forward is to demand accountability from Epstein, his co-conspirators, and his enablers, without exception and without excuse. Who knew what was going on? Who participated? How, exactly, did Epstein get such a sweet plea deal in Florida?Wherever these questions lead prosecutors and reporters must follow. And the public must demand real accountability, no matter the answers.What happens next will be revealing. Any person who participated in or knew about Epstein's alleged trafficking ring should face (in addition to jail time) total public rejection. If they hold public office, they must resign or be forced out. If they are a lion of politics or public life, they must retreat, live with this profound shame, and know it will taint their legacy forever.Unfortunately, this isn't how we've treated abusive and predatory men for most of human history. While that's changing – the MeToo movement has made an incredible impact – it still seems that a man's punishment remains contingent on who he is, how powerful he is, and who his allies are. It's also looking increasingly partisan. While Democrats are far from innocent when it comes to letting badly-behaved men off the hook, the American left has largely stepped up in recent years and demanded accountability from its own. Well-loved men like Al Franken have stepped down in the wake of sexual misconduct. Men whose bad behavior has been long known, like Bill Clinton, are seeing their legacies stained as modern feminists are increasingly willing to criticize their bad acts. When it comes to Epstein, the left is ready and willing to take down anyone who let him get away with his crimes – whoever they are, and however they vote.But is the political right ready and willing to do the same? Aside from the hopeful conservative claims that Clinton is going down, the actual commitment of conservatives to punishing men for sexual wrongdoing is an outstanding question. Many, many times over, we have seen prominent conservative figures accused of sexual harassment or assault, only to have the most prominent figures on the right just deny it. Women who accuse liberal men of wrongdoing, the thinking seems to be, are to be believed. Women who accuse right-wing men are liars.Just look at Brett Kavanaugh, who sits on the Supreme Court despite a credible claim of sexual assault and attempted rape. Or Donald Trump, who has been accused of sexual misdeeds by more than two dozen women – and most recently of rape. Or Alex Acosta, Trump's labor secretary, who is the reason Jeffrey Epstein isn't sitting in federal prison. Too many of the same people salivating over the possibility that some liberal men will be indicated in the Epstein case are too happy to shrug off serious allegation of sexual crimes when those allegations are leveled against men whose politics they share.Holding people accountable for abusing girls should be a nonpartisan affair. Sadly, in the Trump era of lowered expectations and even more dismal behavior, we can't even count on that. * Jill Filipovic is the author of the The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness
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| Son of prominent South Korean defector moves to North Korea Posted: 08 Jul 2019 03:56 AM PDT  The son of the highest-profile South Korean to defect to North Korea has arrived in the North to permanently resettle, North Korean state media said. The state-run Uriminzokkiri website reported that Choe In-guk, about 72, arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, on Saturday to dedicate the rest of his life to Korean unification at the guidance of leader Kim Jong Un. Choe said he decided to live in North Korea for good because it was his parents' "dying wishes" for him to "follow" North Korea and work for its unification with South Korea, according to a written statement published on the website.
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| Vice President Pence to visit border amid outcry over conditions at migrant detention centers Posted: 09 Jul 2019 02:09 PM PDT  Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to the southern border Friday, the same day that House Democrats are holding a hearing on migrant detention centers.
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| Qatar Is Getting New 6 F-15QAs Starting in March 2021 Posted: 09 Jul 2019 07:00 AM PDT  The F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) introduces a number of previously announced features, including an advanced cockpit system with a large format display, says Steve Parker, Boeing's vice-president of F-15 programmes.Qatar says it will take delivery of the first six F-15QAs from Boeing by March 2021. Another six will be delivered three months later.According to Brigadier General Issa al-Mahannadi the rest of the 24 jets will be delivered every three months in batches of four aircraft.As reported by Reuters, Qatar signed agreements to buy warplanes from the U.S. as well as Europe last year after a political dispute broke out between it and neighbors Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain."This is not a purchase, it is a strategic partnership with the U.S.," Mahannadi said.
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| UPDATE 1-White House discussing renewing license for Chevron to operate in Venezuela Posted: 09 Jul 2019 03:27 PM PDT ![UPDATE 1-White House discussing renewing license for Chevron to operate in Venezuela]( "UPDATE 1-White House discussing renewing license for Chevron to operate in Venezuela") The Trump Administration is discussing whether to renew a license allowing Chevron Corp to continue operating in Venezuela despite U.S. sanctions on the country's oil sector, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Tuesday. The waiver issued by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control will expire on July 27. Kudlow heaped praise on Chevron, calling it a "fabulous" energy company with an "illustrious tradition" in Venezuela.
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| California earthquake: 7.1 magnitude quake created crack so big it can be seen in satellite images Posted: 08 Jul 2019 04:04 PM PDT  The earthquake that recently shook residents of California, was powerful enough to leave a crack visible in satellite images.As people in southern California communities such as Ridgecrest, continued to clear up from two of the biggest earthquakes in decades, scientists revealed the quake had left large cracks in some locations."Ridgecrest earthquake before (4th July) & after (6th July) images from Doves, clearly showing surface rupture," tweeted Will Marshall, the CEO and founder of Planet Labs, referring to one of the company's satellites.The San Francisco-based company says its mission is to continuously monitor the entirety of the planet. "With 150+ satellites in orbit, Planet is able to image anywhere on earth daily at 3 metre and 72 centimetre resolution," says its website. "Monitor your areas of interest, discover patterns, and deliver timely insights."Saturday's quake, with a magnitude of 7.1, jolted much of California, cracked buildings, set fires, broke roads and caused several injuries while seismologists warned that large aftershocks were expected to continue, according to reports.The epicentre was close to the city of Ridgecrest, about 140 miles north east of Los Angeles.The quake – preceded by Thursday's 6.4-magnitude temblor in the Mojave Desert, was the largest in southern California for at least 20 years.> Ridgecrest Earthquake before (4th July) & after (6th July) images from Doves, clearly showing surface rupture. Thx @rsimmon @PlanetLabs @USGS RT @USGSBigQuakes Prelim M7.1 Earthquake 35.767, -117.605 Jul-06 03:19 UTC, updates https://t.co/waWvmvQZ88 pic.twitter.com/cUNxdMazum> > — Will Marshall (@Will4Planet) > > July 7, 2019It was followed by a series of large and small aftershocks, including a handful above magnitude 5.0.On Monday, officials said it could be several more days before water service was restored to the desert town of Trona, where officials trucked in portable toilets and showers. Ten residences in Trona were listed as uninhabitable and officials expected that number to rise as inspectors complete more surveys of the area.California is spending more than $16m to instal thousands of quake-detecting sensors statewide that officials say will give utilities and trains precious seconds to shut down before the shaking starts. Governor Gavin Newsom said it was time for residents to help, by mapping out emergency escape routes and preparing earthquake kits with food, water, lights and other necessities. "It is a wake-up call for the rest of the state and other parts of the nation, frankly," he said.Additional reporting by Associated Press
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| Man arrested in Oregon in death of original Mouseketeer Posted: 08 Jul 2019 07:15 AM PDT  Daniel James Burda, 36, was taken into custody Friday on suspicion of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, abuse of a corpse, criminal mistreatment and identity theft in the death of Dennis Day, Oregon State Police said. Oregon State Police Captain Timothy R. Fox said Burda did jobs around the house for Day and his husband. Police declined to provide more details about Burda's connection to Day, though neighbors say Burda had lived with the elderly couple at their home in southern Oregon.
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| Double the speed of your Fire TV or Chromecast with one $14 gadget Posted: 08 Jul 2019 11:35 AM PDT  Do you have a Fire TV Stick, a Fire TV Stick 4K, or a Chromecast? If you do, you undoubtedly love it… most of the time. When it's working perfectly and nothing interrupts your streaming, it's great. But there are a lot of times when things start to slow down and quality gets choppy, or the stream just drops out completely. Once in a blue moon, it's your internet provider's fault, but 99 times out of 100, it's your Wi-Fi causing the slowdowns. If you want to speed up your connection and stop all those annoying slowdowns, pick up a UGREEN Ethernet Adapter on Amazon for under $14. Don't have Ethernet in your home? No problem, you can also get a terrific powerline adapter kit for $43 that instantly turns any regular old power outlet into a gigabit Ethernet port!Here's more info from the product page: * Stable Network: Enables your Micro USB TV sticks, Chromecast Ultra / 3 / 2 / 1 / Audio, Google Home Mini, Raspbbery Pi Zero etc., to ethernet for faster and more stable internet access, put an end to weak WiFi signal 【NOTE: 1. Works for TV Sticks supporting ethernet through micro usb port showed in the 2nd photo 2.Do NOT support fire stick gen 1(FCCID: 2ABDU-0509), Roku Stick/Express, Fire HD 10 or any other tablet or cellphone; 3.Do not fit for VPN】 * Faster Internet Connection: RJ45 provide a speed of full 10/100 Mbps ethernet performance and the Micro USB 2.0 at 480Mbps for faster and more reliable Internet access * Practical Ethernet Adapter: Best solution for congested wifi, poor wireless signal, no wireless router at home, old wireless router only supporting 802.11b, poor network performance of Chromecast and other tv sticks * Plug & Play: Driver-free, don't need to install any driver program for the ethernet adapter, simply plug and play; You just plug it in, then it works. No channel issues, no frequency issues, no interference issues, no security type issues * 3.3ft USB Power Cable & Micro USB Cable: No worry about your ethernet adapter cable is not long enough and is hung in the air making your ethernet connecting be loose by gravity(NOTE: DO NOT include wall charger or Ethernet Cable)
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| Israel shoots down drone, discovers tunnel from Gaza Posted: 09 Jul 2019 01:37 PM PDT  Israel's military shot down a drone on Monday that crossed into its territory from the Gaza Strip and found an attack tunnel running under the Gaza perimeter fence.
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| Billionaire anti-Trump activist Tom Steyer launches presidential bid Posted: 09 Jul 2019 08:34 AM PDT  California billionaire Tom Steyer on Tuesday morning announced his bid to join the two dozen Democrats running for president.
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| The U.S. Navy Wants to Add the Ultimate Weapon: 'Laser Guns'? Posted: 08 Jul 2019 04:00 AM PDT  (Washington, D.C.) If swarms of enemy small attack boats armed with guns and explosives approached a Navy ship, alongside missile-armed drones and helicopters closing into strike range, ship commanders would instantly begin weighing defensive options - to include interceptor missiles, electronic warfare, deck-mounted guns or area weapons such as Close-in-Weapons System.Now, attacks such as these will also be countered with laser weapons being added to the equation, bringing new dimensions to maritime warfare on the open sea.By 2021, U.S. Navy destroyers will be armed with new ship-fired lasers able to sense and incinerate enemy drones, low-flying aircraft and small boat attacks -- all while firing at the speed of light.Lasers have existed for many years, but the Navy is now adjusting emerging Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to how new high-powered, ship-fired lasers will change ship defenses….and attack options.Lockheed Martin and the Navy have been working on ground attack tests against mock enemy targets to prepare high-energy lasers for war. The weapon, called High-Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-Dazzler with Surveillance - or HELIOS - is engineered to surveil, track and destroy targets from an integrated ship system consisting of advanced radar, fire control technology and targeting sensors.Working with the Navy, Lockheed has recently completed its Systems Design Review for HELIOS, a process which examines weapon requirements and prepares subsystems and designs. The intent is to engineer an integrated tactical laser system able to receive "real time operating feedback well in advance, before the system hits the ship," said Brendan Scanlon, HELIOS Program Director, Lockheed.
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| Iran's Zarif calls on UK to immediately release captured oil tanker Posted: 08 Jul 2019 04:02 AM PDT ![Iran's Zarif calls on UK to immediately release captured oil tanker]( "Iran's Zarif calls on UK to immediately release captured oil tanker") The capture of an Iranian oil tanker by Britain has set "a dangerous precedent and must end now", Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter on Monday. "Iran is neither a member of the EU nor subject to any European oil embargo. UK's unlawful seizure of a tanker with Iranian oil on behalf of #B_Team is piracy, pure and simple.
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| Correction: Migrant Children Drawings story Posted: 09 Jul 2019 09:41 AM PDT  MCALLEN, Texas (AP) —In a story July 5 about drawings made by migrant children depicting their time in Border Patrol custody, The Associated Press spelled incorrectly the name and misstated the title of the American Academy of Pediatrics' incoming president Dr. Sara Goza. The American Academy of Pediatrics has released photographs of drawings made by migrant children who were asked to depict their time spent in Border Patrol custody. Another picture has frowning stick figures behind what appears to be a chain-link fence.
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| Striking 1962 Chevrolet Corvette To Be Auctioned Posted: 09 Jul 2019 06:19 AM PDT  This 'Vette marks the end of an era, plus it's absolute gorgeous. Emerging from the late Larry Sachs collection of cars, this 1962 Chevrolet Corvette is a real looker. A clean presentation inside and out, plus the certificates and awards to back everything up, you'd be hard-pressed to find another 'Vette to hold a candle to this one. You can register through GAA Classic Cars to bid on this beauty before it's scooped up by someone else.The correct Roman Red paint looks to be in good condition, gracing the body and hardtop. It's been polished to a nice shine, matching the flashy chrome bits on the bumpers, grille surround, side mirrors, wheels, and various trim pieces. All the glass, including the dramatic curved windshield, appears to be blemish-free. All trim pieces from the factory are present, including the badges, accurately portraying what this C1 'Vette looked like when new.For the interior, a Honduras Maroon over Fawn color scheme presents quite well. Both seats, including the upholstery, appear to be in good condition. OE gauges and controls preserve the original setup of the interior, giving you as the driver the full effect of what driving in 1962 entailed.Powering this Corvette is the 327ci V8 with factory fuel injection. A four-speed manual transmission is the icing on the cake, so you get the ultimate in control of the car.Everyone knows the Chevrolet Corvette, America's Sports Car, and many hold it in high regard. Introduced in 1953, the C1 or first generation of 'Vettes stretched all the way to the 1962 model year. That means this car is the last of the C1s, making it quite notable. Even more impressive, this Corvette comes with documentation back to 1968, plus it won the Bloomington Gold Award 2018, MCACN Triple Diamond & Gold Concourse Awards 2018, plus NCRS National, Regional, & Chapter Top Flight Awards. More Classic Cars 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS In Cranberry Red Is Droolworthy Add Your Personal Touch To This 1977 Chevrolet K-10 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible Is The Perfect Summer Toy This Vintage Luxury 1951 Lincoln Sedan Could Be Yours Today
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| Vessels Change Names or Go Dark to Ship Venezuelan Crude to Cuba Posted: 09 Jul 2019 06:38 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Stopping the flow of Venezuelan oil to its ally Cuba might prove harder than the U.S. expected.Tankers are being renamed and vessels are switching off their transponders to sail under the radar of the U.S. government. The vessel Ocean Elegance, an oil tanker that has been delivering Venezuelan crude to Cuba for the past three years, was renamed Oceano after being sanctioned in May. The ship S-Trotter, another one that's on the sanctions list, is now known as Tropic Sea, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.The oil tanker Nedas, after being sanctioned in April, made a delivery to Cuba incognito because it turned off its satellite tracking system. It went unaccounted for 42 days, but shipping reports show that it delivered oil to Cuba. After the ghost delivery, it discreetly changed its name to Esperanza. The Nedas/Esperanza has delivered 2 million barrels of crude to Cuba this year, according to shipping reports.Halting the flow between the two countries may prove difficult. There are over 4,500 crude oil tankers in operation globally, and state oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela SA also uses oil products vessels, adding to the complexity of the task.Nevertheless, the U.S. continues to target shipments between the two countries and aims to close loopholes in sanctions, according to a senior U.S. administration official. The goal is to surgically and methodically cut off funds to the regime of President Nicolas Maduro."The United States will continue to target entities involved in shipping oil between the two countries (Venezuela and Cuba) and aims to further cut off Maduro and his cronies' access to funds derived from oil sales to Cuba," National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said by email. "Those who circumvent sanctions do so at their own risk."Last week the Treasury Department sanctioned Cubametales, the state-run Cuban oil and metals importer, because the Havana-based company is importing Venezuelan crude and Cuba, in return, "continues to provide support, including defense, intelligence and security assistance, to the illegitimate regime of former President Nicolas Maduro," Treasury said in a statement.Cuba imports Venezuelan crude for its refineries and fuel oil to run its power plants and generate electricity. The supply of Venezuelan oil was agreed on a handshake between former presidents Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro and later memorialized in contract. Shipments to Cuba peaked at 103,000 barrels a day in 2009 and have been dwindling over the years, according to data published by PDVSA. Volumes slumped to 35,177 barrels a day in the first half of 2019, amid lower production and sanctions, data compiled by Bloomberg show.(Updates with NSC comment in sixth paragraph.)To contact the reporters on this story: Lucia Kassai in Houston at lkassai@bloomberg.net;Ben Bartenstein in New York at bbartenstei3@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: David Marino at dmarino4@bloomberg.net, Mike Jeffers, Stephen CunninghamFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Sex trafficking charges against Epstein could rock Trump's Cabinet Posted: 08 Jul 2019 08:10 AM PDT  An investigation into former hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein for running a sex trafficking ring could affect the White House.
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| Kris Kobach Enters U.S. Senate Race, Misspells Own First Name Posted: 08 Jul 2019 07:46 AM PDT  REUTERSKris Kobach's U.S. Senate campaign is off to an inauspicious start. The former Kansas secretary of state, a Republican, officially declared his candidacy in a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Monday. But the filing misspelled his first name. The campaign amended the error an hour later. Kobach is running to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Roberts.The former secretary of state is a strident Trump supporter who previously chaired a presidential commission on voter fraud, which fizzled out after the panel failed to marshal much evidence that the practice was widespread. After White House advisor Stephen Miller boasted of Kobach having evidence of such alleged fraud, the Kansas Republican appeared on CNN and famously came up empty with any proof.Kobach also ran for governor of Kansas in 2018 and received Trump's outspoken support for his candidacy despite the president's initially neutral stance in the state's Republican primary. One day before primary ballots were cast, Trump tweeted his endorsement of Kobach, taking sides against incumbent Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer.Despite the president's "full & total" endorsement in the general election, Kobach lost to Democrat Laura Kelly by about five points.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| F-35 in Trouble? Dispute with Lockheed Martin Means No More American F-35 Deliveries Posted: 08 Jul 2019 10:00 AM PDT  At the heart of the dispute is the government's inspection of the planes during Lockheed's production, which failed to discover problems with the fastenings, the sources said. A dispute with Lockheed Martin over a production mistake on the F-35 has prompted the Pentagon and at least two foreign countries from accepting deliveryof new aircraft.Corrosion "exceeding technical limits" was discovered during routine maintenance at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) last year. The Pentagon determined that the "lack of protective coating at the fastening point" between the carbon fiber exterior panel and aluminum airframe to be the cause.As reported by Reuters the dispute centers on who will foot the bill for Lockheed Martin technicians to travel around the world to remedy the issue on jets based overseas.
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| Iranians despair over nuclear deal confrontation Posted: 08 Jul 2019 04:11 AM PDT ![Iranians despair over nuclear deal confrontation]( "Iranians despair over nuclear deal confrontation") Iran's decision to further challenge the United States by boosting its uranium enrichment beyond limits in its 2015 nuclear deal has deepened fears among Iranians that their country will remain in crisis mode over the long term. The United States' exit from the pact last year, under President Donald's Trump's campaign to squeeze Iran with sanctions, has so far failed to force its clerical rulers to renegotiate. Iran confirmed on Monday it had enriched uranium to a purity beyond that allowed by the pact.
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| Philadelphia police search for 60 teens seen looting South Street Walgreens Posted: 09 Jul 2019 07:45 AM PDT  Philadelphia police have released surveillance video showing a group of teenagers damaging a Walgreens pharmacy on July 4.
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| Not man's best friend? Owner bites his dog while shopping at Whole Foods in Colorado, police say Posted: 08 Jul 2019 05:14 PM PDT ![Not man's best friend? Owner bites his dog while shopping at Whole Foods in Colorado, police say]( "Not man's best friend? Owner bites his dog while shopping at Whole Foods in Colorado, police say") A Colorado man bit his pit bull mix on the ear, Boulder Police said, and dragged it through a Whole Foods store by the collar.
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| Boeing falls behind Airbus in deliveries as 737 MAX crisis bites Posted: 09 Jul 2019 01:45 PM PDT  Airbus is on track to overtake Boeing in commercial plane deliveries for 2019 after outpacing its US rival at mid-year following the 737 MAX grounding, according to data released Tuesday. Boeing, which has halted deliveries of the top-selling plane since mid-March, reported 239 commercial plane deliveries in 2019 through the year's midpoint, down 37 percent from the year-ago period. Airbus reported 389 deliveries for the same period, up 28 percent from the same period in 2018, according to data on its website.
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| Ford Cancels Plans for a Diesel-Powered Transit Connect Van in the U.S. Posted: 09 Jul 2019 10:31 AM PDT  A 1.5-liter turbodiesel inline-four was slated to join the lineup for 2019, but it's been dropped.
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| 1999 Camaro Z28: A Show Car With High-Performance Upgrades Posted: 09 Jul 2019 08:02 AM PDT  This Camaro is the best from the factory, with upgrades to make it even better!The iconic Camaro has always been a crowd please, and the fourth-generation variant of America's favorite F-Body has started to prove itself to be a timeless favorite. Cars like this 1999 Camaro Z28 from Street Dreams have had an enormous popularity spike over the last few years, and this example makes it obvious why. Not only is this a clean 4th-gen with tons of factory options, the performance was taken a little further for even more smiles behind the wheel.Equipped with an LS1 from the factory, the 1998-2002 Camaros left the showroom floor as one of the most capable modern muscle cars of its time - and they even hold their weight against muscle cars made since. These mid 3000-pound cars were churning out horsepower in the low 300-horsepower range, and they were laying down 13-second quarter mile passes stock.One thing fourth-generation F-Body owners quickly discovered was how responsive the LS engines are to any kind of modification. Getting a naturally aspirated engine to gain almost a horsepower from a heads/cam/bolt-ons upgrade is not uncommon. Unfortunately, what is uncommon is finding a modified 4th-gen you can trust. This is a car that doesn't present those worries since it was professionally modified by Motorsports International.The list of modifications to the 5.7-liter V8 engine include a cam swap, MTI Stage II heads, K&N air intake, Z06 intake manifold, FLP long tube headers, and a Borla SS cat back that makes these Camaro sing in the key or performance. The 394 rear wheel horsepower engine is backed by a 4L60e transmission with Vigilante 3200 rpm torque converter.Once the power hits the ground, it's handled by Hotchkis sway bars, trailing arms, pan hard bar and the strut brace. It gets braking power from Power Slot rotors, and rolls on a set of BFG G-Force tires, which are wrapped around aluminum wheels.The stock parts of this car are all equally impressive - the exterior and interior are in show car condition. This Camaro is truly the best of both worlds. More Camaros Here: Dreamy 800-Horsepower 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Custom Available Now Captivating 1969 Chevrolet Camaro In Copperhead Metallic
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| Al Gore blasts Trump environmental speech that fails to mention climate change Posted: 08 Jul 2019 02:32 PM PDT  The former vice president describes the president's environmental speech as being "meant to deceive and deflect."
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| US returns first group of asylum seekers to Nuevo Laredo Posted: 09 Jul 2019 02:40 PM PDT  The so-called Remain in Mexico program for U.S. asylum seekers expanded to another Mexican border city Tuesday with the arrival of a first group of migrants to Nuevo Laredo. The 10 migrants had crossed the border to seek U.S. asylum Monday and will now have to wait in Mexico as their applications are processed. Lucía Ascencio of Venezuela had waited for three months in Nuevo Laredo with her husband and two young sons just for the chance to make her asylum petition in Laredo, Texas.
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| Technological Theft: China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Has American DNA Posted: 08 Jul 2019 08:00 PM PDT  There's a reason for this: In 2007, Lockheed Martin dealt with something of a cyber Ocean's 11 when Chinese hackers stole technical documents related to the development of the F-35. On August 1st of last year, China celebrated the founding of the People's Liberation Army by allowing some high-resolution photos of the next-generation J-20 stealth fighter to leak, complete with a tasteful photoshopped-on patriotic dragon painting just below the canopy which just screams "Happy Birthday, PLA."The new photos of the J-20 provide an up close and personal look at the fuselage of the new interceptor. But the photos also appear to show a sensor system that looks awfully similar to the Lockheed Martin Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) on the front of the F-35 Lighting II.
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| Freed Australian denies North Korean spy charges, says no plans to return Posted: 09 Jul 2019 06:15 AM PDT  The Australian student released last week after being detained in North Korea said on Tuesday Pyongyang's accusation that he was a spy was "pretty obviously" false, but that his work in the country was probably over. Alek Sigley, 29, who was studying in the North Korean capital, had been missing since June 25 before he was abruptly expelled from the country on July 4 after Swedish officials helped broker his release. North Korean state media later issued a statement saying Sigley had admitted to committing "spying acts" by working with foreign media, including NK News, a website that specializes in North Korea.
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| The census, veterans and the value of citizenship Posted: 09 Jul 2019 03:49 PM PDT  The U.S. Census should record citizenship just as it records differences in Americans' ethnicity and spoken languages.
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| YouTube engineer on LSD-fuelled 4th July rampage leaves eight people hurt Posted: 08 Jul 2019 08:43 AM PDT  A YouTube software engineer has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder after taking LSD and ramming a stolen truck into strangers, according to police in northern California.Betai Koffi, 32, hurt eight people during a violent rampage after becoming "delusional" on the hallucinogenic drug, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.Sergeant Spencer Crum said the tech worker initially lashed out at friends during Fourth of July celebrations at a rented home in Bodega Bay. Mr Koffi allegedly punched a woman in the chest, stabbed a man with a pencil, choked another man, and then punched a third man in the face.After driving off from the party in a rented car at about 8pm, the San Francisco resident is said to have stabbed a security guard in the chest with the sharp end of a garden light.Mr Koffi then stole the security guard's truck and drove into pedestrians out walking in the Pacific coast town, hitting three people and causing significant injuries to two women, police said.The frenzy finally came to an end when a sheriff's deputy shot Koffi through the windscreen of the vehicle, leaving him critically wounded."Koffi and the first woman hit by the truck were flown by helicopters to nearby hospitals and treated for their injuries," said Mr Crum in a statement. "The woman received significant injuries that are not expected to be life threatening."The police sergeant added: "The security guard and second woman hit by the truck were transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance and are expected to survive their injuries. Koffi received major injuries and is currently in critical condition."The 32-year-old was identified by his LinkedIn profile as a YouTube software engineer.Mr Crum said he initially took two doses of acid around noon on 4 July."At approximately 3pm Koffi became delusional around the home while his friends tried to keep him calm," said the police sergeant said.He added: "Between 4pm and 5pm, he took two more doses of LSD. Shortly before 8pm Koffi wanted to leave but his friends tried to stop him."He is under arrest in hospital on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one charge of carjacking."Koffi's friends at the rented home were able to treat their own injuries and did not require hospitalisation," said Mr Crum.Sonoma County Sheriff's Office identified the police deputy who shot the suspect as Jason Pasero. Police said the officer fired at Mr Koffi after he accelerated towards two patrol cars.The sheriff's office is investigating the alleged assaults and events leading up to the shooting, while Santa Rosa Police and the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office are investigating the shooting.
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| Detroit woman claims Spirit passenger refused to sit next to her because she's black Posted: 09 Jul 2019 06:44 AM PDT  Spirit Airlines is investigating a Detroit woman's report that a passenger on her flight refused to sit next her because she was black.
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| This Vintage Luxury 1951 Lincoln Sedan Could Be Yours Today Posted: 08 Jul 2019 07:53 AM PDT  It received just the right touches to keep this a true classic. The Lincoln EL-Series is a full-size luxury vehicle that was sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1949 until 1951. Despite it having a short run, the EL-Series cars are quite special in that they are closely related to the Mercury Eight that we all admire for its iconic shape and vintage styling. That is why Streetside Classics is happy to offer up this stunning 1951 Lincoln Sedan up for sale at a price of $26,995. It was treated to just the right amount of upgrades to keep this a V8 of true distinction and class.Ford combined its separate Lincoln and Mercury divisions into the Lincoln-Mercury Division following World War II. This was done as a means of saving and sharing developmental costs and is why the redesigned postwar Lincoln looks so much like the 1949 Mercury Eight. As with its K-Series and H-Series predecessors, the company marketed the EL-Series using only the Lincoln division name – hence the name: 1951 Lincoln Sedan.This Lincoln Sedan features sleek lines with stunning vintage flair from the full-length trim to the fender skirts and rounded taillights. The grille and chrome bumpers that wraparound the front and rear are also an iconic symbol of 1950's design elements. The brightwork on this Sedan is easy to spot as it beautifully contrasts the sophisticated dark blue exterior paint. From whitewall tires to the golden trim hood ornament and suicide doors, this 1951 Lincoln is a showstopper.The cabin includes two rows of seating that are as comfortable as your living room sofa. The seat materials match the door panels and coordinate with other interior features and even the carpeted trunk. The dashboard stays true to the color theme and includes features like art deco gauges and a classic steering wheel.This beauty is powered by the large 337 cubic-inch Flathead V8 engine that was only equipped to Lincolns or big Ford trucks. The 5.5-liter motor is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and produces around 154 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The entire engine bay is very honest and in its original form. It does, however, include more recent investments like the carburetor and water pump. Although it appears untouched, it fires up and runs as it should. This goes to show just how well the previous owner has taken care of this Sedan. The car delivers a smooth and soft ride that is great for cruising and showing off the vintage beauty that is the 1951 Lincoln Sedan. Read more... 1966 Lincoln Continental Restomod With LS2 Power This 1947 Lincoln Continental Custom Boattail Blends Old And New
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| 55+ Father's Day Dinners That Will Show Dad How Much You Care Posted: 09 Jul 2019 02:30 PM PDT |
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